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Renew Holdings plc

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FY2021 Annual Report · Renew Holdings plc
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Working 
together

Engineering Infrastructure 
for a sustainable future

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Highlights

Group revenue1

Full year dividend per share 

£791.0m

2020: £620.4m

16.00p

2020: 8.33p

2021

2020

2019

791.0

2021

2020

2019

620.4

600.6

16.00

8.33

11.50

Adjusted operating profit1 

Adjusted operating margin1

£51.2m

2020: £39.6m

6.5%

2020: 6.4%

2021

2020

2019

51.2

2021

2020

2019

39.6

38.3

6.5

6.4

6.4

A strong set of results
Our differentiated and resilient business 
model has delivered strong results.

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative performance 
measures when reviewing the performance of the Group against its strategy. Definitions 
of the alternative performance measures, and a reconciliation to statutory performance 
measures, are included in Note 30 to these accounts.

Expansion in the water market
We have expanded in the water market 
with the acquisition of J Browne. 

Read more online at  
www.renewholdings.com

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

60  Board of Directors
64 

 Statement of corporate 
governance

72  Audit and Risk Committee report
75  Nomination Committee report
77  Directors’ remuneration report
85  Directors’ report
88 

 Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

IFC  Highlights
At a glance
2 
4  Working together
Environment

4 
6  Social
8  Governance
Investment case
10 
12  Chairman’s statement
14  Chief Executive’s review
19  Section 172(1) statement
20  Our business model
22  Our stakeholders
26  Our strategy 
28  Key performance indicators
30  Operational review
39  Financial review
42  Our culture
44  Sustainability
56  Risk management

Independent auditor’s report

89 
94  Group income statement
 Group statement of 
95 
comprehensive income
 Group statement of changes 
in equity

95 

96  Group balance sheet
97  Group cashflow statement
98  Notes to the accounts
130  Company balance sheet
 Company statement of 
131 
comprehensive income
 Company statement of 
changes in equity

131 

132  Notes to the Company accounts
143  Directors, officers and advisors
144  Shareholder information
145   Our subsidiary businesses

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Working 
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Engineering Infrastructure  
for a sustainable future

Our purpose

We provide essential engineering 
services to maintain and renew critical 
infrastructure networks. 

Our multidisciplinary engineering services 
are delivered through our independently 
branded UK subsidiary businesses that 
support the day-to-day running of these 
infrastructure networks.

Our vision

To safely and responsibly deliver essential 
engineering services to the country’s key 
infrastructure assets.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

1

 
 
 
 
At a glance

Delivering essential 
infrastructure 
services

We operate on some of the country’s most challenging infrastructure networks  
directly delivering day-to-day engineering support services.

Employees

3,696

2020: 3,338

Order book

£749m

2020: £692m

Engineering Services

Rail
As a major provider of infrastructure services to the 
rail network nationally, we support its day-to-day 
operations by providing a high volume of essential, 
non-discretionary asset maintenance activities. 
Through our long-term frameworks we deliver a range 
of services including civil asset management, fencing, 
devegetation, drainage and electrification services.

Infrastructure
We deliver specialist engineering services across 
the strategic highways network predominantly to 
National Highways through a number of asset 
delivery framework agreements. Services include 
infrastructure civils, specialist drainage, lighting 
and electricals. We also undertake all aspects of 
wireless telecoms network infrastructure delivery.

Energy
Our services are associated with high-hazard risk 
reduction operations at nuclear facilities that include 
waste treatment, reprocessing, decommissioning 
and decontamination operations. We also provide 
long-term maintenance and asset renewal support 
to UK thermal power generation plants.

Environmental
We support our water clients by directly delivering 
asset maintenance and renewals across water 
infrastructure networks including flood alleviation 
and river and coastal defence schemes. We also 
specialise in undertaking complex remediation 
schemes for our clients.

2

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Working 
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Acquisition

J Browne
J Browne is a water-focused engineering services 
business based in London and operating throughout the 
South of England. 

J Browne delivers multidisciplinary infrastructure services 
through a number of long-standing framework agreements, 
across all disciplines in the water sector. 

The acquisition represents an excellent strategic fit, adding 
material scale to Renew’s water business and bringing new 
water clients into the Group including Thames Water, 
Southern Water, Affinity Water and South East Water.

Employees

211

J Browne acquisition 

£29.5m

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Specialist Building

Our subsidiaries

High Quality Residential and Science
Operating in London and the Home Counties, we are 
a market-leading provider of luxury prestigious private 
residential refurbishment schemes where we specialise 
in extensive temporary works, often underground. In the 
science sector, we have a number of frameworks to build 
and refurbish scientific facilities.

   Read more about our business model 
on pages 20 & 21

   Read more about our operations 
on pages 30–38

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

3

 
 
 
 
 
Working together – environment

Using technology  
to reduce our 
carbon footprint

New technology
Carnell’s High Density Array Ground Probing Radar 
(“HDAGPR”) surveys were shortlisted for the “Best Use of New 
Technology in the Highways Industry” category at the 2021 
Highways Awards.

Carnell teamed up with a geospatial survey specialist partner 
to pioneer the use of HDAGPR technology on the strategic 
road network. This innovative technology improves the 
information on underground services to enhance road 
worker safety. 

Reducing our footprint
Carnell has trialled Green D plus hydro-treated vegetable 
oil (“HVO”) fuel to power lighting equipment and the site 
compound on an M6 central reserve barrier upgrade project 
for National Highways. 

Carnell plans to expand its use of renewable fuel to power 
its projects in the future after the scheme reduced its CO2e 
emissions by around 90%. The scheme, which spanned 6km, 
saved the equivalent emissions of three average cars running 
for a year. 

   Read more about our carbon reduction 
initiatives on pages 48 & 49

4

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
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Working 
together

Measuring our carbon 
reduction initiatives
At the end of 2020 we introduced a number 
of targets across the Group aimed at measuring 
our progress in reducing our carbon footprint. 

During the year, our subsidiary businesses have 
been required to work towards carbon reduction 
initiatives including moving to an 80% low carbon 
commercial fleet by 2030 and developing a 
programme to install electric vehicle charging 
points at all the Group’s main office locations 
by the end of 2021.

As a Group, we are committed to ensuring 
all electricity used is derived from 100% 
renewable tariffs by 2022.

   Read more about how we are 
reducing our carbon emissions 
on pages 48 & 49

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

5

Innovation at work
AmcoGiffen has developed a bespoke attachment to assist 
with its rail tunnel cleaning operations. The self-contained 
system incorporates an industrial vacuum to collect detritus 
for safe disposal, removing potentially harmful contaminants 
before our people enter the work site. 

The technology protects the environment and ensures our 
employees are able to work safely as well as reducing costs 
and protecting the environment.

Cutting emissions
At Birkenhead Park Station, as part of a wider “Access for All” 
programme being undertaken by Merseyrail, AmcoGiffen has 
introduced a Solartainer. Solar panels generate electricity to 
power batteries with the aid of a HVO-fuelled generator. The 
generator turns off when there is sufficient power to run the 
site. A significant reduction in fuel consumption was achieved 
by running mainly on solar power. The use of this technology 
reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality and reduces 
noise pollution for our neighbours.

 
 
 
 
 
Working together – social

Building 
relationships 
with local 
communities

6

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Working 
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Working with the 
local community
Supporting the communities in which we operate is vital 
to maintaining positive relationships and ensuring the 
successful delivery of our work. Our businesses engage 
with, and support, those communities in which they work, 
playing their part in creating a better society. 

During the year our employees undertook “volunteering days” 
alongside fundraising activities for a range of charities. 

Schools
Dedicated to bridging the skills gap and raising awareness 
of engineering as a career, our businesses participated in 
numerous school-based activities and training days during 
the year including interactive employability panels, 
workshops and various engagement events.

During the year a team from QTS worked with Farsley Farfield 
Primary School in Leeds to transform its outdoor space into 
a haven for children with social, emotional or mental 
health needs.

Customer facing
Our customer liaison and planning teams ensure that 
stakeholder management plans are delivered effectively 
through timely, proactive communication with all stakeholders. 

The teams endeavour to improve the levels of customer 
satisfaction in the course of their work. In our highways 
business, we employ a “Think Customer” culture 
and support the Institute of Customer Service’s 
“Service With Respect” campaign. 

   Read more about how we engage with 
our customers on pages 46 & 47

Teamwork

Leaving a legacy
Whilst carrying out work to replace the lock gates 
on the Crinan Canal on behalf of Scottish Canals, 
the team at AmcoGiffen recently installed a 
defibrillator for the community on behalf of the 
Community Heartbeat Trust. 

The defibrillator was installed at Cairnbaan in 
Argyll and Bute on the West Coast of Scotland 
and was arranged by local residents in conjunction 
with the charity. The defibrillator gives a high-
energy electric shock to the heart of a person 
in cardiac arrest.

The defibrillator has been fitted in an old unused 
phone box making it even more special and it is 
now fully operational for the community to use.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

7

 
 
 
 
Working together – governance

Acting 
responsibly 
to deliver 
sustainable 
value

Internal controls
The Directors have overall responsibility for the Group’s system of 
internal control and for reviewing and monitoring its effectiveness. 
The Group operates a risk management process, which is embedded 
in normal management and governance processes. There is a 
system of self-examination of risk areas and controls by subsidiaries 
and departments within the Group. 

The Group undertakes an annual strategic planning and budgeting 
process to review all aspects of the business. The Strategic Plan 
and budget are considered, challenged and approved by the Board.

Succession planning
Continuity of leadership is recognised as a critical factor in the 
sustainability of the business. The Board carries out an annual 
review of succession planning at both Board and subsidiary 
business management level as part of its strategic planning and 
budgeting process.

   Read more about how we 
manage risk on pages 56–59

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
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Working 
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Site visits
Our safety, health, environmental and quality advisory team 
undertook 2,477 site visits during the year. Site management 
from across the Group undertook a further 2,424 visits. 

Our responsibility on site
Our site teams understand the importance of ensuring they 
carry out their operations responsibly considering all our 
stakeholders. We seek to leave a lasting positive legacy from 
our work. Engagement with communities, schools and local 
people is a feature of the work we undertake.

After Covid-19
We continue to review our Covid-19 procedures to ensure we 
are following Government guidance on how to operate safely. 
Strictly enforcing these precautionary measures means our 
employees can carry on supporting critical UK infrastructure 
networks with confidence. 

Site visits

4,901

2020: 4,362

   Read more about our health 
and safety on page 50

Safety is our priority 
The Board continues to place safety at the top 
of its agenda and reviews the Group’s safety 
performance monthly. The Group’s Accident 
Frequency Rate during the year was 0.14. For 
FY22, the Group will move to a Lost Time Incident 
Frequency Rate measure which provides a more 
detailed view of safety performance in our business.

The Group’s Safety, Heath, Environmental and 
Quality (“SHEQ”) Director oversees health and 
safety across our business, supported by a team 
of safety advisors based within the individual 
subsidiary businesses. 

Sharing knowledge and best practice is key to 
improving our safety performance and the Group 
hosts safety events throughout the year supported 
by external advisors as necessary on topics which 
relate to the Group’s safety focus areas.

   Read more about our health and safety 
on page 50

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

9

 
 
 
 
 
Investment case

Delivering  
long-term value

Differentiated  
low-risk 
business model 

High-quality  
value-accretive 
compounder 

Our subsidiary businesses operate 
across a diversified range of markets. 

We undertake critical asset 
maintenance and renewals services  
that are not dependent on large, 
capital-heavy contract awards, 
providing a lower risk profile. 

We have a proven history of shareholder 
value creation through consistent 
execution of our strategy to deliver  
reliable capital growth.

We have a track record of organic growth 
and M&A in high-margin, high-growth 
end markets, twinned with strong cash 
generation and shareholder returns.

Exposure to 
attractive long-term, 
non-discretionary 
structural growth 
drivers
We operate in markets underpinned by 
resilient, long-term growth dynamics and 
committed regulatory spending periods, 
with maintenance and renewals 
expenditure continuing to increase. 

We deliver the day-to-day renewal and 
maintenance tasks required to keep critical 
networks operational.

Our strategic areas of focus

Adjusted EPS1

Frameworks in regulated markets

5

50.51p

200+

   Read more about our strategy 
on pages 26 & 27

   Read more about our 
operations on pages 30–38

   Read more about our KPIs  
on pages 28 & 29

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative 
performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group 
against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and 
a reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in note 30.

10

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
 
 
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Working 
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ARQ delivering decarbonisation
ARQ is a collaboration of Renew subsidiaries AmcoGiffen, REL 
and QTS and provides an integrated, self-delivery model for the 
UK rail network. Individually the businesses have been enabling 
electrification programmes across the UK for several years. 
Combining their respective strengths will help us to collectively 
support essential UK infrastructure while gaining a key 
competitive edge.

Decarbonisation is a huge challenge over the next 30 years. 
To decarbonise the UK rail network completely, 13,000 single 
track km (approximately 450km per year) will need to be 
electrified by 2050 to achieve net zero.

By forming ARQ, we will be well positioned to help to meet 
the ambitious electrification and decarbonisation targets set 
by the Government and Network Rail.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Market-leading 
position, expertise 
and capabilities 

Ideally poised to 
benefit from green 
infrastructure 
investment 

Strong long-term 
growth prospects 

Our businesses work in markets with high 
barriers to entry which demand a highly 
skilled, experienced workforce and a 
proven track record of safe delivery.

We continue to develop our range of 
specialist skills enabling us to provide 
a more efficient and valuable service 
to our clients.

Our purpose-led ESG approach enables 
us to add value to our customers through 
investment in innovation and technology, 
assisting in the delivery of the UK’s net-zero 
carbon target by 2050.

The Group is committed to growing 
the business in its chosen markets 
both organically and through selective 
complementary acquisitions whilst 
maintaining a disciplined approach 
to capital allocation and risk.

Highly skilled workforce

Company car schemes with  

3,696

electric/hybrid option

100%

Adjusted EPS1 growth over last 
5 years

84%

   Read more about employee 
engagement on page 23

   Read more about our carbon 
reduction on pages 48 & 49

   Read more about our risk 
management on pages 56–59

We have a proven history of shareholder value 
creation through consistent execution of our 
strategy to deliver reliable capital growth.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

11

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s statement

Continued strong 
performance

Dear Shareholder

Introduction
The Group is pleased to announce a record financial performance, 
with continued growth in revenue and profit and strong operating 
cash generation, which reflects the core strengths of the Group 
and our well-established positions in attractive and sustainable 
growth markets as well as the resilience of Renew’s business model.

In addition to good organic growth, the Group continued to make 
strategic progress during the year, expanding our presence in the 
water market with the acquisition of Browne, a respected provider 
of specialist engineering services across the water infrastructure 
network. We also acquired REL, a specialist provider of rail 
overhead line electrification, in order to support the Government’s 
rail decarbonisation programme.

Differentiated business model
Our differentiated business model and the services we provide 
continue to support key infrastructure assets in regulated markets. 
Our markets enjoy committed funding which provides visible, 
reliable and resilient revenues via long-term programmes. We 
deliver non-discretionary maintenance and renewals tasks and 
have little exposure to the financial and contractual risks of larger 
enhancement schemes. Operating in complex, challenging and 
highly regulated environments, our markets have high barriers to 
entry and we directly employ a highly skilled workforce which 
enables us to be extremely responsive to our clients’ needs.

Results
Group revenue1 increased to £791.0m (2020: £620.4m) with 
adjusted operating profit1 increasing to £51.2m (2020: £39.6m) 
and an adjusted1 operating margin of 6.5% (2020: 6.4%). Statutory 
operating profit was £41.1m (2020: £32.9m). The adjusted EPS1 was 
50.51p (2020: 41.22p) and basic earnings per share was 38.73p 
(2020: 26.78p). The Group had a net debt1 position of £13.7m 
(2020: net cash £0.3m), in line with our expectations. 

Dividend
The Group’s strong trading performance, cash position and 
positive outlook give the Board the confidence to propose a final 
dividend of 11.17p (2020: 8.33p) per share, an increase of 34 per 
cent. This will be paid on 4 March 2022 to shareholders on the 
register as at 28 January 2022, with an ex-dividend date of 
27 January 2022. This will represent a full year dividend of 
16.0p (2020: 8.33p) per share.

David M Forbes
Chairman

We expanded our presence 
in the water market with 
the acquisition of Browne, 
a company that delivers 
specialist engineering 
services across the water 
infrastructure network. 

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative 
performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group 
against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and 
a reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in note 30.

12

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

People
Our employees are critical to the continued success of the Group 
and the Board would like to sincerely thank all its employees for 
their ongoing dedication and hard work.

Safety
Our priority remains to ensure both the safety of our workforce 
and continued delivery of essential renewal and maintenance 
operations. The Group’s culture of robust governance, risk 
management and a focus on health and safety has together 
provided a strong platform from which we have been able to 
continue to operate over the last twelve months whilst delivering 
uninterrupted services for our customers.

ESG
Environmental
We understand the role we must play as a business in taking 
action to address the emissions we produce. We are committed to 
achieving net zero by no later than 2040, ahead of the 2050 target 
date set by the government.

We are pleased to maintain our London Stock Exchange’s Green 
Economy Mark which recognises those companies that derive 
more than 50 per cent of revenue from products and services 
that are contributing to environmental objectives. Renew plays 
an important role in helping to achieve government aims for 
greater sustainable infrastructure.

Social
As a business we strive to leave a lasting positive impact in the 
work we undertake. During the year our businesses have engaged 
with local schools and education providers, supported their local 
communities and undertook a range of charity events. 

Governance
As a Board, we are responsible for ensuring the effective 
application of high levels of governance within our business, 
balancing the interests of all our stakeholders. As a minimum, 
the Group complies with the QCA Corporate Governance Code, 
more details of which can be found in the corporate governance 
section of the Group’s website. 

Risk management is led by the Board, which reviews the Group’s 
risk profile on an ongoing basis alongside the Audit and Risk 
Committee. Subsidiary management teams are responsible for 
the effective embedding and monitoring of the Board’s agreed 
risk management protocols and the Executive Directors provide 
regular updates to the Board on the principal risks and controls 
across the Group.

Further details of the Group’s ESG progress and strategy are set 
out on pages 44 to 55.

Board changes
At the same time as our annual results, we announced the 
appointment of Louise Hardy as a Non-executive Director. Louise 
will augment the breadth of skills and experience on the Board as 
the Group continues to grow. Further details of Louise’s experience 
are included in that announcement and in the Directors’ report on 
pages 85 to 87.

Having served on the Board for just over ten years and in 
accordance with best practice, I have decided that it is time to 
step down as Chairman and from the Board. I have worked with 
my fellow Directors to identify the skills and experience required of 
a prospective Chairman and the Board has undertaken an exercise 
to find my replacement. That exercise is largely complete and the 
Board remains confident that this process will conclude in the new 
year and that a strong candidate will be appointed.

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At the request of the Board, I have agreed to remain as Chairman 
until that appointment is finalised which I expect to be no later 
than spring 2022, at which point I will step down from the Board.

In accordance with the Group’s normal rules, a resolution 
approving my re-election as a Director will be put to shareholders 
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. On the basis that this 
is only for a short transitional period, I hope that the shareholders 
will vote in favour of these arrangements. 

I have been fortunate to serve on this Board during a time of 
substantial growth in profitability and shareholder value. In most 
part this has been down to an exceptional, focused and diligent 
management team, past and present, who have implemented 
sound strategic thinking aimed at looking after the interests of all 
stakeholders including employees, shareholders, creditors and 
pensioners. I am proud of what has been achieved over my time 
with the Group.

Future focus
The Group is supported in the delivery of its long-term strategy 
through effective relationships with our directly employed 
workforce, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and wider 
stakeholders and these are critical to the continued success of 
the business. Building on our track record of consistently creating 
shareholder value we will continue to deliver our strategic priorities 
whilst focusing on our environmental, social and governance 
responsibilities. Our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion 
will also be a focus area as we move through 2022 and beyond.

The Board expects to continue to deliver growth, both 
organic and through strategic earnings-enhancing acquisitions. 
We remain focused on markets with high barriers to entry and 
where non-discretionary spending programmes exist to maintain 
critical infrastructure. Our differentiated business model and the 
reliable long-term nature of the UK infrastructure markets give the 
Board continued confidence in the Group’s future and the 
significant growth opportunities ahead.

David M Forbes
Chairman
9 December 2021

Working 
together

Communicating 
with our 
stakeholders
Our subsidiary businesses 
undertook a range of client 
satisfaction surveys during the year. 
Improving our understanding of 
our clients helps ensure we remain 
closely aligned with their 
requirements and future  
ambitions. 

   Read more about our 
stakeholder engagement 
on pages 22–25

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

13

 
 
 
Chief Executive’s review

Building 
on positive 
momentum

Dear Shareholder

Introduction
The Group’s impressive outperformance over the year reflects the 
underlying qualities and differentiated nature of our high-quality, 
low-risk business model combined with the strong demand we 
have seen in our chosen end markets as the UK’s infrastructure-led 
economic recovery gathers pace. 

At Renew, we are committed to delivering engineering infrastructure 
solutions for a sustainable future. We perform a critical role in 
keeping the nation’s infrastructure functioning efficiently and 
safely as a leading provider of essential maintenance and 
renewals-led engineering services, operating in regulated 
markets including rail, highways, mobile telecommunications, 
civil nuclear, water and environmental. 

As part of the UK Government’s pledge to level up the economy 
and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has committed 
to a record £650bn2 investment in transforming the UK’s 
infrastructure and we are already benefiting from an increased 
focus on maintaining and renewing assets as part of this shift. 
Renew has a vital role to play in supporting the green and 
sustainable infrastructure of the future and we have made good 
progress on our own sustainability targets this year.

Once again the Group demonstrated its resilience during the year, 
where two national lockdowns had no material impact on trading. 
This highlights Renew’s ability to deliver consistently, thanks to our 
differentiated business model, the critical nature of our work and 
the committed, long-term, highly visible spending cycles that 
underpin our end markets.

We delivered a further improvement in organic growth, which, 
combined with our robust balance sheet and strong cash 
generation, gives us the firepower and flexibility to invest in 
selective value-accretive M&A opportunities. During the period, 
we acquired J Browne, a water-focused engineering services 
business based in London, which strengthens our exposure to the 
£51bn3 water sector, bringing new clients into the Group, including 
Thames Water, Southern Water, Affinity Water and South East 
Water. Our wholly owned subsidiary, QTS Group Limited, acquired 
Rail Electrification Limited (“REL”) which complements Renew’s 
existing rail offering and enables the Group to support the 
Government’s commitment to a net-zero rail network by 2050.

Paul Scott
Chief Executive

The Group’s impressive 
outperformance over the year 
reflects the underlying qualities 
and differentiated nature of our 
high-quality, low-risk business 
model, combined with the 
strong demand we have seen 
in our end markets as the UK’s 
infrastructure-led economic 
recovery gathers pace.  

For references please see page 18.

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Working 
together

Our core values
Our core values of compliant, reliable, responsive, 
considerate, sustainable, progressive and integrity 
are communicated across our business and 
underpin everything we do. 

   Read more about our core values  
on page 20

As we reflect on another successful performance and look to the 
future with confidence, underpinned by our strong order book, I 
would like to place on record my gratitude, on behalf of the Board, 
to all our dedicated colleagues who made these results possible 
by delivering an uninterrupted, highly responsive service for 
clients at all times. 

Renew’s strengths 
Renew has a number of core strengths which provide distinct 
competitive advantages in our chosen markets and leave us 
well placed to build on our strong track record of long-term 
value creation:

•  The health, safety and wellbeing of our people remains our 

number one priority and we have implemented safe working 
practices for the Group’s employees. 

•  We operate a differentiated, diversified, low-risk, low-capital 
operating model, providing critical asset maintenance and 
renewals services that are not dependent on large, high-risk, 
capital- intensive contract awards.

•  Our directly employed workforce enables us to provide a more 

efficient and valuable service to our clients, reducing our 
exposure to sub-contractor pricing volatility and being able 
to deliver extremely responsive solutions.

•  Our businesses are well established in complex, challenging 

and highly regulated markets with significant barriers to entry, 
which demand a highly skilled and experienced workforce 
and a proven track record of safe delivery.

•  We work in markets underpinned by resilient, long-term growth 
dynamics and highly visible, reliable, committed regulatory 
spending periods, providing predictable cashflows.

•  We have a proven track record of sustainable value creation, 
reliable revenue growth and strong returns on capital thanks 
to our highly cash generative earnings model and clearly 
defined strategy.

•  We are committed to growing the business both organically 
and through selective complementary acquisitions while 
maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and  
risk underpinned by a strong balance sheet.

•  Our high-quality model of compounding earnings through 

the redeployment of internally generated cashflows enables 
us to execute on our strategy of delivering reliable and 
consistent growth for all our stakeholders.

•  We have strong relationships in place with all our stakeholders, 
from our workforce to our customers, suppliers, communities 
and shareholders.

Compelling market drivers
Our businesses are exposed to attractive long-term, non-
discretionary structural growth drivers. Increasing demand for the 
maintenance and renewal of existing UK infrastructure is driven 
by a number of factors including:

•  a commitment by the Government to level up the economy 
by investing £650bn2 in a green infrastructure-led recovery, 
two-thirds of which will be in the transport and energy sectors, 
with fiscal stimulus measures likely to flow through to lower cost 
infrastructure maintenance programmes ahead of larger, more 
capital-intensive enhancement schemes;

•  greater focus on sustainability and climate change as part of 

the UK’s target of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, 
together with flood risk prevention measures and investment in 
nuclear projects, renewables and electrification programmes;
•  population growth increasing the pressure on housing, energy, 

water and demand for natural resources;

•  technological innovation driving a shift towards digital roads, 

smart cities and the transformation of transport and 
telecommunications networks; and

• 

increased Government regulation to improve safety, efficiency 
and resilience of key infrastructure assets leading to more 
demanding maintenance, renewal and upgrading requirements.

Our track record of growth and long-term  
value creation
Renew has a strong track record of sustainable value creation 
through the economic cycle thanks to the Group’s high-quality, 
value-accretive compounding earnings model. Over the past five 
years, we have delivered:

•  adjusted1 earnings per share growth of 84 per cent;
•  an increase in our adjusted1 operating margin from 4.2 per cent 

to 6.5 per cent; 

•  group revenue growth of 50 per cent; and
•  five acquisitions supported by our strong free cash flow. 

Our track record of reliable revenue growth and cash generation 
has resulted in our ability to deliver highly predictable, consistent 
organic earnings growth as well as funding for the acquisition of 
complementary businesses that meet our strategic requirements.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Chief Executive’s review continued

Results overview
During the period, Group revenue increased to £791.0m (2020: £620.4m), 
with organic growth of 19% and the Group achieved an adjusted 
operating profit of £51.2m (2020: £39.6m). Adjusted operating 
profit margin was 6.5% (2020: 6.4%). As at 30 September 2021, the 
Group had pre-IFRS 16 net debt of £13.7m (30 September 2020: 
net cash £0.3m), reflecting the acquisition of J Browne and REL 
along with the Group’s strong operating cash generation and 
conservative approach to gearing. 

These results include contributions from both J Browne and REL, 
acquired in March 2021 and May 2021 respectively. Both 
businesses have performed in line with management expectations 
and are integrating well. Underpinned by long-term framework 
positions, the Group’s order book at 30 September 2021 has 
strengthened to £749m (2020: £692m).

During the year, the Trustees of the Lovell Pension Scheme, in 
consultation with the Board of Renew, entered into a “buy-in” 
agreement with Rothesay Life plc. This transaction has 
significantly de-risked the Group’s balance sheet, further reduced 
its pension exposure risks and improves our cashflow in the 
medium term. Following the success of this transaction, the Group 
continues to investigate the opportunity of fully buying-in its 
liabilities with the Amco Scheme to further reduce the Group’s 
pension exposure in line with our strategy.

Dividend
The Group’s strong trading performance, cash position and 
positive outlook gives the Board the confidence to propose a final 
dividend of 11.17p per share, an increase of 34 per cent over the 
prior year final dividend of 8.33p. This will be paid on 4 March 
2022 to shareholders on the register as at 28 January 2022, 
with an ex-dividend date of 27 January 2022. This will represent 
a full year dividend of 16p (2020: 8.33p) per share.

Engineering Services
Our Engineering Services activities account for over 95 per cent 
of the Group’s adjusted operating profit and delivered revenue of 
£706.7m (2020: £577.2m) with an adjusted operating profit of 
£51.5m (2020: £40.8m) resulting in an operating margin of 7.3% 
(2020: 7.1%). At 30 September 2021, the Engineering Services 
order book was £679m (2020: £603m). The Group’s strong 
organic growth performance was driven by continued positive 
momentum in our Rail business, along with framework wins and 
operational progress across our diverse Engineering Services 
business. 

Rail
Network Rail, a significant strategic customer for the Group, is 
investing £53bn4 over the current Control Period (CP6), which runs 
to 2024. This increased focus on operational support, renewal and 
maintenance plays to our strengths as does the Government’s 
commitment to its rail decarbonisation programme. This includes 
a significant investment in electrification programmes, as part of 
the overall UK target to deliver net-zero by 2050. With a view to 
supporting the Government’s rail decarbonisation programme, 
the Group acquired Rail Electrification Limited (“REL”) during the 
period, a leading provider of high-quality services and Road Rail 
Vehicles associated with the installation and commissioning of 
overhead line electrification. This acquisition further strengthens 
and expands the Group’s existing multidisciplinary maintenance 
and renewals engineering services.

During the period, we continued to add new positions including 
the Southern Buildings and Civils Framework and the Structures 
Integrity Framework in the South, while also securing further 
fencing and vegetation management work under CP6.

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

As the largest provider of multidisciplinary maintenance and 
renewals engineering services to Network Rail, we support the 
day-to-day operation of the rail network nationally, directly 
delivering essential asset maintenance through our long-term CP6 
frameworks. The Group assists Network Rail through our mission-
critical renewals and maintenance services supporting assets 
including bridges, earthworks, embankments, tunnels, drainage 
systems, signalling, electrification and rail plant. The Group now 
holds in excess of 50 CP6 maintenance and renewals frameworks 
across all disciplines, covering the entire UK rail network.

We continue to develop industry-leading innovations in order to 
deliver value-add services within our Rail business. These include 
bespoke solutions built around the needs of our clients, including 
“one of a kind” equipment deployed across geotechnical, 
earthworks and vegetation management. 

Overall, we saw planned work for our rail customers continue with 
minimal disruption despite significant periods of time where we 
operated under Government imposed restrictions. The compelling 
maintenance-focused structural growth drivers within this sector 
and Renew’s high-quality engineering expertise leave the Group 
ideally positioned to deliver long-term, profitable growth in Rail 
particularly as we see opportunities present themselves under 
the next Control Period 7 (“CP7”).

Infrastructure 
Highways
The Group successfully entered the Highways market during 
January 2020 through its acquisition of Carnell, a leading provider 
of specialist engineering services on the strategic road network. 
We made good operational and strategic progress within the 
Highways segment during the period, delivering essential asset 
maintenance and critical infrastructure renewals underpinned 
by non-discretionary regulatory requirements. 

With the UK Government committing to an investment of £24bn5 
in the strategic road network over a five year period, as part of its 
second Road Investment Strategy (“RIS2”), £11.9bn of this funding 
will be ringfenced for operations, maintenance and renewals. This 
represents a significant market opportunity for Renew. Carnell 
continues to leverage its innovative technological solutions to 
support the needs of major clients such as National Highways. 

During the period, Carnell was awarded five lots on National 
Highways SDF framework the maximum amount of lots available 
across civil engineering, road restraint systems and drainage 
disciplines, worth £147m over six years, with work set to begin 
in January 2022. Three of those lots will be delivered through a 
collaboration between Carnell and AmcoGiffen which represents 
a successful collaboration between different parts of the Group. 
Post period end, Carnell were awarded two lots on the 7 year 
Technical Surveys and Testing Framework.

We remain well placed to seize the attractive growth and market 
share opportunities within Highways with increased spending forecast 
over the next ten years and with the Group investing to take 
advantage of opportunities in the electric vehicle charging market. 

Wireless telecoms
The wireless telecoms sector contains many attractive growth 
drivers, not least of all an estimated £30bn6 required to upgrade 
the nation’s broadband networks to gigabit-capable speeds which 
includes the UK Government’s £5bn7 investment in 5G. Additional 
investment includes the Shared Rural Network, the Government’s 
£500m8 programme to extend 4G mobile coverage to 95% of 
the UK. 

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Through our Clarke Telecom subsidiary, which is a leading 
infrastructure services provider in the wireless telecommunications 
market, we have exposure to all of these opportunities, holding 
long-term relationships with the main UK network operators, 
equipment vendors and managed service providers. 

During the period, we continued to build on the operational and 
strategic progress made previously, consolidating our position 
on VM02’s 5G services frameworks, and securing new frameworks 
with Cornerstone and 3UK. We also saw further growth delivered 
in our work for the Government, alongside EE and BT, to remove 
Huawei equipment from the UK’s 5G networks by 2027. 

With faster internet connectivity becoming ever more critical in 
the digital age and a key part of the Government’s levelling up 
agenda, we expect to benefit from these trends thanks to our 
specialist engineering expertise and mission-critical solutions.

Energy
Nuclear
Having worked for over 75 years in civil nuclear, we provide a 
multidisciplinary service through our large complement of highly 
skilled employees who operate to demanding nuclear standards, 
including decontamination and decommissioning services, 
operational support and asset care, as well as waste retrieval in 
high-hazard areas such as legacy storage ponds and silos. 

The Government’s total nuclear decommissioning provision is 
estimated at £124bn9 over the next 120 years, with around 75% of 
the total spend allocated to Sellafield, which is the largest of the 
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (“NDA’s”) sites and where 
we remain a principal mechanical, electrical and instrumentation 
(“M,E&I”) services contractor. The NDA has an annual expenditure 
of £3bn10 on its nuclear decommissioning programme and Renew is 
involved in activities representing 90% of the allocated expenditure.

On Sellafield, we operate across a number of frameworks 
including the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership Framework 
on both Lot 1 (Remediation) and Lot 3 Magnox Swarf Storage Silo, 
Aligned partner - Remediation Redundant Asset programme, 
Tanks and Vessels Framework and the Fabrication and Machining 
Spares Framework. Our performance at Sellafield is strong 
evidence of the Group’s capabilities, and we are well-positioned 
for opportunities in the Major Projects Programme.

We are collaborating with the Programme and Project Partners 
(“PPP”) to secure further growth opportunities at Sellafield. PPP 
is a 20-year framework for the delivery of a broad range of major 
projects for the site, with £7bn allocated for seven projects that 
require multidisciplinary services including civil M,E&I.

Outside of Sellafield, we continue to build on our relationship with 
Rolls Royce to secure further opportunities since our appointment 
to the Diesel Generator Programme at Hinkley Point “C”. We also 
deliver operational support and decommissioning activities at 
Springfield and continue to widen our network, targeting key sites 
such as Magnox and Dounreay where we have a position on the 
Decommissioning Services Framework.

New nuclear is an essential component of the UK Government’s 
plans to deliver a sustainable, low-carbon energy future, and we 
expect continued and sustained growth in the area. We continue 
to see a sustainable increase in demand for our specialist 
manufacturing capabilities and remain well placed to capitalise 
on trends in new nuclear and legacy decommissioning.

As part of the UK Government’s commitment to net-zero, 
decarbonisation of our energy supply is a key challenge. The 
anticipated increase in energy demand is expected to drive 
significant long-term investment. Changes in the UK’s energy 
landscape will provide opportunities for the Group’s 
multidisciplinary infrastructure engineering capabilities.

Environmental
Water
In Water, we continue to benefit from the UK Government’s 
spending of £51bn3 over AMP7 into 2025 and have seen further 
investment through our clients’ strong operational expenditure 
budgets. Our offer of scheduled maintenance and renewals tasks, 
in addition to extensive 24/7 emergency reactive works, remains 
one of our key strengths, providing specialised, mission-critical 
services for clients around the UK.

During the period, the Group acquired J Browne, a water-focused 
engineering services business based in Enfield, North London, 
operating throughout the South of England for Thames Water, 
Southern Water, Affinity Water and South East Water. This 
acquisition further strengthens our position in a key attractive 
infrastructure sector, is proceeding to plan and continues to trade 
in line with management’s expectations.

For Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (“DCWW”), we continue to operate 
across the region on the Pressurised Pipelines Framework, Major 
Civils Framework and Capital Delivery Alliance Civils & Pipeline 
Framework. The Group is advancing with mains renovation work 
for Bristol Water and recently secured a place on the P Removal 
Programme for Wessex Water, while maintaining and renewing 
existing assets on operational treatment and distribution facilities 
for Yorkshire Water through the AMP7 Minor Civils Framework. 
We were also successful in securing a position on Water and 
Wastewater Network Construction and Engineering Framework 
for Northumbrian Water.

Renew is well positioned to benefit from trends in the Water 
market as companies increase expenditure on capital maintenance, 
asset optimisation and supply resilience including dam safety and 
infrastructure refurbishment schemes. 

We are pleased to have commenced services for a number of 
new clients including the Capital Delivery Framework for Thames 
Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water, adding to a strong client 
base that includes Scottish Canals and Peel Ports.

With the Group’s extensive experience and expertise in flood 
defence, working with the Environment Agency and Canal & River 
Trust to deliver the EA Flood and Coastal Erosion Framework, the 
UK Government’s commitment to invest £5.2bn11 over six years to 
improve flood defence presents a strong opportunity for the Group. 

Specialist restoration
We are progressing well with works at the Palace of Westminster, 
now entering the new flat roofs phase at the site through the 
award of a five year Conservation Framework. 

Specialist Building
Revenue was in line with the Group’s expectations at £84.4m 
(2020: £43.2m) reflecting a continued focus on contract selectivity 
and risk management. Operating profit was £1.6m (2020: £1.0m). 
In Specialist Building, the order book was £70m (2020: £89m).

Our Specialist Building business focuses on the High Quality 
Residential and Science markets in London and the Home Counties.

Our essential work continues uninterrupted on critical science 
schemes for Defra and the Medical Research Council. The Group 
has also recently been awarded a landmark scheme for one of the 
London Palaces.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Chief Executive’s review continued

The road to net zero 
Our purpose is to provide essential engineering services to 
maintain and renew critical infrastructure networks. It is well 
recognised that investment into low-carbon infrastructure will be 
fundamental in delivering the Government’s Green Industrial 
Revolution and getting to net-zero emissions in the UK by 2050. 
It is the Board’s ambition that the Group will achieve net zero 
by no later than 2040. 

From the rail network and digitally assisted roads to high-speed 
telecoms and clean energy, Renew has a key enabling role to 
play on the frontline of efforts to decarbonise the economy. Our 
long-term approach to sustainability, which has always been at 
the heart of our business, is more relevant now than ever before.

In recognition of this, at the Group’s interim results in May 2021, 
we introduced quantitative targets to embed our own ESG 
strategy within our wider business operations and to continuously 
monitor the progress we are making across five key areas:

•  customer value;
•  climate action;
•  operating responsibly;
•  engaging our people; and
•  supporting our local communities.

These objectives are designed to complement and enhance the 
Group’s overall strategy of driving long-term sustainable growth 
and shareholder value creation. 

We continue to make good progress against each of these areas 
in the year, including diverting 88% of our eligible waste away 
from landfill in the year and improving on our targeted number 
of mental health first aiders across our business to 1 for every 
20 employees (2021 Target 1:50). More details of the initiatives 
and ESG targets are included on pages 44 to 55. 

2020 was the first year in which the Group reported under the 
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (“SECR”) regulations 
which provided us with a baseline for ongoing reporting. Renew 
also continues to hold the London Stock Exchange’s Green 
Economy Mark, which recognises companies that derive 50 per 
cent or more of their total annual revenue from products and 
services that contribute to the global “Green Economy”.

Opportunities for growth 
Our high-quality compounding earnings model enables the 
Group to redeploy internally generated cashflow in a disciplined 
manner, creating value through highly selective and strategically 
complementary M&A opportunities that supplement our profitable 
organic growth. Our track record of successfully identifying, 
acquiring and integrating value-enhancing acquisitions in growing 
markets with ongoing renewal and maintenance requirements and 
high barriers to entry, has been a key driver of Renew’s long-term 
growth. The M&A landscape remains dynamic and we continue to 
look at opportunities in existing and new markets that are aligned 
with our acquisition criteria. 

Delivering value through innovation and technology
Adding value and delivering a superior service for our customers 
through technology and innovation remains one of our key goals. 
We continuously seek to develop and implement innovative 
working techniques to improve operational performance and 
support the evolving needs of our clients across all of our sectors. 

18

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

During the year in Rail, we launched the innovative Mega Vac, 
a bespoke Road Rail Vehicle which allows track drainage to be 
unblocked in record time and provides time and cost efficiencies 
for tasks including specialist jetting operations. We also developed 
and introduced the first rail mounted vegetation compactor on the 
UK rail infrastructure. A number of our businesses are also trialling 
sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (“HVO”) fuel and battery 
power to significantly reduce the carbon emissions produced 
by site operations. We continue to make progress with the 
introduction of electric powered plant innovations and with the roll 
out of more electric vehicle charging points across our site and 
office locations. 

Outlook – moving forward with confidence 
On the back of another strong year for the Group, we are well 
positioned moving forward to capitalise on the compelling growth 
opportunities that exist across our end markets by leveraging 
Renew’s unique low-risk, capital-light, high-quality operating model. 

As the UK Government makes progress on its plans to level up 
the economy and reach net-zero by 2050 through long-term, 
record levels of committed investment in low-carbon 
infrastructure, the structural growth drivers in our end markets 
have never been more attractive. 

The spending plans of our clients are underpinned by strategic 
national needs and regulatory commitments. Our strong and 
well-established market positions across key infrastructure sectors 
with visible, long-term, non-discretionary spending cycles, from 
rail to nuclear energy, give us confidence in the Group’s prospects. 

We have carried forward this positive trading momentum into the 
new financial year and have a strong forward order book which 
underpins our confidence in achieving further progress in 2022. 
As we look further ahead, we are committed to building on our 
strengths to target new opportunities in attractive markets where 
we have the skillset to deliver mission-critical engineering 
infrastructure solutions for a sustainable future. 

Paul Scott 
Chief Executive
9 December 2021

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative 
performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group against 
its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and a 
reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in note 30.

2 

 Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Analysis of the National Infrastructure 
and Construction Pipeline 2021, August 2021.

3 

 Ofwat PR19 final determinations, December 2019.

4    Network Rail Delivery Plan, Control Period 6, High Level Summary, 26 March 2020.

5  HM Treasury, Autumn budget and spending review 2021, October 2021.

6  Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Delivering a gigabit-capable UK:  
  Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy, 1 June 2021.

7 

8 

9 

 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Project Gigabit, Phase One 
Delivery Plan, 19 March 2021.

 Gov.uk press release, Government breakthrough on £500 million support 
package to boost rural mobile coverage, 11 March 2021.

 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Nuclear Provision: the cost of cleaning 
up Britain’s historic nuclear sites, 4 July 2019.

10  Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Draft Business Plan, 1 April 2021 to 

31 March 2024, 7 December 2020.

11   HM Government, Flood and coastal erosion risk management, Policy Statement, 

July 2020.

12  Ofgem RIIO-ED1 Price Control Financial Model for the annual iteration process,  
  November 2020. Ofgem RIIO-ET1 Financial Model following the annual iteration  
  process 2019. 

Section 172(1) statement

   Read more about our business model on pages 20 & 21 
and how the Group identifies and engages with its key 
stakeholders on pages 22–25 

Find out more about our culture on pages 42 & 43

   More details of the Group’s sustainability commitments and 
our progress against these during the year can be found on 
pages 44–55

   Details of how the Group manages risk can be found  
on pages 56–59

Renew Holdings plc (the “Company” or “Group”) 
Section 172(1) statement
As required by Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Directors confirm that, during the year, they continued to act in 
such a way as to promote the success of the Company for the 
benefit of all its stakeholders and confirm their commitment 
to ensuring due consideration of, amongst other matters:

•  the likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
•  the interests of the Group’s employees;
•  the need to foster the Group’s business relationships with 

suppliers, customers and others;

•  the impact of the Group’s operations on the community 

and the environment;

•  the desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for 

high standards of business conduct; and

•  the need to act fairly between members of the Group.

Stakeholder engagement
Our business model on pages 20 and 21 identifies the Group’s 
key stakeholders. More details on our stakeholder engagement 
activities can be found on pages 22 to 25 of this report. 

Information on the Group’s sustainability commitments can be 
found on pages 44 to 55 of this report. The Group considers its 
broader sustainability commitments as part of its decision-making 
process, which includes an assessment of the impact of the 
decisions it takes on the environment.

While there are circumstances where the Board engages directly 
with certain stakeholder groups or on certain issues, the structure 
of the Group means that it is usually best for stakeholder 
engagement to take place at a subsidiary level. More information 
on the stakeholder engagement that takes place, which informs 
the Company’s decision-making process, can be found in the 
Strategic report on pages 1 to 59 of this report. 

During the year the Board has engaged across our stakeholder 
groups including attendance at employee and management 
conferences, and participation in our Safety and Environmental 
Management Group events, capital markets days and supplier 
and community events. 

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Impact on decision making 
The day-to-day management of our subsidiary businesses is 
undertaken by the senior teams within the businesses. Renew 
oversees its subsidiary businesses in the areas of finance, health 
and safety, human resources, commercial and risk management. 
More details of how the Group manages risk can be found on 
pages 56 to 59. Members of Renew’s executive management 
team attend each subsidiary’s monthly management meetings 
as well as reviewing the Group’s overall financial and operational 
performance at monthly Board meetings.

The Renew Board is responsible for shareholder relations, business 
strategy, governance and reviewing progress against strategic 
objectives for both the Group and its subsidiary businesses, as 
well as considering the impact of the Company’s activities on 
the environment. More information on the Group’s sustainability 
commitments can be found on pages 44 to 55 of this report. 
The Board receives information on these areas prior to its monthly 
Board meetings and as required throughout the year.

In making its decisions, Renew considers all its stakeholders. 
Whilst not all the decisions made are able to benefit all the Group’s 
stakeholders at any one time, the Board is confident it reaches its 
decisions in a fair and consistent manner. 

One example during the year was the consideration of feedback 
from our shareholders suggesting a more open approach to 
our analyst results presentations. In response we delivered the 
meetings virtually and were able to accommodate access from 
a wider range of shareholders. We aim to continue to improve our 
approach to stakeholder engagement through 2022. In making 
this decision the Board carefully considered the direct impact this 
would have on its shareholders. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Our business model

Delivering  
stakeholder value

Our subsidiaries, directly employed workforce and supply chain work together to 
deliver a safe and responsive service supporting the day-to-day demands of the 
UK’s critical infrastructure networks.

Our inputs

Our core values

Market position
The reliable nature of the UK infrastructure markets 
in which we are deeply embedded gives the Board 
confidence in our strategy. We have strong positions in 
our markets where we operate often under long-term 
framework agreements. 

Engaged and committed workforce
The Group is committed to the development of 
its workforce and direct engagement supports 
the responsive nature of the work we undertake. 
Our directly employed workforce are highly 
trained and experienced in the individual markets 
in which they work. 

Financial visibility and strength
The markets in which we operate are largely governed 
by regulation and, as such, benefit from long-term 
programmes of committed funding. 

National infrastructure
Operating on the UK’s critical networks, including the 
rail, telecoms, water, highways and energy networks, 
we support the day-to-day operation of these key 
infrastructure assets. 

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Compliant

The safety, health and welfare of our employees and those 
potentially affected by our activities is a fundamental driver 
of our highest priority of compliant service delivery. 

Reliable 

Demonstrable and reliable delivery performance aligned 
with our clearly defined strategic priorities. 

Considerate 

We aim to be considerate, inclusive and respectful in the 
way we employ and develop our workforce giving full 
recognition to our socio-economic responsibilities.

Sustainable 

Our ambitions are long term and build on the solid 
foundations we have established. We are committed 
to an approach that delivers sustainable economic, 
social and environmental value.

Responsible 

Our responsible business strategy is underpinned by our 
core values and supported by our corporate governance 
framework which facilitates our growth ambition. 

Responsive

A customer focused “can do” attitude that recognises 
the priorities of our clients and all our stakeholders. 

Progressive 

Encouraging entrepreneurial spirit to drive continuous 
improvement in all that we do with the objective of adding 
value to all stakeholders. 

Integrity 

To behave honestly, openly and fairly with the highest levels 
of integrity and professionalism at all times.

 
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Working 
together

Measuring ESG
At the end of 2020 we introduced our ESG 
targets. Our subsidiary businesses have been 
working on delivering against these over the last 
twelve months. The targets help us assess our 
progress and we will continue to work on these 
as we move through 2022.

   Read more about our stakeholder engagement 
on pages 22–25

Delivering value

Shareholders
Through our strong governance framework and system of internal 
controls, the Group is effectively managed, producing consistently 
strong results. We are well positioned in our chosen markets with 
a differentiated business model for continued success.

Employees 
We provide a range of training, development and progression 
opportunities for our employees as well as attractive 
remuneration packages.

Number of meetings held 

with existing and prospective 

shareholders during the year

46

Highly skilled workforce

3,696

Operating companies
We support our subsidiary businesses to retain their own strong 
identities as well as providing central health and safety, IT, HR and 
commercial support.

Number of principal subsidiaries

10

Customers
Our range of complementary skills and responsive service assists 
us in providing our customers with their day-to-day requirements 
and supports them in achieving their longer-term goals.

Suppliers
Operating with fairness and integrity, we work with our supply chain 
to develop a working relationship which benefits all parties.

Frameworks in regulated markets

200+

Our core values

8

Communities 
We support the local communities in which we operate by engaging 
with them on charitable, environmental and social causes. We operate 
responsibly and ensure a lasting positive impact from the work 
we undertake.

Number of charities we support

50+

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

21

 
 
 
Our stakeholders

Stakeholder 
engagement

Effective relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, 
communities and operating companies along with wider stakeholders are 
critical to the continued success of our business.

Working 
together

Building 
shareholder value
We build shareholder value through the 
effective delivery of our long-term strategy. 
Through our strong governance framework 
and system of internal controls, the Group is 
effectively managed, producing consistently 
strong results. 

We are well positioned in our chosen markets 
with a differentiated business model for 
continued success. We understand the strength 
of our business is in our directly employed 
workforce and we provide a range of training, 
development and progression opportunities. 

Our skilled workforce is able to deliver essential 
engineering services across critical networks 
including rail, telecoms, water, highways and 
energy supporting the day-to-day operation 
of key infrastructure assets.

   Read more about our business model  
on page 20

How we communicate with our stakeholders
Communication with our stakeholders is critical to the success of our 
business. We seek to understand the individual stakeholder group’s 
requirements and ensure communication remains appropriate. 

22

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
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Employees

Who engaged
Non-executive Directors 
Executive Directors 
Renew senior management team 
Subsidiary senior management teams

How we engaged
The Group’s Executive and Non-executive Directors engaged 
our employees through site visits and presentations from the 
Group’s subsidiary business teams during the year. 

The Executive Directors engage with our employees 
informally on a daily basis as well as at more formal events 
such as annual employee roadshows, management meetings 
and various forums on health and safety, HR and finance. 

Outcomes
Important areas of employee engagement include training, 
development and progression, health and wellbeing, Group 
progress and opportunities. Supporting our employees over 
the last year has enabled us to retain our experienced workforce. 

The Board has been able to develop its understanding of our 
employee’s environments and challenges, which in turn 
influences its decision-making process. 

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

23

Shareholders

Who engaged
Non-executive Directors 
Executive Directors 
Renew senior management team

How we engaged
We delivered a series of results meetings with our 
shareholders during the year and held the Group’s Annual 
General Meeting (“AGM”) in January.

The Group’s shareholders are interested in all aspects of the 
Group’s operation and performance including financial and 
corporate governance activities and the delivery of our 
environmental, social and governance ambitions. 

Outcomes
The views of the Group’s shareholders influence the decisions 
taken by the Board and the executive management team. We 
seek to maintain strong relationships with our shareholders 
through effective communication ensuring shareholder’s 
views are considered and concerns are addressed in a timely 
and transparent manner.

In 2020 we listened to shareholder’s requests to be able 
to join the management’s results briefings to analysts. We 
considered this when developing our reporting roadshow 
and ensured we were able to hosts the meetings virtually 
to facilitate this. 

During the year, the feedback we received from our investor 
roadshow on the Group’s ESG reporting resulted in the 
development of ESG targets to better measure performance. 

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

 
 
Our stakeholders continued

How we deliver 
stakeholder value

Operating companies

Customers

Who engaged
Non-executive Directors 
Executive Directors 
Renew senior management team 
Subsidiary senior management teams 
Employees

Who engaged
Executive Directors 
Subsidiary senior management teams 
Site management teams 
Employees 

How we engaged
During the year the Board attended site visits and 
presentations by the subsidiary senior management teams. 

Each monthly subsidiary management meeting is attended 
by a member of the Renew executive team. The Group also 
holds quarterly Executive Management Committee meetings, 
which are a forum for Managing Directors from around the 
Group to share information and best practice. 

Outcomes
Strong engagement with our subsidiary companies ensures 
a thorough understanding of the performance of the 
businesses and ensures their alignment and progress 
against the Group’s strategic objectives. 

Good relationships assist with the implementation of the 
Group’s minimum requirements, a set of standards which 
oversees all aspects of our subsidiary’s operations. 

How we engaged
Our teams engage in client meetings, workshops and site 
visits. Through the work delivery process, communication is 
critical and site teams and subsidiary management actively 
engage with the customer, often over long-term programmes 
of work. 

Engaging in our customer’s initiatives, understanding their 
priorities and working responsively help us build relationships 
over many years with our key clients.

Outcomes
Strong and open communication helps foster long-term 
relationships and build trust with our customers. 
Through regular engagement we are able to develop 
our understanding and deliver a responsive service 
aligned to our customer’s requirements.

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

24

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Working 
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Communicating across 
our business
The Group has a number of forums which assist 
our subsidiaries in developing opportunities and 
which provide a platform for sharing best practice. 
Bringing employees from the same disciplines 
together from across the Group helps develop 
strong relationships and allows the teams to 
develop collaborative opportunities. 

   Read more about our values  
on page 20

Suppliers

Who engaged
Subsidiary senior management teams 
Site management teams 
Employees 

Communities

Who engaged
Subsidiary senior management teams 
Site management teams  
Employees 

How we engaged
Our supply chain engagement centres around integration, 
creating a solid foundation that brings together design, 
construction, delivery and processes through partner 
relationships that create a culture of trust and the incentive 
to innovate.

We work openly and collaboratively with sub-contractors, 
specialist contractors and our Group partners to provide 
the best value, most efficient, highest quality sustainable 
solutions for our clients. We hold regular engagement 
sessions with our supply chains in different regions and for 
different frameworks to involve suppliers in our programme 
and planning developing the right solutions for our clients. 
We also support our supply chain with regulatory obligations 
and standards as well as training.

Outcomes
We aim to share our collective challenges and goals, helping 
to ensure that we deliver open, collaborative relationships 
that drive true value for all our suppliers, stakeholders and 
the wider community.

How we engaged
The nature of the work our subsidiary businesses undertake 
means we are often working in and around the local 
communities. Our subsidiary businesses are aware of 
the impact of their operations and seek to keep local 
communities informed through the use of face-to-face 
meetings, newsletters and social media. 

Community schemes and charitable events give our 
businesses an opportunity to leave a lasting positive impact 
from the work they do.

Engaging with local education providers supports them 
in developing the skills of tomorrow.

Outcomes
Engaging with our local communities ensures we are aware 
of local concerns and challenges. It allows our teams to work 
with the communities in ways that benefit everyone. 

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

25

 
 
 
 
Our strategy

Our strategy 
in action

Our long-term strategy concentrates on developing our range of 
engineering services capabilities, both organically and through selective 
acquisitions. The Group targets acquisitions that bring complementary 
skills and allow us to deliver a wider range of services to our clients.

1.

2.

3.

To be a key 
provider of 
engineering 
services 
in our target 
markets

Progress in 2021
We made further progress 
in the year supporting our 
customers with the day-to-day 
requirements of keeping their 
essential networks operational.

Organic growth with existing 
customers during the period  
of 19%.

To focus on 
asset support, 
maintenance 
and renewals 
programmes with 
non-discretionary 
funding

To expand our direct 
delivery model 
through strong 
local brands

Progress in 2021
We continued to focus on asset support, 
maintenance and renewals in our markets 
where spending in these areas is backed 
by committed programmes of investment.
The work we undertake across our range 
of markets focuses on the delivery of 
essential services to keep these critical 
networks operational. 

Progress in 2021
During the year we expanded our services 
in the water market with the acquisition of 
J Browne, a direct delivery, engineering 
services provider in the water sector. 
The acquisition expands our geographical 
coverage in water and adds new clients 
to the Group including Thames Water 
and Affinity Water.

During the year we were appointed to 
frameworks including the Scheme Delivery 
Framework for National Highways and on 
drainage and devegetation frameworks for 
Network Rail.

During the year we also acquired Rail 
Electrification Limited which expanded 
our range of services in the rail market 
to include electrification. 

Future focus
Develop strategically important 
relationships by delivering  
market-leading innovation and 
cost efficiencies to our clients.

Future focus
We position our business to access 
essential maintenance and renewals 
spending programmes with our new 
and existing clients.

Future focus
We continue to focus on the organic 
expansion of our engineering services 
capabilities and geographical coverage 
as well as seeking complementary 
engineering services acquisitions.

Link to KPIs
Read more on pages 28 & 29

Link to KPIs
Read more on pages 28 & 29

Link to KPIs
Read more on pages 28 & 29

A

C

E

F

A

B

C

E

E

F

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4.

5.

To establish  
long-term 
relationships through 
responsiveness 
to clients’ needs

To continue to 
deliver organic 
growth combined 
with selective 
complementary 
acquisitions

Progress in 2021
We continued to expand our range of 
capabilities to better meet the needs of 
our clients. During the year we acquired 
Rail Electrification Limited (“REL”) which 
expanded our range of services in the 
rail market to include electrification. 
Understanding Network Rail’s 
decarbonisation ambition allowed us 
to develop our capabilities to offer 
these key services.

We responded to numerous weather 
related emergency events in the period.

Progress in 2021
During the year we delivered organic 
growth of 19% and made two acquisitions 
to support our growth strategy.

The team focuses on opportunities that 
are aligned with the Group’s strategy as 
well as opportunities to grow the 
business organically. 

Future focus
Develop our range of capabilities and 
utilise our market knowledge to align our 
business to our clients’ long-term objectives.

Continue to deliver a quality, safe and 
cost-effective service in our markets.

Future focus
Continue to grow the Group’s 
Engineering Services operations, 
both organically and through selective 
complementary acquisitions. Continue 
to develop growth opportunities in both 
existing and targeted emerging markets.

Link to KPIs
Read more on pages 28 & 29

Link to KPIs
Read more on pages 28 & 29

C

E

A

B

D

Working 
together

Supporting our 
communities 
Whilst working on the Network 
Maintenance Contract for Bristol 
Water to replace a section of main 
in Bristol, the team at Lewis Civil 
Engineering made contact with 
the local Parish Council to see how 
they could contribute to the local 
community. The Council asked for 
help with a storage solution for the 
local youth club to enable them to 
store some new outdoor equipment. 
Lewis supplied a metal storage unit 
and three members of the delivery 
team took time out from their usual 
activities to build it. The installation 
of more storage has made a big 
difference to the youth club which 
is now able to offer its young people 
more activities including football 
and basketball.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

27

 
 
 
Key performance indicators

Performance 
measurement

The Group has certain key performance indicators (“KPIs”) which are used to measure 
and monitor its performance in a number of areas. The KPIs are measured on a 
non-GAAP basis which reflects the most appropriate view of the underlying 
performance of the business.

A.

Adjusted EPS1

50.5p

2020: 41.2p

2021

2020

2019

B.

C.

Adjusted Group operating profit1 
as a percentage of revenue

Engineering Services order book1

6.5%

2020: 6.4%

£679m

2020: £602m

50.5

41.2

40.4

2021

2020

2019

6.5

6.4

6.4

2021

2020

2019

679

602

542

Description
The Group’s adjusted EPS1.

Description
Adjusted Group operating profit1 
as a percentage of revenue.

Description
The Group’s Engineering Services 
order book1.

Why it’s a KPI
An increase in the EPS demonstrates the 
Group’s focus on the quality of earnings 
and returns for our shareholders.

Why it’s a KPI
An increase in margin illustrated the 
Group’s focus on quality of earnings.

2021 performance
An increase in earnings in the year 
demonstrates the businesses excellent 
financial performance and execution 
of strategy in the year.

2021 performance
We maintained the Group’s margin 
through operating profit performance 
and contract selectivity.

Why it’s a KPI
This is a KPI to demonstrate the 
development of our position as a leading 
provider of essential engineering services 
and supports workload visibility. 

2021 performance
The Engineering Services order book1 has 
increased following a number of strategic 
framework appointments and renewals 
together with the acquisition of J Browne.

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

2

5

2

5

1

2

4

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative performance measures when reviewing 
the performance of the Group against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and a 
reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in note 30.

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New health and safety measure 
for 2022 
The Group’s health and safety KPI has traditionally been measured using 
the Accident Frequency Rate, a measure of reportable incident absences 
(seven+ days) per million hours worked. During 2021/22 we will replace 
this with the LTIFR measure which considers a wider scope of incidents 
and is a more detailed measure of performance.

   Read more about our health and safety activities  
on page 50

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

D.

Dividend

E.

F.

Health and safety

Investment in training

16.00p

2020: 8.33p

0.14

2020: 0.08

14,243

2020: 11,259

2021

2020

2019

16.00

8.33

11.50

2021

2020

2019

0.14

2021

2020

2019

0.08

0.11

14,243

11,259

16,337

Description
The Group’s full year dividend 
to its shareholders.

Why it’s a KPI
The Group’s dividend shows the 
Board’s confidence in the strength 
of its capabilities and position within 
its key markets.

2021 performance
The Board reinstated the payment of a 
dividend in line with its dividend policy.

Description
Number of training days undertaken 
across the Group in our various 
education programmes.

Why it’s a KPI
Measuring training days undertaken 
demonstrates our continued investment 
in our direct delivery workforce.

2021 performance
The number of training days undertaken 
in 2021 includes some impact from 
Covid-19 during the first half of the year.

Description
The Accident Frequency Rate (“AFR”) 
measuring reportable incidents of over 
seven days’ absence per million hours 
worked. 

Why it’s a KPI
The safety of our employees and those 
who work with us remains a priority for the 
Group. This measure reflects the Group’s 
commitment to improving its safety record. 

2021 performance
We did not improve our health and safety 
performance during the year compared 
with FY20. We have taken measures to 
improve and are confident of achieving 
progress in this area in FY22.

Our frequency rate, measured over the 
year, compares favourably to the most 
recently published rates of comparable 
construction businesses. 

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

5

1

2

3

4

1

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

29

 
 
 
 
Operational review

Rail
Delivering a railway 
for the future

As the largest provider of multidisciplinary 
maintenance and renewals engineering 
services to Network Rail, we support 
the day-to-day operation of the rail 
network nationally.

Working 
together

Rail Electrification 
Limited
With a view to supporting on the 
Government’s rail decarbonisation 
programme, the Group acquired Rail 
Electrification Limited (“REL”) during 
the period, a leading provider of 
high-quality services and road rail 
vehicles associated with the installation 
and commissioning of overhead 
line electrification. 

The acquisition further strengthens 
and expands the Group’s existing 
multidisciplinary maintenance and 
renewals engineering services and 
positions us well for the Government’s 
decarbonisation agenda.

30

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Working 
together

24/7 emergency 
rail support
Urgent response teams were mobilised on 
two emergency rail earthworks schemes in 
Gloucester during the period, following a period 
of severe weather where flooding and landslip 
damage meant the lines had to be closed.

Teams worked 24/7 to clear the landslip, re-lay 
track beds and install new track and drainage 
culverts to enable the lines to be opened for 
passengers again. Once the lines re-opened, 
work began on the surrounding embankments 
to safeguard the lines against future incidents 
as much as possible.

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Capabilities
•  Operational support and asset care
•  Critical planned and reactive maintenance and renewals
•  Civil, mechanical and electrical engineering services
•  Geotechnical and earthworks
•  Plant, power and signalling renewals
•  24/7 emergency provision
•  Asset renewal and refurbishment
•  Tunnel and shaft refurbishment
•  Fencing and devegetation
•  Multidisciplinary in-house design capability
•  Electrification

Progress
During the period, we continued to add new positions including 
the Southern Buildings and Civils Framework and the Structures 
Integrity Framework in the South, while also securing further 
fencing and devegetation work under CP6.

As the largest provider of multidisciplinary maintenance and 
renewals engineering services to Network Rail, we support the 
day-to-day operation of the rail network nationally, directly 
delivering essential asset maintenance through our long-term CP6 
frameworks. The Group assists Network Rail through our mission-
critical renewals and maintenance services supporting assets 
including bridges, earthworks, embankments, tunnels, drainage 
systems, signalling, electrification and rail plant. The Group now 
holds in excess of 50 CP6 maintenance and renewals frameworks 
across all disciplines, covering the entire UK rail network.

We continue to develop industry-leading innovations in order to 
deliver value-add services within our Rail business. These include 
bespoke solutions built around the needs of our clients, including 
“one of a kind” equipment deployed across geotechnical, 
earthworks and vegetation management. Overall, we saw planned 
work for our rail customers continue with minimal disruption 
despite significant periods of time where we operated under 
Government imposed restrictions. 

Our markets
Network Rail, a significant strategic customer for the Group, is 
investing £53bn4 over the current Control Period 6 (“CP6”), which 
runs to 2024. This increased focus on operational support, renewal 
and maintenance plays to our strengths as does the Government’s 
commitment to its rail decarbonisation programme, including 
a significant investment in electrification programmes, as part 
of the overall UK target to deliver net-zero by 2050. 

With a view to supporting the Government’s rail decarbonisation 
programme, the Group acquired Rail Electrification Limited (“REL”) 
during the period, a leading provider of high-quality services and Road 
Rail Vehicles associated with the installation and commissioning of 
overhead line electrification. This acquisition further strengthens 
and expands the Group’s existing multidisciplinary maintenance 
and renewals engineering services.

Opportunities will arise from the integration of large capital 
schemes such as HS2 with the existing rail infrastructure.

Investment in Control Period 6 

£53bn4

See page 18 for references.

Future focus
The compelling maintenance-focused structural growth 
drivers within this sector and Renew’s high-quality 
engineering expertise leave the Group ideally positioned 
to deliver long-term, profitable growth in Rail, particularly 
as we see opportunities present themselves under the 
next Control Period 7 (“CP7”).

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

31

 
 
Operational review continued

Infrastructure
Delivering national 
improvements

During the period, Carnell was awarded 
five lots on National Highways SDF 
framework the maximum amount of lots 
available across civil engineering, road 
restraint systems and drainage disciplines.

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Wireless telecoms

Highways

Capabilities
•  Operational support and asset care 
•  Critical planned and reactive maintenance and renewals
•  Acquisition, planning and design services
•  Provision of 3G, 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi technologies
•  Temporary sites and special events
•  Maintenance and decommissioning services

Progress
We have long-term relationships with the main UK network 
operators, equipment vendors and managed service providers. 

During the period, we continued to build on the operational and 
strategic progress made previously, consolidating our position on 
VM02’s 5G services frameworks, and securing new frameworks 
with Cornerstone and 3UK. 

We also saw further growth delivered in our work for the 
Government, alongside EE and BT, to remove Huawei equipment 
from the UK’s 5G networks by 2027. 

Our markets
The wireless telecoms sector contains many attractive growth drivers, 
not least of all an estimated £30bn6 required to upgrade the nation’s 
broadband networks to gigabit-capable speeds which includes the UK 
Government’s £5bn7 investment in 5G. Additional investment includes 
the Shared Rural Network, the Government’s £500m8 programme to 
extend 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK. 

We continue to see opportunities arising from the legislation 
changes which have necessitated the replacement of all Huawei 
equipment from UK wireless telecoms networks by 2027.

Investment in gigabit capable broadband 

£30bn6

Government 5G investment 

£5bn7

Capabilities
•  General civils including structures, groundworks, drainage, 

fencing and geotechnical schemes

Installation and maintenance of roadside communication assets

• 
•  Repair, refurbish and install highway drainage networks
•  Unique STONEmaster filter drain refurbishment process
•  Drainage surveys including pipe-jetting and record digitisation
•  Full turnkey road lighting service
•  SAFETYcam fleet of mobile road worker protection vehicles
•  Road restraint systems

Progress
The Group continued to make good operational and strategic 
progress within the Highways segment during the period, 
delivering essential asset maintenance and critical infrastructure 
renewals underpinned by non-discretionary regulatory requirements. 

Having acquired Carnell, a leading provider of specialist engineering 
services on the strategic road network, in January 2020, the 
business continues to leverage its innovative technological solutions 
to support the needs of major clients such as National Highways. 

During the period, Carnell was awarded five lots on National 
Highways SDF framework the maximum amount of lots available 
across civil engineering, road restraint systems and drainage 
disciplines, worth £147m over six years, with work set to begin 
in January 2022. Three of those lots will be delivered through a 
collaboration between Carnell and AmcoGiffen which represents 
a successful collaboration between different parts of the Group. 
Post period end, Carnell were awarded two lots on the 7 year 
Technical Surveys and Testing Framework.

Our markets
With the UK Government committing to an investment of £24bn5 
in the strategic road network over a five-year period, as part of its 
second Road Investment Strategy (“RIS2”), £11.9bn of this funding 
will be ringfenced for operations, maintenance and renewals. This 
represents a significant market opportunity for Renew. Transition 
to the new Scheme Delivery Framework will see increased 
spending in renewals forecast over the next ten years. This spend 
will particularly focus on structures, concrete pavement and road 
restraint systems.

Road Investment Strategy 2 (“RIS2”) 

£24bn5

See page 18 for references.

Future focus
With faster internet connectivity becoming ever more 
critical in the digital age and a key part of the Government’s 
levelling up agenda, we expect to benefit from these trends 
thanks to our specialist engineering expertise and  
mission-critical solutions.

Future focus
We remain well placed to seize the attractive growth and 
market share opportunities within Highways with increased 
spending forecast over the next ten years and with the 
Group investing to take advantage of opportunities in 
the electric vehicle charging market. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

33

 
 
Operational review continued

Energy
Supporting essential 
nuclear operations 

The Government’s total nuclear 
decommissioning provision is estimated 
at £124 billion over the next 120 years, 
with around 75% of the total spend 
allocated to Sellafield.

Generation and networks

Capabilities
•  Operational support and asset care
•  Critical planned and reactive maintenance and renewals
•  Civil, mechanical and electrical engineering

Progress
Our essential engineering maintenance services continued 
at a number of the UK’s thermal power stations. We remain 
operational on the Minor Works Framework with National 
Grid and our Minor Civils Framework with Western Power 
Distribution, as well as securing an extension to the SSE 
Hydro Tunnels Framework in the period.

Our markets
Around 40GW of new power generation will be needed 
by 2030 requiring new network infrastructure. Ofgem have 
committed £37bn of funding to enhance the electricity 
network and around £500m will be spent supporting the 
rollout of super-fast electric vehicle charging networks.

Estimated investment in electricity 

network during RII0-1

£37bn12

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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On Sellafield, we operate across a number of frameworks 
including the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership Framework 
on both Lot 1 (Remediation) and Lot 3 Magnox Swarf Storage Silo, 
Aligned partner - Remediation Redundant Asset programme, 
Tanks and Vessels Framework and the Fabrication and Machining 
Spares Framework. Our performance at Sellafield is strong 
evidence of the Group’s capabilities, and we are well-positioned 
for opportunities in the Major Projects Programme.

We are collaborating with the Programme and Project partners 
(“PPP”) to secure further growth opportunities at Sellafield. PPP 
is a 20-year framework for the delivery of a broad range of major 
projects for the site, with £7bn allocated for seven projects.

Outside of Sellafield, we continue to build on our relationship with 
Rolls Royce to secure further opportunities since our appointment 
to the Diesel Generator Programme at Hinkley Point “C”. We also 
deliver operational support and decommissioning activities at 
Springfield and continue to widen our network, targeting key sites 
such as Magnox and Dounreay where we have a position on the 
Decommissioning Services Framework. 

Our markets
The Government’s total nuclear decommissioning provision is 
estimated at £124bn9 over the next 120 years, with around 75% of 
the total spend allocated to Sellafield, which is the largest of the 
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (“NDA’s”) sites and where 
we remain a principal mechanical, electrical and instrumentation 
(“ME&I”) services contractor. The NDA has an annual expenditure 
of £3bn10 on its nuclear decommissioning programme, and Renew is 
involved in activities representing 90% of the allocated expenditure.

New nuclear is an essential component of the UK Government’s 
plans to deliver a sustainable, low-carbon energy future, and we 
expect continued and sustained growth in the area. Renew also 
boasts specialist manufacturing capabilities as manufacturing 
is at an all-time high, and we are well-placed to capitalise on 
key sector trends.

As part of the UK Government’s commitment to net-zero, 
decarbonisation of our energy supply is a key challenge. 
The expected increase in energy demand is expected to 
drive significant long-term investment. Changes in the UK’s 
energy landscape will provide opportunities for the Group’s 
multidisciplinary infrastructure engineering capabilities.

NDA nuclear decommissioning 

programme annual expenditure

£3bn10

See page 18 for references.

Future focus
We continue to broaden our offering in the nuclear market 
which has high barriers to entry. We are well placed to 
benefit from all aspects of nuclear expenditure in the UK.

In the emerging new nuclear market, we focus on the supply 
of high-integrity fabrications as well as mechanical and 
electrical installation support to specialist equipment vendors.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

35

Nuclear

Capabilities
•  Operational support and asset care
•  Critical planned and reactive maintenance and renewals
•  Civil, mechanical and electrical engineering
•  Nuclear decommissioning and decontamination
• 
In-house specialist fabrication and manufacturing

Progress
Having worked for over 75 years in civil nuclear, we provide a 
multidisciplinary service through our large complement of highly 
skilled employees who operate to demanding nuclear standards, 
including decontamination and decommissioning services, 
operational support and asset care, as well as waste retrieval 
in high-hazard areas such as legacy storage ponds and silos. 

 
 
Operational review continued

Environmental
Critical water  
infrastructure support

Water

Capabilities
•  Operational support and asset care
•  Critical planned and reactive maintenance and renewals
•  Civil, mechanical and electrical engineering
•  24/7 emergency reactive works including flood risk 

management programmes

•  Maintenance of strategic water mains and mains drainage
•  Clean and wastewater rehabilitation infrastructure
•  Dam safety and pressurised pipeline specialisms
•  Port, harbour and sea defences

Progress
For Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (“DCWW”), we continue to operate 
across the region on the Pressurised Pipelines Framework, Major 
Civils Framework and Capital Delivery Alliance Civils & Pipeline 
Framework. The Group is advancing with mains renovation work 
for Bristol Water and recently secured a place on the P Removal 
Programme for Wessex Water, while maintaining and renewing 
existing assets on operational treatment and distribution 
facilities for Yorkshire Water through the AMP7 Minor Civils 
Framework. We were also successful in securing a position on 
Water and Wastewater Network Construction and Engineering 
Framework for Northumbrian Water.

We are pleased to have commenced services for a number 
of new clients including the Capital Delivery Framework for 
Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water, adding to a 
strong client base that includes Scottish Canals and Peel Ports.

With the Group’s extensive experience and expertise in flood 
defence, we continue to work with the Environment Agency 
and Canal & River Trust to deliver the EA Flood and Coastal 
Erosion Framework. 

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Our markets
In Water, we continue to benefit from the UK Government’s spending 
of £51bn3 over AMP7 into 2025 and have seen further investment 
through our clients’ strong operational expenditure budgets. 

Our offer of scheduled maintenance and renewals tasks, in addition 
to extensive 24/7 emergency reactive works, remains one of our key 
strengths, providing specialised, mission-critical services for clients 
around the UK. 

The UK Government’s commitment to invest £5.2bn11 over six years to 
improve flood defence presents a strong opportunity for the Group.

Asset Management Programme 7 spend (“AMP7”)

£51bn3

UK Government’s six-year flood defence investment

£5.2bn11

See page 18 for references.

Future focus
Renew is well positioned to benefit from trends in the Water 
market as companies increase expenditure on capital 
maintenance and asset optimisation, supply resilience including 
dam safety and infrastructure refurbishment schemes. 

Our offer of scheduled 
maintenance and renewals 
tasks in addition to extensive 
24/7 emergency reactive 
works remains one of our 
key strengths.

Working 
together

Strengthening our offering 
in water 
During the period, the Group acquired J Browne, a water-
focused engineering services business based in Enfield, 
North London, operating throughout the South of England 
for Thames Water, Southern Water, Affinity Water and South 
East Water. This acquisition further strengthens our position 
in a key attractive infrastructure sector and is proceeding 
to plan and continues to trade in line with 
management’s expectations.

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Specialist restoration and 
land remediation

Capabilities
•  Soil and groundwater remediation
•  Design of bespoke remediation and ground 

engineering solutions

•  Specialist restoration and conservation

Progress
We are progressing well with works at the Palace of Westminster, 
now entering the new flat roofs phase at the site through the 
award of a five year Conservation Framework. 

In land remediation we continued to maximise the 
potential of the position we have developed in the 
UK remediation market.

We are seeing growing demand for our specialist 
capabilities on landmark schemes.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

37

 
 
Operational review continued

Specialist Building
Delivering specialist 
science and HQR 
schemes

High Quality Residential 
and Science

Capabilities
•  High Quality Residential refurbishment schemes in London 

and the Home Counties

•  Development of research and laboratory schemes
•  Extensive temporary structural engineering provision
• 

In-house design and engineering capabilities

Progress
Our Specialist Building business focuses on the High 
Quality Residential and Science markets in London and 
the Home Counties. 

Our essential work continues uninterrupted on critical science 
schemes for Defra and the Medical Research Council. The 
Group has also recently been awarded a landmark scheme 
for one of the London Palaces. 

Future focus
We focus on delivering technically challenging Science and 
High Quality Residential projects in London and the Home 
Counties where our expertise and experience prove 
differentiators in this market.

The Group continues to be selective in these markets where 
we have a long-established track record. 

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Financial review

Strengthening 
our position

Dear Shareholder 

Results 
Group revenue1 from continuing activities was £791.0m 
(2020: £620.4m), with an operating profit1 from continuing 
activities prior to amortisation and exceptional items of £51.2m 
(2020: £39.6m). A tax charge of £11.1m (2020: £6.9m) resulted in a 
profit after tax prior to amortisation and exceptional items for the 
year of £39.7m (2020: £31.9m), an increase of 24 per cent. After 
deducting £10.1m (2020: £6.7m) of amortisation and exceptional 
costs, the profit for the year from continuing activities was 
£32.1m (2020: £26.3m). 

Amortisation and exceptional items 
The £10.1m of exceptional items and amortisation is made up of 
£6.5m of amortisation charges in the year relating to contractual 
rights and customer relationships which are primarily associated 
with the acquisition of Giffen Holdings Limited, QTS Group Limited 
and Carnell Group Holdings Limited, Rail Electrification Limited (“REL”) 
and J Browne Group Holdings Limited (“J Browne”). Following this 
amortisation there remains £29.2m of other intangible assets on the 
balance sheet. We have recognised an exceptional charge in the year 
of £0.8m in relation to deal expenses relating to the acquisition of REL 
and J Browne. In addition, we have recognised a £1.7m actuarial estimate 
of additional liabilities relating to the extension of the Barber window 
in the Amco Scheme where our latest legal advice is that the scheme 
may not have normalised pension age, as previously assumed, in 
the early 1990’s. Finally, we have provided for an additional £1.1m 
as a result of the latest High Court ruling on GMP equalisation in both 
the Lovell and Amco defined benefit pensions schemes.

Net cash 
The Group’s balance sheet shows a net overdrawn cash balance 
of £9.4m (2020: positive £13.4m) and bank borrowings of £4.4m 
(2020: £13.1m) at the year end. Consequently, the Group’s net 
debt1 position as at 30 September 2021 was £13.7m (2020: net 
cash £0.3m). 

Sean Wyndham-Quin CA
Chief Financial Officer

Revenue

£791.0m

2020: £620.4m

Net debt

£13.7m

2020: Net cash £0.3m

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative 
performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group against 
its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and a 
reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in note 30.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

39

 
 
The Board continues to work closely with the Trustees of the Amco 
Scheme, to reduce the risks associated with the liabilities of the 
scheme. At the year-end, 40 per cent (2020: 47 per cent) of the 
scheme’s total liabilities were matched by annuities; the reduction 
reflecting the impact of the increase in the scheme liabilities due 
to the impact of the Barber window adjustment and the GMP 
equalisation window adjustment. In the triennial valuation of 
the scheme, which was carried out at 31 December 2019, the 
scheme actuary measured the deficit in the scheme at £0.8m. 
In accordance with the scheme specific funding requirements 
of the Pensions Act 2005, the Board agreed the level of future 
contributions with the Trustees of the scheme at £0.5m per 
annum. This recovery plan was projected to eliminate the deficit 
under the Statutory Funding Objective of the Pensions Act 2004 
by 31 March 2026. The next triennial valuation is for the period 
ending 31 December 2022.

Discontinued operations
The Group made a loss for the year from discontinued operations 
of £1.6m (2020: £5.6m) all of which relates to an additional accrual 
to cover latent defect liabilities in Allenbuild Limited, a business 
that was sold to Places for People Group Ltd in October 2014, 
but where the Group retains a liability for a number of 
historic contracts. 

Earnings per share 
Earnings per share1 before exceptional items and amortisation 
was 50.5p (2020: 41.2p) and on a statutory basis, after the impact 
of exceptional items, amortisation and loss for the year from 
discontinued operations was 38.7p (2020: 26.8p). The weighted 
average number of shares in issue for the period was 78.7 million. 

Distributable profits 
The distributable profits of Renew Holdings plc are £50.3m 
(2020: £46.5m). The Board is recommending a final dividend 
of 11.17p per share (2020: 8.33p) bringing the total for the year 
to 16.00p (2020: 8.33p).

Sean Wyndham-Quin CA 
Chief Financial Officer 
9 December 2021

1 

 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative 
performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group 
against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, 
and a reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in 
Note 30 to these accounts.

Financial review continued

Banking facilities 
The Group has a four-year term loan with HSBC UK Bank plc which 
was used to part-fund the acquisition of QTS Group Limited in 
2018. The loan is repayable in quarterly instalments and is secured 
by a fixed and floating charge over the Group’s assets. The loan 
will be fully repaid during the year ended 30 September 2022. 

The Group has committed debt facilities of £44.2m in the form 
of a revolving credit facility with HSBC UK Bank plc and National 
Westminster Bank plc which is committed until January 2024. 
In addition, the Group has a further £10.0m overdraft, also with 
HSBC, which is renewed annually in January. 

The Group has complied with the covenants associated with 
all of its debt facilities throughout the year.

Going concern 
The Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis 
in preparing the Group’s 2021 financial statements.

Leasing 
At 30 September 2021, the Group had £15.6m (2020: £15.4m) 
of lease liabilities. The liability associated with right of use assets 
as at 30 September 2021 was £10.9m (2020: £9.9m).

Taxation 
The tax charge on profit for the year is £8.7m (2020: £5.8m), a rate 
of 21.3 per cent which is marginally ahead of the headline rate of 
19.0 per cent primarily due to the increase in the deferred tax rate. 
Corporation tax paid in the year amounted to £7.3m (2020: £8.2m). 
The Group reverted to the usual four payments on account in the 
year ended 30 September 2021, which normalised the payment 
profile. The Group repaid c£17m of deferred VAT, that arose in 
the year ended 30 September 2020 as a result of the Covid 
pandemic, during the financial year.

Pension schemes 
At 30 September 2021, the IAS 19 valuation of the Lovell Pension 
Scheme, which was closed to new members in 2000, resulted in 
an accounting surplus of £0.4m (2020: £17.8m) after accounting 
for deferred taxation. The net surplus has reduced by £17.4m 
during the year, due primarily to the accounting treatment of 
the buy-in announced in November 2020.

On 3 December 2020 the Company announced that the Trustees 
of the Lovell Scheme used scheme assets to purchase annuities 
which match pension liabilities in a transaction known as a “buy-in” 
where the annuity policy remains an asset of the scheme. 
Following the conclusion of this buy-in, materially all of the 
scheme’s liabilities are now matched with annuities and 
consequently there was a reduction of the IAS19 Retirement 
Benefit assets in the Group’s accounts this year. Whilst an 
additional cash contribution into the scheme is likely to be 
required once the GMP equalisation calculations have been 
completed in 12–18 months’ time, this buy-in was a significant 
event in the history of the Group as it means that the cash 
contributions to be paid into the scheme are no longer required 
and all of the scheme’s liabilities have essentially been matched 
with corresponding annuities, removing the Group’s exposure 
to investment and funding risks in that scheme.

The IAS 19 valuation of the Amco Pension Scheme shows a net 
deficit of £0.1m (2020: surplus of £0.5m) after accounting for 
deferred taxation. The net surplus has decreased by £0.6m 
during the year, primarily due to the impact of the Barber 
window adjustment and the GMP equalisation adjustment 
as explained earlier in this section.

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Capital Allocation Policy

Capital allocation in priority order:

For the year ending 30 September 2022

1

2

3

4

5

To maintain sufficient financial headroom to comfortably manage temporary variations in working 
capital and to provide headroom against known risks and contingencies.

To maintain a conservative approach to leverage by seeking to pay down debt quickly  
post-acquisitions and by ensuring that our net debt:EBITDA multiple remains at an appropriate level.

To appropriately invest in the business to deliver organic growth. 

To continue to pursue a progressive dividend policy whilst maintaining an appropriate level 
of dividend cover.

To build sufficient headroom to enable us to quickly respond to acquisition opportunities that are 
consistent with our stated strategy and which are earnings enhancing.

To the extent that all of these priorities have been achieved, we would consider returning additional excess 
cash to shareholders.

Sean Wyndham-Quin 
Chief Financial Officer
9 December 2021

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Our culture

Our cultural 
framework

The Group’s values, vision, strategy and purpose support our culture. 
Our beliefs and behaviours are guided by these frameworks which provide 
a structure to set the operational expectations across our business.

Our purpose – We provide essential engineering services 
to maintain and renew critical infrastructure networks. Our 
multidisciplinary engineering services are delivered through our 
independently branded UK subsidiary businesses that support 
the day-to-day running of these infrastructure networks.

Our strategy – Our long-term strategy is focused on 
developing our range of engineering services capabilities, both 
organically and through selective acquisitions. The Group targets 
acquisitions that bring complementary skills and allow us to 
deliver a wider range of services to our clients.

    Read more about 

the importance of our 
stakeholders and how 
we engage with them 
on pages 22–25 

    Read more about how 
we work together on 
pages 4–9

Our values

The following eight values are 
key to the successful delivery 
of our long-term strategy. 

    Read more about our values 

on page 20 

Integrity

Compliant

Progressive

Considerate

Our values

Responsive

Responsible

Sustainable

Reliable

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Working 
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EDI Champions
At Carnell, the following measures helped ensure compliance with the businesses 
EDI responsibilities:

•  the equal opportunities, dignity at work, and whistleblowing policies 

have been reviewed;

•  access to policies has been made easier;
•  the business has signed up to The Chartered Institution of Highways 

& Transportation’s Diversity & Inclusion Charter;

•  the business has worked with National Highways to define “what EDI excellence 

looks like”; and

•  undertook surveys with National Highways to improve diversity in the industry.

The business has a number of EDI Champions who work to ensure Carnell develop a 
class leading approach. Regular features in internal newsletters has helped to develop 
awareness of EDI across the business. 

Our values
At the heart of what we do is our people; their safety and 
wellbeing is our priority. As a responsible employer we strive to 
ensure fair treatment of all our employees and those who work 
with us in the course of our business. Our sustainability agenda 
includes giving back through our employment initiatives, 
involvement with local communities and charitable donations.

Our cultural blueprint
Our culture is built on our core values which are integrated in all 
aspects of our business. We are committed to being a responsible 
business and strive to add value to all our stakeholders. The Company’s 
culture is reinforced in the day-to-day operations of our business.

Our future workforce
We operate a range of training and development programmes 
to support the future ambitions of our workforce and the need to 
develop the skills of the future. We are a keen to support internal 
talent and try to promote internally where possible. 

The Group’s Leadership Development Programme recognises the 
need for skills training and support a large number of apprentices 
across our organisation. 

Our workforce engagement
Our subsidiary businesses engage with their workforce in a range 
of ways including staff briefing events, intranets and newsletters. 
Strong engagement is key to reinforcing our Company’s values.

How we achieve our purpose
We operate across a range of markets, directly delivering essential 
engineering services. Our subsidiary businesses are leading 
providers in their markets and as such are able to develop 
long-term relationships with clients responsible for some 
of the country’s critical networks.

We offer multidisciplinary engineering services, undertaking 
planned and reactive tasks for our clients. In addition we provide 
a 24/7 emergency support response across the networks 
we support.

We typically undertake a high volume of low value tasks which 
are critical to keep the networks operational. 

    Read more about our Board 

on pages 60–63

Our workframe in action

Culture

Purpose

Working 
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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Sustainability

Sustainability 
with purpose

Our purpose-led approach to ESG is based on our five 
commitments. These ensure we continue to align our business with 
the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) requirements 
of our stakeholders. It is important that we work responsibly 
and in a sustainable manner to leave a lasting positive impact.

Dear Shareholder,
Renew understands its responsibility to the environment and all 
its stakeholders. Renew is committed to operating responsibly 
and as such it is my role, together with the Board, the Group’s 
SHEQ Director and management teams, to drive our approach 
to sustainability. 

During the year we have sought to better understand the effect 
of our operations on the environment through increased 
sustainability reporting. As a Group we have set the reporting 
requirements of our subsidiary businesses so we have a clear 
picture of our overall impact in key areas to enable us to align the 
Group’s ESG strategy to those areas where we can have the most 
impact. Our ESG target data will provide us with an assessment of 
the progress we have made since 2019/20. 

The sustainability targets we introduced help us support the 
delivery of the UK’s net zero carbon target by 2050. It is the Group’s 
intention to achieve net zero no later than 2040 and I look forward 
to reporting more progress on these during 2022. 

As part of our annual strategic planning process during the year, 
particular emphasis was placed on how the Group’s targets and 
delivery roadmap will be achieved by our subsidiary businesses 
to ensure that as a Group we meet our overall ESG responsibilities.

A purpose-led approach
Last year we developed a range of ESG targets which help us 
measure the success of our business in achieving our ambitions 
in this area. We have collated data from across our subsidiaries 
during 2021 which shows that there are some areas we need to 
focus on improving more than others such as our use of gas oil 
and our company car emissions. Our subsidiary businesses are 
aligned with the Group-wide targets to ensure we are focusing 
our improvement efforts on those areas that will deliver the 
largest environmental gains.

Our sustainability strategy
Based around the five key areas of customer value, climate action, 
operating responsibly, engaging our people and supporting our 
local communities, our sustainability strategy has been developed 
through engagement across our businesses. During 2021 we have 
been assessing this data to inform our sustainability strategy going 
forward, as well as delivering training and awareness through 
workshops, online training and forums. Representatives from our 
subsidiary businesses have been meeting to share innovative 
working techniques and best practice.

Paul Scott
Chief Executive
9 December 2021

During the year we have sought 
to better understand the effect 
of our operations on the 
environment through increased 
sustainability reporting. 

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Working 
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Board ESG engagement
During 2021/22 the Board will meet twice to discuss and 
oversee the delivery of the Group’s sustainability strategy and 
our pathway to net zero. As part of this review the Board will 
look at the management of climate related risks and 
opportunities to the business.

   Read more about our culture 
on pages 42 & 43

Our commitment to  
the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), launched 
in 2015 with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 
provide a shared blueprint for tackling some of the planet’s 
most pressing issues and will help create a better place in which 
we can all live. 

Whilst we support all the SDGs, the work we do to mitigate 
the impact of our operations can be aligned with a number 
of the SDGs in particular:

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth, full and productive 
employment and decent work for all. 

    See how we contribute towards this SDG 

on pages 22–25, 42 & 43 and 52 & 53

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and 
sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

    See how we contribute towards this SDG 

on pages 26 & 27 and 30–38

12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and 
production patterns.

    See how we contribute towards this SDG 

on pages 46 & 47 and 54 & 55

13 Climate Action 
Take urgent action to combat climate change 
and its impacts.

    See how we contribute towards this SDG 

on pages 48 & 49

Climate related financial 
disclosures

Our roadmap to full disclosure in 2023
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(“TCFD”) recommendations provide a framework for 
companies to disclose the impacts of climate change on their 
financial performance and require enhanced disclosure on 
governance, strategy and risk management as well as metrics 
and targets. 

2021/22  
1. Establish governance
  We recognise the critical threat climate change poses  
  and the need for urgent action. The Board of Renew is  
responsible for overseeing the Group’s ESG response.  
  The Group’s SHEQ Director will lead the practical aspects  
  of co-ordinating the Group’s ESG programme.

  Board commitments

1.  Undertake two ESG reviews annually

  Operational commitments

1.  TCFD steering committee established  
2.  Enhanced ESG reporting by subsidiary businesses

2. Scope potential risks

 Undertake a number of workshops across the business 
to identify climate related risks and our response.

3. Roadmap agreed
  Develop a roadmap to ensure we are in a position to be  
able to report in line with the TCFD recommendations  
in FY23.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Our ESG 
commitments

We continue to improve the sustainability of our business by delivering 
on our five key ESG commitment areas. Led by the Chief Executive 
Officer, operating responsibly and with transparency is at the heart 
of our approach.

Our ESG framework is designed to support the delivery of long-term 
sustainable value to all our stakeholders. 

Our ESG commitments 
We focus our approach around five key commitments 
to ensure we are aligned with the ESG requirements of 
all our stakeholders.

Customer value
We strive to extend the range of benefits 
we can provide for our existing and 
potential customers. 

 Climate action
Our climate action is delivered through 
governance, risk management, innovative 
working practices and education. 

Operate responsibly
We understand our responsibility to our 
stakeholders and work hard to leave a 
lasting positive impact from the work we 
undertake. 

Engage our people
We are a direct delivery business. Strong 
engagement with our workforce is critical 
to our business.  

Support local 
communities
We support charitable causes, 
community causes, local education 
opportunities and much more.

46

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Customer value

Our progress in 2020/21 Our target
Customer survey  
response rate.

41%

Retention of key 
framework customers.

2021 target: 50%

100%

2021 target: 100%

Customer engagement
Carnell was shortlisted in the Customer and Delivery categories at 
the 2020 National Highways Awards. The awards recognise people 
internally and in the supply chain who have achieved outstanding 
results in safety, customer experience and delivery on the highways 
network. Carnell’s “Think Customer” programme was a finalist in 
the “Employee Engagement and Behavioural Change” award.

Lewis Civil Engineering supported Wessex Water with 
improvements to the local environment by reducing phosphorus 
in the final effluent during AMP7 works at Winscombe Water 
Recycling Centre in Somerset.

The output was achieved by the construction of chemical dosing, 
mixed media filtration and increased storm storage and has been 
a model of collaboration between Lewis, Wessex Water and other 
key project stakeholders.

 
 
 
 
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Sustainable innovation
The diverse markets in which we operate have unique challenges 
and we employ innovative working practices across our business 
to bring operational and cost efficiencies to our clients.

In rail, the development of a new drilling rig was specifically 
designed to locate suspended hidden shafts and has enabled safer 
working practices for the team on site and increased productivity. 

Elsewhere on the rail network a bespoke tunnel cleaning road 
rail vehicle attachment has been further developed to deliver 
increased manoeuvrability and safe disposal of collected waste 
products. The machine allows the delivery of exceptional cleaning 
rates and the potential to use the system for other applications 
on the rail network. 

As part of its bespoke plant fleet, QTS has developed the Mega 
Chipper V2 which now features text fault reporting and remote 
diagnostic access to assist with its devegetation operations. 

During the year, on behalf of Network Rail, we carried out an 
essential timber replacement programme to restore Traeth Mawr 
Viaduct. The location of the viaduct and the water level working 
environment meant that we had to create a new jacking system 
that could be mounted ahead of the works commencing. The new 
system allowed us to quickly and safely replace end of life timber 
on the structure providing a safe, reliable and resilient railway for 
passengers. The jacking system was installed below the structure 
ahead of the planned railway line possession, saving time. 

Supporting safety
Our subsidiary, Carnell, was Highly Commended at the 
2021 Highways Awards in the “Best Use of Technology” 
category for its High Density Array Ground Probing Radar 
technology. The system improves safety for the site teams 
by detecting uncharted cables and reduces the risk of 
cable strikes and potential injury. This supports National 
Highway’s aspiration to halve service strikes in the period 
to 2025.

Our values in action

Customer first
On all major projects, J Browne uses a proactive engagement 
model with both customers and stakeholders. Over the five 
month duration of the A5 Uphill Phase 2 project, there was 
contact with over 2,000 residential properties in the 
surrounding streets and almost 300 businesses along the 
Edgware Road to ensure that all residents and businesses 
were aware of the upcoming works. 

As the country had just exited the first Covid-19 national 
lockdown, customer communication had to be adapted to 
comply with social distancing guidelines. Letters were sent via 
mailshot and door-to-door engagement and drop-in sessions 
took place outside with face masks worn at all times, in line 
with Covid-19 guidance. 

Despite the size and scale of the project, the proactive 
engagement with customers resulted in just six escalations 
being raised by customers over the duration of the project. 
Each escalation was handled by the J Browne customer 
liaison team and resolved promptly. The result of this 
proactive approach was recognised by both Brent Council 
and Barnet Council.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Working 
together

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

47

 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Climate action

Our targets
We aim to achieve net zero by 
2040, starting by obtaining 
100% of the energy we use from 
“green” energy tariffs by 2022.

Our progress in 2020/21

33%

2022 target: 100%

By 2022 we expect all our 
subsidiary businesses to offer 
electric/hybrid vehicle  
options across their company 
car schemes.

100%

2022 target: 100%

We expect to have transitioned 
the majority of our commercial  

fleet to low carbon by 2030. 1%

2030 target: 80%

Reducing carbon emissions
A number of our businesses are using all-electric vehicles 
including at Carnell where, as a leading delivery partner, it will 
be helping National Highways build on its existing progress to 
achieve its ambition of net zero carbon for maintenance and 
construction by 2040.

StoneMaster, Carnell’s sustainable approach to filter drain 
refurbishment, was recognised at the Green Apple Awards for 
environmental best practice in 2020. Carnell is now recognised by 
Green Apple as a Green World Ambassador

As part of its commitment to carbon reduction, AmcoGiffen has 
recently successfully trialled an alternative combined sustainable 
fuel and battery power system on site. The initiative used a 
generator, powered by hydro-treated vegetable oil (“HVO”) instead 
of red diesel emitting cleaner exhaust emissions, that charged a 
battery storage unit during the day and switches off at night 
allowing the site to run on battery. The trial reduced carbon 
emissions by around 90% and the battery storage unit reduced 
overall fuel consumption and generator run time by 49% as well 
as reducing emissions, improving air quality and eliminating noise 
pollution. AmcoGiffen is now mandating that all sites will use this 
system where relevant and practical. 

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

48

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Supporting the UK’s net zero carbon goals
The UK Government’s strategy to reduce emissions to net zero by 
2050 requires action by all emission producers. We understand 
the role we must play as a business in taking action to addressing 
the emissions we produce and, as such, we are committed to 
achieving net zero ahead of the Government’s target date and 
in any case no later than 2040.

Reducing our impact
Our assessment of the emissions we produced in 2019/20 
provided us with a benchmark with which to measure the progress 
we are making in reducing our environmental impact. Our subsidiary 
businesses have reported their climate data throughout the year.

The 2019/20 data highlighted that commercial vehicles and our 
use of gas oil were responsible for the majority of the emissions 
we produced. As a result of this, during the year we focused on 
reducing our emissions in these areas in particular. We introduced 
initiatives to trial the use of alternative, cleaner energy sources to 
power our sites and the procurement of electrical commercial 
vehicles across our business. 

We also introduced a number of climate targets which assist us in 
aligning our subsidiary businesses with the Group’s overall climate 
ambitions. These targets also ensure our subsidiaries focus their 
carbon reduction efforts on those areas where we can make the 
largest impact. 

During the year our subsidiary businesses have made a number 
of climate focused pledges including at Walter Lilly which 
has committed to the Declaration on Climate and Biodiversity 
Emergency with the business engaging its clients, designers 
and supply chain to reduce waste during its construction and 
deconstruction operations.

Climate related risks and opportunities
During 2022 the Group will undertake a series of consultations 
and risk assessments across its subsidiaries to identify the 
climate related risks and opportunities to our business. 

Our efforts to mitigate our environmental impact may also provide 
the Group with opportunities including cost reductions with the 
introduction of low-energy technologies, resource efficiencies 
and the development of new technologies and services. 

To align with the financial disclosures required by the Task 
Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures we will align the 
assessment of risks and opportunities in the four key areas of 
governance, strategy, risk management and metrics & targets. This 
assessment will help us to understand how climate change could 
affect our revenue and costs, in particular in identifying where 
value might be eroded and where there may be potential for value 
to be added. 

The identification and 
assessment of climate related 
risks and opportunities will 
assist in informing our strategic 
planning process and 
contributing to the sustainable 
growth of our business.  

Working 
together

 
 
 
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (“SECR”)
We measure and report our energy and carbon data across the 
entire Group, providing comprehensive data to substantiate our 
overall environmental impact. Our SECR statement includes all 
emission sources required under the 2019 regulations for the 
financial year ended 30 September 2021. 

Renew emitted 34,832.7 (2020*: 27,245.4) carbon dioxide 
equivalent tonnes (“tCO2e”) of energy during the year. 

The two carbon intensity ratios that we have chosen to measure 
reflect our business performance. Our carbon intensity ratio was 
9.42 tCO2e per average employee headcount, and 0.044 tCO2e 
per £000 of revenue. 

Moving forward, we will set both absolute and percentage reduction 
targets for carbon emissions, so we can begin to measure energy 
efficiency performance alongside business performance.

In order to calculate the carbon emissions, we have used the 
emission factors from the UK Government’s GHG Conversion 
Factors for Company Reporting 2021. The scope 1 and 2 emissions 
reported are for all facilities across the Group under our operational 
control. This includes all the Group’s subsidiaries as listed at the 
back of this report. We have also voluntarily chosen to report 
scope 3 emissions from grey fleet, i.e. employee vehicles driven 
on Company business, and emissions from leased vehicles. 
This will provide a full picture of our vehicle emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions 

Carbon emissions (tCO2e)*
Transport (scope 1)

Transport (scope 3)

Electricity (scope 2) 

Purchased gas (scope 1) 

Gas oil (scope 1) 

Other fuels (scope 1) 

Total emissions

Carbon intensity ratio 1 
(tCO2e/£000)
Carbon intensity ratio 2  
(tCO2e/avg. headcount)
Total UK energy usage (kWh)

2021

2020 **

14,965.3

1,983.9

802.9

241.3

13,377.5

1,004.5

961.0

400.6

Increase/ 
decrease

1,587.8

979.4

-158.0

-159.4

16,781.1

11,431.3

5,349.8

58.3

70.5

-12.2

34,832.7

27,245.4

7,587.4

0.044

0.044

9.42

8.28

0.0

1.1

142,800,433

110,626,528

32,173,905

* 

 tCO2e/year defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

**  Restated.

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Innovation in action

Our bespoke Mega Vac Road Rail Vehicle is one of the most 
unique drainage machines on the UK rail network. The 
multi-purpose machine allows track drainage to be unblocked 
in record time and is ideal for jetting large culverts and 
under-track crossings, using specialist jetting heads.

In highways, the team at Carnell has installed an innovative 
Eco SmartCharge Run-Lock device on its fleet of SafetyCam 
vehicles. The device enables the vehicles to be operated at 
the roadside without needing the engine running, reducing 
fuel usage and harmful emissions by up to 85%. As well as 
the environmental benefits, it provides cost savings for 
our clients.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Our commitment to net zero

Across the Group we are increasing the number 
of electric vehicles and plant we use to support 
our commitment to achieving net zero. 

At J Browne, as part of its work in water, key parts 
of its vehicle fleet are being replaced with electric 
powered equipment including an electric powered 
telehandler to help to reduce its CO2 footprint.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

49

 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Operate 
responsibly

Our targets
We seek continuous 
improvement in the Group’s 
accident frequency rate. Our 
target remains zero harm each 
year. 

Our progress in 2020/21

0.14

2021 target: 0

We aim to divert the majority of 
the eligible* waste we produce 
away from landfill across our 
operations. 
*Non-hazardous

88%

2022 target: 95%

A health and safety 
focused culture
Health and safety remains a priority across the Group and as such 
is led by the Chief Executive with the support of the Renew Board, 
the Group’s SHEQ Director and the Group’s SHEQ advisors, based 
in our subsidiary businesses. 

Ensuring the safety of all the Group’s stakeholders is also the 
focus of the Group’s Safety and Environmental Management 
Group (“SEMG”) forum, which met four times in the year. The 
SEMG forum is attended by senior operational personnel and 
senior safety practitioners from around the Group and assists with 
knowledge sharing and best practice. During 2022 the SEMG 
forum focused on behavioural science, plant people interface, 
occupational health and waste management.

Our approach to safety is driven 
by the Group’s directly employed 
regional safety practitioners who 
are based within our subsidiary 
businesses and have industry 
experience and specific 
knowledge of the challenging 
environments in which we work. 

Paul Scott
Chief Executive Officer

50

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Supporting our culture
The Group continues to develop its positive learning culture 
through a number of initiatives during the year. A number of 
our businesses employ a behavioural analysis toolkit to help us 
understand why unsafe behaviours sometimes occur and how 
we can change our work environment to make it more likely 
we see safe behaviours. Toolkit training and workshops are 
also delivered to support this work. 

Health and safety remains the priority at all Board and 
management meetings. The Group’s positive learning culture 
is driven by close call reporting, incident investigations and 
culture reinforcement.

Safety in action
Our approach to safety is driven by the Group’s directly employed 
regional safety practitioners who are based within our subsidiary 
businesses and have industry experience and specific knowledge 
of the challenging environments in which we work. 

Working in the challenging nuclear environment, Shepley 
Engineers achieved a significant safety milestone during the year 
by surpassing 12 million hours of work without recording a RIDDOR 
reportable incident at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria.

On the rail network, QTS provided its transient site investigation 
teams with portable defibrillators to use. The teams mainly operate 
in remote locations where access to more usual defibrillators 
would not be possible. 

Accreditations and awards
Our businesses are accredited with various health and safety 
schemes, including Constructionline, SafeContractor, the 
Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme, Achilles Verify 
and the Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme. Our 
businesses also conform to the ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 standards. 

We achieved many Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 
(“RoSPA”) awards during the year including at Carnell which 
achieved a third RoSPA President’s Award which recognises twelve 
consecutive RoSPA Gold Awards. Lewis was awarded a seventh 
consecutive RoSPA Gold Award during the year and VHE was 
awarded an Order of Distinction for 19 consecutive Gold Awards.

Building strong partnerships

Supporting out customers
We engage with our clients across the markets in which we 
operate. In rail, we supported Network Rail’s “Learning from 
Events” week in June designed to enhance safety and 
environmental standards on the rail network.

Supply chain engagement
We also took part in the Midlands Rail Forum event during the year, 
delivering a presentation on changing supply chain culture and in 
particular how we can embrace an environment where employees 
feel empowered to challenge normal working practices to foster 
innovative thinking, maximise value and eradicate waste.

 
Engaged with the environment

Biodiversity
As part of the Group’s commitment to the impact of climate 
change on biodiversity, during 2022 we aim to review the 
measurement and management of our biodiversity impact. 

Waste management
The Group has a collaborative approach to waste management 
where our subsidiary businesses work in partnership with 
a specialist waste management broker which provides 
environmentally friendly waste management solutions. 

During 2021, we achieved a recycling rate of 88.2% by diverting 
342,103 tonnes of waste from landfill. We continue to utilise 
reporting tools to understand how waste is created and managed 
across our Group. During 2022 this will be developed to report 
how the waste recycled has had a positive impact on CO2 emissions.

Green infrastructure 
We remain proud holders of the London Stock Exchange’s Green 
Economy Mark which recognises those companies that derive 
more than 50% of their revenues from products and services that 
are contributing to the environmental objectives such as climate 
change mitigation and adaptation, waste and pollution reduction, 
and the circular economy.

The “QTS Challenge”
QTS site operatives are encouraged to speak out 
and challenge behaviours that they feel might 
risk the health and safety of themselves or their 
colleagues. The “QTS Challenge” has worked well 
and has encouraged our teams to be more vocal 
when it comes to suggestions for increasing 
health, safety and welfare.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

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Working 
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Safety through innovation
The QTS team has developed and installed an 
innovative solar-powered LED lighting system 
on access stairs throughout Scotland’s railway. 

The first trial was done on access stairs at Cardross 
Road in Dumbarton. The system is eco-friendly, 
extendable to any length, remotely monitored 
and controlled to enhance its power savings 
and lifetime features. 

The system will allow for safe access for rail operatives 
and maintenance staff all year round. 

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

51

 
 
 
 
Training and development
Investing in training is key to recruiting and retaining our highly 
skilled workforce. The Group supports a range of training and 
professional development opportunities for its employees 
throughout the business including day release schemes, 
apprenticeships and mentoring programmes. 

An example of one such programme is at AmcoGiffen with 
the launch of the specially developed Controller of Site Safety 
(“COSS”) Academy programme. In addition to this there will 
also be workshops with site teams to understand how further 
improvements can be made to the planning and safe delivery 
of our rail operations.

As an Investors in Young People Gold Award company, QTS hosted 
its first apprenticeship open day during the year. Young people 
considering an apprenticeship were invited to attend the open 
day at the QTS head office in Scotland where they met a number 
of the workshop team. 

QTS also sponsored the Commitment to People Development 
category at the Nottinghamshire Business Awards during 2021.

Diversity and inclusion 
We work hard to develop a positive working culture that allows 
all employees, regardless of their gender, disabilities, sexuality, 
race or religion, to build their careers within an open and 
collaborative environment. 

During 2022, the Group will be setting diversity targets to measure 
our progress. These will form the basis of our ongoing diversity 
and inclusion reporting.

As well as promoting diversity and inclusion generally across 
our business, a number of our subsidiaries took part in events 
for National Inclusion Week to raise awareness of the challenges 
faced by business and wider industry in creating a more diverse 
and inclusive working environment. 

We also supported the Railway Industry Association and Women 
in Rail’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (“EDI”) Charter in a number 
of our businesses. Through the collaboration with other rail 
industry professionals, contractors and businesses we hope to 
play our part in identifying improvements to current standards, 
championing best practice, and working together to build an 
equal and fair rail sector.

We recognise that our business, along with the wider engineering 
industry, has traditionally been male dominated. We continue 
to work to recruit women into the industry through recruitment 
drives, and by supporting and increasing the opportunities 
available to women. 

An example of this is at Walter Lilly which is committed to 
supporting the next generation of women. Currently around 
20% of its employees are women and a third of its sponsored 
and day release students who graduated in the past two years 
have been women.

Sustainability continued

Engaging with 
our people

Our targets
As a measure of employee 
engagement across our 
business, we target a survey 
response rate of 70%.

As part of a range of initiatives 
to support our employee’s 
mental health, we are increasing 
the number of trained mental 
health first aiders in our 
business.

Investing in training is key to 
recruiting and retaining our 
highly skilled workforce. We 
aim to increase the number 
of training days per employee.

Our progress in 2020/21

46%

2021 target: 70%

1:20

2021 target: 1:50

4.0

2021 target: 4.5

Committed to diversity 
and inclusion
Women across our industry are making a huge contribution 
in helping to deliver major engineering programmes.  

As part of its ongoing commitment in celebrating women’s 
achievements and in creating equal and fair opportunities, 
AmcoGiffen has signed up to the Railway Industry Association 
and Women in Rail Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter 
which champions best practice in working together to build 
a high-performing rail sector.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

52

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Employee wellbeing
All the Group’s subsidiary businesses provide an Employee 
Assistance Programme to support our employees on a range of 
topics including finance, childcare, general health matters and 
mental health. 

Mental health awareness continues to be a focus across the 
Group. At Seymour, the leadership team took part in an accredited 
Level 2 Mental Health Awareness course delivered through its 
in-house Skills Academy with plans to roll out the course content 
across its workforce. 

Many of our businesses have mental health champions, in addition 
to mental health first aiders, who provide additional support to 
our employees. 

Employee engagement 
Employee engagement initiatives include workshops, newsletters, 
social events, social media, team briefings, employee surveys and 
training and development opportunities.

As part of the employee engagement forum at AmcoGiffen, it was 
suggested a “Cycle to Work” salary sacrifice scheme be set up. 
The scheme now provides options for employees to choose 
cycles or equipment to help with healthier journeys to work.

As well as promoting diversity and 
inclusion generally, a number of our 
businesses took part in events for 
National Inclusion Week to raise 
awareness of the issues faced by the 
business and the wider industry in 
creating a more diverse and inclusive 
working environment. 

Paul Scott
Chief Executive Officer

Positive communications
Walter Lilly has implemented an internal digital 
platform for employees which provides the tools 
needed to further improve two-way communication 
and collaboration across the business. 

This central hub has become a focal point for employees 
to access the latest company news, informal wellbeing 
guidance and details of staff benefits.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Working 
together

Renew, inspiring 
successful executives 
“RISE”
Recognising that our biggest asset is our people, 
the Renew Executive Leadership Programme, “RISE”, 
has been launched. The programme focuses on 
managing relationships, developing strengths, 
building diversity, setting direction and leadership 
and is a mix of workshops, online learning modules, 
virtual collaborative events and mentoring. 

The programme supports our commitment to 
promoting leadership talent from across our business.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

53

 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Support local 
communities

During the year the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the 
frequency with which our employees have been able to engage 
in community events.

Our targets
To support the local 
communities in which we 
operate, we measure the 
working hours per employee  
we spent assisting community 
projects.

We support a range of 
community events; in particular 
we target increasing the 
number of STEM events we 
support each year.

Our progress in 2020/21

0.30

2021 target: 24

15

2021 target: 50

Volunteers continue Enfield 
Lock enhancements
A team of volunteers from J Browne’s Enfield office 
completed refurbishment works on Enfield Lock on the River 
Lee Navigation. This section of canal, which J Browne has 
adopted through the Canal and River Trust, is a significant 
habitat for wildlife. The section has a houseboat community 
nearby and the towpaths are regularly used by the local 
community for dog walking.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

54

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Future skills
Our businesses offer a range of training and development 
opportunities including work experience placements, internships, 
trainees and graduate roles all designed to assist the next 
generation and develop them personally and professionally.

During the year, whilst working on a National Highway scheme at 
Chowns Mill, Carnell hosted a careers event for local people who 
were interested in entering the industry.

As part of a mains replacement scheme for Bristol Water in 
Butleigh, Somerset, Lewis Civil Engineering invited pupils from 
the local primary school to create a time capsule and learn more 
about the nature of the water works.

Shepley Engineers hosted a virtual stand at the 2021 Cumbria 
Careers Fair which saw it answer students’ questions about life 
after school and post-16 options.

Apprenticeships are a key part of the workforce at Shepley, which 
has over 40 apprentices across the group. This gives a great route 
for aspiring young adults looking to develop themselves, offering 
not only educational skills but also practical hands-on and delivery 
experience. Apprentices at Shepley are working towards 
qualifications in pipefitting, welding, plating, erecting, electrical 
disciplines and business administration. 

Community engagement
We encourage our employees to reflect our culture of responsible 
working in their day-to-day operations. 

During the year the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the 
frequency with which our employees have been able to engage in 
volunteering for their local communities. We hope to improve on 
this in 2022.

Working for Network Rail in the East Midlands, the site team saw an 
opportunity to reduce its environmental impact and help a local 
school by donating felled trees and bark chippings for reuse in the 
school’s wildlife garden and den building activities. The team was 
invited back to the school to talk to the children about the work 
and how it ensures the protection of the local wildlife.

At Carnell, 13 employees completed a litter picking pledge as part 
of the Great British Spring Clean contributing a total of 22.5 hours 
of voluntary clean up work. 

Charitable giving 
Apprentices from QTS volunteered their time to undertake 
renovation works for the KIND charity which helps children and 
families across Merseyside cope with the effects of poverty. Works 
included enhancing the nursery pupils’ play and learning area.

Shepley provided financial support to the Cumbria Community 
Foundation during the year, continuing its long association with 
the foundation. The foundation supports learning for local people 
and works to make the community a better place in which to live. 
During the year, Bee Unique in Cumbria received a grant to assist 
with the hosting of special events for the local autism community. 

At Seymour, volunteers delivered a new outdoor play and learning 
area for Hetton Lyons Primary School in the North East, as well as 
taking part in a question and answer session on engineering for 
the children.

 
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Understanding our 
responsibility to  
our community 
stakeholders
Development of innovative solutions often 
has a wider impact than the obvious cost and 
time efficiencies. 

As part of its bespoke plant fleet, QTS developed 
the “Vegetation Compactor”. This is a first-of-its-
kind Road Rail Vehicle on the UK rail network and 
can hold up to ten times the traditional trailer load 
thanks to its moveable sides with little impact on 
the lineside ground or drainage systems.

Disturbance to wildlife is greatly reduced, as are noise 
levels compared to conventional chainsaws and 
woodchippers, which lessens the impact of vegetation 
clearance works on our lineside neighbours.

Operating responsibly is central to the work we do.

Our values in action

   Read more about our values 
on page 20

At J Browne the team is 
committed to taking tangible 
measures to respect and 
enhance the local community 
and environment. During the 
year, volunteers completed 
refurbishment works on 
Enfield Lock on the River Lee 
Navigation as part of works 
on a section of the canal they 
have adopted. 

Paul Scott 
Chief Executive Officer

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

55

Working 
together

Following previously completed remedial work on a Northern Gas 
Networks (“NGN”) site in West Yorkshire, VHE installed bird and bat 
boxes as part of NGN’s “Home for Nature” scheme. VHE was also 
pleased to sponsor the local community sports teams in Methley 
which have around 300 junior players registered.

AmcoGiffen is developing its charity policy which will help focus 
efforts and provide support across the local regions in which it 
works. QTS continues to develop its youth athlete programme 
which supports young people in achieving its sporting dreams. 
One such star is Scott Quin, who competed on behalf of Team GB 
at the Tokyo Paralympics, and hammer thrower Charlotte Payne, 
who competed at the European U20 Championships in Estonia 
during the year.

Lewis Civil Engineering supplied and built a new sports equipment 
storage shed in partnership with Bristol Water for Bitton Youth 
Club as part of our initiative to give back to the local communities.

 
 
 
Risk management

Insightful risk 
management

The Group keeps its principal risks under continuous review and ensures those identified 
risks are being effectively managed.

Risk management structure
The management of risk is overseen by the Board which reviews 
and agrees the Group’s risk matrix including the identification 
of new risks and opportunities and reviewing the Group’s 
principal risks.

Our subsidiary businesses are governed by a system of controls 
including our Group minimum standards which are audited 
internally to ensure compliance in areas including risk management, 
control environment and activities, information and communication, 
and the evaluation of our ability to deliver robust commercial 
risk management. 

Operational and financial reporting is supported by monthly 
management meetings attended by a senior Group representative, 
Executive Management Committee meetings and monthly 
Board meetings.

Board

•  Review and agree risk profile
•  Identify new risks
•  Agree principal risks

Audit and Risk 
Committee

•  Review results of the internal audit 

and process

•  Review external audits
•  Review Group risk register and 
actions taken to mitigate risks

•  Risk management reviewed in monthly 

Executive 
Directors

management reports
•  Oversee Group minimum 

requirements for risk

Operating 
subsidiaries

• 

Identify and control local risk

•  Delivery of risk management processes 

and procedures 

•  Risk mitigation

Principal risks 
The Group’s principal risks are identified as 
those risks which have the potential for the 
highest impact on the Group. The Board 
reviews the principal risks annually along 
with the mitigation measures in place.

1 Major accident or hazard

2

Loss of a major customer

3 Major project loss

4

5

6

Cost inflation

Business continuity 
and cyber risk

Management and 
succession planning

Very 
high

High

Medium

Low

Very 
low

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5

4

3

6

2

1

Impact
Medium

Low

Very 
low

High

Very 
high

56

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Consideration of ESG issues
We consider the impact of ESG 
related risks as part of the Group’s 
risk management review process 
and include consideration of risks 
such as climate change and carbon 
emissions, human rights, Board 
diversity and the diversity of the 
wider Group along with a number 
of other social, environmental and 
governance related risks.

During 2021/22 the Board will 
undertake a detailed review of 
ESG related risks and opportunities 
to the business which will form 
the basis of our Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures reporting.

    Read more about our 
commitment to ESG 
on pages 48–55

Covid-19
The Board continually reviews the 
principal risks and uncertainties 
affecting the Group in the context 
of the impact of the Covid-19 
pandemic. 

Whilst the Board recognised that 
the impact of Covid-19 increased 
the overall risk environment, the 
Board considered that the principal 
risks and uncertainties remained 
appropriate and therefore 
unchanged. 

The Board has taken additional 
actions to address those risks 
specifically arising from Covid-19. 

Brexit
The Board continues to monitor 
the risk of the impact of the UK’s 
withdrawal from the European 
Union and agrees it is unlikely 
to have any material effect on 
the performance of the Group 
because Renew is a UK-only 
business operating in markets 
with long-term, non-discretionary 
spending programmes. The Group 
has very little exposure to European 
supply chains or labour. 

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Decrease

Increase

Same as last year

1

2

Major accident 
or hazard

Loss of a major 
customer

Risk trend

Risk trend

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

1

2

4

1

2

4

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Renew senior management teams
•  Group SHEQ Director

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Renew senior management teams
•  Subsidiary senior management teams

Risk and potential impact
A major accident or incident for which we 
are held primarily accountable could result 
in personal or environmental harm and 
lead to operational loss, regulatory, legal or 
financial penalties and/or reputation loss. 

Risk and potential impact
As a consequence of the market in which 
we operate we inevitably have fewer, larger 
clients. The loss of one such client could 
result in both financial and reputational 
consequences for the business. 

Tolerance to residual risk:
Reduce

Tolerance to residual risk:
Accept

Example mitigating actions
•  Established and proven processes 

and policies 

Example mitigating actions
•  Keeping close to our clients 
•  Responsive, compliant, safe, innovative 

•  Broad nature of the sectors in which 

and proactive

we are engaged

•  Directly employed safety practitioners 

within our subsidiaries 

•  Advisors’ specialist knowledge of 

the complex environments in which 
they work

Change in the year
Taking account of the increasingly diverse 
activities of the Group, the Board has 
reassessed the impact of a major accident 
or hazard during the year and the 
investment in training; there has been 
no change to this risk during the year.

Opportunity
We undertake a high volume of safety 
training across our business. We directly 
employ our workforce which together 
means we are able to better control the 
environment and the competencies of 
the workforce we deploy. 

•  Delivery of innovative solutions
•  Ambition to expand our client base 
to further lessen the reliance on 
larger clients

Change in the year
A number of appointments with new 
clients were made in the year. Our 
engineering services are usually provided 
through long-term framework agreements, 
often over many years. The acquisition of 
J Browne has broadened the Group’s 
customer base.

Opportunity
Having a number of larger clients means 
we able to build strong relationships over 
many years. We understand our clients’ 
long-term ambitions and assist them in 
the delivery of these through our culture 
of engagement.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

57

 
 
 
Risk management continued

Decrease

Increase

Same as last year

3

4

5

Major project loss 

Cost inflation 

Business continuity 
and cyber risk

Risk trend

Risk trend

Risk trend

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

4

5

2

3

4

1

4

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Renew senior management teams
•  Subsidiary senior management teams 

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Renew senior management teams
•  Subsidiary senior management teams

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Group IT Director
•  Subsidiary senior management teams

Risk and potential impact
A major project loss could result in a 
significant financial loss to the business. 
Discontinued activities could present 
legacy risk that could potentially incur 
financial costs. 

Tolerance to residual risk:
Accept

Example mitigating actions
•  Rigorous project selection process
•  Maintaining first class records to enable 
effective management of any disputes
•  Projects within focus carrying risk are 

fully discussed in the business unit plans

Change in the year
Progress has been made in the year to 
close out a number of remaining legacy 
issues. There remains the potential for 
legacy claims from the discontinued 
Allenbuild business. Given this, the 
likelihood has moved from low to 
medium for this risk.

Opportunity
In developing our rigorous selection 
processes, the Group focuses on those 
schemes that present the least risk to the 
business. We have improved our record 
keeping as a result of reviewing our risk in 
this area and this has assisted the business 
significantly in being able to accurately 
review historical contracts.

Risk and potential impact
A risk of our employment and other 
input costs increasing that we are not 
able to pass on.

Tolerance to residual risk:
Reduce

Example mitigating actions
•  Ensure that the contractual terms and 

conditions are appropriate and properly 
understood

•  New contract vetting procedures are 
robust and in line with the Group 
Minimum Requirements

Change in the year
This risk has replaced the “Economic 
conditions” risk as the Board agreed this 
better represented the real time risk to the 
business through changes to the economy. 
The Board determined that the risk of cost 
inflation is medium likelihood, 
medium impact.

The Board recognises that there has been 
a significant increase in the price of certain 
materials and labour during the course of 
the last financial year however the Group is 
largely able to mitigate these increases due 
to the short-term nature of our contracts 
and our ability to recover these additional 
costs through the contracts. 

Opportunity
The review of our contract vetting 
procedures and the improvements 
undertaken in the year mean we 
are more robust in our approach 
in this area. 

Risk and potential impact
With the ever-increasing dependence 
on electronic communication and 
management systems in the conduct of 
our activities, the potential for a serious 
business interruption event has increased.

We recognise the importance of 
maintaining the integrity of the business’ 
electronic communications and 
management systems from both failure 
and cyber attack.

Tolerance to residual risk:
Reduce

Example mitigating actions
•  A business continuity approach 

to disaster recovery

• 

Industry best practice cyber attack 
defence tools 

•  Automated off-site backup facilities and 
secondary communication systems

Change in the year
We continue to develop our approach 
to cyber risk management through 
improvements to IT security and through 
the continuation of our user awareness 
training programme. Minimum standards 
are in place, with all businesses audited 
to ensure compliance. There has been 
no change to this risk.

Opportunity
We continue to reinforce our systems 
which alongside user training and 
awareness programmes means we are 
exposed to less risk in this area.

58

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

6

Management and 
succession planning

Working 
together

Risk trend

Link to strategy
Read more on pages 26 & 27

1

3

4

Governance oversight
•  Executive Directors
•  Renew senior management teams
•  Subsidiary senior management teams
•  Group HR Director
•  Nomination Committee

Risk and potential impact
Lack of continuity of business leadership is 
recognised as a risk to the business which 
has the potential for both financial and 
reputational damage to the business. 

Tolerance to residual risk:
Reduce

Example mitigating actions
•  Review of succession planning 

and management in each of our 
subsidiary businesses

•  Review succession for the senior teams 
in the short, medium and long term

Change in the year
The Group has further developed its 
succession planning and diversity 
procedures during the year and continues 
to carefully monitor any changes at regular 
intervals with our subsidiaries. There has 
been no change to this risk.

Opportunity
The process of management and 
succession planning allows the business 
to reveal any vulnerabilities and skills gaps 
which through appropriate mitigation 
actions reduces the likelihood of sudden, 
unexpected change.

Safely supporting the 
hazardous nuclear 
environment 
Shepley Engineers delivered a significant safety 
milestone during the year, surpassing 12 million 
hours of work without recording a RIDDOR 
Reportable incident at the Sellafield site in  
Cumbria.This is a testament to the continuous focus 
on safety, exemplary Health and Safety approach 
and a reflection of every employees dedication to 
maintaining the highest standards of safe working.

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Viability statement 
Assessing the business

How Renew assesses its prospects
The Directors have conducted a review and assessed the 
prospects and viability of the Group.

The assessment period
Although the Directors have no reason to believe that the 
Group will not be viable over a longer period, the Board has 
chosen to conduct this review for a period of three years. 
The Group believes that this is an appropriate timeframe as 
it aligns with its strategic and financial planning horizon.

The Directors have taken account of the Group’s financial 
forecasts for the three year period following the balance 
sheet date, comparing future funding requirements with 
committed external borrowing facilities. These external 
facilities are due for refinancing by January 2024, which 
is during the period being considered. It is highly likely 
that the Board will be able to replace these facilities at 
the appropriate time.

Assessment viability
The Directors confirm that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will continue in operation, meet 
liabilities as they fall due and not breach banking covenants 
within this period.

In support of the Viability statement the Group financial 
forecasts have been stress tested by estimating the potential 
impact of key risks. These estimates reflected the Directors’ 
judgement as to the net potential financial impact and the 
likelihood of these key risks occurring.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

59

 
 
Board of Directors

Creating the 
right leadership 

The members of the Board bring a range of expertise on issues of performance, 
strategy and governance, which support the success of the group. The Board is 
satisfied that, between the directors, it has an effective and appropriate balance 
of skills and experience to deliver the Group’s long-term strategy. 

Working 
together

Creating the right culture through our 
governance framework
The Group’s core values and governance framework form the 
structure for embedding our culture. As a Group we have a set 
of Group Minimum Requirements (“GMRs”) which each of our 
subsidiaries are required to comply with. 

The GMRs cover all aspects of the business operations and 
ensure we maintain high standards across all areas including, 
health & safety, financial control, ESG, information technology 
and human resources.

Considering all our stakeholders
The Board carefully considers all of its 
stakeholders in the decisions it made during the 
year. The Board is conscious its decisions have 
wide reaching consequences for a range 
of stakeholders and seeks to ensure these 
consequences are fully understood as part 
of any decision making process.  

Board Performance Evaluation  
The Board understands the importance of 
self evaluation and undertakes an annual 
performance review of its members and 
committees. The results of the review form the 
basis of the annual Board improvement plans.

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Skills and experience 
The Board regularly reviews the range of skills and experience of 
its members through its annual Board performance evaluation 
process. Identified skills or experience gaps form the basis of 
future recruitment plans. More details of the Board’s skills and 
experience can be found on pages 62 and 63. 

The Board seeks to ensure that its range of skills and experience 
are aligned with both its current and future requirements. 

Diversity
In recent years the Board has worked hard to improve its diversity 
profile. It recognised the lack of diversity that existed and the 
limitations this would bring. The Group has increased its gender 
and diversity profile through the recruitment of two new  
Non-executive directors since 2019. Work continues to further 
diversify the board, understanding the benefits that a well 
rounded Board offers. 

Leadership
The Group’s Chairman, David Forbes, has been in position for 
10 years and, in accordance with best practice, has decided to 
step down as Chairman and from the Board. David has worked 
with the Board to identify the skills and experience required 
of a prospective Chairman and the Board has commenced 
an exercise to find a replacement. 

The Board remains confident that this process will conclude in the 
new year and that a strong candidate will be appointed. David has 
agreed to remain as Chairman until that appointment is finalised 
which is expected to be no later than spring 2022 at which point 
David will step down from the Board.

In accordance with the Group’s normal rules, a resolution 
approving David Forbes re-election as a Director will be put 
to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2022.

Board recruitment
The Board undertakes a rigorous recruitment process supported 
by external specialist advisors to identify potential Board 
candidates that have the necessary skills and experience 
to compliment the existing team. 

Recruitment interviews are held by the Chairman and 
a Non-executive Director. Further meetings are held to 
introduce potential candidates to the rest of the Board. 

How the Board add value
The Board adds value by providing advice to the executive team 
and in presenting challenge as appropriate. The Board works on 
behalf of the Group’s shareholders and brings a wide range 
of experience and assistance across a broad range of topics. 
These skills and experience of the Board members support the 
achievement of the Group’s medium and longer-term objectives. 

How the Board works together
The Board, led by the Chairman, usually meets at least nine times 
a year in person unless this is not practicable. The Board reflects 
on the results of the period presented, reviews progress of agreed 
strategic implementation goals and discusses points raised by 
the executive team. The Board discuss, support and challenge 
the executive team as necessary. 

Outside of the formal Board meetings the Board provides 
additional support as required. An example of this would be 
through the Covid-19 pandemic. The executive team received 
guidance and support in their decision making processes and 
in navigating what was an unprecedented situation. 

Succession planning
The Board undertakes an annual succession planning process 
and more frequently as situations dictate. Succession planning 
it’s undertaken by the Group’s Nomination Committee, chaired 
by David Forbes. 

Board meetings held on the year

11 

Board site visits

2

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

61

 
 
Board of Directors continued

Our Board

1

2

3

4

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5

6

7

1. David Forbes
Chairman
Appointment date:
Non-executive Director from June 2011.

Chairman from January 2018.

Experience:
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984 
with over 20 years’ experience in corporate 
advisory services with N M Rothschild & Son 
Limited. David has held a variety of non-
executive director appointments at listed and 
private equity backed companies since 2004.

External appointments:
None.

Skills brought to the Board:
Expertise in mergers and acquisitions, 
corporate strategy and corporate finance.

Number of Board meetings attended:
11 out of 11.

Sector experience:
Construction, retail, engineering, 
communications and support services.

2. Shatish Dasani
Non-executive Director
Appointment date:
Non-executive Director from February 2019.

3. David Brown
Non-executive Director
Appointment date:
Non-executive Director from April 2017.

Experience:
Over 35 years of experience in the transport 
industry with particular expertise in the London 
bus market. Former managing director of 
Surface Transport at Transport for London and 
former chief executive of The Go-Ahead Group 
and Go-Ahead’s London Bus business.  

External appointments:

Director of the Rail Delivery Group Limited.

Skills brought to the Board:
Transport industry experience.

Number of Board meetings attended:
10 out of 11.

Sector experience:
Transport.

Experience:
A Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ 
experience in senior public company finance 
roles across various sectors including building 
materials, advanced electronics, general 
industrial and business services. He was 
previously the chief financial officer of Forterra 
plc and chief financial officer of TT Electronics 
plc and has also been alternate non-executive 
director of Camelot Group plc and public 
member at Network Rail plc.

External appointments:
Chair of Unicef UK. Non-executive Director 
at SIG plc and Speedy Hire plc.

Skills brought to the Board:
Strategy development and execution, 
performance improvement, financial 
management, corporate finance, mergers 
and acquisitions.

Number of Board meetings attended:
11 out of 11.

Sector experience:
Building materials, advanced electronics, 
general industrial, business services 
and infrastructure. 

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4. Stephanie Hazell
Non-executive Director
Appointment date:
Non-executive Director from 1 March 2020.

Experience:
Over 20 years’ relevant experience working 
in high profile businesses including 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Orange SA, 
Virgin Management Ltd and National Grid Plc 
where she held the position of director, strategy 
and corporate development.

External appointments:
Non-executive Director at NSMP Limited 
and Neos Networks. Senior Advisor to Shell 
Renewables and Energy Services.  

Skills brought to the Board:

Infrastructure, strategy, business development 
and M&A experience. 

Number of Board meetings attended:

5. Paul Scott
Chief Executive
Appointment date:
As Chief Executive from 1 October 2016, 
previously as Group Engineering Services 
Director from 21 July 2014.

Experience:
A qualified engineer who has been with 
the Group for over 21 years. Having directly led 
subsidiaries through substantial growth in line 
with the Group strategy, Paul’s responsibilities 
gradually developed into a wider Group role 
before being appointed as the CEO.

External appointments:
None.

Skills brought to the Board:
Strong experienced leadership capability with 
a track record of compliant delivery. Proven 
capability in terms of developing a culture to 
support the execution of our agreed growth 
strategy.

A

R

N

Audit and Risk Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

Chairman

Experience and skills
The Board has a complementary 
range of skills which are relevant 
to the Group’s medium and 
longer-term objectives. 

Regulated markets

10 out of 11.

Sector experience:
Utilities and telecoms.

Number of Board meetings attended:
11 out of 11.

Infrastructure

Sector experience:
Highly experienced across the UK Infrastructure 
sectors that remain our strategic focus.

Corporate governance

Financial

Strategy and development

6. Sean Wyndham-Quin
Chief Financial Officer
Appointment date:
Appointed to the Board on 8 November 2017.

Appointed Chief Financial Officer on 
29 November 2017.

Experience:
Previously served as a partner at SPARK 
Advisory Partners, a business he co-founded in 
early 2012. Prior to that Sean worked for Brewin 
Dolphin and Ernst & Young where he qualified 
as a Chartered Accountant.

External appointments:
None.

Skills brought to the Board:
Track record in advising boards on strategy, 
corporate governance and mergers and 
acquisitions. Experience in financial modelling, 
forecasting and business planning.

Number of Board meetings attended:
11 out of 11.

Sector experience:
A broad range of experience across a number 
of sectors including support services and 
construction.

7. Andries Liebenberg
Executive Director
Appointment date:
Appointed as Executive Director on 
31 March 2016.

Experience:
Previously managing director of Renew 
subsidiary AmcoGiffen, Andries has been 
with the Group for over eleven years. Prior to 
this Andries worked internationally in Africa 
and the UK overseeing multi-million pound 
multidisciplinary fast track construction projects 
and long-term framework agreements.

External appointments:
None.

Skills brought to the Board:
Experienced in strategic business management 
including mergers and acquisitions.

Number of Board meetings attended:
11 out of 11.

Sector experience:
Multidisciplinary infrastructure project 
delivery with a bias towards Rail, Energy 
and Environmental sectors. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Statement of corporate governance

Committed to 
high standards 
of governance 

Dear Shareholder,

The last 18 months has been turbulent for the UK. Businesses have 
faced unprecedented challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic has 
highlighted the critical role governance plays in a business. 

The Board of Renew has continued to uphold the highest 
standards of corporate governance and as part of this continues 
to comply with the Quoted Companies Alliance (“QCA”) Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 to the extent considered appropriate for 
a company of this size. In many areas we exceed and continue to 
improve on the requirements of the Code where we are able to. 
Details of how Renew complies with the code or an explanation 
as to why it does not is included on the following pages.

We also recognise we are able to go further and during the 
year we undertook a benchmarking process against the 2018 
Corporate Governance Code. This identified areas that, as a 
Board, we felt we could comply with that would add value to 
our reporting. Some of the results of that exercise can be seen 
in the additional disclosures contained in this Annual Report.

Shareholder engagement
Myself and the rest of the Board continue to welcome the views of 
all our shareholders. During the year we have communicated with 
our shareholders through the delivery of our results information, 
and the Company’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). Outside of 
these events, I can be contacted by email at chairman@
renewholdings.com.

Future focus
The Board remains focused on improving the diversity of the 
Board and the wider Group as well as developing our response 
to climate change and ESG activities as we move through 2022.

David Forbes
Chairman
9 December 2021

David Forbes
Chairman

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Board induction process

The Board has a robust induction process led by the 
Chief Executive Officer. New Board members are 
provided with: 

•  a comprehensive set of documents to facilitate their 

understanding of the Group including, amongst others, 
minutes of previous meetings, overview of Committees 
and their membership, the Group’s three year Strategic 
Plan, details of the Group’s subsidiary businesses, 
organisation charts and details of the executive team;

•  detailed meetings with the Chief Executive Officer to 
outline how the business operates based around the 
Group’s Strategic Plan and covering in detail areas such as 
health and safety, risk management, strategy and culture; 

•  an introduction to the senior team; and

•  a site visit to a Group subsidiary business shortly following 

their appointment.

Whilst the core elements of the on boarding process are the 
same for all new Board members, the process is also flexible 
to take account of a new member’s Board experience. 
This approach ensures the process fits the needs of each 
new member.

Principle 1: Establish a strategy and business model 
which promote long-term value for shareholders.

   Read more about how we manage risk to ensure the 
successful delivery of our strategy on pages 56–59

    Read more about our strategy on pages 26 & 27 

    Read more about our business model on pages 20 & 21

Principle 2: Seek to understand and meet shareholder 
needs and expectations. 

Individual shareholders
Members of the Board have dialogue with individual shareholders 
during the year and the Chairman addresses shareholders at the 
Group’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) where questions are 
invited. Notice of the Group’s AGM is provided to shareholders at 
least 21 days in advance of the meeting. Where resolutions at the 
AGM are dealt with by show of hands, the results of proxy votes 
are also announced by the Company Secretary.

Financial and other information about the Group is available via 
the Company’s website: www.renewholdings.com. 

Shareholders can find a link to the website of Link Group for details 
of their shareholding.

Shareholders wishing to contact the Company directly should 
address communication to the Group’s Company Secretary, 
Sean Wyndham-Quin, by email to info@renewholdings.com or 
by post to Renew Holdings plc, 3175 Century Way, Thorpe Park, 
Leeds LS15 8ZB.

Institutional shareholders
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
communicate with institutional investors frequently through 
formal meetings immediately following the Group’s interim and 
preliminary financial results as well as through capital markets 
presentations and informal briefings. It is the intention of the 
Directors to understand the objectives and concerns of its 
institutional shareholders through both direct communications 
and through analyst and broker briefings.

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for informing the Board 
of the views and concerns of its major shareholders. The Board 
makes itself available to meet with institutional investors as 
required to discuss matters as they arise.

Shareholder engagement activities

December

January 

May 

Preliminary results roadshow

Annual General Meeting

Interim results roadshow

   Read more about how we engage with our 
shareholders on page 22

Principle 3: Take into account wider stakeholder and 
social responsibilities and their implications for  
long-term success.

   Read more about how we engage with our stakeholders  
on pages 22–25

   Read more about how we deliver value for our stakeholders  
on pages 20 & 21

Principle 4: Embed effective risk management, 
considering both opportunities and threats, throughout 
the organisation.

Read more about how we identify and manage risk on pages 56–59

Internal controls
The Directors acknowledge that they have overall responsibility 
for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing and 
monitoring its effectiveness. The system of internal control is 
designed to manage and mitigate, rather than eliminate, the 
risks to which the Group is exposed and therefore provides a 
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against a company failing 
to meet its business objectives or against material misstatement 
or loss. The Group operates a risk management process, which is 
embedded in normal management and governance processes. 
There is a system of self-examination of risk areas and controls by 
subsidiaries and departments within the Group. Where significant 
risks are identified, the probability of those risks occurring, their 
potential impact and the plans for managing and mitigating each 
of those risks is reported. 

The Group operates a series of controls which include the annual 
strategic planning and budgeting process; short, medium and 
long-term cash monitoring achieved by means of daily, weekly 
and monthly forecasts which are compared against budget and 
previous forecasts; clearly defined capital investment guidelines 
and levels of authority; and a clear organisational structure within 
which individuals’ responsibilities are identified and monitored. 
These results and processes are monitored, updated, reviewed 
and considered by the Board. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Statement of corporate governance continued

Principle 4: Embed effective risk management, 
considering both opportunities and threats, throughout 
the organisation. continued 

Remuneration Committee

   Read more about the Remuneration Committee’s key responsibilities 
and activity during 2021 on pages 77–84

Internal controls continued
The Group has established a series of Group minimum 
requirements in a number of financial, commercial and operational 
areas with which each business within the Group must comply. 
The senior management team monitors and reviews compliance 
with these requirements on a regular basis. Due to the size and 
nature of the Group, the Board does not consider that a separate 
internal audit function is necessary. For the last 15 years and 
including 2021, the Group has carried out a programme of internal 
audit conducted by the Group Commercial Director and by 
members of the various subsidiaries’ finance teams. This system 
of peer review promotes best practice as well as ensuring that 
Group minimum requirements, as well as procedures and internal 
controls, are being complied with.

The reports from these internal audits are made available both 
to the Board and to the external auditor. Senior management 
and employees play a critical role in the identification of risk. 
Employees are often the first to become aware of risk and the 
effective communication between employees and senior 
management is considered key in this area. 

Principle 5: Maintain the Board as a well-functioning, 
balanced team led by the Chair. 

Independence of Non-executive Directors
The Board adopts the principles of the QCA Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 regarding tenure of the Board and seeks to balance 
experience and the need to refresh the Board. In assessing the 
continued independence of Directors, where they have served 
more than nine years, the Board considers their independence 
of judgement and ability to continue to challenge the Board.

Renew complies with the provision of Board independence as the 
Group has at least two independent Non-executive Directors.

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S D Dasani

S A Hazell

Non-executive Chairman 
Independent

Non-executive Director 
Independent

Non-executive Director 
Independent

Non-executive Director 
Independent

Nomination Committee

   Read more about the Nomination Committee’s key responsibilities 
and activity during 2021 on pages 75 & 76

Audit and Risk Committee

   Read more about the Audit and Risk Committee’s key responsibilities 
and activity during 2021 on pages 72–74

General Purposes Committee
The Board forms a General Purposes Committee from time to time 
as it deems necessary. This Committee comprises any two of the 
Executive Directors as determined by the Board to consider 
individual business matters, which have been specifically 
delegated to it by the Board.

Board and Committee meetings
The Board met formally 11 times in the year ended 30 September 
2021 with all Directors in attendance other than on two occasions.

Committee meetings dealing with the daily business of the 
Company were held as necessary. The Board receives written and 
oral reports from the Executive Directors ensuring matters are 
considered fully and enabling Directors to discharge their duties 
properly. There is a formal schedule of matters reserved for the 
Board’s decision ensuring the maintenance of control over 
strategic, financial and operational matters.

Board effectiveness 
Board composition
The Board comprises the independent Non-executive Chairman, 
the Chief Executive Officer, two Executive Directors and three 
independent Non-executive Directors. 

The Board comprises four independent Non-executive Directors 
and three Executive Directors.

Time commitment
Directors are expected to commit as much time as is necessary 
to fully undertake their duties. Board members are expected 
to attend all Board meetings and Committee meetings as well 
as any additional meetings as requested.

Brief biographies of the Directors can be viewed on pages 62 & 63

Read more about how our Board works on pages 60 & 61

P Scott

Chief Executive Officer

S C Wyndham-Quin

Chief Financial Officer

A P Liebenberg

Executive Director

Principle 6: Ensure that, between them, the Directors 
have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills 
and capabilities. 

Board Committees
The Board operates with a number of Committees. Shatish Dasani 
acts as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, David Forbes 
acts as Chairman of the Nomination Committee and David Brown, 
the Senior Independent Non-executive Director, chairs the 
Remuneration Committee. The Board delegates clearly defined 
powers to its Remuneration, Nomination and Audit and Risk 
Committees. Each of the Board’s Committees has carefully 
drafted terms of reference.

Brief biographies of the Directors can be viewed on pages 62 & 63

The members of the Board bring a range of expertise on issues 
of performance, strategy and governance, which are vital to the 
success of the Group. The Board is satisfied that, between the 
Directors, it has an effective and appropriate balance of skills 
and experience.

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Our Board

 Non-executive

Members

43%

 Executive57+

57%

 Up to 3 years

Length of tenure

1

 7+ years57+

4

2

 4–6 years

Diversity

1

 Male

 Female86+

6

Senior Independent Director
David Brown is the Senior Independent Director and undertakes 
a key role in supporting the Chairman in the effective running 
of the Board.

Company Secretary
Sean Wyndham-Quin is responsible for assisting the Board in 
discharging its statutory duties and responsibilities as well as 
liaising with the Group’s shareholders and other stakeholder groups.

External advisors
For the appointment of new Non-executive Directors, a specialist 
executive search agency will be engaged.

Succession planning
Continuity of leadership is recognised as a critical factor in 
maintaining both short-term and longer-term business success. 
Succession planning and management are key to delivering this 
continuity. Each year the Board carries out its annual review of 
succession planning at both Board and subsidiary business level 
as part of its strategic review process.

Board
The Nomination Committee considers succession planning for 
the Board each year, considering the challenges specific to the 
required role. The Chairman is responsible for overseeing the 
process of succession planning for the Board.

Professional development
Appropriate training, briefings and inductions are available to 
all Directors on appointment and subsequently as necessary, 
considering existing qualifications and experience. The Board 
members have many years of relevant experience and each 
is responsible for ensuring their continuing professional 
development to maintain their effective skills and knowledge.

Independent advice
Procedures are in place for the Directors to seek independent 
professional advice, if necessary, at the Company’s expense.

Principle 7: Evaluate Board performance based 
on clear and relevant objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement. 

The Chairman and fellow members of the Board are responsible 
for making sure Board members are updated with information 
concerning the state of the business and its performance, 
and information necessary for them to effectively discharge 
their duties and responsibilities, in a timely manner.

Every year Board members are required to complete a 
questionnaire to evaluate both the Board as a whole and its 
individual members providing an opportunity for comment and 
suggestions for improvements. The responses to the surveys are 
provided to the Chairman who prepares a report and actions are 
shared with the Board. The last formal Board review was 
undertaken in 2021.

It is the ambition of the Board that the evaluation of the Board will 
be externally facilitated every three years to assess the Board and 
its Committees to ensure they are equipped to support the 
Group’s evolving requirements. 

David Forbes, currently Chairman of the Company, has indicated 
his desire to stand down as Chairman and from the Board. The 
Nomination committee has undertaken an exercise to identify his 
successor which is largely complete. A new Chairman is expected 
to be appointed in the spring at which point David will stand down.

In identifying suitable external Board candidates, independent 
executive search consultants will normally be used.

Senior management
The executive level succession framework, which addresses 
senior management succession in the Group’s subsidiary 
businesses, forms part of the subsidiary budget and strategic 
planning process and is reported to the Board on an annual basis.

   Read more about our Board performance evaluation process  
and how the Board works together on page 64

Principle 8: Promote a corporate culture that is based 
on ethical values and behaviours.  

The Board monitors and promotes its corporate culture assisted 
by its senior management team which plays a vital role 
in disseminating the Company’s shared values with its employees. 
Within our subsidiary businesses, monthly management meetings 
are attended by at least one member of the senior management 
team. Regular Executive Management Committee meetings are 
held with the involvement of all the Managing Directors and the 
senior management team. In conjunction with annual events, 
including the Senior Managers’ Conference, the Board can assess 
the Group’s culture on an ongoing basis.

Read more about our culture on pages 42 & 43

Read more about our core values on page 20

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Principle 9: Maintain governance structures and 
processes that are fit for purpose and support good 
decision making by the Board. 

Roles and responsibilities
Chairman
The Board, run by Chairman David Forbes, is responsible for 
Group strategy, results, direction, risk management and business 
performance. The Board is ultimately responsible for overseeing 
the success of the Group.

Chief Executive
Chief Executive Paul Scott oversees the management of the 
business supported by his Executive team with responsibility 
for delivery of the Group’s strategic direction and management 
of its day-to-day performance.

The Senior Independent Director
David Brown is the Senior Independent Director and undertakes 
a key role in supporting the Chairman in the effective running 
of the Board.

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Sean Wyndham-Quin is responsible for assisting the Board 
in discharging its statutory duties and responsibilities as 
well as liaising with the Group’s shareholders and other 
stakeholder groups.

Appropriate training, briefings and inductions are available to 
all Directors on appointment and subsequently as necessary, 
taking into account existing qualifications and experience.

Procedures are in place for the Directors to seek independent 
professional advice, if necessary, at the Company’s expense.

Board and Committee meetings
The Board met 11 times during the year. Committee meetings 
dealing with the daily business of the Company were held as 
necessary. The Board receives written and oral reports from the 
Executive Directors ensuring matters are considered fully and 
enabling Directors to discharge their duties properly. There is a 
formal schedule of matters reserved for the Board’s decision 
ensuring the maintenance of control over strategic, financial 
and operational matters.

Board Committees
The Board delegates clearly defined powers to its Remuneration, 
Nomination and Audit and Risk Committees. Each of the Board’s 
Committees has carefully drafted terms of reference.

Remuneration Committee

   Read about the Remuneration Committee’s responsibilities  
and activity during 2021 on pages 77–84

Nomination Committee

   Read about the Nomination Committee’s responsibilities  
and activity during 2021 on pages 75 & 76

Audit and Risk Committee

   Read about the Audit and Risk Committee’s responsibilities 
and activity during 2021 on pages 72–74

The Board is responsible for ensuring thorough corporate 
governance is applied throughout its business and will be 
continuing to work towards improving its governance framework 
throughout 2022.

Read more about how we manage risk on pages 56–59

Working together

To build a better understanding of our business – Board site visit to Luton Airport Parkway

The Board continues to look for ways to better understand the 
business and its stakeholders. As part of this, the Board seeks to 
undertake at least two site visits per year.

In June, the Board visited an AmcoGiffen rail site in Luton as part 
of the new, above ground Direct to Air Rail Transit (DART) system. 
The scheme is designed to transform the experience of those 
travelling to Luton Airport by rail and will enable passengers to 
travel from St. Pancras to the airport in just 30 minutes.

Working for Network Rail, on behalf of London Luton Airport, the 
team designed and built a new pedestrian footbridge over the 
railway tracks as well as providing the construction of associated 
lifts and escalators on the operational platforms. 

The Board met with the site team and were given a short 
presentation on the scheme. Once personal protective 
equipment was on, the Board were given a tour of the site 
and a chance to ask questions.

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Board and Committee meetings
The Directors attended the following meetings in the year ended 30 September 2020:

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S A Hazell

S D Dasani

P Scott

S C Wyndham-Quin

A P Liebenberg

Main Board 

Audit and Risk
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Nomination
Committee

11/11

10/11

10/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

—

—

—

4/4

4/4

3/4

4/4

—

—

—

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

—

—

—

Principle 10: Communicate how the Company is 
governed and is performing by maintaining dialogue 
with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders.  

Board and Committee meetings
The Board met formally 11 times in the year ended 30 September 
2021 with all Directors in attendance except for on two occasions.

Committee meetings dealing with the daily business of the 
Company were held as necessary. The Board receives written and 
oral reports from the Executive Directors ensuring matters are 
considered fully and enabling Directors to discharge their duties 
properly. There is a formal schedule of matters reserved for the 
Board’s decision ensuring the maintenance of control over 
strategic, financial and operational matters.

Committee reporting 

   Read about the Remuneration Committee’s responsibilities  
and activity during 2021 on pages 77–84

   Read about the Nomination Committee’s responsibilities  
and activity during 2021 on pages 75 & 76

   Read about the Audit and Risk Committee’s responsibilities 
and activity during 2021 on pages 72–74

Shareholder engagement

   Read more about how we deliver value for our stakeholders  
on pages 22–25

The Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Sean 
Wyndham-Quin, is the primary contact for all investor relations 
queries and can be contacted by email at info@renewholdings.
com or by post at Renew Holdings plc, 3175 Century Way, 
Thorpe Park, Leeds LS15 8ZB.

Shareholder voting
The table on pages 70 and 71 shows the votes cast at the 61st 
Annual General Meeting of Renew Holdings plc which was held 
at Thorpe Park Hotel on 27 January 2021 at 11.00am. 

Due to the UK Government’s public health guidelines on 
Covid-19 and in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of 
our shareholders, shareholders were not permitted to attend 
the 2021 Annual General Meeting in person. 

Details on how to vote on the resolutions at the Annual General 
Meeting and how to ask questions of the Board of Directors were 
included in the Notice of Meeting.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

69

 
 
 
Statement of corporate governance continued

Working together 

Our Board evaluation process 
As part of the Board’s commitment to continuous improvement, a Board performance evaluation process is undertaken annually. 
The evaluation looks at how the Board members feel they perform as individuals as well as how they interact with the rest of the 
Board. The Board performance evaluation takes the form of an online questionnaire with the anonymised results reviewed by the 
Chairman. Areas for further discussion or action are agreed at subsequent Board meetings. The last Board performance evaluation 
took place in 2021. 

Timeline for the 2022 Board performance evaluation process

January 2022 

February 2022

March 2022

May 2022

June 2022+

Board performance evaluation survey distributed to Board members electronically.

Board performance evaluation survey responses received. 

Confidential survey responses collated for Chairman’s review.

Key areas for discussion outlined at the Board meeting and an action plan agreed.

The Board will work through the areas raised in the Board performance evaluation process.

2021 Annual General Meeting voting results

Ordinary resolution 1

Voting for  Voting against  Voting withheld

To receive, approve and adopt the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended 
30 September 2020 and the reports of the Directors and auditor thereon.

44,153,395

13,630

5,637

Ordinary resolution 2 

To declare a final dividend for the year ended 30 September 2020 of 8.33p per Ordinary Share 
in the capital of the Company to be paid on 5 March 2021 to shareholders who appear on the 
register at the close of business on 29 January 2021.

44,171,230

0

1,432

Ordinary resolution 3 

To re-elect Sean Wyndham-Quin as a Director of the Company. Mr Wyndham-Quin retires as a Director 
in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and offers himself for re-election.

43,377,859

117,346

677,457

Ordinary resolution 4

To re-elect David Brown as a Director of the Company. Mr Brown retires as a Director in 
accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and offers himself for re-election.

44,053,091

21,576

103,773

Ordinary resolution 5

To re-elect Stephanie Hazell as a Director of the Company. Ms Hazell was appointed as a 
Director during the year and, in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, 
retires as a Director and offers herself for re-election.

44,167,282

7,000

847

Ordinary resolution 6

To approve the Remuneration report for the year ended 30 September 2020.

42,914,640

1,044,022

217,858

Ordinary resolution 7

To appoint KPMG LLP as auditor of the Company.

43,771,846

399,497

5,319

Ordinary resolution 8

To authorise the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company 
to determine the remuneration of the auditor.

44,009,599

113,006

54,057

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Voting for  Voting against  Voting withheld

44,052,215

110,485

19,740

43,959,196

201,004

22,240

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43,459,246

709,769

13,425

Ordinary resolution 9

THAT the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) be and are generally and unconditionally 
authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) 
to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the capital of the Company (“Shares”) or 
grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into Shares (“Rights”) up to a nominal amount 
of £2,622,711 such authority to apply in substitution for all previous authorities pursuant to section 
551 of the Act and to expire at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or, 
if earlier, at the close of business on 30 April 2022 (unless renewed, varied or revoked by the 
Company prior to or on such date) but, in each case, save that the Company may make offers and 
enter into agreements before this authority expires which would, or might, require Shares to be 
allotted or Rights to be granted after this authority expires and the Directors may allot such Shares 
or grant such Rights pursuant to any such agreement as if this authority had not expired.

Special resolution 10

THAT, subject to the passing of resolution 9, the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) be 
empowered to allot equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”)) for 
cash under the authority given by resolution 9 and/or to sell Ordinary Shares held by the 
Company as treasury shares for cash as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such 
allotment or sale, such authority to be limited:

(A)  in connection with an offer by way of rights issue or other pre-emptive issue to holders of 

Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company in proportion (as nearly may be practicable) 
to their respective holdings of such shares, but subject to such exclusions or other 
arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional 
entitlements, record dates, or any legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory, 
or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and

(B)  to the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares (otherwise than under 

paragraph (A) above) up to a nominal amount of £393,406.

such power to expire at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or, if 
earlier, at the close of business on 30 April 2022 but, in each case, prior to its expiry the 
Company may make offers, and enter into agreements, which would or might require equity 
securities to be allotted (and treasury shares to be sold) after the power expires and the 
Directors may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or 
agreement as if the power had not expired. 

Special resolution 11

THAT, subject to the passing of resolution 9 above, the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) 
be empowered in addition to any authority granted under resolution 10 to allot equity securities 
(as defined in the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”)) for cash under the authority given by 
resolution 9 and/or to sell Ordinary Shares held by the Company as treasury shares for cash 
as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, such power to be: 

(A)  limited to the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares up to a nominal amount 

of £393,406; and

(B)  used only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the power is to be used within six 
months after the original transaction) a transaction which the Directors determine to be an 
acquisition or other capital investment of a kind contemplated by the Statement of Principles 
on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published by the Pre-Emption Group prior 
to the date of this notice, 

such power to expire at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or, if earlier, at 
the close of business on 30 April 2022 but, in each case, prior to its expiry the Company may make 
offers, and enter into agreements, which would or might require equity securities to be allotted (and 
treasury shares to be sold) after the power expires and the Directors may allot equity securities (and 
sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not expired.

By order of the Board

Sean Wyndham-Quin CA
Company Secretary
9 December 2021

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Audit and Risk Committee report

Our approach to 
managing risk

In 2022, the Committee will 
oversee the transition to the 
new external audit firm as 
well as continue to focus on 
risk management and the 
control environment.

Shatish Dasani
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Key responsibilities and terms of reference
•  Monitor the integrity, clarity and completeness of the 

financial statements, the half year report and any other 
announcements relating to the Group’s financial 
performance or position;

Focus in the reporting year
•  Review of risk management framework

•  External auditor tender process

• 

Internal audit programme

•  review and challenge, where necessary, the appropriateness 

• 

Introduction of whistleblowing policy

of accounting policies, key accounting judgements and 
sources of estimation;

•  keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal control and risk management systems;

Priorities for 2022
•  Continued focus on risk management and the control 

environment 

•  evaluate the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit process; 

•  Delivery of the internal audit programme

•  review the policies and process for identifying and assessing 

business risks and managing their impact on the Group;

• 

IT related risks including cyber security

•  Overseeing transition to new external auditors

•  review the Group’s systems and controls for preventing 

bribery, fraud and ensuring compliance with relevant legal 
and regulatory requirements;

•  ensuring that the Group has adequate whistleblowing policies 

and procedures; and

•  review the effectiveness and independence of the external 
auditor, negotiate and agree its remuneration and make 
recommendations to the Board in respect of its appointment.

Membership
David Forbes
Shatish Dasani (Committee Chair)
David Brown
Stephanie Hazell 

Meeting attendance¹ 

David Forbes

Shatish Dasani

David Brown

Stephanie Hazell

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1  There were three meetings held during the year ended 30 September 2021.

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Introduction
Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the Audit and Risk Committee report for 
the financial year ended 30 September 2021. The role of the Audit 
and Risk Committee is to protect the interests of shareholders by 
ensuring the integrity of the Group’s financial reporting and by 
monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls. The Committee is appointed by the Board and comprises 
independent Non-executive Directors and provides independent 
monitoring, guidance and challenge to the Executive Directors. 
The Audit and Risk Committee report sets out the responsibilities 
of the Committee, its composition and the work undertaken 
during the year.

Responsibilities and terms of reference
The terms of reference are approved by the Board 
and are available for review on the Company website  
(www.renewholdings.com). The principal responsibilities 
of the Committee are set out above.

Committee composition
The Audit and Risk Committee consists of all four non-executive 
directors and is chaired by me as an independent Non-executive 
Director with recent and relevant financial experience. The Board 
believes that the members have sufficient skills, qualifications 
and experience to discharge their duties in accordance with 
the Committee’s terms of reference and as a Committee has 
competence in the sector within which the Group operates.

Summary of activity
The Audit and Risk Committee formally met on three occasions 
since the date of the last report. The Chief Executive Officer, 
the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director attend 
Committee meetings by invitation to ensure that the Committee 
is fully informed of material matters within the Group. The external 
auditor attended two of the meetings and on one of these occasions 
also met separately with the Audit and Risk Committee without 
any of the Executive Directors present.

During the period to the date of this report, the principal activities 
of the Committee were as follows:

•  conduct a rigorous tender process for the external audit, 

resulting in the proposal to appoint EY LLP as auditors for the 
financial year beginning 1 October 2021;

•  review the Group’s financial statements and preliminary results 
announcements including consideration of significant financial 
reporting issues and matters of judgement inherent within 
the above;

•  review the content of the Annual Report and Accounts to ensure 
it provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Group’s financial position and performance, business model 
and strategy;

•  monitor and review the Group’s internal control and risk 

management systems; 

•  consider the external auditor’s audit plan, scope and coverage 
of audit work, internal quality procedures and independence 
and agree the audit fee;

•  update the policy for the use of the external auditor to perform 

non-audit services in order to ensure auditor independence and 
objectivity; and

•  agree changes to the terms of reference of the Committee in 

order to clarify its responsibilities, including changing the name 
of the Committee to include both audit and risk.

Significant financial reporting risks and judgement 
areas considered
The following judgement areas and significant estimates were 
considered by the Committee in the review and approval of the 
2020/21 financial statements:

Revenue recognition and valuation of contract balances
In accordance with IFRS 15, the Group makes assessments as to 
the stage of completion of a contract in order to determine the 
amount of revenue it is able to recognise. The Committee has 
critically reviewed the process adopted to make these 
assessments and discussed key contract issues with exposure 
to recognition risks with management.

It also considered the work undertaken by the external auditor 
in relation to key contract judgements.

Valuation of intangibles recognised on acquisition
The acquisition of J Browne on 26 March 2021 and the acquisition 
of REL on the 28 May 2021 required the valuation of separately 
identifiable intangible assets which involved a degree of judgement. 
An independent accounting firm Garbutt + Elliott was commissioned 
to produce a report on this matter for J Browne which was reviewed 
and approved by the Committee.

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Audit and Risk Committee report continued

Risk management and internal control
The Committee has undertaken a review of the Group’s financial, 
operational and compliance controls and is satisfied that these 
remain appropriate for the Group.

Policy on the provision of non-audit services
•  Provision of certain non-audit services by the Group’s Auditors 

are prohibited and must not be provided under any 
circumstances.

A rolling program of internal financial audits are undertaken which 
review the processes and procedures used in the Group’s financial 
management. Undertaken by senior members of the finance 
team, the findings can include recommendations for corrective or 
preventive action. Results of the internal audits are reviewed with 
the business and the Audit and Risk Committee. Each subsidiary 
is audited at least once every three years and agreed actions are 
monitored to ensure that they are completed on a timely basis.

External auditor tender process
In line with the Corporate Governance Code 2018, KPMG LLP 
will resign as the Group’s audit firm at the conclusion of the 2021 
audit process. In preparation for this, during 2021 the Committee 
undertook a process to identify a new auditor. This thorough 
process was concluded successfully and the Committee 
proposed to the Board that EY LLP be recommended for 
appointment as the Group’s auditor at the Annual General Meeting 
in 2022. The Committee would like to thank KPMG LLP for their 
services to the Group.

KPMG LLP has audited the Group’s accounts for the year 
ended 30 September 2021. With input from management, 
the Committee was satisfied with the external audit team’s 
knowledge of the business, that the scope of the audit was 
appropriate and that all significant accounting judgements 
had been challenged robustly.

The use of the external auditor for performing non-audit services 
is only permitted where the service is not prohibited by the FRC 
Ethical Guideline and where the external auditor is best placed 
to provide the service. In this case, the engagement needs to be 
authorised in line with the policy agreed by the Committee which 
is summarised below.

•  Fees for permissible non-audit services should not exceed 70% 

of the average audit fees paid in the last three consecutive 
financial years with effect from 1 January 2020.

•  A register is kept of all permitted non-audit services provided 

by the Auditors and the fees agreed.

•  Any individual engagement with a fee exceeding £10,000 or 
where the cumulative fee for the calendar year would exceed 
25% of the audit fee should be approved by the Chairman of the 
Audit and Risk Committee.

•  Any individual engagement with a fee exceeding £25,000 or 

where the cumulative fee exceeds 40% of the audit fee should 
be approved by the Audit and Risk Committee. 

•  Permissible non audit services are generally assurance related. 
Audit related services are those non-audit services specified 
in the FRC Ethical Standard 2019 that are largely carried out 
by members of the audit engagement team, and where the 
work involved is closely related to the work performed. 

Fees of external auditor
During the financial year, the Group external auditor’s fees 
were £893k (2020: £610k). The Committee confirms that no 
non-audit services were undertaken by the Group’s auditor, 
KPMG LLP, in the period.

Whistleblowing policy
During the year the Group introduced its whistleblowing policy 
to ensure any fraud, misconduct or wrongdoing by employees 
or officers of Renew is reported and appropriately dealt with. 
The policy clearly sets out the procedure and protection for 
whistleblowers and includes contact details for an independent 
third-party whistleblowing helpline.

2022 and beyond
We are committed to providing the highest levels of oversight 
to the Group’s reporting and control processes. In 2022, the 
Committee will continue to focus on risk management and the 
control environment in particular any potential IT related risks and 
cyber security. The Committee will also oversee the transition to 
the new external auditor.

Approval
The Audit and Risk Committee report was approved by the Board 
on 9 December 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Shatish Dasani
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee
9 December 2021

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Nomination Committee report

A forward 
thinking Board

The Nomination Committee 
will continue to focus on 
ensuring the Board retains 
the appropriate set of skills, 
experience and diversity that 
is required to execute the 
Group’s long-term strategic 
plan, supporting the continued 
success of the Group.

David Forbes
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Key responsibilities and terms of reference
•  Review the structure, size and composition of the Board 

Priorities for 2022
•  Continue to develop the Group’s approach to diversity 

and its Committees 

and inclusion

•  Review skills, knowledge, experience, and diversity 

•  Review skills, knowledge, experience and diversity 

of the Board

of the Board

• 

 Review of time commitments and external directorships

•  Succession planning for Directors and senior executives

• 

 Succession planning for Directors and senior executives

•  Onboarding of new non-executive director

• 

 Keep under review the leadership needs of the organisation, 
both Executive and Non-executive

•  Complete the appointment of a new Chairman for the Group

• 

 Leadership talent development

• 

 Board performance evaluation

• 

 Committee effectiveness and terms of reference

Membership
David Forbes (Committee Chair)
Shatish Dasani
David Brown
Stephanie Hazell

Focus in the reporting year
•  The appointment of a new Non-executive Director to 

Meeting attendance¹ 

the Board

•  Continued QCA Corporate Governance Code compliance

•  Board and senior management succession planning

•  Board performance evaluation

David Forbes

Shatish Dasani

David Brown

Stephanie Hazell

•  Undertake a process for the identification and appointment 

1  There were four meetings held during the year ended 30 September 2021.

of a replacement Chairman

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Nomination Committee report continued

Gender pay gap
The Board is committed to treating all employees equally. The 
engineering sector has traditionally been male dominated and, 
as a result, this is reflected in the gender pay profile of our 
business. We will be working with our subsidiaries to further 
develop our roadmap to improving our gender pay profile 
through 2022.

Assessment of independence of the  
non-executive directors
The committee undertakes an annual assessment of the 
independence of our non-executive directors. The committee 
was satisfied all the non-executive directors remained independent 
in the period with the exception of David Forbes, the Group’s 
Chairman, due to a Board tenure exceeding 10 years. After 
consideration, the Board is confident David remains independent 
in his judgement and is committed to his role on the Board.

Time commitments and external appointments 
of non-executive directors
The committee reviewed the non-executive directors’ time 
commitments and external appointments during the year and 
confirms that the non-executive directors have sufficient time 
to be able to fulfil their Group responsibilities. The committee 
did not identify any instances of overboarding.

Retirement by rotation
David Forbes and Andries Liebenberg will retire from the Board 
by rotation at the Group’s AGM in 2022 and offer themselves 
for re-election.

2022 and beyond
The Nomination Committee will continue to focus on ensuring the 
Board retains the appropriate set of skills, experience and diversity 
that is required to execute the Group’s long-term strategic plan, 
supporting the continued success of the Group.

David Forbes
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
9 December 2021

Introduction
Dear Shareholder,

As Chairman of the Nomination Committee, I am pleased to 
present my report on the committee’s activities during the year.

Board changes
There have been no Board changes in the year ending 
30 September 2021. Since the year end Louise Hardy has been 
appointed as a Non-executive Director.

Board effectiveness
During the year the committee undertook its annual Board 
performance evaluation process to assess the performance and 
effectiveness of the Board and its committees. The results of this 
process has informed the Board’s plans for 2022.

Board composition and succession planning
The committee has reviewed the composition of the Board and 
its committees to ensure they continue to have the appropriate 
balance of skills and experience necessary to support the delivery 
of the Group’s long-term strategy. Over the last two years the 
Board has continued to develop its range of skills and experience 
through the appointment of two non-executive directors.

Succession planning for the Board members and senior 
executives is reviewed on an annual basis as part of the Group’s 
strategic planning process. Succession for all identified roles is 
reviewed for the short, medium and long term and the results of 
this underpin the development of individuals at both Group and 
subsidiary business level.

David Forbes, currently Chairman of the Company, has indicated 
his desire to stand down as Chairman and from the Board. The 
Nomination committee has undertaken an exercise to identify his 
successor which is largely complete. A new Chairman is expected 
to be appointed in the Spring at which point David will stand down.

During the year the Group launched its leadership development 
programme ‘RISE’ (Renew Inspiring Senior Executives) which 
will support the development of senior management talent 
across the Group.

Diversity and inclusion
It is the Board’s view that a diverse membership enhances the 
quality of debate and decision making to the benefit of all 
stakeholders. The Board is keen for its membership to reflect 
its wider workforce and the communities in which the Group 
operates. The appointment of new members to the Board 
considers the Board’s diversity requirements as part of the 
overall recruitment requirements.

Over the last three years we have worked to improve the diversity 
of the Board in its widest sense with two new appointments. 
Diversity remained a focus throughout the year and, as part of this, 
the committee undertook a recruitment process to appoint a new 
non-executive director. Subsequent to the year-end, the Board 
was pleased to announce the appointment of Louise Hardy with 
effect from 9 December 2021. Louise brings complementary skills 
and experience to the those of the existing Board members. 

The Group works to support an inclusive culture across the 
business and this will be a focus area during 2022 as we seek 
to ensure our workforce better represents the diversity of the 
communities in which we operate.

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Directors’ remuneration report

Rewarding good 
performance 

We continue to improve  
our disclosures in line  
with best practice and  
commissioned an external 
review of our policy during  
the year. 

•  Reviewed Board and senior management remuneration

•  Considered the suitability of introducing a share 

ownership scheme

•  External review of Non-executive remuneration policy

Priorities for 2022
•  Consider and implement the recommendations arising 

from a review of Renew’s Remuneration policy undertaken 
by PwC on behalf of the Company in 2021

•  Ensure continued compliance with the QCA Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 and continue to develop best 
practice disclosures 

Membership
David Forbes
Shatish Dasani
David Brown (Committee Chair)
Stephanie Hazell

Meeting attendance¹ 

David Forbes

Shatish Dasani

David Brown

Stephanie Hazell

1 

 There were four meetings held during the year ended 30 September 2021.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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David A Brown
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Key responsibilities and terms of reference
•  Determine and agree with the Board the framework and 

policy for the remuneration packages, including bonuses, 
incentive payments and share options or share awards 
of the Executive Directors and members of the 
Executive Management;

•  Review and approve the design of all share incentive plans 
and performance related pay schemes for approval by the 
Board and shareholders as applicable;

•  Determine targets and awards made under share incentive 

plans and performance related pay schemes;

•  Determine the policy for, and scope of, pension arrangements 
for each Executive Director and other senior executives; and 

•  Ensure that the contractual terms and payments made on 
termination are fair to the individual and the Company and 
that failure is not rewarded. 

Focus in the reporting year
•  Ensured continued compliance with best practice and the 

QCA Corporate Governance Code 2018

•  Set targets for the 2020 LTIP award and 2021 annual 

performance-related bonus

•  Approved the 2020 annual performance-related bonus 

payout and vesting of the 2017 LTIP award

•  Approved the 2021 Directors’ remuneration report

 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Introduction 
Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ remuneration report (the “Remuneration 
report”) for the financial year ended 30 September 2021.

The Remuneration report sets out the details of the Remuneration 
Committee including its terms of reference, the Company’s 
remuneration policy, remuneration for the year ended 
30 September 2021 and proposed remuneration for the year 
ended 30 September 2022.

The auditor is not required to report to the shareholders on the 
Remuneration report. The Remuneration report will be presented 
at the Annual General Meeting on 26 January 2022 and will be the 
subject of an advisory vote.

During the year the Committee reviewed the Group’s 
remuneration policy to ensure that the policy continues to be 
appropriate for the Company at its current stage of development, 
that it remains aligned to both shareholders’ and other key 
stakeholders’ interests and continues to support our long-term 
business strategy, values, and culture. During the year, the 
committee also commissioned an external review of the Group’s 
remuneration policy which was undertaken by PwC LLP. 

Corporate governance
As an AIM company, whilst we are not required to prepare this 
Remuneration Report in accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018, we follow it to the fullest extent 
considered relevant/appropriate for an AIM listed company 
of our size. The Remuneration Committee will continue to 
ensure that this report provides disclosures that meet best 
practice for AIM listed companies.

Over the last year the committee has continued to ensure it 
remains closely aligned with the QCA Remuneration Committee 
guidance. The committee also during the year undertook a 
benchmark exercise of the Group’s compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 which has resulted in additional 
disclosures on Chief Executive pay ratio and director’s shareholdings. 

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by David Brown (Senior 
Independent Director) and comprises David Forbes, Stephanie 
Hazell and Shatish Dasani. The Committee held four meetings 
during the financial year to discuss remuneration arrangements.

At the 2021 Annual General Meeting, votes on the advisory 
resolution relating to the Remuneration report were cast as follows:

In favour

Against

Withheld

42,914,640 

(97.1 per cent)

1,044,022 

217,858 

(2.4 per cent)

(0.5 per cent)

Total votes cast

44,176,520 

(100 per cent)

Engagement with shareholders 
We encourage our shareholders and representative bodies to 
engage with the Remuneration Committee at any time. This helps 
inform the committee’s decision making process.

The Remuneration Committee typically consults with major 
shareholders when any significant change in the structure or scale 
of Directors’ remuneration is being considered and will continue 
to do so where appropriate. No material matters have been raised 
by shareholders relating to Directors’ remuneration during the year. 

Terms of reference
The Remuneration Committee’s terms of reference include:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

e. 

 to determine and agree with the Board the framework and 
policy for the remuneration packages, including bonuses, 
incentive payments and share options or share awards of the 
Executive Directors and members of the Executive 
Management;

 to review and approve the design of all share incentive plans 
and performance related pay schemes for approval by the 
Board and shareholders as applicable;

 to determine targets and awards made under share incentive 
plans and performance related pay schemes;

 to determine the policy for, and scope of, pension 
arrangements for each Executive Director and other senior 
executives; and 

 to ensure that the contractual terms and payments made on 
termination are fair to the individual and the Company and 
that failure is not rewarded.

Non-executive Directors do not have any personal interests 
in the matters to be decided by the Committee other than as 
shareholders, nor any potential conflicts of interest arising 
from cross-directorships and no day-to-day involvement in the 
running of the Company. The executive Directors and other senior 
personnel may be invited to attend meetings when appropriate 
to provide advice. However, no Director is present or takes part 
in discussions concerning their own remuneration.

Remuneration policy
The Company’s remuneration policy is that the remuneration 
packages of the Executive Directors should be sufficiently 
competitive to attract, retain and motivate those Directors to 
achieve the Company’s long-term strategic objectives, including 
the creation of sustainable shareholder returns, without making 
excessive payments. The annual performance-related bonus 
rewards Executive Directors for delivering our short-term financial 
and operational goals. The long-term focus of our strategy is 
supported through our LTIP under which performance is tested 
over three years.

The remuneration and employment terms of the Executive 
Directors are determined by the Remuneration Committee by 
comparison with salaries paid to, and terms agreed with, directors 
in similar companies in the same sector and of a similar size and 
after a review of the performance of the individual. For guidance, 
the Remuneration Committee refers to published survey data. 
The Executive Directors determine the terms and conditions 
of Non-executive Directors.

There are four main elements to the remuneration packages 
of the executive directors and other senior executives:

•  basic salary and benefits;

•  annual bonus awards;

• 

long term equity incentive plans; and 

•  pension arrangements.

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Basic salary and benefits
Basic salaries are reviewed annually by the Remuneration 
Committee and are adjusted where the committee believes that 
adjustments are appropriate to reflect performance and changed 
responsibilities. The benefits for executive directors include car 
allowances and certain medical cover for directors and their 
immediate family. The company also has a permanent health 
insurance policy to provide cover for the executive directors.

How this links to the Group’s strategy – This enables the Group 
to attract, retain and motivate the best candidates to deliver the 
Group’s strategic objectives.

Annual bonus awards
It is the company’s policy to provide a bonus incentive scheme for 
directors linked directly to the financial performance of the group. 
The executive directors’ bonuses are related to the performance 
of the group as a whole, including the health and safety performance 
of the group. All performance criteria are subject to approval by 
the Remuneration Committee at the beginning of the year and all 
payments are made only when approved by the Remuneration 
Committee. Details of the annual bonus scheme for the year under 
review and the following year are set out in the following pages.

by Remuneration Committee. To the extent that options have 
already been exercised, the Remuneration Committee may 
(having considered all the circumstances) require the participant 
to return any shares received, or the amounts of any proceeds of 
the sale of such shares (net of tax).

The Remuneration Committee is empowered to grant a maximum 
number of LTIP options over 10p ordinary shares equivalent in 
value to 150 percent of basic salary per financial year. The options 
may be granted with an exercise price equal to their nominal 
value, or as nil cost options. The company also has the ability, but 
not the obligation, to provide a cash alternative to participants 
equal to the net benefit of their LTIP option. This simplifies the 
settlement process, reducing complexity and cost to both the 
company and the participant, and reducing dilution to 
shareholders all whilst preserving the overall economic effects 
of the LTIP award. 

At the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, the LTIP rules 
allow for the amount of dividends paid during the vesting period 
that are applicable to the number of shares over which the option 
has become exercisable, to be paid to the LTIP participants once 
the LTIP has vested. This payment can be made as either a cash 
payment or in the form of additional shares.

How this links to the Group’s strategy – The bonus award 
incentivises Executive Directors to drive the in-year performance 
of the business and rewards strong performance, thereby driving 
longer term shareholder returns. 

How this links to the Group’s strategy – The LTIP scheme 
closely aligns a material part of an executive director’s 
remuneration with the delivery of the Group’s long-term 
strategy and shareholder returns.

Long Term Equity Incentive Plans 
The Remuneration Committee implemented a long term incentive 
plan (“LTIP”) which was approved at an extraordinary general meeting 
(“EGM”) held on the 25 January 2012. The LTIP has been designed so 
as to comply with ABI guidelines in all material respects. 

The performance criteria to be achieved by the company 
in respect of the LTIP are as follows.

Vesting of one half of the options is dependent on absolute growth 
in the company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) and the other half 
is dependent on the company’s TSR performance as compared 
to the TSR achieved by other companies in a comparator group 
of companies selected by the Remuneration Committee.

The constituents of the comparator group are reconsidered by 
the Remuneration Committee each year. All TSR calculations are 
based on the average of the opening or closing share price over 
a 30-day period prior to the commencement and end of the 
performance period.

The absolute TSR growth target requires the company’s TSR over 
the three-year performance period to have grown by more than 
25 per cent. For aggregate TSR growth between 25% and 100%, the 
half of the option which is subject to the absolute TSR growth target 
vests on a straight-line basis from nil vesting at 25% growth, to 100% 
vesting at 100% growth. There is no vesting if aggregate TSR growth 
over the three-year performance period is 25% or less.

The relative TSR target requires the company’s TSR performance 
over the three-year period to be better than the median TSR 
performance of the comparator group. There is no vesting if the 
relative TSR is less than the median of the TSR comparator group. 
If the company’s relative TSR perform this is in the top decile of 
the TSR comparator group, then 100% of this portion of the LTIP 
will vest. Relative TSR performance between the median and the 
top decile will result in the LTIP vesting on a straight-line basis.

In the event of a material correction of any accounts of the 
company used to assess satisfaction of any performance 
conditions or in the event of a participant’s gross misconduct, 
options may be reduced, adjusted, or cancelled as determined 

Pension arrangements
Under their terms of engagement, the executive directors are 
entitled to receive an annual pension contribution of 15% of their 
basic salary or an equivalent cash amount. The Remuneration 
Committee believes that these payments are broadly in line with 
senior management in other comparable public companies. This 
arrangement is currently being reviewed as part of the external 
PwC review.

Executive Director minimum shareholding requirement
The executive directors are required by the Committee to build 
up and hold a minimum of 100% of their basic annual salary 
equivalent value in ordinary shares in the group before they are 
permitted to sell any shares. In exceptional circumstances and at 
the sole discretion of the Remuneration Committee, or if shares 
are sold to cover a tax liability that arises as a result of an exercise 
of an LTIP, this requirement may be waived.

How this links to the Group’s strategy – This aligns the 
financial interests of the executive directors with those 
of the Group’s shareholders.

Discretion
The committee applies the exercise of discretion very carefully 
when considering the total amounts earned under the annual 
performance related bonus and LTIP, including the overall 
performance of the Group, health and safety performance 
and any exceptional factors.

When determining the future vesting of any LTIP awards, 
the committee will carefully consider whether any discretion 
is required to ensure outcomes are fair and appropriate.

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2021
During 2021, the Group’s remuneration policy operated as intended by the committee. Full details of the relevant targets and 
performance achieved are set out on pages 78 to 81.

The committee recognises and appreciates the hard work and contribution of the executive directors throughout the full financial year. 
The committee believes that the 2021 pay outcomes are appropriate in the context of aligning the executive directors’ interests with 
those of our stakeholders at this time.

Remuneration policy review
During the year, the Committee commissioned PwC LLP (“PwC”) to conduct an external review of the Group’s Remuneration policy. 
The comprehensive review looked at all aspects of the Remuneration Committee processes, including planning and approval processes, 
the executive director remuneration structure, Non-executive Director fees and alignment to best practice corporate governance codes. 

As part of the review, PwC undertook a quantum benchmark of the executive director roles relative to the marketplace. This benchmarking 
with our comparator Group showed a disparity in the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer’s remuneration which the 
committee will review during 2022.

Service contracts and letters of appointment
The company’s policy is for all of the executive directors to have rolling service contracts that provide for a 12-month notice period.

The fees of non-executive directors are determined by the full board within the limits set out in the Articles of Association. The non-executive 
directors are not eligible for bonuses, pension benefits, share options or other benefits. The directors are indemnified to the full extent permitted 
by statute under the Articles of Association. All non-executive directors are subject to the re-election by shareholders at least every three years.

The service contracts of the directors who served during the year ended 30 September 2021 and were in post on that day include the 
following terms:

Directors

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S D Dasani

S A Hazell

P Scott

A P Liebenberg

S C Wyndham-Quin

Executive/Non-executive

Date of contract

Unexpired term

Non-executive

Non-executive

Non-executive

Non-executive

Executive

Executive

Executive

1 June 2011

2 April 2017

8 February 2019

1 March 2020

1 July 2014

31 March 2016

8 November 2017

Rolling one month

Rolling one month

Rolling one month

Rolling one month

Rolling one year

Rolling one year

Rolling one year

Directors’ remuneration
Information is provided below for directors who served during the financial year and as at 30 September 2021.

Notice period
(months)

1

1

1

1

12

12

12

Notes

Salary/fees
£000

Bonuses
£000

Executive Directors

P Scott

1,2,3,4,5,8

A P Liebenberg

2,3,4,5,8

S C Wyndham-Quin

2,3,4,5,7,8

Non-executive Directors

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S D Dasani

S A Hazell

Notes:

8

8

8

 6,8

314

225

240

78

47

47

47

359

261

274

—

—

—

—

LTIP
£000

274

204

204

—

—

—

—

Total
emoluments
2021
£000

Benefits
£000

Increase
from
previous
year %

Total
emoluments
2020
£000

63

55

54

—

—

—

—

1,010

745

772

2,527

78

47

47

47

2,746

21

22

63

4

7

7

7

833

609

474

1,916

75

44

44

25

2,104

1.  The highest paid director for 2021 was P Scott, who received emoluments of £1,010,000 (2020: £833,000).

2.  Bonuses were earned by P Scott, A P Liebenberg and S Wyndham Quin during the current financial year and will be paid in the year ending 30 September 2022.

3.  Details of the LTIP options exercised during the year can be found in the Directors’ remuneration report.

4.  Benefits include car allowances and certain medical cover for the Director and immediate family.

5.   Executive directors received payments amounting to 15 per cent of their basic salary, in lieu of Company pension contributions. These were paid through the payroll and taxed 

as salary and are included in Benefits above.

6.   S Hazell was appointed as a Non-executive Director with effect from 1 March 2020 and so the comparative emoluments represent the period from 1 March 2020 until 

30 September 2020.

7.  The disproportionate increase in total emoluments is as a result of the first year of options vesting under LTIP since becoming Chief Financial Officer.

8.  The overall increase from the previous year is distorted due to the salary reductions taken in year ended 30 September 2020 as a result of Covid-19.

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Total single remuneration figure for 2021 (£000)
The total single remuneration figure for our executive directors for the year ended 30 September 2021 is shown below.

Chief Executive Officer, P Scott

Executive Director, A P Liebenberg

Chief Financial Officer, S C Wyndham-Quin

2021
£000

1,010

745

772

2020
£000

833

609

474

Annual bonus awards
The company provides a bonus incentive scheme for executive directors, the majority of which is based on two challenging measures.

Operating profit target
At the beginning of the current financial year, the Remuneration Committee agreed a target for operating profit before exceptional items 
for the group. In this year, if the group met that target then the executive directors were entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to 
100% of their salary. The level of over and under performance results in the level of annual bonus to be varied on a straight-line basis, 
with the maximum bonus of 130% of salary being paid if the performance exceeds the target by 30% with no bonus being payable if 
performance was 50% or more below target. Any bonus payable in excess of 100% of basic salary will be paid in shares and will be 
subject to the minimum shareholding requirements set out in this report. However, the Remuneration Committee can in exceptional 
circumstances, and at its discretion, make the payment in cash. The Remuneration Committee make such adjustments to the target 
and/or results to remove distortions such as acquisitions and disposals during the year and other items as they believe are necessary. 
At the beginning of the year ended 30 September 2021 the Remuneration Committee agreed a target for operating profit before 
exceptional items for the group of £42,618,000. This was revised to £44,769,000 following the acquisition of J Browne in March 2021. 
The operating profit before exceptional items for the group was £51.2m and therefore exceeded this target by 14.4%. Accordingly, under 
the terms of the scheme, the executive directors are entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to 114.4% of salary.

Health and Safety target
The annual bonus award includes a review of health and safety performance over the reporting period. The committee is able to use its 
discretion to reduce bonus payments in line with performance. The Group maintained its health and safety performance during the year 
and therefore no reduction in annual bonus award was necessary. 

Long-term equity incentive plans
The market price of the company shares at 30 September 2021 being the last trading day of the month was 790p and the range of 
market prices during the year was between 435p and 850p.

Information is provided below for directors who served during the financial year and as at 30 September 2021.

Pursuant to the long-term incentive plan LTIP, the board has granted options to the executive directors as set out in the following table:

Number of Ordinary Shares under option

Exercisable between
4 Dec 2021 and 3 Dec 2028

Exercisable between
18 Feb 2023 and 17 Feb 2030 

Exercisable between
15 Dec 2023 and 14 Dec 2030

LTIP options

P Scott

A P Liebenberg

S C Wyndham-Quin

129,310

92,833

96,983

118,269

84,907

88,702

89,785

65,267

68,702

The LTIP options are exercisable at a nominal cost but are only exercisable to the extent that certain performance criteria are achieved 
by the company over a three-year performance period. For consistency with previous years, the close of market on the Friday following 
the group’s preliminary results announcement was used as a valuation point for the LTIP grant.

During the year, options awarded on 22 November 2017 amounting to 126,280 shares in aggregate, vested in accordance with their 
vesting conditions. This represents 100% of the relative TSR measure and zero percent of the absolute measure in accordance with the 
scheme rules are set out in the graph over. These options were subsequently exercised on 14 December 2020, and 50,820 shares were 
issued to P Scott, 37,730 shares to A P Liebenberg and 37,730 to S Wyndham-Quin.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Shareholding requirement percentage of salary
Executive directors are encouraged to build up and hold their personal shareholding as soon as possible to ensure their financial 
interests are aligned with that of our shareholders. The shareholding guidelines require executive directors to hold ordinary shares equal 
in value to 100 per cent of their salary as set out in the graphs below. 

Shareholding requirement % of salary

196%

101,565

Target

199%

Current shareholding

51,757

39,604

33,909

37,624

86%

74,941

Paul Scott

Sean Wyndham-Quin

Andries Liebenberg

Notes
The current shareholding as a percentage of salary has been calculated using the group chief executive’s, chief financial officer’s and 
rail director’s full base salaries for year ending 30 September 2021 of £313,650, £240,000 and £228,000 respectively.

The value of the ordinary shares shown above has been based on the average share price between the period 30 September 2020  
and 1 October 2021, being £6.06.

Unvested LTIP shares do not count towards satisfaction of the shareholding requirement, but the board note that, in addition 
to the shareholdings, the executive directors also have an interest in the unvested share options detailed on page 81.

Renew Holdings TSR performance VS comparison group

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

-10%

-20%

-30%

-40%

Threshold

Maximum

Renew Holdings

30/09/2017

31/03/2018

30/09/2018

31/03/2019

30/09/2019

31/03/2020

30/09/2020

In addition, and in accordance with the rules of the LTIP payments of £13,976, £10,376 and £10,376 were made to P Scott, A P Liebenberg 
and S Wyndham Quin in shares respectively representing dividends accrued during the vesting period on the shares vested as detailed 
above. As a consequence of the LTIP vesting P Scott made a gain on exercise of options of £260,198, A P Liebenberg made a gain on 
exercise of options of £193,178 and S C Wyndham-Quin made a gain on exercise of options of £193,178.

Post the period end, on 4 December 2021, 319,972 options awarded on 3 December 2018 vested in accordance with their vesting 
conditions but have not yet been exercised. During the year £258,000, (2020: £244,000) was charged/credited to the income 
statement with a corresponding (credit)/charge to the share-based payment reserved in accordance with IFRS 2. Performance 
criteria for the vesting of the share options under the LTIP are set out in the remuneration policy above and in note 24 to the accounts.

82

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Total shareholder return (TSR) performance graph 2018–2021
The graph over shows a comparison of Renew Holdings plc cumulative TSR against that achieved by AIM for the last three financial 
years to 30 September 2021. The chart shows cumulative TSR over the same period for the Group’s TSR comparator businesses. 

250

200

150

100

50

0

Sep 18

Dec 18

Mar 19

Jun 19

Sep 19

Dec 19 Mar 20

Jun 20

Sep 20

Dec 20

Mar 21

Jun 21

Sep 21

Renew Holdings plc 115.1%

Keller Group plc 9.2%

MITIE Group PLC (2.4%)

Costain Group PLC (84.8%)

Morgan Sindall Group plc 99.0%

Kier Group plc (84.0%)

Balfour Beatty plc 2.2%

Nexus Infrastructure Plc 29.5%

Galliford Try Holdings PLC 96.8%

Marlowe Plc 54.8%

Babcock International Group PLC  
(44.5%)

FTSE AIM All-Share 17.1%

Chief Executive Officer historical remuneration
The table below shows the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer over the five-year period to 30 September 2021. 

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration over the last five years
The total remuneration figure includes the performance-related bonus and LTIP awards.

Year ended 30 September

Group Chief Executive

Single total  
remuneration figure
£000

Annual performance-
related bonus
£000

Long term incentive vesting
£000

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Paul Scott

Paul Scott

Paul Scott

Paul Scott

Paul Scott

1,010

833

797

663

473

359

270

309

163

142

274

208

127

155

—

Chief Executive Officer pay ratio
The table below sets out the ratio of the Chief Executive Officer to the equivalent base salary pay for the lower quartile, median and 
upper quartile of the Group’s employees (calculated on a full-time basis). The ratios have been calculated in accordance with The 
Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018. 

Year ended 
30 September

2021

Method option

25th percentile pay ratio

50th percentile pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

A

13:1

10:1

7:1

1.   “Option A” methodology was selected on the basis that it provides the most robust and statistically accurate means of identifying the 

median, lower quartile and upper quartile colleagues. 

2.  The workforce comparison is based on actual payroll data for the period 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2021.

3.  Part time workers have been included by calculating the full-time equivalent value of their base pay.

4.  Leavers, joiners and employees on reduced pay (due to sick pay, maternity leave, etc.) have been included.

Directors’ pension information
No director has pension entitlements under the groups defined benefit pension scheme arrangements. The group has established 
individual stakeholder plans for each employee who elects to join, into which the group makes contributions. P Scott, A P Liebenberg, 
and S C Wyndham Quin, received a sum equivalent to 15% of their basic salary in lieu of pension contributions from the company. Under 
the terms of engagement, the executive directors are entitled to receive an annual pension contribution of 15% of their basic salary or an 
equivalent cash amount. The Remuneration Committee believes that these payments are broadly in line with senior management in 
other comparable public companies.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Directors’ remuneration report continued

Directors’ share interests
Those directors serving at the end of the year and their immediate families had interests in the share capital of the company at 
30 September 2021 as follows.

Ordinary shares of 10p each.

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S D Dasani

S A Hazell

P Scott

A P Liebenberg

S C Wyndham-Quin

2021

35,000

7,042

15,000

4,476

101,565

74,941

33,909

2020

35,000

7,042

15,000

4,476

74,739

55,025

13,993

30 September

2019

35,000

7,042

5,000

—

47,412

33,371

11,628

2018

35,000

7,042

—

—

29,042

17,634

11,628

2017

20,000

—

—

—

5,000

—

—

External appointments
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer did not have 
any external appointments during the year ended 30 September 2021.

contain an additional increase to reflect changes in responsibility 
and market rates. There have been no material changes in the 
benefits which the executive directors are entitled to receive. 

Payments to former directors and payments for 
loss of office
There were no payments made to former executive directors or 
payments for loss of office during the year ended 30 September 
2021 (2020: £Nil).

Employee share ownership scheme
During the year the committee reviewed the benefits of introducing an 
employee share ownership scheme to allow the Group’s employees to 
share in the success of the company. The committee debated the 
suitability of such a scheme and for reasons relating to the Group’s 
devolved business model, it was agreed such a scheme would not be 
suitable in the short term but that this would be reviewed annually.

Remuneration for the year ending 30 September 2022
Non-executive Directors
Fees
The PwC benchmarking report commissioned during the year, 
revealed a disparity between the existing fees and the benchmark/
market rates. The executive directors made a decision to 
standardise the fees as follows effective from 1 October 2021:

Chairman

Non-executive Director

The following additional fees apply:

Senior Independent Director

Committee Chair

2021
£000

100

50

5

5

As a result of the standardisation of the non-executive directors’ 
fees, the Non-executive Director and Chairman fees increased by 

6.4% and 28% respectively.

Executive Directors
Basic salary and benefits
The basic salary of P Scott has increased by 2.5% to £321,491 
which is closely aligned to the average annual pay award across 
the group as a whole. The basic salary of S C Wyndham-Quin 
and A P Liebenberg increased by 2.5% to £246,000 and 2.5% 
to £233,700 respectively. These increases are closely aligned to 
the average annual pay award across the group as a whole and 

84

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Annual bonus awards
The structure of the annual bonus scheme for the year ending 
30 September 2022 is the same as for the previous year as set 
out above, in all material respects, except for the targets. 

Operating profit target
Executive directors will therefore be entitled to receive a cash 
bonus of 100% of their basic salary if the group achieves target 
operating profit and a maximum of 130% of their basic salary if the 
group achieved 130% of target operating profit. No bonus will be 
paid if the group achieves 50% or less of target operating profit. 
Any bonus payable in excess of 100% of basic salary will be paid 
in shares and will be subject to the minimum shareholding 
requirements set out earlier in this report. The operating profit 
target for year ended 30 September 2022 will be stated in the 
2022 Annual Report & Accounts.

Health and safety target
The annual bonus award will include a review of health and safety 
performance over the reporting period. The committee will use its 
discretion to reduce bonus payments in line with performance in a 
manner that is fair to the individual and the company.

Long term equity incentive plan
The Remuneration Committee has made annual awards under the 
LTIP since it was set up in 2012 and will do so again this year. Each 
award has been made as soon as practicable after the publication of 
the company’s annual results, or in circumstances where the rules are 
being amended at the company’s AGM then shortly after that meeting. 
It is expected that the next award will be announced shortly after the 
publication of the group’s annual results. Awards for each participant in 
the scheme are limited in amount to 150 per cent of that participants 
basic salary. The 8th tranche of options granted under the LTIP, granted 
on 3 December 2018 as detailed above, vested on 4 December 2021 
subject to the performance criteria contained therein.

Approval 
The directors’ Remuneration report was approved by the board 
on 9 December 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

David A Brown
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
9 December 2021

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Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and the audited accounts for 
the year ended 30 September 2021.

Principal activities
For the year ended 30 September 2021 the principal activity of the 
Group continued to be as contractors in Engineering Services and 
Specialist Building. The main activities are carried out in the United 
Kingdom. More details of these activities, the year’s trading and 
future developments are contained in the Chairman’s statement, 
the Chief Executive’s review, the Strategic report and the Financial 
review. A list of the Group’s subsidiaries as at 30 September 2021 
is listed in Note S to the Company’s financial statements.

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances, cash, 
contract assets and trade receivables, which represent the Group’s 
maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its contract 
assets and trade receivables. Credit risk is managed by monitoring 
the aggregate amount and duration of exposure to any one 
customer depending upon their credit rating. The amounts 
presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful 
debts, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior 
experience and their assessment of the current economic 
environment.

Results and dividends
The Group profit for the year after tax and after accounting for 
discontinued operations was £30,463,000 (2020: £20,752,000). 
The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend on the 
Ordinary Shares of 11.17p (2020: 8.33p) giving a total for the year 
of 16.00p (2020: 8.33p).

Payment of creditors
The Group recognises the importance of good relationships with 
its suppliers and sub-contractors and has established the 
following payment policy:

(a)   agree payment terms in advance of any commitment being 

entered into;

(b)    ensure suppliers are made aware of these terms by inclusion 

of the terms of payment on the order or contract; and

(c)    ensure that payments are made in accordance with the terms 

of the contract or order providing that the presented 
documentation is complete and accurate.

Employees
The Directors recognise the need for communication with 
employees at every level. All employees have access to a copy 
of the Annual Report and Accounts which, together with staff 
briefings, internal notice board statements and newsletters, keeps 
them informed of the Group’s progress. 

The Group continues to be committed to the health, safety and 
welfare of its employees and to observe the terms of the Health 
and Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other relevant regulatory and 
legislative requirements.

It is the policy of the Group that there shall be no discrimination or 
less favourable treatment of employees, workers or job applicants 
in respect of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, religious 
beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, age 
or marital status. Full consideration will be given to suitable 
applications for employment from disabled persons, where 
they have the necessary abilities and skills for that position, and 
wherever possible to re-train employees who become disabled, 
so that they can continue their employment in another position. 
The Group engages, promotes and trains staff on the basis of their 
capabilities, qualifications and experience, without discrimination, 
giving all employees an equal opportunity to progress.

Business review
Information that fulfils the business review requirements 
applicable to the Group can be found in this report, the Chief 
Executive’s review and the Strategic report.

Derivatives and other financial instruments
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise bank loans, 
cash and short-term deposits and obligations under finance 
leases. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to 
provide finance for the Group’s operations. The Group has various 
other financial instruments such as trade receivables and trade 
payables that arise directly from its operations. It is, and has been 
throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no 
trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken. The main risks 
arising from the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, 
liquidity risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk.

Interest rate risk
Interest bearing assets comprise cash and bank deposits and earn 
interest at floating rates. The Group’s bank loan, revolving credit 
facility and overdraft facility bear interest at floating rates.

Liquidity risk
The Group’s policy is to ensure availability of operating funds by 
maintaining an appropriate cash balance in both current and 
deposit accounts and, when necessary, to establish appropriate 
levels of borrowing facilities to provide short-term flexibility.

Foreign currency risk
As a result of the discontinuation of the Group’s operations in the 
United States the remaining investment in operations in the United 
States is no longer material and therefore movements in the US 
dollar/ sterling exchange will not materially affect the Group’s and 
the Company’s balance sheet. As at 30 September 2021 £481,000 
(2020: £439,000) of the Group’s net assets are denominated in US 
dollars. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments in 
its management of foreign currency risk.

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Directors’ report continued

Health and safety management 
Paul Scott, the Chief Executive Officer, was the designated 
Director of Health and Safety with Group responsibility for safety 
and environmental management throughout the year. Health, 
safety and environmental management issues and reports are 
reviewed at every Group Board meeting with the Head of 
Department in attendance when necessary.

The Executive Management Committee, chaired by the Chief 
Executive Officer, discusses and progresses policy, legislative 
changes, best practice, training needs, inspections, audits (internal 
and external), performance measurement and statistical information. 
All topics are discussed with a specific focus on improvement.

Control at business level remains with subsidiary Managing 
Directors who are required to appoint a Director who is responsible 
for safety and environmental matters. Health, safety and 
environmental issues are discussed as the first agenda item at 
monthly Board meetings. Each business safety and environmental 
meeting encourages open communication between all employees 
and is a key part of the Group’s efforts to gather and disseminate 
good practice for inclusion in business-based management 
systems. Our safety and environmental standards are contained 
within bespoke business safety and environmental management 
systems. This system is based on Group activities and provides 
specific standards, procedures, information, forms and advice 
which accommodate changes in legislation expected during the 
coming financial year. Management advice is provided by the 
Group Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (“SHEQ”) Director.

Certain Group companies employ their own specialist advisors 
who liaise directly with the Group SHEQ Director on common 
issues. The Group maintains its membership with the Royal 
Society for the Prevention of Accidents and locally based 
construction safety groups. All safety and environmental 
department personnel hold membership with the Institution 
of Occupational Safety and Health. Attendance on the five-day 
Construction Industry Training Board Site Safety Management 
Training Scheme continues to be a requirement for all 
construction management personnel, with a two-day refresher 
required every five years. A one-day Directors and senior 
managers course is available internally and is used to introduce 
new systems and detail changes to construction legislation. Short 
duration “toolbox talks” and “safety briefings” are used to enhance 
the knowledge and competence of supervisory management.

Group policy requires each business to report and record all 
injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences, regardless of 
severity. An incident database is maintained to collate this 
information, provide statistical data allowing performance to be 
measured and determine system amendments and future training 
requirements. A system of Safety and Environmental Alerts 
ensures lessons learnt and changes to working practices are 
rapidly transmitted to our workforce, businesses and their 
contractors. The Accident Frequency Rate (“AFR”) for the year 
is a key area where the Group measures its performance.

Sustainability
The Group’s Sustainability report, which includes its report on 
corporate social responsibility, is on pages 44 to 55.

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Directors
The Directors of the Company who served, or were appointed, 
during the year and their brief biographical details are set out below.

Non-executive Directors
David Brown – Director, 60, was appointed to the Board on 
3 April 2017. David was previously chief executive of The Go-Ahead 
Group Plc, managing director of Surface Transport for Transport 
for London and chief executive of Go-Ahead’s London Bus 
business. David is a director of the Rail Delivery Group Limited.

David Forbes – Director, 61, was appointed to the Board as a 
Non-executive Director in June 2011 and became Chairman in 
January 2018. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984 and 
has over 20 years’ experience in corporate advisory services with 
N M Rothschild & Son Limited.

Shatish Dasani – Director, 59, was appointed to the Board as a 
Non-executive Director in February 2019. He is currently Chair 
of Unicef UK and a non-executive director of SIG plc and Speedy 
Hire plc. Shatish is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ 
experience in senior public company finance roles across various 
sectors including building materials, advanced electronics, 
general industrial and business services. Previously he was the 
chief financial officer of Forterra plc and TT Electronics plc and 
has also been alternate non-executive director of Camelot Group 
plc and public member at Network Rail plc.

Stephanie Hazell – Director, 46, was appointed to the Board as 
a Non-executive Director in March 2020. Stephanie is currently 
Non-executive Director at NSMP Limited, Neos Networks and Senior 
Advisor to Shell Renewables and Energy Services. Stephanie has over 
20 years’ relevant experience working in high profile businesses 
including PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Orange SA, Virgin 
Management Ltd and National Grid Plc where she held the 
position of Director, Strategy and Corporate Development.

Louise Hardy - Director, 55, was appointed as a Non-executive 
Director in December 2021. Louise is currently Non-Executive 
Director of Crest Nicholson Holdings Plc, Genuit Group Plc and 
Severfield Plc. A Chartered Civil Engineer, Louise brings wealth of 
experience gained across a variety of roles in both the public and 
private sector including European Project Excellence Director at 
AECOM and Infrastructure Director at Laing O’Rourke.

Executive Directors
Andries Liebenberg – Director, 53, was appointed to the Board 
on 31 March 2016. Andries was previously Managing Director of 
Renew’s largest business, Amalgamated Construction Limited, 
and has been with the Group over ten years.

Paul Scott – Director, 57, was appointed to the Board as 
Engineering Services Director on 21 July 2014 and as Chief 
Executive on 1 October 2016. Paul has been with the Group for 
20 years, serving as Managing Director of Shepley Engineers 
Limited, the Group’s nuclear services business, prior to assuming 
the Group-wide Engineering Services role.

Sean Wyndham-Quin – Director, 41, was appointed to the Board on 
8 November 2017 and as Chief Financial Officer on 29 November 
2017. Previously, he served as a partner at SPARK Advisory 
Partners, a business he co-founded in early 2012. Prior to that he 
worked for Brewin Dolphin and Ernst & Young where he qualified 
as a Chartered Accountant.

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David Forbes and Andries Liebenberg retire by rotation at the 
2022 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and offer themselves for 
reappointment. The Board recommends their reappointment as it 
considers that they continue to perform their roles well and bring 
considerable strategic, financial and management experience to 
the Group’s business.

The Articles of Association provide that each Director shall be 
indemnified by the Company against losses, costs and expenses 
they may sustain or incur in connection with the performance of 
their duties of office, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The 
Company has purchased and maintained throughout the year 
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in respect of its Directors.

Disclosable interests
As at 30 September 2021, the Company has been notified of the 
following disclosable interests in the voting rights of the Company:

Viability statement
The Directors have conducted a review and assessed the 
prospects and viability of the Group.

Although the Directors have no reason to believe that the Group 
will not be viable over a longer period, the Board has chosen to 
conduct this review for a period of three years. The Group believes 
that this is an appropriate timeframe as it aligns with its strategic 
and financial planning horizon.

The Directors have taken account of the Group’s financial 
forecasts for the three-year period following the balance sheet 
date, comparing future funding requirements with committed 
external borrowing facilities. These external facilities are due 
for refinancing by January 2024, which is during the period being 
considered. It is highly likely that the Board will be able to replace 
these facilities at the appropriate time.

Number
of Ordinary
Shares

Percentage
of issued
share capital

The Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will continue in operation, meet liabilities as they 
fall due and will not breach banking covenants within this period.

Octopus Investments Nominees 
Limited

14,763,727

18.8%

Investec Wealth & Investment 
Limited

Charles Stanley Group PLC

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.

Rathbone Brothers PLC

BlackRock Asset Management 
Limited

Polar Capital LLP

6,203,368

5,456,956

3,937,370

3,175,935

2,753,546

2,643,153

7.9%

6.9%

5.0%

4.0%

3.5%

3.4%

Directors’ interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors (and their immediate 
family members) in the shares of the Company and options for 
shares as at 30 September 2021 are set out on pages 80 to 84. 
No Director has any interest in any other Group company.

Details of the Directors’ remuneration and service contracts 
appear on pages 80 and 81.

Share capital
As at the date of this report, the total number of shares in issue 
(being Ordinary Shares of 10p each) is 78,681,334. During the year, 
the Company has not bought back any of its own shares. 126,280 
new Ordinary Shares of 10p each were issued at nominal cost 
during the year to satisfy the exercise of share options.

Forward-looking statements 
This Annual Report contains certain forward-looking statements. 
These statements are made by the Directors in good faith, based 
on the information available to them up to the time of approval of 
this report. Actual results may differ to those expressed in such 
statements, depending on a variety of factors. These factors 
include customer acceptance of the Group’s services, levels of 
demand in the market, restrictions to market access, competitive 
pressure on pricing or additional costs, failure to retain or recruit 
key personnel and overall economic conditions.

In support of the Viability statement the Group financial forecasts 
have been stress tested by estimating the potential impact of key 
risks. These estimates reflected the Directors’ judgement as to the 
net potential financial impact and the likelihood of these key 
risks occurring.

Section 172(1) Statement
As required by Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Directors confirm that, during the year, they continued to act in 
such a way as to promote the success of the Company for the 
benefit of all its stakeholders. Our full Section 172(1) Statement 
can be read on page 19.

Disclosure of information to the auditor
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this 
Directors’ report confirm the following:

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

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

Auditor
In line with the Corporate Governance Code 2018, KPMG LLP 
will resign as the Group’s audit firm at the conclusion of the 2021 
audit process. In preparation for this, during 2021 the Committee 
undertook a process to identify a new auditor. This thorough 
process was concluded successfully and the Committee proposed 
to the Board that EY LLP be recommended for appointment 
as the Group’s auditor at the Annual General Meeting in 2022. 
The Committee would like to thank KPMG LLP for their services 
to the Group.

Approval
The Board approved the Report of the Directors on 9 December 2021.

By order of the Board

Sean Wyndham-Quin
Company Secretary
9 December 2021

Company number 650447

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Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
in respect of the Annual Report and the financial statements

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

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either 
intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to 
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position of the parent Company and 
enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with 
the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for such internal 
control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation 
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for 
taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard 
the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report and a Directors’ 
Report that complies with that law and those regulations. 

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and parent 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under the 
AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange they are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
international accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 applicable law and they 
have elected to prepare the parent Company financial statements 
in accordance with UK accounting standards and applicable law, 
including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in 
the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently; 

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, 

reliable and prudent; 

•  for the Group financial statements, state whether they have 
been prepared in accordance with international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006; 

•  for the parent Company financial statements, state whether 
applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained 
in the financial statements; 

•  assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue 

as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related 
to going concern; and 

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Independent auditor’s report
to the members of Renew Holdings plc

1 Our opinion is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of Renew Holdings plc 
(“the Company”) for the year ended 30 September 2021 which 
comprise the Group income statement, Group statement of 
comprehensive income, Group statement of changes in equity, 
Group balance sheet, Group cashflow statement, Company 
balance sheet, Company statement of comprehensive income, 
Company statement of changes in equity, and the related notes, 
including the accounting policies in note 1.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities are described below. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and are independent of the Group in 
accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC 
Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities. We believe that the 
audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate 
basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion: 

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 
of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs as at 
30 September 2021 and of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended; 

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; 

•  the parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including 
FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK 
and Republic of Ireland; and 

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 

the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

2 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks 
of material misstatement 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of 
material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by 
us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall 
audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements 
as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not 
provide a separate opinion on these matters. In arriving at our 
audit opinion above, the key audit matters, in decreasing order 
of audit significance, were as follows.

Recognition of 
revenue and profit, 
and carrying value 
of contract balances

Recurring risk
£147.1m of contract 
balances (2020: £121.9m). 

£791.0m of contract 
revenue (2020: £620.3m).

Refer to page 99 
(accounting policy) and 
pages 104 and 114 
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate
The Group’s activities are undertaken 
via specialist engineering contracts.

The carrying value of construction 
contract assets as well as revenue 
and profit recognised are based on 
estimates of work performed and may 
also include an element of variable 
considerations, such as in instances 
where the value of variations is not 
yet agreed.

Estimated contract costs, and as a 
result revenues, can be affected by 
a variety of uncertainties, including 
associated customer claims, that 
depend on the outcome of future 
events resulting in revisions throughout 
the contract period. These uncertainties 
have increased as a result of Covid-19.

The effect of these matters is that, as 
part of our risk assessment for audit 
planning purposes, we determined 
that the carrying value of contract 
assets, revenue and profit recognised 
on construction contracts has a high 
degree of estimation uncertainty, 
with a potential range of reasonable 
outcomes greater than our materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole.

We performed the detailed tests below rather than seeking to rely 
on any of the Group’s controls because our knowledge of the 
design of these controls indicated that we would not be able to 
obtain the required evidence to support reliance on controls. 

Our procedures included:

•  Test of detail: Identifying contracts with risk indicators, including 

material contracts with low margin or loss making, material 
carrying values of contract assets, significant margin movements 
and contracts with known recoverability risks. For these contracts 
we agreed the year-end contract balance to certification 
received post year end or the work certified to date;

•  Test of detail: Challenging the Group in respect of contract 

balances in the sample identified, where cash has not been received 
or work has not been certified post year end, by inspecting 
correspondence with the customer including agreed variation 
schedules, and where relevant other third-party documentation, 
to corroborate the position. We challenged the Group on uncertain 
variable consideration and contract asset positions where evidence 
of customer agreement was not available;

•  Test of detail: Inspecting a sample of contract agreements  

with customers to identify key terms and conditions, including 
contracting parties, contract sum, the scope of work and 
evaluating whether these key terms and conditions had been 
appropriately reflected in the total estimated revenue and costs 
to complete in the forecast cost to complete, including 
consideration of Covid-19 related impacts;

•  Test of detail: Assessed the existence of customer claims 
and disputes to external correspondence and challenging 
the Group’s assessment of the position taken on such higher 
risk contracts;

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Independent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Renew Holdings plc

2 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement continued

The risk

Our response

Recognition of 
revenue and profit, 
and carrying value 
of contract balances 
continued

Valuation of 
intangible assets 
in relation to the 
acquisition of 
J Browne Group 
Holdings Limited

Goodwill: £8.7m.

Intangible Assets: 
£12.2m. 

Refer to page 100 
(accounting policy) 
and page 110 (financial 
disclosures).

Subjective Valuation
On 26 March 2021, the Group acquired 
J Browne Group Holdings for a total 
cash consideration of £41.5 million. 
In accounting for the acquisition, the 
Group needs to ensure all identifiable 
assets are recognised at their 
acquisition-date fair values.

The valuation of intangible assets 
requires a significant degree of 
judgement with estimates including the 
trading performance of the J Browne 
Group, the timing of future cashflows 
and the discount rate applied.

The effect of these matters is that, 
as part of our risk assessment, we 
determined that valuation of intangible 
assets identified in relation to the 
acquisition of the J Browne Group 
has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty, with a potential range 
of reasonable outcomes greater 
than our materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole.

•  Historical comparisons: Assessing the reliability of the Group’s 
forecasting process by performing a retrospective review by 
comparing the final margin achieved on a sample of completed 
contracts with previous margin estimates made for those 
contracts; and

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of the 

Group’s disclosures on revenue recognition and the degree 
of estimation involved in arriving at the contract balances 
and associated revenue and profit recognition.

We performed the detailed tests below rather than seeking to rely 
on any of the Group’s controls because our knowledge of the 
design of these controls indicated that we would not be able to 
obtain the required evidence to support reliance on controls.

Our procedures included:

•  Our sector experience: Evaluating assumptions used, 
in particular those relating to forecast revenue, EBITDA 
performance, and customer attrition rates, engaging our own 
valuation specialists to evaluate assumptions such as the 
discount rate used;

•  Methodology choice: Using our own valuation specialists to 
assess the methodology used in valuing the intangible assets 
recognised, such as the customer contracts intangible assets;

•  Tests of detail: Corroborating management’s calculations to 

supporting documentation such as Sale Purchase Agreement, 
and supporting documentation relating to the balance sheet 
on acquisition;

•  Sensitivity analysis: We performed our own analysis to assess 
the sensitivity of the valuation of intangible assets to changes 
in the key assumptions, noted above; and

•  Historical comparisons: Evaluating how management’s 
assumptions for future performance at acquisition date 
compared to actual performance, both prior to acquisition 
and since.

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of the 

Group’s disclosures in respect of the identification and valuation 
of acquisition related intangible assets.

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2 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement continued

The risk

Our response

Recoverability of 
parent company’s 
investment in 
subsidiaries 

Recurring risk
£236.5m (2020: £195.0m) 
of investments in 
subsidiaries.

Refer to page 132 
(accounting policy) 
and page 135 (financial 
disclosures).

Forecast-based valuation
The carrying amount of the parent 
company’s investments in subsidiaries 
is significant and the estimated 
recoverable amount is subjective due 
to the inherent uncertainty involved in 
forecasting and discounting their 
future cashflows.

The discounted expected future 
cashflows are based on assumptions of 
forecast future financial performance, 
which inherently contain an element of 
judgement and uncertainty.

Significant assumptions in the 
forecast future financial performance 
include sales growth rates, operating 
margins and the discount rate applied 
to future cashflows.

3 Our application of materiality and an overview of the 
scope of our audit
Materiality for the group financial statements as a whole was set at 
£2.0m (2020: £1.5m), determined with reference to a benchmark 
of Group profit before taxation from continuing operations (2020: 
normalised to exclude the charge related to acquisition costs of 
Carnell Group, totalling £1.2m), of which it represents 5% (2020: 5%).

Materiality for the parent company financial statements as a whole was 
set at £1.8m (2020: 1.2m), determined with reference to a benchmark of 
Company net assets, of which it represents 2% (2020: 1%).

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual 
account balances and disclosures were performed to a lower 
threshold, performance materiality, so as to reduce to an 
acceptable level the risk that individually immaterial misstatements 
in individual account balances add up to a material amount across 
the financial statements as a whole. 

Performance materiality was set at 75% (2020: 75%) of materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole, which equates to £1.5m 
(2020: £1.1m) for the Group and £1.3m (2020: £1.0m) for the 
parent Company.

We performed the detailed tests below rather than seeking to rely 
on any of the Group’s controls because our knowledge of the 
design of these controls indicated that we would not be able to 
obtain the required evidence to support reliance on controls.

Our procedures included:

•  Tests of detail: Comparing the carrying amount of the 

investments with management’s value in use calculation, being 
an estimate of the minimum recoverable amount, to consider 
whether there is an indicator of potential impairment;

•  Benchmarking assumptions: Challenging the assumptions 

used in the cashflow forecasts included in the budgets based 
on our knowledge of the Group and the markets in which the 
subsidiaries operate;

•  Historical comparisons: Assessing the reasonableness of the 
budgets by considering the historical accuracy of the previous 
forecasts;

•  Tests of detail: For investments where the carrying amount 

exceeded the value in use, comparing the carrying amount of 
the investment with the recoverable value of the business 
based on a fair value less cost to sell model, using a suitable 
multiple of the subsidiaries’ sustainable earnings; and

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of the 

parent company’s disclosures in respect of the investment 
in subsidiaries.

We applied this percentage in our determination of performance 
materiality because we did not identify any factors indicating an 
elevated level of risk.

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £0.1m (2020: 
£0.1m), in addition to other identified misstatements that 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Of the Group’s 28 (2020: 29) reporting components, we subjected 
23 (2020: 20) to full scope audits for Group purpose. These audits 
covered 94% (2020: 97%) of total Group revenue, 96% (2020: 95%) 
of Group profit before tax, and 92% (2020: 97%) of Group total 
assets. Component materiality levels were set individually for all 
components having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the 
Group across the components, and ranged from £1.76m to 
£0.05m (2020: £1.20m to £0.04m).

The work on all components was performed by the Group team. 
The Group team performed procedures on the items excluded 
from profit before tax before continuing operations.

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Independent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Renew Holdings plc

4 Going concern 
The directors have prepared the financial statements on the 
going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group 
or the Company or to cease their operations, and as they have 
concluded that the Group’s and the Company’s financial position 
means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there 
are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant 
doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least 
a year from the date of approval of the financial statements 
(“the going concern period”). 

We used our knowledge of the Group, its industry, and the general 
economic environment to identify the inherent risks to its business 
model and analysed how those risks might affect the Group’s and 
Company’s financial resources or ability to continue operations 
over the going concern period. The risks that we considered most 
likely to adversely affect the Group’s and Company’s available 
financial resources and metrics relevant to debt covenants over 
this period were: 

•  The ongoing availability & headroom on bank facilities in order 

to meet working capital requirements. 

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect the 
liquidity or covenant compliance in the going concern period by 
comparing severe, but plausible downside scenarios that could 
arise from these risks individually and collectively against the level 
of available financial resources and covenants indicated by the 
Group’s financial forecasts.

Our procedures included:

•  Critically assessing assumptions in the Directors’ initial 

downside scenarios relevant to liquidity and covenant metrics. 
We also compared past budgets to actual results to assess the 
directors’ track record of budgeting accurately.

• 

Inspecting the confirmation from the lender of the level of 
committed financing, and the associated covenants requirements. 

•  Assessing the completeness of the going concern disclosure. 

Our conclusions based on this work:

•  we consider that the directors’ use of the going concern basis 
of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 
is appropriate;

•  we have not identified, and concur with the directors’ 

assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related 
to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may 
cast significant doubt on the Group’s or Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern for the going concern period; and

•  we found the going concern disclosure in note 1 to be acceptable.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and 
as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent 
with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were 
made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group 
or the Company will continue in operation. 

5 Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – 
ability to detect
Identifying and responding to risks of material 
misstatement due to fraud
To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud 
risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an 
incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity 
to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

•  Enquiring of directors as to the Group’s high-level policies and 

procedures to prevent and detect fraud, as well as whether they 
have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

•  Reading Board minutes.

•  Considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance 
targets for management including the operating profit target 
for management remuneration. 

•  Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or 

unexpected relationships.

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit 
team and remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout 
the audit.

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account 
possible pressures to meet profit targets, we perform procedures 
to address the risk of management override of controls and the 
risk of fraudulent revenue recognition, in particular the risk that 
revenue is recorded in the wrong period and the risk that Group 
and component management may be in a position to make 
inappropriate accounting entries.

Further detail in respect of recognition of revenue and profit, 
and carrying value of contract balances is set out in the key 
audit matter disclosures in section 2 of this report.

We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

We performed procedures including: 

•  Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test 

(for all full scope components subject to audit as disclosed in 
section 3 of this report) based on risk criteria and comparing the 
identified entries to supporting documentation. This included 
those posted to unusual accounts; and 

•  Performing procedures over revenue recognition for all full 

scope components including substantive procedures in respect 
of revenue truncations either side of the balance sheet date.

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement 
due to non-compliance with laws and regulations
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably 
be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements 
from our general commercial and sector experience and through 
discussion with the Directors (as required by auditing standards) 
and discussed with the directors the policies and procedures 
regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our 
team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance 
throughout the audit. 

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial 
statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly 
affect the financial statements including financial reporting 
legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable 
profits legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the 
extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of 
our procedures on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations 
where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material 
effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for 
instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. 

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5 Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – 
ability to detect continued
Identifying and responding to risks of material 
misstatement due to non-compliance with laws and 
regulations continued
We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such 
an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law and 
environmental protection legislation. Auditing standards limit 
the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance 
with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Directors and 
other management and inspection of regulatory and legal 
correspondence, if any. Therefore, if a breach of operational 
regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant 
correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or 
breaches of law or regulation
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable 
risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements 
in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned 
and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. 
For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of 
non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal 
controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material 
misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance 
or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all 
laws and regulations.

6 We have nothing to report on the other information 
in the Annual Report 
The directors are responsible for the other information presented 
in the Annual Report together with the financial statements. 
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion 
or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, 
the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with 
the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on 
that work we have not identified material misstatements in the 
other information. 

Strategic report and directors’ report 
Based solely on our work on the other information: 

•  we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 

report and the directors’ report; 

• 

• 

in our opinion the information given in those reports for the 
financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 

in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006. 

7 We have nothing to report on the other matters 
on which we are required to report by exception 
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you 
if, in our opinion: 

•  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 

•  the parent Company financial statements are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or 

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or 

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

8 Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 88, 
the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial 
statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to 
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing 
the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company 
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise 
from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually 
or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the 
financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

9 The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 
our responsibilities 
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. 

David Morritt (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
1 Sovereign Square
Sovereign Street
Leeds
LS1 4DA
9 December 2021

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

93

 
 
Group income statement
for the year ended 30 September

Before
exceptional

Exceptional
items and
items and amortisation
amortisation of intangible
assets
of intangible
(see Note 3)
assets
2021
2021
£000
£000

Note

Before
exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
2020
£000

Exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
(see Note 3)
2020
£000

Total
2021
£000

Revenue: Group including share of joint ventures

790,995

 — 790,995

620,375

Less share of joint ventures’ revenue

(15,356)

 —

(15,356)

 —

Group revenue from continuing activities

2

775,639

 — 775,639

620,375

Cost of sales 

Gross profit

(666,454)

 — (666,454)

(527,274)

109,185

 — 109,185

93,101

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

Total
2020
£000

620,375

 —

620,375

(527,274)

93,101

Administrative expenses 

(57,985)

(10,070)

(68,055)

(53,453)

(6,741)

(60,194)

Share of post-tax result of joint ventures

15

11

 —

11

(39)

 —

(39)

Operating profit

Finance income

Finance costs

Other finance income – defined benefit 
pension schemes

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing activities

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

Profit for the year attributable to equity 
holders of the parent company

Basic earnings per share from continuing 
activities

Diluted earnings per share from continuing 
activities

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

3

5

5

5

7

4

9

9

9

9

51,211

(10,070)

41,141

39,609

(6,741)

32,868

19

(836)

428

 —

—

 —

19

44

(836)

(1,343)

428

532

50,822

(10,070)

40,752

38,842

(11,096)

2,427

(8,669)

(6,905)

 —

—

 —

(6,741)

1,146

44

(1,343)

532

32,101

(5,759)

39,726

(7,643)

32,083

31,937

(5,595)

26,342

(1,620)

30,463

40.79p

40.46p

38.73p

38.41p

(5,590)

20,752

34.00p

33.72p

26.78p

26.57p

94

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Group statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 30 September

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Note

2021
£000

30,463

Movement in actuarial valuation of the defined benefit pension schemes

28

(25,672)

Movement on deferred tax relating to the pension schemes

Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Exchange movement in reserves

Total items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity holders of the 
parent company

Group statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 September

At 1 October 2019

7,533 

51,904 

3,896 

1,339 

576 

Share
capital
£000

Share
premium
account
£000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

Cumulative
translation
adjustment
£000

Share based
payments
reserve
£000

Transfer from income statement for the year

Dividends paid

New shares issued

Recognition of share based payments

Exchange differences

Actuarial movement recognised in 
pension schemes

Movement on deferred tax relating to the 
pension schemes

323

14,474

245 

(23)

S
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E
G

I

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P
O
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G
O
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E
R
N
A
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C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

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T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

2020
£000

20,752

(2,775)

971

(1,804)

(23)

(23)

9,026

(16,646)

(8)

(8)

13,809

18,925

Retained
earnings
£000

27,010 

20,752 

(5,778)

Total
equity
£000

92,258 

20,752 

(5,778)

14,797 

245 

(23)

(2,775)

(2,775)

971 

971 

At 30 September 2020

7,856 

66,378 

3,896 

1,316 

821 

40,180 

120,447 

Transfer from income statement for the year

Dividends paid

New shares issued

Recognition of share based payments

Exchange differences

Actuarial movement recognised in 
pension schemes

Movement on deferred tax relating to the 
pension schemes

12

258 

(8)

30,463 

30,463 

(10,354)

(10,354)

647

659 

258 

(8)

(25,672)

(25,672)

9,026

9,026 

At 30 September 2021

7,868 

66,378 

3,896 

1,308 

1,079 

44,290 

124,819 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

95

 
 
 
 
Group balance sheet
at 30 September

Non-current assets

Intangible assets  – goodwill

– other

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use assets

Investment in joint ventures

Retirement benefit asset

Deferred tax assets

Current assets

Inventories

Assets held for resale

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Retirement benefit obligation

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Current liabilities

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Total liabilities

Net assets

Share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Cumulative translation adjustment

Share based payments reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

D M Forbes
Chairman
9 December 2021

96

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Note

2021
£000

2020
£000

10

10

11

12

15

28

7

13

14

16

18

20

21

28

7

22

20

19

21

22

24

25

25

25

25

25

139,698

29,241

16,254

17,247

5,708

661

2,301

211,110

2,078

1,250

157,416

1,382

881

163,007

374,117

 —

(9,421)

(152)

(8,067)

(441)

(18,081)

124,691

23,062

14,806

17,481

 —

28,059

2,164

210,263

1,619

1,500

129,838

2,174

13,396

148,527

358,790

(4,373)

(9,347)

 —

(14,252)

(441)

(28,413)

(14,609)

(8,752)

(207,667)

(192,370)

(6,180)

(2,761)

(6,047)

(2,761)

(231,217)

(209,930)

(249,298)

(238,343)

124,819

120,447

7,868

66,378

3,896

1,308

1,079

44,290

124,819

7,856

66,378

3,896

1,316

821

40,180

120,447

Group cashflow statement
for the year ended 30 September

Profit for the year from continuing operating activities

Share of post-tax trading result of joint ventures

Impairment and amortisation of intangible assets

Defined benefit pension scheme G.M.P. equalisation/past service deficit

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in receivables

Increase in payables and provisions

Current and past service cost in respect of defined benefit pension scheme

Cash contribution to defined benefit pension schemes

Charge in respect of share options

Finance income

Finance expense

Interest paid

Income taxes paid

Income tax expense

Net cash inflow from continuing operating activities

Net cash outflow from discontinued operating activities

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Investing activities

Interest received

Dividend received from joint venture

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities

Dividends paid

Issue of share equity

New loan

Loan repayments

Repayments of obligations under lease liabilities

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in continuing cash and cash equivalents

Net decrease in discontinued cash and cash equivalents

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

S
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A
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G

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P
O
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G
O
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N
A
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F
I

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A
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M
E
N
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S

2020
£000

26,342

39

5,529

 —

9,672

(483)

301

1,465

17,080

69

(4,817)

245

(44)

811

(1,343)

(8,179)

5,759

52,446

(592)

51,854

44

100

725

(3,756)

(40,512)

Note

15

10,15

3

11,12

3

28

28

25

5

5

7

15

2021
£000

32,083

(11)

6,463

2,805

10,504

(649)

(405)

(15,289)

3,996

61

(560)

258

(19)

408

(836)

(7,335)

8,669

40,143

(976)

39,167

19

60

1,263

(4,042)

(33,343)

(36,043)

(43,399)

8

(10,354)

659

10,000

(18,752)

(7,410)

(25,857)

(21,757)

(976)

(22,733)

13,396

(18)

(5,778)

14,797

 — 

(8,750)

(6,972)

(6,703)

2,344

(592)

1,752

11,667

(23)

13,396

13,396

 —

13,396

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

32

(9,355)

Bank balances and cash

Bank overdraft

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

881

(10,236)

(9,355)

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

97

 
 
Notes to the accounts

1 Accounting policies 
Presentation of consolidated financial statements
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and International Accounting Standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“Adopted IFRSs”). The financial statements are presented in sterling since 
this is the currency in which the majority of the Group’s transactions are denominated.

Accounting estimates involving judgements
In the preparation of these financial statements the Board has made certain judgements and estimates which impact the measurement 
of various assets and liabilities in the Group balance sheet, the value of transactions recorded in the Group income statement and the 
movements in equity as shown in the Group statement of changes in equity. The actual financial outcomes may ultimately differ from 
that which is indicated by these judgements and estimates. Estimates and judgements are reviewed by management and the Board on 
an ongoing basis and changes which may arise in them are reflected in the financial statements for the period in which such changes 
are made. 

The Board has determined that the following areas are those in which estimates and judgements have been made and where material 
impacts could arise in the financial statements were such estimates and judgements to be varied.

a) Construction contract revenue
IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” is applicable to these financial statements which commenced on 1 October 2018. 
Whilst it applies to all revenue recognition, it has replaced IAS 11 Construction contracts and represents a key area of judgement. 
Management must assess the performance obligations under each contract and the point at which those obligations have been 
fulfilled, allocating the transaction price as necessary to each obligation. The estimates and judgements which management must carry 
out to assess the total expected cost on a contract remain necessary under IFRS 15. The Group has control and review procedures in 
place to regularly monitor and evaluate the estimates being made to ensure that they are consistent and appropriate. This includes 
reviewing the independent certification of the value of work done, the progress of work against contracted timescales and the costs 
incurred against plan. In particular, management makes judgements on the expected recoverability of value recorded in respect of 
performance obligations which have been completed but not yet agreed with the customer and on the likelihood of the entitlement 
to any variable consideration. Differences arising on the ultimate completion of the contract and any unforeseen changes or events 
as the contract progresses may result in material changes to the expected financial outcome. 

b) Accounting for the defined benefit pension schemes in accordance with IAS 19 “Employee Benefits”
Independent actuaries calculate the Group’s asset/liability in respect of the defined benefit pension schemes. The actuaries make 
assumptions as to discount rates, salary escalations, net interest on scheme assets/liabilities, future pension increases, mortality rates 
applicable to members and future rates of inflation. These assumptions are made under the Board’s direction. The Board determines 
the appropriateness of these assumptions by benchmarking them against those used by other schemes and by taking advice from the 
independent actuaries. The only assumption where it is considered that a reasonably possible change could give rise to a materially 
different value is the discount rate. More information is given in Note 28 to these financial statements.

c) Carrying value of intangible fixed assets
The Group undertakes a fair value assessment of any acquisition during the year. This assessment includes a detailed analysis of the 
accounting policies and methods adopted by the acquired business and an estimate of the value of the separately identifiable intangible 
assets, principally customer related intangible assets and order book. The estimate requires the Directors to estimate the likely revenues 
from and costs of the delivery of the future services to the customers of the acquired business at the date that the business was acquired. 
A number of commercial and financial assumptions and judgements have been made to support both the initial recognition and the 
current carrying value of the intangible asset, categories of goodwill, customer related intangible assets, order book and software for own use.

d) Provisions
Provisions are made where the outcome of a legal or contractual liability cannot be assessed with a high degree of certainty. A liability is 
only recognised where, based on the Group’s view or legal advice, it is considered probable that an outflow of resource will be required 
to settle a present obligation that can be measured reliably.

(i) Basis of accounting and preparation
The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis and in accordance with applicable accounting standards under the 
historical cost convention. In determining that the going concern basis is appropriate the Directors have reviewed budgets which 
consider the Group’s future development, performance and its financial position, including cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities, as well as the risks and uncertainties relating to the Group’s business activities. The budgets cover a three year period. 

98

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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1 Accounting policies continued
(i) Basis of accounting and preparation continued
The following factors were considered relevant:

•  the current order book and pipeline of potential future framework orders;

•  the Group’s liquidity and its bank facilities which are committed until January 2024, including both the level of those facilities and the 

covenants attached to them; and

•  the continued potential impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s profit and cashflows.

The Board has reviewed the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board 
recognises that the impact of Covid-19 is being felt across all aspects of the Group’s operations and that the overall risk environment  
has increased as a result of the pandemic. Despite this, the Board considers that it has taken additional actions to address those risks 
specifically arising from Covid-19. In this context the directors have modelled a base-case and a severe but plausible scenario. However, 
even with a severe downturn, with a strong balance sheet the directors are confident that the Group has sufficient cash and committed 
funding in place to meet its obligations for a period of at least 12 months from the approval of the financial statements. Consequently, 
the directors are confident that the Group and Company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at 
least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going 
concern basis.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and International Accounting Standards  
in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“Adopted IFRSs”). The Group has applied all accounting standards and 
interpretations issued by the IASB and the International Financial Reporting Committee relevant to its operations and which are effective 
in respect of these financial statements.

Adopted IFRSs effective in the year:
The standards and interpretations that are applicable for the first time in the Group’s financial statements for the year ended  
30 September 2021 have had no effect on these financial statements.

(ii) Basis of consolidation
The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. The results and net assets of undertakings 
acquired are included in the Group income statement and balance sheet using the acquisition method of accounting. The results of 
undertakings acquired/disposed of are included from the date the Group obtains/loses control as defined in IFRS 10. Business combinations 
are accounted for under IFRS 3 Business combinations using the purchase method. 

The Group’s interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. Under this method the Group’s share of the profits 
less losses of joint ventures is included in the consolidated income statement and its interest in their net assets is included in 
investments in the consolidated balance sheet. Where the share of losses exceeds the Group’s interest in the entity and there 
is no obligation to fund these losses, the carrying value is reduced to nil, following which no further losses are recognised. 

(iii) Revenue
Revenue, which excludes intra-group revenue and Value Added Tax, comprises value of performance obligations satisfied over time  
on a construction contracts. 

The Engineering segment encompasses businesses in the rail, environmental, infrastructure and energy sectors. The nature of the deliverables 
and performance obligations within these businesses is, however, consistent since revenue is earned from the maintenance of infrastructure 
assets, with a high volume of relatively short duration contracts, the terms of which are usually governed by larger frameworks.

The Specialist Building segment earns revenues from the refurbishment of private residential assets and the construction, renovation 
and refurbishment of science facilities. Revenues in this segment are earned from a low volume of high value contracts, each of which  
is governed by a separate contract with the customer. 

Each contract represents a separate performance obligation on the basis that performance is not interdependent with other contracts, 
and each contract represents a deliverable which is a distinct promise, separately agreed and negotiated, and whose progress can be 
individually and reliably measured. 

Revenue from each performance obligation is recognised over time, on the basis that contractual performance takes place on the 
customer’s premises and the Group has a legally enforceable right to payment for performance to date.

As each contract represents a separate single performance obligation, the transaction price allocated to each performance obligation  
is usually stated within either the contract or the wider framework agreement. Variable consideration arises from pain/gain sharing 
arrangements in addition to contract variations where not stated in the contract. Variable consideration is recognised only to the extent 
that it is considered highly probable that it will be agreed by the customer.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

99

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

1 Accounting policies continued
(iv) Construction contracts
When the outcome of individual contracts can be estimated reliably, contract revenue and costs are recognised as revenue and 
expenses respectively over time by reference to the fulfilment of performance obligations using the input method of estimating 
progress of delivery at the reporting date. Costs are recognised as incurred, and revenue is recognised using the input method. The 
stage of completion of a contract is assessed by reference to the contract costs incurred to date as a proportion of estimated total 
contract costs. Revenue includes the initial amount agreed in the contract plus any variations in contracted work, to the extent that it is 
probable that they will result in revenue and can be measured reliably. Revenue includes an assessment of any variable consideration 
which may become receivable based upon relevant performance measures. Variable consideration is included based on the expected 
amount or most likely amount only to the extent that it is highly probable that there will not be a significant reversal in the amount of the 
cumulative revenue recognised. When an amendment to an existing contract arises, the Group reviews the nature of the modification 
and whether or not it reflects a separate or new performance obligation to be satisfied or whether it is an amendment to an existing 
performance obligation.

Provision is made for all known or expected losses on contracts as soon as they are foreseen. These provisions are reviewed throughout 
the contract life and are adjusted as required. However, the nature of the risks on contracts are such that it is often not possible to 
resolve them until the end of the contract and therefore the provisions may not reverse until the contract is concluded.

The Group does not expect to have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the 
customer and payments by the customer exceeds one year. As a consequence, the Group does not adjust its transaction price for the 
time value of money.

(v) Segment reporting
The operating segments are based on the components that the Board, the Group’s principal decision-making body (the Chief Operating 
Decision Maker), monitors in making decisions about operating matters. Such components are identified on the basis of information that 
is provided internally in the form of monthly management account reporting, budgets and forecasts to formulate allocation of resources 
to segments and to assess performance. 

Revenue from reportable segments is measured on a basis consistent with the income statement. Revenue is principally generated from 
within the UK, the Group’s country of domicile. Segment results show the contribution directly attributable to each segment in arriving at 
the Group’s operating profit. Segment assets and liabilities comprise those assets and liabilities directly attributable to each segment. 
Group eliminations represent such consolidation adjustments that are necessary to determine the Group’s assets and liabilities.

(vi) Intangible assets
a) 

 Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary, associate or jointly-controlled entity at the date of acquisition. 
Goodwill is recognised as an asset and is tested for impairment annually, or on such other occasions that events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. For the purpose of such impairment reviews, goodwill is allocated to the relevant 
cash-generating unit (CGU), or group of CGUs, which is expected to benefit from synergies of the combination. A goodwill  
impairment loss is recognised in the income statement for the amount by which the carrying value of the related CGU, or group  
of CGUs, exceeds the recoverable amount, which is the higher of a CGU’s net realisable value and its value in use. 

 On disposal of a subsidiary undertaking, the attributable amount of unamortised goodwill which has not been subject to impairment 
is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

b) 

 Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are capitalised separately from goodwill if the fair value can be 
measured reliably on initial recognition. Other intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment 
losses. The cost of intangible assets is amortised over their expected useful lives. These intangibles relate to customer relationships 
and contractual rights and are amortised over the period over which the Board has determined that future cash flows are likely to 
arise from these relationships and rights.

(vii) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less provision for impairment if required. Depreciation is provided on all property, 
plant and equipment, other than freehold land. Provision is made at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset, less estimated 
residual value, evenly over its expected useful life as follows:

Freehold land  

–  no depreciation charge

Freehold buildings 

–  fifty years

Plant, vehicles and equipment  –  three to ten years

Right of use assets are depreciated from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right of use asset 
or the end of the lease term.

100

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
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1 Accounting policies continued
(viii) Impairments
Goodwill arising on acquisitions and other assets that have an indefinite useful life and are therefore not subject to amortisation, are 
reviewed at least annually for impairment. Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment 
whenever there is any indication that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the recoverable amount of any asset is 
less than its carrying amount, a loss on impairment is recognised. Recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value of the asset less any 
costs which would be incurred in selling the asset and its value in use. Value in use is assessed by discounting the estimated future cash 
flows that the asset is expected to generate. For this purpose, assets are grouped into cash generating units which represent the lowest 
level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed in future 
accounting periods. Reversals of other impairment losses are recognised in income when they arise.

(ix) Inventories
Inventories comprise raw materials and are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes appropriate attributable 
overheads and excludes interest. Where necessary, provision is made for obsolete, slow moving and defective inventories.

(x) Trade receivables
Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are initially recognised at their fair value and then at amortised cost.

(xi) Contract assets
Contract assets represent amounts for which the Group has an unconditional right to consideration in respect of unbilled revenue 
recognised at the balance sheet date and comprise costs incurred plus attributable margin.

(xii) Trade payables
Trade payables on normal terms are not interest bearing and are initially recognised at their fair value and then at amortised cost.

(xiii) Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities represent the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the consideration has been received,  
or consideration is due, from the customer.

(xiv) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement comprise cash at bank and in hand, including bank deposits with original 
maturities of less than three months, net of bank overdrafts.

Bank overdrafts are included within borrowings within current liabilities in the balance sheet.

(xv) Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and where it is 
probable that an outflow will be required to settle that obligation and where the amount can be reliably estimated.

(xvi) Leasing accounting policy 
The Group has relied upon the exemption under IFRS 16 to exclude the impact of low-value leases and leases that are short-term in 
nature (defined as leases with a term of 12 months or less). Costs on those leases are recognised on a straight-line basis as an operating 
expense within the income statement. All other leases are accounted for in accordance with this policy. 

The Group has various lease arrangements for properties (e.g. office buildings and storage facilities), vehicles, and other equipment 
including plant and machinery. At the inception of a lease contract, the Group assesses whether the contract conveys the right to 
control the use of an identified asset for a certain period of time and whether it obtains substantially all the economic benefits from 
the use of that asset, in exchange for consideration. The Group recognises a lease liability and a corresponding right of use asset with 
respect to all such lease arrangements in which it is a lessee. 

A right of use asset is capitalised on the balance sheet at cost which comprises the present value of future lease payments determined 
at the inception of the lease adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs 
incurred in addition to an estimate of costs to remove or restore the underlying asset. Where a lease incentive is receivable, the amount 
is offset against the right of use asset at inception. Right of use assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of 
the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term and are assessed in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment to Assets” to determine 
whether the asset is impaired and to account for any loss. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of lease payments 
as outlined above and is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. Lease 
payments comprise fixed lease rental payments. Lease liabilities are classified between current and non-current on the balance sheet. 

Since the discount rate implicit in the leases could not be readily determined, the key estimate applied by management relates to the 
assessment of the incremental borrowing rate adopted by the Group to discount the future lease rentals to present value in order to 
measure the lease liabilities. The weighted average rate applied by the Group at transition was 3.0%. 

If an underlying asset is re-leased by the Group to a third party and the Group retains the primary obligation under the original lease, the 
transaction is deemed to be a sub-lease. The Group continues to account for the original lease (the head lease) as a lessee and accounts 
for the sublease as a lessor (intermediate lessor). When the head lease is a short-term lease, the sublease is classified as an operating 
lease. Otherwise, the sublease is classified using the classification criteria applicable to Lessor Accounting in IFRS 16 by reference to the 
right of use asset in the head lease (and not the underlying asset of the head lease). After classification lessor accounting is applied to 
the sublease. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

101

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

1 Accounting policies continued
(xvii) Defined benefit pension schemes
Pension scheme assets are measured using market values. Pension scheme liabilities are measured using the projected unit actuarial 
method and are discounted at the current rate of return on a high quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability. 
Any increase in the present value of liabilities within the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes expected to arise from employee 
service in the period is charged to the income statement. The Group determines the net interest income/(expense) on the net defined 
benefit asset/(liability) for the period by applying the discount rate as determined at the beginning of the annual period to the net 
defined benefit asset/(liability) taking account of changes arising as a result of contributions and benefit payments. This is recognised  
in the income statement. Movement in actuarial measurement of the net defined benefit asset/(liability) is recognised in other 
comprehensive income in the period in which it occurs. Pension scheme surpluses, to the extent they are considered recoverable,  
or deficits are recognised in full and presented on the face of the Group balance sheet.

(xviii) Defined contribution pension plans
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to the income statement as incurred.

(xix) Taxation
The tax charge is composed of current tax and deferred tax, calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by the balance sheet date. Current tax and deferred tax are charged or credited to the income statement, except when they relate to 
items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the relevant tax is also dealt with in equity. 

Current tax is based on the profit for the year. Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising 
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements.

Deferred tax on such assets and liabilities is not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition (other than 
in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary 
differences can be utilised. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group 
intends to settle its current assets and liabilities on a net basis.

(xx) Foreign currencies 
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. The income statements of 
overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated at the average rate of exchange ruling throughout the financial year. The balance sheets 
of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising 
from this policy and arising on the retranslation of the opening net assets are taken directly to reserves. All other exchange differences 
are taken to the income statement.

(xxi) Financial instruments
Financial assets classified as “loans and receivables” under IAS 39 (being trade and other receivables and amounts due from 
undertakings in which the Group has a participating interest) continue to be classified within the “amortised cost” category according 
to IFRS 9. The Group has no derivative financial assets or hedging instruments. Non-derivative financial assets include trade and other 
receivables and contract assets, as defined by IFRS 15. Neither of these two categories contain a significant financing element and, as 
such, expected credit losses are measured under IFRS 9 using the simplified impairment approach. This approach requires expected 
lifetime losses to be recognised upon the initial recognition of the asset. At initial recognition, the Group measures a non-derivative 
financial asset at its fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. The Group 
subsequently measures trade and other receivables and contract receivables at amortised cost.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each balance 
sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is 
estimated. An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first 
to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to CGUs and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit 
on a pro-rata basis. A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the 
cash inflows from other assets or group of assets.

102

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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1 Accounting policies continued
(xxii) Share based payments
IFRS 2 “Share Based Payment” requires a fair value to be established for any equity settled share based payments. Fair value has been 
independently measured using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity settled share 
based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the Directors’ estimate of shares that will 
eventually vest.

(xxiii) Earnings per share
The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) data for its Ordinary Shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or 
loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding in the period. 
Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of 
Ordinary Shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential Ordinary Shares, which comprise share options granted to employees.

(xxiv) Rental income
Rental income from property is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives 
granted are recognised as an integral part of the total rental income, over the term of the lease.

(xxv) Finance income and expense
Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested that are recognised in income or expense. Interest income is recognised 
as it accrues in income or expense, using the effective interest method. Finance expense comprises interest expense on borrowings, 
unwinding of the discount on provisions that are recognised in income or expense. All borrowing costs are recognised in income or 
expense using the effective interest method.

(xxvi) Exceptional items
Exceptional items are defined as items of income and expenditure which are material and unusual in nature and which are considered  
to be of such significance that they require separate disclosure on the face of the income statement. Any future movement on items 
previously classified as exceptional will also be classified as exceptional.

(xxvii) Government grants
Government grant income is recognised at the point that there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions 
attached to it, and that the grant will be received. During last year, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) income was received  
and offset against cost of sales or administrative expenses depending on where the employee costs were recorded.

2 Segmental analysis
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is responsible for the overall resource allocation and performance assessment of the Group. 
The Board approves major capital expenditure and assesses the performance of the Group and its progress against the strategic plan 
through monitoring key performance indicators. The Board also determines key financing decisions such as raising equity, all loan or bank 
borrowing arrangements and the granting of security over the Group’s assets. As such the Group considers that the Board is the CODM. 

Operating segments have been identified based on the internal reporting information provided to the CODM. From such information 
Engineering Services and Specialist Building have been determined to represent operating segments. Following the identification of 
the operating segments the Group has assessed the similarity of the characteristics of the operating segments. Given the different 
performance targets and markets operated within each operating segment it is not appropriate to aggregate the operating segments 
for reporting purposes and therefore both of the identified operating segments are disclosed as reportable segments. The information 
received by the CODM shows results both pre and post exceptional items. The Group had one customer within the Engineering Services 
sector which represented 43.0% (2020: 47.0%) of Group revenue. No other customer represented more than 10% of the Group’s revenue. 

The segments are:

•  Engineering Services, which comprises the Group’s engineering activities which are characterised by the use of the Group’s skilled 

engineering workforce;

•  supplemented by specialist subcontractors where appropriate, in a range of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering applications;

•  Specialist Building, which comprises the Group’s building activities which are characterised by the use of a supply chain of 

subcontractors to carry out building works under the control of the Group as principal contractor; and

•  Central activities, which include the leasing and sub-leasing of some UK properties and the provision of central services to the 

operating subsidiaries.

On 31 October 2014, the Group entered into a contract to dispose of part of its Specialist Building segment, Allenbuild Limited. Following 
a strategic review during the financial year ended 30 September 2018, the Board decided to close Lovell America Inc, which was 
completed in the previous financial year. The results of these businesses are shown as discontinued operations.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

103

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

2 Segmental analysis continued
(a) Business analysis
Revenue is analysed as follows:

Engineering Services

Specialist Building

Inter segment revenue

Segment revenue

Central activities

Group including
share of joint
ventures
2021
£000

Less share
of joint
ventures
2021
£000

Group revenue
from continuing
activities
2021
£000

Group revenue
from continuing
activities
2020
£000

706,682

(15,356)

691,326

84,425

(2,250)

 — 

 — 

84,425

(2,250)

788,857

(15,356)

773,501

2,138

 — 

2,138

790,995

(15,356)

775,639

577,238

43,207

(2,025)

618,420

1,955

620,375

Analysis of profit on ordinary activities before taxation from continuing activities

Before
exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
2021
£000

51,526

1,613

53,139

(1,928)

51,211

(389)

Exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
2021
£000

2021
£000

(9,070)

42,456

 —

1,613

(9,070)

(1,000)

(10,070)

 —

44,069

(2,928)

41,141

(389)

Before
exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
2020
£000

40,754

1,014

41,768

(2,159)

39,609

(767)

Exceptional
items and
amortisation
of intangible
assets
2020
£000

(6,741)

 —

(6,741)

—

(6,741)

 —

2020
£000

34,013

1,014

35,027

(2,159)

32,868

(767)

50,822

(10,070)

40,752

38,842

(6,741)

32,101

Engineering Services

Specialist Building

Segment operating profit

Central activities

Operating profit

Net financing costs

Profit on ordinary activities before 
income tax

Balance sheet analysis of business segments

Engineering Services

Specialist Building

Central activities

Discontinued operations

Group eliminations

Group net assets

Other information

Engineering Services

Specialist Building

Central activities

Assets
£000

2021

Liabilities
£000

Net assets
£000

Assets
£000

2020

Liabilities
£000

300,665

(195,758)

104,907

282,885

(206,020)

72,971

(65,313)

204,500

(174,650)

2,276

(19,872)

7,658

29,850

(17,596)

63,306

217,860

3,348

(57,069)

(165,132)

(18,731)

(206,295)

206,295

 —

(208,609)

208,609

Net assets
£000

76,865

6,237

52,728

(15,383)

 —

374,117

(249,298)

124,819

358,790

(238,343)

120,447

2021

2020

Capital
additions
£000

9,919

110

1,233

Depreciation
£000

Amortisation
£000

8,546

197

1,761

6,463

 —

 —

11,262

10,504

6,463

Capital
additions
£000

8,878

24

1,460

10,362

Depreciation
£000

Amortisation
£000

7,610

225

1,837

9,672

5,529

 —

 —

5,529

(b) Geographical analysis
Group revenue for both financial years is derived from continuing activities in the UK.

All of the Group’s non-current assets are deployed in the UK.

104

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

3 Operating profit

Operating profit is arrived at after charging/(crediting)

Auditor’s remuneration – audit services 

Auditor’s remuneration – non audit services 

Depreciation of owned assets

Depreciation of assets held as leases

Rental income

CJRS government grants

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

During the year, the following services were provided by the Group’s auditor:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

Audit of the financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Tax advisory services

Other assurance services

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A
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M
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N
T
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2020
£000

610

11

3,769

5,903

(197)

(4,751)

(483)

2020
£000

194

416

9

2

621

2021
£000

893

 —

4,392

6,112

(172)

—

(649)

2021
£000

281

612

—

—

893

Details of the Group’s policy on the use of the auditor for non-audit services, the reason why the auditor was used and how the auditor’s 
independence and objectivity were safeguarded, are set out in the Audit Committee report. No services were performed pursuant to 
contingent fee arrangements.

Exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets

Defined benefit pension scheme guaranteed minimum pension equalisation

Amco defined benefit scheme past service cost deficit

Acquisition costs

Total losses arising from exceptional items

Amortisation of intangible assets (see Note 10 and Note 15)

Total exceptional items and amortisation charge before income tax

Taxation credit on exceptional items and amortisation 

Total exceptional items and amortisation charge 

2021
£000

1,107

1,698

802

3,607

6,463

10,070

(2,427)

7,643

2020
£000

—

—

1,212

1,212

5,529

6,741

(1,146)

5,595

As referred to in last year’s Annual Report as a post balance sheet event, on 20 November 2020 the High Court handed down a further 
judgement in the Lloyds Bank case regarding equalising guaranteed minimum pension benefits. The judge found that pension schemes 
do have a liability to pay top-ups to members who transferred out in the past. The effect of this for the schemes has been estimated by 
the actuaries as an additional liability of £1,107,000. 

The Amco defined benefit scheme recognised an actuarial estimate of £1,698,000 additional liabilities from extending the Barber 
window to be in line with recent legal advice received by the Trustee as part of a potential “buy-in” transaction to remove the scheme’s 
investment and funding risk. This legal advice indicates that the scheme may not have equalised normal pension age (NPA) as previously 
assumed in the early 1990’s, and that the NPA for members in service in May 1991 may be 60 for a higher proportion of their service. 

Acquisition costs relate to the acquisitions of J Browne Group Holdings Ltd and Rail Electrification Ltd on 26 March 2021 and 
28 May 2021 respectively. 

The Board has separately identified the charge of £6,463,000 (2020: £5,529,000) for the amortisation of the fair value ascribed to 
certain intangible assets, other than goodwill, arising from the acquisitions of Giffen Holdings Ltd, QTS Group Ltd, Carnell Group 
Holdings Ltd, J Browne Group Holdings Ltd and Rail Electrification Ltd. Further details are given in Note 10 and Note 15. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

105

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

4 Loss for the year from discontinued operations

Revenue

Expenses

Loss before income tax 

Income tax charge 

2021
£000

—

(1,620)

(1,620)

—

2020
£000

—

(5,590)

(5,590)

—

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

(1,620)

(5,590)

During the previous year the Group completed the closure of Lovell America Inc having incurred £271,000 additional costs in finalising 
historical taxation issues. Once any surplus cash has been repatriated, the Group will no longer have any overseas exposure. 

On 31 October 2014, the Board reached an agreement to sell Allenbuild Ltd to Places for People Group Ltd. As a term of the disposal 
Renew Holdings plc retained both the benefits and the obligations associated with a number of Allenbuild contracts which resulted in 
the requirement for an additional £1,620,000 (2020: £5,319,000) accrual. This was as a result of the settlement of historic claims during 
the financial year and a subsequent internal reassessment of the likely costs required to settle other known contractual disputes.

5 Finance income and costs
Finance income
Finance income of £19,000 (2020: £44,000) has been earned during the year on bank deposits.

Finance costs

On bank loans and overdrafts

Other interest payable

Other finance income – defined benefit pension schemes

Interest on scheme assets

Interest on scheme obligations

Net pension interest

Further information on the defined benefit pension schemes is set out in Note 28 to the accounts.

6 Employee numbers and remuneration

The average monthly number of employees, including Executive Directors, employed in continuing 
activities during the year was:

At 30 September:

Production

Administrative

Cost of staff, including Executive Directors, during the year amounted to:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

Share based payments

2021
£000

(225)

(611)

(836)

3,204

(2,776)

428

2021
Number

3,630

3,696

2,247

1,449

3,696

2021
£000

169,134

18,293

8,274

258

2020
£000

(871)

(472)

(1,343)

3,961

(3,429)

532

2020
Number

3,292

3,338

2,088

1,204

3,292

2020
£000

140,612

15,381

6,932

245

195,959

163,170

106

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
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6 Employee numbers and remuneration continued
Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate emoluments

Highest paid director: aggregate emoluments

Executive Directors

P Scott

A P Liebenberg

S C Wyndham-Quin

Non-executive Directors

D M Forbes

D A Brown

S D Dasani

S A Hazell

Salary/fees
 £000

Bonuses
 £000

314

225

240

78

47

47

47

359

261

274

 —

 —

 —

 —

LTIP
 £000

274

204

204

 —

 —

 —

 —

2021
£000

2,746

1,010

2020
£000

2,102

833

Total
emoluments
2021
 £000

Total
emoluments
2020
 £000

Benefits
 £000

63

55

54

 —

 —

 —

 —

1,010

745

772

2,527

78

47

47

47

833

609

474

1,916

75

44

44

25

2,746

2,104

Directors’ share options
Pursuant to the long term incentive plan (“LTIP”), the Board has granted options to the Executive Directors as set out in the following table.

The LTIP options are exercisable at a nominal cost but are only exercisable to the extent that certain performance criteria are achieved 
by the Company over a three year performance period.

Number of Ordinary Shares under option

LTIP options

P Scott

A P Liebenberg

S C Wyndham-Quin

Exercisable
between
 4 Dec 2021
& 3 Dec 2028

Exercisable
between
 18 Feb 2023
& 17 Feb 2030

Exercisable
between
 15 Dec 2023
& 14 Dec 2030

129,310

92,833

96,983

118,269

84,907

88,702

89,785

65,267

68,702

During the year £258,000 (2020: £245,000) was charged to the income statement with a corresponding credit to the share based 
payments reserve in accordance with IFRS 2.

7 Income tax expense
(a) Analysis of expense in year

Current tax:

UK corporation tax on profits of the year

Adjustments in respect of previous period

Total current tax

Deferred tax – defined benefit pension schemes

Deferred tax – other timing differences

Total deferred tax 

Income tax expense in respect of continuing activities

2021
£000

(8,719)

25

(8,694)

601

(576)

25

(8,669)

2020
£000

(5,732)

216

(5,516)

(1,848)

1,605

(243)

(5,759)

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

107

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

7 Income tax expense continued
(b) Factors affecting income tax expense for the year

Profit before income tax

Profit multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2020: 19%)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Timing differences not provided in deferred tax

Change in tax rate

Adjustments in respect of previous period

2021
£000

40,752

(7,743)

(837)

1,476

(1,590)

25

2020
£000

32,101

(6,099)

(297)

433

(12)

216

(8,669)

(5,759)

Deferred tax has been provided at a rate of 25% (2020: 19%) following the decision that the UK corporation tax rate should increase to 
25% (effective from 1 April 2023 and substantively enacted on 24 May 2021). The deferred tax asset and liability at 30 September 2021 
has been calculated based on these rates, reflecting the expected timing of reversal of the related temporary timing differences (2020: 
19%). The Group has available further unused UK tax losses of £25.3m (2020: £29.3m) to carry forward against future taxable profits. 
A substantial element of these losses relates to activities which are not forecast to generate the level of profits needed to utilise these losses. 
A deferred tax asset has been provided to the extent considered reasonable by the Directors, where recovery is expected to be recognisable 
within the foreseeable future. The unrecognised deferred tax asset in respect of these losses amounts to £5.2m (2020: £4.0m).

(c) Deferred tax asset

Defined benefit pension scheme

Accelerated capital allowances

Other timing differences

Future tax losses

(d) Deferred tax liabilities

Defined benefit pension scheme

Accelerated capital allowances

Fair value adjustments

(e) Reconciliation of deferred tax asset

As at 1 October

Origination of timing differences

Change of deferred tax rate

Reclassification of opening accelerated capital allowances as a liability

Reclassification of opening pension scheme asset as a liability

Defined benefit pension schemes – income statement

Defined benefit pension schemes – SOCI

At 30 September

108

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

2021
£000

38

 —

1,170

1,093

2,301

2021
£000

(231)

(52)

(7,784)

(8,067)

2021
£000

2,164

331

457

(689)

(253)

394

(103)

2020
£000

 —

689

241

1,234

2,164

2020
£000

(9,821)

 —

(4,431)

(14,252)

2020
£000

1,416

582

166

 —

 —

 —

 —

2,301

2,164

 
 
 
 
7 Income tax expense continued
(f) Reconciliation of deferred tax liability

As at 1 October

Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking

Arising on fair value adjustments

Change of deferred tax rate 

Reclassification of opening accelerated capital allowances as a liability

Reclassification of opening pension scheme asset as a liability

Defined benefit pension schemes – income statement

Defined benefit pension schemes – SOCI

At 30 September

8 Dividends

Interim (related to the year ended 30 September 2021)

Final (related to the year ended 30 September 2020)

Total dividend paid

Interim (related to the year ended 30 September 2021)

Final (related to the year ended 30 September 2020)

Total dividend paid

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N
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2021
£000

(14,252)

(2,754)

675

(2,016)

689

253

207

9,131

(8,067)

2020
£000

(10,598)

(3,634)

1,051

(194)

 —

 —

(1,848)

971

(14,252)

2021
Pence/share

2020
Pence/share

4.83

8.33

13.16

£000

3,800

6,554

10,354

—

7.67

7.67

£000

—

5,778

5,778

Dividends are recorded only when authorised and are shown as a movement in equity rather than as a charge in the income statement. 
The Directors are proposing that a final dividend of 11.17p per Ordinary Share be paid in respect of the year ended 30 September 2021. 
This will be accounted for in the 2021/22 financial year.

9 Earnings per share

Earnings before exceptional items and 
amortisation

Exceptional items and amortisation

Basic earnings per share — continuing 
activities

Loss for the year from discontinued 
operations

Basic earnings per share 

Earnings
£000

39,726

(7,643)

2021

EPS
Pence

50.51

(9.72)

DEPS
Pence

50.09

(9.63)

Earnings
£000

31,937

(5,595)

2020

EPS
Pence

41.22

(7.22)

DEPS
Pence

40.89

(7.17)

32,083

40.79

40.46

26,342

34.00

33.72

Weighted average number of shares

78,655

79,304

(1,620)

30,463

(2.06)

38.73

(2.05)

38.41

(5,590)

20,752

(7.22)

26.78

77,480

(7.15)

26.57

78,114

The dilutive effect of share options is to increase the number of shares by 649,000 (2020: 634,000) and reduce basic earnings per 
share by 0.32p (2020: 0.21p).

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

109

 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

10 Intangible assets

Cost:

At 1 October 2019

Addition

At 1 October 2020

Additions

At 30 September 2021

Impairment losses/amortisation:

At 1 October 2019

Charge for year

At 1 October 2020

Charge for year

At 30 September 2021

Carrying amount:

At 30 September 2021

At 30 September 2020

At 30 September 2019

The carrying amounts of goodwill allocated to cash generating units (“CGUs”) are as follows:

Britannia Construction Ltd

V.H.E. Construction PLC

Seymour (C.E.C.) Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary

Shepley Engineers Ltd and its subsidiaries

Amco Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries

Lewis Civil Engineering Ltd and its subsidiaries

Clarke Telecom Ltd

QTS Group Ltd and its subsidiaries

Carnell Group Holdings Ltd 

J Browne Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries

Contractual
rights and
customer
relationships
£000

30,976

19,128

50,104

12,508

Goodwill
£000

105,282

19,409

124,691

15,007

139,698

62,612

—

—

 —

—

 —

139,698

124,691

105,282

2021
£000

1,253

1,796

4,017

633

25,691

6,556

11,143

57,800

19,409

11,400

21,513

5,529

27,042

6,329

33,371

29,241

23,062

9,463

2020
£000

1,253

1,796

4,017

633

25,691

6,556

11,143

54,193

19,409

 —

139,698

124,691

J Browne Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries
Goodwill of £11,400,000 arises on acquisition and will be reviewed for impairment one year after the acquisition and then on an ongoing 
basis as required by IFRS 3. Other intangible assets provisionally valued at £12,236,000, which represent customer relationships and 
contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with IFRS 3. Deferred tax  
has been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset will commence from April 2021.

Rail Electrification Ltd
Goodwill of £3,607,000 arises on acquisition and will be reviewed for impairment one year after the acquisition and then on an ongoing 
basis as required by IFRS 3. Other intangible assets provisionally valued at £272,000, which represent customer relationships and 
contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with IFRS 3. Deferred tax  
has been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset will commence from June 2021.

Amortisation charges in respect of intangible assets with a finite life are recorded within administrative expenses in the income 
statement. The amortisation policy is disclosed in the accounting policies and approximates to a period of thirteen years.

110

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

10 Intangible assets continued
Rail Electrification Ltd continued
In order to test goodwill for impairment the Group performs value in use calculations by preparing cash flow forecasts for each cash 
generating unit derived from the most recent financial budgets and strategic plans approved by management going forward three 
years, and then extrapolates cash flows based on conservative estimated growth rates according to management’s view of longer term 
prospects for each CGU. The CGUs are deemed to be the subsidiaries to which the goodwill relates. Management used growth rates 
deemed to be appropriate to each CGU after reviewing the particular market conditions related to the sector in which each CGU 
operates. A perpetual growth rate range of 2-5% (2020: 1-5%) per annum has been used. The range of discount rates used within each 
CGU is 10.0%-12% (2020: 10.0%-12%). The Board considers the rates appropriate as, based on publicly available information, they 
represent the rates that a market participant would require for these assets. The Board has chosen the discount rates having taken into 
account the cost of funds to the Group and the risks associated with the markets in which the CGUs operate. Other than changes to 
the discount rates the key assumption which would impact the carrying value of goodwill is the margin generated by each CGU. The 
valuation of the cash generating units indicates sufficient headroom such that any reasonably possible change to key assumptions 
is unlikely to result in an impairment in related goodwill. 

11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost:

At 1 October 2019 

Additions

Disposals

Transfer to right of use assets

Transfer from right of use assets

Acquisition of subsidiary

At 1 October 2020

Additions

Disposals

Transfer from right of use assets

Acquisition of subsidiary

At 30 September 2021

Depreciation:

At 1 October 2019 

Charge for year

Disposals

Transfer to right of use assets

Transfer from right of use assets

At 1 October 2020

Charge for year

Disposals

Transfer from right of use assets

At 30 September 2021

Net book value:

At 30 September 2021

At 30 September 2020

At 30 September 2019

Freehold
land and buildings
£000

Long leasehold
land and buildings
£000

Plant, vehicles
and equipment
£000

6,057

78

 —

 —

 —

 —

6,135

446

 —

 —

 —

—

 —

 —

 —

 —

411

411

 —

 —

 —

 —

42,144

3,932

(3,373)

(10,965)

964

494

33,196

3,596

(4,182)

2,650

573

Total
£000

48,201

4,010

(3,373)

(10,965)

964

905

39,742

4,042

(4,182)

2,650

573

6,581

411

35,833

42,825

484

212

 —

 —

 —

696

293

 —

 —

989

5,592

5,439

5,573

 —

70

 —

 —

 —

70

135

 —

 —

205

206

341

 —

26,785

3,487

(3,169)

(3,598)

665

24,170

3,964

(3,935)

1,178

27,269

3,769

(3,169)

(3,598)

665

24,936

4,392

(3,935)

1,178

25,377

26,571

10,456

9,026

15,359

16,254

14,806

20,932

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

111

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

12 Right of use assets

Cost:

At 1 October 2019

Transition to IFRS 16

Additions

Disposals

Transfer from Property, plant and equipment

Transfer to Property, plant and equipment

At 1 October 2020

Additions

Disposals

Transfer to Property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of subsidiary

At 30 September 2021

Depreciation:

At 1 October 2019

Charge for year

Disposals

Transfer from Property, plant and equipment

Transfer to Property, plant and equipment

At 1 October 2020

Charge for year

Disposals

Transfer to Property, plant and equipment

At 30 September 2021

Net book value:

At 30 September 2021

At 30 September 2020

At 30 September 2019

13 Inventories

Raw materials

All inventories are pledged as security for liabilities.

14 Assets held for resale

Property 

Freehold
land and buildings
£000

Long leasehold
land and buildings
£000

Plant, vehicles
and equipment
£000

 —

6,311

1,874

 —

 —

 —

8,185

2,340

 —

 —

289

10,814

 —

1,947

 —

 —

 —

1,947

1,991

 —

 —

3,938

6,876

6,238

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

Total
£000

 —

10,001

6,352

(1,107)

10,965

(964)

25,247

7,220

(402)

(2,650)

498

 —

3,690

4,478

(1,107)

10,965

(964)

17,062

4,880

(402)

(2,650)

209

19,099

29,913

 —

3,956

(1,070)

3,598

(665)

5,819

4,121

(34)

(1,178)

 —

5,903

(1,070)

3,598

(665)

7,766

6,112

(34)

(1,178)

8,728

12,666

10,371

11,243

 —

2021
£000

2,078

17,247

17,481

 —

2020
£000

1,619

2021
£000

1,250

2020
£000

1,500

This office property has been actively marketed but disposal has been delayed by current market conditions.

The building is carried at net realisable value based on an annual independent third party valuation.

112

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
15 Investment in joint ventures
a) Movement in year

At 1 October 2019

Dividend received

Equity accounted share of net loss

At 1 October 2020

On acquisition of JBC (see Note 33)

Amortisation

Dividend received

Equity accounted share of net profit

At 30 September 2021

Goodwill
£000

 —

Other intangible
asset
£000

 —

 —

 3,812 

 —

 1,820 

(134)

 3,812 

 1,686 

b) Summarised financial information related to equity accounted joint ventures

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets reported by equity accounted joint ventures (100%)

Revenue (100%)

Expenses (100%)

Net profit/(loss) after tax (100%)

c) Results of equity accounted joint ventures (50%)

Group share of profit/(loss) before tax

Group share of tax

Group share of profit/(loss) after tax

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

TOTAL
£000

139

(100)

(39)

 —

 5,891 

(134)

(60)

 11 

 5,708 

2020
£000

—

—

—

—

—

 —

 —

—

 —

—

—

—

—

—

—

(112)

(112)

2020
£000

(46)

7

(39)

Reserves
£000

139

(100)

(39)

 —

259

(60)

11

 210 

2021
£000

 1,296 

 233 

 12,207 

 110 

 6,200 

 18,750 

 20,046 

(1,094)

(1,094)

(18,516)

(16)

(18,532)

(19,626)

420

30,712

(30,690)

22

2021
£000

14

(3)

11

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

113

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

15 Investment in joint ventures continued
c) Results of equity accounted joint ventures (50%) continued
The Group, through a subsidiary undertaking, has the following interest in the joint ventures:

Blackwater Plant Hire Ltd

Cappagh Brown Utilities Ltd

Enisca Browne Ltd

The joint ventures were acquired as part of the acquisition of J Browne Holdings Ltd.

Country of 
incorporation

Principal
activity

Percentage of
shares held

England and Wales

Engineering

England and Wales

Engineering

Northern Ireland

Engineering

50%

50%

50%

16 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Contract assets

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

2021
£000

57,839

89,335

359

9,883

2020
£000

53,244

68,819

2,152

5,623

157,416

129,838

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade, contract assets and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

The Group has a variety of credit terms depending on the customer. These terms generally range from 30 to 60 days.

Included in trade and other receivables are debtors with a carrying value of £3.2m (2020: £4.9m) which are past due at the reporting 
date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the Group believes that the 
amounts are still considered recoverable since there is no objective evidence that these financial assets are impaired. The Group does 
not hold any collateral over these balances. £1.0m (2020: £2.1m) of these balances relate to certified retentions. The average age of 
these receivables is 361 days (2020: 358 days).

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:

30-180 days

180-365 days

Greater than 1 year

17 Construction contracts

Contracts in progress at the balance sheet date:

Amounts due from construction contract customers included in trade and other receivables

Amounts due from construction contract customers included in contract assets

Amounts due to construction contract customers included in contract liabilities

Contract costs incurred plus recognised profits less recognised losses to date

Less: progress billings

2021
£000

679

449

2,034

3,162

2020
£000

864

1,112

2,919

4,895

2021
£000

2020
£000

57,776

89,335

(11,614)

53,169

68,819

(6,092)

135,497

115,896

3,804,062

3,585,693

(3,668,565)

(3,469,797)

135,497

115,896

At 30 September 2021 retentions held by customers amounted to £14.2m (2020: £10.3m). Advances received from customers for 
contract work amounted to £11.6m (2020: £6.1m).

Amounts due from construction contract customers which are past due at the reporting date amounted to £3.2m (2020: £4.9m).

This amount includes retention balances of £1.0m (2020: £2.1m). The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances or other 
trade and other receivables.

Contract revenue recognised in the year amounted to £790.1m (2020: £620.4m).

114

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
 
 
18 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank

Cash in hand

19 Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities

Trade payables

Other taxation and social security

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

20 Borrowings

Bank overdraft and loans repayable:

Within one year

Within two to five years

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

2021
£000

869

12

881

2021
£000

11,614

49,398

22,926

5,906

117,823

207,667

2021
£000

14,609

 —

14,609

2020
£000

13,388

8

13,396

2020
£000

6,092

44,170

30,695

6,092

105,321

192,370

2020
£000

8,752

4,373

13,125

The QTS acquisition was partially funded by a £35m loan from HSBC; £4.4m (2020: £13.1m) of loan instalments remain which will be cleared 
by 31 March 2022. The bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the Group’s UK assets. The Group has committed debt 
facilities of £44.2m in the form of a revolving credit facility with HSBC UK Bank plc and National Westminster Bank plc which is committed 
until January 2024. In addition, the Group has a further £10.0m overdraft also with HSBC which is renewed annually in January.

21 Lease liabilities

Amounts payable under leases:

Within one year

Within two to five years

Less: future finance charges

Present value of lease obligations

Less: amount due for settlement within twelve months

Amount due for settlement after twelve months

Minimum lease payments

Present value of minimum  
lease payments

2021
£000

2020
£000

2021
£000

2020
£000

6,426

9,727

16,153

(552)

15,601

6,426

9,727

16,153

(759)

15,394

6,180

9,421

15,601

 —

15,601

(6,180)

9,421

6,047

9,347

15,394

 —

15,394

(6,047)

9,347

It is the Group’s policy to lease certain of its plant, vehicles and equipment under finance leases. The average outstanding lease term is 3 years 
(2020: 3 years). For the year ended 30 September 2021, the average effective borrowing rate was c.3% (2020: c.3%). Interest rates are fixed at 
the contract date. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangement has been entered into for contingent rental payments.

Following the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases” from 1 October 2019 lease liabilities include both finance lease liabilities together with liabilities 
associated with Right of use assets. The present value of minimum lease payments can be split:

Within one year

Within two to five years

Finance lease
£000

Right of use
£000

2,529

2,160

4,689

3,651

7,261

10,912

Total
2021
£000

6,180

9,421

Total
2020
£000

6,047

9,347

15,601

15,394

All lease obligations are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations approximates to their carrying amount. 
The Group’s obligations under finance leases are secured on the asset to which the lease relates.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

115

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

22 Provisions

At 1 October 2020

Movement in provision during the year

At 30 September 2021

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

At 30 September 2021

Property
obligations
£000

452

 —

452

441

11

452

Other
provisions
£000

2,750

 —

2,750

 —

2,750

2,750

Total
£000

3,202

 —

3,202

441

2,761

3,202

Property obligations represent commitments on leases for properties where the Group expects outflows to occur at the end of the lease.

Other provisions are in respect of various contractual or legal disputes, the outcome of which cannot be assessed with a high degree of 
certainty. A liability is only recognised where, based on the Group’s view or legal advice, it is considered probable that an outflow of 
resource will be required to settle a present obligation that can be measured reliably.

23 Other financial instruments
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise bank loans, cash and short-term deposits and obligations under finance leases. 
The main purpose of these financial instruments is to provide finance for the Group’s operations. The Group has various other financial 
instruments such as trade receivables and trade payables that arise directly from its operations. 

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken. 
The disclosures below provide information about the contractual terms of the Group’s interest bearing deposits, loans and borrowings.

Interest rate profile of financial assets and liabilities

2021

Assets

Sterling

Dollar

Liabilities

Sterling

2020

Assets

Sterling

Dollar

Liabilities

Sterling

Financial assets/(liabilities)

Fixed rate
interest rate
 %

Fixed 
rate
£000

Floating
rate
£000

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

438

431

869

Total
£000

438

431

869

3.0

(15,601)

(14,609)

(30,210)

(15,601)

(14,609)

(30,210)

Fixed rate
interest rate
 %

Financial assets/(liabilities)

Fixed 
rate
£000

Floating
rate
£000

 —

 —

3.0

 —

 —

 —

(15,394)

(15,394)

12,949

439

13,388

(13,125)

(13,125)

Total
£000

12,949

439

13,388

(28,519)

(28,519)

The interest bearing assets accrue interest at prevailing market rates. Generally the Group holds deposits which are repayable on demand.

The sterling interest bearing liabilities accrue interest at a rate which is linked to the lender’s base rate or LIBOR. 

The maturity of the fixed rate financial liabilities is disclosed in Note 21. The fixed rate liabilities have a weighted average period of  
3 years (2020: 3 years). 

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
There are no material differences between fair value and the book value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities.

116

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

23 Other financial instruments continued
Financial risks
The Group has exposure to a number of financial risks through the conduct of its operations. Risk management is governed by the 
Group’s operational policies, guidelines and authorisation procedures which are outlined in the Corporate governance statement.  
The key financial risks resulting from financial instruments are credit, liquidity, currency and market risk.

a) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss if a customer fails to meet its financial obligations and results primarily from the Group’s trade and other 
receivables. The degree to which the Group is exposed to this risk depends on the individual financial situation of each specific 
customer. The Group assesses the credit worthiness of every customer prior to entering into any contract and requires appropriate 
evidence of financial capability on a case by case basis. The Group reviews trade and other receivables for impairment on a regular basis 
and information relating to the ageing of receivables is provided in Note 16. The Group does not use any form of invoice discounting or 
debt factoring.

b) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Board is responsible for 
ensuring that the Group has sufficient liquidity to meet its financial liabilities as they fall due and does so by monitoring cashflow 
forecasts and budgets. The Board has considered the cashflow forecasts for the next twelve months which show that the Group expects 
to operate within its working capital facilities throughout the year. 

The Board aims to maintain a strong capital base so as to ensure investor and market confidence and to sustain the future of the 
business. The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the Company as disclosed in Note 24 and 
reserves as disclosed in Note 25. The Group arranges loans and short term overdraft facilities and hire purchase facilities as the Board 
deems necessary. The Group does not have any derivative or non-derivative financial liabilities other than those disclosed in Notes 20 
and 21 and the retirement benefit obligations disclosed in Note 28.

An analysis of the maturity profile for finance lease liabilities is given in Note 21.

c) Currency risk
The principal exposure of the Group to currency risk (i.e. exposure to gains or losses on foreign exchange which would be recognised in 
the income statement) has been in respect of an inter-company loan amounting to £Nil (2020: £230,000). The foreign exchange charge 
to finance costs amounted to £Nil (2020: £Nil). Exchange rate movements on translation of Lovell America, Inc’s net assets are charged 
to the cumulative translation adjustment within total equity. The exchange loss arising on the translation of Lovell America Inc’s net 
assets was £8,000. The total equity statement would be impacted by £2,000 for each $0.01 movement in exchange rates.

All functional currencies of the Group operations are denominated in sterling, with the exception of the U.S. subsidiary’s bank account 
whose functional currency is the US dollar.

d) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices will affect the Group’s income or the carrying amount of its holding of financial instruments. 
The principal risk relates to interest rates where the Group’s risk is limited to the rates applying to its interest bearing short-term deposits and its 
bank loan. A reduction in market interest rates could lead to a reduction in the Group’s interest income and a reduction in its interest costs. 
Consequently a 1% decrease in market interest rates would reduce annual finance costs by £10,000 for every £1m of outstanding loan.

The Group’s hire purchase financial liabilities are all at fixed rates of interest.

24 Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

2021
£000

2020
£000

78,681,334 (2020: 78,555,054) Ordinary Shares of 10p each

7,868

7,856

The holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share 
at meetings of the Company.

On 15 December 2020 126,280 Ordinary Shares were issued pursuant to the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan.

Share options
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan
At the Annual General Meeting held on 25 January 2012 the shareholders approved the long term incentive plan (“LTIP”) which 
succeeded the Renew Holdings plc 2004 Executive Share Option Scheme as the Directors believed that the LTIP was a more effective 
method of aligning executive and shareholder interests.

As at 30 September 2021, there were 860,857 options outstanding under the scheme. On 4 December 2020, options to subscribe for  
a further 242,161 Ordinary Shares were granted. During the year 126,280 options were exercised and 119,720 did not vest. No options 
lapsed during the year.

The options are exercisable at a nominal cost or at the par value of an Ordinary Share three years after the date of grant subject to the 
achievement of certain performance criteria. Details of the options are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. To the extent that 
there is a gain arising in respect of the approved options noted above, the option holder will forfeit LTIP options to the same value.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

117

 
 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

24 Share capital continued
Share options continued
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan continued
Vesting of one half of the options is dependent on absolute growth in the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (’TSR’), and the other 
half is dependent on the Company’s TSR performance as compared to the TSR achieved by other companies in a comparator group 
of companies selected by the Remuneration Committee. All TSR calculations are based on the average of the opening and closing 
share price over a 30 day period prior to the commencement and the end of the performance period.

The absolute TSR growth target requires the Company’s TSR over the three year performance period to grow by more than 25%. For TSR 
growth between 25% and 100%, the half of the option which is subject to the absolute TSR growth target vests on a straight-line basis 
from nil vesting at 25% growth, to 100% vesting at 100% growth. There will be no vesting if TSR growth is 25% or less.

The comparator group TSR performance target measures the Company’s TSR over the 3 year performance period against the TSR of a 
group of companies selected by the Remuneration Committee. If the Company’s TSR performance falls below the median performance 
of the comparator group then the options lapse forthwith. If the Company is ranked within the top decile of the comparator group the 
options shall vest in full. If the Company’s TSR performance is ranked between the median position and the top decile of the comparator 
group then the options shall vest on a straight line basis from nil, at or below the median position, to 100% at the top decile.

25 Reserves

At 1 October 2019

Transfer from income statement for the year

Dividends paid

Recognition of share based payments

New shares issued

Exchange differences

Actuarial movement recognised in pension schemes

Movement on deferred tax relating to the pension schemes

Share
 premium
account
£000

51,904

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

3,896

Cumulative
translation
reserve
£000

1,339

Share based
payments
reserve
£000

576

14,474

245

(23)

At 1 October 2020

66,378

3,896

1,316

821

Transfer from income statement for the year

Dividends paid

Recognition of share based payments

New shares issued

Exchange differences

Actuarial movement recognised in pension schemes

Movement on deferred tax relating to the pension schemes

258

(8)

Retained
earnings
£000

27,010

20,752

(5,778)

(2,775)

971

40,180

30,463

(10,354)

647

(25,672)

9,026

At 30 September 2021

66,378

3,896

1,308

1,079

44,290

There is no available analysis of goodwill written off against reserves in respect of subsidiaries that were acquired prior to 1989 and 
therefore, in accordance with the guidance of IAS 36, the Directors are not able to state this figure.

Capital redemption reserve
This reserve represents the combined impact of share buy-backs and cancellations in previous years.

Cumulative translation reserve
This reserve represents the foreign exchange movement on translating the opening net assets of Lovell America, Inc., the Group’s 
discontinued U.S. subsidiary.

Share based payments reserve
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan
Fair value has been independently measured by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP using a Monte Carlo model methodology. The fair value 
determined at the grant date of the equity settled share based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, 
based on the Board’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest. 

£258,000 (2020: £245,000) has been charged to administrative expenses in accordance with IFRS 2. There is no impact on net assets 
since an equivalent amount has been credited to the share based payments reserve. 126,280 options were exercised and 119,720 
options did not vest during the year. The value per option represents the fair value of the option less the consideration payable.

The expected volatility has been calculated based on weekly historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the three years prior to the 
date of grant. The risk free rate of return has been based on the yields available on three year UK government bonds as at the date of grant.

118

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25 Reserves continued
Share based payments reserve continued
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan continued
Options granted under the Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan over the Company’s Ordinary Shares at 30 September 2021 
were as follows:

Date of grant

3 December 2018

20 February 2020

4 December 2020

Total

Awards outstanding at 30 September 2021

– Directors and employees

Exercise price

Price at date of grant

Maximum option life

319,126

10.0p

350.00p

10 years

299,570

10.0p

548.00p

10 years

242,161

10.0p

522.00p

10 years

860,857

Assumed option life for purposes of valuation

2.83 years

2.61 years

2.79 years

Expected volatility

Risk free interest rate

Value per option

28%

0.75%

226.0p

27%

0.46%

519.0p

38%

(0.09)%

495.0p

26 Capital and leasing commitments
With regard to the leases held by the Group as lessor, the Group recognised £172,000 (2020: £197,000) of rental income in the income 
statement for 2021, relating to sub-letting of surplus premises. 

The future minimum sub-lease receipts expected to be received under non-cancellable operating leases which all relate to land and 
buildings are as follows:

Receivables under non-cancellable operating leases:

Under one year

Two to five years

2021
£000

172

67

239

2020
£000

184

110

294

The Group had capital commitments at 30 September 2021 of £3,953,000 (2020: £443,000).

27 Contingent liabilities
Under the terms of the Group’s banking agreement, security over the Group’s UK assets has been granted to the Group’s bankers.

Liabilities have been recorded based on the Directors’ best estimate of uncertain contract positions, known legal claims, investigations 
and legal actions in progress. The Group takes legal advice as to the likelihood of the success of claims and actions and no liability 
is recorded where the Directors consider, based on that advice, that the action is unlikely to succeed, or that the Group cannot make 
a sufficiently reliable estimate of the potential obligation. The Group also has contingent liabilities in respect of other issues that may 
have occurred, but where no claim has been made and it is not possible to reliably estimate the potential obligation (see Note 1d).

The Company has given guarantees and entered into counter-indemnities in respect of bonds relating to certain of the Group’s own 
contracts. The Company has also given guarantees in respect of certain contractual obligations of its subsidiaries. Performance 
guarantees are treated as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that payment will be required under its terms.

28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations
Defined benefit pension schemes
The Group operates two defined benefit pension schemes, the Lovell Pension Scheme and the Amco Pension Scheme. Both schemes 
have been closed to new members and to further benefits accrual for many years.

IAS 19 “Employee Benefits”
The Directors have adopted the accounting required by IAS 19. The Directors have discussed the assumptions used in determining 
the actuarial valuations set out below with independent pensions advisors and have determined that they are appropriate. The Lovell 
scheme’s valuation at 30 September 2021 shows a surplus of £661,000 based on the assumptions set out below. The Amco scheme 
shows a deficit of £(152,000) based on the assumptions used in its valuation which are similar to those used for the Lovell scheme 
except where the Directors, in consultation with the scheme’s advisors, consider it appropriate to vary them due to the different 
characteristics of the Amco scheme and its membership profile. The Directors have determined that it is appropriate to recognise the 
surplus in the Lovell scheme as, having reviewed the rules of the scheme, they are of the view that the employer has an unconditional 
right to that surplus.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

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Notes to the accounts continued

28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” continued
The following disclosures required by IAS 19 have been based on the most recent actuarial valuation as at 30 September 2021 carried 
out by Lane Clark & Peacock LLP, Consulting Actuaries, in respect of the Lovell scheme and Capita Employee Benefits (Consulting) 
Limited in respect of the Amco scheme using the following assumptions:

Lovell Pension Scheme

Rate of increase in salaries

RPI increases to pensions in payment

Discount rate

Inflation assumption (CPI)

Inflation assumption (RPI)

Increases in deferred pensions

Amco Pension Scheme

Rate of increase in salaries

RPI increases to pensions in payment

Discount rate

Inflation assumption (CPI)

Inflation assumption (RPI)

Increases in deferred pensions

As at
30 September
2021

As at
30 September
2020

As at
30 September
2019

4.0%

4.3%

2.0%

2.7%

3.5%

3.4%

3.0%

3.5%

1.9%

3.0%

3.7%

3.0%

4.0%

4.2%

1.5%

2.1%

2.9%

2.9%

2.2%

2.9%

1.5%

2.2%

2.9%

2.2%

4.0%

4.2%

1.9%

2.1%

3.2%

3.1%

2.1%

3.0%

1.8%

2.1%

3.1%

2.1%

The mortality tables adopted for the valuation of the Lovell scheme are the 95% S2NA tables with future improvements in line with the Continuing 
Mortality Investigations 2020 model with long term improvement rates of 1.25% per annum for both males and females. The Directors believe that 
this analysis provides a more reliable estimate of the mortality characteristics of the scheme’s membership. Under these assumptions, a 65 year 
old male pensioner is forecast to live for a further 22.5 years and the further life expectancy of a male aged 65 in 2040 is 23.8 years.

The mortality tables adopted for the valuation of the Amco scheme are the S3PA Mortality tables with future improvements in line with the 
Continuing Mortality Investigations 2020 model with long term improvement rates of 1.25% per annum for both males and females. The Directors 
believe that this analysis provides a more reliable estimate of the mortality characteristics of the scheme’s membership. Under these assumptions, 
a 65 year old male pensioner is forecast to live for a further 22.1 years and the further life expectancy of a male aged 65 in 2040 is 23.4 years.

The assets in the Lovell scheme were:

Annuities

Diversified portfolio

Cash 

Total

Value as at
30 September
2021
£000

158,685

880

3,362

Current
allocation

97%

1%

2%

Value as at
30 September
2020
£000

87,497

114,039

2,149

Value as at
30 September
2019
£000

89,317

106,775

666

Current
allocation

43%

56%

1%

162,927

100%

203,685

100%

196,758

Current
allocation

45%

54%

1%

100%

The Trustees of the Lovell Pension Scheme purchased a bulk annuity from Rothesay life in November 2020 to de-risk the defined benefit 
scheme obligation. This covers all remaining insured scheme benefits following previous bulk annuity transactions in 2011 and 2016.

The Company took the decision to fund the buy-in based on the following considerations:

•  a buy-in will remove volatility of the scheme from the balance sheet of the Company, and no further contributions would be expected; and

•  the buy-in will transfer the pension risk associated with the scheme to a third party insurer. The only risk remaining will be the 

counterparty risk of the insurer.

The difference between the annuity purchase price and the defined benefit obligation covered by the policy has been accounted for 
in other comprehensive income. The accounting treatment is based on the following considerations made by the Company:

•  the employer is not relieved of primary responsibility for the obligation. The policy simply covers the benefit payments that continue 

to be payable by the scheme;

•  the contract is effectively an investment of the scheme; and

•  the contract provides the option to convert the annuity into individual policies which would transfer the obligation to the insurer 

(known as a “buy-out”). Whilst this course of action may be considered in future, this is not a requirement and a separate decision  
will be required before any buy-out proceeds. There are currently no plans either by management or Trustees to convert the buy-in 
contract to individual policies.

120

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28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” continued
The assets in the Amco scheme were:

Annuities

Diversified portfolio

Cash 

Total

Value as at
30 September
2021
£000

6,198

8,426

641

Current
allocation

41%

55%

4%

15,265

100%

Value as at
30 September
2020
£000

6,738

8,052

317

15,107

Value as at
30 September
2019
£000

6,685

8,329

213

15,227

Current
allocation

45%

53%

2%

100%

Current
allocation

44%

55%

1%

100%

During 2013, the Trustees of the Amco scheme, in consultation with the Directors, used scheme assets to purchase annuities which 
match certain pension liabilities in a transaction known as a “buy in”. This asset provides protection against falls in gilt yields and risks 
in the performance of other asset classes. 

Scheme Funding Levels and Actuarial Valuations 
Lovell Pension Scheme
The scheme actuary carried out the triennial valuation of the Lovell Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2018. The scheme showed a deficit 
of £0.3m compared to £12.1m when measured as at 31 March 2015. On 26 November 2020, the Trustees of the Lovell Scheme, in 
consultation with the Directors, used scheme assets to purchase annuities which match certain pension liabilities in a transaction known 
as a “buy-in” where the annuity policy remains an asset of the scheme. Following the conclusion of the buy-in, all the scheme’s liabilities 
are now matched within the annuities which has removed the scheme’s investment and funding risk. Consequently, there has been 
a reduction in the IAS 19 Retirement Benefit assets in the Group’s accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021. The next triennial 
valuation is due as at 31 March 2021. 

For accounting purposes under IAS19, actuaries use different assumptions than for the triennial valuation. The major difference relates 
to assumptions concerning the future return on assets of the scheme which includes a number of return seeking assets invested with 
BlackRock Asset Management. The key sensitivity for the valuation of the scheme under IAS19 is the selection of the discount rate which 
is the major determinant in measuring scheme liabilities. A reduction of 0.1% in the discount rate would increase scheme liabilities by 
£2.0m. Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the other key assumptions, and a reasonably possible change is not considered likely 
to give rise to a materially different valuation to the surplus.

Amco Pension Scheme
The scheme actuary carried out the triennial valuation of the Amco Pension Scheme as at 31 December 2019. The scheme showed a deficit 
of £0.8m compared to £3.4m when measured as at 31 December 2016. The subsidiary undertaking has agreed a revised recovery plan with 
the Trustees which commits the subsidiary undertaking to paying annual contributions of £504,000 which is expected to result in the 
elimination of this deficit by 31 March 2026. This recovery plan aims to eliminate the deficit under the Statutory Funding Objective of the 
Pensions Act 2004. The subsidiary undertaking may be required to make further contributions to achieve a buy-in of all pension liabilities. 

For accounting purposes under IAS19, actuaries use different assumptions than for the triennial valuation. The major difference relates 
to assumptions concerning the future return on assets of the scheme which includes a number of return seeking assets invested with 
BlackRock Asset Management. The key sensitivity for the valuation of the scheme under IAS19 is the selection of the discount rate which 
is the major determinant in measuring scheme liabilities. A reduction of 0.1% in the discount rate would increase scheme liabilities by £0.2m. 
Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the other key assumptions, and a reasonably possible change is not considered likely to give 
rise to a materially different valuation to the surplus.

Recognition of Pension Schemes’ Surplus
Having taken legal advice with regard to the rights of the Company under the trust deeds and rules, the Directors do believe there is 
a right to recognise a pension surplus on an accounting basis for the Lovell scheme. The Directors do not believe that the surplus on 
an accounting basis will result in a surplus on an actuarial funding basis. However, the Directors are required to account for the plan’s 
surplus as required by IFRS. As the Group has a legal right to benefit from the surplus, under IAS 19 and IFRIC 14, it must recognise the 
economic benefit it considers to arise from either a reduction to its future contributions or a refund of the surplus. This is a technical 
adjustment made on an accounting basis. Management does not believe there is an asset ceiling under IFRIC 14 which limits the 
economic benefit available. There is no cash benefit from the surplus.

Scheme Governance
Both the Lovell Pension Scheme and the Amco Pension Scheme have boards of trustees chaired by an independent professional 
trustee, Capital Cranfield Trustees Ltd. The Lovell Pension Scheme also has member-elected trustees who must be members of the 
scheme. Both Renew Holdings plc for the Lovell Pension Scheme, and Amalgamated Construction Ltd for the Amco Pension Scheme 
have the right to appoint employer-nominated trustees although neither has elected to do so other than to appoint Capital Cranfield 
Trustees Ltd. 

The Lovell Pension Scheme trustees are advised by Lane, Clark & Peacock LLP on both actuarial and investment matters. The Lovell 
Scheme investments are independently managed by BlackRock Asset Management which is set a target return against which the trustees 
monitor its performance on a regular basis. Annuities purchased in both 2011 and 2016 are held by Legal & General and Just Retirement. 

The Amco Pension Scheme trustees are advised by Capita Employee Benefits (Consulting) Ltd on both actuarial and investment matters. 
The Amco Scheme investments are independently managed by BlackRock Asset Management which is set a target return against which 
the trustees monitor its performance on a regular basis.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

121

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” continued
Diversified Portfolio
BlackRock Asset Management’s portfolio, described above as “diversified portfolio”, can consist of a wide range of underlying, return-seeking 
assets including but not restricted to equities, bonds, gilts, cash, commodities and other openly traded assets.

The following amounts at 30 September were measured in accordance with the requirements of IAS 19.

Lovell Pension Scheme

Movements in scheme assets and obligations

Total fair value of scheme assets brought forward

Interest on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Running costs

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Total fair value of scheme assets carried forward

Present value of scheme obligations brought forward

Interest on scheme obligations

Current and past service costs

Past service cost and settlements

Benefits paid

Guaranteed minimum payment equalisation* 

Actuarial movement due to experience on benefit obligation

Actuarial movement due to changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial movement due to changes in demographic assumptions

2021
£000

2020
£000

203,685

196,758

2,978

56

(8,930)

—

(34,862)

162,927

176,348

2,565

61

 —

(8,930)

1,000

(237)

(10,217)

1,676

3,703

4,313

(8,401)

(13)

7,325

203,685

172,685

3,201

56

 —

(8,401)

—

(596)

8,388

1,015

Total fair value of scheme obligations carried forward

162,266

176,348

Surplus in the scheme

Deferred tax

Net surplus

Amount charged to operating profit:

Current and past service costs

Running costs

Amount credited to other financial income:

Interest on scheme assets

Interest on scheme obligations

Net pension interest

Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Actuarial movement due to changes in assumptions on scheme obligations

Actuarial movement

Movement in the net scheme surplus during the year:

Net scheme surplus brought forward

Current and past service costs

Running costs

Employer contributions

Guaranteed minimum payment equalisation* 

Net pension interest

Actuarial movement

Net scheme surplus carried forward

122

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

661

(231)

430

(61)

—

(61)

2,978

(2,565)

413

(34,862)

8,778

(26,084)

27,337

(9,568)

17,769

(56)

(13)

(69)

3,703

(3,201)

502

7,325

(8,807)

(1,482)

27,337

24,073

(61)

—

56

(1,000)

413

(26,084)

661

(56)

(13)

4,313

 —

502

(1,482)

27,337

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28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” continued
Lovell Pension Scheme continued
On 26 October 2018, the High Court handed down a judgment involving the Lloyds Banking Group’s defined benefit pension schemes. 
The judgment concluded the schemes should be amended to equalise pension benefits for men and women in relation to guaranteed 
minimum pension benefits. The issues determined by the judgment arose in relation to many other defined benefit pension schemes. 

* On 20 November 2020 the High Court handed down a further judgment in the Lloyds Bank case regarding equalising for guaranteed 
minimum pension benefits (“GMP’s”). The judge found that pension schemes do have a liability to pay top-ups to members who 
transferred out in the past. The impact of the additional liabilities amounted to £1,000,000 for the Lovell Pension Scheme which is 
disclosed separately in the above table.

The following amounts at 30 September were measured in accordance with the requirements of IAS 19.

Amco Pension Scheme

Movements in scheme assets and obligations

Total fair value of scheme assets brought forward

Expected return on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Total fair value of scheme assets carried forward

Present value of scheme obligations brought forward

Interest on scheme obligations

Past service cost and settlements

Benefits paid

Actuarial movement due to changes in financial and demographic assumptions

Total fair value of scheme obligations carried forward

(Deficit)/surplus in the scheme

Deferred tax

Net surplus

Amount credited to other financial income:

Interest on scheme assets

Interest on scheme obligations

Net pension interest

Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Actuarial movement due to changes in assumptions on scheme obligations

Actuarial movement

Movement in the net scheme (deficit)/surplus during the year:

Net scheme surplus brought forward

Employer contributions 

Past service cost and settlements

Net pension interest

Actuarial movement

Net scheme (deficit)/surplus carried forward

2021
£000

2020
£000

15,107

226

504

(641)

69

15,265

14,385

211

1,805

(641)

(343)

15,417

(152)

38

(114)

226

(211)

15

69

343

412

722

504

(1,805)

15

412

(152)

15,227

258

504

(1,450)

568

15,107

13,746

228

 —

(1,450)

1,861

14,385

722

(253)

469

258

(228)

30

568

(1,861)

(1,293)

1,481

504

 —

30

(1,293)

722

On 26 October 2018, the High Court handed down a judgment involving the Lloyds Banking Group’s defined benefit pension schemes.  
The judgment concluded the schemes should be amended to equalise pension benefits for men and women in relation to guaranteed 
minimum pension benefits. The issues determined by the judgment arose in relation to many other defined benefit pension schemes. 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

123

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

28 Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” continued
Amco Pension Scheme continued
On 20 November 2020 the High Court handed down a further judgment in the Lloyds Bank case regarding equalising for guaranteed 
minimum pension benefits (“GMP’s”). The judge found that pension schemes do have a liability to pay top-ups to members who transferred 
out in the past. The impact of the additional liabilities amounted to £107,000 for the Amco Pension Scheme which is disclosed within past 
service costs and settlements.

The Amco defined benefit scheme recognised an actuarial estimate of £1,698,000 additional liabilities from extending the Barber window 
to be in line with recent legal advice received by the Trustee as part of a potential “buy-in” transaction to remove the scheme’s investment 
and funding risk. This legal advice indicates that the scheme may not have equalised normal pension age (NPA) as previously assumed 
in the early 1990’s, and that the NPA for members in service in May 1991 may be 60 for a higher proportion of their service.

Lovell Pension Scheme

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on 
scheme assets

As a percentage of the assets at the end of the year

Total amount recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income 

As a percentage of the obligations at the end of the year

2021
£000

(34,862)

 (21.4)%

(26,084)

(16.1)%

2020
£000

7,325

 3.6%

(1,482)

(0.8)% 

2019
£000

27,897

 14.2%

3,904

2.3%

2018
£000

(1,138)

 (0.7)%

5,076

3.4%

2017
£000

(14,565)

 (8.4)%

(2,506)

(1.5)%

The Lovell scheme has been in operation for many years and, after taking advice from the Group’s pensions advisors, the Directors have 
determined that it is not possible to allocate the assets and liabilities of the scheme between the various Group companies. The surplus for 
the scheme is accounted for in the individual financial statements of Renew Holdings plc which is legally the sponsoring employer for the plan.

Amco Pension Scheme

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on 
scheme assets

As a percentage of the assets at the end of the year

Total amount recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income 

As a percentage of the obligations at the end of the year

2021
£000

69

0.0%

412

2.7%

2020
£000

568

3.8%

2019
£000

1,364

9.0%

(1,293)

(9.0)%

(361)

 (2.6)%

2018
£000

(90)

 (0.6)%

401

 3.0%

2017
£000

(680)

 (4.7)%

417

 2.8%

The Amco scheme’s sole employer is the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Amalgamated Construction Ltd. 

Defined contribution pension schemes
The Group operates a number of defined contribution pension schemes and individual stakeholder pension plans for its employees. 
The Group made contributions of £8,274,000 (2020: £6,932,000) into these plans during the year. There are also £660,000 
(2020: £513,000) of accruals relating to these plans.

29 Related parties
The Group has a related party relationship with its key management personnel who were Directors of the Company during the year: 
P Scott, AP Liebenberg, SC Wyndham-Quin, DM Forbes, DA Brown, SD Dasani and SA Hazell, whose total compensation amounted to 
£2,746,000 (2020: £2,104,000) all of which was represented by short-term employment benefits, including £682,000 (2020: £362,000) 
relating to share option charges, in accordance with IFRS 2. An analysis of this compensation is given in Note 6. 

There were no other transactions with key management personnel in the year.

30 Alternative performance measures
Renew uses a variety of alternative performance measures (’APMs’) which, although financial measures of either historical or future 
performance, financial position or cash flows, are not defined or specified by IFRSs. The Directors use a combination of APMs and IFRS 
measures when reviewing the financial performance, position and cash of the Group. 

The Directors believe that APMs provide a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the business because they remove 
the impact of non-trading related accounting adjustments. Furthermore, they believe that the Group’s shareholders use these APMs when 
assessing the performance of the Group and it is therefore appropriate to give them prominence in the Annual Report and Accounts.

124

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N
T
S

30 Alternative performance measures continued
The APMs used by the Group are defined below:

Net Cash/(Debt) – This is the cash and cash equivalents less bank debt. This measure is visible in Note 32. The Directors consider this 
to be a good indicator of the financing position of the Group. 

Adjusted operating profit (£51.211m) and adjusted profit before tax (£50.822m) – Both of these measures are reconciled to total 
operating profit and total profit before tax on the face of the consolidated income statement. The Directors consider that the removal 
of exceptional items and amortisation provides a better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group. The equivalent 
GAAP measures are operating profit (£41.141m) and profit before tax (£40.752m). 

Adjusted operating margin (6.5%) – This is calculated by dividing operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 
intangible assets (£51.211m) by group revenue including share of joint venture (£790.995m) both of which are visible on the face of the 
income statement. The Directors believe that removing exceptional items and amortisation from the operating profit margin calculation 
provides a better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group. The equivalent GAAP measure is operating profit margin 
(5.2%) which is calculated by dividing operating profit (£41.141m) from group revenue including share of joint venture (£790.995m). 

Adjusted earnings per share (50.51p) – This measure is reconciled to the earnings per share calculation based on earnings before 
exceptional items and amortisation in Note 9. The Directors believe that removing exceptional items and amortisation from the EPS 
calculation provides a better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group. 

Group Revenue (£790.995m) – This measure is visible on the face of the income statement as Revenue: Group including share 
of joint ventures. 

Group order book, Engineering Services order book and Specialist Building order book – This measure is calculated by the 
Directors taking a conservative view on secured orders and visible workload through long-term frameworks. 

Engineering Services revenue (£706.682m) – This measure is visible in Note 2 part (a) business analysis as Engineering Services 
Revenue including share of joint venture. The Directors consider this to be a good indicator of the underlying performance of the 
Group’s Engineering Services business. 

Adjusted Engineering Services operating profit (£51.526m) – This measure is visible in Note 2 part (a) business analysis as 
Engineering Services operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets. The Directors consider this 
to be a good indicator of the underlying performance of the Group’s Engineering Services business. The GAAP equivalent measure 
is engineering services operating profit (£42.456m) which is also visible in Note 2 part (a). 

Adjusted Engineering Services operating profit margin (7.3%) – This is calculated in the same way as adjusted operating profit margin 
but based on the adjusted Engineering Services operating profit (£51.526m) and the Engineering Services revenue (£706.682m) figures 
as set out above. The equivalent GAAP measure is engineering services operating profit margin (6.0%) which is calculated by dividing 
engineering services operating profit (£42.456m) from engineering services revenue including share of joint venture (£706.682m). 

Organic growth (19%) reflects the companies’ revenue growth year on year excluding the impact of any acquisitions made in the 
current or comparative financial period. For the current financial year the impact of Carnell was excluded for FY’21 and FY’20; Browne 
and REL were excluded from the FY’21 calculation.

31 Reconciliation of net cashflow to net cash/(debt)

(Decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents

Decrease in bank borrowings

(Decrease)/increase in net cash from cash flows

Net cash/(debt) at 1 October

Net (debt)/cash at 30 September

32 Analysis of net cash/(debt)

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank loans

Net (debt)/cash

2021
£000

(22,751)

8,752

(13,999)

2020
£000

1,729

8,750

10,479

271

(10,208)

(13,728)

271

At 1 October
2020
£000

13,396

(13,125)

Cash At 30 September
flows
2021
£000
£000

(22,751)

8,752

(9,355)

(4,373)

271

(13,999)

(13,728)

Previously, Renew Holdings plc has not included finance lease liabilities within its measure of net debt due to their asset-backed nature. 
Therefore, whilst IFRS 16 has brought additional lease liabilities onto the balance sheet, the standard has had no effect on the Group’s 
net debt measure, which has been calculated consistently with previous reporting periods.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

125

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

32 Analysis of net cash/(debt) continued
Alternative measurement of debt
Some stakeholders include leasing commitments within their definition of net debt. The equivalent figures on that basis are:

Net (debt)/cash (as above)

Finance lease liabilities

Net debt including finance leases

IFRS 16 right of use liabilities

Net debt including all lease liabilities

2021
£000

(13,728)

(4,689)

(18,417)

(10,912)

(29,329)

2020
£000

271

(5,494)

(5,223)

(9,900)

(15,123)

33 Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking – J Browne Group Holdings Ltd
On 26 March 2021, the Company acquired the whole of the issued share capital of J Browne Group Holdings Ltd (“J Browne”) for a cash 
consideration of £29.5m plus a net cash and working capital adjustment of £12.0m. The £12.0m represents J Browne’s surplus cash held 
in an escrow account at completion which was subsequently paid to the vendors. The net acquisition cost was funded by a combination 
of cash and the Group’s existing revolving credit facility provided by HSBC UK Bank plc and National Westminster Bank plc.

The provisional value of the assets and liabilities of J Browne at the date of acquisition were:

Book value
£000

Adjustments
£000

Fair value
£000

2,674

 —

453

176

259

3,562

35

24,310

293

24,638

28,200

—

 —

—

(9,976)

(72)

(575)

(10,623)

(10,623)

17,577

8,726

12,236

 —

317

5,632

26,911

 —

 —

 —

 —

26,911

(244)

(2,671)

(2,915)

 —

(73)

 —

(73)

(2,988)

23,923

11,400

12,236

453

493

5,891

30,473

35

24,310

293

24,638

55,111

(244)

(2,671)

(2,915)

(9,976)

(145)

(575)

(10,696)

(13,611)

41,500

Non-current assets

Intangible assets – goodwill

– other

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use assets

Investment in joint ventures

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Current tax liability

Total liabilities

Net assets 

126

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

33 Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking – J Browne Group Holdings Ltd continued
Goodwill of £11,400,000 arises on acquisition and will be reviewed annually for impairment. The goodwill is attributable to the expertise 
and workforce of the acquired business. Other intangible assets provisionally valued at £12,236,000, which represent customer 
relationships and contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with 
IAS 38. Deferred tax has been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset commenced from April 2021.

Investment in joint ventures
Goodwill of £3,812,000 arises on acquisition and will be reviewed annually for impairment. The goodwill is attributable to the expertise 
and workforce of the acquired business. Other intangible assets provisionally valued at £1,820,000, which represent customer 
relationships and contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with 
IAS 38. Deferred tax has been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset commenced from April 2021.

Right of use assets
J Browne’s statutory accounts are reported under FRS 102. The group has made an adjustment for operating leases obtained on 
acquisition whereby the leases are capitalised based on discounted future lease payments together with an equivalent leasing liability  
to be consistent with IFRS 16 “Leases”.

Trade and other receivables includes £12,000,000 held in an escrow account and represents the part of the acquisition self-funded 
by J Browne.

Fair value adjustments arising from the acquisition
In accordance with IFRS 3, the Board will review the fair value of assets and liabilities using information available up to 12 months after 
the date of acquisition. Fair value has been calculated using Level 3 inputs as defined by IFRS 13. 

Deferred tax liabilities
A deferred tax liability has been recognised in relation to the amortisation of other intangible assets.

Goodwill impairment review
The Board has reviewed the goodwill arising on acquisition for impairment as required by IFRS 3. No such impairment was identified. 

If the acquisition of JBC had occurred on 1 October 2020, Group revenue would have been approximately £825.1m and profit before tax 
for the year ended 30 September 2021 would have been approximately £53.4m.

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

127

 
 
Notes to the accounts continued

34 Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking – Rail Electrification Limited
On 28 May 2021 QTS Group Limited, a wholly owned Group subsidiary, acquired the whole of the issued share capital of Rail Electrification 
Limited (“REL”) for a cash consideration of £3m plus a net cash and working capital adjustment of £0.6m. £1.32m deferred consideration 
has also been provided which is performance related. The acquisition cost was funded entirely by the subsidiary’s cash reserves.

The provisional value of the assets and liabilities of REL at the date of acquisition were:

Book value
£000

Adjustments
£000

Fair value
£000

Non-current assets

Intangible assets – goodwill

– other

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets 

 — 

 — 

 120 

 5 

 125 

 19 

 800 

 61 

 1,080 

 1,960 

 2,085 

 (1)

 (31)

 (32)

 (250)

 (658)

 (6)

 (914)

 (946)

 1,139 

 3,607 

 272 

 — 

 — 

 3,607 

 272 

 120 

 5 

 3,879 

 4,004 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 3,879 

 — 

 (52)

 (52)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 (52)

 3,827 

 19 

 800 

 61 

 1,080 

 1,960 

 5,964 

 (1)

 (83)

 (84)

 (250)

 (658)

 (6)

 (914)

 (998)

 4,966 

Goodwill of £3,607,000 arises on acquisition and will be reviewed annually for impairment. The goodwill is attributable to the 
expertise and workforce of the acquired business. Other intangible assets provisionally valued at £272,000, which represent customer 
relationships and contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with 
IAS 38. Deferred tax has been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset commenced from June 2021.

Fair value adjustments arising from the acquisition
In accordance with IFRS 3, the Board will review the fair value of assets and liabilities using information available up to 12 months after 
the date of acquisition. Fair value has been calculated using Level 3 inputs as defined by IFRS 13. 

Deferred tax liabilities
A deferred tax liability has been recognised in relation to the amortisation of other intangible assets. 

Goodwill impairment review
The Board has reviewed the goodwill arising on acquisition for impairment as required by IFRS 3. No such impairment was identified. 

If the acquisition of REL had occurred on 1 October 2020, Group revenue would have been approximately £793.6m and profit before tax 
for the year ended 30 September 2021 would have been approximately £50.9m.

128

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

35 Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking – Carnell Group Holdings Ltd (formerly Agger Ltd)
On 30 January 2020, the Company acquired the whole of the issued share capital of Carnell Group Holdings Ltd (“Carnell”) for a cash 
free/debt free consideration of £38m, after excluding a locked-box working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded by a 
placement of 3,157,894 new ordinary shares raising £15m gross and an expanded revolving credit facility provided by HSBC UK Bank plc 
and National Westminster Bank plc. 

The value of the assets and liabilities of Carnell at the date of acquisition were:

Non-current assets

Intangible assets – goodwill

– other

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

Net assets 

Book value
£000

Adjustments
£000

Fair value
£000

12,142

 —

905

13,047

20

13,523

540

3,203

17,286

7,267

19,128

—

26,395

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

30,333

26,395

—

—

(9,379)

(9,379)

(9,379)

20,954

(3,634)

(3,634)

 —

 —

(3,634)

22,761

19,409

19,128

905

39,442

20

13,523

540

3,203

17,286

56,728

(3,634)

(3,634)

(9,379)

(9,379)

(13,013)

43,715

Goodwill of £19,409,000 arose on acquisition and will be reviewed annually for impairment. The goodwill is attributable to the expertise 
and workforce of the acquired business. Other intangible assets valued at £19,128,000, which represent customer relationships and 
contractual rights, were also acquired and will be amortised over their useful economic lives in accordance with IAS 38. Deferred tax has 
been provided on this amount. Amortisation of this intangible asset commenced from February 2020.

Fair value adjustments arising from the acquisition
In accordance with IFRS 3, the Board reviewed the fair value of assets and liabilities using information available up to 12 months after the 
date of acquisition. Fair value has been calculated using Level 3 inputs as defined by IFRS 13.

Deferred tax liabilities
A deferred tax liability has been recognised in relation to the amortisation of other intangible assets.

Goodwill impairment review
The Board has reviewed the goodwill arising on acquisition for impairment as required by IFRS 3. No such impairment was identified.

If the acquisition of Carnell had occurred on 1 October 2019, Group revenue would have been approximately £638m and profit before 
tax for the year ended 30 September 2020 would have been approximately £32.4m.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

129

 
 
Note

2021
£000

2020
£000

E

F

G

H

H

I

J

L

606

236,502

237,108

1,250

661

55,284

48

57,243

(164,785)

(107,542)

129,566

 — 

129,566

7,868

66,378

3,896

1,079

50,345

129,566

726

195,002

195,728

1,500

27,337

55,227

48

84,112

(141,047)

(56,935)

138,793

(13,312)

125,481

7,856

66,378

3,896

821

46,530

125,481

Company balance sheet
at 30 September 

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Assets held for resale

Debtors due after one year

Debtors due within one year

Cash at bank

Creditors: amounts falling due in less than one year

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Share based payments reserve

Profit and loss account

Equity shareholders’ funds

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

D M Forbes
Chairman
9 December 2021

130

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

Company statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 30 September

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Movement in actuarial valuation of the defined benefit pension scheme

Movement on deferred tax relating to the pension scheme

Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Total items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

2021
£000

30,477

(26,084)

9,129

(16,955)

 —

 —

2020
£000

6,904

(1,482)

519

(963)

 —

 —

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company

13,522

5,941

Company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 September

At 1 October 2019

Transfer from profit and loss account 
for the year

Dividends paid

New shares issued

Recognition of share based payments

Movement in actuarial valuation of the 
defined benefit pension scheme

Movement on deferred tax relating to 
the pension scheme

Share
capital
£000

7,533 

Share
premium
account
£000

51,904 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

3,896 

Share based
payments
reserve
£000

576 

323

14,474

245 

Retained
earnings
£000

46,367 

6,904 

(5,778)

Total equity
shareholders’
funds
£000

110,276 

6,904 

(5,778)

14,797 

245 

(1,482)

(1,482)

519 

519 

At 30 September 2020

7,856 

66,378 

3,896 

821 

46,530 

125,481 

Transfer from profit and loss account 
for the year

Dividends paid

New shares issued

Recognition of share based payments

Movement in actuarial valuation of the 
defined benefit pension scheme

Movement on deferred tax relating to 
the pension scheme

12

258 

30,477 

(10,354)

647

30,477 

(10,354)

659 

258 

(26,084)

(26,084)

9,129

9,129 

At 30 September 2021

7,868 

66,378 

3,896 

1,079 

50,345 

129,566 

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

131

 
 
 
Notes to the Company accounts

A Accounting policies
(i) Basis of accounting
Renew Holdings plc (the “Company”) is a company limited by shares and domiciled in the UK.

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis and in accordance with FRS 102, under the historical cost convention.  
In determining that the going concern basis is appropriate the Directors have reviewed budgets, including cash flow forecasts, and 
concluded that the Company has adequate cash resources to continue trading for the foreseeable future. 

The presentation currency of these financial statements is sterling. All amounts in the financial statements have been rounded 
to the nearest £1,000.

The Company’s results are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group. The consolidated financial statements of 
Renew Holdings plc are prepared in accordance with applicable law and International Accounting Standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“Adopted IFRSs”). In these financial statements, the Company is considered to be a qualifying 
entity (for the purposes of this FRS) and has applied the exemptions available under FRS 102 in respect of the following disclosure:

•  Cash Flow Statement and related notes.

As the consolidated financial statements of Renew Holdings plc include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the 
exemptions under FRS 102 available in respect of the following disclosures:

•  the disclosure required by FRS 102.11 Basic Financial Instruments and FRS 102.12 Other Financial Instrument Issues in respect 

of financial instruments not falling within the fair value accounting rules of Paragraph 36(4) of Schedule 1.

A summary of the more important Company accounting policies, which have been applied consistently, is set out below:

(ii) Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost less provision for impairment.

(iii) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Where parts of an item of tangible fixed assets have different 
useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of tangible fixed assets, for example land is treated separately from buildings. 
The Company assesses at each reporting date whether tangible fixed assets are impaired.

Provision is made at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset, less estimated residual value, evenly over its expected useful 
life as follows:

Freehold land  

 –  no depreciation charge

Freehold buildings 

 –  fifty years

Plant, vehicles and equipment   –  three to ten years

(iv) Leasing commitments
Rentals under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

(v) Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income. Current tax is the expected tax payable or 
receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and 
any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided, except as noted below, on timing differences that have arisen but not reversed by the balance sheet date, 
where the timing differences result in an obligation to pay more tax, or a right to pay less tax, in the future. Timing differences arise 
because of differences between the treatment of certain items for accounting and taxation purposes. In accordance with FRS 102 ’The 
Financial Reporting Standard’, deferred tax is not provided on permanent timing differences. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred 
tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other 
future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods when the timing differences are 
expected to reverse, based on tax rates and law enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

132

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

S
T
R
A
T
E
G

I

C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

F
I

N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

A Accounting policies continued
(vi) Basic financial instruments – trade and other debtors/creditors
Trade and other debtors are recognised initially at transaction price less attributable transaction costs. Trade and other creditors are 
recognised initially at transaction price plus attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses in the case of trade debtors.

(vii) Related party transactions
Interest is neither recognised nor charged on balances outstanding with fellow subsidiaries as they are repayable on demand. Where the 
Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies within its Group, the Company 
treats the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make 
a payment under the guarantee.

(viii) Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences 
are taken to the profit and loss account.

(ix) Employee benefits
Defined benefit pension scheme
The Company’s net asset/(liability) in respect of the defined benefit scheme is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that 
employees have earned in return for their service in prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value. The fair value 
of any scheme assets is deducted. The Company determines the net interest income/(expense) on the net defined benefit asset/ 
(liability) for the period by applying the discount rate as determined at the beginning of the annual period to the net defined benefit 
asset/(liability) taking account of changes arising as a result of contributions and benefit payments. The discount rate is the yield at 
the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds denominated in the currency of, and having maturity dates approximating to the terms 
of, the Company’s obligations. A valuation is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. The 
Company recognises net defined benefit scheme assets to the extent that it is able to recover the surplus. Changes in the net defined 
benefit asset/(liability) arising from employee service rendered during the period, net interest on net defined benefit asset/(liability), 
and the cost of scheme introductions, benefit changes, curtailments and settlements during the period are recognised in profit or loss. 
Remeasurement of the net defined benefit asset/(liability) is recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which it occurs.

Defined contribution pension schemes
A defined contribution scheme is a post-employment benefit scheme under which the Company pays fixed contributions into 
a separate entity and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined 
contribution pension schemes are recognised in expense in the profit and loss account in the periods during which services are 
rendered by employees.

Share based payments
FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard” requires a fair value to be established for any equity settled share based payments. Fair value 
has been independently measured using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity settled 
share based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the Directors’ estimate of shares that will 
eventually vest.

(x) Dividends
Dividends unpaid at the balance sheet date are only recognised as a liability at that date to the extent that they are appropriately 
authorised and are no longer at the discretion of the Company. Unpaid dividends that do not meet these criteria are disclosed in the 
notes to the financial statements.

B Profit and loss account
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. The profit 
after taxation for the financial year dealt with in the accounts of the Company was £30,477,000 (2020: £6,904,000).

The audit fee charged within the profit and loss account amounted to £281,000 (2020: £194,000).

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

133

 
 
Notes to the Company accounts continued

C Employee numbers and remuneration

The average monthly number of employees, all of whom were administrative staff including Executive 
Directors, employed in continuing activities during the year was:

At 30 September:

Cost of staff, including Executive Directors, during the year amounted to:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

Share based payments

Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate emoluments

Highest paid director: aggregate emoluments

2021
Number

2020
Number

28

28

£000

4,025

497

188

258

4,968

£000

2,746

1,010

27

27

£000

2,400

369

153

245

3,167

£000

2,104

833

Details of individual Directors’ emoluments and pension contributions can be found in Note 6 to the consolidated accounts.

D Dividends

Interim (related to the year ended 30 September 2021)

Final (related to the year ended 30 September 2020)

Total dividend paid

Interim (related to the year ended 30 September 2021)

Final (related to the year ended 30 September 2020)

Total dividend paid

2021
Pence/share

2020
Pence/share

4.83

8.33

13.16

£000

3,800

6,554

10,354

—

7.67

7.67

£000

—

5,778

5,778

Dividends are recorded only when authorised and are shown as a movement in equity rather than as a charge in the income statement. 
The Directors are proposing that a final dividend of 11.17p per Ordinary Share be paid in respect of the year ended 30 September 2021. 
This will be accounted for in the 2021/22 financial year.

E Tangible fixed assets 

Cost:

At 1 October 2020

Additions

Disposals

At 30 September 2021

Depreciation:

At 1 October 2020

Charge for year

Disposals

At 30 September 2021

Net book value:

At 30 September 2021

At 30 September 2020

134

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Freehold land 
and buildings
£000

Plant, vehicles
& equipment
£000

701

 —

 —

701

116

85

 —

201

500

585

320

32

(76)

276

179

67

(76)

170

106

141

Total
£000

1,021

32

(76)

977

295

152

(76)

371

606

726

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F Investments

Shares at cost:

At 1 October 2020

Additions

At 30 September 2021

Provisions:

At 1 October 2020

Provided during the year

At 30 September 2021

Net book value:

At 30 September 2021

At 30 September 2020

Subsidiary
undertakings
£000

341,140

41,500

382,640

146,138

 —

146,138

236,502

195,002

On 26 March 2021, the Company acquired the whole of the issued share capital of J Browne Group Holdings (“J Browne”) for a cash 
consideration of £29.5m plus a net cash and working capital adjustment of £12.0m. The £12.0m represents J Browne’s surplus cash held 
in an escrow account at completion which was subsequently paid to the vendors. The net acquisition cost was funded by a combination 
of cash and the Group’s existing revolving credit facility provided by HSBC UK Bank plc and National Westminster Bank plc.

Details of subsidiary undertakings are included in Note S.

G Assets held for resale

Property 

2021
£000

1,250

2020
£000

1,500

This office property has been actively marketed but disposal has been delayed by current market conditions. The building is carried at 
net realisable value based on an annual independent third party valuation.

H Debtors due after one year

Pension scheme asset (see Note R)

Due within one year:

Trade debtors

Due from subsidiary undertakings

Corporation tax

Other debtors

Deferred tax (see Note J)

Prepayments and accrued income

I Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdraft (secured)

Trade creditors

Other taxation and social security

Due to subsidiary undertakings

Other creditors

Accruals and deferred income

2021
£000

661

63

39,295

9,108

29

959

5,830

55,284

55,945

2020
£000

27,337

75

44,254

7,169

24

 —

3,705

55,227

82,564

2021
£000

2020
£000

108,147

105,819

982

3,216

42,945

300

9,195

2,380

804

23,326

225

8,493

164,785

141,047

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

135

 
 
Notes to the Company accounts continued

J Creditors falling due after more than one year

Bank loans

Deferred tax 

Bank loans and overdraft repayable:

Within one year

Within two to five years

2021
£000

 —

 —

 —

108,147

 —

108,147

2020
£000

4,373

8,939

13,312

105,819

4,373

110,192

Under the terms of the Renew Holdings plc’s group banking agreement, security has been granted over the Company’s assets.

Deferred tax (asset)/liability:

Defined benefit pension scheme

Future tax losses

Accelerated capital allowances

Other timing differences

£000

£000

231

 —

(20)

(1,170)

(959)

9,568

(359)

(29)

(241)

8,939

K Derivatives and other financial instruments 
Currency exposures
The principal exposure of the Company to currency risk (i.e. exposure to gains or losses on foreign exchange which would be 
recognised in the profit and loss account) was in respect of an inter-company loan. At 30 September 2021, this loan was £Nil  
(2020: £230,000). 

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
There are no material differences between fair value and the book value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities.

L Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

2021
£000

2020
£000

78,681,334 (2020: 78,555,054) Ordinary Shares of 10p each

7,868

7,856

The holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at 
meetings of the Company.

On 15 December 2020 126,280 Ordinary Shares were issued pursuant to the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan.

Share options
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan
At the Annual General Meeting held on 25 January 2012 the shareholders approved the long term incentive plan (“LTIP”) which 
succeeded the Renew Holdings plc 2004 Executive Share Option Scheme as the Directors believed that the LTIP was a more effective 
method of aligning executive and shareholder interests.

As at 30 September 2021, there were 860,857 options outstanding under the scheme. On 4 December 2020, options to subscribe for 
a further 242,161 Ordinary Shares were granted. During the year 126,280 options were exercised and 119,720 did not vest. No options 
lapsed during the year.

The options are exercisable at a nominal cost or at the par value of an Ordinary Share three years after the date of grant subject to the 
achievement of certain performance criteria. Details of the options are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. To the extent that 
there is a gain arising in respect of the approved options noted above, the option holder will forfeit LTIP options to the same value. 

Vesting of one half of the options is dependent on absolute growth in the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (’TSR’), and the other 
half is dependent on the Company’s TSR performance as compared to the TSR achieved by other companies in a comparator group 
of companies selected by the Remuneration Committee. All TSR calculations are based on the average of the opening and closing 
share price over a 30 day period prior to the commencement and the end of the performance period.

136

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L Share capital continued
Share options continued
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan continued
The absolute TSR growth target requires the Company’s TSR over the three year performance period to grow by more than 25%. For TSR 
growth between 25% and 100%, the half of the option which is subject to the absolute TSR growth target vests on a straight-line basis 
from nil vesting at 25% growth, to 100% vesting at 100% growth. There will be no vesting if TSR growth is 25% or less.

The comparator group TSR performance target measures the Company’s TSR over the 3 year performance period against the TSR of a 
group of companies selected by the Remuneration Committee. If the Company’s TSR performance falls below the median performance 
of the comparator group then the options lapse forthwith. If the Company is ranked within the top decile of the comparator group the 
options shall vest in full. If the Company’s TSR performance is ranked between the median position and the top decile of the comparator 
group then the options shall vest on a straight line basis from nil, at or below the median position, to 100% at the top decile.

M Share based payments reserve
Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan
Fair value has been independently measured by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP using a Monte Carlo model methodology. The fair value 
determined at the grant date of the equity settled share based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, 
based on the Board’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest. 

£258,000 (2020: £245,000) has been charged to administrative expenses in accordance with FRS 102. There is no impact on net assets 
since an equivalent amount has been credited to the share based payments reserve. 126,280 options were exercised and 119,720 
options did not vest during the year. The value per option represents the fair value of the option less the consideration payable.

The expected volatility has been calculated based on weekly historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the three years prior 
to the date of grant. The risk free rate of return has been based on the yields available on three year UK government bonds as at the date 
of grant. 

Options granted under the Renew Holdings plc Long Term Incentive Plan over the Company’s Ordinary Shares at 30 September 2021 
were as follows:

Date of grant

3 December 2018

20 February 2020

4 December 2020

Total

Awards outstanding at 30 September 2021

– Directors and employees

Exercise price

Price at date of grant

Maximum option life

319,126

10.0p

350.00p

10 years

299,570

10.0p

548.00p

10 years

242,161

10.0p

522.00p

10 years

860,857

Assumed option life for purposes of valuation

2.83 years

2.61 years

2.79 years

Expected volatility

Risk free interest rate

Value per option

N Capital and leasing commitments

Annual commitments under non-cancellable operating 
leases expiring in:

Under one year

Two to five years

Five or more years

28%

0.75%

226.0p

Land and
buildings
£000

222

384

 —

606

27%

0.46%

519.0p

38%

(0.09)%

495.0p

Other
£000

4

 —

 —

4

Total
2021
£000

226

384

 —

610

Total
2020
£000

244

435

178

857

During the year £283,000 (2020: £268,000) was recognised as an expense in the profit and loss account in respect of operating leases.

The Company had no capital commitments at 30 September 2021 (2020: £nil).

O Contingent liabilities
The Company has guaranteed performance bonds in respect of certain contracts and leasing arrangements in the normal course 
of business of its subsidiary undertakings. 

Under the terms of the Group’s banking agreement, security over the Company’s assets has been granted to the Group’s bankers. 

The Company is a participant together with a number of subsidiary undertakings in the Group’s banking arrangements, and as a result 
has risks associated with the financial status and performance of the other companies within the Group.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

137

 
 
Notes to the Company accounts continued

P Defined contribution pension scheme
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme with individual stakeholder pension plans for its employees.

The Company made contributions of £188,000 (2020: £153,000) into these plans during the year. There are also £13,000 
(2020: £12,000) of accruals relating to these plans.

Q Related parties
The Company has a related party relationship with its key management personnel who are the Main Board Directors: P Scott, 
AP Liebenberg, SC Wyndham-Quin, DM Forbes, DA Brown, SD Dasani and SA Hazell, whose total compensation amounted to £2,746,000 
(2020: £2,104,000) all of which was represented by short-term employment benefits including £682,000 (2020: £362,000) relating 
to share options exercised during the year. An analysis of this compensation is given in Note 6 of the consolidated accounts. 

There were no other transactions with key management personnel in the year.

R Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations 
Defined benefit pension schemes
The Company operates a defined benefit pension scheme, the Lovell Pension Scheme. The scheme has been closed to new members 
and to further benefits accrual for many years. 

The Directors have discussed the assumptions used in determining the actuarial valuation set out below with independent pensions 
advisors and have determined that they are appropriate. The Lovell scheme’s valuation at 30 September 2021 shows a surplus of 
£661,000 based on the assumptions set out below. 

The Directors have determined that it is appropriate to recognise the surplus as, having reviewed the rules of the Lovell scheme, they are 
of the view that the employer has an unconditional right to that surplus. 

The following disclosures required by FRS 102 have been based on the most recent actuarial valuation as at 30 September 2018 carried 
out by Lane Clark & Peacock LLP, Consulting Actuaries, using the following assumptions:

Rate of increase in salaries

LPI increases to pensions in payment

Discount rate

Inflation assumption (CPI)

Inflation assumption (RPI)

Increases in deferred pensions

As at
30 September
2021

As at
30 September
2020

As at
30 September
2019

4.0%

4.3%

2.0%

2.7%

3.5%

3.4%

4.0%

3.5%

2.4%

2.0%

3.0%

2.9%

4.0%

3.0%

3.7%

2.0%

3.0%

2.9%

The mortality tables adopted for the valuation of the Lovell scheme are the 95% S2NA tables with future improvements in line with the 
Continuing Mortality Investigations 2020 model with long term improvement rates of 1.25% per annum for both males and females. The 
Directors believe that this analysis provides a more reliable estimate of the mortality characteristics of the scheme’s membership. Under 
these assumptions, a 65 year old male pensioner is forecast to live for a further 22.5 years and the further life expectancy of a male aged 
65 in 2040 is 23.8 years.

The assets in the Lovell scheme were:

Annuities

Diversified portfolio

Cash 

Total

Value as at
30 September
2021
£000

158,685

880

3,362

Current
allocation

97%

1%

2%

Value as at
30 September
2020
£000

87,497

114,039

2,149

162,927

100%

203,685

Value as at
30 September
2019
£000

89,317

106,775

666

196,758

Current
allocation

43%

56%

1%

99%

Current
allocation

45%

54%

1%

100%

The Trustees of the Lovell Pension Scheme purchased a bulk annuity from Rothesay life in November 2020 to de-risk the defined benefit 
scheme obligation. This covers all remaining insured scheme benefits following previous bulk annuity transactions in 2011 and 2016.

138

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R Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
Defined benefit pension schemes continued
The Company took the decision to fund the buy-in based on the following considerations:

•  a buy-in will remove volatility of the scheme from the balance sheet of the Company, and no further contributions would be expected; and

•  the buy-in will transfer the pension risk associated with the scheme to a third party insurer. The only risk remaining will be the 

counterparty risk of the insurer.

The difference between the annuity purchase price and the defined benefit obligation covered by the policy has been accounted for 
in other comprehensive income. The accounting treatment is based on the following considerations made by the Company:

•  the employer is not relieved of primary responsibility for the obligation. The policy simply covers the benefit payments that continue 

to be payable by the scheme;

•  the contract is effectively an investment of the scheme; and

•  the contract provides the option to convert the annuity into individual policies which would transfer the obligation to the insurer 

(known as a “buy-out”). Whilst this course of action may be considered in future, this is not a requirement and a separate decision  
will be required before any buy-out proceeds. There are currently no plans either by management or Trustees to convert the buy-in 
contract to individual policies.

Scheme Funding Level and Actuarial Valuation 
The scheme actuary carried out the triennial valuation of the Lovell Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2018. The scheme showed a deficit 
of £0.3m compared to £12.1m when measured as at 31 March 2015. On 26 November 2020, the Trustees of the Lovell Scheme, in 
consultation with the Directors, used scheme assets to purchase annuities which match certain pension liabilities in a transaction known 
as a “buy-in” where the annuity policy remains an asset of the scheme. Following the conclusion of the buy-in, all the scheme’s liabilities 
are now matched within the annuities which has removed the scheme’s investment and funding risk. Consequently, there has been a 
reduction in the FRS 102 Retirement Benefit assets in the Group’s accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021. The next triennial 
valuation is due as at 31 March 2021.

For accounting purposes under FRS 102, actuaries use different assumptions than for the triennial valuation. The major difference relates 
to assumptions concerning the future return on assets of the scheme which includes a number of return seeking assets invested with 
BlackRock Asset Management. The key sensitivity for the valuation of the scheme under FRS 102 is the selection of the discount rate 
which is the major determinant in measuring scheme liabilities. A reduction of 0.1% in the discount rate would increase scheme liabilities 
by £2.0m. Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the other key assumptions, and a reasonably possible change is not considered 
likely to give rise to a materially different valuation to the surplus. 

The scheme rules permit the return of any surplus funds to the Company on the winding up of the scheme.

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on 
scheme assets

As a percentage of the assets at the end of the year

Total amount recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income

As a percentage of the obligations at the end of the year

2021
£000

(34,862)

 (21.4)%

(26,084)

(16.1)%

2020
£000

7,325

 3.6%

(1,482)

(0.8)%

2019
£000

27,897

 14.2%

3,904

2.3%

2018
£000

(1,138)

 (0.7)%

5,076

3.4%

2017
£000

(14,565)

 (8.4)%

(2,506)

(1.5)%

On 26 November 2020, the Trustees of the Lovell Scheme, in consultation with the Directors, used scheme assets to purchase annuities 
which match certain pension liabilities in a transaction known as a “buy in” where the annuity policy remains an asset of the scheme. 
Following the conclusion of this buy-in all of the schemes liabilities are now matched with annuities which has removed the scheme’s 
investment and funding risks. As a consequence there has been a reduction in the FRS 102 Retirement Benefit asset in the Company’s 
accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021.

On 20 November 2020 the High Court handed down a further judgment in the Lloyds Bank case regarding equalising for guaranteed 
minimum pension benefits (“GMP’s”). The judge found that pension schemes do have a liability to pay top-ups to members who 
transferred out in the past. The impact of the additional liabilities amounted to £1,000,000 for the Lovell Pension Scheme which 
is disclosed separately in the next table.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

139

 
 
Notes to the Company accounts continued

R Employee benefits: Retirement benefit obligations continued
Scheme Funding Level and Actuarial Valuation continued
The following amounts at 30 September were measured in accordance with the requirements of FRS 102.

Movements in scheme assets and obligations

Total fair value of scheme assets brought forward

Interest on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Running costs

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Total fair value of scheme assets carried forward

Present value of scheme obligations brought forward

Interest on scheme obligations

Current and past service costs

Past service costs and settlements

Benefits paid

Guaranteed minimum payment equalisation

Actuarial movement due to experience on benefit obligation

Actuarial movement due to changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial movement due to changes in demographic assumptions

2021
£000

2020
£000

203,685

196,758

2,978

56

(8,930)

—

(34,862)

162,927

176,348

2,565

61

 —

(8,930)

1,000

(237)

(10,217)

1,676

3,703

4,313

(8,401)

(13)

7,325

203,685

172,685

3,201

56

 —

(8,401)

—

(596)

8,388

1,015

Total fair value of scheme obligations carried forward

162,266

176,348

Surplus in the scheme

Deferred tax

Net surplus

Amount charged to operating profit:

Current and past service costs

Running costs

Amount credited to other financial income:

Interest on scheme assets

Interest on scheme obligations

Net pension interest

Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:

Actual return on scheme assets less interest on scheme assets

Actuarial movement due to changes in assumptions on scheme obligations

Actuarial movement

Movement in the net scheme surplus during the year:

Net scheme surplus brought forward

Current and past service costs

Running costs

Employer contributions

Guaranteed minimum payment equalisation

Net pension interest

Actuarial movement

Net scheme surplus carried forward

140

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

661

(231)

430

(61)

—

(61)

2,978

(2,565)

413

(34,862)

8,778

(26,084)

27,337

(9,568)

17,769

(56)

(13)

(69)

3,703

(3,201)

502

7,325

(8,807)

(1,482)

27,337

24,073

(61)

—

56

(1,000)

413

(26,084)

661

(56)

(13)

4,313

 —

502

(1,482)

27,337

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S Subsidiary undertakings
Renew Holdings plc acts as the holding company of the Group. The principal activity of the Group during the year was as contractors
in Engineering Services and Specialist Building. The subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures are listed below.

Subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures

Incorporation & principal
place of business

Proportion of Ordinary
Shares held by the Company

Amco Group Holdings Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Britannia Group Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Carnell Group Holdings Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Clarke EV Ltd

Clarke Telecom Ltd

Inhoco 3520 Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

J Browne Group Holdings Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Lewis Civil Engineering Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

QTS Group Ltd

Renew Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Renew Corporate Director Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Renew Fleet Management Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Renew Group Ltd

Renew Nominees Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Renew Pension Trustee Company Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Renew Property Developments Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Seymour (C.E.C.) Holdings Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Shepley Engineers Ltd

V.H.E. Construction PLC

VHE Land Projects Ltd

YJL Ltd

YJL Homes Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

YJL Pension Trustee Company Ltd

Owned by Renew Holdings plc

England and Wales

Amalgamated Construction Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

England and Wales

Amalgamated Construction (Scotland) Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Amco Engineering Ltd

Amco Group Ltd

Amco Giffen Ltd 

Amco Rail Ltd

Amco Rail Engineering Ltd

Britannia Construction Ltd

Carnell Support Services Ltd

David Lewis Civil Engineering Ltd

Geodur UK Ltd

Giffen Holdings Ltd

Giffen Group Ltd

’Hire One’ Ltd

J Browne Construction Ltd

J Browne Capital Delivery Ltd

J Browne Developer Services Ltd

J Browne Plant Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Scotland

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

141

 
 
Notes to the Company accounts continued

S Subsidiary undertakings continued

Subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures

Knex Pipelines & Cables Ltd

Mothersill Engineering Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Nuclear Decontamination Services Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Pine Plant Ltd

P.P.S. Electrical Ltd

QTS Rail Ltd

QTS Specialist Plant Services Ltd

QTS Training Ltd

Rail Electrification Ltd

Renew Civil Engineering Ltd

Renew Construction Ltd

Renew Specialist Services Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Seymour (Civil Engineering Contractors) Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

VHE (Civil Engineering) Ltd

VHE Equipment Services Ltd

VHE Technology Ltd

Walter Lilly & Co Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

West Cumberland Engineering Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

YJL Construction Ltd

YJL Infrastructure Ltd

YJL London Ltd

Blackwater Plant Hire Ltd

Cappagh Brown Utilities Ltd

Enisca Browne Ltd

Inject-O-Matic Guarantee Ltd

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Owned by subsidiary 

Incorporation & principal
place of business

Proportion of Ordinary
Shares held by the Company

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Scotland

Scotland

Scotland

Scotland

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Northern Ireland

England and Wales

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

50%

50%

50%

28.9%

The registered office of Amalgamated Construction (Scotland) Ltd is 5 Carradale Crescent, Glasgow, G68 9LE.

The registered office of Blackwater Plant Hire Ltd and Cappagh Browne Utilities Ltd is Meelin House, Unit 2 Pavilion Business Centre, 
6 Kinetic Crescent, Enfield, EN3 7FJ.

The registered office of Enisca Browne Ltd is c/o Enisca Derryloran Industrial Estate, Sandholes Road, Cookstow, County Tyrone, 
Northern Ireland, BT80 9LU.

The registered office of QTS Group Ltd and its subsidiaries is Rench Farm, Drumclog, Strathaven, Lanarkshire, ML10 6QJ.

The registered office of all other subsidiary undertakings is 3175 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB.

142

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Directors, officers and advisors

(Non-executive Chairman) 
(Chief Executive Officer) 
(Chief Financial Officer) 
(Independent non-executive) 
(Independent non-executive) 
(Independent non-executive) 
(Executive Director)

Directors
D M Forbes 
P Scott 
S C Wyndham-Quin 
S D Dasani 
D A Brown 
S A Hazell 
A P Liebenberg 

Registrars
Link Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU

Auditor
KPMG LLP 
1 Sovereign Square 
Sovereign Street 
Leeds 
LS1 4DA 

Financial PR
FTI Consulting 
200 Aldersgate 
Aldersgate Street 
London 
EC1A 4HD

Nominated advisor and broker
Numis Securities Limited 
London Stock Exchange Building 
10 Paternoster Square 
London  
EC4M 7LT

Peel Hunt LLP 
100 Liverpool Street 
London  
EC2M 2AT

Company Secretary
S Wyndham-Quin

Company number
650447

Registered address
3175 Century Way
Thorpe Park
Leeds
LS15 8ZB

Website address
www.renewholdings.com

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Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

143

 
 
Shareholder information

Annual General Meeting 

26 January 2022

Results 

 Announcement of interim results – May 2022

 Preliminary announcement of full year results – December 2022

Signal Shares
Signal Shares is a secure online site where you can manage your shareholding quickly and easily. To register for Signal Shares just visit 
www.signalshares.com.

Dividend Re-investment Plan
Link’s Dividend Re-investment Plan offers a convenient way for shareholders to build up their shareholding by using dividend money 
to purchase additional shares. For more information please call +44 (0)371 664 0381 (Calls are charged at the standard geographic 
rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate). Lines are open 
between 09:00 – 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Alternatively, you can email 
shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk or log on to www.signalshares.com.

Donate your shares to charity
If you have only a small number of shares which are uneconomical to sell you may wish to donate them to charity free of charge through 
ShareGift (Registered Charity 1052686). Find out more at www.sharegift.org or by telephoning 020 7930 3737.

Share fraud warning
Share fraud includes scams where investors are called out of the blue and offered shares that often turn out to be worthless 
or non-existent, or an inflated price for shares they own. These calls typically come from fraudsters operating in “boiler rooms” 
that are mostly based abroad. If you are offered unsolicited investment advice you should:

•  Check the Financial Services Register at www.fca.org.uk to ensure they are authorised.

•  Call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or use the share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams.

If you use an unauthorised firm you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation 
Scheme (“FSCS”).

Link’s customer support centre
By phone +44 (0)371 664 0300 (calls are charged at the standard geographical rate and will vary by provider). Calls outside the United 
Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate). Lines are open between 09:00 – 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding 
public holidays in England and Wales. By email Shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk.

144

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

 
Our subsidiary businesses

Engineering Services

AmcoGiffen
Whaley Road 
Barugh 
Barnsley 
South Yorkshire 
S75 1HT 
Tel: 01226 243 413

QTS
Rench Farm 
Drumclog 
Strathaven 
South Lanarkshire 
ML10 6QJ 
Tel: 01357 440 222

VHE
Whaley Road 
Barugh 
Barnsley 
South Yorkshire 
S75 1HT 
Tel: 01226 320 150

Specialist Building

Walter Lilly
Knollys House 
17 Addiscombe Road 
Croydon 
Surrey 
CR0 6SR 
Tel: 020 8730 6200

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Clarke Telecom
Unit E 
Madison Place 
Northampton Road 
Manchester 
M40 5AG 
Tel: 0161 785 4500

Lewis Civil Engineering
Mwyndy Cross Industries 
Cardiff Road 
Pontyclun 
Rhondda Cynon Taff 
CF72 8PN 
Tel: 01443 449 200

Seymour Civil Engineering
Seymour House 
Harbour Walk 
Hartlepool 
TS24 0UX 
Tel: 01429 233 521

Shepley Engineers
The Old Town Hall 
Duke Street 
Whitehaven 
Cumbria 
CA28 7NU 
Tel: 01946 599022

Carnell
Gothic House 
Market Place 
Penkridge 
Staffordshire 
ST19 5DJ 
Tel: 01785 715 472

Browne
Meelin House 
Unit 1–2 Pavilion Business Centre 
6 Kinetic Crescent 
Enfield  
EN3 7FJ 
Tel: 020 3300 0033

CBP009751

Renew Holdings plc’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected 
in this Annual Report, which has been printed on Arcoprint, an FSC® 
certified material. This document was printed by Pureprint Group using 
its environmental print technology, with 99% of dry waste diverted from 
landfill, minimising the impact of printing on the environment. The 
printer is a CarbonNeutral® company. 

Both the printer and the paper mill are registered to ISO 14001.

Renew Holdings plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2021

145

 
 
Renew Holdings plc 
3175 Century Way
Thorpe Park
Leeds
LS15 8ZB 
tel: 0113 281 4200 
fax: 0113 281 4210 
web: www.renewholdings.com

Company Number: 650447 
Registered in England & Wales