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FY2019 Annual Report · Richtech Robotics Inc. Class B Common Stock
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2019  
ANNUAL  
REPORT

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

PIONEERS OF POWER

Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge 
technologies that deliver clean, safe 
and competitive solutions to meet 
our planet’s vital power needs.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Financial Highlights and Contents

01

Group Financial Highlights 

Free cash flow

£873m

2018: £568m

Full year payment to shareholders

11.7p

2018: 11.7p

Underlying revenue 

Reported revenue

£15,450m

2018: £15,067m 

£16,587m

2018: £15,729m 

Underlying operating profit

Reported operating (loss)

£808m

2018: £616m 

£(852)m

2018: £(1,161)m 

Underlying profit before tax

Reported (loss) before tax

£583m

2018: £466m 

£(891)m

2018: £(2,947)m 

Underlying earnings per share

Reported earnings per share 

(69.1)p

2018: (129.2)p 

15.9p

2018: 16.0p 

Net funds ø

£1,361m

2018: £840m

 Free cash flow is defined in note 28 on page 180.

ø Net funds (excluding lease liabilities) is defined on page 121.

Use of underlying performance measures in the Annual Report
All figures in the narrative of the Strategic Report are underlying unless otherwise stated. We believe 
this is the most appropriate basis to measure our in-year performance as underlying results reflect the 
substance of trading activity, including the impact of the Group’s foreign exchange forward contracts, 
which lock in transactions at predetermined exchange rates. In addition, underlying results exclude 
the accounting impact of business acquisitions and disposals, impairment charges and exceptional 
items. A full definition of underlying and the reconciliation to the reported figures are in note 2 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements on page 134. All references to organic change are at constant 
translational currency and exclude M&A. 

Forward-looking statements
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements. Any statements that express forecasts, 
expectations and projections are not guarantees of future performance and guidance may be updated 
from time to time. This report is intended to provide information to shareholders, and is not designed 
to be relied upon by any other party or for any other purpose, and the Company and its Directors accept 
no liability to any other person other than that required under English law. Latest information will be 
made available on the Group’s website. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty, 
and a number of factors could cause material differences to the actual results or developments.

Contents

Strategic Report
Group at a Glance 
Chairman’s Statement 
Chief Executive’s Review 
Purpose, Vision and Strategy 
Business Model 
Key Performance Indicators 
Financial Review 
Business Review 

Civil Aerospace 
Power Systems 
Defence 
ITP Aero 
Sustainability 

Non-Financial Information Statement 
Climate Change 
Technology 
Impacts from Operations 
People and Culture 
Ethics and Compliance 

Principal Risks 
Going Concern and Viability Statements 
s172 Statement 

Directors’ Report
Compliance with the Code 
Chairman’s Introduction 
Board of Directors 
Corporate Governance 
Committee Reports 

Nominations & Governance 
Audit 
Remuneration 
Remuneration Policy from 2020 
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Science & Technology  
Responsibility Statements 

Financial Statements
Financial Statements Contents 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Company Financial Statements 
Subsidiaries 
Joint Ventures and Associates 

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report 
Sustainability Assurance Statement 
Other Financial Information 
Other Statutory Information 
Shareholder Information 
Glossary 

02
04
06
10
12
14
16
24
24
29
33
37
40
40
41
42
44
45
49
50
55
56

58
59
62
65
75
75
79
85
88
105
111
114

115
116
183
187
192

194
203
204
206
210
212

Front Cover:
The Rolls-Royce ionBird: a test airframe 
for our ACCEL project, which is developing 
the world’s fastest all-electric aircraft.

Our Spirit of Innovation aircraft, developed 
with YASA and Electroflight and partly 
funded by Aerospace Technology Institute 
(ATI), will be powered by the world’s most 
power-dense flying battery pack, with the 
aim of reaching speeds of over 300mph.

STRATEGIC REPORT02

Strategic Report
Group at a Glance

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

GROUP AT A GLANCE

At Rolls-Royce, we pioneer the power that matters  
to connect, power and protect society.

Underlying revenue by business in 2019

ITP Aero 
6%

Non-core businesses 
1%

Defence
20%

Power
Systems 
22%

Civil
Aerospace 
51%

Free cash flow

£873m

Underlying revenue

£15,450m

Underlying operating profit

£808m

Reported revenue

£16,587m

Reported operating (loss)

£(852)m

See note 2 on page 139  
for a reconciliation between 
underlying and reported results. 

Order backlog

Patents approved 
for filing

Gross R&D  
expenditure

Countries with 
Rolls-Royce 
presence

Employees  
(monthly average)

£60.9bn 830

£1.46bn

50

51,700

 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Group at a Glance

03

Our core businesses in 2019

CIVIL 
AEROSPACE

Civil Aerospace is a major 
manufacturer of aero engines for 
the large commercial aircraft, 
regional jet and business aviation 
markets. The business uses 
engineering expertise, in-depth 
knowledge and capabilities to 
provide through-life support 
solutions for its customers.

£8,107m

Underlying revenue

£44m

Underlying operating profit

See page 24

POWER 
SYSTEMS

See page 29

DEFENCE

See page 33

ITP AERO

See page 37

Power Systems is a leading provider 
of high-speed and medium-speed 
reciprocating engines, and complete 
propulsion and power generation 
systems. It serves the marine, 
defence, power generation and 
industrial markets and includes 
civil nuclear operations that supply 
safety-critical systems.

£3,545m

Underlying revenue

£357m

Underlying operating profit

Defence is a market leader in  
aero engines for military transport 
and patrol aircraft with strong 
positions in combat and helicopter 
applications. It has significant scale 
in naval and is the technical authority 
for through-life support of the 
nuclear power plant for the 
Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

£3,250m

Underlying revenue

£415m

Underlying operating profit

ITP Aero is a global leader in 
aero-engine design, manufacture 
and maintenance. Alongside the 
development, manufacturing, 
assembly and testing of engines, 
it provides MRO services for 
regional airlines, business aviation, 
industrial and defence applications.

£936m

Underlying revenue

£111m

Underlying operating profit

Underlying revenue mix

1.   Large Engines ........................71%
2.  Business Aviation ................. 14%
3.  Regional .................................... 4%
4.  V2500 ........................................ 11%

Underlying revenue mix

1.   Marine ......................................28%
2.  Industrial .................................25%
3.  Power Generation ...............35%
4.  Defence .....................................9%
5.  Civil Nuclear ............................ 3%

Underlying revenue mix

1.   Transport ................................ 36%
2.  Combat ....................................23%
3.  Submarines............................. 19%
4.  Naval .........................................10%
5.  Other..........................................12%

Underlying revenue mix

1.   Civil ............................................77%
2.  Defence ....................................13%
3.  In-Service Support .............10%

STRATEGIC REPORT4321453214532123104

Strategic Report
Chairman’s Statement

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

SIR IAN DAVIS, CHAIRMAN

This was a year of progress across the Group, despite 
the technical and operational challenge of the  
Trent 1000. Strategically, good progress is being made 
on new low carbon technologies and capabilities.

This was a year of progress across the Group, 
despite the challenges we experienced with 
the Trent 1000 engine. We took further 
significant strategic steps towards realising 
our long-term goal to be the world’s leading 
industrial technology company while 
continuing our cultural transformation.

In our Civil Aerospace business, the technical 
and operational challenge of fixing the  
Trent 1000 has been both costly and 
resource intensive. Most importantly, it  
has led to significant and deeply regrettable 
disruption for our customers. But we have 
made progress and are taking further 
proactive steps to improve the situation in 
2020. Ensuring engine availability and the 
service levels our customers expect are our 
highest short-term priorities.

Our Power Systems and Defence businesses 
sustained the financial and strategic 
momentum of previous years. Strategically, 
good progress is being made in the 
development of new technologies and 
capabilities with the focus on more efficient 
and environmentally friendly engines and 
propulsion systems.

2019 Review
We delivered a record number of widebody 
engines in 2019, almost double the number 
delivered five years ago. This has enabled 
the continuous growth of our installed 
engine base in the civil aerospace market 
which, because of the nature of our service 
contracts and business model, is the 
bedrock of our long-term future profits  
and cash flow. We are very encouraged  
by the sustained successful introduction 
and reliable performance of our crucial 
Trent XWB engine.

Our Power Systems business is performing 
well despite challenging external market 
conditions. In line with strategy, it continues 
to increase revenues and market share as  
it moves towards integrated systems and 
solutions and to new, more environmentally 
sustainable technologies. We are particularly 
pleased with the strong progress in China 
made by Power Systems and proud of the 
development of pioneering new hybrid-
electric engines for the rail market.

Our Defence business performed strongly, 
achieving a record level of new orders, with 
particular strength in the US where we see 
significant future opportunities. I would like 
to single out the greatly improved customer 
service and delivery performance in our 
submarines propulsion unit.

Consistent with the long-term needs and 
nature of the business, we have sustained 
technology and R&D investments. The focus 
of these investments has been on new 
technologies and capabilities that will 
improve engine efficiency, significantly 
reduce carbon emissions and minimise 
adverse environmental impacts – including 
noise. I would highlight, as examples, the 
acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft business 
and our investments in electric propulsion 
more broadly. These include the pioneering 
development of an all-electric aircraft, the 
testing of a new hybrid-electric propulsion 
system, as well as microgrid technologies 
for power generation. 

We are investing heavily in digital and 
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.  
The industries we operate in are, and will 
increasingly be, at the centre of the data 
revolution and the integration of complex 
systems and technologies.

During the year, we faced unprecedented 
challenges with our Trent 1000 engine.  
We are working tirelessly to fix the problems 
and improve the engine’s underlying 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Chairman’s Statement

05

durability. We have seen signs of progress 
with the roll-out of fixes and have a detailed 
operational plan to mitigate the disruption 
to our customers. As a result of the cost of 
the programme, however, we recognised a 
significant exceptional charge in the year.

Despite progress on our restructuring and 
transformation programme, there remains a lot 
more to be done to reduce the cost base  
of the business, to simplify our processes  
and to provide a more agile culture. This  
is a competitive and investor necessity.  
It is essential to generate the cash flow, 
shareholder returns and investment funds 
required for the long-term health of the 
business. It is also a huge opportunity, and 
consistent with our long-term aspiration  
to be the world leading industrial  
technology company.

At the time of writing, there are macro risks 
to navigate in the coming year, notably the 
outbreak of the COVID-19 virus which is 
currently having an effect on world trade, 
travel, and supply chains. We are actively 
monitoring the situation, following 
international health advice and giving our 
people as much support as they need. 

Purpose, strategy and governance
Purpose has been, and always will be, 
fundamental to any company with 
long-term aspirations or enduring ambition. 
We have spent significant time refining  
our purpose to ensure it is relevant to our 
stakeholders, not least our employees.  
At its core, our purpose is to connect, power 
and protect society. We will do this while 
minimising our impact on the environment. 

Purpose manifests itself in strategy and 
behaviour. I hope this report will clarify our 
strategic intent and the actions we are taking 
to make our purpose real, and measurable, 
to all our stakeholders. Technology and 
capital allocation will be at its heart. We 
have to be at the forefront of technologies 
such as electrification, hybrid propulsion 
systems and microgrids that can dramatically 
reduce emissions. Long haul aviation is 
technologically challenging from a carbon 
emissions perspective. Improved engine 
efficiency will continue to play a very 
important role in emissions reduction  
as will alternative non-fossil fuels. 

We are committed to reducing greenhouse 
gas emissions from our operations and 
facilities to zero by 2030. Beyond that, we 
are working hard to determine how we can 
mitigate the emissions impact of our product 
portfolio and product testing in order to 
get the whole of Rolls-Royce to a net zero 
emissions position by 2050. Large scale 
aviation is a potentially very challenging 
sector and to achieve this, we will have to 
continue to work in partnership with 

governments, suppliers, customers, 
technology providers, fuel companies, 
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 
and civil society. We cannot do it alone. 
Climate change is a risk to our business – 
indeed a principal risk – but more 
importantly, it is a real opportunity which 
could see us create disruptive new 
technologies and solutions. 

We have continued to develop the 
governance innovations highlighted in 
previous reports. Irene Dorner, our Employee 
Champion on the Board, continued her 
sterling efforts during the year, while 
Beverly Goulet visited a number of our 
smaller sites as our North American 
Employee Champion and Lee Hsien Yang 
held a series of town hall meetings with 
employees and partners in China. We held 
further Meet the Board events and continued 
our Board apprentice programme. We have 
introduced a new tool to track employee 
engagement with increased focus on key 
topics such as engagement with our purpose 
and strategy. Statistically and culturally  
we still have a way to go on diversity, 
particularly at the most senior levels. But 
we are making good progress elsewhere 
from a talent pipeline perspective and I 
believe we are on the right path.

Finally, we continue to focus attention and 
oversight on ethical compliance and, above 
all, on safety. This is an ongoing challenge, 
particularly at times of disruption and stress, 
for all companies in our industries. 

Shareholder payments
During the year, further steps were taken  
to simplify the portfolio and improve our 
net funds position. We completed the sale 
of our Commercial Marine business and 
finalised the transfer of a significant portion 
of our pension liabilities to Legal & General 
Assurance Society. This move will increase 
overall security for Rolls-Royce pensioners 
and reduce risk to our business. 

Strengthening the balance sheet 
understandably remains a priority. The 
costs associated with the Trent 1000 have 
impacted investor confidence. Our firm 
intent is to turn this around. While we have 
made progress in delivering the sustainable 
free cash flow from our business that would 
be the foundation for increased shareholder 
payments, there is more to be done. As a 
consequence, we are not proposing an 
increase in the final shareholder payment 
for 2019. This will be held flat at 7.1p per 
share. Taken together with the interim 
payment, this brings the full payment to 11.7p 
per share. Despite the challenges of 2019, 
our underlying financial performance has 
shown improvement over the last few years. 
It remains our objective to progressively 

rebuild distributions to shareholders while 
investing for the long-term.

Board developments
During the year, we announced the 
appointment of George Culmer as a 
Non-Executive Director. He joined at the 
start of 2020 and is a member of the 
Nominations & Governance Committee,  
the Audit Committee and the Safety, Ethics 
& Sustainability Committee. A chartered 
accountant, George was until recently  
chief financial officer at Lloyds Banking 
Group and is also the senior independent 
director at Aviva.

We were really sorry to see the departure 
of Ruth Cairnie as a Non-Executive 
Director at the end of the year following 
her appointment as chair of Babcock 
International Group. Ruth made extraordinary 
contributions to the Board and to the 
Group, not least in her role as Chairman  
of the Remuneration Committee. 

Brad Singer, a partner and chief operating 
officer of ValueAct Capital, stepped down 
as a Non-Executive Director in December. 
Since joining us in 2016, Brad has been an 
active member of the Board, offering a 
valued external perspective and helping us 
to drive progress in our efforts to transform 
Rolls-Royce. My colleagues and I have 
greatly appreciated Brad’s insight and 
commitment to the Company and it has 
been a pleasure to work alongside him. 

We have recently announced the 
appointment of Dame Angela Strank as a 
Non-Executive Director. She will join the 
Board on 1 May 2020 and will be a member 
of the Nominations & Governance 
Committee, the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Committee and the Science & Technology 
Committee. Dame Angela is currently chief 
scientist and head of downstream 
technology at BP and a member of their 
Executive Management Team. I am 
delighted to welcome her to our Board.

Looking forward
Our Group continues to operate in markets 
where the long-term trajectory is one of 
growing demand for power and the services 
that will support it. To capitalise on the 
opportunities, however, we must continue to 
focus on improving our cost competitiveness; 
pursue purposeful, disciplined capital 
allocation; and drive innovation in 
sustainable, lower carbon power solutions. 
We must also continue on the cultural 
transformation journey that helps 
accelerate our trajectory and attract and 
retain the talent on which we will depend.

Sir Ian Davis
Chairman

STRATEGIC REPORT06

Strategic Report
Chief Executive’s Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

WARREN EAST, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Despite the challenges of the Trent 1000, the progress 
seen across the Group in the year gives me increased 
confidence that the changes we are implementing are 
creating a tangible and sustainable cultural and 
performance shift within our business. 

Progress in 2019
To draw an analogy to describe the year 
that might be familiar to many of our 
aerospace customers: the journey is 
sometimes more important than the 
destination. In 2019, how we got to our 
destination – strong progress across the 
Group – gives me increased confidence 
that the changes we have been implementing 
over the past two years are creating a 
tangible and sustainable cultural and 
performance shift within our business.

We had a good end to the year including 
strong Civil Aerospace aftermarket 
performance, record widebody engine 
deliveries, and better trading in  
Power Systems despite tough market 
conditions. Defence performed well 
throughout the year with a record order 
intake and healthy cash performance. As a 
result, we delivered improved financial results 
including a 25% increase in underlying 
operating profit and further strong 

improvement in Civil Aerospace. This 
contributed to strong Group free cash flow 
of £873m, another significant step towards 
achieving at least £1bn in 2020. We also 
continued to invest in the new technologies 
which are so vital to remaining competitive. 
This was all achieved despite the in-service 
challenges with the Trent 1000, which 
could have derailed our progress. The fact 
that they did not is thanks to the focus of 
our people on their roles in delivering for 
the business. 

I spoke last year of needing to build beyond 
the breakthrough we could see occurring 
as we launched our restructuring and 
adopted our new operating structure.  
We have generated real momentum during 
2019, not least in respect to costs, as we 
scrutinised our spending with intense rigour 
and really challenged ourselves to act 
differently. There is, however, no denying 
the fact that the durability issues with the 
Trent 1000 weighed heavily on 2019, in terms 

of the financial cost of returning the fleet 
to the levels of service our customers expect 
and dealing with the unacceptable disruption 
we have caused them. As a result of the 
Trent 1000 and as announced in November, 
we are recognising a net exceptional 
charge of £1,361m within our financials, 
contributing to a reported operating loss 
of £(852)m.

We have fixes designed for all but one of 
the issues identified and are well advanced 
on certification and rolling them out into 
the fleet. As the year drew to a close, we 
carried out a detailed technical re-evaluation 
of our progress on the final fix, a new  
high pressure turbine blade for the  
Trent 1000 TEN. Based upon that work and 
test activity, we reset our financial and 
operational expectations for the engine in 
November, based on a revised estimate of 
final blade durability, in order to provide 
certainty for customers and greater clarity 
for investors. Since then, we have made 
good progress on the design of this blade, 
and continue to expect certification of this 
component in the first half of 2021.

Lower carbon power
We believe in the positive transforming 
potential of technology and have a passion 
for solving difficult problems. Today, one  
of our society’s greatest technological 
challenges is the need for lower carbon 
power and we have a crucial role to play  

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Chief Executive’s Review

07

2019 priorities

Customers
 – Increase production volume
 – Expand service network
 – Mitigate disruption from 

in-service issues

People and culture 
 – Build a resilient business
 – Continue restructuring 

programme

 – Further simplify processes
 – Diversity & inclusion

Technology
 – Revitalise service
 – Develop new engine 

architecture

 – Advance electrification 

projects

Financial 
 – Continue improving  

free cash flow

 – Further strengthen 

balance sheet
 – Enhance capital  

allocation discipline

in decarbonising the sectors in which we 
operate. Firstly, we are committed to further 
reducing the environmental impacts of our 
products and services. We are following up 
our success as the developer of the world’s 
most efficient civil large engine in service 
today, the Trent XWB, with our next 
generation UltraFan. We are also heavily 
involved in the drive for sustainable 
alternative fuels. Secondly, we are 
committed to developing new low emission 
technologies. During 2019, we made 
significant progress, including the acquisition 
of Siemens’ eAircraft business and ground 
tests of our megawatt generator for the 
E-Fan X demonstrator with Airbus. Thirdly, 
we are working to reduce the greenhouse 
gas emissions from our own operations and 
facilities to zero by 2030.

Our ability to pioneer the decarbonisation 
of aviation builds upon the experience of 
our Power Systems business in hybrid and 
electrical power across a range of sectors. 
During the year, we signed customer 
contracts and framework agreements for 
hybrid solutions for the rail and yacht 
markets. In early 2020, we further enhanced 
our capabilities with the acquisition of a 
majority holding in power storage specialist 
Qinous, which will enhance our microgrid 
development activities.

Climate change is a risk for our business 
and playing a pivotal role in combating  
it presents us with a very significant 

opportunity to become a disrupter. 
Inaction is not an option. 

Progress on restructuring
In 2019, we made further progress on our 
restructuring programme. Since it was 
announced in mid-2018, we have 
implemented productivity improvements 
enabling us to achieve 2,900 of the planned 
4,600 indirect headcount reduction and  
we remain on track to realise the full 
benefits of the programme by the end of 
2020. Reducing our workforce is not a 
decision we take lightly, but we must 
fundamentally change the way we operate.

We have completed the majority of the 
changes within Civil Aerospace and 
Defence, including unwinding an overly 
complex corporate structure and 
introducing new automated tools and 
methods which have helped streamline 
processes. Progress within Power Systems 
was more limited as we completed planned 
strategic investments. Our Group Business 
Services operation, meanwhile, is now 
providing more effective and efficient 
transactional processing across the Group.

We have focused on driving value through 
reducing other indirect spend beyond salary 
costs and on improving the effectiveness  
of our cash management processes. These 
foundations will be developed further in 
2020 to provide additional productivity 
improvements in the future.

Delivery on 2019 priorities
We set out four key priorities for the year:

Customers
During the year, we delivered a record  
510 widebody engines from Civil Aerospace, 
increasing our installed base by 6% to more 
than 5,000 engines and growing engine 
flying hours by 7%. The Trent XWB became 
our second-largest Trent programme by 
volume, with the fleet having amassed more 
than five million flying hours and its leading 
engines already achieving our expectations 
for time-on-wing (see page 26). We revamped 
our Civil Aerospace services business and 
undertook a record number of scheduled 
major overhauls, in spite of increased check 
and repair visits driven by the Trent 1000. 

During the year, we took the decision to 
accelerate the installation of fixes within  
a small proportion of the Trent 1000 fleet 
following an incident. As a result, we 
revised our target to reduce aircraft on 
ground (AOG) to single digits from the end 
of 2019 to the end of the second quarter of 
2020. To help alleviate disruption, we took 
further action to increase our maintenance, 
repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities and 
increased our pool of spare engines to get 
our customers flying again.

Our Power Systems business continued to 
capitalise on its extensive installed base of 
engines by increasing revenues from services, 
including through the introduction of digital 
monitoring tools, initially targeting the 
mining industry. 

Defence had a very successful year, securing 
a record order intake of £5.3bn boosted by 
services. Notable wins included a five-year 
contract worth over $1bn with the  
US Marine Corps to maintain the AE1107 
engines that power the Bell Boeing V-22 
Osprey. We delivered just under 500 aero 
engines and now have over 16,000 in 
service across more than 100 countries.  
We also made good progress on developing 
new technologies ahead of a number of 
attractive opportunities in coming years.

Technology
Technology is the lifeblood of our business 
and, during the year, we passed a number 
of significant milestones on our new engine 
programmes. We successfully tested all the 
composite elements of our advanced low 
pressure system (ALPS) – including fan 
blades and fan cases – which is a key 
component of our UltraFan engine design. 
In Defence, our work as part of Team 
Tempest in the UK continued. In the US,  
our dedicated defence development team, 
LibertyWorks, demonstrated an integrated 
power and thermal management system for 
high-power directed energy applications 

STRATEGIC REPORT08

Strategic Report
Chief Executive’s Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

and we refined our F130 engine for the 
competition to re-engine the US Air Force’s 
(USAF) Boeing B-52s. Our efforts in 
electrification included the introduction of 
microgrids from Power Systems (see page 30) 
and breakthroughs in aviation including the 
roll-out of the all-electric plane we hope will 
set new speed records (see page 42).

People and culture
We have continued to embed our values 
and behaviours across the Group (see  
page 45). Improving diversity & inclusion 
remains a priority for us and during the 
year we refreshed our strategy and looked 
to accelerate its implementation. We have  
a lot of work to do if we are to hit our gender 
diversity target of 23% for our Executive 
Team. During the year, we reviewed our 
succession plans and increased the 
proportion of females from 35% to 44%.

Financial
We delivered significant financial progress 
with a strong level of free cash flow, despite 
£578m of in-service costs from the  
Trent 1000 which were partially offset  
by £173m of related insurance receipts.  
In Civil Aerospace, we reduced widebody 
OE losses and generated a healthy increase 
in the net cash flow driven by our widebody 
in-service fleet. We also saw an increase  
in margins in Power Systems, although 
Defence was lower as we had signalled, 
reflecting its OE product mix. After a poor 
first half performance, we delivered a 
material reduction in inventory as the year 
progressed, although further work is 
required here in 2020. We focused hard  
on costs, with good progress achieved in 
the second half of the year. We still have 
work to do in 2020, however, to further grow 
the quality and scale of our cash flow.

2020 priorities and  
longer-term outlook
Building on the strength of our performance 
in 2019, we enter 2020 with conviction and 
confidence. The momentum we saw as the 
year progressed must be maintained in 2020 
in order to achieve at least £1bn in free 
cash flow. The fact that we have remained 
on course for this target despite the  
Trent 1000 situation is due to the 
determination, drive and resolve of our 
people. In the coming year, we will push  
for further improvements in execution, 
delivery and overall business performance.

FIXING THE TRENT 1000

Returning the Trent 1000 fleet to the level of service which our customers 
expect is the top priority of senior management and the Board. We believe 
2019 was a pivotal year. We have now designed fixes for all but one of the 
significant technical challenges we have faced and have a clear path  
to resolving the final issue. We have announced actions to boost our 
maintenance capacity and add additional spare engines to reduce 
customer disruption. We also carried out an extensive review that resulted 
in greater certainty for customers and clarity for investors. Our focus  
is now on executing this clear plan.

We have been dealing with three significant technical issues affecting 
each of the three variants of the Trent 1000 (Package B, Package C and 
TEN). Of the nine fixes required, we have so far designed eight and certified 
seven which are now being incorporated into the fleet. A new high 
pressure turbine (HPT) blade for the Trent 1000 TEN variant is the final 
modification required. During the year, we carried out a detailed technical 
re-evaluation of our progress. Based upon that work and test activity, we 
reset our financial and operational expectations for the Trent 1000 TEN 
based on a revised estimate of final blade durability. This allowed us to be 
clearer with customers on the engine’s long-term servicing requirements, 
giving them greater certainty when planning schedules. It also enabled 
us to assess the associated exceptional cost and provide investors with  
a clearer view of future costs (see page 19).

The Board continued to scrutinise the issue, receiving regular updates on 
progress. The Audit Committee reviewed the accounting treatment of 
the cost (see page 82) and the Board carried out a full technical review 
(see page 68). To underpin our target to reduce AOG to less than ten  
by mid-2020, we are increasing our stock of spare engines and 
accelerating growth in our MRO network. This comes on top of a  
tripling of MRO capacity over the past three years, the introduction  
of new servicing techniques and a 50% increase in our turbine blade 
manufacturing capacity.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Chief Executive’s Review

09

25 YEARS CONNECTING THE WORLD

In 2020, our family of Trent engines will pass a major milestone:  
a quarter of a century powering commercial airlines around the world, 
connecting people and cultures and delivering goods and services.

Having completed more than 145 million engine flying hours since 
the very first engine, a Trent 700, went into service in 1995, our Trent 
engines are the bedrock of Rolls-Royce. We have been celebrating 
the vital role that these engines play in our growth and our future 
with our #poweroftrent campaign across all our digital channels.

More than a year since it entered service in November 2018, the 
latest member of the family, the Trent 7000, has performed well.  
This follows the smoothest entry into service of any widebody engine, 
the Trent XWB, which became our second largest Trent programme 
by volume during the year. The Trent XWB fleet has now flown more 
than five million flying hours since it took to the skies in early 2015.  
It remains the world’s most efficient large aero engine in service 
today. In 2019, we won 64% of all new widebody engine orders  
and now hold 55% of the widebody industry order backlog.

Now that we are two years into our new 
simplified structure of business units 
– operating within a clear framework and 
supported by a lean centre – it is appropriate 
to set priorities which are solely Group level, 
from which we determine the priorities for 
our businesses and functions. 

Our first priority is to deliver on our 
commitments to customers. Secondly,  
we must deliver the full benefit of our 
transformation by constantly seeking simpler, 
more efficient ways of working across the 
Group. While headcount reduction is a 
consequence, our transformation must 
primarily be about changing the way we 
operate. We have made good progress in 
2018 and 2019, and during 2020 we must 

push for even greater pace and simplicity. 
Thirdly, our financial target as a Group is 
clear: to generate at least £1bn of free cash 
flow in 2020. Sustainable and growing cash 
flow is the foundation upon which our 
long-term future, and returns to investors, 
will be built. Finally, our most important 
differentiator is our people and we must 
continue to embed the behaviours we need 
from everyone who works at Rolls-Royce  
in order to create the culture we need  
to continue to win.

I believe the coming year will mark another 
important step towards generating significant 
returns from the market positions  
Rolls-Royce has spent many years securing. 
The value embedded within our business, 

most obviously within our installed base of 
widebody engines and order book, must  
be fully unlocked. Our sights are firmly set 
upon a mid-term ambition to exceed £1 of 
free cash flow per share, which translates 
to at least £1.9bn of free cash flow. To 
secure this in a sustainable way means 
reinforcing behavioural change across  
our business, driving pace and simplicity, 
developing a thirst for continuous 
improvement and ensuring disciplined 
investment in the new technologies we 
require to exploit the opportunities that  
we can see across all our markets. We will 
push harder and further in 2020, towards 
becoming the world’s leading industrial 
technology company.

2020 priorities

p
u
o
r
G

s
e
i
t
i
r
o
i
r
p

e
r
o
C

s
e
u
l
a
v

Customers
Exceed customer 
commitment metrics

Operations
Annual efficiency 
improvements of over 
£400m (from launch  
of restructuring)

Financial
Free cash flow  
of at least £1bn

People and culture
Improved employee 
engagement as measured 
through Gallup Q12

Safety 
Quality  
Ethics  

Operate safely

Trusted to deliver excellence

Act with integrity

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
10 Strategic Report

Purpose, Vision and Strategy

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

PURPOSE, VISION AND STRATEGY

We are one of the world’s leading industrial technology companies. We pioneer 
the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. This requires us  
to anticipate the opportunities and challenges our customers will face.

OUR VISION

OUR STRATEGY

Pioneering  
the power  
that matters

Rolls-Royce pioneers 
cutting-edge technologies 
that deliver clean, safe and 
competitive solutions to meet 
our planet’s vital power needs.

Our strategy reflects  
three horizons:

Horizon 1  Maintain and  
defend core businesses

Horizon 2  Nurture  
emerging businesses

Horizon 3  Create genuinely  
new businesses

At the same time we need  
to manage the transition  
of technologies, capabilities, 
resources and value across 
business horizons.

Transform our business

Champion 
electrification

Vitalise  
existing 
capabilities

Reinvent  
with 
digital

Build a balanced portfolio

Trends shaping our markets

We believe three key trends will define the 
world’s future power needs: the growing 
demand for cleaner, more sustainable power; 
electrification; and digitalisation. As we move 
to a low carbon global economy, our engines 
will become part of broader, hybrid-electrical 
systems with lower emissions and 
environmental impact. 

Our progress in 2O19

Horizon 1

Vitalise existing capabilities
We are developing next-generation 
technologies to sustain and grow our current 
competitiveness; investing in our existing 
thermo-mechanical products to ensure that 
they provide clean, safe and competitive 
solutions for our customers.

Our installed base of Civil Aerospace 
widebody engines exceeded 5,000 in the 
year, up more than 50% over the past 
decade. The Trent XWB is meeting our 
expectations, with the first Trent XWB-84 
engines now entering their fifth year in 

service without requiring shop visits. The 
Trent 700, a leading member of the Trent 
family for almost 25 years, continued to 
perform well and received certification to 
power a small fleet of new Airbus BelugaXL 
aircraft. Our ambitions for the UltraFan 
demonstrator programme remain strong as 
we target engine maturity towards the end 
of the 2020s. During 2019, we successfully 
tested the composite elements of the ALPS, 
including fan blades and fan cases. In 
business aviation, we unveiled the Pearl 700 
for the new Gulfstream G700 and the first 
member of the Pearl family, the Pearl 15, 
entered into service (see page 28).

In Power Systems, we secured an innovative 
ten-year service agreement with Svitzer that 
connects maintenance services to engine 
availability; and signed a new agreement 
for the supply of MTU engines with British 
luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker.

In Defence, we successfully completed early 
engine tests of the F130 which we are 
offering as a new engine for the USAF’s 
Boeing B-52. We were also awarded a 
contract, alongside industry partners, to 
develop hypersonic propulsion by the  
UK’s Ministry of Defence as part of a suite 

of technologies being developed in parallel 
with Project Tempest. In the US, our 
LibertyWorks team saw the culmination  
of ten years of research and development 
by demonstrating an integrated power and 
thermal management system for defensive 
high-power directed energy applications. 
During the year, both our AE1107 engines 
on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey and RR300 
engines on the Robinson R66 helicopter 
exceeded one million engine flying hours.

Horizon 2

Champion electrification 
We are investing in new power solutions  
for our long-term success, building on  
our strong heritage in thermo-mechanical 
engineering to produce state-of-the-art 
electro-mechanical and hybrid power 
systems. It is just one of the steps we are 
taking towards the provision of lower  
carbon power (see page 42). 

During the year, we secured orders from 
Irish Rail and Porterbrook, the UK’s largest 
rolling stock leasing company, for our 
hybrid powerpacks. We also signed a 
global microgrid partnership to offer 

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Purpose, Vision and Strategy

11

energy-efficient solutions for utility and 
industrial companies, and opened a 
microgrid validation centre (see page 30).

In aviation, we completed the acquisition of 
Siemen’s eAircraft business (see below) and 
carried out successful ground tests of a 
hybrid system using our M250 gas turbine, 
paving the way for test flights in 2021.  
We gained support for our hybrid-electric 
ambitions from the German State of 
Brandenburg and announced plans to work 
with partners, including the Brandenburg 
University of Technology to develop a 
hybrid-electric flight demonstrator based 
on the M250 system. 

In the UK, where the government is  
already supporting the E-Fan X and ACCEL 
programmes (see page 42), it is also 
supporting us on Project Fresson, which 
plans to design, manufacture and integrate 
a hybrid-electric propulsion system into a 
small aircraft for island-hopping routes. 

We also launched a joint programme to 
research zero-emissions aviation with 
Widerøe, the largest regional airline in 
Scandinavia, which plans to replace and 
electrify its regional fleet by 2030.

Reinvent with digital
We are using digital technologies across 
our activities to generate new insights,  
new solutions and new opportunities; 
increasingly partnering with start-ups and 
established players. We expanded the digital 
solutions team within Power Systems and 
set up a new data and analytics competence 
centre in the year. We announced that ferry 
company Förde Reederei Seetouristik will 
test a new electronic monitoring system 
that collects and analyses data from our 
engines and other systems at sea. We also 
unveiled plans to develop an autonomous 
machinery control system for naval vessels.

R2 Data Labs continued to build its digital 
ecosystem through a tie-up with venture 
capital fund, BrightCap Ventures, to attract 
start-ups to work with us on solving industrial 
challenges using digital technologies. We 
also launched our first collaborative digital 
technology project with Singapore’s Defence 
Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).

Horizon 3

Transform our business
We are advancing new opportunities that 
could capture substantial growth and value 

for the Group in the future. We have 
received initial match funding from the  
UK government to progress a new type of 
compact smart nuclear power station based 
around our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) 
concept (see page 43). Power Systems 
signed a letter of intent for the construction 
of a demonstration plant that uses electric 
power generated in photovoltaic and wind 
power plants for the production of synthetic 
fuels. We also set up a power-to-x 
competence centre at the Brandenburg 
University of Technology, Germany, to 
explore the potential of synthetic fuels.

Build a balanced portfolio

We actively manage our portfolio of 
activities to focus on key activities that  
are aligned with our strategy and business 
model. As a result, during the year, we 
completed the sale of our Commercial 
Marine business and, in January 2020, 
completed the sale of our Civil Nuclear 
North America Services business.

ACCELERATING OUR  
ELECTRICAL STRATEGY

During the year, we took a significant 
stride towards meeting our strategic 
ambition to champion electrification  
with the completion of the acquisition  
of Siemens’ eAircraft business.

This business has been developing  
a range of all-electric and hybrid-electric 
propulsion solutions. Around 180 specialist 
electrical designers and engineers based 
in Germany and Hungary, have now  
joined us. 

Electrification is set to have as dramatic an 
impact on aviation as the replacement of 
piston engines by gas turbines. We are  
at the dawn of the third era of aviation, 
which will bring a new class of quieter  
and cleaner air transport to the skies. 

The acquisition of eAircraft accelerates 
our ambitions in aerospace by adding vital 
skills and technology to our portfolio.  
It brings us increased scale and additional 
expertise as we develop a product range 
of hybrid power and propulsion systems.

STRATEGIC REPORT12

Strategic Report
Business Model

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

BUSINESS MODEL

Our competitive advantage comes from:

Cutting-edge  
technologies

System solutions

System life

We apply cutting-edge technologies 
to provide clean, safe and competitive 
solutions. Our technologies ensure that 
our customers have the vital power that 
meets their emerging needs.

We package technologies into systems 
that provide complete solutions for our 
customers. Our solutions mean that our 
customers have power from a single, 
trusted partner.

We care about the performance of 
our solutions throughout their lives. 
Our through-life capabilities maximise 
availability and enable us to meet 
changing customer needs.

1

Anticipate the 
needs of our 
customers

Link to risks 
  C   D   H   I   J

DISCIPLINED  
CAPITAL 
ALLOCATION

7

Generate 
stakeholder 
value

Link to risks 
A   B   C   D
E   F   H   I

Capture through- 
life value of  
in-service products

6

Link to risks 
A   B   D   F

2

Develop 
cutting-edge 
technologies

Link to risks 
A   C   D   E
F   I   K

Design 
solutions

Link to risks 
A   C   D   E
F   G   K

3

Grow installed 
original 
equipment base

Develop world- 
class production 
capability

Link to risks 
A   B   C   D
E   G   J

Link to risks 
A   B   C   D   E
F   G   J   K

5

4

Principal risks

A   Safety
B   Business continuity
C   Climate change
D   Competitive environment

E   Compliance 
F   Cyber threat
G   Major product  

programme delivery

H    Market and financial shock
I   Political risk
J   Strategic transformation
K   Talent and capability

Principal Risks 
page 50.

 
 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Model

13

We believe we have a sustainable business model which 
will create value for all our stakeholders over the long 
term. See our viability statement on page 55.

1 Anticipate the needs 
of our customers

5 Grow installed original 

equipment base

We maintain a high degree of customer 
intimacy in order to anticipate and 
understand the future power needs of  
our customers, building on our years of 
experience in delivering for our markets. 
Our strategic planning processes match 
customer expectations with market insight 
to forecast trends, opportunities and  
threats which we must adapt to meet. 

2 Develop cutting-edge 

technologies

We act as a global technology sponsor, 
drawing upon expertise inside and outside 
our organisation. In 2019, we invested £1.46bn 
in gross R&D, supported by governments 
around the world, enabling our engineers 
to generate cutting-edge technologies, 
vital intellectual property, and 830 new 
patents approved for filing. We draw upon 
the skills of our 29 University Technology 
Centres and utilise the expertise of our 
partners, with over 500 companies within 
our digital ecosystem. 

3 Design  
solutions

We harness the potential of digital 
technologies and design thinking to create 
solutions that generate the greatest value 
from our cutting-edge technologies. This 
activity is supported by the team within  
our data innovation catalyst R2 Data Labs. 
We produce digital twins in order to test 
our hypotheses and then validate our 
results through a rigorous physical testing 
regime. Dynamic technology management 
enables us to leverage, attract and recycle 
capital for innovation. 

4 Develop world-class 
production capability

We generate value from our cutting-edge 
technologies and innovative solution designs 
through effective and efficient delivery of 
final products. We use our production 
expertise and network of seven Advanced 
Manufacturing Research Centres, alongside 
our supply chain partners, to harness new 
manufacturing techniques and technologies.

Increasing our installed base of products 
generates both in-year growth and the 
potential for our business to capture 
long-term service revenue. To give our 
business access to these growth 
opportunities, we strive to deliver new 
product introductions on time and on budget. 
In line with our strategic aim to vitalise 
existing capabilities, we also continually 
look for ways to reduce the time and resource 
expended on producing existing products, 
and roll-back new technologies from new 
programmes into legacy products as 
appropriate. Operational excellence is  
key throughout.

In our Civil Aerospace business, we have 
been growing our in-service fleet for over 
two decades and, towards the end of 2019, 
we had over 5,000 widebody engines  
in service, more than a 50% increase  
in a decade.

6 Capture through-life value 
of in-service products

Our customer relationships are our greatest 
strength. We offer our customers a 
combination of advanced technologies,  
in a complete systems solution, optimised 
throughout its life. 

The service innovation we introduced with 
TotalCare into the Civil Aerospace widebody 
market gave us expertise which we drew upon 
to create innovative aftermarket solutions  
in other parts of the Group, generating 
returns over many years. These include 
CorporateCare in business aviation and 
MissionCare in Defence. Power Systems  
is now also leveraging the aftermarket 
potential of its installed base. In legacy 
products, we also offer more traditional 
aftermarket services, such as spare parts.

7 Generate  

stakeholder value

Our activities are global, complex and touch 
upon a wide variety of stakeholders. From 
investors, employees, customers, suppliers 
and partners, to communities, local and 
national authorities, regulatory bodies and 
armed forces, we aim to create trusted 
relationships. We must understand the needs 
of all our stakeholders and continue to deliver 
value, to build a resilient business. 

Value creation for  
our stakeholders

Customers
We develop product solutions that 
improve the competitiveness of  
our customers.

Gross R&D expenditure

£1.46bn

See Technology page 42.

Investors
We generate attractive returns for 
investors over the long term.

Three-year total shareholder return

11%

See Remuneration Committee 
Report page 102.

Employees
We create an environment where our 
employees are able to be at their best.

Invested in training and development

£28.7m

See People and Culture  
page 45 and Non-Financial 
KPIs page 15. 

Partners
We create partnerships based on 
collaboration where each partner 
benefits from the relationship.

Spend with external suppliers

£8.3bn

Communities
We improve the communities that we  
impact locally, nationally and globally.

Hours of employee time volunteered

96,000

See People and Culture  
page 45.

See Stakeholder Engagement 
page 70.

STRATEGIC REPORT14

Strategic Report
Key Performance Indicators

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Financial key performance indicators *,†

See Other Financial Information page 205 for additional 
commentary on our financial KPIs.

Order backlog

£60.9bn 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

60.9
63.1
55.0

80.9
76.4

Underlying revenue

£15,450m 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

15,450
15,067

13,671

13,783
13,354

Underlying operating profit

Free cash flow per share

Cash return on invested capital (CROIC)

£808m 

808

616

306

915

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

1,492

How we define it
Total value of firm orders placed by customers 
for delivery of products and services. This 
KPI is the same as the statutory measure for 
order backlog.

Why it is important
Order backlog provides visibility of future 
business activity.

Link to remuneration
Customer orders drive future revenue growth 
which in turn, enables profit and cash flow 
growth. Profit and free cash flow performance 
are the key financial metrics in both the annual 
bonus plan and long-term incentive plan (LTIP).

How we define it
Revenue generated from operations at  
actual rates of foreign exchange including 
achieved hedge rates in the year. See note 2 
on page 139 for a reconciliation to statutory 
reported revenue.

Why it is important
Underlying revenue provides a measure of 
business growth and activity.

Link to remuneration
Underlying revenue growth maximises the 
opportunity to improve profit and free cash 
flow performance in the year, both of which 
are key financial metrics in the annual bonus  
plan and LTIP.

How we define it
Profit generated from operations at actual 
rates of foreign exchange including achieved 
hedge rates in the year. It excludes exceptional 
and one-off items. See note 2 on page 139 for 
a reconciliation to statutory reported 
operating profit.

Why it is important 
Underlying operating profit indicates how the 
effect of growing revenue and control of our 
costs delivers value for our shareholders.

Link to remuneration
Profit and EPS are key financial performance 
measures for our annual bonus plan and LTIP.

Capital expenditure as a proportion  
of underlying revenue

Self-funded R&D as a proportion 
of underlying revenue

5.0% 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

5.0

6.0

5.3

4.2

3.6

7.2% 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

7.2
7.6
7.6

6.8

6.2

Free cash flow

£873m 

873

568

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

259

100
179

How we define it
Cash purchases of property, plant and 
equipment in the year relative to underlying 
revenue. There is no statutory equivalent  
to this KPI.

How we define it
In-year self-funded cash expenditure on R&D 
before any capitalisation or amortisation 
relative to underlying revenue. There is no 
statutory equivalent to this KPI.

Why it is important
This measure demonstrates the balance 
between essential investments in infrastructure 
and delivering short-term shareholder returns.

Why it is important
This measure demonstrates the balance 
between long-term strategic investments and 
delivering short-term shareholder returns.

Link to remuneration
Disciplined allocation of capital expenditure 
optimises in-year profit and cash flow 
performance without compromising 
longer-term growth. Metrics in our LTIP reward 
strong financial performance through EPS, 
CPS and TSR over the three-year life  
of the plan.

Link to remuneration
Disciplined control and allocation of R&D 
expenditure optimises in-year profit and cash 
flow performance without compromising 
long-term growth through innovation. There  
is a balance of metrics in our LTIP which reward 
strong financial performance through EPS, CPS  
and also relative returns to our shareholders 
through TSR over the three-year life of the plan.

How we define it
Cash flow generated from our business 
activities in the year before M&A, SFO 
payments, foreign exchange and payments  
to shareholders. Cash flow is our statutory 
equivalent, see note 28 on page 179.

Why it is important 
Free cash flow is the principal metric to 
measure the performance of our business  
and how effectively we are creating value  
for our shareholders. It enables the business 
to fund growth, reduce debt and make 
shareholder payments.

Link to remuneration
Free cash flow is our key financial metric in 
the annual bonus plan, accounting for 50%  
of the overall targets. CPS is a key driver for  
our LTIP.

*   Following the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers in 2018, the 2017 figures have been restated. Dotted lines separate pre and post IFRS 15 figures  

on all affected KPIs.

†  The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases in 2019 had no material impact on our financial KPIs, see page 181 for more information.

45.9p 

12% 

2019

2018

2017

45.9

30.6

14.1

2019

2018

2017

12%

12%

13%

How we define it

How we define it

Free cash flow in the year divided by the 

CROIC is calculated as free cash flow divided 

average number of shares in issue in the year. 

by invested capital in the year. See page 205 

This measure was introduced in 2018. There is 

for a full definition of invested capital. This 

no statutory equivalent to this KPI.

measure was introduced in 2018. There is no 

statutory equivalent to this KPI.

Why it is important 

Cash flow per share ensures alignment with 

Why it is important 

shareholder interests and is a key measure of 

CROIC ensures we invest in programmes and 

the economic performance of our business.

projects which optimise returns for our 

Link to remuneration

CPS is the largest driver of the LTIP at  

60% of the total.

shareholders with the correct balance 

between long-term and short-term value. 

Link to remuneration

A key driver of CROIC is free cash flow, which 

is also an important financial performance 

measure for our annual bonus plan and LTIP.

Non-financial key performance indicators

Customer metric

38% *

Employee engagement

3.53

How we define it

How we define it

In 2019, we introduced a new balanced 

In 2019, we introduced a new survey, Gallup 

scorecard of metrics for each business. The 

Q12. Responses are scored on a scale of one 

scorecard includes on-time delivery, aircraft  

to five. The employee engagement score 

on ground and engine availability amongst 

averages the responses to all 12 questions  

other indicators. The aggregate outturn is  

in the survey. See page 46 for more on our 

used to determine the customer element  

change of approach this year.

of our bonus plan. See page 96 for  

more information.

Why it is important 

Why is it important 

Our people are crucial to delivering future 

business success. This is an objective way to 

Customer satisfaction demonstrates whether 

assess how engaged our employees are with 

we are meeting our commitments to our 

the business and its leaders.

customers across our businesses. This,  

in turn, drives our cash and profitability.

Link to remuneration

The customer metric accounts for 12.5% of 

bonus plan.

the target bonus in our annual bonus plan.

*  Metric is 38% of target (100%), 19% of maximum (200%).

Link to remuneration

Employee engagement performance against 

our target accounts for 12.5% of our annual 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Key Performance Indicators

15

Underlying operating profit

Free cash flow per share

Cash return on invested capital (CROIC)

45.9p 

12% 

2019

2018

2017

45.9

30.6

14.1

2019

2018

2017

12%
12%
13%

How we define it
Free cash flow in the year divided by the 
average number of shares in issue in the year. 
This measure was introduced in 2018. There is 
no statutory equivalent to this KPI.

Why it is important 
Cash flow per share ensures alignment with 
shareholder interests and is a key measure of 
the economic performance of our business.

Link to remuneration
CPS is the largest driver of the LTIP at  
60% of the total.

How we define it
CROIC is calculated as free cash flow divided 
by invested capital in the year. See page 205 
for a full definition of invested capital. This 
measure was introduced in 2018. There is no 
statutory equivalent to this KPI.

Why it is important 
CROIC ensures we invest in programmes and 
projects which optimise returns for our 
shareholders with the correct balance 
between long-term and short-term value. 

Link to remuneration
A key driver of CROIC is free cash flow, which 
is also an important financial performance 
measure for our annual bonus plan and LTIP.

Non-financial key performance indicators

Customer metric

38% *

Employee engagement

3.53

How we define it
In 2019, we introduced a new balanced 
scorecard of metrics for each business. The 
scorecard includes on-time delivery, aircraft  
on ground and engine availability amongst 
other indicators. The aggregate outturn is  
used to determine the customer element  
of our bonus plan. See page 96 for  
more information.

Why it is important 
Customer satisfaction demonstrates whether 
we are meeting our commitments to our 
customers across our businesses. This,  
in turn, drives our cash and profitability.

Link to remuneration
The customer metric accounts for 12.5% of 
the target bonus in our annual bonus plan.

*  Metric is 38% of target (100%), 19% of maximum (200%).

How we define it
In 2019, we introduced a new survey, Gallup 
Q12. Responses are scored on a scale of one 
to five. The employee engagement score 
averages the responses to all 12 questions  
in the survey. See page 46 for more on our 
change of approach this year.

Why is it important 
Our people are crucial to delivering future 
business success. This is an objective way to 
assess how engaged our employees are with 
the business and its leaders.

Link to remuneration
Employee engagement performance against 
our target accounts for 12.5% of our annual 
bonus plan.

Order backlog

£60.9bn 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

60.9

63.1

55.0

80.9

76.4

order backlog.

Why it is important

business activity.

Link to remuneration

Financial key performance indicators *,†

See Other Financial Information page 205 for additional 

commentary on our financial KPIs.

Underlying revenue

£15,450m 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

15,450

15,067

13,671

13,783

13,354

£808m 

808

616

306

915

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

1,492

How we define it

How we define it

How we define it

Total value of firm orders placed by customers 

Revenue generated from operations at  

Profit generated from operations at actual 

for delivery of products and services. This 

actual rates of foreign exchange including 

rates of foreign exchange including achieved 

KPI is the same as the statutory measure for 

achieved hedge rates in the year. See note 2 

hedge rates in the year. It excludes exceptional 

Order backlog provides visibility of future 

Why it is important

on page 139 for a reconciliation to statutory 

and one-off items. See note 2 on page 139 for 

reported revenue.

a reconciliation to statutory reported 

operating profit.

Underlying revenue provides a measure of 

Why it is important 

business growth and activity.

Underlying operating profit indicates how the 

effect of growing revenue and control of our 

costs delivers value for our shareholders.

Customer orders drive future revenue growth 

Link to remuneration

which in turn, enables profit and cash flow 

Underlying revenue growth maximises the 

growth. Profit and free cash flow performance 

opportunity to improve profit and free cash 

Link to remuneration

are the key financial metrics in both the annual 

flow performance in the year, both of which 

Profit and EPS are key financial performance 

bonus plan and long-term incentive plan (LTIP).

are key financial metrics in the annual bonus  

measures for our annual bonus plan and LTIP.

plan and LTIP.

Capital expenditure as a proportion  

Self-funded R&D as a proportion 

of underlying revenue

of underlying revenue

5.0% 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

5.0

6.0

5.3

4.2

3.6

7.2% 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

7.2

7.6

7.6

6.8

6.2

Free cash flow

£873m 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

259

100

179

873

568

How we define it

How we define it

How we define it

Cash purchases of property, plant and 

In-year self-funded cash expenditure on R&D 

Cash flow generated from our business 

equipment in the year relative to underlying 

before any capitalisation or amortisation 

activities in the year before M&A, SFO 

revenue. There is no statutory equivalent  

relative to underlying revenue. There is no 

payments, foreign exchange and payments  

to this KPI.

Why it is important

statutory equivalent to this KPI.

Why it is important

to shareholders. Cash flow is our statutory 

equivalent, see note 28 on page 179.

This measure demonstrates the balance 

This measure demonstrates the balance 

Why it is important 

between essential investments in infrastructure 

between long-term strategic investments and 

Free cash flow is the principal metric to 

and delivering short-term shareholder returns.

delivering short-term shareholder returns.

measure the performance of our business  

Link to remuneration

Link to remuneration

Disciplined allocation of capital expenditure 

Disciplined control and allocation of R&D 

optimises in-year profit and cash flow 

performance without compromising 

expenditure optimises in-year profit and cash 

flow performance without compromising 

and how effectively we are creating value  

for our shareholders. It enables the business 

to fund growth, reduce debt and make 

shareholder payments.

longer-term growth. Metrics in our LTIP reward 

long-term growth through innovation. There  

Link to remuneration

strong financial performance through EPS, 

is a balance of metrics in our LTIP which reward 

Free cash flow is our key financial metric in 

CPS and TSR over the three-year life  

strong financial performance through EPS, CPS  

the annual bonus plan, accounting for 50%  

of the plan.

and also relative returns to our shareholders 

of the overall targets. CPS is a key driver for  

through TSR over the three-year life of the plan.

our LTIP.

STRATEGIC REPORT16

Strategic Report
Financial Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

FINANCIAL REVIEW

STEPHEN DAINTITH, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Although much remains to be done on our journey to 
transform and improve the Group, 2019 was a year of 
good progress and a critical step towards our 2020 and 
mid-term ambitions.

Overview 2019
After a challenging first half of the year, we 
had a good end to the year and generated 
a strong level of free cash flow of £873m, 
delivered on our restructuring plan and made 
good progress on the key value drivers in 
Civil Aerospace. These achievements were 
made despite the ongoing operational and 
financial headwinds caused by in-service 
issues with the Trent 1000.

Overall, Group revenue rose by 7% with 
Group operating profit of £808m, an 
increase of £192m versus 2018. We achieved 
or exceeded our revenue growth and profit 
margin guidance for each of our core 
businesses. Civil Aerospace achieved  
a record number of widebody engine 
deliveries and returned to profitability. 
Power Systems demonstrated resilient 
revenue growth and good margin expansion 
despite certain end-market challenges. 
Defence achieved an impressive 1.6x 
book-to-bill ratio and healthy cash 
performance while ITP Aero achieved  
good progress.

Although progress on inventory reduction 
fell short of our ambitions, we delivered 
further improvements on the fundamental 
drivers that underpin our improving cash 
flows and returns:

 — in Civil Aerospace further steps were made 
in reducing OE unit losses on widebody 
engines, which fell by 14% to £1.2m,  
led by 22% progress on Trent XWB-84 
unit losses;

 — our large engine aftermarket cash 

margin improved by £0.3bn, led by the 
7% growth in large engine flying hours 
allied to the strength in spare parts sales, 
which more than outstripped higher 
shop visit volumes; and

 — we delivered a 4% reduction in 

commercial and administrative (C&A) 
costs and we maintained disciplined 
capital allocation with combined R&D  
and capital expenditure 11% lower at 
£1.9bn reflecting lower capital spend 
due to completion of several facility 
modernisation projects.

We achieved further progress on our 
restructuring plan, with a further 1,600 net 
reduction in headcount in 2019 across a 
variety of overhead functions. Our 
cumulative headcount reduction since the 
start of the programme has now reached 
2,900 and we remain committed to our 
ambition of a total 4,600 reduction by the 
end of 2020. 

Finance has embraced its own role in the 
drive to transform our organisation; we 
have rolled out new, more agile forecasting 
tools across our businesses, improved the 
quality of our finance data and management 
information and improved a number of key 
processes. An area of particular focus is 
simplifying the structure of our underlying 
systems and improving our data flow to 
enable better management information.  
We still have much to do and I am determined 
that we will build further on this in 2020.

We delivered another step in 2019 to 
improve the Group’s net funds position, 
which reached £1.4bn (excluding lease 
liabilities), up from £0.8bn in 2018. We made 
further progress on refining our portfolio, 
completing the disposal of Commercial 
Marine, with net proceeds of £350m, and 
Power Development. We also announced 
the sale of two further small businesses.  
We completed the acquisition of Siemens’ 
eAircraft business in October and since  
the year-end we have announced the 
acquisition of a majority stake in Qinous. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Financial Review

17

Both of these deals are helping us to 
accelerate our electrification and  
hybrid capabilities. 

Although our credit rating currently sits 
below our aspiration of single A, we have 
strong levels of liquidity and, led by 
improving cash generation, we are confident 
in our ability to strengthen our rating over 
the coming 12 to 18 months. Our ambition  
is to return shareholder payments to a 
more appropriate level over time.

2020 outlook
Building on the strength of our performance 
in 2019, we are well positioned to deliver 
further progress in 2020. We expect 
around 15% growth in operating profit with 
at least £1bn of free cash flow. There are 
macro risks to navigate in 2020, notably the 
outbreak of the COVID-19 virus which is 
currently having an effect on world trade, 
travel, and supply chains. We are actively 

Progress on restructuring

Headcount 
(# FTEs)
Indirect & engineering
Net cumulative reduction
Run-rate savings at period end

FY17
actual
29,529

FY18
actual
28,147
~1,300
£81m

FY19
actual
26,606
~2,900
£269m

FY20
(programme
total)
<25,000
~4,600
£400m

monitoring the situation and taking 
appropriate actions. Our guidance 
excludes any material impact from 
COVID-19 as the situation is still evolving.

Longer-term outlook
We remain committed to delivering 
significantly higher levels of returns in 
terms of operating profit margin, free cash 
flow and cash flow return on invested capital 
(CROIC). Key drivers of this remain: further 
reduction in widebody OE engine losses  
in Civil Aerospace; future increases in our 

aftermarket cash margin; and ongoing 
growth in Power Systems and Defence. 

Improved returns must be achieved despite 
our ongoing investment in new, more 
efficient aero engines in Civil Aerospace 
and the pursuit of programme and market 
opportunities in Power Systems and Defence. 

After our strong 2019 performance, we 
remain confident in our mid-term ambition 
to deliver free cash flow per share of over 
£1, more than £1.9bn, and to generate 
annual CROIC of 15% through the cycle.

DEFINING OUR ALTERNATIVE 
PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Revenue
£m

Reported measure
Reported revenue

Business performance is reviewed and managed on an 
underlying basis. These alternative performance measures 
reflect the economic substance of trading in the year, 
including the impact of the Group’s foreign exchange 
activities. The tables to the right summarise the adjustments 
between reported and underlying results for revenue and 
operating profit. For more information on these 
reconciliations, see note 2 on page 139. 

Similarly, you can find reconciliations to statutory measures 
for free cash flow in note 28 on page 179 and underlying EPS 
in note 26 on page 144.

Underlying performance measure
Reported revenue
Derivative and FX adjustments
Other underlying adjustments
Underlying revenue

Profit
£m

Reported measure
Reported operating (loss)

Free cash flow
Cash flow generated from our business activities in the year 
before M&A, SFO payments, foreign exchange and payments 
to shareholders.

Underlying EPS
Underlying profit after tax in the year divided by the average 
number of shares in issue in the year.

Underlying performance measure
Reported operating (loss)
Business disposals
(Loss) before financing & taxation
Derivative & FX adjustments
Programme exceptional charges
Restructuring exceptional charges
Acquisition accounting & M&A
Impairments & asset write-offs
Other underlying adjustments
Underlying operating profit

2019

2018

16,587

15,729

16,587
(1,137)
–
15,450

15,729
(781)
119
15,067

2019

2018

(852)

(1,161)

(852)
139
(713)
(144)
1,409
136
24
84
12
808

(1,161)
358
(803)
24
976
317
(183)
155
130
616

STRATEGIC REPORT18

Strategic Report
Financial Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Core trading summary
The income statement table below and all commentary relate to the underlying performance of our core business and percentage or 
absolute change figures in this document are on an organic basis, unless otherwise stated. 

Summary income statement – Core businesses 1

£m

Underlying revenue
Underlying OE revenue
Underlying services revenue
Underlying gross profit
Gross margin %
Commercial and administration costs
Restructuring
Research and development charge
Joint ventures and associates
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating margin
Financing costs 
Underlying profit before tax
Tax
Underlying effective tax rate
Underlying profit
Underlying earnings per share

2019 2
15,261
7,373
7,888
2,342
15.3%
(938)
(15)
(688)
109
810
5.3%
(223)
587
(281)
47.9%
306
15.9

2018 2,3

Change

Organic
change ⁴

14,286
7,172
7,114
2,240
15.7%
(977)
(14)
(650)
32
631
4.4%
(148)
483
(153)
31.7%
330
17.3

+7%
+3%
+11%
+5%
-40bps
-4%
+7%
+6%
+241%
+28%
+90bps
+51%
+22%
+84%
–
-7%
-1.4p

+6%
+3%
+10%
+4%
-40bps
-4%
+7%
+5%
+222%
+25%
+80bps
+49%
+17%
–
–
-12%
-2.4p

1  Core includes Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, Defence and ITP Aero. 
2  Underlying: for definition see note 2 on page 134.
3   The financial information for the prior period has been restated to reflect the treatment of our North America Civil Nuclear business as non-core. See note 1 on page 125 for  

more details.

4  Organic change at constant translational currency (constant currency) by applying FY 2018 average rates to 2019 and 2018 numbers excluding M&A. All commentary is provided 

on an organic basis unless otherwise stated.

Revenue up 6%
Revenue increased by 6% to £15,261m 
reflecting growth in both OE and services, 
led by Civil Aerospace and Power Systems. 
Civil Aerospace delivered OE revenue growth 
of 4% reflecting higher widebody engine 
volumes. Services revenue in Civil Aerospace 
rose 14% with increased shop visit volumes 
and higher sales of spare parts. Power 
Systems achieved 4% OE revenue growth 
due to strength in power generation markets, 
notably for data centres, and 4% services 
growth including increased long-term 
service agreement (LTSA) penetration. 
Defence revenue was 1% higher led by 4% 
growth in services driven by increased 
activity in transport and combat. ITP Aero 
revenue increased 21% reflecting volume 
growth largely across its civil programmes.

Gross profit up 4%
Gross profit was £2,342m, up 4%. Civil 
Aerospace gross profit improved by 25% 
reflecting several key factors:
 — increased sales of spare parts and higher 

LTSA servicing activity;

 — a material improvement in the net impact 
of contract catch-ups to LTSA profits at 
£33m in 2019 (2018: £(276)m), driven 
primarily by lower servicing costs in 
business aviation; and

 — modestly lower LTSA underlying gross 
margins, reflecting shop visit mix, and 
around £70m of FX related headwind 
principally reflecting the revaluation of 
USD creditors and deposits.

Power Systems generated a 6% gross profit 
improvement with a gross margin of 26% 
driven by volume growth and improvements 
in product mix. As expected, Defence gross 
profit reduced by 6% with margins 160bps 
lower, reflecting product mix. ITP Aero 
gross profit increased by 33% with margin 
improvement of 200bps, driven by higher 
OE volumes, improved pricing and a  
circa £25m benefit from the impact of a 
change made to simplify ITP Aero’s trading 
relationship and contractual terms with 
Civil Aerospace. This was net neutral at  
the Group level, with a corresponding 
increase in eliminations.

C&A costs down 4% 
C&A costs reduced by 4% to £938m.  
This reduction was driven by restructuring 
programme headcount savings and 
management actions to reduce discretionary 
spend, partly offset by cost escalation  
and higher sales-related activities in  
Power Systems.

Self-funded R&D cash spend up 
modestly; charge to profit 5% higher
Gross R&D spend was up £70m. After funding 
from customers and other third parties, 
core self-funded cash spend was £3m higher 
at £1,108m. Investment in Civil Aerospace 
widebody and new business aviation 
programmes was lower following the recent 
entry into service of several new engine 
programmes. New technology investment 
increased by 9%, to develop technologies 
that underpin UltraFan in Civil Aerospace,  
a range of new programmes in Defence  
and electrification in Power Systems. R&D 
capitalisation of £468m was £28m lower. 
Capitalisation remains at a significant level 
due to the current development stage of 
several Civil Aerospace programmes but is 
expected to reduce in 2020 and over the 
coming years. The net charge to profit 
increased by £35m reflecting higher  
spend and the reduction in capitalisation.

Profit from joint ventures  
and associates
Our share of results from joint ventures  
was £109m, £71m higher than the prior year. 
This was driven by increased servicing 
activity in overhaul bases and higher profit 
on disposal of engines in Rolls-Royce & 
Partners Finance (our engine financing 
joint venture).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Financial Review

19

Operating profit up 25% 
Operating profit improved by £157m on  
the prior year to £810m, led by the £85m 
increase in gross profit, higher joint venture 
profit and a £37m reduction in C&A costs, 
partially offset by the higher R&D charge  
outlined above.

Financing costs
Financing costs increased from £(148)m in 
2018 to £(223)m in 2019. Within financing 
costs, net interest payable of £(132)m 
increased by £60m largely due to the 
adoption of IFRS 16. Other financing costs 
were £(91)m in 2019, modestly higher than 
the previous year (2018: £(76)m). Other 
financing costs include charges relating  
to the factoring of receivables and the 
discounting of prior year provisions.

Taxation
The core underlying tax charge was £281m 
(2018: £153m), an underlying tax rate of 
47.9% compared with 31.7% in 2018. This 
increase in rate was primarily driven by  
the non-recognition of a deferred tax asset 
on UK losses arising in 2019. 

Trent 1000
The Trent 1000 is 13% of our widebody 
engine fleet. We made good progress  
on resolving the technical issues in 2019; 
we have now designed eight of the nine 
component fixes required, seven of which 
have been certified. The intermediate 
pressure turbine fix is now fitted to almost 
100% of the in-service fleet across all 
engine variants. The revised intermediate 
compressor has now been fitted to over 
50% of Package C engine variants and has 
now been certified for the TEN variant with 
the Package B planned for the second half 
of 2020. Roll-out of the revised high pressure 
turbine blade has been embodied into 
almost 50% of Package B and C engine 
variants and design work for the TEN high 
pressure turbine (HPT) blade continues to 
progress well with certification expected  
in the first half of 2021.

We continue to regret the disruption caused 
to our customers from these issues. We are 
taking further positive steps in 2020 to 
increase availability of spare engines and 
further expand maintenance capacity to 
reduce the number of aircraft on the ground 
(AOG) to below ten by the end of the second 
quarter 2020. We have seen positive results 
from our actions in the first two months of 
2020 with AOG reduced to the mid-30s from 
the elevated level of 42 in the second half 
of 2019, which had resulted from the 
proactive actions taken in autumn to retrofit 
the small number of remaining Package B 
intermediate pressure turbine modules.

In November, we announced the outcome 
of recent testing and a thorough technical 
and financial review of the Trent 1000 TEN 
programme following the issues identified 
during 2019. This resulted in a revised 
timeline and durability estimate for the 
improved TEN HPT blade. As a result we 
expect total in-service cash costs across all 
Trent 1000 variants of around £2.4bn 
across 2017–2023, consistent with the trading 
update in November. In 2019, £578m of cash 
costs were incurred, partly offset by a £173m 
insurance receipt. We continue to expect 
cash costs of £450–£550m in 2020 and  
a similar level in 2021, before declining 
significantly thereafter. These primarily 
comprise the cost of replacing affected 
parts as well as customer disruption  
related compensation.

Outside of these in-service costs, we are 
also investing in our engineering function, 
further expansion of our MRO capacity and 
our pool of Trent 1000 spare engines. 
Additionally, the increased costs associated 
with our revised estimate for HPT blade 
durability on the TEN has impacted the 
future margins on our Trent 1000 contracts, 
including a small number of contracts now 
becoming loss making (see below). 

As guided in November, an exceptional 
charge of £1,361m at underlying FX rates 
was recorded in 2019 on the Trent 1000 
(net of £173m insurance receipts). Within 
this charge, £703m is due to the additional 
cash costs associated with customer 
disruption and remediation shop visits.  
The remaining £658m relates to the margin 
impact of our updated HPT blade durability 
expectations on the TEN, primarily the 
up-front recognition of future losses on the 
small number of contracts which are now 
loss making, as well as related contract 
accounting adjustments.

Exceptional restructuring 
programme
Progress was made in 2019 on our 
restructuring plan. To date we have achieved 
a net headcount reduction of around 2,900 
with run-rate savings of £269m. Cash costs 
of £216m were incurred during the year to 
deliver this plan, which are reported outside 
of free cash flow. We continue to expect 
run-rate savings of circa £400m by the end  
of 2020 and a net headcount reduction  
of 4,600.

Strategic review of Bergen
As part of our ongoing efforts to evaluate 
our portfolio and create a simpler, more 
efficient Group, on 28 February 2020  
we announced the decision to carry  
out a strategic review of Bergen, our 
medium-speed gas and diesel engine 

business. Bergen formed part of  
Power Systems during 2019, but from  
2020 (as a result of this review) it will be 
reclassified as non-core. Additionally, 
following a reassessment of the order book, 
an impairment review has been completed 
in the second half of the year and a charge 
of £58m has been recorded outside 
underlying results in 2019. In 2019, Bergen 
generated sales of £239m and an underlying 
operating loss of £(18)m.

A380 cessation costs 
In our full year 2018 results, we took a 
preliminary view of costs relating to Airbus’ 
decision to close the A380 production line. 
During the first half of 2019, we had the 
opportunity to update our impact assessment 
and as a result recorded an additional 
exceptional charge of £59m. This charge 
has been reduced to £48m at the year-end 
following the release of £11m relating to 
supplier amounts recorded in 2018.

IFRS 16 Leases
IFRS 16 is effective for the year beginning  
1 January 2019. Commitments for operating 
as well as finance leases are now recognised 
on the balance sheet. The impact of the 
standard is as follows:

 — on 1 January 2019 an additional lease 
liability of £2,248m and lease assets  
of £2,213m were recorded on the  
balance sheet;

 — in the income statement rental payments 
(previously included within operating 
costs) are now replaced with a 
depreciation charge on the leased assets. 
Underlying financing costs on lease 
liabilities increased from £5m in 2018  
to £77m in 2019 due to the new liability;

 — there is no impact on free cash flow 
resulting from the implementation of 
IFRS 16; and 

 — we estimate the overall impact of  

the adoption of IFRS 16 in 2019 was 
approximately a 2p reduction in 
underlying EPS.

Group trading summary
Group results include core and non-core 
businesses. Group underlying revenue rose 
7% to £15,450m, primarily driven by growth 
in Civil Aerospace, offsetting a (76)% decline 
in non-core revenue. Group underlying 
operating profit improved by 25% to £808m 
as a result of improved gross profit, lower 
C&A costs and higher profit from joint 
ventures offsetting an increased R&D charge.

STRATEGIC REPORT20

Strategic Report
Financial Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Group funds flow

Summary funds flow statement 1
£m
Underlying operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Lease payments (capital plus interest)
Expenditure on intangible assets 
Capital expenditure (property, plant and equipment)
Change in inventory
Change in receivables/payables
Civil Aerospace net LTSA balance change 

Of which: underlying change
Of which: impact of contract catch-ups

Movement on provisions
Net interest received and paid
Trent 1000 insurance receipt
Other
Trading cash flow
Contributions to defined benefit pensions in excess of underlying PBT charge
Taxation paid
Group free cash flow

Of which: Disposed entities 2
Group free cash flow (pre disposed entities)
Of which: Non-core businesses 3
Core free cash flow
Shareholder payments
Disposals and acquisitions
Exceptional group restructuring
Payment of financial penalties
Foreign exchange
Pension fund contribution
Other
Change in net funds/(debt) excluding lease liabilities

2019
808
1,068
(319)
(591)
(747)
(43)
574
754
654
100
(506)
(73)
173
(41)
1,057
(9)
(175)
873
(41)
914
3
911
(224)
410
(216)
(102)
(98)
(35)
(87)
521

2018
616
756
–
(680)
(905)
(616)
1,197
679
376
303
(242)
(70)
–
22
757
59
(248)
568
(78)
646
(2)
648
(219)
573
(70)
–
54
–
10
916

Change 
192
312
(319)
89
158
573
(623)
75
278
(203)
(264)
(3)
173
(63)
300
(68)
73
305
37
268
5
263
(5)
(163)
(146)
(102)
(152)
(35)
(97)
(395)

1  The derivation of the summary funds flow statement above from the reported cash flow statement is included on note 28 on page 179.
2  Disposed entities include Commercial Marine and Power Development in 2019 and both of these plus L’Orange in 2018.
3  Non-core businesses include the former Energy businesses not sold to Siemens and North America Civil Nuclear business.

Free cash flow 
Group free cash flow of £873m improved 
materially from £568m in 2018. This was 
driven by strong profit growth across most 
of our core businesses, increased engine 
flying hour receipts and spare parts sales in 
Civil Aerospace, as well as reduced capital 
expenditure on several capacity and facility 
modernisation projects which had neared 
completion in 2018. Trent 1000 in-service 
cash costs were £578m (2018: £431m), 
partially offset by receipt of £173m of related 
insurance proceeds. R&D investments 
increased modestly. 

In 2019, there was an inflow of £574m  
(2018: £1,197m) from the movement in 
receivables and payables, reflecting higher 
trade payables due to increased trading 
activity, actions taken to improve overdue 
debt collection, together with a number  
of customer deposits notably in Defence.  

This was partly offset by a £(43)m increase 
in inventory (2018: £(616)m).

We continue to strive to increase 
transparency around our financial 
performance and reported results. As part 
of this effort, additional information is now 
provided in note 14 on the sale of trade 
receivables. For many years, the Group has 
undertaken the sale of trade receivables, 
without recourse, to help normalise Group 
cash flows in line with physical delivery 
volumes. This practice is commonplace in 
the aerospace industry. Over the last three 
years, this has averaged around £1,037m at 
the year-end. At 31 December 2019, £1,117m 
had been drawn under factoring facilities, 
£95m higher than December 2018, which  
is reflected within working capital.

Given the one-off nature of the restructuring 
announced in 2018, the £(216)m cash costs 
relating to this restructuring programme 
(2018: £(70)m) are reported outside of 
Group free cash flow.

Depreciation and amortisation
The £312m increase in depreciation and 
amortisation to £1,068m was largely due  
to an additional circa £340m charge relating 
to right-of-use assets following the adoption 
of IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019.

Lease payments
Lease payments of £(319)m reflect the cash 
cost of leases in 2019. In 2018, prior to the 
adoption of IFRS 16, the equivalent lease 
payments were reflected within underlying 
operating profit. Under IFRS 16 the 
depreciation charge is recorded in 
underlying operating profit.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Financial Review

21

Expenditure on intangible assets
Intangible asset expenditure of £(591)m was 
incurred in 2019. This included £(481)m of 
R&D capitalisation (2018: £498m) largely 
reflecting ongoing investment in Civil 
Aerospace programmes including the  
Trent 7000, Trent XWB and Pearl  
engine programmes.

Change in receivables/payables
The change in receivables/payables of 
£574m in 2019 was significantly reduced 
year-on-year, and reflected:

 — higher trade and other payables due  
to increased trading activity led by  
Civil Aerospace;

Capital expenditure on property, 
plant and equipment
Investment of £(747)m in 2019 reduced  
by £158m (2018: (£905m)) due to several 
capacity and modernisation programmes 
nearing completion in 2018. Spend in 2019 
reflects our ongoing investment in 
manufacturing capability, projects to 
modernise our facilities, and spare engines 
to support our growing in-service fleet in 
Civil Aerospace.

Change in inventory
Inventory increased by £(43)m  
(2018: £(616)m) in 2019 due to volume 
growth in Civil Aerospace and Power 
Systems, with a significant improvement  
in the second half following a £(433)m 
increase in the first half. This inventory 
position was driven by a high level of 
assembled engines and aftermarket parts 
held in Civil Aerospace, as well as growth  
in Power Systems due to programme delays, 
production relocation projects, and product 
mix. Higher delivery volumes and greater 
focus on supply chain management in the 
second half of the year drove a significant 
reduction in inventory, with a strong 
improvement in Civil Aerospace in particular.

 — a number of customer deposits, notably in 
Defence driven by strong order intake; and

 — an increase in trade and other receivables, 
which reflected volume-related growth 
partially offset by actions taken to reduce 
overdue customer receivables.

Movement in underlying Civil 
Aerospace net LTSA balance
The net LTSA balance represents deferred 
revenue and is a core part of our business 
model where we receive payments from our 
customers in respect of our long-term 
service and overhaul agreements. In 2019, 
the LTSA net balance increased by £754m. 
This movement included a £100m increase 
driven by negative contract catch-ups to 
revenue (2018: £303m). The underlying 
change, net of these catch-ups, was £654m. 
This reflected invoiced engine flying hour 
receipts in excess of revenue traded together 
with customer deposits received in the year.

Movement in provisions
The movement in provisions of £(506)m  
in 2019 largely included utilisation of the 
Trent 1000 exceptional provision. The 
remainder primarily covered cash costs from 
onerous contracts and restructuring activity.

Pensions
Cash contributions were in line with the 
profit and loss charge in 2019. There was a 
£(68)m year-on-year movement, reflecting 
the non-recurrence of a 2018 benefit from 
changing to quarterly payments.

Taxation
The decrease in cash tax in 2019 from 
£(248)m to £(175)m reflected lower 
payments in Germany compared to  
2018, largely due to timing.

Shareholder payments 
Payments to shareholders of £224m in  
2019 remained in line with the prior year.

Acquisitions and disposals
In 2019, we completed the disposals of 
Commercial Marine and Power Development 
with combined net proceeds of £453m.  
The £573m cash inflow in 2018 related  
to the disposal of the L’Orange business, 
previously within Power Systems. Costs of 
£43m were incurred in 2019 relating to the 
acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft business.

Payment of financial penalties
Following the agreements reached with 
investigating authorities in January 2017,  
a payment schedule was established.  
No payments were due in 2018 and a 
payment of £102m was made in 2019.  
In 2020 and 2021, £130m and £148m  
(plus interest) are due respectively. 
Consistent with prior years this payment  
is reported outside of free cash flow.

STRATEGIC REPORT22

Strategic Report
Financial Review

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Balance sheet

Summary balance sheet

£m
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Joint ventures and associates
Contract assets and liabilities
Working capital 1
Provisions
Net funds 2
Net financial assets and liabilities 2
Net post-retirement scheme (deficit)/ surplus
Tax
Held for sale 
Other net assets and liabilities
Net liabilities
Other items

US$ hedge book (US$bn)
Civil Aerospace LTSA asset
Civil Aerospace LTSA liability
Civil Aerospace net LTSA liability 

31 December 2018

Civil
Nuclear
17
10
–
–
1
8
(1)
(20)
–
–
2
(17)
–
–

31 Dec
2019
5,442 
4,803
2,009
402
(8,745)
(1,136)
(2,804)
(993)
(3,277)
(208)
1,136
3
14
(3,354)

37
1,086
(6,784) 
(5,698) 

Excluding
Civil Nuclear
5,278
4,919
–
412
(7,074)
(1,263)
(1,916)
631
(4,117)
641
1,024
391
22
(1,052)

37
1,097
(5,584)
(4,487)

Change
excluding
Civil Nuclear 
164
(116)
2,009
(10)
(1,671)
127
(888)
(1,624)
840
(849)
112
(388)
(8)
(2,302)

–
(11)
(1,200)
(1,211)

Total
5,295
4,929
–
412
(7,073)
(1,255)
(1,917)
611
(4,117)
641
1,026
374
22
(1,052)

37
1,097
(5,584)
(4,487)

1  Net working capital includes inventory, trade receivables and payables and similar assets and liabilities.
2  Net funds includes £243m (2018: £293m) of the fair value of financial instruments which are held to hedge the fair value of borrowings.

Intangible assets
The net increase of £164m includes R&D 
additions of £481m, primarily related to 
engine programmes in Civil Aerospace 
£(426)m, together with further investment 
in software applications of £101m. These 
were offset by impairment charges of £54m 
following the announcement of the strategic 
review of the Bergen business and the  
sale of the North America Civil Nuclear 
business in Power Systems. Amortisation 
for the period was £(318)m.

Property, plant and equipment
Following the adoption of IFRS 16, finance 
leased assets previously held in PPE have 
been transferred to right-of-use assets. 
Capital additions of £767m related to 
investments in MRO capacity in Civil 
Aerospace and the modernisation of 
facilities including our Defence facility in 
Indianapolis. We also expanded our spare 
engine lease pool to support our growing 
in-service widebody engine fleet. These 
were offset by depreciation of £(491)m.

Right-of-use assets
IFRS 16 was adopted effective 1 January 2019 
resulting in the recognition of leased assets 
with a value of £2.2bn. See notes 1 and 29 in 
the Consolidated Financial Statements for 
more information. 

Investments in joint ventures  
and associates
There was no material change in our 
investment in joint ventures and associates 
year-on-year.

Contract assets and liabilities
This represents deferred revenue and is a 
core part of our business model where we 
receive payments from our customers in 
respect of our long-term service and 
overhaul agreements. In 2019, this increased 
by £(1,671)m, of which £(1,211)m related  
to the Civil Aerospace LTSA balance.  
The remainder largely covered advance 
payments in several businesses. The 
movement in the Civil Aerospace LTSA 
balance of £(1,211)m included non-cash items 
of £557m, primarily related to foreign 
exchange and the cumulative negative 
impact of contract catch-ups to LTSA 
revenue. The change, net of these items,  
of £(654m) reflected invoiced engine flying 
hour receipts and customer deposits in 
excess of underlying revenue traded in  
the income statement.

Working capital
Working capital increased by £127m. This 
reflected a financial penalty payment of 
£102m related to agreements reached with 
investigating authorities in January 2017, 
and a £245m reduction in working capital 
from the settlement of deferred 

consideration for the acquisition of  
ITP Aero. These factors offset the reduction 
in working capital seen in the funds flow.

Provisions
Provisions increased by £888m largely 
driven by the incremental exceptional 
charge related to Trent 1000 disruption 
and related onerous contract losses,  
partly offset by utilisation.

Net funds
Net funds have moved from a net cash 
position of £611m in at 31 December 2018  
to a net debt position of £(993)m. This was 
driven by the adoption of IFRS 16, which 
increased lease liabilities by £(2,248)m. 
Excluding lease liabilities, net cash stood  
at £1,361m at 31 December 2019. For other 
movements see funds flow commentary  
in note 28.

Net financial assets and liabilities
These items principally relate to the fair 
value of foreign exchange, commodity and 
interest rate contracts. The reduction in 
the net liability of £840m largely reflected 
settlement of derivative contracts in 2019.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Financial Review

23

Net post-retirement scheme deficits
The £(849)m movement was primarily driven 
by the buy-in agreement with Legal & 
General Assurance Society Limited, which 

resulted in a decrease in the surplus of  
the UK pension plan of around £(600)m. 
There were also changes in financial and 
demographic assumptions.

USD hedge book
The US hedge book at 31 December 2019 
was $37bn. It extends to 2028 on a declining 
basis and remains sufficient to cover our 
medium-term requirements.

Group Reported Results
The changes resulting from underlying 
trading are described in the trading 
summary below.

Consistent with past practice, we provide 
both reported and underlying figures. As 
the Group does not generally hedge account 
for forecast transactions in accordance 

with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, we believe 
underlying figures are more representative 
of the trading performance by excluding 
the impact of period-end mark-to-market 
adjustments. In particular, the USD:GBP 
hedge book has a significant impact on the 
reported results. In 2019, the GBP:USD rate 

rose from 1.28 to 1.32 while the GBP:EUR rose 
from 1.12 to 1.18. The adjustments between 
the underlying income statement and the 
reported income statement are set out  
in note 2 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. This basis of presentation  
has been applied consistently.

Reconciliation between underlying and reported results

£m
Underlying *
1  Foreign exchange and derivatives 
2  Exceptional programme charges
3 
Impact of discount rate charges
4  Exceptional restructuring charges
5  M&A gains & effects  

of acquisition accounting

6  Impairments and asset write-offs
7  Net post-retirement scheme financing, 

pension equalisation & other

Reported

*  See note 2 on page 139 for further details.

The most significant items included in the 
reported income statement, but not in 
underlying are summarised below.

1.  Foreign exchange and derivatives 

included the impact of the following:

 — the impact of measuring revenue and 
profit before financing at spot rates 
rather than achieved hedge rates 

 — mark-to-market adjustments on the 
Group’s net hedge book of £(7)m 
(2018: £(2,145)m). At each period end, 
our foreign exchange hedge book is 
included in the balance sheet at fair 
value (mark-to-market) and the 
movement in the year included in 
reported financing costs; and

 — losses on derivatives settled during the 
period and the impact of valuation of 
assets and liabilities using the spot 
exchange rate rather than the exchange 
rate that is expected to be achieved by 
the use of the hedge book

2. Exceptional programme charges relating 
to the Trent 1000 of £1,361m and Trent 
900 of £48m are excluded from the 
underlying results. These have been 
explained in note 2.

3. Included in discount rate changes is 

£30m relating to Trent 900 and £10m 
relating to Trent 1000

Revenue

Profit before financing

Financing

Profit/(loss) before tax

2019
15,450 
1,137 
– 
–
– 

2018
15,067 
781 
(119)
–
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
16,587 

– 
15,729 

2019
808 
144 
(1,409)
–
(136)

(24)
(84)

(12) 
(713)

2018
616 
(24)
(976)
–
(317)

183
(155) 

(130)
(803)

2019
(225)
75 
–
(40)
– 

(8) 
– 

2018
(150)
(1,984)
(15)
–
– 

2019
583 
219 
(1,409)
(40)
(136)

2018
466 
(2,008)
(991)
–
(317)

(8) 
– 

(32) 
(84)

175
(155) 

20
(178)

13
(2,144)

8 
(891)

(117)
(2,947)

4. Exceptional restructuring costs of £136m 
(2018: £317m). These are costs associated 
with the substantial closure or exit of a 
site, facility or activity related to the 
significant transformation project that 
the business is currently undertaking.  
A number of the projects within the 
transformation programme are for multiple 
years. Of the 2019 costs, £88m  
(2018: £223m) relate to the Group 
restructuring programme announced  
in June 2018.

5. The loss before tax of £(32)m  

(2018: £175m profit) relates to the  
effects of acquisition accounting £171m  
(2018: £183m) that principally relate to 
the amortisation of intangible assets 
arising on the acquisition of Power 
Systems in 2013 and ITP Aero in 2017.  
The Group completed the sale of the 
Commercial Marine business to 
KONGSBERG on 1 April 2019 and 
recognised a profit of £106m in 2019. 
Rolls Royce Power Development Limited 
was sold on 15 April 2019 with a gain 
arising on disposal of £33m. In 2018,  
we recognised a gain on the sale of 
L’Orange of £358m. Together with the 
£183m acquisition accounting effect 
relating to ITP Aero, this resulted in the 
£175m profit before tax in 2018. Further 
details can be found in note 27.

6. On 26 September 2019, the Group 
announced the sale of the North 
America Civil Nuclear business and 
recognised an impairment charge and 
asset write offs of £26m. Following a 
reassessment of the Bergen order book 
and subsequent impairment review, we 
have recorded a charge of £58m in 2019. 
Further details can be found in note 2.  
In our 2018 financial statements, we 
reported an impairment charge of £155m 
in relation to the Commercial Marine 
business being disclosed as held for sale.

7.  Following a High Court judgement in 
October 2018, the estimated costs of 
equalising UK pension benefits for men and 
women was recognised as a past-service 
charge. There is no equivalent charge  
in 2019.

Tax affecting these adjustments resulted in 
a tax charge of £143m (2018: tax credit of 
£715m). The charge in 2019 is due to the 
non-recognition of deferred tax in respect 
of UK losses in the year. The 2019 charge 
also includes £86m relating to the 
derecognition of UK deferred tax assets on 
foreign exchange and commodity financial 
assets and liabilities. In 2018, deferred tax 
was recognised on UK losses resulting in an 
overall credit in that year.

STRATEGIC REPORT24

Strategic Report
Business Review – Civil Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

BUSINESS REVIEW

Civil Aerospace

Civil Aerospace is a major manufacturer of aero 
engines for the large commercial aircraft, regional 
jets and business aviation markets. The business 
uses its engineering expertise, in-depth knowledge 
and capabilities to provide through-life support 
solutions for its customers.

Underlying revenue mix

1

2

1.  OE .................................................................40%
2.  Services ......................................................60%

4

3

2

Progress against our 2019 Group priorities

Customers

People and Culture

1

  Delivered 510 widebody engines 

to customers (up from 469 in 2018).

  Accelerated efforts to return  
Trent 1000 fleet to full health, 
investing in additional spare engines 
and MRO capacity expansion.

  Successful transition to Trent 7000, 
smooth EIS and production ramp-up 
on plan.

  Launched the Pearl 700 engine on  
Gulfstream G700. Pearl 15 entered 
service on Bombardier Global 6500.

  Launched Civil Aerospace women’s 
leadership programme targeting 
leaders who are in their early careers 
to help them build confidence and 
capability to succeed.

  Improvements to tools, methods and 
processes are delivering sustainable 
engineering efficiencies.

  Restructuring programme on track.

1.  Large Engines ............................................71%
2.  Business Aviation ......................................14%
3.  Regional ........................................................4%
4.  V2500 ...........................................................11%

Underlying revenue

£8,107m

2018: £7,378m

Technology

Financial 

  UltraFan design freeze and successful 

  Delivered operating profit of £44m.

Underlying operating profit

tests of the composite fan system.

  Continued testing of the Advance3 

demonstrator.

  Completed acquisition of Siemens’ 

eAircraft business.

  Announced partnership with Widerøe 

  Reduced large engine OE unit loss  
by 14%, including Trent XWB-84 
improvement of 22%.

  Increased large engine flying hours  
by 7%, despite in-service issues on 
Trent 1000.

to further zero carbon aviation.

  Provided investors with greater  

  Invested in a new flying testbed  
for next-generation widebody  
and business jet engines.

clarity on the Trent 1000 programme 
after detailed engineering and  
financial review. 

£44m

2018: £(162)m

Order backlog

£48.5bn

  Growth in UltraFan and new technology 

2018: £52.3bn

investment.

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Civil Aerospace

25

Civil Aerospace overview 2019
Civil Aerospace delivered a record 510 
widebody engines in 2019. We have 
continued to make progress reducing 
widebody average OE losses, down by 14% 
year-on-year to £1.2m. Our large engine 
installed fleet increased to over 5,000 
engines in service, driving a 7% growth  
in widebody engine flying hours and an 
increase in aftermarket cash margin of 
£0.3bn. 2019 saw strong revenue growth of 
10% and further significant improvement in 
underlying operating profit for the business. 

Financial overview

Underlying revenue
Underlying revenue increased 10%, reflecting 
good growth in OE, up 4% to £3,246m and 
strong growth in services, up 14% to £4,861m. 
Large engine OE growth of 8% was driven 
by an increase of 41 in widebody engine 
delivery volumes to 510. This reflected 
strong growth in Trent 7000 engines for 
the Airbus A330neo production ramp-up.

Large engine service revenue increased 
20% to £3,205m (2018: £2,666m), driven by 
higher servicing volumes. Major LTSA shop 
visits rose 7% to 306 and check and repair 
visits, led by Trent 1000 activity, increased 
16% to 660. Sales of spare parts not 
covered by LTSAs increased year-on-year. 
There was also a material reduction in 
negative contract catch-ups to revenues.

In business aviation, OE sales were 5% higher 
with deliveries broadly stable at 219 engines 
(2018: 217 engines) reflecting improved  
mix, while service revenue increased 2%. 
Regional aviation service revenue increased 
19%, driven by the AE3007 and Tay-powered 
fleets. V2500 OE revenue was down 72%, 
due to end-of-life production on the Airbus 
A320ceo. The 2% reduction in V2500 service 
revenue reflected a modest reduction in 
spare parts sales, with the payment from 
Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International 
relating to engine flying hours  
remaining stable.

Underlying operating result
The underlying operating profit of £44m was 
an improvement of £195m, reflecting higher 
gross profit, increased profit from joint 
ventures and lower C&A costs more than 
offsetting a 13% higher R&D charge.

Gross profit improved by £121m and gross 
margin by 90bps. This was driven by 
increased servicing activity, higher spare 
parts sales, and a material improvement in 
the net impact of contract catch-ups to 
LTSA profits. In 2019, catch-ups had a £33m 
positive impact on profit (2018: £(276)m). 

Financial overview

£m

Engine deliveries
Underlying revenue
Underlying OE revenue
Underlying services revenue
Underlying gross profit
Gross margin %
Commercial and administrative 
Restructuring
Research and development cost
Joint ventures and associates
Underlying operating result
Underlying operating margin %

Underlying revenue

£m

Original Equipment
Large engine
Business aviation
V2500
Services
Large engine
Business aviation
Regional
V2500

Metrics

2019

729
8,107
3,246
4,861
622
7.7%
(299)
(7)
(374)
102
44
0.5%

2019
 3,246 
 2,568 
 643 
 35 
 4,861 
 3,205 
 477 
 355 
824

Widebody engine deliveries
Average loss per widebody OE (£m)

Large engine in-service fleet

Large engine invoiced flying hours 

Large engine LTSA major refurbs

Large engine LTSA check & repair

This was driven by improvements in 
servicing costs in business aviation, which 
was partly offset by a reassessment of costs 
and utilisation across various widebody 
programmes. Gross profit was negatively 
affected by a modestly lower LTSA underlying 
margin due to the mix of shop visits, circa 
£70m of FX related headwind principally 
relating to the revaluation of USD creditors 
and deposits, and a modest impact from 
higher customer charges. The profit 
contribution from spare engine sales was 
relatively stable year-on-year.

Self-funded R&D cash spend reduced by 
£18m to £(767)m reflecting lower investment 
in existing widebody and business aviation 
programmes and an increase in next 
generation technology, including the 
UltraFan demonstrator. Net R&D capitalisation 
was £60m lower, driven by widebody and 

2018

Change

686
7,378
3,119
4,259
493
6.7%
(336)
(8)
(332)
21
(162)
-2.2%

+6%
+10%
+4%
+14%
+26%
+100bps
-11%
-13%
+13%
+81
+206
+270bps

2018

Change

 3,119 
 2,373 
 620 
 126 
 4,259 
 2,666 
 464 
 292 
837

+4%
+8%
+4%
-72%
+14%
+20%
+3%
+22%
-2%

2019
510
1.2

5,029

15.3m

306

660

Organic 
change 

+6%
+10%
+4%
+14%
+25%
+90bps
-11%
-13%
+13%
+78
+195
+260bps

Organic
change

+4%
+8%
+5%
-72%
+14%
+20%
+2%
+19%
-2%

2018
469
1.4

4,757

14.3m

286

569

business aviation development programme 
maturity. Overall, the R&D charge to profit 
increased to £(374)m from £(332)m in 2018.

Underlying C&A costs were 11% lower 
year-on-year. Joint venture profit of £102m 
(2018: £21m) reflected increased servicing 
activity in overhaul bases and higher  
profit on disposal of engines in  
Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance Limited 
(our engine financing joint venture).

STRATEGIC REPORT26

Strategic Report
Business Review – Civil Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

TESTING FOR THE FUTURE

Work continued during the year on our UltraFan 
demonstrator; a world-beating suite of technologies 
that will redefine the Rolls-Royce jet engine, delivering 
significant reductions in fuel burn, emissions and noise. 

Successful worldwide tests of key technologies have 
already been completed, ready for flight and ground 
testing over the coming years. 

Next generation engines require next generation testbeds. 
Testbed 80, the largest testbed in the world, is currently 
taking shape in Derby, UK. Equipped with precision 
x-ray equipment, state-of-the-art data systems and the 
ability to test engines using sustainable aviation fuels,  
it will allow us to monitor and validate our engines better 
than ever before. Testbed 80 will be commissioned  
in 2020.

We are also bolstering our test capabilities in the sky,  
with the addition of a new flying testbed. In October, we 
took delivery of a Boeing 747-400 from Qantas, which 
will now be transformed from a passenger aircraft into 
an airborne laboratory, capable of testing both widebody 
and business jet engines. It joins our existing flying 
testbed, a Boeing 747-200 based in Tucson, Arizona.

Trading cash flow
Civil Aerospace trading cash flow improved 
£201m to £419m, driven by increased flying 
hour receipts from our growing in-service 
engine fleet, increased spare parts sales and 
lower capital expenditure. Cash costs on 
Trent 1000 in-service issues of £578m 
(2018: £431m) were partly offset by 
insurance receipts of £173m.

Cash inflow from working capital was 
significantly lower in 2019 notably due  
to the non-recurrence of a circa £400m 
benefit from standardisation of supplier 
payments in 2018. Year-on-year growth  
in inventory was significantly lower.

Operational and strategic review 
Our top priority in 2019 remained securing 
the return of the Trent 1000 fleet to full 
health. We made major steps forward in 
rolling out fixes, expanding maintenance 
capacity and providing additional clarity  
to our customers. Much more work remains 
to be done in 2020. Importantly, we did not 
allow the Trent 1000 challenge to derail the 
much needed transformation of our business. 
Significant progress was also made on 
near-term operational improvement and we 
achieved a number of milestones in our 
longer term strategy to become a leader  
in the lower carbon future of aviation.

In 2019, we delivered 510 widebody engines, 
in line with guidance and a record figure for 
Rolls-Royce. This included the successful 
ramp-up of the Trent 7000, with 106 engines 
delivered compared with just eight engines 
in 2018. We continued to make progress in 
reducing our large engine average OE unit 
losses, which fell by 14% to £1.2m during the 
year, helped by a 22% improvement on the 
Trent XWB-84. We continue to expect to 
deliver our first breakeven Trent XWB-84 
by the end of 2020. Thanks to these record 
engine deliveries, our large engine installed 
base grew by 6% in 2019 and crossed the 
5,000 mark to 5,029 engines.

Overall, the performance of our fleet 
continues to be very strong, with invoiced 
engine flying hours increasing by 7% to 
15.3 million. The Trent 700, the largest part 
of our installed base at 32%, has crossed  
55 million flying hours and continues to 
deliver excellent performance in fuel burn, 
reliability and durability. The Trent XWB 
became our second largest Trent programme 
by volume in 2019, and has now flown over 
5 million hours. As we highlighted in 
November, fleet-leading Trent XWB-84 
engines have reached our original 
expectations for time-on-wing. The  
Trent 7000 has made an excellent entry 
into service, with 80 engines now flying 

and a dispatch reliability of 99.9%. The 
Trent 1000 is 13% of our widebody fleet and 
we continue to work to improve durability and 
reduce customer disruption. To this end, we 
announced actions to boost our maintenance 
capacity and add additional spare engines, 
with a significant investment in 2020 set to 
drive around 50% increase in our Trent 
1000 spare engine pool. We also gave 
greater certainty to customers and clarity 
to investors following an extensive review  
of the programme. Our focus is now on 
executing the clear plan we have to reduce 
AOG and return the fleet to the level of 
service which our customers expect.

In business aviation, 2019 was a year of 
milestones. The Bombardier Global 5500 
and Global 6500, both powered by our 
Pearl 15 engine, received EASA and FAA 
certification. In November, we also 
announced the new Pearl 700 to power  
the upcoming Gulfstream G700. The Pearl 
family now powers two airframer platforms, 
bolstering our position as the leader in the 
large cabin, long-range market.

Our transformation and cost reduction 
efforts accelerated during the year, and Civil 
Aerospace made the largest contribution 
towards the Group’s 1,600 net headcount 
reduction in 2019. The removal of roles  
was enabled by increased use of digital 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Civil Aerospace

27

technologies, largely in engineering, 
simplification of processes and removal  
of duplication.

We are determined to seize the opportunity 
to become a leader in the provision of 
lower carbon air power. This means not 
only improving our existing gas turbine 
technology to be more fuel efficient with 
lower carbon emissions, but also pioneering 
future technologies that will enable a low 
carbon future for aviation. We reached an 
important milestone with a design freeze 
on UltraFan, which will be 25% more 
efficient than original Trent engines and 
10% more efficient than the Trent XWB, the 
world’s most efficient large engine in service 
today. We also carried out successful tests 
of the composite fan system, a key 
technology enabler for UltraFan to reduce 
weight and increase fuel efficiency. 

On future technologies, we have taken 
significant steps towards increasing our 
capabilities in hybrid electric propulsion. 
During the year we acquired Siemens’ 
eAircraft business and achieved major 
milestones in three of our key electric 
demonstrator programmes:

 — in August, we began ground tests of our 
2.5MW generator in Norway. This forms 
part of our E-Fan X project with Airbus, 

the largest hybrid aircraft demonstrator 
in the world;

 — in November, we announced a flight 

demonstrator based on our hybrid M250 
propulsion system with APUS and the 
Brandenburg University of Technology, 
paving the way for experimental flights 
after 2021; and

 — in December, we unveiled the plane 
which will seek to break the speed 
record for an all-electric aircraft in 2020 
as part of our ACCEL programme (see 
page 42).

Civil Aerospace outlook 
During the year, we booked a net widebody 
order intake of 213 engines. As a result, our 
widebody backlog at the end of 2019 was 
1,978 engines, providing good visibility on 
our deliveries in the coming years and 
driving continued growth in our installed 
base. The long-term trends supporting air 
traffic growth remain intact, though the 
outbreak of COVID-19 represents a near-term 
macro risk. In 2019, approximately 20% of our 
invoiced engine flying hours were derived 
from the greater China region. We have a 
small number of tier one suppliers in the 
Greater China region, all of whom have 
resumed operations at the time of writing.

Although currently subdued, we expect  
an improvement in widebody orders driven 
by a replacement cycle in the coming years  
as a growing number of aircraft reach 
retirement age, including Boeing 777s, 
Boeing 767s and older Airbus A330s. We 
believe we are well positioned to continue 
to win a large share of these orders, having 
captured 64% of gross order intake and 
52% of net orders for widebody engines in 
2019. The increase in retirements in the 
coming years represents a challenge for the 
industry, but we are favourably positioned 
due to the younger age distribution of our 
fleet relative to our competitors. The average 
age of our widebody in-service fleet is less 
than eight years, compared to the industry 
average of 13 years, excluding Rolls-Royce. 
As a result, we continue to expect strong 
growth in our installed base in the coming 
years, which supports growth in our engine  
flying hours and the widebody aftermarket 
cash margin.

In 2020, we expect stable to low-single-
digit sales growth in Civil Aerospace and 
operating margins 50–100bps higher 
year-on-year, despite a £100–150m 
reduction in the level of R&D capitalisation. 

DELIVERING  
INTELLIGENT CARE

Our IntelligentEngine vision of a civil aerospace  
world in which our products and services are 
increasingly bound together by data, is spurring  
us on to develop new service innovations that  
harness digital capabilities to deliver intelligent  
care to our customers. 

At the heart of this work is our aircraft availability 
centre, which proudly celebrated 15 years of providing 
24-hour care during the year. We have evolved the 
capability of this centre during that period, further 
improving our ability to provide proactive support 
through advanced analytics and inspection techniques 
that help us ensure every Rolls-Royce powered  
engine takes off on time, every time. 

In 2019, we announced further global expansion of  
our CareNetwork. This included the development of 
an additional network of overhaul bases and in-field 
maintenance, alongside the introduction of innovative 
repair providers who use new tooling and technology 
to provide more responsive services closer to 
customer operations.

STRATEGIC REPORT28

Strategic Report
Business Review – Civil Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

PEARL TAKES TO THE SKY

The Pearl 15, the first member of the state-of-
the-art Pearl engine family for business jets, 
officially entered service in September.

The engine, which was developed at our facility 
in Dahlewitz, Germany, is the exclusive engine 
option for the newest members of Bombardier’s 
Global business jet family, the Global 5500 and 
the Global 6500.

Operating environment

Rolls-Royce key differentiators
Our continued development of advanced  
world-leading technology, culture of partnership 
with customers, and innovation in services are 
attributes that Civil Aerospace customers value  
and are difficult to imitate. These differentiators will 
maintain our position at the forefront of the civil 
aerospace industry.

  Market dynamics

 — Following a period of historically high growth rates, passenger 
air traffic reverted in 2019 to the long-run average of 4–5% 
growth per annum. This level is supportive of continued 
strong engine flying hour growth with utilisation across the 
Trent fleet remaining high during the year.

 — Although currently subdued, we expect an improvement  
in widebody orders driven by a replacement cycle in the 
coming years. 

 — In business aviation, the long-term fundamental drivers of 
the large-class business aircraft market are good and will 
be sustained. In the short term, demand has softened in 
anticipation of customers awaiting new aircraft derivatives, 
and our airframers’ current focus on ramping up deliveries 
of non-Rolls-Royce powered aircraft.

 — 2019 has seen an increased focus on climate change across 
the world and within the airline industry. We are working 
with industry bodies towards more sustainable aviation 
through a number of initiatives.

  Opportunities

 — The business has a strong and growing market share on 

widebody aircraft produced by the world’s two major aircraft 
manufacturers: Airbus and Boeing. We believe we are well 
placed to win a large share of these orders. Our current 
share of the widebody engine market is 38% of the 
in-service passenger fleet and is expected to approach 
50% by the mid-2020s.

 — We expect strong growth in our installed base leading to 

growth in services and widebody aftermarket cash margin. 
90% of the current Rolls-Royce widebody fleet is covered 
by TotalCare service agreements.

 — The Pearl family of engines won its second application 

with Gulfstream and, alongside the Bombardier aircraft, 
reinforces and secures our long-term position in the 
business aviation sector.

 — China’s COMAC and Russia’s UAC joint venture, the China 

Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporate (CRAIC) 
has been formally incorporated. CRAIC plans to develop 
the CR929, a long-haul widebody aircraft. Rolls-Royce is 
actively exploring this opportunity.

  Business risks

 — If our products do not achieve their required technical 
attributes and maturity, then customer satisfaction, unit 
costs and aftermarket costs may be impacted and could 
result in financial and reputational damage.

 — If a major product failure in service is experienced, then 

this could result in loss of life and significant financial and 
reputational damage. 

 — If an external event or severe economic downturn significantly 

reduces air travel, then financial performance may  
be impacted.

 — If aircraft manufacturers significantly reduce production 
rates or delay increases, or we cannot ramp up capacity  
to deliver planned production and services, then financial 
performance may be impacted.

 — If our internal or external supply chain is not sufficiently 

resilient to events that affect our operations, then this could 
result in significant financial and reputational damage.

 — If the business experiences significant pricing pressure in 
key markets, then financial performance may be impacted.

 — If there are significant changes to the regulatory environment 

for the airline industry, then the market position of the  
Civil Aerospace business may be impacted.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Power Systems

29

BUSINESS REVIEW

Power Systems

Power Systems is a leading provider of high-speed 
and medium-speed reciprocating engines and 
complete propulsion and power generation systems. 
It serves the marine, defence, power generation 
and industrial markets, and includes civil nuclear 
operations that supply safety-critical systems.

Progress against our 2019 Group priorities

Customers

People and Culture

  Increased engine production by 8%.

  Increased diversity in Power Systems 

  Continued uptake of long-term  

service agreements; LTSA revenue 
grew by 6%.

  Opened four new customer care centres 
and expanded digital service capability.

  Established a dedicated support 

centre for yacht customers.

senior leadership. Women now 
account for 30% of the senior 
management team.

  Launched our Pioneer Academy to 
build electrical engineering skills.  
A first cohort of 100 engineers have 
started a two-year training programme.

  Opened a new vocational training 

centre in Friedrichshafen and 
celebrated 100 years of Power 
Systems apprenticeships.

Technology

Financial

  First off-grid microgrid  

contract secured.

  OE revenue growth of 4% driven by 
strong demand in power generation.

  Strategic cooperation agreements 

  Services revenue growth of 4% 

signed with GETEC and ABB.

  First orders for hybrid-rail 

PowerPacks from Iarnród Éireann 
(Irish Rail) and Porterbrook.

reflecting growth in both spare parts 
and LTSAs.

  Book-to-bill of 1.0x despite 

challenging market conditions.

  Partnership with Sunseeker 

  90bps improvement in operating 

International to introduce hybrid 
technology to the yacht market.

  Announced a cooperation with 
Mercedes Benz innovation lab  
to pilot fuel cell solutions.

profit margins to 10.1%.

  Increased spend on hybrid, gas, and 
hydrogen technology development.

Underlying revenue mix

2

1

1.  OE .................................................................67%
2.  Services ......................................................33%

5

4

3

1

2

1.  Marine .........................................................28%
2.  Industrial .................................................... 25%
3.  Power Generation ...................................35%
4.  Defence ........................................................ 9%
5.  Civil Nuclear ................................................3%

Underlying revenue

£3,545m

2018: £3,434m *

Underlying operating profit

£357m

2018: £315m *

Order backlog

£2.9bn

2018: £3.1bn

*  2018 figure restated to exclude the  

North America Civil Nuclear business

STRATEGIC REPORT 
30

Strategic Report
Business Review – Power Systems

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Power Systems overview 2019
Power Systems made good progress in 2019, 
with sales continuing to outgrow global 
GDP and gross margins improving due to 
operating leverage and a better product 
mix. We continued to advance our services 
strategy, with strong growth in LTSA sales  
a particular highlight. Order intake was 
good at £3,415m, a book-to-bill ratio of 1.0x.

Financial overview

Underlying revenue
Underlying revenue of £3,545 increased by 
4%, OE revenue was up 4% driven by strong 
demand for mission critical power generation 
products, notably to serve the data centre 
market. This growth more than offset an 
expected reduction in demand from the 
construction and agriculture sectors, 
following the non-recurrence of the 
emissions-led pre-buy effect seen in 2018. 

Services revenue rose 4%, reflecting higher 
spare parts sales and 6% growth in LTSAs. 
We continue our focus on generating greater 
value from our large installed base, both 
through a more proactive approach to 

Financial overview ^

£m

Underlying revenue
Underlying OE revenue
Underlying services revenue
Underlying gross profit
Gross margin %
Commercial and administrative 
Restructuring
Research and development cost
Joint ventures and associates 
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating margin %

2019
3,545
2,386
1,159
909
25.6%
(374)
–
(176)
(2)
357
10.1%

2018

3,434
2,310
1,124
866
25.2%
(363)
(1)
(188)
1
315
9.2%

Change

+3%
+3%
+3%
+5%
+40bps
+3%
–
-6%
–
+13%
+90bps

Organic 
change 

+4%
+4%
+4%
+6%
+50bps
+4%
–
-6%
–
+15%
+90bps

^  Commentary and figures exclude the Civil Nuclear North America Services business which has been treated  

as non-core following its disposal in February 2020.

spare parts sales and a greater emphasis  
on LTSA sales which now account for circa 
12% of total service revenues.

Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating profit rose by 15% to 
£357m, led by revenue growth. Gross profit 
was 6% higher at £909m, helped by a 50bps 
increase in gross margins to 25.6%, due to 
better product mix. C&A costs of £(374)m 

were 4% higher year-on-year reflecting  
cost escalation, additional spend on digital 
solutions, and higher sales-related activities. 
The R&D charge reduced by £11m reflecting 
the timing of key projects, with cash spend 
modestly higher. In the coming years we 
expect R&D spend in Power Systems to 
increase as we ramp up activity on new 
programme investment and our 
electrification strategy.

PLUGGING INTO MICROGRIDS 

Microgrids have a vital role to play in assisting  
the world’s transition to lower carbon power,  
by providing security of supply from power 
generation systems that use renewable energy 
sources that can be intermittent.

Microgrids are small-scale local power networks in 
which various energy sources and storage systems 
– from solar cells, wind turbines and batteries  
to diesel or gas-powered generator sets – are 
integrated by means of a smart master controller.

To expand our knowledge of how microgrids 
function in power generation, during the year  
we commissioned a microgrid validation centre  
in Friedrichshafen, Germany, to carry out 
close-to-reality simulations of a variety of  
possible configurations. 

We are already running our own microgrid  
at Plant 1 in Friedrichshafen. It consists of 
photovoltaic panels with 500 kW peak power 
capacity as well as gas-powered and diesel-
powered gensets and an MTU battery container 
with 2 MWh capacity. It currently delivers 30%  
of the energy needed at Plant 1 during normal 
working hours and full coverage at weekends. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Power Systems

31

MILESTONE FOR INDIAN 
JOINT VENTURE

Force MTU Power Systems, the joint-venture 
between India’s Force Motors Limited and 
Rolls-Royce, delivered its first Series 1600 
genset to customer Perennial Technologies  
in 2019. 

We have partnered with Force Motors to  
move the manufacturing of the entire line of 
MTU Series 1600 engines from Germany to  
a new manufacturing facility at Chakan, near  
Pune, India.

The construction of the facility is nearing 
completion and the first locally made engine  
is expected to be manufactured by mid-2020. 
On completion, the facility will produce  
MTU 10 and 12-cylinder Series 1600 units. 
These engines are already well-established  
in the market for power generation and  
rail applications. 

Operational and strategic review 
Conditions across our markets were 
challenging in 2019. Despite this, our 
financial performance remained robust, 
supported by a strong order book. A 
combination of rising energy demand in 
developing countries and the expansion  
of renewable energy sources drove orders 
for flexible power solutions and products 
such as microgrids, hybrid and gas engines, 
electrification and energy storage.

In 2019, we delivered 6,580 engines, 
excluding smaller off-highway engines.  
This compares to 5,976 deliveries in 2018. 
Our installed base increased to approximately 
146,000 engines (from approximately 
142,000 in 2018) which will continue to 
support replacement demand and drive 
our growing services revenue.

Power Systems has a key role to play in our 
drive towards low carbon power across the 
Group. A number of technologies that will 
have applications in civil aerospace markets, 
notably hybrid, electric, and fuel cells, are 
already being developed and adopted in 
Power Systems. Significantly, 2019 marked 
the last year in which Power Systems sold 
only fossil fuel based power solutions as  
we reached several important strategic 
milestones on this journey, including the 
signing of customer contracts and framework 
agreements to implement hybrid engine 
solutions for the rail sector, where we are 

first to market, and the yacht market, building 
on our leadership position with the MTU 
Series engines. 

Since October, Power Systems has  
been operating its own microgrid in 
Friedrichshafen, which provides over  
30% of the energy required for the weekly 
running of the plant. We successfully 
received the first orders for our new 
battery container and microgrid solutions, 
delivering cleaner and decentralised 
energy. Together with Lab1886, an 
innovation lab within the Daimler Group, we 
started a pilot project to test the use of 
Mercedes-Benz fuel cell technology for 
backup power and the supply of energy to 
data centres. This technology will provide 
safe, sustainable and emission free energy 
to one of the world’s most significant power 
consuming industries. Power Systems is 
also researching more sustainable fuels. 
During the year, we signed an agreement to 
construct a demonstration plant to produce 
synthetic fuels in Brandenburg, Germany.

Continuing our push into life-cycle services, 
we are placing increased focus on digital 
services and predictive maintenance. Our 
digital solutions team was expanded during 
the year and we established a data and 
analytics competence centre in Munich, 
Germany. We also expanded our service 
network for yachts in La Spezia, Italy. These 
actions have helped to drive a steady increase 
in LTSAs, including the signing of a ten-year 

agreement with Svitzer, a global towage 
and marine services operator.

Expanding our geographic footprint is a key 
driver of our ability to outgrow underlying 
markets. In 2019, we strengthened our 
position in China, signing agreements for 
the delivery of more than 700 MTU 
engines. These included the largest ever 
single order of MTU gas gensets to supply 
over 200 MTU Series 4000s to China’s 
VPower. In India, our Force MTU Power 
Systems joint venture will begin local 
assembly of Series 1600 engines in the first 
half of 2020. This enables us to be closer to 
our customers and to reduce operating 
costs. In anticipation of this move, we have 
ceased assembly of MTU Series 1600 engines 
in Überlingen, Germany. 

Investing in our people is vital if we are to 
continue to position ourselves for growth 
in new markets including hybrid power.  
To meet our need for increased electrical 
engineering capability, 100 mechanical 
engineers undertook a course in electrical 
engineering as part of a new project at 
Karlsruhe University, Germany.

Power Systems outlook
As we enter 2020, the early indication is 
that conditions in a number of our end 
markets will remain challenging. However, 
we aim to out-perform our markets, driven 
by our strategy to increase services sales 
and the shift towards new technologies and 

STRATEGIC REPORT32

Strategic Report
Business Review – Power Systems

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

integrated solutions. We are also continuing 
our efforts to gain market share in Asia, 
where Power Systems has previously been 
underexposed. As a result, we expect to 
deliver low-single-digit organic revenue 
growth in 2020 despite this challenging 
backdrop. We expect margins to improve 
again in 2020, increasing by 0–100bps as 
we take another step towards our  

medium-term target of mid-teens. The 
outbreak of COVID-19 represents a near 
term macro risk. In 2019, approximately 10% 
of Power Systems revenues were derived 
from the greater China region.

As part of our ongoing efforts to evaluate 
our portfolio and create a simpler, more 
efficient Group, we have taken the decision 

to carry out a strategic review of Bergen, 
our medium-speed gas and diesel engine 
business. In 2019, Bergen generated 
revenues of £239m with an operating loss 
of £(18)m. From 2020, Bergen will be 
reported within non-core businesses  
and has therefore been excluded from  
our guidance.

Operating environment

Rolls-Royce key differentiators
Power Systems will retain its strong position 
through technology leadership and a reputation 
for market-leading product performance and 
innovation; combined with a systems approach  
that allows high levels of customisation, 
supplemented by full lifecycle solutions. 

  Market dynamics

 — Power Systems’ presence in a diversity of end markets  

has helped the business navigate successfully against the 
backdrop of an increasingly challenging macroeconomic 
environment; negatively influenced by political developments 
leading to deferment in investment.

 — Uncertainty in the resource markets, especially US fracking, 

after a strong 2018 dampened the opportunity for new 
equipment sales, however high utilisation continued to drive 
aftermarket service opportunities.

 — Government regulations with regard to diesel engine 

emissions in most markets are driving the industry towards 
innovation. The focus is shifting towards hybrid, hydrogen 
and electric power solutions as well as renewable  
energy solutions. 

 — The civil nuclear market continues to have mixed fortunes, 

strengthening in areas with set energy policy and financing 
mechanisms but weakening in other areas where greenhouse 
gas reductions or security of supply are not being prioritised. 

  Opportunities

 — Rising energy demand in emerging economies, particularly 
India and China (both large markets despite some recent 
softening) continue to grow and present significant 
opportunities for Power Systems.

 — Tightening emission regulations in several regions are 

beneficial to the competitive position of Power Systems’ 
high-end products, such as our Series 4000.

 — The trend towards intermittent renewables such as solar and 
wind as part of a ‘green grid’ is creating demand for flexible, 

low-emission gas reciprocating engines. Increasing interest 
in flexible local energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions 
also presents significant new opportunities for adjacent 
growth in areas such as energy storage and microgrids.

 — As digital information becomes essential to many economies, 
the data centre market is witnessing strong growth. Due to 
its reliability, Power Systems back-up solutions are highly 
regarded and the opportunity to integrate new product 
and service offerings into this market is significant.

 — Power Systems is well placed to respond to increasing 

customer demand for new service offerings and propositions 
such as ValueCare agreements supported by decades of 
experience in service model innovation.

 — Nuclear energy demand remains significant but large-scale 
projects are proving problematic to finance and construct. 
Industry interest in new nuclear technology is increasing 
and we are well placed to respond to this trend. 

  Business risks

 — If the macroeconomic environment worsens (for example 
a trade war between the US and China), then this could 
have a material impact on the business.

 — If requirements on export licenses and/or local content 
increase, then this may affect our ability to export to 
certain markets.

 — If other players in the industry consolidate, then they may 
generate synergies or capabilities that outpace the ability 
of the business to get new products and services to market.

 — If the CO2 price rises above our expectations and/or the 

demand for fossil-free power develops faster than anticipated, 
then this may affect demand for Power Systems products 
and/or affect margins.

 — If new technologies or alternative propulsion concepts 
emerge, then this may lead to partial substitution or 
downsizing of diesel engines in certain applications.

 — If there is not clarity on UK energy policy and the willingness 
of UK Government to continue support of SMR development, 
then continued investment may be called into question.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Defence

33

BUSINESS REVIEW

Defence

Underlying revenue mix

Defence is a market leader in aero engines for 
military transport and patrol aircraft with strong 
positions in combat and helicopter applications. 
It has significant scale in naval and is the technical 
authority for through-life support of the nuclear 
power plant for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

1

2

1.  OE .................................................................45%
2.  Services ......................................................55%

Progress against our 2019 Group priorities

Customers

People and Culture

  Ramped up LiftSystem production 
to meet Lookheed Martin F-35B 
programme demand.

  Increased output from our submarines 
primary components operations by 
300% since 2015; zero arrears in 2018 
and 2019.

  Maiden flight of Boeing MQ-25 

unmanned tanker, powered by the  
AE 3007.

  Developing cyber and digital solutions 
for Boeing B-52 re-engining competition.

  Launch of Defence diversity & 

inclusion charter. 

  Signed up to the UK’s Women  

in Defence Charter.

  UK Armed Services Covenant  

Gold Award.

  Approximately 1,400 employees 

involved in social projects as part of 
Indianapolis community care week.

5

1

4

3

2

1.  Transport ....................................................36%
2.  Combat ....................................................... 23%
3.  Submarines .................................................19%
4.  Naval ........................................................... 10%
5.  Other ............................................................12%

Underlying revenue

£3,250m

2018: £3,124m

Technology

Financial

  Launch of a new foreign object 

  Record order intake, with book-to-bill 

Underlying operating profit

debris recording app for NAVAIR 
and the US Marine Corps. 

  Development of aerothermal and 

electrical power take-off capability 
in support of Tempest, the UK-led 
next-generation fighter programme.

  MAPS (Military High Mach Advanced 
Propulsion System) contract signed 
with the UK MOD.

  Development of an integrated power 
and thermal management system for 
defensive directed energy applications.

ratio of 1.6x, including propulsion 
system contract for the Royal Navy’s 
four Dreadnought class submarines.

  Revitalisation of Indianapolis, US 

facilities nearing completion, on-time 
and on-budget.

  Continued footprint optimisation 

with closure of Oakland, US facility.

  R&D investment increased by 5% to 
support future growth opportunities.

£415m

2018: £427m

Order backlog

£8.6bn

2018: £6.8bn

STRATEGIC REPORT 
34

Strategic Report
Business Review – Defence

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Defence overview 2019
Defence had an excellent year for both order 
intake and cash flows. Record order intake 
and a 1.6x book-to-bill ratio helped to drive 
strong cash flow performance and 26% 
growth in the order book in 2019. Sales were 
broadly stable and operating profit margins 
declined by 110bps, as expected, driven 
largely by a less profitable OE mix and 
increased investment in R&D to support  
a number of major new programme 
opportunities in the coming years.

Financial overview

Underlying revenue
Underlying revenue of £3,250m was up 1% 
on an organic basis. OE revenue was 2% lower 
year-on-year driven by fewer deliveries of 
transport engines due to the phasing of 
orders, including lower volumes of  
Trent 700s for multi-role tanker transport 
(MRTT) aircraft and AE series engines for 
the C-130J and V-22. These were partly 
offset by increased volumes for LiftSystem 
hardware for the F-35B. Service revenue 
was up 4%, driven by higher LTSA volume 
for the AE1107 and AE2100 transport 
engines, together with increased time and 
materials revenue from EJ200 services.

Financial overview

£m

Underlying revenue
Underlying OE revenue
Underlying services revenue
Underlying gross profit
Gross margin %
Commercial and administrative 
Restructuring
Research and development cost
Joint ventures and associates
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating margin %

2019
3,250
1,461
1,789
669
20.6%
(151)
(7)
(105)
9
415
12.8%

2018

3,124
1,452
1,672
690
22.1%
(170)
(3)
(100)
10
427
13.7%

Change

+4%
+1%
+7%
-3%
-150bps
-11%
+133%
+5%
-10%
-3%
-90bps

Organic 
change 

+1%
-2%
+4%
-6%
-160bps
-13%
+133%
+4%
-10%
-7%
-110bps

Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating profit of £415m was 
£28m lower than the prior year, in line with 
expectations. Gross profit of £669m fell 6%, 
driven by the lower OE volumes in transport, 
particularly on the Trent 700 MRTTs, and 
lower LTSA margins due to the non-repeat 
of one-off customer settlements in the  
prior year.

A modest increase in R&D spend of £4m 
reflected ongoing investment to support 
future programmes across our Defence 
portfolio, with a number of attractive growth 
opportunities in the coming years. C&A costs 
were £22m lower year-on-year at £(151)m.

Operational and strategic review 
2019 was a very successful year for Defence, 
with record order intake, strong operational 
execution, and the achievement of 
significant milestones in our ongoing R&D 
projects, which will position the business to 
grow in the coming years in both transport 
and combat markets.

Our markets remained stable in 2019. The 
US continues to represent nearly half of the 
addressable defence spend globally, while 
the UK and Europe also remain key markets. 
We expect higher growth in Asia and the 
Middle East, driven by regional tensions. 
While the budget backdrop in our markets 

TEMPEST GAINING STRENGTH

Rolls-Royce is playing an integral role in  
Team Tempest following its launch at the 
Farnborough Air Show in 2018, with international 
momentum gathering in 2019 as both Sweden and 
Italy signed agreements with the UK Government  
to partner on future combat air requirements. 

The programme enables us to continue as pioneers 
in the combat market, building on technology 
developments already being demonstrated 
through successful tests and trials. As part of 
Tempest, we will deliver a power and propulsion 
system capability which will provide fully 
integrated power and thermal management 
capabilities. The gas turbine remains at the 
forefront of our contribution and the use of 
advanced composite materials, additive layer 
manufacturing techniques and new technologies 
will deliver a lightweight, more power dense 
configuration capable of operating at higher 
temperatures. This enhanced integrated system 
will result in a more intelligent, more powerful and 
more electric system, capable of delivering the 
future power needs of the air vehicle.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – Defence

35

CALMER SEAS FOR SUBMARINES

Our submarines business has surfaced into calmer 
waters after several years of intense work to  
improve performance.

The submarines primary components operations is 
responsible for manufacturing key reactor components 
to support the Astute and Dreadnought nuclear 
submarine build. In 2015, its delivery performance  
was impacting the overall programme with around  
250 arrears and zero products delivered on time to  
the boatyard in Barrow-in-Furness, UK, change had  
to happen.

In 2016, a three-year fundamental improvement 
programme was launched with three main focus areas: 
creating additional capacity by repurposing existing 
factory space; creating an efficient value chain, fully 
aligned with the in-week delivery plan; and creating an 
operational engagement activity to drive incremental 
improvement at a local level. 

In 2019, after three years of sustained improvement, the 
primary components operation celebrated increasing 
production output to the customer by over 300% 
compared with 2015. It has also achieved the targeted 
level of on-the-day delivery with zero arrears. The year 
saw much needed stability driven back into both the 
Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes. 

is relatively stable, we see a number of 
exciting programme opportunities in the 
coming years, notably in the Tempest combat 
programme in the UK and in multiple 
upcoming campaigns in the US market.

Defence had a record order intake of  
£5.3bn, driving 26% growth in the order 
book. Book-to-bill in 2019 was 1.6x, taking 
the cumulative book-to-bill ratio over the 
last five years to 1.2x. The strength in 2019 
was led by services, highlighting the 
demand driven by our installed base of 
over 16,000 engines. Key highlights 
included a five-year contract worth over 
$1bn to maintain AE1107 engines for the US 
Marine Corps, which have now reached the 
service milestone of over one million flying 
hours. Two UK MOD support contracts 
were signed; one for Spey naval engines, 
and one for the maintenance of the EJ200. 
A multi-year spare parts order was 
additionally confirmed for our Adour 
engines in India. OE orders grew, including 
four Dreadnought powerplants in 
submarines and a LiftFan OE order  
for LRIP 12 of the F-35 programme. We 
continued to leverage our existing installed 
base with the Series 3.5 upgrade kit for the 
T56 engine, which secured further orders 
from the USAF. Fewer than 5% of the C-130 
aircraft in service with the US Air Force 

currently have the Series 3.5 upgrade kit 
fitted, presenting a significant opportunity 
for future orders.

We delivered 499 aero engines in 2019.  
In aerospace, three Bombardier Global 
6000s, powered by our BR710 engines, 
were delivered to the German Special Air 
Mission Wing and German Air Force. 
LiftSystem production ramped up to meet 
F-35B programme demand and the  
Boeing MQ-25 unmanned aerial refuelling 
tanker, powered by the AE 3007, completed 
its maiden flight. In maritime, our 50th 
MT30 gas turbine came off the production 
line and we delivered key early components  
for the first Dreadnought submarine.

Operationally, our submarines business 
implemented a management restructure, 
reducing complexity and aligning to the 
needs of the customer. We continued to 
invest in US facilities; the revitalisation of 
our Indianapolis site is nearing completion 
while a new 24,000 sqft facility in Walpole, 
Massachusetts is due to be commissioned 
in late 2020. These actions to improve 
efficiency are helping us meet customer 
demand for cost-effective solutions while 
minimising the impact on our margins.

R&D investment stepped up in 2019 ahead 
of a period of important upcoming 

opportunities. We made good progress  
as part of Team Tempest, for which we are 
developing a power and propulsion system 
which will provide fully integrated power 
and thermal management. We were also 
awarded a two-year contract by the UK 
MOD to develop hypersonic propulsion 
systems. LibertyWorks, our dedicated US 
defence development unit, successfully 
demonstrated an integrated power and 
thermal management system for high-power 
directed energy applications. We announced 
an agreement with Bell Helicopter to 
exclusively develop an optimised propulsion 
system for the V280 Valor. Over 50,000 
hours of engineering analysis, including 
digital engineering, were devoted to  
refine our offering for the Boeing B-52 
re-engining competition and early engine 
tests were successfully completed in 
Indianapolis, US. 

Defence outlook 
We expect Defence to deliver stable to 
low-single-digit sales growth in 2020, with 
stable operating margins. Longer term, 
supported by the order intake in 2019 and 
the pipeline of upcoming new programme 
opportunities, we expect Defence growth 
to accelerate.

STRATEGIC REPORT36

Strategic Report
Business Review – Defence

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

NO PILOT, NO PROBLEM

Boeing and the US Navy successfully 
completed the first test flight of the 
Boeing MQ-25 Stingray unmanned 
aerial refueler in 2019.

The MQ-25 is powered by a single 
Rolls-Royce AE 3007N engine and flew 
under the direction of Boeing test pilots 
operating from a ground control station 
in the US. The MQ-25 will provide the 
Navy with a carrier-based, unmanned, 
aerial refueling capability.

Operating environment

Rolls-Royce key differentiators
Advanced technology, innovation, and collaboration 
with partners and customers are unique hallmarks 
of Defence. These differentiators enable successful 
delivery of products and services tailored to our 
customers’ evolving needs.

 — In transport, Defence is well positioned for various next 

generation opportunities, including with Bell on the V-280 
Valor for the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift programme.

 — Building on our success as the preferred gas turbine provider 
on Australian SEA 5000 and Canadian frigate programmes, 
Defence is well positioned to capture other large maritime 
opportunities with the MT30. 

  Market dynamics

 — Long-term defence investment is tied to economic growth 
while threat levels and politics drive near-term spend; the 
business expects to see modest growth across the globe 
in the coming years.

 — While higher growth areas exist in Asia and the Middle  

East, driven by indigenisation and regional threats, the US 
represents nearly half of addressable defence spend globally.

 — Programme wins are generally long-term and as a  
result barriers to entry are high, which leads to  
entrenched competitors and aggressive competition  
for new opportunities.

  Opportunities

 — There is strong interest in electrification across land, sea, 
and air platforms; the business is exploring more electric 
and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies as well as power 
generation and thermal management for the growing 
directed energy systems market. 

 — Combat propulsion remains the largest market segment, with 
opportunities for current products (LiftSystem and EJ200), 
UK investment in future combat air technologies (Combat 
Air Acquisition Programme), and a large US opportunity in 
the Boeing B-52 re-engining competition.

 — There continues to be strong service growth potential via 
technology insertion and emerging service opportunities 
using digital technology and data analytics to generate 
new solutions.

  Business risks

 — If a major product failure in service is experienced, then 
this may result in loss of life and significant financial and 
reputational damage.

 — If global defence spending experiences a significant 

downturn, then financial performance would be impacted.

 — If we do not continue to invest in improving the performance 
and cost of Rolls-Royce products, then market share may 
be lost.

 — If the business suffers a major disruption in its supply chain, 

then delivery schedules would be delayed, damaging 
financial performance and reputation.

 — If new applications are not secured, then the business may 

have to increase investment or accept erosion in capabilities.

 — If electrification and digitalisation technology proceeds 
at a faster rate than expected, then the business may not 
be positioned to fully capitalise on this potential growth.

 — If geopolitical issues arise impacting  

government-to-government relations or export controls, 
then our routes to market and regional sales may be impacted.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – ITP Aero

37

BUSINESS REVIEW

ITP Aero

ITP Aero is a global leader in aero-engine design, 
manufacture and maintenance. Alongside the 
development, manufacturing, assembly and testing 
of engines, it provides MRO services for regional 
airlines, business aviation, industrial and  
defence applications.

Progress against our 2019 Group priorities

Customers

People and Culture

  Increased civil aviation module delivery: 

 – 20% for Rolls-Royce

 – 40% for other customers

  Launched transformation project 
to drive continued improvement 
of our operating model:

 – increased standardisation across  

  Invested in a new facility to offer more 

the organisation

complex engine externals product 
capability to customers.

  Certified as only the second company 

worldwide capable of providing 
support to the MTR390-E engine.

 – simplified processes to  

increase efficiency

  Held CEO engagement sessions at 

every ITP Aero site around the globe.

Technology

Financial

  Completed aerodynamic testing  
of the multi-stage intermediate 
pressure turbine for UltraFan.

  Demonstrated enhanced additive 

manufacturing capability:

 – delivery of shroud segments  

for the Trent XWB-84K

 – design of the TP400 rear  

structure vanes

 – potential for component weight 
reduction of up to 40% and 
significant cost savings.

  OE sales up 19% led by higher volumes 

on civil aerospace programmes.

  Operating margin grew to 11.9%.

  Investing in capacity expansion  

in Queretaro, Mexico.

  Actions to improve manufacturing 
efficiency, including roll-out of 
additive layer manufacturing 
capability at Zamudio, Spain.

Underlying revenue mix

2

1

1.  OE .................................................................84%
2.  Services .......................................................16%

3

2

1

1.  Civil .............................................................. 77%
2.  Defence .......................................................13%
3.  In-Service Support .................................. 10%

Underlying revenue

£936m

2018: £779m

Underlying operating profit

£111m

2018: £67m

Order backlog

£0.9bn

2018: £0.9bn

STRATEGIC REPORT 
38

Strategic Report
Business Review – ITP Aero

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

ITP Aero overview 2019
ITP Aero had a strong year. Underlying 
revenue grew 21% year-on-year, driven by 
increases in both aftermarket and OE sales 
for civil aerospace, both on Trent and 
non-Rolls-Royce engine programmes. 
Operating profit increased materially to £111m, 
reflecting revenue growth and improved 
pricing. ITP Aero’s 2019 performance also 
benefitted from a change made to simplify 
its trading relationship and contractual terms 
with Civil Aerospace. This change was net 
neutral at Group level.

Financial overview

Underlying revenue
Underlying revenue was £936m, an increase 
of 21% over 2018. OE growth of 19% was 
driven by higher engine volumes on civil 
programmes, with ITP Aero module deliveries 
up 20% on Trent engine programmes and 
40% higher for non-Rolls-Royce programmes. 
This was partially offset by a reduction in 
defence sales. Aftermarket revenue increased 
by 37% due to higher spare parts sales, largely 
from Rolls-Royce engine programmes. 
Revenues also benefitted by circa £50m 
from a change made to simplify ITP Aero’s 
trading relationship and contractual terms 

Financial overview

£m

Underlying revenue
Underlying OE revenue
Underlying services revenue
Underlying gross profit
Gross margin %
Commercial and administration
Restructuring
Research and development costs
Underlying operating profit
Underlying operating margin

2019
936
782
154
206
22.0%
(61)
(1)
(33)
111
11.9%

2018

Change

779
666
113
156
20.0%
(57)
(2)
(30)
67
8.6%

+20%
+17%
+36%
+32%
+200bps
+7%
-50%
+10%
+66%
+330bps

Organic 
change 

+21%
+19%
+37%
+33%
+200bps
+9%
-50%
+10%
+67%
+330bps

with Civil Aerospace. This was net neutral at  
Group level. 

Underlying operating profit
Operating profit increased materially, by 67% 
to £111m, led by higher gross profit. This 
increase was driven by higher OE volumes 
and improved pricing. Profit also benefitted 
by circa £25m from the change in ITP Aero’s 
trading terms with Civil Aerospace, with a 
corresponding negative impact in Group 
eliminations. C&A costs increased by 9%  
to £(61)m, and R&D rose by 10% to £(33)m 
reflecting ongoing investment in  
aerospace programmes.

Operational and strategic review 
In November, ITP Aero celebrated its 30th 
anniversary. The business continued to grow, 
underpinned by strong positions across a 
range of large commercial aircraft and 
business jet platforms. In large commercial, 
we delivered a 20% increase in engine 
module deliveries for Rolls-Royce widebody 
programmes and a 40% increase in deliveries 
to other customers. In business aviation,  
we continued to see growth through our 
positions on engine programmes including 
the PW800 and HTF700.

LOSING WEIGHT WITH 
ADDITIVE LAYER TECHNOLOGY 

During the year, we completed the design process 
and began production of the first components 
manufactured by ITP Aero using additive 
technology – often referred to as 3D printing.

The first parts to emerge are low pressure turbine 
seal segments for the Trent XWB-84 engine for the 
Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, and non-structural 
vanes for the TP400 engine that powers the  
Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. 

ITP Aero has an additive layer manufacturing cell 
and a team of professionals dedicated exclusively 
to this technology at our facility at Zamudio, Spain. 
Thanks to investment in collaborative technology 
development projects, ITP Aero is able to apply 
in-house standards and specifications to the 
application of this technology in aircraft engine 
components that are subjected to high temperatures 
in-service. The proprietary design criteria used by 
ITP Aero is expected to result in a component 
weight reduction of up to 40% as well as 
generating significant cost savings.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Business Review – ITP Aero

39

Good progress was made during the year 
in the expansion of production facilities to 
meet rising demand for ITP Aero products. 
Investment included a new externals facility 
in Biscay, Spain, focusing on high technology 
products, and the extension of the externals 
facility in Queretaro, Mexico. Both sites are 
now open and fully operational. In addition 
to adding new capacity, these facilities  
will further improve our manufacturing 
efficiency, driving cost reduction across 
civil and defence engine programmes. 

Other significant milestones in 2019 
included producing the first components 
designed and manufactured using additive 
technology. Our new additive layer 
manufacturing cell in Zamudio, Spain, 
manufactured both the low pressure 
turbine seal segments for the Trent XWB-84 
engine and non-structural vanes for the 
TP400 engine. Additionally, earlier in the 
year we were certified as only the second 
provider of servicing globally for the 
MTR390-E engine for the Tiger helicopter.

We also achieved important technology 
milestones in 2019. In June, the first 
aerodynamic tests of the intermediate 
pressure turbine for UltraFan were 
successfully carried out. UltraFan will be 
25% more efficient than the first generation 
of Rolls-Royce Trent engines and 10% more 
efficient than the Trent XWB, the most 
efficient civil large engine in service globally. 

At the end of the year, we strengthened  
our board and management, including the 
promotion of Carlos Alzola to CEO and  
ITP Aero board member.

ITP Aero outlook 
We expect continued demand growth  
on newer, more fuel-efficient engine 
programmes in both narrowbody and 

widebody aircraft. We are well placed with 
strong positions on newer Rolls-Royce 
Trent engines, as well as the Pratt & Whitney 
1000G engines and other non-Rolls-Royce 
programmes. Longer term, we have secured 
participation in technology projects that 
will contribute significantly to sustainable 
aviation and efficient digital transformation 
of production processes. These include the 
investigation and maturation of technologies 
for hybrid electric propulsion (IMOTHEP), 
within the EU’s Horizon 2020 framework, 
which is focused on assessing the potential 
of hybrid-electric propulsion.

Following the very strong performance in 
2019, we expect to deliver stable sales and 
margin improvement of 50–100bps in 2020. 
Longer term the trends outlined above will 
drive further good growth in profitability 
and cash flow.

Operating environment

Rolls-Royce key differentiators
ITP Aero will sustain its strong position through the 
development of advanced, world-leading technology, 
a culture of partnership with customers and suppliers, 
our broad programme portfolio and market access, 
and well-invested global facilities with advanced 
and efficient manufacturing.

  Market dynamics

 — The long-term trends driving demand growth in passenger 
aircraft remain strong. Growth in air travel is expected 
to stabilise close to the long-term average of 4–5%.

 — Through 2019, the market has seen short-term downward 

pressure on widebody aircraft but the longer-term outlook 
remains positive. 

 — The short-term prospects in the narrowbody and regional 
markets accessed through involvement in the PW1000G 
programme are positive. Growth in those markets is driven 
by the Airbus A320neo ramp up, a trend towards airlines 
using the longer range A321 on routes previously served 
by widebody aircraft and the introduction of new regional 
aircraft products including Airbus A220 and the Embraer 
E2 family.

 — In business aviation, ITP Aero enjoys a route to market as 
a partner on a number of engine programmes, including 
the PW800 which powers the Gulfstream G500/600 and 
Dassault Falcon 6X and the HTF7000 which now also powers 
the Embraer Praetor 500/600 and Cessna Longitude. 
Short-term demand in the business aviation sector has 
softened with the uncertain macro-economic environment 
but the long-term fundamental drivers are strong. 

 — With defence budgets rising and the emergence of a 

number of new programmes, there is potential for growth 
in the sector.

  Opportunities

 — Expected growth in widebody installed base driven by  

Trent engine deliveries.

 — Expected growth in single aisle installed based on PW1000G 

engine deliveries.

 — Expected participation in the next generation European 

Fighter (FCAS) following Spain joining France and Germany 
on the programme.

  Business risks

 — If our products do not achieve their required technical 

attributes and maturity, then product performance, customer 
satisfaction, unit costs and aftermarket costs may be impacted 
and could result in financial and reputational damage.

 — If a product failed in service, then this could result in loss 
of life and significant financial and reputational damage.

 — If the business suffered a major disruption in its supply chain, 

then delivery schedules would be delayed, damaging 
financial performance and reputation.

 — If customer programmes were to be delayed into service 

or experience a cut to production rates, then our financial 
performance might be negatively impacted.

 — If global defence spending experiences a significant 
downturn, then our financial performance would  
be impacted.

STRATEGIC REPORT40

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Non-Financial Information Statement

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

SUSTAINABILITY 

As a leading industrial technology company, our activities have a significant 
impact on society and the environment. We understand this impact and use  
that understanding to inform our strategy and decision making. 

We believe in the positive power of 
technology: the products and services 
we provide play a vital role in connecting, 
protecting and powering society.

The most significant contribution we can 
make to a more sustainable society is to 
reduce the environmental impacts of our 
product portfolio and accelerate the 
decarbonisation of the sectors in which 
we operate, in line with global ambitions  
to mitigate climate change. This is an 
integral part of our business strategy. 

Our sustainability approach focuses also  
on the wider impacts we have on society, 
including environmental, social, ethical  
and cultural factors. We know we cannot 
consider these in isolation of each other. 

We seek to understand and prioritise  
the issues that matter most to us and  
our stakeholders, including employees, 
investors, and broader society. We identify 
and prioritise topics in terms of potential 
impact and also take into consideration  
our ability to influence the issue.

Non-financial information statement
The following chart summarises where you can find further information on each of the key areas of disclosure required by the  
EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive.

Environmental matters
See pages 41 to 44
Employees
See pages 45 to 48
Social matters
See page 46
Human rights
See page 49
Anti-bribery and corruption
See page 49

Related Group policies 
 — Health, Safety &  
Environment

 — Security
 — People
 — Charitable Contributions &  

Social Sponsorships

 — People
 — Human Rights
 — Anti-Bribery &  
Corruption

Related principal risks 
 — Climate Change
 — Safety
 — Talent and Capability
 — Safety
 — Political Risk

 — Compliance

 — Our business model provides an insight into the key resources and relationships that support the generation and preservation 

of value within Rolls-Royce. See pages 12 and 13.

 — Non-financial key performance indicators allow us to assess progress against objectives and monitor the development  

and performance of specific areas of the business. These are set out on page 15.

 — Further information on Group policies can be found on www.rolls-royce.com.

 — Full details of the Group’s principal risks can be found on pages 50 to 54.

 — Disclosures in line with the Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) are detailed on page 41.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Climate Change

41

POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

We have an irrefutable role to play in enabling the transition towards a low 
carbon economy. Successful and just transition will require technological 
solutions that we are well placed to provide. 

We have always pursued clean, safe and 
competitive solutions to deliver society’s 
vital power needs. Rising global population 
and increased wealth is driving further 
demand for power and mobility. Coupled 
with increased understanding of the potential 
impacts of climate change, we recognise 
that future power must be low carbon. 

Governance
Our framework sets out how we govern our 
business, manage risk and maintain consistent 
operating standards across the Group. 
Sustainability and the consideration of 
climate change is a core component of this.

The Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee 
oversees our approach (see pages 105 to 
110). Our executive-level environment & 
sustainability committee, chaired by the 
Chief Technology Officer, is responsible for 
environmental and climate-related policy, 
strategy and co-ordinating related activities.

Our independent environmental advisory 
committee, comprising leading academics 
from the environmental, materials and 
climate-related fields, complements our 
in-house expertise.

Strategy
Climate change and its associated impacts 
will play a pivotal role in determining the 
long-term success of our organisation: it 
presents a variety of opportunities and risks 
that drive our strategic decisions. Our ability 
to develop technological solutions will 
deliver future competitive advantage over 
the longer-term (see pages 42 and 43).

We have a three-part approach to reducing 
our environmental impacts, embedded 
within our business strategy: continuing to 
pursue incremental improvements of existing 
products and services; developing novel 
low carbon technologies, including 
electrification; and minimising the impacts 
of our operations and facilities.

Managing risk and opportunity 
We recognise the substantial potential  
risks and opportunities presented by 
climate change. These include risks and 
opportunities associated with both the 
physical impact of global temperature  
rises and the transition to a low carbon 
global economy.

The assessment and management of 
climate-related risk and opportunity  
is an integral part of our enterprise risk 
management process (see Principal Risks, 
pages 50 to 54). During 2019, we continued 
to review our exposure to climate-related 
risk, including considering the growing 
scientific understanding of the potential 
impacts of climate change, coupled with our 
position as a manufacturer of complex 
equipment that is currently heavily 
dependent on fossil fuels. In light of these 
changes, we have included the risk of 
climate change to future revenue growth  
as an additional principal risk. 

PREPARING FOR  
THE FUTURE 

Understanding how the business 
may be impacted by climate change 
is a key component of mitigating 
longer-term risk.

We have used scenario planning 
techniques to explore the resilience 
of our business model and strategy 
in the context of future climate 
change and the transition to a  
low carbon global economy. 

Three scenarios were developed 
based on varying global temperature 
increases and societal responses 
– one of which aligned to the 
temperature rise limit of 1.5oC set 
out by the Intergovernmental Panel 
on Climate Change (IPCC). The 
outputs from this have been used  
to inform strategic decision making 
and risk management.

STRATEGIC REPORT42

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Technology

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

POWERING THE LOW CARBON TRANSITION

We are pioneering sustainable power through technology. We continue to 
invest in improving performance and reducing the impacts of our products 
and services, as well as developing low carbon technologies for the future.

The transition to a low carbon global economy 
will be dependent on the development of 
technological solutions that Rolls-Royce  
is well positioned to provide. We have a 
long-standing history of pioneering products 
and services that deliver society’s power and 
propulsion needs. 

In 2019, our technology priorities have 
included: supporting the operation of today’s 
products through revitalising our service 
capabilities; continuing the development of 
a new aero engine architecture to deliver 
further emissions reductions into the next 
decade; and continuing to advance our 
electrification strategy. This balance between 
continuous efficiency gains and the 
introduction of novel technologies will  
help ensure a structured transition to  
a low carbon global economy.

During the year, we invested £1.46bn  
in gross R&D expenditure, with a total of 830 
patents approved for filing. Over two-thirds 
of this R&D expenditure is dedicated to 
improving the environmental performance of 
our products and services.

Decarbonising aviation in particular will 
require cross-sector collaboration: our 
technologies operate as part of a wider 
system. During 2019, our Chief Technology 
Officer brought together counterparts  
from seven major aerospace companies  
to announce a joint statement on the  
future sustainability of aviation, including  
a commitment to work together  
pre-competitively to meet industry-level 
targets for reducing the sector’s CO2 
impacts and support the commercialisation 
of sustainable alternative fuels.

Engineering and  
technology capabilities 
Our global engineering population 
supports our research and technology 
programmes. During the year, we have 
taken steps to simplify our approach to 
engineering competencies, enabling more 
flexibility in skills development and increasing 
our engineers’ capabilities in systems 
thinking, electrification and digital.

Our global network of 29 University 
Technology Centres (UTCs) and seven 
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres 
(AMRCs) continue to develop advanced 
research that can be applied in our 
technology portfolio and across our 
manufacturing operations. 

830

Patents approved  
for filing

£1.46bn

Gross R&D 
expenditure 

2019 Gross R&D  
expenditure (£m)

6
5
4
3

2

1

1.   Rolls-Royce ...........................................1,118
2.  UK government ....................................253
3.  EU funding ..................................................21
4.  US government ........................................37
5.  German government ..............................12
6.  Other............................................................ 18

A RECORD BREAKER 
TAKES TO THE SKIES

Inside an airport hanger in 
Gloucestershire, UK a team of 
engineers, designers and data 
specialists recruited from inside 
and outside Rolls-Royce are 
setting out to make history. 

During 2019, we began the design 
and build of a high-speed, fully 
electric aeroplane unlike any seen 
before. Scheduled to fly in 2020, 
the aircraft will reach speeds of 
over 300mph, making it the fastest 
all-electric plane in history. 

This Rolls-Royce project is called 
ACCEL, Accelerating the 
Electrification of Flight, and is 
intended to pioneer a third era  
of aviation and support our 
electrification strategy. 

Through the project we are 
developing new skills and 
capabilities in electrical aviation. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Technology

43

SMALL REACTOR,  
BIG POTENTIAL

Rolls-Royce is leading a consortium 
of world-class companies in 
designing an affordable, compact 
nuclear power station to meet 
increasing demands for low  
carbon electricity. 

We believe our compact power 
station design can make a significant 
contribution to the UK and other 
nations’ ambitions to reach net zero 
carbon emissions by 2050. 

The UK government’s Research  
and Innovation agency has granted 
£18m initial funding, matched by  
the consortium, to complete vital 
elements of the preliminary design 
concept. A full UK programme 
could create 40,000 UK jobs and 
generate £52bn value for the 
economy, with tremendous 
commercial potential and an 
estimated global export market 
worth £250bn by 2050.

Revitalising service capabilities
Our services packages help our customers 
to maximise the availability of their engines. 
With growth of our in-service fleet of 
engines and power systems, our services 
innovations have provided significant 
additional capacity to maintain their operation 
in field and increase throughput in repair 
and overhauls. This is particularly important 
as we continue to work through in-service 
issues with the Trent 1000. 

We are increasing the use of digital tools  
to enhance our service offerings, including 
using imaging technologies to automate 
the assessment of the condition of critical 
engine parts whilst the engine remains 
on-wing, extending engine availability.

This year, we introduced rapid new near-wing 
component swap procedures, avoiding  
the need to bring engines into repair and 
overhaul centres. These new methods were 
validated and introduced 90% faster than 
traditional procedure changes. Used engines 
and parts are collected at each of our centres 
worldwide. Up to 90% of a used aero engine 
can now be recycled, reducing our demand 
for resource intensive, virgin materials.

Developing new  
engine architecture 
Looking forward, we continue to take big 
strides towards maturing a new aero engine 
architecture and related technologies. Our 
UltraFan design will deliver a 25% reduction 
in emissions relative to the first generation 
of Trent engines; an unprecedented 
efficiency leap. 

In 2019, we made good progress on  
a series of important sub-system validations, 
including testing our advanced organic 
matrix composite fan system and the world’s 
most high power aero gearbox, validating 
operability and thermal efficiency.

Advancing electrification 
Rolls-Royce is leading the transition 
towards electrification in all our markets. 
The application of hybrid and electric 
technologies has the potential to 
decarbonise our technology portfolio  
over the longer term, particularly in 
ground-based transportation and power, 
and regional aviation. 

Our self-contained business unit,  
Rolls-Royce Electrical, has celebrated  
a number of successes during the year, 
including: ground testing of our M250-
based hybrid electric system for urban  
air mobility and eVTOL applications; full 
speed testing of the 2.5 MW generator 
that, coupled with our AE2100 aero gas 
turbine, will power the E-Fan X hybrid  
flight demonstrator in 2021; and making 
significant progress with the development 
of all-electric flight technologies within  
our ACCEL programme.

The acquisition of the eAircraft business, 
from Siemens, has given us a leading position 
in electrical technologies for aero 
applications and provides a basis for 
increasing the delivery of advanced electrical 
components to a range of customers. 

Within Power Systems, we are increasing 
the production of mobile hybrid power 
systems for rail and marine applications. 
We are also applying our electrical 
competencies within our microgrid 
solutions, which are supporting the 
accelerated uptake of renewable energy 
as well as providing vital back-up power 
and storage.

STRATEGIC REPORT44

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Impacts from Operations

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

IMPACTS FROM OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES

Understanding and managing the environmental impact of our operations 
is a key part of being a responsible and resilient business. We seek to 
consider and mitigate the environmental impact of our activities and major 
business decisions. 

During the year, we have taken steps to 
strengthen our understanding of materials 
consumption across our operations, 
identifying opportunities to optimise use 
and avoid wastage. Half of our top 20  
waste-producing sites have completed 
waste-mapping reviews, identifying and 
prioritising areas for improvement with an 
estimated cost saving of approximately 
£1.6m identified to date. 

We continue to invest in installing low carbon 
and renewable energy sources across our 
global estates, including completing a solar 
PV installation in Friedrichshafen, Germany. 
Coupled with a Rolls-Royce microgrid to 
provide stability of supply, this installation 
will deliver 30% of the site’s energy demand, 
as well as acting as a showcase for our 
microgrid technology.

During 2019, we made significant progress 
towards our long-term zero carbon operations 
target, entering into a green power purchase 
agreement (PPA) part way through the  
year for all our UK purchased electricity, 
decreasing our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 21%. 
At the same time, we have continued to 
invest in energy efficiency opportunities to 
reduce our overall power demand, including 
upgrading lighting and heating systems.

CLEANING UP  
ON COOLANT

We continue to strengthen our 
waste management processes,  
with a particular focus this year  
on alternative treatments for liquid 
waste. Almost all our manufacturing 
sites rely on using coolant as a vital 
part of our machining processes.

During 2019, we worked with one  
of our AMRCs to introduce novel 
technologies to clean and filter 
‘used’ coolant, doubling its useable 
life. This reduces our coolant waste 
by 50%, contributing to our waste 
reduction target, as well as 
decreasing cutting fluid spend.

These technologies and improved 
working practices developed in the 
UK trial are now being rolled out 
worldwide. We intend to share this 
capability with our supply chain. 

Absolute GHG  
emissions (ktCO2e)

Energy consumption  
(MWh/£m)

Total solid and  
liquid waste (t/£m)

285 ktCO2e

2030

TARGET

0

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

BASELINE

89 MWh/£m  

2025

TARGET

63

4.22 t/£m

2025

TARGET

285

360

377

395

420

472

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

89

93

97

98

BASELINE

110

126

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

BASELINE

3.44

4.22

4.79

4.60

3.99

4.04

4.59

Waste to landfill  
(000 tonnes)

2.3 kilotonnes 

2020

TARGET

0

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2.3

2.7

3.6

4.5

BASELINE

6.6

7.8

Target: Achieve zero scope 1 + 2 
GHG emissions by 2030 1,2,3

Target: Reduce energy 
consumption by 50% by 2025 1,2,3

Target: Reduce solid and liquid 
waste by 25% by 2025 1,2,3

Target: Achieve zero waste to 
landfill by 2020 1,2

The emissions associated with our 
operations has reduced by 40% 
since 2014. This has been achieved 
through continued decarbonising 
of our energy systems and 
increased use of generated or 
purchased renewable energy. 

Our energy consumption has 
reduced by 26% since 2014 as we 
continue to invest in improving the 
energy efficiency of our offices and 
manufacturing facilities. This includes 
heating and lighting upgrades. 

Total waste generated in our 
operations has reduced by 13% 
since 2014. We continue to focus on 
identifying opportunities to prevent 
the creation of waste at source in 
our manufacturing processes. 

The amount of waste sent to landfill 
has reduced by 71% since 2014.  
This has been achieved through 
continued investment in waste 
management improvements and  
the use of alternative recovery  
and recycling options.

1   External assurance over the STEM, energy, GHG, waste and TRI rate data provided by Bureau Veritas. See page 203 for their sustainability assurance statement.
2   Data has been reported in accordance with our basis of reporting, available at www.rolls-royce.com/sustainability. Data for prior years has been restated to reflect the disposal  

of the Commercial Marine business. Data associated with ITP Aero is included in the GHG, energy and total waste targets from 2017 only. 

3   Emissions associated with product test and development, critical to ensuring product safety, and power generation are excluded from our GHG target. Statutory GHG emissions 

data, including emissions from these sources, are detailed on page 209. Our energy and total waste reduction targets are normalised by revenue.

 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Sustainability – People and Culture

45

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

It is through our people that we fulfil our potential, achieve our vision  
and deliver our strategy.

We continue to focus on driving the right 
culture through embedding our values and 
behaviours. We are committed to creating 
the right working environment where each 
of us is able to be at our best. This continues 
to be a critical lever in all we do.

Progressing our transformation 
From the outset our transformation 
programme has been designed as more 
than a headcount reduction exercise (see 
page 17). It is a strategic change in our 
culture, our people, and our ways of working. 
Embedding our people framework is a core 
element in achieving this. 

During 2019, our efforts have focused in  
three areas: enhancing leadership capability; 
embedding our values and behaviours;  
and eradicating bullying and harassment. 
We have made progress on embedding our 
values and behaviours through actions like 
a robust communications campaign, leading 
activities to engage our population and 
hosting ‘let’s talk’ sessions (see page 46). 
Our values and behaviours are now 
integrated into our processes and systems, 
including performance management, 
reward and employee learning.

Enhancing our leadership 
In 2018, we refreshed our enterprise 
leadership group (ELG) through restructuring, 
and we continue to refresh the whole 
leadership population through internal 
movements and external hiring.

During 2019, we introduced our leadership 
expectations, an extension of our people 
framework, which provide clear indicators 
of success for our leaders to live up to our 
values and behaviours.

We continue to refresh our leadership 
learning and development programmes. 
This includes updating our core leadership 
learning programmes, including a licence  
to operate curriculum, and building key 
capabilities in coaching, driving performance 
and being inclusive. This is a critical 
investment in ensuring our leadership 
remains fit for the future.

Capabilities and skills
We work hard to ensure we have the right 
skills and capabilities in place to execute 
our strategy. During 2019, we invested £28.7m 
in employee learning and development 
(2018: £27.1m), delivering 1.4m hours of 

51,700 employees total (monthly average) *

4 56

3

2

1

1.   Civil Aerospace ..................................................26,100
2.  Power Systems ................................................... 10,400
3.  Defence ..................................................................9,900
4   ITP Aero ..................................................................3,900
5. Head office  ................................................................100
6. Non-core businesses .......................................... 1,300

Employees in 50 countries (monthly average) *

5

4

3

6

2

1

1.   UK ............................................................................23,300
2.  Germany ................................................................. 9,800
3.  USA & Canada .......................................................7,000
4   Nordics .................................................................... 1,300
5.  Spain .........................................................................3,200
6. Rest of World .........................................................7,100

Embedding our people framework

Our people framework provides the backbone of our employee development and engagement activities. This is particularly 
important as we progress our restructuring programme and continue to embed and evolve our culture to support our purpose, 
vision and strategy. 

Care

Growing 
capabilities

Creating a working environment where each of us is able to be at our best.

Key capabilities needed to secure 
emerging opportunities:

 — systems integration
 — electrical engineering
 — data sciences

Growing 
behaviours

Key behaviours needed to secure 
emerging opportunities:

 — embrace agility 
 — be bold
 — pursue collaboration
 — seek simplicity

Core 
competencies

Key competencies needed to  
safeguard our competitiveness:

 — engineering pre-eminence
 — programme management
 — business acumen

Core  
values

Key values needed to safeguard 
our competitiveness:

 — operate safely
 — trusted to deliver excellence
 — act with integrity

*  Employee headcount data is calculated as the average number of full time equivalents throughout the year.

STRATEGIC REPORT46

Strategic Report
Sustainability – People and Culture

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

LET’S TALK

Between May and September our enterprise 
leadership group hosted over 110 engagement 
sessions with small groups of employees 
selected through a ballot process. 

These ‘let’s talk’ sessions were introduced to 
create opportunities for meaningful dialogue 
with our leadership group. The informal 
format and small group size allowed people 
to be seen, heard and understood. These 
sessions generated valuable insights into 
how our restructuring and cultural change 
programmes are landing and how employees 
see the future. 

In total, more than 3,000 people took part 
across 17 sites.

training (2018: 1m hours). We have focused 
on developing skills in business acumen, 
digital and data sciences, and programme 
management. Interactive learning 
opportunities, forums and online platforms 
have been utilised to develop these 
capabilities throughout the organisation.  
We are investing circa £4m in a new learning 
proposition that brings together all our 
learning offerings in one place.

We continue to acquire talent to support 
our electrical strategy, including through 
the acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft 
business and the introduction of a specialist 
learning offering within our Power Systems 
business. 

Talent management
Developing our talent strategy and future 
pipelines continues to be a core focus.  
We have considerably improved succession 
planning through the implementation of  
a new talent review process. This has 
standardised our approach to assessing 
potential and managing development 
needs, as well as proactive engagement of 
external talent, to improve the quality and 
diversity of our succession planning.

In 2018, we began work to launch our career 
framework, a refreshed approach to the  
way we manage careers and talent. Our 
management job levels have been broadened 
to remove complexity and enable greater 
movement between roles. In 2019, 1,150 
managers were promoted internally (2018: 
1,340) and our employee turnover rate 
remained stable at 7.5% (2018: 7.6%). 

We have introduced practical tools for 
managers to help drive their own careers 

and to better support their teams. This 
encourages individuals to take more 
ownership of their personal development. 
We have also introduced training and  
tools to enable leaders to have career 
conversations that offer broader and more 
agile career development options for all.

Employee engagement
We believe that positive engagement is  
a result of our leadership and working 
environment. Our approach to engagement 
is founded on the premise that engagement 
happens locally and should be owned and 
driven by local teams and leaders.

We provide a variety of channels to 
communicate and engage with our 
employees and their representatives. This 
includes employee newsletters, magazines 
and team briefings, as well as our digital 
communication channels. We work closely 
with elected employee representatives 
through well-established frameworks, 
including our European Works Council.  
Our employee forums ensure everyone has 
the opportunity to contribute their views. 

This year, we introduced a new employee 
opinion survey, in partnership with Gallup. 
This survey is more streamlined, moving 
from 64 questions to 12, encouraging 
participation by removing the burden of 
responding. We ran two surveys during the 
year as we embedded this new approach 
and increased our focus on measuring and 
actioning the results; 58% of employees 
completed the survey in April, and 72%  
in November. The results from the surveys  
are a key measure in our annual bonus plan, 
see page 15 and 89. 

We also monitor feedback from current and 
past employees through Glassdoor, who 
awarded us #30 on their ‘Best Places to 
Work in the UK’. Our Chief Executive also 
ranks #9 on their ‘Top CEOs in the UK’, with 
an 85% approval rating.

STEM and communities
Our ability to attract and recruit the right 
people with the right skills in the future is 
dependent on there being a pipeline of 
available talent. To support this we focus  
on building awareness and engagement  
in science, technology, engineering and 
maths (STEM) with young people from an 
early age, as well as those who may have 
influence over their future career choices 
such as teachers, parents and carers. 

We are now 27% towards our 2030 target 
to reach 25 million of tomorrow’s pioneers 
through our STEM programmes, with 1.25m 
people engaged in STEM activities during 
2019 1. These activities vary from individual 
classroom activities and community group 
workshops, to flagship initiatives such as 
the Rolls-Royce science prize. 

Our broader community investment activities 
are intended to build positive relationships 
and engagement opportunities in 
communities local to our operations, with  
a focus on environment, education, arts  
and culture. During 2019, we invested £7m 
in supporting local communities, including 
£3.4m in cash contributions and sponsorships. 
Over 96,000 hours of employee time  
was committed to community and STEM 
projects as part of our wider employee 
engagement approach. 

1  External assurance over the STEM, energy, GHG, waste and TRI rate data provided by Bureau Veritas. See page 203 for their sustainability assurance statement.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Sustainability – People and Culture

47

UK PENSIONS REVIEW 

During 2019, we undertook two actions to manage our 
pension obligations for current and former UK employees. 

The Group carries significant post-retirement liabilities  
on our balance sheet. During the year, we supported the 
Trustee of the UK pension plan to fully insure liabilities for 
around 33,000 former employees with Legal & General 
Assurance Society. This removes future risk for the Group 
whilst providing former employees with greater certainty 
over the delivery of their benefits. 

Our UK pension plan closed to new hires in 2007. In 2019 
we consulted on changes to the plan, impacting 2,700 
managers. This was undertaken in consideration of 
increasing future service costs, the balance sheet risk of 
future pension liabilities, as well as the increasing 
imbalance of overall reward for UK employees who joined 
the Company before or after 2007. The proposed changes 
have been agreed and will take effect from 1 March 2020. 
The Board supported each of these actions after 
considering in detail the impact on current and former 
employees and the financial impact on the Group. 

Health, safety and wellbeing
Ensuring the wellbeing of our people and 
those who work with us through providing  
a safe place of work and minimising potential 
exposure to harm is a key component of our 
care promise. This year we introduced 
mandatory HSE training for all managers. 
Additional leadership training has been 
conducted for the Executive Team.

In 2018, we initiated a programme of 
comprehensive safety reviews following a 
series of major and high potential incidents, 
including two fatalities in 2017. The 
programme remains on track, with 88% of 
sites in scope having been reviewed and a 
systematic approach to managing identified 
areas for improvement implemented. The 
objectives of this programme are to identify 
latent risks across our operations and to 
assess individual sites’ HSE maturity, providing 
site based leadership with greater visibility 
and understanding of hazards, controls  
and residual risks. 

LiveWell is our internal global accreditation 
scheme for site-based wellbeing provisions; 
this acts as a framework for sites to identify 
specific health and wellbeing requirements 
in their workplace, and implement 
improvements. At the end of 2019, 86%  
of our sites have achieved LiveWell 
accreditation, recognising the steps they 
have taken to support employees in making 
healthy and sustainable lifestyle choices in 

the workplace. More than 44,000 employees 
worldwide have benefited from these 
workplace interventions.

Mental wellbeing continues to receive a 
high public profile and our analysis confirms 
this is a significant source of concern for 
our employees and a cost to the business. 
In 2019, we introduced a new toolkit to enable 
teams to assess their workplace mental health 
and develop action plans to address any 
concerns. Our mental health champions 
programme continues to grow and we  
now have over 580 trained mental health 
first aiders. 

For more information on our 
safety performance, including 
TRI rates, see the Safety, Ethics 
& Sustainability Committee 
Report, pages 105 to 110.

Accelerating diversity 
& inclusion
Improving diversity & inclusion remains  
a strategic priority for the Group. During 
2019, we have refreshed our strategy and 
associated policies and sought to accelerate 
progress in its implementation. Our approach 
focuses on four key areas: leadership and 
governance; attraction and recruitment; 
retention; and development. 

We continue to leverage external partners 
to substantiate our approach, including 

participation in the Women in Aviation and 
Aerospace Charter; National Action Council 
for Minority Engineers; and the General 
Counsel Diversity Charter. 

Our Executive Team currently comprises  
nine members, all of whom are male.  
The Group has a 2020 gender diversity 
target for the Executive Team of 23%.  
The detailed succession plan for the 
Executive Team currently comprises 44% 
females (2018: 35%). The Executive Team, 
Company Secretary and their direct reports 
comprise 82 individuals, 21 (26%) of whom 
are female. Currently 20% of our ELG  
are female (2018: 14.7%), as are half our  
Board apprentices. 

In 2019, we revised our diversity & inclusion 
and anti-bullying and harassment policies  
to align to our strategy and values and 
behaviours. Our policies ensure that all 
employees, regardless of gender, race, 
religion, physical abilities or any other 
characteristics, are treated with dignity and 
respect, and feel safe and empowered to 
work without fear of bullying and harassment. 

We give full and fair consideration to all 
employment applications from people with 
disabilities and support disabled employees 
in the workplace, helping them to make best 
use of their skills and expertise to reach 
their full potential. 

For more information on the 
Board diversity policy, see 
Nominations & Governance 
Committee Report, page 78. 

STRATEGIC REPORT48

Strategic Report
Sustainability – People and Culture

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Progress against our 2020 targets
We are taking deliberate action to create a 
more balanced and representative employee 
population, in which everyone can be at their 
best. We have targets in place to increase 
the representation of women at all levels by 
the end of 2020. These are supported by 
additional local and business targets to 
address local diversity challenges. We are 
currently working towards developing a 
new set of diversity targets out to 2025,  
to be published during 2020. 

Female employee population 1

Female senior manager population 2

2020

TARGET

17%

2020

TARGET

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

16% (8,300)

15.5% (8,300)

15.1% (7,400)

14.8% (7,400)

15.2% (7,700)

14.8% (8,000)

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

25%

20% (19)

14.7% (13)

13.6% (18)

11.4% (16)

7.3% (14)

6.7% (12) 

Female graduate population 3

Female high potentials population 3

Due to the introduction of the new employee 
engagement survey, Gallup Q12, we no longer 
measure a separate inclusiveness score. 
This is now embedded within our broader 
measures of employee engagement, linked 
to our remuneration approach. 

For more information on our 
employee engagement measure, 
see KPIs on page 15.

2020

TARGET

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

30%

30%

26%

23%

24%

26%

25%

2020

TARGET

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

30%

30%

26%

25%

25%

25%

24%

1 

2 

  Employee headcount data is calculated as the average number of full time equivalents throughout the year. Certain joint ventures are classified as joint operations, 1,300 
employees associated with joint operations are not included within our overall headcount or diversity data. 
 Senior manager population for 2018 and 2019 is calculated as Executive Team and ELG population (2019 total: 94, 2018 total: 88), prior years data refers to the senior leadership 
team that was replaced by the ELG through restructuring in 2018.

3  The graduate and high potentials targets refer to the percentage of employees on these development programmes as at 31 December each year.

BUILDING A 
DIVERSE TALENT 
PIPELINE

We continue to focus on 
early careers recruitment 
as an opportunity to bring 
more diverse talent into  
the organisation. 

In 2019, 184 graduates and 
353 apprentices joined 
Rolls-Royce on early career 
development programmes. 
These provide a vital 
pipeline of talent into 
engineering and other 
functions, including 
finance, procurement and  
project management. 

Our graduate intake was 
32% female (2018: 32%). 
Apprentice starters were 
16% female (2018: 21%), this 
decline was driven in part 
by the fact we only 
recruited engineering 
apprentices this year. 

 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Sustainability – Ethics and Compliance

49

ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

Maintaining high standards of ethics and compliance are fundamental to 
our continued success. We work hard to create a working environment 
where everyone at Rolls-Royce and everyone we work with can be at  
their best. 

We are committed to maintaining the highest 
ethical standards and have a suite of global 
policies and processes in place to avoid any 
potential complicity in misconduct. 

Our Code of Conduct (Our Code) and 
associated policies set out the values and 
behaviours we expect everyone to 
demonstrate. They also provide guidance 
on how to apply these principles in our daily 
decisions. In 2019, 99% of managers certified 
their commitment to adhere to the principles 
set out in Our Code (2018: 99%). We flow 
these principles to our suppliers through 
our Supplier Code of Conduct. All suppliers 
are contractually required to adhere to this, 
or a mutually agreed alternative. 

We encourage speaking up in the event of 
a question or concern and provide a variety 
of channels through which to do so. For 
example, we now have 150 employees 
trained as local ethics advisors who can  
act as first point of call. During the year, we 
have focused on supporting our leadership 
population in how to listen to someone 
raising a concern and how to follow up. 

We have a zero tolerance approach to 
misconduct of any kind and will take 

disciplinary action, up to and including 
dismissal, in the event of a breach of Our 
Code. In 2019, 85 employees (2018: 59) left 
the business for reasons related to breaches 
of Our Code. 

Anti-bribery and corruption
Our Code and associated policies clearly 
set out our commitment not to tolerate 
bribery or corruption of any form. In 2019, 
our ongoing anti-corruption programme 
focused particularly on managing conflicts 
of interest and confidential information. 
This has targeted training for higher-risk 
teams and individuals. 

In addition, we have continued to strengthen 
our anti-bribery due diligence approach. 
The level of due diligence activity carried 
out is dependent on the level of risk that  
a particular third party provides and may 
include in-person interviews and site visits, 
as well as external due diligence reports 
from specialist corporate intelligence 
providers. We also conduct extensive due 
diligence into potential joint ventures as 
well as supporting existing joint ventures  
in their ethics and compliance programmes.

Human rights and anti-slavery
Our commitment to protecting and 
preserving the human rights of our 
employees, and those whom may be 
impacted by our business operations or 
supply chain, is embedded within Our 
Code, our Human Rights policy and our 
Supplier Code of Conduct. 

Our approach to identifying and assessing 
modern slavery risk is embedded within 
our broader risk management approach. 
Due diligence is embedded within our 
operating systems and processes, including 
recruitment and procurement processes. 

More information on our approach 
can be found in our anti-slavery  
and human trafficking statement, 
available at www.rolls-royce.com.

For more information on our ethics 
approach see the Safety, Ethics & 
Sustainability Committee Report, 
pages 105 to 110.

TREATING OTHERS WITH 
DIGNITY AND RESPECT

This year’s mandatory ethics training 
focused on treating others with dignity 
and respect, linked to our anti-bullying 
and harassment campaign.

This comprised individual study and 
team discussions on real-life cases of 
bullying and harassment experienced  
in the Group. 97% of in-scope 
employees completed the training 
(2018: 98%). 

We have strengthened our 
investigation process for allegations 
related to bullying and harrassment. 
During the year, five employees  
left the organisation as a result of  
these investigations. 

STRATEGIC REPORT50

Strategic Report
Principal Risks

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our risk and internal  
control system
The Board has established procedures  
to manage risk and oversee the risk 
management system (RMS). The Board has 
also established procedures to determine 
the nature and extent of the principal  
and emerging risks the Group is willing to 
take in order to optimise its commercial 
opportunities and achieve its long-term 
strategic objectives. The Audit Committee 
reviews the Group’s internal financial controls 
which form a subset of the broader set of 
controls, and also reviews the RMS and its 
effectiveness. During the year, the Board 
completed a robust assessment of both  
our principal and emerging risks.

Our RMS is designed to identify and manage, 
rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives and to provide 
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

How we manage risk
Risks are identified by individuals across all 
businesses and functions and at many layers 
of the organisation by considering what could 
stop us achieving our strategic, operational 
or compliance objectives or impact the 
sustainability of our business model. Risk 
owners assess the risks, likelihood and impact, 
taking into account current mitigating 
control activities, identifying where additional 
activities may be needed to bring the risk 
within our risk appetite. Risk owners take 

into account the effectiveness of current 
mitigating control activities in their 
assessment, supported by different assurance 
providers including internal audit. These 
considerations are recorded using a variety 
of systems and tools depending on the risk 
area. Risk owners bring the results of their 
assessment, current risk status and action 
plans to business, function and other 
management review forums as often  
as is required depending on the nature  
of the risk, for support, challenge and 
oversight. These forums include the monthly 
Executive Team and regular Board and 
Board committee meetings.

During the year, we continued to refine  
our risk appetite metrics and to use these 
more systematically in concluding on the 
effectiveness of mitigating activities. We 
also continued to strengthen the controls 
in place over risks at remote sites. Our 
plans for 2020 include simplification of our 
risk policies and guidance and additional 
support for risk owners in assessing the 
effectiveness of mitigating control activities.

Principal risks
Our principal risks are identified and 
managed in the same way. Principal risks 
are owned by at least one member of the 
Executive Team and subject to a deep dive 
at an Executive Team meeting at least once 
each year, before a review by the Board  
or a Board committee. The Board has 
completed a review of the principal risks 
and concluded that there are no changes 

Our risk and internal control system

Risk 
Management

Risks facing the business are identified and 
assessed on a regular basis.

Internal 
control

Internal controls are designed and deployed 
to mitigate these risks to an accepted level.

Assurance

Assurance activities assess whether the 
controls are effective and risks are mitigated 
to an acceptable level in practice.

in nature except for the elevation of the 
risk of climate change as described below. 
A description of all of the principal risks, 
how we manage them, the main mitigating 
control activities, the change in status and 
how these underpin our priorities is set  
out on pages 51 to 54.

Emerging risks
Our emerging risks are also identified and 
managed this way. As we committed last year, 
given the additional focus on emerging risks 
this year, we have introduced additional 
activities to identify emerging risks. These 
include workshops, facilitated together with 
the central strategy team, and the use of an 
app, developed with digital support by  
R² Data Labs, to collect insight from diverse 
stakeholder groups across the organisation. 
Questions were posed to identify items that 
could translate into longer-term issues or 
opportunities, beyond the period considered 
for viability, that could significantly impact 
or challenge our current strategy and 
business model.

Any risks identified have been recorded  
in RMS and are being managed and 
monitored alongside our existing risks.

Following the UK’s exit from the European 
Union on 31 January 2020, we continue to 
monitor the potential outcomes for the UK’s 
future relationship with the EU through our 
steering group which has remained active 
during 2019 and will remain active until the 
outcome is clear and any necessary mitigation 
plans are in place. We model potential impacts 
and include these in our assessment of 
strategic, operational and compliance risks, 
adjusting mitigation plans where necessary 
including where we build or hold inventory, 
testing additional logistics options and 
reviewing supplier readiness. We ensure 
regular dialogue takes place with all 
stakeholders including customers, suppliers, 
employees, governments and regulatory 
agencies. The Board is regularly updated 
on the latest risk assessment and  
mitigating activities.

Growing appreciation of the potential impact 
of climate change on the environment 
combined with our position as a global leader 
in the manufacture, service and operation 
of assets that are dependent on the use of 
fossil fuels, has increased our exposure to a 
wide variety of climate-related risks. In light 
of this, we have included the risk of climate 
change to future revenue growth as an 
additional principal risk. More detail on 
how we manage this, the main mitigating 
control activities and how these underpin 
our priorities is set out on page 52.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Principal Risks

51

2019 Group priorities

Change in risk level in 2019

1

3

Customers

People and culture

2

4

Technology

Financial progress

Increased

Static

Decreased

New risk

PRINCIPAL RISK OR UNCERTAINTY 

HOW WE MANAGE IT

KEY CONTROLS

CHANGE

PRIORITY

1  
2  
3  

1  
3  
4  

SAFETY

Failure to meet the expectations of:  
i) our customers to provide safe products; 
or ii) the people who work for or with 
us to provide a safe and healthy place 
of work which minimises the impact on 
the environment; would adversely 
affect our reputation and long-term 
sustainability. 

We manage product safety by:
 — Ensuring clear accountability for safety and a culture 

that puts safety first.

 — Applying our engineering design and validation process 
from initial design, through production and into service 
to reduce the safety risks so far as is reasonably 
practicable; always ensuring that we meet or  
exceed the relevant company, legal, regulatory  
and industry requirements. 

 — Operating a safety management system, governed 

by the product safety assurance board, and subject 
to continual improvement based on review of existing 
and emerging threats, experience, and industry 
best practice. 

 — Ensuring that our products and those of our suppliers 

conform to their specifications.

 — Ensuring that everyone receives appropriate product 

safety awareness training.

We manage people’s safety and wellbeing by:
 — Ensuring clear accountability for HSE and a culture 

that puts operating safely first.

 — Refreshing our global HSE policy and introducing  

our Zero Harm programme.

 — Operating an HSE management system, including 
reporting, investigating and learning lessons  
from incidents.

 — Driving sustainable use of resources.

This principal is subject to review by the Safety,  
Ethics & Sustainability Committee.

For the safety  
of our products:
 — Company product 
safety assurance 
committee

 — Business product 
safety committee

 — Quality compliance 

audit

 — Engineering 

technical audit

 — Crisis management 

team

For people’s safety 
and wellbeing:
 — HSE management 

system

 — HSE accountability 

framework

 — HSE committee

 — Crisis management 

team

 — Environment & 
sustainability 
committee

BUSINESS 
CONTINUITY

The major disruption of the Group’s 
operations, which results in our failure 
to meet agreed customer commitments 
and damages our prospects of winning 
future orders. Disruption could be 
caused by a range of events, for example: 
extreme weather or natural hazards (for 
example, earthquakes, floods); political 
events; financial insolvency of a critical 
supplier; scarcity of materials; loss of 
data; fire; or infectious disease. The 
consequences of these events could 
have adverse impact on our people, 
our internal facilities or our external 
supply chain.

 — Sustaining investment in adequate capacity, modern 
equipment and facilities, dual sources of supply and 
researching alternative materials.

 — Promoting and developing resilience within our 

external supplier partners.

 — Providing a supplier finance programme in partnership 
with banks to enable our suppliers to benefit from  
the Rolls-Royce credit rating and access funds at low 
interest rates.

 — Building a resilient culture through flexible and  

collaborative working, using our single Group-wide  
incident management framework. 

 — Developing, maintaining and regularly exercising 

effective business continuity and crisis management 
plans to prepare our people to respond quickly and 
confidently to any business disruption.

 — Sharing lessons learned identified through exercises 

or incidents. 

 — Incident 

management 
framework

 — Business  
continuity 
readiness 
assessment 

 — External supplier 
audits and robust 
contractual 
agreements

 — Training and 
exercising in 
incident response 
and recovery

 — Environment & 
sustainability 
committee

 — Scanning the horizon to provide awareness of 

emerging risks/potential incidents.

This principal risk is subject to review by the  
Audit Committee.

STRATEGIC REPORT52

Strategic Report
Principal Risks

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

PRINCIPAL RISK OR UNCERTAINTY 

HOW WE MANAGE IT

KEY CONTROLS

CHANGE

PRIORITY

1  
2  
3  
4  

1  
2  
4  

3  
4  

CLIMATE CHANGE

Understanding the impact of climate 
change and our products increases our 
susceptibility to physical and transitional 
climate-related risks. We will need to 
transition our products and services to 
a lower carbon economy. Failure to 
consider changes in atmospheric 
conditions could result in changes in 
maintenance and overhaul requirements, 
affecting revenues generated by our 
in-service fleet and jeopardising the 
viability of a services-based business 
model. Failure to transition from 
carbon-intensive products and services 
at pace could impact our ability to win 
future business; achieve operating results; 
attract and retain talent; secure access 
to funding; realise future growth 
opportunities; or force government 
intervention to limit emissions.

COMPETITIVE 
ENVIRONMENT

The presence of competitors in the 
majority of our markets means that  
the Group is susceptible to significant 
price pressure for original equipment 
or services. Our main competitors 
have access to significant government 
funding programmes as well as the 
ability to invest heavily in technology 
and industrial capability. Disruptive 
technologies or new entrants with 
alternative business models could  
also reduce our ability to sustainably 
win future business, achieve operating 
results and realise future growth 
opportunities.

COMPLIANCE

Non-compliance by the Group with 
legislation, the terms of the DPAs or 
other regulatory requirements in the 
heavily regulated environment in 
which we operate (for example, export 
controls; use of controlled chemicals 
and substances; anti-bribery and 
corruption; and tax and customs 
legislation). This could affect our 
ability to conduct business in certain 
jurisdictions and would potentially 
expose the Group to: reputational 
damage; financial penalties; debarment 
from government contracts for a period  
of time; and suspension of export 
privileges (including export credit 
financing), each of which could have  
a material adverse effect.

 — Strategic reviews
 — Science & 

Technology 
Committee

 — Environment and 
sustainability 
committee

 — Investment in our existing product range to reduce its 
carbon impact, and in zero carbon technologies to 
replace our existing products.

 — Partnering programme to introduce the skills, capability 
and hunger to rapidly develop class-leading solutions.

 — Seeking a balanced portfolio of products, customers 

and revenue streams to reduce our dependence on any 
one product, customer or carbon emitting fuel source.

 — Clear communication and acknowledgment of our role 
in the problem and the solution, and the actions we are 
taking to enact a credible plan of action in line with 
societal expectations.

This principal risk is subject to review by the Board and 
the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee.

 — Horizon scanning for emerging technology and other 

 — Financial 

competitive threats, including patent searches. 

 — Establishing our Innovation Hub to invest in innovation, 
manufacturing and production, and ensure continuing 
governance of technology programmes.

 — Enhancing our capabilities to access, invest in and 
develop key technologies and innovative service 
offerings which differentiate us competitively.

 — Improving the quality, delivery and durability of our 

products and services through investment in innovation, 
manufacturing and production capabilities.

 — Forming strategic partnerships and conducting joint 

performance 
review

 — Strategic planning 

process

 — Investment review 

committee

 — Science & 

Technology 
Committee

 — Data Security 
Committee

research programmes with our partners.

 — Driving down cost to improve margins.

 — Protecting credit lines.

 — Strengthening our balance sheet to enable access  
to cost-effective sources of third party funding.

This principal risk is subject to review by the Board.

 — Taking an uncompromising approach to compliance.

 — Governance model

 — Compliance  
and export  
control teams

 — Governance team

 — Legal team

 — Operating an extensive compliance programme.  

Global mandatory policies, processes and training are 
disseminated throughout the Group and are updated 
from time to time to ensure their continued relevance, 
and to ensure that they are complied with, both in 
spirit and to the letter.

 — Regular reviews of the strength of relevant teams 
including the ethics, anti-bribery and corruption, 
compliance, tax, sustainability and export control teams. 

 — A legal team is in place to manage any ongoing 

regulatory investigations.

 — Engaging with all relevant external regulatory authorities.

 — Implementing a comprehensive REACH compliance 
programme. This includes ensuring that we and our 
supply chain are covered by REACH authorisations  
for a number of chemicals needed for our products, 
establishing appropriate data systems and processes 
and working with our suppliers, customers and  
trade associations.

This principal risk is subject to review by the Safety, 
Ethics & Sustainability Committee.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Principal Risks

53

PRINCIPAL RISK OR UNCERTAINTY 

HOW WE MANAGE IT

KEY CONTROLS

CHANGE

PRIORITY

1  
2  
3  

1  
2  
4  

4  

CYBER THREAT

An attempt to cause harm to the 
Group, its customers, suppliers and 
partners through the unauthorised 
access, manipulation, corruption,  
or destruction of data, systems or 
products through cyberspace.

 — Implementing defence in depth through deployment  
of multiple layers of software and processes including 
web gateways, filtering, firewalls, intrusion, advanced 
persistent threat detectors and integrated reporting.

 — Running security and network operations centres.

 — Actively sharing cyber security information through 

industry, government and security forums.

 — Data Security 
Committee

 — IT executive

 — Product cyber 

security working 
groups in high  
risk areas

 — Information and product assurance processes.

 — Information 

MAJOR PRODUCT 
PROGRAMME 
DELIVERY

Failure to deliver a major programme  
on time, within budget, to technical 
specification or falling significantly  
short of customer expectations, or  
not delivering the planned business 
benefits, would have potentially 
significant adverse financial and 
reputational consequences, including 
the risk of impairment of the carrying 
value of the Group’s intangible assets 
and the impact of potential litigation.

MARKET AND 
FINANCIAL SHOCK

The Group is exposed to a number of 
market risks, some of which are of a 
macro-economic nature (for example, 
foreign currency, oil price, interest 
rates) and some of which are more 
specific to the Group (for example, 
liquidity and credit risks, reduction in 
air travel or disruption to other customer 
operations). Significant extraneous 
market events could also materially 
damage the Group’s competitiveness 
and/or creditworthiness. This would 
affect operational results or the 
outcomes of financial transactions.

 — Training and awareness to improve cyber  

security culture.

This principal risk is subject to review by the  
Audit Committee through its Data Security Committee.

assurance and 
engineering 
processes

 — Crisis management 

team

 — Major programmes are subject to Board approval.

 — Reviewing major programmes at levels and frequencies 
appropriate to their criticality and performance, against 
key financial and non-financial deliverables and 
potential risks throughout the programmes lifecycle.

 — Investing in facilities and people to manage the level  

 — Rolls-Royce 
management 
system

 — Operational 
performance 
review

of disruption to our customers from Trent 1000 in-service 
issues and developing longer-term solutions to  
these issues.

 — Project audit and 
risk assurance 
reviews

 — Conducting technical audits at pre-defined points 
which are performed by a team that is independent 
from the programme.

 — Gated business 
and technical 
reviews

 — Requiring programmes to address the actions arising 

 — Quality compliance 

from reviews and audits and monitoring and controlling 
progress through to closure.

audit

 — Quality committee

 — Applying knowledge management principles to 

provide benefit to current and future programmes.

This principal risk is subject to review by the Board.

 — Maintaining a strong balance sheet, through managing 

 — Financial 

performance 
review

 — Financial risk 
committee

 — Operational 
performance 
review

 — Group finance, 
treasury and  
tax teams

cash balances and debt levels.

 — Providing financial flexibility by maintaining high levels 

of liquidity and an investment grade credit rating.

 — Sustaining a balanced portfolio through earning 

revenue both from the sale of original equipment and 
aftermarket services, providing a broad product range 
and addressing diverse markets that have differing 
business cycles.

 — Deciding where and what currencies to source in, and 
where and how much credit risk is extended or taken. 
The Group has a number of treasury policies that are 
designed to hedge residual risks using financial 
derivatives (foreign exchange, interest rates and 
commodity price risk).

 — Review debt financing and hedging in light of volatility 
in external financial markets caused by external events, 
such as Brexit or other geopolitical changes.

This principal risk is subject to review by the  
Audit Committee.

STRATEGIC REPORT54

Strategic Report
Principal Risks

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

PRINCIPAL RISK OR UNCERTAINTY 

HOW WE MANAGE IT

KEY CONTROLS

CHANGE

PRIORITY

POLITICAL RISK

Geopolitical factors that lead to an 
unfavourable business climate and 
significant tensions between major 
trading parties or blocs which could 
impact the Group’s operations. 
Examples include: changes in key 
political relationships; explicit trade 
protectionism, differing tax or 
regulatory regimes, potential for 
conflict or broader political issues;  
and heightened political tensions.

STRATEGIC 
TRANSFORMATION

Failure to deliver our strategic 
transformation, including changing 
our behaviours could result in: missed 
opportunities; dissatisfied customers; 
disengaged employees; ineffective use 
of our scarce resources; and increasing 
the likelihood of other principal risks 
occurring. This could lead to a business 
that is overly dependent on a small 
number of products and customers; 
failure to achieve our vision; non-
delivery of financial targets; and  
not meeting investor expectations.

TALENT AND 
CAPABILITY

Inability to identify, attract, retain and 
apply the critical capabilities and skills 
needed in appropriate numbers to 
effectively organise, deploy and 
incentivise our people would threaten 
the delivery of our strategies, business 
plans and projects.

1  
2  
3  
4  

1  
2  
3  
4  

1  
2  
3  
4  

 — Where possible, diversifying our global operations to 

avoid excessive concentration of risks in particular areas.

 — Global government 
relations network

 — The Group’s businesses, strategic marketing network 
and global government relations teams proactively 
monitoring local situations.

 — Group tax and 
export control 
teams

 — We develop and maintain relationships with governments 
and stakeholders and proactively influence policy, 
regulation and legislation where it affects us.

 — Steering committee to co-ordinate activities across 

the Group and minimise the impact of Brexit. 

 — Strategic planning 

process

 — Brexit steering 
committee

This principal risk is subject to review by the Board.

 — Implementing a new organisational operating model.

 — Executive Team

 — Focusing on behaviours to drive cultural change.

 — Gated reviews

 — Simplifying the processes in our Rolls-Royce 

management system, whilst ensuring we comply with 
our legal, contractual and regulatory requirements. 

 — Horizon scanning and scenario planning. 

 — Investing in products with lower emissions, reducing 

our impact on climate change.

 — Employee innovation portal.

This principal risk is subject to review by the Board and 
the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee.

 — Remuneration 
Committee

 — Executive Team

 — ELG 

 — People leadership 

team

 — Attracting, rewarding and retaining the right people 
with the right skills globally and locally in a planned  
and targeted way, including regular benchmarking  
of remuneration.

 — Developing and enhancing organisational, leadership, 

technical and functional capability to deliver  
global programmes.

 — Continuing a strong focus on individual development 
and succession planning, recognising the changing 
nature of careers and expectations of work.

 — Proactively monitoring retirement in key areas and 

actively managing the development and career paths 
of our people with a special focus on employees with 
the highest potential.

 — Embedding a lean, agile, high-performance culture 

where everyone can be at their best that tightly aligns 
Group strategy with individual and team objectives.

 — Incentivising and effectively deploying the critical 

capabilities, skills and people needed to deliver our 
strategic priorities, plans and projects whilst 
implementing the Group’s major programme  
to transform its business, to be resilient and to act  
with pace and simplicity.

 — Tracking engagement through regular employee 

opinion surveys and a commitment to drive  
year-on-year improvement to employee engagement.

This principal risk is subject to review by the  
Nominations & Governance Committee.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
Going Concern and Viability Statements

55

 — the Group’s medium and long-term 

financing plans are designed to allow for 
periods of adverse conditions in world 
capital markets but not a prolonged period  
(say 12 months) where debt markets were 
effectively closed to the Group and the 
RCF not available;

 — that in the event of one or more risks 

occurring, which has a particularly severe 
effect on the Group, all potential actions, 
such as constraining capital spending 
and reducing or suspending payments to 
shareholders, would be taken on a timely 
basis. The Group believes it has the early 
warning mechanisms to identify the  
need for such actions and the ability  
to implement them on a timely basis  
if necessary; and

 — that implausible scenarios, whether 

involving multiple risks occurring at the 
same time or the impact of individual 
risks occurring that cannot be mitigated 
by management actions to the degree 
assumed, do not occur.

GOING CONCERN AND  
VIABILITY STATEMENTS

Introduction

Viability

Rolls-Royce operates an annual planning 
process. Our plans and risks to their 
achievement are reviewed by the Board and, 
once approved, are cascaded throughout 
the Group and are used as the basis for 
monitoring our performance, incentivising 
employees and providing external guidance 
to our shareholders.

The viability assessment considers solvency 
and liquidity over a longer period than the 
going concern assessment. Consistent with 
previous years, we have assessed our viability 
over a five-year period which is in line with 
our five-year medium-term planning process. 
Inevitably, the degree of certainty reduces 
over this longer period.

The processes for identifying and managing 
risk are described on pages 50 to 54. As 
described on these pages, the risk 
management process, and the going 
concern and viability statements, are 
designed to provide reasonable but not 
absolute assurance.

Going concern

The going concern assessment considers 
whether it is appropriate to prepare the 
financial statements on a going concern 
basis. The Board has also considered the 
net liability position at 31 December 2019 
and the going concern status of the Group’s 
material subsidiaries.

As described on page 204, the Group meets 
its funding requirements through a mixture 
of shareholders’ funds, bank borrowings, 
bonds and notes. At 31 December 2019, the 
Group had borrowing facilities of £5.6bn 
(excluding lease liabilities of £2.4bn) and total 
liquidity of £6.9bn, including cash and cash 
equivalents of £4.4bn and undrawn facilities 
of £2.5bn. £435m of the facilities mature in 
2020 (excluding lease liabilities of £340m).

The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking 
into account reasonably possible changes 
in trading performance, show that the Group 
has sufficient financial resources. The 
Directors have reasonable expectations that 
the Company and the Group are well placed 
to manage business risks and to continue  
in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future (which accounting standards require 
to be at least a year from the date of this 
report) and have not identified any material 
uncertainties to the Company’s and the 
Group’s ability to do so. 

On the basis described above, the Directors 
consider it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (in accordance with 
the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial and Business 
Reporting published by the FRC in 
September 2014).

In making the assessment, severe but 
plausible scenarios have been considered 
that estimate the potential impact of principal 
risks arising over the assessment period, for 
example: the loss of a key element of the 
supply chain, the impact on aircraft travel 
of a global pandemic, a trade war between 
major trading blocs or worsening or new 
in-service issues on Civil Aerospace 
programmes. 

The scenarios assume an appropriate 
management response to the specific event, 
but not broader mitigating actions which 
could be undertaken, which have been 
considered separately. The cash flow 
impacts of these scenarios were overlaid  
on the five-year forecast to assess how the 
Group’s liquidity and solvency would be 
affected. Reverse stress testing has also 
been performed to assess the severity of 
scenario that would have to occur to 
exceed headroom, including a scenario 
where existing borrowing facilities could 
not be refinanced as they mature.

The assessment took account of the Group’s 
current funding, forecast requirements and 
existing committed borrowing facilities.

On the basis described above, the Board 
confirms that it has a reasonable expectation 
that the Company will be able to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the next five years.

In making this statement, the Directors have 
made the following key assumptions:

 — that maturing facilities, including the 

Group’s revolving credit facility (RCF),  
will be refinanced and the Group is  
able to drawdown its existing facilities  
as required;

 — the Group currently has access to global 
debt markets and expects to be able to 
refinance these facilities on commercially 
acceptable terms;

STRATEGIC REPORT56 Strategic report

s172 Statement

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

s172 STATEMENT

The Board believes that, individually 
and together, they have acted in the 
way they consider, in good faith, would 
be most likely to promote the success 
of the Company for the benefit of its 
members as a whole, having regard to 
the stakeholders and matters set out in 
s172(1)(a–f) of the Companies Act 2006 
in the decisions taken during the year 
ended 31 December 2019.

This illustration sets out the Board’s 
approach to decision making, its 
stakeholder engagement, why its 
stakeholders matter and some key 
decisions made during 2019. To give 
greater understanding to this, we have 
provided clear cross-referencing to 
where more detailed information can 
be found in this Annual Report. 

The Board’s approach
We remain a particularly active Board, seeking 
opportunities outside the boardroom to find out what is 
happening across the organisation

Purpose, vision and strategy (see page 10)
 — clearly articulated purpose recognising our role in society
 — corporate narrative aligned with both vision and strategy

Group policies (see page 40)
 — annual review of Group policies
 — new mandatory training introduced in 2019 (see page 1110)

Culture and people (see page 45)
 — review of the culture change agenda (see page 67)
 — Code of Conduct clearly communicated and enforced  

(see page 49)

 — continued support for the people framework  

(see page 45)

Board’s structure (see page 65)
 — role of the Board and its matters reserved,  

reviewed annually

 — clear focus of the Board’s committees, annual review  

of terms of reference

 — clearly defined roles and responsibilities for Board 

members and the Company Secretary

‘freedom within a framework’ (see page 61)
 — communication of freedom within a framework culture
 — Rolls-Royce management system simplification
 — new decision rights model

Risk and internal control framework – see page 50 
 — all risks and mitigating actions subject to a detailed annual 

review at Board level (see pages 68 and 80)

 — reviewed process for the preparation of both going 

concern and viability statements (see page 55)

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report
s172 Statement

57

OUR PURPOSE
At Rolls-Royce we pioneer the power that matters to connect, power 
and protect society

DELIVERED WITH INTEGRITY
We discuss how we maintain high standards of ethics and compliance 
and their fundamental importance to our continued success on page 49

Our stakeholder engagement 
Our activities are global and complex. Touching upon a wide 
variety of stakeholders, we aim to create trusted relationships  
to understand the needs of all our stakeholders so we can 
continue to deliver value and build a resilient business

See page 70 for the Board’s engagement with our stakeholders. 
See page 12 for our business model

Customers
Focusing on the needs of our customers is critical to the success 
of our business. We maintain a high degree of customer intimacy 
in order to anticipate and understand the future power needs of 
our customers, building on our years of experience in delivering 
for our markets. We collaborate and innovate with our customers 
to improve product performance and value

Investors
Continued access to capital is vital to the long-term performance 
of our business. We work to ensure that our investors and 
investment analysts have a strong understanding of our strategy, 
performance, ambition and culture

Employees
Employee engagement is critical to our success. We work to 
create a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee 
can reach their full potential and be at their best. We engage with 
our people to ensure we are delivering to their expectations, 
supporting wellbeing and making the right business decisions.  
This ensures we can retain and develop the best talent

Our principal decisions during 2019
More discussion on these decisions can be found in the Board 
focus on page 67

UK pensions review (see pages 47 and 67)
 — transfer of certain pension risk liability and balance  

sheet impact

 — changes to the defined benefit pension scheme for  

UK managers

Climate change impact (see pages 52 and 68)
 — elevation of risk of climate change to future revenue growth 

New midsize airplane platform (NMA)
 — withdrawal from engine competition to power Boeing’s NMA 

platform (see page 67)

 — continue to focus on our UltraFan demonstrator programme 

(see page 26)

Trent 1000 mitigation actions (see pages 8 and 68)
 — strong focus on customer and accounting impact of technical 
and operational challenges including risks to the programme
 — increased stock of spare engines and accelerated growth in the 

MRO network to meet long-term servicing demands

Partners
Our external supply chain and our suppliers are vital to our 
performance. We engage with them to build trusting relationships 
from which we can mutually benefit and to ensure they are 
performing to our standards and conducting business to  
our expectations

Enhanced capital allocation discipline 
 — set as a 2019 priority (see page 7)
 — agreed approach and overview of capital allocation as part  
of our freedom within a framework culture (see page 61)
 — strengthening the balance sheet and monitoring our credit 

rating risk (see page 17)

Communities
We are committed to building positive relations with the 
communities in which we operate. We support communities  
and groups, local and relevant to our operations, particularly 
educational outreach

Governing bodies and regulators
We engage with national governments, national/transnational 
agencies and key politicians and regulators to ensure that we  
can help shape policy, have licence to operate, attract funding, 
enable markets and ultimately win business. We work with 
governments globally where we have operations or future 
business opportunities

Payments to shareholders
 — continued policy and recommendation to shareholders of final 

shareholder payment (see page 5)

Strategic Report 
signed on behalf of the Board

Warren East 
Chief Executive

28 February 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT58

Directors’ Report
Compliance with the Code

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Our focus on the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018

Compliance with the 
UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018

The Company is subject to the 
principles and provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 
(the Code), a copy of which is 
available at www.frc.org.uk. For the 
year ended 31 December 2019, the 
Board considers that it has complied 
in full with the provisions of the Code 
with the exception of provision 32 
regarding Irene Dorner’s appointment 
as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee. An explanation of this 
can be found on page 59.

Composition, Succession  
and Evaluation

 — We have a clear process when 

considering appointments to the 
Board (see page 77).

 — As part of our focus on succession 
planning, we review the skills and 
attributes required.

 — Our Board biographies and related 

charts demonstrate the skills, 
experience and knowledge of our 
Directors (see pages 62 to 64).

 — In 2019, Belinda Hudson Limited 

carried out an annual evaluation of 
the Board. The methodology and 
progress can be found on page 74.

Board Leadership and  
Company Purpose

 — We believe our Board is 

particularly active. Our Directors’ 
report provides examples of our 
leadership and engagement with 
our stakeholders (see page 70).

 — We developed the corporate 
narrative during the year to 
further define and articulate the 
Group’s purpose (see page 67).

 — Our transformation programme is 
designed to ensure we have the 
right resources and skills to 
execute our strategy (see pages  
45 and 67).

 — Our Code and associated policies 
ensure our workforce can meet 
our expected values and 
behaviours. We encourage 
speaking up through our Ethics 
Line (see page 49).

Remuneration

 — Our remuneration policy has been 
revised this year and will be put to 
the shareholders for approval at 
our 2020 AGM. Key changes are 
set out on page 89 and clear links 
to our KPIs can be found on  
page 14.

 — The Remuneration Committee, 

comprising only NEDs, is 
responsible for developing  
the policy and determining 
executive and senior management 
remuneration. This is discussed  
in the Remuneration Report on 
page 85.

 — No Director is involved when 

deciding their own  
remuneration outcome.

Division of Responsibilities

 — We clearly define the roles of the 
Chairman and the Chief Executive 
and fully support the separation of 
the two roles. 

 — The Board believes it operates 
effectively with the appropriate 
balance of independent Non-
Executive Directors (NEDs) and 
executive directors (see pages  
62 to 64).

 — When considering external 

appointments for our NEDs, prior 
Board approval is required to 
ensure there is no compromise on 
time commitment (see page 77).

 — Our Board evaluation highlighted 
the quality of the information 
provided to the Board (see  
page 74).

Audit, Risk and  
Internal Control

 — We recognise the importance  
and benefits of ensuring both  
the internal audit function and  
the external auditors remain 
independent. See pages 83 to 84.

 — The Board presents a fair, 

balanced and understandable 
(FBU) assessment of the 
Company’s position and prospects. 
To enable us to do so, the Audit 
Committee review the processes 
used to prepare and verify the 
FBU statement (see page 81).

 — Our risk and control environment 

is reviewed by the Audit Committee. 
The Board considered both 
emerging and principal risks 
during the year (see page 68).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Chairman’s Introduction

59

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION  
TO DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

This means that all our employees are enabled 
to act with integrity and are able to speak 
up via our Ethics Line and to call on the 
support of their local ethics advisers. The 
Board reviewed the speak-up cases reported 
through the Ethics Line twice during the 
year. These are the subject of prior review 
by the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Committee, who support the Board in our 
deliberations in this area. You can read 
more about this on pages 67 and 1110.

HSE, occupational safety and wellbeing 
remain priorities for the Group. Whist there 
was improvement in some areas of the 
business, we were disappointed that the 
overall total reportable injury (TRI) rate 
remained flat year-on-year. This will be  
an area of particular focus in 2020.

Product safety has been an important issue 
for our industry this year. We have focused  
on our product safety training and on how 
safety risk is managed through a time of 
transformation. We continue to pursue  
our goal of continuous product safety 
improvement – this is fundamental to our 
licence to operate and to the sustainability  
of our business. 

For more information on D&I  
and employee engagement see  
People and Culture on page 45.

Board developments

We are very sorry that Ruth Cairnie stepped 
down from the Board at the end of 2019 to 
allow her more time to focus on her other 
commitments, following her appointment as 
chair of Babcock International Group PLC. 
Following Ruth’s departure, Irene Dorner was 
appointed as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, with effect from 1 January 2020. 
While we note the Code requirement that 
remuneration committee chairs should have 
served on a remuneration committee for at 
least 12 months prior to their appointment, 
we have every confidence that Irene has the 
appropriate experience and skills to carry out 
the role. She formally joined the 
Remuneration Committee on 1 August 2019. 
Irene is Employee Champion on the Board, 
a role she has held for three years. Her role 
on the Audit Committee over the last four 
years gives her excellent insights into the 
financial performance measures and targets 
for the long and short-term incentive 
schemes. She has also attended six 
Remuneration Committee meetings since 
joining the Board and is therefore familiar 
with the discussions and workings of the 
Committee. Irene also has experience of HR 

SIR IAN DAVIS
Chairman

Introduction

In early 2019, we considered the key trends 
in UK governance and this created a 
background for our discussions throughout 
the year. We recognised the increasing 
emphasis on corporate purpose, culture, 
risk and the scrutiny of financial, audit  
and ethical integrity. Environmental, social 
and governance (ESG) issues are areas  
of increasing importance to investors  
and society. There are more calls for 
democratisation of companies and boards 
particularly through emphasis on worker 
engagement and transparency of everything. 
We have responded by clearly articulating 
our purpose, with supporting communications 
to all key stakeholders. We have reviewed 
our plans to manage and mitigate our  
risks and we have found ways of assessing 
and calibrating culture and behaviours, 
maintaining focus through a period  
of transformation and restructuring.  
We have also spent time ensuring that our 
accountabilities and expectations are clearly 
articulated internally under our ‘freedom 
within a framework’ concept (see page 61).

Diversity & inclusion (D&I) remain a priority. 
We have high ambitions but also clear 
targets which are tracked by the Board to 
ensure they are achieved. Each member of 
the Executive Team has personal 
accountability for diversity in their own area. 
The Board is temporarily not meeting our 
stated Board diversity policy objective but 
we have a very clear aim to rectify this.

We remain a particularly active Board.  
We seek opportunities outside the 
boardroom to find out what is happening 
across the organisation and gain assurance 
that the Group is operating responsibly and 
effectively. You will see examples of this as 
you read through the Directors’ Report.

Corporate culture

We continue to create a working environment 
where every employee at Rolls-Royce is 
able to be at their best. As a Board, we take 
every opportunity to assess progress and 
impacts on culture and behaviour. This has 
included how we look at talent and succession 
(see page 77), governance initiatives  
(page 78), diversity and inclusion, employee 
engagement and our career framework 
(pages 67 and 71) in the Directors’ Report and 
the People and Culture report on page 45.

We rolled out anti-bullying and harassment 
training across the Group in reaction to a 
trend that was beginning to emerge from 
feedback to our Ethics Line in 2018 (see 
page 49).

Lord Gold presented his final report to the 
Serious Fraud Office in August 2019, in which 
he noted the exemplary progress made in 
improving the Company’s approach to ethics 
and anti-bribery and corruption compliance. 
This concludes Lord Gold’s work with us and 
I would like to thank him for his diligence and 
commitment which has helped us shape our 
ethics and compliance programmes. We are 
committed to continuing our communication 
and training to employees as well as our 
monitoring and assurance work. 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT60

Directors’ Report
Chairman’s Introduction

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

in her executive career having spent two 
years as general manager, human resources 
for a UK unionised workforce of 55,000 at 
HSBC. Irene joined Ruth to consult with 
shareholders on the remuneration policy 
that will be voted on by shareholders at the 
2020 AGM and both attended the joint 
briefing during the year on wider workforce 
engagement (see page 86). Irene stepped 
down from the Audit Committee in 
December 2019.

Ruth’s unexpected departure from the 
Board temporarily left us short of our own 
Board diversity targets. However, I am 
pleased that we have recently announced 
the appointment of Dame Angela Strank, 
currently chief scientist and head of 
downstream technology at BP and a 
member of their executive management 
team. Dame Angela will join our Board  
on 1 May 2020. 

Brad Singer also stepped down from the 
Board in December 2019. As a partner and 
chief operating officer of ValueAct Capital, 
he offered a valued external perspective 
during his time as a Director.

We have continued to push for increased 
financial and accounting transparency and 
the reports that follow demonstrate this.  
We have enhanced our Board expertise on 
finance and accounting with the appointment 
of George Culmer in January 2020.

Nick Luff will take over as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee following the 2020 AGM 
The Audit Committee looks at our principal 
risk regarding cyber threat and has formed 
a sub-committee focused on data security, 
on which both Nick and George sit. The 
sub-committee met for the first time in 
January 2020 and the Audit Committee 
look forward to hearing their insights during 
the course of the coming year.

We have decided to retain both Lewis 
Booth and Sir Frank Chapman for a further 
period. This is discussed on page 77.

ESG

We have raised the profile of environmental 
and sustainability issues and aligned the 
transparency on these issues across the 
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee 
and the Science & Technology Committee, 
as we said we would do last year. We also 
held our first ESG event in April with 
investors, on which you can read more on 
page 78. Sir Frank Chapman and I also 
attended executive-level committee meetings 
on the environment and sustainability, 
enabling us to gain deeper insights while 

visibly supporting management’s goals in 
these areas. Our purpose clearly reflects  
the important role we play in society with 
pioneering sustainable power (see page 10).

Governance

While the Directors have always engaged 
with and had the best interests of all our 
stakeholders at the centre of our discussions, 
the revisions to the Code in 2018 have 
brought the reporting into more focus  
and our activities as a Board are reported 
on page 67. In addition, each of our 
Non-Executive Directors does much to 
contribute and represent Rolls-Royce as 
they go around the world.

We have continued with our governance 
agenda and gave particular focus in 2019  
to our internal governance, developing and 
articulating our freedom within a framework 
concept. This defines the framework in 
which the businesses have the maximum 
freedom, responsibility and accountability 
for their performance. Within this are a set 
of core non-negotiables including common 
safety standards, Our Code and mandatory 
Group policies as well as our common 
approach to talent and performance 
management and processes, reward and 
career development. A key element of our 
transformation programme has been the 
simplification of the Rolls-Royce management 
system and the Board’s focus has been to 
ensure that the key principles which keep 
our products safe are retained. 

The framework supports the management 
focus on culture and behaviours by 
reinforcing the need for simplification and 
stripping out unnecessary duplication and 
bureaucracy, making accountabilities and 
expectations clear. You can read more 
about our framework on pages 61 and 78.

Looking forward

We will continue to focus on culture and 
behaviour as we look to stabilise the 
operational performance of the business 
and our cost base. While we pride ourselves 
on innovative governance, what drives us is 
the need for governance to fit the needs of 
the business and to ensure we add value in 
all that we do. We will continue to do this 
throughout 2020.

Sir Ian Davis 
Chairman

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Chairman’s Introduction

61

FREEDOM WITHIN  
A FRAMEWORK

The Executive Team has defined the 
framework in which the Businesses have  
the maximum freedom, responsibility and 
accountability for their performance.

The framework sets out how we are 
organised as a Group. Having the framework 
in place enables us to manage risk, drive 
critical business decisions and maintain 
standards across the Group. It means we can 
act with pace and confidence in a way that 
meets the expectations of our stakeholders.

The framework sets out the roles of the 
businesses, the Head Office, Group 
Businesses Services and the Innovation  
Hub and defines what we mean by 
empowered businesses.

Our people section sets out the capabilities, 
behaviours, competencies and values which 
enable us to deliver our strategy.

The governance model clarifies  
decision-making rights and points of 
accountability and includes a tool for all  
key decision-makers to access, to support 
them in their decision-making. It includes 
details of all governance bodies and 
decision-making committees within the 
Group that they may need to consult or seek 
approval from. It also provides access and an 
overview of our mandatory Group policies 
which define the requirements for all our 
people when they are carrying out their  
day-to-day activities, and sets out our risk 
management and internal control systems 
and assurance activities.

The Rolls-Royce management system 
(RRMS) promotes end-to-end value stream 
processes that standardise and simplify the 
way we deliver products and services across 
the Group – and it is an important strand in 
our governance of product safety.

Together, these are set within the context of 
our vision and strategy and also link to our 
business model. All our people can see how 
everything joins together and how they are 
contributing to one of the world’s leading 
industrial technology companies, connecting, 
powering and protecting society.

You can read more about our 
framework on pages 60 and 78.

Board

Executive Team

Head Of�ce

Civil
Aerospace

ITP
Aero

Power
Systems

Defence

Group Business Services

Innovation Hub

Our Purpose

Our Vision 
and Strategy

Role of the Group 
and the Business

Business Model

Our People

Governance
Model

Decision 
Rights

Group
Policies

Rolls-Royce 
management 
system
(RRMS)

DIRECTORS’ REPORT62

Directors’ Report
Board of Directors

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1

2

3

1. SIR IAN DAVIS 
Chairman of the Board 
Chairman, Nominations & Governance Committee

NG

Appointed to the Board in March 2013  
and as Chairman in May 2013. 

Career Sir Ian was a partner at McKinsey for  
31 years and, during his time, served as chairman 
and worldwide managing director. Sir Ian was 
knighted in 2019 for services to business. 

Board skills and experience Sir Ian brings 
significant financial and strategic experience and 
has worked with and advised global organisations 
and companies. This enables him to draw on 
knowledge of diverse issues and outcomes to 
assist the Board.

Other principal roles BP p.l.c., senior 
independent director; Johnson & Johnson Inc., 
non-executive director; McKinsey & Company, 
senior partner emeritus

2. WARREN EAST CBE
Chief Executive

Appointed to the Board in January 2014  
and as Chief Executive in July 2015. 

Career Warren is an engineer and joined  
ARM Holdings plc in 1994 where he was  
CEO from 2001 until 2013. He is a fellow of  
the Institute of Engineering and Technology;  
the Royal Academy of Engineering; the Royal 
Society; and the Royal Aeronautical Society.  
He was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services  
to the technology industry.

Board skills and experience Warren brings 
a deep understanding of technology and 
developing long-term partnerships. He also 
has proven strategic and leadership skills 
within a global business and a strong record 
of value creation.

Other principal roles ASML Holdings NV, 
member of the supervisory board (with effect 
from 22 April 2020)

3. STEPHEN DAINTITH
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed in April 2017. 

Career Stephen is a chartered accountant.  
His previous roles include CFO of Daily Mail  
and General Trust plc from 2011 to 2017. He was 
CFO and COO of Dow Jones in New York and CFO 
of News International in London, both part of 
News Corporation. Prior to this, he held executive 
positions at British American Tobacco p.l.c.

Board skills and experience Stephen has a 
strong understanding of international business 
and an appreciation for looking beyond numbers 
to help improve performance. His change 
management experience allows him to make  
a significant contribution to the long-term 
growth of the business.

Other principal roles 3i Group plc, 
non-executive director

Composition of the Board (at 28 February 2020)

Board skills and experience

Board members by gender

Balance of the Board

Female
3

Executive
Directors
2

11

11

8

8

8

8

6

6

6

6

3
3
Number of Directors with:
■  Chairman/CEO/CFO experience
Number of Directors with:
■  Related industry/operational 
■  Chairman/CEO/CFO experience
■  Financial
■  Related industry/operational 
■  Engineering/technology
■  Financial
■  Safety/regulatory/risk
■  Engineering/technology
■  Safety/regulatory/risk
■  Remuneration/HR
■  Remuneration/HR

Male
9

Non-Executive 
Directors
10

Board members by nationality *

Non-Executive Directors’ tenure

German
1

Singaporean
1

American
1

6–9 years
5

0–3 years
3

3–6 years
2

*  According to the Company’s Articles, at least  
50% of our Directors must be British citizens. 

British
9

 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Board of Directors

63

4

7

5

8

6

9

4. LEWIS BOOTH CBE 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Chairman, Audit Committee

NG  A   R

Appointed in May 2011. 

Career After gaining a bachelor of engineering 
degree with honours in mechanical engineering, 
Lewis began his career with British Leyland.  
He spent 34 years at Ford Motor Company 
including as executive vice president and CFO. 
He was awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to the 
UK automotive and manufacturing industries.

Board skills and experience Lewis has 
considerable financial expertise and experience, 
of great benefit to both the Board and in his role 
as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He brings a 
global perspective and is recognised as one 
of the strongest and most experienced 
international leaders in his sector. 

Other principal roles Mondelez International 
Inc., director

5. SIR FRANK CHAPMAN 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Chairman, Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Committee

NG  SES   ST

Appointed in November 2011. 

Career Sir Frank is a chartered engineer. With 
more than 40 years spent in the oil & gas sector, 
he was chief executive of BG Group plc for 12 years 
and chairman of Golar LNG Limited. He is a 
fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the 
Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Energy 
Institute. He was knighted in 2011 for services 
to the oil & gas industry.

Board skills and experience Sir Frank has an 
outstanding record of business achievement, a 
life-long passion for engineering and innovation 
and a deep understanding of technology. His 
significant industrial and safety experience are 
invaluable to the Board and its committees.

6. GEORGE CULMER  
Independent Non-Executive Director

NG  A   SES 

Appointed in January 2020.

Career George is a chartered accountant. 
Having started his career with Coopers & 
Lybrand, he has held senior financial positions 
with Prudential, Zurich Financial Services and 
RSA Insurance Group where he was chief 
financial officer. Until August 2019, George was 
CFO at Lloyds Banking Group, a position he held 
for 7 years. 

Board skills and experience George has 
significant experience gained in large, 
international, highly regulated groups and  
has proven business leadership credentials. 
Together with this, he brings to the Board  
and its committees change leadership and 
transformation experience gained from within 
complex groups.

Other principal roles NextDecade Corporation, 
non-executive director; Myeloma UK, vice chairman

Other principal roles Aviva plc, senior 
independent non-executive director

NG  R   SES 

8. BEVERLY GOULET 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Employee Champion, North America

 NG  A   R

9. LEE HSIEN YANG  
Independent Non-Executive Director

NG  A   SES 

7. IRENE DORNER 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee  
Employee Champion

Appointed in July 2015. 

Career Irene was CEO and president of HSBC, US 
until retiring in 2014. During her 30-year career 
with HSBC, she held a number of international 
roles including CEO of HSBC in Malaysia. Irene is 
an honorary fellow of St Anne’s College Oxford. 
She qualified as a barrister-at-law in London and 
from 2015 to 2016, was a consultant at PwC. 

Board skills and experience With a strong 
background in risk management, gained from 
the financial sector, Irene brings valuable insight 
as part of her role on our Board committees. As a 
passionate advocate of diversity & inclusion, she 
has embraced the role of Employee Champion 
and ensures the views of the workforce are 
properly reflected in the Board’s discussions.

Other principal roles Taylor Wimpey, chair; AXA 
SA, director; Control Risks Group, chair

Appointed in July 2017. 

Career Beverly, a US national, started her career 
as a securities and M&A lawyer and has spent a 
considerable amount of her career in the airline 
industry. From 1993, Beverly was a key member 
of the executive team of American Airlines where 
she served in a number of senior roles. 

Board skills and experience Beverly brings 
valuable knowledge and operational experience 
gained from within the airline sector. Together 
with her expertise in finance, treasury, strategy, 
legal and governance matters, she actively takes 
part in the development and strengthening of 
our business.

Other principal roles Xenia Hotels and Resorts 
Inc., non-executive director; Texas Women’s 
Foundation, board member; American Airlines 
Federal Credit Union, board chair; Rolls-Royce 
North America Holdings, Inc., board member

Appointed in January 2014. 

Career A Singaporean, Hsien Yang was chief 
executive of Singapore Telecommunications 
Limited for 12 years. He was a former member of 
the Rolls-Royce International Advisory Board, he 
served as chairman and non-executive director 
of Fraser and Neave Limited from 2007 to 2013 
and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority  
of Singapore.

Board skills and experience Hsien Yang combines  
a strong background in engineering with 
extensive international business and management 
experience in a key market for the Company.  
His significant industrial and financial skills prove 
valuable in his committee memberships.

Other principal roles INSEAD South East Asia 
Council, president

DIRECTORS’ REPORT64

Directors’ Report
Board of Directors

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

10

13

12

Key

NG   Nominations & Governance Committee
A   Audit Committee
R   Remuneration Committee
SES  Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee
ST   Science & Technology Committee

11

14

10. NICK LUFF 
Independent Non-Executive Director

NG  A   SES 

Appointed in May 2018. 

Career Nick is a chartered accountant. He is 
chief financial officer of RELX plc, playing a key 
role in driving shareholder returns as the 
company transforms its business and simplifies 
its corporate structure. Nick was previously CFO 
of Centrica plc for seven years and, prior to that, 
P&O Group. Nick has formerly been audit 
committee chairman and a non-executive 
director of both Lloyds Banking Group plc and 
QinetiQ Group plc.

Boards skills and experience Nick has broad 
financial skills and a track record of driving 
business performance. In addition, he has 
extensive non-executive experience. This 
exposure together with both financial and 
accounting expertise and a passion for 
engineering is invaluable to the Board.

11. SIR KEVIN SMITH CBE 
Senior Independent Director  
Chairman, Science & Technology Committee

NG  R   ST

Appointed in November 2015. 

Career Sir Kevin was group chief executive of GKN 
plc for nine years. Before GKN, he spent nearly 
20 years with BAE Systems in a number of senior 
executive positions. He has an honorary fellowship 
doctorate from Cranfield University and is an 
honorary fellow of the University of Central 
Lancashire. He was awarded a CBE in 1997 and 
knighted in 2006 for services to industry.

Board skills and experience Sir Kevin has extensive 
industrial leadership experience and a deep 
knowledge of engineering and manufacturing 
businesses, as well as the aerospace industry. 
He makes a significant contribution to the growth 
and development of our key strategies, both as a 
member of the Board and as Chairman of the 
Science & Technology Committee.

12. PAMELA COLES
Company Secretary 
Chief Governance Officer

Appointed in October 2014.

Career Pamela is a fellow of The Chartered 
Governance Institute. She joined Rolls-Royce 
from Centrica plc, where she was head of 
secretariat. Pamela’s previous roles also include 
group company secretary and a member of the 
executive committee at The Rank Group plc and 
company secretary and head of legal at RAC plc.

Skills and experience Pamela is an expert in 
corporate governance and company law. With  
a pragmatic approach to how the Governance 
Team supports the business, she has been 
instrumental in supporting the Chairman and 
the Non-Executive Directors to build strong 
relationships with the management team and has 
been able to offer advice and guidance on a wide 
range of topics. 

Other principal roles RELX plc, chief  
financial officer

Other principal roles L.E.K. Consulting, European 
advisory board member

Other principal roles E-ACT,  
non-executive director

13. JASMIN STAIBLIN 
Independent Non-Executive Director

NG  ST

14. DAME ANGELA STRANK 
Independent Non-Executive Director

NG  SES   ST

Board committee membership *

Appointed in May 2012. 

To join the Board in May 2020.

NG

A

R

SES

ST

Career A German national, Jasmin was the CEO 
of Alpiq Holding AG from 2013 to 2018. Prior to 
this, she held a number of senior positions in the 
ABB Group working in Switzerland, Sweden and 
Australia, becoming CEO of ABB Switzerland 
from 2006 until 2012.

Board skills and experience Jasmin combines  
a strong background in advanced engineering 
and deep technology knowledge with extensive 
international business experience in the industrial 
sector. With a background dominated by science 
and technology, she makes a significant 
contribution both to the Board and as a member 
of the Science & Technology Committee.

Other principal roles Zurich Insurance Group, 
non-executive director; NXP Semiconductors 
N.V., non-executive director; Georg Fischer  
AG, non-executive director

Career Dame Angela is a chartered engineer  
and is currently chief scientist and head of 
downstream technology at BP and a member  
of their executive management team. She joined 
BP in 1982 and has held a number of senior 
executive roles. She is a fellow of the UK Energy 
Institute, the Institute of Chemical Engineers,  
the Royal Academy of Engineers and the Royal 
Society. Dame Angela received a DBE in 2017  
for services to the oil & gas industry and for 
encouraging women into STEM careers. 

Skills and experience Dame Angela brings a 
proven track record in managing engineering 
operations and technology and digital research 
and development programmes. She is a recognised 
role model for women in both the energy industry 
and STEM careers in business and industry.

Other principal roles Severn Trent plc, 
non-executive director

Sir Ian Davis

C

Lewis Booth

C

Sir Frank Chapman 

C

George Culmer

Irene Dorner

Beverly Goulet

Lee Hsien Yang

Nick Luff

Sir Kevin Smith

Jasmin Staiblin

C   Chairman

 * at 28 February 2020

C

C

Full Directors’ biographies can be  
found at www.rolls-royce.com

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Corporate Governance

65

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board

The role of the Board

Key matters reserved to the Board

The Board is ultimately responsible to shareholders for the 
direction, management, performance and long-term 
sustainable success of the Company. It sets the Group’s 
strategy and objectives and oversees and monitors 
internal controls, risk management, principal risks, 
governance and viability of the Company. In doing so,  
the Directors comply with their duties under section 172  
of the Companies Act 2006 (see page 56).

The Board has established certain principal committees to 
assist it in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, providing 
dedicated focus on particular areas, as set out below. 
Each committee chairman reports to the Board on the 
committee’s activities after each meeting.

In addition to the Board’s principal committees, it has 
established a sub-committee of Directors who each hold 
an appropriate level of UK national security clearance for 
the purpose of receiving and considering, on behalf of 
the Board, any UK classified information relating to the 
Group’s programmes and activities. Beverly Goulet,  
a US national and independent Non-Executive Director, 
also sits on the board of Rolls-Royce North America 
Holdings, Inc. to create a link between the Board and  
the Group’s North American governance structure.

  The Group’s long-term objectives, strategy  

and risk appetite

  The Group’s organisation and capability

  Stakeholder engagement

  Overall corporate governance arrangements 
including Board and committee composition, 
committee terms of reference, Directors’ 
independence and conflicts of interest

Internal controls, governance and risk  
management frameworks

  Changes to the corporate or capital structure  

of the Company

  Annual Report and financial and regulatory 

announcements

  Significant changes in accounting policies  

or practices

  Annual budgets and financial expenditure and 
commitments above levels set by the Board

  Overview of speak up cases reported through  

the Ethics Line

The Board committees

Nominations &  
Governance Committee

Audit  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Committee

Science & Technology  
Committee

Board and committee composition 

Financial reporting

Remuneration policy

Product safety

Technology strategy

Board nominations

Succession planning for Directors 
and senior management

Internal controls and  
risk management

Internal audit

Corporate governance

External audit

Oversight of principal risk –  
talent and capability

Oversight of principal risks – 
business continuity, market and 
financial shock, cyber threat

Incentive design and setting  
of targets

Executive and senior management 
remuneration review

Workforce remuneration review 
and related policies

HSE

Sustainability

Cross-sector technology

Technology capabilities and skills

Ethics and compliance

Technology trends and risks

Oversight of principal risks – 
safety, compliance, climate change, 
strategic transformation

Roles and responsibilities

The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive are clearly defined and the Board supports the separation of the two roles. The Chairman 
is responsible for the leadership and effectiveness of the Board. The Chief Executive is responsible for the running of the Group’s 
business and leads the Executive Team which comes together to communicate, review and agree on issues and actions of Group-wide 
significance. Non-Executive Directors support the Chairman and provide objective and constructive challenge to management. The Senior 
Independent Director (SID) provides a sounding board for the Chairman and serves as an intermediary for the Chief Executive, other 
Directors and shareholders when required. The Company Secretary makes sure that appropriate and timely information is provided to the 
Board and its committees and is responsible for advising and supporting the Chairman and Board on all governance matters. All Directors 
have access to the Company Secretary and may take independent professional advice at the Company’s expense in conducting their duties. 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Board and committee meetings held in 2019

R

ST

SE

R

A

A

NG

B

B

B

ST

R

NG

A

B

A

B

SE

R

A

NG

B

ST

R

NG

B

B

ST

R

A

NG

B

SE

R

A

NG

B

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

R   Remuneration Committee

R   B  

Denotes unscheduled meeting

R

B

January

Key

B   Board

NG  Nominations & Governance Committee

SE   Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee

A   Audit Committee

ST   Science & Technology Committee

At the end of most scheduled meetings, the Chairman holds 
meetings with the Non-Executive Directors without the Executive 
Directors or management present.

The Remuneration Committee also held an unscheduled meeting  
in February to follow up on discussions at the January meeting 
regarding executive reward. 

Two additional scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee were 
added to the 2019 calendar, one additional meeting ahead of both 
the 2018 preliminary and 2019 interim results, to ensure the 
Committee was appropriately briefed ahead of time.

The Board held an unscheduled meeting in March to review the 
future opportunities for ITP Aero and in October to follow up  
on discussions raised at the meeting in September. 

Non-attendance
Board members are sometimes unable to participate in certain  
Board and committee meetings due to other business commitments. 
For 2019, attendance was 100% for all directors. However, if any 
Directors were unable to attend a meeting, they would communicate 
their opinions and comments on the matters to be considered via  
the Chairman of the Board or the relevant committee chairman.

Board and committee members and attendance at scheduled meetings in 2019

Sir Ian Davis
Warren East
Stephen Daintith 
Lewis Booth
Ruth Cairnie (stepped down 31 December 2019)
Sir Frank Chapman
Irene Dorner
Beverly Goulet
Lee Hsien Yang
Nick Luff
Brad Singer (stepped down 9 December 2019)
Sir Kevin Smith
Jasmin Staiblin

Board
(9 meetings)
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
8/8
9/9
9/9

Nominations &
 Governance
 (6 meetings)
6/6

Audit
(7 meetings)

Remuneration 
(7 meetings)

Safety, Ethics & 
Sustainability 
(3 meetings)

Science & 
Technology 
(4 meetings) 

6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6

6/6
6/6

7/7

7/7
7/7
7/7
7/7

7/7
7/7

3/3 ¹
7/7

7/7

3/3
3/3

3/3
3/3

4/4
4/4

4/4
4/4
4/4

1  Irene Dorner was appointed to the Remuneration Committee in August 2019. She stepped down from the Audit Committee at the end of 2019.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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67

Board’s focus during the year

Area of focus

Key matters considered

Outcome

Group purpose

Strategy  

Corporate narrative During the year, the Executive Team developed the corporate narrative to further define 
and articulate the Group’s purpose – to connect, power and protect society (see page 10). 
The corporate narrative aligned with the Group’s vision and strategy and with the Board’s 
engagement and focus on ESG issues, as demonstrated through the ESG shareholder event 
(see page 78).

Review of the  
Group’s strategy  
and acquisition of 
Siemens’ eAircraft 
business

The Board received regular updates on strategy throughout the year and, in September,  
held a two-day meeting with the Executive Team focused on operational and financial 
progress against the Group’s short and long-term plans. The Board received detailed 
updates on progress with the execution of the transformation programme, particularly with  
the simplification initiatives, cost reduction, skills alignment to future requirements and the 
cultural agenda.

In May, the Board held its meetings in Bristol, UK at our main UK-based Defence site  
and received an update on the Defence business strategy. At that meeting, the Board also 
received an update on the Group’s Services strategy across both the Defence and Civil 
Aerospace businesses.

The agreement to acquire Siemens’ eAircraft business in June accelerated the delivery  
of the Group’s electrification strategy.

Withdrawal from 
engine competition 
for new midsize 
airplane platform 
(NMA)

In February, the Board confirmed the decision to withdraw from the competition to power 
Boeing’s proposed middle of the market, or NMA, platform. We were unable to commit to the 
proposed timetable to ensure we had a sufficiently mature product which would support 
Boeing’s ambition for the aircraft and which would satisfy our own internal requirements for 
technical maturity at entry into service. The Board agreed it was important to deliver on the 
current engine programmes and focus on the development of new technologies such as our 
next generation UltraFan.

Culture

Review of the culture 
change agenda

UK pensions

The transformation programme has a cultural change agenda at its core and the Board has 
sought ways to track progress and seek feedback on how the behaviours articulated in the 
people framework (see page 45) are embedding. This included:
 — presentations from the Group People Director on diversity & inclusion, talent and 
succession and the leadership learning, performance management and career 
frameworks; 

 — feedback from the Employee Champions, much of which was focused on simplification 

and leadership of culture change;

 — progress report on the anti-bullying and harassment campaign and training (see page 49);
 — updates on engagement with the UK Trade Unions and European Works Council and their 

reactions to restructuring proposals;

 — delivery of the safety agenda;
 — noting of Lord Gold’s final report on the Group’s approach to ethics and anti-bribery  

and corruption (see page 109);

 — progress report on the simplification processes (for example, RRMS, finance transformation,  

Civil Aerospace transformation);

 — reviews from the Ethics Line; 
 — outcome from the employee surveys;
 — feedback from the ‘let’s talk’ engagement sessions led by the Executive Team  

(see page 46); and

 — interaction from the Meet the Board, site visits and other engagement sessions  

(see page 71).

The Board considered the transfer of certain pension risk liabilities to Legal & General 
Assurance Society Ltd by the Group’s UK pension trustees which would reduce the Group’s 
post-retirement obligations by around £4.1bn (see page 47). In order to complete the 
transaction, which the Board agreed was in the best interests of former and current 
employees, as well as for the financial strength of the Group, the Board agreed to make  
an exceptional cash contribution of around £30m.

The Board also noted the changes to the defined benefit pension scheme for UK managers. 
More details of this review can also be found on page 47. The Board also considered issues 
that were raised in respect of this review through the Ethics Line (see page 110).

DIRECTORS’ REPORT68

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Area of focus

Key matters considered

Outcome

Risk

Operational 
performance/ 
challenges

Financial 
Performance

Governance

Review of risk 
appetite and principal 
risks, with a focus on 
major product 
programme delivery.

During the year  
the Board:
 — reviewed  

emerging and 
principal risks
 — added climate 
change as a 
stand-alone 
principal risk 

 — set up a  

Board-level data 
security committee

Civil Aerospace 
operational delivery 
programme ramp-up

The Board reviewed and approved the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management 
system and carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Company, set 
out on pages 50 to 54, including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity. The Board received an update on the effectiveness of 
risk management from the Audit Committee in December and agreed with the inclusion of 
the risk of climate change to future revenue growth as an additional principal risk. The 
implications of Brexit were kept under review throughout the year. For more information  
on our approach to emerging risks, including Brexit, see page 50. 

The Trent 1000 programme was the subject of discussion at each Board meeting 
throughout the year and the risks to the programme and impact on customers were 
considered at each meeting.

The Board completed a robust assessment of the Company’s emerging and principal risks 
(see page 50).

It was agreed that it was appropriate to elevate the executive committee looking at data 
security to a Board-level committee, and this committee, which is a sub-committee of the 
Audit Committee, held its first meeting in January 2020.

The Business President for Civil Aerospace attended each Board meeting to provide a 
business review including progress against key operational milestones. The operations 
director attended the September meeting to present an in-depth review of the operations 
improvement programmes.

Civil Aerospace 
programme 
challenges

The Board maintained a strong focus on the operational and technical challenges within the 
Trent 1000 fleet and worked closely with the Civil Aerospace team to develop a dashboard 
of key metrics for review at each Board meeting. A detailed technical update was presented 
by the engineering & technology director in December.

Balance sheet review The Board has been focusing on strengthening the balance sheet, retaining the proceeds 

from the sale of Commercial Marine and Power Developments; and also from two further 
small disposals (see page 16) and on improving the quality and sustainability of our cash 
flow, keeping a close watch on our credit ratings.

Payment to 
shareholders

The Board is not proposing an increase in the final dividend payment for 2019. This will be 
held flat at 7.1p per share and brings the full payment for the year to 11.7p per share.

Capital allocation

The Board also reviewed and agreed its approach and overview of capital allocation which 
had been refined as part of the governance model. 

Introduction of  
new accounting  
standard IFRS 16

Finance 
transformation

Stakeholder 
engagement and 
governance

The Board was assured that the judgements and estimates made in preparation for the 
financial statements were consistent with the new requirements.

Updates were received on progress with: the drive to transform and simplify the reporting 
and forecasting processes; and the introduction of Group Business Services, the new 
shared services environment that went live from January 2019.

The Board considered how it engaged with all its stakeholders and continued with its own 
programmes, such as the ESG shareholder event, Meet the Board, Employee Champion 
schedules and individual Non-Executive Director site visits and town hall meetings. Details 
can be found in our s172 statement on page 56 and our stakeholder engagement report on 
pages 70 to 72. 

The Board also reviewed investor feedback following our full and half-year financial results, 
feedback from the Ethics Line in August and December, payment practices for the Group’s 
subsidiaries, gender pay gap reporting and the Group’s modern slavery statement.

Non-financial 
controls

The Board considered an updated framework, including core decision rights and the 
simplification of the RRMS – articulating our freedom within a framework culture (see page 61). 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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69

Area of focus

Key matters considered

Outcome

Succession and 
leadership

Succession planning During the course of the year, the Board considered the principal risk relating to talent and 

capability and reviewed succession at the most senior levels of the business (see page 77).

Effectiveness of the 
Board, Chairman and 
Chief Executive

A light touch external evaluation was undertaken, following on from the comprehensive 
evaluation in 2018, and it concluded that the Board continued to operate effectively in  
2019 (see page 74). The Chairman and Chief Executive received constructive feedback  
on their respective performance.

The Board’s area of focus in 2020 are expected to include:

  continued monitoring of financial and operational performance

  the safety agenda

  the Group’s culture through continued transformation

  execution of strategic priorities

  principal risk reviews

Our Board apprentice programme defined

Participant programme induction

Board member briefing

Board 
experience

Assigned to core committee

Executive 
leadership
development

Wider learning
opportunities

Networking  
& mentoring

You can read more about our 
Board apprentice programme  
on pages 71 and 77.

Audit 
Committee

Safety, Ethics & 
Sustainability

Science & 
Technology

Supplementary rotations

Remuneration 
Committee

Employee 
Stakeholder 
Committee

Data Security 
Committee

Environment & 
Sustainability 
Committee

Additional elements

Two Board mentors and Executive Team sponsor

AGM and Meet the Board event

Masterclasses and networking opportunities

DIRECTORS’ REPORT70

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Stakeholder engagement

At Rolls-Royce, we understand that who we are and how we behave 
matters not only to our people but to the many stakeholders who 
have an interest in our business. We believe that stakeholder 
engagement remains vital to building a sustainable business and  
we interact with many stakeholders at different levels of the 
organisation. Engagement is carried out by those most relevant  
to the stakeholder group or issue. 

The table below identifies some of our stakeholders and how both 
the Company and the Board engage with them. More details can be 
found on www.rolls-royce.com. The Board considers the different 
stakeholder groups and our engagement programmes and 
identifies opportunities for strengthening both its relationships and 
understanding to facilitate the decisions and contributions made 
by the Board to the success of the business.

Customers

Investors

The Board recognises that the quality of the Group’s customer relationships is based on mutual trust as well as its 
engineering expertise. In April, Sir Ian Davis and Lee Hsien Yang travelled to China for meetings with customers, 
both existing and prospective. In October, Sir Frank Chapman and Irene Dorner met with customers during their 
visit to Singapore. Sir Ian Davis also met with Airbus in both November and January 2020 to support the Executive 
Team in their dialogue with them. The sale of the Group’s Commercial Marine business to KONGSBERG, completed 
on 1 April 2019, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with them was noted and discussed by the 
Board as KONGSBERG became the largest customer of the Power Systems business. The Board regularly receives 
operational updates, including customer metrics and feedback, from each of the businesses at every meeting with 
the Business Presidents regularly presenting to the Board. During the operational challenges experienced by our 
affected airline customers as a result of the in-service issues with the Trent 1000, the Board has kept very close to 
our customer engagement throughout the year and received specific feedback from the Civil Aerospace Business 
President on the issues and mitigation plans and their impacts on our customers, which greatly influenced the 
Board’s deliberations and support for the Executive Team when considering:

  our strategy and the transition of technologies, capabilities, resources and value to meet our business horizons 

(see page 10)

  increasing our stock of spare engines and accelerating growth in our MRO network (see page 8)
  future technologies, specifically our withdrawal from the competition to power Boeing’s NMA platform, 

enabling us to focus on the development of innovating new technologies, such as UltraFan (see page 26)  
and accelerating our electrical strategy (see page 11)

  product safety and asset integrity throughout the transformation (see page 107)
  the introduction of a new balanced scorecard of metrics for each business which would demonstrate whether 

we are meeting our commitments to our customers across our businesses (see page 15)

  key auditing judgements and estimates in respect of customer loss-making contracts and restructuring costs  

as a result of the Trent 1000 in-service issues (see page 82)

The Investor Relations team is in constant dialogue with investors and reports regularly to the Board on 
shareholder feedback, especially post results. The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, supported by 
members of the Executive Team, meet with investors, following both the preliminary and interim results, as well  
as at various times throughout the year. We held an event in April for our institutional investors focused on 
environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters which was very well received. The Chairman, together with 
the relevant committee chairmen, the Company Secretary and one of our Board apprentices, provided insights 
into our ESG initiatives which were followed by engaging and interactive sessions in smaller groups. In addition, 
Ruth Cairnie and Irene Dorner met with a number of shareholders as part of the consultation on our remuneration 
policy. The Chairman, Senior Independent Director and members of the Board make themselves available to meet 
with institutional investors when requested and the Board hold our AGM in different locations in order to reach a 
wider shareholder base. We recognise the importance of our investors as a key stakeholder in our discussions and 
ensure that we are able to create confidence in our Company through:

  financial performance and the economic impact of our decisions
  robust governance and transparency of reporting
  delivering a sustainable, stable and predictable performance

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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OUR BOARD 
APPRENTICES

Our current Board apprentice 
cohort comprises six individuals 
from different parts of the Group 
including Civil Aerospace, 
Defence, corporate functions 
and one of our joint ventures. 

They are based in France, 
Singapore, US and UK and have 
been selected through our talent 
and succession process. We 
intend to extend this successful 
programme to a third cohort 
which will start during the 
course of 2020. You can read 
more about how the programme 
operates on pages 69 and 77.

Employees

The Board recognises that it is through our people that we fulfil our potential, achieve our vision and execute our 
strategy. For this reason, we take the role of Employee Champion very seriously to ensure there is a voice of the 
employees in the boardroom. Irene Dorner has continued in her role as Employee Champion for a third year and 
meets with employee groups and attends employee stakeholder engagement meetings. Irene has a programme  
of events which, during the year, included attendance at: the launch of EAST, our Asian employee resource group; 
two UK Council meetings; a meeting of our local ethics advisers; a meeting with the ethics and compliance and 
case management teams; the diversity & inclusion and sustainability focus groups in Singapore; and an event 
hosted by PRISM, our LBGT+ employee resource group on how to make the workplace more inclusive. Irene also 
has regular dialogue with the Group People Director and together they review the outcomes from the employee 
surveys and Ethics Line reports. Irene can be contacted by any employee by email. Beverley Goulet also 
continued in her role as the Board’s Employee Champion for our North American employees, this year 
concentrating on our smaller sites, holding roundtables with groups of employees at each one. The Board 
Champions are supported by an employee stakeholder engagement group where we discuss what we have learnt 
and plan future schedules. Having now run this programme for a few years, we are considering ways to develop it 
further. This will include a three-year programme of meetings and events to reach across all our employee groups 
and to engage with more employees in planning how the programme is structured.

Irene and Beverly regularly provide feedback to the Board on employee topics of interest and/or concern.  
The direct link that they provide between the employees and the Directors is proving to be extremely valuable, 
particularly through this period of extensive change. The main themes that they reported this year were on 
transformation and culture; the importance of the relationship with the UK unions; progress with the anti-bullying 
and harassment campaign; leadership capability; communications; and stress and mental wellbeing. Irene and  
Sir Frank Chapman also requested a report from the head of ethics and compliance on the proposed changes  
to the UK defined benefit pension scheme (see page 110).

During the year, our now regular Meet the Board event was held in Bristol, UK and smaller town hall events were 
held in Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Xi’an, China. We also held a ‘Yammer’ session with Lewis Booth and 
Stephen Daintith during which any employee could ask questions live, online. The Directors take every 
opportunity to meet with local employees when visiting different business locations. For example, when visiting 
Dahlewitz, Germany three of our Non-Executive Directors took the opportunity to have lunch with a group of our  
high-potentials and young engineers.

The Board discusses employee relations regularly and this year, particularly, in relation to transformation and  
the culture agenda. As can be read in the People and Culture report (pages 45 to 48) and the committee reports,  
the Board reviews both the behaviours and statistics on safety and diversity & inclusion as well as the talent 
management agenda at all levels across the Group. Finally, when considering M&A activity, the Board always 
remains mindful of any impacts on employees.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT72

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Partners 

The Group’s global supply chain is a vital contribution to its performance, with significant investment in resources to 
ensure the complex global supply chain is resilient and efficient. Suppliers’ interests are considered as part of the 
Board’s discussions on manufacturing strategy and when reviewing specific projects. Critical suppliers are, of course, 
considered as part of the assessment of the business continuity risks. The Board supports our Executive Team who 
work collaboratively with our suppliers to continue to improve operational performance through various means:

  Sir Kevin Smith’s ongoing meetings with companies in our supply chain to hear their views first hand
  the Board’s assessment of the business continuity risk including critical suppliers (see pages 51 and 80)
  a full review of the Group’s supplier payment terms as part of the decision to withdraw from the UK 

Government’s prompt payment code following a change in the assessment approach. This in no way changes 
the Group’s demonstrable commitment to the fair and appropriate treatment of all our suppliers

  endorsement of our global supplier code of conduct which sets out the behaviours, practices and standards  

we expect to see demonstrated and complied with, together with our associated certification and risk 
monitoring processes (see page 49)

  availability of our value chain competitiveness improvement framework to our industry partners, providing a 
suite of lean, best practice principles and tools required to operate and improve manufacturing value chains 
(see www.rolls-royce.com)

Communities

On their site visits, Directors will meet with relevant community groups whenever possible and will engage with 
certain community programmes should they be requested to do so. Irene Dorner and Beverly Goulet will always 
take the opportunity to meet with relevant community groups as part of their roles as Employee Champions. 
Details of the Group’s outreach in 2019 are set out on page 46 and include:

Governing bodies 
and regulators

  STEM activities, including the Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology at the Science Museum  

in London, UK, attended by both Sir Ian Davis and Irene Dorner

  investments, both time and money, in communities local to our operations, with all employees encouraged  

to commit Company time to community and STEM projects

The Board recognise the importance of governments and regulators as stakeholders. Not only are governments 
across the world customers but they also support the Group’s investment in infrastructure and technology.  
The focus on regulators benefits from the previous experience of Lee Hsien Yang, having been chairman of the 
Singapore CAA. The General Counsel provides regular updates to the Board on compliance with regulators and 
the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee discusses how the business engages with airworthiness regulators  
as well as receiving updates on the continuing dialogue and co-operation with prosecutors, regulators and 
government agencies. The Board is updated on the Group’s engagement with the tax authorities and the related 
regulatory landscape is discussed by both the Board and the Audit Committee. In addition, meetings with 
ministers and senior officials are held as relevant throughout the year, with the Chairman supporting the  
Chief Executive’s engagement programme at various airshows. Of particular note during 2019: 

  Lewis Booth and Pamela Coles met with Sir Donald Brydon to discuss his independent review on the quality and 

effectiveness of audit in the UK market 

  Irene Dorner and Pamela Coles met with the Trades Union Congress, ‘the voice of Britain at work’, to share ideas 

on employee engagement initiatives in large corporates

  Sir Ian Davis and Lee Hsien Yang held meetings with HM Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 
and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of PRC to gain a perspective on relations between  
the UK and China and to discuss the Group’s strategic direction

  both Sir Frank Chapman and Irene Dorner travelled to Singapore in September and met, amongst others,  

with the Economic Development Board and the British Chamber of Commerce

  the creation of a government relations centre of excellence, as part of the transformation programme, to bring 

together the global government relations team into a community to shape how government relations are 
delivered and how it adds value for the Group

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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73

Board induction and development

The Chairman and Company Secretary arrange a comprehensive, 
tailored induction programme for newly-appointed Non-Executive 
Directors, which includes dedicated time with the Executive Team 
and senior management and scheduled trips to business operations. 
The programme is tailored based on experience and background 
and the requirements of the role. 

All Directors visit the Group’s main operating sites as part of their 
induction and are encouraged to make at least one visit to other sites 
each year throughout their tenure. In 2019, Board members visited 
locations including: Dahlewitz and Friedrichshafen, Germany; Derby 
and Bristol, UK; Pascagoula, Novi and Mankato, US; Beijing, Xi’an  
and Shanghai, China; Hong Kong and Singapore. We regard these 
site visits as an important part of continuing education as well  
as an essential part of the induction process. They help Directors 
understand the Group’s activities through direct experience of 
seeing processes in operation and by having discussions with a 
range of employees.

Board induction programme for George Culmer

George Culmer was appointed to the Board in January 2020 and  
at that time joined the Nominations & Governance, Audit, and Safety, 
Ethics & Sustainability Committees. Since his appointment, he has 
embarked on his induction programme and met with members of the 
Executive Team. George has visited Civil Aerospace in Derby, UK and 
will be visiting both Defence in Bristol, UK and Rolls-Royce Power 
Systems in Friedrichshafen, Germany in early April 2020.

It is important that the Directors continue to develop and refresh 
their understanding of the Group’s activities. To facilitate this, the 
Board met local management at its meeting in May in Bristol, UK. 
More detail of the Board’s engagement with its stakeholders is set 
out on pages 70 to 72.

It is also important that the Directors regularly refresh and update 
their skills and knowledge and receive relevant training when 
necessary. Members of the Board also attend relevant seminars, 
conferences and training events to keep up-to-date on developments 
in key areas. 

Timing

People to meet

Key topics covered

Within first  
three months

Chairman

Overview of the Board
Nominations & Governance Committee

Committee chairmen

Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

Company Secretary

Executive Team members and senior 
management

Internal and external auditors

Overview of committees
Plan of work for the year
Current issues

Business model
Current strategic priorities
Opportunities/risks
Current issues

Finance, treasury, M&A and tax overviews
Budget
Accounting issues

UK Corporate Governance Code and directors’ duties
UK listed company requirements
Rolls-Royce framework
Board arrangements and meeting dates

Overview of each area of responsibility, including:
 — markets and competition
 — operational and financial performance including KPIs
 — functional responsibility
 — current issues

Audit report and findings
Financial and non-financial controls
Accounting judgements

DIRECTORS’ REPORT74

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Board effectiveness

Board and committee review
In 2018, having undertaken both benchmarking and tender 
exercises, Belinda Hudson Limited (BHL), expert in enhancing 
board effectiveness, was appointed for a three-year term to 
undertake our externally-facilitated effectiveness reviews. BHL’s 
appointment was based on cultural fit, the research that BHL had 
undertaken which highlighted the areas that needed addressing, 
and commercial competitiveness. BHL had no other connection 
with the Company nor its Directors. 

Following a comprehensive review in 2018, a slightly less in-depth 
review was conducted in 2019. As in 2018, it covered Board 
composition and dynamics, the Board’s role and the Board at work 
but with particular focus on those areas identified as requiring 
further development during the previous year’s review. 

The effectiveness of each of the Board’s committees was taken into 
account as part of the evaluation. 

This review took the form of: confidential one-to-one discussions 
between BHL and members of the Board and several senior 
management executives; and BHL’s attendance at the Board’s 
two-day meeting in September to review the Group’s operational 
and financial performance. The Board discussed the findings of the 
report at its meeting in December which BHL attended. BHL has 
reviewed and agreed this disclosure of Board effectiveness.

At a private meeting of the Non-Executive Directors,  
Sir Kevin Smith, Senior Independent Director, led a review  
of the Chairman’s performance without the Chairman present.  
The Nominations & Governance Committee also met without  

Progress on key areas

Stages of the Board and committee 
effectiveness review

December  
Priorities and  
action plans 
agreed for  
the Board  
and each 
committee

December  
Board  
discussion  
with BHL

6

5

July 
Briefing and 
areas of focus 
identified

1

4

October  
Results evaluated 
and report 
compiled

2

3

July to  
September  
Review of  
Board and  
committee  
papers and 
attendance  
at meetings

September  
One-to-one 
discussions  
with Board  
members  
and senior  
management

any management present to discuss the performance of the Chief 
Executive. The meetings concluded that both the Chairman and  
the Chief Executive continued to be effective and constructive 
feedback was shared with each of them.

Areas of focus

Focus for 2019

Progress in 2019

Focus for 2020

Board composition 
and dynamics

The Board’s role

The Board at work

Continued focus on the Board 
succession programme and skills 
matrix together with a review of  
the composition of the Board’s 
committees to maximise co-ordination 
across their respective duties and 
to prepare for future Board changes.

The 2019 evaluation concluded that 
one of the Chairman’s strengths is 
his approach to Board composition 
and succession planning and that 
Rolls-Royce has the ability to  
attract very strong candidates  
as Non-Executive Directors.

The Board could be clearer in  
the communication of their 
priorities and expectations with  
the Executive Team.

With engagement from different 
parts of the business, a 
restructuring update to be 
provided at each Board meeting 
with a watchful eye on the cultural 
impact as the transformation 
programme continues to be 
embedded across the Group. 

The evaluation showed that the 
agendas have been well structured 
throughout 2019 and the focus  
has shifted to the necessary issues.

Continued close scrutiny of the 
plans and risks relating to the 
transformation programme. There 
is scope for the Board to add more 
value as the focus is increased on 
strategic issues and opportunities. 

Emphasis on the co-ordination  
of agendas and papers between  
the Board and its committees and  
the Executive Team to strengthen 
further the linkage and  
feedback mechanisms. 

The quality of the information 
provided to the Board has 
improved during 2019, particularly 
for the operational and financial 
review day in September and on  
the competitive environment.

Continued support and linkage 
between the work of the  
Executive Team and the Board  
to ensure they are aligned  
for success.

The evaluation also identified that 
the work of each of the committees 
remained effective.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Nominations & Governance Committee Report

75

NOMINATIONS & GOVERNANCE 

Other attendees
In addition to the members of the Committee, the Chief Executive 
attends when it is considered appropriate.

Committee evaluation review
Belinda Hudson Limited (BHL) was appointed for a second year  
to undertake a light touch review of the Board and committees, 
following a full review in 2018. The effectiveness review process of 
the Board and its committees is discussed in greater detail on page 
74 together with overall findings. 

Principal responsibilities

Board and committee composition 
  Review the structure, size and composition of the Board and  

its committees regularly.

   Evaluate and consider the Directors’ conflicts of interest.

SIR IAN DAVIS
Chairman of the 
Nominations &  
Governance Committee

Key highlights

  Re-appointment of Sir Ian Davis and Lee Hsien Yang, each  

for a further three-year term 

Board nominations
  Recommend new appointments to the Board.

  Appointments of George Culmer and Dame Angela Strank  

  Oversee the induction plans, training and site visits for  

the Directors.

Succession planning 
  Consider succession plans for Directors and senior management.

  Oversee the development of a diverse pipeline for succession.

  Review implementation of diversity & inclusion policy.

Evaluation of Chairman, Chief Executive and  
Non-Executive Directors
  Evaluate annually the Chairman and Chief Executive.

  Review the independence of the Non-Executive Directors.

Corporate governance 
  Review the Group’s global governance framework.

  Keep up-to-date with the changing governance landscape 
and report on the Group’s corporate governance practices.

Principal risk 
  Talent and capability.

Areas of focus for 2020 

  Culture and behaviour

  Internal governance – embedding the changes

  Board succession

  Diversity & inclusion

as Non-Executive Directors

  Updated framework

  Diversity & inclusion and career framework reviewed

Introduction 

The Committee ensures that the composition of the Board is 
appropriate and relevant so that the Board is in the best position  
to oversee operational performance and to drive the Group’s 
strategy. We have considerably improved Executive Team succession 
with a broader list of credible successors with improved diversity.

The Committee also keeps the Group’s corporate governance 
arrangements under review. We strive to take an innovative approach 
in all that we do and that includes our approach to governance. 
During the year, we updated our framework expanding it to include 
our core decision rights and the restructuring of our RRMS, aligning 
and simplifying them as part of the Group’s transformation programme 
and the articulation of our freedom within a framework culture. We 
have continued with our Meet the Board events, with a very well 
attended meeting in May following our AGM as well as smaller events 
scheduled for when the Non-Executive Directors are visiting our 
sites. Our Board apprentice programme has matured and we have 
just completed our third year since the introduction of our Board 
Employee Champion role. In April, we held a very well attended  
ESG event for our investors.

Membership and operation of the Committee 

All members of the Committee are independent Non-Executive 
Directors. Our biographies are on pages 62 to 64 and meeting 
attendance is on page 66. No Director attends discussions relating 
to their own appointment.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in its terms of 
reference which can be found at www.rolls-royce.com. We review 
these annually and refer them to the Board for approval. No 
changes have been made in 2019. This follows a detailed review  
in 2018 to ensure alignment with the principles of the Code.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT76

Directors’ Report
Nominations & Governance Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Nominations & Governance Committee focus during 2019 

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

Employee champion update.

Culture and  
behaviour and 
employee  
engagement

Career and governance framework reviews.

Update on diversity & inclusion (D&I).

The principal risk is considered when discussing  
talent and capability.

Reviews of the composition of the Board and 
committee membership.

Diversity & 
inclusion

Oversight of  
principal risk – talent 
and capability

Board and  
committee 
composition

Board  
nominations

Re-appointment of the Chairman for a further 
three-year term.

Re-appointment of Lee Hsien Yang as a  
Non-Executive Director.

The appointment of Irene Dorner as Chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee.

The appointments of George Culmer and Dame 
Angela Strank as Non-Executive Directors.

Succession  
planning

Progress on succession planning.

Consideration of the Board composition.

Evaluation of  
Chairman, Chief 
Executive and 
Non-Executive  
Directors

Annual review of the effectiveness of the 
Chairman and the Chief Executive, led by  
the Senior Independent Director and the 
Chairman respectively.

Annual review of whether the Non-Executive 
Directors remained independent, in accordance 
with the Code.

Corporate  
Governance

The Committee approved the updated 
governance framework and Group policies.

Irene Dorner, in her role as Employee Champion, reported  
on her meetings with the UK Council and on the relationships 
with the UK Unions as well as the views across the middle 
management population on simplification and restructuring. 
Beverly Goulet also reported on her increasing activities 
across North America.

When reviewing the work in these areas the Committee 
particularly considered the impact of the changes on 
culture and behaviours.

The Committee received a detailed update on the work on 
our D&I agenda across the Group. You can read more about 
our diversity & inclusion programmes on pages 47 and 48.

The Board met in full to review talent and capability as 
development of our leaders is critical to ensuring the right 
culture and behaviours are embedded; and to ensure we 
maintain the right skills and capability for future growth.

The Committee considers the current skills, experience and 
tenure of the Directors and assesses future needs against 
the longer-term strategy of the Group and recommended 
the re-appointment of Lewis Booth for a further year to 
provide continuity of support to the Audit Committee,  
as set out on page 77.

Following individual reviews of the Chairman and  
Lee Hsien Yang the Committee satisfied itself that both 
continued to be committed and effective.

The Committee gave particular consideration to the 
appointment of Irene Dorner as Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee (see pages 59 and 60).

Members of the Committee were involved in the interview 
process for the two new Non-Executive Directors and 
the Committee recommended the appointments of both 
George Culmer and Dame Angela Strank to the Board. 
More detail can be found on page 77.

The Committee focused primarily on the approach to 
Executive Team succession and also received a detailed 
presentation on the people framework. (See page 45).

The Committee gave particular consideration to the 
composition of the Board through to the AGM in 2021.  
(See page 77).

Feedback from the evaluations was shared directly with the 
Chairman and Chief Executive and the Chief Executive’s 
objectives for 2019 were agreed.

The review concluded that all Non-Executive Directors 
remained independent.

The Committee approved amendments to the Group’s 
governance framework which had been enhanced 
considerably to articulate the freedom within a  
framework culture (see page 61).

The Committee considered the key trends in UK governance 
and the appropriate responses to them for Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Nominations & Governance Committee Report

77

Board and committee composition

Both Brad Singer and Ruth Cairnie stepped down from the Board in 
December 2019. Since Ruth’s departure, this temporarily reduced the 
number of women on the Board to three. However, we have recently 
announced that Dame Angela Strank will join the Board from 1 May 
2020. We currently have one person of colour on our Board.

Irene Dorner was appointed as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee with effect from 1 January 2020, having joined that 
committee in August 2019. You can read more about our  
rationale for that appointment on page 59.

Lewis Booth will have completed nine years on the Board in  
May 2020 and will step down as Audit Committee Chairman at  
that time. However, the Committee recommended to the Board  
that he remain as an independent member of the Board and as  
an Audit Committee member. He will provide continuity of support 
to Nick Luff as he takes over as Chairman of the Audit Committee 
following the 2020 AGM, particularly at a time of continuing 
transformation in the finance function.

The Committee also agreed to recommend to the Board that  
Sir Frank Chapman remains as a Director and Chairman of our 
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee, noting that his nine-year 
term is currently due to end in November 2020. We consider that 
he will remain independent and we value his significant support for 
our safety, ethics and sustainability agenda. 

Subject to shareholder approval at the 2020 AGM, both Lewis and 
Sir Frank will step down from the Board no later than the 2021 AGM.

Board nominations

In February 2019, the Committee recommended to the Board the 
re-appointment of Sir Ian Davis as Chairman for a further three-year 
term. This followed the annual evaluation that was carried out by  
Sir Kevin Smith, Senior Independent Director, and was the subject of 
a thorough review as it is Sir Ian’s third three-year term. In December 
2019, following a detailed review, the Committee also recommended 
to the Board the re-appointment of Lee Hsien Yang for a third 
three-year term. 

Prior to making any new appointments to the Board, the Committee 
considers the skills and attributes required and, together with the 
Chairman, agrees a Non-Executive Director profile. The Committee 
also provides input into a shortlist of candidates for the role. 

As announced in November 2019, George Culmer was appointed as 
a Non-Executive Director with effect from January 2020. George is  
a member of the Nominations & Governance Committee, Audit 
Committee, its Data Security Committee and the Safety, Ethics  
& Sustainability Committee. 

We have also recently announced the appointment of  
Dame Angela Strank who will join the Board on 1 May 2020 as  
a Non-Executive Director and a member of the Nominations & 
Governance Committee, the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability 
Committee and the Science & Technology Committee.

Both George and Dame Angela met with the Chairman and a number 
of other Non-Executive Directors as well as the Chief Executive and 
the Chief Financial Officer. You can read the full biographies for 
George and Dame Angela at www.rolls-royce.com. 

For both appointments, the Committee appointed MWM Consulting. 
MWM Consulting has signed up to the voluntary code of conduct 
for executive search firms and had no other connection to the 
Company or its Directors during the year.

As required under the Code, any additional external appointments 
taken up by Directors during the year were considered by the 

Committee and approved by the Board in advance. For instance, 
during the year consideration was given to the appointment of  
Irene Dorner as chair-designate of Taylor Wimpey. As part of the 
Board’s discussions, we considered all of Irene’s appointments and 
ensured they were not outside the parameters set by ISS, which the 
Board has found to be a useful gauge when discussing whether there 
is potentially any impact on Directors’ time commitment when taking 
on additional external appointments. It was noted that Irene had 
always maintained an excellent level of attendance at both Board and 
committee meetings during her tenure as well as embracing fully her 
role as Employee Champion. The Board concluded that Irene would 
be able to continue to allocate sufficient time to Rolls-Royce. They 
therefore approved the appointment.

The Company Secretary ensures that new Directors have a 
thorough and appropriate induction programme. More detail about 
inductions and continuing development can be found on page 73.

Succession planning

The Committee regularly reviews succession planning at Board, 
Executive Team and senior management levels. The Committee 
plays a vital role in promoting effective Board and leadership 
succession, making sure it is fully aligned to the Group’s strategy. 

This year, the Board considered the principal risk relating to talent 
and capability and reviewed succession at the most senior levels  
of the business including a number of business-critical roles. The 
talent process emphasises the need for individuals to have a 
balance of judgement, drive and influence and the importance  
of ensuring that the desired culture and behaviours continues  
to be embedded. We were pleased to note the considerable 
improvement in succession plans, following the increased focus on 
leadership talent and the succession pipeline in 2018. The Board 
also recognised the importance of maintaining the right skills and 
capability for future growth.

Board apprentice programme
Our Board apprentice programme is now in its third year. Six 
individuals from different areas of the Group were selected for the 
18-month programme via the talent and succession process. The 
purpose of the programme is to provide these individuals with 
leadership development experience and demonstrate our 
commitment to their career progression and development as 
leaders in the organisation.

Each apprentice joins two Board committees, attending each one 
for nine months. In addition to this, they are able to participate in 
supplementary committees to broaden their experience, attend 
masterclasses on a variety of board-relevant topics and take 
advantage of frequent networking opportunities. Throughout the 
programme, each apprentice is mentored by two Board members 
and sponsored by an Executive Team member as well as attending 
one-to-one sessions with the Chief People Officer. At the end of the 
programme, they will have an opportunity to provide feedback in  
a reverse-mentoring session with the Board (see page 69).

Diversity & inclusion

D&I continues to be an area of focus for the Board and for the 
Group as a whole. We support and monitor Group activities to 
increase the percentage of senior management roles held by 
women and other under-represented groups across the 
organisation. In April, the Committee was updated on the Group’s 
approach to D&I.

We fully recognise that diversity in our Executive Team needs to  
be improved. However, we are pleased to see that we have a broader 
list of credible successors with improved diversity for this team  

DIRECTORS’ REPORT78

Directors’ Report
Nominations & Governance Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Board diversity policy

Objective

Progress

All Board appointments will be made in the context of the skills  
and experience that are needed for the Board to be effective. 

Maintain a balance so that, as a minimum, one third of the  
Directors are women.

Support and monitor Group activities to increase the percentage  
of senior manager population * roles held by women and other 
under-represented groups to 25% by 2020. (See our current 
statistics on page 48).

Monitor, challenge and support internally-set targets for  
D&I at all levels across the organisation.

The Committee regularly reviews the composition of the Board.

The chart on page 62 shows that the current percentage of women 
on the Board is 25%. Following the appointment of Dame Angela 
Strank, effective from 1 May 2020, the percentage of women on our 
Board will be 31%. Our long-term aspiration is to meet and exceed 
the recommended voluntary target of 33%. 

Improving D&I remains a priority. We tracked progress 
against four areas: leadership and governance; attraction and 
recruitment; retention; and development. We were particularly 
pleased to note the strong progress made in attracting and 
recruiting more diverse people and the increase  
in the number of females in the ELG year-on-year.

The charts on page 62 provide a clear picture of our Board 
diversity. Progress against our 2020 diversity targets across the 
Group are set out on page 48. We will set new targets out to 
2025 during the course of 2020.

*   Senior manager population is calculated as Executive Team and ELG. This population comprises 94 individuals, 19 (20%) are female. Senior management is described in the Code  
as the Executive Team, the Company Secretary and their direct reports. This population comprises 82 individuals, 21 (26%) are female. We have excluded administrative personnel  
and technical assistants from these numbers.

You can find the full policy at www.rolls-royce.com

(see page 47). More on our D&I strategy can be found on page 47 
and progress against our 2020 targets on page 48.

Our Board diversity policy remains unchanged and we continue to 
ensure it remains in line with best practice. We continue to promote 
an inclusive and diverse culture and the Committee reaffirmed our 
aspiration to meet and exceed the recommended voluntary target 
of 33% of Board positions being held by women, while recognising 
that we will fall short of this target for a temporary period. We have 
always recognised that there may be periods of change on the 
Board where we may fall short of our stated aim for periods of time 
while the Board is refreshed.

parameters within which our businesses are expected to operate. 
Our original governance framework has now been incorporated 
within the framework and is part of the way the whole Group operates. 
This includes the introduction of a decision rights model, moving 
decisions as close to activity as possible. 

The framework is also the governance mechanism for our 
subsidiary companies and our response to the Wates principles.  
Extracts from the framework are available on the website at  
www.rolls-royce.com.

You can read more about our framework on pages 60 and 61.

Governance

We have kept under review the enhancements put in place in 2018 to 
ensure we meet both the regulation and the spirit of the new Code.

In 2019, we held another successful Meet the Board event, this time 
in Bristol, UK and the Non-Executive Directors held town hall sessions 
while on site visits in China, Hong Kong, US and Singapore. Irene 
Dorner and Beverly Goulet continued in their roles as Employee 
Champions. More can be read about their activities on page 71. 

We also held our first ESG-focused event with presentations to 
investors and their governance teams from the Chairman, chairmen 
of each of our Board committees, the Company Secretary, Chief 
Technology Officer, Chief People Officer and one of our Board 
apprentices. Subjects covered included: the environmental impact 
of our products; electrification; sustainability; D&I; the Board 
apprentice programme; culture; and employee engagement. This 
was followed by Q&A sessions in smaller groups on ESG issues. 
Feedback from those who attended was very positive.

The Committee spent some time during the year considering the 
improvements being made to the Group’s internal governance 
arrangements. The framework has been expanded into a number  
of areas since first being introduced in 2016 and the RRMS has been 
the subject of significant review and simplification, while ensuring 
our critical processes are safeguarded. We have an internal 
concept of freedom within a framework, an articulation of the 

Conflicts of interest and independence

We continue to monitor and note potential conflicts of interest that 
each Director may have and recommend to the Board whether these 
should be authorised and whether any conditions should be attached 
to such authorisations. The Directors are regularly reminded of their 
continuing obligations in relation to conflicts and are required to 
review and confirm their external interests at least annually. This 
helps us to determine whether each of them continues to be 
considered independent.

During the year, no additional conflicts of interest were identified 
and the Committee advised the Board that it considered each of the 
Non-Executive Directors to be independent.

Looking forward

The Committee has made strong progress in a number of areas, 
particularly improving our internal governance and in ensuring  
our activities align with our ambitions for our desired culture and 
behaviours. We have made good progress on our D&I agenda but 
still have further to go. We will continue to work to ensure our 
governance initiatives aspire to be best in class and use our 
innovation in this area to align our governance with the best 
interests of the Group as a whole, while remaining thoughtful and 
appropriate for all our stakeholders.

Sir Ian Davis 
Chairman of the Nominations & Governance Committee

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Audit Committee Report

79

AUDIT

Directors. For the purposes of the Code and DTR 7.1, George Culmer, 
Beverly Goulet, Nick Luff and I have recent and relevant financial 
experience. The Board has confirmed that it believes the Committee 
as a whole has competence relevant to the Company’s sector. Our 
biographies are on pages 62 to 64 and our meeting attendance  
is shown on page 66.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in its terms of reference 
which can be found at www.rolls-royce.com. We review these annually 
and refer them to the Board for approval. No changes have been made 
in 2019. This follows a detailed review in 2018 to ensure alignment 
with the principles of the Code.

Other attendees
In addition to the members of the Committee, the Chairman,  
Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and any of the Non-Executive 
Directors may attend one or more meetings at the Committee 
Chairman’s invitation. The Committee is supported by the General 
Counsel, the corporate governance director, the group controller, 
the head of group reporting, the director of risk and internal audit 
and the external auditors.

Committee evaluation review
Belinda Hudson Limited (BHL) was appointed to undertake a light 
touch review of the Board and committees for a second year, 
following a full review in 2018. The effectiveness review process of 
the Board and its committees is discussed in greater detail on page 
74 together with the overall findings. 

Principal responsibilities

Financial reporting
  Financial announcements, focusing on: accounting policies, 

judgements and estimates; inclusion of appropriate disclosures; 
compliance with relevant regulations; and whether the Annual 
Report is fair, balanced and understandable.

Risk and control environment
  Monitor the effectiveness of the risk management and internal 

LEWIS BOOTH
Chairman of the  
Audit Committee

Key highlights

  IFRS 16 embedded

  Trent 1000 exceptional charges

  Focus on assessment of onerous contracts

  Recognition and recoverability of deferred tax assets

  Focus on risk management and internal control systems, 

including cyber security

Introduction 

I am pleased to present the 2019 report of the Audit Committee 
which describes how the Committee has carried out its 
responsibilities during the year. This will be my last report as the 
Chair of the Audit Committee and I know I will be leaving the 
Committee in Nick Luff’s good hands. I would like to thank the 
members of the Committee, the executive management team and 
the external auditors for the open discussions that take place at our 
meetings and the importance they all attach to its work.

We have had a number of key issues to consider in 2019, 
most significantly:

control systems.

  Review concerns of financial fraud.

 — key judgements and estimates in accounting for the Trent 1000 

in-service issues and provisions made in respect of customer loss 
making contracts and restructuring costs;

 — assessment of the recognition of UK deferred tax assets; 

 — the balance sheet position of the Group and enhanced cash 

disclosures;

 — presentation of the impact of the pension buy-out in the UK;

 — judgements in respect of various M&A activity in the year; 

Principal risks
  Business continuity, market and financial shock and 

IT vulnerability.

Internal audit
  Scope, resources, results and effectiveness.

External audit
  Relationship with, and effectiveness of, the external auditor.

  Approve the external auditor’s terms of engagement and fees.

 — the carrying value of investments, tangible and intangible assets; 

and

Areas for focus in 2020

 — the adoption of the new leasing standard, IFRS 16.

  continuing oversight of the risk management and internal 

The Audit Committee also participated in a number of deep dives 
focused on long-term contract accounting judgements and  
finance transformation. 

control environment

  through our Data Security Committee, reviewing our principal 

risk: cyber threat

  supporting risk owners to assess the effectiveness of mitigating 

Membership and operation of the Committee 

controls

In addition to myself, members of the Committee are George Culmer, 
Beverly Goulet, Lee Hsien Yang and Nick Luff. Irene Dorner served 
as a member of the Committee during the year, stepping down in 
December 2019. George Culmer joined the Committee on 1 January 
2020. All members of the Committee are independent Non-Executive

  assessing the impact of changing regulation on our risk 

management plans

  keeping appraised of any developments with the audit reforms  

in the UK

DIRECTORS’ REPORT80

Directors’ Report
Audit Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Audit Committee focus during 2019 

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

Financial  
reporting

The appropriateness and disclosure of accounting policies, 
key judgements and key estimates with a focus on:

The accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
are appropriate and balanced.

 — the methodology for the identification of abnormal 

costs on the Trent 1000 programme;

 — assessment of the costs to be included in the 

assessment of customer contract losses, in particular 
the determination of which costs are incremental to  
the customer; 

 — recognition and disclosure of restructuring costs; 
 — judgements and estimates necessary to assess the 

recoverability of the UK deferred tax assets; 

 — the accounting for M&A activity in the year including 
the disposal of Commercial Marine, North America 
Civil Nuclear business and the acquisition of  
Siemens’ eAircraft business; 

 — accounting for the pension buy-in/buy-out in the UK; 
 — assessing the recoverability of tangible and intangible 
assets with a specific focus on programme intangible 
assets in Civil Aerospace and the carrying value of the 
investments the Company holds in the underlying Group;

 — assessing the balance sheet position of the Group  
and the transparency of our disclosures in respect  
of cash generation; and
 — adopting IFRS 16 Leases. 

Agreed the judgements and estimates to adopt  
IFRS 16 and the assessment of the impact included  
on page 82.

Confirmed the accounting policies, judgements 
and estimates are appropriate and balanced. As 
part of enhancing our disclosures we have provided 
additional information with regard to the sensitivity  
of the estimates to changes in key assumptions.  
These are summarised in note 1 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Reconciliations of APMs to their statutory equivalents 
are set out in notes 2 and 28 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Reviewed the additional information that has been 
made in respect of our assessment of the carrying 
value of the Company’s investment in its subsidiaries. 

Satisfied ourselves with the adequacy of disclosures in 
respect of cash generation. See notes 1, 14 and 18  
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Reported to the Board that the Annual Report, taken 
as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable.

Risk and control 
environment

The implementation project for IFRS 16. In particular, 
the preparation of the restated information on an  
IFRS 16 basis which is included in note 1 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

The form and content of the Annual Report with a 
specific focus on APMs and their reconciliation to 
statutory numbers.

Improvements in the approach to risk management 
and internal control systems, including in relation to 
financial reporting controls.

The processes for identifying and managing risks.

The effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and 
internal control systems.

The progress against the commitments under the DPAs 
as they relate to financial reporting.

The process and assumptions underlying the going 
concern and viability statements.

2019 Principal risks

Management’s assessment of the risk of, and activities 
to manage, a business continuity event.

The activities in place or required to prevent, detect 
and recover from any breaches due to cyber threats.

The Group’s policies, procedures and controls for 
identifying, managing and mitigating a market or 
financial shock.

Recognised improvements in the analysis of risk 
appetite, risks at remote sites and increased focus 
on emerging risks, and identified areas for future 
improvements, including in relation to financial 
reporting controls.

Satisfied ourselves that the processes for identifying 
and managing risks are appropriate and that all 
principal risks and mitigating actions had been subject 
to a detailed review by the Board or a Board committee 
during the year.

Reported to the Board that an appropriate process 
is in place to make the going concern and viability 
statements. Particular attention was given to the going 
concern status of the Group’s material subsidiaries.

Processes and plans are in place to manage the risks 
associated with business continuity, cyber and market 
or financial shock.

Internal audit

The effectiveness of the internal audit function, matters 
and themes arising as a result of the audit work and 
resolution of any associated actions.

The scope, extent and effectiveness of internal audit 
are appropriate and there is a plan to sustain this.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Audit Committee Report

81

Audit Committee focus during 2019 continued

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

External audit

The approach, scope and risk assessments of external 
audit and the effectiveness and independence of the 
external auditor.

The extent of non-audit services provided by the 
external auditors.

No concerns over the nature and amount of the  
non-audit services provided by PwC.

Recommended that PwC be re-appointed as the 
Group’s auditor at the 2020 AGM.

Business audit committees

Financial reporting

Each of the Group’s businesses has its own risk and audit 
committee. These committees continue to be chaired by the 
respective business president or functional leader and comprise 
business leadership and functional team members, senior finance 
personnel and PwC. They meet at least twice a year and:

 — review the effectiveness of business and functional risk 

management activities including the identification, ownership 
and assessment of significant risks;

 — consider the existence and appropriateness of associated 

mitigating controls;

 — consider the effectiveness of mitigating controls including with 
reference to assurance findings or any relevant incidents arising;

 — review the application of accounting policies, judgements and 

estimates; and

 — inform areas for further consideration at our meetings.

Members of the Committee are invited to attend the business risk 
and audit committee meetings and routinely receive reports on 
themes and any significant matters arising. During 2019, the 
business risk and audit committees focused on clarification of risk 
and control ownership in the empowered business structure and 
assessing the appropriateness of assurance while also undertaking 
deep dives of specific risks in certain businesses.

Business and function presentations

In addition to reports from the business risk and audit committees, 
the businesses and functions attend the Audit Committee to provide 
a more in-depth view of relevant matters. During 2019, we considered:

 — Defence – the current business environment, the status of the 

business internal financial control framework, the effectiveness of 
business risk management, the status of internal audit findings and 
other control-related incidents, accounting for long-term contracts; 

 — Power Systems – the status of internal audit findings, changes in 
the levels of the most significant business risks, the effectiveness 
of business risk management, key accounting estimates (including 
in respect of litigation and claims); and

As I have previously noted, the Group has complex long-term 
accounting and every year we spend much of our time reviewing the 
accounting policies and accounting judgements implicit in our 
financial results. For 2019, we have focused on the key judgements 
and estimates underpinning the financial performance of the 
business and the adequacy of disclosures in respect of the balance 
sheet and cash generation (see page 82).

The Group has an established process for preparing the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, including:

 — maintenance of internal financial controls – see page 83;
 — monitoring of developments in financial reporting;
 — review of financial statements by local management prior to 

submission to group finance for further review and explanations;

 — certification by management of each business unit;
 — preparation and review of consolidation adjustments;
 — review of the draft Consolidated Financial Statements prior to 

submission to the Committee and the Board; and

 — review of the Consolidated Financial Statements by the Committee 
and the Board together with reports from management and the 
auditors on significant judgements, estimates, changes in 
accounting policies and any other relevant matters.

The scope of the external audit is set out in PwC’s report on page 194.

A summary of the principal matters we considered in respect of the 
2019 Consolidated Financial Statements is set out in the table on 
page 82.

Fair, balanced and understandable

Since the year end, we have reviewed the form and content of the 
Company’s 2019 Annual Report, together with the processes used 
to prepare and verify it. We have reported to the Board that, taken 
as a whole, we consider the Annual Report to be fair, balanced and 
understandable. We further believe the Annual Report provides the 
necessary information for shareholders to adequately assess the 
Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

 — Group Tax – the main drivers of the Group’s tax position, key 

In making this assessment, we considered:

judgements and estimates, the main areas of tax risk including 
consideration of tax audits and disputes and emerging risks 
including those associated with digitalised businesses, key sources 
of estimation uncertainty (in particular the recognition of deferred 
tax assets).

We also received regular updates on the finance transformation 
programme and the current status of certain Civil Aerospace risk 
mitigation plans, accounting judgements and financial reporting 
matters including in respect of Trent 1000.

 — the process for preparing the Annual Report, including a steering 

committee, the core team, and instructions to contributors;

 — written representations from management in respect of the business 

reviews, sustainability, principal risks and Financial Statements;

 — the completion of a regulatory compliance checklist;
 — all reviews performed (including the Board, the Executive Team 

and PwC) and ensured that all feedback was appropriately 
reflected; and

 — the presentation and discussion in the Strategic Report of: the 

underlying as well as reported results; the in-service issues on the 
Trent 1000 programme; and trends, in particular, the impact of 
individually significant items.

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Areas of focus for the 2019 Financial Statements

Key issue

Matters considered

Outcome

Adoption of IFRS 16

Final judgements on the implementation of IFRS 16 
and the appropriateness of the disclosures made in 
respect of key accounting policies and judgements. 

Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs)

The clarity of the definitions and the reconciliations 
of the APM to its statutory equivalent.

Accounting for Trent 1000 
in-service issues

Refined the methodology for identifying abnormal 
costs of wasted material, labour and other resources 
and the application of this to the Trent 1000 
in-service issues (see note 1 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements). 

We were satisfied that the judgements and estimates 
made are appropriate and consistent with the new 
requirements; that the disclosures of the impact in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate; and 
that the Group has systems and processes in place 
to report on the new basis in 2019 (see note 1 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements).

Definitions refined and full reconciliations  
provided (see notes 1, 2 and 28 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements).

We were satisfied with the judgements taken in respect 
of which costs were included in the exceptional 
wastage charge and that these were abnormal costs 
that should be excluded from underlying performance 
(see notes 2 and 20 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements).

Consideration of onerous 
contracts

Disclosure of invoice 
discounting and 
supply chain financing 
arrangements

Deferred tax assets

R&D capitalisation policy 
and application

Carrying value of intangible 
and tangible assets

Going concern and viability 
statement disclosures

Review of the nature of costs included in the 
assessment of onerous contracts, the discount 
rates applied in calculating the charge and the 
sensitivity analysis performed and appropriateness 
of disclosures. 

We paid particular attention to those contract losses 
that were included in the Trent 1000 exceptional 
charge and the adequacy of the disclosures which 
are included in notes 2 and 20 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

The nature of the arrangements and the disclosures 
included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In line with the Group’s commitment to transparency, 
additional disclosures have been included in note 14 
and note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Basis for the recognition of further UK deferred tax 
assets and the assessment of the recoverability of 
the asset and associated disclosures. 

We confirmed the approach adopted and the 
additional disclosures included in note 5 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In 2017, the Group refreshed the application of its 
R&D capitalisation policy. This year, we focused on 
the application of the policy and the consistency  
of approach across the businesses. 

The basis on which management assesses the risk 
of impairment, the methodology for calculating  
the recoverable amount, including the basis for  
the key assumptions, the discount rates and  
long-term growth rates. We also reviewed the 
sensitivity disclosures made in respect of  
goodwill and programme intangible assets. 

The basis for assessing the going concern 
assumption for the business and the principal risks 
for the Group and how these were modelled as 
viability scenarios. 

We concluded that there were no matters that 
required additional disclosure in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Confirmed the appropriateness of the conclusions 
including the sensitivity analysis confirmed.

We agreed with the basis of the assessments and the 
disclosures included on page 55.

Risk and control environment

In managing the identified risks, judgement is necessary to:

Assessment of principal risks
All risks are managed through the risk management and internal control 
framework (the RMS described on page 50) in accordance with policies 
and guidance approved by the Board. On behalf of the Board, the 
Committee monitors the RMS, including continued developments 
and improvements. We continue to pay particular attention to the 
assessment and management of risks at remote sites and increased 
our focus on the identification and monitoring of emerging risks.  
The processes are designed to identify and manage, rather than 
eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve our business objectives. 

 — evaluate the risks facing the Group in achieving its objectives;
 — determine the risks that are considered acceptable;
 — determine the likelihood of those risks materialising;
 — assess the Group’s ability to reduce the impact of risks that do 

materialise; and

 — ensure the costs of operating particular controls are proportionate 

to the benefit provided.

We satisfied ourselves that the processes for identifying and 
managing the principal risks are appropriate and that all risks and 
mitigating actions had been subject, during the year, to a detailed 
review by the Board or an appropriate Board committee. Based on 
this and on our other activities, including consideration of the work 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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83

of internal and external audit and attendance at the Committee by 
business and functional risk owners, we reported to the Board that  
a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group had  
been undertaken.

The principal risks arising are described on pages 51 to 54. These 
formed a key element of our assessment of the going concern and 
viability statements, described further below.

Internal control
The Board has overall responsibility to shareholders for the Group’s 
system of internal control over its business and risk management 
processes and the risks identified through the risk management 
process. The Committee has responsibility for reviewing the 
system’s operation and effectiveness. The system is based on 
business best practice and comprises:

 — entity-level controls covering leadership and direction from  

the top; and

 — specific control activities, covering detailed process controls, 

and internal and external assurance activities.

We have reviewed controls over the Group’s principal risks and the 
key risks and critical processes in each of the Group’s businesses. 
In addition, both the business audit committees and this Committee 
consider the external auditor’s observations on the control environment.

During 2019, we reviewed the results of attestation and testing 
performed by the internal control and internal audit teams to 
confirm the effective operation of key financial controls across the 
Group. We also reviewed the progress of the programme to 
strengthen financial reporting and compliance controls to meet our 
DPA commitments, including the work to document and assess the 
process risks and design of controls in our key finance processes. 
We have made further progress in embedding a financial controls 
awareness and culture with additional training and guidance provided 
to our finance teams. We have strengthened our supervisory review 
and oversight controls with a specific focus on balance sheet 
integrity, including the development of IT systems to improve the 
consistency and rigour of manual processes and controls. This will 
continue to be an area of focus throughout 2020 alongside our 
broader finance transformation initiatives. 

We have conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management and internal control systems, including those 
relating to the financial reporting process, in accordance with the 
Code. Where opportunities for improvement were identified, action 
plans have been put in place and progress is monitored by the 
Committee. We consider that our review of the risk management 
and internal control systems, in place throughout 2019 and up to 
the date of this report, meets the requirements of the Code, the 
DTR and the FRC’s guidance on risk management. 

Going concern and viability statements
Having regard to the net liabilities of £3,354m on the Group’s 2019 
balance sheet, we paid particular attention to these assessments. 
We reviewed the processes and assumptions underlying the 
statements set out on page 55, considering in particular:

 — the Group’s forecast funding position over the next five years;
 — the forecasts for material subsidiaries making up this position;
 — an analysis of impacts of severe but plausible risk scenarios, 
ensuring that these were consistent with the risks reviewed 
by the Board as part of its strategy review;

 — the impact of multiple risks occurring simultaneously;
 — additional mitigating actions that could be taken in extreme 

circumstances; and

 — the current borrowing facilities in place and the availability  

of future facilities.

As a result, we were satisfied that the going concern and viability 
statements have been prepared on an appropriate basis.

2019 Principal risks

As set out on page 65, the Board allocated certain principal risks to 
the Committee and we considered these in detail throughout the 
year. From our discussions, we are satisfied that all of the principal 
risks that we oversee have received significant management 
attention during the year. We reviewed:

Business continuity
In February, the head of risk shared lessons learned from a recent 
continuity related crisis management exercise. Following regular 
updates on the status of the mitigation plans in respect of the 
business continuity risk in Civil Aerospace, the director of risk  
and internal audit updated the Committee on business continuity 
risks related to external suppliers and internal facilities across all  
of the businesses in December. 

Cyber
In May, the chief information officer and the cyber security director 
updated the Committee on cyber risks including the level of threat 
and nature of incidents arising, key risk mitigation and related 
assurance findings, and the status of IT infrastructure. The cyber 
security strategy was also reviewed. Cyber risk was considered by 
the Data Security Committee in January 2020.

Market and financial shock
In July, we considered risks associated with liquidity and our credit 
ratings focusing on our risk appetite, the nature of the current risks 
and their associated mitigating activities. Other risks reviewed at 
the Group’s financial risk committee were also reported. Separately, 
we have incorporated any market or financial shock that could 
result from Brexit in the scenario analysis on which the viability 
statement is based.

Our risk management system
We satisfied ourselves that improvements have been made in the 
approach to risk management including further refining of our risk 
appetite metrics and strengthening of our controls over risks at 
remote sites as described on page 50. Future improvements should 
focus on simplification of our risk policies and guidance and 
additional support for risk owners in assessing the effectiveness  
of mitigating control activities. 

Internal audit

The director of risk and internal audit regularly attends and reports 
to the Committee on risk and internal audit matters including:

 — quarterly – a dashboard identifying key trends and headline 

findings from internal audit reports issued in the period and the 
status of related agreed actions; any key themes from internal 
audit’s work and details of any specific significant findings raised 
that warrant the Committee’s attention, including in respect of 
audits conducted as part of the Group’s response to the DPAs; 
and

 — annually – compliance with expenses policies for the Directors 
and the Executive Team; and an internal audit work plan for the 
following year. 

I meet the director of risk and internal audit before each meeting 
and on an adhoc basis throughout the year, as do other members 
of the Committee, to discuss risk matters and the nature of internal 
audit findings in more depth. We continue to focus on the nature 
and number of issues raised by internal audit and the time to 
complete the related actions which continues to improve. However, 
the underlying root causes remain largely unchanged and form a 
critical part of our restructuring plans. The future work plan is 

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

risk-based, balancing focus on principal risk areas and on business 
as usual transactional activity where controls are understood to be 
mature and established. Internal audit also provides assurance to 
our transformation programmes and restructuring activities and 
incorporate the activities of our second line assurance functions  
in their approach. We monitor changes to their plan during the 
course of the year.

We considered and reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal audit function, including resources, plans and performance 
as well as the function’s interaction with management. Based on the 
reports and discussion, we are satisfied that the scope, extent and 
effectiveness of internal audit work are appropriate for the Group 
and that there is an appropriate plan in place to sustain this.

External audit

PwC were appointed as the Group’s external auditor for the financial 
year commencing on 1 January 2018 following a formal tender 
process in 2016. The external audit contract will be put out to 
tender at least every ten years. The lead audit partner, Ian Chambers, 
has been in post since PwC were appointed and he will be required 
to rotate after five years. Other key audit partners will also be 
required to rotate every five years. Any future audit tenders will be 
carried out in line with the FRC’s practice aid for audit committees.

Other than the services detailed below, PwC have no other 
connection with the Company nor its Directors.

2019 audit
The Committee reviewed the quality of the external audit 
throughout the year and considered the performance of PwC, 
taking into account the Committee’s own assessment and feedback, 
the results of a survey of senior finance personnel across the 
Group focusing on a range of factors we considered relevant to 
audit quality, feedback from the auditors on their performance 
against their own performance objectives and the firm-wide audit 
quality inspection report issued by the FRC in June 2018.

Based on these reviews, the Committee concluded that there had 
been appropriate focus and challenge by PwC on the primary  
areas of the audit and that they had applied robust challenge  
and scepticism throughout the audit. Consequently, as noted  
on page 81, the Committee has recommended to the Board that 
they be reappointed at the 2020 AGM.

In May 2019, PwC presented its audit plan, which identified its 
assessment of the key audit risks and the proposed scope of audit 
work. We agreed the approach and scope to be undertaken. 
Subsequently, an updated plan was agreed in November 2019, 
building on the work undertaken at the half-year.

Key risks and the audit approach to these risks are discussed  
in the Independent Auditor’s Report (pages 194 to 202), which  
also highlights the other risks that PwC drew to our attention.

As part of the reporting of the half-year and full-year results,  
in July and February 2020, PwC reported to the Committee on its 
assessment of the Group’s judgements and estimates in respect of 
these risks and the adequacy of the reporting. Where effective to 
do so, PwC also reported on its assessment of the Group’s controls.

I meet with the lead partner prior to each Committee meeting  
and the whole Committee has a private meeting with PwC at least 
once a year.

During 2019, the Audit Quality Review Team (AQRT) of the FRC 
conducted a review of PwC’s audit of the Group's Financial 
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. In January 2020, 

the AQRT provided their final report and I, as Chairman, have 
discussed the findings with both the FRC and the audit partner. 
Whilst there were no significant findings, some matters were 
identified as requiring improvement. PwC have reported to the 
Audit Committee their response to the findings and how the 
suggested improvements have been incorporated into the current 
audit along with continuation of the areas identified as being  
of a high standard.

Non-audit services
In order to safeguard the auditor’s independence and objectivity, 
and in accordance with the FRC’s ethical standard, we do not 
engage PwC for any non-audit services except where it is work that 
they must, or are clearly best-suited to, perform. Accordingly, our 
policies for the engagement of the auditor to undertake non-audit 
services broadly limit these to audit-related services such as 
reporting to lenders and grant providers.

Fees paid to PwC are set out in note 7 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. All proposed services must be pre-approved in 
accordance with the policy which is reviewed and approved 
annually. Above defined levels, my approval is also required before 
PwC is engaged. Quarterly, we also review the non-audit fees 
charged by PwC. 

Non-audit related fees paid to the auditor during the year were 
£1.1m (including £0.4m relating to the review of the half-year results) 
representing 13% (2018: 10%) of the audit fee. Our annual review of 
the external auditor takes into account the nature and level of all 
services provided. 

Non-audit services are provided by PwC where the auditor is 
required by law or regulation to perform the work. All other 
non-audit services are considered on a case-by-case basis in light 
of the requirements of the ethical standards and our own policy.

Based on our review of the services provided by PwC and 
discussion with the lead audit partner, we concluded that neither 
the nature nor the scale of these services gave any concerns 
regarding the objectivity or independence of PwC.

Compliance
During 2019, the Company complied with the relevant provisions of 
The Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, as disclosed within the 
external audit section.

Looking forward

We will continue to monitor our accounting policies whilst also 
focusing on:

 — the risk management and internal control environment in relation 

to the transformation programme;

 — the continuing finance transformation programme; and

 — developments with the audit reforms in the UK following the 

publication of Sir Donald Brydon’s review into the quality and 
effectiveness of audit in the UK.

As I previously mentioned, this is my last report as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee. I am pleased to be staying on as a member of the 
Committee and supporting Nick Luff as he takes over the reins 
during this ongoing period of transformation, particularly in the 
finance function.

Lewis Booth 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

85

REMUNERATION

executives and are introducing a requirement to maintain a significant 
shareholding for two years post-employment. In addition, coincident 
with changes being implemented for managers who are participants 
in our UK defined benefit pension plan, Warren East and  
Stephen Daintith have agreed to reduce their pension allowances 
over the next three years to align with the wider UK workforce.

These policy changes have been supported by the shareholders 
with whom we have consulted.

2019 outturns
2019 has been a challenging year, particularly in respect of the 
continuing Trent 1000 issues. However, while supporting our 
customers and responding to the Trent 1000 issues, Civil Aerospace 
improved its underlying profit significantly, with above target levels 
of free cash flow and profit. We have delivered a record number of 
widebody engines, introduced new engines into the business jet 
market and progressed a wide-ranging restructuring programme. 
Defence delivered strong financial performance and has positioned 
itself well for future opportunities. Power Systems revenue and 
profit continued to grow.

In determining the outcomes for bonus purposes, the Committee 
continues to take a rigorous approach to ensuring that executives 
are being rewarded for sustainable operational improvements in 
transforming the business and delivering a step change in 
operational cash flow. Whilst the Committee reviews in detail the 
underlying performance which underpins the bonus metric outturns, 
we also consider the outturn in the round. Turning to the metrics 
first, our key financial metrics are profit and cash, both achieved 
above target levels due to the hard work and commitment of our 
people. We delivered a strong free cash flow performance and a 
significant improvement in profitability, in challenging circumstances.

Our non-financial metrics are customer satisfaction and employee 
engagement. For bonus purposes, whilst our financial metrics 
delivered good progress, the non-financial elements were not 
where we would have liked them to be. We adopted a broader 
scorecard of customer metrics for the first time in 2019 and the 
below-target outturn reflected the challenges we experienced in 
Civil Aerospace, particularly on the Trent 1000, and the impact of 
supply chain challenges in Defence. In terms of our people measure, 
we continue to recognise the importance of transforming our business 
and culture. In 2019, we introduced a new survey provided by Gallup 
and were very pleased to see a record level of participation (72%). 
However, against a backdrop of transformation and operational 
headwinds, employee engagement fell short of our targets.

In assessing the final bonus awards, the Committee has also 
considered a number of factors including in particular Trent 1000, 
as well as HSE performance, quality of financial performance and 
the experience of our customers and shareholders. Whilst the Trent 
1000 disruption already impacts the calculated bonus within the 
customer metric, the Committee felt that the calculated outturn did 
not sufficiently reflect the continuing disruption for our customers 
and financial impact on our shareholders. As a result, we exercised 
our discretion to reduce the overall bonus outturn for the Group 
metrics from 61% to 52.5% of maximum. The Committee felt that this 
was an appropriate adjustment to balance the experience of our 
customers and shareholders with a year of strong cash generation 
and effective management action to progress business 
transformation and address the in-service issues.

Our targets for the 2017 long-term incentive plan achieved 53% of 
maximum. This outcome reflects strong cash performance versus 
targets for the period, but less progress in terms of profit delivery 
and a disappointing overall total shareholder return.

IRENE DORNER
Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

Key highlights

  New remuneration policy

  Outturns for 2019

  Wider workforce remuneration

Introduction

I am pleased to present my first report as Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, outlining what we have achieved in the year. I would like 
to take the opportunity to thank Ruth Cairnie for her commitment 
during her time as Chairman of the Committee. Having joined the 
Committee last August, I was able to accompany Ruth during our 
consultation meetings with shareholders on the remuneration policy. 

Our remuneration policy
We undertook a review of our current policy this year, focusing on 
three key themes: alignment to vision and strategy; supporting the 
talent agenda; and alignment with the Code.

This review built upon the significant changes implemented in  
2017, which were strongly supported by shareholders (96% vote  
in favour). We concluded that limited changes are required to our 
existing policy; the substantive changes we made three years ago 
continue to support the delivery of our vision and business strategy. 
We remain in a period of unprecedented business transformation 
with a clear focus on increased cash flow generation, so the drivers 
behind the design of the current policy remain very relevant. We 
believe that there is strong alignment in our incentive plans 
between executives and the interests of our shareholders, with the 
primary focus on improving free cash flow. This is a key performance 
metric in our incentives and so we have no current plans to change 
their design. However, as we continue to be at the forefront of 
developing cleaner power solutions, we expect that future 
incentive metrics will include environmental aspects and potentially 
other sustainability measures, subject to such metrics being 
robustly quantifiable and fully aligned with our business strategy.

In terms of our talent agenda, we have always taken a modest 
approach to executive reward and for the third year running are 
not proposing any changes in quantum for existing Executive 
Directors. However, we are mindful of the challenge of recruiting 
senior individuals from an increasingly global and diverse talent 
pool and are proposing a small amount of increased flexibility within 
the bonus quantum in case this is required for any future hire.

As part of our review, we have also taken on board the revised 
requirements of the Code. We have focused in particular on executive 
pensions and post-employment shareholding requirements. We 
have reduced the pension contribution rate for newly appointed 

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Our reflection is that this is an appropriate outturn in the context of 
positive actions taken by Warren and his team to tackle our 
business challenges, whilst recognising the further progress 
needed to enhance the quality of our underlying financial results.

2020 salary review and incentives
The Committee has reviewed the salary levels of the Executive 
Directors and has concluded that there will be no increases in 2020 
in line with most of the Group’s management. This will be the third 
year of zero increases for Executive Directors.

Wider workforce
The Committee has always had a good appreciation of the Group’s 
reward practices, including bonus plan design, gender pay and pay 
practices. During 2019, the Committee held an additional session to 
focus on reward approaches across the wider workforce, to gain a 
deeper understanding of the broader context against which we make 
decisions on total reward for senior management. The Committee 
will continue to review key metrics on the wider workforce to 
provide insight and context for our activity. This is the third year 
that we have reported on our CEO pay ratio. Our reward strategy 
for the Group’s management population is currently focused on 
driving performance and behaviours consistent with our values. 
Incentives and performance enablement activities are structured to 
reward business and personal objectives, as well as behaviours. 

We hope shareholders will continue to support our policy and 
implementation.

Membership and operation of the Committee 

In 2019, members of the Committee were Ruth Cairnie, Lewis Booth, 
Beverly Goulet, Sir Kevin Smith and myself. I joined the Committee 
in August and Ruth Cairnie stepped down as Chairman at the end 
of 2019. All members of the Committee are independent  
Non-Executive Directors. Our biographies are on pages 62 and 64 
and our meeting attendance is shown on page 66.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in its terms of reference 
which can be found at www.rolls-royce.com. We review these 
annually and refer them to the Board for approval. No changes have 
been made in 2019. This follows a detailed review in 2018 to ensure 
alignment with the principles of the Code.

Other attendees
In addition to the members of the Committee, the Chairman,  
Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and any of the Non-Executive 
Directors may attend one or more meetings at the Committee 
Chairman’s invitation, although none were present during 
discussion of his or her own remuneration package. The Committee 
is supported by the Company Secretary, the Chief People Officer 
and the people director, performance and reward.

Advisers
During the year, the Committee had access to advice from  
Deloitte LLP’s executive compensation advisory practice. Total fees 
for advice provided to the Committee during the year by Deloitte 
were £96,025 (2018: £73,415). Fees are based on a time and materials 
basis. Deloitte also advised the Company on tax, corporate 
compliance, employee global mobility, assurance and corporate 
finance and Deloitte MCS Limited provided consulting services. 
They also provided personal tax advice to both Sir Ian Davis and 
Lewis Booth. In addition, Stephen Daintith’s son is employed by 
Deloitte. The Committee is exclusively responsible for reviewing, 
selecting and appointing its advisers.

Deloitte is a founding member of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group and adheres to its code in relation to executive remuneration 
consulting. The Committee requests Deloitte attend meetings 
periodically during the year and is satisfied that the advice it has 
received has been objective and independent. 

Shareholder voting

The remuneration policy was last approved by shareholders at  
our 2017 AGM. The remuneration report was last approved by 
shareholders at our 2019 AGM. Details of voting are shown in  
the table below.

Principal responsibilities

  Determine the remuneration policy for the Executive Directors 

and set the remuneration for the Chairman, the Executive 
Directors and senior management.

  Review workforce remuneration and related policies and the 

alignment of incentives and rewards with our culture.

  Determine the design, conditions and coverage of annual 

incentives and LTIPs for senior executives and approve total and 
individual payments under the plans.

  Determine targets for any performance-related pay plans.

  Determine the issue and terms of all-employee share plans.

   Oversee any major changes in remuneration.

Areas of focus for 2020

   Continue to review incentive measures and targets to ensure that 
they remain aligned with performance and strategy, including 
ongoing consideration of sustainability measures

   Implement the new remuneration policy, subject to  

shareholder approval

  Gain further insights into the remuneration of the workforce  
to further inform decisions on senior management reward

Irene Dorner
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Approval of the Directors’ remuneration policy (4 May 2017)
Approval of the Directors’ remuneration report (2 May 2019)

1,357,109,903
1,347,237,842

95.79
96.80

1  Withheld votes are not counted towards the total percentage of votes cast.

Number 
of votes

For

%

Number
of votes

59,613,198
44,467,914

Against

%

4.21
3.20

Withheld 1

Number 
of votes

2,505,008
5,452,732

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

87

Remuneration Committee focus during 2019

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

Policy review  
and shareholder 
consultation

Review of remuneration policy  
to ensure alignment with 
business strategy and 
corporate governance 
requirements.

The Committee reviewed the current remuneration policy and concluded that 
it remained aligned to the business strategy and continued to support the 
transformation programme and focus on increasing free cash flow generation. 
A number of incremental changes were proposed and discussed with shareholders 
and their feedback was incorporated into the final policy design.

Consultation with shareholders 
on proposed policy changes.

Base salaries

Annual bonus

Review of base salaries 
in accordance with the 
remuneration policy and the 
broader employee context.

2019 bonus – review of 
performance against the  
2019 bonus targets.

2020 bonus – review of 
measures and targets to 
ensure continued alignment  
to strategy.

Long-term  
incentive plan

2017 LTIP – review  
of achievement of  
performance measures.

2020 LTIP – setting targets 
that ensure significant stretch.

The proposed changes are as follows:

 — Pensions – the pension contributions for existing Executive Directors will be 
reduced over the next three years to align with the average wider workforce 
rate for existing UK employees at 17% of salary. For any newly appointed 
Executive Directors, the pensions contribution will be 12%, in line with the new 
hire rate for the wider UK workforce. 

 — Shareholding requirements – a post-employment shareholding requirement 
will be introduced to retain the lower of the shareholding requirement and 
actual shareholding at leaving date (based on shares vesting following the 
introduction of the new policy) at 100% in year one and 50% in year two.

 — Malus and clawback – additional triggers added. 
 — Recruitment – flexibility to increase the maximum bonus to 200% (from 180%) 

for newly appointed Executive Directors where required to secure the  
right talent.

Whilst no changes are proposed to the current incentive metrics, the Committee 
consulted with shareholders on the possibility of introducing a metric based  
on environmental performance and other sustainability measures in the future, 
as this continues to be an important focus of future Group performance.

In developing the policy, the Committee also reviewed remuneration across  
the wider workforce as context for any proposed changes. 

The Committee reviewed the salary levels of the Executive Directors and 
concluded that no increases would be made in 2020.

Warren East and Stephen Daintith received a bonus of 52.5% of maximum.  
40% of the awards were deferred into shares. 

The Committee agreed that for the 2020 bonus plan the same measures would 
apply as in 2019:
 — Profit – 25%
 — Cash – 50% 
 — Customer satisfaction – 12.5%
 — Employee engagement – 12.5%

Awards will be based 80% on Group performance and 20% on individual 
performance. The maximum opportunities remain at 180% of salary for the 
Chief Executive and 150% for other Executive Directors.

The 2017 LTIP will mature in March 2020 at 53% of maximum.

For 2020 grants, targets will continue to be based on CPS (60%), EPS (20%) and 
TSR (20%). 

The maximum opportunities remain at 250% of salary for the Chief Executive and 
225% of salary for other Executive Directors.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT88

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

REMUNERATION POLICY FROM 2020

Pensions
We will reduce the pension contribution for newly appointed 
Executive Directors from a maximum of 25% to 12% of salary to 
align with the new hire rate for the wider UK workforce. 

The pension contributions for existing Executive Directors will be 
reduced over the period to 2022 to align with the average wider 
workforce rate for existing UK employees of 17% of salary. 

Shareholding requirements
We will introduce a requirement for Executive Directors to retain 
the lower of their shareholding requirement or their actual holding 
at leaving date in full for 12 months from that date, based on shares 
vesting following the introduction of the new policy. The requirement 
will be 50% of this level in the second year.

Malus and clawback
We are adding further malus and clawback triggers to our 
requirements, to ensure that we have a robust set of triggers that 
are relevant and appropriate to our business.

Consideration of shareholder feedback

During the policy review we have engaged in constructive 
consultation with our largest shareholders which has reinforced 
our view that the current policy is working and is well supported. 
The overall feedback from this consultation was:
 — recognition that business transformation continues to be the 

critical focus for the Group;

 — agreement that cash generation remains the key financial driver; 
 — acknowledgement that environmental measures are becoming a 
key metric both internally and externally and that quantitative 
measures that are important to the business strategy might be an 
appropriate non-financial incentive measure in the future;

 — understanding of the rationale for increasing the maximum bonus 

for new hires to support future talent needs if required; and

 — support for changes to pensions, post-employment shareholding 

requirements and malus and clawback triggers.

These views have been reflected in the final policy design for 2020.

Introduction

The policy will take effect from 7 May 2020, subject to shareholder 
approval at the AGM.

Key policy themes

In 2016, the Committee undertook a wide-ranging review of the 
remuneration policy, resulting in a number of changes under the 
themes of supporting transformation, talent, simplicity and 
stewardship. The Committee believes that these changes have been 
working well for the Company and remain relevant given that we 
are still in a period of transformation. As a result, the Committee has 
focused on three key themes for this review, evolving the existing 
policy with limited changes.

Alignment to vision and strategy
There is a continued focus on delivering an unprecedented level of 
transformation: reducing costs, delivering operational excellence, 
innovating new products and meeting customer expectations, 
including dealing with legacy engine issues. The Committee 
considered a number of alternative incentive measures such as 
CROIC and new technology milestones. However our main priority 
continues to be to significantly increase our cash flow generation 
to ensure that we can deliver sustainable value to our shareholders 
and invest in new technologies to drive our long-term success. It is 
therefore important that our incentive measures continue to reflect 
the significance of cash flow generation. Looking further ahead, the 
Committee recognises the importance of environmental performance 
and other sustainability measures and may consider this as a metric 
at some point in the future, as a key driver to business success.

Supporting the talent agenda
We must continue to be able to attract and retain the individuals 
who can drive our long-term business success across an 
increasingly global and diverse talent pool. The changes we made 
in the 2017 policy, which were cascaded further down the 
organisation, have helped with the recruitment of executive talent. 
However, we are increasingly experiencing a challenge in recruiting 
key talent from outside the UK at senior levels and need to ensure 
that we have as much flexibility as possible to make sure we can 
secure a talented and diverse workforce for the future.

Alignment with the Code
We recognise the importance of strong corporate governance 
around executive compensation and are proposing further changes 
to align with the Code around executive pensions, post-
employment shareholding requirements and malus and clawback 
provisions.

Changes to policy design

Whilst the existing policy is working well for us, a small number of 
changes are proposed to our policy for 2020:

Recruitment
We are not proposing any changes to quantum for existing 
Executive Directors. Our current policy contains flexibility for a 
higher LTIP maximum of 300% of salary for new hires and we plan 
to retain this. In addition, for new hires, given the increasingly 
global, diverse executive talent pool we propose to increase the 
maximum bonus to 200% of salary (currently 180% for the Chief 
Executive and 150% for other Executive Directors) to give us 
additional flexibility to secure executive talent in the future. This 
will not be applied for current incumbents and will only be used  
for recruitment if needed.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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Summary of our revised remuneration policy

Fixed pay

Base salary

Bene�ts

Pension

Variable pay

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive plan

80% Group
performance 

+

20% individual
performance 

Financial
• Pro�t
• Cash

Non-�nancial
• Customer 
• Employee engagement

60%
CPS

20%
EPS

20%
TSR

40% deferral for 2 years

3-year performance period plus 2-year holding period

Malus and clawback – LTIP awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions where there has been a material 
misstatement of audited results; serious �nancial irregularity; material �nancial downturn or an event causing a material 
negative impact on the value of the Group; material failure of risk management; a serious breach of Our Code; individual 
misconduct or actions that materially damage the Group; a breach of or inadequate response to a signi�cant HSE or 
other environmental issue; and/or materially incorrect calculation of an award. These provisions apply from the date 
of grant for six years. The same provisions apply to awards of deferred shares for three years from the date of grant.

Shareholding requirement – Executive Directors are required to work towards holding bene�cially-owned 
shares equivalent in value to a percentage of their salary by retaining at least one half of after-tax shares released 
from the LTIP until this requirement is met. For the Chief Executive this requirement is 250% of salary and for other 
Executive Directors this requirement is 200% of salary. In addition, the lower of their shareholding requirement or 
their actual shareholding at leaving date must normally be retained by Executive Directors for 12 months 
following leaving date and then 50% of that amount for the following 12 months.

Element

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

Commentary

No changes are proposed to the salary or benefits elements of the remuneration policy approved by 
shareholders at the 2017 AGM. Pension contributions will be reduced to align with the average of the wider  
UK workforce.

Performance measures remain appropriate following the introduction of customer and employee metrics in 
2016. Bonuses are determined primarily by Group financial performance but the Committee may apply  
non-financial metrics that support the underlying strategic priorities for the forthcoming year.

Executive Director bonuses will continue to be awarded using a simple additive approach:

 — 80% of the award will be based on Group performance
 — 20% of the award will be based on individual performance

The maximum for existing Executive Directors will be maintained at 180% of salary. The new remuneration policy 
includes the flexibility for a potential maximum of up to 200% of salary for newly hired Executive Directors. The 
intention is that this flexibility will only be used for recruitment to secure talent across a global and diverse pool.

40% of any bonus will be deferred into shares for two years. 

Long-term  
incentive plan

CPS, EPS and TSR remain our long-term measures of success and reflect the strategic focus on profitable 
growth, the quality of profit, and returns to shareholders. During shareholder consultations, we received strong 
support for the continued use of cash flow as the central measure of long-term performance.

The two-year holding period following the three-year performance period continues. This includes a 
requirement to continue to hold shares after participants have left the Group.

20% of the maximum award will vest for threshold performance.

The remuneration policy continues to include an overall maximum of up to 300% of salary for the  
Chief Executive and 250% for other Executive Directors. This flexibility will only be used for recruitment  
to secure talent across a global and diverse talent pool.

The intended operational maximum for the three-year period of this policy will continue to be 250% of salary  
for the Chief Executive and 225% of salary for other Executive Directors.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Remuneration policy table

The table below sets out each element of Executive Directors’ remuneration. 

Pay element – fixed pay

Base salary

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Benefits

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

The Company provides competitive salaries suitable to attract and retain individuals of the right calibre  
to develop and execute the business strategy.

Salaries are reviewed, but not necessarily increased, annually. Decisions on salary are informed but not  
led by reference to companies of a similar size, complexity and international reach.

Any salary increases will be assessed annually and will not normally exceed average increases for employees 
in other appropriate parts of the Group. The Committee may exercise discretion to make larger increases in 
circumstances where it is necessary to address particular issues or risks, including growth in the role for 
new appointments.

The Company provides competitive benefits suitable to attract and retain individuals of the right calibre  
to develop and execute the business strategy.

Benefits may include car or car allowance and related costs, financial planning assistance, private medical 
insurance, life assurance and other appropriate benefits at the discretion of the Committee.

Relocation support or support for accommodation and travel may be offered to executives where 
necessary. Executive Directors may participate in all-employee share plans including ShareSave and the 
Share Incentive Plan.

Maximum opportunity

Benefits excluding all employee share plans, and any accommodation, relocation and associated tax costs 
will not exceed £100,000 per annum.

Pension

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

The Company provides competitive pension schemes suitable to attract and retain individuals of the right 
calibre to develop and execute the business strategy.

Executive Directors are offered membership of a defined contribution pension plan. A cash allowance may 
be payable in lieu of pension contributions. 

For incumbent Executive Directors, the maximum employer contribution to a defined contribution plan (or 
to be taken as a cash allowance) is currently 25% of salary. This will reduce to 17% of salary, the current 
average of the wider UK workforce, by March 2022. For newly appointed Executive Directors, the rate will  
be 12% of salary.

Pensions contributions are based on base salary only.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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91

Pay element – variable pay

Annual bonus

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

To incentivise the execution of the business strategy, delivery of financial targets, and the achievement of 
personal objectives.

Bonuses are determined primarily by Group financial performance, but the Committee may apply  
non-financial metrics that support the underlying strategic priorities for the forthcoming year and/or  
adjust the payout level to ensure the outturns reflect performance. The bonuses payable are also linked  
to personal performance of the Executive Directors. 25% of the maximum opportunity is payable if base 
performance is achieved and 50% of maximum for target performance.

The financial and non-financial metrics are set with reference to the prior year and to the budgets and 
business plans for the coming year, ensuring the levels to achieve base, on-target and maximum payout are 
appropriately stretching. At least 40% of the bonus is compulsorily deferred into shares for a further two 
years, and released subject to continued employment. Deferred shares may attract an issue of C Shares or 
equivalent during the deferral period.

Awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions where there has been a material misstatement of 
audited results; serious financial irregularity; material financial downturn or an event causing a material 
negative impact on the value of the Group; material failure of risk management; a serious breach of Our 
Code; individual misconduct or actions that materially damage the Group; a breach of or inadequate 
response to a significant HSE or other environmental issue; and/or a materially incorrect calculation of an 
award. These provisions apply from the date of grant for three years. For awards granted prior to the 
adoption of this policy, legacy malus and clawback provisions may apply.

The Committee has discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome (including down to zero) to ensure alignment 
of pay with performance and fairness for shareholders and participants.

Maximum opportunity

The normal annual maximum for the Chief Executive is 180% of salary and 150% for other Executive 
Directors. A maximum of 200% may be applied for recruitment where it is required to secure individuals  
with the right skills and experience. This flexibility would not be used for existing Executive Directors.

Performance measures

The bonus is weighted 80% on Group metrics, and 20% on individual performance. Within the Group metrics:

 — at least 60% is based on Group financial targets (for example profit and free cash flow)
 — up to 40% of the bonus is based on non-financial metrics such as employee engagement and customer
 — individual objectives are set and agreed with the Remuneration Committee at the start of each year, to 

reflect the prevailing business context

 — the Committee may, in the context of the underlying business strategy, use different performance measures

Long-term incentive plan (LTIP)

Purpose and link  
to strategy

To reward the development and execution of the business strategy over a multi-year period.

Operation

Executive Directors are granted awards over shares annually with a three-year performance period.

The number of shares relative to the proportion of the award that vests is determined at the end of the 
performance period according to the achievement against the performance measures. The resultant shares 
are then held for a further two-year period. 20% of the maximum award will vest for threshold performance. 

The Committee has discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome (including down to zero) to ensure alignment 
of pay with performance and fairness for shareholders and participants.

Executive Directors are expected to work towards holding beneficially-owned shares equivalent in value to 
a percentage of their salary by retaining at least one half of after-tax shares released from the LTIP until this 
requirement is met (see page 100).

Awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions where there has been a material misstatement of 
audited results; serious financial irregularity; material financial downturn or an event causing a material 
negative impact on the value of the Group; material failure of risk management; a serious breach of our 
Code; individual misconduct or actions that materially damage the Group; a breach of or inadequate 
response to a significant HSE or other environmental issue; and/or a materially incorrect calculation  
of an award. These provisions apply from the date of the award for six years. For awards granted prior  
to the adoption of this policy, legacy malus and clawback provisions may apply.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT92

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Pay element – variable pay

Long-term incentive plan (LTIP) continued

Maximum opportunity

Normal annual awards:

 — Chief Executive – 250% of salary
 — other Executive Directors – 225% of salary

The maximum face value of annual awards is 300% of salary for the Chief Executive and 250% for other 
Executive Directors. This flexibility would only be used for recruitment to secure individuals with the  
required skills and experience. This flexibility would not be used in the normal course of business.

Performance measures

Performance measures may include CPS, EPS, TSR and/or sustainability measures, for example  
environmental performance measures and other similar measures that are important to the success  
of the business strategy.

For 2020 awards, the measures will be weighted 60% CPS, 20% EPS and 20% TSR. No more than 20%  
of awards will vest for threshold performance.

The Committee may, in the context of the underlying business strategy, use different performance  
measures and/or vary the weightings of the measures.

The table below sets out the main elements of Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration.

Pay element

Fees

Purpose and link to strategy

To reward individuals for fulfilling their role and attract individuals of the skills and calibre required.

Operation

The Committee makes recommendations to the Board on the Chairman’s remuneration. The 
Chairman and the Executive Directors determine the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors. 
Levels take into account fees paid by other companies of a similar size and complexity.

The Chairman is paid a single fee. Other Non-Executive Directors are paid a base fee covering 
Board and Board committee membership, with committee chairmen, the Senior Independent 
Director and the Employee Champion receiving an additional fee.

Maximum opportunity

The maximum total remuneration payable to Non-Executive Directors, including the Chairman, is 
£1,600,000 per annum.

Benefits

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

To devote maximum time and attention to the requirements of the role.

The Chairman has occasional use of chauffeur services. Travel, hotel and subsistence incurred in 
attending meetings are reimbursed by the Company. The Group may pay tax on such benefits. It 
may provide support with tax matters for Non-Executive Directors based outside the UK.

Maximum opportunity

Maximum value for chauffeur services will not exceed £15,000 per annum. 

£5,000 maximum towards tax advice and filing per annum.

Remuneration policy – worked examples for 2020

Chief Executive £000

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

£1,181
26%

100%
37%

23%

37%

£3,209

32%

45%

£5,237

Chief Financial Of�cer £000

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

100%
40%

25%

£844

24%

36%

£2,119

30%

45%

£3,394

■ Fixed remuneration (including salary, bene�ts and pension)   
■ Annual bonus
■ LTIP (this does not include share price growth)

Minimum – fixed remuneration (salary, pension, benefits), no bonus award or LTIP vesting.
On-target – fixed remuneration, 50% of maximum bonus award, 50% of LTIP vesting.
Maximum – fixed remuneration, 100% of maximum bonus award, 100% of LTIP vesting.
Maximum assuming 50% growth in share price would be £6,417k for the Chief Executive and £4,159k for the Chief Financial Officer.

 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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93

Performance measures and targets

Wider workforce considerations

The Committee will set Group financial targets for annual  
bonus and LTIP awards with reference to the prior year and  
to forward-looking business forecasts, ensuring the levels of 
performance required to achieve base, on-target and maximum 
bonus awards are appropriately challenging.

When setting remuneration for Executive Directors and the senior 
management team, the Committee carefully considers wider 
remuneration across the Group, including salary increases, bonus 
awards, share plan participation and pay ratios between Executive 
Directors and other employees. 

The Committee may, in the context of the underlying business 
strategy, use different performance measures for incentives and/or 
vary the weightings of the measures. For example, looking ahead 
the Committee recognises the importance of environmental 
performance and other sustainability measures to the success of 
the business strategy and may wish to include such quantitative 
measures in the incentive plans. Feedback would be sought from 
shareholders if the Committee wished to apply this to the LTIP 
within the three-year period of this policy.

The measurement of performance against performance targets  
is at the Committee’s discretion, which may include appropriate 
adjustments to financial or non-financial elements and/or 
consideration of overall performance in the round. Adjustments 
may be either upwards or downwards.

Performance conditions may also be replaced or varied if an event 
occurs or circumstances arise which cause the Committee to 
determine that the performance conditions have ceased to be 
appropriate. If the performance conditions are varied or replaced, 
the amended conditions must, in the opinion of the Committee, be 
fair, reasonable and materially no less difficult than the original 
conditions when set.

Policy on new appointments

The Committee will appoint new Executive Directors with a package 
that is in line with the remuneration policy. Base salary may be set 
at a higher or lower level than the previous incumbent. The Committee 
may use its discretion to make individual incentive awards up to the 
maximum policy headroom limits outlined in the policy table.

Remuneration forfeited on resignation from a previous employer 
may be compensated. This will be considered on a case-by-case 
basis and may comprise cash or shares. In general:

 — if such remuneration was in the form of shares, compensation will 

be in the Company’s shares.

 — if remuneration was subject to achievement of performance 
conditions, compensation will be normally be subject to 
performance (either Rolls-Royce performance conditions or 
actual/forecast performance outturns from the previous 
company); and

 — the timing of any compensation will, where practicable, match 

the vesting schedule of the remuneration forfeited.

Legacy terms for internal appointments may be honoured, 
including any outstanding incentive awards. If an Executive 
Director is appointed following a merger or an acquisition  
of a company by Rolls-Royce, legacy terms and conditions  
may be honoured.

During 2019, the Committee held an additional in-depth review 
session to develop a deeper understanding of demographics 
across the organisation, the differences in total reward across 
various employee groups and geographies and key areas of focus 
on culture and reward. As a result, the Committee will continue to 
review this information on a more regular basis to help inform its 
decisions on executive pay. 

At more senior levels, remuneration is increasingly long-term  
and larger proportions are dependent on Group and business 
performance, as well as individual performance and a larger 
proportion is delivered in the form of shares. In terms of the 
management population generally, the direction of travel is to 
re-balance the total reward package from fixed elements to variable 
performance-related elements.

We are committed to sharing business success across the 
organisation, with all employees participating in a short-term 
incentive plan. There is strong alignment of business metrics 
between the Executive Directors bonus plan and those in which the 
majority of the workforce participate. In addition, the Group offers 
an all-employee sharesave plan to eligible employees globally 
every two years which aligns employee interests with those of our 
shareholders. This continues to be a popular benefit with over 40% 
of employees joining the most recent plan.

The broader workforce has not had direct input into the proposed 
policy but its application is strongly influenced by remuneration 
arrangements for all employees. Irene Dorner, who has designated 
responsibility for engaging with employees and bringing their 
voice into the boardroom, is now the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee, which further strengthens the link 
between employees and executive remuneration.

Share plans

The Committee retains a number of discretions consistent with the 
relevant share plan rules. In the event of any variation in the share 
capital of the Company, a demerger, special dividend, distribution 
or any other transaction which will materially affect the value of 
shares, the Committee may make an adjustment to the number or 
class of shares subject to award.

The treatment of leavers in our ShareSave and the Share Incentive Plan 
is covered by the respective plan rules. Change of control provisions 
in respect of employee share plans are set out on page 207.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT94

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Termination

The Company is required to give Executive Directors 12 months’ 
notice under their service contracts. Payment in lieu of notice will 
not exceed the value of 12 months’ salary, benefits and pension 
contributions. Both mitigation and the timing of payments through 
the notice period will be considered by the Committee where 
appropriate, as will the funding of reasonable outplacement and 
other professional fees. There is no automatic entitlement to an 
annual bonus. Taking into account the circumstances, the Committee 
has discretion to award a bonus in respect of performance in the 
financial year with appropriate consideration of time pro-rating.

Deferred shares will generally be released in cases such as 
retirement, death, injury, ill-health, redundancy or any other reason 
at the discretion of the Committee. In these cases any annual bonus 
awarded immediately prior to leaving may be delivered in cash 
rather than deferred shares. 

For the LTIP, the rules state that unvested awards may be preserved 
at the Committee’s discretion according to the circumstances. In 
such cases vesting will be at the normal date, subject to the 
established performance conditions, and pro-rated to employment 
in the performance period. In cases such as death and terminal 
illness, the Committee also has the discretion to vest the awards 
immediately using an estimate of future outturn. If an individual 
leaves after the LTIP shares have vested but during the holding 
period, shares will not be forfeited but the holding period will 
remain in force. The Committee also has the discretion to mitigate 
or clawback awards where an Executive Director retires and then 
becomes employed or engaged by another business in a non-
voluntary capacity within 12 months.

Post-employment

Post-employment, an Executive Director will normally be required 
to retain the lower of their shareholding requirement or their actual 
shareholding at leaving date (based on shares vesting following the 

Section 40 disclosures

introduction of the new policy) for one year after leaving, and 50% 
of this level for a second year. The Committee can waive or modify 
this requirement (for example in compassionate circumstances).

Service contracts 

The service contract for Warren East, includes 12 months’ notice of 
termination from the Company and six months’ notice from the 
Executive Director. The service contracts of Stephen Daintith, and 
any new appointee, will include 12 months’ notice from the Company 
and 12 months’ notice from the Executive Director. All contracts 
include the entitlement to paid holidays, sick pay, and other standard 
employment terms including reimbursement of reasonable  
business expenses.

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors have letters of 
appointment. No compensation is payable to the Chairman or to 
any Non-Executive Director if the appointment is terminated early 
or if they fail to be re-elected at an AGM.

Legacy commitments

Any remuneration payments and/or payments for loss of office 
made under legacy arrangements prior to the approval of the 
Company’s remuneration policy may be paid out subject to the 
terms of the remuneration policy in place at the time they were 
agreed. For these purposes, ‘payments’ include the Company 
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.

Minor amendments

The Committee may make minor amendments to the policy (for 
regulatory, exchange control, tax or administrative purposes or to 
take account of a change in legislation) without obtaining 
shareholder approval.

When developing the proposed remuneration policy and considering its implementation for 2020, the Committee was mindful of the Code 
and considers that the executive remuneration framework appropriately addresses the following factors:

Clarity

Simplicity

Predictability

We provide open and transparent disclosures regarding our executive remuneration arrangements. We have 
explained the changes to our proposed remuneration policy in a way that highlights their alignment to both  
our vision and strategy as well as the provisions of the Code.

Remuneration arrangements for our Executives and our wider workforce are simple in nature and well 
understood by both participants and shareholders. 

Our remuneration policy contains details of maximum opportunity levels for each component of pay, with actual 
incentive outcomes varying depending on the level of performance achieved against specific measures.

Proportionality, risk, 
and alignment to 
culture

The metrics used to measure performance for annual bonus and LTIP awards drive behaviours that are closely 
aligned to our vision and strategy. In particular our variable pay arrangements continue to focus on delivering 
an unprecedented level of transformation. 

The Committee considers that our variable pay structures do not encourage inappropriate risk-taking.  
The annual bonus and the LTIP are subject to the achievement of stretching performance targets, and  
the Committee’s holistic assessment of performance that can result in the application of discretion. 

The use of annual bonus deferral, LTIP holding periods and our shareholding requirements (including after 
leaving employment with Rolls-Royce) provide a clear link to the ongoing performance of the business and 
therefore alignment with shareholders. 

Malus and clawback provisions also apply for both the annual bonus and LTIP.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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95

Executive Directors’ remuneration

The following pages show how we have applied our remuneration policy during 2019 and disclose all elements of remuneration received 
by our Executive Directors. Details of remuneration received by our Non-Executive Directors during 2019 can be found on pages 103  
and 104.

Executive Directors’ single figure of remuneration (audited)

Executive Directors
Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Salary (a) ¹
£000

Benefits (b)
£000

Bonus (c)
£000

Long-term
incentives (d) ²,³
£000

Pension (e)
£000

Total remuneration 
£000

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018
restated

2019

2018

2019

2018

944
680

 944 
 680 

17
20

 17
19

883
530

1,012
608

1,079
714

1,866
1,770

236
150

236  3,159 4,075
3,227
 150  2,094

1  Neither Warren East nor Stephen Daintith received a salary increase in 2019. The last increase made to Warren East was in September 2017. 
2   The average share price for the three months to 31 December 2019 of 722p has been used to calculate the LTIP value (as the actual value is not known at the date of signing this 

report). The 2018 long-term incentive value has been updated from the 2018 Annual Report. This value is now based on the share price on vesting on 1 March 2019 of 909p.

3   There is no share appreciation reflected in the 2018 LTIP values as the share price has reduced since the grant date.

a) Salary
The Company provides suitable competitive salaries to attract and retain individuals of the right calibre to develop and execute the 
business strategy. The Committee reviewed the salaries of Warren East and Stephen Daintith in early 2020 and agreed there would  
be no increases for 2020. 

Executive Director
Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Base salary as at 
 1 March 2020

£943,500
£680,000

Base salary as at 
1 March 2019
£943,500
£680,000

b) Executive Directors’ benefits (audited)
Benefits are provided to ensure that remuneration packages remain sufficiently competitive to attract and retain individuals of the  
right calibre to develop and execute the business strategy and to enable them to devote themselves fully to their roles. The taxable value 
of all benefits paid to Executive Directors during 2019 is shown below.

Executive Directors
Warren East
Stephen Daintith 

Car or car
allowance inc. 
fuel allowance
£000

Medical 
insurance
£000

Travel and
subsistence
£000

2019
15
17

2018
15
17

2019
1
2

2018
2
2

2019
1
1

2018

–
–

2019
17
20

Total
£000

2018
17
19

c) Annual bonus outturn (audited)
The Company’s annual bonus scheme is designed to incentivise the execution of the business strategy, delivery of financial targets and the 
achievement of personal objectives. Executive Directors receive any annual bonus awarded in March following the performance period. 
60% of the bonus is paid in cash with the remaining 40% awarded in deferred shares. Deferred shares are held in trust for two years 
before being released, subject to the recipient still being employed by the Group and include the right to receive an amount equal in 
value to the C Shares issued during the deferral period. The annual maximum for the Chief Executive is 180% of salary and 150% for the 
other Executive Director(s):

 — 80% of the award is based on Group performance

 — 20% of the award is based on individual performance

DIRECTORS’ REPORT96

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

c) Annual bonus outturn (audited) continued
The Committee reviewed the 2019 outturn against the performance measures; 80% of annual bonus is based on Group performance and 
20% is based on individual performance. The Group performance measures are shown below:

Weighting
Base (25%)
Target (50%)
Maximum (100%)
2019 performance 3 
% of maximum
Adjusted % of maximum

Profit
25%
£334m
£434m
£634m
£628m
98%

Cash
50%
£610m
£760m
£1,060m
£866m
68%

Customer metric 1
12.5%

measured as the  
average of the business 
scorecards (see below)

38%
19%

Employee
 engagement 2

12.5%
3.59/3.58
3.68/3.61
3.91/3.65
3.56/3.52
0%

Total 
100%

61%
52.5%

1  Customer metric is measured on the average of the business scorecards (see below).
2  In 2019, a new survey, Gallup Q12, was introduced to measure employee engagement. There were two surveys in 2019, the first weighted at 25% and the second at 75% of the overall 

metric. Power Systems employees only participated in the second survey. 

3  Adjusted to exclude ITP Aero, non-core businesses, FX, exceptional items, the impact of accounting effects and unbudgeted items.

The Committee retains overriding discretion on the outturns of the annual bonus and chose to apply that discretion to reduce the  
2019 outturns. In assessing the final bonus awards, the Committee considered a number of factors, particularly Trent 1000, as well as HSE 
performance, quality of financial performance and the experience of customers and shareholders. The Committee exercised discretion to 
reduce the overall bonus outturn from 61% to 52.5%.

Definitions used for performance measures:

Profit – adjusted underlying profit before tax for 2019.

Cash – free cash flow which is cash flow before acquisitions and disposals, shareholder payments and foreign exchange.

Customer metric – Group performance is assessed using an index score based on the average outcome of bespoke customer metrics for 
each of Civil, Power Systems and Defence. This approach means that each business focuses on the most meaningful customer metrics. See 
page 15 for more information. The customer metrics for each business are below: 

Civil Aerospace – OE delivery to purchase order, TotalCare engine availability, CorporateCare engine availability, Trent 1000 aircraft on 
ground (AOG).

Power Systems – OE delivery to purchase order, spares delivery to purchase order, claims per unit, time to solve.

Defence – OE delivery to purchase order, spares delivery to purchase order, engine availability, submarines composite delivery.

The specific business targets are commercially sensitive.

Employee engagement – Is measured through our annual engagement survey. In 2019, we introduced a new employee opinion survey,  
in partnership with Gallup. We ran two surveys this year to embed the new approach and weighted the first survey at 25% of the bonus 
metric and the second at 75%. 58% of employees completed the first survey and 72% completed the second survey. We achieved a Group 
score of 3.56 for the first survey and 3.52 for the second resulting in a weighted average of 3.53.

Individual performance
Executive Directors have 20% of their bonus based on achievement of their personal objectives. Personal performance objectives are set at 
the beginning of the year and are aligned with the Group’s internal strategic priorities. 

For Executive Directors, these have included:

 — deliver Group revenue, profit and cash, in line with the budget, with specific focus on cash costs and free cash flow;
 — accelerate progress on diversity and HSE against agreed objectives and metrics;
 — drive M&A disposals, in particular ensuring a successful completion of the Commercial Marine disposal;
 — continue to drive the Group restructuring programme, delivering a further 1,500 in headcount reductions and a run rate of £300m by 

the end of 2019;

 — drive performance through our values and behaviours, leading by example with a strong focus on safety, diversity & inclusion and the 

highest ethical and professional standards; and

 — fix the fleet – manage the legacy engine issues effectively to rebuild trust and confidence with our customers.

The Committee assesses performance against the objectives. The overall assessed percentage is based on the Committee’s judgement and 
may include other factors and achievements in the year.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

97

The following provides an overview of key achievements during the year for each Executive Director:

Stephen Daintith
Delivered on all areas of financial guidance for 2020; revenues, 
margins, profit and cash flow.

Fundamental improvement in cash flow with strong free cash flows 
delivered in 2019 and a clear roadmap to at least £1bn in 2020.

Successful disposals of non-core assets (Commercial Marine,  
North America Civil Nuclear business) with proceeds retained  
to strengthen the balance sheet. Average net debt has reduced 
from £1.3bn in 2018 to circa £0.7bn in 2019.
Finance systems and management information transformation 
continued with the introduction of an integrated driver-based 
budgeting and forecasting tool to improve planning. 

Restructuring programme progressed in line with expectations 
with circa 2,900 cumulative headcount reduction and run-rate 
savings so far of £269m, C&A costs reduced 5% year-on-year, 
capital expenditure reduced year-on-year by more than £200m.

Warren East
Delivered business performance ahead of budget on profit and 
cash with enhanced quality of cash driven by cost control and 
operational improvements. Healthy growth in Power Systems 
revenue against a weak market and Defence record backlog.  
64% new widebody orders achieved in Civil Aerospace. Increased 
profitability in all businesses.
Majority of Trent 1000 issues addressed and roll out into the fleet 
in progress. Doubled MRO output in 2019, with further capacity 
increase in progress.
Further management change across all businesses and functions. 
Group Business Services function established delivering 9% cost 
reduction in year one. On track to meet targets announced in  
June 2018.
TRI improvement in Civil Aerospace, Power Systems and Defence. 
Gender diversity strongly improving amongst senior management 
and in succession plans at most levels. ELG moving from 15% female  
in 2018 to 20% in 2019. 
Further balance sheet improvements through completion of  
non-core asset sales. Improved free cash flow, continuing to  
drive down net debt. 

Within flat overall R&D cost, shifting the balance towards  
future-looking, zero carbon technologies, alongside progress on 
next generation gas turbines. Acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft 
business and investment in microgrids to accelerate electrical 
capability. Establishing industry leadership position in lower  
carbon technologies.

2019 annual bonus outturn (to be paid in March 2020)

Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Group
 performance
(% of maximum)
53%
53%

Individual
 performance
 (% of maximum)
50%
50%

Total bonus 
(% of maximum)
52%
52%

Total bonus 
(% of salary)
94%
78%

d) Long-term incentives (audited)
Conditional share awards are made to Executive Directors under the LTIP to reward the execution and development of the business strategy 
over a multi-year period. The conditional shares are then subject to a further two-year holding period. 

LTIP awards made in March 2019 
The performance targets for awards made in March 2019 are shown below. Performance will be measured over three years to  
31 December 2021.

Threshold (20% vesting)
Mid (50% vesting)
Maximum (100% vesting)

Warren East
Stephen Daintith

CPS (60%)
112p
150p
187p

Number
 of shares
264,532
171,589

EPS (20%)
81p
95p
109p

Relative TSR (20%)
Median
Between median and upper quartile
Upper quartile

% of salary
250
225

Face value 
of award ¹
£000
2,359
1,530

Performance 
period end date
31 December 2021
31 December 2021

1 Calculated as 250% of salary for Warren East and 225% of salary for Stephen Daintith, divided by share price at date of grant of 891.57p per share.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT98

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Remuneration Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

2017 LTIP awards
The following sets out details in respect of the May 2017 LTIP award for which the final year of performance was the 2019 financial year. 
The performance conditions were assessed to the end of 2019 and the shares are then subject to a two-year holding period.

Weighting
60%
20%

10%

Threshold  
(20% vesting)
57p
3p

Median

Mid 
(50% vesting)
76p
23p

Maximum  
(100% vesting)
104p
48p

Performance 
achieved
87p
26p

Vesting as a % of 
maximum
69.6%
56.0%

Upper quartile

Below median

0%

10%

Median

Upper quartile

Below median

0%

CPS 1
EPS 2
Relative TSR 
v FTSE 100 
constituents
Relative TSR v 
constituents of 
the S&P Global 
Industrials index

Total vesting of 
53%

1   CPS ranges were adjusted to reflect M&A activity in line with the plan definition. The original targets were minimum 60p; mid 80p; maximum 110p.
2  Over the performance period of the LTIP award the Company was required to change from accounting under IAS 18 to IFRS 15. This had a significant effect on reported profit and EPS. 

The targets were set on the basis of IAS 18 and, as communicated at the time of the grant, these targets have been restated so that they can be measured on an IFRS 15 basis. The 
translation has been on a like-for-like basis, applying the absolute cumulative profit growth in the original IAS 18 targets to the restated 2017 IFRS 15 target.

e) Pension entitlements (audited)
Executive Directors are offered membership of a defined contribution plan. A cash allowance may be payable in lieu of pension 
contributions. 

From 2020, any newly appointed Executive Directors will be offered an employer contribution of 12% of salary into the defined 
contribution pension plan (or cash allowance of equivalent value). This aligns to the new hire rate for the UK workforce.

In terms of existing Executive Directors, Warren East receives a cash allowance of 25% of salary and Stephen Daintith 22% of salary. During 
2019 the Company embarked on a consultation exercise with UK managers in its legacy defined benefit plan (which has been closed to 
new members since 2007), to reduce future benefits from that plan. In the context of the reductions in pension benefits for that 
population, both Stephen and Warren have agreed that their cash allowances should also reduce. The following reductions have therefore 
been agreed with the Committee to a rate of 17% in 2022:

Current pension allowance
Proposed change from 1 March 2020
Proposed change from 1 March 2021
Target level by 1 March 2022

Warren East
25%
23%
20%
17%

Stephen Daintith
22%
21%
19%
17%

In arriving at the 17% contribution rate for existing Executive Directors we have considered our UK population, which represents the 
largest employee group. Currently almost half of our UK workforce (45%) are active members of our defined benefit plan with a funding 
cost in excess of 30% of salary (based on the most recent funding valuation in March 2017). Given current financial market conditions, we 
would expect that cost to increase by the time of the next valuation in March 2020. Our defined contribution employer contribution rate is 
12%, which we now offer to all new hires in the UK.

As we have such a significant proportion of our UK workforce in a defined benefit plan, we have reviewed the average blended 
contribution rate across all UK employees, which currently gives an average of 17% of salary. We believe that this is currently a fair 
reflection of the pension arrangements of the wider workforce. However, to reflect funding costs of defined benefit pensions and the 
proportion of employees in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans, we plan to keep this rate under review.

Other (audited)

Payments to past directors 
An agreement was put in place between the Company and Colin Smith in 2017, for Colin to represent the Company in an ambassadorial 
capacity. The agreement was for up to 21.5 days for the latter part of 2017, 35 days for 2018 and 2019. This agreement has been extended 
for 2020 for up to 20 days. Total payments of £159,360 have been made under this agreement, of which £45,360 was paid in 2019.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

99

Implementation of remuneration policy in 2020 *

Base salary

Benefits

Pensions

Annual bonus

There will be no change to base salary for 2020; base salaries remain as:
Warren East – £943,500
Stephen Daintith – £680,000

There will be no change to our approach to benefits in 2020, which includes car or car allowance, financial 
planning assistance, insurances and other benefits.

Pension cash allowances for existing Executive Directors will be reduced as follows from 1 March 2020:
 — Warren East – 23% (reduced from 25%) of salary
 — Stephen Daintith – 21% (reduced from 22%) of salary
Further reductions will be made in 2021 and 2022 to bring both allowances to 17%.

For 2020, bonuses will continue to be awarded using a simple additive approach:
 — 80% of the award will be based on Group performance
 — 20% of the award will be based on individual performance

For 2020, the Group measures and weightings will be unchanged: profit (25%); free cash flow (50%); customer 
(12.5%); and employee engagement (12.5%).

Operating profit will however be used as the profit measure rather than profit before tax, to better align our 
incentive targets with underlying business performance and to maintain consistency with external guidance.

Targets are commercially sensitive and will be disclosed following assessment of performance.

Maximum opportunities will remain unchanged:
 — Chief Executive – 180% of salary
 — Other Executive Directors – 150% of salary

LTIP awards

For awards to be granted in 2020 performance measures will be weighted:
 — 60% on CPS
 — 20% on EPS
 — 20% on relative TSR (versus FTSE 100 and Global S&P Index, to recognise that Rolls-Royce is a global company) 

Performance will be measured over three years to 31 December 2022. Performance targets will be:

Threshold (20% vesting)
Mid (50% vesting)
Maximum (100% vesting)

CPS
162p
203p
244p

EPS 
IFRS 15 basis 

85p
106p
127p

Relative TSR
Median
Between median and upper quartile
Upper quartile

Performance below threshold will result in that element lapsing in full.
The above targets are not an indication of forecast numbers for the three-year period.

Methodologies
CPS 

–  Calculated as reported cash flow before the cost of business acquisitions or proceeds of 

disposals, foreign exchange translation effects, special payments into pension schemes and 
payments to shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue. CPS is 
cumulative over a three-year period. The Committee will review CPS performance to ensure 
that it is a fair reflection of achievements over the period.

EPS 

–  Calculated as cumulative absolute underlying EPS over the three-year performance period on 

an IFRS 15 basis.

Relative TSR  –  Measured 50% against the constituents of the FTSE 100 and 50% against the constituents of 

the S&P Global Industrials index.

Award sizes for maximum performance 
 — Chief Executive: 250% of salary
 — Other Executive Directors: 225% of salary
Threshold vesting at 20% equates to 50% of salary for the Chief Executive and 45% of salary for other 
Executive Directors. LTIP awards will be subject to an additional holding period of two years following the 
three-year performance period.

*   Subject to approval by shareholders at the 2020 AGM.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT100

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Remuneration Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other information

Executive Directors’ share interests (audited)
The Directors and their connected persons hold the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company: 

Options over
shares subject to
savings contract
(ShareSave)
31 December 2019 27 February 2020 31 December 2019 31 December 2019 31 December 2019 31 December 2019
1,264
925

Conditional 
shares subject to
performance
conditions (PSP)

Conditional
shares subject to
performance
conditions (LTIP)

821,569
536,568

185,208
189,068

185,208
189,068

99,697
53,961

Ordinary shares 

–
–

Conditional shares
not subject to
performance
conditions
 (deferred share bonus)

Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Executive Directors’ interests in vested and unvested share awards (audited)

Warren East
PSP 2016 1
Total
LTIP 2017 
LTIP 2018
LTIP 2019
Total
Deferred share bonus (2016)
Deferred share bonus (2017)
Deferred share bonus (2018)
Total
ShareSave (options) 2

Stephen Daintith
PSP 2017 (buy-out award) 1,3
PSP 2017 (buy-out award) 1,3
Total
LTIP 2017 
LTIP 2018
LTIP 2019
Total
Deferred share bonus (2017)
Deferred share bonus (2018)
Total
ShareSave (options) 2
ShareSave (options) 2

31 December
2018
164,202
164,202
281,954
275,083
–
557,037
47,398
53,641
–
101,039
1,264

31 December
2018
70,027
79,726
149,753
186,547
178,432
–
364,979
26,374
–
26,374
925
–

Granted
during the
year
–
–
–
–
264,532
264,532
–
–
45,376
45,376
–

Granted
during the
year
–
–
–
–
–
171,589
171,589
–
27,253
27,253
–
292

Vested 
awards
205,253
205,253
–
–
–

47,398
–
–
47,398
–

Vested 
awards
91,036
103,644
194,680
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Lapsed
awards 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

31 December
2019
–
–
281,954
275,083
264,532
821,569
–
53,641
45,376
99,017
1,264

Lapsed
 awards 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

31 December
 2019
–
–
–
186,547
178,432
171,589
536,568
26,374
27,253
53,627
925
292

Market price
at date of
award (p)
676.00

Date 
of grant
01/03/16

Vesting date/
lapse date
01/03/19

Market price
at vesting (p)
909.00

820.17 05/05/17 05/05/20
08/03/21
857.47 08/03/18
15/03/22
15/03/19
891.67

772.83
01/03/17
857.47 08/03/18
15/03/19
891.67

01/03/19
 01/03/20
01/03/21

616.80

12/10/15

01/02/21

–

–

–
–
–

–

Market price
 at date of
Date 
 award (p)
of grant
754.70 05/05/17
754.70 05/05/17

Vesting date/
lapse date
01/03/19
31/10/19

Market price
 at vesting (p)
909.00
711.00

820.17 05/05/17 05/05/20
08/03/21
857.47 08/03/18
15/03/22
15/03/19
891.67

857.47 08/03/18
15/03/19
891.67

 01/03/20
01/03/21

758.40
676.50

13/10/17
16/10/19

01/02/21
01/02/23

–
–
–

–
–

–
–

1   The 2016 PSP (which vested in March 2019) included a kicker for above median TSR performance, which generated a multiplier of 1.4 x the original grant value. As disclosed at the time, 
this multiplier was capped for the 2016 grants, the awards vested at 150% of salary for Warren East and 130% of salary for Stephen Daintith’s buy-out awards that were tied to this plan.

2    For ShareSave, the price shown is the exercise price which was 85% of the market price at the date of the award.
3   The grant price for PSP awards made to Stephen Daintith was the average closing mid-market price calculated over one month, up to 22 September 2016 (the date that his 

appointment to Rolls-Royce was announced).

Shareholding requirement (audited)
Executive Directors are required to work towards holding beneficially-owned shares equivalent in value to a percentage of their salary 
by retaining at least one half of after-tax shares released from the LTIP until this requirement is met. For the Chief Executive this 
requirement is 250% of salary and for other Executive Directors this requirement is 200% of salary. The current shareholdings, as a 
percentage of salary, for Warren East and Stephen Daintith are 183% and 232% respectively *. 

As a result of the policy review, an additional requirement has been added to the shareholding policy which requires Executive Directors 
to retain the lower of their shareholding requirement (based on shares vesting following the introduction of the new policy) at the date of 
leaving for one year after leaving and 50% of this level for a second year *.

 *  The percentage of the requirement was calculated by reference to the average share price, over the three months to 31 December 2019, and salary as at the date of the last grant on  

15 March 2019. Unvested LTIP awards and ShareSave options are not included in this calculation.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

101

Pay across the organisation
This section of the report enables our remuneration arrangements to be seen in context by providing:

 — a comparison of the year-on-year percentage change in our Chief Executive’s remuneration with the change in average remuneration 

across the UK;

 — a year-on-year comparison of the total amount spent on employment costs across the Group and shareholder payments;

 — a ten-year history of our Chief Executive’s remuneration;

 — our TSR performance over the same period; and

 — an indication of the ratio between our Chief Executive’s remuneration and the remuneration of employees.

Percentage change in Chief Executive remuneration
The following table compares the percentage change in the Chief Executive’s salary, bonus and benefits (excluding LTIP) to the average 
percentage change in salary, bonus and benefits for all UK employees from 2018 to 2019.

Change in remuneration

Chief Executive
UK employees average 1

Salary
0%
3.38%

Benefits
0%
18.74%

Annual bonus
(13)%
14.83%

1   UK employees were chosen as a comparator group in order to avoid the impact of exchange rate movements over the year. UK employees including apprentices, graduates and 
interns, make up 45% of the total employee population. The increase in benefits in the year is due to implementation of a standardised career framework across our management 
population. The increase in bonus is due to a higher bonus level particularly in Civil Aerospace which accounts for a large proportion of the UK workforce.

Chief Executive pay ratio
The Committee is mindful of the relationship between the remuneration of the Chief Executive and the wider employee population. This is 
the third year that we have published our CEO pay ratio and we have continued to use method A, as we believe that this is the most 
accurate and robust methodology. We have used the full time equivalent total remuneration of all UK employees at 31 December 2019.

Year

Total Remuneration ¹

2019

2018

2017 ²

Method

25th percentile

Median

75th percentile

Option A

Option A

n/a

66:1

92:1

n/a

56:1

77.1

41:1

48:1

72:1

n/a

1  In 2018, we also calculated the ratio based on average salary at 21:1. Using the same basis in 2019, this increased to 22:1.
2  The 2017 ratio was calculated prior to the regulations being issued and so was not fully aligned to the current approach.

The elements used to calculate the ratio comprise pay, benefits, pensions, bonuses and long term incentives. The numbers used in the 
calculations are as follows:

Year

Salary

Total Remuneration

25th percentile

£36k

£48k

Median

£44k

£56k

75th percentile

£53k

£65k

The pay ratio has reduced this year due to incentive outcomes for Warren East being lower in 2019 than in 2018. 2019 is also the first year 
that the new LTIP plan introduced in 2017 vested. The majority of other participants in this plan had a mixture of conditional shares with no 
performance conditions and performance shares. The vesting level for that population is therefore higher.

As outlined on page 93, the Committee has considered the wider workforce context in terms of alignment of total reward or the Executive 
Directors, with the pension changes being one such example from 2019.

All employees participate in a bonus plan, with a good degree of alignment of financial measures with the executives’ bonus plan. We also 
encourage all eligible employees to join our ShareSave plan. For our most recent launch in 2019 approximately 40% of our global 
population joined the plan, sharing in approximately 14 million shares and stock appreciation rights.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following chart sets out the percentage change in payments to shareholders and overall expenditure on pay across the Group.

Payment to shareholders (£m) *

(Consolidated Cash Flow statement)

Group employment costs (£m)

(Note 8 – employee information)

2019

2019

2018

2018

-29%

-29%

220 0.2%

220 0.2%

216

216

2019

2019

2018

2018

* Value of C Shares redeemed during the year

3,934 -6.2%

3,934 -6.2%

4,192

4,192

DIRECTORS’ REPORT102

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Remuneration Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Chief Executive pay

Year
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2011
2010

Chief Executive 1
Warren East
Warren East
Warren East
Warren East
Warren East
John Rishton 
John Rishton
John Rishton 2
John Rishton 2
John Rishton
Sir John Rose 3
Sir John Rose 3 

Single figure 
of total
remuneration
£000
3,159
4,075
2,331
2,089
543
754
2,596
6,228
4,577
3,677
3,832
3,914

Annual bonus
as a % of
maximum
52
60
68
55
–
–
–
55
85
63
–
100

LTIP 
as a % of
maximum
53
100
–
–
–
–
45
100
–
–
75
100

1   On 31 March 2011, Sir John Rose retired and John Rishton was appointed. John Rishton retired on 2 July 2015 and Warren East was appointed as Chief Executive on 3 July 2015.
2   John Rishton received a special grant of shares on joining the Company on 1 March 2011 to mirror the shares he forfeited on resigning from his previous employer.  

The share price had increased from 483.50p at the time this grant was made to 870p at the end of 2014. These are the main reasons why John Rishton’s remuneration in 2012  
and 2013 exceeded that of his predecessor. 

3  The remuneration for Sir John Rose does not include any pension accrual or contribution as he received his pension from 1 February 2008.

TSR performance
The Company’s TSR performance over the previous ten years compared to a broad equity market index is shown in the graph below.  
The FTSE 100 has been chosen as the comparator because it contains a broad range of other UK-listed companies. The graph shows  
the growth in value of a hypothetical £100 holding in the Company’s ordinary shares over ten years, relative to the FTSE 100 index. 

500

400

300

£

200

100

Rolls-Royce   
FTSE 100

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Year

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Gender pay reporting
The Company is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive place to work where our people can be themselves and be at their best. 
More information about this can be found on pages 45 to 48. We published our UK gender pay gap in December 2019, which showed:

Median gender pay gap across all Rolls-Royce  
employees in the UK

Mean gender pay gap across all Rolls-Royce  
employees in the UK

2019
2019

2018
2018

8.4%
8.4%

8.1%
8.1%

2019
2019

2018
2018

7.1%
7.1%

6.6%
6.6%

Overall women currently represent 16% of our workforce. However, we continue to make progress in recruiting more women into  
senior positions, where 20% is now female. See pages 47 and 48 for further information on what we are doing to address diversity  
across the organisation.

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

103

Contractual arrangements
Each Executive Director has a service agreement that sets out the contract between that Executive Director and the Company.

Executive Directors’ service contracts

Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Date of contract
21 April 2015
21 September 2016

Notice period from Company
12 months
12 months

Notice period from individual
6 months
12 months

Payments received for serving on external boards
Executive Directors retain payments received from serving on the boards of external companies, the details of which are given below: 

Warren East
Stephen Daintith

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration

Single figure of remuneration (audited)

Directorships held
–
3i Group plc 

Payments received and retained 
£000
–
81

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
Sir Ian Davis 
Lewis Booth
Ruth Cairnie (stepped down 31 December 2019)
Sir Frank Chapman
Irene Dorner 
Beverly Goulet
Lee Hsien Yang
Nick Luff 
Brad Singer (stepped down 9 December 2019)
Sir Kevin Smith

Jasmin Staiblin
Total

Fees
(£000)

Benefits
(£000)

Total remuneration
(£000)

2019
425
95
90
90
85
70
70
70
66
105

70
1,236

2018
425
95
90
90
76
70
70
46
70
105

70
1,207

2019
3
40
3
3
1
11
40
–
21
2

14
138

2018
2
29
3
5
1
7
4
–
6
2

10
69

2019
428
135
93
93
86
81
110
70
87
107

84
1,374

2018
427
124
93
95
77
77
74
46
76
107

80
1,276

Non-Executive Directors’ fees
The Chairman’s fee is reviewed by the Board as a whole on the recommendation of the Committee. The review of the other Non-Executive 
Directors’ base fees is reserved to the Executive Directors, who consider recommendations from the Chairman. No individual may be 
involved in setting his or her own fee. The Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in any of the Group’s 
share schemes, incentive arrangements or pension schemes. A facility is in place which enables Non-Executive Directors (who reside in a 
permitted dealing territory) to use some or all of their fees, after the appropriate statutory deductions, to make market purchases of shares 
in the Company on a monthly basis. Sir Ian Davis and Lee Hsien Yang use this facility.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT104

Directors’ Report
Remuneration Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Non-Executive Directors’ fees

Chairman
Other Non-Executive Directors base fee
Chairman of the Audit Committee
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
Chairman of the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee
Chairman of the Science & Technology Committee
Senior Independent Director
Employee Champion

2019
£000
425
70
25
20
20
20
15
15

2018
£000
425
70
25
20
20
20
15
15

Non-Executive Directors’ benefits (audited)
The benefits for Non-Executive Directors relate predominantly to travel, hotel and subsistence incurred in attending meetings.  
For Non-Executive Directors based outside the UK, the Company may also pay towards tax advice and the cost of making tax filings. 

Non-Executive Directors’ share interests (audited)
The Non-Executive Directors and their connected persons hold the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company: 

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
Sir Ian Davis 
Lewis Booth 
Ruth Cairnie (stepped down 31 December 2019)
Sir Frank Chapman
George Culmer (appointed 2 January 2020)
Irene Dorner
Beverly Goulet
Lee Hsien Yang
Nick Luff
Sir Kevin Smith
Jasmin Staiblin

31 December 2019
79,453
70,000
19,927
33,269
n/a
12,510
9,360
8,397
10,000
26,894
–

Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment
Our Non-Executive Directors serve a maximum of three, three-year terms (nine years in total). 

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
Sir Ian Davis 
Lewis Booth 1
Sir Frank Chapman 1
George Culmer
Irene Dorner
Beverly Goulet
Lee Hsien Yang
Nick Luff
Sir Kevin Smith
Jasmin Staiblin

Original appointment date
1 March 2013
25 May 2011
10 November 2011
2 January 2020
27 July 2015
3 July 2017
1 January 2014
3 May 2018
1 November 2015
21 May 2012

27 February 2020
79,453
70,000
n/a
33,269
–
12,510
9,360
8,397
10,000
26,894
–

Current letter of 
appointment end date
28 February 2022
24 May 2020
9 November 2020
1 January 2023
26 July 2021
2 July 2020
31 December 2022
2 May 2021
31 October 2021
20 May 2021

1  Subject to shareholder approval, the Board have recommended that both Lewis Booth and Sir Frank Chapman serve as independent Non-Executive Directors and they will step down 

from the Board no later than the 2021 AGM (see page 77 for further details). 

Statutory requirements
The Committee’s composition, responsibilities and operation comply with the principles of good governance, as set out in the Code, the 
Listing Rules (of the Financial Conduct Authority) and the Companies Act 2006. The Directors’ remuneration report has been prepared on 
the basis prescribed in the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee Report

105

SAFETY, ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY

Membership and operation of the Committee

In addition to myself, members of the Committee during 2019 were 
Irene Dorner, Nick Luff and Lee Hsien Yang. George Culmer joined 
the Committee in January 2020. All members of the Committee are 
independent Non-Executive Directors. Our biographies are on 
pages 62 to 64 and our meeting attendance is on page 66.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in its terms of 
reference which can be found at www.rolls-royce.com. We review 
these annually and refer them to the Board for approval. No 
changes have been made in 2019. This follows a detailed review  
in 2018 to ensure alignment with the principles of the Code.

Committee evaluation review
Belinda Hudson Limited (BHL) was appointed for a second year, this 
time to undertake a light touch review of the Board and committees, 
following a full review in 2018. The effectiveness review process  
of the Board and its committees is discussed in greater detail on 
page 74 together with overall findings.

Principal responsibilities

Product safety
  Maintain an understanding of and keep under review the  

Group’s framework for effective governance of product safety.

   Monitor product safety performance, the response to product 

SIR FRANK CHAPMAN
Chairman of the 
Safety, Ethics & 
Sustainability Committee

Key highlights

  Supporting management with embedding a safety culture

  Review of product safety management with a particular 

focus on Civil Aerospace and Power Systems

  Maintaining focus on product safety and HSE during the 

period of organisational change

  Monitoring of compliance with obligations under the SFO 

and DoJ DPAs and maintaining oversight of the 
implementation of Lord Gold’s recommendations

  Overseeing deployment of revised mandatory training with 

in-service issues and lessons learned.

a focus on anti-bullying and harrassment

Introduction 

The Committee has continued to support management’s efforts to 
embed core values and progress further towards a self-sustaining 
safety culture. We have sought to assure the safeguarding of these 
goals against a backdrop of ongoing Group transformation and the 
operational and financial challenges presented by the in-service 
issues with the Trent 1000.

At the beginning of the year, we re-named the Committee the Safety, 
Ethics & Sustainability Committee (previously the Safety & Ethics 
Committee). Although our remit has always been to cover 
sustainability issues, we wished to highlight our Board oversight 
role in this area. Key sustainability workstreams such as scientific, 
technological and engineering innovation fall within the remit of 
the Science & Technology Committee. However, the impact of this 
work on the Group’s aggregate sustainability strategy is drawn 
together by this Committee. 

We seek to balance scrutiny with support to the management  
team. I am encouraged by the progress we are making with the 
simplification and strengthening of our product safety processes; 
initiatives within HSE to protect the integrity of our assets through 
a safety case programme; and progress with our anti-bullying and 
harassment campaign.

Site visits were made during the year to Friedrichshafen, Germany; 
Bristol and Derby, UK; and Singapore to observe first-hand how our 
safety and ethics ethos is being translated into front-line 
operations. It was positive to see the impact the safety case 
programme is having on employee engagement and HSE practices.

HSE
   Oversee HSE governance, review performance, incidents and 

monitor improvement projects.

   Guide and support management in the promotion of committed 

HSE leadership as part of our culture.

Sustainability
   Oversee the Group’s approach to sustainability, and related 

reporting, including monitoring of progress towards 
sustainability targets.

  Understanding the environmental impacts of products and 

operations.

Ethics & compliance
  Review the Group’s compliance with relevant legislation.

  Keep Our Code and anti-bribery and corruption policies  

under review.

   Support the Board with its review of issues raised through the 
Ethics Line and other channels including reviewing the results  
of any investigations into ethical or compliance breaches or 
allegations of misconduct.

Principal risks
  Safety, compliance and climate change.

Areas of focus for 2020

  Continued product safety overview including progress to 

closure of issues in the large engine portfolio

  Oversight of management’s leadership of HSE performance

  Continued focus on product safety governance as our 
transformation and simplification programmes progress

  In-depth review of climate change principal risk

  Oversight of the sustainability strategic review and launch of 

the new sustainability targets

DIRECTORS’ REPORT106

Directors’ Report
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee focus during 2019

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

Product safety

Maintaining safety during organisational change.

Product safety policy and processes, training, 
safety assurance framework and competence  
in manufacturing.

Product safety performance and in-service issues.

Product safety management systems.

Product safety in Civil Aerospace with periodic  
review and scrutiny of potential Trent 1000 safety 
matters and their management.

HSE

Detailed reviews of serious injury and high potential 
incidents.

Events, key findings, shared learning and actions.

HSE ambition, strategy and plans for continuous  
improvement.

HSE performance including incidents, injuries, waste, 
energy use and GHG emissions metrics.

HSE programmes: LiveWell, asset care, waste action.

Sustainability

Review of the Group’s approach to sustainability and 
governance and endorsement of ongoing strategic 
review to strengthen consideration of social and 
environmental factors in Company policy and  
decision-making, including development of  
longer-term targets.

Company positioning on sustainability, including 
external reporting and communications.

The Committee was satisfied that product safety 
governance remained robust during transformation. 

The safety assurance framework is a sound 
incremental development.

Safety performance remained at expected levels, 
with safety aspects of in-service issues handled 
competently and appropriately.

The product safety management system in  
Civil Aerospace is effective and well-operated.

Despite some improvement across particular areas 
of our business, overall Group TRI performance 
has remained flat. A series of directed campaigns 
and specialist support for identified areas will be 
introduced in 2020. HSE continues to be a key 
leadership priority for Rolls-Royce and our efforts 
are focused on driving self-sustaining improvement 
through embedding a safety culture, where everyone 
understands their role in our Zero Harm programme. 

Strengthening of HSE leadership, strategies, plans  
and communications as part of a structured approach 
to achieve continuous improvement.

HSE programmes are at varying maturity levels and 
improvement trends reflect this. Efforts continue to 
strengthen programmes with focus on key themes.

The purpose and approach to reviewing and revising 
our sustainability strategy was endorsed by the 
Committee.

Considered and endorsed the introduction of a new 
sustainability framework.

The Committee supported the ESG event in response 
to increasing investor interest in sustainability approach.

Ethics & 
compliance

Compliance with continuing obligations under the DPAs 
and implementation of Lord Gold’s recommendations.

Reviewed detailed plans for, and progress on, 
compliance. Reviewed the draft final report to DoJ.

Deployment of Our Code and Group policies.

Resourcing of the ethics and compliance team and 
effectiveness of compliance officers.

Group policies reviewed and new mandatory training 
introduced in 2019.

The ethics and compliance team is effective.

Embedding of ethics and compliance culture and 
behaviours. Review of number and nature of concerns 
raised through the Ethics Line.

Bullying and harassment were prevalent themes 
and we will be monitoring the effectiveness of 
management’s campaigns to address this.

Management of intermediaries including screening, 
appointments, payments, termination and settlements.

The intermediary processes are effective to manage 
the risks.

Review of pension consultation.

Progress with data privacy binding corporate  
rules application.

Principal risks of compliance and safety reviewed.

Review of the speak up cases relating to the proposed 
changes to the UK defined benefit pension scheme.

These principal risks are reviewed and discussed at 
every meeting of the Committee and both continue  
to be managed effectively.

Oversight of 2018 
principal risks  

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee Report

107

Product safety

We aim to go beyond compliance with regulatory product safety 
standards, setting a goal of continuous product safety improvement, 
in common with industry best practice in the markets in which we 
operate. This is regarded as fundamental to the Group’s licence to 
operate and to the sustainability of our business. Product safety 
encompasses the design, manufacture, assembly, installation, 
in-service operation, maintenance and repair of products, across all 
of our businesses and regions where we operate. It is critical that 
product safety processes develop continuously to underpin the 
science and technological innovation that enables product designs 
to evolve and extend operational boundaries.

We continued to maintain a focus throughout the year on how  
safety risk was being managed through the Group’s transformation 
programme. It was also noted that the electrical business was an  
area of high activity and innovation in the Company, which was 
progressing at pace with the acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft business. 
A particular degree of focus on product safety was warranted to 
ensure consistency with the standards across other parts of the 
organisation. This will be a priority for the Committee in 2020.

We were briefed in February on the progress of the implementation 
of the product safety training programme. The Committee noted the 
continuing commitment to ensuring that all employees are regularly 
reminded about the importance of product safety and their 
responsibility to influence it. The new course for senior managers, 
which the Committee completed in 2018, has continued into 2019 
and the target audience was extended. A new classroom-based 
awareness training was launched in February 2019 with the aim  
of helping our engineers to understand how their contribution can 
prevent unsafe products through a series of case studies and 
discussion. Over 5,000 engineers completed this training in 2019  
and feedback from delegates has been very positive. In addition, the 
approach to our all-employee online training has been completely 
refreshed and now provides a shorter, more impactful reminder  
of the importance of product safety and that it is everyone’s 
responsibility. In all aspects of the training, which forms part of the 
2019 mandatory requirement, there has been a focus on giving our 
people the confidence to speak up if they have any concerns 
regarding safety in any area of the business. The Committee believes 
that this is a positive step in driving a culture where safety is 
considered to be of utmost importance and concerns can be openly 
raised and addressed appropriately.

In February 2019, we also reviewed the overall product safety 
performance metrics which are used as an indicator of the 
performance of our product safety management system (PSMS).  
The metrics gave no indication of any trends of decline in the 
performance of our products and therefore demonstrate that the 
businesses continue to manage identified safety issues, with notable 
improvements in the age of open issues in various parts of the 
business. The Committee did, however, note a deterioration over the 
preceding 12 months in the age profile of open safety issues in the 
large engine portfolio within Civil Aerospace. Whilst it was noted that 
containment actions against each issue were in place, the Committee 
sought, and received further insight, into the reasons behind this 
trend. We reviewed the actions being taken by Civil Aerospace to 
reverse the trend. This was the subject of review by the Board in 
December. Further follow-up is planned in 2020.

POWER SYSTEMS PRODUCT  
SAFETY WORKSHOP

In order to provide effective oversight of product safety 
risk, the Committee remains conversant with the Group’s 
PSMS. In March 2019, we focused our attention on 
product safety in Power Systems with a visit to the 
Group’s facilities in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

We were briefed by the product safety leadership team 
on the wide variety of markets and applications which 
their product range addresses. This, together with a 
description of the regulatory landscape, set the scene  
for our review of the approach to product safety.

We learned how accountability for product safety is 
assigned and were briefed on the governance of product 
safety within Power Systems. Key product safety roles 
were described, together with how these roles interacted 
with project teams to ensure the safety of the products  
as they are developed.

We gained an understanding of the PSMS used within 
the business and were satisfied that this was appropriate 
for the range of products and applications and we saw 
how the PSMS was applied throughout the lifecycle  
of products. 

We were briefed on how the business approaches  
the evaluation of a product safety risk and saw their 
approach to the reporting of safety concerns and to 
identifying and resolving unsafe conditions.

We reviewed high-level product safety performance 
measures and lastly, we examined in detail a recent 
product safety event to see how in practice this issue  
had been evaluated and contained until the point when 
corrective action could be applied in the field. 

Overall, the workshop provided a good level of confidence 
that the PSMS, as operated in Power Systems, was 
effective, robust and competently operated.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT108

Directors’ Report
Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Each year, the Committee reviews particular aspects of the Group’s 
PSMS to ensure we maintain a good working knowledge of it and 
understand the continuous improvements that are being introduced. 
At our meeting in February, we discussed a report on product 
safety assurance which outlined the key initiatives that had been 
delivered in 2018 and the current drive to embed the use of the 
safety assurance framework and further improve safety awareness. 
A significant element of the Group transformation is the simplification 
of the RRMS. This represents an opportunity to emphasise the key 
principles which keep our products safe, at the same time assuring 
that valuable lessons embedded in existing processes are retained. 
The Committee will keep this under review during 2020 as it is 
imperative that our approach to product safety is appropriately 
defined within the system and our ability to manage it efficiently 
and effectively is maintained throughout. 

In July, the Committee undertook its annual review of the product 
safety policy, which sets out the guiding principles by which we 
assure product safety and with which all employees must comply.  
In advance of the Committee meeting, the policy was reviewed at 
the Company product safety assurance board (CPSAB) and it was 
deemed to be an accurate and concise summary of our commitment 
to, and management of, product safety. Following the recommendation 
from the CPSAB, the Committee concluded that the policy was still 
fit for purpose and should therefore remain unchanged. 

We also reviewed the product safety principal risk and were 
satisfied this was being managed effectively and within the 
boundaries of the agreed risk appetite. At each meeting, the 
Committee received an update on in-service incidents and, as part 
of these reviews, discussed any emerging product safety risks and 
how these were being identified and managed as part of the PSMS. 
Following on from the Committee’s deep-dive reviews in 2018, these 
updates had a particular focus on Trent 1000 issues, and an 
additional review was held in August to review the response to a 
Trent 1000 in-flight shutdown on a Norwegian Airlines Boeing 787 
on departure from Rome Airport. We were particularly pleased to 
hear that safety processes are being updated, where appropriate, 
to reflect any lessons learnt from each root cause analysis. 

The scope and format of the balanced scorecard was also 
presented to the Committee in February. It includes five leading 
indicators, which cover critical activities such as accountability, 
training and visibility of management and is balanced by two 
lagging indicators. The emphasis was on ensuring that data could 
be easily collected, inform performance, drive improvement and 
align to the Zero Harm strategy. The Committee was pleased to 
hear that as it matures, the data can be automated and shared with 
the businesses as a way of driving awareness, improvement and 
efficiency across the Group.

The Group HSE risk profile was discussed at our meeting in July 
and it was encouraging to hear that all risks are showing an 
improving or stable control trend. One additional risk, off-site 
working, has been added to the Group risk profile on the basis that 
all three businesses have identified it on their individual risk 
registers. Ensuring that these risks are monitored and managed 
appropriately continues to be a priority for the Committee. 

At each of our meetings, we review the Group’s key HSE activities, 
performance metrics, insights and learning, including the TRI rate. 
Our TRI rate in 2018 was 0.55 per 100 employees ¹ and we remain 
committed to achieving the 2020 group target of 0.30. There were  
a total of 298 TRIs in 2019 which equates to an injury rate of 0.55.  
Of these, 15 resulted in major injuries. We did, however, see an 18% 
decrease in the overall number of major and high-potential incidents 
and a 1% increase in the overall severity index. Analysis of these 
events has identified that two keys areas will require the businesses’ 
focus in 2020: slips, trips and falls and hand injuries, as these two 
classes of injury account for more than half of our reportable injuries. 
Although there has been a decrease in the number of electrical 
incidents following a focused campaign on this particular issue in 
2018, we were concerned to hear that near misses and high-potential 
incidents continue to occur. ITP Aero has had a particularly challenging 
year with injuries and they have initiated a five-part improvement 
plan to address their HSE performance, which will continue into 
2020 and beyond.

Total reportable injury (TRI) rate (per 100 employees) 1,2

2020

TARGET

0.3

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

BASELINE

0.55

0.55

0.61

0.68

0.91

0.74

1  Our TRI rate for prior years has been restated to reflect the disposal of Commercial 
Marine business on 1 April 2019. ITP Aero data is included for years 2017, 2018 and  
2019 only.

2  External assurance over STEM, energy, GHG and TRI rate data provided by Bureau 

Veritas. See page 203 for the sustainability assurance statement.

HSE

The Committee and management’s objective remains to drive 
continuous improvement in HSE performance. HSE matters have 
been discussed at all our meetings during the year and we have 
paid particular attention to the levels of maturity in HSE leadership 
across the businesses of the Group.

At the end of 2018, and following a review of the HSE improvement 
programme, the Committee recommended that governance and 
reporting on this activity should be strengthened in order to give 
business leaders and governance committees greater visibility of 
the Group’s improvement trajectory. At our meeting in February, 
the Committee heard that significant progress had been made in 
this area, including: the introduction of an HSE balanced scorecard 
reported quarterly; mandatory training on our Life Saving Rules 
including observation-intervention; and a monthly HSE update  
for the ELG to keep leaders informed and engaged. 

A head of HSE compliance role has been created to provide 
support in four key areas: how we define our Zero Harm 
improvement journey and critical milestones; how we plan more 
effectively and measure improvement; how we communicate to our 
stakeholders; and how we help others to understand and embrace 
their role in the improvement programme. Furthermore, several 
other new appointments have been made, strengthening both 
regional and specialist HSE capability. 

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
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109

We were updated on the Zero Harm safety case programme which 
was launched in 2018, with the aim of gaining a better understanding 
of the latent HSE risks within our operations. In total, 42 safety cases 
have been completed and a range of improvement activities have 
been initiated at site level to close identified gaps. Of our high 
consequence hazards, it is clear that the level of control is improving 
in areas that have been the focus of recent improvement programmes. 
However over 74% of our sites are still classed as reactive on the 
five-step maturity model. The programme and associated 
improvement activity will remain an area of focus for the  
Committee in 2020.

Communication was a priority for the HSE function in 2019 and 
some significant progress has been made in developing our 
employees’ awareness of HSE. Interaction with our leadership 
population has become more regular, through bulletins and online 
webinars, and this is imperative given the importance of the 
leadership shadow when it comes to embedding a safety culture. 
Furthermore, in June the Group introduced the Zero Harm award 
at the annual excellence awards as a way of highlighting some of 
the excellent HSE improvement activity being undertaken across 
the businesses.

Sustainability

With its broader remit of sustainability the Committee received a 
detailed overview of the Group’s approach to sustainability and its 
ambition to be a leading responsible business. We considered and 
endorsed the role of the Committee in providing Board-level 
oversight of the sustainability approach and priorities, considering 
the interface between the Science & Technology Committee and 
the executive-level environment & sustainability committee. 

In July, we were briefed on work underway to review and revise the 
Group’s sustainability strategy, including the development of new 
longer-term targets. The purpose of this comprehensive review is 
to identify key decision points across the business where the 
consideration of social, ethical and environmental factors can be 
improved, with the aim of embedding sustainability into local 
decision-making and policies. The Committee endorsed this approach.

We recognise that the most significant contribution that Rolls-Royce 
can make to a more sustainable society is to accelerate the 
decarbonisation of its business activities and the sectors in which  
it operates. The Group has a long-standing three-pronged approach 
to minimising its environmental impacts: continually improving the 
efficiency of its products and services; developing novel lower 
carbon technologies such as electrification and the application of 
alternative fuel sources; and reducing the impacts of our operations 
and facilities. As a Committee, we appreciate success is only 
achievable in the context of the wider impacts of the Group, 
including issues such as human rights; ethics and compliance; and 
safety and wellbeing. The premise of our sustainability approach is 
to understand the impacts of the Group’s activities on society, and 
to use that understanding to inform business decision-making to 
create shared value for us and our stakeholders. 

At our December meeting, we considered and endorsed a 
proposal to put in place a sustainability framework, focused on 
areas of impact and influence, to help articulate this approach.  
The framework will act as a means of guiding decision-making.  
It builds on our purpose, vision and strategy to bring all elements 
of our broad sustainability approach together into a single 
framework for the first time. In implementing this framework,  
we will review sustainability-related policies and identify 
opportunities to improve further business practices through 
focused improvement programmes.

As an example, the Committee received an update on the 
Company-wide waste action programme and the significant 
achievements that have been made in 2019. This programme is 
designed to help deliver our global waste reduction targets (see 
page 44). A waste reduction of 29% was achieved across our top 
ten UK sites, a campaign to remove single-use plastics from our 
office and catering facilities was introduced and alternative 
technologies have helped to extend liquid coolant life that would 
otherwise have to be treated as waste (see page 44).

As a Committee, we were delighted to support the ESG event  
in April. This was the first time we had organised a specific ESG 
event, in response to increased investor interest in our sustainability 
approach. Members of the Executive Team joined us in a series of 
presentations and roundtable discussions and gained valuable 
insights from the questions and opinions voiced by those in 
attendance. 

We are pleased that the Company has maintained its listing in the 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the sixteenth consecutive 
year. We continue to be one of only five aerospace and defence 
companies listed in the world index out of 38 invitees. Overall,  
our score improved slightly from 2018 and we achieved  
industry-leading scores in the risk and crisis management  
and environmental reporting sections. 

You can read more about the Group’s sustainability activities on 
pages 40 to 44 and at www.rolls-royce.com.

Ethics and compliance

The Committee’s focus in the year has been on overseeing the 
Group’s ethics and compliance work plans. More details can be 
found in the Ethics and Compliance report on page 49. This included 
obligations to the prosecutors with whom the Company agreed DPAs 
in January 2017 and ensuring that recommendations put forward by 
Lord Gold (the Company’s independent compliance adviser) had 
been implemented. Lord Gold attended the meeting in February to 
feed back on how he had been overseeing and supporting this work, 
as well as to report on key activities and areas of focus. He reported 
that, on recent site visits, he had been able to see how the ethics and 
compliance programme was working in practice, the right behaviours 
and attitudes were becoming embedded in the organisation and 
considerable improvement was evident amongst the teams. Focus 
remained on ensuring the right level of resource was in place to 
continue to drive the programme moving forward. In July, Lord Gold 
presented his draft report to the Committee which was later 
submitted to the SFO in line with the August deadline. The report 
noted the exemplary progress made in improving the Company’s 
approach to ethics and anti-bribery and corruption compliance.

At an ethics deep dive session in April, the three-year ethics and 
compliance workplan from 2019 to 2021 was presented to the 
Committee. We noted the progress made in enhancing the ethics 
and compliance teams in each of the businesses and their improved 
accountability for ethics and compliance as a result. 

At each of our meetings during the year, we received an update from 
the General Counsel on the Group’s continuing dialogue and 
co-operation with prosecutors, regulators and government agencies. 
We also received regular reports and briefings from the head of 
ethics and compliance. 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT110

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Looking forward

In the year ahead, we will continue to monitor developments with the 
Civil Aerospace large engine in-service issues with a particular focus 
on the age profile of open safety issues. We will provide appropriate 
oversight to ensure the integrity of product safety governance is 
maintained as the transformation programme continues and the 
RRMS is reviewed. 

We will continue to monitor and support progress and performance 
as the Zero Harm and LiveWell programmes are further embedded, 
with a particular interest in seeing injury rates and high-potential 
incidents reduce so that we can achieve our stated 2020 targets.

The Board has included the risk of climate change to future revenue 
growth as an additional principal risk and we will undertake an 
in-depth review of this risk during the course of 2020 on behalf of 
the Board. We will also provide oversight as the Group carries out  
a sustainability strategic review and agree a new set of sustainability 
targets, including environmental targets, over the next decade.

We will continue to monitor progress of our ethics and compliance 
programmes as well as the outcomes from our bullying and 
harassment campaign and reports to our Ethics Line. We will 
continue to oversee the Company’s compliance with the DPA in the 
UK and will commission an external assessment of our compliance 
programme during 2020 to ensure that we have maintained 
compliance with all of Lord Gold’s recommendations. 

We look forward to seeing continued tangible progress from the 
efforts by management to drive the desired behaviours and mindset, 
reinforcing an ethical, safety-focused and sustainability culture 
across the organisation.

Sir Frank Chapman 
Chairman of the Safety, Ethics & Sustainability Committee

The Committee reviews the operation of the speak up procedures at 
each meeting; this includes statistics, types of cases raised, and the 
average completion time. In 2018, we observed that bullying and 
harassment were prevalent themes and in March this year, the 
Group-wide anti-bullying and harassment campaign was launched  
as part of the wider care initiative in respect of our people, with the 
aim of creating an environment where everyone can be at their best. 
This included mandatory scenario-based training for all employees 
and leaders, as well as specific training for our people team and 
trade union employee representatives, as well as regular updates to 
the Executive Team and ELG. In July, the Committee also undertook a 
light version of this training so that we could get a better understanding 
of the impact and benefit it would have on employees. Focus has 
also been given to the speed at which a resolution is reached once  
a bullying and harassment case has been raised and, on average, the 
time taken to close an investigation is 25 days. 

Following on from the roll-out in 2018 of Our Code and simplified 
Group policies, revised mandatory training requirements were 
launched in 2019 with a completion deadline of the end of October. 
New modules covering conflicts of interest and binding corporate 
rules were added to the anti-bullying and harassment and simplified 
product safety training. 

A refresher on Zero Harm life-saving rules was also included as was 
an annual requirement for all managers globally to certify to Our Code.

Our Code, which sets out the principles that underpin our values 
and the way we do business, was developed as a mobile-enabled app 
and launched at the beginning of the year. It allows our employees 
and suppliers to access it from wherever they are in the world and  
it has received positive feedback both internally and externally.

We received a report from the head of ethics and compliance who 
carried out an independent review of the speak up cases which had 
been received on the proposed changes to the UK defined benefit 
pension scheme. The Committee received the report and noted the 
conclusions, which would be shared with elected representatives of 
the affected employees and all decision makers. While the report found 
that there had clearly been some room for improvement, particularly 
in the way the changes had been communicated, the majority of the 
concerns raised via the speak up channels were not founded.

We also monitored our ongoing compliance with the General Data 
Privacy Regulations and the application for the EU regime of Data 
Privacy Binding Corporate Rules.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Science & Technology Committee Report

111

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SIR KEVIN SMITH
Chairman of the Science 
& Technology Committee

Key highlights

  Technology strategy, investment and programmes review

  Review electrical systems strategy

  Review of UltraFan demonstrator, Advance3 and  

power gearbox 

  Services strategy review

  Review of digital strategy and capability

Introduction 

In 2019, the Committee continued to provide dedicated focus to the 
research and technology part of the Group’s R&D investment that 
enables the Group to conceive, design and deliver world-class 
technology that meets our customers’ current and future needs.  
We provide directional input and oversight of the Group’s scientific 
and technological strategy, processes and related investments.

In addition to our scheduled meetings, we visited the power gearbox 
(PGB) facility and Civil Aerospace engine assembly and test facility in 
Germany and the Defence operations and engine test beds in the UK.

Membership and operation of the Committee 

In addition to myself, members of the Committee during 2019 were 
Ruth Cairnie, Sir Frank Chapman, Brad Singer and Jasmin Staiblin, all 
Non-Executive Directors. Our biographies are on pages 62 to 64 and 
meeting attendance is on page 66. Brad Singer stepped down as a 
member of the Committee in December. Ruth also stepped down  
at the end of the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank 
the Committee for their unstinting enthusiasm and engagement 
during the year.

The Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in its terms of reference, 
available at www.rolls-royce.com. We review these annually and refer 
them to the Board for approval. No changes have been made in 
2019. This follows a detailed review in 2018 to ensure alignment with 
the principles of the Code.

Other attendees
In addition to the members of the Committee, the Chairman, Chief 
Executive, Chief Financial Officer and any of the Non-Executive 
Directors may attend one or more meetings at the Committee  
chairman’s invitation. The Committee is supported by the corporate 
governance director and the Chief Technology Officer. 

Committee evaluation review 
Belinda Hudson Limited (BHL) was appointed for a second year, this 
time to undertake a light touch review of the Board and committees, 
following a full review in 2018. The effectiveness review process  
of the Board and its committees is discussed in greater detail on 
page 74 together with overall findings.

Principal responsibilities

Technology strategy
  Review the strategic direction of the Group’s research, 

technology and development activities, with consideration to 
their environmental impact amongst other matters, and ensure 
investment is allocated appropriately.

  Keep under review the key technology programmes.

  Assist the Board in its oversight of major R&D investment and 
provide assurance on its competitiveness and the adequacy  
of technology investment, with thorough consideration to the 
environmental impact of new products and technology.

Cross-sector technology
  Oversee the effectiveness of key engineering and technology 
processes and operations, including delivery of major product 
development and technology programmes.

Technology capabilities and skills
  Oversee processes for ensuring effective resourcing and 

development of required technological capability and skills.

  Conduct visits to R&D facilities.

Technology trends and risks
  Provide assurance on the identification and management  

of key technological risks.

  Review and consider any other topics or risks appropriate  

to the overall remit of the Committee as delegated by the Board.

Principal risk
  Disruptive technologies and business model, a subset of 

competitive environment.

Areas of focus for 2020

  Oversight of the Group’s technology programme with focus  
on technologies supporting the Group’s approach to low  
carbon power

  Reviews of key programmes and business cases including SMRs, 

UltraFan and hybrid-electric regional aviation

  Review of digital, electrical and hybrid-electrical and hydrogen 

fuel based technologies

  Continued review of efficiency and effectiveness of technology 
development, assessment of skills and capability development 
and alignment with the technology strategy

DIRECTORS’ REPORT112

Directors’ Report
Science & Technology Committee Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Science & Technology Committee focus during 2019

Area of focus

Matters considered

Outcome

Technology 
strategy

Cross-sector 
technology

Technology 
capabilities  
and skills

The Group’s technology strategy.

Investment allocation.

Review of key technology 
programmes.

Efficiency and effectiveness review.

UltraFan demonstrator.

The Group’s electrical  
systems strategy.

The strategic objectives and associated investment funding allocations were 
confirmed to be appropriate.

The review of key technology programmes helped shape the Board’s 
discussions during the year. An in-depth review of the Defence aerospace 
technology programmes was presented and endorsed by the Committee.

The Committee made a number of recommendations to management to 
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Group’s future research and 
technology programmes.

Oversight of the UltraFan demonstrator programme maintained throughout  
the year and advised the Board on progress. 

Direction of the Group electrical systems technology development supported.

Engineering capabilities of  
the future.

Visits to large engine assembly and 
test bed sites.

Reviewed the engineering resource prioritisation across the Group. 

Visits provided a good opportunity to evidence physical progress on key 
technology programmes, together with an invaluable opportunity to meet  
the local teams.

Technology trends 
and risks

Artificial intelligence and internet  
of things.

Endorsement of both the artificial intelligence and internet of things 
programmes and their part in the Group’s future technology strategy.

Oversight of 
principal risk 

Disruptive technologies and 
business model.

A subset of the principal risk, competitive environment, the review confirmed 
that the identification of disruptive technology threats and ongoing mitigation 
activities continued to support the direction for future key activities.

2019 overview

In 2019, the Committee continued with our work from the previous 
year in overseeing the technology strategy, the prioritisation of 
resources towards technology development and acquisition, and 
assessing competitiveness in key technology and product areas. 
In doing this, we place importance on ensuring active dialogue with 
engineering and technology leaders and experts, inviting relevant 
employees to Committee meetings, meeting with employees during 
site visits and developing future leaders through the Board 
apprentice programme.

At the first meeting of the year in February, we reviewed the 2019 
technology programme and the investment funding allocation. We 
also received an update on the progress made on technology plans 
for each business and also in the Innovation Hub. 

As reported in previous years, significant investment is directed 
towards aerospace technology demonstrators to validate new 
architectures and gas turbine technologies vital to supporting 
future competitiveness and delivering a step change improvement 
in environmental impact. We conducted several reviews of the 
UltraFan demonstrator programme over the year, noting progress 
in its design and testing, and understanding the plans and choices 
on competitive differentiating technologies which would enable a 
step change in efficiency. We discussed the UltraFan business case 
and options for meeting potential customer requirements, the 
phased investments proposed to deliver the programme and the 
approach to managing risks and programme dependencies.  
During the year, we received regular progress updates on key 
technologies, particularly the PGB, which is a critical component 
connecting the Advance3 core to the composite front fan system, 
and is undergoing design maturity testing ahead of the first 
UltraFan demonstrator engine run in 2021. In April, the Committee 

visited the PGB test facility and dedicated team area in Dahlewitz, 
Germany and met with key staff. We also undertook a tour of the 
Civil Aerospace engine assembly and test facility located on the 
same site. The Committee advised the Board on progress and 
funding continuation of the programme.

The Committee also reviewed progress on development and 
maturing key high-temperature gas turbine technology which has 
applicability across all aero-engine programmes. We received a 
presentation on the Group’s strategy and competitive position on 
propulsion for business aviation to understand how the technology 
was being developed.

In September, the Committee was updated on the development of 
the Group’s technology strategy which includes a growing level of 
investment in new capability in electrical and digital technologies, 
and the launch of the study phase of the small modular reactor 
(SMR) programme, all of which will play a part in the Group’s 
approach to lower carbon power and the shift to low carbon 
technologies for the future.

We were encouraged to hear that electrical systems technology 
development is increasingly becoming central to delivering the 
businesses’ future product plans. In aerospace applications, a 
number of demonstrator programmes are taking shape, including 
the E-Fan X megawatt hybrid-electric propulsion programme with 
Airbus for which a new megawatt generator is being developed, 
and kilowatt hybrid-electric aero propulsion research and 
application demonstrators that were announced in the UK and 
Germany. We were briefed on the acquisition of the aerospace 
electrical components business from Siemens and its fit to the 
Group’s electrical technology roadmap. Further electrical 
technology development will be a focus area for the Committee 
in the coming year.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Science & Technology Committee Report

113

We also gave our support to further development of the approach 
to strategic management of technology acquisition and the Company’s 
approach to technology partnering as a means of obtaining access 
to co-investment, skilled resources and accelerating technology 
development. We discussed the risks and opportunities arising 
from protection/exploitation of intellectual property and have 
further encouraged increased attention in this area. 

We further received an update on the Group’s risk appetite and 
assessment of technologies that enable disruption with regard to 
the Group’s 2019 principal risk related to the competitive 
environment. This will remain a live process to ensure awareness  
of potential shifts.

Looking forward

The focus for the Committee in 2020 will be on low carbon 
technologies that are vital to innovation and future products and 
services and underpin the Group’s sustainability strategy. We will 
continue to monitor the UltraFan demonstrator and associated 
technology programmes and progress on the first phase of SMRs 
for low carbon power generation and review the business case for 
making use of SMRs to produce sustainable fuels.

The continuing development of the Group’s capabilities and 
technologies in electrical and digital will also feature strongly in  
our agenda, including the case for hybrid-electrical propulsion for 
regional aviation as well as the future of reciprocating engines and 
alternative sustainable fuels.

These are exciting times for technologists and engineers in 
Rolls-Royce as the Company accelerates its drive for sustainable 
propulsion providing opportunity to acquire new skills, work on 
new products and to play a full part in securing a low carbon world. 
I admire their dedication to achieving that goal and cannot help 
but be a little envious of the opportunities it provides.

In closing this year’s report, I would like to pay tribute to the work 
of our global network of 29 University Technology Centres and 
seven Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres who play a vital 
role in the development of our core technology and science base. 
The 1,300 people, including 500 PHDs, in those institutions who 
work in partnership with our employees are a crucial part of the 
extended Rolls-Royce family and I thank them on behalf of the 
Board for the major contribution they make to building the future 
of Rolls-Royce.

Sir Kevin Smith 
Chairman of the Science & Technology Committee

The Committee received a presentation on the digital strategy  
and five-year roadmap for digital capability and the digital thread 
across engineering design, manufacturing and services, and 
reviewed the current status of transitioning away from legacy systems. 
We were updated regarding the progress with how the IT and 
engineering systems were supporting the transformation 
programme for engineering. We received specific presentations  
on the Company’s strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) and the 
internet of things (IoT). We were taken through how specialists from 
the R² Data Labs team facilitate the application of AI and IoT and 
were briefed on the broad training provided to enhance the 
workforce’s skills through the Digital Academy. We also discussed 
the Group’s approach to an ecosystem to access these rapidly 
advancing technologies and how the strategy of in-house skills and 
capabilities would affect competitiveness. 

The Committee reviewed the proposal to develop a new generation 
of SMRs that would leverage the Company’s advanced 
manufacturing capabilities as well as its nuclear power design 
expertise to develop a near-zero carbon source of power 
generation by the early 2030s at a competitive levelised cost of 
electricity. We were given an overview of potential for a very large 
market demand including the potential for future net-zero carbon 
fuel production at scale. We received a briefing on consortium 
partnerships, potential business models and the business case,  
to understand the opportunity which has now been launched  
in a first phase with UK Government funding support.

We reviewed the technology across the Defence business and 
received a presentation on opportunities and programmes in the 
US and the UK. We also visited the Company’s operations and engine 
test beds in Bristol, UK where, among other things, integrated 
electrical systems are validated. We discussed near-term defence 
market opportunities and how our core gas turbine technologies 
and digital engineering design systems and approach could enhance 
our position to win competitive contracts. The requirements for 
future defence systems and solutions are driving development of  
a combination of technologies, such as electrical, power and thermal 
management and advanced specialised combat propulsion 
technologies which are being developed under the UK Tempest 
advanced combat fighter programme. We were also briefed on  
the progress on the integrated power systems for directed energy 
systems, which have growth potential for land, sea and airborne 
applications. Finally, we reviewed the planned investment and 
resourcing roadmap that will enable the business to continue to 
pursue, develop and grow its defence markets.

Further, the Committee received an update on the Group’s services 
strategy and associated technology development plans. We were 
pleased to see real progress and significant value delivered by 
application of digital, inspection and repair technologies. We 
encouraged management to continue to pursue new technology 
and ways of working in these areas, noting that this is critical in 
addition to the product investments to improve engine durability  
in service.

To get an understanding of the investment choices across all 
engineering activities and related skill sets, the Committee 
undertook a detailed review of the full engineering investment and 
resource prioritisation across the Group. We were briefed on spend 
and resourcing relating to new product development, technology 
development and in-service product support needs. The Committee 
supports the changes that have been introduced to improve the 
visibility of investment choices and how they relate to the application 
of key skilled resources. This provided a better understanding of 
the overall technology investments and technology choices.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT114

Directors’ Report
Responsibility Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENTS

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.

Directors’ confirmations
The Directors consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group and parent 
company’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in the 
Directors’ Report, confirm that to the best of his or her knowledge:

 — the Group Financial Statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give  
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
loss of the Group;

 — the parent company Financial Statements, which have been 
prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework, 
and applicable law), give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and result of the Company; and

 — the Strategic 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.

By order of the Board

Pamela Coles 
Company Secretary 
28 February 2020

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 International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union 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).

Under company law, the Directors must not approve the Financial 
Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent company and of 
the profit or loss of the Group and parent company 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 IFRSs, as adopted by the European 

Union, have been followed for the Group Financial Statements 
and United Kingdom Accounting Standards comprising FRS 101, 
have been followed for the 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 also 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 responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and 
parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and parent 
company. This enables them to ensure that the Financial Statements 
and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

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.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

115

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Financial Statements

Company Financial Statements

Company Balance Sheet 
Company Statement  
  of Changes in Equity 

 Investments – subsidiary undertakings 

Notes to the Company 
Financial Statements   
1  Accounting policies 
2 
3  Trade receivables and other assets 
4  Trade payables and other liabilities 
5  Financial liabilities 
6  Share capital 
7 

 Reconciliation of net assets between 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Group and 
Company 

8  Contingent liabilities 
9  Other information 

Subsidiaries 
Joint Ventures and Associates 

183

183

184
184
185
185
185
185

186
186
186

187
192

Consolidated Income Statement  
Consolidated Statement  
  of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
Consolidated Statement  
  of Changes in Equity 

 Research and development  

Notes to the Consolidated  
Financial Statements
1  Accounting policies 
2  Segmental analysis 
3 
4  Net financing 
5  Taxation 
6  Earnings per ordinary share 
7  Auditors’ remuneration 
8  Employee information 
9 
Intangible assets   
10  Property, plant and equipment 
11  Right-of-use assets 
12 
Investments 
13   Inventories 
14  Trade receivables and other assets 
15  Contract assets and liabilities 
16  Cash and cash equivalents 
17  Borrowings and lease liabilities 
18  Trade payables and other liabilities 
19  Financial instruments 
20   Provisions for liabilities and charges 
21  Post-retirement benefits 
22  Share capital 
23  Share-based payments 
24  Leases  
25  Contingent liabilities 
26  Related party transactions 
27  Acquisitions and disposals 
28   Derivation of summary funds  

flow statement 

29  Impact of adopting IFRS 16 Leases 

116

117
118
119

122

123
134
140
141
141
144
145
145
146
149
150
151
153
153
154
155
 155
156
157
166
168
172
173
174
176
176
177

179
181

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116

Financial Statements
Consolidated Income Statement

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Revenue 1
Cost of sales 1
Gross profit
Commercial and administrative costs 1
Research and development costs
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Operating loss
Gain arising on disposal of businesses 2
Loss before financing and taxation

Financing income
Financing costs
Net financing costs

Loss before taxation 3
Taxation
Loss for the year

Attributable to:

Ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Total comprehensive expense for the year

Loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders:

Basic
Diluted

Payments to ordinary shareholders in respect of the year:

Pence per share
Total

Underlying profit before taxation 3

Notes

2

3

12

27

2

4

4

5

6

19

2

2019
£m
16,587 
(15,645)
942 
(1,128)
(770)
104 
(852)
139 
(713)

252 
(430)
(178)

(891)

(420)
(1,311)

(1,315)
4 
(1,311)
(1,013)
(2,324)

2018
£m
15,729 
(14,531)
1,198 
(1,595)
(768)
4 
(1,161)
358 
(803)

271 
(2,415)
(2,144)

(2,947)

554 
(2,393)

(2,401)
8 
(2,393)
182
(2,211)

(69.07)p
(69.07)p

(129.15)p
(129.15)p

11.7p 
224 

11.7p
220

583 

466 

1 

 Included within revenue, cost of sales and commercial and administrative costs are exceptional charges relating to Civil Aerospace programmes, impairment charges and restructuring 
costs. Further details can be found in note 2.

2   Commercial Marine was disposed of on 1 April 2019 and Rolls-Royce Power Development Limited was disposed of on 15 April 2019. L’Orange was disposed of on 1 June 2018.
3  (Loss)/profit before taxation disclosed on a statutory and underlying basis.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

117

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive (expense)/income (OCI)

Actuarial movements on post-retirement schemes 1
Share of OCI of joint ventures and associates
Related tax movements
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Foreign exchange translation differences on foreign operations
Reclassified to income statement on disposal of businesses
Cash flow hedge reserve movements
Share of OCI of joint ventures and associates
Related tax movements
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income 

Total comprehensive expense for the year

Attributable to:

Ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive expense for the year

Notes

21

12

5

27

12

5

2019
£m
(1,311)

(934)
(1)
324 
(611)

(313)
(98)
22 
(7)
(6)
(402)

(1,013)

2018
£m
(2,393)

27 
(1)
(2)
24 

171 
(19)
(17)
18 
5 
158 

182 

(2,324)

(2,211)

(2,328)
4 
(2,324)

(2,219)
8 
(2,211)

1 

 Includes an asset re-measurement net loss estimated at £600m following the agreement to transfer the future pension obligations of circa 33,000 pensions in the UK scheme to Legal 
& General Assurance Society Limited. See note 21 for further information.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS118

Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

At 31 December 2019

ASSETS
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets 1
Investments – joint ventures and associates
Investments – other
Other financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Post-retirement scheme surpluses
Non-current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables and other assets
Contract assets
Taxation recoverable
Other financial assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets
Assets held for sale
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Borrowings and lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities
Contract liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Current liabilities
Borrowings and lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities
Contract liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Post-retirement scheme deficits
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET LIABILITIES

EQUITY
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Cash flow hedging reserve
Merger reserve
Translation reserve
Accumulated losses
Equity attributable to ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

Notes

2019
£m

2018
£m

9

10

11

12

12

19

5

21

13

14

15

19

19

16

27

17

19

18

15

20

17

19

18

15

5

20

21

27

22

5,442 
4,803 
2,009 
402 
14 
467 
1,887
1,170 
16,194
4,320 
5,065 
2,095 
39 
86 
6 
4,443 
16,054 
18 
32,266 

(775)
(493)
(8,450)
(4,228)
(172)
(858)
(14,976)
(4,910)
(3,094)
(2,071)
(6,612)
(618)
(1,946)
(1,378)
(20,629)
(15)
(35,620)

5,295 
4,929 
– 
412 
22 
343 
2,092 
1,944 
15,037 
4,287 
4,690 
2,057 
34 
22 
6 
4,974 
16,070 
750 
31,857 

(858)
(647)
(8,292)
(3,794)
(138)
(1,122)
(14,851)
(3,804)
(3,542)
(1,940)
(5,336)
(962)
(795)
(1,303)
(17,682)
(376)
(32,909)

(3,354)

(1,052)

386 
319 
159 
(96)
650 
397 
(5,191)
(3,376)
22 
(3,354)

379 
268 
161 
(106)
406 
809 
(2,991)
(1,074)
22 
(1,052)

1 

 IFRS 16 Leases has been adopted from 1 January 2019 and under the transitional arrangements the Group has adopted IFRS 16 on a modified retrospective basis. There has been no 
restatement of 2018 comparatives. See notes 1 and 29 for more details.

The financial statements on pages 116 to 182 were approved by the Board on 28 February 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Warren East 
Chief Executive 

Stephen Daintith 
Chief Financial Officer

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

119

 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities
Operating loss
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 1
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 1
Depreciation and impairment of right-of-use assets
Impairment of and other movements on investments
Increase in provisions
Increase in inventories
Increase in trade receivables and other assets
Increase in contract assets
Penalties paid on agreements with investigating bodies
Increase in trade payables and other liabilities
Increase in contract liabilities
Cash flows on other financial assets and liabilities held for operating purposes
Interest received
Net defined benefit post-retirement cost recognised in loss before financing
Cash funding of defined benefit post-retirement schemes
Share-based payments
Net cash inflow from operating activities before taxation
Taxation paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities 2

Cash flows from investing activities
Net movement in unlisted investments
Additions of intangible assets
Disposals of intangible assets
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Disposals of property, plant and equipment
Acquisitions of businesses
Disposal of businesses
Movement in investments in joint ventures and associates and other movements on investments
Disposals of joint ventures
Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of loans
Proceeds from increase in loans
Capital element of lease payments (2018: Capital element of finance lease payments)
Net cash flow from (decrease)/increase in borrowings and leases
Interest received
Interest paid
Interest element of lease payments (2018: Interest element of finance lease payments)
Increase in short-term investments
Issue of ordinary shares (net of expenses)
Purchase of ordinary shares
Dividends to NCI
Redemption of C Shares
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 
Exchange (losses)/gains on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 3

Notes

12

12

9

10

11

12

21

21

23

12

9

9

27

27

12

2019
£m

(852)
(13)
(104)
92 
372 
532 
411 
1 
1,108 
(43)
(610)
(41)
(102)
683 
1,778 
(757)
31
222
(266)
30
2,472
(175)
2,297

3
(640)
13 
(747)
50 
(43)
453 
(8)
1 
(918)

(1,136)
22 
(271)
(1,385)
–
(104)
(88)
– 
24 
(15)
(4)
(220)
(1,792)

(413)
4,952 
(104)
4,435 

2018
£m

(1,161)
11 
(4)
105 
565 
521 
– 
6 
1,003 
(616)
(469)
(112)
– 
1,732 
1,419 
(732)
–
352 
(181)
35 
2,474 
(248)
2,226 

(6)
(680)
13 
(905)
43 
– 
573 
(13)
– 
(975)

(37)
1,054 
(23)
994 
27
(92)
(5)
(3)
1 
(1)
(3)
(216)
702 

1,953 
2,933 
66 
4,952 

 In 2019, an impairment of £58m in respect of Bergen Engines AS was included in these lines (2018: £160m in respect of Commercial Marine).

1 
2  Operating cash flow includes Trent 1000 insurance receipts of £173m.
3   The Group considers overdrafts (repayable on demand) to be an integral part of its cash management activities and these are included in cash and cash equivalents for the purposes 

of the cash flow statement.

 In deriving the consolidated cash flow statement, movements in balance sheet line items have been adjusted for non-cash items. 
The cash flow in the year includes the sale of goods and services to joint ventures and associates – see note 26. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS120

Financial Statements
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT CONTINUED

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Reconciliation of movements in cash and cash equivalents to movements in net funds/(debt)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash flow from decrease/(increase) in borrowings and leases
Cash flow from increase in short-term investments
Change in net funds resulting from cash flows
New leases in the year (2018: new finance leases in the year)
Net debt (excluding cash and cash equivalents) of previously unconsolidated subsidiary
Exchange (losses)/gains on net funds
Fair value adjustments
Transferred to liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Movement in net funds
Net funds/(debt) at 1 January excluding the fair value of swaps
Reclassifications 1
Adoption of IFRS 16 (see note 29)
Net debt at 1 January restated
Net (debt)/funds at 31 December excluding the fair value of swaps
Fair value of swaps hedging fixed rate borrowings
Net (debt)/funds at 31 December

2019
£m

2018
£m

(413)
1,385 
– 
972 
(217)
(1)
(32)
48
3
773
318
(79)
(2,248)
(2,009)
(1,236)
243
(993)

1,953 
(994)
3 
962 
(97)
– 
54
(69) 
–
850 
(532)
–
– 
(532)
318 
293 
611 

1  In 2019, the Group has reclassified £79m as borrowings previously included in other financial liabilities. These borrowings mature between 2019 and 2029 – see note 17.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

121

 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT CONTINUED

For the year ended 31 December 2019

The movement in net funds/(debt) (defined by the Group as including the items shown below) is as follows:

Transition
to IFRS 16
and
reclassi-
fications 1
£m

At 31 
December
2018
£m

At 
1 January
£m

Funds
flow
£m

Net funds on
acquisition/
disposal 
£m

Exchange
differences
£m

Fair value
 adjustments
£m

Reclassi-
fications
£m

Other
movements
on leases
£m

At 31 
December
£m

2019
Cash at bank and in hand
Money market funds
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents 2  
(per balance sheet)
Overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents  
(per cash flow statement)
Short-term investments
Other current borrowings 
Non-current borrowings 
Finance leases
Lease liabilities
Financial liabilities
Net funds/(debt) excluding fair  
value swaps
Fair value of swaps hedging fixed 
rate borrowings 3
Net funds/(debt)

Net funds (excluding lease liabilities)

2018
Cash at bank and in hand
Money market funds
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents  
(per balance sheet)
Overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents 
(per cash flow statement)
Short-term investments
Other current borrowings
Non-current borrowings
Finance leases
Financial liabilities
Net (debt)/funds excluding fair  
value swaps
Fair value of swaps hedging fixed 
rate borrowings 3
Net (debt)/funds

1,023 
1,222 
2,729 

4,974 
(22)

4,952 
6 
(802)
(3,609)
(229)
– 
(4,640)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

1,023 
1,222 
2,729 

(179)
(124)
(124)

4,974 
(22)

(427)
14 

– 
– 
(14)
(65)
229 
(2,477)
(2,327)

4,952 
6 
(816)
(3,674)
– 
(2,477)
(6,967)

(413)
– 
799 
315 
– 
271 
1,385 

318 

(2,327)

(2,009)

972 

293 
611 

840

– 
(2,327)

(79)

293 
(1,716)

761 

– 
972 

838 
589 
1,526 

170 
630 
1,155 

2,953 
(20)

1,955 
(2)

2,933 
3 
(39)
(3,292)
(137)
(3,468)

1,953 
3 
(38)
(972)
(81)
(1,091)

(532)

865 

227 
(305)

– 
865 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
(1)
– 
– 
(1)

(1)

– 
(1)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

(19)
(3)
(82)

(104)
– 

(104)
– 
2 
4 
– 
66 
72 

(32)

– 
(32)

15 
3 
48 

66 
– 

66 
– 
(1)
– 
(11)
(12)

54 

– 
54 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
5 
43 
– 
– 
48 

48 

(50)
(2)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
15 
(84)
– 
(69)

(69)

66 
(3)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
(417)
417 
– 
3 
3 

3 

– 
3 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
(739)
739 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(217)
(217)

825 
1,095 
2,523 

4,443 
(8)

4,435 
6 
(427)
(2,896)
– 
(2,354)
(5,677)

(217)

(1,236)

– 
(217)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

243 
(993)

1,361 

1,023 
1,222 
2,729 

4,974 
(22)

4,952 
6 
(802)
(3,609)
(229)
(4,640)

318 

293 
611 

1  In 2019, the Group has reclassified £79m as borrowings previously included in other financial liabilities. These borrowings mature between 2019 and 2029 – see note 17.
2  Includes Trent 1000 insurance receipts of £173m.
3  All interest rate swaps are entered into for risk management purposes, although these may not be designated into hedging relationships for accounting purposes – see note 19.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS122

Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2017

Impact of adopting IFRS 9

At 1 January 2018

(Loss)/profit for the year
Foreign exchange translation differences 
on foreign operations
Reclassified to income statement  
on disposal of L’Orange
Movements on post-retirement schemes
Debited to cash flow hedge reserve
OCI of joint ventures and associates
Related tax movements

Total comprehensive income/(expense) 
for the year

Shares issued in respect of acquisition of 
ITP Aero
Other issues of ordinary shares
Issue of C Shares 3
Redemption of C Shares
Shares issued to employee share trust
Share-based payments – direct to equity 4
Transfer of joint operations to subsidiaries
Transactions with NCI
Related tax movements

Other changes in equity in the year
At 31 December 2018

Impact of adopting IFRS 16

At 1 January 2019

(Loss)/profit for the year
Foreign exchange translation differences 
on foreign operations
Reclassified to income statement on 
disposal of Commercial Marine
Movements on post-retirement schemes
Credited to cash flow hedge reserve
OCI of joint ventures and associates
Related tax movements

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for 
the year

Arising on issues of ordinary shares
Shares issued in respect of acquisition of 
ITP Aero
Issue of C Shares 3
Redemption of C Shares
Ordinary shares purchased
Shares issued to employee share trust
Share-based payments – direct to equity 4
Transactions with NCI
Related tax movements

Other changes in equity in the year
At 31 December 2019

Attributable to ordinary shareholders

Notes

Share 
capital
£m
368 
– 
368 
– 

Share 
premium
£m
195 
– 
195 
– 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m
162 
– 
162 
– 

Cash flow 
hedging 
reserve 1
£m
(112)
– 
(112)
– 

Merger 
reserve
£m
3 
– 
3 
– 

Translation 
reserve
£m
657 
– 
657 
– 

Accum- 
ulated 
losses 2
£m
(343)
(15) 
(358)
(2,401)

Non-
controlling 
Total
interests 
equity
(NCI)
£m
£m
933 
3 
(15) 
– 
3 
918 
8  (2,393)

Total
£m
930 
(15) 
915 
(2,401)

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

10 
1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
11 
379 
– 
379 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
1 

6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
7 
386 

21

12

5

22

5

21

12

5

22

5

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
73 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
73 
268 
– 
268 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
51 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
51 
319 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
(217)
216 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(1)
161 
– 
161 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
(222)
220 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(2)
159 

– 

– 
– 
(17)
18 
5 

6 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(106)
– 
(106)
– 

– 

– 
– 
22 
(7)
(5)

10 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(96)

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

403 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
403 
406 
– 
406 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

244 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
244 
650 

171 

(19)
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

171 

– 
27 
– 
(1)
(2)

(19)
27 
(17)
17 
3 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

171 

(19)
27 
(17)
17 
3 

152  (2,377)

(2,219)

8 

(2,211)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
809 
– 

– 
– 
1 
(216)
(75)
32 
– 
– 
2 
(256)
(2,991)
(40)
809  (3,031)
(1,315)

– 

413 
74 
(216)
– 
(75)
32 
– 
– 
2 
230 
(1,074)
(40)
(1,114)
(1,315)

(313)

– 

(313)

(98)
– 
– 
– 
(1)

– 
(934)
– 
(1)
324 

(98)
(934)
22 
(8)
318 

(412) (1,926) (2,328)
52 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
397 

250 
– 
(221)
1 
– 
(220)
(15)
(15)
(51)
(51)
50 
50 
– 
– 
1 
1
(234)
66 
(5,191) (3,376)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
15 
(4)
– 
11 
22 
– 

413 
74 
(216)
– 
(75)
32 
15 
(4)
2 
241 
(1,052)
(40)
22  (1,092)
(1,311)
4 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(313)

(98)
(934)
22 
(8)
318 

4  (2,324)
52 
– 

250 
– 
(221)
– 
– 
– 
(15)
– 
(51)
– 
50 
– 
(4)
(4)
1 
– 
62 
(4)
22  (3,354)

 1   See accounting policies note 1.
2   At 31 December 2019, 12,476,576 ordinary shares with a net book value of £108m (2018: 13,538,921, 2017: 6,466,153 ordinary shares with net book values of £123m and £52m respectively) 
were held for the purpose of share-based payment plans and included in accumulated losses. During the year, 8,984,219 ordinary shares with a net book value of £82m (2018: 468,165 
shares with a net book value of £4m) vested in share-based payment plans. During the year, the Company acquired 118,831 (2018: 80,810) of its ordinary shares via reinvestment of 
dividends received on its own shares and purchased 1,673,143 (2018: nil) of its ordinary shares through purchases on the London Stock Exchange. During the year, the Company issued 
28,973,262 new ordinary shares relating to the remaining three instalments for the acquisition of ITP Aero (2018: 47,556,914 new ordinary shares relating to the first five installments) 
and 7,803,043 new ordinary shares (2018: 7,460,173) to the Group’s share trust for its employee share-based payment plans with a net book value of £66m (2018: £74m).

3   In Rolls-Royce Holdings plc’s Company Financial Statements, C Shares are issued from the merger reserve, this reserve was created by a scheme of arrangement in 2011. As this reserve 

is eliminated on consolidation, in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the C Shares are shown as being issued from the capital redemption reserve. 

4  Share-based payments – direct to equity is the share-based payment charge for the year less the actual cost of vesting excluding those vesting from own shares and cash received 

on share-based schemes vesting.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

123

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1  Accounting policies

The Company
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (the ‘Company’) is a public company incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 and domiciled in the United 
Kingdom. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2019 consist of the consolidation of the 
Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the Group) and include the Group’s interest in jointly 
controlled and associated entities.

Basis of preparation and statement of compliance
In accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and European Union (EU) regulations, these Consolidated Financial Statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IASB) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), as adopted for use in the EU effective at 31 December 
2019 (Adopted IFRS).

The Company has elected to prepare its individual Company Financial Statements under FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. They are 
set out on pages 183 to 186 and the accounting policies in respect of its individual Company Financial Statements are set out on page 184.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except where Adopted IFRS requires the revaluation 
of financial instruments to fair value and certain other assets and liabilities on an alternative basis – most significantly post-retirement 
scheme obligations are valued on the basis required by IAS 19 Employee Benefits – and on a going concern basis as described on page 55.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in sterling which is the Company’s functional currency.

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with Adopted IFRS requires management to make judgements and 
estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported 
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revisions to Adopted IFRS in 2019

IFRS 16 Leases
The Group adopted IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under the specific transitional provisions in the 
standard, comparative information has not been restated. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules have 
been recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2019 (see note 29).

Until 31 December 2018, leases of aircraft and engines, plant and equipment and land and buildings were classified as either finance or 
operating leases. Payments made under operating leases were charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the 
lease. From 1 January 2019, leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset 
is available for use by the Group. Each lease payment is allocated between reducing the liability and a finance cost. The finance cost is 
charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of 
the liability for each period. 

On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised additional lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 
operating leases under the previous principles of IAS 17 Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease 
payments, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The weighted average incremental borrowing 
rate applied by the Group to the lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 was 3.7%.

The associated right-of-use assets for certain high value property leases are measured on a retrospective basis as if the new rules had 
always been applied. As above, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate has been used. Other right-of-use assets are measured at the 
amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in 
the balance sheet as at 1 January 2019. In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the Group has used the following practical expedients 
permitted by the standard:

 – on initial application, IFRS 16 was only applied to contracts that were previously classified as leases, the Group has elected not to 
reassess whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at the date of initial application. Instead, for contracts entered into before the 
transition date the Group has relied on its assessment made applying IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains 
a Lease;

 – lease contracts with a duration of less than 12 months will continue to be expensed to the income statement on a straight-line basis over 

the lease term; 

 – the lease term has been determined with the use of hindsight where the contract contains options to extend the lease; and 
 – reliance on previous assessments on whether or not leases are onerous.

Note 29 sets out the adjustments made on transition to IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019. The most significant changes are where the Group is a 
lessee as the standard has not significantly changed the accounting where the Group is a lessor in a lease arrangement.

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatment
The Group adopted IFRIC 23 on 1 January 2019. The interpretation clarifies how to apply the recognition and measurement requirements 
in IAS 12 Income Taxes when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. Adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact 
on the Group’s financial statements.

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform
The Group has elected to early adopt the amendments in accordance with the transition provisions. Details of the impact to the Group are 
given on page 129.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS124

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Key areas of judgement and sources of estimation uncertainty
The determination of the Group’s accounting policies requires judgement. The subsequent application of these policies requires estimates; 
the actual outcome may differ from that calculated. The key judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance sheet 
date, that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial 
year, are summarised below. Further details are included within the significant accounting policies as indicated.

Area
Revenue recognition

Key judgements
 – Whether Civil Aerospace OE and aftermarket 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Estimates of future revenue and costs of 
long-term contractual arrangements

Page
125

Risk and revenue sharing  
arrangements
Taxation

Financial instruments

Business combinations
Research and development

contracts should be combined

 – How performance on long-term aftermarket 

contracts should be measured

 – Whether any costs should be treated  

as wastage

 – Whether sales of spare engines to joint 

ventures are at fair value

Determination of the nature of entry fees received

Whether deferred tax assets should  
be recognised

Application of the business model and ‘solely 
principal and interest’ test
Identification of acquired assets and liabilities
 – Determination of the point in time where costs 

incurred on an internal programme 
development meet the criteria for capitalisation 
or ceasing capitalisation

 – Determination of the basis for amortising 

Estimates necessary to assess whether it is 
probable that sufficient suitable taxable profits 
will arise in the UK to utilise the deferred tax 
assets

Leases

capitalised development costs

Determination of lease term

Impairment of goodwill

Impairment of intangible 
assets (including  
programme-related  
intangible assets)
Provisions

Post-retirement benefits

Determination of cash-generating units for 
assessing impairment of goodwill

Assessment of satisfying the criteria for the 
recognition and measurement of provisions

Estimates of the payments required to meet 
residual value guarantees at the end of engine 
leases

Estimates of cash flow forecasts and discount 
rates to support the carrying value of intangible 
assets (including programme-related intangible 
assets)
Estimates of expenditure required to settle the 
obligation relating to Trent 1000 claims and to 
settle long-term contracts assessed as onerous
Estimates of the assumptions applied for valuing  
the defined benefit obligation

Sensitivities for key sources of estimation risk are disclosed in the relevant notes where this is appropriate and practicable.

Significant accounting policies 
The Group’s significant accounting policies are set out below. With the exception of IFRS 16 and IFRIC 23, which have been adopted  
with effect from 1 January 2019, these accounting policies have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Presentation of underlying results
We measure financial performance on an underlying basis. We believe this is the most appropriate basis to measure our in-year 
performance as underlying results reflect the substance of trading activity, including the impact of the Group’s foreign exchange forward 
contracts, which lock in transactions at predetermined exchange rates. In addition, underlying results exclude the accounting impact of 
business acquisitions and disposals, impairment charges and exceptional items. It is also consistent with the way that financial performance 
is measured by management and reported to the Board in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. Further details are given in note 2.

Basis of consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company Financial Statements and its subsidiary undertakings together with the 
Group’s share of the results in joint arrangements and associates made up to 31 December. 

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has power over an entity, exposure to variable 
returns from its involvement with an entity and the ability to use its power over an entity so as to affect the Company’s returns.

127

127

128

129
130

131

131

131

132

133

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

125

1  Accounting policies continued

A joint arrangement is an entity in which the Group holds a long-term interest and which is jointly controlled by the Group and one or 
more other venturers under a contractual arrangement. Joint arrangements may be either joint ventures or joint operations. An associate 
is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint arrangement, in which the Group holds a long-term interest and where the Group has a 
significant influence. The results of joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Joint 
operations are accounted for using proportionate accounting.

Any subsidiary undertaking, joint arrangement or associate sold or acquired during the year are included up to, or from, the date of 
change of control. Transactions with non-controlling interests are recorded directly in equity.

The Commercial Marine business was disposed of on 1 April 2019 and Rolls-Royce Power Development Limited was disposed of on 15 April 
2019. We announced the proposed disposal of the North America Civil Nuclear business on 26 September 2019, and the Knowledge 
Management System business on 17 December 2019. Both North America Civil Nuclear and Knowledge Management System have been 
treated as a disposal group held for sale at 31 December 2019, with their assets and liabilities presented separately in the balance sheet. 
These disposals were completed on 31 January 2020 and 3 February 2020 respectively. In 2018, L’Orange was disposed of on 1 June and 
Commercial Marine was treated as a disposal group and held for sale (see note 27). 

On 30 September 2019, we acquired Siemens’ eAircraft business and in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations, the fair value  
of the assets and liabilities acquired have been consolidated in the Group’s results from the date of acquisition (see note 27).

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. Adjustments are made to eliminate the  
profit or loss arising on transactions with joint arrangements and associates to the extent of the Group’s interest in the entity.

Revenue recognition

Key judgement – Whether Civil Aerospace OE and aftermarket contracts should be combined
In the Civil Aerospace business, OE contracts are with the airframers (except for spare engines), while the aftermarket contracts are 
with the aircraft operators, although there may be interdependencies between them. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
includes guidance on the combination of contracts, in particular that contracts with unrelated parties should not be combined. 
Notwithstanding the interdependencies, the Directors consider that, as the operators are ultimately purchasing an aircraft from the 
airframer, of which the engines are part, the engine contract should be considered separately from the aftermarket contract. In 
making this judgement, they also took account of industry practice.

Key judgement – How performance on long-term aftermarket contracts should be measured
The Group generates a significant proportion of its revenue from aftermarket arrangements. These aftermarket contracts, such as 
TotalCare and CorporateCare agreements in the Civil Aerospace business, cover a range of services and generally have contractual 
terms covering more than one year. Under these contracts, the Group’s primary obligation is to maintain customers’ engines in an 
operational condition and this is achieved by undertaking various activities, such as maintenance, repair and overhaul, and engine 
monitoring over the period of the contract. Revenue on these contracts is recognised over the period of the contract and the basis 
for measuring progress is a matter of judgement. The Directors consider that the stage of completion of the contract is best measured 
by using the actual costs incurred to date compared to the estimated costs to complete the performance obligations, as this reflects 
the extent of completion of the activities performed.

Key judgement – Whether any costs should be treated as wastage
In rare circumstances, the Group may incur costs of wasted material, labour or other resources to fulfil a contract where the level of 
cost was not reflected in the contract price. The identification of such costs is a matter of judgement and would only be expected to 
arise where there has been a series of abnormal events which give rise to a significant level of cost which is also of a nature that the 
Group would not expect to incur and hence is not reflected in the contract price. For example: where there are technical issues that 
require resolution to meet regulatory requirements; have a wide-ranging impact across a product type; and cause significant 
operational disruption to customers. Similarly, in these rare circumstances, significant disruption costs to support customers resulting 
from the actual performance of a delivered good or service may be treated as a cost in the period. Any costs identified as wastage are 
expensed when the obligation to incur them arises – see note 2.

Key judgement – Whether sales of spare engines to joint ventures are at fair value
The Civil Aerospace business maintains a pool of spare engines to support its customers. Some of these engines are sold to, and held 
by, joint venture companies. The assessment of whether the sales price reflects fair value is a key judgement. The Group considers 
that based upon its assessment, and by comparison to the sales price of spare engines to other third parties, the sales made to joint 
ventures reflect the fair value of the goods sold.

Key estimate – Estimates of future revenue and costs on long-term contractual arrangements
The Group has long-term contracts that fall into different accounting periods and which can extend over significant periods 
(generally up to 25 years) – the most significant of these are long-term service arrangements (LTSAs) in the Civil Aerospace business. 
The estimated revenue and costs are inherently imprecise and significant estimates are required to assess: engine flying hours, 
time-on-wing and other operating parameters; the pattern of future maintenance activity and the costs to be incurred; lifecycle  
cost improvements over the term of the contracts; and escalation of revenue and costs. The estimates take account of the inherent 
uncertainties, constraining the expected level of revenue as appropriate. In addition, many of the revenues and costs are 
denominated in currencies other than that of the relevant Group undertaking. These are translated at an estimated long-term 
exchange rates, based on historical trends and economic forecasts.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS126

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Key estimate – Estimates of future revenue and costs on long-term contractual arrangements (continued)
As previously explained, under IFRS 15 the Group, most significantly in Civil Aerospace, experiences volatility in revenue recognition 
and contract accounting adjustments of £33m have been recognised in 2019 (2018: £(276)m). Based upon the stage of completion of 
all widebody programmes as at 31 December 2019 within Civil Aerospace, the following changes in key estimates would result in the 
following catch-up adjustments recognised in 2020 (at underlying rates):
 – 5% increase/decrease in shop visit costs over the life of the programmes – £142m impact
 – 2% increase/decrease in revenue over the life of the programmes – £200m impact

Revenue recognised comprises sales to the Group’s customers after discounts and amounts payable to customers. Revenue excludes value 
added taxes. The transaction price of a contract is typically clearly stated within the contract, although the absolute amount may be 
dependent on escalation indices and long-term contracts require the key estimates highlighted above. Refund liabilities where sales are 
made with a right of return are not typical in the Group’s contracts. Where they do exist, and consideration has been received, a portion, 
based on an assessment of the expected refund liability is recognised within other payables. The Group has elected to use the practical 
expedient not to adjust revenue for the effect of financing components, where the expectation is that the period between the transfer of 
goods and services to customers and the receipt of payment is less than a year.

Sales of standard OE, spare parts and time and material overhaul services are generally recognised on transfer of control to the customer. 
This is generally on delivery to the customer, unless the specific contractual terms indicate a different point. The Directors consider 
whether there is a need to constrain the amount of revenue to be recognised on delivery based on the contractual position and any 
relevant facts, however, this is not typically required. 

Sales of services and OE specifically designed for the contract (most significantly in the Defence business) are recognised by  
reference to the progress towards completion of the performance obligation, using the cost method described in the key judgements, 
provided the outcome of contracts can be assessed with reasonable certainty.

The Group generates a significant portion of its revenue and profit on aftermarket arrangements arising from the installed OE fleet. As a 
consequence, in particular in the Civil Aerospace large engine business, the Group will often agree contractual prices for OE deliveries 
that take into account the anticipated aftermarket arrangements and therefore sometimes this may result in losses being incurred on OE. 
As described in the key judgements, these contracts are not combined. The consideration in the OE contract is therefore allocated to OE 
performance obligations and the consideration in the aftermarket contract to aftermarket performance obligations.

 – Future variable revenue from long-term contracts is constrained to take account of the risk of non-recovery of resulting contract 

balances from reduced utilisation e.g. engine flying hours, based on historical forecasting experience and the risk of aircraft being 
parked by the customer. 

 – A significant amount of revenue and cost related to long-term contract accounting is denominated in currencies other than that of the 

relevant Group undertaking, most significantly US dollar transactions in sterling and euro denominated undertakings. These are 
translated at estimated long-term exchange rates. 

 – The assessment of stage of completion is generally measured for each contract. However, in certain cases, such as for CorporateCare 

agreements where there are many contracts covering aftermarket services, each for a small number of engines, the Group accounts for 
a portfolio of contracts together as the effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements would not differ materially from applying the 
standard to the individual contracts in the portfolio. When accounting for a portfolio of long-term service arrangements the Group uses 
estimates and assumptions that reflect the size and composition of the portfolio.

 – A contract asset/liability is recognised where payment is received in arrears/advance of the costs incurred to meet performance obligations.
 – Where material, wastage costs (see key judgements on page 125) are recorded as an exceptional non-underlying expense. 

If the expected costs to fulfil a contract exceed the expected revenue, a contract loss provision is recognised for the excess costs. 

The Group pays participation fees to airframe manufacturers, its customers for OE, on certain programmes. Amounts paid are initially 
treated as contract assets and subsequently charged as a reduction to the OE revenue when the engine is transferred to the customer.

The Group has elected to use the practical expedient to expense as incurred any incremental costs of obtaining or fulfilling a contract  
if the amortisation period of an asset created would have been one year or less. Where costs to obtain a contract are recognised in the 
balance sheet they are amortised over the performance of the related contract (average of three years).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

127

1  Accounting policies continued

Risk and revenue sharing arrangements (RRSAs)

Key judgement – Determination of the nature of entry fees received
RRSAs with key suppliers (workshare partners) are a feature of the Civil Aerospace business. Under these contractual arrangements, 
the key commercial objectives are that: (i) during the development phase the workshare partner shares in the risks of developing an 
engine by performing its own development work, providing development parts and paying a non-refundable cash entry fee; and  
(ii) during the production phase it supplies components in return for a share of the programme cash flows as a ‘life of type’ supplier 
(i.e. as long as the engine remains in service). 

The non-refundable cash entry fee is judged by the Group to be a contribution towards the development expenditure incurred.  
These receipts are deferred on the balance sheet and recognised against the cost of sales over the estimated number of units  
to be delivered. 

The payments to suppliers of their shares of the programme cash flows for their production components are charged to cost of sales as 
programme revenue arises. Cash entry fees received are initially deferred on the balance sheet and recognised as a reduction in cost of 
sales incurred, on a 15-year straight-line basis pro rata over the estimated number of units produced.

The Group has arrangements with third parties who invest in a programme and receive a return based on its performance, but do 
not undertake development work or supply parts. Such arrangements (financial RRSAs) are financial instruments as defined by 
IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and are accounted for using the amortised cost method.

Royalty payments
Where a government or similar body has previously acquired an interest in the intellectual property of a programme, royalty payments are 
matched to the related sales.

Government grants
Government grants are recognised in the income statement so as to match them with the related expenses that they are intended to 
compensate. Where grants are received in advance of the related expenses, they are initially recognised in the balance sheet and released 
to match the related expenditure. Non-monetary grants are recognised at fair value.

Interest
Interest receivable/payable is credited/charged to the income statement using the effective interest method. Where borrowing costs are 
attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset, such costs are capitalised as part of the specific asset.

Taxation

Key judgement – Whether deferred tax assets should be recognised
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent it is probable that future taxable profits will be available, against which the deductible 
temporary difference can be utilised, based on management’s assumptions relating to the quantum of future taxable profits. 

Key estimate – Estimates necessary to assess whether it is probable that sufficient suitable taxable profits will arise in the UK to utilise 
the deferred tax assets
Future taxable profits require significant estimates to be made, including: the pattern of future maintenance activity and the costs to 
be incurred; lifecycle cost improvements over the term of the contracts; and escalation of revenue and costs. The estimates take 
account of the inherent uncertainties, constraining the expected level of profit as appropriate. Changes in these estimates will affect 
future profits and therefore the recoverability of the deferred tax assets. Further details can be found in note 5.

A 5% change in margin in the main Civil Aerospace widebody programmes would result in an increase/decrease in profits by circa 
£2bn (increase/decrease the deferred tax asset by £170m).

The tax charge/credit on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax:

 – Current tax is the expected tax payable for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any 

adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

 – Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes and is calculated using the enacted or 
substantively enacted rates that are expected to apply when the asset or liability is settled. In the UK, the deferred tax liability on the pension 
scheme surplus is recognised consistently with the basis for recognising the surplus, i.e. at the rate applicable to refunds from a trust.

Tax is charged or credited to the income statement or OCI as appropriate, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to 
equity in which case the tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and joint arrangements, 
except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will  
not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax is not recognised on taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition  
of goodwill or for temporary differences arising from the initial recognition of assets and liabilities in a transaction that is not a business 
combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS128

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the assets 
can be utilised. Further details on the Group’s tax position can be found on page 204.

Foreign currency translation
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the transacting Group undertaking are translated into the 
functional currency at the average monthly exchange rate when the transaction occurs. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated into the relevant functional currency at the rate prevailing at the year end. Exchange differences arising 
on foreign exchange transactions and the retranslation of assets and liabilities into functional currencies at the rate prevailing at the year 
end are included in profit/(loss) before taxation.

The trading results of Group undertakings are translated into sterling at the average exchange rates for the year. The assets and liabilities 
of overseas undertakings, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition, are translated at the exchange rates prevailing 
at the year end. Exchange adjustments arising from the retranslation of the opening net investments, and from the translation of the profits 
or losses at average rates, are recognised in OCI. The cumulative amount of exchange adjustments was, on transition to IFRS in 2004, 
deemed to be nil.

Financial instruments 

Key judgement – Application of the business model and ‘solely payments of principal and interest’ test
The Group’s customer invoices have relatively short payment terms and the related contracts are exposed to basic credit risk and time 
value of money and therefore the associated financial assets are held as payments of principal and interest.

The Group’s customer invoices are ordinarily settled at their due date, in accordance with the contractual payment terms. For certain 
customers, the Group has the right to discount invoices before their due date to accelerate payment. Where this occurs, customer 
balances are classified as ‘held to collect and sell’. Fair value movements are recognised in OCI, if material (see note 14).

Financial instruments – Classification and measurement
Financial assets
Financial assets primarily include trade receivables, cash and cash equivalents (comprising cash at bank, money market funds and short-term 
deposits), short-term investments, derivatives (foreign exchange, commodity and interest rate contracts), and unlisted investments.
 – Trade receivables are classified either as held to collect and measured at amortised cost or as held to collect and sell and measured at 
fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). The Group may sell trade receivables due from certain customers before the 
due date. Any trade receivables from such customers that are not sold at the reporting date are classified as ‘held to collect and sell’. 
 – Cash and cash equivalents (consisting of balances with banks and other financial institutions, money-market funds, short-term deposits) 
and short-term investments are subject to low market risk. Cash balances and short-term investments are measured at fair value through 
profit and loss (FVPL). Money market funds and short-term deposits are measured at FVOCI.

 – Derivatives and unlisted investments are measured at FVPL. 

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities primarily consist of trade payables, borrowings, derivatives, financial RRSAs and C Shares.
 – Derivatives are classified and measured at FVPL.
 – All other financial liabilities are classified and measured at amortised cost.

Financial instruments – Impairment of financial assets and contract assets
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments sets out the basis for the accounting of expected credit losses (ECLs) on financial assets and contract assets 
resulting from transactions within the scope of IFRS 15. The Group has adopted the simplified approach to provide for ECLs, measuring  
the loss allowance at a probability weighted amount that considers reasonable and supportable information about past events, current 
conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions of customers. These are incorporated in the simplified model adopted by using 
credit ratings which are publicly available or through internal risk assessments derived using the customer’s latest available financial 
information. The ECLs are updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition. ECLs are calculated  
for all financial assets in scope, regardless of whether or not they are overdue.

Financial instruments – Hedge accounting
Forward foreign exchange contracts and commodity swaps (derivative financial instruments) are held to manage the cash flow exposures 
of forecast transactions denominated in foreign currencies or in commodities respectively. In general, the Group has chosen to not apply 
hedge accounting in respect of these exposures. Prior to its acquisition in 2017, ITP Aero adopted hedge accounting for its equivalent 
exposures. It has continued to do so, although the value of the derivatives is not material, relative to those held by the rest of the Group. 

The Group economically hedges the fair value and cash flow exposures of its borrowings. Cross-currency interest rate swaps are held to 
manage the fair value exposures of borrowings denominated in foreign currencies and are designated as fair value hedges. Interest rate 
swaps are held to manage the interest rate exposures of fixed and floating rate borrowings and may be designated as fair value hedges, 
cash flow hedges or FVPL as appropriate.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

129

1  Accounting policies continued

Derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting when: (i) there is a formal designation and documentation at inception of the 
hedge of the hedging relationship and the Group’s risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge; and (ii) the hedge 
is expected to be effective.

Changes in the fair values of derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges are recognised directly in the income statement. The fair 
value changes of effective cash flow hedge derivatives are recognised in OCI and subsequently recycled in the income statement to 
match the recognition of the hedged item. Any ineffectiveness in the hedging relationships is included in the income statement. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting. At that time, for cash flow hedges and if the forecast transaction remains probable, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument recognised in OCI is retained until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the 
net cumulative gain or loss is recycled to the income statement.

Financial instruments – Replacement of benchmark interest rates
Following the financial crisis, the reform and replacement of benchmark interest rates such as GBP LIBOR and other interbank offered 
rates (IBORs) has become a priority for global regulators. There is currently uncertainty around the timing and precise nature of these 
changes. The Group’s risk exposure that is directly affected by the interest rate benchmark reform is its portfolio of long-term borrowings 
of £3.0bn. These borrowings are hedged, using interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps, for changes in fair value 
attributable to the relevant benchmark interest rate. However, as part of the reforms noted above, the UK Financial Conduct Authority 
has decided to no longer compel panel banks to participate in the IBOR submission process after the end of 2021 and to cease 
oversight of these benchmark interest rates. Regulatory authorities and private sector working groups have been discussing alternative 
benchmark rates for IBOR. It is currently anticipated that IBOR rates will be replaced with a backward looking risk-free rate based 
on actual transactions. 

Management is in the process of establishing a committee to oversee the Group’s IBOR transition plan. This transition project will include 
changes to systems, processes, risk and valuation models, as well as managing related tax and accounting implications. The Group 
currently anticipates that the areas of greatest change will be amendments to the contractual terms of IBOR-referenced floating-rate debt 
and swaps, and updating hedge designations.

Due to the uncertainty around these changes the Group has elected to early adopt the Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Interest 
Rate Benchmark Reform issued in September 2019. In accordance with the transition provisions, the amendments have been adopted 
retrospectively to hedging relationships that existed at the start of the reporting period or were designated thereafter. The amendments 
provide temporary relief from applying specific hedge accounting requirements to hedging relationships directly affected by IBOR reform.

The reliefs have the effect that IBOR reform should not generally cause hedge accounting to terminate. However, any hedge 
ineffectiveness should continue to be recorded in the income statement. Furthermore, the amendments set out triggers for when the 
reliefs will end, which include the uncertainty arising from interest rate benchmark reform no longer being present.

In summary, the reliefs provided by the amendments that apply to the Group are:

 – In assessing whether the hedge is expected to be highly effective on a forward-looking basis, the Group has assumed that the relevant 
IBOR interest rate on which the cash flows of the interest rate swap that hedges fixed-rate borrowings is not altered by IBOR reform.

 – The Group has assessed whether the hedged IBOR risk component is a separately identifiable risk only when it first designates a 

borrowing as included in a hedging relationship and not on an ongoing basis. Any hedge ineffectiveness relating to fair value hedges  
is recognised immediately in the income statement. 

Business combinations and goodwill

Key judgement – Identification of acquired assets and liabilities
In allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities, such as technology, patents and licences, customer 
relationships, trademarks and in-process development, judgement is required. The allocations based on the Group’s industry 
experience and the advice of third party valuers, if required.

Goodwill recognised represents the excess of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair value to the Group of the net  
of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. On transition to IFRS on 1 January 2004, business combinations were not 
retrospectively adjusted to comply with Adopted IFRS and goodwill was recognised based on the carrying value under the previous 
accounting policies. Goodwill in respect of the acquisition of a subsidiary is recognised as an intangible asset. Goodwill arising on the 
acquisition of joint arrangements and associates is included in the carrying value of the investment.

Customer relationships
The fair value of customer relationships recognised as a result of a business combination relate to the acquired company’s established 
relationships with its existing customers that result in repeat purchases and customer loyalty. Amortisation is charged on a straight-line 
basis over its useful economic life, up to a maximum of 15 years.

Certification costs
Costs incurred in respect of meeting regulatory certification requirements for new Civil Aerospace aero engine/aircraft combinations 
including payments made to airframe manufacturers for this are recognised as intangible assets to the extent that they can be recovered 
out of future sales. They are charged to the income statement over the programme life on a 15-year straight-line basis pro rata over the 
estimated number of units produced.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS130

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Research and development

Key judgement – Determination of the point in time where costs incurred on an internal programme development meet the criteria 
for capitalisation or ceasing capitalisation
The Group incurs significant research and development expenditure in respect of various development programmes. Determining 
when capitalisation should commence and cease is a critical judgement, as is the determination of when subsequent expenditure on 
the programme assets should be capitalised.

Within the Group there is an established Product Introduction and Lifecycle Management process (PILM) in place. Within this 
process, the technical feasibility, the commercial viability and financial assessment of the programme is assessed at certain milestones. 
When these are met, development expenditure is capitalised. Prior to this, expenditure is expensed as incurred.

Subsequent expenditure after entry into service which enhances the performance of the engine and the economic benefits to the 
Group is capitalised. This expenditure is referred to as enhanced performance and is governed by the PILM process referred to 
above. All other development costs are expensed as incurred.

Key judgement – Determination of the basis for amortising capitalised development costs
The economic benefits of the development costs are primarily those cash inflows arising from long-term service agreements, which 
are expected to be relatively consistent for each engine. Amortisation of development costs is recognised on a straight-line basis over 
15 years on a proportional basis to aircraft delivery. 

Expenditure incurred on research and development is distinguished as relating either to a research phase or to a development phase.  
All research phase expenditure is charged to the income statement. Development expenditure is recognised as an internally generated 
intangible asset (programme asset) only if it meets strict criteria, relating in particular to technical feasibility and generation of future 
economic benefits.

More specifically, development costs are capitalised from the point at which the following conditions have been met:

 – the technical feasibility of completing the programme and the intention and ability (availability of technical, financial and other 

resources) to complete the programme asset and use or sell it;

 – the probability that future economic benefits will flow from the programme asset; and
 – the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the programme asset during its development.

Capitalisation continues until the point at which the programme asset meets its originally contracted technical specification (defined 
internally as the point at which the asset is capable of operating in the manner intended by management). 

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised where it enhances the functionality of the programme asset and demonstrably generates an 
enhanced economic benefit to the Group. All other subsequent expenditure on programme assets is expensed as incurred.

The development costs associated with each engine are amortised on a straight-line basis, over a 15-year period from its delivery. The 
period of 15 years is an estimate of the period of operation of the engine by its initial operator. In accordance with IAS 38, the basis on 
which programme assets are amortised is assessed annually. 

Software
Software that is not specific to an item of property, plant and equipment is classified as an intangible asset, recognised at its acquisition 
cost and amortised on a straight-line basis over its useful economic life, up to a maximum of five years. The cost of internally developed 
software includes direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads.

Other intangible assets
These principally include intangible assets arising on acquisition of businesses, such as technology, patents and licences which are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over a maximum of 15 years and trademarks which are not amortised. 

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment in value.  
The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads and, where 
appropriate, interest. 

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis to write off the cost, less the estimated residual value, of property, plant and equipment 
over their estimated useful lives. No depreciation is recorded on assets in the course of construction. Estimated useful lives are reassessed 
annually and are as follows:

 – Land and buildings, as advised by the Group’s professional advisers:

 – freehold buildings – five to 45 years (average 25 years);
 – leasehold buildings – lower of adviser’s estimates or period of lease; and
 – no depreciation is provided on freehold land.

 – Plant and equipment – five to 25 years (average 12 years).
 – Aircraft and engines – five to 20 years (average 14 years).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

131

1  Accounting policies continued

Leases

Key judgement – Determination of lease term
In determining the lease term, the Group considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an 
extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination) are only included in the lease 
term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). Certain land and building leases have renewal options with 
renewal dates for the most significant property leases evenly spread between 2022–2028 and in 2041. The Group reviews its judgements 
on lease terms annually, including the operational significance of the site, especially where utilised for manufacturing activities.

Key estimates – Estimates of the payments required to meet residual value guarantees at the end of engine leases
Engine leases in the Civil Aerospace segment often include clauses that require the engines to be returned to the lessor with specific 
levels of useable life remaining or cash payments to the lessor. The costs of meeting these requirements are included in the lease 
payments. The amounts payable are calculated based upon an estimate of the utilisation of the engines over the lease term, whether 
the engine is restored to the required condition by performing an overhaul at our own cost or through the payments of amounts 
specified in the contract and any new contractual arrangements arising when the current lease contracts end. At 31 December 2019, 
the lease liability included £401m relating to the cost of meeting these residual value guarantees, with up to £80m in 2020 and £112m 
due over the following four years. Where estimates of payments change, an adjustment is made to the lease liability and the  
right-of-use asset.

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of 
the following lease payments:

 – fixed payments less any lease incentive receivable;
 – variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate;
 – amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees;
 – the exercise price of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and
 – payments of penalties for termination of the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.

Where leases commence after the initial transition date, the lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease.  
If that rate cannot be determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the Group would have to pay to 
borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. Lease 
liabilities are revalued at each reporting date using the spot exchange rate.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

 – the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability or a revaluation of the liability;
 – any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;
 – any initial direct costs; and
 – restoration costs.

Each right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of its useful economic life and the lease term on a straight-line basis unless the 
lease is expected to transfer ownership of the underlying asset to the Group, in which case the asset is depreciated to the end of the 
useful life of the asset.

Payments associated with the short-term leases are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the income statement. Short-term 
leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

Impairment of non-current assets

Key judgement – Determination of cash-generating units for assessing impairment of goodwill
The Group conducts impairment reviews at the cash generating unit (CGU) level. As permitted by IAS 36 Impairment of assets, 
impairment reviews for goodwill are performed at the groups of CGUs level, representing the lowest level at which the Group monitors 
goodwill for internal management purposes and no higher than the Group’s operating segments. The level at which goodwill impairment 
reviews was performed was at the Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG and Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG aggregated level.

Key estimate – Estimates of cash flow forecasts and discount rates to support the carrying value of intangible assets (including 
programme related intangible assets)
The carrying value of intangible assets on the balance sheet is dependent on the estimates of future cash flows arising from the 
Group’s operations, in particular:
 – The assessment as to whether there are any indications of impairment of development expenditure, certification costs, and 

customer relationships recognised as intangible assets (31 December 2019: £3,612m, 31 December 2018: £3,427m) is dependent on 
estimates of cash flows generated by the relevant programme, the discount rate used to calculate a present value and assumptions 
on foreign exchange rates. 

 – In addition, in relation to programme intangible assets, estimates comprise: product performance related estimates (including flying 
hours and time-on-wing); and estimates for future market share, pricing and cost for uncontracted business. Sensitivities have been 
disclosed in note 9.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS132

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Impairment of non-current assets is considered in accordance with IAS 36. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent of other assets, impairment is considered for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Goodwill, indefinite life 
intangible assets and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually. Other intangible assets (including 
programme related intangible assets), property, plant and equipment and investments are assessed for any indications of impairment 
annually. If any indication of impairment is identified, an impairment test is performed to estimate the recoverable amount.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be below the carrying value, the carrying value is reduced 
to the recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognised as an expense. The recoverable amount is the higher of value in use or 
fair value less costs to dispose, if this is readily available. The value in use is the present value of future cash flows using a pre-tax discount 
rate that reflects the time value of money and the risk specific to the asset.

Inventories
Inventories are valued on a first-in, first-out basis, at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where 
applicable, direct labour costs and those direct and indirect overheads, including depreciation of property, plant and equipment, that have 
been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling 
prices less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. All inventories are classified as 
current as it is expected that they will be used in the Group’s operating cycle, regardless of whether this is expected to be within 12 months 
of the balance sheet date.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand, investments in money-market funds and short-term deposits with a maturity 
of three months or less on inception. The Group considers overdrafts (repayable on demand) to be an integral part of its cash management 
activities and these are included in cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the cash flow statement. Where the Group operates 
pooled banking arrangements across multiple accounts, these are presented on a net basis when it has both a legal right and intention 
to settle the balances on a net basis.

Invoice discounting – The Group on a periodic basis undertakes the sale of certain trade receivables to banks. These trade receivables are 
factored on a non-recourse basis and therefore are derecognised from the Group’s balance sheet at the point of sale to the bank. Further 
details are disclosed in note 14.

Supply chain financing (SCF) – The Group offers a SCF programme in partnership with banks to enable suppliers who are on our standard 
75 day or more payment terms to receive their payment sooner. As the Group continues to have a contractual obligation to pay its 
suppliers and it does not retain any ongoing involvement in the SCF, the related payables are retained on the Group’s balance sheet and 
classified as trade payables. Further details are disclosed in note 18.

Provisions

Key judgement – Assessment of satisfying the criteria for the recognition and measurement of provisions
Judgement is required to determine whether a valid expectation has been created and what costs are allowable to be provided for 
(especially when measuring contract loss provisions).

Key estimate – Estimates of expenditure required to settle the obligation relating to Trent 1000 claims and to settle long-term 
contracts assessed as onerous
The Group has provisions at 31 December 2019 of £2,804m (31 December 2018: £1,917m). These represent the Directors’ best estimate 
of the expenditure required to settle the obligations at the balance sheet date. These estimates take account of information available 
and different possible outcomes. The Group considers that at 31 December 2019, the contract loss provision and the Trent 1000 
exceptional cost provision are most sensitive to changes in estimates. 

The Group has considered two sensitivities which are the impact of a three-month delay on achieving single digit AOGs and a  
12-month delay in the availability of the final HPT blade. If either of these two sensitivities materialised the financial impact could  
be in the range of £60m–£100m.

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that the Group will be 
required to settle that obligation and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

133

1  Accounting policies continued

The principal provisions are recognised as follows:

 – Trent 1000 in-service issues – when wastage costs are identified as described on page 125; 
 – contract losses – based on an assessment of whether the direct costs to fulfil a contract are greater than the expected revenue;
 – warranties and guarantees – based on an assessment of future claims with reference to past experience and recognised at the earlier  

of when the underlying products and services are sold and when the likelihood of a future cost is identified; and

 – restructuring – when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced  

or has been publicly announced.

Post-retirement benefits

Key estimate – Estimates of the assumptions for valuing the defined benefit obligation
The Group’s defined benefit pension schemes and similar arrangements are assessed annually in accordance with IAS 19 Employee 
Benefits. The valuation, which is based on assumptions determined with independent actuarial advice, resulted in a net deficit of 
£208m before deferred taxation being recognised on the balance sheet at 31 December 2019 (31 December 2018: surplus of £641m). 
The size of the net surplus/deficit is sensitive to the actuarial assumptions, which include the discount rate, price inflation, pension 
and salary increases, transfers, mortality and other demographic assumptions and the levels of contributions. Further details and 
sensitivities are included in note 21.

Pensions and similar benefits (principally healthcare) are accounted for under IAS 19.

For defined benefit plans, obligations are measured at discounted present value, using a discount rate derived from high-quality corporate 
bonds denominated in the currency of the plan, whilst plan assets are recorded at fair value. Surpluses in schemes are recognised as 
assets only if they represent economic benefits available to the Group in the future.

The service and financing costs of such plans are recognised separately in the income statement:

 – current service costs are spread systematically over the lives of employees;
 – past-service costs and settlements are recognised immediately; and
 – financing costs are recognised in the periods in which they arise.

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in OCI.

In 2018, following clarification provided by the High Court judgement on the Lloyds Banking Group on 26 October 2018, in the UK, the 
Group recognised the estimated impact of the obligation to equalise pensions for men and women as a past-service cost – see note 21. 

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Share-based payments
The Group provides share-based payment arrangements to certain employees. These are principally equity-settled arrangements and are 
measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value is expensed on a 
straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of shares or 
options that will vest, except where additional shares vest as a result of the total shareholder return (TSR) performance condition in the 
long-term incentive plan (LTIP).

Cash-settled share options (grants in the International ShareSave plan) are measured at fair value at the balance sheet date. The Group 
recognises a liability at the balance sheet date based on these fair values, taking into account the estimated number of options that will 
actually vest and the relative completion of the vesting period. Changes in the value of this liability are recognised in the income 
statement for the year.

The cost of shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc held by the Group for the purpose of fulfilling obligations in respect of employee share 
plans is deducted from equity in the consolidated balance sheet. See note 23 for a further description of the share-based payment plans. 

Customer financing support
In connection with the sale of its products, the Group will, on occasion, provide financing support for its customers. These arrangements 
fall into two categories: credit-based guarantees and asset-value guarantees. In accordance with the requirements of IFRS 9 and IFRS 4 
Insurance Contracts, credit-based guarantees are treated as insurance contracts. The Group considers asset-value guarantees to be 
non-financial liabilities and accordingly these are also treated as insurance contracts. As described on page 167, the Directors consider  
the likelihood of crystallisation in assessing whether provision is required for any contingent liabilities.

The Group’s contingent liabilities relating to financing arrangements are spread over many years and relate to a number of customers and 
a broad product portfolio, and are reported on a discounted basis.

Post balance sheet events
Non-adjusting post balance sheet events in relation to pensions and mergers and acquisitions activity are disclosed in notes 21 and 27 
respectively.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS134

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

1  Accounting policies continued

Revisions to IFRS not applicable in 2019
Standards and interpretations issued by the IASB are only applicable if endorsed by the EU. Other than IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts 
described below, the Group does not consider that any standards, amendments or interpretations issued by the IASB, but not yet 
applicable will have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts
IFRS 17 is effective from the beginning of 1 January 2021 (although the IASB proposed to delay the effective date by one year to 1 January 
2022). IFRS 17 establishes the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts within the scope 
of the Standard. The objective of IFRS 17 is to ensure that an entity provides relevant information that faithfully represents those contracts.

The Group is in the process of assessing whether the new standard will impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2  Segmental analysis

The analysis by divisions (business segment) is presented in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments, on the basis of those segments 
whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Board (which acts as the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by IFRS 8). 
Our four divisions are set out below and referred to collectively as the core businesses. 

Civil Aerospace – development, manufacture, marketing and sales of commercial aero engines and aftermarket services
Power Systems   –  development, manufacture, marketing and sales of reciprocating engines, power systems and nuclear systems for civil 

power generation

Defence 

–  development, manufacture, marketing and sales of military aero engines, naval engines, submarine nuclear power plants and 

ITP Aero 

–  design, research and development, manufacture and casting, assembly and testing of aeronautical engines and gas turbines, 

aftermarket services

and MRO services 

Non-core businesses include the trading results of the North America Civil Nuclear business and the Knowledge Management System 
business which have been treated as a disposal group held for sale at 31 December 2019, the Commercial Marine business until the date of 
disposal on 1 April 2019, Rolls-Royce Power Development Limited (RRPD) until the date of disposal on 15 April 2019, L’Orange until the date 
of disposal on 1 June 2018 and other smaller businesses including former Energy businesses not included in the disposal to Siemens in 
2014 (Retained Energy). Segmental analysis for 2018 has been restated to reflect the 2019 definition of non-core. 

Underlying results
We present the financial performance of our businesses in accordance with IFRS 8 and consistently with the basis on which performance 
is communicated to the Board each month. Underlying results are presented to reflect the economic impact of the Group’s foreign 
exchange and interest rate risk management activities with interest receivable/(payable) on interest rate swaps not designated into 
hedging relationships for accounting purposes reclassified from fair value movement on a reported basis to interest receivable/(payable) 
on an underlying basis – see note 4.

Underlying performance excludes the following:
 –  the effect of acquisition accounting and business disposals;
 – impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets where the reasons for impairment are outside of normal operating activities; 
 – exceptional items; and
 – other items which are market driven and outside the control of management.

Acquisition accounting, business disposals and impairment
We exclude these so that the current year and comparative results are directly comparable.

Exceptional items
We classify items as exceptional where the Directors believe that presentation of our results in this way is more relevant to an 
understanding of our financial performance, as exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature or incidence. 

In determining whether an event or transaction is exceptional, management considers quantitative as well as qualitative factors such as the 
frequency or predictability of occurrence. Examples of exceptional items include one-time costs and charges in respect of aerospace 
programmes, costs of restructuring programmes and one-time past-service charges and credits on our post-retirement schemes. 

In 2019, the risk-free discount rate we applied to exceptional onerous contract provisions reduced from between 4%–5% to 2%–3%. This  
was largely driven by movements in US bonds in the last quarter of 2019. The change in the risk-free rate (US bonds) is market driven  
and the impact of the reduction in the rate has been included as a reconciling difference between underlying performance and  
reported performance.

Exceptional items are not allocated to segments and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

135

2  Segmental analysis continued

Other items
The financing component of the defined benefit pension scheme cost is determined by market conditions and has therefore been 
included as a reconciling difference between underlying performance and reported performance.

Penalties paid on agreements with investigating bodies are considered to be one-off in nature and are therefore excluded from underlying 
performance. 

The tax effects of the adjustments above are excluded from the underlying tax charge. In addition, changes in tax rates or changes in the 
amount of recoverable advance corporation tax recognised are also excluded.

See page 139 for the reconciliation between underlying performance and reported performance.

The following analysis sets out the results of the core businesses on the basis described above and also includes a reconciliation of the 
underlying results to those reported in the consolidated income statement.

Civil
Aerospace
£m 

Power
Systems 1
£m

Defence
£m 

ITP Aero
£m 

Corporate
and
inter-segment
£m 

Core
businesses
£m 

Year ended 31 December 2019
Underlying revenue from sale of original equipment
Underlying revenue from aftermarket services
Total underlying revenue 
Gross profit/(loss)
Commercial and administrative costs
Restructuring
Research and development costs
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Underlying operating profit/(loss) 

Segment assets
Interests in joint ventures and associates

Segment liabilities
Net (liabilities)/assets
Investment in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, 
right-of-use assets and joint ventures and associates
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Year ended 31 December 2018
Underlying revenue from sale of original equipment
Underlying revenue from aftermarket services
Total underlying revenue 
Gross profit
Commercial and administrative costs
Restructuring
Research and development costs
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Underlying operating (loss)/profit 

Segment assets
Interests in joint ventures and associates
Segment liabilities
Net (liabilities)/assets
Investment in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment 
and joint ventures and associates
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

3,246 
4,861 
8,107 
622 
(299)
(7)
(374)
102 
44 

17,954 
365 

(24,819)
(6,500)

1,274 
807 

3,119 
4,259 
7,378 
493 
(336)
(8)
(332)
21 
(162)

14,271 
380 
(21,309)
(6,658)

1,283 
500 

2,386 
1,159 
3,545 
909 
(374)
– 
(176)
(2)
357 

3,587 
18 

(1,450)
2,155 

197 
278 

2,310 
1,124 
3,434 
866 
(363)
(1)
(188)
1 
315 

3,692 
14 
(1,651)
2,055 

119 
234 

1,461 
1,789 
3,250 
669 
(151)
(7)
(105)
9 
415 

2,743 
19 

(2,950)
(188)

110 
109 

1,452 
1,672 
3,124 
690 
(170)
(3)
(100)
10 
427 

2,612 
16 
(2,924)
(296)

151 
92 

782 
154 
936 
206 
(61)
(1)
(33)
– 
111 

2,160 
– 

(1,129)
1,031 

53 
88 

666 
113 
779 
156 
(57)
(2)
(30)
– 
67 

2,210 
– 
(1,168)
1,042 

74 
87 

1 

 The underlying results for Power Systems for 31 December 2018 have been restated to reclassify the North America Civil Nuclear business as non-core. 

(502)
(75)
(577)
(64)
(53)
– 
– 
– 
(117)

7,373 
7,888 
15,261 
2,342 
(938)
(15)
(688)
109 
810 

(2,476)
– 

2,645 
169 

23,968 
402 

(27,703)
(3,333)

– 
– 

1,634 
1,282 

(375)
(54)
(429)
35 
(51)
– 
– 
– 
(16)

7,172 
7,114 
14,286 
2,240 
(977)
(14)
(650)
32 
631 

(1,621)
– 
1,743 
122 

21,164 
410 
(25,309)
(3,735)

– 
– 

1,627 
913 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS136

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

2  Segmental analysis continued

Reconciliation to reported results 

Year ended 31 December 2019
Revenue from sale of original equipment
Revenue from aftermarket services
Total revenue 
Gross profit/(loss)
Commercial and administrative costs
Restructuring
Research and development costs
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Operating profit/(loss) 
Gain arising on disposal of businesses
Profit/(loss) before financing and taxation
Net financing
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year
Attributable to:

Ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Year ended 31 December 2018
Revenue from sale of original equipment
Revenue from aftermarket services
Total revenue 
Gross profit/(loss)
Commercial and administrative costs
Restructuring
Research and development costs

Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Operating profit/(loss) 
Gain arising on the disposal of L’Orange
Profit/(loss) before financing and taxation
Net financing
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year
Attributable to:

Ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Core
 businesses
£m 

Non-core
businesses 1,2

£m

Total
 underlying
£m 

Underlying 
adjustments and 
adjustments 
to foreign 
exchange
£m 

Group at 
actual 
exchange 
rates
£m

7,373 
7,888 
15,261 
2,342 
(938)
(15)
(688)
109 
810 
– 
810 
(223)
587 
(281)
306 

7,172 
7,114 
14,286 
2,240 
(977)
(14)
(650)

32 
631 
– 
631 
(148)
483 
(153)
330 

83 
106 
189 
45 
(41)
1 
(8)
1 
(2)
– 
(2)
(2)
(4)
4 
– 

358 
423 
781 
210 
(184)
(2)
(39)

– 
(15)
– 
(15)
(2)
(17)
(8)
(25)

7,456 
7,994 
15,450 
2,387 
(979)
(14)
(696)
110 
808 
– 
808 
(225)
583 
(277)
306

302
4 

7,530 
7,537 
15,067 
2,450 
(1,161)
(16)
(689)

32 
616 
– 
616 
(150)
466 
(161)
305 

297 
8 

596 
541 
1,137 
(1,445)
(149)
14 
(74)
(6)
(1,660)
139 
(1,521)
47 
(1,474)
(143)
(1,617)

(1,617)
– 

285 
377 
662 
(1,252)
(434)
16 
(79)

(28)
(1,777)
358 
(1,419)
(1,994)
(3,413)
715 
(2,698)

(2,698)
– 

8,052 
8,535 
16,587 
942 
(1,128)
– 
(770)
104 
(852)
139 
(713)
(178)
(891)
(420)
(1,311)

(1,315)
4 

7,815 
7,914 
15,729 
1,198 
(1,595)
– 
(768)

4 
(1,161)
358 
(803)
(2,144)
(2,947)
554 
(2,393)

(2,401)
8 

1 

 Includes the North America Civil Nuclear business and the Knowledge Management System business which have been treated as a disposal group held for sale at 31 December 2019, 
the Commercial Marine business disposed of on the 1 April 2019, RRPD disposed of on the 15 April 2019, L’Orange until the date of disposal on 1 June 2018 and other smaller non-core 
businesses including former Energy businesses not included in the disposal to Siemens in 2014 (Retained Energy). See note 27 for more details.

2  Non-core businesses for 31 December 2018 has been restated to include the North America Civil Nuclear business. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

137

2  Segmental analysis continued

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers

Analysis by type and basis of recognition

Year ended 31 December 2019
Original equipment recognised at a point in time
Original equipment recognised over time
Aftermarket services recognised at a point in time
Aftermarket services recognised over time
Total underlying customer contract revenue 3
Other underlying revenue
Total underlying revenue

Year ended 31 December 2018
Original equipment recognised at a point in time
Original equipment recognised over time
Aftermarket services recognised at a point in time
Aftermarket services recognised over time
Total underlying customer contract revenue 3
Other underlying revenue
Total underlying revenue

Civil
Aerospace
£m 

Power
 Systems 1 

£m

Defence
£m 

 ITP Aero 2 

£m

Corporate and
inter-segment
£m 

Core
businesses
£m 

3,246 
– 
1,599 
3,138 
7,983 
124 
8,107 

3,119 
– 
1,575 
2,630 
7,324 
54 
7,378 

2,285 
101 
1,026 
133 
3,545 
– 
3,545 

2,257 
53 
996 
128 
3,434 
– 
3,434 

567 
894 
696 
1,093 
3,250 
– 
3,250 

694 
758 
718 
954 
3,124 
– 
3,124 

702 
80 
48 
106 
936 
– 
936 

585 
81 
(4)
117 
779 
– 
779 

(478)
(24)
(32)
(43)
(577)
– 
(577)

(355)
(20)
21 
(75)
(429)
– 
(429)

6,322 
1,051 
3,337 
4,427 
15,137 
124 
15,261 

6,300 
872 
3,306 
3,754 
14,232 
54 
14,286 

 The underlying revenue for Power Systems for 31 December 2018 has been re-presented to reclassify the North America Civil Nuclear business as non-core.

1 
2   ITP Aero prior year disaggregation of revenue has been restated to be consistent with current year presentation.
3   Includes £(93)m (2018: £(196)m) of revenue recognised in the year relating to performance obligations satisfied in previous years.

Year ended 31 December 2019
Original equipment recognised at a point in time
Original equipment recognised over time
Aftermarket services recognised at a point in time

Aftermarket services recognised over time
Total customer contract revenue
Other revenue
Total revenue

Year ended 31 December 2018
Original equipment recognised at a point in time
Original equipment recognised over time
Aftermarket services recognised at a point in time
Aftermarket services recognised over time
Total customer contract revenue
Other revenue
Total revenue

Core
 businesses
£m

Non-core
businesses 1,2 

£m

Total
 underlying
£m

Underlying
 adjustments and
adjustments
to foreign
exchange 3 

£m

Group at 
actual 
exchange 
rates
£m

6,322 
1,051 
3,337 

4,427 
15,137 
124 
15,261 

6,300 
872 
3,306 
3,754 
14,232 
54 
14,286 

40 
43 
94 

12 
189 
– 
189 

64 
294 
388 
35 
781 
– 
781 

6,362 
1,094 
3,431 

4,439 
15,326 
124 
15,450 

6,364 
1,166 
3,694 
3,789 
15,013 
54 
15,067 

596 
– 
313 

228 
1,137 
– 
1,137 

283 
2 
148 
229 
662 
– 
662 

6,958 
1,094 
3,744 

4,667 
16,463 
124 
16,587 

6,647 
1,168 
3,842 
4,018 
15,675 
54 
15,729 

1 

 Includes the North America Civil Nuclear business and the Knowledge Management System business which have been treated as a disposal group held for sale at 31 December 2019, 
the Commercial Marine business disposed of on the 1 April 2019, RRPD disposed of on 15 April 2019, L’Orange until the date of disposal on 1 June 2018 and other smaller non-core 
businesses including former Energy businesses not included in the disposal to Siemens in 2014 (Retained Energy). See note 27 for more details.

2  Non-core businesses for 31 December 2018 has been restated to include North America Civil Nuclear business.
3  Includes £(187)m (2018: £nil) of revenue recognised relating to performance obligations satisfied in previous years over and above that in underlying revenue.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS138

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

2  Segmental analysis continued

Analysis by geographical destination

The Group’s revenue by destination of the ultimate operator is as follows:

United Kingdom
Germany
Switzerland
Spain
France
Italy
Russia
Norway
Rest of Europe
Europe 
United States
Canada
North America
South America
United Arab Emirates
Rest of Middle East
Middle East
China
Singapore
Japan
South Korea
India
Malaysia
Rest of Asia
Asia
Africa
Australasia
Other

2019
£m
1,805 
961 
520 
375 
284 
235 
106 
87 
979 
5,352 
4,720 
298 
5,018 
377 
438 
714 
1,152 
1,698 
702 
607 
252 
82 
32 
590 
3,963 
246 
361 
118 
16,587 

2018
£m
1,505 
1,177 
675 
343 
251 
304 
79 
246 
815 
5,395 
5,041 
366 
5,407 
351 
105 
584 
689 
1,483 
452 
365 
334 
82 
111 
588 
3,415 
152 
229 
91 
15,729 

Order backlog
Contracted consideration that is expected to be recognised as revenue when performance obligations are satisfied in the future (referred 
to as order backlog) is as follows:

Civil Aerospace
Power Systems
Defence
ITP Aero

Within 
five years
£bn
22.9 
2.6 
7.7 
0.7 
33.9 

2019

After
five years
£bn
25.6 
0.3 
0.9 
0.2 
27.0 

Total
£bn
48.5 
2.9 
8.6 
0.9 
60.9 

Within 
five years
£bn
22.1 
2.9 
6.3 
0.8 
32.1 

2018

After
five years
£bn
30.2 
0.2 
0.5
0.1 
31.0 

Total
£bn
52.3 
3.1 
6.8 
0.9 
63.1 

The parties to these contracts have approved the contract and our customers do not have a unilateral enforceable right to terminate the 
contract without compensation. We exclude Civil Aerospace OE orders (for deliveries beyond the next 7–12 months) that our customers 
have placed where they retain a right to cancel. Our expectation based on historical experience is that these orders will be fulfilled.  
Within the 0–5 years category, contracted revenue in: Defence will largely be recognised in the next three years; Power Systems will be 
recognised over the next two years as it is a short cycle business; and ITP Aero (where internal Group revenues have been eliminated) 
evenly spread over the next five years. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

139

2  Segmental analysis continued

Underlying adjustments

Underlying performance

Transactions recognised at exchange rate on date of cash 
flow and revaluation of trading assets/liabilities 1
Impact of unrealised fair value changes to derivative 
contracts held for trading 2
Impact of unrealised fair value changes to derivative 
contracts held for financing 3
Exceptional programme charges 4,5
Impact of discount rate changes 6
Exceptional restructuring charges 4,7
(Loss)/gains arising on the acquisitions and disposals 8
Impairments and asset write-offs 9
Other 10

Total underlying adjustments
Reported per consolidated income statement

2019

2018

Revenue
£m
15,450 

Profit before
financing
£m
808 

Net 
financing
£m
(225)

Revenue
£m
15,067 

Profit before
financing
£m
616 

Net 
financing
£m
(150)

1,137 

145 

– 

(1)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,137 
16,587 

– 
(1,409)
– 
(136)
(24)
(84)
(12)
(1,521)
(713)

80 

(6)

1 
– 
(40)
– 
(8)
– 
20 
47 
(178)

781 

– 

– 
(119)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
662 
15,729 

(23)

163 

(1)

(2,144)

– 
(976)
– 
(317)
183 
(155) 
(130)
(1,419)
(803)

(3)
(15)
– 
– 
(8)
– 
13 
(1,994)
(2,144)

 The adjustments for realised gains/(losses) on settled derivative contracts include adjustments to reflect the gains/(losses) in the same period as the related trading cash flows. 

1 
2   The adjustments for unrealised fair value changes to derivative contracts contain those included in equity accounted joint ventures and exclude those for which the related trading 

contracts have been cancelled when the fair value changes are recognised immediately in underlying profit before taxation.

3   Includes the losses on hedge ineffectiveness in the period of £13m (2018: losses £3m).
4  The table below summarises the exceptional items recorded in 2019 and 2018.

Programme charges and associated contract losses 5
Related foreign exchange impact 5
Restructuring charges 7
Pension charges 10

Year to 31 December

2019
£m

1,409 

171 

136 

– 

1,716 

2018
£m

976 

147 

317 

121 

1,561 

5   Included within programme exceptional items is £1,361m (2018: £790m), £1,531m (2018: £905m) at prevailing exchange rates, in respect of the abnormal wastage costs on the  

Trent 1000. This includes £0.2bn of insurance receipts in respect of the Trent 1000 in-service issues. In addition, there is an exceptional item of £48m (2018: 186m), £49m (2018: £218m)  
at prevailing exchange rates that relates to the decision by Airbus to cease A380 deliveries in 2021. For information on the associated provisions – see note 20.

6   Included within discount rate changes is £30m relating to Trent 900 and £10m relating to Trent 1000 for the impact from the change in discount rates on contract losses recorded  

in exceptional items in prior years as a result of the fall in US bonds, which drives the calculation of the risk-free rate.

7  The Group recorded an exceptional restructuring charge of £136m (2018: £317m) in the year. The costs include: £88m (2018: £223m) in respect of the Group-wide restructuring 

programme announced on 14 June 2018; costs relating to ongoing multi-year significant restructuring programmes including restructuring at Power Systems and in respect of Defence, 
reflecting actions to remove cost and improve operational efficiency.

8  (Loss)/gains arising on the acquisitions and disposals of businesses. See note 27 for more details (also including the amortisation of intangible assets arising on previous acquisitions).
9   In 2019, there has been an impairment of £58m relating to Bergen Engines AS, and impairment charge and asset write offs of £26m following the announcement to sell the North  

America Civil Nuclear business within the Power Systems business segment. The impairment charge in 2018 of £155m related to Commercial Marine.

10 Other includes the 2018 cost of equalisation of pension benefits between men and women – see note 21.

Appropriate rates of tax have been applied to adjustments made to profit before tax in the table above. Adjustments in 2019 which impact 
the UK tax loss have an effective tax rate of zero. See note 5 for more details. The total underlying adjustments to profit before tax in 2019 
are a charge of £143m (2018: credit £715m). The charge in 2019 was £57m plus an additional charge of £86m relating to the derecognition 
of UK deferred tax assets on foreign exchange and commodity financial assets and liabilities. The credit in 2018 was £672m plus an 
additional credit of £43m relating to the reduction in the Spanish Basque region tax rate.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS140

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

2  Segmental analysis continued

Reconciliation to the balance sheet

Reportable segment assets
Interests in joint ventures and associates
Non-core businesses
Assets held for sale
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments
Fair value of swaps hedging fixed rate borrowings
Deferred and income tax assets
Post-retirement scheme surpluses
Total assets
Reportable segment liabilities
Non-core businesses
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Borrowings and lease liabilities
Fair value of swaps hedging fixed rate borrowings
Deferred and income tax liabilities
Post-retirement scheme deficits
Total liabilities
Net liabilities

2019
£m
23,968 
402 
84 
18 
4,449 
249 
1,926 
1,170 
32,266 
(27,703)
(43)
(15)
(5,685)
(6)
(790)
(1,378)
(35,620)
(3,354)

2018
£m
21,164 
412 
188 
750 
4,980 
293 
2,126 
1,944 
31,857 
(25,309)
(159)
(376)
(4,662)
– 
(1,100)
(1,303)
(32,909)
(1,052)

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-current assets including investments but excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets  
and post-employment benefit surpluses, by the geographical area in which the assets are located, are as follows:

United Kingdom
Germany
United States
Spain
Other

3  Research and development

Expenditure in the year
Capitalised as intangible assets
Amortisation and impairment of capitalised costs 1
Net cost recognised in the income statement
Underlying adjustments relating to effects of acquisition accounting and foreign exchange
Net underlying cost recognised in the income statement

1 

 See note 9 for analysis of amortisation and impairment.

2019
£m
6,446 
2,568 
1,506 
1,324 
826 
12,670 

2019
£m
(1,118)
481 
(133)
(770)
74 
(696)

2018
£m
4,626 
2,604 
1,338 
1,380 
710 
10,658 

2018
£m
(1,145)
498 
(121)
(768)
79 
(689)

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

141

4  Net financing

Interest receivable
Net fair value gains on non-hedge accounted interest rate swaps 2
Financial RRSAs – foreign exchange differences and changes  
in forecast payments
Net fair value gains on commodity contracts
Financing on post-retirement scheme surpluses
Net foreign exchange gains
Financing income

Interest payable
Net fair value losses on foreign currency contracts
Financial RRSAs – foreign exchange differences and changes  
in forecast payments
Financial charge relating to financial RRSAs

Net fair value losses on commodity contracts
Financing on post-retirement scheme deficits
Other financing charges

Financing costs

Net financing costs

Analysed as:

Net interest payable
Net fair value gains/(losses) on derivative contracts
Net post-retirement scheme financing
Net other financing

Net financing costs

Note

19

19

19

21

19

19

19

19

21

2019

2018

Per 
consolidated 
income 
statement
£m
31 
14 

Per 
consolidated 
income 
statement
£m
27 
– 

Underlying
financing 1
£m
31 
– 

Underlying
financing 1
£m
27 
– 

11 
36 
60 
100 
252 

(182)
(43)

(10)
(3)

– 
(37)
(155)

(430)

– 
– 
– 
– 
31 

(163)
– 

– 
(3)

– 
– 
(90)

25 
– 
56 
163 
271 

(107)
(2,122)

(27)
(8)

(22)
(33)
(96)

(256)

(2,415)

– 
– 
– 
– 
27 

(99)
– 

– 
(8)

– 
– 
(70)

(177)

(178)

(225)

(2,144)

(150)

(151)
7 
23 
(57) 
(178)

(132)
– 
– 
(93)
(225)

(80)
(2,144)
23 
57 
(2,144)

(72)
– 
– 
(78)
(150)

 See note 2 for definition of underlying results.

1 
2   The consolidated income statement shows the net fair value gain on any interest rate swaps not designated into hedging relationships for accounting purposes. Underlying financing 

reclassifies the interest receivable on these interest rates swaps from fair value movement to interest payable.

5  Taxation

Current tax charge for the year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Current tax

Deferred tax charge/(credit) for the year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Derecognition of deferred tax
Deferred tax credit resulting from reduction  
in tax rates
Deferred tax

UK

Overseas

Total

2019
£m
15 
(4)
11 

117
20 
86 

– 
223 

2018
£m
13 
(13)
– 

(630)
22 
– 

– 
(608)

2019
£m
228 
(3)
225 

(24)
(15)
–

– 
(39)

186 

2018
£m
167 
15 
182 

(43)
(42)
– 

(43)
(128)

54 

2019
£m
243 
(7)
236 

93 
5 
86 

– 
184 

2018
£m
180 
2 
182 

(673)
(20)
– 

(43)
(736)

420 

(554)

Charged/(credited) in the income statement

234 

(608)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS142

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

5  Taxation continued

Other tax credits/(charges)

Deferred tax:

Movement in post-retirement schemes
Share-based payments – direct to equity
Cash flow hedge
Net investment hedge
Other tax credits/(charges)

Tax reconciliation

OCI

Equity

Items that will not 
be reclassified 

Items that may
 be reclassified

2019
£m

324 
– 
– 
– 
324 

2018
£m

2019
£m

2018
£m

2019
£m

2018
£m

(2)
–
–
–
(2)

– 
– 
(5)
(1)
(6)

–
–
5 
– 
5 

– 
1 
– 
– 
1 

–
2 
–
–
2 

Loss before taxation
Less share of results of joint ventures and associates (note 12)
Loss before taxation excluding joint ventures and associates

Nominal tax credit at UK corporation tax rate 19% (2018: 19%)
UK tax rate differential 1
Overseas rate differences 2
Impairment of goodwill
Exempt gain on the disposal of Commercial Marine
Exempt gain on the disposal of L’Orange
R&D credits
Other permanent differences
Tax losses in year not recognised in deferred tax 3
Derecognition of deferred tax 4
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Reduction in closing deferred taxes resulting from decrease in tax rate in the Spanish Basque region 

Underlying items (note 2)
Non-underlying items

 The UK tax rate differential arises on the difference between the deferred tax rate and the UK statutory tax rate.

1 
2  Overseas rate differences mainly relate to tax on profits in countries, such as the US and Germany, which have higher tax rates than the UK. 
3  Tax losses not recognised mainly relate to the UK in 2019 – see pages 143 to 144.
4  Derecognition of deferred tax assets relating to foreign exchange and commodity financial assets and liabilities – see page 144. 

Deferred taxation assets and liabilities

At 1 January

Impact of adopting IFRS 16 (2018: Impact of adopting IFRS 9)
Amount (charged)/credited to income statement
Amount credited/(charged) to other comprehensive income
Amount (charged)/credited to cash flow hedge reserve
Amount credited to equity
On disposal/acquisition of businesses 1
Transferred to assets held for sale 2
Exchange differences

At 31 December
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

2019
£m
(891)
(141)
(1,032)

2018
£m
(2,947)
(114)
(3,061)

(196)
56 
58 
1 
(20)
– 
(34)
8 
463 
86
(2)
– 
420 
277 
143 
420 

2019
£m
1,130 
8 
(184)
323 
(5)
1 
(3)
(2)
1 
1,269 
1,887 
(618)
1,269 

(582)
51
91
29 
–
(117)
(23)
36
22 
–
(18)
(43)
(554)
161 
(715)
(554)

2018
£m
380 
2 
736
(2)
5 
2 
6 
(4)
5 
1,130 
2,092 
(962)
1,130 

 The 2019 deferred tax on disposal of businesses relates to Commercial Marine. The 2018 comparative relates to the disposal of L’Orange.

1 
2  The 2019 deferred tax transferred to assets held for sale relates to the North America Civil Nuclear business. The 2018 comparative relates to Commercial Marine.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

143

5  Taxation continued

The analysis of the deferred tax position is as follows:

2019 

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other temporary differences
Net contract liabilities
Pensions and other post-retirement 
scheme benefits
Foreign exchange and commodity 
financial assets and liabilities
Losses
R&D credit
Advance corporation tax

At
1 January
 £m

Impact of
adopting 
IFRS 16
£m

At
1 January
restated
£m

Recognised
in income
statement
£m

Recognised
in OCI
£m

Recognised
in equity
£m

Merger and
acquisition
related
activity 
£m

Exchange
differences
£m

At 31
December
£m

(620)
(85)
164 
57 

(461)

625 
1,010 
277 
163 
1,130 

– 
(74)
82 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
8 

(620)
(159)
246 
57 

(135)
10 
147 
(2)

– 
– 
(6)
– 

(461)

(1)

324 

625 
1,010 
277 
163 
1,138 

(200)
9 
(12)
– 
(184)

– 
– 
– 
– 
318 

– 
– 
1 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1 

(2)
(1)
2 
– 

(3)

– 
(1)
– 
– 
(5)

31 
12 
(16)
– 

(13)

– 
(1)
(12)
– 
1 

(726)
(138)
374 
55 

(154)

425 
1,017 
253 
163 
1,269 

At
1 January
£m

Impact of
adopting
IFRS 9
£m

At
1 January
restated
£m

Recognised
in income
statement
£m

Recognised
in OCI
£m

Recognised
in equity
£m

Merger and
acquisition
related
activity 
£m

Exchange
differences
£m

At 31
December
£m

2018
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other temporary differences
Net contract liabilities
Pensions and other post-retirement 
scheme benefits
Foreign exchange and commodity 
financial assets and liabilities
Losses
R&D credit
Advance corporation tax

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

(419)
(158)
258 
63 

(482)

381 
306 
268 
163 
380 

– 
– 
2 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
2 

(419)
(158)
260 
63 

(203)
77
(106)
(6)

(482)

19 

381 
306 
268 
163 
382 

244 
704
7 
– 
736

– 
– 
5 
– 

(2)

– 
– 
– 
– 
3 

– 
– 
2 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
2 

5 
1 
(1)
– 

(3)

– 
– 
– 
– 
2 

Advance corporation tax
UK losses
Foreign exchange and commodity financial assets and liabilities
Losses and other unrecognised deferred tax assets
Deferred tax not recognised on unused tax losses and other items on the basis that future economic  
benefit is uncertain

(3)
(5)
4 
– 

7 

– 
– 
2 
– 
5 

2019
£m
19 
438 
86
68

611 

(620)
(85)
164 
57 

(461)

625 
1,010 
277 
163 
1,130 

2018
£m
19 
–
–
111 

130 

Deferred tax assets of £1,887m include £1,010m (2018: £998m) relating to tax losses in the UK and £163m (2018: £163m) relating to Advance 
Corporation Tax (ACT). These assets have been recognised based on the expectation that the UK business will generate taxable profits and 
tax liabilities in the future against which the losses and ACT can be utilised.

Most of the tax losses relate to the Group’s Civil Aerospace widebody business in the UK which makes initial losses through the investment 
period of a programme and then makes a profit through its contracts for services. The programme lifecycles typically range between  
30 and 55 years with more of the widebody engine programmes forecast at the upper end of that range. In the past few years there have 
been four new engines that have entered into service (Trent 1000 TEN, Trent 7000, Trent XWB-84 and Trent XWB-97), all of which are still 
in the investment stage.

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the assets 
can be utilised. A recoverability assessment has been undertaken, taking account of deferred tax liabilities against which the reversal can 
be offset and using latest UK forecasts, which are mainly driven by the Group’s Civil Aerospace widebody business, to assess the level of 
future taxable profits.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS144

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

5  Taxation continued

The recoverability of UK deferred tax assets relating to UK tax losses and ACT has been assessed in 2019 on the following basis:

 – using the most recent UK profit forecasts prepared by management, which are consistent with past experience and external sources on 

market conditions. These forecasts cover the next five years;

 – the long-term forecast profit profile of certain of the major widebody engine programmes which is typically between 30 and 55 years 

from initial investment to retirement of the fleet, including the aftermarket revenue earned from airline customers; and

 – the long-term forecast profit and cost profile of the other parts of the Group’s UK business.

The assessment takes into account UK tax laws that, in broad terms, restrict the offset of the carried forward tax losses to 50% of current 
year profits. Based on this assessment, the Group has recognised a deferred tax asset of £1,010m relating to losses and £163m relating to 
ACT. This reflects the Group’s conclusions that:

 – It is probable that the UK business will generate taxable income and tax liabilities in the future against which these losses and the ACT 

can be utilised.

 – Based on current forecasts and using various scenarios these losses and the ACT will be used in full within the next 20 to 30 years which 

is within the expected widebody engine programme lifecycles.

A deferred tax asset of £438m has not been recognised. This is based on management’s assumptions relating to the amounts and timing of 
future taxable profits and takes into account that higher losses were incurred in 2019 than expected, primarily due to the recognition of a 
£1.4bn exceptional charge in respect of the Trent 1000.

Changes in future profits will impact the recoverability of the deferred tax assets, and as explained in note 1, the key assumptions impact 
contract margins. A 5% change in such margins would result in around a £2bn change in UK profits over the remaining life of the 
programmes against which the recovery of the tax losses and ACT would be assessed. Such a variance could result in a change of up to 
£170m in the related deferred tax balances recorded on the Group balance sheet, assuming a 17% tax rate and the 50% loss offset 
restriction mentioned above.

The Group has also reassessed the recovery of other deferred tax assets, including those arising on unrealised losses on derivative contracts. 
Whilst the deferred tax asset has reduced anyway as a result of the reduction in the unrealised losses in 2019, the Group has also derecognised 
£86m in line with the approach outlined above. The impact of this is non-underlying.

Any future changes in tax law or the structure of the Group could have a significant effect on the use of losses and ACT, including the 
period over which they can be used. In view of this and the significant judgement involved, the Board continuously reassesses this area.

The 2016 Budget announced that the UK tax rate will reduce to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. The rate reduction to 17% has been 
substantively enacted on 6 September 2016. The deferred tax assets and liabilities of UK companies within the Group have therefore been 
calculated at 17%.

The temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, for which a deferred tax liability has 
not been recognised, aggregate to £108m (2018: £99m). No deferred tax liability has been recognised on the potential withholding tax due 
on the remittance of undistributed profits as the Group is able to control the timing of such remittances and it is probable that consent will 
not be given in the foreseeable future.

6  Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share (EPS) is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares held under trust, which have been treated as if they had been cancelled.

Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year for the bonus element of 
share options.

Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (£m)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)
EPS (pence)

2019

Potentially 
dilutive 
share options 1 

− 
− 

Basic
(1,315)
1,904 
(69.07p)

Diluted
(1,315)
1,904 
(69.07p)

Basic
(2,401)
1,859 
(129.15p)

2018

Potentially 
dilutive 
share options 1

– 
– 

1  As there is a loss, the effect of potentially dilutive ordinary shares is antidilutive.

The reconciliation between underlying EPS and basic EPS is as follows:

Underlying EPS/underlying profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Total underlying adjustments to loss before tax (note 2)
Related tax effects

EPS/loss attributable to ordinary shareholders
Diluted underlying EPS

2019

2018

Pence 
15.86 
(77.42)
(7.51) 
(69.07)
15.86 

£m
302 
(1,474)
(143) 
(1,315)

Pence 
15.98 
(183.59)
38.46 
(129.15)
15.98 

Diluted
(2,401)
1,859 
(129.15p)

£m
297 
(3,413)
715 
(2,401)

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

145

7  Auditors’ remuneration

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and its associates for the audit of the Parent Company and 
Consolidated Financial Statements
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries  
pursuant to legislation 1
Total fees payable for audit services
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

Audit related assurance services 2
Other assurance services 3 

Total fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates 4 
Fees payable in respect of the Group’s pension schemes:

Audit

2019
£m

2.8

7.0 
9.8 

0.5
0.6
10.9 

0.1

2018
£m

1.8 

7.3 
9.1 

0.5 
0.4 
10.0 

0.1 

1 

 The level of fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s Financial Statements reflects the fact that limited incremental work is required in respect of the audit 
of these financial statements. Rolls-Royce plc, a subsidiary of the Company, is also required to prepare Consolidated Financial Statements and the fees payable to the Company’s 
auditor for the audit of those financial statements, including the audit of the sub-consolidation, is included in the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation.

2   This includes £0.5m (2018: £0.5m) for the review of the half-year report.
3   This relates to the audit of grant claims.
4   Audit fees for overseas entities are reported at the average exchange rate for the year. 

8  Employee information

United Kingdom
Germany
United States
Spain
Nordics
Singapore
Canada
India
Italy
France
Rest of world
Monthly average number of employees

Civil Aerospace
Power Systems
Defence
ITP Aero
Corporate 1 
Core businesses
Non-core businesses 2
Monthly average number of employees

Wages, salaries and benefits
Social security costs
Share-based payments (note 23)
Pensions and other post-retirement scheme benefits (note 21)
Group employment costs 3

2019
Number
23,300 
9,800 
6,000 
3,200 
1,300 
1,300 
1,000 
1,000 
900 
700 
3,200 
51,700 

26,100 
10,400 
9,900 
3,900 
100 
50,400 
1,300 
51,700 

2019
£m
3,075 
473 
30 
356 
3,934 

2018
Number
23,400 
10,000 
6,300 
2,800 
3,000 
1,400 
1,000 
1,000 
800 
700 
4,100 
54,500 

25,500 
10,500 
10,500 
3,700 
100 
50,300 
4,200 
54,500 

2018
£m
3,208 
479 
35 
470 
4,192 

1    Corporate consists of employees who do not provide a shared service to the business segments. Where corporate functions provide such a service, employees have been allocated to 

the business segments on an appropriate basis. 

2   Includes the North America Civil Nuclear business (disposal group held for sale), Commercial Marine (disposed of on 1 April 2019), RRPD (disposed of on 15 April 2019), L’Orange 

(disposed of on 1 June 2018) and Retained Energy. See note 27 for more details. 

3  Remuneration of key management personnel is shown in note 26.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
146

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

9  Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 January 2018

Additions
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposal of L’Orange 2
Disposals
Reclassifications
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Additions
Acquisition of businesses
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposals
Reclassifications from PPE
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2018

Charge for the year 3
Impairment
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposal of L’Orange 2
Disposals
Reclassifications 
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Charge for the year 3
Impairment
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposals
Reclassifications from PPE
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2019
At 31 December 2018

Goodwill
£m

Certification
costs
£m

Development
expenditure
£m

Customer 
relationships
£m

Software
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

1,869 
– 
(666)
(136)
– 
5 
15 
1,087 
– 
11 
(34)
– 
– 
(40)
1,024 

324 
– 
155 
(439)
– 
– 
5 
(3)
42 
– 
18 
(34)
– 
– 
4 
30 

994 
1,045 

917 
35 
– 
– 
(4)
– 
– 
948 
15 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(1)
962 

339 
35 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(1)
– 
373 
19 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
392 

570 
575 

2,459 
498 
(38)
(48)
(1)
– 
13 
2,883 
481 
– 
(11)
(8)
17 
(68)
3,294 

1,045 
114 
7 
(29)
(31)
– 
– 
5 
1,111 
113 
20 
(11)
(7)
– 
(25)
1,201 

1,432 
– 
(26)
(40)
– 
– 
18 
1,384 
– 
– 
(16)
(1)
– 
(64)
1,303 

256 
90 
– 
(21)
(27)
– 
– 
6 
304 
72 
9 
(16)
(1)
– 
(14)
354 

2,093 
1,772 

949 
1,080 

869 
110 
(6)
– 
(16)
3 
4 
964 
101 
4 
(3)
(111)
19 
(7)
967 

488 
103 
22 
(1)
– 
(8)
1 
2 
607 
88 
7 
(3)
(99)
10 
(5)
605 

362 
357 

794 
37 
(12)
(11)
– 
(3)
6 
811 
43 
23 
(11)
(19)
(18)
(26)
803 

323 
39 
– 
(12)
(8)
– 
– 
3 
345 
26 
– 
(11)
(19)
(1)
(11)
329 

8,340 
680 
(748)
(235)
(21)
5 
56 
8,077 
640 
38 
(75)
(139)
18 
(206)
8,353 

2,775 
381 
184 
(502)
(66)
(8)
5 
13 
2,782 
318 
54 
(75)
(126)
9 
(51)
2,911 

474 
466 

5,442 
5,295 

1  The North America Civil Nuclear business was classified as a disposal group held for sale on 26 September 2019, prior to this an impairment of goodwill of £15m was recognised. The  
  Commercial Marine business was classified as a disposal group held for sale on 30 June 2018 – see note 27.
2  The disposal of the L’Orange business to Woodward Inc. was completed on 1 June 2018 – see note 27.
3   Charged to cost of sales and commercial and administrative costs except development costs, which are charged to research and development costs.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

147

9  Intangible assets continued

Goodwill
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs), or 
groups of CGUs, that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination that gave rise to the goodwill as follows:

Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Other

Primary reporting
segment
Power Systems
Civil Aerospace
Various

2019
£m
718 
234 
42 
994 

2018
£m
750
246 
49 
1,045 

Goodwill has been tested for impairment during 2019 on the following basis:

 – The carrying values of goodwill have been assessed by reference to value in use. These have been estimated using cash flows from the 

most recent forecasts prepared by management, which are consistent with past experience and external sources of information on market 
conditions. These forecasts generally cover the next five years. Growth rates for the period not covered by the forecasts are based on a 
range of growth rates between 1.0%–2.5% that reflect the products, industries and countries in which the relevant CGU or group of  
CGUs operate.

 – The key assumptions for the impairment tests are the discount rate and, in the cash flow projections, the programme assumptions, 

the growth rates and the impact of foreign exchange rates on the relationship between selling prices and costs. Impairment tests are 
performed using prevailing exchange rates.

The principal value in use assumptions for goodwill balances considered to be individually significant are:

Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG
 – trading assumptions (e.g. volume of equipment deliveries, pricing achieved and cost escalation) are based on current and known future 

programmes, estimates of capture of market share and long-term economic forecasts;
 – cash flows beyond the five-year forecasts are assumed to grow at 1.0% (2018: 1.8%); and
 – pre-tax discount rate 12% (2018: 12%).

The Directors do not consider that any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions would cause the value in use of the goodwill 
to fall below its carrying value.

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
 – trading assumptions (e.g. volume of engine deliveries, flying hours of installed fleet and cost escalation) are based on current and 

known future programmes, estimates of customers’ fleet requirements and long-term economic forecasts;

 – cash flows beyond the five-year forecasts are assumed to grow at 2.5% (2018: 2.5%); and
 – pre-tax discount rate 14% (2018: 13%).

The Directors do not consider that any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions would cause the value in use of the goodwill 
to fall below its carrying value.

Commercial Marine
On 6 July 2018, the Group announced the sale of Commercial Marine to KONGSBERG. The disposal met the criteria of IFRS 5 Non-current 
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations that where the carrying value of a disposal group is expected to be recovered through 
a sale transaction, the disposal group should be treated as held for sale, with assets and liabilities presented separately on the balance 
sheet measured at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.

As a result of the classification of the Commercial Marine business as a disposal group, its carrying value was assessed against the 
anticipated proceeds and the disposal costs. An impairment charge of £155m for the related goodwill (with an additional £5m impairment 
charge to property, plant and equipment) was recognised in the income statement at 31 December 2018 and the remaining net balance of 
£227m transferred to assets held for sale and associated liabilities.

The Commercial Marine business was disposed of on 1 April 2019 – see note 27.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS148

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

9  Intangible assets continued

Other intangible assets (including programme-related intangible assets)
Other intangible assets have been reviewed for impairment in accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. Where an 
impairment test was considered necessary, it has been performed on the following basis:

 – The carrying values have been assessed by reference to value in use. These have been estimated using cash flows from the most recent 
forecasts prepared by management, which are consistent with past experience and external sources of information on market conditions 
over the lives of the respective programmes.

 – The key assumptions underlying cash flow projections are assumed market share, programme timings, unit cost assumptions, discount 

rates, and foreign exchange rates.

 – The pre-tax cash flow projections have been discounted at 7%–15% (2018: 7%–13%), based on the Group’s weighted average cost of  
capital, adjusted for the estimated programme risk, for example taking account of whether or not the forecast cash flows arise from 
contracted business.

In addition, for programme-related intangible assets, these have been reviewed for impairment in accordance with the requirements of 
IAS 36. Where there is a triggering event, an impairment test has been performed on the following basis:

 – The programme related intangible asset’s carrying value as at 31 December is compared to the asset’s recoverable amount. The Group 
has determined that the recoverable amount of the asset should be calculated on a value in use basis as this represents the highest 
value to the Group in terms of the future cash flows that it can generate.

 – Future cash flows used in the value in use calculations are based on our most recent forecasts prepared by management and are 

discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessment of the time value of money. These forecasts include 
contracted business together with management’s expectation of speculative business over the life of the programme together with cash 
outflows that are necessary to maintain the current level of economic benefit expected to arise from the asset in its current condition.
 – The key programme assumptions underlying cash flow projections are forecast market share and pricing, engine flying hours, number of 

shop visits/cost of shop visits, R&D, capital investment and foreign exchange rates.
 – The pre-tax cash flow projections have been discounted at 7%–15% (2018: 7%–13%).

No impairment was identified (2018: no impairment). For programmes where the headroom could be significantly reduced over the next 12 
months any of the following changes in assumptions, in isolation, would cause the recoverable amount of the programme assets to equal 
its carrying value:

 – an increase in discount rates by 36%
 – an increase in costs of 10%

The carrying amount and the residual life of the material intangible assets (excluding goodwill) for the Group is as follows:

Trent programme intangible assets 1
Business Aviation programme intangible assets 2

Customer relationship assets on acquisition of ITP Aero
Intangible assets from acquisition of Power Systems 3

Residual life

Net book value

7–15 years
15 years
typically 
13–35 years

2019
£m
1,720
587

676
489
3,472

2018
£m
1,524
393

740
578
3,235

1  Included within the Trent programmes are the Trent 1000, Trent 7000 and Trent XWB. 
2  Included within Business Aviation are the Pearl 700 and Pearl 15.
3  Includes £109m in respect of a brand intangible asset which is not amortised. Remaining assets are amortised over a range of 2–10 years.

The carrying amount of goodwill or intangible assets allocated across multiple cash-generating units is not significant in comparison with 
the Group’s total carrying amount of goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

149

10  Property, plant and equipment

Land and 
buildings
£m

Plant and 
equipment
£m

Aircraft 
and engines
£m

In course of 
construction
£m

Cost
At 1 January 2018

Additions
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposal of L’Orange 2
Disposals/write-offs
Reclassifications
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Impact of adopting IFRS 16 (note 29)

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Acquisition of businesses
Transferred to assets held for sale 1

Disposal of businesses

Disposals/write-offs
Reclassifications 3

Reclassification of joint venture to joint operations 

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2018

Charge for the year 4

Impairment
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposal of L’Orange 2

Disposals/write-offs

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018 

Impact of adopting of IFRS 16 (note 29)

At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year 4

Impairment
Transferred to assets held for sale 1

Disposal of businesses

Disposals/write-offs
Reclassifications 3

Reclassification of joint venture to joint operations 

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Net book value

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019
At 31 December 2018

1,842 
54 
(91)
(23)
(29)
140 
23 

1,916 

(12)

1,904 

27 

– 

(5)

(4)

(54)

186 

5

(39)

2,020 

5,022 
273 
(138)
(72)
(140)
287 
64 

5,296 

(11)

5,285 

286 

3 

(9)

(168)

(187)

390 

3

(106)

5,497 

554 

2,984 

67 

– 

(26)

(4)

(19)

7 

579 

(7)

572 

67 

1 

(5)

– 

(45)

9 

1 

(10)
590 

376 

2 

(96)

(34)

(123)

33 

3,142 

(13)

3,129 

381 

29 

(9)

(165)

(150)

6

3 

(57)
3,167 

1,430 

1,332 
1,337 

2,330 

2,156 
2,154 

734 
251 
– 
– 
(19)
(3)
4 

967 

(205)

762 

126 

– 

– 

– 

(17)

11 

– 

(6)

876 

173 

80 

– 

– 

– 

(9)

– 

244 

(40)

204 

43 

– 

– 

– 

(5)

(19)

– 

– 
223 

653 

558 
723 

Total
£m

8,371 
974 
(259)
(99)
(188)
– 
102 

8,901 

(257)

8,644 

767 

3 

(16)

(172)

(262)

(18)

8 

(160)

8,794 

3,713 

523 

7 

(122)

(38)

(151)

40 

3,972 

(60)

3,912 

491 

41 

(15)

(165)

(201)

(9)

4 

(67)
3,991 

773 
396 
(30)
(4)
– 
(424)
11 

722 

(29)

693 

328 

– 

(2)

– 

(4)

(605)

– 

(9)

401 

2 

– 

5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

7 

– 

7 

– 

11 

(1)

– 

(1)

(5)

– 

– 
11 

390 

686 
715 

4,803 

4,732 
4,929 

1  The North America Civil Nuclear business was classified as a disposal group held for sale on 26 September 2019. The Commercial Marine business was classified as a disposal group  
  held for sale on 30 June 2018 – see note 27. 
2  The disposal of the L’Orange business to Woodward Inc. was completed on 1 June 2018 – see note 27. 
3  Includes reclassifications for assets under construction and to intangible assets.
4  Depreciation charged during the year is presented in the income statement or included in the cost of inventory as appropriate.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
150

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

10  Property, plant and equipment continued

Property, plant and equipment includes: 

Assets held for use in operating leases

Cost
Depreciation
Net book value

Capital expenditure commitments
Cost of fully depreciated assets
Cost of fully depreciated assets included in assets held for sale

The Group’s share of equity accounted entities’ capital commitments is £30m (2018: £9m).

2019
£m

720 
(214)
506 

317 
1,666 
2 

11  Right-of-use assets

Cost
At 31 December 2018

Impact of adopting IFRS 16 (see note 29) 
Transferred to assets held for sale 1

At 1 January 2019

Additions/modifications of leases
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year
Impairment
Transferred to assets held for sale 1
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2019
At 1 January 2019
At 31 December 2018

Right-of-use assets held for use in operating leases

Cost
Depreciation

Net book value at 31 December 2019

Land and 
buildings
£m

Plant and
 equipment
£m

Aircraft 
and engines
£m

– 
493 
(40)
453 
70 
(4)
(2)
(13)
504 

– 
58 
1 
(1)
(2)
(1)
55 

449 
453 
– 

4
(2)
2 

– 
107 
(1)
106 
28 
– 
(4)
(2)
128 

– 
32 
1 
– 
(4)
– 
29 

99 
106 
– 

2 
(1)
1 

– 
1,654 
– 
1,654 
129 
– 
(13)
(3)
1,767 

– 
309 
10 
– 
(13)
– 
306 

1,461 
1,654 
– 

1,767 
(306)
1,461 

2018
£m

813 
(192) 
621

362 
1,498 
75 

Total
£m

– 
2,254 
(41)
2,213 
227 
(4)
(19)
(18)
2,399 

– 
399 
12 
(1)
(19)
(1)
390 

2,009 
2,213 
–

1,773
(309)
1,464 

1  The North America Civil Nuclear business was classified as a disposal group held for sale on 26 September 2019. The Commercial Marine business was classified as a disposal group  
  held for sale on 30 June 2018 – see note 27.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

151

12  Investments

Composition of the Group
The entities contributing to the Group’s financial results are listed on pages 187 to 193.

Where the Group does not own 100% of the shares of a Group undertaking, there are a number of arrangements with the other 
shareholder(s) that give the Group the option or potential obligation to acquire the third parties’ shares. These arrangements have been 
assessed and are not considered to have a significant value, individually or in aggregate.

Non-controlling interests
The Group does not have any material non-wholly owned subsidiaries.

Equity accounted and other investments

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals
Impairment
Consolidation of previously non-consolidated subsidiary
Share of retained loss 1
Reclassification of deferred profit to deferred income 2
Exchange differences
Share of OCI
At 1 January 2019

Additions
Disposals
Transfer from joint venture to joint operation
Impairment
Consolidation of previously non-consolidated subsidiary
Share of retained profit 1
Reclassification of deferred profit to deferred income 2
Exchange differences
Share of OCI

At 31 December 2019

Equity accounted

Joint ventures
£m
375 
17 

Associates
£m
– 
– 

– 
(7)
– 
(101)
70 
41 
17
412
8 
(4)
(3)
– 
– 
12
4 
(19)
(8)
402 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Total
£m
375 
17 

– 
(7)
– 
(101)
70 
41 
17
412 
8 
(4) 
(3)
– 
– 
12
4 
(19) 
(8)
402 

Other

Unlisted
£m
26 
6 

(3)
(2)
(5)
– 
– 
–
– 
22 
2 
(6) 
– 
(1)
(4)
– 
– 
1 
– 
14 

1  See table below.
2   The Group’s share of unrealised profit on sales to joint ventures is eliminated against the carrying value of the investment in the entity. Any excess amount, once the carrying value is 

reduced to nil, is recorded as deferred income.

Reconciliation of share of retained profit/(loss) to the income statement and cash flow statement:

Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Adjustments for intercompany trading
Share of results of joint ventures and associates to the Group (income statement)
Dividends paid by joint ventures and associates to the Group (cash flow statement)
Share of retained profit/(loss) above 1

1  During the year, we sold spare engines to Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance, a joint venture company.

The following joint ventures are considered to be individually material to the Group:

2019
£m
141 
(37)
104 
(92)
12 

2018 
£m
114 
(110)
4 
(105)
(101)

Alpha Partners Leasing Limited (APL)
Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL)
Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Limited (SAESL)

Principal location Activity
UK
Hong Kong
Singapore

Aero engine leasing
Aero engine repair and overhaul
Aero engine repair and overhaul

Ownership interest
50.0%
50.0% 
50.0% 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS152

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

12  Investments continued 

Summarised financial information of the Group’s individually material joint ventures is as follows:

Revenue
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends paid during the year
Profit for the year included the following:

Depreciation and amortisation
Interest income
Interest expense
Income tax expense

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets
Included in the above:

Cash and cash equivalents
Current financial liabilities 1
Non-current financial liabilities 1

Reconciliation to the carrying amount recognised in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements
Ownership interest
Group share of net assets above
Goodwill
Adjustments for intercompany trading 
Included in the balance sheet

1  Excluding trade payables and other liabilities.

APL

HAESL

SAESL

2019
£m
322 
107 
(29)

(146)
4 
(89)
(22)

119 
3,319 
(230)
(2,617)
591 

25 
(182)
(2,364)

50.0%
296 
– 
(296)
– 

2018
£m
254 
61 
(47)

(110)
1 
(58)
(14)

355 
2,759 
(755)
(1,825)
534 

103 
(702)
(1,603)

50.0%
267 
– 
(267)
– 

2019
£m
1,907 
81 
(76)

(15)
– 
(3)
(16)

453 
113 
(269)
(103)
194 

4 
– 
(89)

2018
£m
1,497 
72 
(65)

(13)
– 
(2)
(14)

421 
124 
(248)
(101)
196 

46 
– 
(88)

2019
£m
1,529 
47 
(42)

(16)
– 
(6)
(3)

433 
172 
(264)
(163)
178 

14 
– 
(163)

2018
£m
1,141 
41 
(43)

(12)
– 
(3)
(4)

379 
161 
(207)
(164)
169 

17 
– 
(164)

50.0%
97 
35 
(7)
125 

50.0%
98 
36 
(3)
131 

50.0%
89 
94 
(1)
182 

50.0%
85 
97 
– 
182 

The summarised aggregated results of the Group’s share of equity accounted investments is as follows:

Individually material joint 
ventures (above)

Other joint ventures

Associates

Assets:

Non-current assets
Current assets

Liabilities: 1

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Group adjustment for 
goodwill
Adjustment for 
intercompany trading

1  Liabilities include borrowings of 

2019
£m

1,802 
503 

(382)
(1,441)

2018 *
£m

1,522 
578 

(605)
(1,045)

129 

133 

(304)
307 

(1,399)

(270)
313 

(1,278)

2019
£m

745 
456 

(322)
(703)

– 

(81)
95 

(627)

2018 *
£m

911 
467 

(262)
(802)

– 

(215)
99 

(650)

2019
£m

2018
£m

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

Total

2019
£m

2,547 
959 

(704)
(2,144)

2018 *
£m

2,433 
1,045 

(867)
(1,847)

129 

133 

(385)
402 

(2,026)

(485)
412 

(1,928)

*  The summarised results for 2018 have been re-presented to include the Group’s share of all its individually material joint ventures on a gross basis. Previously, the assets 
and liabilities of certain joint ventures were shown on a net basis. Disclosure of Group adjustments for intercompany trading and goodwill upon consolidation have been 
disclosed separately to provide greater transparency. The carrying amounts at 31 December 2018 remain the same as previously reported. This enhanced presentation 
does not impact the Group consolidated results or financial position previously reported.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

153

13  Inventories

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Payments on account

Inventories stated at net realisable value
Amount of inventory write-down
Reversal of inventory write-down

14  Trade receivables and other assets

Trade receivables 1
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates 1
Costs to obtain contracts with customers 2
Other receivables 3
Prepayments

Trade receivables and other assets are analysed as follows:
Financial instruments (note 19):

Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets

Non-financial instruments

2019
£m
522 
1,652 
2,119 
27 
4,320 
227 
69 
12 

Current

Non-current

Total

2019
£m
2,538 
197 
10 
1,490 
356 
4,591 

2018 *
£m
2,680 
229 
8 
1,218 
367 
4,502 

2019
£m
– 
12 
33 
181 
248 
474 

2018 *
£m
– 
– 
34 
145 
9 
188 

2019
£m
2,538 
209 
43 
1,671 
604 
5,065 

3,477 
726 
862 
5,065 

2018 
£m
553 
1,551 
2,168 
15 
4,287 
223 
69 
21 

2018 *
£m
2,680 
229 
42 
1,363 
376 
4,690 

3,578 
489 
623 
4,690 

*  Balances at 31 December 2018 have been re-presented to move £217m from prepayments to other receivables to better reflect the nature of these balances.
1  Includes £267m (2018: £146m) of trade receivables held to collect or sell and £76m (2018: nil) receivables from joint ventures and associates held to collect or sell.
2  These are amortised over the term of the related contract, resulting in amortisation of £8m (2018: £13m) in the year. There were no impairment losses recognised in either year.
3   Other receivables includes the RRSA component of the LTSA which is held separately on the basis of differing counterparties, together with receivables arising from overhaul activity 

outside of LTSA coverage.

The expected credit losses for trade receivables and other assets has increased by £12m to £138m (2018: £126m). Amounts included are 
considered as current so no ageing of expected credit losses is disclosed. 

For many years the Group has undertaken the sale of trade receivables, without recourse, to banks. This is commonly known as invoice 
discounting or factoring, and is common place in the aerospace industry. The absolute amount carried out in any given year depends on 
specific engine delivery volumes and phasing. This activity has been used to normalise customer receipts as certain aerospace customers 
have extended their payment terms. This in turn has helped to normalise our Group cash flows in line with physical delivery volumes. Over 
the last three years the sale of trade receivables has averaged £1,037m at the year end. Trade receivables factored are generally due within 
the following quarter.

At 31 December 2019 £1,117m was drawn under factoring facilities, an increase of £95m compared to December 2018, representing cash 
collected before it was contractually due from the customer.

In exceptional circumstances, the sale of trade receivables has taken place where amounts contractually due from aerospace customers 
before the period end have been deferred into the following period. There was £504m relating to this activity at the 2018 year end. There 
were no equivalent amounts in 2019.

The assumption and inputs used for the estimation of the expected credit losses are disclosed in the table below:

Investment grade
Non-investment grade
Without credit rating

Trade receivables
and other
financial assets
£m
1,230
271
2,636
4,137

2019

Loss
allowance
£m
(40)
(2)
(96)
(138)

Range of
expected credit
loss rate
%
0%–2.45%
0%–2.51%
0%–54%
3%

Trade receivables
and other
financial assets
£m
976
348
2,653
3,977

2018

Loss allowance
£m
(34)
(5)
(87)
(126)

Range of
expected credit
loss rate
%
0%–2.06%
0%–2.06%
0%–47%
3%

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS154

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

14  Trade receivables and other assets continued

The movements of the Group expected credit losses provision are as follows:

At 1 January
Increases in loss allowance recognised in the income statement during the year
Other net movements
At 31 December

15 Contract assets and liabilities

Contract assets
Contract assets with operators
Participation fee contract assets

Contract assets are analysed as follows:
Financial instruments (note 19)
Non-financial instruments

Current

Non-current

2019
£m

404 
57 
461 

2018
£m

295 
49 
344 

2019
£m

1,092 
542 
1,634 

2018
£m

1,108 
605 
1,713 

2019
£m
(126) 
(27) 
14
(139) 

Total

2019
£m

1,496 
599 
2,095 

– 
2,095 
2,095 

2018
£m
(95) 
(15) 
(16)
(126) 

2018
£m

1,403 
654 
2,057 

– 
2,057 
2,057 

Contract assets include £1,086m (2018: £1,097m) of Civil Aerospace LTSA assets, with most of the remainder relating to Defence. The main 
driver of the increase is driven by Defence which increased by £90m due to the timing differences between revenue being recognised on 
a stage of completion basis and when customers are billed, as well as the timing of the flow down of amounts received in prior years from 
programme partners. Revenue from performance obligations satisfied in previous years has been adjusted by £(166)m. 

Participation fee contract assets have reduced by £(55)m due to amortisation exceeding additions by £(35)m and FX on consolidation of 
overseas entities of £(20)m. No impairment losses (2018: none) of contract assets have arisen during the year.

The expected credit losses for contract assets has decreased by £9m in relation to normal business cycle to £13m (2018: £22m).

Contract liabilities

Contract liabilities are analysed as follows:
Financial instruments (note 19)
Non-financial instruments

Current

Non-current

Total

2019
£m
4,228 

2018
£m
3,794 

2019
£m
6,612 

2018
£m
5,336 

2019
£m
10,840 

131 
10,709 
10,840 

2018
£m
9,130 

– 
9,130 
9,130 

During the year, £3,491m (2018: £2,823m) of the opening contract liability was recognised as revenue and contract liabilities have increased 
by £1,710m. The main reasons for the increase being a £1,199m growth in Civil Aerospace LTSA liabilities to £6,783m (2018: £5,584m) driven 
by an overall growth in engine flying hour receipts. Our installed base increased by 6% in 2019 compared with 2018. In addition, engine 
flying hours increased by 7% year-on-year. Revenue from performance obligations satisfied in previous years has been adjusted by £(114)m. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

155

16  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Money-market funds
Short-term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents per the balance sheet
Overdrafts (note 17)
Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow statement (page 119)
Cash held as collateral against third party obligations (note 20)

2019
£m
825 
1,095 
2,523 
4,443 
(8)
4,435 
– 

2018
£m
1,023 
1,222 
2,729 
4,974 
(22)
4,952 
4 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2019 includes £34m (2018: £31m) that is not available for general use by the Group. This balance 
predominantly relates to cash held in non-wholly owned subsidiaries and joint arrangements.

Balances are presented on a net basis when the Group has both a legal right of offset and the intention to either settle on a net basis or 
realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

17  Borrowings and lease liabilities

Unsecured
Overdrafts
Bank loans
6.75% Notes 2019 £500m 1
2.375% Notes 2020 US$500m 2
2.125% Notes 2021 €750m 2
0.875% Notes 2024 €550m 3
3.625% Notes 2025 US$1,000m 3
3.375% Notes 2026 £375m 4
1.625% Notes 2028 €550m 3
Other loans 5
Total unsecured

Secured 6
Lease liabilities – property
Lease liabilities – aero engines
Lease liabilities – equipment
Obligations under finance leases
Total secured

Total borrowings and lease liabilities

Current

2019
£m

8 
27 
– 
378 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
22 
435 

50 
261 
29 
– 
340 

775 

2018
£m

22 
298 
504 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
824 

– 
– 
– 
34 
34 

Non-current

2019
£m

– 
16 
– 
– 
655 
481 
781 
410 
501 
52 
2,896 

473 
1,463 
78 
– 
2,014 

2018
£m

– 
354 
– 
383 
699 
498 
765 
403 
502 
5 
3,609 

– 
– 
– 
195 
195 

Total

2019
£m

8 
43 
– 
378 
655 
481 
781 
410 
501 
74 
3,331 

523 
1,724 
107 
– 
2,354 

2018
£m

22 
652 
504 
383 
699 
498 
765 
403 
502 
5 
4,433 

– 
– 
– 
229 
229 

858 

4,910 

3,804 

5,685 

4,662 

  These notes are the subject of interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay floating rates of interest, which form a fair value hedge.

1 
2   These notes are the subject of cross-currency interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay floating rates of GBP interest, which form a fair value hedge.
3  These notes are the subject of cross-currency interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay floating rates of GBP interest, which form a fair value  
  hedge. They are also subject to interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay fixed rates of interest, which are classified as fair value through profit  
  and loss.
4   These notes are the subject of interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay floating rates of interest, which form a fair value hedge. They are also 

subject to interest rate swap agreements under which the Group has undertaken to pay fixed rates of interest, which are classified as fair value through profit and loss.

5  In 2019, the Group reclassified £79m as borrowings previously included in other financial liabilities. Other loans of £8m (2018: £5m) are held by entities classified as joint operations.  
  The loans are disclosed after adjustments have been made on consolidation to eliminate the extent of the Group’s interest in the entity.
6   Obligations under leases are secured by related leased assets.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
156

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

18  Trade payables and other liabilities

Current

Non-current

Total

2019
£m
2,300 
798 
1,751 
17 
12 
128 
3,444 
8,450 

2018
£m
2,520 
635 
1,673 
9 
14 
125 
3,316 
8,292 

2019
£m
– 
36 
89 
516 
71 
– 
1,359 
2,071 

2018
£m
– 
18 
109 
520 
85 
– 
1,208 
1,940 

Trade payables
Amounts owed to joint ventures and associates
Accruals
Deferred receipts from RRSA workshare partners
Government grants 1
Other taxation and social security
Other payables 2

Trade payables and other liabilities are analysed as follows:
Financial instruments (note 19):

Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities

Non-financial instruments

2019
£m
2,300 
834 
1,840 
533 
83 
128 
4,803 
10,521 

5,849 
1,541 
3,131 
10,521 

2018
£m
2,520 
653 
1,782 
529 
99 
125 
4,524 
10,232 

5,659 
1,754 
2,819 
10,232 

1  During the year £12m (2018: £8m) of government grants were released to the income statement.
2   Other payables include £280m (2018: £378m) for financial penalties from agreements with investigating bodies and £nil (2018: £245m) for deferred consideration in relation to the 

acquisition of ITP Aero. In addition, other payables includes amounts due to RRSA concessions, warranty credits and other sundry payables.

Our payment terms with suppliers vary on the products and services being sourced, the competitive global markets we operate in and other 
commercial aspects of suppliers’ relationships. Industry average payment terms vary between 90–120 days. We offer reduced payment terms 
for smaller suppliers, so that they are paid in 30 days. In line with aerospace industry practice, we offer a SCF programme in partnership with 
banks to enable suppliers who are on our standard 75-day payment terms to receive their payment sooner. The SCF programme is available  
to suppliers at their discretion and does not change our rights and obligations with suppliers nor the timing of our payment to suppliers.  
At 31 December 2019, suppliers had drawn £859m under the SCF scheme (31 December 2018: £817m).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

157

19  Financial instruments

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments

2019
Unlisted non-current asset investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Other assets
Derivative financial assets 1
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities 1
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Contract liabilities

2018 *
Unlisted non-current asset investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Derivative financial assets 1
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Derivative financial liabilities 1
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Total

Basis for 
determining 
fair value

Fair value 
through 
profit or loss
£m

Fair value 
through 
OCI
£m

Amortised 
cost
£m

Fair value 
through 
profit or loss
£m

Notes

Other
£m

£m

12

14

14

16

17

17

18

18

15

12

14

14

16

17

18

18

A 

B/C 

B 

D 

C 

B 

B 

E/F 

G 

C 

H 

H 

B 

B 

B 

B 

A 

B/C

B 

C 

B 

B 

E/F 

C 

H 

H 

B 

B 

B 

14 
– 
– 
28 
525 
– 
1,095 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,662 

22 
– 
– 
365 
– 
1,222 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,609 

– 
344 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
344 

– 
146 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
146 

– 
3,133 
726 
– 
– 
6 
3,348 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
7,213 

– 
3,432 
489 
– 
6 
3,752 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
7,679 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,374)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,374)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,871)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,871)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3,331)
(2,354)
– 
(110)
(72)
(31)
(5,849)
(1,541)
(131)
(13,419)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(4,662)
– 
(227)
(62)
(29)
(5,659)
(1,754)
(12,393)

14 
3,477 
726 
28 
525 
6 
4,443 
(3,331)
(2,354)
(3,374)
(110)
(72)
(31)
(5,849)
(1,541)
(131)
(7,574)

22 
3,578 
489 
365 
6 
4,974 
(4,662)
(3,871)
(227)
(62)
(29)
(5,659)
(1,754)
(6,830)

*   Disclosures relating to 31 December 2018 have been re-presented in this table and the other related tables in this note to reflect the changes explained in note 14.
1 

 In the event of counterparty default relating to derivative financial assets and liabilities, offsetting would apply and financial assets and liabilities held with the same counterparty 
would net off. If this occurred with every counterparty, total financial assets would be £13m (2018: £11m) and liabilities £2,862m (2018: £3,517m).

Fair values equate to book values for both 2019 and 2018, with the following exceptions:

Borrowings
Borrowings
Financial RRSAs

2019

2018

Basis for
determining
fair value

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

Book value
£m

Fair value
£m

E

F

H

(3,206)
(125)
(110)

(3,147)
(130)
(112)

(3,754)
(908)
(227)

(3,634)
(887)
(235)

The fair value of a financial instrument is the price at which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, 
willing parties in an arms-length transaction. Fair values have been determined with reference to available market information at the 
balance sheet date, using the methodologies described on page 158.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS158

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19  Financial instruments continued

A   These primarily comprise unconsolidated companies where fair value approximates to the book value.
B   Fair values are assumed to approximate to cost either due to the short-term maturity of the instruments or because the interest rate of the investments is reset after periods not 

exceeding six months.

C   Fair values of derivative financial assets and liabilities and trade receivables held to collect or sell are estimated by discounting expected future contractual cash flows using 

prevailing interest rate curves. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are valued at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. These financial instruments are 
included on the balance sheet at fair value, derived from observable market prices (Level 2 as defined by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement).

D  Other assets are included on the balance sheet at fair value, derived from observable market prices or latest forecast (Level 2/Level 3 as defined by IFRS 13).
E 

 Borrowings are carried at amortised cost. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are valued at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. The fair value of 
borrowings is estimated using quoted prices. (Level 1 as defined by IFRS 13).
 Borrowings are carried at amortised cost. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are valued at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. The fair value of 
borrowings is estimated by discounting contractual future cash flows. (Level 2 as defined by IFRS 13).

F 

G   The fair value of lease liabilities are estimated by discounting future contractual cash flows using either the interest rate implicit in the lease or the Group’s incremental cost of 

borrowing (Level 2 as defined by IFRS 13). 

H   The fair value of RRSAs and other liabilities are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows. The contractual cash flows are based on future trading activity, which is 

estimated based on latest forecasts (Level 3 as defined by IFRS 13). 

IFRS 13 defines a three level valuation hierarchy:
Level 1 – quoted prices for similar instruments
Level 2 – directly observable market inputs other than Level 1 inputs
Level 3 – inputs not based on observable market data

Carrying values of other financial assets and liabilities

2019
Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities

2018
Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities

Foreign 
exchange 
contracts
£m

234 
16 
250 
(394)
(2,960)
(3,354)
(3,104)

47 
16 
63 
(523)
(3,304)
(3,827)
(3,764)

Commodity
 contracts
£m

Interest rate 
contracts 1
£m

Total 
derivatives
£m

Financial
RRSAs
£m

Other
£m

C Shares
£m

Total
£m

14 
9 
23 
(5)
(6)
(11)
12 

4 
2 
6 
(15)
(25)
(40)
(34)

203 
49 
252 
– 
(9)
(9)
243 

292 
4 
296 
– 
(4)
(4)
292 

451 
74 
525 
(399)
(2,975)
(3,374)
(2,849)

343 
22 
365 
(538)
(3,333)
(3,871)
(3,506)

– 
– 
– 
(31)
(79)
(110)
(110)

– 
– 
– 
(52)
(175)
(227)
(227)

16 
12 
28 
(32)
(40)
(72)
(44)

– 
– 
– 
(28)
(34)
(62)
(62)

– 
– 
– 
(31)
– 
(31)
(31)

– 
– 
– 
(29)
– 
(29)
(29)

467 
86 
553 
(493)
(3,094)
(3,587)
(3,034)

343 
22 
365 
(647)
(3,542)
(4,189)
(3,824)

1  Includes the foreign exchange impact of cross-currency interest rate swaps.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group uses various financial instruments to manage its exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates. Where the effectiveness of 
a hedging relationship in a cash flow hedge is demonstrated, changes in the fair value that are deemed effective are included in the cash 
flow hedge reserve and released to match actual payments on the hedged item. The Group uses commodity swaps to manage its exposure 
to movements in the price of commodities (jet fuel and base metals). To hedge the currency risk associated with a borrowing denominated 
in a foreign currency, the Group has currency derivatives designated as part of fair value hedges. The Group uses interest rate swaps and 
forward rate agreements to manage its exposure to movements in interest rates. 

Movements in the fair values of derivative financial assets and liabilities were as follows:

Foreign exchange 
instruments

2019
£m
(3,764)

2018
£m
(2,312)

– 

(4)

– 

(14)

(43)
707 
(3,104)

(2,122)
684 
(3,764)

Commodity instruments

Interest rate instruments 
– hedge accounted

Interest rate instruments 
– non-hedge accounted

Total

2019
£m
(34)

– 

13 

36 
(3)
12 

2018
£m
1 

– 

(9)

(22)
(4)
(34)

2019
£m
292 

2018 *
£m
227 

2019
£m
– 

2018
£m
– 

2019
£m
(3,506)

2018
£m
(2,084)

(27)

101 

– 

(1)

– 
(36)
229 

– 
(35)
292 

– 

– 

14 
– 
14 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

(27)

9 

101 

(24)

7 
668 
(2,849)

(2,144)
645 
(3,506)

At 1 January

Movements in fair  
value hedges 

Movements in  
cash flow hedges
Movements in other 
derivative contracts 1
Contracts settled

At 31 December

*  Prior year balances have been re-presented in order to give a more accurate reflection of the cash flows associated with interest rate instruments.
1  Included in financing.

 
 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

159

19  Financial instruments continued

Financial risk and revenue sharing arrangements (RRSAs) and other financial liabilities
The Group has financial liabilities arising from financial RRSAs. These financial liabilities are valued at each reporting date using the 
amortised cost method. This involves calculating the present value of the forecast cash flows of the arrangements using the internal rate 
of return at the inception of the arrangements as the discount rate.

Movements in the carrying values were as follows:

Financial RRSAs

Other liabilities

Other assets

At 1 January as previously reported
Reclassification to borrowings 1

At 1 January restated

Exchange adjustments included in OCI
Additions
Financing charge 2
Excluded from underlying profit:

Changes in forecast payments 2
Exchange adjustments 2 

Cash paid 
Reclassification from trade receivables

At 31 December

2019
£m
(227)
79 
(148)
10 
(4)
(3)

1 
6 
28 
– 
(110)

2018
£m
(247)
– 
(247)
(3)
(3)
(8)

(2)
– 
36 
– 
(227)

2019
£m
(62)
– 
(62)
1 
(37)
(3)

– 
– 
29 
– 
(72)

2018
£m
(57)
– 
(57)
(1)
(25)
(1)

– 
– 
22 
– 
(62)

2019
£m
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
16 
16 

2018
£m
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1  In 2019, the Group reclassified £79m as borrowings previously included in other financial liabilities.
2  Included in financing.

Effect of hedging instruments on the financial position and performance
To manage the risk of changes in the fair values of fixed rate borrowings (the hedged items) the Group has entered into fixed-to-floating 
interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps (the hedging instruments) which for accounting purposes are designated as fair value 
hedges. Although the hedging instruments have similar critical terms to the hedged item, some ineffectiveness, predominantly due to cross 
currency basis, will still remain. The impact of any hedge ineffectiveness on the financial position and performance of the Group is as follows:

At 31 December 2019

Sterling

US Dollar

Euro
At 31 December 2018

Sterling

US Dollar

Euro

Nominal
£m

(375)

(987)

(1,607)

(875)

(987)

(1,607)

Hedged item 1

FV 
adjustment 
in the 
period
£m

FV 
adjustment
since
inception
£m

Hedging instrument 2

Carrying
amount
£m

Nominal
£m

Carrying
amount
asset
£m

Carrying
amount
liability
£m

FV 
movement 
in the 
period
£m

Hedge
ineffect-
iveness in
the period 3
£m

Weighted
average FX
rate

Weighted
average 
interest
rate

(3)

(10)

63 

25 

(61)

(33)

(36)

(410)

375 

(175)

(1,159)

987 

(34)

(1,637)

1,607 

(34)

(907)

875 

(165)

(1,148)

987 

(97)

(1,699)

1,607 

36 

172 

27 

34 

169 

90 

– 

– 

(6)

– 

– 

– 

3 

2 

(69)

(25)

65 

26 

– 

(8)

(6)

– 

4 

(7)

1.00 

1.52 

1.15 

1.00 

1.52 

1.15 

GBP LIBOR 
+ 0.893 

GBP LIBOR
+ 1.2575 

GBP LIBOR
+ 0.8301 

GBP LIBOR
+ 2.0867 

GBP LIBOR
+ 1.2575 

GBP LIBOR
+ 0.8301 

1  Hedged items are included in borrowings in the balance sheet.
2  Hedging instruments are included in other financial assets or liabilities in the balance sheet.
3  Hedge ineffectiveness is included in net financing in the income statement.

The Group has elected to early adopt the amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform issued in September 
2019. In calculating the change in fair value attributable to the hedged risk for the fixed-rate borrowings, the Group has made the 
following assumptions that reflect its current expectations:

 –  the Group has assumed that pre-existing fallback provisions in the borrowings do not apply to IBOR reform;
 – borrowings move to a risk-free rate during 2022, and the spread will be similar to the spread included in the interest rate swaps used as 

hedging instruments; and

 – no other changes to the terms of the hedged borrowings are anticipated.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
160

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19  Financial instruments continued

Risk management policies and hedging activities
The principal financial risks to which the Group is exposed are: foreign currency exchange rate risk; liquidity risk; credit risk; interest rate 
risk; and commodity price risk. The Board has approved policies for the management of these risks.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk – The Group has significant cash flows (most significantly US dollars, followed by the euro) 
denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant trading entity. To manage its exposures to changes in values 
of future foreign currency cash flows, so as to maintain relatively stable long-term foreign exchange rates on settled transactions, the 
Group enters into derivative forward foreign currency transactions.

The Group economically hedges its GBP/USD exposure by forecasting highly probable net USD receipts up to ten years forward. Hedges 
are taken out within prescribed maximum and minimum hedge positions set out in the Group FX policy. The maximum and minimum policy 
bands decline gradually over the ten-year horizon and are calculated as a percentage of forecast net income. A similar policy is operated 
for the Group’s EUR/USD exposure. For accounting purposes, these derivative contracts are not designated in hedging relationships with 
the exception of those taken out by the Group’s Spanish subsidiary, ITP Aero, where they are designated in cash flow hedges. ITP Aero is 
exposed predominantly to net USD receipts that it hedges against EUR using foreign exchange forward contracts.

The Group regards its interests in overseas subsidiary companies as long-term investments. The Group aims to match its translational 
exposures by matching the currencies of assets and liabilities.

Liquidity risk – The Group’s policy is to hold financial investments and maintain undrawn committed facilities at a level sufficient to ensure 
that the Group has available funds to meet its medium-term capital and funding obligations and to meet any unforeseen obligations and 
opportunities. The Group holds cash and short-term investments, which together with the undrawn committed facilities, enable the Group 
to manage its liquidity risk. 

Credit risk – The Group is exposed to credit risk to the extent of non-payment by either its customers or the counterparties of its financial 
instruments. The effective monitoring and controlling of credit risk is a key component of the Group’s risk management activities. The 
Group has credit policies covering both trading and financial exposures. Credit risks arising from treasury activities are managed by a 
central treasury function in accordance with the Group credit policy. The objective of the policy is to diversify and minimise the Group’s 
exposure to credit risk from its treasury activities by ensuring the Group transacts strictly with ‘BBB’ or higher rated financial institutions 
based on pre-established limits per financial institution. At the balance sheet date, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk 
to individual customers or counterparties. The Group’s revenue is generated from customers located across multiple geographical 
locations (see note 2), these customers are typically: airframers and airline operators relating to Civil Aerospace; government defence 
departments for the UK and US; multiple smaller entities for Power Systems; and aero engine manufacturers for ITP Aero. Whilst there are 
a limited number of customers related to Civil Aerospace and Defence, they are spread across various geographical locations. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at the balance sheet date is represented by the carrying value of each financial asset, including derivative 
financial instruments.

Interest rate risk – The Group’s interest rate risk is primarily in relation to its fixed rate borrowings (fair value risk), floating rate borrowings 
and cash and cash equivalents (cash flow risk). Interest rate derivatives are used to manage the overall interest rate profile of the Group. 
The fixed or floating rate interest rate decision on long-term borrowings is determined for each new agreement at the point it is entered 
into. The aggregate interest rate position of the Group is reviewed regularly and can be revised at any time in order to react to changes in 
market conditions or circumstances.

The Group also has exposures to the fair values of non-derivative financial instruments such as USD, EUR and GBP and fixed rate 
borrowings. To manage the risk of changes in these fair values, the Group has entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps and 
cross-currency interest rate swaps which for accounting purposes are designated as fair value hedges. The swaps have similar critical 
terms to the hedged items, such as the reference rate, reset dates, notional amounts, payment dates and maturities. Therefore there is an 
economic relationship and the hedge ratio is established as 1:1. Possible sources of ineffectiveness in the fair value hedge relationship are 
changes in the credit risk of either party to the interest rate swap and, for cross-currency interest rate swaps, the cross-currency basis risk 
as this risk is present in the hedging instrument only. Another possible source of ineffectiveness would be if the notional of the borrowings 
is less than the notional of the derivative, for example in the event of a partial repayment of hedged debt prior to its maturity. 

The Group has exposure to changes in cash flows due to changes in interest rates. To manage this risk the Group has entered into 
floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge a proportion of its floating rate exposure to fixed rates. The swaps have similar critical terms 
to the floating leg of swaps that form part of the fair value hedges, such as the reference rate, reset dates, notional amounts, payment 
dates and maturities. For accounting purposes, these derivative contracts are generally not designated as hedging instruments.

The Group’s Spanish subsidiary, ITP Aero, has also entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap to hedge the cash flow risk on a 
floating rate borrowing which for accounting purposes is designated as a cash flow hedge.

Commodity risk – The Group has exposures to the price of jet fuel and base metals arising from business operations. To minimise its cash 
flow exposures to changes in commodity prices, the Group enters into derivative commodity transactions. The commodity hedging policy 
is similar to the Group FX policy, in that the Group forecasts highly probable exposures to commodities, and takes out hedges within 
prescribed maximum and minimum levels as set out in the policy. The maximum and minimum policy bands decline gradually over time.  
For accounting purposes, these derivative contracts are generally not designated in hedging relationships.

Other price risk – The Group’s cash equivalent balances represent investments in money-market instruments, with a term of up to three 
months. The Group does not consider that these are subject to significant price risk. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

161

19  Financial instruments continued

Derivative financial instruments
The nominal amounts, analysed by year of expected maturity, and fair values of derivative financial instruments are as follows:

At 31 December 2019 
Foreign exchange contracts:

Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

Interest rate contracts:
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

Commodity contracts:
Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

At 31 December 2018
Foreign exchange contracts:

Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

Interest rate contracts:
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

Commodity contracts:
Cash flow hedges
Non-hedge accounted

Expected maturity

Fair value

Nominal
amount
£m

Within
one year
£m

Between 
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

After
five years
£m

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

646 
29,878 

2,969 
15 
2,001 

54 
342 
35,905 

335 
29,080 

3,469 
19 
– 

6 
250 
33,159 

266 
5,151 

329 
4 
– 

11 
125 
5,886 

162 
5,528 

500 
4 
– 

2 
92 
6,288 

206 
4,704 

174 
13,300 

639 
4 
– 

9 
101 
5,663 

120 
5,113 

329 
4 
– 

1 
79 
5,646 

484 
7 
484 

21 
116 
14,586 

53 
14,808 

639 
11 
– 

1 
77 
15,589 

– 
6,723 

1,517 
– 
1,517 

13 
– 
9,770 

– 
3,631 

2,001 
– 
– 

2 
2 
5,636 

13 
237 

235 
– 
17 

8 
15 
525 

4 
59 

293 
– 
3 

1 
5 
365 

(17)
(3,337)

(6)
– 
(3)

(1)
(10)
(3,374)

(11)
(3,816)

– 
(1)
(3)

(8)
(32)
(3,871)

As described above, all derivative financial instruments are entered into for risk management purposes, although these may not be 
designated into hedging relationships for accounting purposes.

Currency analysis
Foreign exchange contracts are denominated in the following currencies:

At 31 December 2019 
Currencies sold forward:

Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

At 31 December 2018
Currencies sold forward:

Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

Nominal amount of currencies purchased forward

Sterling
£m

US dollar
£m

Euro
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

– 
24,411 
21 
8 

– 
24,376 
84 
87 

4 
– 
297 
91 

– 
– 
119 
39 

– 
4,468 
– 
152 

63 
3,280 
– 
94 

221 
581 
264 
6 

230 
753 
274 
16 

225 
29,460 
582 
257 

293 
28,409 
477 
236 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
162

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19  Financial instruments continued

The nominal value of interest rate and commodity contracts are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
US dollar
Euro

2019
£m
2,376 
1,370 
1,635 

2018
£m
875 
1,233 
1,636 

Non-derivative financial instruments are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
£m

US dollar
£m

Euro
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

At 31 December 2019
Unlisted non-current investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Other assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Contract liabilities
Liabilities

At 31 December 2018
Unlisted non-current investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Borrowings
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Liabilities

4 
139 
33 
– 
– 
2,269 
2,445 
(416)
(225)
– 
(29)
(31)
(1,802)
(758)
– 
(3,261)
(816)

2 
376 
72 
– 
2,008 
2,458 
(1,441)
– 
(24)
(29)
(2,099)
(854)
(4,447)
(1,989)

8 
2,735 
649 
28 
– 
853 
4,273 
(1,172)
(1,784)
(25)
(43)
– 
(3,244)
(576)
(131)
(6,975)
(2,702)

7 
2,463 
341 
– 
928 
3,739 
(1,435)
(47)
(38)
– 
(2,600)
(421)
(4,541)
(802)

2 
541 
23 
– 
6 
1,224 
1,796 
(1,739)
(76)
(85)
– 
– 
(730)
(136)
– 
(2,766)
(970)

13 
687 
47 
– 
1,792 
2,539 
(1,753)
(180)
– 
– 
(860)
(379)
(3,172)
(633)

– 
62 
21 
– 
– 
97 
180 
(4)
(269)
– 
– 
– 
(73)
(71)
– 
(417)
(237)

– 
52 
29 
6 
246 
333 
(33)
– 
– 
– 
(100)
(100)
(233)
100 

14 
3,477 
726 
28 
6 
4,443 
8,694 
(3,331)
(2,354)
(110)
(72)
(31)
(5,849)
(1,541)
(131)
(13,419)
(4,725)

22 
3,578 
489 
6 
4,974 
9,069 
(4,662)
(227)
(62)
(29)
(5,659)
(1,754)
(12,393)
(3,324)

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

163

19  Financial instruments continued

Currency exposures
The Group’s actual currency exposure on financial instruments after taking account of derivative foreign currency contracts, which are not 
designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are as follows:

Functional currency of Group operations
At 31 December 2019
Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

At 31 December 2018
Sterling 1
US dollar
Euro
Other

Sterling
£m

US dollar
£m

Euro
£m

Other
£m

– 
– 
1 
70 

– 
(2)
2 
– 

2 
– 
(3)
12 

3 
– 
(14)
10 

2 
(1)
– 
69 

(237)
(5)
– 
13 

(4)
– 
(1)
4 

6 
5 
12 
– 

Total
£m

– 
(1)
(3)
155 

(228)
(2)
– 
23 

1    The euro exposure primarily relates to deferred consideration on the acquisition of ITP Aero. Movements in this balance in relation to foreign exchange (recognised through the 
consolidated income statement) are partially matched by the related foreign exchange movement in the subsidiary’s net assets, recognised through the consolidated statement  
of other comprehensive income.

Ageing beyond contractual due date of financial assets

At 31 December 2019
Unlisted non-current asset investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Other assets
Derivative financial assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

At 31 December 2018
Unlisted non-current asset investments
Trade receivables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial assets
Derivative financial assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Up to
three
months
overdue
£m

Between
three
months and
one year
overdue
£m

More than
one year
overdue
£m

– 
210 
2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
212 

– 
265 
– 
– 
– 
– 
265 

– 
92 
1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
93 

– 
132 
– 
– 
– 
– 
132 

– 
73 
1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
74 

– 
73 
– 
– 
– 
– 
73 

Within
terms
£m

14 
3,102 
722 
28 
525 
6 
4,443 
8,840 

22 
3,108 
489 
365 
6 
4,974 
8,964 

Total
£m

14 
3,477 
726 
28 
525 
6 
4,443 
9,219 

22 
3,578 
489 
365 
6 
4,974 
9,434 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS164

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19  Financial instruments continued

Contractual maturity analysis of non-derivative financial liabilities

At 31 December 2019
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Contract liabilities

At 31 December 2018
Borrowings
Financial RRSAs
Other liabilities
C Shares
Trade payables and similar items
Other non-derivative financial liabilities

Gross values

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

After
five years
£m

Carrying
value
£m

(722)
(306)
(7)
(23)
– 
(62)
(308)
– 
(1,428)

(520)
(62)
(3)
– 
(51)
(150)
(786)

(662)
(872)
(14)
(10)
– 
(20)
(35)
– 
(1,613)

(1,014)
(59)
(25)
– 
(40)
(259)
(1,397)

(1,704)
(1,258)
(63)
(5)
– 
(90)
(36)
– 
(3,156)

(2,699)
(73)
(7)
– 
(26)
(72)
(2,877)

(3,331)
(2,354)
(110)
(72)
(31)
(5,849)
(1,541)
(131)
(13,419)

(4,662)
(227)
(62)
(29)
(5,659)
(1,754)
(12,393)

Within
one year
£m

(511)
(425)
(35)
(34)
(31)
(5,677)
(1,162)
(131)
(8,006)

(983)
(48)
(27)
(29)
(5,542)
(1,273)
(7,902)

Expected maturity analysis of derivative financial instruments

At 31 December 2019
Derivative financial assets: 

Cash inflows
Cash outflows
Other net cash flows 1

Derivative financial liabilities: 

Cash inflows
Cash outflows
Other net cash flows 1

At 31 December 2018
Derivative financial assets:

Cash inflows
Cash outflows
Other net cash flows 1

Derivative financial liabilities:

Cash inflows
Cash outflows
Other net cash flows 1

Gross values

Between
one and
two years
£m

Between
two and
five years
£m

After
five years
£m

Carrying
value
£m

1,487 
(1,448)
12 
51 

4,113 
(4,737)
(5)
(629)

934 
(869)
7 
72 

4,753 
(5,656)
(12)
(915)

2,072 
(2,035)
34 
71 

11,987 
(13,872)
(4)
(1,889)

2,187 
(2,185)
15 
17 

13,481 
(16,298)
(12)
(2,829)

3,202 
(3,085)
24 
141 

4,804 
(6,186)
– 
(1,382)

2,061 
(1,934)
16 
143 

3,437 
(4,257)
–
(820)

525 

(3,374)

365 

(3,871)

Within
one year
£m

1,475 
(1,376)
17 
116 

4,383 
(4,960)
(5)
(582)

1,001 
(979)
24 
46 

4,753 
(5,531)
(14)
(792)

1  Derivative financial assets and liabilities settled on a net cash basis.

The Group regularly renegotiates the contractual maturities of its foreign exchange contracts. In general, the effect of such negotiations is 
the settlement of derivative financial liabilities somewhat earlier than the contractual maturity date.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

165

19  Financial instruments continued

Interest rate risk
In respect of income-earning financial assets and interest-bearing financial liabilities, the following table indicates their effective interest 
rates. The value shown is the carrying amount, before taking account of swaps.

2019

2018

Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents 1
Borrowings
Lease liabilities (2018: finance lease liabilities)

Weighted average interest rates
Borrowings
Lease liabilities 2

Fixed rate
£m
– 
– 
(2,252)
(1,578)
(3,830)

Floating rate
£m
6 
4,443 
(1,079)
(776)
2,594 

1.9% 
3.6% 

1.6% 
3.1% 

Total
£m
6 
4,443 
(3,331)
(2,354)
(1,236)

Fixed rate
£m
– 
– 
(99)
(229)
(328)

Floating rate
£m
6 
4,974 
(4,334)
– 
646 

Total
£m
6 
4,974 
(4,433)
(229)
318 

1.5% 
4.1% 

2.1% 

1  Cash and cash equivalents comprises bank balances and term deposits and earn interest based on short-term floating market interest rates.
2  Interest rates for lease liabilities are considered to be the discount rates at the balance sheet date. 

Some of the Group’s borrowings are subject to the Group meeting certain obligations, including customary financial covenants. If the 
Group fails to meet its obligations these arrangements give rights to the lenders, upon agreement, to accelerate repayment of the 
facilities. At 31 December 2019, none of these were in breach (2018: none). There are no rating triggers contained in any of the Group’s 
facilities that could require the Group to accelerate or repay any facility for a given movement in the Group’s credit rating.

In addition, the Group has £2,500m (2018: £2,500m) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities which are available for at least the next 
four years.

Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivities at 31 December (all other variables held constant) – impact on profit after tax and equity

Sterling 10% weaker against the US dollar
Sterling 10% stronger against the US dollar
Euro 10% weaker against the US dollar
Euro 10% stronger against the US dollar
Sterling 10% weaker against the Euro
Sterling 10% stronger against the Euro
Commodity prices 10% lower
Commodity prices 10% higher
Interest rates 50 basis points lower
Interest rates 50 basis points higher

2019
£m

(2,557)
2,105 
(376)
307 
(32)
26 
(32)
32 
(82)
85 

2018
£m

(2,401)
1,998 
(268)
219 
(32)
26 
(21)
21 
– 
– 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS166

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19  Financial instruments continued

C Shares and payments to shareholders
The Company issues non-cumulative redeemable preference shares (C Shares) as an alternative to paying a cash dividend. C Shares in 
respect of a year are issued in the following year. Shareholders are able to redeem any number of their C Shares for cash. Any C Shares 
retained attract a dividend of 75% of LIBOR on the 0.1p nominal value of each share, paid on a twice-yearly basis, and have limited voting 
rights. The Company has the option to compulsorily redeem the C Shares, at any time, if the aggregate number of C Shares in issue is less 
than 10% of the aggregate number of C Shares issued, or on the acquisition or capital restructuring of the Company.

Movements in issued and fully paid C Shares during the year were as follows:

At 1 January
Issued
Redeemed
At 31 December

2019

2018

Millions
29,071 
221,954 
(220,417)
30,608 

Nominal
value
£m
29 
222 
(220)
31 

Millions
28,429 
216,717 
(216,075)
29,071 

Nominal
value
£m
28 
217 
(216)
29 

Payments to shareholders in respect of the year represent the value of C Shares to be issued in respect of the results for the year. Issues of 
C Shares were declared as follows:

Interim
Final

2019

2018

Pence
per share
4.60 
7.10 
11.70

£m
87 
137 
224 

Pence
per share
4.60 
7.10 
11.70 

£m
86 
135 
221 

20  Provisions for liabilities and charges

Trent 1000 exceptional costs 1
Contract losses 2
Warranties and guarantees 
Customer financing
Restructuring
Insurance
Tax related interest and penalties
Employer liability claims 
Other

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Reclassified to
lease liabilities
(IFRS 16)
£m
– 
– 
– 
– 
(8)
– 
– 
– 
(67)
(75)

At
1 January
2019
£m
779 
206 
373 
17 
204 
87 
62 
48 
141 
1,917 
1,122 
795 

Charged to
income
statement
£m
1,275 
592 
129 
12 
49 
25 
14 
4 
33 
2,133 

Reversed
£m
– 
(4)
(19)
– 
(48)
(17)
(19)
– 
(34)
(141)

Utilised
£m
(672)
(78)
(123)
(7)
(128)
(25)
(1)
(3)
(21)
(1,058)

Transfers
£m
– 
62 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(9)
53 

Exchange
differences
£m
– 
(5)
(15)
– 
(1)
– 
(1)
– 
(3)
(25)

At
31 December
2019
£m
1,382 
773 
345 
22 
68 
70 
55 
49 
40 
2,804 
858 
1,946 

 The charge to the income statement for Trent 1000 includes £15m as a result of discount unwind.

1 
2   The charge to the income statement for contract losses includes a £40m impact from the change in discount rates on contract losses recorded in prior years as a result of the fall in US 

bonds, which drives the calculation of the risk-free discount rate. 

In November, we announced the outcome of recent testing and a thorough technical and financial review of the Trent 1000 TEN 
programme, following technical issues which were identified in 2019. This resulted in a revised timeline and a more conservative estimate 
of durability for the improved HP turbine blade for the TEN variant. An exceptional charge of £1,361m (at underlying exchange rates) has 
been recorded in the income statement. The charge is £1,531m at prevailing exchange rates and net of £203m reflecting insurance receipts 
and contract accounting adjustments. Of the charge, £1,275m has been recorded in relation to Trent 1000 exceptional costs, and a further 
£459m in relation to contract losses (see below). See note 2 for further details. 

During 2019, we have utilised £672m of the Trent 1000 exceptional costs provision. This represents customer disruption costs settled in 
cash and credit notes, and remediation shop visit costs. We expect to use this provision over the period 2020 to 2023.

Provisions for contract losses are recorded when the direct costs to fulfil a contract are assessed as being greater than the expected 
revenue. Included within the provision charged of £592m, is £459m (at prevailing exchange rates) relating to the upfront recognition of 
future losses on a small number of contracts which are now loss making as a result of the margin impact of our updated HP turbine 
durability expectations on the Trent 1000 TEN. Provisions for contract losses are expected to be utilised over the term of the customer 
contracts, typically within 10–15 years.

Provisions for warranties and guarantees primarily relate to products sold and generally cover a period of up to three years.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

167

20  Provisions for liabilities and charges continued

Customer financing provisions cover guarantees provided for asset value and/or financing.

In connection with the sale of its products the Group will, on some occasions, provide financing support for its customers – generally in 
respect of civil aircraft. The Group’s commitments relating to these financing arrangements are spread over many years, relate to a number 
of customers and a broad product portfolio and are generally secured on the asset subject to the financing. These include commitments 
of US$2.8bn (2018: US$2.3bn) (on a discounted basis) to provide facilities to enable customers to purchase aircraft (of which approximately 
US$656m could be called during 2020). These facilities may only be used if the customer is unable to obtain financing elsewhere and are 
priced at a premium to the market rate. Consequently, the Directors do not consider that there is a significant exposure arising from the 
provision of these facilities.

Commitments on delivered aircraft in excess of the amounts provided are shown in the table below. These are reported on a discounted basis 
at the Group’s borrowing rate to reflect better the time span over which these exposures could arise. These amounts do not represent values 
that are expected to crystallise. The commitments are denominated in US dollars. As the Group does not generally adopt cash flow hedge 
accounting for future foreign exchange transactions, this amount is reported, together with the sterling equivalent at the reporting date spot 
rate. The values of aircraft providing security are based on advice from a specialist aircraft appraiser.

Gross commitments
Value of security 1
Indemnities
Net commitments
Net commitments with security reduced by 20% 2
1 Security includes unrestricted cash collateral of:

2019

2018

£m
60 
(9)
(8)
43 
43 
– 

$m
79 
(11)
(11)
57 
57 
– 

£m
93 
(24)
(19)
50 
60 
4 

$m
119 
(30)
(24)
65 
77 
6 

2  Although sensitivity calculations are complex, the reduction of relevant security by 20% illustrates the sensitivity to changes in this assumption.

Restructuring provisions are made for Group approved, formal restructuring programmes where the restructuring has either commenced 
or has been publicly announced. Included is the Group-wide restructuring programme announced on 14 June 2018, which is an on-going 
multi-year restructuring programme across the business and reflects the severance costs as well as the consultancy costs that will help 
deliver the planned reductions. The majority of the provision is expected to be utilised over the next two years.

The Group’s captive insurance company retains a portion of the exposures it insures on behalf of the remainder of the Group. Significant 
delays occur in the notification and settlement of claims and judgement is involved in assessing outstanding liabilities, the ultimate cost 
and timing of which cannot be known with certainty at the balance sheet date. The insurance provisions are based on information 
currently available, however it is inherent in the nature of the business that ultimate liabilities may vary. Provisions for outstanding claims 
are established to cover the outstanding expected liability as well as claims incurred but not yet reported.

Provisions for tax related interest and penalties relate to uncertain tax positions in some of the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. 
Utilisation of the provisions will depend on the timing of resolution of the issues with the relevant tax authorities.

The provision relating to employer healthcare liability claims is as a result of an historical insolvency of the previous provider and is 
expected to be utilised over the next 30 years.

Other provisions comprise a number of liabilities with varying expected utilisation rates.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS168

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

21  Post-retirement benefits

The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes:

 – The UK defined benefit scheme is funded, with the assets held in a separate trustee administered fund. Employees are entitled  

to retirement benefits based on either their final or career average salaries and length of service.

 – Overseas defined benefit schemes are a mixture of funded and unfunded plans and provide benefits in line with local practice. 
Additionally in the US, and to a lesser extent in some other countries, the Group’s employment practices include the provision  
of healthcare and life insurance benefits for retired employees. These schemes are unfunded.

The valuations of the defined benefit schemes are based on the most recent funding valuations, where relevant, updated by the scheme 
actuaries to 31 December 2019.

The defined benefit schemes expose the Group to actuarial risks such as longevity, interest rate, inflation and investment risks. In the UK, 
and in the principal US and Canadian pension schemes, the Group has adopted investment policies to mitigate some of these risks. This 
involves investing a significant proportion of the schemes’ assets in liability driven investment (LDI) portfolios, which hold investments 
designed to offset interest rate and inflation rate risks. In addition, during the year, the scheme has completed a buy-in/buy-out of UK 
pensioner liabilities – see page 169.

Amounts recognised in the income statement

Defined benefit schemes:

Current service cost and administrative expenses
Past-service cost in respect of equalisation 1
Other past-service cost/(credit) 2

Defined contribution schemes
Operating cost
Net financing (credit)/charge in respect of defined 
benefit schemes
Total income statement charge

UK
schemes
£m

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m

164 
– 
– 
164 
66 
230 

(59)
171 

52 
– 
6 
58 
91 
149 

36 
185 

UK
schemes
£m

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m

183 
121 
(9)
295 
41 
336 

(55)
281 

58 
– 
(1)
57 
100 
157 

32 
189 

Total
£m

216 
– 
6 
222 
157 
379 

(23)
356 

Total
£m

241 
121 
(10)
352 
141 
493 

(23)
470 

1 

 In the UK in 2018, past-service costs of £121m were recognised relating to the estimated cost of equalising benefits earned after May 1990 between men and women. The UK scheme 
(Rolls-Royce UK Pension Fund) has to provide Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMPs) which, as a result of statutory rules, have been calculated differently for men and women. 
Although equal treatment in pension provision for males and females has been required since 1990, there has been uncertainty on whether and how pension schemes are required to 
equalise GMPs. A High Court judgement on the Lloyds Banking Group hearing was published on 26 October 2018. The judgement confirmed that GMPs earned from 1990 must be 
equalised and highlighted an acceptable range of methods. The estimated cost of this equalisation was £97m. In addition, a cost of £24m was recognised in relation to obligations to 
equalise certain other post-1990 benefits between men and women. The total cost of £121m represents the Directors’ best estimate of the cost, based on actuarial advice. However, the 
final cost will differ from this amount when the final method of equalisation is agreed with the Trustee and subsequently implemented.

2    In addition in 2018, a past-service credit of £9m arose related to the restructuring activities. This credit was offset against the restructuring costs. All amounts were excluded from the 

underlying results.

The operating cost is charged as follows:

Cost of sales
Commercial and administrative costs
Research and development costs

Defined benefit

Defined contribution

Total

2019
£m
158 
40 
24 
222 

2018
£m
176 
148 
28 
352 

2019
£m
113 
26 
18 
157 

2018
£m
104 
21 
16 
141 

2019
£m
271 
66 
42 
379 

2018
£m
280 
169 
44 
493 

Pension contributions to UK pension arrangements are generally paid via a salary sacrifice scheme under which employees agree to a 
reduction in gross contractual pay in return for the Group making additional pension contributions on their behalf. As a result, there is a 
decrease in wages and salaries and a corresponding increase in pension costs of £47m (2018: £31m) in the year.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

169

21  Post-retirement benefits continued

Net financing comprises:

Financing on scheme obligations
Financing on scheme assets
Net financing (income)/charge in respect of defined 
benefit schemes
Financing income on scheme surpluses
Financing cost on scheme deficits

UK
schemes
£m
303 
(362)

(59)
(59)
– 

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m
66 
(30)

36 
(1)
37 

Amounts recognised in OCI in respect of defined benefit schemes

Actuarial gains and losses arising from:

Demographic assumptions
Financial assumptions
Experience adjustments

Return on scheme assets excluding financing income

UK
schemes
£m

309 
(1,723)
79 
456 
(879)

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m

38 
(228)
29 
106 
(55)

UK
schemes
£m
286 
(341)

(55)
(55)
– 

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m
59 
(27)

32 
(1)
33 

UK
schemes
£m

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m

(130)
782 
(6)
(705)
(59)

(4)
134 
9 
(53)
86 

Total
£m
369 
(392)

(23)
(60)
37 

Total
£m

347 
(1,951)
108 
562 
(934)

Total
£m
345 
(368)

(23)
(56)
33 

Total
£m

(134)
916 
3 
(758)
27 

On 5 June 2019, the Group entered into a partial buy-in with Legal & General Assurance Society Limited covering the benefits of circa 
33,000 in-payment pensioners. As a result of the transaction, an asset re-measurement net loss estimated at £600m has been recognised 
within the line ‘Actuarial gains/(losses) recognised in OCI’. The buy-in was in anticipation of a buy-out. On 1 December 2019, 90% of the 
buy-in liabilities (covering 29,614 pensioners) were transferred, resulting in pension assets and pension liabilities of £3.6bn being 
derecognised from the Group’s balance sheet. The remaining 10% of the buy-in liabilities (covering 2,261 pensioners) was concluded in 
January 2020 with the final balancing payment made on 1 February 2020. Pension assets and liabilities of £408m will be derecognised in 
2020. There is no impact upon the income statement arising from this transaction. 

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit schemes

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets
Net asset/(liability) on funded schemes
Present value of unfunded obligations
Net asset/(liability) recognised in the balance sheet
Post-retirement scheme surpluses ¹
Post-retirement scheme deficits
Included in liabilities associated with assets held for sale

UK
schemes
£m
(8,499)
9,640 
1,141 
– 
1,141 
1,141 
– 
– 

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m
(842)
845 
3 
(1,352)
(1,349)
29 
(1,378)
– 

Total
£m
(9,341)
10,485 
1,144 
(1,352)
(208)
1,170 
(1,378)
– 

UK
schemes
£m
(10,847)
12,773 
1,926 
– 
1,926 
1,926 
– 
– 

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m
(758)
735 
(23)
(1,289)
(1,312)
18 
(1,303)
(27)

Total
£m
(11,605)
13,508 
1,903 
(1,289)
614 
1,944 
(1,303)
(27)

1 

 The surplus in the UK scheme is recognised as, on ultimate wind-up when there are no longer any remaining members, any surplus would be returned to the Group, which has the 
power to prevent the surplus being used for other purposes in advance of this event.

Overseas schemes are located in the following countries:

Canada
Germany
US pension schemes
US healthcare schemes
Other
Net asset/(liability) recognised in the balance sheet

2019

Obligations
£m
(275)
(853)
(635)
(420)
(11)
(2,194)

Assets
£m
227 
2 
616 
– 
 –
845 

Net
£m
(48)
(851)
(19)
(420)
(11)
(1,349)

2018

Obligations
£m
(227)
(749)
(596)
(446)
(29)
(2,047)

Assets
£m
186 
– 
549 
– 
– 
735 

Net
£m
(41)
(749)
(47)
(446)
(29)
(1,312)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS170

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

21  Post-retirement benefits continued

Defined benefit schemes

Assumptions
Significant actuarial assumptions for the UK scheme at the balance sheet date were as follows: 

Discount rate
Inflation assumption (RPI) 1
Rate of increase in salaries
Transfer assumption (active/deferred)
Life expectancy from age 65:  current male pensioner

future male pensioner currently aged 45
current female pensioner
future female pensioner currently aged 45

2019
2.15%
3.15%
3.15%

2018 
2.95%
3.40%
3.65%
45%/35% 40%/32.5%
22.1 years 
21.8 years 
23.4 years 
23.1 years 
23.4 years 
23.1 years 
25.2 years 
25.0 years 

1 

 This is the assumption for the Retail Price Index. The Consumer Price Index is assumed to be 1.0% lower (2018: 1.1% lower).

Discount rates are determined by reference to the market yields on AA rated corporate bonds. The rate is determined by using the profile 
of forecast benefit payments to derive a weighted average discount rate from the yield curve.

The inflation assumption is determined by the market-implied assumption based on the yields on long-term index-linked government 
securities and increases in salaries are based on actual experience, allowing for promotion, of the real increase above inflation.

The mortality assumptions adopted for the UK pension schemes are derived from the SAPS S2 ‘All’ actuarial tables, with future improvements 
in line with the CMI 2018 core projections updated to reflect use of an ‘A’ parameter of 0.25% for future improvements and long-term 
improvements of 1.25%. Where appropriate, these are adjusted to take account of the scheme’s actual experience. 

Other assumptions have been set on advice from the actuary, having regard to the latest trends in scheme experience and the 
assumptions used in the most recent funding valuation. The rate of increase of pensions in payment is based on the rules of the scheme, 
combined with the inflation assumption where the increase is capped. 

Assumptions for overseas schemes are less significant and are based on advice from local actuaries. The principal assumptions are:

Discount rate
Inflation assumption
Long-term healthcare cost trend rate
Male life expectancy from age 65:  current pensioner

Changes in present value of defined benefit obligations

future pensioner currently aged 45

2019
2.40%
1.90%
4.80%
21.4 years 
21.7 years 

2018
3.40%
2.90%
4.80%
21.1 years 
23.1 years 

At 1 January

Exchange differences
Current service cost
Past-service cost
Finance cost
Contributions by employees
Benefits paid out
Acquisition of businesses
Disposal of businesses
Actuarial (losses)/gains
Transfers
Settlement
At 31 December
Funded schemes
Unfunded schemes

The defined benefit obligations are in respect of:

Active plan participants
Deferred plan participants
Pensioners
Weighted average duration of obligations (years)

UK
schemes
£m
(10,847)
– 
(158)
– 
(303)
(2)
571 
– 
– 
(1,335)
– 
3,575 
(8,499)
(8,499)
– 

(4,751)
(2,154)
(1,594)
23 

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m
(2,047)
71 
(50)
– 
(65)
(3)
79 
(2)
28 
(168)
(37)
– 
(2,194)
(842)
(1,352)

(1,185)
(171)
(838)
16 

Total
£m
(12,894)
71 
(208)
– 
(368)
(5)
650 
(2)
28 
(1,503)
(37)
3,575 
(10,693)
(9,341)
(1,352)

(5,936)
(2,325)
(2,432)
22 

UK
schemes
£m
(11,499)
– 
(179)
(112)
(286)
(2)
585 
– 
– 
646 
– 
– 
(10,847)
(10,847)
– 

(4,229)
(1,975)
(4,643)
19 

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m
(2,120)
(56)
(56)
– 
(59)
(3)
78 
– 
31 
140 
(2)
– 
(2,047)
(758)
(1,289)

(1,088)
(157)
(802)
15 

Total
£m
(13,619)
(56)
(235)
(112)
(345)
(5)
663 
– 
31 
786 
(2)
– 
(12,894)
(11,605)
(1,289)

(5,317)
(2,132)
(5,445)
18 

 
 
 
 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

171

21  Post-retirement benefits continued

Changes in fair value of scheme assets

At 1 January

Exchange differences
Administrative expenses
Financing
Return on plan assets excluding financing
Contributions by employer
Contributions by employees
Benefits paid out
Acquisition of businesses
Settlement
At 31 December
Total return on scheme assets

Fair value of scheme assets at 31 December

Sovereign debt
Corporate debt instruments
Interest rate swaps
Inflation swaps
Cash and similar instruments 1
Liability driven investment (LDI) portfolios 2
Longevity swap 3
Listed equities
Unlisted equities
Synthetic equities 4
Sovereign debt
Corporate debt instruments
Cash
Partial buy-in insurance policy
Other
At 31 December

UK
schemes
£m
12,773 
– 
(6)
362 
456 
199 
2 
(571)
– 
(3,575)
9,640 
818 

UK
schemes
£m
5,799 
3,135 
14 
(18)
(784)
8,146 
– 
323 
95 
3 
– 
662 
– 
408 
3 
9,640 

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m
735 
(17)
(2)
30 
106 
67 
3 
(79)
2 
– 
845 
136 

2019

Overseas
schemes
£m
277 
467 
– 
– 
13 
757 
– 
76 
– 
5 
– 
4 
4 
– 
(1)
845 

UK
schemes
£m
13,607 
– 
(4)
341 
(705)
117 
2 
(585)
– 
– 
12,773 
(364)

UK
schemes
£m
9,388 
3,447 
1,342 
(375)
(1,991)
11,811 
(292)
592 
128 
(13)
– 
548 
– 
– 
(1)
12,773 

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m
750 
24 
(2)
27 
(53)
64 
3 
(78)
– 
– 
735 
(26)

2018

Overseas
schemes
£m
315 
356 
– 
– 
22 
693 
– 
39 
– 
(4)
5 
– 
2 
– 
– 
735 

Total
£m
13,508 
(17)
(8)
392 
562 
266 
5 
(650)
2 
(3,575)
10,485 
954 

Total
£m
6,076 
3,602 
14 
(18)
(771)
8,903 
– 
399 
95 
8 
– 
666 
4 
408 
2 
10,485 

Total
£m
14,357 
24 
(6)
368 
(758)
181 
5 
(663)
– 
– 
13,508 
(390)

Total
£m
9,703 
3,803 
1,342 
(375)
(1,969)
12,504 
(292)
631 
128 
(17)
5 
548 
2 
– 
(1)
13,508 

1 

 Cash and similar instruments include repurchase agreements on UK Government bonds amounting to £(1,308)m (2018: £(1,991)m). The latest maturity date for these short-term 
borrowings is 12 October 2020.

2   A portfolio of gilt and swap contracts, backed by investment-grade credit instruments and LIBOR generating assets, that is designed to hedge the majority of the interest rate and 

inflation risks associated with the schemes’ obligations.

3  The longevity swap was transferred to Legal & General Assurance Society Limited as part of the partial buy-in described on page 169.
4  A portfolio of swap contracts designed to provide investment returns in line with global equity markets. The maximum exposure (notional value and accrued returns) on the portfolios  
  was £328m (2018: £281m).

The investment strategy for the UK scheme is controlled by the Trustee in consultation with the Group. The scheme assets do not directly 
include any of the Group’s own financial instruments, nor any property occupied by, or other assets used by, the Group. At 31 December 
2019, there was an indirect holding of £0.1m of the Group’s financial instruments (2018: £0.3m).

Future contributions
The Group expects to contribute approximately £170m to its defined benefit schemes in 2020 (2019: £220m): UK: £100m, Overseas: £70m 
(2019: UK: £140m, Overseas: £80m). 

In the UK, the funding is based on a statutory triennial funding valuation process. This includes a negotiation between the Group and the 
Trustee on actuarial assumptions used to value obligations (Technical Provisions) which may differ from those used for accounting set out 
above. The assumptions used to value Technical Provisions must be prudent rather than a best estimate of the liability. Most notably, the 
Technical Provision discount rate is currently based upon UK Government yields plus 0.5% rather than being based on yields of AA 
corporate bonds. Following the triennial valuation process, a Schedule of Contributions (SoC) must be agreed which sets out the required 
contribution for current service cost and any contributions from the employer to eliminate a deficit. The most recent valuation, as at 
31 March 2017, agreed by the Trustee in December 2017, showed that the UK scheme was estimated to be 112% funded on the Technical 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS172

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

21  Post-retirement benefits continued

Provisions basis. Employer contributions (inclusive of employee contributions paid by a salary sacrifice arrangement) will subsequently be 
paid at a rate of 28.5% during 2020 until a new SoC is agreed (2019: 27%). The current SoC includes an arrangement for a potential 
increase in contributions during 2021 to 2023 (capped at £48.3m a year) if the Technical Provisions funding position is below 107% at 
31 March 2020. As at 31 December 2019, the Technical Provisions funding position was estimated to be 112% (2018: 111%).

Changes to UK defined benefit scheme 
A consultation with active managers in the UK scheme was concluded in January 2020. The consultation process agreed certain changes 
for future accrual for the relevant manager group which will mitigate future funding cost increases. The accounting impact of this change 
will occur in 2020 rather than 2019. The change is expected to be immaterial to these accounts. The triennial valuation due at 31 March 
2020 for the UK scheme will take these changes into account.

Sensitivities
The calculations of the defined benefit obligations are sensitive to the assumptions set out above. The following table summarises how 
the estimated impact of a change in a significant assumption would affect the UK defined benefit obligation at 31 December 2019, while 
holding all other assumptions constant. This sensitivity analysis may not be representative of the actual change in the defined benefit 
obligation as it is unlikely that the change in assumptions would occur in isolation of one another as some of the assumptions may 
be correlated.

For the most significant funded schemes, the investment strategies hedge the risks from interest rates and inflation measured on a proxy 
solvency basis. For the UK scheme, the interest rate and inflation hedging is currently based on UK Government bond yields without any 
adjustment for any credit spread. 

The sensitivity analysis set out below has been determined based on a method that estimates the impact on the defined benefit obligation 
as a result of reasonable changes in key assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period.

Reduction in the discount rate of 0.25% 1

Increase in inflation of 0.25% 1

Real increase in salaries of 0.25%
Increase of 1% in transfer value assumption
One year increase in life expectancy

Obligation
Plan assets (LDI portfolio)
Obligation
Plan assets (LDI portfolio)
Obligations
Obligations
Obligations

2019
£m 
(495)
502 
(290)
235 
(80)
(64)
(408)

2018
£m 
(510)
624 
(275)
272 
(90)
(56)
(465)

1    The differences between the sensitivities on obligations and plan assets arise largely due to differences in the methods used to value the obligations for accounting purposes and the 

adopted proxy solvency basis.

22  Share capital

Issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2018
Shares issued to employee share trust
Shares issued in relation to the acquisition of ITP Aero
At 31 December 2018
Shares issued to employee share trust
Shares issued in relation to the acquisition of ITP Aero
At 31 December 2019

Non-equity

Equity

Special
Share
of £1

Nominal
value
£m

Ordinary 
shares
of 20p each
Millions

Nominal
value
£m

1 
– 
–
1 
– 
–
1 

– 
– 
–
– 
– 
–
– 

1,840 
8 
48 
1,896 
6 
29 
1,931 

368 
2 
9
379 
1 
6 
386 

The rights attaching to each class of share are set out on page 206.

In accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, the Company’s non-cumulative redeemable preference shares (C Shares) 
are classified as financial liabilities. Accordingly, movements in C Shares are included in note 19.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

173

23  Share-based payments

Effect of share-based payment transactions on the Group’s results and financial position

Total expense recognised for equity-settled share-based payment transactions
Total expense recognised for cash-settled share-based payment transactions
Share-based payments recognised in the consolidated income statement
Liability for cash-settled share-based payment transactions

2019
£m 
30 
– 
30 
1 

2018
£m 
32 
3 
35 
6 

A description of the share-based payment plans is included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 104. 

Movements in the Group’s share-based payment plans during the year

ShareSave

LTIP and PSP

APRA

Outstanding at 1 January 2018

Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Outstanding at 1 January 2019

Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Outstanding at 31 December 2019
Exercisable at 31 December 2019
Exercisable at 31 December 2018

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
Pence
714 
– 
738 
656 
713
677 
814 
627 
693 
– 
– 

Number
Millions
27.5 
– 
(1.3)
(0.1)
26.1
16.6 
(5.1)
(5.7)
31.9 
– 
–

Number
Millions
13.0 
5.7 
(4.4)
(0.4)
13.9
5.3 
(0.9)
(5.1)
13.2 
– 
– 

Number
Millions
0.2 
0.2 
– 
– 
0.4
0.2 
– 
(0.2)
0.4 
– 
– 

The weighted average share price at the date share options were exercised was 906p (2018: 883p). The closing price at 31 December 2019 
was 683p (2018: 830p).

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the cash settled options at 31 December 2019 was one year (2018: two years).

Fair values of share-based payment plans
The weighted average fair value per share of equity-settled share-based payment plans granted during the year, estimated at the date of 
grant, are as follows:

LTIP
LTIP (ELT & Board)
ShareSave – three year grant
ShareSave – five year grant
APRA

2019
851p 
774p 
165p 
176p 
892p 

2018
815p 
739p 
n/a 
n/a 
858p 

LTIP and PSP
The fair value of shares awarded is calculated using a pricing model that takes account of the non-entitlement to dividends (or equivalent) 
during the vesting period and the market-based performance condition based on expectations about volatility and the correlation of 
share price returns in the group of FTSE 100 companies and which incorporates into the valuation the interdependency between share 
price performance and TSR vesting. This adjustment decreases the fair value of the award relative to the share price at the date of grant.

ShareSave
The fair value of the options granted is calculated using a pricing model that assumes that participants will exercise their options at the 
beginning of the six-month window if the share price is greater than the exercise price. Otherwise it assumes that options are held until the 
expiration of their contractual term. This results in an expected life that falls somewhere between the start and end of the exercise window.

APRA
The fair value of shares awarded under APRA is calculated as the share price on the date of the award, excluding expected dividends  
(or equivalent).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
174

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

24  Leases

Leases as lessee
The net book value of right-of-use assets at 31 December 2019 was £2,009m (see note 11) with a lease liability of £2,354m (as per note 17). 
Leases that have not yet commenced to which the Group is committed have a future liability of £5m and consists of factory equipment and 
a single property. The consolidated income statement shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Land and buildings depreciation and impairment 1
Plant and equipment depreciation 2
Aircraft and engines depreciation and impairment 3
Total depreciation and impairment charge for right-of-use assets 
Interest expense 4
Expense relating to short-term leases of 12 months or less recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis 2
Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in lease liabilities 3,5
Total lease expense 
Income from sub-leasing right-of-use assets
Total amount recognised in the income statement

2019
£m
(59)
(33)
(319)
(411)
(88)
(23)
(1)
(523)
79 
(444)

1  Included in cost of sales and commercial and administration costs depending on the nature and use of the right-of-use asset.
2  Included in cost of sales, commercial and administration costs, or research and development depending on the nature and use of the right-of-use asset.
3  Included in cost of sales.
4  Included in financing costs.
5  Variable lease payments primarily arise on a small number of contracts where engine lease payments are solely dependent upon utilisation rather than a periodic charge.

The total cash outflow for leases in 2019 was £383m. Of this: £359m related to leases reflected in the lease liability; £23m to short-term 
leases where lease payments are expensed on a straight-line basis; and £1m for variable lease payments where obligations are only due 
when the right-of-use assets are used. The timing difference between the income statement charge and cash flow relates to costs incurred 
at the end of leases for residual value guarantees that are recognised within depreciation over the term of the lease, the most significant 
amounts relate to engine leases.

The Group’s leasing activities as a lessee and how they are accounted for
The Group leases aero engines that are used to support customers’ aircraft fleets; land and buildings used for production, administration 
or training purposes; and equipment used in the manufacturing process and to support commercial and administrative activities. Lease 
terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease arrangements do not 
impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

Until 31 December 2018, leases were classified as either finance or operating leases. Payments made under operating leases and residual 
value guarantees were charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. From 1 January 2019, leases 
are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the 
Group. Each lease payment is allocated between reducing the liability and a finance cost. The finance cost is charged to the income 
statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each 
period.

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities arising over the lease term are now initially measured on a present value basis. The lease term 
represented is the non-cancellable period of the lease together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease where the Group is 
reasonably certain to extend. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments where such flows exist:

 – fixed payments less any lease incentive;
 – variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate;
 – amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees;
 – the exercise price of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and
 – payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.

Leases for engines typically contain no specific contractual right to renew. Certain land and building leases have renewal options with 
renewal dates for the most significant property leases evenly spread over 2022–2028 and in 2041. Such judgements on lease terms are 
made each period end and consider the specific terms of the lease and the operational significance of the site, especially where utilised 
for manufacturing activities. Lease obligations beyond the renewal dates are included in the lease liability where we are reasonably certain 
to extend the lease.

Engine leases in the Civil Aerospace business often include clauses that require the engines to be returned to the lessor with specific 
levels of useable life remaining. The cost of meeting these requirements are included in the estimate of the lease payments set out above. 
The amount payable is dependent upon the utilisation of the engines over the lease term, whether the engine is restored to the required 
condition by performing an overhaul at our own cost or through the payment of amounts specified in the contract and any new 
contractual arrangements arising when the current lease contracts end. Where estimates of payments change, an adjustment is made to 
the lease liability and the right-of-use asset. Liabilities in USD and other non-functional currencies are reported at the closing spot rates 
with changes arising from a change in exchange rates reported within financing. 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

175

24  Leases continued

On transition to IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019, finance leases continued to be recognised at their 2018 closing value and operating leases  
were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments discounted using an incremental borrowing rate appropriate to the 
lease. For new leases, the lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or if that rate cannot be readily 
determined, which is generally the case for leases in the Group, the incremental borrowing rate, being the rate required to pay to borrow 
the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, 
security and conditions.

To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Group uses a build-up approach that starts with the risk-free interest rate which is then 
adjusted for credit risk to reflect the nature of the borrowing based on empirical evidence of similar external borrowings undertaken by 
the Group. The rate used reflects the term and currency of the lease.

The Group is exposed to potential future increases or reductions in lease payments where the amount paid is based on an index (such as 
LIBOR) or rate, which are not included in the lease liability until it takes effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or 
rate take effect, the lease liability is remeasured and an equivalent adjustment is made to the right-of-use asset except where the change 
results from a change in floating interest rates when a revised discount rate is used that reflects changes in the interest rate.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

 – the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability or a revaluation of the liability;
 – any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;
 – any initial direct costs; and
 – restoration costs.

Each right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of its useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis unless the lease is 
expected to transfer ownership of the underlying asset to the Group, in which case the asset is depreciated to the end of the useful life of 
the asset.

There was a single onerous lease contract where as a permitted practical expedient the Group has adjusted the right-of-use asset at the 
date of initial application by the amount of the provision on the balance sheet at 31 December 2018.

Income from sub-leasing right-of-use assets is primarily generated from the use of engines by our Civil Aerospace customers. In a small 
number of circumstances current excess property capacity is sub-let at market rates.

Leases as lessor
The Group acts as lessor for engines to Civil Aerospace customers when they require engines to support their fleets. Lease agreements 
with the lessee provide protection over our assets. Usage in excess of specified limits and damage to the engine while on lease are 
covered by variable lease payment structures. Lessee bankruptcy risk is managed through the Cape Town Convention on International 
Interests in Mobile Equipment (including a specific protocol relating to aircraft equipment); an international treaty that creates common 
standards for the registration of lease contracts and establishes various legal remedies for default in financing agreements, including 
repossession and the effect of particular states’ bankruptcy laws. Engines are only leased once we confirm that appropriate insurance 
documentation is established that covers the engine assets to pre-agreed amounts. The Group also leases out a small number of 
properties, or parts of properties, where there is excess capacity. All contracts where we are lessor are operating leases. 

Operating lease income – credited within revenue from aftermarket services 1, 2

1  Includes variable lease payments of £97m that do not depend on an index or a rate.
2  Items of property, plant and equipment subject to an operating lease are disclosed in note 10.

Non-cancellable undiscounted operating lease rentals are receivable as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

2019
£m

127

2019
£m
13
14
12
8
5
17
69

2018
£m

64

2018
£m
23 
22 
22 
21 
17 
55 
160 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS176

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

25  Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities in respect of customer financing commitments are described in note 20.

In January 2017, after full cooperation, the Company concluded deferred prosecution agreements with the SFO and the US Department  
of Justice and a leniency agreement with the MPF, the Brazilian federal prosecutors. Other authorities are investigating members of the 
Group for matters relating to misconduct in relation to historical matters. The Group is responding appropriately. Action may be taken by 
further authorities against the Company or individuals. In addition, we could still be affected by actions from customers and customers’ 
financiers. The Directors are not currently aware of any matters that are likely to lead to a material financial loss over and above the 
penalties imposed to date, but cannot anticipate all the possible actions that may be taken or their potential consequences.

Contingent liabilities exist in respect of guarantees provided by the Group in the ordinary course of business for product delivery, 
performance and reliability. The Group has, in the normal course of business, entered into arrangements in respect of export finance, 
performance bonds, countertrade obligations and minor miscellaneous items. Various Group undertakings are parties to legal actions and 
claims which arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which are for substantial amounts. As a consequence of the insolvency of an 
insurer as previously reported, the Group is no longer fully insured against known and potential claims from employees who worked for 
certain of the Group’s UK based businesses for a period prior to the acquisition of those businesses by the Group. While the outcome of 
some of these matters cannot precisely be foreseen, the Directors do not expect any of these arrangements, legal actions or claims, after 
allowing for provisions already made, to result in significant loss to the Group.

The Group’s share of equity accounted entities’ contingent liabilities is nil (2018: nil).

26  Related party transactions

Sales of goods and services to joint ventures and associates
Purchases of goods and services from joint ventures and associates
Lease payments to joint ventures and associates
Guarantees of joint arrangements’ and associates’ borrowings
Guarantees of non-wholly owned subsidiaries’ borrowings
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Other income received from joint ventures and associates

2019
£m 
3,776 
(3,685)
(210)
1 
3
92 
1

2018
£m 
3,237 
(2,957)
(189)
– 
3
105 
2 

Included in sales of goods and services to joint ventures and associates are sales of spare engines amounting to £277m (2018: £563m).

Profit recognised in the year on such sales amounted to £93m (2018: £157m), including profit on current year sales and recognition of 
profit deferred on sales in previous years. On an underlying basis (at actual achieved rates on settled derivative transactions), the amounts 
were £78m (2018: £132m). Cash receipts relating to the sale of spare engines amounted to £414m (2018: £563m). 

The aggregated balances with joint ventures are shown in notes 14 and 18. Transactions with Group pension schemes are shown in note 21.

In the course of normal operations, related party transactions entered into by the Group have been contracted on an arms-length basis.

Key management personnel are deemed to be the Directors (pages 62 to 64) and the members of the Executive Team (described on 
page 65). Remuneration for key management personnel is shown below:

Salaries and short-term benefits
Post-retirement schemes
Share-based payments

2019
£m 
9
–
5
14

2018
£m 
19 
– 
5 
24 

More detailed information regarding the Directors’ remuneration, shareholdings, pension entitlements, share options and other long-term 
incentive plans is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 104. The charge for share-based payments above is based 
on when the award is charged to the income statement in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-Based Payments, rather than when the shares 
vest, which is the basis used in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

177

27  Acquisitions and disposals

Acquisitions
Siemens’ eAircraft business
On the 30 September 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of the electric and hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion activities of 
Siemens. On acquisition the book value of assets acquired consisted of £2.8m of property, plant and equipment and £0.2m of other assets 
and liabilities. Of the £43m (€48.5m) acquisition cost, which was settled in cash, £38m has been allocated to identifiable intangible assets 
and £5m to other assets and liabilities. Goodwill of £11m was recognised on the transaction.

The Group increased its shareholding in the Berlin-based electricity storage specialist, Qinous GmbH from 19.9% to 73.1% on  
15 January 2020 for a consideration of €10m. The acquisition will be incorporated within our Power Systems business.

Disposals
Commercial Marine and Rolls-Royce Power Development Limited
On the 1 April 2019, the Group completed the sale of its Commercial Marine business to KONGSBERG for £547m. The business was 
disclosed as a disposal group held for sale from 30 June 2018. In our 2018 half-year financial statements, we reported an impairment 
charge of £160m as a result of the decision to classify Commercial Marine as a business held for sale. Upon the disposal of Commercial 
Marine on 1 April 2019, and in accordance with IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates we have recycled the cumulative 
currency translation reserve through the income statement in 2019. This has resulted in a cumulative currency translation gain of £98m.

On the 15 April 2019, the Group sold its shareholding in Rolls-Royce Power Development Limited to Rockland Capital Partners for £46m. 
The principal activity of this company was to operate a fleet of six industrial Trent power stations in the UK.

Proceeds
Cash consideration
Cash and cash equivalents disposed

Net cash consideration
Disposal costs paid
Cash inflow per cash flow statement

Assets and liabilities disposed

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Deferred tax assets 
Inventory 

Trade receivables and other assets
Current tax assets
Lease liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities
Deposits (payments received on account)
Provisions for liabilities and charges 
Post-retirement scheme deficits 
Net assets disposed 

The gain on disposal of businesses totalled £139m.

Income statement
Net cash consideration
Less: carrying amount of net assets sold
Profit on disposal before disposal costs
Disposal costs 
Profit on disposal on business before tax
Tax on disposal
Profit on disposal of business after tax
Cumulative currency translation gain recycled from other  
comprehensive income
Gain recognised in the income statement

Commercial 
Marine
£m

Rolls-Royce Power
Development Limited
£m

547 
(118)
429 
(21)
408 

236 
139 
40 
7 
207 

210 
1 
(39)
(274)
(74)
(27)
(28)
398 

46 
– 
46 
(1)
45 

– 
7 
– 
– 
4 

4 
– 
– 
(5)
– 
– 
– 
10 

Commercial
Marine
£m

Rolls-Royce Power
Development Limited
£m

429 
(398)
31 
(23)
8 
– 
8 

98 
106 

46 
(10)
36 
(3)
33 
– 
33 

– 
33 

Total
£m

593 
(118)
475 
(22)
453 

236 
146 
40 
7 
211 

214 
1 
(39)
(279)
(74)
(27)
(28)
408 

Total
£m

475 
(408)
67 
(26)
41 
– 
41 

98 
139 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS178

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

27  Acquisitions and disposals continued

Disposals continued
Trigno Energy S.r.l.
On 29 January 2020, the Group exercised its put option to sell 100% of the shares held in Trigno Energy S.r.l. The transaction is expected 
to complete in the first quarter of 2020. The shares will be transferred to Pilkington Italia S.r.l. for an estimated consideration of €5.6m.

Businesses held for sale
On 26 September 2019, the Group signed an agreement for the sale of the North America Civil Nuclear business to Westinghouse Electric 
Company LLC. for a cash consideration of approximately $18m. The sale was completed on 31 January 2020. 

As a result of the decision to classify the business as a disposal group held for sale, in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for 
Sale and Discontinued Operations, its carrying value was assessed against the anticipated proceeds and the disposal costs. An impairment 
charge of £25m has been recognised in the income statement, of which £15m relates to goodwill and an additional £10m impairment 
charge to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The impairment charge was allocated to the non-core businesses. The 
remaining assets of £17m have been transferred to assets held for sale, together with associated liabilities of £14m at 31 December 2019.

On 17 December 2019, the Group signed a share purchase agreement with Valsoft Corp. for the sale of the Knowledge Management 
System business. The consideration for the disposal is expected to be $2.6m. The sale was completed on 3 February 2020.

Disposal – 2018
L’Orange
On 1 June 2018, the Group sold its L’Orange business, part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, to Woodward Inc. for €673m. Under the sale 
agreement, the cash consideration may be adjusted by up to +/-€44m, based on L’Orange aftermarket sales over the five-year period to  
31 May 2023 and this will be reviewed at each reporting date over the adjustment period, based on actual sales. No significant change has 
been identified to the cash consideration at 31 December 2019. Profit on disposal of the business (net of disposal costs) was £358m.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

179

28  Derivation of summary funds flow statement

The table below shows the derivation of the summary funds flow statement (lines marked *) on page 20 from the cash flow statement  
(CFS) on page 119.

* Underlying operating profit (see note 2) 
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
Depreciation and impairment of right-of-use assets
Impairment of goodwill 
Acquisition accounting 
* Depreciation and amortisation 
* Lease payments (capital plus interest)
* Additions of intangible assets 
* Purchases of property, plant and equipment
* Increase in inventories 
Movement in receivables/payables
Movement in contract balances
Realised derivatives in financing 
Revaluation of trading assets (excluding exceptional items)
* Movement on receivables/payables/contract balances (excluding Civil LTSA)
* Underlying Civil Aerospace LTSA contract balances
* Movement on provisions
* Trent 1000 insurance
* Net interest received and paid
* Other 
* Trading cash flow 
*  Contributions to defined benefit schemes in excess of underlying PBT charge 
* Tax 
* Group free cash flow 
Of which: Disposed entities

Group free cash flow (pre disposed entities)

Of which: Non-core businesses

Core free cash flow
* Shareholder payments 
* Acquisition of eAircraft 
*  Disposal of Commercial Marine and RRPD  

(2018: Disposal of L’Orange) 
* Exceptional restructuring costs 
* DPA payments 
* Pension fund contribution
* IFRS 16
* Other 
* Foreign exchange 
* Change in net funds

Change in net funds
IFRS 16 impact (non cash)
Reclassification of other financial liabilities to borrowings
Change in net funds excluding IFRS 16

2019

£m

£m
808

2018 †

£m

£m
616 

521 
565 
– 
(155)
(175)

1,129 
363
(465)
170

532
372
411
(84)
(163)

77
526
(187)
158

1,068
(319)
(591)
(747)
(43)

574
754
(506)
173
(73)
(41)
1,057
(9)
(175)
873
(41)

914

3

911
(224)
(43)

453
(216)
(102)
(35)
123
(8)
(98)
723

723
(123)
(79)
521

756
– 
(680)
(905)
(616)

1,197
679 
(242)
–
(70)
22
757
59
(248)
568
(78)

646

(2)

648
(219)
–

573
(70)
–
–
–
10
54
916

916
–
–
916

†  The comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2018 has been re-presented to be on a comparable basis with the presentation adopted for the year  
  ended 31 December 2019. There is no change to trading or group free cash flow. In summary, items previously included in ‘other’ within ‘trading cash flow’, which related  
  to ‘movements in receivables/payables’ or movements in ‘contract balances’ have been included within those items.

During the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group received insurance receipts of £173m relating to the Trent 1000 in-service issues.  
This amount has been recognised within the Group’s underlying results – see note 2.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS180

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

28  Derivation of summary funds flow statement continued

Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance of the business’ cash flow to see what is available for distribution among those 
stakeholders funding the business (including debt holders and shareholders). Free cash flow is calculated as trading cash flow less 
recurring tax and post-employment benefit expenses. It excludes payments made to shareholders, amounts spent (or received) on business 
acquisitions, SFO payments and foreign exchange changes on net funds. The Board considers that free cash flow reflects cash generated 
from the Group’s underlying trading. 

The table below shows a reconciliation of free cash flow to the change in cash and cash equivalents presented in the cash flow statement 
on page 119. 

Change in cash and cash equivalents 
Returns to shareholders 
Net cash flow from changes in borrowings and lease liabilities 
(2018: finance leases)
Increase in short-term investments 
Acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft business
Disposal of Commercial Marine and RRPD 
(2018: Disposal of L’Orange) 
Other acquisitions and disposals
Changes in group structure 
Payments of financial penalties from agreements with investigating 
bodies 
Exceptional restructuring expenditure
Pension fund contribution
Other 
Capital element of lease repayments 1
Free cash flow 

2019

£m

43

(453)
1

£m
(413)
224

1,385
– 

(409)

102
216
35
4
(271)
873

2018

£m

– 

(573)
(10)

£m
1,953 
219 

(1,091)
3 

(583)

– 
70 
– 
(3)
– 
568 

Source
A
A

A 
A 
A 

A 
B 

A 
B 
B 
B 
A 

1  As IFRS 16 has been adopted with effect from 1 January 2019, no adjustments have been made to present the comparative period on a consistent basis.

Sources:
A  Cash flow statement
B  Cash flow statement adjusted for non-underlying items including exchange differences

 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

181

29  Impact of adopting IFRS 16 Leases

For leases previously classified as finance leases, the Group recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset and lease liability 
immediately before transition as the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at the date of initial application. 
The measurement principles of IFRS 16 are only applied after that date. 

The following table reconciles the operating lease obligations under the previous accounting standard, IAS 17 Leases, to the lease liability 
recorded under IFRS 16 on transition: 

Operating lease commitments as reported at 31 December 2018
Lease commitments at end of aero engines lease contracts previously reflected in provisions and other liabilities 
Discounted using the incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application 
Additional commitments recognised during final data review 1 
Impact of adopting IFRS 16
Commitments relating to disposal groups
At 1 January 2019
Finance lease liabilities recognised as at 31 December 2018
Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019
Of which are:

Current lease liabilities
Non-current lease liabilities

1  These have been offset by right-of-use assets with an equivalent value. 

The recognised right-of-use assets relate to the following types of asset:

Land and buildings 
Plant and equipment 
Aircraft and engines 
Total right-of-use assets 

£m
2,343 
515 
(749)
180 
2,289 
(41)
2,248 
229 
2,477 

322 
2,155 

1 January 
2019 
£m 
453 
106 
1,654 
2,213 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
182

Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

29  Impact of adopting IFRS 16 Leases continued

Condensed consolidated balance sheet
The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet on 1 January 2019: 

ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 2
Right-of-use assets 3
Deferred tax assets 4
Other non-current assets
Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets held for sale
TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES
Borrowings and lease liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities 5
Provisions for liabilities and charges 6
Other current liabilities
Current liabilities
Borrowings and lease liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities 5
Deferred tax liabilities 4
Provisions for liabilities and charges 6
Other non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET LIABILITIES

EQUITY
Accumulated losses 7
Other equity attributable to ordinary shareholders
Equity attributable to ordinary shareholders
Non-controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

Previous
 accounting
as at
31 December
2018
£m

IFRS 16 
impact
£m

Transferred 
to assets held
 for sale 1
£m

As at
1 January 
2019
£m

4,929 
– 
2,092 
8,016 
15,037 
16,070 
750 
31,857 

(858)
(8,292)
(1,122)
(4,579)
(14,851)
(3,804)
(1,940)
(962)
(795)
(10,181)
(17,682)
(376)
(32,909)

(197)
2,254 
2 
– 
2,059 
– 
– 
2,059 

(295)
49 
30 
– 
(216)
(1,994)
60 
6 
45 
– 
(1,883)
– 
(2,099)

(1,052)

(40)

(2,991)
1,917 
(1,074)
22 
(1,052)

(40)
– 
(40)
– 
(40)

– 
(41)
– 
– 
(41)
– 
41 
– 

7 
– 
– 
– 
7 
34 
– 
– 
– 
– 
34 
(41)
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

4,732 
2,213 
2,094 
8,016 
17,055 
16,070 
791 
33,916 

(1,146)
(8,243)
(1,092)
(4,579)
(15,060)
(5,764)
(1,880)
(956)
(750)
(10,181)
(19,531)
(417)
(35,008)

(1,092)

(3,031)
1,917 
(1,114)
22 
(1,092)

1  Relates to the Commercial Marine business which was classified as held for sale at 31 December 2018. See note 27 for more details.
2  Transfer of net book value of finance leased assets to right-of-use assets.
3  Initial recognition of right-of-use assets accounted for under IFRS 16.
4  Deferred tax on the difference between the right-of-use assets measured on a retrospective basis at the Group’s incremental borrowing rate and the lease liabilities at transition date.
5  Lease-related creditors reclassified against the IFRS 16 right-of-use assets on transition.
6  Provisions related to engine residual value guarantees reclassified against IFRS 16 right-of-use assets.
7  Post-tax difference between right-of-use assets measured on a retrospective basis and the lease liabilities at the transition date.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial statements
Company Balance Sheet
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

183

 COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

At 31 December 2019

ASSETS
Investments – subsidiary undertakings

Trade receivables and other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets
TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES
Trade payables and other liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Current liabilities

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserve
Retained earnings
TOTAL EQUITY

Notes

2019
£m

2018
£m

2

3

4

5

6

12,801 

12,521 

1,870 
9 
1,879 
14,680 

371 
– 
371 
12,892 

(2,228)
(31)
(2,259)

(2,008)
(29)
(2,037)

12,421 

10,855 

386 
319 
7,051 
2,652 
248 
1,765 
12,421 

379 
268 
7,029 
2,432 
218 
529 
10,855 

The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 from presenting the parent company 
income statement. The profit for the Company for the year was £1,498m (2018: £nil).

The Financial Statements on pages 183 to 186 were approved by the Board on 28 February 2020 and signed on its behalf by

Warren East 
Chief Executive 

Stephen Daintith
Chief Financial Officer

Company’s registered number: 7524813

 COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Profit for the year ³
Arising on issues of ordinary shares ⁴
Issue of C Shares
Redemption of C Shares
Share-based payments – direct to equity

At 31 December 2019

Attributable to ordinary shareholders

Share
capital
£m
379 
– 
7 
– 
– 
– 
386 

Share
premium
£m
268 
– 
51 
– 
– 
– 
319 

Merger
reserve
£m
7,029 
– 
244 
(222)
– 
– 
7,051 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m
2,432 
– 
– 
– 
220 
– 
2,652 

Other
reserve 1
£m
218 
– 
– 
– 
– 
30 
248 

Retained
earnings 2
£m
529 
1,498 
– 
– 
(220)
(42)
1,765 

Total
equity
£m
10,855 
1,498 
302 
(222)
– 
(12)
12,421 

1  Other reserve represents the value of the share-based payments in respect of employees of subsidiary undertakings for which payment has not been received.
2  Retained earnings represents the Company’s distributable reserves as defined under the Companies Act 2006.
3  During the year, the Company received an interim dividend of £1,500m (2018: nil) from its subsidiary undertaking.
4  During the year, the Company issued 28,973,262 new ordinary shares relating to the remaining three instalments for the acquisition of ITP Aero (2018: 47,556,914 new ordinary shares 
relating to the first five instalments) and 7,803,043 new ordinary shares (2018: 7,460,173) to the Group’s share trust for its employee share-based payment plans with a net book value  
of £66m (2018: £74m).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
184

Financial statements
Notes to the Company Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

 NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1  Accounting policies

Basis of accounting
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (the Company) is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. These Financial Statements have 
been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101) on the historical cost basis.

In preparing these Financial Statements, the Company applied the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (Adopted IFRS), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with  
the Companies Act 2006.

In these Financial Statements the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:

 – a cash flow statement and related notes;
 – comparative period reconciliations for share capital;
 – the effects of new, but not yet effective accounting standards; and
 – the requirements of IAS 24 Related Party Transactions and has, therefore, not disclosed transactions between the Company and 

its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these 
Financial Statements.

There were no changes to accounting standards that had a material impact on these Financial Statements.

The Company’s Financial Statements are presented in sterling, which is the Company’s functional currency.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, a separate income statement for the Company has not been included in these 
Financial Statements. As permitted by the audit fee disclosure regulations, disclosure of non-audit fees information is not included in 
respect of the Company.

Investments in subsidiary undertakings
Investments included in fixed assets are investments in subsidiary companies and these are held at historical cost less provision for 
impairment which is considered annually by the Directors.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective 
evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. The Company 
applies the IFRS 9 Financial Instruments simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss 
allowance for all trade receivables.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective  
interest method.

Equity
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or 
receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments.

Share-based payments
As described in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 104, the Company grants awards of its own shares to employees of its 
subsidiary undertakings (see note 23 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). The costs of share-based payments in respect of these 
awards are accounted for, by the Company, as an additional investment in its subsidiary undertakings. The costs are determined in 
accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payment. Any payments made by the subsidiary undertakings in respect of these arrangements 
are treated as a return of this investment.

Financial instruments
In accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, the Company’s C Shares are classified as financial liabilities and held 
at amortised cost from the date of issue until redeemed. 

2  Investments – subsidiary undertakings

Cost:
At 1 January 2019
Additions 1
Cost of share-based payments in respect of employees of subsidiary undertakings less receipts from subsidiaries in 
respect of those payments

At 31 December 2019

1  Additions relate to investments in Rolls-Royce plc, relating to the remaining three instalments for the Group’s acquisition of ITP Aero.

Details of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and joint venture and associates undertakings are listed on pages 187 to 193. 

£m

12,521 
250 

30 
12,801 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial statements
Notes to the Company Financial Statements

185

2  Investments – subsidiary undertakings continued

The carrying value of the Company’s investments in subsidiary undertakings has been tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 
Impairment of Assets. The carrying value is compared to the asset’s recoverable amount and has been assessed by reference to value in 
use. The value in use has been calculated based upon a discounted cash flow methodology using the most recent forecast prepared by 
management of the Rolls-Royce Holdings plc group. Cash flows beyond the five-year period have been assumed to grow at 2.0% and 
discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 12.6%. The key underlying assumptions in the cash flow projections are assumed market share, 
programme timings, unit cost assumptions, discount rates and foreign exchange rates. No impairment was identified. 

The Directors do not consider that any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions would cause the value in use of the investment 
in subsidiary undertakings to fall below its carrying value.

3  Trade receivables and other assets

Amounts owed by – subsidiary undertakings

2019
£m
1,870

2018
£m
371

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are related to dividends receivable from Rolls-Royce Group Limited (formerly Rolls-Royce 
Group plc). The balance is short term in nature and Rolls-Royce Group Limited is the immediate parent undertaking of the Rolls-Royce plc 
group. In accordance with IFRS 9, a provision for impairment of £1m has been recognised as at 31 December 2019 (2018: £nil) in respect of 
this balance.

4  Trade payables and other liabilities

Amounts owed to – subsidiary undertakings

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are interest-free and repayable on demand.

5  Financial liabilities

C Shares
Movements during the year were as follows:

At 1 January 2019

Issued
Redeemed

At 31 December 2019

The rights attaching to C Shares are set out on page 206.

6  Share capital

Issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2019
Shares issued to employee share trust
Shares issued in relation to the acquisition of ITP Aero
At 31 December 2019

The rights attaching to each class of share are set out on page 206.

2019
£m
2,228

2018
£m
2,008

C Shares
of 0.1p
millions
29,071 
221,954 
(220,417)
30,608 

Nominal
value
£m
29 
222 
(220)
31 

Non-equity

Equity

Special
Share
of £1

Preference 
shares of 
£1 each

Nominal
value
£m

Ordinary
shares of
20p each
Millions

Nominal
value
£m

1 
– 
– 
1 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

1,896 
6 
29 
1,931 

379 
1 
6 
386 

In accordance with IAS 32, the Company’s non-cumulative redeemable preference shares (C Shares) are classified as financial liabilities. 
Accordingly, movements in C Shares are included in note 5.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS186

Financial statements
Notes to the Company Financial Statements

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

7  Reconciliation of net assets between Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Group and Company

At 31 December 2019, the Rolls-Royce Holdings plc consolidated group had net liabilities of £3.4bn (2018: £1.1bn) compared to £12.4bn 
(2018: £10.9bn) of net assets of the Company. The Company is a holding company and does not trade in its own right. As set out in note 2 
we have assessed the carrying value of the Company’s investment in subsidiaries, which supports the recovery of those investments. 

The key drivers of the difference between the Company and consolidated group net balance sheet positions are as follows:

 – The Company was created through a Scheme of Arrangement and incorporated in 2011. On incorporation, the value of the Company’s 

investment in subsidiaries was based on the market capitalisation of the Rolls-Royce group. The Group’s consolidated financial 
statements are prepared on a historical cost basis except where Adopted IFRS requires a valuation basis to be applied. See page 123  
for further details. 

 – The adoption of IFRS 15 at 1 January 2017 reduced the Group’s net balance sheet position by £5.3bn and the pension buy-in (see note 21 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements) reduced the Group’s net balance sheet position by circa £600m in 2019. Neither of these 
impacted the Company; and

 – The mark-to-market loss on the foreign exchange hedge book of £3.1bn is recorded in a subsidiary of the Company and not in the 

Company itself. 

8  Contingent liabilities

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies within its group, 
the Company considers these to be insurance arrangements, and accounts for them as such. In this respect, the Company treats the 
guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a payment 
under the guarantee.

At 31 December 2019, these guarantees amounted to £3,085m (2018: £3,982m).

9  Other information

Employees
The Company had no employees in 2019 (2018: none).

Share-based payments
Shares in the Company have been granted to employees of the Group as part of share-based payment plans, and are charged in the 
employing company.

Emoluments of Directors
The remuneration of the Directors of the Company is shown below, further information is in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
95 to 104.

Remuneration 
Gains made on share options 
Company contributions to pension schemes 

Highest paid
director
£000
2,080
1,079
–
3,159

2019 

Other
directors
£000
2,754
714
–
3,468

Total
£000
4,834
1,793
–
6,627

Highest paid
director
£000
2,209 
1,734 
– 
3,943 

2018

Other
directors
£000
2,733 
1,644 
– 
4,377 

Total
£000
4,942 
3,378 
– 
8,320 

No Director accrued any retirement benefits in the year (2018: nil).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

SUBSIDIARIES

Financial Statements
Subsidiaries

187

As at 31 December 2019, the companies listed below and on the following pages are indirectly held by Rolls-Royce Holdings plc except 
Rolls-Royce Group Limited # which is 100% directly owned by Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. The financial year end of each company is  
31 December unless otherwise indicated.

Company name
Aeromaritime America, Inc.

Address
M&H Agent Services, Inc., 1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 2100, 
Phoenix, Arizona 85004, United States
Aeromaritime Mediterranean Limited
7 Industrial Estate, Hal Far, Birzebbuga, BBG 3000, Malta
Aerospace Transmission Technologies GmbH ** Adelheidstrasse 40, D-88046, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Derby 1
Amalgamated Power Engineering Limited *

Bergen Engines AS
Bergen Engines Bangladesh Private Limited Green Grandeur, 6th Floor, Plot no.58 E, Kamal Ataturk Avenue 

Hordvikneset 125, N-5108, Hordvik, Bergen 1201, Norway

Class  
of shares
Common

Ordinary
Capital Stock
Deferred
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary
Social 
Participation
Social Capital
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Partnership  
(no equity) 
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Class A 

Banani, C/A Dhaka, 1213, Bangladesh
Werfdijk 2, 3195HV Pernis, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Østre Havnepromenade 34 9000 Ålborg, Denmark
52-b, 2nd Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III,  
New Delhi 110020, India
Derby 1
Hordvikneset 125, N-5108, Hordvik, Bergen 1201, Norway
Calle Dinamarca s/n (esquina Calle Alemania), Poligono  
Industrial de Constanti, 43120 Constanti, Tarragona, Spain
Via Castel Morrone 13, 16161, Genoa, Italy
Derby 1
Taxiway, Hillend Industrial Estate, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline,  
Fife, KY11 9JT, Scotland
Derby 1
Wilmington 2

Ordinary

Derby 1
Zona Industriale AS1, 83040 Morra de Sanctis, Avellino, Italy
Derby 1
Acceso IV, No.6B, Zona Industrial Benito Juárez, Querétaro,  
76120, Mexico
Pabellón Industrial, Torrelarrgoiti, Parcela 5H, Naves 7 a 10,  
Zamudia, Vizcaya, Spain
Parque Technológico Edificio 300, 48170 Zamudio, Vizcaya, Spain Ordinary
Ordinary
The Whittle Estate, Cambridge Road, Whetstone, Leicester,  
LE8 6LH, England
Plot 60/A, IDA Gandhi Nagar, Hyderabad, 500037, India
Pabellón Industrial, Polígono Ugaldeguren I, PIIIA,  
Pab 1–2 Zamudio, Vizcaya, Spain
Acceso IV, No.6D, Zona Industrial Benito Juárez, Querétaro,  
76120, Mexico
Acceso IV, No.6, Zona Industrial Benito Juárez, Querétaro, 
76120, Mexico
Acceso IV, No.6, Zona Industrial Benito Juárez, Querétaro, 
76120, Mexico

Class A
Class B 
Class A

Ordinary
Ordinary

Parque Technológico Edificio 300, 48170 Zamudio, Vizcaya, Spain Ordinary
Taxiway, Hillend Industrial Estate, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline, Fife, 
KY11 9JT, Scotland

Fixed capital B
Variable capital 
B

6% Cumulative 
Preference
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

% of
class 
held
100

100
50
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

Bergen Engines BV
Bergen Engines Denmark A/S
Bergen Engines India Private Limited 3

Bergen Engines Limited
Bergen Engines PropertyCo AS
Bergen Engines S.L.

Bergen Engines S.r.l.
Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited *
Brown Brothers & Company Limited

C.A. Parsons & Company Limited *
Data Systems & Solutions, LLC 4

Derby Specialist Fabrications Limited *
Europea Microfusioni Aerospaziali S.p.A.
Heaton Power Limited *
Industria de Tuberías Aeronáuticas  
México S.A. de C.V.
Industria de Tuberías Aeronáuticas S.A.U.

Industria de Turbo Propulsores S.A.
ITP Engines UK Limited

ITP Externals India Private Ltd
ITP Externals S.L.U.

ITP Ingeniería y Fabricación S.A. de C.V.

ITP México Fabricación S.A. de C.V.

ITP México S.A. de C.V.

ITP Next Generation Turbines S.L.U.
John Thompson Cochran Limited *

Kamewa AB * (in liquidation)
Kamewa Holding AB * (in liquidation)

Box 1010, S-68129, Kristinehamn, Sweden
Box 1010, S-68129, Kristinehamn, Sweden

# Re-registered as a private company on 5 December 2019.
*  Dormant entity.
** Though the interest held is 50%, the Company controls the entity (see note 1 accounting policies) and, as a result, consolidates the entity and records a non-controlling interest.
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.
3  Reporting year end is 31 March.
4  Sold to Westinghouse with effect from 31 January 2020 (see page 178).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS188

Financial Statements
Subsidiaries

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Class  
of shares
Capital Stock
Capital Stock

% of
class 
held
100
100

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Capital Stock
Ordinary

Company name
Karl Maybach-Hilfe GmbH
MTU Africa (Proprietary) Limited

MTU America Inc.
MTU Asia PTE Limited
MTU Benelux B.V.
MTU China Company Limited

Address
Maybachplatz 1, 88045, Friedrichshafen, Germany
36 Marconi Street, Montague Gardens, Cape Town, 7441,  
South Africa
Wilmington 2
10 Tukang Innovation Drive, Singapore 618302
Merwedestraat 86, 3313 CS, Dordrecht, Netherlands
Room 1803 18/F Ascendas Plaza, No.333 Tian Yao Qiao Road, Xuhai 
Distrcit, Shanghai, 200030, China
Via Anhanguera, KM 29203, 05276-000 Sao Paulo – SP, Brazil

MTU do Brasil Limitada
MTU Engineering (Suzhou) Company Limited 9 Long Yun Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215024,  

MTU France S.A.S.

MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
MTU Hong Kong Limited

MTU Ibérica Propulsión y Energia S.L.
MTU India Private Limited 3

MTU Israel Limited

MTU Italia S.r.l.
MTU Japan Co. Limited

MTU Korea Limited

MTU Middle East FZE

MTU Motor Türbin Sanayi ve Ticaret. A.Ş.

MTU Onsite Energy GmbH
MTU Onsite Energy Systems GmbH
MTU Polska Sp. z o.o.
MTU Power Systems Sdn. Bhd

MTU Reman Technologies GmbH
MTU Rus Limited Liability Company
MTU South Africa (Proprietary) Limited

MTU UK Limited
NEI International Combustion Limited *
NEI Mining Equipment Limited *
NEI Nuclear Systems Limited *
NEI Parsons Limited *
NEI Peebles Limited *
NEI Power Projects Limited *
Nightingale Insurance Limited
PKMJ Technical Services, Inc. 4
Power Jets (Research and  
Development) Limited *
Powerfield Limited 
Precision Casting Bilbao S.A.U.

Capital Stock
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Jiang Su, China
Immeuble Colorado, 8/10 rue de Rosa Luxembourg-Parc des 
Bellevues 95610, Erangy-sur-Oise, France
Maybachplatz 1, 88045, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Room 1006, 10/F, Hang Seng Tsimshatsui Building, 18 Carnarvon 
Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Calle Copérnico 26–28, 28823 Coslada, Madrid, Spain
6th Floor, RMZ Galleria, S/Y No. 144 Bengaluru, Bangalore, 
Kamataka 560,064, India
4 Ha’Alon Street, South Building, Third Floor,  
4059300 Kfar Neter, Israel
Via Aurelia Nord, 328, 19021 Arcola (SP), Italy
Resorttrust Building 4-14-3, Nishitenma Kita-ku,  
Osaka 530-0047, Japan
22nd Floor, Olive Tower, 41 Sejongdaero 9 gil, Junggu,  
100-737 Seoul, Republic of Korea
S3B5SR06, Jebel Ali Free Zone, South P.O. Box 61141, Dubai,  
United Arab Emirates
Hatira Sokak, No. 5, Ömerli Mahellesi, 34555 Arnavutköy,  
Istanbul, Turkey
Dasinger Strasse 11, 86165, Augsburg, Germany
Rotthofer Strasse 8, 94099 Ruhstorf a.d. Rott, Germany
Ul. Śląska, Nr 9. Raum, Ort: Stargard Szczeciński, Plz: 73–110, Poland Ordinary
Ordinary
Level 10 Menara LGB, 1 Jalan Wan Kadir Taman Tun Dr Ismail,  
6000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Friedrich-List-Strasse 8, 39122 Magdeburg, Germany
Shabolovka Street 2, 119049, Moscow, Russian Federation
36 Marconi Street, Montague Gardens, Cape Town, 7441, South 
Africa
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Maison Trinity, Trinity Square, St. Peter Port, GY1 4AT, Guernsey
Wilmington 2
The Whittle Estate, Cambridge Road, Whetstone, Leicester,  
LE8 6LH, England
Derby 1
Calle El Barracón 1, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, 48910 Spain

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary

Capital Stock
Capital Stock

Capital Stock
Ordinary
Ordinary

*  Dormant entity.
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.
3  Reporting year end is 31 March.
4  Sold to Westinghouse with effect from 31 January 2020 (see page 178).

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

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Subsidiaries

189

Class  
of shares
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Address
Secure Building Blok B, Jl. Raya Protokol Halim,  
Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, 13610, Indonesia
Secure Building Blok B, Jl. Raya Protokol Halim,  
Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, 13610, Indonesia
Ulster International Finance, 1st Floor IFSC House, IFSC,  
Dublin 1, Ireland
4, 4.5 Level 12, Suite 1299, Rajdamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 
10330, Thailand
Derby 1
Ordinary
Suite 102, 2–4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia Ordinary
Suite 102, 2–4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia Ordinary
Rua drive Cincinato Braga No. 47, Planalto District, São Bernando 
do Campo, SP, 09890-900, Brazil
9500 Côte de Liesse, Lachine, Québec H8T 1A2, Canada
Alcantra 200 office 601, Piso 6, C.O, 7550159 Las Condes,  
Santiago, Chile
305–306 Indigo Building 1, 20 Jiuxianqiao Road, Beijing,  
100016, China
597 The Queensway, Peterborough Ontario K9J 7J6, Canada
23 chemin du Vieux Chêne, 38240, Meylan, France
Derby 1

Ordinary

Quotas

Common Stock
Ordinary

Registered 
Capital
Common Shares
Ordinary
Ordinary

Wilmington 2
c/o Deloitte, 80 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, 
New Zealand
Derby 1

Company name
PT MTU Indonesia

PT Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce (Ireland) Unlimited Company *

Rolls-Royce (Thailand) Limited

Rolls-Royce Aero Engine Services Limited *
Rolls-Royce Australia Pty Limited
Rolls-Royce Australia Services Pty Limited
Rolls-Royce Brasil Limitada

Rolls-Royce Canada Limited
Rolls-Royce Chile SpA

Rolls-Royce China Holding Limited

Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Canada Limited 4
Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear S.A.S.
Rolls-Royce Commercial Aero  
Engines Limited *
Rolls-Royce Control Systems Holdings Co
Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services  
(NZ) Limited
Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services  
(UK) Limited
Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services, Inc. 5 Wilmington 2
Rolls-Royce Controls and Data  
Services Limited*
Rolls-Royce Corporation
Rolls-Royce Crosspointe LLC

Wilmington 2
Wilmington 2

Derby 1

Rolls-Royce Defense Products  
and Solutions, Inc.
Rolls-Royce Defense Services, Inc.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Rolls-Royce Electrical Norway AS
Rolls-Royce Energy Angola, Limitada *

Rolls-Royce Energy Systems Inc.
Rolls-Royce Engine Services Holdings Co.
Rolls-Royce Engine Services Limitada Inc. 
 (in liquidation)
Rolls-Royce Erste Beteiligungs GmbH
Rolls-Royce Finance Company Limited

Wilmington 2

Wilmington 2
Eschenweg 11, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany
Jarleveien 8A, 7041, Trondheim 500, Norway
Rua Rei Katyavala, Edificio Rei Katyavala, Entrada B, Piso 8,  
Luanda, Angola
Wilmington 2
Wilmington 2
Bldg. 06 Berthaphil Compound, Jose Abad Santos Avenue,  
Clark Special Economic Zone, Clark, Pampanga, Philippines
Eschenweg 11, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany
Derby 1

Rolls-Royce Finance Holdings Co.
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Limited
Rolls-Royce General Partner Limited *
Rolls-Royce General Partner (Ireland) Limited  29 Earlshot Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland

Wilmington 2
Derby 1
Derby 1

*  Dormant entity.
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.
4  Sold to Westinghouse with effect from 31 January 2020 (see page 178).
5  Sold to Valsoft Corporation Inc on 3 February 2020.

% of
class 
held
100

100

100

100

100
100
100
100

100
100

100

100
100
100

100
100

100

100
100

100
100

100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Common Stock
Ordinary

Ordinary

Common Stock
Ordinary

Common Stock
Partnership  
(no equity)
Common Stock

Common Stock
Capital Stock
Ordinary
Quota

Common Stock
Common Stock
Capital Stock

Capital Stock
Deferred
Ordinary
Common Stock
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS190

Financial Statements
Subsidiaries

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Company name
Rolls-Royce Group Limited #

Address
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9FX, England

Rolls-Royce High Temperature  
Composites, Inc.
Rolls-Royce Holdings Canada Inc.
Rolls-Royce Hungary Kft
Rolls-Royce India Limited *,3
Rolls-Royce India Private Limited 3

Corporation Service Company, 2710 Gateway Oaks Drive,  
Suite 150N, Sacramento, California 95833, United States
9500 Côte de Liesse, Lachine, Québec H8T 1A2, Canada
Gizella U. 51–57, 1143 Budapest, Hungary
Derby 1
Birla Tower West, 2nd Floor 25, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, 
110001, India
Derby 1

Rolls-Royce Industrial & Marine  
Power Limited *
Rolls-Royce Industrial Power (India) Limited *,3 Derby 1
Derby 1
Rolls-Royce Industrial Power Engineering 
(Overseas Projects) Limited
Rolls-Royce Industries Limited *
Rolls-Royce International Limited
Rolls-Royce International s.r.o.

Rolls-Royce Japan Co., Limited

Rolls-Royce Leasing Limited
Rolls-Royce Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Rolls-Royce Marine North America, Inc.
Rolls-Royce Mexico Administration S. de R.L. 
de C.V.
Rolls-Royce Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

Derby 1
Derby 1
Pobřežní 620/3, Postal code 186 00, Karlin – Prague 8,  
Czech Republic
31st Floor, Kasumigaseki Building, 3-2-5 Kasumigaseki,  
Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 100-6031, Japan
Derby 1
C-2-3A TTDI Plaza, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 6000 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wilmington 2
Boulevard Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez 3642-403, Fracc Costa de Oro, 
Verzcruz CP 94299 6, Mexico
Boulevard Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez 3642-403, Fracc Costa de Oro, 
Verzcruz CP 94299 6, Mexico

Rolls-Royce Military Aero Engines Limited *,3 Derby 1
Rolls-Royce New Zealand Limited

c/o Deloitte, 80 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, 
New Zealand
Rolls-Royce North America (USA) Holdings Co. Wilmington 2
Wilmington 2
Rolls-Royce North America Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington 2
Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.
Wilmington 2
Rolls-Royce North America Ventures, Inc.
Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc. Wilmington 2
Rolls-Royce Nuclear Field Services  
France S.A.S. 4
Rolls-Royce Nuclear Field Services, Inc. 4

ZA Notre-Dame, 84430, Mondragon, France

Corporation Service Company, 80 State Street, Albany, New York 
12207, United States
Bait Al Reem, Business Office #131, Building No 81, Way No 3409, 
Block No 234, Al Thaqafa Street, Al Khuwair, PO Box 20,  
Postal Code 103, Oman

Rolls-Royce Oman LLC

Class  
of shares
Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary

Common C 
Cash shares
Ordinary
Equity

Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Common Stock
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

Common Stock
Common Stock
Common Stock
Common Stock
Common Stock
Ordinary

% of
class 
held
100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

Common Stock

100

Ordinary

100

Rolls-Royce Operations (India) Private Limited Birla Tower West, 2nd Floor, 25 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, 

Ordinary

Rolls-Royce Overseas Holdings Limited

110001, India
Derby 1

Rolls-Royce Overseas Investments Limited
Rolls-Royce Placements Limited
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Power Engineering plc
Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG

Derby 1
Derby 1
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9FX, England
Derby 1
Maybachplatz 1, 88045, Friedrichshafen, Germany

#  Re-registered as a private company on 5 December 2019.
*  Dormant entity.
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.
3  Reporting year end is 31 March.
4  Sold to Westinghouse with effect from 31 January 2020 (see page 178).

Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Subsidiaries

191

Company name
Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia Limited
Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings  
Trust Limited *,3
Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Limited

Rolls-Royce Sp z.o.o.
Rolls-Royce Submarines Limited
Rolls-Royce Technical Support Sarl

Rolls-Royce Total Care Services Limited
Rolls-Royce Turkey Power Solutions Industry 
and Trade Limited
Rolls-Royce UK Pension Fund  
Trustees Limited *
Rolls-Royce Zweite Beteiligungs GmbH
Ross Ceramics Limited
Sharing in Growth UK Limited **

Address
PO Box 88545, Riyadh, 11672, Saudi Arabia
Derby 1

Class  
of shares
Cash shares
Ordinary

% of
class 
held
100
100

Ordinary

6 Shenton Way, #33-00 OUE, Downtown Singapore 068809, 
Singapore
Ordinary
Opolska 100 31-323, Krakow, Poland
Atlantic House, Raynesway, Derby, DE21 7BE, Derbyshire, England Ordinary
Ordinary
Centreda I, Avenue Didier Daurat, 31700 Blagnac,  
Toulouse, France
Derby 1
Levazim Mahellesi, Koru Sokagi, Zorlu Center, No. 2 Teras Evler T2 
D:204, Zincirlikuyu, Besiktas, Istanbul 34340, Turkey
Derby 1

Ordinary

Ordinary
Cash shares

Eschenweg 11, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany
Derby 1
Derby 1

Spare IPG 20 Limited *
Spare IPG 21 Limited *
Spare IPG 24 Limited *
Spare IPG 32 Limited *

Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1

Spare IPG 4 Limited *
The Bushing Company Limited *
Timec 1487 Limited *
Trigno Energy S.R.L.
Turbine Surface Technologies Limited **

Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Zona Industriale, San Salvo, 66050, Italy
Derby 1

Turborreactores S.A. de C.V.

Vessel Lifter, Inc. *

Vinters Defence Systems Limited *
Vinters Engineering Limited
Vinters International Limited
Vinters Limited
Vinters-Armstrongs (Engineers) Limited *
Vinters-Armstrongs Limited *

Acceso IV, No.6C, Zona Industrial Benito Juárez, Querétaro,  
76120, Mexico
Corporation Service Company, 1201 Hays Street, Tallahassee, 
Florida 32301, United States
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1
Derby 1

*  Dormant entity.
** The entity is not included in the consolidation as Rolls-Royce plc does not have a beneficial interest in the net assets of the entity.
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
3  Reporting year end is 31 March.

100

100
100
100

100
100

100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
Nil
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

Capital Stock
Ordinary
Limited by 
guarantee
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
7.25% 
Cumulative 
Preference
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Class A
Class B
Common Stock

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary B

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS192

Financial Statements
Joint Ventures and Associates

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES

Class 
 of shares
Ordinary
Ordinary

% of 
class held
50
20

Ordinary

22

Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Ordinary A
Limited by 
guarantee
Ordinary A

Partnership  
(no equity held)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100
–

100

–

–

50

44
–

46
49

100
50

50

50

–

Group 
interest 
held %
50
20

22

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50
50

50

50

50

50

44
50

46
49

50
50

50

50

50

Company name
Aero Gearbox International SAS **
Airtanker Holdings Limited

Airtanker Services Limited

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.2) LLC

Address
18 Boulevard Louis Sequin, 92700 Colombes, France
Airtanker Hub, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, 
OX18 3LX, England
Airtanker Hub, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, 
OX18 3LX, England
Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.4) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.5) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.6) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.7) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) (No.8) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Leasing (US) LLC

Wilmington 2

Alpha Partners Leasing Limited
CFMS Limited

1 Brewer’s Green, London, SW1H 0RH, England
43 Queen Street, Bristol, BS1 4QP, England

Maritime Centre, Port of Liverpool, Liverpool, L21 1LA, 
England
Avda. de Aragón 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain

Paseo de John Lennon, s/n, edificio T22, 2ª planta, 
Getafe, Madrid, Spain

Partnership  
(no equity held)

EgyptAir Engine Workshop, Cairo International Airport, 
Cairo, Egypt
Dachauer Strasse 655, 80995, Munich, Germany
The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19801, United States
Lilienthalstrasse 2b, 85399 Halbergmoos, Germany
Mumbai Pune Road, Akurdi, Pune, Maharashtra 411035, 
India
Derby 1
1000 Marie-Victorin Boulevard, Longueuil Québec 
J4G 1A1, Canada
33rd Floor, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway,  
Hong Kong
Survey No. 3 Kempapura Village, Varthur Hobli, 
Bangalore, KA 560037, India
Suite 119, 9238 Madison Boulevard, Madison, Alabama 
35758, United States

Ordinary

Capital Stock
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Capital Stock
Capital Stock

Ordinary A
Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Partnership  
(no equity held)

Clarke Chapman Portia Port Services 
Limited
Consorcio Español para el  
Desarrollo Industrial del Helicóptero de 
Ataque Tigre, A.I.E. 
Consorcio Español para el  
Desarrollo Industrial del Programa 
Eurofighter, A.I.E. 
Egypt Aero Management Services 
(in liquidation)
EPI Europrop International GmbH
EPIX Power Systems, LLC

Eurojet Turbo GmbH
Force MTU Power Systems Private 
Limited
Genistics Holdings Limited
Global Aerospace Centre for Icing  
and Environmental Research Inc. **
Hong Kong Aero Engine  
Services Limited
International Aerospace 
Manufacturing Private Limited **,3
Light Helicopter Turbine  
Engine Company  
(unincorporated partnership)
MEST Co., Limited

Metlase Limited

MTU Power Systems Sdn. Bhd.

MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce GmbH

97 Bukjeonggongdan 2-gil, Yangsan-si, 
Gyeongsangnam-do, 50571, Republic of Korea
Unipart House, Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford, 
OX4 2PG, England
Level 10 Menara LGB, 1 Jalan Wan Kadir Taman Tun Dr 
Ismail 6000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Am Söldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Germany

Normal

46.8

46.8

Ordinary B

Ordinary A

100

100

20

49

Capital Stock

33.3

33.3

** These entities are accounted for as joint operations (see note 1 accounting policies).
1  Moor Lane, Derby, Derbyshire DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.
3  Reporting year end is 31 March.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements
Joint Ventures and Associates

193

Gerhard-Höltje-Strasse 1, D-99310, Arnstadt, Germany

Capital Stock

Company name
MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce  
ITP GmbH
MTU Yuchai Power Company Limited No 7 Danan Road, Yuzhou, Yulin, Guangxi, China, 

Address
Am Söldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Germany

537005, China
Gerhard-Höltje-Strasse 1, D-99310, Arnstadt, Germany

N3 Engine Overhaul Services  
GmbH & Co KG
N3 Engine Overhaul Services 
Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh
Qinous GmbH

Villa Rathenau, Wilhelminenhofstrasse 75,  
12459 Berlin, Germany

Rolls Laval Heat Exchangers Limited * Derby 1
Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance (US) 
(No 2) LLC
Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance (US) 
LLC
SAFYRR Propulsion Limited
Shanxi North MTU Diesel Co. Limited No.97 Daqing West Road, Datong City,  

Wilmington 2

Wilmington 2

Derby 1

Singapore Aero Engine Services 
Private Limited
Taec Ucak Motor Sanayi AS

Techjet Aerofoils Limited **

Texas Aero Engine Services LLC

TRT Limited
Turbo-Union GmbH

UK Nuclear Restoration Limited *

Xian XR Aero Components Co., 
Limited **

Shanxi Province, China
11 Calshot Road, 509932, Singapore

Buyukdere Caddesi, Prof. Ahmet Kemal Aru, Sokagi 
Kaleseramik, Binasi Levent No. 4, Besiktas, Istanbul, 
Turkey
Tefen Industrial Zone, PO Box 16, 24959, Israel

The Corporation Trust Company, 1209, Orange Street, 
Wilmington, Delaware 19801, United States 
Derby 1
Lilienthalstrasse 2b, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Munich, 
Germany
Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, 
WA16 8QZ, England
Xujiawan, Beijiao, Po Box 13, Xian 710021, Shaanxi,  
China

*  Dormant company.
** These entities are accounted for as joint operations (see note 1 accounting policies).
1  Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 8BJ, England.
2  Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, United States.

Class 
 of shares
Capital Stock

% of 
class held
50

Group 
interest 
held %
50

Capital Stock

Capital Stock

Preference

Ordinary
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Partnership  
(no equity held)
B Shares
Ordinary

Ordinary

Cash Shares

Ordinary A
Ordinary B
Partnership  
(no equity held)
Ordinary B
Capital Stock

Ordinary

Ordinary

50

50

50

22

50
–

–

100
49

50

49

50
50
–

100
40

20

49

50

50

50

22

50
50

50

50
49

50

49

50

50

49.9
40

20

49

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS194

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

to the members of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion
In our opinion: 

 – Rolls-Royce Holdings plc’s Consolidated Financial Statements 

and Company Financial Statements (the “financial statements”) 
give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the 
Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2019 and of the Group’s loss 
and cash flows for the year then ended;

 – the Consolidated Financial Statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

 – the Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising 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 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the 
Annual Report, which comprise: the Consolidated and Company 
Balance Sheets at 31 December 2019; the Consolidated Income 
Statement and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; 
the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended; the 

Our audit approach

Consolidated and Company Statements of Changes in Equity for 
the year then ended; and the notes to the Consolidated and 
Company Financial Statements, which include a description of the 
significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.

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 
to the Group or the Company.

Other than those disclosed in note 7 on page 145, we have provided 
no non-audit services to the Group or the Company in the period 
from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Materiality

Audit Scope

Key Audit
Matters

Overview
 — Overall Group materiality: £75 million (2018: £56 million), based on 0.5% of total underlying revenue.

 — Overall Company materiality: £126 million (2018: £128 million), based on 1.0% of total assets. This exceeds 
Group materiality as it is determined on a different basis given the nature of the Company’s operations. 
For the purposes of the audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements, our procedures, including those 
on balances in the Company, are undertaken with reference to Group materiality.

 — Following our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the Consolidated Financial Statements 
we subjected 30 individual components (including three joint ventures) to full scope audits for Group 
purposes, which following an element of consolidation, equates to 14 Group reporting opinions. In 
addition seven components performed targeted specified procedures.

 — In addition, the Group engagement team audited the Company and other centralised functions including 

those covering the Group treasury operations, corporate costs, corporate taxation, post-retirement 
benefits and goodwill and intangible asset impairment assessments.

 — The components on which full scope audits, targeted specified procedures and centralised work was 

performed accounted for 90% of revenue, 86% of loss before tax and 85% of total assets.

 — Central audit testing was performed where appropriate for reporting components in Group audit scope 

supported by the Group’s Finance Service Centres (FSCs).

 — As part of the supervision process, the Group engagement team has visited 14 components as well as the 

FSCs. Interactions with component auditors also included formal written instructions, meetings and 
reviewing selected audit papers.

Our assessment of the risk of material misstatement also informed our views of the areas of particular 
focus of our work which are listed below:

 — Long-term contract accounting and associated provisions (Group);

 — The recognition of deferred tax assets (Group);

 — The translation of foreign-currency denominated transactions and balances (Group);

 — The presentation and accuracy of underlying results and disclosure of other one-off items (including 

exceptional items) (Group);

 — Implementation of IFRS 16: Leases (Group);

 — Response to deferred prosecution and leniency agreements in connection with alleged bribery and 

corruption in overseas markets (Group); and

 — Recoverability of the Company’s investment in subsidiary undertakings (Company).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

195

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. In particular, we looked at where the Directors made 
subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
Based on our understanding of the Group and industries in which it 
operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations related to international tax legislation, Civil 
Aviation Authority regulations, import and export restrictions (including 
International Traffic in Arms Regulations), UK Bribery Act, US Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act and the requirements of the deferred prosecution 
and leniency agreements the Group previously entered into 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 preparation of the 
financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. 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 journal 
entries to increase profits or reclassify costs, management bias in 
accounting estimates especially long-term contract accounting and 
associated provisions, sale of engines to joint ventures for no clear 
commercial purpose or above market prices and inappropriately 
including or excluding transactions from underlying or free cash flow 
metrics. 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 

internal and external legal counsel, including consideration of 
known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and 
regulation and fraud; 

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. 
We have presented the key audit matters and the other risks subject 
to audit focus in the graph and table below. This is not a complete 
list of all risks identified by our audit. 

t
n
e
m
e
t
a
t
s
s
i
m

l
a
i
t
n
e
t
o
p
f
o
d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
i
L

 1

 C

 7

 12
 F

 4

 2

 5

9

8

 3

 10

6

 11

Potential magnitude of misstatement

■  Key audit matters – Group
■  Other audit risks – Group
■  Key audit matters – Company

Change 
from  
prior year

 – Assessment of matters reported on the Group’s whistle-blowing 

Risks

helpline and the results of management’s investigation of  
such matters; 

 – Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management 
in determining significant accounting estimates, in particular in 
relation to long-term contract accounting and associated 
provisions (see related key audit matters below); 

 – Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular journal 
entries posted with unusual account combinations; and 

 – Challenging why certain items are excluded or included from 
underlying profit or free cash flow and review of disclosures 
included in the Annual Report explaining and reconciling 
alternative performance measures to statutory metrics.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described 
above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. 
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.

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 

Key audit matters – Group

1

2

3

4

5

6

Long-term contract accounting and associated provisions

The recognition of deferred tax assets

Presentation of underlying results and disclosure  
of other one-off items (including exceptional items)

Translation of foreign currency denominated transactions 
and balances

Response of the Group to the deferred prosecution and 
leniency agreements in connection with alleged bribery 
and corruption in overseas markets

Implementation of IFRS 16

new

Other audit risks – Group

 7

 8

 9

 10

 11

Accounting for complex treasury instruments

Measurement of post-retirement benefits

Recoverability of programme assets

Consolidation process and joint venture accounting

Uncertain tax positions

Key audit matters – Company

 12

Recoverability of the Company’s investments 
in subsidiary undertakings

new

OTHER INFORMATION 
 
 
196

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Key changes in the assessment of audit risks for the current period 
compared to the prior period are:

 – Capitalisation and amortisation of development costs is no longer 

considered a key audit matter after no material issues were 
identified in the 2018 audit following changes in methodology for 
starting and subsequently ceasing the capitalisation of development 
costs which became effective on 1 January 2018;

 – Implementation of IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with 

Customers is no longer considered a key audit matter as 2019 is 
the second year that the accounting standard has been applied 
by the Group. A new key audit matter has been included for  

IFRS 16: Leases which was adopted on 1 January 2019 and 
resulted in material right-of-use assets and lease liabilities being 
recognised on the Consolidated Balance Sheet;

 – The valuation of ITP Aero is no longer considered a key audit 
matter after the finalisation of the purchase price allocation in 
2018; and 

 – A new key audit matter has been included for the recoverability 

of the Company’s investments in subsidiary undertakings 
reflecting the decline in the market capitalisation of the Group 
and the net liability position of the Consolidated Balance Sheet, 
which represent potential indicators of impairment.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Long-term contract accounting and associated provisions
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

Page 82 (Audit Committee report) and page 125 (note 1 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements – Accounting policies – 
Revenue recognition)

The Civil Aerospace and Defence businesses operate primarily 
with long-term customer contracts that span multiple periods.

These long-term contracts require a number of assumptions to be 
made in order to determine the level of revenue and profit that is 
recognised in each period.

For Civil Aerospace aftermarket contracts, the profitability typically 
assumes that there will be significant cost improvements over the 
lifetime (15–25 years) of the contracts. Significant judgement needs 
to be applied in determining the engine flying hours, time-on-wing, 
whether incremental costs should be treated as wastage or are 
part of the ongoing cost of servicing a contract, and other 
operating parameters used to calculate the projected life cycle. 
These future costs are also risk adjusted to take into account 
forecasting accuracy which represents an additional judgement.

Small adjustments can have a significant impact on the results of 
an individual financial year. In addition, changes to the operating 
condition of engines such as changes in route structure can 
result in different performance assumptions and hence cost 
profiles which impact the profitability of a contract.

The Group continues to experience significant in-service issues 
on the Trent 1000 programme with an additional exceptional 
charge booked in the year. The assessment of the total cost of 
delivering this programme, the cost of the proposed engineering 
solutions, changes in the shop visit profile, speed of implementation 
of design, manufacture and installation of improved parts and  
the level of customer disruption which was not expected at the 
inception of the contract are all significant judgements which 
impact the value and timing of revenue and profit recognition.  
In addition, certain contracts may become onerous as a result  
and require immediate recognition of the loss.

At the development stage of a programme, agreements are entered 
into with certain suppliers to share in the risk and rewards of the 
contracts (Risk and Revenue Sharing Partners – ‘RRSP’). This can 
involve upfront participation fees from the RRSP that are amortised 
over the engine production phase. In addition, specified revenue and 
costs are recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement net of the 
RRSP’s share.

The nature of the Civil Aerospace business gives rise to a number 
of contractual guarantees, warranties and potential claims. The 
accounting for these can be complex and judgemental and may 
impact the Consolidated Income Statement immediately or over 
the life of the contract.

Our procedures over the long-term contract accounting applied 
in the Civil Aerospace and Defence businesses are largely 
substantive in nature and included:

 – We attended meetings with Civil Aerospace and Defence 

programme and contract managers in order to understand the 
operational matters impacting the performance of specific 
contracts and any amendments to contractual arrangements; 
required by changes to underlying expectations of the  
contract performance;

 – We obtained and read the relevant sections of a sample of 

contracts to understand the key terms including performance 
obligations and pricing structures;

 – We re-performed the calculations used to determine the degree 
of completion for a sample of contracts and this was also used 
in assessing the magnitude of any catch-up adjustments;
 – We compared the previously forecast results of a sample of 

contracts with the actual results to assess the performance of 
the contract and the historical accuracy of forecasting;

 – We verified a sample of costs incurred to third party 

documentation in order to assess the validity of the forecast 
costs to complete;

 – We challenged management’s judgement around whether 

incremental contract costs arising from in-service issues should 
be accounted for over the expected duration of the underlying 
contract or recognised immediately;

 – Where the disruption has resulted in payments to customers 
we have validated the settlement to contractual agreements, 
considered the terms of previous settlements, correspondence 
with customers, the forecast period of further aircraft being on 
the ground and the completeness of the liability;

 – We assessed the assumptions relating to life cycle cost 

reductions to determine the likelihood of realisation and where 
relevant the speed at which they would be achieved, including 
the impact on the number of shop visits, validating these 
assumptions directly with the senior programme engineers;
 – Where the revision of assumptions has resulted in catch-up 

adjustments we have understood the driver of the adjustments 
and validated the impact to appropriate source information;
 – We obtained support for the risk adjustments made in respect 
of future costs and challenged management’s assumptions 
through assessment against historical performance, known 
technical issues and the stage of completion of the programme;
 – We challenged the assessment of provisions for loss making or 

onerous contracts to determine the completeness of the 
unavoidable costs to fulfil the contractual obligations;
 – We assessed the sensitivity of the Trent 1000 provision to 

reasonable changes in estimates, particularly in respect of the 
repair and overhaul facility capacity, technical cost creep on 
the known issues and cost outturns against previous provisions, 
in determining whether the provision was sufficient;

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

197

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Long-term contract accounting and associated provisions continued
The valuation of associated amounts may be highly judgemental 
and needs to be considered on a contract by contract basis.

The recognition of deferred tax assets
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)  
Page 82 (Audit Committee report), page 127 (note 1 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements – Accounting policies – 
Taxation), and pages 141 to 144 (note 5 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements – Taxation)

The recognition and recoverability of deferred tax assets is a 
significant judgement. The Group has recognised significant 
deferred tax assets on the basis of future levels of profitability in 
the relevant tax jurisdiction. The magnitude of the assets recognised 
necessitates the need for significant judgement in assessing the 
future levels of profitability over an extended period.

The loss reported for 2019 in the UK presents a heightened risk 
that deferred tax assets are recognised inappropriately. Further 
there is an inherent increased level of uncertainty in the level of 
forecast profits over an extended period.

The translation of foreign-currency denominated transactions 
and balances
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)  
Page 128 (note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements – 
Accounting policies – Foreign currency translation)

Foreign exchange rate movements influence the reported 
Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Cash Flow 
Statement and closing net funds balance. One of the Group’s 
primary accounting systems translates transactions denominated 
in foreign currencies at a fixed rate. 

Foreign currency denominated transactions and balances are 
then re-translated to actual average and spot rates through 
manual adjustments. Due to the manual nature of the process and 
significance of the recurring adjustment there is a risk that 
transactions and balances denominated in foreign currencies are 
inappropriately translated in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

 – We reviewed a sample of RRSP contracts to assess whether 
revenue and costs had been appropriately reflected, net  
of the share attributable to the RRSP in the Consolidated  
Income Statement;

 – We considered whether there were any indicators of 

management override of controls or bias in arriving at their 
reported position; and

 – We also assessed the adequacy of disclosures in note 1 of  
the key judgements and estimates involved in long-term 
contract accounting.

Overall we concluded that the key estimates and judgements 
used by management in the long-term contract accounting were 
supportable and the balances recorded in the financial 
statements to be materially correct.

We evaluated management’s assessment as to the availability of 
sufficient taxable profits in future periods to support the recognition 
of deferred tax assets, taking into account both business model and 
the tax jurisdiction. We assessed the future profit forecasts and the 
underpinning assumptions including management’s risk weighting of 
particular profit streams in the UK where the largest deferred tax 
asset is recognised. The right of offset of certain deferred tax 
liabilities and deferred tax assets was also assessed.

Where applicable we reconciled the forecasts used to justify  
the recognition of deferred tax assets to those used elsewhere  
in the business including for long-term contract accounting, 
impairment assessments, or for the Directors’ viability and  
going concern statements.

We also assessed the adequacy of disclosures over this area, 
particularly the impact of changes in key estimates of the asset 
recognised and this has been disclosed in note 1. 

We did not identify any material uncorrected exceptions from our 
audit work.

In addition to our testing in other areas of the various financial 
statement line items, we performed the following specific audit 
procedures over this area:

 – Obtained an understanding of the process employed by 

management to correctly report the translation of foreign 
currency balances and transactions;

 – Tested system reports identifying transactions and balances in 
source currency by agreeing these to general ledger balances;

 – Reperformed manual calculations of the adjustment needed to 

correctly report the translation of the foreign currency 
denominated transactions and balances;

 – We reconciled the balances and transactions requiring adjustment 

by source currency to source data and assessed the 
completeness of these balances and transactions;

 – For exchange rates used in management’s calculations for the 
translation adjustments we agreed these to an independent 
source; and

 – For each adjustment sampled we assessed whether the foreign 
currency denominated balance or transaction was translated at 
the appropriate exchange rate depending on its nature.

We did not identify any material uncorrected exceptions from  
our audit work.

OTHER INFORMATION198

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Presentation of underlying results and disclosure of other one-off 
items (including exceptional items)
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)  
Page 124 (note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements – 
Accounting policies – Presentation of underlying results), page  
134 (Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Segmental 
analysis) and page 179 (note 28 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements – Derivation of summary of funds flow statement.

In addition to the performance measures prescribed by 
International Financial Reporting Standards, the Group also 
presents the results on an “underlying” basis, as the Directors 
believe this better reflects the performance of the Group during 
the year. The Group also presents a free cash flow metric which 
the Directors believe reflects the cash generated from underlying 
trading, which differs from the cash flows presented in the 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

A key adjustment between the statutory results and the underlying 
results relates to the foreign exchange rates used to translate 
foreign currency transactions. The underlying results reflect the 
achieved rate on foreign currency contracts settled in the period 
and retranslates assets and liabilities at the foreign currency rates 
expected to be achieved in the future. As the Group can 
influence which contracts are settled in each reporting period it 
has the ability to influence the achieved rate and hence the 
underlying result.

The underlying results differ significantly from the reported 
statutory results and are used extensively to explain performance 
to the shareholders. Alternative performance measures can provide 
investors with a better understanding of the Group’s performance 
if properly used and presented. However, when improperly used 
and presented, these kinds of measures can mislead investors by 
masking the real financial performance and position.

Implementation of IFRS 16: Leases
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)  
Page 181 to 182 (note 29 to the Consolidated  
Financial Statements)

At 1 January 2019, the Group adopted IFRS 16: Leases. This 
accounting standard required operating leases to be brought 
onto the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the first time and 
resulted in right-of-use assets of £2,254 million and lease liabilities 
of £2,289 million being recognised on adoption. 

The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are estimated based 
on the discounted future lease payments. There is judgement 
over the period that the balances are calculated where lease 
agreements contain options for the contract to be extended or 
terminated early. Furthermore, there is judgement over the 
discount rate applied to the forecast cash flows, determining the 
lease term and where lease agreements contain residual value 
guarantees, the refurbishment costs that will be required to  
settle these. 

There is also a risk that the lease liabilities or right-of-use asset 
balances do not include all of the lease arrangements that the 
Group is party to.

We considered the judgements taken by management to determine 
what should be treated as a one-off or exceptional item and the 
translation of foreign currency amounts and obtained corroborative 
evidence for these.

We also considered whether there were items that were recorded 
within underlying profit that we consider are exceptional in 
nature and should be reported as an exceptional item. No such 
material items were identified. As part of this assessment we 
challenged management’s rationale for the designation of certain 
items as exceptional or one-off and assessed such items against 
the Group’s accounting policy considering the nature and value 
of those items.

We tested management’s calculation to translate foreign currency 
transactions to reflect the achieved foreign exchange rates based 
on foreign currency contracts settled in the year, and to translate 
year end assets and liabilities at foreign currency rates that are 
expected to be achieved in the future. We corroborated these 
rates to the Group’s hedging contracts. We also assessed whether 
the discretion used by management over the date on which 
forward foreign exchange contracts are settled indicated any 
evidence of bias.

We audited the reconciling items between the underlying profit 
before tax and free cash flow disclosed in note 28 including 
verifying that the items adjusted for are consistent with the prior 
period. We also considered whether free cash flow contains 
material one-off items which require further disclosure.

We also assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the 
disclosures of the impact of one-off or non-underlying items in 
note 1 and note 2 and other related notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements and found them to be appropriate.

Overall we found that the classification judgements made by 
management were in line with their policy for underlying results 
and exceptional items, had been consistently applied and found 
no material exceptions from our testing.

For a sample of leases, we recalculated the right-of-use asset and 
associated lease liability and validated the characteristics that 
determine these to the underlying lease agreements.

Our internal experts compared the rate used to discount future 
lease payments against corporate bond yields, adjusted property 
yields and borrowing costs and found that the rate was a reasonable 
approximation of the incremental borrowing rate of the lessee.

We tested management’s reconciliation between the operating 
lease commitments at 31 December 2018 and the lease liability 
recognised on adoption disclosed in note 29 and compared lease 
expenses for the year ended 31 December 2018 to leases included 
in management’s calculations for IFRS 16 adoption to validate that 
management’s list of leases was complete.

Where leases contained an option for early termination or 
extension, we considered how likely it was to be exercised, based 
on the nature of the assets and the terms including charges in the 
period under option. Certain engine leases also contain clauses 
that guarantee the value of the engine when it is returned to the 
lessor. This charge is included in lease liabilities. We validated 
management’s estimate of this charge based on the flying hours 
and forecast shop visit costs, including comparing these costs to 
historical charges.

We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosure of the 
impacting on the adoption of IFRS 16 as set out in notes 1 and 29 
which we found to be appropriate.

As a result of our work, we did not identify any material differences 
in the adjustments recorded on the implementation of IFRS 16.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

199

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Response to deferred prosecution and leniency agreements in 
connection with alleged bribery and corruption in overseas markets
(relevant to the Consolidated Financial Statements)  
Page 176 (note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
– Contingent Liabilities)

We planned and designed our audit approach to this area in 
conjunction with our in-house forensic specialists and after 
reading the Agreements and compliance reports made to the SFO 
and DoJ during the year. Where applicable we vouched the 
assertions made by management to objective evidence.

In January 2017, the Group became party to deferred prosecution 
agreements with the UK Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) and the US 
Department of Justice (“DoJ”), and a leniency agreement with the 
Brazilian Federal Prosecution Service (“MPF”) (collectively the 
“Agreements”) as a consequence of allegations of fraudulent 
payments to overseas intermediaries. Prosecution was deferred 
provided that the Group fulfils certain requirements, including 
the settlement of a financial penalty.

The Group operates in industries which are characterised by 
competition for individually significant contracts with customers 
which are often directly or indirectly associated with governments, 
and in a number of territories where the use of intermediaries is 
viewed as normal practice. This means the risk of future instances 
of corruption remains present. 

The possible implications of these high profile and sensitive 
Agreements on the future business if the terms are not met, 
including additional fines and prosecution, are significant. There 
is also the risk that historical activities could result in allegations 
and penalties in other territories not subject to the Agreements.

We assessed the overall control environment and ‘tone at the top’, 
including understanding and assessing the Group’s internal 
investigations processes which identify and assess possible 
non-compliance, such as whistle-blowing hotlines. We evaluated 
key controls over the appointment, monitoring and payments 
made to intermediaries.

We independently circularised and spoke with the Group’s external 
legal counsel to obtain their views about the status of the Agreements 
and to test management’s assertions of the likely outcome.

Together with our forensic specialists, we designed questionnaires 
to be performed in certain markets not otherwise included in Group 
audit scope to assess the risk of arrangements being in place in those 
markets which may require follow-up procedures to be performed.

Taking into account the findings from our audit procedures, we 
assessed the appropriateness of the contingent liability disclosure 
in note 25 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and found it 
to be reasonable and consistent with the information we obtained 
during the course of our audit.

We evaluated management’s assessment whether any indicators 
of impairment existed by comparing the carrying value of 
investments in subsidiary undertakings to the market capitalisation 
of the Group at 31 December 2019 and post year-end.

To determine the recoverable value, management prepared a 
valuation based on the discounted future cash flows of the Group. 
We have tested the reasonableness of key assumptions, including 
revenue, profit and cash flow growth rates, terminal growth rates 
and the discount rate management has applied. 

Deploying our valuations experts, we assessed the terminal 
growth rate and discount rate applied to the cash flow investment 
compared with third party information, past performance, the 
Group’s cost of capital and relevant risk factors. We also 
compared the valuation implied by the discounted cash flow 
model to third party analyst reports.

We performed our own independent sensitivity analysis to 
understand if reasonably possible changes in management’s 
assumptions would result in an impairment.

As a result of our work, we did not identify any material impairments 
and consider the carrying value of the investments in subsidiary 
undertakings to be supportable in the context of the Company 
Financial Statements taken as a whole.

Recoverability of the Company’s investments in  
subsidiary undertakings
(relevant to the Company Financial Statements)  
Page 184 to 186 (note 2 to the Company Financial Statements – 
Investments – Subsidiary Undertakings)

Investments in subsidiaries of £12,801 million (2018: £12,521 million) 
are accounted for at cost less provision for impairment in the 
Company Balance Sheet at 31 December 2019.

Investments are tested for impairment if impairment indicators 
exist. If such indicators exist, the recoverable amounts of the 
investments in subsidiaries are estimated in order to determine 
the extent of the impairment loss, if any. Any such impairment loss 
is recognised in the income statement.

At certain points following 31 December 2019, the market 
capitalisation of the Group fell to below the carrying value of the 
Company’s investment in subsidiary undertakings. This and the 
consolidated net liability position of the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet represent potential indicators of impairment and 
necessitated an impairment review to be performed.

Management judgement is required in the area of impairment 
testing, particularly in assessing: (1) whether an event has 
occurred that may indicate that the related asset values may not 
be recoverable; (2) whether the carrying value of an asset can be 
supported by the recoverable value, being the higher of fair value 
less cost of disposal or the net present value of future cash flows 
which are estimated based on the continued use of the asset in 
the business; and (3) key assumptions to be applied in preparing 
cash flow projections including whether these cash flow projections 
are discounted using an appropriate rate. Changing the assumptions 
selected by management to determine the level of any impairment, 
including the discount rates or the growth rate assumptions in the 
cash flow projections, could materially affect the recoverable 
value determined by the impairment test and as a result affect the 
Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

OTHER INFORMATION200

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

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 Company, the accounting processes and controls, 
and the industry in which they operate.

Our scoping is based on the Group’s consolidation structure. We 
define a component as a single reporting unit which feeds into the 
Group consolidation. Of the Group’s 437 reporting components, 30 
individual components (including three joint ventures) were subject 
to full scope audits for Group purposes, which following an element 
of consolidation, equates to 14 Group reporting opinions; and 
seven components performed targeted specified procedures.

In order to achieve audit coverage over the financial statements, 
under our audit methodology, we test both the design and 
operation of relevant business process controls and perform 
substantive testing over each financial statement line item.

The Group operates Finance Service Centres (FSCs) to bulk 
process financial transactions in Derby (UK), Indianapolis (US) and 
Bangalore (India). Based on our assessment with management it is 
not possible to fully test revenue and profit centrally as certain key 
processes, such as long-term contracting, remain within the 
business due to their nature.

Our audit covered 90% of revenue, 86% of loss before tax and 85% 
of total assets. All entities that contribute in excess of 4% of the 
Group’s revenue were included in full scope.

Further specific audit procedures over central functions, the Group 
consolidation and areas of significant judgement (including corporate 
costs, taxation, goodwill, intangible assets, treasury and post-retirement 
benefits) were directly led by the Group audit team.

Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined 
the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work at 
those reporting units to be able to conclude whether sufficient 
appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our 
opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We issued formal written instructions to all component auditors 
setting out the audit work to be performed by each of them and 
maintained regular communication with the component auditors 
throughout the audit cycle. These interactions included attending 
certain component clearance meetings and holding regular 
conference calls, as well as reviewing and assessing any matters 
reported. The Group engagement team also reviewed selected 
audit working papers for certain component teams.

In addition, senior members of the Group engagement team visited 
component teams across all group segments in the United Kingdom, 
United States of America, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong and 
Singapore. These visits included meetings with local management 
and with the component auditors.

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:

Group Financial Statements

Company Financial Statements

Overall materiality

£75 million (2018: £56 million).

£126 million (2018: £128 million).

How we determined it

0.5% of total underlying revenue.

1% of total assets.

Rationale for  
benchmark applied

We have consistently used underlying revenue to 
determine materiality as opposed to a profit based 
benchmark. This is because there is considerable 
volatility in profit before tax as a result of revenue 
recognition under IFRS 15 and from the fair value 
movement in the Group’s derivatives. Underlying 
revenue continues to be a key performance metric 
for the Group and is much less volatile than the 
profit metric. 

We determined our materiality based on total 
assets, which is more applicable than a 
performance-related measure as the Company is 
an investment holding company for Group.

Where there were balances and transactions 
within the Company accounts that were within 
the scope of the audit of the Group financial 
statements, our procedures were undertaken 
using the lower materiality level applying to the 
Group audit.

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 between £5 million 
and £67.5 million. Certain components were audited to a local 
statutory audit materiality that was also less than our overall  
Group materiality.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them 
misstatements identified during our audit above £3 million (Group 
audit) (2018: £2 million) and £6 million (Company audit) (2018: £2 
million) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our 
view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

201

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or 
draw attention to in respect of the Directors’ statement in the 
financial statements about whether the Directors considered it 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements and the Directors’ identification 
of any material uncertainties to the Group’s and the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be 
predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. For example, the 
terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union 
are not clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential 
implications on the Group’s and Company’s trade, customers, 
suppliers and the wider economy.

We are required to report if the Directors’ statement relating to 
Going Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is 
materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

We have nothing to 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.

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 the responsibilities described above and our work 
undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 
(CA06), ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters 
as described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated).

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 2019 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and 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. (CA06)

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the Group
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

 – The Directors’ confirmation on page 68 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 

facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

 – The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.

 – The Directors’ explanation on page 55 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what 
period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of 
their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the Directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was substantially less in 
scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ process supporting their statements; checking 
that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and considering 
whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment 
obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

OTHER INFORMATION202

Other Information
Independent Auditors’ Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Code Provisions
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when: 

 – The statement given by the Directors, on page 114, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and 

understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Company obtained in the 
course of performing our audit.

 – The section of the Annual Report on pages 79 to 84 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 

matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

 – The Directors’ statement relating to the 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.

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. (CA06)

Responsibilities for the financial statements and  
the audit

Other required reporting

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
set out on page 114, 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 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 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.

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 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.

Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:

 – we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit; or

 – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

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 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 3 May 2018 to audit the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 and subsequent 
financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 
two years, covering the years ended 31 December 2018 to 31 
December 2019.

Ian Chambers (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
28 February 2020

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Sustainability Assurance Statement 203

Other Information

SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE STATEMENT

To the stakeholders of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Independent limited assurance statement

Introduction and objectives of work
Bureau Veritas UK Limited (Bureau Veritas) has been engaged by 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (Rolls-Royce) to provide limited assurance 
over selected sustainability performance indicators for inclusion in 
its 2019 Annual Report and website. This assurance statement 
applies to the related information included within the scope of 
work described below.

Scope of work
The scope of our work was limited to assurance over the following 
information included within Rolls-Royce’s 2019 Annual Report  
(the Report) for the period 1 January to the 31 December 2019  
(the Selected Information):

 – energy consumption;
 – scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions;
 – total solid and liquid waste;
 – total reportable injury; and
 – the number of people reached through the science,  

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education 
outreach programmes.

Reporting criteria 
The Selected Information is reported according to the  
Rolls-Royce ‘Basis of Reporting’, a copy of which is available  
from www.rolls-royce.com/sustainability.

Limitations and exclusions 
Excluded from the scope of our work is verification of any 
information relating to:

 – activities outside the defined verification period; and
 – other information included in the Report.

This limited assurance engagement relies on a risk-based selected 
sample of sustainability data and the associated limitations that this 
entails. This independent statement should not be relied upon to 
detect all errors, omissions or misstatements that may exist.

Responsibilities
This preparation and presentation of the Selected Information  
in the Report are the sole responsibility of the management  
of Rolls-Royce.

Bureau Veritas was not involved in the drafting of the Report  
or of the reporting criteria. Our responsibilities were to:

 – obtain limited assurance about whether the Selected Information 

has been prepared in accordance with the reporting criteria;

 – form an independent conclusion based on the assurance 

procedures performed and evidence obtained; and

 – report our conclusions to the management of Rolls-Royce.

Assessment standard 
We performed our work to a limited level of assurance in accordance 
with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 
3000 Revised, Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews 
of Historical Financial Information (effective for assurance reports 
dated on or after 15 December 2015), and in accordance with the main 
requirements of ISO 14064:2006 Part 3 – Specification with Guidance 
for the Validation and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Assertions.

Summary of work performed 
As part of its independent verification, Bureau Veritas undertook 
the following activities:

 – assessed the appropriateness of the reporting criteria for the 

Selected Information;

 – conducted interviews with relevant personnel of Rolls-Royce;

 – carried out nine site visits, selected employing a risk-based 

approach, in the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany and Spain;

 – reviewed the data collection and consolidation processes used 

to compile the Selected Information, including assessing 
assumptions made, the data scope and reporting boundaries;

 – reviewed documentary evidence produced by Rolls-Royce;

 – agreed a sample of the Selected Information to the corresponding 

source documentation; and

 – re-performed aggregation calculations of the Selected Information.

Conclusion
On the basis of our methodology and the activities described above, 
nothing has come to our attention to indicate that the Selected 
Information has not been properly prepared, in all material respects, 
in accordance with the reporting criteria.

Further detailed recommendations are provided in the form of an 
internal management report to be issued to Rolls-Royce.

Statement of independence, integrity and competence
Bureau Veritas is an independent professional services company 
that specialises in quality, environmental, health, safety and social 
accountability with over 185 years of history. Its assurance team  
has extensive experience in conducting verification over 
environmental, social, ethical and health and safety information, 
systems and processes.

Bureau Veritas operates a certified 1 quality management system 
which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, and 
accordingly maintains a comprehensive system of quality control 
including documented policies and procedures regarding compliance 
with ethical requirements, professional standards and applicable 
legal and regulatory requirements.

Bureau Veritas has implemented and applies a code of ethics, which 
meets the requirements of the International Federation of Inspections 
Agencies (IFIA) 2 across the business to ensure that its employees 
maintain integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due 
care, confidentiality, professional behaviour and high ethical 
standards in their day-to-day business activities.

The assurance team for this work does not have any involvement  
in any other Bureau Veritas projects with Rolls-Royce.

Bureau Veritas UK Limited 
London 
26 February 2020

1  Certificate of registration can be provided on request.
2  International Federation of Inspection Agencies – compliance code – third edition.

OTHER INFORMATION204

Directors’ Report
Other Financial Information

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Foreign exchange

Foreign exchange rate movements influence the reported income 
statement, the cash flow and closing net funds balance. The average 
and spot rates for the principal trading currencies of the Group are 
shown in the table below:

USD per GBP Year-end spot rate
Average spot rate
EUR per GBP Year-end spot rate
Average spot rate

2019
1.32 
1.28 
1.18 
1.14 

2018
1.28 
1.33 
1.12 
1.13 

Change
+3%
-4%
+5%
+1%

The Group’s global corporate income  
tax contribution

The Group’s total corporation tax payments in 2019 were £175m. 
Around 85% of this was paid in the US, Germany, UK and Singapore 
which reflects the fact that the majority of the Group’s business is 
undertaken, and employees are based, in these countries. The 
balance was paid in around 40 other countries.

In common with most multinational groups, the total of all profits in 
respect of which corporate income tax is paid is not the same as 
the consolidated loss before tax reported on page 116. The main 
reasons for this are:

(i) 

the consolidated income statement is prepared under Adopted 
IFRS, whereas tax is paid on the profits of each Group company, 
which are determined by local accounting rules;

(ii)  accounting rules require certain income and costs relating to 
our commercial activities to be eliminated from, or added to, 
the aggregate of all the profits of the Group companies when 
preparing the consolidated income statement (consolidation 
adjustments); and

(iii)  specific tax rules including exemptions or incentives as 

determined by the tax laws in each country.

The level of tax paid in each country is impacted by the above. In 
most cases, (i) and (ii) are only a matter of timing and therefore tax 
will be paid in an earlier or later year. As a result they only have a 
negligible impact on the Group’s underlying tax rate. The core 
underlying tax rate can be found on page 19. This is due to 
deferred tax accounting, details of which can be found in note 5 to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements. The impact of (iii) will often 
be permanent depending on the relevant tax law.

Further information on the tax position of the Group can be found 
as follows:

 – Audit Committee Report (page 81) – The group tax director gave 
a presentation to the Audit Committee during the year which 
covered various matters including tax risks and how they are 
managed and key sources of estimation uncertainty (in particular 
the recognition of deferred tax assets);

 – note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (page 127) – 
Details of key areas of uncertainty and accounting policies  
for tax; and

 – note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 141 to 
144) – Details of the tax balances in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements together with a tax reconciliation. This explains the 
main drivers of the tax rate and the impact of our assessment on 
the recovery of UK deferred tax assets.

At this stage we expect these items to continue to influence the 
underlying tax rate. The reported tax rate is more difficult to 
forecast due to the impact of significant adjustments to reported 
profits, in particular the net unrealised fair value changes to 
derivative contracts and the recognition of losses and advance 
corporation tax.

Information on the Group’s approach to managing its tax affairs can 
be found at www.rolls-royce.com.

Investments and capital expenditure

The Group subjects all major investments and capital expenditure 
to a rigorous examination of risks and future cash flows to ensure 
that they create shareholder value. All major investments, including 
the launch of major programmes, require Board approval.

The Group has a portfolio of projects at different stages of their 
lifecycles. All of our major investments and projects are assessed 
using a range of financial metrics, including discounted cash flow 
and return on investment.

Financial risk management

The Board has established a structured approach to financial risk 
management. The Financial risk committee (Frc) is accountable for 
managing, reporting and mitigating the Group’s financial risks and 
exposures. These risks include the Group’s principal counterparty, 
currency, interest rate, commodity price, liquidity and credit rating 
risks outlined in more depth in note 19. The Frc is chaired by the 
Chief Financial Officer or group controller. The Group has a 
comprehensive financial risk policy that advocates the use of 
financial instruments to manage and hedge business operations 
risks that arise from movements in financial, commodities, credit or 
money markets. The Group’s policy is not to engage in speculative 
financial transactions. The Frc sits quarterly to review and assess 
the key risks and agree any mitigating actions required.

Capital structure

£m
Total equity
Cash flow hedges
Group capital
Net funds (excluding lease liabilities)

2019
(3,354)
96 
(3,258)
1,361 

2018
(1,052)
106 
(946)
840 

Operations are funded through various shareholders’ funds, bank 
borrowings, bonds and notes. The capital structure of the Group 
reflects the judgement of the Board as to the appropriate balance of 
funding required. Funding is secured by the Group’s continued 
access to the global debt markets. Borrowings are funded in various 
currencies using derivatives where appropriate to achieve a required 
currency and interest rate profile. The Board’s objective is to retain 
sufficient financial investments and undrawn facilities to ensure that 
the Group can both meet its medium-term operational commitments 
and cope with unforeseen obligations and opportunities.

The Group holds cash and short-term investments which, together 
with the undrawn committed facilities, enable it to manage its 
liquidity risk.

During the year, the Group extended the maturity of the £2,500m 
committed bank borrowing facility from 2023 to 2024. This facility 
was undrawn at the period end. The Group also repaid £1.1bn of 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Other Financial Information

205

borrowings during the year. At the year end, the Group retained 
aggregate liquidity of £6.9bn, including cash and cash equivalents of 
£4.4bn and undrawn borrowing facilities of £2.5bn.

The Group subscribes to Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch for 
independent long-term credit ratings. At the date of this report, the 
Group maintained investment-grade rating from all three agencies.

Circa £435m of drawn borrowings mature in 2020 (£775m including 
lease liabilities).

The maturity profile of the borrowing facilities is regularly reviewed 
to ensure that refinancing levels are manageable in the context of 
the business and market conditions. There are no rating triggers in 
any borrowing facility that would require the facility to be 
accelerated or repaid due to an adverse movement in the Group’s 
credit rating. The Group conducts some of its business through a 
number of joint ventures. A major proportion of the debt of these 
joint ventures is secured on the assets of the respective companies 
and is non-recourse to the Group. This debt is further outlined in 
note 12.

Credit rating 

Moody’s Investors Service

Standard & Poor’s
Fitch

Rating
Baa2

BBB-
BBB+

Outlook
Negative

Stable
Stable

Grade
Investment

Investment
Investment

As a capital-intensive business making long-term commitments  
to its customers, the Group attaches significant importance to 
maintaining or improving the current investment-grade credit ratings.

Accounting

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS), as adopted by the EU. 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted from 1 January 2019 and the impact 
is described in notes 1 and 29 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. The adoption of IFRS 16 has resulted in the 
recognition of additional lease liabilities in relation to leases 
which had previously been classified as operating leases under 
the principles of IAS 17 Leases, with the associated right-of-use 
assets recognised in non-current assets. The net impact on 
adoption of IFRS 16 was a £40m reduction in total equity.

Additional commentary on key performance indicators

Order backlog, also known as unrecognised revenue, is the 
amount of revenue on current contracts that is expected to be 
recognised in future periods. Civil Aerospace OE orders where 
the customer has retained the right to cancel (for deliveries in 
the next 7-12 months) are excluded. Further details are 
included in note 2 on page 138. 

Underlying revenue is used as it reflects the impact of our 
foreign exchange (FX) hedging policy by valuing foreign 
currency revenue at the actual exchange rates achieved as a 
result of settling FX contracts in the year. This provides a 
clearer measure of our year-on-year performance. Further 
details and reconciliation to reported revenue are included in 
note 2 on page 139.

Self-funded R&D as a proportion of underlying revenue –  
We expect to spend approximately 5% of underlying revenue 
on R&D although this proportion will fluctuate depending on 
the stage of development of current programmes. We expect 
this proportion will reduce modestly over the medium term. 
Further details are included in note 3 on page 140.

Capital expenditure as a proportion of underlying revenue – 
All proposed investments are subject to rigorous review to 
ensure that they are consistent with forecast activity and will 
provide value for money. We measure annual capital 
expenditure as the cash purchases of property, plant and 
equipment acquired during the period; over the medium-term 
we expect a proportion of around 4%. Further details are 
included in note 10 on page 149.

Underlying operating profit includes: (a) revenue and costs 
denominated in US dollars and euros on the basis of the 
exchange rates achieved based on our FX hedge book; (b) 
similar adjustments in respect of commodity derivatives; (c) 
consequential adjustments to reflect the impact of exchange 
rates on trading assets and liabilities, and long-term contracts, 
on a consistent basis; and (d) items of a one-off nature. Further 
details and reconciliation to reported operating profit are 
included in note 2 on page 139.

Free cash flow is the movement in net funds excluding lease 
liabilities during the year, before movements arising from 
payments to shareholders, acquisitions and disposals, and FX. 
It excludes the cash cost of the restructuring plan and SFO 
payments. Further details and reconciliation to reported cash 
flow are included in note 28 on page 179.

Cash flow per share is calculated using free cash flow (as 
defined above) and the average number of shares in issue 
during the year, consistent with the EPS calculations in note 6 
on page 144. 

Cash return on invested capital (CROIC) is calculated as cash 
flow divided by invested capital. Cash flow is the free cash flow 
(as defined above), adjusted to remove R&D, PPE and software 
capital expenditure, certification costs, other intangibles, and 
working capital (excluding change in the net LTSA balance in 
Civil Aerospace). Invested capital is defined as the sum of 15 
years net R&D investment, PPE and software at cost, 
certification costs, other intangibles (excluding M&A and 
goodwill), and working capital (excluding net LTSA balance in 
Civil Aerospace) and ten times current year lease payments.

OTHER INFORMATION206

Directors’ Report
Other Statutory Information

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

OTHER STATUTORY INFORMATION

Share price

During the year, the share price reduced by 18% from 830p to 683p, 
compared to a 14% increase in the FTSE aerospace and defence 
sector and a 12% increase in the FTSE 100. The Company’s share price 
ranged from 680p in December 2019 to 1004p in February 2019.

Share capital

On 31 December 2019, the Company’s issued share capital 
comprised of:

1,930,995,313
30,607,559,470
1

Ordinary shares
C Shares
Special Share

20p each
0.1p each
£1

The ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Payment to shareholders

The Company issues non-cumulative redeemable preference shares 
(C Shares) as an alternative to paying a cash dividend.

Shareholders can choose to:

 – redeem all C Shares for cash;
 –  redeem all C Shares for cash and reinvest the proceeds in the 

C Share Reinvestment Plan (CRIP); or

 –  keep the C Shares.

The CRIP is operated by Computershare Investor Services PLC 
(the Registrar). The Registrar will purchase ordinary shares in the 
market for shareholders electing to reinvest their C Share proceeds. 
Shareholders wishing to participate in the CRIP or redeem their 
C Shares in July 2020 must ensure that their instructions are lodged 
with the Registrar no later than 5.00pm on 1 June 2020 (CREST 
holders must submit their election in CREST in sufficient time for  
it to settle before 2.55pm on 1 June 2020). Redemption will take 
place on 3 July 2020.

At the 2020 AGM, the Directors will recommend an issue of  
71 C Shares with a total nominal value of 7.1p for each ordinary share. 
The C Shares will be issued on 1 July 2020 to shareholders on the 
register on 24 April 2020 and the final day of trading with 
entitlement to C Shares is 23 April 2020. Together with the interim 
issue on 3 January 2020 of 46 C Shares for each ordinary share with 
a total nominal value of 4.6p, this is the equivalent of a total annual 
payment to ordinary shareholders of 11.7p for each ordinary share.

Further information for shareholders is on pages 210 and 211.

Share class rights

The full share class rights are set out in the Company’s Article, which 
are available at www.rolls-royce.com. The rights are summarised below.

Ordinary shares
Each member has one vote for each ordinary share held. Holders 
of ordinary shares are entitled to: receive the Company’s Annual 
Report; attend and speak at general meetings of the Company; 
appoint one or more proxies or, if they are corporations, corporate 
representatives; and exercise voting rights. Holders of ordinary 
shares may receive a bonus issue of C Shares or a dividend and  
on liquidation may share in the assets of the Company.

C Shares
C Shares have limited voting rights and attract a preferential 
dividend of 75% of LIBOR on the 0.1p nominal value of each share, 
paid on a twice-yearly basis. The Company has the option to 
redeem the C Shares compulsorily, at any time if: the aggregate 
number of C Shares in issue is less than 10% of the aggregate 
number of all C Shares issued on or prior to that time or the event 
of a capital restructuring of the Company; the introduction of a new 
holding company; the acquisition of the Company by another 
company; or a demerger from the Group.

On a return of capital on a winding-up, the holders of C Shares 
shall be entitled, in priority to any payment to the holders of 
ordinary shares, to the repayment of the nominal capital paid-up or 
credited as paid-up on the C Shares held by them, together with a 
sum equal to the outstanding preferential dividend which will have 
been accrued but not paid until the date of return of capital.

The holders of C Shares are only entitled to attend, speak and vote 
at a general meeting if a resolution to wind up the Company is to 
be considered, in which case they may vote only on that resolution. 

Special Share
Certain rights attach to the special rights non-voting share 
(Special Share) issued to the UK Secretary of State for Business, 
Energy & Industrial Strategy (Special Shareholder). These rights are 
set out in the Articles. Subject to the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006 (the Act), the Treasury Solicitor may redeem the Special 
Share at par value at any time. The Special Share confers no rights 
to dividends but in the event of a winding-up it shall be repaid at 
its nominal value in priority to any other shares.

Certain provisions of the Articles (in particular those relating to the 
foreign shareholding limit, disposals and the nationality of the 
Company’s Directors) that relate to the rights attached to the 
Special Share may only be altered with the consent of the Special 
Shareholder. The Special Shareholder is not entitled to vote at any 
general meeting or any other meeting of any class of shareholders.

Restrictions on transfer of shares and limitations 
on holdings
There are no restrictions on transfer or limitations on the holding 
of the ordinary shares or C Shares other than under the Articles 
(as described here), under restrictions imposed by law or regulation 
(for example, insider trading laws) or pursuant to the Company’s 
share dealing code. The Articles provide that the Company should 
be and remain under UK control. As such, an individual foreign 
shareholding limit is set at 15% of the aggregate votes attaching 
to the share capital of all classes (taken as a whole) and capable 
of being cast on a poll and to all other shares that the Directors 
determine are to be included in the calculation of that holding. 
The Special Share may only be issued to, held by and transferred 
to the Special Shareholder or his successor or nominee. 

Shareholder agreements and consent requirements
No disposal may be made to a non-Group member which, alone  
or when aggregated with the same or a connected transaction, 
constitutes a disposal of the whole or a material part of either the 
nuclear propulsion business or the assets of the Group as a whole, 
without the consent of the Special Shareholder.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Other Statutory Information

207

Changes to the Articles of Association

Deadlines for exercising voting rights

The Articles may be altered or added to or new articles may be 
adopted by a special resolution of the shareholders of the 
Company, subject to the provisions of the Act.

Electronic and paper proxy appointments, and voting instructions, 
must be received by the Registrar not less than 48 hours before a 
general meeting.

Authority to issue shares

Voting rights for employee share plan shares

At the 2019 AGM, authority was given to the Directors to allot new 
C Shares up to a nominal value of £500m as an alternative to  
a cash dividend.

In addition, an ordinary resolution was passed authorising the 
Directors to allot new ordinary shares up to a nominal value  
of £126,387,015 equivalent to one-third of the issued share capital 
of the Company. This resolution also authorised the Directors  
to allot up to two-thirds of the total issued share capital of the 
Company, but only in the case of a rights issue.

A further special resolution was passed to effect a disapplication  
of pre-emption rights for a maximum of 5% of the issued share 
capital of the Company.

These authorities are valid until the 2020 AGM or 30 June 2020, 
whichever is earlier, and the Directors propose to renew each of 
them at the 2020 AGM. The Board believes that these authorities 
will allow the Company to retain flexibility to respond to 
circumstances and opportunities as they arise.

ITP Aero
Following approval from the relevant authorities in Spain, on 
19 December 2017 the Group acquired a 53.1% shareholding in  
ITP Aero from SENER resulting in ITP Aero becoming a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of the Company. The consideration of €718m was settled 
over a two-year payment period, payable in eight equal instalments, 
and the agreement with SENER allowed the Company flexibility to 
settle up to 100% of the consideration in the form of ordinary 
shares. Three payments were settled in 2019 all in the form of 
ordinary shares, as follows:

Instalment
6th
7th
8th

No. of 
ordinary shares
8,681,110
9,301,958
10,990,194

Date
19 March 2019
19 June 2019
19 September 2019

Shares are held in an employee benefit trust for the purpose of 
satisfying awards made under the various employee share plans. 
For shares held in a nominee capacity or if plan/trust rules provide 
the participant with the right to vote in respect of specifically 
allocated shares, the trustee votes in line with the participants’ 
instructions. For shares that are not held absolutely on behalf  
of specific individuals, the general policy of the trustees, in 
accordance with investor protection guidelines, is to abstain  
from voting in respect of those shares.

Change of control

Contracts and joint venture agreements
There are a number of contracts and joint venture agreements 
which would allow the counterparties to terminate or alter those 
arrangements in the event of a change of control of the Company. 
These arrangements are commercially confidential and their 
disclosure could be seriously prejudicial to the Company. 

Borrowings and other financial instruments
The Group has a number of borrowing facilities provided by  
various banks. These facilities generally include provisions which 
may require any outstanding borrowings to be repaid or the 
alteration or termination of the facility upon the occurrence  
of a change of control of the Company. At 31 December 2019,  
these facilities were less than 2% drawn (2018: 19%).

The Group has entered into a series of financial instruments  
to hedge its currency, interest rate and commodity exposures.  
These contracts provide for termination or alteration in the event 
that a change of control of the Company materially weakens the 
creditworthiness of the Group.

Employee share plans
In the event of a change of control of the Company, the effect  
on the employee share plans would be as follows:

 – Deferred share bonus – the shares would be released from  

Authority to purchase own shares

trust immediately. 

At the 2019 AGM, the Company was authorised by shareholders to 
purchase up to 189,580,523 of its own ordinary shares representing 
10% of its issued ordinary share capital.

 –  ShareSave – options would become exercisable immediately.  

The new controlling company might offer an equivalent option  
in exchange for cancellation of the existing option.

The authority for the Company to purchase its own shares expires 
at the conclusion of the 2020 AGM or 30 June 2020, whichever is 
the earlier. A resolution to renew the authority will be proposed at 
the 2020 meeting.

The Company did not purchase any of its own ordinary shares 
during 2019.

 –  Share Incentive Plan (SIP) – consideration received as shares 

would be held within the SIP, if possible, otherwise the 
consideration would be treated as a disposal from the SIP.

 – LTIP – awards would vest on the change of control, subject to  
the Remuneration Committee’s judgement of performance  
and may be reduced pro rata to service in the vesting period. 
Any applicable holding period will cease in the event of a 
change in control.

OTHER INFORMATION208

Directors’ Report
Other Statutory Information

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Accounting policies, financial instruments  
and risk

Details of the Group’s accounting policies, together with details of 
financial instruments and risk, are provided in notes 1 and 19 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 123 and 157.

Major shareholdings

At 31 December 2019, the following shareholders had notified  
an interest in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company  
in accordance with section 5.1.2 of the Disclosure and  
Transparency Rules:

Shareholder 
Blackrock, Inc.
Harris Associates L.P.
ValueAct Indirect Holdings
The Capital Group 
Companies, Inc

Date notified 
5 November 2019
21 October 2019
22 March 2019

% of issued ordinary
share capital *
below 5
5.01
9.48

12 October 2017

5.07

which might not be thought of as political expenditure in the usual 
sense, could be captured. Activities of this nature would not be 
thought of as political donations in the ordinary sense of those 
words. The resolution to be proposed at the 2020 AGM, authorising 
political donations and expenditure, is to ensure that the Group does 
not commit any technical breach of the Act.

During the year, expenses incurred by Rolls-Royce North America, 
Inc. in providing administrative support for the Rolls-Royce 
North America political action committee (PAC) was US$81,866 
(2018: US$111,961). PACs are a common feature of the US political 
system and are governed by the Federal Election Campaign Act.

The PAC is independent of the Group and independent of any 
political party. The PAC funds are contributed voluntarily by 
employees and the Group cannot affect how they are applied, 
although under US law, the business expenses are paid by the 
employee’s company. Such contributions do not count towards the 
limits for political donations and expenditure for which shareholder 
approval will be sought at this year’s AGM to renew the authority 
given at the 2019 AGM.

*   Percentages are shown as a percentage of the Company’s issued share capital when the 

Company was notified of the change in holding. 

Branches

As at 27 February 2020, no further changes had been notified. 

Directors

The names of the Directors who held office during the year are  
set out on pages 62 to 64. In addition, Brad Singer and Ruth 
Cairnie were directors during the year. They stepped down  
on 9 December and 31 December respectively.

Directors’ Indemnities

The Directors have the benefit of an indemnity provision contained 
in the Articles. In addition, the Directors have been granted a 
qualifying third party indemnity provision which was in force 
throughout the financial year and remains in force. Also, 
throughout the year, the Company purchased and maintained 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself and for 
its Directors and Officers.

Disclosures in the Strategic Report

The Board has taken advantage of section 414C(11) of the Act  
to include disclosures in the Strategic Report including:

 – employee involvement;
 – the employment of disabled people;
 – information about charitable donations;
 – the future development, performance and position of the Group;
 – the financial position of the Group;
 – R&D activities; 
 – the principal risks and uncertainties; and
 – particulars of important events affecting the Company since the 

financial year end.

Political donations

The Company’s policy is that it does not, directly or through any 
subsidiary, make what are commonly regarded as donations to any 
political party. However, the Act defines political donations very 
broadly and so it is possible that normal business activities, such as 
sponsorship, subscriptions, payment of expenses, paid leave for 
employees fulfilling certain public duties and support for bodies 
representing the business community in policy review or reform, 

Rolls-Royce is a global company and our activities and interests  
are operated through subsidiaries, branches of subsidiaries,  
joint ventures and associates which are subject to the laws  
and regulations of many different jurisdictions. Our subsidiaries,  
joint ventures and associates are listed on pages 187 to 193. 

Financial instruments

Details of the Group’s financial instruments are set out in note 19  
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related party transactions

Related party transactions are set out in note 26 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Information required by UK Listing Rule (LR) 9.8.4

There are no disclosures to be made under LR 9.8.4.

Management report

The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report together are the 
management report for the purposes of Rule 4.1.8R of the DTR.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of 
this report confirms that so far as the Director is aware, there is  
no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 
unaware. The Director has taken all steps that he or she ought to 
have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given, and should be interpreted, in accordance 
with the provisions of section 418 of the Act.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Directors’ Report
Other Statutory Information

209

Greenhouse gas emissions

In 2019, our total net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 586 kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (ktCO2e). This represents a decrease 
of 3% compared with 602 ktCO2e in 2018.

Aspect
Emissions from activities for which the 
Company owns or controls including the 
combustion of fuel and operation of 
facilities. Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1)

Emissions from the purchase of 
electricity, heat, steam and cooling 
purchased for our use. Indirect  
GHG Emissions (Scope 2) location-based

Total gross GHG emissions

Energy consumption used to calculate 
above emissions – kWh

Intensity Ratio (total GHG emissions  
per £m revenue)
Emissions from the purchase of 
electricity, heat, steam and cooling 
purchased for our use. Indirect  
GHG emissions (Scope 2) market-based]

Outside of Scopes

Tonnes CO2e
Global
(excluding UK)

UK
Global
(excluding UK)

UK
Global
(excluding UK)
UK
Global
(excluding UK)

2015
209,302

2016
229,691

2017
254,032

2018
250,237

2019 
247,159

108,325
170,276

103,581
168,849

99,918
161,115

85,120
166,199

91,396
161,035

173,535
379,578

144,334
398,540

122,657
415,147

100,827
416,436

86,548
408,193

281,861

177,944
1,538,198,000 1,639,939,000 1,694,823,000 1,707,642,000 1,648,572,000

222,575

185,947

247,915

UK 885,952,000 832,549,000
0.047

0.054

Total

811,948,000
0.046

762,917,000
0.040

767,701,000
0.038

Global
(excluding UK)

UK
Global
(excluding UK)
UK

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

874
–

19,336

The above figures include 230,972,000 kWh of renewable energy 
purchased via a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 
use by our facilities based in the UK, supplied through a third party. 
The source includes a proportion of electricity that was generated 
by the combustion of biofuel. The associated emissions are included 
above under the location-based Scope 2 emissions (using grid 
average emission factors). They are also reported separately as 
market-based Scope 2 emissions (covering the emissions of nitrous 
oxide and methane) and Outside of Scopes (covering the emissions 
of carbon dioxide). This has resulted in a net reduction of  
39 kilotonnes from our total GHG emissions. 

In addition, the above figures include 7,354,000 kWh of electricity 
generated on-site from renewable energy sources. 

The figures for 2015 through to 2018 inclusive have been restated 
to remove emissions associated with the Commercial Marine 
business sold on 1 April 2019. Figures for 2015 exclude emissions 
associated with ITP Aero (which became a wholly owned subsidiary 
on 19 December 2017). We have included the reporting of fugitive 
emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), associated with air 
conditioning equipment, into our GHG emissions figures from 2016. 
These include emissions from our facilities in the UK, US, Canada 
and France only. We do not anticipate that emissions from other 
facilities will have a material impact.

With the exceptions noted above, we have reported on the 
underlying energy use and emission sources required under the 
Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships 
(Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. All these sources fall 
within the scope of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have used the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and 
Reporting Standard (revised edition) as of 31 December 2014 
utilising the operational control approach and emission factors 
from the UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company 
Reporting 2019. We report our emissions of: carbon dioxide; 
methane; nitrous oxide; hydrofluorocarbons; and perfluorocarbons 
on a carbon dioxide equivalent basis. We have no emissions of 
sulphur hexafluoride or nitrogen trifluoride.

Further details on our methodology for reporting and the criteria 
used can be found within our basis of reporting, available to 
download at www.rolls-royce.com.

OTHER INFORMATION210

Other Information
Shareholder Information

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 

Financial calendar 2020–2021

7 MAY 11.00AM 
AGM  
Kings Place 
90 York Way 
London 
N1 9FX

1 JULY 
Allotment of C Shares

2 JULY 
Payment of cash dividend on C Shares

3 JULY 
Payment of C Share redemption monies

22 JULY 
New share certificates issued (at the latest) 

6 AUGUST
Announcement of half-year results

1 DECEMBER 
Record date for  
cash dividend on  
C Shares

5 JANUARY 
Allotment of C Shares

5 JANUARY 
Payment of cash dividend on C Shares

6 JANUARY 
Payment of C Share redemption 
monies

20 JANUARY 
New share certificates issued  
(at the latest) 

APR 
2020

MAY 
2020

JUN 
2020

JUL 
2020

AUG 
2020

SEP 
2020

OCT 
2020

NOV 
2020

DEC 
2020

JAN 
2021

FEB 
2021

MAR 
2021

23 APRIL
Ex-entitlement  
to C Shares

24 APRIL 
Record date for 
entitlement to  
C Shares

1 JUNE 5.00PM 
Deadline for receipt  
by Registrar of C Share 
instructions (2:55pm  
for CREST holders)

3 JUNE 
Record date for cash 
dividend on C Shares

29 OCTOBER 
Ex-entitlement  
to C Shares

30 OCTOBER 
Record date for 
entitlement to  
C Shares

1 DECEMBER 
5.00PM
Deadline for receipt  
by Registrar of C Share 
instructions (2:55pm  
for CREST holders) 

31 DECEMBER 
Financial year end

FEBRUARY/ 
MARCH 
Announcement  
of full-year results  
and Annual Report  
published

Managing your shareholding

Share dealing

Your shareholding is managed by Computershare Investor Services 
PLC (the Registrar). When making contact with the Registrar please 
quote your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN). This is a  
10-digit number prefixed with the letter ‘C’ that can be found  
on the right-hand side of your share certificate or in any other 
shareholder correspondence. 

You can manage your shareholding at www.investorcentre.co.uk, 
speak to the Registrar on +44 (0)370 703 0162 (8.30am to 5.30pm 
Monday to Friday) or you can write to the Registrar at 
Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater 
Road, Bristol BS13 8AE.

If you hold your shares in a share dealing account (sometimes 
referred to as a nominee account) then you must contact your 
account provider with any questions about your shareholding.

Payments to shareholders

The Company makes payments to shareholders by issuing 
redeemable C Shares of 0.1p each. You can redeem C Shares for 
cash and either take the cash or reinvest the cash to purchase 
additional ordinary shares providing you complete a payment 
instruction form, which is available from the Registrar. Once you  
have submitted your payment instruction form, you will receive cash 
or additional ordinary shares each time the Company issues 
C Shares. If you choose to receive cash we strongly recommend that 
you include your bank details on the payment instruction form and  
have payments credited directly to your bank account. This removes 
the risk of a cheque going astray and means that cleared payments 
will be credited to your bank account on the payment date. 

The Registrar offers shareholders an internet dealing service  
at www.computershare.co.uk and a telephone dealing service 
(+44 (0)370 703 0084). Real-time dealing is available during market 
hours, 8.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank 
holidays. Orders can still be placed outside of market hours. The 
fee for internet dealing is 1% of the transaction value subject to  
a minimum fee of £30. The fee for telephone dealing is 1% of the 
transaction value plus £50. Stamp duty of 0.5% is payable on all 
purchases. This service is only available to shareholders resident  
in certain jurisdictions. Before you can trade you must register  
to use the service. Other share dealing facilities are available  
but you should always use a firm regulated by the FCA  
(see www.fca.org.uk/register).

Your share certificate

Your share certificate is an important document. If you sell or 
transfer your shares you must make sure that you have a valid share 
certificate in the name of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. If you place  
an instruction to sell your shares and cannot provide a valid share 
certificate, the transaction cannot be completed and you may be 
liable for any costs incurred by the broker. If you are unable to  
find your share certificate please inform the Registrar immediately.

American Depositary Receipts (ADR)

ADR holders should contact the depositary, JP Morgan, by calling 
+1 (800) 990 1135 (toll free within the US) or +1 (651) 453 2128 
(outside the US) or emailing adr@jpmorgan.com.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Other Information
Shareholder Information

211

Warning to shareholders – investment scams

Visit Rolls-Royce online

We are aware that some of our shareholders have received 
unsolicited telephone calls or correspondence, offering to buy  
or sell their shares at very favourable terms. The callers can be very 
persuasive and extremely persistent and often have professional 
websites and telephone numbers to support their activities.  
These callers will sometimes imply a connection to Rolls-Royce  
and provide incorrect or misleading information. This type of call 
should be treated as an investment scam – the safest thing to do  
is hang up.

You should always check that any firm contacting you about 
potential investment opportunities is properly authorised by  
the FCA. If you deal with an unauthorised firm you will not  
be eligible for compensation under the Financial Services 
Compensation Scheme. You can find out more about protecting 
yourself from investment scams by visiting the FCA’s website at  
www.fca.org.uk/consumers, or by calling the FCA’s consumer 
helpline on 0800 111 6768 (overseas callers dial +44 20 7066 1000). 
If you have already paid money to share fraudsters contact  
Action Fraud immediately on 0300 123 2040, whose website is  
www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Remember: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Visit www.rolls-royce.com to find out more about the latest financial 
results, the share price, payments to shareholders, the financial 
calendar and shareholder services.

Keeping up to date

You can sign up to receive the latest news updates to your phone 
or email address by visiting www.rolls-royce.com and registering  
for our alert service.

Dividends paid on C Shares held

C Share calculation period
1 July 2019 – 31 December 2019
1 January 2019 – 30 June 2019

Previous C Share issues

C Share dividend rate (%)
0.32
0.39

Record date for 
C Share dividend
15 November 2019
3 June 2019

Payment date
6 January 2020
2 July 2019

Apportionment values

Record 
date for
entitlement
to C Shares
 25 October
2019
26 April
 2019

Latest date
for receipt
of payment
instruction
forms by
Registrar
2 December
2019
3 June
2019

No. of C
 Shares
issued per
 ordinary
 share

46

71

Issue date
3 January 
2020
1 July
2019

Price of
ordinary
shares on
first day  
of trading
 (p)

677.80

857.40

CGT apportionment

Value of 
C Share
issues per 
ordinary
shares (p)

Ordinary
shares (%) C Shares (%)

4.6

7.1

99.33

99.18

0.67

0.82

Date of
redemption
of C Shares
6 January
2020
4 July
2019

CRIP
purchase
date
6 January
2020
4 July
2019

CRIP
purchase
price (p)

673.203

871.5668

For information on earlier C Share issues, please refer to www.rolls-royce.com.

Analysis of ordinary shareholders at 31 December 2019

Type of holder
Individuals
Institutional and other investors
Total

Size of holding (number of ordinary shares)
1 – 150
151 – 500
501 – 10,000
10,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 1,000,000
1,000,001 and over
Total

Number of 
shareholders
167,391
3,592
170,983

55,622
82,144
31,642
1,078
320
177
170,983

% of total 
shareholders
97.90
2.10
100.00

32.53
48.04
18.51
0.63
0.19
0.10
100.00

Number 
of shares
85,147,751
1,845,807,562
1,930,955,313

5,034,073
23,191,006
48,086,670
29,912,513
105,498,096
1,719,272,955
1,930,995,313

% of total 
shares
4.41
95.59
100.00

0.26
1.20
2.49
1.55
5.46
89.04
100.00

OTHER INFORMATION212

Other Information
Glossary

GLOSSARY

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

ABC
ACARE

AGM
ALPS
AMRCs
AOG
APM
Articles
bps
Brexit
C Shares
C&A
CARs
CEO
CFO
CGT
Our Code
the Code
Company
CPS
CRIP
CROIC
D&I
DJSI
DoJ
DPAs
DTR

EASA
EIS
ELG
EPS
ERG
ESG
EU
EUR
EVTOL
FCA
FCF
FRC
FTE
FX
GBP
GHG
Group

anti-bribery and corruption
Advisory Council for Aviation Research  
and Innovation in Europe
annual general meeting
Advanced Low Pressure System
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres
aircraft on ground
alternative performance measure
Articles of Association of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
basis points
UK exit from the European Union
non-cumulative redeemable preference shares
commercial and administrative
contractual aftermarket rights
chief executive officer
chief financial officer
capital gains tax
Global Code of Conduct
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
cash flow per share
C Share reinvestment plan
cash return on invested capital
diversity & inclusion
Dow Jones Sustainability Index
US Department of Justice
deferred prosecution agreements
the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and  
Transparency Rules
European Aviation Safety Agency
entry into service
Enterprise Leadership Group
earnings per share
employee resource group
environment, social and governance
European Union
euro
electric vertical take-off and landing
Financial Conduct Authority
free cash flow 
Financial Reporting Council
full time equivalent
foreign exchange
Great British pound or pound sterling
greenhouse gas
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and its subsidiaries

Trade marks

HPT
HSE
IASB
IFRS
KPIs
ktCO2e
kW
LGBT+
LIBOR
LRIP
LTIP
LTPR
LTSA
M&A
MoU
MRO
MW
NCI
NOx
OCI
OE
OECD

OEM
P&L
PBT
PPE
PSMS
PSP
R&D
R&T
REACH

Registrar
RMS
RRMS
RRSAs
SFO
SMR
STEM
TCFD
TRI
TSR
USAF
USD/US$
UTCs

Credits

high pressure turbine
health, safety and environment
International Accounting Standards Board
International financial reporting standards
key performance indicators
kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
kilowatts
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
London inter-bank offered rate
low rate initial production
long-term incentive plan
long-term planning exchange rate
long-term service agreement
mergers & acquisitions
memorandum of understanding
maintenance repair and overhaul
megawatts
non-controlling interest
nitrogen oxide
other comprehensive income
original equipment
Organisation for Economic Co-operation  
and Development
original equipment manufacturer
profit and loss
profit before tax
property, plant and equipment
product safety management system
performance share plan
research and development
research and technology
registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction 
of chemicals
Computershare Investor Services PLC
risk management system
Rolls-Royce management system
risk and revenue sharing arrangements 
UK Serious Fraud Office
small modular reactors
science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
total reportable injuries
total shareholder return
United States Air Force
United States dollar
University Technology Centres

The following trade marks which appear throughout this Annual Report are trade 

Designed and produced by CONRAN DESIGN GROUP 

marks registered and owned by companies within the Rolls-Royce Group:

BR710®

CorporateCare®

Gnome®

LiftSystem™

MTU®

MTU PowerPacks®

Pearl®

Pioneering the power that matters™

Pioneers of Power®

RB211®

Reman®

TotalCare®

Trent®

UltraFan®

Photograph credits

The Tempest aircraft image shown on page 34 is reproduced courtesy  
of BAE Systems.

The Astute submarine image shown on page 35 is under Crown copyright.  
It contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government  
Licence v.3.0.

Printed on Innovation Premium which is an FSC® certified paper. The pulps used 
are Totally Chlorine Free (TCF), and the manufacturing mill has ISO 14001 
environmental management certification. The mill’s energy is produced from 100% 
biomass fuels sourced from local forestry and no fossil fuels are used. The carbon 
emissions have been measured and offset using the World Land Trust’s Carbon 
Balanced scheme.

 using their  

Printed in the UK by 
environmental printing technology, using vegetable  
 is a CarbonNeutral®  
inks throughout. 
company. Both the paper manufacturing mill and  
the printer are registered to the Environmental  
Management System ISO 14001 and are  
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)  
chain-of-custody certified.

CBP000256

© Rolls-Royce plc 2020

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc 
Registered office:  
Kings Place 
90 York Way 
London 
N1 9FX

T +44 (0)20 7222 9020 
www.rolls-royce.com

Company number 7524813