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Rentokil Initial

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FY2020 Annual Report · Rentokil Initial
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Crisis

Recovery

Strategic 
opportunity

Protecting People.  
Enhancing Lives.

Delivering our purpose during the crisis

Rentokil Initial plc
Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
2020 has been an extraordinary 
year. The toll of the COVID-19 
pandemic has been felt by all our 
stakeholders, but we have proved 
our resilience, growing revenue, 
profit and cash. I thank all our 
colleagues for their commitment 
and sacrifice, which has ensured 
that we have moved quickly from 
our Crisis phase to Recovery 
phase. We can now explore 
new strategic opportunities 
in a post-pandemic world.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Playing  
our part

4

14

20

Protecting the stability of our 
business thanks to a massive 
collaborative effort from all our 
colleagues across the world. 

Helping our customers 
protect their customers 
through the roll-out of disinfection 
services across 60 countries. 

Enabling a safe return  
to sport through our strategic 
hygiene partnership with the 
Saracens rugby club. 

26

36

62

Meeting rising demand 
for digital pest products 
The COVID-19 crisis has 
generated greater customer 
focus on digital services 
and reporting. 

Combating COVID-19 
Our VIRUSKILLER™ air purifier can 
kill 99.9999% of viruses, including 
COVID-19, with a single air pass. 

Supporting our communities 
and thanking key workers 
through our #sharethelove 
worldwide programme. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Strategic Report

  2  Our Business at a Glance
  6  Q&A with Andy Ransom, Chief Executive
  8  Our COVID-19 Response and  

Key Decisions

10  Our ‘Big Six’ Challenges
12  Reasons to Invest
16  Key Performance Indicators

16  Colleagues 
17  Customers
18  Shareholders
22  Our Business Model
24  Our Stakeholders
28  Pest Control

Industry, market and competitors

28 
29  Global growth drivers
29  2020 performance review
32  Key strategic themes 

Industry, market and competitors 

38  Hygiene
38 
39  Global growth drivers 
40  2020 performance review
41  Key strategic themes 

45  Protect & Enhance

Introduction 

45 
45  2020 performance review 

47  Responsible Business

49  People and culture
52  Environment
58  Service and innovation
60  Communities
64  Governance, trust and transparency
66  Section 172(1) statement 

67  Risks and Uncertainties
74  Viability Statement

V The Financial Review on pages 146 to 
148 forms part of the Strategic Report

Alternative Performance Measures
This Annual Report includes certain financial 
performance measures which are not GAAP 
measures as defined under International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS). These include Ongoing 
Revenue, Ongoing Operating Profit, Adjusted Profit 
Before Tax and Free Cash Flow. Management 
believes these measures provide valuable additional 
information for users of the Financial Statements 
in order to understand the underlying trading 
performance. Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing 
Operating Profit measures represent the 
performance of the continuing operations of the 
Group (including acquisitions) after removing the 
effect of disposed or closed businesses. Ongoing 
Profit and Adjusted Profit Before Tax exclude certain 
items that could distort the underlying trading 
performance. Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing 
Operating Profit are presented at CER unless 
otherwise stated. An explanation of the measures 
used along with reconciliation to the nearest IFRS 
measures is provided in Section E – Alternative 
Performance Measures on pages 184 to 187.

I have been impressed by what I have seen in 
my first full year on the Board. I was particularly 
struck by the openness, enthusiasm and 
delivery focus of colleagues at all levels of 
the Company and the clarity of execution 
against strategy. 

Our performance in 2020 reflects strong 
delivery of new disinfection services, 
launched rapidly across the Group in Q2, 
a return to growth in Pest Control from Q3 
and steady performance improvements from 
our core Hygiene business in the second half. 

Richard Solomons 
Chairman

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

  76  Chairman’s Introduction to Governance
  78  Board of Directors
  80  Executive Leadership Team
  82  Corporate Governance Report
  99  Audit Committee Report
107  Nomination Committee Report
111  Directors’ Remuneration Report
138  Independent Auditor’s Report

Performance

Ongoing Revenue (at CER) W
£2,845.6m
+6.3%

Revenue (at AER)

£2,823.5m 
+4.0%

146  Financial Review
149   Consolidated Statement of Profit or 

Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

150  Consolidated Balance Sheet
151   Consolidated Statement of Changes 

in Equity

153  Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
154  Notes to the Financial Statements
188  Related Undertakings
194  Five-Year Summary
195  Parent Company Balance Sheet
196   Parent Company Statement of  

Changes in Equity

197  Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

Other Information

201  Directors’ Report
205  Additional Shareholder Information
207  Glossary

W KPIs, see more on pages 16 to 19

Profit before tax (at AER)

£229.8m 
-32.1%

Free Cash Flow W
£336.8m
123% cash flow conversion

Ongoing Operating Profit (at CER) W
£388.1m 
+5.4%

2020 dividend payment

5.41p 

The content of this Annual Report reflects the views, opinions and status of the Company as at 3 March 2021.

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our Business at a Glance
Global reach. Local focus.

Rentokil Initial is a global leader in the provision of route-based services which protect 
people and enhance lives, everywhere. We operate in 92 of the world’s 100 leading 
cities – from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, and Singapore to Auckland. Our core services 
are Pest Control and Hygiene and we offer a range of smaller specialist services 
including Plants, Property Care and Workwear. We are a multi-local business operating 
in 83 countries around the world, employing around 44,500 people in 2020.

Pest Control

Hygiene

Protect & Enhance

Rentokil Pest Control is the world’s 
leading international commercial pest 
control service provider, offering the 
highest levels of risk management, 
reassurance and responsiveness 
to customers.

Initial Hygiene is the world’s leading 
commercial hygiene services provider 
offering services including the provision 
and maintenance of products such as air 
fresheners, sanitisers, feminine hygiene 
units, hand dryers, paper and linen towel 
dispensers, soap dispensers and floor 
protection mats.

Rentokil offers a range of other 
route-based services to meet customer 
needs in plants, workwear, property 
care, medical and specialist hygiene 
services. 

Ongoing Revenue at CER

£1,751.7m

+1.0%

Ongoing Revenue at CER

Ongoing Revenue at CER

£743.8m

+36.8%

£350.1m

-12.0%

62%

of Group Ongoing
Revenue 

26%

of Group Ongoing
Revenue 

12%

of Group Ongoing
Revenue 

Countries operating in:

Countries operating in:

82

65

Operates in a small number  
of countries across all regions

Ongoing Revenue at AER £1,724.1m (-0.6%)
B Find out more on page 28
Revenue figures above are at constant exchange rates (CER) and represent Ongoing Revenue from continuing operations and exclude revenue from businesses 
disposed and closed but include revenue from acquisitions.

Ongoing Revenue at AER £735.0m (+35.2%)
B Find out more on page 38

Ongoing Revenue at AER £350.5m (-11.9%)
B Find out more on page 45

Our purpose
Our purpose is to protect people and enhance 
lives, everywhere. We protect people from 
the dangers of pest-borne disease and the 
risks of poor hygiene. We enhance lives 
with services that protect the health and 
wellbeing of people and the reputation of 
our customers’ brands.

Rising standards of public health, stricter food 
safety legislation and the need to comply with 
workplace safety regulations are driving 
demand for our service expertise.

As a business, we also create value for our 
shareholders through our economic success.

2

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

Our culture
Our culture is characterised as customer 
focused, commercial, diverse, down to earth 
and innovative. We have highly engaged 
colleagues, willing to go the extra mile, and 
a drive within the business to keep improving, 
whether through learning and development, 
the roll-out of innovations or the introduction 
of industry-leading digital tools.
B Read more about our culture on page 49

Our values
Three core values underpin everything we do. 

Service 
We are passionate about delivering excellent 
customer service to every customer, on time 
and as promised. 

Relationships 
We value long-lasting relationships with our 
colleagues and customers and keep them 
informed about changes that affect them. 
We listen and act upon people’s needs and 
concerns and are honest and straightforward 
in our conversations with them. 

Teamwork 
Our business is all about great teamwork – 
getting it right, for our colleagues and 
customers.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

20 

new hygiene markets entered 
in 2020 
B Find out more on page 39

23

businesses acquired in 2020 with 
combined annualised revenues 
of c.£158m 

£225.1m

revenue generated from sales 
of disinfection services during 
the COVID-19 crisis

£121.8m

of cost savings generated in 2020

8,500

colleagues worked from 
home during the height of 
the pandemic in Q2 and Q3

5,080

colleagues waived an element 
of their pay for three months 
or more in Q2

90%

of our colleagues believed we 
are doing the right things to 
succeed in the COVID-19 crisis

Revenue by 
region at CER

North America

Asia

£1,239.8m

+14.5%

£249.2m  

+3.7%

Europe (inc. Latin America)

Pacific

£181.0m  

-2.6%

£723.4m  

+2.5%

UK & Rest of World

£452.2m  

-2.2%

£m

Pest

Hygiene

Protect & Enhance

North  
America

Europe  
(inc. Latin 
America)

UK &  
Rest of  
World

Asia

Pacific

Total

1,018.4

282.7

205.8

163.6

144.4

77.0

232.9

207.8

196.8

49.6

82.7

2.9

81.2

87.0

12.8

1,751.7

743.8

350.1

Total

1,239.8

723.4

452.2

249.2

181.0

2,845.6

Our RIGHT WAY plan 
Our RIGHT WAY plan divides our business 
into five geographic regions and three core 
categories, all operating on a low-cost, 
single-country operating structure. Since 
2014, we have consistently implemented 
an effective strategy at pace and this has 
delivered consistent progress against 
our financial targets.

We are a strong and focused business, 
operating in higher growth markets, 
with improving levels of organic growth, 
reduced capital intensity, high levels of cash 
generation, and a proven and successful 
M&A capability.

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

3

Playing 
our part

by protecting 
the stability of 
our business

Despite disruption from the COVID-19 crisis, 
we grew revenue, profit and cash this year. 
This has only been achieved because of a 
massive collaborative effort from all our 
colleagues across the Group to protect the 
business during the pandemic. 

One of our first actions was to ensure 
that our key services qualified as 
‘essential’. Government and state-
level liaison across the world allowed 
our frontline technicians to continue 
to serve customers throughout the 
pandemic.

We took decisive actions to protect 
our colleagues and customers and 
support our financial stability. We 
moved 8,500 back office colleagues 
to home working and implemented 
strict protocols and additional 
personal protective equipment 
(PPE) for frontline technicians.

We took swift action to reduce costs, 
conserve cash and boost liquidity, 
identifying c.£100m+ of cost savings 
and c.£400m of cash preservation 
measures, suspending our M&A and 
dividend programmes, and applying 
for the Bank of England’s COVID 
Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), 
which was subsequently repaid early, 
as detailed on page 89.

To protect our colleagues who didn’t 
have access to government or state 
support, mainly in Africa and India, 
we set up a Colleague Support Fund 
to support them. This included 
personal contributions from senior 
management colleagues and 
Non-Executive Board Directors. 

We are very proud of the way our 
people worked together to ensure 
that we could continue to operate 
in the pandemic. This included how 
best to navigate the crisis from 
country operations that experienced 
the virus outbreak early in the year 
(such as our Chinese business), 
and how to create templates 
(for technical criteria, equipment 
and contractual documentation) 
for establishing and rolling out 
disinfection services across 
60 countries. 

The health and safety of our 
colleagues remained paramount 
throughout the crisis – and we 

4

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

achieved a record low Lost Time 
Accident rate this year – an 
improvement of 26% on 2019. 
We also conducted a survey in Q2 to 
assess whether colleagues felt safe, 
productive and sufficiently supported 
by their managers and systems to 
enable them to effectively fulfil their 
roles during the crisis, with c.90% of 
UK colleagues answering that they 
believed the Company was doing 
all the right things to succeed.

We supported a number of our 
smaller suppliers by paying in 
advance for products where the 
supplier had severe cashflow 
problems and the demand for the 
products had changed. We also 
supported our suppliers in other 
ways where possible, for instance 
we reprioritised our IT consultancy 
work in order to extend the work 
contracts of one supplier’s Indian 
staff who were temporarily based 
in the UK but unable to return home 
due to the travel restrictions.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

c.40%

of our colleagues were affected 
by pay waivers, suspension 
of bonus payments and the 
Company’s LTIP scheme, 
international employee support 
schemes and temporary lay-offs

100%

of CEO’s salary waived (35%) and 
donated (65%) to the Colleague 
Support Fund in Q2

Over a four-week period from mid-March 
to mid-April, we trained approximately

7,000

colleagues to carry out disinfection services 
across 60 countries and this is one of our 
proudest achievements in the year  
(see page 44 for more details)

90%

of UK colleagues believed we did  
the right things to succeed during  
the crisis

2020 was a year when everything 
changed. 8,500 colleagues moved to 
home working; Hygiene became one of 
the world’s most important categories; 
and disinfection was launched across 
60 countries in just four weeks. 

As the crisis deepened, our key 
services were designated as ‘essential’ 
allowing our Pest Control, Hygiene, 
medical and disinfection technicians 
to continue to serve customers, 
including supermarkets, hospitals, 
food producers and pharmaceuticals. 
Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive, Rentokil Initial

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

5

Q&A with Andy Ransom, Chief Executive
More than resilient – we will come 
out of this stronger

Our rapid implementation and 
execution of our three-phased 
approach – Crisis, Recovery and 
Strategic opportunity – will ensure that 
we can continue to provide services 
that the post-COVID world will want.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Q: 
What are you most proud  
of as a company in 2020?
A: 
Undoubtedly – and I’d give you the same 
answer every year – it was our people. 

The response we had from our 44,500 
colleagues around the world has been nothing 
short of amazing. People have had to make 
individual sacrifices and they’ve had to work 
under conditions of extreme pressure. They 
have had the worries of the pandemic, worries 
for their own safety and that of their families 
too, and they’ve had to continue to operate 
in a very worrying and uncertain world. 
And they’ve done this spectacularly well. 

They’ve really come together, as Rentokil 
Initial people always do, as a very strong team, 
supporting each other and showing great 
commitment to the organisation. I can only 
thank them for everything they have done 
for the Company and for our stakeholders. 
They’ve been absolutely outstanding. 
B Find out more about our people 

on page 49

Q: 
What are the biggest challenges/
opportunities Rentokil Initial faces 
in a post-COVID world?
A: 
In terms of the challenges that Rentokil Initial 
faces, they are really very much the same as 
everyone else is facing. That is the safe return 
to a more normal world, and how quickly we 
will get to something that approximates 
normality. It’s about getting all of our 
customers open and back to work. 

But if we think about a post-COVID world 
and what that might mean in terms of new 
opportunities, well, it’s very much the other 
side of the same coin. We believe there 
are significant opportunities to grow our 
outstanding Pest Control business strongly 
and organically, as we have been doing, and 
also to expand our Hygiene category beyond 
simply the washroom and into broader 
categories of surface hygiene and air hygiene. 
These are very interesting opportunities. 

So, I think we’re looking at two main 
opportunities – the first, getting our core 
business back to full strength post the 
pandemic, and the second, developing 
new services and products in our expanded 
and broadened Hygiene category. 
B Find out more about our ‘Big Six’ 

Challenges and our priorities for 2021 
on pages 10 and 11

Q: 
2020 was an unprecedented year 
– what were your biggest learnings?
A: 
One was just how important it is to embrace 
and confront a crisis – not just to batten down 
the hatches, or simply adjust to the new status 
quo, but to positively and proactively get on 
the front foot and to pivot very, very fast. 

I think the best example of that is how we 
responded to identifying the opportunity in 
disinfection and surface hygiene. In less than 
a month, we were able to train 7,000 people 
remotely, via video, to carry out disinfection 
services in their countries of operation. We 
were able to create safe working protocols 
to allow our people to do the work, procuring 
PPE at a time of international shortage and 
we were able to source the right disinfection 
chemicals and hardware, such as foggers and 
sprayers, to fully carry out the service. And by 
doing all of this, we were able to win critically 
important customers around the world, for 
whom this was an important offering in the 
fight against COVID-19. 

So, this was the biggest learning this year. 
By confronting the crisis, and by working 
incredibly hard together as a team, we were 
able to take advantage of a really useful 
opportunity that didn’t just help provide 
a critical need for customers, but one that 
helped to offset some of the service and 
revenue shortfalls we saw in parts of our 
Pest Control and Hygiene businesses. 
B Find out more about our disinfection 

services on pages 14 and 15

6

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Q: 
Innovation is core to your strategy 
– how have the advantages you 
enjoy around digital and innovation 
changed this year and how are they 
likely to evolve? 
A: 
I think the situation we have all been living 
through in 2020 has reinforced the importance 
of having an innovative culture. 

In our Company, innovation is a state of mind 
– not a process or a series of products – but 
the ability to think quickly, respond quickly and 
act quickly. This is a core part of our DNA as an 
organisation. Having an innovative culture in 
times of adversity is a great strength I believe, 
because, as the saying goes, necessity is the 
mother of invention. This has proven to be the 
case for us in 2020, as we have had to look 
at a lot of situations very differently and use 
innovation to address them. 

Similarly, the fact that we have been a digital 
organisation for a number of years has stood 
us in great stead, and this has allowed us to 
move very quickly throughout the organisation 
and switch entire teams around the world to 
working from home. These include customer 
care teams, finance teams and functional 
teams, and they have all moved and adapted 
very quickly to this new way of working. I think 
it also helps that we have been using video 
technology, like Google Meet and other 
systems, for several years. 

In addition, the use of digital technology 
in the field, such as our connected devices, 
has meant that we have been able to offer 
customers digital solutions for pest control 
where we could give them a level of 
surveillance and monitoring and security 
without necessarily having to have our pest 
controllers physically on site. Probably the 
best example of this is the work we did with 
the Nightingale Hospital in London where we 
very quickly installed PestConnect throughout 
the hospital soon after it opened. Using our 
remote monitoring units for pest control was 
a much better alternative to providing effective 
pest control for a healthcare facility than 
having our Pest Control technicians physically 
visit the hospitals themselves. 
B Find out more about innovation in Pest 
Control and Hygiene in our business 
reviews on pages 28 to 44

Q: 
What products are you trialling to 
provide a more environmentally 
friendly service? 
A: 
We have a large team of scientists and 
technical colleagues who work on a wide 
range of innovative solutions for the Group. 

Over 80% of all current innovation projects 
we are working on are ones that would give 
us sustainable environmental improvements. 
So the ability to create new products and 
services that are better for the planet has 
become a real source of differentiation for us. 

Several examples of things we are currently 
working on include a brand-new, radical 
approach to chemical-free rodent control. 
We are also working with a number of options 
to provide lower-impact fumigant gasses. 
We have recently launched VIRUSKILLER™, 
a combination of ultraviolet and clinical 
grade filters that can trap and kill airborne 
pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus, 
and we are also working with a number of 
companies which have created novel 
disinfectants that have a residual impact, 
enabling the control of viruses to be 
maintained for several days as opposed to 
a single application of disinfectant solution.
B Find out more on page 36

Q: 
How has the M&A market evolved 
in 2020? 
A: 
Well, after a very quiet period in Q2, when 
really everyone hit the pause button for M&A, 
the year ended with quite a flurry of deals, 
particularly in the United States. That high 
level of M&A activity looks set to continue into 
the first part of 2021. So, rather than evolving, 
I would say it has largely picked up where it 
left off at the end of Q1. So I think M&A is alive 
and well and we have a very strong pipeline 
of opportunities at Rentokil Initial as we go 
forward into 2021. 

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Progress on our KPIs
Our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are 
focused on meeting our stakeholders’ 
expectations: colleagues, customers and 
shareholders. In 2020, we have largely 
performed well across all three categories.

Colleagues

Ensuring everyone goes home safe

Lost Time Accident (LTA) rate

0.39

26% improvement on 2019

Working Days Lost (WDL) rate

8.46

23% improvement on 2019

Employer of Choice

Total colleague retention

88.6% +1.7% points

Customers

Delivering outstanding customer service

State of Service (SoS)

89.4% -7.8% points

Keeping promises to customers

Customer Voice Counts (CVC)

45.5 +0.6 points

Retaining our customers

Customer retention

84.5% -1.7% points

Shareholders

Driving higher revenue

Ongoing Revenue growth at CER

+6.3% 

Achieving greater profitability

Ongoing Operating Profit growth at CER

+5.4% 

Delivering sustainable Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow conversion

123%

B Find out more on pages 16 to 19

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

7

Our COVID-19 Response and Key Decisions
An outstanding response from our organisation

Our approach to managing through the COVID-19 crisis has been to address the challenge 
through three phases: 1. the Crisis phase; 2. the Recovery phase; and 3. the Strategic opportunity 
phase in the medium term. We provide a summary of these phases below.

Crisis

Crisis phase
We started the year well, despite 
the unprecedented speed of the 
COVID-19 crisis, which disrupted 
our operations most severely 
from mid-March and throughout 
April. April was our most difficult 
month, with Ongoing Revenue 
falling by just over 12%. 

Essential services status 
for our key businesses 
One of our first actions as the 
crisis deepened was to ensure 
that our key services qualified 
as ‘essential’. Government and 
state-level liaison across the 
world ensured our technicians in 
Pest Control, Hygiene, medical 
and disinfection services could 
continue to serve customers, 
including supermarkets, 
hospitals, food producers and 
pharmaceuticals. In the US, 
all 50 states identified pest 
control as an essential service.

Collective Group sacrifice 
to protect colleagues, 
customers and support 
our financial stability 
We took decisive actions, moving 
8,500 back office colleagues to 
home working and implementing 
strict protocols and additional 
PPE for frontline technicians 
to enable them to safely serve 
our customers. C.40% of our 
colleagues were affected by pay 
waivers, suspension of bonus 
payments and the Company’s 
long-term incentive plan (LTIP) 
scheme, international employee 
support schemes and temporary 
lay-offs. 

Swift action to reduce 
costs, conserve cash  
and boost liquidity 
We identified over £100m of cost 
savings and c.£400m of cash 
preservation measures, 
suspending our M&A and 
dividend programmes, and 
applying for the Bank of 
England’s CCFF.

Rapid deployment of 
disinfection services 
It took us less than a month 
to train and equip around 
7,000 colleagues to carry 
out disinfection services 
across 60 countries.

Recovery phase
A resilient performance 
from Pest Control and 
Hygiene
From the trough in April, our rate 
of revenue decline improved in 
May to 5.7%, returning to positive 
growth of 4.2% in June. A strong 
rebound in Q3 delivered Ongoing 
Revenue growth of 9.8%, 
reflecting exceptional growth 
in Hygiene from continued high 
demand for disinfection services 
and a return to growth in Pest 
Control. Further improvements 
in Q4 led to a 6.3% increase in 
Ongoing Revenue for the full year 
– an excellent performance in 
highly challenging conditions. 

Recovery

Return to M&A 
We completed six acquisitions in 
North America, Latin America, 
Pacific and Rest of World in Q3, 
with combined annualised 
revenues of c.£27m, 
supplemented in Q4 with nine 
further pest control acquisitions 
with combined annualised 
revenues of c.£112m. Throughout 
the crisis we continued to engage 
with high-quality and resilient 
bolt-on targets in areas where we 
can build density, constructing 
a substantial pipeline for Q4 
and into 2021. 

Returning our colleagues 
to work by the end of Q3 
Temporary pay waivers put in 
place in Q2 for 5,080 of our 
managers ended at the end 
of June and by 30 September, 
virtually all colleagues had 
returned to work. 

Continued provision of 
disinfection services
We generated revenues from 
disinfection services this year 
of £225.1m, with Net Operating 
Margins broadly comparable 
to those in Pest Control. 
B Find out more on page 40

£143.5m

Cash preservation, cost 
reduction and liquidity 
At our interim results in July, we 
announced Free Cash Flow of 
£143.5m delivered through tight 
controls over costs, capex and 
working capital, £87m of cost 
savings, and liquidity headroom 
in excess of £800m following 
repayment of the Group’s 
revolving credit facility (RCF) 
in Q2 and CCFF in July. 

Demonstrating our values 
and commitment to the 
communities we serve 
We held 276 local events in 2020 
to publicly thank health and other 
public sector workers, donating, 
among other things, disinfection 
services to emergency services, 
pest control treatments to care 
homes, and sanitiser and care 
packages to hospital staff. 
B Find out more on page 60

8

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Annual Report 2020

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Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

20in’20

Launching Hygiene in 
20 new countries 
We launched our first hygiene 
services in North America in 
June, with hand and air hygiene 
products. We also launched 
hygiene services in Curacao 
(Caribbean) and also expanded 
our footprint in Latin and Central 
America, building on our position 
in 10 markets to provide hygiene 
services (including hand sanitisers, 
surface wipes and air care) in 
Mexico, Dominican Republic, 
Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, 
Honduras, El Salvador and 
Uruguay. 

We also commenced operations 
in Belgium, Germany, Jordan, the 
Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, 
Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey 
and the UAE.

Rising and sustained 
demand for hand hygiene 
products 
Customer demand for soaps, 
hand drying products and 
sanitisers has risen significantly 
this year. When the pandemic 
ends, we envisage particularly 
high standards of hygiene will 
follow: empty or missing soap 
dispensers will no longer be 
acceptable and hand drying 
and hand sanitiser facilities will 
become a vital third step in 
ensuring effective hand hygiene. 
B Find out more on page 43

Strategic opportunity 
phase
As the world emerges from the 
crisis, we have a strategic hand to 
play that is stronger than before 
– particularly in Hygiene – and 
are ideally placed to provide 
services that a post-pandemic 
world will require. 

Strategic 
opportunity

Long-term change in 
attitudes towards the 
importance of hygiene 
We believe the COVID-19 crisis 
will generate a long-term 
change in attitudes towards the 
importance of hygiene, as there 
is an increased focus on hand, 
surface and air hygiene, tighter 
regulation, higher standards and 
increased usage of hygiene 
products and services around the 
world. The hand sanitiser market, 
for example, is projected to grow 
by 11.5% every year for the next 
five years, to reach c.$3bn by 
2025 (source: Infinium Global 
Research). 

We are now seeking to expand 
our Hygiene business from 
beyond the washroom into new, 
higher-growth areas. 

These include innovations in 
hand hygiene products and 
services, air care and other 
route-based extensions. 
B Find out more on page 44

Expanding our services 
outside of washrooms
Our core Hygiene offer has been 
based around the provision of 
regular washroom services to 
customer premises. We have 
grown the business through 
broad-based operational 
improvements in our product 
range, density (product 
penetration and postcode 
density), service quality, 
productivity, innovation, 
digital applications and 
products, sales capability 
and highly targeted M&A. 

Expanding our digital 
range of pest control and 
hygiene products 
We have seen rising customer 
focus on digital devices and 
reporting during the pandemic. 
This reflects demand for less 
physical contact between 
customers and service providers, 
greater speed of response and 
24/7 remote monitoring for a fast 
reaction to a public health threat. 
We also believe that the 
COVID-19 pandemic will provide 
a potential springboard for 
increased digital hygiene 
services. Our connected, ‘no 
touch’ hygiene solutions currently 
comprise digital taps and soap 
dispensers, hand wash and 
footfall monitoring and air care, 
and we will continue to develop 
and roll out these product ranges. 
B Find out more on page 43

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

9

Our ‘Big Six’ Challenges
An overview

We regularly assess our strengths and weaknesses and examine the 
opportunities and threats to our business going forward. In this section, we 
give a brief overview of our ‘big six’ challenges, with links to further details 
and financial metrics. 

Employer of  
Choice/retention
Our people are our biggest competitive 
advantage and the key to profitable growth. 

Driving Organic Revenue 
growth in Pest Control
Our challenge is to drive sustainably higher 
rates of organic growth across the business, 
particularly in our key North America market. 

Building our  
Hygiene business
Our challenge is to build our global hygiene 
business into a second powerhouse 
alongside Pest Control.

Key actions taken in 2020
 e We have demonstrated the resilience of 
our business in 2020, growing revenues 
by 1% (1.6% in Growth markets). In our 
largest North America market, we grew 
Pest Services by 6.5%, reflecting good 
demand from residential customers. 
Revenue from product and service 
innovations continues to be significant. We 
have installed over 150,000 PestConnect 
units and won our biggest PestConnect 
contract to date in the UK. By the end of 
2019, we had sold 115,000 units of our 
Lumnia LED fly trap, wih sales reaching 
168,000 by the end of 2020. 

Priorities for 2021
 e Maintain growth in North America and 

target strong positions in megacities of the 
future. Deploy product and service 
innovations and digital applications. 
Further develop our range of sustainable, 
non-toxic and humane pest control 
solutions. Utilise our brand and digital 
marketing tools to raise market presence. 
Continue to grow national and global 
accounts.

Key actions taken in 2020
 e We secured ‘essential service’ status 
to enable continued customer service 
during the pandemic. We moved quickly 
to provide new disinfection services in 
60 countries, addressing a critical market 
demand and also supporting core service 
revenue shortfalls arising from temporary 
customer closures.

Priorities for 2021
 e Greater focus on acquisitions to build 

density. Deliver excellent customer service 
to drive retention and upsell. Develop 
product and service innovations to drive 
range and volume in customer premises. 
Expand outside of the washroom into 
high-growth areas including air care, route-
based service extensions (such as first aid) 
and digital products and applications. 

Growth of Hygiene business

36.8%

reflecting strong sales of disinfection 

 Find out more on page 42

Our challenge is to be an Employer 
of Choice and to drive improvements 
in colleague retention. By doing so, 
we can be confident in improving 
retention of our customers. 

Key actions taken in 2020
 e We have managed our proactive response 

to the COVID-19 crisis to protect our people, 
moving 8,500 colleagues to working from 
home safely and effectively, and provided 
essential training and communications on 
new procedures and operating practices. 
We have maintained our core programme 
with over 300 graduates and 350 
apprentices, delivered record levels of U+ 
training (3.2 million views, up 77%), created 
650 new pieces of training content and 
delivered a 49% increase in visitors to our 
careers portal. We have also launched 
a new diversity, equality and inclusion 
programme and delivered very high levels 
of colleague retention, up by 1.7 percentage 
points to 88.6%.

Priorities for 2021
 e Maintain our proactive support for 

colleagues through the pandemic. Deliver 
the next phase in our long-term Employer 
of Choice programme by rolling out the 
new diversity, equality and inclusion 
programme to leaders, managers and 
colleagues. Maintain a high level of 
U+ training and development, helping 
colleagues to develop a lasting career 
with the Company.

  Find out more about our people 
and culture on pages 49 to 51

 Find out more on pages 28 to 44

10 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

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Other Information

2020 was a year when, as 
a company, we once again 
proved our commitment to 
being a responsible business. 
The delivery of our purpose 
– to Protect People and 
Enhance Lives – was never 
more important.

M&A execution
Our challenge is to maintain a strong 
pipeline of high-quality opportunities 
and to integrate acquisitions quickly 
and effectively. 

Key actions taken in 2020
 e Despite suspending M&A in Q2, we 
acquired 23 new businesses in Pest 
Control, Hygiene and Protect & Enhance 
(Ambius). We had a particularly strong Q4, 
acquiring nine high-quality pest control 
companies in North America. Among 
them was the acquisition in Florida of 
Environmental Pest Service which builds 
on our position in the US’s largest pest 
control market, adding density and 
providing improved customer service and 
incremental revenue to several of our 
sub-scale existing Rentokil locations on 
the Florida Gulf Coast, as well as building 
on our existing presence in northeastern 
Florida, metro Atlanta and North Carolina.

Priorities for 2021
 e Pest Control acquistions in Growth and 

Emerging markets. Hygiene acquisitions 
with a focus on higher growth extension 
areas (e.g. air care and surface hygiene). 

Spend on M&A in 2020 

£201.9m

Anticipated spend on M&A in 2021 

c.£400m

 Find out more on pages 30 and 44

Creating value through 
product and service 
innovations and digital 
applications
Our challenge is to drive further organic 
growth through product and service 
innovation and digital applications.

Key actions taken in 2020
 e In the early days of the pandemic, we 

identified the urgent need for disinfection 
services. Innovations that supported this 
new service included electrostatic fogging 
machines, high-powered tools that use UV 
light to disinfect sensitive areas and 
drones to disinfect major sports facilities. 

Priorities for 2021
 e Develop key sector products with potential 

for non-toxic solutions. Expand Lumnia 
range. Develop digital solutions for 
crawling and flying insects. Evolve digital 
activity, leveraging current and new 
technology. Develop and launch new 
hygiene solutions, including Rapid Smart 
washroom solution alongside new air 
enhancement and air purification 
solutions.

  Find out more on pages 33 to 35 
and 43 to 44

Managing a responsible 
business
Our challenge is to create a safe, diverse 
and engaging workplace, deliver customer 
service responsibly, and support our 
communities and environment effectively.

Key actions taken in 2020
 e We delivered record levels of colleague 

safety, training and retention. We achieved 
our emissions intensity reduction target 
of 20% by 2020, achieving a 27.4% 
improvement, and set a new emissions 
target of a further 20% reduction by 2025. 
We also established our long-term goal 
of net zero emissions by the end of 2040. 
We undertook 276 community events to 
say thank you to public sector workers.

Priorities for 2021
 e Maintain high levels of safety, training 
and retention. Deliver environment 
improvement plans in all regions.

 e Undertake a major colleague-led initiative 

to support our charity partner, Malaria 
No More.

Improvement in carbon emissions  
per £m revenue in 2020

8.1%

Find out more on page 47

rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

11

Reasons to Invest
We believe that Rentokil Initial 
represents a compelling, compounding 
growth opportunity for investors

Rentokil Initial plc is a strong, global business with leading positions in structural 
growth markets. We see excellent opportunities to consolidate our positions in existing 
markets, enter new markets and lead the industry through differentiated investment 
into product and service innovation and disciplined and accretive M&A. Our strategy, 
culture of outperformance and consistent business model allows us to deliver strong and 
sustainable value for our shareholders. We set out our principal reasons to invest below.

.

5
5
3
2

.

8
5
3
3

1
.
5
5
3

.

8
7
6
4

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7
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e
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p
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r
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h
S

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

9
1
0
2

0
2
0
2

Strong track record of 
revenue and profit growth, 
generating high returns, 
strong cash flow and 
a strong credit rating.
Since February 2014, we have 
implemented an effective and 
consistent strategy – called 
our RIGHT WAY plan – at pace, 
and this strategy has delivered 
consistent progress against 
our financial targets.

Find out more:

  KPIs and their link to strategy 
on pages 16 to 19
  Financial Review on pages 146 to 148

A leader in our chosen, 
structural growth markets 
across three core categories,
generating high returns with good 
growth opportunities. Rentokil is the 
world’s leading commercial pest 
control business and our principal 
engine for growth. We are the brand 
leader in the industry and believe 
we possess unrivalled technical 
expertise. Initial is the global leader 
in hygiene services with a focus 
on service quality to grow market 
share and drive management and 
back office synergies with other 
business lines.

Find out more:

  Pest Control business on pages 28 to 35
  Hygiene business on pages 38 to 44
  Protect & Enhance businesses 
on pages 45 to 46

Employer of Choice with a 
unique culture and business 
model supporting and 
rewarding sustainable growth.
As a service organisation, we rely 
on the commitment and ability of 
our colleagues to deliver the highest 
levels of service. We recognise 
that at the very heart of a great 
customer experience are passionate 
colleagues, so we strive to be an 
Employer of Choice, engaging 
our colleagues, recognising and 
rewarding effort, and offering 
career progression.

Find out more:

  Our responsible business approach and 
how we measure it on pages 47 to 66

rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery

12 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
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Other Information

Watch our 
‘myInitial’ digital 
hygiene video

Our consistency of 
performance allows 
reinvestment in our business 
to compound growth. 
Our financial model to compound 
growth is a virtuous circle 
predicated on delivering growth 
organically and through M&A, 
which leads to increased density 
and which, in turn, targets 
improvement in gross margins. 
This, combined with our low-cost 
operating model, drives strong 
profitable growth and sustainable 
Free Cash Flow, which we deploy 
into our financially disciplined 
training, innovation and M&A 
programmes, and into maintaining 
our progressive dividend policy.

Find out more:

  Our Business Model on pages 22 and 23

We have a fundamental 
understanding of density 
to consolidate our positions 
in existing markets 
and drive margins in part by 
focusing on increasing route 
density through organic and 
inorganic revenue growth.

Find out more:

  M&A in Pest Control on page 30  
and in Hygiene on page 44

We see considerable 
opportunities for 
broader-based growth 
as we enter new markets, drive 
innovation in products and services 
and deploy digital applications.

Find out more:
B Global growth drivers for Pest Control 
on page 29 and Hygiene on page 39

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

13

Playing 
our part

by helping our 
customers protect 
their customers 

Helping our customers protect their people  
and customers and remain fully operational 
during the pandemic.

We are proud of the way our teams 
across the world pivoted at great speed 
to provide disinfection services to our 
customers in over 60 countries. 

We offer three distinct types of 
disinfection: contingency survey, 
all-purpose specialist disinfection, 
and an emergency disinfection service 
where cases of COVID-19 have been 
confirmed on the premises during the 
previous 72-hour period. 

All services are supported by standard 
operating procedures and the use of 
PPE and are carried out by our Specialist 
Hygiene, Hygiene, Pest Control and 
Ambius technicians. 

As experts in hygiene, we have developed 
standard operating procedures to ensure 
maximum service efficacy and consistent 
global standards. These included, for 
example, a 19-stage donning sequence 
for PPE and removal of all waste from 
sites in line with guidance set out by 
public health authorities in order to 
prevent cross-contamination. 

Customers who have used our 
disinfection services during the pandemic 
have done so to protect their people and 
their customers. In addition, ensuring 
their premises are safe and hygienic is 
also vital in protecting their brand and 
reputation. Multiple customer sectors 
have benefited from our services, 
including offices, shops, schools, airports, 
emergency vehicles and public transport. 

In France, our Rentokil Initial business 
provided COVID-19 preventative 
disinfection services to RATP (public 
transport providers in Paris), an existing 
Pest Control customer that manages 
a fleet of buses, trams and Metro trains. 
A dedicated team of up to 80 technicians 
and four managers has been disinfecting 
250 trams every week and 4,700 buses 
every night, seven days a week, and by 
the end of 2020, they had carried out 
over 1 million preventative disinfection 
treatments for the customer. 

14 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

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Other Information

4,700

buses disinfected in Paris every 
evening after service

1 million+

preventative treatments across RATP’s 
transport network of buses, trams and 
Metro trains were conducted by the 
end of 2020 

To fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, 
we have been working with the RATP 
to nebulise its buses, which involves 
using foggers to generate ultra-fine 
particles of virucide, or disinfectant fog, 
to be deposited on the surfaces of 
vehicles across the RATP’s network. 
Our objective has been to disinfect its 
4,700 buses and 250 trams every night 
after service has ended and keep its 
customers safe.

We have been using this technique 
across our sites since May 2020. 
The process of nebulisation has 
made it possible to clean a single bus 
in just two minutes and 40 seconds. 
Traditional methods, which consist 
of spraying a virucidal product on 
a cloth which is then applied directly 
to surfaces, usually take much longer, 
and so this is a much more efficient 
process during these critical times.
Stephane Bras,  
Responsable Operations de Desinfection

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

15

Watch an interview  
with Stephane Bras 
on the part we’ve 
been playing

Key Performance Indicators

 Very strong progress  

 Strong progress 

 Good progress 

 Further work required 

 Disappointing progress

Colleagues

Ensuring everyone goes home safe

Lost Time Accident (LTA) rate

0.39

26% improvement on 2019

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

0.39

0.53

0.63

0.58

0.63

 LTA rate defined as number of Lost Time Accidents per 
100,000 standard working hours.

Working Days Lost (WDL) rate

8.46

23% improvement on 2019

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

8.46

10.99

14.77

11.65

16.14

WDL rate defined as number of Working Days Lost as 
a result of LTAs per 100,000 standard working hours.

Employer of Choice

Sales colleague retention

87.7%

+2.4% points

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Service colleague retention

86.9%

+0.8% points

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

87.7

85.3

82.1

77.3

78.2

86.9

86.1

85.1

76.0

84.8

Defined as total Sales and Service colleagues retained 
in year as a percentage of Sales and Service headcount 
at start of year. 

16 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Link to strategy 
 e As a service organisation, our people make 

our Company what it is.

 e Our priority is ensuring everyone goes home 

safe.

 e Health and safety is the first agenda item in 
all senior management meetings (including 
Executive Leadership Team and Board).

Link to remuneration 
 e Both LTA and WDL rates are part of the 

personal objectives of the Chief Executive 
and have an impact on the level of annual 
bonus achieved.

Commentary on performance
 e We achieved a record safety performance 
in 2020, with a 26% reduction in LTA rate 
and 23% improvement in WDL rate at 8.46. 
All our regional operations have LTA rates 
at world-class levels (<1.0). 

 e Our UK business was awarded a gold award 
from the Royal Society for the Prevention of 
Accidents for the third year running. This 
award recognised our excellent health and 
safety (H&S) capability and performance. 
 e Our operations in the Pacific region became 
the first in the Group to achieve ISO45001, 
the new international H&S accreditation, 
demonstrating the maturity and 
effectiveness of our H&S management 
systems in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Link to strategy 
 e We invest in training and development to 
ensure that our colleagues’ expertise is 
unrivalled. 

 e We recruit, appoint and promote on merit.
 e  We listen to our colleagues via Your Voice 
Counts (YVC) surveys and act on feedback 
to make improvements. 

 e  By retaining our people, we also retain and 

build deeper relationships with our customers, 
which underpins our organic growth.

Link to remuneration 
 e  Performance Share Plan (PSP) performance 

condition and annual bonus personal 
objectives.

Commentary on performance
 e Total colleague retention (12-month rolling 

basis to December 2020) was 88.6%, 
up 1.7 percentage points. 

 e While Europe, Pacific, Asia and Latin 

America saw improvements in all areas, 
North America saw a very slight reduction 
in Service retention of 0.6%, as did the UK, 
falling 0.1% year on year. 

 e Group Sales colleague retention at 

0–6 months rose by 3.1 percentage points 
to 85.9%, with retention at 6–12 months 
falling marginally by 0.5% to 87.3% and 
driven by strong increases in North America, 
Pacific and Latin America. North America 
sales retention improved across both 
groups (up 7.8 percentage points in the 

 e We implemented COVID-19 secure protocols 
across our global operations, ensuring that 
our colleagues’ health and safety was 
protected and remained the number one 
priority throughout the pandemic. These 
protocols included: enhanced PPE, hygiene 
and social distancing measures for our 
frontline colleagues, enhanced cleaning 
and disinfection of vehicles and equipment, 
and home working for office-based 
colleagues.

 e Globally harmonised protocols, including 
risk assessments, standard operating 
procedures, training, minimum PPE 
specifications were developed and 
implemented by our Global SHE team to 
enable safe delivery of new disinfection 
services. All countries were authorised 
centrally before launching these new 
services.

 e Regrettably, there was one fatal incident 

in 2020. In India, a Pest Control technician 
sustained fatal injuries when the motorcycle 
he was riding collided with a heavy trailer 
truck which pulled out in front of him.

6–12 months category), and in the Pacific 
region, 0–6 months retention jumped by 
35.4 percentage points, while 6–12 months 
retention reached a maximum 100%. Latin 
America has also enjoyed significantly 
stronger retention compared with 2019 
in both the 0–6 months (up 18.3%) and 
6–12 months (up 39.1%) groups. 

 e Group Service colleague 0–6 months 

retention remains a challenge at 74.2%, 
a 4.2 percentage point decrease on 2019, 
impacted in part by our disinfection business, 
which has seen a higher than normal level 
of turnover in some areas. Group Service 
colleague 6–12 months retention also 
declined 3.4%; however, at 86.3%, this 
remains a very strong retention rate. 

 e 2020 saw record levels of visitors to the 
Rentokil Initial Careers Portal – up 49% – 
with the number of applicants up by 67%. 
In addition, we launched Careers+ which is 
an app for colleagues to post roles on their 
own social media channel and to support 
internal recruitment through their own 
networks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Customers

Delivering outstanding customer service

State of Service (SoS)

89.4%

-7.8%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

89.4

97.2

97.9

97.8

97.7

Defined as total number of service visits performed as a 
percentage of total number of visits due.

Keeping promises to customers

Customer Voice Counts (CVC)

45.5

+0.6 points

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

45.5

44.5

43.0

44.0

37.6

Measured by the implementation of an average Net 
Promoter Score across all branches, including in-year 
acquisitions. CVC score represents the net balance of 
those customers promoting our service, compared with 
those neutral or not promoting. 

Link to strategy 
 e  We are passionate about delivering excellent 
service to every customer and keeping our 
promises to them. 

 e Excellent service helps us retain customers 
and build deeper relationships with them.

 e North America was once again our 

highest-scoring region at 96.5%, although 
this included a decline of 1.6 percentage 
points year on year, closely followed by 
Pacific at 95.2%, Europe at 93.8% and 
Latin America at 90.6%. 

Commentary on performance
 e State of Service declined by 7.8 percentage 
points in 2020, principally as a result of our 
technicians’ inability to service customer 
premises that were temporarily closed 
during the COVID-19 pandemic (up to 12% 
of premises were closed in Q2).

 e Our regions that were more significantly 
impacted by COVID-related disruption in 
2020, notably UK & Rest of World and Asia, 
produced scores of below 90%, at 89.1% 
and 87.6% respectively.

Link to strategy 
 e Our business model depends on servicing 
the needs of our customers in line with 
internal high standards and to levels agreed 
in contracts. Strong performance on CVC is 
linked to retention and sale of additional 
services to customers. Measuring customer 
satisfaction allows us to identify unhappy 
customers, reduce customer attrition and 
increase revenue, profit and cash.

Link to remuneration 
 e Improving Customer Voice Counts is one 
of the performance conditions of the PSP, 
which covers around 850 colleagues across 
the Group.

Commentary on performance
 e Our results this year have been significantly 

impacted by the pandemic, with a 64% 
reduction in total volume compared to 2019. 
 e Calls to our customers in 2020 asked them 

to rate us on five service elements: 
technician, complaint handling, customer 
contact, product quality and documentation.

 e Our regional analysis shows that the UK, 
Ireland and the Baltics were the most 
improved territories, with an increase of 
27.3 points to 95 points. This was followed 
by Europe, up a further 5.0 points to 
16.6 points. Asia rose by 1.6 points to 
55.5 points in 2020, while North America 
recorded a 6.1 point decrease to 55.0 points. 
The Rest of World region declined by 
3.8 points, to score a total of 42.9 points 
for the year. 

 e Our category analysis of CVC scores shows 

that Pest Control is our highest-scoring 
business, although this declined in 2020 
by 4.7 points to 53.4 points. Ambius was 
our second highest-scoring category at 
48.1 points, a decline of 3.4 points year 
on year. Hygiene scored 34.6 points, 
a decline of 8.2 points. 

 e Our lowest-scoring category was Workwear 
and, although it scored a negative 9.5 points, 
this was nevertheless an improvement of 
5.6 points on the prior year. 

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

17

Key Performance Indicators
continued

 Very strong progress  

 Strong progress 

 Good progress 

 Further work required 

 Disappointing progress

Link to strategy 
 e Customer retention is crucial to our 

long-term success. 

 e Benefits include: increased purchasing and 
cross-selling; lower terminations; greater 
willingness to accept price increases; 
positive customer recommendations; and 
a strengthened unique selling point.

Commentary on performance 
 e During the second half of 2020 we saw a 
flattening of growth in customer portfolio 
(-0.1%) as a result of marginally lower 
retention rates, flatter sales and lower price 
increases as second waves of the COVID-19 
pandemic impacted on customers’ 
willingness or ability to retain contracts 
due to the economic environment. 

Customers continued

Retaining our customers

Customer retention

84.5%

-1.7%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

84.5

86.2

85.8

85.7

85.6

Defined as total portfolio value of customers retained as 
a percentage of opening portfolio.

Shareholders

Driving higher revenue

Medium-term financial target: 5% to 8% Ongoing Revenue growth

Ongoing Revenue growth at CER

+6.3%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

6.3

10.6

13.7

14.6

14.6

Defined as revenue growth at CER from the continuing 
operations of the Group including acquisitions, after 
removing the effect of disposed or closed businesses.

Revenue at AER 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

£2,823.5m 
(+4.0%)

£2,714.4m 
(+9.8%)

£2,472.3m 
(+2.5%)

£2,412.3m 
(+11.3%)

£2,168.1m 
(+23.2%)

Link to strategy 
 e We aim to drive shareholder value through 
driving higher revenues from our core Pest 
Control and Hygiene businesses, and also 
from our Protect & Enhance businesses, 
supported by M&A investment. 

Link to remuneration 
 e Revenue targets are one of the Company’s 
performance elements of the annual bonus 
which covers the Executive Directors and 
managers across the Group and they have 
an impact on the level of annual bonus 
achieved.

Target and key activities

Performance

Progress  
in 2020

5% to 8% Ongoing  
Revenue growth

Ongoing Revenue growth 
in Pest Control 

Supported by further 
momentum in Hygiene

Improved performance 
from Protect & Enhance 
businesses, including 
France Workwear

Continued execution of M&A 

Sustained progress in 
product innovation and 
capability

Ongoing development 
of digital products and 
applications

6.3% growth in Ongoing Revenue (at CER) – an excellent 
performance, reflecting strong revenues from disinfection services, 
a return to growth in Pest Control from Q3 and steady performance 
improvements from our core Hygiene business in H2.

1.0% growth in Ongoing Revenue (at CER) reflecting our essential 
service status and ability to continue to service customers during 
the crisis.

36.8% growth in Ongoing Revenue (at CER), aided by sustained and 
strong global demand for disinfection services and hygiene products, 
which have more than offset washroom service declines resulting 
from temporary business closures. 

12.0% decline in Ongoing Revenue (at CER) – a challenging year, 
principally driven by weak performance from France Workwear, 
which declined 10.4%. 

Despite temporary suspension of M&A activity in Q2, an excellent 
outcome for 2020, with 23 businesses acquired with combined 
annualised revenues of £158.2m (including Environmental Pest 
Service). Cash spend in 2020 was £201.9m (excluding the 
consideration for Environmental Pest Service, which was paid 
in January 2021). 

Our continued focus on R&D projects, based on target pest 
behavioural studies and strong external partnerships, delivered 
a pipeline of new market products, solutions and services focused 
on uniquely satisfying customer needs.

By the year end, 1.1m customer sites and 95% of our commercial 
customers use myRentokil online customer portal in 44 countries. 
Over 150,000 PestConnect units have been launched since 2016 
across 7,684 customer locations in 26 countries. 25% increase 
in visits to our websites worldwide in 2020.

18 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Shareholders continued

Achieving greater profitability

Medium-term financial target: Ongoing Operating Profit growth of c.10%

Ongoing Operating Profit growth at CER

+5.4%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

5.4

8.7

12.3

14.4

15.4

Defined as operating profit at CER from the continuing 
operations of the Group including acquisitions, after 
removing the effect of disposed or closed businesses. 
Ongoing Operating Profit is an ‘adjusted’ measure and is 
presented before amortisation and impairment of 
intangible assets (excluding computer software) and 
one-off items.

Operating Profit at AER 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

£293.8m 
(+10.6%)

£265.6m 
(+8.2%)

£245.5m 
(-16.0%)

£292.4m 
(+25.8%)

£232.4m 
(+23.7%)

Link to strategy 
 e Our objective is to deliver sustainable profit 

Link to remuneration 
 e Profit targets are one of the Company’s 

growth by growing Group revenues. 

performance elements of the annual bonus 
which covers the Executive Directors and 
managers across the Group and impacts 
the level of annual bonus achieved. 

Progress  
in 2020

Target and key activities

Performance

Year-on-year improvement in 
Ongoing Operating Profit

Improvement in Net 
Operating Margin

Improvement in Net 
Operating Margin 
in Pest Control

5.4% growth in Ongoing Operating Profit to £388.1m (at CER), reflecting 
significant actions to mitigate COVID-related revenue reductions, 
offset by an increased bad debt provision of £34m in 2020, £25m of 
additional costs of PPE for colleagues conducting disinfection services, 
and higher restructuring costs. 

Net Operating Margin of 13.6% (at CER), a 20 basis points deterioration 
on 2019, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Pest Control Net Operating Margin decline of 170 basis points to 16.2% 
(at CER). 

Improvement in Net 
Operating Margin in Hygiene

Hygiene Net Operating Margin of 23.6% (at CER), an increase of 
580 basis points, reflecting revenues from disinfection. Excluding 
disinfection, Hygiene margins declined by 650 basis points to 11.3%. 

Progress towards 18% North 
America margin target

North America margin increase of 310 basis points to 17.3% (at CER), 
representing good progress towards our 18% regional margin target.

Above-the-line restructuring 
costs maintained at below 
£10m

Restructuring costs of £13.3m (2019: £7.7m), consisting mainly of costs 
in respect of initiatives focused on our North America transformation 
programme from Q1, together with severance costs as a result of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. 

Delivering sustainable Free Cash Flow

Medium-term financial target: Free Cash Flow conversion of c.90%

Free Cash Flow conversion 

123%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

123.0

85.2

94.2

87.0

87.1

Free Cash Flow is measured as net cash from 
operating activities, adjusted for cash flows related 
to the purchase and sale of property, plant, equipment 
and intangible fixed assets, and dividends received 
from associates.

Link to strategy 
 e We are a highly cash-generative business 
and, after dividend and interest payments 
have been made, we reinvest our cash into 
the business for future growth through 
people, technology and M&A. 

Link to remuneration 
 e Free Cash Flow is a gateway target for the 
annual bonus, which covers the Executive 
Directors and managers across the Group. 
Failure to meet this target results in no bonus 
being payable regardless of how well the 
Company performs against revenue and 
profit targets. 

Target and key activities

Performance

Free Cash Flow conversion 
target c.90% 

£336.8m Free Cash Flow, representing 123% conversion, delivered 
through tight controls over costs, capex and working capital.

Net debt

Fully funded pension scheme

Decrease in net debt of £78.7m and closing net debt of £994.3m. 
As at 31 December 2020, net debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.6x, below the 
1.8x ratio reported at 31 December 2019 and 1.9x at 30 June 2020.

The buy-out and wind-up of the Company’s pension plan will complete 
in 2022. The Trustee has agreed a pre-tax partial refund of surplus of 
£13m which was paid in December 2020, with the balance of the 
refund of the surplus to be paid on completion of the buy-out. 

S&P credit rating

Maintained at BBB Stable Outlook.

Progress  
in 2020

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2020

19

Playing 
our part

by enabling 
a safe return 
to sport

Rentokil Initial was appointed the official 
hygiene partner of the Saracens rugby club, 
believed to be a first in UK sport, for the 
restart of the 2019/2020 campaign.

As the current title holders of the 
European Rugby Champions Cup 
and the current holders of the 
Premiership Rugby League title, 
the Saracens rugby team includes 
the best players from around the 
world. Therefore it is fitting that 
they should seek to appoint a 
hygiene partner who can offer 
expert, trusted and innovative 
hygiene services and products 
to enable the club’s players and 
fans to enjoy a safe return to sport. 

As part of the strategic partnership, 
we installed hand sanitiser 
dispensers at Allianz Park, home 
of the Saracens, and also provided 
a range of bespoke disinfection 
services. Treatments have been 
tailored to individual areas, 
including the players’ changing 
rooms, the stands and the main 
hospitality concourse, and include 
the use of UV lamps, electrostatic 
disinfection, mist blowing space 
treatment and ultra-low volume 
(ULV) disinfection fogging. 

20 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

99%+

of harmful pathogens 
are eliminated by our 
disinfection services 

As a club, caring for our 
people is at the heart of 
everything we do and 
the safety of our players, 
staff and supporters is of 
paramount importance to us. 
Our partnership with Rentokil 
Initial, a globally recognised 
brand, provides the venue 
with an ability to create an 
environment within which 
our players and staff are 
safe, secure and protected 
at all times. 
Richard Gregg,  
Saracens Operations Director

Watch the ITV news 
video here

ULVfogging disinfects large areas in short 

periods of time by being able to treat 
inaccessible areas that can’t be 
reached using traditional methods

We’re proud to be supporting 
Saracens Rugby Club with 
a best-practice approach 
to hygiene and cross-
contamination prevention.
Jamie Woodhall,  
Technical and Innovation Manager,  
Rentokil Specialist Hygiene and Initial 
Washroom Hygiene

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 21

Our Business Model
The most important element of 
our business model is our people: 

they are the essential driver of our success as we continue to protect public health 
and ensure safe working environments around the world.

By getting it right for our people, we provide 
a better service, retain more customers, sell 
additional services and ultimately create 
shareholder value. 
We have a clear and simple geographic model, 
in which our businesses are grouped into five 
strong regions. Operating in 83 countries, 
c.90% of our revenues are derived outside of 
the UK. Our decentralised model has 
single-country management teams leading 
integrated, multi-local and multi-service 
operations with combined back office 
functions underpinned by shared systems 

and processes, such as route optimisation 
and measurement of customer satisfaction. 
A benefit of our model is a natural resilience 
to fluctuations in market dynamics in individual 
markets and geopolitical and trade risks due 
to our local market operations. 

We refer internally to our model as our 
‘machine’. Each of the cogs are interrelated 
and measured consistently at Group, business, 
country and branch level. Our success is 
driven by focused, consistent execution. 
We are proud that, despite the disruptions 

of 2020, we could continue to succeed due 
to our model’s resilience and our colleagues’ 
unwavering commitment and dedication 
to our customers around the world. 

More information on all components of our 
business model is available in this report and 
is signposted in the diagram opposite. We 
have also provided additional commentary on 
the components shaded in blue in the graphic 
opposite with particular reference to our 
performance this year. 

Flexibility in our business model during the pandemic

Great service 
quality 

Low-cost model

Mergers and 
acquisitions

Shareholder value

Excellent service quality is at 
the heart of everything we do. 
It helps us build strong and lasting 
relationships with our customers 
and maximises long-term 
retention. 

Our core businesses were 
granted essential service status 
during the crisis, enabling our 
Pest Control, Hygiene, medical 
and disinfection technicians 
to continue to serve customers 
that remained open during the 
pandemic. 

With the health and safety of 
our customers’ employees and 
customers dependent on high 
standards of hygiene within their 
operating environments, it has 
never been more imperative that 
the service quality we gave them 
this year was nothing less than 
outstanding. 

Of particular importance in 2020 
was the quality of our new 
disinfection services. We offer 
a premium standard disinfection 
service, with our risk-assessed 
infection control measures going 
beyond the minimum 
requirements set by guidance 
from the World Health 
Organization (WHO). 
B Find out more about this 

on page 58

22 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Our low-cost operating model 
is focused on country-based 
management teams with shared 
properties and back offices. 

We focus our cost base on 
servicing our customers and 
minimising other costs – hence a 
focus on service productivity and 
investing in efficient back office 
systems and processes. In total, 
c.73% of variable service costs 
are colleagues and vehicles. 

Our key financial priority at 
the peak of the crisis was the 
preservation of the ongoing 
cash flow of the business, and 
we identified over £100m of cost 
savings and £400m of cash 
preservation measures for 2020. 

We delivered cost savings of 
£121.8m in 2020, achieved 
through salary reductions across 
management grades in Q2, 
cancellation of H1 bonus schemes 
and postponement of the 2020 
LTIP grant in relation to H1, as well 
as tight control over discretionary 
spend.

Cash savings included withdrawal 
of dividend payments and 
suspension of our M&A 
programme, reducing cash tax 
payments in line with local 
statutory schemes and reduced 
capital expenditure. Going 
forward, while we are likely 
to generate some savings 
in respect of our property 
footprint and reduced travel 
and accommodation costs, 
the majority of cost savings in 
2020 will not repeat in 2021. 

M&A is central to our strategy, 
and we have made over 200 
acquisitions since 2015, building 
a strong track record of delivery 
and spending an average of 
£330m each year for the last 
five years. 

This has resulted in significant 
value creation, with our internal 
rate of return (IRR) considerably 
higher than the cost of capital. 
Suspending our M&A programme 
in Q2, while disappointing, was 
the right thing to do to protect 
cash and liquidity. We restarted 
M&A in Q3 and exited 2020 
having acquired 23 new 
businesses, with combined 
annualised revenues of c.£158m. 
Cash spend on acquisitions in 
2020 was £201.9m. 

We have continued to engage 
with high-quality bolt-on targets 
in areas where we can build 
density and which have 
demonstrated their resilience 
through the pandemic and have 
built a substantial pipeline for 
2021 and beyond. 

Pest Control acquisitions remain 
a key priority, in both Growth 
and Emerging markets, and we 
are also giving greater focus to 
building the pipeline of Hygiene 
M&A focused on city-based 
opportunities. 
B Find out more about M&A 
on page 30 and 44

We have a responsibility to 
generate long-term profitable 
growth, deliver value for our 
shareholders and protect their 
investment. 

As the COVID-19 crisis took hold 
in March, we took quick and 
decisive actions to protect the 
Company, taking appropriate cost 
and cash measures to support the 
business and our liquidity. These 
included drawing down our RCF, 
successfully applying for the Bank 
of England’s CCFF, suspending 
dividend payments and M&A, 
and reducing capex. 

By July, we had repaid the RCF 
and the CCFF, generated cost 
savings of £87m, and delivered 
Free Cash Flow of £143.5m. 
We announced at that time that, 
should trading continue in line 
with our expectations throughout 
H2, we would expect to make a 
dividend payment in relation to 
2020. Based on our performance 
in 2020 and our confidence in 
2021, the Board is recommending 
a dividend of 5.41p per share. 

Recognising that the potential 
impact of the crisis would concern 
our shareholders, we continued 
to engage with them fully 
throughout, releasing detailed 
trading updates and hosting 
virtual one-on-one and group 
conference calls around the 
publication of set pieces and 
at other times, to enable them 
to engage with us on a regular 
basis.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Impact  
on society
page 60

Progressive 
dividends
page 147

Employer of Choice 
Engagement, training, 
diversity, retention
page 10

Health  
and safety
page 50

Great  
service quality
State of Service, CVC 
page 58

Shareholder 
value
page 146

Cash 
c.90% conversion 
reinvested 
page 19

Profit growth 
 c.10%
page 19

Customer retention 
page 18

Organic  
Revenue growth
3–4%
page 18

New business
Web, leads,  
cross-selling
page 23

Mergers and 
acquisitions
City based – density,  
new markets  
of the future 
pages 30  
and 44

Low-cost  
model
Country teams –  
shared infrastructure  
SG&A – 
shared overhead
page 22

Density
City focus, 
postcode, 
customer 
penetration, 
shared overhead
page 23

Innovation  
and digital
Lower cost and 
better services 
pages 33 to 35 
and 43 to 44

Additional  
services to existing 
customers
page 23

Price
Cover inflation, 
premium
page 23

New business

Additional services 
to existing customers

Price

Density

We generate new business in 
a number of ways. Our sales 
specialists are responsible 
for identifying potential new 
customers, to whom they 
can introduce our services, 
through carefully targeted 
activities and campaigns. 

We also rely on our service 
technicians to generate new 
business leads during their 
day-to-day activities. With 
existing customers we use 
our knowledge of their needs 
and requirements to expand 
our offer into additional 
value-added products and 
services. We also invest in our 
online marketing capability to 
drive new business through 
digital channels and our 
websites across the world. 

Annual Pest Control, Hygiene and 
Ambius contracts are structured 
around a series of scheduled 
customer call-outs, during which 
our technicians carry out essential 
services. Contract prices are 
determined by the number of 
visits and services taken by 
each customer. 

Additional revenues can be gained 
through the recommendation of 
further products and services 
which our technicians consider 
necessary for the protection of 
our customers, and we describe 
this as upselling to the portfolio. 
An example in Pest Control could 
be blocking up open vents in 
building walls, or fitting bristle 
strips underneath external doors 
to prevent unwelcome pest entry. 
We want to ensure that no 
customer need goes unmet.

As the world’s leading 
international commercial pest 
control business, we are 
a premium service provider and 
this reflects the training and skills 
of our technicians, our expertise 
borne out of over 90 years in 
the industry, and the insights we 
have gained by operating in over 
80 countries around the world. 

C.70% of our revenues are 
contracted, and in most regions 
we are able to increase prices 
in line with inflation to address 
inflationary cost increases and 
wage inflation. 

Density is fundamentally 
important to our strategy. Route 
density is key – with greater 
density comes higher margins – 
and our strategy of acquiring 
bolt-on businesses to infill locally 
is central to this. 

We achieve density in two ways. 
First is what we call postcode 
(or zip code) density – this means 
servicing as many customers as 
you can in a tight geographic 
zone. The second is customer 
penetration – and this involves 
selling multiple service lines to 
customers. Much of what we 
do is to make recommendations 
to customers about potential 
services and products which 
we believe they require.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 23

Our Stakeholders
Understanding expectations

Our business, its strategies, processes and behaviours are influenced 
by the needs of our stakeholders. We recognise the importance of their 
views and actively engage with our stakeholder groups across the world 
to fully understand and act upon their issues and concerns.

We have a broad range of stakeholders who 
influence or are affected by our day-to-day 
activities, and have varying needs and 
expectations. Our aim at Rentokil Initial is to 
engage effectively with all our stakeholder 
groups to develop and maintain positive 
and productive relationships.

As communicated in last year’s Annual Report, 
we conducted a stakeholder mapping 
exercise in 2019 to ensure that the groups we 
have identified as key stakeholders remained 
appropriate. There were no significant 
changes to the Group’s businesses or 
operations which merited a further view during 
2020, and the key stakeholders as set out 
opposite remain the same as the prior year. 
The Company has other wider stakeholders, 
key partnerships or business relationships, 
such as the general public, government and 
regulators, and industry bodies. We consider 
the environment in relation to all our key 
stakeholder groups but include it principally 
as part of our consideration and engagement 
with communities. We approach stakeholder 
engagement at a Group, country and local 
level to ensure that all our stakeholder groups 
have access to information about our business 
and activities and are able to identify issues 
which are important to them.

Our purpose, as set out on page 2, to protect 
people and enhance lives, and our core values 
of service, relationships and teamwork 
reaffirm the central importance of our 
stakeholders to our business. The impact of 
COVID-19 on our stakeholders is addressed 
throughout the Annual Report.

Details on how information from our stakeholder 
groups flows up to the Board and examples of 
outcomes of engagement can be found in the 
Corporate Governance Report, primarily on 
pages 90 and 91. More information on our 
responsible business approach can be found 
on pages 47 to 66 and in our responsible 
business website at rentokil-initial.com/
responsible-delivery.

Colleagues by region

North America

Europe

Latin America

UK & RoW

Asia

Pacific

Total

24 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

9,088

6,944

2,193

7,574

16,590

2,200

44,589

Colleagues

Customers

We employ around 44,500 colleagues in 
83 countries. Our colleagues are those who 
are directly employed by us, which excludes 
contractors.

Our customers range from global food 
producers to hotel chains, and industrial 
goods businesses and restaurants 
to individual residential customers.

Key issues for stakeholder
 e Health and safety
 e Training and career development
 e Tools to do the job
 e Wellbeing 
 e Reward
 e Culture and values
 e Community support

Why we engage
We rely on the skills, experience and 
commitment of our people to meet our 
business goals.

Impact/value created
We aim to be a world-class Employer 
of Choice providing a safe working 
environment and development 
opportunities.
 e Pay and benefits to colleagues
 e Training and development opportunities

Methods of engagement
All employees are provided with information 
on matters of concern to them in their work, 
through regular briefing meetings and 
internal publications. To inform employees of 
the economic and financial factors affecting 
our business, regular updates are posted on 
our Intranet and engagement events are 
hosted by individual businesses such as 
conferences, town halls and senior executive 
updates, which provide briefings on specific 
areas of the business. Other methods 
include:
 e Your Voice Counts employee survey every 

two years and periodic pulse surveys
 e Annual personal development reviews 

and line manager training

 e The RIGHT WAY magazine published  

online quarterly

 e Quarterly global internal update by  

the Chief Executive

 e Speak Up ethics hotline
 e Works councils including an EU Forum

Measurements
We measure our impact by monitoring our 
total headcount, diversity, the amount of new 
online training content made available and 
online learning views, the talent pipeline 
of graduate and apprenticeships, and 
our Core Culture Index. We also monitor 
external ratings, such as Glassdoor. 

88.6% 

colleague retention, up from 86.9% in 2019

Key issues for stakeholder
 e Health, safety and sustainability
 e Expertise and service quality
 e Innovation
 e Digital portals
 e Transparency
 e Quality assurance and insights
 e Cost
 e Regulatory compliance

Why we engage
The Company’s purpose is to protect people 
and enhance lives, and in a service industry 
we succeed or fail by the quality of the service 
we offer our customers.

Impact/value created
 e Brand value
 e Regulatory compliance (food safety, 

health and safety, etc.)

 e Sustainability

Methods of engagement
 e Management of ongoing customer 

relationships

 e Customer satisfaction surveys/CVC (NPS)
 e Participation in industry forums and events, 
such as the Global Food Safety Initiative 
and thought leadership

 e Annual Report & Accounts and 
industry-focused publications

 e Websites
 e Innovation showcase, e.g. visits to our 
dedicated R&D and training facility, 
the Power Centre

 e Provision of training for customers’ staff

Measurements
We measure our impact by monitoring 
our net gain and portfolio development, 
operating margin and density, and 
opportunity pipeline. We also monitor 
customer satisfaction and external ratings 
and measurements, such as Trustpilot. 

4.8 out of 5

customer satisfaction score in 2020

2.6m 

customer surveys were undertaken in 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

More information
 e Our responsible business approach (including a summary 

of performance) on pages 47 to 66
 e Section 172(1) statement on page 66
 e Board engagement with stakeholders on pages 90 and 91
 e Our Key Performance Indicators (which are grouped by 

stakeholder) on pages 16 to 19 

rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery

Shareholders

Communities

Suppliers

Our shareholders range from global 
investment funds and institutions based 
primarily in the UK, North America and 
Europe, to small private investors, 
who are often current or former employees.

Key issues for stakeholder
 e Growth in revenue (organic/M&A) 

and profit

 e Cash flow and returns, e.g. dividends
 e Brand and market leadership
 e Innovation and digital differentiation
 e Consistent execution of RIGHT WAY 

strategy

 e Environmental, social and governance  

(ESG) performance

Why we engage
Our investors are the owners of the 
business. Continued access to capital is vital 
to our long-term performance. We want our 
investors and investment analysts to have 
a strong understanding of our business, 
strategy and performance, and to 
understand their priorities.

Impact/value created
We aim to generate long-term profitable 
growth to help deliver value for our 
shareholders.
 e Internal rate of return 
 e Earnings per share 
 e Compounding model
 e Dividends
 e Free Cash Flow

Methods of engagement
 e Institutional investor meetings
 e Capital Markets Days
 e  Investor roadshows
 e Annual General Meeting
 e Correspondence with retail shareholders
 e Annual Report & Accounts
 e Corporate website
 e Results presentations
 e Our Responsible Business Report

Measurements
We measure our impact by monitoring our 
share price and reviewing analyst notes 
on us. 

Our communities are those who live in areas 
where we work, such as local residents, 
businesses, schools and charities.

Key issues for stakeholder
 e Jobs and investment
 e Contribution to public health and 

safe environment

 e Environmental impact

Why we engage
We respect the communities in which 
we operate and employ people, but we 
also accept a wider responsibility to key 
communities and environments around 
the world.

Impact/value created
We partner with charities and community 
initiatives in communities where we operate 
and aim to minimise our environmental 
impacts.
 e Tax paid
 e Charitable donations
 e Energy and fuel-derived emissions 
(a negative impact which we reduce 
or offset where possible)

Methods of engagement
 e Employment of approximately 44,500 

individuals

 e Sponsorship and colleague volunteering
 e Partnerships with schools, colleges  

and universities

Measurements
We monitor our impact by measuring the 
amount of charitable cash donations made 
each year, our inclusion in ESG indices, and 
our carbon emission ranking with the CDP. 
More information can be found on our 
responsible business priorities of the 
environment on pages 52 to 57, and 
communities on pages 60 to 63 in the 
Responsible Business section. 

£184,000 

charitable donations in 2020

263 

interactions with investors, from 148 global 
institutions, were held in 2020

276 

community events to say thank you to key 
public sector workers were held in 2020

Our suppliers range from major 
manufacturers of key products and 
consumables to our global business, to 
suppliers of indirect goods and services 
used to support our operations. Products 
supplied include pest control baits, paper, 
soaps and waste disposal units, while 
indirect supplies include technology 
services, fleet vehicles and 
telecommunications.

Key issues for stakeholder
 e Long-term engagement and innovation
 e Control of price increases and delivery 

of cost savings

 e Continuous improvement approach
 e High standards of product quality and 

service delivery

 e Governance and corporate responsibility, 

including human rights and modern slavery

Why we engage
We recognise that strategic partnerships 
with suppliers deliver more value to our 
business and our customers than short-term 
deals.

Impact/value created
 e Optimised supply chain from manufacturer 

to end customer

 e Joint development of product and service 

innovations

Methods of engagement
The Global Procurement team manages 
the relationship with major suppliers, with 
senior management involvement where 
appropriate. Comprehensive audits of 
all critical suppliers, including factory 
inspections, systems review and ESG 
factors, are undertaken. However, the 
supplier audit programme was interrupted 
in 2020 by the pandemic and will resume 
as soon as travel restrictions allow.

Measurements
We monitor our impact by measuring our 
monthly On Time In Full (OTIF) delivery 
metrics and quality complaints and our 
annual revenue development, product 
innovations and pricing management. 
We also monitor the scores from 
supplier audits. 

228% 

increase of hand soap and sanitiser 
dispenser sales in 2020 over 2019

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 25

Playing 
our part

by meeting rising 
demand for digital 
pest products 

The COVID-19 crisis has generated a greater 
customer focus on digital devices and reporting 
and reflects growing demand for proactive 
24/7 remote monitoring of a public health threat, 
greater speed of response and less physical 
contact between customers and service 
providers in line with new COVID-19 protocols. 

Benefiting from this rising demand has 
been PestConnect – our innovative, 
award-winning remote monitoring system 
for rodents, which uses non-toxic and 
highly targeted treatments that reduce 
the rodenticide impact on UK wildlife. 
PestConnect provides immediate control 
of rodents, delivering maximum 
protection against pests but with 
minimum on-site visits and disruption, 
which in turn protects customers from 
the spread of COVID-19. Minimising 
physical contact during the pandemic 
has been critical for our hospital 
customers – including London’s 
Nightingale Hospital, which was 
specially constructed to support all 
NHS London hospitals in the event 
of a surge in COVID-19 cases – as they 
have sought to minimise physical on-site 
interactions with service providers. 

This year also saw our largest 
commercial contract to date with Tesco, 
for whom we have installed tens of 
thousands of PestConnect units across 
the majority of its UK estate. As the 
country’s leading supermarket, Tesco 
has zero tolerance for pest issues, and 
required a rapid, proactive and also 
sustainable solution minimising the need 
for toxic baits, in line with the company’s 
environmental agenda. Individually 
tailored to Tesco’s business needs, we 
installed PestConnect across its UK 
locations, including external areas, 
distribution and storage areas, and 
shop floors.

26 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

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Other Information

Having PestConnect installed 
across their UK sites provides 
Tesco with a system that alerts 
our Rentokil technicians to 
pests the moment they enter a 
device. Also by having access 
to myRentokil, which delivers 
real-time information, the data 
produced can be used to 
identify trends and problems 
while also supporting Tesco’s 
auditing and legislation 
requirements.
Dave Hall,  
Operations Director, Rentokil Pest Control UK

Our contract with Rentokil is 
the world’s largest contract 
for connected technology 
and surely marks the tipping 
point for digital pest control. 
For us, as an organisation, 
data is gold and we need 
to know at all times what is 
going on and why, as it is this 
knowledge that helps us do 
pest control better. 
Tony O’Donovan,  
Head of Pest Control, Tesco UK

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 27

Pest Control

Our Pest Control operations have 
been very resilient in this challenging 
year, supporting our customers 
through the crisis and into restart 
and recovery. This resilient 
performance reflects our essential 
service status in the majority of 
our markets (allowing our frontline 
services to continue to operate), 
the largely contractual nature 
of the portfolio, and the fact 
that it has been less affected 
by temporary business 
shutdowns than our core 
Hygiene and Protect & 
Enhance categories.

Ongoing Revenue at CER

£1,751.7m 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

+1.0%

1,751.7

1,734.8

1,564.3

1,393.7

1,150.0

Ongoing Operating Profit at CER

£283.7m 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

283.7

310.1

277.3

251.8

213.6

Net Operating Margin at CER

16.2% 

-170bps

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

28 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

16.2

17.9

17.7

18.1

18.6

What we do 
At Rentokil, our pest control specialists protect people and enhance 
lives by providing pest control solutions that ensure public health and protect 
the environment through energy efficient and sustainable pest control services. 
We offer a complete range of pest control services and solutions for commercial 
and residential properties, from common pests such as rodents, flies, stored product 
insects, biting insects and birds to other kinds of wildlife. We have extensive 
experience across a wide range of industries and use both preventative and 
responsive strategies to enhance protection for our customers through holistic, 
integrated pest management programmes.

-8.5%

market of c.40,000 companies, 
c.50% in North America

Our unique selling points
 e Global leader – we are No.1 in 54 of our 

82 markets

 e  Strong Employer of Choice programme 
– with outstanding technical training, 
building expertise and careers 

 e Powerful brand 
 e Core strength in attractive commercial 

sector

 e Leaders in digital – connected devices, 

data, AI and apps

 e Unmatched capabilities in innovation
 e Disciplined M&A – highly fragmented 

Introduction
We are the world’s largest commercial pest 
control company with an unrivalled global 
position in a resilient, non-cyclical and 
defensive industry characterised by strong 
structural growth drivers, which we present 
opposite on page 29. Our Pest Control 
business is a route-based business where 
profit growth is driven by a fundamental 
understanding of the importance of density. 
We have strengthened our position as global 
leaders in pest control through increased 
organic growth and by establishing stronger 
market positions, particularly in Emerging and 
Growth markets, through the introduction of 
innovative products and services, acquisitions 
and our determination to be an Employer of 

Choice across our global operations. 
The business has delivered a seven-year 
CAGR of 13.2%. 

The pest control 
market and industry
The global pest control market is an attractive, 
non-cyclical market worth some $21.0bn and 
estimated to grow at an expected average 
CAGR of 5.2% p.a. to 2025 (source: Allied 
Research Consultants LLC). Pest Control 
is a largely non-discretionary and essential 
service and our medium-term opportunities 
are undiminished by the COVID-19 crisis. 
We maintain our organic growth target for 
our Pest Control category of 4% to 6% p.a. 
The primary function of the professional 
pest control industry is to maintain hygienic 
surroundings for customers which are free 
of pests that could either damage commercial 
interests and reputation or endanger public 
health. Pest control contracts typically specify 
a certain level of preventative work be 
undertaken, such as the number of visits to 
customer premises, while reactive enquiries 
for one-off jobs require quick and efficient 
treatment for specific issues. 

Competitors
The pest control market is highly fragmented 
with an estimated 40,000 operators globally, 
c.20,000 of which are in North America. Key 
international competitors of Rentokil include 

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Global growth drivers
Across the globe, pest control 
management is becoming increasingly 
important, driven by increasing 
populations, urbanisation, globalisation 
and changing demographics and 
standards. Stricter regulations and 
technology developments are 
important factors contributing to 
future pest management growth. 

Ongoing structural growth trends

Growing population 

Urbanisation

Rising middle classes

The world’s population is growing by 
80 million people each year and is 
forecast to total 8.6 billion by 2030, 
creating further demand from pest 
proximity.

It is estimated that 70% of the global 
population will live in cities by 2050 
(1990: 43%), where pest issues are 
most prevalent.

160 million more people join the middle 
classes every year, with increasing 
hygiene standards and lower pest 
tolerance. 

Vector-borne diseases 

Rising standards 

Increasing business pressure 

More than 3.9 billion people in over 128 
countries are at risk of contracting 
dengue fever, with 96 million cases 
estimated per year. 

Increasing global convergence and 
transparency in global hygiene 
standards, particularly in emerging 
markets, is fuelling demand for pest 
control services. 

Climate change

Rise of pest intolerance 

By 2050, climate change is expected 
to cause approximately 250,000 
deaths each year from malnutrition, 
malaria and other diseases. 

Pest infestations cost businesses 
c.£5.8bn each year. 

22% of facilities across the global 
food chain have some record of pest 
activity at any given time which carries 
significant reputational risk. 80% of US 
hotels and motels have reported some 
presence of bed bugs in the last year 
and have suffered potential damage 
to their reputation via social media.

COVID-19 pandemic-driven trends 

Pest brands people trust
Brands face a fundamental reordering 
of priorities, with 53% of respondents 
believing that trust in the company that 
owns a brand is one of the most 
important factors in the purchasing 
decision (source: Edelman Trust 
Barometer Report 2020).

Increased awareness of 
pests as vectors
The pandemic has significantly 
elevated awareness of pest risks 
and the potential of virus and 
disease transfer to humans.

Increasing focus on sustainability 
Customers are seeking safer pest 
control through the use of lower toxic 
solutions, including biological and 
physical methods and better waste 
management.

Rising demand for remote 
monitoring solutions 
Customers are seeking to minimise 
physical interaction with service 
providers during the pandemic, 
requesting a variety of technology 
and sensors for the remote monitoring 
of pests. In addition, customers are 
demanding increased transparency 
of data from connected products 
across their estate. 

Orkin, Terminix and Ecolab (all based in the 
United States) and Anticimex (based in 
Sweden). Over the last 12 months there has 
been further M&A activity across the sector 
with major players targeting acquisitions in 
Growth and Emerging markets. In addition, 
new technology solutions and increased 
digital marketing are driving inbound leads 
for national and smaller independents.

Our customers 
In 82 countries, businesses and homeowners 
trust Rentokil to solve their pest problems 
and prevent them from reoccurring. While 
the residential market is important to Rentokil, 
commercial pest control services account 
for 80% of our total pest control revenue, 
with residential pest control representing 
approximately 20% – over 75% of this coming 
from the US and Australia. Our key commercial 
customer sectors include food and beverage 
processing, hospitality, facilities management, 
offices and administrative, and logistics 
and warehousing. On a per capita basis, 
both the US and Australia have much larger 
residential markets for pest control than in 
Europe, primarily because of the presence 
of termites and wooden housing. Industries 
are increasingly adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ 
attitude towards pests to protect their 
customers and reputations, and as a result, 
we continue to set new standards for service 
excellence through market-leading technical 
training, innovation and digital tools. 

Overview of  
performance in 2020 
Our Pest Control category demonstrated great 
resilience in 2020 despite the COVID-19 crisis. 
This reflects our essential service status in 
the majority of our markets which has enabled 
our frontline technicians to continue to service 
customers who required pest control in 2020. 
Pest Control performance has varied by 
geography and reflects the severity and 
duration of local, regional and country 
lockdowns. In addition, customer segments 
have been impacted differently by the crisis 
– while offices and the hotels, restaurants 
and cafes (HORECA) segment have been the 
most affected, demand from other customers 
including food retail, pharmaceutical 

companies, transport and residential 
customers has increased. By the year end, 
service provision to 0.7% of Pest Control 
customer premises remained suspended, 
versus c.7% at the peak of the crisis in April. 

Financial performance 
Despite a Q2 decline in Ongoing Revenue 
of 5.9%, our Pest Control category delivered 
overall growth of 1.0% for the year. Overall, 
trading was most impacted in April, 
strengthened in May and showed a steady 
trend of improvement as the year progressed 
and lockdowns eased in certain parts of the 
world. Ongoing Operating Profit declined 
by 8.5% reflecting bad debt provisions 
and increased costs of PPE. Net Operating 
Margins declined by 170 basis points to 16.2%. 

Pest Control quarterly Ongoing Revenue performance by region £m

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

FY2020

% YOY

North America

220.9

262.6

278.3

256.6

1,018.4

Europe (incl. Latin America)

UK & Rest of World

Asia

Pacific

72.0

54.7

42.7

21.3

64.5

44.6

33.8

18.7

74.6

54.0

43.4

19.4

71.6

282.7

52.5

205.8

43.7

21.8

163.6

81.2

Ongoing operations

411.6

424.2

469.7

446.2

1,751.7

– Growth

– Emerging

345.8

373.6

405.0

382.2

1,506.6

65.8

50.6

64.7

64.0

245.1

(2.4)

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 29

3.1

(0.4)

(5.0)

(0.5)

(1.3)

1.0

1.6

Pest Control

Growth markets 
These markets include North America, the 
UK and Ireland, Pacific, Germany, Benelux and 
the Caribbean. They represent 86% of total 
Pest Control Ongoing Revenue and 91% of 
category Ongoing Operating Profit and have 
delivered a five-year revenue CAGR of 13.3%. 
Our Pest Control operations in these markets 
grew by 1.6% in 2020. 

As the world’s largest pest control market, 
North America is a particularly important 
region for us. Our business here provides pest 
control coverage nationwide, supported by 
378 branches, 48 distribution centres and 
10,132 colleagues. Approximately 60% of our 
revenue is in commercial pest control, 40% in 
residential. C.70% of our Pest Control services 
revenue is contracted and c.30% comes from 
jobbing revenue. North America Pest Control 
has delivered a five-year revenue CAGR of 
18.6%. Our strategy in this region is to build 
density through organic initiatives and M&A. 
Organic initiatives include growth in national 
accounts, product innovation, harnessing 
the digital opportunity and leveraging our 
business-to-business sales capability in our 
core sectors of food processing, food retail, 
healthcare and offices. We have a proven 
track record in M&A and, despite the 
suspension of our M&A programme in Q2, 

we acquired 14 businesses in the region with 
annualised revenues of c.£139.5m and our 
future pipeline of opportunities is strong. 

North America Pest Control performed 
robustly in 2020, growing revenues by 3.1% 
to £1,018.4m. While we saw more significant 
disruption in coastal states, including New 
York and California, other regions, such as the 
mid-west and southeast, were less impacted. 
Demand for residential pest control has been 
good throughout the crisis but regular service 
provision for commercial pest customers has 
been hindered by temporary business 
closures. For a full review of our North America 
business (which includes product distribution, 
Ambius and our new disinfection business) 
and an update on our progress towards our 
objectives of 18% Net Operating Margins and 
revenues of $1.5bn, please see the Financial 
Review on pages 146 to 148. 

Our German and Benelux Pest Control 
operations performed very robustly during 
the year, delivering revenue growth of 2.4% 
and 2.5% respectively, reflecting an easier 
trading environment in both countries during 
the crisis. 

Ongoing Revenue in our UK and Ireland 
Pest Control business declined by 8.5% year 
on year, impacted by national lockdowns in 

Q2 and a subsequent inability to service 
customers whose premises were temporarily 
closed during this period, particularly those 
within the HORECA sector. Revenues were 
supported, however, by a number of new 
customer wins, including a contract with 
Tesco, the UK’s leading supermarket chain, 
to install PestConnect – our digital connected 
pest control monitoring system – across two 
thirds of its UK estate (please see page 26 for 
further detail on this, our largest PestConnect 
contract win to date). 

While our New Zealand Pest Control 
operations had an extremely difficult Q2 due 
to the strict lockdown there, overall Ongoing 
Revenue in our Pacific Pest Control operations 
were generally less impacted by the crisis and 
Ongoing Revenue declined by 1.3% in 2020, 
reflecting an improving performance from H2 
in both New Zealand and Australia. We made 
one small pest control acquisition in Australia 
this year, with annualised revenues in the year 
prior to acquisition of c.£0.5m. 

In 2020, we acquired 16 pest control 
companies in our Growth markets, bringing 
the total to 133 pest control acquisitions since 
2015, of which 81 have been in North America.

Growth market characteristics

Regional  
segment

Market 
position

Market characteristics

North America

Pacific

UK & Ireland

Germany

Benelux

Caribbean

3

1

1

1

1

1

North America is the world’s largest pest control market worth c.$10bn and set to reach c.$11bn by 2023 
(source: Allied Research Consultants LLC, 2020). It is highly fragmented and competitive with five major 
players – Orkin, Terminix, Rentokil Steritech, Anticimex and Ecolab – and c.20,000 regional or local 
independents. Market trends include an improving housing market and economy, fuelling termite 
and commercial pest control, and rising demand for ant, bed bug and mosquito control services.

Key market trends in Australia and New Zealand are rising hygiene standards, legislation and regulation, 
and free trade agreements with China and India, which will fuel export demands and impact the pest and 
fumigation industry. Major players here are Ecolab, Rollins, Terminix, Anticimex and Massey Services. Rentokil 
is a market leader in the UK, Germany and Benelux, followed by a number of businesses with scale to service 
larger accounts and many smaller providers. Leading European operators include Ecolab and Anticimex. Key 
value drivers are sales capability, customer retention, upselling additional service lines, increasing technician 
productivity and optimising business mix. Pest pressures include termites, biting insects, rodents, pigeons 
and other small mammals. Main customer segments are food manufacturing, processing and retail, 
pharmaceutical, industrial and manufacturing, hotels, offices and residential. 

  North America 

   Europe & Latin America 

   UK & Rest of World 

  Asia 

  Pacific

Growth through M&A 
Acquisitions are core to our Pest Control 
strategy – they enable us to build further scale 
and density and improve our ability to service 
customers. We have the in-house capability 
to identify, evaluate and execute acquisitions 
at pace and our model for value-creating M&A 
is structured around disciplined evaluation 
of targets, detailed integration programmes 
and careful governance of new businesses 
under our ownership. 

Despite taking the decision to suspend our 
M&A activity in Q2, the progress we made 
in Q1, combined with a very strong M&A 

performance in the second half, has resulted 
in 21 pest acquisitions in 2020. We acquired 
businesses in 11 countries: Australia, Canada, 
Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Netherlands, Peru, 
Singapore, Spain, Tanzania and the US 
(entering Peru and Ghana for the first time). 
Our pipeline of opportunities in both Growth 
and Emerging markets is very strong and 
we are confident of further high-quality 
acquisitions in 2021. Our strategy for pest 
control M&A is predicated on continuing to 
target acquisitions in key markets to build 
density, targeting acquisitions in mega and 
large cities and also seeking opportunities 
in new countries where the industry and 
economy supports expansion. 

30 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Other Information

“Rentokil is a sustainable 
employer that takes care of 
its people. There are great 
opportunities for progression 
and you get rewarded for hard 
work and dedication.”

“It’s definitely one of the best 
companies I have worked for. 
The pros of working for Rentokil? 
It’s an amazing company – 
friendly, passionate, caring, 
really interesting work, highly 
innovative and inclusive. 
The cons? Well, it’s fast paced, 
but I love that.” 

Employee reviews taken from 
Glassdoor, February 2021 

I have been working at 
Rentokil North America 
full time for more than 
10 years. It is an innovative 
company that works hard  
at controlling pests with  
the least amount of impact 
on the environment. It’s a 
fun, family atmosphere  
with the backing of a large 
company. There are a lot of 
opportunities to do what you 
love and be promoted into 
the roles you desire.

Why 
Rentokil is a 
great place 
to work

Emerging markets 
We have a strong and rapidly growing position 
in the markets of Asia, Latin America, MENAT, 
Kenya, Fiji and Central America, which 
combined represent a strong platform for 
delivering sustainable, profitable growth. They 
represent 8.6% of Group Ongoing Revenue 
and 5.0% of Group Ongoing Operating Profit 
and have delivered a five-year revenue CAGR 
of 19.5%. However, our Pest Control operations 
in Emerging markets have faced significant 
challenges from the pandemic this year, 
particularly in India, and as a result Ongoing 
Revenue declined by 2.4% in 2020. 

Overall performance from our Asia Pest 
Control operations declined by 0.5% in 2020, 
with significant differences in performance by 
country. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, South 
Korea and Sri Lanka performed extremely well. 
By contrast, Malaysia, India and Hong Kong 
were harder hit by the crisis, reflecting the 
nature of their country lockdowns. We made 
one acquisition in Asia during H1, acquiring 
a pest control business in Singapore with 
annualised revenues in the year prior to 
purchase of c.£3.5m.

Latin America is our youngest region, but 
expanding rapidly both organically and 
through a solid acquisition agenda. 

Rentokil has top three leadership positions 
in all its Latin American markets and operates 
in nine of the 10 most populated cities. 
The business, which had been growing at 
double-digit rates until this year, declined 
by 7.9% in 2020, with growth significantly 
curtailed by the pandemic. The region 
acquired three new pest control businesses 
in 2020 in Colombia, Chile and Peru, with 
combined annualised revenues of c.£4m. 

Rentokil Pest Control is also the market leader 
in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey 
(MENAT), and National Pest Control, a market 
leader in the UAE with 180 colleagues which 
we acquired in 2018, is now fully integrated. 
We now have the capacity and footprint to 
operate across all of the main Emirates. The 
business declined by 3.0% this year, impacted 
by the COVID-19 crisis. Building on our already 
leading position in the region, we acquired a 
further new business in Accra, Ghana during 
the period, with annualised revenues of £0.4m. 

Acquisitions have been central to our strategy 
for growth in Emerging markets and in addition 
to the four mentioned above, we also 
purchased a pest control business in Tanzania 
with revenues of £1.3m. This brings the total 
number of deals made since 2015 to 49. 

Growing demand despite 
current market volatility 
Many positive macro-economic trends 
continue to drive growth in the pest control 
industry. While the economic landscape is 
challenging and many customer groups have 
been impacted by the pandemic, pest control 
remains a critical service requirement for 
both commercial and residential customers. 
In addition, the pest control market continues 
to consolidate, presenting strong M&A 
opportunities for active industry participants. 

Navigating the customer landscape to 
maximise the opportunity in targeted growth 
and resilient sectors, while protecting our 
position in more vulnerable customer groups, 
will be critical as we go forward. While our pest 
control offer is strong and compelling, brand 
trust, differentiated expert service delivery 
(including innovation), and an increasing desire 
for digital customer engagement solutions, are 
all areas in which we will continue to focus and 
invest. 

Emerging market characteristics

Regional  
segment

Market 
position

Market characteristics

Asia

Latin America / 
Central America

Middle East and 
North Africa

Sub-Saharan 
Africa

1 & 2

1, 2 & 3

1

1, 2 & 3

These are fast-growing markets linked to economic and social development. Population growth, a growing 
middle class and increased government regulation on hygiene and sanitation are fuelling growth. Market 
trends include strict regulations on food safety, health and the environment, the use of extranets to provide 
pest control monitoring and performance tracking for customers, the use of mobile technologies by pest 
control companies to enhance service productivity and a rising customer demand for eco-friendly services 
and products.

The market is highly fragmented with the majority of pest control companies being made up of small, local 
businesses. Rentokil is a market leader and the most recognisable and trusted brand. Pest pressures include 
termites, mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, rodents and flying insects. Cockroaches, carriers of diseases such 
as salmonella and gastroenteritis, are high-risk pests in homes. Main customer segments are food processing, 
food retail chains, industrial and manufacturing, hotels and resorts, and offices and residential. 

  North America 

   Europe & Latin America 

   UK & Rest of World 

  Asia 

  Pacific

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 31

 
 
 
 
Pest Control

Our strategy
Pest Control is our core business line and our main engine for growth. Our strategy 
for Pest Control remains on course as we transition from the pandemic to a new world 
after the virus. Our key strategic themes and priorities are set out in the table below. 

In North America, we will continue to leverage our 
scale and build market share through a balanced 
programme combining organic initiatives (such 
as new product growth areas, national accounts, 
innovation, digital marketing, Employer of Choice 
and the Best of Breed transformation programme) 
and targeted M&A to build density and increase 
our expertise in new pest sectors such as vector 
control and lake management.

Emerging markets – in Asia our focus will be on 
implementing an improvement plan for India, further 
roll-out of digital technology to enhance service 
and efficiency, integration of recent acquisitions 
and further progress towards profitability in China. 
We will continue to build key city density in Latin 
America and build on our vector control capability 
in the core Brazilian market.

Rentokil has leveraged key new solutions to support 
growth including Lumnia, the world’s first LED 
Electronic Fly Killer. Our strong pipeline of hardware 
and consumable products focuses on sustainability to 
address growing market and customer requirements. 
The global pandemic provides additional 
opportunities to accelerate our digital pest control 
products and deliver new solutions, such as proofing 
and disinfection. 

In 2021, we will continue to develop non-toxic pest 
control solutions (biological and physical methods in 
place of synthetic chemical products and pesticides) 
in response to regulatory changes and customer 
preferences.

We are the industry leaders in innovation, digital 
platforms, technical capability and unique proprietary 
products. COVID-19 is accelerating the adoption of 
digital solutions to help minimise human-to-human 
contact. 

Rentokil has developed the world’s leading digital 
pest control platform, providing an unmatched level 
of monitoring, reporting and insight for our customers. 
Our three key digital innovations are PestConnect, 
myRentokil and Command Centre (see page 34).

Our growing scale and density is enabling us to be 
more competitive in securing an increasing share of 
national and global accounts. Our aim is to continue 
to grow by building long-term strategic customer 
relationships, carefully targeting attractive prospects, 
improving our sales execution and leveraging our 
combined national sales expertise of both Rentokil 
and Steritech.

Different customer sector trends require a targeted 
approach. 

Key focus areas are small bolt-ons to build density 
in existing markets, acquisitions in new markets 
and megacities of the future, and medium-sized 
transactions. Bolt-on acquisitions in urban areas will 
be targeted for customers, employees, existing routes 
and synergy opportunities. In new markets, we will 
focus on acquisitions in target city clusters and large 
urban areas, improving business performance by 
deploying our sales and service models, processes, 
standards, technologies and financial discipline.

Our target key sectors include facilities management 
and food and beverage production to maximise the 
global opportunity.

With over 2 million small to medium-sized businesses 
and 30% of office real estate forecast to close by the 
end of 2021, we are preparing for a fast-changing 
landscape, proactively cultivating sectors in growth 
and adapting to emerging customer needs.

We will also pursue medium-sized pest control 
businesses, particularly in North America, to build 
density (and also to supplement our growing 
expertise in sectors such as vector control), 
applying our own systems, processes and financial 
rigour to improve revenues and margins.

Key strategic themes

Continue acceleration 
of our business by 
building on our global 
leadership, through 
further expansion in 
Growth (particularly 
North America) and 
Emerging markets, 
both organically and 
through M&A.

Differentiation through 
our innovation pipeline, 
increasingly non-toxic 
pest control solutions.

Harness the digital 
opportunity – using 
our digital expertise 
including web, apps, 
portals and services 
and to lead digital 
pest control.

Maximise our national 
and international 
accounts capability.

Target key growth 
sectors and markets 
– particularly in 
commercial pest 
control. 

Continued M&A 
strategy to expand 
the city footprint 
and density.

32 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Other Information

Pest Control growth in 
a post-pandemic world 
Despite significant impact from the pandemic 
in 2020, our core strategy remains on course. 
The key components to growth are: 

 e increasing brand marketing activity in all 
markets with a brand recognised as the 
leader in pest control;

 e enhancing digital communication platforms 
through the customer journey to engage 
customers and convert opportunities;
 e continuing our successful M&A strategy 
to expand and strengthen our footprint;
 e owning the position of the world’s most 

sustainable pest control service company;

 e implementing differentiated innovation, 
marketing and targeting activities built 
on robust data and insights; and 

 e expanding our digital pest control offer 
and increasing customer penetration. 

On page 30 and over the following pages, we 
will give more details about four key pillars for 
growth: brand strength and digital engagement; 
M&A; digital infrastructure and capability; 
and innovation. 

Brand strength 
Our Rentokil brand is of central importance 
to us. We want it to be seen as synonymous 
with the highest quality and trusted levels of 
service delivery, market-leading innovation 
and digital solutions that protect people and 
enhance lives. Our aim is to be recognised 
as the world’s leading expert provider of 
pest control and the voice of authority to 
our customers, potential customers and 
influencers. 

The global pandemic of 2020 has resulted 
in a shift in the importance of brand trust for 
customers. In addition, the environment and 
use of sustainably and ethically sourced 
materials are emerging as top-ten customer 
priorities. Our focus is on raising greater 
awareness of our brand through a global 
brand voice campaign focused on key trust 
and expertise messaging to: high-dependency 
customers such as food suppliers; employee 
locations such as offices and manufacturing 
facilities; and guest locations such as leisure, 
hotels, education, and food and beverage. 

We are driving our brand alignment efforts for 
a unified, consistent global presence to build 
trust and credibility, and effectively track and 
measure our brand equity. This is through 
central deployment of global campaigns 
with supporting toolkits for local activation 
via a wide range of communication channels 
including online, social media, global and 
national sales, third party events and webinars. 

Digital engagement 
We are strongly positioned to capitalise on 
a ‘digital first’ approach post the pandemic 
and to use our expertise in digital sales and 
customer engagement in a more socially 
distanced world. During the year we 
conducted a series of sector-specific digital 
marketing campaigns to highlight the services 
we can offer to customers as part of their 
restart programmes and for a post-pandemic 
world. This included sending 2.9 million emails 
in the UK with a very high ‘open rate’ of over 
60% (versus an average services sector 
rate of 22%) in certain sectors. In the US, 
sessions to our Western and JC Ehrlich 
websites rose by 34% and 14% respectively. 

We also undertook a series of webinars to 
build engagement with customers on key pest 
control and hygiene topics and these have 
proven to be very successful in 2020. 

Our focus on delivering new content and 
localisation is driving record levels of traffic to 
our websites across the Group. Overall total 
Rentokil web traffic grew by c.18% in 2020, 
with total visits reaching c.33.2 million 
sessions (2019: 28.1 million). In 2020, 
we launched a series of online marketing 
campaigns focused on how our leadership 
in technology and innovation helps our 
customers ‘stay one step ahead of pests’ 
through industry-leading levels of monitoring, 
reporting and insight.

In July, we launched our first Rentokil website 
‘chat bot’ in the UK to make us more effective, 
handle enquiries faster and reduce the ‘hassle 
factor’ for customers and prospects. People 
contact us via our websites for a variety of 
reasons, but the majority of inbounds are sales 
enquiries. Since launch, 99.7% of enquires to 
the chat bot have come from new customers, 
approximately two thirds of which are from 
residential customers, and just under half 
of all chats are conducted outside working 
hours. The chat bot is reducing the volume 
and duration of calls to our Contact Centre, 
freeing up time for our sales colleagues to 
focus on higher-value activities. 

Working smarter by 
harnessing the power 
of technology 
Protecting customer facilities 24/7 
against fast-evolving pest threats 
can be challenging, particularly in 
areas difficult to monitor for pest 
activity or areas that are 
automated or unmanned.

Digital  
Pest Control

Our Internet of Things-enabled 
pest management solutions give 
our customers unrivalled pest 
data, insights and reporting to help 
proactively prevent, monitor and 
manage pests with new levels 
of efficiency and control.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 33

 Pest Control

Digital infrastructure  
and capability 
Digital innovation in Pest Control is necessary 
to meet the needs of an evolving world. Macro 
trends (including pandemic-driven trends) are 
increasing demand for digital solutions and 
these include demand for more remote 
monitoring solutions due to COVID-19, smart 
technology becoming a norm that is driven 
by younger generations, and customers 
demanding increased transparency of data. 
Rentokil has developed the world’s leading 
digital pest control platform, providing an 
unmatched level of monitoring, reporting and 
insight for our customers who face the risk of 
increased fines and censure without effective 
pest management and reporting. 

PestConnect is the world’s most advanced 
digital system for pest control and the ‘world’s 
smartest mousetrap’. It provides our customers 
with a complete remote pest detection 
solution and full traceability. We have seen 
increased demand for the product in 2020 
as customers (including hospitals such as 
London’s Nightingale Hospital, which was 
specially constructed to support all NHS 
London hospitals in the event of a surge in 
COVID-19) have sought to minimise physical 
on-site interactions with service providers 
and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

This year also saw our largest commercial 
contract to date with Tesco, for whom we have 
installed tens of thousands of PestConnect 
units across the majority of its UK estate 
(see page 26). Since launch in 2016, we have 
installed over 150,000 PestConnect units 
across 7,684 customer locations in 26 
countries. In addition, 12,000 frontline 
colleagues in 25 countries now have access 

to our PestConnect floorplan app to manage 
PestConnect at scale across customer sites. 
We continue to develop and expand our 
product range, and in Q4 we launched our 
newest unit, Multi-Mouse Riddance. We will 
add to our growing range in 2021 with the 
launch of six additional new products for 
rodents, crawling insects, birds and flies. 

Our myRentokil online customer portal 
provides secure 24/7 access to real-time 
information that provides easy access to 
documentation required for pest control, 
including reviewing service recommendations 
and responding to audits. Currently 1.1 million 
customer sites and 95% of our commercial 
customers use myRentokil in 44 countries. 

CommandCentre is our central information 
hub containing data compiled from over 50 
countries with 7 billion records and populated 
with historic and current data to track pest 
trends and identify emerging risks. A total 
of 9 million messages were sent or received 
across our digital pest control network 
every day in 2020, recorded on the central 
command centre and stored on Google 
Cloud Platform. 

Innovation 
Innovation is a core component of growth 
and embedded within our cultural DNA. We 
encourage and empower all our colleagues to 
innovate with the desire to improve customer 
service. We deploy innovation consistently, 
targeted at key pest sectors and with potential 
for new non-toxic and sustainable solutions, 
which are increasingly becoming an important 
source of differentiation. Our core innovation 
categories are stored product infestation, 
rodents, birds, crawling and flying insects.

Rodents
Rodent control accounts for c.$2bn of the 
global pest control market and continues 
to grow at c.4% p.a. (source: Allied Analytics). 
Recent new product innovations include 
Dual AutoGate Connect, Riddance Connect, 
Rodent Ceiling Trap (a ceiling solution for 
rodent control in gaps above ceilings and 
which provides indicator alerts to a capture) 
and our Multi-Mouse Riddance product – 
a monitoring sensor that can be attached 
to several live catch products for real-time 
reporting, allowing for early technician 
support. 

In 2020, and after three years of development, 
we piloted Eradico, our new Global Bait Box, 
in 22 countries with launch planned for Q3 
2021. Eradico is an innovative, single-solution, 
flexible, technology-enabled rodent solution, 
which addresses 57 different needs and 
market requirements. A connected version of 
the system, called RADAR X, a next generation 
CO2 connected mouse riddance unit, will also 
be launched later this year. 

Bird control
Birds can become a nuisance if they are 
allowed to congregate on business premises. 
They can dislodge roof tiles, block guttering, 
encourage insect infestations and their 
detritus can drive away customers and spread 
diseases. Certain nuisance bird species can 
be dealt with but others, such as wild birds, 
are protected by law in many countries. 
Laser technology is now being used for bird 
management in industrial, aerospace and 
urban areas as an effective dispersal 
technique – birds perceive the laser beam 
as an approaching danger and so move away 
from the area. In 2020, we added to our range 
of bird control solutions with the Agrilaser 
Autonomic deterrent system, securing a 
£650,000 contract with a major US customer. 

Award-winning digital 
pest control products 
Our PestConnect range of 
connected pest control solutions 
has received the prestigious 
Queen’s Award for Enterprise 
Innovation for digital innovation 
in commercial pest control. Our 
range includes RADAR Connect 
non-tox traps, Dual AutoGate 
Connect and Rat Riddance 
Connect. We are continually 
developing and improving our 
professional solutions to control rats 
and mice without using traditional 
toxic rodenticides which impact the 
environment and wildlife. 

Digital 
innovation

Scan the QR code 
to watch our 
PestConnect video

34 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

62%

Lumnia generates c.62% 
lower carbon emissions 
by The Planet Mark.

Product 
innovation

Flying insects
We have sold c.168,000 Lumnia solutions 
across 58 countries since launch in 2017, 
with 2020 accounting for 32% of the sales 
volume. Lumnia is the world’s first range 
of illuminated fly traps to use patented LED 
lighting technology rather than traditional 
fluorescent tubes and we were proud and 
delighted to win The 2020 Queen’s Award 
for Innovation for the development and 
launch of Lumnia. Lumnia attracts, kills and 
encapsulates insects hygienically – eliminating 
the risks of contamination – and is suitable 
for a wide range of internal environments. 
It is also more environmentally friendly than 
traditional units, reducing energy output 
by c.70% and carbon emissions by 62%. 

Our products include Lumnia Standard 
(offices, shops, food retailers) and Lumnia 
Ultimate (which uses second generation lamps 
for high-dependency customers). We have 
now added to this range with Lumnia Colour 
(offering customers a choice of coloured 
units to match their interior décor) and Lumnia 
Slim. In 2021, we will launch our new Lumnia 
Connect model, fitted with camera technology 
for better risk management and greater audit 
trail transparency, and Crawling Insect Connect, 
which will be positioned in no-tolerance areas 
in customer food processing sites to primarily 
target moths and cockroaches. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

400%

By choosing a contrasting 
colour relative to the 
background, the effectiveness 
of our Lumnia products is 
increased by up to 400%.

Non-toxic solutions
Customer and regulatory requirements 
are leading to an increasing demand for 
innovative, non-toxic solutions in pest control. 
Our aim is to become the leaders in 
sustainable pest control and to do this we 
need to find better ways to exclude, remove, 
destroy and monitor pests with the lowest 
possible impact on the environment. This 
impact must be sustainable, taking into 
account the impact of the hardware we use, 
consumables required and cost of service 
to the environment. Sustainable innovations 
are required both internally, where premises 
require safer pest control from lower toxic 
solutions using biological and physical 
methods and lower waste management, 
and externally, where we need to develop 
and promote solutions and service cycles 
to reduce our environmental footprint. 
We continue to expand and develop our 
range of sustainable, non-toxic and humane 
solutions across all pest types. 

Global and national accounts 
We have seen strong growth this year from 
globally managed customers, particularly in 
the property and facilities management sector, 
with revenues increasing from £19.9m in 2019 
to £167.4m in 2020, aided by a considerable 
contribution from disinfection. Our 
relationships with key partners – including 
Sodexo, ISS, JLL and CBRE – have continued 
to develop in 2020 as we work together in 
existing and new geographies. Demand for 
surface disinfection from our largest 
customers has been strong in 2020, and they 
have sought high-quality, compliant and 
consistent services across their global estates. 
We have also made good progress with new 
account wins across a range of customer 
sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry, 
IT, food processing and logistics, and our 
pipeline of new business is strong. 

Lumnia Slim
Lumnia Slim is the latest addition 
to our range of Lumnia products.  
It is a highly effective, elegant 
and discreet solution that has 
been specifically designed for 
customer-facing locations such 
as cafes, bars, restaurants and 
reception areas. The unit’s 
modern exterior holds a powerful 
10W LED lamp that draws in flying 
insects while using a very low 
amount of energy. This makes 
Lumnia Slim cost-effective and 
environmentally friendly. 

Outlook
Our Pest Control category has delivered 
a robust performance in 2020, reflecting 
its 'essential service' status in the majority 
of countries in which we operate. 

Looking forward into 2021, while there 
are concerns around potential customer 
bankruptcies, bad debt, price reductions 
and the timing of a rebound from the 
HORECA sector, we nevertheless expect 
to deliver further performance improvements 
in the coming year. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 35

Playing 
our part

by combating 
COVID-19 

In December 2020, we announced the launch 
of the VIRUSKILLER™ air purifier in the UK, 
proven to kill 99.9999% of viruses with 
a single air pass, including the COVID-19 virus. 

The announcement came at a time when 
WHO had updated information on its 
website recognising that COVID-19 can 
be transmitted from person to person 
via aerosols in the air. 

produces hydroxyl radicals, which act 
as a disinfectant and break down the 
organic molecules. This all-in-one solution 
effectively filters dirty air, neutralises 
toxic air and decontaminates sick air. 

Unlike traditional air purifiers that simply 
trap airborne particles and microbes, 
VIRUSKILLER™ technology uses a series 
of carbon and HEPA filters and patented 
ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps to trap and 
kill airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi. 
The lamps are surrounded by a mesh 
of chromed nano titanium dioxide tube 
filters that are polished with activated 
carbon. The emitted UV light reacts 
with the mesh, and in a process 
called ‘photocatalytic oxidation’ 

Different-sized units will be offered 
to a wide range of sectors, from offices, 
education and healthcare to hospitality 
and leisure venues, and it is hoped that 
this technology will play an important role 
in the UK’s COVID-19 recovery, helping 
businesses and public facilities minimise 
the risk of airborne transmission when 
they are allowed to resume normal 
operations. 

36 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

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Financial Statements

Other Information

VIRUSKILLER™ is proven to kill

99.9999%

of viruses

We have had our air 
purifying VIRUSKILLER™ 
units for a few weeks 
now and have noticed 
that the air definitely feels 
cleaner in our business. 
It gives us peace of mind 
for our customers that 
visit and many have 
commented that it 
makes them feel safer.
Jason MacNiven,  
Golf Principles, Basingstoke

Unlike traditional air 
purification systems, 
VIRUSKILLER™’s UVC 
technology provides 
a photochemical 
deconstruction of the 
RNA and DNA of 
microorganisms, 
deactivating their 
reproductive processes 
so that the Coronavirus 
can no longer spread.
Dr Colm Moore,  
Area Technical Manager UK,  
Ireland and the Baltics, Rentokil Initial

Following the positive 
news surrounding 
several Coronavirus 
vaccines on the near 
horizon, VIRUSKILLER™ 
is another landmark 
development in the 
ongoing effort to battle 
Coronavirus. We hope 
it will play an important 
role as people look to 
resume their normal lives, 
providing confidence 
and peace of mind that 
airborne transmission is 
far less likely in indoor 
environments where the 
technology is installed. 
Jamie Woodhall,  
Technical and Innovation Manager,  
Rentokil Specialist Hygiene and Initial 
Washroom Hygiene

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 37

Hygiene

Our Hygiene category delivered 
strong growth in 2020, driven 
by sustained global demand for 
disinfection services, which were 
rolled out across 60 countries 
in March and April. Our core global 
Hygiene operations have been 
negatively impacted during the 
peak of the pandemic, principally 
due to their inability to deliver 
regular washroom services for 
a substantial number of customers 
(particularly the HORECA sector), 
which temporarily closed their 
operations from Q2.

What we do 
At Rentokil Initial our Hygiene technicians provide hygiene services to business 
environments to make them cleaner, safer, healthier and more pleasant places in 
which to operate. Establishing good hygiene practices throughout an organisation 
reduces the risk of infection being passed from person to person. As a result, fewer 
days are lost to sickness, which translates directly into real cost savings and increased 
productivity. Initial offers the widest range of washroom hygiene services, including 
the provision and maintenance of products such as air fresheners, sanitisers, feminine 
hygiene units, hand dryers, paper and linen towel dispensers, soap dispensers, toilet 
paper dispensers and floor protection mats. Our two hygiene ranges, Signature 
and Reflection, offer a full range of services and a consistent look and feel across 
a customer’s washroom.

Ongoing Revenue at CER

£743.8m 

+36.8%

Our unique selling points
 e Global leader – No.1 in 22 of the 45 markets 
(top 3 in 38 markets); plus 20 new markets 
in H2 2020

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

743.8

543.7

513.7

416.8

387.4

Ongoing Operating Profit at CER

£175.5m 

+81.4%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

175.5

96.8

89.6

74.0

67.5

Net Operating Margin at CER

23.6% 

+580bps

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

38 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

23.6

17.8

17.4

17.8

17.5

 e Recognised and trusted hygiene brand
 e Award-winning product range 
 e Digital, connected devices and data 
expertise shared with Pest Control
 e Operational focus – route and product 

density

 e Disciplined M&A – city-focused strategy 
 e Strong Employer of Choice programme 
– outstanding engagement and training 

Introduction
Our Initial Hygiene business is a strong 
complementary business to Pest Control. 
Both businesses service the same types 
of customers and also share country 
management, technology, infrastructure 
and back office services. They are also 
route-based businesses, where profit growth 
is driven by a fundamental understanding of 
the importance of density. The megatrends in 
the hygiene sector – and the importance of 
being able to prevent the spread of diseases, 
germs and bacteria – are fuelling demand for 
our services (see page 39 for structural and 
pandemic-driven growth trends). Over the past 
five years, our Hygiene business has delivered 
a significant improvement in revenue growth, 
established a strong product range, launched 

the myInitial customer portal for enhanced 
customer insight and engagement, and 
has begun to acquire bolt-on businesses 
to build scale and density. It has delivered 
a seven-year CAGR of 11.6%. 

Attractive and  
growing market
Our Hygiene businesses operate in an 
attractive industry offering good growth 
opportunities as expectations around 
standards of hygiene increase. Like Pest 
Control, Hygiene is an essential, 
non-discretionary business and we believe 
its medium-term opportunities are enhanced 
by rising demand for global hygiene services. 
From 2022 onwards, we are now targeting 
medium-term organic growth in core Hygiene 
services at rates comparable to those in Pest 
Control, at 4% to 6%. Margins in our Hygiene 
category are driven by postcode density 
(servicing as many customers as possible 
in any tight geographic zone) and customer 
penetration (selling multiple service lines 
to customers).

Competitors
There are many routes to satisfy washroom 
hygiene needs with competitors providing 
a wide range of supply solutions. Regional, 
full-service companies provide service 
solutions, either direct or via cleaning 
companies/facility management, 

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Global growth drivers
While the COVID-19 crisis has brought 
the short-term impact of lockdowns, 
it has also brought what we believe 
will be a longer-term change in 
attitudes towards the importance 
and perception of hygiene, which has 
moved from being viewed as a basic 
commodity to an essential service.

Initial Hygiene is a high-quality 
business ideally positioned to 
capitalise on new growth opportunities 
as the growing importance of hand, 
surface and air hygiene, tighter 
regulation, higher standards and 
increased usage of hygiene products 
and services rises around the world.

Ongoing structural growth trends

Global population

Urbanisation

Rising middle classes

The global population is growing by 
80 million p.a. and forecast to reach 
8.6 billion by 2030, creating further 
demand for washroom facilities.

An estimated 70% of the population will 
live in cities by 2050, where hygiene 
and sanitation issues are most 
prevalent.

160 million people join the middle 
classes every year, with increasing 
hygiene standards and a growing 
health consciousness.

Increasing legislation driving 
improved hygiene standards

Growth in hand  
sanitiser market 

This is particularly so in the food 
industry, considered to pose greater 
risks to public health than non-food 
sectors.

Valued at $2.6bn in 2019 and forecast 
to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% to 2026, this 
growth is driven by increasing health 
consciousness among consumers and 
rising incomes. 

Rise of millennials

This generation is highly focused on 
health and wellbeing and vocal about 
its importance.

Growth in air 
purification market 

The air purification market is expected 
to grow at a CAGR of 42% to 2025, to 
reach revenues of c.$90bn, with Asia 
Pacific the fastest-growing region and 
contributing 41% of market share. 

COVID-19 pandemic-driven trends 

Brand trust and expertise 
In this unprecedented period of 
extreme uncertainty and conflicting 
information, customers seek greater 
reassurance than ever from service 
providers, with brand trust being 
paramount. 

Legislation
The speed of onset and global spread 
of COVID-19 has led to significant local 
government and agency response, 
along with rapidly evolving guidelines. 
A period of legislative changes are 
now expected. 

Sustainability
In addition to the need to offer effective 
COVID-19 protection and significantly 
enhanced hygiene solutions, there 
is also a related and underpinning 
requirement to ensure that all solutions 
are delivered in the most sustainable 
way possible.

Hand hygiene
Good hand hygiene has been shown 
as one of the most basic yet powerful 
ways in which individuals can protect 
themselves from COVID-19 and other 
similar diseases. 

Surface hygiene
COVID-19 has led to an explosion of 
sensitivity around microbe transmission 
points and surfaces being carriers of 
risk. This has led to wide-scale surface 
disinfection and significantly enhanced 
cleaning regimes and protocols. 

Air hygiene
Increased sensitivities around air 
filtering, air purification and air quality 
monitoring are presenting significant 
new opportunities for air hygiene. 

Social distancing
This is expected to continue in many 
countries for the foreseeable future, 
driving degrees of sustained or 
permanent behavioural change.

differentiating on services, products and 
coverage. In several markets, washroom 
requirements can be met by facilities 
management or cleaning companies direct, 
but this solution is not typically of the same 
standard provided by washroom services 
companies.

COVID-19 and its impact  
on global hygiene standards 
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, we have 
seen elevated standards for health and 
hygiene, particularly in the workplace, and, 
as a result, hygiene has arguably become one 
of the most important business categories in 
the world. Industry commentators believe this 
heightened focus will not be a temporary blip, 
rather a permanent change which will create 
ongoing market opportunities from which our 
business can benefit. In addition to structural 
growth trends which will support long-term 
growth of our Hygiene category and which 
are essential for the continued success 
and growth of our business, we have also 
identified new trends which are being 
compounded by pandemic-driven factors. 

Hygiene markets

 Regional segment

Market position

Market characteristics

Europe

Latin America

1 or 2

1 (Chile and  
Colombia)

UK and Ireland

1 (UK), 2 (Ireland)

Rest of World

Asia

Pacific

1 or 2 (Caribbean),  
1 or 2 (Nordics &  
Sub-Saharan 
Africa)

1, 2 or 3

1 (NZ),  
2 (Australia),  
4 (Fiji)

Initial Hygiene has a No.1 position in 22 countries, 
a No.2 position in 13, and leading market positions 
in the Pacific, Asia and Caribbean. Characteristics 
of the global hygiene market differ by country with 
regional variances based on social and legislative 
standards. For example, in countries such as the 
UK and Australia, where there is tight legislation 
and very high standards surrounding the disposal 
of blood waste, the feminine hygiene market is 
particularly important. In Asia, air care and air 
quality is of paramount importance to consumers, 
driving high growth in this sector. In Europe, 
there is a strong focus on textiles, for example 
roller towels, and floor care, such as dust mats. 
In developing countries around the world, 
where there is growing awareness in sanitation, 
public health and hand wash support is a key 
market sector. 

  North America 

   Europe & Latin America 

   UK & Rest of World 

  Asia 

  Pacific

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 39

 
 
 
 
Hygiene

 Why Initial  
is a great 
place to 
work

“I absolutely love my job – there 
is always room for growth and 
you can go for bigger and 
better opportunities within the 
Company if that is what you 
want. There is no limit to how 
high you can fly. The support 
I have received from my 
managers over the years has 
been incredible. I would highly 
recommend Rentokil Initial.” 

Employee reviews taken from 
Glassdoor, February 2021 

I have been working 
with Initial for just 
over a year. As an 
organisation, it is 
clear in its direction, 
decisive, helpful, 
organised and 
respectful.

Customers and  
service culture
Our key Hygiene customer segments are 
manufacturing, facilities management, offices 
and administrative, hospitality, retail and 
education. We achieve high customer 
satisfaction levels and believe this is a key 
competitive advantage. We have account 
management processes in place for 
contacting customers at least annually to 
confirm service requirements are being met. 
We use feedback from our Customer Voice 
Counts surveys to improve service levels and 
every detractor score is followed up with a call 
from an account or branch manager within  
24 hours. 

Overview of  
performance in 2020
Our core Hygiene operations, also designated 
essential services, were more impacted than 
Pest Control in 2020 because of our inability 
to perform regular weekly washroom services 
for a substantial number of customers 

(particularly in the hospitality and leisure 
sector but also schools, offices and shopping 
centres), which temporarily closed their 
premises during the crisis. By the year end, 
service provision to 4.4% of Hygiene customer 
premises remained suspended, versus c.22% 
at the end of April, the peak of the crisis for 
our business. Shortfalls in washroom service 
provision have been more than offset, 
however, by strong global demand from both 
Hygiene and Pest Control customers for 
hygiene products – we generated record sales 
of hand soaps, sanitisers and dispensers in 
2020 – and other hygiene services including 
general and specialist biohazard disinfection, 
deep clean services and precautionary 
disinfection risk assessment surveys. 

Financial performance
As with Pest Control, performance from our 
Hygiene business has varied by geography 
and lockdown regime. April was also our 
weakest month, but trading improved in 
May and June and demonstrated further 
sequential improvement in the second half. 

Hygiene category quarterly Ongoing Revenue performance by region £m

North America

Europe

UK & Rest of World

Asia

Pacific

Q1

–

46.3

50.2

20.3

23.0

Q2

21.7

52.9

43.0

21.7

18.1

Q3

Q4

FY2020

% YOY

49.6

62.7

54.6

21.0

22.7

73.1

71.0

49.0

19.7

23.2

144.4

232.9

196.8

82.7

87.0

–

22.3

3.3

12.5

(2.6)

Ongoing operations

139.8

157.4

210.6

236.0

743.8

36.8

– Core Hygiene

139.8

108.6

136.0

134.3

– Disinfection

– 

48.8

74.6

101.7

518.7

225.1

(4.6)

–

40 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Hygiene Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing 
Operating Profit rose by 36.8% and 81.4% 
respectively in 2020. Net Operating Margins 
increased by 580 basis points to 23.6%, 
reflecting additional revenues from 
disinfection. Excluding disinfection, core 
Hygiene revenues declined by 4.6% in 2020. 

Regional performance
We introduced our Hygiene services for the 
first time in North America in 2020, offering 
disinfection services to customers from Q2. 
Take-up from existing and new customers 
has been very strong, generating revenues of 
£144.4m for the year. In Europe, total Hygiene 
revenues were very strong, aided by strong 
disinfection sales, and more than offsetting 
a weaker performance from the region’s core 
washroom businesses, particularly those in 
France, which were significantly disrupted by 
customer suspensions in the HORECA sector. 
Performance in our UK & RoW Hygiene 
operations was also mixed in 2020, with UK 
and Ireland Washrooms severely impacted 
by temporary customer closures while our 
Specialist Hygiene, Medical Hygiene and 
Products businesses benefited from increased 
disinfection services. In Asia, China, Hong 
Kong and South Korea were among the first 
countries in the Group to be impacted by the 
COVID-19 crisis and, as a result, were the first 
to recover, with strong demand for disinfection 
and hygiene product sales offsetting falls in 
contract revenue from other countries. 
However, our India and Malaysia businesses 
experienced the worst impacts from the crisis 
reflecting the nature of their lockdowns. In the 
Pacific, core Hygiene revenues were affected 
by severe lockdowns in both New Zealand and 
parts of Australia.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Our strategy
Our strategy is to deliver continued growth through a combination of strong 
operational focus and targeted M&A to build city density. Central to this is the 
delivery of excellent customer service, product innovation, service line extensions 
and improvements to productivity through digital products and applications.

Key strategic themes 

Focus on operational 
execution – build 
margins through 
postcode and product 
density.

Offer a complete 
product range to avoid 
cross-infection inside 
the washroom.

Targeting of the right customers by capable and 
motivated sales colleagues will enable us to win 
new business and increase penetration regionally 
and through multiple service line adoption across 
customers’ sites.

Analysis of our current footprint supported by the 
right sales incentives and selling methods will drive 
behaviours that will lead to improved density.

Washrooms are high-risk areas for COVID-19 and 
other viruses. They are small spaces, with smooth 
services and high levels of traffic. 

‘No touch’ and other solutions minimise cross-
contamination, particularly prevalent within 
the cubicle setting. Products include toilet paper 
dispensers that seal paper until use, ‘no touch’ 
feminine hygiene units and toilet seat cleaners. 

Our Signature range of washroom products have 
been designed with antimicrobial surfaces which 
also reduce cross-contamination, as do our 
‘no touch’ auto-lift lids on bins and auto-dispense 
paper towels and soaps. Air care quality is also an 
important indicator of washroom cleanliness, with air 
sterilisers providing an ongoing method of removing 
potentially harmful pathogens from the air.

Take our  
Hygiene services 
everywhere – expanding 
outside of the 
washroom.

From a relatively low interest sector, hygiene has 
now become one of the world’s most important, 
presenting opportunities for us to provide hand, 
air and surface hygiene products in multiple 
environments, including offices, kitchens and 
reception areas. 

‘Premises hygiene’ – The COVID-19 pandemic 
is creating greater customer need for hygiene 

Harness the digital 
opportunity, developing 
digital innovations 
to address customer 
needs and increase 
productivity.

The global smart washrooms market is estimated to 
deliver an 11.5% CAGR to 2027, reaching a value of 
some $6.5bn (source: Grand View Research, August 
2020). We continue to develop digital products for 
enhanced services combined with greater reporting 
and insight. 

We believe the pandemic will provide a springboard 
for increased digital hygiene services and are 
taking our digital expertise from Pest Control and 
expanding into Hygiene. Increased regulations and 

solutions within premises as well as evolving social 
expectations. We will leverage our hygiene 
expertise into air purification, disinfection, mats, 
hand sanitisers and dispensers, and surface 
hygiene. In addition, there is a growing requirement 
for mature markets to improve occupant experience 
in ‘enhanced environments’ and this includes air 
quality, premium scenting, first aid service offers, 
green walls and biophilic design. 

the threat of fines and reputational damage may 
prompt early take-up of digital applications in 
hygiene, as it has done in pest control. Our 
connected hygiene solutions currently comprise 
digital taps and soap dispensers, hand wash and 
footfall monitoring and air care. Our myInitial online 
reporting platform provides transparency of service, 
including signature capture, service history and 
details, dates of visits and reporting facilities.

‘Be the best we can be’ 
in disinfection. 

Customer demand for disinfection services has risen 
dramatically during the crisis because of fears of 
cross-contamination and the need to contain the 
virus. 

We will continue to provide high-quality disinfection 
services as part of the crisis response, but expect 
volumes and prices to significantly unwind as the 
year progresses and the crisis hopefully abates.

International expansion 
– organically and 
through targeted, 
city-based M&A to 
build density and 
grow profits. 

‘20 in ’20’ – By December 2020 we had launched 
Hygiene in 20 new countries, bringing the total 
number of countries in which we provide hygiene 
services to 65. In addition, we continue to identify 
and acquire new businesses to integrate into our 
existing operations and markets or new country 
entries where we currently provide Pest Control.

We have built a new Hygiene offering within our 
existing Rentokil and Ambius infrastructure in 
20 countries this year, sharing branch locations 
and initially cross-selling hygiene into our existing 
customer base. Our focus in Hygiene M&A will 
continue to be on enhancing our position in existing 
markets to build density, particularly in Emerging 
markets, with a focus on mega and large cities to 
give the strongest position.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 41

Hygiene

Reshaping our  
hygiene business 
The COVID-19 crisis is changing the way the 
world views hygiene – it has gone from being 
seen as a basic requirement to an essential 
part of daily life. Without high standards of 
hygiene, our customers cannot protect their 
people or their customers from illness. While 
vaccines against the virus will hopefully enable 
the world to recover from the crisis, fear of 
other pathogens that may emerge in the 
future, and the severity of this particular 
pandemic, is likely to have a lasting effect 
on global hygiene standards. 

Our core offer in our Initial Hygiene business 
has been based around the provision of 
regular washroom services to customer 
premises. We have grown the business 
through broad based operational 
improvements in our product range, density 
(product penetration and postcode density), 
service quality, productivity, innovation, 
digital applications and products, sales 
capability and highly targeted M&A. 

We are now seeking to expand our Hygiene 
business from beyond the washroom into new, 
higher-growth areas. This can be illustrated 
by the fact that, while our ability to provide 
regular washroom services to customers 
during the pandemic was negatively impacted 
by the pandemic, we were able to support 
revenues through new disinfection services 
and other services which have more than 
offset washroom service shortfalls. 

We anticipate that both volumes and prices for 
disinfection services will progressively reduce 
during 2021 as the world hopefully recovers 
from the pandemic. Other non-washroom 
hygiene services, however, are more likely 
to be sustainable long term and these include 
air care, surface hygiene, route-based service 
extensions (such as first aid) and digital 
products and applications. 

Capitalising on an evolving 
hygiene landscape 
Our success in growing our Hygiene category 
in a post-COVID world will be dependent on: 

 e being the experts in hygiene and wellbeing 
– through service, product innovation and 
sales capability; 

 e having a compelling proposition that covers 
the three key areas of washroom, premises 
and environment; 

 e creating differentiated propositions, such 
as our Rapid range of hygiene products; 

 e targeting sales growth in sectors less 

impacted by the pandemic (e.g. logistics, 
food, health and education); 

 e  investing in our brand in order to be 

recognised in all our markets as the global 
leader; 

 e leading sustainable provision of hygiene 

and wellbeing services; and 

 e  investing in digital infrastructure to capture 

future opportunities.

Growth opportunities 
We see four main opportunities for growth 
for our Hygiene category. They are: 

 e Inside washrooms – which are high-risk 
areas for COVID-19 and other viruses. 
We offer a complete range of products 
and services, particularly ‘no touch’, 
to avoid cross-infection.

 e Digital leadership – we continue to develop 

digital products for enhanced services 
combined with greater reporting and insight.

 e International expansion – we plan to enter 

new markets in both established and 
Emerging markets.

 e Using our expertise outside washrooms – 

and expanding into additional hand hygiene 
products and services, surface hygiene and 
disinfection services.

Inside washrooms 
Washrooms are high-risk areas for COVID-19 
and other viruses – they are small spaces, 
with smooth surfaces and high levels of traffic. 
‘No touch’ washrooms are the most effective 
way to avoid cross-contamination, particularly 
within cubicle settings. Toilet paper dispensers 
that seal away paper until use, ‘no touch’ 
feminine hygiene units and toilet seat cleaners 
all prevent cross-contamination. Our Signature 
range of washroom products have 
antimicrobial surfaces, which help reduce 
cross-contamination, as do our ‘no touch’ 
auto-lift lids on bins and auto dispense of 
paper towels and soaps. Air care quality 
is also an important indicator of washroom 
cleanliness, with air sterilisers providing 
an ongoing method of removing potentially 
harmful pathogens from the air. 

myInitial
is a transparent online reporting 
tool for our Hygiene customers, 
which has been designed to offer 
an improvement in the 
transparency of service, including 
signature capture, service history 
and details, dates of visits and 
access to reporting facilities. 
myInitial has been designed to 
enhance customer experience by 
offering easy access to account 
information and convenient 
tracking of services, 24 hours a 
day, seven days per week. 

Digital first 
solutions

42 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The global smart  
washrooms market  
is valued at

$2.5bn

Washroom 
innovation

Rapid washrooms 
Our Rapid Smart Hygiene 
washroom solutions record key 
statistical data, which can be 
analysed to reveal patterns, 
trends and associations relating 
to product and human 
behaviours, helping customers 
become more efficient and able 
to provide the best possible user 
experience. 

Scan the QR code 
to watch our Rapid 
Smart Hygiene 
video

International expansion 
‘20 in ’20’
In 2020, we launched Hygiene in 20 new 
countries, and now operate in 65 countries, 
with top three positions in 38 markets. We 
launched our first Hygiene services in North 
America in June with hand and air hygiene 
products. Initially, this is being delivered 
through Ambius which has considerable 
expertise in wellbeing and an existing 
business of scale. We also launched Hygiene 
services in Curaçao (Caribbean) and also 
expanded our footprint in Latin and Central 
America, building on our position in 10 markets 
to provide Hygiene services (including hand 
sanitisers, surface wipes and air care) in 
Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, 
Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and 
Uruguay. We also commenced operations in 
Belgium, Germany, Jordan, the Netherlands, 
Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, 
Turkey and the UAE. 

Unprecedented demand for  
hand hygiene products in 2020
As the world adopts increasingly high 
standards of hygiene, customer demand for 
soaps, hand drying products and sanitisers 
is rising significantly. This year we sold 
c.540,500 dispensers (soaps and sanitisers) 
during the year, three times that of our total 
sales in 2019, while refills of soaps and hand 
sanitisers were 17 times greater than in 2019. 
Hand sanitiser revenues of c.£21m increased 
by just under £15m in 2020. 

Harnessing the  
digital opportunity 
We believe the COVID-19 pandemic will 
provide a potential springboard for increased 
digital hygiene services and we are taking 
our digital expertise from Pest Control and 
expanding it into Hygiene. Increased 
regulations and the threat of fines and 
reputational damage drove early take-up of 
digital pest control services and we anticipate 
the same trend will occur within Hygiene. 

Digital products 
The global smart washrooms market is 
estimated to deliver an 11.5% CAGR to 2027, 
reaching a value of some $6.5bn (source: 
Grand View Research, August 2020). In 2020, 
we launched our first range of digital ‘no touch’ 
products, which includes taps, soap dispensers, 
hand wash monitoring and cubicle sanitisers. 
Digital monitoring of consumables enables 
more efficient washroom operations at lower 
cost, with a reduced environmental impact and 
offering a better guest experience. We are 
expanding our Rapid Smart Hygiene range 
into new customers and regions, with 
customer trials currently under way in offices, 
retail malls, airports, leisure facilities and 
tourist attractions across five countries. 

Digital sales and service tools 
Our digital sales and service tools are also 
increasing productivity and are being used 
to build customer awareness of Initial’s 
multiple product offerings. Our online 
Hygiene customer portal, myInitial, is being 
developed to highlight the full spectrum 
of Hygiene solutions on its home page 
and is now used by 22,300 customers in 
18 countries. In addition, we now track sales 
leads per driver on a monthly basis and the 
current average across the Hygiene category 
is 1.29 leads per technician per month, 
up 17% from 1.07 last year, with our Denmark 
colleagues performing particularly well, 
averaging 5.76 leads. 

Our smartphone field service app, 
ServiceTrak, also improves productivity and 
leads to better colleague retention, higher 
gross margins achieved through greater 
service productivity and cost savings, 
and more professional service delivery. 
Across 30 countries, our technicians use 
the app to record service visits – for example, 
start time, services performed, customer 
recommendations, customer signatures 
and end time. New for this year, we have 
received over 2.6 million responses to our 
digital customer satisfaction surveys, with 
an average score of 4.8 out of 5 in both 
Pest Control and Hygiene. 

Digital channels –  
building the sales funnel in Hygiene
We focus on driving continuous improvements 
to our web estate around the world to increase 
customer traffic to our sites and generate new 
business leads. During 2020, total web traffic 
to Initial websites increased by 60% on 2019 
and can be attributed to a number of 
successful, targeted cross-sell, up-sell and 
email campaigns to increase customer visits. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 43

Adapting and enhancing 
our sales capability
As our Hygiene offer evolves post the 
pandemic, we are evolving our sales model 
to enable better conversion of some of the 
more complex solutions we have described 
in this review. Historically, we have found 
that dedicated sales specialists demonstrate 
a higher payback than generalist sales 
colleagues and therefore we are putting in 
place additional dedicated ‘experts’ who 
understand the science, proposition and 
customer needs of new products, giving 
them certified training to enhance their 
knowledge and capability. 

Outlook
2021 will be a year of transition as we cross the 
bridge from the worst of the crisis in 2020 to, 
hopefully, a post-pandemic 2022. We are 
strongly placed to pick up where we left off 
this time a year ago, and expect to see further 
performance improvements in our core 
Hygiene business in the coming year. 

We will continue to provide disinfection 
services as part of the crisis response, but 
expect volumes and prices to significantly 
unwind as the year progresses and the crisis 
hopefully abates. 

Hygiene

Growth through 
targeted M&A 
As our confidence in our Hygiene model 
grows, so too has our focus on securing 
attractive hygiene acquisitions and we have 
acquired 24 hygiene businesses since 2014. 
While the pandemic has slowed M&A progress 
this year, we acquired one small business in 
Spain and will continue to pursue attractive 
bolt-on deals in 2021. Our focus will be on 
building our density across our cities and 
regions, and additions to our portfolio will 
focus on extension areas that we have defined 
as key to growth, including air care, surface 
hygiene, safety and digital monitoring. 

Expanding our expertise 
outside the washroom 
From a relatively low interest sector, hygiene 
has now become one of the world’s most 
important, presenting opportunities for us 
to expand outside of the washroom into 
high-growth areas including air care, 
route-based service extensions (such as first 
aid) and digital products and applications. 
We can provide hand, air and surface hygiene 
products in multiple environments, including 
offices, kitchens and reception areas. 

Solution innovation across our core 
service offer 
The pandemic has driven increased demand 
for hand hygiene and we are developing 
service innovations to satisfy long-term social 
behaviour change with a range of new 
solutions which include new hand hygiene 
products that enable positioning outside the 
washroom, new consumables for hand and 
surface, and larger-capacity soap and sanitiser 
dispensers. In addition, we are developing 
additional service solutions to provide a 
compelling offer to new target customer 
sectors, such as food processing and 
healthcare, which require specific hardware 
and consumables to comply with higher 
hygiene standards. 

Air care
The global air care market is estimated to 
reach revenues of over $90bn by 2025 and 
is expected to deliver a 42% CAGR to 2025 
(source: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence, 
July 2020). There is no safe level of airborne 
pollutants and, according to WHO, 68% 
of all diseases are related to air pollution. In 
addition, the pandemic has raised awareness 
of how viruses are transmitted via droplets 
produced by coughs and sneezes. Our current 
air care product range features air purification, 
air sterilisation and air scenting products, and 

in 2020 we launched two important new air 
filtration products: InspireAir72 which utilises 
a medical grade, multi-layer HEPA filter to 
capture 99.97% of harmful particulates and 
which can clean a 36m2 office space in 10 
minutes, and the VIRUSKILLER™ air purifier 
which uses its patented UV technology 
to kill 99.9999% of viruses with a single 
air pass, including the COVID-19 virus. 

Disinfection services 
One of our great successes in 2020 was 
disinfection and our people pivoted at great 
speed to provide these services in more than 
60 countries this year. In addition to our 
existing c.1,000 Specialist Hygiene colleagues, 
we trained c.7,000 Hygiene, Pest Control and 
Ambius technicians to perform the service, 
sourced PPE and began selling disinfection 
to customers in under four weeks. £225.1m 
of revenue was generated in 2020 with 
Net Operating Margins broadly comparable 
to those in Pest Control. Multiple customer 
sectors have utilised the service this year, 
including offices, shops, schools, airports, 
emergency vehicles and public transport. 
Key customers include a global customer 
requiring weekly disinfection of its distribution 
centres at specific times of the night and a 
public transport customer in France requiring 
daily disinfection services across its network. 
By the end of December, we had made 
approximately 1 million service visits to this 
customer, disinfecting over 4,000 buses 
every day, seven days a week (see page 14). 

As experts in hygiene, we have developed 
standard operating procedures to ensure 
maximum service efficacy and consistent 
global standards. These included, for example, 
a 19-stage donning sequence for PPE and 
removal of all waste from sites in line with 
guidance set out by public health authorities 
in order to prevent cross-contamination. 

In our experience, there is a strong correlation 
between high levels of COVID-19 and a market 
requirement for disinfection services, and 
this can be illustrated by our experience in 
Australia. At the height of COVID-19 case 
levels, we responded to significant market 
need for disinfection services. However, 
Australia was one of the first countries to 
achieve a very low incident rate of COVID-19 
transmission and, as a result, we have seen 
a significant reduction in demand for ongoing 
disinfection services in 2020. In addition, 
in countries where demand for disinfection 
remains high, other service providers have 
inevitably entered the market, offering 
lower-quality service provision at lower 
price points. 

44 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Protect & 
Enhance

The four businesses which are 
included in our Protect & Enhance 
category are Workwear (France), 
Ambius (Global), Property Care (UK) 
and Dental Services (Germany and 
Sweden). 

What we do 
Ambius is the world’s leading commercial provider of plants and scenting. The business installs 
and services flower displays, replica foliage, Christmas decorations and ambient scenting. 
It has No.1 or No.2 positions in 11 of its 16 countries. Our UK Property Care business provides 
damp proofing, property conservation, woodworm treatment and wood rot treatment services. 
Our France Workwear business has a No.2 position in France and specialises in the supply and 
maintenance of garments, such as workwear and PPE. Our Dental Services business operates 
principally from two main hubs and specialises in the disposal and recycling of dental waste.

Ongoing Revenue at CER

£350.1m 

-12.0%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

350.1

397.7

383.7

381.2

378.9

Ongoing Operating Profit at CER

£33.3m 

-29.7%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

33.3

47.4

44.7

40.4

50.5

Ongoing Operating Margin at CER

9.5% 

-240bps

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

9.5

11.9

11.7

10.6

13.3

A difficult year for Protect  
& Enhance, caused 
by significant disruption 
from the COVID-19 crisis 
Our Protect & Enhance category represents 
12% of Group Ongoing Revenue and 7% of 
Ongoing Operating Profit. In 2020, category 
Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing Operating 
Profit declined by 12.0% and 29.7% respectively. 
Net Operating Margins fell by 240 basis points 
to 9.5%. The businesses within the category 
are Workwear (France), Ambius (Global), 
Property Care (UK) and Dental Waste 
(Germany and Sweden). Our strategy for the 
category has been focused on protecting the 
businesses – quality, service, retention and 
operational efficiency. 

The businesses within Protect & Enhance 
have a high exposure to the HORECA sector 
– for which we supply interior plants, ambient 
scenting and workwear – and hotels, bars and 
restaurant chains have been predominantly 
closed during the crisis and, in many places, 
will be the last to be reopened. Our UK 
Property Care business was impacted by both 
ongoing weakness in the commercial property 
market and also by residential customers 
unwilling to allow external service providers 
into their homes. 

Workwear
Approximately half of category revenue 
is generated from our France Workwear 
business, which specialises primarily in the 
supply and laundering of workwear, uniforms, 
cleanroom garments and personal protective 
wear. The business was significantly impacted 
by disruption caused by the pandemic in 2020 
and delivered a revenue decline of 10.4% 
for the year. However, the rate of decline 
improved in the second half, down 4.9%, 
as business reopened due to the lifting 
of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Recovery of the business is likely to take 
longer than our other operations, notably 
reflecting continued customer closures within 
the HORECA sector. As with our other 
categories, April was the weakest month for 
France Workwear, with May and June seeing 
progressive improvements in performance. 
Q4 volumes were once again affected but 
not to the same extent as the first wave of the 
pandemic. Actions taken by the business to 
protect costs and cash have included reducing 
working hours for around 1,500 employees 
and cutting spend on capital expenditure by 
16% (c.£9m) on the prior year. 

Notwithstanding the difficult conditions this 
year, our project to separate the Hygiene and 
Workwear businesses in France completed in 
2020, with the remaining washroom services 
portfolio transferred from Workwear to 
Hygiene in the second half. We also opened 
five dedicated Hygiene branches in France, 
which completes Hygiene’s national network 
coverage in the country.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 45

Protect & Enhance

 Why  
Ambius is a 
great place 
to work

“I have been with Ambius for 
almost a year now. When I 
arrived from South Africa in 
December 2017 I had no idea 
what my future held for me or 
where it was going to take me.” 

“I feel very lucky to have come 
across the position available 
with Ambius. I worked for 
Rentokil Initial a few years back 
and knew then it was a great 
company to be a part of. 
Working for Ambius has given 
me so many opportunities and 
I believe it has helped me grow 
as a person, especially being 
a newbie to the UK.” 

“The team is wonderful and the 
support is endless – this is from 
management right down to my 
fellow technicians.”

Employee reviews taken from 
Glassdoor, February 2021

I love being part of 
the creative team at 
Ambius. I’m learning 
all the time as new 
systems are being 
put into play, which 
ensures we are 
ahead of the industry 
with regard to new 
products. There is 
a strong focus on 
innovation, which 
is a key part of 
the business.

Dental Waste Management 
Medentex is headquartered in Germany and 
specialises in the professional and compliant 
disposal and recycling of dental waste. 
It provides waste separating products to 
customers in Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, 
the US and Switzerland. It is a small, profitable 
business with revenues of £11.5m, and 58% 
of its annual revenues are generated through 
the sale of precious metals. 

Ambius 
Ambius operates in 16 countries and has No.1 
positions in eight of its markets (including in 
the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). 
Its product offering is broadly consistent 
across the world and includes interior 
landscaping, Christmas decorations and 
premium scenting. The US business comprises 
54% of total Ambius revenues. Key customer 
segments are offices, facilities management, 
hospitality, food and non-food retail, leisure, 
healthcare and education. Our products and 
services in Ambius have a strong link with 
health and wellbeing, and service quality, 
expertise and customer retention metrics are 
high. Our strategic focus is on higher-margin 
green (living) walls and premium scenting, 
expanding and exploiting international 
agreements and driving lead generation 
through digital applications. Key industry 
trends going forward include wellness at 
work being recognised as a serious aspect 
in building design, with air quality a major 
concern and a younger workforce demanding 
better workplace environments. 

As with France Workwear and Property Care, 
Ambius’s financial performance has suffered 
in 2020, with Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing 
Operating Profit declining by 15.5% and 41%. 
This reflects the discretionary nature of its 
products and services during the year. 

Property Care 
Our Property Care business is based in the 
UK. Services include dry rot and woodworm 
treatment and damp proofing. We have a 
leading position in the industry and have 
developed a strong operational capability 
with certified teams undertaking work in 
commercial and social housing. The business 
has an excellent reputation for customer 
service and a loyal customer base. Since 2017, 
trading has been significantly impacted by 
overall weakness in the UK property market 
and – while the business is small, generating 
revenues of £18.9m in 2020 – its recent 
revenue decline over the last several years 
has dampened Organic Revenue growth 
in the UK & Rest of World region. 

To counter ongoing market pressures, 
we have been implementing a business 
improvement plan based on better revenue, 
leveraging our digital expertise from Pest 
Control, focusing on cost and efficiency 
measures and developing pest proofing 
service lines to additional customer segments 
to reduce dependence on the UK housing 
market. As a result, the business's operating 
and financial performance had improved. 
However, the benefits we have seen from 
these self-help measures have been offset 
by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. 

46 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Responsible Business
Protecting People. Enhancing Lives. 

2020 was a year when, as a company, we once again proved our commitment to being 
a responsible business. The delivery of our purpose – to Protect People and Enhance 
Lives – was never more important.

carbon emissions, and to diversity, equality 
and inclusion, were deployed in plans and 
targets that will further enhance the Company 
over the coming years. 

Our responsibility to colleague safety will  
always be our first priority. Tragically, three 
colleagues died as a result of COVID-19 
during 2020. 

Our commitment to acting responsibly was 
integral to our response to the challenges we 
faced this year and the key actions we took to 
address these. Through the difficult times, we 
ensured that the decisions taken were the 
right thing for our colleagues, customers, 
shareholders, suppliers and communities.

As the crisis deepened, our key services 
were designated as ‘essential’, allowing our 
technicians in Pest Control, Hygiene, medical 
and disinfection services to continue to serve 
customers, including supermarkets, hospitals, 
food producers and pharmaceuticals. 

In keeping with our purpose, we dramatically 
expanded our specialist disinfection services 
– developing and deploying safe operating 
protocols and bespoke training. By the end of 
April 2020, 7,000 colleagues were trained.

We moved colleagues to home working  
and obtained the necessary PPE for our 
frontline technicians; we also implemented 
strict protocols enabling colleagues to serve 
our customers during the crisis, safely. 

We protected jobs and our liquidity by 
making a collective sacrifice – over 5,000 
colleagues accepted pay waivers, our 
managers and leaders supported the 
suspension of bonus payments and the 
Company’s LTIP scheme, and no dividends 
were paid to shareholders in 2020. 
Everyone made a contribution. 

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would  
like to pay tribute and sincerely thank our 
colleagues. Their commitment and sacrifice 
ensured that Rentokil Initial was able to exit 
the Crisis phase. We are now well into the 
Recovery phase and exploring strategic 
opportunities. 

We will continue to act responsibly and 
create value for all of our stakeholders.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Clearly, there was much change: 8,500 
colleagues moved to remote working; 
Hygiene became one of the world’s most 
important categories; and in just four weeks 
disinfection services were launched across 
60 countries.

But it was also a year when our operational 
model continued to run consistently and 
effectively: we delivered record levels of 
colleague safety, training and retention; our 
leadership in innovation and digital was vital 
to supporting customers; and, having 
recognised at an early stage that we faced 
a crisis, we acted with agility and pace.

It may well also prove to be a watershed year 
for Rentokil Initial, when our commitments to 
the environment and achieving net zero 

2020 COVID-19 
CRISIS

2,000

colleagues had to self-isolate

28,000

Working Days Lost due to 
lockdowns/self-isolation among 
frontline colleagues

5,080

colleagues waived part of their 
pay for three months or more

2M

6 6 ft
PLEASE STAY AT 
LEAST 2 METRES 
(6 6 ) AWAY FROM 
OTHER PEOPLE

YOUR ACTIONS PROTECT 
THE HEALTH OF OTHERS
PLEASE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR YOUR ACTIONS.
1. MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE.
2. RESPECT THE SAFETY GUIDANCE.
3. HELP OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

  Find out more about our COVID-19 
response and key decisions on page 8

  For our responsible business priorities 
and awards, please see page 48

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 47

Responsible Business
continued

Responsible business 
priorities 
For Rentokil Initial, being a responsible 
and sustainable business means helping 
colleagues to have safe and fulfilling work 
lives, supporting customers by developing 
and delivering products and services 
responsibly, and benefiting society and 
the environment by acting in the most 
effective manner.

Our responsible business priorities are 
aligned with those of our key stakeholders 
(see page 24) and driven by the Chief 

Executive who has Board accountability for 
responsible business delivery, as well as 
engagement with our wider stakeholder 
groups. 

Further details about our Board engagement 
can be found in the section 172(1) statement 
on page 66 and in the Corporate Governance 
Report on page 90.

Our responsible business priorities are: 
People and Culture, Environment, Service 
and Innovation, and Communities. 
Governance, trust and transparency also 
continue to remain central to our responsible 
business approach, as set out on page 64.

Accreditation
Rentokil Initial has been a member of the 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 15 years 
(European Leader’s Index) and is a member 
of the FTSE4Good Index. OpenCorporation 
places the Company 10th out of 568 
companies for ESG, covering a broad analysis 
focused on areas such as workplace, social 
responsibility, finance, diversity, governance 
and environment. Vigeo Eiris ranks Rentokil 
Initial 1st out of 99 companies in Business 
Services. As at 31 December 2020, the 
Company was ESG rated as ‘AA’ by MSCI, 
as Prime by ISS ESG (with a decile rank of 1 
indicating a high relative ESG performance) 
and as ‘low risk’ for ESG by Sustainalytics.

Summary of performance in 2020

Priorities

Activities/KPIs

2020 performance

People  
and culture
See pages 49 to 51

Safety: Lost Time Accident rate

26% improvement in 2020 to 0.39 (2019: 0.53) 

Safety: Working Days Lost rate

23% improvement in 2020 to 8.46 (2019: 10.99)

Total full-time headcount

44,500 (2019: 42,933/2018: 39,480). Estimated 25% or 11,147 are female

Board diversity

50% of Board members are female

Senior leaders diversity

30% of senior leaders are female (2019: 28%)

Colleague retention

88.6% (2019: 86.9%), on a rolling 12-month basis

New online training content

c.650 pieces of learning content developed in 2020

Online learning views

77% increase in views of items on U+ to 3.2m (2019: 1.8m)

Talent pipeline

Over 330 graduates and over 350 apprentices employed

Glassdoor company rating

4.1 out of 5 (average score 3.5). Best Places to Work 2020 – 18th overall

Emissions

8.1% reduction in the emissions index in 2020 (vs. 2019)

Environment
See pages 52 to 57

5-year emissions intensity target – 
20% reduction by end of 2020

27.2% reduction achieved (kg of carbon emissions per £m ongoing revenue 
at CER). New five-year target established: 20% reduction by end of 2025

Recycling

Over 150,000 Hygiene units recycled in France and Italy over three years

State of Service W

89.4% (2019: 97.2%), reflecting temporary premises closures during the 
COVID-19 pandemic

Service and 
innovation
See pages 58 and 59

Customer satisfaction (NPS) W

0.6 point improvement in NPS (Q4 2020 vs. Q4 2019). 2.6m customer surveys 
undertaken (post service visit) in 2020 with an average score of 4.8 out of 5, 
in both Pest Control and Hygiene

Trustpilot score

5 stars for Rentokil and Initial in the UK from over 4,000 reviews each

Communities
See page 60 to 63

Total website visitors

Web traffic increased by almost 20%, with a 60% increase to Initial websites

Internet of Things units in the field

Over 150,000 PestConnect units in customers’ premises (2019: 80,000)

Pest Control data usage

9m messages sent or received each day on average during 2020

Charitable donations

£184,000 (2019: £202,000), excluding donations in-kind

Local community events 
(donations in kind)

276 events to say thank you to key public sector workers

See page 62 for more information about #sharethelove

Global Handwashing Day 
(donations in kind)

Over 25 events undertaken around the world supporting schools and 
communities with better hand hygiene advice and products

Rentokil Initial Cares 
(donations)

Disaster support 
(donations and in kind)

Coordinators in place in every region. Range of charities supported including 
Save the Children, Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support

Provided support to Australian bushfire appeal, Beirut disaster appeal, support 
for colleagues after an earthquake in Turkey and hurricane in Latin America

Key Performance Indicators – see more on pages 16 to 19

48 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

People and culture
A culture of shared responsibility

During 2020, we focused on 
protecting the safety of our 
colleagues by moving 8,500 
colleagues successfully to home 
working. We delivered record levels 
of training and colleague retention, 
and put in place a new plan for 
diversity, equality and inclusion. 
Our culture remains key to our 
success.

Enabling success during 
the pandemic
Underpinning everything we do is our 
‘One Rentokil Initial’ culture. We have a 
one-team mentality with a common purpose 
and set of values, focused on delivering a 
great customer experience. Our culture is 
characterised as customer focused, 
commercial, diverse, down to earth  
and innovative. 

Our culture enabled the Company to be 
agile and responsive to the challenges that 
COVID-19 presented in 2020. Our colleagues 

worked tirelessly in support of our customers 
across our businesses. 

At the height of the crisis, we launched our 
specialist disinfection service and trained 
colleagues across 60 countries, introduced 
harmonised global protocols (including risk 
assessment and standard operating 
procedures), and rolled out e-learning 
modules.

Details of how we monitor culture can be 
found in the Corporate Governance Report 
on page 83.

Culture model

Our culture model includes our purpose and 
values, and five core culture themes.

O u r  culture

O u r  values

Our purpose
Protecting People. 
Enhancing Lives.

S

e

r

vic

e. Relationsh i p s .  T

w ork.

m

a

e

Customer focused
Firstly, we’re a service 
company. We strive to 
meet our customers’ 
needs and our people  
go the extra mile to do so. 
We work hard to support 
our customers and each 
other. When things go 
wrong, we put them  
right, fast.

Commercial
We employ and 
incentivise smart people 
to help the Company  
grow by making good 
decisions that benefit 
our customers. We 
constantly seek out 
new opportunities for 
growth and ways to 
work more effectively.

Diverse
We want our workforce  
to reflect the diverse 
customers we serve. We 
value everyone’s talents 
and abilities, and strive to 
attract, recruit and retain 
the best people from the 
widest possible pool 
of talent.

Down to earth
We don’t like big egos. 
People who succeed 
with us are friendly, 
comfortable in their own 
skin, straightforward, seek 
to improve, with practical 
ideas and experiences, 
and they acknowledge 
the contribution of others.

Innovative
We use the latest 
advancements to build 
an innovation pipeline  
that sets us apart from  
the competition.  
We embrace digital 
technologies that help 
create new products and 
make us more efficient.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 49

Responsible Business
continued

Keeping our colleagues safe

In 2020, we delivered a record safety 
performance. Nothing is more important in 
Rentokil Initial than ensuring everyone goes 
home safe at the end of their working day. 
There has been a relentless focus to keep our 
colleagues safe through the pandemic, and 
we will continue to implement COVID-19 
safety protocols across the Group. Health 
and safety has always been, and will continue 
to be, the first item on the agenda at every 
Executive Leadership Team and Board 
meeting.

Some of the key health and safety initiatives 
in 2020 included:

26%

improvement in our Lost Time Accident rate. 
Another record-breaking performance

 e Electricity safety: we have made strong 

progress to embed our new Golden Rules. 

 e Fumigation governance: safety and 

compliance with new self-audit process 
implemented, regional compliance  
reviews conducted. 

 e Site risk assessment app: live now or being 
rolled out in over 20 countries, with more 
planned for 2021. 

 e Incident reporting tool: all countries  

now report incidents in real time.

 e COVID-19: continuing implementation of 

COVID-secure protocols across the Group.

Although 2020 has been an incredibly 
challenging year for everyone, the safety 
performance targets we set at the end of last 
year have been achieved with Lost Time 
Accidents improving by 26% and Working 
Days Lost performance improving by 23% 
(year on year). 

Regrettably, we had one fatal road traffic 
incident this year. One of our Pest Control 
technicians sustained injuries when the 
motorcycle he was riding collided with 
a heavy trailer truck. Following a police 
investigation, the third party was found 
to be at fault.

Key Performance Indicators

Lost Time Accidents (LTA)¹

Working Days Lost (WDL)²

2020

0.39

8.46

2019

2018

2017

2016

0.53

10.99

0.63

14.77

0.58

11.65

0.63

16.14

1.  The LTA rate is calculated as the number of Lost Time Accidents (injuries and illnesses) per 100,000 

hours worked.

2.  The WDL rate is calculated as the number of working days that colleagues could not work because 

of Lost Time Accidents (injuries and illnesses) per 100,000 hours worked.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

Rentokil Initial is a diverse organisation  
by its nature – employing 44,500 colleagues 
in 83 different countries and cultures. But we 
are striving to ensure that our local 
businesses reflect the countries, markets and 
communities in which we operate and create 
an environment where everyone’s view is 
heard, everyone’s contribution matters, and 
everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.

This year, we introduced a new diversity, 
equality and inclusion strategy, which builds 
on our success in improving gender diversity 
across our business. 

Our new strategy, which will drive change 
through to 2024, places even greater 
emphasis on wider diversity, where everyone, 
regardless of gender, race, colour, nationality, 
age, sexual orientation, physical ability, 
education or background, can reach the 
highest level based on merit.

succession plans are women (2019: 35%). 
Also, in a 2020 survey of our senior leaders, 
when asked to define or self-identify their 
ethnicity, 21% responded that they were not 
of White or European ethnicity (2019: 19%).

We estimate that 11,100 (25%) of colleagues 
are female and 33,400 (75%) are male. 

.

Currently, 30% of our senior leaders 
(Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and their 
direct reports) are women, up from 28% in 
2019, and 38% of the people in our regional 

Five-point plan to achieve 
our 2024 vision

1  
Executive 
sponsorship and 
accountability

5  
Diversity, equality 
and inclusion 
as a core skill 
for leaders

Diversity, 
equality and 
inclusion plan

2 
Data and 
reporting

4  
Development 
and progression 
for diverse 
groups

3  
All colleagues  
commit to zero  
tolerance of 
discrimination

50 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

We have an equal number of male and  
female Board Directors. 

In 2020, we were named in the Parker Review 
report as one of the FTSE 100 companies to 
have already met the recommendation to 
have at least one Board member from an 
ethnic minority background by 2021.

7th

The Hampton-Alexander review 
(February 2021) places the Company 
7th for gender diversity for Board and 
senior leadership in the FTSE100

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Colleague retention and attraction

In 2020, colleague retention increased by  
1.7 percentage points to 88.6%. 

One of the key initiatives that has increased 
colleague retention is our line manager 
training programme, which develops line 
managers’ skills and capability.

During the year, we also generated record 
levels of visitors to the Rentokil Initial Careers  
Portal – up by 49% year on year – with the 
number of applicants up by 67%. 

In addition, we launched Careers+ which is an 
app for colleagues to post roles on their own 
social media channels and to support internal 
recruitment.

We have continued to perform strongly on 
Glassdoor with a score of 4.1 out of 5 (versus 
the average score of 3.5).

Investing in our colleagues’ futures

2020 was a record year for U+ training.

U+, our in-house ‘university’, delivers online 
courses and face-to-face programmes, 
as well as compliance and induction 
programmes. 

In 2020, 3.2 million items of online training 
were viewed (1.8 million in 2019, a 77% 
increase), and c.650 pieces of learning 
content (videos, courses, etc.) were created, 
covering topics such as sales, safety, 
technical and operational best practice, and 

compliance. All were developed in house. 3.2m

items of online training were viewed in 2020

49%

increase in visitors to the  
Rentokil Initial Careers 
Portal

Colleague Support Fund
We recognised that COVID-19 created many 
challenges for our colleagues and their 
families, and so in 2020 we established a 
Colleague Support Fund. 

This was created using funds from RI Cares 
(the unclaimed dividends and shares-derived 
fund) together with a voluntary salary waiver 
by the Chief Executive of 65% of his Q2 salary 
(having already waived 35% as part of the 
Company’s response to the pandemic), 
together with salary or director’s fee waivers 
by several of the Board and a number of 
senior managers. 

Funds have been used to support colleagues, 
principally in South Africa and India.

Summary: supporting colleagues during COVID-19

1.  Culture of ‘in it together/supporting one 

another’ – from the top to the bottom of the 
organisation – enabling changes at pace.

2.  Excelled at working from home – many 

colleagues were prepared and practised it. 
Click & Collect for IT, chairs, etc.

3.  In-house developed RI app was launched 

– to track health and whereabouts.

4.  Record safety performance – reflecting 

culture, training and commitment.

5.  Digital and virtual learning – to train and 
develop more colleagues in a consistent, 
dynamic and efficient way. Colleagues each 
completing around 80 online training 
sessions in 2020 on average.

6.  Agile, decisive, fast-paced and innovative 
– delivering cost savings, disinfection 
services, etc.

7.  COVID-19 crisis team established – senior 
managers and functional experts – to 
ensure an agile approach and fast initial 
response.

8.  COVID-related sales training – rolled 
out globally while sales excellence 
initiatives were launched in India, Australia, 
South Africa, North America, Chile, 
Uruguay, Vietnam, Caribbean, Italy, 
Spain, France, Benelux and the UAE.

9.  Regular, shorter, more purposeful team 

meetings – for decisions, consistency and 
alignment. ELT meetings became twice 
weekly, focused on managing the crisis and 
maximising the opportunities. 

10. Continued to listen to colleagues 

– surveys undertaken showing strong 
support for senior leaders and pride in the 
Company. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 51

Responsible Business
continued

Environment
Our journey to net zero

We believe that the journey to  
net zero emissions is not only the 
right thing to do for society, but it is 
also the right thing for our business. 
All of our stakeholders, particularly 
our colleagues, support our 
environmental ambitions. Over the 
last nine years, we have met our 
targets for 10% (2011–15) and a 
further 20% (2016–19) carbon 
efficiency improvements and, 
in 2020, we committed to achieving 
net zero emissions from our 
operations by the end of 2040.

+51,800

Hygiene units refurbished in 2020 
(France and Italy)

+150,000

Hygiene units refurbished over three years 
(France and Italy)

Our new environmental plan

In 2020, we developed a business-wide 
operational approach to environmental 
sustainability. A new Environment Action 
Plan was developed, which will be delivered 
through our country operations. This is built 
on three pillars: Sustainable Solutions, 
Sustainable Operations and Sustainable 
Workplace, with eight workstreams 
underpinning them with specific actions and 
individual short to medium-term targets. 

Further details can be found on page 54 
(our Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures report).

Net zero carbon emissions
Our pathway to net zero by the end of 2040 
includes a number of milestones along the 
way, with the breadth of initiatives consolidated 
into a summary 20-point plan for the next 
20 years, which can be found on page 55. Key 
elements of the plan include our transition to 
a low-emission fleet, which has already 
commenced with a series of pilots, and the 
reduction in our energy emissions through the 
transition to renewable property electricity. 

Other initiatives have begun to be introduced, 
for example, to reduce to zero the waste we 
send to landfill or incineration. Our Pacific 
region has implemented a regional action 

plan with battery and aerosol recycling 
initiatives already under way and resulting in 
40 tonnes of batteries and other hazardous 
waste recycled to date, and so diverted from 
landfill sites across the Pacific.

  See Sustainable Products on page 58

Our plan is underpinned by a robust 
commitment to stakeholder engagement 
which will ensure, in particular, that our 
colleagues are involved, informed and given 
the opportunity to put forward their own ideas. 
We have introduced the Chief Executive’s 
Environmental Awards for 2020, to recognise 
both colleagues and best practices in 
developing local sustainable approaches and 
creative environmental solutions.

Included in our pathway to net zero is not 
only our approach to reduce emissions from 
our properties and fleet, but also the 
emissions from our use of sulfuryl fluoride, 
which has grown to become a more 
significant contributor to Rentokil Initial’s 
environmental impacts following growth in 
public health-related fumigation contracts.

Strategy

Journey to net zero

20-point plan

Overarching 
long-term goal

Rentokil Initial will have net zero carbon emissions  
from its operations by the end of 2040

Creating value for 
our stakeholders:

Customers 

Colleagues

Suppliers 
and partners

Investors

Sustainable 
solutions

Sustainable 
operations

Chemicals

Waste

Sustainable 
workplace

Properties

Consumables

Mobility

Culture 

Hardware

Supply Chain

NA

Europe

UK

Asia

Pacific

LATAM

RoW

Individual local and regional activities

Three pillars of 
specific global 
action and individual 
short to medium-
term targets

Eight workstreams

Executed throughout  
all global operations

Further activity 
specific to individual 
territories but all 
supporting the 
overarching goal

52 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

New emissions target for 2025

In addition to our new net zero carbon 
emissions commitment, in 2020 the Board 
set a new target to reduce our emissions 
intensity index by a further 20% by the end 
of 2025 (using 2019 data as the baseline). 
Please see below for our 2020 performance. 

Our previous emissions target was to achieve 
a 20% reduction in the emissions intensity 
index by the end of 2020, based on a 2015 
baseline. We met this 20% target in 2019, 
a year early, and by the end of 2020 we 
had achieved a 27.2% improvement. 

Our absolute values of tonnes of CO2e are 
reported using UK government conversion 

factors for greenhouse gas reporting and 
International Energy Agency conversion 
factors for non-UK electricity. 

(2019: 810,361) with UK consumption 
representing just under 11%. Please see 
chart below.

Absolute energy and fuel-derived emissions 
decreased by around 2.3%, reflecting 
changes in service mix (disinfection in 
particular), acquired businesses and 
customer site closures during lockdowns; 
Ongoing Revenues increased by 6.3% 
during the year.

Since 2018, we have also reported our 
energy consumption, and the UK operations’ 
percentage. In 2020, global energy 
consumption was 788,158 MWh 

As reported earlier, one of our eight 
workstreams is to look at the chemicals we 
use within our operations and, in particular, 
we continue to research and work with 
suppliers to identify alternative fumigants. 
Absolute emissions derived from the use of 
sulfuryl fluoride (a fumigant) were 605,442 
tonnes in 2020 (2019: 548,449 tonnes; 2018: 
363,339 tonnes; 2017: 481,390 tonnes). The 
year-on-year differences reflect the variability 
in customer demand and acquisitions. 

Strategy

Journey to net zero

20-point plan

Illustration: Journey to net zero – fumigation, vehicles and energy  

548,449 tonnes CO2  
derived – fumigation

239,487 tonnes of CO2 
– vehicles and properties

100% renewable electricity 
in major markets; 10% fleet 
– ultra low emission 
vehicles (ULEV)

c.25% reduction in 
fumigation emissions

45% of fleet is ULEV 
(100% EU and UK)

c.70% reduction 
emissions from fumigation 
(US, EU & Pacific focus)

90% renewable  
gas and electric; 
65% ULEV fleet

US fleet completes ULEV 
roll-out; 100% renewables  
gas and electricity

Zero CO2 from fumigation

Net zero operations

Any residual emissions 
offset e.g. where 
renewables are  
not available

2019

2025

2030

2035

2040

2040

Carbon summary
In 2020, our carbon emissions efficiency 
index improved by 8.1% year on year and 
has improved by 22.5% over five years. 

Clearly, 2020 was a very different year to 
the others in our carbon summary with, 

for example, 8,500 colleagues working 
from home. We also delivered a significant 
increase in emergency disinfection services, 
where colleagues are generally on a 
customer’s site for a longer period of time 
and therefore make fewer journeys each day. 

Our vehicle fleet accounts for 85% of our 
Scope 1 emissions. 

We continue to consolidate our property 
portfolio through co-location, improving 
property energy efficiency by 66% since 
2015. 

Absolute values of energy and fuel-derived emissions – tonnes of CO2e

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

169,755

173,140

160,024

164,745

149,597

Total energy consumed 2020 – MWh

Type of scope

Total Scope 1

Total Scope 2

Total Scope 3

15,390

17,031

16,282

17,513

14,209

43,052

43,548

40,255

39,905

35,309

Total outside scope

5,769

5,768

5,238

5,084

4,519

Total – all scopes and outside scope

233,966

239,487

221,799

227,247

203,634

Index of CO2 emissions

Intensity indicator

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Index of energy and fuel  
derived CO2 emissions at CER

77.55

84.37

84.89

97.64

100

Index of CO2 emissions – calculated as an index of kilogrammes per £m revenue on a Constant Exchange 
Rate (CER) basis, providing an accurate like-for-like performance comparison, removing the variables of 
currency and divestments and acquisitions. The baseline year for this index is 2016.

In 2020, UK emissions accounted for 25,056 
tonnes of CO2 (2019: 24,941) representing just 
under 12% of global emissions.

Type of scope

Global

UK

Scope 1 – energy 
consumed from 
combustion of fuel or the 
operation of any facility

740,792 82,350

Scope 2 – energy 
consumed resulting from 
the purchase of electricity 47,366

4,194

Total

788,158 86,544

Our total energy consumption is calculated using 
electricity purchased (kWh) and fuel volumes 
converted to kWh using the UK government GHG 
Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 53

Responsible Business
continued

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

The TCFD published 
recommendations to encourage 
companies to increase their 
disclosure of climate-related 
information – focused on 
governance, opportunities 
and strategies to manage 
climate-related risks.

Our priority over the last 12 months has been 
to develop our new Environment Action 
Plan and 2040 vision. This, together with 
specialist workstreams and targets, has been 
discussed and agreed by the Board, and we 
have now begun to implement country-level 
operational-based environment plans. 

As part of this process, Rentokil Initial 
is committed to implementing the 
recommendations of the TCFD. This year, 

we have taken the first step to integrating 
these requirements into our Strategic Report.

Rentokil Initial already responds to the 
Carbon Disclosure Project and is a member 
of the Dow Jones Sustainability (European 
Leader’s) Index. The Company is rated ‘Low 
ESG Risk’ by Sustainalytics, Prime rated by 
ISS ESG (with a decile rank of 1 indicating a 
high relative ESG performance) and ‘AA’ by 
MSCI for ESG. In 2020, Vigeo Eiris ranked 
Rentokil Initial 1st out of 99 for ESG in the 
Business Services category.

Governance
The Rentokil Initial Board has responsibility 
for oversight of the long-term climate change 
strategy of the Group, including considering 
climate-related issues, investments, 
opportunities and risks.

In 2020, the Board analysed the Group’s 
new Environment Action Plan, priorities 

Rapid declines in CO2 emissions would be required to  
reach a 1.5°C pathway 

Projected global CO2 emissions per scenario1 
Metric gigatons of CO2 (GtCO2) per year 

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
2005

Continued growth2

McKinsey GEP  
Reference case, 20193

2oC pathway

1.5oC pathway

2010

2015

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

2045

2050

Rentokil Initial journey 
to net zero

UK government 
net zero target

EU net zero 
target

2020

2020

2020

2040

2050

2050

1.   In addition to energy-related CO2 emissions, all pathways include industry-processed emissions (e.g. from 

cement production), emissions from deforestation and waste, and negative emissions (e.g. from reforestation 
and carbon-removal technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, and direct 
air carbon capture and storage, or DACCS). Conversely, emissions from biotec feedbacks (e.g. from 
permafrost thawing, wildfires) are not included.

2.   Lower bound for ‘continued growth’ pathways is akin to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2019: Current Policies 

Scenario; higher bound based on IPCC’s Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5.

3.   GEP = Global Energy Perspective; reference case factors in potential adoption of renewable and electric 

vehicles. Source: Global Carbon Budget 2019; World Energy Outlook 2019, IEA, expanded by Woods Hole 
Research Center; McKinsey Global Energy Perspectives 2019: Reference Case; McKinsey 1.5oC scenario 
analysis.

54 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

of workstreams, and ambitions through to 
2040. It formalised our vision to be at net 
zero greenhouse gas emissions from our 
operations by the end of 2040, together with 
a 20% energy efficiency improvement by 
2025 (kilogrammes of carbon emissions per 
£m Ongoing Revenues at CER). This was one 
of the key topics for discussion at the Board’s 
December meeting. Regional operating 
plans, presented to the Board each year, 
include environmental priorities and plans. 

We believe that our goal to be at net zero 
emissions (including emissions from sulfuryl 
fluoride) from our operations by the end of 
2040 is bold and stretching, given we 
operate in 83 countries, including many 
Emerging markets. But, we believe this will 
unlock a new level of energy and innovation 
as we seek to differentiate the Company as 
a leader in environmental sustainability. 

In order to meet the 1.5°C global warming 
target in the Paris Agreement, global carbon 
emissions should reach net zero around 
mid-century. The Company’s new net zero 
target is ahead of the 1.5°C pathway, as 
illustrated by McKinsey in their 2020 report 
‘Climate Math: What a 1.5°C pathway would 
take’, shown left.

Our Chief Executive has overall responsibility 
for Environment, Social and Governance and 
our operationally focused response to the 
risks of climate change. Responsibility for 
the delivery of our climate change plans is 
integrated into roles and responsibilities of 
senior managers across a number of key 
functions, including: marketing & innovation, 
supply chain, legal & compliance, regional 
managing directors and communications. 
An Environment Action Plan Coordinating 
Group has met throughout 2020.

During the year, it was agreed that the 
Group’s ELT and Senior Leadership Forum 
(SLF) meetings will have Environment as the 
third item on every agenda (following Safety 
and People). The vehicle emissions intensity 
for the 20 largest operations have been 
presented to the ELT and SLF monthly. This 
tracks the vehicle fuel efficiency performance 
for each country against the prior year, per 
thousand litres of fuel used, per million of 
revenue in local currency.

Engagement with our key stakeholders, 
particularly colleagues, customers, suppliers, 
shareholders and analysts, about our 
environmental plan, progress and targets 
increased significantly during 2020 and 
we continue to welcome opportunities 
to engage. 

For more information on our Environment 
Action Plan to 2040, please see page 52. 
This is fully aligned with our business plan 
and operations, has clear deliverables, and 
is one of the ways in which we deliver with 
impact our social purpose of Protecting 
People and Enhancing Lives.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Strategy

Journey to net zero

20-point plan

Strategy
Our climate-related strategy 
focuses on the operational risks 
and opportunities that we have 
identified – and continue to 
identify as new climate-related 
information becomes available 
from sources such as the UN  
and OECD – to ensure that we 
have a resilient operation and  
supply chain. 

Our strategy is embedded  
within our operating model 
as a multi-local, route-based 
business, delivering services 
mainly in urban areas. It 
comprises three broad focus 
areas and eight specific 
workstreams.

Rentokil Initial will have net zero carbon emissions  
from our operations by the end of 2040

Sustainable 
solutions

 Chemicals  
Moving to non-tox 
services, including 
finding an alternative 
to sulfuryl fluoride, a 
GHG used in fumigation.

Consumables  
Ensuring paper 
products are only 
sourced from 
sustainable suppliers.

Hardware  
Ensuring hardware 
products are designed 
for sustainability.

Sustainable 
operations

Waste  
Measuring and 
reducing our waste  
to zero landfill and 
incineration.

Mobility  
Reducing our carbon 
emissions from 
vehicles and colleague 
mobility.

Supply Chain  
Working with suppliers 
to minimise their own 
climate-related 
impacts. 

Sustainable 
workplace

 Properties  
Moving to sustainable 
energy tariffs and 
property efficiency.

Culture  
Taking our people  
on the journey and 
delivering day-to-day 
behaviour changes.

20 key activities on our journey to net zero
Summary:

1.  Leading our industries with the most 
environmentally friendly range of 
products and services, supporting 
our customers’ own environmental 
ambitions

2.  ‘Cradle to grave’ analysis of all 

new products

3.  Introducing new products made 

from recycled materials

4.  Ensuring that paper products have  
come from sustainable sources

5.  Changing the types of chemicals we  

use for fumigation to more 
environmentally friendly alternatives

6.  Reducing and eventually removing the  

use of pesticides and insecticides

7.  Reducing to zero the waste we send to  

landfill or incineration

8.  Reducing packaging: move to 100%  

reusable or recyclable

9.  Reducing our use of plastic, for example 
reducing the thickness of our FHU bags

10.  Reducing the levels of waste batteries  
– examine options for reuse, recharge

11.  Increasing product refurbishment and 

reuse

12.  Transitioning to a low emission (EV) fleet

13.  Reducing mileage – utilising route 

planning tools and building customer 
density

14.  Examining how the use of digital tools can 
reduce our vehicle mileage/emissions

15.  Ensuring our product formulations  
use palm oil extracts that are only 
from sustainable sources, eventually 
removing all use of palm oil

16.  Working with suppliers to ensure that 
they have sustainability plans and 
minimising the environmental impact 
of our products

17.  Introducing green energy tariffs for our 

owned buildings

18.  Prioritising property energy efficiency 
savings opportunities, e.g. installing 
LED lighting

19.  Reducing use of flights and business 

travel

20.  Ensuring our colleagues are involved, 
informed and given the opportunity 
to put forward their own ideas

Examples of country activities

China
189 electric bikes ordered for colleagues to 
service small food and beverage customers.

Netherlands
Electric vehicle trial in Amsterdam with 
combination of three-wheel and four-wheel 
tuktuks. Also in Uruguay.

North America
Delivery of first fully electric vehicles.

Australia
Battery recycling to safely recover mercury, 
lead, silver, nickel, cadmium, steel, lithium 
and plastic. Over 40 tonnes of batteries and 
other hazardous waste diverted from landfill. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 55

Responsible Business
continued

Climate-related risk management

Our approach to risk management is 
covered in more detail on page 67. 

Climate-related risks are identified and 
analysed by our operational and functional 
teams. For example, our supply chain and 
procurement teams identify risks relating 
to the resilience of supply and access to 
materials, while our country and regulatory 
teams identify risks related to new laws and 
regulations, such as city-based low emission 
zones and associated access charging for 
commercial vehicles. 

Risks and opportunities are discussed at the 
relevant Boards – Category Boards for Pest 
Control and Hygiene, as well as the Executive 
Leadership Team and the Board of Directors. 

There are two broad areas of climate-related 
risk: 

1. Extreme local weather conditions

2. Legislation and changing expectations

56 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

1 

Operational disruption due to 
extreme local weather conditions

Operating in 83 countries means we see the 
local impact of climate change and extreme 
weather conditions in the countries and cities 
in which we operate. 

In 2020, these included:
 e January: The worst Australian bushfires 
in living memory. Several colleagues are 
volunteer firefighters and took part in the 
operations.

 e February: Near-record flooding in parts 

of Mississippi and Tennessee.

 e May: Heavy rainfall caused by Typhoon 
Vongfong in the Philippines destroyed 
homes and displaced over 140,000 people.

 e July: In Northeastern India, 2.4 million 

people were affected by floods.

 e September: The worst wildfires in 18 years 

across California and Oregon, driving 
90,000 people from their homes. 

 e October: In Vietnam, extreme floods 
submerged over 178,000 homes and 
7,000 hectares (17,297 acres) of crops. 

In addition to the climate-related risks to 
operations, risks such as heat stress could 
affect the ability of colleagues to work 
outdoors or, in extreme cases, could put 
human lives at risk. 

During 2020, in Australia, our colleagues 
were supplied with ‘cool vests’ and working 
outside was restricted as local temperatures 
became more extreme. 

According to McKinsey, India (where we have 
a nationwide operation) and Pakistan (in 
which we do not currently operate) may be 
the first places in the world to experience 
lethal heatwaves. For the people living in 
these regions, the average annual likelihood 
of experiencing such a lethal heat wave is 
projected to rise to 14% by 2050.

While these are localised events, they 
demonstrate the potential risks, should 
climate change make weather events more 
extreme and more frequent, and underline 
the need for climate action.

2

Environmental legislation and changing 
expectations of customers and society

When considering our new Environment Action Plan, we also identified associated 
risks. The following examples relate to colleague mobility and the use of chemicals 
in pest control:

Area

Risks

Mitigation/action plan

 e Mobility

 e  City-based vehicle charging or 

access zones only for low emission 
vehicles

 e  Customer/society expectations
 e  Carbon taxes and regulatory policy 

interventions

 e  Access to a nationwide Electric 
Vehicle (EV) charging network
 e  Access to EV vehicles that meet 

our needs – daily mileage, weight 
and commercial terms

 e Detailed analysis tool in place – 
EV fleet availability by country, 
monitored for availability of 
suitable vehicles, price and 
charging network availability. RAG 
coded 

 e  Pilots in 5+ major markets. Policy 

framework created

 e  Membership of EV100 – a global 

initiative bringing together 
companies committed to 
accelerating the transition to 
electric vehicles

 e  Roll-out plan to be completed by 

2040 

 e Use of 

chemicals in 
pest control

 e  New legislation to restrict the type 
of chemicals used in pest control in 
outdoor environments

 e  80% of our innovation pipeline is 

now sustainable 

 e  First non-tox/low-tox products 

 e  Customer/society expectations for 

launched

fumigation services using chemicals 
that do not impact climate change
 e  High-carbon goods and services 
become socially unacceptable
 e  Behaviour on climate-related 

matters could become  
critical to corporate reputation

 e  Investigating non-tox alternative for 
fumigation with goal to change from 
sulfuryl fluoride

 e  Plan developed to become 100% 

non-tox by 2040

 e  Introduction of digital tools – more 

targeted usage

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Climate-related opportunities

Pests are more of a burden in warmer 
climates and therefore, the impact of climate 
change is a factor in the growth of 
commercial pest management. 

Warmer temperatures mean longer breeding 
seasons and higher survival rates during the 
milder winters. More volatility in temperatures 
and precipitation also has the potential to 
change the pest mix and demand for pest 
control over the medium to long term.

With market-leading positions around the 
globe, Rentokil Initial can play an important 
role in helping customers to mitigate the 
effects of global warming on their businesses 
and on public health. 

The Company is already seeing the impact 
of warmer temperatures. For instance, 
increased survival rates of mosquitoes and 
other insects in southern Europe, and rising 

concerns about vector-borne diseases. 
In the US, we are also seeing an increase 
in mosquito populations being reported 
due to increasing amounts of standing water 
following more severe hurricanes and storms.

One of the best examples is the Asian Tiger 
Mosquito. The native range of this mosquito 
is throughout the tropics of Southeast Asia, 
the Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands, north 
through China and Japan, and west to 
Madagascar. 

However, the Tiger Mosquito has been one of 
the fastest-spreading animal species over the 
past two decades. To date, it has spread to at 
least 28 countries outside its native range 
around the globe. This is the mosquito that 
brought Chikungunya disease to Italy in 2007. 

244%

potential increase in fly populations  
by 2080 predicted by the World Health 
Organization (WHO)

As with mosquitos, flies thrive in warmer 
climates. According to the WHO publication, 
‘Public Health Significance of Urban Pests’, 
climate change may have a significant impact 
on fly populations. A statement by the WHO, 
using predicted values for warmer 
temperatures, forecasts a potential increase 
in fly populations of 244% by 2080, compared 
with current levels. If this were to occur, 
concomitant increases in fly-borne diseases 
would be expected.

How does climate change affect pests?

Insects experience  
additional generations

Higher survival rates  
during winter months

Poleward spread of  
pests towards cooler 
climates

Some insects grow  
bigger in warmer 
temperatures

Impact of attacks on  
crops and people  
is worsened

Metrics and targets
For over 15 years, Rentokil Initial has 
published its emissions data and continues 
to improve the quality and range of its 
environmental reporting. 

The Company first set an emissions target 
in 2012 of a 10% reduction in our emissions 
intensity index by 2016, which was achieved 
in 2015. Then using 2015 data as the baseline 
it set a five-year emissions target to achieve 
a 20% reduction in this intensity index by the 
end of 2020. As at the end of 2020, this had 
reduced by 27.2%. 

In 2020, the Board set a new target to reduce 
the emissions intensity index by a further 
20% by the end of 2025 (using 2019 data as 
the baseline). As at the end of 2020 this index 
had reduced by 8.1%.

The index of CO2 emissions is calculated as 
an index of kilogrammes per £m revenue on a 
constant exchange rate (CER) basis, providing 
an accurate like-for-like performance 
comparison, removing the variables of 
currency and divestments and acquisitions.

The Company has also begun its journey to 
net zero carbon emissions from its operations 
by the end of 2040.

Our greenhouse gas emissions are derived 
from the use of energy in our properties and 
vehicles and through the use of sulfuryl 
fluoride in public health-related fumigation 
projects. In 2020, we set a new goal to 
achieve zero CO2 emissions from the use 
of chemicals in fumigation by 2035. 

Absolute emissions from the use of sulfuryl 
fluoride were 605,442 tonnes in 2020 (2019: 
548,449 tonnes; 2018: 363,339 tonnes; 2017: 
481,390 tonnes). The increase in 2020 
occurred due to growth in customer demand 
in Europe for fumigation to protect products 
being shipped around the world and from 
acquisitions. 

Our current Scope 3 reporting includes 
emissions in relation to our properties and 
vehicles – Transmission & Distribution (T&D) 
and Well to Tank (WTT). We are currently 
planning to enhance our data capture around 
Scope 3 emissions, in particular business 
travel and our supply chain. 

See page 53 for our five-year data tables 
covering absolute values of energy and 
fuel-derived emissions – tonnes of CO2e 
covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 and our progress 
against the index of CO2 emissions, against 
which our 20% target is set.

Intensity index of CO2 emissions
Based on kg per £m of revenue on a CER 
basis – baseline year 2015 = 100.

0
0
1

2
8
3
9

.

1
6
.
1
9

5
6
9
7

.

6
1
.
9
7

6
7

.

2
7

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

9
1
0
2

0
2
0
2

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 57

Responsible Business
continued

Service and innovation
Trusted brands at a time of crisis

Innovation
Around half of our innovation projects have 
been generated in house, either by our 
Science and Innovation team or as a result of 
insights gained from our businesses around 
the world. 

Other projects are initiated as a result of a 
collaboration with external partners who 
bring their own specialised expertise to a 
project. Innovation is an integral part of our 
culture, and our partners engage with our 
scientific and technical teams to turn ideas 
into new and exciting solutions to meet 
customer needs now and in the future. 

New products to combat 
COVID-19 
In 2020, in the early days of the pandemic, 
we identified the urgent need for disinfection 
services and within four weeks had deployed 
the service in 60 countries. This entailed 
obtaining the correct PPE and respirators, 
delivering over 30,000 pieces of training and, 
vitally, creating safe operating procedures, 
such as how to deliver the service safely, 
while in full PPE. 

We supported a wide range of customers, 
from food manufacturers and retailers to 
distribution centres and public transport. In 
Paris, we undertook c.1 million treatments to 
protect people on the transport network. 

In line with our business model, innovations 
were also deployed to support this new 
service. We introduced electrostatic fogging 
machines (that ‘charge’ the disinfectant 
solution, enhancing the spread and speed 
of delivery) and tools that use ultraviolet light 
to disinfect areas with sensitive equipment, 
such as server rooms, where liquids cannot 
be used. Drones were introduced to disinfect 
major sports facilities. See page 14 for a case 
study on disinfection services.

Experts in hygiene
During 2020, our expertise in hygiene 
ensured that we were able to help customers 
with essential hand, air and surface hygiene 
services. We installed record levels of 
dispensers for soaps and sanitisers; working 
with our suppliers (external and in-house) to 
obtain high levels of ‘no touch’ units and 
refills. We also launched new air care 
services, such as VIRUSKILLER™ with 
99.9999% effectiveness. See page 44. 

During 2020, our UK businesses 
maintained their 5-star performance 
rating on Trustpilot.

Non-toxic 
(environmentally friendly)

Biotechnology
Lures
Heat
Proofing/Exclusion

Monitor and  
detection
Beam-break technology 
Scent detection 
Presence detection

Sustainable
Recyclable material 
Resistance testing 
Lifetime use

Digital
Cameras 
Remote management 
Data

During the pandemic, our 
customers trusted Rentokil Initial 
to deliver high-quality services 
that protected their staff, their 
customers and the reputations of 
their businesses. Our services 
allowed them to exit lockdowns or 
maintain their own services safely – 
our services were designated 
‘essential’ by government agencies 
around the world. We launched 
disinfection services and delivered 
record levels of hand soaps and 
sanitisers. 

c.80%

of our innovation pipeline is now  
sustainable or non-tox

Investing in a sustainable future

The Power Centre is our industry-leading 
centre for science and innovation. We focus 
on four main areas: Non-toxic, Monitor and 
detection, Sustainable, and Digital. Currently, 
around 80% of projects within the innovation 
pipeline are sustainable and non-toxic.

58 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Non-toxic
In commercial pest control the use of 
chemicals is not our first thought. Before 
any treatment is considered we survey the 
premises and consider barriers, such as 
proofing and exclusion materials under doors 
or in gaps next to pipes, that might solve the 
pest problem. We then have a range of 
non-tox solutions, such as the use of heat 
treatments, rather than traditional chemicals, 
for the control of bed bugs and insects. 

Monitor and detection
RADAR and AutoGate rodent control units 
use break-beam technology to identify the 
presence of a target species and alert the 
technician, via the online command centre, 
that a particular unit has been activated. 

PestID, an image-based smartphone app, 
identifies a pest from a photo taken by one 
of our technicians. Once identified, PestID 
will recommend the best tools to control 
the pest, plus important information such 
as operational safety reminders.

Sustainable
After two years in development, in 2020 we 
undertook final testing and trials of Eradico, 
our first global hardware product made from 
recycled polymer. This new bait box, for 
external use, has improved functionality and 
is more efficient to install and service. 

In 2020, Eradico was trialled in 22 countries 
and will be launched globally in 2021.

Rentokil Initial was awarded The Queen’s 
Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2020 – for 
the development and launch of Lumnia, 
which not only offers highly effective fly 
control, but is also the first range to use LED 
lighting rather than traditional fluorescent 
tubes, reducing carbon emissions by 62% 
and removing mercury from the waste 
stream.

168,800

Lumnia units sold since launch

Digital
Rentokil Initial uses digital technology to 
improve the colleague experience, enhance 
services and reporting transparency for 
customers, and improve operational 
efficiency. Our workforce is enabled with 
smartphone technology and a wide range 
of apps to improve efficiency. 

 e ServiceTrak – our field service app. Over 
7 million service visits were completed on 
ServiceTrak in Hygiene during 2020 and 
c.4.8 million customer signatures captured 
on completed visits. At the start of the 
pandemic, we quickly added a photograph 
function to include as proof of service with 
2.4 million Proof of Service reports sent 
digitally to our Hygiene customers. Also 
introduced in 2020 was a new digital 
customer satisfaction survey. 2.6 million 
responses were received as a result of 
service visits, with an average score of 
4.8 out of 5 for both Pest Control and 
Hygiene.

7 million

service visits were completed on  
ServiceTrak in Hygiene during 2020

 e PestConnect – Internet of Things pest 

control – we now have over 150,000 units in 
the field in 26 countries (2019: 80,000). See 
page 26, for a case study on Tesco and 
PestConnect.

 e Command Centre – brings together the 

data from our Internet of Things devices in 
the field with 9 million records processed 
each day in 2020. Cloud-based data 
storage and our own visualisation tools 
ensure that we can support customers with 
the highest standard of pest control data 
analysis.

 e myRentokil – this customer portal is now 

live in 44 countries and has 187,000 active 
users (+12% vs 2019). myInitial is deployed in 
18 countries and has 22,300 active users – 
up by 34% year on year.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 59

Responsible Business
continued

Communities
Living our values

Our approach to charitable and 
community support is in line with 
our core social purpose – to Protect 
People and Enhance Lives. We also 
aim to make a meaningful 
contribution to the local economy 
and to support communities where 
we operate. This year, our values 
were even more visible than usual 
as, despite the crisis, we saw the 
incredible commitment of our 
colleagues to support local 
communities and charities.

Saying thank you to key 
health workers
In May 2020, through our #sharethelove 
initiative, our colleagues around the world 
said a massive thank you to the inspirational 
health and public services workers who 
selflessly help others. Our colleagues 
supported the communities in which they live 
and work, via 276 activities, such as donating 
disinfection services, pest control treatments, 
hand sanitisers and care packages, and in 
many other ways.

  Find out more about #sharethelove 
on pages 62 and 63

Colleagues also participated in over 25 
events around the world to mark Global 
Handwashing Day – particularly important in 
2020 – and by making further valuable 
in-kind donations.

276

Our colleagues supported the 
communities in which they live 
and work, with 276 activities

60 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Providing long-term support 
to charitable causes
Rentokil Initial Cares is our charity and 
community programme which supports 
colleagues’ own efforts locally, alongside 
national and global initiatives. It supports 
charities and good causes which have 
significant impact in many parts of the world, 
from protecting families from the threat of 
malaria in Africa and reducing deforestation 
in the Pacific, to providing community health 
and hygiene education in Asia. 

This innovative programme was launched in 
2019 and uses the Company’s unclaimed 
shares and dividends to support our partner 
charities with a network of local ambassadors 
coordinating and championing the 
programme. During the year, we supported 
a number of community and charitable 
causes, including the following:

Malaria No More UK
Since 2010, Rentokil Initial has supported 
Malaria No More UK in its mission to fight 
the deadly global disease malaria, raising 
around £250,000. In 2020, we were partners 
to the 2020 campaign Malaria Must Die 
(www.malariamustdie.com). In addition, 
in early 2020 we were able to use our 
IT expertise to help the charity to adopt 
new back office technologies.

Cool Earth
Rentokil Initial is also very proud to support 
the UK charity Cool Earth, in tackling 
endangered rainforest degradation – a major 
source of carbon being released into the 
atmosphere. From investing in fresh water 
and sanitation programmes in Papua New 
Guinea to helping create sustainable 
livelihoods in Cameroon and Mozambique, 
Rentokil Initial has been a critical partner in 
these community-led conservation activities. 

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The Brit School
As part of our ongoing support, we provided 
£10,000 to The Brit School, a UK charity, to 
whom we also provided mentoring support 
as part of developmental training initiatives. 
We also supported their online Christmas 
performance for primary schools.

Other matched donations have been made to 
charities, reflecting the passion of colleagues, 
including: Save the Children, Oxfam – the 
Beirut emergency appeal, Alzheimer’s 
Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and the 
Royal Marsden Hospital.

Charitable cash donations in 2020 (including 
matched donations) amounted to £184,000 in 
2020 (2019: £206,000) – this excludes the 
provision of value-in-kind and management 
time which was significant in 2020, and 
colleague-generated donations and efforts. 
Our Community Involvement Policy sets out 
our principles for positive engagement.

 e In Papua New Guinea the community  

had great success with the water, sanitation 
and hygiene programme activities. Three 
community members received training to 
build long-drop toilets and flood-resistant 
waste systems, and we have also provided 
much-valued clean water tanks which 
support community health.

 e There have also been encouraging results 
from agroforestry programme activities 
in Cameroon. Up to 5,000 additional cocoa 
and fruit trees have been added to Rentokil 
Initial-funded nurseries. During community 
interviews, 157 households within the 
supported communities indicated no further 
need for using forests for farmland 
expansion.

Better Futures
Rentokil Initial’s Better Futures community 
health initiative was first launched in 2013 
and continues to develop projects to deliver 
essential health and safety education across 
Asia, including India, Malaysia and Indonesia. 
Since its launch, more than 27,000 people 
have participated in these education events 
supported by volunteer colleagues from local 
branches. This year, the Better Futures team 
has undertaken events which benefited over 
350 children in India, in cities including 
Chennai, Mumbai and Lucknow.

 e The beekeeping programme in Cameroon 

has also had successes in 2020 with 
53 new members from the supported 
communities receiving follow-up training on 
bee farming. Out of 214 beehives installed, 
a total of 145 have been fully colonised.

This year, Cool Earth also launched a crisis 
Rainforest Resilience Fund to help local 
partners and community members during the 
coronavirus pandemic when the cost of 
goods increased significantly. To ensure that 
100% of the Rainforest Resilience Fund went 
directly to families in need, we underwrote 
the operational costs for this appeal. In 2020, 
we made donations to the value of £62,846 
(2019: £54,000) to Cool Earth.

+27,000

participants in our Better Futures 
community events 

Australian Bush Fires 2020
Rentokil Initial was extremely proud of the 
colleagues who are reserve firefighters 
and who volunteered to support their 
communities. We provided payment of 
unlimited Special Leave when they were 
called upon to assist during the emergency. 

Further information

Additional information about our practices 
can be found in our responsible business 
website: rentokil-initial.com/
responsible-delivery

Company policies: 
rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery/
policies

Gender Pay Gap Report: 
rentokil-initial.com/responsible- 
delivery/gender-pay-gap-report

Modern Slavery Statement: 
rentokil-initial.com/responsible- 
delivery/modern-slavery-statement

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 61

Playing 
our part

by supporting 
our communities 

On 12 May 2020, we launched a global 
initiative called #sharethelove with the 
target of creating 100 community events 
around the world – donating disinfection 
and hygiene services to healthcare workers, 
emergency service facilities, care homes and 
many other organisations – to say thank you 
for their service during the pandemic. 

The programme enabled our colleagues 
to thank their local organisations in a 
globally coordinated way under the 
#sharethelove banner, reflecting our 
Group values and our purpose of 
Protecting People and Enhancing Lives.

Even in the toughest of times we were 
determined to demonstrate our values 
and our commitment to our global 
communities. We received an outstanding 
response from our colleagues and 
delivered a total of 276 events in 38 
countries supporting over 8,000 people 
in the communities – far exceeding our 
initial expectations. 

The primary impact of the programme on 
local communities was immediate support 
at a time of crisis where funding and 
resources were limited. Examples of what 
we delivered include: free disinfection 
services to selected care homes and 
emergency service facilities; ‘hygiene 
hampers’ (soaps and sanitisers) to local 
healthcare facilities; free pest control 
treatments to medical facilities and day 
care centres for the elderly; and free hand 
soaps and sanitisers to local emergency 
workers.

More specifically, our colleagues in 
Portugal have donated disinfection 
services to two hotels in Lisbon, which, 
while closed for business, have been 
supporting hospitals, doctors and nurses 
involved in fighting the pandemic. 
In Tuscany, Italy, we have donated 
disinfection and deep clean services to 
Dynamo Camp, a recreational therapy 
camp – and the first of its kind in Italy – 
that hosts children who are sick, in 
therapy, or recovering in a post-
hospitalisation period. 

In Chile, our teams performed specialised 
disinfection services in critical locations 
in the community, including a recreation 
room for children of the workers of the 
Roberto del Río hospital, and in the 
premises of a Foundation called 
Fundación Santa Clara in Santiago that 
supports children with HIV. In Sweden, 
our colleagues helped to produce 
protective equipment for medical staff, 
and in North America colleagues took 
part in over 80 events to say thank you 
to their ‘hometown heroes’. 

62 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

276

events organised by colleagues

38

countries

8,000+

people in the community supported

Further examples of  
#sharethelove activities

China – colleagues donated disinfection 
services and hand sanitiser to nursing 
homes and emergency workers

Thailand – colleagues donated disinfection 
treatments in places of worship and 
temporary dormitories for medical workers

South Africa – colleagues donated a range 
of pest control and hygiene services to 
children’s homes and care centres

Saudi Arabia – colleagues provided 
pest control and hygiene services to 
care organisations 

Belgium – colleagues provided hand 
sanitisers to Moeders voor Moeders – 
a charity which helps mothers in need

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 63

Responsible Business
continued

Governance, trust and transparency

Governance and policies
Our responsible business priorities are 
woven into our overall governance 
arrangements, the cornerstone of which 
is the Code of Conduct (available in local 
languages and supported by training 
programmes). The Code of Conduct sets 
out a fundamental commitment to comply 
with all applicable legal requirements and 
to operate with high ethical standards. 
It outlines responsibilities to colleagues, 
customers and to the Company and highlights 
our determination to embed our values of 
service, relationships and teamwork and 
a culture of integrity across the Company. 

We have a robust policy framework for each 
of the key sustainability priority areas set out 
on pages 49 to 61. Policies are reviewed 
periodically to ensure that they meet current 
best practice and legislative needs. Our 
technical and safety standards and practices 
often exceed the regulatory requirements 
where we operate. By establishing clear 
policies and procedures in areas such as 
ethical conduct, human rights, data security 
and suppliers, and by reporting transparently 
on our progress, we can reduce risks to our 
business and our customers.

We have a Supplier Code which is designed 
to ensure that the standards of our suppliers 
are aligned with our Code of Conduct. The 
Supplier Code, available on our website in 
17 languages, outlines the standards and 
controls expected within the operations 
of suppliers of goods and services to the 
Rentokil Initial Group. Since March 2019, all 
critical suppliers and major local suppliers 
who supply goods or services to the Group 
are required to acknowledge receipt of and 
compliance to the Supplier Code. Tangible 
aspects of the Supplier Code, such as safety 
standards, are inspected during the periodic 
audits of critical and major suppliers. A full list 
of our key policies is available on our website. 
We monitor our impact using performance 
metrics, which are summarised overleaf and 
shown on page 48. 

Management and compliance
Adherence is reinforced by an annual Letter 
of Assurance process, signed by senior 
management confirming compliance with 
corporate policies and the Code of Conduct. 
All senior managers are required to sign a 
letter to confirm they comply personally with 
key corporate policies and the Code, and that 
the colleagues for whom they are responsible 
are aware of and understand what is required 
of them. Details must be provided of any 
areas of non-compliance or uncertainty.

Monitored by the Company’s Group General 
Counsel and Internal Audit team, it is 
supported by mandatory training on the U+ 
learning platform. A review of the process is 
provided to the Audit Committee each year 
(see page 106). The Internal Audit team also 
manages the confidential independent 
reporting channel Speak Up (see page 106 
of the Audit Committee Report). The Chief 
Executive has Board responsibility for our 
responsible business approach, including 
climate-related issues.

64 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Payment practices
In the UK we have two legal entities that 
have an obligation to report semi-annually 
on their payment practices towards suppliers. 
Over the last few years improvements have 
been made in this regard, with invoices on 
average being paid comfortably within the 
standard terms of those legal entities. 
However, approximately 20% of invoices 
continue to technically be paid after the 
due date of the invoice. There are a range 
of factors impacting this metric, including 
invoices with immediate or very short 
payment terms, postal delays, internal 
approval delays, and incorrect invoice 
details. During the year, we have reviewed 
processes to identify procedural issues and 
made some changes to payment runs to 
improve supplier payment timings, as well 
as providing additional training for colleagues. 
All payment practice reports are reviewed 
by the Company’s Audit Committee. 

Information security
Like all organisations, the scale and 
complexity of cyber attacks against the 
business continues to increase and we 
continue to identify, monitor and mitigate the 
risk this presents (see page 70). During 2020 
we moved approximately 8,500 colleagues 
to work from home as part of the business 
continuity response to the global pandemic, 
which included the expansion of existing 
remote access services and investments in 
security tools and technology specifically 
to enhance security for home workers. We 
continue to invest in IT security ensuring that 
the security posture of systems and services 
are maintained at an appropriate level and 
security posture is continually monitored 
and improved. Penetration testing exercises 
were undertaken to test our detection and 
response capability. An information security 
awareness programme is helping to reduce 
security incidents and improve awareness. 
In 2020, this included phishing simulation 
exercises (involving over 15,000 colleagues 
in critical user functions with over 57,000 
simulation emails sent in a series of 
campaigns), workshops and online training 
packages. Improvements to our email 
security capability were also implemented 
to enable users to identify high-risk emails 
and improve technical resilience to phishing 
attacks. We also monitor external ratings 
using the Assessment of Business Cyber 
Risk framework provided by the US Chamber 
of Commerce and benchmark our cyber 
security where possible. We want to do the 
right thing to ensure that our business and 
our customers can operate securely and 
safely.

Data privacy
We have initiated a global data protection 
compliance programme based on the 
requirements of the EU General Data 
Protection Regulation (GDPR). We have 
required that all businesses globally sign and 
abide by the terms of an inter-company data 
transfer agreement, which incorporates EU 
standard model clauses. This demonstrates 
that all businesses are committed to taking 

privacy seriously. Our Group Data Protection 
Officer has established a global privacy 
network and all countries have assigned 
Local Privacy Officers and/or Privacy 
Champions to support the programme. 
The network of Local Privacy Officers and 
Champions is provided with support and 
guidance via regular newsletters, meetings, 
training and access to updated data 
protection compliance resources.

The core operational controls and compliance 
framework are underpinned by tools, 
systems, policies and processes. Privacy 
and data management considerations 
are implemented in project and contract 
governance mechanisms. A privacy notice 
is available in 17 languages and 95% of 
managers in the EU, including the UK, have 
completed data protection training. Since 
implementation, functional training for teams 
such as marketing, HR, sales and IT has also 
been delivered, supplemented by support 
and guidance from the network of local 
privacy officers and privacy champions. 
Data protection training material has been 
made available in 38 different languages 
for all employees globally. 

Any identified data protection risks (see page 
71), gaps and requirements are reported by 
the Group Data Protection Officer via the 
Group General Counsel to the Group Risk 
Committee and the Audit Committee. Metrics 
have been created to assess the compliance 
status of countries and regions, based on 
data protection programme activities and 
risk levels associated with local regulatory 
requirements, enforcement actions and 
breaches.

Tax
Our tax strategy is aligned with our wider 
business strategy, which we believe creates 
a responsible and sustainable tax strategy 
that will enhance long-term shareholder 
value. Tax will be considered as part of 
every significant business transaction. When 
considering tax issues, we will always seek 
to protect the Group’s reputation and adhere 
to its Code of Conduct. We aim to meet all 
of our legal obligations, filing all required tax 
returns accurately and on time and paying the 
correct amount of tax when due. We seek to 
deal with HMRC and other tax authorities in 
an open and collaborative manner, aimed at 
reaching agreement on tax issues on a timely 
basis and minimising the risk of disputes 
arising. We will not undertake transactions 
where the sole purpose is to create a tax 
benefit in excess of what is intended by the 
relevant legislation. We aim to comply with 
both the spirit and the letter of the law in 
relation to tax matters and we will not 
establish companies in tax havens where 
there is no economic substance.

We operate appropriate tax risk governance 
processes, including oversight by the Audit 
Committee and the Board. Our tax strategy 
applies to all Group business, sets out our 
approach to tax and can be found on our 
website. Our Board reviews our tax strategy 
annually.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Non-financial information statement

An overview of our approach to environmental matters, colleagues, social matters, human rights, and anti-corruption and anti-bribery can be 
found in the table below, with further details found throughout this Responsible Business section on pages 47 to 66. Details of our business 
model can be found on pages 22 and 23, and our principal risks are on pages 69 to 73. Our key policies can be found on our website.

Enabling THE RIGHT PEOPLE to do THE RIGHT THINGS in THE RIGHT WAY

Our approach and key policies

Environmental matters

Outcomes of policies and impacts 
of activities

More information

Our Code of Conduct states that all our colleagues must conduct their 
work in a way that complies with environmental laws and minimises any 
adverse effect on the environment. Our Environmental Policy sets 
out our commitment to carrying out our business in an environmentally 
responsible way.

8.1% reduction in the 
emissions index in 2020.

We mitigate our carbon 
emissions through our 
partnership with Cool Earth.

See page 52 
for more 
information on 
environmental 
matters.

Colleagues

Social matters

Our colleagues are at the core of our business. Our Code of Conduct sets 
out our Company standards and applies to everyone at Rentokil Initial. 
It includes sections on health and safety, equality and fairness, human 
rights and protecting personal information.

There is nothing more important in Rentokil Initial than ensuring everyone 
goes home safe at the end of their working day. Our approach to making 
sure this happens is set out in our Code of Conduct and our Health and 
Safety Policy.

We aim to be an inclusive employer and have a wide range of policies, 
including our Group Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Dignity at Work and 
Rights of Employees.

We aim to be an Employer 
of Choice and our 44,500 
colleagues are integral 
to our business model 
(see page 22).

0.39 Lost Time Accident 
rate in 2020.

8.46 Working Days Lost 
rate in 2020.

30% of our senior 
management are female.

Colleagues are 
one of our key 
stakeholders, 
as set out 
on page 24. 
Our culture is 
described on 
page 49 and 
you can read 
more about 
our colleagues 
on page 50.

Our purpose is to protect people and enhance lives and, as well as making 
a meaningful contribution to the economy, we aim to support communities 
where we operate. Our Community Involvement Policy sets out our 
principles for positive engagement and our commitment to support 
colleagues’ efforts to raise funds for good causes through a matched 
giving scheme. The Code of Conduct also contains a section on 
respecting the world in which we work.

£184,000 donated to 
charity in 2020 (excludes 
donations in kind).

Read more 
about our 
engagement 
with the 
communities 
in which we 
operate on 
page 60.

Respect for human rights

We support the rights of all people as set out in the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights. Our Human Rights Policy outlines the human rights 
principles that reinforce colleagues’ expected behaviours to respect the 
human rights of colleagues and business partners. The Company may 
operate in countries with potential human rights issues but we would 
not tolerate any connection with abuse. 

As detailed in our Code of Conduct and our Supplier Code, we will only 
employ individuals who are working of their own free will and do not 
tolerate child labour, bonded labour or other forms of slavery in any part 
of our business or their suppliers.

No human rights violations 
were identified in 2020.

We publish a Modern 
Slavery Statement each 
year which is available 
on our website.

Read more 
about our Code 
of Conduct and 
Supplier Code 
on page 64.

Anti-corruption and anti-bribery

We expect our colleagues to maintain the highest standards of conduct 
and act with integrity at all times. Anti-bribery and corruption policy and 
controls are addressed within the Code of Conduct and a separate 
Anti-Bribery Policy, and these are reinforced by mandatory online training, 
reviews and supplier audits, tracking registers, and our ethics reporting 
system Speak Up.

c.16,100 Core Corporate 
Compliance training 
courses were completed by 
colleagues in 2020, with a 
95% completion rate overall. 

Read about 
Board oversight 
of governance 
and compliance 
on page 98.

There were no fines, 
penalties or settlements for 
corruption reported in 2020.

B The icons used above correspond to our stakeholder groups as set out on pages 24 and 25.

Colleagues

Customers

Shareholders

Communities

Suppliers

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Responsible Business
continued

Section 172(1) statement

We consider that pages 85 to 89 in the Corporate Governance Report, which sets out the Board’s activities and principal decisions in 2020 and 
details the Board’s consideration of the factors set out in section 172(1) in making those decisions, also forms part of this statement, and is 
incorporated by reference into the Strategic Report.

This statement intends to set out how our 
Board of Directors, both individually and 
collectively, has had regard to matters set out 
in section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 
when undertaking their duties during 2020. 
The aim of section 172(1) is to try to ensure 
a more comprehensive understanding 
of a company’s key relationships with a 
broad range of interested groups, such as 
employees, suppliers and customers, and a 
proper consideration of external perspectives 
which will, ultimately, help drive success over 
the long term. 

We identify our key stakeholders as 
colleagues, customers, shareholders, 
communities and suppliers. We consider 
the environment to be strongly related to 
communities and they are often considered 
together, although we are ever more 
conscious that the environment also impacts 
our customers and suppliers and is of 
increasing importance to our colleagues as 
well. In discharging their section 172(1) duties, 
the Board has had regard to the Company’s 
key stakeholders, although at times some 
factors may have been more relevant than 
others. Appropriate regard was also given to 
other factors or interested parties considered 
relevant to the decision being made – for 
example, our relationship with regulators, 
industry bodies and other business 
relationships. 

For details of how our Board operates and 
the way in which it reaches decisions, 
including the matters discussed and debated 
during the year, please refer to the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 85 to 89. 

We consider the principal decisions of the 
Board to be those decisions taken by the 
Board directly, which should not be 
delegated to management, or a committee of 
the Board unless considered and approved in 
principle by the whole Board first, and which 
may have a potentially material impact on the 
Company’s strategy, a stakeholder group or 
the long-term value creation of the Company. 
Full details of the principal decisions taken by 
the Board during 2020, including examples 
of how the Directors have had consideration 
for the Company’s stakeholders when 
considering the principal decisions and their 
regard to the matters set out in section 172(1), 
are provided in the Corporate Governance 
Report. 

When considering the needs of relevant 
stakeholder groups, inevitably conflicting 
requirements arise and we seek to make 
judgements that serve the long-term interests 
of the stakeholders. We acknowledge that  
not every decision the Board has made will 
necessarily result in a positive outcome for 
all of our stakeholders. However, by giving 
consideration to key stakeholder groups and 

aligning our activities with our strategic plan, 
as well as the Company’s culture and values, 
we aim to act fairly, transparently and in the 
best interests of the Company over the long 
term. In making their decisions and choices 
and in setting policies and strategy, our 
Directors also consider any associated risks 
when discharging their duties (see page 67).

The Board aims to act in line with the 
Company’s purpose of protecting people and 
enhancing lives. We are aware that there are 
potential incidences where our impact can be 
negative as well as positive, for example as 
a result of the chemicals that we use and the 
greenhouse gas emissions that are involved 
in providing services to our customers. We 
are engaging with suppliers and developing 
innovative technology to address this where 
practicable.

Our reputation is paramount to the success 
of our business as we rely on the satisfaction 
of our customers. We continue to monitor 
our culture recognising the important role 
it plays in underpinning the business’s 
sustainable long-term success. We have 
a comprehensive set of policies and 
procedures in place to ensure high standards 
of professional business conduct, including 
the adherence to our Code of Conduct. 
We strive to act fairly between shareholders 
of the Company at all times. 

Where to find more information

Section 172(1) consideration

Key sections

Q&A with our Chief Executive, page 6; Our Business Model, page 22

Responsible Business, pages 47 to 66; Strategy and culture, page 83 

Principal decisions of the Board, page 88; Financial Review, pages 146 to 148 

Q&A with our Chief Executive, page 6; Our Business Model, page 22; Our Stakeholders, page 24 

People and culture, page 49; Non-financial information statement, page 65 

Principal decisions of the Board, page 88; Stakeholder engagement, page 90 

Our Stakeholders, page 24; Responsible Business, pages 47 to 66; Strategy and culture, page 83

Principal decisions of the Board, page 88; Stakeholder engagement, page 90 

Our Stakeholders, page 24; Environment, pages 52 to 57; Communities, pages 60 to 63 

Non-financial information statement, page 65; Sustainability and culture, page 83 

Principal decisions of the Board, page 88; Stakeholder engagement, page 90

Service and innovation, page 58; Governance, trust and transparency, page 64 

Non-financial information statement, page 65; Principal decisions of the Board, page 88 

Our Stakeholders, page 24; Principal decisions of the Board, page 88 

Stakeholder engagement, page 90

Long-term results

Colleagues

Our business  
relationships

Communities and  
the environment

Our reputation

Fairness between  
our shareholders

66 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Risks and Uncertainties
Managing risk and uncertainty 
within our business

Accurate identification, assessment and management of key risks is 
embedded in our processes and ensures appropriate actions to support 
our strategic objectives.

Risk management approach
The Group’s overall risk management 
approach, described here and on page 105, 
is designed to provide reasonable, but not 
absolute, assurance at all levels of the Group 
that risks are being properly identified and 
effectively managed. This includes the 
provision of appropriate mechanisms to 
ensure that issues and concerns relating 
to risk can be escalated up through the 
organisation effectively and confidentially.

The Board reviews the effectiveness of the 
risk management processes and manages 
the evolving risk environment as it approves 
the Group’s overall strategy. 

The key components of our risk management 
process are:
 e identification and management of risk 
integrated into day-to-day operations;
 e maintenance of a central risk register 
periodically reviewed by regional and 
functional management;

 e annual presentation and approval of risk 
process by the Audit Committee; and
 e emerging risks and potential mitigations 

reviewed at quarterly Group Risk 
Committee meetings, with the risk register 
being updated accordingly.

The Board is satisfied that, through the 
processes set out above, it is able to 
effectively identify and manage risks. The 
Board is further satisfied that the responsible 
managers have the necessary skills and 
expertise to ensure that the relevant risk 
management process and control systems 
are in place and fully operative. The Board 
relies on the assurances provided through 
the periodic reports presented to the Board 
and Audit Committee. 

Using the process set out above, the Board 
believes that it has undertaken a robust 
assessment of the principal risks which 
threaten the implementation of the strategy 
and the long-term viability of the Group and is 
satisfied that appropriate mitigation plans are 
in place.

The Group’s business model has remained 
the same in 2020 as in 2019. It incorporates 
a number of elements that moderate the risk 
profile of the Company, particularly as the 
portfolio accelerates its focus on Pest Control 
and Hygiene which together represent 88% 
of our total business.
 e Low capital intensity and high portfolio 
retention rates: our categories exhibit 
strong defensive qualities, as density and 
efficiency gains are reflected in margin 
growth.

 e Local market operations: the limited 

dependency on cross-border flows of 
people or products reduces the impact of 
geopolitical risks, and foreign exchange risk 
is muted since revenue is earned and costs 
are incurred in local currency.

 e The global nature and scale of the Group’s 
operations limit exposure to the economic 
cycle in individual markets: the largest 
market, North America, represents 44% 
of Ongoing Revenue at CER, with no other 
single market representing more than 11%.

Changes in risk profile 
of the Company in 2020
In addition to the changing risk profile as a 
result of COVID-19, we continue to monitor 
existing and emerging risks regularly in both 
the Audit Committee (see pages 99 to 106) 
and the Group Risk Committee (see page 97), 
and take mitigating action as appropriate.

Areas where the risk profile of the business 
has improved in 2020 include:
 e continuity of senior management in roles, 
maintaining corporate knowledge and 
experience;

 e improving retention rates for technical and 

sales colleagues reducing recruitment costs 
and ensuring improving service levels;
 e continued roll-out of our target financial 

and operational systems across the globe;
 e further investment and standardisation of 
information security and data privacy to 
mitigate the risk of a successful cyber 
attack or loss of personal data;

 e continued strong cash flow giving financial 

headroom to continue to acquire 
businesses with good strategic fit; and
 e strengthening of our technical standards 

(Pink Notes) to cover all categories, 
refreshed Technical Hub and introduction 
of a mandatory training programme on U+ 
for Pink Note awareness.

Areas where our risk profile has increased 
in 2020 include:
 e potential economic slowdown in a number 

of our key markets; 

 e ensuring our technical standards are 

fully implemented across the business 
at all times;

 e ensuring payroll and employment 

regulations are fully implemented in line 
with local laws at all times;

 e integration risk in relation to acquisitions – 

both effective execution of integration plans 
and avoiding local management distraction 
from delivering the business plans of the 
remainder of the business; 

 e maintaining financial control and IT security 

while working from home; and

 e climate-related risk, including local extreme 
weather events and potential changes to 
legislation.

A summary of the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on our risk profile is provided on 
page 68.

Identified risks
The principal risks most relevant to the Group 
are described in the table on pages 69 to 73, 
together with mitigating actions. 

Full details of our financial risks can be found 
in Note C1 on pages 176 and 177. The exact 
financial impact of one or more of our 
principal risks materialising will depend on 
the precise operational impact of the risk, its 
interaction with other risks and whether 
mitigating actions are successful in reducing 
the overall financial impact. The Group is 
exposed to other risks and uncertainties 
related to environmental, political, social, 
economic and employment factors in the 
territories in which we operate. Additional 
risks and uncertainties not presently known 
to management or deemed to be of lower 
materiality may, if they manifest themselves, 
have an adverse impact on the Group’s 
growth, profitability, cash flow and/or net 
assets.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 67

Risks and Uncertainties
continued

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions, national and local lockdowns have impacted, and continue to impact, many countries within the 
Group. 

As a result of the pandemic, further risks have been considered with specific mitigations, and these are reviewed regularly at all levels of the 
organisation.

Risk

Mitigating actions

Macro-economic impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of the business, 
including sales, retention, bankruptcies and receivables.

Global supply chain disruption due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. 
pandemic) prevents purchase of products required to provide service.

Launch of new services in the Hygiene business to support sales.

Short-term suspension of services to support customers in affected 
sectors.

Regular monitoring and review of receivables and bad debt provisions. 

Review of strategic products and development of a continuity plan 
through: 
 e dual sourcing; 
 e strategic stocks of finished products; 
 e strategic stocks of raw materials/components; and/or 
 e  identification of generic alternatives than can be sourced 

at short notice.

Restrictions on travel and/or isolation of colleagues impact our ability 
to service customers.

Local branch-based structure supported by digital route planning 
allows service levels to be maintained.

Requirement to work from home increases the risk of potential fraud 
and requires stronger financial control processes.

Additional review of key financial controls (May and October) 
to confirm continuation of a strong control environment.

Increased instances of phishing and cyber attacks during the 
COVID-19 crisis.

Acceleration of multi-factor authentication for remote access, 
deployment of anti-ransomware software to the data centres 
and colleague training to provide additional protection for our 
IT systems.

The Group has responded swiftly and decisively to the COVID-19 crisis addressing the challenge in three phases as detailed on pages 8 and 9.

Where to find further information

Principal risk

Key sections

Failure to grow our business profitably in a changing macro-economic 
environment

Our Business Model, pages 22 to 23

Colleague and Shareholder KPIs, pages 16 to 19

M&A execution, page 11

Our journey to net zero, pages 52 to 55

Failure to deliver consistently high levels of service to the satisfaction 
of our customers

Service and innovation, pages 58 to 59

Colleague and Customer KPIs, pages 16 to 19

Failure to develop products and services that are tailored and relevant 
to local markets and market conditions

Innovation in Pest Control, page 34

Our ‘Big Six’ Challenges, pages 10 and 11

Service and innovation performance measures, page 48

Failure to ensure business continuity in case of a material incident

Information security, page 64

Failure to mitigate against financial market risks

Note C1 Financial risk management, pages 176 and 177

Fraud, financial crime and loss or unintended release of personal data

Data privacy, page 64

Safety, health and the environment (SHE)

Board monitoring and oversight, page 98

Our responsible business approach, pages 47 to 51

Key Performance Indicators, page 16

Keeping our colleagues safe, page 50

Environment, page 52

Breaches of laws or regulations (including tax, competition and  
anti-trust laws)

Governance, trust and transparency, page 64

68 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Principal risks

Failure to grow our business profitably in a changing macro-economic environment

The Company’s three businesses (Pest Control, Hygiene and Protect & Enhance) operate in a global  
macro-economic environment that is subject to uncertainty and volatility.

Impact should the risk materialise
Changes in the macro-economic environment 
could have a number of different impacts on 
the ability of the business to grow profitably, 
to sustain recruitment and to deliver against 
targets. 

Examples include:
 e Recession and economic slowdown in 

some of our key markets and a trend for 
government increases in minimum wage 
to exceed inflation may make it difficult 
to maintain profitability.

 e Low-growth economies with inherent cost 
inflation, where the Company has weak 
pricing power may make it difficult to 
maintain profitability.

 e Growing market presence of multinational 

competitors may increase the cost of 
acquisitions and drive down prices, 
impacting profitability.

 e Increased market presence by facilities 

management companies may drive down 
prices and increase compliance costs.

 e Shift to greater proportion of key accounts 
in some markets may drive down prices 
and make it difficult to maintain profitability.
 e Political instability and civil unrest in some 
markets may cause localised revenue 
reductions.

 e Legislation, regulation or society expectation 

limits our ‘licence to operate’.

Mitigating actions
 e Regular review of our capital allocation 
model which is differentiated by line of 
business to ensure that scarce resources 
are directed to countries and businesses 
with the most attractive prospects.

 e Global Employer of Choice programme 
to ensure focus on the key priorities of 
the organisation, including recruiting and 
retaining critical talent in all markets.

 e  Working with governments and regulators 

on implementation of new regulations.
 e Low-cost operating model, focused IT 

investment and route density incentives 
to deliver efficient operations for frontline 
and back office colleagues.

 e International Key Accounts team developing 
business with multinational customers to 
take advantage of the Company’s unique 
global capabilities and new Hygiene 
offerings.

 e Increased review and focus on financial 

performance and controls.

 e Group Procurement team tasked to deliver 
economies of scale and increasingly source 
materials and operational equipment on 
a global basis.

 e Environmental action plan.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e North America business now accounts 
for 44% of Ongoing Revenue at CER, 
up from 38% 

 e Supply chain resilience
 e Additional service lines in the Hygiene 

business

 e Biannual review of key financial controls

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Group Ongoing Revenue growth, in total 

and by category W

 e Group Organic Revenue growth, in total  

and by category

 e Revenue contribution from acquisitions
 e Group Ongoing Operating Profit W
 e Group Net Operating Margin
 e Free Cash Flow conversion W
 e Net capital expenditure

Failure to deliver consistently high levels of service to the satisfaction of our customers

Our business model depends on servicing the needs of our customers in line with internal high standards 
and to levels agreed in contracts.

Impact should the risk materialise
If our operatives are not sufficiently qualified, 
or do not have the right skills, or we fail to 
innovate successfully, this may negatively 
impact our ability to acquire or retain 
customers, adversely impacting growth, 
profitability and cash flow.

Industrial action in key operations could 
result in diminished customer service levels; 
if prolonged, it could damage the Company’s 
reputation and ability to secure or renew 
contracts.

In markets where overall employment rates 
are high, and/or our business is growing fast 
organically or via acquisition, we may have 
difficulty attracting and retaining key 
management of the right capability and 
the right calibre of operational personnel.

Major digital change programmes could 
disrupt our ability to deliver high levels 
of service to our customers.

Extreme weather could cause disruption to 
local operations and may impact colleague 
health and safety.

Mitigating actions
 e HR development processes, including 

Employer of Choice programme.

 e Regular tracking of customer satisfaction 
and the perception by both customers 
and non-customers of Rentokil Initial, 
benchmarked against competitors.

 e Dedicated Operational Excellence team 

to drive superior customer service and safe 
working practices, and to establish key 
metrics, combined with a strong focus on 
safety by supervisors and frontline staff.

 e Incentives for sales and service staff aligned 
closely with strategic priorities, based on 
delivering improved customer service levels.
 e Oversight of key industrial relations matters 
by Group HR Director and regular review 
by the Chief Executive for countries where 
industrial relations risk is elevated.

 e Regular review of major IT programmes 
by the Chief Information Officer and the 
introduction of a quarterly IT risk meeting.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e 77% increased in U+ learning
 e Refreshed and relaunched Technical Hub 

(Safe Working Practices)

 e Continued deployment of IT programmes 

to frontline colleagues
 e Quarterly IT Risk meeting

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Sales and Service colleague retention W
 e The number of online training courses 

being developed
 e U+ learning views
 e State of Service W
 e Customer satisfaction (Customer Voice 

Counts) W

 e Customer retention W

Key: 

  Low 

  Medium 

  High 

  No change 

  Increasing 

  Reducing

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 69

Risks and Uncertainties
continued

Failure to develop products and services that are tailored and relevant to local markets 
and market conditions

We operate across markets that are at different stages in the economic cycle, at varying stages of market 
development and have different levels of market attractiveness. We must be sufficiently agile to develop and 
deliver products and services that meet local market needs.

Impact should the risk materialise
If we are not able to adapt to local business 
and consumer needs, our existing customers 
may choose not to renew contracts, or seek 
reductions in prices. This negatively impacts 
our ability to maintain or increase margins 
and cash flow.

Examples include:
 e We must adapt to changes to the regulatory 
environment that may ban certain products 
or service models from being used, such 
as permanent rodent baiting.

 e We need to respond to the expectations 
from customers and the wider populace 
for us to reduce our own environmental 
impact and support our customers in 
reducing their environmental impact.

 e We need to develop products that 

are networked and capable of being 
monitored in real time, or react to 
competitor technology developments 
that are disruptive to the market.

Mitigating actions
 e Acquisition of targets with specific 

capabilities that address future changes in 
our markets.

 e Targeted investment in innovation to meet 
market and regulatory needs and defend 
against commoditisation.

 e Category Boards for Pest Control and 

Hygiene oversee the roll-out of innovations 
at pace across our regional businesses.
 e Continued investment in digital platforms 
to support Sales and Service colleagues.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Increased profile and importance 

of Hygiene category

 e Increased penetration of digital 
technologies on customer sites
 e Growth in use of digital platforms 

by customers

 e Demonstration of business model resilience 

in the face of COVID-19

Performance measures  
to monitor risk
 e Sales growth for key innovations
 e Percentage of job sales revenue 

from innovation

 e Number of patents raised
 e Number of sites with digital solutions
 e Percentage of commercial customers 

registered for digital platforms

 e Percentage of colleagues utilising 

digital applications

Failure to ensure business continuity in case of a material incident

The business needs to have resilience to ensure business can continue if impacted by externally induced incidents, 
e.g. cyber attack, hurricane or terrorism.

Impact should the risk materialise
Failure to service our customers may affect 
our ability to retain those customers and 
damage the Company’s reputation. This may 
negatively impact growth, profitability and 
cash flow.

Examples of incidents that could impact our 
ability to service customers include:
 e A significant cyber attack or IT failure which 
impacts our ability to plan efficient routing, 
or ability to invoice, and is not recovered 
quickly.

 e Fire or flood impacting our laundries (in 

Workwear) or warehouses (in Hygiene and 
Pest Control), preventing goods from being 
available to enable our technicians to service 
our customers.

 e Industrial action by employees.

Mitigating actions
 e All countries and units maintain business 

continuity plans, with local plans to service 
from alternative locations if required, 
and IT disaster recovery plans.

 e The majority of key data and applications 
are located in regional data centres with 
enhanced backup capability, and resilience 
and tools deployed to detect malicious 
behaviour and help prevent malicious files 
from spreading.

 e Data encryption and implementation of 
AirWatch on laptops, tablets and mobile 
phones.

 e Strong anti-phishing programme using 

phishing simulation tool to highlight risks 
to users.

 e Annual penetration testing on all systems 
to test external firewalls and address any 
identified weaknesses.

 e Annual inspections of key sites by insurers, 
on a rotating basis, to identify potential risks.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Acceleration of multi-factor 

authentication for remote access
 e Deployment of anti-ransomware 

software to the data centres
 e Additional colleague training 

and awareness

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Number of serious IT incidents 

and time taken to respond
 e Major Incident Review actions
 e Actions arising from IT security 

self-assessments

 e External testing and benchmarking 

of our IT security environment 

Key: 
  Low 
70 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

  Medium 

  High 

  No change 

  Increasing 

  Reducing

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Failure to mitigate against financial market risks

Our business is exposed to foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk 
and settlement risk.

Impact should the risk materialise
If any of the above risks materialise, this may 
have a negative impact on profitability, cash 
flow and financial statements, and may 
negatively impact financial ratios and credit 
ratings, impacting our ability to raise funds 
for acquisitions. 

Mitigating actions
 e Financing policy in place to ensure that the 
Company has sufficient financial headroom 
to finance operations and bolt-on 
acquisitions. Commitment to target credit 
rating of BBB.

 e Treasury policies that limit the use of foreign 
exchange and interest rate derivatives, set 
limits for financial counterparty exposure, 
govern how financing is raised in bank and 
other debt capital markets and provide rules 
around treasury-related matters at operating 
company level.

 e Monthly reporting and monitoring of financial 
covenants and rating agency metrics and 
compliance with treasury policies. 

 e Monitoring of the impact of exchange rate 

movements on non-GBP profits and net debt.

 e Cash pooling and debt financing 

arrangement to match, as far as possible, 
currency availability/demand across borders.

 e Revolving credit facility (RCF) increased to 

£550m. 

 e Refinancing completed in 2020.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Refinancing completed in 2020 
 e Rolling 13-week cash forecasting

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Liquidity headroom at the year end of 

£1,089m

 e Counterparty ratings above A-
 e Monthly reporting against ratings metrics 

and financial covenants

 e No unhedged foreign exchange positions 
above £0.5m; fixed interest >50%; and 
matching currency of net debt to underlying 
profitability

 e Monitoring of amounts outstanding against 

counterparty credit limits

Fraud, financial crime and loss or unintended release of personal data

Collusion between individuals, both internal and external, could result in fraud if internal controls are not in place 
and working effectively. The business holds personal data on employees, some customers and suppliers: 
unintended loss or release of such data may result in criminal sanctions.

Impact should the risk materialise
Loss of personal data of customers, suppliers 
or employees could, if significant, result in 
regulatory intervention which may result 
in substantial fines and damage to the 
Company’s reputation.

Theft of Company assets including property, 
customer or employee information, or 
misstatement of financial or other records 
via deliberate action by employees or third 
parties may constitute fraud and result in 
financial loss to the business, damage to 
the Company’s reputation and/or fines 
by regulators. 

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Biannual review of key financial controls
 e Inclusion of Corporate Criminal Offence 

policy in annual Letter of Assurance

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Completion rate for mandatory 

U+ training modules

 e Data privacy programme roll-out 

and implementation

 e Speak Up investigations and remediation
 e Key financial controls pass rates

Mitigating actions
 e Ongoing programme to ensure all 

businesses are compliant with data privacy 
requirements (GDPR in Europe and data 
protection legislation in other markets).
 e Mandatory online training by all senior 
employees for the Code of Conduct, 
preventing anti-competitive practice, 
preventing bribery and corruption, securing 
information and protecting privacy, avoiding 
conflicts of interest and preventing insider 
trading.

 e Roll-out of Corporate Criminal Offence policy 

and training.

 e Compliance with Code of Conduct and other 
key policies affirmed by the annual Letter 
of Assurance by all senior management.
 e Standardised financial control framework 

operating in all locations.

 e Confidential Speak Up hotline and email 
address, monitored and followed up by 
Internal Audit.

 e Significant frauds investigated by Internal 
Audit and lessons learned widely shared.

 e User security awareness guidance and 

policies refreshed and reissued.

 e Updated policies on devices and the 

provision of Citrix-only access combined 
with global patching programmes, 
multi-factor authentication and deployment 
of anti-ransomware to our data centres.

Key: 

  Low 

  Medium 

  High 

  No change 

  Increasing 

  Reducing

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 71

Risks and Uncertainties
continued

Safety, health and the environment (SHE)

The Company has an obligation to ensure that colleagues, customers and other stakeholders remain safe, that the 
working environment is not detrimental to health and that we are aware of and minimise any adverse impact on 
the environment.

Impact should the risk materialise
The Company operates in hazardous 
environments and situations, for example:
 e use of poisons and fumigants in Pest Control;
 e driving to and working at customers’ 

premises;

 e working at height; and
 e exposure to needlestick injury/ bio-hazards 

from medical waste.

Non-compliance with internal policies or 
industry regulations could lead to personal 
injury, substantial fines or penalties including 
withdrawal of licences to operate, and 
reputational damage.

Environmental risks may arise from former 
activities at sites currently operated by the 
Company or acquired by the Company.

Mitigating actions
 e Robust health and safety (H&S) policies 

supplemented by the SHE Golden Rules and 
technical policies address higher risk and 
regulated activities.

 e H&S officers appointed in all jurisdictions, 
supported by a dedicated central team.

 e Mandatory training of all relevant employees 

in safe working practices.

 e Focus on implementation of Group 

fumigation standards in all new acquisitions.
 e H&S considered as the first item at all Board 
and senior management meetings; review 
of standardised H&S KPIs.

 e Formal review of accidents and circulation 

of lessons learned.

 e Strategy to further develop environmentally 
friendly approaches, e.g. lower pest control 
chemical use, recycling of hygiene units, 
piloting use of electric vehicles.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e New mandatory U+ module for Pink Notes
 e Extension of Pink Notes to cover all 

business categories

 e Refreshed and relaunched Technical Hub 

(Safe Working Practices)

 e Updated Internal Audit work plan for SHE

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Lost Time Accident rate W
 e Working Days Lost rate W
 e Total emissions
 e Energy usage
 e Compliance rates for mandatory U+ training

Breaches of laws or regulations (including tax, competition and anti-trust laws)

As a responsible company we aim to comply with all laws and regulations that apply to our businesses across 
the globe.

Impact should the risk materialise
Failure to comply with local laws covering 
bribery and corruption, anti-competitive 
practice, employment law, data privacy, 
health and safety, or financial and tax 
reporting requirements may result in fines or 
withdrawal of licence to operate, which could 
adversely impact growth, profitability and 
cash flow.

The Company operates across many different 
tax jurisdictions and is subject to periodic tax 
audits which sometimes challenge the basis 
on which local tax has been calculated and/or 
withheld. Successful challenges by local tax 
authorities may have an adverse impact on 
profitability and cash flow.

Mitigating actions
 e Group Legal involvement in all acquisitions.
 e Tax strategy re-issued and approved by the 

Board annually.

 e All significant tax planning opportunities have 
to be pre-agreed with the Group Tax Director 
and Chief Financial Officer with independent 
tax advice taken where necessary. Regular 
review of tax exposures.

 e Authority schedule in place and regularly 

reviewed.

 e Group and local policies in place and 

regularly reviewed.

 e Requirement to report breaches in controls 
and/or laws to Group General Counsel and 
Head of Internal Audit. Follow-up by Group 
General Counsel of any significant regulatory 
breach in any country.

 e Mandatory training on Code of Conduct and 

other core compliance topics, to instil a 
highly principled culture of ethical behaviour, 
completion rates reported to senior 
management monthly.

 e All major business transactions or internal 
reorganisations are subject to a rigorous 
internal and external review.

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Internal Audit of UK Coronavirus Job 

Retention Scheme

 e Review and presentation of all Internal Audit 

issues for 2019 and 2020 to senior 
leadership

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Central monitoring of material litigation
 e Tax provisions
 e Completion rate for mandatory U+ training 

modules, e.g. Code of Conduct and 
competition law

Key: 
  Low 
72 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

  Medium 

  High 

  No change 

  Increasing 

  Reducing

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Failure to integrate acquisitions and execute disposals from continuing business

The Company has a strategy that includes growth by acquisition, and has acquired 23 businesses in 2020. These 
companies need to be integrated quickly and efficiently to minimise potential impact on the acquired business and 
the existing business.

Impact should the risk materialise
If the Company fails to successfully integrate 
acquisitions into its existing organisation 
structures, fails to deliver the revenue and 
profit targets, or fails to deliver expected 
synergy savings, the business may not 
achieve the expected financial and 
operational benefits which may adversely 
impact growth, profitability and cash flow.

Business disposals also have to be managed 
efficiently to minimise risk to the businesses 
being disposed and the residual business. 

Overall risk level 

Trend 

Changes 2020 versus 2019
 e Additional resources provided to the US to 

support integration and replatforming

Performance measures 
to monitor risk
 e Integration plans (30 days, 100 days, 1 year)
 e Reviews of integration plans for specific 

large acquisitions

 e Post-acquisition review completions
 e Post-investment review by the Board of 
aggregate performance of investment in 
M&A

Mitigating actions
 e Integration plans considered by the 
Investment Committee as part of the 
acquisition approval process. Integration 
activities and progress discussed during 
monthly performance reviews.

 e Dedicated project teams established for 

largest acquisitions and demergers with clear 
deliverables over three months, six months 
and one year. 

 e Tried and tested induction programme for 

the first 100 days for all acquisitions.

 e Continuity of management/leadership in 
acquired companies, where possible.
 e Use of transaction structures including 

deferred consideration to mitigate deal risk.
 e Group departments, e.g. health and safety, 

legal, insurance and IT, involved with 
acquisitions to drive integration plans and 
compliance with Group standards, especially 
when entering new geographies.
 e Post-completion governance: formal 

post-acquisition review of every acquisition 
by Investment Committee against original 
business plan within 18–24 months; Board 
post-investment review of acquisitions in 
aggregate every six months; Internal Audit 
review of acquisitions in new geographies 
within 12–18 months.

 e Board oversight of all acquisitions involving 
new country entries or new business lines.

Key: 

  Low 

  Medium 

  High 

  No change 

  Increasing 

  Reducing

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 73

Viability Statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the Corporate Governance 
Code, the Directors have assessed the viability of the Group, 
taking account of the Group’s current financial position, the latest 
three-year strategic plan, and the potential impact of our principal 
risks described on pages 67 to 73. Based on this assessment, 
the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2023.

Period of assessment
Although the Directors have no reason to 
believe that the Group will not be viable over 
a longer timeframe, because of the degree 
of uncertainty, the period over which the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
as to the Group’s viability is the three-year 
period to 31 December 2023. Having 
considered whether the assessment period 
should be extended in light of COVID-19, it is 
the view of the Directors that a three-year 
period is still appropriate as it is consistent 
with the period reviewed by the Group Board 
in the budgeting and strategic planning 
process and is also aligned with the typical 
duration of both the customer and supplier 
contract periods (one to three years) entered 
into by the Group. 

Strategic planning process
The budget and longer-term plan have been 
prepared in line with the Group’s strategy as 
described in detail in the Strategic Report 
(pages 2 to 66 and 146 to 148). The Board 
reviews the Group’s performance monthly 
and, depending on the external environment 
and its potential impact on the Group’s latest 
full-year forecast and strategic plan, will 
model a number of scenarios, as we saw 
during 2020. 

Viability assessment
In making their assessment, the Directors 
have considered the current position of 
the Group and have undertaken a robust 
evaluation of the principal risks, in particular 
the ones that could impact on the liquidity, 
solvency and viability of the Group. The 
Directors have taken account of the Group’s 
liquidity position and the Group’s ability 
to raise finance and deploy capital. The 
results consider the availability and likely 
effectiveness of the mitigating actions 
that could be taken to avoid or reduce the 
impact or occurrence of the identified 
underlying risks.

Mitigating actions that were identified as part 
of the viability assessment in previous years 
were rapidly executed as the COVID-19 
pandemic emerged, such as securing 
additional liquidity, deferring shareholder 
distributions, pausing M&A activity, reducing 
planned capital expenditure, use of 
recognised tax payment deferral mechanisms 
and actively managing the cost base of the 
Group. Should these measures be insufficient 
then the Group would consider raising equity; 
however, that has not been required as part 
of its COVID-19 response.

74 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Although the review considered all the 
principal risks identified by the Group, the 
focus was on how the current COVID-19 
pandemic or another global event could 
impact on the Group’s future financial 
performance, its cash generation and 
financial covenants under different scenarios. 
As a result, severe but plausible downside 
sensitivities were applied to the three-year 
plan approved by the Board. These were 
based on what was experienced during 2020.

The three-year plan is most sensitive to 
the reduction in revenue due to customer 
suspensions over extended durations; with 
that in mind the Directors have chosen three 
discrete, and non-concurrent, scenarios 
reflecting the principal risks to stress test the 
three-year plan for the following downside 
scenarios:
 e Revenue reduces by 30% against the 

budget for six months of 2021. This scenario 
is significantly worse than the customer 
suspensions experienced during the first 
half of 2020, as a result of COVID-19, 
that peaked at slightly below 30% for one 
month only.

 e A prolonged downturn where revenue 

reduces by 30% for each of the three years 
in the model.

 e A significant one-off charge of £200m 
either in the form of a major fine or as a 
result of a number of bank failures.

The impact of the scenarios has been 
modelled to test projected liquidity headroom 
and compliance with financial covenants 
over the three-year viability period. In each 
of the scenarios the Group continues to 
retain sufficient liquidity headroom with 
the mitigating actions it can deploy. In the 
scenario of a significant one-off charge 
of £200m, there was no requirement for 
mitigating action to be taken.

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in 
March 2020, the Group drew down the full 
£550m available under its revolving credit 
facility (RCF) and, after establishing a £1bn 
Commercial Paper Programme at the start 
of April 2020, the Group drew down £600m 
on the Bank of England’s Covid Commercial 
Financing Facility (CCFF). Both the RCF and 
the CCFF were repaid in full in June and July 
respectively. 

In October 2020, the Group issued an 
eight-year €600m bond with a coupon of 
0.50% under its Euro Medium-Term Note 
Programme. Part of the bond proceeds were 
used to repay c.50% of the €350m bond that 
matures in October 2021 following a 
successful tender offer in November 2020. 

The remaining 50% (£156m) of the 2021 
bond can be repaid at par on 7 July 2021. 
The Group has no other debt maturities 
falling due in the three-year period. As at 
31 December 2020, the Group had total 
undrawn committed facilities of £550m 
and unrestricted cash, net of overdrafts and 
committed M&A spend, of £539m, giving 
the Group combined headroom of £1,089m.

Throughout 2020, the Group remained in 
compliance with its financial covenants and 
S&P Global reaffirmed the Group’s long-term 
(BBB with a stable outlook) and short-term 
(A-2) credit ratings on 8 June 2020. In the 
event that the severe downside scenario 
modelled becomes a reality and financial 
covenants on the RCF come under pressure, 
the Group has a number of alternatives such 
as refinancing or negotiating covenant 
waivers. During 2020, many corporates have 
negotiated covenant waivers, suggesting 
a flexibility to do this in times of economic 
uncertainty with the banks’ focus more on 
corporates having adequate liquidity.

The combination of a strong investment 
grade credit rating and the fact that the 
Group has remained cash generative 
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic 
provides the Directors with confidence 
that the Group could raise additional debt 
finance if required.

The geographical spread of the Group’s 
operations helps to minimise the risk of 
serious business interruption. Furthermore, 
the Group is not reliant on one particular 
group of clients or sectors. 

Based on this assessment and having 
carefully considered the Group’s current 
standing, debt servicing and the risks and 
uncertainties referred to above, in line with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the three-year period ending 
31 December 2023.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Corporate Governance

  76  Chairman’s Introduction to Governance

  78  Board of Directors

  80  Executive Leadership Team

  82  Corporate Governance Report

  99  Audit Committee Report

107  Nomination Committee Report

111  Directors’ Remuneration Report

138  Independent Auditor’s Report

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 75

Chairman’s Introduction to Governance

The Board and Executive Leadership 
Team have worked extremely 
productively together throughout the 
challenges of 2020. Key to this success 
has been the rigour of our corporate 
governance standards, the collegiate 
Board culture we have created, the 
clarity of strategic thinking, and our 
core focus on ensuring the resilience 
and success of the business for all 
its stakeholders.

Richard Solomons 
Chairman

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to report, after such an unusual 
year for us all, that 2020 and the COVID-19 
crisis has only reinforced how essential 
Rentokil Initial’s services are, and what a 
flexible, resilient and innovative business it is.

From late March, the Board has met entirely 
by virtual means. However, the quality of 
our discussions is unchanged. The Board 
members’ dedication and commitment is 
shown by 100% attendance at all the many 
additional meetings that were required this 
year, enabling us to provide constructive 
support to Andy and the executive team 
throughout. The speed and quality of 
decision-making in Q2 in particular would not 
have been possible without a highly engaged 
and positive Board culture, and the range of 
skills and experience around the Board table.

The Company’s purpose is clear – to protect 
people and enhance lives. We have long been 
confident in the strength and resilience of the 
business model but this was proven given 
the severe pressure it experienced in 2020. 
Our well-established approach of permitting 
a level of decentralised authority enabled 
the regions and countries to navigate 
fast-changing and highly varied public health 
and financial support measures across the 
globe. The collaborative culture across the 
business meant relevant experience, such as 
in China, and good ideas, such as disinfection 
and extending the Hygiene category, were 
shared and deployed at a very fast pace. 
Governments everywhere quickly recognised 
our importance and designated our frontline 
colleagues key workers and our services 
‘essential’. This enabled us to continue to 
deliver public health benefits for our 
customers and communities.

As a Board we were of course not able to spend 
as much time as planned physically visiting 
parts of the business, and had to postpone the 
visit to North America. However, we used Zoom 
to have a wider range of individuals present to 
and engage with the Board, and we still met 
with a broad range of investors.

In my first report to you as Chairman last year, 
I noted how impressed I had been by the 
enthusiasm and delivery focus of colleagues 
at the Company. This has been even more 
the case in my second year, when over 5,000 
colleagues, including all of the Board, waived 
part of their Q2 salary, also raising over 
£200,000 in donations for their colleagues 
in Africa and India, where international 
employee support schemes were lacking. 
Approximately 5,700 colleagues benefited 
from employee support schemes across the 
world. I would like to express my thanks for 
this sacrifice and the hardship this will have 
entailed, and for their ‘all in it together’ 
approach.

We were forced to withdraw our 
recommendation of a dividend last year, as 
well as seeking additional liquidity through 
the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility 
(CCFF) scheme, given the impact of the 
pandemic and consequent uncertainty. 
However, I am pleased to announce that, 
after a strong performance in the second 
half of 2020, the Board is now in a position 
to recommend a 2020 dividend of 5.41p 
per share, which is 5% higher than the 
full-year dividend for 2019 as originally 
announced. It is consistent with a return 
to our progressive dividend policy.

I have set out below some of the other key 
areas of focus for the Board during 2020. 
Full details of all our activities can be found 
in the Corporate Governance Report.

Safety, health and environment
Health and safety is rightly the first agenda 
item at every Board meeting, and has been 
for many years. We want to ensure that all 
our colleagues go home safely every day. 
Sadly, we had one fatality this year, a road 
accident in India where a colleague died 
after a truck collided with his vehicle. This 
reinforces why we are never satisfied with 
our performance, even though our key safety 
metrics (Lost Time Accidents and Working 
Days Lost) continue to set all-time record 

Highlights of 2020
 e Record health and safety 

performance in a pandemic

 e Speed and flexibility of response to 
the COVID-19 crisis, demonstrating 
resilience and clarity of purpose
 e Smooth Chief Financial Officer and 

Board succession 

 e Continued strong operational 

performance through Q2 and H2
 e Evolution of strategy, positioning 

the business to capture new 
opportunities in hygiene and 
disinfection services

 e Success in virtual engagement 

with investors, especially on ESG

Areas of focus for 2021
 e Increase direct Board engagement 

with key stakeholders

 e Undertake a successful overseas 

Board visit, when possible

 e Execution in the Recovery phase, 
especially in Hygiene and against 
our digital strategy

76 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

lows, and our safety performance overall 
remains world-class. Further details are 
available in the Responsible Business 
section on page 50. 

Environmental sustainability and emissions, 
as well as broader environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) matters, has received 
greater focus by the Board and the business 
in 2020, as we indicated it would in last year’s 
report. Detailed discussions on sustainability 
took place in December: we reviewed some 
strong progress in setting key priorities and 
operational workstreams and defined a new 
emissions target of a further 20% reduction in 
energy intensity by 2025 on our path to net 
zero (further details are available on page 83 
and in the Responsible Business section on 
page 53) .

As our shareholders will know from previous 
Annual Reports, ESG, including sustainability, 
is integral to the way management and the 
Board have operated Rentokil Initial’s 
businesses for many years. It is closely 
aligned with core operational priorities (for 
example, the link between improving 
customer density and reducing vehicle 
emissions, or between our Employer of 
Choice agenda and improving Customer 
Voice Counts KPI performance). It has 
become an area of ever more intense focus 
for many of our key stakeholders. We are not 
new to these critical issues, but there remains 
much more to do to collect the data that will 
enable us to monitor, drive and benchmark 
our performance across all our eight 
operational workstreams. This will continue 
to be important for the Board in 2021, as we 
look to align ever more transparently with 
external frameworks such as that of the Task 
Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD).

Improving public health is at the heart of the 
services Rentokil Initial offers its customers, 
something more prominent than ever during 
COVID-19. We believe that the Company and 
its supplier and NGO partners can therefore 
play a significant role in helping customers 
and communities address the challenges 
of a safer environment and mitigate the 
impact of climate change. The Board has 
considered the risks and opportunities for 
the Company from the impact of its services 
and operations, taking into consideration 
the TCFD framework (see our Responsible 
Business section on page 54). I look forward 
to sharing more on this in the future.

Culture and stakeholder 
engagement
Our values of service, relationships and 
teamwork have been in place for many years 
and are firmly embedded in the DNA of our 
businesses. Details of our culture can be 
found in the Strategic Report on page 49 and 
on page 83 of the Corporate Governance 
Report. 

The Board agreed in 2018 to build on existing 
engagement processes to comply with the 
new provision in the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code on workforce 
engagement. In the course of 2020, we have 
considered workforce engagement on 
several occasions as well as the linked topics 
of culture and broader stakeholder 
engagement. We monitor a dashboard to 
track performance across topics from 
retention to diversity, and from access and 
use of training tools to statistics on internal 
promotion rates from talent pools. The Board 
receives detailed reports on this twice a year, 
as part of our Employer of Choice agenda, 
and will continue to do so.

The Directors have also considered 
stakeholder impacts as part of our 
decision-making during the year. Full details 
of how, as Directors, we have complied with 
our duties to have regard to stakeholders (the 
section 172(1) statement) can be found in the 
Strategic Report on page 66, while examples 
of principal decisions taken during the year 
are shown on page 88. More information on 
engagement activities undertaken during the 
year can be found on page 90.

Strategy
The Board’s activities have had the 
Company’s RIGHT WAY strategy and its 
objectives at their core. At the Board annual 
strategy review in November, the agenda 
included a review of each of the businesses 
(focusing especially on Hygiene this year), the 
innovation and digital agendas, and a review 
of the M&A strategy and portfolio as a whole. 
See page 83 for more information.

Board changes
There were two changes in the Board in 
2020, with Cathy Turner joining our Board 
on 1 April (we look forward to her first 
attendance at a face-to-face meeting when 
possible this year) and a smooth and 
well-planned Chief Financial Officer 
succession from Jeremy Townsend to Stuart 
Ingall-Tombs in August. Jeremy played a 
critical role in transforming the business over 
more than a decade since joining in 2010, and 
on behalf of the Board I would like to thank 
him for his huge contribution to Rentokil 
Initial’s successes and wish him well for his 
retirement. Further details of the composition 
of the Board are provided on page 84.

The Nomination Committee has spent time 
this year considering the composition of the 
Board and recruiting for a new Non-Executive 
Director. Full details of the process can be 
found on page 108 but I am delighted to 
confirm that Sarosh Mistry will be joining the 
Board as a Non-Executive Director and 
member of the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees from 1 April 2021. He brings 
a wealth of executive and Board experience, 
and my Board colleagues and I look forward 
to working with him. 

Remuneration
The Remuneration Committee engaged 
with key shareholders extensively during 
2020 and early 2021 as we bring forward our 
new Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 
shareholder approval at the AGM in May. 
Angela Seymour-Jackson will have served 
nine years on the Board and Remuneration 
Committee in March and is stepping down 
from the Board in May. She has been a highly 
effective, diligent and supportive colleague 
and Remuneration Committee Chair. I am 
delighted to say that Cathy Turner, who 
joined us in April 2020, will be taking over as 
Remuneration Committee Chair after more 
than 12 months on that Committee. She 
brings a wealth of executive and 
non-executive experience of remuneration 
alongside her broader business experience 
(see her profile on page 79).

Full details of the Remuneration Committee’s 
activities can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report from page 111.

Compliance
I am able to report that we have complied 
fully with the UK Corporate Governance Code 
during the year, with the exception of two 
remuneration-related items which are being 
addressed in our proposed new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy. Our full statement of 
compliance is on page 82.

As a Board, we have reviewed and approved 
several key documents during the year, most 
notably the Company’s 2019 Modern Slavery 
Statement and our Gender Pay Report for 
2019. The Audit Committee, on behalf of the 
Board, also monitored the Company’s 
payment practice reports for our two principal 
UK subsidiaries. 

I would like to thank all our shareholders for 
their support for the Company and the Board 
and all our colleagues for their efforts that 
underpin its success. We look forward to the 
challenges in 2021 and beyond with both 
confidence and determination to deliver 
on the opportunities they present. 

I would finally like to thank Andy, Jeremy, 
Stuart and the senior management team 
for delivering a remarkably successful 
performance in 2020, despite the enormous 
challenges faced.

Richard Solomons 
Chairman

3 March 2021

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 77

Board of Directors

Richard Solomons 
Chairman

 N

Appointed: March 2019 and 
became Chairman in May 2019

Andy Ransom
Chief Executive

Appointed: May 2008

Skills, experience and contribution
Richard brings to the Board deep operational and financial expertise 
combined with a strong commercial and strategic development track 
record. As former Chief Executive Officer of InterContinental Hotels 
Group plc (IHG), and prior to that Chief Financial Officer, he has broad 
experience of leading a successful multinational, as well as delivering 
growth in North America and Greater China, and the effective use of 
digital tools in service-led global businesses. These attributes enable 
him to provide the necessary leadership to the Board and to contribute 
insights relevant to many of the strategic priorities of the business, 
as well as experience from the key hospitality customer segment. 
He is active, in parallel with the Executive Directors, in engaging with 
investors to ensure that their views and perspectives are considered 
within Board discussions.

Richard has a BA in Economics from the University of Manchester, 
trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, and has seven years’ 
investment banking experience in New York and London with Hill 
Samuel. Until May 2020, Richard was the Senior Independent Director 
of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.

Current external commitments
 e Member of the Board of Governors and the Finance Committee at the 

University of Manchester

 e NED and Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Hotelbeds Group 

S.L.U. (Spain)

Skills, experience and contribution
Andy has led Rentokil Initial as Chief Executive since October 2013 
and was responsible for the creation of the RIGHT WAY strategy. 
He brings a focused operational management style, together with 
a broad range of commercial and strategic skills gained in senior 
executive positions and legal roles earlier in his career, including 
several years in the US and Canada. He has over 30 years’ 
experience of creating value through mergers and acquisitions 
(M&A) around the world, at Rentokil Initial and ICI, and he has a 
strong record of engaging with stakeholders, from colleagues and 
customers to investors, as well as creating innovative partnerships 
with not-for-profit organisations.

He joined Rentokil Initial in 2008 as Executive Director of the global 
Pest Control business, from ICI where he was part of the executive 
management team with operational responsibility for ICI’s Regional 
and Industrial Division, after holding various management positions 
as General Counsel and head of the M&A team since 1987. Andy is 
a graduate of the University of Southampton and a qualified solicitor. 
He is a patron of Malaria No More UK.

Current external commitments
 e Vice Chair of Street League
 e Senior Strategic Adviser – Business Services, Apax Partners LLP

Stuart Ingall-Tombs
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: August 2020

John Pettigrew  A   N
Senior Independent Director

Appointed: January 2018 and 
became Senior Independent 
Director in May 2019

Skills, experience and contribution
Stuart has extensive experience in senior operational and corporate 
finance roles, gained at Group level and in key operational businesses 
over 13 years at Rentokil Initial, as well as other leading organisations. 
Most recently, he was CFO for North America, the Company’s largest 
business, and before that spent several years as Group Financial 
Controller and Treasurer before four years as Regional Finance 
Director for Europe, driving organisational change and enhancing 
growth. A deep operational understanding of key regional businesses, 
combined with experience at the corporate centre, will enable Stuart 
to make a broad contribution to the ongoing development and growth 
of the Group. 

After qualifying as an accountant at Stoy Hayward, he worked for 
organisations including Lex and RAC and joined Rentokil Initial in 2007 
as Divisional Finance Director for the global Pest Control business. 
Stuart has a degree in Politics and International Studies from the 
University of Warwick and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales.

Skills, experience and contribution
John has a strong track record of developing and implementing global 
strategies for profitable growth at National Grid, deep experience 
of running a major US business, a strong economic background 
and engineering leadership experience. His skillset includes service 
provision to a large commercial and residential customer base, 
delivering world-class levels of safety performance and driving 
transformational change in highly regulated environments. He has 
broad experience of dealing with governments and regulators in 
the UK and US, and leading development of ESG strategies.

John is Chief Executive of National Grid plc, a fellow of the Institute 
of Engineering and Technology, a fellow of the Energy Institute, 
a member of the UK government’s Inclusive Economy Partnership, 
a member of the Edison Electric Institute Executive Committee, 
and sits on the President’s Committee of the CBI. 

Current external commitments
 e Chief Executive, National Grid plc

Current external commitments
 e None

Key
A  Audit Committee member  N  Nomination Committee member
R  Remuneration Committee member 
NED Non-Executive Director  SID Senior Independent Director

 Committee Chair

Company Secretary 
Daragh Fagan acts as secretary to the Board. His biography can be 
found on page 80.

78 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Angela Seymour-Jackson  N   R
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: March 2012

Julie Southern  A   N   R
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: July 2014

Skills, experience and contribution
Angela has gained, in her various executive and other senior roles, 
a strong strategic understanding and has extensive experience 
of leading highly customer-focused businesses, and improving 
processes and functions for a mobile workforce. She has a deep 
understanding of remuneration and incentives issues from her 
various remuneration committee chair roles, and extensive 
experience of engaging with investors on these topics.

Angela is a qualified marketing professional and a member of the 
Chartered Institute of Marketing. Angela was Chief Executive Officer 
of RAC Motoring Services from 2010 to 2012 and led the sale of that 
business to The Carlyle Group, having previously held a variety of 
senior sales and marketing roles at Aviva. Angela was Managing 
Director of Workplace Savings at Aegon UK from 2012 until 2016 and 
then Senior Adviser to Lloyds Bank (Insurance) from 2016 to 2017. She 
also served as a Non-Executive Director of esure Group plc from 2015 
to 2018 and GoCo Group plc from 2016 until its acquisition by Future 
plc. She has over 20 years of experience in retail financial services. 
Angela holds an MSc in Marketing. 

Current external commitments
 e NED, Future plc
 e NED, Janus Henderson Group plc
 e NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, PageGroup plc
 e Deputy Chair, Pikl Insurance Services Limited
 e NED, Trustpilot A/S (Denmark)

Skills, experience and contribution
Julie has extensive financial experience having had a long, successful 
career in a number of commercially oriented finance and related roles, 
working for some of the world’s best-known consumer brands. In her 
non-executive career, she has extensive experience of leading audit 
committees in leading companies undergoing rapid growth and 
change. Through her various roles, Julie has also gained significant 
exposure to commercial, legal, HR and operational challenges and 
responsibilities.

She was Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Atlantic Limited between 
2010 and 2013, responsible for the commercial strategy of Virgin 
Atlantic Airways and Virgin Holidays, having previously been Chief 
Financial Officer of Virgin Atlantic Limited for 10 years. In addition, 
Julie was previously Group Finance Director at Porsche Cars Great 
Britain, and Finance and Operations Director at WH Smith – HJ 
Chapman & Co. Ltd. She was previously a Non-Executive Director 
of Stagecoach Group plc, Gategroup AG, Cineworld plc and DFS 
Furniture plc. Julie is a Chartered Accountant, having trained with 
Price Waterhouse, and has a BA (Hons) in Economics from Cambridge 
University.

Current external commitments
 e NED and Chair of the Audit Committee, NXP Semiconductors N.V. 

(Netherlands)

 e SID and Chair of the Audit Committee, easyJet plc
 e NED and Chair of the Audit Committee, Ocado Group plc

Cathy Turner  N   R
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: April 2020

Linda Yueh  A   N   R
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: November 2017

Skills, experience and contribution
Cathy has significant senior executive experience in banking and 
financial services following 15 years at Lloyds Banking Group plc 
and Barclays plc, where she was Group HR Director. She also 
brings a breadth of executive experience from having had wider 
responsibilities, including strategy, investor relations, corporate affairs, 
brand and marketing, as Chief Administrative Officer for Lloyds 
Banking Group and Executive Committee member at Barclays. She 
brings deep experience of leading international customer-focused 
businesses, operating in complex, highly regulated industries and 
navigating highly challenging environments such as the 2008 
financial crisis.

Her earlier career as a consultant included roles with major audit and 
consultancy firms. Cathy graduated in Economics from Lancaster 
University. Until May 2020, she was a Non-Executive Director at 
Quilter plc.

Current external commitments
 e NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Aldermore Group plc 
 e NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Spectris plc
 e Partner, Manchester Square Partners LLP
 e Trustee, Gurkha Welfare Trust
 e NED, Motonovo Finance Limited

Skills, experience and contribution
As an economist, corporate lawyer and financial broadcaster, 
Linda brings a diverse range of skills to the Board, including strong 
commercial experience gained through her work in corporate law 
and previous non-executive positions, as well as deep insights into 
the economic environments in the markets in which Rentokil Initial 
operates, including key emerging and rapidly developing markets. 
Linda has acted in various advisory roles, including for the World Bank 
and the European Commission. Linda has obtained a BA at Yale; 
Master’s at Harvard; Juris Doctorate at New York University; and 
an MA and doctorate at Oxford. Linda is a fellow at St Edmund Hall, 
Oxford University and Adjunct Professor of Economics at London 
Business School as well as Visiting Professor at the London School 
of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Linda is an Adviser to the 
UK Board of Trade and a member of the Independent Review Panel 
on Ring-fencing and Proprietary Trading.

Current external commitments
 e Trustee of Malaria No More UK and the Coutts Foundation
 e Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society
 e Chair of The Schiehallion Fund Limited and Chair of the  

Nomination Committee 

 e NED, Fidelity China Special Situations plc

Board changes in 2020 and 2021
Jeremy Townsend retired as Chief Financial Officer in August 2020.
Angela Seymour-Jackson is not seeking reappointment at the AGM 
in May 2021. Cathy Turner will take over as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee.

Sarosh Mistry is due to join the Board as a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 April 2021 and will stand for election at the 2021 AGM. He brings 
deep executive experience of running services businesses in North 
America and is Chairman of Sodexo North America. He will become 
a member of both the Nomination and the Remuneration Committees.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 79

Executive Leadership Team

Gary Booker 
Chief Marketing, Innovation 
and Strategy Officer

Appointed: January 2018

Role
As Chief Marketing, Innovation and Strategy 
Officer, Gary has overall responsibility for 
business strategy, brand, innovation, digital, 
global account sales, and global marketing 
for commercial and residential customers.

Skills and experience
Gary’s career includes former CEO and 
General Manager positions as well as 
strategy and innovation leadership roles for 
several high-profile businesses, including 
Dixons Carphone, where he was Chief 
Marketing Officer and oversaw its Currys and 
PC World brands; O2 (Telefónica) in the UK; 
and Electronic Arts in San Francisco, where 
he gained strong experience across mobile 
and digital marketing. Prior to that Gary held 
senior roles at Dunlop Slazenger and Unipart. 
Gary holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing 
and a BSc (Hons) in Business Studies, Law 
and Psychology.

Paul Cochrane 
Managing Director, Asia

Appointed: March 2016

Vanessa Evans 
Group HR Director

Appointed: January 2016

Role
Paul oversees our businesses throughout  
the Asia region.

Skills and experience
Paul joined Rentokil Initial in 1990 as Branch 
Manager of the Initial Hygiene business in 
New Zealand. He later became Managing 
Director of Rentokil Initial New Zealand & Fiji, 
Managing Director of Ambius in the UK, 
Managing Director of Initial Hygiene Pacific 
(Australia, New Zealand and Fiji) and then 
Senior Vice President of Rentokil Initial Asia 
before becoming Regional Managing Director 
for Asia. Paul has a diploma in Business from 
the University of Auckland and a Trade 
Certificate of Automotive Engineering 
from Manukau Institute of Technology 
in New Zealand.

Role
As Group HR Director, Vanessa leads a team 
responsible for shaping and executing our 
Employer of Choice strategy, ensuring that 
we can attract, recruit, train, engage, reward 
and retain the talent we need to deliver on 
our business strategy and results. 

Skills and experience
Vanessa has had a successful career with 
some of the world’s best-known consumer 
brands. She brings valuable business 
experience and expertise in human resources 
management. She joined Rentokil Initial from 
RSA Group plc where she was Group HR, 
Communications and Customer Director. 
Prior to that, Vanessa was Global HR Director 
at Lego and Head of UK HR at GAP. She is a 
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel 
and Development and holds a BA (Hons) in 
Geography from Bulmershe College, 
University of Reading.

Daragh Fagan 
Group General Counsel & Company Secretary

Chris Hunt 
Group M&A Director

Appointed: Group General Counsel in 
September 2013 and became Company 
Secretary in July 2014

Role
As Group General Counsel, Daragh has 
overall responsibility for the legal compliance 
of the Group. He also acts as Company 
Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Skills and experience
Daragh is a qualified solicitor, having trained 
at Herbert Smith, and has extensive 
experience in major listed multinational 
corporations, including those with significant 
businesses in emerging markets. Daragh 
previously worked at Thomson Reuters as 
General Counsel, Europe & Asia, and General 
Counsel, EMEA of Reuters Group plc. Before 
joining Reuters, he spent 10 years working 
in the oil and gas industry for the Italian 
multinational Eni SpA. Daragh has an MA 
in History from Cambridge University.

Appointed: July 2019

Role
Chris leads Rentokil Initial’s efforts to identify, 
evaluate, negotiate and integrate acquisitions 
and disposals, ensuring that the deals 
add value.

Skills and experience
Chris joined Rentokil Initial in 2012 as Head 
of M&A and has completed more than 200 
deals for the Group. Prior to joining Rentokil 
Initial, Chris held various senior roles at 
AstraZeneca plc, including Head of Finance 
at AZ UK’s Marketing Company, Corporate 
Strategy Director and Group M&A Director, 
and prior to that was a Director at KPMG 
Transaction Services. Chris has extensive 
operational finance, business development 
and corporate finance experience. He is 
a Chartered Accountant and sits on the 
ICAEW’s Corporate Finance Faculty Board. 
He holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting  
and Computing from the University of  
Kent, Canterbury. 

Alain Moffroid 
Managing Director, Europe

Appointed: March 2016

Role
Alain oversees our businesses  
throughout the Europe region.

Skills and experience
Alain joined Rentokil Initial in 2013 as 
Managing Director, Pacific and became 
Managing Director, Europe in September 
2019. He joined from Unilever where he 
held a number of senior roles across 
multiple geographies. He has significant 
experience in marketing, sales and business 
development acquired during 23 years 
with Unilever in Europe, Asia and Pacific. 
Alain is a dual national Belgian/Australian 
and is fluent in English, French and Dutch. 
He holds an MSc in Business from the Solvay 
Business School, University of Brussels.

80 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

John Myers 
Managing Director, North America

Appointed: October 2013

Mark Purcell 
Chief Information Officer

Appointed: April 2019

Role
John oversees our businesses throughout 
the North America region.

Skills and experience
John joined Rentokil Initial in 2008 as 
President and Chief Executive of the 
Pest Control division in North America. 
Previously, John held various senior 
management roles at Cintas Corporation. 
Prior to that, he was President and Chief 
Executive at BioQuest LLC. John has a 
diverse business background, with extensive 
sales, marketing and business strategy 
experience. He is a graduate of the University 
of Vermont where he earned a Bachelor’s 
degree in Business Administration. He also 
holds an MBA from Mercer University in 
Atlanta.

Role
Mark’s role is to ensure a ‘safe and secure 
first’ approach is applied to Rentokil Initial’s 
global IT systems and infrastructure. With his 
team, he works alongside the regional and 
functional teams to ensure that the IT 
strategy and investment is aligned to 
business priorities.

Skills and experience
Mark joined Rentokil Initial in 1988. He later 
became Global IT Delivery Director, UK 
Hygiene and Textiles IT Director, Pest Control 
and Ambius Division IT Director, IT Director 
for UK & Rest of World, and then CIO Europe, 
before becoming Group CIO in April 2019. 
Mark has significant experience in business 
transformation, change management and 
project/programme management, as well as 
expertise in M&A integration. Mark’s early 
career was with the Civil Service where he 
held an executive officer position in IT.

Executive Leadership Team
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) 
supports the Chief Executive in managing the 
business at Group level, overseeing safety, 
performance, operational plans and actions, 
governance and risk management.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a 
Coronavirus Action Steering Committee met 
on three occasions in March 2020 including 
all members of the ELT. In addition, from 
mid-March to mid-May an extended ELT met 
virtually on a twice-weekly basis. Attendees 
included the Regional Managing Directors of 
our Latin America and the Rest of the World 
territories to ensure that we could closely 
monitor the impact of the crisis with the latest 
information from every region and country. 
Several key functional executives also joined 
as needed and by mid-April the meetings 
started alternating between Crisis phase 
management and positioning the business 
for the Recovery phase. This operating 
rhythm proved highly effective and the 
extended ELT met fortnightly in the second 
half of the year, and will continue to do so 
in 2021. More information can be found 
on page 96.

Andy Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs are 
also members of the Executive Leadership 
Team. Their biographical information can 
be found on page 78. The Chief Executive 
chairs the Executive Leadership Team.

Andrew Stone 
Managing Director, Pacific

Brian Webb 
Group Operations Excellence Director

Phill Wood 
Managing Director, UK & Rest of World

Appointed: September 2019

Appointed: August 2019

Appointed: October 2013

Role
Andrew oversees our businesses  
throughout the Pacific region.

Skills and experience
Andrew joined Rentokil Initial in 2013 as 
Finance Director, Pacific, before becoming 
Managing Director, Pacific in September 
2019. Previously, Andrew had held a 
number of senior finance and sales roles 
at Unilever within Australasia. He has 
extensive commercial, finance and supply 
chain experience. 

Andrew is a Certified Practising Accountant 
and earned Bachelor degrees in Economics 
and Law from Sydney University. Additionally, 
he holds a Master’s of Management from 
Macquarie Graduate School of Management 
and a Master’s of Professional Accounting 
from Southern Cross University.

Role
Brian is focused on driving technical and 
operational improvements across the Group 
alongside the leadership of the global 
procurement function and supply chain 
network.

Skills and experience
Brian joined Rentokil Initial in 2011 as Supply 
Chain Director for Hygiene and Pest Control 
and has gained additional responsibilities, 
including Group Procurement, Workwear 
Supply and European Operations over the 
years. His career has included roles in 
engineering, production management and 
operations, mainly in the food and beverage 
sector, with global companies such as 
SABMiller, Mars Confectionery and Sara Lee. 
Brian is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with 
an MSc in Engineering from Witwatersrand 
University (South Africa) and an MBA from 
Henley Management College (UK).

Role
Phill oversees our businesses throughout  
the UK & Rest of World region.

Skills and experience
Phill joined Rentokil Initial in 2006, holding 
various senior Pest Control roles in Europe 
before his appointment to lead the UK 
businesses – Pest Control and Hygiene in 
2009. He became Managing Director of UK & 
Rest of World in 2013. Prior to joining Rentokil 
Initial, Phill held a number of top management 
positions at Lex Services/RAC plc where 
he served for 15 years. Phill has extensive 
commercial and business development 
experience. He is a Chartered Management 
Accountant and holds a BSc (Hons) in 
Management Science from Loughborough 
University.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 81

Corporate Governance Report

Statement of compliance
The principal governance framework 
applying to the Company is the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the latest edition of which 
was published in July 2018 (the Code). The 
Code is published by the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) and the full text is available on  
its website at frc.org.uk.

The Company has complied throughout 2020 
with all the provisions in the Code other than 
provisions 36 and 38. Provisions 36 and 38  
are remuneration-related items which are 
addressed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy proposed for shareholder approval 
in May 2021. A full explanation is provided 
below. Information on how the Company 

has applied the principles and complied with 
the supporting provisions during the year can 
be found throughout the Annual Report. 
Details of where key information can be 
found is provided below.

1

Board leadership and 
company purpose

3

Composition, succession 
and evaluation

5

Remuneration

The Directors of the Company are set out 
on pages 78 and 79.

The Nomination Committee Report can be 
found on pages 107 to 110.

The Remuneration Committee Report can 
be found on pages 111 to 137.

The current Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
was approved by shareholders at our AGM 
in May 2018. Details of how the policy has 
been applied during 2020 and how the 
Remuneration Committee has undertaken 
its duties can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. A new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy is due to be proposed 
for shareholder approval at the AGM in 
May 2021.

Provision 36 of the Code states that the 
Remuneration Committee should develop 
a formal policy for post-employment 
shareholding requirements encompassing 
both unvested and vested shares. We 
currently have shareholding requirements 
for our Executive Directors while in 
employment as set out on page 132, 
and a requirement for Performance 
Share Plan awards to be held for 
two years post-vesting, which 
includes post-employment. A formal 
post-employment policy has been 
developed in the new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy as set out on  
page 123.

Provision 38 of the Code states that the 
pension contribution rates for Executive 
Directors, or payments in lieu, should be 
aligned with those available to the 
workforce. As set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, the pension 
entitlement for new Executive Directors has 
been reduced to be in line with the UK 
workforce and has been formally included 
in the new Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
being proposed at the AGM in May 2021. 
The new Chief Financial Officer was 
appointed in August 2020 on this basis. 
The Chief Executive’s pension contribution 
has been frozen at the 2019 amount and 
will be reduced to be in line with the wider 
workforce by the end of 2022. See page 
118 for more information.

Long-term value
Our business model is set out on page 22 
and our strategy can be found in the  
business reports on pages 32 and 41. 
Principal risks are on pages 69 to 73.  
A description of how these have been 
considered by the Board throughout the  
year is given on pages 85 to 89.

Diversity and inclusion
Details of our diversity policy and key 
measurements are contained in the 
Responsible Business section on page 50. 
The Board’s oversight of diversity and 
details of the Board diversity policy are 
provided in the Nomination Committee 
Report on pages 109 and 110.

Director appointment and succession 
planning
The Nomination Committee has 
responsibility for ensuring the correct 
balance of skills, experience and 
knowledge, and oversees succession 
planning. Full details are provided in the 
Nomination Committee Report on pages 
108 and 109.

Board evaluation
The Board, Board Committees and 
individual Directors undertake a review 
annually. A description of the process 
undertaken is provided in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 94 and 95.

4

 Audit, risk and 
internal control

The Audit Committee Report can be found 
on pages 99 to 106.

Risk reporting
Our approach to risk management and 
internal control is set out on pages 67 to 73, 
along with the Group’s principal risks. The 
Board’s oversight of risk management and 
the internal control framework is set out on 
page 98 and further details on risks and 
controls are provided in the Audit 
Committee Report on page 105.

Other reporting requirements
The Board’s approach to ensure a fair, 
balanced and understandable report is 
provided on page 98. The going concern 
statement can be found on page 204 and 
the Viability Statement is on page 74.

The statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
is on page 203.

Purpose and culture
Our purpose and values are set out on 
page 2 and a summary of our culture is 
provided on page 49. The Board’s ongoing 
monitoring of the Company’s culture and 
values is outlined on page 83.

Stakeholders
Our key stakeholders are set out in the 
Strategic Report on pages 24 and 25. The 
section 172(1) statement, setting out how 
the Directors have had regard to 
stakeholders when undertaking their 
duties, can be found on page 66. Details of 
how the Board understands the views of 
key stakeholders are provided on pages 90 
and 91.

Significant votes against a resolution
We did not receive any significant votes 
against resolutions put to shareholders 
at our AGM held on 13 May 2020.

2

 Division of  
responsibilities

Role and independence of Directors
At least half the Board, excluding the 
Chairman, are considered independent. 
Full details are provided on page 84.

Board and Committee meetings
A table detailing the number of meetings 
and Director attendance for the Board and 
the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee meetings held during 2020 
can be found on page 85. 

Directors’ significant external commitments
Details of the Board’s current external 
commitments are provided in their 
biographies on pages 78 and 79. The 
Board’s approach to external commitments 
and the significant external appointments 
considered during the year are on page 93.

82 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

  
  
Strategy
The Board agenda is designed to include 
strategic proposals, M&A activity and other 
material transactions, as well as legal and 
governance matters. Board activities are 
structured to develop the Group’s strategy 
and to enable the Board to support senior 
management on the delivery of this strategy 
within a transparent governance framework, 
and to provide constructive challenge using 
their business experience. 

In 2020, as well as the above topics, this 
included the strategic response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, from ensuring the 
resilience of the business through funding 
actions to the review of new opportunities to 
extend the scope of the Hygiene business 
into disinfection and other non-washroom 
services. As set out on page 41, Hygiene was 
launched in 20 new countries in 2020. The 
Board also approved three important 
acquisitions, and conducted an in-depth 
review of product innovation including digital 
and connected devices strategy. The Group’s 
strategy is considered in detail at the Board 
strategy day each year (see below).

Sustainability
In 2020, the Board continued to have an 
increased focus on sustainability, including 
the environmental impact of our operations 
and the potential risks and impacts of climate 
change on our business. In addition to the 
usual management updates provided to the 
Board throughout the year, in November 
2020 the Board also received an overview 
of the implementation plan for safety, health 
and environment leading indicators in 2021 
(see page 52). In addition, the Board held 
an in-depth review of sustainability at its 
meeting in December 2020, receiving 
presentations from members of the senior 
management team who provided an update 
on the Group’s sustainability initiatives and 
facilitated a discussion on future priorities 
and objectives. More information on the 
environment and our journey to net zero 
can be found in the Responsible Business 
section on pages 52 to 57.

Our Board strategy day

The Board holds a special strategy review 
session each year. Usually, this is structured 
over the course of two days and 
accompanies a scheduled Board meeting. 
Due to the ongoing restrictions as a result of 
COVID-19, this year’s strategy review was 
held virtually in November 2020, and the 
agenda and timings were modified slightly 
to facilitate this. The agenda for the strategy 
day is reviewed with the Chairman and 
Board and agreed in advance, including 
specific strategic issues which have been 
raised at previous Board meetings or 
requested by the Board. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Culture
Our aim is to be a world-class Employer of 
Choice, which we see as integral to being a 
world-class service company. One of the 
duties of the Board is to monitor the values 
and culture that underpin such ambitions and 
to ensure that our culture is aligned with our 
business goals and is right for our people and 
purpose. Our longstanding values of service, 
relationships and teamwork underpin 
everything we do. On page 49, we set out the 
key elements of our culture. To monitor this 
effectively, we have identified some key 
metrics which the Board receives detailed 
reports on during the two updates a year on 
culture, progress on our Employer of Choice 
agenda, and workforce engagement. The 
updates this year included an overview of 
the impact of COVID-19 by region on our 
colleagues, considering areas such as safety, 
learning and development, communications, 
manager capabilities and redefining the way 
we work. During the peak of the first wave 
of the crisis, the key metrics were reviewed 
weekly and included salary waivers, reduced 
hours and the use of international employee 
support schemes (see Monitoring employee 
wellbeing on page 91).

One of the key methods for both senior 
management and the Board to monitor 
culture is to analyse the results of the Your 
Voice Counts (YVC) colleague survey every 
second year, which includes questions 
mapped to each of the five core culture 
themes in our culture model to provide 
a score and trend for each at a Group, 
functional and regional level. The next 
YVC survey will be undertaken in 2021.

86%

of colleagues were proud to work for 
Rentokil Initial during the crisis, with 
a further 10.7% neutral

Examples of other ways that the Board 
monitors and assesses culture include:
 e monitoring Sales and Service colleague 

retention rates;

 e monitoring content and usage of U+ online 

learning platform and other means of 
delivering training and development;
 e the results of employee pulse surveys; 
 e external views such as Glassdoor ratings; 

and

 e mental health awareness and other 

employee campaigns. In 2020, these 
included stress, work–life balance, men’s 
health day and world mental health day.

The Audit Committee also monitors culture 
through its oversight of:
 e confidential reporting via the Company’s 

Speak Up facility; and

 e compliance failures, such as incidences 

of fraud.

The Board and its Committees consider other 
methods of measurement throughout the 
year as part of their ongoing engagement 
with stakeholders as set out on page 90. 

Our approach to investing in and rewarding 
our colleagues can be found on pages 51 
and 134.

The Board’s culture update twice a year also 
includes an overview on the Company’s 
approach to diversity, equality and inclusion, 
alongside data which allows the Board to 
monitor the Company’s progress in this area. 
In July 2020, the Board received a special 
update on diversity and equality in North 
America. Full details of the Board’s response 
to this can be found on page 90. Further 
details on fostering a diverse and inclusive 
culture can be found in the Nomination 
Committee Report on page 110.

In the highly uncertain environment  
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as 
the pandemic continued to impact on our 
countries of operation to varying degrees, 
with different governments implementing 
a range of policy responses, this year’s 
meeting was a timely opportunity to: 
 e further update the Board on the 

Company’s response to the pandemic and 
to discuss the likely short to medium-term 
impacts and opportunities;

 e set out a new three-year plan that 
underscores the resilience of the  
Company; and

 e discuss strategic opportunities for the 

Company, especially in Hygiene.

Sufficient time was allocated for discussion 
allowing the Board the opportunity to 
provide advice, insight and challenge on the 
key strategic issues facing the business. 
Throughout the strategy review, the 
interests of stakeholders formed part of the 
Board’s considerations but particular 
attention was given to the impact of 
COVID-19 on our colleagues, customers, 
shareholders and communities. The actions 
from the strategy review were discussed and 
agreed at the next Board meeting and will 
be incorporated into the Board agenda for 
2021 where appropriate. Feedback was 
highly positive, despite the constraints of 
conducting the review virtually.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 83

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Board composition
The Board currently comprises a 
Non-Executive Chairman, two Executive 
Directors and five Non-Executive Directors. 
They are advised and supported by the 
Group General Counsel & Company 
Secretary and their key responsibilities are 
set out on page 97. Full details of the Board 
members who served during 2020 and in 
2021 to the date of this report can be found 
on pages 78 and 79.

The division of responsibilities between the 
Chairman and Chief Executive is set out in 
writing. Non-Executive Directors have regular 
opportunities to meet with members of the 
executive management team (see page 90) 
and also have an annual meeting with the 
Chairman to allow discussion without 
executive management present. A 
Nomination Committee comprising all the 
Independent Non-Executive Directors and 
chaired by the Chairman has responsibility 
for managing the appointment process to 
ensure a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for appointing Directors. 
Pro-forma letters of appointments for the 
Non-Executive Directors and Chair of the 
Board are available on our website.

Cathy Turner joined the Company as a 
Non-Executive Director on 1 April 2020 and 
details of the recruitment process undertaken 
were provided in the Company’s 2019 Annual 
Report. She became a member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees 
from her date of appointment. Jeremy 
Townsend retired as the Company’s Chief 
Financial Officer in August 2020 and was 
succeeded by Stuart Ingall-Tombs, who had 
worked at Rentokil Initial for 13 years prior 
to his appointment as a Director, as detailed 
in the Nomination Committee Report on 
page 109. 

During 2020, a recruitment process was 
undertaken to appoint a new Non-Executive 
Director to the Board of Directors. This was 
delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic but recommenced in October 
2020 and resulted in the appointment of 
Sarosh Mistry who will join the Board of 
Directors and the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees on 1 April 2021.

Further information on appointment and 
succession planning can be found in the 
Nomination Committee Report on pages 108 
and 109. The Board considers that it and its 
Committees have an appropriate composition 
to discharge their duties effectively and to 
manage succession issues. The Board keeps 
its membership and that of its Committees 
under review to ensure that an appropriate 
balance is maintained.

84 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Age of Directors
at 3 March 2021 

Professional background

40–49 
50–59 
60–69 

12%
75%
13%

34%
Finance 
22%
Legal 
Economics  22%
11%
HR 
11%
Marketing 

Directors’ tenure
at 3 March 2021  

Executive Directors
Andy Ransom

Service length
12 years 10 months

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

0 years 6 months

Non-Executive Directors
John Pettigrew

3 years 2 months

Angela Seymour-Jackson

8 years 11 months

Richard Solomons

2 years

Julie Southern

6 years 7 months

Cathy Turner

0 years 11 months

Linda Yueh

3 years 4 months

Independence  
of Board members
The independence of Directors is considered 
upon appointment and subsequently 
reviewed as part of the individual Director 
performance evaluation process, to ensure 
that all Non-Executive Board members retain 
the necessary independence of judgement. 
This continues to be reflected in constructive 
challenge to the executive team and senior 
management at Board and Committee 
meetings, and during informal interaction 
outside those meetings.

All our Non-Executive Directors, other than 
the Chairman, have been determined by the 
Board to be independent, having retained 
their independence of character and 
judgement. In making this determination, the 
Board has taken into account indicators of 
potential non-independence as set out in the 
Code. No Director took part in the Board’s 
consideration of their own independence. 
The Chairman was considered independent 
on his appointment. Details of the Directors’ 
share interests in the Company can be found 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
page 132. Angela Seymour-Jackson was 
appointed to the Board in March 2012 and 
will, therefore, have served for a period of 
nine years by the Company’s AGM in May 
2021. Accordingly, she plans to step down 
as a Non-Executive Director following the 
conclusion of the AGM. No other current 
Non-Executive Director has served on the 
Board for longer than nine years. The length 
of tenure for each Director can be seen 
opposite.

Any potential conflicts of interest are 
considered and addressed prior to any new 
external Board appointment. All potential 
conflicts are submitted to the Board for 
consideration and, as appropriate, 
authorisation in accordance with our Articles 
of Association and the Companies Act 2006. 
These are recorded on a register of conflicts, 
which is also reviewed in full annually by the 
Nomination Committee. No material conflicts 
have been declared. Further details of this 
process can be found in the Nomination 
Committee Report on page 110.

In accordance with the Code, the Directors 
are subject to annual re-election by 
shareholders and will, therefore, be stepping 
down and seeking re-election at the AGM. As 
Angela Seymour-Jackson plans to step down 
from the Board at the 2021 AGM, she will not 
be put forward for re-election. Having been 
appointed since the last AGM, Stuart 
Ingall-Tombs and Sarosh Mistry will be 
subject to election by shareholders at the 
AGM, being the first such meeting since their 
appointment.

 
 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Meetings and attendance
The Board met a total of 17 times during the 
year. Of these, eight meetings were 
scheduled meetings (one due to take place 
prior to the AGM was postponed to later that 
week) and the rest were additional meetings, 
with the majority arranged in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, the initial ones called at 
very short notice. In addition, a Committee of 
the Board met four times, of which three were 
scheduled in relation to the release of 
financial results and trading updates and one 
additional meeting was held in relation to 
M&A activity. The membership of and 
attendance at Board and Committee 
meetings during 2020 is shown opposite.

Despite the many additional meetings, and 
the simultaneous significant demands on 
Non-Executive Directors’ time from their 
other appointments, 100% attendance was 
achieved. It is important to ensure that each 
Non-Executive Director has sufficient 
capacity to perform their roles effectively for 
the Company and it is therefore pleasing to 
note the commitment demonstrated and the 
absence of the risks of overboarding even in 
a year as exceptional as 2020.

While not relevant in 2020, Directors receive 
copies of all Board or Committee papers in 
advance and if unable to attend the Chairman 
or Committee Chair would seek the 
individual’s views ahead of the meeting and 
brief them on the outcome.

Board activities in 2020
The Board agenda is set by the Chairman, 
with the assistance of the Company 
Secretary. Each scheduled Board meeting 
starts with a review of safety, health and 
environmental performance. The Board 
receives reports from the Chairs of the 
Nomination, Remuneration and Audit 
Committees following their meetings.

The Chief Executive and the Chief Financial 
Officer present a report of business 
performance and key business activities at 
each meeting including updates on investor 
relations, M&A and people matters. Business 
performance includes operational KPIs 
relating to non-financial measures such as 
customer service. In addition, the Board 
receives detailed presentations from each of 
the Regional Managing Directors of the 
Company and their Finance Directors over 
the course of the year. These review 
operational performance and future strategy 
for the region, highlighting specific areas of 
progress or challenge, reviewing the financial 
and control environment, and allowing the 
Board to offer challenge on any area. In 2020, 
the Board received presentations from each 
region, as well as an additional review of our 
emerging business region of Latin America.

The key areas of focus of the Board are 
summarised in the table opposite. However, 
due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
six additional Board meetings were held 
between March and May, with the key focus 
being the business’s response to the crisis 
and then its progression into the Recovery 
phase (as set out on page 86). 

Board and Committee attendance in 2020 

Board

Scheduled

Additional

Audit 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Overall 
attended

Number of meetings held

Directors

Stuart Ingall-Tombs1

John Pettigrew

Andy Ransom

Angela Seymour-Jackson

Richard Solomons

Julie Southern

Cathy Turner2

Linda Yueh

 3/3

 8/8

 8/8

 8/8

 8/8

 8/8

 6/6

 8/8

 3/3

 9/9

 9/9

 9/9

 9/9

 9/9

 7/7

 9/9

– 

 4/4

 –

 –

 –

 4/4

 –

 4/4

 –

 2/2

 –

 2/2

 2/2

 2/2

 1/1

 2/2

 –

 –

 –

100%

100%

100%

 6/6

100%

 –

100%

 6/6

 5/5

 6/6

100%

100%

100%

Former Directors who served for part of the year

Jeremy Townsend3

 5/5

 6/6

 –

 –

 –

100% 

1.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed to the Board on 15 August 2020.
2.  Cathy Turner was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020.
3.  Jeremy Townsend retired from the Board on 14 August 2020.

Board activities – areas of focus

Strategy and 
operations

Governance and 
compliance

Financial

The Group’s overall strategy, including monitoring strategic progress, 
receiving executive management reports, conducting regional 
business reviews, and approving the annual operating plan. The Board 
holds a strategy review over two days each year (see page 83). 

Consideration of the Group’s sustainability strategy (see page 83). 

In 2020, a key focus in the year was the impact of, and measures taken 
in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic, and on positioning the 
business for the Recovery phase. 

Board composition changes and Board evaluation. 

Review of governance procedures and practices and oversight of 
forthcoming governance developments. 

Approval of the Company’s Modern Slavery Statement and Gender 
Pay Report (available on our website).

The Group’s capital structure, including financing needs and funding, 
and the Company’s treasury policy and tax strategy. In 2020, a key 
focus in March and April was ensuring that the Group had sufficient 
funding to navigate the reasonable worst case scenario of the 
COVID-19 crisis (see page 146).

Review of financial performance, reporting and dividend decisions.

Mergers and 
acquisitions (M&A)

Transactions of a size that require Board approval. 

Post-investment reviews assessing the performance of acquisitions 
within the last 12–30 months and oversight of M&A strategy and the 
forward pipeline.

Monitoring and 
oversight

Oversight of the Company’s safety, health and environmental 
measures. Reports from Board Committees. 

Review of key risks and internal controls and oversight of material 
claims and disputes. Information security risk and mitigation plans. 

Monitoring of the Company’s culture (see page 83), workforce 
engagement and diversity.

An overview of key activities and principal decisions taken by the Board during 2020, and the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are shown on pages 86 and 87, with further details of some 
of these principal decisions provided on pages 88 and 89.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 85

 
 
Corporate Governance Report
continued

Key Board activities in 2020

 Scheduled Board meeting

 Board Committee meeting

 Additional Board meeting

 e Approved the 2019  
final year results

 e Recommended a final 

year dividend 

 e Recommended the 

reappointment of KPMG as  
the Company’s auditors
 e Discussed 2019 Board 
effectiveness review 

 e Approved the 2019 Modern 

Slavery Statement

 e Approved the 2019 Gender  

Pay Report

 e Approved the Board  

diversity policy
 e Board changes

February 

 e Revision to AGM plans
 e Postponement of planned  
North America visit in June

 e Letters to investors re voluntary 
Board and management cost 
reduction measures

 e Approved Q1 Trading Update
 e Review of COVID-19 impact on 

colleagues and customers

April 

 e Funding update and support  

of repayment of £550m 
drawn under the revolving 
credit facility (RCF)

 e North America regional update
 e Approval of two supplier 

contracts

June 

January 
 e Approved the annual 

operating plan for 2020

May 
 e Trading update and the  

impact of COVID-19

 e Closed AGM held

March 
 e Withdrawal of 2019  
final year dividend

 e Support of management 
measures in response to 
COVID-19

 e Approved application for 
funding from the Bank of 
England’s Covid Corporate 
Financing Facility (CCFF)
 e Establishment of a £1,000m 
Euro-Commercial Paper 
Programme

 e Market update released  
on COVID-19 measures

COVID-19 impact

2019 final dividend
In February 2019, the Board recommended  
a final dividend for 2019 of 3.64p per share 
based on the Company’s dividend policy at 
the time. However, due to the significant 
uncertainty around the impact of COVID-19, 
the Company took immediate action to 
reduce costs and optimise cash flow and 
liquidity potential and, at a meeting in March 
2020, the Board approved the withdrawal  
of the dividend. The decision to suspend 
dividend payments was announced in a 
trading update, setting out the various 
measures (see page 8) and the Directors  
did not subsequently declare an interim 
dividend for 2020.

2020 AGM
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic and the public health guidance 
in place at the time, the Company’s AGM on 
13 May 2020 was held as a closed meeting 
at the Company’s offices in Crawley. The 
Board invited shareholders to submit 
questions ahead of the AGM in 2020. They 
received one question from ShareAction 
and the Living Wage Foundation which 
was responded to directly. The only other 
questions received were in relation to the 
practicalities of the meeting and requesting 
confirmation regarding the 2019 final year 
dividend which had been suspended. 
Engagement meetings were held with five 
key investors and the outcome of these 
discussions were considered by the Board  
at a meeting ahead of the AGM.

Board site visit
It is customary for the Board to hold one 
Board meeting overseas each year and to 
use this as an opportunity to visit a business 
and engage with colleagues. However, due  
to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned visit 
to North America in June 2020 had to be 
postponed. Instead, the Board received  
a detailed virtual update from John Myers, 
MD North America, Stuart Ingall-Tombs, 
CFO for North America (at the time), and 
other members of the North America 
management team on the performance and 
prospects of the business. The presentation 
included consideration of the impact of 
COVID-19, both generally and in relation to 
the business’s strategic targets; mitigation 
actions taken (including international 
employee support schemes); and the 
successful launch of Hygiene and new 
disinfection services in North America. 
Discussion also covered the digital and 
innovation agenda, best-of-breed 
programme, IT replatforming project status, 
and benchmarking against key competitors. 
The Board recognised the strong 
performance that had been delivered by the 
business in the difficult circumstances.

86 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

COVID-19 impact

Monitoring stakeholder impact
Throughout the year, senior management 
and the Board have closely monitored the 
impact of the COVID-19 crisis on employee 
wellbeing (see page 91). Each COVID-19 
update to the Board included specific data on 
colleagues, including the number who had 
contracted the virus and Working Days Lost. 
Regular updates were also provided on 
service and supply chain, particularly on the 
procurement of PPE. The Board had oversight 
of other stakeholder engagement, including 
the response from investors, receiving broker 
notes when published, and discussions held 
with external advisors.

Additional Board meetings
The Board held an additional six Board 
meetings between March and May in 2020 as 
a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Following the 
initial review of the Company’s response to 
the crisis (see page 88), the principal agenda 
item for these meetings was the ongoing 
COVID-19 crisis, and the Board monitored the 
impact by region along with the Company’s 
response by receiving updates from the 
Executive Directors and relevant 
management team meetings (see page 96). 
From June, the Board returned to its 
scheduled timetable and, as is customary, no 
Board meeting was held in August.

 e Asia and Europe regional 

updates

 e Funding update and approval 

of raising debt under the 
Company’s Euro Medium-Term 
Note Programme

 e Customer contract approval

September 

 e Approved the Group’s tax 

strategy

 e Approved two acquisitions
 e Approved bond buyback

November 

October 
 e UK and Latin America  

regional updates

 e Approved Q3 Trading Update

July 
 e Funding update and approval 
to repay the £600m drawn 
under the CCFF in April

 e Review of employee support 
schemes internationally to 
protect jobs and employment 
levels

 e Review of workforce 

engagement, culture and 
diversity

 e Approved the Interim Results

December 
 e Pacific regional update
 e Considered 2021 
operating plan

 e Approved audit tender 

outcome

 e Sustainability strategy 
review and approval of 
new emissions target

 e Update on information security
 e Review of workforce 

engagement and culture, 
including diversity, equality 
and inclusion vision

 e Approved an acquisition
 e Reviewed 2020 Board  
effectiveness review

All Board meetings were 
held virtually from March 
2020 onwards.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 87

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report
continued

Principal decisions of the 
Board
We consider the principal decisions of the 
Board to be those decisions taken by the 
Board directly, which should not be 
delegated to management, or a committee of 
the Board unless considered and approved in 
principle by the whole Board first, and which 
may have a potentially material impact on the 
Company’s strategy, a stakeholder group or 
the long-term value creation of the Company. 
We group the Board’s principal decisions into 
the following categories: financial results; 
capital allocation; funding; strategy (including 
ESG strategy); M&A activity; risk 
management; supplier and customer 
contracts; and Board changes.

In addition, there are other matters reserved 
to the Board which are considered less 
material or strategically significant, such as 
the approval of the Board governance manual 
(including changes to the Group Authority 
Schedule), or the recommendation of 
re-election of all Directors at the AGM. 

Key to section 172(1) considerations

Long-term results

Colleagues

Our business relationships

Communities and the environment

Our reputation

Fairness between our shareholders

These are not included in this report as 
principal decisions. In addition, during the 
year the Board approved the Company’s 
Modern Slavery Statement for 2019, the 
Company’s Gender Pay Report for 2019 and 
the Group’s tax strategy (see page 64 for 
more information).

An overview of the Board’s activities during 
2020, including the principal decisions taken, 
can be found on pages 86 and 87. Examples 
are provided below to illustrate how the 
Directors have had regard to the matters set 
out in section 172(1)(a)–(f) of the Companies 
Act 2006 when making principal decisions 
in 2020 (these include regard to key 
stakeholders, including employees, 
communities and commercial counterparties 
but are set out in full in the key opposite). 

More information on the Board’s engagement 
with stakeholders and the impacts on the 
Board’s considerations during the year can 
be found on pages 90 and 91. The section 
172(1) statement can be found on page 66.

Reacting swiftly to the COVID-19 crisis
As set out on page 8, when the COVID-19 crisis hit in March 2020, the Company took swift action to manage and mitigate the impact on the 
business. By the second half of March 2020, COVID-19 was affecting the majority of the key countries in our Group with many markets in 
advanced stages of lockdown. The ELT met and set out an immediate action plan to reduce costs and optimise cash flow and liquidity. The Board 
held weekly additional meetings to respond to and then monitor the impact of COVID-19. 

Directors’ consideration of factors in accordance with section 172(1)

Significant short-term measures, including the suspension of our M&A programme, were needed to reinforce the Company’s resilience in the 
face of a highly volatile external environment so that the delivery of our long-term strategy and the ongoing creation of value for our 
shareholders could be ensured.

Implementing cost-saving measures would protect the profitability and cash generation of the business. Cash conversion measures should 
ensure that the Group would be able to make appropriate investments in products and services where demand was high, while conserving cash 
as far as possible where services had been disrupted.

Implementing a series of actions, including salary reductions for senior management and the Board, restricting travel, adoption of flexible working 
arrangements and the recommendation to colleagues to follow specific health protection protocols, should protect the health and safety of our 
colleagues. 

Implementing a temporary hiring freeze and the use of international employee support schemes where necessary, along with other cost-saving 
measures, to help avoid the loss of roles in the long term.

Designating our services as essential and our frontline colleagues as key workers allowed our technicians to continue to service customers, 
enabling us to play our part in protecting public health and fighting the spread of COVID-19. Implementing new disinfection services and specific 
health protection protocols and use of PPE to protect the health and safety of our customers. Applying for government support where 
appropriate to help support the costs of employees.

Establishing an employee support fund (see page 51) would further protect colleagues in communities without government support. 

Measures to continue to work safely and offer new services to help us fulfil our purpose at Rentokil Initial to protect people and enhance lives, 
an area of increasing importance as a result of COVID-19.

Suspending dividends for the time being and withdrawing the 2019 final dividend conserves cash in the short term in order that shareholders 
receive the best return on their investment in the long term.

Outcome
The Board considered and approved the proposed actions, and a trading update was released to the market on 25 March 2020. The Remuneration 
Committee Chair also wrote to 20 of our largest investors and proxy agencies to set out the impact of the measures on remuneration within the Company, 
alongside the broader actions being taken. Over £100m of cost savings were identified, as well as approximately £400m of cash preservation measures 
for 2020, helping us to move into the Recovery phase by the second half of the year (see page 146 for details). The Board monitored the impact of the 
measures through reports from the senior management team. The actions taken and the speed with which they were implemented helped minimise the 
impact on the business; however, regrettably we have not been able to retain every colleague in our business lines which will not rebound in the short or 
medium term and where a suitable alternative role was unavailable. In a survey of colleagues from the UK, US, Europe and the Middle East during the 
Crisis phase more than nine out of 10 colleagues were either favourable or neutral in their belief that the actions taken by the Company were the right 
things to succeed in the crisis.

88 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility
In March 2020, the UK government announced a number of measures designed to support businesses through the period of disruption caused 
by COVID-19. One of these measures was the joint HM Treasury and Bank of England lending facility, named the Covid Corporate Financing 
Facility (CCFF), which would purchase short-term debt in the form of commercial paper from eligible companies. Like many companies, Rentokil 
Initial applied to access the CCFF and on 2 April drew down £600m under the facility.

The Company drew down the CCFF as an additional contingency measure at the start of the COVID-19 crisis when both trading and the market 
liquidity was very uncertain. The Board received detailed funding updates in June and July looking at repayment options and the longer-term 
funding position of the Company. Given the trading performance of the Company during Q2, greater clarity in the external outlook by June, 
and the option to repay the CCFF before its expiry date in March 2021, the Board considered whether the CCFF should be repaid earlier than 
originally envisaged.

Directors’ consideration of factors in accordance with section 172(1)

Based on a detailed assessment of funding requirements and the forecast and modelling scenarios considered, the Company should retain 
sufficient liquidity headroom (balance sheet cash and undrawn revolving credit facility (RCF)), fully comply with bank covenants, and maintain 
its BBB credit rating.

The implications for paying bonuses or granting share awards to the wider workforce while the CCFF remained outstanding were taken into 
account.

Early repayment should present a positive message to stakeholders regarding the robustness of the business. While there were potential risks 
in future quarters around the economic environment and/or a second wave of the virus, the Company would have demonstrated the resilience 
of its business model at the peak of the crisis and its confidence in continuing to be able to respond quickly to customer needs.

The government introduced requirements for new CCFF issuers in relation to executive pay and dividends which could potentially create 
a reputational constraint on the Group in these areas while the Company remained a holder of the debt. Advisors confirmed that there should 
be no reputation risk if we were to recommence our M&A programme while holding the CCFF.

The Board would expect to be in a position to recommend a dividend for 2020 if trading continued in line with the Company’s expectations 
in the second half of the year.

Outcome
The Board approved the early repayment of the CCFF using available cash. On 27 July 2020, the Group repaid the £600m borrowed under the Bank 
of England’s CCFF scheme. The Company announced in its half-year results liquidity headroom in excess of £800m following repayment of the Group’s 
RCF in June and the CCFF in July.

Strategic acquisition of pest control business
In December 2020, the Company acquired Environmental Pest Service (EPS LLC), a commercial and residential pest control company based in 
Tampa, Florida. The Board received a detailed paper setting out the proposed transaction at its meeting in November 2020. An additional Board 
meeting was then held later that month where the Board could discuss further details of the transaction and ask questions of John Myers, 
Regional Managing Director for North America. Chris Hunt, Group M&A Director, also joined the meeting. 

Directors’ consideration of factors in accordance with section 172(1)

The acquisition was consistent with the Company’s strategy to identify, purchase and successfully integrate high-quality bolt-on targets. EPS 
LLC generated annualised revenues of c.$82m (c.£62m) in 2020. Cost synergies, such as property footprint reduction, back office 
consolidations and technician density, were identified and would be executed by the experienced integration team in North America. The 
acquisition would enhance our pest services’ scale and density in key markets in Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

The acquisition of EPS LLC would increase the Group’s headcount by approximately 640 people, more than half in frontline service roles. 
New colleagues would benefit from Rentokil technical training and potentially an enhanced career path within a larger, fast-growing, leading 
international pest control business. The Board considered the strength of the EPS LLC management team and the cultural fit between the 
companies, and planned to retain key talent and enhance the quality of the North America management team.

The increased scale and density created from the integration of EPS LLC was expected to help drive improved customer service levels due to 
quicker response times, deployment of Rentokil systems and better trained colleagues. It was expected that existing customers of the target 
would be offered the benefits of our global market-leading services. There might also be an opportunity to review material purchases and 
consolidate spend within our supply chain and pest products business.

EPS LLC colleagues are located in 30 branches across three US states. Due diligence included a detailed review of any environmental issues 
on the target’s properties and material compliance with environmental laws. This included the use of specialist consultants and site visits. The 
Board considered the use by EPS LLC of environmentally sound pest control solutions and their humane wildlife capture service which could 
help expand Rentokil’s equivalent service.

EPS LLC was ranked 15th in the PCT Magazine 2020 Top 100 list of leading US pest control companies. EPS LLC and Rentokil Initial cultures and 
ways of working appear to be aligned.

This acquisition meets our investment criteria and is aligned with execution of our growth strategy, which is supported by and is delivering 
benefits to shareholders.

Outcome
The Board considered and approved the transaction, which completed after regulatory filings in the US and was announced alongside a trading update 
on 8 January 2021. Further details on the transaction can be found in the Financial Review on pages 146 and 147.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 89

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Stakeholder engagement
Following the detailed stakeholder mapping 
exercise undertaken in 2019 to assess 
whether the identification of our key 
stakeholders remained appropriate, there 
were no significant changes to the Group’s 
businesses or operations which merited a 
further review during 2020, and the key 
stakeholders as set out opposite remain the 
same as the prior year. Information on our key 
stakeholders is set out on pages 24 and 25, 
including their key issues and impacts as well 
as the methods of engagement by the 
businesses and management. Details of how 
the Directors receive information on our key 
stakeholders are set out opposite. The 
section 172(1) statement, which describes 
how the Board has regard to key 
stakeholders, can be found on page 66 with 
examples of principal decisions taken in 2020 
on pages 88 and 89.

In the Board’s consideration of its 
engagement with the Group’s workforce and 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 
provision for workforce engagement, the 
Board had regard to the size, distribution and 
scale of our businesses and it was felt that 
none of the options set out in the Code would 
be as effective in engaging with a dispersed, 
global workforce as enhancing the existing 
framework of local and regional engagement 
tools and metrics (such as our European 
Works Council). 

Management regularly report on 
performance against a set of key metrics 
(such as colleague retention, Your Voice 
Counts survey results and Glassdoor ratings) 
to the Board. We also identify ways for 
individual Board members and the Board 
collectively to engage with target groups 
across the year. However, the direct Board 
engagement opportunities planned for 2020 
were severely impacted due to the COVID-19 
pandemic and the resulting restrictions on 
travel. For instance, the planned Board site 
visit to North America in June 2020 was not 
able to take place. Consequently, the Board 
did not have the opportunity to engage 
directly with the Group’s workforce to the 
level hoped and, as set out below, we plan to 
address this by increasing the level of virtual 
engagement in 2021.

In particular, each Non-Executive Board 
Director will be expected to engage 
individually with a range of colleagues, 
whether by ride-along visits with frontline 
technicians and surveyors, discussions with 
talent pools or relevant management teams 
across different regions, adding visits to local 
Rentokil Initial operations to their other travel 
plans, or attending town hall sessions. Our 
aim is for the Directors to have the 
opportunity to engage with a cross-section of 
colleagues and bring back their experiences 
to share with the Board. We will also consider 
other events where Directors can speak with 
colleagues without managers in attendance. 
Some of this engagement will necessarily be 
virtual, at least in the first part of 2021.

90 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Colleagues

Customers

Information flow to the Board
 e Health and safety reports
 e Results of Your Voice Counts  

colleague survey

 e Regional ‘deep dive’ presentations
 e Employer of Choice update provided 

twice a year

Information flow to the Board
 e Regional ‘deep dive’ presentations
 e Customer Voice Count (CVC) scores
 e Strategy day review – especially product 

pipeline and innovation

 e Material customer contracts requiring 

Board approval

 e Key management changes are included 

 e Monitoring external measures such 

as Trustpilot

Direct Board engagement
The Board has the opportunity to meet 
customers on overseas site visits and 
as part of a ‘ride-along’ with technicians. 
Due to the highly dispersed nature of 
our customer base, in which the largest 
portfolio customer represents significantly 
less than 1% of revenue, it is felt that this 
level of engagement is appropriate. 

In 2020, the planned overseas visit 
(see page 86) and other site visits could 
not take place due to ongoing travel 
restrictions. It is hoped that there will be 
increased opportunities for engagement 
in 2021.

in every CEO report

 e Monitoring external measures such 

as Glassdoor

 e Notification of any awards won or other 

external validation
 e Gender Pay Report
 e Ethical concerns reported via the 

confidential reporting process Speak Up 
 e In Q2, detailed reporting on the impact of 
COVID-19 on colleagues (see page 91)

Direct Board engagement
In a normal year, the Board would meet with 
colleagues during site visits, undertake 
‘ride-alongs’ with technicians and 
specialists, attend senior management 
meetings, and normally have the 
opportunity to meet with members of the 
Company’s graduate programme at the 
AGM. From March 2020, much of this 
activity was impossible in person although 
a small number of events still took place 
(see pages 95 and 109 for examples). 
Members of the senior management team 
continued to regularly present to the Board.

Progressing diversity, equality and inclusion

Rentokil Initial was already recognised for 
its diversity and inclusion efforts, being 
rated No.1 in Britain’s Most Admired 
Companies in 2019 for diversity, and 9th 
in the Hampton-Alexander Review 2019 
report. 2020 saw further progress, 
notwithstanding the disruption from the 
pandemic, on gender diversity but also 
on broadening our efforts on inclusion and 
equality, including ethnicity. Attracting, 
developing and retaining talent from the 
widest possible pool helps drive our 
innovativeness, service quality and financial 
performance, as well as reflecting the 
communities we serve. 

In July, the Board reviewed the initiative in 
North America to assess the ethnic diversity 
of our colleagues in detailed comparison 
with that of the metropolitan areas where 
our businesses are based. This would 
enable more nuanced data gathering and 
analysis. Further communication and 
training initiatives including town halls 
and ‘listening events’ took place in North 
America, as well as plans to embed 
diversity, equality and inclusion training as 
a core leadership competence. The Board 
agreed that clear and robust diversity and 
inclusion policies and practices covering 

every stage of the employment cycle were 
needed, and that this should ensure that 
we consider diversity and equality in the 
broadest sense across the 83 countries in 
which we operate, avoiding an overly UK- or 
Europe-centric perspective in our diversity 
definitions and activities.

Looking forward, in December the Board 
discussed a five-point plan over the next 
three years to further build an organisation 
where everyone with skill, imagination and 
determination, whatever their gender, race, 
colour, nationality, age, sexual orientation, 
physical ability or background, can succeed 
based on merit alone. The plan includes 
gender and ethnicity targets for senior 
managers and colleagues as a whole, and a 
scorecard for monitoring by the Board and 
ELT. It intends to secure our competitive 
advantage as a world-class Employer of 
Choice with a workforce that reflects the 
diverse nature of the business 
environments and markets in which we 
operate and the customers that we serve 
across the globe. The Board will continue 
to monitor the Company’s progress against 
this plan.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Shareholders

Communities

Suppliers

Information flow to the Board
 e Health, safety and environment updates
 e Regional ‘deep dive’ presentations
 e Annual Report review
 e Responsible Business Report review
 e Updates on RI Cares (see page 60)
 e Responses to disaster relief and the 
creation and use of the COVID-19 
Colleague Support Fund (see page 51)

Direct Board engagement
Board focus on our ESG agenda has 
continued to progress but due to COVID-19 
no direct engagement took place between 
the Directors and communities during 2020. 
Engagement levels were considered as part 
of the stakeholder mapping exercise 
undertaken in 2019 and found to be 
appropriate. This will be kept under review.

Information flow to the Board
 e CEO report at each Board meeting 

includes an investor relations update

 e Financial performance reports
 e Analyst notes circulated
 e Presentations on market perspectives 

by the Company’s brokers

 e Strategy day market perspectives session

Direct Board engagement
The Board engages directly with 
shareholders in a variety of ways, including 
writing to investors, calls or meetings held 
with the Chairman and Remuneration 
Committee Chair, consultation exercises 
(see below and page 117 for details of the 
Remuneration Committee consultation 
undertaken in 2020), and in a normal year 
through attendance at Preliminary and 
Interim Results announcements, investor 
roadshows and seminars, Capital Markets 
Days and our AGM.

In 2020, the Chairman met with six of our 
top 10 investors, representing almost 30% 
of our issued share capital. As set out on 
page 98, for the first time virtual attendance 
will be possible at our AGM in May 2021. It is 
hoped that this will facilitate a meeting that 
is accessible to a broader range of 
shareholders. 

Remuneration policy consultation

Monitoring employee wellbeing

In October 2020, our Remuneration 
Committee Chair wrote to investors in the 
top 30 of our share register, representing 
approximately 60% of our issued share 
capital, to outline proposals for the new 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy to be put 
for shareholder approval at the AGM in 
May 2021. The Company also engaged 
with three of the largest proxy voting 
agencies. Of those written to, only one 
investor declined to engage with the 
Company and seven meetings were 
subsequently held in 2020. The 
Remuneration Committee reviewed the 
feedback received at those meetings in 
November and December and then wrote 
to the same investors and proxy agencies 
in December 2020 to update them. This 
second letter resulted in a further two 
meetings being held with investors in 
January 2021. 

As a result of the engagement the 
Remuneration Committee decided 
to proceed with the proposed policy, 
making some modifications in response 
to feedback received. Full details are 
set out in the Remuneration Committee 
Report on page 117. The final policy 
is being submitted for shareholder 
approval at the AGM in May 2021.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis we took 
a number of short-term measures to 
preserve the ongoing cash flow of the 
business, many of which directly impacted 
colleagues (see pages 8 and 88). In order to 
monitor the impact of the crisis on 
colleagues and the measures taken, the 
Board received regular updates between 
March and May.

Rentokil Initial has high levels of colleague 
engagement and enablement, which are 
independently measured every two years 
(last measured just six months before the 
pandemic), and places the Company among 
the High-Performance group of leading 
companies. During the COVID-19 crisis, 
senior leaders maintained high levels of 
communication and visibility, via the use 
of meetings by video call, colleague social 
media platforms, newsletters and regular 
pre-recorded video messages from their 
desks at home which were sent to 
colleagues.

Colleagues also actively participated in 
a series of events to support their local 
communities and to say thank you to public 
sector workers. The response from 
colleagues to support the #sharethelove 
events was excellent, reflecting the values 
of the Company and the willingness of 

Information flow to the Board
Principal engagement is undertaken by 
operational management, especially the 
central procurement and supply chain 
function and national procurement 
managers, with the Directors having 
oversight of this engagement and its impact 
by:
 e the approval of our Modern 

Slavery Statement;

 e the review of payment practice reports 

for our two principal UK subsidiaries; and

 e the review and approval of major 

supplier contracts.

In 2020, updates were provided on the 
impacts to suppliers as a result of COVID-19, 
particularly in Q2 regarding the sourcing of 
PPE for our colleagues. 

Direct Board engagement
There was no direct engagement 
undertaken during 2020. It is felt that, due 
to the nature of the business, this level of 
engagement compared with the other 
stakeholder groups is appropriate. This will 
be kept under review.

colleagues to go the extra mile for others, 
even at a time of crisis.

Data provided to the Board included the 
number of colleagues self-isolating and 
infected with COVID-19 and the number 
of colleagues affected by the employment 
measures taken across the world, including 
salary waivers, reduced hours and the use 
of international employee support schemes. 
They also received reports on the 
approximately 8,500 colleagues transferred 
to home working, the IT infrastructure to 
support this and measures taken to mitigate 
any potential risks associated with the shift. 
Copies of an internal communication were 
also shared. 

The next formal measurement of colleague 
engagement and enablement across the 
Company will take place in September 2021 
and will be reported in next year’s Annual 
Report. However, during the crisis the 
Company continued to listen to colleagues. 
A series of pulse surveys were undertaken, 
including Europe, North America, the UK 
and the Middle East. Overall results showed 
more than nine out of 10 colleagues were 
either favourable or neutral in their belief 
that the actions taken by the Company were 
the right things to succeed in the crisis and 
about the effectiveness of senior managers 
to lead through the changes.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 91

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Director induction  
and training
The Board ensures that the Directors 
continue to provide suitable leadership for 
the Company through a regular performance 
evaluation process, training processes, 
governance briefings, Board succession 
planning and annual re-election by 
shareholders.

Following the appointment of any new 
Director, the Chairman, in conjunction with 
the Company Secretary, ensures that a full, 
formal and customised induction to the 
Company and the role of the Board is made 
available.

In 2020, inductions of both an Executive and 
a Non-Executive Director took place. As part 
of an orderly handover of the role of Chief 
Financial Officer from Jeremy Townsend to 
Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Stuart commenced his 
induction over several months prior to 
starting the role in August 2020. Full details 
are set out on page 93.

Cathy Turner joined the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in April 2020. On 
appointment, all Non-Executive Directors are 
provided with the following materials:

The impact of a virtual induction

Cathy Turner joined the Board of Rentokil 
Initial in April 2020 and due to COVID-19 
was not able to meet her Board colleagues 
in person following her appointment for 
the rest of the year (although she did have 
meetings with the Chairman and others, 
and, as set out on page 95, visited the 
Company’s Australian operations prior 
to her appointment). 

At the end of 2020 we asked her how 
her first nine months with the Company 
had been. 

92 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 e key policies, procedures and governance 
information about the Company, including 
the Code of Conduct, Board Governance 
Manual, Responsible Business Report and 
the Group Authority Schedule;
 e details of the Group structure;
 e analysis of the Company’s key shareholders 

and share capital;
 e recent analyst notes;
 e Board and relevant Committee minutes and 

Board papers from the most recent 
meetings held, including the most recent 
strategy meeting;

 e copies of the most recent Board and any 

relevant Committee evaluation reports; and

 e guidance on the legal and regulatory 

responsibilities of a Director in a UK publicly 
listed company. 

They are also given access to external 
advisors (auditors, legal advisors and 
brokers).

New Directors also undertake the same 
online induction modules in U+ (our online 
learning and development platform) as new 
colleagues on core compliance subjects, 
such as our Code of Conduct, anti-bribery 
and corruption, competition law, information 
security and privacy, insider information and 
conflicts of interest.

The induction process typically takes place 
over several months and a questionnaire is 
completed by new Directors after 12 to 18 
months to provide an opportunity for 
feedback, to review the effectiveness  
of the training, highlight areas for 
improvement and to provide an opportunity 
for any further development needs to be 
identified.

Directors are provided with ongoing 
opportunities to meet colleagues (see 
Stakeholder engagement on page 90), 
although in 2020 these were restricted due 
to COVID-19 and the majority of meetings 
were held virtually. Directors also receive 
additional briefings or training as required. 
Details of externally facilitated events and 
training are also circulated to Directors on a 
regular basis to allow them to participate in 
peer group discussion forums and seminars 
related to the listed company environment. 
In 2020, the Board received a special training 
session from the Company’s external legal 
advisors, providing an update on the Market 
Abuse Regulation. Further Board training 
sessions are planned to take place 
periodically in 2021.

challenging it must be for any staff joining 
our business to feel fully part of the team 
and to get up to speed in their roles.

How has Rentokil Initial compared to 
your expectations before joining?
Rentokil Initial is everything I hoped it to be 
based on its superb reputation externally. 
I have much to learn still but I am impressed 
with the focus on operational excellence, 
the commitment to customers, the 
innovation that is underway, and the 
effectiveness of M&A activity. There is 
so much energy and capability in Rentokil 
Initial. I am proud to be part of it. 

What are the things you are most  
looking forward to in terms of continuing 
your Board induction?
Easy question – actually attending a Board 
meeting in person and getting out to the 
front line to meet colleagues and customers 
around the world.

What have been your initial 
impressions of Rentokil Initial?
The strong culture and well-developed 
identity at Rentokil Initial has shone through 
and has been a benefit throughout this 
difficult period. Even operating remotely 
as I have needed to do, the values are 
palpable. Culture is a hot topic in business 
but only really gets tested in times of need. 
It is good to feel the care and commitment 
to employees and customers that is so 
much a part of Rentokil Initial. 

Your induction had to be handled 
remotely. How did you find that worked? 
I think it worked very well. I enjoyed meeting 
many colleagues virtually and found those 
induction sessions educational, open and 
welcoming. Of course, as time progresses 
and this pandemic is controlled, I much look 
forward to meeting people face to face. I am 
particularly looking forward to going out on 
a Pest Control round when it is permitted!

What have been the challenges of not 
being able to attend Board or Committee 
meetings in person? 
I am missing the feel of the Board dynamics 
and having a chance to be alongside my 
fellow Board colleagues. Everyone has 
been so welcoming but forging trusted 
relationships takes longer in the current 
environment. It makes me realise how 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

It was announced in February 2020 that Stuart Ingall-Tombs would be 
taking up the role of Chief Financial Officer later in the year and he 
was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors on 15 August 
2020. An overview of his extended handover and induction process is 
set out below. 

Timeline of Chief Financial Officer’s induction 

February 2020
 e Attended Preliminary Results presentation
 e Attended numerous one-to-one investor meetings with CEO, 

incumbent CFO and Head of IR

March 2020
 e Attended numerous one-to-one and two group investor 

meetings with CEO, incumbent CFO and Head of IR

 e Started attending Executive Leadership Team meetings 

April 2020
 e Attended the Q1 Trading Update Board call

May 2020
 e Met with the Chairman
 e Attended one-to-one investor meeting and a group investor 

meeting with CEO, incumbent CFO and Head of IR 

 e Commenced regular joint update meetings with CEO and 

incumbent CFO

 e Commenced regular update meetings with Group Treasurer 

June 2020
 e Met with the Company’s brokers, Goldman Sachs
 e Met with the Company’s auditor, KPMG 

July 2020
 e Attended Board, Board Committee and Audit Committee 

meetings

 e Attended Disclosure Committee meeting regarding Interim 

Results

 e Attended pre-results meetings with Goldman Sachs and 

Barclays 

 e Attended Interim Results presentation
 e Met with the Company’s brokers, Barclays
 e Commenced induction meetings with Non-Executive Directors 
 e Attended one-to-one investor meetings and a group investor 

event

August 2020
 e Handover meeting with incumbent CFO
 e Meeting held with the Chairman
 e Individual meetings with senior finance colleagues and 

members of the ELT

 e Held introductory meetings with various advisors and 

business partners

 e Attended one-to-one investor meetings

September 2020
 e Met with the Chairman
 e Introductory meetings with relationship banks
 e Met with the Company’s broker, Goldman Sachs

October 2020
 e Introductory meetings with relationship banks
 e Numerous one-to-one investor meetings 
 e Met with the Company’s broker, Barclays

External commitments
All Directors may serve on a number of other boards, provided that 
they can demonstrate that any such appointment will not interfere with 
their time commitment to the Company, nor represent a conflict of 
interest. Any new external appointment must be approved by the 
Board, where the nature of the appointment and the expected time 
commitment are considered. The significant external commitments of 
the Directors are shown in their biographical information on pages 78 
and 79.

The Company considers that significant appointments, as referred 
to in Principle 15 of the Code, are either a role with a listed company 
or a role with a time commitment equal to or greater than the time 
commitment of their current role with the Company. Currently, 
Non-Executive Directors are obliged to commit at least 20 days a year 
and the Chairman is obliged to commit an average of two days a week 
to the Company.

The significant external appointments considered and approved 
by the Board during 2020 were Jeremy Townsend’s appointment 
as a Non-Executive Director to PZ Cussons plc which commenced in 
April 2020 and his appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Wm 
Morrison Supermarkets plc in July 2020. The Board approved the 
significant appointments as it was felt that the appointments would not 
affect the Director’s availability or effectiveness in carrying out his 
responsibilities and duties as a Director at Rentokil Initial. It is the 
Company’s policy that Executive Directors shall not take on more than 
one non-executive directorship in a FTSE 250 company. However, an 
exception was made by the Board for Jeremy Townsend in 2020 given 
his imminent retirement from the Company.

The issue of Board Directors becoming overcommitted by taking on 
too many potentially onerous positions, including the need to retain 
flexibility to deal with unforeseen events, is recognised and is 
monitored in line with published investor guidance. The Chairman 
typically attends all Committee meetings by invitation and 
Non-Executive Directors often attend too, even where they are not 
members of the relevant Committee. The fact that several of the 
members of the Board hold multiple non-executive positions has not 
presented any difficulties in their ability to manage potentially 
competing demands for their time. In addition to published investor 
guidance, the Board considers a Director’s time commitment in 
aggregate and takes into account whether a Non-Executive Director 
holds any executive appointments. All Directors have demonstrated 
high levels of availability and responsiveness for the additional 
meetings held during 2020 and discussions outside of meetings 
where these have been required. Attendance has been 100% for 
all scheduled and additional Board and Committee meetings in 2020 
and it is pleasing to note the commitment demonstrated by all 
Directors and the absence of risk of overboarding even in such an 
exceptional year.

Building relationships with the senior management team

Following his induction as Chairman in 2019, Richard Solomons has 
continued in 2020 to pursue his ongoing agenda of getting to know 
the senior management team better. 

As well as receiving Board presentations from members of the 
team, he held one-to-one meetings with the Managing Directors for 
the Asia, Europe and UK & Rest of World regions, as well as meeting 
with the Chief Marketing, Innovation and Strategy Officer and the 
Group Operations Excellence Director. These meetings as well as 
ad hoc calls with managers helped him deepen his understanding 
of the business and contributed to the strategic oversight and 
thoroughness of challenge both inside and outside of the 
Boardroom. It will continue in 2021.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 93

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Board evaluation
In line with best practice, the performance 
and effectiveness of the Board, its 
Committees and individual Directors are 
comprehensively assessed annually through 
a formal evaluation. 

During 2019, the Board and Committee 
process was internally facilitated with the 
outcomes informing elements of the Board’s 
work. As outlined in Principle 21 of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, the Company 
has adopted a three-year cycle of board 
evaluations. Following two years of internal 
reviews, in 2020 an external evaluation was 
undertaken, conducted by Christopher Saul 
from Christopher Saul Associates, following 
a competitive evaluation of several providers. 

The choice was made based on the clarity 
and depth of thinking demonstrated in the 
response, the credibility and experience 
of the individual in dealing with and 
understanding the dynamics of public 
company boards, and the importance 
of this being a pragmatic, tailored exercise 
for Rentokil Initial’s specific situation. 
Christopher Saul has no prior connection 
with Rentokil Initial or any of its Directors.

The process involved a detailed review of 
relevant internal materials by Christopher 
Saul, discussions with the Chairman and 
Company Secretary on priority issues for 
consideration and the recommended 
approach and timeline, attendance at Board 
and Committee meetings, including part of 
the Board Strategy Day, one-on-one 

conversations with each Board Director, 
Jeremy Townsend as prior Chief Financial 
Officer, executives supporting Board and 
Committee activity, key external advisors 
including the auditor and remuneration 
advisor, and selected ELT members. 

The report of findings and recommendations 
was presented by Christopher Saul to the 
Board at its meeting in December, and Board 
members discussed the recommendations 
in detail. 

Priority actions to address the 
recommendations considered most valuable 
were discussed at the Board meeting in 
February 2021 and an agreed plan was put 
in place for the 2021 Board calendar to 
incorporate relevant topics and changes.

Progress against 2019 actions
The outcome of the 2019 Board evaluation exercise, which was internally facilitated, was reported in detail in last year’s Annual Report. 
The main action points arising from that exercise, and action taken in respect of each, are set out in the table below.

2019 evaluation recommendations and progress made during the year

Operation business reviews

 e Detailed review of digital marketing and brand strategy

–  Updates on digital marketing were included in CEO Reports to the Board; a detailed review of brand strategy 

took place at the November strategy day

 e Continue to review and monitor organisational capacity

– Formed part of workforce engagement reviews and COVID-19 impact reports

 e Monitor operational performance in India

– Part of Asia regional review in September
 e Enhance customer understanding and insight

– Limited progress, part of 2021 plan

Risk oversight

 e Continuing focus on technical standards including fumigation, and scheduled Board review with 

Group Operations Excellence Director
– Review with Group Operations Excellence Director in January 2021

 e Monitor cyber security and data privacy performance

– IT security update in December
 e Conduct external Board evaluation
– Undertaken as detailed below

Succession planning and 
talent management

 e Ensure smooth Chief Financial Officer transition; enhance succession planning process for internal 

executive pipeline
– See page 93 for details of CFO induction. Progress on succession planning reviewed in December

 e Induction of Cathy Turner and Board succession

– See pages 92 and 108. Board succession reviewed at each Nomination Committee meeting
 e Engagement of individual Non-Executive Directors with senior management and talent pools

– Some limited engagement took place (see pages 90 and 91) but enhanced plans built into 2021 calendar

2020 external Board and Committees evaluation
The 2020 Board and Committees evaluation process was externally facilitated and is illustrated in the following diagram:

1

2

3

4

5

Competitive 
evaluation of three 
possible facilitators. 

Review of relevant 
background materials 
by facilitator and 
agreement with 
Company Secretary 
and Chairman on 
evaluation structure 
and priority areas.

94 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Christopher Saul 
Associates undertook 
a series of detailed, 
in-depth one-to-one 
conversations held 
with the Board, 
key executives and 
representatives of 
key external advisors.

In November 2020, 
Christopher Saul 
attended part of the 
Board strategy day, 
a Board meeting, 
and an Audit 
Committee and 
Remuneration 
Committee meeting.

Following his evaluation, 
Christopher Saul 
produced a detailed 
report. A draft was 
discussed with the 
Chairman. He attended 
the December Board 
meeting to present his 
findings and 
recommendations for 
discussion.

Following the meeting, 
the Chairman, Chief 
Executive and 
Company Secretary 
reviewed the outcome 
of the discussion, and 
proposed actions for 
2021 were presented 
at the Board meeting 
in February 2021 for 
agreement and 
inclusion in agendas.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Findings and actions for 2021
The key conclusion of the Board evaluation conducted by Christopher Saul Associates was that the Board is operating effectively. It was found 
to be collegiate and well led, operating to high standards of professionalism, and benefiting from quality support from executive teams. A large 
number of recommendations were set out in the Board evaluation paper and the Board, at its meeting in December 2020, discussed the findings 
of the report and agreed it was important to determine the key recommendations which were most relevant to our strategy and would have the 
most material benefits. These were agreed in February 2021 and are outlined below. 

2020 evaluation recommendations

Action to be taken during 2021

Review Board agendas and papers

 e Continue to evolve the quality of Board materials and agendas to facilitate discussions
 e Review annual calendar to ensure key areas are reviewed in the course of the year

Review Board composition and 
succession

 e Recruit Non-Executive Director for appointment by mid-2021
 e Continue to monitor Board composition as the business develops
 e Regular review of Executive Director and ELT succession plans and ensure Board familiarity 

with potential succession candidates

Enhance Non-Executive Directors, 
engagement with senior management 
and key stakeholders

 e Regular oversight of key non-financial KPIs
 e Continue to enhance two-way Non-Executive Director and Board engagement with the business 

and key stakeholders

Enhance consideration of risk

 e Consider further discussion of risk mid-year, as well as December review of risk management 

processes and reporting

 e Ensure key risk topics are covered in agendas

Board Committees
As described above, the evaluation process further assessed the effective performance and support provided by and to the Board Committees. 
Through the process it was confirmed that the operations of the Board Committees remain effective and that the Committees are well integrated 
into the Board decision-making processes. Specific findings and the agreement of actions were overseen by each Committee Chair, with 
consideration of the overall Board findings where they were deemed relevant to the Committee’s work. Further details are set out in each 
Committee report on pages 106, 110 and 125.

Directors
In previous years when the Board evaluation has been undertaken internally, each Non-Executive Director completes a self-evaluation 
questionnaire. This year the performance of all Directors was considered as part of the external evaluation process, with Christopher Saul 
meeting with each Director separately. In addition, the Chairman meets with individual Directors on a regular basis, which include discussions of 
performance. 

As part of the broader Board evaluation the Senior Independent Director facilitates discussions with each of the Non-Executive Directors, without 
the Chairman being present, to appraise the Chair of the Board’s performance. For the 2020 review, this took place in February 2021, the 
responses were collated on an anonymous basis and the Senior Independent Director then held a meeting with the Chairman prior to the Board 
meeting in February to provide feedback on his performance.

Executive Directors are subject to regular review and the Chief Executive appraised the performance of the Chief Financial Officer as part of the 
annual Group-wide performance evaluation of all colleagues. The Chairman evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive as part of the same 
process. Executive Director performance is also reviewed by the Remuneration Committee as part of its deliberations on bonus payments.

The Nomination Committee takes the outcome of these evaluation processes into account each year in order to inform the Nomination 
Committee’s recommendation for Board members to be put forward for re-election by shareholders. All Directors were deemed to be effective 
members of the Board and are recommended for re-election at the Company’s AGM.

Next steps
The agreed actions will be implemented throughout 2021 and their impact and effectiveness will be considered as part of the internal Board 
evaluation to be undertaken in 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that some elements – for example, involving physical 
visits or face-to-face contact – may need to be delayed and considered at a more appropriate later date. We will report on their progress in next 
year’s Annual Report. 

Deeper understanding of the Australian business

In early March 2020, the Australian 
business was fortunate to host a visit of the 
newly appointed Non-Executive Director 
Cathy Turner. 

Australian business, and service 
productivity, as well as holding interactive 
sessions to showcase key innovations within 
the business, particularly digital innovation.

During the visit, Cathy spent time with the 
Australia and Pacific Leadership Team, 
including Andrew Stone, Managing Director 
of the Pacific region (pictured right with 
Cathy). The team shared the key elements 
of safety, the core building blocks of the 

Cathy also spent time walking around 
the Lidcombe Head Office and Sydney 
branch and warehouse, meeting with 
colleagues during the course of the day, 
providing the opportunity to gain a deeper 
understanding of various sectors of the 
business. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 95

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Governance framework
The Board’s governance procedures delegate the day-to-day 
management of the Group’s businesses to the Chief Executive who in 
turn cascades authority to the wider management population through 
a documented Group Authority Schedule, setting out responsibilities, 
decision-making and approval powers of managers at different levels 
in the organisation. This schedule is reviewed annually by the Board. 
Details of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team can be found on 
pages 80 and 81.

This framework, along with clearly communicated authority guidelines, 
provides the Board with confidence that the appropriate decisions are 
being taken at the appropriate levels and further allows the Board to 
ensure that its obligations to the Company’s shareholders and other 
stakeholders are being met.

COVID-19 governance framework

In response to the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis, the Chief 
Executive enhanced the existing senior management framework as 
outlined below, with outcomes from the meetings being flowed up to 
the Board at its additional meetings or in briefing pages (see page 88 
for more information on the Board’s overview of the response 
measures taken by the Company). 

Coronavirus Action Steering Committee (CASC)
In order to be in a position to make decisions and take action on a 
timely and considered basis as the pandemic’s global impact started 
to become clear, the CASC was formed at the end of February 2020 
and met weekly on three occasions in March 2020. The Chief 
Executive chaired the meeting and attendees included Regional 
Managing Directors, Finance Directors and Function Heads. Standing 
agenda items included health and safety, colleagues, customers, 
business impact, supply chain and marketing. Actions from the 
meeting were shared with the Chairman of the Board.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
In addition to the CASC meetings, from March 2020 extended ELT 
meetings were held virtually. In addition to all ELT members (see page 
80), Alain van Lidth de Jeude, Managing Director for our emerging 
business region of Latin America, and Mark Gillespie, Managing 
Director for the Rest of World territories, attended all meetings during 
the Crisis phase and remained regular attendees at the ELT meetings 
for the rest of the year. The extended ELT met twice weekly to ensure 
that the senior management team stayed as up to date and connected 
as possible. As the crisis evolved, the meetings were structured so 
that one meeting each week focused on the ongoing response to the 
COVID-19 crisis, monitoring the impact of the crisis by region and 
country, and the other focused on positioning the business for the 
Recovery phase. Meetings returned to their normal fortnightly rhythm 
in the second half of the year.

COVID-19  
response in numbers

6

additional Board meetings

3

CASC meetings

1

market update

2

extended ELT meetings per 
week in Crisis phase

96 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

The Board of Directors
The Board’s role is to govern the Company 
within a framework of prudent and effective 
controls that enables risk to be assessed and 
managed. It operates to ensure that we are 
executing against the strategy and delivering 
excellent operational performance and 
innovative services for our customers in order 
to create sustainable, long-term value for 
shareholders. The Board strives to operate in 
a constructive, ethical and transparent 
manner at all times and to set the tone for the 
Company from the top.

The Board is collectively responsible for the 
governance of the Company, undertaking 
its duties using clear authority and reporting 
governance structures. Specific tasks are 
delegated by the Board to its Committees 
for Audit, Nomination and Remuneration. 
Matters reserved for the approval of the 
Board are set out in writing and reviewed 
annually. They are available to view on our 
website.

A summary of key elements of the roles of 
the Board Directors and Company Secretary 
is set out opposite. The appointment letter for 
the Chairman and a pro-forma appointment 
letter for a Non-Executive Director are 
available on our website.

Board Committees
The Board delegates, under a clear division 
of responsibilities, some of its duties to Board 
Committees. Full details of the Committees’ 
responsibilities and activities are detailed in 
their respective reports, and their terms of 
reference are available to view on our 
website.

Management Committees
Operating under delegated authority 
by the Board to the Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer, these Committees 
each have specific remits and authority 
to approve decisions within set limits.

View matters reserved for the Board, Committee  
terms of reference, and appointment letters at 
rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Chief Financial Officer
Role and responsibilities
 e Supporting the Chief Executive in 

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Role and responsibilities
 e Contributing independent challenge 

developing and implementing strategy

and rigour

 e Supporting the Chief Executive in 

 e Assisting in the development of the 

The Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
Role and responsibilities
 e Leading and managing the Board
 e Setting the agenda, including discussion 

of issues of strategy, performance, 
accountability and risk

 e Providing constructive challenge 

to management

managing the operational and financial 
performance of the Group

 e With the Chief Executive, explaining 

 e Setting clear expectations on culture, 

performance to shareholders

 e Recommending appropriate financing, 
treasury and distribution arrangements

Senior Independent Director
Role and responsibilities
 e Leading the Non-Executive Directors’ 
appraisal of the Chair of the Board

 e Working with the Chair of the Board on 

Board effectiveness

 e Providing an alternative channel of 

communication for investors, primarily 
on corporate governance matters

 e Being a sounding board for the Chair of 

the Board

 e Chairing the Nomination Committee 
when it is considering succession 
to the role of Chair of the Board

values and behaviours

 e Ensuring effective communication with 
shareholders and other stakeholders
 e Performance evaluation of the Board 

and Chief Executive

Chief Executive
Role and responsibilities
 e Recommending and executing 

strategies and strategic priorities
 e Managing operational and financial 
performance, including monthly 
performance reviews with all regions 
and identifying and managing risks 
to delivery of strategy

 e With the Chief Financial Officer, 

explaining performance to shareholders

 e Executive management capability 

and development

 e Overall development of Group 

policies and communicating the 
Company’s values

 e Responsible business (ESG) agenda

Company’s strategy

 e Ensuring the integrity of financial 
information, controls and risk 
management processes

 e Monitoring the performance of the 
Executive Directors against agreed 
goals and objectives

 e Advising and being a sounding board 

for Executive Directors and ELT

 e Performing their Committee 

responsibilities

Company Secretary
Role and responsibilities
 e Assisting the Chair in developing the 

Board calendar and agendas
 e Assisting the Chair and Senior 

Independent Director in their evaluation 
of the Board’s effectiveness

 e Advising the Board and its Committees 
on governance matters and managing 
effective corporate governance and 
compliance arrangements for the 
Board and the Group

 e Facilitating Board induction and 

development programmes

 e Facilitating Board engagement with the 

business and key stakeholders

Board Committees
Audit Committee
Provides effective financial governance 
with oversight of the Group’s financial 
and narrative reporting, risk management 
and internal control environment, and the 
external and internal audit process. 

Nomination Committee
Ensures the correct balance, structure 
and composition of the Board and 
its Committees, and reviews Board 
and executive succession planning, talent 
programmes, and diversity and inclusion. 

B Find out more on pages 99 to 106

B Find out more on pages 107 to 110

Remuneration Committee
Reviews and agrees with the Board the 
remuneration framework, determines the 
remuneration packages of the Executive 
Directors and senior management, and 
considers workforce remuneration 
arrangements.
B Find out more on pages 111 to 137

Management Committees
Disclosure Committee
Comprising the Chief Executive, Chief 
Financial Officer, Group Financial 
Controller and the Group General Counsel, 
it supports the Board’s responsibility for 
the accuracy and timeliness of external 
disclosures and compliance with the 
Market Abuse Regulation.

Treasury Committee
Comprising the Chief Financial Officer and 
four other senior functional executives, it 
reviews and approves the capital structure 
and financing strategy as well as risk and 
cash management.

Group Risk Committee
Comprising the Chief Financial Officer, 
Chief Information Officer, Group 
Operations Excellence Director, Group 
General Counsel and three other 
functional executives, it monitors the 
internal control environment and emerging 
external risks, and reviews internal policies 
and procedures for the identification, 
assessment and reporting of risks, meeting 
quarterly. Details of its discussions are 
reported to the Audit Committee.

Investment Committee
Comprising the Chief Executive, Chief 
Financial Officer, Group Financial 
Controller and the Group General Counsel, 
it reviews and approves investments 
below the threshold requiring Board 
approval, including M&A and expenditure 
on property and environmental 
remediation. It also conducts 
post-acquisition reviews of completed 
M&A transactions and reviews material 
litigation quarterly.

View matters reserved for the Board, Committee  

terms of reference, and appointment letters at 

rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 97

Corporate Governance Report
continued

Monitoring and oversight
Policies
The Company has a robust Group-wide policy and procedure 
framework in place to supplement local policies or legislation. The 
content and appropriateness of policies are reviewed periodically by 
the relevant functional department head and approved by the Chief 
Executive. The cornerstone of this policy framework is the Code of 
Conduct. Our key policies are set out on page 65, with full details 
of our policies relating to ESG matters and their application being 
disclosed in our Responsible Business Report on our website. Key 
policies are also published on our website. In addition to the policies 
described there, the Company has a treasury policy in place to ensure 
that the Group has sufficient liquidity and to manage financial risk as 
outlined in Note C1 to the Financial Statements on page 176. In 2020, 
the Board reviewed and approved the Company’s tax strategy which 
has been published on our website in compliance with the Finance Act 
2016. More details on tax governance can be found on page 64.

Specific programmes are in place to support implementation of 
the Code of Conduct and underlying policies, national laws and 
regulations, and monitoring and reporting compliance with them. 
In some cases, dedicated specialists are in place to ensure that 
standards are set and complied with (for example, in health and safety, 
IT security, legal, company secretarial, data privacy, regulatory 
compliance, pensions and tax). More broadly, e-learning training on 
our online learning and development platform U+ is used to ensure 
and track dissemination and adoption across the Group. Clear 
guidelines are provided to all colleagues on how to seek further 
advice or report concerns. Compliance is monitored through an annual 
Letter of Assurance process covering all Group senior management, 
through Internal Audit reporting on control incidents, and by 
monitoring reports via the Company’s confidential Speak Up reporting 
process. Further details can be found in the Audit Committee Report 
on page 105. The Group Risk Committee considers current and 
emerging risks, reviews current arrangements and makes 
recommendations for enhancements as appropriate.

Board review of risk management and internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for maintaining sound systems 
of risk management and internal control that are both fully effective 
and ensure compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
The Board delegates responsibility for risk management to the 
Audit Committee where appropriate. Further details on the Board’s 
responsibility for the risk management approach can be found in the 
Audit Committee Report on page 105.

Risks are considered in the context of long-term strategic and 
emerging threats, and shorter-term risks to the delivery of the annual 
operating plan. The Board has also assessed the viability of the Group 
over a period of three years, the potential impact of the principal 
risks and stress-testing financial forecasts for severe but plausible 
scenarios, and the anticipated effectiveness of mitigating actions. The 
Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Company, including those that would impact its business model 
and future performance. The principal risks identified can be found in 
the Risks and Uncertainties section on pages 69 to 73, along with the 
Company’s Viability Statement on page 74. Details of briefings on risk 
and control topics which were provided to the Board during 2020 can 
be found on pages 85 to 89.

The framework of risk management and internal control described in 
the Risks and Uncertainties section on page 67 is designed to manage 
and mitigate risk rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives. In pursuing business objectives, internal controls 
and risk management can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss. Review of its 
effectiveness is achieved through regular and transparent 
management reporting, the governance processes and external 
and internal assurance processes, and in the Audit Committee 
and Board’s annual review of strategy and operational risks.

98 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

The Board has conducted a review of the effectiveness of the  
system of internal control for the year ended 31 December 2020  
and confirms that:
 e The Group has an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and 

managing the significant risks faced by the Group.

 e This process has been in place for the year under review and up to 
the date of approval of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

 e The process is regularly reviewed by the Board.
 e The process operates in accordance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Directors’ statement on ‘fair, balanced and understandable’ can 
be found on page 204. The requirement under the Code to provide 
a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects in its external reporting is considered 
throughout the process of producing the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements. In order to provide the information necessary to comply 
with this requirement, the Board places particular reliance on the 
conclusions and recommendations arising from the Audit Committee’s 
review of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, further details 
of which can be found on pages 102 and 103. 

2021 Annual General Meeting
The Board welcomes the opportunity to enter into dialogue with 
both private and institutional shareholders at the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting (AGM) and views it as an opportunity to engage with 
all our shareholders on the performance of the business they own. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AGM in May 2020 was held as 
a closed meeting. It is currently very challenging to plan for potential 
changes in public health guidance and government restrictions and 
we have, therefore, decided for the first time to hold a hybrid AGM 
this year. This means that there will be both a physical meeting, albeit 
with severely restricted access, and the opportunity for shareholders 
to join virtually to listen to the meeting, ask questions and vote on 
the proposed resolutions. It is hoped that this will facilitate a meeting 
that is accessible to a broader range of shareholders and will allow 
the Board a further opportunity to engage more fully with our 
shareholders.

The 2021 AGM will be held at, and be broadcast via live webcast from, 
the Company’s offices at the Power Centre, A1 & A2, Link 10, Napier 
Way, Crawley, RH10 9RA from 2.00pm on 12 May 2021. However, 
based on the UK government’s current response to COVID-19, 
including restrictions on public gatherings and travel, and given that 
the health and safety of our shareholders and colleagues is always 
our utmost priority, we have regretfully concluded that it will not be 
possible to allow shareholders to attend in person on the day. It is 
intended that the only people present will be those required to form 
a quorate meeting and transact the formal business of the meeting. 
We encourage all shareholders to join the AGM safely and securely 
via the live webcast, where they will be able to engage in all elements 
of the meeting. Questions can also be submitted in advance of the 
meeting by emailing chairman@rentokil-initial.com.

A separate Notice of Meeting, containing both an explanation of the 
items of special business and full details of how to join the meeting 
remotely, has been sent to shareholders and is available on our 
website. 

Find out more at rentokil-initial.com/investors

Full details of the AGM, including the 2021 Notice of Annual 
General Meeting, can be found at rentokil-initial.com/agm

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Audit Committee Report

acquiring our franchisee there. We continue to monitor the scale 
and complexity of the Group and review the scope, scale and resource 
available to conduct our internal and external audit processes to 
ensure that they remain appropriate. 

The financial performance of the Group continues to progress well, 
despite the enormous challenges presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic and the variation in its impact and the response by 
governments and customers around the world during the year. This 
was naturally the single topic to which the most additional attention 
was devoted, and led to the implementation of additional controls 
around IT access and network protection given the shift to remote 
working, key financial control self-assessments for all reporting units 
and enhanced guidance on revenue recognition and bad debts, for 
example. At the request of management, Internal Audit conducted 
an audit of the implementation of the UK Coronavirus Job Retention 
Scheme (CJRS). There were also several other areas on which the 
Committee spent additional time. These included the launch of 
disinfection services and related safety and other protocols; control 
issues including a cyber attack on our business in China and a 
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on our EMEA data centre, 
both successfully mitigated; the reissue of the Company’s technical 
Pink Notes governance requirements; and a revised policy to address 
an increase in supplier fraud attempts. After the focus in 2020 on 
fumigation compliance, the strong management response and 
enhanced technical governance resources appear to have addressed 
the issues experienced in 2019 but this remains an area of heightened 
operational risk which the Committee will continue to monitor closely. 
The control environment continues to be assessed as adequate and fit 
for purpose.

In discussion with the Director of Internal Audit & Risk, 11 audits 
were deferred to 2021 with the remainder being conducted remotely. 
In 2021, we plan to expand country full-scope internal audits and 
to introduce thematic audits to ensure resolution of common issues 
and share best practice across the Group. There will also be external, 
independent reviews of the Treasury and the Internal Audit functions 
during the year.

We reviewed the performance of the external auditor in February. 
The auditor role had last been tendered in 2017 but while KPMG 
has performed its duties to a satisfactory level and there are no 
material areas of concern that have been identified, certain planned 
enhancements in the audit process such as the use of technology 
had not been delivered and it was felt appropriate again to review 
the choice of auditor and to conduct a further competitive tender 
process. Following the conclusion of that process, the Committee 
recommended and the Board approved the appointment of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as Group auditor from 2021. 
They have shadowed the 2020 audit to ensure a smooth handover 
from KPMG. PwC will therefore be recommended for election as 
the Company’s auditors at our AGM in May 2021.

Following discussion of the recommendations of the Board 
effectiveness review, the Committee has decided to add a further 
meeting to its regular calendar, in April, to allow further time for 
consideration of risk areas and addressing areas of focus on a more 
regular basis. The plans for enhanced Board engagement with the 
business and key stakeholders will also be considered by Committee 
members in the context of their Committee responsibilities.

There have been no changes to the composition of the Audit 
Committee during 2020 and I am pleased to report that I believe that 
the Audit Committee continues to have the necessary balance of skills, 
experience, professional qualifications and knowledge, as detailed 
on page 100.

Julie Southern 
Chair of the Audit Committee 

3 March 2021

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 99

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the report of the Audit Committee for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2020, which sets out how we have 
discharged our duties in accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code and describes key activities and findings during 
the year. We have once again exercised the authority delegated by 
the Board to provide assurance for the integrity of financial reporting 
and to review the Group’s internal controls. We have continued to 
discuss and challenge the assumptions and judgements made by 
management in the preparation of published financial information 
and to oversee the internal controls and compliance framework.

In last year’s Annual Report, we identified technical governance, 
including fumigation, transition in leadership of the Internal Audit 
function and Group Financial Controller, continued evolution of the 
North America finance team, payroll tax compliance and the 
developing regulatory environment for audit, as particular areas of 
focus for 2020. There were 23 acquisitions completed in 2020. As a 
Group, we entered into two new jurisdictions during the year (Ghana 
and Peru), as well as starting to operate directly in Tanzania after 

Committee members
 e Julie Southern (Chair)
 e John Pettigrew
 e Linda Yueh
Areas of focus in 2020
 e COVID-19 impact
 e Smooth succession of CFO, Group Financial 

Controller and Director of Internal Audit & Risk
 e New disinfection service and related protocols
 e Impact of working remotely on Internal Audit 

reviews and control environment

 e Payroll tax compliance

Areas of focus for 2021
 e Change of Group external auditor
 e Thematic approach to Internal Audit
 e Developing regulatory environment for audit, 

including ESG reporting

 e Data privacy compliance beyond Europe
 e External reviews of Treasury and  

Internal Audit

Audit Committee Report
continued

Role of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight and monitoring 
of financial reporting, risk management and internal controls. The 
Audit Committee’s focus is to review and challenge in these areas, 
both with management and with internal and external auditors.

As is customary, the Audit Committee undertook a review of its terms 
of reference during 2020, making only minor amendments. These new 
terms of reference were approved by the Board in December and are 
available on our website. Due to the increased length and complexity 
of the terms of reference following their substantial update at the end 
of 2017, the Audit Committee now reviews its detailed activities on an 
annual basis to consider their alignment with each of the duties and 
responsibilities of the Audit Committee as set out in the terms of 
reference. This review confirmed that the Audit Committee had 
conducted its role fully effectively in line with the terms of reference.

Membership and attendance
Julie Southern, Chair of the Audit Committee, is a Chartered 
Accountant and is considered to have relevant and recent financial 
experience. John Pettigrew has extensive commercial and operational 
experience in overseeing the financial affairs of substantial business 
undertakings and Linda Yueh has a strong economic and academic 
background with considerable experience gained in advisory roles. 

The Audit Committee as a whole is, therefore, considered to have 
competence relevant to the sector in which the Company operates. 
Full biographical details of the members of the Audit Committee are 
contained on pages 78 and 79. All Audit Committee members are 
independent Non-Executive Directors. The Audit Committee did not 
find it necessary to seek external advice during the year, other than 
through its usual dialogue with the external auditor.

The Audit Committee met four times during the year with the members 
attending all meetings. Full details of the attendance of the members 
during 2020 can be found on page 85. Meetings of the Audit 
Committee are attended by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief 
Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the external auditor, the Director 
of Internal Audit & Risk, the Group Financial Controller, the Company 
Secretary (who acts as secretary to the Audit Committee) and the 
Deputy Company Secretary.

The Audit Committee meets at least once per year separately with the 
Company’s auditor, KPMG LLP, and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk 
without executive management present. In 2020, two such meetings 
were held. The Chair of the Audit Committee also meets periodically 
with the external auditor and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk. The 
Chair of the Audit Committee reports to the Board on the activity of 
the Audit Committee and any matters of particular relevance in the 
conduct of its work.

Activities of the Audit Committee in 2020
In 2020, the Audit Committee considered the following key areas:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Financial reporting

Financial reporting

The Committee reviewed the 2019 Annual Report and the Company’s Annual 
and Interim Financial Statements and received reports from both the Group 
Financial Controller and the auditor on the significant financial reporting 
judgements relating to each statement.

Financial reporting on page 102

Key accounting matters

The Audit Committee considered key accounting matters, including Alternative 
Performance Measures, the implementation of new accounting standards, 
taxation, pensions, one-offs and restructuring, and acquisition accounting in 
relation to the Company’s financial results for 2019 and 2020.

Significant issues and 
judgements on page 102

Other financial 
reporting matters

The Audit Committee reviewed the going concern analysis, the Viability 
Statement and the internal control statement for recommendation to the Board.

Other financial reporting matters 
on page 103

The Audit Committee received a report from the auditor on the results of the 
audit of the 2019 Financial Statements, considering key judgements and risks. 
The letter of representation was also reviewed and recommended for approval 
to the Board.

–

In February 2020, the Audit Committee undertook a review of the analysis 
setting out the basis on which KPMG LLP continued to meet the appropriate 
professional standards of independence as auditor to the Company.

Auditor independence and 
objectivity on page 104

The Audit Committee reviewed and approved the terms and scope of the audit 
engagement for the Annual and Interim Financial Statements and undertook a 
review of the effectiveness of the external audit process. The Audit Committee 
undertook a formal and competitive audit tender during the year and are 
recommending the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) 
as external auditor at our AGM in May 2021.

Effectiveness and audit tenure 
on page 104

The Audit Committee considered the audit strategy for the 2020 audit, 
including the key areas of focus, materiality levels, scope and coverage at its 
meeting in July.

External audit on page 103

The Audit Committee considered and will continue to monitor recent 
publications, market reviews and recommendations regarding the future of the 
audit profession in the UK.

 –

External audit

2019 Financial 
Statements

Independence

External audit 
appointment and 
evaluation

Audit strategy

Future of audit 
profession

100 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Internal controls and risk

Internal control 
framework

The Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the internal control and risk 
management framework.

Risk management and internal 
control on page 105

Control environment

The Audit Committee received and reviewed matters relating to the internal 
control environment provided by the Director of Internal Audit & Risk, including 
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reviewed the Group Risk Committee 
minutes. 

Risk management and internal 
control on page 105

Internal Audit 
investigations 

Group risk

The Audit Committee reviewed the outcome of Internal Audit investigations, 
including the most significant issues raised in Internal Audit reports, and 
received updates on the status of resolution of issues raised.

Internal Audit on page 106

The Audit Committee reviewed the Group risks and actions to enhance their 
measurement, monitoring and mitigation actions, including approval of the 
principal risks disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report and consideration of those 
for the 2020 Annual Report.

Principal risks on pages 69 to 73

Financial controls

The Audit Committee reviewed the results of the financial controls testing 
carried out across the Group by the Company’s auditor, KPMG LLP.

Risk management and internal 
control on page 105

Internal Audit

The Audit Committee received and reviewed the conclusions and themes 
emerging from Internal Audit reviews conducted during the year and approved 
the Internal Audit Plan for 2021 in conjunction with the Board’s strategic review 
and operating plan for the year.

Internal Audit on page 106

Governance and compliance

Regional ‘deep dive’

During 2020, the Audit Committee received a presentation from the Regional 
Finance Director of the Pacific business. This provided detail on the financial 
reporting for the region and the control environment in their businesses.

Other regional updates were 
provided as part of the Board 
agenda (see page 85)

Tax

The Audit Committee considered and recommended the Group’s 2020 tax 
strategy for approval at its meeting in November. The Company’s Tax Director 
and the UK & International Tax Manager attended the meeting in December to 
provide an overview of the Group’s tax structure and material tax issues 
relevant to the Group.

Our tax strategy can be found on 
our website

Litigation

The Audit Committee reviewed reports of all material litigation and disputes 
provided by the Group General Counsel at three of their meetings.

Disclosure Committee 
oversight

The Audit Committee reviewed a report of the Disclosure Committee’s activities 
during the year and its terms of reference.

–

–

Letter of Assurance

The Audit Committee reviewed a summary of the returns of the annual Letter of 
Assurance provided by the senior country, regional and functional management 
including any actions proposed as a result of those returns.

Governance and compliance on 
page 106

Terms of reference

The Audit Committee undertook its annual review of its terms of reference.

These are available on our 
website

Performance review

The Audit Committee undertook its annual review of the effectiveness of the 
Committee.

Effectiveness review on page 
104

Payment practices

The Audit Committee noted and discussed the payment practice reports for our 
two principal UK subsidiaries submitted during 2020.

These are published online at 
gov.uk

Non-audit services

The Committee updated the non-audit services policy to ensure compliance with 
the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2019.

The policy is available on our 
website

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 101

Audit Committee Report
continued

Financial reporting
The Annual Report should provide the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance 
and prospects and, as a whole, should be fair, balanced and 
understandable. The Audit Committee considered closely the 
judgements and decisions taken by the management team in the 
preparation of the Financial Statements. The sections below set out 
the significant issues and judgements that were applied in the 2020 
Annual Report, as well as providing additional details on other 
financial reporting matters considered during the year. As part of the 
Committee’s review of the 2020 Annual Report at its meeting in 
February 2021, a report on management procedures was produced for 
review which clearly detailed the steps undertaken by management to 
ensure full compliance. 

Significant issues and judgements
The Audit Committee has reviewed the following significant financial 
reporting issues and judgements made during the preparation of 
the Financial Statements with management and the auditor. The 
significant areas of focus considered and actions taken are set out 
below. These issues have been discussed and reviewed by the Audit 
Committee during the year, notably at the review of the interim results 
and at the review and agreement of the audit plan for 2021.

Significant matter

Acquisition accounting

Action taken

The Group makes a large number of acquisitions each year, many of 
which require the valuation of acquired intangible assets including 
brands, customer lists and goodwill. The calculations for valuing these 
assets on acquisition are subject to significant judgement and 
estimation about the future performance of the acquired business, 
such as forecast customer termination rates, discount rates and 
growth rates. The Group utilises the allowances for provisional 
accounting within the standards where appropriate, and there is 
judgement required during this period as to whether the adjustments 
relate to the pre- or post-acquisition period.

Deferred tax assets recognised on unused tax losses

The Group holds a substantial UK deferred tax asset recognised on 
unused tax losses. The amount recognised is a judgement and is 
based on estimates of future profitability and judgements in 
determining the forecast period.

Tax provisions

The Group holds a number of provisions for tax contingencies in 
relation to various claims and potential claims from tax authorities, 
which require significant judgements and estimates in relation to tax 
risks. The complexity is increased as a result of the large number of tax 
jurisdictions in which the Group operates, and the time taken for tax 
matters to be agreed with the relevant authorities.

Bad debt provision

The Group holds provision for impairment of trade receivables. The 
level of trade receivables and the age of the debt has increased as a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The complexity of the calculation of 
an appropriate provision for impairment has therefore also increased, 
in part due to the pandemic affecting different customer sectors in 
different ways.

Credit note provision

In the year, the Group has been unable to meet its usual high levels of 
service, as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have prevented the Group 
from being able to perform a significant proportion of planned service 
visits on customer premises. As a consequence, some customers may 
potentially be entitled to credit notes against amounts invoiced.

102 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

At the year end, management provided the Audit Committee with 
a summary of M&A activity in the preceding year, including 
updates to provisional accounting as well as details of new 
acquisitions. The Audit Committee reviewed the accounting 
treatment of certain aspects of significant acquisitions, including 
determination of the consideration paid, the identification and 
valuation of acquired intangible assets and a review of provisional 
opening balance sheets.

The Audit Committee reviewed the position at the half-year and 
year-end balance sheet dates supported by papers from the 
Group Tax Director, and is satisfied that the assumptions 
supporting the valuations are appropriate and that the assets are 
reasonably stated in the Financial Statements. Where judgements 
are material to the Group, the external auditor uses its own 
specialists to assist in the review of the approaches taken and 
assumptions made by management, to ensure these are 
appropriate and result in adequate provisions. Further detail is 
disclosed in Note A14 Deferred income tax.

Management employed local tax experts to support judgements 
where there was significant uncertainty and the amounts involved 
were material. In respect of transfer pricing across tax jurisdictions, 
the Group benchmarked its approach using transfer pricing 
experts to ensure the risk of breaching local tax authority 
requirements is minimised. As noted above, the Audit Committee 
reviewed the position at the half-year and year-end balance sheet 
dates supported by papers from the Group Tax Director, and is 
satisfied that the assumptions supporting the valuations are 
appropriate and that the liabilities are reasonably stated in the 
Financial Statements. Further details can be found in Note A13 
Current tax liabilities.

The Group performed an extended expected credit loss analysis 
on a country by country basis and overlaid with a robust central 
review to ensure all risk was adequately covered.

The Group has reviewed its service delivery data and credit notes 
already issued in order to establish the quantum of credit notes that 
need to be provided.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Significant matter

Goodwill impairment review

Action taken

The Group carries material balances for goodwill and acquired 
intangible assets, and due to the acquisition programme makes 
material additions to these balances each year. Annual impairment 
tests are based on value-in-use calculations which require significant 
judgements in relation to the inputs used, including forecast growth 
rates and discount rates. Management is required to perform annual 
tests for impairment of goodwill balances over £1m, and on other 
acquired intangible assets when there are indicators of impairment.

Other financial reporting matters
Going concern and viability statements
At its meeting in February 2021, the Audit Committee considered the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, taking into account 
budgets, borrowing facilities, timing of cash flows, and financial and 
operational risk management, before recommending to the Board that 
it adopt the going concern basis of preparation for the 2020 Financial 
Statements. At the same meeting, the Audit Committee also 
considered the longer-term viability of the Company, reviewing the 
analysis from management to support the Viability Statement in the 
2020 Annual Report. This included forecasts of future cash flows, 
stress-testing scenarios and an analysis of other risks that could 
impact the viability of the business over the three-year period 2021 
to 2023 and how they could be mitigated. 

The statements for 2020 were both reviewed in light of the impact of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, with consideration given to the guidance 
published by the FRC. As a result, the process behind the statements 
has been enhanced, using for example actual experience from 
lockdowns and customer closures to model a longer-term impact on 
the Group in more precise and rigorous detail. The going concern 
statement for 2020 can be found on page 203. The Viability Statement 
for 2020 can be found on page 74.

Fair, balanced and understandable reporting
During 2020, the Audit Committee undertook a review of the 2019 
Annual Report ahead of its publication to consider whether it was fair, 
balanced and understandable as required by the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The Committee received a report from 
management summarising the process undertaken, which covered, 
but was not limited to, the following:
 e The Chairman and Chief Executive provide input and agree on key 

elements to be included which set the tone and balance of the 
Strategic Report.

 e All contributors to the Annual Report are made aware of the 

requirement for content to be fair, balanced and understandable.

 e Regular review meetings are held with the appropriate senior 
management to ensure consistency of the whole document.
 e Extensive review and verification processes are undertaken by 

the appropriate departments and senior managers to ensure the 
accuracy of the content.

 e Additional independent internal reviews are undertaken to ensure 
that any perceived lack of clarity, balance or understanding in the 
Annual Report is identified and addressed.

The Audit Committee was satisfied that the Annual Report did provide 
a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects. A similar process was repeated for the 2020 
Annual Report and the Board’s statement on fair, balanced and 
understandable in relation to the 2020 Annual Report can be found 
on page 204.

Management reviewed all goodwill balances over £1m for impairment 
using a centrally provided model. The intangible assets were grouped 
into cash-generating units (CGUs) for the purpose of assessing 
recoverable amount, using cash flows based on the most recent 
strategic plans, as amended for any significant changes since their 
preparation. Cash flows were discounted using discount rates, which 
are adjusted to reflect local country risk. It was determined that the 
carrying value of the Rentokil PCI (India) goodwill balance needed 
to be impaired by £8.1m due in part to an increase in the discount 
rate used since the last review, as well as some operational 
underperformance. It was also determined that the goodwill balance 
in Brazil needed to be impaired by £2.5m due to an increase in the 
discount rate used, driven by external factors. No other CGUs were 
found to be impaired. The Audit Committee received a summary of the 
results of the review and, although the total value of intangible assets 
is significant, was satisfied that the outcome of the impairment review 
was adequately disclosed in Note B2 Intangible assets.

FRC review of 2019 Annual Report and Accounts
As part of its ongoing review of financial reporting, the Conduct 
Committee of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) wrote to the 
Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Audit Committee Chair in July 
2020 regarding a review of our Annual Report and Accounts for the 
year ended 31 December 2019. While the letter stated that there were 
no substantive issues identified, the FRC did provide a schedule with 
a small number of suggestions which have been considered in the 
preparation of this Annual Report. 

FRC Audit Quality Review (AQR) of KPMG audit of the 
2019 Financial Statements
The FRC wrote to the Audit Committee Chair in September 2020 
following a review of KPMG LLP’s audit of our Financial Statements for 
the year ended 31 December 2019. The AQR Inspection Report found 
that limited improvements were required with only one general finding 
arising from the review which related to the evidence supporting the 
auditor’s evaluation of the Company’s disclosure on impairment of 
goodwill. The Audit Committee considered the report at its meeting 
in November and as a result the auditor will more fully evidence such 
evaluations in future.

External audit
Audit services
The auditor is appointed by shareholders to provide an opinion on the 
Financial Statements and certain other disclosures prepared by the 
Directors. KPMG LLP has acted as the auditor to the Group throughout 
the year. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of the 
auditor, agreeing the audit strategy and related work plan as well as 
approving their fees.

The auditor attends all meetings of the Audit Committee. During 2020, 
KPMG met with the Audit Committee twice without executive 
management present and met with the Audit Committee Chair 
independently twice. The main engagement with the Audit Committee 
in 2020 has been over the audit and publication of the Annual and 
Interim Financial Statements, including the auditor’s scope and 
priorities approach and key judgement areas. During 2020, the Audit 
Committee considered the findings of the FRC’s Audit Quality Review 
2019/20 inspection of KPMG and the other large external audit firms 
and received a report from KPMG on how they were responding to 
identified issues.

As reported on page 104, the Audit Committee formally reviewed 
the effectiveness of the auditor during the year and as a result the 
Audit Committee undertook a tender for the external auditor and 
is subsequently recommending that PwC be appointed as the 
Company’s external auditor from the 2021 audit. PwC have shadowed 
the 2020 audit process.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 103

Audit Committee Report
continued

Audit-related and non-audit services
To safeguard the objectivity and independence of the auditor, the 
Company has a policy on the engagement of the auditor’s services 
on audit-related and non-audit services. The Audit Committee 
accepts that certain work of a non-audit nature is best undertaken 
by the auditor.

The policy sets out the nature of services that are permitted and those 
that are specifically prohibited. In general, permitted services would 
be limited to matters that are closely related to the annual audit 
process or where a detailed knowledge of the Group is advantageous. 
The auditor is permitted to be engaged on transaction services but not 
to undertake any work which would itself be subject to audit.

The Audit Committee regularly reviews the amount and nature of 
non-audit work performed by the auditor to ensure that the auditor’s 
independence is not compromised. Any engagement fee on permitted 
services in excess of £10,000 requires the approval of the Chair of the 
Audit Committee and any engagement fee in excess of £250,000 
requires the approval of the Audit Committee. A copy of our policy on 
the provision of non-audit services by the external auditors is available 
on our website. The non-audit services policy was reviewed in July 
2020, and an updated version to reflect the FRC’s changes in the 
Revised Ethical Standard 2019 was approved. There was no significant 
non-audit service rendered during 2020.

Audit fees for the statutory audit for 2020 were £3.2m (2019: £2.6m). 
Fees for audit-related assurance services and other non-audit services 
incurred during the year amounted to £0.1m (2019: £0.2m). The ratio 
of non-audit fees to statutory audit fees for the year was therefore 
0.03:1 (2019: 0.08:1). The majority of the audit-related services were 
in relation to non-statutory accounts audits and assurance services. 
Further details of the fees paid for audit services, audit-related 
services and non-audit services can be found in Note A8 to the 
Financial Statements on page 163.

Disclosure of information to the auditor
The Audit Committee monitors the process leading up to the 
preparation of the Financial Statements, including the arrangements 
the Company has in place for disclosing all relevant audit information 
to the auditor. A formal confirmation on disclosure of information 
to the auditor is provided in the Directors’ Report on page 203.

Effectiveness
Under the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Audit Committee 
is required to review and monitor the auditor’s independence and 
objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit process, taking into 
consideration relevant UK professional and regulatory requirements. 
The 2019 audit was completed and all milestones reached, and there 
were no significant unexpected events relating to the publication of 
the 2019 year-end results in February 2020.

In 2020, the Audit Committee considered the findings of the review of 
the auditor’s effectiveness during the 2019 audit process which had 
been conducted during the preparation of Group and local statutory 
accounts for the 2019 financial period. The process drew input from 
the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Internal Audit & Risk and 
other members of the senior finance management team, as well as 
from the majority of the Finance Directors of the Group’s subsidiaries. 
The process made use of a formal evaluation using a questionnaire 
which was completed by business units in 36 countries as well as 
by the central accounts, tax and treasury functions. In order to allow 
direct comparability of the evaluation scores across periods, the 
questions were exactly the same as those used in previous years. 
The questionnaire covered:
 e resources and expertise of the external audit team;
 e effectiveness of the audit process; and
 e effectiveness of the financial controls testing process.

104 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

The Audit Committee considered the comprehensive findings of the 
review. It was noted that, although the majority of individual feedback 
was satisfactory, the lowest scores continued to be in the areas of 
planning, continuity, and the focus on low-risk areas. Further, there 
was once again some concern on the knowledge and experience of 
more junior members of the audit teams and frustration due to time 
spent learning system complexities. Taking all responses into account, 
the scoring mechanism demonstrated that the audit performance was 
effective and at a similar level to the previous year. While no material 
areas of concern were identified, it was noted that the performance 
had not improved since the previous year and certain promised 
enhancements in the audit process such as the use of technology 
had not been delivered since the previous tender in 2017.

Audit tender
KPMG LLP has been our external auditor since the audit for the year 
ended 2009. KPMG LLP are required to rotate the audit partner 
responsible for the Group audit every five years. Mike Maloney was 
appointed lead audit partner in 2018 and has attended all Audit 
Committee meetings during 2020.

As previously mentioned, the Audit Committee oversaw a formal and 
competitive tender process during 2020 in relation to the Group’s 
external auditor. 

The last tender process took place in 2017 resulting in the 
re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the Group’s external auditor. Over the 
last three years, the Audit Committee, conscious of the changing size 
and shape of the Group, and in light of technological developments in 
auditing software, took the decision to run a new audit tender to see 
if the Group’s audit requirements could be met in a different way.

The process started in August 2020 with the establishment of a 
Steering Committee made up of the Chief Financial Officer, Group 
Financial Controller and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk. The 
Steering Committee completed a review of potential audit firms to be 
invited to participate in a detailed selection exercise, including the 
incumbent auditor and those that had been shortlisted in 2017. Of the 
three firms contacted one was unable to commit to the tender, and as 
such two were selected and sent a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). 
This included KPMG (incumbent) and PwC who came second in the 
scoring of the 2017 tender.

Each of the teams from the two tendering audit firms were given 
identical opportunities to meet and demonstrate their proposed 
offerings. This included meetings with a number of Board members 
and senior executives, including: 
 e the Chairman and the Audit Committee Chair; 
 e the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer; 
 e the Managing Directors and Finance Directors of each of the five 

regions; and 

 e the Group Financial Controller and the Director of Internal Audit & 

Risk. 

The firms were also invited to present their IT auditing software to a 
smaller group comprising the Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial 
Controller, and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk. 

Formal written responses to the RFP were then submitted and each 
firm presented to the Audit Committee Chair, the Chief Executive, 
Chief Financial Officer, the Group Financial Controller and the Director 
of Internal Audit & Risk. 

A formal evaluation process was followed at all stages with the Audit 
Committee and Board being regularly updated and key reflections 
of the Steering Committee being presented to the Audit Committee 
for consideration. Areas of consideration included technological 
innovation, technical expertise, a demonstrable understanding 
of Rentokil Initial’s business, commitment to building a long-term 
relationship, cultural fit and proposed fee structure and development. 
The tender was further used as an opportunity to refresh input on the 
approach to the audit, the Company’s external reporting and the 
internal separation of the audit firm’s audit operations. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Further to the outcome of the tender, the Audit Committee 
recommended to the Board that PwC be appointed as the Company’s 
external auditor based on the clearly presented intentions of the team 
backed up by supporting positive confirmations from external 
references taken on PwC that gave senior management confidence in 
their capabilities, responsiveness, technology and challenge to Group 
management. The Group and PwC have agreed a detailed set of joint 
objectives to ensure that commitments made during the audit tender 
are delivered and followed up on in regular meetings between PwC 
and senior management.

The Board approved the Audit Committee’s recommendation and the 
Directors will be proposing the appointment of PwC for the financial 
year ending 31 December 2021 and the setting of its fees at the 
Company’s 2021 AGM. The new audit partner will be Neil Grimes.

The Company confirms its compliance with the provisions of the UK 
Competition & Markets Authority Order regarding statutory audit 
services for the financial period ended 31 December 2020.

Auditor independence and objectivity
The Audit Committee considers annually the scope, fee, performance 
and independence of the external auditor. Having considered the 
relationship with the existing independent auditor, their qualifications, 
expertise, resources and effectiveness, the Committee concluded that 
the incumbent external auditor remained independent for the 
purposes of the 2020 year end. In concluding that PwC should be 
proposed for appointment as auditor at the AGM in May 2021, as part 
of the criteria considered in the tender process, the Board and the 
Audit Committee took into account the need to ensure that auditor 
independence was safeguarded. The Audit Committee received 
confirmation from PwC that they were independent and objective 
within the context of applicable professional standards. 

The Company considers that there are sufficient controls and 
processes in place to ensure that the required level of independence 
of the auditor is maintained. The Board does not consider that there is 
any material risk of either the Company’s existing auditor or PwC 
withdrawing from the market.

Risk management and internal control
The Group’s approach to managing risk and ensuring that an effective 
internal control environment is maintained is set out in the Risks and 
Uncertainties section on page 67. The Board’s statement on risk 
management and internal control is set out in the Corporate 
Governance Report on page 98. Independent reassurance of the 
effectiveness of risk management and internal controls across the 
Group is provided to the Chief Executive and the Board by Group 
Internal Audit.

The identification and management of risk is fully integrated into the 
development of the Group’s strategy and the day-to-day operational 
execution of the strategy by the regions and business units. Ensuring 
that risks are identified and managed effectively is a part of every 
manager’s and supervisor’s job through leadership of the teams for 
which they are responsible.

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s risk management 
approach. This includes:
 e review and approval of the Group’s overall strategy, which includes 
reviewing the risks that may prevent the Group from achieving its 
objectives and ensuring that these risks are mitigated or managed 
to an acceptable level;

 e regular reviews of business performance, including updates of the 
risks that the business is facing, and challenging management to 
obtain assurance that these risks are being effectively managed;
 e review of management’s approach to identifying and managing risk, 
including approval of the Group Risks and Uncertainties schedule 
and recommending enhancements;

 e evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls, including 

financial, operational and compliance controls;

 e evaluation of the effectiveness of internal and external audit; and
 e delegation of authority to the Chief Executive and Chief Financial 

Officer to make commitments on behalf of the Company.

Some of the above responsibilities are delegated to the Audit 
Committee as previously described. The Audit Committee receives 
regular reports from the Chief Financial Officer and the Director of 
Internal Audit & Risk on financial controls and process improvement 
programmes. These include:
 e an annual report on the overall status of the control environment in 
the Group, including the results of testing and reports on identified 
areas of weakness in controls;

 e action plans on control environment improvements and updates 

on their implementation;

 e the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on 

existing and emerging risks, and mitigating actions (see page 68);

 e updates on control weaknesses and planned actions to prevent 

a re-occurrence; and

 e periodic reports from regional and Group Finance executives, and 

Internal Audit.

During 2020, the Audit Committee continued its practice of reviewing 
in depth the risk and control environment in the main regional 
businesses, as well as the Regional Finance Directors’ assessment 
of the quality and priorities of the Finance function in the relevant part 
of the business. Audit Committee members received a presentation 
from the Regional Finance Director for the Pacific region during the 
year. Other regional updates were provided as part of the Board 
agenda. This provides the Audit Committee with high-level insight, as 
well as an opportunity to challenge key managers on potential risks. 
It further supports the discussions that take place in the Nomination 
Committee on talent and succession in the Finance function, which 
were helpful in the decision to appoint the North America CFO Stuart 
Ingall-Tombs to the Group Chief Financial Officer role in 2020.

The number of control issues across the Group remains relatively low, 
with those that do occur not resulting in a material impact on Group 
performance. Nonetheless, significant control issues were 
experienced; in China, where a cyber attack was successfully 
mitigated; in Trinidad, with an attempted supplier fraud; a Distributed 
Denial of Service attack on our global websites; a data breach; and a 
potential unauthorised bank account. Operational controls examined 
by Internal Audit generally work well. Testing of these controls during 
2020 highlighted some issues regarding the administrative process 
around documenting and retaining training records in some countries. 
These issues are being reviewed to define the most appropriate best 
practice for the operating units to follow. The Audit Committee also 
receives a regular report of matters reported via Speak Up, our 
internal whistleblowing process. There were 45 control incidents 
reported in 2020 (2019: 56). The number of Speak Ups reduced in 
2020 compared with 2019, but are at a higher level than previous 
years. The nature of the matters reported indicates that this increase 
is likely to be the result of better awareness of the Speak Up facility 
rather than a worsening of the internal control environment. The 
majority of Speak Ups relate to employee and employment matters; 
very few relate to fraudulent activity, which remains at a very low level 
across the Group. Further details can be found in our responsible 
business website at rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery.

In 2021, the Audit Committee’s responsibilities will include appropriate 
review of the Company’s activities and processes to identify, assess 
and manage the opportunities and risks related to climate change. 
This will support enhanced reporting and disclosures in alignment 
with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
framework. See pages 52 to 57 for further information on the 
Company’s journey to net zero.

There is a Group Risk Committee composed of key functional and 
operational senior managers which considers the risk framework and 
key and emerging risks. This Committee sits within our governance 
framework as set out on pages 96 and 97. Copies of the minutes of the 
Group Risk Committee are provided to the Audit Committee. Where 
appropriate, items that are raised as significant or emerging issues by 
the Group Risk Committee are reflected in adjustments to the control 
environment.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 105

Governance and compliance
The Audit Committee has responsibility for reviewing the Company’s 
procedures for handling compliance with our Code of Conduct and 
anti-corruption policy, and confidential reporting (whistleblower) 
arrangements, known as Speak Up. The Code of Conduct, a 
fundamental commitment to comply with all applicable legal 
requirements and to operate with high ethical standards, can be 
found on our website. The Company uses an international confidential 
Speak Up email address, which is monitored by Internal Audit.

The Audit Committee is informed of feedback from senior 
management who are required to provide an annual Letter of 
Assurance confirming compliance with key Group policies, including 
the Code of Conduct, and the dissemination of these policies to their 
respective country and functional teams (see also Management and 
compliance on page 64). There are policies and procedures in place 
for the reporting by colleagues of suspected wrongdoing, for these 
suspicions to be formally investigated, and for the results of the 
investigation to be reported to the whistleblower.

The Audit Committee also periodically reviews the communication 
process in place throughout the Company regarding whistleblowing 
and the use of Speak Up to ensure its effectiveness and to monitor 
our colleagues’ understanding of the system.

Audit Committee effectiveness
In November 2020, a review of effectiveness of the Audit Committee 
was undertaken as part of the broader external Board evaluation as 
detailed on pages 94 and 95. The review concluded that the Audit 
Committee continued to perform effectively and had received 
sufficient, reliable and timely information from management to 
enable it to fulfil its responsibilities. Following discussion of the 
recommendations of the Board effectiveness review, the Committee 
intends to add a further meeting in the first half of the year, to allow 
further time for consideration of risk areas and addressing the areas 
of focus on a more regular basis. The plans for enhanced Board 
engagement with the business and key stakeholders will also 
be considered by Committee members in the context of their 
Committee responsibilities.

Audit Committee Report
continued

Internal Audit
The Group has an operational Internal Audit team of six led by the 
Director of Internal Audit & Risk. During the year, the previous Director 
of Internal Audit & Risk, who had been in position for almost nine 
years, retired. An experienced successor had been identified from 
within the business and she was appointed from September 2020 
following a comprehensive handover. The Director of Internal Audit & 
Risk reports to the Chief Financial Officer and has direct lines of 
communication with the Chair of the Audit Committee, the Chief 
Executive and the Chairman of the Board, as well as to all operational 
and functional leaders in the business. The Internal Audit team has 
since 2019 included one senior auditor focused specifically on the 
North America business.

In 2020, Internal Audit continued to conduct in-depth reviews of a 
broad range of business processes at business locations across all 
regions. These included:
 e key financial controls;
 e entertainment and travel expenses;
 e authority schedules;
 e payroll;
 e IT general controls and IT corporate-level controls including Payment 

Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) compliance;

 e customer contract management;
 e stock and warehousing;
 e procurement;
 e operational effectiveness including compliance with Group 

technical standards;

 e business continuity management; and
 e compliance with the Code of Conduct and anti-corruption policy.

The 2020 Internal Audit Plan was approved by the Audit Committee in 
December 2019. Due to COVID-19, the Internal Audit programme was 
suspended for approximately three months, resulting in approximately 
20% of the audits being moved to 2021. Once it had restarted, the 
Internal Audit programme was conducted remotely. An additional audit 
was performed on the UK CJRS at the request of management. The 
common themes arising from the internal audit work during 2020 were 
presented to the Audit Committee in December 2020, together with 
recommendations to senior management to improve the controls 
across some processes.

The 2021 Internal Audit Plan has been designed to address the areas 
that emerged in 2020, and to improve the process in several ways. 
Country audits will be expanded and made more risk-based in scope. 
Thematic audits will focus on resolution of the most common or 
high-risk issues, with tighter sanctions for audits revealing several 
mid-tier items while addressing the least significant points through 
proactive, enhanced sharing of best practice.

None of the failures identified in the control environment by Internal 
Audit or any of the recommendations relating to individual audits 
represented a systemic underlying issue. The overall work of the 
Internal Audit function is supportive of the Audit Committee’s and the 
Board’s view that the financial and operational controls environment, 
set out on page 105, is working adequately. The Board’s statement on 
the effectiveness of risk management and internal control can be 
found on page 98.

106 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Read our Code of Conduct at  
rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery/code-of-conduct

Read the Audit Committee’s terms of reference at 
rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Nomination Committee Report

As part of the recruitment process the Nomination Committee 
considered the composition of the Board and the desired skills 
and experiences of the new Non-Executive Director. The process 
was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic but subsequently 
recommenced and, following a very thorough search, I am delighted 
to say that Sarosh Mistry will be joining the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director, as well as a member of the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees, from 1 April 2021. He has a wealth of executive 
experience at leading organisations and brings the deep knowledge 
of the US market (where he is based) that had been identified as 
a priority skill to supplement on the Board, given the scale and 
importance of the Company’s business in North America. He will, 
I am sure, be a great addition to the Board.

The external Board effectiveness review was conducted by 
Christopher Saul from Christopher Saul Associates, and further details 
of the selection, process and outcome are set out on pages 94 and 95.

The Nomination Committee has also dedicated time during the year 
to consider succession plans for the Executive Leadership Team and 
other critical roles. In particular, we spent time (as we had in 2019) 
considering and making recommendations in relation to the 
succession plans for our Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Townsend, 
who retired in August. I would like to thank Jeremy for his efforts in 
developing internal talent within the Finance function which enabled 
and supported the appointment and smooth succession of Stuart to 
the Chief Financial Officer role.

Details of the induction and training activities for new Directors and 
a detailed timeline for the Chief Financial Officer induction, as well as 
a case study on the impact of a virtual induction of a Non-Executive 
Director, are set out on pages 92 and 93.

The Board considered its own diversity, as well as that of senior 
management and the wider workforce, during 2020. We reviewed the 
Board diversity policy during the year and I am pleased to say that 
currently half our Board are female and we have one Director from 
an ethnic minority background. We also welcomed the publication of 
the latest report of the Hampton-Alexander Review in February 2021, 
which saw Rentokil Initial placed 7th in its ranking of women on boards 
and in leadership in all FTSE 100 companies.

In 2021, we will continue to focus on diversity and the impact of the 
policies and processes that have been put in place.

Finally, having served for a period of nine years, Angela-Seymour 
Jackson will not be seeking re-election at our AGM in May 2021. 
Cathy Turner will succeed her as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee. Cathy has served on the Remuneration Committee 
since her appointment in April 2020.

Richard Solomons 
Chair of the Nomination Committee 

3 March 2021

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 107

Dear Shareholder
In 2020, we welcomed a new Non-Executive Director, Cathy Turner, 
on 1 April, and appointed a new Chief Financial Officer, Stuart 
Ingall-Tombs, who took over from Jeremy Townsend in August. The 
Nomination Committee was naturally fully involved in both processes.

In the second half of the year, the Nomination Committee has been 
overseeing the recruitment of a new Non-Executive Director as set 
out on page 108. The Nomination Committee’s key objective is to 
make sure that the members of the Board have the appropriate 
balance of skills, knowledge and experience to govern the Company 
in a professional, ethical and transparent manner, and to ensure that 
the Board is rigorous and effective in discharging its responsibilities.

Committee members
 e Richard Solomons (Chair)
 e John Pettigrew
 e Angela Seymour-Jackson 
 e Julie Southern
 e Cathy Turner
 e Linda Yueh
Areas of focus in 2020
 e Smooth Board succession and induction 

processes for both Non-Executive Director 
and Chief Financial Officer

 e Improvements in the gender balance and 
readiness of our executive succession 
and talent pipeline

 e Recruitment of new Non-Executive Director

Areas of focus for 2021
 e Executive Director and senior management 
succession planning and talent development

 e Monitoring and fostering a successful 

performance culture

 e Diversity, equality and inclusion,  
within our ESG strategy, including 
focus on ethnicity

Nomination Committee Report
continued

Role of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee has delegated authority from the Board 
as set out in its terms of reference. The annual review of the terms 
of reference of the Nomination Committee took place in December 
2020 and the terms of reference are available on our website.

Membership and attendance
All Non-Executive Directors are members of the Nomination 
Committee in order to ensure that they are able to provide input 
and help determine the future composition of the Board. Richard 
Solomons acts as Chair of the Nomination Committee. The Nomination 
Committee met formally twice during the year, with one scheduled 
meeting being cancelled. The members of the Nomination Committee 
also held discussions outside of these formal meetings in relation 
to Board succession plans and the recruitment process for a new 
Non-Executive Director which was undertaken during 2020. 
Full details of the meeting attendance of members of the Nomination 
Committee during 2020 can be found on page 85.

Where any member is unable to attend a meeting, the Nomination 
Committee Chair will seek their views in advance and provide a 
briefing on outcomes if appropriate. All Nomination Committee 
members are provided with the papers and the minutes of the 
meeting, whether or not they are able to attend. The Chief Executive 
also normally attends meetings, especially to assist with discussions 
of executive succession and talent programmes. The Company 
Secretary is secretary of the Nomination Committee and the 
Deputy Company Secretary attends all meetings.

Appointment process to the Board
The Nomination Committee has responsibility for managing the 
appointment process to ensure a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for appointing Directors. In order for the Board to discharge 
its duties and responsibilities effectively, it must comprise a diverse 
group of individuals whose skills and experience are gained in a 
variety of backgrounds. Successful candidates must demonstrate 
independence of mind and integrity, and must enhance the overall 
effectiveness of the Board. Appointments are considered objectively, 
regardless of gender, ethnicity or other personal characteristics, and 
are made on merit. Pro-forma letters of appointment for Non-Executive 
Directors and the Chair of the Board are available on our website. 
The process of appointing new Directors to the Board is supported 
through the use of external recruitment consultants.

Non-Executive Director succession
Following a formal recruitment process undertaken in 2019, Cathy 
Turner was appointed as a Non-Executive Director from 1 April 2020 
and also became a member of the Company’s Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees from her date of appointment. Full details 
of the recruitment process were disclosed in the Company’s 2019 
Annual Report, which is available on our website.

The Nomination Committee considered the composition of the Board 
during 2020 and, as usual, a key area of focus was the recruitment 
of a new Non-Executive Director to join the Company’s Board of 
Directors. Angela Seymour-Jackson will have served on the Board 
as a Non-Executive Director for a period of nine years by the AGM 
in May 2021 and a successor was, therefore, needed. The Nomination 
Committee engaged Heidrick & Struggles to assist with the process. 
Heidrick & Struggles has no other material connections with the 
Company or any Director and is a signatory to the Enhanced Voluntary 
Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms.

The Nomination Committee devised a candidate profile, containing a 
brief of the requirements and the desired skillset for the role, working 
with Heidrick & Struggles. The process commenced in early 2020 but 
was subsequently delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on the business and the prioritisation of resource and focus. 
The search for a new Non-Executive Director recommenced in 
October 2020. A broad global search was undertaken, yielding a pool 
of candidates which was reduced to a shortlist of several potential 
candidates. Regard was given to the Company’s approach to culture 
and diversity (as set out on page 110) at all times in the process.

Heidrick & Struggles conducted initial interviews of the short list 
in order to evaluate fit against the role criteria, our culture and the 
skills and competencies of other Board members. Following this, 
the Chairman and Group HR Director interviewed the preferred 
candidates, and those who most met the criteria and culture fit were 
next interviewed by the Chief Executive and Senior Independent 
Director to further narrow the field.

Once a preferred candidate was identified, all remaining members 
of the Board and the Company Secretary interviewed the candidate. 
All feedback was taken on board and, following full deliberation, the 
Nomination Committee recommended the appointment of Sarosh 
Mistry to the Board. The Board approved the appointment and Sarosh 
will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director and a member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees from 1 April 2021. The 
Nomination Committee also recommended that Cathy Turner succeed 
Angela Seymour-Jackson as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s AGM on 12 May 2021, 
which the Board fully supported.

Activities of the Nomination Committee in 2020
In 2020, the Nomination Committee considered the following key areas:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Board succession

The Nomination Committee undertook a search for a new Non-Executive 
Director in 2020.

See above and Board 
composition on page 84

Senior management 
succession

The Nomination Committee considered Executive Director and senior 
management succession throughout the year, and received a briefing from the 
Group HR Director in December 2020 on talent and succession planning.

See page 109 for more 
information

Terms of reference

The Nomination Committee reviewed its terms of reference in December 2020.

Available to view on our website

Nomination Committee 
effectiveness

Director effectiveness

The Nomination Committee undertook a review of its effectiveness.

A review of individual Directors’ performance was conducted, as part of the 
Board evaluation process, and the Nomination Committee made appropriate 
recommendations to the Board over the re-election of Directors at the AGM.

See effectiveness review on 
page 110

See page 110 and the Board 
evaluation on pages 94 and 95

Diversity

The Nomination Committee considered the Board diversity policy, including its 
effectiveness.

See pages 109 and 110 for more 
information

Conflicts of interest

The Nomination Committee reviewed potential conflicts of interest authorised by 
the Board and the processes in place to ensure that they are properly considered.

See Managing conflicts of 
interest on page 110

108 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Chief Financial Officer succession
Following a rigorous recruitment process undertaken in 2019 and early 
2020, Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed as the Group’s Chief Financial 
Officer in August 2020 following Jeremy Townsend’s retirement. Stuart 
has worked for the Company since May 2007, covering a number of 
senior roles in the Group, including Regional Finance Director, Europe 
from 2014 to 2018, Group Financial Controller from 2011 to 2014, and 
most recently as Chief Financial Officer for North America. Full details 
of the recruitment process were disclosed in the Company’s 2019 
Annual Report, which is available on our website. To ensure a smooth 
succession, there was an extended handover and induction period in 
2020, details of which can be found on page 93.

Senior management succession planning  
and talent development
Both the Nomination Committee and the Board recognise that 
strategic, thoughtful and practical succession planning is critical to the 
long-term success of the Company. The Nomination Committee looks 
to bring new energy, challenge and oversight to the Board and to 
reflect the business strategy and operational goals in appointments. 
The Board is ultimately responsible for succession planning for 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors and senior management, 
with the Nomination Committee having oversight and making 
recommendations as required.

The Group HR Director presented an update on the Company’s talent 
strategy to the Nomination Committee in December 2020. This 
reviewed the current succession pipeline for key senior management 
roles, most notably the members of the Executive Leadership Team 
(ELT, see page 80) and other critical roles, as well as wider talent 
development priorities. The Nomination Committee considered the 
progress made against the priorities for 2020, including how we 
benchmark and develop talent. An overview was provided of the 
global, regional and fast-track talent pools, which have been 
established to help identify successors for roles in our ELT and Senior 
Leadership Forum (SLF, our top 25 senior management team), to 
improve the succession pipeline for senior operational management, 
and to identify and accelerate the development of fast-track talent. 

Board diversity objectives

Knowledge sharing with talent pool

In November 2020, one of our 
Non-Executive Directors, Linda Yueh, 
facilitated a presentation and discussion, 
using our new Rentokil Initial virtual 
classroom platform, on the global 
economic outlook for 2021, with over 
30 of our global talent pool participants. 
The group comprised successors from 
20 countries for our key leadership roles 
around the world. Linda’s presentation 
covered the economic impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, the US election and 
Brexit. Questions and discussion topics 
ranged from how countries are managing 
sovereign debt to the impact of the 
pandemic on our customers and 
businesses around the world.  

Feedback from the session was provided 
to members of the Executive Leadership 
Team and the session was also discussed 
at the next Nomination Committee 
meeting as part of the discussion on 
talent and succession planning.

Objectives

Progress

A target of at least 33% female Directors by 2020, and to maintain this 
thereafter.

50% of our Directors are currently female.

Appoint at least one Board member from an ethnic minority 
background by 2021. 

This was achieved with the appointment of Linda Yueh in 2017.

Commitment to a merit-based approach to Board composition within 
a diverse and inclusive culture.

A rigorous process was undertaken for the recruitment of Sarosh 
Mistry. See full details on page 108.

To work only with executive search firms who have signed up to the 
Enhanced Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms on 
gender diversity and best practice (Enhanced Code).

All executive search firms retained by the Company during 2020 
for Board appointments have signed up to the Enhanced Code 
(see page 108).

To support the executive management of the Company in developing 
and implementing appropriate policies, programmes and initiatives 
designed to promote diversity at all levels of the organisation.

To ensure that there is a pipeline of female executives within the 
organisation who are qualified and capable of taking up senior 
leadership positions.

Aim to ensure that there is appropriate and meaningful disclosure in 
the Company’s Annual Report of Board composition, appointment 
processes, and the policies and initiatives the Company has in place 
and the steps it is taking to promote diversity, both at Board level and 
across the Company.

In 2020, our ELT and its direct reports (excluding colleagues 
in administrative roles) were 30% female (2019: 28%). Regional 
successors are 38% female. Approximately 25% of our colleagues 
are female. The Board receives two detailed briefings on culture 
and our Employer of Choice agenda each year, which address 
progress on diversity and inclusion.

Women comprise 31% of successors for ELT and SLF roles, up from 
26% in 2019 and 24% in 2018. Our progress on improving female 
representation in the most senior leadership roles in the Company saw 
us ranked 7th of all FTSE 100 companies in the most recent Hampton-
Alexander Review published in February 2021, up from 9th previously.

The Nomination Committee reviews this each year.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 109

Nomination Committee Report
continued

As a result of our talent development and succession planning activity, 
94% of ELT and senior leadership roles now have a named near-term 
successor, up from 84% in 2019 and 76% in 2018.

Talent development activity had to be paused in the first half of 2020 due 
to the COVID-19 pandemic, and development modules were conducted 
virtually in the second half of the year due to ongoing travel restrictions. 
This has shown us the potential benefits that can be achieved from 
developing talent virtually and we will leverage this extensively in 2021 
to improve the reach and numbers for our talent pools. High numbers 
of participants in our talent pools have subsequently been promoted 
(97% of 2017/18 participants and 64% of 2019/20 participants), 
demonstrating the important role the talent pool programme plays 
in identifying and preparing the future leaders of the Group.

Fostering a diverse and inclusive culture
A key strategic aim of the Company is to be recognised as a world- 
class Employer of Choice, which is able to attract, recruit and retain the 
best people from the widest possible pool of talent. We are, therefore, 
committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment for 
all employees by, at all times, striving to be an organisation that values 
everyone’s talents and abilities and where diversity is encouraged. 
Details on how we are achieving this can be found in the Responsible 
Business section on page 50 and our Group Diversity, Equality & 
Inclusion Policy is available on our website.

The Board of Directors has adopted a Board diversity policy, which is 
reviewed and reported against annually. As part of its monitoring of 
gender, the Board reviews our Gender Pay Report each year and the 
reports are available to view on our website.

Our Board diversity policy reaffirms our commitment to meeting and 
maintaining the recommendations made in the Hampton-Alexander 
Review on improving gender balance in FTSE leadership, which set 
a target of 33% female Board representation by 2020. We achieved 
this target in 2017 and have been able to maintain it since then. The 
objectives contained in our Board diversity policy, and how we are 
meeting these, are set out on page 109.

In 2017, we achieved the aim set in the Parker Review for each FTSE 100 
Board to have at least one Director from an ethnic minority background 
by 2021, and have maintained it since then. We are also steadily 
increasing the number of women in senior roles, with 30% of all WL4+ 
roles being held by women, up from 28% in 2019 (defined as all ELT 
direct reports excluding administrative staff). We have also had no 
material gender pay gap for the last four years in our UK businesses.

As a global organisation, we also believe that it is important to have 
a senior management team that is representative of the markets in 
which we operate and the customers we serve. To that end, we are able 
to report that 21% of our senior management roles are currently filled 
with individuals who are defined as ethnic minorities (2019: 11% – note 
this increase is in part due to changes in the composition of the ELT 
and reporting lines). While this increase is encouraging, we believe 
that, if our leadership is to reflect the diversity of our countries in which 
we operate, our target for ethnic diversity in our senior leadership 
population should be at least 28% and this will continue to be an area 

of focus for us moving forward. We can also report that 24% of the 
participants in our current global talent pools are defined as being of an 
ethnicity that is not White or European, building us a growing pipeline of 
future leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We aim to remove 
bias from our recruitment processes and to ensure that we are attracting 
the best people from the widest possible pool of talent.

A summary of our culture and further details on our colleagues 
are provided in the Responsible Business section from page 49. 
Details on how the Directors monitor culture can be found on page 83.

Managing conflicts of interest
The Directors have a statutory duty to avoid a situation where they 
have, or could have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts or might 
possibly conflict with the interests of the Company. The Board is 
permitted, under powers from shareholders contained in the Articles 
of Association, to authorise actual or potential conflicts of interest.

The Company has a procedure in place to deal with the situation 
where a Director has a conflict of interest and as part of the process 
the Board considers each potential conflict situation on its merits. 
Since the procedure was introduced, a number of potential situational 
conflicts arising from appointments on other boards or through some 
other ongoing relationship have been authorised after review by the 
Board, none of which is subject to any specific limitation or condition. 
The Company has not encountered any ‘transactional’ conflicts 
involving Directors that would require a Director to be excluded from 
any part of the Board’s activities. A register of authorisations granted 
is maintained and reviewed in full annually.

Under its terms of reference, the Nomination Committee has 
responsibility to review the current schedule of authorisations with a 
view to considering whether they remain appropriate or whether they 
should be revoked or otherwise limited. This review is undertaken 
annually and also considers the process for considering and authorising 
potential conflicts of interests. In 2020, the process for the disclosure 
of any perceived conflicts upon the appointment of a new Director 
was reviewed and it was concluded that no updates were necessary. 
All authorisations given were considered appropriate and none were 
revoked or otherwise limited.

Nomination Committee effectiveness
The annual Board evaluation, and its outcomes and actions, are 
considered by the Board at its meetings, and details of the process are 
therefore disclosed in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 94 
and 95. The Nomination Committee was considered as part of the 
broader Board effectiveness review. The review concluded that the 
Nomination Committee had operated effectively in 2020, but it is 
planned for it to meet at least quarterly in 2021. The Nomination 
Committee has also conducted an independence evaluation of 
each Non-Executive Director seeking election or re-election and 
recommended to the Board that they be put forward for election or 
re-election on the basis that their performance, both individually and 
in aggregate, continues to be effective and that each demonstrates 
commitment to the role. 

Gender profile
at 31 December 2020

Board

Senior management1

Total workforce

Female  4 (50%)
4 (50%)
Male 

Female 45 (30%)
103 (70%)
Male 

Female  11,147 (25%)
Male  33,442 (75%)

1.  We define senior management as the members of our Executive Leadership Team and all of their direct reports, excluding colleagues in administrative roles.

110 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Policy renewal
The Remuneration Committee has spent time throughout 2020 
reviewing the current Policy. Our aim has been to ensure that the 
Policy supports the delivery of our strategy while appropriately 
balancing the incentivisation and reward of our high-performing 
Directors, with the interests of shareholders, employees and the 
wider community.

Key findings
As I am sure you are aware, Rentokil Initial has, over the last five years, 
continued to grow and move up the FTSE index. At the end of 2015, 
we stood at 133rd position with a market capitalisation of £2.9bn 
and today we sit in the middle of the FTSE 100 with a market 
capitalisation of around £10bn. 

I am conscious that we have increased elements of our Executive 
Directors’ pay at different stages over the last few years, the most 
recent being the realignment of the CEO’s salary last year when 
we were grateful for the overwhelming support we received from 
shareholders. The reason for these changes is that we have 
continually found ourselves in a position of playing ‘catch up’; as 
the Company grows in size it means that we continue to fall behind 
what would be considered an appropriate market level of pay for 
the size of company we have become. Therefore, and given our 
exceptionally strong and resilient performance over a number of years, 
the Committee believes it is important to align our Executive Directors’ 
reward with the shareholder experience, as well as ensuring our 
competitiveness as a global business.

It has always been our approach to set our Policy based on where 
we are now, not where we aspire to be. While many companies 
with strong aspirations might set their Policy with these in mind, 
we continue to be prudent and set our Policy based on the here and 
now, as we do with our wider workforce across the globe. However, 
our prudence matched with the business’s continued outperformance 
has meant that our package has lagged behind other companies of 
a similar size, as we have continued to grow. During the review this 
became very evident, with our CEO’s total remuneration package 
benchmarking more in line with the lower quartile than the median.

Shareholder engagement
We have engaged extensively with our top shareholders who 
hold around 60% of our share capital, along with shareholder 
representative bodies/proxy agencies. A large number of our 
shareholders provided feedback to our proposal and we have been 
encouraged by their interest and support. We have really valued 
the time that has been taken by shareholders to consider and fully 
understand our proposal within the context of our recent performance 
and the requirement to reward our Executive Directors appropriately. 
We are extremely cognisant of the current remuneration climate and, 
therefore, have particularly appreciated the vast majority of our 
shareholders indicating their support.

Although the response we received was overwhelmingly positive, 
we carefully considered all the feedback gathered during our 
consultation. As a result of this, we made some changes to our 
original proposal, which are detailed below.

Final proposal
Full details of the proposed changes are set out in the table on 
page 116 and the key changes are detailed below.

Annual bonus
 e The scheme design will be simplified by separating the personal 
performance element from the financial element. This means the 
personal performance element will operate independently rather 
than acting as a modifier.

 e This change is proposed as we recognise our current scheme is 
considered complex and misaligned with current best practice. 
Shareholders have shown strong support for this amendment 
throughout the consultation process. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 111

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present, on behalf of the Board, the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. 
I do hope this update finds you, and your families, safe and well after 
what has been an unprecedented 12 months.

Introduction
2020 was an extraordinary year by anyone’s standards and I will be 
addressing in this report the key areas the Remuneration Committee 
have been focused on, which include:

 e Our review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy) which 
is due for renewal and will be voted on at the AGM in May 2021. 
In this section I will endeavour to explain what the key findings 
of the review were, our approach to shareholder consultation, 
shareholder feedback, and the final proposal.

 e Our response to COVID-19 and its impact on the remuneration 

of our Executive Directors, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) 
and our colleagues worldwide.

 e Our approach to pay in 2021 for our Executive Directors, ELT and the 
wider workforce, taking account of the level of uncertainty that we 
are dealing with as we continue in full or partial lockdowns in many 
of the countries we operate in and with vaccination programmes 
at different stages of maturity.

Committee members
 e Angela Seymour-Jackson (Chair)
 e Cathy Turner (appointed 1 April 2020)
 e Julie Southern
 e Linda Yueh
Areas of focus in 2020
 e Review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
 e Incorporating best practice guidelines and corporate 
governance updates into our remuneration packages 
and Policy

Areas of focus for 2021
 e Seeking approval of the Directors’ Remuneration 

Policy at the 2021 AGM

 e Succession for the Remuneration Committee Chair 
who will be stepping down at the May 2021 AGM

Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
 e Annual share awards under the PSP will be increased from 250% 

to 375% for the CEO and from 200% to 300% for the CFO.
 e In response to shareholder feedback during the consultation:

 – The threshold vesting level will reduce to 20% from 25%. This will 
mean that the proposed increase in the PSP will only be realised 
for delivering outperformance, as this change reduces the value 
at threshold to a level similar to that of our current Policy, further 
reinforcing our commitment to pay for performance. 

 – The application of the higher award level will be phased for both 
Executive Directors. Our CEO will receive a PSP award of 325% 
in 2021 and the full Policy amount of 375% in 2022. Our new CFO 
will receive a PSP award of 200% of salary in 2021, which was the 
previous policy award level to reflect that he is settling into his 
new role and gaining experience.

Pension
 e For new appointments, the pension contribution will be in line with 
the wider workforce in the UK, currently 3% of salary. This has been 
applied to our new CFO.

 e Our CEO’s pension has been capped at the 2019 level which is 

currently 21.9% of salary and will continue to decrease as a result of 
any salary increase until the end of 2022, when it will be aligned with 
the wider workforce, currently at 3% of salary.

Shareholding guidelines
 e Post-cessation guidelines will be introduced which will normally 

require Executive Directors to hold shares, for two years 
post-cessation, to the value of the shareholding guideline that 
applied at the cessation of their employment; or, in cases where the 
individual has not had sufficient time to build up shares to meet the 
guideline, their actual level of shareholding at cessation.

Rationale for changes
We understand that the external environment is not conducive to 
material pay increases; however, we also recognise that it is incumbent 
upon the Committee for all concerned, shareholders, employees and 
customers alike, to ensure that we can effectively reward, motivate 
and retain our high-performing Executive Directors. We have therefore 
thought long and hard about this issue and strongly believe that the 
best way to address this is by increasing the PSP opportunity, as it 
places the Company in the best possible position to incentivise our 
now highly experienced CEO to continue to deliver superior returns 
for all our stakeholders. It also ensures that the overall pay positioning 
of the CEO is broadly aligned with the FTSE 100 median which, in our 
opinion, is both fair and reasonable for a company which is firmly in 
the top half of the FTSE 100 and for an individual who has consistently 
delivered upper quartile performance. Finally, it should allow us to 
operate at a level which is consistent with the wider market, only pays 
out for delivery of continued outperformance and ensures our policy 
remains fit for purpose over the next three-year period without the 
need for above inflationary increases or other significant changes 
to the policy. 

Response to COVID-19
The toll of COVID-19 has been felt by our customers, colleagues and 
shareholders alike. Our CEO, CFO and senior management team 
provided strong and committed leadership to enable us to successfully 
manage a path through the crisis, with our focus on introducing 
temporary measures that would enable us to retain as many 
colleagues as possible in the long term.

Even in the face of COVID-19 and the extreme challenges it has 
presented, the Company has continued to innovate, drive performance 
and deliver to customers. I believe this is a testament to the strength 
of the business model, the organisational culture and the leadership 
of the Company, which has been headed up so successfully by 
Andy Ransom since 2013. 

112 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Impact on our management team
Following the recommendations of our CEO, the following temporary 
measures were put in place:

 e The Executive and Non-Executive Directors waived 35%, and senior 
management up to 20%, of their salary for three months. Andy went 
even further, voluntarily waiving the remaining 65% of his salary 
in Q2 and donating it to the Colleague Support Fund set up to help 
colleagues experiencing hardship as a result of the crisis. Other 
members of the management team and the Board of Directors also 
contributed to the fund.

 e Cancellation of the global employee annual bonus scheme for H1. 
In H2, a reduced ‘In It Together’ bonus scheme was introduced for 
eligible colleagues. However, the Executive Directors, on their 
request, and in agreement with the Committee, asked not to 
participate.

 e Cancellation of the PSP grant in March and instead granting in 

September 2020 ensured we had a clearer understanding of the 
impact of the pandemic before we granted, and resulted in the grant 
price being at £5.302 rather than at £3.586. 

The table below shows the impact of these initiatives on the CEO’s 
remuneration.

Policy
£

Actual
£

% difference

Fixed cash

1,086,056

867,306

-20.1%

Maximum bonus

1,575,000

0

-100.0%

PSP

2,187,500

2,187,500

0.0%

Total maximum package

4,848,556

3,054,806

-37.0%

In addition, the Committee has not made any adjustment to the targets 
or performance conditions for in-flight plans for the Executive 
Directors.

Impact on wider workforce 
Our priority throughout the pandemic has been the safety of our 
colleagues. We moved 8,500 colleagues to remote working and 
implemented strict protocols, including obtaining all the necessary 
PPE for our frontline technicians, enabling them to safely serve our 
customers throughout the crisis.

Although our frontline colleagues were designated as ‘essential 
workers’ in the majority of the countries we operate in, our business 
has been impacted by COVID-19 due to a significant number of our 
customers being affected – for example, the high level of closures 
across the HORECA sector. This has resulted in a reduction in the 
number of colleagues required to service our customers. We have also 
followed government guidance for employees considered vulnerable 
and worked with colleagues and their families to help support them 
with childcare challenges when schools were closed.

In order to effectively provide support to our people, and in line with 
our focus on retaining as many colleagues as possible, we temporarily 
utilised government support programmes available within the 
countries we operate in globally. However, through initiatives such as 
training 7,000 colleagues in specialist disinfection services, we were 
able to limit the use of such schemes and get the majority of our 
colleagues back to work by the end of July 2020. Unfortunately, we 
have not been able to retain every colleague in our business lines 
which will not rebound in the short or medium term and where a 
suitable alternative role was unavailable. 

Shareholder experience
As a result of the pandemic, we suspended dividend payments in 
March 2020 and no dividends were paid to shareholders during 2020. 
Although the share price was initially impacted, this recovered to 
pre-crisis levels within three months.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Key decisions in 2020
Context of business performance
Despite the impact of COVID-19 on our business in 2020, we have 
delivered strong financial performance, with Ongoing Revenue up 
6.3% on 2019 and Ongoing Operating Profit up 5.4%.

People remain at the forefront of our strategy and I am delighted that 
we have continued to make excellent progress on our Employer of 
Choice initiatives, which underpin our robust financial results. I am 
particularly proud of our overall employee retention levels, which 
ended the year at 88.6%, as they are so vital in delivering the service 
our customers have come to expect.

Annual bonus outcome
One of the initiatives put in place to enable the business to successfully 
navigate COVID-19 in 2020 was to cancel the H1 portion of the annual 
bonus, for all eligible colleagues. 

For H2 a reduced incentive was put in place for all the annual bonus 
population; however, the Executive Directors requested not to 
participate. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the original full-year 
financial targets for revenue, profit and cash were met at threshold 
level or above and therefore the H2 element of the bonus was still 
payable. However, the Committee has respected the CEO’s continuing 
wishes that the Executive Directors should take no bonus in relation 
to 2020. 

Therefore no bonus is payable to the CEO or the current or former 
CFO for 2020.

Performance Share Award (PSP) vesting
During 2020, the PSP award granted in 2017 came to the end of its 
three-year performance period. The vesting level of the award was 
dependent on two performance conditions: earnings per share (EPS; 
measured over three financial years to 31 December 2019) accounting 
for one-third; and relative total shareholder return (TSR; measured 
over a three-year period ended 30 March 2020), which accounted for 
the remaining two-thirds. The Committee reviewed the vesting level 
based on the achievement against targets of 90.8%, to ensure that 
the outcome was a true reflection of the wider business performance. 
This scheme operates identically for our management team across 
the Group.

The 2018 PSP is due to vest on 29 March 2021 and performance will 
be measured one-third on EPS (measured over three financial years 
to 31 December 2020) and two-thirds relative TSR (measured over 
a three-year period ending 28 March 2021). Vesting is currently 
estimated at 85.97%, using the actual EPS outcome and an estimated 
TSR result based on performance up to 31 December 2020. 

PSP grants
As we have previously communicated, we cancelled the grant of our 
PSP award that was scheduled for March 2020. Prior to going ahead 
with the grant in September the Committee undertook a detailed 
review of the performance conditions that had been proposed for 
the cancelled grant alongside the updated investor guidelines for 
COVID-19. Our intent was to keep the performance conditions closely 
aligned to our original plan, while ensuring we could set meaningful 
targets that continued to be stretching, but were also achievable. 
This resulted in the removal of EPS as a performance measure for 
this award as we were unable to set effective targets. All the other 
performance conditions were retained with the weightings adjusted 
to reflect the removal of EPS, with the majority going into TSR and 
financial metrics, as detailed below:

 e TSR – weighting increased from 50% to 60%
 e EPS – weighting decreased from 25% to 0%
 e Other financial measures (Organic Revenue growth and Free Cash 

Flow conversion) – weighting increased from 10% to 20%

 e Strategic/ESG measures (Sales and Service colleague retention, 

customer satisfaction and vehicle fuel intensity) – weighting 
increased from 15% to 20%

Windfall gains
As we delayed the grant of our PSP award in 2020, which resulted in 
the award being granted at £5.302 (share price on 8 September 2020), 
rather than £3.586 (share price on 23 March 2020), we are confident 
that the potential for windfall gains has been removed as the share 
price at grant was back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Shareholding
As at 31 December 2020, the CEO’s shareholding greatly exceeded 
the required level and the CFO was well on track to meet the required 
level within five years, having attained 40% of the requirement less 
than six months into the role. The CEO’s shareholding is more than 
three times the required level and, if vested but unexercised, PSP 
awards and DBP awards are included net of tax, his shareholding 
is nearly eight times the required level. 

Shareholding 
requirement

Shareholding as a % 
of salary for shares 
held outright

Total shareholding 
as a % of salary 
including qualifying 
PSP & DBP shares 
net of tax

Andy Ransom

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

300%

200%

910%

81%

2,295%

81%

Strategic alignment of pay
Ensuring that our remuneration supports the delivery of the strategy 
is important to the Committee and this is achieved through aligning 
the measures used in our incentive schemes with our key strategic 
priorities. The Committee also ensures that the right behaviours and 
actions are driven from the top of the organisation down by ensuring 
that focus is balanced across both financial and non-financial 
outcomes, for example the inclusion of employee, customer and 
health, safety and environment metrics in both the personal element 
of the annual bonus and the PSP. The Committee also takes into 
consideration the wider business performance when reviewing 
formulaic outcomes of metrics across all incentives.

Use of discretion
The Remuneration Committee has exercised its discretion on 
executive remuneration outcomes on a consistent basis over the last 
few years, in order to ensure any outturn is aligned with performance. 
The table below shows the Committee’s use of discretion over the 
past five years.

Year

Applied to 

Discretion applied

2016 PSP awarded in 2014

EPS targets were increased from 14% at 
threshold and 20% at maximum to 17% 
at threshold and 23.1% at maximum, 
due to material M&A activity.

2017 PSP awarded in 2015 EPS targets were increased from 7% at 
threshold and 13% at maximum to 11.9% 
at threshold and 18.2% at maximum, 
mainly due to Steritech acquisition.

2018 PSP awarded in 2016 EPS targets were increased from 9% at 
threshold and 15% at maximum to 9.6% 
at threshold and 16.1% at maximum, 
due to material M&A activity.

2019 PSP awarded in 2017

EPS targets were increased from 6% at 
threshold and 11% at maximum to 6.9% 
at threshold and 14.1% at maximum, 
due to material M&A activity.

2020 No discretion was applied

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 113

Looking ahead
Salary review
We have taken the decision to move our annual pay review to 
mid-year. Therefore, any salary increase awarded to the CEO is likely 
to be modest, in line with the wider workforce, and would not become 
effective until 1 July 2021.

In line with the terms of his appointment Stuart Ingall-Tombs salary 
will increase to £550,000 once he has been in role for 12 months, 
assuming both his and the Company’s performance is satisfactory.

Appointment of a new Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Having served nine years on the Board, and in line with good 
governance, I will be standing down as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee and from the Board at the AGM in May 2021. I have been 
proud to be part of the Board and the Remuneration Committee for 
the past nine years and continue to be impressed and encouraged 
by the incredible performance delivered over that period.

I will be succeeded by Cathy Turner, who joined the Remuneration 
Committee upon her appointment to the Board in April 2020 and 
will have spent more than a year on the Remuneration Committee 
before taking over as Chair, in line with the Investment Association’s 
Principles of Remuneration and the 2018 Code. She joins us as 
an experienced Remuneration Committee Chair with current 
appointments as Chair for Aldermore Group plc and Spectris plc. 
I wish her every success in the role.

Finally, I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued 
support during what has been an unparalleled year. I hope you will 
find the information in this report clearly explains the remuneration 
approach taken by the Company and enables you to understand how 
it links to our strategic business priorities and the delivery of our 
business plan. As always, I welcome any comments you may have.

Angela Seymour-Jackson 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

3 March 2021

Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued

Director changes
Jeremy Townsend, Chief Financial Officer, retired from the Board on 
14 August 2020 and was succeeded by Stuart Ingall-Tombs. Jeremy 
was treated as a good leaver and full details of the terms are set out 
on page 131.

Cathy Turner was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 April 2020 and was appointed to the Remuneration Committee 
on the same date.

Wider workforce engagement 
Following changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code that seek 
to broaden the role of the Committee to include oversight of wider 
employee remuneration and related policies and to show how the 
Committee has engaged with the wider workforce, we have built on 
practices that were already in place and embedded in the way we 
work. As detailed on pages 47 to 51, our colleagues have been at the 
forefront of the significant progress we have made over the last few 
years and our Employer of Choice agenda (including safety, health 
and environment) remains our number one priority. More information 
about the Board’s engagement with stakeholders, including our 
approach to workforce engagement, can be found on pages 90 to 91. 
The Committee takes into account the wider workforce when making 
remuneration decisions for the Executive Directors and the Executive 
Leadership Team and has done so historically. The Committee is proud 
that both the PSP and annual bonus scheme operate consistently for 
both Executive Directors and the wider management teams, across all 
countries within the Group, and penetrates deep into the organisation 
creating alignment and focus, as well as ensuring that the success of 
the Company is shared by our colleagues.

This report is structured as follows:
115  Remuneration at a glance 

Key headline details on performance and remuneration in 2020

116  Proposed changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
Summary of changes and rationales, along with proposed 
application for 2021

118  Proposed 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

Full details of the proposed Policy, which will be put to vote at the 
2021 AGM

125 Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Introduction 
Details of the Remuneration Committee and its activities 
during 2020

127  Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020 

Details of Directors’ remuneration received during 2020

136 Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Looking forward 2021 

Details of how the Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be 
implemented in 2021

114 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Remuneration at a glance

Components

   Fixed pay – base salary, benefits, pension
  Bonus
  Performance Share Plan (PSP)
  Unearned

Breakdown of Executive Directors’ total remuneration
The table shows a comparison of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer’s total remuneration for 2020 and 2019 and shows the potential 
maximum that was unearned.

£’000

Fixed pay

Variable pay

 Base salary

 Benefits

 Pension

 Bonus

 PSP

Total

 Unearned

Andy Ransom, Chief Executive

2020

2019 

+/-%

656.3

765.3

19.7

19.8

191.3

0.0

3,187.9

4,055.2

191.3

1,069.0

2,182.1

4,227.5

-14.2%

-0.3%

–

-100%

46.1%

-4.1%

Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Chief Financial Officer

2020 

188.5

29.3

2019 

–

–

5.0

–

0.0

–

50.5

273.3

–

–

Response to COVID-19 – Chief Executive 

32%

less share options awarded under 
the PSP due to the cancellation 
of the March grant and delaying 
to September 2020

100% salary 
waived in Q2

CEO waived (35%) and donated 
(65%) to the Colleague Support Fund

0% bonus payable

Although the original full-year annual bonus 
targets for revenue, profit and cash were 
all met and would have resulted in a bonus 
payout of £729,982, the CEO requested 
to receive no bonus relating to 2020

Fixed pay

Un-earned fixed pay

Un-earned annual bonus

PSP

Reduction in share options granted

 Performance Share Plan (PSP)

The bar chart compares the value of the PSP 
received for 2020 and 2019. 

PSP value (£’000)

Andy Ransom
Chief Executive

2020

2019

PSP value due to share price growth

Fixed pay

Un-earned fixed pay

Un-earned annual bonus

PSP

Reduction in share options granted

1,535.8

3,187.9

795.6

2,182.1

The pie chart shows the weightings and estimated 
outcome of the performance conditions of the 
2018 PSP award due to vest on 29 March 2021.

57.9%

EPS
growth

TSR
growth

100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 115

Proposed changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy

The table below summarises the proposed changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy) and details how it will be applied in 2021.

Element

Current Policy

Proposed change

Proposed application in 2021

Base salary

Increases are normally broadly in line 
with those awarded to the wider 
workforce. Adjustments to this may 
be made where the Remuneration 
Committee deems it appropriate.

None

We intend to increase pay for the CEO in 
line with the wider workforce, which we 
believe will be modest in 2021 given the 
impact of COVID-19. The annual pay review 
has been moved to July.

As detailed on appointment, the CFO salary 
will increase to £550,000 on his first 
anniversary subject to both his and the 
Company’s performance being satisfactory.

Benefits

Pension

Benefits provided at a rate 
commensurate with the market and 
include life assurance, car or car 
allowance, family healthcare, 
permanent health insurance and 
relocation benefits.

Executive Directors may contribute to 
a defined contribution arrangement or 
receive a cash supplement in lieu of 
pension. Contributions for the existing 
Executive Directors are 25% of salary 
for the CEO and 15% of salary for 
the CFO.

None

As per previous years.

Changes made in 2020: The Executive 
Directors’ contribution rate was updated 
in January 2020 to be in line with the wider 
UK workforce, which is currently 3% of 
salary. The new CFO was appointed in 
August 2020 on this basis. In addition, 
a commitment was made to cap the 
CEO’s pension at the 2019 amount and 
for it to be reduced to be in line with the 
wider workforce at the end of 2022.

The CFO will receive a 3% of salary 
pension contribution, in line with the 
wider workforce. 

The CEO’s pension amount, currently 
21.9% of salary, will continue to decrease 
as a result of any future salary increases. 
At the end of 2022, it will reduce to be in 
line with the wider workforce, currently 
3% of salary. 

Rationale for change
 e This change is proposed to align with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and investor guidance that the pension 

contribution should be brought in line with the wider workforce by the end of 2022.

Annual 
bonus

Bonus opportunity of 150% of base 
annual salary (before the application 
of the individual performance modifier). 
Maximum opportunity of 180% of base 
annual salary (after the application of 
the individual performance modifier). 
Deferral of 40% of bonus into shares with 
a minimum three-year holding period.

No change to maximum opportunity. 

The personal performance element will be 
separated from the financial element, rather 
than acting as a modifier and will operate 
independently. This change is to make the 
bonus simpler and more market aligned, as 
we recognise it is considered complex and 
doesn’t meet current best practice.

The targets will remain stretching and it is 
anticipated that the financial element will 
continue to be measured against Free 
Cash Flow, revenue and profit targets, 
and personal performance will continue 
to be measured through the Company 
performance review process, as is the 
case across the wider workforce.

Rationale for change
 e This change is proposed as we recognise our current scheme is considered complex and misaligned with current best practice.

The amendment has been supported by shareholders throughout the consultation process.

Performance 
Share Plan 
(PSP)

250% of annual base salary for the CEO 
and 200% for the CFO. Maximum award 
of 300% in exceptional circumstances. 

No more than 25% of the award shall 
vest for meeting threshold levels of 
performance and 100% of the award shall 
vest if maximum performance is achieved. 
Two-year holding period. 

Dividend equivalents may accrue 
between grant and vest or exercise date.

Increase the maximum PSP award 
permitted under the new policy to 375% 
of salary for the CEO (from 250%) and 
300% of salary for the CFO (from 200%). 

No more than 20% of the award shall 
vest for meeting threshold levels of 
performance.

Dividend equivalents may accrue 
between grant and vest date or the 
end of the holding period.

We will not use the proposed Policy 
maximums in 2021. The increase will be 
phased with the CEO receiving an award 
of 325% in 2021 and our CFO receiving an 
award at the current Policy level of 200%, 
to reflect that he is settling into his new 
role and continuing to gain experience. 

Rationale for change
 e The Company has grown in size considerably over the last five years, moving from around the FTSE 150 to the middle of the FTSE 
100, with our market capitalisation has increased from £2.9bn in 2015 to around £10bn today, and our Executive Directors’ total 
remuneration package has not kept pace with the speed with which the Company has grown.

 e Despite the Committee having to play catch-up on more than one occasion, our Executive Directors’ total remuneration package 
is still well below the median compared to companies of a similar size, which does not fit with the principles we apply to our wider 
workforce of ensuring that our pay is fair and competitive. This low benchmark for a high-performing leadership team also 
represents a retention and recruitment risk that we, as a Committee, need to address by creating a policy that is fit for purpose 
for the next three years.

 e We are proposing to increase the PSP opportunity, rather than other elements of the package, to further align our Executive 

Directors’ remuneration with returns to shareholders and the sustainable, long-term success of the Company. 

 e We believe that, as a Company and a Committee, we have a strong track record of operating with restraint and due regard for all our 

stakeholders, including shareholders, employees and customers, and therefore can be relied upon to use this increase in PSP sensibly 
in the pursuit of motivating and retaining our executive team, evidenced by our proposed application of a lower award level in 2021.

116 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Element

Current Policy

Proposed change

Proposed application in 2021

PSP 
performance 
conditions

The policy initially envisaged two 
performance measures weighted 
two-thirds and one-third respectively:

 e relative total shareholder return (TSR) 

performance; and

 e the achievement of earnings per share 

(EPS) targets. 

Following consultation with 
shareholders in 2018, other financial 
and strategic measures were 
introduced with a weighting of 10% 
and 15% respectively. TSR was 
reduced to 50% and EPS to 25%.

Awards are subject to the achievement of 
financial and ESG/strategic measures, with 
specific measures and weightings set by 
the Remuneration Committee each year 
to ensure alignment with the business 
strategy at the time of grant. However, 
a minimum weighting of 75% should relate 
to financial (including TSR) measures. 
Potential measures include:

 e relative TSR performance;
 e Organic Revenue growth;
 e Free Cash Flow conversion; and
 e ESG measures (colleague retention, 

customer satisfaction and vehicle fuel 
intensity). 

Our intention is to increase focus on 
key business metrics that drive our 
performance and the following metrics 
and weightings are proposed:

 e relative TSR performance – 50%;
 e Organic Revenue growth – 15%;
 e Free Cash Flow Conversion – 15%; and
 e ESG measures (colleague retention, 

customer satisfaction and vehicle fuel 
intensity) – 20%.

Rationale for change
 e The changes proposed increase the weightings of the measures which we believe drive long-term sustainable business 

performance.

 e They are measures that we use to manage the business on a day-to-day basis, while still retaining a high weighting on TSR 

to ensure alignment with the shareholder experience. 

 e We have decided to exclude EPS as it continues to be difficult to set meaningful targets and, despite always adjusting outcomes 

for acquisitions and disposals, some shareholders continue to be concerned that M&A can positively impact the outcome.

Shareholding 
guidelines

300% of salary for the CEO and 200% 
of salary for the CFO (within five years 
of appointment).

Introduction of post-cessation guidelines 
which will normally require Executive 
Directors to hold shares, for two years 
post-cessation, to the value of the 
shareholding guideline that applied at the 
cessation of their employment; or, in cases 
where the individual has not had sufficient 
time to build up shares to meet their 
guideline, the actual level of shareholding 
at cessation.

The CEO has significantly exceeded the 
requirement and the CFO is on track to 
meet his requirement within five years 
of appointment.

The shareholding levels for each Executive 
Director will be reviewed by the Committee 
in July each year to ensure their holdings 
meet the requirement or are on track to 
do so.

Rationale for change
 e This change is proposed to align with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and investor guidance.

Consideration of shareholders’ views 
The Company is committed to maintaining good communications with 
investors. 

Although the response received was overwhelmingly positive, the 
Committee carefully considered all the feedback gathered during 
the consultation. As a result of this the Committee made changes 
to the original proposal, which included:

During the Policy review the Remuneration Committee Chair engaged 
extensively with our top shareholders who hold around 60% of our 
share capital, along with shareholder representative bodies/proxy 
agencies through a mix of letters, emails and meetings. 

The consultation was undertaken in two phases: the first to outline 
the key proposed change to the PSP and the minor change to the 
bonus structure, to enable shareholders to input into the Policy 
design, and the second to provide details of the final proposed Policy.

A large number of our shareholders provided feedback to the 
proposed changes and the Committee has been encouraged by 
their interest and support. In particular, they have valued the time 
taken by shareholders to consider the proposal within the context 
of the Company’s performance and the requirement to reward our 
Executive Directors appropriately. The Committee is extremely 
cognisant of the current remuneration climate and, therefore, has 
particularly appreciated the vast majority of our shareholders 
indicating their support.

 e Reducing the threshold vesting level of the PSP from 25% to 20%. 

This will mean that the proposed increase in PSP will only be 
realised for delivering outperformance, as this change reduces 
the value at threshold to a level similar to that of the current Policy, 
further reinforcing our commitment to pay for performance.
 e Phasing the increase for the CEO and the CFO so that the full 

quantum is not delivered in the first year. In the case of the CFO, 
no additional quantum will be delivered in 2021.

The Remuneration Committee also considered feedback from 
a limited number of shareholders to reduce the quantum of the 
proposed increase. However, upon reflection, it was felt that any 
reduction would mean that the CEO’s total remuneration package 
would still lag behind those packages offered by companies of 
a similar size, and therefore would not be in line with our reward 
philosophy, nor secure the retention of our high-performing CEO.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 117

 
Proposed 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy

This part of the Remuneration Report sets out our proposed 2021 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy and has been developed taking into 
account the UK Corporate Governance Code and the views of our 
major shareholders. 

In setting the Remuneration Policy for the Executive Directors, 
the Remuneration Committee ensures that the arrangements are 
in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders, 
by continuing to take into account the following general principles: 

The Policy will be put to a binding shareholder vote at the 2021 AGM 
to be held on 12 May 2021 and, subject to shareholder approval, will 
take formal effect from the conclusion of the AGM. The proposed 
Policy is broadly consistent with the current Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy that was approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM. Key areas 
of difference between the current and proposed policies are set out 
in the table on page 116. The current Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
is available to view on the Company’s website at rentokil-initial.com/
investors/governance. 

The information provided in this section of the Remuneration Report 
is not subject to audit. 

 e to ensure that total remuneration packages are simple and fair 

in design; 

 e to ensure that total remuneration is highly performance-orientated; 
 e to ensure that incentives balance the achievement of financial 
performance objectives and delivering sustainable profitable 
growth in the long term; and

 e to provide a substantial proportion of performance-linked pay 
in shares allowing senior management to build a significant 
shareholding in the business and, therefore, aligning management 
with shareholders’ interests and the Group’s performance, without 
encouraging excessive risk-taking.

Base salary

Purpose/
link to 
strategy

Operation

To attract and retain executives of the calibre required to implement our strategy.

Base salaries are payable in cash and are normally reviewed annually. Base salaries are set taking into account:
 e scope and responsibilities of the role;
 e external economic environment;
 e individual skills and experience;
 e contribution to overall business performance;
 e pay conditions for other colleagues based in the UK and other regions which are considered by the Remuneration Committee 

to be relevant for that executive; and

 e comparable salaries in a cross-section of companies of a similar size and complexity at the time of review – which will be taken 

into consideration, but not be the key determiner of salary levels.

Levels of 
payout

Base salaries are set at an appropriate level taking into account the factors described under ‘Operation’ above and salary 
increases are considered in this context.

While there is no maximum salary level, the Remuneration Committee would normally expect percentage pay increases for the 
Executive Directors to be broadly in line with the wider workforce in relevant regions. However, higher increases may be awarded 
in certain circumstances, where the Remuneration Committee considers this appropriate, such as:
 e where a new Executive Director has been appointed to the Board at a lower than typical market salary to allow for growth in the 
role, then larger increases may be awarded in following years to move salary positioning closer to typical market levels as the 
executive grows in experience, subject to performance;

 e where the Executive Director has been promoted or has had a change in responsibilities, salary increases in excess of the above 

level may be awarded; or

 e a substantial change in the Company’s size or market capitalisation leading to the positioning of an Executive Director’s salary 

falling behind market practice.

In exceptional circumstances, where a Non-Executive Director temporarily takes up an executive position, salary increases for the 
Non-Executive Director may be awarded as appropriate.

The payment of salary is not dependent on achieving performance targets although individual performance is taken into account 
when setting salary levels and determining any salary increases.

To facilitate Executive Directors’ planning for retirement.

Executive Director pension arrangements are by way of a defined contribution arrangement or through a cash alternative 
of a similar value or a combination of the two.

Performance 
measures 
and period

Pension

Purpose/
link to 
strategy

Operation

Levels of 
payout

For the current Chief Financial Officer and any future Executive Director hires the maximum contribution will be in line with 
the wider workforce in the UK, which is currently 3% of base salary although this rate may change from time to time. 

The maximum contribution for the Chief Executive has been frozen at the cash amount paid in 2019, when the Policy in force 
at the time was 25% of salary and is currently equivalent to 21.9% of base salary. This cash amount will be reduced to be in line 
with the maximum contribution for the wider workforce in the UK at the end of 2022.

Not applicable.

Performance 
measures 
and period

118 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Benefits

Purpose/
link to 
strategy

Operation

To provide market-competitive benefits that support the executive to undertake their role.

The Company pays the cost of providing the benefits on a monthly, annual or one-off basis. Benefits are determined taking into 
account market practice, the level and type of benefits provided throughout the Group and individual circumstances. All benefits 
are non-pensionable. The main benefits for Executive Directors are:
 e life assurance;
 e car or car allowance;
 e family healthcare;
 e permanent health insurance; and
 e relocation benefits – in the event that an executive were required to relocate to undertake their role, the Remuneration 

Committee may provide an additional appropriate level of benefits to reflect the relevant circumstances. Such benefits may 
be one-off or ongoing in nature.

Should an Executive Director be appointed in a country other than the UK, benefits appropriate to that market would be 
considered. The Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to change the benefits provided (including offering additional 
benefits) in line with market practice and may include offering participation in any future all employee share plan.

Levels of 
payout

Levels of benefits are set in line with market practice. The level of benefits provided varies year on year depending on the 
cost of the provision of benefits to the Company and therefore it is not meaningful to identify a maximum level of benefits.

Not applicable.

Performance 
measures 
and period

Annual bonus

Purpose/
link to 
strategy

To recognise and reward for stretching business performance against annual financial targets and/or personal objectives that 
contribute to Company performance.

To attract and retain executives of the calibre required to implement our strategy and drive business performance.

The deferral of an element of the annual bonus into shares provides alignment with shareholders’ long-term interests following 
the successful delivery of short-term targets and supports the balance of achievement of short-term and long-term business 
performance.

Operation

The annual bonus is paid each year after the Remuneration Committee has reviewed performance against targets, which are set 
around the beginning of each year for each Executive Director, taking into consideration the underlying performance of the 
business.

Normally no more than 60% of any bonus is generally paid in cash with the balance deferred in shares under the Deferred Bonus 
Plan (DBP).

Deferred shares typically vest after a period of three years with no further performance conditions.

Shares awarded under the DBP are typically awarded as nil-cost options and have an exercise period that extends from the date 
of vesting to the tenth anniversary of the award being made although awards may be structured in other ways. If nil-cost options 
remain exercisable at the tenth anniversary of grant then they will be exercised automatically on a participant’s behalf.

The Remuneration Committee retains the right to exercise discretion to ensure that the level of bonus payable is appropriate and 
a fair reflection of the Company’s performance.

Malus and clawback rules apply to both cash bonus payments and DBP awards (see Malus and Clawback section for details).

Deferred shares may be adjusted in accordance with the rules in the event of a variation of the Company’s share capital, demerger, 
special dividend or similar event that materially affects the price of shares.

Levels of 
payout

Bonus payouts start to accrue at a level of up to 20% of base salary for meeting threshold levels of performance and a maximum 
opportunity of 180% of base salary, with an on-target bonus opportunity of no more than 50% of the maximum opportunity. 
Payouts for performance levels in between these levels will typically be paid on a straight-line basis.

Dividend equivalents accrue between grant date and vesting date on shares that vest under the DBP and are normally settled 
in the form of additional shares.

Performance 
measures 
and period

The annual bonus is normally based on the achievement of financial targets and/or personal objectives, although the Committee 
may include other strategic priorities. Performance is typically tested over a one-year performance period.

The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to set appropriate measures that ensure alignment with business strategy 
and shareholder interest, subject to the financial measures accounting for at least 75% of the total.

Financial measures may be linked to Group performance or the Executive’s specific area of responsibility, if appropriate.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 119

Proposed 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Purpose/
link to 
strategy

To motivate and incentivise delivery of stretching business performance over the long term and to create alignment with growth 
in value for shareholders.

To act as a retention tool for Executive Directors.

Operation

The PSP operates under the rules approved by shareholders in 2016 (and as amended).

An award of shares is granted on an annual basis with a face value in line with the multiple of base salary approved by the 
Remuneration Committee, with vesting subject to the achievement of performance conditions.

Shares awarded under the PSP are typically awarded as nil-cost options (although may be structured in other ways) and have an 
exercise period that extends from the date of vesting to the tenth anniversary of the award being made. If nil-cost options remain 
exercisable at the tenth anniversary of grant then they will be exercised automatically on a participant’s behalf.

Award levels and performance conditions are set to support the business’s long-term goals and seek to reflect market practice 
and shareholder guidance.

Awards are subject to a two-year holding period post vesting. Directors may sell sufficient shares to pay taxes due related to the 
award, if required, during this period.

Malus and clawback rules apply to shares awarded under the PSP (see Malus and Clawback section for details).

Awards may be adjusted in accordance with the rules in the event of a variation of the Company’s share capital, demerger, 
special dividend or similar event that materially affects the price of shares.

Levels of 
payout

The maximum regular annual award will be 375% of base salary for the Chief Executive and 300% of base salary for the Chief 
Financial Officer and any other Executive Directors. This increase in award will be implemented on a phased basis, with the CEO 
receiving 325% of salary (75% of salary increase) in the year ending 31 December 2021 (Year 1). The CFO will receive an award 
of 200% of salary (this remains at the current level) in Year 1, while he settles into the role and gains experience.

No more than 20% of the award shall vest for meeting threshold levels of performance and 100% of the award shall vest if maximum 
performance is achieved. Performance between these points will typically be measured on a straight-line basis.

Dividend equivalents may accrue between grant date and vesting date or to the end of the holding period on shares that vest 
under the PSP and are normally settled in the form of additional shares.

Performance 
measures 
and period

Awards are subject to the achievement of financial and ESG/strategic measures, with specific measures and weightings set by 
the Remuneration Committee each year to ensure alignment with the business strategy at the time of grant. However, a minimum 
weighting of 75% should relate to financial (including TSR) measures. Potential measures include:
 e relative TSR performance;
 e Organic Revenue growth;
 e Free Cash Flow conversion; and
 e ESG measures (colleague retention, customer satisfaction and vehicle fuel intensity).

If events happen which cause the Remuneration Committee to consider that a performance condition would not, without alteration, 
achieve its original purpose, it may amend that performance condition provided that the amended performance condition is 
materially no less challenging than it would have been had the event not occurred.

The Remuneration Committee retains the right to exercise discretion to ensure that the formulaic vesting outcome is appropriate 
and a fair reflection of the Company’s performance.

Shareholding guidelines

Encourages greater levels of shareholding and aligns Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders.

Purpose/
link 
to strategy

Operation

Executive Directors are expected to achieve and maintain a holding of the Company’s shares. 

A further post-cessation shareholding requirement will normally apply to Executive Directors (see Termination section for details). 
For two years following cessation of employment, Executive Directors will be required to hold shares to the value of the 
shareholding guideline that applied at the cessation of their employment unless the Remuneration Committee exceptionally 
determines otherwise; or, in cases where the individual has not had sufficient time to build up shares to meet their guideline, 
the actual level of shareholding at cessation.

Levels of 
holding

Chief Executive: 300% of salary, Chief Financial Officer and other Executive Directors: 200% of salary. To be achieved within five 
years of appointment or other significant event.

Not applicable.

Performance 
measures 
and period

120 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Proposed changes to the Policy
The proposed changes to the previous Policy are explained in the table on pages 116 and 117.

Measures and targets
All the performance measures selected, both in the financial and ESG/strategic categories, support the delivery of short and long-term financial 
performance of the business and shareholder value creation. Targets are set each year based on stretching internal budgets and achieving or 
exceeding these targets will both return value to shareholders and reward the executive team for delivery.

The annual bonus measures are reviewed annually to focus on delivery of key financial targets and strategic goals for the forthcoming year, 
as well as key strategic or operational goals relevant to the individual. Over the long term, PSP performance measures are focused on generating 
returns to shareholders through the relative TSR measure and other measures focus on improving business performance.

Malus and clawback
Malus and clawback rules apply to the Executive Directors’ incentive arrangements. Under these provisions, the Remuneration Committee 
at their discretion may reduce bonus payments in respect of the current year or future years and have the ability to scale back awards that 
have not yet vested under the Company’s PSP or DBP (potentially to nil) in the event of:

 e a material misstatement of the Company’s audited results for the current year or prior years; 
 e actions which result in serious reputational damage or corporate failure affecting any part of the Group, which can be reasonably attributed 

to be the result of an individual’s serious misconduct; 

 e the discovery that an assessment of performance connected to the award (including relating to the original bonus amount for the DBP) was 

based on misleading or inaccurate information; 

 e there has been fraud or gross misconduct, or circumstances which, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, would entitle the Company 

or any other member of the Group to summarily dismiss the individual; or

 e in other circumstances where the Remuneration Committee, in its discretion, considers that this treatment is appropriate.

For bonus, a clawback provision exists to give the Remuneration Committee, in the same circumstances to malus, the ability to recover sums 
already paid for up to two years after bonus determination.

For PSP, a clawback provision exists to give the Remuneration Committee, in the same circumstances as malus, the ability to recover sums 
already paid for up to five years from the grant date.

Use of discretion
The Remuneration Committee is cognisant of its responsibility to make informed and thoughtful decisions on remuneration that are both 
balanced and in the long-term interests of the business and shareholders and, where necessary, will apply discretion to remuneration targets 
or outcomes that would otherwise be inappropriate. 

In addition, the Remuneration Committee also retains the right to apply discretion in the operation and administration of the incentive plans. 
This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: setting appropriate performance conditions, weightings and targets from year to year 
for the PSP and annual bonus, the timing of PSP and DBP grants, the timing of annual bonus payments, the size of PSP awards granted, and 
determining the treatment of leavers.

Any discretion applied will be in accordance with the respective plan rules (or relevant documentation) and within the limits of the Policy. 

Illustration of proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2021
The charts below provide an illustration of what could be received 
by each of the Executive Directors in 2021 including how a 
50% increase in the share price could impact what they receive.

These charts are illustrative as the actual value that will be received 
will depend on business performance in 2021 for the bonus and in 
the three-year period to 2024 for the PSP, as well as share price 
performance to the date of exercise for awards made under the 
DBP and the PSP.

Our remuneration arrangements are designed so that a significant 
proportion of pay is dependent on the delivery of short and long-term 
goals that are aligned with our strategic objectives and the creation 
of shareholder value.

Key

 Fixed pay 

Includes all elements of fixed remuneration:
–  base salary; and
–  pension and benefits.

 Annual bonus including Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP)  

Represents the potential value of the annual bonus for 2021, as shown 
on page 136. 40% of any bonus would be deferred into shares for 
three years and this is included in the value shown. 

 Performance Share Plan (PSP) 

Represents the potential value of the PSP to be awarded in 2021, 
(325% of salary for the CEO and 200% of salary for the CFO), which 
would vest in 2024 subject to performance against the targets disclosed 
on page 137. Awards would be held for a further two years. 

 50% share price growth 

Represents the potential impact of a 50% share price increase.  
This has been applied to the PSP and DBP.

Chief Executive – Andy Ransom 

Fixed
£1,086,056

100%

Threshold
£2,096,681

Target
£4,163,869

Maximum
£7,241,681

52%

27%

6%

15%

26%

19%

34%

21%

15%

22%

39%

24%

£0m

£1.0m £2.0m £3.0m £4.0m £5.0m £6.0m £7.0m £8.0m

Chief Financial Officer – Stuart Ingall-Tombs1 

Fixed
£549,127

100%

Threshold
£953,978

22%

57%

8% 13%

Target
£1,888,253

Maximum
£3,227,379

29% 25% 27% 19%

17% 29%

32%

22%

£0m

£1.0m £2.0m £3.0m £4.0m £5.0m £6.0m £7.0m £8.0m

1.  Assumes salary increase to £550,000 from 15 August 2021, as per the 

appointment announcement.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 121

Proposed 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued

Recruitment
Executive Directors
The Remuneration Committee’s key principle when determining 
appropriate remuneration arrangements for a new Executive Director 
(whether appointed from within the organisation or externally) is to 
ensure that arrangements are in the best interests of both the 
Company and its shareholders, without paying more than is considered 
necessary by the Remuneration Committee to recruit an executive 
of the required calibre to develop and deliver the business strategy. 
When determining appropriate remuneration arrangements, the 
Remuneration Committee will take into account all relevant factors. 
These factors may include (among others):

 e the level and type of remuneration opportunity being forfeited;
 e the jurisdiction the candidate was recruited from and whether any 

relocation is required;

 e the skills, experience and calibre of the individual;
 e the circumstances of the individual; and
 e the current external market and salary practice including market 

practice on additional benefits.

The Remuneration Committee would comply with the terms of the 
Remuneration Policy outlined in the table on pages 118 to 120.

In addition, if necessary, it may make awards on appointing an 
Executive Director to ‘buy out’ remuneration terms forfeited on 
leaving a previous employer. In doing so, the Remuneration 
Committee will take account of relevant factors including any 
performance conditions attached to these awards, the form in 
which they were granted (e.g. cash or shares) and the time over 
which they would have vested. Generally, buy-out awards will be 
made on a comparable basis to those forfeited but, in any event, 
will reflect those terms in some way (e.g. through a more substantial 
discount to the amount).

In the event of recruitment, the Remuneration Committee may 
grant awards to a new Executive Director under Listing Rule 9.4.2R, 
which allows for the granting of awards, to facilitate, in unusual 
circumstances, the recruitment of an Executive Director, without 
seeking prior shareholder approval or under other appropriate 
Company share plans. The use of Listing Rule 9.4.2R will be limited 
to granting buy-out awards only.

In the event that an internal candidate was promoted to the Board, 
legacy terms and conditions may be honoured, including any 
outstanding incentive awards and the exercise of any discretion 
in connection with such payments. Similarly, if an Executive Director 
is appointed following the Company’s acquisition of or merger with 
another company, legacy terms and conditions would be honoured; 
however, steps would be taken to align with the Policy over time.

In the event of the appointment of a new Chair of the Board or 
Non-Executive Director, remuneration arrangements will normally 
reflect the Policy outlined on page 123.

The Remuneration Committee’s intention is that timely disclosure 
of the remuneration structure of any new Executive Director or 
Chair of the Board will be made by the Company wherever practical.

Directors’ service agreements – Executive Directors
Executive Directors are employed on permanent contracts which 
are terminable on 12 months’ notice by either party. A description 
of the payment in lieu of notice provisions can be found below. The 
Company’s policy in respect of the notice periods for the termination 
of Executive Directors’ contracts conforms to the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The remuneration and contractual arrangements 
for the Executive Directors and senior management do not contain 
any matters that are required to be disclosed under the Takeover 
Directive. The contracts of service for Executive Directors are 
available for inspection by shareholders at the Company’s 
registered office.

122 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Termination
When an Executive Director leaves the business on the basis of 
mutual agreement, the Remuneration Committee will determine 
an appropriate payment taking into account the circumstances of 
leaving but any payment will be no more generous than that for 
leavers by reason of disability, ill health, retirement, redundancy, 
death or sale of an individual employing business. There are no 
provisions for notice periods or compensation in the event of the 
termination of the appointment of a Non-Executive Director. 
The Chair of the Board has a notice period of six months.

Base pay and benefits
Executive Directors are entitled to a payment in lieu of notice equal 
to base pay and the value of benefits only for the duration of the 
remaining notice period, subject to mitigation. The Company has 
the ability to terminate Executive Directors’ employment, in the 
event of a prolonged mental or physical incapacity to carry out his/
her Company duties and without notice (summary dismissal), in the 
event of gross misconduct or being disqualified to act as a Director. 
Appropriate medical benefits may still be provided in the case of 
prolonged mental or physical incapacity.

Other
Executive Directors may be entitled to other payments including, 
but not limited to, costs of appropriate repatriation/relocation, 
outplacement, settlement agreement, non-compete agreement, 
legal and/or tax and other relevant professional costs. The 
Remuneration Committee would look to ensure that the level 
of these costs/benefits was reasonable and in the best interests 
of shareholders.

Bonus including Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP)
Cash bonus
In the event of retirement, death, disability, redundancy, change 
of control, sale of the employing company or any other circumstance 
at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, Executive Directors 
may receive a bonus payment for the year in which they cease 
employment. This payment will normally be pro-rated for time and 
performance; however, the Remuneration Committee retains the 
discretion to review overall business and individual performance 
and determine that a different level of bonus payment is appropriate.

Otherwise, generally, Executive Directors must be employed at the 
date of payment to receive a bonus. In certain circumstances, the 
Remuneration Committee may determine that a bonus payment 
may be due to reflect performance and contribution to the point 
of cessation.

DBP – leaving before date of vest
Deferred bonus shares will normally vest in full following completion 
of the three-year vesting period, unless the Committee determines 
in its absolute discretion that vesting will be accelerated. Participants 
will have six months from the date of vest to exercise.

The vesting of awards will be accelerated in the event of death and 
there will be a period of 12 months from death to exercise (or up to 
24 months if the Remuneration Committee so determines).

DBP – leaving after date of vest
The Executive Director will normally have six months in which to 
exercise their awards from the date of leaving (12 months for death 
(or up to 24 months if the Remuneration Committee so determines)).

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Leaving before the end of the performance period
In the event of ill health, disability, death, retirement, redundancy, 
change of control, sale of the employing company or any other 
circumstance at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, 
awards will vest on the original vesting date on a time-apportioned 
basis (unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise). 
Performance will be measured at the end of the original performance 
period. Participants will have six months from the end of the holding 
period to exercise.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

At the Remuneration Committee’s discretion in the event of ill 
health, disability or death (or in the event of any other exceptional 
circumstance if it determines), awards can vest early on a 
time-apportioned basis. In this circumstance, performance will be 
measured to the early vesting date. Participants will have six months 
from leaving to exercise (12 months for death (or up to 24 months if 
the Remuneration Committee so determines)).

If participants leave for any other reason before the end of the 
performance period, their award will lapse on termination.

Leaving after the end of the performance period
Any awards in the two-year holding period will be available to exercise 
following completion of the two-year holding period. Participants will 
have six months from the latest of the end of the holding period or the 
leaving date to exercise (12 months for death (or up to 24 months if the 
Remuneration Committee so determines)).

Post-cessation shareholding requirement
For two years following the cessation of employment, Executive 
Directors will normally be required to hold shares to the value of the 
shareholding guideline that applied at the cessation of their 
employment; or, in cases where the individual has not had sufficient 
time to build up shares to meet their guideline, the actual level of 
shareholding at cessation.

The post-cessation shareholding requirement is to be satisfied from 
shares vesting under the DBP and PSP from grants from 2021 
onwards. On exercise sufficient shares may be sold to cover taxes 
due, but until the shareholding requirement is met the remaining 
shares will be held by the Company in nominee/escrow for the benefit 
of the Director.

If the Executive Director has met the shareholding requirement 
through other means, with the exception of shares bought with their 
own funds, and the above approach results in a shortfall at the date 
of leaving, the Executive Director will be required to transfer the 
appropriate number of shares into the nominee/escrow in order to 
meet the requirement.

In the event of ill health, disability or death (or in the event of any 
other exceptional circumstance that the Remuneration Committee 
determines), the post-cessation shareholding requirement will 
not apply.

Chair of the Board and Non-Executive 
Directors
Fees
Approach
Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration is determined by the Board 
on the recommendation of the Non-Executive Directors’ Terms 
Committee of the Board (comprising the Chair of the Board, the Chief 
Executive and the Chief Financial Officer) within the limits set by the 
Articles of Association. Non-Executive Directors’ fees are set at a level 
which is considered appropriate for the calibre of individual required 
to support the delivery of business strategy and taking into account 
skills, experience, time commitment and independent surveys of fees 
paid to Non-Executive Directors of similar companies.

Fees for the Chair of the Board are determined by the Board based on 
external remuneration advice and considered by the Remuneration 
Committee taking into account typical fee arrangements at other 
companies of a similar size and complexity, the time commitment 
required to fulfil the role and the calibre of the individual required. 
Fees are reviewed at appropriate intervals.

Details
Non-Executive Directors’ fees are payable in cash and currently 
consist of a basic fee plus additional fees payable to:

 e the Senior Independent Director; and
 e the Board Committee Chairs.

Additional fees may be paid to Non-Executive Directors on an ongoing 
or temporary basis if there is a change in their responsibilities or a 

significant increase in the time commitment required from them to fulfil 
their role or to remain competitive.

The fees for Non-Executive Directors, including the Chair of the Board, 
shall not exceed in aggregate £1,000,000 per annum or such higher 
amount as the Company may from time to time by special resolution 
determine, as set out in the Company’s Articles of Association.

Other items
No element of Non-Executive Director remuneration is 
performance-related.

The Chair of the Board and the Non-Executive Directors do not 
participate in any of the Company’s incentive schemes, nor are they 
eligible to join the Company’s pension scheme.

The Non-Executive Directors do not currently receive any other 
benefits. However, benefits may be provided in the future if, in the 
view of the Non-Executive Directors’ Terms Committee (for 
Non-Executive Directors or the Remuneration Committee for the Chair 
of the Board), this was considered appropriate. Non-Executive 
Directors who are based outside the UK may be provided with support 
in relation to their tax reporting.

Letters of appointment
Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, but not service 
contracts. Subject to annual re-election at the AGM, Non-Executive 
Directors will be appointed for an initial period of three years, which 
may be extended for a further period of three years by mutual consent 
and thereafter reviewed annually, subject to acceptable tests of 
performance and independence. Non-Executive Directors do not 
have periods of notice. See page 201 for details of their appointment 
dates.

Chair of the Board
The Chair of the Board has a letter of appointment setting out his 
responsibilities for the management of the Board. The Chairman’s 
contract may be terminated by either party on six months’ notice, 
notwithstanding a requirement for annual re-election at the AGM.

Copies of the Chair of the Board and Non-Executive Directors’ letters 
of appointment are available for inspection by shareholders at the 
Company’s registered office.

Remuneration Policy – other information
Change of control
If the Company is taken over or wound up, PSP awards may vest by 
reference to the extent to which the performance conditions are met 
and on a time pro-rated basis (calculated on a monthly basis) unless, in 
the case of pro-rating, the Remuneration Committee decide otherwise. 
Outstanding PSP awards may be vested automatically on a change of 
control on the participants’ behalf. Typically salaries and bonuses will 
be paid to the date of change of control.

DBP awards shall vest in full. If participants are offered, and consent 
to, an equivalent award in the new company they will not vest and 
instead will be exchanged for a new award. Participants have one 
month from the change of control date to exercise their award; any 
options that are not exercised at the end of that period will be 
automatically exercised.

Legacy arrangements
The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to make any 
remuneration payments and payments for loss of office (including 
exercising any discretions available to it in connection with such 
payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Policy 
set out above where the terms of the payment were agreed:

 e before the date the Company’s first Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
approved by shareholders in accordance with section 439A of the 
Companies Act 2006 came into effect;

 e before the Directors’ Remuneration Policy set out above came into 
effect, provided that the terms of the payment were consistent with 
the shareholder-approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy in force 
at the time they were agreed; or

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 123

Proposed 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued

 e at a time when the relevant individual was not a Director of the 

Company and, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the 
payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming a 
Director of the Company. For these purposes ‘payments’ includes 
the Remuneration Committee satisfying awards of variable 
remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the terms 
of the payment are ‘agreed’ at the time the award is granted. The 
Remuneration Committee may make minor amendments to the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (for regulatory, exchange control, 
tax or administrative purposes or to take account of a change in 
legislation) without obtaining shareholder approval for that 
amendment.

Wider workforce engagement
Remuneration Committee engagement with our colleagues forms 
part of the wider workforce engagement undertaken by the Board 
of Directors as set out on page 90. In addition, the Remuneration 
Committee received and reviewed details of the wider workforce 
remuneration when considering the base pay, bonus, PSP awards 
and outcomes for the Executive Directors and the Executive 
Leadership Team throughout 2020. The UK and global workforces 
were also considered when reviewing pension contribution levels 
for Executive Directors.

Wider workforce remuneration policy
The following summary provides additional context but does not 
formally form part of the Policy and may change from time to time.

During 2020, the Company had approximately 44,500 colleagues 
based in 83 countries (2019: approximately 43,000 colleagues based 
in 81 countries). We have a broad remuneration policy which reflects the 
diversity of cultures, legislative environments, employment markets and 
the types and seniority of roles that this geographic spread requires. 
We structure our colleague reward to enable us to recruit and retain 
the right people, doing the right job for our customers.

The Remuneration Committee monitors and reviews the effectiveness 
of the senior remuneration policy and has regard to its impact and 
compatibility with remuneration policies in the wider workforce. 
Principles include:

 e competitive: setting pay with reference to internal relativity and 

external market practices;

 e simple: helping all employees to understand how they are rewarded;
 e fair: achieving consistent outcomes through flexible and transparent 

policies; and

 e sustainable: aligning reward to business strategy and performance.

The table below compares our typical wider workforce policy with the 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

Wider workforce policy

Comparison with 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Base salary

Benefits

Pension

No difference.

Salaries are set taking into account:
 e scope and responsibilities of the role; 
 e individual skills and experience;
 e pay conditions for other colleagues based in the country; and
 e comparable salaries in companies of a similar size and complexity.

Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis and budgets are typically 
set at a country level, taking into account local differences.

Annual salary budgets are set taking into account affordability, economic 
data including price inflation and unemployment, affordability and market 
practices.

Benefits are determined at a country level and are aligned with typical 
market practice in that country.

No difference.

Eligibility to benefits differs by work level.

Pension benefits are provided in countries where this is a typical market 
practice. The level of benefit typically differs by work level.

Annual bonus

Our management team across the Group are eligible to participate in an 
annual bonus scheme. 

The scheme has a company and personal element. Payout under the 
company element is determined by performance against financial targets 
such as revenue, profit and cash. Targets are tailored to the area of 
business responsibility for the management team, rather than based 
on Group-level outcomes.

An individual modifier, based on personal performance, is applied to the 
bonus outcome under the financial element.

Bonus opportunities are differentiated by work level, but are consistent 
across all countries in the Group at each level.

Frontline employees in sales and service are eligible to participate 
in monthly or quarterly incentives and/or commission schemes.

PSP

Our management team across the Group are eligible to participate in our PSP.

Eligibility is determined by work level and award levels differentiated by grade. 
Awards are based on a percentage of salary and are subject to the achievement 
of performance conditions over the three-year performance period.

124 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Executive Directors’ pensions are in line 
with the wider workforce for the country 
they are based in.

The Company element and the Group 
targets work in broadly the same way 
as the management scheme. 

The personal element is measured in the 
same way as the wider workforce, but is 
calculated as part of the bonus rather than 
as a modifier. This change was made to 
align Executive Director bonus design with 
market practice, following feedback from 
shareholders about the complexity of the 
modifier arrangement.

The modifier arrangement was retained 
for our management scheme as it is well 
understood within the Company and 
making changes to the bonus scheme 
at this time was not felt to be optimal. 
However, it will be relooked at as part 
of a broader review in the future.

Executive Directors’ awards are identical, but 
are also subject to a two-year holding period.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Introduction

Introduction
The Annual Remuneration Report has been split into three sections 
for ease of reference. This introductory section provides an overview 
of the Remuneration Committee and their activities during the year. 
The second section, from page 127, provides an explanation of how 
the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy was implemented in the 
year ended 31 December 2020 and shows the alignment between 
the Company’s strategy, remuneration framework and performance, 
as well as the payments made to Directors during this period. 
The final section, from page 136, provides an overview of how the 
new Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be applied in 2021.

Remuneration Committee effectiveness
The Remuneration Committee undertook a review of its performance 
during the year as part of the broader external Board evaluation as 
detailed on page 94. The review concluded that the Remuneration 
Committee continued to operate effectively and that individual 
Directors serving on the Remuneration Committee continued to 
have access to appropriate advice and information. The key area 
of focus for the Committee in 2021 will be the presentation of the 
new Directors’ Remuneration Policy to shareholders at the 2021 AGM 
and the succession of the Remuneration Committee Chair who will 
be stepping down at the 2021 AGM.

Remuneration Committee responsibilities
The Remuneration Committee’s main responsibilities are developing 
and setting the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and overseeing its 
application. It determines and agrees the executive remuneration 
policy with the Board and approves individual remuneration 
arrangements for the Chairman, Executive Directors and members 
of the Executive Leadership Team. It reviews executive performance 
and strives to ensure that remuneration structures align the interests 
of management with those of shareholders and operate in the best 
long-term interests of the Company.

The Remuneration Committee oversees contractual terms on termination 
affecting Executive Directors and members of the Executive Leadership 
Team, and seeks to ensure that any payments made are both fair to the 
individual and to the Company, that failure is not rewarded and that the 
duty to mitigate loss is fully recognised. The Remuneration Committee 
also oversees the Company’s incentive schemes including the operation 
and effectiveness of performance measures and targets in both the 
annual bonus plan and the PSP. It also lends oversight to major changes 
in employee remuneration across the Group.

Membership and attendance
The number of scheduled Remuneration Committee meetings in 2020 
was increased to five to support the review of the Policy. There was 
also an additional meeting held in July 2020 to conclude matters 
arising from the main July meeting. Details of the members of the 
Remuneration Committee and their attendance during the year can be 
found on page 85. The Group HR Director, the Group General Counsel 
& Company Secretary, the Deputy Company Secretary (who acts as 
secretary to the Remuneration Committee) and the Group Head of 
Reward also attend Remuneration Committee meetings.

The Group HR Director has direct access to the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee and, together with the Group Head of Reward, advises the 
Remuneration Committee on remuneration matters relating to Executive 
Directors and members of the Executive Leadership Team. The Company 
Chairman also attends meetings and makes recommendations in relation 
to the remuneration and incentive arrangements for the Chief Executive. 
The Chief Executive attends meetings and makes recommendations in 
respect of remuneration arrangements for his direct reports. No Executive 
Director or member of the Executive Leadership Team is present when 
their own remuneration is under consideration.

The Remuneration Committee members have a broad and diverse 
set of skills and knowledge that, when combined, bring the necessary 
level of experience and know-how to ensure that remuneration 
matters are dealt with in a balanced, independent and informed 
manner. No member of the Remuneration Committee has any 
personal financial interest in the matters to be decided by the 
Remuneration Committee, other than as a shareholder. No member 
of the Remuneration Committee has any conflict of interest in carrying 
out their role on the Remuneration Committee arising from other 
directorships nor does any member participate in any of the 
Company’s incentive or pension arrangements or have any 
involvement in the day-to-day running of the Company.

In order to avoid any conflict of interest, remuneration is managed 
through well-defined processes ensuring no individual is involved in 
the decision-making process related to their own remuneration. The 
Remuneration Committee also receives support from external advisors 
and evaluates the support provided by those advisors annually to 
ensure that advice is independent, appropriate and cost-effective.

External advisors 
Material advice and/or services were provided to the Remuneration 
Committee during the year by FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP (FIT) 
who are retained to provide independent advice on executive 
remuneration matters and on the Company’s long-term incentive 
arrangements. FIT is a member of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group and adheres to its code in relation to executive remuneration 
consulting in the UK. Fees charged during the year for advice to the 
Remuneration Committee by FIT were £38,193. FIT also acts as 
remuneration advisor to the remuneration committee of Trustpilot A/S 
which Angela Seymour-Jackson chairs. However, the Remuneration 
Committee is satisfied that this has not impaired their independence 
in any way. FIT has no other material connections with the Company 
or any Director and the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the 
advice it receives is independent and objective.

AGM voting outcomes 
At the Company’s last AGM on 13 May 2020, the outcome of the 
advisory vote in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report was 
as follows. There was no vote on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
at the 2020 AGM as it had been approved in 2018.

2020 AGM – Remuneration Report voting results

Votes for

Percentage for

Votes against

Percentage against

Total votes cast

Votes withheld (abstentions)

2018 AGM – Remuneration Policy voting results

Votes for

Percentage for

Votes against

Percentage against

Total votes cast

Votes withheld (abstentions)

1,470,892,523

97.73%

34,127,839

2.27%

1,505,020,362

1,379,693

1,088,397,058

75.01%

362,586,597

24.99%

1,450,984,015

52,008,445

A vote ‘for’ includes those votes giving the Chair discretion. A vote 
‘withheld’ is not classed as a vote in law and is not counted in the 
calculation of the proportion of votes cast for or against a resolution.

The Remuneration Committee is pleased with the level of shareholder 
support received at the 2020 AGM. The Company remains committed 
to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting 
outcomes. In the event of a substantial vote against a resolution in 
relation to Directors’ remuneration, the Company would seek to 
understand the reasons for any such vote and would set out in the 
following Annual Report any actions in response to it.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 125

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Introduction
continued

Activities of the Remuneration Committee 
In 2020, the Remuneration Committee considered the following key areas:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Executive remuneration

Executive Director 
remuneration

The Remuneration Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2020, 
bonus outcomes for 2019, bonus structure for 2020 and the 2020 PSP awards 
and targets for the Executive Directors.

See pages 127 to 131 for 
more information

Executive Leadership Team 
(ELT) remuneration

The Remuneration Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2020, 
bonus outcomes for 2019, bonus structure for 2020, and the 2020 PSP awards 
and targets for the members of the ELT. 

2017 Performance Share 
Plan (PSP) vest

The Remuneration Committee approved the upward adjustment of the EPS 
targets due to material M&A activity and approved the vesting of the 2017 PSP 
awards as a result of the performance measures being met at 90.8% of maximum.

–

–

2020 PSP award

PSP measures

2020 annual bonus

2021 annual bonus

CFO retirement

CFO appointment

Following the cancellation of the grant in March, the Remuneration Committee 
approved the PSP grant for September 2020 and its performance conditions, 
and subsequently noted a summary of the grants made under the PSP.

See page 130 for 
more information

The Remuneration Committee monitored the performance status of the 
outstanding awards under the PSP.

–

Following the cancellation of the H1 2020 bonus, the Remuneration Committee 
considered and approved a reduced H2 2020 annual bonus for ELT members 
and eligible members of the wider workforce. The Executive Directors did not 
participate in this incentive.

See pages 127 to 129 for 
more information

The Remuneration Committee reviewed the overall structure of the 2021 annual 
bonus plan for Executive Directors and ELT members.

See page 136 for more 
information

During 2020, the Remuneration Committee considered the leaving arrangements 
of the outgoing Chief Financial Officer.

See page 131 for 
more information

During 2020, the Remuneration Committee considered the remuneration terms 
for the appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer.

See page 127 for 
more information

2021 Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

The Remuneration Committee considered and agreed the structure and content 
of the new policy.

Shareholder engagement

The Remuneration Committee engaged with shareholders on the new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and considered the feedback received.

Governance and oversight

Share dilution limits

Terms of reference

Performance review 

The Remuneration Committee noted the impact of the Company’s executive share 
plans on share dilution limits.

The Remuneration Committee undertook its annual review of its terms of 
reference.

These are available 
on our website

The Remuneration Committee undertook its annual review of the effectiveness 
of the Committee.

See Committee 
effectiveness 
on page 125

Corporate governance and 
proxy voting guidelines 

The Remuneration Committee received three updates during 2020 on changes 
in corporate governance and proxy voting guidelines. 

–

Gender Pay Report 

The Remuneration Committee considered and approved the 2019 Gender Pay 
Report in February, which was published in March 2020.

Directors’ Remuneration 
Report

The Remuneration Committee reviewed and approved the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report to be included in our 2019 Annual Report.

Read about diversity on 
page 50 and our reports 
are on our website

Available on our website

Shareholding guidelines

The Remuneration Committee approved new shareholding requirements for 
members of the ELT.

Annual planner 

The Remuneration Committee considered the annual planner for 2021.

–

–

The Chair of the Remuneration Committee presents a summary of material matters discussed at each meeting to the following Board meeting 
and minutes of the Remuneration Committee meetings are circulated to all Directors. The Remuneration Committee reports to shareholders 
annually in this report and the Chair of the Remuneration Committee usually attends the AGM to address any questions arising, although this 
was not possible in May 2020 due to restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

126 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

See Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy 
on pages 118 to 124

–

–

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020

Directors’ remuneration in the year to 31 December 2020
Single total figure for the remuneration of Executive Directors
The table below has been audited.

 Fixed pay

Variable pay

 Base 
salary9 
£’000

Year

 Benefits1 
£’000

 Pension2 
£’000

Total  
fixed pay 
£’000

 Bonus3 
£’000

 PSP4,5 
£’000

Total  
variable pay
£’000

Total  
£’000

Value attributed 
to share price 
growth6
£’000

% attributed to 
share price 
growth

Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive

2020 

656.3

2019

765.3

19.7

19.8

191.3

867.3

–

3,187.9

3,187.9

4,055.2

1,535.8

48.2%

191.3

976.4

1,069.0

2,182.1

3,251.1

4,227.5

795.6

36.5%

Stuart Ingall-Tombs,  
Chief Financial 
Officer7

Jeremy Townsend,  
Former Chief 
Financial Officer⁸

2020 

188.5

29.3

5.0

222.8

2019

–

–

–

2020 

278.5

29.1

45.2

352.8

–

–

–

50.5

50.5

273.3

24.3

48.2%

–

–

–

1,275.1

1,275.1

1,627.9

614.3

48.2%

2019

492.0

16.6

64.8

573.4

604.8

1,402.7

2,007.5

2,580.9

511.5

36.5%

1.  Executive Directors are provided with life assurance, permanent health insurance and a car allowance. Stuart Ingall-Tombs was also provided with support with 
his relocation from the USA to the UK costing £23,557. Jeremy Townsend received £19,038 in holiday pay on his termination for accrued but untaken holiday 
in line with his contract. The value of the taxable benefit is included under ‘Benefits’ in the above table. There were no other taxable benefits paid to Executive 
Directors in 2019 or 2020.

2.  Andy Ransom received a pension contribution, in the form of a cash supplement, worth 25% of base salary in 2019 and 21.9% of base salary in 2020. Stuart 

Ingall-Tombs received a pension contribution, in the form of a cash supplement, worth 3% of base salary in line with the UK wider workforce. Jeremy 
Townsend’s pension contribution was 15% of base salary, which delivered as a cash supplement reduces to 13.2% of base to account for additional cost of 
employer NI contributions, in line with the practice for the wider workforce in the UK.

3.  40% of the individual’s 2019 bonus entitlement was awarded as deferred shares, which vest after a period of three years.
4.  The 2020 single total figure includes the 2018 PSP which is due to vest in March 2021. The value of the 2018 PSP at vest has been estimated based on the 
average of the Company’s share price over the last financial quarter of 2020, giving a price of 523.3p, and the anticipated performance outcomes giving 
a vesting level of 85.97% detailed on page 129. The actual value of the 2018 PSP will be restated next year once the final performance outcome and the share 
price at date of vesting are known. 

5.  The 2017 PSP estimates included in the 2019 single figure have been restated. The award vested at 90.8% and has been restated to reflect the actual share 

price at the date of vesting on 31 March 2020 of 387.80p. 

6.  The 2020 PSP award value attributed to share price growth is 252.1p per share (estimated share price at vest of 523.3p less share price at grant of 271.2p), 

which is 48.2% of the PSP value. The 2019 PSP award value attributed to share price growth is 141.4p per share (share price at vest of 387.8p less share price 
at grant of 246.4p), which is 36.5% of the PSP value. The Remuneration Committee has not exercised discretion as a result of this share price appreciation for 
either award.

7.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed to the Board on 15 August 2020. His PSP award was granted prior to his appointment as an Executive Director and in line 

with the reporting requirements the value has been pro-rated to reflect his qualifying earnings as an Executive Director.

8.  Jeremy Townsend stepped down from the Board on 14 August 2020; values for 2020 relate to the period while he was an Executive Director. Details of his 

leaving arrangements are set out on page 131.

9.  Andy Ransom waived all his base pay and Jeremy Townsend 35% of base pay in Q2 2020 as part of the initiatives to address the impact of COVID-19.

Annual bonus 2020
2020 annual bonus cancellation
On the recommendation of the Chief Executive, and with the agreement of the Remuneration Committee, one of the initiatives put in place 
to enable the business to successfully navigate COVID-19 was to cancel the H1 portion of the 2020 annual bonus for all eligible employees. 

The Chief Executive also recommended that the remaining portion of the bonus was replaced with a reduced H2 ‘In It Together’ bonus 
opportunity for the annual bonus population, to ensure they were incentivised and motivated to continue driving business recovery. The Chief 
Executive requested, and agreed with the Board, that the Executive Directors would not participate in this incentive.

While the financial performance against the original full-year annual bonus targets for revenue, profit and cash were all met and would have 
resulted in a bonus payout above threshold for the Executive Directors, given the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on colleagues, customers and 
shareholders, the Chief Executive requested, and agreed with the Board, to receive no annual bonus for 2020, foregoing £729,982. Similarly, 
the former Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Townsend, will receive no bonus in relation to the period prior to his leaving foregoing £185,869. 
The new Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Ingall-Tombs, will also receive no bonus in relation to the period since his appointment, foregoing 
£125,802.

2020 annual bonus outcome
Although, no bonus is payable to either the Chief Executive, the former Chief Financial Officer or the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer for 
2020, for transparency details of the annual bonus outcome that would have been payable under the scheme approved by the Remuneration 
Committee for 2020 are described below. 

The annual bonus plan comprises three parts: gateway measures, company performance and individual performance. This means that bonuses 
earned reflect the performance of the constituent businesses which make up the overall Group performance as well as achievement against 
specific personal objectives. The gateway measures and Company performance are measured against financial targets. The Executive Directors 
had a maximum bonus opportunity of 150% of salary if the Company financial targets are achieved in full. Personal performance is accounted for 
using an individual performance modifier, which is linked to the Group’s performance and development review process. This modifier can 
increase the maximum bonus opportunity up to 180% of salary, but also reduce the amount payable to 0%.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 127

 
 
 
Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020
continued

Gateway measures
For any bonus to be payable to an Executive Director, two gateway 
measures had to be met as follows:

Company performance outcome
The table shows the bonus outcome for Company performance for the 
Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer and the amount payable.

 e Profit Gateway: The Company must achieve at least 95% of the 
Ongoing Operating Profit target (£411.0m) which is £387.8m. 
The outcome was £401.4m.

 e Free Cash Flow Gateway: The Company must achieve Free Cash 

Ongoing 
Revenue 
(50% 
weighting)

Ongoing 
Operating 
Profit (50% 
weighting)

Bonus 
outcome as % 
of salary 
before IPM

Bonus 
outcome 
before IPM

Flow generation of £200.0m. The outcome was £336.8m.

Andy Ransom

52.28%

36.71%

66.74%

584.0

 e Both gateways were achieved.

Company performance measures
Executive Directors’ bonuses were determined by achievement 
against two independent financial measures: Ongoing Revenue and 
Ongoing Operating Profit (before restructuring costs) performance. 
These measures were given equal weighting. 

Ongoing Revenue (weighting 50%):
To support the delivery of profitable growth in 2020 and to ensure 
incentives were aligned with the Group’s strategy, revenue targets 
for Executive Directors were weighted to focus on sectors that 
were critical to the business. To provide this focus, coefficients were 
applied to the revenue generated from the quadrants as follows:

Pest Control – Emerging markets

Pest Control – Growth markets

Hygiene

Protect & Enhance

Coefficient 2020

1.5

1.1

0.9

0.39

The targets used to assess Ongoing Revenue performance are 
disclosed below, along with the achievement against these targets.

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Result

Stuart Ingall-Tombs1

52.28%

36.71%

66.74%

Jeremy Townsend2

52.28%

36.71%

66.74%

125.8

185.9

1.  The bonus outcome for Stuart Ingall-Tombs has been pro-rated from 

15 August 2020 when he was appointed to the Board.

2.  The bonus outcome for Jeremy Townsend has been pro-rated to 14 August 

2020 when he retired from the Board.

Individual performance modifier (IPM)
The Executive Directors’ personal performance is reflected in the 
bonus outcome through the individual performance modifier as set 
out in the table below. Performance is measured through the Group’s 
performance and development review process and objectives 
typically include areas such as People, Customers, Safety, Systems, 
Governance & Control, and Key Strategic Projects. 

The individual performance modifier is applied to the outcome of 
the Company performance element of the bonus. The individual 
performance modifier can only increase or decrease the outcome 
of the Company financial results.

Performance 
rating and 
definition

1:  
Below 
standards 
required

2: 
Development 
required 

3:
Good
performer

4:  
Exceeds 
expectations 

5: 
Outstanding 

Modifier

0%

75%

100%

110%

125%1

Targets

2,845.3

2,874.0

2,902.7

2,875.3

Targets as % of on-target

99%

100%

101% 100.05%

1.  The maximum individual performance modifier that can be applied to the 
bonus is 125%. However, for the Executive Directors the annual bonus is 
capped at 180% of salary.

% of maximum bonus 
opportunity

10%

50%

100%

52.28%

Ongoing Operating Profit (before restructuring costs; weighting 50%):
The targets used to assess Ongoing Operating Profit performance are 
disclosed below, along with the achievement against these targets.

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Result

Targets

387.8

408.2

428.6

401.4

Targets as % of on-target

95%

100%

105%

98.34%

% of maximum bonus 
opportunity

10%

50%

100%

36.71%

The performance rating for the Chief Executive has been awarded 
a 5 rating resulting in a 125% modifier applying to the Company 
performance outcome. The assessment of the performance rating 
by the Chairman takes into account the Chief Executive’s key 
achievements during 2020 as detailed on page 129.

The former Chief Financial Officer and the newly appointed Chief 
Financial Officer focused on COVID-19 crisis management and 
recovery actions as well as handover and induction duties and 
therefore no rating has been applied for 2020.

The table below details the total bonus outcome after the application 
of the individual performance modifier.

Bonus 
outcome 
before IPM

Bonus 
outcome 
after IPM

IPM

Bonus 
payable

Andy Ransom

584.0

125%

730.0

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Jeremy Townsend

125.8

185.9

–

–

125.8

185.9

£0

£0

£0

128 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The table details the key achievements for the Chief Executive which were used to determine his performance rating.

Strategic objectives

Achievements

Employer of Choice

 e Delivered world-class safety standards across the Group with an improvement of 26% in Lost Time Accident 

rate on prior year and an improvement of 23% in Working Days Lost
 e Continued improvement in colleague retention up 1.7% points to 88.6%
 e Maintained Trustpilot 5 star rating
 e Employee Pulse Survey showed 96% of employees rated the leadership of the Company as ‘doing the right 

things to succeed during the crisis’

 e Implemented Hybrid Working globally to ensure colleague’s safety as well as supporting flexible working 

and our Employer of Choice strategy

Ongoing Revenue

 e Maintained delivery within our medium-term target range, with Ongoing Revenue increase of 6.3% over 

previous year, despite COVID-19 impact

Ongoing Operating Profit

 e Delivered Ongoing Operating Profit increase of 5.4% over previous year despite COVID-related bad debt 

provisions and PPE costs

Cash and liquidity

 e Delivered very strong Free Cash Flow of £336.8m, representing 126% cash conversion through tight controls 

over costs, capex and working capital

M&A 

 e 23 businesses acquired, despite a suspension of M&A in Q2, adding annualised revenues of £158.2m

Hygiene business 
development

 e Opened up 20 new markets for Hygiene in 2020 including North America and Germany
 e Trained 7,000 colleagues in four weeks in specialist Hygiene in order to build a global disinfection business 

to support customer requirements

Performance Share Plan (PSP) and Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) awards
The PSP is our long-term incentive plan which the Executive Directors, Executive Leadership Team and over 750 managers and technical experts 
participate in. This participation supports delivery of our strategic priorities. The DBP is the long-term incentive plan under which 40% of any 
bonus payable to the Executive Directors is deferred in shares. 

2018 PSP award
The 2018 PSP award was subject to two performance measures: relative TSR performance (with a weighting of two-thirds) and EPS growth (with 
a weighting of one-third). The EPS performance period for this award ended during the 2020 financial year. Vesting is on a straight-line basis 
between median and upper quartile performance for the TSR element of the award. No awards vest for below median performance. The TSR 
performance period for the 2018 award is measured over a three-year period ending during the 2021 financial year. The TSR element of the 
award is therefore estimated using the average of the Company’s share price over the last financial quarter of 2020. Vesting is on a straight-line 
basis between threshold and target and between target and maximum for the EPS element of the award. 

Andy Ransom was granted an award of shares worth 200% of salary in March 2018 and a further award of 50% of salary in May 2018 following 
approval of the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Policy. The former Executive Director, Jeremy Townsend, was granted an award of shares worth 
200% of salary in March 2018 and he retained a pro-rata of the award to his leaving date in line with his good leaver status (see page 131 for more 
details). Stuart Ingall-Tombs was not an Executive Director at the time of grant. 

2018 PSP vesting level

The outcomes for the 2018 PSP are summarised below.

The table below has been audited.

Performance 
condition

Condition 
definition

Performance 
period

Threshold

Maximum

Actual/estimated 
result

Vesting level

29 March 2018 – 
28 March 2021

If median rank is 
achieved, 25% of 
the award vests

If upper quartile 
rank is achieved, 
100% of the 
award vests

85.5% increase in 
TSR. Ranked 14 out 
of 179 comparator 
companies1

100% of the TSR 
element of the 
award is on track to 
vest in March 2021

TSR measured against 
the FTSE 350 Index, 
excluding financial 
services, property and 
primary resources 
sectors

Annualised EPS growth

Relative TSR 
(weighting 
two-thirds)

EPS  
(weighting  
one-third)

Total

14 May 2018 – 

13 May 2021

1 January 2018 – 
31 December 2020

8.0% p.a. for 
25% of the 
EPS element 
to vest

13.0% p.a. for 
100% of the EPS 
element to vest

10.1% p.a.

57.9% of the EPS 
element of the 
award to vest

85.97%

1.  The estimated outcome of the TSR element of the 2018 PSP has been based on performance to the end of December 2020. The numbers will be restated 

in next year’s Annual Report to reflect actual performance.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 129

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020
continued

2018 PSP awards vesting
The aggregate number of shares anticipated to vest in 2021 is summarised in the table below. The table also includes an estimate of the number 
of additional shares relating to dividends accrued throughout the performance period which will be added to the final awards. The table below 
has been audited.

Maximum  
award  
of shares

Vesting level of 
award

Total number of 
shares post 
performance 
conditions

Dividend  
equivalent  
shares at vest

Total  
shares  
vesting

Value 
of shares 
vesting1

Value of share 
vesting attributed
 to share price 
growth

% of vesting value 
attributed to share 
price growth

Andy Ransom

691,625

85.97%

594,590

14,597

609,187

£3,187,877

£1,535,761

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

10,954

85.97%

9,417

231

9,648

£50,490

£24,323

Jeremy Townsend3

276,647

85.97%

237,833

5,839

243,672

£1,275,137

£614,298

48.2%

48.2%

48.2%

1.  The value of the 2018 PSP at vest is estimated based on an average of the Company’s share price over Q4 of 2020 of 523.3p.
2.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed to the Board on 15 August 2020. His PSP award was granted prior to his appointment as an Executive Director and in line 

with the reporting requirements the value has been pro-rated to reflect his qualifying earnings as an Executive Director.

3. Jeremy Townsend received good leaver status and retained shares on a pro-rata basis to the date of his retirement from the Board on 14 August 2020.

PSP awards granted during the year
The PSP grant planned for March 2020 was cancelled as part of the initiatives put in place to enable the Company to successfully navigate the 
crisis caused by COVID-19. Following review of business performance, the Remuneration Committee approved for a grant to go ahead in 
September. Andy Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs were granted an award of shares under the PSP on 8 September 2020. The awards are subject 
to a three-year performance period and a two-year holding period post-vesting. 

This delay resulted in the award being granted at 530.2p (share price on 7 September 2020), rather than 358.6p (share price on 23 March 2020). 
The Committee have considered and are comfortable that the delay in timing of the grant removed the potential for windfall gains as the share 
price at grant was back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Prior to the grant in September, the Remuneration Committee undertook a detailed review of the performance conditions that had been approved 
for the cancelled grant in March to ensure they were fit for purpose. This resulted in the removal of EPS as a performance measure as the 
Company was unable to set effective targets for this measure given the level of uncertainty and business disruption. All the other performance 
conditions were retained with the weightings adjusted upwards to reflect the removal of EPS as detailed below:

The number of shares that vest under the PSP will be based on the following performance conditions and weightings:

Performance measures 2020–2023

Weighting

Threshold: 25% vesting

Target: 50% vesting

Maximum: 100% vesting

Relative TSR

60%

TSR performance is median 
measured against the FTSE 
350 Index, excluding 
financial services, property 
and primary resources 
sectors

Straight-line vesting 
between threshold and 
maximum

Upper quartile TSR 
performance against the 
FTSE 350 Index, excluding 
financial services, property 
and primary resources sectors

Organic Revenue growth

Free Cash Flow conversion

Strategic measures

10%

£160m

10%

80%

£200m

85%

£240m

90%

–  Sales and Service colleague retention

20% 

– Customer satisfaction

– Vehicle fuel intensity

Split 
equally

Targets for these measures have not been disclosed as the Board believes that these 
measures are commercially sensitive. They will be based on straight-line vesting between 
threshold and target and between target and maximum performance which will be reported 
at vesting.

In addition, when determining the level of vesting, the Remuneration Committee will also consider the underlying financial performance of the 
business, as well as the value added for shareholders during the performance periods, and may adjust the vesting outcome if it considers this 
to be appropriate. 

Awards to Executive Directors under the 2020 PSP are set out in the table below.

2020 PSP award
The table below has been audited.

Participant

Date of award

Number of  
shares  
awarded1

Share price  
used to  
determine award

Exercise  
price

Face value  
of shares

% of salary 
awarded

Date of vest3

Performance  
period end2

Andy Ransom

8 Sep 2020

412,580

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

8 Sep 2020

188,608

530.2p

530.2p

0.0p

£2,187,500

250%

8 Sep 2023

7 Sep 2023

0.0p

£1,000,000

200%

8 Sep 2023

7 Sep 2023

1.  The figures shown for the number of share awards are maximum entitlements and the actual number of shares (if any) which vest under the PSP will depend 

on the performance conditions being achieved as set out above.

2.  The TSR condition will be measured over three years to 7 September 2023. The other performance conditions will be measured over three years 

to 31 December 2022. The PSP awards are subject to a holding period of two years which commences from the date of vest.

3.  The awards granted were in the form of nil-cost options and may be exercised after vesting up to 10 years from the date of grant. 

130 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

DBP awards granted during the year
On 24 March 2020, Andy Ransom and the former Executive Director Jeremy Townsend were also granted awards under the DBP which equated 
to 40% of the value of bonus earned under the 2019 Annual Bonus. These awards will vest after a period of three years with no further 
performance conditions.

Awards to Executive Directors under the 2020 DBP are set out in the table below.

2020 DBP award
The table below has been audited.

Participant

Andy Ransom

Date of award

24 Mar 2020

Jeremy Townsend

24 Mar 2020

Number of  
shares  
awarded

Share price  
used to  
determine award

119,243

67,459

358.6p

358.6p

Exercise  
price

Face value  
of shares

Date of vest

Performance  
period end

0.0p

0.0p

£427,606

24 Mar 2023

23 Mar 2023

£241,908

24 Mar 2023

23 Mar 2023

Payments for loss of office (audited)
Jeremy Townsend
Jeremy Townsend retired from the Board with effect from 14 August 2020. He was treated as a good leaver, which is the automatic treatment for 
retirement and the Remuneration Committee agreed was appropriate to apply. His leaving terms were in line with the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy in force at the time and are summarised below. No discretion was applied by the Remuneration Committee to his leaving arrangements.

 e Jeremy’s salary, pension and benefits were paid up to his retirement date of 14 August 2020, which were £278,492, £45,166 and £10,070 

respectively. The leave date was mutually agreed and he did not receive any additional pay in lieu of notice. For the period 1 January 2020 
to 14 August 2020, this totalled £333,728.

 e In line with his Service Agreement, on termination he received £19,038 holiday pay for accrued, but untaken holiday.
 e He was eligible for a pro-rata annual bonus for the 2020 financial year up to and including 14 August 2020. Although the financial results 

generated a payment under the scheme of £185,869, as detailed on pages 127 and 128, it was determined that the Executive Directors would 
not receive a bonus in 2020. Therefore, Jeremy will not receive a bonus payment in relation to his time served in 2020.

 e He did not receive a PSP award in 2020.
 e His PSP awards that have vested, but are still in their holding period were retained in full and will be released at the end of holding period.
 e He will receive a pro-rata from time of grant to his leave date 14 August 2020 for his 2018 and 2019 PSP awards, as detailed on page 133, 

and these awards remain subject to the achievement of performance conditions and will vest in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Any shares that 
vest will be released following the two-year holding period.

 e His Deferred Bonus Plan awards granted in 2019 and 2020 will be retained in full and released at the end of the deferral period in 2022 and 

2023.

 e All outstanding awards will remain subject to malus and clawback.

Payments to past Directors (audited)
There were no payments made to past Directors during 2020.

Single total figure for the remuneration during 2020 of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
The table below has been audited:

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors

Richard Solomons²

John Pettigrew5

Angela Seymour-Jackson3,6

Julie Southern

Cathy Turner4,7

Linda Yueh

Fees 2020¹ 
£’000

Fees 2019
£’000

Benefits 2020
£’000

Benefits 2019
£’000

Total 2020
£’000

Total 2019
£’000

342.2

254.3

63.9

58.4

68.4

36.8

54.8

66.9

69.7

75.0

–

60.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

342.2

254.3

63.9

58.4

68.4

36.8

54.8

66.9

68.1

75.0

–

60.0

1.  The Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors waived 35% of their fees in Q2, in line with waivers made by the Executive Directors as part of a range 

of initiatives to help support the business through COVID-19.

2.  Richard Solomons was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2019 and as Chairman on 8 May 2019.
3.  Angela Seymour-Jackson waived an additional £10,000 of her fees to the benefit of the Colleague Support Fund, see page 51 for details.
4.  Cathy Turner waived an additional £3,000 of her fees to the benefit of the Colleague Support Fund.
5.  John Pettigrew was appointed as Senior Independent Director on 8 May 2019.
6.  Angela Seymour-Jackson was appointed as Remuneration Committee Chair on 8 May 2019.
7.  Cathy Turner was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 131

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020
continued

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests
Directors’ share interests
The interests of the Directors and their connected persons in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2020, or their date of cessation 
if earlier, and at 31 December 2019, or their date of appointment if later, are set out below. No Director has any beneficial interest in the shares of 
any of the Company’s subsidiaries. This table has been audited.

Richard Solomons

Andy Ransom1

Stuart Ingall-Tombs²

Jeremy Townsend³

John Pettigrew

Angela Seymour-Jackson

Julie Southern

Linda Yueh

Cathy Turner4

Number of ordinary shares  
as at 31 Dec 2020 

Number of ordinary shares  
as at 31 Dec 2019 

25,000

1,562,544

79,592

734,099

10,000

10,574

9,891

1,590

15,384

25,000

1,562,544

–

734,099

10,000

10,574

5,000

1,590

–

1.  Andy Ransom has an interest in 4,328,951 vested PSP shares from the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 awards which he has not yet exercised. 
These figures are not included in his beneficial interest of shares figure at 31 December 2020 above but are included in the share award table below.

2.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed to the Board on 15 August 2020.
3.  Jeremy Townsend retired from the Board on 14 August 2020 and the table shows his shareholding at this date.
4.  Cathy Turner was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020.

There has been no change to the current Directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2020 and 3 March 2021.

Executive shareholdings
All Executive Directors are required to hold shares equivalent in value to a percentage of their salary within a five-year period from their 
appointment date. For the Chief Executive, this requirement is 300% of annual salary and for the Chief Financial Officer 200% of annual salary. 

As of 31 December 2020, the Chief Executive substantially exceeded the minimum shareholding requirement and Stuart Ingall-Tombs was on 
track to meet the shareholding requirement within five years. Jeremy Townsend retired from the Board on 14 August 2020 and is no longer 
required to meet the shareholding requirement.

The table below sets out the number of shares held at 31 December 2020 by each Executive Director. Shares owned outright include those held 
by connected persons. This table has been audited.

Andy Ransom

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Jeremy Townsend³

Shareholding  
requirement 
as a % of salary

Number of 
shares owned 
outright

Value of 
shareholding as at 
31 Dec 2020¹

Shares owned 
outright as 
a % of salary

Interest in PSP and DBP 
share awards 
as at 31 Dec 2020²

300%

200%

–

1,562,544

£7,962,724

79,592

£405,601

734,099

£3,740,969

910%

81%²

–

6,142,519

350,908

512,647

1.  The share price is based on the closing share price on 31 December 2020 of 509.6p.
2.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs is 4.5 months into his five-year period to meet the shareholding requirement. He is on track to meet the holding requirement.
3.  Jeremy Townsend retired from the Board on 14 August 2020 and was not required to maintain his shareholding post-cessation. His number of shares held 

outright is the number he held on leaving.

132 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Total PSP and DBP awards held by Executive Directors
The table below has been audited.

Share price 
used to 
determine 
award

Date of 
award

Scheme 
interest at 
1 Jan 2020

Shares 
awarded 
during 2020

Shares 
lapsed 
during 2020

Dividend 
equivalent 
shares 
at vest

Shares 
available for 
exercise 
during 2020

Dividend 
equivalent 
shares at 
exercise

Shares 
exercised 
during 2020

Outstanding 
awards at  
31 Dec 2020

Performance 
period end

2012 PSP¹

Andy Ransom

08/05/12

83.5p

163,625

2013 PSP¹

Andy Ransom

30/04/13

96.0p

513,403

Andy Ransom

01/10/13

109.0p 388,853

2014 PSP¹

Andy Ransom

31/03/14

123.4p

912,792

2015 PSP¹

Andy Ransom

31/03/15

135.5p 883,906

Jeremy Townsend

31/03/15

135.5p 460,552

2016 PSP¹

Andy Ransom

12/05/16

159.4p 869,324

Jeremy Townsend

12/05/16

159.4p

558,851

2017 PSP¹,²,3

Andy Ransom

31/03/17

246.4p 597,048

Jeremy Townsend

31/03/17

246.4p

383,814

Stuart Ingall-Tombs⁴

31/03/17

246.4p

57,070

2018 PSP

Andy Ransom

29/03/18

271.2p 553,300

Andy Ransom

14/05/18

271.2p

138,325

Jeremy Townsend

29/03/18

271.2p 355,690

Stuart Ingall-Tombs⁴ 29/03/18

271.2p

52,888

Stuart Ingall-Tombs⁴ 06/09/18

320.0p

74,978

2019 PSP⁶

Andy Ransom

25/03/19

346.6p

551,987

Jeremy Townsend

25/03/19

346.6p 283,879

Stuart Ingall-Tombs⁴ 25/03/19

346.6p

79,529

2019 DBP⁵

Andy Ransom

25/03/19

346.6p

72,505

Jeremy Townsend

25/03/19

346.6p

42,373

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2020 DBP⁵

Andy Ransom

24/03/20

358.6p

Jeremy Townsend

24/03/20

358.6p

2020 PSP

Andy Ransom

08/09/20

530.2p

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 08/09/20

530.2p

–

–

–

–

119,243

67,459

412,580

188,608

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

163,625

–

513,403

– 388,853

–

912,792

– 883,906

–

–

–

–

–

–

163,625 07/05/15

–

513,403 29/04/16

– 388,853 29/04/16

–

912,792 30/03/17

– 883,906 30/03/18

– 460,552

11,510 472,062

– 30/03/18

– 869,324

–

– 869,324

10/03/19

–

558,851

6,533 565,384

–

10/03/19

54,929

20,557 562,676

35,311

13,215

361,718

5,251

1,965

53,784

–

–

79,043

–

26,544

–

157,711

18,551

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 562,676 30/03/20

361,718

53,784

– 30/03/20

– 30/03/20

– 553,300 28/03/21

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

138,325

13/05/21

276,647 28/03/21

52,888 28/03/21

48,434 05/09/21

551,987 24/03/22

126,168 24/03/22

60,978 24/03/22

72,505 24/03/22

42,373 24/03/22

119,243 23/03/23

67,459 23/03/23

412,580 07/09/23

188,608 07/09/23

1.  Shares held by Andy Ransom under the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 PSP awards are vested but unexercised. 
2.  The 2017 PSP award is entitled to receive dividend equivalents in the form of shares based on dividend payments between the date of grant and vesting. 

These are included in the total shares at vest. The awards are also entitled to receive dividend equivalents in the form of shares post vest based on dividend 
payments between the date of vest and the date one month before exercise. These shares are applied at exercise.

3.  The 2017 PSP award partially vested at 90.8% on 31 March 2020. 
4. The 2017, 2018 and 2019 awards for Stuart Ingall-Tombs were made prior to his appointment as an Executive Director. Part of the 2018 and 2019 awards are 

subject to the achievement of North America specific targets related to revenue and profit margin growth and the shares for this element have been pro-rated 
for his CFO North America role.

5.  The 2019 and 2020 DBP award has no additional performance conditions beyond the three-year holding period.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 133

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2020
continued

Remuneration in context
Wider workforce policy
During 2020, the Company had approximately 44,500 colleagues 
based in 83 countries. We have a broad remuneration policy which 
reflects the diversity of cultures, legislative environments, employment 
markets and the types and seniority of roles that this geographic spread 
requires. We structure our colleague reward to enable us to recruit and 
retain the right people, doing the right job for our customers. 

Wider workforce engagement 
Remuneration Committee engagement with our colleagues forms part of 
the wider workforce engagement undertaken by the Board of Directors 
as set out on page 90. In addition, the Remuneration Committee received 
and reviewed details of the wider workforce remuneration when 
considering the base pay, bonus, PSP awards and outcomes for the 
Executive Directors and the Executive Leadership Team throughout 
2020. The UK and global workforces were also considered when 
reviewing pension contribution levels for Executive Directors.

CEO pay ratio
The CEO pay ratio compares the CEO single figure earnings to the 
single figure earnings of UK employees. It has been calculated using 
method A, where the employees at each quartile are identified using 
details of their full-time equivalent pay and benefits for 2020. This 
method was chosen as it best replicates the Chief Executive’s single 
figure. The table below shows the ratios at the 25th percentile, median 
and 75th percentile for 2020, 2019 and 2018 

Year

2020

2019

2018

Method

25th percentile 
pay ratio

Median
 pay ratio

75th percentile 
pay ratio

A

A

A

203:1

220:1

229:1

160:1

173:1

189:1

111:1

119:1

145:1

The ratios have improved again in 2020. This is due to the Chief 
Executive not receiving a bonus in 2020, a lower PSP vesting level and 
waiving his salary in Q2 (see page 127). This downward trend is not 
expected to continue in 2021 as it is expected that the pay ratios will 
increase if the Chief Executive’s pay returns to historical norms.

This table will continue to be built on over time to cover a rolling 
10-year period and will include reasons for the changes to the ratios 
from year to year. However, it is anticipated that variations in the PSP 
and annual bonus outcomes will have the biggest impact on the ratios. 
For PSP, this is due to vesting levels and the share price changing. 
For the annual bonus, although our comparator employees are also 
eligible for a bonus, the Chief Executive is targeted on Group-level 
outcomes, whereas our comparator employees are based on their 
specific remit, which given the UK makes up only a small percentage 
of Group, means the outcomes may vary from year to year.

The median pay ratio is consistent with the pay, reward and 
progression policies for the Company’s UK employees taken as a 
whole. We have a consistent approach to reward across the Group and 
employees’ packages are set with reference to the external market.

Gender pay gap
The make-up of the UK workforce changed significantly from 2019 
to 2020 with the acquisition of Cannon Hygiene contributing to a 
15% increase in headcount. The reporting period was also impacted 
by COVID-19, with the use of employee support schemes and 
management taking pay waivers. 

Despite this, we continue to have no material gender pay gap between 
men and women, with a median of -3% and a mean -11%, which is 
significantly better than the UK average of 15.5% reported by the 
Office for National Statistics. 

While these are encouraging results overall, and we continue to 
make good progress in building our female representation in senior 
management roles (on a like-for-like basis female colleagues now 
account for 30% of roles compared to 28% in 2019) and our 2019 
employee survey shows that 96% of colleagues believe that 

134 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

we do not preclude male and female colleagues from having equal 
opportunities to succeed, we remain focused on making Rentokil Initial 
an even more diverse and inclusive place to work, in line with our 
RIGHT WAY plan. Our key areas of focus continue to be increasing the 
number of female frontline technicians and improving the proportion 
of females in senior manager roles in our head office functions.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below sets out amounts paid in total employee costs and 
total dividends paid for the years ended 31 December 2020 and 
31 December 2019.

Remuneration paid to all 
employees of the Group

2020¹ 
£m

2019¹ 
£m

% 
change

£1,298.7

£1,312.2

(1.0%) 

Distributions to shareholders

–

£85.8

(100%)

1.  The average number of people employed by the Group during the year was 

44,589 in 2020 and 42,933 in 2019.

Details of the remuneration paid to all employees can be found in Note 
A9 to the Financial Statements on page 163. Details of the dividends 
declared and paid during the periods are contained in Note D1 to the 
Financial Statements on page 183.

Percentage change in remuneration
The table below sets out a comparison of the change in pay for the 
Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors for the year ended 2020 compared with 2019 and employees 
of Rentokil Initial plc. This table will continue to be built on over time 
to cover a rolling five-year period.

Salary/fees¹

Annual 
bonus²

Benefits³,⁴

Total

Andy Ransom

(14.2%)

(100%)

(0.3%)

(63.5%)

Stuart Ingall-Tombs5

Richard Solomons6

John Pettigrew

Angela Seymour-
Jackson

Julie Southern

Cathy Turner7

Linda Yueh

Employees⁸

–

34.6%

(4.6%)

(16.2%)

(8.8%)

–

(8.8%)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.7%

(62.8%)

1.3%

(15.2%)

1.  Base salary includes overtime and allowances.
2.  Annual bonus includes our Group Management Bonus Scheme (GMBS) and 
any other bonus commission or cash incentive but excludes any long-term 
incentives.

3.  Benefits include private healthcare, car allowance, cars, fully expensed fuel 

cards and commercial vans (private use). 

4.  Pension and retirement benefits are not included in accordance with the 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013.

5.  Stuart Ingall-Tombs was appointed as CFO on 15 August 2020.
6.  Richard Solomons was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2019.
7.  Cathy Turner was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020.
8.  In line with regulations, employees includes those employed by Rentokil 
Initial plc, excluding Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors.

Shareholder engagement
In 2020, the Remuneration Committee continued to engage with 
leading shareholders and their representative bodies. The main 
activities included updating shareholders about our changes to 
Executive Pay in response to COVID-19 and consulting about changes 
to our Directors’ Remuneration Policy (see page 111 for more details) 
and were conducted through a mixture of calls, emails and letters. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Use of discretion
The Remuneration Committee is cognisant of its responsibility 
to make informed and thoughtful decisions on remuneration that 
are both balanced and in the long-term interests of the business 
and shareholders and, where necessary, will apply discretion 
to remuneration targets or outcomes that otherwise would be 
inappropriate. The application of discretion over the last five years 
is detailed on page 113 and has mainly focused on the increase of 
EPS targets to take account of material acquisitions and disposals. 

Chief Executive remuneration over a 10-year period

Chief Executive

Single total figure  
for remuneration

2011 – Alan Brown¹

£3,564,971

2012 – Alan Brown

£1,115,000

2013 – Alan Brown²

£994,396

2013 – Andy Ransom²

£401,006

2014 – Andy Ransom

£1,326,045

2015 – Andy Ransom

£1,655,757

2016 – Andy Ransom

£5,581,304

2017 – Andy Ransom

£3,969,607

2018 – Andy Ransom

£4,962,076

2019 – Andy Ransom³

£4,227,473

2020 – Andy Ransom⁴

£4,055,183

Annual bonus  
payout versus 
maximum  
opportunity

% long-term  
incentive vesting 
rates versus 
maximum  
opportunity

 0.0%

 13.3%

27.0%

28.7%

51.4%

59.1%

72.2%

70.1%

55.8%

93.1%

0%

22.0%

 0.0%

 0.0%

 0.0%

 0.0%

15.1%

67.5%

80.3%

91.3%

90.8%

86.0%

1.   The 2011 single total figure for Alan Brown, the Chief Executive at the time, 
includes the value of the 2008 Share Incentive Plan of £2,573,971 which 
was valued on the release date of 20 May 2011. These shares were called 
for during 2014.

2.   Alan Brown was appointed as Chief Executive on 1 April 2008 and stepped 
down on 30 September 2013; Andy Ransom was appointed from that date. 
The single total figure has been apportioned to reflect payment during 
these periods.

3.   The 2019 single total figure for the Chief Executive, Andy Ransom, includes 

the restated value of 562,676 shares under the 2017 PSP award which 
vested at 90.8% on 31 March 2020, based on the closing share price 
on 31 March 2020 of 387.8p. 

4.   The 2020 single total figure includes the estimated value of 609,187 shares 

under the 2018 PSP award which is due to vest on 29 March 2021 and 
14 May 2021 based on the average share price over Q4 of 2020 of 523.3p.

UK Corporate Governance Code provisions
During 2020, the Remuneration Committee has addressed the factors 
set out in Provision 40 of the UK Corporate Governance Code as set 
out below:

 e Clarity – When considering and structuring any element of 
remuneration the Remuneration Committee aims to be as 
straightforward and transparent as possible. It looks to ensure that 
the remuneration vehicles it uses are clear and understandable and 
the targets, outcomes and any other decisions are communicated 
in an open and detailed way. The Remuneration Committee 
has endeavoured to ensure that, in approving the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, they are providing an extensive and 
clear picture of the remuneration arrangements and decisions 
undertaken each year. For instance, although it was agreed no 
annual bonus would be payable for 2020, full details of the potential 
outcome are included for transparency (see page 128). 

 e Simplicity – When determining the structure and mechanisms 
of remuneration packages consideration is given to ensuring 
that complexity is avoided and that both our colleagues and our 
shareholders are able to understand the rationale for and 
the operation of any incentive easily. For instance, one of the 
proposed changes to the 2021 Policy is to remove the individual 
modifier element of the annual bonus which added complexity 

and was highlighted by shareholders as not being straightforward 
to understand. 

 e Risk – The Remuneration Committee has a history of restraint and 
closely monitors remuneration structures and outcomes in relation 
to the strategy and financial performance in order to ensure that only 
appropriate behaviour is incentivised and rewards are not excessive. 
The Committee has shown a willingness to apply discretion to adjust 
targets upwards where it has felt it is appropriate and outcomes 
could otherwise misalign with performance and therefore create 
a risk to the business and shareholders (see page 113). Risk is 
also considered in the context of the Group’s wider risks (see Risks 
and Uncertainties on pages 67 to 73). In 2020, in response to 
COVID-19, the Executive Directors’, Chairman’s and Non-Executives’ 
remuneration was adjusted.

 e Predictability – The Remuneration Committee encourages and 
oversees the use and replication of our annual bonus and PSP 
schemes globally and deep into the organisation, ensuring 
employees understand and become familiar with how we recognise 
and reward performance, and that as many people as possible share 
in the success of the organisation. Remuneration structures, 
including grading and reward programmes, are consistently applied 
and appropriate at each level of the organisation.

 e Proportionality – The Remuneration Committee seeks to ensure 
that remuneration payouts awarded to the Executive Directors, 
the Executive Leadership Team and the wider workforce are 
consistent with performance outcomes and with the experience 
felt by shareholders. The Committee considers carefully the 
stretch built into targets and ensures that outcomes linked to 
certain levels of performance are stretching, while achievable, 
and therefore motivating for colleagues, as well as satisfying 
shareholder expectations. 

 e Alignment to culture – The Remuneration Committee strives to 

ensure that remuneration arrangements drive both financial and 
non-financial performance, as well as behaviours consistent with our 
purpose, values and vision. A summary of our culture can be found 
on pages 49 to 51 and page 83. Our colleagues are integral to our 
business model as set out on pages 22 and 23 and as such the 
Remuneration Committee has regard to the balance of fixed and 
variable pay to ensure the right level of reward and incentive is 
available to both recruit and retain the talent needed to deliver 
our long-term strategic plan.

TSR performance over a 10-year period relative to FTSE Index
The following graph shows total shareholder return (TSR) over a 
10-year period reflecting the holding of the Company’s shares, plotted 
against the FTSE 100 Index, the FTSE 250 Index and the FTSE 350 
Index, on a consistent basis with the graph shown last year. The 
Company has been a constituent of one or more of these indices over 
the 10-year period that is shown. This chart is based on data sourced 
from Thomson Reuters DataStream and uses spot Return Index data 
at each year end. 

Rentokil Initial plc’s TSR compared against the TSR of FTSE 100, 
FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 indices over a 10-year period

£1,400

£1,300

£1,200

£1,100

£1,000

£900

£800

£700

£600

£500

£400

£300

£200

£100

0

FTSE 100
FTSE 250

FTSE 350
Rentokil Initial

Dec
2010

Dec
2011

Dec
2012

Dec
2013

Dec
2014

Dec
2015

Dec
2016

Dec
2017

Dec
2018

Dec
2019

Dec
2020

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 135

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Looking forward 2021

Executive Director base salaries from 1 January 2021
Executive Director and ELT salaries are typically reviewed with effect 
from 1 January each year in accordance with the prevailing Policy. 
However, due to the level of uncertainty currently being experienced 
by the Company and the wider economy, the pay review has been 
moved to 1 July 2021.

When reviewing salary levels, the Remuneration Committee takes into 
account a number of internal and external factors, including Company 
performance during the year, external market data and the salary 
review principles applied to the rest of the organisation to ensure 
a consistent approach.

Salary increases are expected to be in line with increases applied 
to the wider workforce, with the exception of Stuart Ingall-Tombs, 
whose salary will increase to £550,000 once he has been in role 
for 12 months, assuming both his and the Company’s performance 
is satisfactory, in line with his appointment announcement.

Salary from 1 January 2021

Executive Director

Salary 

% increase

Effective date 

Andy Ransom –  
Chief Executive

£875,000 
TBC

0% 
TBC

1 January 2021 
1 July 2021

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
– Chief Financial Officer

£500,000 
£550,000

0% 
10%

1 January 2021 
15 August 2021

Fixed pay for 2021 will be:

Estimated base 
salary 
£’000

Estimated 
benefits 
£’000

Estimated 
pension 
£’000

Total 
fixed pay 
£’000

Andy Ransom –  
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs – 
Chief Financial Officer

875.0¹

19.7

191.3

1,086.0

519.0²

16.4

13.7

549.1

1.  Pay review has moved to 1 July 2021. Base salary may increase in line with 

the wider workforce. 

2.  Assumes salary increase to £550,000 from 15 August 2021, as per 

appointment announcement.

2021 Non-Executive Director fees
Non-Executive Director fees from 1 January 2021

Position

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Fee policy for year beginning 
1 January 2021¹

£375,000 per annum

£60,000 per annum

Senior Independent Director

Additional £10,000 per annum

Chair of Audit Committee

Additional £15,000 per annum

Chair of Remuneration Committee

Additional £15,000 per annum

1.  Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director fees were 

increased on 1 September 2017. 

136 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

How will incentives be aligned with the business strategy in 2021?
The table below shows how the business strategy is reflected in the 
Executive Directors’ remuneration in 2021.

Strategic priorities

Link to remuneration

Employer of Choice/
retention

Through personal goals in the annual bonus 
and the Sales & Service colleague retention 
performance condition in the PSP.

Driving Organic 
Revenue growth in 
Pest Control

Building our Hygiene 
business

M&A execution

Creating value through 
product and service 
innovations and digital 
applications

Managing a 
responsible business

Revenue targets in the annual bonus and 
Organic Revenue growth targets in the PSP.

Revenue, profit targets and personal goals 
in the annual bonus. Organic Revenue 
growth targets in the PSP.

M&A is enabled through delivery of Free 
Cash Flow in the annual bonus and Free 
Cash Flow conversion in the PSP and its 
execution measured through personal 
goals in the annual bonus. 

Through personal goals in the annual bonus 
and through the customer satisfaction 
measure in the PSP. 

ESG is measured through goals in the 
annual bonus and through the performance 
conditions, vehicle fuel efficiency, customer 
satisfaction and Sales & Service colleague 
retention in the PSP.

2021 annual bonus structure 
The focus of the bonus is on rewarding sustainable profitable growth 
and Free Cash Flow in order to align Executive Directors’ incentives 
with the Group’s strategy. 

Executive Directors have the following bonus opportunity as 
a percentage of base salary. 

Company performance

Personal performance

Total

Threshold

Target

Maximum

15%

0%

15%

75%

15%

90%

150%

30%

180%

The Remuneration Committee has approved the following proposed 
structure for 2021.

Company performance 
 e Gateways: 95% of the profit target and a Free Cash Flow gateway 
of £205m have to be reached at Group level before the financial 
performance element of the bonus can be paid.

 e Financial performance: If both these profit and cash flow gateways 

are achieved, then Executive Directors can earn up to 150% of salary 
based on targets equally split 50% revenue and 50% profit.

Personal performance
The Executive Directors can earn up to 30% of base salary based on 
their personal performance against objectives measured through the 
Company’s performance and development review process.

40% of any bonus earned will be deferred into shares for three years.

Bonus targets have not been disclosed looking forward for 2021 
as the Board believes that this information is commercially sensitive. 
Disclosing bonus targets could provide information about our business 
plans to our competitors which could be damaging to our business 
interests and therefore to shareholders. However, retrospective bonus 
targets for 2021 will be disclosed in next year’s Annual Report.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2021 PSP award 
Under the proposed Policy, the PSP award is up to a maximum of 375% of base salary for the Chief Executive and 300% of base salary for the 
Chief Financial Officer. 

In 2021, these maximums will not be used and the transition to the new Policy level will be phased. Andy Ransom, Chief Executive, will receive an 
award of 325% of salary (subject to shareholder approval) and Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Chief Financial Officer, will receive an award of 200% of salary 
(previous Policy level). Stuart’s level of award is to reflect that he is settling into his new role and continuing to gain experience.

Shares under the awards will be released no earlier than five years after grant (i.e. following a three-year vesting period and a two-year holding 
period). Vesting of this award will be determined by the Company’s performance as follows and performance between targets will be calculated 
on a straight-line basis:

Performance measures 2021–2024

Weighting

Threshold: 25% vesting

Target: 50% vesting

Maximum: 100% vesting

Relative TSR¹

50% TSR performance is median 

against comparator group

Straight-line vesting between 
threshold and maximum

Upper quartile TSR 
performance against 
comparator group

Organic Revenue growth

15% 2.25% per annum

2.5% per annum

2.75% per annum

Free Cash Flow conversion

15% 80%

85%

90%

Strategic measures²

–  Sales and Service colleague retention

– Customer satisfaction

– Vehicle fuel intensity

20% 

(split 
equally)

Targets for these measures have not been disclosed as the Board believes that 
these measures are commercially sensitive. They will be based on straight-line vesting 
between threshold and target and target and maximum performance which will be 
reported at vesting.

1.   The TSR index of comparators for this cycle will be the constituents of the FTSE 350 Index, excluding financial services, property and primary resources 

sectors. 

2.  The strategic measures will be measured over the three-year performance period. Colleague retention will be measured on average overall Sales and Service 
colleague retention; customer satisfaction will be measured using average Customer Voice Counts scores (CATI methodology); and vehicle fuel efficiency will 
be measured against an average reduction across our key countries. 

The Remuneration Committee is satisfied that these targets represent a stretching range in light of all relevant factors including the current 
business plan and analysts’ forecasts. 

When determining the level of vesting, the Remuneration Committee will also consider the underlying financial performance of the business, 
as well as the value added to shareholders during the performance periods, and may adjust the vesting outcome if it considers this to be 
appropriate.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 137

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the members of Rentokil Initial plc

1. Our opinion is unmodified
We have audited the Financial Statements of Rentokil Initial plc (the 
Company) for the year ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive 
Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, Company 
Balance Sheet and Company Statement of Changes in Equity, and 
the related notes, including the accounting policies in the General 
Accounting Policies.

In our opinion: 
 e 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 31 December 2020 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 e the Group Financial Statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS as adopted by the EU) adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU);

 e the Parent Company Financial Statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including 
FRS101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and

 e the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
Financial Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation to the extent 
applicable.

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 believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit 
opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee. 

We were first appointed as auditor by the shareholders in August 
2009. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is for the 12 
financial years ended 31 December 2020. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and we remain independent of the Group in 
accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical 
Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit 
services prohibited by that standard were provided.

Overview

Materiality:

Group Financial 
Statements as a 
whole

Coverage

Key audit matters

Recurring risks

£11m (2019: £12m)

4.8% (2019: 4.7%) of normalised  
profit before tax

76% (2019: 76%) of  
Group profit before tax

vs 2019

New: Impact of credit note 
adjustments on revenue

New: Group overlay provision 
in respect of trade receivables

Impairment assessment and 
testing of cash-generated 
units that include goodwill

Provision for uncertain tax positions

Parent Company 
specific risk

Recoverability of investments 
in subsidiary undertakings and 
inter-company receivables

More information
 e Audit Committee Report on pages 99 to 106
 e Financial Statements from page 145

frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities

138 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

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. We 
summarise below the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key 
audit procedures to address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters were 
addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the Financial 
Statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters.

The risk

Our response

Impact of credit note 
adjustments on revenue 

£2,823.5m 
(2019: £2,714.4m)

Subjective estimate 
The Group offers pest and hygiene services which have 
bundled performance obligations which are delivered 
and recognised over time. These services are accounted 
for in line with the requirements of IFRS 15.

Read more:
Audit Committee Report 
on pages 99 to 106

Accounting policy 
on pages 154 to 155

Financial disclosures 
on pages 156 to 158

As the Group provides regular services to customers, the 
systems are such that automatic billing occurs. However, 
in response to increasing instances of missed service 
visits due to unavailability of customers as a result of 
COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the Group updated their 
arrangements relating to services provided over time, 
providing the component finance teams the option to 
either suspend automatic billing over time and raise 
manual invoices or continue with the automatic billing 
process and recognise credit notes for invoices raised.

In the UK trading entities, management did not suspend 
invoicing for bundled services; however, due to the 
number of national lockdowns and restrictions, where 
the business was closed down, Rentokil Initial was 
unable to service its performance obligations and 
therefore credit notes were raised. 

Due to system limitations, the credits could not be 
calculated at an individual transaction level and instead 
a credit note amount was estimated and adjusted to 
revenue. The computation and utilisation of the credit 
note adjustment is based on an analysis of available 
data as well as assumptions regarding the nature of 
the suspended service per customer and the number 
of credits already given. A wide range of estimation 
uncertainty exists due to limitations in the way the data 
has been collected and retained and the assumptions 
used, and results in a risk of misstatement of the 
Group’s revenue.

This risk was not found to be significant in any other 
region apart from the UK.

Our procedures included: 
 e test of detail: reviewing of revenue contracts to identify 

performance obligations of the revenue contracts 
entered into in the year and testing revenue transactions 
by comparing to invoices and job completion documents 
in line with the specific elements of the contracts;
 e test of detail: assessing the accuracy of the reports 

used to generate the credit note adjustment by testing 
underlying data supporting rebates and by testing the 
computations used to calculate the adjustment to 
revenue;

 e challenge of assumptions: challenging assumptions 

made by management by the assessment of customer 
claims relating to missed visits and assessing trends 
on credit notes issued to customers both before and 
subsequent to the year end date; and

We performed an assessment of whether an 
overstatement of revenue identified through our 
procedures was material.
 e assessing transparency: assessing the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures about the degree of estimation 
uncertainty involved in arriving at the provision.

Our results 
As a result of our work we found the amount of revenue 
recognised to be acceptable.

Group overlay provision 
for trade receivables

£61.4m 
(2019: £28.4m)

Subjective estimates 
The entity has significant trade receivables. During the 
year, the level of trade receivables has increased as well 
as an increase in the average age of trade receivable.

Read more:
Audit Committee Report 
on pages 99 to 106

Accounting policy 
on pages 154 to 155

Financial disclosures 
on pages 159 to 160

The entity has a policy and issues guidance to 
components on how to determine the expected credit 
losses in line with IFRS 9.

As a result of risks posed by economic distress due to 
COVID-19, a moderation exercise was carried out at 
Group level to determine whether provisions set at 
component level sufficiently addressed the risks and 
if further provision was required. As a result of this 
exercise, an additional provision was booked.

As part of our risk assessment, we determined the 
overlay provision for trade receivables had a high degree 
of judgement which results in a risk of error or fraud. 

Our procedures included:
 e assess Group guidance: evaluating the adequacy of the 
Group’s expected credit loss guidance and assessing 
whether this policy has been correctly applied at a 
component level; and

 e benchmarking assumptions: through discussions with 
component auditors, assessing the Directors’ rationale 
for posting the central overlay provisions against 
available data on trade debtor exposures.

We performed an assessment of whether an 
overstatement of provision identified through our 
procedures was material.

Our results
As a result of our work we found the amount of provision 
for trade receivables to be acceptable.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 139

Independent Auditor’s Report
continued

The risk

Our response

Forecast-based valuation 
The Group has a significant carrying amount of goodwill 
which is spread across a range of cash-generating units 
(CGUs) in different countries. This is related to numerous 
past and recent acquisitions, spread across the Group’s 
geography. The majority of the acquisitions are small and 
are integrated into the existing CGUs.

A value-in-use model is used for impairment testing for 
each CGU. The estimation of the value in use of the 
cash-generating units requires significant judgement due 
to the inherent uncertainty involved with forecasting and 
discounting future cash flows, particularly in relation to 
discount rates, long-term growth rates, and forecast cash 
flows. Changes to the assumptions applied to the model, 
for example a change in the discount rate or to forecast 
cash flows, have the potential to significantly affect the 
impairment testing results.

Some markets are more sensitive to changes in input 
than others, and could be negatively impacted by market 
events. We have found that the Indian market has 
experienced a lower than expected short-term growth 
rate which could impact the carrying amount of goodwill 
allocated to Rentokil PCI (India). 

Similarly, other markets have also been subdued due to 
national lockdowns and economic downturn resulting 
from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Consequently, a significant risk has been identified over 
the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to Rentokil PCI 
(India). In addition to this, a significant risk has been 
identified over the carrying amount of goodwill for Peter 
Cox CGU, Brazil CGU and Norway CGU. These CGUs 
have relatively low headroom and combined have a 
material goodwill carrying value. 

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the value in use of 
CGUs has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with 
a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for Financial Statements as a whole.

Subjective estimate 
The Group holds a number of provisions for tax risks 
which arise in the normal course of business. The Group 
operates in a number of tax jurisdictions causing 
complexities in transfer pricing and other international 
tax legislation issues. In addition, tax matters usually take 
a significant length of time to be agreed with the tax 
authorities, and as such the recognition of these tax 
provisions requires judgements and estimates to be 
made in respect of the likely outcomes of the tax 
authority investigations.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that provisions for tax risks 
have a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a 
potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than our 
materiality for the financial statement as a whole. This 
risk has increased from prior year due to the possibility 
of greater challenges from tax authorities. 

Our procedures included:
 e review of impairment models: evaluating the principles 

and integrity of the Group’s discounted cash flow 
models and assumptions used, in particular those 
relating to forecast revenue growth and profit margins;
 e historical comparisons: evaluating historical forecasting 
accuracy of key inputs including revenue growth and 
profit margins;

 e challenged assumptions: challenging the Group’s 

assumptions by comparing them to externally derived 
data in relation to key inputs such as long-term growth 
rates and discount rate assumptions;

 e sensitivity analysis: performing sensitivity analysis over 

the key assumptions noted above to identify which 
assumptions have the most significant effect on the 
headroom available;

 e re-performance: using our corporate finance specialists 
to recalculate and challenge the discount rates used by 
the Group in their impairment model, this is done using 
external and internal data; 

 e test of details: identifying specific CGUs with possible 

risks of impairment based on historical forecast 
accuracy, sensitivity to changes in key assumptions and 
market conditions where the businesses operate and 
specifically challenging the Group’s valuations for these 
CGUs; and

 e assessing transparency: considering whether the 
Group’s disclosures of the effect of changes in key 
assumptions on the valuation of goodwill are 
appropriate.

Our results
As a result of our work we found the carrying amount 
of goodwill to be acceptable (2019 result: acceptable).

Our procedures included:
 e our tax expertise: using our international and local tax 

team’s knowledge and experience to assess the Group’s 
tax position, its correspondence with relevant tax 
authorities, and to analyse and challenge the 
assumptions used to determine tax provisions based 
on our knowledge and experience of application of 
international and local legislation by the relevant 
authorities and courts; 

 e impact of COVID-19: assessing whether any temporary 

or permanent changes in local tax regulations in 
response to COVID-19 have been considered and 
adequately provided against if appropriate; and

 e assessing transparency: assessing the adequacy of 
Group’s disclosures in respect of tax liabilities and 
uncertain tax provisions. 

Our results
We found the level of tax provisioning to be acceptable 
(2019 result: acceptable).

Impairment assessment 
and testing of cash-
generating units that 
include goodwill

£1,608.4m 
(2019: £1,342.5m)

Read more:
Audit Committee Report 
on pages 99 to 106

Accounting policy 
on pages 154 to 155

Financial disclosures 
on pages 171 to 173

Provision for uncertain 
tax positions

£53.0m 
(2019: £60.1m)

Read more:
Audit Committee Report 
on pages 99 to 106

Accounting policy 
on pages 154 to 155

Financial disclosures 
on page 168

140 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The risk

Our response

Parent Company risk: 
recoverability of 
investments in 
subsidiary undertakings 
and inter-company 
receivables

£2,518.3m 
(2019: £2,509.8m)

Investments:  
£283.1m 
(2019: £280.3m)

Low risk, high value 
The carrying amount of the Company’s investments in 
subsidiaries and inter-company receivables represent 
67.4% of the Company’s total assets.

We do not consider the recoverability of these 
investments and inter-company receivables to be a 
high risk of significant misstatement, or to be subject 
to a high level of judgement. However, due to their 
materiality in the context of the Company Financial 
Statements as a whole, this is considered to be the 
area which had the greatest effect on our overall 
audit strategy and allocation of resources in planning 
and completing our Company audit.

Our procedures included:
 e test of detail: comparing the investment carrying value 
and inter-company receivable to the net assets of the 
relevant subsidiary to identify whether the net assets of 
the subsidiary, being an approximation of their minimum 
recoverable amount, were in excess of the carrying 
amount. 

Our results
We found the carrying amount of investments and the 
intercompany receivables to be acceptable (2019 result: 
acceptable).

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 
£11m (2019: £12m) determined with reference to a benchmark of Group 
profit before tax, normalised by averaging over the last three years 
due to fluctuations in the business cycle due to the impact of 
COVID-19 related restrictions on profitability (2019: profit before tax, 
normalised to exclude profits on the sale of Haniel and losses on 
disposal of MPCL and Cannon of £251.3m), of which it represents 4.8% 
(2019: 4.7%). Materiality for the Parent Company Financial Statements 
as a whole was set at £2m (2019: £2m), determined with reference to a 
benchmark of total assets, of which it represents 0.1% (2019: 0.1%).

component materialities, which ranged from £0.3m to £6.3m (2019: 
£0.2m to £7.0m), having regard to the mix of size and risk profile 
of the Group across the components. The work on 58 of the 104 
components (2019: 58 of the 94 components) was performed by 
component auditors, and the rest, including the audit of the Parent 
Company, was performed by the Group team. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Group team did not physically visit 
any components. Video and telephone conference meetings were 
held with these component auditors. At these meetings, the findings 
reported to the Group team were discussed in more detail. The Group 
audit team performed audit file reviews of all component auditors and 
any further work required by the Group team was then performed by 
the component auditors.

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% 
(2019: 75%) of materiality for the Financial Statements as a whole, 
which equates to £8.25m (2019: £9.0m) for the Group and £1.5m 
(2019: £1.5m) for the Parent Company. We applied this percentage 
in our determination of the 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 £0.55m (2019: 
£0.35m), in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. 

The audit work was performed by 14 audit teams in 13 different 
countries covering 100 (2019: 94) reporting components. We 
subjected 60 (2019: 58) reporting components to full-scope audits for 
Group purposes and 40 (2019: 36) reporting components to specified 
risk-focused audit procedures.

The reporting components within the scope of our work accounted 
for the percentages illustrated opposite. 

Group revenue

The remaining reporting components not in scope for Group audit 
purposes (24% of total Group revenue, 24% of Group loss/profit before 
tax and 21% of total Group assets) were individually insignificant 
reporting components, none of which individually represented more 
than 4% of any of total Group revenue, Group loss/profit before tax 
or total Group assets. We performed analysis at a Group level to 
re-examine our assessment that there were no significant risks 
of material misstatement within these remaining components. 

The Group team instructed component auditors as to the significant 
areas to be covered, including the relevant risks detailed above and 
the information to be reported back. The Group team approved the 

76%
(2019: 74%)

6

10

Group profit before tax

Group total assets

76%
(2019: 76%)

2

19

57

74

64

70

79%
(2019: 76%)

8

11

65

71

2020

2019

Full scope for Group 
audit purposes
Specified risk-focused 
audit procedures
Residual components

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 141

Independent Auditor’s Report
continued

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: 

 e impact of economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic and 

its impact on the Group’s revenue and cash flows.

We also considered less predictable but realistic second order 
impacts, such as the impact of Brexit and the erosion of customer 
or supplier confidence, which could result in a rapid reduction of 
available financial resources.

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 also included: 

 e critically assessing assumptions in base and severe but plausible 
downside scenarios relevant to liquidity, in particular in relation to 
continuing impact of COVID-related restrictions and economic 
slowdown on the Group’s revenue generation against our 
knowledge of the entity and the sector in which it operates;

 e assessing the working capital assumptions inherent in the forecasts 

to actual recent experience and cash collection from customers;
 e comparing past budgets to actual results to assess the Directors’ 

track record of budgeting accurately;

 e inspecting the confirmation from lender of the level of committed 
financing, and the covenant requirements associated with the 
credit facilities;

 e evaluating the achievability of the actions the Directors consider 

they would take to improve the position should the risks materialise, 
including cost reduction initiative, taking into account the extent to 
which the Directors can control the timing and outcome of these; and

 e assessing the completeness of the going concern disclosures.

Our conclusions based on this work:

 e we consider that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 

accounting in the preparation of the Financial Statements is 
appropriate;

 e 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;

 e we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the 
Directors’ statement in the General Accounting Policies Note to the 
Financial Statements on the use of the going concern basis of 
accounting, with no material uncertainties that may cast significant 
doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that basis for the going 
concern period, and we found the going concern disclosure in the 
Directors’ Report to be acceptable; and

 e the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 203 is 
materially consistent with the Financial Statements and our audit 
knowledge.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as 
subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with 

142 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

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:

 e enquiring of Directors, the Audit Committee, Internal Audit and 

Group General Counsel as to the Group’s high-level policies and 
procedures to prevent and detect fraud, including the Internal Audit 
function, and the Group’s channel for ‘whistleblowing’, as well as 
whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged 
fraud;

 e reading Board and Audit Committee minutes; and
 e considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance 

targets for management including the EPS target for management 
remuneration.

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit team and 
remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout the audit. This 
included communication from the Group to full-scope component 
audit teams of relevant fraud risks identified at the Group level and 
request to full-scope component audit teams to report to the Group 
audit team any instances of fraud that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at Group.

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account possible 
pressures to meet profit targets and our overall knowledge of the 
control environment, we perform procedures to address the risk of 
management override of controls, in particular the risk that Group and 
component management may be in a position to make inappropriate 
accounting entries and the risk of bias in accounting estimates and 
judgements. On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk 
related to revenue recognition because the nature of services 
tendered being high volume and low value, which have limited 
complexity in relation in relation to the recognition principles of 
IFRS 15.

Further detail in respect of fraud risk associated with central overlay 
provision for trade receivables is set out in the key audit matter 
disclosures in section 2 of this report.

In determining the audit procedures, we took into account the results 
of our evaluation and testing of the operating effectiveness of the 
Group-wide fraud risk management controls. 

We also performed procedures including: 

 e identifying journal entries to test based on risk criteria and 

comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation. 
These included those posted by senior finance management; 
those posted and approved by the same user; and those posted 
to unusual accounts; and

 e assessing significant accounting estimates for bias.

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, through discussion 
with the Directors and other management (as required by auditing 
standards), and discussed with the Directors and other management 
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. This included communication from the Group 
to full-scope component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations 
identified at the Group level, and a request for full-scope component 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

auditors to report to the Group team any instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at Group.

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 or the loss of the 
Group’s licence to operate. We identified the following areas as those 
most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, 
employment law, environmental law and certain aspects of company 
legislation recognising the nature of the Group’s activities. 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: 

 e we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report 

and the Directors’ Report; 

 e in our opinion, the information given in those reports for the financial 

year is consistent with the Financial Statements; and

 e in our opinion, those reports have been prepared in accordance with 

the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. 

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term viability 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a 
material inconsistency between the Directors’ disclosures in respect 
of emerging and principal risks and the Viability Statement, and the 
Financial Statements and our audit knowledge. 

Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 

 e the Directors’ confirmation within the Directors’ Viability Statement 
on page 74 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
emerging and principal risks facing the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency 
and liquidity;

 e the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks and how 

emerging risks are identified, and explaining how they are being 
managed and mitigated; and 

 e the Directors’ explanation in the Directors’ Viability Statement of how 
they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period 
they have done so and why they considered that period to be 
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of 
their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention 
to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

We are also required to review the Directors’ Viability Statement, 
set out on page 74 under the Listing Rules. Based on the above 
procedures, we have concluded that the above disclosures are 
materially consistent with the Financial Statements and our audit 
knowledge.

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context of only 
the knowledge acquired during our Financial Statements audit. 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 absence of 
anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the 
Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability.

Corporate governance disclosures 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a 
material inconsistency between the Directors’ corporate governance 
disclosures and the Financial Statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have concluded that each of the 
following is materially consistent with the Financial Statements and 
our audit knowledge: 

 e the Directors’ statement that they consider that the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy; 

 e the section of the Annual Report describing the work of the Audit 

Committee, including the significant issues that the Audit Committee 
considered in relation to the Financial Statements, and how these 
issues were addressed; and

 e the section of the Annual Report that describes the review of the 

effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems.

We are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to the Group’s compliance with the provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules 
for our review. We have nothing to report in this respect. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 143

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 and 
the terms of our engagement by the Company. 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 the further matters we are required to state to them in accordance 
with the terms agreed with the Company, 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. 

Michael Maloney (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL

3 March 2021

Independent Auditor’s Report
continued

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: 

 e 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 

 e the Parent Company Financial Statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or 

 e certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or 

 e 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 203, 
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. 

144 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Financial Statements

146  Financial Review

149   Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income

150  Consolidated Balance Sheet

151   Consolidated Statement of Changes 

in Equity

153  Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

154  Notes to the Financial Statements

188  Related Undertakings

194  Five-Year Summary

195  Parent Company Balance Sheet

196   Parent Company Statement of Changes 

in Equity

197  Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 145

Financial Review

We have grown revenue, operating 
profit and cash in 2020, reflecting 
strong sales from disinfection services, 
a return to growth in Pest Control from 
Q3 and steady performance 
improvements from our core Hygiene 
business in H2. 

Stuart Ingall-Tombs
Chief Financial Officer

Summary of financial 
performance (at CER)
Ongoing Revenue rose by 6.3% to £2,845.6m 
(H1: +1.0%, H2: +11.2%). Total revenue of 
£2,859.5m grew by 5.3% and by 4.0% at actual 
exchange rates. Ongoing Operating Profit 
rose by 5.4% during the year to £388.1m, 
reflecting swift action to mitigate lower 
revenues, and despite an increased bad debt 
provision of £34m and additional costs of 
personal protective equipment of £25m. 
We delivered a very strong Free Cash Flow 
performance for the year of £336.8m 
reflecting tight control over costs, capex 
and working capital.

Our Pest Control category was designated 
as an essential service in the majority of our 
markets and demonstrated resilience in 2020, 
growing Ongoing Revenue by 1.0%. 
Performance has varied by geography and 
reflects the severity and duration of local, 
regional and country lockdowns. Customer 
segments have been impacted differently 
by the crisis – while offices and the HORECA 
segment have been the most affected, demand 
from others, including food retail, 
pharmaceutical companies, transport and 
residential customers, has increased. At the 
end of December, service provision to c.0.7% 
of Pest Control customer premises remained 
suspended, versus c.7% at the peak of the crisis 
in April, reflecting improving trends in Q3 and 
Q4, albeit with some markets deteriorating at 
the end of the year and into early 2021, 
particularly in the UK and Ireland. Jobbing work 
was strong in 2020, aided in part by warmer 
weather in the northern hemisphere and also 
by residential customers seeking swift 
resolution to pest issues during lockdowns. 

Hygiene revenues grew by 36.8% in 2020, 
driven by £225.1m of revenue from disinfection 
services. Our core global Hygiene operations 
have been negatively impacted by the crisis, 
principally due to an inability to deliver regular 
washroom services to customers (particularly 
in the HORECA sector) which have been 
forced to temporarily close their operations. 
Excluding disinfection services, Ongoing 
Revenue declined by 4.6%. Like Pest Control, 
performance has varied by geography and 
lockdown regime and performance 
improvements in the second half can be 
attributed to an easing of lockdown conditions 
in certain, but not all, countries. By year end, 
service provision to c.4.4% of Hygiene 

146 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

customer premises remained suspended, 
versus c.22% in April. 

Ongoing Revenue in our Protect & Enhance 
category declined by 12.0% in 2020 (H1: 
-12.9%, H2: -11.1%), principally driven by France 
Workwear which was significantly impacted by 
disruption in the HORECA sector, and which 
delivered a revenue decline of 10.4% for the 
year. By December, service provision to c.6% 
of France Workwear customers remained 
closed, versus c.30% in April. Our Ambius and 
Property Care businesses also declined during 
the period by 15.5% and 16.1% respectively, 
reflecting the more discretionary nature of 
Ambius products and the continued weakness 
in the UK commercial housing market 
impacting our Property Care business. 

Profit (at CER)
Profits were impacted this year by COVID-19 
related net revenue reductions, particularly 
in Q2, however we still achieved growth in a 
very challenging year, with Ongoing Operating 
Profit increasing by 5.4% in 2020. Significant 
actions were taken to mitigate the revenue 
reductions with cost savings for the full year of 
£121.8m (H1: £87m, H2: £34.8m). These savings 
were offset however by an increased bad debt 
provision of £34m (£23m in H1 and £11m in H2), 
increased costs of personal protective 
equipment of £25m (predominantly driven 
by the need for comprehensive PPE during 
the provision of disinfection services) and 
increased restructuring costs (£13.3m versus 
£7.7m in the prior year). While we have not 
seen any major customer insolvencies to date, 
we continue to adopt a prudent approach with 
regard to ongoing risk, and our increased bad 
debt provision of £34m in 2020 (£4m lower 
than guidance at the half year) reflects the 
increased risk of bad debts as a result of the 
COVID-19 crisis.

Adjusted profit before tax at actual exchange 
rates of £355.2m, which excludes the impact 
of one-off items, increased by 4.2%. Net 
adjusted interest payable of £37.1m at actual 
exchange rates was £5.0m lower than in the 
prior year, reflecting the impact of our 2019 
refinancing, despite the impact of temporarily 
drawing down our RCF in full at the start of the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

One-off items (operating) of £7.7m includes 
£14.7m of acquisition and integration costs, 
a cash receipt of £2.2m related to a prior year 
disposal, a non-cash credit of £7.3m relating 

to the closure of a pension scheme in North 
America, profit on the sale and leaseback 
of a property of £2.0m, a charge for disposal 
of faulty PPE stock of £2.9m and a charge for 
legacy payroll costs in France of £3.3m, 
partially offset by release of smaller legacy 
provisions of £3.0m. 

Cost reduction, cash 
preservation and liquidity 
(at AER)
Our key financial priority at the peak of the 
crisis was the preservation of cash flow and 
the measures we took have enabled us to be 
highly cash generative in 2020. Given the 
resilience of our trading position in the first half 
and our strong balance sheet, we reinstated 
our capital allocation model in Q3 to invest in 
the Recovery phase of the crisis, steadily 
increasing our levels of capex and resuming 
M&A. Cash spent on current and prior year 
acquisitions totalled £201.9m, excluding 
Environmental Pest Service (EPS LLC) (2019: 
£316.5m), with proceeds from disposals of 
£2.2m (2019: £391.9m). 

Cost savings of £121.8m in the year (H1: £87m, 
H2: £34.8m) included salary reductions across 
management in Q2, cancellation of H1 bonus 
schemes and postponement of the 2020 LTIP 
grant to the second half of the year, as well as 
tight control over discretionary spend. Cash 
savings included withdrawal of dividend 
payments and suspension of our M&A 
programme, reduced cash tax payments in 
accordance with local statutory schemes and 
reduced capital expenditure. In line with local 
schemes, we deferred £88.0m of payments for 
taxes and social security costs in H1, but the 
majority of these amounts were paid in H2. 
Going forward, while we are likely to generate 
some savings in respect of our property 
footprint and reduced travel and 
accommodation costs, the majority of cost 
savings in 2020 will not repeat in 2021. 

As outlined in our interim statement, we 
heightened our focus this year on working 
capital management in order to optimise 
inventory levels and to try to mitigate the 
increased risk around the delay and 
non-payment of receivables. Collection of 
receivables has remained strong during the 
crisis due to significant focus at all levels and 
our collection rate by the end of 2020 was up 
30% on the prior year, with some variation 
across the regions. 

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The full year impact of trading, as well as the 
additional measures, delivered Free Cash 
Flow of £336.8m (2019: £250.7m), leading to 
an underlying decrease in net debt of £137.1m 
after net M&A spend of £199.7m. Adverse 
foreign exchange translation and other items 
of £58.4m are primarily due to the weakening 
impact of sterling against the euro and dollar, 
as well as the impact of the closure of an 
instrument designed to reduce US interest 
rates on our US dollar debt. Combined, these 
movements led to a decrease in net debt of 
£78.7m and closing net debt of £994.3m.

Dividend policy
The Group adopts a progressive dividend 
policy with dividend payments related to the 
level of Free Cash Flow available. The Group 
aims to pay dividends twice a year and the 
level of each dividend is decided by the Board. 
When determining the level of dividend each 
year, the Board considers the following:

 e cash generation in the year and forecast;
 e future cash generation;
 e cash availability at the point of dividend;
 e distribution;
 e cash required to invest in capital; and
 e expenditure and acquisitions.

In view of our performance in 2020, and our 
confidence for 2021 and beyond, the Board 
is recommending resuming dividends with 
a dividend payment of 5.41p, payable to 
shareholders on the register at the close 
of business on 9 April 2021. 

Funding
On 7 October 2020, the Group raised €600m 
at 0.50% for eight years in the euro-bond 
market. The proceeds of the bond will be used 
partly for liquidity headroom and partly for the 
repayment of the €350m bond that matures 
in 2021. In November 2020, the Group 
announced a tender offer for the early 
repurchase of the 2021 €350m bond and 
49.8% of the outstanding bond was 
repurchased leaving c.€175m for settlement 
in July 2021 when the bond can be settled 
at par. As at 31 December 2020, the Group 
had liquidity headroom in excess of £1.2bn, 
including £550m of undrawn RCF, with a 
maturity date of August 2025. The net debt to 
EBITDA ratio was 1.6x at 31 December 2020, 
below both the 1.8x ratio reported at 
31 December 2019 and the 1.9x reported 
at 30 June 2020. We remain committed 
to maintaining a BBB investment grade 
and are confident of doing so. 

M&A
While the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, we 
moved from Crisis phase in Q2 to Recovery 
phase in Q3, reinstating our capital allocation 
model and recommencing M&A. We acquired 
23 businesses in 2020 – 21 in Pest Control, 
one in Hygiene and one in Protect & Enhance 
(Ambius) – generating annualised revenues 
of c.£158m in the year prior to purchase. This 
includes the acquisition in December of EPS 
LLC in Florida. Total spend, including prior year 
acquisitions, was £201.9m (excluding the 
consideration for EPS LLC which was paid in 
January 2021). Countries in which we have 
acquired new businesses include Australia, 

Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, the 
Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Tanzania 
and the US. Peru and Ghana were new country 
entries in 2020.

M&A remains central to our strategy for 
growth. We will continue to seek attractive 
bolt-on deals, both in Pest Control and with an 
increased focus on Hygiene, to build density 
in existing markets, pursue acquisitions in new 
markets and the megacities of the future, and 
seek medium-sized transactions. Our pipeline 
of prospects remains strong and we have 
made a good start to 2021. Our anticipated 
spend on M&A in the coming year is expected 
to be in the region of c.£400m (including the 
consideration for EPS LLC which was paid in 
January 2021). 

Regional performance (at CER)
North America was our best performing 
region in 2020, with revenues supported by 
high sales of disinfection services launched 
in Q2 (amounting to £144.4m) and a good 
performance from Pest Control. Demand for 
Residential pest control (which accounts for 
40% of Pest services revenue) has been good 
throughout the crisis, but Commercial pest 
services have been impacted to an extent by 
temporary business closures. While Q2 was 
the most challenging quarter for Commercial 
pest control, performance improved from Q3 
and into Q4. Ambius and Brand Standards 
have also seen significant disruption to 
services, reflecting the more discretionary 
nature of Ambius products and Brand 
Standards’ exposure to the fast food sector, 
which has also suffered from temporary 
business suspensions. 

Ongoing Revenue in the region grew by 14.5% 
to £1,239.8m in 2020 ($1,585.7m). Revenues 
from total Pest Control (including Distribution 
and Lake Management) increased by 3.1% 
to £1,018.4m, with Pest services revenue 
increasing by 6.5%, reflecting good demand 
from Residential customers. Ongoing 
Operating Profit growth of 39.9% reflects 
revenue growth in Pest Control, the launch 
of new disinfection services and rapid and 
effective cost control to offset the impact 
of the COVID-19 crisis. Despite suspension 
of M&A activity during Q2, the region 
acquired 15 businesses (14 Pest Control and 
one Ambius) in the region with combined 
annualised revenues of c.£142m (including 
EPS LLC) in the year prior to purchase. 

Our stated ambition for our North America 
business has been for it to surpass $1.5bn 
revenues in 2020 and to achieve 18% Net 
Operating Margins by the end of 2021. Despite 
the impact from the pandemic on our overall 
regional performance, we have nevertheless 
exceeded our target revenue of $1.5bn by 
$85.7m this year, delivering North America 
revenues of $1,585.7m. 

We have also made good progress towards 
18% margins, growing this by 310 basis points 
in 2020 to 17.3%. This is a result of short-term 
cost actions taken to mitigate the revenue 
impact of COVID-19, additional revenues from 
new disinfection sales launched in Q2, the mix 
effect due to a lower contribution from our 
lower-margin Ambius and Brand Standards 

operations, and benefits from our IT-enabled 
Best of Breed Programme, which we restarted 
in Q3. Although suspension of this programme 
resulted in a pause to a number of IT initiatives 
designed to improve sales and service 
productivity, as well as the migration of 
acquisitions onto the core operating system, 
we were pleased with the progress made in 
the second half. 

Looking ahead to 2021, we are expecting a 
gradual return to more normal levels of growth 
from our core North America Pest Control 
operations and a recovery of the Brand 
Standards and lower-margin Ambius 
businesses. While we anticipate revenues 
from disinfection to continue in 2021, we 
expect volumes and prices to progressively 
unwind throughout the year. We expect to see 
margin improvements from cost savings and 
the implementation of our core Best of Breed 
Programme, which is on track to complete by 
the end of 2021. In addition, margins of 
acquired businesses are typically lower than 
those of our existing operations and, as such, 
the businesses acquired in 2020 will have a 
short-term dilutive impact on margins for the 
region. Taking the above into account, we 
would expect North America margins for 2021 
to be within the range of 16.5% and 17%, 
leaving us on track to achieve our 18% margin 
target by the end of 2022.

Our Europe region has seen a mixed impact 
from the COVID-19 crisis. While some 
countries were less impacted by the crisis 
due to early and effective lockdowns, such 
as Germany, other countries including France 
and parts of Southern Europe were more 
severely impacted. In Latin America, while 
revenues in Pest Control declined, overall 
performance for the year was aided by 
disinfection sales. Hygiene was the region’s 
best performing category, with good 
contributions from disinfection and products. 
Pest Control delivered a resilient performance 
in 2020, while France Workwear was most 
impacted by the crisis, being particularly 
affected by temporary business closures 
in the HORECA sector. 

Regional Ongoing Revenue rose by 2.5% in 
2020, reflecting revenue growth in Germany 
(+10.7%), Latin America (+15.2%), Southern 
Europe (+5.3%) and Benelux (+0.5%), but held 
back by revenue decline of 3.2% in France 
(principally France Workwear, which declined 
by 10.4%). Hygiene grew by 22.3% in 2020, 
while Pest Control declined by 0.4%. Ongoing 
Operating Profit declined by 4.1%, with good 
growth in Germany (+24.5%) offset by declines 
elsewhere, most notably France. The region 
acquired two businesses in Europe in 2020 
(one in Pest Control and one in Hygiene) and 
two businesses in Latin America (both Pest 
Control) with annualised revenues of c.£6m 
and c.£3.5m respectively in the year prior to 
purchase. 

Our UK & Rest of World region was 
significantly impacted by the crisis, particularly 
in April, which was the peak of the crisis for the 
Group as a whole. Our UK and Ireland Hygiene 
businesses have been unable to service 
customers within many sectors, but primarily 
the HORECA sector which has been subjected 
to government restrictions and lockdowns 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 147

Financial Review
continued

throughout the year. UK Pest Control also 
saw revenue declines in 2020, reflecting 
temporary business closures and suspensions. 
In contrast, our Specialist Hygiene, Medical 
and Products businesses have performed 
well, benefiting from increased disinfection 
services. Ambius and Property Care were the 
most severely impacted of all our regional 
operations as a result of customers cutting 
their spend on more discretionary services 
such as interior landscaping and plants, with 
Property Care being impacted by weakness 
in the UK commercial housing market. 

Ongoing Revenue for the UK & Rest of World 
region fell by 2.2%, with declines in UK and 
Ireland Hygiene and Pest Control (down 
20.2% and 8.5% respectively) partially offset 
by growth in our Rest of World operations, 
which grew by 5.3% in the year (Nordics: 
+8.7%, MENAT: +12.8% and sub-Saharan 
South Africa: +4.4%) reflecting the benefit 
of disinfection sales. In the UK, revenues 
have been supported by new products and 
services and contract wins for provision of 
connected pest control systems as customers 
have sought to minimise physical interaction 
with service providers. This includes our 
largest PestConnect contract to date for 
Tesco, for whom we have installed units 
across the majority of its UK footprint. 
Regional Ongoing Operating Profit declined 
by 16.2% in 2020, reflecting bad debt 
provisions and the costs of increased PPE 
for frontline technicians. Our Rest of World 
operations acquired two small pest control 
business in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and 
Accra (Ghana) with annualised revenues 
in the year prior to purchase of c.£2m. 

In our Asia region, China, Hong Kong and 
South Korea were among the first countries 
to be impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and, as 
a result, were the first to recover, with strong 
demand for disinfection and hygiene product 
sales offsetting falls in contract revenue from 
other countries. Country performance across 
Asia was mixed in 2020, with Singapore, 
Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea and Sri 
Lanka performing well, but with India and 
Malaysia experiencing the worst impacts 
from the crisis. 

Regional Ongoing Revenue rose by 3.7% in 
2020, aided by very strong performances from 
Indonesia (+28.1%), Hong Kong (+18.4%) and 
South Korea (+21.9%), but held back by India 
(down 15.8%) and Malaysia (down 5.2%). 
Ongoing Operating Profit increased by 10.1%. 
The region made one acquisition during H1, 
acquiring a pest control business in Singapore 
with annualised revenues in the year prior to 
purchase of c.£3.5m. 

In the Pacific region, Ongoing Revenue fell 
by 2.6%, with all operations impacted by the 
crisis as a result of government restrictions, 
particularly in New Zealand, which entered 
into extreme lockdown in late March. Pest 
Control in the region fell by 1.3% in the year, 
while Hygiene declined by 2.6%. Ongoing 
Operating Profit in the region fell by 8.7%, 
reflecting lower revenues. The region acquired 
one small pest control business in Australia in 
2020 with annualised revenues of c.£0.5m. 

148 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Our share of Profits from Associates at AER 
amounted to £8.3m (2019: £15.2m) related to 
our Japanese associate (2019 included £8.2m 
related to our stake in the CWS-boco joint 
venture, which was disposed in July 2019). 

Central and regional 
overheads
Central and regional overheads of £91.1m at 
CER were £12.6m higher than the prior year 
(2019: £78.5m), due to increased bad debt 
provisions and centrally sourced PPE costs.

Restructuring costs
With the exception of integration costs for 
significant acquisitions, the Company reports 
restructuring costs within adjusted operating 
profit. Costs associated with significant 
acquisitions are reported as one-off items 
and excluded from adjusted profit.

Restructuring costs of £13.3m at CER (2019: 
£7.7m) consisted mainly of costs in respect 
of initiatives focused on our North America 
transformation programme from Q1, together 
with severance costs as a result of the 
COVID-19 crisis. 

One-off items and 
amortisation (at CER)
One-off items (operating) of £7.7m includes 
£14.7m of acquisition and integration costs, 
a cash receipt of £2.2m related to a prior year 
disposal, a non-cash credit of £7.3m relating 
to the closure of a pension scheme in North 
America, profit on the sale and leaseback 
of a property of £2.0m, a charge for disposal 
of faulty PPE stock of £2.9m and a charge 
for legacy payroll costs in France of £3.3m, 
partially offset by release of smaller legacy 
provisions of £3.0m. 

The amortisation charge of £82.5m for the 
period includes goodwill impairments of £8.1m 
related to the Rentokil PCI cash generating 
unit (CGU) and £2.5m related to the Brazil 
CGU. Both impairments arose mainly due to an 
increase in the discount rates used as a result 
of toughening economic conditions in each 
country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UK defined benefit pension 
scheme buy-out
In December 2018, the Company reached 
agreement for a bulk annuity insurance buy-in 
for its UK Defined Benefit Pension Scheme 
(‘the Scheme’) with Pensions Insurance 
Corporation. The buy-in had been secured in 
contemplation of a full buy-out and wind-up 
of the Scheme with an expected pre-tax cash 
surplus of c.£30m. The timing of the wind-up 
is uncertain, following the recent High Court 
judgement that ruled that trustees of defined 
benefit schemes that provided Guaranteed 
Minimum Pensions should revisit and, where 
necessary, top up historical cash equivalent 
transfer values paid since 1990. The Trustee 
may therefore need to revisit these before the 
wind-up can be completed. This may mean 
that the wind-up is delayed until 2022.

However, following consultation with members, 
the Trustee agreed a pre-tax partial refund 
of surplus of £13m, which was paid in 

December 2020. The balance of the refund 
of the surplus will be paid when the buy-out 
is complete.

Interest (at AER)
Net adjusted interest payable of £37.1m was 
£5.0m lower than in the prior year, reflecting 
the impact of our 2019 refinancing, and 
despite the impact of temporarily drawing 
down our RCF at the start of the COVID-19 
pandemic.

Tax
The income tax charge for the year at actual 
exchange rates was £43.5m on the reported 
profit before tax of £229.8m. After adjusting 
the reported profit before tax for the 
amortisation and impairment of intangible 
assets (excluding computer software),  
one-off items and net interest adjustments, 
the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for 2020 at 
AER was 19.7% (2019: 21.6%). This compares 
with a blended rate of tax for the countries in 
which the Group operates of 24% (2019: 23%).

Going concern 
The Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the accounts on the 
basis that the Group’s strong liquidity position 
and ability to reduce capital expenditure or 
expenditure on bolt-on acquisitions are 
sufficient to meet the Group’s forecast funding 
needs, including those modelled in a severe 
but plausible downside case. Further detail 
can be found in the General accounting 
policies section on page 154. 

Net debt and cash flow 
Operating cash flow (£442.7m at AER for 
continuing operations) was £99.6m higher 
than in 2019, driven by a £18.6m increase 
in Adjusted Operating Profit, favourable 
working capital of £48.0m and reduced 
capex of £20.4m as a result of a freeze 
on any non-essential capex from Q2 onwards.

Interest payments of £41.0m are £7.1m lower 
than in the prior year, due to the 2019 bond 
refinancing. Tax increased by £21.2m, due to 
higher US tax payments, a payment relating 
to a legacy issue in the UK and the non-repeat 
of certain tax repayments received in 2019. 

The full year impact of trading, as well as 
additional measures, is Free Cash Flow delivery 
of £336.8m (2019: £250.7m), leading to an 
underlying decrease in net debt of £137.1m after 
net M&A spend of £199.7m. Adverse foreign 
exchange translation and other items of £58.4m 
are primarily due to the weakening impact of 
sterling against the euro and dollar, as well as 
the impact of the closure of an instrument 
designed to reduce US interest rates on our US 
dollar debt. Combined, these movements led to 
a decrease in net debt of £78.7m and closing 
net debt of £994.3m.

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

3 March 2021

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and  
Other Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December

Revenue
Operating profit
Net gain on disposals

Profit before interest and income tax
Finance income
Finance cost
Share of profit from associates, net of tax of £4.8m (2019: £7.0m)

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense1
Profit for the year attributable to the Company’s equity holders (including profit from  
non-controlling interests of £0.4m (2019: £0.3m)) 

Other comprehensive income:
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Tax related to items taken to other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Cost of hedging
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement on disposal of foreign operations
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedge

Notes

A1
A1

 C8
C7
B6

A12

A10
A14

2020 
£m

2,823.5
293.8
–

293.8
6.2
(78.5)
8.3

229.8
(43.5)

2019 
£m

2,714.4
265.6
103.8

369.4
10.7
(56.8)
15.2

338.5
(54.7)

186.3

283.8

(13.1)
3.9

(52.6)
(1.0)
–
(4.9)

(5.9)
0.1

(38.9)
–
(4.1)
(0.5)

Total comprehensive income for the year (including profit from non-controlling interests of £0.4m 
(2019: £0.3m))

118.6

234.5

Earnings per share attributable to the Company’s equity holders:
Basic
Diluted

All profit is from continuing operations.
1.  Taxation includes £40.0m (2019: £48.1m) in respect of overseas taxation.

A2
A2

10.03p
9.98p

15.33p
15.24p

Non-GAAP measures shown below are explained in further detail in Section E: Alternative Performance Measures.

Non-GAAP measures
Operating profit
Adjusted for:
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software)
One-off items – operating

Adjusted operating profit
Finance income
Finance cost
Net interest adjustments
Share of profit from associates, net of tax of £4.8m (2018: £7.0m)
One-off items – associates

Adjusted profit before income tax
Basic adjusted earnings per share attributable to the Company’s equity holders
Diluted adjusted earnings per share attributable to the Company’s equity holders

293.8

265.6

82.5
7.7

384.0
6.2
(78.5)
35.2
8.3
–

355.2
15.37p
15.29p

85.2
14.6

365.4
10.7
(56.8)
4.0
15.2
2.4

340.9
14.43p
14.34p

A1
A1

 C8
C7

B6

A2
A2

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 149

Consolidated Balance Sheet 
At 31 December

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Investments in associated undertakings
Other investments
Deferred tax assets
Contract costs
Retirement benefit assets
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Other investments
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents1

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Bank and other short-term borrowings1
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Bank and other long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets

Equity
Capital and reserves attributable to the Company’s equity holders
Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Notes

2020 
£m

20191 
£m

B2
B3
B4
B6
C4
A14
A1
A10
A3
C5

C4
A4
A3

C5
C3

A5

A6
C2
B4
C5

A5
C2
B4
A14
A10
A6
C5

D2

1,922.1
402.7
217.5
27.2
0.2
37.7
67.8
19.0
13.1
37.0

1,673.4
391.7
221.2
29.7
0.3
29.3
65.4
37.4
12.7
7.6

2,744.3

2,468.7

172.2
131.3
548.6
10.6
5.6
2,225.6

3,093.9

(925.0)
(80.0)
(30.1)
(1,846.6)
(72.7)
(3.5)

1.7
106.5
500.7
7.0
0.2
1,169.2

1,785.3

(660.7)
(72.9)
(25.1)
(944.2)
(72.0)
(0.5)

(2,957.9)

(1,775.4)

136.0

9.9

(70.4)
(1,337.6)
(141.8)
(94.7)
(38.8)
(34.1)
(32.3)

(1,749.7)

1,130.6

18.5
6.8
(1,926.2)
3,030.6

1,129.7
0.9

1,130.6

(57.7)
(1,059.3)
(144.7)
(110.8)
(37.5)
(34.0)
(32.3)

(1,476.3)

1,002.3

18.5
6.8
(1,867.7)
2,844.1

1,001.7
0.6

1,002.3

1.  Both cash and cash equivalents and bank and other short-term borrowings have been restated in 2019 to gross up the effect of overdrafts (£859.6m) and cash (£859.6m) (Note C2 

and C3).

The Financial Statements on pages 149 to 194 were approved by the Board of Directors on 3 March 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive 

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

150 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2019 
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash 
flow hedge
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement 
on disposal of foreign operations
Tax related to items taken directly to other 
comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Shares issued in the year
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
Movement in the carrying value of put options

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share
capital
£m

18.4
–

Share
premium
£m

6.8
–

Other
reserves
£m

(1,824.2)
–

Retained
earnings 
£m

2,631.2
283.5

Non-
controlling
interests
£m

0.4
0.3

–
–

–

–

–

–

0.1
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

(38.9)
–

(0.5)

(4.1)

–

(43.5)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(5.9)

–

–

0.1

277.7

(0.1)
(85.8)
–
5.3
2.4
13.4

At 31 December 2019

18.5

6.8

(1,867.7)

2,844.1

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Cost of hedging
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash 
flow hedge
Tax related to items taken directly to other 
comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
Movement in the carrying value of put options

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

185.9

(52.6)
(1.0)
–

(4.9)

–

(58.5)

–
–
–
–

–
–
(13.1)

–

3.9

176.7

–
5.5
3.2
1.1

At 31 December 2020

18.5

6.8

(1,926.2)

3,030.6

Total
equity
£m

832.6
283.8

(38.9)
(5.9)

(0.5)

(4.1)

0.1

–
–

–

–

–

0.3

234.5

–
–
(0.1)
–
–
–

0.6

0.4

–
–
–

–

–

0.4

(0.1)
–
–
–

0.9

–
(85.8)
(0.1)
5.3
2.4
13.4

1,002.3

186.3

(52.6)
(1.0)
(13.1)

(4.9)

3.9

118.6

(0.1)
5.5
3.2
1.1

1,130.6

Shares of £0.1m (2019: £0.1m) have been netted against retained earnings. This represents 7.7m (2019: 7.7m) shares held by the Rentokil Initial 
Employee Share Trust. The market value of these shares at 31 December 2019 was £39.0m (2019: £35.1m). Dividend income from, and voting 
rights on, the shares held by the Trust have been waived.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 151

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December continued

Analysis of other reserves

At 1 January 2019
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash 
flow hedge
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement 
on disposal of foreign operations

Total comprehensive income for the year

Capital
reduction
reserve
£m

(1,722.7)
–

–

–

–

Legal
reserve
£m

10.4
–

–

–

–

At 31 December 2019

(1,722.7)

10.4

Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash 
flow hedge
Cost of hedging

Total comprehensive income for the year

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

At 31 December 2020

(1,722.7)

10.4

Cash flow
hedge
reserve
£m

Translation
reserve
£m

Cost of
hedging
£m

1.0
–

(0.5)

–

(0.5)

0.5

–

(4.9)
–

(4.9)

(4.4)

(112.9)
(38.9)

–

(4.1)

(43.0)

(155.9)

(52.6)

–
–

(52.6)

(208.5)

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
(1.0)

(1.0)

(1.0)

Total
£m

(1,824.2)
(38.9)

(0.5)

(4.1)

(43.5)

(1,867.7)

(52.6)

(4.9)
(1.0)

(58.5)

(1,926.2)

The capital reduction reserve arose in 2005 as a result of the scheme of arrangement of Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, under section 425 of the 
Companies Act 1985, to introduce a new holding company, Rentokil Initial plc, and the subsequent reduction in capital approved by the 
High Court whereby the nominal value of each ordinary share was reduced from 100p to 1p.

The legal reserve represents amounts set aside in compliance with local laws in certain countries in which the Group operates.

152 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
For the year ended 31 December

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operating activities
Interest received
Interest paid1
Income tax paid

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of companies and businesses, net of cash acquired
Disposal of companies and businesses
Dividends received from associates

Net cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Capital element of lease payments
Cash outflow on settlement of debt-related foreign exchange forward contracts
Net change to cash flow from investment in term deposits
Proceeds from new debt
Debt repayments

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year

1. 

Interest paid includes the interest element of lease payments of £6.8m (2019: £8.1m).

Notes

C9

A13

B1

B6

D1

C3

2020 
£m

649.6
7.6
(48.6)
(64.4)

544.2

(129.9)
(22.6)
6.3
(194.7)
2.2
11.7

(327.0)

–
(85.4)
(23.7)
(170.5)
1,694.0
(1,352.2)

62.2

279.4
273.9
(2.5)

550.8

2019 
£m

554.2
10.8
(58.9)
(43.2)

462.9

(140.1)
(30.8)
3.2
(315.7)
391.9
30.4

(61.1)

(85.8)
(86.3)
(11.7)
0.7
433.8
(472.0)

(221.3)

180.5
100.9
(7.5)

273.9

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 153

 
Notes to the Financial Statements

General accounting policies
Basis of preparation
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS Interpretations 
Committee interpretations as adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union (‘IFRSs as adopted by the 
EU’). The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain 
financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments).

The Group uses a number of non-GAAP measures to present the financial performance of the business which are not defined under IFRS. 
An explanation of these Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), along with reconciliation to the nearest equivalent IFRS measure, can be 
found in Section E on page 184.

As noted in the Financial Review, the Group performed well during 2020 despite the challenges placed on colleagues and customers by the 
global impact of COVID-19. The Directors have prepared board-approved cash flow forecasts that demonstrate that the Group has sufficient 
liquidity to meet its obligations as they fall due and that it remains compliant with all relevant covenants for the period of at least 12 months from 
the date of approval of these Financial Statements.

Additionally, the Directors have assessed severe but plausible downside scenarios, including the impact of further COVID-19 lockdowns. This 
downside scenario assumes a revenue decline of 30% against base budget, which is considerably worse than the Group’s actual performance 
in 2020. Under this scenario the Group would not breach any covenants on its drawn debts but would breach the Net Debt/EBITDA covenant 
related to its available undrawn revolving credit facility. Were the Group to need to access this additional facility it would be able to maintain 
covenant compliance by managing cash outflows through cost savings, adjusting the level of M&A activity and/or dividends paid which are all 
within the Group’s control.

The Directors have therefore concluded that the Group will have sufficient liquidity to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for this period 
and therefore have prepared the Financial Statements on a going concern basis (see the Directors’ Report on page 201).

Consolidation
(a) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it (i) has power over the entity; (ii) is exposed or has rights 
to variable returns from its involvement with the entity; and (iii) has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The Group 
reassesses whether or not it controls a subsidiary if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of these three 
elements of control.

The Financial Statements of subsidiaries are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date that control commences until the 
date that control ceases. Inter-company transactions, balances, and gains and losses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated 
on consolidation.

Where the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the assets and liabilities are derecognised along with any related non-controlling interest and 
other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in the income statement. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is 
measured at fair value when control is lost. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted 
for as equity transactions. 

Losses applicable to the non-controlling interests in a subsidiary are allocated to the non-controlling interests, which may cause the 
non-controlling interests to have a deficit balance. Consideration in excess of net identifiable assets acquired in respect of non-controlling 
interests in existing subsidiary undertakings is taken directly to reserves.

(b) Associates
Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence over the financial and operating policies, but not control. Significant 
influence is usually presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20% and 50% of the voting power of another entity. 

Associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified 
on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment losses. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Group’s share of the total 
comprehensive income and equity movements of equity accounted investees, from the date that significant influence commences until the date 
that significant influence ceases. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted investee, the carrying amount is 
reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations 
or made payments on behalf of an investee.

Gains and losses on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates.

Foreign currency translation
(a) Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the Financial Statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment 
in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in sterling, which is the Group’s 
functional and presentation currency.

(b) Group companies
The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated 
into the presentation currency as follows:

(i)  assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet;
(ii)  income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates; and
(iii) all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other 
currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments or deemed to be quasi-equity, are taken to other comprehensive income. 
When a foreign operation is sold, such exchange differences are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

154 Rentokil Initial plc 

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Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and 
translated at period-end exchange rates.

(c) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. 
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, or from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at reporting period end exchange rates, are recognised under the appropriate heading in the income 
statement; except when deferred in equity as qualifying net investment hedges or where certain intra-group loans are determined to be 
quasi-equity (normally not expected to be repaid).

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the relevant instrument, 
and derecognised when it ceases to be a party to such provisions. Section C page 176 of these notes discusses accounting for financial 
instruments.

Financial assets
The Group classifies its financial assets depending on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. At initial recognition the Group 
carries out a solely payment of principal and interest (SPPI) test and a business model test to establish the classification and measurement of its 
financial assets. Financial assets are classified in the following categories:

(a) Amortised cost 
Financial assets under this classification are non-derivative financial assets held to collect the contractual cash flows until maturity and the 
cash flows are SPPI. Assets measured at amortised cost include trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents. 

(b) Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
These are non-derivative financial assets which can be for sale with cash flows that are SPPI. These assets are measured at fair value and 
changes to market values are recognised in other comprehensive income. The Group has no assets classified under this category. 

(c) Fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL)
Financial assets under this classification are assets that cannot be classified in any of the other categories. These assets are measured at fair 
value and changes to market values are recognised in profit and loss. 

Financial liabilities
All financial liabilities are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method except for derivatives, which are classified as held 
for trading (except where they qualify for hedge accounting) and are held at fair value.

Financial liabilities held at amortised cost include trade payables, onerous property contract provisions, deferred consideration and borrowings.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Assumptions and estimation uncertainties
The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on 
historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates and revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

Sensitivities to the estimates and assumptions are provided, where relevant, in the relevant notes to the Financial Statements. The estimates and 
assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial 
year are listed below (please refer to the notes for further detail):

 e impairment of goodwill: growth rate and discount rate assumptions and forecast cash flow estimates (Note B2);
 e income taxes and deferred tax asset: key assumptions about the likelihood and magnitude of outflows in relation to tax provisions, and 

availability of future taxable profit against which deductible temporary differences and tax losses carried forward can be utilised (Notes A12 
and A14);

 e UK revenue recognition: assumptions related to incomplete performance obligations affecting the magnitude of the charge for credit notes 

(Note A1);

 e provision for impairment of trade receivables: key assumptions about the likelihood and magnitude of losses in relation to the trade receivables 

balance (Note A3);

 e retirement benefits: key actuarial assumptions and estimates over future costs of winding up a scheme (Note A10); and
 e put option: growth and discount rate assumptions used to calculate the value of the PCI put option (Note A5).

Judgements
Information about judgements made in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effects on the amounts recognised in the 
Financial Statements is included in the following notes:

 e IFRS 16 length of each lease: whether to include options to extend and/or termination options when calculating the lease liability (Note B4).

Standards, amendments and interpretations to published standards that are mandatorily effective for the current year
Except as described below, the accounting policies applied in these Financial Statements are the same as those applied in the Group’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

The Group has adopted the following new standards and amendments to standards, including any consequential amendments to other 
standards, with effect from 1 January 2020:

 e Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates;
 e Amendment to IFRS 3 Business Combinations;
 e Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform.

The application of these amendments has had no material impact on the disclosures of the amounts recognised in the Group’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements. Consequently, no adjustment has been made to the comparative financial information at 31 December 2019.

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

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 155

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

A. Operating
A1. Revenue recognition and operating segments

Revenue recognition
Revenue represents the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group 
expects to be entitled. All revenue is considered revenue from contracts with customers as defined by IFRS 15, including job work and sales 
of goods. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of goods or services in line with identifiable performance 
obligations. In the majority of cases the Group considers that the contracts it enters into are contracts for bundled services which are accounted 
for as a single performance obligation. Accordingly the majority of revenue across the Group is recognised on an output basis evenly over 
the course of the contract because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group’s performance as it 
performs. Job work is short-term contract revenue whereby the period of service is typically less than one month in duration. The performance 
obligations linked to this revenue type are individual to each job due to their nature, with revenue being recognised at a point in time on 
completion. Where consumables are supplied separately from the service contract, revenue is recognised at the point the goods transfer.

The transaction price reported for all contracts is the price agreed in the contract and there are no material elements of variable consideration, 
financing component or non-cash consideration. The Group applies the practical expedient in paragraph 121 of IFRS 15 and does not disclose 
information about remaining performance obligations because the Group has a right to consideration from customers in an amount that 
corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the performance obligations completed to date.

There are no circumstances in which the Group acts as an agent.

Disaggregation of revenue into category, region and major type of revenue stream is shown below under segmental reporting and in Section E 
on page 184.

Performance obligations
Revenue recognised over time – contract service revenue
These are mainly full service contracts, inclusive of equipment, maintenance and consumables as required. The inclusive service is treated 
as a single performance obligation.

 e Pest Control: the Group offers a range of services with by far the most common being General Pest Maintenance Contracts. Under this type 
of contract the Group promises to provide a pest control service for the duration of the contract. In order to fulfil this promise, equipment is 
supplied (such as bait boxes) and a technician maintains and monitors the equipment at a set number of visits per year, plus any additional 
call-outs as required; so there is a stand-ready element to the service as well as an ongoing service. The Group considers that this type of 
contract is a bundled service as the goods and services are not distinct in the context of the contract; equipment is not supplied without the 
service.

 e Hygiene: the Group offers a similar type of service to Pest Control, providing washroom equipment, consumables and a technician to service 
the washroom. This type of contract will include a set number of visits. Dispensers are replenished by the technician. Management considers 
that the supply of goods and services are not distinct in the context of the contract. Dispensers and other equipment would not be supplied 
without providing the full service; the equipment is controlled by the Group and ownership does not transfer to the customer.

 e Protect & Enhance: contracts in this business category mainly relate to Ambius (interior landscaping) and Workwear. In Ambius the major 
types of contract are for supply and maintenance of interior plants. Maintenance is only offered for plants that were supplied by the Group 
and therefore the services are not distinct in the context of the contract. The assets are positioned and situated by our technicians and the 
customer is not permitted to relocate them. At the end of the contract any assets on the customer’s site are recovered. In Workwear the 
main type of contract is for supply and laundering of garments for commercial organisations. Supply and laundry are not offered separately, 
therefore management considers the services not to be distinct in the context of the contract. The service is treated as a bundle and a single 
performance obligation. Any equipment remains under ownership and control of the Group.

Revenue recognised at a point in time – job work
These services are short term in nature and only an immaterial amount would straddle an accounting period end. There is usually only one 
performance obligation with revenue recognised at the point of completion of the work.

 e Pest Control: an example of this type of revenue in the Pest Control category is bird-proofing which is a one-off installation that, depending 

on the size of the site, may take between a few days and several weeks to complete. There is a single performance obligation (to install 
bird-proofing) and the customer is billed, and revenue recognised, at the end of the job.

 e Hygiene: this type of revenue is generated by our Specialist Hygiene team which performs specialist cleaning services such as graffiti removal, 

deep cleaning of kitchens and washrooms, trauma cleaning, flood or fire damage cleaning, and during the pandemic has been providing 
specialist deep cleaning and disinfection services. These are usually short-term jobs (under one week) and usually there is a single performance 
obligation with revenue recognised on completion of the job.

 e Protect & Enhance: this type of revenue is generated in our Ambius and Property Care businesses and includes work such as Christmas 

installations (trees and decorations), woodworm treatment and damp-proofing. There is usually a single performance obligation with revenue 
recognised at a point in time. The value of this work is immaterial.

Revenue recognised at a point in time – sale of goods
Sale of products and consumables relates mainly to the pest distribution businesses which sell pest control products to retailers and the pest 
control industry. In the Hygiene business there are some sales of consumables to customers. In all cases, revenue is recognised at the point 
in time that ownership transfers to the customer.

The Group does not consider that any judgements were made that would have a significant impact on the amount or timing of revenue 
recognised. The contracts in the business where revenue is recognised over time are repetitive and are based on short cycles that repeat many 
times per year. Therefore if revenue had been considered to be recognised at a point in time rather than over time the in-year impact would be 
immaterial.

The Group makes a charge against revenue for credit notes not yet issued at the balance sheet date. Due to prolonged government lockdowns 
in the year where customer sites could not be accessed, the charge for credit notes related to the UK (which makes up a significant part of the 
Group credit note charge) has increased significantly. This charge has been estimated using data on incomplete service visits and credit notes 
already issued in the year. The range of estimation uncertainty affecting the reported UK & Ireland revenue of £287.5m is estimated to be 

156 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

between £(0.6)m and £4.7m. As the pandemic subsides during 2021 and lockdowns in the UK are lifted, the estimate of the level of credit notes 
required will become certain which will affect the amount of revenue recognised in 2021.

Contract costs
Contract costs are mainly incremental costs of obtaining contracts (primarily sales commissions directly related to contracts obtained), and to 
a lesser extent costs to fulfil contracts which are not within the scope of other standards (mainly incremental costs of putting resources in place 
to fulfil contracts).

It is anticipated that these costs are recoverable over the life of the contract to which they relate. Accordingly the Group capitalises them as 
contract costs and amortises them over the expected life of the contracts. The expected length of contracts across the Group and associated 
amortisation periods are between three and six years.

The contract costs recognised in the balance sheet at the period end amounted to £67.8m (2019: £65.4m). The amount of amortisation 
recognised in the period was £28.1m (2019: £25.9m) and impairment losses were £nil (2019: £nil).

Applying the practical expedient in paragraph 94 of IFRS 15, the Group recognises the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense 
when incurred if the amortisation period of the assets that the Group otherwise would have recognised is one year or less.

Contract assets
Contract assets relate to the Group’s right to consideration for performance obligations satisfied but where the customer has yet to be invoiced. 
The contract assets are transferred to receivables when the rights become unconditional. This usually occurs when the Group issues an invoice 
to the customer. All opening balances have been invoiced in the year.

Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities relate to advance consideration received from customers where the performance obligations have yet to be satisfied. 
All opening balances have subsequently been satisfied in the year. In most business categories where revenue is recognised over time 
customers are invoiced in advance or simultaneously with performance obligations being satisfied.

Segment reporting
Segmental information has been presented in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. Reporting segments reflect the internal management 
reporting structures. Each segment is headed by a Regional Managing Director who reports directly to the Chief Executive and is a member of 
the Group’s Executive Leadership Team responsible for the review of Group performance. The operating businesses within each segment report 
to the Regional Managing Directors.

Disaggregated revenue under IFRS 15 is the same as the segmental analysis below. Restructuring costs and central and regional costs are 
presented at a Group level as they are not targeted or managed at reportable segment level. The basis of presentation is consistent with the 
information reviewed by internal management. Revenue and profit are from Ongoing operations which is defined and reconciled to the nearest 
equivalent GAAP measure in Section E on page 184.

Revenue and profit from continuing operations

France
Benelux
Germany
Southern Europe
Latin America

Europe

UK & Ireland
Rest of World

UK & Rest of World

Asia
North America
Pacific
Central and regional costs
Restructuring costs

Ongoing operations at AER
Disposed businesses1,2

Continuing operations at AER

One-off items – operating
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets³

Operating profit

Revenue
2020
£m

303.2
96.7
120.6
143.0
57.7

721.2

287.5
157.3

444.8

242.0
1,224.1
177.5
–
–

2,809.6
13.9

2,823.5

Revenue
2019
£m

310.4
95.3
107.5
134.6
57.7

705.5

305.6
156.6

462.2

240.2
1,082.5
185.8
–
–

2,676.2
38.2

2,714.4

Operating
profit
2020
£m

Operating
profit
2019
£m

33.7
27.9
42.1
21.8
5.5

131.0

50.1
33.7

83.8

26.9
211.9
34.5
(91.1)
(13.2)

383.8
0.2

384.0

(7.7)
(82.5)

293.8

46.0
27.9
33.4
22.2
6.6

136.1

65.6
35.7

101.3

24.9
153.4
38.6
(78.5)
(7.7)

368.1
(2.7)

365.4

(14.6)
(85.2)

265.6

1. 

Includes revenue of £7.1m (2019: £10.7m) from product sales by the Group to CWS-boco International GmbH. Prior to 30 June 2017, this revenue was classified as intra-group revenue 
and eliminated on consolidation.

2.  Disposed businesses for 2019 is restated to include businesses that were disposed in 2020 to aid year-on-year comparability.
3.  Excluding computer software.

Revenue and operating profit relate to the main groups of business category and activity, as described on page 2: Pest Control, Hygiene and 
Protect & Enhance. Central and regional overheads represent corporate expenses that are not directly attributable to any reportable segment. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 157

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

Revenue from external customers attributed to the UK amounted to £260.0m (2019: £295.7m), with overseas countries accounting for the balance 
of £2,563.5m (2019: £2,418.7m). The only countries accounting for more than 10% of revenue from external customers are the US, totalling 
£1,173.0m (2019: £1,033.9m), and France, totalling £310.0m (2019: £315.6m). No customer accounts for more than 10% of total revenue.

One-off items – operating

Acquisition and integration costs
Additional proceeds from prior year disposal – cash receipt
Pension scheme closure in North America
Profit on property sale and leaseback
Disposal charge for faulty PPE
Legacy payroll costs
Release of legacy provisions
UK pension scheme – partial return of surplus
Other

At 31 December

Analysis of revenue by business category

Pest Control
Hygiene
Protect & Enhance
Disposed businesses

Total

Analysis of revenue by type

Recognised over time
Contract service revenue
Recognised at a point in time
Job work
Sales of goods

Total

Other segment items included in the consolidated income statement are as follows:

Europe
UK & Rest of World
Asia
North America
Pacific
Central and regional
Disposed businesses

Total

Tax effect

Total after tax effect

1.  Excluding computer software.

One-off 
cost/(income)
2020
£m

One-off tax 
impact
2020
£m

One-off cash 
inflow/(outflow)
2020
£m

14.7
(2.2)
(7.3)
(2.0)
2.9
3.3
(3.0)
–
1.3

7.7

(3.0)
–
2.0
0.5
(0.5)
(1.1)
–
–
(0.3)

(2.4)

Revenue
2020
£m

1,724.1
735.0
350.5
13.9

2,823.5

(14.7)
2.2
–
4.4
–
(1.1)
–
8.5
(1.6)

(2.3)

Revenue
2019
£m

1,734.8
543.7
397.7
38.2

2,714.4

Revenue
2020
£m

Revenue 
2019
£m

1,877.8

1,880.9

651.5
294.2

2,823.5

533.0
300.5

2,714.4

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles¹
2020
£m

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles¹
2019
£m

13.3
12.4
15.1
30.9
3.6
7.2
–

82.5

(17.5)

65.0

10.1
19.6
8.6
35.0
3.9
6.0
2.0

85.2

(19.6)

65.6

A2. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average 
number of shares in issue during the year, excluding those held in the Rentokil Initial Employee Share Trust (see note at the bottom of the 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity) which are treated as cancelled, and including share options for which all conditions have been met.

Adjusted earnings per share is earnings per share adjusted for the after-tax effects of one-off items (including the net gain on disposal of 
businesses), amortisation and impairment of intangibles, and net interest adjustments. Adjusted profit and earnings per share measures are 
explained further in Section E on page 184.

158 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to include all potential dilutive ordinary 
shares. The Group’s potentially dilutive ordinary shares relate to the contingent issuable shares under the Group’s long-term incentive plans 
(LTIPs) to the extent the performance conditions have been met at the end of the period. These share options are issued for nil consideration 
to employees if performance conditions are met.

Details of the adjusted earnings per share are set out below:

Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company
One-off items – operating
One-off items – associates
Net gain on disposals
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles¹
Net interest adjustments
Tax on above items²

Adjusted profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
Adjustment for potentially dilutive shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Basic adjusted earnings per share
Diluted adjusted earnings per share

2020
£m

185.9
7.7
–
–
82.5
35.2
(26.4)

284.9

1,853.2
9.7

1,862.9

10.03p
9.98p
15.37p
15.29p

2019
£m

283.5
14.6
2.4
(103.8)
85.2
4.0
(19.1)

266.8

1,849.0
11.5

1,860.5

15.33p
15.24p
14.43p
14.34p

1.  Excluding computer software.
2.  One-off items – operating £2.4m (2019: £(1.1)m), amortisation and impairment of intangibles £17.5m (2019: £19.6m), net interest adjustments £6.5m (2019: £0.6m).

A3. Trade and other receivables
The Group’s trade receivables are recognised at the transaction price less provision for impairment. The amount of the provision is recognised 
in the income statement and movements on provisions for impaired trade receivables are recognised within operating expenses in the income 
statement. Amounts are generally charged to the provision for impairment of trade receivables when there is no expectation of recovering 
additional cash.

Expected credit loss (ECL) calculations are performed quarterly and are used to calculate the provision. ECL calculations are a probability 
weighted estimate of credit losses and are performed at country level. The Group applies the simplified method of applying lifetime ECLs to trade 
receivables using an allowance matrix to measure the ECLs of trade receivables from its customers, which comprise customer portfolios across 
several countries. Credit risk factors that are considered as part of ECL calculations may include, but are not limited to: payment history, customer 
size, customer type (national/residential/commercial/government), age of debt, industry strength, economy, product or service provided.

There is limited concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables due to the Group’s customer base being large and diverse. The 
amount of credit risk with respect to customers is represented by the carrying amount on the balance sheet. The Group policy is that credit 
facilities for new customers are approved by designated managers at regional level. Credit limits are set with reference to trading history and 
reports from credit rating agencies where they are available. Where this is not feasible the Group may request payment in advance of work being 
carried out, or settlement by credit card on completion of the work. There are no trade receivables that would otherwise be past due or impaired 
whose terms have been renegotiated.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the risk of impairment of trade receivables has increased significantly in the year. ECL calculations reflect 
management’s estimate of the increased risk that some customers will be unable to settle their debts. As the pandemic subsides the situation will 
become clearer and these estimates will change, which may mean a reduction or a further increase in the provision over the next 12 months.

Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables

Trade receivables – net
Other receivables
Prepayments
Contract assets¹

Total

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

2020
£m

525.8
(61.4)

464.4
48.8
29.3
19.2

561.7

13.1
548.6

561.7

2019
£m

441.4
(28.4)

413.0
48.5
30.1
21.8

513.4

12.7
500.7

513.4

1.  Contract assets represents revenue that has been recognised for performance obligations satisfied but where the customer has yet to be invoiced. All opening balances have 

subsequently been invoiced in the year. In most business categories our customers are invoiced in advance or simultaneously with performance obligations being satisfied. No 
provision for impairment has been recognised against contract assets (2019: £nil).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 159

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

Analysis of the Group’s provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Additional provision
Receivables written off as uncollectable
Unused amounts reversed

At 31 December

The ageing of trade receivables and provision for impairment is as follows:

Not due
Overdue by less than 1 month
Overdue by between 1 and 3 months
Overdue by between 3 and 6 months
Overdue by between 6 and 12 months
Overdue by more than 12 months

At 31 December

2020
£m

28.4
(0.1)
1.7
54.1
(19.9)
(2.8)

61.4

2019
£m

25.1
(1.4)
0.4
14.9
(9.1)
(1.5)

28.4

Trade  
receivables
2020
£m

Provision for 
impairment
2020
£m

Trade  
receivables
2019
£m

Provision for 
impairment
2019
£m

254.6
107.0
69.9
34.0
33.5
26.8

525.8

(1.0)
(2.3)
(5.9)
(10.5)
(14.9)
(26.8)

(61.4)

202.4
104.6
54.6
31.7
25.2
22.9

441.4

(0.3)
(0.4)
(0.8)
(1.8)
(6.5)
(18.6)

(28.4)

Due to the increased risk of business failures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in trade receivable balances over three 
months old, the provision for impairment against these receivables has been adjusted to reflect management’s view of the increased risk 
of impairment.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

Carrying value

2020
£m

59.9
147.0
177.4
141.5

525.8

2019
£m

54.1
125.6
133.5
128.2

441.4

Fair value is considered to be equal to carrying value for all trade and other receivables.

A4. Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. The cost of 
finished goods and work in progress comprises design costs, raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads 
(based on normal operating capacity). It excludes borrowing costs. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less applicable variable 
selling expenses.

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

An inventory impairment charge of £10.5m was taken in 2020 (2019: £3.5m).

2020
£m

10.8
1.8
118.7

131.3

2019
£m

8.4
1.5
96.6

106.5

160 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

A5. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Other payables
Accruals
Contract liabilities¹
Deferred and contingent consideration (including put option liability of £34.3m (2019: £37.3m))

Total

Analysed as follows:
Other payables
Deferred and contingent consideration (including put option liability of £34.3m (2019: £37.3m))

Total non-current portion
Current portion

Total

2020
£m

182.3
84.2
112.2
216.9
159.3
240.5

995.4

23.4
47.0

70.4
925.0

995.4

2019
£m

187.9
64.2
66.1
169.1
144.6
86.5

718.4

17.6
40.1

57.7
660.7

718.4

1.  Contract liabilities represents customer invoices where performance obligations have not yet been satisfied. All opening balances have subsequently been satisfied in the year. 

In most business categories our customers are invoiced in advance or simultaneously with performance obligations being satisfied.

Put options are held following the acquisition of PCI in 2017 where the seller may require the Group to purchase the remaining shares of the 
business in stages over a fixed term between 2023 and 2027. The put options are accounted for as an anticipated acquisition of the remaining 
shares and no non-controlling interest is recognised. The Group recognised a put option liability for the anticipated acquisition of these shares 
in deferred and contingent consideration, and any movements in the carrying value are recognised through equity.

The assumptions that are made in estimating the value of this put option liability are option price and discount rate. A 5% reduction in the 
estimated option price would result in a £1.7m decrease in the liability, and a 1% decrease in the discount rate would result in a £1.3m increase 
in the liability.

Other than the put options, there are no liabilities in the table above that bear interest and therefore the cash flows are equal to the carrying value 
of the liabilities. Cash is due to flow between one and five years for all non-current liabilities and not beyond. Fair value is equal to carrying value 
for all trade and other payables.

The currency split of trade and other payables is as follows:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

Carrying value

2020
£m

154.4
205.6
442.0
193.4

995.4

2019
£m

131.9
190.5
207.4
188.6

718.4

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 161

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

A6. Provisions for liabilities and charges
The Group has environmental, self-insurance and other provisions. Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result 
of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount is capable of being reliably 
estimated. If such an obligation is not capable of being reliably estimated it is classified as a contingent liability (Note D3).

Future cash flows relating to these obligations are discounted when the effect is material. This year the US is the only country where the effect of 
discounting is material. The discount rates used are based on government bond rates in the country of the cash flows, and were 0.9% (2019: 0.9%) 
for the US.

Judgement is required in determining the worldwide provision for environmental restoration. These provisions tend to be long term in nature 
and the use of an appropriate market discount rate and forecast future utilisation based upon management’s best estimate determines the level 
of provision required at the balance sheet date. The phasing and actual cash spend may be different from the forecast on which the provision 
is based.

At 1 January
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 16
Exchange differences
Additional provisions
Used during the year
Unused amounts reversed
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Unwinding of discount on provisions

At 31 December

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

Environmental
£m

Self-
insurance
£m

14.2
–
0.7
0.4
(1.8)
–
0.1
–

13.6

29.3
–
(0.9)
14.7
(10.7)
(0.2)
–
0.3

32.5

Other
£m

15.6
–
0.3
13.0
(6.7)
(4.1)
–
–

18.1

2020
Total
£m

59.1
–
0.1
28.1
(19.2)
(4.3)
0.1
0.3

64.2

34.1
30.1

64.2

2019
Total
£m

71.2
(6.4)
(2.1)
18.8
(21.2)
(1.6)
0.2
0.2

59.1

34.0
25.1

59.1

Environmental
The Group owns a number of properties in Europe and the US where there is land contamination. Provisions are held for the remediation of such 
contamination. These provisions are expected to be substantially utilised within the next five years.

Self-insurance
The Group purchases external insurance from a portfolio of international insurers for its key insurable risks, mainly employee-related risks. 
Self-insured deductibles within these insurance policies have changed over time due to external market conditions and scale of operations. 
These provisions represent obligations for open claims and are estimated based on actuarial/management’s assessment at the balance sheet 
date. The Group expects to continue self-insuring the same level of risks and estimates that 50% to 75% of claims should settle within the next 
five years.

Other
Other provisions principally comprise amounts required to cover obligations arising and costs relating to disposed businesses and restructuring 
costs. Other provisions also includes costs relating to onerous contracts for properties it no longer occupies such as security, utilities and 
insurance. Existing provisions are expected to be substantially utilised within the next five years.

A7. Operating expenses by nature
Operating expenses from continuing operations include the following items:

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Restructuring costs
One-off items – operating
Other operating expenses1

Total operating expenses

Notes

A9

B3
B2

A1

2020
£m

1,298.7
603.7
133.9
63.8
132.3
101.0
13.2
7.7
175.4

2019
£m

1,312.2
565.7
142.3
64.9
127.3
98.8
7.7
14.6
115.3

2,529.7

2,448.8

1.  Other operating expenses includes professional fees, marketing costs, amortisation of contract assets and movements in bad debt provision.

162 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

A8. Audit services

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Parent Company and Group accounts
Audit of accounts of subsidiaries of the Group
Audit-related assurance services

Total audit and audit-related assurance services

2020
£m

0.9
2.3
0.1

3.3

2019
£m

0.6
2.0
0.2

2.8

A9. Employee benefit expense
Profit-sharing and bonus plans
The Group recognises a liability and an expense for bonuses and profit-sharing, based on calculations of achievements of financial performance 
targets and based on the best estimate of the obligation to employees related to personal performance criteria being achieved. A liability is 
recognised where a contractual obligation exists or where past practice indicates that there is a constructive obligation to make such payments 
in the future.

Holiday pay
Paid holidays are regarded as an employee benefit and as such are charged to the income statement as the benefits are earned. An accrual 
is made at the balance sheet date to reflect the fair value of holidays earned but not yet taken.

Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when an employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts 
voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either: 
terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal; or providing termination 
benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. Benefits falling due more than 12 months after the balance sheet date 
are discounted to present value where the effect of discounting is material.

Wages and salaries1
Social security costs
Share-based payments
Pension costs:

– defined contribution plans
– defined benefit plans

1.  Wages and salaries are disclosed net of any local government wage-related grants as disclosed in Note D5.

Average number of people employed by the Group during the year:

Processing and service delivery
Sales and marketing
Administration and overheads

2020
£m

1,135.0
128.8
5.5

27.0
2.4

2019
£m

1,142.3
129.4
5.3

33.7
1.5

1,298.7

1,312.2

2020
Number

33,174
5,272
6,142

2019
Number

31,863
5,169
5,901

44,588

42,933

Emoluments of the Directors of Rentokil Initial plc are detailed below. Further details are also given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 111 to 137.

Aggregate emoluments excluding share options
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of share options
Aggregate amount receivable under long-term incentive schemes
Aggregate value of Company contributions to defined contribution pension schemes

Highest paid 
Director
2020
£000

867.3
–
3,187.9
–

4,055.2

Other
Directors
2020
£000

575.6
–
1,325.6
–

1,901.2

Highest paid 
Director
2019
£000

2,045.4
–
2,512.3
–

4,557.7

Other
Directors
2019
£000

1,178.2
–
1,615.1
–

2,793.3

Number of Directors accruing retirement benefits

– defined contribution schemes
– defined benefit schemes

Number of Directors exercising share options
Number of Directors receiving shares as part of long-term incentive schemes

2020
Number

2019
Number

3
–
2
3

2
–
–
2

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 163

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

A10. Retirement benefit obligations
Apart from contributions to legally required social security state schemes, the Group operates a number of pension schemes around the world 
covering many of its employees.

The principal pension scheme in the Group is the UK Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme (RIPS) which has a defined contribution section, 
and a number of defined benefit sections which are now closed to new entrants and future accrual of benefits. On 4 December 2018 the Group 
signed an agreement with Pension Insurance Corporation plc (PIC) to take over the payment of the liabilities in the scheme via a buy-in, which 
is anticipated to convert to a full buy-out before the end of 2022. This is discussed in further detail below.

A number of much smaller defined benefit and defined contribution schemes operate elsewhere which are also funded through payments 
to trustee-administered funds or insurance companies.

Defined benefit schemes are reappraised annually by independent actuaries based upon actuarial assumptions. Judgement is required 
in determining these actuarial assumptions.

Defined benefit pension plans
A defined benefit pension plan is a plan that estimates the amount of future pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually 
dependent on one or more factors such as years of service, compensation and age.

The asset or liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the fair value of plan assets less the present 
value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date. The Group determines the net interest on the net defined benefit asset for the 
period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the net defined 
benefit asset. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present 
value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality 
corporate bonds that have a credit rating of at least AA, are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms 
to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability. The Group will recognise a pension surplus as an asset where there is an 
unconditional right to a refund or where the Group has a right to reduce future pension contributions, taking into account the adverse effect of 
any minimum funding requirements.

Current and past service costs, to the extent they have vested, and curtailments are recognised as charges or credits against operating profit in 
the income statement. Interest income on the net defined benefit asset is recognised in finance income. Remeasurement gains and losses arising 
from experience adjustments, return on plan assets and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income.

Defined contribution pension plans
A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity.

The Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has 
no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as an employee benefit expense when 
they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.

Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme (RIPS)
The assets of the RIPS are legally separated from the Group. The Trustee of the pension fund is Rentokil Initial Pension Trustee Limited. The board 
comprises five company-nominated directors and three member-nominated directors. The Trustee is required by law to act in the best interests 
of the plan participants and is responsible for setting certain policies (e.g. investment, contribution and indexation policies) of the RIPS.

On 4 December 2018 the Trustee entered into a binding agreement with PIC to insure the liabilities of the Scheme, known as a buy-in. The full 
buy-out which had been anticipated to complete in 2020 may now not complete until 2022 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic 
and the recent High Court judgement which ruled that defined benefit schemes that provided Guaranteed Minimum Pensions should revisit 
and, where necessary, top up historical cash equivalent transfer values paid since 1990. The Trustee will need to revisit these cases before 
the wind-up can be completed.

The Group achieved buy-in within the value of the assets held by the scheme and was not required to make any further contributions. There is still 
some uncertainty regarding the final adjustments to the price that will be paid to PIC on full buy-out of the scheme, and therefore the final surplus 
that will be available to the Group. However, in December 2020 the Trustee made a partial refund of surplus to the Group of £13.0m. The 
remaining surplus is recognised as a retirement benefit asset at management’s estimate of the value that will be returned to the Group on 
wind-up of the Scheme.

The defined benefit schemes of the RIPS are reappraised semi-annually by independent actuaries based upon actuarial assumptions in 
accordance with IAS 19R requirements (including schemes which are insured under a buy-in contract). The assumptions used for the RIPS are 
shown below:

Weighted average %
Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
RPI inflation
CPI inflation

164 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

31 December 
2020

31 December 
2019

1.4%
n/a
3.0%
3.0%
2.3%

2.0%
n/a
3.1%
3.2%
2.2%

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The defined benefit obligation includes benefits for current employees, former employees and current pensioners. Approximately 35% of the 
liabilities are attributable to current and former employees and 65% to current pensioners. There have been no significant changes to the 
membership of the scheme over the year. The scheme duration is an indicator of the weighted-average time until benefit payments are made. 
For the RIPS as a whole, the duration is around 17 years.

The assets in the scheme consist of cash held in liquidity funds, and the fair value of the insurance policy. The fair value of the insurance policy 
asset is deemed to be equal to the present value of the related obligations that it covers at the balance sheet date.

Risks
As noted above, the Trustee purchased an insurance policy that covers all retirement benefit obligations within the Scheme, thereby removing 
exposure to the significant risks within the Scheme (including changes in bond yields, inflation and longevity). The Scheme’s insurer (PIC) is now 
responsible for ensuring there are sufficient assets to meet all future pension obligations, and is subject to EU solvency regulations. There is no 
volatility associated with the insurance policy asset as under IAS 19 its value is deemed to match the scheme liabilities. Asset volatility is limited 
only to the assets remaining in the Scheme following this transaction which are expected to be returned to the Company on wind-up of the 
Scheme. The surplus recognised of £18.2m is management’s estimate of the asset that will return to the Company on wind-up (subject to tax 
at 35%). 

Mortality assumptions
The mortality assumptions are based on the recent actual mortality experience of Scheme members, and allow for expected future improvements 
in mortality rates. The mortality tables used are:

 e 98% of the SAPS S2 All base tables for male pensioners;
 e 107% of the SAPS S2 All base tables for female pensioners;
 e 108% of the SAPS S2 All base tables for male and female non-pensioners; and
 e 96% of the SAPS S2 All base tables for male and female dependent pensioners.

Future improvements are made in line with CMI_2018 Core Projections with a long-term rate of future improvement of 1.25% p.a.

Sensitivity of significant assumptions
The purchase of an insurance policy to cover all future benefits means that the sensitivity of the balance sheet and income statement to key 
assumptions is removed.

Pension benefits
The movement in the net defined benefit obligation for all Group pension schemes over the accounting period is as follows:

At 1 January

Current service costs¹
Past service costs¹
Settlement of defined benefit obligation¹
Administration expenses¹
Interest on defined benefit obligation/asset¹
Exchange difference

Total pension income/(expense)

Remeasurements:

– Remeasurement gain on scheme assets
– Remeasurement loss on obligation²

Transfers:

– Transferred on acquisition of business

Contributions:
– Employers
– Participants
– Benefit payments
– Refund of surplus
– Administration costs

At 31 December

Retirement benefit obligation schemes³
Retirement benefit asset schemes⁴

Present value 
of obligation
2020
£m

Fair value of 
plan assets 
2020
£m

(1,443.9)

1,443.8

(1.6)
7.1
–
(0.1)
(28.2)
(0.1)

(22.9)

–
(83.3)

–

(0.3)
(0.2)
69.4
–
0.1

–
–
–
–
28.7
(0.4)

28.3

70.2
–

–

0.5
0.2
(68.7)
(13.0)
–

(1,481.1)

1,461.3

(110.6)
(1,370.5)

71.8
1,389.5

Total
2020
£m

(0.1)

(1.6)
7.1
–
(0.1)
0.5
(0.5)

5.4

70.2
(83.3)

–

0.2
–
0.7
(13.0)
0.1

(19.8)

(38.8)
19.0

Present value 
of obligation
2019
£m

Fair value of 
plan assets
2019
£m

(1,342.0)

1,337.3

(1.2)
0.6
–
(0.4)
(35.6)
3.6

(33.0)

–
(96.7)

(46.0)

–
(0.2)
73.6
–
0.4

–
–
17.4
–
36.3
(2.3)

51.4

90.8
–

35.2

1.2
0.1
(72.2)
–
–

(1,443.9)

1,443.8

(106.6)
(1,337.3)

69.1
1,374.7

Total
2019
£m

(4.7)

(1.2)
0.6
17.4
(0.4)
0.7
1.3

18.4

90.8
(96.7)

(10.8)

1.2
(0.1)
1.4
–
0.4

(0.1)

(37.5)
37.4

1.  Service costs, settlement and administration expenses are charged to operating expenses, and interest cost and return on plan assets to finance cost and finance income.
2.  The actuarial movement on the UK RIPS comprises remeasurement gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions of £16.1m (2019: gain of £16.5m), remeasurement loss arising 

from changes in financial assumptions of £117.1m (2019: loss of £129.3m) and a remeasurement gain arising from experience of £25.0m (2019: gain of £20.9m).

3.  Benefit plans in an obligation position include plans situated in Ireland, the UK, Martinique, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Norway, South Africa, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, 

South Korea, Philippines, India, Hong Kong and the US.

4.  Benefit plans in an asset position include plans situated in the UK and Australia.

Included in the table above is a net defined benefit surplus in relation to the UK RIPS of £18.2m (2019: £36.6m) recognised as defined benefit 
obligation of £1,369.3m (2019: £1,333.3m) and plan assets of £1,387.5m (2019: £1,369.9m). Of the £1,481.1m (2019: £1,443.9m) of obligations, 
£18.3m (2019: £16.7m) is unfunded.

Total contributions payable to defined benefit pension schemes in 2021 are expected to be less than £1m.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 165

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

The fair value of plan assets at the balance sheet date is analysed as follows:

Equity instruments
Debt instruments – unquoted
Property
Insurance policies
Other

Total plan assets

2020
£m

37.3
16.7
0.7
1,343.6
63.0

1,461.3

2019
£m

38.6
14.8
0.6
1,335.6
54.2

1,443.8

Where available the fair values of assets are quoted prices (e.g. listed equity, sovereign debt and corporate bonds). In other cases the market 
value as provided by the fund managers has been used in accordance with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement:

 e unquoted debt instruments (Level 2);
 e interest and inflation rate hedging instruments (Level 2); and
 e pooled investment funds (Level 3).

Other significant assets are valued based on observable market inputs. Insurance policies are valued at the present value of the related 
obligations. Other assets primarily consist of cash.

The cumulative actuarial gain recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was £31.2m (2019: £44.3m). A remeasurement 
loss of £13.1m (2019: £5.9m loss) was recognised during the year.

A11. Share-based payments
Share-based compensation
The Group operates one equity-settled share-based long-term incentive plan (LTIP). The economic cost of awarding shares and share options to 
employees is recognised as an expense in the income statement, equivalent to the fair value of the benefit awarded. The fair value is determined 
by reference to option pricing models, principally Monte Carlo and adjusted Black-Scholes models. The charge is recognised in the income 
statement over the vesting period of the award. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of shares that vest or 
options that are expected to become exercisable. Any revision to the original estimates is reflected in the income statement with a corresponding 
adjustment to equity immediately to the extent it relates to past service, and the remainder over the rest of the vesting period.

Performance Share Plan
The Company introduced a share-based performance plan in 2006 for senior managers worldwide. The main features of the scheme are 
as follows:

 e For awards made in 2012 and 2013, the performance conditions are total shareholder return (TSR) performance and an individual performance 

modifier. No shares will vest or options become exercisable if the share price does not reach median TSR performance at the end of the 
three-year performance period relative to the constituents of a comparator group, made up of FTSE 350 companies excluding financial 
services, primary resource and property sector companies. If TSR performance is above the upper quartile and all participants attain their 
maximum bonus target over the performance period, the full award will vest or become exercisable.

 e For awards made between 2014 and 2018, one-third of the award is based on EPS growth targets as outlined in the relevant year’s Directors’ 

Remuneration Report, and two-thirds of the award is based on TSR over the three-year performance period as explained above.

 e For awards made in 2019, 50% of the award is based on TSR and 25% is based on EPS growth targets as explained above. The remaining 25% 
is based on performance against certain strategic and financial measures over the vesting period as set out in the relevant year’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

 e For awards made in 2020, 60% of the award is based on TSR and 40% is based on performance against certain strategic and financial measures 

over the vesting period as set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

 e The value of dividends paid during the vesting period is paid on the number of shares that ultimately vest in the form of additional shares 

(for awards that are nil-cost options, this is the value of dividends between grant and exercise).

The total net charge for the year relating to equity-settled share-based payment plans was £5.5m (2019: £5.3m).

A summary of the number of shares in active share option plans is shown below:

Share options outstanding

Share options exercisable

Year of
grant

Vesting 
year

Scheme
interest at
1 January
2020

Shares
awarded
during
2020

Shares
lapsed
during
2020

Shares
vested
during
2020

Shares 
outstanding at
31 December
2020

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,717,888

157,880

(528,405)

(4,347,363)

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,601,097

6,545

(324,013)

(259,438)

6,024,191

5,326,306

–

(333,287)

–

3,561,710

–

–

–

4,993,019

3,561,710

Shares
exercisable
at 1 January
2020

214,132

1,266,153

1,382,204

2,178,655

3,117,476

Shares
vested
during
2020

–

–

–

–

Shares
exercised
during
2020

(34,613)

(180,975)

(181,214)

Shares
lapsed
during
2020

Shares
exercisable at 
31 December
2020

–

–

–

179,519

1,085,178

1,200,990

(777,521)

(2,899)

1,398,235

– (1,047,232)

(18,231) 2,052,013

– 4,347,363 (2,562,473)

–

–

–

259,438

(259,438)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,784,890

–

–

–

166 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The fair value of the 2020 awards made under the 2006 Performance Share Plan is charged to the income statement over the vesting period 
based on values derived from a Monte Carlo model prepared by external remuneration consultants. This is a closed-form solution which takes 
account of the correlation between share price performance and the likelihood of a TSR performance condition being met. For the shares 
awarded in September 2020, the significant inputs into the model were a share price of 536.8p (2019: 347.0p), an expected share price volatility 
of 22.0% (2019: 19.4%), a median share price correlation between the companies in the comparator group of 83.0% (2019: 28.0%), and an 
expected life commensurate with the three-year performance/vesting period. The share price volatility assumption is based on analysis of 
historical daily share prices. As the awards are nil-cost (i.e. there is no exercise price), the assumed risk-free rate of return has minimal impact 
on the fair value of the awards. Similarly, as dividend equivalents are paid on the vesting portion of awards, the fair value of these awards is not 
reduced to reflect dividends paid during the vesting period.

The fair value of awards granted during 2020 was £14.1m (2019: £15.0m).

A12. Income tax expense
Income tax expense for the period comprises both current and deferred tax. Current tax expense represents the amount payable on this year’s 
taxable profits and any adjustment relating to prior years. Taxable profits differ from accounting profits as some items of income or expenditure 
are not taxable or deductible or may be taxable or deductible in a different accounting period. The current income tax charge is calculated on 
the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Group’s subsidiaries and 
associates operate and generate taxable income.

Deferred tax is an accounting adjustment to provide for tax that is expected to arise in the future due to differences between accounting and tax 
bases. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates that are expected to apply when the timing difference reverses based on tax rates which are 
enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to 
items recognised in other comprehensive income or equity. In this case the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or equity 
as appropriate.

Analysis of charge in the year:

UK corporation tax at 19.0% (2019: 19.0%)
Overseas taxation
Adjustment in respect of previous periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax (credit)/expense
Deferred tax adjustment in respect of previous periods

Total deferred tax

Total income tax expense

2020
£m

8.8
60.9
(3.1)

66.6

(17.0)
(6.1)

(23.1)

43.5

2019
£m

8.3
41.6
8.8

58.7

0.7
(4.7)

(4.0)

54.7

The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax rate applicable to 
profits of the consolidated companies as follows:

Profit before income tax

Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to profits in the respective countries
Adjustment in respect of previous periods
Deferred tax recognised on losses
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – restructuring costs and one-off items
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – interest payable
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – other
Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill deductions
Income not subject to tax
Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses
Losses not relieved
Deferred tax impact of change in tax rates
Provisions utilised for which no deferred tax assets were recognised
Overseas withholding tax suffered
Deferred tax on unremitted earnings
Tax on overseas dividends
Local business taxes
Foreign exchange differences
Disposal gain not subject to tax
US BEAT liability
Other

Total tax expense

2020
£m

229.8

2019
£m

338.5

55.7
(9.2)
(2.1)
0.2
0.1
1.8
3.2
(0.9)
(1.3)
(0.7)
0.3
(8.9)
(1.4)
0.7
–
–
1.8
0.7
–
3.1
0.4

43.5

82.6
4.1
(7.7)
8.0
2.0
2.4
1.0
(1.3)
(0.7)
(5.7)
1.0
0.2
(2.2)
0.5
0.8
1.0
1.6
(3.5)
(31.6)
2.2
–

54.7

The Group’s Effective Tax Rate (ETR) before amortisation of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off items and the net interest 
adjustments for 2020 was 19.8% (2019: 21.6%). This compares with a blended rate of tax for the countries in which the Group operates of 24% 
(2019: 23%). The ETR for 2020 is low compared with the prior year mainly due to the impact of deferred tax rate changes in the UK and France.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 167

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

The Group’s tax charge and ETR will be influenced by the global mix and level of profits, changes in future tax rates and other tax legislation, 
foreign exchange rates, the utilisation of brought-forward tax losses on which no deferred tax asset has been recognised, the resolution of open 
issues with various tax authorities, acquisitions and disposals.

The Group’s ETR is expected to remain above the UK tax rate due to the proportion of overseas profits which are taxed at a higher rate than 
UK profits. The low ETR for 2020 is a one off and we expect our ETR for 2021 to be similar to 2019. In the medium term the Group’s Adjusted 
ETR is likely to increase towards the blended tax rate. 

A13. Current tax liabilities
Tax liabilities are classified as current liabilities unless there is a right to defer the payment of the liability for at least one year after the balance 
sheet date. As at 31 December 2020 all the Group’s tax liabilities have been classified as current as there is no legally enforceable right to defer 
payment for more than 12 months. 

Current tax assets and liabilities are offset only when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the asset and liability. 

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. There are various uncertainties relating to the determination of its tax liabilities 
where the ultimate tax liability cannot be known until a resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority, or the issue becomes time 
barred. Issues can take many years to resolve and therefore assumptions on the likely outcome have to be made by management.

Where considered appropriate, management establishes provisions for uncertain tax positions on the basis of amounts expected to be paid 
to the tax authorities. The Group’s current tax liabilities reflect management’s best estimate of the future amounts of corporation tax that will 
be settled. This is based on management’s interpretation of relevant tax rules, external advice obtained, the status of the negotiations and 
past experience. Uncertain tax positions are assessed on an issue-by-issue basis within the countries in which we operate. Total uncertain 
tax provisions (including interest thereon) amounted to £64.6m as at 31 December 2020 (2019: £72.8m). Included within this amount is £11.5m 
(2019: £12.7m) in respect of interest arising on tax provisions which is included within other payables. These tax provisions relate to multiple 
issues across the countries in which the Group operates. The net decrease in the provisions for the year is mainly attributable to payments 
in respect of potential tax and interest liabilities.

Tax provisions can be built up over a number of years but in the year of resolution there could be adjustments to these provisions which could 
have a material positive or negative impact on the tax charge for a particular year. The settlement of a significant issue could also have a material 
impact on the amount of cash tax payable in any one year. Significant judgement is required in determining the worldwide provision for income 
taxes particularly in relation to the pricing of intra-group goods and services as well as debt financing.

The majority of the tax provisions relate to transfer pricing exposures where the Group faces a number of risks in jurisdictions around the world, 
and is subject to audits by tax authorities in the territories in which it operates. These tax audits have an uncertain outcome and can take several 
years to resolve, which in some cases may be dependent on litigation. The actual outcome could vary from management’s estimates, but these 
are updated at each reporting period in the light of the latest available information.

Apart from transfer pricing exposures the largest single provision relates to a financing structure where the amount provided is now £10.9m. 
This is a legacy issue going back to the years 2002 to 2005. The Group is fully provided for the potential tax and interest payable so there is not 
expected to be an adverse impact on the income statement. It is unclear when this issue will be resolved and therefore the timing of any payment 
is uncertain, but it is probable that it will be in the next two years.

The cash tax paid for the year was £64.4m (2019: £43.2m). The increase was attributable to tax repayments received in the prior period, payments 
on account for historic exposures and tax paid on the receipt of part of the UK pension scheme surplus. The cash tax paid is expected to increase 
in future periods as open issues are resolved although it is not possible to estimate the exact timing of tax cash flows.

A14. Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial 
recognition of assets or liabilities in transactions other than a business combination that at the time of the transactions affect neither the 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. The amount of deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted (or substantively enacted) 
at the balance sheet date, and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is 
settled. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset against each other when the timing differences relate to income taxes levied by the same tax 
authority on an entity or different entities which are part of a tax consolidation and there would be the intention to settle on a net basis. 

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised. The amount of deferred tax assets recognised at each balance sheet date is adjusted to reflect changes 
in management’s assessment of future taxable profits that will enable the tax losses to be recovered. In recognising the deferred tax asset in 
respect of UK losses, management has estimated the quantum of future UK taxable profits over the period which it is considered that profits 
can be reasonably estimated.

168 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Net impact of disposals
Credited to the income statement
Credited to other comprehensive income
Credited to equity

At 31 December

Deferred taxation has been presented on the balance sheet as follows:
Deferred tax asset within non-current assets
Deferred tax liability within non-current liabilities

2020
£m

(81.5)
(0.6)
(5.1)
–
23.1
3.9
3.2

(57.0)

37.7
(94.7)

(57.0)

2019
£m

(92.5)
4.7
(1.6)
1.4
4.0
0.1
2.4

(81.5)

29.3
(110.8)

(81.5)

The major components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the year end (without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the 
same tax jurisdiction) are as follows:

At 1 January 2020
Exchange differences
Recognised in income statement
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Recognised in equity
Acquired in business combinations

At 31 December 2020

Customer 
lists/
intangibles
£m

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£m

Retirement
benefits
£m

Unremitted
earnings 
from
subsidiaries
£m

Tax
losses
£m

Share-based
payments
£m

72.6
(1.8)
0.3
–
–
5.1

76.2

42.0
1.4
0.4
–
–
–

43.8

4.5
–
(4.1)
(3.9)
–
–

(3.5)

4.2
–
0.1
–
–
–

4.3

(23.0)
–
5.5
–
–
–

(17.5)

(8.3)
–
2.1
–
(3.2)
–

(9.4)

Other
£m

(10.5)
1.0
(27.4)
–
–
–

(36.9)

Total
£m

81.5
0.6
(23.1)
(3.9)
(3.2)
5.1

57.0

A deferred tax asset of £17.5m has been recognised in respect of losses, of which £16.0m (2019: £14.4m) relates to UK losses carried forward at 
31 December 2020. This amount has been calculated by estimating the future UK taxable profits, against which the UK tax losses will be utilised, 
and applying the tax rates (substantively enacted as at the balance sheet date) applicable for each year. Remaining UK tax losses of £48.6m have 
not been recognised as at 31 December 2020 as it is not considered probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the tax 
losses can be offset. The increase in the deferred tax asset recognised on the UK tax losses is due to the UK corporate tax rate reduction from 
19% to 17% not coming into effect.

At the balance sheet date the Group had tax losses of £105.0m (2019: £120.4m) on which no deferred tax asset is recognised because it is not 
considered probable that future taxable profits will be available in certain jurisdictions to be able to benefit from those tax losses. Of the losses, 
£14.6m (2019: £15.5m) will expire at various dates between 2021 and 2031. 

In addition, the Group has UK capital losses carried forward of £276.3m (2019: £276.9m) on which no deferred tax asset is recognised. 
These losses have no expiry date but management considers the future utilisation of these losses to be unlikely. 

Dividends received from subsidiaries are largely exempt from UK taxation but may be subject to dividend withholding taxes levied by the 
overseas tax jurisdictions in which the subsidiaries operate. A deferred tax liability of £4.3m (2019: £4.2m) has been recognised in respect of this 
liability as it is anticipated that these profits will be distributed to the UK. At the balance sheet date there is no material unprovided deferred tax 
liability were overseas earnings to be distributed to the UK. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 169

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

B. Investing
B1. Business combinations
All business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method (acquisition accounting) in accordance with IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations. The cost of a business combination is the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred 
or assumed and equity instruments issued by the acquirer. The cost of a business combination is allocated at the acquisition date by recognising 
the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that satisfy the recognition criteria at their fair values. The acquisition date is 
the date on which the acquirer effectively obtains control of the acquiree.

An intangible asset is recognised if it meets the definition of an intangible asset under IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The intangible assets arising on 
acquisition are goodwill, customer lists and relationships, and brands. Goodwill represents the synergies, workforce and other benefits expected 
as a result of combining the respective businesses. Customer lists and relationships and brands are recognised at their fair value at the date 
of acquisition using an income-based approach, which involves the use of assumptions including customer termination rates, profit margins and 
discount rates. The use of these assumptions requires estimation in the valuation approach; however, it is not considered that these estimates 
carry a significant risk of material adjustment. There is not considered to be any likely scenario where the asset would be adjusted after the 
measurement period due to a change in the estimate or assumptions made. Any change to these assumptions would only apply to future 
acquisitions and the existing intangibles would only ever be reviewed if there was an indicator of impairment.

At the date of acquisition, deferred and contingent consideration represents its fair value, with subsequent changes being recognised in the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.

Costs directly attributable to business combinations are charged to the income statement as incurred and presented as one-off items.

During the year the Group purchased 100% of the share capital or trade and assets of 23 companies and businesses. The total consideration in 
respect of these acquisitions was £367.3m and the cash outflow from current and past period acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was £194.7m. 
Individual acquisitions are not disclosed separately as they are not considered material. An overview of the acquisitions in the year can be found 
in the Financial Review on page 146.

Details of goodwill and the fair value of net assets acquired are as follows:

Purchase consideration

– Cash paid
– Deferred and contingent consideration

Total purchase consideration
Fair value of net assets acquired

Goodwill from current year acquisitions

2020
£m

156.9
210.4

367.3
(49.9)

317.4

2019
£m

290.3
38.3

328.6
(62.8)

265.8

Deferred consideration of £192.3m and contingent consideration of £18.1m are payable in respect of the above acquisitions. Contingent 
consideration is payable based on a variety of conditions including revenue and profit targets being met. Both deferred and contingent 
consideration are payable over the next five years. The Group has recognised the contingent and deferred consideration based on the fair value 
of the consideration at the acquisition date. A range of outcomes for contingent consideration payments cannot be estimated due to the variety 
of performance conditions and the volume of businesses the Group acquires. During the year there were releases of deferred consideration 
liabilities not paid of £1.6m (2019: £1.1m).

The provisional fair values¹ of assets and liabilities arising from acquisitions in the year are as follows:

Non-current assets

– Intangible assets²
– Property, plant and equipment³

Current assets⁴
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities5

Net assets acquired

2020
£m

56.9
9.9
20.4
(20.0)
(17.3)

49.9

2019
£m

70.5
17.0
14.3
(20.8)
(18.2)

62.8

1.  The provisional fair values will be finalised in the 2021 Financial Statements. The fair values are provisional since the acquisition accounting has not yet been finalised, primarily due 

to the proximity of many acquisitions to the year end.

2.  Includes £56.8m (2019: £67.9m) of customer lists and relationships and £0.1m (2019: £2.6m) of other intangibles.
3.  Includes £4.2m (2019: £0.7m) of right-of-use assets.
4.  Includes trade and other receivables of £11.2m (2019: £5.9m) which represents the gross and fair value of the assets acquired.
5.  Includes £(5.1)m of deferred tax relating to acquired intangibles (2019: £(4.2)m).

170 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The cash outflow from current and past acquisitions is as follows:

Total purchase consideration
Consideration payable in future periods

Purchase consideration paid in cash
Cash and cash equivalents in acquired companies and businesses

Cash outflow on current period acquisitions
Deferred consideration paid

Cash outflow on current and past acquisitions

2020
£m

367.3
(210.4)

156.9
(6.1)

150.8
43.9

194.7

2019
£m

328.6
(38.3)

290.3
(6.0)

284.3
31.4

315.7

From the dates of acquisition to 31 December 2020, these acquisitions contributed £22.2m to revenue and £2.3m to operating profit.

If the acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2020, the revenue and operating profit of the Group would have amounted to £2,961.6m and 
£303.1m respectively.

B2. Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, where applicable.

A breakdown of intangible assets is as shown below:

Customer
lists and
relationships
£m

Brands
£m

Product 
development
£m

Computer
software
£m

2020
Total
£m

Cost
At 1 January
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals/retirements
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Disposal of companies and businesses
Transfers

At 31 December

Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment
At 1 January
Exchange differences
Disposals/retirements
Disposal of companies and businesses
Impairment charge
Amortisation charge

At 31 December

Net book value
At 1 January

At 31 December

Goodwill
£m

1,376.7
(45.2)
–
–
322.3
(0.4)
–

1,653.4

(34.2)
(0.2)
–
–
(10.6)
–

(45.0)

1,342.5

1,608.4

782.8
(5.5)
–
(7.7)
56.7
(1.9)
–

824.4

(534.1)
(0.3)
7.7
1.9
–
(60.5)

(585.3)

248.7

239.1

66.7
(0.7)
–
–
0.1
–
–

66.1

(42.9)
0.9
–
–
–
(4.6)

(46.6)

23.8

19.5

33.7
–
5.7
–
–
–
–

39.4

(20.0)
–
–
–
(0.5)
(6.3)

(26.8)

13.7

12.6

2019
Total
£m

2,170.3
(93.2)
30.8
(3.2)
331.6
(44.8)
3.5

135.1
0.5
16.8
(7.4)
–
(0.2)
–

2,395.0
(50.9)
22.5
(15.1)
379.1
(2.5)
–

144.8

2,728.1

2,395.0

(90.4)
(0.4)
6.8
0.2
(1.9)
(16.6)

(721.6)
–
14.5
2.1
(13.0)
(88.0)

(102.3)

(806.0)

(661.2)
27.0
3.1
8.3
(5.0)
(93.8)

(721.6)

44.7

42.5

1,673.4

1,922.1

1,509.1

1,673.4

1. 

Includes current year acquisitions of £374.3m as well as adjustments to prior year acquisitions within the measurement period.

The main categories of intangible assets are as follows:

Intangible assets – finite useful lives
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are initially measured at either cost or fair value and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful 
economic lives, which are reviewed on an annual basis. The fair value attributable to intangible assets acquired through a business combination 
is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows to be generated from that asset at the risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital 
for the Group. The residual values of intangible assets are assumed to be nil.

The estimated useful economic lives of intangible assets are as follows:

Customer lists and relationships:  3 to 15 years
2 to 15 years
Brands: 
2 to 5 years
Product development: 
3 to 5 years
Computer software: 

The following are the main categories of intangible assets with finite useful lives:

(a) Customer lists and relationships
Customer lists and relationships are acquired as part of business combinations. No value is attributed to internally generated customer lists 
or relationships.

(b) Brands
Brands are acquired as part of business combinations. No value is attributed to internally generated brands as expenditure incurred to develop, 
maintain and renew brands internally is recognised as an expense in the period incurred.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 171

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

(c) Product development
Costs incurred in the design and testing of new or improved products are recognised as intangible assets only if the cost can be measured 
reliably, and it is probable that the project will be a success considering its commercial and technological feasibility. Capitalised product 
development expenditure is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation.

Other development expenditure and all research expenditure are recognised as an expense as incurred. This expense was £1.6m (2019: £2.2m).

Development costs recognised as an expense are never reclassified as an asset in a subsequent period. Development costs that have been 
capitalised are amortised from the date the product is made available.

(d) Computer software
Costs that are directly associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products that are controlled by the Group (including 
employee costs and external software development costs) are recognised as intangible assets if they are expected to generate economic 
benefits beyond one year, in excess of their cost. Purchased computer software is initially recognised based on the costs incurred to acquire 
and bring it into use.

Costs associated with maintaining computer software are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

Intangible assets – indefinite useful lives
(a) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired 
business at the date of acquisition. It is recognised as an intangible asset. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an associate is included in 
investments in associates.

France
Benelux
Germany
Southern Europe
Latin America

Europe

UK & Ireland
Rest of World

UK & Rest of World

Asia
North America¹
Pacific

Total

2020
£m

9.6
6.2
13.4
32.3
18.6

80.1

61.7
34.9

96.6

2019
£m

9.5
5.8
12.5
26.9
21.7

76.4

61.3
35.3

96.6

125.3
1,231.5
74.9

1,608.4

137.8
961.3
70.4

1,342.5

1. 

Includes £996.0m (2019: £894.0m) relating to the US Pest Control CGU.

Impairment tests for goodwill
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Due to the unprecedented global situation 
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic impact, the Group took the decision to perform additional goodwill 
impairment reviews at the half year for selected CGUs. Therefore the majority of the goodwill balance has been tested twice this year. For the 
purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to CGUs identified according to country of operation and reportable business unit. The way 
in which CGUs are identified has not changed from prior periods. Newly acquired entities might be a single CGU until such time that they can 
be integrated. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on the higher of value-in-use calculations using cash flow projections and fair value less 
costs to sell if appropriate. The cash flow projections in year one are based on financial budgets approved by management, which are prepared 
as part of the Group’s normal planning process. Cash flows for years two to five use management’s expectation of sales growth, operating costs 
and margin, based on past experience and expectations regarding future performance and profitability for each CGU. Cash flows beyond the 
five-year period are extrapolated using estimated long-term growth rates (LTGR). 

For the Rentokil PCI CGU in India the assumptions made in estimating the value of the future cash flows are an LTGR of 5.0%, a pre-tax discount 
rate of 13.9% and a terminal operating margin of 15.1%. The impairment assessment at half year revealed an impairment of £8.1m with no further 
impairment required at the year end. The headroom for the Rentokil PCI CGU is £3.4m at 31 December 2020.

For the Brazil CGU the assumptions made in estimating the value of the future cash flows are an LTGR of 4.0%, a pre-tax discount rate of 18.5% 
and a terminal operating margin of 13.0%. The impairment assessment has revealed an impairment of £2.5m. 

Sensitivity analysis

Assumption
Long-term growth rate – 1% decrease
Terminal operating margin – 1% decrease
Pre-tax discount rate – 1% increase

Rentokil PCI

Brazil

Rate used

5.0%
15.1%
13.9%

Increase in 
impairment
£m

3.5
1.4
5.6

Rate used

4.0%
13.0%
18.5%

Increase in 
impairment
£m

0.3
0.5
0.5

For all other goodwill balances it can be demonstrated that there is sufficient headroom in the recoverable amount of the CGU goodwill balances 
based on the assumptions made, and there is not considered to be any reasonably likely scenario under which material impairment could be 
expected to occur based on the testing performed.

172 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The key assumptions used by individual CGUs for value-in-use calculations were:

France
Benelux
Germany
Southern Europe
Latin America
UK & Ireland
Rest of World
Asia
North America2
Pacific

2020 long-term
growth rate¹

2020 pre-tax
discount rate

2019 long-term
growth rate¹

2019 pre-tax
discount rate

11.1–11.9%
1.7%
10.7–11.7%
2.0%
10.3–11.1%
1.9–2.1%
1.5–1.8%
11.5–12.8%
3.0–4.0% 13.0–18.5%
9.4–11.8%
2.0%
2.0–5.3%
9.4–12.1%
1.5–5.0% 10.0–13.9%
1.2–2.3%
11.6–16.2%
2.0-2.5% 12.8–13.3%

1.6%
1.5%
1.2%
0.7–1.6%
2.2–2.7%
1.6–2.7%
1.1–2.7%
3.0–5.0%
(0.8)–1.6%
2.5–2.6%

11.3–11.7%
10.4–11.2%
12.6–12.8%
10.5–11.5%
12.1–13.9%
9.4–9.6%
9.1–18.9%
9.2–12.0%
10.5–16.6%
9.5–11.1%

1.  Source: www.imf.org.
2.  Key assumptions used by the US Pest Control CGU were a long-term growth rate of 2.3% (2019: 1.6%) and a pre-tax discount rate of 11.6% (2019: 10.8%).

The growth rates used by individual CGUs are based on the LTGR predicted for the relevant sector and country in which a business operates. 
They do not exceed the long-term average growth rate for that industry or country. The pre-tax discount rates are based on the Group’s weighted 
average cost of capital adjusted for specific risks relating to the relevant sector and country. 

B3. Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historic cost less depreciation with the exception of freehold land and assets under construction which 
are not depreciated. Historic cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

A breakdown of property, plant and equipment is shown below:

Cost
At 1 January
IAS 17 finance leases transferred to IFRS 16 ROU assets
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Disposal of companies and businesses
Reclassification from IFRS 16 ROU assets2

At 31 December

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 January
IAS 17 finance leases transferred to IFRS 16 ROU assets
Exchange differences
Disposals
Disposal of companies and businesses
Impairment charge
Depreciation charge

At 31 December

Net book value
At 1 January

At 31 December

Land and
buildings
£m

Service contract 
equipment
£m

Other plant and
equipment
£m

Vehicles
and office
equipment
£m

84.1
–
3.0
2.0
(1.8)
–
–
–

87.3

(27.1)
–
(1.1)
1.1
–
(0.1)
(3.0)

(30.2)

57.0

57.1

485.3
–
19.6
93.0
(74.8)
0.4
–
–

523.5

(273.2)
–
(11.9)
73.4
–
(0.3)
(97.6)

(309.6)

212.1

213.9

169.6
–
6.6
11.5
(1.8)
0.3
(0.1)
–

186.1

(116.7)
–
(4.7)
1.6
–
–
(12.3)

(132.1)

52.9

54.0

185.3
–
(0.4)
20.6
(13.2)
4.9
(0.1)
3.3

200.4

(115.6)
–
(0.1)
11.9
0.1
–
(19.0)

(122.7)

69.7

77.7

2020
Total
£m

924.3
–
28.8
127.1
(91.6)
5.6
(0.2)
3.3

997.3

(532.6)
–
(17.8)
88.0
0.1
(0.4)
(131.9)

(594.6)

391.7

402.7

2019
Total
£m

984.6
(60.1)
(49.3)
141.9
(109.1)
16.5
(0.2)
–

924.3

(547.7)
18.4
29.6
94.4
–
–
(127.3)

(532.6)

436.9

391.7

Includes current year acquisitions of £5.7m as well as adjustments to prior year acquisitions within the measurement period.

1. 
2.  Certain leased assets become owned assets at the end of their lease period and are therefore reclassified from ROU assets (Note B4).

Depreciation of assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the difference between their cost and their residual values over 
their estimated useful lives, as follows:

50 to 100 years
Freehold buildings: 
shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life
Leasehold improvements: 
Vehicles: 
4 to 10 years
Plant and equipment (including service contract equipment):  3 to 10 years
3 to 10 years
Office equipment, furniture and fittings: 

Residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed annually and amended as necessary. Fixed assets are reviewed for impairment whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the fixed asset may exceed its recoverable amount. There were £0.4m of 
impairments in the year (2019: £nil).

When assets are sold, the gain or loss between sale proceeds and net book value is recognised in the income statement.

The category of service contract equipment represents the pool of assets used by the Group in delivering contracted services to customers. 
Land and buildings comprise mainly factories and offices.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 173

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

B4. Leases
The Group leases land and buildings, vehicles and other equipment. The lease durations vary from lease to lease according to the asset leased 
and local practices. Some of the Group’s leases have extension and termination options attached to them. Lease extension options and lease 
termination options are only included in the calculation of the lease liability if there is reasonable certainty that they will be exercised. Judgement 
is required to determine the level of certainty.

The value of leases to which the Group is committed but have not yet commenced is not material.

The Group has exercised one sale and leaseback transaction in the year which resulted in a net cash inflow of £4.4m and a gain in the year 
of £2.0m. The new lease term is 10 years with a total lease liability at the start of the lease of £2.3m.

A breakdown of the right-of-use (ROU) assets is shown below:

Net book value
At 1 January 
IAS 17 finance leases (transferred from property, plant and equipment)
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Disposal of companies and businesses
Impairment charge
Depreciation charge
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment2

At 31 December

Land and
buildings
£m

Vehicles
£m

Other 
equipment
£m

104.6
–
0.7
29.1
(2.4)
0.1
–
(1.4)
(35.5)
–

95.2

114.9
–
(0.1)
44.8
–
4.1
(0.1)
–
(40.2)
(3.3)

120.1

1.7
–
–
1.5
–
–
–
–
(1.0)
–

2.2

Includes current year acquisitions of £4.2m as well as adjustments to prior year acquisitions within the measurement period.

1. 
2.  Certain leased assets become owned assets at the end of their lease period and are therefore reclassified to property, plant and equipment (Note B3).

Analysis of the Group’s lease liabilities is shown below:

Lease liabilities under IFRS 16
At 1 January
IAS 17 finance leases at 1 January 2019
Exchange differences
Cash outflow
Interest
Additions
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Disposal of companies and businesses

At 31 December

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

Lease liabilities analysed by currency:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

At 31 December

174 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

2020
Total
£m

221.2
–
0.6
75.4
(2.4)
4.2
(0.1)
(1.4)
(76.7)
(3.3)

217.5

2020
£m

216.7
–
1.1
(92.3)
6.8
75.5
6.8
(0.1)

214.5

141.8
72.7

214.5

2020 
£m

30.7
61.1
76.9
45.8

214.5

2019 
Total 
£m

176.3
41.7
(1.8)
83.6
(0.4)
0.7
–
–
(78.9)
–

221.2

2019
£m

184.0
41.7
(1.3)
(93.9)
8.1
77.4
0.7
–

216.7

144.7
72.0

216.7

2019
£m

33.5
57.3
76.3
49.6

216.7

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Lease liabilities are payable as follows:

Lease liabilities under IFRS 16
Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

Future minimum payments

Effect of discounting

Carrying value

Fair value is considered to be equal to carrying value for all lease liabilities.

Other lease costs not already described are set out below:

Expenses relating to short-term leases
Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets
Expenses relating to variable lease payments

At 31 December

The Group has no material arrangements where it acts as a lessor.

B5. Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date but not yet incurred is as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Total

2020
£m

79.8
137.0
16.5

233.3

(18.8)

214.5

2020
£m

11.5
5.1
0.2

16.8

2020
£m

11.7
1.2

12.9

2019
£m

78.6
143.9
14.2

236.7

(20.0)

216.7

2019
£m

10.2
4.8
1.0

16.0

2019
£m

6.5
1.3

7.8

B6. Investments in associated undertakings
Nippon Calmic Ltd is an associated undertaking in Japan in which the Group has a 49% interest. The associate is unlisted and the investment 
value is shown below.

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Share of profit¹
Dividends received

At 31 December

2020
£m

29.7
0.9
8.3
(11.7)

27.2

1.  Share of profit is net of tax of £4.8m (2019: £3.9m).

The Group’s interest of 49% in its principal associate was as follows:

Nippon Calmic Ltd

Assets 
2020
£m

55.1

Liabilities 
2020
£m

(27.5)

Revenue 
2020
£m

56.3

Profit 
2020
£m

8.3

Assets 
2019
£m

56.2

Liabilities 
2019
£m

(26.3)

Revenue 
2019
£m

54.2

2019
£m

26.3
(0.8)
8.2
(4.0)

29.7

Profit 
2019
£m

8.2

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 175

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

C. Financing
C1. Financial risk management
The Group’s central treasury function manages cash, borrows on behalf of the Group and provides finance to Group companies in their local 
currencies. Treasury activity is governed by a Treasury Committee which is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer.

The main financial risks faced by the Group are set out below.

(a) Liquidity risk
The Group is committed to ensuring it has sufficient liquidity to meet its business needs, and appropriate reserves to cover operational 
underperformance or dislocation in the financial markets. During the year the Group changed its policy from having headroom of unrestricted 
cash and available committed facilities of at least £150m to £600m. The Treasury Committee manages financing requirements and associated 
headroom at least 12 months forward.

The Group has a revolving credit facility (RCF) with 17 relationship banks (Note C6). All of these facilities contain covenants that require 
EBITDA:net interest to be at least 4.0:1.0 and that net debt:adjusted EBITDA should be no greater than 3.5:1.0. Compliance with financial and 
other covenants is reviewed regularly and financial covenants are reported to the lenders semi-annually in line with the requirements under the 
facility. The Group remains compliant with its covenants.

The Group targets an S&P Global (S&P) investment grade credit rating for debt issuance of BBB over the medium term. In line with S&P liquidity 
ratio requirements, debt maturities are financed at least 12 months in advance using available cash or committed facilities, or by issuance of new 
debt. Management maintains an active dialogue with S&P, as well as the Group’s relationship banks, to ensure that any changes to the Group’s 
financing and acquisition strategies are understood.

In March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group drew down the full £550m available under its RCF. After establishing a £1bn 
Commercial Paper Programme, the Group drew down £600m on the Bank of England’s Covid Commercial Financing Facility (CCFF) in April 2020. 
Both the RCF and the CCFF were repaid in full in June and July respectively. The Group repaid its two fixed interest perpetual debentures for 
£1.3m and £0.3m in May 2020. These were originally issued in 1898 and 1904 respectively. The $50m term loan was repaid on maturity on 
19 June 2020. In August 2020 the second of the two one-year extension options on the RCF was exercised and granted resulting in a new 
maturity date of 22 August 2025. In October 2020 the Group issued an eight-year €600m bond with a coupon of 0.50% under its Euro Medium 
Term Note (EMTN) Programme. Part of the bond proceeds were used to repay c.50% of the €350m bond that matures in October 2021 following 
a successful tender offer in November 2020. Available commitments of £550m under the RCF together with unrestricted cash of £716.3m gives 
the Group combined headroom of £1,266.3m at 31 December 2020 (2019: £816.7m) to meet the maturity of the remaining c.50% of the October 
2021 €350m bond. The Group has no other maturities falling due in 2021.

All of the Group’s bonds issued under its EMTN Programme contain a coupon step-up which increases the coupon payable by 1.25% in the event 
that the Group is downgraded to BB+ or below (sub-investment grade). The Group’s bonds may be called by their investors at par in the event of 
a change of control of the Group. They may also be called within 120 days if the Group’s debt is downgraded below investment grade, or if the 
rating is withdrawn and the rating agency confirms in writing, either publicly or to the Group or the Trustee, that the rating action occurred either 
wholly or in part due to a change of control.

(b) Credit risk
The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk. Sales are typically low-value, high-volume, spreading the risk across a large number 
of customers and geographies. Policies are in place to ensure that credit sales are only made to customers with an appropriate credit history. 
The Group operates in some territories where there is increased exposure to trade credit risks and in those territories the Group puts in place 
appropriate measures to manage its credit risk exposure.

In order to protect the liquid assets and funding relationships of the Group, management aims to maintain banking relationships with counterparties that 
carry a long-term credit rating of at least A-. In countries where no banks are rated A- or above, balances are monitored monthly and kept to a minimum. 
In addition, funds held with all counterparties are subject to limits. All exposures are monitored and reported to the Treasury Committee each month. 
The Group also monitors the creditworthiness of its lenders to ensure available commitments under its facilities are available as needed.

At 31 December 2020 the Group had a total of £10.0m of cash held on bank accounts with banks rated below A- by S&P (2019: £16.0m). 
The highest concentration with any single bank rated below A- was £1.8m (2019: £3.1m).

(c) Market risk
Foreign exchange risk
The Group’s worldwide operations generate profits and cash flows in foreign currencies. Sales and purchases are typically denominated in the 
currency of the country in which they are transacted, and the Group’s cross-border procurement is considered insignificant. Sterling procurement 
and central costs mean that foreign currencies constitute more than 100% of Group adjusted operating profit at approximately 117%.

The Group’s primary exposure to foreign exchange risk is in relation to the translation of assets and liabilities, and the Group aims to hold debt in 
currencies in proportion to its forecast foreign currency profits and investments. FX derivatives are used to manage foreign currency exposures 
in excess of £0.5m that are not covered by debt or assets in the same (or another highly correlated) currency, as long as it makes sense from an 
economic perspective to do so. The Treasury Committee monitors foreign exchange exposures on a monthly basis. Dealing in foreign exchange 
products is controlled by dealing mandates approved by the Treasury Committee and all FX transactions are covered by ISDA documentation.

The most significant foreign currency groups are US dollars and euros, which make up 46.7% and 41.0% of Group adjusted operating profit respectively.

At 31 December 2020 the Group’s net debt was approximately 52% euro (2019: 64%), reflecting that it is the Group’s principal cash flow exposure; 
and 48% US dollars (2019: 36%), reflecting the size of the US market and the Group’s strong growth and investment in this region. The translation 
of the interest element of euro and US dollar debt provides a partial income statement offset to the translation of earnings.

The Group calculates the impact on the income statement and other comprehensive income of a 10% movement in foreign exchange rates. 
The Group’s principal foreign currency exposure is the euro. A 10% movement in £/€ would result in a £15.6m increase/decrease (2019: £16.0m) in 
adjusted operating profit, offset by a £1.5m decrease/increase (2019: £2.3m) in interest payable. For US dollars, a 10% movement in £/$ would result 
in a £17.8m increase/decrease (2019: £12.2m) in adjusted operating profit, offset by a £1.2m decrease/increase (2019: £1.1m) in interest payable.

Where possible, currency cash flows are used to settle liabilities in the same currency in preference to selling currency in the market.

176 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Interest rate risk
The Group seeks to manage interest rate risk to ensure reasonable certainty of its interest charge while allowing an element of risk exposure 
consistent with the variability of its cash flows. Interest rate risk is managed by the use of fixed interest debt and interest rate derivatives, which 
are approved in advance by the Treasury Committee. The Group policy is to fix a minimum of 50% of its estimated future interest rate exposures 
(excluding pensions) for a minimum period of 12 months forward. The Treasury Committee reviews this exposure monthly.

A hypothetical 1.0% increase in euro interest rates would reduce the market value of the Group’s bond liabilities by £79.8m at 31 December 2020 
(2019: £45.9m). The income statement impact is £nil as changes in interest rates do not change the expected cash flows on the bonds.

The Group had outstanding bond debt issues at 31 December 2020 with a market value of £1,537.3m (2019: £1,082.7m). This exceeds the book 
value of £1,487.8m (2019: £1,051.5m) as a result of reductions in interest rates in Europe. There are no circumstances where the Group would 
be obliged to pay the fair market value. The Group could however decide to redeem some or all of its bonds early and the fair market value 
is indicative of the price that would be required to do so.

In 2019, to manage its US dollar interest cost, the Group entered into a low volatility Synthetic Borrowing Unit (SBU) instrument for $335m 
that yielded 1.90%. The SBU instrument effectively hedged the £/$ movement but at a lower cost of debt. Due to a reduction in US base rate 
a decision was made to trade out of the SBU in August 2020. The interest benefit generated by the SBU for 2020 was £3.1m (2019: £3.6m).

(d) Capital risk
The Group is committed to maintaining a debt/equity structure that allows continued access to a broad range of financing sources and sufficient 
flexibility to pursue commercial opportunities as they present themselves, without onerous financing terms and conditions. The Group’s policy is 
to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to support the Group’s strategy. Capital consists 
of ordinary shares, retained earnings and non-controlling interests in the Group. Management monitors the return on capital as well as the level 
of dividends to ordinary shareholders.

(e) Treasury risk
The Group’s treasury activities are governed by a treasury policy, which is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis. The treasury 
policy covers all activities associated with managing the above risks. The policy requires that financial instruments are only utilised to manage 
known financial exposures and speculative derivative contracts are not entered into. The treasury policy requires that treasury must approve 
opening and closing of all bank accounts, and that funds transfers and other payments are only made in accordance with bank mandates. 
To ensure an appropriate control environment exists in the treasury function, duties are segregated between front and back office teams. 
In addition a number of controls are in place to protect against potential cyber security and other risks.

C2. Net debt
Closing net debt comprises:

Current
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Other investments
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
Bank and other short-term borrowings2
Lease liabilities
Non-current
Other investments
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
Bank and other long-term borrowings3
Lease liabilities

Total net debt

Notes

2020 
£m

20191
£m

C3
C4

B4

C4

B4

2,225.6
172.2
1.9
(1,846.6)
(72.7)

–
4.7
(1,337.6)
(141.8)

(994.3)

1,169.2
1.7
(0.3)
(944.2)
(72.0)

0.1
(23.5)
(1,059.3)
(144.7)

(1,073.0)

1.  Both cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet and bank and other short-term borrowings have been restated in 2019 to gross up the effects of overdrafts (£859.6m) 

and cash (£859.6m) (Note C3).

2.  Bank and other short-term borrowings consists of £156.5m bond debt (2019: £nil), £1,674.8m overdraft (2019: £895.3m), £nil term loan (2019: £37.7m), £10.8m other overseas loans 

(2019: £6.4m) and £4.5m bond accruals (2019: £4.8m).

3.  Bank and other long-term borrowings consists of £1,331.3m bond debt (2019: £1,051.5m) and £6.3m other overseas loans (2019: £7.8m).

The currency split and cash flows of bank, other borrowings and debt-related derivatives are as follows:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

Carrying value

Interest

Undiscounted value

Analysis of undiscounted cash flows:
Less than one year
Between one and five years
Over five years

Future minimum payments

2020 
£m

517.9
2,084.1
530.7
44.9

3,177.6

57.5

2019
£m

230.3
1,295.6
450.8
50.6

2,027.3

33.6

3,235.1

2,060.9

1,846.8
393.8
994.5

3,235.1

955.9
678.8
426.2

2,060.9

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 177

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

Reconciliation of net change in cash and cash equivalents to net debt:

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Other investments – loans and receivables
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
Bank and other short-term borrowings
Bank and other long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities

Net debt

Notes

B4

Opening 
20201
£m

1,169.2
1.8
(23.8)
(944.2)
(1,059.3)
(216.7)

(1,073.0)

Cash 
flows
£m

1,058.9
170.5
30.3
(565.3)
(537.7)
92.3

249.0

Non-cash 
(fair value 
changes)
£m

–
–
(39.7)
(21.1)
(1.3)
–

(62.1)

Non-cash 
(foreign 
exchange 
and other)
£m

(2.5)
(0.1)
39.8
(316.0)
260.7
(90.1)

(108.2)

Closing 
2020
£m

2,225.6
172.2
6.6
(1,846.6)
(1,337.6)
(214.5)

(994.3)

1.  Both cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet and bank and other short-term borrowings have been restated in 2019 to gross up the effects of overdrafts (£859.6m) 

and cash (£859.6m) (Note C3).

Foreign exchange loss on debt and derivatives amounted to £15.5m in 2020 (2019: gain of £69.7m). The loss primarily resulted from a 
strengthening of the euro by 6 cents offset by a weakening of the US dollar by 4 cents. Included within the net decrease in cash and cash 
equivalents is £4.2m cash received on debt-related foreign exchange forward contracts (2019: £11.7m), and £27.9m settlement paid on the 
SBU closed out in August 2020.

The total borrowings cash increase of £1,103.0m includes a £341.8m net bond and loans increase, and a £779.5m overdraft increase, 
offset by a £18.3m settlement of interest accrued.

Fair value is equal to carrying value for all elements of net debt with the exception of bond debt which has a carrying value of £1,487.8m 
(2019: £1,051.5m) and a fair value of £1,537.3m (2019: £1,082.7m).

C3. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, short-term bank deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities 
of three months or less (and subject to insignificant changes in value). In the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net 
of bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

Cash at bank and in hand includes £6.7m (2019: £9.0m) of restricted cash. This cash is held in respect of specific contracts and can only be 
utilised in line with terms under the contractual arrangements.

Cash at bank and in hand also includes £51.0m (2019: £45.6m) of cash held in countries with foreign exchange regulations. This cash is repatriated 
to the UK where possible, if not required for operational purposes in country.

Fair value is equal to carrying value for all cash and cash equivalents.

The Group operates notional pooling arrangements whereby cash balances and overdrafts held within the same bank have a legal right of offset. 
However the Group did not net down the year end balances after the reporting date in the prior period and therefore has restated both the cash 
and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the bank and other short-term borrowings for 2019 to show these amounts gross. 
This £859.6m restatement has no effect on the profit or loss, net assets or the cash flow statement. These cash and bank overdraft figures are 
shown in the table below:

Cash and cash equivalents

At 31 December 2020
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term bank deposits

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Bank overdraft

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

At 31 December 2019
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term bank deposits

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Bank overdraft

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Gross amounts 
£m

2,219.5
6.1

2,225.6
(1,674.8)

550.8

1,099.1
70.1

1,169.2
(895.3)

273.9

Credit interest rates on bank balances range between 0.07% and 6.25% and debit interest rates range between (2.725)% and 9.25%.

As far as it is practical to do so, cash balances are held centrally and are used first to repay borrowings under the Group’s RCF before being 
placed on deposit.

178 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

C4. Other investments
Other investments held at year end mainly comprised term deposits maturing in more than three months from the date that the deposit was 
placed. The weighted average effective interest rate earned is 0.2% (2019: 0.9%) with £170.6m fixed for six months and the remaining balance 
fixed for one year (2019: one year). Fair value is equal to carrying value for all other investments.

Financial assets are denominated in the following currencies:

Pound sterling
Other¹

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion¹

2020
£m

172.2
0.2

172.4

172.2
0.2

172.4

2019
£m

1.6
0.4

2.0

1.7
0.3

2.0

1. 

Includes a direct investment of £0.2m (2019: £0.2m) in a solar energy company in the US. This investment is classified as available for sale.

In October 2020 the Group issued a €600m bond which would in part be used to repay the €350m bond that matures in October 2021. 
Following a successful tender offer €175m of the bond was repaid early. Part of the proceeds (£172.2m) were swapped into sterling and 
deposited. On maturity in July 2021 the funds will be converted back to euros and will be used to repay the remaining €175m outstanding under 
the €350m bond using the three months at par call option. 

None of the financial assets are either past due or impaired in 2020.

C5. Derivative financial instruments
Accounting for derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair 
value at the balance sheet date. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a 
hedging instrument and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. At the inception of the transaction the Group documents the relationship 
between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge 
transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that 
are used in hedging transactions are effective in offsetting changes in fair values of hedged items.

Certain financial instruments are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting. Typically the Group will not designate financial 
instruments for hedge accounting where a perfect or near perfect offset is expected between the change in value of assets and liabilities. 
Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments in this category are immediately recognised in the income statement. Where financial 
instruments are designated for hedge accounting they are designated as either fair value hedge, net investment hedge or cash flow hedge. 
When designating cross-currency swaps, the cost of hedging has been excluded from the relationship and any movement in the fair value related 
to the cost of hedging is deferred in equity and amortised over the life of the hedged item.

(a) Fair value hedge
These instruments are used to hedge exposure to changes in the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value 
of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in the income statement, together with any changes in the 
fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

(b) Net investment hedge
These instruments are used to hedge exposure on translation of net investments in foreign operations. Any gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument related to the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income; the gain or loss related to the ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. In the event of disposal of a foreign operation, the gains and losses accumulated 
in other comprehensive income are recycled through the income statement. All currencies were directly hedged therefore the hedge ratio 
is considered to be 1:1.

(c) Cash flow hedge
These instruments are used to hedge a highly probable forecast transaction or a change in the cash flows of a recognised asset or liability. The 
portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income. 
Any ineffective portion is immediately recognised in the income statement. The gains or losses that are recognised in comprehensive income are 
transferred to the income statement in the same period in which the hedged cash flows affect the income statement. In the event that the hedged 
item occurs or is no longer expected to occur, accumulated gains or losses held in the cash flow hedge reserve are immediately recognised in the 
income statement. In the event that the hedged item is expected to occur but no longer meets the requirements of hedge accounting, 
accumulated gains or losses remain in other comprehensive income and are only recognised in the income statement when the forecast 
transaction occurs or is no longer expected to occur. All cash flow hedge relationships are hedges of a foreign currency risk and all currencies 
were directly hedged therefore the hedge ratio is considered to be 1:1.

Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to derivatives (marked as ‘cash flow hedge’ in the table on page 180) in accordance with IFRS 9. 
Where no hedge accounting has been applied, related derivatives have been marked as ‘non-hedge’. Any ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedge 
is taken directly to finance costs. During the year there was a gain of £0.7m (2019: £1.0m) relating to ineffectiveness of net investment in foreign 
entity hedges and a loss of £(0.7)m (2019: £(0.1)m) from those derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship. The main source of ineffectiveness 
of the net investment hedge is the off-market value of the derivatives hedging the €400m bond maturing in 2024 at the inception of the hedge 
relationship. Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to €340.0m of the €400m 2024 bond and €179.4m of the €500m 2026 bond, 
hedging the changes in cash flow due to volatility in the £/€ exchange rate. Cash flow hedge accounting was also applied to the floating interest 
of the $50m term loan that has been swapped to a fixed rate. The term loan matured in June 2020. As at 31 December 2020, the amount in 
comprehensive income related to cash flow hedge accounting was a loss of £4.9m (2019: £0.5m loss).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 179

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

Fair value estimation
All financial instruments held at fair value are classified by reference to the source of inputs used to derive the fair value. The following hierarchy 
is used:

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 –  inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly as prices or indirectly through modelling 

based on prices; and

Level 3 –   inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. Fair value was equal to carrying value for all instruments 

at level 3.

The Group uses the following methods to estimate fair value of its financial instruments:

Financial instrument

Financial assets traded in active markets
Financial liabilities traded in active markets
Long-term debt
Liquidity fund
Interest rate/currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Borrowings not traded in active markets
Financial instruments not traded in active markets
Trade payables and receivables
Other financial instruments

Hierarchy 
level

1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2 or 3
3
3

Valuation method

Current bid price
Current ask price
Quoted market prices
Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments
Market swap rates at the balance sheet date
Forward exchange market rates at the balance sheet date
Cash flows discounted at current market rates
Valuation assumptions based on market conditions at the balance sheet date
Nominal value less estimated credit adjustments
Variety of techniques including discounted cash flows

Interest rate swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge
– cash flow hedge
– net investment hedge

Foreign exchange swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge
– net investment hedge
Metal hedging option (level 1):

– non-hedge

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Fair value 
assets
2020
£m

Fair value 
liabilities
2020
£m

Fair value 
assets
2019
£m

Fair value 
liabilities 
2019
£m

–
–
37.0

4.2
1.2

0.2

42.6

5.6
37.0

42.6

(0.7)
(8.3)
(23.3)

(3.5)
–

–

(35.8)

(3.5)
(32.3)

(35.8)

–
0.1
7.6

0.1
–

–

7.8

0.2
7.6

7.8

(3.1)
(20.5)
(9.1)

(0.1)
–

–

(32.8)

(0.5)
(32.3)

(32.8)

The effective nominal value of foreign exchange swaps is £192.6m (2019: £19.4m) and foreign exchange forwards is £nil (2019: £nil).

180 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The table below analyses the Group’s derivative financial instruments that will be settled on a gross basis, into relevant maturity groupings based 
on the remaining period to the contractual maturity date at the balance sheet date.

Less than
1 year
£m

Between
1 and 2 years
£m

Between
2 and 5 years
£m

Over
5 years
£m

Total
£m

At 31 December 2020
Cross-currency interest rate swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Foreign exchange swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Net inflow/(outflow)

At 31 December 2019
Cross-currency interest rate swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Foreign exchange swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Net outflow

(13.2)
4.3

(619.9)
619.4

(9.4)

(20.0)
11.1

(17.1)
17.1

(8.9)

(20.7)
11.6

(322.6)
313.7

(148.4)
161.7

(504.9)
491.3

–
–

(9.1)

(11.7)
3.2

–
–

–
–

(8.9)

–
–

13.3

(619.9)
619.4

(14.1)

(337.6)
297.0

(59.2)
58.2

(428.5)
369.5

–
–

–
–

(1.0)

(17.1)
17.1

(59.0)

(8.5)

(40.6)

C6. Analysis of bank and bond debt
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group 
has a continuing right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

The Group’s bank debt comprises:

Non-current
£550m RCF due August 2025

Facility 
amount
£m

550.0

Drawn at
year end
£m

Headroom
£m

Interest rate
at year end
%

–

550.0

0.14

In August 2020 the Group extended its RCF until August 2025 with a one-year extension option. At the year end the RCF was undrawn.

Medium-term notes and bond debt comprises:

Current
€175m bond due October 2021
Non-current
€400m bond due November 2024
€500m bond due May 2026
€600m bond due October 2028

Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates

Bond interest 
coupon

Effective hedged 
interest rate

Fixed 3.25% Fixed 3.41%

Fixed 0.95% Fixed 2.31%
Fixed 0.875% Fixed 1.40%
Fixed 0.50% Fixed 0.58%

1.72%

The effective hedged interest rate reflects the interest rate payable after the impact of interest due from currency swaps. The Group’s hedging 
strategy is to hold foreign currency debt in proportion to foreign currency profit and cash flows, which are mainly in euro and US dollar. As a 
result, the Group has swapped a portion of the bonds it has issued into US dollars, thus increasing the effective hedged interest rate.

In November, following a successful tender offer, the Group repaid 49.8% of the €350m bond that is due in October 2021. The bond has a three 
months at par call option, which means that the bond can be repaid on 7 July 2021 without additional premium. In October 2020, the Group 
issued a new €600m eight-year bond with a coupon of 0.50% under its EMTN Programme.

The Group considers the fair value of other current liabilities to be equal to the carrying value.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 181

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

C7. Finance cost

Hedged interest payable on medium-term notes issued1
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts1
Interest payable on RCF1
Interest payable on foreign exchange swaps
Interest payable on leases
Amortisation of discount on provisions
Fair value loss on hedge ineffectiveness2
Fair value adjustment on debt repayment
Fair value loss on other derivatives3

Total finance cost

Notes

B4

2020
£m

15.6
3.0
5.4
13.8
6.8
0.3
3.6
4.1
25.9

78.5

2019
£m

23.8
2.7
3.6
16.1
8.1
0.2
–
–
2.3

56.8

Interest expense on financial liabilities held at amortised cost.

1. 
2.  Fair value loss on hedge ineffectiveness includes £7.6m foreign exchange loss on euro bonds not reclassified to reserves due to book value of the euro subsidiaries’ net assets being 
lower than the designated bond liability (2019: £3.1m loss). The fair value gain on hedge ineffectiveness also includes £4.0m of interest on the net investment hedge accounting of the 
€400m bond hedge reported in the interest payable of foreign exchange (2019: £4.1m). 

3.  Fair value loss on other derivatives relates to $335m SBU entered into since February 2019 ($170m in February 2019 and $165m in July 2019) which did not qualify for hedge 

accounting. The instrument provided an annual interest benefit of 1.9% of the outstanding principal and was closed out in August 2020 with a full year loss of £26.2m excluding interest 
accrued.

C8. Finance income

Bank interest
Interest receivable on foreign exchange swaps
Fair value gain on hedge ineffectiveness
Interest on net defined benefit asset

Total finance income

C9. Operating cash and Free Cash Flow

Notes

A10

Operating profit
Adjustments for:

– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
– Depreciation of leased assets
– Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software)
– Amortisation and impairment of computer software
– Other non-cash items
– Net gain on disposals

Changes in working capital (excluding the effects of acquisitions and exchange differences on consolidation):

– Inventories
– Contract costs
– Trade and other receivables
– Contract assets
– Trade and other payables and provisions
– Contract liabilities

Cash generated from operating activities before special pension contributions
Special pension contributions

Cash generated from operating activities

Add back: special pension contributions
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Additions of ROU assets
Disposals of ROU assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Dividends received from associates

Interest received
Interest paid
Income tax paid
Special pension contributions

Free Cash Flow from continuing operations

182 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

2020
£m

2.3
3.4
–
0.5

6.2

2020 
£m

293.7

132.3
78.0
82.5
18.5
(0.5)
–

(23.3)
(1.9)
(22.5)
2.4
78.2
12.7

650.1
(0.5)

649.6

0.5
(129.9)
(22.6)
(75.4)
2.5
6.3
11.7

442.7
7.6
(48.6)
(64.4)
(0.5)

336.8

2019
£m

4.1
5.1
0.8
0.7

10.7

2019 
£m

369.4

127.3
78.9
85.2
13.6
(4.3)
(103.8)

(3.6)
(6.3)
(32.4)
(5.8)
20.2
16.9

555.3
(1.1)

554.2

1.1
(140.1)
(30.8)
(74.9)
–
3.2
30.4

343.1
10.8
(58.9)
(43.2)
(1.1)

250.7

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

D. Other
D1. Dividends
Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s Financial Statements in the period in which the 
dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised when paid.

2018 final dividend paid – 3.16p per share
2019 interim dividend paid – 1.51p per share

2020
£m

–
–

–

2019
£m

58.1
27.7

85.8

No interim dividend was declared for 2020 due to temporary suspension of the progressive dividend policy as a result of the global COVID-19 
pandemic. A final dividend in respect of 2020 of 5.41p per share, amounting to £100.3m, is to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting 
on 12 May 2021. These Financial Statements do not reflect this recommended dividend.

D2. Share capital
The Company’s share capital is made up of the shares that have been issued to its members, whether on, or subsequent to, its incorporation. 
At the year end the Company’s issued share capital consisted of ordinary shares of 1p each, with one voting right per share, as detailed below.

During the year five million new shares were issued in relation to employee share schemes. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury.

Issued and fully paid
At 31 December – 1,854,332,965 shares (2019: 1,849,332,965)

2020
£m

18.5

2019
£m

18.5

D3. Contingent liabilities
The Group has contingent liabilities relating to guarantees in respect of leasehold properties, pensions, third parties, environmental issues, 
tax and litigation. The possibility of any significant outflows in respect of these items is considered to be remote.

D4. Related party transactions
Subsidiaries
Related party transactions and outstanding balances between subsidiaries within the Group are eliminated in the preparation of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and accordingly are not disclosed in this note.

Key management personnel
The Group’s strategy and policy are managed by the Executive Leadership Board (Executive Directors and senior management as shown 
on pages 78 to 81). Their compensation and the compensation payable to the Non-Executive Directors is shown below:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2020
£m

8.2
0.3
1.7

10.2

2019
£m

7.0
0.3
1.7

9.0

Joint ventures and associate entities
The Group operates in a number of joint ventures which the Group controls and includes in its Consolidated Financial Statements. All transactions 
between these entities and the Group were transacted at arm’s length during the ordinary course of business and have been eliminated on 
consolidation. Nippon Calmic Ltd (49%) was an associate during 2019 and 2020 and its balances are disclosed in Note B6. There are no 
significant transactions between Nippon Calmic Ltd and other Group companies.

Pension scheme
The Group bears some costs of administration and independent pension advice of the Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme. The total amount of 
costs in the year ended 31 December 2020 was £0.2m (2019: £0.3m) of which £0.2m (2019: £0.3m) was recharged to the Scheme. At 31 December 
2020, £nil (2019: £0.1m) remained outstanding.

D5. Government grants
During 2020, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic there were a number of government schemes made available providing wage 
subsidies for companies that had to shut or scale down operations. The government schemes have different conditions attached to them 
depending on the country in which they are available. The Group presents the grants by deducting from the related expense, which in this 
case is the employee benefit expense. The Group received a total wage subsidy of £14.2m in 2020 (2019: £nil).

D6. Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events affecting the Group since 31 December 2020.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 183

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

E. Alternative Performance Measures
The Group uses a number of measures to present the financial performance of the business which are not GAAP measures as defined under 
IFRS. Management believes these measures provide valuable additional information for users of the Financial Statements in order to understand 
the underlying trading performance. The Group’s internal strategic planning process is also based on these measures and they are used for 
incentive purposes. They should be viewed as complements to, and not replacements for, the comparable GAAP measures.

Constant exchange rates (CER)
Given the international nature of the Group’s operations, foreign exchange movements can have a significant impact on the reported results 
of the Group when they are translated into sterling (the functional currency of the Group). In order to help understand the underlying trading 
performance of the business, revenue and profit measures are often presented at CER. CER is calculated by translating current year reported 
numbers at the full year average exchange rates for the prior year, in order to give management and other users of the accounts better visibility 
of underlying trading performance against the prior period. The major exchange rates used are £/$ FY 2020 1.2951 (FY 2019 1.2790) and £/€ 
FY 2020 1.1315 (FY 2019 1.1419). Comparisons are with the year ended 31 December 2019 unless otherwise stated.

Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing Operating Profit
Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing Operating Profit represent the performance of the continuing operations of the Group (including acquisitions) 
after removing the effect of disposed or closed businesses. Ongoing Operating Profit is an adjusted measure and is presented before 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off items (see below) and gain or loss on disposal 
of businesses.

Ongoing measures enable the users of the accounts to focus on the performance of the businesses retained by the Group and that will therefore 
contribute to future performance. Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing Operating Profit are presented at CER unless otherwise stated. A reconciliation 
of Ongoing Revenue and Ongoing Operating Profit measures to the equivalent GAAP measure is provided in the following table and in the 
segmental analysis in Note A1.

Adjusted profit and earnings per share measures
Adjusted profit measures are used to give management and other users of the accounts a clear understanding of the underlying profitability 
of the business over time. Adjusted profit measures are calculated by adding the following items back to the equivalent GAAP profit measure:

 e amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software);
 e one-off items (operating and associates); and 
 e net interest adjustments.

Intangible assets (excluding computer software) are recognised on acquisition of businesses which, by their nature, can vary by size and amount 
each year. As a result, amortisation of intangibles is added back to assist with understanding the underlying trading performance of the business 
and to allow comparability across regions and categories.

One-off items are significant expenses or income that will have a distortive impact on the underlying profitability of the Group. Typical examples 
are costs related to the acquisition of businesses (including aborted acquisitions), gain or loss on disposal or closure of a business, material gains 
or losses on disposal of fixed assets, adjustments to legacy property-related provisions (environmental liabilities), and payments or receipts as 
a result of legal disputes. 

Other non-cash gains and losses that can cause material fluctuations and distort understanding of the performance of the business are net 
interest on pension schemes, interest fair value adjustments and the excess IFRS 16 interest above the operating profit benefit reported in the 
year. These adjustments are made to aid year-on-year comparability.

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated by dividing adjusted profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. Note A2 shows the adjustments made in arriving at adjusted profit from continuing 
operations attributable to equity holders of the Company.

184 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP equivalents is provided below at both AER and CER:

Ongoing Revenue
Revenue – disposed and closed businesses¹

Revenue

Ongoing Operating Profit
Operating Profit – disposed and closed businesses

Adjusted operating profit

One-off items – operating
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets2

Operating profit

Net gain on disposals
Share of profit from associates (net of tax)
Net adjusted interest payable
Net interest adjustments

Profit before tax

Net interest adjustments
One-off items – operating
One-off items – associates3
Net gain on disposals
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets2

Adjusted Profit Before Tax

Basic earnings per share
Basic adjusted earnings per share

2020
AER
£m

2,809.6
13.9

2,823.5

383.8
0.2

384.0

(7.7)
(82.5)

293.8

–
8.3
(37.1)
(35.2)

2020
CER
£m

2,845.6
13.9

2,859.5

388.1
0.2

388.3

(7.7)
(85.3)

295.3

–
8.2
(37.3)
(35.6)

229.8

230.6

35.2
7.7
–
–
82.5

355.2

10.03p
15.37p

35.6
7.7
–
–
85.3

359.2

10.07p
15.56p

2019
£m

2,676.2
38.2

2,714.4

368.1
(2.7)

365.4

(14.6)
(85.2)

265.6

103.8
15.2
(42.1)
(4.0)

338.5

4.0
14.6
2.4
(103.8)
85.2

340.9

15.33p
14.43p

% change

AER

5.0%
(63.5%)

4.0%

4.3%
107.1%

5.1%

47.5%
3.2%

10.6%

(100.0%)
(45.6%)
11.9%
(785.5%)

(32.1%)

785.5%
(47.5%)
(100.0%)
100.0%
(3.2%)

4.2%

(34.6%)
6.5%

CER

6.3%
(63.7%)

5.3%

5.4%
106.9%

6.3%

47.5%
0.0%

11.2%

(100.0%)
(46.2%)
11.4%
(795.2%)

(31.9%)

795.2%
(47.5%)
(100.0%)
100.0%
(0.0%)

5.3%

(34.3%)
7.8%

Includes revenue of £7.1m (2019: £10.7m) from product sales by the Group to CWS-boco International GmbH.

1. 
2.  Excluding computer software.
3.  Rentokil Initial Group’s post-tax share of one-off items and amortisation of intangibles of the CWS-boco International GmbH associated undertaking.

Regional analysis

France
Benelux
Germany
Southern Europe
Latin America

Total Europe

UK & Ireland
Rest of World

UK & Rest of World

Asia
North America
Pacific
Central and regional overheads
Restructuring costs

Ongoing operations

Disposed businesses

Continuing operations

Ongoing
Revenue 2020

Change from
FY 2019

Ongoing Operating
Profit 2020

Change from
FY 2019

AER
£m

303.2
96.7
120.6
143.0
57.7

721.2

287.5
157.3

444.8

242.0
1,224.1
177.5
–
–

CER
£m

300.4
95.8
119.0
141.7
66.5

723.4

287.3
164.9

452.2

249.2
1,239.8
181.0
–
–

2,809.6

2,845.6

AER
%

(2.3)
1.4
12.1
6.3
(0.1)

2.2

(5.9)
0.4

(3.8)

0.8
13.1
(4.5)
–
–

5.0

CER
%

(3.2)
0.5
10.7
5.3
15.2

2.5

(6.0)
5.3

(2.2)

3.7
14.5
(2.6)
–
–

6.3

13.9

13.9

(63.5)

(63.7)

AER
£m

33.7
27.9
42.1
21.8
5.5

CER
£m

33.4
27.6
41.5
21.6
6.3

131.0

130.4

50.1
33.7

83.8

26.9
211.9
34.5
(91.1)
(13.2)

383.8

0.2

49.6
35.3

84.9

27.4
214.6
35.2
(91.1)
(13.3)

388.1

0.2

2,823.5

2,859.5

4.0

5.3

384.0

388.3

AER
%

(26.8)
(0.2)
26.3
(1.7)
(16.8)

(3.7)

(23.7)
(5.4)

(17.3)

7.9
38.1
(10.5)
(16.0)
(72.5)

4.3

107.1

5.1

CER
%

(27.5)
(1.1)
24.5
(2.6)
(4.2)

(4.1)

(24.5)
(1.0)

(16.2)

10.1
39.9
(8.7)
(16.0)
(74.4)

5.4

106.9

6.3

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 185

Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

Category analysis

Pest Control
– Growth
– Emerging

Hygiene

– Core Hygiene
– Disinfection1
Protect & Enhance
Central and regional overheads
Restructuring costs

Ongoing operations

Disposed businesses

Continuing operations

1.  Sales of disinfection in 2019 were immaterial.

Ongoing
Revenue 2020

Change from
FY 2019

Ongoing Operating
Profit 2020

Change from
FY 2019

AER
£m

1,724.1
1,492.2
231.9
735.0
513.6
221.4
350.5
–
–

CER
£m

1,751.7
1,506.6
245.1
743.8
518.7
225.1
350.1
–
–

2,809.6

2,845.6

AER
%

(0.6)
0.6
(7.6)
35.2
(5.5)
–
(11.9)
–
–

5.0

CER
%

1.0
1.6
(2.4)
36.8
(4.6)
–
(12.0)
–
–

AER
£m

281.7
257.5
24.2
172.8

33.6
(91.1)
(13.2)

6.3

383.8

13.9

13.9

(63.5)

(63.7)

0.2

CER
£m

283.7
259.1
24.6
175.5

33.3
(91.1)
(13.3)

388.1

0.2

2,823.5

2,859.5

4.0

5.3

384.0

388.3

AER
%

(9.2)
(6.6)
(29.5)
78.5

(29.1)
(16.0)
(72.5)

4.3

107.1

5.1

CER
%

(8.5)
(6.0)
(28.4)
81.4

(29.7)
(16.0)
(74.4)

5.4

106.9

6.3

Operating Margin
Operating Margin is calculated by dividing Ongoing Operating Profit by Ongoing Revenue, expressed as a percentage. Net Operating Margin 
by region and category is shown in the tables below (on a trailing 12-month basis):

France
Benelux
Germany
Southern Europe
Latin America

Total Europe

UK & Ireland
Rest of World

UK & Rest of World

Asia
North America
Pacific

Ongoing operations¹

Disposed businesses

Continuing operations¹

Pest Control
– Growth
– Emerging

Hygiene
Protect & Enhance

Ongoing operations¹

Disposed businesses

Continuing operations¹

2020
%

11.1
28.8
34.9
15.3
9.4

18.0

17.2
21.4

18.8

11.0
17.3
19.5

13.6

1.3

13.6

2020
%

16.2
17.2
10.0
23.6
9.5

13.6

1.3

13.6

2019
%

14.8
29.3
31.0
16.5
11.4

19.3

21.5
22.8

21.9

10.4
14.2
20.8

13.8

(7.0)

13.5

2019
%

17.9
18.6
13.7
17.8
11.9

13.8

(7.0)

13.5

Variance
% points

(3.7)
(0.5)
3.9
(1.2)
(2.0)

(1.3)

(4.3)
(1.4)

(3.1)

0.6
3.1
(1.3)

(0.2)

8.3

0.1

Variance
% points

(1.7)
(1.4)
(3.7)
5.8
(2.4)

(0.2)

8.3

0.1

1.  Operating Margin for ongoing operations and continuing operations is calculated after central and regional overheads and restructuring costs.

186 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Free Cash Flow
The Group aims to generate sustainable cash flow (Free Cash Flow) in order to support its acquisition programme and to fund dividend payments 
to shareholders. Free Cash Flow is measured as net cash from operating activities, adjusted for cash flows related to the purchase and sale of 
property, plant, equipment and intangible fixed assets, and dividends received from associates. These items are considered by management to 
be non-discretionary, as continued investment in these assets is required to support the day-to-day operations of the business. A reconciliation 
of Free Cash Flow from net cash from operating activities is provided in the table below:

Net cash from operating activities
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and intangible fixed assets
Additions of ROU assets
Disposals of ROU assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, equipment and software
Dividends received from associates

Free Cash Flow

2020
AER
£m

544.2
(152.5)
(75.4)
2.5
6.3
11.7

336.8

2019
AER
£m

462.9
(170.9)
(74.9)
–
3.2
30.4

250.7

Free Cash Flow conversion
Free Cash Flow conversion is calculated by dividing Adjusted Free Cash Flow by Adjusted Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity 
holders of the Company, expressed as a percentage. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is measured as Free Cash Flow adjusted for one-off items – 
operating and product development additions.

Adjusted profit after tax from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company
Share of profit of CWS-boco International GmbH associate (net of tax)
One-off items – associates

Free Cash Flow from continuing operations
Dividend received from CWS-boco International GmbH
One-off items – operating1
Product development additions

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow conversion

2020
AER
£m

284.9
–
–

284.9

336.8
–
6.7
5.7

349.2

122.6%

2019
AER
£m

266.8
(7.0)
(2.4)

257.4

250.7
(26.4)
23.9
5.6

253.8

98.6%

1.  A breakdown of one-off items – operating is shown in Note A1. Excludes £4.4m related to gain on sale and leaseback which is already included in Free Cash Flow from continuing 

operations.

Effective Tax Rate
Effective Tax Rate is calculated by dividing adjusted income tax expense by adjusted profit before income tax, expressed as a percentage. 
The measure is used by management to assess the rate of tax applied to the Group’s Adjusted Profit Before Tax from continuing operations.

Unadjusted income tax expense
Tax adjustments on:
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software)
One-off items – operating
Net interest adjustments
Adjusted income tax expense (a)
Adjusted profit before income tax (b)

Effective Tax Rate (a/b)

Notes

A12

2020
AER
£m

43.5

17.5
2.4
6.5
69.9
355.2

19.7%

2020
CER
£m

43.7

17.9
2.2
6.6
70.4
359.2

19.6%

2019
£m

54.7

19.6
(1.1)
0.6
73.8
340.9

21.6%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 187

Related Undertakings
Subsidiaries and other associated undertakings at 31 December 2020

Subsidiaries:

Company name

Australia

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Brunei

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Unit A1, Lidcombe Business Park, 3-29 Birnie Avenue 2141 Australia

Cannon Hygiene Australia Pty Limited
Green Fingers Plant Hire Pty Limited
Knock Out Pest Control Pty Limited
Pest Away Australia Pty Limited
Rentokil Australia Pty Limited
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Pty Limited
Rentokil Initial Pty Limited
Rentokil Pest Control (QLD) Pty Limited
Rentokil Pest Holdings Pty Limited
Rentokil Pty Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Preference

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Austria

Brown-Boveri-Straße 8/2/8, 2351, Wiener Neudorf, Austria

Unit D1 & D1-1 Block D, Bangunan Hj Lajim & Anak-anak, Kg Kiarong 
Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam, BE1318, Brunei Darussalam

Rentokil Initial (B) Sdn Bhd

Ordinary

90%

Canada

3325 North Service Road, Burlington, ON L7N 3G2, Canada

Direct Line Sales Limited

Class A
Class B

100%
100%

8699 Escarpment Way, Milton, ON L9T 0J5, Canada

Residex Canada Inc.

Common

100%

Suite 900, 1959 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 2X2, Canada

Rentokil Canada Corporation

Class A
Class B

100%
100%

Rentokil Initial GmbH

Bahamas

Ordinary

100%

Chile

Galvarino 8481, Bodega 3, Quilicura, Santiago, Chile

Corporate Services International, 308 East Bay Street, Nassau, 
PO Box N-7527, Bahamas

Comercializadora de Insumos y Servicios 
Mauco Limitada

Social Rights

100%

Rentokil Initial (Bahamas) Limited

Ordinary

100%

El Trapiche No.1322, Galpón No 4, Codominio Pacific, Coquimbo, Chile

5th Terrace Centreville, PO Box N-1388 Nassau, New Providence, 
Bahamas

Tropical Exterminators Limited
Tropical Exterminators (Holdings) Limited

Common
Common

100%
100%

Barbados

One Welches, Welches St. Thomas, Barbados

Rentokil Initial (Barbados) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Belgium

Ingberthoeveweg, 17, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium

Ambius N.V.
Rentokil N.V.

Brazil

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Control de Plagas Hidalgo Y Rodriguez 
Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Lote Numero 1, Cancha de Rescoldo, Sagrada Familia, Curico, Chile

Fumigaciones del Maule Limitada

Social Rights

100%

El Salto 4001, piso 9, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile

Comercial e Industrial Premasec Limitada
Ingeclean S.A
Ingeniería en Sanitización S.A
Rentokil Initial Chile SpA
Sociedad Comercial Cleantech SpA

Social Rights
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Colombia

Calle 33, No 56 36 Bello, Antioquia, Colombia

Estrado de Gabinal, 957, Bairro da Freguesia Rio de Janeiro, 
CEP 22760-151, Brazil

Fumigax SAS

Ordinary

100%

Calle 93# 11A – 28 office 303, Bogotá, Colombia

Asa Rio Saneamento Ambiental Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Rentokil Initial Colombia SAS

Common

100%

Avenida Ceci 348 Predio Anexo, Tamboré, São Paulo, Brazil

Calle 169 # 19 A 26, Bogotá, Colombia

Asseio Saneamento Ambiental Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Vida Fresh Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Rua Professor José Vieira de Mendonça, 770 Sala 308, Belo 
Horizonte, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil

Calle 73 No 69 K 36, Colombia

Excel Gestion Ambiental SAS

Ordinary

100%

Ecovec Comércio e Licenciamento de 
Tecnologias ltda

Ordinary

100%

Carrera 69A, No. 65-75, Bogota, Colombia

Rua Marques Amorim, 99, Boa Vista, Pernambuco, Recife, CEP 
50070-355, Brazil

F Genes & Cia Limitada

Ordinary

100%

SHC/Norte, Comercio Local, Quadra 115, Bloco A, Loja 45 S Subsolo 
49 S, Asa Norte, Brazil

Representaciones Fumigamb SAS

Ordinary

100%

Costa Rica

Avenida 18, calles 17 y 19, edificio 47, Barrio Luján, San José, 
Costa Rica

Fumigadora Control Tecnico De Plagas S.A. Common

100%

MP – Saneamento Ambiental Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Curaçao

Rua Vitor Valpirio, 789 Bairro Anchieta, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do 
Sul, CEP 90200-230, Brazil

Parke Comersial Korsau, A 24 Veeris, 102077, Curaçao

Chuchubi Pest Control N.V.

Ordinary

100%

Multicontrole Controle De Pragas E 
Servicos Ltda

Ordinary

100%

Dr. MJ Hugenhotz weg 25, Curaçao

Sanicare B.V.

Ordinary

100%

188 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Company name

Czech Republic

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Germany

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Praha 2, Vyšehradská 1349/2, Prague, PSČ 12800, Czech Republic

An der Ziegelei, 47 27383, Scheeßel-Westerholz, Germany

Rentokil Initial s.r.o.

Denmark

Ordinary

100%

S & A Service und Anwendungstechnik 
GmbH

Paul Bergsøes Vej 22, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark

S & A Vertriebs GmbH

Ordinary

100%

Heuesch 1, 49808 Lingen (Ems), Germany

Rentokil Initial A/S

Dominican Republic

Mc Clean Küchenabluftservice GmbH
Rentokil Holdings GmbH
Rentokil Initial GmbH & Co. KG
Rentokil Initial Beteiligungs GmbH

Piderits Bleiche 11, 33689, Bielefeld, Germany

Medentex GmbH
Rentokil Dental GmbH

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%

1125 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 150, Reading, PA 19610, United States

Oliver Exterminating Dominicana Corp.

Common

100%

El Salvador

Avenida Calzada Guarda Barranco Urbanizacion, Lomas de Altamira, 
#14 Pasaje Clarineros, Central America, El Salvador

Sagrip SA de C.V.

Estonia

Turi Str. 3/1, 11313, Tallinn, Estonia

Rentokil Oü

Fiji

Ordinary

100%

Ghana

43 Cashew Road, Okpoi, Accra, Ghana

Rentokil Initial (Ghana) Limited

Ordinary

 100%

Ordinary

100%

Greece

7 Aristotelous Street, Tavros, Athens 177 78, Greece

Rentokil Initial Hellas EPE

Ordinary

100%

Lot 15, Kaua Road, Laucala Beach Estate, Suva, Fiji Islands, Fiji

Rentokil Initial Limited

Finland

Valuraudankuja 3, 00700 Helsinki, Finland

Rentokil Initial Oy

France

191 rue des Docks, 76120 Le Gran Quevilly, France

Ordinary

100%

Guadeloupe

7 Allée des Papillon, Dothemare, 97139 Abymes, Guadeloupe

Rentokil Initial Guadeloupe Sarl

Ordinary

100%

Ordinary

100%

Guatemala

9 Av. 39-97, Zona 8, Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala

Servicios Agricolas Profesionales S.A.

Ordinary

100%

Agronet SAS

Ordinary

100%

Guernsey

6 Rue Livio, 67100 Strasbourg, France

CAFI SAS
CAWE FTB Group SAS

Ordinary
Ordinary

13-27 avenue Jean Moulin, 93240 Stains, France

Ordinary
Ambius SAS
Rentokil Initial Environmental Services SAS Ordinary
Ordinary
Rentokil Initial SAS

145, rue de Billancourt, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France

Initial Hygiene Services 
Initial SAS
Rentokil Initial Holdings (France) SA
SCI Gravigny
SCI Vargan

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Z.A. des Quatre Chemins, BP 21, 95540 Mery-sur-Oise, France

100%
100%

100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Technivap SAS

French Guiana

Ordinary

100%

PAE de Degrad des cannes, Remire-Montjoly, 97354, French Guiana

Rentokil Initial Guyane Sarl

Ordinary

100%

PO Box 155, Mill Court, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, GY1 4ET, 
Guernsey

Felcourt Insurance Company Limited

Ordinary

100%

Guyana

Lot 8, Charles and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, 
Guyana

Rentokil Initial Guyana Limited

Ordinary

100%

Honduras

Departamento de Cortes, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Sagrip Honduras S.A.

Nominative

100%

Hong Kong

23/F Westin Centre, 26 Hung To Rd, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Rentokil Hong Kong Investment Limited
Rentokil Initial Hong Kong Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

India

2nd floor, Narayani, Ambabai Temple Compound, Aarey Road, 
Goregaon (West), Mumbai 400104, India

Rentokil Initial Hygiene India Private Limited Ordinary

100%

Villa No.3, Crescent Village, Candolim, Goa, 403515, India

PCI Pest Control Private Limited

Ordinary

57%

Ground Floor, Gala No.4, Bldg No.18B, Sagedpool, Andheri Kurla Road, 
Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400072, India

Corporate Millennium Hygiene Solutions 
Private Limited

Ordinary

100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 189

Related Undertakings
continued

Company name

Indonesia

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Mozambique

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

South Quarter Tower B, Lantai 21, Unit E,F,G,H. JI. R.A., Kartini Kav. 8, 
RT. 010/RW. 004 Kel. Cilandak Barat, Kec Cilandak, Jakarta Selatan, 
Indonesia

Avenida da Namaacha, kilometro 6, Residencial Mutateia, Cidade da 
Matola, Mozambique

Rentokil Initial Mozambique Limitada

Ordinary

100%

PT Calmic Indonesia
PT Rentokil Indonesia

Common
Common

100%
100%

Netherlands

Gedung JDC Lt.6, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 53 Petamburan, Tanah Abang, 
Jakarta, Pusat, Indonesia

PT Wesen Indonesia

Ordinary

100%

Italy

Via Laurentina, km. 26, 500 157 a/c 00071 Pomezia, Italy

Rentokil Initial Italia SpA

Ordinary

100%

Jamaica

8 Terrence Avenue, Kingston 10, Jamaica

Rentokil Initial (Jamaica) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Jordan

Amman, Jabal AlHussien, Al Lud Str. 37 – 1st floor, Jordan

Arena Public Health Co.

Ordinary

100%

Kenya

Impact 6, 6921 RZ Duiven, Netherlands

Ambius B.V.

Ordinary

100%

Oude Middenweg 75, 2491 AC Den Haag, 1191 BN Ouderkerk, Den 
Haag, Netherlands

BET Finance B.V.
BET (Properties) B.V.
Rentokil Initial International B.V.

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%

Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, 
GU17 9AB, UK

Rentokil Initial Overseas (Holdings) B.V.
B.V. Rentokil Funding

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Ravenswade 54-s, 3439 Nieuwengein, LD, Netherlands

Rentokil Initial B.V.

Ordinary

100%

Frontstraat 1a, 5405 AK Uden, Netherlands

Holland Reconditionering B.V.

Ordinary

100%

Unit 5 Sameer Industrial Park, Road C, Off Enterprise Road Industrial 
Area, Nairobi, Kenya

New Zealand

Rentokil Initial Kenya Limited

Ordinary

100%

Lesotho

No 7 Arrival Centre, Kofi Annan Road, Maseru, Lesotho

Rentokil Initial (Pty) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Libya

Janzour, Tripoli, Libya

Rentokil Delta Libya for Environmental 
Protection JSCO

Ordinary

65%

Lithuania

Level 1, 89 Carbine Road Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060, New 
Zealand

Rentokil Initial Limited

Ordinary

100%

Norway

Sanitetsveien 17, Postboks 84, SKJETTEN 2026, Norway

Rentokil Initial Norge AS

Ordinary

100%

People’s Republic of China

Room 103, Building 2, Yuzhongxili#42, Beijing, China

Rentokil Initial (China) Limited

Ordinary

100%

A. Smetonos al. 67B, Kaunas 45309, Lithuania

Peru

UAB Dezinfa

Luxembourg

Ordinary

100%

Calle 23 Mza. Z-1 Lote 9 Villa El Salvador

Ingeclean Peru Sociedad Anonima Cerrada Ordinary

100%

Rue de la Chapelle 47, 4967 Clemency, Luxembourg

Philippines

R-Control Désinfections SA
Rentokil Luxembourg Sàrl

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

No. 73 Elisco Road, Bo, Kalawaan, Pasig City 1600, Philippines

Rentokil Initial (Philippines) Inc

Ordinary

100%

Malawi

Poland

Plot No. LE 377, Patridge Avenue, Limbe, PO Box 5135, Malawi

Ul. Jana Pawla Woronicza, Nr 31, Lok. 78, 02-640 Warszawa, Poland

Rentokil Initial Limited

Ordinary

100%

Rentokil Polska Sp. z.o.o.

Ordinary

100%

Malaysia

Portugal

Level 8 Symphony House, Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 1A/46, 
Petaling Jaya, 47301 Selangor Darul, Selangor, Malaysia

Complexo Industrial de Vialonga, Fracção C-1 e C-21, Granja Alpriate 
2626-501, Vialonga, Portugal

Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd
UFTC Sdn Bhd

Martinique

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Rentokil Initial Portugal – Serviços de 
Protecção Ambiental Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Puerto Rico

Soudon, Le Lamentin 97232, Martinique

1125 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 150, Reading, PA 19610, United States

Rentokil Initial Martinique Sarl

Ordinary

100%

Rentokil of Puerto Rico, Inc

Common

100%

Mexico

Juan Álvarez 482, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Balance Urbano Control de Plagas SA de CV Ordinary

100%

190 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Company name

Republic of Ireland¹

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Sweden

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Hazel House, Millennium Park, Naas, County Kildare W91P XP3, 
Ireland

Cannon Hygiene International Limited
Initial Medical Services (Ireland) Limited
Rentokil Initial Holdings (Ireland) Limited
Rentokil Initial Limited
RTO Investments (Ireland) Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Avestagatan 61, 163 53 Spånga, Sweden

Ambius AB
Rent a Plant Interessenter AB
Rentokil AB
Sweden Recycling AB

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%

Verkstadsvägen 3, 24534 Staffanstrop, Sweden

Saudi Arabia

PO Box 30164, Office No. 401, 4th Floor, Al Tamimi Building, Al Khobar, 
North Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia

PreventiQ AB

Switzerland

Ordinary

100%

Hauptstrasse 181, 4625 Oberbuchsiten, Switzerland

Rentokil Saudi Arabia Limited

Ordinary

60%

Rentokil Schweiz AG

Ordinary

100%

Singapore

Bertschenackerstrasse 15, 4104 Oberwil, Switzerland

No. 16 & 18 Jalan Mesin, 368815, Singapore

Pesterminator Pte Limited
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Management 
Pte Limited
Rentokil Initial Singapore Private Limited
Rentokil Pest Management Pte. Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

100%
100%

Medentex GmbH

Taiwan

Ordinary

100%

7F No.56 Lane 258, Rueiguang Rd, Neihu District, Taipei, 114 Taiwan, 
Province of China

Initial Hygiene Co Limited
Rentokil Ding Sharn Co Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Tanzania

Slovakia

Kopcianska 10, 851 01 Bratislava, Slovakia

Rentokil Initial s.r.o.

South Africa

Ordinary

100%

1st Floor, Opal Place, 77 Haile Selassie Road, Masaki, P.O. Box 79651, 
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Initial Hygiene (T) Limited

Ordinary

100%

2 Stignant Road, Claremont 7708, South Africa

Thailand

Newshelf 1232 Pty Limited
Rentokil Initial (Dikapi) JV Pty Limited
Rentokil Initial (Proprietary) Limited

Preference
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
59%
100%

Unit D12 Connaught Park, Riley Road, Beaconvale, Parow 7000, 
South Africa

160 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Khwaeng Ratchadapisek, Khat Dindaeng, 
10400, Thailand

Cannon Pest Management Co. Limited

Ordinary

Rentokil Initial (Thailand) Limited

Ordinary

100%

100%

Cannon Hygiene (SA) Proprietary Limited

Ordinary

100%

Trinidad and Tobago

South Korea

2nd Floor, Korea Disaster Relief Association, 371-19 Sinsu-Dong, 
Mapo-Gu, Seoul 121-856, Republic of Korea

Field no. 82, KK-LL Aranguez South, Trinidad and Tobago

Rentokil Initial (Trinidad) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Tunisia

Rentokil Initial Korea Limited

Common

100%

Zone Industrielle route de Moknine, 5080 Teboulba, Tunisia

Spain

Cta. Recalde a Larrasquito No.35 Bilbao, Spain

CAP Tunis

Turkey

Ordinary

100%

Europea De Servicios E Higiene Euro  
Servhi SA

Ordinary

100%

1201, 1 Sokak No:2 K:3 D:301-302 Su Plaza Yenişehir, Konak, İzmir, 
Turkey

Calle Mar Mediiterráneo 1, 28830 San Fernando de Henares (Madrid), 
Spain

Rentokil Initial Çevre Sağlığı Sistemleri 
Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ

Ordinary

100%

Initial Gaviota SAU
Rentokil Initial España S.A.

Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C

100%
100%
100%
100%

Uganda

Plot No 2012, Kalinabiri Road, Ntinda Kampala, Uganda

Rentokil Initial Uganda Limited

Ordinary

100%

C/Temple 15 – 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid) Spain

United Arab Emirates

Tratamientos Medioambientales Hermo, S.L. Ordinary

100%

Sri Lanka

No. 307, Negombo Road, Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka

Rentokil Initial Ceylon (Private) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Swaziland

Umkhiwa House, Lot 195, Kal Grant Street, Mbabane, Swaziland

RI Swaziland (Pty) Limited

Ordinary

100%

4th Floor, Suite No. 401, Oud Metha Office Building, Umm Hurair 2, 
Dubai, UAE

National Pest Control LLC

Rentokil Initial Pest Control LLC

Ordinary

Ordinary

100%

100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 191

Related Undertakings
continued

Company name

United Kingdom

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, 
GU17 9AB, UK

Share class

NOK 
Redeemable 
Preference
NZD 
Redeemable 
Preference
USD 
Redeemable 
Preference
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Convertible 
Participating 
Preference
Ordinary

% held by 
Group 
companies

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%

Rentokil Initial Americas Limited²
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Limited²
Rentokil Initial Brazil Limited²
Rentokil Initial Finance Limited²
Rentokil Initial Holdings Limited²
Rentokil Initial Investments Limited
Rentokil Initial Investments South Africa²
Rentokil Initial Pension Trustee Limited
Rentokil Initial Services Limited
Rentokil Initial UK Limited
Rentokil Insurance Limited
Rentokil Limited²
Rentokil Overseas Holdings Limited²
Rentokil Property Care Limited
Rentokil Property Holdings Limited²
RI Dormant No.18 Limited
RI Dormant No.20 Limited
Stratton House Leasing Limited
Target Express Holdings Limited
Target Express Limited
Target Express Parcels Limited
TEB Cleaning Services Limited

The Ca’D’Oro, 45 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PE, UK

Industrial Clothing Services Limited

Pest Protection Services (East) Limited
Pest Protection Services (Scotland) Limited² Ordinary-A
RI Dormant No.12 Limited
Wise Property Care Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

United States

1201 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 1240, Atlanta, GA 30361, United States

Initial Contract Services LLC

US$ Interests

100%

1125 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 150, Reading, PA 19610, United States

Common
Advanced Pest Management of CO, LLC
Common
Cygnet Enterprises, Inc (North Carolina)
Common
Cygnet Enterprises, Inc (Michigan)
Common
Cygnet Enterprises Northwest, Inc
Common
Cygnet Enterprises West, Inc
Common
Medentex LLC
Interests
Mississippi Mosquito Control, LLC
Interests
Mosquito Control of Lafourche, LLC
Mosquito Control Services, L.L.C.
Interests
Interests
Mosquito Control Services of Florida, LLC
Mosquito Control Services of Georgia, LLC Interests
Rentokil Initial Environmental Services LLC Interests
Ordinary
Rentokil North America, Inc.
Interests
Rittiner Group, L.L.C.
Common
Solitude Lake Management, LLC
Interests
St. Charles Mosquito Control, L.L.C.
Interests
St. John Mosquito Control, L.L.C.
Interests
Terrebonne Mosquito Control, LLC
Common
Vector Disease Acquisition, LLC
Series A
Series B
Common

Vector Disease Control International, LLC

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%
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%

Anzak Landscapes Ltd
AW Limited
B.E.T. Building Services Limited
BET Environmental Services Ltd
BET (No.18) Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Deferred 
Ordinary
Ordinary
BET (No.68) Limited
Ordinary
BET Pension Trust Limited
BPS Offshore Services Limited²
Ordinary
Broadcast Relay Service (Overseas) Limited² Ordinary
Ordinary
Castlefield House Limited
Ordinary
Chard Services Limited
Ordinary
CHL Legacy Limited²
Ordinary
Dudley Industries Limited
Ordinary
Enigma Laundries Limited
Ordinary
Enigma Services Group Limited
Enviro-Fresh Limited
Ordinary
Environmental Contract Services Limited² Ordinary
Ordinary
Euroguard Technical Services Limited
Ordinary
Grayston Central Services Limited
Ordinary
Hometrust Limited
Ordinary
Initial Limited
Initial Medical Services Limited²
Ordinary
Opel Transport & Trading Company Limited Ordinary
Peter Cox Limited
Plant Nominees Limited
Prokill (UK) Limited

Ordinary-A
Ordinary
Ordinary-A
Ordinary-B
Ordinary-C
Ordinary-D
Ordinary-A
Ordinary-B
Ordinary-C
Ordinary-D
Ordinary-A
Ordinary-B
Ordinary-C
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
6% Non-
Redeemable 
Preference
Ordinary  
AUD 
Redeemable 
Preference
CAD 
Redeemable 
Preference
CLP 
Redeemable 
Preference
DKK 
Redeemable 
Preference
EUR 
Cumulative 
Preference 
(Non-
Redeemable)
IDR 
Redeemable 
Preference

Prokill Limited

Rapid Washrooms Limited²

Rentokil Dormant (No. 6) Limited
Rentokil Initial (1896) Limited
Rentokil Initial (1993) Limited²

Rentokil Initial 1927 plc

192 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Company name

Share class

United States continued

2540 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044, United States

Asiatic Holdings LLC
Creative Plantings Inc
Steritech-Canada Inc.
United Transport America LLC
Virginia Properties Inc

Ordinary
Ordinary
Common
Interests
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

5670 W. Cypress Street, Suite B, Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States

Common
Arrow Environmental Services, LLC
Bug-Out Acquisition, LLC
Common
Environmental Pest Service Holdings, LLC Common
Environmental Pest Service Management 
Company, LLC
Skyline Pest Solutions, LLC
State Pest Control, LLC

Common
Common
Common

100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%

PO Box 4510, 10 Free Street, Portland, ME 04112, United States

Asiatic Investments Inc

Ordinary

100%

Uruguay

La Paz, 1227, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay

Livelux S.A.

Ordinary

100%

Chana, 2033, Departmento de Montevideo, Uruguay

La Sanitaria S.A.

Vietnam

Ordinary

100%

68 Hong Ha, Ward 2, Tan Banh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Rentokil Initial (Vietnam) Company Limited Ordinary

100%

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Associated undertakings:

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

France

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

41 Avenue de La Porte de Villiers, 92200 Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France

SCI Pierre Brossolette

Ordinary

26.247%

Japan

Kyoritsu Seiyaku Building, 1-5-10 Kudan, Minami Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 
Japan

Nippon Calmic Limited

Ordinary

49%

United Kingdom

Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, 
GU17 9AB, UK

Hometrust Kitchens Limited
Torchsound Properties Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

25%
50%

1.  As permitted under section 357 of the Companies Act 2014, the Company intends 

to take advantage of the exemption to file individual accounts for its Irish subsidiary 
companies listed on page 191.

2.  As permitted by section 479A of the Companies Act 2006, the Company intends 
to take advantage of the audit exemption in relation to the individual accounts 
of these companies. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 193

 
 
Five-Year Summary

Revenue from continuing operations
Operating profit from continuing operations
Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) before income tax from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Company
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share 

Dividends for the period per 1p share

Gross assets
Gross liabilities

Net assets

Share capital
Reserves
Non-controlling interests

Capital employed

2020
£m

2,823.5
293.8
384.0
229.8
186.3

185.9
0.4

186.3

10.03p
15.37p

5.41p

5,838.2
(4,707.6)

1,130.6

18.5
1,111.2
0.9

1,130.6

20191
£m

2,714.4
265.6
365.4
338.5
283.8

283.5
0.3

283.8

15.33p
14.43p

5.15p

4,254.0
(3,251.7)

1,002.3

18.5
983.2
0.6

1,002.3

20181
£m

2,472.3
245.5
329.3
(114.1)
(98.3)

(98.5)
0.2

(98.3)

(5.35)p
13.07p

4.471p

20171
£m

2,412.3
292.4
314.5
713.6
683.0

682.8
0.2

683.0

37.21p
12.19p

3.88p

20161
£m

2,168.1
232.4
284.4
208.5
167.8

167.5
0.3

167.8

9.19p
10.73p

3.37p

3,635.4
(2,802.8)

3,805.2
(2,871.2)

3,152.5
(2,791.8)

832.6

18.4
813.8
0.4

832.6

934.0

18.4
915.3
0.3

934.0

360.7

18.3
342.3
0.1

360.7

1.  Due to the restatement of cash and cash equivalents and bank and other short-term borrowings (see Note C3), gross assets and gross liabilities have been restated in the table above 

for 2016 to 2019.

194 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Parent Company Balance Sheet
At 31 December

Non-current assets
Investments
Debtors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Deferred tax assets
Retirement benefit assets
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets
Debtors – amounts falling due within one year
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments

Current liabilities
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
Bank and other borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Net current assets/(liabilities)

Non-current liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets

Equity capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings

Capital employed

Notes

4
5
6
7
8

5

8

9
10
8

10
6
8

11
12

2020
£m

283.1
–
25.5
18.2
37.0

363.8

2,520.4
856.0
–

3,376.4

(806.7)
(475.1)
–

(1,281.8)

2,094.6

(1,331.3)
(6.4)
(32.3)

(1,370.0)

1,088.4

18.5
6.8
1,063.1

1,088.4

2019
£m

280.3
2,457.9
22.7
36.6
7.6

2,805.1

54.5
154.6
0.1

209.2

(714.6)
(142.9)
(0.4)

(857.9)

(648.7)

(1,050.5)
(12.8)
(32.3)

(1,095.6)

1,060.8

18.5
6.8
1,035.5

1,060.8

The Financial Statements on pages 195 to 200 were approved by the Board of Directors on 3 March 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive 

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 195

 
Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2019

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Movement on cash flow hedge
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Shares issued in the year
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Share-based payments charged to profit and loss
Share-based payments debited to investments
Tax related to items taken directly to equity

At 31 December 2019

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Movement on cash flow hedge
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Share-based payments charged to profit and loss
Share-based payments debited to investments
Tax related to items taken directly to equity

At 31 December 2020

Called up 
share 
capital 
£m

18.4

Share 
premium 
account 
£m

6.8

–

–
–
–
–

–

0.1
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m

1,004.7

118.3

(2.3)
(2.4)
(0.5)
0.7

113.8

(0.1)
(85.8)
2.6
2.7
(2.4)

Total 
equity
£m

1,029.9

118.3

(2.3)
(2.4)
(0.5)
0.7

113.8

–
(85.8)
2.6
2.7
(2.4)

18.5

6.8

1,035.5

1,060.8

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

29.6

29.6

(6.4)
(1.6)
(4.9)
2.2

18.9

2.7
2.8
3.2

(6.4)
(1.6)
(4.9)
2.2

18.9

2.7
2.8
3.2

18.5

6.8

1,063.1

1,088.4

Shares of £0.1m (2019: £0.1m) have been netted against retained earnings. This represents 7.7m (2019: 7.7m) shares held by the Rentokil Initial 
Employee Share Trust. The market value of these shares at 31 December 2019 was £39.0m (2019: £35.1m). Dividend income from, and voting 
rights on, the shares held by the Trust have been waived.

196 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

1. Accounting convention
These Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101). 
In preparing these Financial Statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of international 
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘Adopted IFRSs’), but makes amendments where 
necessary in order to comply with the Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has 
been taken. The results of Rentokil Initial plc are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of Rentokil Initial plc which are presented 
on pages 149 to 194.

The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101, all of which have equivalent disclosures included 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements:

 e the requirements of paragraphs 45(b) and 46–52 of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment;
 e the requirements of paragraphs 62, B64(d), B64(e), B64(g), B64(h), B64(j) to B64(m), B64(n)(ii), B64 (o)(ii), B64(p), B64(q)(ii), B66 and B67 

of IFRS 3 Business Combinations;

 e the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures;
 e the requirements of paragraphs 91–99 of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement;
 e the requirement in paragraph 38 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements to present comparative information in respect of: (i) paragraph 
79(a)(iv) of IAS 1; (ii) paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment; (iii) paragraph 118(e) of IAS 38 Intangible Assets; (iv) paragraphs 
76 and 79(d) of IAS 40 Investment Property; and (v) paragraph 50 of IAS 41 Agriculture;

 e the requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 39(c) and 134–136 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements;
 e the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
 e the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;
 e the requirements of paragraph 17 of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures;
 e the requirements in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members 

of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member; and

 e the requirements of paragraphs 134(d)–134(f) and 135(c)–135(e) of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets.

2. Principal accounting policies
Judgements and key areas of estimation
The preparation of Financial Statements in compliance with FRS 101 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
the Company’s Directors to exercise judgement in applying the Company’s accounting policies. The areas where significant judgements and 
estimates have been made in preparing the Financial Statements and their effect are disclosed in Note 3 and the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Investments
Investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost less provision for any impairment. In the opinion of the Directors, the value of such investments 
are not less than shown at the balance sheet date.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost (where 
hedge accounting is not applied); any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the 
profit and loss account over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Company has a continuing right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months 
after the balance sheet date under its committed bank credit facility.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the statement of financial position differs 
from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

 e the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects neither 

accounting nor taxable profit; and

 e investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities where the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and 

it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the 
difference can be utilised.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are 
expected to apply when the deferred tax assets/liabilities are settled/recovered.

Financial instruments and risk management
The Company policy in respect of financial instruments and risk management is disclosed in Section C of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. Disclosures have been made on financial instruments as required by the Companies Act 2006.

ECL calculations are performed annually for intercompany debtors and are a probability weighted estimate of credit losses based on the 
Company’s historical credit loss experience adjusted for debt specific factors.

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 197

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
continued

Share-based compensation
The Company operates one equity-settled, share-based compensation plan. The economic cost of awarding shares and share options to 
employees is recognised as an expense in the profit and loss account equivalent to the fair value of the benefit awarded. The fair value of 
options over the Company’s shares awarded to employees of subsidiary companies is treated as a capital contribution, resulting in an increase 
in investments. The fair value is determined by reference to option pricing models, principally Monte Carlo and adjusted Black-Scholes models. 
The charge is recognised in the profit and loss account over the vesting period of the award. At each balance sheet date, the Company revises 
its estimate of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. Any revision to the original estimates is reflected in the profit 
and loss account with a corresponding adjustment to equity immediately to the extent it relates to past service and the remainder over the rest 
of the vesting period.

Dividend distribution
Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Financial Statements in the period in which the dividends 
are approved by the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised when paid. See Note D1 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for details of dividends proposed in the year.

3. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The Company makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based 
on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 
In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of 
causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are shown below (please refer to the 
notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail). Sensitivities to the estimates and assumptions are provided, where relevant, 
in the relevant notes to the consolidated accounts.

 e income taxes and deferred tax asset: key assumptions about the likelihood and magnitude of outflows in relation to tax provisions, 

and availability of future taxable profit against which deductible temporary differences and tax losses carried forward can be utilised 
(Notes A12 and A14).

 e retirement benefits: key actuarial assumptions and estimates over future costs of winding up the scheme (Note A10 and Note 6).

4. Investments

At 1 January
Share-based payments to employees of subsidiaries

At 31 December

2020
£m

280.3
2.8

283.1

The Company’s sole direct subsidiary undertaking is Rentokil Initial Holdings Ltd. All other indirect subsidiary undertakings are listed on 
pages 188 to 193.

5. Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings (non-interest bearing loans repayable on demand)
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings (interest bearing loan with effective interest rate of 5%)
Other debtors

2020
£m

60.4
2,457.9
2.1

2,520.4

2019
£m

277.6
2.7

280.3

2019
£m

51.9
–
2.6

54.5

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings (interest bearing loan with effective interest rate of 5%)

–

2,457.9

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings relates to an interest bearing loan that matures in July 2021.

6. Deferred taxation

The deferred tax asset is made up as follows:
Tax losses
Long-term incentive plan

The deferred tax liability is made up as follows:
Defined benefit pension scheme

198 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

2020
£m

16.0
9.5

25.5

(6.4)

(6.4)

2019
£m

14.4
8.3

22.7

(12.8)

(12.8)

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

7. Pension commitments
At 31 December 2020 the Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme (RIPS) pension asset amounted to £18.2m (2019: £36.6m). As there is no 
contractual agreement or stated policy for charging the net defined benefit cost of RIPS to participating entities, the net defined benefit cost 
is recognised fully by the Company. On 4 December 2018 the Group signed an agreement with Pension Insurance Corporation plc (PIC) to take 
over the payment of the liabilities in the scheme via a buy-in, which is anticipated to convert to a full buy-out. The full buy-out which had been 
anticipated to complete in 2020 may now not complete until 2022 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent High Court 
judgements in the Lloyds case. For more information on pension commitments and the pension settlement, see Note A10 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

The movement in the net defined benefit asset for the RIPS over the accounting period is as follows:

At 1 January

Settlement of defined benefit obligation¹
Interest on net defined benefit asset¹

Total pension income/(expense)

Remeasurements:

– Remeasurement gain on scheme assets
– Remeasurement loss on obligation²

Contributions:

– Benefit payments
– Refund of surplus

At 31 December

Present value 
of obligation
2020
£m

Fair value of 
plan assets 
2020
£m

(1,333.3)

1,369.9

–
(25.7)

(25.7)

–
(76.0)

–
26.7

26.7

69.6
–

65.7
–
(1,369.3)

(65.7)
(13.0)
1,387.5

Total
2020
£m

36.6

–
1.0

1.0

69.6
(76.0)

–
(13.0)
18.2

Present value 
of obligation
2019
£m

Fair value of 
plan assets
2019
£m

(1,277.6)

1,298.1

–
(34.0)

(34.0)

–
(91.9)

70.2

17.4
35.0

52.4

89.6
–

(70.2)

(1,333.3)

1,369.9

Total
2019
£m

20.5

17.4
1.0

18.4

89.6
(91.9)

–

36.6

1.  Service costs, settlement and administration expenses are charged to operating expenses, and interest cost and return on plan assets to finance cost 

and income. 

2.  The remeasurement loss on the defined benefit obligation comprises remeasurement gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions of £16.1m 

(2019: remeasurement gain of £16.5m), remeasurement loss arising from changes in financial assumptions of £117.1m (2019: loss of £129.3m) and 
remeasurement gains arising from experience of £25.0m (2019: gain of £20.9m).

8. Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge
– cash flow hedge
– net investment hedge

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Fair value
assets
2020
£m

Fair value
assets
2019
£m

Fair value
liabilities
2020
£m

Fair value
liabilities
2019
£m

–
–
37.0

37.0

–
37.0

37.0

–
0.1
7.6

7.7

0.1
7.6

7.7

(0.7)
(8.3)
(23.3)

(32.3)

–
(32.3)

(32.3)

(3.1)
(20.5)
(9.1)

(32.7)

(0.4)
(32.3)

(32.7)

Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to derivatives (marked as ‘cash flow hedge’ in the table above) in accordance with IFRS 9. Where 
no hedge accounting has been applied, related derivatives have been marked as ‘non-hedge’. Any ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedge is 
taken directly to finance costs. During the year there was a gain of £0.7m (2019: £1.0m) relating to ineffectiveness of net investment in foreign 
entity hedges and a loss of £(0.7)m (2019: £(0.1)m) from those derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship. Cash flow hedge accounting has 
been applied to €340.0m of the €400m 2024 bond and €179.4m of the €500m 2026 bond, hedging the changes in cash flow due to volatility 
in the £/€ exchange rate. Cash flow hedge accounting has also been applied to the floating interest of the $50m term loan maturing in 2020 
that was swapped to a fixed rate. The term loan matured in 2020.

9. Creditors

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings (non-interest bearing loans repayable on demand)
Other creditors

2020
£m

796.5
10.2

806.7

2019
£m

704.4
10.2

714.6

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 199

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
continued

10. Bank and other borrowings

Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts falling due after one year

Medium-term notes and bond debt comprises:

Current
€175m bond due October 2021
Non-current
€400m bond due November 2024
€500m bond due May 2026
€600m bond due October 2028

Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates

2020
£m

475.1
1,331.3

2019
£m

142.9
1,050.5

Bond interest 
coupon

Effective hedged 
interest rate

Fixed 3.25% Fixed 3.41%

Fixed 0.95% Fixed 2.31%
Fixed 0.875% Fixed 1.40%
Fixed 0.50% Fixed 0.58%

1.72%

In November, following a successful tender offer, the Group repaid 49.8% of the €350m bond that is due in October 2021. The bond has a three 
months at par call option, which means that the bond can be repaid on 7 July 2021 without additional premium. In October 2020, the Group 
issued a new €600m eight-year bond with a coupon of 0.50% under its EMTN Programme.

The Company bank debt comprises:

Non-current
£550m RCF due August 2025

Facility 
amount
£m

550.0

Drawn at 
year end
£m

Headroom
£m

Interest rate at 
year end
%

–

550.0

0.14

In August 2020 the Company extended its revolving credit facility (RCF) until August 2025 with a one-year extension option. At the year end the 
RCF was undrawn.

11. Share capital
During the year five million new shares were issued in relation to employee share schemes.

Issued and fully paid:
At 31 December – 1,854,332,965 shares of 1p each (2019: 1,849,332,965)

12. Share premium

At 1 January and 31 December

2020
£m

18.5

2020
£m

6.8

2019
£m

18.5

2019
£m

6.8

13. Contingent liabilities
The Company has provided guarantees in respect of bank and other borrowings held by its subsidiary undertakings. In addition, there are 
contingent liabilities in respect of litigation, pensions and tax, none of which are expected to give rise to any material outflow.

14. Employees
The Company has 11 employees (2019: 11 employees). Details on employee costs are in Note D4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Services for finance, taxation, treasury, legal, HR and IT are provided by Rentokil Initial 1927 plc and recharged to the Company.

15. Share-based payments
Share-based payments for the financial period were £5.5m (2019: £5.3m) of which £2.7m (2019: £2.6m) was charged to the profit and loss account 
and £2.8m (2019: £2.7m) was debited to investments. Share options relating to the Board of Directors are disclosed in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and detailed share-based payment disclosures are shown in Note A11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

16. Related party transactions
The Company has not undertaken any transactions with related parties during the year, other than transactions with wholly owned related parties 
of Rentokil Initial plc. Such transactions are exempt from disclosure under FRS 101. There were no transactions with non-wholly owned related 
parties of Rentokil Initial plc.

17. Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events affecting the Company since 31 December 2020.

200 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and audited Financial Statements 
of the Company and the Group to the members of Rentokil Initial plc 
(the Company) for the year ended 31 December 2020. Details of the 
Directors of the Company during 2020 can be found on pages 78 
and 79.

The notice periods given in service contracts are: Andy Ransom, 
12 months by either party; Stuart Ingall-Tombs, 12 months by either 
party; and Richard Solomons, six months by either party. A pro-forma 
of the Non-Executive Directors’ letter of appointment is available on 
our website along with the Chairman’s letter of appointment.

The Corporate Governance Report for the year on pages 76 to 137 
forms part of the Directors’ Report, together with the sections of the 
Annual Report incorporated by reference.

The Company has chosen to disclose the following information in the 
Strategic Report on pages 1 to 74 and 146 to 148:

 e particulars of any important events affecting the Company which 

have occurred since the end of the financial year;

 e an indication of likely future developments in the business of the 

Company;

 e an indication of the Company’s research and development activities 

(digital technology and innovation solutions are referred to 
throughout the Strategic Report but particularly on pages 34, 43, 58 
and 59);

 e details of our colleagues and human rights (Responsible Business, 

pages 47 to 66);

 e engagement with colleagues, customers, suppliers and others 

(pages 24 and 90);

 e information on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use 

(Responsible Business, pages 52 to 57); and

 e principal risks and uncertainties (Risks and Uncertainties, 

pages 67 to 73).

The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report constitute the 
management report as required under the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rule 4.1.8R. Information to be disclosed under Listing 
Rule 9.8.4 in relation to directors’ emoluments waived during the 
period (Listing Rule 9.8.4(5)) is set out on page 112, and the allotment 
of shares for cash (Listing Rule 9.8.4(7)) and waiver of dividends 
(Listing Rule 9.8.4(12)) is set out on page 202. No other paragraphs 
under Listing Rule 9.8.4 apply.

Company constitution
Rentokil Initial plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales, 
with company number 5393279. The Company is a holding company 
with limited trading in its own right and with subsidiary undertakings 
in 77 countries (the Group operates in 83 countries). The Company’s 
related undertakings are listed on pages 188 to 193.

Articles of association
The articles of association set out the internal regulations of the 
Company and cover such matters as the rights of shareholders, the 
conduct of the Board and general meetings. The articles themselves 
may be amended by special resolution of the shareholders (by at least 
75% of the votes cast by those voting in person or by proxy). Subject to 
company law and the articles of association, the Directors may 
exercise all the powers of the Company and may delegate authority to 
Committees and day-to-day management and decision making to 
individual Executive Directors. The articles of association are available 
upon request and are displayed on our website at rentokil-initial.com.

Re-election of Directors and service contracts
In accordance with the articles of association, Directors can be 
appointed by the Board and must be subsequently elected by 
shareholders at a general meeting. In accordance with the articles of 
association and the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the Code), 
Directors submit themselves for re-election annually. Directors can 
be removed, and their replacements appointed, by shareholders in 
a general meeting.

Information on our Board of Directors, including their biographical 
details, and changes during 2020, can be found in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 78 and 79. Having served for a period 
of nine years, Angela Seymour-Jackson will not stand for re-election 
at the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM). All other Board members 
will seek re-election at the AGM, except Stuart Ingall-Tombs and 
Sarosh Mistry who will stand for election for the first time.

The appointment dates of the Board of Directors are set out below.

Director

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

John Pettigrew

Andy Ransom

Angela Seymour-Jackson

Richard Solomons

Julie Southern

Cathy Turner

Linda Yueh

Date of appointment

15 August 2020

1 January 2018

1 May 2008

5 March 2012

1 March 2019

21 July 2014

1 April 2020

1 November 2017

Directors’ powers
Under the articles of association, the Directors are responsible for the 
management of the business of the Company and may exercise all the 
powers of the Company subject to the provisions of relevant statutes 
and the Company’s articles of association. For example, the articles 
contain specific provisions and restrictions regarding the Company’s 
power to borrow money. The articles of association also give power 
to the Board to appoint and replace Directors as detailed above.

Powers relating to the issuing of shares are also included in the 
articles of association and such authorities are renewed by 
shareholders each year at the AGM, as detailed on page 202.

Directors’ interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors, including the interests of any 
connected persons, in the share capital of the Company are shown on 
page 132. During the year, no Director had any material interest in any 
contract of significance to the Group’s business.

Dividend
The Directors have recommended a final dividend of 5.41p per share 
for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2020. Payment of this dividend 
is subject to shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM. Further 
information on the Company’s dividend policy can be found on page 
147 and the key dates for the final dividend can be found on page 205.

Share capital
The Company has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange 
and an over-the-counter American Depositary Receipt (ADR) listing 
to facilitate shareholding in the US. All ordinary shares carry the same 
rights and no shareholder enjoys any preferential rights, regardless 
of the size of their holding.

The Company’s share capital during the year consisted of ordinary 
shares of 1p each. There were 1,854,322,965 shares in issue at 
31 December 2020, which represents 100% of the Company’s issued 
share capital (2019: 1,849,322,965). Each ordinary share (other than 
treasury shares, which have no voting rights) carries the right to vote 
at a general meeting of the Company. The Company did not hold any 
treasury shares between 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020 
and accordingly the Company did not sell any treasury shares. The 
Company’s articles of association provide that, on a show of hands, 
every member who is present in person or by proxy at a general 
meeting of the Company shall have one vote. On a poll, every member 
who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every 
share of which they are a holder.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 201

Directors’ Report
continued

The articles do not contain special control rights or restrictions 
on transfer or limitations on the holding of ordinary shares and no 
requirements for the prior approval of any transfers. No person holds 
securities in the Company carrying special rights with regard to control 
of the Company. The Company is not aware of any agreements 
between holders of securities that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of securities or on voting rights.

The Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by 
another corporation or by an individual and there are no arrangements 
which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the 
Company.

Authority for the Company to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe 
for shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £12,328,000 was 
obtained at the AGM on 13 May 2020. The authority remains in force 
and approval will be sought from shareholders at the 2021 AGM to 
renew the authority for a further year.

During the year, a total of five million ordinary shares with an 
aggregate nominal value of £50,000 were issued and allotted to 
Computershare Nominees (Channel Islands) Limited, the account 
nominee of Computershare Trustees (Jersey) Limited which acts 
as trustee for the Rentokil Initial Employee Share Trust (the Trustee). 
These shares were issued to satisfy awards that vested in 2020 
under the Company’s Performance Share Plan.

Details of the shares held by the Trustee are contained beneath the 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity table on page 151. 
As at 31 December 2020, the Trustee holds on trust 0.41% of the 
issued share capital of the Company to satisfy awards that vest under 
the Company’s Performance Share Plan and Deferred Bonus Plan. 
The Trustee has agreed to waive any right to all dividend payments 
on shares held by it, and the voting rights in relation to these shares 
are exercised by the Trustee. The Trustee may vote or abstain from 
voting with the shares or accept or reject any offer relating to the 
shares, in any way it sees fit, without incurring any liability and 
without being required to give reasons for its decision.

Repurchase of shares
Authority for the Company to make purchases of its own shares of 
up to 184,900,000 shares was obtained at the AGM on 13 May 2020 
and such authority will be valid until the 2021 AGM. No purchases 
of its shares were made by the Company during 2020. The authority 
is normally renewed annually and approval will be sought from 
shareholders at the 2021 AGM to renew the authority for a further year.

Change of control provisions
There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate 
upon a change of control of the Company, such as some financial and 
commercial agreements and employee long-term incentive or share 
plans. None of these are deemed to be significant in terms of their 
potential impact on the Group as a whole. A description of the Group’s 
debt funding arrangements is set out in Note C6 to the Financial 
Statements. Note C1 describes the change of control provisions 
relating to the Group’s Euro Medium-Term Note Programme.

Substantial shareholders
The Company has been notified pursuant to the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules (DTR 5) that the following shareholders held, 
or were beneficially interested in, 3% or more of the Company’s issued 
share capital at 31 December 2020. The information provided below 
was correct at the date of notification; however, this may not have 
been within the current financial year. It should be noted that these 
holdings are likely to have changed since the Company was notified. 
However, notification of any change is not required until the next 
notifiable threshold is crossed.

202 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Substantial interests in shares as at 31 December 2020

No. of ordinary 
shares

Nature of 
holding

%

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.¹ 

9.99 182,682,307

Indirect

Majedie Asset Management Ltd

5.61

101,963,126

Indirect

T Rowe Price International Limited

5.16

95,136,762

Indirect

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

5.06

93,388,121

Indirect

BlackRock, Inc.

Schroders plc

Invesco Ltd

AXA SA

5.05

93,128,464

Indirect

4.91

89,878,920

Indirect

4.89

89,477,118

Indirect

4.80

87,093,421

Indirect

1.  Ameriprise Financial, Inc. includes Threadneedle Asset Management 

Holdings Ltd.

No other interests have been disclosed to the Company in accordance 
with DTR 5 between 31 December 2020 and 3 March 2021.

Financial risk management
Details of financial risk management and the relevant policies and 
certain exposures of the Company are disclosed in Note C1 on pages 
176 and 177 of the Financial Statements.

Key contracts
The Group does not have any dominant customer or supplier 
relationships.

Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events affecting the 
Group since 31 December 2020.

Political donations
It is the Company’s policy not to make payments to political 
organisations. The Company does however maintain a shareholder 
authority to make payments of a political nature but does so only in 
order to ensure that the Company has authority from shareholders for 
the limited number of activities associated with the operation of the 
business which might be caught by the broad definition of payments 
of a political nature contained within current legislation. There were 
no payments to political organisations during 2020 (2019: £nil).

Equal opportunities
The Company regards equality and fairness as a fundamental right 
of all of its colleagues. Every colleague is required to support the 
Company to meet its commitment to provide equal opportunities in 
employment and avoid unlawful discrimination. People with disabilities 
should have full and fair consideration for all vacancies, and disability 
is not seen to be an inhibitor to employment or career development. 
Appropriate arrangements are made for the continued employment 
and training, career development and promotion of disabled persons 
employed by the Company. In the event of any colleague becoming 
disabled while with the Company, their needs and abilities would be 
assessed and, where possible, we would work to retain them and seek 
to offer alternative employment to them if they were no longer able to 
continue in their current role.

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Engagement with employees, suppliers, 
customers and others
We have approximately 44,500 colleagues in our workforce. We 
consider our workforce to be those colleagues who are employed 
directly by us, and we do not include contractors or agency workers 
in this group. We employ our colleagues directly wherever possible 
in order to invest in their training, to ensure their full understanding 
and compliance with our policies, including health and safety 
procedures, to allow them to build relationships with our customers 
and to become more efficient. The number of contractors or agency 
workers throughout the business is not sufficiently material to identify 
and engage with them as a separate stakeholder group. However, 
like our colleagues, our contractors and agency workers must 
operate under our Code of Conduct and we will engage with them 
wherever practicable.

A summary of the methods we use to engage with our colleagues, 
including UK employees, suppliers, customers and our other key 
stakeholders, is provided on pages 24 and 25, while details of Board 
engagement is provided throughout the Corporate Governance 
Report, principally on pages 90 and 91. The section 172(1) statement 
can be found on page 66 and details of principal decisions taken by 
the Board during 2020 can be found on pages 88 and 89. Examples 
of how the Board had regard for stakeholders in its decisions and the 
effect of that regard are shown on pages 88 to 91. Over 750 managers 
and technical experts participate in our Performance Share Plan 
(see page 129). We do not currently offer an all employee share 
scheme but will continue to keep this under review.

Branches
The Company, through various subsidiaries, has branches in several 
different jurisdictions in which the business operates outside the UK.

Directors’ indemnity and insurance
The Directors are ultimately responsible for most aspects of the 
Company’s business dealings. They can face significant personal 
liability under criminal or civil law, or the UK Listing, Prospectus, 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, and can face a range of 
penalties, including censure, fines and imprisonment. The Company 
considers that it is in its best interests to protect individuals who serve 
as Directors from the consequences of innocent error or omission, 
since this enables the Company to continue to attract prudent, 
appropriately qualified individuals to act as Directors.

The Company maintained at its expense a directors’ and officers’ 
liability insurance policy throughout the year to afford an indemnity 
in certain circumstances for the benefit of Group personnel including, 
as recommended by the Code, the Directors. This insurance cover 
remains in place. The policy does not provide cover where the 
Director or officer has acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

In addition, the Company has granted indemnities in favour of 
Directors, as permitted by sections 232 to 235 of the Companies Act 
2006. In general terms, the indemnities protect Directors to the extent 
permissible by law from all costs and expenses incurred in the defence 
of any civil or criminal proceedings in which judgement is given in their 
favour or the proceedings or otherwise disposed of without finding 
fault or where there is a successful application to court for relief from 
liability. The indemnity operates to the extent that the Director is not 
able to recover the relevant amounts under the Company’s directors’ 
and officers’ liability insurance.

Related party transactions
Other than in respect of arrangements relating to the employment of 
Directors, details of which are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report, or as set out in Note D4 on page 183 of the Financial 
Statements, which also provides details of transactions with joint 
ventures and associate entities, there is no indebtedness owed to 
or by the Company to any colleague or any other person considered 
to be a related party.

Disclosure of information to the auditor
The Directors confirm that, insofar as each of them is aware, there 
is no relevant audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the 
Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and 
each Director has taken all of the steps that should have been taken 
to ensure that they are each aware of any relevant audit information 
(as defined by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) and to 
establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Going concern
The Directors, having made enquiries as set out on page 154, consider 
that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue 
in operation for a period of at least 12 months from the date of 
approval of these annual Financial Statements. For this reason, they 
consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the Financial Statements.

Further details on the Group’s net debt, borrowing facilities and 
financial risk management policies is provided in Section C Financing 
of the Notes to the Financial Statements on pages 176 to 182.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and Parent Company Financial Statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors 
to prepare Group and Parent Company Financial Statements for each 
financial year. Under that law they are required to prepare the Group 
Financial Statements in accordance with international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and applicable law and have elected to prepare the Parent 
Company Financial Statements in accordance with UK Accounting 
Standards, including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. In 
addition, the Group Financial Statements are required under the UK 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules to be prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union 
(IFRSs as adopted by the EU).

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 their 
profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and Parent 
Company Financial Statements, the Directors are required to:

 e select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 e make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant and 

reliable;

 e 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 and 
International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union 
(IFRSs as adopted by the EU);

 e 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 Parent 
Company Financial Statements;

 e assess the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 

going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and

 e 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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 203

Directors’ Report
continued

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, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement 
that comply 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.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are set out on 
pages 78 and 79, confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:

 e the Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable 
set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

 e the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report include a fair review of the 
development and performance of the business and the position of 
the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

Each Director considers the Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable and to 
provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

The Directors’ Report on pages 76 to 137 and pages 201 to 204 and 
the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 74 and 146 to 148 were approved 
by a duly authorised Committee of the Board of Directors on 3 March 
2021 and signed on its behalf by Daragh Fagan, the Company 
Secretary.

Daragh Fagan 
Company Secretary

3 March 2021

Registered office:
Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, 
Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB.
Registered in England and Wales No: 5393279

204 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Additional Shareholder Information

Registrar
The Company’s Registrar is Equiniti Limited (Equiniti or EQ). All 
enquiries relating to the administration of shareholdings, dividends, 
change of address and lost share certificates should be directed 
to Equiniti. Information and advice can be found on its website. 

Contacting Equiniti:

   help.shareview.co.uk 
  0333 207 6581 (+44 (0)121 415 0077 if calling from outside the UK). 
Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday 
(excluding public holidays in England and Wales).

  Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, 

BN99 6DA, UK.

Shareview Portfolio service
You can manage your shareholding online via Equiniti’s Shareview 
Portfolio at shareview.co.uk. This allows shareholders to access a 
range of information about their shareholdings on registers maintained 
by Equiniti and includes shareholding details (such as name and 
address), indicative share prices, recent balance changes and 
dividend information.

Share dealing services
Equiniti offers shareholders a dealing service which allows you to buy 
or sell Rentokil Initial plc shares.

  shareview.co.uk
  0371 384 2233 (+44 (0)121 415 7065 if calling from outside the UK).

Calls are charged at standard national and international rates. Please 
note that both the internet share dealing and telephone share dealing 
services are subject to commission charges. Full details can be found 
on shareview.co.uk.

ShareGift
Shareholders with small holdings in shares, whose value makes them 
uneconomical to sell, may wish to donate them to ShareGift (registered 
charity no. 1052686).

For further information, contact:

  sharegift.org
  help@sharegift.org
  +44 (0)20 7930 3737
  ShareGift, PO Box 72253, London, SW1P 9LQ

Share price information and history
The current price of the Company’s shares can be found at 
rentokil-initial.com/investors.

Mid-market price 31 March 1982 – 7.5375p*

* Adjusted for the 1983 bonus issue and the 1990, 1992 and 1997 share splits.

Mid-market price 31 December 2020 – 509.6p

Dividends
2020 final dividend
The Directors have recommended a final dividend of 5.41p per share, 
for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2020. Payment of this dividend 
is subject to approval at the 2021 AGM. No interim dividend has been 
paid in 2020 and as such the total dividend will be 5.41p (2019: 1.51p; 
as a result of COVID-19 no final dividend was paid for the year ended 
31 December 2019 and only an interim dividend was paid).

Key dates relating to this dividend are given below.

Ex-dividend date 
Record date 
Last day for DRIP elections 
Annual General Meeting 
Payment date 

8 April 2021
9 April 2021
27 April 2021
12 May 2021
19 May 2021

For further dividend information, please see page 147 or go to  
rentokil-initial.com/investors.

Dividend payments
It is important to note that we will no longer be paying dividends by 
cheque and the dividend on 19 May 2021, and all subsequent 
dividends, will be credited directly into a shareholder’s UK bank or 
building society account. Shareholders who historically received 
dividends by cheque and have not yet completed a Dividend Mandate 
Form will need to contact our Registrar (see above for contact details) 
to request a form for completion. For any shareholder who has not 
submitted their dividend mandate by the deadline of 9 April 2021, cash 
will be held in an account and they will need to contact our Registrar 
for the cash to be distributed to their UK bank or building society 
account. If you do not have a UK bank or building society account you 
may be able to arrange for payments to be converted and paid in your 
local currency. Please contact our Registrar for more information.

Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)
The Company has a DRIP provided by Equiniti Financial Services 
Limited (Equiniti FS), which is a convenient, easy and cost-effective 
way to build a shareholding by using cash dividends to buy additional 
shares. Rather than having a bank account credited with a cash 
dividend, Equiniti FS will use the dividends payable to DRIP 
participants to purchase shares on your behalf in the market. Please 
go to shareview.co.uk for further information.

Dividend history
Details of the Company’s dividend history can be found on our 
website at rentokil-initial.com/investors.

American Depositary Receipt (ADR)
The Company has an ADR programme that trades on the 
over-the-counter market in the United States. This is a sponsored 
Level 1 ADR programme for which the Bank of New York Mellon acts 
as depositary. Each ADR is equivalent to five Rentokil Initial plc 
ordinary shares.

2020 high/low – 571p /340.1p

For enquiries relating to ADRs, please contact:

  mybnymdr.com
  shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com
 Freephone from the US: +1 888 269 2377 
International calls: +1 201 680 6825

   BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 30170, 

College Station, TX 77842-3170, USA.

Exchange: OTC (over the counter)
Symbol: RTOKY
CUSIP: 760125104
Ratio (ADR: Ord) 1:5

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 205

 
Annual General Meeting
The 2021 AGM will be held at, and be broadcast via live webcast from, 
the Company’s offices at the Power Centre, A1 & A2, Link 10, Napier 
Way, Crawley, RH10 9RA from 2.00pm on 12 May 2021 (see page 98 
for more information). The Notice of Meeting is available on our 
website.

Published information
If you would like to receive a hard copy of this Annual Report, please 
contact the Company Secretariat at the Company’s registered office 
below. A PDF copy of this report can also be downloaded from our 
website.

Registered office and headquarters
Rentokil Initial plc

Registered in England and Wales; Company Number: 5393279

Registered Office: Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, 
Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB

  rentokil-initial.com
  secretariat@rentokil-initial.com
  +44 (0)1276 607444

Please note that the registered office for Rentokil Initial plc is due 
to change to Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, 
RH10 9PY. This is expected to take effect from 1 April 2021.

Additional Shareholder Information
continued

Indirect owners of shares with 
information rights
Please note that beneficial owners of shares who have been 
nominated by the registered holder of those shares to receive 
information rights under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 
are required to direct all communications to the registered holder 
of their shares rather than to Equiniti.

How to avoid share fraud
Reject cold calls: If you’ve been cold called with an offer to buy 
or sell shares, the chances are it’s a high-risk investment or a scam. 
You should treat the call with extreme caution. The safest thing to 
do is to hang up.

Check the firm on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register at 
fca.org.uk/register. The Financial Services Register is a public record 
of all the firms and individuals in the financial services industry that are 
regulated by the FCA.

Get impartial advice: Think about getting impartial financial advice 
before you hand over any money. Seek advice from someone 
unconnected to the firm that has approached you.

If you suspect that you have been approached by fraudsters, please 
tell the FCA using the share fraud reporting form at fca.org.uk/scams, 
where you can find out more about investment scams. You can also 
call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.

If you have lost money to investment fraud, you should report it to 
Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.

Find out more at fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Unsolicited mail
The Company is legally obliged to make its register of members 
available to the public, subject to a proper purpose test. As a 
consequence of this, some shareholders may receive unsolicited mail. 
Shareholders wishing to limit the amount of such mail should contact 
the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) at:

  mpsonline.org.uk

 +44 (0)20 7291 3310

   MPS FREEPOST LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT

206 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Glossary

AER  

AGM  

APM 

Benelux  

Board  

BPS 

CAGR  

CCFF 

CER  

CGU 

CJRS 

Company  

CVC 

Director  

EBITDA  

ELT  

EMTN  

EPS  

EPS LLC 

ESG 

ETR  

FRC  

FRS  

GAAP  

Group  

Actual exchange rates 

Annual General Meeting

Alternative Performance Measure

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg 

The Board of Directors of Rentokil Initial plc 

Basis points

Compound annual growth rate 

Covid Corporate Financing Facility

Constant exchange rates

Cash-generating unit 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Rentokil Initial plc 

Customer Voice Counts

A Director of Rentokil Initial plc

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 

Executive Leadership Team

Euro Medium-Term Note 

Earnings per share

Environmental Pest Service Holdings, LLC

Environmental, social and governance

Effective Tax Rate 

Financial Reporting Council 

Financial Reporting Standards

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 

Rentokil Initial plc and its subsidiaries

Growth and Emerging markets 

Rentokil Initial defined markets for Pest Control operations (see pages 30 and 31)

HORECA 

The food service and hotel industries (hotel/restaurant/cafe)

IAS  

IFRS  

IRR  

ISDA  

JV  

KPI  

LTA  

LTIP 

M&A  

MENAT  

NED  

NPS 

Parent Company  

PCI 

PPE 

PSP 

PwC 

R&D  

RCF  

RIPS  

ROU  

SHE  

SID  

SLF  

TSR  

UK & RoW  

WDL 

YVC 

International Accounting Standards

International Financial Reporting Standards 

Internal rate of return

International Swaps and Derivatives Association 

Joint venture

Key performance indicator 

Lost time accident

Long-term incentive plan 

Mergers and acquisitions

Middle East, North Africa and Turkey 

Non-Executive Director

Net Promoter Score 

Rentokil Initial plc

PCI Pest Control Private Ltd (trading as Rentokil PCI)

Personal protective equipment

Rentokil Initial plc Performance Share Plan 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Research and development

Revolving credit facility

Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme 

Right-of-use

Safety, health and environment 

Senior Independent Director 

Senior Leadership Forum

Total shareholder return 

United Kingdom and Rest of World 

Working days lost

Your Voice Counts (our colleague engagement survey)

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020 207

About us
Rentokil Initial is a global leader in the provision of route-based 
services which protect people and enhance lives. Our services 
include pest control, hygiene and workwear, as well as a range 
of other smaller specialist services including plants, medical 
services, property care and specialist hygiene.

We protect people from the dangers of pest-borne disease and 
the risks of poor hygiene. We enhance lives with services that 
protect the health and wellbeing of people, and the reputation 
of our customers’ brands.

Rentokil is the world’s leading commercial pest control company 
and our engine for growth. Initial Hygiene is a global leader in 
hygiene services.

Our local service teams across the world cover over 90% of global 
GDP in 92 of the world’s 100 largest cities across North America, 
Europe, UK & Rest of World, Asia and the Pacific. Operating in 
83 countries, approximately 90% of our revenues are derived 
from outside the UK.

We have over a million customers to service from the largest 
multi-national pharmaceutical, industrial and food production 
companies to local shops, restaurants and homes. With high 
levels of customer service and retention rates, we continue 
to build our portfolio.

Find out more at rentokil-initial.com.

Cautionary statement This report contains statements that are, 
or may be, forward-looking regarding the Group’s financial position 
and results, business strategy, plans and objectives. Such statements 
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and 
circumstances and there are accordingly a number of factors which 
might cause actual results and performance to differ materially from 
those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking 
statements speak only as of the date they are made and no 
representation or warranty, whether expressed or implied, is given 
in relation to them, including as to their completeness or accuracy 
or the basis on which they were prepared. Other than in accordance 
with the Company’s legal or regulatory obligations (including under 
the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules), the Company does not undertake any obligation to update 
or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result 
of new information, future events or otherwise. Information contained 
in this 2020 Annual Report relating to the Company or its share price, 
or the yield on its shares, should not be relied upon as an indicator 
of future performance. Nothing in this 2020 Annual Report should 
be construed as a profit forecast.

208 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2020

Designed and produced by Friend www.friendstudio.com

Online editing 

Print Pureprint Group

This report has been printed on Amadeus Silk which 
is FSC® certified and made from 100% Elemental 
Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp.

The mill and the printer are both certified to ISO 14001 
environmental management system. The report was 
printed using vegetable-based inks by a 
CarbonNeutral® printer.

rentokil-initial.com

rentokil.com

initial.com

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