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Rentokil Initial

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FY2023 Annual Report · Rentokil Initial
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Building  
scale and 
advantage

Rentokil Initial plc
Annual Report 2023

Protecting People. 
Enhancing Lives. 
Preserving our Planet.

Performance

Revenue (at AER)

£5,375m
+44.7%
2022: £3,714m

Revenue (at CER) W
£5,414m
+45.8%
2022: £3,714m

Lost time accident (LTA) W
0.31
+20.5%
2022: 0.39

W KPIs, see pages 22 to 25

Contents

Profit before tax (at AER)

£493m
+66.9%
2022: £296m

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities  
(at AER) 

£737m
+22.8%
2022: £600m

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER) W
£897m
+57.0%
2022: £571m

Free Cash Flow (at AER) W
£500m
+33.7%
2022: £374m

Total colleague retention1 W
84.2%
+474bps
2022: 79.5%

Total customer retention2 W
82.3%
-10bps
2022: 82.4%

Strategic Report
04  Our Business at a Glance 
06  Q&A with Andy Ransom, Chief Executive
10  Reasons to Invest
14  Our Business Model
16  Our Strategic Priorities
22  Key Performance Indicators
28  Market Trends and Opportunities
34  Our Regional Review
40  Our Business Review
40  Pest Control
50  Hygiene & Wellbeing
56  France Workwear
57  Financial Review
63  Use of Non-IFRS Measures
68  Responsible Business
83  Our Stakeholders and s.172(1) Statement
87  Risks and Uncertainties
94  Viability Statement

Corporate Governance
 96   Chairman’s Introduction to Governance
 98   Governance at a Glance
 99   Board of Directors
102   Executive Leadership Team
104   Corporate Governance Report
117   Audit Committee Report
125   Nomination Committee Report
131   Directors’ Remuneration Report
162   Independent Auditors’ Report

Financial Statements
170   Consolidated Financial Statements
175    Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements

214   Related Undertakings
221   Parent Company Financial Statements
223    Notes to the Parent Company  

Financial Statements

Other Information
227   Management’s Discussion and Analysis
242   Directors’ Report
246   Additional Shareholder Information
248   Glossary

Strategic priorities  
in action

Be an Employer of Choice 
pages 12 and 13

Drive Organic Revenue Growth  
in Pest Control
pages 38 and 39

Manage the integration of 
Terminix into our North America 
business
pages 48 and 49

Build our Hygiene & Wellbeing 
business
pages 54 and 55

Drive M&A
pages 32 and 33

Create value through product 
and service innovations and 
digital applications 
pages 26 and 27

Manage a responsible business
pages 20 and 21

Non-IFRS Measures The Group uses a number of non-IFRS measures to present the financial performance of the business. These are not measures 
as defined under IFRS, but management believe that these measures provide valuable additional information for users of the Financial Statements,  
in order to better understand the underlying trading performance in the year. See pages 63 to 67 for more information.

The content of this Annual Report reflects the views, opinions and status of the Company as at 7 March 2024.

1.  Prior year numbers have been restated primarily to include the Terminix acquisition. For more information see page 22.
2.  2022 figures have been restated to include Terminix.

Building scale and advantage... 
through relentless focus on 
delivering our plan.

Throughout 2023, our teams across the world have been 
relentlessly delivering against our strategic priorities, from 
the integration of Terminix to growth in our core businesses, 
all contributing to a strong performance for our organisation. 

In 2024, we are continuing our unwavering commitment 
to building our business in THE RIGHT WAY for the long-term 
benefit of our colleagues, our customers, and our shareholders.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 03

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business at a Glance
Providing services that protect people,  
enhance lives, and preserve the planet

Rentokil Initial is a global leader in the provision of route-based services, 
whose mission is to protect people from the dangers of pest-borne disease 
and the risks of poor hygiene, and to enhance lives with services that  
protect the health and wellbeing of people. At the heart of Rentokil Initial’s 
approach to responsible business practice is a focus on doing what’s right  
for colleagues, customers, and the planet.

Our mission
Our mission defines what we do and how 
we serve our stakeholders. 

• Protecting People. 
• Enhancing Lives. 
• Preserving our Planet.

Our vision
To be the most loved and respected  
services business on the planet. 

Our values
Our values are shared by all colleagues around the world and underpin the culture of the Group.

Service

Relationships

We are passionate about delivering excellent 
service to every customer. 

We value long-lasting relationships with our 
colleagues, customers, and the communities 
in which we operate.

Teamwork

Responsibility

We are One Team – collaborating, supporting, 
and working together brilliantly. 

We all owe a duty of care to each other, 
our customers, local charities, the communities 
in which we live and work, and to the planet.

Our global regional operations

Our local service teams across the world 
operate in 90 countries, with more than 94%  
of our revenue derived from outside the UK. 

Rentokil Initial operates regionally and reports 
performance across five global regions. 
Our products and services are segmented  
into three business categories: Pest Control, 
Hygiene & Wellbeing, and France Workwear. 

North America

Revenue (at AER)  
£3,306m  
+78.7% 

Revenue (at CER)  
£3,314m  
+79.2%

Europe  
(incl. Latin America)
Revenue (at AER)  
£1,081m  
+14.9% 

Revenue (at CER)  
£1,078m  
+14.6%

Revenue (at AER) by business category

UK & Sub-Saharan Africa

Asia & MENAT

Pacific

Revenue (at AER)  
£390m  
+6.6% 

Revenue (at CER)  
£394m  
+7.9%

Revenue (at AER)  
£339m  
+5.6%

Revenue (at CER)  
£357m  
+11.2%

Revenue (at AER)  
£249m  
+10.0%

Revenue (at CER)  
£261m  
+15.0%

Pest Control

Hygiene & Wellbeing

France Workwear

B  Find out more Our Regional Review on pages 34 to 37 and Our Business Review on pages 40 to 56
04 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Our culture
We provide high-quality services for our 
customers by focusing on the safety, 
engagement and training of our colleagues, 
and by developing innovative products  
and services. 

There is nothing more important in Rentokil 
Initial than ensuring that everyone goes home 
safely at the end of their working day. 

Health and Safety continues to be central 
to our culture and you can read more about 
our policies and practices on page 69.

Rentokil Initial is a diverse organisation by  
its nature, operating in 90 countries. We aim  
to be an Employer of Choice wherever we 
operate and our 62,900 colleagues are 
integral to our business model. 

B  Find out more Our Employer of Choice programme on pages 69 and 70

Our business categories

Our Employer of Choice programme is 
designed to create a workplace where we hire 
great people in line with our values, provide 
world-class training and career development, 
engage and retain our people, and provide the 
best tools to deliver a great customer service.

Pest Control 

Hygiene & Wellbeing

Rentokil Initial’s Pest Control business, including Terminix, is the 
largest operator in both the US – the world’s biggest pest control 
market – and the world overall. We offer the highest levels of risk 
management, reassurance, and responsiveness to customers, 
delivered through our range of innovative products and solutions.

Initial Hygiene helps organisations around the world to manage 
hygiene risk, create healthier working environments, and make 
workplaces better and safer places to be for staff and visitors.  
Our people provide dedicated and expert hygiene services in  
the washroom and throughout entire premises.

Rentokil Initial is a leading global player in a resilient and defensive 
industry, characterised by positive and strong long-term structural 
growth drivers. We have strengthened our position through organic 
growth and by establishing stronger market positions, and through 
the introduction of innovative products and services, acquisitions  
to build scale and density, and our determination to be an Employer 
of Choice.

80%

Revenue at AER: 

£4,286m

+59.2%

Revenue at CER:

£4,321m

+60.6%

16%

Revenue at AER: 

Revenue at CER:

£858m

+4.6%

£866m

+5.4%

B Find out more on pages 50 to 53

France Workwear
Initial Workwear specialises in the supply and maintenance  
of garments, such as workwear and personal protective  
equipment, and also offers a specialist cleanroom service  
for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

4%

Revenue at AER: 

Revenue at CER:

£221m

+15.3%

£217m

+13.2%

B Find out more on pages 40 to 47

B Find out more on page 56

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 05

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceQ&A with Andy Ransom, Chief Executive

All the questions in this section have been 
posed by investors over the past year.

Q:  
How would you summarise 
the past year for Rentokil Initial?

A:  
It has been an extremely busy and productive 
year, which has made me very proud of the 
Rentokil Initial team. The overall Group result 
was good. It was accomplished despite 
significant inflation and other macroeconomic 
headwinds, which illustrates the resilience of 
our business. The Group has been able to 
sustain strong momentum in our underlying 
operational and financial performance, 
achieving 4.9% Organic Revenue Growth and 
16.6% margin. Growth in North America in the 
second half of the year was disappointing, 
however we’ve now completed an in-depth 
performance review and have put in place an 
action plan, THE RIGHT WAY 2, to reinvigorate 
organic growth. In the year, we made great 
progress against our Terminix integration 
strategy, building a bigger, better business. 
We have delivered on all our integration 
milestones in both Selling, General and 
Administrative expenses (SG&A) and field 
operations. We overachieved in our cost 
synergy targets in 2023 by delivering $69m 
pre-tax net cost synergies against a target of 
$60m, and have increased the total gross 
synergy target by $50m to $325m by 2026. 

B Find out more on pages 46 and 47

Our focus has been, and will continue to 
be, around operational excellence, which 
remains key to delivering our growth 
ambitions. We’ll achieve this by leveraging 
opportunities created by the Terminix 
integration and through further Group 
investments in our people, service, 
innovation, and digital technology.

Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive

06 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Q:  
The combination with Terminix 
increased your exposure to 
residential and termite business. 
Should we still view Rentokil Initial 
as a defensive business?

A:  
Rentokil Initial’s business model remains 
highly resilient, underpinned by the provision 
of essential services, a diversified portfolio, 
global presence, and a commitment to 
innovation. Pest control, in particular, but also 
hygiene solutions, are inherently defensive 
businesses. It’s true that pest control 
regulation means that commercial services 
are often less discretionary than residential 
services. However, the residential market, 
which is already the largest segment in the US, 
presents a strong future growth opportunity 
due to the current low penetration of 
professional pest care, population growth,  
and climate change. The diversified nature of 
our broader global service portfolio adds to 
the Company’s overall defensive qualities. 

While spanning the commercial, residential, 
and termite markets in pest control, we also 
offer a range of services in hygiene and 
workwear provision. This diversification 
reduces the risk of dependence on a single 
market segment. The Company’s ability to 
adapt to changing circumstances is another 
crucial factor. We’ve shown a commitment to 
innovation and technology, incorporating 
advanced pest control and hygiene solutions. 
This adaptability allows the Company to stay 
ahead of industry trends, ensuring that it 
remains relevant and resilient in the face  
of evolving challenges. 

B Find out more on pages 28 to 31

Q:  
In explaining softer trading in US 
Pest Control in the second half of 
the year, you pointed to weaker 
consumer demand. What further 
insights have you gained and what 
measures are you taking to address 
these challenges?

A:  
The main challenge to new business growth 
in the second half of the year was lower 
acquisition of new residential, termite, and 
SME customers, stemming from a reduction 
in in-bound sales leads. We estimate that the 
US market grew by approximately 4% in 2023, 
reflecting lower growth, particularly in the 
second half of the year, in these largely 
consumer-facing categories. However, we 
recognise that the Company’s sales lead 
generation also underperformed. We’ve been 
responding to that to identify what we can do 
to address the situation and take action to 
stimulate organic growth. 

There has been a comprehensive evaluation 
of opportunities to drive growth, including 
upselling and pricing, as well as to increase 
brand awareness and optimise digital 
channels. We’ve taken a hard look at how we 
best evolve our sales and marketing action 
plan in response to market conditions and  
to re-establish momentum in customer 
acquisition. We’ve made new appointments to 
the North America leadership team, including 
a highly experienced digital marketer to the 
role of Performance & Digital Marketing VP. 
The Terminix integration is a complex project 
that is demanding of our time, so we’ve also 
seconded our UK Operations Director to North 
America to take charge of technician leads.

We’re committed to protecting our underlying 
operating momentum as we work through the 
integration. We have shaped a detailed plan to 
help us do that. I’m also confident that Rentokil 
Initial remains a structurally robust business 
with the additional benefit of an integration 
that affords tremendous strategic opportunity.

B Find out more on pages 46 and 47

Q:  
The Group delivered another year  
of strong performance in its global 
operations. What do you attribute 
that performance to and how 
sustainable is it?

A:  
The sustainability of our strong performance 
reflects our consistently high levels of service 
quality, as well as our ability to harness 
opportunities for growth. Increased awareness 
of hygiene, especially in the wake of 
COVID-19, and the persistent need for pest 
management have continued to support 
demand for our services around the world. 

We’ve been able to service that demand and 
drive growth by having the right operational 
model in place; an existing global footprint  
and large customer base; continued market 
expansion, highly motivated people and great 
brands; and, a proven innovation capability 
and digital expertise. Ongoing investments in 
research and development and a proactive 
approach to emerging trends put us in a 
strong position to remain highly competitive. 
Our focus on Cities of the Future is another 
important driver to long-term sustainable 
growth, promoting a strategic approach to 
tapping into faster growing markets.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 07

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceQ&A with Andy Ransom, Chief Executive 
continued

Q:  
You previously guided to over 5% 
Organic Revenue Growth per annum 
over the medium term. What will be 
the key drivers of that growth?

A:  
Our focus has been, and will continue to be, 
around operational excellence, which remains 
key to delivering our growth ambitions. We’ll 
achieve this by leveraging opportunities 
created by the Terminix integration and 
through further Group investments in our 
people, service, innovation, and digital 
technology. Accelerated growth through our 
enhanced scale will come from a number  
of areas, including upselling with the 
expansion of our Trusted Advisor programme 
(empowering technicians to generate leads 
and sales), effective pricing through 
segmentation and, in the future, premium 
positioning, and by enhancing brand value 
enabled by a streamlined brand portfolio in 
North America. 

Creating a high-quality customer service, 
delivering on time, and delivering in full, have 
always been core to our value proposition  
and will see renewed emphasis as we seek  
to further strengthen customer retention  
and acquisition. This will continue to be 
complemented by sustained investment in 
innovative pest control and hygiene solutions. 
Our commitment to science and innovation 
leadership not only ensures that Rentokil 
meets evolving customer expectations but 
also allows us to offer more efficient and 
effective services, attracting new customers. 
In the US, this includes the opening of our  
new science and innovation centre focused  
on termite and residential pest control. 

B Find out more on pages 44 to 47

Our medium-term targets 
Group medium-term targets for revenue, profit and cash were first introduced in 2014, and having 
consistently beaten them since introduction, were revised upwards in 2022 and 2023, reflecting 
confidence and ambition for the future.

Group Organic Revenue Growth Target: At least 5.0%
Pest Control Organic Revenue Growth Target: 4.5–6.5%
Hygiene & Wellbeing Organic Revenue Growth Target: 4.0–6.0%
Workwear Organic Revenue Growth Target: 3.0–4.0%
Free Cash Flow Conversion Target: FY 25: At least 90%

08 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Q:  
It’s been over a year since the 
Terminix transaction completed. 
What is your assessment of how the 
Terminix integration has proceeded 
this year?

A:  
There has been a strong start to delivery of 
the integration plan. Since the transaction 
completed, our teams have worked diligently 
towards harmonising cultures, processes, and 
technologies, putting us in a good position  
to capitalise on synergy opportunities and 
best practices from both organisations. In  
the year, we’ve reduced our branch network 
by 97 through branch consolidation, which  
is approximately 50% of target property 
synergies. We’ve conducted a series of  
branch integration pilots that we were  
pleased to see confirmed our forecasts of 
density benefits, laying the foundations for  
the branch integration work to be deployed  
at scale beginning later this year. 

We’ve also been busy completing the move  
of our US colleagues onto a single Human 
Capital Management and Payroll system, in 
addition to pilot testing projects in relation to  
a harmonised pay plan, data migration and 
data mapping, and technology applications. 
Our strategic ambition is clear and remains the 
same. We’re making complex and important 
changes that will create an optimal route  
and branch network. From the outset, we’ve 
recognised that we need to make sure that 
we’re able to do this as smoothly as possible 
for our customers and colleagues, taking the 
necessary time to test and take feedback on 
board so that changes can be rolled out in a 
measured and targeted way. 

B Find out more on pages 44 and 45

Q:  
What are the most significant parts 
of the integration programme in the 
year ahead? What do you see as the 
main challenges and how will you 
manage these?

Q:  
What are the key elements of your 
US growth plan that underpin your 
ambition to grow organically ahead 
of the pest control market in the 
medium term?

A:  
We’ve a large programme of work ahead of  
us that is focused on the branch integration 
phase. While it’s also the most complex part, 
the future opportunities and benefits for our 
customers, our business, and our shareholders 
are significant. We will be moving to consistent 
brands, service protocols, and a fully aligned 
customer offering in our field operations.  
This all has to be supported and enabled by 
integrated IT infrastructure and harmonised 
pay plans that have been long in the planning. 
At the same time as we make these important 
changes, we have to stimulate and protect 
organic growth in the North America business. 
The expected end result of the integration 
programme is a much more efficient service 
network across the country that benefits  
from strong operational density and is 
characterised by excellent service delivery.  
A project of this scale requires exceptional 
governance and we’ve put in place robust 
programme management with key operational 
and functional leaders from both organisations 
to support implementation. We are being 
disciplined and meticulous in our execution. 
Route and branch integration, which will be 
phased by region, is expected to commence  
in mid-2024. We have divided the US into 
seven regions, each comprising commercial, 
residential, and termite operations, and we’ll 
be working sequentially through each of these 
regions with continuous, rolling evaluation  
of the impact on colleagues, customers,  
and services. 

B Find out more on page 44

A:  
One of the reasons why the Terminix 
transaction has a strong financial case is  
the benefits of scale. In the US, we are now 
substantially larger than our nearest rival  
and that scale means we can drive greater 
purchasing power, build additional local 
branch density, drive more powerful marketing 
with a more impactful set of brands, and  
invest in technology in an unrivalled manner. 
We’re also committed to consolidating  
our shared experience and expertise. For 
colleagues, we’re training to best practices 
and introducing new pay and incentivisation 
plans to will drive productivity. For customers, 
there’ll be increased opportunity to benefit 
from an expanded service portfolio. Not only 
will the customer experience become more 
seamless, but scaling up initiatives like our 
Trusted Advisor programme across the 
combined organisation will better utilise 
our field colleagues’ expertise and enable 
higher levels of customer penetration.  
We also recognise how important robust 
pricing strategies are in driving growth.  
As we deliver the very best service levels, 
through the very best technicians, we should 
be proud to command a premium price in  
time. With more holistic data sets, there  
is the additional opportunity to take a 
segmentation approach to pricing,  
to develop more localised strategies. 

B Find out more on pages 46 and 47

Q:  
Do you believe there are any 
aspects of the business that are 
misunderstood by the market?

A:  
The key positive for us is that the Terminix 
integration has progressed strongly, at the 
same time as we’ve delivered a good overall 
Group performance in the year. We’ve seen 
affirmative results in our branch integration 
pilot testing and an encouraging uplift of 
8.1ppts in Terminix colleague retention since 
the deal close. We recognise the softer results 
in North America in the back half of last year, 
however our business model is resilient and 
we have confidence in our RIGHT WAY 2  
plan to address specific challenges and 
reinvigorate organic growth. Our market 
positions, pricing power, and structural growth 
characteristics remain robust and intact. 

Outside of North America, we saw another 
excellent contribution from other regions, 
including Europe, our second largest region, 
which was up 9.2% organically. Plus, the  
best is still ahead of us. We’ve talked about  
the significant potential upside from the 
combination with Terminix, both in terms  
of cost and revenue synergies. We look 
forward to taking them forward to their 
successful conclusion. 

Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 09

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceReasons to Invest
Compelling investment opportunity  
with excellent growth potential

We are a compelling investment opportunity offering investors long-term compounding growth and 
profit expansion. The underlying business proposition is augmented by the significant benefits of the 
Terminix integration. Rentokil Initial is a strong, global business with leading positions in structural 
growth markets. We believe there are excellent opportunities to consolidate our positions in existing 
markets, to enter new markets, and to lead the industry by investing in innovation in products and 
services, alongside disciplined and accretive mergers and acquisitions (M&A). 

Revenue

Adjusted Operating Profit

(£m)

1,000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

1. We are a global leader in 
defensive growth markets 
Our businesses operate in markets with 
long-term attractive fundamentals. Rentokil 
Initial is a global leader in pest control and 
hygiene business sectors, benefiting from  
a diversified global footprint, high levels of 
service quality, and excellent innovation  
and technical expertise.

B Find out more on pages 40 to 47 

and 50 to 53

2. We have a strong  
track record of growing 
revenue and profits
Over the long term, our strong record of 
growing revenue and profits has generated 
high total returns, strong cash flow, and a 
strong credit rating. We have a consistent  
and proven strategy which, has delivered 
2014-2023 CAGR revenue growth of 13.3%, 
and 2014-2023 CAGR Adjusted Operating 
Profit growth of 16.2%. Additionally, we expect 
the Terminix integration to benefit the 
business through significant cost and scale 
synergies delivered by the end of 2026. 

B Find out more on pages 22 to 25 

and 57 to 62

(£m)

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

3. We reinvest in our  
business and brands, 
compounding growth
Our consistent performance allows 
reinvestment in our business, helping to  
drive further growth. Our financial model 
creates a virtuous circle, founded on achieving 
organic growth while conducting bolt-on and 
strategic M&A to increase our density, which 
correlates directly to improved gross margins. 
This, combined with our low-cost operating 
model, brings strong profitable growth and 
sustainable free cash flow. We deploy this on 
our financially disciplined M&A programme 
and operational investment, and into 
maintaining our progressive dividend policy.

B Find out more on pages 14 and 15

10 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

4. We have a proven, 
repeatable, route-based, 
low-cost business model 
This helps us consolidate our positions in 
existing markets and improve margins, 
whether through organic activity or by 
acquisition through our Cities of the Future 
programme – our focused M&A programme  
in Emerging markets, where higher growth in 
big cities is driving demand for pest control 
services. Developing a presence in these 
cities gives us a stronger base for future 
growth over the next 10–20 years as we 
benefit from faster growth in these markets 
relative to more mature locations.

B Find out more on pages 42, 52 and 53

75+

pipeline of innovation 
investment projects

5. We are a leader in  
innovation and digital
Our industry-leading innovation drives our 
growth, productivity, and margin improvement. 
We see further growth opportunities across  
all regions from increased innovation in 
products and services, and by deploying 
digital products and applications.

B Find out more on pages 26, 27 and 71

6. Our high-performing 
culture supports our  
growth ambitions
Our experienced and proven management 
team executes our strategy at pace. Our senior 
leadership are experts in their fields, with a 
proven track record for consistent delivery, 
strong service, and innovation, and a clearly 
articulated strategic framework to drive future 
growth opportunities. We are a people and 
values-based organisation and our strong 
culture and investment in development 
provides all our teams with the best expertise 
and knowledge.

B Find out more on page 99, 102  

and 103

Cities of the Future

7. We are working collectively 
to achieve our net zero carbon 
emissions target by 2040
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. Over the past 
decade, we have met our targets for 10% 
(2011–15) and further 20% (2016–19) carbon 
efficiency improvements and, in 2020, we  
set our target to achieve net zero carbon 
emissions from our operations by the end  
of 2040.

B Find out more on page 80

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2023

11

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Be an Employer of Choice

Asia & MENAT

Being the Employer  
of Choice, throughout  
Asia & MENAT
During 2023, our Asia & MENAT region has focused on 
career and line management development for their 
colleagues, running programmes such as Being a Brilliant 
Leader and launching the RI Ambassador programme. 

The Being a Brilliant Leader programme aims to support  
line managers by providing training and development 
programmes to enable them to be the best leader to  
their colleagues.

12 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Turkey

Lebanon

Jordan

Saudi Arabia

Ghana

China

South Korea

Pakistan

Taiwan

India

Hong Kong

Thailand

Vietnam

Sri Lanka

Philippines

Maldives

Malaysia

Singapore

100%

of line managers involved 
in Being a Brilliant Leader

86%

Asia & MENAT  
Line Manager Index

89%

Asia & MENAT  
colleague engagement

At the end of 2023, 100% of our Asia 
& MENAT region's line managers – 
almost 2,000 employees – had been 
involved in the programme.

The RI Ambassador technician 
programme was launched in Q4, 
focusing on world class service 
delivery from our outstanding 
technicians, enabling them to 
engage and serve our customers 
even better. The programme has 
five core themes: Sustainability; 
Care; Ownership; Results 
orientated; and Expertise.  
The programme is designed to 
demonstrate that our colleagues 
are our Brand and that world class 
customer service starts with world 
class technicians. 

The region hosted a torch relay  
to reinforce the Company’s  
mission, vision and values with  
all colleagues. 

Sharing our mission, vision and 
values, in a region spread across  
23 countries, where around 2,000 
languages are spoken, is not easy. 
However, our teams in Asia & 
MENAT planned a special campaign 
in Q2 2023 to do just that. Starting 
in Shanghai, an Olympic-style torch 
was passed from country to country 
in a relay. 

Colleagues gathered at each 
handover point to meet the 
management team and learn  
more about our shared mission, 
vision and values. 

It took four months for the torch  
to travel c.80,000 km to over 700 
branches. In India the torch featured 
in a marathon, with a team of 
colleagues carrying it over 100km.  
It took 16 hours, travelling from 
Mumbai to Pune, where the torch 
was officially handed over.

As a result of programmes like 
these, the Your Voice Counts (YVC) 
scores were excellent. Colleague 
Engagement was 89% and our Line 
Management Index (LMI) increased 
from 84% to 86%, up 6% over the 
external norm for the region. 

Furthermore, the region’s growth 
and development score was 86%, 
up 8% over the external Asia norm. 
Our Group YVC LMI of 80% is up  
by 4% since 2019. 

B

Find out more  
Group YVC scores on page 70

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2023

13

  
Our Business Model
A proven, resilient operating model

Within our business model, each cog is related to the others and measured 
consistently at Group, business, region, country, and branch level. By focusing  
on consistently executing our model, we continue to succeed, creating value for 
colleagues, customers, shareholders, and society. The nature of our business model 
remains a key determinant of the strength and resilience of our performance. As a 
global operation that benefits from highly defensive product and service lines, the 
Company remains well placed to navigate macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility.

Impact on
society

Employer
of Choice

Health &
safety

Shareholder
value

Dividend

M&A

Cash

Profit
growth

Low-cost
model

Great service

Leading
brands

Customer
retention

Organic
Revenue
Growth

New business

Additional
services to
customers

Density

Innovation
& digital

Price

Decentralised geographic approach
Due to our decentralised geographic approach – our businesses are grouped into five regions, with local 
market operations – our business model provides resilience to fluctuations in market dynamics, as well 
as geopolitical and trade risks.

This simple decentralised approach features single-country management teams operating local service 
teams in 90 countries around the world (with more than 94% of our revenues derived from outside of 
the UK).

Each country team leads integrated, multi-local and multi-service operations, using combined back-office 
functions underpinned by shared systems and processes, such as route optimisation, marketing and brand 
alignment, and measurement of customer satisfaction.

14 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Colleagues
The heart of our business
Employer of Choice
We have a long-standing commitment to 
being an Employer of Choice and our 
market-leading practices help to sustain our 
performance, and give us the ability to not 
only attract and hire, but also retain, the best 
people from the widest possible pool of talent.

Health and safety
Health and safety is our most important 
priority – we want to ensure that everyone 
goes home safely at the end of their  
working day.

Throughout our decentralised business 
model, health and safety is the first item on 
the agenda at every management meeting, 
from local business units all the way up  
to the Executive Leadership Team and  
Board meetings.
B Find out more
Our Colleagues on pages 69, 70 and 84
Health and safety on pages 22 and 69

Growth
Organic growth drives continual 
improvements in density
Organic Revenue Growth, new business 
and additional services to customers 
Delivering high levels of customer service 
and retention rates, along with continued 
innovation that provides new products for our 
customers, allows us to build our portfolio of 
customers and grow our existing customer 
base organically.

Price
Our strategy, with regards to managing pricing 
and protecting our ongoing margins, involves 
carefully communicating cost challenges to 
our customers, ensuring their understanding 
of why the financial effects of inflationary cost 
pressures should be passed through into 
customer prices.
B Find out more
Organic growth on pages 16, 18 and  
34 to 37
Pricing on pages 34 to 37, 46 to 47 and 57.

Profit and margins
Revenue growth translates 
to strong profitable growth
Profit growth and our low-cost model
Our business model for profitable growth 
is focused on compounding revenue, profit, 
and cash growth through organic growth and 
M&A. This revenue growth, together with our 
low-cost operating model, allows us to deliver 
strong growth in profits for the Group.

Density
We have a fundamental understanding of 
route density, which helps us to consolidate 
our positions in existing markets and improve 
margins, in part by focusing on increasing the 
density of our routes, whether through organic 
activity or by acquisition.
B Find out more
Our Progress on pages 24 to 25 and 57  
to 62

Customers
We are passionate about 
delivering excellent service 
and brands our customers trust
Great customer service and  
customer retention
We serve customers from the largest 
multinational pharmaceutical, industrial, and 
food production companies to local shops, 
restaurants, and residential customers to 
protect their homes, and we endeavour to 
fully understand all our customers’ needs  
for pest control, and enhanced health and 
hygiene standards.

Our vision is to be the most loved and 
respected services business on the planet 
(read more on page 4), delivering consistently 
high standards to ensure customer retention 
and sales of additional products.

Strong brand trust and identity
As a services business, brand trust and 
identity matter. We have two large 
multinational brands in Pest Control –  
Rentokil and Terminix – and a recognised  
and trusted Initial Hygiene & Wellbeing  
brand. We continue to focus on building 
unified, globally aligned brands through  
our ongoing investment in marketing,  
people, service, innovation, digital, and 
sustainability, and to support our customers 
across multiple sectors.
B Find out more
Our Customers on pages 23, 24 and 70

Capital allocation  
model and returns 
Consistent performance 
allows reinvestment
Cash
We are a highly cash-generative business  
and we work hard to maintain our balance 
sheet, allowing us the flexibility to reinvest in 
both innovation and M&A growth. Greater 
exposure to legacy termite claims arising from 
the Terminix transaction will lower our free 
cash generation over the next few years as  
we resolve these customer issues. We remain 
focused on cash flow and working capital 
management, and we work closely with our 
customers and suppliers to manage any 
supply chain challenges.

M&A
Acquisitions are a core part of our business 
model, mainly targeting city-focused deals  
to build presence and density in both Pest 
Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing.

Shareholder value and dividend
We aim to generate long-term profitable 
growth to help deliver value and strong 
returns for our shareholders. The Group is 
committed to maintaining its progressive 
dividend policy, with dividend payments  
twice a year related to the level of Free Cash 
Flow available, as agreed by the Board.
B Find out more
2023 progress on pages 25 and 57 to 62
M&A on pages 34 to 37, 42, 52 and 53
Dividends on page 62

ESG
We are a leader in ESG within 
our industry
Our impact on society
Our approach to environmental, social, and 
governance (ESG) standards aligns with our 
core purpose – to Protect People, Enhance 
Lives, and Preserve our Planet.

We intend to have net zero carbon emissions 
from our operations by the end of 2040, 
because it is not only the right thing to do for 
society, but it is also the right thing for our 
business. We have clear plans in all regions  
to ensure we meet this target, with actions 
already underway, focusing on:

• Sustainable solutions – hardware, 

consumables, and chemicals;

• Sustainable operations – colleague mobility, 

waste, and supply chain; and

• Sustainable workplace – our properties  

and culture.

We also aim to provide charitable and 
community support and make meaningful 
contributions to the local economies and 
communities where we operate.
B Find out more
ESG on pages 68 to 82

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2023

15

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Strategic Priorities
We regularly assess our strengths and weaknesses, and examine  
the opportunities and threats to our business. In this section, we give  
an overview of our seven strategic priorities, and areas of focus,  
that will help us achieve our financial targets.

Be an Employer of Choice

Key actions taken in 2023 
Continued to embed  
Employer of Choice
We have continued to develop and embed 
our Employer of Choice programme,  
with a particular focus on the North  
America business. 

Maintained high levels of U+ training
In 2023, more than 150 pieces of new content 
were created and added to the U+ platform 
(our online university). During the course of  
the year, 1.96m pieces of training have been 
completed around the world. 

Delivered higher levels 
of colleague retention
Colleague retention remained high at 84.2%, 
up 4.7% on 2022 (restated)1. We have also 
continued our focus on more effective 
recruitment practices, and continue to use  
our Career+ app. In 2023, Career+ delivered 
more than 22,000 job applications – c.75% 
external and c.25% from existing colleagues. 
In addition, the Company launched a new 
global career portal.

Priorities for 2024
• Continue to support and enable the Terminix 

integration process in North America. 
Aligning contracts and pay & reward policies 
as part of the branch integration process. 

• Build on the positive improvements made on 
overall colleague retention with a focus on 
short term and sales colleague retention in 
North America.

• Implement action planning across the Group 
following the 2023 Your Voice Count survey.

• Ensure an efficient and high quality 

recruitment experience and increase direct 
hiring through the Career+ app.

• Continue to deploy and optimise Workday 

and the insights it delivers.

• Support the business in our 'Year of the 
Customer' through focus on optimal  
staffing levels. 

1.  For details of the 2022 restatement 

see page 22.

Our people are our biggest 
competitive advantage and the key 
to profitable growth. Our goal is to 
be an Employer of Choice and to 
drive ongoing improvements in 
colleague retention, which in turn 
lead to greater customer retention. 

77.4% 83.3%

Sales colleague 
retention

Service colleague 
retention

B Find out more on pages 12, 13, 15, 69 

and 70

Drive Organic Revenue Growth in Pest Control

Priorities for 2024
• Execute THE RIGHT WAY 2 organic growth 

plan in North America, with a focus on 
increasing brand visibility and driving sales 
from new and existing customers. 

• The plan is accompanied by an additional 
c.$25m of investment in 2024 to be spent  
on our marketing and sales initiatives.

• Launch the 'Terminix it' brand marketing 

campaign in North America.

• Continue to deploy product and service 
innovations, and digital applications, 
including further roll-out of PestConnect 
towards our targeted goal of 25% of 
commercial customers by 2026.

• Ongoing development of sustainable, 
non-toxic, and humane pest solutions.

Key actions taken in 2023 
Organic Revenue Growth
The Group overall delivered good growth of 
4.5% in Pest Control, led by the commercial 
business and supported by good customer 
retention rates. Organic Revenue Growth in 
North America Pest Control Services was  
3.5% owing to lower sales lead generation  
and conversion in a softer consumer market  
in the second half of the year. 

Product and service innovation 
deployed
Through our Innovation centres, we continued 
to plan, test, and deploy new sustainable 
products and solutions to address customer 
needs, including EcoCatch Flies, BirdAlert, 
and RADAR X. PestConnect units deployed 
increased by c.23% to around 356,000 in 
2023. Five countries have connected devices 
in over 10% of their commercial portfolio.  
The Netherlands leads in Europe, with 
connected devices approaching 30% of  
the commercial portfolio. 

Sustainable, non-toxic development
During 2023, we prioritised sustainability,  
with 100% of our innovation pipeline being 
sustainable, non-toxic, or digital. Our Initial 
Soap range was accredited by the EU and 
Nordic Swan Ecolabel for sustainability. 

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

+4.5%

Organic Revenue Growth  
(at AER) in 2023

B Find out more on pages 38 to 47

16 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Manage the integration of Terminix  
into our North America business

We have made excellent early 
progress on integrating the business 
using a best of breed approach. 

c.$225m

of annual pre-tax net P&L cost  
synergies by end of 2026

B Find out more on pages 44 to 49

Priorities for 2024
• Deliver Phase 2 of integration programme 

(preparation for full integration) and 
undertake first full branch integrations –  
go live set for mid 2024.

• Co-locations – an additional c.75 properties 

to be exited in 2024.

• Deliver $40m incremental net cost synergies 
target, taking the total to $122m by year end.

• Legal entity merger, critical to deliver branch 

integrations.

• Begin Phase Three Integration – undertake 

the first full branch integrations.

Key actions taken in 2023 
Achieved cost synergy targets 
$69m net cost synergies delivered in 2023 
against our target of $60m.

Increased efficiency of SG&A 
and drive route density
We made excellent progress in the year, 
completing Phase 1 of the integration process. 
Through our co-location programme, we 
successfully reduced branch properties  
by 97, comprising 108 exits and 11 new sites. 
Among the many initiatives across functions, 
we launched a single payroll and benefits 
system for 22,000 colleagues, and all US 
colleagues are now on a single people 
management system.

Met high customer expectations 
during integration
During a period of significant change, 
customer service remained strong, with State 
of Service (on time in full) in North America of 
98.2% in 2023 (target: over 95%). Customer 
satisfaction in Terminix was excellent, with a 
Net Promoter Score of 64.9 (+1.5% in 2023). 
We began rolling out Rentokil technology 
solutions, with a residential self-service  
portal for bill payments and appointments 
launched across 18 brands. 

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2023

17

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Strategic Priorities 
continued

Build our Hygiene & Wellbeing business

Priorities for 2024
• Executing our growth strategy in our 

Hygiene & Wellbeing category through core 
washrooms, premises hygiene, including  
air care, and enhanced environments.

• Drive continued expansion, both  

organically and acquisitively, in Growth  
& Emerging markets.

Key actions taken in 2023 
Executed our growth strategy
Our focus remained on expanding through 
three areas – inside the washroom, outside 
the washroom – and M&A. we continued to 
see good levels of demand across service 
sectors such as offices, shops, schools, and 
hospitality supported performance. Organic 
growth in core washrooms was 4.5%, while 
organic growth in premises and enhanced 
environments was 5.3%.

Expansion in Growth & Emerging 
markets
We continued to focus on driving product and 
route density, acquiring seven businesses  
with acquired revenues of c.£30m. Our 
medium-term target is to deliver £25m+ 
revenues p.a. from M&A in this business. 
Service line density per premise increased 
from 1.83 in 2022 to 1.92 in 2023.

Sustainable hygiene
Mission Sustainable was launched in 2023 – 
to promote Initial's journey to reducing our 
environmental impact. Our eco-friendly 
consumables include sensitive soap made 
from 98.5% natural ingredients.

Key actions taken in 2023
Robust M&A programme
41 acquisitions completed in 2023, with 
annualised revenues of c.£106m with 
acquisitions across all five regions. We 
continued to build a strong pipeline of 
opportunities in the year. 

Pursued high-quality pest control 
businesses in Growth & 
Emerging markets
During the year, we acquired 34 new pest 
control businesses for an aggregate 
consideration of c.£199m, as part of our 
bolt-on M&A programme, with a focus on 
high-quality pest control businesses in Growth 
& Emerging markets. We also acquired seven 
businesses in Hygiene & Wellbeing in 2023.

Priorities for 2024
• Pursue high-quality pest control companies 
with an increased focus outside the US in 
Growth & Emerging markets, and ongoing 
emphasis on building local density in key 
Cities of the Future.

• Continue to build Hygiene & Wellbeing M&A 
pipeline, acquiring attractive businesses with 
a focus on higher growth extension areas 
(e.g. air care and surface hygiene).

• Build density in key Cities of the Future.

• Targeting spend on M&A of c.£250m  

in 2024.

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

+4.6%

Revenue growth  
(at AER) in 2023

B Find out more on pages 50 to 55

Drive M&A

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

c.£261m

Aggregate consideration for  
M&A assets in 2023

c.£250m

Targeted spend on M&A  
in 2024

B Find out more on pages 34 to 37, 42, 

52 and 53

18 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Create value through product and service 
innovations and digital applications

Priorities for 2024
• Continue to drive sales growth in 

PestConnect and Lumnia and the new 
RADAR X across existing customers.

• Further evolve digital activity, leveraging 

current and new technology.

• Bring to market additional non-toxic and 

sustainable products and solutions.

• Further roll out of Rentokil tools and 

technologies across the North American 
Terminix business.

Key actions taken in 2023 
Growth in innovative solutions
Under the leadership of our new Group 
Innovation & Product Development Director, 
the pipeline of projects continued to  
deliver new products and improvements  
to existing products.

Evolved digital activity 
Our myRentokil self-service customer portal 
continued to grow with 300,000 registered 
users on the system, and a 35% increase in 
user sessions.

Launched customer platforms 
across Terminix 
We began rolling out Rentokil technology 
solutions, with a residential self-service portal 
for bill payments and appointments launched 
across 18 brands.

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

+35%

Increase in user sessions completed on 
myRentokil

B Find out more on pages 26, 27, 42 

and 53

Manage 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.

0.31

Lost Time Accident 
(LTA) rate

7.05

Working Days Lost 
(WDL) rate

B Find out more on pages 68 to 82

Priorities for 2024
• Deliver high standards in health and safety 

and undertake the CEO Safety and 
Environment Awards to recognise strong 
performance.

• Continue to execute our regional 

environmental plans and deliver further 
progress in each of our eight workstreams.

• Introduce new products for our customers 

which are more sustainable.

• Maintain our support for our communities 

and charities in line with our Mission.

• Continue to prepare for new  

environment, social and governance 
reporting requirements. 

Key actions taken in 2023 
Maintained high levels  
of safety and training
The safety of our colleagues comes first and is 
managed by a dedicated team with consistent 
global policies and performance measures 
across the Company. During 2023, we 
continued to deliver strong levels of colleague 
safety, improving our Lost Time Accident rate 
by 20.5% and our Working Days Lost by 10.8%. 

This performance was driven by our ongoing 
focus on safety, robust management 
standards, and commitment to best practices 
and training.

Delivered regional environmental 
improvement plans
We continued our work on our plan to achieve 
net zero emissions by the end of 2040 during 
the year: eight workstreams are now under 
way and country teams are executing their 
plans. Our five-year emissions index has 
achieved a 16% improvement in carbon 
efficiency and is making good progress 
towards our emissions target of a 20% 
reduction by 2025. 

In addition, we have continued to migrate our 
fleet of vehicles to ultra-low emissions and 
hybrid vehicles. The fleet now comprises c.8% 
ultra-low emissions vehicles in the UK and 
Europe, and 1,484 hybrid vehicles worldwide. 

We are also proud to have continued our 
partnership with Cool Earth for another year, 
supporting communities in the rainforests of 
Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, Mozambique, 
and Peru.

Rentokil Initial plc 
Annual Report 2023

19

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Manage a responsible business

Latin America and Caribbean

Managing a responsible 
business in Latin America, 
by reducing fuel usage  
and CO2 emissions

We recognise that our ambitious net zero target can only 
be achieved if our colleagues are engaged and fully 
involved, and so in 2023 our Latin America business 
focused on changing mindsets.

20 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

93%

of Latin American 
branches now use  
all LED lighting

40%

reduction in CO2 
emissions in the 
Bahamas

14.3%

reduction in overall fuel 
usage in the Caribbean

The team set themselves an 
ambitious target of reducing fuel 
usage per customer visit by 10% 
during the year. 

In order to achieve this, vehicle 
emissions were managed by the 
careful selection of the right size 
and type of vehicle, the use of 
route planning to reduce mileage 
and the use of telematics to 
encourage more efficient driving, 
as well as the introduction of some 
of the first all-electric vehicles in 
the region and the increased use  
of hybrid vehicles. 

Overall fuel usage per visit in  
Latin America and the Caribbean 
reduced by 4.3%. However in the 
Caribbean alone, the reduction  
was 14.3%. 

In order to reduce electricity 
demand, the region has focused  
on increasing the use of LED lights 
in all branches. 

All pre-existing branches now have 
100% LED lighting, and including 
those acquired during the year, 
93% of Latin American branches 
and 85% of Caribbean branches 
now use all LED lighting, further 
reducing electricity usage. 

In the Bahamas, termite operations 
were restructured in order to 
improve the efficiency of 
fumigation services. The project 
included training the whole team  
at a specialist location in Florida, 
learning about the elements  
which impact the efficiency of  
an operation in detail, such as 
temperature and ground surface. 

Worn tents were replaced to 
protect against gas leakage, 
monitoring equipment introduced 
to check for gas loss in real time, 
and giant inflatable bags used to 
reduce the area to be filled with 
gas. Overall, the project has 
delivered a 40% reduction in  
CO2 emissions in the Bahamas, 
while at the same time increasing 
fumigation revenues by 37%. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 21

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceKey Performance Indicators
The Group monitors several key metrics to track the financial and non-financial performance 
of the business. These measures were selected because we believe they provide additional 
useful information on underlying trends. All 2023 figures include the performance of 
Terminix. Unless otherwise stated, prior year figures do not include Terminix.

 Colleagues: Ensuring everyone goes home safe

Lost Time Accident (LTA) rate

0.31

20.5% improvement on 2022

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Working Days Lost (WDL) rate

7.0510.8% improvement on 2022

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Link to strategy
• As a service organisation, our people make our Company what it is.

• Our priority is ensuring every colleague goes home safely.

• Health and safety is the first agenda item in all senior management meetings (including 

Executive Leadership Team and Board).

Link to remuneration
• 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
• This year we delivered another excellent level of colleague safety, and we continue to set very 

high standards in every region.

• In 2023, improved our LTA rate by 20.5% to 0.31 (2022: 0.39). 

• WDL also improved, by 10.8%, reducing WDL to 7.05 from 7.90 in 2022.

• There were no work-related colleague fatalities in 2023.

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

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

B Find out more
Responsible Business on page 69

0.31

0.39

0.38

0.39

0.53

7.05

7.90

8.71

8.46

10.99

 Colleagues: Employer of Choice

Total colleague retention

84.2%

+4.7 percentage points

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

84.2

79.5

84.4

88.6

86.9

Sales colleague 
retention

Service colleague 
retention

77.4%

+1.1 percentage 
points

83.3%

+5.7 percentage 
points

77.4

83.3

76.3

77.6

82.9

82.4

87.7

86.9

85.3

86.1

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

22 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Link to strategy
• By retaining our people, we also retain and build deeper relationships with our customers,  

which underpins our organic growth.

• Retaining more colleagues reduces cost of recruitment, as well as driving productivity 
improvement, and allowing new recruits the time to be trained and gain experience.

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

• We recruit, appoint and promote on merit and, where possible, from within the organisation.

Link to remuneration
• Colleague retention is a Performance Share Plan (PSP) performance measure and is included  

in annual bonus personal objectives.

Commentary on performance
• Colleague retention improved by 4.7 percentage points versus a restated 2022 to 84.2%, 

translating to c.1,900 more colleagues choosing to stay with us compared to 2022. Every region 
saw an improved performance in the year, in overall retention as well as in both Service and 
Sales colleague retention. 

• Service colleague retention also increased 5.7 percentage points versus restated 2022 (77.6%) 
to 83.3%, which was driven mainly by strong performances in Asia & MENAT, up 6.7 percentage 
points, and North America, which was up 5.7 percentage points. In North America, Terminix 
Service retention was up 6.5 percentage points on FY 22 from 60.7% to 67.2%.

• Sales colleague retention increased by 1.1 percentage points to 77.4% versus restated 2022 
of 76.3%. All regions delivered an improved performance, the highest of which was Asia & 
MENAT, up 3.6 percentage points. Europe remained the highest performing region, up  
2.0 percentage points to 94.1%.

Prior year numbers have been restated primarily to include the Terminix acquisition, as well as to align all regions  
on consistent definitions and calculations. In addition the global metric is now a weighted average, based on the 
headcount of each region, rather than a straight average as it had been previously.

Colleague retention is defined as total colleagues retained in-year as a percentage of average headcount throughout 
the year. Colleague retention is measured on a rolling 12-month basis.

B Find out more
Responsible Business on page 70

 Customers: Delivering outstanding customer service

State of Service

97.8%

+1.9 percentage points

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

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

Link to strategy
• We are passionate about delivering excellent service to every customer and keeping our 

promises to them.

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

97.8

95.9

92.9

89.4

97.2

Commentary on performance
• Group State of Service rose by 1.9 percentage points to 97.8% in 2023 (2022: 95.9%),  

well ahead of our global target of 95.0%.

• All regions saw an improvement in performance. Asia & MENAT was our highest performing 
region at 98.5%, up 2.5 percentage points from 2022, closely followed by North America  
at 98.2%, Europe (incl. LATAM) at 96.8%, and UK and Sub-Saharan Africa at 95.5%. Despite 
being our lowest performing region at 94.9%, our Pacific region saw an improvement 
of 2.2 percentage points on 2022.

B Find out more
Our approach to customer service on pages 39 and 71

 Customers: Keeping promises to customers

Customer Voice Counts (CVC)

50.8

-0.1 points

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

50.8

50.9

52.1

40.8

46.4

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.

CVC scores are based on both telephone and digital 
survey channels, except for 2019 when only telephone 
surveys were used.

In 2023 global and regional scores have been weighted 
based on the portfolio value of the market. Prior year 
data back to 2020 has also been restated on this basis.

Link to strategy
• 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 sales 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
• Improving CVC is one of the performance conditions of the PSP, which covers over  

1,100 colleagues across the Group.

Commentary on performance
• Our CVC score for 2023 was 50.8, a slight decrease of 0.1 points on the prior year (restated)  

but 1.3 points above our target of 49.5.

• Our category analysis shows that Pest Control is our highest rated category, at 54.9, flat on  
last year, despite improved performances in Europe, Pacific and UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Initial Hygiene scored 49.3 points this year, an increase of 1.1 points on 2022 (restated). 
All regions achieved increases on the prior year, except for North America and LATAM.

• This year, our focus is on understanding feedback from CVC to gain insights at global and 

regional levels to see how customers feel about different aspects of our service.

B Find out more
Our approach to customer service on pages 39 and 71

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 23

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceKey Performance Indicators 
continued

 Customers: Retaining our customers

Customer retention

82.3%

-0.1 percentage points

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

82.3

82.4

85.4

84.5

86.2

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

2022 figures have been restated to include Terminix.

Link to strategy
• Customer retention is crucial to our long-term success.

• 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
• Overall customer retention was broadly flat at 82.3% (2022: 82.4% restated to include Terminix).

• In North America, we saw a slight improvement of 0.2 percentage points in customer retention 

rates against 79.3% in 2022 (restated to include Terminix).

• In Europe (incl. LATAM), customer retention reduced by 0.1 percentage points though remained 

strong at 88.4%.

• Customer retention for UK and Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 0.3 percentage points to 86.9% 
and customer reviews of our UK businesses on Trustpilot.com remained at ‘world-class’ levels, 
with 90% 5-star reviews from more than 8,000 customers.

• Asia & MENAT customer retention decreased by 2.6 percentage points to 78.7% and in the 

Pacific region, overall customer retention fell by 2.3 percentage points to 86.5%.

B Find out more
Our approach to customer service on pages 39 and 71

 Shareholders: Driving higher revenue

Revenue growth 
(at AER)

+44.7%

Revenue growth 
(at CER)

+45.8%

2023

AER

CER

2022

AER

CER

2021

AER

CER

2020

AER

CER

2019

AER

CER

44.7

45.8

25.6

19.4

5.5

9.5

3.7

5.1

9.8

8.5

Link to strategy
• We aim to drive shareholder value through driving higher revenues from our Pest Control and 

Hygiene & Wellbeing businesses, supported by M&A investment.

Link to remuneration
• 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.

Commentary on performance
• Statutory Revenue was up 44.7% to £5,375m at AER. Revenue increased 45.8%, reflecting the 
benefit of M&A, including Terminix, and good Organic Revenue Growth of 4.9%, supported by 
strong performances in Europe, Asia & MENAT, Pacific, UK, and LATAM. 

 – In North America, Organic Revenue Growth was 3.1%, with growth of 3.5% in Pest Control 

services, due to lower sales lead generation and conversion in a softer consumer market in  
the second half of the year.

 – Organic Revenue was up 9.2% in Europe, the Group’s second largest region.

 – Good broad-based Organic Revenue Growth across all business categories: 4.5% in Pest 

Control; 4.8% in Hygiene and Wellbeing; and 13.2% in France Workwear. 

B Find out more
Financial Review on pages 57 to 62

24 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 Shareholders: Achieving greater profitability

Adjusted Operating 
Profit growth (at AER)

Adjusted Operating 
Profit growth (at CER)

Link to strategy
• Our objective is to deliver sustainable profit growth by growing Group revenues.

+57.1%

+57.0%

2023

AER

CER

2022

AER

CER

2021

AER

CER

2020

AER

CER

2019

AER

CER

57.1

57.0

29.4

23.3

15.0

19.6

5.1

6.9

11.0

10.1

Link to remuneration
• Profit targets are one of the Company’s performance elements of the annual bonus, which 

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

Commentary on performance
• Adjusted Operating Profit increased by 57.0% to £897m at CER. Adjusted Operating Profit  

up 57.1% to £898m at AER. Statutory Operating Profit up 96.9% to £625m at AER.

 – Group Adjusted Operating Margin up 120bps to 16.6%. Full-year margin expansion in Pest 

Control and France Workwear, with Hygiene & Wellbeing margin in the second half of the year 
above 19.0%, as expected.

 – North America Adjusted Operating Margin up 160bps to 18.7%, underpinned by the delivery  

of Terminix synergies.

 – Sustained strong price progression across all regions, accompanied by good customer 

retention.

B Find out more
Financial Review on pages 57 to 62

 Shareholders: Delivering sustainable Free Cash Flow

Cash conversion

193.4%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

193.4

258.6

214.1

294.6

163.0

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion (at AER)

89.4%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

89.4

91.8

108.3

121.4

94.2

Free Cash Flow growth (at AER)

33.7%

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 
assets, and dividends received from associates.

An explanation of the reconciliation of the Adjusted  
Free Cash Flow Conversion can be found on page 67.

Link to strategy
• 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
• 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.

Commentary on performance
• The new cash conversion metric reflects statutory ‘net cash flow from operating activities’ 
expressed as a percentage of ‘profit after tax’ as a measure of overall conversion of profits  
into cash.

• Adjusted free cash flow conversion of 89.4% (2022: 91.8%) is ahead of guidance for the sixth 
consecutive year. 2023 is broadly in line with 2022 and they represent a more normal years  
after the clear down of receivables from the COVID-19 disinfection revenues in 2021.  
2023 cash conversion also includes a full year of settlements against warranty termite claims.

• The cash performance reflects delivery of a full year of Terminix trading, including $69m of 

synergies, tight management of working capital and capital expenditure permitting M&A spend 
of £242m in the year, dividends of c.201m (2022: £122m) and the cash impact of integration 
activities of c.£107m. These resulted overall in a small decrease in cash and cash equivalents of 
c£40m. Net Debt fell by c.£133m as a result of the above cashflows and c.£169m of FX benefit, 
leaving Net Debt to EBITDA ratio at 2.8x (2022: 4.6x).

B Find out more
Financial Review on pages 57 to 62

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 25

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Create value through product and service 
innovations and digital applications 

UK

Creating value through 
best-in-class, differentiated 
innovation
Innovation is the lifeblood of what we do at Rentokil Initial 
and it all starts and ends with serving our customers in the 
most efficient, environmentally responsible way. 

It is about finding better ways to solve existing problems 
while also anticipating and solving emerging challenges 
and, as yet, unknown issues.

We are proud to have an industry-leading track record  
of delivering best-in-class, differentiated innovation. 

26 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

100%

of innovation pipeline 
is sustainable, non-toxic  
or digital

4innovation centres  

(three in UK and one in US)

75+

pipeline of innovation 
investment projects

Innovation is always guided by 
reviewing and researching what  
is scientifically and technically 
possible, balanced with the needs  
of our customers. Our commercial 
customers and residential consumers 
are seeking more sustainable 
practices and solutions. For our 
commercial service providers, this is 
also important, to help them deliver 
on their own environmental and 
sustainability goals. At Rentokil Initial, 
we leverage our deep customer 
relationships across the globe, to 
better understand customer needs 
ahead of time, allowing us to target 
our innovation in the right areas. 

We have four global innovation 
centres, including our latest North 
America centre in Dallas, which will 
be focused on residential services 
including termites, vector control,  
and fumigation. These centres are 
dedicated to researching pest 
behaviour and hygiene consumer 
needs, and translating that research 
into cutting-edge, breakthrough 
technical solutions. The key to our 
success is our people – industry-
leading scientists, engineers, field 
biologists, and technicians – who live 
and breathe innovation in everything 
they do.

The process of innovation is 
separated into two parts within 
Rentokil Initial: we have dedicated 
disruptive innovation teams (focused 
on solving new problems in 
unprecedented ways) as well as  
core optimisation teams (focused  
on finding more efficient, effective, 
and sustainable ways to deliver  
the market-leading service our 
customers recognise). At any one 
time we can have over 75 projects in 
our innovation pipeline, with projects 
taking just a few months to more 
than three years from inception to 
market launch, depending on the 
complexity of the challenge we are 
aiming to solve.
Disruptive innovation
All the innovation Rentokil Initial 
undertakes must deliver on our  
key metrics of organic growth, 
sustainability, and meaningful 
competitive differentiation. 

We ensure this happens by scoring 
hundreds of potential blue sky 
opportunities (with ideas being 
submitted from both within and  
from outside of the business, from 
academia to end users) based on  
Return on Investment potential, 
strategic importance, and complexity 

and selecting the most impactful 
ideas. We then consider our detailed 
customer requirements and create  
a clear technical brief which we 
develop against. All projects are 
evaluated for performance, efficacy, 
and durability through rigorous 
testing, both in a laboratory, and in 
the field, to ensure our products and 
services will deliver to the highest 
standards. 

Lumnia and EcoCatch are great 
examples of this – you can read 
more about these on page 43.
Core optimisation
In addition to innovating new 
products, our teams also look at how 
to make existing products more 
efficient, effective, and sustainable. 
The team measures products against 
the highest standards, balancing 
performance and efficacy targets 
with meaningful sustainability goals. 

BirdAlert and RADAR X are great 
examples of this – you can read 
more about these on page 43. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 27

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceMarket Trends and Opportunities
We operate globally across the attractive, largely non-cyclical growth markets of pest 
control and hygiene and wellbeing, with positive growth drivers and opportunities for 
sustained growth over the medium to longer term. 

Global market opportunity

The global pest control market is a strong, growing and attractive, largely non-cyclical market valued at c.$26 billion. The global market is expected 
to continue to enjoy strong organic growth rates of c.5–6% annually to reach an estimated market size of c.$33bn in 2028. 

The hygiene and wellbeing markets are highly fragmented with strong underlying growth drivers globally. We estimate the global market size for 
washroom services to be c.$55 billion, forecasted to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of c.4–5% through to 2028. 

Pest control global market worth1

Addressable market and growth %

c.$26bn

per annum and is expected to continue 
to grow at c.5–6% annually to reach  
c.$33bn by 2028.

2023

2028

$26bn

 c.5–6% 
CAGR

$33bn

Hygiene and wellbeing – global washroom 
services market worth2

Addressable market and growth %

2023

c.$55bn

per annum and is expected to continue 
to grow at c.4–5% annually.

$55bn

 c.4–5% 
CAGR

c.5% to 2028

US pest control market is the largest market 
globally, expected to grow by a CAGR of c.5% 
to 2028, driven by strong commercial sales 
and its role as an essential service supporting 
‘licence to operate’ businesses.

c.6% to 2028

ROW has a CAGR of c.6% to 2028, driven by 
higher growth in Emerging markets and Cities 
of the Future.

Key segments

• Education

• Leisure and hospitality

• Healthcare

• Offices

• Manufacturing

• Retail

Our core Pest Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing businesses have historically enjoyed strong growth rates, driven by our global strategy execution, 
organic growth and through our well-executed M&A programme. 

Pest Control revenue (£m) 
2015–2023

9 year CAGR

21.0%

Hygiene & Wellbeing revenue (£m) 
2015–2023

9 year CAGR

6.5%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

1.   Market data sources: Allied Markets (Global), The Strategic Analysis of the US Structural Pest Control Industry, Speciality Consultants LLC, Quince Market 

Insights and Company internal revenue data.

2.  Market data sources: Rentokil Initial internal analysis and independent research reports.

28 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Pest control market drivers

Pest control is a largely non-discretionary 
and essential service protecting public 
health, and demand for the service is 
driven by multiple macro drivers, creating 
a resilient market globally. These drivers 
include: globalisation, population growth 
and urbanisation, climate change, 
increased regulation, as well as increasing 
business and consumer intolerance to pest 
issues. The drivers are aided by advancing 
technology across the market, where 
Rentokil is a leader in innovation and 
digital adoption. 

Impact for Pest Control
• Extended pest-breeding seasons and 

lifecycles

• Translocation of pests into new 

geographies

• Urbanisation creates higher pest 

demands

• Regulatory pressures will limit 

over-the-counter solutions and increase 
products requiring licensed applicators

• Increased efforts in the food supply chain 

to prevent food loss

• Consumers could move from preventative 

services to more reactive pest control

Hygiene and wellbeing  
market drivers
Since the start of the global pandemic in 
2020, we have seen elevated standards  
for health and hygiene, particularly in  
the workplace. 

Industry commentators and our experience 
to date suggests this heightened focus on 
hygiene will be a long-term change that  
will create ongoing market opportunities 
from which our business can benefit.  
This structural shift and opportunities  
from compelling growth drivers give us 
confidence in delivering our organic  
growth targets for Hygiene & Wellbeing  
of 4.0-6.0% over the medium term.

 Population growth and urbanisation

  Rise of pests and vector 
borne diseases

The global population is growing by 1.1% per 
annum (c.80 million), primarily in Sub-Saharan 
Africa, South Asia, and MENAT. City 
populations are on the rise – 68% of the 
population will live in cities by 2050, up from 
55% in 2021. This higher concentration of 
people in cities leads to a higher volumes 
of pest-related activity.

The global rat population is set to increase to 
seven billion alongside increasing customer 
demand for non-toxic solutions. There are  
over 50 termite species in the US which  
cause c.$2bn p.a. in subterranean damage. 
Four billion people in over 125 countries are  
at risk of contracting dengue fever, which 
could double by the end of the century.

 Climate change

 Standards increasing

Extreme weather conditions are becoming the 
norm, with droughts and flooding bringing 
different pest challenges. Deaths related to 
malaria are on the rise, a direct impact of rising 
temperatures. Climate change also impacts  
on pest behaviour, distribution lifecycle, and 
pesticide resistance.

US Food Safety Modernization Act –  
most significant pest control legislation in  
over 70 years – focuses on the prevention  
of disease outbreaks. Regulatory pressures 
and legislation are increasing the role  
for innovation.

 Regulation increasing

The pest control industry is facing evolving 
regulations, particularly regarding the use of 
certain pesticides and chemicals, making 
compliance and adapting to changing 
standards a challenge.

 Sustainability

Gen Z amongst others are demanding 
sustainable solutions, driving the move away 
from rodenticides to environmentally friendly, 
non-toxic, and less harmful chemicals. The 
demand can be met by the promotion of 
integrated pest management practices  
that emphasise prevention and reduced 
chemical usage.

 Increasing pest intolerance

Pest infestations cost global businesses 
c.£5.8bn each year with some species 
becoming resistant. 29% of Americans have 
experienced a rodent pest issue at some 
point; and 35% in the Northeast of the US.

 Low residential penetration

There is an unserved market for residential 
and termite pest care prevention in the  
US of c.$48bn, with only c.$7bn being  
served currently.

 Rise of millennial population

 Surface hygiene

The millennial generation is highly focused  
on health and wellbeing and vocal about its 
importance, with increased spend across all 
wellbeing categories. 

 Sustainability

Customer demand for enhanced hygiene 
solutions has also created a related 
requirement to ensure that all solutions  
are delivered in the most sustainable  
way possible.

 Air hygiene

Increased sensitivities around air filtering,  
air purification, and air quality monitoring, 
driven by stricter regulations and standards, 
are presenting significant new opportunities 
for air hygiene.

The pandemic led to an explosion of sensitivity 
around microbe transmission points and 
surfaces being carriers of risk. The resultant 
shift to significantly enhanced cleaning 
regimes and protocols has largely remained  
in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Hand hygiene

Good hand hygiene is one of the most basic 
yet powerful ways in which individuals can 
protect themselves from infection as shown 
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting 
focus on hand hygiene has, to a large extent, 
remained a feature of everyday life.

 Brand trust and expertise

Customers now seek greater reassurance than 
ever from service providers, with brand trust 
being paramount in their choice criteria.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 29

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceMarket Trends and Opportunities 
continued

Global market position

Pest control

Hygiene and wellbeing

Market position
The pest control market is highly fragmented, with strong growth 
drivers across all regions (see page 29). The market accounts for 
c.80% of Rentokil Initial’s global revenue and c.81% of operating 
profit. Rentokil operates across 89 countries and is a leading global 
operator, enjoying a No.1 position in the majority of countries. 
Rentokil is the largest pest control provider in the US market, where 
40% of the market is served by three companies. The remainder  
of the market is highly fragmented, with 40% made up of larger 
private companies and 20% made up of thousands of small private 
companies. The market is split between residential, termite, and 
commercial customers.

Competition
Rentokil competes in the highly fragmented termites, residential, 
and commercial pest management markets. Key international 
competitors of Rentokil include Rollins, Orkin, Ecolab, and Anticimex.

Over the past 12 months there has been further M&A activity 
across the sector. Major players and increasingly private equity 
are targeting acquisitions in Growth and Emerging markets.

In addition, new technology solutions and increased digital 
marketing are driving inbound leads for national and smaller 
independent operators.

Market position
Our Hygiene & Wellbeing businesses operate in an attractive 
industry offering strong growth opportunities. Like Pest Control, 
Hygiene & Wellbeing is an essential, non-discretionary business  
and its medium-term opportunities are enhanced by rising demand 
for global hygiene services. It is difficult to estimate the total market 
size for hygiene and wellbeing as the services and products in this 
market are highly fragmented.

The Initial Hygiene brand is a leader in global core hygiene services 
– operating in 61 countries and in No.1 position in over a third of 
countries, and leading positions in the rest of its regional markets. 
Our Enhanced Environments business operates in 18 countries and 
has leading positions in a number of its markets.

Competition

The market is highly fragmented and 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, differentiating on services, products, and coverage.

In several markets, washroom requirements can be met by facilities 
management or cleaning companies directly. In-country competitors 
to Initial Hygiene include: PHS Group Inc. (based in the UK), Elis 
(based in France), CWS (based in Germany), Citron Hygiene Canada 
Limited (based in Canada), and Ecolab Inc. (based in the US) in 
hygiene services; and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (based in the US) 
in hygiene consumables and products.

B Find out more on pages 40 to 47

B Find out more on pages 50 to 53

30 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Addressing the global market opportunity through our strategic priorities

The opportunities across the pest control and hygiene and wellbeing markets are driven by underlying macroeconomic, climate, and geographic 
factors, which in turn are driving organic growth rates across our regions. Executing our strategic priorities helps us to capture these opportunities 
and our leadership in innovation and digital continues to ensure that we differentiate our brands and support our customers’ needs in the changing 
social, economic, and regulatory environment. 

Growing population

Trend

How we are responding

Global population changes provide additional demand for 
our service, particularly across the residential and hotels, 
restaurants and catering (HORECA) sectors. The global 
population is growing by 80m people each year and is 
forecast to reach 9.1bn by 2050, creating further demand 
from pest proximity. Higher growth rates persist in parts 
of Asia and Africa. The US population is projected to rise 
from c.325m to c.400m by 2060.

We are expanding our geographic presence across pest 
control, hygiene and wellbeing through our targeted M&A 
programme, with a particular focus on cities in Growth and 
Emerging markets. Our acquisition of Terminix in 2022 has 
given us wider and deeper footprint across North America, 
where our branch integration will ensure we are optimised 
to serve the shifting population in the world’s largest pest 
control market.

Urbanisation

Rising middle  
classes

Climate change

An increasing proportion of the world’s population 
is residing in urban areas, leading to the growth and 
expansion of cities. By 2050, 68% of the global  
population will live in urban areas (versus 55% in 2021), 
where hygiene and sanitation issues are most prevalent. 
Rapid urbanisation is currently more pronounced in 
developing regions, particularly in Asia and Africa.

We have a fundamental understanding of route density, 
which has helped us consolidate our leadership position  
in our existing global markets and improve margins.  
We are serving 98 of the world’s largest cities by GDP  
and our M&A programme which extends from North 
America to the rest of the world is actively seeking to  
build local density in the c.1,000 cities we are already in.

The rise of the middle classes has been a significant 
global trend, particularly in developing and emerging 
economies. An additional 160 million people join the 
middle classes every year, with increasing hygiene 
and living standard expectations and a growing health 
consciousness afforded by higher disposable income.

We are well positioned to benefit from the rising middle 
classes through our global geographic presence and 
our diversified product offering. Our presence in 98 of 
the largest cities of the world by GDP ensures we are 
already serving this growing demographic, alongside 
the development of premium washroom product ranges 
targeting higher value customer segments.

Climate change has profound implications for human 
health, influencing the prevalence, distribution, and 
dynamics of various diseases. By 2050, climate change  
is expected to cause approximately 250,000 deaths  
each year from malnutrition, malaria and other diseases.

Between 2021 and 2050, annual US average 
temperatures are expected to rise, creating increased 
pest threats.

Consumers and customers are also responding to  
climate change by demanding sustainable solutions to 
reduce the impact on the environment and their own 
emission targets.

Increasingly, our innovations have a clear and 
demonstrable benefit for the planet, not just our business. 
They are developed with sustainability firmly in mind 
and we seek to ensure that their environmental impact is 
beneficial in relation to existing products and services in 
the marketplace. Our ambition to find more sustainable 
alternatives forms part of our pathway to net zero carbon 
emissions by 2040.

Read more about our approach to Responsible Business  
on pages 68 to 82.

Increasing standards 
and consumer 
expectations

Increased regulatory pressures, particularly in food safety, 
to reduce the spread of diseases are increasing the role 
for innovation.

Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic we 
have seen elevated standards for health and hygiene, 
particularly in the workplace, with rising demands from 
consumers and customers for higher standards of hygiene 
creating ongoing market opportunities. 

Rentokil Initial has been an innovator in the industry,  
with a steady release of new products and services.  
These include first-of-its-kind products like the energy-
efficient Lumnia insect light trap and our pioneering 
Connect suite of solutions. The successful development 
and deployment of our innovations and digital applications 
strongly differentiates us in the market. It gives us 
solutions to offer our customers and is the lifeblood  
of future growth for the business.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 31

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Drive M&A

Pacific

M&A execution, entering 
new markets such as rural 
pest control in New Zealand
We have recently made four investments into  
an exciting new area for Rentokil Initial – rural,  
(non-urban) pest control to support the New Zealand 
government’s significant investment into its  
Predator Free 2050 campaign. 

Predator Free 2050 is a national goal to rid New Zealand 
of the most damaging introduced predators that impact on 
the environment. Pest species such as possums, rodents 
and stoats threaten native wildlife in New Zealand and 
have already caused several critical species’ extinctions.

32 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

The programme encompasses large-scale 
pest control projects, on private and  
public estates, engaging respectfully with 
affected communities, and building strong 
local knowledge and lasting relationships 
for environmental and ecological 
protection. The Central Government is 
providing significant investment to restore 
the environment, and it’s estimated that up  
to a quarter of the investment will be used 
for pest eradication and management. 

We have acquired four new business in 
the last two years (in 2022 we acquired 
EcoFX in the North Island and Vector Free 
Marlborough in the Upper South Island, 
while in 2023 we acquired High Country 
Contracting in the Lower South Island  
and Feracon in the North Island).  
These acquisitions have added rural pest 
management capability to our existing 
urban pest management expertise. 

Scan me  
to find  
out more

Vector Free 
Marlborough

Feracon

EcoFX

High Country 
Contracting

Our overall M&A programme 
We continue to deliver revenue and profit 
ahead of our returns criteria. During 2023, 
we spent c.£261m on acquisitions, with 
acquired annualised revenues of c.£106m, 
with 34 deals in Pest Control and seven 
deals in Hygiene and Wellbeing. With a very 
strong M&A pipeline, we are targeting spend 
of c.£250m in 2024.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 33

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Regional Review
Driving growth across our global business
Our focus is on delivering scale and advantage across our five global regions, 
relentlessly seeking opportunities to build scale in new countries and regions, 
to consolidate our positions in existing markets, and to expand our Cities of the 
Future programme in Growth and Emerging markets. 

Segmental reporting 

Rentokil Initial operates regionally and reports 
performance across our five global regions: 
North America, Europe (including LATAM), 
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa (including Ireland & 
Baltics), Asia & MENAT, and Pacific. Our 
products and services are segmented into 
three business categories: Pest Control, 
Hygiene & Wellbeing, and France Workwear. 

North America

Europe  
(incl. Latin America)

UK & Sub-Saharan 
Africa

Asia & MENAT

Pacific

Across our businesses and country  
operations we deploy our centrally  
designed innovation and technology  
products, services, and solutions to drive 
profitable, sustainable growth. 

Due to the international nature of the Group, foreign exchange movements can have a significant impact on regional performance. Unless otherwise 
stated, percentage movements in Revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit are presented at constant exchange rates.

North America

2023 
AER 
£m

AER 
Growth

2023 
CER 
£m

CER 
Growth

Organic
Growth excl.
Disinfection

Organic
Growth incl.
Disinfection

Revenue

3,306

78.7%

3,314

79.2%

3.1%

3.0%

Operating Profit

489 158.4%

490 159.0%

Adjusted Operating Profit

617

95.5%

618

95.9%

Adjusted Operating Margin

18.7%

1.6%

18.7%

1.6%

In North America, Revenue was up 79.2%, 
benefiting from a full year of the Terminix 
acquisition. Regional Organic Revenue grew 
3.1%, achieved alongside the full programme 
of the Terminix integration. Organic Revenue 
growth in Pest Control Services for our 
commercial, residential, and termite customers 
was below our expectations at 3.5%, owing to 
lower new business lead generation in a softer 
consumer market in H2. The Pest Control 
category as a whole, which includes the 
Products Distribution and Lake Management 
businesses, recorded Organic Revenue 
growth of 3.1%. Weaker Q3 2023 growth in 
North America continued into the low season 
of Q4 at 1.2%, however Q1 2024 is expected  
to be c.2%. The company has conducted an 
in-depth review to fully examine the drivers  
of the underperformance and formulate a 
strategy to reinvigorate growth, resulting in 
THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan detailed below.

Adjusted Operating Profit growth of 95.9%  
to £618m reflects the combined impact from 
higher revenues and the Terminix acquisition. 
Statutory Operating Profit was up 158.4% to 
£489m at AER. Strong price realisation across 
all channels has successfully offset expected 
inflationary pressures. Adjusted Operating 
Margins in North America were up 160bps 
year-on-year to 18.7%. 

34 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

The full-year impact of lower Terminix margins 
reduced the overall North America margin  
by 70bps. However, Terminix synergies 
delivered a benefit of 140bps, while trading 
improvements, including density from growth 
and prudent cost management, contributed 
90bps of margin.

Total North America colleague retention, 
including Terminix, increased to 75.2% (FY 22: 
70.1%), driven by improvement in retention of 
technician roles. Sales colleague retention was 
flat. Terminix colleague retention has seen 
continued improvement, up to 69.7% (FY 22: 
64.0%). Since the close of the deal in October 
2022, colleague retention at Terminix has 
increased by 8.1ppts. The Group continued to 
make investments in being an Employer of 
Choice, and we are seeing ongoing success 
with our recruiting, onboarding, and training 
initiatives. Despite price increases, total 
customer retention in North America slightly 
increased to 79.5% (FY 22: 79.3%) and 
included an improvement at Terminix. 
Customer satisfaction was also positive,  
with an excellent Terminix Net Promoter  
Score of 64.9, up 1.5 on the prior year. 

Notwithstanding the considerable focus 
required to complete the Terminix transaction, 
our North American bolt- on M&A programme 

continued apace, with the purchase of  
13 businesses with combined annualised 
revenues of around c.£46m in the year prior to 
purchase. This included the acquisition in the 
second half of the year of Action Pest Control, 
a large Midwest provider. As we integrate 
Terminix, we will continue to selectively 
pursue high-quality M&A assets in the North 
America region.

In the year, there was further good progress 
on legacy termite warranty claim volumes,  
with significantly fewer filed warranty claims. 
Total filed warranty claims reduced by 14%  
on the prior year and by 44% since 2019.  
Open warranty claims further reduced by  
29% on the prior year and by 65% since 2019. 
Total filed warranty claims in the Formosan 
termite-heavy Mobile Bay reduced by 48%  
on the prior year and by 80% since 2019. 
Largely as a result of our plan to accelerate  
the resolution of legacy claims, particularly 
focused on complex litigated long-standing 
cases, and a shift in the mix of claim 
resolutions, the blended average settled  
cost per claim, including inflationary impacts, 
was up c.32%. Going forward, we have also 
successfully introduced a termite residential 
sales warranty cap for the lifetime of the 
agreement of $250,000 for new customers 
with qualifying homes.

Organic Growth in H2 2023
An in-depth review was conducted into the 
reasons for the slowdown in regional organic 
growth experienced in the second half  
of 2023. 

We have confirmed that service technician 
retention was further significantly improved 
and customer retention remained resilient 
throughout the period. The pricing strategy 
also continued to be effective, with cost input 
inflation recovered, as expected. 

Organic growth is generated from both 
existing and new customers. Trends in 
upselling to the existing customer base didn’t 
see a material change from prior trends. 
Notwithstanding this, we believe technician 
leads represent an important growth 
opportunity in the US with the potential for 
sizeable upside in the medium term. This is 
based on evidence of the Group’s success in 
other markets. For example, in 2023, c.88%  
of UK pest control technicians participated in 
submitting leads with a c.32% close rate. This 
compared to a US participation rate of c.50% 
and estimated c.20% close rate. Our ‘Trusted 
Advisor’ programme (empowering technician 
leads and sales) already underway in Terminix 
will be rolled out across Rentokil US branches. 

The main challenge to new business growth  
in the second half of the year was lower 
acquisition of new residential, termite and SME 
customers. The largest adverse change was 
observed in inbound sales leads and sales 
enquiries from prospective customers to our 
call centres and websites. In H2, in-bound 
sales leads were down 2-3% in the region.  
We estimate that the US pest control market 
grew at approximately 4% in 2023, reflecting 
lower growth in the residential, termite and 
SME sectors, particularly in H2. This is about 
1% lower than the recent historical average. 
Nevertheless, we recognise that the business 
was not sufficiently effective in attracting  
and closing sales leads. In 2023, integration 
planning focused attention on organisational 
change. Our marketing and sales leadership 
underwent considerable change, which in  
part affected our marketing performance to 
generate leads and convert sales (close rate in 
H2 was flat with prior year). Increased digital 
marketing spend by the competition and flat 
sales colleague retention (c.60% in Terminix 
and c.77% in Rentokil) compounded the overall 
impact. There was also a slightly disruptive 
influence felt from branch closures and pilots. 

THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan
We have taken action to strengthen the North 
America management team and fully resource 
the senior marketing and sales teams ahead  
of the 2024 pest season. In addition to Brad 
Paulsen, recently appointed to the position of 
North America CEO, we have in place new  
and experienced leadership for Residential 
Marketing, Digital Marketing, and Sales.  
We’ve also seconded our UK Operations 
Director to North America to take charge of 
technician sales leads. 

Following the review of H2, the team has  
now defined THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan to 
reinvigorate organic growth in North America. 
The core components of this plan are:

• Driving further improvement in frontline 
colleague retention and productivity, 
in particular in sales to improve sales 
conversion. Our Employer of Choice 
programme will focus on enhanced talent 
acquisition and onboarding, additional 
investment in training, and seasonal sales 
incentive programmes. 

• Investing in a brand strategy to reinforce 

awareness. This includes additional 
investment in the Terminix brand to build  
on its industry-leading awareness (#1 best 
known brand in US pest control according  
to a 2023 Google Brand Arc Study) and  
build preference with our target segments. 
We’ll also continue to build the equity of the 
Rentokil brand to support business growth in 
the National and Strategic accounts space. 

• Adding capabilities and resources in 

marketing to refine our focus and build our 
marketing excellence. In addition to the new 
regional marketing and sales leadership, the 
North America business will benefit from 
increased investment for growth of c.$25m 
towards people, sales leads, digital channels, 
and other brand and marketing activities. 
New marketing agency partnerships are  
now in place and our first multi-channel 
brand marketing campaign will be launched 
in Spring 2024. 

• Strengthening sales effectiveness to target 

increased sales colleague retention, 
particularly in the 0-12 months service 
category. Over time we will introduce new 
data, tools and technologies in order to 
improve timing from sales lead to inspection 
and quote. 

• Enhancing our approach to pricing 

discipline to continue to offset inflation. 
Sales and marketing initiatives will be 
accompanied by continued strong pricing 
discipline for both new and existing 
customers. Our pricing practices will be 
enhanced with third-party tools and data to 
deliver market and segment-specific value  
to customers. This includes the viability 
testing of new AI-backed capabilities.  
We will also optimise bundling, promotions 
and discounting programmes through 
consistent market-level pricing tests. 

• Improving customer satisfaction and 

retention to take it to par with the average 
elsewhere in the Group over time. We are 
dedicated to delivering a consistently 
positive customer experience including 
through investment in our digital platforms, 
in technician training and in our contract 
renewal processes. 

• Increasing technician sales leads to expand 
revenue from existing customers. Through 
execution of the Trusted Advisor Programme, 
we’re focused on driving up the volume, 
value, and conversion rate of technician 
leads towards the UK benchmark over time. 
In 2024 the Trusted Advisor programme will 
be rolled out to Rentokil technicians. 

Rentokil Initial has a proven long-term track 
record of operating very successfully through 
economic cycles. We are confident the team 
has the skills, know-how and insights to get 
growth back on track. 

13acquisitions in North 

America with annualised 
revenues of c.£46m

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 35

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Regional Review 
continued

Europe (incl. LATAM)

2023 
AER 
£m

AER 
Growth

2023 
CER 
£m

CER 
Growth

Organic
Growth excl.
Disinfection

Organic
Growth incl.
Disinfection

Revenue

1,081

14.9%

1,078

14.6%

9.2%

8.3%

Operating Profit

182

15.6%

161

2.2%

Adjusted Operating Profit

215

14.9%

210

12.5%

Adjusted Operating Margin

19.9%

0.0%

19.5%

-0.4%

The region has enjoyed strong performance  
in 2023. Topline momentum in the first half of 
the year carried into the second half, driven by 
both effective price increases and resilience  
in overall demand. Revenue grew by 14.6% in 
the year to £1,078m (9.2% Organic). Revenue 
growth in Pest Control was 21.8%, with a 
strong contribution from key markets including 
France, Benelux, and Germany. Hygiene & 
Wellbeing grew Revenue by 5.8% in the 
period, driven by broad-based strength across 
the region and continued momentum in the 
core washrooms business. Ambius, part of the 
Enhanced Environments business, sustained  
a good performance through the year.  
As anticipated, there was an improvement  
in Specialist Hygiene and Dental in the  
second half of the year, after a period of 
post-COVID-19 disruption. 

UK & Sub-Saharan Africa

France Workwear Revenue was up 13.2%. 
Strong new business sales performance was 
reflected in its contribution, which was also 
supported by robust pricing.

Adjusted Operating Profit in the region grew 
by 12.5% to £210m. Statutory Operating Profit 
was up 15.6% to £182m at AER. In Europe, as 
expected, short-term H1 margin pressure from 
increased M&A activity reversed in H2. The H1 
headwind plus continued hyperinflation in 
Argentina in the aggregate resulted in full-year 
Adjusted Operating Margin down slightly by 
40bps to 19.5%. While inflationary pressures 
have persisted throughout the period, in 
Europe and most of LATAM we have been 
successful at protecting margins with 
pass-through pricing. Customer retention has 
remained strong at 88.4% (FY 22: 88.5%). 

A focus on sales retention, including 
recruitment, onboarding and early days 
retention led to excellent colleague retention 
rates of 90.4% (FY 22: 89.1%), with the 
business recording some of its best months 
on record in the second half of the year. 

In Europe and LATAM, 11 business acquisitions 
(five in Europe and six in LATAM) were 
completed in total with annualised revenues  
of c.£12m in the year prior to purchase. 

11acquisitions completed 

in Europe and LATAM 
with annualised 
revenues of c.£12m

Revenue

Operating Profit

Adjusted Operating Profit

2023 
AER 
£m

AER 
Growth

2023 
CER 
£m

CER 
Growth

Organic
Growth excl.
Disinfection

Organic
Growth incl.
Disinfection

390

6.6%

394

7.9%

3.5%

3.4%

84

94

-6.6%

-1.7%

85

95

-5.5%

-0.5%

Adjusted Operating Margin

24.1%

-2.0%

24.1%

-2.0%

The region delivered a good trading 
performance against a challenging macro 
backdrop and strong prior year comparators, 
especially in the first half of the year. 
Performance in the mature UK market was 
supported by strong service innovation and 
a record performance from technician sales 
leads. Revenue for the region overall 
increased by 7.9% (3.5% Organic). Pest Control 
grew by 8.0%. Hygiene & Wellbeing increased 
by 7.7%, lapping COVID-19-boosted 
comparators in the medical waste business. 
There was a positive contribution from the 
recently acquired Urban Planters business, 
which supplies plants to retail properties, 
offices, and restaurants. This was 
accompanied by an improved performance 
year-on-year in the UK Property Care business 
despite the cooler property market. 

Regional Adjusted Operating Profit decreased 
by 0.5% to £95m. Statutory Operating Profit 
was down 6.6% to £84m at AER. Adjusted 
Operating Margins decreased by 200bps  
to 24.1%. As previously stated, margin 
performance in the first half of the year was 
dampened by the anticipated reduction in 
COVID-19 disinfection and related services, 
such as needle and PPE disposal, and the 
non-repeat of UK COVID-19 credit note 
releases. However, these factors substantially 
fell away in H2. Cash performance has been 
strong in the year with debtor days finishing 
the year ahead of pre-COVID-19 levels. 
Inflationary pressures have been significant, 
but the region’s long-established pricing and 
margin management systems, process, and 
controls have delivered a price performance 
that mitigates these cost increases. 

36 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

These price increases have been delivered 
alongside a further improved customer 
retention rate of 86.9% (FY 22: 86.6%) and 
world class customer experience scores. 
Colleague retention for the full year was up 
strongly to 83.3% (FY 22: 77.9%).

In the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa two business 
acquisitions, both in the Hygiene & Wellbeing 
category, were completed with annualised 
revenues of c.£18m in the year prior to 
purchase. 

2acquisitions completed 

in UK and Sub-Saharan 
Africa with annualised 
revenues of c.£18m 

Asia & MENAT

Revenue

Operating Profit

Adjusted Operating Profit

2023 
AER 
£m

AER 
Growth

2023 
CER 
£m

CER 
Growth

Organic
Growth excl.
Disinfection

Organic
Growth incl.
Disinfection

339

5.6%

357

11.2%

10.2%

7.1%

33

45

40.3%

0.3%

34

47

44.4%

4.0%

Adjusted Operating Margin

13.3%

-0.8%

13.1%

-1.0%

The region delivered a good 2023 
performance. Revenue rose by 11.2%, of 
which 10.2% was Organic, underpinned 
by contractual activity. Pricing was 
complemented with volume growth, as 
markets overall remained structurally 
supportive. The performance was led by the 
region’s largest markets: India, Indonesia, 
Malaysia, and Singapore. Hong Kong 
continued to be challenged by a subdued 
economic environment, however there was 
a more positive contribution from China. 

Adjusted Operating Profit in Asia increased 
4.0% to £47m and Adjusted Operating Margin 
was down 100bps to 13.1%, lapping stronger 
COVID-19 disinfection revenues. Operating 
Profit was up 40.3% to £33m at AER. Customer 
retention was 78.7% (FY 22: 81.3%). Regional 
operations have benefited from an increased 
colleague retention rate of 92.0% (FY 22: 
86.1%), while the average time to fill vacancies 
has remained stable year on year. The region 
acquired seven businesses with total 
annualised revenues in the year prior to 
purchase of c.£8m.

7acquisitions in the 

Asia & MENAT region 
with annualised 
revenues of c.£8m

Pacific

Revenue

Operating Profit

Adjusted Operating Profit

2023 
AER 
£m

AER 
Growth

2023 
CER 
£m

CER 
Growth

Organic
Growth excl.
Disinfection

Organic
Growth incl.
Disinfection

249

10.0%

261

15.0%

6.8%

6.8%

47

55

19.5%

14.6%

49

57

24.9%

19.8%

Adjusted Operating Margin

21.7%

0.9%

21.7%

0.9%

The Pacific region delivered an excellent full 
year performance. Revenue increased by 
15.0% to £261m. Organic Revenue grew 6.8% 
as pricing was complemented with volume 
growth. Pest Control delivered 25.2% Revenue 
growth, with notable strength in commercial 
services. Good sales and customer retention 
were also evident in the Hygiene & Wellbeing 
business, where Revenue growth was 6.4%. 
The region saw good demand for Ambius 
services.

Adjusted Operating Profit in the Pacific grew 
strongly by 19.8% to £57m and Adjusted 
Operating Margins rose by 90bps to 21.7%, 
with year-on-year improvement across both 
Pest Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing 
categories, supported by effective mitigation 
of cost inflation. Operating Profit was up 19.5% 
to £47m at AER. The customer retention rate 
remained strong at 86.5% (FY 22: 88.8%). 
Colleague retention in the region has 
significantly improved to 77.5% (FY 22: 72.9%), 
despite continued tight labour markets. 
The region acquired eight businesses with 
total annualised revenues in the year prior 
to purchase of c.£22m.

8acquisitions in the 

Pacific region with 
annualised revenues 
of c.£22m

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 37

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Drive Organic Revenue Growth  
in Pest Control

Europe

Success in driving Organic 
Revenue Growth in Pest 
Control in Europe, through 
an enhanced customer 
experience
In recent years our European business has been focusing 
heavily on becoming more customer-centric. This started 
with a vision for how the future would be: to provide an 
experience that every customer enjoys, and every 
colleague is proud to deliver every time.

38 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

+5increase in Net 

Promoter Score in 
Europe

>80%

colleague satisfaction 
with training

The impact has already been 
profound: Customer Voice Counts 
in Europe has increased by around 
five Net Promoter Score points and 
colleague satisfaction with training 
has typically exceeded 80%. 

Genesys is helping the teams 
manage customer contact better 
than before and, in Austria and 
Switzerland alone, customers 
abandoning calls because they 
weren’t answered promptly 
reduced by over 50%. Furthermore, 
1View is already helping colleagues 
in Portugal solve customer 
problems 25% faster than before 
and at half the cost. 

More training and platform 
deployments are going to follow  
in the coming years, creating  
a customer experience that all  
colleagues in Europe can be  
proud to deliver every time.

The first step was to create a 
five-point strategy of what the 
business wanted to achieve:  
a customer experience culture;  
a recognised customer experience 
function; simple customer 
experience processes; a proactive 
customer experience; and all of 
that underpinned by technology. 

We also invested in a 
transformation programme, led  
by experts and working in close 
partnership with colleagues from 
all European markets and Group 
functions. 

In 2023, this led to: more than  
20 hours’ training delivered to 
around 200 customer care 
colleagues across Europe; 
increasing the number of markets 
with Genesys (a platform for 
improving the handling of customer 
communications) to nine; piloting  
a new customer management 
system, 1View, in Portugal; 
implementing customer 
satisfaction surveys in Spain and 
Switzerland; and, in Belgium, 
piloting new ways of coaching 
colleagues on how to best handle 
customer calls.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 39

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review

Pest Control

What we do
We are the world’s leading pest control company and 
the leading operator in North America, with operations 
across 89 countries and 98 of the world’s 100 largest 
cities by GDP. We occupy an unrivalled global position 
in a resilient and non-cyclical industry characterised by 
strong long-term structural growth drivers.

Trading under the Rentokil and Terminix brands, our 
Pest Control specialists protect people, enhance lives, 
and preserve the planet by providing route-based pest 
control solutions across commercial, residential, and 
termite sectors through the use of connected, digitally 
enabled, energy-efficient, and non-toxic sustainable 
pest control services. Using both preventative and 
responsive strategies, we enhance protection for our 
customers through holistic, integrated, and connected 
pest management programmes.

Our leadership credentials
Powerful pest control brands 
–  a leading commercial brand in the world, 
largest US residential and termite brand

Strong Employer of Choice programme 
–  providing outstanding technical training, 

building expertise and careers

Sector leaders
–  leaders in commercial, residential,  

and termite sectors globally 

Leaders in digital 
–  connected devices, data, AI, customer  

portal, and customer apps

Unmatched capabilities in innovation 
–  four global R&D, Science & Innovation 
Centres with strong pipeline of tools  
and expertise

Experts in route density 
–  operate in 98 of the world’s 100 largest  

cities by GDP

Disciplined and proven M&A capability 
– 333 Pest Control acquisitions since 2014

40 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Our customers
We operate across distinct customer 
segments and a broad range of industries.

Customers increasingly are making 
purchasing decisions based on brand trust, 
differentiated expert service delivery 
(including innovation), sustainable solutions, 
and an increasing desire for digital customer 
engagement solutions. These are all areas  
in which Rentokil Initial will continue to focus 
and invest.

Commercial
The largest segment, accounting for c.50%  
of the Global pest control market. Key sectors 
include food and beverage processing, 
hospitality, facilities management, offices and 
administrative, and logistics and warehousing.

Residential
Representing c.33% of the Global market, 
and the largest segment of the US market.

Termites
Accounts for c.17% of the Global market, and 
21% of the market is in the US alone, where 
Rentokil is the largest supplier.

We have a high degree of recurring revenue 
across Pest Control. Within the Commercial 
sector, customers mainly contract on an 
annual basis, with PestConnect customers 
contracting on a three-year basis. Our 
residential and termite customers contract  
on a per visit/incident basis, with most regions 
introducing an increase in prices in line with 
inflation during the year.

Our performance in 2023

Revenue (at AER)

£4,286m +59.2%

Revenue (at CER)

£4,321m +60.6%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

4,286

2,690

1,947

1,712

1,733

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Operating Profit (at AER)

£649m +107.5%

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER)

£828m +66.7%

649

313

285

203

198

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

M&A

c.£199m

spent on 34 acquisitions, c.£76m Revenues 

Eight-year Revenue CAGR

+21.0%

Adjusted Operating Margin (at CER)

19.2% +70bps

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Our Pest Control business, now including 
Terminix, is the largest operator in both the 
US, the world’s biggest pest control market, 
and the world. Overall, the business delivered 
good growth in the year, underpinned by the 
critical nature of its services. Revenue was 
up by 60.6% (4.5% Organic) to £4,321m. 
Performance has been supported by both 
pricing and volumes, led by the Commercial 
Pest Control business, which has a high 
proportion of contractual activity. Both 
Commercial and Residential Pest Control 
businesses have benefited from resilient 
customer retention rates. Adjusted Operating 
Profit was up by 66.7% to £828m, resulting in 
an Adjusted Operating Margin of 19.2%, up 
70bps on the prior year, including a benefit 
from Terminix integration synergies of 130bps. 
Operating Profit was up by 107.5% to £649m at 
AER. For FY 23, Pest Control represented 80% 
of Group Revenue and 81% of Group Adjusted 
Operating Profit.

In 2023, new contracts for global accounts 
(multinational customers) were signed in the 
pharma and hotel, restaurant and catering 
sectors. Global Accounts now oversee 
revenues of over £100m, an increase of 14% 
on FY 22. 91% of total revenues in the Pest 
Control category were delivered by Growth 
markets and 9% by Emerging markets. 

M&A has continued to be strong this year, and 
we have acquired 34 pest control businesses 
in the period, with annualised revenues in the 
year prior to acquisition of c.£76m.

4,321

2,690

2,080

1,751

1,744

828

497

383

281

303

19.2

18.5

18.4

16.1

17.4

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 41

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review
Pest Control

Our Pest Control strategy: key strategic themes

Global leadership  
driving growth 
Driving growth in Growth and Emerging 
markets organically and through M&A. 

Objective
We will seek to accelerate business growth  
by building on our global leadership, through 
further expansion, particularly in North 
America and Emerging markets, both 
organically and through M&A. In North 
America, we will leverage our scale and build 
market share through a balanced programme 
combining organic initiatives and targeted 
M&A to build density and increase our 
expertise in new pest sectors such as vector 
control and lake management.

How we have performed in the year
• Organic Revenue Growth of 4.5%, with 3.1% 

in North America. Growth supported by 
pricing and volumes, led by the commercial 
pest control business.

• Acquired c.£76m in revenue through 34 
acquisitions, with 13 in the US market.

• New US Innovation Centre built in Dallas 

opening in 2024.

• Global accounts (multinational customers e.g. 
food producers, pharma, hotels, restaurants 
and catering, etc.) now oversee revenues of 
over £100m, +14% growth in the year.

Building on strengths 
of leading brands 
Continuing to be recognised as the world’s 
leading brand in pest control.

Objective
Rentokil is the leading pest control brand in 
the world and the leading commercial pest 
control brand in North America. Terminix is 
the most recognised brand for termite and 
residential pest management in the US. 
We continue to focus on building the brand 
through ongoing investments in people, 
service, innovation, digital capabilities, and 
sustainability. 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 accomplished through central 
deployment of global campaigns with 
supporting toolkits for local activation through 
a wide range of communication channels, and 
building market share through a balanced 
programme combining organic initiatives. 

How we have performed in the year
• Development of a new marketing campaign 
in the US to support organic growth plans, 
rolling out in 2024.

• Customer satisfaction improvement in 
Europe with +5 point increase in Net 
Promoter Score.

• Social media campaigns across LinkedIn  

and X to support brand awareness.

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

Objective
Acquisitions are a core part of our Pest Control 
growth strategy targeting acquisitions in key 
markets to build scale and density, increase 
our competitive positioning and improve our 
ability to service customers, targeting 
acquisitions in new countries and in 
megacities and large cities where we have 
identified strong growth potential.

How we have performed in the year
• £199m spent on Pest Control M&A, with 
34 businesses acquired with combined 
annualised revenues of c.£76m.

• Strong M&A in North America, Pacific, 

Europe, and UK.

• Acquisition in the second half of the year 
of Action Pest Control, a large Midwest 
US provider.

Differentiation through  
our innovation pipeline
An increasing focus on non-toxic pest control 
solutions.

Objective
Our culture of constant innovation drives  
our success, with science at the heart of  
our approach by our experts in our global 
innovation centres, driven by our goal to be 
the most loved pest control company in the 
world. In 2023, we have invested c.£10m 
across the world in pest control R&D, with 
3,000 colleagues supporting our innovation 
pipeline, and with more than 50 partners 
working with us to deliver best-quality 
solutions at pace.

How we have performed in the year
• £10m invested in R&D globally.

• 445,000 Lumnia units now installed,  

with energy savings of up to 79%.

• New versions launched of EcoCatch Flies 

exterior fly catcher and BirdAlert, the 
sustainable bird-scaring solution, and 
development of RADAR X Connect dual 
catch unit.

42 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Harnessing the digital 
opportunity
Using our digital expertise, including web, 
apps, portals, and services to lead digital 
pest control.

Objective
Digital innovation in pest control is necessary 
to meet the needs of an evolving world. 
Our smart technology is providing more 
remote monitoring solutions and increased 
transparency of data. We have also begun 
to integrate our data automatically into 
customers’ own internal reporting platforms. 
Our robust, scalable, and secure global 
infrastructure aims to meet the evolving 
digital needs of our customers.

How we have performed in the year
• myRentokil 24/7 self-service portal is now 

operational in 51 countries, supporting over 
300,000 users. User sessions in 2023 
increased by 35%.

• Increased PestConnect units in the year  
by c.23% to around 356,000 in operation 
across 21,000 sites.

• We now have five countries where 

connected devices account for more than 
10% of the commercial portfolio.

• Developed RADAR X dual catch unit, ready 
for launch in 2024. Enhancements not only 
for operational efficiency but also for 
sustainability. 

Meeting the demand for innovative, 
non-toxic, sustainable applications 
Through products designed and tested in  
our Innovation Centres, Rentokil is constantly 
adapting to changing regulations in the 
industry and the demand from consumers for 
non-toxic, or humane, sustainable solutions, 
leading the way with our own-designed 
solutions.

Intelligent bird scaring 
Birds can spread disease with their droppings, 
damage buildings and equipment, and create 
health and safety risks. Rentokil’s innovative 
bird management service includes Intelligent 
Bird Scaring (BirdAlert), an effective and 
sustainable device that’s been designed to 
deter birds without harm and is controlled and 
monitored remotely via an app. The BirdAlert 
device has an intelligent built-in system that 
recognises different bird species and identifies 
the best scare tool from a broad range to deter 
each of them. 

It can detect birds inside a radius of  
250 metres and can alternate the order  
and intensity of the scare tools to prevent 
habituation. Our new upgraded unit uses  
60% less power, contributing to a 50% 
reduction in carbon footprint. It is also made 
from 100% recycled plastic and is faster and 
easier to install. 

Effective and safe fly catching
Global population growth and rapid migration 
from rural areas to urban centres has led to an 
increase in food sources and living habitats for 
flies, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. This 
increase has driven growth in the fly trap 
market across commercial customers, with 
North America accounting for 43% of the 
global fly trap revenue. Rentokil’s fly control 
solutions include the newly launched 
sustainable exterior fly control solution, 
EcoCatch Flies, a reusable, effective external 
fly trap, that provides non-toxic and flexible 
control of ‘public health flies’. EcoCatch Flies  
is a visually aesthetic fly control solution that 
hides the flies captured in a more appealing 
container, catching 60% more flies in 24 hours 
(in controlled laboratory conditions), making it 
a very effective solution for use in outside 
areas in hospitality, hotel and pub gardens, 
and terraces, as well as outside bin and waste 
areas. Over 30% of the non-toxic, reusable 
trap unit is made from recycled plastics.

RADAR X
Delivering breakthrough solutions that reduce 
waste is integral to our innovation approach at 
Rentokil Initial. This is quite unique within the 
pest control industry, but a bar we strive to set 
ourselves and surpass as we challenge and 
reinvent what’s possible. RADAR X is our latest 
exciting step forward in our goal. 

RADAR X, our new industry-leading mouse 
riddance solution with dual catch and 
monitoring capability, offers a much-needed 
alternative to conventional chemical 
rodenticide practices. Our 24/7 connect 
monitoring ability enables early detection  
of pest activity and targeted intervention, 
reducing service inefficiency and associated 
CO2 emissions. It protects customers from the 
disruption pest infestations can cause, as well 
as minimising the risk of secondary poisoning 
to non-target species. It is designed as a novel 
modular system, which enables specific 
components to be swapped rather than 
needing to discard the whole unit if one part 
needs replacing. This not only minimises 
plastic and electronic waste, but also extends 
the lifespan of the product to deliver effective 
indoor mouse control for longer. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 43

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review
Pest Control

Terminix integration

Our Terminix vision
Our vision is to create a world-class business with market leading brands, highly motivated 
people, strong customer relationships, and with high levels of efficiency and growth to 
deliver strong financial returns for shareholders:

•  No. 1 in Commercial, Residential, and Termite;
•  Scale and density, with an outstanding network coverage across the entire USA;

•  Proven, repeatable, low-cost operating model and multiple drivers of revenue growth; 

Terminix integration phases

and

• Deliver significant value creation, including gross synergies of $325m by 2026.

Post-integration, our ambition is to generate Organic Revenue Growth in Pest Control 
Services of 1.5x the market over the medium term.

Phase One
Foundations: 
Complete

Terminix integration process
The Terminix integration process continues to 
make very good progress. We have completed 
the first phase of the integration and, in 2023, 
we delivered $69m of synergies, ahead of our 
target of $60m. Overall, we have delivered 
pre-tax net P&L cost synergies of $82m since 
completion of the deal. 

We have announced a further increase in the 
target for total integration cost synergies from 
the integration of Terminix – increasing the 
gross synergy target to $325m (previously 
$275m) and net synergy target to $225m 
(previously $200m). 

The timetable for integration is now set to be 
completed in 2026, rather than 2025, in order 
to de-risk the branch integrations and achieve 
greater synergies.

Integration: synergy delivery
Gross synergy target increased by $50m to c.$325m

$m

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026 Cumulative

Selling, General and 
Admin synergies

Field operations

Gross synergies 

Investments

Net synergies 

CTA cash

44 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

15

–

15

(2)

13

40

73

16

89

(20)

69

92

77

29

106

(66)

40

85

20

59

75

(10)

65

28

–

40

40

(2)

38

5

185

140

325

(100)

225

250

Phase One of the integration completed at the 
end of 2023 and delivered the foundations for 
success, including:
• streamlined and unified organisational 
structures to create a single Rentokil 
Terminix (RTX) team;

• a single payroll and benefits system for 

22,000 people in North America;

• 10,500 colleagues successfully moved to 

Workday; all US colleagues now on a single 
people management system;

• investment in new talent – North America 
CEO, digital marketing, sales, customer 
experience plus secondments from 
elsewhere in the Group;

• co-location: successfully reduced branch 

properties by 97, comprising 108 exits and 
11 new sites;

• IT systems: Google Apps rolled out to 

13,000 colleagues. 71 foundation IT system 
enhancements; and

• net cost synergies ahead of target.

 
Key deliverables in 2024
•  Deliver Phase Two (preparation for full 

integration in H1) and begin Phase Three  
in H2 with full branch integrations (go live  
mid 2024).

•  Co-locations: 97 fewer properties in 2023, 

c.75 properties to be exited in 2024.

•  Deliver $40m net cost synergies target in 

2024.

•  Cost synergy target raised: Gross synergies 

increased by $50m to c.$325m and net 
synergies by $25m to c.$225m (with c.$25m 
investment in marketing, etc.), to be delivered 
by the end of 2026 – to derisk the branch 
integrations and achieve greater synergies.

$325m

target of gross synergies, 
increasing from

$275m

Ambition for 
organic growth of 

1.5x 

North America 
growth rate post 
integration

Phase Two
Planning for integration: 
To June 2024

Phase Three
Branch integration: 
Mid-2024 to 2025

Phase Four
Lead and grow:
2026 onwards

Phase Two (until mid 2024) is underway, 
focused on planning for the first full branch 
integrations. This phase will complete with  
the sign-off on data migration and IT system 
architecture configuration.

Other activities in H1 2024 include: 
• legal entity merger – this is critical to deliver 

the branch integrations; 

• roll out more than 100 IT system features on 
a two-week sprint cycle leading up to the 
commencement of system migration;

• migrate to a single Procurement platform;

• consolidate onto a unified finance system, 

including expenses and travel management 
system;

• migrate Terminix National Accounts to 

Rentokil’s single customer management  
and billing platform; and

• combine all customer care agents on a  
single unified communications platform.

Throughout 2024 we will also continue to 
co-locate branches ahead of integration.

Phase Three of our integration plan is  
focused on the migration of Terminix  
regions and branches. 

•  undertake first integrations in 2024. 

Colleagues initially move onto standard 
systems, tools and processes. Three months 
later, we reroute technicians and introduce 
pay plans.

• Terminix branch integration programme – 

disciplined approach using proven playbook. 
Repeatable process – same systems, same 
processes.

Phase Four, our final phase  
Terminix markets and branches are  
expected to complete their integrations  
in 2026.

• lead and grow: innovation, digital, AI,  

M&A, and market share.

• world-class business: 
  – with market leading brands;

  –  highly motivated people and strong 

customer relationships; and 

  –  efficiency and growth to drive  

financial returns.

• ambition for Organic Revenue Growth 
in North America Pest Control post 
integration: 1.5x North America market 
organic growth rate.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 45

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review
Pest Control

Organic growth in North America

In 2023, Organic Revenue Growth in North 
America was below our expectations at 3.1% 
and at 3.5% in Pest Control Services. 

We have undertaken a detailed evaluation, 
including through an independent third party, 
to identify the reasons for the reduction in 
organic growth in Pest Control Services and  
to put in place a thorough plan for 2024. While 
there were several factors including – lower 
market growth in termite, residential and SME, 
performance of our own marketing channels 
to generate sales leads from potential new 
customers, the impact of the business focus 

on integration, considerable change within  
the team and the impact from branch closures 
– the lower organic performance was 
predominantly due to a reduction in inbound 
sales leads from potential new customers of 
c.2-3% in H2. 

In our contracted portfolio business, Organic 
Revenue Growth is generated from both 
existing and new customers. In 2023, there 
was good progress in our activities to 
generate sales leads and organic growth from 
existing customers in North America, with 
strong improvement in service technicians’ 

retention, excellent customer satisfaction  
and strong State of Service performance, the 
benefit of strong pricing offsetting inflation 
and slightly improved sales leads from service 
technicians. 

The focus for 2024 is on generating sales from 
new customers which starts by getting it right 
for our sales colleagues, using the power of 
our brands, marketing and search engine 
optimisation (SEO), the effective management 
of inbound leads through to our sales 
channels, optimised pricing, and efficient  
and timely service implementation.

THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan  
for organic growth

Employer  
of Choice

S

R

E

M

Service 
Quality

Retention:
Service
Sales

Brand  
Sales 
Propositions

I

N

C

R

E

A

S

I

N

G

G C U S T O

Customer 
Retention

Annual  
Pricing

TIN
IS
X
 E
M
O
R
F
E
U
N
E

V

E

R

G

N

I

S

A

E

R

Organic 
Growth 
Opportunity 
in North 
America

Marketing  
SEO  
Paid campaigns

N

E

W

B
U
S

I

Inbound sales 
leads flow

N
E
S
S
S
A
L
E
S L
E
A
DS

Technician 
generated 
sales leads

Sales 
increasing 
customer 
penetration

Sales 
new 
customer 
contracts

New  
business 
pricing

C

N

I

Technician in s t a l

l a t

i o n

ORGANIC GR O W T H

Plan: Increase sales leads and organic growth from 
existing customers 

Plan: Increase sales leads and organic growth from 
new customers

Colleagues: 
Following a successful 2023, we aim to increase service technician 
retention with investment in training and tools to increase 
productivity. 

Customers: 
We will analyse customer feedback and Net Promoter Score data 
to identify customer experience areas of strength and opportunity. 
We aim to reduce known customer experience friction points 
including scheduling, billing and issue resolution. We will build 
out our ‘Save Angels’ programme to win back customers and 
reduce customer churn.

Pricing: 
Our plan is to enhance current pricing practices with third-party 
tools and data to deliver market and segment-specific pricing.  
We will test new AI-backed programmes to further optimise our 
pricing activities. 

Technician leads and selling: 
We will accelerate our Trusted Advisor programme and aim to 
increase technician participation in generating sales leads. 
Currently implemented for Terminix, this will be extended in 2024 
to Rentokil technicians through their existing, standard systems.

Colleagues: 
We will focus on improving sales colleague retention with enhanced 
onboarding, training and harmonised compensation plans.

Increase brand visibility:
We have defined a new brand strategy which will be implemented 
across multiple marketing channels. There will be investment in the 
Terminix brand to maintain industry leading awareness and build 
preference for our service within our Residential and SME customer 
segments. We will build the equity of the Rentokil brand to support 
business growth in national and strategic commercial accounts. 

Investment for growth:
We will invest c.$25m in the North American sales leads, our own 
digital channels, brand and marketing. This includes our first brand 
marketing campaign for two years. The ‘Terminix It’ campaign goes 
live in March 2024 in the US.

Sales conversion effectiveness:
We will use tools, data and technology to seek to reduce the 
average time between lead generation and initial sales contact.

Technician install productivity: 
Our plan is to increase route productivity and on-time arrival  
through PestPac ‘Best Fit’ with adherence to our sequential routing 
programme. In 2024 we will launch Rentokil Terminix University 
Certification programmes to standardise and enhance our service 
treatment programmes.

46 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan
Our new organic growth plan for North 
America will focus on inbound sales leads 
from new and existing customers, increasing 
Terminix brand visibility, and delivering a new 
multi-channel marketing campaign. We will 
invest to deliver sustainable growth with an 
additional c.$25m of investment in 2024 in the 
North America team, our own digital channels, 
brand, and high-profile marketing.

In 2024 we expect to generate Organic 
Revenue Growth in North America of 2–4% 
and to deliver long-term benefits for our  
brand and our digital channel investments.

5. 
Investing in the Terminix brand 
to drive improved search engine 
optimisation and paid digital 
marketing.

6. 
Improving sales conversion through 
increased colleague retention, 
training, and incentives.

7. 
Continuing excellence in technician 
work order completion, focusing on 
speed from sale to installation.

To effectively execute this plan, we have 
a fully resourced sales and marketing team 
in place for 2024, and added the support 
of experienced colleagues from elsewhere 
in the Group.

Our RIGHT WAY 2 plan is therefore designed 
to drive enhanced opportunities for organic 
sales from existing and new customers in 
2024 by:

1. 
Continuing to drive up frontline 
colleague retention – particularly in 
sales, through Employer of Choice 
and investment in pay plans.

2. 
Focusing on the end-to-end  
customer service and experience, 
and improving the customer retention 
rate towards the Group average.

3. 
Continuing strong pricing discipline to 
both new and existing customers.

4. 
Driving up the volume, value, and 
conversion rate of technician leads 
towards the UK benchmark over time 
through execution of the Trusted 
Advisor Programme.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 47

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Managing the integration of Terminix  
into our North America business

North America

Manage the integration  
of Terminix into our  
North America business  
by merging and  
expanding branches
In early 2023, we began one of the initial phases of our 
programme with integration pilot tests, undertaking two 
large branch integrations within the Rentokil  
North America legacy network. 

These covered the consolidation of a total of 40 branches 
into 23 branches. Locations had previously each been 
serviced by several different brands, service protocols, 
operating systems, and pay plans. 

48 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

97net branch reduction 

in 2023

5ppmargin expansion in 

branch integration pilots

Our evaluation of these pilots found that the migration, 
while demanding, was successful, with clear evidence of 
route and branch density benefits. The combination of 
larger branches with higher network density drove margin 
expansion of approximately five percentage points in the 
pilot areas. 

Through the course of 2023 we continued with the 
programme of branch co-locations, with a net reduction  
in the branch network of 97 branches.

In the year we also conducted a detailed analysis of our 
North America branch network that showed a clear link 
between branch size and margin, such that branches 
with annual revenue of more than $8m deliver Adjusted 
Operating Profit margin that is about 10% higher than 
branches with revenue of less than $3m. At the start of 
2023, across our network of more than 600 branches, 
we had at least 100 branches operating at more than 
$8m annual revenue and around 200 operating at less 
than $3m annual revenue. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 49

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
Our Business Review

Hygiene  
& Wellbeing

What we do
At Rentokil Initial, our Hygiene & Wellbeing technicians 
provide hygiene services to business environments to 
make them cleaner, safer and healthier, improve air 
quality, and ensure 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. Trading 
under the Initial brand, we offer the widest range  
of washroom hygiene services and products inside  
the washroom. 

Our Enhanced Environments businesses improve  
the occupant experience beyond the washroom and 
throughout customer premises. We also operate 
Ambius plants and scenting, Dental Hygiene and 
Cleanroom services operations. 

Growing the category
Our core Hygiene services currently operate 
in 61 countries and we aim to increase the 
reach and density of our footprint in new 
markets through leveraging our brand and 
expertise, creating differentiated products, 
and replicating the low-cost operating model 
that is used in our Pest Control business. 
Starting with core hygiene service provision 
Inside the Washroom, and then extending into 
Premises Hygiene and Enhanced 
Environments, our growth in the Hygiene 
category is supported by being experts in the 
category, delivered through service, product 
innovation, and sales capability.

Shared infrastructure
Hygiene & Wellbeing is a strong, 
complementary business to Pest Control.  
Both businesses service the same types of 
customer and share country management, 
technology, infrastructure, and back-office 
services. They are route-based businesses 
where profit growth is driven by a deep 
understanding of the importance of density.

50 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Our customers
Initial operates in 61 markets across six main 
customer segments: education, leisure & 
hospitality, healthcare, offices, manufacturing 
and retail. Our high customer satisfaction 
levels of 49.3 provide a key competitive 
advantage. Customer Voice Counts surveys 
are used to improve service levels and every 
detractor score is followed up with a call from 
an account/branch manager to discuss 
improvements.

• Hygiene has expanded beyond the 

washroom and buyers now have a greater 
appreciation for the value of good hygiene 
standards across their locations and look  
for expertise.

• There is now often a shared responsibility  
for washroom purchasing, as the value of 
hygiene has elevated, facilities buyers have 
been joined by commercial, operations, and 
health and safety.

• Strong preference for new digital reality 

means that digital prospecting and selling 
is becoming as effective as in-person 
engagement.

Our performance in 2023

Revenue (at AER)

£858m +4.6%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Operating Profit (at AER)

£149m -4.9%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

M&A

858

821

832

907

739

149

157

157

182

101

c.£61m

spent on seven acquisitions, c.£30m Revenues 

Eight-year Revenue CAGR

+6.5%

Revenue (at CER)

£866m +5.4%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER)

£161m -1.5%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Adjusted Operating Margin (at CER)

18.5% -130bps

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

866

821

853

904

729

161

162

172

197

128

18.5

19.8

20.1

21.8

17.6

Rentokil Initial offers a wide range of hygiene 
and wellbeing services. Inside the washroom 
we provide hand hygiene (soaps and driers), 
air care, in-cubicle (feminine hygiene units), 
no-touch products, and digital hygiene 
services. In addition to core washroom 
hygiene, we deliver specialist hygiene 
services such as clinical waste management. 
We’re also improving the customer experience 
through premium scenting, plants, air quality 
monitoring, and green walls. 

Hygiene & Wellbeing Revenue increased 
by 5.4% to £866m. In addition to supportive 
pricing, continued good levels of demand 
across service sectors such as offices, 
shops, schools, and hospitality supported 
performance. Organic Revenue Growth was 
4.8%. In 2023, COVID-19 disinfection services 
generated £2m of revenues (FY 22: £21m) 
reducing category Organic Revenue Growth 
by 240bps and Group Organic Revenue 
Growth by 40bps. We see the main 
opportunities for future growth in our Hygiene 
& Wellbeing category as being core 
washrooms, premises hygiene, including air 
care, and enhanced environments. In 2023, 
Organic Revenue Growth in core washrooms 
was 4.5%, while organic growth in premises 
hygiene and enhanced environments was 
5.3%. Adjusted Operating Profit was down by 
1.5% to £161m due to COVID-19-boosted prior 
year comparators in H1 (Operating Profit was 
down by 4.9% to £149m at AER). Adjusted 
Operating Margin was 18.5%. 

We have acquired seven hygiene companies 
this year with annualised revenues of c.£30m 
in the year prior to purchase.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 51

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Our Hygiene & Wellbeing strategy: key strategic themes 

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.

Offer a complete  
product range
Avoiding cross-infection Inside the Washroom.

How we have performed in the year
• Range extensions (e.g. hand, air, and 
in-cubicle) supporting retention and 
increasing solution density.

Objective
An increased awareness of cubicle and 
washroom hygiene is providing more 
opportunities for new products and services 
for inside washrooms; expanding into new 
services for existing customers (e.g. air 
hygiene); new sales channels for existing 
washroom customers through the use of 
technology; satisfying demand for new, more 
sustainable services; and range extensions 
(e.g. no-touch washrooms).

• Attainment of EU and Nordic Swan  

Ecolabel accreditation for sustainability  
for Initial soap range.

• New innovations in Signature Scent, 

Signature Sustainable bins optimisation.

Focus on operational 
execution 
Building margins through postcode and 
product density.

Objective
Operational excellence is achieved through 
the commitment of our people and the earned 
respect for our brand and reputation. Creating 
a high-quality customer service culture and 
offering the best product ranges, as well as 
delivering our services, on time and in full,  
are core to our value proposition.

Margins are driven through postcode density 
(the number of customers on a route) and 
product density (the number of products/ 
service lines in each customer premises), as 
well as shared overheads with Pest Control 
(infrastructure and back office) and M&A 
(building further geographic density). 

How we have performed in the year
• Margin recovery in the second half was 
expected, and is stable following the 
prior-year boost of COVID-19 impacts.

• Focused on core segments of Education, 
Leisure/Hospitality, Healthcare, Offices, 
Manufacturing, and Retail.

Ecolabel sustainability accreditation
With sustainability a central theme of Rentokil 
Initial’s growth strategy, Initial Hygiene is 
driving leadership in sustainable hygiene and 
wellbeing, committed to actively reducing 
packaging waste and plastic use, as well as 
designing solutions for easier recycling. With 
increasing regulation of the industry and with 
more and more customers and users asking 
for environmentally friendly solutions, Initial’s 
soap range, including Halal and vegan 
versions and its hand, hair and shower range, 
used in gyms and hotels has been awarded 
the EU and Nordic Swan Ecolabel 
accreditations, one of the world’s most 
coveted sustainability accreditations.

The EU and Nordic Swan Ecolabel is an 
environmental labelling scheme certifying  
that a product or service complies with the 
requirements for the label. As one of the 
world’s toughest environmental certifications, 
the Nordic Swan Ecolabel is only awarded to 
products and services meeting ambitious 
environmental requirements.

Celebrating 120 years of Initial Hygiene
In 2023, Initial Hygiene celebrated 120 years 
of service. From humble beginnings in 1903, 
when Mr A P Bigelow, a soap salesperson in 
New York, brought linen supply services to 
Europe, he saw an opportunity and took it, 
relocating to London to start a personalised 
towel rental service for businesses there. His 
first innovation was simple but effective – 
each towel was marked with the customer’s 
initials to ensure they only received and used 
their own towels. From that creative idea 
sprung the business: ‘Initial Towel Supply 
Company’. 

In 1928 when it floated on the London Stock 
Exchange, Initial had become the leading firm 
of its kind and was one of the largest buyers  
of towels in the world. Over the next 70 years 
Initial grew into a world leader in hygiene and 
washroom services, through innovative 
leadership and global expansion. It was 
acquired by Rentokil in 1996 and under its 
ownership it continued to focus on innovation, 
whilst broadening its services beyond the 
washroom into a Hygiene & Wellbeing leader 
and putting preserving the planet at its core.

52 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Geographic expansion 
through organic actions and targeted, 
city-based M&A to build density and  
grow profits.

Hygiene & Wellbeing has a strong growth 
opportunity through M&A, replicating the 
successful Pest Control model, which has 
similar characteristics. Our M&A focus is on 
building city density and supporting extension 
areas that we have defined as part of our 
growth plans, including air care, surface 
hygiene, safety, and digital monitoring. The 
economics of hygiene M&A are generally 
good, asset prices tend to be lower than  
pest control, and there is less competition  
for targets.

Our planned M&A programme extends across 
our five regions, from North America to the 
Rest of the World, as we actively seek to build 
local density in cities where we operate, as 
well as targeting major Cities of the Future 
where growth is set to increase.

How we have performed in the year
• Strong M&A in Hygiene & Wellbeing, with 

c.£30m annualised revenue acquired 
through seven acquisitions.

• M&A expansion in Brunei, Spain, 
Guadeloupe, Australia and UK.

Expanding outside  
the washroom
Take our Hygiene services everywhere.

Objective
From a relatively low-interest sector, hygiene 
is now one of the world’s most important, 
presenting opportunities for us to expand 
outside the washroom into new growth areas, 
including surface hygiene, specialist hygiene 
services, air care, air enhancement and 
purification, sustainable waste management, 
products, and expertise to enhance public 
spaces and buildings, route-based service 
extensions (such as first aid), digital products 
and applications, and the alignment of hygiene 
with the importance of wellbeing. Enhancing 
work and commercial environments to entice 
guests and workers in and increase dwell time 
has grown in importance. 

How we have performed in the year
• Good growth outside core washrooms has 

been seen in hygiene, air care, and 
enhanced environments (planting). 

• Air Care growth of c.6% to c.£65m revenue. 
Air Freshening accounts for the majority of 
the air category revenue at 71.5%.

• Enhanced Environments has seen strong 
growth, with the expansion of Ambius and 
planting. 

• Key focus on to improving sustainability 

across non-core areas.

Harnessing the  
digital opportunity
Developing digital innovations to address 
customer needs and increase productivity.

We continue to develop digital products for 
enhanced services combined with greater 
reporting and insight, taking our digital 
expertise from Pest Control and expanding 
into Hygiene & Wellbeing. 

Our myInitial online reporting platform adds 
efficiency to our operations by providing 
transparency of service, including signature 
capture, service history and details, dates  
of visits, and reporting facilities. A new and 
enhanced version was launched in 2022  
and continues to be rolled out across our 
customer base. 

How we have performed in the year
• 45,000 myInitial customer portal users now 

registered, with a 35% increase in user 
sessions in 2023.

• New and enhanced version rolled out in 

21 countries.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 53

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceStrategic Priority
Build our Hygiene & Wellbeing business

UK

Build our Hygiene  
& Wellbeing business 
through increased brand 
awareness
During the year, Initial Hygiene in the UK announced  
a strategic partnership with the England and Wales 
Cricket Board (ECB) to work together to ensure that 
menstruation is not something that holds women 
and girls back from being involved in sport. 

We Got Game is the womens’ and girls’ cricket  
community across England and Wales and is supporting 
this important initiative by helping to reach, support, and 
educate the cricket network about period dignity.

54 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Initial Hygiene’s In-Cubicle Period Dignity Dispensers will 
be supplied to up to 1,000 grassroots cricket clubs, along 
with the free servicing of period waste bins. These 
dispensers provide free and discreet access to period 
products within the toilet cubicle for those who menstruate. 

A pilot programme is now underway in Derbyshire, with  
the support of the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, and  
will shortly be rolled out across England and Wales. 

ECB and Initial Hygiene both believe that periods shouldn’t 
be a taboo subject, and alongside access to free period 
products, we will also be sharing educational material with 
the cricket clubs involved, to open up dialogue as we look 
to normalise conversations about periods and empower 
future generations.

Scan me  
to find  
out more

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 55

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Business Review

France Workwear

What we do
Our France Workwear business accounts for 4% of Group 
Revenue and primarily specialises in the supply and 
laundering of workwear, uniforms, cleanroom garments, 
and personal protective wear to customers in hotels, 
restaurants and catering across France, ensuring that 
colleagues have the right workwear to support safe and 
effective working environments. 

Strategy
We are focused on creating a business that has a clear 
market differentiation. We achieve this through the 
highest level of product and service quality by focusing 
on the application of key performance indicators to 
measure quality of service, using radio-frequency and 
identity tags to improve service accountability, utilising 
highest standards in washing and repair quality, being 
responsive to customer needs, and dedicating a separate 
team to focus on innovation of services and products. 

Our performance in 2023

Revenue (at AER)

£221m +15.3%

Revenue (at CER)

£217m +13.2%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

221

192

166

168

186

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Operating Profit (at AER)

£37m +23.9%

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER)

£38m +23.6%

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

37

30

17

15

23

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Adjusted Operating Margin (at CER)

17.5% +150bps

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

217

192

164

162

181

38

31

17

18

25

17.5

16.0

10.3

10.9

13.7

56 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Strong new business sales performance, 
including key account gains and upselling, 
resulted in another strong contribution from 
our France Workwear business, where 
Revenue, all of which was organic, rose by 
13.2% to £217m. High customer retention of 
over 94% supported France Workwear’s 
strong volumes. Inflation was successfully 
mitigated with price increases. Adjusted 
Operating Profit growth increased by 23.6%. 
Operating Profit was up 23.9% to £37m at AER.

Financial Review

Summary of financial performance (at CER)
Regional Performance 

Revenue 
2022 
£m

2023 
£m

Change 
%
3,314 1,849 79.2%
3,208 1,746 83.7%
2.5%
103

106

Adjusted  
Operating Profit
Change 
2022 
%
£m
315
95.9%
297 101.8%
0.7%

2023 
£m
618
599
19

18

North America
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Europe (inc. LATAM) 1,078
Pest Control
520
Hygiene & Wellbeing
341
France Workwear
217

941 14.6%
427 21.8%
322
5.8%
192 13.2%

210
120
52
38

187
103
53
31

12.5%
16.6%
(1.8%)
23.6%

UK & Sub-Saharan 
Africa
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Asia & MENAT
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Pacific
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

394
197
197

357
266
91

261
130
131

365
182
183

7.9%
8.0%
7.7%

321 11.2%
231 15.0%
1.5%

90

227 15.0%
104 25.2%
6.4%
123

95
51
44

47
35
12

57
23
34

95
47
48

45
34
11

48
16
32

(0.5%)
8.0%
(8.9%)

4.0%
4.5%
2.6%

19.8%
44.5%
7.6%

Central
Restructuring costs
Total at CER
Total at AER

10

11 (4.4%)

5,414 3,714 45.8%
5,375 3,714 44.7%

(121)
(9)
897
898

(107)

(12.7%)
(12) 20.6%
57.0%
571
57.1%
571

Category Performance 

The Group overall delivered a good 
operational and financial performance 
in 2023, achieving 4.9% Organic 
Revenue Growth and 16.6% margin.

Stuart Ingall-Tombs,  
Chief Financial Officer

Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing
France Workwear
Central
Restructuring costs
Total at CER
Total at AER

Revenue 
2022 
£m

2023 
£m

Change 
%
4,321 2,690 60.6%
821
5.4%
192 13.2%
11 (4.4%)

866
217
10

5,414 3,714 45.8%
5,375 3,714 44.7%

Adjusted  
Operating Profit

2023 
£m
828
161
38
(121)
(9)
897
898

2022 
Change 
£m
%
497 66.7%
162 (1.5%)
31 23.6%
(107) (12.7%)
(12) 20.6%
571 57.0%
571 57.1%

Note: Hygiene & Wellbeing year on year performance reflects the anticipated 
decrease in COVID disinfection revenues from £21m in FY 22 to £3m in FY 23.

In order to help understand the underlying trading performance, unless 
otherwise stated, figures below are presented at constant exchange 
rates and Organic Revenue growth figures exclude the COVID 
disinfection business.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 57

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Review 
continued

Revenue
The Group delivered a good topline performance, with Revenue rising 
45.8% to £5,414m. Organic Revenue grew 4.9%. Statutory Revenue was 
up 44.7% to £5,375m at AER. Revenue growth in North America was up 
79.2%, benefiting from the Terminix acquisition. Europe, the Group’s 
second largest region, was up strongly by 14.6%, while the Asia & 
MENAT region was up 11.2%. Group Organic Revenue growth including 
COVID disinfection was 4.5%. 

Cash (at AER)
Net cash flows from operating activities have risen by 22.8% to  
£737m in 2023. Free Cash Flow of £500m was £126m higher than in  
FY 22. Higher trading profits resulted from organic and acquisitive 
growth. Adjusted EBITDA was £1,228m, up 43.0% versus 2022.  
One-off and adjusting items (non-cash) of £11m inflow (FY 22: £77m) 
represent Terminix related one-time share incentive schemes and  
asset impairments. 

Our Pest Control category grew Revenue by 60.6% (4.5% Organic) to 
£4,321m, underpinned by continued effective pricing and resilient 
customer retention. Hygiene & Wellbeing Revenue increased by 5.4% 
(4.8% Organic) to £866m, led by continued demand for washroom 
services. Strong new business sales performance was reflected in the 
contribution from our France Workwear business, with Revenue up by 
13.2% to £217m (13.2% Organic).

Profit
Adjusted Operating Profit rose by 57.0% during the year to £897m, 
reflecting a full year of Terminix profit and core business growth across 
major regions, in addition to effective ongoing capture of synergies from 
the Terminix transaction. This led to a 120bps increase year on year in 
Group Adjusted Operating Margin to 16.6%. Synergies from the Terminix 
transaction contributed 100bps to Group margin. Statutory Operating 
Profit at AER was up 96.9% to £625m. We have continued to deliver on 
our strategy of driving density improvements and M&A integration. Price 
increases have also been successfully implemented over the course of 
the year to offset the impacts of inflation on our cost base. The ability  
of the Group overall to offset inflationary pressures for another year 
demonstrates the resilience of the business model and the essential 
nature of our core products and services.

Within business categories, Adjusted Operating Margin for Pest Control 
was up by 70bps year on year to 19.2% (FY 22: 18.5%). Hygiene & 
Wellbeing Adjusted Operating Margin decreased by 130bps year on 
year to 18.5% (FY 22: 19.8%). However, Hygiene & Wellbeing margin was 
20.2% for H2, in line with the guidance of above 19.0% for H2, issued at 
the Interim Results. The half year and full year 2024 margin profile of 
Hygiene & Wellbeing is expected to be similar to 2023. 

Adjusted Profit before Tax (at AER) of £766m, which excludes one-off 
and adjusting items and amortisation costs, increased by 43.8%. 
Adjusted interest of £141m at actual exchange rates was higher year on 
year, partly reflecting £86m of annualised interest charges relating to 
the financing of the Terminix transaction, £15m of lease interest charges 
and a £7m offsetting reduction from the impacts of hyperinflation and 
net interest received. In the year, hyperinflation of £11m at AER in 2023 
was £11m lower than the prior year (FY 22: £22m) due to devaluation of 
the Argentinian peso. Full year restructuring costs of £9m at CER (£7m  
at AER) were down £3m on the prior year, consisting mainly of costs in 
respect of initiatives focused on our North American and Argentinian 
transformation programmes. One-off and adjusting items (operating) at 
AER of £98m includes £1m of deal costs and £81m of integration costs 
related to the Terminix acquisition (‘Costs to Achieve’) and £17m of other 
M&A costs. Statutory profit before tax at AER was £493m, an increase  
of 66.9% on the prior year (FY 22: £296m) reflecting a full year of 
Terminix profits net of one-off and adjusting items/Costs to Achieve  
and increased interest costs relating to the Terminix transaction.

The Group had a £47m working capital outflow in FY 23. Working capital 
was driven higher by revenue growth, predominantly in North America and 
Europe, across receivables and contract cost assets. Capital expenditure  
of £211m was incurred in the period (FY 22: £190m), reflecting a more 
normal pattern of spend post pandemic and the inclusion of Terminix  
capital expenditure. Lease payments were up 45.2%.

Cash interest payments of £166m were £127m higher than in the prior 
year, reflecting the timing of interest charge payments relating to 
financing of the Terminix transaction. Cash tax payments for the period 
were £100m, an increase of £23m compared with the corresponding 
period last year. Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion was 89.4%.

Integration of Terminix
Strong progress on the integration; gross synergy target raised  
by $50m to $325m 
The Terminix integration continues to make very good progress.  
We have completed the first phase of the integration and in 2023 we 
delivered $69m of net synergies, ahead of our target of $60m. Overall, 
we have delivered pre-tax net P&L cost synergies of $82m to date. 

We have announced a second increase in the target for the total value 
of integration cost synergies from the integration of Terminix – the gross 
synergies target is increased by $50m to $325m and the net synergies 
target is increased by $25m to $225m. $106m gross and $40m net cost 
synergies are expected to be delivered in 2024. 

The timetable for integration is now set to be completed in 2026, rather 
than 2025, in order to de-risk the branch integrations and achieve 
greater synergy targets.

Phase One (foundations) complete
Phase One of the integration completed at the end of 2023 and has 
delivered the foundations for success. Further to the Selling, General 
and Administrative (SG&A) initiatives, large integration pilots and initial 
branch co-locations communicated at the Interim Results, substantial 
headway continued to be made in H2, in preparation for the frontline 
route and branch integration that is set to commence mid 2024. 

An additional 44 branch locations were exited in the second half of the 
year as part of the consolidation of the legacy network and co-location 
of colleagues. This brings the total number of branch locations exited 
since closing the deal to 108. With 11 new sites, there has been a net 
reduction in the branch network of 97 branches.

Strong progress was also made in effectively positioning HR and IT. 
These are key enablers of administrative and operational efficiencies  
to be gained from the overall integration plan, as well as critical levers 
for improving the colleague and customer experience.

58 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Key HR initiatives realised in the year include:
• Migration onto the Workday HR Information System (HRIS): 10,500 
colleagues from the legacy Rentokil North America business have 
been transitioned from UKG to the Workday platform, completed in 
September 2023. This change to a single HR platform for reporting  
is crucial to aligning numerous business processes, including time 
tracking, payroll and performance management, and to enabling 
downstream initiatives, such as pay plan harmonisation and  
branch integrations. 

• Benefits harmonisation: Following an in-depth review, we adopted 
best practices from across the combined organisation to update 
company policies, procedures and offerings. All activities were 
completed allowing for a singular Open Enrollment experience for our 
colleagues in November. A harmonised benefit platform is critical to 
the reduction of administrative complexity and ultimately colleague 
engagement. It ensures consistent application of benefit access and 
cost to all colleagues, increases efficiencies, and provides a single 
platform of communication.

• Preparation for harmonisation of technician, sales and field 
management pay plans: Both legacy organisations have had 
numerous different compensation plans for front-line and field 
management roles. Harmonisation for approximately 11,000 front-line 
colleagues, 2,500 sales colleagues and 550 field management  
roles are set to provide market competitive base salary and 
performance-based commission directly aligned to our strategic 
objectives. New positions have been defined in each area based on 
skills, experience, certifications and licenses, with corresponding  
fixed base salary and incentive levels. Pay plan design, which entailed 
impact analysis to mitigate colleague retention, has been largely 
completed. Implementation will take place in 2024 in a staged 
approach across regional markets.

There has been substantial work on IT systems and products. Google 
Apps have now been rolled out to 13,000 colleagues and there have 
been 71 foundation IT system enhancements. There have been 
important advances to the Group’s digitally enabled products and 
processes, drawing on Best of Breed from across the organisation and 
with direct input from colleagues in the back office and field services. 
Key initiatives realised in the year include:

• Customer Content Management (CCM) and self-service portal. 
These two transformational tools are now live in North America, 
delivering business benefits and improving the customer experience. 
The new residential portal, deployed already to 18 brands in the 
region, meets customer demand for a 24/7 personalised experience 
that includes bill payment, appointment scheduling and service 
recommendations. The portal also frees up valuable call agent time  
to handle more complex, high value interactions. Alongside this we 
have launched a refreshed CCM tool that better empowers our call 
agents with detailed customer tracking, a 360 view of the customer 
and guided workflows for consistency and best practice. The new 
CCM tool has delivered improvements in customer query resolution 
and new colleague training. 

• Enhanced field sales tools. Valuable new features have been 

integrated to our ‘Winning Formula’ residential sales app, which is  
also being made available for the first time to our Terminix colleagues. 
The app follows the sales process end to end, from site inspection 
through to proposal and first appointment scheduling. Additionally, 
we’ve integrated the ‘Trusted Advisor’ process within our ServiceTrak 
app, further supporting service technicians to generate sales leads 
and upsell opportunities. This reflects a strategic focus on closer 
alignment between sales and service teams, enabled by technology. 

• Big data platform. The development of a data command centre brings 
the benefits of fast time access to big data and insights from multiple 
sources. It will allow for Terminix data to be integrated and increasingly 
provide actionable analytics from across our entire branch network. 
We also see exciting AI opportunities with predictive capabilities. 

Phase Two
Following completion of Phase One of the integration programme  
in 2023, we have embarked on Phase Two – full preparedness for 
branch integrations. Phase Two is scheduled to be largely delivered  
in approximately the first six months of 2024, with a number of clearly 
defined legal, IT and operational goals, including:

• A legal entity merger, critical to enabling branch integrations and 

unified contracts

• Roll out of more than 100 IT system features leading up to the 

commencement of system migration

• Migration to a single Procurement platform

• Consolidation onto a unified Finance system, including consolidation 
to a single expenses and travel management system, followed by 
purchase card harmonisation

• Migration of Terminix National Accounts to Rentokil’s single customer 

management and billing platform

• Combination of all heritage customer care agents onto a single unified 

communications platform

• Completion and sign off on data migration and IT system architecture 

configuration

Throughout 2024 we will also continue to co-locate branches ahead of 
integration, with approximately an additional 75 properties to be exited 
during the year.

Phase Three
The next phase of our integration plan is focused on the migration of 
Terminix regions and branches. The first Terminix colleagues will begin 
to migrate onto standard systems, data and processes in mid 2024,  
with rerouting and technician pay plans introduced approximately  
three months later. 

We have seven pest control Regions in the US and each integration will 
be executed over approximately 10 months from planning to rerouting. 
The first six to seven months will be used to develop a specific plan for 
the branches being integrated, based upon our best practice playbook. 
We anticipate that this will become increasingly standardised as 
Terminix markets use similar technologies and systems. The planning 
stage includes three test data migrations. This leads up to integration 
where the branch systems and data are migrated. There then follows  
a three-month period of evaluation leading up to the final part of the 
branch integration with branding, rerouting and technician pay plan  
and contracts being standardised as appropriate. 

Phase Four
The fourth and final phase in 2026 onwards will see the final Terminix 
markets and branches complete their integrations.

This will mark the completion of the branch integration programme and 
the delivery of our new synergy target in 2026. Post integration, our 
ambition is to deliver Organic Revenue Growth in pest control services 
of 1.5x the market over the medium term.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 59

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Review 
continued

Synergies and approximate phasing
There has been strong delivery on cost synergies in 2023 with $69m  
of pre-tax P&L net cost synergies achieved, ahead of the guided $60m. 
This takes the cumulative P&L benefit from net synergies to $82m since 
completion of the transaction.

M&A remains central to our strategy for growth. We will continue to seek 
attractive bolt-on deals, both in Pest Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing, 
to build density in growth and emerging markets (Cities of the Future). 
Our pipeline of prospects remains strong and our current guidance on 
spend on M&A for FY 24 is c.£250m.

Continued progress on delivery has validated our assumptions and 
given us heightened confidence in the overall opportunity, allowing us 
to increase our estimate of synergies achievable from the acquisition. 
We now expect to achieve approximately $325m of annual pre-tax 
gross cost synergies ($225m net cost synergies) by the end of 2026.

Central and regional overheads
Central and regional overheads of £121m (at CER and AER) were up 
£14m on the prior year (FY 22: £107m at CER and AER) driven by 
Terminix related central investments including higher share based 
payment charges for the larger combined organisation.

Restructuring costs
The Company reports restructuring costs within Adjusted Operating 
Profit. Costs associated with significant acquisitions are reported as 
one-off items and are excluded from Adjusted Operating Profit. 
Restructuring costs of £9m at CER (£7m at AER) were down £3m on the 
prior year (FY 22: £12m at CER and AER). They consisted mainly of costs 
in respect of initiatives focused on our North American and Argentinian 
transformation programmes.

Interest (at AER) 
Adjusted interest of £141m at actual exchange rates was higher year on 
year, partly reflecting £86m of annualised interest charges relating to 
financing of the Terminix transaction, £15m of lease interest charges and 
a £7m offsetting reduction from the impacts of hyperinflation and net 
interest received. In the year, hyperinflation of £11m at AER in 2023 was 
£11m lower than the prior year (FY 22: £22m) due to devaluation of the 
Argentinian peso. Cash interest in FY 23 was £166m (FY 22: £39m) 
reflecting both higher interest on debt raised for the Terminix acquisition 
and the phasing of coupon payments annually in arrears. 

The Adjusted interest summary table on page 62 demonstrates how  
the components of our financing drive interest costs and incomes  
and the expected range for 2024 at average exchange rates.  
Changes in variable interest rates, exchange rates and CPI rates in 
hyper-inflationary economies during 2024 will impact the reporting  
of interest costs for 2024.

Tax 
The income tax charge for the period at actual exchange rates was 
£112m on the reported profit before tax of £493m, giving an effective tax 
rate (ETR) of 22.7% (FY 22: 21.6%). The Group’s ETR before amortisation 
of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off and 
adjusting items and the net interest adjustments for FY 23 was 23.8% 
(FY 22: 19.7%). This compares with a blended rate of tax for the countries 
in which the Group operates of 25.1% (FY 22: 23.7%). 

$m
Selling, General 
and Admin 
synergies
Field operations
Gross synergies 
Investments
Net synergies 
CTA cash

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026 Cumulative

15
–
15
(2)
13
40

73
16
89
(20)
69
92

77
29
106
(66)
40
85

20
55
75
(10)
65
28

–
40
40
(2)
38
5

185
140
325
(100)
225
250

Investments relate to salary and benefits harmonisation, SHE, 
innovation centre, IT and branding, as well as additional SOX, audit 
and listing costs. They are expected to be incurred 100% in cash. 

Total one-time cash cost to achieve synergies are expected to be 
c.$250m. Phasing of $131m in 2022-2023, $85m in 2024, $28m in 
2025 and c.$5m in 2026. In addition to the $131m of cash synergies 
in 2022-2023, we also incurred non-cash costs to achieve of c.$42m 
relating to the impairment of the Terminix head office and share-based 
integration incentive costs.

Paragon Distribution Business
As part of the Terminix merger, Rentokil acquired a small product 
distribution business, Paragon, with revenue of c.$68m and profit of 
c.$4m in 2023. This business is largely dependent upon a single, 
partially exclusive supplier relationship, which will be discontinued  
with effect from 1 April 2024. As a consequence, the decision has been 
taken to close this business. North America regional Revenue and 
Adjusted Operating Profit in 2024 will be reduced by approximately 
$61m and $4m respectively. 

Continued strength of bolt-on M&A
We acquired 41 new businesses, comprising 34 in Pest Control and 
seven in Hygiene & Wellbeing. A total consideration of c.£261m was 
agreed for these acquired businesses with total annualised revenues 
of c.£106m in the year prior to purchase. We have added 13 new 
businesses in North America during the period with c.£46m revenues 
acquired. This included the acquisition in the second half of the year of 
Action Pest Control, a Midwest provider ranking #62 on the Pest Control 
Technology Top 100 list. There was also a good performance in the 
Pacific region with eight deals (annualised revenues of c.£22m), Asia 
and MENAT with seven deals (annualised revenues of c.£8m), Europe 
(inc. LATAM) with 11 deals (annualised revenues of c.£12m) and two deals 
in the UK & SSA region (annualised revenues of c.£18m). In addition,  
the Group acquired a further 8% of the share capital of the Rentokil  
PCI business in India to take ownership to 65%. The Rentokil  
PCI business is already 100% consolidated in the Group accounts.

60 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
Net debt and cash flow1

Year to Date

£m at actual exchange rates
Adjusted Operating Profit
Depreciation
Other 
Adjusted EBITDA
One-off and adjusting items (non-cash)
Working capital2
Movement on provisions
Capex – additions
Capex – disposals
Capital element of lease payments and initial direct costs incurred
Interest
Tax
Free Cash Flow
Acquisitions
Disposal of companies and businesses
Dividends
Cost of issuing new shares
Cash impact of one-off and adjusting items
Other
Debt related cash flows:
Cash outflow on settlement of debt related foreign exchange forward contracts
Net investment in term deposits
Proceeds from new debt
Debt repayments
Debt related cash flows
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Debt related cash flows
IFRS 16 liability movement
Debt acquired
Bond interest accrual
Foreign exchange translation and other items
Increase in net debt
Opening net debt
Closing net debt

1.  Net debt is defined and explained in Note C2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2.  Excludes £20m of one-off and adjusting items flowing through working capital in 2023.

2023 FY 
£m
898
300
30
1,228
(11)
(47)
(56)
(211)
14
(151)
(166)
(100)
500
(242)
19
(201)
–
(107)
(6)

(3)
–
–
–
(3)
(40)
879
(7)
832

(40)
3
3
(1)
(1)
169
133
(3,279)
(3,146)

2022 FY
£m
571
276
12
859
(77)
9
(12)
(190)
5
(104)
(39)
(77)
374
(1,018)
1
(122)
(16)
(59)
–

26
1
2,383
(844)
1,566
726
242
(89)
879

726
(1,566)
(34)
(946)
(42)
(132)
(1,994)
(1,285)
(3,279)

Change 
£m
327
24
18
369
66
(56)
(44)
(21)
9
(47)
(127)
(23)
126
776
18
(79)
16
(48)
(6)

(29)
(1)
(2,383)
844
(1,569)
(766)
637
82
(47)

(766)
1,569
37
945
41
301
2,127
(1,994)
133

Net cash flows from operating activities have risen by 22.8% to  
£737m in 2023. Free Cash Flow of £500m was £126m higher than in  
FY 22. Higher trading profits resulted from organic and acquisitive 
growth. Adjusted EBITDA was £1,228m, up 43.0% versus 2022.  
One-off and adjusting items (non-cash) of £11m inflow (FY 22: £77m) 
represent Terminix related one-time share incentive schemes and  
asset impairments.

The Group had a £47m working capital outflow in FY 23. Working  
capital was driven higher by revenue growth, predominantly in North 
America and Europe, across receivables and contract cost assets. 
Capital expenditure of £211m was incurred in the period (FY 22: £190m), 
reflecting a more normal pattern of spend post pandemic and the 
inclusion of Terminix capital expenditure. Lease payments were  
up 45.2%.

Cash interest payments of £166m were £127m higher than in the prior 
year, reflecting the timing of interest charge payments relating to 
financing of the Terminix transaction. 

Cash tax payments for the period were £100m, an increase of £23m 
compared with the corresponding period last year. Adjusted Free  
Cash Flow Conversion was 89.4%.

Cash spend on current and prior year acquisitions was £242m, dividend 
payments were £201m and the cash impact of one-off and adjusting 
items was £107m (largely related to the Terminix acquisition). Foreign 
exchange translation and other items of £169m is primarily due to the 
weakening of the US Dollar against Sterling. Overall, this led to a change 
in net debt of £133m and closing net debt of £3,146m.

Going concern 
The Board continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing  
the accounts on the basis that the Group’s strong liquidity position  
and its demonstrated ability to manage the level of capital expenditure, 
dividends 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. Details of the scenarios 
modelled are explained in the Material Accounting Policies section  
of the Annual Report. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 61

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAdjusted Interest summary1 

Amount

Rate

Fixed/
Floating

2023  
AER  
£m

2024  
CER  
£m

Bonds and swaps
EUR
EUR
EUR
EUR
EUR
GBP
Amortised Cost

Swaps
Total
Term Loan
USD

Lease Interest
Other Interest
Total Other

Finance cost2

400
500
600
850
600
400

0.95%
0.88%
0.50%
3.88%
4.38%
5.00%

3.53% 
(avg)

Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed

Fixed

700

5%-6%

Float

Float
Float

– 
– 
– 
15 
23 
20 
4 

– 
– 
– 
15 
23 
20 
3 

42 
104 

 40 
101 

31

 25
 18
 43

23

26
23
49

178

173

(26)
 (11)
(37)

141
11

(20) 
(13)
 (33)

140
10

(11)

–  

Adjusted Interest
Amortisation of discount on legacy provisions2
Gain on hedge accounting recognised in finance 
income/cost3

2023 average FX rate for £/€: 1.1503 and £/$: 1.2441
1.  For a full reconciliation of statutory interest measures to Adjusted Interest, 

please see Use of Non-IFRS Measures on page 65.

2.  2023 Finance costs totalled £189m. See Note C8.
3.  2023 Finance income totalled £(48)m See Note C9.

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

7 March 2024

The Board is recommending a final dividend in respect of 2023 of  
5.93p per share, payable to shareholders on the register at the close 
of business on 5 April 2024, to be paid on 15 May 2024. This equates to 
a full-year dividend of 8.68p per share, an increase of 15.0% compared 
to 2022. The last day for DRIP elections is 23 April 2024.

Interest received
Hyperinflation
Finance income3 

Financial Review 
continued

Funding
As at 31 December 2023, the Group had liquidity headroom in the  
region of £1,600m, including £785m ($1.0bn) of undrawn revolving  
credit facility (RCF), with a maturity date of October 2028. The net debt  
to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.6x at 31 December 2023 (31 December 
2022: 3.8x). The net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.8x at 31 December 2023 
(31 December 2022: 4.6x). In July 2023, S&P Global reaffirmed the 
Group’s BBB investment grade credit rating; and in October 2023 the 
Group got a second rating (BBB with a stable outlook) from Fitch Ratings. 
The interest rate on approximately 81% of the Group’s debt including 
leases is fixed. The Group has no debt maturities until November 2024. 

Dividend
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:

• cash generation in the year;

• future cash generation;

• cash availability at the point of dividend;

• profits available for distribution;

• cash required to invest in capital; and

• expenditure and acquisitions.

Technical guidance update for FY 24

Expected P&L outcomes
• Restructuring costs: £5m; and one-off and adjusting items  

excl. Terminix: c.£10m

• Terminix integration costs to achieve1: c.$90m-$100m

• Central and regional overheads, including Terminix related 

investments. £145m-£150m

• P&L adjusted interest costs: c.£135m-£145m2, incl. £10m-£15m 

of hyperinflation (at AER)

• Estimated Adjusted Effective Tax Rate: 25%-26%

• Share of Profits from Associates: c.£8m-£10m
• Impact of FX within range of -£25m to -£35m3

• Intangibles amortisation: £175m-£185m

• Due to closure of the Paragon distribution business, North America 
regional Revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit in 2024 will be 
reduced by approximately $61m and $4m respectively. 

Expected cash outcomes
• Overall one-off and adjusting items: c.£85m-£95m

• Working capital: c.£50m-£60m and c.£55m-£65m of  

provision payments

• Capex excluding right of use (ROU) asset lease payments: 

£250m-£260m

• Cash interest: c.£160m-£170m

• Cash tax payments: £115m-£125m 

• Anticipated spend on M&A in 2024 of c.£250m 

1.  Reported as one-off and adjusting items and excluded from Adjusted 

Operating Profit and Adjusted PBT.

2.  Interest costs will be impacted by refinancing decision taken around the 
maturity of the €400m bond with a maturity date of November 2024.

3.  Based on maintenance of current FX rates.

62 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of non-IFRS measures to the nearest IFRS measure
The Group uses a number of non-IFRS measures to present the financial performance of the business. These are not measures as defined under 
IFRS, but management believe that these measures provide valuable additional information for users of the Financial Statements, in order to 
better understand the underlying trading performance in the year from activities that will contribute to future performance. The Group’s internal 
strategic planning process is also based on these measures and they are used for management incentive purposes. They should be viewed as 
complements to, and not replacements for, the comparable IFRS measures. Other companies may use similarly labelled measures which are 
calculated differently to the way the Group calculates them, which limits their usefulness as comparative measures. Accordingly, investors should 
not place undue reliance on these non-IFRS measures.

The following sets out an explanation and the reconciliation to the nearest IFRS measure for each non-IFRS measure.

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 presentation currency of the Group). In order to help understand the underlying trading 
performance of the business, revenue and profit measures are often presented at constant exchange rates. CER is calculated by translating 
current-year reported numbers at the full-year average exchange rates for the prior year. It is used to give management and other users of 
the accounts clearer comparability of underlying trading performance against the prior period by removing the effects of changes in foreign 
exchange rates. The major exchange rates used for 2023 are £/$ 1.2441 (2022: 1.2421) and £/€ 1.1503 (2022: 1.1717). Comparisons are with the  
year ended 31 December 2022 unless otherwise stated.

Organic Revenue Growth
Acquisitions are a core part of the Group’s growth strategy. The Organic Revenue Growth measures (absolute and percentage) are used to  
help investors and management understand the underlying performance, positive or negative, of the business, by identifying Organic Revenue 
Growth excluding the impact of Acquired Revenue. This approach isolates changes in performance of the Group that take place under the 
Company’s stewardship, whether favourable or unfavourable, and thereby reflects the potential benefits and risks associated with owning  
and managing a professional services business.

Organic Revenue Growth is calculated based on year-over-year revenue growth at CER to eliminate the effects of movements in foreign 
exchange rates.

Acquired Revenue represents a 12-month estimate of the increase in Group revenue from each business acquired. Acquired Revenue is 
calculated as: a) the revenue from the acquisition date to the year end in the year of acquisition in line with IFRS 3; and b) the pre-acquisition 
revenues from 1 January up to the acquisition date in the year of acquisition. The pre-acquisition revenue is based on the previously reported 
revenues of the acquired entity and is considered to be an estimate.

In the year a business is acquired, all of its revenue reported under a) above is classified as non-organic growth. In the subsequent first full 
financial year after acquisition, Organic Revenue Growth is calculated for each acquisition as the reported revenue less Acquired Revenue. 

At a Group level, calculating Organic Revenue Growth therefore involves isolating and excluding from the total year-over-year revenue change:  
i) the impacts from foreign exchange rate changes, ii) the growth in revenues that have resulted from completed acquisitions in the current period, 
and iii) the estimate of pre-acquisition revenues from each business acquired. The sum of ii) and iii) is equal to the total Acquired Revenues for all 
acquisitions. The calculated Organic Revenue is expressed as a percentage of prior year revenue. Prior year revenue is not ‘pro-forma’ adjusted 
in the calculation, as any such estimated adjustments would have an immaterial impact.

If an acquisition is considered to be a material transaction, such as the Terminix acquisition in October 2022, the above calculation is amended  
in order to give a ‘pro-forma’ view of any Organic Revenue Growth for the full financial year in the year of acquisition, as if the acquisition had 
been part of the Group from the beginning of the prior year. The pro-forma calculation is completed using pre-acquisition revenues to normalise 
current and prior periods as shown in the table below. These revenue normalisations are considered estimates, and ensure that the potentially 
larger Organic Revenue Growth is measured over a denominator that includes the material acquisition. The same adjustments are made to our 
North America and Pest Control segment revenues for 2022 and 2023 as a result of the material Terminix acquisition.

While management believes that the methodology used in the calculation of Organic Revenue is representative of the performance of the Group, 
the calculations may not be comparable to similarly labelled measures presented by other publicly traded companies in similar or other industries.

2022 Revenue
Adjustment for Terminix pre-acquisition 2022 Revenue¹

Normalised 2022 Revenue (base for Organic Revenue 
Growth percentage)
Revenue from 2023 acquisitions (at 2022 CER)²
Revenue from 2022 acquisitions (at 2022 CER)³
Organic Revenue Growth 2023 (at 2022 CER)⁴
Exchange differences

2023 Revenue (at AER)

Organic Revenue Growth %

Year-over-year change in disinfection revenue

North
America
£m

Europe
(incl. LATAM)
£m

UK & 
Sub-Saharan
Africa
£m

1,849
1,310

3,159
33
25
97
(8)

3,306

3.0%

(1)

941
23

964
7
27
80
3

1,081

8.3%

(8)

365
–

365
15
1
13
(4)

390

3.4%

–

Asia &
MENAT
£m

321
–

321
6
7
23
(18)

339

Pacific  
£m

227
–

227
14
4
16
(12)

249

Central and 
regional  
£m

11
–

11
–
–
(1)
–

10

7.1%

6.8%

(4.4)%

(9)

–

–

Organic Revenue Growth excluding disinfection %

3.1%

9.2%

3.5%

10.2%

6.8%

(4.4)%

1.  The adjustment brings in 2022 pre-acquisition revenue back to the first day of the prior financial period for the acquired Terminix entities.
2.  Revenue from completed acquisitions in the current period.
3.  Revenue from each business acquired by the Group in the previous financial year through to the 12-month anniversary of the Group’s ownership.
4.  Organic Revenue Growth includes Organic Revenue Growth for all entities in the Group as at 31 December 2022.

Total  
£m

3,714
1,333

5,047
75
64
228
(39)

5,375

4.5%

(18)

4.9%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 63

Use of Non-IFRS MeasuresStrategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceNorth
America
£m

Europe
(incl. LATAM)
£m

UK & 
Sub-Saharan
Africa
£m

Asia &
MENAT
£m

Pacific  
£m

Central and 
regional  
£m

2021 Revenue
Adjustment for Terminix pre-acquisition 2021 Revenue1

Normalised 2021 Revenue (base for Organic Revenue 
Growth percentage)
Revenue from 2022 acquisitions (excluding Terminix) 
(at 2021 CER)2
Revenue from 2021 acquisitions (at 2021 CER)3
Organic Revenue Growth 2022 (at 2021 CER)4
Exchange differences
Remove Terminix pre-acquisition 2022 Revenue (at AER)5

2022 Revenue (at AER)

Organic Revenue Growth %

Year-over-year change in disinfection revenue

Organic Revenue Growth excluding disinfection %

1,291
1,412

2,703

15
48
89
305
(1,311)

1,849

3.2%

(61)

5.7%

832
33

865

38
11
55
(5)
(23)

941

6.3%

(21)

9.1%

354
–

354

–
–
11
–
–

365

3.1%

(6)

271
–

271

6
12
19
13
–

321

6.8%

(7)

197
–

197

7
4
13
6
–

227

7.5%

(1)

12
–

12

–
–
(1)
–
–

11

(11.9)%

–

4.9%

11.0%

7.9%

(11.9)%

Total  
£m

2,957
1,445

4,402

66
75
186
319
(1,334)

3,714

4.2%

(96)

6.6%

1.  The adjustment brings all 12 months of 2021 pre-acquisition revenue for the acquired Terminix entities.
2.  Revenue that has resulted from completed acquisitions in the current period.
3.  Revenue from each business acquired by the Group in the previous financial year through to the 12-month anniversary of the Group’s ownership.
4.  Organic Revenue Growth includes Organic Revenue Growth for all entities in the Group as at 31 December 2021 and for Terminix in the period since acquisition on 12 October 2022.
5.  Removal of the acquired entities of Terminix 2022 revenue pre-acquisition revenues at current-year exchange rates from the first day of the period to the anniversary of acquisition.

Adjusted expenses and profit measures
Adjusted expenses and profit measures are used to give investors and management a further understanding of the underlying profitability 
of the business over time by stripping out income and expenses that can distort results due to their size and nature. Adjusted profit measures 
are calculated by adding the following items back to the equivalent IFRS profit measure:

• amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software);
• one-off and adjusting items; and
• net interest adjustments.

Intangible assets (such as customer lists and brands) are recognised on acquisition of businesses which, by their nature, can vary by size and 
amount each year. Capitalisation of innovation-related development costs will also vary from year to 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 (see table on page 181).

One-off and adjusting 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, gain or loss on disposal or closure of a business, material gains or losses 
on disposal of fixed assets, adjustments to legacy environmental liabilities, and payments or receipts as a result of legal disputes. An analysis 
of one-off and adjusting items is set out below.

Net interest adjustments are other non-cash or one-off accounting gains and losses that can cause material fluctuations and distort 
understanding of the performance of the business, such as amortisation of discount on legacy provisions and gains and losses on hedge 
accounting.

Adjusted expenses are one-off and adjusting items, and Adjusted Interest. Adjusted profit measures used are Adjusted Operating Profit, 
Adjusted Profit Before and After Tax, and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted Earnings Per Share is also reported, derived from Adjusted Profit After Tax.

One-off and adjusting items
An analysis of one-off and adjusting items is set out below.

2021
Acquisition and integration costs
Terminix acquisition costs
Other

Total

2022
Acquisition and integration costs
Fees relating to Terminix acquisition
Terminix integration costs
UK pension scheme – return of surplus
Other

Total

64 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

One-off and adjusting items
cost/(income)
£m

One-off and adjusting items
tax impact
£m

One-off and adjusting items
cash inflow/(outflow) 
£m

13
6
2

21

5
68
62
–
1

136

(1)
–
(1)

(2)

(2)
(4)
(14)
–
–

(20)

(12)
(6)
(9)

(27)

(13)
(38)
(32)
22
2

(59)

Use of Non-IFRS Measurescontinued2023
Acquisition and integration costs
Fees relating to Terminix acquisition
Terminix integration costs
Other

Total

One-off and adjusting items
cost/(income)
£m

One-off and adjusting items
tax impact
£m

One-off and adjusting items
cash inflow/(outflow) 
£m

13
1
81
3

98

(2)
–
(21)
(1)

(24)

(13)
(25)
(74)
5

(107)

Adjusted Interest
Adjusted Interest is calculated by adjusting the reported finance income and costs by net interest adjustments (amortisation of discount on legacy 
provisions and foreign exchange and hedge accounting ineffectiveness).

Finance cost
Finance income
Add back:
Amortisation of discount on legacy provisions
Foreign exchange and hedge accounting ineffectiveness

Adjusted Interest

2023 
AER 
£m

 189 
(48) 

(11) 
 11 

 141 

Adjusted Operating Profit
Adjusted Operating Profit is calculated by adding back one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
to operating profit.

Operating profit
Add back:
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1

Adjusted Operating Profit (at AER)

Effect of foreign exchange

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER)

1.  Excluding computer software.

2023  
£m

625

98
175

898

(1)

897

2022 
AER 
£m

 79 
(49) 

(3) 
 21 

 48 

2022 
£m

317

136
118

571

–

571

Adjusted Profit Before and After Tax
Adjusted Profit Before Tax is calculated by adding back net interest adjustments, one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation and impairment of 
intangible assets to profit before tax. Adjusted Profit After Tax is calculated by adding back net interest adjustments, one-off and adjusting items, 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, and the tax effect on these adjustments to profit after tax.

IFRS
measures
£m

Net interest
adjustments
£m

One-off and
adjusting items
£m

2023

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
£m

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

493
(112)

381

–
(2)

(2)

98
(24)

74

175
(44)

131

IFRS
measures
£m

Net interest
adjustments
£m

One-off and
adjusting items
£m

2022

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
£m

296
(64)

232

(18)
3

(15)

136
(20)

116

118
(24)

94

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

1.  Excluding computer software.

Non-IFRS
measures  
£m

766
(182)

584

Non-IFRS
measures  
£m

532
(105)

427

Adjusted Profit Before Tax
Tax on Adjusted Profit

Adjusted Profit After Tax

Adjusted Profit Before Tax
Tax on Adjusted Profit

Adjusted Profit After Tax

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 65

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAdjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back finance income, finance cost, share of profit from associates net of tax, income tax expense, 
depreciation, one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation, impairment of intangible assets and other non-cash expenses to profit for the year. 

Profit for the year
Add back:
Finance income
Finance cost
Share of profit from associates net of tax
Income tax expense
Depreciation
Other non-cash expenses
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1

Adjusted EBITDA

1.  Excluding computer software.

2023  
£m

381

(48)
189
(9)
112
300
30
98
175

1,228

2022 
£m

232

(49)
79
(9)
64
276
12
136
118

859

Adjusted Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of 
shares in issue during the year, and is explained in Note A2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 and is shown below.

For Adjusted 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 are explained in Note A2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
Add back:
Net interest adjustments
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles1
Tax on above items2

Adjusted profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million)
Adjustment for potentially dilutive shares (million)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share (million)

Basic Adjusted Earnings Per Share
Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share

2023 
£m

 381 

 –  
 98 
 175 
(70) 

 584 

2022 
£m

 232 

(18) 
 136 
 118 
(41) 

 427 

 2,516 
 11 

 2,527 

 2,002 
 12 

 2,014 

 23.19p 
 23.08p 

21.34p
21.22p

1.  Excluding computer software.
2.  The tax effect on add-backs is as follows: one-off and adjusting items £24m (2022: £20m); amortisation and impairment of intangibles £44m (2022: £25m); and, net interest adjustments £2m 

(2022: £(3)m).

Adjusted cash measures
The Group aims to generate sustainable cash flow in order to support its acquisition programme and to fund dividend payments to shareholders. 
Management considers that this is useful information for investors. Adjusted cash measures in use are Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, 
and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion.

Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow is measured as net cash flows from operating activities, adjusted for cash flows related to the purchase and sale of property, 
plant, equipment and intangible assets, cash flows related to leased assets, cash flows related to one-off and adjusting items 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. Free Cash Flow is used by management for incentive purposes and is a measure 
shared with and used by investors. 

66 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Use of Non-IFRS MeasurescontinuedA reconciliation of net cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement to Free Cash Flow is provided in the 
table below.

Net cash flows from operating activities
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Capital element of lease payments and initial direct costs incurred
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and software
Cash impact of one-off and adjusting items
Dividends received from associates

Free Cash Flow

2023  
£m

737
(167)
(44)
(151)
14
107
4

500

2022 
£m

600
(153)
(37)
(104)
5
59
4

374

Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion is provided to demonstrate to investors the proportion of Adjusted Profit After Tax that is converted to cash. 
It is calculated by dividing Adjusted Free Cash Flow by Adjusted Profit After Tax, expressed as a percentage. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is measured 
as Free Cash Flow adjusted for product development additions and net investment hedge cash interest through Other Comprehensive Income. 
Product development additions are adjusted due to their variable size and non-underlying nature. Net investment hedge cash interest through 
Other Comprehensive Income is adjusted because the cash relates to an item that is not recognised in Adjusted Profit After Tax.

Free Cash Flow
Product development additions
Net investment hedge cash interest through Other Comprehensive Income

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (a)

Adjusted Profit After Tax (b)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion (a/b)

2023  
£m

500
10
12

522

584

2022 
£m

374
10
8

392

427

89.4%

91.8%

The nearest IFRS-based equivalent measure to Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion would be Cash Conversion, which is shown in the table below 
to provide a comparison in the calculation. Cash Conversion is calculated as net cash flows from operating activities divided by profit attributable 
to equity holders of the Company, expressed as a percentage. Management considers that this is useful information for investors as it gives an 
indication of the quality of profits, and ability of the Group to turn profits into cash flows.

Net cash flows from operating activities (a)
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (b)
Cash Conversion (a/b)

2023 
£m

737
381
193.4%

2022 
£m

600
232
258.6%

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Adjusted ETR)
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate is used to show investors and management the rate of tax applied to the Group’s Adjusted Profit Before Tax.
The measure is calculated by dividing Adjusted Income Tax Expense by Adjusted Profit Before Tax, expressed as a percentage.

Income tax expense
Tax adjustments on:
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1
Net interest adjustments
One-off and adjusting items

Adjusted Income Tax Expense (a)

Adjusted Profit Before Tax (b)

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (a/b)

1.  Excluding computer software.

2023  
£m

112

44
2
24

182

766

2022 
£m

64

24
(3)
20

105

532

23.8%

19.7%

The Group’s effective tax rate (ETR) for 2023 on reported profit before tax was 22.7% (2022: 21.6%). The Group’s Adjusted ETR before 
amortisation of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off and adjusting items, and the net interest adjustments for 2023 was 
23.8% (2022: 19.7%). This compares with a blended rate of tax for the countries in which the Group operates of 25.1% (2022: 23.7%). The Group’s 
low tax rate in 2023 is primarily attributable to net prior-year tax credits of £12m (2022: £9m). 

The Group’s tax charge and Adjusted 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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 67

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
Responsible Business

At Rentokil Initial, being a responsible business means working with our 
colleagues to create a safe workplace; protecting the environment through 
our innovations and more efficient ways of operating; supporting customers 
with high levels of service; protecting the resilience of our operations; actively 
contributing to our communities; and managing our governance to provide 
our stakeholders with confidence and transparency. These responsible 
business priorities are aligned with those of our key stakeholders  
(see page 83) and are driven by our mission and business strategy.

2023 has seen several developments in 
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 
reporting requirements.

For three years we have reported against the 
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board 
(SASB) standard for our sector of Commercial 
Services, and this will now be incorporated 
into our Social sustainability statement along 
with updates on our colleagues, customers, 
suppliers and communities, and links to other 
relevant information. More information can be 
found on pages 69 to 71.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s new Listing 
Rules requirements on diversity-related 
reporting came into effect during the year. 
Further details on our targets related to the 
representation of women and ethnic minorities 
on the Board can be found on page 128. 

Within our Environment sustainability 
statement, we provide a review of our good 
progress against our environment plan in 
2023 (see pages 72 to 74) and include our 
third report against the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
standard, which can be found on pages 75 
to 81.

We are also taking our first steps towards the 
International Sustainability Standards Board 
(ISSB) disclosure standards (IFRS S1 General 
Requirements and IFRS S2 Climate-related 
Disclosures), having completed a high-level 
assessment against the standards. This shows 
that we are already disclosing against many 
of the requirements. 

In addition, in our Governance sustainability 
statement we outline the process that we have 
undertaken to prepare the Company to meet 
the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting 
Directive (CSRD). In the coming years, we will 
continue to enhance our climate and social 
sustainability disclosures to ensure alignment 
with new reporting requirements.

Inside this section
69  Social sustainability statement
69  Our colleagues
70  Our suppliers
71  Our customers
71  Our communities
72  Environment sustainability statement
72  Progress in 2023
75  Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures report

81  2023 emissions data
82  Governance sustainability statement
82  CSRD preparation

Independent Accreditation 
We aim to engage positively with all 
stakeholders and continued to receive 
strong independent ratings for our ESG 
activities in 2023: 

AA rating.

Low Risk. 
Strong 
Management.

96th 
percentile 
score. 
Yearbook 
member.

68 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

From our most recent Fast Track Global  
Talent Pool which started in 2023, 10 (45%) of 
participants are female, the highest number 
we have had in the Fast Track cohort. 

In line with The Parker Review we have set a 
target to improve our ethnic diversity and 
reach 20% of our senior leadership team by 
the end of 2027 (2023: 15.5%). This is based  
on those colleagues who have provided data, 
and excludes those based in countries where 
we cannot ask or hold ethnicity information. 

Training and development
We support colleagues with a wide range  
of training and development opportunities, 
including technical training and online 
development through U+. Colleagues 
undertook 1.96m courses on U+ in 2023 and 
over 150 new training courses were developed 
by our in-house content development team.

In 2023, we continued to provide  
employment opportunities for young people 
with 247 apprentices; we accounted for c.5% 
of the customer service apprenticeships in 
England. We have been placed within the  
top 30 apprenticeship employers in England, 
being recognised for our commitment to 
creating new apprenticeships, the diversity  
of our apprentices and the number of 
apprentices who successfully achieve  
their apprenticeships. 

More information can be found in the 
Responsible Business Report, which is 
available on our website.

Our colleagues
Rentokil Initial defines a responsible 
workplace as one focused on safety, 
underpinned by a values-driven culture,  
and supports our colleagues to develop  
a long-term career with the Company. 

We are committed to being a world-class 
Employer of Choice and employ 62,900 
colleagues (2022: 58,600) in 90 countries. 

Colleague safety
Above all else, our colleagues’ safety comes 
first. This is one of our primary ESG risks and is 
managed by a dedicated team with consistent 
global policies and performance measures 
across the Company. 

This year, we have delivered another high 
level of colleague safety, improving our Lost 
Time Accident rate to 0.31 (against our target 
of 0.38) and Working Days Lost to 7.05 
(against our target of 7.86). See the table 
below for long-term safety performance. 

This performance was driven by our ongoing 
focus on safety, robust management 
standards, and commitment to best practices. 

There were no work-related colleague 
fatalities in 2023.

Diversity
We strive to ensure that our local businesses 
reflect the communities in which we operate 
and to create an environment where 
everyone’s contribution matters, and everyone 
has equal opportunities to succeed. 

Our workplace strategy places great emphasis 
on diversity, where everyone regardless of 
gender identity, race, colour, nationality,  
age, sexual orientation, physical ability or 
background, can reach the highest levels 
based on merit. In 2023:
• 14,640 (23.3%) of colleagues were female 

and 48,291 (76.7%) male;

• 35 (25%) of our senior leaders were female 

and 105 (75%) male;

• 52 (25%) of our senior leaders (inc. subsidiary 
directors) were female and 157 (75%) male; 
and

• three (33.3%) of our Board directors were 

female and six (66.6%) male.

Social sustainability 
statement

0.31

Lost Time Accident rate 
2022: 0.39

7.05Working Days Lost rate 

2022: 7.90

84.2%

Colleague retention rate 
2022 (restated): 79.5%

1.96m

Training activities completed in 2023 
on U+ Online

22,199

Job applications received via the 
Careers+ app in 2023

This Social Sustainability Statement provides 
an update on activities and performance for 
colleagues, customers, and communities. 
Activities are undertaken with consistent, 
global policies, measures, and management 
approaches. 

Within our risk register, as a service 
organisation, many of our country-level 
operational risks are people and customer 
related, such as effective colleague 
recruitment and retention. The importance  
of social sustainability is also reflected  
in the SASB standards for our sector of 
Commercial Services: 

Data security, pages 71 and 116
Colleague retention, pages 16 and 22
Workforce diversity, pages 69 and 128
Board diversity, pages 128 and 129
Workforce engagement, page 70
Professional integrity, pages 82 and 116

Key Performance Indicators

Lost Time Accidents (LTA)¹

Working Days Lost (WDL)²

2023

0.31

7.05

2022

0.39

7.90

2021

0.38

8.71

2020

0.39

8.46

2019

0.53

10.99

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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 69

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceResponsible Business 
continued

Colleague engagement 
This year, we undertook Your Voice Counts 
(YVC), a global, confidential survey, which 
provides every colleague with the chance  
to give feedback on workplace culture, 
leadership, customer focus, development, 
and line manager performance. The survey 
is undertaken every two years.

We maintained our strong levels of 
engagement (79%, in line with the Global 
Company Norm) and enablement (83%, 
which was 5ppts ahead of the Global 
Company Norm). We received excellent 
feedback on the questions relating to 
Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE), 
‘My Manager’, and Diversity, Equality,  
and Inclusion. 

The survey results also demonstrated that 
colleagues support the Company’s 
approach and focus on safety – a key ESG 
risk – which continues to be our highest 
performing category. 

Areas which fall below the Global Company 
Norm include satisfaction with benefits and 
manager support for development. 
Absolute scores for Engagement were 
generally lower than for Enablement.

Key line manager behaviours over time
Source: Your Voice Counts survey

75
74

69

76
75

71

79
78

73

70

68

62

81

80

75

2015

2017

2019

2021

2023

My manager provides clear 
and regular feedback on 
my performance

My manager is good at 
recognising my performance 
when I do a good job

My manager coaches me  
in my development

90%

Participation rate of 90% or 54,300 
colleagues, 10ppts above average

+17ppts

Colleagues scored ‘Equal Opportunities’ 
in Rentokil Initial, 17ppts above the Global 
Company Norm

+5ppts

Colleagues scored ‘I receive the Training 
and Development to do my job well’,  
5ppts above the Global Company Norm

+7ppts

Colleagues scored ‘I have the tools and 
equipment to do my job well’, 7ppts above 
the Global Company Norm

+7ppts

Colleagues scored ‘clear and regular 
feedback on my performance’, 7ppts above 
the Global Company Norm

+8ppts

Colleagues scored ‘I would recommend 
our services and products to others 
(friends, family)’, 8ppts above the Global 
Company Norm

Our suppliers
The supply of products to our global 
businesses is managed through the Group 
Procurement team. 

We purchase a wide variety of hardware and 
equipment such as rodent traps, insect light 
traps, and bird protection devices which  
are typically designed internally and either 
manufactured in-house or sourced externally 
from specialist suppliers. 

In our sourcing decisions, compliance with 
Rentokil Initial standards for a responsible  
and sustainable business approach is used  
as a go/no-go gate rather than as a weighting 
factor for decision-making. Suppliers that do 
not conform to required standards during  
the pre-selection evaluation are eliminated 
from the tender process. If an area of 
non-compliance is discovered at a new  
or existing supplier, they are given the 
opportunity to address and resolve the issue, 
with our support where required. 

For further details, please see Governance on 
page 82 and our Modern Slavery Statement 
which is available on rentokil-initial.com 

Colleague retention
In 2023, colleague retention increased 
globally by 4.7% to 84.2%. All regions 
improved year on year. 

In 2023, our North America region increased 
colleague retention by 5.0ppts. This has been 
achieved through a wide-ranging programme 
including:
• launch of a consistent retention dashboard 

and manager training;

• empowering leaders to meet with colleagues 

to identify potential issues before they 
escalate and exploring potential solutions 
that may encourage a colleague to stay;

• mentoring resources; and

• consistent and enhanced new hire and 

onboarding experiences with a clear plan  
for the first three days, welcome kits and 
communications, plus one-month and 
six-month onboarding surveys.

Please see our Group KPIs on page 22.

Recruitment
Our Career+ app has also seen continued 
success across Rentokil Initial and has been 
successfully launched in Terminix. The app 
provides colleagues with a tool to share job 
vacancies externally on social media and to 
view roles across the organisation, allowing 
them to seek out potential opportunities  
for progression or roles more suitable for  
their needs. 

In 2023, Career+ received more than 22,000 
job applications – 16,480 external and 5,719 
from existing colleagues – with no advertising 
or recruitment fees. In addition, the Company 
has launched a new global career portal.

22,000+

Job applications delivered by our 
Career+ app in 2023

+8%

Terminix service technician 
retention has increased by 8% 
since our acquisition closed in 
October 2022

70 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

In 2023, we began to undertake a series of 
customer trials in the use of micro digital 
camera technology and Artificial Intelligence 
(AI) to remotely monitor, identify, and alert 
technicians and customers to rodent activity. 
Cameras were installed in customers’ 
premises in areas such as roofing voids and 
behind ceiling panels which may be difficult  
to reach.

Digital technologies
Digital technologies are increasingly  
deployed across the Company to enhance  
the experience of colleagues and customers, 
and to add efficiency and insight. 

In 2023, we began to investigate the use of AI 
to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of 
our operations. Activities included:
• a private AI cloud setup was completed;

• we saw encouraging outcomes from initial 

Proof of Concepts;

• an AI Blueprint definition is under 

development; and

• we have identified four initial-use cases 
focused on Organic growth: Sales lead 
conversion, contract renewals and pricing 
execution, sales lead qualification, and 
customer retention.

Digital security
Like all organisations, we continue to identify, 
monitor, and mitigate the risk of cyber attacks. 
We have a dedicated IT security team who are 
supported by external specialists. 

We continue to invest in IT security, ensuring 
that the security posture of our systems and 
services are maintained at an appropriate level 
and this is monitored and regularly improved. 
Our approach to data protection is aligned 
with the key requirements of established 
global data protection and privacy laws.

Further information is available on page 116  
in our Corporate Governance report.

Our communities
Our approach to charitable and community 
engagement is in line with our core social 
purpose of Protecting People, Enhancing Lives 
and Preserving our Planet. We also aim to 
make a meaningful contribution to the local 
economy and to support the communities 
where we operate.

Rentokil Initial Cares is our global charity and 
community programme which supports 
colleagues’ local efforts, alongside national 
and global initiatives. It supports charities and 
good causes which have significant impacts  
in many parts of the world, such as protecting 
families from the threat of malaria in Africa  
and reducing deforestation in the Pacific  
and Africa. 

In 2023, we donated £569,000 to charities 
and good causes. This excludes gifts in kind 
and product donations. 

To mark the first anniversary of Rentokil 
Terminix, we held a Spirit Day. The event was 
about giving back to the communities in which 
colleagues live and work with a month-long 
food drive. We committed donations of 
$70,000 to Feeding America and $30,000 to 
Second Harvest in Canada. Colleagues also 
donated cans and other non-perishable foods 
to local charities.

During the year we donated £25,000 to the 
UNICEF Syria-Türkiye Emergency Appeal.

See our Responsible Business Report 2023 
for further details.

Social value
Better Futures is one of Rentokil Initial’s  
key long-term community initiatives. 
Predominantly focused on India, the 
programme delivers basic health education  
to local community members, schools,  
and charities. 

More than 39,500 children and adults have 
participated in educational events over the 
past 10 years through Better Futures. 

Our customers
A responsible partner
Rentokil Initial’s services protect people from 
the health dangers of pests, enhance lives 
with greater standards of hygiene and better 
workplace environments, and protect our 
planet through ever more sustainable services 
for customers. 

Providing outstanding customer service is  
a key component of our business model.  
We set out to engage our customers to fully 
understand their needs and provide innovative 
services to meet their requirements. 
Customers range from multinationals to  
local businesses and people at home. 

In 2023, our State of Service (Group KPI) 
reached 97.8% (2022: 95.9%), ahead of our 
95% global target.

Innovation
Innovation is an integral part of our business, 
which not only provides our customers with 
more efficient and best-in-class products and 
services, but also ensures our operations are 
conducted more efficiently and sustainably. 

Our innovation pipeline is focused on 
developing non-toxic solutions, more 
sustainable products, and digital services. 

Our innovation projects are mainly generated 
in-house, through our science and innovation 
teams, or as a result of insights gained from 
our businesses and customers around  
the world. 

Other projects are initiated as a collaboration 
with external partners, who bring their  
own specialised expertise to a project.  
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.

In 2024, we will open our first dedicated pest 
control innovation centre in the US.

To read more about sustainable innovation, 
see our Environment Sustainability Statement 
on page 72. 

Digital services
Rentokil Initial uses digital technologies to set 
new standards in the protection of people 
from the risks of pest-borne disease. This is  
a contracted service for customers such as 
food producers and retailers.

PestConnect
PestConnect offers 24/7 monitoring and 
therefore more effective control of rodents. 

By the end of 2023, we had c.356,000 
PestConnect units operating in customer 
premises, an increase of c.23% year on year.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 71

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance2023 progress report: transitioning to lower carbon operations

Fumigation
Our goal is a 70% reduction in emissions from 
fumigations by 2030. This will be tackled 
through our Replace-Reduce-Recapture (3R) 
initiatives: Replace, to use non-chemical 
methods such as heat treatment wherever 
possible; Reduce, minimising the space 
required to be treated; and Recapture, using 
experimental setups and filtration trials. 

In 2023, we continued to explore alternatives 
for the use of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as a 
fumigant, while ensuring quality of service  
is maintained, and made good progress in  
the use of methods to reduce the level of 
fumigation gas used on customer sites. 

We have agreed regional reduction paths 
across the Group and are continuing to test 
alternative chemicals and prepare country 
registration requirements, although approval 
may take several years.

The emissions equivalent from fumigation 
decreased year on year by 16% in 2023 
reflecting our 3R activities and fluctuations  
in customer demand.

See page 81 (Environment data) for details  
of the emissions equivalent from fumigation 
services over time.

2. Consumables
We are continuing to reduce our 
environmental impact from paper, soaps,  
and plastics. 

Our goal is for all hygiene paper products to 
hold recognised environmental accreditations 
(FSC for virgin fibre, EU Flower or equivalent 
for recycled) by 2025. Having set a target of 
over 90% by the end of 2022, we were 
pleased to confirm that we reached c.96% last 
year and we are now working with suppliers to 
further improve this. 

We are also focused on working with suppliers 
to reach 90% of the palm oil used in our 
products or services to be sourced from 
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 
approved supply chains. We are pleased to 
confirm that this target was reached in 2023. 

Our environment plan features eight 
workstreams, which made good progress  
in 2023. 

Chemicals

Consumables

Hardware

Sustainable 
solutions

1. Chemicals
Our aim is to minimise the use of chemicals  
in pest control through Integrated Pest 
Management (IPM) processes, digital 
connected solutions and non-toxic devices. 
We use a range of non-toxic and sustainable 
solutions, such as the use of heat treatments, 
where possible. We only use products that are 
on our authorised product list.

Before a technician undertakes pest control 
activities, a site risk assessment is undertaken 
to evaluate the correct response to deal with 
the infestation. Alternative integrated pest 
management strategies, such as proofing  
and improved housekeeping are advised 
where appropriate. Around 10 million site  
risk assessments were undertaken in 2023.

Operations are undertaken in line with local 
regulations and the use of rodenticide in line 
with the practices identified by the Campaign 
for the Responsible Rodenticide Use. 

Development of non-toxic solutions
In pest control, before any treatment is 
considered, we consider barriers, such as 
proofing and exclusion materials under doors 
or in gaps next to pipes, that might solve the 
pest problem. 

In 2023 we continued to roll out Flexi Armour, 
a range of rodent-proofing barrier products. 
This innovation enables our technicians to  
seal gaps with resilient resin, allowing the 
expansion joints to continue to flex while 
stopping rodents from gaining access. 

Use of heat treatments is a chemical-free 
method of pest control that, through the 
targeted application of heat, is effective 
against most types of pest insects, such as 
bedbugs and cockroaches. It eliminates the 
different life stages of insects (egg, larva and 
adult) in just one treatment.

Responsible Business 
continued

Environment 
sustainability 
statement

683ultra-low emission vehicles in our global 

fleet (2022: 368)

16%

decrease in emissions from fumigant 
usage in 2023

5countries with renewable energy 

contracts

16%

reduction in emissions intensity index 
(20% target by end of 2025)

This Environment Sustainability Statement 
provides an update on our journey towards 
more environmentally friendly operations and 
services, and progress towards our target to 
reach net zero carbon emissions from our 
operations by the end of 2040. Activities are 
undertaken with consistent global policies, 
measures, and management approaches, 
executed locally by our country teams. 

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. Our 
stakeholders, particularly our colleagues, 
support our environmental ambitions. 

We have met our previous targets for 10% 
(2011–15) and further 20% (2016–19) carbon 
efficiency improvements.

In 2020, the Board set a new target to reduce 
the emissions intensity index (kilogrammes of 
CO2 per £m revenue on a constant exchange 
rate basis) by 20% by the end of 2025 (using 
2019 data as the baseline). As of the end of 
2023, this efficiency index had achieved a 16% 
reduction. This includes Terminix emissions 
and revenue.

This statement includes our Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
report for 2023, from page 75 and our 
environmental metrics on page 81.

72 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Flying insect control
Our innovative Lumnia LED fly control range 
continues to offer a more effective and 
energy-efficient alternative to traditional 
fluorescent tubes systems:
• energy savings of up to 79%;

• lamps last 33% longer than other LED units 

on the market;

• 80% greater reach than traditional 

fluorescent tubes; and

• zero toxic chemicals – no mercury.

Around 445,000 Lumnia units have been sold 
since launch in 2017, delivering energy usage 
and carbon emissions reductions for our 
customers. This year, Lumnia was registered 
for use in North America, allowing us to 
continue our strategy of offering sustainable 
pest control solutions. 

In 2024 we will introduce BirdAlert 2.0,  
a sustainable solution which uses the audible 
calls of different species to scare away 
nuisance birds; and EcoCatch, a new fly 
control solution, the most sustainably  
focused solution created for exterior fly  
control in the market. 

Waste

Mobility

Supply chain

Sustainable 
operations

4. Waste
We aim to drive the responsible sourcing of 
products and services, and the disposal of 
waste, to ensure that we operate at the 
highest standard that local infrastructure 
allows in each country. 

We are committed to reducing the 
environmental impact from waste, including 
the waste we collect from customers through 
our washroom operations, which is a 
significant proportion of the waste we manage 
in those countries with washroom services.

In some instances, the waste we dispose of is 
required by law to be incinerated for health 
and safety reasons as it is medical or feminine 
hygiene waste. However, where it is possible 
and within our control, we have implemented 
strategies for increasing the sustainability of 
our waste disposal. 

During 2023 we:
• used 30% recycled plastic in all medical 

waste bags meaning that we are certified  
by RecyClass;

• continued to explore new, more sustainable 
ways of disposing of hygiene and medical 
waste within the legislative restrictions.  
In India we have begun to work with a 
supplier who uses low temperature 
incineration allowing us to reduce the energy 
usage of our waste disposal process;

• disposed of 78% of waste from our European 
operations via sustainable means, in line with 
the European Waste Codes;

• implemented a paper, plastic and e-waste 

programme in MENAT;

• battery recycling in Europe reached 75%; and

• continued to refurbish washroom dispensers 
in France and Italy, with the addition of insect 
light trap refurbishment in Italy.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 73

Reduction in use of plastic bags
Strict standard operating procedures for the 
On-Site Servicing (OSS) of our sanitary waste 
units mitigate the spread of germs and 
bacteria, in a hygienic and professional way. 

OSS also has environmental benefits versus  
a depot-washing of the bins, including: water 
and electricity savings, and reduced transport 
CO₂ emissions (in Australia, The Carbon Trust 
calculated a 24% saving).

3. Hardware
Rentokil Initial offers a range of services and 
products that support our customers to 
achieve their own sustainability objectives.

Rodent control
All of our rodent bait stations are now 
produced from recycled polymer, including 
Eradico, our new global bait station that can  
be used with different types of solutions, 
including our connected products. 

In 2024 we will launch RADAR X, a proprietary 
new solution to protect businesses from mice:
• more sustainable with longer battery life,  

less packaging and modular build with field 
replaceable components to reduce waste; 
and

• more robust as the central part of the unit 
withstands pressure of up to two metric 
tonnes, dust and water resilience to IP65  
for a longer service life.

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceResponsible Business 
continued

2023 progress report: transitioning to lower carbon operations

Global ULEVs in fleet

2020

2021

75
194
368

2022

2023

683

5. Mobility 
Our aim is to minimise vehicle emissions 
through: 
• choosing the optimum size and type of 

vehicle which offers the most efficiency; 

• selection of ultra-low emission vehicles 
(ULEV) or manufacturer model with the 
lowest CO2e;

• the use of route-planning tools to reduce 

journey mileage; and

• the use of telematics for encouraging more 

efficient driving. 

We now have a range of more sustainable 
mobility options across our fleet including 
electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid EVs, 
non-plug-in hybrids, e-motorbikes, hybrid 
motor bikes and e-trikes, and the use of public 
transport where it is feasible. 

Our strategy to reduce emissions from mobility 
and to transition our fleet to ULEVs by 2040  
is continuing to build momentum, with 683 
ULEVs (2022: 368) and 1,484 hybrid vehicles 
(2022: 1,250) at the end 2023. 

c.8% of our UK and Europe fleet are ULEVs as 
we make good progress towards our target to 
achieve 10% in 2025. 

We continue to be limited by a lack of electric 
charging infrastructure in some countries, as 
well as a limited choice of large, ultra-low 
emission vans. 

Following the appointment of a new fleet 
provider in the USA, in 2023 we continued  
to select the lowest CO2e vehicle option 
available based on providing the right-sized 
vehicle and optimum mileage requirements  
to provide our services. 

74 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

6. Supply chain
The Company’s supply strategy is focused  
on sustainability, and in ensuring that our 
suppliers share our values and commitments 
to high ESG standards. 

We are continuing to work with transport and 
logistics suppliers to reduce the environmental 
footprint of our supply chain. See page 81 for 
Scope 3 emissions. 

Properties

Culture 

Sustainable 
workplace

7. Properties
To reduce our emissions from purchased 
electricity, our strategy is to introduce green 
energy or renewable tariffs for our owned 
buildings, focusing on our top 20 countries. 

Renewable energy contracts in the UK, Italy, 
the Pacific region, and for the first time, in 
India, have reduced our carbon footprint by 
1,915 tonnes in 2023. 

We also focus on energy efficiency in our 
properties. This includes the installation of 
LED lighting in branches and warehouses,  
and new systems for lights, heating, and air 
conditioning, with motion sensors to switch off 
automatically after a certain period of time. 

In 2023, our Workwear plants in France  
saw an increase in their water efficiency – 
improving by 6% (9.9 litres/kg in 2023, down 
from 10.5 in 2022).

8. Culture
We recognise that our ambitious net zero 
target can only be achieved if our colleagues 
are engaged and fully involved. 

Questions around our environmental activities 
are included in our Your Voice Counts (YVC) 
all-colleague confidential survey, giving us  
a better understanding of the views of our 
colleagues on our commitments and efforts 
towards our climate targets. 

In our 2023 YVC survey, 83% agreed that  
the Company is making the right decisions  
to ensure we operate as an environmentally 
friendly business (4% unfavourable), and 84% 
agreed that the Company delivers products 
and services responsibly and sustainably (3% 
unfavourable).

See page 81 for our 2023 emissions and 
energy data.

Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures report
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations set an 
important framework for understanding and 
analysing climate-related risks, and Rentokil 
Initial is committed to regular, transparent 
reporting to help communicate and track  
our progress.

The information set out on pages 75 to 81 aims 
to provide key climate-related information  
and cross-references to where additional 
information can be found. 

In accordance with the UK’s Financial Conduct 
Authority’s Listing Rule 9.8.6 (8) we confirm 
that we have complied with the TCFD 
recommendations and 11 disclosures, and we 
have responded to these in this report on 
pages 75 to 81, and as more broadly reflected 
in the TCFD Index below. These disclosures 
are also made in accordance with sections 
414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006.

In 2023, we have undertaken significant work 
to prepare for forthcoming sustainability 
regulations. Our activities to prepare for the 
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive 
(CSRD) can be found on page 82. 

Our focus is to implement, embed and track 
progress at an operational level in each 
country against our plan to achieve net zero  
by the end of 2040. Details of our activities  
in 2023 can be found on pages 72 to 74.

During the year, we acquired 41 businesses. 
This has increased our absolute carbon 
footprint but does not change our 2040 
net zero target. We recognise that with  
a large global operational footprint this 
is a stretching target, but we believe it is 
the right thing to do.

TCFD index 

Climate-related governance
Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and 
opportunities.
• TCFD, page 76

• Risk Management, pages 88 and 92

• Governance, page 108

• Audit Committee Report, page 120

Describe management’s role in assessing and managing 
climate-related risks and opportunities.
• TCFD, page 76

• Our Strategic Priorities, page 19

Climate-related strategy
Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation 
has identified.

• TCFD, pages 78 and 79

Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the 
organisation’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning
• TCFD, pages 78 and 79

• Audit Committee report, page 120

Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy, taking into 
consideration different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or 
lower scenario.
• TCFD, pages 77 and 79

Climate-related risk management
Processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks.

• TCFD, pages 76 and 77

• Risk Management, pages 87 and 88

Processes for managing climate-related risks.
• TCFD, pages 76 and 77

• Risk Management, pages 91 and 92

• Audit Committee Report, page 120

Processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related 
risks are integrated into the organisation’s overall risk management.
• TCFD, page 74

• Risk Management, pages 88, 91 and 92

Climate-related metrics and targets
Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess 
climate-related risks and opportunities in line with its strategy and  
risk management process.
• TCFD, page 81

Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 GHG 
emissions, and the related risks.
• TCFD, page 81

Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage 
climate-related risks and opportunities, and performance against 
targets.
• TCFD, page 80

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 75

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceResponsible Business 
continued

Climate-related governance
The Board and Executive Leadership team work together to oversee, assess, and manage climate-related risks and opportunities. Our Governance 
Framework is detailed on page 105; below we outline the environment and climate-related governance approach.

The Board
The Board has responsibility for oversight of the long-term climate change strategy of the Group, including considering climate-related issues, 
investments, opportunities and risks. Safety, health and environment remains a core component on every Board agenda. In addition, the Board 
holds separate sessions to challenge and analyse different aspects of our plan and actions being taken, including our progress towards net zero 
through the transition to ultra-low emission vehicles and implementing new more sustainable services.

INFORMING

REPORTING

Chief Executive and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
Our Chief Executive has overall responsibility for environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters and our operationally-focused response to 
the risks and opportunities of climate change. Responsibility for the delivery of our climate change plans is integrated into roles and responsibilities 
of senior managers, including: marketing & innovation, supply chain, procurement, and, in particular, our country and regional leadership teams.

INFORMING

REPORTING

Environmental Steering Team
The Environmental Steering Team is made up of the Executive Leadership Team as well as Workstream Leaders, which meets at least twice 
per year. This year the Environmental Steering Team focused on progress against our plan, in particular the progress being made to find ways 
to reduce the climate change impact of our fumigation services as well as progress on our work to ensure we comply with the CSRD.

INFORMING

REPORTING

Working Parties and Management Committees

Sustainable Mobility Forum 
Meets biannually, with colleagues 
around the world engaged in 
sharing of best practices, 
providing updates on electric 
vehicle readiness and product 
deployment strategies.

Sustainable Plastics Forum
Meets biannually, with colleagues 
around the world working to 
develop and implement plans to 
reduce the usage of virgin plastic 
products; it shares ideas and 
knowledge both internally and 
with suppliers to encourage  
them to reduce their own  
plastic consumption.

Sustainable Waste Forum
Meets biannually, a Group-wide 
body working to develop and 
implement best practices to 
reduce waste.

Group Risk Committee 
Comprising the Chief Financial 
Officer and six other functional 
executives, it monitors the internal 
control environment and external 
emerging risks, and reviews 
internal policies and procedures 
for identifying, assessing, and 
reporting risks, meeting quarterly.

The Board’s oversight
In 2023, the Board held sustainability sessions 
in June and December. Discussions included: 
the Company’s longer-term sustainability 
approach, progress and priorities. Risks and 
opportunities were discussed such as new 
regulation, the move to more sustainable 
fumigation, fleet transition, and the 
development of more sustainable services.

Assessment and management of 
climate-related risks
Our regions have developed sustainability 
initiatives in line with our overall net zero 
target. The Chief Executive’s monthly 
performance reviews include progress  
against their sustainability plans.

The Group’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) 
and Group Leadership Forum (GLF) meetings 
have Environment as the third item on the 
agenda (following Safety and People). 

Vehicle emissions intensity for our 20 largest 
operations are presented to the ELT and  
GLF (six meetings per year). 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. 

Our major countries have an agreed carbon 
reduction pathway to net zero from our 
operations by 2040 and our activities are 
aligned to our Business Model, see pages 14 
and 15.

The Audit Committee considered climate 
change risks in 2023 (see page 120).

Our Corporate Compliance curriculum is 
mandatory training for all managers within  
60 days of hire, or promotion to Work Level 3. 
This includes Code of Conduct training, which 
reinforces the Company’s commitments  
and responsibilities.

Executive reward is linked to our 
environmental, social and governance 
priorities through the performance share plan 
awards, which are measured against seven 
performance conditions including: Sales  
and Service colleague retention, customer 
satisfaction, and vehicle fuel intensity.

We have started the implementation of a new 
environment management tool in 2023 and 
worked to better understand the forthcoming 
regulatory requirements and ensure that our 
system is aligned to the latest taxonomy.  
Our plan is to make this operational ahead  
of the new reporting requirements.

Engagement with our key stakeholders, 
particularly colleagues, customers, suppliers, 
shareholders and analysts, about our 
environmental plan, progress and targets, 
continued throughout 2023 and we welcome 
opportunities to discuss and review. 

76 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Climate-related strategy 
and risk management
In 2020, we developed a business-wide 
operational strategy (see graphic below) for 
climate-related environmental sustainability 
and 2023 has seen us continue the execution 
of our ambitious plans as we transition to a 
more sustainable way of working. This is  
fully aligned with our business strategy and 
operating model (see pages 14 and 15), has 
clear deliverables, and is one of the ways  
in which we deliver with impact our social 
purpose of Protecting People, Enhancing  
Lives and Preserving our Planet.

We believe that our goal to be at net zero 
emissions from our operations by the end  
of 2040 is a bold and ambitious target, 
particularly given the Terminix integration  
in North America. 

Our strategy, which is being delivered through 
our country operations, is built on three pillars: 
Sustainable Solutions, Sustainable Operations 
and Sustainable Workplace, and includes 
measures to mitigate to the impacts of climate 
change (see below). 

For more information on our progress on  
this strategy in 2023 please read our ‘2023 
progress report’ on pages 72 to 74.

In developing this strategy and the associated 
targets, we have considered the potential 
climate-related risks and opportunities, and 
risk management, on pages 78 to 79. 

See pages 88 to 93 for more details on 
principal risks which outline the impact  
of climate-related risks: failure to grow  
our business profitably in a changing 
macroeconomic environment and failure  
to develop products and services that are 
tailored and relevant to local markets and 
market conditions (transitional risk); and  
failure to ensure business continuity in the 
case of a material incident (physical risk). 

See our Viability Statement on page 94 which 
addresses the impact of climate change on  
the business model, and page 120 for the 
consideration of climate change in the context 
of the financial statements. 

Scenario analysis
Our strategy is also built on an analysis of 
three emissions scenarios through to 2100. 
A specialist consultancy conducted an 
assessment of each scenario, adopting a 
data-driven approach to identify and analyse 
physical climate risks facing our operations 
and how those risks may manifest differently  
in each scenario. 

The physical risk survey was conducted across 
16 climate risk areas, both acute and chronic. 
Acute risks are typically high magnitude/
severity events that occur over a short period 
of time whilst chronic hazards are those that 
typically occur over a prolonged period.

The scenario analysis identified risks and  
how those risks may manifest differently  
under emissions scenarios: RCP2.6 
(aggressive mitigation, assumes that global 
annual GHG emissions peak between 
2010-20), RCP4.5 (strong mitigation, assumes 
that emissions peak around 2040) and  
RCP8.5 (business-as-usual, emissions 
continue to rise). These Representative 
Concentration Pathways represent three 
potential trajectories of global emissions set 
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate  
Change (IPCC).

The results reinforced that, while physical 
impacts do occur, the overall risk to the wider 
business was localised, with most properties 
and customer bases not being at direct risk. 
It found that the majority of risk, such as the 
increased threat of heat stress, would fall on 
colleagues, and will require the Company to 
provide mitigations in the field. 

The conclusions have supported the 
Company’s preparation of similar measures 
that could be introduced elsewhere across  
the globe as required. Our analysis and 
conclusions remain current for this reporting 
period and materiality is unchanged.

In addition to this external study, an internal 
climate change report, analysing the potential 
financial risks to the wider Company, has  
been produced. This report found minimal to 
moderate risk to the Company as an ongoing 
venture, with any potential effects having little 
disruption to our global operations. 

North  
America

Europe  
(incl. LATAM)

Local and 
regional 
activities

UK & 
Sub-Saharan 
Africa

Asia  
& MENAT

Pacific

Adaptation to  
local climate 
change 
conditions 
Multi-local distributed 
operations – sharing 
best practices 
between operations 
and strong business 
continuity processes.

Transition to 
low carbon 
operations 
Driving the transition 
to low-emission 
operations based 
on local market 
differences (e.g. 
availability of 
infrastructure for 
waste management, 
EV charging, etc).

Sustainable 
solutions

Chemicals

Consumables

Hardware

Waste

Mobility

Sustainable 
operations

Supply chain

Properties

Culture 

Sustainable 
workplace

Overarching  
long-term goal: 
Rentokil Initial  
to have net  
zero carbon 
emissions from  
its operations  
by the end  
of 2040

Activity specific to 
individual territories 
but all supporting the 
overarching goal

Executed throughout  
all global operations

Three areas of  
specific action, 
supported by targets 
(see page 80)

Eight workstreams 
– managing risks and 
opportunities with 
the local operations

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 77

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceResponsible Business 
continued

Climate-related risk 
management 
Our operational and functional teams are 
responsible for identifying and analysing 
climate-related risks. For example, our supply 
chain and procurement teams identify risks 
relating to the resilience of supply and access 
to materials, while our country and product 
regulatory teams identify risks related to new 
laws and regulations.

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

Annually, we update the Audit Committee  
on any changes in the assessment of climate 
change, physical, societal, or legislative 
impacts on the assets and trading of  
the Company. 

Overall, our analysis demonstrates that the 
Company is not materially exposed to climate 
change events in the short (up to three years) 
to medium term (four to ten years), due to its 
disaggregated nature, including following the 
integration with Terminix. Please see below. 

Longer-term (10 years plus) risks require 
further analysis as data becomes available.

Our plan and steps to achieve net zero 
emissions (page 80) are stretching, but we 
believe they are achievable within the 
timelines with no material adverse impacts  
on assets, liabilities, or profitability and  
cash flow over time.

For details on our process for managing  
risk across the business including risk 
identification, assessment and management, 
see our risk management process on pages 
87 and 88. 

Potential climate-related risk

Overall risk likelihood and potential severity

Potential financial impact

Potential physical risks

Loss of physical inventory 
from flood, wildfires, or other 
climate disaster.

We do not see a material risk in the types of inventories we use being 
impacted. There is a risk that storage of our physical inventories could be 
impacted; however, stock holding locations are small and immaterial meaning 
that the severity of this risk is low. Stocks typically are held locally, close to 
technicians and customers. 

No material financial impact, 
but on a local level some loss 
of stock.

Loss of building and 
infrastructure assets from 
flood, wildfires, or other 
climate disaster.

Our cost base is predominantly colleague-based and not dependent on 
significant assets (e.g. large manufacturing plants) or complicated supply 
chains. In addition most of our buildings are leasehold, so we have the option 
to relocate over time.

No material financial impact, 
but some disruption likely on 
a local level.

Physical events such as 
floods or wildfires destroying 
material value assets.

Most of the assets used for generating revenue (equipment for rental) 
are low-value assets meaning that the severity of this risk is low. The 
geographical spread of these assets means that we do not face the risk  
of physical events, such as floods or wildfires, destroying material value 
assets. Physical risks have a low likelihood of resulting in a material risk  
to asset valuation at a Company level due to distribution of properties  
across the globe.

No material financial impact.

Potential transition risks

Possibility of increased or 
changing legislation related 
to climate change, in the 
fields of worker safety, 
vehicle usage and property 
maintenance. 

Cost and productivity impact 
of transitioning to a ULEV 
fleet of vehicles.

It is of a medium likelihood that over time legislative (e.g. carbon pricing) or 
societal changes will impact our customers and the sectors that they operate 
in. The severity of the impact would be dependent on the legislative change 
which took place but could likely have a high impact. 

Financial impact would 
depend on the severity  
of the legislative change.

The fleet of vehicles we have today are typically internal combustion engine 
powered. We have begun to transition to ULEVs in several countries and 
good progress has been made, with the number of ULEVs up to 683 in 2023 
(2022: 368). In the UK and Europe, c.8% of our fleet is ULEVs. If we were to 
move fully to ULEVs in the short to medium term, clearly, this would have 
a large impact on cost and productivity but that is not our strategy. We will 
reach 100% ULEV in line with our goal of reaching net zero by 2040, as 
ULEVs and charging infrastructure becomes available.

The cost of our fleet transition 
remains within our existing 
operational budgets. 

Failure to decarbonise 
our operations resulting 
in reputation and brand 
damage.

Rentokil Initial has a robust net zero transition strategy and plan in place 
allowing us to make regular progress towards decarbonising our operations. 
This means that this risk is of a low likelihood. However, should it occur the 
severity of the risk would be medium to high.

Should this risk materialise, 
this could have a material 
impact.

Rentokil Initial has robust business continuity plans in place.

The vast majority of properties are leasehold allowing us to move in a timely 
manner should a localised risk increase.

Our operational policies and infrastructure, products and services, continue 
to operate effectively in countries which already have very high temperatures 
such as MENAT. 

Should we fail to adapt, 
potential loss of revenue  
and increased operating 
costs locally, not material.

Potential adaptation risks

Failure to adapt operations 
to climate change impacts – 
localised flooding and higher 
temperatures. 

78 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Operational resilience
The Company has a very disaggregated 
customer base, both geographically and 
across many sectors, with low average 
contract values. Therefore, we are not 
exposed to significant climate change risks  
in our customer base over the short to  
medium term.

As we continue to experience and observe  
the emerging effects of climate change, we 
are taking the appropriate steps to respond. 
This includes a variety of mitigations across 
our business to minimise the impacts upon our 
colleagues, customers, and the communities 
and environments in which we operate. 

Rentokil Initial continues to demonstrate 
resilience with mitigation measures already in 
place in those areas we operate that are already 
at risk of extreme weather events. For example, 
our colleagues in the Middle East are scheduled 
not to work between noon and 2.00pm during 
summer months when temperatures reach over 
45°C and in Australia, we have issued workwear 
uniforms made of lighter weight fabrics with 
specialist cooling technology.

Climate-related opportunities
Rentokil Initial continues to develop  
non-toxic and sustainable solutions such as 
PestConnect for rodent control and Lumnia  
for flying insect control. Opportunities to 
differentiate our services as sustainable  
will become of increasing importance to 
customers of all sizes.

As a global leader in pest control and  
hygiene and wellbeing services, there are  
also opportunities which may arise from the 
changes occurring with a warming planet:

• longer, warmer breeding seasons will be 

advantageous to insects and rodents, and 
warmer temperatures in winter will likely also 
see lower pest mortality rates; and

• we are already seeing insects move into 
regions where they have previously not  
had a presence because of the changing 
environment. 

Strong business 
continuity 
processes

Interoperable 
systems with 
other branches

Branch

Vast majority 
leasehold

Limited value 
of stock

During the summer of 2023 in Europe, where 
record temperatures were recorded, the 
Company’s operations continued with the 
safety team implementing best practices  
such as ensuring water breaks and not 
working outside during peak heat times.  
Our operations remained highly resilient. 

Transition monitoring
Rentokil Initial continues to monitor any such 
local legal changes to ensure we continue to 

remain fully compliant with all local, regional 
and national regulations. City-based vehicle 
charging is also monitored and we analyse the 
availability of low-emission vehicle charging 
infrastructure and the suitability of lower 
emission vehicles to meet the needs of our 
local operations. Our local teams continue  
to monitor their local markets and maintain 
engagement with customers. 

The University of Hawaii has identified  
climate change as a major threat to global 
health security. On top of increasing global 
urbanisation and mobility, climate change 
provides more opportunities for emerging 
diseases and new infections to spread. The 
study concluded that the effects of climate 
change are making more than half of 
infectious diseases worse.

Greater floods and increasing temperatures 
provide ideal conditions for the propagation  
of insects, with studies predicting 
disease-carrying mosquitoes will continue  
to spread if global emissions do not fall.

In 2023, malaria spread from mosquitoes to 
humans inside the US for the first time in  
20 years, according to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention. 

In the US, VDCI, our vector control company, 
supports public sector mosquito abatement 
programmes. VDCI is also a leading provider 

of emergency response mosquito control 
services after major flood events or increased 
mosquito-borne disease activity.

Last year a review on public health impact 
found that West Nile continues to be the 
deadliest mosquito-borne disease in the 
continental US. First reported in 1999, the  
virus is now considered endemic by public 
health authorities in most areas.

We are at the forefront of mitigating the  
effect of pests across the globe, supporting 
our customers and local communities to 
minimise the impacts on their businesses  
and public health.

In 2024, our new innovation centre will be 
opened in the US, focused on residential  
pest control, termites, vector control and 
sustainable fumigation. The centre will  
bring together a range of expertise from 
entomologists, vector scientists, fumigation 
chemists and residential product owners. 

Potential climate-related 
opportunity

Increasing urban  
pest populations

Lead in sustainable 
innovation

Attract and retain 
customers

Overall opportunity likelihood and potential severity

Various independent research articles link climate change to the increasing 
spread of pests and longer breeding seasons, across countries and regions.

Potential financial impact

Increased revenue

The Company leads in innovation and digital in pest control which also 
increase efficiency and reduce cost. We have 75+ innovations and digital 
projects in the pipeline with sustainability benefits. 

Increased revenue and lower 
operating costs

Through the successful decarbonising of our operations and services, we will 
increase our market differentiation and better support customers’ needs to 
make their supply chain and their own workplaces more sustainable. 

Our resilient multi-local operations and proven business continuity processes 
deliver increasing confidence to customers that services will be maintained, 
particularly high dependency food and pharmaceutical customers.

Increased revenue

Sustainable fumigation

Working with global partners to substitute relevant fumigation services with 
more sustainable alternatives. 

Increased revenue and lower 
operating costs

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 79

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceResponsible Business 
continued

Climate-related metrics  
and targets
Rentokil Initial has published its emissions 
data for 19 years and continues to improve  
the quality and range of its environmental 
reporting. In addition, we report on a number 
of operational metrics in relation to our net 
zero transition plan including the number  
of ULEVs, renewable energy usage and 
reduction in fumigation use (see below for  
our targets which contribute to our net zero 
transition plan). 

Our GHG emissions are derived from the use 
of energy in our properties and vehicles and 
through the use of chemicals in pest-related 
fumigation projects. 

Our absolute values of tonnes of CO2e are 
reported in line with the GHG Protocol 
Corporate Accounting and Reporting standard 
(revised edition), using UK government 
conversion factors for GHG reporting and 
International Energy Agency conversion 
factors for non-UK electricity.

We 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, we set a 
five-year emissions target to achieve a 20% 
reduction in this intensity index by the end of 
2020, which we achieved a year early.

In 2020, we set a new target to improve the 
emissions intensity index by a further 20%  
by the end of 2025 (using 2019 data as the 
baseline). As of the end of 2023, we had 
improved by 16% towards this target.

Net zero transition plan
Our pathway to net zero from our operations 
by the end of 2040 is built around three  
core pillars and eight workstreams, with 
climate-related milestone targets in 2025 
and 2030. 

Key elements of the plan include our 
transition to a low-emission fleet, the 
reduction in our energy emissions through 
the transition to renewable property 
electricity, and reduction in emissions  
from the use of chemicals, each of which  
are under way and detailed in this report 
(see pages 72 to 74). 

At this stage we do not expect carbon 
offsetting to represent a significant part of 
our journey to net zero. We have owned the 
Terminix business since October 2022 and  
it is incorporated into our net zero transition 
plans. Details of our combined carbon 
footprint can be found on page 81.

Transition plans under  
way in countries 

First renewable energy 
contracts introduced

Strong support from 
colleagues for our new 
environment plan

52 bolt-on acquisitions  
with £146.6m revenues 

16% reduction in our 
emissions intensity index

c.8% of Europe and UK  
fleet is ULEV

Target: 90% of properties 
using renewable energy 

Target: 100% EU and UK  
fleet to be ULEVs

Emissions from fumigation 
reduced by 16% 

Target: c.70% reduction 
emissions from fumigation

2020

2021

2022

2023

2025

2030

2040

net  
zero

Net zero by 2040 target 
established 

New emissions intensity 
target – 20% reduction by  
the end of 2025

Emissions intensity reduced 
by 9.6% against 20% target 
by the end of 2025 target

Target: Reduce our emissions 
intensity by 20% by the end 
of 2025

Target: 10% Europe and UK 
fleet to be ULEVs

Fleet transition in UK and 
Europe; more sustainable 
fumigation service trials 
under way 

Acquisition of Terminix 
with c.$2bn revenues 
and 52 bolt-on acquisitions

No change to 2040 net  
zero target 

Target: 100% ULEV fleet

Target: Net zero operations

Any residual emissions  
are offset

80 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Index of (CO2e) emissions per £m revenue

Five-year intensity index

2023

2022

-16.15%

-11.97%

2021

-9.13%

2020

-7.96%

2019

0.00%

Index of CO2e emissions is calculated as an index of kilograms per £m revenue on a CER basis, providing an accurate like-for-like performance comparison, 
removing the variables of currency, divestments and acquisitions.

Rentokil Initial (including M&A)
Absolute values of energy and fuel-derived emissions – tonnes of CO2e

Type of scope

Total Scope 1

Total Scope 2

Total Scope 3 – Category 3

Total outside scope

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

294,006

213,354

184,438

170,655

176,599

21,614

78,122

15,459

18,060

56,302

7,776

15,670

48,281

7,298

15,672

43,265

5,787

17,380

44,091

5,122

Total – all scopes and outside scopes (location-based)

409,201

295.492

255,687

235,379

243,192

Total Scope 2 market-based emission reduction

(1,915)

(1,737)

(1,297)

–

–

Total – all scopes and outside scopes (market-based)

407,286

293,755

254,390

235,379

243,192

Note: This table includes emissions data for Terminix from October 2022, when acquired by Rentokil Initial. Based on Terminix’s full-year 2022 data, the 
combined emissions would total 400,505 compared to 409,201 for 2023. This would represent a year-on-year increase of 2.2%.

Scope 1 – emissions from our vehicles and the operation of our facilities, with the majority of emissions derived from the use of petrol and diesel across our  
fleet, with a small amount of gas, fuel oil, LPG and aviation fuels. Reductions in the previously reported Scope 1 emissions for 2022 are due to a review of data 
collection in a few countries.

Scope 2 – emissions derived from the purchase of electricity. This has been split between Location- and Market-based to account for those operations switching 
to green and renewable tariffs. Slight changes to prior-year figures are due to updates in the IEA conversion factors.

Scope 3 – includes Category 3 relating to fuel and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 and 2. Slight changes to prior-year figures are due to updates 
in the International Energy Agency (IEA) conversion factors.

Market-based emissions (deductions) – emissions deducted under the renewable electricity contracts we have implemented in the UK, Italy, Australia,  
New Zealand and India. 

Absolute emissions in 2023 from Scope 1 were 294,006 tonnes CO2e with the UK constituting 6% in 2023 (2022: 9%) and the emissions from Scope 2 were  
21,614 tonnes CO2e with the UK constituting 4% (2022: 5%).

Rentokil Initial: UK and global energy consumption
Since 2018, we have also reported our energy consumption and the UK operations’ percentage. In 2023, global energy consumption was  
1,384,577 MWh, with the UK and offshoring representing 72,497 MWh or 5.2% (2022: 8.5%).

Energy MWh

Source of energy

Direct GHG emissions

Indirect GHG emissions 

Totals

2023

Group

UK and  
offshore

2022

Group

UK and  
offshore

2021

Group

UK and  
offshore

1,318,275

68,015

851,572

71,800

811,963

77,601

66,301

4,482

54,445

4,903

47,236

5,377

1,384,576

72,497

906,017

76,703

859,199

82,978

Our total energy consumption is calculated using electricity purchased (MWh) and fuel volumes converted to MWh using the UK government GHG conversion 
factors for company reporting. Direct GHG emissions relate to the combustion of fuel and the operation of any facility. Indirect GHG emissions relate to the 
purchase of electricity, heat, steam, or cooling. 

The table above represents energy consumption within Rentokil Initial, including Terminix. Reductions in the previously reported Group energy for 2022 are due 
to review of data collection in a few countries.

Fumigation services
Around the world, some of our operations 
provide customers with fumigation services 
that utilise sulfuryl fluoride (SF). The use  
of SF is specified as a treatment by some 
destination countries to prevent the spread 
of invasive pests, and also in the treatment  
of termites to prevent structural damage  
to buildings. 

This accounts for a small percentage of our 
revenues, and we are committed to finding 
alternative, more sustainable solutions, in 
line with our net zero by 2040 target (see 
page 72).

The reduction this year was due to 
fluctuations in customer demand, as well as 
greater progress on our reduction strategies, 
in particular, our monitoring of the quantities 
of SF throughout the fumigation process. 

Emissions equivalent from the use of SF 
decreased by 16% in 2023 to 1,293,043 
tonnes (2022: 1,540,236 – factoring  
a full year of Terminix; 2021: 792,744;  
2020: 814,700; 2019: 548,449). 

A significant proportion of our North America 
fumigation services are conducted by 
third-party subcontractors. Their SF usage is 
tracked and has been included in our data.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 81

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governancetarget level of professional services while 
operating with the utmost professional 
integrity. 

In 2023, the Company updated a range  
of policies and harmonised its Code of 
Conduct following the Terminix acquisition. 

In the Human Rights section of the Code,  
we state that we will under no circumstances 
make use of forced or coerced labour, 
servitude or slavery and will only employ 
individuals who are working of their own free 
will. It further states that no colleague will be 
deprived of identity papers or be required to 
provide financial inducements to the Company 
to facilitate their employment.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct was updated in 
2021 to expand the remit of the Environmental 
section to include new sections on: quality  
of products or services, zero tolerance of  
tax evasion and protecting personal data.  
We have aimed to make our Supplier Code 
accessible by making it available in 19 
languages on our website. Our Supplier  
Code of Conduct will be reviewed in 2024.

Progress towards CSRD in 2023
Rentokil Initial recognises that double 
materiality is important to underpinning our 
responsible business approach against the 
CSRD. This year we worked with a specialist 
consultancy to start the in-depth process of 
understanding our material issues. 

Double materiality refers to 
sustainability-related impacts, risks and 
opportunities for a company. It is defined by 
the CSRD as comprising impact materiality 
and financial materiality. 

Impact materiality refers to a business’s 
impacts on the environment and people. 
Financial materiality refers to the risks and 
opportunities that a company faces in relation 
to the environment and people. 

A sustainability matter is considered ‘material’ 
for a company if it surpasses materiality 
thresholds for impact materiality, financial 
materiality or both.

So far, we have worked with internal 
stakeholders to understand what areas of  
the ESRS topics are likely to be material.  
We will engage with a range of stakeholders, 
both internal and external, to consider these 
areas as part of this assessment. 

When making major sourcing decisions, 
sustainability elements must be considered; 
for instance, calculating air, sea, or road freight 
transport impact to destination. 

All major supply contracts include a clause 
requiring compliance with the Supplier Code 
and specific clauses on bribery, corruption, 
and modern slavery. 

We encourage our supplier employees or 
other stakeholders to report genuine concerns 
over malpractice, illegal acts or failures to 
comply with recognised standards of ethical 
behaviour that they observe at any point 
within our global supply chain through our 
Supplier Speak Up programme.

Supplier audits are undertaken as set out  
in our Modern Slavery Statement, which is 
available on our website. The environmental 
and social impact of sourcing options is 
included in the criteria for the evaluation of 
alternatives for the global supply of products.

CSRD activities in 2023

Independent advisor appointed and 
analysis of future regulations

Management workshops

Meetings with functional specialists

Analysis of impacts, risks and 
opportunities

Double materiality assessment

Indicative assessment of legal entities 
required to report under CSRD

Responsible Business 
continued

Governance 
sustainability 
statement

New Code of Conduct 
launched in 2023

CSRD preparation

Rentokil Initial has a global policy framework 
(such as Safety, Environment, Human Rights, 
Diversity) and a number of tools to provide 
assurance of the integrity with which it 
operates. 

The Company continues to focus on ensuring 
the framework and tools are in place and 
operating robustly, in order to deliver the 

Corporate Sustainability 
Reporting Directive
In preparation for the new Corporate 
Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD),  
we have considered the published guidance, 
taken advice from corporate advisors,  
and appointed a specialist consultancy. 

We have undertaken an indicative 
assessment of applicability of CSRD to the 
Group and, based on that assessment, are 
preparing the relevant reporting for the 
January – December 2025 financial year.

82 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
 
Our Stakeholders
Committed to stakeholder engagement

Our purpose and our core values 
of service, relationships, teamwork 
and responsibility reflect the central 
importance of our stakeholders to 
our business and influence how 
we engage with them. 

We believe that by engaging regularly with 
all of our stakeholders and responding to 
their feedback we support the long-term 
sustainability of our business. 

The Company’s section 172(1) statement 
is detailed below, with the Group’s key 
stakeholders and our engagement with 
them detailed on pages 84 and 85. 

Section 172(1) statement
Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 
aims to ensure that the board of directors of a 
company has a comprehensive understanding 
of its key relationships with a broad range  
of interested groups, such as employees, 
suppliers and customers, and that there is 
proper perspective of the impact on both 
internal and external stakeholder interests  
in order to secure the company’s long-term 
success. 

This statement plans to set out how our Board 
of Directors (the Board), both individually and 
collectively, have paid due regard to these 
factors during 2023 when undertaking the 
duties set out under section 172(1).

The sections of the Corporate Governance 
Report on pages 108 to 111, which expand 
upon the Board’s activities and principal 
decisions in 2023 and evidence how the 
Board considered the impact of its decisions 
on the factors set out in section 172(1), also 
form part of this statement. These pages  
are incorporated by reference into the 
Strategic Report.

Our stakeholders
We identify our key stakeholders as 
colleagues, customers, shareholders, 
communities and suppliers. We classify  
the environment as strongly related to 
communities and so often consider them 
together. We also recognise the broadening 
impact the environment has on all our 
identified stakeholders and its increasing 
importance to areas of our business 
operations. 

In discharging its section 172(1) duties,  
the Board has had regard to these key 
stakeholders and the associated impacts, 
although some factors may have been more 
relevant than others, depending on the  
nature of the matter under consideration. 
Where appropriate, the Board also gave 
consideration to other factors or interested 
parties relevant to the decision being made, 
such as regulators, industry bodies or other 
business relationships.

with stakeholders

B More information on our engagement 
• Our stakeholders on pages 84 and 85 – an 
overview of our key stakeholders and how 
we measure the impact of our engagement.

• Board engagement on pages 114 and 115 
– the approach taken by the Board to 
understand and engage with our key 
stakeholders.

• Our responsible business priorities on  

pages 69 to 71 – details of our commitment 
to acting responsibly and the impact on our 
colleagues and communities.

• The Company’s Modern Slavery  

Statement on our website – the statement  
is considered and approved by the Board 
annually, and involves consideration of key 
stakeholder groups.

Our strategic priorities
Board decisions and actions are aimed at 
creating long-term value for our shareholders 
through our sustained economic success 
while furthering the Company’s mission of 
protecting people, enhancing lives and 
preserving our planet. The Board agenda is 
designed to ensure that key strategic priorities 
are captured and considered throughout  
the year, with an in-depth review of the 
longer-term direction of the business 
undertaken as part of its annual strategy day 
sessions. Sufficient information is provided  
by management to enable the Board to  
make informed decisions on any impact to 
stakeholders. Details of how our Board 
operates and the way it reaches decisions, 
including the matters discussed and debated 
during the year, can be found in the Corporate 
Governance Report.

When considering the needs of relevant 
stakeholder groups, conflicting requirements 
inevitably arise and in those circumstances  
we aim to make judgements that balance  
and serve the long-term interests of the 
stakeholders. We acknowledge that not  
every decision the Board makes will 
necessarily result in a positive outcome for  
all stakeholders. However, by considering  
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, responsibly 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. Maintaining effective 
systems of risk management and internal 
control, reviewing and mitigating our principal 
risks and identifying emerging risks, all help 
underpin the Group’s overall strategy and 
allow the Board to have regard to factors that 
could affect stakeholder relationships and 
their impact on our long-term success.

decision-making

B More information on strategic  
• Board focus areas in 2023 on pages 108  
to 110 – an overview of certain key areas 
considered by the Board during the year  
and their outcomes.

• Principal decisions of the Board on page 111 –  

detailed examples of principal decisions 
taken by the Board during the year, the 
stakeholder considerations and impacts.

• Risks and uncertainties on pages 87 to 93 –  
the approach to identifying and managing 
the Group’s principal risks.

Our responsible business
In line with most businesses, there are impacts 
trade-offs that we recognise and manage 
proactively and appropriately. We aim to 
reduce our impact, for instance, as a result of 
the chemicals we use and the greenhouse  
gas (GHG) emissions involved in providing 
services to our customers, by developing 
innovative products and services which  
are increasingly non-toxic and sustainable.  
We proactively engage with suppliers as part 
of this. We have published the key activities  
to achieve net zero carbon emissions from  
our operations by the end of 2040 and 
regularly report on our innovative solutions. 
Our environmental strategy focuses on the 
operational risks and opportunities that we 
have identified and is embedded within  
our operating model as a multi-local, 
route-based business.

Our reputation is of utmost importance to our 
business success, as we rely on customers’ 
satisfaction and the continued investment of 
shareholders. Our culture model includes our 
mission and values, along with our five core 
culture themes: customer focused, driven  
to succeed, diverse, down to earth and 
innovative. We continue to monitor our culture, 
recognising the important and evolving role  
it plays in driving behaviours that bring the 
business sustainable long-term success. Our 
comprehensive set of policies and procedures 
ensure high standards of professional 
business conduct, including embedding 
adherence to our Code of Conduct. We strive 
to act fairly and transparently between 
stakeholders of the Company at all times.
B More information
• Culture on page 116 – details of how the 
Board monitors culture and helps set the 
tone from the top.

• Our environment sustainability statement  

on pages 72 to 81 – details our commitment 
to acting responsibly, setting out our 
environmental strategy and our focus  
on service and innovation.

• Delivering innovative solutions on  

pages 26 and 27 – an overview of our 
approach to innovation.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 83

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Stakeholders 
continued

We recognise the importance of our 
stakeholders’ views and we ensure that we 
engage with them across the world to fully 
understand and act upon their issues and 
concerns. We approach stakeholder 
engagement at a global, country and local 
level, to ensure all stakeholder groups have 
access to information about our business  
and activities, and can identify issues 
important to them.

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 is to develop and 
maintain positive and productive relationships 
with all our stakeholders. 

You can find details of how the Board receives 
information from our stakeholder groups,  
with examples of the outcomes of this, in the 
Corporate Governance Report, primarily on 
pages 114 and 115. 

You can find more information on our 
responsible business approach on pages  
68 to 82 and in our separate Responsible 
Business Report for 2023, which can be  
found on our website at rentokil-initial.com/
responsible-delivery.

Celebrating the first 
anniversary of the Rentokil 
Terminix merger
In October, Rentokil Terminix marked its 
one-year anniversary with its first-ever 
Spirit Day. The theme was teamwork, and 
across North America, branches and 
virtual teams joined in the celebration. 

The event was also about giving back to 
the communities, kicking off a month-long 
food drive, with donations made to the 
US charity, Feeding America, and the 
Canadian charity, Second Harvest (see 
page 71). 

Colleagues by region
North America
Europe (incl. Latin America)
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia & MENAT
Pacific
Total

21,965
12,959
5,694
19,609
2,695
62,931

84 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Colleagues

Customers

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

Key issues for stakeholder group
• Safety
• Expertise and service quality
• Innovation
• Digital portals
• Transparency
• Quality assurance and insights
• Cost
• Regulatory compliance
• Sustainability 

Why we engage
In a service industry we succeed or fail by the 
quality of the service we offer our customers. 
Understanding their needs supports our 
product and service development. 

Impact/value created
• Healthier and more hygienic facilities 
• Regulatory compliance (food safety, health 

and safety, etc.)

• Supporting customers’ own sustainability 

targets 

Methods of engagement
• Management of ongoing customer 

relationships

• Customer satisfaction surveys (Customer 

Voice Counts (CVC))

• Participation in industry forums and events, 

such as the Global Food Safety Initiative and 
thought leadership

• Annual Report and industry-focused 

publications

• Websites
• Innovation showcases, e.g. visits to our 
dedicated research, development and 
training facility in the UK, the Power Centre

• 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. Within our Performance Share Plan 
scheme, CVC is a key metric (see page 137).

We employ approximately 62,900 colleagues 
who operate in 90 countries. Our colleagues 
are those who are directly employed by us. 

Key issues for stakeholder group
• Health and safety
• Training and career development
• Tools to do the job
• Wellbeing
• Reward
• Culture and values
• Line manager coaching and feedback
• Community support

Why we engage
We rely on the skills, experience and 
commitment of our people to meet our 
business goals and place great importance  
on recruiting the best talent, and developing 
and retaining our colleagues.

Impact/value created
We aim to be a world-class Employer of 
Choice, providing a safe working environment 
and career and development opportunities.

• Pay and benefits to colleagues
• Training and development opportunities
• Long-term career opportunities

Methods of engagement
All colleagues are provided with information 
on matters of concern to them in their work, 
through our internal U+ training system, which 
hosts both technical and leadership courses 
and learning, as well as regular briefing 
meetings and internal communications. To 
inform colleagues of key factors affecting our 
business, regular updates are posted on our 
intranet and engagement events are hosted 
by individual businesses and leaders, such as 
conferences, town halls and senior executive 
updates. In addition, in the UK, we also record 
monthly business updates that are shared  
with all colleagues, undertake pulse surveys 
and have a comprehensive colleague email 
programme, covering a range of subjects 
including safety, sales and sustainability.

Other methods include:
• Your Voice Counts (YVC) colleague survey 
every two years and periodic pulse surveys;

• annual personal development reviews for 

colleagues and line manager training;
• the RIGHT WAY magazine published  

online quarterly;

• Speak Up ethics hotline; and
• works councils, including an EU forum.

Measurements
We measure our impact by monitoring 
recruitment and retention levels, diversity, the 
results of YVC surveys, performance ratings, 
the amount of new U+ online training content 
made available and online learning views,  
and the talent pipeline of graduate schemes 
and apprenticeships. Within our Performance 
Share Plan scheme, colleague retention is a 
key metric (see page 137). We also monitor 
external ratings, such as Glassdoor.

Shareholders

Communities

Suppliers

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

Key issues for stakeholder group
• Contribution to public health and safe 

environment

• Jobs and investment
• Environmental and societal impacts
• Long-term relationships 

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. We encourage a long-term 
partnership approach. 

Impact/value created
We partner with charities and community 
initiatives in communities where we operate.
• Tax paid
• Charitable donations
• Reduction in energy and fuel-derived 

emissions

• Employment of people in local communities

Methods of engagement
• Sponsorship and colleague volunteering
• 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 ranking with independent organisations 
such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 
and Sustainalytics. 

Within our Performance Share Plan scheme, 
vehicle fuel intensity is a key metric (see page 
137). More information can be found on our 
responsible business priorities with regard  
to the environment on pages 72 to 81, and 
communities on page 71. We also publish a 
separate Responsible Business report on  
our website. 

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 colleagues.

Key issues for stakeholder group
• Integration of Terminix
• Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
• Growth in revenue and profit
• Cash flow and returns, e.g. dividends
• Brand and market leadership
• Innovation and digital differentiation
• Consistent execution of our strategy
• ESG performance

Why we engage
Our investors are the owners of the business, 
and 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 we want to understand  
their priorities.

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

Methods of engagement
• Institutional investor meetings
• Wholesale distribution channels, such as sell 
side research and broker-led conferences 

• Capital Markets Days
• Investor roadshows
• Ad hoc meetings with investors on specific 

topics, such as ESG

• Annual General Meeting
• Correspondence with retail shareholders
• Annual Report and Form 20-F
• Corporate website
• Results presentations
• Our Responsible Business Report

Measurements
We measure our impact by monitoring our 
share price and TSR, gathering feedback  
at investor meetings and reviewing  
analyst notes.

Supporting our communities
Colleagues from Ambius and Initial Hygiene 
joined 132 volunteers in the largest 
community tree planting weekend at the 
Nightwings rainforest in Queensland, 
Australia, to plant over 3,500 trees. 

Ambius has long supported the efforts of 
Rainforest Rescue, helping to protect over 
2.56 hectares of Daintree lowland, 
preserving this iconic, unique Australian 
ecosystem for future generations. Ambius 
has also been one of the biggest contributors 
to the tree planting initiative by the funding  
of seedlings – providing an additional 1,200 
plants in 2023. 

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 bait, 
paper, soaps and waste collection units, while 
indirect suppliers include technology services, 
fleet vehicles and telecommunications.

Key issues for stakeholder group
• Long-term engagement and innovation
• Pricing
• Continuous improvement approach
• High standards of product quality and 

service delivery

• ESG matters, including human rights, data 

protection and modern slavery

• Environmental standards and improvement 

plans

Why we engage
Our major suppliers must share our corporate 
standards and values as these strategic 
partnerships deliver significantly more value 
to our business and our customers.

Impact/value created
• Optimised supply chain from manufacturer 

to end customer

• Joint development of bespoke products 

and service innovations

• Efficient sourcing of proprietary products 

from global and local suppliers

Methods of engagement
Suppliers are classified into critical, major  
and minor suppliers, to ensure that they  
are managed at the appropriate level.  
Our Supplier Code of Conduct defines  
the standards and values expected of our 
suppliers. It is available in 19 languages, and 
signed by all critical and major suppliers.  
The Group Procurement team manages the 
relationships with critical suppliers, including 
comprehensive audits of their operations. 
Local procurement teams manage major  
and minor suppliers. These relationships are 
coordinated through the quarterly Global 
Procurement Forum to ensure alignment  
and sharing of best practice. 

Measurements
We monitor our impact by measuring:
• monthly On-Time and In-Full delivery metrics;
• delivery lead times and quality complaints;
• annual revenue development, product 
innovations and pricing management;

• supplier audit scores and ESG accreditations; 

and

• suppliers completing our in-house training 

on modern slavery awareness.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 85

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOur Stakeholders 
continued

Non-financial and sustainability information statement

This table and the information incorporated by reference constitutes the Company’s non-financial and sustainability information statement as 
required by sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. We have made climate-related financial disclosures for the year ended  
31 December 2023 which are compliant with section 414CB (2A): (a) page 76 – Climate-related Governance; (d), (e), (f) pages 77 to 79 –  
Climate-related Strategy; (b), (c) pages 77 to 79 – Climate-related Risk Management; (g), (h) pages 80 to 81 – Climate-related Metrics and Targets. 
You can find further details throughout the Responsible Business section on pages 68 to 82. You will find details of our business model on pages  
14 and 15, our Key Performance Indicators on pages 22 to 25 and our principal risks on pages 88 to 93. 

Our key policies are published on our website at rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery.

Our approach and key policies

Environmental matters

Rentokil Initial recognises the responsibility we have in protecting the environment and managing 
climate-related risks and opportunities. We are on a journey to reach net zero emissions by the end of 
2040 and have a clear strategy in place to help us achieve this. Our environmental strategy consists of 
three core pillars: Sustainable Solutions, Sustainable Operations and Sustainable Workplace. Within 
these pillars it addresses eight key components of our business: Chemicals, Consumables, Hardware, 
Waste, Mobility, Supply Chain, Properties and Culture. 
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.
We expect our suppliers to adopt a similar approach to us in protecting the environment. As a minimum, 
our Supplier Code requires that they comply with applicable laws and respect the environment in work-
related activities, on any of our premises, our customers’ premises and sites, and their own premises. 
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for managing climate-related risks and opportunities within 
the Company, supported by oversight of the Board and the work of the Executive Leadership Team. 
Further information on our climate related-risk and opportunities can be found in our TCFD Report.

Colleagues 

Outcomes of policies 
and impacts of activities More information

16% reduction in  
our five-year emissions 
index.

We seek to help mitigate 
our carbon emissions 
through our partnership 
with Cool Earth.

Environmental 
matters, pages 68  
and 77 to 79.
TCFD, pages 75 to 81.
Risk management, 
pages 87 to 93.
Audit Committee 
Report, pages 117  
to 124.
Governance, pages 
104 to 116.
Principal risk: Safety, 
health and the 
environment.

We aim to be an Employer of Choice and our 62,900 colleagues are integral to our business model. Our 
Code of Conduct sets out our Group 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 safely 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 our policies include a Group Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy 
and Dignity at Work & Human Rights Policy.

0.31 Lost Time Accident 
rate in 2023.

Colleagues on  
pages 69 and 70. 

7.05 Working Days  
Lost rate in 2023. 

25% of our senior 
management are female.

Principal risks: 
Safety, health and the 
environment; Failure 
to deliver consistently 
high levels of service 
to the satisfaction of 
our customers.

Social matters 

Our Mission is to protect people, enhance lives and preserve our planet. As well as making a meaningful 
contribution to the economy, we aim to support the communities in which we operate and where our 
colleagues live. As detailed in our Code of Conduct, we make corporate donations and raise funds for 
various charitable causes and operate a matched-giving scheme to support colleagues’ efforts. 

£569,000 donated 
to charities in 2023 
(excludes donations 
in kind and product).

Our engagement  
with communities 
on page 71.

Respect for human rights 

We support the rights of all people as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our Dignity 
at Work & Human Rights Policy outlines the human rights principles that reinforce colleagues’ expected 
behaviour in respecting the human rights of colleagues and business partners. 
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 we have a zero-tolerance approach to child labour, bonded labour or 
other forms of slavery in any part of our business or our suppliers.
The majority of revenues earned by our business is through route-based service activities carried out 
by full-time employees of the Company and therefore under our direct control. We mandate the highest 
employment standards in all countries of operation, as outlined in the Code of Conduct. Products are 
sourced from suppliers that are robustly audited before being commissioned (see our Modern Slavery 
Statement for more information). 

Anti-corruption and anti-bribery 

No human-rights 
violations were identified 
in 2023.

Our Code of Conduct 
and Supplier Code on 
page 82.

We publish a Modern 
Slavery Statement each 
year, which is available 
on our website.

Principal risk: 
Breaches of law or 
regulation.

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-Corruption Policy, and these are reinforced by mandatory online training, reviews and 
supplier audits, tracking registers, and our ethics reporting system, Speak Up.

c.28,000 Core Corporate 
Compliance training 
courses were completed 
by colleagues in 2023.

Policies and practices 
on page 116.

Principal risk: 
Breaches of law or 
regulation.

B The icons used above correspond to our stakeholder groups as set out on pages 84 and 85.
Shareholders

Communities

Customers

Suppliers

Colleagues
86 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
Risks and Uncertainties
How the business manages uncertainty and risks

The embedded management of key risks supports our strategic objectives through 
identification and mitigation, helping drive good decisions and practice. 

Risk management approach
The Group’s overall risk management 
approach, described here and on page 123,  
is designed to provide reasonable, but not 
absolute, assurance across the Group that 
risks are being effectively identified and 
robustly managed. This includes ensuring 
appropriate mechanisms are in place to 
ensure that issues and concerns relating to 
risk can be escalated up through the 
organisation successfully and confidentially.

The Board has oversight of the Group’s 
operations to ensure that internal controls  
are in place and operating effectively. This is 
achieved by reviewing the effectiveness of the 
risk management process and managing the 
evolving risk environment as it approves the 
Group’s overall strategy. Key components of 
the Board risk management process include:
• annual presentation and approval of the risk 

process by the Audit Committee;

• review of Group Risk Committee minutes by 

the Audit Committee; and

• annual presentation and approval of the 

Group strategy.

Management is responsible for the effective 
operation of internal controls and risk 
management including the execution of the 
agreed risk mitigation plans. Key components 
of the risk management process by 
management include:
• identification, assessment and management 
of risk integrated into day-to-day operations 
by local and regional operational 
management;

• maintenance of a central risk register 

periodically reviewed with movements and 
impacts tracked;

• emerging risks and potential mitigations 

reviewed at quarterly Group Risk Committee 
meetings; and

• deep dives on specific or emerging risks at 

senior management meetings.

The risk management process was 
strengthened during 2023 by reviewing 
compliance responsibilities across the Group, 
reviewing and refreshing the major incident 
protocols, and the inclusion of additional deep 
dive sessions on specific or emerging risk 
topics at senior management meetings. 

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 processes and control systems  
are in place and fully operative.

The Board relies on the assurances provided 
by management and Internal Audit through 
periodic reports presented to the Board and 
Audit Committee.

Using the process set out above, the Board 
confirms it has undertaken a robust 
assessment of the principal risks which may 
impact or otherwise threaten the delivery of 
the strategy and the long-term viability of the 
Group. In addition, the Board has assessed  
the identification and assessment of emerging 
risks, and is satisfied that appropriate 
mitigation plans are in place for both emerging 
and principal risks. The Group’s business 
model remained broadly the same in 2023 as 
in previous years. It incorporates a number  
of elements that moderate the risk profile of 
the Company.

• Low capital intensity and high portfolio 

retention rates: our categories exhibit strong 
defensive qualities, as density and efficiency 
gains are reflected in margin growth.
• 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. 
There is natural resilience to fluctuations  
in market dynamics in individual markets,  
and geopolitical and trade risks due to our 
local market operations.

• Clear and simple geographic model: our 
decentralised model has single-country 
management teams leading integrated 
operations, with combined back-office 
functions underpinned by shared systems.

Changes in risk profile  
of the Company in 2023
We continue to monitor existing and emerging 
risks regularly at both the Audit Committee 
(see pages 123 and 124) and the Group Risk 
Committee (see page 105), and to take 
mitigating action as appropriate.

Areas where the risk profile of the business 
has improved in 2023 include:
• continued roll-out of our target financial  

and operational systems across the globe, 
including a dedicated Treasury project, 
automating significant amounts of 
calculations and reporting;

• continued investment and early 

standardisation in technical infrastructure to 
mitigate the risk of a successful cyber attack;

• continued strong cash flow giving financial 

headroom to continue to acquire businesses 
with good strategic fit;

• continued evolution of a Fraud Risk 

Assessment; 

• deep dive management sessions on risks, 

including customer retention, artificial 
intelligence, termite claims and innovation; 
and

• formalisation and documentation of internal 

controls as required by SOX legislation.

Areas where our risk profile has increased in 
2023 include:
• fluctuating inflationary pressures, with limited 

exposure to hyperinflation markets, 
challenging international geopolitical activity 
including impacting energy costs;

• increased potential for general industrial 

action in some markets driven by 
macroeconomic factors;

• increased legal compliance, including the 

Economic Crime and Corporate 
Transparency Act and SOX legislation;
• increased volume of cyber attacks; and
• increased scale and complexity of the Group. 

Focus areas for risk mitigation 
in 2024
We continue to look for ways to improve both 
our risk process and mitigating actions to 
address the identified risks. In 2024, we plan 
to focus on the following areas:
• develop the risk methodology and assess 
the usage of risk tools to further embed  
our processes;

• continue the review of the Group’s 
compliance structure, roles and 
responsibilities conducted by the Group 
General Counsel and Director of Internal 
Audit & Risk; and

• repeat and develop Fraud Risk Assessment 

Process, expanding definitions and 
formalising a defined response plan and 
policy. Training to be rolled out globally to 
enhance knowledge and awareness.

Identified risks
The principal risks most relevant to the Group 
are described in the table on pages 88 to 93, 
together with mitigating actions.

Information on climate-related risks is 
provided on page 78.

Full details of our financial risks can be found 
in Note C1 on pages 203 and 204. 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.

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Annual Report 2023 87

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceRisks and Uncertainties 
continued

Our risk management process

• Oversight via Audit Committee and Board meetings

• Approval of risk process annually

• Review of Group Risk Committee minutes

• Review of Group strategy annually

• Coordinate risk identification, reporting and governance 
activity via a central risk register updated twice a year

• Assessment and categorisation of risk

• Group mitigating actions

• Define/review Group policies and procedures annually

• Group strategy definition annually

• Monitoring via regional monthly performance reviews

• Consolidation and assessment of country risks

• Regional mitigation actions

• Regional operational priorities definition

• Functional risk identification and assessment 

• Monthly performance review process

• Review and assessment of local risks

• Country-level mitigating actions

• Monitoring via monthly business unit reviews

• Local risk identification as part of day-to-day operations

• Local mitigating actions as part of day-to-day operations

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Audit Committee

Board

Executive management

Group Risk Committee

Internal Audit function

Regional management

Functional management

Country management

Operational unit

Principal risks by category

Strategic

• Failure to integrate acquisitions and 
execute disposals from continuing 
business 

• Failure to develop products and services 

that are tailored and relevant to local 
markets and market conditions 
B Find out more on page 89

People

Financial

Operational

• Failure to grow our business profitably in 
a changing macroeconomic environment

• Breaches of laws or regulations

• Failure to ensure business continuity 

• Failure to mitigate against financial 

in case of a material incident 

market risks 
B Find out more on page 90

• Fraud, financial crime and loss or 

unintended release of personal data 

• Safety, health and the environment

• Failure to deliver consistently high levels 

of service to the satisfaction of our 
customers
B Find out more on page 91 to 93

 Find out more

The icons used in this section correspond to our strategic priorities as set out on pages 16 to 19
The W icon used in this section relates to our Key Performance Indicators on pages 22 to 25
88 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risk: Strategic
Failure to integrate 
acquisitions and  
execute disposals from 
continuing business

The Company has a strategy that includes 
growth by acquisition, and 41 new businesses 
were acquired in 2023. 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 organisational 
structures and IT systems, 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.

Our business may be required to recognise 
impairment charges or be subject to asset 
re-evaluations or downgrades.

Business disposals also have to be managed 
efficiently to minimise risk to the businesses 
being disposed of and the residual business.

Mitigating actions
• Integration plans considered by the 
Investment Committee as part of the 

Principal risk: Strategic
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, which allows us to meet our 
growth objectives and stay ahead in a highly 
competitive industry.

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 would negatively 
impact our ability to maintain or increase 
margins and cash flow.

Examples include:
• 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.

• We need to respond to the expectations  

from customers and society for us to  
reduce our own environmental impact  
and support our customers in reducing  
their environmental impact.

Overall risk: High

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
The ongoing integration of Terminix together 
with ongoing acquisition activity retains the 
risk level as high.

acquisition approval process. Integration 
activities and progress discussed during 
monthly performance reviews.

• Dedicated project teams established for  
the largest acquisitions and demergers  
with clear deliverables over three months,  
six months and one year. Proven induction 
programme across the first 100 days for 
acquisitions.

• Continuity of management/leadership in 
acquired companies, where possible.
• Use of transaction structures including 

deferred consideration to mitigate deal risk.

• Group departments involved with 

acquisitions to drive integration plans and 
compliance with Group standards, especially 
when entering new geographies.

• 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.

• Board approval of acquisitions involving new 
countries, new business lines, or above a 
defined financial threshold.

• IT integration playbook to support an 

effective and timely integration of IT systems.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Additional resources in both the US and 
Group functions to support integration  
and replatforming related to the Terminix 
integration

• Continued use of dedicated Integration 

Management Office (IMO) and governance 
for the Terminix integration

• Use of expert consultants where outside  

of business expertise 

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Integration plans (day 1, 30 days, 100 days, 

one year)

• Reviews of integration plans for specific  

large acquisitions

• Post-acquisition review completions
• Post-investment review by the Board of 
aggregate performance of investment  
in M&A

• Regular steering committee to assess 

progress, chaired by the Chief Executive

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
No significant changes, resulting in a stable 
trend.

• 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
• Acquisition of targets with specific 

capabilities that address future changes in 
our markets.

• Investment Committee to approve targeted 
investment in innovation to meet market and 
regulatory needs.

• Category Boards for Pest Control and 

Hygiene & Wellbeing categories overseeing 
the roll-out of innovations at pace across our 
regional businesses.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Acquisition of technology-focused 

companies

• Increased penetration of digital technologies 

on customer sites

• Increased use of data analytics via our 
Command Centre platform to provide 
business insight

• Further research into non-toxic pest control 

solutions

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Sales growth for key innovations
• Percentage of sales revenue from innovation
• Number of sites with digital solutions
• Percentage of commercial customers 

registered for digital platforms

• Continued investment in digital platforms  

• Percentage of colleagues using digital 

to support Sales and Service frontline 
colleagues.

• Group KPIs for innovation at a customer and 

colleague level to monitor progress.

• Further develop our range of sustainable, 

non-toxic and humane pest control solutions.

applications

Emerging risk
• Potential for increasing regulatory 

requirements

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Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceRisks and Uncertainties 
continued

Principal risk: Financial
Failure to grow our business 
profitably in a changing 
macroeconomic environment

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Increasing
Increasing, due to the ongoing fluctuation of 
inflationary pressures. 

The Company’s two core categories (Pest 
Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing) operate in  
a global macroeconomic environment that is 
subject to uncertainty and volatility.

Mitigating actions
• Resourcing being driven by the capital 

allocation model, differentiated by line of 
business to maximise opportunities.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• North America business now accounts for 
c.60% of Revenue at CER, up from c.45% 

• Increased focus at regional level on 

Impact should the risk materialise
Changes in the macroeconomic 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:
• Recession and economic slowdown in some 

of our key markets.

• Changes to the global job market and the 

challenges of recruitment.

• Increased costs of doing business, with rising 
costs as a consequence of political instability, 
increasing interest rates and civil unrest.
• Low-growth economies with inherent cost 
inflation where the Company has weak 
pricing power may make it difficult to 
maintain profitability, especially in areas of 
hyperinflation.

• Growing market presence of multinational 

competitors may increase the cost of 
acquisitions and drive down prices, 
impacting profitability.

• Shift to greater proportion of key accounts in 
some markets may drive down prices and 
make it difficult to maintain profitability.

• Legislation (including climate change 

legislation), regulation or society expectation 
limits our ‘licence to operate’.

• Inflationary pressures drive costs higher, 

potentially pricing out customers in 
challenging financial positions coupled  
with wage inflation demands.

Principal risk: Financial
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 or a combination 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
• 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.

90 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

• Working with governments and regulators  

inflationary impacts and mitigating actions

on implementation of new regulations.
• Maintaining a low-cost operating model, 

focused IT investment, incentives to deliver 
efficient operations, and back-office process 
alignment and standardisation programme.
• International Key Accounts team developing 
business with multinational customers to 
take advantage of the unique global 
capabilities and new Hygiene & Wellbeing 
offerings.

• Leveraging size and scale to develop 

additional business opportunities in the 
North America region.

• A regionally focused defined pricing 

programme to drive profitability on existing 
portfolio, build insight and enable profitable 
growth from new business and innovations.
• Group Procurement team tasked to deliver 
economies of scale while ensuring robust 
supply chain.

• Refresh of the customer contracting 

minimum standard to drive consistent 
contracting across the Group.

• Increased resources to govern pricing 

decision

• Increased energy costs

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Revenue growth, in total and by category W
• Group Organic Revenue Growth, in total and 

by category

• Revenue contribution from acquisitions
• Adjusted Operating Profit W
• Group Adjusted Operating Margin
• Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion W
• Net capital expenditure
• Customer retention W
• Colleague retention W

Emerging risk
• Global or local market recession

Overall risk: Low

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
Unchanged, no significant changes resulting 
in a stable trend.

• 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.

• Monthly Treasury Committee to report and 
monitor financial rating agency metrics,  
and compliance with Treasury policies.
• Monitoring the impact of exchange rate 
movements on non-GBP profits and  
net debt.

• Cash pooling and debt financing 

arrangement to match, as far as possible, 
currency availability/demand across borders.
• Revolving credit facility (RCF), unlikely to be 

affected by adverse credit and financial 
market events.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• No material changes

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Liquidity headroom at the year end of 

£1,603m

• Counterparty ratings of A- or above
• Monthly reporting against ratings metrics
• If economically feasible, no unhedged 

foreign exchange positions above £10m, 
fixed interest >50%; and matching currency 
of net debt to underlying profitability

• Monitoring of amounts outstanding against 

counterparty credit limits

Emerging risk
• Volatile exchange rates
• Rising interest rates

Principal risk: Operational
Breaches of law or regulations 
(including tax, competition 
and antitrust laws)

Overall risk: Low

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
Stable, albeit compliance with SEC reporting 
and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act remains a 
requirement. 

As a responsible company we aim to comply 
with all laws and regulations that apply to our 
businesses across the globe.

Mitigating actions
• Group legal oversight in acquisitions.
• Tax strategy reissued and approved by the 

Impact should the risk materialise
Failure to comply with local laws including 
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 licences to operate, which could adversely 
impact growth, profitability and cash flow,  
as well as causing reputational damage.

The Group 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. Additionally, as the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other US legislation 
now applies to the Group, the risk of failing  
to establish and maintain an effective  
system of internal controls to meet these  
laws could impact the Company both 
financially and operationally.

Principal risk: Operational
Failure to ensure business 
continuity in case of a 
material incident

The Company needs to have resilience to 
ensure business can continue if impacted by 
external events, 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:
• A significant cyber attack or IT failure  

which impacts our ability to plan efficient 
routing, or ability to invoice, and is not 
recovered quickly.

• Fire, flood or climate event impacting our 
premises or transportation/supply chain 
network, preventing goods from being 
available to enable our technicians to  
service our customers.

• Industrial action by colleagues.

• Where third parties are engaged for services, 
the termination or business disruption could 
materially impact the business.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Continued development of reporting and 

monitoring of audit issues

• Defined email reminder process to  

senior colleagues for mandatory online 
training completion

• Refresh of a number of corporate policies 

including the Code of Conduct and 
competition law policy

• Group authority schedule updated  

and distributed

• Mandated SOX training introduced
• Programme to elevate ICFR up to  

SOX standards 

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Central management of material litigation, 

including quarterly internal reporting

• Regular review of tax exposures and the 

status of tax audits by the Audit Committee
• Completion rate monitoring for mandatory 
U+ training modules, e.g. Code of Conduct 
and competition law

• Monthly monitoring and reporting of audit 

issues to executive management

Board annually.

• Significant tax planning opportunities must 
be pre-agreed with the Group Tax Director 
and Chief Financial Officer with independent 
tax advice taken where necessary.

• Regular review of tax exposures.
• Group authority schedule in place and 

regularly reviewed.

• Group and local policies in place and 

regularly reviewed.

• Requirement to report breaches in controls 
and/or laws to the Group General Counsel 
and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk.

• Follow-up by Group General Counsel of any 
significant regulatory breach in any country.
• 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.

• All major business transactions or internal 
reorganisations are subject to a rigorous 
internal and external review.

• Programme to implement and monitor 

internal controls over financial reporting 
(ICFR).

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
While volumes of cyber attacks continue to 
trend upward, mitigating actions result in the 
trend for this risk as stable.

Mitigating actions
• All countries and units maintain and regularly 
review business continuity plans, with local 
plans to service from alternative locations  
if required.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Regular patching programme for all  

key applications

• Deployment of anti-ransomware software  

to the data centres

• The majority of key data and applications are 

• Additional resources added to the  

IT security team

• Wider use of automated IT software for 
system data and settings, e.g. scanning  
tool or risk assessment software 

• Addition of Workspace ONE

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Number of serious IT incidents and time 

taken to respond

• Major Incident Review actions
• Actions arising from IT security 

self-assessments

• External testing and benchmarking of our  

IT security environment

• IT-specific risk register focused on assessing, 

monitoring and tracking IT-related risk

located within regional data centres with 
enhanced backup capability.

• A dedicated Security Operations Centre  
is in place to monitor and tackle ongoing 
cyber threats.

• Specific tools deployed at data centres  

to detect and prevent spreading of  
cyber attacks.

• IT disaster recovery plans for regional  

|data centres.

• Data encryption and implementation of 
Workspace ONE (VMware) on devices  
and mobile phones.

• Ongoing user education awareness 

programmes.

• Annual penetration testing on all systems  
to test external firewalls and address any 
identified weaknesses.

• Annual inspections of key sites by insurers, 
on a rotating basis, to identify potential risks.
• Focus on IT audits completed by the Internal 
Audit function, supported by third parties.

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continued

Principal risk: Operational
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 colleagues, some customers and suppliers; 
unintended loss or release of such data may 
result in sanctions, fines and reputational risk.

Impact should the risk materialise
Loss of personal data of customers, suppliers 
or colleagues 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 colleague information, or 
misstatement of financial or other records via 
deliberate action by colleagues 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.

Mitigating actions
• Ongoing programme to ensure all 

businesses are compliant with data  
privacy requirements.

Principal risk: Operational
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:
• use of poisons and fumigants in Pest Control;
• driving to and working at customers’ premises;
• working at height; and
• exposure to needlestick injury/biohazards 

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 
Group or acquired by the Group. Legislation 
and changing expectations may require the 
business to alter its methods of operation.

Mitigating actions
• Robust SHE policies supplemented by 

technical policies address higher risk and 
regulated activities.

92 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
No significant changes, resulting in a stable 
trend.

• Dedicated and enhanced data privacy team, 

plus local privacy officers and privacy 
champions networks.

• Mandatory online training by all senior 
colleagues for the Code of Conduct.

• Compliance with Code of Conduct and other 
key policies affirmed by the annual Letter of 
Assurance by all senior management.

• Standardised financial control framework 

operating in all locations.

• Confidential Speak Up hotline and email 
address, monitored and followed up by 
Internal Audit.

• Suspected frauds investigated by Internal 
Audit as required and lessons learned 
implemented by management.

• Periodic fraud risk assessment process.
• User security awareness guidance and 

policies refreshed and reissued.

• Updated policies on devices and the 

provision of Citrix-only access combined  
with global patching programmes.

• Deployment of anti-ransomware to our  

data centres.

• Securing information.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Fraud risk assessments mapped to  

SOX controls 

• Reviewed fraud processes to new legislation 

(applicable 2024)

• Translated key financial control processes 

and training delivered 

• IT general controls project continues to 

ensure the integrity of the data and 
processes, including colleague education
• Review and refresh of the Major Incident 

Reporting protocol 

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Completion rate for mandatory U+ training 

modules

• Data privacy programme implementation
• Speak Up investigations and remediation
• Key financial controls pass rates
• Periodic review of IT access for critical 

applications

Emerging risk
• Economic Crime and Corporate 
Transparency Act extends fraud  
scope globally 

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
No significant changes, resulting in a stable 
trend.

• SHE officers in all jurisdictions, supported by 

a dedicated central SHE team.

• Updates to central technical register related 
to approved high-risk activity documentation

• Mandatory training of all relevant colleagues 

• Fumigation usage included in carbon 

in safe working practices.

• Focus on implementation of Group 

fumigation standards throughout the 
appropriate businesses and in all new 
acquisitions.

• SHE considered as the first item at all Board 
and senior management meetings; review of 
standardised SHE KPIs.

• Formal review of accidents and circulation of 
lessons learned (e.g. Safety Moments videos).

• Vehicle telematics now deployed in  

28 countries to reduce accidents and/or 
vehicle emissions.

• c.600 electric vehicles deployed in  

19 countries to reduce emissions and  
drive towards our Net Zero target.

• Strategy to further develop environmentally 

friendly approaches, e.g. lower pest  
control chemical use, recycling of hygiene 
units, roll-out use of electric vehicles, 
alternative fumigants.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• Roll-out of digital site risk assessment 

application which is either live or in pilot in 
more than 68 markets, with testing in others

• Refreshed and updated fumigation 

subcontractor processes

emissions equivalent footprint reporting 
• Enhanced safety training to include driver 

safety practices

• Implemented a new incident management 

solution that supports easier access to report 
an incident and enhanced data reporting
• Updated and redeployed internal major 

incident reporting protocol

• Independent assessment of readiness  

for ESG reporting under CSRD, ISSB and  
SEC requirements

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Lost Time Accident rate W
• Working Days Lost rate W
• Total emissions and emissions intensity
• Fuel intensity metrics (litres of fuel used  

per GBP of revenue)

• Fumigant intensity metrics (CO2e per GBP 

revenue)

• Energy usage and percentage of green 

energy purchased

• Electric vehicle deployment (number of 

vehicles and countries)

• Completion rates for mandatory U+ training

Principal risk: Operational
Failure to deliver consistently 
high levels of service to the 
satisfaction of our customers

Overall risk: Medium

Strategic Priorities

Trend: Stable
No significant change resulting in a  
stable trend.

Our business model depends on servicing  
the needs of our customers in line with  
internal high standards and to levels agreed  
in contracts.

Mitigating actions
• HR development processes, including 

Employer of Choice programme.

Changes in 2023 versus 2022
• The new U+ training platform is the primary 

training platform for colleagues

• Regular tracking of customer satisfaction  

• Continued deployment of IT programmes 

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.

Changes in the global job market resulting in 
difficulty in recruiting and retaining colleagues 
at all levels of the organisation, may impact  
our ability to service our customers to the 
highest standards.

Major digital change programmes could 
disrupt our ability to deliver high levels of 
service to our customers.

and the perception by both customers and 
non-customers of Rentokil Initial, 
benchmarked against competitors.

• 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.

• Incentives for Sales and Service staff aligned 

closely with strategic priorities, based on 
delivering improved customer service levels.
• 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.

• HR-lead recruitment initiatives, including 
recruit ahead, benchmarked pay plans, 
global careers and recruitment websites.
• Regular review of major IT programmes by 

the Chief Information Officer.

• IT Investment Committee to ensure sufficient 

allocation of resources, with a quarterly  
IT risk meeting to ensure oversight of IT 
transformation plans.

• Local business continuity plans.

and tools to frontline colleagues

• Diversity, equity and inclusion training 

programme to leaders, managers  
and colleagues

• Launch of new external recruitment website 
enhancing our internal job referral platform

Performance measures to monitor risk
• Sales and Service colleague retention W
• The number of online training courses  

being developed 
• U+ learning views
• State of Service W
• Customer satisfaction (Customer Voice 

Counts) W

• Customer retention W

Emerging risk
• Potential for disruption to customer  
service in North America due to the  
branch consolidation programme

Where to find further information
Failure to integrate acquisitions and execute disposals from continuing business  Our Strategic Priorities, 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, pages 26, 27 and 42

Our Strategic Priorities, pages 16 to 19

Innovation and digital services for customers, page 71

Failure to grow our business profitably in a changing macroeconomic environment Our Business Model, pages 14 and 15

Colleague and Shareholder KPIs, pages 22, 24 and 25 

M&A execution, pages 18, 32, 33 and 60

Our journey to net zero, pages 11 and 80

Failure to mitigate against financial market risks

Note C1 Financial risk management, pages 203 and 204

Breaches of laws or regulations (including tax, competition and anti trust laws)

Policies and practices, page 116 

Failure to ensure business continuity in case of a material incident

Cyber security, page 116

Fraud, financial crime and loss or unintended release of personal data

Policies and practices, page 116 

Safety, health and the environment

Our responsible business approach, pages 68 to 82

Key Performance Indicators, pages 22 to 25 

Keeping our colleagues safe, page 69 

Environment, pages 72 to 82

Failure to deliver consistently high levels of service to the satisfaction of  
our customers

Innovation and digital services for customers, page 71 

Colleague and Customer KPIs, pages 22 to 24

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 93

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceViability Statement

In accordance with provision 31 of the 
Corporate Governance Code, the Board of 
Directors has 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 88 to 93. 
Based on this assessment, the Board confirms 
that it has 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 2026.

The business model of the Group is focused on 
the delivery of services to customers at their 
premises. These are professional and often 
highly technical services, where customers have 
a need that we can help resolve. While these 
needs are subject to some seasonality and 
macroeconomic cycles, overall they are highly 
stable and growing at GDP rates or faster.  
The drivers of this growth are key to the Group’s 
prospects. Population growth, growth of the 
‘middle class’, and urbanisation around the  
world brings growing numbers of humans  
closer together, increasing the need for hygiene, 
as seen in the pandemic, and for control of  
pests where sources of food are more available. 
While climate change will undoubtedly have 
some adverse impacts on the Group, the 
disaggregated nature of our services at 
customer locations materially reduces our 
physical risks. Finally, the change in environment 
will likely bring upsides as pest breeding 
seasons are longer, mortality rates are lower  
and infestations are able to move into markets 
where they historically could not survive.  
Overall, the combination of business model and 
macroeconomic factors suggests that recent 
growth trends should foreseeably continue in 
line with our medium-term targets and beyond.

Period of assessment
Although the Directors have no reason to 
believe that the Group will not be viable over  
a longer time frame, 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 2026. Having considered 
whether the assessment period should be 
extended, it is the view of the Directors that  
a three-year period is still appropriate as it is 
consistent with the historical periods in the 
budgeting and strategic planning process. 
Three years is also aligned with the most 
frequent duration of both the customer and 
supplier fixed term contract periods 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 3 to 94). The Board reviews the Group’s 
performance at its meetings and depending 
on the external environment and its potential 
impact on the Group’s latest full-year forecast 
and strategic plan, may model a number  
of scenarios.

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 

94 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

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, 
and which were found to be effective during 
the pandemic, include 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 to date.

Although the review considered all the 
emerging and principal risks identified by  
the Group, the focus was also on how  
global events, like a worldwide pandemic, 
could impact the Group’s future financial 
performance and its cash generation under 
different scenarios. As a result, severe but 
plausible downside sensitivities were applied 
to the three-year plan approved by the Board.

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 
scenarios reflecting the principal risks to  
stress test the three-year plan for the following 
downside scenarios:
• Revenue reduces by 20% against the  

budget for six months of 2024. This scenario 
is significantly worse than the customer 
suspensions experienced during the first  
half of 2020, before the acquisition of 
Terminix (which increased the size of the 
Group revenue by c.60%), which peaked  
at slightly below 30% for one month only.
Risks: failure to grow our business profitably 
in a changing macroeconomic environment; 
failure to deliver consistently high levels of 
service to the satisfaction of our customers; 
failure to develop products and services that 
are tailored and relevant to local markets and 
market conditions; failure to ensure business 
continuity in case of a material incident; and 
failure to integrate acquisitions and execute 
disposals from continuing business.

• A prolonged downturn where revenue 

reduces by 20% for each of the three years  
in the model.
Risks: failure to grow our business profitably 
in a changing macroeconomic environment; 
failure to deliver consistently high levels of 
service to the satisfaction of our customers; 
failure to develop products and services that 
are tailored and relevant to local markets and 
market conditions; failure to ensure business 
continuity in case of a material incident; and 
failure to integrate acquisitions and execute 
disposals from continuing business.

• A significant one-off charge of £200m either 
in the form of a number of bank failures or as 
a result of a major fine.
Risks: failure to ensure business continuity in 
case of a material incident; breaches of laws 
or regulations (including tax, competition  
and antitrust laws); failure to mitigate against 
financial market risks; fraud, financial crime 
and loss or unintended release of personal 
data; and safety, health and the environment.

We have also considered two joint scenarios 
of the above: 1) the six-month scenario and a 
substantial fine; and 2) the three-year scenario 
and a substantial fine. Reverse stress tests 
were considered involving bank losses or fine 
of c.39% of 2024 Global Revenues (GDPR 
capped at 10%), or a 57% downturn in Global 
Revenues for existing headroom to be fully 
used. If we assumed no mitigating activities  
as described above, this would be 37% for 
three years.

The impact of the scenarios has been 
modelled to test projected liquidity headroom 
over the three-year viability period. In each  
of the individual and joint scenarios, the  
Group continues to retain sufficient liquidity 
headroom with the mitigating actions it can 
deploy. None of the scenarios required 
additional external funding above and beyond 
existing committed facilities and in the most 
severe downside scenario the minimum 
headroom modelled was c.£1bn before the 
inclusion of mitigating actions. 

In the three-year period of the viability 
statement, the Group has three debt 
maturities. In November 2024 the €400m 
bond matures, followed by the $700m term 
loan in October 2025 and the €500m bond  
in May 2026. As at 31 December 2023, the 
Group had total undrawn committed facilities 
of $1bn (£785m) and unrestricted cash, net  
of overdrafts of £818m, giving the Group 
combined headroom of £1,603m.

In addition to its committed headroom, the 
Group also has a $250m accordion linked to 
its RCF, a £1bn Commercial Paper Programme 
and an uncommitted, undrawn overdraft 
facility amounting to £20m.

Throughout 2023, the Group maintained its 
long-term (BBB with a Stable outlook) and 
short-term (A-2) credit ratings. At the time  
of the acquisition of Terminix, S&P Global 
reaffirmed the rating and also moved the 
Group’s Business Risk Profile up from 
Satisfactory to Strong. In addition to this the 
Group also obtained a second long-term  
rating (BBB with a Stable outlook) from  
Fitch Ratings during 2023.

The combination of a strong investment  
grade credit rating, the RCF banks’ willingness 
to provide debt funding free of financial 
covenants, the flexibility the Group has to 
make material reductions in its cash outflows, 
which was demonstrated during 2020, and the 
fact that the Group has continued to generate 
cash, provide the Directors with confidence 
that the Group could raise additional debt 
finance if required.

The geographical spread of the Group’s 
operations helps minimise the risk of serious 
business interruption. Furthermore, the  
Group is not reliant on one particular group  
of customers 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 2026.

Corporate Governance

  96 Chairman’s Introduction to Governance
  98 Governance at a Glance
  99 Board of Directors
 102 Executive Leadership Team
 104 Corporate Governance Report
 117 Audit Committee Report
 125 Nomination Committee Report
 131 Directors’ Remuneration Report
 162 Independent Auditors’ Report

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 95

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceChairman’s Introduction to Governance

The integration of Terminix has been 
a key focus for the Board, and the Group 
has made strong progress with the 
integration, successfully delivering on all 
our integration milestones and achieving 
our cost synergy targets for the year.

Richard Solomons,  
Chairman

96 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Dear Shareholder
The Group delivered a good operational  
and financial performance in 2023, despite  
the continuing macroeconomic uncertainty  
in certain markets, including inflationary 
pressures in key markets. In achieving strong 
revenue growth and improved margins, the 
Group has demonstrated the resilience of our 
business model. This is underpinned by our 
provision of essential services, a diversified 
portfolio, global presence, and our firm 
commitment to innovation. 

The integration of Terminix has been a key 
focus for the Board, and the Group has  
made strong progress with the integration, 
successfully delivering on all our integration 
milestones and achieving our cost synergy 
targets for the year. The combination 
continues to create significant 
value-enhancing benefits, and the Group  
has upgraded our expectations for total cost 
synergies. Lower sales lead generation and 
conversion in a softer consumer market in the 
second half of 2023, however, has resulted  
in a slowdown of organic growth in North 
America. The Board has evaluated the 
business’s response to these market 
conditions, so as to maintain our underlying 
operating momentum in the region, and  
there is a clear and comprehensive plan, to 
strengthen our sales and marketing capability, 
and drive customer wins, in the region. The 
Board will continue to closely monitor any 
impact on our share price that this may have.

Given the Group’s operational and financial 
performance in the year, I am pleased to 
announce that the Board is recommending a 
final dividend of 5.93p per share for 2023. 

An overview of the key matters considered  
by the Board during the year is set out  
below, with further detail provided on  
the Board’s composition, activities and 
corporate governance arrangements in  
the following pages. 

Strategy 
Throughout the year, the Board has monitored 
the Group’s performance against our strategy, 
with consideration given to our strategic 
priorities. Rentokil Initial is the world’s largest 
pest control and hygiene and wellbeing 
services provider, and we continue to progress 
our strategy, with sustained organic growth 
and bolt-on M&A. In 2023, the Group acquired 
41 new businesses, with a focus on high- 
quality pest control businesses in Growth and 
Emerging markets, and the expansion of our 
Hygiene & Wellbeing business. Further details 
as to our strategic priorities, and the progress 
that the Group has made on them in the year, 
can be found on pages 16 to 19. 

Safety, health and 
environment
At Rentokil Initial, we provide high-quality 
services for our customers by focusing on  
the safety, engagement and training of our 
colleagues, and by developing innovative 
products and services which are increasingly 
non-toxic and sustainable. 

This is emphasised through our mission: 
Protecting People, Enhancing Lives and 
Preserving our Planet. 

The Board reviews safety, health and 
environmental (SHE) performance at each 
meeting, and is pleased to note our sustained 
delivery of high levels of colleague safety 
performance, as the Group continues to give 
priority to ensuring that everyone gets home 
safe at the end of their working day. During the 
year the Board also discussed the Group’s 
broader sustainability strategy, including the 
environmental initiatives across the Group. 
More information can be found in the 
Responsible Business section on pages 68 to 
82 and in our separate Responsible Business 
Report, which is published on our website. 

Board composition and 
effectiveness
At the conclusion of our Annual General 
Meeting (AGM) in May 2023, Julie Southern 
stepped down from the Board, having  
served as a Non-Executive Director for nine 
years, with our considerable thanks for her 
exemplary support and guidance. 

In April 2023, we welcomed Sally Johnson, 
Chief Financial Officer at Pearson plc, as a 
Non-Executive Director. Sally subsequently 
succeeded Julie as Audit Committee Chair in 
May. Sally brings strong financial expertise, 
and US listed company experience, to the 
Board and has settled in well to the role 
following a comprehensive induction as 
detailed on page 130. 

Further details on Board composition may  
be found on page 107 and on succession 
planning on page 127. 

In 2023, we undertook an external Board 
evaluation, facilitated by Chris Saul of 
Christopher Saul Associates. The report  
found that the Board and Board Committees 
continue to operate effectively. Information on 
this year’s Board evaluation, and the progress 
made with the actions arising from the prior 
review, can be found on pages 112 and 113. 

Remuneration 
The Remuneration Committee Chair led a 
comprehensive engagement process with key 
shareholders during 2023 and early 2024,  
as the Board puts forward a new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy for shareholder approval 
at the AGM in May 2024. Full details of the 
Remuneration Committee’s activities, 
including the new Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy, is contained in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 131 to 161. 

People
We believe that it is our colleagues who make 
Rentokil Initial what it is. The Board recognises 
the great team of people that the Group has, 
and is grateful to all our colleagues for their 
professionalism and dedication. We have 
continued our investment in being a 
world-class Employer of Choice, with a 
particular focus in the year on the North 
America business and the integration of the 
Terminix business. The Group now has 62,900 
colleagues across the globe, with a shared 
mission, vision and values. The Board aims  
to engage with a broad range of colleagues, 
through attendance at meetings, partaking  
in colleague events, and site visits. We also 
receive fulsome updates from management  
on our colleagues, workforce engagement 
undertaken and culture. A key method for the 
Board to monitor culture, and to understand 
the sentiments of employees, is the Your  
Voice Counts (YVC) colleague survey.  
A YVC colleague survey was held in 2023, as 
detailed on page 70. The Board was pleased 
to note that we retained our strong levels of 
engagement and enablement, and that the 
Group received excellent feedback on the 
questions relating to SHE, My Manager, and 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Board’s 
oversight of the Group’s culture can be found 
on page 116, along with an overview of the 
Board’s engagement with colleagues, and  
our wider stakeholders on pages 114 and 115. 
As can be seen below, as part of our ongoing 
engagement activities, I visited our Hong Kong 
office in November 2023. 

During the year, the Board and the Nomination 
Committee continued to discuss the 
composition of and succession plans for  
senior management, with a particular focus  
on the North America leadership team.  
In October, Brett Ponton stepped down as  
the CEO of the Company’s North America 
region. The Board is grateful to Brett for  
his contribution to the Group. Following a 
comprehensive recruitment process, we were 
delighted to announce the appointment of 
Brad Paulsen as CEO of our North America 
region in December 2023. Brad was 
previously the CEO of Rexel USA, and brings 
significant leadership experience to the 
business. See page 127 for further details on 
senior management succession planning and 
talent development. 

Looking ahead
As we embark into 2024, the Board has 
confidence in the business’s plans for 
maintaining the Group’s performance  
and underlying trading momentum, 
notwithstanding the continued 
macroeconomic headwinds in certain  
markets. We will continue to closely monitor 
our North America business and the 
effectiveness of THE RIGHT WAY 2 plan,  
the action plan that has been put in place to 
reinvigorate organic growth in North America. 

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude 
to all our shareholders for their continuing 
support to the Company. We will once again 
be holding a hybrid AGM in May 2024, which 
all shareholders are welcome to attend. 

Richard Solomons,  
Chairman
7 March 2024

Meeting with colleagues  
in Hong Kong

In November 2023, while visiting Hong Kong, I had the pleasure of 
spending the day at our local Rentokil Initial office. The visit granted 
me the opportunity to meet with the Hong Kong team, and to take a 
tour of the office. 

Whilst there, the team provided a presentation of the business and its 
people, along with an overview of the local market and opportunities 
in the region, the business’s key priorities, a SHE update, and the 
business’s key initiatives for 2024. I also held a Q&A session with  
the team. I am immensely grateful to the Hong Kong team for hosting 
me, and for providing me with increased insight into the business,  
its people and its customers, which I shared with my Board colleagues 
at our next meeting. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 97

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceGovernance at a Glance

Snapshot of our Board
at 31 December 2023

Age of Directors

Professional background

Directors’ tenure

45–54 
55–64 
65–74 

33%
56%
11%

44%
Finance 
17%
Legal 
Economics  17%
HR 
11%
Management  11%

Executive Directors
Andy Ransom

Service length
15 years 8 months

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

3 years 5 months

Gender

Independence

Female  33% (3)
67% (6)
Male 

Asian/Asian 
British 22% (2)
White British
or other 
White 78% (7)

Ethnicity

Independent 
Non-Executive 
Directors 67% (6)
Executive 
Directors 22% (2)
Non-Executive
Chair 11% (1)

Non-Executive Directors
David Frear

1 year 3 months

Sally Johnson

9 months

Sarosh Mistry

2 years 9 months

John Pettigrew

6 years 0 months

Richard Solomons

4 years 10 months

Cathy Turner

3 years 9 months

Linda Yueh

5 years 2 months

B Find out more Board and executive management diversity on page 129

Board and Committee attendance at meetings held in 2023 

David Frear
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
Sally Johnson1
Sarosh Mistry2
John Pettigrew
Andy Ransom
Richard Solomons
Julie Southern3
Cathy Turner
Linda Yueh

Board

Audit  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Overall  
attended

–
–

–

–
–

–

 –

–

–
–

–
–
–

100%
100%
100%
83%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

1.  Sally Johnson was appointed on 1 April 2023.
2.  Sarosh Mistry was unable to join the additional unscheduled meeting of the Board, and two Remuneration Committee meetings, one of which was an 

additional unscheduled meeting, due to conflicting commitments which could not be rearranged.

3.  Julie Southern resigned on 10 May 2023.

B Find out more Meetings and attendance on page 107

98 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Board of Directors

Stuart Ingall-Tombs
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: August 2020 

Skills, experience and contribution
Stuart has extensive experience in senior 
operational and corporate finance roles, 
gained at Group level and in key operational 
businesses since joining Rentokil Initial in May 
2007, 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, enables 
Stuart to make a broad contribution to the 
ongoing development and growth of 
the Group.

After qualifying as an accountant at Stoy 
Hayward, Stuart worked for organisations 
including Lex Transfleet 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 
(ICAEW).

Current external commitments
• None

Richard Solomons
Chairman

Andy Ransom
Chief Executive

Appointed: March 2019 and became 
Chairman in May 2019 

Appointed: May 2008 and became 
Chief Executive in October 2013 

Skills, experience and contribution
Andy has led Rentokil Initial as Chief Executive 
since October 2013, and 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 more than 
30 years’ experience of creating value through 
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.

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 (LLB) and a qualified solicitor. 
He is a patron of Malaria No More UK.

Current external commitments
• Non-Executive Director, Informa plc 

(appointed 15 June 2023)

• Vice Chair of Street League (a youth 

unemployment charity)

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.

Richard was previously a Non-Executive 
Director of Marks and Spencer Group plc, the 
Senior Independent Director of Aston Martin 
Lagonda Global Holdings plc and a Member 
of the Board of Governors and the Finance 
Committee at the University of Manchester.

Current external commitments
• Chair of the Board and the Advisory 

Committee, and Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee, Hotelbeds Group S.L.U. (Spain)

• Non-Executive Director and Chair of the 

Audit Committee, Mandarin Oriental 
International Limited (Bermuda)

• Chair of Spinal Track (appointed 

14 December 2023)

Key

 Audit Committee member 
 Nomination Committee member 
 Remuneration Committee member 
 Committee Chair

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 99

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceBoard of Directors 
continued

David Frear
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: October 2022 

Sally Johnson
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: April 2023 

Sarosh Mistry
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: April 2021 

Skills, experience and contribution
Sally brings to the Board substantial 
commercial and strategic finance experience 
from her extensive executive career. Sally is 
the Chief Financial Officer of the FTSE 100 
company Pearson plc, which is also listed on 
the New York Stock Exchange. Since joining 
Pearson in 2000 she has held various finance 
and operational roles across The Penguin 
Group, the education business and at a 
corporate level at Pearson. She was also a 
Trustee for the Pearson Pension Plan from 
2012 to 2018.

Sally is a member of the Institute of  
Chartered Accountants in England and  
Wales and completed her training at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Current external commitments
• Chief Financial Officer, Pearson plc

Skills, experience and contribution
Sarosh has extensive experience as a senior 
executive, driving organic and inorganic 
growth in business-to-business services, 
especially in North America. He has deep 
experience of building businesses across 
the healthcare, retail, facilities management, 
hospitality, financial services and  
consumer technology industries, including 
innovation-led growth, service line  
extensions and new country entries (including 
emerging markets in Latin America and Asia). 
His executive experience has been in 
complex, geographically dispersed and 
multi-site businesses operating globally.

Sarosh Mistry is Sodexo’s CEO and Chairman 
of North America. He leads the North America 
Regional Leadership Committee for Sodexo, 
and is responsible for the coordination of 
Sodexo businesses in North America. Prior to 
leading North America, he served as the CEO 
for Sodexo’s business segment Home Care 
Worldwide, which operates in 13 countries. 
Prior to joining Sodexo in 2011, he worked in 
senior roles in major business-to-business and 
consumer organisations Compass Group, 
Starbucks, Aramark and PepsiCo. 

Sarosh has a Bachelor’s degree from St John’s 
University, Minnesota, and an MBA from the  
A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of 
Management, California.

Current external commitments
• CEO and Chairman, Sodexo North America

• Board Director, Didi Hirsch Mental  

Health Services

Skills, experience and contribution
David brings both extensive financial 
experience and a wealth of knowledge of 
the US market to the Board. He was a 
Non-Executive Director of Terminix Global 
Holdings, Inc. from January 2021 until it was 
acquired by Rentokil Initial in October 2022. 
David currently serves on the boards of 
several subsidiaries of Nasdaq, Inc., a leading 
provider of trading, clearing, exchange 
technology, listing, information and public 
company services. He previously served on 
the boards of Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc., 
Savvis Communications and Pandora 
Media Inc.

In his executive career, David was the Chief 
Financial Officer of Sirius XM between 2003 
and 2020, a subscription-based, satellite  
radio provider. Prior to this he was the Chief 
Financial Officer of Savvis Communications 
Corporation, Orion Network Systems Inc. and 
Millicom Incorporated and was an investment 
banker at Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. and 
Credit Suisse. 

David has a Bachelor of Arts in History from 
University of Michigan and a Master of 
Business Administration in Finance from 
University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross 
School of Business.

Current external commitments
• Non-Executive Director, The NASDAQ Stock 
Market LLC, NASDAQ PHLX LLC, NASDAQ 
BX, Inc., Nasdaq ISE, LLC, Nasdaq GEMX, 
LLC and Nasdaq MRX, LLC.

Board changes in 2023 and 2024
Having served for a period of nine years, Julie 
Southern did not stand for reappointment at 
the AGM in May 2023. Sally Johnson joined 
the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 
1 April 2023.

100 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

John Pettigrew
Senior Independent Director

Appointed: January 2018 and became Senior 
Independent Director in May 2019 

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 also has 
significant experience of M&A in both the 
UK and US. He has broad experience of 
dealing with governments and regulators in 
the UK and the US, and leading development 
of environmental, social and governance (ESG) 
strategies by driving the introduction of 
National Grid’s first ever Responsible Business 
Charter, which launched in 2020, and led the 
company’s Principal Partnership of COP26 
in Glasgow.

John is Chief Executive of National Grid plc, 
a fellow of the Institute of Engineering and 
Technology, and a fellow of the Energy 
Institute. He is a member of the Edison Electric 
Institute Executive Committee, a member of 
the Electric Power Research Institute Board 
and sat on the President’s Committee of  
the CBI. He was a member of the UK 
government’s Inclusive Economy Partnership 
until it was disbanded.

Current external commitments
• Chief Executive, National Grid plc

Cathy Turner
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: April 2020 

Linda Yueh CBE
Non-Executive Director

Appointed: November 2017 

Skills, experience and contribution
Cathy is an experienced Non-Executive 
Director with significant business leadership 
experience plus a deep knowledge of HR and 
remuneration matters. Her executive career, 
at executive committee level at Barclays plc 
and Lloyds Banking Group plc, has included 
responsibility for strategy, investor relations, 
HR, corporate affairs, legal, internal audit, 
branding and marketing. 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 was in consulting and 
manufacturing and included roles with  
major audit and consultancy firms. She was 
previously a Non-Executive Director of  
Quilter plc, Aldermore Bank plc and Motonovo 
Finance Limited, and a Trustee of Gurkha 
Welfare Trust. Cathy graduated in Economics 
from Lancaster University. She is a partner at 
the senior advisory organisation, Manchester 
Square Partners.

Current external commitments
• Senior Independent Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee, Lloyds Banking 
Group plc 

• Senior Independent Director and Chair of the 

Remuneration Committee, Spectris plc

• Partner, Manchester Square Partners

Catherine Stead, Company Secretary
Catherine Stead was appointed Company 
Secretary in April 2022. A graduate of the 
University of Glasgow, she also has an MSc 
in Development Studies from the School of 
Oriental and African Studies, University of 
London. A Chartered Company Secretary with 
more than 15 years’ experience of working in 
FTSE 350 companies, Catherine is a fellow 
of the Corporate Governance Institute. 
Catherine will step down as Company 
Secretary on 31 March 2024. 

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 obtained a BA at Yale University; 
Master’s at Harvard University; Juris Doctorate 
at New York University; and an MA and 
doctorate at Oxford University. Linda is a 
fellow at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University 
and an Adjunct Professor of Economics at 
London Business School. She was Visiting 
Professor at the London School of Economics 
and Political Science (LSE). Linda was an 
Adviser to the UK Board of Trade until July 
2023, and was a member of the Independent 
Review Panel on Ring-fencing and Proprietary 
Trading of the UK Treasury. She has acted  
in various advisory roles, including for the 
World Bank and the European Commission. 
Linda was previously a Trustee of Malaria  
No More UK and the Senior Independent 
Director of Fidelity China Special Situations 
plc, and until May 2023, a Trustee of  
The Coutts Foundation. 

Current external commitments
• Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society

• Chair of the Board and Chair of the 

Nomination Committee, The Schiehallion 
Fund Limited

• Non-Executive Director, SEGRO plc

• Non-Executive Director, Standard 

Chartered plc

Rachel Canham, Group General Counsel, will 
succeed Catherine, and assume the role of 
Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary from 1 April 2024. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 101

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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. Andy Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs are also members of the ELT. Their 
biographical information can be found on page 99. The Chief Executive chairs the ELT, which meets regularly throughout the year, and the Regional 
Managing Director of our Latin America region also attends all meetings.

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.

Vanessa Evans
Group HR Director
Appointed: January 2016
Role: As Group HR Director, Vanessa leads a 
team responsible for shaping and executing  
our Employer of Choice (EoC) 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. Vanessa is 
currently a Non-Executive Director of Care UK.

Chris Hunt
Group M&A Director
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 Group M&A Director and has 
completed more than 400 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.

Rachel Canham
Group General Counsel
Appointed: April 2022 
Role: As Group General Counsel, Rachel has 
responsibility for legal, corporate governance 
and data privacy across the Group.
Skills and experience: Rachel joined Rentokil 
Initial as Group General Counsel in 2022. Rachel 
is an experienced corporate and commercial 
lawyer. Prior to joining, Rachel spent 10 years at 
BT Group plc where she performed various 
roles, including General Counsel of its Enterprise 
division, Company Secretary, Chief Counsel  
for M&A with responsibility for its global M&A, 
joint ventures and restructurings and Senior 
Commercial Lawyer in the Major Transactions 
team. Before that, Rachel was a corporate lawyer 
at US law firm Latham & Watkins and at Dickson 
Minto W.S. Rachel is a graduate of Edinburgh 
University (LLB) and a qualified solicitor in 
England and Wales and Scotland.

102 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Mark Gillespie
Managing Director, Asia & MENAT
Appointed: April 2022 
Role: Mark oversees our businesses throughout 
the Asia & MENAT region.
Skills and experience: Mark joined Rentokil 
Initial in 2004, as the Group Director of Internal 
Audit & Risk Management. Since then he  
has held various senior roles in Finance and 
General Management. Prior to his most recent 
appointment to Managing Director, Asia & 
MENAT, he was the Regional Managing Director 
for the Rest of World region, doubling the size of 
Rentokil Initial’s presence in that region during 
his tenure. Mark has extensive finance, general 
management and M&A experience from his time 
at Rentokil Initial, and in previous senior roles in 
companies such as Honeywell and Pfizer.
He holds a BA Honours degree in Accounting 
and Finance from Manchester Metropolitan 
University, is qualified as a Chartered Accountant 
with BDO Stoy Hayward and is a Member of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England 
and Wales.

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 Brussels School of Economics 
and Management.

ELT changes in 2023 and 2024
Brett Ponton, CEO, North America, left the Company in October 2023 and was succeeded by Brad Paulsen in December. Alain Moffroid, currently 
Managing Director, Europe, will become Chief Commercial Officer on 1 April 2024. As part of this new role, Alain will lead the Marketing and Innovation 
Function. Fabrice Quinquenel, currently Managing Director, France, Nordics & Poland, will succeed Alain as Managing Director, Europe, and become a 
member of the ELT, with effect from 1 April 2024. Gary Booker, Chief Marketing, Innovation and Strategy Officer, will be leaving the Company in April 2024.

John Myers
CEO, US Pest Control
Appointed: October 2013 
Role: John oversees our Pest Control 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. John is a 
Non-Executive Director of Strikepoint Group 
Holdings, LLC.

Mark Purcell
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Appointed: April 2019 
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.

Brian Webb
Group Operations Excellence Director
Appointed: August 2019 
Role: Brian leads the Global Procurement, 
Supply Chain and Logistics functions, as well as 
being responsible for product quality, safety and 
technical governance. He and his team also work 
closely with the regional and functional teams  
to drive the environmental and sustainability 
agenda across the Group.
Skills and experience: Brian joined Rentokil 
Initial in 2011 as Supply Chain Director for 
Hygiene and Pest Control and has gained 
additional functional responsibilities over the 
years. He was appointed to the Executive 
Leadership team in 2019. His career has 
included roles in design and project engineering, 
production management and operations in the 
petrochemical, food, beverage and personal 
care sectors at global companies including 
Sasol, 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).

Brad Paulsen
CEO North America
Appointed: December 2023 
Role: As CEO of North America, Brad has overall 
responsibility for business operations in the 
region.
Skills and experience: Brad joined Rentokil Initial 
in December 2023 as CEO North America. 
Previously, Brad was CEO of Rexel USA and prior 
to that served as Chief Operating Officer of HD 
Supply. He spent over nine years at The Home 
Depot serving in various merchandising 
leadership roles. Brad has also served as a 
Non-Executive Director for Dot Family Holdings, 
the largest food industry redistributor in North 
America, for the past two years.
Brad attended The United States Military 
Academy at West Point and graduated with 
a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Additionally, 
he holds a Master of Business Administration 
from Vanderbilt University. 

Andrew Stone
Managing Director, Pacific
Appointed: September 2019 
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.

Phill Wood
Managing Director, UK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Appointed: October 2013 
Role: Phill oversees our businesses throughout 
the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa 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 2023 103

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceCorporate Governance Report

Compliance with the  
UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018
For the year ended 31 December 2023, the 
Company has applied the principles and 
complied with all of the provisions of the  
UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code), 
which was published in July 2018. 

The Company’s application of the Code’s 
principles and its compliance with the supporting 
provisions during the year is evidenced 
throughout the Annual Report. We have set out 
below an overview of how the Company has 
applied the principles of the Code in 2023,  
with links to relevant sections in the report. 

During the year, the Board also received an 
update as to the proposed changes to the  
Code by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 
with the Company submitting a response to the 
consultation in this regard. The revised Code 
was published in January 2024, and will apply 
for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 
2025. In 2024, the Board will review the revised 
Code, and consider the steps necessary to 
address the changes to corporate governance 
and corporate reporting provided for in the  
2024 Code. 

The full text of the Code is available on the FRC’s 
website at frc.org.uk.

Statement of application 
of Code principles
1. Board leadership and Company 
purpose
A. The role of the Board
The biographies for the Directors of the 
Company are outlined on pages 99 to 101,  
and include details as to their respective  
skills and experience. 

The Board promotes the long-term sustainable 
success of the Company through the decisions 
it takes about the services, customers and 
markets in which the Group operates, and 
maintains a dividend policy to share the  
value generated by these operations with 
shareholders. The Group’s business model is 
explained on pages 14 and 15 and the Group’s 
strategic priorities are outlined on pages 16  
to 19. 

B. Purpose, values and culture 
Our mission, vision and values are described 
on page 4, and our culture is summarised on 
page 5. An outline of the Board’s ongoing 
monitoring of the Company’s values and 
culture is provided on page 116. 

C. Resources and controls
The Risk and Uncertainties section on pages 
87 to 93 details the Group’s principal risks, and 
our risk management framework. The Board’s 
review of the risk management framework is 
outlined on page 123. 

D. Stakeholder engagement 
Our key stakeholders are set out on pages 84 
and 85, with the section 172(1) statement, 
on how Directors have had regard to 
stakeholders when discharging their duties, 
being found on page 83. 

On page 111, we have included examples of 
how the Board considers the views of our  
key stakeholders in its decision-making.

E. Workforce policies and practices 
The Company’s Code of Conduct sets out  
our values and the standards of behaviour 
expected from all colleagues. The Code of 
Conduct also provides guidance on Speak  
Up, the Company’s whistleblowing facility. 
Further details can be found on page 116. 

2. Division of responsibilities
F. Role of the Chair 
The responsibilities of the Chair of the Board, 
Richard Solomons, are defined on page 106. 

G. Board composition and division of 
responsibilities 
At least half of the Board, excluding the 
Chairman, are considered independent. 
Full details are provided on page 107. 

L. Board evaluation 
In 2023, the Board undertook an externally 
facilitated review, in line with the Code,  
as described on pages 112 and 113. 

4. Audit, risk and internal control
M. Independence and effectiveness of 
internal and external auditors
The Audit Committee is responsible for 
reporting to the Board on a range of matters 
concerning audit, risk and internal controls. 
For more information about the role and work 
of the Audit Committee, the external auditors 
and the Internal Audit team, see pages 117  
to 124. 

N. Fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment 
The Board’s approach to secure a fair, 
balanced and understandable report is 
provided on page 121.

The Directors’ statement on ‘fair, balanced and 
understandable’ can be found on page 245.

O. Risk and internal control 
Our approach to risk management and internal 
control together with the Group’s principal 
risks is set out on pages 87 to 93. 

The responsibilities of the Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors are described on 
page 106. 

The Board and Audit Committee’s oversight of 
the risk management and the internal control 
framework is summarised on page 123.

H. Role of the Non-Executive Directors 
The current significant external commitments 
of each of the Directors are included in the 
Board biographies on pages 99 to 101.  
The Board’s approach to assessing external 
commitments, including those considered 
during the year, can be found on page 107. 

A table detailing the number of Board,  
and Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee meetings held in 2023, and 
Director attendance at those meetings,  
is provided on page 98. 

I. Board policies, processes, information,  
time and resources
The Company Secretary works with the Chair 
of the Board, the Chairs of the Committees, 
the Chief Executive and other members of 
management to ensure that the Board has  
the policies, processes, information, time  
and resources it needs in order to function 
effectively and efficiently.

3. Composition, succession  
and evaluation
J. Appointments to the Board 
The Nomination Committee (which comprises 
all the Non-Executive Directors and the 
Chairman) is responsible for succession 
planning for, and recommending candidates 
for appointment to, the Board. For more 
information about the work of the Nomination 
Committee and the Board’s policy on diversity, 
equity and inclusion, see the Nomination 
Committee Report on pages 125 to 130. 

5. Remuneration
P. Remuneration Policy and practices 
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for 
determining remuneration policies and practices 
which support the strategy and promote the 
long-term sustainable success of the Group.  
For more information about the work of the 
Remuneration Committee, see the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 131 to 161. 

Q. Executive remuneration 
The current Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
was approved by shareholders at our Annual 
General Meeting (AGM) in May 2021. A copy  
of the policy can be found on our website.

Details of how the policy was applied during 
2023 and how the Remuneration Committee 
has undertaken its duties can be found in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 131 
to 161. 

In accordance with corporate governance 
requirements, the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy will be put to shareholders for approval 
at the AGM in May 2024. A copy of the 
proposed policy can be found on pages 152  
to 158. As part of the process for developing 
the policy, the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee consulted with major institutional 
shareholders on the proposals. 

R. Independent judgement and discretion 
The Remuneration Committee determines 
remuneration outcomes for the Executive 
Directors and other members of senior 
management and in so doing exercises 
independent judgement and discretion in the 
context of Company performance and individual 
performance and the wider circumstances,  
as appropriate. No Director or member of 
management is involved in determining their 
own pay.

The Board has a formal system in place for 
Directors to declare a conflict, or potential 
conflict of interest, as summarised on  
page 126. 

K. Board skills, experience and knowledge 
The key skills and experience of each of  
the Directors are included in the Board 
biographies on pages 99 to 101. 

104 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Governance framework

The Board
The Board’s role is to set the strategy to create sustainable, long-term value for shareholders and other stakeholders. It governs within a 
framework of prudent and effective controls that enable it to manage and assess risk. The Board strives to operate in a constructive, ethical 
and transparent manner at all times, and to set the tone for the rest of the business.

Matters reserved for the approval of the Board are set out in writing and reviewed periodically.  
They are available to view on our website.

B Biographies on pages 99 to 101

B Strategic priorities on pages 16 to 19

B Key activities during 2023 on pages 108 to 110

INFORMING

REPORTING

Audit Committee
Provides effective financial governance 
and oversees the Group’s financial and 
narrative reporting, risk management 
and internal control environment, and 
the external and internal audit process. 

Board Committees

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 117 to 124

B Find out more on pages 125 to 130

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 131 to 161

INFORMING

REPORTING

Chief Executive and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
The Board delegates the execution of the Company’s strategy and the day-to-day management of the business to the Chief Executive. The 
Chief Executive cascades authority to the ELT and wider management team through a documented Group Authority Schedule, which the 
Board reviews annually. The ELT also manages environmental, social and governance matters. 

B Q&A with our Chief Executive on pages 6 to 9

B Biographies on pages 102 to 103

INFORMING

REPORTING

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.

Disclosure Committee
Comprising the Chief Executive, 
Chief Financial Officer, Group 
Financial Controller and 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, Group Treasurer and 
Group Financial Controller, 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 and six other functional 
executives, it monitors the 
internal control environment 
and emerging risks, and 
reviews internal policies and 
procedures for identifying, 
assessing and reporting 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 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.

This governance framework provides the Board with confidence that the appropriate decisions are taken at the appropriate levels, and further allows 
the Board to ensure it meets its obligations to our shareholders and other stakeholders. Our shareholders and other key stakeholders play an 
important role in the operation of our governance framework. For details on how we engage with them, see pages 114 and 115.

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continued

Division of responsibilities
The Board has collective responsibility for the governance of the Company, using clear authority and reporting governance structures to undertake 
its duties as set out on page 105. The clear division between executive and non-executive responsibilities promotes accountability and oversight. 
The roles of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive are separate with their responsibilities well-defined. The pro-forma appointment letters for a 
Non-Executive Director and the Chair of the Board are available on our website. The responsibilities of the Board members are set out below. 

Chair of the Board
Richard Solomons

Chief Executive
Andy Ransom

Chief Financial Officer
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

• Leading the effective operation and 

• Ensuring effective leadership and day-to-day 

• Supporting the Chief Executive in developing 

governance of the Board

running of the Company

and implementing strategy

• Setting the Board agenda, including 

• Recommending and executing strategies 

discussing issues of strategy, performance, 
accountability, risk and sustainability 

and strategic priorities

• Managing operational and financial 

• Supporting the Chief Executive in managing 
the operational and financial performance of 
the Group

• Demonstrating objective judgement, 
and providing constructive challenge 
to management

performance, including monthly performance 
reviews with all regions, and identifying and 
managing risks to achieving the strategy

• With the Chief Executive, explaining 
performance to shareholders and  
other stakeholders 

• Facilitating active engagement by  

• Keeping the Chairman and Board appraised 

• Presenting and reporting accurate and timely 

all Directors 

of any key matters 

historical financial information

• Setting clear expectations on culture,  

• With the Chief Financial Officer, explaining 

• Recommending appropriate financing, 

values and behaviour

• Ensuring effective communication with 
shareholders and other stakeholders

• Leading the annual evaluation of  

the performance of the Board and  
Chief Executive

Senior Independent Director (SID)
John Pettigrew

• Leading the Non-Executive Directors’ 

appraisal of the Chair of the Board

• Working with the Chairman on Board 

effectiveness

• Providing an alternative channel of 

communication for investors, primarily 
on corporate governance matters

tax and treasury arrangements 

the Company’s performance to shareholders 
and other stakeholders

• Reviewing the organisation structure, 

including executive management capability, 
development and planning for succession 

• Overall development of Group policies  

and the communication of the Company’s 
mission, vision and values

• Promoting the Company’s responsible 

business (ESG) agenda

Independent Non-Executive Directors
David Frear, Sally Johnson, Sarosh Mistry, 
Cathy Turner, Linda Yueh

Company Secretary
Catherine Stead

• Assisting the Chairman in developing the 

• Contributing independent challenge 

Board calendar and agendas

and rigour

• Providing external experience and 
knowledge to the Board’s agenda 

• Assisting in the development of the 

Company’s strategy

• Ensuring that the Board has the policies, 

processes, information, time and resources  
it needs in order to function effectively  
and efficiently

• Assisting the Chairman and SID in their 
evaluation of the Board’s effectiveness

• Advising the Board and its Committees 
on governance matters and managing 
effective corporate governance and 
compliance arrangements for the Board  
and the Group

• Facilitating Board induction and development 

programmes

• Facilitating Board engagement with the 

business and key stakeholders

• Being a sounding board for the Chair 

• Ensuring the integrity of financial information, 

of the Board

• Chairing the Nomination Committee when  
it is considering succession to the role of 
Chair of the Board

internal controls and risk management 
processes

• Monitoring the performance of the Executive 

Directors to agreed goals and objectives

• Advising and being a sounding board 

for Executive Directors and members of 
the ELT

• Performing their Committee responsibilities

106 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Board composition
The Board currently has nine members, 
comprising a Non-Executive Chairman, two 
Executive Directors and six Non-Executive 
Directors, whose key responsibilities are set 
out on page 106. They receive advice and 
support from the Company Secretary and the 
Group General Counsel. Full details of the 
Board members who served during 2023, 
and in 2024 to the date of this report, are on 
pages 99 and 101.

Non-Executive Directors have regular 
opportunities to meet members of the ELT 
and other members of senior management 
(see pages 114 and 115) and also have at 
least one meeting during the year with the 
Chairman to facilitate discussion without 
executive management present. In 2023, 
the Non-Executive Directors met with the 
Chairman twice without management present. 

A Nomination Committee, comprising all the 
independent Non-Executive Directors and 
chaired by the Chairman, is responsible 
for managing the appointment process, 
as part of a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for appointing Directors.

Sally Johnson joined as a Non-Executive 
Director on 1 April 2023. Details of the 
recruitment process undertaken can be found 
on page 127. She became a member of the 
Nomination Committee and Audit Committee 
from her date of appointment, and succeeded 
Julie Southern, who stepped down from the 
Board on 10 May 2023, as Audit Committee 
Chair on that date.

Further information on appointment and 
succession planning is provided in the 
Nomination Committee Report on page 127. 

The Board keeps its membership, and that 
of its Committees, under review in order to 
maintain an ongoing and appropriate balance 
of skills and experience.

The Board considers that it and its Committees 
have an appropriate composition to discharge 
their duties effectively.

Meetings and attendance
The Board met a total of ten times during 
the year, one of which was an additional 
unscheduled meeting. A committee of the 
Board met four times for scheduled meetings 
in relation to the release of financial results 
and trading updates. The membership and 
attendance at Board and Committee meetings 
during 2023 is shown on page 98.

During the year, Sarosh Mistry was unable 
to join the additional unscheduled meeting of 
the Board, and two Remuneration Committee 
meetings, one of which was an additional 
unscheduled meeting, due to conflicting 
commitments which could not be rearranged. 

While we endeavour to avoid conflicts with 
other commitments of Board members by 
setting our calendar up to three years in 
advance, it is sometimes impossible to avoid.

Where Directors are unable to attend 
meetings, they will still receive papers in 
advance of the meetings and the Chairman or 
Committee Chair would seek the individual’s 
views ahead of the meetings and brief them 
on the outcome. We believe that all Directors 
have sufficient capacity to perform their  
roles effectively. 

External commitments
All Directors may accept positions on other 
boards if they can demonstrate that the 
additional commitments will not compromise 
their time commitment to us or represent 
a conflict of interest. Any new external 
appointment must be approved by the  
Board having given due consideration to the 
nature of the appointment and the anticipated 
time commitment. The significant external 
commitments of the Directors can be found 
in their biographical information on pages 99 
to 101.

We consider significant appointments (as 
referred to in Principle 15 of the Code) to be 
either a role with a listed company or a role 
with a time commitment equal to or greater 
than their time commitment with us. Currently, 
Non-Executive Directors are required to 
commit to us at least 20 days a year, and the 
Chairman an average of two days a week. 
There was only one significant external 
appointment considered and approved by  
the Board during 2023, being Andy Ransom’s 
appointment as a Non-Executive Director 
of Informa plc in February 2023. 

We monitor, in line with published investor 
guidance, the issue of Board Directors 
becoming over-committed by taking on 
too many potentially significant positions 
(otherwise referred to as ‘overboarding’), 
and the need to remain flexible to deal with 
unforeseen circumstances.

The fact that some of the members of the 
Board hold multiple non-executive positions 
has not presented any problems regarding 
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. Full attendance details can be 
found on page 98.

Independence of 
Board members
The independence of Directors is considered 
upon their appointment, and subsequently 
reviewed as part of the individual Director 
performance evaluation process, to ensure 
all Non-Executive Directors retain the 
necessary independence of judgement. 
In their continued constructive challenges to 
the executive team and senior management 
at Board and Committee meetings, the 
Non-Executive Directors reflect their 
ongoing independence.

The Board has determined that all our 
Non-Executive Directors are independent and 
have retained their independence of character 
and judgement. In coming to this conclusion, 
the Board has taken into account the identified 
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. You can find 
details of the Directors’ share interests in the 
Company in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 146. No current Non-Executive 
Director has served on the Board for longer 
than nine years. You can see the length of 
tenure for each Director on page 98.

We consider and address any potential 
conflicts of interest before 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. Details of these are 
recorded in a register of conflicts, which the 
Nomination Committee also reviews in full 
annually. No material conflicts have been 
declared. You can find further details of this 
process in the Nomination Committee Report 
on page 126. 

In accordance with the Code, the Directors are 
subject to annual re-election by shareholders 
and will, therefore, be seeking re-election at 
the AGM in May 2024 (see page 242).

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continued

Board activities in 2023

In order to discharge responsible leadership 
and optimise the breadth of Board oversight, 
the Board conducts discussions at formal 
meetings facilitated by carefully structured 
agendas which are agreed in advance by  
the Chairman, in conjunction with the Chief 
Executive and Company Secretary. 

A review of safety, health and environmental 
performance is the first item on the agenda at 
scheduled meetings. The Chairs of our Board 
Committees also provide verbal reports on the 
proceedings of those meetings, highlighting 
key discussion points and particular concerns 
for the Board’s attention. Other standing 
agenda items comprise reports on operational 

and financial performance, and legal and 
governance updates. Details of the key 
matters receiving Board attention at meetings 
in 2023 are set out below.

As an acknowledgement of the value of 
understanding the views of our stakeholders 
and their importance in the ability to deliver 
our strategy and purpose, the Board takes  
into account the Group’s key stakeholders  
and their diverse perspectives as part of  
the Board’s discussions. Examples of this 
approach in relation to certain principal 
decisions taken by the Board during the  
year can be found on page 111.

Key to Strategic Priorities:

Be an Employer of Choice 

Drive Organic Revenue Growth  
in Pest Control
Manage the integration of Terminix 
into our North America business
Build our Hygiene & Wellbeing 
business

Drive M&A

Create value through product and 
service innovations and digital 
applications

Manage a responsible business

Strategy 

The Board monitors the Group’s performance 
against its strategy, as defined at the annual 
strategy review sessions, throughout the year. 
Strategy updates provided to the Board 
include reports by the Chief Executive at  
each scheduled Board meeting, which among 
other things include an overview of health  
and safety results, operational business 
performance, investor relations, M&A, external 
insights and people matters. The Board also 
receives performance management reports 
from the Chief Financial Officer, which  
include information on our financial and 
non-financial key performance indicators 
(KPIs), and the outcome of regional business 
and functional reviews. 

The Board’s annual strategy day was held over 
two days in November and gave the Board  
the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive 
review of the Group’s medium-term  
strategic plan. This year’s event consisted  
of presentations on the key strategic issues  
for the Group, the growth plan for the North 
America business, an update on customer 
needs and market opportunities, a review of 
the Group’s digital marketing strategy, an 
update on the Cities of the Future strategy, 
and an overview of the Group’s IT strategy. 

The Board also received an external 
presentation from the Company’s brokers on 
the external macro financial environment and 
medium-term financial outlook, and held a 
session on key global themes with Kearney  
(an external consultancy firm). Further details 
as to the Board’s consideration of the potential 
use by the business of Artificial Intelligence 
(AI) and Extended Reality (XR) can be found  
on page 110. 

During 2023, the Board undertook regional 
deep dives with the management teams for 
North America; Europe, the Caribbean and 
Latin America; the Pacific; and the UK & 
Sub-Saharan Africa regions. These sessions 
provide an overview of operational 
performance and future strategy for the 
region, and highlight specific areas of progress 
or challenge. They also allow the Board the 
opportunity to gain further knowledge and 
engage with the leadership team in the  
region on particular areas of focus. One of the 
reviews of North America took place as part of 
the Board’s overseas visit to Chicago in June 
2023. More details can be found on page 109. 

In June and December, the Board considered 
the Group’s sustainability strategy, including 
the steps being taken to achieve net zero  
by 2040 and the progress of regional 
sustainability plans to achieve agreed  
targets by 2025 (see the Responsible 
Business section on pages 68 to 82 for  
more information). 

The Head of Investor Relations presented  
to the Board in June on the Investor  
Relations function, the composition of the 
Company’s share register and planned 
investor engagement activities. The Board 
also discussed the Company’s American 
Depository Receipt (ADR) programme and  
the key areas of focus for investors. 

Customer and supplier contracts over an 
agreed threshold are also reviewed and 
approved by the Board. In 2023, these 
included an energy contract and vehicle 
supply contract. 

Safety, health 
and environment

A review of safety, health and environmental 
(SHE) performance is the first item on the 
agenda of each scheduled Board meeting; a 
practice mirrored at ELT meetings. The Board 
receives updates from management on health 
and safety performance, including KPIs, and 
consideration of any major incidents during 
the period, identifying any root causes and 
actions or learnings as a result. Further details 
on colleague safety can be found in the 
Responsible Business section on page 69. 

An update on the Group’s Lost Time Accident 
(LTA) and Working Days Lost (WDL) KPIs (see 
page 22) is provided in each SHE presentation 
to the Board. In addition, twice a year, the 
Board reviews our SHE leading indicators. 
There are three leading indicators which  
focus on our more hazardous activities,  
such as fumigation, that are consistently 
measured across the Group, and two leading 
indicators that focus on compliance with key 
safety training. 

Throughout the year, the Board discussed  
the Group’s broader sustainability strategy, 
including the environmental initiatives in 
progress across the Group. The Board also 
considered updates on the stakeholder 
landscape from an ESG perspective and  
ESG reporting requirements. In 2023,  
we engaged an external specialist 
consultancy firm to support the in-depth 
process of understanding the material 
sustainability-related impacts, risks and 
opportunities for the Group, in preparation for 
compliance with the Corporate Sustainability 
Reporting Directive (CSRD) and enhanced 
ESG reporting in the future. The outcome of 
this initial assessment was shared with the 
Board (see the Responsible Business section 
on pages 72 to 82 for more information).

108 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

People 

Governance and compliance 

Mergers and acquisitions

In July and December, the Board received 
updates from the Group HR Director on 
colleague retention, workforce engagement 
and culture. This included an overview of the 
external employment landscape, an update  
on our Employer of Choice programme, and  
a summary of the enhancements being made 
to the Group’s talent and career development 
initiatives. In December, the Board also 
received a summary of the key findings from 
our colleague survey, Your Voice Counts 
(YVC). The survey, which is undertaken every 
two years, is one of the principal methods for 
both senior management and the Board to 
understand the main areas of focus for our 
people, and to identify potential opportunities 
for improvement. Further details as to the  
YVC survey can be found on page 70. 

The Board also receives regular updates from 
the Chief Executive on any changes to senior 
management. Succession planning for the 
North America leadership team was a major 
focus during the year, with Brett Ponton 
stepping down as CEO North America in 
October 2023, and Brad Paulsen being 
appointed as his successor in December. 

In March, the Board approved the Company’s 
Gender Pay Report. We continue to have no 
material gender pay gap between women and 
men, and are making progress in building our 
female representation in senior management 
roles. The Gender Pay Report is available  
on the Company’s website, while further 
details of our approach to diversity, equity  
and inclusion (DE&I) can be found in the 
Responsible Business section on page 69. 

In November, the Board received an  
update on the UK apprenticeship scheme. 
Since 2017, 617 apprentices have obtained  
an apprenticeship qualification through  
our programmes. Further details on our 
apprenticeship scheme can be found on  
page 69. 

The Board received recommendations  
from the Nomination Committee on  
the appointment or reappointment of 
Non-Executive Directors during 2023, 
including the appointment of Sally Johnson 
as a Non-Executive Director, as set out on 
page 127. 

The Board reviews its effectiveness 
annually and in 2023 work was undertaken 
to progress the actions identified from the 
previous internal review in 2022, with the 
status being considered at the Board 
meeting in June. The 2023 review was 
externally facilitated by Chris Saul of 
Christopher Saul Associates, with the 
findings discussed at the Board meeting  
in December 2023 and the actions arising 
from that review agreed at the February 
2024 meeting. Read more on pages 112 
and 113. 

Governance procedures and practices are 
closely monitored by the Board, which also 
has oversight of forthcoming governance 
developments or regulatory changes, 
supported by biannual briefings from the 
Company Secretary. In 2023, the Board 
spent time considering the proposed 
changes to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the requirements introduced by  
the Economic Crime and Corporate 
Transparency Act, and the additional 
reporting requirements outlined in the  
draft Companies (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report) Regulations prior to its 
withdrawal in October 2023. Other updates 
provided to the Board related to climate 
reporting, the Listing Rules and SEC rules. 

In December, the Board noted the revision 
of various key Group policies, including the 
Group Authority Schedule, and approved 
an updated schedule of governance 
procedures and practices and the 
Committees’ terms of reference.

North America site visit

In June 2023, the Board travelled to Chicago to hold a Board meeting and strategic 
sessions with the North America leadership team. The visit allowed the Board to review 
the Group’s strategic performance and outlook in the region, including the progress 
made with the integration of the Terminix business. The meetings, which were held  
over three days, included an overview of the North American pest control market, an 
in-depth review of the key focus areas for the combined Rentokil Terminix business, a 
review of the technology systems within the business, an update on the progress made 
with our Employer of Choice agenda, and an overview of the customer experience. 

The Board also visited Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs, a Major League 
Baseball team, for a demonstration of the pest control services provided there by 
Rentokil, and took a tour of our Des Plaines Facility, which houses our Ambius, Target 
Specialty Products and Pest Control businesses, where the Board had the opportunity 
to meet with colleagues from these businesses. 

The Board receives updates on current M&A 
activity from the Chief Executive as part of  
his report to the Board at each scheduled 
meeting. Regular updates are also included  
on the status of the M&A pipeline. 

In 2023, the Group acquired 41 businesses. 
When a transaction is of a significant size or 
involves the Group entering a new territory or 
business line, the business case is reviewed 
and approved by the Board. During 2023,  
the Board approved two acquisitions, further 
details of which can be found on page 111. 

Twice a year, the Board undertakes a 
post-investment review of acquisitions in 
aggregate to evaluate the performance of  
the total investment in acquisitions which 
completed in the prior 12–30 months, 
including the delivery against business  
cases and execution of integration plans. 
These continue to indicate ongoing rigour and 
aggregate performance of the M&A strategy 
against investment criteria and key metrics.

The Board monitors its competitors on an 
ongoing basis through the Chief Executive’s 
report and Investor Relations update, with a 
specific discussion on our competitors also 
taking place as part of the Board’s annual 
strategy day. 

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continued

Board activities in 2023

Financial management 

Risk monitoring and oversight

At each meeting, the Chief Financial  
Officer updates the Board on the financial 
performance of the Group. The Board  
reviews the reporting of the Group’s  
financial performance, and approves  
the financial results and associated  
regulatory announcements. 

The Board assessed the viability of the Group 
over the next three-year period, the potential 
impact of the principal risks, and stress-tested 
financial forecasts for severe but plausible 
scenarios. The Board approved the viability 
statement (refer to page 94) and going 
concern statement. 

Having considered the Group’s dividend 
policy and the financial performance of  
the Group, the Board approved an interim 
dividend for 2023 of 2.75p per share and is 
recommending a final dividend for 2023 of 
5.93p per share. This equates to a full-year 
dividend of 8.68p per share, an increase of 
15.0% compared with 2022.

The Board reviews the Group’s capital 
structure, including financing needs and 
funding, as well as capital allocation 
throughout the year. In July, the Board 
approved the issuance of 2.5m ordinary 
shares to satisfy the 2020 Performance  
Share Plan awards which vested in 2023. 
Further information on the Company’s capital 
structure can be found on pages 242 and 243. 

The Board reviews the Group’s annual 
operating plan each year, with a draft 
considered in December and the final plan 
approved early in the following year. 

The Board also reviews the Company’s 
treasury policy and tax strategy annually.  
The treasury policy is designed to ensure  
that the Group has sufficient liquidity and 
manages financial risk as outlined in Note C1 
to the Financial Statements on pages 203  
and 204. The tax strategy is aligned to our 
wider business strategy, in the belief that  
this approach creates a responsible and 
sustainable tax strategy that will strengthen 
long-term shareholder value. The current tax 
strategy, which was approved in December 
2023, is available on the Company’s website.

Risk management and internal controls 
effectiveness are considered by the Board 
throughout the year as part of its review of 
business strategy and performance, and in  
its regular engagement and consultations  
with executive management. The Audit 
Committee and senior management also 
update the Board and give it assurance that 
risks are being identified, effectively managed  
and mitigated.

The Board reviewed the Speak Up process and 
reports received in 2023, and considered any 
thematic issues identified (refer to page 124).

The Board undertook a review of the 
effectiveness of the Group’s risk management 
and internal controls systems and found  
them to be effective, notwithstanding the 
material weakness identified under the SOX 
requirements. Further details can be found  
in the Audit Committee report on pages 117  
to 124. 

The Board also receives quarterly summaries 
of ongoing material litigation and claims  
within the Group, including updates on  
termite damage claims by customers in North 
America and ongoing actions to manage this 
risk, and an annual briefing on IT security  
(see page 116). 

Exploring the potential use of technological 
advancements for the Group

In November 2023, as part of the annual strategy day sessions, the 
Board received an overview of key external forces that may impact 
the business in the future from Kearney, an external consultancy firm. 
The presentation detailed the evolution of technology, data and 
Artificial Intelligence (AI), and provided the Board with insight as to the 
potential implications of technological advancements for the Group. 

The Board also received an update from the Chief Information Officer 
on the Group’s AI journey, including the identification of potential 
risks and opportunities, and the development of an AI strategy 
and roadmap. 

In addition, the Chief Information Officer provided the Board with  
an overview of Extended Reality (XR), and what was possible with  
the Metaverse and XR in business. XR is the collective reference for 
virtual reality, augmented reality and a combination of the two (mixed 
reality). The discussion included an exploration of the potential use 
cases for the Group, such as virtual and mixed reality training. 

The Board also attended live system demonstrations from our IT team, 
on ServiceTrak Trusted Advisor, Genesys Unified Comms, and the 
Data Command Centre, providing them with the opportunity to 
experience the Group’s technology in action. 

110 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Principal decisions of the Board
We consider the principal decisions of the 
Board to be those direct decisions taken, 
rather than 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 nine categories: financial results; capital 
allocation; funding; strategy (including ESG 
strategy); M&A activity; supplier and customer 
contracts; Board changes; Company 
statements; and other matters reserved to the 
Board. Within these categories, some matters 
are considered less material or strategically 
significant. These business as usual matters, 
include items such as the Committee’s terms 
of reference and the issue of new shares to 
satisfy our executive share plans.

Building on the strengths 
of our businesses
The Board approves acquisitions above a set 
threshold, as set out in the Group Authority 
Schedule. During 2023, one such example of 
this was the acquisition of Action Pest Control, 
a residential and commercial business located 
in the Midwestern United States. 

Promoting the highest 
standards of ethical behaviour
In February 2023, the Board received a 
comprehensive update on modern slavery, 
including the principal risk areas for the  
Group, and the initiatives in place to mitigate 
the risks. The Board also considered the 
Company’s Modern Slavery Statement for 
2022 for approval.

Key to section 172(1) considerations

Long-term results

Colleagues

Our business relationships

Communities and the environment

Our reputation

Fairness between our shareholders

An overview of the Board’s activities during 
2023 can be found on pages 108 to 110.  
This contains details of the significant 
decisions made during the year. In addition, 
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 2023 (these include consideration given  
to key stakeholders, including employees, 
communities and commercial counterparties 
but are set out in full in the key opposite). 
Relevant Board papers for deliberation or 
decision by the Board are drafted to include 
an appendix clearly setting out the potential 
impact on stakeholder groups to aid the 
Board’s consideration.

The section 172(1) statement can be found on 
page 83, with further details of the Board’s 
engagement with stakeholders during the 
year provided on pages 114 and 115.

Long-term results
The Board determined that the acquisition further supported our residential and commercial 
pest control capabilities in North America, with additional scale and density in the Midwest. 
The acquisition also provided further technical capability to our commercial work in  
the Midwest. 

Colleagues
The employees of the acquired business would benefit from the Group’s technical and sales 
training and tools, and the opportunity for an enhanced career path. It was also agreed that 
the integration of the business into the Group would be phased, in recognition of the existing 
impact to colleagues from the ongoing integration of Terminix. 

Our business relationships
The Board considered that the acquisition would allow us to offer new and existing 
customers a wider range of products and services. 

Fairness between our shareholders
The acquisition aligned with our strategy to identify opportunities for broader-based growth, 
and with our strong track record of successful M&A integration, will benefit shareholders by 
contributing towards a long-term return on their investment in the Company. 

Outcome
The Board approved the acquisition, with the purchase of Action Pest Control concluding in 
June 2023. 

Colleagues
The Modern Slavery Statement highlights how the Company mandates the highest 
employment standards for our colleagues in all countries of operation, as outlined in our 
Code of Conduct, which emphasises our determination to embed our values of Service, 
Relationships, Teamwork and Responsibility across the Group.

Our business relationships
The Board deliberated on the risk assessments of suppliers, and their adherence to the 
Group’s Supplier Code, which is aligned to our Code of Conduct, including the potential 
outcomes of non-compliance by any supplier. The Board also considered the approach 
taken to customer compliance. 

Communities and the environment
The Modern Slavery Statement highlights the Board’s recognition of its responsibility to 
manage our business and supply chains to identify and alleviate any potential or actual 
human rights violations. 

Our reputation
The Modern Slavery Statement supports our commitment to maintain the highest standard 
of ethical behaviour and governance compliance, and the Board considered the actions 
being taken to raise awareness of and to mitigate the potential for modern slavery. 

Outcome
The Board approved the Modern Slavery Statement for 2022. The Board considers the 
Modern Slavery Statement on an annual basis, and our statement for 2023 was approved  
in February 2024. Our Modern Slavery Statement is available on our website. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 111

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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. In accordance with provision 21 of the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have adopted a three-year cycle 
of external Board evaluations. 

The 2022 Board evaluation was internally facilitated, with the outcomes informing elements of the Board’s work. An update on the status of 
recommendations resulting from the 2022 review is provided below. 

Following two years of internal reviews, in 2023 an external evaluation was undertaken, conducted by Chris Saul from Christopher Saul Associates, 
an independent advisory firm. Chris Saul has no other connection with the Company or individual Directors. Chris Saul has previously facilitated the 
Company’s Board review in 2020. The process, outcomes and follow-up actions are described in more detail below. 

2022 evaluation recommendations and progress made during 2023

Monitor Terminix 
integration

An update on the Terminix integration was provided to the Board at each meeting in 2023 with additional in-depth 
sessions and an overseas visit held to supplement this. The Board also received briefings on compliance obligations 
and changes to regulation in the US throughout the year.

Stakeholder 
considerations 
and Non-Executive 
Director engagement

Customer focus was enhanced in regional presentations and engagement opportunities were considered when 
drafting Board agendas. Additional opportunities were introduced in the year to allow the Board to meet with colleagues, 
including special lunches and site visits. More information on Board engagement with stakeholders can be found on 
pages 114 and 115.

Enhance competitor 
oversight

The information flow on competitors to the Board was considered when drafting agendas, with specific discussions held 
as part of the Board’s annual strategy day and Investor Relations update.

Review of Board papers  Guidelines were developed and communicated to those responsible for producing papers for the Board and the Board 
Committees, alongside updated templates. Individual reviews of some papers were undertaken to streamline them or 
ensure clarity of purpose by the Company Secretary. 

2023 external Board and Committees evaluation
The process for the 2023 Board and Committees evaluation, which was externally facilitated, is illustrated in the following diagram. 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Findings 
Following his evaluation, 
Chris Saul produced a 
detailed report, which 
was discussed with  
the Chairman and the 
Company Secretary. 

He attended the 
December Board 
meeting to present  
his findings and 
recommendations  
for discussion. 

Action plan 
Following the meeting, 
the Chairman, Chief 
Executive and the 
Company Secretary 
reviewed the outcome 
of the Board discussion. 
Proposed actions for 
2024 were presented 
at the Board meeting 
in February 2024 for 
discussion and 
agreement. 

Selection
Chris Saul of Christopher 
Saul Associates was 
selected to conduct the 
evaluation, given the 
successful and robust 
process and outcome  
of the previous review  
he facilitated in 2020. 
The appointment of  
Chris Saul was approved 
by the Board in  
February 2023. 

Planning 
The Chairman and the 
Company Secretary  
met with Chris Saul in 
advance to agree the 
objectives and scope of 
the evaluation, including 
the areas of focus. 

Insight
Chris Saul held a  
series of detailed, 
in-depth one-to-one 
conversations with the 
Board, key executives, 
and representatives of 
key external advisors. 

He reviewed relevant 
background materials, 
including Board and 
Committee papers,  
and other relevant 
information, to enable 
him to undertake a 
thorough review of  
the Board and its 
committees.

The interviews focused 
on certain key areas, 
including Board 
dynamics and meetings, 
the agendas and papers, 
and the Terminix 
acquisition. Another  
key theme was the 
engagement with  
certain key business 
areas, including  
strategy, performance, 
competitors and risk. 
Discussions were also 
held on areas for focus 
over the next 12 months.

He attended one 
meeting of the Board and 
each of its committees, 
and part of the Board’s 
annual strategy day, in 
order to gather insight 
into the Board’s 
dynamics, culture, 
leadership and individual 
Director contribution.

112 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Findings and actions for 2024
The findings of the Board evaluation were positive, with the external evaluator finding the Board to be collegiate and well-led, operating to  
high standards of professionalism, and benefiting from quality support from the executive team. The evaluation concluded that the Board was 
operating effectively. The review set out some recommendations which may add to the efficiency and impact of the Board and its Committees. 
Following consideration of these, the Board has approved the following actions for 2024.

2023 evaluation recommendations

Actions to be taken during 2024

To consider and develop the 
balance of Board agendas 
in 2024 in order to facilitate 
additional focus on key or 
emerging areas linked to the 
execution of strategy.

To review the skill set of the 
current Non-Executive Directors 
to assist the Nomination 
Committee with its future 
succession planning for  
Non-Executive Directors.

To retain focus on the 
enhancement of Board papers 
and to ensure the frequency  
and timings of meetings 
remains appropriate.

To consider opportunities 
for enhanced stakeholder 
engagement.

• To continue the Board’s focus on the North America business through regular deep dives and overseas visits.
• Ongoing development of the Board’s annual planner to ensure sufficient focus on topics of emerging 

prominence or interest, such as AI. 

•  To review current standing agenda items to ensure that all areas of material risk are adequately addressed 

throughout the Board year. 

• To undertake a Non-Executive Director skills matrix assessment to identify any gaps between the competencies 
required to achieve the Company’s strategic goals and the skills and experience of the current Non-Executive 
Directors. 

•  To develop in addition a plan to address any knowledge or skills gaps identified, including the inclusion of 

specific deep dive sessions with management or the use of external experts in the 2024 agenda. 

• To undertake a review of the implementation of the Board and Committee guidance rolled out in 2023 to ensure 

ongoing effectiveness. 

•  To consider the length and locations of meetings, given the increased scale and complexity of the business.

• To consider any additional opportunities for colleague engagement in the Board calendar.
• To review if the Board’s current engagement approach to customers remains appropriate. 

Board Committee evaluation 
The effectiveness of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees were considered as part of Chris Saul’s evaluation (which involved him 
undertaking interviews and attending committee meetings as described overleaf). The review set out findings and recommendations for each 
committee. These formed part of the Board discussion held in December 2023 and then each committee considered the findings and agreed the 
action plan for 2024 at their meetings in February 2024. 

The evaluation process assessed the effective performance of the Board Committees and concluded that they operate effectively and are 
well-integrated into Board decision-making processes. Further details are set out in each Committee report on pages 124, 126 and 138. 

Director evaluation 
In previous years when the Board evaluation has been undertaken internally, each Non-Executive Director has completed a self-evaluation 
questionnaire. This year the performance of all Directors was considered as part of the external review process, with Chris Saul meeting  
with each Director separately. The performance of the Chairman was also considered as part of the external evaluation process. 

The review set out key findings on Board culture, the mix of skills on the Board and the Chairman. In addition, the Chairman continued his usual 
practice of meeting with individual Directors throughout the year. 

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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 113

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceColleagues

Shareholders

Information flow to the Board
• Health and safety reports
• Monitoring performance measures 

such as colleague retention

• Results of YVC colleague survey or 

other pulse surveys

• Regional deep dive presentations
• Employer of Choice update provided 

twice a year

• Key management changes included in every 

Chief Executive report

• Monitoring external measures such 

as Glassdoor

• Notification of key awards won or other 

significant external validation

• Gender Pay Report
• Ethical concerns reported via the confidential 

reporting process, Speak Up

Direct Board engagement
The Board aims to engage with a broad range 
of the senior management team, whether this 
is by joining senior management meetings, 
colleague events or by colleagues attending 
and presenting to the Board at its meetings.

Wherever possible, the Board seeks to 
continue this engagement outside of the 
boardroom via informal events such as 
lunches or dinners. For instance, in June,  
the Board had dinner with the North America 
management team, and in November, the 
Board had lunch with members of the IT team 
and colleagues who have progressed through 
our apprenticeship scheme, to allow the 
opportunity for further discussion following 
a presentation on the scheme to the Board. 
Directors also have the opportunity to hold 
individual meetings with colleagues.

The opportunity for Director engagement with 
other colleagues is primarily via visits to local 
Rentokil Initial operations, attending town hall 
sessions, undertaking site visits or going on 
‘ride-alongs’ with technicians.

The outcome from any engagement,  
as well as any feedback that has been 
received, is shared at Board meetings  
where appropriate.

Information is shared from the Board to 
colleagues via established methods of 
colleague engagement (see page 84). 

Information flow to the Board
• Chief Executive report at each Board 
meeting includes an investor relations 
update

• Financial performance reports
• Analyst notes circulated
• Presentations on market perspectives 

by the Company’s brokers

• Capital Markets Day and feedback
• Feedback from investor meetings

Direct Board engagement
There are a number of ways the Board 
engages directly with shareholders, including 
correspondence with investors, attendance 
at the Preliminary and Interim Results 
presentations in London, meetings with the 
Chairman and Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee, and the AGM.

The Chairman writes to key shareholders  
each year to offer the opportunity to engage 
with him ahead of the AGM. In March 2023,  
he wrote to our top 20 investors, representing 
c.46% of the Company’s issued share capital. 
In response to his offer, the Chairman held 
multiple meetings with investors. Topics 
covered included the integration of Terminix; 
sustainability and culture; management 
succession; and Board composition. The 
Board will have regard to the matters raised 
by investors when considering items on the 
agenda during the year. The Chairman will 
also meet with investors if requested to do 
so at other times of the year. 

In October 2023, the Remuneration 
Committee Chair wrote to investors in the top 
30 of our share register, representing c.50% of 
the Company’s issued share capital, to outline 
proposals for the new Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy to be put for shareholder approval at 
the AGM in May 2024. We also engaged with 
three of the largest proxy voting agencies. 
Full details are set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 131 to 161. 
The final policy is being submitted for 
shareholder approval at the AGM in May 2024. 

The Chairman and Committee Chairs  
welcome any comments on this report and 
shareholders are invited to contact them 
via email at chairman@rentokil-initial.com. 
They will also be available to answer questions 
at the Company’s AGM.

Corporate Governance Report 
continued

Stakeholder engagement
We identify the key stakeholders relevant 
to the Group’s businesses or operations as 
our colleagues, shareholders, customers, 
communities and suppliers. Information on 
our key stakeholders is set out on pages 84 
and 85, including associated key issues and 
impacts, as well as how our businesses and 
management engage with these groups. We 
will continue to monitor if these groups remain 
appropriate.

The following pages provide details of how the 
Directors receive information about our key 
stakeholders, alongside some examples of 
engagement the Directors undertook in 2023. 
You can find our section 172(1) statement, 
which describes how the Board has regard to 
key stakeholders, on page 83, with examples 
of principal decisions taken in 2023 and the 
attention given to stakeholders in its 
considerations on page 111.

In assessing the Board’s engagement with the 
Group’s workforce, we believe our existing 
arrangements for workforce engagement are 
as appropriate as the proposed methods set 
out in the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
Having regard to the size, distribution and 
scale of our businesses and our dispersed, 
global workforce, totalling approximately 
62,900 people in 90 countries, we believe 
the existing framework of local and regional 
engagement tools, which flow up to the  
Board together with supplementary individual 
Director engagement, remains effective.

Management reports to the Board regularly 
on performance measures such as colleague 
retention, Your Voice Counts (YVC) survey 
results and Glassdoor ratings. We expect each 
Non-Executive Director to engage individually 
with a range of colleagues, so they bring  
back their experiences to discuss with the 
Board. They do this by visiting technicians or 
customers, having discussions with relevant 
management teams across different regions  
or functions, adding visits to local Rentokil 
Initial operations to their other travel plans, or 
attending town hall sessions or management 
meetings. We also identify ways for individual 
Board members and the Board collectively to 
engage with target groups across the year.

The workforce engagement undertaken 
during the year allowed the Board to gain a 
deeper understanding into how individual 
businesses and functions operate, the 
approaches taken by management and 
awareness of our culture in practice.  
Feedback from engagement sessions is  
used to determine any areas for additional 
strategic focus by the Board or management.

114 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Customers

Information flow to the Board
• Regional deep dive presentations
• Customer Voice Counts (CVC) scores
• Strategy day review – including product 

pipeline and innovation

• Material customer contracts requiring 

Board approval

• 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. 

In 2023, Richard Solomons, while visiting our 
teams in Atlanta and Memphis, also attended 
an event with colleagues and a number of our 
strategic customers. 

Due to the highly dispersed nature of our 
customer base, in which the largest customer 
represents significantly less than 1% of 
revenue, we believe that the current level of 
engagement is appropriate, but this will be 
kept under review.

Communities

Information flow to the Board
• Safety, health and environmental updates
• Regional deep dive presentations
• Annual Report review
• Responsible Business Report review
• Updates on RI Cares (see page 71)
• The RIGHT WAY magazine, which contains 

a variety of examples of the business and our 
colleagues engaging with the community

Direct Board engagement
While communities and the environment 
continue to be a focus for the Board, no direct 
engagement took place between Directors 
and communities during 2023. Given the 
nature of our business we believe that the 
indirect engagement provided is at an 
appropriate level and no Director engagement 
is required, but this will be kept under review.

Suppliers

Information flow to the Board
The Board oversees the principal engagement 
undertaken by operational management 
(especially the central procurement and supply 
chain function, and national procurement 
managers) through:
• review and approval of our major supplier 

contracts;

• approval of our Modern Slavery Statement; 

and

• oversight of the Supplier Speak Up ethical 

reporting process.

Direct Board engagement
Given the nature of the business, we do not 
expect our Directors to have any direct 
engagement with our suppliers. They instead 
rely on the indirect engagement set out above 
and the Company’s engagement as detailed 
on page 85.

2024 Annual General Meeting
The Board takes the opportunity to  
engage with both private and institutional 
shareholders at the Company’s AGM and 
views it as an occasion to update all our 
shareholders on the performance of the 
business they own.

In order to make our AGM more accessible 
and encourage engagement from a broader 
range of shareholders, we will be holding  
a hybrid AGM in May 2024.

The 2024 AGM will be held at, and be 
broadcast via live webcast from, the 
Company’s offices at Compass House, 
Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex 
RH10 9PY from 11.30am on 8 May 2024.

We encourage our shareholders to  
utilise the live webcast of the meeting. 
Questions can also be submitted in  
advance of the meeting by emailing 
chairman@rentokil-initial.com. A recording  
of the meeting will be available afterwards 
on the Company’s website.

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.

Joining our technicians  
on the front line
In 2023, many of our Directors joined our 
technicians on a ‘ride-along’, with Sarosh 
Mistry, David Frear, Cathy Turner and Sally 
Johnson all taking the opportunity to join  
a ride-along with a pest control technician. 
The ride-along grants Directors direct 
exposure with our colleagues and our 
customers, while also providing them  
with a hands-on experience of the work 
undertaken by our technicians. Each 
Director shared feedback from their 
ride-along with the Board. 

Celebrating Thanksgiving 
with our colleagues 
In November, Stuart Ingall-Tombs,  
Chief Financial Officer, joined the North 
American management team, serving up 
Thanksgiving lunch to colleagues at our 
Reading, Pennsylvania, office.

Helping to raise funds 
In September, Andy Ransom, Chief 
Executive, helped colleagues in Crawley 
raise funds for Malaria No More UK, by 
being one of the many colleagues who 
participated in a 58-mile cycle challenge; 
the distance from our head office to our 
new technical centre in Waterlooville.  
The 304 miles achieved on the day 
exceeded the initial target. 

Sharing expertise among 
colleagues
In January 2023, Linda Yueh joined our 
Global HR Leadership conference to 
present on the current economic 
landscape. 

The Global HR Leadership team comprises 
more than 80 colleagues from across  
the Group, and the event was therefore 
held virtually. 

Linda shared her views on the prevailing 
economic climate and key focus areas  
for HR, including the cost of living,  
wage inflation and the impact on labour 
supply, and then answered questions  
from colleagues. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 115

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceCorporate Governance Report 
continued

Culture and values 
Our culture is characterised as customer 
focused, driven to succeed, diverse, down  
to earth and innovative. In October 2022,  
we launched a refreshed mission, vision and 
values, following feedback from colleagues 
globally. We updated our mission to include a 
third limb of ‘preserving our planet’, and added 
a new value, ‘Responsibility’. The revised 
cultural framework underpins our vision. 

The Board’s ongoing oversight of the Group’s 
mission, vision and values ensures that our 
culture is aligned with our business goals and 
brings purpose to our colleagues. Key metrics 
have been identified to monitor our culture 
which are included in the updates that the 
Board receives twice a year on culture, 
progress on our Employer of Choice agenda, 
and workforce engagement. This year the 
reports included updates on colleague 
retention, enhancing colleague development, 
a follow-up on the outcomes of the YVC 
colleague survey undertaken in 2021 and  
a summary of the key findings from the  
2023 survey.

One of the key methods for both senior 
management and the Board to monitor culture 
is to analyse the results of the YVC colleague 
survey, which is carried out every second year. 
This includes questions mapped to each of  
the five core themes in our culture model to 
provide a score and trend for each at a Group, 
functional and regional level. There are  
12 questions in the survey to create a Core 
Culture Index. In 2023, our Core Culture Index 
was 80%, which is broadly in line with our  
2021 survey result. Full details can be found  
on page 70.

Examples of other ways that the Board 
monitors and assesses culture include:
• monitoring Sales and Service colleague 
retention rates, overall colleague rolling 
12-month retention and analysis of retention 
by region;

• monitoring, as appropriate, content and 

usage of the U+ online learning platform and 
other means of delivering training and 
development;

• the results of employee pulse surveys;
• external views such as Glassdoor ratings; 

and

• mental health awareness and other 

employee campaigns.

The Audit Committee also monitors culture 
through its oversight of:
• confidential reporting via the Company’s 

Speak Up facility; and

• any compliance failures, such as any 

incidences of fraud.

Our approach to investing in and rewarding 
our colleagues can be found on pages 69 
and 155.

B Find out more
Risks and Uncertainties on pages 87 to 93

116 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

The Board’s culture update twice a year also 
includes an overview on the Company’s 
approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, 
alongside data which enables the Board to 
monitor the Company’s progress in this area. 
Further details on fostering a diverse and 
inclusive culture can be found on pages 69, 
128 and 129.

Policies and practices 
We have a comprehensive Group-wide 
procedure framework in place to supplement 
local policies and legislation. The cornerstone 
of this policy framework is the Code of 
Conduct. The Code of Conduct sets out a 
fundamental commitment to comply with all 
legal requirements that apply, and to operate 
with high ethical standards. It outlines 
responsibilities to colleagues, customers and 
the business, and highlights our determination 
to establish our values, and a culture of 
integrity, everywhere within the business.

Clear guidelines are provided to all  
colleagues on how to seek further advice  
or report concerns, and we also operate  
a whistleblowing (Speak Up) facility for 
colleagues or third parties. This is designed  
to allow colleagues across the Group to raise 
concerns confidentially internally and to 
disclose information which the individual 
believes highlights or would indicate  
illegality, unethical behaviour or other  
serious malpractice. 

We have a Group-wide share dealing policy 
and an insider trading policy, which govern  
the purchase, sale, and other dispositions  
of the Company’s securities by Directors, 
senior management and colleagues, that  
are designed to promote compliance with 
applicable insider trading laws, rules  
and regulations. 

Specific programmes are in place to support 
implementing the Code of Conduct and 
underlying policies, national laws and 
regulations, and monitoring and reporting 
compliance with them. This includes the use  
of e-learning training on our online learning 
and development platform, U+, and we track 
dissemination and adoption across the Group.

We review policies periodically to ensure they 
meet current best practice and legislative 
requirements, and our technical and safety 
standards and practices often exceed local 
regulatory requirements. 

Examples of our key policies are available on 
our website.

Cyber security
The Board oversees the Group’s risk 
management and internal control framework, 
including consideration of the risks posed from 
cyber security threats. Management provides 
an in-depth annual update to the Board on the 
Group’s IT security arrangements, including 
details of our cyber security operations and 
performance, and the status of this risk. 

To protect the Group from potential cyber 
security threats, we have employed 
complementary processes for assessing, 
identifying, and managing the risk, with our 
information systems being protected by a 
multi-layered set of technology and processes 
(implemented and monitored by cyber security 
professionals), and consistent with the US 
National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).  
This is periodically assessed via recurring 
independent third-party assessments, internal 
audits, and penetration testing. The Group has 
also adopted cyber security incident response 
plans, to ensure the appropriate escalation  
of potential threats in a timely manner, and  
we use our e-learning platform for cyber 
security training, along with regular phishing 
simulations, to assess the effectiveness of  
our training and to test user awareness  
of current threats. The Group has not 
experienced previous cyber security  
incidents that have materially impacted  
the business or business strategy.

In addition to the annual presentation to the 
Board, the outputs of these security activities 
are summarised and reviewed by the Group 
Risk Committee and discussed at the IT 
leadership team meetings. The Audit 
Committee would also be notified of any 
control incidents. Third-party partners are 
subject to appropriate controls as specified  
on Rentokil Initial third-party risk management 
processes, procurement processes, and 
enforced via service agreement and contract 
terms and conditions. 

Management reviews cyber security risks 
through updates received from the Group 
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO),  
IT Risk Committee and Internal Audit.  
These updates include details of the actions 
being taken to prevent, detect, mitigate  
and remediate the risk of cyber security 
threats. Management also considers 
recommendations from the Group CISO, 
including any corrective actions required to 
address exposed risk to information systems 
from cyber security threats. 

The Group’s CISO has over 20 years of 
cumulative cyber security expertise, across 
a range of diverse industries, and leads our 
Information Security team. The Information 
Security team is supported by an external  
third party that provides uninterrupted  
security monitoring. 

Audit Committee Report

Sally Johnson, 
Chair of the Audit Committee 

Areas of focus in 2023
• Review of the financial elements of the 

integration of Terminix 

• Oversight of the combination of the 

Rentokil Initial and Terminix Internal Audit 
teams 

• Oversight of the external audit, and its 

continued effectiveness 

• Oversight of the implementation of the 

internal controls over financial reporting, 
as required by SOX

Areas of focus in 2024
• Oversight of the Company’s SOX 

compliance, including the Group’s IT 
general controls programme

• Continued review of internal and external 

audits

• Oversight of the increased use of thematic 

audits and Computer-Assisted Audit 
Techniques (CAAT) 

• Oversight of the implementation of 
enhanced fraud risk assessments

• Fraud control oversight 

Committee members: 
Sally Johnson (Chair)
John Pettigrew
Linda Yueh

Dear Shareholder
It is with pleasure that I present the report  
of the Audit Committee for the financial  
year ended 31 December 2023. The report, 
which is my first report since being appointed 
Chair of the Audit Committee in May 2023, 
sets out how we have discharged our duties  
in accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the key activities 
during the year.

Julie Southern stepped down as Audit 
Committee Chair in May 2023 and I would  
like to offer my thanks on behalf of the Audit 
Committee for her contribution over the last 
nine years. 

During the early part of 2023, a key focus for 
the Audit Committee was the consideration  
of the financial information and audit-related 
disclosures for the 2022 Annual Report.  
An additional meeting was held in March 
2023, to ensure adequate review time was 
given to support acquisition accounting and 
related judgements. 

The Audit Committee reviewed any further 
opening balance sheet adjustments at the July 
2023 meeting, where we also considered the 
interim financial reporting, and in December 
2023, we reviewed the accounting of the 
termite provision ahead of the 2023 financial 
year end. 

Throughout 2023, the Audit Committee has 
closely monitored the Group’s journey to 
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance following 
our successful listing on the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE). We have had regular and 
comprehensive updates from management 
on the SOX implementation programme, 
which the Group commenced in 2022.  
The attestation for 2023 full-year reporting 
was finalised in early 2024. While progress  
has been made in relation to our previously 
identified material weaknesses relating to 
IT general controls, it has not been fully 
remediated and will remain a key focus 
for 2024. 

PwC was reappointed as our external auditor 
at our AGM in May 2023. In 2023, the Audit 
Committee has continued its focus on the 
oversight of the quality of the external  
audit, including the advancement of audit 
technology to deliver on our 2023 audit 
strategy. We have also completed the annual 
audit quality review, and identified with  
PwC a series of actions that we can take to 
improve the audit process. Overall, the Audit 
Committee concluded that the external auditor 
and the audit process was effective. 

The Internal Audit team continues to utilise  
a hybrid model, with some elements of  
audits completed remotely and some on-site. 
This approach continues to deliver an effective 
audit programme. The Terminix Internal  
Audit team has been fully integrated into  
the Rentokil Initial Internal Audit team, and 
process, scope and reporting are aligned 
across the businesses. 

Regular updates on the control environment 
are received from Internal Audit, giving the 
Audit Committee the opportunity to review 
any control incidents at each meeting. It is 
worth noting that the number of incidents 
remains relatively low, with a small increase  
in the level of reporting via our internal 
whistleblowing process, Speak Up.

Fraudulent activity across the Group  
remains at a low level in 2023, with 14 cases 
recorded; the same as in 2022. Following full 
investigation of these incidents, processes 
have been updated and further training 
provided where necessary. These incidents 
were not material to the Group’s reporting. 

The Audit Committee continues to play a 
crucial role in providing all our stakeholders 
with the assurance of not only robust financial 
reporting, but also assurance over the 
thematic areas of risk and operational 
resilience. In line with our commitment to 
manage climate change risk, we have been 
engaged in assessing and monitoring this  
risk on an ongoing basis and as part of the 
year-end audit report, and its disclosure in  
the 2023 Financial Statements.

During the year the Audit Committee has  
been briefed on the proposed changes to  
the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
requirements to be introduced by the 
Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency 
Act and the FRC’s Audit Committees and  
the External Audit: Minimum Standard (the 
Minimum Standard). The Audit Committee  
also considered the additional reporting 
requirements outlined in the draft Companies 
(Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations prior to its withdrawal in  
October 2023. 

Full details of the Audit Committee’s work 
during 2023 can be found set out in the 
following report. 

Sally Johnson
Chair of the Audit Committee 
7 March 2024

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 117

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAudit Committee Report 
continued

Purpose and 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 
management, internal audit and the external 
auditors. This includes the undertaking of  
at least an annual review of effectiveness of 
the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems. The Audit Committee also 
oversees the relationship with the external 
auditors, including their appointment, and  
the assessment of their independence  
and effectiveness. 

The full responsibilities of the Audit Committee 
are set out in its terms of reference, which 
were last reviewed in December 2023. As part 
of the review, the terms of reference were 
updated to reflect the requirements outlined  
in the Minimum Standard. The updated Audit 
Committee terms of reference are available  
on our website. 

Membership and attendance
All Audit Committee members are 
independent Non-Executive Directors.  
Sally Johnson, Chair of the Audit Committee,  
is a Chartered Accountant and in February 
2024, the Board determined that the Audit 
Committee met the UK and US composition 
requirements by virtue of Sally having recent 
and relevant financial experience for the 
purpose of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, having competence in accounting and/
or auditing for the purpose of the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules, and being 
a financial expert for the purposes of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. 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 sectors in which the Company operates. 
Full biographical details of the members of the 
Audit Committee can be found on pages 100 
to 102. 

The Audit Committee met six times during the 
year, with all members attending all meetings. 
Full details of the attendance of the members 
during 2023 can be found on page 98. 

Meetings of the Audit Committee are attended 
by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief 
Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the 
Director of Internal Audit & Risk, the Interim Head 
of Internal Audit & Risk, the Group Financial 
Controller, the Group General Counsel, the 
Company Secretary (who acts as secretary to 
the Audit Committee), and the external auditor. 

The Audit Committee meets at least once per 
year separately with the Company’s auditor 
and the Director of Internal Audit & Risk, 
without executive management present. 
In 2023, these meetings took place in 
February and December. The Chair of the 
Audit Committee also meets periodically 
with the external auditor and other relevant 
stakeholders. 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. 
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.

Activities of the Audit Committee in 2023
The Audit Committee considered the following key areas during 2023 and early 2024:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Financial reporting

Financial reporting

The Audit Committee reviewed the 2022 and 2023 Annual Report and Form 20-F, 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. 

Accounting policies  
and practices

The Audit Committee considered the application of the Company’s accounting policies  
and practices. 

Key accounting  
matters

The Audit Committee considered key accounting matters, including goodwill impairment, 
acquisition accounting and termite damage claims provisioning, in relation to the Company’s 
financial results for 2022 and 2023.

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.

Find out more

Financial reporting 
on page 120

Material accounting 
policies on pages 
175 to 177

Significant issues 
and judgements  
on page 120

Other financial 
reporting matters  
on page 121

External audit

2022 Financial 
Statements

Disclosure of 
information to the 
auditor 

Effectiveness of the 
external auditors 

External auditor 
reappointment

The Audit Committee received a report from PwC on the results of the audit of the 2022 Financial 
Statements, considering key judgements and risks. The letter of representation was also reviewed 
and recommended for approval to the Board.

–

The Audit Committee monitored the arrangements the Company has in place for disclosing all 
relevant information to the auditor. A formal confirmation on disclosure of information to the  
auditor is provided in the Directors’ Report. 

The Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the external auditor to ensure the 
independence, objectivity, quality, rigour and challenge of the audit process was maintained.  
The Audit Committee concluded that the external auditor and the audit process was effective. 

Directors’ Report  
on page 245

External auditor 
and audit process 
effectiveness on 
pages 121 and 122

The Audit Committee considered the reappointment of PwC as external auditors, including the 
terms and scope of the audit engagement, at its meeting in February 2023. PwC was reappointed 
by the Company’s shareholders at the AGM in May 2023. The Audit Committee has recommended 
to shareholders the reappointment of PwC as external auditor at the AGM in May 2024. 

External auditor 
tender and 
appointment on 
page 122

Audit objectives

The Audit Committee considered an update on the key objectives to evolve the quality of the 
Group audit in May 2023. 

External audit plan 
and strategy on 
page 121

118 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Audit strategy

The Audit Committee considered the audit strategy for the 2023 audit, including the audit 
approach, significant risks and areas of audit focus, scope and level of materiality.

Non-audit services 

The Audit Committee reviewed and approved the non-audit services and related fees provided by 
the external auditor for 2023, and the policy on non-audit services. 

External audit fees

The Committee discussed and approved the fee for the 2023 audit. 

Internal audit 

Internal Audit

The Audit Committee considered the conclusions and themes emerging from Internal Audit 
reviews conducted during the year and approved the Internal Audit Plan for 2024 in conjunction 
with the Board’s strategic review and operating plan for the year. The Audit Committee also 
oversaw the combination of the Rentokil Initial and Terminix Internal Audit teams. 

Find out more

External audit plan 
and strategy on 
page 121

External auditor 
independence  
and objectivity  
on page 122

External auditor 
independence  
and objectivity  
on page 122

Internal Audit on 
page 122

Internal Audit 
investigations

The Audit Committee discussed 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 122

Internal Audit Charter The Audit Committee considered and approved the Internal Audit Charter. 

Effectiveness of 
Internal Audit 

The Audit Committee reviewed and confirmed the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function. 

Risk management and internal controls 

Internal control 
framework

The Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the internal control and risk management 
framework.

Control environment

The Audit Committee received and reviewed matters relating to the internal control environment 
provided by the Director of Internal Audit & Risk and reviewed the Group Risk Committee minutes.

Group risk

The Audit Committee considered the Group risks and actions to enhance their measurement, 
monitoring and mitigation actions, including approval of the principal risks disclosed in the 2022 
Annual Report and consideration of those for the 2023 Annual Report.

Role of Internal 
Audit on page 122

Internal Audit 
effectiveness on 
page 122

Risk management 
and internal controls 
on page 123

Risk management 
and internal controls 
on page 123

Principal risks on 
pages 87 to 93

Financial controls

The Audit Committee reviewed the results of the financial controls testing carried out across the 
Group by the Company’s auditor, PwC.

Risk and internal 
controls on page 123

SOX controls 

The Audit Committee received regular updates on the status of the implementation of the Company’s 
SOX programme. An in-depth review of the status of our SOX compliance for 2023 was undertaken as 
part of the meeting in December, including discussion as to any identified material weaknesses and 
significant deficiencies.

SOX controls on 
page 124

Governance and compliance

Regional deep dives

The Audit Committee received and discussed reports from the Regional Finance Directors of the 
Pacific and UK & Sub-Saharan Africa regions. These provided details on the financial reporting for 
the regions and the control environment in the businesses.

See also Board 
activities on  
page 108

Tax

Litigation

The Audit Committee considered and recommended the Group’s 2023 tax strategy for approval  
at its meeting in December.

The Audit Committee reviewed quarterly reports of all material litigation and disputes provided  
by the Group General Counsel.

Disclosure Committee 
oversight

The Audit Committee reviewed a report of the Disclosure Committee’s activities during the year 
and its terms of reference.

Our tax strategy  
can be found on  
our website

–

–

Letter of Assurance

The Audit Committee considered a summary of the outcome of the annual Letter of Assurance 
review, noting any exceptions provided by the senior country, regional and functional management 
and any actions proposed as a result of those returns.

Governance and 
compliance on  
page 123

The Minimum Standard The Audit Committee considered an in-depth analysis of the requirements. 

Terms of reference

The Audit Committee’s terms of reference were updated following its annual review, with 
enhancements made in light of the Minimum Standard. 

Audit Committee 
effectiveness

The Audit Committee undertook its annual review of the effectiveness of the Audit Committee.

Governance and 
compliance on  
page 123

These are available 
on our website

Effectiveness review 
on page 124

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 119

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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 Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the half- and full-year 
financial statements during the year. Following the listing of our American Depository Shares in October 2022, the Company is also required to file a 
US annual report (Form 20-F), which the Audit Committee reviewed as part of its year-end process. The sections below set out the significant issues 
and judgements that were applied in preparing the 2023 Annual Report, as well as providing additional details on other financial reporting matters 
considered during the year.

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 2023 and early 2024, notably at the review of the interim results, at the review and 
agreement of the audit plan for 2023 and as part of the year-end review and approval process. Please see the section on assumptions and 
estimation uncertainties in General accounting policies on pages 176 and 177 for further disclosure on estimates and accounting judgements.

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 judgement and estimation about 
the future performance of the acquired business, such as forecast 
customer termination rates, discount rates and growth rates. At the 
balance sheet date, recognition of acquired assets and liabilities is 
often provisional, although measurement period adjustments made 
in the following year are generally immaterial. Judgement is often 
required to determine whether required adjustments relate to the 
period pre- or post-acquisition.

Climate change

At the year end, management provided the Audit Committee with 
a summary of M&A activity in the preceding year, including details 
of new acquisitions, as well as updates to provisional accounting. 
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. For further details, please refer to pages 195 and 196 in  
the Financial Statements.

The Group operates across many markets around the world and  
is impacted by physical events caused by climate change and  
also contributes to climate change through its carbon emissions.  
The Group has a net zero target for 2040 (see page 80) and this  
plan requires operational changes in how we service our customers 
and deal with the effects of climate change.

As part of its discussion of the audit strategy for 2023, the Audit 
Committee considered climate change risks as part of the review of 
Group risks and the Audit Committee received an update from the 
Chief Financial Officer and the Group Financial Controller outlining 
the accounting considerations and climate change reporting in the 
Company’s Financial Statements in February 2024.

Goodwill impairment review

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. The recoverable 
amount of these assets is determined based on the higher of value-
in-use calculations, using cash flow projections, and fair value less 
costs to sell. Annual impairment tests are primarily 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 on 
indefinite-lived intangible assets and on other acquired intangible 
assets when there are indicators of impairment.

Management reviewed all impairment tests for goodwill balances 
over £5m using a centrally provided model. The intangible assets 
were grouped into cash-generating units (CGUs) for the purpose of 
assessing recoverable amounts, using cash flows based on the most 
recent strategic plans, as amended for any significant changes since 
their preparation. Cash flows were discounted using the internally 
calculated country and category-specific discount rates. 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.

Legacy termite damage claims provisioning

As part of the acquisition of Terminix in October 2022, we recognised 
a significant provision for future termite damage claims whose liability 
existed at the acquisition date. Termite damage claims include 
judgements on the quantum, timing and severity of claims over a  
multi-year period.

The judgements here should be read in line with the section above  
on acquisition accounting.

Management gathered the historical data, contract data and other 
supporting data to provide the basis for forward-looking judgements. 
The Group has also hired external professional advisors to support 
modelling and analysis and to help management with meeting the 
requirements of SOX. On the termite damage claims, it may take many 
years before we fully understand the outcomes and we have provided 
sensitivity analysis on pages 185 and 186 to help understand the 
estimation and judgement involved. We will be maintaining external 
valuation support on an ongoing basis to validate the provisioning.

The Audit Committee considered the outcomes of the 2023 review. 
This has been reported as updates to acquisition values and through 
the results for the period as applicable.

120 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Other financial reporting 
matters
Going concern and viability statements
At its meeting in February 2024, 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 2023 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 2023 Annual Report. Both going 
concern and viability modelled forecasts of 
future cash flows included stress-testing 
scenarios and an analysis of other risks that 
could impact the viability of the business over 
a one-year and three-year period (2024 to 
2026) respectively and how they could be 
mitigated. The going concern statement for 
2023 can be found on page 244, and the 
viability statement for 2023 can be found on 
page 94.

Fair, balanced and understandable reporting
During 2023, the Audit Committee undertook 
a review of the 2022 Annual Report ahead of 
its publication to consider whether it was fair, 
balanced and understandable as required by 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. A similar 
process was repeated for the 2023 Annual 
Report at the Audit Committee meeting in 
February 2024. The Audit Committee received 
a report from management summarising the 
process undertaken, which covered, but was 
not limited to, the following:
• 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.

• All contributors to the Annual Report are 

made aware of the requirement for content 
to be fair, balanced and understandable.

• Regular review meetings are held with 

appropriate senior management to ensure 
consistency of the whole document.

• An extensive review and verification  

process is undertaken by the appropriate 
departments and senior managers, using 
verification software to test and track the 
accuracy of the content.

• Additional independent internal reviews  
are undertaken to enable any perceived  
lack of clarity, balance or understanding  
in the Annual Report to be identified  
and addressed.

The Audit Committee was satisfied that the 
Annual Report provided a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects. The Board’s statement 
on fair, balanced and understandable in 
relation to the 2023 Annual Report can be 
found on page 245.

Correspondence with regulatory bodies
The Company received no specific 
correspondence from the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) in the period. The areas 
identified in the FRC’s ‘Key matters for 
2023/24 reports and accounts’ publication 
were reviewed. However, no specific changes 
were required to the Company’s accounts as  
a result.

External audit plan and strategy
At its meeting in May 2023, the Audit 
Committee received a presentation from  
PwC on key technology initiatives. The Audit 
Committee also discussed the plan for 
adopting new technologies in the Group  
audit in 2023, including supporting the 
Group’s transition to SOX compliance  
through technology.

In December 2023, the Company received a 
letter from the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the SEC) following its review of 
the Company’s Form 20-F for the year ended 
31 December 2022. The letter contained 
questions, among other things, on the 
presentation of non-GAAP measures in the 
Financial Statement footnotes and the 
calculation and presentation of Organic 
Revenue Growth. Following a review of the 
points raised, the Company refiled its 2022 
Form 20-F in February 2024.

No statutory financial numbers (including  
Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, 
Statements of Changes in Entity, Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flow or footnotes to the 
accounts) were changed as a result of the 
revised Form 20-F. The revision was made in 
order to comply with SEC rules following an 
administrative error where some exhibits were 
not dated and to make some presentational 
disclosure changes, including relocating or 
deleting some non-IFRS measures as required 
under SEC rules.

External audit
External auditor
The external auditor is appointed to give an 
opinion on the Group and Company Financial 
Statements. The audit includes the review and 
testing of the data contained in the Financial 
Statements to the extent and materiality level 
necessary, for expressing an audit opinion  
as to whether they present a true and fair  
view of the Group and Company affairs as  
at 31 December 2023.

PwC has been the Group’s external auditor 
since May 2021. They were reappointed by 
shareholders at the 2023 AGM to continue  
to serve as the Group’s external auditor. 

Neil Grimes is the Lead Audit Partner. He has 
been in post since PwC was appointed and 
will be required to rotate after five years.  
The external auditor attends all meetings of 
the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee 
met twice with PwC without executive 
management present and met with the Audit 
Committee Chair independently four times  
in 2023.

In 2023, the main engagement between the 
external auditor and the Audit Committee  
has been in relation to audit strategy, the  
audit and publication of annual and periodic 
financial statements, the auditor’s scope and 
priorities and its approach to key judgement 
areas. PwC has also been extensively  
involved in discussions regarding our SOX 
implementation programme and the testing  
of our internal controls.

In July, PwC presented the 2023 external  
audit plan, which summarised the key  
aspects of their audit planning, including the 
external auditor’s assessment of Group audit 
materiality, audit risks and scope, and the 
overall approach to the audit of the Company 
and its subsidiaries. The audit approach for 
2023 had been updated to reflect the 
completion of the Terminix acquisition in 2022, 
and the first year of the Group’s implementation 
of SOX. The plan was discussed and approved 
by the Audit Committee.

At the December meeting, the Audit 
Committee discussed with the auditors the 
status of their work, focusing in particular  
on internal controls and the status of their  
SOX testing. The results of the controls testing 
for SOX reporting purposes was considered 
by the Audit Committee in February 2024,  
as detailed on page 124.

External auditor and audit process 
effectiveness
The effectiveness of the external auditor is 
monitored throughout the year, including 
through:
• FRC’s Audit Quality Inspection and 

Supervision report 2022/23: The Audit 
Committee reviewed the results of the  
report during the year, noting that PwC  
was found to have maintained its focus on 
audit quality and had achieved consistent 
inspection results.

• Progress against external audit plan and 
strategy: The Audit Committee continually 
evaluated and monitored progress against 
the agreed plan, and discussed any issues 
or reasons for variation from the plan.

• Reports to, and interaction with, the Audit 
Committee: At each meeting, the Audit 
Committee considers the work undertaken 
by the external auditor, their insight around 
key accounting and audit judgements, and 
the competence with which they have 
applied constructive challenge in dealing 
with management.

• Annual internal effectiveness survey: 

A tailored online questionnaire covering the 
overall audit process and the structure and 
governance of the external audit team is 
utilised annually. The questionnaire is 
completed by the Chief Financial Officer,  
the Director of Internal Audit and Risk, the 
Interim Head of Internal Audit and Risk, 
Finance Directors of the Group’s subsidiaries, 
the senior finance management team, and 
the Accounts, Tax and Treasury functions. 
The results of the survey are collated by the 
Chief Financial Officer, and a summary of the 
findings are provided to the Audit Committee 
and PwC.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 121

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAudit Committee Report 
continued

At the July meeting, the Chief Financial Officer 
presented the summary of the results of the 
annual effectiveness questionnaire. The Audit 
Committee noted that overall, the results were 
positive. The Audit Committee considered the 
areas of strength and opportunities identified 
from the survey. The actions arising from the 
review included the undertaking of additional 
planning with the regions, an increased focus 
on improving communication around the audit 
plan and timelines, and consideration as to 
how to gain even greater insight of business 
and controls from the audit. 

Following consideration of all elements of the 
audit effectiveness review process, including 
the results of the survey, the Audit Committee 
confirmed it was satisfied that the external 
audit process provided by PwC had been 
delivered effectively for the 2022 financial 
year. A similar process will be undertaken  
for the 2023 financial year. 

External auditor independence  
and objectivity
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 in some instances 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 detailed knowledge of the Group is 
advantageous. 

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. 
The Audit Committee has pre-approved 
permitted services, as outlined in the policy, 
with fees below £10,000. A copy of the  
current policy on the provision of non-audit 
services by the external auditors is available 
on our website.

Audit fees for the statutory audit for 2023  
were £8m (2022: £7m). Fees for audit-related 
assurance services and other non-audit 
services incurred during the year amounted  
to £3m (2022: £5m). The ratio of non-audit  
fees to statutory audit fees for the year was 
therefore 0.4:1 (2022: 0.7:1). The non-audit fees 
for 2023 relate to 2023 reporting on internal 
financial controls. The non-audit fees were 
substantially higher in 2022 as a result of the 
specialist accounting work performed by  
PwC in respect of the acquisition of Terminix. 
Further details on audit services can be found 
in Note A8 to the Financial Statements on 
page 186. 

122 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

The Audit Committee also received 
confirmation from PwC that it was 
independent and objective within the context 
of applicable professional standards.

The Audit Committee does not believe that 
there is any material risk of the Company’s 
auditor withdrawing from the market. 

The controls and processes in place, as 
detailed above, help to ensure that the 
required level of independence of the  
auditor is maintained. 

External auditor tender and appointment
The role of external auditor will be put out to 
tender at least every ten years and will be 
conducted by no later than 2031 in line with 
prevailing best practice. 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 2023.

The Audit Committee concluded that  
it is satisfied with the objectivity and 
independence of the external auditor, PwC, 
and that the effectiveness of the external audit 
process was robust. The Audit Committee  
has recommended to the Board that it seeks 
shareholder approval for the reappointment  
of PwC as the external auditor for the financial 
year ending 31 December 2024.

Internal audit
Role of Internal Audit
Internal Audit provides independent and 
objective assurance to management, the Audit 
Committee and the Board on the effectiveness 
of the Group’s risk management framework 
and internal controls.

Internal Audit, which is led by 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.

At each meeting, an update on Internal Audit  
is provided covering an overview of the work 
undertaken in the period, actions arising from 
audits conducted, the tracking of remedial 
actions and progress against the Internal  
Audit plan, and SOX compliance. The Audit 
Committee Chair routinely meets 
independently with the Director of Internal 
Audit & Risk to discuss the results of the  
audits performed and any additional insights 
obtained on the risk management and control 
environment across the organisation.

In December, the Audit Committee also 
reviewed and approved the Internal Audit 
Charter, which defines the purpose,  
authority and responsibility of the Internal 
Audit function.

Internal Audit Plan
The 2023 Internal Audit plan was approved  
by the Audit Committee in December 2022. 
The plan is structured to align with the  
Group’s risk profile, control environment  
and assurance arrangements. The plan for 
2023 included an audit of the integration of 
Terminix, and a continued focus on IT and  
SOX testing.

The common themes arising from the Internal 
Audit work during 2023 were presented to the 
Audit Committee in December 2023, together 
with recommendations to senior management 
to improve the controls across some 
processes. 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 utilised by the Audit 
Committee and the Board in their assessment 
of the adequacy of the Group’s financial and 
operational controls environment.

The 2024 Internal Audit Plan was approved  
by the Audit Committee in December 2023.  
A key focus for the 2024 plan is SOX testing, 
with the Internal Audit team supporting the 
testing cycle, and thematic audits, in order to 
give the function greater ability to respond to 
emerging risks within the business.

Internal Audit effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Internal Audit function 
was considered by the Audit Committee 
during its review and approval of the 2024 
Audit plan by means of a review of the 
resources available, qualifications of the team, 
delivery, reporting and the independence of 
the function.

The Audit Committee also ensures that an 
independent third-party assessment of the 
effectiveness and processes of the Internal 
Audit function is conducted at least once 
every five years, in line with the requirements 
of the Institute of Internal Auditors’ 
International Standards for the Professional 
Practice of Internal Auditing. The most recent 
such assessment was undertaken in 2021.

Governance and compliance
Compliance and whistleblowing 
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 Group’s Code of Conduct, which outlines 
our commitment to comply with all applicable 
legal requirements and with high ethical 
standards, can be found on our website.  
It clearly sets out how colleagues can seek 
advice and report concerns about suspected 
ethical or illegal misconduct policy violations. 
The Company uses an international 
confidential Speak Up email address and 
phone line to allow colleagues to report  
any suspected wrongdoing internally to 
independent senior management at  
Group level.

Risk management  
and internal control
Risk management and internal  
control framework 
The Board has overall responsibility for 
maintaining an effective risk management  
and internal control framework. The Board 
delegates responsibility for risk management 
to the Audit Committee, where appropriate. 
The risk management and internal control 
framework 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.

The Group’s risk management structure and 
process is detailed on pages 87 and 88. The 
responsibilities of the Board, some of which it 
chooses to delegate to the Audit Committee, 
include:
• 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;

• 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;

• review of management’s approach to 
identifying and managing risk, and 
recommending enhancements;

• evaluation of the effectiveness of internal 
controls, including financial, operational  
and compliance controls; evaluation of the 
effectiveness of internal and external audits;

• delegation of authority to the Chief Executive 

and Chief Financial Officer to make 
commitments on behalf of the Company; and

• the evaluation of the effectiveness of our 

internal controls.

Risk and internal controls 
The identification and management of risk is 
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. An assessment of the 
emerging and principal risks facing the Group, 
including those that would affect its business 
model and future performance, is carried out 
by the Board. The principal risks identified can 
be found in the Risk and Uncertainties section 
on pages 87 to 93.

The Company has also established a separate 
Speak Up line for suppliers and their 
employees or other stakeholders to report 
genuine concerns over malpractice, illegal acts 
or failures to comply with recognised standards 
of ethical behaviour that they observe at any 
point within our global supply chain.

Reported cases are monitored by Internal 
Audit and any potential misconduct reported  
is formally investigated and appropriate action 
taken, with the results of the investigation 
being reported back to the whistleblower 
where possible. The Director of Internal Audit 
& Risk provides regular updates to the Audit 
Committee of any control incidents.

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. A thematic review of Speak Up 
incidences and the control processes in place 
was considered by the Board in December.

The Audit Committee is informed of the 
outcome of the annual Letter of Assurance 
process whereby senior management are 
required to confirm compliance with key 
Group policies, including the Code of Conduct, 
and the dissemination of these policies to  
their respective country and functional teams. 
An overview of exceptions reported during the 
process is shared with the Audit Committee 
and any thematic issues raised are also shared 
with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)  
as required.

Governance 
In 2023, the Audit Committee also spent time 
considering the proposed changes to the  
UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
requirements introduced by the Economic 
Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, the 
Minimum Standard, and the additional 
reporting requirements outlined in the draft 
Companies (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations prior to its withdrawal in 
October 2023. 

For the Economic Crime and Corporate 
Transparency Bill, the Audit Committee 
received a presentation as to the 
implementation plan for the proposed 
enhancements to fraud risk assessments. 

For the Minimum Standard, the Audit 
Committee considered an in-depth analysis of 
the requirements, and recommendations as to 
potential enhancements to Audit Committee 
processes. The Audit Committee approved  
the suggested amendments to the Audit 
Committee terms of reference, and for other 
processes to be enhanced to align with the 
Minimum Standard, including the review of the 
effectiveness of the external auditor. 

The Audit Committee report, in particular the 
External audit section of the report, describes 
how the Audit Committee has complied with 
each of the provisions of the Minimum 
Standard during the year. 

An explanation of the Group’s accounting 
policies is provided on pages 175 to 177. 

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, including:
• 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;

• action plans on control environment 
improvements and updates on their 
implementation;

• updates on control weaknesses and  

planned actions to prevent a reoccurrence;

• periodic reports from regional and Group 
finance executives, and Internal Audit; and

• updates on the SOX implementation 

programme.

During 2023, the Audit Committee was 
updated on the risk and control environment 
in the main 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 reports from the Regional 
Finance Directors for the UK & Sub-Saharan 
Africa region and the Pacific region, with other 
regional updates provided as part of the Board 
agenda. This provides a high-level insight for 
the Audit Committee on potential risks.

The Audit Committee continues to evaluate 
cyber incidents and risk throughout the year 
and, although there is no indication we are  
a specific target, we remain vigilant given  
both the number and seriousness of cyber 
attacks in the year, with repeated distributed 
denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and 
attempted ransomware incidents. Our cyber 
technology and resilience have continued  
to allow us to detect and avert complex and 
volatile threats before they were able to  
have any material impact on our operations. 
This is an area we will continue to prioritise 
and monitor as we integrate and synchronise 
IT capabilities across the Group. See page 116  
for more information on cyber security.

The Audit Committee also receives the 
minutes of the Group Risk Committee. The 
Group Risk Committee comprises the key 
functional and operational senior managers, 
and considers the risk framework, and key and 
emerging risks. Where appropriate, items that 
are raised as significant or emerging issues  
by the Group Risk Committee are reflected  
in adjustments to the control environment.

In 2023, some control issues were 
experienced including:
• a colleague had their IT user credentials 

compromised. No data was lost and there 
were no further instances of weaker  
security protocols;

• three businesses performed work without 
authorisation under the Group’s Pink Note 
process. This was subsequently rectified  
and guidance reissued; and

• a payment fraud in our Australian business  

of immaterial scale to the Group.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 123

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAudit Committee Report 
continued

The Audit Committee receives regular reports 
of matters reported via Speak Up, our internal 
whistleblowing process. There were 103 
control incidents reported in 2023 (2022: 84). 
The nature of the matters reported remain 
similar to previous years and relate to 
employee and employment matters, with  
very few relating to fraudulent activity,  
which remains at a low level across the  
Group. The increase reported is reflective of  
a bigger, more complex business compared  
to the prior year. 

Internal Audit received one report on our 
Supplier Speak Up line, which was a  
request for ESG data rather than a concern 
regarding malpractice and was swiftly 
resolved by management.

SOX controls 
In 2022, the Group identified material 
weaknesses relating to IT general controls  
and aspects of management’s overall  
system of financial controls (lack of sufficient 
technical accounting knowledge, segregation 
of duties and management review controls). 
The Board and Audit Committee reviewed  
the progress made to address the potential 
weaknesses identified. 

At each meeting in 2023, the Audit Committee 
received an update on the status of the 
Company’s SOX implementation programme. 
The updates included details regarding 
progress against the defined plan, design 
effectiveness on the specific controls, and 
colleague training and team resources.  
The updates reviewed both business process 
controls and IT governance controls, as well as 
progress by specific processes and countries. 
As the year progressed, the focus of the 
updates moved to tracking testing plans, 
operating effectiveness results and tracking 
any identified deficiencies and associated 
remediation plans. At the request of the Audit 
Committee, a monthly status report was also 
provided outside of the scheduled meetings to 
allow for continuous visibility. From late 2023, 
the Audit Committee also received a monthly 
status report from the external auditor. 

An in-depth review of the status of our SOX 
compliance for 2023 was undertaken at the 
December 2023 meeting, including discussion 
as to any identified material weaknesses.  
For the 2023 financial year, the evaluation  
of effectiveness of our internal controls 
identified material weaknesses relating to  
IT general controls. 

The Board and the Audit Committee reviewed 
the work completed for the material weakness 
relating to aspects of management’s overall 
system of financial controls (lack of sufficient 
technical accounting knowledge, segregation 
of duties and management review controls) 
and are satisfied this has been remediated. 

The Board and the Audit Committee has 
further reviewed the progress made in 2023  
in relation to the material weakness relating  
IT general controls and will continue to have 
oversight of management’s ongoing 
remediation plans in 2024. 

Effectiveness of risk management and 
internal control framework 
The Board, with the support of the Audit 
Committee, conducted a review of the 
effectiveness of the system of internal control 
for the year ended 31 December 2023 and 
confirms that:
• the Group has an ongoing process for 

identifying, evaluating and managing the 
significant risks faced by the Group;

• 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;

• the Board reviews the process regularly; and

• the process operates in accordance with  
the UK Corporate Governance Code and  
the FRC Risk Management and Internal 
Control Guidance.

Audit Committee 
effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Audit Committee  
was considered as part of the external Board 
effectiveness review undertaken in 2023 by 
Chris Saul of Christopher Saul Associates, with 
the output considered and follow-up actions 
agreed by the Audit Committee. The review 
concluded that the Audit Committee continues 
to operate effectively and is well-integrated 
into the Board decision-making processes. 

In 2024, the Audit Committee will continue to 
focus on its oversight of the Company’s SOX 
compliance and will consider opportunities to 
further enhance its focus on risk. Full details  
of the Board evaluation review, including its 
outcomes and actions, are disclosed on  
pages 112 and 113.

Read the Audit Committee’s terms of reference at rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

Read our Policy on the Provision of Non-Audit Services by the External Auditors at rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

124 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Nomination Committee Report

Richard Solomons,  
Chair of the Nomination Committee 

Areas of focus in 2023
• Appointment of a new Non-Executive 

Director 

• Transition of new Audit Committee Chair 

• Executive Director and senior 

management succession planning and 
talent development

Areas of focus in 2024
• Executive Director and senior 

management succession planning and 
talent development

• Skills, knowledge, experience, and 

diversity of the Board

Committee members: 
Richard Solomons (Chair)
David Frear 
Sally Johnson
Sarosh Mistry 
John Pettigrew 
Cathy Turner 
Linda Yueh

Given his significant leadership experience, 
and proven track record of successful delivery, 
I am sure that Brad will be an excellent 
addition to the ELT. 

As is its usual practice, the Nomination 
Committee reviewed succession planning for 
our Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer 
and members of our ELT during the year.  
In December, the Nomination Committee 
considered detailed succession plans for  
key roles. To ensure Board familiarity with 
senior managers and potential succession 
candidates, a number of senior managers and 
colleagues from across the Group have also 
presented to the Board or met with Directors 
during 2023 and it is planned that this 
engagement will continue in 2024 as part of 
the Board’s ongoing practice of meeting with 
talent from around the world.

Diversity and inclusion remains a core area of 
focus, framed by our Board diversity policy. 
The diversity of the Board is detailed on page 
129, with membership comprising 33% women 
and two Directors from an ethnic minority 
background. Further details on our Board 
diversity policy and the targets set out in the 
policy, which were updated in January 2023, 
can be found on page 128. 

Full details of the Nomination Committee’s 
work during 2023 can be found set out in the 
following report.

Richard Solomons
Chair of the Nomination Committee 
7 March 2024

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present to you the  
report of the work undertaken by the 
Nomination Committee in the year ended  
31 December 2023.

During the year, the Nomination Committee 
continued to assist the Board in fulfilling  
its responsibilities, with a particular  
focus placed on the composition of, and 
succession planning for, the Board and  
senior management. 

As identified in last year’s report, Julie 
Southern, who would have served on the 
Board for a period of nine years by July  
2023, stepped down from the Board at the 
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) on 10 May 2023. Following a 
comprehensive recruitment process, full 
details of which are provided in the Company’s 
2022 Annual Report, the Board welcomed 
Sally Johnson as a Non-Executive Director. 
Sally joined the Board on 1 April 2023,  
and became a member of the Audit and 
Nomination Committees. She succeeded  
Julie as Chair of the Audit Committee from  
10 May 2023. Sally is currently the Chief 
Financial Officer of Pearson plc, a FTSE 100 
global education and learning business,  
and has brought strong technical and 
commercial finance skills to the Board, 
including knowledge of the US listed 
environment. As identified in the 2023 Board 
evaluation, Sally has settled into her new 
position expertly, bringing further energy  
and engagement to the role. 

Both the Nomination Committee and the 
Board spent time in 2023 discussing the 
composition of the North America leadership 
team, in light of the enlarged scale of the 
business in that region following the 
acquisition of Terminix in 2022. In October 
2023, Brett Ponton stepped down as CEO of 
the Company’s North America region and as  
a member of the Executive Leadership Team 
(ELT). In December, we were delighted to 
announce the appointment of Brad Paulsen  
as CEO, North America. He also became a 
member of the ELT, as detailed on page 103. 
Brad was previously the CEO of Rexel USA,  
a leading distributor of electrical parts, 
services, and solutions, with more than  
450 US branches and $7bn in annual sales. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 125

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceNomination Committee Report 
continued

Role of the Nomination 
Committee
The Nomination Committee monitors the 
composition and balance of the Board  
and of its Committees by identifying and 
recommending to the Board the appointment 
of new Directors and Committee members 
and ensuring they have the appropriate 
balance of skills, knowledge, experience,  
and diversity to govern the Company in a 
professional, ethical, and transparent manner. 

The Nomination Committee also oversees 
talent and succession plans for members of 
the ELT and the Company Secretary, ensuring 
the development of a diverse pipeline for the 
future senior management of the Group. 

Additionally, it plays an active role in setting 
and meeting diversity objectives and 
strategies for the Company as a whole,  
and has oversight of the impact of these 
diversity initiatives. 

The full responsibilities of the Committee  
are set out in its terms of reference, which 
were last reviewed in December 2023.  
The Nomination Committee terms of  
reference are available on our website. 

Membership and attendance
All Non-Executive Directors are members  
of the Nomination Committee to ensure  
they have a formal forum to input and help 
determine the composition of the Board.  
The Chair of the Board, Richard Solomons, 
chairs the Nomination Committee. 

The Nomination Committee met four times 
during the year and full details of members’ 
attendance during 2023 can be found on  
page 98. Members of the Committee also  
hold discussions as required outside of the 
formal meetings.

The Nomination Committee Chair will seek 
views in advance from any member who 
cannot attend a meeting and provide a 
briefing on outcomes if appropriate. Papers 
and minutes of the meeting are circulated to  
all Nomination Committee members, whether 
or not they attend. 

The Chief Executive also usually attends 
meetings of the Nomination Committee, 
especially to assist with discussions of 
executive succession and talent  
programmes, as does the Group  
General Counsel and Group HR Director.  
The Company Secretary acts as secretary  
to the Nomination Committee.

Nomination Committee 
effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Nomination 
Committee was considered as part of the 
external Board effectiveness review 
undertaken in 2023 by Chris Saul of 
Christopher Saul Associates, with the output 
considered and follow-up actions agreed  
by the Nomination Committee. The review 
concluded that the Nomination Committee 
continues to operate effectively.

In 2024, the Nomination Committee plans  
to continue to focus on Executive Director  
and senior management succession plans, 
including the gender and ethnic diversity 
within these groups. It also intends to 
undertake a Non-Executive Director skills 
matrix to support the Nomination Committee 
in future Board succession planning.  
Full details of the Board evaluation review, 
including its outcomes and actions, are 
disclosed on pages 112 and 113.

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.

We have a procedure to manage 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 external boards, or 
through some other ongoing relationship, 
have been authorised after review by the 
Board, none of which is subject to any specific 
restriction or condition. We maintain and 
review annually a register of authorisations 
granted during the year.

The Nomination Committee reviews the 
current schedule of authorisations on an 
annual basis, with a view to considering 
whether they remain appropriate or whether 
they should be revoked or otherwise limited. 
In 2023, it was concluded that no updates 
were necessary. All authorisations given  
were considered to remain appropriate and 
none were revoked or otherwise limited.

The conflicts of interest process also informs 
the assessment of the independence of Board 
members. You can find further details of the 
assessment on page 107. 

Activities of the Nomination Committee in 2023 
The Nomination Committee considered the following key areas during 2023 and early 2024:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Board succession

The Nomination Committee considered succession plans for the Audit Committee 
Chair role and nominated Sally Johnson for appointment.

See page 127 for more 
information

Senior management 
succession

Executive Director and senior management succession was considered 
throughout the year, with a detailed briefing on talent and succession planning.

See page 127 for more 
information

Terms of reference

The Nomination Committee reviewed its terms of reference in December 2023.

Available to view on our 
website

Nomination Committee 
effectiveness

Director effectiveness

The Nomination Committee undertook a review of its effectiveness.

See above

A review of individual Directors’ performance was conducted, as part of the Board 
evaluation process.

See page 113 for more 
information

Diversity

The Nomination Committee considered diversity-related reporting and targets, 
and reviewed the effectiveness of the Board diversity policy.

See pages 128 and 129 for  
more information

Conflicts of interest

The Nomination Committee reviewed potential conflicts of interest authorised by 
the Board. 

See above

126 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Board recruitment and 
succession process 
Board recruitment and appointment 
procedure
The Nomination Committee is responsible  
for ensuring there is a formal, rigorous, and 
transparent process in place for appointing 
Directors. Potential appointments are 
assessed with a view to ensuring the optimal 
composition for the Board to discharge  
its duties and responsibilities effectively. 
Candidates are considered from a diverse 
group of individuals whose skills and 
experience have been gained in a variety of 
backgrounds. Successful candidates have  
to demonstrate integrity and independence  
of mind and must enhance the overall 
effectiveness of the Board. All appointments 
are considered objectively and are made on 
merit. We support the process of appointing 
new Directors to the Board by using external 
recruitment consultants. 

Director reappointment 
All Non-Executive Directors undertake a  
fixed term of three years subject to annual 
re-election by shareholders. The fixed term 
can be extended, and consistent with best 
practice, does not exceed nine years subject 
to defined circumstances as identified by the 
Nomination Committee. 

Extensions recommended in the period were:
• The reappointment of Cathy Turner for a 

second three-year term.

• The reappointment of Linda Yueh, who had 

served on the Board for a period of six  
years as of 1 November 2023, on an annual 
rolling basis. 

• The reappointment of John Pettigrew, who 
had served on the Board for a period of  
six years on 1 January 2024, on an annual 
rolling basis.

• The reappointment of Sarosh Mistry for  

a second three-year term. 

In line with standing practice, each  
decision was supported by the continuing 
independence, experience, and contribution 
that each Director brings to both Board and 
Committee work.

As part of the review of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy, consideration was  
given to the appointment terms of the 
Non-Executive Directors. Given that a fixed 
term appointment is a legacy construct under 
old corporate governance codes where  
annual re-election was not required, and two 
three-year terms (with the possibility of nine 
years) were recommended, it is proposed that 
the terms be updated to remove a fixed term. 
Further details can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 131 to 161.

Non-Executive Director succession
The Nomination Committee is responsible  
for ensuring plans are in place for orderly 
succession to the Board, taking into account 
the challenges and opportunities facing the 
Company, and the skills, expertise, and 
diversity needed on the Board in the future. 
Accordingly, the Nomination Committee 
considers Non-Executive Director succession 
on a regular basis to ensure that changes  
to the Board are proactively planned for.  
As part of this consideration, the Nomination 
Committee monitors the Non-Executive 
Directors’ tenure, and reviews potential 
departure dates assuming the relevant 
Directors are not permitted to serve more  
than nine years from their appointment date, 
unless in exceptional circumstances. 

As noted in last year’s report, a formal 
recruitment process was undertaken in 2022, 
to identify a suitable successor for Julie 
Southern. The executive search agency, 
Spencer Stuart, was appointed to support this 
process. Spencer Stuart does not have any 
connections with the Company or any Director 
that may impair its independence and is a 
signatory to the Enhanced Voluntary Code of 
Conduct for Executive Search Firms. Following 
the conclusion of this process in 2023, Sally 
Johnson was appointed as a Non-Executive 
Director from 1 April 2023, and a member  
of the Audit Committee and Nomination 
Committee. When Julie stepped down from 
the Board at the conclusion of the Company’s 
AGM in May, Sally assumed the role of Chair  
of the Audit Committee. Full details of the 
recruitment process were disclosed in the 
Company’s 2022 Annual Report, which is 
available on our website. 

Senior management 
succession planning and 
talent development
The Board and Nomination Committee 
recognise that strategic, thoughtful, and 
practical succession planning and talent 
development is critical to the long-term 
success of the Company. The Board has 
ultimate responsibility for succession planning 
for Executive and Non-Executive Directors 
and senior management, supported by the 
oversight and recommendations of the 
Nomination Committee. The Nomination 
Committee undertakes to bring new energy, 
challenge, and oversight to the process and to 
reflect the business strategy and operational 
goals in appointments. While Board approval 
is only required for changes to the ELT, as 
outlined below, the Nomination Committee 
also considers senior talent and succession 
planning below this level.

The succession planning process involves the 
evaluation of each leadership team role along 
with other critical roles against whether there 
are successors ready now, ready in one to two 
years, or ready in three to five or more years, 
as well as identifying any emergency cover in 
place for those roles. Colleagues identified as 
successors and select talented colleagues  
are included in a talent pool and put through  
a robust development assessment and 
planning process where strengths and gaps 
are identified using, among other measures, 
psychometric assessments, career 
conversations, and a 360-degree feedback 
assessment. The information from this is 
applied to help create effective development 
plans as well as to inform the content of the 
talent pool development sessions.

In 2023, a full succession planning review of 
regional and functional leadership teams  
and critical roles was completed. The Group 
HR Director and HR Director Global Talent & 
Group Functions presented a detailed update 
on the Company’s talent strategy to the 
Nomination Committee in December. The 
session reviewed the talent and succession 
update as well as providing a spotlight on 
talent selection in North America, given the 
enlarged scale of the business in that region 
and the continued integration of Terminix, 
highlighting the best of breed approach to 
retaining the best talent across the Group. 

The Nomination Committee considered the 
succession plans for the Chief Executive,  
Chief Financial Officer and other members  
of the ELT, including a discussion as to the 
potential ELT of the future. Global and critical 
role succession was also reviewed, with an 
update on regional leadership succession 
plans provided.

In 2023, there was one change to the ELT,  
with Brad Paulsen succeeding Brett Ponton as 
CEO of the Company’s North America region 
in December 2023. 

The Nomination Committee considered the 
progress made towards the priorities identified 
in relation to talent for 2023. The Company 
has established global, regional and fast-track 
talent pools to help identify successors for  
key roles and to identify and accelerate the 
development of fast-track talent. The Board 
aims to familiarise itself as much as possible 
with the senior management team as well as 
colleagues identified as successors or ‘high 
potentials’ through its ongoing engagement 
programme. More details can be found on 
page 114.

The effectiveness of our talent development 
and succession planning activity is regularly 
monitored. In our ELT and Group Leadership 
Forum (GLF; our top c.100 senior management 
team), 71% and 87% of roles respectively  
have near-term successors identified.  
While the ELT level is slightly down from the 
prior year, the GLF level has improved by 9%. 
Promotion rates have also increased, by 5% 
from 2022 to 66% in 2023, following recent 
leadership appointments.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 127

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceNomination Committee Report 
continued

Diversity and inclusion 
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 fostering 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 in an 
environment where diversity is encouraged.

In our 2023 Your Voice Counts (YVC) 
employee survey the Diversity, Equity & 
Inclusion (DE&I) index was our second highest 
scoring dimension overall, improving by 1% 
versus the previous survey and 6% higher  
than the global norm benchmark.

More information on our approach to DE&I can 
be found in the Responsible Business section 
on page 69 and our Group Diversity, Equity & 
Inclusion policy is available on our website.

As part of its monitoring of gender, the Board 
reviews our Gender Pay Report each year  
and we continue to have no material gender 
pay gap between women and men (see  
page 148). The reports are available to view  
on our website.

Embracing  
equity on 
International 
Women’s Day

On 8 March 2023, events were held 
globally around the Group to celebrate 
International Women’s Day, with many 
embracing the theme of equity. Group 
online events included guidance and 
discussions on allyship, menopause,  
and sponsorship. 

Linda Yueh, a Non-Executive Director, 
joined in the Rentokil Women in 
Leadership Panel, a panel discussion  
with our North American HR team. Linda 
recounted her experiences during her 
career, and answered questions from 
colleagues. 

Senior leadership diversity 
The Group continues to focus on enhancing 
the diversity of our senior management, with 
25% of senior roles in the business held by 
women (2022: 29%). The decrease in gender 
diversity in 2023 was a result of a notable 
increase to the size of our senior management 
team. We define senior management as the 
members of our ELT and their direct reports, 
excluding colleagues in administrative and 
support roles. When the breakdown includes 
any other directors of the Company’s related 
undertakings there are 52 females (24.9%) and 
157 males (75.1%). 

Approximately 23% of our colleagues are 
female (2022: 23%).

As a global organisation, we also believe it 
is important to have a senior management 
team that is representative of the markets 
we operate in, and the customers we serve. 
In line with the Parker Review we have set 
a target to improve our ethnic diversity and 
reach 20% of our senior leadership team by 
the end of 2027 (2023: 15.5%). This is based 
on colleagues who have provided data, and 
excludes those based in countries where 
we cannot ask or hold ethnicity information. 

We aim to remove any bias from our 
recruitment processes to ensure 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 on pages 69 and 70. You can find 
details on how the Directors monitor culture 
on page 116.

Board diversity objectives
Objectives

Outcome in 2023

That the Board comprises at least 40% women by 2028.

33.3% of our Directors are female (2022: 33.3%).

That at least one of the Chair, CEO, CFO, or Senior Independent 
Director (SID) is a woman by 2028.

Currently all roles are held by men.

That at least one member of the Board is from a minority ethnic 
background.

This was achieved with the appointment of Linda Yueh in 2017 and 
exceeded with the appointment of Sarosh Mistry in 2021.

Commitment to a merit-based approach to Board composition within  
a diverse and inclusive culture.

Considered as part of all Board appointments, including the 
appointment of Sally Johnson.

To work only with executive search firms on Board appointments 
that have signed up to the Enhanced Voluntary Code of Conduct 
for Executive Search Firms on gender diversity and best practice 
(Enhanced Code).

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.

All executive search firms retained by the Company during 2023 for 
Board appointments had signed up to the Enhanced Code.

In 2023, our ELT and its direct reports (excluding colleagues in 
administrative roles) were 25% female (2022: 29%). Approximately 
23% (2022: 23%) 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.

To ensure that there is a pipeline of female executives within the 
organisation who are qualified and capable of taking up senior 
leadership positions.

32% of those on our regional leadership succession plans are female, 
and 35% of those on our functional leadership succession plans  
are female. 

Aim to ensure that there is appropriate and meaningful disclosure in 
the Company’s Annual Report on Board composition, appointment 
processes, 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.

128 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Considered each year when drafting the Annual Report.

Our Chair, Richard Solomons, has held  
the position since May 2019, following 
appointment to the Board in March 2019.  
This resulted from a robust appointment 
process, as detailed in the Company’s 2018 
Annual Report. 

Our Senior Independent Director, John 
Pettigrew, has held the position since May 
2019, following appointment to the Board in 
January 2018. John was appointed in line with 
the internal succession plan for the role and 
continues to support the Board and Chair in 
this position. 

While the Company values all forms of 
diversity and work continues to ensure that 
gender and ethnicity, alongside broader 
diversity characteristics, are present across 
the Board, we do not believe given the current 
composition of our Board, and recognising  
the factors noted above, that the Listing Rule 
targets are achievable prior to 2028. 

Board diversity 
The Board of Directors has adopted a Board 
diversity, equity and inclusion policy to 
support, at Board level, the Company’s 
commitment to fostering a diverse and 
inclusive working environment. The key 
objectives of the policy and its effectiveness 
are set out on page 128, and the policy is 
available on our website. 

Due to the current size of the Board and its 
Committees, there is no separate policy or 
provisions within the Board diversity policy 
for Committees.

In 2022, in light of the new Listing Rules 
requirements on diversity-related reporting 
and the recommendations set out in the  
FTSE Women Leaders Review (the successive 
phase of the Hampton-Alexander Review),  
the Nomination Committee recommended  
that the Board update its diversity targets.  
The revised policy and targets were approved 
by the Board in January 2023. 

While the Board remains committed to 
diversity within our organisation and 
recognises diversity as a priority, it was agreed 
that the Board’s focus should be on setting 
targets which are considered appropriate 
given the succession timeframe of existing 
members of the Board, and which take 
account of the existing skills, knowledge, 
experience, and composition of the Board. 
Based on current succession timing, we  
have therefore set a target for the Board to 
comprise at least 40% women by 2028, which 

we believe to be an appropriate timeframe for 
our Board, based on normal succession plans 
(assuming that the two executive roles on  
the Board remain constant and assuming 
Non-Executive Director tenure of nine years in 
line with the UK Corporate Governance Code). 
To achieve this earlier would require either 
recruiting an additional female Non-Executive 
Director or replacing an existing Director 
prematurely. As the Board is considered to be 
operating effectively, neither of these options 
are considered to be in the best interests of 
the Company or its shareholders at this time. 

We were placed 83rd in the 2023 FTSE 
Women Leaders Review for women on Boards 
and in leadership in the FTSE 100, published in 
February 2024.

Explanation against Listing Rule 9.8.6(R)
As at 31 December 2023 (the Company’s 
chosen reference date), the Company confirms 
it has met the target for one Director to be 
from an ethnic minority background. It has  
not met the targets that at least 40% of the 
individuals on its board of directors are 
women and that at least one of the Chair,  
CEO, CFO, or SID is female. 

The roles of the Chief Executive and Chief 
Financial Officer have been held by Andy 
Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs for 10 and 
three years respectively. These positions 
support the long-term strategic delivery of  
the Group and remain subject to considered 
succession planning. 

Board and executive management diversity
at 31 December 2023

Gender

Men

Women

Not specified/prefer not to say

Ethnic background

White British or other White 
(including minority-white groups)

Mixed/multiple ethnic groups

Asian/Asian British

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

Other ethnic group, including Arab

Not specified/prefer not to say

Number of  
Board members

Percentage  
of the Board

Number of senior 
positions on the 
Board (CEO, CFO, 
SID and Chair)

Number in  
executive 
management1

Percentage of 
executive 
management

6

3

–

7

–

2

–

–

–

66%

33%

–

78%

–

22%

–

–

–

4

–

–

4

–

–

–

–

–

10

3

–

13

–

–

–

–

–

77%

23%

–

100%

–

–

–

–

–

1.  This is the executive committee below the Board (the ELT) and the Company Secretary. We exclude Board members from this group.
2.  Gender and ethnicity data is collected directly from the individuals of the Board and ELT as part of an annual questionnaire in connection with the Annual 

Report. The questionnaire includes gender and ethnicity options, which are collected on a voluntary basis. The questionnaires relating to the period received  
a 100% response rate regarding ethnicity and gender disclosures. The data is collated by the Company Secretary and held securely in accordance with the 
Group’s data protection policies and practices.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 129

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceNomination Committee Report 
continued

Director induction 
and training
The Chairman, supported by the Nomination 
Committee through its review of the skills, 
knowledge and experience of the Board, leads 
the training and development of Directors. 

Induction
The Chairman and Company Secretary 
prepare a detailed induction for each new 
Director. This is tailored to the prospective 
roles the individual will assume on the Board 
and its Committees, and also accounts for 
their existing knowledge and experience. 

The induction programme includes a series of 
meetings, beginning before the Director joins 
the Board and running for several months. 
These one-to-one meetings are arranged  
with the Chair and existing Non-Executive 
Directors, the Chief Executive and Chief 
Financial Officer, members of the ELT and  
the Company Secretary, along with other 
members of senior management. They are 
also introduced to and given access to the 
Company’s external advisers (auditors, legal 
advisers and brokers).

All Non-Executive Directors also receive the 
following materials on their appointment:
• key Company policies, procedures and 

governance information, including the Code 
of Conduct, Board Governance Manual, 
Responsible Business Report and Group 
Authority Schedule; 

• details of the Group structure; 
• analysis of the Company’s key shareholders 

and share capital; 
• recent analyst notes; 
• minutes and papers from the most recent 
Board and relevant Committee meetings, 
including the most recent strategy meeting; 

• copies of the most recent Board and any 

relevant Committee evaluation reports; and 

• guidance on the legal and regulatory 

responsibilities of a Director in a UK and  
US publicly listed company. 

New Directors are also encouraged to undertake 
the same online induction modules as other  
new colleagues in our online learning and 
development platform (U+), on key compliance 
subjects, such as our Code of Conduct, 
anti-bribery and corruption, competition law, 
information security and privacy, insider 
information, and conflicts of interest. 

Between 12 and 18 months after their 
appointment, Directors are asked to complete  
a questionnaire to provide feedback on the 
induction process. This allows us to assess the 
effectiveness of the induction and any training 
provided, to identify any areas of improvement 
and to highlight any further development needs.

The table below illustrates the purpose of 
some of the meetings that formed part of 
Sally’s induction programme. 

Further areas of focus for Sally’s induction 
were pertinent to her role on the 
Committees, in particular her role on the 
Audit Committee. This included receiving  
an overview of the current risks faced by the 
Group, our risk management framework and 
Internal Audit programme. Sally also met 
with the Company’s external auditors, and 
attended a meeting of our executive Group 
Risk Committee. 

In May 2023, Sally and Sarosh Mistry visited 
the Power Centre, which included a tour of 
the facilities and presentations from senior 
management and the scientists based 
there. The Power Centre is our home for 
science, innovation, and training academy  
in the UK. 

In December 2023, Sally also joined a pest 
technician in London for a ride-along, 
providing her with hands-on experience of 
the work undertaken by our technicians and 
the opportunity to meet with customers. 

Sally Johnson’s induction 
Sally Johnson joined the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director on 1 April 2023. 
She became a member of the Nomination 
Committee and Audit Committee from the 
date of her appointment, before being 
appointed Audit Committee Chair in  
May 2023. 

Sally had an extensive induction 
programme, covering a range of areas 
across the business. In addition to receiving 
a detailed overview of the Group and  
its business operations, she attended a 
number of sessions covering topics 
including governance, Company culture,  
and stakeholder engagement. 

Induction programme 
participants 

Chairman 

Meeting purpose 

Overview of the Board’s priority areas and ongoing matters 
considered by the Board.

Chairs and members of  
the Committees

Overview of the responsibilities and composition of the 
Board’s Committees, their governance, regular attendees, 
and advisors. 

Chief Financial Officer

Overview of the strategic priorities of the Group, key 
performance indicators, operational performance, financial 
performance and projections, and competitive landscape.

Heads of Corporate 
Functions

Introductions with leadership team members, covering an 
overview of their business area(s), subject matter expertise, 
organisational structure, Company culture, and values.

Group General Counsel  
and Company Secretary

Induction planning, governance framework, Board 
operations, Board and Committee matters, duties and 
responsibilities of a Company Director (including the 
obligations of directors sitting on UK and US Boards), the 
Company’s key policies and procedures, and other legal 
and regulatory considerations. 

Training 
All Directors receive training on topics of 
importance for the Company. Briefings and 
training are incorporated into the annual  
Board agenda. To help facilitate the  
ongoing development of Directors, details  
of externally facilitated events and training  
are also circulated periodically. 

Directors are also given the opportunity to 
meet colleagues in person to learn more about 
the Company’s functions or business regions 
(see Stakeholder engagement on pages 114 
and 115). 

Read the Nomination Committee’s terms of reference at rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

Read our Group Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy at rentokil-initial.com/responsible-delivery/policies

Read our Board Diversity Policy at rentokil-initial.com/investors/governance

130 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Dear Shareholder
It is my pleasure to present to shareholders,  
on behalf of the Board, the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2023. I hope you find the 
information in this report clearly explains the 
remuneration approach taken by the Company 
and enables you to understand how it links 
performance to business strategy and results. 

It has been another busy year, with the key 
areas of focus including:
• reviewing the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
(the Policy) which is due for renewal and will 
be voted on at the AGM in May 2024;

• continuing the integration of the Terminix 

acquisition; and 

• focusing on the remuneration for all 
colleagues given the cost-of-living 
challenges continue to impact our  
colleagues across the globe.

Policy renewal
A large proportion of the Remuneration 
Committee’s time in 2023 has been spent 
reviewing the Policy. Our aim has been to 
ensure that the Policy put to shareholders at 
the AGM in 2024 continues to support the 
delivery of our strategy while appropriately 
balancing the incentivisation and reward of  
our experienced Executive Directors, with the 
interests of shareholders, colleagues, and the 
wider community.

We were also keen to ensure that the 
remuneration of our Executive Directors is 
realigned appropriately following the 
acquisition of Terminix, which has added 
significantly to the size and complexity of  
the Group. We were prudent following the 
acquisition of Terminix, by not immediately 
adjusting any remuneration as is common  
in such circumstances. The deal closed in 
October 2022 and we decided at that time, to 
consider any adjustments as part of a detailed 
review in line with the Policy renewal process.

We know that shareholders value 
understanding the benchmark data we used in 
conducting the review, and this has therefore 
been included in the detail below. The data is 
an important reference point in determining 
the Policy proposals but is only one 
contribution to Committee’s deliberations.  
In developing the Policy proposals we have 
considered the current stage of the Group’s 
evolution, its increased size and international 
focus as well as the high regard in which our 
CEO is held not only in the UK, but globally, 
where an increasing proportion of our 
business is positioned. Consistent with the 
current Policy we remain committed to 
weighting variable pay over the long term. 

Key findings
The acquisition of Terminix and secondary 
listing on the New York Stock Exchange, 
combined with the continued growth of the 
rest of our business, has fundamentally 
changed the scale and complexity of the 
business since the last Policy review. 

• Revenue (at AER) has increased by 90.4%, 

from £2,823.5m in 2020 to £5,375m in 2023.

• Profit before tax (at AER) has increased by 
114.5%, from £229.8m in 2020 to £493m  
in 2023.

• Percentage of revenue (at AER) from outside 
the UK has increased from 89.8% to 94.0% 
and the percentage of revenue from North 
America has increased by 41.9%, from 43.4% 
in 2020 to 61.5% in 2023.

• The number of countries has increased by 

seven, from 83 in 2020 to 90 in 2023.

• The number of employees has increased  
by 18,311, from 44,589 in 2020 to 62,900  
in 2023.

It is appropriate to review the packages of our 
Executive Directors against the new relevant 
benchmarks to ensure that remuneration 
remains market-aligned and would be fit for 
purpose throughout the life of the Policy from 
2024-2027.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 131

Cathy Turner,  
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Areas of focus in 2023
• The integration of the Terminix acquisition

• Planning for the renewal and approval of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 
2024 AGM

• The induction of new Committee member, 

David Frear

• Consideration of remuneration for all 
colleagues given the cost-of-living 
challenges that continue to impact 
colleagues across the globe

Areas of focus in 2024
• Seeking approval of the Directors’ 

Remuneration Policy at the 2024 AGM 

• The continued successful integration of 

the Terminix acquisition

• Keeping all-employee reward under 
review given the macro-economic 
challenges

Committee members: 
Cathy Turner (Chair)
David Frear 
Sarosh Mistry 
Linda Yueh

In this report: 

136 Remuneration at a glance
Key headline details on performance and 
remuneration in 2023

138 Directors’ Annual Remuneration 
Report – Introduction
Details of the Remuneration Committee and 
its activities during 2023

140 Directors’ Annual Remuneration 
Report – 2023
Details of Directors’ remuneration received 
during 2023

150 Directors’ Annual Remuneration 
Report – Looking forward 2024
Details of how the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy will be implemented in 2024

152 Proposed changes to the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy
Summary of changes and rationales, along 
with proposed application for 2024

156 Proposed 2024 Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy 
Full details of the proposed Policy, which will 
be put to vote at the 2024 AGM

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Profit performance over 10 years

(£m)

1,000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Revenue performance over 10 years

(£m)

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

TSR performance over 10 years

FTSE 100
FTSE 250

FTSE 350
Rentokil Initial

(£m)

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Market capitalisation over 10 years

(£m)

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

132 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Benchmark data
The Committee adopted a UK FTSE market benchmark, given that many 
of the largest UK companies are global. We considered how best to 
reflect our significant presence in North America and, notwithstanding 
the different pay practices and higher levels there, concluded that the 
broad-based FTSE was suitable given that many UK-based companies 
have operations in the US. In addition, our Executive Directors are 
based in the UK. 

The Committee used the market data as a reference point for the  
overall sizing of the proposed packages given the significant change  
in the business and the associated demands upon our leadership as  
a consequence. Our framework remains unchanged; we aim to deliver 
the fixed element of remuneration around market median and provide 
the opportunity to achieve up to the upper quartile for outstanding 
performance. This ensures that remuneration is weighted to 
performance and is variable.

When we started the review in July 2023, the benchmark we used  
was companies within the FTSE 15 – 50, excluding financial services. 
Given the shareholder experience in the second half of 2023, we felt 
that it was appropriate to revise the market benchmark downwards 
accordingly. Therefore, we have adopted a lower market benchmark  
of the FTSE 21 – 50, excluding financial services. While the share price 
has been volatile, in the round, this peer group is felt to reflect our 
overall size and complexity, having regard to the increased revenue  
and increased scope of our international activities. We have consciously 
chosen not to include data from non-UK, particularly US, companies 
which would have increased the benchmark figures. 

Shareholder engagement
We started our engagement with our top shareholders, which hold 
around 50% of our share capital, along with shareholder representative 
bodies/proxy agencies in October 2023. The quality of engagement 
and input has been extremely helpful. We are grateful for the time 
invested and the practical suggestions as to how we might structure an 
appropriate level of remuneration potential for the future. There was 
much consistency in the feedback, including:

• recognition of the capabilities of our management team and support to 

remunerate them competitively and in line with the market;

• a preference for any incremental opportunity to be balanced between 
fixed and performance-based variable pay, rather than just fixed pay, 
which we had initially contemplated;

• consideration of phasing any base salary increases; and

• to share the benchmark data we have used in formulating  

the proposal.

Shareholder experience
During the consultation process, following our Q3 trading update,  
there was an adverse reaction from the market. This reaction was 
disappointing as the overall business continues to perform well and has 
delivered strong profit and revenue in 2023. However, the Committee 
determined that the remuneration proposals need to reflect the impact 
of this change, which included the following:
• Revising downwards the market benchmark from the initial FTSE 15 
– 50 excluding financial services, to the FTSE 21 – 50, excluding 
financial services; and

• Incorporating specific measures and targets related to the integration 

in North America and delivery of Organic Revenue Growth. 

Proposed Policy
Taking into consideration the feedback received from shareholders,  
as well as the lower benchmark data, the proposed changes to the 
Policy are as follows:

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Annual bonus
• Lift the maximum opportunity from the current, below-market level of 

180% of base salary, to 225%. 

• This uplift will be based on the achievement of targeted and 

measurable financial results. Furthermore, for 2024, the uplift in  
bonus opportunity will be fully aligned to the delivery of Organic 
Revenue Growth and integration synergy targets in our North 
American business.

In recognition of shareholder feedback the increased portion of the 
bonus opportunity for 2024 will be focused on the delivery of key North 
American integration targets, which include the delivery of integration 
synergies and driving Organic Revenue Growth rates.

We feel that setting the total opportunity above the median is 
appropriate for our CEO as it recognises his high level of experience, 
with more than 10 years in position, and the delivery of superior returns 
for all our stakeholders during his tenure.

Bonus deferral
• Increases from 40% to 50% of any bonus payable. The bonus will 

continue to be deferred into shares for a three-year period.

• This change increases the proportion of the package that will be 

delivered in the long-term.

Our CFO will also be adjusted and remunerated within the same 
structure and approach as the CEO. His base salary will be slightly 
below market median (95%) and his total remuneration package is 
benchmarked to deliver a median market opportunity, to reflect his  
level of experience in the role.

Shareholding guidelines
• Increases for the CEO from 300% to 400% of salary and for the CFO 

from 200% to 300%. 

• Post-cessation guidelines will continue to apply, which will  

normally require Executive Directors to hold shares for two years 
post-cessation.

The following elements will not be changed:

Base salary
• Base salaries will continue to be set taking into a range of factors 

including scope and responsibilities of the role and individual skills  
and experience (see page 150 for full details). For the 2024 review, 
effective 1 July 2024, we are proposing an increase in line with the 
broader employee population plus a market realignment of 7.5%. 

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
• The PSP will remain at 375% of salary for the CEO and 300% of salary 

for the CFO.

Pension
• There are no changes proposed to pension and this will remain 

aligned with the wider workforce at 3% of base salary.

Response to cost-of-living challenges
In 2023, the challenges around the impact of the cost-of-living globally 
continued and we have remained committed to paying our colleagues 
fairly, with particular focus on the impact that higher inflation has had  
on our more junior and frontline colleagues. We continued a number  
of the successful initiatives that we had introduced in 2022 into 2023, 
which included:
• giving a cost-of-living bonus to colleagues who are not eligible to 

participate in a performance or other bonus plan;

• giving higher increases to frontline colleagues compared to senior 

leaders and management teams, for example, the typical pay increase 
for frontline colleagues in the UK was double the typical salary 
increase for management and senior leaders in 2023;

• giving frontline colleagues the opportunity to flex their work hours  
and, based on colleague feedback, offering them the opportunity  
to increase their contractual hours, and accordingly their pay;

• supporting colleagues to help them maximise their incentive 

opportunity;

• increasing meal voucher benefits to support colleagues with the rising 

costs of food inflation; and

Rationale for changes
We understand that the external environment is not conducive to 
material pay opportunity increases and we have therefore been 
thoughtful as to how we can ensure that we have appropriate packages 
in place without being excessive. 

• providing support to colleagues to help them develop their own 

strategies to manage the cost of living challenge. For example, by 
providing access to a range of financial tools and calculators through 
our benefit platform in the UK and partnering with HSBC to deliver 
financial education webinars.

As detailed above, we have listened carefully to the feedback received 
from our shareholders. We have actioned many of the changes 
proposed and believe that the proposal offers an approach that 
recognises the increased complexity following the Terminix acquisition, 
and ensures appropriate incentivisation of our Executive Directors.  
At the heart of our philosophy is a commitment to performance based 
variable pay. 

The proposal for the CEO aligns the base salary with median, and 
delivers a target and maximum total remuneration package of between 
median and upper quartile. It also broadly maintains the percentage of 
long-term remuneration at c.81% as a result of the increase in bonus 
deferral, notwithstanding the increase in annual bonus opportunity.  
Our annual bonus will operate such that, for any annual bonus award, 
50% would be converted to shares and held for a further three years. 
Currently, the annual bonus potential is 180% of base salary with a 40% 
deferral, i.e. a maximum of 72% of base salary is deferred. Increasing  
the annual bonus potential to 225% with a 50% deferral results in up  
to 112.5% of base salary being deferred. 

The Terminix acquisition was completed in October 2022 and the 
Committee considered it appropriate to maintain the then current 
packages for the remainder of the three-year Policy, and is only seeking 
to reflect the transaction as part of the Policy renewal. 

The salary increases will not take effect until 1 July 2024 in line with the 
Company’s annual salary review. The Committee considers that this 
deferment equates to a phasing of the new package. For completeness, 
and consistent with our current process, the increased salary will apply 
for the 2024 bonus cycle.

Wider workforce engagement
The Committee has continued to engage with the wider workforce to 
enable understanding of the broader remuneration and related policies, 
and their impact. We continue to believe in and embed practices that 
enable all Board members to engage in this agenda. Engaging with the 
wider workforce and understanding their views was already a practice 
that the Board had undertaken for many years prior to the introduction 
of these requirements by the FRC UK Corporate Governance Code 
(Code), through initiatives such as Employer of Choice (see page 16  
and pages 69 and 70 for more information).

Key decisions in 2023
Context of business performance
Performance in 2023 demonstrated the continued core strength of our 
businesses, growing revenue, profit, and cash despite the challenges  
to the economy globally. Of note is that Adjusted Operating Profit and 
Revenue at CER grew by 57.0% and 45.8% respectively. We have also 
continued to deliver against our ESG goals (see page 15 for further 
information) and our Employer of Choice goals (see page 16 for further 
information). In fact our strength in attracting, developing and retaining 
our frontline colleagues has continued to improve in 2023, with 
retention up across both Service and Sales colleague groups and our 
Your Voice Counts employee survey remaining stable. This strong 
performance is reflected in the incentive payments to our frontline 
colleagues, management, and Executive Directors, reinforcing our 
strong link between performance and reward.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 133

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Shareholder experience
Our share price reduced considerably following the Q3 trading update, 
which meant that our shares ended the year down from the start of the 
year. Our Executive Directors are strongly aligned with shareholders, 
and therefore impacted, in that they hold significant levels of stock 
themselves.

As at 31 December 2023, the CEO’s shareholding greatly exceeded  
the required level and the CFO has also met the requirement when all 
qualifying shares are taken into account, and c.76% of the requirement 
with shares held outright. 

Shareholding as 
a % of salary for 
shares held 
outright
584%
152%

Total shareholding 
as a % of salary 
including qualifying 
PSP and DBP shares 
net of tax
1,867%
262%

Shareholding 
requirement
300%
200%

Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

We have carefully considered shareholder experience when reviewing 
the outcomes of the annual bonus and PSP vesting level, particularly 
with respect to whether any downward discretion should be exercised 
by the Committee. On balance, we feel that the formulaic outcomes  
take account of the generally good financial performance with a 
disappointing fall in the share price and ensures the Executive Directors 
are rewarded for the many strong aspects of performance in 2023. 

We have taken into consideration that the largest element of variable 
incentive, the PSP, directly reflects shareholder experience as the share 
price performance has impacted the estimated vesting of the 2021 PSP. 
The total shareholder return (TSR) element is currently below threshold 
and this element is expected to lapse. This represents half of the award.

The Committee felt that the company element of the annual bonus, was 
the appropriate vehicle to reward the Executive Directors for delivering 
good financial results in a challenging year. 

In addition, both the CEO and CFO were awarded a PDR rating of 3 to 
reflect delivery of strong financial results and broad based delivery 
across all of their goals balanced and also acknowledges the 
accountability for the shareholder experience.

Salary review
The CEO’s salary was increased by 3% to £928,288 and the CFO’s 
salary was increased to £566,500 as part of the salary review in July 
2023. The increase was below the typical increases received by the 
wider workforce in the UK of 6% and below the median increase for 
FTSE 100 CEOs of 4%.

Annual bonus outcome
The annual bonus for Executive Directors rewards both Company and 
personal performance. The Company element is designed to reward 
sustainable profit growth and Adjusted Free Cash Flow to align the 
Executive Directors’ incentives with the Group strategy. As with all 
incentives across the business, the targets set continue to be  
suitably stretching. 

The Company element of the scheme for Executives Directors  
operates in the same way for all managers, a population of more than 
2,000 colleagues, the only difference being that some targets are 
aligned to their specific business area rather than being based on 
overall Group performance. How the scheme operates and the 
performance outcomes at Group level are described below.

• Company performance – There are two performance gateways  

which are based on profit and cash generation, both of which were 
achieved. The level of bonus payable is determined by two key 
metrics: Adjusted Operating Profit and Revenue performance. 
Performance was assessed against the targets and, in addition,  
careful consideration was given to the quality of earnings in context  
of the 2023 results and stakeholder experience. Following these 
assessments, it was determined that the outcome achieved for 
Company performance in accordance with the formula was 
appropriate for the revenue measure, achieving 54.5% of  
maximum and 66.4% of maximum for Adjusted Operating Profit.

134 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

• Personal performance – The Executive Directors are assessed on 
their personal performance with the potential of up to 30% of salary 
based on these objectives, which are measured through the 
Company’s performance and development review process. The 
Committee has given careful consideration to the Executive Directors’ 
performance ratings and their overall bonus outcomes. The Committee 
recognises that this has been a particularly demanding year with the 
work related to the integration of Terminix, as well as the need to 
continue driving financial and business results across the rest of the 
Group. However, we are also mindful of shareholder experience  
and with this in mind the CEO, Andy Ransom, was awarded a 
performance rating of 3, giving a bonus of 15% of salary. The CFO, 
Stuart Ingall-Tombs, was also awarded a performance rating of 3, 
giving a bonus of 15% of salary. These assessments are set out on 
page 142 of the report and demonstrate the strong performance both 
executives have delivered in 2023.

• Total bonus outcome – The table below shows the total outcome as  
a percentage of base salary. See pages 141 and 142 for a breakdown  
of the targets and calculation as well as details of the personal 
performance review.

Threshold
Target
Maximum
Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Company 
performance
15%
75%
150%
90.7%
90.7%

Personal 
performance
0%
15%
30%
15.0%
15.0%

Total bonus 
outcome
15%
90%
180%
105.7%
105.7%

Performance Share Plan (PSP) vesting
2020 PSP
During 2023, the PSP award granted in 2020 came to the end of its 
three-year performance period. The vesting level of the award was 
dependent on six performance conditions:
• 60% – relative TSR;

• 20% other financial measures – Organic Revenue Growth and 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion; and

• 20% – strategic/ESG measures – Sales and Service colleague 

retention, customer satisfaction, and vehicle fuel intensity.

TSR was measured over a three-year period ending 7 September 2023 
and all other measures over a three-year period to 31 December 2022. 

The vesting level of 64.6% was higher than the estimates included in the 
2022 Annual Report due to the share price improvements resulting in 
the TSR element vesting. The Committee reviewed the vesting level 
based on the achievement against targets, to ensure that the outcome 
was a true reflection of the wider business performance and determined 
that it was. This scheme operates identically for our colleagues across 
the Group.

2021 PSP
The 2021 PSP is due to vest on 23 March 2024 and performance will  
be measured against six performance conditions:
• 50% – relative TSR;

• 30% other financial measures – Organic Revenue Growth and 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion; and

• 20% – strategic/ESG measures – Sales and Service colleague 

retention, customer satisfaction, and vehicle fuel intensity.

TSR is measured over a three-year period ending 22 March 2024 and  
all other measures over a three-year period to 31 December 2023.

Based on estimates to 29 February 2024, the TSR element is not 
expected to vest and the vesting level of the award is expected to be 
48.7%. See page 144 for a breakdown. 

While the lack of vesting on the TSR element is clearly disappointing it 
does align with the shareholder experience in 2023. The other half of 
the award, which covers internal financial and non financial measures, 
performed well. In addition, the Committee carefully considered the 
outcomes of the additional financial and strategic measures in the  
PSP to ensure that these had not been inadvertently made easier  
by inflationary increases or other impacts outside of management 
control. On this basis, the Committee concluded that the level of  
vesting was appropriate.

The Committee also reviewed the potential for any windfall gains and 
determined that there was none.

PSP grants
In March 2023, the Committee awarded the Executive Directors’ PSP 
awards at the Policy levels, with the CEO receiving an award of 375% 
of salary and the CFO receiving an award of 300%. The performance 
conditions are as follows:
• TSR – weighting 50%;

• Organic Revenue Growth – weighting 15%;

• Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion – weighting 15%; and

• Strategic/ESG measures (Sales and Service colleague retention, 
customer satisfaction, and vehicle fuel intensity) – weighting 20%.

We expect the 2024 PSP awards for the CEO and CFO, which are 
planned for March 2024, to be made on the same basis, with the 
exception that the TSR comparator group will be updated from the 
FTSE 350 to the FTSE 100 and will continue to exclude financial 
services, property, and primary resources sectors.

Given that the repositioning of the salaries, due to take effect on 1 July 
2024, and that the PSP award is expected to be granted before then,  
it is envisaged that the Policy levels will be achieved through an initial 
grant in March 2024 and a top up grant in September 2024.

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
2019

Applied to
PSP awarded in 2017

2020 No discretion was applied
2021
No discretion was applied
2022 No discretion was applied
2023

In-flight PSP awards

Discretion applied
EPS targets were increased from 
9% to 9.6% at threshold and 
15% to 16.1% at maximum due to 
material M&A activity.

The in-flight PSP awards were 
amended to ensure that the 
targets remain as originally 
intended and have not become 
inadvertently easier or harder as a 
result of the Terminix acquisition.

See page 143 for further details.

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 by ensuring that 
focus is balanced across both financial and non-financial outcomes, for 
example the inclusion of colleague, 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.

Policy implementation
Taking into consideration all the different elements of the Policy, the 
Committee is comfortable that it operated as intended in terms of 
Company performance and the quantum payable to the Executive 
Directors during 2023.

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Looking forward to 2024
Base salary
At the same time as the Policy review, and in consultation with 
shareholders, the Committee reviewed the base salaries of the CEO  
and CFO, due to the significant growth in size and complexity of the 
Group following the Terminix acquisition in October 2022. 

The review took into consideration the impact of the changes to the 
business on the scope of the role (see page 131), how the CEO’s and 
CFO’s skills and experience had developed since the last review in 
2020 and appropriate benchmarks (see page 154). 

The CEO’s base salary will increase to £1,040,000 and the CFO’s base 
salary will increase to £635,000, which represents a 12% increase in 
total i.e. 4.5% in line with expected 2024 increases for management 
levels in the UK, which are expected to be lower than the wider 
workforce, plus a 7.5% adjustment to align with the market. 

The proposed increases enable us to reward our Executive Directors 
appropriately and differentiate for their skills and experience, with  
the CEO proposed at median and the CFO at 95% of the median.  
We will again review the base salary levels relative to the appropriate 
benchmark in 2025. 

Further phasing of the increases was considered by the Committee. 
However given that the change in the scope of their roles occurred  
in October 2022 and the salary increase will not be recognised until  
July 2024, we have concluded that sufficient phasing had already  
been achieved.

In conclusion
Finally, I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued  
support of our Policy, and its application and to our colleagues for 
delivering another strong set of results in 2023, despite the continuing 
economic challenges.

I hope that our proposed Policy demonstrates our continued 
commitment to being thoughtful when making pay decisions and 
reflects shareholder feedback. We very much hope that these proposals 
are seen to be consistent with our track record of appropriate and 
stretching remuneration. As such, I hope that we can count on your 
support with the Policy vote at the AGM. 

I welcome any comments you may have ahead of this.

Cathy Turner
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
7 March 2024

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 135

Strategic ReportRemuneration at a glance
Components:

Fixed Pay – base salary, benefits, pension

Bonus

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Unearned

Our performance
Revenue Growth  
(at CER) 

+45.8%

2023 
2022: +19.1% 
2021: +9.3%

Adjusted Operating 
Profit (at CER) 

Total Shareholder  
Return (three-year)

Adjusted Free Cash
Flow Conversion

Organic  
Revenue Growth

+57.0%

2023 
2022: +22.7% 
2021: +20.0%

-14.5%

Estimate to 28 February 
2024 (PSP performance 
period ends 22 March 
2024)

97%

1 January 2021 to 
31 December 2023 

+3.9%

Cumulative average 
1 January 2021 to 
31 December 2023

Breakdown of Executive Directors’ total remuneration

The table shows a comparison of the CEO’s and CFO’s total remuneration for 2023 and 2022 and shows the potential maximum that was 
unearned.

Fixed pay

Variable pay

£’000

 Base salary

 Benefits

 Pension

 Bonus

 PSP

Total

 Unearned

Andy Ransom Chief Executive

2023

2022

914.8

19.1

27.4

981.0 1,397.6

3,339.9

888.1

19.3

191.3

1,599.9

1,625.7

4,324.4

Stuart Ingall-Tombs Chief Financial Officer

2023 

558.3

16.8

14.7

598.6

485.3

1,673.7

2022 

550.0

16.8

14.4

976.4

743.2

2,300.7

Fixed pay

Base pay
Policy summary – 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.

2023 implementation – The base salaries were reviewed as part 
of the July 2023 salary review. The increase of 3% was below the 
typical increases received by the wider workforce in the UK of 
6% and below the median increase for FTSE 100 CEOs.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Wider workforce 
(UK) increases

2023 
£928,288
2022 
£901,250

3%

increase

2023 
£566,500
2022 
£550,000

3%

increase

Frontline
6%
Other colleagues 
and managers 
3%
Senior managers 
3%
ELT 
3%

Benefits
Policy summary – 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.

Benefits provided during 2023

• Car allowance
• Life assurance
• Family healthcare insurance
• Permanent health insurance

Pension
Policy summary – Executive Directors may contribute to a 
defined contribution arrangement or receive a cash supplement 
in lieu of pension. Contributions are in line with the wider UK 
workforce, which is currently 3% of salary. 

2023 implementation – The CEO and CFO contributions are  
in line with the wider workforce. 

Pension contribution during 2023

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Wider workforce 
(UK)

3%

3%

3%

136 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Bonus

Policy summary – Bonus opportunity of 180% of base annual salary, 
with a maximum opportunity of 150% for Company performance and 
30% for personal performance, which operate independently.

Bonus targets and outcomes

Threshold

On target

Maximum

Deferral of 40% of bonus into shares, with a minimum three-year 
holding period.

Adjusted Operating Profit
(50% of bonus)

838.2

926.4

896.8

Andy Ransom  
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Company performance 
90.7% / £841,725

Company performance 
90.7% / £513,674

Personal performance 
15% / £139,243

Personal performance 
15% / £84,975

2023 outcome 
105.7% / £980,968

2023 outcome 
105.7% / £598,649

2023 implementation – The Committee reviewed the targets set at 
the beginning of the year and determined they remained suitably 
stretching in the context of the wider business performance and 
that the outcomes were aligned with stakeholder experience when 
viewed in conjunction with the 2021 PSP outcome.

 Find out more on pages 141 and 142

Performance Share Plan

Policy summary – Maximum award levels as a percentage of base 
salary are 375% for the CEO and 300% for the CFO.

No more than 20% of the award will vest for meeting threshold 
levels of performance and 100% of the award will vest if maximum 
performance is achieved. There is a two-year holding period.

Dividend equivalents may accrue between grant and vest date.

2023 implementation – The Committee granted the CEO and  
CFO awards in line with the Policy maximum in 2023 as per the 
approach agreed with shareholders during consultation on the  
2021 Policy renewal. 

 Find out more on pages 144 and 145 

Performance measures
Awards are subject to the achievement of financial and strategic/
ESG targets, 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% will relate to financial (including TSR) measures.

2023 implementation – The pie chart shows the performance 
measures for the 2023 grant.

 Find out more on page 144

Performance Share Plan 2021-2024 vesting
The bar chart compares the estimated value of the 2021 PSP and value 
of the 2020 PSP included in the 2023 and 2022 single figures and 
shows how share price growth has influenced the value of the award.

PSP value (£’000)

Andy Ransom Chief Executive

2023

2022

1,397.6

1,625.7

Revenue
(50% of bonus)

Threshold

On target

Maximum

5,354.5

5,462.6

5,413.6

Threshold

On target

Maximum

% of maximum bonus
opportunity achieved

10%

100%

Adjusted Operating Profit 

66.4%

Revenue

54.5%

Total

60.4%

Andy Ransom Chief Executive

Policy maximum

2023 grant

2022 grant

Stuart Ingall-Tombs Chief Financial Officer

Policy maximum

2023 grant

2022 grant

D

C

A

B

375%

375%

375%

300%

300%

300%

A.  50% relative total shareholder 

return

B.  15% Organic Revenue Growth

C.  15% Adjusted Free Cash Flow 

Conversion

D.  20% strategic/ESG measures 

(colleague retention, customer 
satisfaction, and vehicle fuel 
intensity).

TSR
Organic Revenue Growth
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Sales and Service colleague retention 
Customer Voice Counts
Vehicle fuel intensity reduction
Total estimated vesting

PSP 2021-2024

Weighting
50%
15%
15%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%

Estimated 
vesting level
0%
13.7%
15.0%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
48.7%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 137

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Introduction

Introduction
The Annual Remuneration Report has been split into four 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 140, provides an explanation of how  
the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy was implemented in the  
year ended 31 December 2023 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 third 
section, from page 150, provides an overview of how the new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy will be applied in 2024. The final section includes 
details of the proposed changes to the Policy and proposed Policy that 
will be put to shareholder vote at the 2024 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 policy with the Board and 
approves individual remuneration arrangements for the Chairman, 
Executive Directors, members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), 
and the Company Secretary. It reviews executive performance and 
strives to ensure that remuneration structures align the interests of 
management with those of shareholders and operate in the long-term 
best interests of the Company.

The Remuneration Committee oversees contractual terms on 
termination affecting Executive Directors, members of the ELT, and the 
Company Secretary, 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 colleague remuneration 
across the Group.

Membership and attendance
The Remuneration Committee members in 2023 were:
• Cathy Turner (Chair)

• David Frear

• Sarosh Mistry 

• Julie Southern (stepped down 10 May 2023)

• Linda Yueh

There were five Remuneration Committee meetings held in 2023,  
which is an increase on the number of meetings held in 2022 and was 
due to the additional requirements of the Policy review. Details of the 
members of the Remuneration Committee and their attendance during 
the year can be found on page 98. The Group HR Director, the Group 
General Counsel, the 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 ELT. 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 ELT 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. 

138 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

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.

Remuneration Committee effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Remuneration Committee was considered as 
part of the external Board effectiveness review undertaken in 2023 by 
Chris Saul of Christopher Saul Associates, with the output considered 
and follow-up actions agreed by the Remuneration Committee. The 
review concluded that the Remuneration Committee continues to 
operate effectively.

In 2024, the Remuneration Committee will continue to focus on the 
renewal and approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 
Company’s AGM in May 2024 and the ongoing integration of the 
Terminix acquisition, ensuring the right remuneration packages are in 
place to attract, motivate and retain talent. The Committee will also 
maintain its oversight of colleague reward given current macroeconomic 
challenges. Full details of the Board evaluation review, including its 
outcomes and actions, are disclosed on pages 112 and 113.

External advisors
Material advice and/or services were provided to the Remuneration 
Committee during the year by FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP (FIT), 
which is retained to provide independent advice on executive 
remuneration matters and on the Company’s long-term incentive 
arrangements. FIT was appointed on 6 November 2018 by the 
Remuneration Committee following a review of its advisors. 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 £102,130 and were accrued on a time and materials basis. 
FIT does not have any connection with the Company or any Director 
that may impair their independence, and the Remuneration Committee 
is satisfied that the advice it receives is independent and objective.

AGM voting outcomes
The outcome of the advisory vote in respect of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report at the 2023 AGM and the vote on the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy at the 2021 AGM are shown in the tables below.

Remuneration Report voting results (2023 AGM)
Votes for
Percentage for
Votes against
Percentage against
Total votes cast
Votes withheld (abstentions)

Remuneration Policy voting results (2021 AGM)
Votes for
Percentage for
Votes against
Percentage against
Total votes cast
Votes withheld (abstentions)

2,083,701,500
98.71%
27,209,596
1.29%
2,110,911,096
6,565,719

1,117,630,721
77.39%
326,479,806
22.61%
1,444,110,527
8,866,324

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.

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Activities of the Remuneration Committee 
In 2023, the Remuneration Committee considered the following key areas:

Matters considered

Discussion and outcome

Find out more

Executive remuneration

Executive Director 
remuneration

ELT and Company 
Secretary 
remuneration

2020 Performance 
Share Plan (PSP) 
vest

2023 PSP award

The Remuneration Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2023, bonus 
outcomes for 2022, bonus structure for 2023 and the 2023 PSP awards and targets for the 
Executive Directors, taking into consideration the wider workforce.

See pages 140 to 145 
for more information

The Remuneration Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2023, bonus 
outcomes for 2022, bonus structure for 2023, and the 2023 PSP awards and targets for 
the members of the ELT and the Company Secretary, taking into consideration the wider 
workforce remuneration.

The Remuneration Committee approved the vesting of the 2020 PSP awards as a result of 
the performance measures being met at 64.6% of maximum.

–

–

The Remuneration Committee approved the PSP grant in March 2023 and its performance 
conditions, and subsequently noted a summary of the grants made under the PSP.

See pages 144 and 145 
for more information

PSP measures

The Remuneration Committee monitored the performance status of the outstanding 
awards under the PSP.

–

2024 annual bonus

The Remuneration Committee reviewed the overall structure of the 2024 annual bonus 
plan for Executive Directors, ELT members and the Company Secretary.

See pages 150 and 151 
for more information

Malus and clawback

The Remuneration Committee considered matters in relation to the compensation 
recoupment policy as required under new SEC rules, including the adoption of the  
new policy.

ELT appointments 
and terminations

During 2023, the Remuneration Committee approved the remuneration for the 
appointment of the new CEO of North America and the exit of the prior incumbent.

–

–

2024 Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

The Remuneration Committee engaged with shareholders on the renewal of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and considered the feedback received.

See pages 152 to 161 
for more information

Governance and oversight

Share dilution limits

The Remuneration Committee noted the impact of the Company’s executive share plans 
on share dilution limits.

–

Terms of reference

The Remuneration Committee undertook its annual review of its terms of reference.

Performance review

The Remuneration Committee undertook its annual review of the effectiveness of  
the Committee.

These are available 
on our website

See Committee 
effectiveness on 
page 113

Corporate 
governance and 
proxy voting 
guidelines

Gender Pay Report

Directors’ 
Remuneration 
Report

The Remuneration Committee received an update during 2023 on changes in corporate 
governance and proxy voting guidelines.

–

The Remuneration Committee considered and recommended the 2022 Gender Pay 
Report for approval by the Board in February, which was published in March 2023.

The Remuneration Committee reviewed and approved the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
to be included in our 2022 Annual Report.

Read about diversity on 
page 69. Our reports are 
available on our website

Available on our website

Annual planner

The Remuneration Committee considered the annual planner for 2024.

–

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 subject to suitable redaction. The Remuneration Committee reports 
to shareholders annually in this report and the Chair of the Remuneration Committee attends the AGM to address any questions arising.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 139

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2023

Directors’ remuneration in the year to 31 December 2023
Single total figure for the remuneration of Executive Directors
The table below has been audited.

Fixed pay

Variable pay

Base 
Salary 
£’000
914.8 
888.1 
558.3 
550.0 

Benefits 
£’000
19.1 
19.3 
16.8 
16.8 

Total 
Pension 
fixed pay 
£’000
£’000
27.4 
961.4 
191.3  1,098.8 
589.8 
14.7 
581.1 
14.4 

Year
2023
2022
2023
2022

Total 
variable 
Bonus 
PSP 
pay 
£’000
£’000
£’000
981.0  1,397.6  2,378.6 
1,599.9  1,625.7  3,225.7 
485.3  1,083.9 
743.2  1,719.6 

598.6 
976.4 

Total 
£’000
3,339.9 
4,324.4 
1,673.7 
2,300.7 

Value of total 
attributed to 
share price 
growth 
£’000
(44.2)
162.3 
(5.3)
74.2 

% of total 
attributed to 
share price 
growth
−3.2%
10.0%
−4.5%
10.0%

Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs,  
Chief Financial Officer

Value attributed to share price changes
• The PSP value included in the 2023 single figure is comprised of two 
awards in March and May 2021. The March grant had a share price 
decline of 21.2p per share (estimated share price at vest of 473.2p  
less share price at grant of 494.4p), which is –4.5% of the PSP value. 
The May grant had a share price increase of 4.7p per share (estimated 
share price of 473.2p less share price at grant of 468.5p), which is a  
1% of the PSP value.

• The PSP value included in the 2022 single figure has a share price 
increase of 58.8p per share attributed to it (share price at vest of 
589.0p less share price at grant of 530.2p), which is 10% of the  
PSP value. 

March 2021 award
May 2021 award
September 2020 award

Single 
figure
2023
2023
2022

Share price 
on grant
494.4p
468.5p
530.2p

Estimated 
share price 
at vest
473.2p
473.2p
589.0p

Share price 
change
-21.2p
4.7p
58.8p

• The table below summarises the value of the PSP value of the 2021 
and 2020 PSP vests split between value attributed to performance 
and value attributed to share price change for the Executive Directors 
(see page 144 for further information).

Value 
attributed to 
performance
£’000
1,109.1
332.7
1,441.8
1,463.4
507.0
669.0

Date of 
award
23/03/2021
18/05/2021
2021 total
08/09/2020
23/03/2021
08/09/2020

Value 
Total 
attributed 
value of 
to share 
shares 
price 
vesting
change
£’000
£’000
-47.6 1,061.5
336.1
-44.2 1,397.6
162.3 1,625.7
485.3
-21.7
743.2
74.2

3.3

Andy Ransom,  
Chief Executive

Stuart Ingall-Tombs,  
Chief Financial Officer

• The Remuneration Committee has not exercised discretion as a result 

of this share price appreciation or depreciation for either award.

The total emoluments and option gains are disclosed on page 144.

Notes to the table
The notes below have been audited.

Base salary 
• Base salary earned from 1 January to 31 December for each year.

Benefits
• Executive Directors are provided with family health insurance,  
health screening, life assurance, permanent health insurance,  
and a car allowance. 

• The value of the taxable benefit and includes the P11D value for  

health insurance and the gross cash car allowance. There were no 
other taxable benefits paid to Executive Directors in 2022 or 2023.

Pension
• Andy Ransom received a pension contribution, in the form of a cash 
supplement, worth 21.5% of salary in 2022 due to the cash amount 
being fixed in absolute terms and was reduced to 3% of base salary 
from January 2023 in line with the UK wider workforce. 

• 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. 

• Neither Andy Ransom or Stuart Ingall-Tombs, contributed to a 
Company pension scheme and do not have any prospective  
benefits under a Company defined benefit scheme.

Bonus
• In both years, 40% of the individuals bonus entitlement was awarded 
as deferred shares. These awards are subject to a three-year holding 
period, but are not subject to performance or service conditions.

• For 2023, Andy Ransom received 105.7% of salary and Stuart 

Ingall-Tombs received 105.7% of salary. See pages 141 and 142 for 
details of the 2023 bonus calculation.

PSP
• The 2023 single total figure includes the 2021 PSP, which is due to vest 
in March and May 2024. The value of the 2021 PSP at vest has been 
estimated based on the average of the Company’s share price over 
the last financial quarter of 2023, giving a price of 473.2p, and the 
anticipated performance outcomes, giving a vesting level of 48.7%. 
See page 144 for details. 

• The actual value of the 2021 PSP will be confirmed next year once  

the final performance outcome, the share price at the date of vesting, 
and the impact of dividend accrual are known.

• The 2020 PSP estimate included in the 2022 single figure has been 
restated. The award vested at 64.6%, which was above the estimate  
of 37.3%, due to an improvement in the Company’s TSR performance. 
The value has been restated to reflect the actual vesting level, actual 
share price at the date of vesting on 8 September 2023 of 589.0p,  
and the impact of dividend accrual. This has increased the value of  
the PSP outcome.

140 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Annual bonus 2023
This section has been audited.

The annual bonus plan comprises three parts: gateway measures, 
Company performance, and personal 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 and an opportunity 
to earn up to 30% based on personal performance, which is measured 
through the Group’s performance and development review process.

In total, the maximum bonus opportunity is up to 180% of salary.

2023 Annual bonus outcome
The Remuneration Committee reviewed the 2023 bonus plan outcome  
for the Group’s senior management population based on the targets set  
at the start of the financial year. The focus of the bonus was on rewarding 
sustainable profitable growth and delivery of Adjusted Free Cash Flow in 
order to align Executive Directors’ incentives with the Group’s strategy. For 
2023, Executive Directors had the opportunity to earn up to 180% of salary 
and 40% of any bonus earned will be deferred into shares for three years.

Gateways
Structure
95% of the Profit target and an Adjusted Free Cash Flow gateway have 
to be reached at Group level before the financial performance element 
of the bonus can be paid.

Targets and results
The table below shows the targets that were set for each gateway 
measure and the result.

Profit Gateway
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Gateway

Outcome
Both gateways were achieved.

Target
£‘000
838.2
350

Result
£‘000
896.8
500

Company performance
Structure
If both the gateways are achieved, then Executive Directors can earn 
up to 150% of salary based on targets equally split between revenue 
and profit. The results are calculated on the same basis as the targets 
were set.

Targets and results
The table below shows the targets that were set and how the threshold 
and maximum relate to the on-target level. It also includes the 
percentage of the maximum bonus that can be achieved for each target 
level and the percentage of salary payable. Finally, the table includes 
the results for each of these elements.

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Outcome – company performance
The table below brings together the bonus outcomes for Revenue 
and Adjusted Operating Profit to give the total bonus payable as a 
percentage of the maximum opportunity and as a percentage of 
base salary.

% of maximum opportunity achieved
% of base salary payable

Adjusted 
Operating 
Profit
66.4%
49.8%

Bonus 
outcome
60.4%
90.7%

Revenue
54.5%
40.9%

The table below shows the bonus payable to the Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer.

Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Bonus 
outcome as a % of 
base salary
90.7%
90.7%

Result
£‘000
841,725 
513,674 

Personal performance
Structure
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 (PDR) process and 
objectives typically include areas such as people, customers, safety, 
systems, governance and control, and key strategic projects.

Targets
The table below shows the rating scale used in the PDR and the bonus 
opportunity as a percentage of base salary for each rating.

Performance rating 
and definition
1:  
Below standards 
required
2:  
Development 
required
3: 
Good performer
4:  
Exceeds 
expectations
5:  
Outstanding

Meaning of definition
Has not delivered against 
performance criteria

Has met some but  
not all performance criteria

Meets all performance criteria

Meets and exceeds expectations 
against most aspects

Outstanding achievement against 
all criteria

Bonus opportunity  
as a % of  
base salary
0%

0%

15%

22.5%

30%

Results and outcome
The assessment of the performance ratings, by the Chairman for the 
Chief Executive and by the Chief Executive for the Chief Financial 
Officer, took into account their key achievements during 2023. The table 
below shows the PDR rating awarded and the bonus outcome for the 
personal element.

Revenue

Targets
Targets as % of on-target
% of maximum 
opportunity achieved
% of base salary payable

Adjusted Operating Profit

Targets
Targets as % of on-target
% of maximum 
opportunity achieved
% of base salary payable

Threshold 
£‘000
5,354.5 
99%

On-target 
£‘000
5,408.6 
100%

Maximum 
£‘000
5,462.6 
101%

Result 
£‘000
5,413.6 
100.1%

10%
7.5%

50%
37.5%

100%
75.0%

54.5%
40.9%

Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Bonus
outcome as
% of salary
15%
15%

Bonus
outcome
£‘000
139,243
84,975

PDR rating
3
3

See the table on the next page for details of the key achievements for 
the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer which were used to 
determine their performance rating.

Threshold 
£‘000
838.2 
95%

Target 
£‘000
882.3 
100%

Maximum 
£‘000
926.4 
105%

Result 
£‘000
896.8 
101.6%

10%
7.5%

50%
37.5%

100%
75%

66.4%
49.8%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 141

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2023 
continued

The table details the key achievements for the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer which were used to determine their performance rating.

Strategic 
objectives
Employer  
of Choice

Andy Ransom, Chief Executive
• Continued world-class performance in LTA 0.31 and WDL 7.05, 

recognised externally with RoSPA Gold Award.

Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Chief Financial Officer
• Further progress made in building Finance talent with selection of 
the North America team creating greater capability and experience

• Increased global colleague retention by 4.74% to 84.2%, and 

• Succession for key global financial roles strengthened through 

service technician retention by 5.7% to 83.3%.

external hires and internal development.

• Strong engagement and enablement scores, particular strength 

in H&S, DE&I and “My Manager” questions.

Customer

• Stable customer retention at 82.3% with Customer Voice Counts 

• Stable customer retention at 82.3% with Customer Voice Counts 

survey (NPS) improving strongly at 50.8.

survey (NPS) improving strongly at 50.8.

Revenue

• Delivered increase in Revenue ahead of plan at +45.8% over 

• Delivered increase in Revenue ahead of plan at +45.8% over 

previous year.

previous year.

• Delivered 4.9% organic growth and 60.6% revenue growth in 

• Delivered 4.9% organic growth and 60.6% revenue growth in Pest 

Pest Control, of which 4.5% was organic.

Control, of which 4.5% was organic.

• Innovation leveraged to drive revenue growth, including 

PestConnect with +23% increase in installations YoY.

• Delivered a strong increase of 57% over previous year and 

• Delivered a strong increase of 57% over previous year and ahead  

ahead of plan.

of plan.

• 120bps improvement in Adjusted Operating Margin over prior 

• 120bps improvement in Adjusted Operating Margin over prior year 

year to 16.6%.

to 16.6%.

• Strong progress in delivering pricing increases.
• Delivered Strong Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion of 89.4%.

Adjusted 
Operating 
Profit

Cash and 
liquidity

• Strong progress in delivering pricing increases.
• Delivered Strong Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion of 89.4%.
• Delivered reduction in Net Debt to EBITDA from 3.2x to 2.6x.
• Achieved a BBB rating with a stable outlook with S&P and Fitch.
• Delivery of $69m synergies from the Terminix acquisition ahead of 

M&A

• Delivery of $69m synergies from the Terminix acquisition ahead 

of the target of $60m.

the target of $60m.

• 41 acquisitions completed in 2023 with annualised revenues of 

• 41 acquisitions completed in 2023 with annualised revenues of 

c.£106m.

c.£106m.

Earnings 
and returns

• Strong leadership of environmental agenda with meaningful 
reductions in vehicle fuel intensity and member of the Dow 
Jones Sustainability Index.

• Finance systems have been well controlled and the continued rollout 

of Business Centrals continues to support SOX controls.

• Remediation of one 2022 SOX material weakness, made in 2023.

Total bonus outcome
The table shows the total bonus outcome for each Executive Director. 40% of the bonus outcome achieved will be deferred in shares under the Deferred 
Bonus Plan (DBP). These awards are subject to a three-year holding period, but are not subject to any further performance or service conditions.

£’000
Andy Ransom

Bonus payable 
as a % of salary
Bonus payable
Stuart Ingall-Tombs Bonus payable 
as a % of salary
Bonus payable

Company element Personal element

Total bonus 
outcome achieved

Bonus outcome 
payable in cash

Bonus outcome 
deferred in shares

Total bonus 
outcome as % of 
max opportunity

90.7%

15.0%

105.7%

63.4%

42.3%

841,725 

139,243 

980,968 

588,581 

392,387 

58.7%

90.7%

513,674 

15.0%

84,975 

105.7%

63.4%

42.3%

598,649 

359,189 

239,460 

58.7%

Rationale 
Careful consideration was given as to whether or not the outcomes were reflective of overall Company performance and appropriate in the context 
of the experience of wider stakeholders, particularly in relation to the ongoing cost-of-living challenges for colleagues and the impact of the 
reduction in share price following the quarter three update on shareholders, and was felt to be a fair reflection and that no discretion should be 
applied to adjust the outcome. The rationale for this included:
• The Company had another strong year in 2023, delivering profit and revenue figures above consensus and were accomplished despite significant 

inflation and other macroeconomic headwinds. Revenue grew by 45.8% and Adjusted Operating Profit by 57%. 

• The Company has strong alignment of incentives throughout management levels, which means that the Executive Director’s only achieve their 
annual bonus targets if the frontline and managers are achieving their incentives. The Company has also been very mindful of the impact of the 
cost-of-living challenges on our colleagues, particularly those on the frontline, and have used initiatives such as targeting higher salary increases  
at this population and one-off bonuses to help ease the pressures. See page 133 for further details.

• The outcome of the annual bonus was considered in conjunction with the estimated vesting level of PSP. On balance, it was felt that the formulaic 
outcomes of the PSP and annual bonus combined with the performance rating, fairly reflect overall performance. This took into consideration that 
the largest element of variable incentive, the PSP, directly reflects shareholder experience as the share price performance has impacted the 
estimated vesting of the 2021 PSP. The TSR element is currently below threshold and this element is likely to lapse. 

• The company element of the annual bonus, along with non-TSR element of the PSP recognised the significant strengthening of the underlying 

business and appropriately rewarded the Executive Directors for delivering numbers above analyst consensus set at the start of 2023 in a 
challenging year. The targets also evidence that we set stretching targets as the maximums are well above consensus.

• In addition, both the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer were awarded a PDR rating of 3 to reflect delivery of strong financial results and broad 

based delivery across all their goals balanced with consideration of shareholder experience.

Application of discretion
The Remuneration Committee has not applied discretion to the outcome of the annual bonus. 

142 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Performance Share Plan (PSP) and Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) awards
This section has been audited.

The PSP is the Company’s long-term incentive plan which the Executive Directors, ELT, and more than 1,100 managers and technical experts 
participate in. This participation supports the delivery of the Company’s 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.

In-flight PSP target review
In line with the Remuneration Committee’s usual practice for large acquisitions, they reviewed the in-flight PSP targets to take into consideration the 
addition of Terminix. The focus of the review was to ensure that the targets remained as originally intended and had not inadvertently become easier 
or harder as a result of the acquisition. This resulted in the following changes: 

Organic Revenue Growth – the targets have been increased to reflect the inclusion of Terminix in the forecasts.

Original
Revised

Threshold
2.25%
3.0%

2021-2024 PSP
Target
2.5%
3.5%

Maximum
2.75%
4.0%

Threshold
3.5%
4.5%

2022-2025 PSP
Target
4.0%
5.0%

Maximum
5.0%
5.5%

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion – the inclusion of Terminix has a negative impact on Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion, so these targets 
have been revised down, in line with the revised guidance and plans are in place to return Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion to our usual levels 
over the course of the next few years.

Original
Revised

Threshold
80%
70%

2021-2024 PSP
Target
85%
80%

Maximum
90%
90%

Threshold
80%
70%

2022-2025 PSP
Target
85%
80%

Maximum
90%
90%

Vehicle fuel efficiency – Terminix operates in a similar way to Rentokil North America, so the inclusion of Terminix in the results is not expected to 
have a significant impact, therefore no adjustments have been made to the targets for this metric.

Original
Revised

2021-2024 PSP

Threshold
4%

Target
6%

Maximum
8%
no change

2022-2025 PSP

Threshold
4%

Target
6%

Maximum
8%
No change

Sales & Service colleague retention – the inclusion of Terminix has a negative impact on Sales & Service colleague retention, so these targets were 
revised down. Plans are in place to return retention to our usual levels over the course of the next few years. Although both inflight awards were 
reviewed, only the 2021-2024 award is shown below as in line with our usual practice, the targets for this measure is not disclosed until the award 
vests, as we believe that they are commercially sensitive. 

Original
Revised

Threshold
79%
77.2%

2021-2024 PSP
Target
81.5%
79.7%

Maximum
84%
82.2%

Customer satisfaction – the inclusion of Terminix has a positive impact on customer satisfaction, so these targets were increased. Although both 
inflight awards were reviewed, only the 2021-2024 award is shown below as in line with our usual practice, the targets for this measure is not 
disclosed until the award vests, as we believe that they are commercially sensitive. 

Original
Revised

Threshold
39
41.2

2021-2024 PSP
Target
41
43.2

Maximum
43
45.2

2021 PSP award
The 2021 PSP award was subject to six performance measures detailed in the table below. 

Performance measures 
Relative TSR

Organic Revenue Growth

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion

Weighting
50%

15%

15%

Sales and Service colleague retention

6.7%

Customer satisfaction

Vehicle fuel intensity

6.7%

6.7%

Definition
Relative TSR performance measured against a comparator group of 
the FTSE 350 Index, excluding financial services, property and primary 
resources sectors
Average Organic Revenue Growth over the three-year performance

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion % over a three-year  
performance period
Average of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 annual overall Sales and Service 
Colleague retention
Average of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 annual CVC score over the 
three-year performance period based on NPS methodology
Reduction in vehicle fuel intensity across 20 key countries achieved by 
the end of the three-year performance period

Performance 
period
23/03/2021 to 
22/03/2024

01/01/2021 to 
31/12/2023
01/01/2021 to 
31/12/2023
01/01/2021 to 
31/12/2023
01/01/2021 to 
31/12/2023
01/01/2021 to 
31/12/2023

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 143

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2023 
continued

2021 PSP vesting level
The table below summarises the outcomes for each of the performance conditions. The Remuneration Committee has not applied discretion to the 
estimated outcome of the vesting as the outcome is felt to be fair in the context of the Company performance and experience of wider stakeholders 
over the three-year performance period. However, the targets were reviewed and discretion was applied by the Committee to adjust them to ensure 
that the targets remain as originally intended and have not become inadvertently easier or harder as a result of the Terminix acquisition as described 
in the section above. 

In addition, the Committee carefully considered the outcomes of the additional financial and strategic measures in the PSP to ensure that these had 
not been inadvertently made easier by inflationary increases or other impacts outside of management control.

Vesting is on a straight-line basis between threshold and target and between target and maximum, with the exception of TSR. No shares will vest 
if the performance is below the threshold for that measure. For the TSR, vesting is on a straight-line basis between median and upper quartile 
performance. The TSR performance period for the 2021 award is measured over a three-year period ending during the 2024 financial year. The TSR 
element of the award is therefore estimated using the TSR performance of the Company and comparator group to the end of February 2024. 

Performance measures 
Relative TSR1

Organic Revenue Growth
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Sales and Service colleague retention
Customer satisfaction
Vehicle fuel intensity
Total

Threshold: 
20% vesting 
Median TSR 
performance

3.0%
70.0%
77.2%
41.20
4.0%

Target: 
50% vesting 
Straight-line 
vesting between 
threshold and 
maximum
3.5%
80.0%
79.7%
43.20
6.0%

Maximum: 
100% vesting 
Upper quartile 
TSR 
performance

Actual/ 
estimated result
Ranked 102 of 163

Vesting 
level
Estimate 
0%

Weighted 
vesting level
Estimate 
0%

4.0%
90.0%
82.2%
45.20
8.0%

3.9%
97.0%
83.2%
46.83
17.0%2

91.3%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%

13.7%
15.0%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
48.7%

1.  This estimate will be restated in next year’s Annual Report to reflect actual performance.
2.  The outcome of this metric was reviewed in detail to enable the Committee to fully understand why the performance was much higher than the target range. 

The results were considered excluding inflationary impacts to ensure that the underlying performance was at a consummate level to satisfy maximum vesting. 

2021 PSP awards vesting
Andy Ransom was granted an award of shares worth 250% of base salary in March 2021 and a further top-up grant in May 2021 following approval  
of the 2021 Policy at the AGM. Stuart Ingall-Tombs was granted an award 200% of base salary in March 2021. The aggregate number of shares 
estimated to vest in 2024 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 estimated value of the shares vesting is based 
on an average of the Company’s share price for the three months to 31 December 2023 of 473.2p. The Remuneration Committee has not exercised 
any discretion.

Andy Ransom

Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Grant
March grant
May grant
Total
Total

Maximum  
award  
of shares
442,455
140,074
582,529
202,265

Estimated 
vesting level 
of 
award
48.7%
48.7%

48.7%

Total number 
of 
shares post 
performance 
conditions
215,441
68,205
283,646
98,487

Dividend 
equivalent 
shares at vest
8,891
2,814
11,705
4,064

Total 
shares 
vesting
224,332
71,019
295,351
102,551

Value of share 
vesting 
attributed 
to share price 
growth 
£‘000
−48
3
−44
−22

Value 
of shares 
vesting 
£‘000
1,062
336
1,398
485

% of vesting 
value 
attributed 
to share price 
growth
−4.5%
1.0%
−3.2%
−4.5%

144 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

PSP awards granted during the year
In 2023, Andy Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs were granted an award of shares under the PSP totalling 375% and 300% of salary respectively, in 
line with the Policy and the phasing agreed with shareholders. The awards are subject to a three-year performance period and a two-year holding 
period post vesting.

The number of shares that vest under the PSP will be based on the following performance conditions and weightings:

Performance measures 2023–2026
Relative TSR

Weighting
50%

Organic Revenue Growth
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Strategic/ESG measures

–  Sales and Service colleague 

retention

– Customer satisfaction

– Vehicle fuel intensity

1.  Of maximum opportunity.

15%
15%

6.7% 

6.7%

6.7%

Threshold: 20% vesting¹
TSR performance is median 
measured against the  
FTSE 350 Index, excluding 
financial services, property, 
and primary resources sectors
4.5%
70%

Target: 50% vesting¹
Straight-line vesting between 
threshold and maximum

5.5%
80%

Maximum: 100% vesting¹
Upper quartile TSR 
performance against the  
FTSE 350 Index, excluding 
financial services, property, 
and primary resources sectors
6.5%
90%

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.
4%

8%

6%

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 2023 PSP are set out in the table below and the number of shares awarded are the 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. 
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. The PSP awards 
are subject to a holding period of two years, which commences from the date of vest.

2023 PSP award

Participant
Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Date of award
30/03/2023
30/03/2023

Number of  
shares 
awarded
590,647
288,360

Share price 
used to 
determine 
award1
572.2p
572.2p

Exercise 
price
–
–

Face value 
of shares 
£‘000
3,379,682
1,649,996

% of salary 
awarded
375%
300%

Date of vest
30/03/2026
30/03/2026

Performance 
period end2
29/03/2026
29/03/2026

1.  The share price is the closing share price the day prior to grant.
2.  The TSR condition for the March award will be measured over three years to 29 March 2026. The other performance conditions will be measured over three 

years to 31 December 2025.

DBP awards granted during the year
On 22 March 2023, to align with the payment date of the cash part of the annual bonus, Andy Ransom and Stuart Ingall-Tombs were granted awards 
under the DBP which equated to 40% of the value of bonus earned under the 2022 annual bonus. These awards are subject to a three-year holding 
period, but are not subject to any further performance or service conditions. 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. Awards to Executive Directors under the 2023 DBP are set out in the table below.

2023 DBP award 

Participant
Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Number of  
shares 
awarded
114,078
69,617

Share price 
used to 
determine 
award1
561.0p
561.0p

Date of award
21/03/2023
21/03/2023

Exercise 
price
–
–

Face value 
of shares 
£‘000
639,978
390,551

Date of vest
21/03/2026
21/03/2026

1.  The share price is the closing share price the day prior to grant.

Payments for loss of office (audited) 
There were no payments made to Directors for loss of office during 2023.

Payments to past Directors (audited)
There were no payments made to past Directors during 2023.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 145

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2023 
continued

Single total figure for the remuneration during 2023 of the Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors 
The table below shows the single total figure for the remuneration during 2023 of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors compared to the prior 
year. The benefits section includes a travel allowance for intercontinental travel of £5,000 per meeting. The table has been audited.

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
Richard Solomons
David Frear1
Sally Johnson2
Sarosh Mistry
John Pettigrew
Julie Southern3
Cathy Turner
Linda Yueh

Fees 2023 
£’000
425.0
75.0
69.2
75.0
95.0
34.0
95.0
75.0

Fees 2022
£’000
383.3
16.7
–
62.5
74.2
78.4
78.4
62.6

Benefits 2023 
£’000
–
20
–
20
5
–
5
5

Benefits 2022 
£’000
–
5
–
5
–
–
–
–

Total 2023
£’000
425.0
95.0
69.2
95.0
100.0
34.0
100.0
80.0

Total 2022 
£’000
383.3
21.7
–
67.5
74.2
78.4
78.4
62.6

1.  David Frear was appointed to the Board on 12 October 2022.
2.  Sally Johnson was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2023.
3. Julie Southern stepped down from the Board on 10 May 2023.

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 2023, or their date of cessation if 
earlier, and at 31 December 2022, 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-Tombs
David Frear2
Sally Johnson3
Sarosh Mistry
John Pettigrew
Julie Southern4
Cathy Turner
Linda Yueh

Number of ordinary shares  
as at 31 Dec 2023 
84,900
1,230,419
195,408
8,125
3,527
1,850
55,000
9,891
24,736
1,590

Number of ordinary shares  
as at 31 Dec 2022 
62,000
1,695,225
171,350
–
–
–
55,000
9,891
24,736
 1,590 

1.  Andy Ransom has an interest in 4,661,701 vested PSP shares from the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 awards, which he has not yet exercised. 

These figures are not included in his beneficial interest of shares figure at 31 December 2023 above but are included in the share award table below.

2.  David Frear was appointed to the Board on 12 October 2022.
3.  Sally Johnson was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2023.
4. Julie Southern stepped down from the Board on 10 May 2023.

There has been no change to the current Directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2023 and 7 March 2024.

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 2023, the Chief Executive substantially exceeded the minimum shareholding requirement and the Chief Financial Officer had met 
the shareholding requirement when all qualifying shares were taken into account. and c.76% of the requirement with shares held outright. 

The table below sets out the number of shares held at 31 December 2023 by each Executive Director. Shares owned outright include those held by 
connected persons. This table has been audited.

Andy Ransom
Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Shareholding  
requirement 
as a % of salary
300%
200%

Number of 
shares owned 
outright
1,230,419
195,408

Value of 
shareholding  
as at 
31 Dec 2023¹
5,423,687
861,358

Shares owned 
outright as 
a % of salary
584%
152%

Interest in PSP  
and DBP that are 
available to  
exercise as at  
31 Dec 2023
4,034,553
0

Interest in PSP  
and DBP awards 
subject to holding 
period as at  
31 Dec 2023
1,062,105
266,390

Interest in PSP  
awards subject to 
performance 
conditions as at  
31 Dec 2023
1,832,591
822,217

1.  The share price is based on the Company’s share price on 31 December 2023 of 440.8p.

146 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Total PSP and DBP awards held by Executive Directors
The table below has been audited. Both the PSP and DBP 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.

Share 
price  
used to  
determine  
award

Date of  
award

Scheme  
interest at  
1 Jan 2023

Shares  
awarded  
during  
2023

Shares  
lapsed  
during  
2023

Dividend  
equivalent  
shares  
at vest

Shares  
available  
for exercise  
during 
2023

Dividend  
equivalent  
shares at  
exercise

Shares 
exercised 
during 
2023

Outstanding 
awards at 
31 Dec 2023

Performance  
period end

– 513,403

43,414 556,8175

– 388,853

26,132 414,9855

– 29/04/2016

– 29/04/2016

2013 PSP1

Andy Ransom

30/04/2013

96.0p 513,403

Andy Ransom

01/10/2013

109.0p 388,853

2014 PSP1

Andy Ransom

31/03/2014

123.4p 912,792

2015 PSP1

Andy Ransom

31/03/2015

135.5p 883,906

2016 PSP1

Andy Ransom

12/05/2016

159.4p 869,324

2017 PSP1

Andy Ransom

31/03/2017

246.4p 562,676

2018 PSP

Andy Ransom

29/03/2018

271.2p 487,350

Andy Ransom

14/05/2018

271.2p 121,837

2019 PSP 2,3

Andy Ransom

25/03/2019

346.6p 547,805

2019 DBP4

Andy Ransom

25/03/2019

346.6p

72,505

2020 DBP4

Andy Ransom

24/03/2020

358.6p 119,243

2020 PSP

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 912,792

– 883,906

– 869,324

– 562,676

– 487,350

– 121,837

– 547,805

–

72,505

4,920 124,163

Andy Ransom

08/09/2020

530.2p 412,580

– 146,260

9,691 276,011

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 08/09/2020

530.2p 188,608

– 66,862

4,430 126,176

2021 PSP

Andy Ransom

23/03/2021

494.4p 442,455

Andy Ransom

18/05/2021

468.5p 140,074

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 23/03/2021

494.4p 202,265

2022 PSP

Andy Ransom

04/03/2022

497.6p 659,415

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 04/03/2022

497.6p 331,592

2022 DBP4

Andy Ransom

22/03/2022

507.2p 124,211

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 22/03/2022

507.2p

70,597

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2023 DBP4

Andy Ransom

21/03/2023

561.0p

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 21/03/2023

561.0p

2023 PSP

Andy Ransom

30/03/2023

572.2p

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 30/03/2023

572.2p

– 114,078

–

69,617

– 590,647

– 288,360

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

912,792 30/03/2017

883,906 30/03/2018

869,324 10/03/2019

562,676 30/03/2020

487,350 28/03/2021

121,837 13/05/2021

547,805 24/03/2022

72,505 24/03/2022

124,163 23/03/2023

276,011 07/09/2023

126,176 07/09/2023

442,455 23/03/2024

140,074 18/05/2024

202,265 23/03/2024

659,415 04/03/2025

331,592 04/03/2025

124,211 22/03/2025

70,597 22/03/2025

114,078 21/03/2026

69,617 21/03/2026

590,647 30/03/2026

288,360 30/03/2026

1.  Shares held by Andy Ransom under the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 PSP awards are vested but unexercised and total 4,661,701.  

Stuart Ingall-Tombs holds shares under the 2020 PSP that are vested but unexercised.

2.  PSP awards are 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 granted prior to 2021 are also entitled to receive dividend equivalents in the form of shares post vesting based 
on dividend payments between the date of vest and the date one month before exercise. These shares are applied at exercise.

3.  The 2020 PSP award partially vested at 64.6%.
4.  The DBP awards are subject to a three-year holding period, but are not subject to any performance or service conditions.
5.  Andy Ransom exercised his 2013 PSP awards on 22 March 2023. He exercised a total of 971,802 shares at an exercise price of 559.9p, giving a total value on 

exercise of £5,440,736, which was a gain of £4,453,858 compared to the grant price value of these awards.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 147

Strategic Report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 2023 and 
31 December 2022.

Remuneration paid to all 
employees of the Group
Distributions to shareholders

2023
£m

2,550

201

2022
£m

1,777

122

% 
change

43.5%

64.8%

Details of the remuneration paid to all employees can be found in  
Note A9 to the Financial Statements on page 186. Details of the 
dividends declared and paid during the periods are contained in  
Note D1 to the Financial Statements on page 213.

Chief Executive remuneration over a 10-year period

Single total 
figure 
for 
remuneration
£1,326,045 
£1,655,757 
£5,581,304 
£3,969,607 
£4,962,076 
£4,227,473 
£3,840,871 
£5,544,805 
£4,324,407 
£3,339,919 

Annual bonus 
payout versus 
maximum 
opportunity
51.4%
59.1%
72.2%
70.1%
55.8%
93.1%
0%
100%
98.6%
58.7%

% long-term 
incentive vesting  
rates versus  
maximum 
opportunity
0.0%
15.1%
67.5%
80.3%
91.3%
90.8%
86.0%
96.6%
64.6%
48.7%

Chief Executive
2014 – Andy Ransom
2015 – Andy Ransom
2016 – Andy Ransom
2017 – Andy Ransom
2018 – Andy Ransom
2019 – Andy Ransom
2020 – Andy Ransom
2021 – Andy Ransom
2022 – Andy Ransom1
2023 – Andy Ransom2

1.  The 2022 single total figure includes the revised value of 276,011 shares 
under the 2020 PSP award, which vested at 64.6% on 8 September 2023 
based on the closing share price on 8 September 2023 of 589.0p.

2.  The 2023 single total figure includes the estimated value of 295,351 shares 
under the 2021 PSP award, which is due to vest on 23 March 2024 based on 
the average share price over Q4 of 2023 of 473.2p.

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 135 and has mainly focused on the increase of  
EPS targets to take account of material acquisitions and disposals  
and the adjustment of the inflight PSP awards to ensure that the  
targets remain as originally intended and have not become 
inadvertently easier or harder as a result of the acquisition.

Re-election of Directors and service contracts
Details of the Directors service contracts and notice periods can  
be found on page 242.

Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report – 2023 
continued

Remuneration in context
CEO pay ratio
The CEO pay ratio compares the CEO single figure earnings to the 
single figure earnings of UK colleagues. It has been calculated using 
method A, where the colleagues at each quartile are identified using 
details of their full-time equivalent pay and benefits for the year being 
measured. The effective date for the calculation is 31 December of the 
reporting year. For example, the 2023 colleague figures represent  
the full-time equivalent pay and benefits for 2023 for colleagues 
employed on 31 December 2023 and is calculated once the actual  
data is available, which means that no elements of pay are omitted or 
departures required from the methodology. 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 2018 to 2023, and the corresponding value of pay 
and benefits:

Year Method

Salary
Total pay and 
benefits
Pay ratio
Pay ratio
Pay ratio
Pay ratio
Pay ratio
Pay ratio

A

A
A
A
A
A

2023

2022
2021
2020
2019
2018

25th 
percentile 
pay ratio
£21,223

Median 
 pay ratio
£26,302

75th percentile 
pay ratio
£36,789

£21,718

£27,111

£37,881

154:1
148:1
281:1
203:1
220:1
229:1

123:1
121:1
232:1
160:1
173:1
189:1

88:1
85:1
172:1
111:1
119:1
145:1

The CEO ratios for 2023 have remained stable compared to 2022, this 
is due to the CEO’s single figure being lower than historical outcomes. 
The main reason for this is a lower vesting level of the PSP, the share  
price used for the valuation being lower, alongside the employee values 
remaining higher, which is partially due to colleagues being given the 
opportunity to increase their contractual hours and accordingly their pay.

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 colleagues are also eligible  
for a bonus, the Chief Executive is targeted on Group-level outcomes, 
whereas our comparator colleagues are based on their specific remit, 
which given the UK makes up only a small percentage of the 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 colleagues taken as a whole.

The Company has a consistent approach to reward across the Group 
and colleagues’ packages are set with reference to the external market.

Gender pay gap
The Company continues to have no material gender pay gap between 
men and women, with a median of -8.6% and a mean -10.0%, which is 
significantly better than the UK average of 14.3% reported by the Office 
for National Statistics, and means the median woman earns marginally 
more than the median man. These are encouraging results overall, and 
the Company is steadily increasing the number of women in senior roles. 
In addition, the Company’s reputation as an Employer of Choice has 
continued to grow with a significant number of female external hires.

The Company continues to be focused on making it an even more  
diverse and inclusive place to work and continues to see the benefits of 
the global DE&I upskilling programme that was rolled out to all middle  
and senior management across the world in 2022, covering around 1,000 
colleagues, and has continued to be rolled out to levels below this in 
2023. The key areas of focus continues to be increasing the number of 
female frontline technicians and improving the proportion of females in 
senior manager roles, in both the head office functions and operations.

148 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Percentage change in remuneration
The table below sets out a comparison of the change in pay versus the previous year for the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Chairman, 
Non-Executive Directors’ and employees of Rentokil Initial plc for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. This table will continue to be built on over time to 
cover a rolling five-year period. The percentage changes calculated on the actual remuneration received are distorted due to the remuneration 
received not being adjusted for in-year starters and leavers.

The percentage changes calculated on the actual remuneration received are distorted by two factors: firstly, initiatives undertaken in 2020 to help 
mitigate the impact of COVID-19, such as pay waivers in Q2 2020 and cancelling the annual bonus scheme have impacted the percentage changes; 
and secondly, the actual remuneration received is not adjusted for in-year starters and leavers.

Andy  
Ransom

Stuart  
Ingall-Tombs

Richard  
Solomons

Sally 
Johnson8

Sarosh  
Mistry5

John  
Pettigrew

Cathy  
Turner6

Linda  
Yueh

David  
Frear7

Employees9

Salary/fees1
2023
2022
2021
2020
Annual bonus2

2023
2022
2021
2020
Benefits3,4
2023
2022
2021
2020
Total
2023
2022
2021
2020

3.0%
1.5%
33.3%
-14.3%

-38.7%
-1.3%
100.0%
100.0%

-0.9%
-2.7%
0.5%
-0.3%

-28.0%
-0.3%
265.4%
-63.5%

1.5%
6.0%
175.3%
–

-38.7%
6.0%
100.0%
–

0.1%
3.8%
-44.8%
–

-23.7%
6.0%
556.8%
–

10.9%
2.2%
9.6%
34.6%

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

10.9%
2.2%
9.6%
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

40.7%
50.1%
–
–

34.8%
6.0%
9.6%
9.6%

27.6%
12.7%
89.3%
–

27.8%
4.3%
9.6%
-8.8%

337.8%
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

40.7%
50.1%
–
–

34.8%
6.0%
9.6%
-4.6%

27.6%
12.7%
89.3%
–

27.8%
4.3%
9.6%
-8.8%

337.8%
–
–
–

11.1%
1.5%
4.4%
–

-17.6%
45.0%
352.1%
-62.8%

-8.4%
-0.2%
-4.5%
1.3%

-2.8%
17.6%
45.9%
-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.  Sarosh Mistry was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2021.
6.  Cathy Turner was appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 12 May 2021.
7.  David Frear was appointed to the Board on 12 October 2022.
8. Sally Johnson was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2023.
9.  In line with regulations, employees include those employed by Rentokil Initial plc, excluding Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors.

TSR performance over a 10-year period relative to FTSE Index
The following graph shows 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 

£600

£550

£500

£450

£400

£350

£300

£250

£200

£150

£100

£50

0

FTSE 100
FTSE 250

FTSE 350
Rentokil Initial

Dec
2013

Dec
2014

Dec
2015

Dec
2016

Dec
2017

Dec
2018

Dec
2019

Dec
2020

Dec
2021

Dec
2022

Dec
2023

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 149

Strategic ReportDirectors’ Annual Remuneration Report – Looking forward 2024

Executive Director base salaries from 1 January 2024
Executive Director and ELT salaries are typically reviewed with effect from 1 July each year in accordance with the prevailing Policy.

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. The standard salary increases for the Executive Directors for 2024 are expected to be around 4.5% in line with the increases that are 
anticipated to be applied to management. The standard increases of the wider workforce in 2024 are expected to be higher, as the Company 
normally focus more of its pay review budget at the frontline. Due to the uncertainty of the macroeconomic environment, this salary increase budget 
remains under review. 

At the same time as the Policy review, and in consultation with shareholders, the Committee reviewed the base salaries of the Executive Directors 
due to the significant growth in size and complexity of the Company following the Terminix acquisition in October 2022. The review took into 
consideration the impact of the changes to the business on the scope of the role, how the CEO’s and CFO’s skills and experience had developed 
since the last review in 2020 and appropriate benchmarks (see page 154). The proposed increases enable us to reward the Executive Directors 
appropriately and differentiate for their skills and experience, with the CEO proposed at median and the CFO at 95% of the median.

The Committee considered phasing the increases, however it felt that the increases had already been phased given the increase in the scope of 
their role occurred in October 2022 and will be recognised in July 2024. The proposed increases for the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer 
are shown in the table below.

Salary from 1 January 2024

Executive Director
Andy Ransom – Chief Executive
Stuart Ingall-Tombs – Chief Financial Officer

1.  This is based on the estimated increase to be applied from 1 July 2024.

Fixed pay for 2024 will be:

Andy Ransom – Chief Executive
Stuart Ingall-Tombs –Chief Financial Officer

1.  This is based on the estimated increase to be applied from 1 July 2024.

Salary from  
1 January 2024 
£’000 
928.3
566.5

Standard 
increase %
4.5%
4.5%

Additional 
increase % Total increase %
12.0%
12.1%

7.5%
7.6%

Salary from  
1 July 2024 
£’000 
1,040.0
635.0

Estimated  
base salary 
£’000
984.1
600.8

Estimated 
benefits 
£’000
19.1
16.8

Estimated  
pension 
£’000
29.5
15.4

Total 
fixed pay 
£’000
1,032.8
632.9

2024 Non-Executive Director fees
The table below shows the Non-Executive Director fees for 2024. As part of the review of the fees conducted in September 2022, it was agreed that 
the Non-Executive Director fees would be reviewed each year as part of the salary review and, if appropriate, the fees will be increased by the 
standard amount being applied to Executive Directors. This review will be completed in June 2024 and any increase determined will be applied from 
1 July 2024.

Position
Chairman
Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent Director
Chair of Audit Committee
Chair of Remuneration Committee
Intercontinental travel allowance

Fee policy from 1 January 2024
£425,000 per annum
£75,000 per annum
Additional £20,000 per annum
Additional £20,000 per annum
Additional £20,000 per annum
Additional £5,000 per trip

2024 annual bonus structure 
The focus of the bonus remains on rewarding sustainable profitable growth and delivery of Adjusted Free Cash Flow in order to align Executive 
Directors’ incentives with the Group’s strategy. Subject to approval of the Policy at the 2024 AGM, the Executive Directors will have the following 
bonus opportunity as a percentage of base salary. 

Company performance
Personal performance
Total

Threshold
19.5%
0%
19.5%

Target
97.5%
15.0%
112.5%

Maximum
195.0%
30.0%
225.0%

Company performance 
• Gateways: 95% of the Profit target and an Adjusted Free Cash Flow gateway have to be reached at Group level before the financial performance 

element of the bonus can be paid.

• Financial performance: If both these profit and cash flow gateways are achieved, then Executive Directors can earn up to 195% of salary based on 

the achievement of financial targets.

Bonus targets have not been disclosed looking forward for 2024 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 2024 will be disclosed in next year’s Annual Report.

However, the Committee remain dedicated to ensuring that the bonus targets remain stretching and has determined that the uplift in bonus 
opportunity, proposed as part of the Policy review, will be fully based on the achievement of targeted and measurable financial results and for  
2024 will be aligned to the delivery of Organic Revenue Growth and integration synergy targets in our North America business.

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Other Information

The table below shows the how the bonus opportunity for Company performance will be split.

Profit
Revenue
North America Organic Revenue Growth
North America integration synergies
Company performance

Threshold
7.5%
7.5%
2.5%
2.0%

19.5%

Target
37.5%
37.5%
12.5%
10.0%

97.5%

Maximum
75.0%
75.0%
25.0%
20.0%

195.0%

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. 

Bonus deferral
50% of any bonus earned will be deferred into shares for three years.

How will incentives be aligned with the business strategy in 2024?
The table below shows how key elements of the business strategy are reflected in the Executive Directors’ remuneration in 2024.

Strategic priorities
Be an Employer of Choice/ colleague retention

Drive Organic Revenue Growth in Pest Control

Manage the integration of Terminix into our North 
America business
Build our Hygiene & Wellbeing business

Drive M&A

Creating value through product and service 
innovations and digital applications
Managing a responsible business

Link to remuneration
Through personal goals in the annual bonus and the Sales & Service colleague retention 
performance condition in the PSP.
Revenue targets for Group, Organic Revenue Growth targets for North America in the annual 
bonus and Organic Revenue Growth targets in the PSP.
Synergy delivery targets and Organic Revenue Growth targets for North America in the 
annual bonus, as well as personal goals in the annual bonus.
Revenue, profit targets, and personal goals in the annual bonus. Organic Revenue Growth 
targets in the PSP.
M&A is enabled through delivery of Adjusted Free Cash Flow in the annual bonus and 
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion in the PSP, and its execution is 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.

2024 PSP award
Under the 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. It is currently envisaged that Andy Ransom, Chief Executive, will receive an award of 375% of salary and Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Chief Financial 
Officer, an award of 300% of salary in line with the Policy, subject to confirmation that this remains appropriate at the time of grant.

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 2024–2027
Relative TSR¹

Weighting

Threshold: 20% vesting
50% TSR performance is median 

against comparator group

Target: 50% vesting
Straight-line vesting 
between threshold and 
maximum
4.5%
85%

Maximum: 100% vesting
Upper quartile TSR 
performance against 
comparator group
5.0%
90%

Organic Revenue Growth
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Strategic measures²
–  Sales and Service colleague retention
–  Customer satisfaction

–  Vehicle fuel intensity reduction

15% 4.0%
15% 75%

20% 

(split 
equally)

Targets for these measures have not been disclosed as the Board believes that these 
measures are commercially sensitive. They will be disclosed on vesting. They will be 
based on straight-line vesting between threshold and target and between target and 
maximum performance, which will be reported at vesting.
4%

8%

6%

1.  The TSR index of comparators for this cycle will be the constituents of the FTSE 100 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 CVC scores; 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 suitably 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.

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Strategic ReportProposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Proposed changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
In setting the Remuneration Policy for the Executive Directors, the Remuneration Committee have ensured 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:
• to ensure that total remuneration packages are simple and fair in design;

• to ensure that total remuneration is highly weighted towards delivery of performance;

• to ensure that incentives balance the achievement of financial performance objectives and delivering sustainable profitable growth in the long 

term; and

• 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.

The table below summarises the proposed changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy). Details of how the Policy is proposed to be 
applied in 2024 can be found in pages 150 and 151.

Element

Current Policy

Base salary

Salaries are set taking into account a number of factors, including scope and 
responsibility of the role, external economic environment, and individual skills 
and experience, and will be reviewed following a significant change.

Increases are normally broadly in line with those awarded to the wider 
workforce in the UK. Adjustments to this may be made where the 
Remuneration Committee deems it appropriate.

Proposed change

None

Benefits

Pension

Annual 
bonus

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.

None

Executive Directors may contribute to a defined contribution arrangement or 
receive a cash supplement in lieu of pension. Contributions are 3% of base 
salary in line with the wider workforce in the UK.

Permit alignment of pension provision with 
the wider workforce of the country where 
the Executive is based if it is outside the UK.

Maximum Bonus opportunity of 180% of base annual salary, with up to 150%  
of base salary based on delivery of Company performance and up to 30% of 
base salary on personal performance, against objectives measured through 
the Company’s performance and development review process.

Deferral of 40% of bonus into shares with a minimum three-year  
holding period.

Increased maximum opportunity of up to 
225% of base salary, with up to 195% of 
base salary subject to delivery of Company 
performance and up to 30% of base salary 
subject to personal performance.

Increased bonus deferral to 50% of bonus 
into shares with a minimum three-year 
holding period.

Rationale for change
Throughout the consultation process our shareholders were supportive of the proposal to increase the packages of the CEO 
and CFO to reflect the increase in size and complexity of the Company, they wanted to see a large proportion of any change 
delivered through variable pay.

Increasing the maximum bonus opportunity and the level of deferral at the same time, means that the Committee can align the 
bonus opportunity with market benchmarks, while ensuring the majority of the change will be delivered in the long term.

This is because 50% of any bonus earned would be converted to shares and held for a further three years. Currently, the annual 
bonus potential is 180% of base salary with a 40% deferral i.e., a maximum of 72% of base salary is deferred. Increasing the 
annual bonus potential to 225% with a 50% deferral results in up to 112.5% of base salary being deferred. 

Performance 
Share Plan 
(PSP)

375% of annual base salary for the CEO and 300% for the CFO. 

None

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. Two-year holding period.

Dividend equivalents may accrue between grant and vest.

PSP 
performance 
conditions

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.

None

Current measures comprise:
• Relative TSR performance – 50%;
• Organic Revenue Growth – 15%;
• Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion – 15%; and
• ESG measures (colleague retention, customer satisfaction, and vehicle fuel 

intensity) – 20%.

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Element

Current Policy

Proposed change

Shareholding 
guidelines

300% of salary for the CEO and 200% of salary for the CFO (within five years of 
appointment).

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.

Rationale for change
This change is proposed to align with best practice for companies of a similar size.

Increase shareholding guidelines to 400% 
of salary for the CEO and 300% of salary for 
the CFO

In addition, the Malus and Clawback Policy has been updated to reflect the Company’s status as a dual listed company. 

Overall rationale
The Remuneration Committee has been very mindful that the external environment continues to be unconducive to material pay increases when 
considering changes to the Policy; however, the Committee also recognises that it is incumbent upon them to ensure that we can effectively reward, 
motivate, and retain the high-performing Executive Directors, so they have worked to create a Policy that balances these considerations and will be 
effective at rewarding the Executive Directors appropriately over the next three years.

Consideration of shareholders’ views
The engagement with the Company’s top shareholders, which hold around 50% of its share capital, along with shareholder representative bodies/
proxy agencies, started in October 2023. The quality of engagement and input has been extremely helpful to the Committee and the Committee are 
grateful for the time invested by these shareholders and the practical suggestions as to how it might structure an appropriate level of remuneration 
potential for the future. 

There was much consistency in the feedback received and the table below shows how the feedback from shareholders was taken into 
consideration.

Shareholder feedback

How it was considered

Recognition of the capabilities 
of our management team and 
support to remunerate them 
competitively and in line with 
the market.

The Committee respected the responsibility the shareholders had given it to ensure that the CEO and CFO 
are rewarded appropriately. It carefully considered a number of benchmarks to support with setting an 
appropriate package. The Committee decided that it should ensure that base salary was set around the 
median and that the overall package should be structured to deliver an opportunity that was above median 
so that the package is set to reward outperformance.

A preference for any incremental 
opportunity to be balanced 
between fixed and performance 
based variable pay, rather than 
just fixed pay, which was initially 
contemplated.

Taking this feedback into consideration, the Committee made changes to the proposed Policy design.  
It considered both increases to short and long-term incentives and concluded that if it combined an increase  
in annual bonus opportunity, bringing it to benchmark levels, with an increase in deferral, the increase in 
short-term incentive would also increase the amount of remuneration that was delivered in the long term. 

The Committee felt that this offered a good balance as it broadly maintains the percentage of long-term 
remuneration at c.81% as a result of the increase in bonus deferral, notwithstanding the increase in annual 
bonus opportunity, supporting the Company’s commitment to deliver the vast majority of Executive Directors 
remuneration over the long term.

Consideration of phasing any 
base salary increases.

The Terminix acquisition was completed in October 2022 and the Committee considered it appropriate to 
maintain the then current packages for the remainder of the three-year policy and is only seeking to reflect 
the transaction as part of the policy renewal some 18 months later. 

Further, the salary increase will only take effect from 1 July 2024 in line with the Company’s annual salary 
review, so the increase will only take effect almost two years after the transaction. 

The Committee considers that this delay in the process inherently involves a phasing of the new package 
and, therefore, that it is appropriate to fully implement the changes from July 2024.

Share the benchmark data.

Details of the benchmarks used have been included in the section below.

Wider workforce engagement
The Remuneration Committee continued their engagement with the Company’s colleagues as part of the wider workforce engagement undertaken 
by the Board of Directors as set out on page 114. These activities have continued to build on practices that were already in place and embedded in 
the way they work. This approach has been undertaken because engaging with the wider workforce and understanding their views was already a 
practice that the Board has undertaken for many years prior to the introduction of these requirements by the Code. The Committee didn’t engage 
with the wider workforce specifically in relation to the proposed Policy design.

The existing approach was a proven way for colleagues’ views to be effectively shared with the Remuneration Committee and wider Board. The 
management team is trusted to bring key issues about colleagues to the Committee’s attention and there is a regular flow of information to the Board. 
Full details can be found on page 114, but these include the YVC survey results and action plans, Regional ‘deep dive’ presentations and Employer of 
Choice updates, which ensure that the Committee gets a rounded view from across the Group and gives a much better representation of our c.62,900 
colleagues’ views than, for example, conducting individual workshops, with a small number of colleagues. That said, in a normal year, the Board takes 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 153

Strategic ReportProposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
continued

time to meet colleagues during site visits, undertake ‘ride-alongs’ with specialists and technicians, and attend management meetings. Examples of 
activities that the Remuneration Committee has undertaken include a visit to North America, where the board met with the North American leadership 
team, attended a demonstration of pest control services at a customer site and took a tour of our Des Plains Facility which houses our Ambius, Target 
Specialty Products and Pest Control businesses, where the Committee had an opportunity to meet with colleagues from both businesses. The Chair of 
the Committee and other female Committee members have presented at an International Women’s Day event and attended a Senior Female Leaders 
Forum in the Pacific, where attendees were able to ask questions on a range of subjects, including remuneration. She has also met with members of the 
senior management team both formally and informally.

In addition to this, the Committee takes into account the pay of the wider workforce when making remuneration decisions for the Executive Directors 
and the ELT as was the normal practice prior to the change to the Code. This is achieved through relevant details about the wider workforce being 
disclosed to the Committee to provide context when it is making pay decisions. For example, when making salary decisions, the Committee is 
provided with details of the overall approach for the Group, as well as senior leader and general colleague recommendations for the specific 
countries in which the Executive Directors and ELT reside. This means, for example, that the approach to pay increases for frontline technicians and 
managers in Singapore would be taken into account when making decisions about the pay for the Regional Managing Director for Asia & MENAT, 
who lives and works in Singapore.

Consideration of cost-of-living challenges
As detailed on page 133, the Committee took into consideration how colleagues have been impacted by the cost-of-living challenges and how the 
Company had responded to this.

Benchmark data
The Committee adopted a UK FTSE market benchmark given that many of the largest UK companies are global. The Committee considered how 
best to reflect our significant presence in North America and, notwithstanding the different pay practices and levels there, that the broad-based 
FTSE was suitable given that many UK-based companies have operations in the US. In addition the Company’s Executive Directors are based in 
the UK. 

The Committee used the market data as a reference point for the overall sizing of the proposed packages given the significant changes in the 
business and the associated demands upon its leadership as a consequence. The framework remains unchanged; it aims to deliver the fixed 
element of remuneration around market median and provide the opportunity to achieve up to the upper quartile for outstanding performance. 
This ensures that remuneration is weighted to performance and is variable.

When the Committee started the review in July 2023, the benchmark used was the FTSE 15 – 50, excluding financial services. Given the shareholder 
experience in the second half of 2023, it was felt appropriate to revise the market benchmark downwards accordingly. Therefore, a lower market 
benchmark was adopted of the FTSE 21 – 50, excluding financial services. While the share price has been volatile, in the round, this peer group is 
felt to reflect our overall size and complexity having regard to the increased revenue and increased scope of the Company’s international activities. 

The Committee felt that setting the total opportunity above the median is appropriate for our CEO as it recognises his high level of experience, 
with more than 10 years in position, and his delivery of superior returns for all our stakeholders during his tenure. Over the review period, various 
institutional investor guidelines have been updated to recognised that it may be appropriate to include global (i.e. the US) based companies within 
benchmark data. The Committee consciously decided not to do this and, consequently, the data used includes an element of conservatism.

The graphs below show how the CEO and CFO compared to the benchmarks selected.

CEO

1,250,000

1,200,000

1,150,000

1,100,000

1,050,000

1,000,000

950,000

900,000

850,000

800,000

Base

Target

Maximum

6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

0

9,000,000

8,000,000

7,000,000

6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

0

Current

Proposed

Current

Proposed

Current

Proposed

Base salary

Fixed

Bonus

LTI

Lower quartile

Median

Upper quartile

CFO

800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

Base

Target

Maximum

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,150,000

1,000,000

500,000

0

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

0

Current

Proposed

Current

Proposed

Current

Proposed

Base salary

Fixed

Bonus

LTI

Lower quartile

Median

Upper quartile

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Wider workforce remuneration policy
During 2023, the Company had approximately 62,900 colleagues based in 90 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. 
The Company structures colleagues’ reward to enable it to recruit and retain the right people, doing the right job for its customers. The following 
summary provides additional context but does not formally form part of the Policy and may change from time to time. 

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.

The principles that the Company follows include:
• competitive: setting pay with reference to internal relativity and external market practices;

• simple: helping all employees to understand how they are rewarded;

• fair: achieving consistent outcomes through flexible and transparent policies; and

• sustainable: aligning reward to business strategy and performance.

The table below compares the typical wider workforce policy with the proposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

Wider workforce policy

Comparison with 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Base salary

No difference.

Salaries are set taking into account:
• scope and responsibilities of the role;
• individual skills and experience;
• pay conditions for other colleagues based in the country; and
• 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, and 
market practices.

Benefits

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

Pension benefits are provided in countries where this is a typical 
market practice. The level of benefit typically differs by work level.

Executive Directors’ pensions are in line with the wider 
workforce for the country they are based in.

Annual bonus

The management team across the Group are eligible to participate in 
an annual bonus scheme.

The Company element and the Group targets work in 
broadly the same way as the management 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.

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 the wider 
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 may be 
relooked at as part of a broader review in the future.

PSP

The management team across the Group are eligible to participate  
in the Company’s PSP. Executive Directors’ awards are identical,  
but are also subject to a two-year holding period.

No difference to how the PSP award operate,

Executive Directors are subject to an additional  
two-year holding period.

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.

For North American colleagues only, the Company operates 
a Restricted Share Plan, that was implemented to support the 
integration of Terminix.

In conclusion
As shown above, we have listened carefully to the feedback received from our shareholders. We have actioned many of the changes proposed and believe 
that this proposal offers an approach that recognises the increase in size and complexity of the Company following the Terminix acquisition and rewards our 
Executive Directors appropriately, while ensuring that they remain incentivised to outperform, due to the proportion of the package weighted to incentives.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 155

Strategic ReportProposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
continued

This part of the Remuneration Report sets out the proposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy and has been developed taking into account the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and the views of the Company’s major shareholders. 

The Policy will be put to a binding shareholder vote at the 2024 AGM, to be held on 8 May 2024 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 which was 
approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM. Key areas of difference between the current and proposed policies are set out in the table on pages 152 
and 153. 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.

Base salary

Purpose/link to strategy To attract and retain executives of the calibre required to implement our strategy.
Operation

Base salaries are payable in cash and are normally reviewed annually. Base salaries are set taking into account:
• scope and responsibilities of the role;
• external economic environment;
• individual skills and experience;
• contribution to overall business performance;
• 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

• 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.

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. The maximum salary level is determined by the Remuneration 
Committee taking into account these factors.

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:
• 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;

• 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

• 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.

Levels of payout

Performance measures 
and period

Pension

Purpose/link to strategy To facilitate Executive Directors’ planning for retirement.
Operation

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.
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. Should an Executive Director be appointed in a country other than the 
UK, a maximum contribution appropriate to that market would be considered. 
Not applicable.

Levels of payout

Performance measures 
and period

Benefits

Purpose/link to strategy To provide market-competitive benefits that support the executive to undertake their role.
Operation

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 and the benefits provided may be reviewed from time to time. All benefits are non-pensionable.  
The main benefits for Executive Directors are currently:
• life assurance;
• car or car allowance;
• family healthcare;
• permanent health insurance; and
• 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 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.

Levels of payout

Performance measures 
and period

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Financial Statements

Other Information

Annual bonus

Purpose/link to strategy To recognise and reward for stretching business performance against annual financial targets and/or personal objectives 

Operation

Levels of payout

Performance measures 
and period

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.
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 50% 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 10th anniversary of the award being made, although awards may be structured in other ways. If nil-cost 
options remain exercisable at the 10th 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.
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 225% 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.
The annual bonus is normally based on the achievement of financial targets and/or personal objectives, although the 
Committee measures and period 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.
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.

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 

Operation

Levels of payout

growth in value for shareholders.
To act as a retention tool for Executive Directors.
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 10th anniversary of the award being made. If nil-cost 
options remain exercisable at the 10th 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.
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. 
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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 157

Strategic ReportProposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
continued

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:
• relative TSR performance;
• Organic Revenue Growth;
• Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion; and
• 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

Purpose/link to strategy Encourages greater levels of shareholding and aligns Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders.
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.
Chief Executive: 400% of salary; Chief Financial Officer and other Executive Directors: 300% of salary. To be achieved 
within five years of appointment or other significant event.
Not applicable.

Levels of payout

Performance measures 
and period

Illustration of proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2024

The charts opposite provide an illustration of what could be 
received by each of the Executive Directors in 2024, 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 2024 for the 
bonus and in the three-year period to 2027 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, which includes base 
salary, pension and benefits. The amounts are based on the proposed 
new salary levels from 1 July 2024 and assume a full year at this level.

 Annual bonus including Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP)  

Represents the potential value of the annual bonus for 2024, as shown 
on page 150. 50% 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 2024 
(375% of salary for the CEO and 300% of salary for the CFO), which 
would vest in 2027 subject to performance against the targets 
disclosed on page 151. 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.

Chief Executive – Andy Ransom

Fixed
£1,090,338

100%

Threshold
£2,073,138

53%

37%

10%

Target
£4,210,338

Maximum
£7,330,338

26%

28%

46%

15%

32%

53%

£0m

£2.0m

£4.0m

£6.0m

£8.0m

£10.0m

Chief Financial Officer – Stuart Ingall-Tombs

Fixed
£652,259

100%

Threshold
£1,157,084

56% 33%

11%

Target
£2,319,134

Maximum
£3,986,009

28% 31% 41%

16% 36%

48%

£0m

£2.0m

£4.0m

£6.0m

£8.0m

£10.0m

158 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

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:
• a material misstatement of the Company’s audited results for the 

current year or prior years;

• 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;

• 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; 

• in the case of Malus only, actions which result in serious reputational 

damage or corporate failure affecting any part of the Group; or

• in the case of malus only, 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.

In addition, a separate clawback policy applies as required to comply 
with SEC regulations in the US.

The Committee reserves the right to amend the various malus and 
clawback provisions from time to time where it considers that to be 
appropriate and in line with wider practice elsewhere.

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.

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):
• the level and type of remuneration opportunity being forfeited;

• the jurisdiction the candidate was recruited from and whether any 

relocation is required;

• the skills, experience, and calibre of the individual;

• the circumstances of the individual; and

• 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 156 to 158.

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 150.

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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 159

Strategic ReportProposed 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
continued

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.

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.

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)).

160 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

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:
• the Senior Independent Director; and

• 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
The Non-Executive Directors are each appointed by a letter of 
appointment and either party may terminate the appointment on three 
months’ written notice. The Non-Executive Directors are subject to 
annual re-election at the AGM and are generally not expected to serve 
for a period exceeding nine years. See pages 99 to 101 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 decides 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:
• 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;

• 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

• 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.

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

UK Corporate Governance Code provisions
As part of the review of the Policy and approving the Directors 
Remuneration Report, the Remuneration Committee has addressed the 
factors set out in Provision 40 of the UK Corporate Governance Code as 
set out below:
• Clarity – When considering and structuring any element of 
remuneration, the Remuneration Committee aimed to be as 
straightforward and transparent as possible. It also looked to ensure 
that the remuneration vehicles used were clear and understandable 
and the targets, outcomes and any other decisions are able to be 
communicated in an open and detailed way. In addition, 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, full details are shared 
about the Committee’s assessment of the consideration given to 
shareholder experience when assessing the incentive outcomes for 
2023 (see pages 142 and 144).

• Simplicity – When determining the structure and mechanisms of 

remuneration packages, consideration was given to ensuring that 
complexity was avoided and that both our colleagues and our 
shareholders would be able to easily understand the rationale for  
and the operation of any incentive. 

• 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 135). Risk is also considered in 
the context of the Group’s wider risks (see Risks and Uncertainties on 
pages 87 to 93). 

• 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 colleagues 
understand and become familiar with how we recognise and reward 
performance, by keeping plan designs and metrics consistent from 
year to year, 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.

• Proportionality – The Remuneration Committee seeks to ensure that 
remuneration payouts awarded to the Executive Directors, the ELT, 
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.

• Alignment with 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. Details of our culture can be found on 
page 5. Our colleagues are integral to our business model as set out 
on pages 14 to 15 and pages 69 to 70 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. 
Relevant ESG focused measures have also been built into the PSP.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 161

Strategic ReportReport on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

• Rentokil Initial plc’s Group financial statements and Parent Company 
financial statements (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 2023 and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s cash 
flows for the year then ended;

• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006;

• the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including 
FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law); and

• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 

requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual 
Report, which comprise: the Consolidated and Parent Company Balance 
Sheets as at 31 December 2023; the Consolidated Statement of Profit or 
Loss and Other Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and Parent 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity and the Consolidated Cash 
Flow Statement for the year then ended; and the Notes to the Group 
and Parent Company financial statements, which include a description 
of the Material accounting policies and the Related Undertakings.

Our audit approach
Overview
Audit scope
• We performed full scope audits at six components across North 

America, Europe (including LATAM), the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa  
and Pacific as well as a full scope audit at one corporate component. 
We performed specific audit procedures at three components in  
North America and Europe (including LATAM).

• The territories where we conducted audit procedures, together  

with work performed at corporate functions and at the Group level, 
accounted for approximately: 72% of the Group’s revenue and 71% of 
the Group’s Adjusted Profit before Tax. One full scope component  
in the US and the full scope component in France comprise sub 
consolidations; in calculating these coverage levels we have taken 
100% coverage from the full scope audits performed in these locations.

• Certain Parent Company account balances were included in scope  
for the audit of the consolidated financial statements. However, we 
determined that the Parent Company did not require a full scope audit 
of its complete financial information for the purposes of the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements.

Key audit matters
• Carrying value of goodwill (Group)

• Valuation of termite damage claims provision (Group)

• Carrying value of investments (Parent Company)

Materiality
• Overall Group materiality: £38.0m (2022: £26.0m) based on 5% of the 

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.

Group’s Adjusted Profit before Tax.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB
As explained in note Material accounting policies to the financial 
statements, the Group, in addition to applying UK-adopted international 
accounting standards, has also applied international financial reporting 
standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB).

In our opinion, the Group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on 
Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under 
ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the 
audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that 
the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements  
in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to 
listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-audit 
services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided.

Other than those disclosed in Note A8, we have provided no non-audit 
services to the Parent Company or its controlled undertakings in the 
period under audit.

• Overall Parent Company materiality: £79.0m (2022: £80.8m) based on 

1% of total assets.

• Performance materiality: £25.0m (2022: £19.5m) (Group) and £51.0m 

(2022: £60.6m) (Parent Company).

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed 
the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional 
judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect 
on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters,  
and any comments we make on the results of our procedures thereon, 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements  
as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide  
a separate opinion on these matters.

This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Valuation of customer list and indefinite-lived brand intangible assets 
acquired as part of the Terminix acquisition, which was a key audit 
matter last year, is no longer included because the acquisition of 
Terminix completed in 2022 and there have been no changes to the 
initial purchase accounting for the customer list and indefinite-lived 
brand intangible assets in 2023. Otherwise, the key audit matters below 
are consistent with last year.

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Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Rentokil Initial plcKey audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Carrying value of goodwill (Group)
Refer to the Audit Committee Report and Note B2 in the financial 
statements.

The Group recorded £5,016m of goodwill at 31 December 2023  
(2022: £5,100m). 

As required by IAS 36, management has performed its annual goodwill 
impairment assessment on the Group’s cash generating units (CGUs). 
Goodwill is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 
amount. The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on 
the higher of its value-in-use and fair value less costs of disposal.

The value-in-use is dependent on estimates of future cash flows of the 
underlying CGUs which inherently involves management estimation 
and there is a risk that if the Group does not achieve these cash flow 
estimates it could give rise to impairment charges. The estimates 
principally relate to the revenue growth rate, operating profit margin, 
discount rate and long-term growth rate. These assessments also 
include the costs associated with the effects of climate change, 
including the future costs of the Group’s commitment to reach net zero 
by 2040 and costs of compliance with current legal requirements. 

Management has recorded impairment charges totalling £3m in 
2023 (2022: £22m). The charge has been excluded from the Group’s 
adjusted performance measures consistent with the Group’s policy.

Management prepared value-in-use impairment models for all CGUs 
with goodwill in excess of £5m at 31 December 2023. We obtained 
management’s value-in-use models and tested the mathematical 
integrity. We evaluated the determination of the Group’s CGUs and we 
utilised our in-house valuation experts to evaluate the appropriateness 
of the methodology used in both the impairment models and to 
calculate the discount rates. We validated the carrying amounts 
of the net assets subject to impairment testing to the underlying 
accounting records. We have corroborated the long term growth 
rates and tax rates to third party sources and revenue growth rates 
to third party industry research and challenged management where 
inconsistencies were noted. We compared the cash flows used in the 
impairment models to the Board approved budget and strategic plan 
which include the estimated costs associated with climate change. 
We modelled the break even point for revenue growth in the final 
year of the models, terminal operating profit margin and discount 
rate assumptions. We assessed management’s historical accuracy 
of budgeting and forecasting at the Group level. We benchmarked 
implied multiples required to cover the carrying value of the net assets 
of each CGU to Rentokil’s average transaction multiples for acquired 
businesses during the year. 

Based on these procedures, we have performed additional 
procedures on eight CGUs where the headroom between the  
value-in-use and the carrying value of the CGUs was lowest and  
those CGUs that are more sensitive to reasonably possible changes  
in key assumptions that could cause impairment. 

For the eight CGUs, we used our in-house valuation experts to 
challenge the discount rates used by management. At the CGU level, 
we evaluated the historical accuracy of management’s budgeting  
and forecasting and we compared the revenue growth and operating 
profit margins to historical actuals and business cases for those 
entities that were acquired in the past two years. We performed 
additional sensitivities to assess whether further testing was  
required and whether additional disclosures should be provided  
in the financial statements.

Consistent with the prior year, management’s value-in-use model 
shows limited headroom for the India CGU. Management has 
undertaken a fair value less costs of disposal exercise with the support 
of two third party valuation specialists and using internal valuation 
benchmarks. We have reviewed the third party valuation reports 
and held discussions with one of the third parties. We recalculated 
the average multiple historically paid by Rentokil. We challenged 
management on the consistency of the valuations derived as well  
as management’s estimate of the costs of disposal.

We considered whether the disclosures in Note B2 complied with  
IAS 1 and IAS 36.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues 
arising from our work.

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Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceKey audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of termite damage claims provision (Group)
Refer to the Audit Committee Report and Note A6 in the financial 
statements.

With the acquisition of Terminix in October 2022, the Group assumed 
a liability for termite damage claims, based on customers existing at 
the acquisition date, for which a provision has been estimated. The 
liability arises where a termite infestation occurs, resulting in damage 
to a property under a termite contract. An additional provision is 
recognised for all new customers taken on since the acquisition date. 

Given the quantum of the provision for new customers our audit 
procedures focused on the provision for customers existing at the 
acquisition date.

The provision amounted to £260m at 31 December 2023 and £321m 
at 31 December 2022 after a retrospective adjustment to increase 
the acquired provision by £18m to reflect measurement period 
adjustments relating to the Terminix acquisition in accordance  
with IFRS 3.

The valuation of the termite damage claims provision requires 
significant management estimation as it is dependent on a number 
of significant assumptions including the volume and value of future 
claims, customer churn rate and discount rate.

Carrying value of investments (parent)
Refer to Note 4 of the Parent Company financial statements.

The Parent Company holds investments amounting to £4,438m at  
31 December 2023 (2022: £4,415m). 

As required by IAS 36, management has assessed if there is any 
indication that the investments balance may be impaired at the 
reporting date. If any such indication exists, the entity shall estimate 
the recoverable amount of the asset.

The assessment of potential impairment indicators involves 
management judgement. 

No impairment indicators were identified by management at the 
reporting date and no impairment charge has been recorded in 2023. 

We obtained management’s valuation model and tested the 
mathematical integrity. We evaluated the appropriateness of the 
methodology used in the valuation model and utilised our in-house 
valuation experts to challenge the discount rate. 

We challenged whether the retrospective adjustment to the provision 
was in line with the requirements of IFRS 3 including whether it 
reflected new information obtained by management about the 
facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and, 
if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts 
recognised as of that date. 

We tested the completeness and accuracy of the number of customers 
included in the provision and the historical data that is used to 
estimate the volume and value of future claims. We challenged 
management on the appropriateness of the historical period over 
which claim volume and value has been estimated. We performed 
a number of sensitivities including assessing the impact of using 
different historical periods to estimate the volume and value of  
future claims.

We challenged management on the appropriateness of applying a 
consistent customer churn rate as in the prior year and more broadly 
challenged management on the consistency of assumptions used in 
the current year versus the prior year. We performed a number  
of sensitivities. 

We assessed the appropriateness of management’s sensitivity 
disclosures in Note A6 of the financial statements in relation to the 
significant estimates and considered whether the disclosures in  
Note A6 complied with IAS 1 and IAS 37.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues 
arising from our work.

We obtained management’s assessment of potential impairment 
indicators. We challenged management on the completeness of their 
assessment by comparing the items assessed with those required 
to be considered per the requirements of IAS 36 and our knowledge 
of the business. Management’s assessment included comparing the 
Group’s market capitalisation at 31 December 2023, which we verified 
to an external source, to the Parent Company’s net assets.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues 
arising from our work.

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Independent Auditors’ Report continuedHow we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough 
work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a 
whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the Parent 
Company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in 
which they operate.

We performed full scope audits in respect of six components across 
North America, Europe (including LATAM), the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa 
and Pacific as well as a full scope audit at one corporate component.  
Of these, we identified two financially significant components in the US 
(part of the North America segment) and three material components in 
the UK (part of the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa segment), Australia (part  
of the Pacific segment) and the corporate component. The remaining  
full scope component was included in Group audit scope to achieve 
appropriate audit coverage. We also undertook specific audit 
procedures on three components in North America and Europe 
(including LATAM).

In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined 
the type of work that needed to be performed by us, as the Group 
engagement team, or by component auditors within PwC UK and from 
other PwC network firms operating under our instruction. Where the 
work was performed by component auditors, we determined the level of 
involvement we needed to have in the audit work at those components 
to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence 
had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements as a whole.

In addition to instructing and reviewing the reporting from our 
component audit teams, we conducted file reviews for financially 
significant and material components and participated in key meetings 
with local management. We also had regular dialogue with component 
teams throughout the year.

The Group consolidation, financial statement disclosures and corporate 
functions were audited by the Group engagement team. This included 
our work over the termite damage claims provision, goodwill, acquisition 
accounting and taxation. Taken together, the components and 
corporate functions where we conducted audit procedures accounted 

for 72% of the Group’s revenue and 71% of the Group’s Adjusted Profit 
before Tax. One full scope component in the US and the full scope 
component in France comprise sub consolidations; in calculating these 
coverage levels we have taken 100% coverage from the full scope 
audits performed in these locations. This provided the evidence we 
needed for our opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements taken 
as a whole. This was before considering the contribution to our audit 
evidence from performing audit work at the Group level, including 
disaggregated analytical review procedures, which covered certain of 
the Group’s smaller and lower risk components that were not directly 
included in our Group audit scope.

Our audit of the Parent Company financial statements was undertaken 
in the UK and included substantive procedures overall material balances 
and transactions.

The impact of climate risk on our audit
As part of our audit, we inquired of management to understand and 
evaluate the Group’s risk assessment process in relation to climate 
change including any changes in the assessment compared to the  
prior year. We reviewed management’s paper which sets out their 
assessment of climate change risk to the Group and the impact on  
the financial statements. In evaluating the completeness of the risks 
identified, we considered any changes in management’s paper 
compared to the prior year assessment and we challenged 
management on how they considered the potential financial impacts of 
the Group’s net zero commitment in their assessment. We considered 
the principal risk to relate to the assumptions made in the forecasts 
prepared by management and used in their assessment of the carrying 
value of goodwill. In responding to the risks identified, we specifically 
considered how climate change risk would impact these assumptions 
including the future costs of the Group’s commitment to reach net zero 
by 2040 and costs of compliance with current legal requirements.  
We also read the disclosures in relation to climate change made in  
the Responsible Business section of the Annual Report to ascertain 
whether the disclosures are materially consistent with the financial 
statements and our knowledge from our audit. Our responsibility  
over other information is further described in the reporting on other 
information section of this report.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together with 
qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual 
financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate on the financial 
statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Financial statements – Group

Financial statements – Parent Company

Overall materiality

£38.0m (2022: £26.0m).

£79.0m (2022: £80.8m).

How we determined it 5% of the Group’s Adjusted Profit before Tax

1% of total assets

Rationale for 
benchmark applied

The Group’s principal measure of performance is 
Adjusted Profit before Tax, which excludes one-off and 
adjusting items, amortisation and impairment of intangible 
assets (excluding computer software) and net interest 
adjustments, in order to give management and other 
users of the Annual Report a clearer understanding of the 
underlying profitability of the business over time. We have 
utilised this measure in determining our materiality as it is 
the metric against which the performance of the Group is 
most commonly assessed by management and reported 
to shareholders.

Rentokil Initial plc is the ultimate Parent Company which 
holds the Group’s investments. Therefore, the entity is not 
in itself profit-oriented. The strength of the balance sheet 
is the key measure of financial health that is important to 
shareholders, since the primary concern for the Parent 
Company is the payment of dividends. We therefore 
consider total assets to be an appropriate benchmark. 
Certain account balances were included in scope for the 
audit of the consolidated financial statements and were 
therefore audited to a materiality level set below overall 
materiality established for the Group audit. However, we 
determined that the Parent Company did not require a full 
scope audit of its complete financial information for the 
purposes of the audit of the Group financial statements.

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Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a 
materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. The range of 
materiality allocated across components was £5.5m to £35.6m.

We use performance materiality to reduce to an appropriately low level 
the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceeds overall materiality. Specifically, we use 
performance materiality in determining the scope of our audit and  
the nature and extent of our testing of account balances, classes of 
transactions and disclosures, for example in determining sample  
sizes. Our performance materiality was 65% (2022: 75%) of overall 
materiality, amounting to £25.0m (2022: £19.5m) for the Group  
financial statements and £51.0m (2022: £60.6m) for the Parent  
Company financial statements.

In determining the performance materiality, we considered a number of 
factors – the history of misstatements, risk assessment and aggregation 
risk and the effectiveness of controls – and concluded that an amount in 
the middle of our normal range was appropriate.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them 
misstatements identified during our audit above £2.0m (2022: £1.2m)  
for both the Group and Parent Company audits as well as misstatements 
below those amounts that, in our view, warranted reporting for 
qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group’s and the 
Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting included:

• Evaluation of management’s base case and downside case scenarios, 

understanding and evaluating the key assumptions;

• Validation that the cash flow forecasts used to support management’s 
impairment, going concern and viability assessments were consistent;

• Assessment of the historical accuracy and reasonableness of 

management’s forecasting;

• Consideration of the Group’s available financing and debt maturity 

profile;

• Testing of the mathematical integrity of management’s liquidity 

headroom, sensitivity and stress testing calculations; and

• Review of the related disclosures in the Annual Report.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any 
material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually 
or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s and the Parent 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at  
least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised 
for issue.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the 
Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 
preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 
this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and the Parent 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In relation to the Directors’ reporting on how they have applied the  
UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or 
draw attention to in relation to the Directors’ statement in the financial 
statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect 
to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual 
Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report 
thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information.  
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, 
except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form  
of assurance thereon.

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Annual Report 2023

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

With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report, we also 
considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 
2006 have been included.

Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the 
Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions  
and matters as described below.

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, 
the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2023 is consistent with the financial 
statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable  
legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Parent 
Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit,  
we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report 
and Directors’ Report.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006.

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the Directors’ statements in 
relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the 
corporate governance statement relating to the Parent Company’s 
compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified for our review. Our additional responsibilities with respect to 
the corporate governance statement as other information are described 
in the reporting on other information section of this report.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded 
that each of the following elements of the corporate governance 
statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and  
our knowledge obtained during the audit, and we have nothing  
material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

• The Directors’ confirmation that they have carried out a robust 

assessment of the emerging and principal risks;

• The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those principal 
risks, what procedures are in place to identify emerging risks and  
an explanation of how these are being managed or mitigated;

• The Directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether 
they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material 
uncertainties to the Group’s and Parent Company’s ability to continue 
to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of 
approval of the financial statements;

• The Directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the Group’s and 
Parent Company’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and 
why the period is appropriate; and

• The Directors’ statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Parent Company will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of  
its assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention  
to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Independent Auditors’ Report continuedOur review of the Directors’ statement regarding the longer-term 
viability of the Group and Parent Company was substantially less  
in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and 
considering the Directors’ process supporting their statement; checking 
that the statement is in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the statement  
is consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge and 
understanding of the Group and Parent Company and their environment 
obtained in the course of the audit.

In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we  
have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate 
governance statement is materially consistent with the financial 
statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit:

• The Directors’ statement that they consider the Annual Report,  

taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides 
the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s  
and Parent Company’s position, performance, business model  
and strategy;

• The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of 

effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems; and

• The section of the Annual Report describing the work of the  

Audit Committee.

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when 
the Directors’ statement relating to the Parent Company’s compliance 
with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 
provision of the Code specified under the Listing Rules for review by  
the auditors.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  
in respect of the financial statements, the Directors are responsible  
for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the 
applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view. The Directors are also 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.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for 
assessing the Group’s and the 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 the 
Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company  
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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 an auditors’ report that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a 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 the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws 
and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, 
outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of 
irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are 
capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identified 
that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations 
related to the Listing Rules, health and safety regulations, adherence  
to data protection requirements in the jurisdictions in which the  
Group operates and holds data and compliance with anti-bribery and 
corruption legislation in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates, 
and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have  
a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered  
those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial 
statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and taxation. We 
evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent 
manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override  
of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to 
posting inappropriate journal entries to manipulate the financial 
performance of the Group and management bias in accounting 
estimates and judgements. The Group engagement team shared this 
risk assessment with the component auditors so that they could include 
appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. 
Audit procedures performed by the Group engagement team and/or 
component auditors included:

• Discussions with management, Internal Audit and the Group’s legal 

counsel, including consideration of known or suspected instances of 
non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

• Evaluation of the effectiveness of management’s controls designed to 

prevent and detect irregularities;

• Identification and testing of significant journal entries;

• Assessment of matters reported on the Group’s whistleblowing 

helpline and the results of management’s investigation of  
such matters;

• Testing of assumptions and judgements made by management in 

making significant accounting estimates; and

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting 

documentation.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. 
We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance  
with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and 
transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of 
not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate 
concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, 
or through collusion.

Our audit testing might include testing complete populations of certain 
transactions and balances, possibly using data auditing techniques. 
However, it typically involves selecting a limited number of items  
for testing, rather than testing complete populations. We will often  
seek to target particular items for testing based on their size or risk 
characteristics. In other cases, we will use audit sampling to enable  
us to draw a conclusion about the population from which the sample  
is selected.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of  
the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms  
part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for 
the Parent Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 
of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do 
not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or 
into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior 
consent in writing.

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Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceOther required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion:

• we have not obtained all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit; or

• 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

• certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not 

made; or

• 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.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were 
appointed by the members on 12 May 2021 to audit the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 and subsequent 
financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement  
is three years, covering the years ended 31 December 2021 to  
31 December 2023.

Other matter
In due course, as required by the Financial Conduct Authority Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.1.14R, these financial statements  
will form part of the ESEF-prepared annual financial report filed on the 
National Storage Mechanism of the Financial Conduct Authority in 
accordance with the ESEF Regulatory Technical Standard (‘ESEF RTS’). 
This auditors’ report provides no assurance over whether the annual 
financial report will be prepared using the single electronic format 
specified in the ESEF RTS.

Neil Grimes (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors

London 
7 March 2024

168 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Independent Auditors’ Report continuedFinancial Statements

170  Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income

171 Consolidated Balance Sheet
172  Consolidated Statement of Changes 

in Equity

174 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
175  Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements

214 Related Undertakings
221 Parent Company Balance Sheet
222  Parent Company Statement of  

Changes in Equity

223  Notes to the Parent Company  

Financial Statements

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 169

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceConsolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and  
Other Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December

Revenue
Operating expenses
Net impairment losses on financial assets

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance cost
Share of profit from associates net of tax

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense1

Profit for the year

Profit for the year attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Other comprehensive income:
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net gain/(loss) on net investment hedge
Cost of hedging
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedge 
Tax related to items taken to other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share attributable to the Company's equity holders:
Basic
Diluted

All profit is from continuing operations.

1.  Taxation includes £106m (2022: £58m; 2021: £50m) in respect of overseas taxation.

Notes

A1
A7

A1
 C9
C8
B6

A12

A10

A14

2023 
£m

 5,375 
(4,711) 
(39) 

2022 
£m

 3,714 
(3,373) 
(24) 

2021 
£m

 2,957 
(2,610) 
 –  

 625 
 48 
(189) 
 9 

 493 
(112) 

 381 

 381 
 –  

 –  

(352) 
 109 
 9 
 3 
 6 

(225) 

 156 

 156 
 –  

 317 
 49 
(79) 
 9 

 296 
(64) 

 232 

 232 
 –  

 2 

(232) 
(68) 
(2) 
(6) 
 11 

(295) 

(63) 

(63) 
 –  

 347 
 4 
(34) 
 8 

 325 
(62) 

 263 

 263 
 –  

 1 

(18) 
 15 
(1) 
 13 
 2 

 12 

 275 

 275 
 –  

A2
A2

 15.14p 
 15.07p 

 11.57p 
 11.51p 

 14.16p 
 14.10p 

170 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Consolidated Balance Sheet 
At 31 December

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets1
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets1
Investments in associated undertakings1
Other investments
Deferred tax assets
Contract costs1
Retirement benefit assets
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Other investments
Inventories
Trade and other receivables1
Current tax assets
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables1
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 payables1
Bank and other long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities1
Deferred tax liabilities1
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions for liabilities and charges1
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

B2
B3
B4
B6
C4
A14
A1
A10
A3
C6

C4
A4
A3

C6
C3

A5

A6
C2
B4
C6

A5
C2
B4
A14
A10
A6
C6

D2

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

2023 
£m

 7,042 
 499 
 452 
 44 
 21 
 43 
 224 
 3 
 45 
 57 

 8,430 

 1 
 207 
 880 
 33 
 14 
 1,562 

 2,697 

(1,144) 
(48) 
(94) 
(1,134) 
(127) 
(32) 

(2,579) 

 118 

(71) 
(3,153) 
(318) 
(517) 
(28) 
(357) 
(16) 

(4,460) 

 4,088 

 25 
 14 
 532 
 3,518 

 4,089 
(1) 

 4,088 

 7,303 
 495 
 449 
 63 
 23 
 43 
 215 
 3 
 90 
 21 

 8,705 

 1 
 200 
 830 
 36 
 –  
 2,170 

 3,237 

(1,166) 
(60) 
(133) 
(1,345) 
(135) 
 –  

(2,839) 

 398 

(90) 
(3,574) 
(325) 
(513) 
(30) 
(381) 
(92) 

(5,005) 

 4,098 

 25 
 9 
 763 
 3,302 

 4,099 
(1) 

 4,098 

1.  Goodwill, right-of-use assets, investments in associated undertakings, contract costs, accrued income, accruals, loans, long-term liabilities, lease liabilities, deferred tax liabilities, 

and provisions have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition 
(see Note B1).

The Financial Statements on pages 170 to 220 were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by Andy Ransom and 
Stuart Ingall-Tombs on 7 March 2024.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive 

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 171

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2021
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net gain on net investment hedge
Net gain on cash flow hedge1
Cost of hedging
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Transfer between reserves
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Shares issued in the year
Acquisition of non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
Movement in the carrying value of put options

Notes

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share 
capital  
£m

 18 
–

Share 
premium  
£m

 7 
–

Other 
reserves 
 £m

(1,926) 
–

Retained 
earnings  
£m

 3,031 
 263 

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

 1 
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

(18) 
 15 
 13 
(1) 
–
(10) 
–

(1) 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
 1 
 10 
 2 

 276 

(1) 
(8) 
(139) 
 10 
 5 
(8) 

D1

At 31 December 2021

 19 

 7 

(1,927) 

 3,166 

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net loss on net investment hedge
Net loss on cash flow hedge1
Cost of hedging
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Shares issued in the year
Merger relief on acquisition of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.
Gain on stock options
Cost of issuing new shares
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
Movement in the carrying value of put options

At 31 December 2022

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 17

Adjusted balance as at 1 January 2023

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net gain on net investment hedge
Net gain on cash flow hedge1
Cost of hedging
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Gain on stock options
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
Movement in the carrying value of put options

D1

D1

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

 6 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

 25 

 –  

 25 

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
 2 
–
–
–
–
–

 9 

 –  

 9 

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 5 
 –  
 –  
 –  

–

 232 

(232) 
(68) 
(6) 
(2) 
–
–

(308) 

–
 3,014 
–
(16) 
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
 2 
 11 

 245 

–
–
–
–
(122) 
 18 
(2) 
(3) 

 763 

 3,302 

 –  

(1) 

 763 

 3,301 

 –  

 381 

(352) 
 109 
 3 
 9 
 –  

(231) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 6 

 387 

 –  
(201) 
 27 
 4 

At 31 December 2023

 25 

 14 

 532 

 3,518 

Non- 
controlling 
interests  
£m

 1 
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
(2) 
–
–
–
–

(1) 

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1) 

 –  

(1) 

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

(1) 

Total 
equity  
£m

 1,131 
 263 

(18) 
 15 
 13 
(1) 
 1 
–
 2 

 275 

–
(10) 
(139) 
 10 
 5 
(8) 

 1,264 

 232 

(232) 
(68) 
(6) 
(2) 
 2 
 11 

(63) 

 6 
 3,014 
 2 
(16) 
(122) 
 18 
(2) 
(3) 

 4,098 

(1) 

 4,097 

 381 

(352) 
 109 
 3 
 9 
 6 

 156 

 5 
(201) 
 27 
 4 

 4,088 

1.  £3m net gain (2022 £6m net loss; 2021: £13m net gain) on cash flow hedge includes £28m loss (2022: £137m gain; 2021: £15m loss) from the effective portion of changes in fair value 

offset by reclassification to the cost of acquisition of £nil (2022: £118m gain; 2021: £nil) and reclassification to the income statement of £31m loss (2022: £25m gain; 2021: £28m loss) due 
to changes in foreign exchange rates.

Shares of £nil (2022: £nil; 2021: £nil) have been netted against retained earnings. This represents 13.0m (2022: 19.6m; 2021: 9.4m) shares held 
by the Rentokil Initial Employee Share Trust, which is not consolidated. The market value of these shares at 31 December 2023 was £57m 
(2022: £100m; 2021: £55m). Dividend income from, and voting rights on, the shares held by the Trust have been waived.

172 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December  
continued

Analysis of other reserves

Capital 
reduction 
reserve  
£m

Merger 
relief 
reserve  
£m

Legal 
reserve  
£m

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve  
£m

Translation 
reserve  
£m

Cost of 
hedging  
£m

At 1 January 2021
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net gain on net investment hedge
Net gain on cash flow hedge1
Transfer between reserves
Cost of hedging

Total other comprehensive income for the year

At 31 December 2021

Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net loss on net investment hedge
Net loss on cash flow hedge1
Cost of hedging

Total other comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Merger relief on acquisition of Terminix Global 
Holdings, Inc.
Cost of issuing new shares

(1,723) 
–
–
–
–
–

–

(1,723) 

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

 3,014 
(16) 

At 31 December 2022

(1,723) 

 2,998 

Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
Net loss on net investment hedge
Net gain on cash flow hedge1
Cost of hedging

Total other comprehensive income for the year

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

At 31 December 2023

(1,723) 

 2,998 

 10 
–
–
–
(10) 
–

(10) 

–

–
–
–
–

–

 –  
 –  

–

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  

(4) 
–
–
 13 
–
–

 13 

 9 

–
–
(6) 
–

(6) 

 –  
 –  

 3 

 –  
 –  
 3 
 –  

 3 

 6 

(208) 
(18) 
 15 
–
–
–

(3) 

(211) 

(232) 
(68) 
–
–

(300) 

 –  
 –  

(511) 

(352) 
 109 
 –  
 –  

(243) 

(754) 

(1) 
–
–
–
–
(1) 

(1) 

(2) 

–
–
–
(2) 

(2) 

 –  
 –  

(4) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 9 

 9 

 5 

Total  
£m

(1,926) 
(18) 
 15 
 13 
(10) 
(1) 

(1) 

(1,927) 

(232) 
(68) 
(6) 
(2) 

(308) 

 3,014 
(16) 

 763 

(352) 
 109 
 3 
 9 

(231) 

 532 

1.  £3m net gain (2022 £6m net loss; 2021: £13m net gain) on cash flow hedge includes £28m loss (2022: £137m gain; 2021: £15m loss) from the effective portion of changes in fair value 
offset by reclassification to the cost of acquisition of £nil (2022: £118m gain; 2021: £nil) and reclassification to the income statement of £31m loss (2022: £25m gain; 2021: £28m loss)  
due to changes in foreign exchange rates.

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. An assessment 
of this reserve was completed during 2021 and determined that these amounts are no longer required to be set aside. Accordingly, the balance 
of £10m was transferred back to the retained earnings reserve. 

The excess of the fair value of shares issued to fund the acquisition of Terminix over their par value gave rise to a new reserve called a Merger 
Relief Reserve. Under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, merger relief is available if certain circumstances are met when a business is 
acquired by issuing shares to replace already issued shares. This reserve is unrealised (and therefore not distributable), but it may become 
realised at a later date, for example on disposal of the investment to which it relates or on impairment of that investment (which may occur 
after payment of a dividend by the investment).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 173

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceConsolidated Cash Flow Statement 
For the year ended 31 December

Cash flows from operating activities¹
Operating profit
Adjustments for:

– Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
– Depreciation and impairment of leased assets
– Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software)
– Amortisation and impairment of computer software
– Other non-cash items

Changes in working capital (excluding the effects of acquisitions and exchange differences 
on consolidation):
– Inventories
– Contract costs
– Trade and other receivables
– Trade and other payables and provisions

Interest received
Interest paid2
Income tax paid

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of companies and businesses, net of cash acquired
Disposal of companies and businesses
Disposal of investment in associate
Dividends received from associates
Net change to cash flow from investment in term deposits

Net cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Acquisition of shares from non-controlling interest
Capital element of lease payments
Cost of issuing new shares
Cash (outflow)/inflow on settlement of debt-related foreign exchange forward contracts
Proceeds from new debt
Debt repayments

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net (decrease)/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

Notes

A13

B1

B6
B6

D1

C3

2023 
£m

625

154
120
175
26
26

(15)
(19)
(29)
(60)
25
(191)
(100)

737

(167)
(44)
14
(242)
–
19
4
–

(416)

(201)
–
(157)
–
(3)
–
–

(361)

(40)
879
(7)

832

2022
£m

317

148
106
118
22
8

(4)
(10)
5
6
13
(52)
(77)

600

(153)
(37)
5
(1,018)
1
–
4
1

(1,197)

(122)
–
(104)
(16)
26
2,383
(844)

1,323

726
242
(89)

879

2021 
£m

347

128
78
74
17
6

(3)
(5)
59
(32)
5
(42)
(69)

563

(128)
(32)
7
(463)
–
–
4
171

(441)

(139)
(9)
(88)
–
(19)
5
(167)

(417)

(295)
551
(14)

242

1.  Cash flows from operating activities has been revised in 2023 to show a reconciliation from operating profit to net cash flows from operating activities – part of this reconciliation was 

previously shown in a separate table in the notes to the financial statements.

2.  Interest paid includes the interest element of lease payments of £25m (2022: £10m; 2021: £6m).

174 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Material accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in 
accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) 
and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable 
to companies reporting under those standards. The Consolidated 
Financial Statements also comply fully with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB). 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). Certain financial and equity instruments have 
been measured at fair value.

Climate change
The Group has engaged in a detailed review of expected climate 
change impacts on the business and its assets and liabilities, to 
establish any adjustments required and what disclosure is necessary 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements for 2023 under a 1.5-2.0°C 
pathway. The explanation below of how this has been included in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction  
with the climate change evaluation and risk assessment on page 77.

This process has been completed to ensure material accuracy of  
the financial reporting, and that disclosure of relevant information 
complies with the requirements of IAS 1.

The process has involved a detailed review of material revenue 
segments, all balance sheet line items and each element of the  
Group target to reach net zero by 2040, to identify if any of these  
items is expected to be materially impacted in a negative or positive 
way by weather, legislative, societal, or revenue/cost changes.  
The conclusions of this process have been reviewed and agreed  
by the Audit Committee and Board on 27 February 2024.

Overall the conclusion of the review was that, while there will 
undoubtedly be impacts on the Group, the highly disaggregated 
nature of the operations significantly reduces the risk profile of the 
Group to impacts from weather-related changes. The changes 
necessary to achieve net zero will not have a materially adverse 
impact on the cash flows of the Group and indeed, warmer climates 
may present some opportunities as disclosed on page 79 of this 
report. Societal and legislative impacts are not felt to have a material 
impact on any one segment such that we need to break out reporting 
in a different way to previous years. Judgements are not felt to be 
significant, though clearly understanding of climate change is 
developing with time. The area with the most judgement is goodwill 
impairment testing and a description is given in Note B2 of the 
incremental processes undertaken to give extra comfort on the 
valuations. Management review has concluded that this is the only 
area that has judgement and potential for material impact, though we 
conclude that none are necessary, and that no further disclosures are 
needed beyond this note.

Going concern
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 for the period of at least 12 months from 
the date of approval of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Additionally, the Directors have assessed severe but plausible 
downside scenarios. The downside scenarios include i) a revenue 
decline of 20% against base budget for six months; ii) a 20% revenue 
decline for 12 months; and iii) a one-off loss in the form of a cash loss 
of £200m. All of these scenarios are considerably worse than the 
actual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Starting with 
approximately £1.6bn of headroom at December 2023, none of the 
scenarios required additional external funding above and beyond 
existing committed facilities, and in the most severe downside 
scenario, a combination of a 20% revenue decline for 12 months  
and a one-off loss in the form of a cash loss of £200m, the minimum 
headroom modelled was c.£1bn before the inclusion of mitigating 
actions, such as cost savings, adjusting the level of M&A activity,  
and/or dividends paid, which are all within the Group’s control and 
were used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 Consolidated Financial 
Statements on a going concern basis.

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. When less than 
100% of the issued share capital of a subsidiary is acquired, and the 
acquisition includes an option to purchase the remaining share capital 
of the subsidiary, the anticipated acquisition method is applied where 
judged appropriate to do so. The judgement is based on the risks  
and rewards associated with the option to purchase, meaning that  
no non-controlling interest is recognised. A liability is carried on  
the balance sheet equal to the fair value of the option to purchase. 
This is revised to the fair value at each reporting date with differences 
being recorded in equity.

Where the Group ceases to have 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 ceases. 
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 equity.

(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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 175

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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 functional currency of Rentokil Initial plc. 

(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.

(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).

(d) Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies
During 2023, Ghana, a country in which the Group has operated for 
many years, was designated as hyperinflationary. The Group also  
has operations in Argentina, Lebanon, and Turkey, which remain 
hyperinflationary in 2023.

The IAS 29 rules are applied as follows:
(i)  adjustment of the income statement at the end of the reporting 

period using the change in general price index;

(ii)  adjustment of historical cost non-monetary assets and liabilities for 
the change in purchasing power caused by inflation from the date 
of initial recognition to the balance sheet date; and

(iii) adjustment of the income statement to reflect the impact of 

inflation and exchange rate movement on holding monetary assets 
and liabilities in local currency.

Consumer Price Indices have been used for the relevant 
hyperinflationary adjustments. The indices used for these adjustments 
are as follows:

Index at 1 January 2023

Index at 31 December 2023

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.

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 (excluding money 
market funds which are classified as fair value through profit and loss), 
and other investments. 

(b) Fair value through other comprehensive income
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 or loss
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, 
deferred consideration, and borrowings.

Sources of estimation uncertainty and significant accounting 
judgements
The use of estimates, assumptions and judgements in the application 
of the Group’s accounting policies is explained below, with major 
sources of estimation uncertainty and significant judgements 
separately identified.

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 
notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

1,134.59
162.80
2,045.46
1,128.45

3,533.19
200.50
5,978.13
1,859.38

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 
relevant notes for further detail):

Country

Argentina
Ghana
Lebanon
Turkey

176 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued(a) Termite damage claim provisions
With the acquisition of Terminix in October 2022, the Group assumed 
a liability for termite damage claims, based on termite customers 
existing at the acquisition date, for which a provision has been 
estimated. The cash outflow arises when a termite infestation occurs, 
resulting in damage to a property under a termite contract, that is 
subsequently remediated by the Group. The assumptions used to 
estimate the historical termite damage claim provisions are based  
on an assessment of the volume and value of future claims (based  
on historical information), customer churn rate, and discount rates. 
Starting from the acquisition date, an additional provision is 
recognised for all new termite customers upon commencement  
of their contract, based on the estimated average claim cost per 
customer over the lifetime of the contract. The trend of volume  
and value of claims will be monitored and reviewed over time  
and as such the value of the provisions are also likely to change. 
Sensitivity analysis is provided in Note A6.

Significant accounting judgements
Judgements made in applying accounting policies that have the most 
significant effects on the amounts recognised in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements are discussed below:

(a) Useful economic life of brands
The Terminix US brand, acquired in October 2022, has been  
assessed as having an indefinite useful life. Prior to this acquisition all 
brands were considered by management to have finite useful lives. 
Indefinite-lived assets do not get amortised and therefore if 
management had judged that the Terminix brand had a finite life  
then there would be a significant amortisation expense recognised 
annually in the income statement. At acquisition, the Terminix brand 
was valued at £1,292m, which based on a typical 15-year life would 
result in an annual amortisation charge of £86m.

Other accounting estimates
The Consolidated Financial Statements include other areas of 
accounting estimates that do not meet the definition of significant 
accounting estimates or accounting judgements under IAS 1. 
The recognition and measurement of certain material assets and 
liabilities are based on assumptions and/or are subject to longer-term 
uncertainties as follows:

(a) Impairment of goodwill and other assets
The annual review for potential impairment of goodwill and other 
indefinite-lived intangible assets is primarily based on a value-in-use 
model. This model uses discounted cash flows to assess whether the 
goodwill carrying value can be supported or whether impairment is 
required. The model uses the following assumptions about the future:
• Revenue growth rate
• Operating profit margin
• Discount rate
• Long-term growth rate (inflation)

If the actual outcome is different to the estimated performance, or 
there is an unfavourable movement in the timing or amount of any of 
the assumptions used, this could lead to a material adjustment to the 
carrying amount of the asset within the next financial year. Note B2 
explains the impairment review process undertaken in the year.

(b) Self-insurance provisions
The Group self-insurance provision increased significantly through the 
acquisition of Terminix in October 2022. Self-insurance provisions are 
valued annually by external actuaries. Although the carrying value of 
the provision is significant, it is not expected that there would be any 
change to assumptions that would cause a significant adjustment to 
the carrying value in the next financial year and any impact would be 
expected to crystallise over the long term. Self-insurance provisions 
are disclosed in Note A6.

(c) Provisions for uncertain tax positions
The Group holds significant 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. 
However the actual outcome could be significantly different to the 
estimate made, as the ultimate tax liability cannot be known until a 
resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority, or the 
issue becomes time-barred. Note A13 discusses in detail why the 
provisions are taken and explains the estimation uncertainty.

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 
Consolidated Financial Statements are the same as those applied in 
the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended  
31 December 2022. 

The Group has adopted the following new standards and amendments 
to standards, including any consequential amendments to other 
standards, with effect from 1 January 2023:
• introduction of IFRS 17 Insurance contracts (for non-issuers);
• amendments to IAS 8 Definition of accounting estimates;
• amendments to IAS 1 Disclosure of accounting policies; and
• amendments to IAS 12 Deferred tax.

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 2022.

Certain new accounting standards, amendments to accounting 
standards and interpretations have been published that are not 
mandatory for 31 December 2023 reporting periods and have not 
been early adopted by the Group. These standards, amendments 
or interpretations are not expected to have a material impact on the 
Group in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable 
future transactions.

Retrospective adjustments to prior year comparatives
In accordance with the requirements of IFRS 3 Business Combinations, 
2022 comparative information has been retrospectively adjusted to 
show the effect of measurement period adjustments arising on the 
Terminix acquisition during 2023. Further details can be found in note 
B1 on page 195.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 177

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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.

Disaggregation of revenue into region, category and major type of revenue stream is shown below under segment reporting.

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.

• Pest Control: the Group offers a range of services with 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.

The Group offers certain termite contracts across a limited number of countries (including North America) where there is a single performance 
obligation. In these contracts revenue is recognised as the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally over a short time period of 
a few days. These contracts include assurance warranties that last for a period of 12 months from the date of service, but the warranty is not 
considered to be a performance obligation under IFRS 15. These contracts are annual contracts and are therefore recognised as contract 
service revenue. Some smaller acquired businesses have legacy termite contract terms that do offer service warranties, resulting in a spread 
of revenues over the contractual year.

• Hygiene & Wellbeing: 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. Also 
included are contracts relating to interior landscaping, specifically the 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. 

• France 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.

• 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.

• Hygiene & Wellbeing: this type of revenue is generated, for example, 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 specialist deep cleaning 
services. These are usually short-term jobs (less than one week) and usually there is a single performance obligation with revenue recognised on 
completion of the job.

178 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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 & Wellbeing 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. Those 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.

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. Management takes a portfolio approach to recognising contract costs, 
and the expected length of contracts across the Group and associated amortisation periods are between three and seven years.

The contract costs recognised in the balance sheet at the period end amounted to £224m (2022 retrospectively adjusted: £215m; 2021: £75m). 
The amount of amortisation recognised in the period was £121m (2022: £39m; 2021: £30m) and impairment losses were £nil (2022: £nil; 2021: £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 and accrued income
Contract assets relate to the Group’s right to consideration for performance obligations satisfied, but where further performance obligations need 
to be satisfied before the customer can be invoiced. Accrued income is recognised where all performance obligations have been satisfied but the 
customer has yet to be invoiced. A receivable is recognised when all rights to consideration become unconditional, which usually occurs when 
the Group issues an invoice to the customer. All opening balances have been invoiced during 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 on page 180. The Group’s operating segments are 
regions and this reflects the internal management reporting structures and the way information is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker 
(the Chief Executive). Each region 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 businesses within each operating segment operate 
in a number of different countries and sell services across three business segments.

The LATAM region is combined with Europe in the Group’s segment reporting. It is the Group’s smallest region and not considered reportable 
under the quantitative thresholds in IFRS 8. It is combined with Europe as they are similar with respect to economic characteristics, the nature of 
services provided, the type of customers, methods used to provide services, and language and cultural similarities.

Disaggregated revenue under IFRS 15 is the same as the segmental analysis below. Restructuring costs, one-off and adjusting items, amortisation 
and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software), 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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 179

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceRevenue and Profit

North America2
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Europe (incl. LATAM)

Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing
France Workwear

UK & Sub-Saharan Africa

Pest Control¹
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Asia & MENAT
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Pacific

Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing

Central and regional overheads¹
Restructuring costs

Revenue
2023
£m

Revenue¹
2022
£m

Revenue¹
2021
£m

Operating
profit
2023
£m

Operating
profit¹
2022
£m

Operating
profit¹
2021
£m

3,201
105

3,306

516
344
221

1,081

195
195

390

250
89

339

124
125

249

10
–

1,746
103

1,849

1,149
142

1,291

427
322
192

941

182
183

365

231
90

321

104
123

227

11
–

350
316
166

832

171
183

354

187
84

271

90
107

197

12
–

599
18

617

124
52
39

215

51
43

94

34
11

45

22
33

55

(121)
(7)

898

(98)
(175)

625

297
18

315

103
53
31

187

47
48

95

34
11

45

16
32

48

(107)
(12)

571

(136)
(118)

317

187
29

216

92
54
17

163

45
49

94

25
11

36

14
25

39

(96)
(10)

442

(21)
(74)

347

Revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit

5,375

3,714

2,957

One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets3

Operating Profit

1.  Central and regional overheads revenue relates to the wholesale of metalwork and consumables, including hygiene and pest control products. It is managed centrally rather than in any 
region. During 2023, internal management reporting structures changed and revenue and profit have been represented for 2022 and 2021 under the new structure. As a result of this 
change, revenue of £5m and operating profit of £1m was moved from UK & Sub-Saharan Africa – Pest Control to central and regional overheads for each year.

2.  During 2023 there were impairment losses recognised in North America related to ROU assets of £nil (2022: £17m; 2021: £nil) and related to property, plant and equipment of £nil 

(2022: £8m; 2021: £nil).

3.  Excluding computer software which is included in our segment operating profit measure.

Revenue and operating profit relate to the main groups of business segment and activity: Pest Control, Hygiene & Wellbeing and France 
Workwear. Central and regional overheads represent corporate expenses that are not directly attributable to any reportable segment. 
Business segment revenue and operating profit are shown in the table below:

Pest Control¹
Hygiene & Wellbeing
France Workwear

Total business segments

Central and regional overheads¹
Restructuring costs

Revenue
2023
£m

4,286
858
221

5,365

10
–

Revenue¹
2022
£m

Revenue¹
2021
£m

2,690
821
192

3,703

11
–

1,947
832
166

2,945

12
–

Revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit

5,375

3,714

2,957

One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets2

Operating Profit

Operating
profit
2023
£m

830
157
39

1,026

(121)
(7)

898

(98)
(175)

625

Operating
profit¹
2022
£m

Operating
profit¹
2021
£m

497
162
31

690

(107)
(12)

571

(136)
(118)

317

363
168
17

548

(96)
(10)

442

(21)
(74)

347

1.  Central and regional overheads revenue relates to the wholesale of metalwork and consumables, including hygiene and pest control products. It is managed centrally rather than in any 
region. During 2023, internal management reporting structures changed and revenue and profit have been represented for 2022 and 2021 under the new structure. As a result of this 
change, revenue of £5m and operating profit of £1m was moved from UK & Sub-Saharan Africa – Pest Control to central and regional overheads for each year.

2.  Excluding computer software which is included in our segment operating profit measure.

180 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedRevenue from external customers attributed to the UK amounted to £322m (2022: £296m; 2021: £292m), with overseas countries accounting 
for the balance of £5,053m (2022: £3,418m; 2021: £2,665m). In 2023 the only country accounting for more than 10% of revenue from external 
customers was the US, totalling £3,220m (2022: £1,786m; 2021: £1,240m). 

The Group is not reliant on turnover from transactions with any single customer and does not receive 10% or more of its turnover from 
transactions with any single customer.

Segment assets and liabilities are not provided because they are not reported to, or reviewed by, our chief operating decision-maker.

Revenue and non-current assets for the country of domicile (UK), the United States, France, Australia, India, and Spain (being the largest countries 
outside the UK), and for all other countries are:

UK
USA
France
Australia
India
Spain
Other countries

Total

Revenue 
2023 
£m

322 
3,220 
380 
181 
59 
72 
1,141

5,375 

Non-current 
assets1 
2023 
£m

241 
6,734 
282 
165 
80 
77 
683 

8,262 

Revenue 
2022 
£m

296 
1,786 
338 
166 
58 
56 
1,014 

3,714 

Non-current 
assets1 
2022 
£m

192 
7,045 
268 
132 
83 
76 
688 

8,484 

Revenue 
2021 
£m

292 
1,240 
306 
149 
54 
46 
870 

2,957 

Non-current 
assets1 
2021 
£m

180 
1,768 
234 
120 
81 
42 
454 

2,879 

1.  Non-current assets include intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, contract cost assets, and non-current other receivables.
2.  Non-current assets have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition 

amounting to £12m (see Note B1).

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:

North America
Europe (incl. LATAM)
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia & MENAT
Pacific
Central and regional

Total

Tax effect

Total after tax effect

1.  Excluding computer software.

Revenue
2023
£m

3,838

1,104
433

5,375

Revenue
2022
£m

Revenue
2021
£m

2,610

724
380

3,714

2,009

641
307

2,957

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
2023
£m

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
2022
£m

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
2021
£m

118
24
8
11
6
8

175

(44)

131

59
29
–
20
4
6

118

(25)

93

34
14
9
7
4
6

74

(18)

56

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 181

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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.

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 that 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.

For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, 18,422 share options were anti-dilutive and not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect 
as at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: 1,290,294; 31 December 2021: nil).

Details of the calculation of earnings per share are set out below:

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million)
Adjustment for potentially dilutive shares (million)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share (million)

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

2023 
£m

 381 

 2,516 
 11 

 2,527 

2022 
£m

 232 

 2,002 
 12 

 2,014 

2021 
£m

 263 

 1,858 
 8 

 1,866 

 15.14p 
 15.07p 

11.57p
11.51p

14.16p
14.10p

A3. Trade and other receivables
The Group’s trade receivables are recognised at the transaction price less provision for impairment. They are generally due for settlement within 
30 days and are all classified as current. The amount of the provision for impairment 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 and are used to calculate the provision for impairment of trade receivables. 
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, 
environmental factors such as climate change, and product or service provided.

Loss allowances are also calculated on other financial assets, although the amounts are generally not significant and the asset is recognised net 
of the allowance.

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.

Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables

Trade receivables – net
Other receivables2
Prepayments
Accrued income1
Contract assets

Total

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 692 
(70) 

 622 
 110 
 79 
 109 
 –  

 920 

 90 
 830 

 920 

2023 
£m

 692 
(70) 

 622 
 113 
 68 
 118 
 4 

 925 

 45 
 880 

 925 

1.  Accrued income has been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by a decrease of £2m, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix 

acquisition (see Note B1).

2.  Other receivables are stated net of loss allowance of £nil (2022: £nil).

182 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedAll of the Group’s provision for impairment relates to trade receivables. Analysis of the Group’s provision for impairment of trade receivables 
is as follows:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Additional provision
Receivables written off as uncollectable
Unused amounts reversed
Acquisition of companies and businesses

At 31 December

The ageing of trade receivables and provision for impairment is as follows:

2023 
£m

 70 
(4) 
 48 
(38) 
(8) 
 2 

 70 

2022 
£m

 50 
 –  
 30 
(27) 
(5) 
 22 

 70 

Trade  
receivables 
2023 
£m

Provision for 
impairment 
2023 
£m

Trade  
receivables 
2022 
£m

Provision for 
impairment 
2022 
£m

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

 286 
 158 
 111 
 56 
 36 
 45 

 692 

(3) 
(3) 
(5) 
(9) 
(15) 
(35) 

(70) 

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

Carrying value

 290 
 155 
 117 
 55 
 38 
 37 

 692 

2023 
£m

 51 
 161 
 291 
 189 

 692 

(4) 
(4) 
(6) 
(8) 
(18) 
(30) 

(70) 

2022 
£m

 48 
 159 
 301 
 184 

 692 

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

2023 
£m

 15 
 3 
 189 

 207 

2022 
£m

 15 
 2 
 183 

 200 

An inventory impairment charge of £3m was recognised in 2023 (2022: £3m). Inventory recognised as an expense during the period was £385m 
(2022: £280m). Reversals of inventory write-downs during the period were £nil (2022: £nil). 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 183

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceA5. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Other payables1 
Accruals1
Contract liabilities2
Deferred consideration
Contingent consideration3

Total1

Analysed as follows:
Other payables1 
Deferred consideration
Contingent consideration3

Total non-current portion1
Current portion1

Total1

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 351 
 88 
 126 
 341 
 259 
 21 
 70 

2023 
£m

 357 
 95 
 94 
 322 
 254 
 17 
 76 

 1,215 

 1,256 

 31 
 –  
 40 

 71 
 1,144 

 1,215 

 51 
 1 
 38 

 90 
 1,166 

 1,256 

1.  Accruals and non-current other payables have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by an increase of £4m and £9m respectively, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement 

period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

2.  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.

3.  Contingent consideration includes put option liability of £32m (2022: £45m). 

Other than the put options, there are no liabilities in the table above that bear interest or are discounted, 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. There is no material difference between the fair value and carrying value for all trade and other 
payables.

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 contingent consideration, and any movements in the carrying value are recognised through equity. During the year, the seller exercised the 
first put option, selling 8% of the share capital of the company to the Group, making the Group’s total shareholding in PCI 65%.

Given the volume of acquisitions and the variety of inputs to the valuation of contingent consideration (depending on each transaction), there is 
not considered to be any change in input that would have a material impact on the contingent consideration liability.

The currency split of trade and other payables is as follows:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar1
Other currencies

Carrying value1

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 174 
 241 
 576 
 264 

2023 
£m

 164 
 238 
 542 
 271 

 1,215 

 1,256 

1.  Accruals and non-current other payables have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by an increase of £4m and £9m respectively, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement 

period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

The ageing of trade payables is as follows:

Less than one year
Between one and five years 
More than five years 

Total

Maturity analysis for lease liabilities is included in Note B4, and other financial liabilities in Note C6.

2023 
£m

 357 
 –  
 –  

 357 

2022 
£m

 351 
 –  
 –  

 351 

184 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedA6. Provisions for liabilities and charges
The Group has provisions for termite damage claims, self-insurance, environmental, and other. 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. The effect of discounting environmental provisions 
and other provisions is not considered to be material due to the low level of expected future cash flows. Termite damage claim provisions 
and self-insurance provisions are discounted, and the majority of these provisions are held in the US. The discount rate used is based 
on US government bond rates, and was 3.88%-5.25% (2022: 3.5%-5.875%).

At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences1
Additional provisions
Used during the year
Unused amounts reversed
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Unwinding of discount on provisions

At 31 December 20221 (retrospectively adjusted)

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Additional provisions
Used during the year
Unused amounts reversed
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Unwinding of discount on provisions

At 31 December 2023

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

Termite damage 
claims1 
£m

Self- 
insurance 
£m

Environmental1 
£m

Other 
£m

 –  
(29) 
 3 
(10) 
 –  
 354 
 3 

 321 

 321 
(14) 
 15 
(73) 
 –  
 –  
 11 

 260 

 37 
(7) 
 30 
(26) 
(6) 
 136 
 1 

 165 

 165 
(8) 
 56 
(44) 
(8) 
 –  
 3 

 164 

 11 
 –  
 –  
(2) 
 –  
 7 
 –  

 16 

 16 
(1) 
 3 
(2) 
 –  
 –  
 –  

 16 

 13 
 –  
 8 
(8) 
(2) 
 1 
 –  

 12 

 12 
 1 
 7 
(7) 
(3) 
 1 
 –  

 11 

Total1 
£m

 61 
(36) 
 41 
(46) 
(8) 
 498 
 4 

 514 

 514 
(22) 
 81 
(126) 
(11) 
 1 
 14 

 451 

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
2022 
Total1 
£m

 381 
 133 

 514 

2023 
Total 
£m

 357 
 94 

 451 

1.  Termite damage claim provisions and environmental provisions have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by an increase of £18m and £4m respectively, in accordance with IFRS 3, 

to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

Termite damage claims
The Group holds provisions for termite damage claims covered by contractual warranties. Termite damage claim provisions are subject to 
significant assumptions and estimation uncertainty. The assumptions included in valuing termite provisions are based on an estimate of the 
volume and value of future claims (based on historical and forecast information), customer churn rates and discount rates. These provisions are 
expected to be substantially utilised within the next 20 years at a declining rate. The trend of volume and value of claims is monitored and 
reviewed over time (with the support of external advisers) and as such the value of the provision is also likely to change.

The sensitivity of the liability balance to changes in the inputs is illustrated as follows:

• Discount rate – The exposure to termite damage claims is largely based within the United States, therefore measurement is based on a seven-year 

US bond risk-free rate. During 2023, interest rates (and therefore discount rates) have moved up and are at their highest level in over a decade. 
Rates could move in either direction and management has modelled that an increase/decrease of 5% in yields (would decrease/increase the 
provision by £3m (2022: £3m). Over the 12 months to 31 December 2023, seven-year risk-free rate yields have decreased c.4% from 4.03% to 
3.88%.

• Claim value – Claim value forecasts have been based on the latest available historical settled Terminix claims. Claims values are dependent on a 
range of inputs including labour cost, materials costs (e.g. timber), whether a claim becomes litigated or not, and specific circumstances including 
contributory factors at the premises. Management has determined the historical time period for each material category of claim, between three 
months and one year, to determine an estimate for costs per claim. Recent fluctuations in input prices (e.g. timber prices) means that there is 
potential for volatility in claim values and therefore future material changes in provisions. Management has modelled that an increase/decrease  
of 5% in claim values would increase/decrease the provision by c.£15m (2022: £14m). Over the 12 months to 31 December 2023, as a result of 
accelerating the clear down of legacy longstanding claims and other macroeconomic factors, in-year costs per claim rose by c.32% (2022: 17%).

• Claim rate – Management has estimated claim rates based on statistical historical incurred claims. Data has been captured and analysed by a 
third-party agency, to establish incidence curves that can be used to estimate likely future cash outflows. Changes in rates of claim are largely 
outside the Group’s control and may depend on litigation trends within the US, and other external factors such as how often customers move 
property and how well they maintain those properties. This causes estimation uncertainty that could lead to material changes in provision 
measurement. Management has modelled that an increase/decrease of 5% in overall claim rates would increase/decrease the provision by  
c.£15m (2022: £14m), accordingly. Over the 12 months to 31 December 2023 claim rates fell by c.7% (2022: 16%).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 185

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance• Customer churn rate – If customers choose not to renew their contracts each year, then the assurance warranty falls away. As such there is 

sensitivity to the assumption on how many customers will churn out of the portfolio of customers each year. Data has been captured and analysed 
by a third-party agency, to establish incidence curves for customer churn, and forward looking assumptions have been made based on these 
curves. Changes in churn rates are subject to macroeconomic factors and to the performance of the Group. A 1% movement in customer churn 
rates, up or down, would change the provision by c.£11m up or down (2022: £10m), accordingly. On average over the last 10 years churn rates have 
moved by +/– c.1.8% per annum (2022: +/-1.2%).

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 all pending claims should settle within the next five 
years.

Self-insurance provisions are also subject to estimation uncertainty based on volume and value of expected future claims and discount rate 
assumptions; however it is not expected that there would be any change to assumptions that would cause a significant adjustment to the carrying 
value in the next financial year.

The amount of expected reimbursement from third-party insurers is £21m and this is included within other receivables in Note A3.

Environmental
The Group owns, or formerly owned, a number of properties in Europe and the US where environmental contamination is being managed.  
These issues tend to be complex to determine and resolve and may be material, although it is often not possible to accurately predict future  
costs of management or remediation reliably. Provisions are held where liability is probable and costs can be reliably estimated. Contingent 
liabilities exist where the conditions for recognising a provision under IAS 37 have not been met. The Group monitors such properties to 
determine whether further provisions are necessary. The provisions that have been recognised are expected to be substantially utilised 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 and property dilapidations settlements. 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 equipment1
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items1
Other operating expenses2

Total operating expenses

Notes

A9

B3
B2
A1

1.  One-off and adjusting items includes £nil (2022: £8m; 2021: £nil) of impairment of property, plant and equipment.
2.  Other operating expenses includes professional fees, marketing costs, and amortisation of contract costs.

A8. Auditors’ remuneration

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors for the audit of the Parent Company and Group accounts
Audit of accounts of subsidiaries of the Group
Audit-related assurance services1

Total audit and audit-related assurance services
Non-audit services2

Total

2023 
£m

 2,506 
 900 
 285 
 106 
 154 
 201 
 98 
 461 

 4,711 

2023 
£m

3
5
3

11
–

11

2022 
£m

 1,736 
 704 
 201 
 82 
 140 
 140 
 136 
 234 

 3,373 

2022
£m

3
4
2

9
3

12

2021 
£m

 1,405 
 586 
 146 
 60 
 128 
 91 
 21 
 173 

 2,610 

2021
£m

2
3
–

5
–

5

1. 

Included in 2023 is an amount of £3m relating to the 2023 reporting on internal financial controls. Included in 2022 is an amount of £2m paid to the Company’s auditors in respect of the 
2021 PCAOB Group audit required for the purposes of the US registration.

2.  2022 balance relates to accounting specialist fees in respect of the Terminix acquisition.

186 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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 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. 

Including £44m staff costs reported as one-off and adjusting items in Note A1 (2022: £41m).

Monthly average number of people employed by the Group during the year:

Processing and service delivery
Sales and marketing
Administration and overheads

Emoluments of the Directors of Rentokil Initial plc are detailed below.

2021
Aggregate emoluments excluding share options
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of share options
Aggregate amount receivable under long-term incentive schemes

2022
Aggregate emoluments excluding share options
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of share options
Aggregate amount receivable under long-term incentive schemes

2023
Aggregate emoluments excluding share options
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of share options
Aggregate amount receivable under long-term incentive schemes

Number of Directors accruing retirement benefits

– defined contribution schemes

Number of Directors exercising share options1
Number of Directors receiving shares as part of long-term incentive schemes

1.  The highest-paid Director exercised 971,802 (2022: nil; 2021: 163,625) share options during the year.

2023 
£m

 2,318 
 171 
 27 

 32 
 2 

2022 
£m

 1,582 
 154 
 17 

 22 
 2 

2021 
£m

 1,225 
 138 
 10 

 31 
 1 

 2,550 

 1,777 

 1,405 

2023 
Number

 47,387 
 7,501 
 8,663 

 63,551 

2022 
Number

 38,256 
 5,993 
 7,226 

 51,475 

2021 
Number

 34,163 
 5,400 
 6,468 

 46,031 

Highest-paid Director
£000

Other Directors
£000

2,661.2
916.3
3,340.0

6,917.5

2,698.7
–
831.9

3,530.6

1,942.3
3,729.4
1,397.6

7,069.3

1,444.0
370.6
145.9

1,960.5

1,557.5
233.8
380.3

2,171.6

1,188.4
–
485.3

1,673.7

2023 
Number

2022 
Number

2021 
Number

–
1
2

–
 1 
 2 

 2 
 2 
 2 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 187

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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.

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.

Defined benefit pension plans
A defined benefit pension plan is a plan that defines 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.

The largest retirement benefit obligation in the Group is the Rentokil Initial Irish Pension Scheme (which is in a surplus position).

A number of 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, but this is not considered by management to be a significant accounting judgement as defined 
under IAS 1.

The assumptions used for the Rentokil Initial Irish Pension Scheme are shown below:

Weighted average %
Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Inflation

31 December 
2023

31 December 
2022

3.5%
n/a
2.3%
2.3%

4.2%
n/a
2.6%
2.6%

Risks
The scheme exposes the Company to a number of risks, the most significant of which are:

Asset volatility – Scheme liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields; if assets underperform this 
yield, this will create a reduction in the current surplus position. The scheme holds a small proportion of growth assets (equities) which, though 
expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long term, create volatility and risk in the short term. The allocation to growth assets is monitored 
to ensure it remains appropriate given the long-term scheme objectives.

Changes in bond yields – A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the value placed on the scheme’s liabilities for accounting purposes, 
although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the scheme’s bond holdings.

Inflation risk – A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the value placed on the scheme’s liabilities for accounting purposes, although 
this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the scheme’s bond holdings.

Life expectancy – The majority of the scheme’s obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy will 
result in an increase in the liabilities.

For the Rentokil Initial Irish Pension Scheme the expected duration is 16-17 years.

188 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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 gain
Transfer of RIPS annuity policies (buy-out)
Administration expenses¹
Interest on defined benefit obligation/asset¹
Exchange difference

Total pension income/(expense)

Remeasurements:

– Remeasurement gain/(loss) on scheme assets
– Remeasurement gain/(loss) on obligation²

Contributions:
– Employers
– Benefit payments
– Refund of surplus

At 31 December

Retirement benefit obligation schemes³
Retirement benefit asset schemes⁴

Present value  
of obligation 
2023 
£m

Fair value of  
plan assets  
2023 
£m

(65) 

 38 

(1) 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
(2) 
 2 

(1) 

 –  
 –  

(1) 
 7 
 –  

(60) 

(44) 
(16) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 1 
(1) 

 –  

 –  
 –  

 2 
(5) 
 –  

 35 

 16 
 19 

Total 
2023 
£m

(27) 

(1) 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
(1) 
 1 

(1) 

 –  
 –  

 1 
 2 
 –  

(25) 

(28) 
 3 

Present value  
of obligation 
2022 
£m

Fair value of  
plan assets 
2022 
£m

(1,313) 

(2) 
(1) 
 4 
 1,159 
 4 
(5) 
(3) 

 1,156 

–
 81 

(1) 
 12 
–

(65) 

(49) 
(16) 

 1,305 

–
–
–
(1,159) 
(4) 
 5 
 2 

(1,156) 

(79) 
–

–
(10) 
(22) 

 38 

 19 
 19 

Total 
2022 
£m

(8) 

(2) 
(1) 
 4 
–
–
–
(1) 

–

(79) 
 81 

(1) 
 2 
(22) 

(27) 

(30) 
 3 

1.  Service costs 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 scheme comprises remeasurement gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions of £nil (2022: £nil), remeasurement gain arising from 

changes in financial assumptions of £nil (2022: gain of £82m), and a remeasurement loss arising from experience of £nil (2022: loss of £7m).

3.  Benefit plans in an obligation position include plans situated in Thailand, the UK, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Norway, South Africa, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, South Korea, 

Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.

4.  Benefit plans in an asset position include plans situated in Australia, Barbados, and Ireland.

Of the £60m (2022: £65m) of obligations in the table above, £20m (2022: £20m) is unfunded.

Total contributions payable to defined benefit pension schemes in 2024 are expected to be less than £1m.

The fair value of plan assets at the balance sheet date is analysed as follows:

Equity instruments
Debt instruments – unquoted
Property
Other

Total plan assets

2023 
£m

 2 
 15 
 1 
 17 

 35 

2022 
£m

 2 
 15 
 –  
 21 

 38 

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:
• unquoted debt instruments (level 2);
• interest and inflation rate hedging instruments (level 2); and
• pooled investment funds (level 3).

Other significant assets are valued based on observable market inputs. Other assets primarily consist of cash.

The cumulative actuarial gain recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income was £34m (2022: £34m). No remeasurement 
gain or loss was recognised during the year (2022: £2m gain).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 189

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceA11. Share-based payments
Share-based compensation
The Group operates two equity-settled share-based long-term incentive plans (LTIPs): the Performance Share Plan and the Restricted Share  
Plan. 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 of the Performance Share Plan is determined by reference to option pricing models, 
principally stochastic and adjusted Black-Scholes models. The fair value of the Restricted Share Plan is determined by reference to an adjusted 
Black-Scholes model. The charge for both plans 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 and Restricted Share Plan
The Company has operated a share-based incentive for senior managers worldwide since 2006, initially through a Performance Share Plan, and 
then in 2023 a Restricted Share Plan was introduced. The main features of the schemes are as follows:
• For Performance Share Plan awards made in 2021, 2022, and 2023, 50% of the award is based on total shareholder return (TSR) and 50% is based 

on performance against certain strategic and financial measures over the vesting period.

• For Restricted Share Plan awards made in 2023, there are no performance conditions attached.
• 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 made prior to May 2021, this is the value of dividends between grant and exercise.

The total charge for the year relating to equity-settled share-based payment plans was £27m (2022: £18m; 2021: £10m). This includes charges for 
the Performance Share Plan and Restricted Share Plan of £17m (2022: £9m; 2021: £10m), as well as a transfer of existing long-term incentive plans 
in Terminix and a non-recurring retention award that were expensed during the period totalling £10m (2022: £9m; 2021: £nil).

A summary of the number of shares in active Performance Share Plans is shown below:

Share options outstanding

Share options exercisable

Year of 
grant

Vesting 
year

2013 2016

2014 2017

2015 2018

2016 2019

2017 2020

Scheme 
interest at
1 January 
2023

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

Shares 
awarded
during
 2023

 495 

 14,985 

 15,985 

 22,192 

 16,294 

2018 2021

 14,597 

 20,482 

Shares
lapsed
during
 2023

Shares
vested
during 
2023

Shares
outstanding at  
31 December 
2023

Shares
exercisable at
1 January
 2023

Shares
vested
during 
2023

Shares
 exercised 
during 
2023

Shares
lapsed
during
2023

Shares 
exercisable at
31 December 
2023

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

(495) 

 –  

 1,042,134 

 495  (1,032,534) 

(10,026) 

 69 

(14,985) 

(15,985) 

(22,192) 

(16,294) 

(35,079) 

 –  

 1,196,188 

 14,985 

(59,322) 

 –    1,151,851 

 –  

 1,266,518 

 15,985 

(31,407) 

(44)  1,251,052 

 –  

 1,841,196 

 22,192 

(435,337) 

(91)  1,427,960 

 –  

 1,324,727 

 16,294 

(129,684) 

(1,405)  1,209,932 

 –  

 1,987,868 

 35,079 

(451,341) 

(7,152)  1,564,454 

2019 2022

 461,663 

 40,825 

(21,670) 

(480,818) 

 –  

 2,213,079 

 480,818 

(919,141) 

(3,758)  1,770,998 

2020 2023

 3,186,387 

 68,967  (1,141,319) (2,114,035) 

 –  

 –    2,114,035 

(872,037) 

 –    1,241,998 

2021 2024

 3,797,985 

 –  

(165,786) 

 –    3,632,199 

2022 2025

 4,845,900 

 31,248 

(205,496) 

(5,951)  4,665,701 

2023 2026

 –    5,876,229  (1,179,468) 

(57,770)  4,638,991 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 5,951 

 –  

 –  

 57,770 

(57,770) 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 5,951 

 –  

Year of
grant

Vesting 
year

Scheme
interest at
1 January
2022

Share options outstanding

Share options exercisable

Shares
awarded
during
2022

–

16,964

19,487

21,107

30,808

24,878

Shares
lapsed
during
2022

Shares
vested
during
2022

Shares 
outstanding at
31 December
2022

Shares
exercisable at 
1 January
2022

Shares
vested
during
2022

Shares
exercised
during
2022

Shares
lapsed
during
2022

Shares
exercisable at 
31 December
2022

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(16,964)

(19,487)

(21,107)

(30,808)

(24,878)

–

–

–

–

–

–

168,551

–

(168,426)

(125)

–

1,025,307

16,964

(137)

– 1,042,134

1,188,070

19,487

(11,367)

(2) 1,196,188

1,364,269

21,107

(118,858)

– 1,266,518

1,942,074

30,808

(131,628)

(58) 1,841,196

1,625,618

24,878

(324,744)

(1,025) 1,324,727

–

–

–

–

–

–

891,744

34,531

(5,910)

(905,768)

14,597

1,538,591

905,768

(451,433)

(5,058) 1,987,868

4,776,149

132,345

(332,441)

(4,114,390)

461,663

– 4,114,390 (1,878,327)

(22,984) 2,213,079

3,471,012

4,137,673

–

–

(284,625)

(339,688)

– 4,964,496

(118,596)

– 3,186,387

– 3,797,985

– 4,845,900

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

190 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedA summary of the number of shares in active Restricted Share plans is shown below:

Share options outstanding

Share options exercisable

Year of 
grant

Vesting 
year

2023 2026

Scheme 
interest at
1 January 
2023

Shares 
awarded
during
 2023

Shares
lapsed
during
 2023

Shares
vested
during 
2023

Shares
outstanding at  
31 December 
2023

Shares
exercisable at
1 January
 2023

Shares
vested
during 
2023

Shares
 exercised 
during 
2023

Shares
lapsed
during
2023

Shares 
exercisable at
31 December 
2023

 –    1,163,570 

(130,820) 

(21,330)  1,011,420 

 –  

 21,330 

(21,330) 

 –  

 –  

The fair value of the 2023 awards made under the 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 March 2023, the significant inputs into the model were a share price of 581.4p (2022: 480.5p), an expected share price volatility of 26.3% 
(2022: 23.9%), a median share price correlation between the companies in the comparator group of 84.1% (2022: 84.0%), 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 the 2023 awards made under the Restricted Share Plan is charged to the income 
statement over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award on grant date. 

The fair value of awards granted during 2023 was £36m (2022: £19m) and the weighted average fair value per award granted during the year was 
506.7p (2022: 385.9p). The weighted average share price for options exercised in the year was 568.6p (2022: 499.9p) and the weighted average 
contract term remaining on shares unexercised at the year end was 497 days (2022: 527 days).

A12. Income tax expense
The 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:

Current tax expense
Adjustment in respect of previous periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax expense/(credit)
Deferred tax adjustment in respect of previous periods

Total deferred tax

Total income tax expense

2023
£m

94
(8)

86

30
(4)

26

112

2022
£m

76
2

78

(3)
(11)

(14)

64

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 tax

Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to profits in the respective countries
Adjustment in respect of previous periods
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – one-off and adjusting items
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – other
Income not subject to tax
Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill deductions and revaluation of intangible assets
Deferred tax recognised on losses
Deferred tax impact of change in tax rates
Provisions utilised for which no deferred tax assets were recognised
Local business taxes
US BEAT liability
Tax credits
Other

Total tax expense

2023
£m

493

123
(12)
1
6
(2)
–
–
(3)
–
–
1
1
(2)
(1)

112

2022
£m

296

69
(9)
9
3
(5)
5
–
(1)
(7)
(1)
1
–
–
–

64

2021
£m

57
(3)

54

21
(13)

8

62

2021
£m

325

77
(16)
3
3
(1)
–
(2)
(4)
(4)
(1)
1
5
–
1

62

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 191

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceThe Group’s effective tax rate (ETR) for 2023 on reported profit before tax was 22.7% (2022: 21.6%). This compares with a blended rate of tax for 
the countries in which the Group operates of 25.1% (2022: 23.7%). The Group’s low tax rate in 2023 is primarily attributable to net prior-year tax 
credits of £12m (2022: £9m). 

On 20 June 2023, Finance (No.2) Act 2023 was substantively enacted in the UK, introducing a global minimum effective tax rate of 15%. The 
legislation implements a domestic top-up tax and a multinational top-up tax, effective for accounting periods starting on or after 31 December 
2023. The legislation will be effective for the Group’s financial year beginning 1 January 2024. 

The Group is in scope of the substantively enacted legislation and has performed an assessment of the Group’s potential exposure to Pillar 2 
income taxes, mainly focusing on the transitional country-by-country reporting safe harbours which apply until 2026. Various jurisdictions the 
Group operates in have also brought in legislation or are bringing in legislation to implement Pillar 2 and domestic top-up taxes. Given these local 
rules and the UK rules are based on the same Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Pillar 2 model rules, we have 
assumed that any variations between the local country domestic top-up tax calculation and the UK multinational top-up tax calculation for that 
country will be immaterial. As such, the Group’s assessment has focused on the application of the UK multinational top-up tax to the Group. 

The assessment of the potential exposure to Pillar 2 income taxes has been undertaken both on the 2022 tax filings, country-by-country report 
and financial statements, and on the 2023 financial data included in these Consolidated Financial Statements. Based on the assessment, the 
majority of the jurisdictions in which the Group operates would meet the conditions for the transitional safe harbour provisions and would not 
require full Pillar 2 calculations, nor would a top-up tax charge be levied. The Pillar 2 effective tax rates in most of the jurisdictions in which the 
Group operates are above 15% (calculated under the safe harbour provisions). However, there are a limited number of jurisdictions where the 
transitional safe harbour relief would not have applied and the Pillar 2 effective tax rate is close to 15%. Within the assessment, the aggregate of 
the estimated top-up tax charge for those countries is immaterial. Therefore, based on the assessment undertaken, the Group does not expect  
a material exposure to Pillar 2 income taxes in those jurisdictions for periods in which the Pillar 2 legislation will be effective.

Given the complexity of the Pillar 2 rules, the OECD and UK government are expected to continue issuing additional guidance regarding the 
implementation of Pillar 2 throughout 2024. Various other jurisdictions the Group operates in are also expected to bring in Pillar 2 rules and issue 
new or amended guidance throughout 2024. The Group will continue to monitor these updates as the Pillar 2 legislation and guidance evolve.

On 23 May 2023, the International Accounting Standards Board issued amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes, introducing a mandatory temporary 
exception to the requirements of IAS 12 under which a company does not recognise or disclose information about deferred tax assets and 
liabilities related to the Pillar 2 rules. The Group applied the temporary exception at 31 December 2023. 

A tax credit of £6m has been recognised in other comprehensive income (2022: £11m), which mainly relates to the recognition of tax losses arising 
on prior year mark-to-market movements on cross-currency and interest rate swaps recorded within other comprehensive income.

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 2023, 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, and there is an intention 
to either settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Where required by accounting standards, 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.

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.  
Each country and tax risk is considered separately when deciding whether it is appropriate to set up an uncertain tax provision. If risks are 
considered to be linked, the Group will consider the tax treatment in aggregate where appropriate. 

This assessment of uncertain tax positions is based on management’s interpretation of relevant tax rules and decided cases, external advice 
obtained, the statute of limitations and the status of the negotiations, and past experience with tax authorities. In evaluating whether a provision 
is needed it is assumed that tax authorities have full knowledge of the facts and circumstances applicable to each issue. 

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. 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.

Total uncertain tax provisions (including interest thereon) amounted to £41m as at 31 December 2023 (2022: £54m). Included within this amount 
is £5m (2022: £6m) 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 issues which 
have been settled in the year or have become statute-barred.

The cash tax paid for the year was £100m (2022: £77m). The cash tax paid is expected to increase in future periods due to the acquisition 
of Terminix.

192 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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 affects 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. In recognising the deferred tax asset in respect of losses, management has estimated 
the quantum of future taxable profits, applying a risk weighting to future profits to reflect the uncertainties.

The movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
(Charged)/credited to the income statement
Credited to other comprehensive income
Credited/(charged) to equity

At 31 December1

Deferred taxation has been presented on the balance sheet as follows:
Deferred tax asset within non-current assets
Deferred tax liability within non-current liabilities1

Retrospectively 
adjusted
20221
£m

(66)
27
(448)
14
5
(2)

(470)

43
(513)

(470)

2023
£m

(470)
25
(8)
(26)
4
1

(474)

43
(517)

(474)

1.  Deferred tax liabilities have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by an increase of £2m, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the 

Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

The major components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the year end and their changes during the year (without taking into consideration 
the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction) are as follows:

At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences
Recognised in income statement
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Recognised in equity
Acquired in business combinations1

At 31 December 2022 (retrospectively adjusted)

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Recognised in income statement
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Recognised in equity
Acquired in business combinations

At 31 December 2023

Customer 
lists/
intangibles1
£m

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£m

Provisions
£m

IFRS 15 
Contracts
£m

Tax
losses
£m

Share-based
payments
£m

Other2
£m

(84)
32
1
–
–
(521)

(572)

(572)
26
2
–
–
(8)

(552)

(50)
–
4
–
–
(29)

(75)

(75)
3
(12)
–
–
–

(84)

52
(8)
4
–
–
123

171

171
(7)
(15)
–
–
–

149

(9)
2
(2)
–
–
(24)

(33)

(33)
2
(10)
–
–
–

(41)

14
–
2
4
–
3

23

23
–
7
8
–
–

38

15
–
3
–
(2)
–

16

16
–
(2)
–
1
–

15

(4)
1
2
1
–
–

–

–
1
4
(4)
–
–

1

Total1
£m

(66)
27
14
5
(2)
(448)

(470)

(470)
25
(26)
4
1
(8)

(474)

1.  Deferred tax liabilities have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022 by an increase of £2m, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the 

Terminix acquisition (see Note B1). 

2.  Included within other deferred tax assets/liabilities are retirement benefits and unremitted earnings from subsidiaries.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 193

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceA deferred tax asset of £38m has been recognised in respect of losses which are expected to be utilised within 10 years (2022: £23m), of which 
£28m (2022: £18m) relates to UK losses carried forward at 31 December 2023. This amount has been calculated by estimating the future UK 
taxable profits, against which the UK tax losses will be utilised, progressively risk-weighted, and applying the tax rates (substantively enacted as 
at the balance sheet date) applicable for each year. Remaining UK tax losses of £34m (2022: £120m) have not been recognised as at 31 December 
2023 as it is not considered probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the tax losses can be offset. The estimates of 
future profits are based on management’s financial forecasts which are used to support other aspects of the financial statements, such as 
impairment testing. At the balance sheet date the Group had tax losses of £169m (2022: £230m) 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, £95m (2022: £74m) will expire at various dates between 2024 and 2040. Deferred tax assets recognised on tax losses are 
expected to be substantially utilised within the next 10 years.

In addition, the Group has UK capital losses carried forward of £276m (2022: £276m) 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 or other taxes levied by  
the overseas tax jurisdictions in which the subsidiaries operate. A deferred tax liability of £4m (2022: £5m) has been recognised in respect of this 
liability as it is anticipated that these profits will be distributed to the UK in the foreseeable future. At the balance sheet date there is no material 
unprovided deferred tax liability were overseas earnings to be distributed to the UK.

194 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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 Group. 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. Any excess of the 
purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recognised as goodwill. 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 under IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The intangible assets arising on acquisition are 
goodwill, customer lists, and brands. Goodwill represents the synergies, workforce, and other benefits expected as a result of combining the 
respective businesses. Customer lists 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, contributory asset charges, and discount rates.

At the date of acquisition, deferred and contingent consideration represents its fair value, with subsequent changes after the measurement 
period 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 and adjusting items.

Disclosures required by IFRS 3 Business Combinations are provided separately for those individual acquisitions that are considered to be 
material, and in aggregate for individually immaterial acquisitions. An acquisition would generally be considered individually material if the 
impact on the Group’s revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit measures (on an annualised basis) is greater than 5%, or the impact on goodwill 
is greater than 10% of the closing balance for the period. There were no individually material acquisitions in the year.

During the year, measurement period adjustments have been made in relation to the Terminix acquisition. These have been reflected as  
a retrospective adjustment of 2022 comparatives in accordance with IFRS 3 as follows:

Non-current assets

– Intangible assets
– Property, plant and equipment1
– Other non-current assets

Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets acquired

Goodwill

1. 

Includes ROU assets.

As
reported
£m

Measurement
period
adjustment
£m

Retrospectively
adjusted
£m

2,027
249
143
701
(311)
(1,875)

934

3,176

–
(5)
47
(3)
(5)
(18)

16

(16)

2,027
244
190
698
(316)
(1,893)

950

3,160

During the year the Group purchased 100% of the share capital or trade and assets of 41 companies and businesses (2022: 53). The total 
consideration in respect of these acquisitions was £261m (2022: £4,369m), and the cash outflow from current and past period acquisitions 
net of cash acquired was £242m (2022: £1,018m).

Goodwill on all acquisitions represents the synergies and other benefits expected to be realised from integrating acquired businesses into the 
Group, such as improved route density, expansion in use of best-in-class digital tools, and back office synergies. Details of goodwill and the fair 
value of net assets acquired in the year are as follows:

Purchase consideration

– Cash paid
– Deferred and contingent consideration
– Equity interests

Total purchase consideration
Fair value of net assets acquired1

Goodwill from current-year acquisitions1

Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes

Retrospectively
adjusted
Terminix Global 
Holdings, Inc.1
2022
£m

Individually 
immaterial 
acquisitions
2022
£m

Retrospectively
adjusted
Total1
2022
£m

1,087
–
3,023

4,110
(950)

3,160

–

214
45
–

259
(87)

172

60

1,301
45
3,023

4,369
(1,037)

3,332

60

Total
2023
£m

203
58
–

261
(88)

173

76

1.  Goodwill (decrease £16m), contract costs (increase £36m), investments in associates (increase £11m), ROU assets (decrease £5m), provisions (increase £24m), lease liabilities (decrease 

£8m), loans (decrease £11m), long-term liabilities (increase £11m), deferred tax liabilities (increase £2m), accrued income (decrease £3m) and accruals (increase £5m) have been 
retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition.

Deferred consideration of £15m and contingent consideration of £43m are payable in respect of the above acquisitions (2022: £22m and £23m 
respectively). Contingent consideration is payable based on a variety of conditions, including revenue and profit targets being met. Amounts 
for both deferred and contingent consideration are payable over the next five years. The Group has recognised contingent and deferred 
consideration based on fair value 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 contingent 
consideration liabilities not paid of £nil (2022: £10m).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 195

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceThe fair values7 of assets and liabilities arising from acquisitions in the year are as follows:

Non-current assets

– Intangible assets2
– Property, plant and equipment3
– Other non-current assets

Current assets4
Current liabilities5
Non-current liabilities6

Net assets acquired

Retrospectively
adjusted
Terminix Global 
Holdings, Inc.1
2022
£m

Individually 
immaterial 
acquisitions
2022
£m

Retrospectively
adjusted
Total1
2022
£m

2,027
244
190
698
(316)
(1,893)

950

74
14
–
28
(11)
(18)

87

2,101
258
190
726
(327)
(1,911)

1,037

Total
2023
£m

80
12
–
22
(12)
(14)

88

1.  Contract costs (increase £36m), investments in associates (increase £11m), ROU assets (decrease £5m), provisions (increase £24m), lease liabilities (decrease £8m), loans (decrease 
£11m), long-term liabilities (increase £11m), deferred tax liabilities (increase £2m), accrued income (decrease £3m) and accruals (increase £5m) have been retrospectively adjusted in 
2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition.

2.  Includes £69m (2022: £778m) of customer lists, £nil (2022: £1,292m) of indefinite-lived brands and £11m (2022: £31m) of other intangibles.
3.  Includes £1m (2022: £195m) of ROU assets.
4.  Includes cash acquired of £8m (2022: £322m), inventory of £2m (2022: £48m) and trade and other receivables of £12m (2022: £357m).
5.  Includes trade and other payables of £10m (2022: £326m).
6.  Includes £12m of deferred tax liabilities relating to acquired intangibles (2022: £447m), £nil of debt that was acquired with the Terminix business and repaid in November 2022 

(2022: £749m), lease liabilities of £1m (2022: £207m), termite damage claims provisions of £nil (2022: £353m) and other provisions of £1m (2022: £144m).

7.  The fair values of assets and liabilities from acquisitions in the current year will be finalised in the 2024 Financial Statements. These fair values are provisional as the acquisition 

accounting has not yet been finalised, primarily due to the proximity of many acquisitions to the year end.

The cash outflow from current and past acquisitions is as follows:

Total purchase consideration
Equity interests
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 and contingent consideration paid

Cash outflow on current and past acquisitions

Terminix Global 
Holdings, Inc.
2022
£m

Individually 
immaterial 
acquisitions
2022
£m

4,110
(3,023)
–

1,087
(313)

774
–

774

259
–
(45)

214
(9)

205
39

244

Total
2023
£m

261
–
(58)

203
(8)

195
47

242

Total
2022
£m

4,369
(3,023)
(45)

1,301
(322)

979
39

1,018

From the dates of acquisition to 31 December 2023, new acquisitions contributed £75m to revenue and £10m to operating profit (2022: £422m 
and £3m respectively).

If the acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2023, the revenue and operating profit of the combined Group would have amounted to £5,414m 
and £628m respectively (2022: £5,109m and £444m respectively).

196 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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:

Goodwill1 
£m

Customer  
lists 
£m

Indefinite-lived 
brands 
£m

Other  
intangibles 
£m

Product 
development 
£m

Computer 
software 
£m

Cost
At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals/retirements
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Hyperinflationary adjustment
Disposal of companies and businesses

At 31 December 2022 (retrospectively 
adjusted)

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals/retirements
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Hyperinflationary adjustment

At 31 December 2023

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences
Disposals/retirements
Hyperinflationary adjustment
Impairment charge
Amortisation charge

At 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Disposals/retirements
Hyperinflationary adjustment
Impairment charge
Amortisation charge

At 31 December 2023

Net book value
At 1 January 2022
At 31 December 2022 (retrospectively 
adjusted)

At 31 December 2023

 1,888 
(72) 
–
–
 3,336 
 14 
(1) 

 5,165 

 5,165 
(269) 
 –  
(2) 
 172 
 14 

 5,080 

(44) 
 1 
–
–
(22) 
–

(65) 

(65) 
 12 
 2 
(10) 
(3) 
 –  

(64) 

 1,844 

 5,100 

 5,016 

 876 
(5) 
–
(180) 
 779 
 3 
–

 1,473 

 1,473 
(70) 
 –  
(15) 
 69 
 3 

 1,460 

(635) 
(31) 
 179 
(1) 
–
(85) 

(573) 

(573) 
 26 
 15 
(1) 
(1) 
(155) 

(689) 

 241 

 900 

 771 

–
(107) 
–
–
 1,292 
–
–

 1,185 

 1,185 
(58) 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 1,127 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  

 1,185 

 1,127 

 67 
 2 
–
(12) 
 23 
 1 
–

 81 

 81 
(5) 
 –  
(12) 
 11 
 1 

 76 

(48) 
(2) 
 12 
–
–
(6) 

(44) 

(44) 
 2 
 12 
 –  
 –  
(9) 

(39) 

 19 

 37 

 37 

 46 
(1) 
 10 
–
–
–
–

 55 

 55 
 –  
 10 
 –  
 –  
 –  

 65 

(32) 
–
–
–
–
(5) 

(37) 

(37) 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
(7) 

(44) 

 14 

 18 

 21 

 163 
 6 
 27 
(1) 
 11 
–
–

 206 

 206 
(3) 
 34 
(8) 
 –  
 –  

 229 

(117) 
(5) 
 1 
–
–
(22) 

(143) 

(143) 
 3 
 7 
 –  
 –  
(26) 

(159) 

 46 

 63 

 70 

Total1 
£m

 3,040 
(177) 
 37 
(193) 
 5,441 
 18 
(1) 

 8,165 

 8,165 
(405) 
 44 
(37) 
 252 
 18 

 8,037 

(876) 
(37) 
 192 
(1) 
(22) 
(118) 

(862) 

(862) 
 43 
 36 
(11) 
(4) 
(197) 

(995) 

 2,164 

 7,303 

 7,042 

1.  Goodwill has been retrospectively adjusted by a decrease of £16m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix 

acquisition (see Note B1).

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. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may exceed its recoverable amount. 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: 
Other intangibles: 
Product development: 
Computer software: 

3 to 15 years
2 to 15 years
2 to 5 years
3 to 5 years

The following are the main categories of intangible assets with finite useful lives:

(a) Customer lists 
Customer lists are acquired as part of business combinations. No value is attributed to internally generated customer lists.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 197

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance(b) Other intangibles
Other intangibles consists of brands with finite useful lives and intellectual property. 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. Intellectual property costs are incurred in acquiring and maintaining patents and licences. These are recognised 
only if the cost can be measured reliably, and they are expected to generate economic benefits beyond one year, in excess of their cost.

(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 and amount to £2m in the year 
(2022: £3m).

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.

(b) Brands with indefinite useful lives
Brands with indefinite useful lives 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.

The Terminix US and Terminix International brands are considered to have indefinite useful lives due to their long history in the US (being founded 
in 1927), and having a strong brand equity in the US for much of its history and now internationally. The Group plans to continue to support and 
invest in the Terminix brand; it controls all the associated assets that support the underlying business, and therefore it is considered that there 
is no foreseeable limit on the period over which these brands will continue to generate net cash inflows. 

Goodwill and brands with indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. 
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units (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. 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 revenue growth and operating profit 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).

Cash flow projections included in the impairment review models include management’s view of the impact of climate change, including costs 
related to the effects of climate change, as well as the future costs of the Group’s commitment to reach net zero by 2040 and costs of compliance 
with current legal requirements. The potential increased costs, to meet these commitments less any benefits that may occur, are not expected 
to be material and therefore have resulted in no impairments during 2023.

A breakdown of goodwill by region is shown below:

North America1
Europe (incl. LATAM)
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia & MENAT
Pacific

Total

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

4,511 
241 
66 
196 
86 

5,100 

2023 
£m

4,376 
243 
97 
189 
111 

5,016 

Includes £2,744m (2022 retrospectively adjusted: £2,863m) relating to the US Terminix CGU and £1,541m (2022: £1,555m) relating to the US Pest Control CGU.

1. 
2.  North America has been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition.

Impairment tests for goodwill and brands with indefinite useful lives
For the India and Argentina CGUs, a fair value less costs to sell approach has been taken to support the carrying value of goodwill and brands 
with indefinite useful lives. During the year the Group recognised total impairments of £3m (2022: £22m). 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 no reasonably likely scenario under which material impairment could be expected to occur in the next 12 months based on the  
testing performed.

198 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedThe US Terminix CGU includes goodwill of £2,744m (2022 retrospectively adjusted: £2,863m) and the indefinite life Terminix US brand £1,111m 
(2022: £1,169m).

The key assumptions used by individual CGUs for value-in-use calculations were:

North America2
Europe (incl. LATAM)
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia & MENAT
Pacific

2023 long-term
growth rate1

2023 pre-tax
discount rate

2022 long-term
growth rate¹

2022 pre-tax
discount rate

2.0–2.1% 9.8–12.4%
1.6–3.0% 8.9–17.8%
2.0% 10.5–12.0%
2.0–4.0% 8.9–15.6%
2.0–2.6% 11.3–12.1%

8.4–10.3%
2.0%
6.7–15.4%
1.3–3.0%
8.0–12.3%
2.0–4.5%
1.5–4.0%
9.7–13.9%
2.0–2.5% 10.2–11.0%

1.  Source: imf.org.
2.  Key assumptions used by the US Terminix and US Pest Control CGUs were a long-term growth rate of 2.1% (2022: 2.0%) and a pre-tax discount rate of 10.1% (2022: 10.3%). 

For US Terminix CGU the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying amount by £1,212m (2022: not applicable) and for the US Pest Control CGU the recoverable amount exceeds 
the carrying amount by £1,657m (2022: £1,692m).

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 internally calculated weighted 
average cost of capital for each category and country. The pre-tax discount rates are based on current prices therefore future cash flow 
projections include inflation linked measures.

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 2022
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Reclassification from IFRS 16 ROU assets1

At 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Hyperinflationary adjustment
Reclassification from IFRS 16 ROU assets1

At 31 December 2023

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences
Disposals
Impairment charge
Depreciation charge

At 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Disposals
Hyperinflationary adjustment
Depreciation charge

At 31 December 2023

Net book value
At 1 January 2022
At 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2023

Land and 
buildings 
£m

Service contract 
equipment 
£m

Other plant and 
equipment 
£m

Vehicles 
and office 
equipment 
£m

 87 
 5 
 7 
(1) 
 29 
–

 127 

 127 
(7) 
 7 
(9) 
 –  
 4 
 –  

 122 

(31) 
(3) 
 1 
(8) 
(3) 

(44) 

(44) 
 2 
 4 
(1) 
(5) 

(44) 

 56 
 83 

 78 

 518 
 27 
 112 
(72) 
 2 
–

 587 

 587 
(20) 
 123 
(77) 
 1 
 –  
 –  

 614 

(314) 
(18) 
 72 
–
(96) 

(356) 

(356) 
 14 
 75 
 –  
(102) 

(369) 

 204 
 231 

 245 

 188 
 11 
 19 
(7) 
 4 
–

 215 

 215 
(5) 
 14 
(9) 
 1 
 –  
 –  

 216 

(135) 
(8) 
 6 
–
(14) 

(151) 

(151) 
 5 
 8 
 –  
(15) 

(153) 

 53 
 64 

 63 

 210 
 15 
 19 
(27) 
 30 
 8 

 255 

 255 
(15) 
 23 
(25) 
 8 
 1 
 8 

 255 

(125) 
(11) 
 25 
–
(27) 

(138) 

(138) 
 7 
 22 
(1) 
(32) 

(142) 

 85 
 117 

 113 

Total 
£m

 1,003 
 58 
 157 
(107) 
 65 
 8 

 1,184 

 1,184 
(47) 
 167 
(120) 
 10 
 5 
 8 

 1,207 

(605) 
(40) 
 104 
(8) 
(140) 

(689) 

(689) 
 28 
 109 
(2) 
(154) 

(708) 

 398 
 495 

 499 

1.  Certain leased assets become owned assets at the end of their lease period and are therefore reclassified from ROU assets (Note B4).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 199

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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 no 
impairments in the year (2022: £8m).

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 offices and warehouses.

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.

A breakdown of the right-of-use (ROU) assets is shown below:

Net book value
At 1 January 2022
Exchange differences
Additions
Acquisition of companies and businesses1
Impairment charge3
Depreciation charge
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment2

At 31 December 2022 (retrospectively adjusted)

At 1 January 2023
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Acquisition of companies and businesses
Depreciation charge
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment2

At 31 December 2023

Land and 
buildings 
£m

Vehicles1 
£m

Other  
equipment 
£m

 94 
–
 69 
 79 
(17) 
(43) 
–

 182 

 182 
(8) 
 63 
(3) 
 1 
(57) 
 –  

 178 

 132 
 3 
 69 
 115 
–
(45) 
(8) 

 266 

 266 
(11) 
 91 
(3) 
 –  
(62) 
(8) 

 273 

 2 
–
–
–
–
(1) 
–

 1 

 1 
 –  
 1 
 –  
 –  
(1) 
 –  

 1 

Total 
£m

 228 
 3 
 138 
 194 
(17) 
(89) 
(8) 

 449 

 449 
(19) 
 155 
(6) 
 1 
(120) 
(8) 

 452 

1.  Right-of-use assets have been retrospectively adjusted by a decrease of £5m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the 

Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

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:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Lease payments
Interest
Additions
Acquisition of companies and businesses

At 31 December

Analysed as follows:
Non-current
Current

Total

Retrospectively  
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 217 
(1) 
(114) 
 10 
 140 
 208 

 460 

 325 
 135 

 460 

2023 
£m

 460 
(20) 
(182) 
 25 
 161 
 1 

 445 

 318 
 127 

 445 

1.  Lease liabilities have been retrospectively adjusted by a decrease of £7m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix 

acquisition (see Note B1).

200 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued 
 
 
Lease liabilities analysed by currency:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other currencies

At 31 December

Retrospectively  
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 34 
 61 
 307 
 58 

 460 

2023 
£m

 34 
 63 
 289 
 59 

 445 

1.  Lease liabilities have been retrospectively adjusted by a decrease of £7m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix 

acquisition (see Note B1).

Lease liabilities are payable as follows:

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

Future minimum payments

Effect of discounting

Carrying value

Retrospectively  
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 144 
 277 
 82 

 503 

(43) 

 460 

2023 
£m

 146 
 298 
 72 

 516 

(71) 

 445 

1.  Lease liabilities have been retrospectively adjusted by a decrease of £7m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix 

acquisition (see Note B1).

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

2023 
£m

 14 
 8 
 2 

 24 

2023 
£m

 22 
 3 

 25 

2022 
£m

 13 
 8 
–

 21 

2022 
£m

 37 
 3 

 40 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 201

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceB6. Investments in associated undertakings

Interest in Nippon Calmic Limited
Interest in individually immaterial associated undertakings1

At 31 December1

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 32 
 31 

 63 

2023 
£m

 31 
 13 

 44 

1. 

Investments in associated undertakings have been retrospectively adjusted by an increase of £10m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments 
made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

Nippon Calmic Limited
Nippon Calmic Limited is an associated undertaking in Japan which provides hygiene services, 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

1.  Share of profit is net of tax of £4m (2022: £4m).

2023 
£m

 32 
(4) 
 7 
(4) 

 31 

Nippon Calmic Ltd (49%)

Assets  
2023 
£m

 60 

Liabilities  
2023 
£m

Revenue  
2023 
£m

(28) 

 54 

Profit  
2023 
£m

 7 

Assets  
2022 
£m

 66 

Liabilities  
2022 
£m

(33) 

Revenue  
2022 
£m

 52 

2022 
£m

 29 
(1) 
 8 
(4) 

 32 

Profit  
2022 
£m

 8 

Individually immaterial associates
In addition to the interest in associates disclosed above, the Group also has interests in a number of individually immaterial associates that are 
accounted for using the equity method.

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Acquisitions1
Disposals
Share of profit

At 31 December1

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

 1 
(2) 
 31 
 –  
 1 

 31 

2023 
£m

 31 
(1) 
 –  
(19) 
 2 

 13 

1. 

Investments in associated undertakings have been retrospectively adjusted by an increase of £10m in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments 
made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

£nil (2022: £1m) relates to unrecognised share of losses related to associates. 

202 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontinued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. It is the Group’s policy to have headroom of unrestricted cash and available committed 
facilities of at least £600m, and the Treasury Committee manages financing requirements and associated headroom at least 12 months forward. 
Available commitments of $1,000m (£785m) under the revolving credit facility (RCF), together with unrestricted cash of £818m, gives the Group 
combined headroom of £1,603m at 31 December 2023 (2022: £1,694m).

The RCF and other Group debt facilities have no financial covenants and the Group is compliant with other terms, conditions, and undertakings 
of its debt facilities.

The Group targets an investment grade credit rating for debt issuance of BBB over the medium term. The Group was rated BBB by both S&P 
Global (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). In line with ratings criteria, debt maturities are covered at least 12 months in advance using available cash 
or committed facilities, or by issuance of new debt. Management maintains an active dialogue with both S&P and Fitch, as well as the Group’s 
relationship banks, to ensure that any changes to the Group’s financing and acquisition strategies are understood.

The Group has one debt maturity of €400m falling due in November 2024. The Group has sufficient headroom to cover this maturity without 
issuing new debt.

The following bonds: €400m due November 2024, €500m due May 2026, and €600m due October 2028; issued under the Group’s Euro 
Medium-Term Notes (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. All other bonds issued under the EMTN Programme do not contain the coupon step-up.

(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-, or equivalent rating with one of the major credit rating agencies. 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 that commitments under its facilities are available as needed.

At 31 December 2023 the Group had a total of £16m of cash held on bank accounts with banks rated below A- (2022: £36m). The highest 
concentration with any single bank rated below A- was £1m (2022: £14m).

(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-denominated 
profits from UK operations are exceeded by sterling-denominated Group central costs. This means that approximately 110% of Group operating 
profit is generated in foreign currencies.

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 cash flows. Foreign exchange derivatives are used to manage foreign 
currency exposures in excess of £10m 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 foreign exchange transactions are 
covered by ISDA documentation.

The most significant foreign currency groups are US dollars and euros, which make up 62% and 29% of Group operating profit respectively.

At 31 December 2023 the Group’s net debt was approximately 74% US dollar (2022: 66%), 28% euro (2022: 23%), and offset by cash 2% (2022: 11% 
debt) in other currencies, including sterling. 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 a hypothetical foreign exchange impact on the income statement and foreign currency translation of net investments in 
foreign subsidiaries for a 10% movement in foreign exchange rates. The Group’s principal foreign currency exposure is the US dollar. For US 
dollars, a 10% movement in £/$ would result in a £35m increase/decrease (2022: £25m) in operating profit, offset by a £12m decrease/increase 
(2022: £3m) in interest payable and a £349m increase/decrease (2022: £377m) in other comprehensive income. A 10% movement in £/€ would 
result in a £16m increase/decrease (2022: £15m) in operating profit, offset by a £5m decrease/increase (2022: £3m) in interest payable and a £17m 
increase/decrease (2022: £nil) in other comprehensive income. The other comprehensive income impact also includes the offsetting impact from 
financial instruments used to hedge the retranslation of the net investment in subsidiaries, which for US dollar is £182m (2022: £210m) and euro  
is £27m (2022: £46m). Where possible, currency cash flows are used to settle liabilities in the same currency in preference to selling currency in 
the market.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 203

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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 £86m at 31 December 2023 
(2022: £128m). The income statement impact is £nil as changes in interest rates do not change the expected cash flows on the bonds.

A hypothetical 1.0% increase in pound sterling interest rates would reduce the market value of the Group’s bond liabilities by £26m at 
31 December 2023 (2022: £34m). The income statement impact is £nil (2022: £nil).

A hypothetical 1.0% increase in US dollar interest rates would have an income statement impact of £6m (2022: £6m) as 50% of the $700m term 
loan was hedged in 2023 (2022: nil) and certain leases are denominated in US dollars with floating interest rates. 

The Group had outstanding bond debt issues at 31 December 2023 with a fair market value of £2,959m (2022: £2,826m). This is above the book 
value of £2,943m (2022: £2,987m) as a result of changes in interest rates in the UK and 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.

(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. The Group uses 
S&P’s and Fitch’s ratings methodologies for a BBB issuer to manage its capital risk. In the event that a ratings downgrade is likely, net debt could 
be managed by reducing or suspending dividends, M&A spend, and capital expenditure. The Group would also consider raising additional equity 
to protect its BBB rating.

(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
Net debt is used to assess the Group’s financial capacity. Net debt is not a measure defined by IFRS. Management defines net debt as the total of 
bank and other borrowings, lease liabilities, other investments, fair value of debt-related derivatives, and cash and cash equivalents (as presented 
in the Consolidated Balance Sheet). Closing net debt comprises:

Current
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Other investments2
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
Bank and other short-term borrowings1,3
Lease liabilities1
Non-current
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
Bank and other long-term borrowings4
Lease liabilities

Total net debt1

Notes

C3
C4

B4

B4

Retrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

2023 
£m

 1,562 
 1 
(18) 
(1,134) 
(127) 

 41 
(3,153) 
(318) 

(3,146) 

 2,170 
 1 
 –  
(1,345) 
(135) 

(71) 
(3,574) 
(325) 

(3,279) 

1.  Bank and other short-term borrowings (decrease £9m) and lease liabilities (decrease £7m) have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect 

measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

2.  Net debt excludes other investments which are non-cash, such as the investment in unlisted shares.
3.  Bank and other short-term borrowings consists of £347m bond debt (2022: £nil); £730m overdraft (2022: £1,291m), £17m overseas loans (2022: £14m), and £40m bond accruals 

(2022: £40m).

4.  Bank and other long-term borrowings consists of £2,596m bond debt (2022: £2,987m) and £557m loans (2022: £587m).

204 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedRetrospectively 
adjusted 
20221 
£m

The currency split and cash flows of bank, other borrowings, and debt-related derivatives are as follows:

Pound sterling
Euro
US dollar1
Other currencies

Carrying value1

Effect of discounting

Undiscounted value1

Analysis of undiscounted cash flows of bank and other borrowings:
Less than one year
Between one and five years1
More than five years

Future minimum payments1

2023 
£m

 1,075 
 934 
 2,212 
 43 

 4,264 

 525 

 4,789 

 1,185 
 2,601 
 1,003 

 4,789 

1.  Bank and other short-term borrowings (decrease £9m) and lease liabilities (decrease £7m) have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect 

measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

Reconciliation of net change in cash and cash equivalents to net debt:

Bank and other short-term borrowings
Bank and other long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities
Other investments
Fair value of debt-related derivatives

Gross debt
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Net debt

Bank and other short-term borrowings1
Bank and other long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities1
Other investments
Fair value of debt-related derivatives

Gross debt1 (retrospectively adjusted)
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Net debt1 (retrospectively adjusted)

Notes

B4

Notes

B4

Non-cash  
(fair value 
changes, 
accruals and 
acquisitions) 
£m

Non-cash 
(foreign 
exchange, 
additions  
and other) 
£m

(106) 
 –  
(162) 
 –  
(1) 

(269) 
 –  

(269) 

(347) 
 421 
(5) 
 –  
 56 

 125 
(7) 

 118 

Non-cash  
(fair value 
changes, 
accruals and 
acquisitions)1 
£m

Non-cash 
(foreign 
exchange, 
additions  
and other)1 
£m

(762) 
 –  
(217) 
 –  
 19 

(960) 
 –  

(960) 

(3) 
(61) 
(140) 
 –  
(61) 

(265) 
(89) 

(354) 

Cash  
flows 
£m

 664 
 –  
 182 
 –  
 39 

 885 
(601) 

 284 

Cash  
flows 
£m

(121) 
(2,257) 
 114 
 –  
(7) 

(2,271) 
 1,591 

(680) 

Opening  
2023 
£m

(1,345) 
(3,574) 
(460) 
 1 
(71) 

(5,449) 
 2,170 

(3,279) 

Opening  
2022 
£m

(459) 
(1,256) 
(217) 
 1 
(22) 

(1,953) 
 668 

(1,285) 

 1,726 
 927 
 2,313 
 24 

 4,990 

 567 

 5,557 

 1,425 
 3,075 
 1,057 

 5,557 

Closing  
2023 
£m

(1,134) 
(3,153) 
(445) 
 1 
 23 

(4,708) 
 1,562 

(3,146) 

Closing  
20221 
£m

(1,345) 
(3,574) 
(460) 
 1 
(71) 

(5,449) 
 2,170 

(3,279) 

1.  Bank and other short-term borrowings (decrease £9m) and lease liabilities (decrease £7m) have been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect 

measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

The foreign exchange gain on debt and derivatives amounted to £146m (2022: £74m loss). The gain primarily resulted from a weakening 
of the euro by 2 cents and a weakening of the US dollar by 6 cents. Included within the net decrease in cash and cash equivalents is £3m 
(2022: £4m) cash paid on debt-related foreign exchange forward contracts (which is included within financing activities in the Consolidated 
Cash Flow Statement).

The total cash outflow in borrowings of £664m (2022: £2,378m decrease) includes £nil proceeds from new debt (2022: £2,383m) (included in 
financing activities), £562m decrease in overdraft (2022: £865m increase), £nil debt repayment (included in financing activities) (2022: £844m), 
and £102m settlement of interest accrued (included within operating activities) (2022: £26m).

The derivatives cash outflow of £39m (2022: £7m decrease) includes £3m (2022: £26m inflow) of cash paid on debt-related foreign exchange 
swaps (included in financing activities) and £36m (2022: £19m) interest paid (included in operating activities).

The cash outflow of £182m from leases liabilities (2022: £114m) includes £157m (2022: £104m) capital paid (included within financing activities) 
and £25m (2022: £10m) interest paid (included in operating activities).

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 £2,943m 
(2022: £2,987m) and a fair value of £2,959m (2022: £2,826m).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 205

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceThe Group operates notional pooling arrangements whereby cash balances and overdrafts held within the same bank have a legal right of offset. 
Derivative financial instruments held with the same bank and have a legal right to offset are shown net. The following table shows the effect of 
offsetting in the balance sheet due to financial instruments subject to enforceable netting arrangements:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Derivative financial instruments

Total

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Total

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables1
Other financial assets
Derivative financial instruments

Total (retrospectively adjusted)

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables1
Borrowings1
Lease liabilities1
Derivative financial instruments

Total (retrospectively adjusted)

Gross amount 
2023 
£m

Notes

Gross amounts 
set off in the 
balance sheet 
2023 
£m

Net amounts 
presented in the 
balance sheet 
2023 
£m

Amount subject 
to master netting 
arrangement 
2023 
£m

Net amount 
2023 
£m

 1,562 
 857 
 1 
 70 

 2,490 

(866) 
(4,287) 
(445) 
(48) 

(5,646) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 1,562 
 857 
 1 
 70 

 2,490 

(866) 
(4,287) 
(445) 
(48) 

(5,646) 

(730) 
 –  
 –  
(26) 

(756) 

 –  
 730 
 –  
 26 

 756 

 832 
 857 
 1 
 44 

 1,734 

(866) 
(3,557) 
(445) 
(22) 

(4,890) 

Gross amount 
20221 
£m

Notes

Gross amounts 
set off in the 
balance sheet 
2022 
£m

Net amounts 
presented in the 
balance sheet 
20221 
£m

Amount subject 
to master netting 
arrangement 
20221 
£m

Net amount 
20221 
£m

C3
A3
C4
C6

A5
C2
B4
C6

 2,170 
 841 
 1 
 21 

 3,033 

(909) 
(4,919) 
(460) 
(92) 

(6,380) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 2,170 
 841 
 1 
 21 

 3,033 

(909) 
(4,919) 
(460) 
(92) 

(6,380) 

(1,291) 
 –  
 –  
(21) 

(1,312) 

 –  
 1,291 
 –  
 21 

 1,312 

 879 
 841 
 1 
 –  

 1,721 

(909) 
(3,628) 
(460) 
(71) 

(5,068) 

1.  Trade and other receivables (decrease £2m), trade and other payables (increase £13m), bank and other short-term borrowings (decrease £9m) and lease liabilities (decrease £7m) have 

been retrospectively adjusted in 2022, in accordance with IFRS 3, to reflect measurement period adjustments made relating to the Terminix acquisition (see Note B1).

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 £15m (2022: £13m) 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 £70m (2022: £69m) 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.

Cash at bank and in hand
Money market funds
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 
2023 
£m

Gross amounts 
2022 
£m

 1,080 
 153 
 329 

 1,562 
(730) 

 832 

 1,713 
 236 
 221 

 2,170 
(1,291) 

 879 

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 banking facilities before 
being placed on deposit.

206 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedC4. Other investments
Other investments held at year end mainly comprised investments in unlisted shares in a joint venture based in the Cayman Islands, and term 
deposits maturing in more than three months from the date that the deposit was placed. The weighted average effective interest rate earned 
is nil% (2022: nil%) with £nil fixed for six months (2022: £nil) and £1m fixed for six months to one year (2022: £1m). Fair value is equal to carrying 
value for all other investments.

Financial assets are denominated in the following currencies:

Pound sterling
Other

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

2023 
£m

 1 
 21 

 22 

 1 
 21 

 22 

2022 
£m

 1 
 23 

 24 

 1 
 23 

 24 

None of the financial assets are either past due or impaired in 2023 (2022: none).

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. There were no fair value hedges as at the year end date.

(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 are directly hedged, therefore the hedge ratio 
is considered to be 1:1.

The Group expects that the values of the hedged item and hedging instrument will move in opposite directions in response to movements in the 
same hedged risk. Where there are sufficient levels of denominated net assets, the critical terms are deemed to match.

The following net investment hedges were in place at 31 December 2023:

US dollar net investment hedge relationship: $2,091m (2022: $2,091m) cross-currency swaps notional, $459m (2022: $700m) loan notional, and 
$206m (2022: $274m) cross-currency swaps future interest cash flows have been used to hedge $2,756m (2022: $3,065m) of the net assets 
of the US operating subsidiaries. The movement in the cross-currency swaps due to changes in $/£ exchange rates are in the opposite direction 
of the changes due to $/£ in the subsidiaries’ assets. As the critical terms match, their values will systematically change in the opposite direction 
of each other. Thus we consider that this demonstrates the existence of an economic relationship.

Euro net investment hedge relationship: €343m (2022: €577m) bonds are used to hedge the net assets of the euro operating subsidiaries 
totalling €343m (2022: €577m). The movement in the bonds due to changes in €/£ exchange rates are in the opposite direction of the changes 
due to €/£ in the subsidiaries’ assets. As the critical terms match, their values will systematically change in the opposite direction of each other. 
Thus we consider that this demonstrates the existence of an economic relationship.

Australian dollar (AUD) net investment hedge relationship: AUDnil (2022: AUD8m) overdraft is used to hedge AUDnil (2022: AUD8m) of the net 
assets of the AUD denominated operating subsidiaries. The movement in the overdraft balance due to changes in AUD/GBP exchange rates are 
in the opposite direction of the changes due to AUD/GBP in the subsidiaries’ assets. As the critical terms match, their values will systematically 
change in the opposite direction of each other. Thus we consider that this demonstrates the existence of an economic relationship.

Japanese yen (JPY) net investment hedge relationship: JPY1,925m (2022: JPY1,925m) cross-currency swap notional and JPY27m (2022: JPY55m) 
cross-currency swaps future interest cash inflows have been used to hedge JPY1,898m (2022: JPY1,870m) of the net assets of the Japanese 
associate. The movement in the cross-currency swaps due to changes in JPY/GBP exchange rates are in the opposite direction of the changes 
due to JPY/GBP in the associate’s assets. As the critical terms match, their values will systematically change in the opposite direction of each 
other. Thus we consider that this demonstrates the existence of an economic relationship.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 207

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceDuring the year there was no gain or loss (2022: £1m loss) relating to ineffectiveness of net investment in foreign entity hedges. The main source 
of ineffectiveness of the net investment hedge is the off-market value of the cross-currency swaps used to hedge US dollar net assets at the 
hedge designation date. Ineffectiveness due to changes in the counterparty credit risk was not material in the year and is expected to remain 
so due to the Group’s policy of only using counterparties with a credit rating of A- and above.

For the year ended 31 December 2023, the amount in comprehensive income related to net investment hedge accounting was a gain of £109m 
(2022: £68m loss).

The effect of the foreign currency-related hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance is shown in the table below:

Hedging instruments

Cross-currency swaps

Cross-currency swaps

Bonds

Term loan

Currency

 USD 

 JPY 

 EUR 

Carrying  
amount at 
year end date 
£m

Notional  
amount 
£m

Maturity  
date

Hedge 
ratio

Change in 
 fair value of 
outstanding 
instrument 
£m

Change in fair 
value of 
hedged item 
£m

Weighted 
 average 
foreign 
exchange rate  
for the year

Ineffectiveness 
£m

2023

 9 

(1,641) 

 November 2024 
– October 2028 

 1 

(11) 

 November 2024 

(298) 

(298) 

 June 2027 –  
June 2030 

 1:1 

 114 

 114 

 –  

 1.250 

 1:1 

 1:1 

 1 

 6 

 9 

 1 

 6 

 9 

 –  

 167.269 

 –  

 1.162 

 –  

 1.110 

 USD 

(360) 

(360) 

 October 2025 

 1:1 

2022

Hedging instruments

Currency

Carrying  
amount at 
year end date 
£m

Notional  
amount 
£m

Maturity  
date

Hedge 
ratio

Change in 
 fair value of 
outstanding 
instrument 
£m

Change in fair 
value of 
hedged item 
£m

Weighted 
 average 
foreign 
exchange rate  
for the year

Ineffectiveness 
£m

Cross-currency swaps

 USD 

(105) 

(1,728) 

 November 2024 
– October 2028 

 1:1 

(109) 

(108) 

(1) 

 1.250 

Cross-currency swaps

Bonds

Term loan

Overdraft

 JPY 

 EUR 

 USD 

 AUD 

 –  

(12) 

 November 2024 

(510) 

(510) 

 June 2027 – 
June 2030 

(579) 

(579) 

 October 2025 

(5) 

(5) 

 n/a 

 1:1 

 1:1 

 1:1 

 1:1 

 –  

(22) 

 60 

 –  

 –  

(22) 

 60 

 –  

 –  

 137.071 

 –  

 1.154 

 –  

 –  

 1.152 

 1.819 

The amount in net investment hedge reserves related to continuing hedges is a gain of £16m (2022: £91m loss), and the amount related to 
discontinued hedges is £nil (2022: £nil).

The change in fair value of the outstanding hedging instrument differs from the amount recognised in OCI during the year due to the impact  
of currency basis (excluded from the hedge relationship) and the foreign exchange impact of realised interest on the hedging instrument  
(not reflected in the fair value change).

(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 210) in accordance with IFRS 9. 
Where no hedge accounting has been applied, related derivatives have been marked as ‘non-hedge’.

The hedged item, a euro bond, creates an exposure to pay interest annually and the principal at maturity. By receiving the same amount at the 
same dates through a cross-currency swap, this exposure is eliminated. Since the critical terms of the derivative and the hedged debt match 
(i.e. matching currencies, payment dates and interest rate on the leg of the swap offsetting the bond), the change in value of the derivative, 
excluding any basis risk, will be considered to completely offset the changes in the hedged cash flow.

208 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedAny ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedge is taken directly to finance costs. During the year there was a gain of £1m (2022: loss of £1m) from 
those derivatives in a cash flow hedge relationship. Ineffectiveness due to changes in the counterparty credit risk was not material in the year 
and is expected to remain the same because the Group’s counterparties credit rating is A- and above.

Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to €400m (2022: €400m) of the €400m 2024 bond, €500m (2022: €500m) of the €500m 2026 
bond, €421m (2022: €421m) of the €850m 2027 bond, and €600m (2022: €600m) of the €600m 2028 bond. The cross-currency interest rate 
swaps are used as hedging instruments to hedge the volatility in the £/€ exchange rate of the bonds. For the year ended 31 December 2023, 
the amount in comprehensive income related to cash flow hedge accounting was a gain of £3m (2022: £6m loss).

Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to $350m (2022: $nil) of the $700m term loan. The interest rate swaps are used as hedging 
instruments to hedge the volatility in the SOFR interest rate of the term loan. For the year ended 31 December 2023, the amount in 
comprehensive income related to cash flow hedge accounting was £nil (2022: £nil).

The effect of the foreign currency related hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance is shown in the table below:

Hedging instruments

Currency

Carrying  
amount at 
year end date 
£m

Notional  
amount 
£m

Cross-currency swaps

 EUR 

 13 

 1,668 

2023

Maturity  
date

 November 2024 
– October 2028 

Hedge 
ratio

 1:1 

Change in 
 fair value of 
outstanding 
instrument 
£m

Change in fair 
value of 
hedged item 
£m

Weighted 
 average 
foreign 
exchange rate  
for the year

Ineffectiveness 
£m

(21) 

(21) 

 –  

 1.150 

Interest rate swaps

 USD 

 1 

 275 

 September 2024 

 1:1 

 1 

 –  

 1 

 – 

Hedging instruments

Currency

Carrying  
amount at 
year end date 
£m

Notional  
amount 
£m

Cross-currency swaps

 EUR 

 34 

 1,700 

2022

Maturity  
date

 November 2024 
– October 2028 

Hedge 
ratio

 1:1 

Change in 
 fair value of 
outstanding 
instrument 
£m

Change in fair 
value of 
hedged item 
£m

Weighted 
 average 
foreign 
exchange rate  
for the year

Ineffectiveness 
£m

 60 

 61 

(1) 

 1.150 

The amount in cash flow hedge reserves related to continuing hedges is a gain of £6m (2022: £3m gain), and the amount related to discontinued 
hedges is £nil (2022: £nil).

The change in fair value of the outstanding hedging instrument differs from the amount recognised in OCI during the year due to the impact of 
currency basis (excluded from the hedge relationship) and the spot retranslation element of the fair value movement (which offsets the hedged 
item in the profit or loss).

C6. 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. 

Financial instrument

Financial assets traded in active markets
Financial liabilities traded in active markets
Listed bonds
Money market funds
Interest rate/currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Borrowings not traded in active markets (term loans 
and uncommitted facilities)
Money market deposits
Trade payables and receivables
Contingent consideration (including put option liability)

Hierarchy 
level

1
1
1
1
2
2

2
2
2
3

Valuation method

Current bid price
Current ask price
Quoted market prices
Quoted market prices
Discounted cash flow based on market swap rates
Forward exchange market rates 

Nominal value
Nominal value
Nominal value less estimated credit adjustments
Discounted cash flow using weighted average cost of capital

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 209

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceInterest rate swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge
– net investment hedge
– cash flow hedge

Foreign exchange swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Derivative financial instruments

Contingent consideration (including put option liability) (level 3)

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Other payables 

Fair value  
assets 
2023 
£m

Fair value 
liabilities 
2023 
£m

Fair value  
assets 
2022 
£m

Fair value 
liabilities  
2022 
£m

 –  
 37 
 24 

 1 

 62 

 5 
 57 

 62 

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

(1) 
(27) 
(11) 

 –  

(39) 

(23) 
(16) 

(39) 

(76) 

(36) 
(40) 

(76) 

 –  
 15 
 36 

 –  

 51 

 –  
 51 

 51 

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
(120) 
(2) 

 –  

(122) 

 –  
(122) 

(122) 

(70) 

(32) 
(38) 

(70) 

Certain interest rate swaps have been bifurcated to manage different foreign exchange risks. The interest rate swaps are shown on the balance 
sheet as net derivative assets £71m (2022: £21m) and net derivative liabilities £48m (2022: £92m).

The effective nominal value of foreign exchange swaps is £27m asset (2022: £17m liability) and foreign exchange forwards is £nil (2022: £nil).

Given the volume of acquisitions and the variety of inputs to the valuation of contingent consideration (depending on each transaction), there are 
not considered to be any changes in input that would have a material impact on the contingent consideration liability.

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Acquisitions
Payments
Revaluation of put option through equity

At 31 December 

Fair value is equal to carrying value for all other trade and other payables.

Contingent 
consideration 
2023 
£m

Contingent 
consideration 
2022 
£m

 70 
(3) 
 41 
(28) 
(4) 

 76 

 75 
(2) 
 18 
(24) 
 3 

 70 

210 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedThe table below analyses the Group’s undiscounted cash flows on borrowings and 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.

At 31 December 2023
Non-derivative financial instruments
Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments
Cross-currency interest rate swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Interest rate swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Foreign exchange swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Net outflow

At 31 December 2022
Non-derivative financial instruments
Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Cross-currency interest rate swaps:
– outflow
– inflow

Interest rate swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Foreign exchange swaps:

– outflow
– inflow

Net outflow

Less than 
1 year 
£m

Between 
1 and 5 years 
£m

More than 
5 years 
£m

Total 
£m

(1,209) 

(1,209) 

(2,601) 

(2,601) 

(1,003) 

(1,003) 

(4,812) 

(4,812) 

(454) 
 400 

(1,707) 
 1,703 

(21) 
 31 

(140) 
 140 

(44) 

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

(4) 

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

(2,162) 
 2,103 

(21) 
 31 

(140) 
 140 

(49) 

(1,253) 

(2,605) 

(1,003) 

(4,861) 

(1,425) 

(1,425) 

(3,003) 

(3,003) 

(1,057) 

(1,057) 

(5,486) 

(5,486) 

(64) 
 20 

(1) 
 10 

(15) 
 15 

(35) 

(1,369) 
 1,264 

(549) 
 534 

(1,982) 
 1,818 

(3) 
 9 

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

(99) 

(15) 

(4) 
 19 

(15) 
 15 

(149) 

(1,460) 

(3,102) 

(1,072) 

(5,635) 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 211

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceC7. 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 facilities comprise:

Non-current
$700m term loan due October 2025
$1.0bn RCF due October 2028

Facility  
amount 
2023 
£m

Drawn at 
year end 
2023 
£m

Headroom 
2023 
£m

Interest rate 
at year end 
2023 
%

 550 
 785 

 550 
 –  

 –  
 785 

 5.94 
 0.14 

Facility  
amount 
2022 
£m

 579 
 827 

Drawn at 
year end 
2022 
£m

Headroom 
2022 
£m

Interest rate 
at year end 
2022 
%

 579 
 –  

 –  
 827 

 4.90 
 0.14 

The RCF was undrawn throughout 2022 and 2023. There are no financial covenants on the RCF or any other debt facility.

Medium-term notes and bond debt comprises:

Current
€400m bond due November 2024
Non-current
€500m bond due May 2026
€850m bond due June 2027
€600m bond due October 2028
€600m bond due June 2030
£400m bond due June 2032

Bond interest 
coupon 
2023

Effective hedged 
interest rate 
2023

Bond interest 
coupon 
2022

Effective hedged 
interest rate 
2022

 Fixed 0.950% 

 Fixed 3.60% 

 Fixed 0.950% 

 Fixed 3.21% 

 Fixed 0.875% 
 Fixed 3.875% 
 Fixed 0.500% 
 Fixed 4.375% 
 Fixed 5.000% 

 Fixed 2.80% 
 Fixed 5.01% 
 Fixed 2.23% 
 Fixed 4.48% 
 Fixed 5.20% 

 Fixed 0.875% 
 Fixed 3.875% 
 Fixed 0.500% 
 Fixed 4.375% 
 Fixed 5.000% 

 Fixed 1.78% 
 Fixed 3.98% 
 Fixed 1.30% 
 Fixed 4.38% 
 Fixed 5.11% 

3.28%

Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates

3.97%

The effective hedged interest rate reflects the interest rate payable after the impact of interest due from cross-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.

The Group considers the fair value of other current liabilities to be equal to the carrying value.

C8. 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 swaps2
Interest payable on leases
Amortisation of discount on provisions
Fair value loss on hedge ineffectiveness

Total finance cost

Note

B4

2023 
£m

 61 
 42 
 3 
 44 
 25 
 14 
 –  

 189 

2022 
£m

 39 
 5 
 1 
 19 
 10 
 3 
 2 

 79 

Interest expense on financial liabilities held at amortised cost.

1. 
2.  Interest payable on foreign exchange swaps including coupon interest payable for the year was £55m (2022: £26m). £12m has been reported in other comprehensive income due 

to hedge accounting (2022: £8m).

C9. Finance income

Bank interest received
Fair value gain on hedge ineffectiveness
Foreign exchange gain on translation of foreign assets/liabilities
Hyperinflation accounting adjustment

Total finance income

Note

2023 
£m

 25 
 1 
 11 
 11 

 48 

2022 
£m

 5 
 22 
 –  
 22 

 49 

2021 
£m

 10 
 3 
 1 
 14 
 6 
–
–

 34 

2021 
£m

 1 
–
–
 3 

 4 

212 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementscontinuedD. Other
D1. Dividends
Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period in which 
the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised when paid.

2020 final dividend paid – 5.41p per share
2021 interim dividend paid – 2.09p per share
2021 final dividend paid – 4.30p per share
2022 interim dividend paid – 2.40p per share
2022 final dividend paid – 5.15p per share
2023 interim dividend paid – 2.75p per share

2023 
£m

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 131 
 70 

 201 

2022 
£m

 – 
 – 
 80 
 42 
 – 
 – 

 122 

2021 
£m

 100 
 39 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 139 

An interim dividend of 2.75p per share was paid on 11 September 2023 amounting to £70m. A final dividend in respect of 2023 of 5.93p per share 
is to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2024.

The aggregate amount of the proposed dividend to be paid out of retained earnings at 31 December 2023, but not recognised as a liability at year 
end, is £150m (2022: £130m; 2021: £80m).

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. 

The Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital and does not hold any shares in treasury.

During the year, 2,500,000 new shares were issued in relation to employee share schemes.

Issued and fully paid
At 31 December – 2,522,539,885 shares (2022: 2,520,039,885)

2023 
£m

25

2022 
£m

25

D3. Contingent liabilities
The Group has contingent liabilities relating to guarantees in respect of leasehold properties, pensions, third parties, tax, and litigation.  
The Group also has contingent liabilities for the management or remediation of environmental issues. These issues tend to be complex to 
determine and resolve and may be material, although it is often not possible to accurately predict future costs reliably. The possibility of any 
significant outflows in respect of these items is considered to be remote.

D4. Related party transactions
Subsidiaries
All transactions between Group subsidiaries were transacted at arm’s length during the ordinary course of business and have been eliminated 
on consolidation, along with any outstanding balances, and accordingly are not disclosed in this note.

Key management personnel
The Group’s strategy and policy are managed by the Executive Leadership Team. Their compensation is shown below:

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2023
£m

6
2
2

10

2022
£m

7
–
5

12

2021
£m

6
1
3

10

Joint ventures and associate entities
Nippon Calmic Limited (49%), Boecker Public Safety Services – Qatar W.L.L. (24.5%) and Boecker Public Health Services Limited (30%) were 
associates during 2022 and 2023. In addition the Group acquired investments in associates based in China with the Terminix acquisition on 
12 October 2022 as follows: Fujian Xunke Pest Control Company Limited (30%), Guangdong Vircon Pest Management Company Limited (30%), 
Ningbo Yuying Vector Control Company Limited (30%) and Guangdong New Hope City Pest Control Company Limited (30%). All balances related 
to associates are disclosed in Note B6.

There are no significant transactions between associate entities and other Group companies.

D5. Post balance sheet events
There have been no significant post balance sheet events affecting the Group since 31 December 2023.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 213

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceRelated Undertakings
Subsidiaries and other associated undertakings at 31 December 2023

Subsidiaries:

Company name

Argentina

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Calle 70 No. 2720, Necochea city, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ecotec Interocéanica S.A.

Ordinary

100%

Australia

Level 3/153 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Allstate Holdings (SA) Pty Ltd1
Allstate Pest Control Pty Ltd1
Allstate Services Pty Ltd1

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%

Unit A1, 3-29 Birnie Ave, Lidcombe Business Park, Lidcombe NSW 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 Initial Track Spray Pty Ltd1
Rentokil Pest Control (QLD) Pty Limited
Rentokil Pest Holdings Pty Limited
Rentokil Pty Limited

Austria

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Rua Francisco Gonçalo, 16, Loja A, Bairro Pires Façanha, Eusébio, 
Ceará, CEP 61775-070

Protecta Manejo Integrado de Pragas Ltda1 Ordinary

100%

Avenida Ceci, 348, Fundos, Centro Empresarial Tambore, CEP 
06460-120, Barueri -SP, Brazil

Rentokil Initial Do Brasil Ltda

Ordinary

100%

Rua Carlos de Laet, 3.443, Boqueirão, Curitiba, Paraná, 81650-040, 
Brazil

União Sul Controle de Pragas Ltda ME

Ordinary

100%

Brunei Darussalam

Unit D1 & D1-1 Block D, Bangunan Hj Lajim & Anak-anak, Kampong 
Kiarong, Gadong B, Brunei Muara, BE1318, Brunei Darussalam

Rentokil Initial (B) Sdn Bhd

Non-
redeemable 
preference 
shares
Ordinary

100%

90%

Unit D3, Bangunan Hj Lajim & Anak-anak, Kampong Kiarong, 
Gadong B, Brunei Muara, BE1318, Brunei Darussalam

Rentokil Initial South East Asia Sdn Bhd1

Ordinary

90%

Canada

Common 
Class A
Common 
Class B

100%

100%

Brown-Boveri-Straße 8/2/8, 2351, Wiener Neudorf, Austria

1222 Lesperance Road, Tecumseh ON N8N 1X5, Canada

Rentokil Initial GmbH

Ordinary

100%

Copesan Services Canada Inc.

Interest

100%

Bahamas

Suite 900, 1959 Upper Water Street, Halifax NS B3J 2X2, Canada

5th Terrace Centreville, P.O. Box N-1388, Nassau, New Providence, 
Bahamas

Rentokil Canada Corporation

Rentokil Initial (Bahamas) Limited
Tropical Exterminators (Holdings) Limited
Tropical Exterminators Limited

Ordinary
Common
Common

100%
100%
100%

Barbados

243-945 av. Newton, Québec G1P4M3, Canada

Terminix Canada Ltd.

Common

100%

One Welches, Welches St. Thomas, Barbados

Chile

Rentokil Initial (Barbados) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Av. Víctor Uribe No 2080 Quilicura Santiago, Chile

Belgium

Brandekensweg 2, Schelle, 2627, Belgium

Ambius N.V.
Initial Belux N.V.
Rentokil N.V.

Brazil

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%

Rua Maria Braga Lima Dias, Alto Cajueiros, Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, 120, 
Brazil

Ativa Controle Ambiental Ltda

Ordinary

100%

Comercializadora de Insumos y Servicios 
Mauco Limitada
Ingeclean S.A
Rentokil Initial Chile SpA

Social Rights

100%

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

El Trapiche No.1322, Galpón No 4, Codominio Pacific, Coquimbo, Chile

Control De Plagas Hidalgo Y Rodriguez 
Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Av. El Bosque PC 12 Lo Boza dpto, B05 Pudahuel, Santiago, Chile

Desan SPA

Ordinary

100%

Avenida Afonso Pena, nº 808, Santos, 11020-004, Brazil

Av. El Salto, Santiago, 4001, Chile

Ecotec Brasil Tratamentos Fitossanitários 
Ltda

Ordinary

100%

Rua Professor José Vieira de Mendonça, 770, Sala 308, 
Belo Horizonte, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil

Ecovec Comercio E Licenciamento 
De Tecnologias Ltda

Ordinary

100%

Rua Torrinha 171, Bairro Parque da Figueira, Campinas, CEP 13040-310, 
Brazil

Impacto Controle de Pragas Ltda.1

Ordinary

100%

Ingeniería en Sanitización S.A

Ordinary

100%

San Martin, Los Ángeles, N° 399, Chile

Plaguisur Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Av. Pdte Ibañez 352, Puerto Montt, Chile

Sociedad Comercial 7 Plagas Limitada1

Ordinary

100%

214 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Company name

Share class

People’s Republic of China

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Fiji

East 2nd Floor, No. 460 Wenyi West Road, Xihu District, China

Lot 5, Kaua Road, Suva, Fiji

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Hangzhou Research Institute of Profume 
Fumigation Co. Ltd.

Ordinary

80%

Finland

Rentokil Initial Pte Limited

Ordinary

100%

Room 103, Building 2, Yuzhongxili#42, Beijing, China

Rentokil Initial (China) Ltd

Ordinary

100%

Tikkurilantie 10 Vantaa, Finland, 01380, Finland

Rentokil Initial Oy

France

Ordinary

100%

Ordinary

100%

ABAIPRO

Ordinary

100%

ZA Bertoire II 14, avenue René Dumont, 13410, LAMBESC, France

Colombia

Cr 42A 80B 07, Barranquilla, Colombia

Colplagas S.A.S

Calle 162# 20-08, Bogota, Colombia

Continental De Fumigaciones S.A.S.

Ordinary

100%

Cr 20 No 162-11, Colombia

Fumigaciones Young S.A.S.

Ordinary

100%

Calle 15 Sur, No 48-130 Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Fumigax S.A.S.

Ordinary

100%

Carrera 19B No 164A-81, Bogota, Colombia

Rentokil Initial Colombia S.A.S.

Common

100%

Costa Rica

209 rue de la Belle Etoile, 95700, Roissy-en-France, France

Ambius SAS

Ordinary

100%

6, rue Livio, 67100, Strasbourg, France

CAWE FTB Group SAS

Ordinary

100%

145, rue de Billancourt, 92100, Boulogne Billancourt, France

Initial Hygiene Services SAS
Initial SAS
Rentokil Initial Holdings (France) SA
SCI Gravigny
SCI Vargan

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

San Jose-Escazu San Rafael, Terraforte Building Second Floor, 
Cordero, Cordero Abogados, Costa Rica

39-53 boulevard Ornano Immeuble Pleyad 3, 93200, Saint-Denis, 
France

Decolim Limitada

Common

100%

Avenida 18, calles 17 y 19, edificio 47, Barrio Luján, San José, Costa Rica

Rentokil Initial Environmental Services SAS Ordinary
Ordinary
Rentokil Initial SAS

100%
100%

Fumigadora Control Tecnico De Plagas S.A. Common

100%

ZAC des Epineaux 7, avenue Louis Blériot 95740 FRÉPILLON, France

Curaçao

Parke Komersial Korsou, A 24 Veeris, Curacao

Technivap SAS

French Guiana

Ordinary

100%

Chuchubi Pest Control N.V.

Common

100%

PAE de Degrad des cannes, Remire-Montjoly, 97354, French Guiana

Czech Republic

Rentokil Initial Guyane SARL

Ordinary

100%

Praha 2, Vyšehradská 1349/2, Prague, PSČ 12800, Czech Republic

Germany

Ordinary

100%

Amselweg 20, 87480, Weitnau, Germany

Rentokil Initial s.r.o.

Denmark

Paul Bergsoes Vej 22, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark

Rentokil Initial A/S

Dominican Republic

Ordinary

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, San Salvador, Central America, El Salvador

SAGRIP, S.A. DE C.V.

Ordinary

100%

Estonia

Turi Str. 3/1, 11313, Tallinn, Estonia

Rentokil OÜ

Eswatini

Ordinary

100%

G.S.D. Gesellschaft für 
Schädlingsbekämpfung u. Desinfektion mbH

Ordinary

Piderits Bleiche 11, 33689, Bielefeld, Germany

Medentex GmbH
Rentokil Dental GmbH

Ordinary
Ordinary

Wittener Str. 56, 44789 Bochum, Germany

100%

100%
100%

Preventa Schadlingsbekampfung GmbH

Ordinary

100%

Heuesch 1, 49808 Lingen (Ems), Germany

Rentokil Holdings GmbH
Rentokil Initial Beteiligungs GmbH
Rentokil Initial GmbH & Co. KG
Seemann Schädlingsbekämpfung und 
Holzschutz GmbH & Co.KG

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary

100%
100%
100%

100%

An der Ziegelei, 47 27383, Scheeßel-Westerholz, Germany

S & A Service und Anwendungstechnik 
GmbH

Ordinary

100%

Umkhiwa House Lot 195, Karl Grant Street, Mbabane, Eswatini

Ghana

RI Swaziland (Pty) Ltd

Ordinary

100%

43 Cashew Road, Okpoi Gonno, Park Street, Accra, P. O. BOX 8747, 
Ghana

Rentokil Initial Ghana Limited

Ordinary

 100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 215

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceCompany name

Greece

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Indonesia

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

7 Aristotelous Street, Tavros, Athens, 177 78, Greece

Rentokil Initial Hellas EPE

Ordinary

100%

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

Guadeloupe

7 Allee des Papillons, Dothemare, Abymes, 97139, Guadeloupe

Pole Hygiene et Recyclage Group SAS1

Ordinary

100%

6 Allee des Papillons, Dothemare, Abymes, 97139, Guadeloupe

Rentokil Initial Guadeloupe Sarl

Ordinary

100%

PT. Calmic Indonesia

PT. Rentokil Indonesia

Common A
Common B
Common A
Common B

100%
100%
100%
100%

Gedung JDC Lt.6, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 53 Petamburan, Tanah Abang, 
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia

131 ZA de Calbassier, Basse-Terre, 97100, Guadeloupe

SOS Guadeloupe Traitement Sarl

Ordinary

100%

PT Wesen Indonesia

Republic of Ireland

Ordinary

100%

Guatemala

9 Av. 39-97, Zona 8, Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala

Servicios Agricolas Profesionales Sociedad 
Anonima

Ordinary

100%

Guernsey

P O 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

Hazel House, Millennium Park, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland

Cannon Hygiene International Limited
Initial Medical Services (Ireland) Limited
Rentokil Initial Holdings (Ireland) Limited
Rentokil Initial Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

15 Oxford Lane, Dublin 6, Ranelagh, Dublin, D06 W5K2, Ireland

Pest Pulse Limited

€0.0075 
Ordinary A
€0.0075 
Ordinary
€0.01 
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%

100%

100%

100%

Opposite Rosary Place, Castleredmond, Midleton, Co. Cork, Midleton, 
Ireland

Ronaldon Limited

Ordinary

100%

Colonia Palmira, Avenida Republica de Argentina, N 2017, Tegucigalpa 
Honduras, 11101, Honduras

Israel

Compania de Servicios e Inversiones 
SVM Honduras, S. de R.L.
Compania de Servicios SVM Olympus, 
S. de R.L.
Compania de Servicios SVM Progressive, 
S. de R.L.
Compania de Servicios SVM Technicians, 
S. de R.L.
Compania de Servicios SVM Vanguard, 
S. de R.L.

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

13 Hadid 7313500, Israel

Eitan Amichai Pest Management IPM Ltd
Yarokologi Ltd.

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Italy

Via Laurentina km. 26,500, 157 a/c, 00071, Pomezia, Italy

Rentokil Initial Italia SpA

Ordinary

100%

Jamaica

39-41 Second Street, Newport West, Kingston 13, Jamaica

San Pedro Sula, Departamento de Cortes, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Rentokil Initial (Jamaica) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Sagrip Honduras S.A.

Hong Kong

Nominative

100%

Jordan

23/F, Westin Centre, 26 Hung to Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, 
Hong Kong

Rentokil Hong Kong Investment Limited
Rentokil Initial Hong Kong Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

India

Amman, Jabal AlHussien, Al Lud Str. 37 – 1st floor, Jordan

Arena Public Health Co.

Ordinary

100%

Kenya

Unit 5 Sameer Industrial Park, Roac C, Off Enterprise Road Industrial 
Area, Nairobi, Kenya

Rentokil Initial Kenya Limited

Ordinary

100%

2nd Floor, Narayani, Ambabai Temple Compound, Aarey Road, 
Goregaon West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 104, India

Republic of Korea

Corporate Millennium Hygiene Solutions 
Private Limited
Rentokil Initial Hygiene India Private Limited Ordinary

Ordinary

Villa No.3, Crescent Villa, Candolim, Goa, 403515, India

100%

2nd Floor, Korea Disaster Relief Association, 371-19 Sinsu-Dong, 
Mapo-Gu, Seoul, Korea, 121-856, Republic of Korea

100%

Rentokil Initial Korea Ltd

Common

100%

PCI Pest Control Private Limited

Ordinary

65%4

216 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Related UndertakingscontinuedCompany name

Lebanon

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Mozambique

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

Boecker Building, Plot no. 3309, Ain El Remmaneh, Beirut, Lebanon

Boecker International SAL (Offshore)

Ordinary

100%

Adonis Building, Bechara el Khoury, Beirut, Lebanon

Avenida da Namaacha, kilometro 6, Residencial Mutateia, Cidade da 
Matola, Mozambique

Rentokil Initial Mozambique Limitada

Ordinary

100%

Boecker Public Health s.a.l

Ordinary

100%

Netherlands

Boecker Building, Plot no. 3309, Ain El Remmaneh, Beirut, Lebanon

Boecker World (Holding) s.a.l.

Ordinary

100%

Impact 6, 6921 RZ, Duiven, Netherlands

Ambius B.V.

Ordinary

100%

Libya

Janzour, Tripoli, Libya

Rentokil Delta Libya for Environmental 
Protection JSCO

Ordinary

65%

Lithuania

Drobės g. 62, LT-45181, Kaunas, Lithuania

Dezinfa, UAB

Luxembourg

Rue de la Chapelle 47, 4967, Clemency, Luxembourg

Oude Middenweg 77, 2491 AC, Den Haag, Netherlands

B.V. Rentokil Funding
BET (Properties) B.V.
BET Finance B.V.
Holland Reconditionering B.V.
Rentokil Initial Finance B.V.
Rentokil Initial International B.V.
Rentokil Initial Overseas (Holdings) B.V.

Ordinary A
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Rentokil Initial B.V.

New Zealand

Ordinary

100%

Ordinary

100%

Ravenswade 54-S, 3439, Nieuwegein, LD, Netherlands

R-Control Desinfections SA
Rentokil Luxembourg Sarl

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Level 1, 89 Carbine Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland, 1060, 
New Zealand

6 Rue Eugène Ruppert, L-2453, Luxembourg

Rentokil Initial Limited

Ordinary

100%

SVM Finance Luxembourg 1 S.a.r.l.

 Ordinary

100%

Norway

6 Rue Eugène Ruppert, L-2453, Luxembourg

Sanitetsveien 17, Skjetten, Lillestrøm, 2013, Norway

SVM Finance Luxembourg 2 S.a.r.l.

Ordinary

100%

Malawi

Plot No. LE 377, Patridge Avenue, Limbe, P O BOX 5135, Malawi

Rentokil Initial Limited

Ordinary

100%

Malaysia

Level 8 Symphony House Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 1A/46, 
Petaling Jaya, 47301 Selangor Darul, Selangor, Malaysia

Rentokil Forsikring AS
Rentokil Initial Norge AS
Skadedyrbutikken AS

Pakistan

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%

S-2 Commercial, 2nd Floor, Lalik Jan Chowk, Phase II, Lahore, 
Cantonment, Punjab, Pakistan

C-Shine Sustainable Solutions (Private) 
Limited

Ordinary

70%

Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd
UFTC Sdn Bhd

Maldives

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Peru

Calle 23 Mza, Z-1 Lote 9, Villa El Salvador, Peru

No. 6-A, Faamudheyrige Building, Orchid Magu, Repu, Malé, Maldives

Rentokil Initial Maldives (Pvt) Ltd

Preferential 
Shares

60%

Martinique

Ingeclean Peru S.A.C

Ordinary

100%

Philippines

No 73 Elisco Road, Bo, Kalawaan, Pasig City, 1600, Philippines

Rentokil Initial (Philippines) Inc

Ordinary

100%

Soudon, Le Lamentin, 97232, Martinique

Poland

Rentokil Initial Martinique Sarl

Ordinary

100%

Ul. Jana Pawla Woronicza, Nr 31, Lok. 78, 02-640, Warszawa, Poland

Mexico

Calle Sauce 29, Col. Santa Maria La Ribera, Delegación Cuauhtemoc, 
CDMX , 06400, Mexico

Control Vifer, S.A. de C.V.

Servicios de Plagas Terminix, S.A. de C.V.

Terminix International S.A. de C.V.

Ordinary A
Ordinary B

Ordinary A
Ordinary B

Ordinary A
Ordinary B

100%
100%

100%
100%

100%
100%

Juan Álvarez #482, Colonia Centro, Monterrey, N.L., 64000, Mexico

Balance Urbano Control de Plagas S.A. de CV Ordinary

100%

Calle 29, No. 210 Col. Garcia Gineres, Merida, Yucatán, 97070, Mexico

Personal Profesional de Pesticidas S.A. 
de C.V.

 Ordinary

100%

Rentokil Polska Sp. z o.o.

Ordinary

100%

Ul. Dąbrowskiego 44, 50-457, Wrocław, Poland

Vaco sp. z o.o

Portugal

Ordinary

100%

EN 115, Km 78,67, 2664-502, São Julião do Tojal, Portugal

Rentokil Initial Portugal – Servicos de 
Proteccao Ambiental, Lda.

Ordinary

100%

Puerto Rico

1125 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 150, Reading PA 19610, United States

Rentokil of Puerto Rico, Inc.

Common

100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 217

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceCompany name

Share class

c/o Nomor AB, Tusbystråket 1B, 191 61, Sollentuna, Sweden

Nomor AB
Nomor Försăkring AB
Nomor Holding AB
Terminix Nomor AB

Switzerland

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

% held by 
Group 
companies

100%
100%
100%
100%

Hauptstrasse 3, 4625 Oberbuchsiten, Oberbuchsiten, Switzerland

Rentokil Schweiz AG

Ordinary

100%

Taiwan

14F-1, No. 26, Ln. 61, Sec. 1,, Guangfu Rd., Sanchong Dist., New Taipei 
City, Taiwan (Province of China)

Initial Hygiene Co Ltd
Rentokil Co., Limited

Tanzania

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

1st Floor, Opal Place, 77 Haile Selassie Road, Masaki, P.O. Box 21184, 
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Initial Hygiene (T) Limited

Ordinary

100%

160 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Khwaeng Ratchadapisek, Khat Dindaeng, 
Thailand, 10400, Thailand

Cannon Pest Management Co. Ltd
Rentokil Initial (Thailand) Ltd

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Trinidad and Tobago

Field no. 82, KK-LL, Aranguez South, Trinidad and Tobago

Rentokil Initial (Trinidad) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Tunisia

Technopole Textile, SAHLINE, NEOTEX, MONASTIR, Sahline, 5012, 
Tunisia

CAP Tunis

Turkey

Ordinary

100%

1201/1 sok. No:2 Kat:3 D:301-302 Su Plaza, Yenişehir, Konak, Izmir, 
Turkey

Rentokil Initial Çevre Sağlığı Sistemleri 
Ticaret ve Sanayi A.Ş

Ordinary

100%

Uganda

Plot No 2012, Kalinabiri Road, Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda

Rentokil Initial Uganda Limited

Ordinary

100%

United Arab Emirates

Office number 1403, PO Box 41999, TECOM, Al Barsha Heights, Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates

Boecker Food Safety L.L.C.

Ordinary

100%

Al Shafar Tower 1, 14th floor, office No. 1401, TECOM, Al Barsha 
Heights, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Boecker Pest Control L.L.C.
Boecker Public Health Pest Control 
Equipment Trading L.L.C.
Rentokil Initial Pest Control LLC

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary

100%
100%

100%

Office 5, M26, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Company name

Saudi Arabia

Share class

% held by 
Group 
companies

King Abdul Aziz Road, Suliemaniyah, Riyadh, 12243, Saudi Arabia

BET Trading LLC

Ordinary

100%

4477 King Abdul Aziz Road, Suleimaniya, Unit 2 Riyadh KSA, 
Saudi Arabia

Boecker Public Health Saudia Company 
Limited

Ordinary

100%

PO Box 30164, Office No: 401, 4th Floor, Al Tamimi Building, Al Khobar 
North, Al Khobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia

Rentokil Saudi Arabia Limited O.P.C

Ordinary

100%

Singapore

16 Jalan Mesin, Singapore, 368815, Singapore

Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Management 
Pte Ltd
Rentokil Initial Singapore Private Limited

Ordinary

Ordinary

100%

100%

Slovakia

Kopcianska 10, Bratislava, 851 01, Slovakia

Rentokil Initial s.r.o.

South Africa

Ordinary

100%

Thailand

Unit D12 Connaught Park, Riley Road, Beaconvale, Parow, 7000, 
South Africa

Cannon Hygiene (SA) Proprietary Limited

Ordinary

100%

2 Stigant Road, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa

Newshelf 1232 (Pty) Ltd
Rentokil Initial (Proprietary) Limited
Rentokil Initial Dikapi JV (Pty) Limited

Preference
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
59%

Spain

C/ Monasterio de Nájera 1, 50002, Zaragoza, Spain

Desinfecciones Bionext, S.L.1

Ordinary

100%

C/ Mar Mediiterráneo 1, 28830 San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, 
Spain

Initial Gaviota S.A.U
Rentokil Initial Espana SA

Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C

100%
100%
100%
100%

Polígono Industrial “Pla de Vallonga”, Calle Meteorito, 59 – Alicante, 
Spain

Lokimica S.A

Ordinary

100%

Calle de la Nena Casas, 71, 08017, Barcelona, Spain

Servicios Depec S.L.

Ordinary

100%

C/ Palanca 34 Local Calle, 28045, Madrid, Spain

Tecnologia y Desarrollo Medioambiental, 
S.L.1

Ordinary

100%

Sri Lanka

No. 307, Negombo Road, Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka

Rentokil Initial Ceylon (Private) Limited

Ordinary

100%

Sweden

Avestagatan 61, SE 163 53 Spanga, Sweden

Ambius AB
Rent a Plant Interessenter AB
Rentokil AB
Sweden Recycling AB

218 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%

National Pest Control LLC

Ordinary

100%

7122 228/M AL, Shop #G4, Al Manakh, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

National Pest Control Per Person 
Company LLC

Ordinary

100%

Related Undertakingscontinued% held by 
Group 
companies

Company name

Company name

Share class

United Arab Emirates (continued)

Al Suhyeen, Rolla, Office 205, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Specialist Int. Pest Control LLC

Ordinary

100%

United Kingdom

Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY, UK

AW Limited
B.E.T. Building Services Limited
BET (No.18) Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Deferred
Ordinary
BET Environmental Services Ltd
Ordinary
BET Pension Trust Limited
BPS Offshore Services Limited2
Ordinary
Broadcast Relay Service (Overseas) Limited2 Ordinary
Ordinary
Castlefield House Limited
Ordinary
Chard Services Limited
CHL Legacy Limited2
Ordinary
Contemporary Plant Designs Limited1,2
Ordinary
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
Ordinary
Initial Medical Services Limited
Interior Contracts (UK) Limited1,2
Ordinary
Kent Tropical Interiors Limited1,2
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C

Manor Planting Ltd1,2
Nature At Work Limited1,2
Newman's Plants Limited1,2

Opel Transport & Trading Company Limited Ordinary
Paul Lomax Limited1,2

Peter Cox Limited
Plant Nominees Limited
Prime Projects International Limited1,2
Prokill (UK) Ltd
Prokill Limited

Rapid Washrooms Limited

Rentokil Dormant (No.6) Ltd
Rentokil Initial (1896) Limited
Rentokil Initial (1993) Limited2
Rentokil Initial 1927 plc
Rentokil Initial Americas Limited2
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Limited2
Rentokil Initial Brazil Limited2
Rentokil Initial Finance Limited2
Rentokil Initial Holdings Limited2
Rentokil Initial Investments South Africa2
Rentokil Initial Pension Trustee Limited
Rentokil Initial Services Limited
Rentokil Initial UK Ltd
Rentokil Insurance Limited
Rentokil Limited2
Rentokil Overseas Holdings Limited2

Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C
Ordinary A
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C
Ordinary D
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

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%

Rentokil Property Care Limited 
Rentokil Property Holdings Limited2
RI Dormant No.18 Limited
RI Dormant No.20 Limited
Saaman Limited1,2
Stephens & Carter Limited5
Stratton House Leasing Limited2
SVM International Services Limited
Target Express Holdings Limited
Target Express Limited
Target Express Parcels Limited
TEB Cleaning Services Limited
The Palfreymans Limited1

Tropical Ambience Limited1,2
Tropical Innovation Limited1,2
Urban Planters Franchise Limited1,2

Share class

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Ordinary C
Ordinary D
Ordinary E
Ordinary
Ordinary
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%

Harper Macleod, The Ca’D’Oro, 45 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PE, UK

Duct Clean Services Ltd1,2
Industrial Clothing Services Limited
Pest Protection Services (Scotland) Limited Ordinary A
RI Dormant No.12 Limited
Wise Property Care Ltd.

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

United States

Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington DE 
19808, United States

Anza, LLC

Ordinary

100%

Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington DE 19801, 
United States

Interest

Common
CDRSVM Holding, LLC
Common
CDRSVM Investment Holding, LLC
Ordinary
Creative Plantings Inc
Interest
Initial Contract Services LLC
Interest
Ramac (US) LLC
Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc.
Common
Secure Monthly Affordable Credit Corporation Common
Ordinary
Secure Monthly Affordable Credit Limited 
Partnership
SVM Honduran Service and Investments 
Company, LLC
SVM Olympus Service Company, LLC
SVM Progressive Service Company, LLC
SVM Technicians Service Company, LLC
SVM Vanguard Service Company, LLC
Terminix Consumer Services, LLC
Terminix Holdings, LLC
Terminix International Holdings, Inc
Terminix Management Corporation
Terminix Receivables Company LLC
The Terminix Company, LLC
The Terminix Foundation
TMX Holdco, Inc.
United Transport America LLC
Virginia Properties Inc
W.B. McCloud & Co., Inc.

Interest
Interest
Interest
Interest
Interest
Ordinary
Interest
Interest
Interest
Interest
Interest
Common
Interest
Ordinary
Interest

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

2540, Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044, United States

Asiatic Holdings LLC
Steritech-Canada, Inc.

Ordinary
Common

100%
100%

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 219

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceCompany name

Share class

United States (continued)

1000 Labarre Road, Metairie, LA 70001, United States

Interest
Mississippi Mosquito Control, LLC
Interest
Mosquito Control of Lafourche, LLC
Mosquito Control Services of Florida, LLC
Interest
Mosquito Control Services of Georgia, LLC Interest
Interest
Mosquito Control Services, LLC
Interest
Rittiner Group, LLC
Interest
St. Charles Mosquito Control, LLC
Interest
St. John Mosquito Control, LLC
Interest
Terrebonne Mosquito Control, LLC

% held by 
Group 
companies

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

PO Box 4510 Ten Free Street, Portland ME 04112, United States

Asiatic Investments, Inc.

Ordinary

100%

2288 150th Street Halstad MN 56548, United States

Airborne Vector Control LLC

Common

100%

1125 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 150, Reading PA 19610, United States

Advanced Pest Management Co, LLC
Cygnet Enterprises Northwest, Inc
Cygnet Enterprises West, Inc
Cygnet Enterprises, Inc
Medentex LLC
Rentokil Initial Environmental Services LLC Interest
Rentokil North America, Inc.
Solitude Lake Management, LLC
Vector Disease Acquisition, LLC

Common
Common
Common
Common
Common

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Ordinary
Common
Common
Common 
Series A
Common 
Series B
Common

Associated undertakings:

Company name

Share class

People’s Republic of China

B3, Xunmei Industrial Zone, Fengze District, Quanzhou City, 
Fujian Province, China

% held by 
Group 
companies

Fujian Xunke Pest Control Company Limited Ordinary

30%

Room 1005, Unit1, Building1, No.1 Huangjin Road, Dongguan City, 
Guangdong Province, China

Guangdong New Hope City Pest Control 
Company Limited

Ordinary

30%

No.14 Wenguangtingjiao Road, Chaoyang District, Shantou City, China

Guangdong Vircon Pest Management 
Company Limited 

Ordinary A

30%

Room (2-1), Unit19, Xindian Xingzuo, Haishu district, Ningbo City, 
Zhejiang Province, China

Ningbo Yuying Vector Control Company 
Limited

Ordinary

30%

Egypt

Third floor, Jupiter Building, B3, Majara Compound, Sheikh Zayed, 
Giza, Egypt

ServicePros S.A.E.3

France

Ordinary

30%

41 Avenue de La Porte de Villiers, 92200, Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France

SCI Pierre Brossolette

Ordinary

26.25%

Vector Disease Control International, LLC

100%

Japan

100%

Kyoritsu Seiyaku Building, 1-5-10 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 
Japan

1313 Miller Road, Greenville SC 29607, United States

Gregory Pest Control, LLC

Ordinary

100%

150 Peabody Place, Memphis TN 38103-3720, United States

Copesan Services, Inc.
The Terminix International Company 
Limited Partnership

Interest
Ordinary

100%
100%

860 Ridge Lake Blvd., Memphis TN 38120, United States

Terminix Gift, LLC

Interest

100%

463 Mountain View Drive, Suite 301, 3rd Floor, Colchester VT 05446, 
United States

Nippon Calmic Ltd

Nigeria

Ordinary

49%

Old Ojo Road, Off Badagry Expressway, Agboju, Lagos, 359/361, 
Nigeria

Boecker Public Health Services Ltd

Ordinary

30%

Norway

Veverivegen 10, 2848 Skreia, Norway

Skadedyrkontrollen Øst AS

Ordinary

40%

Qatar

Steward Insurance Company

Common

100%

16 A Al Mana Business Tower, Doha, Qatar

Uruguay

Tomás Giribaldi, apto 3, 2270, Uruguay

Amalur Uruguay Sociedad Anónima1

Ordinary

100%

Chana, 2033, Departmento de Montevideo, Uruguay

La Sanitaria S.A.

Ordinary

100%

La Paz, 1227, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay

Boecker Public Safety Services – Qatar 
W.L.L.

Ordinary

24.5%

United Kingdom

Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY

Hometrust Kitchens Limited
Torchsound Properties Limited

Ordinary
Ordinary

25%
50%

Ordinary

100%

Note: The percentage of shares held by Group companies remains unchanged in 2023 for 
all companies unless otherwise stated.

1.   Acquired or incorporated by the Group in 2023.
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.

3.   This entity is non-operational and the Group does not carry out business in this 

jurisdiction.

4.  2022: 57%
5.  Temporary restoration; company was dissolved in 2010.

Livelux S.A.

Vietnam

68 Hong Ha, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Rentokil Initial (Vietnam) Company Limited Ordinary

100%

Virgin Islands, US

Merchants Financial Center, 4608 Tutu Park Mall, Suite 202, 
St Thomas, Virgin Islands, 00802-1816, Virgin Islands, US

Terminix International USVI, LLC

Interest

100%

220 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Related UndertakingscontinuedParent Company Balance Sheet
At 31 December

Non-current assets
Investments
Debtors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Deferred tax 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 liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets

Equity capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium
Merger relief reserve
Cash flow hedge reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Notes

4
5
6
7

5

7

8
9
7

9
7

10
11

2023
£m

4,438
2,750
27
57

7,272

20
558
13

591

(549)
(441)
(32)

(1,022)

(431)

(3,172)
(16)

(3,188)

3,653

25
14
2,998
2
614

3,653

2022
£m

4,415
2,750
29
21

7,215

148
750
–

898

(272)
(877)
–

(1,149)

(251)

(3,015)
(92)

(3,107)

3,857

25
9
2,998
1
824

3,857

Under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own Statement of Comprehensive 
Income. The Company reported a loss for the year ended 31 December 2023 of £35m (2022: loss of £72m). 

The Financial Statements on pages 221 to 226 were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by Andy Ransom and 
Stuart Ingall-Tombs on 7 March 2024.

Andy Ransom 
Chief Executive 

Stuart Ingall-Tombs 
Chief Financial Officer

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 221

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2022

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Cost of hedging
Movement on cash flow hedge

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Shares issued in the year
Gain on stock options
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Cost of issuing new shares
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 2022

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Movement on cash flow hedge

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners:
Gain on stock options
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

Called up 
share 
capital 
£m

19

–

–
–

–

6
–
–
–
–
–
–

25

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
account 
£m

Merger
relief 
reserve 
£m

Cash flow  
hedge  
reserve 
£m

7

–

–
–

–

–
2
–
–
–
–
–

9

–

–

–

5
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

3,014
–
–
(16)
–
–
–

2,998

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

Cost of  
hedging
£m

Retained 
earnings 
£m

Total 
equity
£m

(2)

1,003

1,036

–

2
–

2

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

(72)

–
–

(72)

–
–
(122)
–
2
15
(2)

824

(35)

–

(35)

–
(201)
4
23
(1)

614

(72)

2
(8)

(78)

3,020
2
(122)
(16)
2
15
(2)

3,857

(35)

1

(34)

5
(201)
4
23
(1)

3,653

9

–

–
(8)

(8)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1

–

1

1

–
–
–
–
–

2

At 31 December 2023

25

14

2,998

Shares of £nil (2022: £nil) have been netted against retained earnings. This represents 13.0m (2022: 19.6m) shares held by the Rentokil Initial 
Employee Share Trust. The market value of these shares at 31 December 2023 was £57m (2022: £100m). Dividend income from, and voting rights 
on, the shares held by the Trust have been waived.

222 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

1. Accounting convention
These Financial Statements are prepared on a going concern basis, using the historical cost convention (as modified to include the revaluation 
of certain financial instruments), and are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies using Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101). In preparing these Financial Statements, the Company applies the recognition, 
measurement and disclosure requirements of UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) 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 170 to 220.

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:
• the requirements of paragraphs 45(b) and 46–52 of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment;
• 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;

• the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures;
• the requirements of paragraphs 91–99 of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement;
• 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;

• the requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 39(c), and 134–136 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements;
• the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
• the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;
• the requirements of paragraph 17 of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures;
• 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; 

• the requirements of paragraphs 134(d)–134(f) and 135(c)–135(e) of IAS 36 Impairment of Asset; and
• the requirements of paragraphs 88C and 88D of IAS 12 Income Taxes. 

2. Material 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.

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 facilities.

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:
• 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

• 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 on pages 203 to 212. Disclosures have been made on financial instruments as required by the Companies Act 2006.

Expected credit loss 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 2023 223

 Notes to the Parent Company Financial StatementsStrategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceShare-based compensation
The Group operates two equity-settled share-based long-term incentive plans (LTIPs): the Performance Share Plan and the Restricted Share  
Plan. 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 of the Performance Share Plan is determined by reference to option pricing models, 
principally stochastic and adjusted Black-Scholes models. The fair value of the Restricted Share Plan is determined by reference to an adjusted 
Black-Scholes model. The charge for both plans 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.

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. Estimates and assumptions have been reviewed to assess 
whether significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year is present; 
there were no estimates nor assumptions found to have such significant risk.

4. Investments

At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Share-based payments to employees of subsidiaries

At 31 December

2023
£m

4,415
–
–
23

4,438

At 31 December 2023 Rentokil Initial Holdings Limited is the Company’s sole direct subsidiary undertaking. All other indirect subsidiary 
undertakings are listed on pages 214 to 220. 

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 (effective interest rate of 4.57%)

2023
£m

20
–

20

2022
£m

290
8,220
(4,110)
15

4,415

2022
£m

16
132

148

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings – interest-bearing loan (with effective interest rate of 2.5%)

2,750

2,750

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings due after one year relates to an interest-bearing loan that matures in July 2026.

6. Deferred taxation

The deferred tax asset is made up as follows:
LTIP
Tax losses

2023
£m

13
14

27

2022
£m

16
13

29

The Company is within the scope of the OECD Pillar 2 model rules. Pillar 2 legislation was enacted in the United Kingdom, the jurisdiction in which 
the entity is incorporated, and will come into effect from 1 January 2024.

Since the Pillar 2 legislation was not effective at the reporting date, the Company has no related current tax exposure. The Company applies the 
exception to recognising and disclosing information about deferred tax assets and liabilities related to Pillar 2 income taxes, as provided in the 
amendments to IAS 12 issued in May 2023. Further information about Pillar 2 legislation can be found in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements in Note A12.

FRS 101 provides exemption from the disclosure requirements of paragraphs 88C and 88D of IAS 12 Income Taxes provided that equivalent 
disclosures are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group in which the Company is consolidated.

224 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statementscontinued7. Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps (level 2):

– non-hedge
– cash flow hedge

Analysed as follows:
Current portion
Non-current portion

Fair value
assets
2023
£m

Fair value
assets
2022
£m

Fair value
liabilities
2023
£m

Fair value
liabilities
2022
£m

66
4

70

13
57

70

16
5

21

–
21

21

(46)
(2)

(48)

(32)
(16)

(48)

(92)
–

(92)

–
(92)

(92)

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 £1m (2022: £nil) from those derivatives relating to ineffectiveness in a 
cash flow hedge relationship. Cash flow hedge accounting has been applied to €nil (2022: €nil) of the €400m 2024 bond, €179m (2022: €179m) 
of the €500m 2026 bond, and €175m (2022: €175m) of the €600m 2028 bond. The cross-currency interest rate swaps are used as hedging 
instruments to hedge the volatility in the £/€ exchange rate of the bonds. For the year ended 31 December 2023, the amount in comprehensive 
income related to cash flow hedge accounting was a gain of £1m (2022: £8m loss).

8. Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings (non-interest-bearing loans repayable on demand)
Other creditors

9. Bank and other borrowings

Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts falling due after one year

Medium-term notes and bond debt comprises:

Current
€400m bond due November 2024
Non-current
€500m bond due May 2026
€850m bond due June 2027
€600m bond due October 2028
€600m bond due June 2030
£400m bond due June 2032

Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates

The Company bank debt facilities comprise:

2023
£m

542
7

549

2023
£m

441
3,172

3,613

2022
£m

256
16

272

2022
£m

877
3,015

3,892

Bond interest 
coupon 
2023

Effective hedged 
interest rate 
2023

Bond interest 
coupon 
2022

Effective hedged 
interest rate 
2022

Fixed 0.950%

–

Fixed 0.950%

–

Fixed 0.875% Fixed 2.800% Fixed 0.875% Fixed 1.780%
–
Fixed 3.975%
Fixed 0.500% Fixed 2.230% Fixed 0.500% Fixed 1.300%
–
Fixed 4.475%
–
Fixed 5.000%

Fixed 4.475%
Fixed 5.000%

Fixed 3.975%

–
–

–

2.93%

2.76%

Non-current
$700m term loan due October 2025
$1.0bn RCF due October 2028

Facility 
amount  
2023
£m

Drawn at 
year end  
2023
£m

Headroom 
2023
£m

Interest rate at 
year end  
2023
%

550
785

550
–

–
785

5.9
0.14

Facility 
amount
 2022
£m

579
827

Drawn at 
year end 
2022
£m

Headroom 
2022
£m

Interest rate at 
year end  
2022
%

579
–

–
827

4.9
0.14

The RCF was undrawn throughout 2022 and 2023. There are no financial covenants on the RCF or any other debt facility.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 225

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance10. Share capital
During the year 2,500,000 new shares were issued in relation to employee share schemes. 

Issued and fully paid:
At 31 December – 2,522,539,885 shares of 1p each (2022: 2,520,039,885)

11. Share premium

At 31 December

2023
£m

25

2023
£m

14

2022
£m

25

2022
£m

9

12. Guarantees and 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. The possibility of any significant outflows in respect of these items is considered  
to be remote.

13. Auditor’s remuneration
Note A8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides details of the remuneration of the Company’s auditor for the Group.

14. Employees
The monthly average number of people employed by the Company during the year was six (2022: eight). Details on employee costs are in Note 
A9 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. Information on Directors’ emoluments, share and other interests, transactions, and pension entitlements is included 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in this Annual Report. 

15. Share-based payments
Share-based payments for the financial year were £27m (2022: £17m), of which £4m (2022: £2m) was charged to the profit and loss account and 
£23m (2022: £15m) 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 have been no significant post balance sheet events affecting the Company since 31 December 2023.

226 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

 Notes to the Parent Company Financial StatementscontinuedThe following discussion should be read together with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto, included 
elsewhere in this Annual Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, 
including information with respect to the Group’s plans and strategy for its business, includes forward-looking statements that reflect plans, 
estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the ‘Risk Factors’ and sections 
of this Annual Report, including ‘Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements’. Therefore, actual results may differ materially 
from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

The impact of macroeconomic factors on the Group’s business
Macroeconomic factors
Inflation – The Group’s cost base is largely driven by the cost of compensation for employees, the costs of required equipment (including service 
equipment and uniforms, vehicles and fuel, and technology necessary to deliver the high-quality services), and the cost of the products being 
used on customer premises including service contract equipment and consumables. All of these costs are subject to inflationary pressures and 
as such, sustained elevated increases in such costs may not always be possible to pass on to customers.

As a result of the invasion of Ukraine in the first quarter of 2022, inflation levels globally have risen to their highest in two decades, particularly 
impacting fuel prices, timber prices, energy prices and labour costs. This compares with the period from 2020 to 2021, when inflationary 
pressures were typically low in the countries in which the Group operated, and therefore passing these costs onto customers has been 
achievable. In contrast, the Group also has operations in Lebanon, a hyperinflationary country. The business in Lebanon implements frequent 
price increases to offset the increases in costs it incurs. This demonstrates that the Group has operations in both low and high inflationary 
markets, and is accustomed to a range of inflationary environments.

During 2023, the Group has been able to pass along the incurred inflationary impacts in the form of increased prices to its customers. However, 
the Group cannot predict the extent to which it may experience future cost increases. The Group may be prevented, in whole or in part, from 
passing these cost increases on to its existing and prospective customers, which could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s business.

Shortage of products or supply chain impacts – The Group does not have significant exposure to international logistics as the majority of its 
purchased products and services are sourced in the country where they are consumed. Where there are local shortages, products are typically 
able to be imported quickly from neighbouring markets. Where global shortages exist, such as recent microchip shortages impacting IT and 
vehicle supply chains, the Group has been able to generally extend the life of the asset until supply chains catch up. However, should there be 
long-term shortages of critical products or services in the future, then this may adversely impact the operational performance of the Group.

Labour shortages – The goods and services of the Group are sold by front line sales employees and delivered by a highly skilled technician 
workforce. These employees are supported by functional support employees in the Group’s offices around the world. The Group typically retains 
around 85% of employees each year, although this can vary from year to year and by market. As a result of employees leaving each year and the 
need to replace and hire additional employees for growth, The Group has established experienced recruitment teams and processes, allowing 
access to many different labour marketplaces. The Group has a very strong recruitment brand and offers attractive remuneration packages and 
career development opportunities. In the future, a very significant shortage of labour in a specific geography may limit the Group’s ability to 
service revenue opportunities while finding qualified employees and adversely impact the operational performance of the Group.

Key indicators of performance and financial condition
The Group focuses on a variety of indicators and key operating and financial metrics, including certain non-IFRS measures, to monitor the 
financial condition and performance of its business. These metrics include Revenue, Operating profit, Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER), 
Adjusted Profit Before Tax, Adjusted Profit after Tax, Adjusted Earnings Per Share, Adjusted Interest, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, 
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion, Customer Retention, Colleague Retention and Lost Time Accident Rate.

Revenue – Revenue results are primarily a function of the volume and pricing of the services and products provided to the Group’s customers 
by the business, as well as the mix of services and products provided across the business. The volume of revenue is impacted by new unit sales, 
the retention of existing customers and acquisitions. The Group serves both residential and commercial customers. During 2023, sales were 
generated across 90 countries, with the only country accounting for greater than, or equal to, 10% of revenue from external customers being the 
US (60%).

Operating profit – This measure is calculated as revenue less operating expenses, with operating expenses consisting of employee costs, direct 
materials and services, vehicle costs, property costs, depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment, amortisation and impairment 
of intangible assets, one-off and adjusting items and other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include professional fees, marketing 
costs, amortisation of contract costs and movements in bad debt provision.

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER) – This is an adjusted measure and is presented before the amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
(excluding computer software), one-off and adjusting items (see below) and gain or loss on disposal of businesses. 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 constant exchange rates (CER). CER is calculated by translating current-year reported 
numbers at the full-year average exchange rates for the prior year. See ‘Constant Exchange Rates (CER)’ below (page 236).

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 227

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results of OperationsStrategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAdjusted Profit Before and After Tax – This non-IFRS measure is used to give management and investors an understanding of the underlying 
profitability of the business over time. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is calculated by adding the following items back to profit before income tax: 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off and adjusting items and 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 segments. One-off and adjusting 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. 

Net interest adjustments are other non-cash or one-off accounting gains and losses that can cause material fluctuations and distort 
understanding of the performance of the business, such as amortisation of discount on legacy provisions and gains and losses on hedge 
accounting. These adjustments are made to aid year-on-year comparability. Adjusted Profit After Tax is calculated by adding back amortisation 
and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off and adjusting items and net interest adjustments, and the tax effect 
on these adjustments to profit before income tax.

Adjusted 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 
which are treated as cancelled, and including share options for which all conditions have been met. 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 that 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. 
For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, 18,422 share options were anti-dilutive and not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect 
as at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: 1,290,294). Adjusted Earnings Per Share is a non-IFRS measure that is calculated by dividing 
adjusted profit after tax by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. This supplemental measure is also used by management 
to gain an understanding of the underlying earnings per share performance of the business over time and enable company-to-company 
comparisons.

Adjusted Interest – Adjusted Interest is calculated by adjusting the reported finance income and costs by net interest adjustments (amortisation 
of discount on legacy termite provision and foreign exchange and hedge accounting ineffectiveness).

Free Cash Flow – Free Cash Flow is a non-IFRS measure that is measured as net cash from operating activities, adjusted for cash flows related 
to the purchase and sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets, cash flows related to leased assets, cash flows related to one-off 
and adjusting items 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. This measure is also used by management to assess 
how much cash there is to reinvest into the business for future growth through people, technology and M&A.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion – Adjusted Free Cash Flow is measured as Free Cash Flow adjusted for 
product development additions and net investment hedge cash interest through other comprehensive income. This measure is also used by 
management to determine the efficiency at which the business is able to convert profits into cash. Free Cash Flow Conversion is calculated  
by dividing Adjusted Free Cash Flow by Adjusted Profit After Tax, expressed as a percentage. Adjusted Profit After Tax is defined as Adjusted 
Profit Before Tax adjusted for the tax effect of amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software) and one-off and 
adjusting items and net interest adjustments.

Customer Retention – Customer Retention is used to track the retention of the Group’s renewable customers and is calculated on a rolling, 
12-month basis in order to avoid seasonal anomalies. It is defined as the total portfolio value of customers retained as a percentage of the 
opening portfolio. The Group views Customer Retention as one of the key indicators of the long-term success of the business. Customer 
Retention was 82.3% in the year ended 31 December 2023 and 82.4% in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Colleague Retention – Defined as total Sales and Service employees retained in the year as a percentage of Sales and Service headcount  
at the start of the year. The Group considers Colleague Retention to be a key driver of Customer Retention. Colleague Retention was 84.2%  
in the year ended 31 December 2023 and 79.5% in the year ended 31 December 2022. The increase of 4.7 percentage points in the year ended  
31 December 2023 as compared to the year ended 31 December 2022 was a result of a wide-ranging programme including: the launch of a 
retention dashboard and manager training; monitoring for potential issues before escalation; additional mentoring resources; and an enhanced 
new hire and onboarding experience.

Lost Time Accident Rate – Defined as the number of lost time accidents per 100,000 standard working hours. The Group views Lost Time 
Accident Rate as a key measure of the Group’s employees’ injury prevention. The rate was 0.31 in the year ended 31 December 2023 and  
0.39 in the year ended 31 December 2022.

228 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedCertain components of results of operations
Profit before income tax – This is calculated as revenue less operating expenses and net finance costs plus share of profit from associated 
undertakings (net of tax).

Income tax expense – The 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.

Profit for the year – This measure is calculated as profit before income tax less income tax expense.

For definitions of revenue and operating profit (including operating expenses), see ‘Key Indicators of Performance and Financial Condition’ above.

Results of operations
Following is a discussion of the Group’s results of operations for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022.

Revenue
Operating expenses:
Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total operating expenses
Net impairment losses on financial assets

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance cost
Share of profit from associates

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

2023 
£m

5,375

2,506
900
285
106
154
201
98
461

4,711
39

625
48
(189)
9

493
(112)

381

2022 
£m

3,714

1,736
704
201
82
140
140
136
234

3,373
24

317
49
(79)
9

296
(64)

232

2021 
£m

2,957

1,405
586
146
60
128
91
21
173

2,610
–

347
4
(34)
8

325
(62)

263

% change

2023

44.7

44.4
27.8
41.6
29.4
10.0
44.1
(28.2)
97.0

39.7
64.1

96.9
(2.4)
(137.4)
5.3

66.9
(75.6)

64.5

2022

25.6

23.6
20.1
37.6
37.5
8.9
53.5
556.7
35.2

29.2
–

(8.4)
1,071.4
(135.5)
4.9

(9.1)
(3.2)

(12.0)

Revenue
Revenue increased by £1,661m, or 44.7%, to £5,375m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £3,714m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £39m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenues from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £75m. The remaining growth of £1,625m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenues from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenues of the Group. The £1,625m 
of growth above consists of £1,578m from the Pest Control segment, £23m from the Hygiene & Wellbeing segment and £25m from the France 
Workwear segment partially offset by a decrease of £1m from the Central segment. See ‘Revenue by Geographical Locations’ and ‘Revenue 
by Business Segment’ for further discussion.

Operating expenses
Operating expenses increased by £1,338m, or 39.7%, to £4,711m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £3,373m in the year ended 
31 December 2022.

Employee costs
Employee costs increased by £770m, or 44.4%, to £2,506m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £1,736m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. This was as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and 
other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023, growth during the year ended 31 December 2023, and globally higher 
wage inflation.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 229

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceDirect materials and services
Direct materials and services increased by £196m, or 27.8%, to £900m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £704m in the year ended 
31 December 2022. The increase was a result of the increase in sales of products and services due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year 
ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Vehicle costs
Vehicle costs increased by £84m, or 41.6%, to £285m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £201m in the year ended 31 December 2022, 
which was a result of the increase in the number of employees due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other 
businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023 and higher fuel prices.

Property costs
Property costs increased by £24m, or 29.4%, to £106m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £82m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a 
result of the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment increased by £14m, or 10.0%, to £154m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£140m in the year ended 31 December 2022 mainly as a result of the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other 
businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets increased by £61m, or 44.1%, to £201m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £140m in 
the year ended 31 December 2022 mainly as a result of businesses acquired and associated intangibles recognised on acquisition, specifically 
the acquisition of Terminix.

One-off and adjusting items
One-off and adjusting items decreased by £38m, or 28.2%, to £98m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £136m in the year ended 
31 December 2022 mainly as a result of the fees incurred relating to the Terminix acquisition decreasing by £67m to £1m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £68m in the year ended 31 December 2022 partially offset by an increase in Terminix integration costs by £19m 
to £81m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £62m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses increased by £227m, or 97.0%, to £461m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £234m in the year ended 
31 December 2022, largely due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the 
year ended 31 December 2023.

Operating profit
Operating profit increased by £308m, or 96.9%, to £625m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £317m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The increase in operating profit was a result of the increase in revenue of £1,661m, or 44.7%, to £5,375m in the year ended 31 December 
2023 from £3,714m in the year ended 31 December 2022 offset by the increase in operating expenses of £1,338m, or 39.7%, to £4,711m in the year 
ended 31 December 2023 from £3,373m in the year ended 31 December 2022. This increase in operating profit reflected core business growth 
across major regions, in addition to effective ongoing capture of early synergies from the Terminix transaction. Price increases have also been 
successfully implemented over the course of the year to offset the impacts of inflation on the cost base.

Profit before income tax
Profit before income tax increased by £197m, or 66.9%, to £493m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £296m in the year ended 31 December 
2022 due to the increase in operating profit by £308m, or 96.9%, to £625m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £317m in the year ended 
31 December 2022, with net finance costs increasing by £111m, or 364.3%, to £141m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £30m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022.

Income tax expense
Income tax expense increased by £48m, or 75.6%, to £112m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £64m in the year ended 31 December 
2022 due to higher profits and an effective tax rate of 23.0% in the year ended 31 December 2023 compared to an effective tax rate of 21.6% 
in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Profit for the year
Profit for the year increased by £149m, or 64.5%, to £381m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £232m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The increase in profit was a result of the increase in profit before income tax of £197m, or 66.9%, to £493m in the year ended 31 December 
2023 from £296m in the year ended 31 December 2022 and the increase in income tax expenses of £48m, or 75.6%, to £112m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £64m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

230 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedRevenue by geographical location
Following is a discussion of the Group’s revenues by geographical location for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022. For the year  
ended 31 December 2023, revenue from North America, Europe, UK & Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia & MENAT and Pacific accounted for 62%,  
20%, 7%, 6% and 5% of the Group’s total revenue, respectively. For the year ended 31 December 2022, revenue from North America, Europe,  
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia & MENAT and Pacific accounted for 50%, 25%, 10%, 9% and 6% of the Group’s total revenue, respectively.

Revenue:
North America1
Europe2
UK & Sub-Saharan Africa3
Asia & MENAT4
Pacific5
Central

Total

2023 
£m

3,306
1,081
390
339
249
10

5,375

2022 
£m

1,849
941
365
321
227
11

3,714

2021 
£m

1,291
832
354
271
197
12

2,957

% change

2023

2022

78.7
14.9
6.6
5.6
10.0
(4.4)

44.7

43.3
13.1
3.1
18.4
15.2
(9.4)

25.6

1.  North America includes the US and Canada.
2.  Europe includes France, Germany, Benelux (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg), Central Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Nordics (Norway, Sweden, 

Finland, Denmark and Poland), Latin America and Caribbean (including Puerto Rico).

3.  UK & Sub-Saharan Africa includes UK, Ireland, Baltics and Sub-Saharan Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi). During 2023, internal 
management reporting structures changed and revenue has been represented for 2022 and 2021 under the new structure. As a result of this change, revenue 
of £5m was moved from UK & Sub-Saharan Africa – Pest Control to Central for each year.

4.  Asia & MENAT includes India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and other Asian countries and MENAT (Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Ghana and Lebanon).
5.  Pacific includes Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

North America
Revenue increased by £1,457m, or 78.7%, to £3,306m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £1,849m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £8m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenues from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £33m. The remaining growth of £1,432m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the region. Growth 
benefited from the Terminix acquisition in the year ended 31 December 2022 and was achieved alongside the comprehensive Terminix 
integration programme.

Including the impact of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £1,061m to £2,238m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£1,177m in the year ended 31 December 2022, job revenue increased by £330m to £704m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £374m in the 
year ended 31 December 2022 and product revenue increased by £48m to £349m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £301m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022.

Europe
Revenue increased by £140m, or 14.9%, to £1,081m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £941m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
This increase was driven by France increasing by £42m, or 12.4%, to £380m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £338m in the year ended 
31 December 2022, Southern Europe, which increased by £31m, or 18.7%, to £195m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £164m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022, Nordics, which increased by £19m, or 21.4%, to £109m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £90m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022, and Latin America (including Caribbean), which increased revenues by £19m, or 15.0%, to £148m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £129m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Foreign exchange had a favourable effect of £3m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £7m. The remaining growth of £130m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the region. Growth was 
driven by both effective price increases and resilience in overall demand.

Including the impact of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £119m to £863m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £744m 
in the year ended 31 December 2022, job revenue increased by £16m to £166m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £150m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022, and product revenue increased by £5m to £42m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £37m in the year ended 
31 December 2022. Job revenue includes disinfection revenue, which was introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which decreased 
by £7m to £1m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £8m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 231

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceUK & Sub-Saharan Africa
Revenue increased by £25m, or 6.6%, to £390m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £365m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
This increase was driven by UK, Ireland and Baltics increasing revenue by £27m, or 8.2%, to £351m for the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£324m in the year ended 31 December 2022, partly offset by Sub-Saharan Africa decreasing revenue by £2m, or 5.4%, to £39m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £41m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £4m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £15m. The remaining growth of £14m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the region.

Including the impact of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £20m to £283m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £263m 
in the year ended 31 December 2022 and job revenue increased by £10m to £103m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £93m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022.

Asia & MENAT
Revenue increased by £18m, or 5.6%, to £339m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £321m in the year ended 31 December 2022.  
This revenue increase was driven by Asia increasing revenue by £16m, or 5.6%, to £292m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £276m in  
the year ended 31 December 2022, and MENAT increasing by £2m, or 5.5%, to £47m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £45m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022. Growth was underpinned by contractual activity, and pricing was complemented with volume growth, as markets 
overall remained structurally supportive.

Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £18m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £6m. The remaining growth of £30m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the region.

Including the impact of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £22m to £268m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£246m in the year ended 31 December 2022, job revenue decreased by £5m to £52m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £57m in the 
year ended 31 December 2022, and product revenue increased by £2m to £23m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £21m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022. Job revenue included disinfection revenue, which was introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
which decreased by £9m to £1m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £10m in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Pacific
Revenue increased by £22m, or 10.0%, to £249m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £227m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
Australia revenue increased by £15m, or 8.7%, to £181m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £166m in the year ended 31 December 2022 
and New Zealand grew by £8m, or 13.4%, to £65m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £57m in the year ended 31 December 2022.  
Growth was driven by pricing, complemented with volume growth, with notable strength in pest control commercial services. Good sales and 
customer retention rates were also evident in the Hygiene & Wellbeing business and the region saw good demand for Ambius services.

Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £12m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £14m. The remaining growth of £20m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the region. 

Including the impact of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £6m to £185m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £179m 
in the year ended 31 December 2022, and job revenue increased by £16m to £60m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £44m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022.

232 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedRevenue by business segment
Following is a discussion of the Group’s revenues by business segment for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022. For the year ended  
31 December 2023, Pest Control, Hygiene & Wellbeing and France Workwear segments accounted for 80%, 16% and 4% of total revenue, 
respectively. For the year ended 31 December 2022, Pest Control, Hygiene & Wellbeing and France Workwear segments accounted for 73%, 
22% and 5% of total revenue, respectively.

Revenue:
Pest Control
Hygiene & Wellbeing
France Workwear
Central

Total

2023 
£m

4,286
858
221
10

5,375

2022 
£m

2,690
821
192
11

3,714

2021 
£m

1,947
832
166
12

2,957

% change

2023

2022

59.2
4.6
15.3
(4.4)

44.7

38.3
(1.5)
15.6
(9.4)

25.6

Pest Control
Revenue increased by £1,596m, or 59.2%, to £4,286m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £2,690m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
Growth benefited from the Terminix acquisition in the year ended 31 December 2022 and was underpinned by the by the critical nature of Pest 
Control services, supported by both pricing and volumes led by the Commercial Pest Control business, which has a high proportion of contractual 
activity.

Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £35m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £53m. The remaining growth of £1,578m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022 alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the segment. 

Including the impacts of M&A and foreign exchange, contract revenue grew by £1,148m to £2,906m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£1,758m in the year ended 31 December 2022, job revenue increased by £379m to £991m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £612m in  
the year ended 31 December 2022, and product revenue was up by £52m to £382m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £330m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022.

Hygiene & Wellbeing
Revenue increased by £37m, or 4.6%, to £858m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £821m in the year ended 31 December 2022. 
This reflected the anticipated tapering of disinfection services, which was reduced by £19m to £2m. In addition to supportive pricing, continued 
good levels of demand across service sectors such as offices, shops, schools and hospitality supported performance.

Foreign exchange had an adverse effect of £8m. Revenue was favourably impacted by revenue from acquisitions completed during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 by £22m. The remaining growth of £23m is driven by the flow through of a full year of revenue from acquisitions 
completed in the year ended 31 December 2022, alongside organic actions taken to increase the existing revenue of the segment. 

France Workwear
Revenue increased by £29m, or 15.3%, to £221m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £192m in the year ended 31 December 2022.  
Foreign exchange had a favourable effect of £4m. Growth came from strong new business sales performance, including key account gains  
and upselling. High customer retention of over 94% supported France Workwear’s strong volumes.

Operating expenses by geographic region
Following is a discussion of the Group’s operating expenses by business segment for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022.

North America

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

1,468
526
160
57
29
126
8
442

2,816

2022 
£m

836
370
98
30
22
69
70
177

2021 
£m

586
294
52
24
16
37
7
109

1,672

1,125

% change

2023

75.6
42.2
62.9
91.3
32.9
84.0
(88.7)
149.7

68.5

2022

42.7
25.9
87.0
22.8
37.7
84.4
875.0
63.0

48.6

Operating expenses increased by £1,144m, or 68.5%, to £2,816m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £1,672m in the year ended 
31 December 2022. The main driver of this increase was employee costs which increased by £632m, or 75.6%, to £1,468m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £836m in the year ended 31 December 2022, as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to the 
acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023, and 
growth during the year ended 31 December 2023. A further driver of this increase was direct materials and services which increased by £156m, 
or 42.2%, to £526m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £370m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of an increase in revenue. 
The third driver of this increase was other operating expenses which increased by £265m, or 149.7%, to £442m in the year ended 31 December 
2023 from £177m in the year ended 31 December 2022, as a result of the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022, and other 
businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023. Vehicle costs were up £62m or 62.9%, to £160m in the year ended 31 December 
2023 from £98m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other 
businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023, and higher fuel prices.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 233

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceEurope

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

469
147
71
24
82
25
7
75

900

2022 
£m

396
129
50
31
74
29
5
75

789

2021 
£m

367
117
52
14
75
15
3
50

693

% change

2023

18.4
14.5
40.7
(21.5)
10.5
(13.9)
42.1
(0.8)

14.0

2022

8.1
10.1
(3.6)
124.8
(0.5)
88.9
51.6
50.0

14.0

Operating expenses increased by £111m, or 14.0%, to £900m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £789m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main driver of this was employee costs which increased by £73m, or 18.4%, to £469m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£396m in the year ended 31 December 2022, as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to businesses acquired during the year 
ended 31 December 2023 and growth during the year ended 31 December 2023. Further drivers of this increase were direct materials and 
services which increased by £18m, or 14.5%, to £147m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £129m in the year ended 31 December 2022, 
and vehicle costs which increased by £21m, or 40.7%, to £71m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £50m in the year ended 31 December 
2022 as a result of businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023.

UK & Sub-Saharan Africa

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

157
49
26
8
14
6
1
45

306

2022 
£m

144
46
19
14
13
–
5
38

279

2021 
£m

147
51
22
7
12
9
–
28

276

% change

2023

8.9
5.8
35.8
(42.9)
6.7
–
(72.5)
18.0

9.5

2022

(2.0)
(8.8)
(13.6)
80.0
8.5
(100.0)
2,650.0
36.5

1.0

Operating expenses increased by £27m, or 9.5%, to £306m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £279m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main driver of this was employee costs which increased by £13m, or 8.9%, to £157m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £144m 
in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023. Further drivers of this increase were 
vehicle costs which increased by £7m, or 35.8%, to £26m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £19m in the year ended 31 December 2022, 
and other operating expenses which increased by £7m, or 18.0%, to £45m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £38m in the year ended 
31 December 2022, due to businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Asia & MENAT

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

174
65
17
8
13
11
1
17

306

2022 
£m

166
60
17
6
14
20
1
14

298

2021 
£m

146
50
11
7
12
7
1
15

249

% change

2023

5.1
7.2
(2.6)
40.1
(3.3)
(46.2)
(22.2)
27.5

2.8

2022

14.1
21.3
50.0
(20.5)
12.4
194.1
–
(11.0)

19.4

Operating expenses increased by £8m, or 2.8%, to £306m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £298m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main driver of this increase was employee costs which increased by £8m, or 5.1%, to £174m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£166m in the year ended 31 December 2022, as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to businesses acquired during the year 
ended 31 December 2023, growth during the year ended 31 December 2023, and inflationary cost increases. Another driver of the increase 
was direct materials and services which increased by £5m, or 7.2%, to £65m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £60m in the year ended 
31 December 2022, as a result of an increase in revenue. This was partially offset by a reduction in the amortisation and impairment of intangible 
assets of £9m, or 46.2%, to £11m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £20m in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to a £9m impairment 
of Lebanon goodwill in the year ended 31 December 2022.

234 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedPacific

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

117
31
12
5
14
6
1
16

202

2022 
£m

108
26
14
1
14
5
4
15

187

2021 
£m

95
25
8
4
13
5
1
11

162

% change

2023

8.2
17.4
(14.5)
313.5
(0.6)
31.6
(65.2)
7.4

8.0

2022

13.1
4.0
74.4
(72.5)
9.2
2.2
516.7
33.9

15.2

Operating expenses increased by £15m, or 8.0%, to £202m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £187m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main driver of this increase was employee costs which increased by £9m, or 8.2%, to £117m in the year ended 31 December 2023 
from £108m in the year ended 31 December 2022, as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to businesses acquired during the 
year ended 31 December 2023, growth during the year ended 31 December 2023, and wage inflationary impacts. A further driver of this was 
direct materials and services which increased by £5m, or 17.4%, to £31m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £26m in the year ended 
31 December 2022 as a result of an increase in revenue.

Operating expenses by business segment
Following is a discussion of the Group’s operating expenses by business segment for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022.

Pest Control

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

1,970
639
228
81
49
166
16
488

3,637

2022 
£m

1,266
466
149
57
40
119
70
221

2,388

2021 
£m

951
352
97
25
31
62
9
149

1,676

% change

2023

55.6
37.0
53.5
40.4
24.2
39.1
(77.1)
121.1

52.3

2022

33.1
32.4
53.5
128.2
29.7
91.9
682.0
47.5

42.4

Operating expenses increased by £1,249m, or 52.3%, to £3,637m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £2,388m in the year ended 
31 December 2022. The main driver of this was employee costs which increased by £704m, or 55.6%, to £1,970m in the year ended 31 December 
2023 from £1,266m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to the acquisition of Terminix 
in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023, and globally higher wage 
inflation. Direct materials and services increased by £173m, or 37.0%, to £639m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £466m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022. The increase was as a result of the increase in sales of products and services. Vehicle costs increased by £79m, 
or 53.5%, to £228m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £149m in the year ended 31 December 2022, which was a result of the increase 
in the number of employees due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and other businesses acquired during the 
year ended 31 December 2023, and higher fuel prices. Other operating expenses increased by £267m, or 121.1%, to £488m in the year ended 
31 December 2023 from £221m in the year ended 31 December 2022 due to the acquisition of Terminix in the year ended 31 December 2022 and 
other businesses acquired during the year ended 31 December 2023. One-off and adjusting items decreased by £54m, or 77.1%, to £16m in the 
year ended 31 December 2023 from £70m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of Terminix related integration costs incurred during 
the year having been reported in our Central and Regional overheads segment for 2023.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 235

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceHygiene & Wellbeing

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

318
167
45
15
53
8
1
102

709

2022 
£m

298
154
42
16
52
3
4
95

664

2021 
£m

292
165
42
18
51
11
1
78

658

% change

2023

7.0
8.0
8.3
(3.8)
0.4
210.8
(71.8)
6.9

6.8

2022

2.0
(6.3)
(1.7)
(13.6)
3.0
(77.1)
200.0
23.1

0.9

Operating expenses increased by £45m, or 6.8%, to £709m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £664m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main drivers of this were employee costs which increased by £20m, or 7.0%, to £318m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from 
£298m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of an increase in the number of employees due to businesses acquired during the year, 
direct materials and services which increased by £13m, or 8.0%, to £167m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £154m in the year ended 
31 December 2021 as a result of an increase in revenue, and other operating expenses which increased by £7m, or 6.9%, to £102m in the year 
ended 31 December 2023 from £95m in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of businesses acquired during the year.

France Workwear

Employee costs
Direct materials and services
Vehicle costs
Property costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
One-off and adjusting items
Other operating expenses

Total

2023 
£m

2022 
£m

99
12
11
5
50
1
1
5

88
11
8
7
45
–
1
2

2021 
£m

80
9
6
8
46
1
1
1

184

162

152

% change

2023

11.0
14.6
47.0
(29.5)
12.3
14.0
121.2
189.8

13.7

2022

10.3
16.5
17.2
(13.1)
(2.8)
(20.0)
20.0
142.9

6.3

Operating expenses increased by £22m, or 13.7%, to £184m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £162m in the year ended 31 December 
2022. The main driver of this was employee costs which increased by £11m, or 11.0%, to £99m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £88m 
in the year ended 31 December 2022 as a result of strong growth in the period requiring more processing and delivery employees and higher 
depreciation on garments.

Non-IFRS measures
The Group uses a number of non-IFRS measures to present the financial performance of the business. These are not measures as defined under 
IFRS, but management believe that these measures provide valuable additional information for users of the Financial Statements, in order to 
better understand the underlying trading performance in the year from activities that will contribute to future performance. The Group’s internal 
strategic planning process is also based on these measures and they are used for management incentive purposes. They should be viewed as 
complements to, and not replacements for, the comparable IFRS measures. Other companies may use similarly labelled measures which are 
calculated differently to the way the Group calculates them, which limits their usefulness as comparative measures. Accordingly, investors should 
not place undue reliance on these non-IFRS measures.

The following sets out an explanation and the reconciliation to the nearest IFRS measure for each non-IFRS measure.

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 presentation currency of the Group). In order to help understand the underlying trading 
performance of the business, revenue and profit measures are often presented at constant exchange rates. CER is calculated by translating 
current-year reported numbers at the full-year average exchange rates for the prior year. It is used to give management and other users of 
the accounts clearer comparability of underlying trading performance against the prior period by removing the effects of changes in foreign 
exchange rates. The major exchange rates used for 2023 are £/$ 1.2441 (2022: 1.2421) and £/€ 1.1503 (2022: 1.1717). Comparisons are with the 
year ended 31 December 2022 unless otherwise stated.

236 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedAdjusted expenses and profit measures
Adjusted expenses and profit measures are used to give investors and management a further understanding of the underlying profitability 
of the business over time by stripping out income and expenses that can distort results due to their size and nature. Adjusted profit measures 
are calculated by adding the following items back to the equivalent IFRS profit measure:

• amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software);

• one-off and adjusting items; and

• net interest adjustments.

Intangible assets (such as customer lists and brands) are recognised on acquisition of businesses which, by their nature, can vary by size and 
amount each year. Capitalisation of innovation-related development costs will also vary from year to 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 (see table on page 181).

One-off and adjusting 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, gain or loss on disposal or closure of a business, material gains or losses 
on disposal of fixed assets, adjustments to legacy environmental liabilities, and payments or receipts as a result of legal disputes. An analysis 
of one-off and adjusting items is set out below.

Net interest adjustments are other non-cash or one-off accounting gains and losses that can cause material fluctuations and distort 
understanding of the performance of the business, such as amortisation of discount on legacy provisions and gains and losses on hedge 
accounting.

Adjusted expenses are one-off and adjusting items, and Adjusted Interest. Adjusted profit measures used are Adjusted Operating Profit, 
Adjusted Profit Before and After Tax, and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted Earnings Per Share is also reported, derived from Adjusted Profit After Tax.

One-off and adjusting items
An analysis of one-off and adjusting items is set out below.

One-off and adjusting items
cost/(income)
£m

One-off and adjusting items
tax impact
£m

One-off and adjusting items
cash inflow/(outflow) 
£m

2021
Acquisition and integration costs
Terminix acquisition costs
Other

Total

2022
Acquisition and integration costs
Fees relating to Terminix acquisition
Terminix integration costs
UK pension scheme – return of surplus
Other

Total

2023
Acquisition and integration costs
Fees relating to Terminix acquisition
Terminix integration costs
Other

Total

13
6
2

21

5
68
62
–
1

136

13
1
81
3

98

(1)
–
(1)

(2)

(2)
(4)
(14)
–
–

(20)

(2)
–
(21)
(1)

(24)

(12)
(6)
(9)

(27)

(13)
(38)
(32)
22
2

(59)

(13)
(25)
(74)
5

(107)

Adjusted Interest
Adjusted Interest is calculated by adjusting the reported finance income and costs by net interest adjustments (amortisation of discount on legacy 
provisions and foreign exchange and hedge accounting ineffectiveness).

Finance cost
Finance income
Add back:
Amortisation of discount on legacy provisions
Foreign exchange and hedge accounting ineffectiveness

Adjusted Interest

2023 
AER 
£m

 189 
(48) 

(11) 
 11 

 141 

2022 
AER 
£m

 79 
(49) 

(3) 
 21 

 48 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 237

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAdjusted Operating Profit
Adjusted Operating Profit is calculated by adding back one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
to operating profit.

Operating profit
Add back:
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1

Adjusted Operating Profit (at AER)

Effect of foreign exchange

Adjusted Operating Profit (at CER)

1.  Excluding computer software.

2023  
£m

625

98
175

898

(1)

897

2022 
£m

317

136
118

571

–

571

Adjusted Profit Before and After Tax
Adjusted Profit Before Tax is calculated by adding back net interest adjustments, one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation and impairment of 
intangible assets to profit before tax. Adjusted Profit After Tax is calculated by adding back net interest adjustments, one-off and adjusting items, 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, and the tax effect on these adjustments to profit after tax.

IFRS
measures
£m

Net interest
adjustments
£m

One-off and
adjusting items
£m

2023

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
£m

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

493
(112)

381

–
(2)

(2)

98
(24)

74

175
(44)

131

IFRS
measures
£m

Net interest
adjustments
£m

One-off and
adjusting items
£m

2022

Amortisation and
impairment of
intangibles1
£m

296
(64)

232

(18)
3

(15)

136
(20)

116

118
(24)

94

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

1.  Excluding computer software.

Non-IFRS
measures  
£m

766
(182)

584

Non-IFRS
measures  
£m

532
(105)

427

Adjusted Profit Before Tax
Tax on Adjusted Profit

Adjusted Profit After Tax

Adjusted Profit Before Tax
Tax on Adjusted Profit

Adjusted Profit After Tax

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back finance income, finance cost, share of profit from associates net of tax, income tax expense, 
depreciation, one-off and adjusting items, and amortisation, impairment of intangible assets and other non-cash expenses to profit for the year. 

2023  
£m

381

(48)
189
(9)
112
300
30
98
175

1,228

2022 
£m

232

(49)
79
(9)
64
276
12
136
118

859

Profit for the year
Add back:
Finance income
Finance cost
Share of profit from associates net of tax
Income tax expense
Depreciation
Other non-cash expenses
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1

Adjusted EBITDA

1.  Excluding computer software.

238 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationscontinuedAdjusted Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of 
shares in issue during the year, and is explained in Note A2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 and is shown below.

For Adjusted 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 are explained in Note A2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
Add back:
Net interest adjustments
One-off and adjusting items
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles1
Tax on above items2

Adjusted profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million)
Adjustment for potentially dilutive shares (million)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share (million)

Basic Adjusted Earnings Per Share
Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share

2023 
£m

 381 

 –  
 98 
 175 
(70) 

 584 

2022 
£m

 232 

(18) 
 136 
 118 
(41) 

 427 

 2,516 
 11 

 2,527 

 2,002 
 12 

 2,014 

 23.19p 
 23.08p 

21.34p
21.22p

1.  Excluding computer software.
2.  The tax effect on add-backs is as follows: one-off and adjusting items £24m (2022: £20m); amortisation and impairment of intangibles £44m (2022: £25m); and, 

net interest adjustments £2m (2022: £(3)m).

Adjusted cash measures
The Group aims to generate sustainable cash flow in order to support its acquisition programme and to fund dividend payments to shareholders. 
Management considers that this is useful information for investors. Adjusted cash measures in use are Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, 
and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion.

Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow is measured as net cash flows from operating activities, adjusted for cash flows related to the purchase and sale of property, 
plant, equipment and intangible assets, cash flows related to leased assets, cash flows related to one-off and adjusting items 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. Free Cash Flow is used by management for incentive purposes and is a measure 
shared with and used by investors. A reconciliation of net cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement to  
Free Cash Flow is provided in the table below.

Net cash flows from operating activities
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Capital element of lease payments and initial direct costs incurred
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and software
Cash impact of one-off and adjusting items
Dividends received from associates

Free Cash Flow

2023  
£m

737
(167)
(44)
(151)
14
107
4

500

2022 
£m

600
(153)
(37)
(104)
5
59
4

374

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 239

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceAdjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion is provided to demonstrate to investors the proportion of Adjusted Profit After Tax that is converted to cash. 
It is calculated by dividing Adjusted Free Cash Flow by Adjusted Profit After Tax, expressed as a percentage. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is measured 
as Free Cash Flow adjusted for product development additions and net investment hedge cash interest through Other Comprehensive Income. 
Product development additions are adjusted due to their variable size and non-underlying nature. Net investment hedge cash interest through 
Other Comprehensive Income is adjusted because the cash relates to an item that is not recognised in Adjusted Profit After Tax.

Free Cash Flow
Product development additions
Net investment hedge cash interest through Other Comprehensive Income

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (a)

Adjusted Profit After Tax (b)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion (a/b)

2023  
£m

500
10
12

522

584

2022 
£m

374
10
8

392

427

89.4%

91.8%

The nearest IFRS-based equivalent measure to Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion would be Cash Conversion, which is shown in the table below 
to provide a comparison in the calculation. Cash Conversion is calculated as net cash flows from operating activities divided by profit attributable 
to equity holders of the Company, expressed as a percentage. Management considers that this is useful information for investors as it gives an 
indication of the quality of profits, and ability of the Group to turn profits into cash flows.

Net cash flows from operating activities (a)
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (b)

Cash Conversion (a/b)

2023 
£m

737
381

2022 
£m

600
232

193.4%

258.6%

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Adjusted ETR)
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate is used to show investors and management the rate of tax applied to the Group’s Adjusted Profit Before Tax.
The measure is calculated by dividing Adjusted Income Tax Expense by Adjusted Profit Before Tax, expressed as a percentage.

Income tax expense
Tax adjustments on:
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets1
Net interest adjustments
One-off and adjusting items

Adjusted Income Tax Expense (a)

Adjusted Profit Before Tax (b)

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (a/b)

1.  Excluding computer software.

2023  
£m

112

44
2
24

182

766

2022 
£m

64

24
(3)
20

105

532

23.8%

19.7%

The Group’s effective tax rate (ETR) for 2023 on reported profit before tax was 22.7% (2022: 21.6%). The Group’s Adjusted ETR before 
amortisation of intangible assets (excluding computer software), one-off and adjusting items, and the net interest adjustments for 2023 
was 23.8% (2022: 19.7%). This compares with a blended rate of tax for the countries in which the Group operates of 25.1% (2022: 23.7%). 
The Group’s low tax rate in 2023 is primarily attributable to net prior-year tax credits of £12m (2022: £9m). 

The Group’s tax charge and Adjusted 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.

240 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operationscontinued 
Liquidity and capital resources
The primary source of the Group’s liquidity over the past two years was cash generated from operations. These funds were generally used to pay 
interest, taxes and dividends, and to fund capital expenditure and acquisitions, and the Group expects to continue to fund future operating and 
capital needs. The Group considers its working capital to be sufficient for its present requirements.

Cash flow activity
Following is a discussion of the Group’s cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022. 

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, are 
summarised in the following table:

Net cash provided from (used for):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year

2023 
£m

737
(416)
(361)
(40)
879
(7)

832

2022 
£m

600
(1,197)
1,323
726
242
(89)

879

2021 
£m

563
(441)
(417)
(295)
551
(14)

242

% change

2023

2022

22.8
65.2
(127.4)
(105.6)
263.2
94.4

(5.2)

6.6
(171.4)
417.3
346.1
(56.1)
(535.7)

263.2

Operating activities
Net cash inflows from operating activities increased by £137m, or 22.8%, to £737m in the year ended 31 December 2023, from £600m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022. Operating Profit increased by £308m, to £625m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £317m in the year ended 
31 December 2022. Within Operating Profit, non-cash items moved as follows: (i) depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 
increased by £6m to £154m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £148m in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to businesses acquired 
during the period; (ii) depreciation of leased assets increased by £14m to £120m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £106m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022; (iii) amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software) increased by £57m to £175m  
in the year ended 31 December 2023, from £118m in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to businesses acquired during the period; (iv) 
amortisation and impairment of computer software increased by £4m to £26m in the year ended 31 December 2023, from £22m in the year  
ended 31 December 2022, due to businesses acquired during the period; and (v) other non-cash items increased by £18m to £26m in the year 
ended 31 December 2023, from £8m in the year ended 31 December 2022, mainly due to higher share-based payment costs as a result of the 
Terminix transaction.

Working capital flow decreased £120m to a £123m outflow in the year ended 31 December 2023, from a £3m outflow in the year ended 
31 December 2022, due to termite provision payments and overall growth in the business. This is reflected in the trade and other receivables 
outflow, increasing by £34m to £29m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from a £5m inflow in the year ended 31 December 2022, and the trade 
and other payables and provisions outflow increasing by £66m to a £60m outflow in the year ended 31 December 2023, from a £6m inflow in the 
year ended 31 December 2022. The net impact of interest and tax paid was an increase of £150m to £266m in the year ended 31 December 2023 
from £116m in the year ended 31 December 2023, due to higher debt because of the funding of the Terminix transaction and higher profits.

Investing activities
Net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by £781m, or 65.2%, to £416m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £1,197m in the year 
ended 31 December 2022. The main driver of this decrease was acquisitions of companies and businesses decreasing by £776m to £242m for 
the year ended 31 December 2023 from £1,018m in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to the non-repeat of the acquisition of Terminix in the 
year ended 31 December 2022.

Financing activities
Net cash flows from financing activities decreased by £1,684m to a £361m outflow in the year ended 31 December 2023 from a £1,323m inflow  
in the year ended 31 December 2022. The main drivers of this decrease were inflows from proceeds from new debt decreasing by £2,383m to 
£nil for the year ended 31 December 2023, from £2,383m in the year ended 31 December 2022, dividends paid increasing by £79m to £201m in 
the year ended 31 December 2023 from £122m in the year ended 31 December 2022, and outflows from the capital element of lease payments 
increasing by £53m to £157m in the year ended 31 December 2023 from £104m in the year ended 31 December 2022, largely as a result of a  
full year of the Terminix acquisition within the Group in 2023. Further, outflows from debt repayments decreased by £844m to £nil in the year 
ended 31 December 2023, from £844m in the year ended 31 December 2022, due to the non-repeat of debts settled that were acquired with  
the Terminix transaction in the year ended 31 December 2022.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 241

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance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 2023. 

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 96 to 161 
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 4 to 94: 

• an indication of likely future developments in the business of the 

Company; 

• 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 19, 26, 27, 42 and 53); 

• details of our colleagues and human rights (Responsible Business, 

pages 68 to 70 and 86); 

• engagement with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and others  

(pages 84 and 85); 

• information on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use 

(Responsible Business, pages 80 and 81); and 

• principal risks and uncertainties (Risks and Uncertainties, pages 87 

to 93). 

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 the allotment of shares for cash and waiver  
of dividends is set out on pages 242 and 243. No other paragraphs 
under Listing Rule 9.8.4 apply. 

Company constitution
Rentokil Initial plc is a public 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 82 countries (the Group operates in 90 countries).  
The Company’s related undertakings are listed on pages 214 to 220.

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 Company’s objects are 
unrestricted. 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 (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 2023, can be found in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 98 to 101. All the Directors will be 
standing for re-election at the 2024 AGM.

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 notice 
period of three months has been proposed for Non-Executive 
Directors as set out in the Remuneration Policy on pages 152 to 161. 

242 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

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 243. 

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 146. During the year, no Director had any material interest  
in any contract of significance to the Group’s business. There have 
been no changes to the beneficial interests of the Directors between 
31 December 2023 and the date of this report.

General meetings
AGMs require 21 clear days’ notice to shareholders. Subject to the 
Companies Act 2006, other general meetings require 14 clear  
days’ notice.

For all general meetings, a quorum of two shareholders present in 
person or by proxy representing at least one-third in nominal value 
of the Company’s share capital, is required.

An ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the 
votes of those persons voting at a meeting at which there is a quorum. 
A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of not less than 
three-quarters of the persons voting at a meeting at which there is 
a quorum.

Dividend
The Directors have recommended a final dividend of 5.93p per share 
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023. Payment of this 
dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the 2024 AGM. Further 
information on the Company’s dividend policy can be found on page 
62 and the key dates for the final dividend can be found on page 246. 

Share capital
The Company’s share capital during the year consisted of ordinary 
shares of 1p each. There were 2,522,539,885 shares in issue at 
31 December 2023, which represents 100% of the Company’s issued 
share capital (2022: 2,520,039,885). The principal markets for trading 
in our securities are the London Stock Exchange and the New York 
Stock Exchange. Our securities are listed on both markets under the 
stock symbol ‘RTO’.

At 31 December 2023, the proportion of ordinary shares represented 
by American Depositary Shares (ADSs) was 10.75% of the issued share 
capital of the Company. At 31 December 2023, there were 10,626 
registered holders of ordinary shares, of which 99 were based in the 
US, and there were seven record holders of ADSs, all of which were 
based in the US.

All ordinary shares carry the same rights and no shareholder enjoys 
any preferential rights, regardless of the size of their holding. 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 
2022 and 31 December 2023 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. 

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. There are no 
restrictions under the Articles that would limit the rights of persons 
not resident in the UK to own or vote in relation to ordinary shares. 
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. 

Authority for the Company to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe 
for shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £16,800,000 was 
obtained at the AGM on 10 May 2023. The authority remains in force 
and approval will be sought from shareholders at the 2024 AGM to 
renew the authority for a further year. 

During the year, a total of 2.5 million ordinary shares with an aggregate 
nominal value of £25,000 were 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). The shares were issued to satisfy 
awards that vested in 2023 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 172. 
As at 31 December 2023, the Trustee holds on trust 0.52% of the 
issued share capital of the Company to satisfy awards that vest under 
the Company’s Performance Share Plan, the Deferred Bonus Plan, and 
the Terminix Share 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 252,000,000 shares was obtained at the AGM on 10 May 2023 
and such authority will be valid until the 2024 AGM. No purchases 
of its shares were made by the Company during 2023. The authority 
is normally renewed annually and approval will be sought from 
shareholders at the 2024 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 C7 to the Financial 
Statements. Note C1 describes the change of control provisions 
relating to the Group’s Euro Medium-Term Notes 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 2023. The information provided below 
was correct at the date of notification, which 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. 

Substantial interest in share notifications received up to 
31 December 2023 pursuant to DTR 5

No. of ordinary 
shares

%

Date of 
notification 
of interest

BlackRock, Inc.

8.73 219,658,668 14/10/22

Majedie Asset Management Ltd1

5.61

101,963,126 07/03/14

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

5.12 128,953,806 27/04/23

T. Rowe Price International Ltd

4.92

91,554,981 28/02/22

Schroders plc

Invesco Ltd

4.91

89,878,920 15/12/16

4.89

89,477,118 22/08/16

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.2

4.87

122,117,456 18/10/22

AXA S.A.

FMR LLC

4.80

87,093,421

19/10/10

4.32 108,487,628 18/10/22

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

3.76

94,839,249 24/10/22

GIC Private Limited

3.00

75,807,848 03/11/23

1.  Subsequent to the notification Liontrust Portfolio Management Ltd 

acquired Majedie Asset Management.

2.  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 2023 and 7 March 2024.

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 203 and 204 of the Financial Statements.

Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events affecting the 
Group since 31 December 2023.

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 2023 (2022: £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 
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. 

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 243

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceEngagement with employees, suppliers, 
customers, and others 
We have 62,900 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 84 and 85, while details of Board 
engagement are provided throughout the Corporate Governance 
Report, principally on pages 114 and 115. The section 172(1) statement 
can be found on page 83 and details of principal decisions taken by 
the Board during 2023 can be found on page 111. Examples of how the 
Board had regard for stakeholders in its decisions and the effect of 
that regard are shown on pages 108 to 111. More than 1,100 managers 
and technical experts participate in our Performance Share Plan (see 
page 155). We do not currently offer an all-employee share scheme  
but we 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 equivalent US 
regulation, 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 
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 which were in force throughout 2023 and up to the signing 
of this report, 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 are 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 213 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. 

244 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

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 175, 
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 are provided in Section C Financing 
of the Notes to the Financial Statements on pages 203  
to 212. 

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law, the Directors have prepared  
the Group financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted 
international accounting standards and the Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable 
law). In preparing the Group financial statements, the Directors  
have also elected to comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IFRSs as issued by IASB).

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

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting 

standards and IFRSs issued by IASB have been followed for the Group 
financial statements, and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101, have been followed for the Parent Company 
financial statements, subject to any material departures disclosed  
and explained in the financial statements;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent; and

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

The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group 
and Parent Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and Parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at  
any time the financial position of the Group and Parent Company,  
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of  
the Parent Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Directors’ ReportcontinuedDirectors’ confirmations 
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in  
pages 99 to 101 of the Annual Report confirm that, to the best of  
their knowledge: 

• the Group Financial Statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and 
IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, give 
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position, and profit 
of the Group;

• the Parent Company Financial Statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising 
FRS 101, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, and financial 
position of the Parent Company;

• the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and 

performance of the business and the position of the Group and Parent 
Company, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces; and

• the Directors consider that the Annual Report, which includes the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report and the Financial Statements, taken 
as a whole, is fair, balanced, and understandable, and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s and the 
Company’s position and performance, business model, and strategy. 

The Directors’ Report on pages 96 to 161 and pages 242 to 245 and 
the Strategic Report on pages 4 to 94 were approved by a duly 
authorised Committee of the Board of Directors and signed on its 
behalf by Catherine Stead, the Company Secretary, on 7 March 2024. 

Catherine Stead 
Company Secretary

7 March 2024

Registered office:
Compass House, Manor Royal, 
Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY.
Registered in England and Wales No: 5393279

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 245

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate GovernanceDividends
2023 final dividend
The Directors have recommended a final dividend of 5.93p per share, 
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023. Payment of this 
dividend is subject to approval at the 2024 AGM. When taken with the 
interim dividend of 2.75p paid on 11 September 2023, this gives a total 
dividend of 8.68p (2022: 7.55p).

Key dates relating to this dividend are given below.

Ex-dividend date 
Record date 
Last day for DRIP elections 
Annual General Meeting 
Payment date 

Thursday 4 April 2024
Friday 5 April 2024
Tuesday 23 April 2024
Wednesday 8 May 2024
Wednesday 15 May 2024

For further dividend information, please see page 62 or go to  
rentokil-initial.com/investors.

Dividend payments
Please note that we no longer pay dividends by cheque. All dividend 
payments are now 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 to request a form for 
completion (see opposite for contact details). For any shareholder who 
has not submitted their dividend mandate by the deadline of 29 April 
2024, 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.

Rentokil Initial plc ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock 
Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs.

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 for  
the Company’s ordinary shares 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)333 207 6581 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.

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)371 384 2233 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 2023 – 440.8p

2023 high/low – 655.2p/406.4p

246 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

Additional Shareholder InformationAnnual General Meeting
The 2024 AGM will be held at, and be broadcast via live webcast from, 
the Company’s offices at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, 
West Sussex, RH10 9PY from 11:30am on 8 May 2024 (see page 115  
for more information). We would recommend joining securely via the 
live webcast, which removes the requirement to travel and provides  
an efficient and effective means for shareholders to engage in all 
elements of the meeting. 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 be downloaded from our website.

Rentokil Initial is subject to the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) reporting requirements for foreign companies. 
The Company’s Form 20-F and other filings can be viewed on our 
website as well as the SEC website at sec.gov.

As a responsible business we are tackling climate change by 
committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions from our operations 
by the end of 2040. We would urge our shareholders to take 
advantage of the option to receive electronic communications from us 
by signing up at shareview.co.uk. For each shareholder that elects to 
go paperless we will make a donation to the UK charity Cool Earth to 
support their efforts to tackle endangered rainforest degradation.

Registered office and headquarters
Rentokil Initial plc

Registered in England and Wales; Company Number: 5393279

Registered Office: Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, 
West Sussex, RH10 9PY.

  rentokil-initial.com
  secretariat@rentokil-initial.com
  +44 (0)1293 858000

American Depositary Shares
The Company’s ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and 
trade under the symbol RTO. Each ADS is equivalent to five Rentokil 
Initial plc ordinary shares and they are evidenced by American 
Depositary Receipts or ADRs. The Bank of New York Mellon acts  
as depositary for the American Depository Receipt programme.  
For enquiries relating to registered ADR holder accounts and 
dividends, please contact Bank of New York Mellon. Voting rights for 
registered ADR holders can be exercised through Bank of New York 
Mellon, and for beneficial ADR holders (and/or nominee accounts) 
through your US brokerage institution.

  mybnymdr.com
  shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com
 Freephone from the US: +1 888 269 2377 
International calls: +1 201 680 6825

   Regular mail:  

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 43006, 
Providence, RI 02940-3078, USA. 
Overnight/certified/registered mail:  
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, 150 Royall Street,  
Suite 101, Canton, MA 02021, USA.

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 is 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.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 247

Strategic ReportOther InformationFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance 
 
ADR

ADS

AER

AGM

APM

BEIS

American Depositary Receipt

American Depositary Share

Actual exchange rates

Annual General Meeting

Alternative Performance Measure

The Department for Business, Energy and 
Industrial Strategy

Benelux

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Board 

CAGR 

CER 

CGU 

The Board of Directors of Rentokil Initial plc

Compound annual growth rate

Constant exchange rates

Cash-generating unit

Cities of the  
Future

Rentokil Initial’s focused M&A programme in 
Emerging markets (see page 11)

Company

Rentokil Initial plc

CVC

DBP

DE&I

Director

EBITDA

ECL

ELT

EMTN

EPS

ESG

ETR

FRC

FRS

GAAP

GDP

GLF

Group

Customer Voice Counts

Rentokil Initial plc Deferred Bonus Plan

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

A Director of Rentokil Initial plc

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, 
and amortisation

Expected credit loss

Executive Leadership Team

Euro Medium-Term Note

Earnings Per Share

Environmental, social and governance

Effective Tax Rate

Financial Reporting Council

Financial Reporting Standards

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

Gross domestic product

Group Leadership Forum

Rentokil Initial plc and its subsidiaries

Growth and 
Emerging markets

Rentokil Initial defined markets for operations 
(see pages 30 and 31)

IAS

International Accounting Standards

IFRS

ISDA

KPI

International Financial Reporting Standards

International Swaps and Derivatives Association

Key performance indicator

LATAM

Latin America

LTA

LTIP

M&A

Lost time accident

Long-term incentive plan

Mergers and acquisitions

MENAT

Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey

NED

NPS

NYSE

Non-Executive Director

Net Promoter Score

New York Stock Exchange

Parent Company

Rentokil Initial plc

PCI

PPE

PSP

PwC

RCF

RIPS

ROU

RSP

SEC

SHE

SID

SOFR

TCFD

Terminix

PCI Pest Control Private Ltd (trading as  
Rentokil PCI)

Personal protective equipment

Rentokil Initial plc Performance Share Plan

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Revolving Credit Facility

Rentokil Initial 2015 Pension Scheme

Right-of-use

Restricted Share Plan

US Securities and Exchange Commission

Safety, health, and environment

Senior Independent Director

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures

Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary 
undertakings

Terminix Share  
Plan

Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus 
Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time

TSR

UAE 

WDL

YVC

Total shareholder return

United Arab Emirates

Working days lost

Your Voice Counts

248 Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023

GlossaryIn order, among other things, to utilise the ‘safe harbour’ provisions  
of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are 
providing the following cautionary statement: 

• extraordinary events that impact our ability to service customers 
without interruption, including a loss of our third-party distributors;
• our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary 

This Annual Report 2023 contains statements that are, or may be, 
forward-looking regarding the Group’s financial position and results, 
business strategy, plans, and objectives, including, among other 
things, statements about expected revenues, margins, earnings  
per share, or other financial or other measures. These statements  
are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases 
such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “is likely to,” 
“should,” “intend,” “seek”, “aim”, “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “will,” 
“expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook”, 
“target”, and similar expressions.

Although we believe that the forward-looking statements in this 
Annual Report 2023 are based on reasonable assumptions, such 
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future 
events and circumstances. 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, including, but 
not limited to, uncertainties related to the following:

• our ability to integrate acquisitions successfully, or any unexpected 

costs or liabilities from our disposals;

• difficulties in integrating, streamlining, and optimising our IT systems, 

processes, and technologies;

• the availability of a suitably skilled and qualified labour force to 

maintain our business;

• our ability to attract, retain, and develop key personnel to lead our 

business;

• the impact of ESG matters, including those related to climate change 
and sustainability, on our business, reputation, results of operations, 
financial condition, and/or prospects;

• inflationary pressures, such as increases in wages, fuel prices, and 

other operating costs;

• supply chain issues, which may result in product shortages or other 

disruptions to our business;

• weakening general economic conditions, including changes in the 
global job market, or decreased consumer confidence or spending 
levels especially as they may affect demand from our customers;

• our ability to implement our business strategies successfully, including 

achieving our growth objectives;

• our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers;
• the highly competitive nature of our industries;
• cyber security breaches, attacks, and other similar incidents as well as 
disruptions or failures in our IT systems or data security procedures 
and those of our third-party service providers;

rights that are material to our business;

• our reliance on third parties, including third-party vendors for business 

process outsourcing initiatives, investment counterparties, and 
franchisees, and the risk of any termination or disruption of such 
relationships or counterparty default or litigation;

• the identification of material weaknesses in our internal control over 

financial reporting within the meaning of Section 404 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

• any future impairment charges, asset revaluations, or downgrades;
• failure to comply with the many laws and governmental regulations to 
which we are subject or the implementation of any new or revised  
laws or regulations that alter the environment in which we do business, 
as well as the costs to us of complying with any such changes;

• termite damage claims and lawsuits related thereto and any associated 

impacts on the termite provision;

• our ability to comply with safety, health, and environmental policies, 

laws and regulations, including laws pertaining to the use of pesticides;
• any actual or perceived failure to comply with stringent, complex, and 
evolving laws, rules, regulations, and standards in many jurisdictions, 
as well as contractual obligations, including data privacy and security;

• changes in tax laws and any unanticipated tax liabilities;
• adverse credit and financial market events and conditions, which 
could, among other things, impede access to or increase the cost  
of financing;

• the restrictions and limitations within the agreements and instruments 

governing our indebtedness; 

• a lowering or withdrawal of the ratings, outlook, or watch assigned to 

our debt securities by rating agencies;

• an increase in interest rates and the resulting increase in the cost of 

servicing our debt; and

• exchange rate fluctuations and the impact on our results, or the foreign 

currency value of our ADSs and any dividends.

Further details on the principal risks that may affect the Group can 
be found in the Risks and Uncertainties section on pages 87 to 93, 
as well as page 78 (in relation to climate-related risk) and pages 203 
and 204 (in relation to financial risks), of this Annual Report 2023. 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are  
made and no representation or warranty, whether express 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 Annual Report 2023 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 
Annual Report 2023 should be construed as a profit forecast.

Rentokil Initial plc 

Annual Report 2023 249

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