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Sirius Real Estate

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FY2021 Annual Report · Sirius Real Estate
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Power of platform in 
period of pandemic

Sirius Real Estate Limited
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Continuation 
of organic and 
acquisitive growth

Sirius Real Estate Limited is a real estate 
company with a portfolio of 68 business 
parks owned or managed across Germany, 
providing a combination of conventional 
and flexible workspace.

For more information, please visit 
www.sirius-real-estate.com

Contents

Strategic report
1  Our highlights

3  At a glance

6 

Investment review

8  Chairman’s statement

10  CEO’s Q&A

12  Business model

14  Market

16  Asset management strategy

18  Our portfolio

20  Key performance indicators

22  Asset management review

28  Sustainability

33  Financial review

38  Principal risks and uncertainties

48  Viability statement

Governance
50  Board of Directors

52  Senior Management Team

53  Corporate governance

64  Audit Committee report

70  Nomination Committee report

73  Sustainability and Ethics 

Committee report

75  Directors’ Remuneration report

100 Statement of Directors’ 

responsibilities

101 Directors’ report

Financial statements
105 Independent auditors’ report

112 Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

113 Consolidated statement of 

financial position

114 Consolidated statement of changes 

in equity

115 Consolidated statement of 

cash flows

116 Notes to the financial statements

156 Business analysis 

(unaudited information)

159 Annex 1 – Non-IFRS measures

163 Glossary of terms

165 Corporate directory

1

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

Asset management 
continues to drive rental 
and valuation growth

Operating platform delivers increases in enquiries, 
occupancy and average rate despite pandemic.

€163.7m
 47.7%

€6.17m
 3.2%

Profit before tax at 31 March 2021

Average rate per sqm

€1,347.2m
 13.6%

Portfolio book value – owned 
investment properties

2021 

2020 

163.7

2021 

6.17

2021 

1,347.2

110.8

2020 

5.98

2020 

1,186.2

3.80c
 6.4%

Total dividend for the year

88.31c
 14.2%
NAV per share

31.4%
 1.4%

Net loan to value ratio

2021 

2020 

3.80

2021 

88.31

2021 

3.57

2020 

77.35

2020 

92.29c
 14.7%

€97.2m
 7.6%

European Public Real Estate 
Association (“EPRA”) NTA per share

Annualised rent roll at  
31 March 2021

87.0%
 1.7%
Occupancy

2021 

2020 

92.29

2021 

97.2

2021 

80.44

2020 

90.3

2020 

31.4

32.8

87.0

85.3

Throughout this Annual Report and accounts certain industry terms and alternative performance measures are used; see the Glossary, Business 
analysis and Annex 1 – non-IFRS measures within this Annual Report and Accounts for full explanations and reconciliations of alternative performance 
measures to IFRS numbers.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20212

OUR HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED

Strong trading despite the 
pandemic and return to 
acquisitive growth

The Company delivered profit before tax of €163.7 million despite 
unprecedented market conditions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. A 
combination of increases in annualised rent roll, transformative investment 
to upgrade assets and continued demand for light industrial property in 
Germany contributed to significant valuation gains which, combined with 
dividends paid in the period, resulted in a total accounting return of 19.5%, 
the Company’s highest such return since it was first listed on AIM in 2007. 
Dividends for the year amounted to 3.80c, an increase of 6.4% on the prior 
year based on a 65% funds from operations pay-out ratio. 

1. Organic growth

2. Acquisition growth 

The Company delivered its seventh consecutive year of 
like-for-like annualised rent roll growth in excess of 5.0% 
with an increase of 5.2%. Despite the pandemic, occupancy 
increased to 87.0% with average rental rate increasing by 
3.2% highlighting the ability of the Company’s internal 
operating platform to grow revenues in all market conditions. 
Taking into account the effect of acquisitions and disposals 
the Company’s total annualised rent roll at 31 March 2021 
was €97.2 million.

Following six months of pause from activity as we assessed 
the impact of Covid-19, Sirius returned to acquisitive 
growth on its own balance sheet as well as through the 
Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts in the second half of the 
financial year. A total of four assets were acquired and one 
notarised for completion in the year totalling €45.9 million 
providing an attractive mix of stable income and value-add 
opportunity for Sirius. In addition, the Titanium venture 
grew with the notarisation of an asset located in Augsburg 
totalling €79.9 million. 

3. Operational excellence

4. Balance sheet strength 

During the year, the ability of the Company’s internal 
operating platform to sustain, grow income and capital 
values in challenging market conditions became apparent. 
Enquiry levels increased 18.5% year on year due, in part, to 
the ability of the platform to identify changing patterns in 
demand rapidly and adapt marketing strategies, whilst sales 
conversion ratios remained high at 13%. Similarly, the 
Company’s experienced cash collection team, in tandem 
with on-site staff, was able to work with tenants in assisting 
them to access support and maintain business continuity 
whilst ensuring contractual obligations were met. This 
resulted in a 98.2% cash collection rate for the year. 

As at 31 March 2021, Sirius had €49.3 million of free cash 
and a net LTV of 31.4%, which remains comfortably within 
its stated limit of 40%. The Group held 19 unencumbered 
assets with a book value of €245.5 million as at year end 
providing it with significant balance sheet flexibility and 
optionality from which to continue its growth. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20213

AT A GLANCE

Conventional and 
flexible workspace

We are an owner and operator of branded business parks providing 
conventional and flexible workspace exclusively in Germany.

Sirius applies a high-return, value-add business model to 
investments in industrial, warehouse and out of town office 
properties in Germany. The Company derives value through 
the execution of a stringent acquisitions process followed by 
selective capital investment and the roll out of an intensive 
asset management plan which focuses on transforming vacant 
and sub-optimal space into high-quality conventional and 
flexible workspace. When assets have been fully transformed 
some are held for their stable income and some are recycled 
into opportunistic assets with value-add potential.

As at 31 March 2021 the Group owned 60, managed 2, and 
held a 35% interest in 6 additional properties through its 
Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts, which it also manages. 
The value of property held on the consolidated balance sheet 
as at 31 March 2021 was €1.3 billion. The portfolio can be 
split into three categories:

1)  traditional business parks – 55.8% of annualised rent roll;

2)  modern business parks – 26.8% of annualised rent roll; and

3)  office buildings – 17.4% of annualised rent roll.

The Group’s assets contain space with a range of usages 
including production, offices, warehouses and storage. Most 
sites have a combination of anchor tenants which provide 
secure long-term income, SME tenants on a combination of 
conventional and flexible lease terms and Smartspace tenants 
which comprise a wide variety of companies and individuals 
using self-storage, serviced office and workbox products. 
The stability of the anchor tenants is important for lenders 
of secured debt whereas the high-yielding Smartspace 
products, which are generally created from sub-optimal space, 
acquired for very low cost, provide a substantial boost to 
income returns. 

Our workspace
The Group has a well-diversified income and tenant profile 
from large multinational corporations working within a broad 
range of industries to smaller SMEs and individual customers. 
These tenants use several types of workspace on both long-term 
and flexible leases.

Much of the workspace is created through the Company’s capex 
investment programmes, which transform vacant and 

sub-optimal space into high-quality conventional production, 
storage and office facilities as well as our innovative range of 
flexible Smartspace products. As a result, the Company attracts 
a wide variety of tenants and increases footfall on its properties 
whilst generating higher income and capital growth from space 
that would often be considered structural vacancy and remain 
empty or be rented at low rates.

Storage
For businesses and private households, 
the wide range of storage space on offer 
in the Sirius estate provides many 
options on varying scales.

Warehouse, storerooms and 
self-storage options are available 
on Sirius business parks.

 » Classical storage spaces
 » Smartspace storage
 » Flexistorage
 » 23.1% of Group annualised rent roll
 » 31.9% of total sqm
 » €4.48: average rate per sqm

Production, warehouses 
and workshops
Large production areas form the base 
of many Sirius business parks; however, 
smaller workshop areas complement 
these, giving clients optionality as they 
start their businesses or their business 
needs change. Additionally, the modern 
business parks often have large warehouse 
spaces which can be used for many 
different purposes.

 » Large-scale production spaces
 » Warehouse spaces
 » Smartspace workbox
 » 17.8% of Group annualised rent roll
 » 23.9% of total sqm
 » €4.61: average rate per sqm

Offices
The office space within the portfolio 
comprises office areas and buildings on 
industrial business parks, office buildings 
attached to warehouses and stand-alone 
office buildings in more traditional office 
areas. Within these office types we offer 
a wide range of conventional and flexible 
office solutions on either long or short-term 
leases. Some business centres offer 
service packages such as furniture, IT 
and conferencing as well as co-working 
areas and virtual offices.

Offices, co-working and office space are 
securable in Sirius business parks.

 » Conventional offices
 » Smartspace office
 » Officepods
 » Virtual office
 » 39.4% of Group annualised rent roll
 » 31.7% of total sqm
 » €7.82: average rate per sqm

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20214

AT A GLANCE CONTINUED

Our assets and locations

The Company owns 60 and manages an additional 2 assets all located 
in Germany, as well as managing 6 assets held through Titanium, in 
which it holds a 35% interest. Our assets typically provide the tenants 
with a combination of conventional and flexible workspace. 

Modern business parks 
Modern business parks have a 
construction date post 1990 and typically 
contain a combination of warehouse and 
office buildings across a site with a total 
area in excess of 20,000 sqm. The quality 
and look of the modern business parks 
are usually of a higher standard and 
whilst they are easier to manage than 
traditional industrial business parks due 
to a higher proportion of office space, the 
value-add potential that can be extracted 
from the assets within the Sirius business 
model is often very good.

 » Multi-tenanted
 » Long and short-term leases
 » Warehouse, storage 
and office space

 » SMEs and individual customers

Office buildings 
The pure office buildings we buy are 
usually well located on the periphery of 
major economic centres and offer both 
conventional and flexible office space to 
SMEs and larger corporates seeking a 
cost effective alternative to city centre 
locations. Typically constructed post 
1990 our office buildings provide 
high-quality space that can be quickly 
adapted to meet the changing needs 
and working practices of our tenants.

 » Single and multi-tenanted
 » Office space
 » SMEs
 » Long and short-term leases

Traditional business parks 
The majority of our traditional business 
parks were originally constructed by 
owner occupiers with many having 
construction dates going back to the early 
to mid-1900s. Traditional business parks 
typically comprise multiple mixed-use 
buildings and contain in excess of 
30,000 sqm of workspace. The original 
design and set-up of these sites were 
generally for manufacturing and industrial 
usage and over time they have undergone 
significant investment in order to 
reconfigure to cater for multi-tenants. 
After the Sirius transformation, our 
traditional business parks offer 
conventional large-scale industrial, 
storage and office facilities as well as 
flexible serviced office, self-storage and 
workbox options which are created from 
the more difficult areas of the sites.

These business parks are home to large 
blue-chip industrial tenants such as GKN, 
Bopp & Reuther and Borsig as well as a 
significant number of SME and individual 
tenants that together create thriving 
business communities.

 » Multi-tenanted
 » Long-term leases
 » Production, storage 
and office space

 » Large multinational companies

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20215

The majority of our business parks are a mixture of office, storage and production 
space. Whilst retaining the major core anchor industrial tenants, many of our business 
parks are restructured to enhance the working environment of the tenants.

Revenue by city

4%

15%

25%

12%

2525+

  Frankfurt

  Berlin

10%

11%

14%

9%

  Munich

  Düsseldorf 

8%

24%

36%

Total portfolio split

3636+

  Storage

  Office

32%

Tenant split by revenue

Q 4040+

  Smartspace SME tenants

  Top 50 anchor tenants

40%

53%

7%

  Stuttgart

  Cologne

  Hamburg

  Other

  Production

  Other

  Other SME tenants

Our locations

1

Some of our tenants

1.5m

Lettable sqm

5,596

Tenants

60

Total number of properties owned 

72%

of revenue is created in  
the top five German cities

  Berlin

  Cologne

  Düsseldorf

  Frankfurt

  Hamburg

  Munich

  Stuttgart

  Other

  Titanium

  Managed properties

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202132
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+
24
24
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8
8
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Q
7
7
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53
53
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Q
Q
+
9
9
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14
14
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11
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6

INVESTMENT REVIEW

Acquisitions providing fuel 
for future growth 

Acquired in the period

Norderstedt

Nuremberg

Mannheim III

Total acquisition cost
€9,050,000
Tenants
12
Lettable space
12,626 sqm
Occupancy
100%
Annualised rent roll
€783,000
Vacant space
0 sqm
Rate per sqm

€4.99

Total acquisition cost
€13,701,000
Tenants
5
Lettable space
13,526 sqm
Occupancy
91%
Annualised rent roll
€1,093,000
Vacant space
1,193 sqm
Rate per sqm
€7.36

Total acquisition cost
€3,169,000
Tenants
7
Lettable space
2,962 sqm
Occupancy
93%
Annualised rent roll
€235,000
Vacant space
200 sqm
Rate per sqm

€6.93

December 2020

December 2020

December 2021

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Acquired in the period

7

Fellbach II

Augsburg (Titanium)

Essen

Total acquisition cost
€9,228,000
Tenants
1
Lettable space
8,796 sqm
Occupancy
95%
Annualised rent roll
€730,000
Vacant space
475 sqm
Rate per sqm
€7.04

Total acquisition cost
€79,896,000
Tenants
74
Lettable space
112,784 sqm
Occupancy
90%
Annualised rent roll
€5,426,000
Vacant space
11,300 sqm
Rate per sqm
€4.46

Total acquisition cost
€10,706,000
Tenants
6
Lettable space
14,711 sqm
Occupancy
80%
Annualised rent roll
€829,000
Vacant space
2,897 sqm
Rate per sqm
€5.85

February 2021

Notarised January 2021

Notarised March 2021

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20218

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Delivery of growth in pandemic, 
commitment to sustainability

In Summary

 » Period of operational and strategic success 

for the business against a backdrop of 
unprecedented disruption and challenges.

 » Operating in a sustainable way and creating 

long-term social and financial value are at the 
heart of Sirius’ purpose.

 » We recognise the property sector has an 

important role to play in addressing 
environmental challenges, particularly those 
related to climate change.

“ Operating in a sustainable way 
and creating long-term social 
and financial value are at the 
heart of Sirius’ purpose.”

Overview
This is my third Annual Report as Chairman and I am delighted 
to be able to record another period of operational and strategic 
success for the business against a backdrop of unprecedented 
disruption and challenges. 

Sirius performed well throughout the pandemic. Significant 
efforts from management and employees ensured continuity 
of service to tenants and high levels of cash collection whilst 
continuing to execute on our strategy. I would like to express 
my gratitude to our employees and tenants who have 
demonstrated such resilience in difficult circumstances. 

As we enter a new financial year and look towards a more 
normal operating environment, Sirius is well placed to keep 
delivering on our growth strategy. We will continue to help our 
tenants drive Germany’s economy and to deliver attractive and 
sustainable returns for shareholders. 

Executing the strategy 
Our core strategy continues to focus on the acquisition of 
business parks in Germany which have either attractive yields, 
value-add potential or both. Sirius transforms these business 
parks into higher-quality assets through investment and 
intensive asset management. When sites are mature and net 
income and values have been optimised, Sirius may refinance 
the sites to release capital for investment in new sites or 
consider the disposal of sites in order to recycle equity into 
assets which present greater opportunity to deploy the asset 
management capabilities of the Company’s internal operating 
platform. The capex investment programmes upgrade and 
transform space that would often be considered as structurally 
void and, in doing so, aim to deliver excellent returns by growing 
income and capital values. 

The primary focus remains on Germany’s seven largest cities: 
Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and 
Munich, with a secondary focus on a selection of key border 
towns such as Aachen, Saarbrücken and Freiburg. Sirius seeks 
mixed-use properties, primarily light industrial units, business 
parks or office buildings outside city centres or on the edge of 
towns where there is a high density of commercial and industrial 
activity and good transport links. The Company has approximately 
5,600 tenants across the 60 properties that it owns and 
approximately a further 500 tenants in the 6 business parks 
owned by Titanium, a venture with AXA IM Alts where Sirius 
holds a 35% equity share and which are managed by Sirius. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 20219

Coupled with our commitment to sustainable spaces, I am also 
proud that the Company truly puts people at the heart of its 
operations. Our employees have been exceptional throughout 
this extraordinary year and I believe this is as a result of their 
dedication to the business, the culture that we have built 
over the years and the support structure that the Senior 
Management Team has put in place. I would also like to make 
a particular mention of our tenants. We have always said that 
Sirius epitomises what can be achieved when people meet 
property. I have been impressed with the continual interaction 
and mutual support that existed between our people and our 
tenants throughout the year. 

Governance and culture
On 1 June 2020, we welcomed Caroline Britton and Kelly 
Cleveland to the Board as independent Non-Executive 
Directors. Caroline and Kelly have brought a wealth of real 
estate and financial experience to the Sirius Board and have 
provided valuable contributions throughout the year. Further 
information relating to these Board changes is provided in the 
Corporate governance report on page 53 and in the Nomination 
Committee report on page 70. 

The Board is fully committed to compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “2018 Code”) as published in July 2018 by 
the Financial Reporting Council. Under a dispensation issued by 
the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Company is not required 
to apply the King IV Code on Governance™ for South Africa 2016. 
A detailed description of our governance and leadership 
arrangements and how we have complied with the principles 
and provisions of the 2018 Code is provided in the Corporate 
Governance report on page 54. This includes an explanation of 
the link between the Board’s decision-making and the Group’s 
purpose and strategy. It also details how stakeholder interests 
and the other matters set out in Section 172 of the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been considered in the Board’s discussions and 
decision making. 

Information on the Group’s culture can be found on page 55 of 
the Corporate governance report. 

Outlook
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all those connected 
with Sirius for their hard work which has allowed the Company 
to record another fantastic year, with the business weathering 
the challenges of the pandemic and emerging stronger than 
ever. The tremendous efforts of the leadership team in 
managing the business during unprecedented times have been 
truly remarkable. As we enter the next period, Sirius is in a 
strong position to execute on our ambitious growth strategy 
and to continue to leverage our resilient business model. 

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
4 June 2021

Shareholder returns 
The Company’s stated policy is to pay out 65% of the Group’s 
funds from operations (“FFO”) to shareholders as dividends 
although, as has happened previously, the Board will consider 
higher pay-out ratios in order to maintain the positive dividend 
growth that would have been achieved had it not been for 
particular phases of the asset recycling or equity raising activities. 
Consequently, the Board has authorised a dividend in respect 
of the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 
of 1.98c per share representing 65% of FFO, an increase of 
10.0% on the 1.80c dividend for the equivalent dividend last year. 
The total dividend for the year is 3.80c compared to 3.57c for 
the year ended 31 March 2020. The Group has not received any 
state financial assistance in connection with the Covid-19 crisis. 

The Sirius business model continues to deliver not only 
progressive income returns but also attractive capital growth 
as measured by adjusted net asset value (“adjusted NAV”) per 
share. Combining the growth in adjusted NAV and taking into 
account dividends paid in the period, the Company has delivered 
a record total shareholder accounting return of 19.5% for the 
year to 31 March 2021. While dividend distributions have 
typically contributed approximately 30% and adjusted NAV 
growth 70% of returns, it is pleasing to note that the valuation 
movement of our investment properties continues to be derived 
predominantly from organic increases in income rather than 
yield movement. This focus on growing income at property level 
is a core strategy and positions the Company well for the future. 

Sustainability
Operating in a sustainable way and creating long-term social 
and financial value are at the heart of Sirius’ purpose. Both the 
Board and Senior Management Team know that to achieve this 
we need to unlock the potential of our people, our properties 
and the communities in which we operate and engage closely 
with our tenants. We know that long-term economic success 
complements having a positive impact socially, environmentally 
and ethically. With this in mind, we were delighted to promote 
Kremena Wissel to the newly created executive role of Chief 
Marketing and Impact Officer to spearhead our efforts to 
embed our ESG responsibilities across our business. 

As a real estate company with a large physical footprint, we 
recognise the property sector has an important role to play in 
addressing environmental challenges, particularly those related 
to climate change. I have been pleased to see that our progress 
has been recognised by MSCI, which upgraded the business’ 
ESG rating from A to AA in November 2020. We know we have 
more to do having recently completed an ESG materiality 
assessment exercise. The results of this exercise will direct 
our efforts in the new financial year as we further develop our 
sustainability framework and chart our future direction and focus. 
As part of this, we are also in the process of implementing the 
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) 
recommendations, which will further integrate environmental 
considerations into our strategic planning. This also extends to 
our resource footprint and we are pleased that we supply 100% 
certified green energy to over 99% of our portfolio. This is the 
first year that we have published our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, 
which can be found later in this report. Fundamentally, our business 
is built on the recycling of working spaces. By refurbishing and 
revitalising older buildings to fit modern needs, we can play a 
role in generating fewer emissions. In the new financial year, 
we will begin planning our carbon emissions reduction strategy 
and we look forward to sharing this with shareholders.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202110

CEO’S Q&A

A year of adaptation 
and advancement 

the nature of Germany’s economy helped it record a stronger 
performance than other economies as its manufacturing and 
exporting base has continued operating with fewer disruptions 
than in service sector dominated economies. 

As we look forward, some of these new ways of working for our 
staff and our tenants – who we have empowered to work flexibly 
– will clearly outlast the pandemic, and we welcome that. 
Thanks to the underlying resilience of our model and our people 
through this exceptional year, we have managed to adapt in 
response to shifting demand, and as we look ahead to the 
second half of 2021 and the start of 2022, we are well positioned 
for growth as we enable our tenants to further drive Germany’s 
economic recovery. 

2.  What are your key highlights 

from the financial year? 

This has been another year of growth for Sirius across our key 
operating metrics and we have maintained high cash collection 
rates. We have continued to execute our strategy effectively, 
and further built on the successful foundations we have laid over 
the past decade. The pandemic has demonstrated what a truly 
resilient and diverse business model we have now established. 
Diversity has been key to building this resilience. We have a 
diverse customer base of various sizes, sectors and industry 
segments. No single industry segment accounts for more than 
3% of total revenue. We operate in diverse geographies and 
different cities with a primary focus around Germany’s “big 
seven” cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, 
Stuttgart and Munich. We have diversity of product, offering a 
mixture of spaces from offices to industrial warehousing and 
self-storage units. Put together, this means we have exposure 
to the entire German economy without being over-dependent 
on any one city, tenant, industry or type of space.

This year’s performance was underpinned by a number of 
significant achievements. We recorded a 9.3% growth in funds 
from operations to €60.9 million which was driven by another year 
of strong organic income growth. A 5.2% increase in like-for-like 
annualised rent roll represented the seventh consecutive year 
of increases in excess of 5%. We have continued to record high 
levels of cash collection with 98.2% of all rent and service charge 
prepayments invoiced for the year collected in the period. 
Profit before tax of €163.7 million included net valuation gains 
of €99.6 million which themselves were generated predominately 
through increases in income rather than market-driven yield shift. 

We start the new financial year with a net LTV of 31.4%, well 
within the Board’s 40% maximum limit, and total cash balance 
of €65.7 million which includes €49.3 million of unrestricted cash. 
This in combination provides further acquisition capacity for the 
Company to consider as opportunities present themselves.

1.  How has Sirius supported its employees and 
tenants through this exceptional financial year?

I want to start by echoing the Chairman’s remarks expressing 
gratitude to our employees and tenants who have demonstrated 
such resilience through the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the 
unpredictable nature of the crisis Sirius has remained steadfast 
and my colleagues have risen to the challenges it has presented 
in a commendable fashion. It has been a year in which we have 
seen our Company values come right to the forefront demonstrating 
real adaptability and industriousness. So, thank you to all of you. 

Protecting the health and safety of our staff, tenants and their 
visitors has been our number one priority this year. We have done 
everything we can to keep people safe and where possible we 
have gone above and beyond regulatory requirements. As part 
of our Safer at Sirius model for tenants we have developed best 
practice approaches to enhanced cleaning and decontamination 
of our sites, as well as operating under strict social distancing 
rules. For our staff we offered free Covid-19 testing kits prior to 
Germany’s free testing programme and established new home 
working practices. Through the crisis we have been clear that 
we must empower and trust our employees to make the best 
decisions for themselves and their own families. 

It is also worth noting the German state’s relatively strong 
performance through the crisis which has helped cushion some 
of the worst elements of the pandemic (although at Sirius we 
have not needed to access any state support). The Kurzarbeit 
scheme, Germany’s furlough system, which has been imitated 
by many countries such as the UK, has been in place for years 
and was tried and tested long before the pandemic. This enabled 
funds to be efficiently distributed, keeping the economy ticking 
over and supporting our tenants through this exceptional 
financial year. The impact of the pandemic on the German 
economy is also expected to be amongst the least severe in 
Europe, due, in part, to its decisive fiscal response. Additionally, 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202111

3.  Against the backdrop of Covid-19 how have 
you continued to prioritise sustainability? 
We had planned to place a greater priority on sustainability this 
year, before the pandemic, and I am pleased that we achieved 
this despite the additional challenges. We recognise the 
importance of sustainability to our business and we will be 
placing greater emphasis on it and embedding it further into 
our strategy and business model in the years ahead. We know 
that as a major property owner, we have a responsibility to our 
employees, partners, tenants and communities in which we 
operate, as well as to the planet. Empowering others and 
delivering a positive social and environmental impact is not 
only a moral imperative, it makes good business sense. This 
financial year we have made real strides to go further than ever 
in building a sustainable future at Sirius. 

It has been a year of real progress: we relaunched the Social 
and Ethics Committee as the Sustainability and Ethics Committee, 
which I lead, in March 2020, and I am also delighted that we 
promoted Kremena Wissel to serve in a new role as Chief 
Marketing and Impact Officer. This appointment reflects the 
further integration of ESG into day-to-day strategy development. 

Some of the progress we have made in the last year includes a 
major current workstream to measure and deliver a significant 
improvement with regard to the Company’s impact on the 
environment. For example, in 2020, the business increased its 
renewable energy use to 86%, across approximately 92% of its 
portfolio, while almost 100% of portfolio electricity consumption 
is now sourced from green electricity sources. 

Sirius’ progress on responsible investment has also been 
recognised by MSCI, which upgraded the business’ ESG rating 
from A to AA in November 2020. We are also embedding the Task 
Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) into 
our Company strategy framework, meaning that climate change 
considerations will be a key part of our risk management and 
strategic planning processes going forward. I am pleased we have 
published, for the first time, our Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 
in this Annual Report and we are continuing to work towards a 
carbon reduction strategy in partnership with a specialist ESG 
consultancy which we appointed in 2020. We recognise that this 
is a journey and we have some way to go; we have made a strong 
start, however, and we fully intend to see this journey through. 

We absolutely recognise the key role we play as one of the 
largest businesses operating in the Unternehmensimmobilien 
asset class in Germany shaping a sustainable future. We want 
to work with investors and ESG ratings agencies to develop 
appropriate metrics that capture the nuances and complexities 
of the specific sector in which we operate. We will continue this 
important work in 2021 and beyond. 

4.  Could you provide an update on the 
Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts 
and how it has progressed? 

This was the first full financial year since Titanium was formed 
in August 2019 when AXA IM Alts completed the acquisition, 
on behalf of clients, of a 65% stake in five German business 
parks from Sirius, which retained the remaining 35% and also 
continues to manage the assets. The primary approach of the 
Titanium venture is to grow through the acquisition of larger 
stabilised business park assets and portfolios with strong tenant 
profiles and occupancy. The relationship is mutually beneficial 
giving AXA IM Alts access to the expert Sirius platform in 
Germany and Sirius access to an additional source of capital 
and income from its asset management services. 

Despite the challenging environment, Titanium notarised the 
Sigma Technopark in Augsburg for total acquisition costs of 
approximately €79.9 million. The site will be rebranded as a Sirius 
business park and is a multi-tenanted business park comprising 
113,000 sqm of space across a range of uses. The site offers 
strong asset management potential and the opportunity for 
repositioning through capex investment to improve occupancy 
and rental rates. This follows the completion in March 2020 of 
Titanium’s first external acquisition when it acquired a business 
park in Hilden, Düsseldorf, for total acquisition costs of €58.9 million. 

Titanium was initially set up with five assets with an implied 
property value of €168.0 million. As at 31 March 2021 and 
including the Augsburg asset that was notarised in the period, 
Titanium holds property with a value of €324.2 million across its 
seven assets. We are now focused on growing Titanium to a 
value of over €400 million and looking forward to exploring a 
wider range of opportunities across Germany. 

5.  Finally, what can we expect in the year ahead?
Despite the challenging context of the global pandemic we 
managed to record continued growth in this financial year, 
which demonstrates resilience and the underlying strength of 
the Company we have built. In 2021 I am confident that through 
organic and acquisitive growth we will be able to grow our 
funds from operations over the next few years, which should 
support an increasing dividend for our shareholders. 

We have available cash resources of €49.3m and other liquid 
resources available to deploy into our healthy pipeline of 
opportunities. As the investment markets continue to open up 
we expect there will be consolidation opportunities in the 
post-Covid-19 market. We will continue to execute our 
disciplined capex investment and asset management 
programmes, which have delivered highly attractive returns 
over the years, in order to unlock the potential of our value-add 
assets which comprise over half of our €1.3 billion portfolio. 

As I have previously outlined, our mission is to increase our 
funds from operations (“FFO”) to €100 million. In this financial 
year we increased our FFO to €60.9 million from €55.7 million in 
the same period last year. While we still have a €39 million gap 
to meet our target, much of that gap will be filled by activity that 
is currently in progress but have not yet finished executing. We 
remain committed to pursuing this goal despite the challenging 
operating environment we have faced this year. 

This past year or so will live long in our memories as a year of 
disruption and chaos in all our lives. Personally, I am proud of how 
the business has performed in such challenging circumstances 
and I believe this is a strong testament to the dedication and 
commitment of all of our employees – it is a privilege to lead 
such a high-performing business which is made up of such 
talented individuals. As we look forward to the second half of 
2021, we will continue to be relentlessly focused on growth. 
That will mean continuing to apply real focus and discipline 
to our successful business model and carefully deploying equity 
to maximise shareholder returns, whilst being agile and 
opportunistic when the right transactions become available.

Andrew Coombs
Chief Executive Officer
4 June 2021

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202112

BUSINESS MODEL

We bring our platform 
and property together

Key drivers

Sirius’ cycle

Enhancing rental and capital value through active portfolio management.

Capital efficiency
Sirius intends to grow the portfolio with 
accretive acquisitions which have been 
funded historically through new equity, 
refinancings or disposals of mature or 
non-core assets.

Favourable 
market environment
The German economy is the largest in 
Europe and its Mittelstand (SME) market 
is particularly deep, meaning demand for 
both the Group’s conventional space and 
flexible workspace continues to be high.

People
The Company is internally managed 
and relies on its employees and their 
experience, skill and judgement in 
identifying, selecting and negotiating 
the acquisition and disposal of suitable 
properties, as well as the development 
and property management of the 
portfolio when owned.

Strong management 
capabilities
Sirius has a highly experienced Senior 
Management Team with a strong track 
record of experience in property markets, 
especially in Germany and through both 
good and difficult economic conditions. 
The team is able to leverage its strong 
market connectivity and track record of 
acquiring assets to access a large number 
of potential investment opportunities.

Acquire

Anchor 
Customers

Conventional 
workspace

Flexible 
workspace

e
l
c
y
c
e
R

Ancillary 
services

SME 
Customers

Start-
Ups

m

r
o
f
s
n
a
r
T

Manage

Conventional 
workspace
 » Long term

 » Large scale

 » Production

 » Storage

Flexible 
workspace
 » Long and short term

 » Office

 » Production

 » Storage

Ancillary 
services
 » Conferencing

 » Catering

 » Internet and 
telephony

 » Virtual office

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202113

Value creation

Intensive asset management

Transformation and conversion of space

 » Acquisitions and disposals assessment and execution

 » Utilisation of structural vacancy

 » Strong banking relationships

 » Highly accretive capex investment programmes

 » Detailed asset-level business plans

 » Experienced development team

 » Advanced IT systems

Active tenant and lettings management

Asset recycling

 » Sophisticated internet-based marketing

 » Recycling of capital from mature assets into assets 

 » Substantial marketing and sales teams

 » Structured sales process and mystery shopping

 » Comprehensive customer database

with value-add potential

 » Adding to capex investment programmes

 » Developing and selling surplus land

Value created for our stakeholders

People

Shareholders

Local communities

Suppliers

Employees

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202114

MARKET

Continued domestic and 
international demand for light 
industrial assets in Germany

Introduction 
Sirius continues to operate solely in Germany where it owns and 
manages a well-diversified portfolio of mature and opportunistic 
business park assets. Sirius’ portfolio continues to increase in 
size through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth 
underpinned by the Company’s internal operating platform. The 
primary focus is to build a “critical mass” around Germany’s “big 
seven” cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, 
Stuttgart and Munich. The Company has a secondary focus on 
a selection of key border towns where we can reap the benefits 
of markets on both sides of the border.

Sirius’ properties include traditional business parks, modern 
business parks and office buildings on the periphery of the “big 
seven” cities. The Company manages in the region of 1.5 million 
sqm of manufacturing, storage and office space. To maximise the 
utilisation of space, Sirius has developed a range of high-yielding 
products including serviced offices, self-storage and workboxes 
which have their own Smartspace brand and are particularly 
popular with tenants seeking flexible solutions to their 
accommodation needs. The products are usually created 
through investment into space that other owners may regard as 
a structurally void and using the capability of the in-house sales 
and marketing teams to let these at premium rental rates. The 
Company’s tenant base is diverse ranging from multinational 
corporations and government agencies to SMEs within the 
German Mittelstand and individual tenants. 

Key market drivers

The German economy 
Relative to other European economies Germany performed 
well through the Covid-19 crisis, with official figures citing a 
GDP contraction of around 5% representing a comparatively 
good performance relative to its peers in Europe. The impact 
of Covid-19 in Germany is expected to be one of the least 
severe in Europe due, in part, to the government’s 
decisive fiscal response.

A number of factors have contributed to Germany’s 
relative economic strength. Many analysts take the view 
that the composition of Germany’s economy has been a 
major factor in helping it record a stronger performance 
than many close neighbours; its bigger manufacturing 
and exporting base – which accounts for more than a 
quarter of the German economy – is able to continue 
operating with fewer disruptions through the pandemic 
than service sector dependent economies.

The Ifo Business Climate Index – which tracks economic 
sentiment in Germany – has continued to improve 
steadily over the course of 2020, with confidence most 
pronounced in the manufacturing sector, implying a 
return to growth is possible in 2021. 

Sources:
https://initiative.bulwiengesa.de/unternehmensimmobilien/sites/
default/files/2020-12/IUI_Marktbericht13.pdf.

https://www.savills.co.uk/insight-and-opinion/savills-news/309829-0/
german-commercial-investment-market-in-2020. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Key market drivers

Commercial real estate transaction 
volumes in Germany in 2020

€59bn 

Seven major cities attracted the 
majority of capital with around

55%

of transaction volumes

The German commercial real estate market 
Commercial real estate transaction volumes in Germany in 
2020 were €59 billion, only 6% below the five year average, 
which demonstrates remarkable underlying strength given 
the scale of the pandemic. According to Savills, investment 
volumes in the second and third quarters of around €10 billion 
and €12 billion respectively were the lowest since 2016; 
however, the final quarter showed a much higher volume 
of around €16.6 billion. The seven major cities once again 
attracted the majority of capital with around 55% of the 
transaction volumes. A large proportion of demand is, 
unsurprisingly, concentrated in property that offers stable 
cash flow. This is particularly the case in the logistics sector 
and offices let on leases to public sector clients, whilst 
there has been a marked decline in demand for shopping 
centres and retail parks. 

According to Savills, the proportion of German investors 
rose as a percentage last year, which may be as a result of 
travel restrictions. Domestic purchasers accounted for 
around 57% of investment volume, which is the highest 
proportion since 2013; however, capital from outside of 
Germany continued to play an important role in investment 
activity. Approximately 71% of foreign capital originated 
from Europe, followed by around 21% from North America 
and the remainder coming from the Middle East and Asia.

Looking forward, it is reasonable to assume the market will 
see the deployment of reserves that have been built up over 
the last twelve months. As such, we can expect transaction 
volumes to remain high this year with the majority of activity 
likely to take place in the second half of 2021 when the 
market conditions and operating environment are expected 
to return to some form of normality. 

15

German industrial real estate market 
Despite the challenging environment in the commercial 
real estate market as a whole, there has remained a 
strong investment market for German mixed-use and 
multi-let commercial properties. In the first half of 2020 
alone a transaction volume of more than €1.2 billion was 
recorded, the second highest half-yearly volume recorded 
– only 2017 saw a higher volume in the first half of the year.

In the first half of 2020 business park assets accounted 
for almost 73% of the total investment volume with a 
transaction turnover of around €903 million, with the 
remainder of investment activity divided between 
warehouse and production properties. 

Some clear regional trends emerged in the first half of 2020. 
49% of transactions totalling €610 million occurred in the 
southern region of Germany, and was also the highest 
transaction volume ever recorded in the first half of a 
year. This was followed by the Rhine-Ruhr region which 
accounted for 13.4% of transactions totalling €166.4 million, 
with Munich and its surrounding area closely behind with 
13% of activity totalling €162 million. The few markets 
where investment volumes saw a year-on-year decrease 
were those impacted the most by lack of supply. Demand 
for space remains high, however, with supply-side challenges 
impacting take-up which has put upward pressure on 
pricing. With limited volumes of new space being made 
available, the outlook going forward appears to be a 
continuation of the status quo. 

It remains to be seen if the challenging macroeconomic 
environment leads to permanent changes in behaviour 
that might impact the asset class. However, when looking 
at past major economic events and recessions, the flexibility 
and diversity inbuilt within multi-tenanted business parks 
suggest the asset class will cope particularly well compared 
to other sectors. The tendency for companies engaged in 
production and manufacturing to respond to economic 
contractions by reducing output rather than space 
combined with the depth of the Mittelstand market 
should be considered key factors in the ongoing growth 
and stability of the asset class. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202116

ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Delivering our strategy

The Group’s core strategy is the acquisition of business parks that provide a mix of stable income and 
value-add potential which allow the Group to deliver consistent and attractive risk-adjusted returns for 
shareholders. The Group’s strategy is executed through its internal operating platform that is responsible 
for the investment into vacant space and roll out of a range of intensive asset management initiatives. 
Once mature, assets will be held to provide stable income, or recycled into new value-add opportunities.

In addition the Group holds a 35% interest in the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts that provides the 
Company with an alternative source of capital and exposure to assets with differing return characteristics 
than those held on its own balance sheet, as well as income from its asset management services. 

Our five value drivers

1.  Active portfolio management
Sirius grows income and the capital value of its assets through 
active asset management throughout the period in which they 
are owned. The Group’s internal operating platform is focused 
on key drivers such as property and tenant management, new 
lettings, service charge recovery, lease management, tenant 
renewals and debt collection.

Sirius’ asset management initiatives are designed to convert 
properties into sustainable, more efficient and higher-yielding 
conventional and flexible workspaces.

2.  Transformation and conversion  

of vacant space

The Company’s extensive capex investment programmes 
continue to deliver exceptional returns and remain key drivers of 
organic income and capital value growth. The programmes are 
focused on converting vacant or sub-optimal spaces like excess 
office space, redundant halls and basements into both the Group’s 
conventional and Smartspace flexible workspaces. The investment 
also includes upgrading common and outside areas as well as 
branding sites. Often amenities like conferencing rooms, 
canteens and fitness centres are created on site and let to 
external operators which increases footfall and overall 
attractiveness of the properties. 

The returns that the Company achieves from these improvements 
are high as typically they not only deliver rental income and service 
charge recovery gains that come from letting the transformed 
areas but also include significant valuation uplifts that come from 
improving the space and business parks as a whole. The capex 
investment programmes commenced in January 2014 focusing 
on assets already owned by the Company and extended to include 
assets that were acquired after April 2016. In total, the capex 
investment programmes are or have been focused on just over 
370,000 sqm of sub-optimal or vacant space. Returns from the 
programmes have been highly impressive with an investment of 
€55.3 million generating €22.2 million of annualised rent roll based 
on occupancy of 75%. In addition the Company actively seeks out 
opportunity to make accretive investment into space that has 
been recently vacated or is due to be vacated in order to capture 
reversionary value whilst enhancing the value of the space. 

Link to Risks 
see pages 41 to 47

1   5   6   9   11

Link to Risks 
see pages 43 to 47

5   11

Sirius Office Center, 
Hamburg

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202117

Link to Risks 
see pages 44 to 46

6   9   10  

Sirius Office Center, 
Hamburg

Link to Risks 
see pages 43 and 44

5   6  

Sirius Business Park, 
Magdeburg

3.  Occupancy and rental growth
The internal asset management platform remains a key 
differentiator for Sirius over its competitors and plays an integral 
role in driving occupancy and rental growth. The internal marketing 
team has developed a significant internet presence over the last 
ten years and consistently drives an average well in excess of 
1,000 leads per month predominantly from the Company’s website 
and the internet portals on which vacancies are advertised. Once 
leads have been generated, a dedicated call centre immediately 
deals with all enquiries and converts approximately 75% of all 
enquiries into viewings. The on-site sales teams follow a structured 
sales process and are incentivised through the setting of asset 
specific lettings targets. 

All aspects of the Company’s sales process as well as those of 
many of its competitors are mystery shopped in order to measure 
performance and ensure standards are continually met. This 
highly specialised in-house capability enables the Company to 
secure and retain tenants without reliance on external agents 
and brokers and is the key behind being able to realise the full 
potential of the transformed vacant space that is created through 
the capex investment programmes.

4.  Improvement in service charge recovery
Poor recovery of service charge costs in mixed-use, multi-tenanted 
business parks typically results in high leakage from net operating 
income. Over the last ten years, the Group has invested substantially 
in building an in-house team that is entirely focused on optimising 
service levels and costs as well as improving service charge 
recovery levels. These investments include the following:

 » developing utilities metering and consolidating purchasing 

power to negotiate better utilities deals and improve 
consumption allocation;

 » creating detailed equipment lists and matrices to manage 

maintenance programmes better and improve allocation of 
these costs;

 » increasing service charge prepayments to reduce the need to 

chase balancing payments at the end of each year; and

 » improving the overall cost allocation and recovery process.

The Company has developed the ability to achieve a cost recovery 
percentage that is higher than occupancy, which it believes 
represents best-in-class performance. Sirius is committed to 
achieving this high level of recovery on all of its assets. 

5.  Growth through acquisition and recycling
Sirius actively seeks to grow its portfolio through acquisitions 
which are typically funded through a combination of share 
placings, attractively priced financing and the selective recycling 
of equity out of mature or non-core assets. In order to establish 
and maintain a balanced portfolio, both opportunistic and stable 
assets have been acquired, providing the Company with an 
attractive combination of secure income and the potential to 
create significant value by utilising the abilities of our internal 
operating platform.

“ The Group continues to 
be focused on delivering 
attractive and sustainable 
returns by utilising the 
strengths of its internal 
operating platform to 
grow both organically 
and acquisitively.”

The Company’s Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts which 
provides additional growth and income potential for the 
Company as the relationship develops and new investment 
opportunities are considered.

Link to Risks 
see pages 41 to 43

1   2   3   4

Read more about 
our acquisitions 
see pages 6 and 7

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
18

OUR PORTFOLIO

Strategy in action

Traditional business park Markgröningen – May 2016
Strategy in action
 » Traditional business park located in Markgröningen acquired 

from the former owner totalling 56,615 sqm including 
17,845 sqm of vacant space at an EPRA net yield of 10.4%

 » Financed by a seven year facility at a fixed interest rate of 

1.66%, maturing in April 2023

 » As at 31 March 2021, occupancy had increased to 96% from 

68% resulting in rent roll increasing by €1.0 million

 » Significant investment made into utilities and upgrading of 

space considered structural void by former owner helping to 
reduce service charge leakage

 » Total return of €21.5 million equating to a geared IRR of 38%

Acquisition
€m

Total acquisition cost/
valuation

Invested equity 

Annualised rent roll

Annualised net 
operating income

Occupancy

EPRA net yield(1) 

8.7

6.0

1.3

0.9

68%

10.4%

Retained profit(2)

Valuation increase

Capex 

Cumulative total return

As at
31 March 2021
€m

Total
improvement
€m

27.7

—

2.3

2.1

96%

7.2%

19.0

—

1.0

1.2

28%

(3.2%)

Total return to 
31 March 2021
€m 

7.5

19.0

(5.0)

21.5

(1) Includes purchaser acquisition costs.

(2) Retained profit calculated as net operating income less bank interest.

Actual returns

Geared annualised IRR

Ungeared annualised IRR

38%

30%

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
19

Office building Aachen I – January 2015
Strategy in action
 » Well-located office building acquired at attractive EPRA 

net yield of 8.3%

 » Value-add opportunity through 6,619 sqm of vacant 
space recognising upgrade and a targeted sales and 
marketing plan

 » Initially financed by a seven year facility at a fixed interest rate 
of 1.48% and subsequently refinanced with a blended fixed 
interest rate of 1.20%, maturing in October 2023

 » As at 31 March 2021, occupancy had increased from 73% at 
acquisition to 97% with annualised rent roll increasing by 
39% to €2.5 million

 » Total return of €24.0 million equating to a geared IRR of 30%

Total acquisition  
cost/valuation

Invested equity

Annualised rent roll

Annualised net 
operating income

Occupancy

EPRA net yield(1)

Retained profit(2)

Valuation increase

Capex

Cumulative total return 

Acquisition
€m

As at
31 March 2021
€m

Total
improvement
€m

18.7

8.8

1.8

1.5

73%

8.3%

34.2

—

2.5

2.2

97%

6.2%

15.5

—

0.7

0.7

24%

(2.1%)

Total return to 
31 March 2021
€m 

10.9

15.5

(2.4)

24.0

(1) Includes purchaser acquisition costs.

(2) Retained profit calculated as net operating income less bank interest.

Expected returns at maturity

Geared annualised IRR

Ungeared annualised IRR

30%

16%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
20

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Measuring our progress

KPI

KPI measure

Commentary 

FY21/22 ambition

Link to strategy

Adjusted profit  
before tax (€m)
Reported profit before tax 
adjusted for property revaluation, 
gains and losses relating to 
disposal of properties, gains 
and losses relating to loss of 
control of subsidiaries, changes 
in fair value of derivative financial 
instruments and other adjusting 
items including expenses relating 
to share incentive plans and 
other costs considered to be 
non-recurring in nature such as 
restructuring costs and expected 
selling costs relating to assets 
held for sale.

EPRA earnings per 
share (c)
EPRA earnings per share is a 
definition of earnings as set out 
by the European Public Real 
Estate Association. EPRA 
earnings represents earnings 
after adjusting for property 
revaluation, changes in fair value 
of derivative financial instruments, 
profits and losses on disposals 
and deferred tax in respect of 
EPRA adjustments.

Dividend per share (c)
Total dividend for the reporting 
period which is calculated as a 
percentage of funds from 
operations (“FFO”). The Company 
has chosen to pay out 65% of 
FFO in relation to the dividend 
for the financial year ended 
31 March 2021. The Directors 
maintain discretion to pay out 
more than 65% of FFO in order to 
compensate for the timing effect 
of for instance asset recycling 
activity or equity raises in order 
to continue to pay a progressive 
dividend where appropriate.

€60.3m 
 9.8%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

60.3

54.9

46.2

36.7

2017 

35.3

Adjusted profit before 
tax for the year ended 
31 March 2021 was 
€60.3 million, representing 
an increase of 9.8% on the 
same period the previous 
year. Despite the limited 
contribution to earnings 
from assets acquired in 
the period, strong organic 
growth in terms of increases 
in both occupancy and 
average rate resulted in 
a positive result versus 
the prior year. 

3

1

4

2

5

To increase adjusted 
profit before tax as a 
result of continued 
organic growth and 
the contribution to 
earnings of recently 
acquired assets. 

5.63c 
 3.5%

2021 

2020 

2019 

5.63

5.44

4.47

EPRA earnings per share 
for the year ended 
31 March 2021 was 5.63c, 
representing an increase of 
3.5% on the previous year. 
The development in EPRA 
earnings per share is mainly 
due to the effect of the 
strong organic growth 
described above.

3

1

4

2

5

To increase EPRA 
earnings per share as 
a result of continued 
organic growth and 
the contribution to 
earnings of recently 
acquired assets. 

2018 

3.04

2017 

3.18

3.80c 
 6.4%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

3.80

3.57

3.36

3.16

2.92

3

1

4

2

5

To grow the dividend 
primarily through the 
accretive impact on 
earnings of continued 
organic growth and 
impact of acquisitions. 
The Company remains 
committed to its policy 
of paying shareholders 
at least 65% of FFO 
semi-annually.

The Board has authorised 
a dividend in respect of the 
second half of the financial 
year ended 31 March 2021 
of 1.98c per share 
representing 65% of FFO, 
an increase of 10.0% on 
the equivalent dividend 
last year, which also 
represented 65% of FFO. 
The total dividend for the 
year is 3.80c, an increase 
of 6.4% on the 3.57c total 
dividend for the year ended 
31 March 2020. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Strategic priorities

Read more about our strategy  
see pages 16 and 17

1

2

3

4

5

Active portfolio management

Transformation and conversion of vacant space 

Occupancy and rental growth 

Improvement in service charge recovery

Growth through acquisition and recycling

21

KPI

KPI measure

Commentary 

FY21/22 ambition

Link to strategy

Property valuation – 
owned properties (€m)
The book value of owned 
investment property including 
that categorised as held for sale 
as derived from an independent 
valuation performed by Cushman 
& Wakefield LLP.

EPRA NTA per share (c)
EPRA NTA per share is a 
definition of net tangible assets 
as set out by the European Public 
Real Estate Association. EPRA 
NTA represents net assets after 
adjusting for derivative financial 
instruments and deferred tax 
relating to valuation movements, 
goodwill and intangible assets. 
EPRA NTA per share also takes 
into account the effect of the 
granting of shares relating to 
long-term incentive plans.

Average rate per sqm (€)
Average letting rate per sqm for 
the total portfolio.

€1,347.2m 
 13.6%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

1,347.2 

1,186.2

1,132.5

931.2

2017 

823.3

92.29c 
 14.7%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

92.29

80.44

74.52

68.95

60.53

€6.17 
 3.2%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

Occupancy (%)
Percentage of total lettable space 
occupied as at reporting date.

87.0% 

 1.7%

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

6.17

5.98

5.78

5.46

5.27

87.0

85.3

86.1

79.7

80.5

The book value of the 
Group’s owned investment 
property increased by 
13.6% as a result of strong 
income driven like-for-like 
increases in valuation and 
the net effect of asset 
recycling and organic 
growth. The like for like 
portfolio increased in book 
value by €135.7 million or 
11.5%. The portfolio is now 
valued at an average gross 
yield of 7.2% (31 March 
2020: 7.6%).

1

2

3

To continue to grow 
the value of the Group’s 
portfolio through 
acquisitions and 
valuation gains derived 
predominantly through 
increases in income. 
The Company’s capex 
investment programmes 
and investment into 
vacant space are expected 
to continue to impact 
valuation positively. 

1

3

EPRA NTA per share 
increased in the period 
by 14.7% to 92.29c 
(31 March 2020: 80.44c). 
The increase is attributable 
to the valuation increases 
seen in the year as well as 
the retention of a portion 
of FFO which is generated.

To grow EPRA net 
tangible assets 
(“EPRA NTA”) per share, 
through the continued 
execution of the Group’s 
asset management 
initiatives relating to 
organic growth and 
asset recycling.

The average rate per sqm 
increased to €6.17 at 
31 March 2021 from €5.98 
at the same point of the 
previous year, representing 
an increase of 3.2%.

To continue to grow 
average rate through 
a combination of 
contractual increases, 
uplifts on renewals 
and active asset 
management. 

1

2

3

Occupancy increased to 
87.0% in the period as 
tenants continued to be 
attracted to the Company’s 
wide range of conventional 
and flexible workspaces 
and affordable products. 

1

2

3

To continue to reduce 
vacancy within 
sub-optimal space 
by the continued 
transformation of this 
space into higher-quality 
conventional space and 
flexible workspace, 
increasing occupancy in 
recently acquired sites 
with significant vacancy 
as well as continuing to 
refuel the vacancy 
opportunity through 
asset recycling.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202122

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Active asset management

Introduction
Sirius owns and manages business parks and industrial estates 
in and around the top seven cities in Germany. By utilising the 
asset management expertise of its internal operating platform it 
aims to increase occupancy, net operating income and capital 
values. The Company currently owns a total of 60 mixed-use 
industrial, warehouse and office properties whilst managing an 
additional eight (six of which it holds a 35% interest in through 
the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts). The Company provides 
over 1.5 million sqm of lettable production, storage and office 
space, most of which is offered on a conventional basis with 
approximately 6% of space converted into Sirius’ unique and 
highly effective Smartspace products which are offered on a 
more flexible basis with a range of services. Smartspace 
products include serviced offices, self-storage and workboxes 
and are usually created from excess office space, basements 
and redundant halls which most of Sirius’ competitors would 
leave as structural vacancy. Key to providing such a wide range 
of options to its tenants is the Company’s internal operating 
platform and sophisticated online marketing and IT 
infrastructure which it has developed over the last 14 years. 

Sirius has approximately 5,600 tenants, 40% of the annualised 
rent roll is attributable to the Company’s top 50 tenants which 
are generally large multi-national businesses and 53% to around 
2,800 SME tenants who form the backbone of the German economy. 
The Company derives the remaining 7% of its annualised rent 
roll from the 2,750 micro-SMEs and individual tenants which 
rent space through the Company’s Smartspace range of 
products where they benefit from cost certainty and maximum 
flexibility. A total of 7.9% of the Company’s annualised rent roll 
relates to entities affiliated with the German government. 

The Company’s ability to provide a mix of conventional and 
flexible space significantly enhances the returns and 
sustainability of income that can be generated from German 
light industrial and office assets. This has been proven by the 
Company’s track record of being able to deliver significant 
organic increases in net income in all market conditions in 
Germany over the last 14 years. 

€97.2m 

total annualised rent roll*

€6.17 per sqm 

average rate

98.2%

cash collection rate 

€45.9m 

of new on balance sheet acquisitions completed 
or notarised in the period

Financial year overview
Sirius has successfully navigated through a year of unprecedented 
challenges relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like-for-like 
annualised rent roll growth has continued in line with prior 
years, rent collections have been affected only marginally and 
acquisitions have continued after a short pause in the first half 
of the year and profits and asset values have grown both 
organically and acquisitively. The Company’s Senior Management 
Team has long considered the Sirius business model to be one 
with strong adaptive qualities which can deliver in both strong 
and weak economic environments. Against the backdrop of the 
pandemic the Company‘s performance provides clear evidence 
of its resilience and continued growth potential.

Lettings and rental growth
The Company recorded a like-for-like increase in annualised rent 
roll of 5.2% to €94.3 million (31 March 2020: €89.6 million) 
despite the impact of large, expected move-outs in recently 
acquired sites that occurred in the first half of the year and the 
impact of Covid-19. This is now the seventh successive year 
that Sirius has recorded an increase in like-for-like annualised 
rent roll in excess of 5.0% highlighting the consistency of 
performance and the ability of the Company to deliver strong 
results, even in challenging market conditions.

Encouragingly, while an improvement in occupancy from 85.2% 
to 87.0% did contribute to the like-for-like annualised rent roll 
growth, the main driver was a 3.5% increase in like for like 
average rental rates to €6.17 per sqm from €5.96 per sqm. 
Increasing occupancy in such a challenging year is a testament 
to the abilities of the Company’s sales and marketing teams as 
well as the wide range of products it offers. On a total portfolio 
basis, including the acquisitions in the year, the average rental 
rate increased by 3.2% to €6.17 per sqm.

The positive net take-up of space in the period can be broken 
down into move-outs of 134,752 sqm that were generating 
€10.3 million of annualised rent roll at an average rate of €6.39 
per sqm being offset by move-ins of 157,313 sqm generating 
€13.3 million of annualised rent roll at an average rate of €7.06 
per sqm. Additionally, contracted rental increases and uplifts on 
renewals added a further €1.8 million to the annualised rent roll 
at the period end. The acquisitions that completed in the 
second half have added €2.8 million of annualised rent roll 
which has more than offset the €0.7 million that was lost from 
the sale of the Weilimdorf asset at the start of the year.

Total annualised rent roll at 31 March 2021 amounted to 
€97.2 million, compared to €90.3 million a year earlier.

* 

 Annualised rent roll €96.5 million when excluding the large expected 
move-out in the first half of the March 2022 financial year relating to 
the Fellbach II acquisition which completed in March 2021. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021The movement in annualised rent roll is illustrated in the 
table below:

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2020

Move-outs

Move-ins

Contracted uplifts

Disposals

Acquisitions

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2021

€m

90.3

(10.3)

13.3

1.8

(0.7)

2.8

97.2 *

* 

 Annualised rent roll €96.5 million when excluding the large expected 
move-out in the first half of the March 2022 financial year relating to 
the Fellbach II acquisition which completed in March 2021.

Underpinning the strong increase in rent roll in the year was an 
18.5% increase in the number of enquiries generated compared 
to the previous year while a conversion rate of 13% remained in 
line with the 14% conversion rate for the prior year. A month-by-
month comparison of enquiries generated over the last two 
years is set out in the table below: 

Table 3: Enquiries comparison FY21 to FY20

April

May

June

July

August

September

October 

November

December

January 

February

March

Total 

23

Against the backdrop of the pandemic the Company adopted a 
highly progressive and flexible approach to marketing, making 
specific changes to its strategies during the year in order to 
address emerging drivers of demand and maintain the number 
of enquiries generated. 

Several marketing initiatives were launched based on data 
generated from detailed analysis of online search patterns. As 
expected in difficult economic times, flexibility and competitive 
pricing were increasingly desirable whilst demand for storage 
and secondary office space also increased. As a result of having 
direct line of sight into the marketplace the Company was able 
to refocus its marketing strategies towards spaces and products 
that met the changing demand dynamics which resulted in an 
increase in the number of enquiries compared with the prior 
year. Whilst the Company closed a greater number of deals in 
the period compared to the prior year, the average deal size 
reduced modestly from 76 sqm to 72 sqm. 

No. of enquiries
FY 2021

No. of enquiries
FY 2020

1,202

1,248

1,368

1,367

1,477

1,622

1,577

1,591

1,235

1,627

1,506

1,716

1,100

1,188

1,184

1,392

1,243

1,294

1,201

1,255

1,045

1,417

1,307

1,169

17,536

14,795

Change 
%

9.3%

5.1%

15.5%

(1.8)%

18.8%

25.3%

31.3%

26.8%

18.2%

14.8%

15.2%

46.8%

18.5%

Details of the month-by-month lettings performance and square metre volumes compared to the same period in the previous year 
are set out in the table below:

Table 4: Lettings comparison FY21 to FY20

New deals
twelve months 
to March 2021

New deals
twelve months 
to March 2020

Total sqm
let twelve months 
to March 2021

Total sqm
let twelve months 
to March 2020

Average sqm per 
deal twelve months 
to March 2021

Average sqm per 
deal twelve months 
to March 2020

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

Total 

115

130

165

215

259

226

220

192

168

215

197

143

87

174

201

224

127

222

203

169

165

198

206

159

8,025

11,282

11,242

13,170

15,324

15,052

12,371

14,193

12,327

13,248

14,502

20,329

11,468

10,550

12,450

10,787

16,065

18,361

14,282

11,306

13,573

19,383

13,867

10,515

2,245

2,135

161,065

162,607

70

87

68

61

59

67

56

74

73

62

74

142

72

132

61

62

48

126

83

70

67

82

98

67

66

76

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202124

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW CONTINUED

Lettings and rental growth continued
Tenant retention in the period was encouraging with 72% by 
square metre up for renewal in the period being successfully 
extended (2020: 77%). Overall, the marketing, lettings and 
renewals performance in the year is a clear demonstration of 
the ability of the Company to adapt rapidly to changing market 
dynamics and in doing so not only sustain but grow income.

The marketing and sales capabilities within the operating 
platform is one of a number of asset management disciplines 
that provide the Company with a significant competitive 
advantage over other owners of light industrial and business 
park assets in Germany. Being able to create and offer a wide 
variety of spaces and products from assets that the Company 
can acquire at well below replacement cost differentiates Sirius 
and positions the Company well to continue to grow in all 
market conditions going forward.

Cash collection 
Having visibility and close control of cash collection has long 
been considered an advantage of having an internal operating 
platform. However, the discipline has taken on additional 
significance as a result of the pandemic. Through a combination 
of close collaboration between the experienced cash collection 
team and on-site staff the Company was able to work closely 
with its tenants in assisting them access state support and 
support business continuity whilst ensuring contractual 
obligations continued to be met. The Group collected 98.2% 
of all rent and service charge prepayments (excluding VAT) 
invoiced for the year to 31 March 2021 with the month-by-
month results detailed in Table 5 on the right.

Table 5: Cash collection

Invoiced 
€000

Outstanding 
€000

Collection 
%

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

Total 

11,621

11,635

11,716

11,676

11,883

12,015

12,026

12,083

12,054

12,158

12,374

12,579

106

235

223

107

128

137

168

151

254

292

342

537

99.1%

98.0%

98.1%

99.1%

98.9%

98.9%

98.6%

98.8%

97.9%

97.6%

97.2%

95.7%

143,820

2,680

98.2%

From total net of VAT billing amounting to €143.8 million, 
uncollected debt for the year amounted to €2.7 million representing 
a cash collection rate of 98.2% with outstanding rent of €1.9 million 
and service charge prepayments of €0.8 million. From a tenant 
base of approximately 5,600 tenants the Group issued 13 deferred 
payment plans to tenants adversely impacted by Covid-19 which 
accounted for €0.3 million of the outstanding amount whilst total 
write-offs amounted to €151,000. The deferred payment plans 
spread the payment of rent and service charge prepayments 
over an average of eight months and as at the period end all plans 
were being fully complied with. The Company expects to collect 
the majority of the outstanding debt for the period over the next 
twelve months through its regular debt collection activities. 

Acquisitions and disposals
Sirius returned to acquisitive growth during the second half of the year after holding back to assess the impact of Covid-19 in the first 
six months. The Company invested or committed to invest €45.9 million into five on balance sheet acquisitions using existing cash 
resources that offer an attractive mix of stable income and opportunity in locations where Sirius already has a strong presence. Three 
of the five assets are industrial business parks whereas two of the acquisitions are smaller office buildings attached to existing sites 
owned by the Company. In addition Sirius will own 35% of the Augsburg business park which Titanium notarised for €79.9 million. 

A summary of the acquisitions that completed or were notarised in the year are detailed in the table below:

Total
investment
(incl. acquisition
costs) 
€000

Total
acquisition
sqm 

Acquisition
occupancy
% 

Acquisition
vacant
sqm 

Annualised
acquisition
rent roll *
€000

Acquisition
non-recoverable
service charge
costs
€000

Acquisition
maintenance
costs 
€000

Annualised
acquisition
NOI *
€

EPRA net
initial
yield *(1)
%

Sirius

Norderstedt

Nuremberg

Mannheim III

Fellbach II

Subtotal

Notarised

Essen**

Subtotal

Titanium

Notarised

9,059

13,701

3,169

9,228

12,626

13,562

2,962

8,796

35,157

37,946

10,706

14,711

45,863

52,657

Augsburg**

79,896

112,784

Subtotal

Total 

79,896

112,784

125,759

165,441

(1) Includes purchaser costs.

100

91

93

95

95

80

91

90

90

90

—

1,193

200

475

783

1,093

235

730

1,868

2,841

2,897

4,765

829

3,670

11,300

11,300

16,065

5,426

5,426

9,096

(85)

(102)

(26)

(157)

(370)

(125)

(495)

(569)

(569)

(5)

(12)

—

(16)

(33)

(13)

(46)

(71)

(71)

(1,064)

(117)

693

979

208

557

2,437

691

3,128

4,786

4,786

7,914

7.7

7.2

6.8

6.0

6.9

6.5

6.8

6.0

6.0

6.3

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

**  Completed post year end.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25

With 52,657 sqm of lettable space and blended occupancy of 
90% the five on balance sheet acquisitions provide strong day 
one cash flow with the potential to increase rental and capital 
values through investment into vacant space or space that is 
expected to be vacated after completion. A summary of the 
opportunities and characteristics of each asset acquired in the 
period is detailed below: 

 » The acquisition of a business park in Norderstedt, just north of 
Hamburg around 15 km from the city centre, adds to the cluster 
of properties that Sirius has established in this desirable area. 
The transaction is a sale and leaseback with a family-owned 
textile company which is expected to move out of most of the 
space within three years. The deal provides attractive and 
stable income for the initial period with an opportunity to 
invest and capture reversionary value following the expected 
move-out. 

 » The Nuremberg property is a high-quality mixed-use business 
park situated in a well-developed commercial area of Nuremberg 
close to the city centre and benefiting from close motorway 
access. The property provides quality, stable income with 
some uplift potential from vacant space. The property is 
currently let to a mix of SME tenants and located in a market 
of which Sirius has deep knowledge through its ownership 
of an asset in the city for over ten years.

 » The Mannheim III acquisition is of an office building located 
next to an existing business park in Mannheim which Sirius 
acquired in 2018. The building is 93% occupied providing 
immediate income and broadening the Company’s range of 
asset management options more typically associated with a 
larger, combined asset. 

 » The Fellbach II acquisition complements the Fellbach I asset 

which Sirius acquired in 2018 where occupancy has increased 
to 90% following the completion of a range of asset management 
initiatives. The new asset comprises an office building with a 
warehouse area, which together provides 8,796 sqm of lettable 
space and is currently fully let to a single tenant which intends 
to move out of 6,700 sqm in the first few months of Sirius’ 
ownership, providing the Company with the opportunity to 
upgrade and re-let the space in order to capture the 
reversionary potential. 

 » The Essen asset provides 14,711 sqm of lettable space in a 
location with which the Company has familiarity through the 
longstanding management of an office property in the city. 

The asset is 80% occupied with all tenants forming part of the 
ThyssenKrupp group with varying lease lengths. The Company’s 
asset management plan will be focused on regearing existing 
leases or, in the event of move-outs, to re-let the space. 
Additionally, there is around 3,000 sqm of sub-optimal vacant 
space suitable for transformation as well as 8,400 sqm of land 
which can be developed. Located at the heart of one of 
Germany’s leading production regions, Essen is considered 
an attractive market for Sirius’ combination of conventional 
and flexible spaces and products. 

The Augsburg property, acquired by Titanium post year end is 
located in one of the most well-known industrial areas in Bavaria 
and benefits from strong public transportation connections to the 
city centre. The asset provides stable day one cash flows through 
its 90% occupancy rate whilst providing opportunity for Sirius to 
add value through redevelopment and active asset management.

The equity investment required into Titanium by Sirius to 
complete this acquisition was reduced through the injection of 
the Augsburg and the recent Hilden acquisition into the existing 
loan facility with Helaba Bank which raised €66.4 million of extra 
debt, also post year end. The refinancing reduced the weighted 
average cost of debt from 1.32% to 1.20% whilst the remaining 
term of the loan was extended to 5.0 years from 3.3 years. 
Following the completion of the Augsburg transaction and 
related financing activity Titanium holds €324.2 million of 
property and €150.4 million of debt. 

Capex investment programmes 
The Group’s capex investment programmes have historically 
been focused on the transformation of sub-optimal vacant 
space which was acquired through the Company’s acquisition 
programme. This space is typically acquired for very little or 
no cost due to it being considered structurally void by former 
owners. To date approximately 356,000 sqm of space has been 
transformed with a total investment of €55.3 million and at the 
financial year end was generating €22.2 million of annualised 
rent roll at 75% occupancy. As occupancy increases to budgeted 
levels, an additional €1.6 million of annualised rent roll is expected 
to be generated from this space. The take-up of this space has 
resulted in significant improvements to service charge cost 
recovery and this programme has been one of the main drivers 
of the valuation increases the Company has seen over the last 
five years.

More detail on the capex investment programme to date is provided in the following table:

Combined capex 
investment programme 
progress 

Completed

In progress

To commence in 
next financial year

Total

Investment
budgeted
€m

60.9

2.6

3.2

66.7

Sqm

356,100

4,487

11,140

371,727

Annualised
rent roll *
increase
budgeted
€m

Annualised
rent roll *
increase
achieved to
March 2021
€m

21.6

0.4

0.8

22.8

22.2

0.2

—

22.4

Actual
spend
€m

55.3

0.2

—

55.5

Occupancy
budgeted
%

80%

88%

83%

80%

Occupancy
achieved to
March 2021
%

75%

—

—

 —

Rate
per sqm
budgeted
€

6.32

8.44

7.21

6.39

Rate
per sqm
achieved to
March 2021
€

6.93

—

—

 — 

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202126

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW CONTINUED

Capex investment programmes continued
In addition to the space that has been completed and let or 
currently being marketed, a total of approximately 15,600 sqm 
of space is either in progress of transformation or awaiting 
approval to commence transformation. A further €5.6 million 
is expected to be invested into this space, on top of the 
€0.2 million already spent, and, based on achieving budgeted 
occupancy, incremental annualised rent roll in the region of 
€1.0 million is expected to be generated from this space in total. 

Whilst the income returns expected to be achieved on the 
recent projects are less than those of the original programme, 
the extent of transformative work involved suggests the impact 
on valuations may be more pronounced. The capex investment 
programmes have been one of the key income and valuation 
growth drivers over the last few years and, as a result, the 
Company continues to seek to acquire assets with sub-optimal 
vacancy in order to refuel these highly accretive programmes.

In addition to the capex investment programmes, Sirius also 
looks for opportunities to upgrade recently vacated space that 
is returned each year as a result of move-outs. Within the 
existing vacancy as at 31 March 2021, the Company has 
identified approximately 23,000 sqm of recently vacated space 
that has potential to be upgraded. This space was generating 
€1.0 million in annualised rent roll from the existing tenants and 
can be upgraded with an investment of €5.8 million to generate 
€1.7 million in annualised rent roll when re-let. This selective 
investment into vacated space allows the Company to capture 
reversionary potential whilst significantly enhancing the 
desirability and value of lower quality space. 

The Company’s headline 87.0% occupancy rate means that in 
total 195,575 sqm of space is vacant as at the financial year end. 
When excluding the vacancy, which is subject to investment 
(3% of total space), and the structural vacancy, which is not 
economically viable to develop (2% of total space), the 
Company’s occupancy rate based on space that is readily 
lettable is approximately 92%. 

The analysis below details the sub-optimal space and vacancy at 31 March 2021 and highlights the opportunity from developing 
this space.

Vacancy analysis – March 2021

Total space (sqm)

Occupied space (sqm)

Vacant space (sqm) 

Occupancy

Subject to capex investment programme

Recently vacated space

Total space subject to investment 

Lettable vacancy:

Structural vacancy

Smartspace vacancy

Other vacancy

Total lettable space

Total vacancy

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

The opportunity within the vacant space as at 31 March 2021 
can be summarised as follows:

 » 37,528 sqm of sub-optimal space, which requires 

€11.4 million of capex and will have an ERV of €2.7 million 
when completed; and

 » 119,931 sqm of lettable space, which requires €1.1 million 

of capex and has an ERV of €8.9 million.

Whilst the capex programmes are a key part of Sirius’ strategy, 
they represent one of several ways in which the Company can 
organically grow income and capital values. A wide range of 
asset management capabilities including the capturing of 
contractual rent increases, uplifts on renewals and the re-letting 
of space at higher rates are expected to make a strong 
contribution to the Company’s annualised rent roll.

1,507,069

1,311,495

195,574

87%

Capex
investment
€m

ERV *

(post investment)

(5.6)

(5.8)

(11.4)

—

—

(1.1)

(1.1)

(12.5)

1.0

1.7

2.7

—

2.8

6.1

8.9

11.6

% of total
space

1%

2%

3%

2%

2%

6%

8%

13%

Sqm

14,774

22,754

37,528

38,115

29,370

90,561

158,046

195,574

Sirius continues to focus on acquiring assets with vacancy with 
the funds that it has at its disposal as well as looking to recycle 
the equity within some mature assets into new acquisitions with 
greater opportunity. As a result, the Company can continue to 
refuel its capex investment programmes and continue its 
growth trajectory into the future. It should be noted that the 
Company will continue to hold a significant amount of core 
mature assets in order to maintain a balanced portfolio that 
provides a combination of stable, long-term bankable income 
with value-add assets with growth potential. 

Well-diversified income and tenant base 
Against the backdrop of the pandemic the benefit of having a 
well-diversified tenant base and wide range of products has 
proven its worth in terms of occupancy levels and income 
sustainability. Sirius’ portfolio includes production, storage and 
out of town office space that caters to multiple usages and a 
range of sizes and types of tenants. The Company’s business 
model is underpinned by a well-diversified tenant base which 
provides stability through its large long-term anchor tenants and 
opportunity through the SME and flexible individual tenants. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
27

The Group’s large anchor tenants are typically multinational 
corporations occupying production, storage and related office 
space whereas the SMEs and individual tenants occupy space 
on both a conventional and a flexible basis including space 
marketed under the Company’s popular Smartspace brand 
which provides tenants with a fixed cost and maximum flexibility. 
The Company’s largest single tenant contributes 2.5% of total 
annualised rent roll whilst 7.9% of its annualised rent roll comes 
from government tenants.

SMEs in Germany, the Mittelstand, are typically defined as 
companies with revenues of up to €50.0 million and up to 500 
employees. SME tenants remain a key target group which the 

Company’s internal operating platform has demonstrated an 
ability to attract in significant volumes as evidenced through 
the high number of enquiries that are generated each month, 
mainly through the Company’s own marketing channels. 

The wide range of tenants that the Sirius marketing and sales 
team is able to attract is a key competitive advantage for the 
Company and results in a significantly de-risked business model 
when compared to other owners of multi-tenanted light 
industrial and business park assets. 

The table below illustrates the diverse nature of tenant mix 
within the Sirius portfolio at the end of the reporting period:

Top 50 anchor tenants(1)

Smartspace SME tenants(2)

Other SME tenants(3)

Total

No. of
tenants as at
31 March 2021

50

2,796

2,750

5,596

Occupied
sqm

580,846

64,942

665,707

% of 
occupied sqm

Annualised
rent roll *
€m

44%

5%

51%

39,092,825

6,505,147

51,564,308

% of total
annualised

rent roll *
%

40%

7%

53%

1,311,495

100%

97,162,280

100%

Rate
per sqm
€

5.61

8.35

6.45

6.17

(1) Mainly large national/international private and public tenants.

(2) Mainly small and medium-sized private and public tenants. 

(3) Mainly small and medium-sized private and individual tenants.

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

Smartspace and First Choice 
Sirius’ Smartspace products are designed with flexibility in mind 
with tenants benefiting from a fixed cost which has proven to be 
desirable in all market conditions. The majority of Smartspace has 
been developed from sub-optimal space or space considered 
by most light industrial real estate operators to be structurally 
void. Following conversion the space is transformed into space 
that can be let at significantly higher rents than the rest of the 
business park and, as a result, is highly accretive to value. 

11,241 sqm of Smartspace was created in the year including 
8,589 sqm of Smartspace storage product developed as a 
direct result of the increased demand in the period for storage 
space identified by the Company’s sales and marketing teams. 
The Company was also able to capitalise on the changes in, and 
increased importance of, supply chains created by the pandemic 
by providing storage container space on previously non-income- 
producing land which, at 31 March 2021, was generating 
€168,000 in annualised rent roll. 

The total amount of Smartspace in the portfolio at the year end 
stood at 93,706 sqm (31 March 2020: 80,041 sqm), generating 
€6.5 million (31 March 2020: €5.7 million) of annualised rent roll 
which equates to 6.7% of the Company’s total annualised rent 
roll. Encouragingly, like-for-like average rate per sqm increased 
by 5.8% highlighting the importance of flexibility to tenants as 
well as the manner in which the Company can generate positive 
rate movements through its asset management efforts. 

At the beginning of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 the 
Company opened its fourth First Choice Business Centre (“FCBC”) 
in Hallbergmoos in close proximity to Munich airport. Due to the 
pandemic, airport traffic is materially down resulting in performance 
at Hallbergmoos being slower than expected. However, as travel 
returns an increase in demand for space is anticipated. Excluding 
the Hallbergmoos asset FCBC has performed well during the 
year with occupancy increasing to 90%. 

The table below illustrates how Smartspace products contribute to the portfolio as a whole:

Smartspace product type

First Choice office

SMSP office

SMSP workbox

SMSP storage

SMSP container

SMSP subtotal

SMSP FlexiLager

SMSP total

Total sqm

Occupied sqm

Occupancy
%

5,117

30,356

6,997

44,225

N/A

86,695

7,011

93,706

2,875

23,354

5,718

30,659

N/A

62,606

2,337

64,943

56%

77%

82%

69%

N/A

72%

33%

69%

Annualised
rent roll *
(excl. service
charge)
€

664,000

2,534,000

381,000

2,555,000

168,000

6,302,000

204,000

% of total
Smartspace
annualised
rent roll *
%

10%

39%

6%

39%

3%

97%

3%

6,506,000

100%

Rate *

per sqm
(excl. service
charge)
€

19.24

9.04

5.56

6.94

N/A

8.39

7.27

8.35

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
28

SUSTAINABILITY

Building momentum for 
a sustainable future

Throughout the year we have been developing our Environmental, 
Social and Governance (“ESG”) strategy which supports our 
long-term success and sustainability as a company. The Board 
recognises that a responsible and sustainable approach must be 
integral to everything we do. Underpinning this ethos is the Sirius 
Sustainability Strategic Framework and our Purpose. We will 
continue to place our people, environmental performance and 
ethical practices at the centre of our business and processes.

Sirius’ Sustainability Strategic Framework 

Empower business, unlocking potential

Our purpose is to create and manage optimal 
workspaces that empower small and medium-sized 
businesses to grow, evolve and thrive. We seek to 
unlock the potential of our people, our properties 
and the communities in which we operate so that, 
together, we can create sustainable impact and 
long-term financial and social value.

Environmental

Economic

People

Ethical

The Board and Senior Management Team have made considerable 
progress in determining how best to embed ESG within our 
strategy and management processes. While ESG has, for a long 
time, been part of our business approach, we do recognise that, 
in certain areas, such as our efforts to minimise our environmental 
impacts, we have needed to accelerate the rate at which we 
have reported performance. We are now making good progress 
to address this, as we build a comprehensive ESG strategy and 
were pleased that our efforts were recognised by MSCI with 
an upgrade in our ESG rating from A to AA during the year.

We published our sustainability framework in 2019 and we have 
continued to develop its footprint throughout the business as it 
provides the foundation for all of our activity. Our strategy places 
economic sustainability at its core as we fundamentally believe 
that only a financially sustainable business can provide a 
long-term positive contribution to both our stakeholders and 
the environment. 

Our framework is supported by our Purpose and our Values, 
which guide us and our behaviour in how we work with all 
our stakeholders.

In October 2020, we undertook a formal review of our ESG 
activities, which was presented to the Board by a specialist 
consultancy. This review was followed by an ESG materiality 
assessment, which was designed to identify sustainability 
and environmental issues, risks and opportunities which have 
the potential to impact our business model. We consulted 
with a number of internal and external stakeholders, including 
shareholders, managers, employees, tenants and suppliers. 
The results were presented to the Senior Management Team 
in February 2021. The next stage, in the new financial year, 
is for the identified materiality issues to be validated by the 
Sustainability and Ethics Committee and the Board. They will 
then be incorporated into our ongoing ESG strategy and 
management programme, together with identified actions and 
targets for each area of our ESG activity. We look forward to 
reporting on these developments in more detail in the future. 

Throughout the year, we built on our purpose by clearly 
defining the values by which we behave and engage with all 
our stakeholders. We identified these values through close 
collaboration with our employees and believe they personify 
the qualities that have shaped the success of the business in 
recent years; crystallise the behaviours we expect to see within 
the Company; clearly communicate what is important to us; 
and are there to guide our decision making.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
29

Sirius’ Core Values 

Humility

lndustriousness

Core Values

Integrity

Adaptability

Humility

Value openness and inclusivity, and be curious 
about ideas, opinions and experiences

Integrity

Seek, provide and encourage honest 
feedback and discussion

Be hungry to listen and learn from others

Act responsibly, take personal accountability 
for our actions and commit to the success 
of the team 

Demonstrate respect towards others at all 
times and maintain professionalism in 
everything we do

Adaptability 

Be agile, ready to tackle new challenges 
when they arise and grasp new opportunities

Value flexibility in the way we work and 
respond to customer needs

Be open to change, encourage innovation 
and be relentless about looking for ways to 
adapt and improve

Industriousness Work hard and smart, and show determination 

to find solutions and achieve results

Pursue excellence, and define success as 
doing the right thing well

We see the implementation of our environmental strategy as 
supporting and strengthening our core strategy: transforming 
business parks into modernised fit-for-purpose assets through 
investment and intensive asset management. The maintenance 
and refurbishment of existing buildings help to minimise urban 
sprawl and will contribute to protecting undeveloped land. By 
recycling existing properties, we conserve resources and minimise 
the use of materials and energy required to construct new 
properties. However, we are also aware that older buildings can 
be responsible for higher emissions which is why a number of 
years ago we committed to sourcing the electricity consumption 
of our portfolio from renewable sources. During 2020 we continued 
our success with this programme, with 99.4% of the energy 
consumption of the portfolio sourced from 100% certified green 
electricity sources as of January 2021. The small percentage 
of exceptions to this are due to contract obligations. 

We are also increasing our support to our tenants through 
the provision of improved energy efficiency services. In line 
with government subsidies, we are rolling out EV charging 
infrastructure across 37 Sirius sites during 2021 and have 
started implementing smart metering at both a property and 
tenant level. We have already made a good progress installing 
smart-metering in 10% of our portfolio and we have a target 
to have smart-metering across all our sites by 2027. We will 
continue to look at how innovation can best be used to improve 
environmental efficiencies across our portfolio. As an additional 
part of our environmental strategy, we are considering how we 
protect and support biodiversity. Although at an early stage, we 
are exploring how we can more effectively maximise the green 
spaces across our asset base and promote biodiversity projects.

Outlined below is our report on greenhouse gas emissions 
including Scope 1, 2 and 3. 

We will now focus on embedding these values in our policies 
and practices, how we operate and how we lead as they are 
built into our competency framework. 

Summary – Scope Wise

Scope categorisation

Category

Environment

During the year, we reviewed our approach to the environment 
which will be a key part of our overall ESG strategy going forward. 
It is our ambition to provide a clear roadmap on how we plan to 
manage and minimise our environmental impacts and create a 
more sustainable future. We have brought climate change as a 
key agenda item to our Board discussions and governance 
structure. We believe that we have made good progress 
throughout the year and will continue to build our environmental 
strategy and targets. This will help inform our stakeholders about 
our climate-related financial risks and opportunities to further 
protect and enhance the value we create for all our stakeholders. 

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Total

Heating and company cars

Purchased electricity 

Downstream leased assets 
and business travel

GHG emissions
tCO2-e

247.15

152.49

37,321.67

37,721.31

GHG intensity for Scope 1 (heating) – 0.016 (tCO2-e/sqm)

GHG intensity for Scope 2 (purchased electricity) – 0.027 (tCO2-e/sqm)

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
30

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Methodology and emissions factors 
The GHG emissions from the energy used during construction 
activities such as electricity and heating have been included in our 
Scope 3 emissions. The emissions from purchased materials 
during construction and maintenance activities (referred to as 
“embodied carbon emissions”) have not been included. We are 
putting in place the operational processes to capture this data 
and our future emissions reporting will include embodied 
carbon. The data used for the basis of calculations of emissions 
for the leased assets (Scope 3) is for energy consumption from 
1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. The data attributed to Scope 1 
and 2 (energy consumption data for Sirius’ own office use) is 
for the data collected from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. 
Given there have not been any material changes in either 
the occupancy or the consumption patterns, this data is 
assumed to be applicable for the 2020/21 financial year.

 » Electricity – Supplier specific Emissions factor 

 » Heating – UK Government 2019 GHG Conversion Factors for 
Company Reporting, DEFRA – Conversion-Factors-2019-Full-
set-for-advanced-users – HEAT & STEAM (Direct Onsite + 
Distribution Losses) – V1.3 

 » DEFRA – Conversion-Factors-2019-Full-set-for-advanced-

users – WATER SUPPLY – V1.3

 » DEFRA – Conversion-Factors-2019-Full-set-for-advanced-

users – WATER TREATMENT – V1.3 

 » DEFRA – Conversion-Factors-2019-Full-set-for-advanced-

users – WASTE DISPOSAL – V1.3

Our total GHG emissions are calculated as 37,721 tCO2-e. As the 
table shows, the majority of our GHG emissions are classified as 
Scope 3 from the operational use of our properties by tenants 
across our 65 sites, representing over 90% of our total emissions. 

In the chart above, we have broken down the emissions at the 
leased properties, which are directly attributed to the operational 
use of our assets.

Leased locations – GHG emissions breakup (tCO2-e)

6,758

  Heating

  Electricity

303
156
3,144

and disposal7171+

26,915

  Water consumption

  Waste water treatment

  Waste treatment 

This chart highlights the success of our programme to acquire 
renewable energy over the last couple of years. If we take this 
year as an example, our current reporting of emissions of 
3,143.8 tCO2-e are allocated to electricity consumed by the 
tenants at leased properties. If we had not had our policy of 
utilising renewable electricity wherever possible, we estimate 
that the GHG emissions from electricity consumption would 
have amounted to over 36,000 tCO2-e. We know that the amount 
of renewable energy we can use will vary from year to year and 
we have much more work to do to reduce our emissions. We are 
in the process of developing our carbon emissions reduction 
plans, recognising that the majority of emissions from the 
leased assets are from heating consumed by our tenants. 
However, we are pleased that our strategy to move to renewable 
electricity has had a positive impact on our emissions to date.

We have also started implementing the recommendations of 
the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(“TCFD”). As well as recognising the risks posed by climate 
change, we also believe our business model offers significant 
opportunities. We fully support the TCFD recommendations 
and intend to bring our disclosures and reporting fully in line 
with its methodology. The TCFD recommendations are 
structured around four core areas of organisational operations: 
governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and 
targets. The table below outlines our progress to date against 
the TCFD recommendations.

Governance

Describe the Board’s oversight of 
climate-related risks and opportunities

Disclosure

The Board assumes overall responsibility and accountability for the management of 
climate-related risks and opportunities. During the year, the Board received an initial review of 
climate change on the business and requested the creation of an ESG strategy, incorporating 
an environmental strategy and the implementation of TCFD recommendations. The Board 
will be supported by the Sustainability and Ethics Committee and the Audit Committee. 
Within Sirius Facilities, a TCFD Committee has been formed which reports through to the 
Sustainability and Ethics Committee.

Describe the management’s role in 
assessing and managing climate related 
risks and opportunities

The management has undertaken a review of the Sirius ERM approach and climate-related 
issues are in the process of being integrated into the core risk management process which 
will report to the Audit Committee.

Strategy

Describe the climate-related risks and 
opportunities the organisation has identified 
over the short, medium, and long term

Describe the impact of climate-related risks 
and opportunities on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy and financial planning 

Describe the resilience of the organisation’s 
strategy, taking into consideration different 
climate-related scenarios, including a 2ºC 
or lower scenario

The ESG strategy, incorporating an environmental strategy, will formalise the identification 
of climate-related risks and opportunities, including our approach to modernisation and 
refurbishment of our portfolio and how we support our tenants to achieve their business 
and environmental objectives. We have carried out a materiality assessment of climate risks 
and opportunities relevant to our business model and are in the process of going through 
a scenario analysis aligned with the Paris Agreement to understand the strategic and 
financial impacts of these issues over short, medium and long-term time horizons.

As we develop our ESG strategy, incorporating an environmental strategy, climate-related 
risks and opportunities will be integrated into our business, strategy and financial planning.

We are in the process of undertaking an analysis with a Paris Agreement aligned scenario, 
the findings of which will be included in the ESG strategy, incorporating an environmental 
strategy. Once completed we will undertake a further scenario analysis. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021+
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8
+
1
1
+
2
2
+
+
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18
+
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31

Risks and opportunities

Describe the organisation’s integrated 
processes for identifying and assessing and 
managing climate-related risks

Metrics and targets

Disclose the metrics used by the organisation 
to assess climate-related risks and 
opportunities in line with its strategy and risk 
management processes

Describe Scope 1, Scope 2 and, if appropriate, 
Scope 3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, 
and the related risks

Disclosure

Sirius considers climate-related risks and opportunities through the Board, the Audit 
Committee and its risk management process and framework. This process will be further 
developed through the ESG strategy, incorporating an environmental strategy, and 
integrated into our business and financial planning. 

GHG emissions are disclosed in the Annual Report including Scope 1, 2 and 3. 
Further metrics and targets will be devised through the implementation of the 
TCFD recommendations and included within the ESG strategy, incorporating an 
environmental strategy.

GHG emissions are disclosed in our Annual Report.

Describe the targets used by the organisation 
to manage climate-related risks and 
opportunities and performance against targets

Once further metrics and targets have been devised through the implementation of the 
TCFD recommendations, performance metrics for the management will be set against the 
agreed targets and metrics.

People

We are immensely pleased with how our colleagues have reacted 
and performed in the face of the many challenges we have faced 
through the Covid-19 pandemic. We believe this not only reflects 
the strength of our culture that has been built within Sirius over 
the years, but also the support we continually provide to ensure 
Sirius is a great place to work. We value the contribution of every 
single one of our colleagues and recognise that the success of 
our business is built on their efforts and achievements. 

This is reflected in our annual employee survey, which was 
undertaken in July 2020, and we received an 86.5% response rate. 
81% of the workforce showed strong approval of the leadership 
of the Company, an increase of 21% on 2019, and over 90% of 
respondents believed that Sirius took the best possible measures 
to protect the health of employees during the first wave of 
Covid-19. Almost 70% would recommend Sirius as an employer, 
an increase of 13% on 2019. 84%, an increase of 12%, think 
that positive changes have been implemented since the last 
survey. Despite the disruption throughout the year, we 
concentrated on areas of improvement highlighted by employees 
in the 2019 survey. These included participating in more corporate 
social responsibility projects, improvement in IT systems and 
more training and career development opportunities. The 2020 
survey highlighted a post-Covid-19 working policy, and a 
continuation of the improvement in systems and processes. 
These will become part of our people programme during 2021.

Employee engagement
Just as critical as the survey itself is the follow-up roadshow, 
where our Chairman and CEO meet with colleagues to discuss 
the results and have an open dialogue on the topics covered. 

Additionally, our Employee Improvement Programme team, which 
involves employees from right across the business, has continued 
to play an important role in providing a representative forum for 
individuals to discuss and raise issues important to them. 

When Covid-19 regulations have allowed, Senior Management 
and Directors have continued to prioritise site visits and 
in-person meetings with employees. These meetings have been 
supplemented by virtual meetings when necessary. 

Health and wellbeing
The health and wellbeing of our employees has always been a 
key priority for us and never more so than during the Covid-19 
pandemic. As a result, we were well prepared when the crisis 
started and we have continued to build our support, such as 

the provision of personal protective equipment, home office 
supplies and test kits, to ensure that our colleagues have been 
able to work safely either in the office or remotely. Across our 
portfolio, we developed a hygiene concept for each property to 
help protect employees, tenants and visitors against infection 
by ensuring that everyone observed and implemented hygiene 
measures. We are pleased that at no point did we need, or ask 
for, state support throughout the crisis. 

Looking beyond Covid-19, we are very aware of the importance 
of mental health. We offered an eight week “Mental Health” 
training programme for managers, with 45% participating and 
learning techniques for successfully dealing with stress, as well 
as training one individual as a mental health counsellor. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of 
maintaining a balance between our working and private lives 
and how this can have a very significant impact on the health 
and wellbeing of our colleagues. In response, we have now 
introduced flexible office working hours and will continue to 
review our flexible working arrangements.

When possible, we have continued to host regular team sports 
and other wellbeing events throughout the year including 
running, football and yoga. During certain parts of the year, 
our wellbeing events were primarily online yet they remained 
popular and allowed employees to take time to focus on their 
own wellbeing, which we continue to prioritise.

Training and development
Our employees are the foundation of our business and it is their 
commitment which has a fundamental influence on the success 
of the Company. We look to provide them with training throughout 
the year to enable them to better perform, and enjoy, their work 
as well as to develop their expertise. We do not view training and 
development as a short-term investment, but as a long-term 
process in building a relationship with our employees which 
benefits them personally, and better enables them to deliver 
for our stakeholders. This relationship building is clearly 
demonstrated in our programme to encourage and enable 
employees to become shareholders in the Company. 

105

employee shareholders  
(38% of the workforce)

Our ultimate goal is for every employee to hold shares in the 
Company so that they can participate more in our success. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202132

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Training and development continued
Our training and development programmes enable employees 
to become a specialist in their chosen area, or to move to a 
different part of the business. We look to promote individual 
talents and offer individual training options so that our employees 
can obtain new degrees or additional qualifications as part of 
their employment with us. Career advancement and mobility 
is encouraged and during the year we were proud to offer 
promotion to 9% of the workforce. As a first step, we also offer 
any vacant positions internally to our employees. The aim is to 
give every employee the opportunity to follow their interests 
and work in their preferred role. As part of colleague integration 
and our prioritisation of inclusion, we have continued to offer 
German and English language lessons to colleagues. 

Our Sirius training platform (the Sirius Academy) continued 
despite the Covid-19 disruption. Through the platform, 
employees offer seminars and workshops to their colleagues 
based on their area of expertise. The approach enables the 
departments to get an insight into other departments and their 
work and processes. In addition to gaining new knowledge, it 
also promotes a sense of mutual understanding for the work 
performed by different departments, the exchange of ideas 
and the streamlining of processes. This approach also refines 
and optimises our collective operating performance. 

644

delegate days of training  
in the last twelve months

Community
We continue to take pride in undertaking events, sponsoring 
programmes, providing for sporting events and contributing to 
local charities. The approach to charity work continues to put 
our colleagues’ personal causes and experiences at the heart of 
the work that is undertaken. This ensures a deep commitment 
to the charities that the business supports.

We are well aware that a key part of being a responsible 
business is contributing to society and our local communities. 
This was never more important than during the Covid-19 
pandemic. During the year, we helped people facing hardship 
in Berlin by supporting the Berlin City Mission and encouraged 
our employees to participate in the “PostmitHerz.org” initiative 
to help those feeling lonely and isolated. 

Looking beyond the pandemic, we continued our participation 
in “Operation Christmas Child” which organises gifts for children 
who are suffering and in need. We also supported one of our 
employees in late summer/autumn 2020 for a four week period 
as she worked as a volunteer at the “Gilys Daycare” centre in 
Tanzania. During her stay, the donations collected were used 
to paint the rooms in the day care centre, pay for food for the 
children and buy sand for the playground. 

Ethical

Our purpose, values and culture are core to how we behave 
and operate as a company. Upholding our ethical approach 
and practices is overseen by the Board and the Sustainability 
and Ethics Committee. 

Anti-bribery and corruption
We published our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Statement in 
2020 and a newly established compliance team within Sirius 
has implemented a tailor-made compliance tool which was 
launched in late September 2020. Training sessions for all 
current staff members were completed by the end of November. 
Every employee also undertakes training on the issue of data 
protection, from an external data protection officer. 

Sirius Code of Conduct
All employees also received training on the General Equality 
of Treatment Act (Allgemeiner Gleichbehandlungsgesetz) and 
how to adhere to the Sirius Code of Conduct which explains 
the expectations of everyone working for the Group, in terms 
of responsibility to each other and to our business partners 
and stakeholders. Our Code of Conduct also carries clear 
statements on modern slavery, which are also included in all 
our contracts with our suppliers.

Diversity and inclusion
Diversity is an important part of our culture and it is embedded 
into our ways of working. Within our operating business we have 
set up a diversity committee and have appointed a Diversity Officer. 
Our overall approach is overseen and supported by two members 
of the operational Board who act as diversity ambassadors.

For Sirius, diversity means inventiveness, creativity, enrichment 
and growth. We accept and value differences in terms of background, 
gender, age, sexual orientation and religion or ideology. We expressly 
state that no individual will experience any form of discrimination 
due to their background, gender, religious ideology, disability, 
age, sexual identity or other physical characteristics. We aim to 
promote diversity, prevent discrimination and create equal 
opportunities. This aim is reinforced by the fact that we have 
been a signatory of the German Charter of Diversity since 2014. 
Most importantly, we believe diversity and inclusion is about 
actions, not just policies. Our head office has a “multi-faith room” 
and is available to employees of all religious denominations. 

We are grateful for the diversity that already exists within the 
business, which consists of 28 nationalities and covers an age 
spectrum from 19 to 63. We have an approximately equal ratio 
of female and male employees: 53% of our employees are 
female, 47% are male. Also 36% of our managers are female. 
While we are glad that every third leadership position is held 
by a woman, we will continue to strive to create an even more 
balanced working environment. 

Nationalities28

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021FINANCIAL REVIEW

33

Strong profits and total 
shareholder accounting 
return despite the pandemic

Alistair Marks
Chief Financial Officer

“ Sirius’ operating platform 
has been the key enabler 
in continued delivery of 
organic and acquisitive 
growth amid challenging 
market conditions.”

Strong trading despite the pandemic 
and return to acquisitive growth 
The Company delivered profit before tax of €163.7 million for 
the year ended 31 March 2021 representing a 47.7% increase 
on the prior year. Despite unprecedented market conditions 
relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company successfully 
grew both organically and acquisitively. The organic performance 
was highlighted by a 5.2% increase in like-for-like annualised 
rental income which contributed to a €135.9 million increase in 
the book value of investment property through capex investment 
and valuation uplifts. Operationally the Company grew year-on-year 
enquiry levels and posted a cash collected rate of 98.2%. Funds 
from operations(1) (“FFO”) increased by 9.3% which drove a 10.0% 
increase in the dividend for the six months ended 31 March 2021. 
From a shareholder perspective a combination of the increase 
in adjusted net asset value2 and dividends paid in the period 
resulted in a total accounting return of 19.5%. Considering the 
restrictions and impact on the economy from the hard lockdowns 
in Germany, the results of the year are a testament to the quality 
of the Company’s portfolio and tenant base as well as the asset 
management capabilities of its operating platform.

Return to acquisitions 
After a quiet first half of the financial year whilst the Company 
monitored the market and assessed the impact of the pandemic, 
Sirius returned to acquisitive growth in the second half with the 
completion of four assets totalling €35.2 million and a further 
asset notarised for completion shortly after the year end for 
€10.7 million. The Company’s balance sheet remains positive 
with €49.3 million of free cash as at 31 March 2021 along with 
€13.1 million of undrawn capex related facilities. Following the 
repayment of the Bayerische Landesbank facility in the year under 
review the Company has 19 unencumbered assets with a combined 
value of €245.5 million. In addition, Sirius was able to notarise 
the acquisition of an asset in Augsburg for €79.9 million for the 
Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts in which Sirius holds a 35% 
interest. The details of all acquisitions are provided in the Asset 
Management review section of this report.

Trading performance and earnings
As mentioned above, the Company reported a profit before tax 
in the year ended 31 March 2021 of €163.7 million (31 March 
2020: €110.8 million), including €103.9 million (31 March 2020: 
€59.7 million) of gains from property revaluations (excluding 
movements relating to leased investment properties in 
accordance with IFRS 16) net of €31.7 million of capex and 
adjustments in respect of lease incentives and broker fees.

(1) Refer to note 28 in the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

(2) Refer to Glossary of Terms of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202134

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Trading performance and earnings continued
FFO, which is the key measure of operational performance, increased by 9.3% to €60.9 million (31 March 2020: €55.7 million) 
despite the impact of costs and additional tax relating to changes in tax legislation which impacted the last quarter of the financial 
year. The majority of the increase in FFO came from strong organic growth within the existing portfolio with a modest positive 
impact coming from the net impact of the acquisitions that completed in the final quarter of the financial year and loss of income 
from the disposal of the Weilimdorf asset at the start of the financial year. The organic growth came predominantly from another 
strong improvement in the Group’s like-for-like annualised rent roll amounting to 5.2% which was partly supported by the capex 
investment programmes but was also derived from contracted escalations, uplifts on renewals and other asset management 
initiatives. When combined with the acquisitions in the period the Company starts the new financial year with annualised rent roll of 
€97.2 million. 

On a per share basis, basic EPS showed a 48.3% increase to 14.16c per share, reflecting the strong valuation gains recorded in the 
year whilst adjusted EPS increased by 7.1% to 5.61c per share reflecting the positive operational performance in the year. 

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Adjusted EPS*

Basic EPRA EPS

Diluted EPRA EPS

Earnings
€000

147,451

147,451

58,400

58,633

58,633

No. of shares

31 March 2021
cents per share

1,040,956,722

1,056,541,472

1,040,956,722

1,040,956,722

1,056,541,722

14.16

13.96

5.61

5.63

5.55

Earnings
€000

98,136

98,136

53,911

55,882

55,882

No. of shares

31 March 2020
cents per share

Change
%

1,027,881,515

1,039,816,265

1,027,881,515

1,027,881,515

1,039,816,265

9.55

9.44

5.24

5.44

 5.37

48.3

47.9

7.1

3.5

3.4

*  See note 11 and the Business analysis section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

Total revenue, which comprises rent, fee income relating to Titanium, other income from investment properties, and service charge 
income, increased from €150.0 million to €165.4 million in the period. Total annualised rent roll at the end of the period increased by 
7.6% from €90.3 million to €97.2 million with €2.1 million attributable to the net effect of acquisitions and disposals and €4.8 million 
to organic rent roll growth. Approximately €0.7 million of the rental income from acquisitions will be lost in Q1 of the new financial 
year due to the expected move-out of a large tenant in the newly acquired Fellbach II site. 

Looking forward, notwithstanding the ongoing potential impact of Covid-19 and impact of the vacating tenant mentioned above, the 
Company is confident that through the continuation of its capex investment programmes and wide range of other intensive asset 
management initiatives, it can continue to grow FFO organically in the new financial year. Furthermore, the Company considers itself 
to have the financial capability to acquire more assets for both its own balance sheet and that relating to Titanium, as and when the 
right opportunities present themselves. 

Portfolio valuation and net asset value
The portfolio of owned assets was independently valued at €1,350.8 million by Cushman & Wakefield LLP at 31 March 2021 
(31 March 2020: €1,189.5 million), which converts to a book value of €1,347.2 million after the provision for lease incentives. 
Including investment property relating to leased assets the total investment property book value at 31 March 2021 was 
€1,362.2 million. 

Investment properties at book value as at 31 March 2020*

Additions 

Additions relating to leased investment properties

Capex investment and capitalised broker fees

Disposals

Surplus on revaluation above capex investment and broker fees

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Investment 
property – owned
€000

Investment 
property – leased
€000

Investment 
property – total 
€000

1,186,183

35,484

—

31,720

(10,130)

104,156

—

(246)

17,832

1,204,015

—

1,518

—

—

—

(4,325)

—

35,484

1,518

31,720

(10,130)

104,156

(4,325)

(246)

Investment properties at book value as at 31 March 2021

1,347,167

15,025

1,362,192

* 

Including assets held for sale.

The movement in owned investment property of €161.0 million was made up of €35.5 million of acquisitions, €10.1 million of 
disposals, a €135.9 million valuation uplift which includes capital expenditure of €31.7 million and a €0.2 million adjustment in 
respect of lease incentives.

In accordance with IFRS 16, the Group recognises lease liabilities of €15.0 million relating to leases on assets meeting the definition 
of investment property. Accordingly, an expense of €4.3 million representing the fair value adjustment in the year was recorded in 
the statement of comprehensive income. During the year under review the Group extended a lease on an asset meeting the 
definition of investment property resulting in a fair value adjustment of €1.5 million. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
35

The valuation gain recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income of €99.6 million includes movements relating 
to both owned and leased investment property and is stated net of capex investment, broker fees and adjustments in respect of 
lease incentives. 

Focusing on the like-for-like portfolio that was owned for the full period, the book value of these assets increased by €135.7 million 
or 11.5% from €1,176.2 million to €1,311.9 million. The increase in book value for the period was driven by approximately 42 bps of 
yield compression and rent roll growth of €4.8 million. The assets that were acquired shortly before the year end were revalued at 
only €0.2 million below the total acquisition costs paid which is 6.3% above the property purchase prices paid. 

The portfolio of owned properties, which excludes the assets within Titanium, comprised 60 assets at 31 March 2021 and the 
reconciliation of book value to the independent Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation is as follows: 

Investment properties at market value

Uplift in respect of assets held for sale

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Book value as at 31 March 2021

* 

Including assets held for sale.

31 March 2021
€m

31 March 2020
€m

1,350.8

1,189.5 *

—

(3.6)

—

(3.3)

1,347.2

1,186.2 *

Over the last five years the value of the Company’s owned investment property has nearly doubled. Of the €659.8 million increase 
in value €152.6 million has come from the net effect of acquisitions and disposals with €507.3 million coming from organic growth. 
The organic valuation growth has predominantly come from improving the quality of the assets and increasing income. Whilst the 
market has seen yields compress over this period, a significant portion of the valuation yield movement that the Sirius portfolio has 
seen reflects this improved quality, which itself is mainly the result of the Company’s capex investment programmes. The development 
of Sirius’ portfolio valuations and operating metrics over the last five years can be seen in the table below:

Portfolio book valuation (€m)

Annualised rent roll* (€m)

Gross yield* (%)

Like-for-like annualised rent roll 
increase* (%)

Like-for-like valuation increase (%)

Occupancy* (%)

Rate* (€sqm)

March 2016

March 2017

March 2018

March 2019

March 2020

March 2021

687.4

60.5

8.8

5.9

10.9

80.0

5.1

823.3

71.0

8.6

5.1

8.5

80.5

5.3

967.3 (1)

1,132.5

1,186.2

1,347.2

79.5

8.2

6.2

11.6

79.2

5.5

87.8

7.8

7.1

13.3

86.1

5.8

90.3

7.6

6.1

9.9

85.3

6.0

97.2

7.2

5.2

11.5

87.0

6.2

(1) Including two acquisitions that completed 1 April 2018.

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

The 31 March 2021 book value of owned properties of €1,347.2 million represents an average gross yield of 7.2% (31 March 2020: 
7.6%), which translates to a net yield of 6.5% (31 March 2020: 6.8%) and an EPRA net yield (including estimated purchaser costs) of 
6.1% (31 March 2020: 6.3%).

Despite yields on these assets continuing to tighten despite the pandemic, the average gross yield of the portfolio of 7.2% still 
appears conservative when compared to transactions that have completed over the last year in the industrial, logistics and office 
sectors in Germany. This is a key point to consider in addition to the value-add potential remaining within the Sirius portfolio when 
reviewing the strength of the Company’s balance sheet and its ability to withstand any negative market movements in the future.

Of the total portfolio 59% relates to value-add assets which, with average occupancy of 82.8% and valued at a gross yield of 7.6%, 
provide significant opportunity for further earnings and value growth. The average occupancy of the mature assets has now 
increased to 95.4% and, at a gross yield of 6.6%, these are valued at a yield that is 100 bps lower than the value-add assets. As the 
transformation of the value-add assets continues, the yield gap between the mature and value-add assets is expected to reduce. 

Annualised
rent roll 
€m

60.7

36.5

—

Book value
€m

795.4

551.8

—

97.2

1,347.2

NOI
€m

53.9

34.9

(1.1)

87.7

Capital
value 
€m/sqm

766

1,054

—

863

Gross yield

Net yield

Vacant
space 
sqm

Rate psqm
€

Occupancy
%

7.6%

6.6%

—

7.2%

6.8%

6.3%

—

172,681

 22,893

—

6.5%

195,574

6.07

6.35

—

6.17

82.8%

95.4%

—

87.0%

Value-add assets

Mature assets

Other

Total

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
36

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Portfolio valuation and net asset value continued
The average capital value per sqm of the entire portfolio of €863 (31 March 2020: €775) remains well below replacement cost and 
illustrates the excellent opportunity for further growth from upgrading and letting up the sub-optimal vacant space through the 
Company’s capex investment programmes. This remains a major competitive advantage for Sirius and is one of the main reasons 
that its business model is able to produce higher returns with lower risk than the typical operator of light industrial and office 
business parks in Germany in all market conditions. The full details of the capex investment programmes are detailed in the Asset 
Management review section of this report.

The valuation increases along with profit retention resulted in an increase in net asset value per share to 88.31c at 31 March 2021, 
an uplift of 14.2% from 77.35c as at 31 March 2020. Similarly, the adjusted net asset value(1) per share increased to 93.79c at 
31 March 2021, an uplift of 15.0% from 81.54c as at 31 March 2020. In addition, the Company has paid out 3.62c per share of 
dividends during the financial year which contributed to a total shareholder accounting return (adjusted NAV growth plus dividends 
paid) of 19.5% (31 March 2020: 13.1%). The movement in NAV per share is explained in the following table:

(1) Excludes the provisions for deferred tax and derivative financial instruments.

NAV per share as at 31 March 2020

Recurring profit after tax

Surplus on revaluation

Deferred tax charge

Scrip and cash dividend paid

Share awards and adjusting items

NAV per share at 31 March 2021

Deferred tax and derivatives

Adjusted NAV per share at 31 March 2021(1)

EPRA adjustments(1)

EPRA NTA per share at 31 March 2021(1)

(1) See Annex 1 for further details. 

Cents per share

77.35

5.57

9.90

(1.35)

(3.38)

0.22

88.31

5.48

93.79

(1.50)

92.29

The EPRA NTA per share, which, like adjusted NAV per share, excludes the provisions for deferred tax and fair value of derivative 
financial instruments but also includes the potential impact of shares issued in relation to the Company’s long-term incentive 
programmes and excludes intangible assets, was 92.29c (31 March 2020: 80.44c).

Financing
The Company continues to seek ways to further optimise its financing structure which is why there was limited activity with regard 
to financing during the financial year. The Company completed the final drawdown of its unsecured Schuldschein loan amounting 
to €20.0 million and fully repaid upon maturity in October 2020 its Bayerische Landesbank facility. 

As a result total debt decreased by €13.8 million in the period to €472.0 million (2020: €485.8 million) representing the net effect of 
the transactions outlined above and scheduled amortisation of €10.9 million repaid during the year. Details of movement in debt 
during the year are included in the table below: 

Total debt as at 31 March 2020

Drawdown of Schuldschein

Repayment of Bayerische Landesbank facility

Scheduled amortisation

Total debt as at 31 March 2021

€000

485,755

20,000

(22,845)

(10,878)

472,032

The Company’s weighted average cost of debt remained stable at 1.5% (2020: 1.5%) whilst the number of unencumbered 
properties has increased from twelve to nineteen with a book value of €245.5 million. 

As at 31 March 2021, Sirius had a net LTV of 31.4% which remains materially below the stated maximum of 40%. This calculation 
includes the unrestricted cash balances held by the Group of €49.3 million. The uplift in net operating income seen in the period, 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
37

driven by the annualised rent roll growth and further improvements to service charge recovery, has increased the Group’s interest 
cover from 11.0x to 12.5x in the period. 

With a weighted average debt expiry of 2.7 years (2020: 3.6 years) it is an opportune time for the Company to assess its financing 
structure. As has been mentioned consistently over the last few years, the Sirius Board strongly believes in the benefits of unsecured 
debt and the completion of the Company’s first unsecured facility in the form of the €50.0 million unsecured Schuldschein has been 
well received by its shareholders. 

Dividend
The Board has authorised a dividend in respect of the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 of 1.98c per share 
representing a pay-out of 65% of FFO, an increase of 10.0% on the equivalent dividend last year which was also based on 65% of FFO. 
The total dividend for the year is 3.80c, an increase of 6.4% on the 3.57c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020. It should 
be noted that the Group has not received any state financial assistance in connection with the Covid-19 crisis or otherwise.

The table below shows the dividends paid and full year pay-out ratios over the last five years demonstrating the manner in which the 
Board chose to increase the dividend pay-out ratio in previous years in order to maintain positive dividend trajectory whilst the 
proceeds of asset disposals were invested. 

Year ended March 2017

Year ended March 2018

Year ended March 2019

Year ended March 2020*

Year ended March 2021

*  First half 67%, second half 65% of FFO.

First half dividend
per share (cents)

1.39

1.56

1.63

1.77

1.82

Second half 
dividend
per share
(cents)

1.53

1.60

1.73

1.80

1.98

Total dividend
per share
(cents)

Blended 
pay-out ratio
(% of FFO)

2.92

3.16

3.36

3.57

3.80

65%

75%

70%

66%

65%

It is expected that, for the dividend authorised in respect of the six month period ended 31 March 2021, the ex-dividend date will 
be 7 July 2021 for shareholders on the South African register and 8 July 2021 for shareholders on the UK register. It is further 
expected that for shareholders on both registers the record date will be 9 July 2021 and the dividend will be paid on 19 August 2021. 
A detailed dividend announcement will be made on 14 June 2021, including details of a scrip dividend alternative.

Outlook
Despite the impact of the pandemic over the last year, Sirius has been able to produce a number of record results in the period. 
A combination of the effectiveness and adaptability of its operating platform, its range of products and its well diversified tenant 
base enabled the Company to increase income and valuations across the portfolio whilst maintaining high cash collection rates. 
The organic growth in annualised rent roll combined with further improvements to service charge recovery were the primary drivers 
behind the Group’s increase in FFO and hence dividend.

In challenging market conditions and with assets that meet the Company’s return expectations increasingly harder to find, progress 
was also achieved on acquisitions through the completion or notarising of five acquisition assets totalling €45.9 million. 

The Titanium venture increased in scale with the notarisation of the Augsburg asset for €79.9 million. Titanium continues to provide 
the Company with an excellent alternative income stream by way of its 35% ownership and income from its continued management 
of the assets. 

Looking forward the focus remains on taking a well-balanced and measured approach to our business whilst trading through the 
pandemic to its conclusion. The comprehensive governmental response to the pandemic in Germany appears to have succeeded 
in maintaining employment and limiting the economic damage that many had predicted. Whilst there still remains some uncertainty 
as the roll out of vaccination programmes in Germany and across Europe continues, the Company’s performance over the last year 
gives reason for cautious optimism going forward.

The Company will remain focused on maximising the capability of its internal operating platform to continue to deliver attractive 
risk-adjusted returns through its active asset management throughout the property cycle. With acquisition firepower available, 
further vacancy to develop and reversion potential to capture, the Company is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead and 
looks forward to continuing to deliver attractive and sustainable returns for shareholders in the future.

Alistair Marks
Chief Financial Officer
4 June 2021

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
38

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Managing our risks

Sirius has policies and procedures in place for the timely identification, 
assessment and prioritisation of the Group’s material risks and uncertainties. 
This section describes how these risks are identified, managed and 
mitigated appropriately in order to deliver the Group’s strategic objectives.

Risk management framework
The Group has an established risk management approach to 
identify, monitor and mitigate risks. The Sirius Board has overall 
responsibility for risk management and is of the view that 
understanding and mitigating key risks is crucial to achieving 
the Group’s strategic objectives and long-term success. As 
such, a risk-based approach is taken on all major decision 
making and strategic initiatives.

Risk management is an integral part of the Group’s business 
and risks are considered at every level of decision making and 
across all business activities. A risk management framework is 
in place to ensure that risks are identified and mitigated in order 
to significantly increase the chances of being able to achieve the 
Group’s objectives of creating and sustaining shareholder value. 

A detailed and extensive risk register is maintained that documents 
risks and related mitigating controls and sets out the frequency 
with which the risks are reviewed and by whom. The process 
supporting the risk register includes detailed annual evaluations 
performed by subject matter experts within the Group.

Following this process risks are categorised into twelve 
primary areas:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

 Corporate strategy – the risk the Group does not meet 
its objectives and becomes unattractive to shareholders 
and investors.

 Asset management – the risk the Group’s asset management 
strategy does not maximise income and capital values.

 Acquisitions and disposals – the risk of being prevented 
from making investments or not optimising returns.

 Operational processes – the risk of sub-optimal processes 
and controls impacting financial performance.

 Regulatory compliance – the risk of non-compliance with 
laws, regulations and accepted practices.

 Tax – the risk the Group’s tax position is inefficient, non-
compliant or unable to adapt to changes in tax regulations. 

 Financing – the risks associated with external borrowing 
including that where assets act as security.

 Fraud – the risk the Group’s assets are misappropriated 
or subject to fraud.

 ESG – the risk the Group does not comply with or report 
appropriately in relation to environmental, social and 
governance issues (“ESG”).

10.  People – the risks associated with failing to attract and 

retain talent. 

11.  Data and systems – the risks associated with loss of data 

and business continuity. 

12.  Covid-19 – the risks associated with the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Following categorisation, the principal risks are determined, 
assessed and catalogued according to their likelihood of 
occurring and potential impact on the business.

Finally, the risk register documents the controls in place that 
exist to mitigate the particular risk.

The Audit Committee takes responsibility for the review of 
the risk management methodology and the effectiveness of 
internal controls and the Board reviews the risk register on 
an annual basis.

This process includes the following:

 » reviewing regular risk reporting prepared by the 

Senior Management Team;

 » assessing the effectiveness of control design and 

implementation; and

 » overseeing and advising the Board on current risk 

exposures and future risk strategy.

Risk management 
process diagram

Identify

Report

Assess

Monitor

Mitigate

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202139

“ Risk management is an integral 
part of the Group’s business and 
risks are considered at every level 
of decision making and across 
all business activities.”

Risk management 
framework diagram

Board of 
Directors

Audit Committee

Executive 
  Directors

 Compliance 

Senior Management Team

Board of Directors
 » Overall responsibility for risk management.

 » Overall responsibility for the Group’s system of internal 

Executive Directors
 » Perform key business activity reviews, identify control 

deficiencies and redesign processes.

control and review of its effectiveness.

 » Monitor the role and effectiveness of internal compliance.

Audit Committee
 » Delegated responsibility from the Board to oversee 

risk management and internal controls.

 » Reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 

control and risk management processes.

 » Monitors the independence and expertise of the 

external auditors.

 » Communicate risk management information and key 

initiatives across the Group.

Senior Management Team and 
Company Secretary
 » Define risk management responsibilities at operational 

and key initiative level.

 » Ensure risk is considered in all business decision making.

 » Continuously identify risks, provide assurance and 

self-assess.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
40

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

Principal risks summary

Risk area

Principal risk(s)

1  Financing

 » Availability and pricing of debt

 » Compliance with facility covenants

 » Availability and pricing of equity capital

 » Increased reputational risk

2  Valuation

 » Property inherently difficult to value

 » Susceptibility of property market to change in value

3  Market

 » Reliance on Germany and the German economy

 » Reliance on specific industries and SME market

4  Acquisitive growth

 » Decrease in number of acquisition opportunities coming to market

 » Failure to acquire suitable properties with desired returns

5  Organic growth

 » Failure to deliver capex investment programmes

 » Failure to refuel capex investment programmes

 » Failure to achieve targeted returns from investments

6  Customer

 » Decline in demand for space

 » Significant tenant move-outs or insolvencies

 » Exposure to tenants’ inability to meet rental and other lease commitments 

7  Regulatory and tax

 » Non-compliance with tax or regulatory obligations 

8  People

 » Inability to recruit and retain people with the appropriate skillset to deliver the Group strategy

9  Systems and data

 » System failures and loss of data

 » Security breaches

 » Data protection

10  Covid-19

 » Reduction in occupancy due to insolvencies

 » Delays in cash collection

 » Impact on business continuity and wellbeing of colleagues 

11  ESG

 » Climate change – physical and transition risks

 » Ethics and governance 

 » Diversity and inclusion 

Current assessment of principal business 
risks post mitigation

Previous assessment of principal business 
risks post mitigation

h
g
H

i

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

w
o
L

1

5

4

2

11

8

9

10

3

6

7

h
g
H

i

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

w
o
L

1

4

2

9

3

5

8

6

7

Low

Impact

High

Low

Impact

High

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202141

1 Financing

Principal risks 
 » Reduced availability of bank financing.

 » Increased cost of debt.

Potential impact
 » Increase in cost of borrowing and reduction in Group profits.

 » Inability to refinance when facilities expire.

 » A breach of banking facility covenants.

 » Increase in cost of raising capital and dilution of Group net assets.

 » Reputational risk.

 » Requirement to dispose of assets at discounted values to service 

debt obligations.

 » Reduced ability to acquire new assets.

 » Acceleration of the Group’s obligations to repay borrowings.

 » Lender enforces security over the Group’s assets and restricts 

cash flow to the Group.

 » Reputational damage to the Company from providers of capital. 

Mitigation
 » The Group has established a number of strong banking 

relationships with lenders which understand and value the manner 
in which the Sirius business model mitigates risk.

Developments in the year
 » All bank covenants were met in full during the year with the Group 
increasing its interest covenant Group net operating income level 
to 12.5 times.

 » The Group invests significant time and resource in engagement 
with shareholders and market participants on both a group and 
individual basis.

 » 86.0% of the total borrowings of €472.0 million have been fixed 

with a fixed interest rate or swap and 14.0% are floating or 
hedged with an interest rate cap. 

 » The Sirius track record, methodology and experience of its Senior 
Management Team through the last downturn are valued highly 
by providers of capital.

 » Equity capital is raised only when it is determined to be in the best 

interests of the Company and shareholders to do so.

 » Bank facilities are only entered into where attractive rates and long 

facility terms can be secured.

 » The weighted average cost of debt remained stable at 1.5%.

 » Weighted average debt expiry of 2.7 years is slightly down from 

3.6 years at 31 March 2020.

 » The Group’s gross LTV ratio at 31 March 2021 was 35.0%. 

The gross yield of the asset valuations upon which this ratio 
is based is 7.2%.

 » The Group recorded a net LTV ratio of 31.4%, which includes 

 » It is Group policy to mitigate interest rate risk by fixing or capping 

unrestricted cash balances of €49.3 million. 

interest rates on facilities.

 » The Group increased its number of unencumbered assets 

 » Loan facilities incorporate covenant headroom, cure provisions 

from twelve to nineteen with a book value of €245.5 million. 

and sufficient flexibility to facilitate asset management initiatives 
including asset substitution.

 » The Group operates a value-add business model which includes 
investing into its assets and significantly improving net operating 
income. This has the effect of further increasing covenant headroom 
and significantly mitigating the risk of breaching bank covenants.

 » Bank reporting is prepared and reviewed regularly.

 » The Group policy is to maintain a net LTV ratio of 40% or below.

 » The Group holds unencumbered assets which are more liquid to sell 

or could be injected into bank security pools if necessary.

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
42

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

2 Valuation

Principal risks 
 » Property assets are inherently difficult to value as there is no 

Potential impact
 » Reported NAVs may not accurately reflect the value of 

standard pricing mechanism and there are many factors to consider. 
As a result, valuations are subject to substantial uncertainty.

 » Asset values decline as a result of lower demand for the different 
asset classes, macroeconomic and other external factors, such as 
political change, and the availability and cost of debt.

the portfolio.

 » Reduced liquidity and impact on returns.

 » Expected NAV growth may not materialise.

 » Potential non-compliance with loan facility covenants.

Mitigation
 » Valuations are conducted half yearly by an expert, independent, 

Developments in the year
 » Average gross yield of the portfolio remained broadly flat at 7.2%. 

 » The existing portfolio book valuation increase of €135.9 million or 
11.5% for the year was predominantly as a result of the Group’s 
investment and asset management initiatives.

reputable major corporation in the property sector.

 » Valuations involve the use of valuation experts and are formally 

presented to and reviewed by the Board and the Company’s Senior 
Management Team.

 » The German property market and transactions are continually 
monitored by the Group and independent research has been 
developed to analyse transactions within the Group’s asset class 
in Germany.

 » The Group operates a value-add business model, which involves 

significant investment into its assets with the intention of enhancing 
income and property value even in buildings with vacant or 
sub-optimal space.

 » All acquisition, investment and disposal decisions are made 
strategically, incorporating market analysis and conditions.

3 Market

Principal risks 
 » The Group’s property portfolio consists only of assets in the 

Potential impact
 » The Group’s total returns may be impacted by a general downturn 

commercial real estate sector of Germany.

in the German economy.

 » Dependency on the German market and economy.

 » Concentration of value in key locations.

 » Reliance on the German industrial sector and SME market.

 » Whilst the Group has a diversified offering it is susceptible to 
changes in competition, demand and sentiment for its assets 
in the future.

Mitigation
 » The Group offers a wide range of products to a broad range of 

tenants, from major blue-chip corporations to private individuals. 
Many of the Company’s flexible products were designed for and 
proved desirable during the last downturn.

 » The Group’s pricing policy is to be below the upper quartile of the 

market so that during downturns it becomes the supplier of choice 
because of its economical pricing.

 » 40% of the Group’s annualised rent roll comes from its top 50 

tenants, which are generally highly invested and embedded on 
the sites that they occupy. In the last market downturn there was 
relatively low movement within this group.

 » Most of the Group’s assets are concentrated around the key 

economic areas of Germany which are expected to be more resilient 
in a downturn given their locations which are underpinned by strong 
supply and demand fundamentals.

 » Profits and cash flows may reduce from lower demand for the 
Group’s space offerings from things such as contraction of the 
German SME market, manufacturing operations moving out of 
Germany and significant reductions in demand for office space in 
secondary and tertiary locations around Germany’s major cities.

 » The value of the Group’s property assets may decline from the 

lower demand for space highlighted above as well as changes in 
the sentiment for industrial and warehouse assets and secondary 
office assets in Germany.

Developments in the year
 » The German economy, the largest in Europe, continued to grow 
despite a drop off in some economic indicators towards the end 
of the calendar year. Monetary policy continued to support 
business activity and consumer spending which provides 
stimulus for the real estate sector. 

 » The Group is not materially dependent on any single economic 

sector with the largest tenant representing 2.5% of total 
annualised rent roll and the top ten tenants representing 16.9% 
of total annualised rent roll.

 » The SME market, which the Group considers to be its core tenant 
base, has remained strong during the period under review with 
strong occupier demand.

 » 7.9% of the Group’s annualised rent roll comes from 

government tenants. 

 » The Group continues to concentrate its investment activity in 
markets where sound economics, prior experience, in-depth 
knowledge of local demand drivers and operational synergies 
can be derived.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202143

Potential impact
 » The Group is unable to invest and, as a result, holds significant 
cash reserves on its balance sheet awaiting this reinvestment 
which may be dilutive to short-term earnings and cash flows.

 » The Group is unable to acquire value-add opportunities thereby 

reducing future shareholder accounting returns from current levels.

Developments in the year
 » During the year under review the Group received and reviewed 
over 924 investment opportunities which consisted of both on 
and off-market opportunities.

 » A total of four assets were acquired in the reporting period with 
these proceeds totalling €35.2 million and one asset notarised 
for completion after the year end totalling €10.7 million. 

 » The Company’s Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts notarised 
an asset located in Augsburg for completion after the year for 
total acquisition costs of €79.9 million. 

4 Acquisitive growth

Principal risks 
 » Inability to source and complete on assets that meet the Group’s 

return expectations. 

Mitigation
 » The Group’s operating platform includes an acquisition team which 
is focused specifically on sourcing potential acquisition opportunities, 
analysing their suitability for purchase and presenting those assets 
to the Board for further review and consideration.

 » The Group’s acquisition team has several years of experience within 
the markets in which the Group operates and over this time has 
grown its market networks and understanding significantly. This 
experience and network provide the Group with deep access to 
potential investment opportunities and hence it is able to source 
acquisitions from many different sources including agents, brokers, 
banks, equity and debt funds as well as directly from owners.

 » The Group has an excellent track record of completing acquisition 
transactions over the last 15 years in Germany and is seen in the 
market as a very reliable and desirable purchaser.

 » Through the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts the Company has an 
alternative source of capital from which to gain exposure to assets 
with alternative returns profiles compared to the assets held on its 
own balance sheet. 

5 Organic growth

Principal risks 
 » Failure to identify and create capex investment programmes.

Potential impact
 » Income and valuation improvements do not meet expectations.

 » Failure to complete investments into vacant space due to not 

 » The Group’s detailed site business plans and expected returns 

obtaining permissions or finding appropriate suppliers to complete 
the works.

are not achieved.

 » Total shareholder returns reduce.

 » Failure to realise targeted returns on investment from the capex 

investment programmes.

 » Unable to let up existing vacancy, vacated space or newly created 

space from the capex investment programmes.

 » Failure to refuel the capex programme through value-add 

acquisitions and asset recycling.

Mitigation
 » Sirius has many years of experience in reconfiguring space and 

Developments in the year
 » As at 31 March 2021, the original capex investment programme 

obtaining all necessary permissions as well as engaging appropriate 
contractors at the right price. This significantly mitigates the risk of 
not being able to deliver projects.

that commenced in 2015 is complete. A total of €25.5 million was 
invested into the completed space and, at 79% occupancy, this 
space is generating €12.8 million of annualised rent roll.

 » This experience also provides substantial data on developing its 

vacancy and the take-up of its and its competitors’ products in the 
markets that it operates, so assessments and projections are based 
on detailed information and knowledge.

 » Extensive analysis is performed to assess demand and costs before 
an investment decision is made to ensure each project meets local 
demands and returns are realistic.

 » The Group is continuing to invest in its internal operating platform, 

which ensures the delivery of all aspects of projects including 
development, marketing, lettings, renewals, service charge recovery 
and collections.

 » The Company commenced a new capex investment programme 
on acquisitions that completed from April 2016. As at 31 March 
2021, a total of 169,936 sqm of space had been fully refurbished 
for an investment of €30.1 million and is currently generating 
incremental annualised rent roll of €9.6 million on 82% occupancy.

 » The Company continued to identify space suitable for investment 
that is expected to be returned from vacating tenants. A total of 
22,754 sqm of space has been identified for investment of 
€5.1 million that is expected to upgrade the space and generate 
€1.7 million in annualised rent roll. 

 » For more details on our organic growth programme, see the case 

studies within this report.

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
44

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

6 Customer

Principal risks 
 » Reduced tenant demand for the Group’s offerings and lower take-up 

Potential impact
 » Reduction in profits, cash flows and property valuations if a 

of vacant space.

 » Substantial amount of vacating tenants or tenants becoming 

insolvent.

 » Tenants failing to meet their lease obligations.

number of major tenants vacate or become insolvent in a short 
time period.

 » Potential bank covenant breaches should net operating income 

or property values reduce significantly from vacating or 
defaulting tenants.

 » Tenant defaults result in loss of income and an increase in void 

costs and bad debts.

 » Profit growth targets/expectations may not be met from inability 

to let up vacant space.

 » Downward pressure on earnings and NAV.

Mitigation
 » The Group has a large and active internal marketing and lettings 

Developments in the year
 » The Group recorded a cash collection rate of 98.2% for the year 

ended 31 March 2021.

 » The Group recorded a renewal rate of 72% for the year ended 

31 March 2021. 

 » The Group generated 17,536 letting enquiries, of which 13% 
were converted into new deals. 81% of enquiries came from 
the Company’s internet presence, its own website and other 
internet portals.

 » There were no unexpected major move-outs in the year.

 » Bad debt write-offs remained less than 1.0% of total revenues.

 » Like-for-like occupancy, which adjusts for the impact of 

acquisitions and disposals, increased to 86.9% in the period.

 » As at 31 March 2021, 40% of rental income was contracted 

to the top 50 tenants.

 » As at 31 March 2021, €12.7 million was held in escrow accounts 

for tenant deposits.

team working within the German market and is not reliant on third 
parties with potentially competing clients to sign new and renew 
existing tenants. On average 80% of the Group’s enquiries are 
generated from the internet and the dedicated call centre and 
on-site teams convert on average 13% of these leads into new 
lettings. The ability to self-generate this much interest in letting its 
space gives the Company much more diversity in space configuration 
as well as mitigating much of the cyclical risk in tenant demand in 
the downturn.

 » Each major site has full-time on-site management who are 

employees of the Group and focused on tenant needs and ensuring 
that their experience on a Sirius business park is as good as 
possible. This significantly mitigates the risk of tenants leaving.

 » Additionally, dedicated relationship managers who continually 
engage with major tenants also mitigate the risk of move-outs. 
The close relationships that have been developed with tenants 
help us to understand their businesses and meet their changing 
space requirements.

 » Due to the industrial nature of most of the Group’s major tenants, 
they are generally highly invested on site and have been there for 
many years. This significantly reduces the chances of these tenants 
vacating even during the difficult times.

 » All prospective tenants go through a robust credit check to provide 
comfort over their suitability and financial state and, where significant 
risks are established, tenants are either not taken on or rent deposits 
are increased accordingly.

 » A full-time experienced cash collection team forms part of the 

Group’s internal operating platform. 

 » All lease agreements require tenants to provide deposits and/or 

bank guarantees.

 » Service charge costs are subject to prepayments which are adjusted 

each year to reflect future expectations of actual costs.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202145

7 Regulatory and tax

Principal risks 
 » Change of tax laws or practices as a result of base erosion and 

Potential impact
 » Substantially more corporate income tax payable on the Group’s 

profit shifting initiatives (“BEPS”).

operating profits in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.

 » Creation of permanent establishment for the property SPVs 

 » The levying of German trade tax on the profits of property SPVs.

in Germany.

 » Adverse effect on the Group’s profitability, cash flows and net 

 » Change of tax rules relating to controlled foreign companies.

asset values.

 » Forfeiture of tax losses due to change of ownership.

 » Financial penalties and reputational damage.

 » Change of tax rates or accounting practices applicable to 

 » Forfeiture of tax losses resulting in more property SPVs paying 

the Company.

corporate income tax.

 » The non-compliance with laws, regulations and accepted practices. 

Mitigation
 » The applicable tax laws and tax treatment of all Group entities 
are continually monitored and assessed to ensure that taxes 
are appropriately and accurately calculated and paid. Close 
collaboration with advisers and relevant tax jurisdiction authorities 
ensures we are aware of emerging issues and keep up to date with 
ongoing developments.

 » Other regulatory matters are considered by the Board and addressed 
within the Company risk register, which is updated at least annually.

 » The Group’s share register is reviewed in detail on a regular basis 

throughout the year to ensure that no shareholder group exceeds any 
thresholds where the Group will have any adverse tax implications. 

Developments in the year
 » No changes to accounting standards, tax law or accepted practice 
have been identified as material to the Group’s performance and 
results in the period.

 » The Group continues to have tax losses that are potentially 
available for offset against future profits of its subsidiaries. 
As at 31 March 2021, tax losses amounted to €325.3 million.

 » The Company implemented recommendations from its tax 
advisers in relation to its corporate structure and operations 
to ensure it is correctly assessing and minimising its tax risks 
and liabilities.

8 People

Principal risks 
 » As the Company is internally managed it is reliant on the 

performance and retention of key personnel.

 » The departure of key individuals without adequate replacement 
may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business 
prospects and results of operations.

 » The inability to recruit suitable staff to support expansion or replace 
leaving employees may have an impact on the implementation of 
the Group’s growth plans.

 » The inability to train suitable staff to support their personal and the 

Company’s development. 

Potential impact
 » Reduced ability to implement the business strategy.

 » Insufficient resources in place to support the Company’s 

growth ambitions.

 » Extra cost and loss of knowledge and expertise from exiting 

key personnel.

Mitigation
 » The Company maintains an organisation structure with clear 

Developments in the year
 » Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the Board 

responsibilities and reporting lines. Formal appraisals are performed 
annually for performance, goal setting and development purposes.

 » The remuneration structure for staff is designed to be competitive 
and assist in attracting and retaining high-calibre staff that are 
required to deliver the strategic objectives of the Company.

 » The Group has introduced share-based incentives in order 

to give employees a more long-term focus and commitment to 
the Company.

 » Incentives align individual and departmental targets to Company 

strategy and ensure that Executive Directors, the Senior 
Management Team and staff operate in the best interests of 
shareholders and are incentivised to remain in office.

 » Continued commitment to the training and development of staff 
through the Sirius Academy training programme and Company 
leadership programme. 

 » Shareholdings in the Company are a very significant part of the 

Executive Directors’ and Senior Management Teams’ personal wealth.

as independent Non-Executive Directors in June 2020. 

 » A share-based incentive plan for the Group’s top 50 employees, 
launched in August 2019, will release shares in March 2022. 

 » The Group has 105 employee shareholders and plans to build 

on that through a new share-based incentive plan to succeed the 
one launched in August 2019.

 » The Executive Directors and Senior Management Team have 
an average term of service of nine years at the Company.

 » Completion of an externally managed 360-degree 

feedback programme for staff holding positions with 
management responsibility. 

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
46

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

9 Systems and data

Principal risks 
 » System interruption or breakdown.

 » Data protection breach.

Potential impact
 » Impeded access to core systems for internal and external customers.

 » Loss of business-critical data.

 » Financial loss due to security breach or fraudulent activity.

 » Penalties and potential litigation.

 » Cyber-attacks.

 » Reputational damage.

Mitigation
 » The Group has a detailed IT strategy, which is under continual 

Developments in the year
 » Ongoing assessment and continuous monitoring of IT 

review and is focused on a balance between efficiency and control.

related risks. 

 » A comprehensive disaster recovery plan is in place to ensure 

 » The Group’s IT strategy was presented to the Board and 

minimal information and time are lost should an entire site go down.

subject to full review. 

 » The Company employs a full-time data protection officer to plan and 
control all data protection obligations as prescribed by applicable 
laws and regulations. 

 » Of the three main systems used by the Company, two are hosted by 
third party experts and one is hosted internally. All three systems 
have service-level agreements in place for ongoing maintenance, 
upgrades, back-up and improvements.

 » Payment transactions are automated and subject to an internal 

authority matrix, which is reviewed annually, to ensure appropriate 
controls, including segregation of duty, are enforced at all times.

10 Covid-19

 » Cyber security upgrades completed in the period.

 » Replaced or upgraded core infrastructure technologies.

 » Continued development of security management system.

 » Enhancement of disaster recovery and business 

continuity planning.

Principal risks 
 » Reductions in occupancy due to significant move-outs or insolvencies.

Potential impact
 » Loss or delay in receipt of income resulting in reduced profits 

 » Loss of income resulting in loan covenant breaches.

 » Delays in cash collection due to deferral of rent and service 

charge income. 

and unexpected variability in cash flows. 

 » Breach of loan covenants resulting in cash trap or loan repayment. 

 » Reduction in asset valuations leading to downward pressure 

 » Significant business disruption leading to continuity challenges. 

on NAV. 

 » Uncertainty in the market leads to downward pressure on asset values. 

 » Inability of the workforce to continue daily operations.

Mitigation
 » The Group has a detailed business continuity plan that includes 

provisioning for remote working. 

Developments in the year
 » The Group successfully rolled out its business continuity plan in 
early April 2020 facilitating remote working for all employees. 

 » The Group has a diverse tenant base and no material dependencies 

on specific industries. 

 » The Group has a wide range of products that meet the requirements 

of a variety of tenants. 

 » The Group’s properties are predominantly situated in “out of town” 

locations across Germany and competitively priced versus 
alternative accommodation options. 

 » The Group has an in-house operating platform that includes a team 

of experienced and dedicated collection professionals. 

 » Loan facilities incorporate covenant headroom, cure provisions 

and sufficient flexibility to facilitate asset management initiatives 
including asset substitution.

 » The Senior Management Team has a track record, proven 
methodology and experience through the last downturn. 

 » As at 31 March 2021, the Group had approximately 5,600 tenants 
with 40% of income coming from top 50 tenants, 53% from SME 
tenants and 7% from Smartspace tenants.

 » In April 2020 the German government announced a raft of 

support measures in light of Covid-19 including low interest loans, 
participation in syndicated financing for investment and working 
capital purposes and moratoriums and deferrals of certain 
payment obligations. Furthermore, new measures facilitate 
employers in applying for, granting and implementing short-time 
work (Kurzarbeit) thus enabling businesses to temporarily reduce 
personnel costs without reducing headcount. Sirius did not 
receive any state financial assistance.

 » The Group monitors its cash collection performance on a daily 
basis. The cash collection rate for the reporting period is 98.2%.

 » As at 31 March 2021 the Group had cash balances amounting to 
€65.7 million, of which €49.3 million is unrestricted cash. In addition, 
the Group has €13.1 million of committed but undrawn capex 
facilities available and a total of 19 unencumbered assets with 
a book value of €245.5 million. 

 » The Group’s loan covenant position at 31 March 2021 supports 

significant headroom across both LTV and income related 
covenants and has undergone stress testing as part of regular 
internal risk management activities. 

 » Revised cash flow forecasts have been prepared and presented 
that incorporate a variety of stress scenarios that form the basis 
of the Group’s going concern assessment and viability statement. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202147

11 ESG

Principal risks 
 » Climate change – physical and transition risks.

 » Ethics and governance.

 » Diversity and inclusion.

Potential impact
 » In respect of climate risks, the Group is currently going 

through the TCFD implementation process, which involves a 
scenario planning exercise, to understand the plausible impacts 
of climate change.

 » Reputational damage to the Company, reducing the talent pool. 

 » Reduced ability to implement the business strategy.

 » Insufficient resources in place to support the Company’s 

growth ambitions. 

Mitigation
 » The mitigation actions will be reviewed after the completion of 
the TCFD implementation process by the end of May 2021.

 » The Group is likely to commence a feasibility study in May 2021 to 
investigate possible actions to reduce emissions from its portfolio 
aligned with the Paris Agreement.

 » Oversight by the Sustainability and Ethics Committee and the 

Developments in the year
 » The Group has carried out its GHG accounting exercise to locate 
its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and the details are provided in the 
Sustainability section of this report.

 » The Group has aligned its Sustainability and Ethics Committee 

with its governance structures via the Audit Committee to 
manage ESG risks.

ESG Committee in Sirius Facilities GmbH.

 » ESG materiality assessment undertaken during the year with 

 » Continued commitment to the training and development of staff 
through the Sirius Academy training programme and Company 
leadership programme. 

 » Annual employee survey.

internal and external stakeholders.

 » ESG strategy and implementation programme in development.

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
48

VIABILITY STATEMENT

The Group’s business activities and strategy are central to 
assessing its future prospects. These, together with factors 
likely to impact its future performance, are set out on page 40 
of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021. The financial position 
of the Group and information relating to cash flows and liquidity 
are highlighted in the Financial Review on pages 33 to 37 of the 
Annual Report and Accounts 2021. The Group manages its 
financing by utilising a range of funding sources and securing 
loan facilities with long-term maturities whilst maintaining 
appropriate levels of liquidity.

The Group’s prospects are assessed through the regular 
preparation and review of a detailed forecasting model which 
considers profitability, cash flows, committed funding, liquidity 
positions and any applicable future funding requirements. 
The forecasting model is underpinned by a detailed business 
plan of the Group’s property assets. The key assumptions 
underpinning the plan are:

 » growth in rental income, principally from organic growth 

supported by the delivery of the capex investment 
programmes and acquisitions;

 » a gradual decrease in irrecoverable service charges as a result 

of an increase in occupancy rates and recovery; and

 » the broadly fixed nature of overheads which consist primarily 

of central management costs.

The Directors consider the principal risks impacting the Group’s 
viability to relate to sustainability of rental income, market 
cyclicality, refinancing requirements, potential valuation 
movements and the Group’s ability to deliver its capex investment 
programmes as well as the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The forecasting model is prepared by the Senior Management 
Team and presented to and reviewed by the Board of Directors. 
Within its review the Board of Directors considers the 
appropriateness of any key assumptions within the forecast 
and the extent to which the Group’s principal risks and 
uncertainties impact the Group’s viability. 

Assessment period 
In accordance with Provision 31 of the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors have assessed the prospects 
of the Group over a period longer than the twelve months from 
the sign off date of the Annual Report and Accounts required 
by the “going concern” provision. 

The Directors have determined that the three years to March 
2024 is an appropriate period over which to provide its viability 
statement. A three year period is consistent with that used for 
asset-level business planning and reflects the Directors’ best 
estimate of the future prospects of the business taking into 
consideration business planning requirements and the ability 
to make accurate estimations. 

Viability statement 
In order to assess viability, consideration has been given to the 
potential impact on the business of the Group’s principal risks and 
uncertainties as set out on pages 38 to 47 on the assumptions made 
in the Group’s forecasts. The Directors considered it prudent to 
assess viability using what they consider to be a severe but plausible 
downside scenario that includes consideration of a potential downturn 
in the Group’s performance, including as a result of Covid-19. 
This scenario was incorporated into the Group forecast in order 
to assess the impact of one or more such scenarios eventuating. 

Whilst all principal risks and uncertainties set out on pages 38 
to 47 could potentially impact the Group only those that are 
considered to have high impact have been incorporated into the 

viability forecast. Particular attention is given to the implications 
of Covid-19, existing and planned financial commitments, 
financing arrangements including compliance as well as 
broader macroeconomic considerations.

The key assumptions modelled within the severe but plausible 
downside scenario, linked to the corresponding principal risks 
and uncertainties set out on pages 38 to 47, are detailed in the 
table below: 

Scenario

A reduction in rental income and increase 
in net service charge costs following a 
reduction in occupancy of 5% per annum 
over a three year period

A reduction in investment property values 
following declines in occupancy and 
market uncertainty of 5% per annum over 
a three year period

Principal risk and uncertainty 

 » Organic growth

 » Customer

 » Covid-19

 » Customer

 » Valuation

 » Market

 » Covid-19

The Directors consider the likelihood of the scenario outlined 
above eventuating as remote due to a combination of factors 
including the location of the Group’s assets within Germany, the 
light industrial nature of its assets, the diversity of its tenant base, 
its multiple product offerings and its Senior Management Team’s 
experience of the global financial crisis during which many of 
the Group’s asset management strategies were developed. 

Included in the viability assessment is the assumed refinancing 
of €387.7 million of maturing debt during the three year period 
on existing terms. Note 23 to the financial statements sets out 
the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. The Directors expect 
this to be possible considering the Group’s overall LTV and the 
expected availability of financing from debt markets. The Group 
assesses compliance with financial covenants to ensure the 
conditions which would result in a breach of covenant can be 
anticipated. Based on the severe but plausible downside 
scenario set out above, covenant breaches would require a 
combination of cash cures and partial repayments of debt 
facilities, which have been included in the scenario. 

Based on unrestricted cash at 31 March 2021 amounting to 
€49.3 million, fully committed but as yet undrawn capex facilities 
amounting to €13.1 million, the assumed Group’s ability to 
refinance the debt maturing in the viability period, the forecast 
cash availability in the scenario and the exclusion of the impact 
of any mitigating actions, the Group considers itself to have 
sufficient cash resources to remedy any breaches of its loan 
covenants in this scenario.

The scenario detailed above is hypothetical and the financial 
consequences considered severe for the purpose of creating 
outcomes that have the ability to put the viability of the Group 
at risk. Multiple control measures are in place to prevent and 
mitigate such occurrences from taking place. 

Should such a scenario arise the Group has a variety of options 
in order to maintain liquidity and continue in operation. Options 
that could be considered in order to preserve or increase liquidity 
include reducing any non-essential capital and operating 
expenditure, suspending dividend payments, drawing down 
on committed but undrawn capex facilities and arranging 
finance against or selling 19 unencumbered assets with a value 
of €245.5 million as at 31 March 2021. 

Taking into account the Group’s current financial position and 
principal risks and uncertainties the Directors confirm that they 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over 
the three years to 31 March 2024. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Contents

Governance
50  Board of Directors

52  Senior Management Team

53  Corporate governance

64  Audit Committee report

70  Nomination Committee report

73  Sustainability and Ethics 

Committee report

75  Directors’ Remuneration report

100 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

101 Directors’ report

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements50

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Experienced and growing Board

N   R

S

Daniel Kitchen(1) (69)
Chairman  

Andrew Coombs (56) 
Chief Executive Officer  

Alistair Marks (52)
Chief Financial Officer 

A   N   R   S

Mark Cherry (62)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director  

Appointed to the Board
2018

Appointed to the Board
2014

Appointed to the Board
2014

Appointed to the Board
2019

Career and experience
Daniel Kitchen brings more than 
26 years of property and finance 
experience in both the listed and 
private markets. After 14 years in 
corporate finance and M&A with 
the Investment Bank of Ireland, he 
was appointed in 1994 as chief 
finance officer of Green Property 
Plc an Irish listed property 
company. In 2003 he left to join 
Heron International as group 
finance director and deputy chief 
executive. Daniel was appointed 
chairman of Irish Nationwide 
Building Society between 2008 
and 2011 and was a director of 
the Irish Takeover Panel. He is 
currently non-executive chairman 
of Hibernia REIT Plc and holds 
no further listed non-executive 
directorship positions.

Career and experience
Andrew Coombs joined the Sirius 
Facilities group in January 2010 
from the Regus Group Plc (now 
IWG Plc) where he had been UK 
sales director, and became CEO 
of Sirius Facilities in January 
2012 when management was 
internalised. Before Regus he was 
a director and general manager 
for MWB Business Exchange Plc. 
Andrew’s responsibilities to Sirius 
Real Estate include formulating 
and delivering on the Group’s 
strategy for creating shareholder 
value, as well as how the business 
manages its relationship with its 
other stakeholders.

Career and experience
Alistair Marks joined the Sirius 
Facilities group in 2007 from 
MWB Business Exchange Plc just 
before Sirius’ original IPO, and 
became CFO of Sirius Facilities in 
January 2012 when management 
was internalised. Prior to MWB 
Business Exchange, Alistair held 
financial roles with BBA Group Plc 
and Pfizer Ltd, and qualified as a 
Chartered Accountant with BDO 
in Australia. Alistair is responsible 
for the Company’s financial 
management and control 
across the Group, including its 
banking relationships. He is also 
responsible for the Group’s 
operations and oversees Sirius’ 
capex investment and service 
charge recovery programmes.

Career and experience
Mark Cherry is a Chartered 
Surveyor having qualified in 1983 
and brings a wealth of real estate 
knowledge in the investment and 
asset management markets. Mark 
was a main board director of 
Green Property Plc for ten years, 
responsible for its UK assets, and 
left on the sale of the portfolio 
in 2003. Subsequently he held a 
board-level role at Teesland Plc 
a fund and asset manager 
specialising in small industrial 
estates with offices throughout 
Europe, including three in 
Germany. In 2010 Mark joined 
Lloyds Banking Group as the 
head of asset management within 
the real estate “bad bank”, where 
he was responsible for setting up 
a number of initiatives to optimise 
recovery proceeds from defaulted 
loans. He is currently employed 
on a part-time basis by Invesco 
Asset Management Ltd as its 
adviser to the real estate 
lending team. He holds no 
further listed non-executive 
directorship positions. 

(1)  Designated Non-Executive Director with responsibility for engaging with the workforce.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202151

2

Board composition 

  Executive Directors 7171+

  Non-Executive Directors  

5

Age

44 

Average  
55 

69 

Board tenure  
(Chairman and Non-Executive Directors)

1

8080+

  0–3 years 

  4–7 years

4

  7–9 years 

The tenure for both Executive 
Directors is 7 years.

Note: As at 4 June 2021.

A

  N   R   S

A   N   R   S

A   N   R   S

Caroline Britton (56)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director  

Kelly Cleveland (44) 
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

James Peggie (50)
Senior Independent Director  

Appointed to the Board
2020

Appointed to the Board
2020

Appointed to the Board
2012

Career and experience
Kelly Cleveland is a Chartered 
Accountant, having qualified 
in New Zealand in 2001 at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, and 
has worked in real estate in the 
UK since 2004. She is currently 
head of investment for British 
Land Co Plc the FTSE 100 REIT, 
where she has worked for more 
than nine years, including roles in 
strategy and corporate finance. 
Kelly previously held roles in 
corporate finance and finance 
respectively at Grosvenor 
Group and Burberry Group Plc.

Career and experience
Caroline Britton is a Chartered 
Accountant and was an audit 
partner at Deloitte LLP from April 
2000 to May 2018, having trained 
and qualified with its predecessor 
firm Touche Ross & Co. In addition 
to providing audit and advisory 
services to her financial service 
sector clients, Caroline ran the 
FTSE 250 Deloitte NextGen 
CFO programme. She is a 
non-executive director of 
Moneysupermarket.com Group 
Plc and Revolut Limited. For both 
companies she chairs the audit 
committees and is a member 
of the risk and remuneration 
committees. Caroline is a member 
of the audit, finance risk and 
investment committee at 
Make-A-Wish International.

Career and experience
James Peggie is a director and 
general counsel of the Principle 
Capital group, a private 
investment business he 
co-founded in 2004. He is a 
qualified solicitor and previously 
was head of legal and corporate 
affairs at the Active Value group. 
Before that he worked in the 
corporate finance division of law 
firm Sinclair Roche & Temperley, 
prior to its merger with 
Stephenson Harwood. James 
has 25 years’ experience in 
corporate finance and M&A, as 
well as wealth management. He 
has extensive experience as a 
director of his group’s private 
investments, many of which 
have been in the real estate 
sector. He was a non-executive 
director of Liberty Plc owner of 
the eponymous store in London, 
from 2006 to 2010 and has 
previously been responsible for 
the operations of three listed 
investment companies. He holds 
no further listed non-executive 
directorship positions.

Committee membership

A   Audit Committee 

  R   Remuneration Committee 

  N   Nomination Committee

S   Sustainability and Ethics Committee 

  Chairman of Committee

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
29
29
+
Q
Q
0
0
+
20
20
+
Q
Q
 
52

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Strong leadership and 
operating excellence

AM

AM

AM   HR

AM   ESG   HR

Andrew Coombs (56)
Chief Executive Officer
See page 50

Alistair Marks (52) 
Chief Financial Officer
See page 50

Rüdiger Swoboda (57)
Chief Operating Officer 

Craig Hoskins (50)
Asset Management Director

Joined: 2010
Experience
Rüdiger holds an MBA Dual 
Award from Anglia Ruskin 
University and Berlin School 
of Economics and a degree 
in business economics from 
Pforzheim University. Rüdiger 
is Managing Director of Sirius 
Facilities GmbH where he has 
primary responsibility for new 
lettings and tenant retention. 
Prior to joining Sirius he was 
director of sales & marketing 
for Mice AG, a conferencing, 
meeting room and congress 
business, and has a wealth of 
experience in leading national 
and international sales teams.

Joined: 2006
Experience
Craig holds a degree in 
combined sciences and has 
almost 20 years’ experience in 
the real estate industry. Craig is 
the Asset Management Director 
for Sirius Facilities GmbH. 
Prior to Sirius he held various 
management roles, including 
for Workspace Group Plc and 
with Saturn Facilities Ltd, a UK 
multi-let industrial business, 
whose owners were founding 
members of Sirius Facilities 
GmbH.

AM   TEC

AM   ESG   TEC

AM   TEC

AM   ESG   HR

Stuart Gale (43)
Information Technology Director

Diarmuid Kelly (40)
Group Finance Director

Joined: 2019
Experience
Stuart joined Sirius Facilities 
GmbH in 2019 as Information 
Technology Director, bringing 
more than 20 years of IT 
experience with extensive 
knowledge of IT strategy in 
high-growth organisations. 
Prior to joining Sirius, he 
worked in a number of global IT 
leadership roles, in particular for 
companies developing fuel cell 
and low emission technology 
for the automotive industry. 
Stuart values technological 
innovation and is well versed 
in the benefits this can bring 
to any business.

Joined: 2015
Experience
Diarmuid holds a MSc in 
International Business as well as 
a BA in History and Economics, 
from the University of Exeter. 
Diarmuid is a Fellow Member 
of the Association of Chartered 
Certified Accountants and 
is the Group Finance Director 
for Sirius Facilities GmbH. 
Previously he held various 
international positions, 
including head of financial 
control – hospitality real estate 
for the Abu Dhabi Investment 
Authority and senior fund 
analyst for the private equity 
firm Livingbridge.

Anthony Payne (53)
Director of Yield Management 
and Information Services

Kremena Wissel (42)
Chief Marketing and 
Impact Officer 

Joined: 2010
Experience
Anthony holds a BSc in 
Accounting and Finance 
from Brighton University 
and is a qualified Chartered 
Management Accountant. 
Anthony is the Director of Yield 
Management, Information and 
Technology Services for Sirius 
Facilities GmbH. Previously 
he was the financial controller 
for MWB Business Exchange 
as well as the head of 
management information 
systems. Anthony started his 
career in the City of London 
working for NatWest Bank.

Joined: 2006
Experience
Kremena holds a Master’s degree 
in Marketing and Advertising 
from the University of Arts Berlin 
and an Executive MBA from 
CASS Business School London. 
She has studied in Germany, 
United Kingdom, China, Vietnam 
and South Africa. Previously 
she worked for Media ProSieben, 
the leading media production 
company, and now works as 
Chief Marketing and Impact 
Officer at Sirius Facilities GmbH, 
a new role to lead further 
integration of ESG into Sirius’ 
strategic development. Kremena 
was awarded a lifetime 
membership of Beta Gamma 
Sigma, the international business 
school society.

Committee membership

AM   Asset Management Committee 

  ESG  Environmental, Social and Governance Committee 

  HR   Human Resources Committee

TEC  Technology Committee 

  Chairman of Committee

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
53

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Increasing value and 
importance of Governance

We have engaged with stakeholders throughout the year, from 
tenants (assisting with pandemic requirements), communities 
(charitable giving) and employees (lead Director activities). At 
the 2021 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) shareholders expressed 
specific views on two particular issues. Since then we have 
continued to engage with them to address their concerns and 
an update is provided in this report on page 63. 

The Board’s Diversity Policy, which was adopted in 2017, 
recognises the benefits of a diverse boardroom, and we have 
been taking measured steps towards broadening boardroom 
diversity since then. I was delighted, therefore, to welcome 
Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland to the Board, as independent 
Non-Executive Directors. They have received the initial stages 
of their induction and I am pleased that they both have made 
valuable contributions to the Board and Committees since 
their appointment.

My priorities for the coming year are to continue the search for 
an additional independent Non-Executive Director to succeed as 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee, to hold the postponed 
Board strategy discussion, to complete the inductions of the 
two new Directors that were appointed in 2020 and to arrange 
for our first ever externally facilitated Board evaluation.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00am (UK time) on 
Friday 30 July 2021 at 33 St James’ Square, London SW1Y 4JS. 
I draw your attention to the Shareholder Circular and Notice of 
Meeting (the “Notice of AGM”) which now includes a 
description of the reasons to re-elect the individual Directors. 
The Notice of AGM accompanies this Annual Report and 
Accounts, where you will find further details.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
4 June 2021

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman

Dear Shareholder

Last year was been a very challenging one for the Company with 
the emergence of Covid-19 and the resulting pandemic which is 
still very much a part of daily life. The rapid spread of Covid-19 
and the consequent restrictions imposed by governments 
required the Board and in particular the two Executive Directors 
to navigate the business successfully through the initial stages 
of the crisis. I have been impressed with the way in which senior 
management and the wider Sirius team have performed under 
this added pressure and how the resilience of the Company’s 
business model led to favourable outcomes for the year.

Environmental issues and climate change are increasingly 
dominating our Board discussions. In March 2020 we relaunched 
the Sustainability and Ethics Committee to improve the Group’s 
economic sustainability and ethical performance. In January 2021 
we promoted Kremena Wissel to Chief Marketing and Impact 
Officer (“CMIO”) to lead the Group sustainability strategy and 
we have engaged external specialists to assist us to broaden 
our reporting and to prepare for TCFD (further details are 
reported on page 73).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202154

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Statement of compliance

Sirius is a property company incorporated in Guernsey and listed on the premium segment of the Main Market of the London 
Stock Exchange (“LSE”) and the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”). It is a leading operator of branded 
business parks providing conventional space and flexible workspace in Germany. Pursuant to a standing dispensation issued in 
2018 by the JSE, the Company is not required to apply the King IV Code on Governance™ for South Africa 2016, other than for 
mandated corporate governance matters.

Except as described below, the Board considers that the Company has complied in all material respects with the principles and 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “2018 Code”) throughout the financial year ended 31 March 2021, 
a copy of which can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

We recognise that the Company did not comply fully with the 2018 Code in aligning Executive Director pension payments with 
the wider workforce. Although an initial step was taken during the year towards alignment, by maintaining Executive Director 
pension contributions at 2020 levels, full alignment at 9.7% of base salary was achieved on 1 April 2021. See page 77 of the 
Remuneration Committee report for further details.

Leadership and purpose

How Sirius is governed
The Board Governance Document, which governs the Board’s conduct and arrangements, and the Terms of Reference for each Board Committee 
are available on request from the Company Secretary and are published on the Company’s website at www.sirius-real-estate.com.

Daniel Kitchen
Non-Executive Chairman

Anthony Gallagher
Company Secretary

Substantial background in commercial property, business and board leadership

Executive leadership

Independent

Andrew Coombs
Chief Executive Officer

James Peggie
Senior Independent Director

Caroline Britton
Non-Executive Director

Strong career in business leadership and 
sales in the commercial property sector

Lawyer specialising in corporate finance and 
public and private equity investment

Chartered Accountant and a former audit 
partner at Deloitte LLP

Alistair Marks
Chief Financial Officer

Mark Cherry
Non-Executive Director

Kelly Cleveland
Non-Executive Director

Mix of senior finance and commercial 
property expertise

Chartered Surveyor and commercial manager 
specialising in European real estate markets

Chartered Accountant and head of investment 
for the British Land Company Plc 

Audit Committee 
 » Ensures the integrity of financial statements

 » Oversees the internal and external audit programmes

see page 64

 » Monitors the financial control and risk management systems, and compliance with laws, 

regulations and ethical codes of practice

Nomination Committee 
 » Monitors the balance of skills, knowledge, experience, independence and diversity of the Board 

see page 70

and its Committees

 » Oversees succession planning

 » Ensures procedures are in place for senior management development and succession

Remuneration Committee 
 » Designs and determines the remuneration and associated benefits of the Executive Directors 

see page 75

and senior management

 » Reviews workforce remuneration and related policies for alignment with the Group’s values 

and culture, and reflects this when setting executive remuneration

Sustainability and Ethics Committee 
 » Advises the Board on the economic sustainability of the business and ethical matters relating 

see page 73

to the Group

 » Provides a leadership forum for non-executive directors to work with executive management 
to shape policy, strategy and, where appropriate, targets to improve the Group’s economic, 
sustainability and ethical performance

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202155

Our purpose

“ Empowering business, unlocking potential.”

Our purpose is to create and manage optimal workspaces 
that empower small and medium-sized businesses to grow, 
evolve and thrive. We seek to unlock the potential of our 
people, our properties and the communities in which we 
operate so that, together, we can create sustainable impact 
and long-term financial and social value.

Information about how our purpose relates to our strategy can be found respectively on pages 16 and 17.

Our culture
We believe a strong culture is built by creating an open working environment where every colleague feels supported, cared for and 
rewarded. This deepens collaboration and encourages innovation allowing us to build strong partnerships underpinned by trust and 
reliability. Our culture runs through everything that we do. We maintain a committed, results-orientated philosophy with a risk-
adjusted approach, which ensures we are focused on delivering long-term financial and social value.

During the 2021 financial year the Company continued to review and develop the Group’s culture and its alignment with our 
purpose and strategy. The focus was on the Group’s first and second-line managers who, together with the Senior Management 
Team, have the biggest impact on the business culture.

Leadership structure
The Board is the primary decision-making body for the Group. The Directors are collectively responsible for the long-term success of 
the Company. This is achieved by aligning the Group around a common purpose and agreed strategy, supported by a conducive 
culture and values. Leadership is exercised from the Board within a framework of prudent and effective controls, through executive 
management to the business using formal reporting and decision structures, and informal, collaborative relationships. Day-to-day 
management of the Company is overseen by the Executive Directors, who carry out the strategy established by the Board, in 
accordance with the policies and delegated authorities set by the Board.

Division of responsibilities
The Board considers that it maintains an appropriate combination of Executive Directors and independent Non-Executive Directors 
to reduce the risk that any one individual or group dominates the Board’s decision making. The Board also maintains a clear division 
of responsibilities between the leadership of the Board and the executive leadership of the business. The responsibilities of the 
principal Board roles are described below.

Non-Executive Chairman
Daniel Kitchen

Responsible for leading the Board and the quality of its performance. Provides guidance to the Chief Executive 
Officer when requested. Sets the Board’s programme of work. Ensures that the Directors understand the views 
of shareholders and other stakeholders on relevant topics. Promotes a culture of openness and debate in the 
boardroom and constructive relations between the executive and non-executive elements of the Board. Ensures 
that the Board receives accurate, timely and clear information.

Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Coombs

Formulates and proposes strategy for the Board’s approval. Responsible for executing the strategy and the 
day-to-day management of the Group. Shapes a business culture which is aligned with the delivery of the 
strategy and the overall values set by the Board. Allocates resources and creates direction and momentum to 
deliver success for the Group within the agreed risk framework set by the Board.

Chief Financial Officer
Alistair Marks

Manages the day-to-day financial operations and reporting for the Group, and its risk framework. Works alongside 
the Chief Executive Officer in delivering the Group’s strategy and operational performance of the business.

Senior Independent 
Director
James Peggie

In addition to the responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director outlined below, acts as a sounding board for the 
Chairman and serves as a trusted intermediary for the other Directors. Available to discuss with shareholders 
any concerns that cannot be resolved through the normal channels of communication with the Chairman or the 
Executive Directors. Annually appraises the Chairman’s performance.

Other independent  
Non-Executive Directors*
Caroline Britton
Mark Cherry
Kelly Cleveland

Exercise sound judgement bringing objective perspectives and broad expertise to the Board’s debates and 
decision making. Use extensive knowledge and experience to bring strategic guidance and specialist advice to 
the Executive Directors as they develop the business and resolve problems, bringing constructive challenge. 
Monitor the Executive Directors’ performance in the delivery of the agreed strategy within the risk management 
framework set by the Board. Contribute specialist knowledge and skills to the work of the Board Committees.

Company Secretary
Anthony Gallagher

Advises and assists the Board and the Chairman on governance and compliance matters affecting the Board 
and the Group. Supports the Board in the effective execution of its programme of work, including Board 
evaluations and the induction and training of Directors. Supports and advises the business on governance and 
compliance matters and provides a channel of independent assurance between the business and the Board.

* 

 Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland joined the Board as independent Non-Executive Directors on 1 June 2020. On the same date, both were appointed 
as members of the Audit, Nomination, Remuneration and Sustainability and Ethics Committees. Justin Atkinson and Jill May stepped down from the 
Board at the close of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 31 July 2020 and Caroline was appointed as Chair of the Audit Committee. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202156

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

How the Board operates
Led by the Chairman, the Board operates under a formal schedule of matters reserved for its decision and follows a programme of work 
which allows it to monitor the delivery of strategy and the Group’s financial and non-financial performance. Outside this programme, 
arrangements exist that alert the Board to material issues of a short-term nature, enabling it to respond quickly and effectively.

This structured but flexible approach is designed to enable the Board to give proper and timely attention to its responsibilities. To 
assist in the effectiveness of its work, certain matters are delegated to Committees whose roles and duties are outlined in Terms of 
Reference set by the Board. The Committee Chairs provide a summary of the Committee activities at each Board meeting, advising 
of any issues and recommendations.

The six scheduled Board meetings in the financial year and a number of unscheduled meetings, often called at short notice, were 
very well attended by all members of the Board. The Board had to postpone a scheduled Board visit to Germany due to Covid-19 
restrictions but hopes to be able to do so in FY 2022. The following table sets out the Directors’ attendance at scheduled Board and 
Committee meetings during the 2021 financial year:

Total meetings

Daniel Kitchen  
(Non-Executive Chairman)

Justin Atkinson(2) 
(Non-Executive Director)

Caroline Britton(1) 
(Non-Executive Director)

Mark Cherry 
(Non-Executive Director)

Kelly Cleveland(1) 
(Non-Executive Director)

Jill May(2) 
(Non-Executive Director)

James Peggie  
(Senior Independent Director)

Andrew Coombs  
(Chief Executive Officer)

Alistair Marks 
(Chief Financial Officer)

Board

6

Audit 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Sustainability and 
Ethics Committee

3

4

6

2

4/4 

2/2 

2/2 

4/4 

2/2 

2/2 

4/4 

6/6 

1/1 

5/5 

6/6 

5/5 

1/1 

6/6 

1/1 

2/2 

3/3 

2/2 

1/1 

3/3 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

6/6 

3/3 

5/5 

6/6 

5/5 

3/3 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

Chairman of Committee 

Committee member

(1)  Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the Board and Committees on 1 June 2020 and Caroline Britton succeeded Justin Atkinson 

as Chair of the Audit Committee at the close of the AGM on 31 July 2020.

(2) Justin Atkinson and Jill May stood down from the Board and Committees at the close of the AGM on 31 July 2020.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
57

Key focus areas
During the financial year, the Board has focused on a broad range of topics. Excluding routine matters, the Board’s main formal and 
informal focus areas are summarised below.

Area

Subject

Link to Group purpose and strategy

Relevant Section 172 considerations*

Strategic

Core portfolio:

 » A total of four assets were acquired 
and one notarised for completion in 
the year of mixed-use lettable space 
totalling almost 53,000 sqm for 
€45.9 million

 » Organic growth programme 
focusing capital on the most 
accretive opportunities

 » Completed the disposal of a property 

in Weilimdorf for €10.1 million

Titanium portfolio:

 » Acquisition of a business park in 

Augsburg for €79.9 million, resulting 
in Titanium owning in excess of 
€324.2 million of property at 
31 March 2021.

Emerging 
risk

Intensive review of Covid-19 crisis, 
including:

 » colleagues’ welfare and safety;

 » immediate business continuity 

arrangements;

 » Group’s financial resilience and related 
stress testing with sensitivities based 
on severe and realistic variables, 
including the potential impact on 
banking covenants and available cures;

 » assessment of tenant resilience and 

red flag indicators;

 » potential impact on valuations;

 » impact on planned strategic and 

tactical initiatives, including capex 
investment programmes;

 » impact on Group’s financial 

performance for 2021 financial year 
and forecasts for 2022 financial year;

 » potential impact on dividend 

sustainability; and

 » potential impact on Group’s planned 

reporting timetable.

Follows the Group’s stated drivers 
of value creation (see page 13):

 » intensive assessment and execution 

of acquisitions and disposals;

 » recycling capital from non-core 
and mature assets into assets 
with value-add potential;

 » executing detailed asset-level 
business plans, focusing on 
service charge recovery and 
space optimisation; and

 » highly accretive capex 

investment programmes.

These strategic decisions were made with 
the longer-term success of the Company 
foremost in the Board’s thinking.

Considerations included advancing the 
successful relationship with AXA IM Alts, 
the suitability of provision to current 
and potential tenants, and the efficient 
deployment of our field colleagues who 
serve the core and Titanium portfolios.

 » Prioritises colleagues’ health and 
financial welfare and the social 
effects on the communities in which 
they live

A broad range of considerations were 
addressed during the Executive Directors’ 
presentations and the Board’s discussions. 
These included:

 » Enables tenants to continue 
functioning as far as possible

 » Preserves the business to emerge 
through the Covid-19 crisis in a 
position of strength and ready to 
respond to opportunities

 » how best to preserve long-term value 
and capability within the business to 
serve the interests of colleagues who 
rely on the business to support their 
families, and investors;

 » how to support workforce wellbeing 

and practical deployment to maintain 
a good service to tenants;

 » maintaining supplier relationships 

and continuity of supply;

 » the Group’s readiness to respond to 
opportunities as they may arise; and

 » the ethics of receiving German 

government support while expecting 
to pay a dividend to shareholders.

German government support to Sirius 
was considered and dismissed early in 
the process as the Company’s income 
generation and balance sheet was 
considered to be strong enough to 
support the business through the crisis.

A range of potential mitigations were 
agreed, subject to trading experience 
in 2020 and beyond.

It was decided not to seek any salary 
reductions or to reduce headcount, but 
recruitment was initially frozen in relation 
to current vacancies and those arising 
through natural attrition.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202158

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Key focus areas continued

Area

Subject

Link to Group purpose and strategy

Relevant Section 172 considerations*

Business

 » Monitoring the implementation 

of Titanium

 » Approved property acquisitions 

and disposals

 » Considered asset management plans

 » Review of site development potential

 » Reviewed Group’s IT strategy as a 

Follows the Group’s stated drivers 
of value creation (see page 13):

 » intensive assessment and execution 

of acquisitions and disposals;

 » recycling capital from non-core 
and mature assets into assets 
with value-add potential;

driver of people performance and sales

 » executing detailed asset-level 

 » Monitored movements in estate 
valuations, yields and other key 
business metrics, and the 
underlying drivers

business plans, focusing on service 
charge recovery and space 
optimisation; and

 » advanced IT systems.

Financial

 » Drawdown of the final tranche of the 

Schuldschein facility 

 » Decision to pay a dividend for the 

2021 financial year per normal policy

 » Repayment of the Bayerische 

Landesbank facility upon maturity 
in October 2020 

 » Increased the capex threshold requiring 
a Board decision to €2.0 million, but 
continuing to report capex investment 
over €500,000

Follows the Group’s stated drivers 
of value creation (see page 13):

 » strong banking relationships;

 » utilisation of “structural” vacancy;

 » improvement of service charge 

recovery; and

 » highly accretive capex 

investment programmes.

Builds and maintains the trust 
and confidence of investors and 
colleagues in the Board and Senior 
Management Team. The health 
of these relationships are critical 
to the Group’s ongoing success.

Stakeholders  » SID engagement with investors in 

relation to AGM vote intentions

 » Daniel Kitchen is the designated 
Non-Executive Director with 
responsibility for engaging with 
the workforce and reported on 
his engagement with colleagues

 » Detailed review of workforce 

remuneration

 » Received a summary of the findings 
of the annual employee survey and 
the actions taken

 » Received reports from investor 

roadshows and ad hoc meetings 
with investors and analysts

 » Received market updates from 
the Company’s UK brokers and 
South African sponsor

The Board considers strategic and 
tactical decisions within the context of 
the Group’s overall strategy and drivers 
of current and future value creation. 
By maintaining a clear focus on these 
drivers, the Board supports the Group as 
it builds a stronger investment case. This 
contributes to the long-term success of 
the Company which benefits investors 
and a broader spectrum of stakeholders.

The Board wished to understand how 
the IT strategy enables each colleague to 
increase the value they add to the Group’s 
performance and how it reduces business 
risk. The IT strategy directly contributed 
to the smooth transition to remote 
working during the Covid-19 crisis.

Capital efficiency and flexibility have a 
direct effect on the Group’s current 
and future success and improve its 
management of risk. Entering into 
the unsecured Schuldschein facility 
augmented the number and value of 
unencumbered assets. This significant 
step has enabled the Company to be 
confident in its ability to navigate any 
financial crisis more flexibly, as 
unencumbered assets can be applied 
to cure any banking covenant issues 
in the Group’s secured debt facilities 
should the need arise.

By continually developing its 
understanding of investors’ and 
colleagues’ views on a range of issues, 
the Board is able to make better 
decisions with wider considerations 
in mind.

The impact of Covid-19 on colleagues 
and tenants in addition to investors 
was taken into consideration by the 
Board at each meeting throughout 
the financial year 2021.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202159

Area

Subject

Link to Group purpose and strategy

Relevant Section 172 considerations*

Sustainability  » Considered climate change as 

an emerging financial risk

 » Review of the business’ environmental, 
social and governance programmes 
in Germany

 » Received reports on ESG considerations 

for each proposed acquisition

 » Appointed specialist consultants to 
assist with preparations towards 
reporting carbon emissions and 
TCFD reporting

 » Received update reports from the 

CMIO in relation to progress to ESG 
(see separate report on page 73)

Builds and maintains the trust and 
confidence of investors and 
colleagues in the Board and Senior 
Management Team.

Develops the Board’s understanding 
of how, and the extent to which, 
climate change might impact the 
Company’s business model in the 
medium to longer term.

Recognises that climate change is also 
a concern to tenants, which provides 
an opportunity to engage and 
collaborate with them.

While Sirius is at a relatively early stage 
in the development of its response to 
climate change risk and sustainability, 
the Board recognises that it is a 
primary concern to all its stakeholders, 
including the local communities which 
are directly and indirectly affected by 
the Group’s operations.

Governance

 » Considered Hampton-Alexander 

diversity targets and Parker ethnicity 
targets for FTSE 250 companies

 » Conducted an internal Board evaluation

 » Appointed two new independent 

Non-Executive Directors and provided 
initial induction programmes

 » Approved 2021 Modern Slavery 
Statement and implemented 
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, 
including gifts and hospitality

 » Various post-Committee meeting 
updates from Committee chairs

 » Reviewed Committees’ Terms 

of Reference

Builds and maintains the trust and 
confidence of investors, colleagues, 
tenants and local communities in the 
Board and Senior Management Team.

The Board is committed to a process 
of continual improvement, which is 
served by addressing these various 
governance matters.

Directly contributes to effective 
decision making and stewardship.

The Company believes that modern 
slavery and bribery and corruption 
risks to the Group are relatively low. 
Nonetheless, the Board considers 
these and other activities are central 
to the Company’s sense of 
corporate citizenship.

* 

 This element of the table has been prepared in compliance with Provision 5 of the 2018 Code. While Provision 5 requires issuers to describe in the 
annual report how stakeholder interests and the matters set out in Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “UK Act”) have been considered in 
board discussions and decision making, the Company is not subject to the UK Act or related regulations. Further information relating to stakeholder 
engagement and how such engagement has influenced the Company’s decisions, and environmental considerations, the Group’s work in the 
community and fostering consumer and supplier relationships can be found in the Stakeholder engagement section of this report on page 63, on 
pages 73 and 74 of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee report, and on pages 79, 83 and 89 of the Directors’ Remuneration Report Section 172 
sets out the UK’s law on directors’ duties, being: the duty to act in a way the director considers, 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 (amongst other matters) to: (a) the likely consequences of any 
decision in the long term, (b) the interests of the company’s employees, (c) the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others, (d) the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment, (e) the desirability of the company 
maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and (f) the need to act fairly between members of the company.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202160

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Germany site visits
In August 2020, the Chairman, CEO and newly appointed 
Directors visited three sites in the Berlin and Hamburg areas 
over two days, which included properties owned by the Group 
and the Norderstedt business park at Hamburg which was 
subsequently acquired. These visits enabled the new 
Non-Executive Directors to develop their understanding of the 
business and provides context to the implementation of the 
strategy. The opportunity was also taken to spend time with site 
managers and to receive business presentations from members 
of the Senior Management Team on finance and the work of the 
executive ESG Committee. During the first evening, the Directors 
had an informal dinner together with local management.

Diversity – our journey so far
Boardroom diversity
The Board’s Diversity Policy Statement adopted in May 2017 
recognises that boardroom diversity: 

“ …maximises the opportunities 
to achieve the Group’s business 
goals through an informed 
understanding of the diverse 
environments in which we 
operate…making good use of 
differences in age, gender, race, 
skills, industry experience and 
other distinctions...”

The importance of taking measured steps towards broadening 
boardroom diversity in all its forms has been important in the 
Board’s thinking during Board appointments over recent years. 
Since 2017, we have been progressively working towards 
greater gender diversity in the boardroom. Following all the 
Board changes in 2020, 28.6% of the Board are female. While 
this currently falls short of the 33% by 2020 target for FTSE 250 
companies set by the Hampton-Alexander Review in 2017, 
which only applied to Sirius when it entered the FTSE 250 in 
September 2019, the Board is taking active steps to appoint an 
additional Non-Executive Director. Further information on the 
Board’s succession planning is set out on page 72 of the 
Nomination Committee report.

Workforce diversity
The operating company in Germany, Sirius Facilities, is a 
signatory to the German Charter of Diversity. This means we 
are committed to promoting diversity and an inclusive culture 
in all its forms in the workplace. We have a gender-balanced 
workforce (53% women and 47% men), and more than a third 
of our managers are female. Therefore, over time we expect to 
see more women in the higher leadership roles. We also have 
an international workforce, with colleagues representing 28 
nationalities, highlighting the strong mix of ethnic backgrounds 
and open and welcoming culture of the business.

Subject to diversity considerations, our policy operates on 
equality principles. These are to employ the best candidates 
available in every position regardless of sex, race (ethnic origin, 
nationality, and colour), age, religion or philosophical belief, 
sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, 
maternity, gender reassignment or disability.

Time commitments and conflicts of interest
It is the Board’s policy for Directors to seek the Board’s approval 
before accepting an additional external appointment. The 
Chairman and one of the independent Non-Executive Directors 
currently maintain external non-executive appointments with 
listed companies. The Board has considered their commitments 
and has taken the view that they do not materially affect their 
ability to fulfil their roles for the Company effectively. This is 
illustrated by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis during the financial 
year, whereby every Director fully prepared for, and participated 
in, the scheduled formal Board meetings as well as a number of 
unscheduled Board calls. 

The Board maintains arrangements to manage potential conflicts 
of interest, which includes a requirement for Directors to 
disclose any interest and to recuse themselves on any discussion 
or decision in which they have a personal interest. Other than 
for matters relating to remuneration, it was not necessary for 
any Director to recuse him or herself during the financial year.

Gender-balanced workforce

47%

  Men5353+

  Women  

53%

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202147
47
+
Q
Q
61

Director induction and development
Following their appointments in 2020, Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland each received a formal induction to the Company and 
the business. This entailed: 

 » specific briefings from the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairs of the Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee, 

and the Company Secretary; 

 » a review of the Company’s strategy, corporate goals and current challenges;

 » a review of the Group’s structure;

 » a review of key corporate documents, such as the Articles of Incorporation and Group policies and procedures;

 » a review of recent Board and general meeting minutes; and

 » specific training on the JSE Listings Requirements, and professional update seminars on current topics.

As part of their ongoing development, the new Non-Executive Directors visited various operating sites in Germany during the year 
and received presentations from several members of the Senior Management Team.

All Directors are encouraged to continue their professional development by attending external courses and seminars that are 
relevant to their roles.

Topical materials are also circulated to the Board as a whole. This has been especially important during the Covid-19 crisis, 
where sharing information on issues and developing practice and advice through webinars and circulars on key impact areas 
has been invaluable.

A summary of the knowledge and personal effectiveness training received since April 2020 is provided in the table below.

Routine topics

Navigating the Covid-19 crisis

Audit practice update

 » Governmental policies

Cyber security update

 » Welfare and economic projections

JSE regulation

 » Audit impacts relevant to the real estate industry on property valuations and audit conduct

Remuneration practice updates 

 » Financial reporting and regulatory implications

Real estate ESG management

 » Updates on regulator Covid-19 guidance

 » Communicating with institutional investors

 » Financing and banking covenants

 » Managing business risk

 » Board and workforce remuneration guidance, including setting appropriate performance 

conditions and metrics 

Updates on regulatory and governance issues are periodically included in Board packs or circulated between meetings in the form 
of bulletins.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202162

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Board evaluation
The Board is committed to a process of continuous development for each Director, for the Board as whole and for each Committee. 
A high-performing, collegiate boardroom culture is designed and crafted over time and the Board considers the annual evaluation 
to be a key component in that process.

The Board reviewed progress against the actions agreed from the 2020 evaluation and noted that it had achieved some progress 
towards increasing the time spent on strategic discussion by redesigning the agendas to separate these items from housekeeping 
matters and by approving new style management accounts reports. The Board has rescheduled the Board strategy sessions from 
February to August 2021 to facilitate further strategic-level discussions in Germany, if permitted. The Board had increased the links 
with the wider Senior Management Team, each of whom have presented papers to the Board. In addition, new Board members met 
with senior management in Germany as part of their induction. Board relationships were fostered with a Board lunch in July 2020, 
new Board members, together with the Chairman and CEO, had dinner with management in Berlin in August 2020 and a dinner was 
held for the Chairman and NEDs only in September 2020. The Chairman increased the meetings and calls with Board members 
throughout the year.

The Board undertook an internal evaluation in February 2021 and an externally facilitated evaluation is programmed for 2022. 
The process and outcomes of the 2021 evaluation are summarised below. These themes will be taken forward in the coming year 
and we will report our progress in the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

Scoping questionnaire 

One-to-one conversations 

Summary report 

Nomination Committee recommendations

 » Alignment around strategy, 

 » Review of the Board 

values and culture

 » Composition: skills, 

knowledge, experience, 
balance, diversity of thought 
and risk appetite

 » Breadth, importance and 
relevance of Board topics

 » Quality of information

 » Quality of debate

 » Quality of decision making

 » Particular strengths 
and capabilities

 » Particular weaknesses

 » Non-Executive Director 

independence

Chairman by the Senior 
Independent Director

 » Hold Board strategy sessions 
in Germany (scheduled for 
August 2021)

 » Reschedule Board strategy 
following postponement

 » Implement succession plan 

 » Review of the Senior 

 » Focus on succession 

to build on diversity

Independent Director by 
the Board Chairman

 » Reviews of the Executive 

Directors and the 
Non-Executive Directors 
by the Board Chairman

 » Review of the 

Committee Chairs by 
the Board Chairman

for Senior Independent 
Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee 

 » Build on links with 

and presentations from 
senior management

 » Focus on ESG matters, 

including sustainability and 
climate change as Company 
prepares to implement TCFD

 » Foster the links between 
the Board and the Senior 
Management Team, including 
management presentations 
to the Board

 » Increase the time the 

Chairman spends with the 
other Non-Executive Directors 
and continue to hold Board 
lunches and dinners

 » Continue to develop Board 
relationships and cohesion

 » Continue to develop gender 
and ethnic diversity at and 
below Board level

 » Continue to develop and 
streamline the content of 
Board information

 » Good breadth in thought 

and risk diversity

 » Continue improvements to 

 » Good support and challenge 

Board packs and include the 
context for decisions

in decision making

Boardroom diversity was a key theme arising during the evaluation, and a decision was taken by the Nomination Committee to 
commence a new search prioritising diversity to further broaden the Board’s composition. More information about the steps taken 
is provided in the Nomination Committee report on page 72.

Independence
The Nomination Committee undertook a review of the independence of each Non-Executive Director during the year in accordance 
with the 2018 Code. Other than Daniel Kitchen, who was considered to be independent on his appointment as Non-Executive 
Chairman in 2018, the Board is satisfied that the Non-Executive Directors continue to be independent in thought and judgement.

Risk and internal control
Information regarding the Group’s principal risks is provided in the Strategic report on pages 38 to 47. A description of the Group’s 
internal control framework and risk management systems is provided in the Audit Committee report on page 68.

Company Secretary
All Directors have access to the advice and support of the Company Secretary. The Board has satisfied itself as to the competence, 
qualifications and experience of the Company Secretary as required by the JSE Listings Requirements. On 29 May 2020, Anthony 
Gallagher was appointed as permanent Company Secretary.

Re-election of Directors
While the Company’s Articles of Association provide for one-third of the Board to retire from office by rotation, each Director who 
continues in office offers him or herself for re-election voluntarily at the Company’s AGM every year. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202163

Remuneration Policy – (Resolution 12)
Resolution 12 was proposed in 2020 as in 2019 as an advisory 
vote in accordance with the rules of the Johannesburg Stock 
Exchange and is not a requirement under the rules of the 
London Stock Exchange. The votes against Resolution 12 
related to a number of aspects of the Remuneration Policy, 
specifically the use of a common base year under the 2018 LTIP, 
the maximum cap on the LTIP awards, the requirement to 
reduce pensions to be in line with the workforce, the length of 
the post cessation shareholding requirement and the provisions 
relating to payment of bonuses on termination.

The Remuneration Committee has reviewed its current 
Remuneration Policy with a view to a vote being proposed to 
shareholders at the AGM to be held on 30 July 2021. In respect 
of the issues highlighted above:

 » The 2018 LTIP is a three-year plan that was approved by 
shareholders in December 2018 and the final tranche of 
awards was granted in June 2020. This tranche was at a lower 
quantum than in previous years. This reflects the transitional 
nature of the 2018 LTIP from the previous plan, as the Company 
explained when the policy was first approved by shareholders. 
It is the Committee’s view that this current scheme remained 
effective for this transitional period and has contributed to 
the very positive performance of the Company in the past 
three years. As part of its policy review the Committee will be 
proposing a new LTIP to shareholders in respect of awards to 
be made for the financial year ending 31 March 2022. The 
proposal will include removing the common base year and 
lowering the cap on awards, lengthening the post cessation 
shareholding requirement, lowering the maximum cap on 
LTIP awards and amending the provisions relating to payment 
of bonuses on termination.

 » The Board has already taken the first steps in 2020 for 

alignment of pensions for existing Directors by freezing the 
Company’s contributions to the Executive Directors’ pensions 
for the year ended 31 March 2021 and adopted a pension 
alignment policy for all new Directors. The Board has 
completed this pension alignment for existing Executive 
Directors within the new policy.

Details of the proposed new LTIP and how it compares with 
the 2018 LTIP are set out on page 78. Additional information 
on the remuneration vote at the 2020 AGM pursuant to the 
JSE Listings Requirements is provided on page 99 of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Engagement with colleagues
The Group has engaged with colleagues through a number of 
channels during the year; details are set out on pages 31 and 83.

Engagement with the community
The Group has several initiatives with local communities which 
are set out on page 32.

Approach to greenhouse gas emissions
The Group’s planned approach to the management of 
greenhouse gas emissions through its governance, processes 
and internal control is summarised in the Sustainability and 
Ethics Committee report on page 74.

Engagement with our stakeholders
Sirius maintains an active investor relations programme 
covering the UK, South Africa, continental Europe and North 
America. During the year, Daniel Kitchen, Andrew Coombs, 
Alistair Marks and James Peggie had meetings with key 
shareholders in the United Kingdom and South Africa covering 
business performance, remuneration and governance topics. 
The Company’s positive business performance during recent 
financial years has continued to be well received, which is 
supported by the Company’s diligent and responsive approach 
to investors’ needs and interests.

The Board has noted the two resolutions which received 
adverse votes of 20% or more at the 2020 AGM. The Company 
engaged with a selection of dissenting investors in the United 
Kingdom and South Africa to understand and respond to their 
views. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee wrote to 
The Investment Association on 29 January 2021 regarding this 
process and the outcomes, a copy of which can be downloaded 
from the Company’s website: www.sirius-real-estate.com.

Broadly, the primary reasons behind the dissenting votes which 
were identified by the Board and the Board’s responses to them 
related to:

 » the number of Daniel Kitchen’s external appointments; and

 » the use of a common base year and the size of the maximum 
potential awards under the Company’s 2018 LTIP and aligning 
Executive Directors’ pensions with those of the workforce.

Daniel Kitchen’s external appointments – 
(Resolution 6)
The votes against Resolution 6 centred on Mr Kitchen’s additional 
board roles, in particular the number of chairmanships of the 
other listed companies he holds. 

Mr Kitchen stepped down as non-executive chairman of 
Workspace Group Plc at the conclusion of Workspace’s 2020 
annual general meeting and has subsequently stepped down as 
a director of the Irish Takeover Panel. As a result of a recommended 
cash offer by Causeway Consortium Limited, announced 
on 22 December 2020 and the scheme of arrangement 
announced on 25 January 2021, having been approved by 
the shareholders of Applegreen Plc Mr Kitchen resigned 
as chairman of the Applegreen Board on 10 March 2021. 

The Directors of Sirius believe that Mr Kitchen is a valuable and 
experienced Non-Executive Chairman. While recognising that 
the number of Mr Kitchen’s past commitments exceeded some 
investor guidelines, taking into consideration his significant 
reduction of those commitments, the relatively non-complex 
nature of the other company of which he is chairman and in 
particular his effective stewardship of the Company throughout 
the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board is satisfied that he is able to 
devote sufficient time to his role with Sirius in order to discharge 
his responsibilities effectively.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202164

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Continuation of 
rigorous oversight

financial year end, to navigate the social restrictions imposed 
by the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. 
Assurance on audit quality is a primary responsibility of 
the Committee. 

The Covid-19 crisis also brings the Board’s viability statement 
into sharp focus. Given the business’ operating performance in 
the period, financial position and business model, the Committee 
has not considered the pandemic to present an existential 
threat to the Company. However, the rigour of the stress testing 
carried out by management has enabled the Board to report 
confidently to shareholders on the Group’s prospects and 
viability. We give more detail of our review on page 69 of this 
Report, and the viability statement itself can be found on page 
48 of the Strategic report.

Shareholders are aware that Sirius does not have an in-house 
internal audit function. The Group’s internal audit programme 
is therefore externally facilitated. In 2020, the Committee 
commissioned BDO LLP (“BDO”) and PricewaterhouseCoopers 
LLP (“PwC”) to carry out reviews respectively of the Group’s 
internal financial controls and its legal structure and tax 
compliance to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a complex 
and changing regulatory environment. These were detailed 
pieces of work. While both reviews highlighted minor areas 
requiring improvement or adjustment, they concluded that the 
arrangements were operating satisfactorily. In the 2021 financial 
year, the Committee substantially implemented the 
recommended improvements.

The Committee, for the 2022 financial year, is seeking to 
complete the actions arising from the 2020 PwC report and to 
identify areas where there is greatest value from performing 
targeted internal audit procedures. The Committee will report 
progress against these procedures in the 2022 Annual Report.

Several significant and wide-ranging reviews into the UK audit 
market have been published in the past two years, which the 
Committee continues to monitor. Those which demonstrate 
that the work of the Committee is becoming ever more 
important are summarised below:

 » Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance, the long-  
awaited consultation, was published by the UK government 
in March 2021 and the Committee will review the package 
of proposed reforms for their implications for the Company.

 » The Independent Review into the Quality and Effectiveness 

of Audit by Sir Donald Brydon CBE was published in 
December 2019. The report aims to improve audit and 
assurance in relation to companies with debt or securities 
admitted to trading on a regulated market (including the 
London Stock Exchange’s Main Market).

Caroline Britton
Chair of the Audit Committee

The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to:

 » ensure the integrity of its periodic financial statements;

 » keep under review and monitor the Company’s financial 
control and risk management systems and its processes 
for complying with laws, regulations and ethical codes 
of practice; and

 » oversee the Group’s internal and external audit 

arrangements.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available at  
www.sirius-real-estate.com. 

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Audit Committee report (the 
“Report”) for the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

The Committee’s role is to protect the interests of shareholders, 
providing assurance on a sound control environment within the 
Group, and ensuring the integrity of published financial 
information and an effective audit process.

The Committee maintains a busy and wide-ranging agenda. 
In addition to the usual work carried out by the Committee, 
the continuation of the Covid-19 crisis as a significant risk has 
been foremost in the Committee’s thinking during the year end 
process. This entailed giving close attention to the Company’s 
public statements relating to the management and potential 
impact of the crisis and maintaining focus on the management 
and quality of the external audit as it was adjusted for a second 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202165

 » In April 2019, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) 
published its final report on a study regarding the UK statutory 
audit services market. Among its main recommendations are 
changes to the regulation of audit services (replacing the 
Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”)) and measures to 
increase the choice and quality of audit provision, including 
an operational split between audit and non-audit practices 
within the Big Four audit firms. For audit committees, a key 
emphasis will be prioritising audit quality over other selection 
criteria when tendering for audit services. 

The Committee members’ ability to visit a few operating sites in 
Germany was curtailed by pandemic related travel restrictions, 
although two new members carried out visits which included 
spending time in the offices of Sirius Facilities GmbH, the operating 
company of the Group, and in doing so gained valuable insights 
into the Group’s operations and management of risk. 

I would like to thank the members of the Committee and all the 
colleagues who have contributed to our work for their time and 
valuable contributions during what has been a particularly busy 
year. I especially want to thank the management team for 
delivering the financial statements and the external audit team 
for auditing them to a very high standard despite the challenges 
presented by the Covid-19 crisis, which required everyone to 
adopt entirely new working practices underpinned by tireless 
commitment and considerable flexibility. 

Caroline Britton
Chair of the Audit Committee
4 June 2021

How the Committee operated during the year

Membership and attendance

Meeting attendance

Caroline Britton (Chair)(1)

Justin Atkinson (former Chair)(3)

Mark Cherry

Kelly Cleveland(2)

Jill May(3)

James Peggie

2/2

1/1

3/3

2/2

1/1

3/3

(1)  Caroline Britton was appointed to the Committee on 1 June 2020 and 
was appointed Chair at the conclusion of the AGM held on 31 July 2020.

(2) Kelly Cleveland was appointed to the Committee on 1 June 2020.

(3)  Justin Atkinson resigned as Chair and both Justin Atkinson and Jill May 
resigned as members of the Committee with effect from the conclusion 
of the AGM held on 31 July 2020.

The Committee met three times in the year, and comprises four 
members, all of whom are independent Non-Executive Directors. 
The Board considers that Caroline Britton, who is a qualified 
Chartered Accountant and was an audit partner at Deloitte LLP 
from April 2000 to May 2018, is a non-executive director of 
Moneysupermarket.com Group Plc and Revolut Limited, at both 
of which she chairs the audit committees, possesses the 
qualifications, together with the necessary recent and relevant 
financial experience, to satisfy the requirement of the 2018 Code. 
The qualifications and experience of the other current members 
of the Committee are set out on pages 50 and 51 of this Report.

Roles and responsibilities
The Committee’s main role is to assist the Board in discharging 
its responsibilities with regard to the financial reporting process, 
the audit process and the system of internal controls of the 
Company, and compliance with financial laws and regulations 
by the Company.

The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the 
Annual Report and Half Year Report remains with the Board. 
However, the Committee helps to ensure the accuracy and 
integrity of these reports, in particular with regards to any 
significant judgements contained within them, and to monitor 
any formal announcements relating to the Company’s financial 
performance. The Committee reviews and approves the auditors’ 
annual audit plan to ensure it is consistent with the agreed scope 
of engagement and it takes responsibility for all aspects of the 
auditors’ appointment, performance and independence. 

The Committee gives due consideration to laws and regulations 
and the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code along 
with the JSE Listings Requirements and the FCA’s Listing Rules. 
Accordingly, the Committee advises the Board on whether, taken 
as a whole, the Company’s financial statements present a fair, 
balanced and understandable assessment as well as provide 
shareholders with the necessary information to assess the 
Group’s performance, business model and strategy.

Similarly, it is the Board which is ultimately responsible for the 
Group’s internal control environment. The responsibility for 
monitoring the Group’s risk management arrangements and 
assessing the effectiveness of internal controls has been 
delegated to the Committee. The Group’s risk management 
process and system of internal controls are designed to manage 
rather than eliminate risk and are described in more detail in the 
principal risks and uncertainties section of the Strategic report 
on pages 38 and 39.

The Committee also reviews the Group’s current trading 
performance and future cash flow forecasts in order to consider 
and advise the Board on its going concern and viability statements.

The Committee has satisfied itself in terms of paragraph 3.84 (g)
(i) of the JSE Listings Requirement that the Group Chief Financial 
Officer has appropriate expertise and experience and resources.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202166

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Key focus areas
The Committee’s main focus areas during and related to the financial year are summarised below.

Area

Subject

External audit

 » Assessed EY’s annual submission of eligibility to act as auditors for the purposes of paragraph 3.84(g)(iii) 

of the JSE Listing Requirements through requesting the information detailed in part 22.15(h) of the 
JSE Listings Requirements

 » Received a report and presentation from the Group’s valuers, Cushman & Wakefield (“C&W”), on the 

portfolio valuation for the 2021 financial year

 » Received and discussed EY’s final report on their audit for the 2021 financial year

 » Reviewed the Directors’ representation letter to the auditors in relation to the audit for the 2021 financial 

year and recommended it to the Board for approval

 » Received and discussed EY’s audit strategy and planning report for the 2021 audit, including the scope, 

areas of focus, materiality, team and programme

 » Reviewed the audit firm’s public disciplinary and quality record, and its auditor transparency report

 » Assessed the auditors’ performance, quality and independence

 » Assessed the quality of the 2020 audit

 » Received EY’s audit update report in relation to the 2021 audit, including Covid-19 issues relating to audit 

conduct, revenue recognition and portfolio valuation

 » Held private sessions with EY without management present

 » Reviewed the Board’s going concern and viability statement

 » Carried out a “fair, balanced and understandable” assessment 

 » Reviewed the content, including the Audit Committee report, and recommended the Annual Report and 

preliminary announcement to the Board for approval

Annual Report and 
Accounts 2021 and 
announcement of results

Half Year Report 2021 and 
announcement of results

 » Reviewed the CFO’s summary of the half year results

 » Received and discussed EY’s report on their half year review

 » Reviewed the content and recommended the Half Year Report and announcement to the Board for approval

Dividends

 » Reviewed a solvency statement as required under Guernsey Law and considered the dividend for the 

second half of the year ended 31 March 2020, recommending it to the Board for approval

 » Reviewed a solvency statement and considered the dividend for the six months ended 30 September 2020, 

recommending it to the Board for approval

Internal audit

 » Discussed progress on implementing changes arising from PwC’s review of the Group in relation to the 
impact of legislative changes affecting the Group and ensuring that the Group continues to optimise its 
corporate structure; and

 » Received periodic updates on the implementation of the principal recommendations from the BDO review

Risk, controls and 
regulation

 » As part of wider Board calls, reviewed severe and realistic stress tests in relation to the impact of the 

Covid-19 crisis on the Group’s financial position and prospects

 » Received periodic risk and control reports, including the Group’s risk matrix and updates to risks and mitigations

 » Received the Whistleblowing Incidents Report (zero cases)

 » Monitored and reviewed the Group’s responses to the JSE in relation to the JSE’s Proactive 

Monitoring Programme

 » Reviewed the Group’s risk management policy and undertook a review of the effectiveness of the Group’s 

internal controls

Policy

 » Applied the new Non-Audit Fee Policy following the Revised Ethical Standard 2019 published by the FRC 

in December 2019 and updated the policy following a law change in Guernsey

Governance

 » Considered the underlying reasons for proposed increases in audit fees

 » Received feedback relating to the Committee from the 2021 Board evaluation

2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the “2018 Code”), guidance and standards
The Committee considers that it has complied with the 2018 Code, met the standards set out in the FRC’s April 2016 Guidance on 
Audit Committees and fulfilled the requirements of the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2019.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202167

Significant matters considered in relation to the financial statements

Significant matters considered

Audit Committee response 

Valuation of investment properties
The carrying value of owned investment 
properties is material to the Group’s balance 
sheet. The valuation, which is performed half 
yearly by Cushman & Wakefield LLP (“C&W”), 
is based upon assumptions including future 
rental income, anticipated maintenance costs 
and an appropriate discount and exit cap rate. 
There is a risk that the carrying value will differ 
from its fair value. 

Revenue recognition, including the timing of 
revenue recognition, the treatment of rents, 
service charge income and lease incentives 
in the core portfolio.

Certain transactions require management to make 
judgements as to whether and to what extent it 
should recognise revenue and present it within 
the financial statements. Market expectations 
and profit-based targets may place pressure on 
management to distort revenue recognition, which 
in turn may result in an overstatement of revenues. 

Assessment of uncertain tax positions
In the ordinary course of business, management 
makes judgements and estimates in relation to 
the tax treatment of some transactions in advance 
of the ultimate tax determination being certain. 
Where the amount of tax payable or recoverable 
is uncertain, management uses judgement in 
recording a corresponding payable or receivable. 
As a result of such estimations income may be 
overstated and expenses may be understated. 

The fair value of the Group’s owned investment properties is determined by an independent valuer 
on the basis of a discounted cash flow model using a range of 10–14 years.

The Committee considered the independent valuers’ report and met with the valuers to understand 
the basis for the valuation, the scope of their work and the level of available transactional evidence 
to support the carrying value of investment property and the appropriateness of supporting 
business plans as well as the transactional evidence available on the market.

The Committee also considered offers that have been received by the Group on properties that 
have been marketed for sale.

EY reported to the Committee at the half year on their review and the year end in relation to the 
audit on their results and findings of their assessment of C&W’s valuation judgements. 

Having considered and challenged EY’s reporting, the Committee concluded that, based on the 
degree of oversight and challenge applied to the valuation process, the valuations are conducted 
appropriately and objectively.

The Committee considered the explanations of C&W and EY as to how the Covid-19 pandemic 
impacted property valuations as at 31 March 2021 and the audit of the Company’s reporting on them. 
Generally, there were no adjustments to yield assumptions, except in relation to those properties 
affected by noticeable changes in lease situation as well as those affected by market movements since 
the last valuation as at 30 September 2020. While Covid-19 uncertainty continues, the German real 
estate market remains active. 

Physical inspections of properties were not possible early on in the lockdown period although all 
planned inspections were carried out while complying with the lockdown restrictions. For the 
September 2020 valuation C&W have inspected eighteen properties and for March 2021 C&W have 
inspected 23 properties, including the four newly acquired properties, equating to approximately 60% 
of properties. The Committee noted the main driver of valuation growth in the year to 31 March 2021 
to be related to growth in income rather than changes to yield. 

The Committee compared the C&W valuations with the results presented by EY on their audit of the 
valuations, which included the input of an EY Chartered Surveyor, as part of the external audit plan 
agreed by the Committee. 

The Committee discussed the impact of the Covid-19 crises on the Group’s property valuations with 
EY and C&W respectively. Having considered and challenged EY and C&W respectively, the 
Committee concluded that the valuations as at 31 March 2021 are appropriate. 

The Committee considered the main areas of judgement applied by management in accounting for 
revenue including the treatment of rent, service charge income and lease incentives in the core portfolio.

EY performed data analytics procedures over the whole population of leases in the Group’s portfolio 
and over the whole population of journal entries posted to revenue during the year. EY also performed 
analytical review procedures and tested samples of transactions relating to rental income, service 
charge and other components of revenue. The Committee considered and challenged EY’s work 
and reporting on revenue recognition.

Having considered and challenged EY’s reporting, the Committee concluded that, having 
consulted EY and considered the main areas of judgement applied by management, revenue is 
appropriately recognised and reported.

The Committee considered the main areas of judgement applied by management taking into 
account its legal structure and multi-tax jurisdictions within which it operates. PwC reported to 
the Committee in 2020 on their review of the Group’s legal structure and tax compliance. The review 
gave comfort that the Group’s tax compliance arrangements operated satisfactorily and the Group 
continued to optimise its structure in compliance with applicable legislation in 2021.

EY used tax specialists to understand and assess tax risks for the Group in each jurisdiction in 
which it operates. EY performed analytical review work, obtained correspondence with tax 
authorities and challenged management assessments. 

Having considered and challenged EY’s reporting, the Committee concluded that, following discussions 
with the external audit team, a professional services firm review and consideration of management’s 
judgements and estimates, tax provisions have been recognised on an appropriate basis.

Directors’ going concern assessment
The Covid-19 crisis increased the level of 
uncertainty, affecting the Directors’ assessment 
of going concern over the period to 30 June 2022.

The key additional considerations for the Committee were the changes in, and uncertainty within, 
the assumptions of occupancy, movement in valuations and compliance with debt covenants. 
Sensitivities have been applied to key income and expense items including rental income, service 
charge recovery and overhead costs as detailed on page 69 of the report.

The Directors’ assessment of going concern relies on 
projections made with assumptions on future trading 
performance, capital expenditure, refinancing 
requirements and potential valuation movements in 
order to estimate the level of headroom on facilities 
and covenants for loan to value and interest 
cover ratios. The Covid-19 crisis and regulatory 
developments have prompted the Company to 
prepare detailed stress tests and sensitivity analyses 
which model the effects of severe and more realistic 
scenarios on the Group’s financial position and 
prospects. By basing the going concern assessment 
on an severe but plausible stress scenario, the 
Directors exercise greater prudence even if they 
consider such a scenario eventuating to be remote.

In considering the going concern assessment, the Committee reviewed management’s projections on 
a severe but plausible stress scenario that results from a major impact relating to Covid-19. The severe 
but plausible assumptions included in the stress case, the available mitigations should they be required 
and the available financial resources are set out in detail on pages 102 and 103 of the Directors’ report. 
The Committee also considered the auditors’ opinion on the going concern assessment.

The Committee concluded that the Directors’ going concern assessment has been prepared on an 
appropriately prudent basis.

The Committee’s “fair, balanced and understandable” assessment gave particular attention to the 
Company’s statements relating to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the Group’s financial position 
and prospects.

The above description of the significant matters should be read in conjunction with the Independent auditors’ report on pages 105 
to 111 and the significant accounting policies disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
68

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Auditor independence and the effectiveness 
of the external audit process
EY was appointed as the Company’s auditors in September 2018 
following a competitive audit tender process which included 
Big Four audit firms and one second tier audit firm. The audit 
will be put out to tender again no later than 2027. The Committee 
recommends the reappointment of EY as auditors at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting on 30 July 2021. The lead 
audit engagement partner is Dan Saunders, who was appointed 
in September 2018.

The Committee meets with the auditors on average three times 
a year to discuss their remit. The opportunity is also taken at each 
meeting to discuss any issues arising from EY’s audit work 
without management present. The Committee Chair meets 
with the audit partner outside of Committee meetings at least 
twice a year and Committee members have no other 
connections with the current auditors.

During the year, the Committee assessed EY’s performance, 
quality and independence. This included:

 » reviewing the audit firm’s public disciplinary and quality 

record, and its auditor transparency report;

 » reviewing the renewal of EY’s accreditation as an audit firm by 
the Johannesburg Stock Exchange dated 20 August 2020; and 

 » carrying out an internal review of the auditors and audit 

conduct for the 2020 financial year.

The internal review of the auditors drew feedback from members 
of the Committee and the Finance team on a range of topics 
relating to the quality of the audit firm, the audit team and the 
audit itself, and value for money. EY were scored highly by the 
Committee and management in most areas.

The auditors’ fee for the statutory audit increased for the 2021 
financial year to €684,000 (31 March 2020: €493,000). The main 
reasons for the increase included early direct and indirect effects 
on the audit market of the various reviews summarised on 
pages 64 and 65, and EY allocating more time to the audit than 
was originally estimated. EY’s head of UK audit wrote to the firm’s 
FTSE 350 audit clients in 2020 anticipating higher fees, citing 
unprecedented market forces linked to increased regulation. 

While the Committee was disappointed to see such increases in 
the audit fee so soon after EY’s audit tender, the recent external 
influences, increased demands and expectations on external 
audits are recognised. While taking every opportunity to 
promote efficiencies within the audit process, the overriding 
objective of the Committee is to ensure that a rigorous and 
quality audit has been delivered.

Following the Committee’s review, it is satisfied that the auditors 
remain independent and are suitable for reappointment 
considering, inter alia, the information stated in paragraph 22.15(h) 
of the JSE Listings Requirements (which relates to the provision 
of regulatory decision letters to the Company following an 
inspection by the regulator; no inspection of the auditor by the 
regulator was carried out in FY 2021).

The Committee has ensured that appropriate financial reporting 
procedures were established and that those procedures are 
operating in line with paragraph 3.84(g)(ii) of the JSE Listings 
Requirements (which relates to the operation of appropriate 
financial reporting procedures).

Performance evaluation of the Committee
The Committee’s performance was considered as part of the 
Board evaluation process, which is described in the Corporate 
Governance report on page 62. The Board considers that the 
Committee continues to perform well in its role supporting 
the Board.

Internal audit
The decision on whether or not to implement an internal audit 
function is made by the Board and this is based on the 
recommendation of the Committee which normally considers 
annually a number of factors in making its assessment. These 
include the growth and scale of the Company, the diversity and 
complexity of the Company’s activities, the procedures and 
systems in place, the number of employees and the risk that 
issues may arise as well as the cost and benefit of implementing 
such a function. The Committee will continue to review its 
position on the establishment of a formal internal audit function 
on an annual basis.

The Committee commissioned BDO and PwC to carry out 
reviews in 2020 respectively of the Group’s internal financial 
controls, and its legal structure and tax compliance to ensure it 
remains fit for purpose in a complex and changing regulatory 
environment. While both reviews highlighted minor areas 
requiring improvement or adjustment, they concluded that the 
arrangements were broadly operating satisfactorily as reported 
earlier in the Committee report.

The Committee commenced its review of the internal audit plan 
for FY 2022, which comprises a number of targeted areas 
where the Group identifies value in having internal audit 
procedures carried out.

Risk management and internal controls
The Committee considers in detail the Group’s risk management 
processes in addition to reviewing internal control procedures, 
the half and full year results and external audit plans. Regular 
reviews of significant risks are undertaken at meetings of the 
Committee and its observations are reported to the Board. The 
Group’s system of internal control is designed to manage and 
mitigate rather than eliminate the risk of failure to meet business 
objectives and can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, 
assurance against material financial misstatement or loss and the 
following activities are undertaken to mitigate this where possible:

 » review the effectiveness of the Company’s financial reporting 
and internal risk and control policies and procedures for the 
identification, assessment and reporting of risks;

 » monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and 
all formal announcements relating to its financial performance 
and ensure they are fair, balanced and understandable;

 » review significant financial reporting issues and judgements;

 » make recommendations relating to the appointment, 

reappointment and removal of the auditors;

 » monitor the independence and effectiveness of the auditors; and

 » review the Company’s procedures for preventing and 

detecting fraud and bribery.

Having reviewed the Group’s risk management arrangements 
and assessed the effectiveness of the internal financial controls, 
the Committee is satisfied with how the internal financial 
controls are operating.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202169

Non-Audit Services (“NAS”) Policy
The Committee has had to update its NAS Policy again in 2021 
for application in the 2022 financial year as explained in the 
following paragraph. 

The revised NAS Policy is in accordance with the FRC Revised 
Ethical Standard 2019 (“2019 ES”) and with applicable Guernsey 
regulation as it applies to a Guernsey registered company. 
The main difference from a UK registered company is that 
the restriction in the 2019 ES to a limited “whitelist” of audit 
related services does not apply.

The policy requires the Committee’s prior approval for all 
non-audit work to be carried out by the auditors and limits all 
such fees in any year (excluding specified services required by 
law or regulation) to a maximum of 35% calculated by reference 
to the average statutory audit fee over the previous three years.

The total non-audit fees paid to the auditors during the year 
ended 31 March 2021 was €63,000 (representing 10% of the 
statutory audit fee) (31 March 2020: €63,000) paid to EY, with 
a three year average rate of 11% of the statutory audit fee. The 
fee for 2021 covered work related mainly to the Interim Report 
and the provision of a reporting accountant report, for which 
the auditors were judged to be best placed to provide the 
services. The Committee continues to monitor the extent of the 
non-audit related work undertaken by the auditors to ensure 
auditor objectivity and independence are safeguarded.

Whistleblowing
The Whistleblowing Policy is available in both English and 
German and is available to all employees and details the 
confidential reporting mechanism in place to allow them to 
raise any such concerns that may arise.

In line with the 2018 Code, the Board assumed responsibility 
from the Committee for overseeing the operation and 
effectiveness of the Whistleblowing Policy.

During the year, there were no whistleblowing cases raised 
which, although this appears to be satisfactory, led the 
Committee to seek assurance that whistleblowing was 
publicised to all employees. Management confirmed this to be 
the case and close to year end the Board approved changes to 
the existing policy (ahead of the coming into force of an EU 
Directive). These changes provide for: calls to be made to an 
independent German speaker (the majority of employees are 
based in Germany); calls to be investigated by an independent 
third party; a wider remit of areas covered by the Directive (e.g. 
data and privacy, environmental protection, security of network 
and information systems); protected persons now covers not 
only employees but also third parties (e.g. service providers); 
the misconduct of any employee (not just senior management) 
can now be reported; and now confirmation of reports must be 
given within seven days of a report being made and feedback 
must be provided on reports within three months.

Going concern and viability statement testing 
The Board’s going concern statement is provided on pages 102 
and 103 of the Director’s report, and the viability statement is 
provided on page 48 of the Strategic report. The Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern and Viability statement are 
based on current trading and the latest three-year forecasts 
prepared by the Senior Management Team. A model has been 
created for this which uses a combination of existing contractual 
agreements and future assumptions of performance of existing 
assets and expected acquisitions and disposals for which the 
Group currently has the resources.

In order to test the robustness of the forecast, sensitivities have 
been applied to key income and expense items including rental 
income, service charge recovery and overhead costs.

In considering the Board’s going concern and viability statement, 
the Committee reviewed detailed stress tests and sensitivity 
analysis provided by management which modelled the effects 
of severe but plausible and more realistic scenarios due to 
Covid-19 on the Group’s financial position and prospects. The 
scenarios addressed the key risks to the Group’s liquidity and 
covenant compliance, and the available mitigations to reduce 
these risks where necessary to an acceptable level should 
experience tend towards the severe but plausible scenario.

The Committee has reviewed and agreed the assumptions 
used by management in these forecasts.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202170

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

Ensuring balance and diversity

the Board at the close of the Company’s Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) on 31 July 2020, at which time Caroline took 
over as Chair of the Audit Committee. 

A comprehensive review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference 
was carried out during the year, to align further with best practice 
and make them more consistent with the 2018 Code. Due to 
the Covid-19 crisis, which demanded more of the Board’s time 
early in the financial year, the Committee deferred its planned 
review of succession planning and the leadership pipeline to the 
September 2020 Committee meeting. Following this review of 
the talent pipeline, two in-house promotions of senior managers 
were implemented as follows: Rüdiger Swoboda became 
Chief Operating Officer on 30 March 2021 and will continue 
to oversee customer sales and lettings activities, while also 
taking responsibility for business operations at an executive 
level, aligning two integral customer facing functions within the 
Senior Management Team; and Kremena Wissel was promoted 
to the newly created role of Chief Marketing and Impact Officer 
on 18 February 2021 and will manage the Group’s ESG strategy 
in addition to her existing marketing responsibilities. As the 
promotions dealt with the short-term senior management 
needs, we will continue to review succession as the Company 
grows in size and complexity to ensure the availability of a pool 
of suitably qualified and talented managers to deliver the Sirius 
medium and long-term strategy. We will keep shareholders 
informed as decisions are made and will provide an update 
in the next Annual Report.

The Board’s Diversity Policy, which was adopted in 2017, 
recognises the benefits of a diverse boardroom, and we have 
taken measured steps towards broadening boardroom diversity 
since then. Page 71 of this report addresses the Board’s 
Diversity Policy, and the Corporate Governance report on 
page 60 describes our progress on boardroom diversity.

The operating business in Germany prides itself on its diversity 
and inclusion record, where all forms of diversity and inclusiveness 
are normalised within the business and are fully integrated into 
its ways of working. In 2019 I was appointed by the Board as 
the designated Non-Executive Director with responsibility for 
engaging with the workforce. During my site visits in 2020 and 
conversations with numerous colleagues, I was particularly 
impressed by the attitudes to diversity and inclusion which run 
through the business. I plan to visit more sites in 2021 to engage 
with colleagues across a range of topics and will provide 
summary feedback to the Board.

We carried out an internal Board evaluation in the year, which 
covered the Board, the Committees and each Director. The 
process and outcomes are described on page 62 of the Corporate 
governance report. The key takeaway for this Committee is to 
focus on short-term succession as described on page 72.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

The primary functions of the Nomination Committee are to:

 » monitor the balance of skills, knowledge, experience, 

independence and diversity of the Board and its 
Committees;

 » oversee succession planning and the process for 

nominating, selecting, appointing, developing and 
evaluating Directors; and

 » ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for 

succession planning (including diversity considerations) 
and development in relation to the senior management 
of the Group.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available at 
www.sirius-real-estate.com. 

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Nomination 
Committee report for the year ended 31 March 2021.

This has been a busy year for the Committee with the addition 
of Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland to the Board as Non-
Executive Directors on 1 June 2020, and the commencement, 
towards the end of the financial year, of a search for another 
Non-Executive Director, primarily to succeed James Peggie as 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland joined the Board as 
independent Non-Executive Directors on 1 June 2020. On the 
same date, both were appointed as members of the Audit, 
Nomination, Remuneration and Sustainability and Ethics 
Committees. Justin Atkinson and Jill May stepped down from 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202171

The Corporate Governance report describes how we engage 
with our shareholders. As Chair of the Nomination Committee, 
I welcome dialogue with shareholders on all matters under the 
Committee’s remit.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
4 June 2021

We implemented a new procedure for the 2020 Board 
appointments in line with the 2018 Code, which is summarised 
later in this report and we are using this procedure again in 2021.

We believe we have begun to address the reasons for the votes 
against my election as Chair at the 2020 AGM, which related to 
the number of my external commitments. I stepped down as 
chairman of Workspace Group Plc at its AGM in July 2020 and 
as chairman of Applegreen Plc in March 2021. The Board has 
expressed its confidence that my remaining commitments do not 
materially affect my availability and effectiveness for the reasons 
provided on page 63 of the Corporate Governance report.

Over the new financial year, the Committee’s priorities were to 
integrate the two new Non-Executive Directors successfully, and 
to review the succession for the Board and Senior Management 
Team. As James Peggie completed his eighth year as a 
Non-Executive Director in November 2020, succession for his 
key roles of Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Senior 
Independent Director is a particular focus.

How the Committee operated during the year

Membership and attendance

Meeting attendance

Daniel Kitchen (Chairman)

Justin Atkinson(2)

Caroline Britton(1)

Mark Cherry

Kelly Cleveland(1)

Jill May(2)

James Peggie

4/4

2/2

2/2

4/4

2/2

2/2

4/4

(1)  Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the 

Committee on 1 June 2020.

Diversity Policy
The Board’s Diversity Policy was adopted in May 2017. The policy 
recognises that boardroom diversity maximises the opportunities 
to achieve the Group’s business goals and includes a commitment 
to diversity and gender equality in the recruitment process. It 
also requires the Committee to discuss and agree annually all 
measurable targets for achieving diversity on the Board.

Subject to diversity considerations, our policy operates on equality 
principles. These are to employ the best candidates available in 
every position regardless of sex, race (ethnic origin, nationality 
and colour), age, religion or philosophical belief, sexual orientation, 
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, gender 
reassignment or disability.

(2)  Jill May and Justin Atkinson stepped down from the Committee at the 

close of the AGM on 31 July 2020.

The Board’s progress on diversity is summarised on page 60 of 
the Corporate Governance report.

The operating company in Germany, Sirius Facilities, is a signatory 
to the German Charter of Diversity. With a gender-balanced and 
internationally diverse workforce, with 36% of our managers 
and 53% of the total workforce being female, over time it is 
expected that more women will be represented in the higher 
leadership roles.

Key focus areas
The Committee’s main focus areas during the financial year are 
summarised below.

Area

Subject

Appointments  » Appointed Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland 

as independent Non-Executive Directors

 » Agreed the search criteria and process for 
the appointment of another independent 
Non-Executive Director, noting the skills required 
to implement Board succession plans

Policy

 » Implemented Procedure for New Appointments

Governance

 » Reviewed the Company’s progress on gender 

and ethnic diversity in the boardroom

 » Reviewed the Management Structure Plan

 » Reviewed findings of 2021 internal Board 
evaluation and made recommendations in 
relation to actions to be taken

 » Reviewed Non-Executive Director independence

 » Approved revisions to the Nomination Committee 

Terms of Reference

 » Reviewed the 2020 Nomination Committee report

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202172

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Procedure for New Appointments
The Committee approved a Procedure for New Appointments during the year, the main provisions of which are summarised below.

Evaluation

Evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge, experience and diversity of the Board against the challenges and opportunities 
facing the Board and the Group

Description

Describe the role and capabilities required for the appointment, including diversity considerations

Search

Agree on the search methods to be used and selection process to be followed, and brief any external search consultants

Assessments

Depending on the chosen selection process, conduct interviews, perform assessments and carry out background 
checks as applicable

Factors

Consider any potential conflicts of interest if a candidate is known to a Director, the candidate’s other commitments and 
time availability

Selection

Make the appointment

Induction

Arrange a formal induction to equip the Director in their responsibilities and knowledge of the Group’s strategy, position, 
prospects and regulatory environment

The Procedure supports boardroom diversity by considering and placing a value on the benefits of diversity at an early stage in the 
process, in addition to the individual capabilities of each candidate.

The Committee usually appoints independent executive search consultants for senior appointments, which assist through advice 
and facilitating the search process. This entails agreeing the candidate brief, which explains to candidates why the appointment is 
being made and provides information on the Group’s aims and direction. A long-list of potential candidates is reviewed and reduced 
to create a short-list for interview. During the assessment process, attributes taken into consideration include candidate’s capabilities 
and qualities, attitudes and values, balance and complementary fit, and the ability to bring constructive challenge. 

Executive search consultants were used for the appointments of the two new independent Non-Executive Directors. These were 
SpencerStuart for Caroline Britton and Redgrave Partners for Kelly Cleveland. These two search consultancies have no other 
connection with the Company. Redgrave Partners has been retained to assist with the search for an additional Non-Executive Director 
in 2021, prioritising diversity as well as experience (in particular in relation to Remuneration) to broaden the Board’s composition.

Succession planning
Due to the timing of the Covid-19 crisis, the opportunity formally to review the succession plan for the Executive Directors and 
other members of the Senior Management Team was deferred to the September 2020 Committee meeting. The Committee also 
considered succession for the key roles of Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Senior Independent Director as James Peggie 
completed his eighth year as a Non-Executive Director in November 2020. The Committee discussed the requirements for these 
challenging roles, being knowledge of Directors’ remuneration (framework and regulatory environment), highlighted investor 
relations and diplomacy skills as well as commercial property experience.

The Committee is cognisant of the current gender composition of the Senior Management Team. While comfort is taken from the 
greater gender balance at middle management levels, the progression of the leadership pipeline was a key focus for the Committee 
during the formal review in 2020.

The Committee noted that there is one Director on the Board from an ethnic minority background. While this pre-dates the 
recommendations of the Parker Review 2017 to have at least one ethnic minority director by 2024, we are committed to instructing 
search consultants to identify candidates from diverse backgrounds, including ethnicity, for all appointments so that we continue 
to meet the recommendations as a minimum. 

Board evaluation
A summary of the internal evaluation carried out in the year, including its design, process and outcomes, and how it has influenced 
the Board’s composition, is provided on page 62 of the Corporate governance report.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202173

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT

Commitment to 
lasting change

The Committee considers and makes recommendations to the 
Board in relation to the critical dimensions of how the Company 
does business, specifically its value system surrounding 
environmental impact, ethical standards and social responsibility. 
This Committee report should be read in conjunction with the 
separate Sustainability report, set out on pages 28 to 32.

As a major property owner, we recognise our responsibilities to 
our stakeholders, being employees, business partners, tenants 
and the wider communities in which we operate. With that as 
background, we recognise the importance of sustainability to 
our business and we have made this a key priority for 2021 by 
embedding it further into our strategy and business model. 

This commitment to our responsibilities is underlined by my 
leadership of this Committee as well as the promotion of 
Kremena Wissel to serve as Chief Marketing and Impact Officer 
from January 2021, a new role to lead further integration of 
ESG into Sirius’ strategic development. Kremena has already 
presented ESG reports to the Board and discussed progress 
across a range of environmental, social and governance topics 
with the Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors 
of the Committee noted the “stepped change” in ESG that had 
taken place in the second half of 2020 during the evaluation 
exercise carried out in early 2021.

Our progress in the year included a major current workstream 
to measure and deliver a significant improvement with regards 
to the Company’s impact on the environment. Examples include 
sourcing almost 100% of portfolio electricity energy from green 
electricity sources (an increase from 86% in 2020) and the 
recognition by MSCI, which upgraded our business’ ESG rating 
to AA (previously A) in November 2020.

I am pleased we have published, for the first time, our Scope 1, 
2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in this Annual Report and we 
are continuing to work towards a carbon reduction strategy in 
partnership with a specialist ESG consultancy which we 
appointed in 2020.

We are also working to embed the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) into our Company strategy 
framework, so that climate change considerations will be a key 
part of our risk management and strategic planning processes. 

We appreciate that we have commenced our journey and we 
have some way to go. Having made a start, however, we fully 
intend, as a matter of urgency, to see this journey through to a 
sustainable future. 

Andrew Coombs
Chairman of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee
4 June 2021

Andrew Coombs
Chairman of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee

“ …the Group will continue to strive 
for a sustainable future for the 
business, its people and the 
communities in which it operates.” 

The primary functions of the Sustainability and Ethics 
Committee are to:

 » advise the Board on the economic sustainability of the 
business and ethical matters relating to the Group; and

 » provide a leadership forum for Non-Executive Directors 
to work with executive management to shape policy, 
strategy and, where appropriate, targets to improve 
the Group’s environmental, social and governance 
(“ESG”) performance.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available at  
www.sirius-real-estate.com. 

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Sustainability 
and Ethics Committee report for the year ended 31 March 2021. 
The Sustainability and Ethics Committee fulfils the function of a 
social and ethics committee under the terms of the JSE Listings 
Requirements and it has fulfilled its mandate as prescribed by 
corporate law and that there were no instances of material 
non-compliance to disclose. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202174

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

How the Committee operated during the year

Membership and attendance

Meeting attendance

Andrew Coombs (Chairman)

Caroline Britton(1)

Mark Cherry

Kelly Cleveland(1)

James Peggie

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

(1)  Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland joined the Committee on their 

appointment to the Board on 1 June 2021.

Key focus areas
The Committee’s main focus areas during the financial year are summarised below.

Area

Subject

Purpose

 » Reviewed the Group’s draft Purpose Statement and its principal drivers

Values

 » We set out not only our Company purpose but also our values and are undergoing a project for establishing a 

competencies framework across the business, ensuring our culture is aligned to our business strategy

Competencies 
framework

is aligned to our business strategy

 » Advanced draft of the competencies framework in progress for implementation across the business, to ensure our culture 

Sustainability  » Reviewed the Group’s outline sustainability strategy, including a strategic framework and draft climate change statement. 
Since October 2020, the Company has undertaken a full review of its ESG strategy and programme involving a specialist 
consultancy which remains ongoing. This includes the potential impact of ESG reporting requirements and a materiality 
assessment including investors and wider stakeholders

Colleague 
update

 » Received an update from the CEO on employee engagement during 2020 financial year and planning for 2021 

financial year

Ethical policies  » Reviewed drafts of the Modern Slavery Statement 2021, the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Statement and Procedures, the 

Diversity and Inclusion Policy and the updated Whistleblowing Policy – each of which were approved by the Board

Governance

 » Noted feedback on the Committee’s performance from the 2020 Board evaluation which led to its reconstitution and wider 

remit and orientation towards economic sustainability 

 » TCFD – Sirius TCFD group was established, has completed two workshops and had commenced scenario planning 

following financial year end. Through the TCFD framework, climate change will be embedded into the Company’s strategy 
and management of risks and integrated into the Company’s enterprise risk management process

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

75

Completing our journey to a 
conventional remuneration 
framework for a FTSE 250 company

James Peggie
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

“ We believe that our proposed 
new Remuneration Policy will 
help support our strategy and 
provide a clear, consistent and 
cohesive approach to reward 
for a FTSE 250 company.”

The primary functions of the Committee are to:

 » design and determine the remuneration and associated 
benefits of the Executive Directors of the Company and 
the senior management of the Group; and

 » review workforce remuneration and related policies 

for their alignment with the Group’s values and culture, 
and take these into account when setting the policy for 
Executive Director and senior management remuneration.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available at  
www.sirius-real-estate.com. 

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for 
the year ended 31 March 2021.

First and foremost I would like to echo our Chairman’s thanks 
to the staff of Sirius whose incredible efforts in this most 
challenging of years has been a matter of pride for the Board. 
As a small show of gratitude to the workforce for their support, 
I am happy to announce it is our intention to award a one-off 
bonus of €350 to over 200 non-senior management staff to be 
paid in October.

Following my letter there is a short summary of:

 » how the Committee operated during the year;

 » our approach to setting pay and market reference points 

and peer groups considered by the Committee;

 » how the proposed new Remuneration Policy is aligned with 

the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and

 » wider workforce remuneration and employee engagement.

There then follows the two principal sections of the report:

 » the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the “Remuneration 

Policy”) – this sets out our forward-looking Remuneration 
Policy for Directors, which is subject to shareholder approval 
at the 2021 AGM. If approved, the Remuneration Policy will 
take effect from the conclusion of that meeting; and

 » the Annual Report on Remuneration – this provides details of 
the amounts earned by the Directors in respect of the year 
ended 31 March 2021. 

Our current Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the “2018 Policy”) 
was adopted at the general meeting held on 5 December 2018 
and reapproved on an advisory basis at the 2019 and 2020 AGMs. 
In line with typical UK practice, following the end of the three year 
period for which the 2018 Policy applied, the Committee has 
approved the Remuneration Policy for which shareholder approval 
on an advisory basis will be sought at the 2021 AGM. Our approach 
to the new Remuneration Policy is summarised below. In connection 
with the approval of the new Remuneration Policy, shareholders 
will also be asked to approve at the 2021 AGM the new Sirius 
Real Estate 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan. 

The Committee has had a busy year consulting and preparing 
for the new policy, as well as establishing new remuneration 
packages and contractual terms for our three promoted C Suite 
Directors and ensuring that a consistent and sensible approach 
to remuneration during the pandemic has been taken throughout 
the year. As such I would like to thank my colleagues on the 
Committee for their insight and support.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202176

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Business performance
Despite the challenges of the pandemic this has been another 
strong year in terms of financial performance for the Company. 
Revenue increased 10.3% to €165.4 million from €150.0 million 
in the previous financial year, while like-for-like annualised rent 
roll increased 5.2%, from 31 March 2020. Funds from operations 
(“FFO”), a key measure of operational performance, increased 
9.3% to €60.9 million (31 March 2020: €55.7 million), EPS 
increased by 48.3% to 14.16c per share and adjusted EPS 
increased by 7.1% to 5.61c per share. The Board has authorised 
a dividend in respect of the second half of the financial year 
ended 31 March 2021 of 1.98c per share representing 65% of 
FFO, an increase of 10.0% on the equivalent dividend last year. 
The total dividend for the year is 3.80c, an increase of 6.4% 
on the 3.57c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020. 
The Group has not received any state financial assistance in 
connection with the Covid-19 crisis.

During the year, the Company completed the acquisition of four 
assets totalling €35.2 million and a further asset was notarised 
for completion shortly after the year end for €10.7 million. The 
venture with AXA IM Alts grew in the year through the notarisation 
of an asset located in Augsburg for €79.9 million which completed 
shortly after the year end. 

As at 31 March 2021, the Company’s owned investment property 
portfolio had a book value of €1,347.2 million (31 March 2020: 
€1,186.2 million) with total debt of €472.0 million (31 March 2020: 
€485.8 million). The Group had unrestricted cash and undrawn 
facilities of €62.7 million and a net loan to value ratio of 31.4% 
(31 March 2020: 32.8%). NAV per share increased by 14.2% to 
88.31c per share, adjusted net asset value per share (“Adjusted 
NAV per share”) rose 15.0% to 93.79c per share (31 March 2020: 
81.54c) and total shareholder accounting return, based on 
adjusted NAV per share and dividends paid in the period, was 
19.5% in the period (31 March 2020: 13.1%), the highest annual 
total shareholder accounting return recorded in the past 
several years. 

This performance reflects a continuation of the Group’s successful 
strategy, its talented leadership and the capability of the internal 
operating platform to outperform in all market conditions. 

Executive Directors’ remuneration for the 
2021 financial year
We have summarised below the implementation of the 2018 
Policy for Executive Directors in respect of the financial year. 
It was not necessary for the Committee to exercise discretion 
in relation to variable pay outcomes during the financial year.

Salary
As set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year 
ended 31 March 2020 the Committee decided to defer the 
decision over base salary increases for both the Executive 
Directors for the 2021 financial year until such time as the 
Company’s performance during the initial period of the pandemic 
had been able to be assessed. Taking into account our resilient 
performance throughout the pandemic, the Committee decided, 
in July 2020, that the increases for the 2021 financial year would 
be effective from 1 April 2020, in the normal course, and amounted 
to an increase of 5.5% for Andrew Coombs (£406,720 to 
£429,385) and 4.0% for Alistair Marks (€350,796 to €364,828). 

These increases also partially helped to bring the Executive 
Directors in line with salary increases for the rest of the workforce 
(excluding senior management) over the period since the 
Company moved to the Main Markets in London and 
Johannesburg. The salaries from 1 April 2020 (converted to 
euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17, where relevant) were 
as follows:

Executive Director

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Base salary at
1 April 2020

€502,035

€364,828

As disclosed in the 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Report the 
Committee considered these increases to be justified for several 
reasons because: (i) the maximum opportunity under the 2018 
LTIP awards was reduced by 33% in 2020 as part of the planned 
transition to a more conventional pay structure in 2021; (ii) the 
CEO’s base salary and total compensation, in particular, were 
markedly below the lower quartiles of a peer group of comparator 
companies, part of the reason for this lag being due to their 
having waived their proposed salary increases for the 2020 
financial year in order that the 52 of the lowest paid workers be 
given higher salary increases; and (iii) significant progress had 
been made in the Group’s development in recent years (which 
had increased the scope and complexity of the business and 
the role of the Executive Directors – this is discussed in more 
detail below). 

Annual bonus outturn
The maximum bonus opportunity for the financial year was 
equal to 100% of base salary. 

As a consequence of the Company’s strong financial 
performance (as highlighted above) and excellent delivery 
around strategic and personal targets, Andrew Coombs and 
Alistair Marks both earned 100% of their maximum bonus 
opportunity, details of which are provided on pages 90 to 94. 
An explanation of how these targets align with the Group’s Key 
Performance Indicators is provided on pages 92 and 93. The 
Committee considers the level of pay-out is reflective of the 
overall performance of the Group in the year as well as the 
experience of our shareholders and employees.

35% of the bonus will be deferred into shares, 50% of which will 
be released to the Executive Directors after one year and 50% 
after two years, subject to their continued employment. 

LTIP awards with performance period ending 
during the year
The 2018 LTIP awards granted on 15 January 2019, in the form 
of nil-cost options, with a three year performance period from 
1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021 vested in May 2021 at 100% of 
maximum. The Committee considers the level of pay-out is 
reflective of the outstanding overall performance of the Group 
over the performance period as well as the experience of our 
shareholders and employees. See page 94 for further details.

2018 LTIP awards
During the year, the third tranche of awards under the 2018 LTIP 
were made to the Executive Directors and other members of the 
Senior Management Team. Details are provided on page 95.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202177

The proposed changes to the Remuneration Policy also reflect 
that Sirius Real Estate has been one of the fastest growing listed 
real estate companies over the last few years. Since admission 
to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2017, 
the Company’s market capitalisation has increased from c.£430 
million to just over £1 billion. The Company is now a constituent 
of the FTSE EPRA NAREIT Global Index, the US NAREIT Index, 
the South African Property Index and the FTSE 250 Index.

Since 2018, the complexity of the Company’s operations has 
continued to increase. Some of the key developments have been:

 » Sirius Real Estate owns and/or operates a portfolio worth 
around €1.68 billion, an increase of 68% (31 March 2018: 
€1 billion); 

 » Sirius owns and/or operates 68 business parks (an increase 

of 26% from 54); 

 » the Company has entered three new major markets, including 

Hamburg, one of the seven largest cities in Germany;

 » the Company’s investor base has increased significantly, 

including with North American investors now representing 
10.5% of shareholders (up from 1%), and continental 
European investors 9% (up from 2%), requiring considerably 
greater management time;

 » the Company has developed the Titanium venture 

with AXA IM Alts which has seven business parks worth 
€324 million, including the Augsburg transaction that was 
notarised in the period and completed in April 2021; and

 » the importance of sustainability and Sirius reducing its 

environmental impact and footprint and IT systems and 
security (including remote working) has resulted in two 
major new business functions for which the CEO has direct 
responsibility. In particular, the CEO has taken on the Chair 
of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee and is leading 
the Group’s initiatives in this important area.

The proposed changes to the current Remuneration Policy have 
been summarised below. How we propose to operate the policy 
for the year ending 31 March 2022 is set out on pages 79 to 81.

Chairman and Non-Executive Director fees
As set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the 
year ended 31 March 2020, it was considered increasing the 
Non-Executive Directors’ base fee from £40,000 to £55,000, 
and supplementary fees for chairing the Audit or Remuneration 
Committee from £7,500 to £10,000 and for holding the office of 
Senior Independent Director from £5,000 to £10,000. However, it 
was decided to defer the decision to implement these increases 
for the 2021 financial year until such time as the Company’s 
performance during the initial period of the pandemic had been 
able to be assessed. Taking into account our resilient performance 
throughout the pandemic, the Committee decided that the 
increases for the 2021 financial year should be implemented 
and take effect from the start of the 2021 financial year, in 
the normal course.

As the Chairman was only appointed in 2018, he confirmed 
that he did not wish his Chairman’s fee to be reviewed for the 
FY 2021 year. However, it is the intention of the Committee 
to review his fees in FY 2022. 

Non-Executive Director fees are shown below (converted to 
euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17). 

Chairman fee

Non-Executive Director fee

Additional fee for Chair of the Audit Committee

Additional fee for Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee

Additional fee for Senior Independent Director

Fees at 
1 April 2020

€140,400

€64,350

€11,700

€11,700

€11,700

Remuneration Policy
During the early part of 2021, the Committee undertook a full 
review of its Remuneration Policy, having regard to market practice 
and changes in best practice since 2018. As previously indicated, 
the intention with our new policy is to take a conventional 
approach suitable for a FTSE 250 company in all aspects of 
the reward structure. This has necessitated a rebalancing of 
the fixed and variable pay elements and alignment with best 
practice in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, whilst 
ensuring we retain sufficient flexibility over the next three years 
to support the execution of our strategy.

Reward element

2018 Policy

New Remuneration Policy

Salary

 » Usually reviewed annually taking into account 
Group performance, role, experience and 
individual performance, competitive salary 
levels and market forces and pay and 
conditions elsewhere in the Group. 

 » No change.

Benefits

 » Executive Directors currently receive private 

 » No change.

medical insurance, income insurance, 
death-in-service benefits and a company car.

 » Other benefits may be provided based on 
individual circumstances, for example 
relocation or travel expenses.

Retirement 
benefits

 » The maximum contribution level is set at 

 » Pension for Executive Directors to be reduced in alignment with 

15% of salary.

the majority of the wider workforce (9.7% of salary).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202178

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration Policy continued

Reward element

2018 Policy

New Remuneration Policy

Annual bonus

 » Maximum opportunity of 100% of salary.

 » The current annual bonus maximum, at 100% of salary, is 

 » 35% of bonus earned is normally deferred 
into shares, half of which are released after 
one year and the other half after two years, 
subject to remaining in employment.

 » At least 50% of the bonus will be based 

on profit related measures.

 » Malus and clawback provisions apply.

positioned at the lower end of the market practice for a FTSE 250 
company and below Sirius Real Estate’s peers. The Committee 
considers it important to be able to be competitive with its peers 
over the next three years and the increase in the maximum bonus 
is intended to provide this flexibility under the new policy and 
therefore increased the maximum opportunity to 150% of salary.

 » To recognise the increase in the size and complexity of Sirius Real 
Estate, the intention is that the maximum bonus opportunity for 
both Executive Directors will increase to 125% of salary for the 
year ending 31 March 2022. The increase in quantum will be 
commensurate with an increase in the stretch in targets, in 
particular a stretch in the financial target compared to previous 
years, and a dedicated element of the bonus conditions will be 
to meet appropriately stretching ESG targets.

 » 35% of bonus earned is normally deferred into shares, half of 
which are released after one year and the other half after two 
years. A greater proportion of the bonus may be deferred with 
the agreement of the Executive Director.

 » At least 60% of the bonus will be based on financial measures.

 » For financial measures, no bonus is earned for threshold 

performance rising to a maximum of 50% of the bonus for 
on-target performance. 

 » Malus and clawback provisions apply.

LTIP

 » Maximum award to an Executive Director 

 » Maximum annual grant opportunity of 200% of salary. The 

under the 2018 LTIP is three annual grants 
over a fixed number of shares.

 » Vesting by reference to performance over 
three, four and five years, each period 
beginning 1 April 2018. Two year holding 
period after vesting.

 » Performance measures: two-thirds Total Net 
Asset Value (plus dividends) and one-third 
relative TSR versus bespoke peer group.

 » Threshold vesting: 25% of maximum.

 » Malus and clawback provisions apply

Committee considers it important to be able to remain competitive 
with its peers over the next three years and this quantum will 
provide flexibility under the new policy, in addition to recognising 
Sirius Real Estate’s increase in size and responsibilities of the 
Executive Directors’ roles. 

 » Three year performance period and two year holding period 

will apply.

 » Flexibility to set performance measures other than financial, 
i.e. strategic/individual measures, with at least 60% of the 
opportunity to be based on financial measures. No less than 
one-third to be based on relative TSR versus bespoke peer group.

 » Threshold vesting will be up to 25% of maximum.

 » Executive Directors are expected to retain 

 » Executive Directors are expected to retain 100% of all shares 

50% of all shares acquired under the Deferred 
Bonus Plan and the Company’s LTIP (after 
sales to cover tax) until such time as their 
holding has a value equal to 300% of salary.

 » 200% of salary for at least twelve months 
following the date of cessation for each 
Executive Director. Shares which are subject 
to vested but unreleased (or released but 
unexercised) nil-cost options will count 
towards this limit on a net of assumed 
tax basis.

acquired under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Company’s LTIP 
(after sales to cover tax) until such time as their holding has a 
value equal to or greater than 300% of salary. 

 » 200% of salary for two years following the date of cessation for 

each Executive Director. Shares are subject to this guideline only 
if they are acquired from share plan awards. Shares purchased 
by an Executive Director are not subject to this guideline.

 » Recovery provisions (malus and clawback) 

 » Recovery provisions will continue to apply, updated to enable 

apply to the annual bonus and LTIP. 

 » The Committee has discretion to amend 

annual bonus pay-outs should any 
formulaic output not reflect its assessment 
of performance. 

their application in the event of serious reputational damage and 
material corporate failure.

 » The discretion to amend formulaic bonus pay-outs has been 
enhanced such that, in addition to an overall assessment of 
performance, an adjustment may be made in the event of 
circumstances that were unexpected or unforeseen at the start 
of the bonus year or where the Committee considers the pay-out 
to be inappropriate in the context of other relevant factors. 
A similar discretion is included for the 2021 LTIP.

Shareholding 
guidelines

Post-cessation 
shareholding 
guidelines

Other 
governance 
changes

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202179

Shareholder views
The Committee believes that ongoing dialogue with major 
shareholders in relation to Executive Director remuneration is 
of key importance and consulted with major shareholders and 
investor agencies in relation to the new Remuneration Policy. 
Having regard to feedback received, the Committee revised 
its initial proposals such that: (i) 35% of any bonus earned will 
be deferred into shares for all Executive Directors; (ii) until the 
shareholding guideline is met, Executive Directors are expected 
to retain all shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan and the 
Company’s LTIP (after sales to cover tax), rather than the 
originally proposed 50% which applies under the 2018 Policy; 
(iii) the post-cessation shareholding guideline is set at 200% of 
salary for two years following cessation rather than the originally 
proposed twelve months which applies under the 2018 Policy, 
in order to align the guidelines with best practice; and (iv) no 
additional “exceptional circumstances” headroom has been 
included in the LTIP section of the Remuneration Policy, as had 
originally been proposed.

Engagement with dissenting shareholders 
following the previous AGM
Since the non-binding vote on Sirius’s Remuneration report for 
the year ended 31 March 2020 garnered less than 75% of the 
votes exercised, Sirius invited dissenting shareholders through 
the LSE’s Regulatory News Service and the JSE’s Stock Exchange 
News Service to communicate their concerns/questions on the 
Remuneration report to Sirius’ Company Secretary by email by no 
later than close of business (SAST) on Monday 10 August 2020. 
No shareholders took up this invitation. The Company also wrote 
to the Investment Association on 29 January 2021 in which it 
set out its proposals to introduce the new Remuneration Policy 
which it hoped would address concerns previously made by 
shareholders in relation to the 2018 Policy. This was published 
on the Company’s website.

To enable effective two-way communication, Sirius urges 
shareholders to use the channels made available to them to 
engage with the Company.

Implementation of Remuneration Policy for the 2022 financial year
As part of the policy review the Committee has considered the positioning of both the fixed and variable pay elements of the 
remuneration package of our Executive Directors alongside their respective roles and responsibilities. Information on how the 
Company intends to implement the Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 March 2022 is set out below:

Element

Salary

Application of the Remuneration Policy

Andrew Coombs’ salary will be increased from £429,385 to £485,000 (c.13% increase) with effect from 
1 April 2021. This increase takes into account the significantly increased role and corresponding responsibilities 
of the CEO role within Sirius Real Estate, which has seen a material change in the scale and complexity of the 
business, as outlined on page 76, and is expected to continue with our ambitious plans in the future.

For reference, over the three and a half years to October 2020, being the period since the Company was 
admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, the aggregate salary increase received by the 
wider workforce has been 19.3%. This equates to an average annual increase of 5.5%. Applying the same 
annual increase in the CEO’s base salary over this period would have increased his base salary to £483,000. 
Therefore, the proposed increase for Andrew Coombs would now bring his salary in line with the average 
annual rate of increase received by the wider workforce. This does not include the expected future increase 
to workforce pay in FY 2022.

Alistair Marks’ salary will remain at €364,828 as of 1 April 2021 but will reduce to €320,000 from 1 October 2021 
(c.12% decrease). This reflects the appointment of Diarmuid Kelly as Group Finance Director on 1 April 2021 
which will allow Alistair to focus on acquisitions and disposals, the capex investment programmes and banking. 
Whilst Alistair remains as CFO, the Committee felt that a reduction in salary was appropriate to reflect the 
greater responsibility for the finance function being taken on by Diarmuid.

Pension

Pension for Executive Directors has been reduced from 15% of salary to be aligned with the rate available to 
the majority of the wider workforce (currently 9.7% of salary) with effect from 1 April 2021.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202180

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Implementation of Remuneration Policy for the 2022 financial year continued

Element

Application of the Remuneration Policy

Annual bonus

Up to a maximum of 125% of base salary for each Executive Director. The annual bonus will be subject to 
stretching performance conditions based on a combination of financial measures, strategic/personal objectives 
and ESG targets. The Committee considers the performance targets and objectives to be commercially sensitive, 
however there will be a stretch in the financial target compared to previous years and a new dedicated element 
of stretching ESG targets. Details of the performance targets and objectives, and performance against them, 
will be disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ending 31 March 2022, unless they are 
considered to remain commercially sensitive.

65% of the bonus earned will be paid in cash, with the remaining 35% deferred into shares (50% of which 
will be released to the Executive Directors after one year and 50% after two years). 

The proposed performance measures and weightings for the FY 2022 bonus are as follows:

KPI

Measurement scale

Vesting

Weighting

Company financial performance

Adjusted FFO(1)

On-target

Below target

Above target

70%

0%

50%

100%

Strategic targets, personal objectives and ESG targets

Delivery on strategic 
targets

Both of the Executive Directors have specific KPIs 
linked to short-term value creation indicators

From 0% 
to 100% 10%

Delivery on individual 
targets

Each Executive Director has his own specific objectives

10%

Delivery on ESG targets Each Executive Director has his own specific and 
shared ESG objectives 

From 0% 
to 100% 10%

(1)  Adjusted FFO is defined for the purposes of the bonus objectives as being funds from operations (as defined in the 
Glossary) adjusted for senior management bonus costs and accruals and excluding any acquisitions that may be 
made during the year to 31 March 2022 except for Essen which completed early in the reporting period. Profit and 
fees impacting funds from operations that relate to the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts shall include those 
relating to the Augsburg acquisition but those from further acquisitions that may be made during the year to 
31 March 2022 shall not be included. The adjusted FFO figure shall be further adjusted in such manner as is agreed 
with the Remuneration Committee for any disposals completed in the year to 31 March 2022. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202181

Element

Application of the Remuneration Policy

LTIP award

Up to a maximum award level of 1,000,000 shares for Andrew Coombs and 580,000 shares for Alistair Marks, 
or 200% of salary at the time of award, whichever is the lower. Vesting of the awards will be subject to stretching 
performance measures and targets based on annualised TNR growth (two-thirds of maximum) and relative TSR 
(one-third of maximum). The performance measures will be assessed over three years and a two year holding 
period will then apply to any shares which vest.

The targets for the 2022 LTIP grant are as follows:

Annualised TNR(1) growth over the performance period

Vesting percentage

< 7.5% p.a.

7.5% p.a.

0% of maximum

25% of maximum

7.5% p.a. >x< 10% p.a.

Pro rate vesting between 25% and 62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.

62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.>x< 13.5% p.a.

Pro rate vesting between 62.5% and 100% of maximum

13.5% p.a.

100% of maximum

(1)   Calculated as annualised growth in adjusted net asset value plus dividends paid. Adjusted net asset value means the 
net asset value of the Company adjusted for the fair value of derivative hedging instruments, deferred tax and goodwill.

Taking into account the strong total returns over the last few years these are considered to be stretching targets.

Relative TSR against the peer group(1) 
over the performance period

Below median

Median

Vesting percentage

0% of maximum

25% of maximum

Between median and upper quartile

Pro rate vesting between 25% and 100% of maximum

Upper quartile

100% of maximum

(1)  TSR peer group: Workspace Group Plc, SEGRO Plc, Big Yellow Group Plc, Safestore Holdings Plc, alstria office 
REIT-AG, Custodian REIT Plc, Warehouse REIT, Plc Regional REIT Ltd, Hamborner REIT AG, DIC Asset AG, VIB 
Vermögen AG, Urban Logistics REIT Plc, Stenprop Ltd, CLS Holdings Plc, Londonmetric Property Plc, Deutsche 
Industrie REIT-AG, McKay Securities Plc, Demire Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG and Shurgard Self Storage SA.

It is expected future awards will have greater weighting towards relative TSR, but the Committee felt that the 
markets were insufficiently stable to justify increasing the weighting for this financial year.

Chairman and Non-
Executive Director fees

The Committee intends to review the Chairman’s fee in FY 2022. The basic fee for Non-Executive Director fees 
will be increased by 1% to £55,550, effective from 1 April 2021, in line with inflation. No increase will be made 
to the supplementary fees for chairing the Audit or Remuneration Committee or for holding the office of Senior 
Independent Director. 

Additional disclosures
Sirius is a Guernsey incorporated company. We voluntarily report on Directors’ remuneration in line with UK issuers where the 
disclosures are relevant to understanding our business performance and executive rewards. 

Committee evaluation
The Committee’s performance was considered as part of the Board evaluation process, which is described in the Corporate 
governance report on page 62. I am pleased to report that the Board considers that the Committee continues to perform well in its 
role supporting the Board.

We hope that shareholders will support the proposed Remuneration Policy, the 2021 LTIP and the Annual Report on Remuneration 
at the AGM on 30 July 2021.

James Peggie
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
4 June 2021

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

How the Committee operated during the year

Our approach to setting pay market 
reference points and peer groups considered 
by the Committee
The aim of the Remuneration Policy is to align the interests of 
Executive Directors with the Group’s strategic vision, the long-term 
creation of shareholder value, and the promotion of responsible 
behaviours. The Remuneration Policy is intended to remunerate 
our Executive Directors competitively and appropriately for the 
effective delivery of the Group’s strategy and allows them to 
share in the successful delivery of value to shareholders. 

To ensure we maintain competitive, from time to time, the 
Committee benchmarks Executive Director pay. For the 
benchmarking exercise undertaken in 2020, the following 
market reference points were considered:

 » market practice in FTSE 250 companies (excluding the top 50 
companies in the FTSE 250), the index of which Sirius is a 
constituent; and

 » market practice in an industry comparator group. Sirius provides 
branded business parks to the German SME market as well 
as larger tenants. The industry comparator group comprised 
the following companies that are listed on the London Stock 
Exchange or Frankfurt Stock Exchange: alstria office REIT-AG, 
Big Yellow Group Plc, Capital & Counties Properties Plc, 
CLS Holdings Plc, DIC Asset AG, Londonmetric Property Plc, 
McKay Securities Plc, RDI REIT Plc, Safestore Holdings Plc, 
Stenprop Ltd, St Modwen Properties Plc, VIB Vermögen AG 
and Workspace Group Plc.

While market data provides a valuable insight into pay levels 
and structures, the Committee recognises that benchmarking 
should not be the sole determinant when considering Executive 
Directors’ remuneration. In line with Sirius Real Estate’s general 
approach to setting pay, the Committee therefore considered 
many factors, alongside benchmarking, when reviewing the 
proposed revisions to the Remuneration Policy and 
implementation of the Remuneration Policy.

2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the “2018 Code”)
The Board considers that the membership of the Committee 
is compliant with the 2018 Code. No individual is involved in 
determining their own remuneration.

The 2018 Code applied to the Company from the start of 2020 
financial year and we have reported compliance with the 2018 
Code within our Corporate governance report on page 54. 

In determining the new Remuneration Policy, the Committee 
took into account the principles of clarity, simplicity, risk, 
predictability, proportionality and alignment to culture, as set 
out in the Code.

Membership and attendance

Committee members as at 31 March 2021

Meeting attendance

James Peggie (Chairman)

Justin Atkinson(1) 

Mark Cherry

Daniel Kitchen

Jill May(1)

Caroline Britton(2)

Kelly Cleveland(2)

6/6

1/1

6/6

6/6

1/1

5/5

5/5

(1)  Justin Atkinson and Jill May stepped down from the Committee and 

the Board on 31 July 2020.

(2)  Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the 

Committee and the Board on 1 June 2020.

Key focus areas
The Committee’s main focus areas during the financial year are 
summarised below.

Area

Subject

Decisions 
relating to 
the Executive 
Directors

Decisions 
relating to 
other members 
of the Senior 
Management 
Team

Decisions 
relating to 
managers 
below Senior 
Management 
Team

Remuneration 
Policy

 » Taking into account our resilient performance 
throughout the pandemic, approved salary 
increases effective from 1 April 2020

 » Carried out a benchmarking exercise of 

Executive Director pay

 » Approved bonus outturns for FY 2020 and 

retention of 35% by deferral in shares through 
the Deferred Bonus Plan

 » Released the remaining 50% of FY 2018 

Deferred Bonus Plan awards and the first 50% 
of FY 2019 Deferred Bonus Plan awards

 » Approved Ordinary Awards under 2018 LTIP 

and performance conditions

 » Set financial objectives and targets for 

FY 2021 bonuses 

 » Approved outturns for FY 2020 bonuses 

and the percentage cash retention for one year

 » Released retained bonuses from FY 2019

 » Set financial objectives for FY 2021 bonuses

 » Approved Ordinary Awards under 2018 LTIP 

and performance conditions

 » Assisted with and approved new remuneration 
packages and contract terms for the new 
C Suite Directors

 » Inclusion of new members of the Senior 

Managers’ Share Incentive Plan

 » Reviewed the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

and undertook shareholder and investor agency 
consultation in advance of seeking shareholder 
approval at the 2021 AGM

Governance

 » Reviewed 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Report

 » Reviewed workforce pay across the Group

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202183

Wider workforce remuneration and 
employee engagement
Sirius seeks to be an employer of choice for all of its employees. 
Compensation is therefore structured competitively within the 
market and is regularly reviewed in order to attract and retain 
talent. Although employees are not actively consulted on 
Directors’ remuneration, as the Non-Executive Director designated 
under the 2018 Code for employee engagement, the Chairman, 
Daniel Kitchen, engages directly with employees on a range of 
topics of interest to them, including pay. This year the Chairman 
accompanied the CEO, Andrew Coombs, on a roadshow of 
twelve different sites where there was attendance by 80% of the 
workforce. Those who could not attend in person were provided 
with a presentation. The roadshow addressed the results of the 
annual employee survey, the alignment of Executive Director 
remuneration to Company performance and related targets for 
each employee, the focus on being an employer of choice and 
on FFO, gender pay balance, participation by employees in 
Company share plans, the Board’s appreciation of employee 
efforts during the pandemic and planned changes to 
management structure in Germany. 

There were open Q&A sessions on these and other topics of 
interest to colleagues and the CEO took away a number of 
topics for consideration as a result of the engagements, such 
as employee wellbeing initiatives, the continuing development 
and training of employees and the development of a Diversity 
and Inclusion Policy. Progress on these topics will be reported in 
the Annual Report 2022. 

The Board and the Committee also receive updates from 
members of the Senior Management Team on workforce 
compensation and undertook an analysis of the average 
increase in workforce salaries since the move to the Main 
Markets in 2017, as part of their exercise in reviewing the 
Executive Directors’ pay.

As described in the Sustainability report on page 31, the Group 
engages with colleagues through a number of formal and 
informal channels, including an annual employee survey, which 
explores a range of engagement, welfare and satisfaction areas. 

Additionally, Share Incentive Plans are used by the Company to 
motivate, reward and retain key members of staff. In particular, 
we have in place a senior managers’ Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”) 
to create staff alignment with the Group and promote a sense 
of ownership. 39% of Sirius’ staff are currently shareholders. 
Following the successful conclusion of the current SIP scheme, 
42% of Sirius staff will be shareholders. 

Principle

Commentary

Clarity: remuneration 
arrangements should be 
transparent and promote effective 
engagement with shareholders 
and the workforce.

Simplicity: remuneration 
structures should avoid 
complexity and their rationale 
and operation should be easy 
to understand.

Risk: remuneration 
arrangements should ensure 
reputational and other risks 
from excessive rewards, and 
behavioural risks that can 
arise from target-based 
incentive plans, are identified 
and mitigated. 

Predictability: the range of 
possible values of rewards to 
individual Directors and other 
limits or discretions should be 
identified and explained at the 
time of approving the policy. 

Proportionality: the link between 
individual awards, the delivery 
of strategy and the long-term 
performance of the Company 
should be clear. Outcomes should 
not reward poor performance.

Alignment to culture: incentive 
schemes should drive behaviours 
consistent with Company 
purpose, values and strategy. 

We operate simple variable 
pay arrangements, which are 
subject to clear performance 
measures aligned with the 
Group’s strategy and the 
interests of all stakeholders.

Details of our remuneration 
arrangements are disclosed 
clearly and concisely.

Both the annual bonus and 
LTIP are subject to malus 
and clawback provisions. 
This allows the Committee 
to have appropriate regard 
to risk considerations. 

Annual bonus deferral is in 
place for all Executive Directors. 
In addition, the large 
shareholdings of the Executive 
Directors and the operation of 
in-employment and post-
employment shareholding 
guidelines further align the 
interests of our Executive 
Directors to serve the 
long-term interests of the 
Company and shareholders.

The Committee also has 
discretion to override formulaic 
outcomes, which may not 
accurately reflect the underlying 
performance of the Group.

Details of the range of possible 
values of rewards and other 
limits or discretions can be 
found on page 86.

We believe total remuneration 
should fairly reflect 
performance of the Executive 
Directors and the Group as a 
whole, taking into account 
underlying performance and 
shareholder experience.

The Committee considers 
the approach to wider 
workforce pay and policies 
when determining the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
to ensure that it is appropriate 
in this context.

In determining the 
Remuneration Policy, the 
Committee was clear that 
this should drive the right 
behaviours, reflect our values 
and support the Group 
purpose and strategy. The 
Committee will review the 
remuneration framework 
regularly so that it continues 
to support our strategy.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202184

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

This part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report sets out Sirius Real Estate’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy which, subject to 
shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM, shall take effect from the close of that meeting. The Remuneration Policy has been 
determined independently by the Remuneration Committee. 

The Remuneration Policy was adopted at the general meeting held on 5 December 2018 and reapproved on an advisory basis at 
the 2019 and 2020 AGMs in accordance with the requirements of the JSE Listings Requirements that the Remuneration Policy be 
put to a non-binding advisory vote each year. In line with typical UK practice, following the end of the three year period for which the 
Remuneration Policy originally approved in 2018 applied, the Remuneration Committee has reviewed the policy to ensure it remains 
fit for purpose. A summary of the principal changes made between the former Remuneration Policy and this Remuneration Policy is 
set out on pages 77 and 78. Other minor changes have been made to the former Remuneration Policy as a consequence of these 
principal changes, to aid the operation of the Remuneration Policy and to take account of developments in practice. 

Executive Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The following table sets out the elements of our Executive Director remuneration and how each element operates, as well as the 
maximum opportunity of each element and, where relevant, the approach to performance measures.

Fixed remuneration

Element, purpose and strategic link

Operation

Maximum opportunity and performance measures

Basic salary
To provide a competitive base 
salary for the market in which 
the Company and its subsidiaries 
(the “Group”) operates to 
attract and retain Executive 
Directors of a suitable calibre.

Benefits
To provide market appropriate 
benefits as part of the total 
remuneration package.

Usually reviewed annually taking account of a 
number of factors which may include, but are 
not limited to:

 » Group performance;

Increases will normally be in line with the range of 
salary increases awarded (in percentage terms) to 
other Group employees. Increases above this level 
may be awarded to take account of individual 
circumstances, such as:

 » role, experience and individual performance;

 » promotion;

 » competitive salary levels and market forces; 

and

 » pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group.

Executive Directors currently receive private 
medical insurance, income insurance, death 
in service benefits and a company car.

Other benefits may be provided based on 
individual circumstances, for example relocation 
or travel expenses.

Reimbursed expenses may include a gross-up 
to reflect any tax or social security due in respect 
of the reimbursement.

 » change in scope or increase in responsibilities;

 » an individual’s development or performance in role; 

 » a change in the size or complexity of the business; 

and

 » significant market movement.

Whilst the Remuneration Committee has not set a 
maximum level of benefits that Executive Directors 
may receive, the value of benefits is set at a level 
which the Remuneration Committee considers 
appropriate, taking into account market practice 
and individual circumstances.

Retirement benefits
To provide an appropriate level 
of retirement benefit (or cash 
allowance equivalent).

Executive Directors are provided with a 
contribution to a self-invested pension plan 
or a cash allowance instead of contributions 
to a pension plan (or a combination thereof).

From 1 April 2021, the maximum contribution level 
is set at the level not exceeding the contribution 
available to the majority of the wider workforce 
(currently 9.7% of salary). 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202185

Variable remuneration

Element, purpose and strategic link

Operation

Maximum opportunity and performance measures

Annual bonus
Rewards performance against 
targets which support the 
strategic direction and financial 
performance of the Group.

Deferral provides a retention 
element and direct alignment 
to shareholders’ interests.

2021 LTIP
To provide a clear link between 
the remuneration of the Executive 
Directors and the creation of value 
for shareholders by rewarding 
the Executive Directors for the 
achievement of longer-term 
objectives aligned to 
shareholders’ interests.

Awards are based on performance (typically 
measured over one financial year). Pay-out levels 
are normally determined by the Remuneration 
Committee after the year end.

The Remuneration Committee has discretion to 
amend pay-outs if it considers that the formulaic 
output does not reflect its assessment of 
performance, is not appropriate in the context of 
circumstances that were unexpected or unforeseen 
at the start of the relevant year, or is not appropriate 
in the context of other factors considered 
relevant by the Remuneration Committee.

A proportion (normally up to 65%) of any bonus 
is paid in cash with the balance normally paid 
in the form of ordinary shares in the Company 
(“Shares”), half of which are usually deferred 
for one year and half for two years. A greater 
proportion of the bonus may be deferred with 
the agreement of the Executive Director.

Additional shares may be delivered in respect of 
deferred bonus award shares to reflect dividends 
over the deferral period. The number of 
additional shares may be calculated assuming 
the reinvestment of dividends on such basis 
as the Remuneration Committee determines.

Recovery provisions apply as referred to below.

The annual bonus opportunity is up to a maximum 
of 150% of base salary.

However, for the year ending 31 March 2022, the 
Executive Directors’ maximum award level will be 
capped at 125% of salary. The financial target will be 
stretched as compared to previous years (when the 
maximum bonus was 100% of salary) and a dedicated 
element of the bonus objectives will be based on 
appropriately stretching ESG targets.

Targets are set annually and aligned with key financial, 
strategic and/or individual personal targets (including 
ESG targets) with the weightings between these 
measures determined by the Remuneration Committee 
each year considering the Group’s priorities at the time.

At least 60% of the bonus will be based on one 
or more financial measures. For the year ending 
31 March 2022, 70% of the bonus will be based 
on financial measures.

For financial measures, no bonus is earned for 
threshold performance, rising to a maximum of 50% 
of the bonus for on-target performance and to 100% 
of the maximum for the financial element for 
maximum performance.

The performance measures chosen for the year 
ending 31 March 2022 are described on page 80.

Vesting of the bonus in respect of strategic measures 
or individual objectives will be between 0% and 100% 
based on the Remuneration Committee’s assessment 
of the extent to which the relevant metric or objective 
has been met.

The Remuneration Committee may grant awards as 
conditional shares or as nil (or nominal) cost options.

For the year ending 31 March 2022, the maximum 
award level will be:

Awards will usually vest following the assessment of 
the applicable performance measures, which will 
usually be assessed over three years, but will not be 
released (so that the participant is entitled to acquire 
shares) until the end of a holding period of two years 
beginning on the vesting date.

Alternatively, awards may be granted on the basis 
that the participant is entitled to acquire shares 
following the assessment of the applicable 
performance conditions but that (other than as 
regards sales to cover tax liabilities) the award is not 
released (so that the participant is able to dispose of 
those shares) until the end of the holding period.

The Remuneration Committee has discretion 
to amend pay-outs if it considers that the formulaic 
output does not reflect its assessment of 
performance, is not appropriate in the context of 
circumstances that were unexpected or unforeseen 
at the date of grant, or is not appropriate in the 
context of other factors considered relevant by the 
Remuneration Committee.

Additional shares may be delivered in respect of 
LTIP award shares to reflect dividends over the 
performance period and, if relevant, holding period. 
The number of additional shares may be calculated 
assuming the reinvestment of dividends on such 
basis as the Remuneration Committee determines. 

Recovery provisions apply as referred to below.

 » 1,000,000 shares in the case of the CEO; and 

 » 580,000 shares for the CFO,

or, in either case and if lower, such number of shares 
as have a market value equal to 200% of salary.

For any other year, the maximum award will be 200% 
of salary. 

For these purposes, the “market value” of a share will be 
the closing share price on the day of announcement 
by the Company of its results for the financial year 
preceding the year in respect of which the award is 
granted, unless the Remuneration Committee decides 
to determine market value on some other basis.

Performance measures for LTIP awards will include 
financial measures (which may include, but are not 
limited to, Total Net Asset Value and Total Shareholder 
Return) and may include strategic measures (which 
may include ESG measures). At least 60% of the 
award will be subject to performance conditions 
based on financial measures and at least one-third 
will be based on a Total Shareholder Return measure. 

The performance measures chosen for the year 
ending 31 March 2022 are described on page 81.

Subject to the Remuneration Committee’s discretion 
to override formulaic outturns, awards will vest as to 
25% for threshold performance, increasing to 100% 
for maximum performance.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202186

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Information supporting the Remuneration 
Policy table
Explanation of performance measures chosen
Performance measures for the annual bonus and LTIP are 
selected to reflect the Group’s strategy. Performance targets 
are set each year by the Remuneration Committee, taking into 
account a number of different factors. Our current approach is 
that the annual bonus is assessed against a mixture of financial, 
strategic and personal objectives (including ESG targets), 
ensuring that Executive Directors are rewarded by reference 
not only to the relevant year’s financial performance, but also 
achievement against non-financial metrics which are aligned 
with the forward-looking delivery of strategy; this may include 
measures targeting improvement in ESG. We currently intend 
that awards under the 2021 LTIP will be based on a mixture of 
Total NAV Return (directly linked to our KPIs) and, as regards at 
least one-third of each award, relative Total Shareholder Return 
(which measures our performance against peer companies). 

The Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to adjust or 
set different performance measures or targets where it considers 
it appropriate to do so (for example, to reflect a change in strategy, 
a material acquisition and/or a divestment of a Group business 
or a change in prevailing market conditions and to assess 
performance on a fair and consistent basis from year to year). 

Recovery provisions
The annual bonus and LTIP are subject to recovery provisions 
as set out below.

Malus provisions apply which enable the Remuneration 
Committee to determine before the payment of an annual 
bonus or the vesting of an LTIP award that the bonus 
opportunity or LTIP award may be cancelled or reduced.

Clawback provisions apply which enable the Remuneration 
Committee to determine for up to two years following the 
payment of a cash bonus or the vesting of an LTIP award that 
the amount of the bonus paid may be recovered (and any 
deferred bonus award may be reduced or cancelled, or recovery 
may be applied to it if it has been exercised) and the LTIP award 
may be cancelled or reduced (if it has not been exercised) or 
recovery may be applied to it (if it has been exercised).

The malus and clawback provisions may be applied in the event 
of material misstatement of audited financial results, material 
error in the information or assumptions on which the award or 
bonus was granted or vests (including an error in assessing a 
performance measure), material risk management failure, serious 
reputational damage, material corporate failure, or gross 
misconduct on the part of the Executive Director.

Shareholding guidelines during employment
To align the interests of Executive Directors with those of 
shareholders, the Remuneration Committee has adopted 
shareholding guidelines in accordance with which Executive 
Directors are expected to retain all shares acquired under the 
deferred bonus, 2015 LTIP, 2018 LTIP and 2021 LTIP (in each 
case after sales to cover tax) until such a time as they hold 
shares with a value equal to 300% of salary.

Shares subject to the 2018 LTIP and 2021 LTIP awards which 
have vested but have not been released (that is, which are in a 
holding period), or which have been released but have not been 
exercised, and shares subject to deferred bonus awards count 
towards the guidelines on a net of assumed tax basis.

Shareholding guidelines after employment
The Remuneration Committee has adopted a post-employment 
shareholding guideline. Shares are subject to this guideline only 
if they are acquired from share plan awards. Shares purchased 
by an Executive Director are not subject to this guideline. 

An Executive Director must retain, for two years after cessation 
of employment, such of their relevant shares as have a value 
at cessation equal to 200% of salary (or if less all of their 
relevant shares).

Illustrations of application of Remuneration Policy
The following charts provide an illustration, for each of the 
Executive Directors, of the application of the Remuneration 
Policy for the year ending 31 March 2022. The charts show the 
split of remuneration between fixed pay (base salary, benefits 
and employer pension contributions/salary supplement), 
annual bonus and long-term incentive pay on the basis of 
minimum remuneration, remuneration receivable for performance 
in line with Sirius Real Estate’s expectations, maximum 
remuneration and maximum remuneration assuming a 50% 
increase in the share price for the purpose of the LTIP element.

Andrew Coombs 
Chief Executive Officer

€1,504k

34%

24%

42%

€634k

100%

€2,373k

43%

30%

27%

Minimum  
performance

Performance in line 
with expectations

Maximum  
performance

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

Alistair Marks
Chief Financial Officer

€957k

34%

24%

42%

€430k

100%

€1,483k

43%

30%

27%

Minimum  
performance

Performance in line 
with expectations

Maximum  
performance

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

€2,888k

53%

25%

22%

Maximum  
performance 
(with 50% share 
price increases)

€1,782k

53%

25%

22%

Maximum  
performance 
(with 50% share 
price increases)

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202187

In illustrating the potential reward, the following assumptions have been made.

Minimum performance

No bonus.

No LTIP vesting.

Fixed pay 

Annual bonus

LTIP

Base salary (being the latest 
known salary as at 1 April 2021, 
converted into € at an exchange 
rate of 1.17 where necessary).

Employer pension contributions 
at an assumed rate of 9.7% 
based on the latest known salary.

Benefits as disclosed in the 
single figure table on page 90 
for 2020/21.

Bonus equal to 
62.5% of salary 
is earned (50% 
of maximum).

Bonus equal to 
125% of salary is 
earned (maximum 
bonus earned).

Performance in line 
with expectations

Maximum performance

Maximum performance (plus 
an assumed 50% increase 
in the share price for the 
purposes of the LTIP element)

LTIP award granted over 1,000,000 shares in the 
case of Andrew Coombs and 580,000 shares in 
the case of Alistair Marks, with 50% of the shares 
vesting and a share valued at €1.03 (being the 
closing price of £0.88 on 31 March 2021 converted 
at an exchange rate of 1.17).

LTIP award granted over 1,000,000 shares in the 
case of Andrew Coombs and 580,000 shares in 
the case of Alistair Marks, with 100% of the shares 
vesting and a share valued at €1.03 (being the 
closing price of £0.88 on 31 March 2021 converted 
at an exchange rate of 1.17).

LTIP award granted over 1,000,000 shares in the 
case of Andrew Coombs and 580,000 shares in 
the case of Alistair Marks, with 100% of the shares 
vesting and a share valued at €1.03 (being the 
closing price of £0.88 on 31 March 2021 converted 
at an exchange rate of 1.17).

Non-Executive Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Remuneration Policy for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors is to pay fees necessary to attract an individual of the calibre 
required, taking into consideration the size and complexity of the business and the time commitment of the role, without paying 
more than is necessary. Details are set out in the table below:

Approach to setting fees

 » The fees of the Chairman are determined by the Remuneration Committee, and the fees of the 

Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board following a recommendation from both the CEO 
and the Chairman.

 » Fees are set taking into account the level of responsibility, relevant experience and specialist knowledge 

of each Non-Executive Director and fees at companies of a similar size and complexity.

Basis of fees

 » Non-Executive Directors are paid a basic fee for membership of the Board with additional fees being paid 

for Chairmanship of Board Committees.

 » Additional fees may also be paid for other Board responsibilities or roles or time commitment, such as for 

holding the position of Senior Independent Director or Designated Non-Executive Director with 
responsibility for engaging with the workforce.

 » Fees are normally paid in cash.

Other

 » Non-Executive Directors may be eligible to receive reasonable reimbursements such as travel and other 

expenses. Reimbursed expenses may include a gross-up to reflect any tax or social security due in respect 
of the reimbursement.

 » Neither the Chairman nor any of the Non-Executive Directors are eligible to participate in any of the 

Group’s incentive arrangements.

Approach to recruitment remuneration
When hiring a new Executive Director, the Remuneration Committee will typically align the remuneration package with the above 
Remuneration Policy.

When determining appropriate remuneration arrangements, the Remuneration Committee may include other elements of pay which 
it considers are appropriate. However, this discretion is capped and is subject to the limits referred to below.

 » Base salary will be set at a level appropriate to the role and the experience of the Executive Director being appointed. This may 
include agreement on future increases up to a market rate, in line with increased experience and/or responsibilities, subject to 
good performance, where it is considered appropriate.

 » Pension will only be provided in line with the above Remuneration Policy.

 » The Remuneration Committee will not offer non-performance related incentive payments (for example a “guaranteed sign-on bonus”).

 » Other elements may be included in the following circumstances:

 –   an interim appointment being made to fill an Executive Director role on a short-term basis;

 –   if exceptional circumstances require that the Chairman or a Non-Executive Director takes on an executive function on a 

short-term basis; 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202188

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Approach to recruitment remuneration 
continued

Name

Commencement

Notice period

Daniel Kitchen

24 September 2018

 –   if an Executive Director is recruited at a time in the year 
when it would be inappropriate to provide a bonus or 
long-term incentive award for that year as there would not 
be sufficient time to assess performance. Subject to the 
limit on variable remuneration set out below, the quantum 
in respect of the months employed during the year may be 
transferred to the subsequent year so that reward is 
provided on a fair and appropriate basis; and

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

James Peggie

Caroline Britton

Kelly Cleveland

Mark Cherry

20 January 2012

20 January 2012

27 November 2012

1 June 2020

1 June 2020

14 June 2019

3 months

6 months

6 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

 –   if the Director will be required to relocate in order to take 

up the position, it is the Company’s policy to allow 
reasonable relocation, travel and subsistence payments. 
Any such payments will be at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Payments for loss of office
Payments for loss of office will be in line with the provisions of 
the Executive Directors’ service contracts and the rules of the 
share plans.

 » The Remuneration Committee may also alter the 

performance measures, performance period, vesting period, 
holding period and deferral period of the annual bonus or 
2021 LTIP, subject to the rules of the 2021 LTIP, if the 
Remuneration Committee determines that the circumstances 
of the recruitment merit such alteration. The rationale will be 
clearly explained in the next Directors’ Remuneration Report.

 » The maximum level of variable remuneration which may be 
granted (excluding “buyout” awards as referred to below) is 
350% of salary.

 » The Remuneration Committee may offer a service contract 

with a notice period (from both the Company and the 
Director) of up to twelve months.

The Remuneration Committee may make payments or awards 
in respect of hiring an employee to “buy out” remuneration 
arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In doing 
so, the Remuneration Committee will take account of relevant 
factors including any performance conditions attached to the 
forfeited arrangements and the time over which they would 
have vested. The Remuneration Committee will generally seek 
to structure “buyout” awards or payments on a comparable 
basis to the remuneration arrangements forfeited. Any such 
payments or awards are excluded from the maximum level of 
variable remuneration referred to above. “Buyout” awards will 
ordinarily be granted on the basis that they are subject to 
forfeiture or “clawback” in the event of departure within twelve 
months of joining Sirius Real Estate, although the Remuneration 
Committee will retain discretion not to apply forfeiture or 
clawback in appropriate circumstances.

Any share awards referred to in this section will be granted as 
far as possible under Sirius Real Estate’s ordinary share plans. 
If necessary and subject to the limits referred to above, 
recruitment awards may be granted outside of these plans.

Where a position is filled internally, any ongoing remuneration 
obligations or outstanding variable pay elements shall be 
allowed to continue in accordance with their terms.

Fees payable to a newly appointed Chairman or Non-Executive 
Director will be in line with the policy in place at the time 
of appointment.

Service contracts
Each of the Executive Directors has a service contract with the 
Group. Other than in the case of a newly appointed Executive 
Director in respect of whom a notice period of up to twelve months 
may be offered, the notice period for Executive Directors will not 
exceed six months. All Non-Executive Directors have initial fixed 
term agreements with the Group for no more than three years. 
Details of the Directors’ service contracts are set out below:

Payment in lieu of notice
The Company retains the right to terminate each Executive 
Director’s service contract by making a payment in lieu of some 
or all of the notice period. Any such payment would consist of 
base salary but not benefits in respect of the unexpired notice 
period. Post-termination restrictive covenants are in place for six 
months after notice of termination has been given, and under 
their service contracts, the Executive Directors are entitled to a 
payment of 100% of salary for observing these restrictions. This 
is a legacy arrangement in their service contracts and will not be 
replicated for future appointments.

Annual bonus
In the event of cessation of employment, any payment to an 
Executive Director in respect of annual bonus will be at the 
discretion of the Remuneration Committee and will be dependent 
upon a number of factors including the circumstances of their 
departure and their contribution to the business during the 
bonus period in question. In “good leaver” circumstances 
including cessation due to death, ill health, injury, disability or 
any other reason at the discretion of the Committee a departing 
Director would typically be eligible for payment of a bonus. Any 
payment will typically be pro-rated to reflect the proportion of 
the bonus year worked and subject to performance achieved. 
Ordinarily, any bonus will be paid at the usual time (although the 
Remuneration Committee retains discretion to pay the bonus 
earlier in appropriate circumstances). 

Any deferred amounts from bonus earned in previous years 
will normally be retained by the Executive Directors unless the 
Executive Director resigns to join or set up a competitive business 
or is summarily dismissed. Awards will ordinarily only vest at the 
usual time (although the Remuneration Committee retains 
discretion to vest awards early in appropriate circumstances). 

2021 LTIP
Leaving before an award has vested
If an Executive Director ceases employment with the Group 
before an award under the 2021 LTIP vests as a result of death, 
ill health, injury, disability or any other reason at the discretion of 
the Remuneration Committee, the award will usually continue 
and vest following the end of the performance period to the 
extent determined taking into account performance conditions 
and, unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, 
the proportion of the performance period that has elapsed at 
cessation. In other “leaver” circumstances, the award will lapse. 
Where an award does not lapse, it will ordinarily be released at the 
end of the originally envisaged holding period. The Remuneration 
Committee retains discretion to vest and release the award at 
cessation and to assess performance conditions accordingly 
and would do so in the event of death. The Remuneration 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202189

Committee also has discretion to release the award at another 
time (such as following the end of the performance period).

regulatory restriction on the delivery of shares or as regards the 
tax liability arising in respect of the award.

Leaving during the holding period
If an Executive Director ceases employment for any reason 
after an award under the 2021 LTIP has vested but during the 
holding period, the award will ordinarily continue in accordance 
with the rules of the LTIP and be released at the end of the 
holding period, unless the Executive Director is dismissed for 
gross misconduct in which case the award will lapse. The 
Remuneration Committee retains discretion to release awards 
at cessation and would do so in the event of death. 

Other payments
In appropriate circumstances, payments may also be made in 
respect of accrued holiday, outplacement, legal fees and other 
benefits. The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to 
make additional payments where such payments are made in 
good faith in discharge of an existing legal obligation (or by way 
of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of 
settlement or compromise of any claim arising in connection 
with the termination of a Director’s office or employment. 

Where the Remuneration Committee retains discretion, it will 
be used to provide flexibility in certain situations, taking into 
account the particular circumstances of the Director’s departure 
and performance.

Where a “buyout” or other award is made in connection with 
recruitment, the leaver provisions would be determined at the 
time of the award.

Corporate events
In the event of a change of control of the Company or other 
relevant event:

 » unvested awards under the 2021 LTIP will be released to the 
extent determined by the Remuneration Committee taking 
into account the relevant performance conditions and, unless 
the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise, the 
extent of vesting so determined shall be reduced to reflect 
the proportion of the relevant performance period that 
has elapsed;

 » awards under the LTIP which are in a holding period will be 
released to the extent already vested by reference to the 
performance conditions; 

 » deferred bonus awards will be released in full; and

 » awards under the 2018 LTIP will be treated in accordance 

with the rules of that plan.

In appropriate circumstances, share plan participants may be 
invited (or required) to exchange their awards over Sirius Real 
Estate shares for equivalent awards over shares in the 
acquiring company.

There is no entitlement to any compensation in the event of 
Non-Executive Directors’ contracts not being renewed or being 
terminated without notice in accordance with their terms.

Operation of share plans
The Remuneration Committee may operate the Company’s 
share plans, as approved by shareholders where relevant, in 
accordance with their terms, including exercising any discretions 
available to them under the plans. Awards may be adjusted in 
the event of a variation of share capital or other relevant event in 
accordance with the rules of the relevant plan. Awards may be 
settled, in whole or in part, in cash, although the Remuneration 
Committee would only settle an Executive Director’s award in 
cash in appropriate circumstances, such as where there is a 

Legacy arrangements
The Remuneration Committee retains discretion to make any 
remuneration payment or payment for loss of office outside the 
Remuneration Policy in this report and to exercise any discretion 
available in relation to any such payment:

 » where the terms of the payment were agreed before the 
Remuneration Policy came into effect (including the 
satisfaction of awards granted under the 2018 LTIP); and

 » where the terms of the payment were agreed at a time when 
the relevant individual was not a Director of the Company 
and, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the 
payment was not in consideration of the individual becoming 
a Director of the Company.

For these purposes, “payment” includes the satisfaction of 
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.

Engagement with dissenting shareholders 
following the previous AGM
Since the non-binding vote on Sirius’ Remuneration report for 
the year ended 31 March 2020 garnered less than 75% of the 
votes exercised, Sirius invited dissenting shareholders through 
the LSE’s Regulatory News Service and the JSE’s Stock Exchange 
News Service to communicate their concerns/questions on the 
Remuneration report to Sirius’ Company Secretary by email by 
no later than close of business (SAST) on Monday 10 August 
2020. No shareholders took up this invitation. The Company 
also wrote to the Investment Association on 29 January 2021 in 
which it set out its proposals to introduce the new Remuneration 
Policy to address concerns previously made by shareholders in 
relation to the 2018 Policy. This was published on the 
Company’s website.

To enable effective two-way communication, Sirius urges 
shareholders to use the channels made available to them to 
engage with the Company.

Consultation with shareholders
The Remuneration Committee believes that ongoing dialogue 
with major shareholders in relation to Executive Director 
remuneration is of key importance, and consulted with major 
shareholders and investor agencies in relation to the new 
Remuneration Policy, finalising the proposals having regard to 
feedback received. The Remuneration Committee will consider 
shareholder feedback received on remuneration matters including 
issues raised at the Annual General Meeting as well as any 
additional comments received during any other meeting with 
shareholders. The Remuneration Committee will seek to engage 
directly with major shareholders and their representative bodies 
should any material changes be proposed to be made to the 
Remuneration Policy.

In the event that 25% or more of shareholders vote against 
either the Remuneration Policy or the Annual Report on 
Remuneration, the Company will, in its voting announcement, 
pursuant to the JSE Listings Requirements, extend an invitation 
to dissenting shareholders to engage with the Company, through 
dialogue, requesting written submissions or otherwise, in order 
to address shareholder concern, always with due regard to 
meeting the Company’s stated business objectives whilst being 
fair and responsible.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202190

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Remuneration Committee considers the pay and employment conditions of Group employees generally and takes these into 
account when determining the remuneration of the Executive Directors. The level of salary increases of employees within the wider 
Group is considered when setting base salary for Executive Directors. The Remuneration Committee is also kept informed of general 
decisions made in relation to employee pay and related issues. 

External appointments
Neither of the Executive Directors currently has an external appointment. The Directors recognise that external appointments can 
broaden an individual’s skills and experience. If an Executive Director wishes to take up an external appointment, they must first seek 
approval from the Chairman.

Annual report on remuneration
Single figure table
The following table sets out total taxable remuneration for each Director in respect of the year ended 31 March 2021 (converted, 
where relevant, to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.17 unless stated otherwise).

31 March 2021

Salary/fees

Benefits (3)

Pension (4)

Bonus (5)

LTIP (6)

Total

Total 
fixed pay

Total 
variable pay

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Non-Executive 
Directors

€502,035

€364,828

€11,667

€29,754

€71,379

€502,035 €1,708,650 €2,795,766

€585,081 €2,210,685

€54,723

€364,828 €1,708,650 €2,522,783

€449,305 €2,073,478

Daniel Kitchen

€140,400

Justin Atkinson(1)

Mark Cherry

Jill May(1)

James Peggie

Caroline Britton(2)

Kelly Cleveland(2)

€25,350

€64,350

€21,450

€87,750

€61,250

€53,625

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

€140,400

€140,400

€25,350

€25,350

€64,350

€64,350

€21,450

€21,450

€87,750

€87,750

€61,250

€61,250

€53,625

€53,625

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1) Justin Atkinson and Jill May stepped down from the Board on 31 July 2020.

(2) Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the Board on 1 June 2020 and their fees reflect their roles since their appointment.

(3) Using exchange rates at the end of the month in which the transaction occurred.

(4) Pension contribution was 15% of salary for each Executive Director.

(5) Includes the value of the bonus paid in cash and the value of the bonus deferred into shares, as described below.

(6)  The LTIP figures relate to the 2018 LTIP granted in January 2019 which vested after a three year performance period and are calculated using 
a share price of €1.13, being the share price at the date of vesting (21 May 2021), converted to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.16.

The following table sets out total remuneration for each Director in respect of the year ended 31 March 2020 (converted, where 
relevant, to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.12 unless stated otherwise).

31 March 2020

Salary/fees

Benefits (2)

Pension (3)

Bonus (4)

LTIP

Total

Total 
fixed pay

Total 
variable pay

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

€455,526

€350,796

€11,993

€28,855

€68,329

€432,750

€52,619

€333,256

Non-Executive 
Directors

Daniel Kitchen

Justin Atkinson

Mark Cherry(1)

Jill May

James Peggie

€134,400

€53,200

€35,742

€44,800

€58,800

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

€968,598

€535,848

€432,750

€765,526

€432,270

€333,256

€134,400

€134,400

€53,200

€35,742

€44,800

€58,800

€53,200

€35,742

€44,800

€58,800

—

—

—

—

—

(1) Mark Cherry was appointed to the Board on 14 June 2019 and his fees reflect his role since his appointment.

(2) Using exchange rates at the end of the month in which the transaction occurred.

(3) Pension contribution was 15% of salary for each Executive Director.

(4)  Includes the value of the bonus paid in cash and the value of the bonus deferred into shares, as described on page 88 of the 2020 Directors’ 

Remuneration Report.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
91

Additional disclosures in respect of the single figure table
Base salary
The salaries applicable at 1 April 2020 are shown below (converted to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.17, where relevant).

Executive Director

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Base salary at

1 April 2020(1)

€502,035

€364,828

(1)  Further information in relation to the salaries for the year ended 31 March 2021 is set out on page 76. Note, Andrew Coombs is paid in sterling. 
The base salary increase for FY 2021 amounted to an increase of 5.5% for Andrew Coombs (£406,720 to £429,385) and 4.0% for Alistair Marks 
(€350,796 to €364,828). 

Non-Executive Director fees
As set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2020, the Chairman and CEO considered increasing 
the Non-Executive Directors’ base fee from £40,000 to £55,000 and supplementary fees for chairing the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees from £7,500 to £10,000 and for holding the office of Senior Independent Director from £5,000 to £10,000. However, it 
was decided to defer the decision to implement these increases until there was greater certainty regarding the impact of Covid-19 
on the business. Taking into account our resilient performance throughout the pandemic, the Committee decided that the increases 
for the 2021 financial year should be implemented and take effect from the start of the 2021 financial year, in the normal course.

As the Chairman was only appointed in 2018, he has confirmed that he did not wish his fee to be reviewed in the FY 2021 year. 
However, it is the intention of the Committee to review his fees in FY 2022. 

Non-Executive Director fees are shown below (converted to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.17). 

Executive Director

Chairman fee

Non-Executive Director fee

Additional fee for Chair of the Audit Committee

Additional fee for Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Additional fee for Senior Independent Director

Fees at
1 April 2020

€140,400

€64,350

€11,700

€11,700

€11,700

Taxable benefits
Taxable benefits for the Executive Directors include a company car, private medical insurance, income insurance and death-in-
service benefits.

Annual bonus 
For the year ended 31 March 2021, each of Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks was awarded a bonus opportunity equal to 100% of 
base salary. As explained in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2020, due to the uncertainty during the 
Covid-19 crisis, the Committee delayed its setting of targets for the Executive Directors’ annual bonus plan for the 2021 financial 
year, until the overall picture became clearer. At the July Committee meeting the Committee agreed to base the 2020/21 annual 
bonuses 70% on Adjusted funds from operations (“Adjusted FFO”), 10% on other strategic objectives, and 20% on personal 
objectives (which included ESG objectives).

Adjusted FFO is used by the Board as a primary measure of the performance of the business, as it best reflects the changes in cash 
flow the Group is generating from its operations. It is the measure the Company uses to determine the level of dividend payable to its 
shareholders and cash flow from operations is a key factor in improving the value of the Group’s properties, as valuers and potential 
buyers normally use a discounted cash flow model in determining values and offer prices. Adjusted FFO is defined for the purposes 
of the bonus objectives as being recurring profit before tax, adjusted for depreciation, amortisation of financing fees, senior 
management bonus costs and accruals and current tax receivable/incurred. In the calculation of Adjusted FFO for the purpose of the 
bonuses, the Committee has excluded acquisitions made during the year, to enable a like-for-like comparison with the previous year. 
Further information on its relationship with the Company’s KPIs and its relevance as a short-term bonus performance measure is 
provided in the KPI section on pages 20 and 21 (Adjusted profit before tax and Dividend per share) and in the Dividend section of 
the Financial review on page 37.

2021

Weighting (% of salary)

Target range

Actual performance

Pay-out (% of salary)

Adjusted FFO

Strategic objectives

Personal objectives

Total

70%

10%

20%

100%

€53.7m – €59.3m

See below

See below

€62.7m

10%

20%

70%

10%

20%

100%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
92

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual bonus continued
Personal objectives and strategic objectives 2021 financial year – outturn
For the 2021 financial year, the Executive Directors both received the same strategic and personal objectives. Following comments 
received by shareholders that they prefer to see separate personal objectives for each Executive Director, the Committee considered 
this for the 2021 financial year and set the following objectives.

Executive Director Objectives

Actual performance

Bonus earned (% of salary)

Strategic objectives

BOTH

Increasing the gross asset 
value of the Titanium 
portfolio to a minimum of 
€325 million by 31 March 
2021; and completing 
75,000 sqm of 
refurbishment of lettable 
space pursuant to the capex 
investment programme.

10% – the Titanium portfolio grew to €324.2 million during the year 
and 101,566 sqm of refurbishment of lettable space was completed. 
In assessing the strategic objectives, the Committee took into account 
the significant outperformance of the capex investment programme 
and the fact that the performance of the portfolio was so close to 
€325 million. This was considered to be an exceptional performance 
given the Company held back from acquisitions for much of the first 
half of the year whilst assessing the impact of the pandemic. The 
Committee therefore determined that the strategic element of the 
bonus should vest in full.

10% of salary from 
a maximum of 10% 
of salary

Personal objectives

BOTH

Employees 
Delivering a comprehensive 
training programme to 
employees (including 
senior management) of 
over 500 days.

Andrew Coombs Employees

Promoting staff wellbeing 
and encouraging 
charitable activities during 
the year.

Obtaining and 
implementing staff 
feedback, with a focus 
on improving behaviours 
across the workforce.

Developing and updating 
succession plans for 
all key roles within the 
operational business.

Employees
Developing the personnel 
in the finance function 
and ensuring the function 
is fully resourced in line 
with the Company’s 
growth targets.

Alistair Marks

644 days of training delivered including sessions to the Board 
of Directors as well as one-to-one training with the Senior 
Management Team.

2% of salary from 
a maximum of 2% 
of salary

Berlin staff wellbeing promoted through free membership to local 
gym, free weekly yoga courses, free flu vaccinations and training in 
mental health resilience.

2% of salary from 
a maximum of 2% 
of salary

Charitable activities during the year included employee donations 
to Berlin City Mission and Sirius’ donation to Step, as well as the free 
supply of old computers to employees’ children who underwent 
home schooling during Covid-19 lockdown and the registration of 
54 employees as potential bone marrow donors for cancer patients 
in Germany.

Feedback from the staff survey set overriding foundations to change 
and guide behaviours.

Succession plans updated and presented to the Sirius Board; plans 
implemented included promotion of the C Suite Directors in Q4 of 
the financial year.

Individual training delivered to the senior team and oversight of 
continued resourcing activities including the appointment of a 
newly created Head of Finance role.

2% of salary from 
a maximum of 2% 
of salary

Andrew Coombs Crisis management

Alistair Marks

Demonstrating effective 
leadership of the 
business throughout 
the Covid-19 crisis.

Crisis management
Reviewing and updating 
crisis management 
processes and 
procedures and business 
continuity planning.

Evidenced by the results the Company has achieved together with 
the 99% approval rating in the staff survey specifically related to the 
question of effective leadership in the first wave of Covid-19.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

Business continuity redesigned and implemented in the year and 
evidenced by the enabling of the entire workforce to work remotely 
during Covid-19. Set-up of dual connectivity into HQ. All core systems 
now replicated in the cloud to facilitate remote access with updates 
made every five minutes.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202193

Bonus earned (% of salary)

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

Executive Director Objectives

Actual performance

Andrew Coombs Portfolio management
Delivering best in class 
experience to prospective 
customers, identifying 
and growing incremental 
revenue opportunities 
and identifying scale 
opportunities to grow the 
business and proceed 
with acquisitions/ 
disposals with appropriate 
return criteria.

Mystery shopping was not carried out in the year in question due to 
Covid-19 related restrictions; however, a new process to enable virtual 
viewings to take place was rolled out and although sales conversion fell 
below 10% during the first wave of Covid-19 a total of 160,000 sqm of new 
sales was achieved in the year with an overall sales conversion of 13%.

March 2020
€

March 2021
€

Parking income

3,939,452

4,202,648

Conference and catering

1,101,642

1,359,335

Virtual office

434,203

580,177

Increase
%

7%

23%

34%

Completion of the sale of Weilimdorf together with the acquisition of 
a total of six assets totalling €126 million.

Alistair Marks

Portfolio management
Identifying and growing 
incremental revenue 
opportunities and modelling 
the Company’s growth 
plans, updating these in line 
with activities in the portfolio 
and financing opportunities.

Andrew Coombs Reporting

Alistair Marks

Delivering a comprehensive 
investor and analyst 
engagement programme, 
including investor visits, 
site tours and conferences. 
Delivering an engaging 
programme for Board 
meetings, including 
presentations by senior 
staff and external advisers 
on current and relevant 
topics, as well as Board 
visits and tours.

Reporting
Developing and delivering 
an improved Board reporting 
pack and delivering a 
high-quality Annual Report 
and Company 
presentations, 
implementing feedback from 
proxy agencies and investors 
and developments in ESG 
reporting requirements 
and keeping the website 
engaging and relevant.

Andrew Coombs ESG

Incorporating ESG factors in 
investments, refurbishment 
and development 
projects and property 
management decisions.

Providing training in ESG 
factors to key staff involved 
in relevant activities.

Financial
Ensuring appropriate 
funding is available to 
support the Company’s 
growth plans and 
implement tax review and 
associated restructuring 
of the corporate structure.

Alistair Marks

Company forecast model prepared and presented to the Board regularly. 
Company growth opportunities (acquisitions, disposals, financings 
and refinancings) modelled and presented alongside base case. 

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

March 2020
€

March 2021
€

Parking income

3,939,452

4,202,648

Conference and catering

1,101,642

1,359,335

Virtual office

434,203

580,177

Increase
%

7%

23%

34%

Undertook over 150 meetings with people in five different countries 
as well as making various presentations at events hosted by EPRA, 
Berenberg, Peel Hunt and Panmure Gordon. In addition, three new 
analysts were recruited to provide coverage on Sirius.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

Members of the Sirius Board were hosted during visits to Germany 
on three separate occasions and a series of presentations were made 
to the Sirius Board by four different senior members of staff as well 
as SIFA, our specialist ESG external adviser, Panmure Gordon, the 
Company’s external IR adviser, and HSBC, the Company’s appointed 
financial adviser.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

Streamlined management accounts developed and implemented 
during the year. 

Engaged FTI to oversee changes to presentations and website that 
have generated positive feedback from shareholders. Clean audit 
report received with no unadjusted errors. 

Engagement of SIFA to assist with the development of new reporting to be 
included in the Annual Report and Accounts 2021 (reporting on carbon 
emissions), where we will now report carbon emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3) 
for the first time and are working towards TCFD, to be reported on in 2022. 
Alignment of Company pensions occurring in FY 2022 and as regards the 
“Living Wage”, the Remuneration Committee recently received a paper that 
demonstrated that Sirius pays well above the German statutory minimum.

ESG factors now included in all papers relating to acquisitions, 
including Sirius Board recommendation papers.

The Board of Directors, regional managers, and the marketing and 
development teams all underwent initial ESG training in the year.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

In terms of governance issues the whole Company has undergone 
GDPR training along with training in Anti-Bribery and Corruption (“ABC”) 
alongside the recent introduction of our ABC Policy. In terms of the 
social aspect all staff were trained in relation to the Company’s approach 
to diversity (which is in line with the German Charter of Diversity).

Extensive work done to deliver the corporate level investment grade 
rating from Fitch and stable BB+ rating from S&P. Bayern LLB loan 
repaid upon maturity to facilitate unsecured debt options.

4% of salary from 
a maximum of 4% 
of salary

All PwC recommendations fully implemented and presented to the 
Audit Committee.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202194

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual bonus continued
Personal objectives and strategic objectives 2021 financial year – outturn continued
By reference to the achievement of each Executive Director against their strategic/personal objectives detailed in the table above, 
the bonus earned in respect of their achievement against these strategic and personal objectives is 100% of salary and 100% of 
salary for Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks respectively.

Based on this performance, Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks both earned a bonus of 100% of their respective salaries. The 
Committee considers the level of pay-out is reflective of the outstanding overall performance of the Group in the year as well as the 
experience of our shareholders and employees. 65% of the bonus earned is paid in cash with the remaining 35% deferred into a 
share award under the Deferred Bonus Plan, half of which vests after one year and half of which vests after two years, with the 
benefit of dividend equivalents (paid in shares) in respect of dividends paid on the deferred shares over the deferral period.

Executive Director

Andrew Coombs(1)

Alistair Marks

(1) Converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17.

Bonus earned

€502,035

€364,828

Bonus paid
in cash

€326,323

€237,138

Bonus deferred into shares

Vesting after
one year

€87,856

€63,845

Vesting after
two years

€87,856

€63,845

LTIP awards vesting in respect of the year ended 31 March 2021
The 2018 LTIP awards granted to each of Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks on 15 January 2019, in the form of nil-cost options, 
with a performance period which ended on 31 March 2021 vested in May 2021. As shown in the table below, the 2018 LTIP award 
vested at 100% of the maximum number of shares. 

Award

Weighting % 
of award

Performance 
measure

Two-thirds

Annualised 
TNR(1) growth

Threshold

Target

Maximum

7.5%: 166,667 
shares vest for 
each award

10%: 483,333 
shares vest for 
each award

13.5%: 800,000 
shares vest for 
each award

Actual

17.3%

Number of  
shares vesting

800,000

Ordinary  
Award

One-third

Relative TSR(2) 
against the 
peer group

Median: 83,333 
shares vest for 
each award

Outperformance 
Award

100%

Annualised 
TNR growth

13.5%: nil 
shares vest for 
each award

n/a

n/a

Upper quartile: 
400,000 shares 
vest for each 
award

15%: 300,000 
shares vest for 
each award

400,000

Ranked 2, 
Upper 
quartile 

17.3%

300,000

1,500,000

(1)  Calculated as annualised growth in adjusted net asset value plus dividend paid. Adjusted net asset value means the net asset value of the Company 

adjusted for the fair value of derivative hedging instruments, deferred tax and goodwill.

(2)  TSR peer group: A&J Mucklow Group Plc, Workspace Group Plc, SEGRO Plc, Big Yellow Group Plc, Safestore Holdings Plc, Custodian REIT Plc, 

Warehouse REIT Plc, RDI REIT Plc, Regional REIT Limited, VIB Vermögen AG, alstria office REIT-AG, TLG Immobilien, Hamborner REIT AG, DIC Asset AG 
and Aroundtown SA.

The vesting of the 2018 LTIP award was subject to a requirement that the Company’s LTV ratio policy over the applicable performance 
period in the opinion of the Committee had not been materially exceeded. In addition to this, the Committee considered the underlying 
performance of the Group during the performance period, taking into account overall business performance and whether there has 
been a significant negative event (such as an ESG event) which would warrant an adjustment. The Committee concluded that the 
LTV policy had not been exceeded and that there had not been any negative event warranting adjustment. Accordingly, it confirmed 
the proposed vesting outcome of 100% of the maximum number of shares to be appropriate.

The awards are subject to a two year holding period following vesting. The rules of the 2018 LTIP and the Company’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy permit that holding period to be operated on the basis that the shares cannot be acquired until the end of it, or 
that they can be acquired following vesting but that the shares acquired must (other than any sold to cover tax liabilities) be retained 
until the end of it. 

Therefore, the vesting for each Executive Director will be:

Executive Director

Number of awards granted

Vesting (% maximum)

Total number of shares vesting

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

1,500,000

1,500,000

100%

100%

1,500,000

1,500,000

Total estimated value 
of award on vesting

€1,708,650

€1,708,650

The value of the vesting awards is based on the share price at the date of vesting (21 May 2021), being €1.1391, converted to euros 
based on the exchange rate of 1.16. The estimated value of the vesting awards has been included within the “single figure” total 
remuneration table on page 90.

The 2018 LTIP awards were granted when the share price was €0.62. Therefore, the amount of the vested award attributable to 
share price appreciation was €0.52 per share (not taking into account fluctuations in exchange rates). 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202195

LTIP awards granted during the year ended 31 March 2021
Awards were granted to the Executive Directors (and other members of the Senior Management Team) on 15 June 2020 under the 
2018 LTIP, as set out in the table below. Each award was granted in the form of a nil-cost option.

Executive Director

Type of award

Maximum 
number of shares

Face value 
at grant(1)

% of award 
vesting at
threshold

% of 
CEO’s salary(2)

Performance period

Andrew Coombs Ordinary Award

1,000,000

€877,500

Alistair Marks

Ordinary Award

1,000,000

€877,500

25%

25%

173%

1 April 2018–31 March 2023 

238%

1 April 2018–31 March 2023

(1)  For these purposes, the face value of the award is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by €0.87 (being the share price at the date of 

grant), converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17.

(2) The maximum cap on the face value of awards at grant was 300% of the CEO’s salary at the date of grant.

The performance conditions for the awards granted under the 2018 LTIP are based on the annualised Total Net Asset Value return 
(“TNR”) and relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) as set out in the table below. Where performance falls between two of the 
stated levels, vesting will be on a straight-line basis. The Committee considered the performance measures applied to the “Ordinary 
Awards” made in respect of the 2020 financial year and determined that they remained appropriate and as such should continue to 
apply to awards in respect of the 2021 financial year. No “Outperformance Award” was granted in respect of the 2021 financial year.

Performance measure

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Annualised TNR(1) growth over the performance 
period (two-thirds of the Ordinary Award)

7.5% annualised TNR 
growth: 166,667 
shares vest for each 
award

10% annualised TNR 
growth: 416,667 shares 
vest for each award

13.5% annualised TNR 
growth: 666,667 shares vest 
for each award

Relative TSR against the peer group(2) 
over the performance period (one-third of the 
Ordinary Award)

Median: 83,333 shares 
vest for each award

n/a

Upper quartile: 333,333 
shares vest for each award

(1)  Calculated as annualised growth in adjusted net asset value plus dividends paid. Adjusted net asset value means the net asset value of the 

Company adjusted for the fair value of derivative hedging instruments, deferred tax and goodwill. 

(2)  TSR peer group: A&J Mucklow Group Plc, Workspace Group Plc, SEGRO Plc, Big Yellow Group Plc, Safestore Holdings Plc, Custodian REIT Plc, 
Warehouse REIT Plc, RDI REIT Plc, Regional REIT Limited, VIB Vermögen AG, alstria office REIT-AG, TLG Immobilien AG, Hamborner REIT AG, 
DIC Asset AG and Aroundtown SA.

The vesting of any award will also be subject to a requirement that the Company’s LTV policy over the applicable performance 
period in the opinion of the Committee has not been materially exceeded.

The awards are subject to a two year holding period which may be operated as referred to above in relation to the awards granted 
in previous years under the 2018 LTIP. In the event of cessation of employment, the holding period is replaced by a post-cessation 
shareholding guideline as detailed in the Remuneration Policy.

Deferred Bonus Plan awards granted in the year
The following nil-cost options were granted on 15 June 2020 under the Deferred Bonus Plan in respect of bonuses earned for the 
period ended 31 March 2020.

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Type of award

Nil-cost option

Nil-cost option

Maximum number 
of shares awarded

173,890

134,238

Face value at grant(1)

€158,244

€122,144

(1)   For these purposes the face value of the award is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by £0.7777 (being the share price at 15 June 2020, 

converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17).

On 15 June 2021, 50% of the shares will vest (rounded down to the nearest whole share where necessary) with the remaining 
balance vesting on 15 June 2022. Dividend equivalents will be settled in shares in respect of dividends paid over the deferral period.

Payments made to former Directors during the year
No payments were made in the year to any former Director of the Company.

Payments for loss of office made during the year
No payments for loss of office were made in the year to any Director of the Company.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202196

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Shareholding guidelines and statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests
In respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2021, the Company’s shareholding guidelines required Executive Directors to have 
acquired and retained a holding with a value equal to 300% of salary. Unvested share-based incentives do not count towards the 
guidelines. Shares which are vested but have not been released (i.e. that is, which are in a holding period), or which have been 
released but have not been exercised, count towards the guidelines on a net of assumed tax basis.

The interests of the Directors and their connected persons in the Company’s ordinary shares as at 31 March 2021 (or on retirement 
date, if earlier) were as set out below. Andrew Coombs’ and Alistair Marks’ shareholding as a multiple of salary is 1,748% times and 
1,896% times respectively (calculated using the share price as at 31 March 2021 of £0.888 and using an exchange rate of 1.17). 
The shareholding guidelines have been met by the Executive Directors. There have been no changes to those interests between 
31 March 2021 and the date of signing of these financial statements. 

Share ownership

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs(1)

Alistair Marks(1)

Non-Executive Directors

Daniel Kitchen

Justin Atkinson(2)

James Peggie

Jill May(2)

Mark Cherry

Caroline Britton(3)

Kelly Cleveland(3)

Shares owned as 
at 31 March 2020 

Shares owned as at 
31 March 2021

9,058,564

7,070,828

100,000

87,000

1,346,428

—

—

n/a

n/a

8,447,714

6,659,078

100,000

—

1,374,536

—

—

—

—

(1)  Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks encumbered 3.0m shares and 6.03m shares respectively. In both cases the encumbrances were for a rolling 

credit facility of up to £1.0m (Andrew Coombs) and £1.75m (Alistair Marks) for private purposes and for an indefinite period.

(2) Justin Atkinson and Jill May stepped down from the Committee and the Board on 31 July 2020.

(3) Caroline Britton and Kelly Cleveland were appointed to the Committee and the Board on 1 June 2020.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Share plan interests

Director

Award

Date of grant

Number of 
shares subject 
to award as at 
1 April 
2020

Number of 
shares subject to 
awards granted
 during the 
financial year

Number of 
shares in respect 
of which award 
surrendered/ 
lapsed during 
the financial year

Number of 
shares in respect 
of which award 
vested and/or 
exercised during 
the financial year

Number of 
shares subject 
to award as at 
31 March 
2021

97

Status

Andrew 
Coombs

2018 LTIP 15 January 2019 1,500,000

2018 DBP

4 June 2018

102,941

2019 LTIP

14 June 2019 1,500,000

2019 DBP

14 June 2019

213,303

—

—

—

—

2020 LTIP

15 June 2020

2020 DBP

15 June 2020

—

—

1,000,000

173,890

Alistair 
Marks

2018 LTIP 15 January 2019 1,500,000

2018 DBP

4 June 2018

77,659

2019 LTIP

14 June 2019 1,500,000

2019 DBP

14 June 2019

162,536

—

—

—

—

2020 LTIP

15 June 2020

2020 DBP

15 June 2020

—

—

1,000,000

134,238

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 1,500,000

Unvested, subject to 

performance conditions (1)

(102,941)

—

Vested (2)

— 1,500,000

Unvested, subject to
 performance 

conditions (3)

(106,651)

106,652 Unvested, not subject to

— 1,000,000

 performance conditions (4)

Unvested, subject to

 performance conditions (5)

—

173,890 Unvested, not subject to

— 1,500,000

 performance conditions (6)

Unvested, subject to 

performance conditions (1)

(77,659)

—

Vested (2)

— 1,500,000

Unvested, subject to
performance 

conditions (3)

(81,268)

81,268 Unvested, not subject to

— 1,000,000

performance conditions (4)

Unvested, subject to
performance conditions (5)

—

134,238 Unvested, not subject to

performance conditions (6)

(1) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 94. The awards vested on 21 May 2021 as to 100%.

(2) 50% of the shares vested on 4 June 2019; the remaining 50% of the shares vested on 4 June 2020.

(3) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 84 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020.

(4) 50% of the shares vested on 14 June 2020; the remaining 50% of the shares will vest on 14 June 2021.

(5) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 94.

(6) These awards will vest in respect of 50% of the shares on each of 15 June 2021 and 15 June 2022.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202198

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy for the 2022 financial year
Information on how the Company intends to implement the new Remuneration Policy, subject to shareholder approval at the 2021 
AGM, for the financial year ending 31 March 2022 is set out in the Committee Chairman’s letter on page 75.

Total Shareholder Return performance graph and CEO remuneration
The graph below shows the Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance for the Company’s shares in comparison to the FTSE 250 
for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2021. The Company is a constituent of this index and, as such, it has been selected as an 
appropriate comparator group. For the purposes of this graph, TSR has been calculated as the percentage change during the period 
in the market price of the shares, assuming that dividends are reinvested. The graph shows the value by 31 March 2021 of €100 
invested in the Group over the period compared with €100 invested in the FTSE 250.

€700

€600

€500

€400

€300

€200

€100

0

Sunday
1 April 2012

Sunday
31 March 2013

Monday
31 March 2014

Tuesday
31 March 2015

Thursday
31 March 2016

Friday
31 March 2017

Saturday
31 March 2018

Sunday
31 March 2019

Tuesday
31 March 2020

Wednesday
31 March 2021

Sirius Real Estate

FTSE 250

The total remuneration of the CEO over the past five(1) financial years is shown below. The annual bonus pay-out and LTIP vesting 
level as a percentage of the maximum opportunity are also shown.

Year ended 31 March

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Total remuneration 
€

Annual bonus 
(% maximum)

LTIP vesting 
(% maximum)

2,795,766

968,598

6,631,533

989,175

906,143

100%

95%

95%

100%

83%

100%

—

96%(2)

—

—

(1)  The Company was admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in March 2017.

(2)  The 2015 LTIP vested in full in this year, having only had one single award grant in 2015. However, as announced on 28 June 2018, the Executive 

Directors voluntarily surrendered 4% of their awards, to enable the awards to be reallocated to 79 employees who did not participate in the 2015 LTIP. 
The percentage in the table is post-surrender of shares. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 202199

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below demonstrates the relative importance of the Group’s expenditure on total employee pay compared to dividend 
payments to shareholders. There were no share buybacks during either financial year.

Dividend payments 

Total employee pay

2021
€000

37,596

22,262

2020
€000

35,906

18,923

% change

4.71%

17.65%

Advice to the Committee
Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks occasionally attended meetings of the Committee and provided information and support as 
requested. Neither Executive Director was involved in determining their own remuneration.

The Committee received objective and independent advice from Deloitte LLP during the year ended 31 March 2021. Deloitte LLP 
is a founder signatory to the Remuneration Consultants Group’s Code of Conduct and as such voluntarily operates under the Code 
of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. Deloitte’s fees for providing remuneration advice to the 
Committee were £18,750 for the year ended 31 March 2021. Deloitte was appointed by the Committee and has provided share 
scheme advice and general remuneration advice to the Company.

Statement of voting at the previous Annual General Meeting
The Company remains committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting outcomes. The following 
table sets out the actual voting in respect of the non-binding annual advisory votes on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (pursuant 
to the JSE Listings Requirements) and Directors’ Remuneration Report at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 31 July 2020.

Resolution

Remuneration Policy

Remuneration Report

Votes for

% of votes

Votes against

% of votes

Votes withheld

506,455,738

573,297,154

74.03% 177,621,580

83.81% 110,780,164

25.97%

16.19%

5,362,178

5,362,178

In accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements, as the non-binding advisory vote at the 2020 AGM on the Remuneration Policy 
was voted against by more than 25% of the votes exercised at the meeting by the Company’s shareholders, the Company extended 
an invitation to dissenting shareholders to engage with the Committee. No shareholders responded to the invitation. We have, 
however, engaged extensively with shareholders and investor agencies over their concerns and considered them during our review 
of the Remuneration Policy in 2021. 

Shareholder engagement
I welcome dialogue with our shareholders. If you have any questions for me as Chairman of the Committee, you can reach me via the 
Company Secretary.

Approved by the Board on 4 June 2021.

James Peggie
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
4 June 2021

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021100

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law they have 
prepared the financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued 
by the IASB 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 of its 
profit or loss for that period. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are 
required to: 

 » select suitable accounting policies in accordance with 

IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates 
and Errors” and then apply them consistently; 

 » make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent; 

 » present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information;

 » state that the Group has complied with IFRS as issued by 

the IASB, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;

 » provide additional disclosures when compliance with 

the specific requirements of IFRS as issued by the IASB 
is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact 
of particular transactions, other events and conditions on 
the Group’s financial position and performance; and 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the Company and enable them to 
ensure that the Annual Report and financial statements comply 
with the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008. They are responsible 
for such internal control as they determine is necessary to 
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have 
general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably 
open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to 
prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Responsibility statement of the Directors 
in respect of the Annual Report and 
financial statements 
Each of the Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:

 » the financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS 
as issued by the IASB, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole; and 

 » the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development 

and performance of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face. 

Each of the Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge 
that the Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a 
whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy.

 » prepare the Group’s financial statements on a going concern 

By order of the Board

basis, unless it is inappropriate to do so.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
4 June 2021

Declaration by Group Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) 
for the year ended 31 March 2021 (additional declaration as required by the rules of the JSE Limited)

The directors, whose names are stated below, hereby confirm that: 

(a)  the annual financial statements set out on pages 112 to 115, fairly present in all material respects the financial position, financial 

performance and cash flows of the issuer in terms of IFRS; 

(b) no facts have been omitted or untrue statements made that would make the annual financial statements false or misleading; 

(c)  internal financial controls have been put in place to ensure that material information relating to the issuer and its consolidated 

subsidiaries have been provided to effectively prepare the financial statements of the issuer; and 

(d)  the internal financial controls are adequate and effective and can be relied upon in compiling the annual financial statements, 

having fulfilled our role and function within the combined assurance model pursuant to principle 15 of the King Code. Where we 
are not satisfied, we have disclosed to the Audit Committee and the auditors the deficiencies in design and operational 
effectiveness of the internal financial controls and any fraud that involves directors and have taken the necessary remedial action. 

Andrew Coombs    
CEO 
4 June 2021 

Alistair Marks 
CFO
4 June 2021

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors submit their report with the audited financial 
statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. A review of 
the Group’s business and results for the year is contained in 
the Chairman’s statement, the Asset management review and 
the Financial review which should be read in conjunction with 
this report.

The Directors have complied with the provisions of the 
Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008, as amended (the “Companies 
Law”) in preparing the financial statements. The Directors 
confirm to the best of their knowledge and belief that the 
Company has complied with the Companies Law and the 
Company’s Articles of Incorporation throughout the financial 
year ended 31 March 2021.

The Directors submit their report together with the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement 
of financial position, consolidated statement of changes in 
equity, consolidated statement of cash flows and related notes 
for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 set out on pages 
112 to 155, which have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued 
by the IASB and in accordance with any relevant enactment for 
the time being in force, and are in agreement with accounting 
records, which have been properly kept in accordance with 
Section 238 of the Companies Law.

Business of the Group
Sirius Real Estate Limited is the Group’s holding company. The 
principal activity of its operating subsidiaries is the investment 
in, and development of, commercial property to provide 
conventional and flexible workspace in Germany.

Results and dividends
These results are set out in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income on page 112.

The Group’s profit after tax for the year was €147.6 million 
(2020: €98.1 million).

The Board has authorised a dividend in respect of the second 
half of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 of 1.98c per 
share representing 65% of FFO, an increase of 10.0% on the 
equivalent dividend last year, which represented 65% of FFO. 
The total dividend for the year is 3.80c, an increase of 6.4% on 
the 3.57c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020, 
based also on 65% of FFO. The Group has not received any 
state financial assistance in connection with the Covid-19 crisis.

It is expected that, for the dividend authorised in respect of the 
six-month period ended 31 March 2021, the ex-dividend date 
will be 7 July 2021 for shareholders on the South African register 
and 8 July 2021 for shareholders on the UK register. It is further 
expected that for shareholders on both registers the record date 
will be 9 July 2021 and the dividend will be paid on 19 August 2021. 
A detailed dividend announcement is expected to be made on 
14 June 2021, including details of a scrip dividend alternative.

The Group dividend policy is stated in the Financial review on 
page 37. Dividends are expected to continue being paid in cash 
on a semi-annual basis and shareholders may also be offered a 
scrip alternative. The Board confirms the use of distribution per 
share as the relevant measure of financial results for the purposes 
of trading statements to comply with the JSE Listings Requirements.

Corporate governance
Details of how the Board has applied the principles and provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “2018 Code”) 
are set out in the Corporate governance report on pages 53 to 63.

101

Articles of Incorporation
A copy of the Articles of Incorporation is available to download 
from the Company’s website, www.sirius-real-estate.com. The 
Articles of Incorporation may only be amended by a special 
resolution of the Company’s members.

Share capital
Details of the issued share capital, together with details of 
shares issued during the year, are set out in note 26 to the 
financial statements. There is one class of ordinary shares which 
carries no right to fixed income. Each share carries the right to 
one vote at a general meeting of the Company.

Restrictions on voting rights
No person has any special rights of control over the Company’s 
share capital and all issued shares are fully paid. The Directors 
are not aware of any agreements between holders of the 
Company’s shares that may result in restrictions on voting rights 
in the Company’s securities.

Restrictions on transfers of securities
There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding or on 
the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general 
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and prevailing 
legislation. The Directors are not aware of any agreements 
between holders of the Company’s shares that may result in 
restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights.

Employee share plans
Details of employee share plans are set out in note 8 to the 
financial statements.

Employee Benefit Trust
No votes are cast in respect of the shares held in the Employee 
Benefit Trust in connection with the Company’s share plans and 
dividends paid and payable are subject to a standing waiver.

Dividend waivers
The value of dividends waived during the year ended 31 March 
2021 by the Employee Benefit Trust as described above was 
€111,200 (2020: €52,500). Other than the standing waiver 
provided by the Employee Benefit Trust, the Directors are not 
aware of any shareholder which has waived its right to receive 
dividends on any shares held by it.

Authority to purchase shares
The Company was authorised at the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) to purchase its own shares, within certain 
limits and as permitted by the Articles of Incorporation. A renewal 
of this authority will be proposed at the 2021 AGM. No shares were 
purchased during the year and no shares are held in Treasury.

Authority to allot shares
Subject to the Companies Law and any relevant authority of the 
Company in general meeting, the Company has authority to 
issue new shares. At the 2020 AGM, shareholders authorised 
the Directors to allot shares in the capital of the Company within 
certain limited circumstances and as permitted by the Companies 
Law. A renewal of this authority will be proposed at the 2021 AGM.

A scrip dividend authority was approved at the 2020 AGM and 
the Directors are seeking this authority again at the 2021 AGM.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021102

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

Directors
Details of the Directors who served during the financial year 
and their meeting attendance are set out on page 56 of the 
Corporate Governance report. The Corporate Governance 
report also describes the effects the principal decisions taken 
by the Directors have had on the Company’s key business 
relationships with colleagues, tenants, suppliers and others.

In accordance with the 2018 Code, all the Directors will stand 
for re-election at the AGM on 30 July 2021. The Chairman has 
reviewed the performance of each Director standing for 
re-election and is satisfied that each continues to be effective 
and demonstrates commitment to the role.

The Articles of Incorporation permit the Board to authorise any 
matter which would otherwise involve a Director breaching his 
duty under the Companies Law to avoid conflicts of interest. 
When authorising a conflict of interest, the Board must do so 
without the conflicted Director counting as part of the quorum. 
In the event that the Board considers it appropriate, the 
conflicted Director may be permitted to participate in the 
debate but will be permitted neither to vote nor count in the 
quorum when the decision is being agreed. The Directors are 
aware that it is their responsibility to inform the Board of any 
potential conflicts as soon as possible and procedures are in 
place to facilitate disclosure.

The Articles of Incorporation sets out the Company’s rules 
regarding the appointment and replacement of Directors. The 
Board may appoint an eligible person, who is willing to act as a 
Director of the Company, either as an additional Director or to fill 
a casual vacancy. Any such Director must retire from office at 
the next AGM at which he or she may stand for election by the 
shareholders. A Director may be removed by written notice 
approved by all the other Directors. The Company may appoint or 
remove a Director by ordinary resolution without prejudice to any 
claim for damages for breach of contract that Director may have.

Related party transactions
Other than those described in note 29 to the financial 
statements, there were no transactions, arrangements or 
agreements entered into during the financial year or outstanding 
as at 31 March 2021 which were required to be disclosed 
under Listing Rule 11 or IAS 24 “Related Party Disclosures”.

Directors’ interests in shares
The beneficial interests of the Directors in the shares of the 
Company and the options held as at 31 March 2021 are set 
out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 96. None of 
the Directors serving at the year-end had a beneficial interest 
in≈the share capital of any subsidiary company.

Directors’ indemnity and insurance
The Company has made third party indemnity provisions for 
the benefit of its Directors which were in place during the year 
and remain in force at the date of this report. The Company 
maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for its 
Directors and officers.

Substantial shareholders
At 31 March 2021, the following shareholders had notified the 
Company of substantial interests over 5% in the issued share 
capital of the Company.

Shareholder

BlackRock Inc

Number of
ordinary shares
in which
interested(1)

106,082,195

Standard Life Aberdeen Plc

121,749,643

Bank of Montreal

55,078,726

% of issued
share capital
of the

Company(1)

10.07%

11.56%

5.23%

(1) As at date of notification and (2) as at 31 March 2021. 

As at 31 March 2021, 98 non-public owners held 1.97% of 
shares (there are no Treasury Shares), which includes those 
shares held by Executive and Non-Executive Directors, and 
there were 7,468 public shareholders holding 98.03%. 

Going concern
The Group has prepared its going concern assessment for the 
period to the end of June 2022 (the “going concern period”). 
The Group’s going concern assessment is based on the same 
financial model that supported the Group’s going concern 
and viability statement detailed within its Annual Report and 
Accounts 2020, updated on the basis of the assumptions set out 
below. It considers the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties 
set out on pages 38 to 47 and is dependent on a number of 
factors including financial performance, continued access to 
lending facilities (see note 23) and the ability to continue to 
operate the Group’s secured and unsecured debt structure 
within its financial covenants. The Group’s secured debt typically 
contains soft covenants that result in operational restrictions 
through placing cash in restricted accounts, and hard covenants 
that, if breached, represent default events unless cured with partial 
loan repayments. The cash flow projections also made 
assumptions on future trading performance, capital expenditure, 
and potential valuation movements in order to estimate the level 
of headroom on facilities and covenants relating to loan to value 
and interest cover ratios.

In considering going concern, the Directors reviewed a detailed 
base case scenario and a severe but plausible downside scenario 
provided by Management which modelled the effects of severe 
and more realistic assumptions. These take into account a 
potential downturn in the Group’s performance, including as 
a result of the potential impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s 
financial position and future prospects.

The impact of Covid-19 on the business in the year to 31 March 
2021 did not indicate any deterioration in the Group’s income 
streams or falls in asset values, both of which increased in the 
period. The assumptions included in the severe but plausible 
downside scenario relating to the going concern period included: 

 » reduction in occupancy from 87% at March 2021 to 82% in 
March 2022 and further reduction to 81% occupancy from 
April 2022 to the end of the going concern period;

 » reduction in service charge recovery from 90% at March 2021 
to 85% in March 2022 and further reduction to 84% recovery 
from April 2022 to the end of the going concern period;

 » reduction in investment property values by 5% in the going 

concern period;

 » no acquisitions over and above those legally committed to;

 » continuation of forecasted capex investment; and 

 » continuation of forecasted dividend payments. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021103

The Group assessed the impact of the severe but plausible 
downside scenario on its loan covenant positions. The Group’s 
loan to value covenants are tested based on the valuation relevant 
to the covenant test as set out in the respective loan agreements. 

Based on unrestricted cash at 31 March 2021 amounting 
to €49.3 million and the results of the severe but plausible 
scenario analysed above, the Directors consider that the Group 
has sufficient cash resources to remedy any breaches of its loan 
covenants in the going concern period that arise under the 
assumptions made above. In addition, the Group has available 
a fully committed but as yet undrawn capex facility amounting 
to €13.1 million, flexibility in determining whether to make 
dividend payments and the possibility to restrict capital 
expenditure to that of a non-discretionary nature in the unlikely 
event mitigating actions are required within the going concern 
period. In addition, the Group has 19 unencumbered assets 
with a book value of €245.5 million as of 31 March 2021.

The Directors also evaluated potential events and conditions 
beyond 30 June 2022 that may cast significant doubt on the 
going concern assessment, specifically, the ability of the Group 
to refinance or extend the €51.0 million SEB AG loan in 
September 2022. The Directors are of the view that they have 
a realistic prospect of securing this refinancing or an alternative 
source of secured or unsecured funding, a judgment which was 
informed by the Group’s financial forecasts and their discussions 
with finance providers. Should the debt not be refinanced or 
extended alternative options could be considered, including the 
use of mitigating factors referred to above. The mitigating factors 
are within the control of the Directors and there is sufficient time 
for such mitigating factors to be implemented, if required. 

Thus, the Directors have not identified any material 
uncertainties which would cast significant doubt on the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern 
period. After due consideration, the Board believes it is 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the 
financial statements.

Valuation and net assets
(i) Valuation
Cushman & Wakefield LLP valued the Group’s owned properties, 
including assets held for sale, at €1,350.8 million as at 31 March 
2021 (2020: €1,189.5 million). After adjusting investment properties 
for lease incentive accounting, the value of investment properties 
is shown as €1,347.2 million (2020: €1,186.2 million) in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

(ii) Net assets
The investment property valuation has been incorporated into 
the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 
and the net assets of the Group at that date amounted to 
€926.8 million (2020: €801.8 million).

Treasury operations and financial instruments
The Group’s policy in relation to financial risk management and 
the use of financial instruments is set out in notes 24 and 25 to 
the financial statements.

Change of control
The Company is not a party to any significant agreements that 
would be affected by a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover of the Group. Certain of the Company’s 
subsidiaries are parties to an agreement relating to the Titanium 
portfolio, which would be affected by a direct or indirect acquisition 

of 24.99% or more of the Company’s issued share capital or 
total voting rights. In this situation and in the absence of any 
other relevant factors, the venture partner, AXA IM Alts, may 
exercise a right to acquire the subsidiaries’ shares in the 
Titanium portfolio at fair value.

No agreement between any Director and the Company provides 
for compensation for loss of office or employment in the event 
of a takeover of the Company, except for provisions in the rules 
of the Company’s share plans which may result in the vesting of 
options or awards granted to employees on a takeover.

Political donations
No political donations or contributions were made during the 
year by the Company or any subsidiary company to any political 
party, candidate or holder of public office.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00 am 
(UK time) on Friday 30 July 2021 at 33 St James’ Square, 
London SW1Y 4JS. Further information can be found in the 
Shareholder Circular and Notice of Meeting which accompanies 
this Annual Report and Accounts.

Company website
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website, www.sirius-real-estate.com, and for the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements. 
Legislation in Guernsey governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions.

Disclosures required under UK Listing Rule 9.8.4
There are no disclosures required to be made under LR 9.8.4R 
which have not already been disclosed elsewhere in this 
Directors’ report.

Auditors and disclosure of information 
to auditors
On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of 
Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting to be held on 
30 July 2021 that Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) be reappointed as 
auditors of the Company. EY are accredited as an audit firm by 
JSE Limited.

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of the 
financial statements confirm that, so far as they are each aware:

 » there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s 

auditors are unaware; and

 » each Director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to 
have taken as a Director to make him or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company 
auditors are aware of that information.

By order of the Board

Anthony Gallagher
Company Secretary
4 June 2021

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contents

Financial statements
105  Independent auditors’ report

112  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

113  Consolidated statement of financial position

114  Consolidated statement of changes in equity

115  Consolidated statement of cash flows

116  Notes to the financial statements

156  Business analysis (unaudited information)

159  Annex 1 – Non-IFRS measures

163  Glossary of terms

165  Corporate directory

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Sirius Real Estate 
Limited (the ”Company”) and its subsidiaries (the ”Group”) for the 
year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
and the related notes 1 to 33, including a summary of significant 
accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards. 

In our opinion, the financial statements: 

 » give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 

31 March 2021 and of its profit for the year then ended;

 » have been properly prepared in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards; and

 » have been properly prepared in accordance with the 

requirements of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described 
in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. We are independent of the 
Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are 
relevant to our audit of the financial statements, including the 
UK FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest 
entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that 
the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our 
evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group’s and 
Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting included:

 » We assessed the risk around going concern at planning, the 
interim review and again at the year-end phases of the audit.

 » We performed our own independent risk assessment of 

going concern, including considering the completeness of 
risks identified in Management’s assessment. 

 » We obtained an understanding of the process followed 
by Management to prepare the Group’s going concern 
assessment, including identifying and assessing scenarios 
that may arise as a result of Covid-19 on future occupancy 
and income levels and the impact of a fall in property 
valuations on compliance with loan covenants. 

 » We assessed the adequacy of the going concern review 
period to the end of June 2022, considering whether any 
events or conditions foreseeable after the period indicated 
a longer review period would be appropriate

 » We obtained the base case scenario and the severe but 

plausible downside scenario covering the going concern 
period prepared by Management and provided to the Board. 
We assessed whether the scenarios were sufficient and 

105

suitable to allow Management to form their view on going 
concern and tested the mathematical accuracy of the models.

 » We challenged the appropriateness of each of the key 

assumptions through agreeing them to supporting evidence 
and searching for contradictory evidence, using our 
understanding of the Group’s business, evidence gained 
during the audit and our industry and sector knowledge. We 
considered the historical forecasting accuracy when 
assessing Management’s ability to forecast and the 
appropriateness of the forecasts. 

 » We challenged Management’s consideration of the severe 

but plausible downside scenario, using our Chartered 
Surveyors and Debt Advisory Specialists to assess the stress 
tests applied to forecast reductions in property valuations and 
forecast assumptions on debt refinancing. We applied further 
sensitivities where appropriate to stress test the impact on 
forecast available cash.

 » We checked the modelled details of the lending terms and 

covenants back to lender agreements, verifying the key terms 
and confirming the availability of the debt facilities in the 
going concern period.

 » We performed testing to evaluate whether the covenant 

requirements of the debt facilities would be breached under 
the severe but plausible downside scenario prepared by 
Management and applied additional stress tests to observe 
their impact on liquidity. We performed additional reverse 
stress testing for further falls in valuations and occupancy 
and income levels and evaluated the impact on the Group’s 
covenants and liquidity. In assessing the likelihood of these 
scenarios, we considered the perspective of our Chartered 
Surveyors, assessed the impact of the timing of these events 
and understood the availability of mitigating actions to be taken.

 » We identified debt facilities maturing shortly after the going 

concern period and challenged Management’s plans to refinance 
this debt or repay it if a refinance is not possible. We considered 
the appetite in the German debt market and used our Debt 
Advisory Specialists to conclude on the likelihood of refinancing 
options being available. We assessed the availability of cash 
in the severe but plausible downside scenario, including the 
reasonableness of mitigating actions and whether there was 
sufficient cash to repay the debt if required. 

 » We reviewed the disclosures in the Annual Report and 

Accounts 2021 in relation to going concern with a view to 
assessing whether they appropriately disclose the risks, the 
impact on the Group’s operations and results and the 
availability of mitigating actions to be taken.

Our key observations on going concern include;

 » Under the severe but plausible downside scenario, soft 

covenant breaches are forecast. The loan agreements allow 
for remediation of the breaches through cash being placed 
into restricted accounts. 

 » Management have looked beyond the going concern review 
period and considered the debt repayment falling due in 
September 2022. Management are considering a range of 
options in relation to the repayment of this facility, if the 
intended refinancing does not go ahead. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021An overview of the scope of our audit
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and 
our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit 
scope for the Group. This enables us to form an opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements. We take into account size, 
risk profile, the organisation of the Group and effectiveness 
of controls, including controls and changes in the business 
environment when assessing the level of work to be performed. 
The audit was approached as a single component with an 
integrated team completing all audit work. 

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the 
most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters 
included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall 
audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

106

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

Conclusions relating to going concern 
continued
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified 
any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 
Group’s and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern 
for a period to 30 June 2022. Going concern has also been 
determined to be a key audit matter.

In relation to the Group’s reporting on how they have applied the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to 
add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors’ statement in 
the financial statements about whether the Directors considered 
it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with 
respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections 
of this report. 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.

Overview of our audit approach

Audit scope  » Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation 

of materiality and our allocation of performance 
materiality determine our audit scope for each 
entity within the Group. Taken together, this 
enables us to form an opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements. This included 
the Group audit team performing direct audit 
procedures on associate balances included 
within the Group financial statements.

Key audit  
matters

 » The valuation of the investment 

property portfolio 

 » Revenue recognition, including the timing of 
revenue recognition, the treatment of rents, 
service charge income and lease incentives

 » Assessment of uncertain tax positions

Materiality

 » Overall Group materiality of €15.1m (2020: 

€13.9m) which represents 1% of total assets 
(1% of total assets) was applied to balances 
related to investment properties, loans and 
derivatives

 » Specific materiality of €3.0m (2020: €2.6m) 

which represents 5% of adjusted profit before 
tax (2020: 5% of adjusted profit before tax) 
was applied to account balances not related to 
investment properties, loans, or derivatives

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021107

Key observations communicated 
to the Audit Committee 

We have audited the inputs, 
assumptions and 
methodology used by 
the external valuer. We 
concluded that the 
methodology applied was 
appropriate and that the 
external valuations were 
a reasonable assessment 
of the market value of 
investment properties at 
31 March 2021.

Our Chartered Surveyors 
concluded that the 
sample of valuations they 
reviewed were within a 
reasonable range. 

We concluded that the 
investment property 
valuations are reasonable 
and did not identify 
evidence of undue 
Management influence.

We have reviewed the 
disclosures in the financial 
statements and consider 
them appropriate.

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
Key audit matters continued

Risk

Our response to the risk

The valuation of the 
investment property 
portfolio 

2021: €1,362m (2020: 
€1,194m) in investment 
properties, €nil (2020: €10m) 
included within assets held 
for sale and €244m (2020: 
€229m) included in 
investments in associates

Refer to the Audit Committee 
report (pages 64 to 69); 
Accounting policies (pages 
116 to 123); Note 13 of the 
Financial Statements (pages 
134 to 136) and Note 17 of 
the Financial Statements 
(pages 138 to 139)

The valuation of the 
investment property 
portfolio (including 
investment properties held in 
investments in associates) 
requires significant judgement 
and use of estimates by 
Management and the 
external valuer. Any input 
inaccuracies or unreasonable 
bases used in these 
judgements (such as in 
respect of market rental 
income and yields applied) 
could result in a material 
misstatement of the income 
statement and balance sheet. 

There is also a risk that 
Management may influence 
the significant judgements 
and estimates in respect of 
property valuations in order 
to achieve property valuation 
and other performance 
targets to meet market 
expectations or bonus targets. 

Our audit procedures in respect of the valuation of investment 
property included:

 » We performed a walkthrough of the valuation process and 

methodology, evaluating the Group’s controls over data used in the 
valuation of the investment property portfolio and Management’s 
review of the valuations.

 » We evaluated the competence of the external valuer which included 

consideration of their qualifications and expertise.

 » We selected a sample based on factors including size, risk, type of 
property and location, which in total comprised 59% of the market 
value of investment properties (including investment properties 
within assets held for sale and investments in associates). For the 
sample of properties we performed testing over source 
documentation provided by the Group to the external valuer. This 
included agreeing a sample of this documentation back to 
underlying lease data and vouching costs incurred to date in 
respect of properties with capital expenditure. 

 » We included Chartered Surveyors on our audit team who reviewed 
and challenged the valuation approach and assumptions for our 
sample. Our Chartered Surveyors assessed the yield of each 
property against available market evidence and/or asset specific 
considerations. They also assessed whether the other assumptions 
applied by the external valuer, such as the market rental income and 
voids were supported by available market data. This included 
assessing the assumptions applied by the external valuer as a result 
of Covid-19 in respect of tenant voids and rent collections, the 
impact on the property valuations and investigating any contrary 
evidence to the assumptions adopted.

 » Together with our Chartered Surveyors, we discussed with the 
external valuer their valuation approach, and challenged the 
judgements they made in assessing the property valuation such 
as market rental income, yields and other assumptions and the 
findings from our audit work described above to seek further 
explanations and evidence as required. We challenged the 
reasonableness of the assumptions made as a result of the 
Covid-19 outbreak. 

 » We conducted analytical procedures by comparing assumptions 
and the value of each property in the portfolio by reference to 
movements in yields and rents during the year and their impact on 
the valuation, along with asset specific considerations to evaluate 
the appropriateness of the valuations adopted by the Group. We 
challenged Management and their external specialist with our audit 
findings, including contradictory evidence to obtain further 
understanding of the movements in values.

 » We obtained a confirmation from the external valuer that they had 

not been subject to undue influence from Management.

 » We utilised our analytical procedures and work of the Chartered 

Surveyors described above in order to assess for evidence of undue 
Management influence.

 » We performed live virtual site visits accompanied by our Chartered 

Surveyors for a sample of properties, to confirm existence and state 
of repair of the properties. 

Scope of our procedures

We performed full scope audit procedures over the valuation of 
all investment properties, including those classified within the 
investment in associates. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Key observations communicated 
to the Audit Committee 

We audited the timing of 
revenue recognition, 
treatment of rents, service 
charge income and lease 
incentives and assessed the 
risk of management override. 
Based upon the audit 
procedures performed, we 
have concluded that revenue, 
service charge income and 
the lease incentives have 
been recognised on an 
appropriate basis in the year.

108

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
Key audit matters continued

Risk

Our response to the risk

Revenue recognition, 
including the timing of 
revenue recognition, 
the treatment of rents, 
service charge income 
and lease incentives

2021: €105m rental and 
other income and €60m 
service charge income 
(2020: €97m rental and other 
income and €53m service 
charge income)

Refer to the Audit Committee 
report (pages 64 to 69); 
Accounting policies (pages 
116 to 123); and Note 5 of 
the Financial Statements 
(page 124)

Market expectations and 
profit based targets may 
place pressure on 
Management to distort 
revenue recognition. This 
may result in overstatement 
of revenues to assist in 
meeting current or future 
targets or expectations.

Our audit procedures over revenue recognition included:

 » We evaluated the Group’s controls over revenue recognition and 
the treatment of rents which have been designed by the Group 
to prevent and detect fraud and errors in revenue recognition. 

 » We selected a sample of lease agreements and agreed the terms 

per the lease agreements to the data input into the property 
management system, including lease incentive clauses. We agreed 
a sample of service charge income balances in the year to the 
supporting terms of the lease agreements, invoices raised and 
cash collections.

 » Detailed analytical procedures were performed using data analytics 
tools on the recognition of revenue, including rents, incentives and 
other property related revenue to assess whether revenue had been 
recognised in the appropriate accounting period. We performed 
anchor testing from rental agreements to cash combined with three 
way journal correlation using data analytics. This provided 
substantive evidence on occurrence and measurement of revenue, 
with some evidence on completeness of processing.

 » We agreed a sample of lease agreements to the revenue 

recognised, after considering the straight-lining of revenue in 
accordance with IFRS 16 – Leases. 

 » For the service charge income, we analysed and compared our 

expectation to actual service charge income recognised in the ledger. 
We reviewed the service charge calculation and allocation to tenants 
and the recoverability of historic service charge debtors. We selected 
a sample of service charge expense balances in the year, agreeing 
it to supporting third party documentation and tracing through to 
the expected recovery of service charge income. 

 » We assessed whether the revenue recognition policies adopted 

complied with IFRS through sample testing transactions to 
determine the underlying accounting treatment applied.

 » We performed testing over the appropriateness of manual journals 

posted to revenue specifically designed to address the risk of 
management override of controls. 

Scope of our procedures

The whole Group was subject to full scope audit procedures 
over revenue. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021109

Key observations communicated 
to the Audit Committee 

As a result of the 
procedures performed in 
relation to the assessment 
of uncertain tax positions 
we concluded that the 
amounts provided for tax 
liabilities and recognised as 
an expense during the year 
and related disclosures 
have been appropriately 
made in accordance with 
the Group’s accounting 
policies and IFRS.

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
Key audit matters continued

Risk

Our response to the risk

Assessment of uncertain 
tax positions 

2021: €16m total tax charge 
(2020: €13m), €2m current 
tax liability (2020: €1m) and 
€56m deferred tax liability 
(2020: €42m)

Refer to the Audit Committee 
report (pages 64 to 69); 
Accounting policies 
(pages 116 to 123); and 
Note 10 of the Financial 
Statements (pages 129 
to 130)

Management make 
judgements and estimates in 
relation to the tax treatment 
of a number of transactions 
in advance of the ultimate tax 
determination being certain.

This is due to the complexity 
of the Group’s legal structure 
(including multiple legal 
entities), the number of tax 
jurisdictions in which the 
Group operates, the complexity 
of international tax legislation 
and the changing tax 
environment. Where the 
amount of tax payable or 
recoverable is uncertain, the 
Group makes an assessment 
based on Management’s 
judgement of the probable 
amount of the liability or 
expected amounts recoverable. 
As a result of the complexities 
in these areas the assessment 
of uncertain tax matters is a 
key audit judgement.

Our audit procedures and assessment of uncertain tax 
positions included:

 » We used tax specialists in the UK, Netherlands and Germany to 
understand and assess the tax risks for the Group in the various 
jurisdictions it operates in. The tax specialists applied their experience 
and knowledge of the Group and each tax jurisdiction to assess those 
risks identified by management are complete. The tax specialists 
assessed Management’s judgments through reviewing tax advice 
provided to the Group, inspected documentation from the 
respective tax authorities to conclude on our opinion. 

 » We evaluated the process by which Management, in conjunction 
with their advisors, assessed uncertain tax positions and their 
assessment of tax risks arising in the Group.

 » We obtained Management’s assessment for uncertain tax positions 
and their calculations for the expected outcome. The assessment of 
tax risks included in the Group arise from multiple tax jurisdictions. 
We assessed the logic and arithmetical accuracy of the calculations 
in accordance with relevant tax legislation.

 » We considered, evaluated and challenged any tax advice the Group 

had received from its tax advisors in relation to the exposures 
identified to determine whether the accounting treatment applied is 
consistent with the tax advice obtained and relevant tax legislation. 
We considered the completeness through searching for contrary 
evidence identified in the audit, inspection of Board Minutes for any 
additional tax cases and review of journal entries. 

 » We assessed and formed our own views on the key judgements 
with respect to open and uncertain tax positions. We did this 
through reading the correspondence with tax authorities, validating 
the assumptions and challenging the conclusions reached.

 » We evaluated whether the liabilities and potential exposures were 

appropriately disclosed in the financial statements.

Scope of our procedures

The whole Group was subject to full scope audit procedures for the 
assessment of uncertain tax positions. 

Our application of materiality 
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the 
audit and in forming our audit opinion. 

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent 
of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Group to be €15.1m (2020: €13.9m), which is 1% of total assets (2020: 1% of total assets). We 
determined that the total assets balance is the most appropriate basis for determining overall materiality given that the Group’s 
primary focus is its investment property portfolio and the key users of the Group’s financial statements are focussed on the total 
asset portfolio of the Group. This provided a basis for determining the nature, timing and extent of risk assessment procedures, 
identifying and assessing the risk of material misstatement and determining the nature, timing and extent of further audit procedures. 

We have determined that for other account balances not related to investment properties, loans, or derivatives a misstatement of 
less than overall materiality for the financial statements as a whole could influence the economic decisions of users. We have 
determined that materiality for these areas should be based upon 5% of adjusted profit before tax, amounting to €3m (2020: 
€2.6m). We believe that it is appropriate to use a profit based measure as profit is also a focus of users of the financial statements. 

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and concluded that 1% of total assets remained the appropriate 
measurement basis.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021110

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

An overview of the scope of our audit 
continued
Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or 
balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and 
undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

Performance materiality and specific performance materiality 
was 75% (2020: 50%) of our planning materiality, namely 
€11.4m (2020: €6.8m) and €2.3m (2020: €1.3m) respectively.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our 
assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our 
judgement is that performance materiality for the Group has 
been increased from 50% to 75% of planning materiality for 
the 2021 audit. We have deemed this increase appropriate 
based on our expectations of identifying material misstatement 
and the control environment supporting the prevention of 
material misstatement. 

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are 
considered as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report 
to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of €0.8m 
(2020: €0.7m), as well as audit differences in excess of €0.2m 
(2020: €0.1m) that relate to our specific testing of the other 
account balances not related to investment properties, loans, 
or derivatives, which is set at 5% of materiality. We also agreed 
to report differences below that threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the 
quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light 
of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included 
in the annual report set out on pages 156 to 165, other than 
the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The 
directors are responsible for the other information contained 
within the annual report. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly 
stated in this report, we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

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 
course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 
If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is 
a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of the other information, we 
are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by 
exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 requires 
us to report to you if, in our opinion:

 » proper accounting records have not been kept by the 

Company; or

 » the financial statements are not in agreement with the 

Company’s accounting records and returns; or

 » we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit.

Corporate Governance Statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statement 
in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part 
of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Group’s 
compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have 
concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate 
Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit:

 » Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of 
adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any 
material uncertainties identified set out on pages 102 to 103;

 » Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the Company’s 
prospects, the period this assessment covers and why the 
period is appropriate set out on page 48;

 » Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable 

set out on page 100;

 » Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust 

assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on 
page 38;

 » The section of the annual report that describes the review 
of effectiveness of risk management and internal control 
systems set out on pages 64 to 66; and

 » The section describing the work of the audit committee 

set out on pages 66 to 67.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement set out on page 100, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the directors 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.

Auditor’s 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 auditor’s 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. 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable 
of detecting irregularities, including fraud 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021111

An overview of the scope of our audit 
continued
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements continued
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including 
fraud. 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. The extent to which our procedures are capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and 
detection of fraud rests with both those charged with 
governance of the Company and Management. 

 » We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 

frameworks that are applicable to the Group and determined 
that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting 
framework (IFRS, The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and The King IV Report for 
Corporate Governance™ for South Africa 2016), the relevant 
tax regulations in the jurisdictions the Group operates in, the 
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Health & Safety 
Regulations and the Bribery Act. There are no significant 
industry specific laws or regulations that we considered in 
determining our approach;

 » We understood how Sirius Real Estate Limited is complying 
with those frameworks through enquiry with Management, 
and by identifying the Group’s policies and procedures 
regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We also 
identified those members of Management who have the 
primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with laws 
and regulations, and for reporting any known instances of 
non-compliance to those charged with governance. We 
corroborated our enquiries through our review of board minutes 
and papers provided to the board and the Audit Committee, 
as well as consideration of the results of our audit procedures 
across the Group to either corroborate or provide contrary 
evidence which was then followed up. Our assessment 
included the tone from the top and the emphasis on a culture 
of honest and ethical behaviour;

 » We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial 

statements to material misstatement, including how fraud 
might occur by reviewing the Group’s risk register and 
through enquiry with Management and the Audit Committee 
during the planning and execution phases of our audit. We 
considered the programmes and controls that the Group has 
established to address risks identified, or that otherwise 
prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how Management 
monitors those programmes and controls;

 » Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures 
to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations 
that could give rise to a material misstatement in the annual 
report. Our procedures involved:

 – Enquiry of Management, and when appropriate, those 
charged with governance regarding their knowledge of 
any non-compliance or potential non-compliance with laws 
and regulations that could affect the financial statements;

 – Reading minutes of meetings of those charged 

with governance;

 – Obtaining electronic confirmations from the Group’s 

banking providers to vouch the existence of cash balances 
and completeness of loans, borrowings and other treasury 
positions such as derivatives;

 – Obtaining and reading correspondence from legal and 
regulatory bodies, including the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), the 
Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and tax authorities 
in all jurisdictions the Group operates in; and

 – Journal entry testing, with a focus on manual journals 

and journals indicating large or unusual transactions based 
on our understanding the business.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 
This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address 
 » Following the recommendation from the Audit Committee 
we were appointed by the Company in 2018 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2019 and 
subsequent financial periods. 

The period of total uninterrupted engagement including 
previous renewals and reappointments is three years, covering 
the years ending 31 March 2019, 2020 and 2021.

 » The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical 

Standard were not provided to the Group or the Company 
and we remain independent of the Group and the Company 
in conducting the audit. 

 » The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report 

to the Audit Committee

Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with Section 262 of The Companies (Guernsey) 
Law 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we 
might state to the Company’s members those matters we are 
required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other 
purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept 
or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and 
the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Daniel Saunders
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP
London
4 June 2021

Notes:

(1)  The maintenance and integrity of the Sirius Real Estate Limited web 
site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the 
auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, 
the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have 
occurred to the financial statements since they were initially 
presented on the web site.

(2)  Legislation in Guernsey governing the preparation and dissemination 
of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021112

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 March 2021

Revenue

Direct costs

Net operating income

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

Gain on disposal of properties

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries

Administrative expenses

Share of profit of associates

Operating profit

Finance income

Finance expense

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year after tax

Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total comprehensive income for the year after tax

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

All operations of the Group have been classified as continuing.

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

Notes

5

6

13

6

6

17

9

9

9

10

165,361

(71,541)

93,820

99,585

54

65

(27,823)

4,977

150,014

(64,672)

85,342

55,789

86

6,323

(21,175)

2,129

170,678

128,494

2,712

(9,869)

136

(7,021)

163,657

(16,097)

147,560

1,031

(18,383)

(377)

(17,729)

110,765

(12,620)

98,145

147,451

98,136

109

9

147,560

98,145

11

11

14.16c

13.96c

9.55c

9.44c

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 March 2021

Non-current assets

Investment properties

Plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Right of use assets

Other non-current assets

Investment in associates

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Current tax liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity 

Issued share capital

Other distributable reserve

Own shares held

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to the owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

113

Notes

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

13

15

19

16

18

17

20

21

14

22

23

16

23

16

10

26

27

26

1,362,192

1,193,915

2,682

6,568

1,919

44,960

17,202

2,374

5,724

2,440

39,013

12,306

1,435,523

1,255,772

18,731

70

65,674

84,475

—

15,048

89

121,263

136,400

10,100

1,519,998

1,402,272

(50,527)

(9,114)

(5,857)

(2,063)

(414)

(56,780)

(32,026)

(5,562)

(779)

(412)

(67,975)

(95,559)

(458,940)

(448,202)

(9,130)

(797)

(13,588)

(956)

(56,331)

(42,151)

(525,198)

(504,897)

(593,173)

(600,456)

926,825

801,816

—

—

449,051

470,151

(2,903)

(1,515)

480,385

926,533

292

332,934

801,570

246

926,825

801,816

The financial statements on pages 112 to 115 were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 June 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman

Company number: 46442

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
114

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 March 2021

As at 31 March 2019

Share-based payment transactions

Own shares purchased

Own shares allocated

Dividends paid*

Total comprehensive income for the year

As at 31 March 2020

Share-based payment transactions

Own shares purchased

Own shares allocated

Dividends paid

Transfer of share capital

Issued
share
capital
€000

Other
distributable
reserve
€000

Own shares
held
€000

Retained
earnings
€000

Notes

Total equity
attributable 
to the 
owners of 
the Company
€000

Non-
controlling
interest
€000

Total
equity
€000

— 491,010

— 234,798

725,808

237

726,045

—

—

—

—

—

1,985

—

—

(22,844)

—

—

(1,690)

175

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,985

(1,690)

175

(22,844)

98,136

98,136

—

—

—

—

9

1,985

(1,690)

175

(22,844)

98,145

— 470,151

(1,515) 332,934

801,570

246

801,816

—

—

—

3,148

—

—

13,169

(37,417)

(13,169)

13,169

—

(1,613)

225

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,148

(1,613)

225

—

—

—

3,148 

(1,613)

225

(24,248)

(63)

(24,311)

—

—

—

8

28

8

26

26

28

28

Total comprehensive income for the year

—

—

— 147,451

147,451

109

147,560

As at 31 March 2021

— 449,051

(2,903) 480,385 926,533

292 926,825

* 

 Ordinary shares of 16,228,946 with a value of €13,110,000 were issued pursuant to scrip dividend offerings on 22 August 2019, 8 January 2020 
and 17 January 2020 (refer to note 26). The value of €13,110,000 has been subsequently transferred to other distributable reserves in accordance 
with Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 March 2021

Operating activities

Profit for the year after tax

Taxation

Gain on disposal of properties

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries

Share-based payments

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of right of use assets

Share of profit of associates

Finance income

Finance expense

Exit fees/prepayment of financing penalties 

Changes in working capital

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Taxation paid

Cash flows from operating activities

Investing activities

Purchase of investment properties

Notes

10

8

13

9

15

19

16

17

9

9

9

Proceeds from loss on control of subsidiaries (net of cash disposed)

Proceeds from sale of loans to associates

Capital expenditure on investment properties

Purchase of plant and equipment and intangible assets

Proceeds on disposal of properties (including held for sale)

13, 14 

Proceeds on disposal of plant and equipment

Increase in loans receivable

Interest received

115

Year ended
31 March
2021
€000

147,560

16,097

(54)

(65)

3,148

Year ended
31 March
2020
€000

98,145

12,620

(86)

(6,323)

1,985

(99,585)

(55,789)

(136)

669

897

521

(4,977)

(2,712)

9,869

—

(2,518)

2,913

(632)

70,995

377

662

914

522

(2,129)

(1,031)

9,276

9,107

(5,530)

10,080

(1,460)

71,340

(35,484)

(120,434)

65

—

(31,104)

(2,718)

30

—

(5,950)

1,627

14,348

29,280

(31,620)

(2,684)

9,090

185

(21,438)

1,031

Cash flows used in investing activities

(73,534)

(122,242)

Financing activities

Shares purchased

Dividends paid to owners of the Company

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest

Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities

Proceeds from loans

Repayment of loans

Exit fees/prepayment of financing penalties 

Finance charges paid

Cash flows (used in)/from financing activities

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the year

28

(1,613)

(24,248)

(63)

(5,681)

20,000

(33,753)

—

(406)

(22,844)

—

(5,559)

187,451

(15,050)

(525)

(7,692)*

(11,184)* 

(53,050)

131,883

(55,589)

121,263

80,981

40,282

Cash and cash equivalents as at the year end

21

65,674

121,263

* 

Including capitalised loan issue cost of €134,000 (2020: €2,402,000).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
116

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. General information
Sirius Real Estate Limited (the “Company”) is a company incorporated in Guernsey and resident in the United Kingdom for tax 
purposes, whose shares are publicly traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) (primary listing) and the 
Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) (primary listing).

The consolidated financial information of the Company comprises that of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred 
to as the “Group”) for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

The principal activity of the Group is the investment in, and development of, commercial property to provide conventional 
and flexible workspace in Germany.

2. Significant accounting policies 
(a) Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for investment properties, investment 
properties held for sale and derivative financial instruments, which have been measured at fair value. The consolidated financial 
information is presented in euros and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (€000), except where otherwise indicated. 

The Company has chosen to prepare its annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB (“IFRS”) as a result of the primary listing on the JSE. 

As at 31 March 2021 the Group’s consolidated financial statements reflect consistent accounting policies and methods of 
computation as used in the previous financial year, except for the changes in the application of accounting policies as described 
in note 2(b). 

(b) Changes in accounting policies 
There were several new and amendments to standards and interpretations which are applicable for the first time for the Group 
from 1 April 2020. The applicable new and amendments to standards for the Group are disclosed below. The Group has not early 
adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. See note 2(aa).

Amendments to IFRS 3: Definition of a Business 
The amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations clarify that to be considered a business, an integrated set of activities and assets 
must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that, together, significantly contribute to the ability to create output. 
Furthermore, they clarify that a business can exist without including all of the inputs and processes needed to create outputs. 

The other key amendments include: 

 » removal of the assessment of whether market participants are capable of replacing any missing inputs or processes and 

continuing to produce outputs;

 » adding guidance and illustrative examples to help entities assess whether a substantive process has been acquired;

 » narrowing the definitions of business and outputs by focusing on goods or services provided to customers and by removing 

the reference to an ability to reduce costs; and

 » adding an optional concentration test that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets 

is not a business.

The amendments must be applied to transactions that are either business combinations or asset acquisitions for which the acquisition 
date is on or after the first annual reporting period beginning on or after 1 January 2020. These amendments had no impact on the 
consolidated financial statements of the Group, but may impact future periods should the Group enter into any acquisition. The 
Group expects that the amendments will reduce the number of transactions that are accounted for as a business combination. 

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 Definition of Material 
The amendments provide a new definition of material that states, “information is material if omitting, misstating or obscuring it 
could reasonably be expected to influence decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make on the 
basis of those financial statements, which provide financial information about a specific reporting entity.” The amendments clarify 
that materiality will depend on the nature or magnitude of information, either individually or in combination with other information, 
in the context of the financial statements. A misstatement of information is material if it could reasonably be expected to influence 
decisions made by the primary users. These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of, nor is there 
expected to be any future impact to the Group. 

(c) Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the 
United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, the SAICA Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee, 
Financial Reporting Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting Standards Council, the listing requirements of the 
JSE Limited, IFRS and Companies (Guernsey) Law. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis 
as the accounting policies set out in the Group’s annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020, except for the 
changes in accounting policies as shown in note 2(b). All forward-looking information is the responsibility of the Board of Directors 
and has not been reviewed or reported on by the Group’s auditors.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021117

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(d) Going concern
The Group has prepared its going concern assessment for the period to the end of June 2022 (the ‘going concern period’). The 
Group’s going concern assessment is based on the same financial model that supported the Group’s going concern and viability 
statement detailed within its Annual Report and Accounts 2020, updated on the basis of the assumptions set out below. It considers 
the Group’s Principal Risks and Uncertainties set out on pages 38 to 47 and is dependent on a number of factors including financial 
performance, continued access to lending facilities (see note 23) and the ability to continue to operate the Group’s secured and 
unsecured debt structure within its financial covenants. The Group’s secured debt typically contains soft covenants that result in 
operational restrictions through placing cash in restricted accounts, and hard covenants that, if breached, represent default events 
unless cured with partial loan repayments. The cash flow projections also made assumptions on future trading performance, capital 
expenditure, and potential valuation movements in order to estimate the level of headroom on facilities and covenants relating to 
loan to value and interest cover ratios.

In considering going concern, the Directors reviewed a detailed base case scenario and a severe but plausible downside scenario 
provided by Management which modelled the effects of severe and more realistic assumptions. These take into account a potential 
downturn in the Group’s performance, including as a result of the potential impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s financial position and 
future prospects.

The impact of Covid-19 on the business in the year to 31 March 2021 did not indicate a deterioration in the Group’s income streams 
or falls in asset values, both of which increased in the period. The assumptions included in the severe but plausible downside 
scenario relating to the going concern period included: 

 » reduction in occupancy from 87% at March 2021 to 82% in March 2022 and further reduction to 81% occupancy from April 2022 

to the end of the going concern period;

 » reduction in service charge recovery from 90% at March 2021 to 85% in March 2022 and further reduction to 84% recovery from 

April 2022 to the end of the going concern period;

 » reduction in investment property values by 5% in the going concern period;

 » no acquisitions over and above those legally committed to;

 » continuation of forecasted capex investment; and 

 » continuation of forecasted dividend payments. 

The Group assessed the impact of the severe but plausible downside scenario on its loan covenant positions. The Group’s loan to 
value covenants are tested based on the valuation relevant to the covenant test as set out in the respective loan agreements. 

Based on unrestricted cash at 31 March 2021 amounting to €49.3 million and the results of the severe but plausible scenario analysed 
above, the Directors consider that the Group has sufficient cash resources to remedy any breaches of its loan covenants in the going 
concern period that arise under the assumptions made above. In addition, the Group has available a fully committed but as yet 
undrawn capex facility amounting to €13.1 million, flexibility in determining whether to make dividend payments and the possibility 
to restrict capital expenditure to that of a non-discretionary nature in the unlikely event mitigating actions are required within the 
going concern period. In addition, the Group has 19 unencumbered assets with a book value of €245.5 million as of 31 March 2021.

The Directors also evaluated potential events and conditions beyond 30 June 2022 that may cast significant doubt on the going 
concern assessment, specifically, the ability of the Group to refinance or extend the €51.0m SEB AG loan in September 2022. 
The Directors are of the view that they have a realistic prospect of securing this refinancing or an alternative source of secured or 
unsecured funding, a judgement which was informed by the Group’s financial forecasts and their discussions with finance providers. 
Should the debt not be refinanced or extended alternative options could be considered, including the use of mitigating factors 
referred to above. The mitigating factors are within the control of the Directors and there is sufficient time for such mitigating factors 
to be implemented, if required. 

Thus, the Directors have not identified any material uncertainties which would cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern for the going concern period. After due consideration, the Board believes it is appropriate to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

(e) Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial information comprises the financial information of the Group as at 31 March 2021. The financial 
information of the subsidiaries is prepared for the same reporting period as the Company, using consistent accounting policies.

All intra-group balances and transactions and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions are 
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue 
to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets not held by the Group and are presented separately 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and within equity in the consolidated statement of financial position, 
separately from the Company’s shareholders’ equity.

(f) Acquisitions
Where a property is acquired through the acquisition of corporate interests, management considers the substance of the assets 
and activities of the acquired entity in determining whether the acquisition represents the acquisition of a business.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021118

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(f) Acquisitions continued
The Group accounts for an acquisition as a business combination where an integrated set of activities is acquired in addition to the 
property. More specifically, consideration is made of the extent to which substantive processes are acquired and, in particular, the 
extent of services provided by the subsidiary. IFRS 3 Business Combinations sets out an optional concentration test designed to 
simplify the evaluation of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. An acquired set of activities and assets 
is not a business if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group 
of similar identifiable assets.

Where such acquisitions are not deemed to be an acquisition of a business, they are not treated as business combinations. Instead, 
they are treated as asset acquisitions, with the cost to acquire the corporate entity being allocated between the identifiable assets 
and liabilities of the entity based on their relative fair values on the acquisition date. Accordingly, no goodwill arises.

(g) Foreign currency translation
The consolidated financial information is presented in euros, which is the functional and presentational currency of all members 
of the Group.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the 
transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated into the functional currency at the 
exchange rate ruling at the statement of financial position date. All differences are taken to the statement of comprehensive income.

(h) Revenue recognition 
Rental income
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease unless another systematic 
basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the benefit derived from the leased asset is diminished. Fixed or determinable 
rental increases, which can take the form of actual amounts or agreed percentages, are recognised on a straight-line basis over the 
term of material leases. If the increases are related to a price index to cover inflationary cost increases, then the policy is not to spread 
the amount but to recognise them when the increase takes place.

The value of rent free periods and all similar lease incentives is spread on a straight-line basis over the term of material leases only. 
Where there is a reasonable expectation that the tenant will exercise break options, the value of rent free periods and all similar lease 
incentives is booked up to the break date. 

Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the goods or services is transferred to the customer at an 
amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. 

The Group mainly generates revenue from contracts with customers for services rendered to tenants including management 
charges and other expenses recoverable from tenants (“service charge income”). These services are specified in the lease 
agreements and separately invoiced. Service charge income is recognised as revenue when the performance obligations of the 
services specified in the lease agreements are met.

The individual activities vary significantly throughout the day and from day to day; however, the nature of the overall promise of 
providing property management service remains the same each day. Accordingly, the service performed each day is distinct and 
substantially the same. These services represent a series of daily services that are individually satisfied over time because the 
tenants simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by the Group. The actual service provided during each reporting 
period is determined using cost incurred as the input method.

Transaction prices are regularly updated and are estimated at the beginning of each year based on previous costs and estimated 
spend. Service charge budgets are prepared carefully to make sure that they are realistic and reasonable. Variable consideration is 
only included in the transaction price to the extent it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue 
recognised will not occur. The variable consideration is allocated to each distinct period of service (i.e. each day) as it meets the 
variable consideration allocation exception criteria. 

The Group acts as a principal in relation to these services, and records revenue on a gross basis, as it typically controls the specified 
goods or services before transferring them to tenants.

Where amounts invoiced to tenants are greater than the revenue recognised at the period end date, the difference is recognised as 
unearned revenue when the Group has unconditional right to consideration, even if the payments are non-refundable. Where amounts 
invoiced are less than the revenue recognised at the period end date, the difference is recognised as contract assets or, when the 
Group has a present right to payment, as receivables albeit unbilled.

Rental income, fee income and other income from managed properties
As the Group derives income and incurs expenses relating to properties it manages but does not own, such income and expense is 
disclosed separately within revenue and direct costs. Income relating to managed properties is accounted for according to revenue 
recognition accounting policies set out above.

Interest income
Interest income is recognised as it accrues (using the effective interest method, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated 
future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument).

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021119

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(i) Leases
Group as lessor
Leases where the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as 
operating leases.

Group as lessee
All contracts that give the Group the right to control the use of an identified asset over a certain period of time in return for 
consideration are considered leases within the meaning of IFRS 16 Leases (IFRS 16).

For all contracts that meet the definition of leases according to IFRS 16, the Group, at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date 
the underlying asset is available for use), recognises lease liabilities equal to the present value of the future lease payments, discounted 
to reflect the term-specific incremental borrowing rate if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Lease liabilities 
are subsequently increased by the periodic interest expenses and reduced by the lease payments made during the financial year.

Correspondingly, right of use assets are initially recognised at cost under IFRS 16 which is the amount of the lease liabilities (plus any 
advance payments that have already been made or any initial direct costs). Subsequently, the right of use assets are generally measured 
at cost, taking depreciation (calculated straight line over the lease term) and impairments into account and are presented separately 
in the statement of financial position except for right of use assets that meet the definition of IAS 40 Investment Property (IAS 40) which 
are presented as investment property and subsequently measured at fair value in line with the measurement rules set out in IAS 40.

Periods resulting from extension or termination options granted on a unilateral basis are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are 
only taken into account if their use is sufficiently probable.

The Group utilises the recognition exemptions provided by IFRS 16 and does not apply IFRS 16 to leases with a contractual term of 
twelve months or less and to leases in which the underlying asset is of low value (on a case-by-case basis).

Lease payments associated with short-term leases and with leases of low-value assets are recognised as expenses on a straight-line 
basis over the lease term.

(j) Income tax
Current income tax
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the reporting date at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to 
the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted 
by the reporting date.

Certain subsidiaries may be subject to foreign taxes in respect of foreign sources of income. Sirius Real Estate Limited is a UK 
resident for tax purposes.

Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 
carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements, with the following exceptions:

 » where the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not 

a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;

 » in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, where the timing of the reversal of the 
temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future; and 

 » deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that it is foreseeable that taxable profit will be available against which the 

deductible temporary differences, carried forward tax credits or tax losses can be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply 
in the year when the related asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted 
or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

(k) Sales tax
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sales tax except:

 » where the sales tax incurred on a purchase of assets or services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case 
the sales tax is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and 

 » receivables and payables that are stated with the amount of sales tax included.

The net amount of sales tax recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables 
in the statement of financial position.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021120

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(l) Investment properties
Investment properties are properties that are either owned by the Group or held under a lease which are held for long-term rental 
income and/or capital appreciation. 

Investment properties owned by the Group are initially recognised at cost, including transaction costs when the control of the 
property is transferred. Where recognition criteria are met, the carrying amount includes subsequent costs to add to or replace part 
of an investment property. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are stated at fair value, which reflects market 
conditions at the reporting date. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair values of investment properties are included in 
profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

The fair value of the Group’s owned investment properties at 31 March 2021 is based on a valuation carried out at that date 
by Cushman & Wakefield LLP (2020: Cushman & Wakefield LLP), an independent valuer, on the basis of highest and best use. 
The valuation is in accordance with standards complying with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ (“RICS’s”) approval and the 
conceptual framework that has been set by the International Valuation Standards Committee.

The Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation is based upon assumptions including those relating to current rental rates, market rental 
rates, occupancy, gross initial yields, discount factors and void periods. The properties are valued on the basis of a ten to fourteen 
year discounted cash flow model supported by comparable evidence. The discounted cash flow calculation is a valuation of rental 
income considering non-recoverable costs and applying a discount rate for the current income risk over a ten to fourteen year 
period. After ten to fourteen years, a determining residual value (exit scenario) is calculated, discounted to present value.

Investment properties relating to leased assets were initially recognised on 1 April 2019 in accordance with IFRS 16 (see policy in 
note 2(i)). Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties relating to leased assets are stated at fair value, which reflects 
market conditions at the reporting date. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair values of investment properties are included 
in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

The fair value of investment properties relating to leased assets at 31 March 2021 has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation 
carried out at that date by the Group. The valuation is based upon assumptions including future rental income and expenditure in 
accordance with the conditions of the related lease agreements. The properties are valued on the basis of a discounted cash flow 
model with the measurement period equal to the term of the lease agreements.

(m) Disposals of investment property
Investment property disposals are recognised when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which typically occurs on the date 
of completion. Profit or loss arising on disposal of investment properties is calculated by reference to the most recent carrying value 
of the asset adjusted for subsequent capital expenditure.

(n) Assets held for sale and disposal groups
(i) Investment properties held for sale
Investment properties held for sale are separately disclosed at the asset’s fair value. In order for an investment property held for sale 
to be recognised, the following conditions must be met:

 » the asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition and location;

 » the asset is being actively marketed;

 » the asset’s sale is expected to be completed within twelve months of classification as held for sale;

 » there must be no expectation that the plan for selling the asset will be withdrawn or changed significantly; and

 » the successful sale of the asset must be highly probable.

(ii) Disposal groups
The Group classifies non-current assets and disposal groups as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered principally 
through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. Non-current assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale 
are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Costs to sell are the incremental costs directly 
attributable to the disposal of a disposal group, excluding finance costs and income tax expense.

The criteria for held-for-sale classification is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the disposal group is 
available for immediate sale in its present condition. Actions required to complete the sale should indicate that it is unlikely 
that significant changes to the sale will be made or that the decision to sell will be withdrawn. Management must be committed 
to the plan to sell the asset with the sale expected to be completed within one year from the date of the classification.

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are not depreciated or amortised once classified as held for sale.

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are presented separately in the statement of financial position.

Additional disclosures are provided in note 14.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021121

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(o) Plant and equipment
Recognition and measurement
Items of plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation
Where parts of an item of plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of plant and equipment.

Depreciation is charged in the statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each 
part of an item of the fixed assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Plant and equipment 

three to ten years

Fixtures and fittings 

three to fifteen years

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date.

(p) Intangible assets
The Group recognises only acquired intangible assets. These intangibles are valued at cost.

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are 
carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets with a definite useful life are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives. Their useful lives are between three and five years. Any amortisation 
of these assets is recognised as such under administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life, particularly goodwill, are not amortised. 

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of the purchase consideration over the Group’s interest in the fair 
value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill is initially recognised at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is 
tested annually for impairment, or more frequently when there is an indication that the business to which the goodwill applies may 
be impaired.

(q) Trade and other receivables
Rent and service charge receivables and any contract assets do not contain significant financing components and are measured at the 
transaction price. Other receivables are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs. Subsequently, trade and other receivables 
are measured at amortised cost and are subject to impairment (see note 2(y)). The Group applies the simplified impairment model 
of IFRS 9 in order to determine expected credit losses in trade and other receivables, including lease incentives. 

The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its trade and other receivables. A provision 
for impairment is made for the lifetime expected credit losses on initial recognition of the receivable. If collection is expected in more 
than one year, the balance is presented within non-current assets.

(r) Treasury Shares and shares issued to the Employee Benefit Trust
Own equity instruments are deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on the 
purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Group’s equity instruments.

(s) Share-based payments
The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with a 
corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees unconditionally become entitled to the awards.

The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market 
vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of 
awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date.

(t) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, demand deposits and other short-term, highly liquid investments 
with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an 
insignificant risk of change in value.

(u) Bank borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and borrowings are initially recorded at fair value net of directly attributable transaction costs.

Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
rate method. 

When debt refinancing exercises are carried out, existing liabilities will be treated as being extinguished when the new liability is 
substantially different from the existing liability. In making this assessment, the Group will consider the transaction as a whole, 
taking into account both qualitative and quantitative characteristics in order to make the assessment.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021122

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(v) Trade payables
Trade payables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest 
rate method.

(w) Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

(x) Dividends
Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the consolidated financial information in the 
period in which the dividends are approved by the shareholders in line with Guernsey law. The final dividend relating to the year 
ended 31 March 2021 will be approved and recognised in the financial year ending 31 March 2022.

(y) Impairment excluding investment properties
(i) Financial assets
A financial asset (excluding financial assets at fair value through profit and loss) is assessed at each reporting date to determine 
whether there is any impairment. The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all receivables and contract 
assets held by the Group. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract 
and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The 
expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the 
contractual terms and that are not recognised separately by the Group. 

For rent and other trade receivables and any contract assets, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. The Group 
does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date (i.e. a loss 
allowance for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default). In determining 
the ECLs the Group takes into account any recent payment behaviours and future expectations of likely default events (i.e. not making 
payment on the due date) based on individual customer credit ratings, actual or expected insolvency filings or Company voluntary 
arrangements and market expectations and trends in the wider macroeconomic environment in which our customers operate. 

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income. For more information refer to note 6. 
Trade and other receivables are written off once all avenues to recover the balances are exhausted and the lease has ended.

(ii) Non-financial assets
The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than investment property, are reviewed at each reporting date to 
determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In 
assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, 
assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generate cash inflows from continuing use that are largely 
independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit”).

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its estimated recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss of the statement of comprehensive income. Impairment losses 
recognised in profit or loss in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill 
allocated to the units and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (or group of units) on a pro rata basis. 

(z) Current versus non-current classification
The Group presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification, except 
for deferred tax assets and liabilities which are classified as non-current assets and liabilities. An asset is current when it is:

 » expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the normal operating cycle;

 » held primarily for the purpose of trading;

 » expected to be realised within twelve months after the reporting period; or

 » cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the 

reporting period.

All other assets are classified as non-current.

A liability is current when:

 » it is expected to be settled in the normal operating cycle;

 » it is held primarily for the purpose of trading;

 » it is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period; or

 » there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period.

The Group classifies all other liabilities as non-current.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021123

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(aa) Standards and interpretations in issue and not yet effective
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group’s 
financial statements are disclosed below, if they are expected to have an impact on the Group’s financial statements. The Group 
intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective. 

Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current 
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to paragraphs 69 to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirements for classifying liabilities 
as current or non-current. The amendments clarify: 

 » what is meant by a right to defer settlement; 

 » that a right to defer must exist at the end of the reporting period; 

 » that classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferral right; and 

 » that only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability is itself an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact 

its classification.

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 and must be applied 
retrospectively. The Group is currently assessing the impact the amendments will have on its current accounting policies. 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – fees in the “10%” test for derecognition of financial liabilities
As part of its 2018–2020 annual improvements to IFRS standards process, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 9. The amendment 
clarifies the fees that an entity includes when assessing whether the terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially 
different from the terms of the original financial liability. These fees include only those paid or received between the borrower and 
the lender, including fees paid or received by either the borrower or lender on the other’s behalf. An entity applies the amendment 
to financial liabilities that are modified or exchanged on or after the beginning of the annual reporting period in which the entity first 
applies the amendment. The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022, with earlier 
adoption permitted. The Group must apply the amendments to financial liabilities that are modified or exchanged on or after the 
beginning of the annual reporting period in which the entity first applies the amendment. 

The amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

(ab) Non-IFRS measures
The Directors have chosen to disclose EPRA earnings, which are widely used alternative metrics to their IFRS equivalents (further 
details on EPRA best practice recommendations can be found at www.epra.com). Note 11 to the financial statements includes a 
reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings to EPRA earnings.

EPRA introduced three new features of the net asset valuation metrics, which replace EPRA NAV for accounting periods commencing 
in January 2020: EPRA net reinstatement value, EPRA net tangible assets and EPRA net disposal value. The Directors have disclosed 
the three new EPRA measures in note 12 and disclose EPRA net tangible assets as the primary EPRA measure. For further 
explanation, please see note 12. 

The Directors are required, as part of the JSE Listing Requirements, to disclose headline earnings; accordingly, headline earnings are 
calculated using basic earnings adjusted for revaluation gain net of related tax and gain/loss on sale of properties net of related tax. 
Note 11 to the financial statements includes a reconciliation between IFRS and headline earnings.

The Directors have chosen to disclose adjusted earnings in order to provide an alternative indication of the Group’s underlying 
business performance; accordingly, it excludes the effect of adjusting items net of related tax. Note 11 to the financial statements 
includes a reconciliation of adjusting items included within adjusted earnings, with those adjusting items stated within 
administrative expenses in note 6.

The Directors have chosen to disclose adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations in order to provide an alternative 
indication of the Group’s underlying business performance and to facilitate the calculation of its dividend pool; a reconciliation 
between profit before tax and funds from operations is included within note 28 to the financial statements. Within adjusted profit 
before tax are adjusting items as described above gross of related tax.

Further details on non-IFRS measures can be found in the Business analysis section of this document. 

3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
Judgements
In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, which are described in note 2, the Directors have made the following 
judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial information:

Acquisition and disposal of properties
Property transactions can be complex in nature and material to the financial statements. To determine when an acquisition or 
disposal should be recognised, management considers whether the Group assumes or relinquishes control of the property, and the 
point at which this is obtained or relinquished. Consideration is given to the terms of the acquisition or disposal contracts and any 
conditions that must be satisfied before the contract is fulfilled. In the case of an acquisition, management must also consider 
whether the transaction represents an asset acquisition or business combination.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021124

3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions continued
Estimates and assumptions 
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant 
risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below:

Valuation of owned and leased investment properties (including those recognised within assets held for sale or 
a disposal group)
The fair value of the Group’s owned investment properties was determined by Cushman & Wakefield LLP (2020: Cushman & 
Wakefield LLP), an independent valuer. After adjusting investment properties for lease incentive accounting, the book value of 
investment properties excluding assets held for sale is shown as €1,347.2 million (2020: €1,176.1 million) as disclosed in note 13.

The Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation is based upon assumptions including those relating to current rental rates, market rental 
rates, occupancy, gross initial yields, discount factors and void periods. The properties are valued on the basis of a ten to fourteen 
year discounted cash flow model supported by comparable evidence. The discounted cash flow calculation is a valuation of rental 
income considering non-recoverable costs and applying a discount rate for the current income risk over a ten to fourteen year 
period. After ten to fourteen years, a determining residual value (exit scenario) is calculated, discounted to present value.

The fair value of the Group’s leased investment properties was determined by the Group. The book value of leased investment 
properties is shown as €15.0 million (2020: €17.8 million) as disclosed in note 13.

As a result of the level of judgement used in arriving at the market valuations, the amounts which may ultimately be realised in 
respect of any given property may differ from the valuations shown on the statement of financial position.

Assessment of uncertain tax positions
In the ordinary course of business, management makes judgements and estimates in relation to the tax treatment of certain transactions 
in advance of the ultimate tax determination being certain. This is due to the complexity of the Group’s legal structure (including multiple 
legal entities), the number of tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates, the complexity of international tax legislation and the 
changing tax environment. Where the amount of tax payable or recoverable is uncertain, the Group makes an assessment based on the 
Management’s judgement of the probable amount of the liability or expected amounts recoverable.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities require management judgement in determining the amounts, if any, to be recognised. In particular, 
judgement is required when assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets should be recognised, taking into account the expected 
timing and level of future taxable income. Deferred tax assets are only recognised when management believe they will be recovered 
against future taxable profits.

Service charge 
Service charge expenses are based on actual costs incurred and invoiced together with an estimate of costs to be invoiced in future periods. The 
estimates are based on expected consumption rates and historical trends and take into account market conditions at the time of recording. 

Service charge income is based on service charge expense and takes into account recovery rates which are largely derived from 
estimated occupancy levels. 

Cash Flow and Covenant Compliance Forecasts
Cash flow forecasts and covenant compliance forecasts are prepared by management to assess the going concern assumption and viability of the 
Group. Estimations of future revenue and expenditure are made to determine the expected cash inflows and outflows, considering expectations 
for occupancy levels, forecast expenditure and the current market climate. The impact of the forecasted cash flows and underlying property 
valuations are considered when assessing forecast covenant compliance and anticipated levels of headroom on the Group’s debt facilities.

Refer to note 2(d) for further details, which includes the assessment of forecasted cash flows and covenant compliance in 
Management’s going concern assessment.

4. Operating segments
The Directors are of the opinion that the Group is engaged in a single segment of business, being property investment, and in one 
geographical area, Germany. All rental income is derived from operations in Germany. The majority of the Group’s investment properties 
are multi-tenanted and mixed use and accordingly cannot be evaluated according to separate segments. There is no one tenant that 
represents more than 10% of Group revenues. The chief operating decision maker is considered to be the Senior Management Team, 
which is provided with consolidated IFRS information on a monthly basis.

5. Revenue

Rental and other income from investment properties

Service charge income from investment properties

Rental and other income from managed properties

Service charge income from managed properties

Total revenue

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

95,288

51,041

9,699

9,333

89,132

48,069

7,846

4,967

165,361

150,014

Other income relates primarily to income associated with conferencing and catering of €2,314,000 (2020: €1,961,000) and fee 
income from managed properties of €7,338,000 (2020: €1,521,000).

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
6. Operating profit
The following items have been charged in arriving at operating profit:

Direct costs

Service charge costs

Costs relating to managed properties

Non-recoverable maintenance

Direct costs

125

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

56,184

11,274

4,083

71,541

55,557

6,539

2,576

64,672

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries
On 31 July 2019 the Company completed the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts which included the sale of 65% of the Company’s 
interest in five subsidiary companies holding business park assets located in Berlin, Nuremberg, Mainz and Bayreuth. As a result, a 
gain on loss of control of subsidiaries amounting to €6,323,000 was recognised in the statement of comprehensive income for the 
year ended 31 March 2020. 

Administrative expenses

Audit and non-audit fees to audit firm

Legal and professional fees

Expected credit loss provision (see note 24)

Other administration costs

LTIP and SIP

Employee costs

Director fees and expenses

Depreciation of plant and equipment (see note 15)

Amortisation of intangible assets (see note 19)

Depreciation of right of use assets (see note 16)

Marketing

Selling costs relating to assets held for sale

Exceptional items

Administrative expenses

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

683

2,778

1,791

2,781

3,395

560

2,467

118

1,018

1,985

11,109

10,701

493

669

897

521

2,009

—

697

379

662

914

522

1,889

65

(105)

27,823

21,175

Exceptional items relate to costs directly attributable to Covid-19 which are mainly costs for signage and hygiene products in amount 
of €200,000, an adjustment for a legal case in amount of €247,000 and costs for an internal restructuring in amount of €250,000 
(2020: legal claim accrual release). Employee costs as stated above relate to costs which are not recovered through service charge.

The following services have been provided by the Group’s auditor:

Audit fees to audit firm: 

Audit of consolidated financial statements

Audit of subsidiary undertakings

Non-audit fees to audit firm:

Other assurance services

Total fees

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

532

88

63

683

410

87

63

560

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
126

7. Employee costs and numbers

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs

Pension

Other employment costs

Total

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

19,013

2,925

253

71

15,977

2,671

212

64

22,262

18,924

Included in the costs related to wages and salaries for the year are expenses of €3,395,000 (2020: €1,985,000) relating to the 
granting or award of shares under LTIPs and SIPs (see note 8). The costs for all periods include those relating to Executive Directors. 

All employees are employed directly by one of the following Group subsidiary companies: Sirius Facilities GmbH, Sirius Facilities (UK) 
Limited, Curris Facilities & Utilities Management GmbH, SFG NOVA GmbH, Sirius Finance (Guernsey) Limited and Sirius Corporate 
Services B.V. The average number of people employed by the Group during the year was 256 (2020: 244), expressed in full-time 
equivalents. In addition, the Board of Directors consists of five Non-Executive Directors (2020: five) and two Executive Directors 
as at 31 March 2021 (2020: two).

8. Employee schemes
Equity-settled share-based payments
2018 LTIP
The LTIP for the benefit of the Executive Directors and the Senior Management Team was approved in 2018 with three separate grant 
dates. Awards granted under the LTIP are made in the form of nil-cost options which vest after the three year performance period 
with vested awards being subject to a further holding period of two years. Awards are split between ordinary and outperformance 
awards. Ordinary awards carry both adjusted net asset value per share (“TNR”) (two-thirds of award) and relative total shareholder 
return (“TSR”) (one-third of award) performance conditions and outperformance awards carry a sole TNR performance condition. 
The employee’s tax obligation will be determined upon the vesting date of the share issue. 

June 2020 grant 
3,600,000 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 15 June 2020 with a total charge for the award of €2,265,552. 
Charges for the awards are based on fair values calculated at the grant date and expensed on a straight-line basis over the period 
that individuals are providing service to the Company in respect of the awards. For the 15 June 2020 LTIP grant an expense of 
€645,000 was recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to 31 March 2021. 

The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the award that were 
granted on 15 June 2020:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

TSR

Black-Scholes

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

0.84

nil

38.5

2.79

4.28

0.84

nil

38.5

2.67

4.28

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

(0.677) p.a.

(0.677) p.a.

Expected outcome of performance conditions – %

Fair value per share – €

100

0.745

67.2

0.564

The weighted average fair value of a share granted under the ordinary award in the year is €0.68.

Assumptions considered in this model include: expected volatility of the Company’s share price, as determined by calculating the 
historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the period immediately prior to the date of grant and commensurate with the 
expected life of the awards; dividend yield based on the actual dividend yield as a percentage of the share price at the date of grant; 
performance projection period; risk-free rate; and correlation between comparators.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
127

8. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
June 2019 grant 
3,760,000 ordinary share awards and 690,000 outperformance share awards were granted under the scheme on 16 June 2019 with 
a total charge for the awards of €2,145,511 over three years. Charges for the awards are based on fair values calculated at the grant 
date and expensed on a straight-line basis over the period that individuals are providing service to the Company in respect of the 
awards. For the 16 June 2019 LTIP grant an expense of €766,000 was recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income to 31 March 2021. The fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the award was determined using Black-Scholes 
and Monte-Carlo models respectively with the following assumptions used in the calculation:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Expected outcome of performance conditions – %

Fair value per share – €

TNR

TSR

Black-Scholes 

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award/ 
outperformance award

1/3 ordinary award

0.73

nil

23.8

2.80

4.56

0.73

nil

23.8

2.67

4.56

(0.695) p.a.

100/24.5

0.643

(0.695) p.a.

46.6

0.340

The weighted average fair value of a share granted under the ordinary award in the period is €0.54.

Assumptions considered in this model include: expected volatility of the Company’s share price, as determined by calculating the 
historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the period immediately prior to the date of grant and commensurate with the 
expected life of the awards; dividend yield based on the actual dividend yield as a percentage of the share price at the date of grant; 
performance projection period; risk-free rate; and correlation between comparators. 

January 2019 grant 
In addition, as disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report, 4,000,000 ordinary share awards and 700,000 outperformance share awards 
were previously granted under the scheme on 15 January 2019. The portion of the accounting charge recognised in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income to 31 March 2021 is based on the following adjustments to the fair value of the awards linked 
to the TNR performance condition:

1)   the fair value was discounted at the rate of the dividend yield over the projection period in order to ensure consistent treatment 

for the awards linked to TSR and TNR performance conditions; and 

2)  the level of expected vesting of the TNR outperformance award has been adjusted in accordance with the Company’s best estimate. 

The fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the award was determined using Black-Scholes and Monte-Carlo models 
respectively with the following assumptions used in the calculation:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Expected outcome of performance conditions – %

Fair value per share – €

TNR

TSR

Black-Scholes 

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award/ 
outperformance award

1/3 ordinary award

0.66

nil

23.3

2.21

4.86

(0.63) p.a.

100/23.9

0.593

0.66

nil

23.3

2.08

4.86

(0.63) p.a.

44.7

0.295

The weighted average fair value of a share granted under the ordinary award in the period is €0.49.

As a result, the adjusted total charge for the awards granted on 15 January 2019 is €2,111,000. An expense of €955,000 was 
recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to 31 March 2021 which represents the fair value charge for 
the year and an expense of €247,000 was recognised as a provision for the expected employer’s cost in relation to the vesting in the 
next financial year.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021128

8. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
2019 SIP 
A share incentive plan (“SIP”) for the benefit of senior employees of the Company was approved in August 2019. The fair value was 
based on the Company’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest. Under the SIP, the awards were granted in the form of 
whole shares at no cost to the participants. Shares will vest after a three year performance period followed by a holding period of 
twelve months. The performance conditions used to determine the vesting of the award were based on the adjusted net asset value 
including dividends paid. As a result, under the scheme in August 2019 2,774,750 shares were granted (with an additional 70,000 
allocated in the current period), subject to performance criteria, and an expense including related costs of €679,000 was recognised 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to 31 March 2021.

2020 SIP
During the period another share incentive plan (“SIP”) for the benefit of senior employees of the Company was approved in July 2020. 
The fair value was based on the Company’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest. Under the SIP, the awards were granted 
in the form of whole shares at no cost to the participants. Shares will vest at the end of the financial year followed by a holding period 
of twelve months. The performance conditions used to determine the vesting of the award were based on the adjusted net asset 
value including dividends paid. As a result, under the scheme in July 2020 a maximum of 120,000 shares were granted, subject to 
performance criteria, and an expense including related costs of €103,000 was recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income to 31 March 2021.

Movements in the number of awards outstanding are as follows:

Year ended 
31 March 2021

Year ended 
31 March 2020

Balance outstanding as at the beginning of the period 
(nil exercisable)

Maximum granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Number of
share awards

11,934,750

3,790,000

(140,000)

—

Balance outstanding as at year end (nil exercisable)

15,584,750

Weighted
average
exercise
price
€000  

—  

—

—  

—  

—  

Number of
share awards

4,700,000

7,234,750

—

—

11,934,750

Weighted
average
exercise
price
€000

— 

—

—

—

—

Employee benefit schemes
A reconciliation of share-based payments and employee benefit schemes and their impact on the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity is as follows: 

Charge relating to 2018 LTIP – January 2019 grant

Charge relating to 2018 LTIP – June 2019 grant

Charge relating to 2018 LTIP – June 2020 grant

Charge relating to 2019 SIP – August 2019 grant

Charge relating to 2020 SIP – July 2020 grant

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

955

766

645

679

103

957

613

—

415

—

Share-based payment transactions as per consolidated statement of changes in equity

3,148

1,985

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
 
129

9. Finance income, finance expense and change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Bank interest income

Finance income from associates

Finance income

Bank loan interest expense

Interest expense related to lease liabilities (see note 16)

Bank charges and bank interest expense on deposits

Amortisation of capitalised finance costs

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Finance expense

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Net finance expense

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

38

2,674

2,712

(7,402)

(349)

(435)

(1,683)

—

54

977

1,031

(7,234)

(423)

(182)

(1,437)

(9,107)

(9,869)

(18,383)

136

(377)

(7,021)

(17,729)

Included within refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties for the year ended 31 March 2020 were costs amounting 
to €6,025,000 that directly relate to the repayment of loan facilities secured by assets included within the Titanium venture with 
AXA IM Alts that completed on 31 July 2019. The residual amount of €3,082,000 were costs relating to the repayment of loan 
facilities secured by assets not included within the Titanium venture. 

The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments in amount of €136,000 (2020: (€377,000)) reflects the change in the 
mark to market valuation of these financial instruments.

10. Taxation
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Current income tax

Current income tax charge

Current income tax charge relating to disposals of investment properties

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Total current income tax

Deferred tax

Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total deferred tax

Income tax charge reported in the statement of comprehensive income

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

(1,641)

(1,030)

(87)

(189)

(1,917)

(14,180)

(14,180)

(16,097)

—

97

(933)

(11,687)

(11,687)

(12,620)

The effective income tax rate for the period differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in Germany of 15.825% (2020: 15.825%). 
The differences are explained below:

Profit before tax

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

163,657

110,765

Profit before tax multiplied by the rate of corporation tax in Germany of 15.825% (2020: 15.825%)

25,899

17,529

Effects of:

Deductible interest on internal financing

Tax exempt gain from selling of investments and dividends

Non-deductible expenses

Tax losses utilised

Property valuation movements due to differences in accounting treatments 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Other

(7,207)

(798)

290

(2,498)

(210)

189

432

(6,891)

(1,338)

68

(1,611)

4,847

(97)

113

Total income tax charge in the statement of comprehensive income

16,097

12,620

Non-deductible expenses primarily relate to differences in the accounting and taxation treatment of share awards. Tax law provides 
for a straight-line depreciation of the buildings whereas any valuation results are not considered. This impact is considered within 
the property valuation movement item. As far as a tax rate other than the standard tax rate is to be applied to Group companies, this 
is shown in the position “Other”.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
130

10. Taxation continued
Deferred income tax liability

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Release due to disposals

Taxes on the revaluation of investment properties and derivative financial instruments

Balance as at year end

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

(42,151)

(30,878)

483

(14,663)

(56,331)

414

(11,687)

(42,151)

The Group is mainly subject to taxation in Germany with the income from the Germany-located rental business with a tax rate of 15.825%. It 
has tax losses of €325,257,000 (31 March 2020: €351,265,000) that are for an indefinite period of time available for offset against future 
profits of its subsidiaries in which the losses arose under the restrictions of the minimum taxation rule. Deferred tax assets have not been 
recognised in respect of the revaluation losses on investment properties, the valuation of the Company LTIP, interest rate swaps and in regard 
to IFRS 16 “Lease Contracts” as they may not be used to offset taxable profits elsewhere in the Group as realisation is not assured. However, 
the available losses have been considered in the calculation of the deferred tax liability in relation to the revaluation of investment properties. 

11. Earnings per share
The calculations of the basic, EPRA, diluted, headline and adjusted earnings per share are based on the following data:

Earnings attributable to the owners of the Company

Basic earnings

Diluted earnings

EPRA earnings

Diluted EPRA earnings

Headline earnings

Diluted headline earnings

Adjusted

Basic earnings 

Deduct revaluation gain

Deduct gain on sale of properties

Deduct gain on loss of control of subsidiaries

Tax in relation to the revaluation gain and gain on sale of properties above

Non controlling interest (NCI) relating to revaluation, net of related tax

Deduct revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates

Tax in relation to the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates above

Headline earnings after tax

(Deduct)/add change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of related tax and NCI

Deduct revaluation expense relating to leased investment properties

Add adjusting items, net of related tax and NCI(1)

Adjusted earnings after tax

Number of shares

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

147,451

147,451

58,633

58,633

58,848

58,848

147,451

(99,585)

(54)

(65)

14,346

82

(4,199)

872

58,848

(215)

(4,325)

4,092

58,400

98,136

98,136

55,882

55,882

46,398

46,398

98,136

(55,789)

(86)

(6,323)

11,687

29

(1,687)

431

46,398

377

(3,916)

11,052

53,911

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic, headline, adjusted and 
basic EPRA earnings per share

1,040,956,722 1,027,881,515

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings, diluted headline 
earnings, diluted adjusted earnings and diluted EPRA earnings per share

1,056,541,472 1,039,816,265

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Basic EPRA earnings per share

Diluted EPRA earnings per share

Headline earnings per share

Diluted headline earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

14.16c

13.96c

5.63c

5.55c

5.65c

5.57c

5.61c

5.53c

9.55c

9.44c

5.44c

5.37c

4.51c

4.46c

5.24c

5.18c

(1) See reconciliation between adjusting items as stated within earnings per share and those stated within administrative expenses in note 6.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
 
 
 
11. Earnings per share continued

Exceptional items

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Selling costs relating to assets held for sale

LTIP and SIP

Adjusting items as per note 11

EPRA earnings

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to owners of the Company

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

Add loss/deduct gain on disposal of properties (including tax)

Deduct gain on loss of control of subsidiaries

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

NCI in respect of the above

Deduct revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates

Tax in relation to the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates

EPRA earnings

For more information on EPRA earnings refer to Annex 1.

131

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended 
31 March 2020
€000

Notes 

6

9

6

6

697

—

—

3,395

4,092

(105)

9,107

65

1,985

11,052

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

147,451

(99,585)

33

(65)

—

(136)

14,180

82

(4,199)

872

58,633

98,136

(55,789)

(86)

(6,323)

9,107

377

11,687

29

(1,687)

431

55,882

For the calculation of basic, headline, adjusted and diluted earnings per share, as at year end, the number of shares has been 
reduced by nil shares (2020: nil shares), which are held by the Company as Treasury Shares and by 3,684,608 own shares held 
(2020: 2,112,720 shares), which are held by an Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of the Group.

The weighted average number of shares for the purpose of diluted, EPRA diluted, headline diluted and adjusted diluted earnings 
per share is calculated as follows:

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic, basic EPRA, headline and 
adjusted earnings per share

Effect of grant of SIP shares

Effect of grant of LTIP shares

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

1,040,956,722 1,027,881,515

2,834,750

2,784,750

12,750,000

9,150,000

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted, diluted EPRA, 
diluted headline and adjusted diluted earnings per share

1,056,541,472 1,039,816,265

The Company has chosen to report EPRA earnings per share (“EPRA EPS”). EPRA EPS is a definition of earnings as set out by the 
European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA earnings represents earnings after adjusting for the revaluation of investment properties, 
changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments, gains and losses on disposals of properties (net of related tax), the gain on 
loss of control of subsidiaries (net of related tax), refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties (collectively the “EPRA earnings 
adjustments”), deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings adjustments, NCI relating to gain on revaluation and gain on sale 
of properties net of related tax, revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates and the related tax thereon.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
132

12. Net asset value per share

Net asset value

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

Net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (assets attributable to the owners of the Company)

926,533

801,570

Deferred tax arising on revaluation gain, derivative financial instruments and LTIP valuation

Derivative financial instruments at fair value

Adjusted net asset value attributable to the owners of the Company

56,331

1,141

42,151

1,279

984,005

845,000

Number of shares

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of net asset value per share

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of EPRA NTA per share

1,049,132,259 1,036,257,101 

1,064,717,009 1,048,191,851 

Net asset value per share

Adjusted net asset value per share

EPRA NTA per share

Net asset value as at year end (basic)

Derivative financial instruments at fair value

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

Goodwill as per note 19

Intangibles as per note 19

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA adjustments in relation to investment in associates

EPRA NTA

88.31c

93.79c

92.29c

77.35c

81.54c

80.44c

926,533

801,570

1,141

56,331

(3,738)

(2,830)

5,212

1,279

41,668

(3,738)

(1,986)

4,337

982,649

843,130

EPRA introduced three new features of the net asset valuation metrics, which replaced EPRA NAV for accounting periods commencing 
in January 2020. Companies are expected to provide a bridge between the previous EPRA NAV metrics and the new ones for both 
the current and comparative accounting period in order to assist the users of their financial statements.

EPRA NRV

EPRA NTA

EPRA NDV

EPRA NAV

New measures

Previous measure

Net asset value as at year end (basic)

Diluted EPRA net asset value at fair value

Group

Derivative financial instruments at fair value

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

Goodwill as per note 19

Intangibles as per note 19

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

31 March 
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

1,141

56,331

n/a

n/a

n/a

106,274

5,212

n/a

6,772

31 March
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

31 March
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

1,141

56,331*

(3,738)

(2,830)

n/a

n/a

5,212*

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

(3,738)

n/a

(3,485)

n/a

n/a

(1,772)

n/a

Total EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV

1,102,263

982,649

917,538

EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV per share

103.53c

92.29c

86.18c

31 March
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

1,141

56,331

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a**

n/a

n/a

984,005

92.42c

* 

** 

 The Company intends to hold and does not intend in the long term to sell any of the investment properties and has excluded such deferred taxes 
for the whole portfolio as at year end. 

 While the previous definition of EPRA NAV included this adjustment, in prior periods it has not been considered sufficiently material to adjust. 
As the value of this difference is expected to become more material in future periods, the adjustment will now be included in the calculation of the 
EPRA measures where appropriate.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
133

12. Net asset value per share continued

EPRA NRV

EPRA NTA

EPRA NDV

EPRA NAV

New measures

Previous measure

Net asset value as at year end (basic)

Diluted EPRA net asset value at fair value

Group

Derivative financial instruments at fair value

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

Goodwill as per note 19

Intangibles as per note 19

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

31 March 
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279

42,151

n/a

n/a

n/a

93,810

4,337

n/a

6,322

31 March
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279

41,668*

(3,738)

(1,986)

n/a

n/a

4,337 *

n/a

n/a

31 March
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

n/a 

n/a 

(3,738)

n/a

(3,688)

n/a 

n/a

(2,385)

n/a

Total EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV

949,469

843,130

791,759

EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV per share

90.58c

80.44c

75.54c

31 March
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279

42,151

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a **

n/a

n/a

845,000

80.62c

* 

** 

 The Company intends to hold and does not intend in the long term to sell any of the investment properties and has excluded such deferred taxes 
for the whole portfolio as at year end. 

 While the previous definition of EPRA NAV included this adjustment, in prior periods it has not been considered sufficiently material to adjust. 
As the value of this difference is expected to become more material in future periods, the adjustment will now be included in the calculation of the 
EPRA measures where appropriate.

For more information on adjusted net asset value and EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV, refer to Annex 1.

The number of ordinary shares for the purpose of EPRA net asset value per share is calculated as follows:

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of net asset value per share

Effect of grant of SIP shares

Effect of grant of LTIP shares

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

1,049,132,259 1,036,257,101

2,834,750

2,784,750

12,750,000

9,150,000

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of EPRA net asset value per share

1,064,717,009 1,048,191,851

The number of shares has been reduced by 3,684,608 own shares held (2020: 2,120,720 shares), which are held by an Employee 
Benefit Trust on behalf of the Group.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
134

13. Investment properties
The movement in the book value of investment properties is as follows:

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

Total investment properties at book value as at the beginning of the year(1)

1,193,915

Additions – owned investment properties

Additions – leased investment properties 

Capital expenditure and broker fees

Disposals

Reclassified as investment properties held for sale (note 14)

Gain on revaluation above capex and broker fees

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties 

35,484

1,518

31,720

(30)

—

104,156

(246)

(4,325)

993,916

120,434

699

33,177

—

(10,100)

59,939

(235)

(3,915)

Total investment properties at book value as at year end(1)

1,362,192

1,193,915

The reconciliation of the valuation of owned investment properties carried out by the external valuer to the carrying values shown in 
the statement of financial position is as follows:

Owned investment properties at market value per valuer’s report(1)

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Leased investment property market value

Total investment properties at book value as at year end(1)

(1)  Excluding assets held for sale.

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

1,350,770

1,179,440

(3,603)

15,025

(3,357)

17,832

1,362,192

1,193,915

The fair value of the Group’s owned investment properties as at year end has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out 
at that date by Cushman & Wakefield LLP (2020: Cushman & Wakefield LLP), an independent valuer accredited in terms of the RICS. 
The fee arrangement with Cushman & Wakefield LLP for the valuation of the Group’s properties is fixed, subject to an adjustment for 
acquisitions and disposals.

The value of each of the properties has been assessed in accordance with the RICS valuation standards on the basis of market value. 
The methodology and assumptions used to determine the fair values of the properties is consistent with the previous year. 

The weighted average lease expiry remaining across the owned portfolio as at year end was 2.9 years (2020: 2.9 years).

As a result of the level of judgement and estimations used in arriving at the market valuations, the amounts that may ultimately be 
realised in respect of any given property may differ from the valuations shown in the statement of financial position. 

The fair value (market value) of the Group’s leased investment properties as at year end has been arrived at on the basis of a 
valuation carried out by the Group using discounted cash flows similar to the approach of Cushman & Wakefield LLP. 

The reconciliation of gain on revaluation above capex as per the statement of comprehensive income is as follows:

Gain on revaluation above capex and broker fees

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties

Gain on revaluation of investment properties reported in the statement 
of comprehensive income

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

104,156

(246)

(4,325)

59,939

(235)

(3,915)

99,585

55,789

Included in the gain on revaluation of investment properties reported in the statement of comprehensive income are gross gains 
of €106.4 million and gross losses of €6.8 million (2020: gross gains of €78.2 million and gross losses of €22.4 million).

Other than the capital commitments disclosed in note 30, the Group is under no contractual obligation to purchase, construct or 
develop any investment property. The Group is responsible for routine maintenance to the investment properties.

All investment properties are categorised as Level 3 fair values as they use significant unobservable inputs. There have not been any 
transfers between levels during the year. Investment properties have been classed according to their asset type. Information on 
these significant unobservable inputs per class of investment property is disclosed below (excluding leased investment properties).

The valuation for owned investment properties is (including assets classified as held for sale) performed on a lease-by-lease basis 
due to the mixed-use nature of the sites using the discounted cash flow technique. This gives rise to large ranges in the inputs. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
 
135

13. Investment properties continued
31 March 2021

Market
value 
(€000)

Current rental rate
per sqm (€) 

Market rental rate
per sqm (€)

Occupancy 
(%)

Gross initial yield 
(%)

Discount factor 
(%)

Void period 
(months)

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Traditional 
business parks 

Mature 

Value add

Total traditional 
business parks

Modern business 
parks

Mature 

Value add

Total modern 
business parks

Office

Mature 

Value add

31 March 2020 

Traditional 
business parks 

Mature 

Value add

Total traditional 
business parks

Modern business 
parks

Mature 

Value add

Total modern 
business parks

Office

Mature 

Value add

326,650

439,100

2.67

1.99

8.16

6.44

2.65

3.33

8.46

6.91

91.3 100.0

49.5

97.3

4.7

4.7

8.8

9.3

3.8

4.3

5.9

7.4

765,750

1.99

8.16

2.65

8.46

49.5 100.0

4.7

9.3

3.8

7.4

209,600

4.78 10.01

144,400

3.61

7.09

3.63

4.35

9.79

8.24

91.6 100.0

77.2

88.2

5.4

5.9

10.0

8.6

3.8

5.0

5.4

5.9

354,000

3.61 10.01

3.63

9.79

77.2 100.0

5.4

10.0

3.8

5.9

17,080

7.81

9.70

9.19

9.21

213,940

3.93 11.35

6.02 10.30

91.6

57.9

94.0

99.5

Total office

231,020

3.93 11.35

6.02 10.30

57.9

99.5

Total

1,350,770

1.99 11.35

2.65 10.30

49.5 100.0

4.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

6.9

10.4

10.4

10.4

4.6

4.9

4.6

3.8

4.8

6.9

6.9

7.4

Market
value 
(€000) 

Current rental rate
per sqm (€) 

Market rental rate
per sqm (€)

Occupancy 
(%)

Gross initial yield 
(%)

Discount factor 
(%)

Void period 
(months)

Low 

High 

Low

High

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

308,380

366,600

2.67

0.74

8.13

6.49

2.65

3.12

8.46

6.58

92.2 100.0

16.8

97.2

4.6

2.6

10.5

11.1

4.0

4.2

6.0

7.8

674,980

0.74

8.13

2.65

8.46

16.8 100.0

2.6

11.1

4.0

7.8

175,520

138,310

4.78

3.31

9.70

6.48

3.60

4.25

9.61

8.24

91.8 100.0

71.1

92.4

6.0

5.2

10.8

10.2

4.0

5.4

6.0

6.5

313,830

3.31

9.70

3.60

9.61

71.1 100.0

5.2

10.8

4.0

6.5

24,160

6.44

8.88

8.46

9.21

85.0 100.0

176,570

3.60 10.48

6.04 10.30

45.0

91.1

Total office

200,730

3.60 10.48

6.04 10.30

45.0 100.0

Total

1,189,540

0.74 10.48

2.65 10.30

16.8 100.0

4.6

4.0

4.0

2.6

7.1

10.4

10.4

11.1

4.9

5.0

4.9

4.0

5.6

7.6

7.6

7.8

6

9

6

6

9

6

9

9

9

6

12

18

18

15

24

24

9

15

15

24

6

9

6

9

9

9

9

9

9

6

12

24

24

18

24

24

12

18

18

24

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021136

13. Investment properties continued
As a result of the level of judgement and estimates used in arriving at the market valuations, the amounts which may ultimately be 
realised in respect of any given property may differ from valuations shown in the statement of financial position. Key inputs are 
considered to be inter-related whereby changes in one key input can result in changes in other key inputs. The impact of changes 
in relation to the key inputs is also shown in the table below:

31 March 2021

Market
value 
(€000)

Change of 5% 
in market rental rates (€000)

Change of 0.25% 
in discount rates (€000)

Change of 0.5% 
in gross initial yield (€000)

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Total traditional business parks

765,750

Total modern business parks

Total office

Market value

31 March 2020

Total traditional business parks

Total modern business parks

Total office

Market value

354,000

231,020

38,310

17,350

11,680

(38,000)

(17,190)

(11,480)

(15,030)

15,950

(7,560)

(4,520)

7,960

4,850

(58,824)

(24,479)

(18,859)

69,947

28,561

23,308

1,350,770

67,340

(66,670)

(27,110)

28,760

(102,162)

121,816

Market 
value 
(€000)

674,980

313,830

200,730

Change of 5% 
in market rental rates (€000)

Change of 0.25% 
in discount rates (€000)

Change of 0.5% 
in gross initial yield (€000)

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

33,400

15,050

10,050

(32,900)

(15,190)

(10,570)

(12,990)

13,670

(6,510)

(4,430)

6,610

4,280

(50,952)

(20,308)

(16,154)

60,702

23,472

19,635

1,189,540

58,500

(58,660)

(23,930)

24,560

(87,414)

103,809

14. Assets held for sale
Investment properties held for sale

Weilimdorf

Balance as at year end

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

—

—

10,100

10,100

The disclosures regarding valuation in note 13 are also applicable to assets held for sale. An amount of €9,090,000 relating to the 
sale of the Weilimdorf asset was received prior to the completion date of 1 April 2020. As a result, an equal and opposite position 
within other payables was recognised. See note 22 for further details. An amount of €1,010,000 is still due to be received as at 
31 March 2021. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
15. Plant and equipment

Cost

As at 31 March 2020

Additions in year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2021

Depreciation

As at 31 March 2020

Charge for year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2021

Net book value as at 31 March 2021

Cost

As at 31 March 2019

Additions in year

Transfer to intangible assets (note 19)*

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2020

Depreciation

As at 31 March 2019

Charge for year

Transfer to intangible assets (note 19)*

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2020

Net book value as at 31 March 2020

137

Total
€000

6,110

977

—

7,087

(3,736)

(669)

—

(4,405)

2,682

12,095

1,454

(4,878)

(2,561)

6,110

(8,657)

(662)

3,207

2,376

(3,736)

2,374

Plant and
equipment
€000

Fixtures
and fittings
€000

716

319

—

1,035

(615)

(76)

—

(691)

344

7,938

217

(4,878)

(2,561)

716

(6,042)

(156)

3,207

2,376

(615)

101

5,394

658

—

6,052

(3,121)

(593)

—

(3,714)

2,338

4,157

1,237

—

—

5,394

(2,615)

(506)

—

—

(3,121)

2,273

* 

 As of 31 March 2020, software and licences have been transferred from plant and equipment into intangible assets as the nature of these assets 
relate to intangible assets.

16. Right of use assets and lease liabilities
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right of use assets (excluding those disclosed under investment property) recognised and 
the movements during the year:

As at 1 April 2019

Additions

Depreciation expense

As at 31 March 2020

Additions

Depreciation expense

As at 31 March 2021

Office 
€000

2,962

—

(522)

2,440

—

(521)

1,919

Total 
€000

2,962

—

(522)

2,440

—

(521)

1,919

In addition to office spaces the Group is also counterparty to long-term leasehold agreements and head leases relating to commercial 
property. Right of use assets amounting to €15,025,000 (2020: €17,832,000) are classified as investment properties of which 
€9,355,000 (2020: €12,031,000) relate to commercial property.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
138

16. Right of use assets and lease liabilities continued
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the year:

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Accretion of interest

Additions

Payments

Balance as at year end

Current lease liabilities as at year end

Non-current lease liabilities as at year end

The following table sets out the carrying amount, by maturity, of the Group’s lease liabilities:

31 March 2021

Commercial property*

Long-term leasehold*

Office space

Total

31 March 2020

Commercial property*

Long-term leasehold*

Office space

Total

Within 1 year
€000

(5,208)

(133)

(516)

(5,857)

Within 1 year
€000

(5,003)

(111)

(448)

(5,562)

1–5 years
€000

(1,364)

(560)

(1,453)

(3,377)

1–5 years
€000

(5,875)

(569)

(1,997)

(8,441)

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

(19,150)

(24,010)

(349)

(1,518)

6,030

(14,987)

(5,857)

(9,130)

5+ years
€000

(776)

(4,977)

—

(423)

(699)

5,982

(19,150)

(5,562)

(13,588)

Total
€000

(7,348)

(5,670)

(1,969)

(5,753)

(14,987)

5+ years
€000

Total
€000

—

(10,878)

(5,121)

(26)

(5,147)

(5,801)

(2,471)

(19,150)

*  These lease liabilities relate to right of use assets recorded as investment properties. 

Maturity analysis of lease liabilities using contractual undiscounted payments is disclosed in note 24.

The overall weighted average discount rate used for the year is 1.9% (2020: 1.9%).

During the year expenses paid for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases which are recognised straight line over the lease 
term (included in the administrative expenses) amounted to €379,000 (2020: €320,000).

In addition to leases of low-value assets and payments resulting from short-term leases, interest payments and repayments of lease 
liabilities totalling €6,030,000 (2020: €5,982,000) were incurred for the year and are included in the cash flow from financing activities.

17. Investment in associates
The principal activity of the associates is the investment in, and development of, commercial property located in Germany and to 
provide conventional and flexible workspace. Since the associates are individually immaterial the Group is disclosing aggregated 
information of the associates.

The following table illustrates the summarised financial information of the Group’s investment in associates: 

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

Equity

Unrecognised accumulated losses 

Subtotal

Group’s share in equity – 35%

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

31,183

244,289

9,177

228,687

(10,224)

(5,180)

(221,756)

(202,072)

43,492

5,657

49,149

17,202

30,612

4,548

35,160

12,306

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
17. Investment in associates continued

Net operating income

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

Administrative expense

Operating profit

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Taxation 

Unrecognised losses 

Total comprehensive income for the year after tax

Group’s share of profit for the year – 35%

139

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

14,063

12,693

(1,976)

24,780

(9,078)

15,702

(2,590)

1,109

14,221

4,977

6,797

682

(1,158)

6,321

(3,556)

2,765

(1,232)

4,548

6,082

2,129

Included within the non-current liabilities are shareholder loans amounting to €123,296,000 (2020: €106,296,000). As at year end no 
contingent liabilities existed (2020: none). The associates had contracted capital expenditure for development and enhancements 
of €296,000 as at year end (2020: €1,306,000).

The following table illustrates the movement in investment in associates:

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Additions

Disposals 

Dividend received

Share of profit

Balance as at year end

18. Other non-current assets

Guarantees and deposits

Loans to associates

Balance as at year end

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

12,306

—

—

(81)

4,977

17,202

—

10,177

—

—

2,129

12,306

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

1,806

43,154

44,960

1,809

37,204

39,013

Loans to associates relate to shareholder loans granted to associates by the Group. The loans terminate on 31 December 2024, are 
fully subordinated and are charged at a fixed interest rate.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
140

19. Intangible assets

Cost

As at 31 March 2020

Additions in year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2021

Amortisation

As at 31 March 2020

Charge for year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2021

Net book value as at 31 March 2021**

Cost

As at 31 March 2019

Transfer from plant and equipment (note 15)*

Additions in year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2020

Amortisation

As at 31 March 2019

Transfer from plant and equipment (note 15)*

Charge for year

Disposals in year

As at 31 March 2020

Net book value as at 31 March 2020

Software
€000

Licences with 
definite useful life
€000

5,876

1,741

—

7,617

(4,050)

(851)

—

(4,901)

2,716

—

4,731

1,145

—

5,876

—

(3,184)

(866)

—

(4,050)

1,826

231

— 

—

231

(71)

(46)

—

(117)

114

—

146

85

—

231

—

(23)

(48)

—

(71)

160

Goodwill
€000

3,738

—

—

Total
€000

9,845

1,741

—

3,738

11,586

—

—

—

—

3,738

3,738

—

—

—

3,738

—

—

—

—

—

3,738

(4,121)

(897)

—

(5,018)

6,568

3,738

4,877

1,230

—

9,845

—

(3,207)

(914)

—

(4,121)

5,724

* 

 As of 31 March 2020, software and licences have been transferred from plant and equipment into intangible assets due to the nature of the assets. 

**  Included in the net book value is an amount of €1,600,000 relating to intangible assets under development not yet amortised (2020: €616,000). 

On 30 January 2012, a transaction was completed to internalise the Asset Management Agreement and, as a result of the 
consideration given exceeding the net assets acquired, goodwill of €3,738,000 was recognised. Current business plans indicate 
that the balance is unimpaired.

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and whenever there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. The recoverable 
amount of a cash-generating unit is based on its value in use. Value in use is the present value of the projected cash flows of the 
cash-generating unit. The key assumptions regarding the value-in-use calculations were budgeted growth in revenue and the discount 
rate applied. Budgeted profit margins were estimated based on actual performance over the past two financial years and expected 
market changes. The discount rate used is a pre-tax rate and reflects the risks specific to the real estate industry. The Group prepares 
cash flow forecasts for 3 years based on the most recent financial information approved by management. Cash flows beyond this 
period are extrapolated to a period of five years using a revenue growth rate of 2.0% (2020: 2.0%), which is consistent with the 
long-term average growth rate for the real estate sector. A discount rate of 7.14% (2020: 6.81%) and terminal value of 5.14% 
(2020: 4.81%) were applied in the impairment review. A discount rate of 10.35% (2020: 9.78%) would be required for the carrying 
value of goodwill to be greater than the fair value. A negative revenue growth rate of -1.13% (2020: -0.90%) would be required for 
the carrying value of goodwill to be greater than the fair value.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
20. Trade and other receivables

Gross trade receivables

Expected credit loss provision

Net trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

Balance as at year end

Other receivables include lease incentives of €3,603,000 (2020: €3,357,000). 

21. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank

Restricted cash

Balance as at year end

141

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

11,758

(5,431)

6,327

11,334

1,070

18,731

11,601

(3,640)

7,961

5,942

1,145

15,048

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

49,305

16,369

65,674

96,577

24,686

121,263

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. The fair value of cash as at year end is €65,674,000 
(2020: €121,263,000).

As at year end, €16,369,000 (2020: €24,686,000) of cash is held in restricted accounts. €12,736,000 (2020: €10,927,000) relates to 
deposits received from tenants. An amount of €nil (2020: €3,500,000) is cash held in escrow in accordance with one of the Group’s 
loan agreements and €131,000 (2020: €131,000) is held in restricted accounts for office rent deposits. An amount of €2,192,000 
(2020: €4,294,000) relates to amounts reserved for future bank loan interest and amortisation payments of the Group’s banking 
facilities. An amount of €1,310,000 (2020: €nil) is a cash deposit for bank guaranties. An amount of €nil (2020: €784,000) relates to 
amounts reserved for future capital expenditure. An amount of €nil (2020: €5,050,000) relates to disposal proceeds retained as security.

22. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Interest and amortisation payable

Tenant deposits

Unearned revenue

Other payables

Balance as at year end

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

7,107

19,034

489

12,736

4,642

6,519

50,527

9,578

18,056

333

10,927

4,001

13,885

56,780

Accrued expenses include costs totalling €9,465,000 (2020: €10,280,000) relating to service charge costs that have not been 
invoiced to the Group. 

Included within other payables are mainly credit balances due to tenants in relation to over collections of service charge in amount 
of €3,830,000 (2020: €3,149,000). As at 31 March 2020, other payables included €9,090,000 of proceeds relating to the sale of the 
Weilimdorf asset that is categorised as an asset held for sale at 31 March 2020 in advance of the completion date of 1 April 2020. 
See note 14 for details of assets held for sale. 

Unearned revenue includes service charge amounts of €1,068,000 (2020: €459,000). Service charge income is only recognised as 
income when the performance obligations are met. All unearned revenue of the prior year was recognised as revenue in the current year.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
142

23. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Current
Bayerische Landesbank
– hedged floating rate facility
SEB AG
– fixed rate facility
– hedged floating rate facility
– capped floating rate facility
Berlin Hyp AG/Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
– fixed rate facility
Berlin Hyp AG
– fixed rate facility
– fixed rate facility
Saarbrücken Sparkasse 
– fixed rate facility
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
– hedged floating rate facility
– floating rate facility
Capitalised finance charges on all loans

Non-current
SEB AG
– fixed rate facility
– hedged floating rate facility
– floating rate facility
– capped floating rate facility
Berlin Hyp AG/Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
– fixed rate facility
Berlin Hyp AG
– fixed rate facility
– fixed rate facility
Saarbrücken Sparkasse 
– fixed rate facility
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
– hedged floating rate facility
– floating rate facility
Schuldschein
– floating rate facility
– floating rate facility
– floating rate facility
– fixed rate facility
– fixed rate facility
Capitalised finance charges on all loans

Total

Interest rate
%

Loan maturity date

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

Hedged(1)

19 October 2020

—

23,098

1.84

Hedged(2)
Capped(3)

1 September 2022
30 October 2024
25 March 2025

1,180
459
760

1,180
458
760

1.66

1.48
0.90

1.53

27 April 2023

2,968

2,920

31 October 2023
31 October 2023

1,881
1,467

1,853
1,454

28 February 2025

760

748

Hedged(4)
Floating(5) 

31 December 2023
31 December 2023 

1.84

Hedged(2)
Floating(2)
Capped(3)

1 September 2022
30 October 2024
30 October 2024
25 March 2025

1,110
140
(1,611)

9,114

51,330
21,325
2,000
34,960

1,110
140
(1,695)

32,026

52,510
21,784
2,000
35,720

1.66

1.48
0.90

1.53

27 April 2023

56,135

59,105

31 October 2023
31 October 2023

60,137
111,843

62,018
113,310

28 February 2025

15,030

15,789

Hedged(4)
Floating(4)

31 December 2023
31 December 2023 

Floating(5)
Floating(5)
Floating(5)

1.70
1.60

5 December 2022
6 January 2023
6 January 2025
3 March 2025
3 July 2023

52,166
6,381

5,000
10,000
5,000
10,000
20,000
(2,367)

53,276
6,521

5,000
10,000
5,000
10,000
—
(3,831)

458,940

468,054

448,202

480,228

(1) This facility was hedged with a swap charged at a rate of 1.66%. The facility was repaid in full upon maturity on 19 October 2020.

(2)  Tranche 1 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate of 2.58%; tranche 2 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate 

of 2.56%. The capex facility is charged with a floating rate of 1.88% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the full term of the loan.

(3)  This facility is hedged with a cap rate at 0.75% and charged with a floating rate of 1.58% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the full term 

of the loan.

(4)  Tranche 1 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate of 1.40%; tranche 2 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate 
of 1.25%; and €19.1 million of tranche 3 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate of 0.91%, €6.5 million and the €0.5 million are 
charged with a floating rate of 1.20% over three month EURIBOR (not less than 0%). 

(5)  This unsecured facility has a floating rate of 1.50% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the first two tranches and a floating rate of 1.70% 

over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for tranche 3.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings continued
The borrowings (excluding capitalised loan issue cost) are repayable as follows:

On demand or within one year

In the second year

In the third to tenth years inclusive

Total

143

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

10,724

75,977

385,331

472,032

33,722

10,724

441,308

485,754

The Group has pledged 42 (2020: 45) owned investment properties to secure several separate interest-bearing debt facilities granted 
to the Group. The 42 (2020: 45) owned properties had a combined valuation of €1,101,689,000 as at year end (2020: €1,067,650,000).

Bayerische Landesbank
On 20 October 2015, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Bayerische Landesbank for €25.4 million. Amortisation was 2% 
per annum with the remainder due in the fourth year. The full facility had been hedged at a rate of 1.66% until 19 October 2020 by 
way of an interest rate swap. The facility was secured over four (later three) property assets and was subject to various covenants 
with which the Group has complied. The facility was repaid in full upon maturity on 19 October 2020.

SEB AG
On 2 September 2015, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with SEB AG for €59.0 million to refinance the two existing 
Macquarie loan facilities. The loan terminates on 1 September 2022. Amortisation is 2% per annum with the remainder due in the 
seventh year. The loan facility is charged at a fixed interest rate of 1.84%. This facility is secured over eleven property assets that 
were previously financed through the Macquarie loan facilities. The facility is subject to various covenants with which the Group 
has complied. No changes to the terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021. 

On 30 October 2017, the Group agreed to a second facility agreement with SEB AG for €22.9 million. Tranche 1, totalling €20.0 million, 
has been hedged at a rate of 2.58% until 30 October 2024 by way of an interest rate swap. Tranche 2, totalling €2.9 million, has 
been hedged at a rate of 2.56% until 30 October 2024 by way of an interest rate swap. The loan terminates on 30 October 2024. 
Amortisation is 2.0% per annum across the full facility with the remainder due in one instalment on the final maturity date. The facility 
is secured over three property assets and is subject to various covenants with which the Group has complied. No changes to the 
terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021. In addition, the Group agreed a capex 
facility for €7.1 million until 30 October 2024. The capex facility is not subject to amortisation and the amount currently drawn down 
is charged with a floating interest rate of 1.88% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the full term of the loan. As at 
31 March 2021 a total of €2.0 million had been drawn down.

On 26 March 2018, the Group agreed to a third facility agreement with SEB AG for €38.0 million. The loan terminates on 25 March 2025. 
Amortisation is 2% per annum with the remainder due in one instalment on the final maturity date. The loan facility is charged with a 
floating rate of 1.58% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the full term of the loan. In accordance with the requirements 
of the loan facility the Group hedged its exposure to floating interest rates by purchasing a cap in June 2018 which limits the Group’s 
interest rate exposure on the facility to 2.33%. The facility is secured over six property assets and is subject to various covenants 
with which the Group has complied. No changes to the terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 
31 March 2021. In addition, the Group agreed a capex facility for €8.0 million until 25 March 2025. The capex facility is not subject 
to amortisation and is charged at an interest rate of 1.58%. As at 31 March 2021 the capex facility remained undrawn. 

Berlin Hyp AG/Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
On 31 March 2014, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Berlin Hyp AG and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG for €115.0 million. 
Amortisation is 2% p.a. for the first two years, 2.5% for the third year and 3.0% thereafter, with the remainder due in the fifth year. 
Half of the facility (€55.2 million) is charged interest at 3% plus three months’ EURIBOR and is capped at 4.5%, and the other half 
(€55.2 million) has been hedged at a rate of 4.265% until 31 March 2019. This facility is secured over nine property assets and is 
subject to various covenants with which the Group has complied. On 28 April 2016, the Group agreed to refinance this facility which 
had an outstanding balance of €110.4 million at 31 March 2016. The new facility is split in two tranches totalling €137.0 million and 
terminates on 27 April 2023. Tranche 1, totalling €94.5 million, is charged at a fixed interest rate of 1.66% for the full term of the loan. 
Tranche 2, totalling €42.5 million, is charged with a floating rate of 1.57% over three month EURIBOR (not less than 0%) for the full 
term of the loan. Amortisation is set at 2.5% across the full facility with the remainder due in one instalment on the final maturity 
date. The facility is secured over eleven property assets and is subject to various covenants with which the Group has complied. 

On 30 June 2017, the Group repaid a total of €5.8 million following the disposal of the Düsseldorf asset. On 30 September 2017, 
the Group repaid tranche 2 of the loan in full amounting to €40.9 million following the disposal of the Munich Rupert Mayer Strasse 
asset. The facility is now secured over nine property assets. 

On 1 August 2019 the Group repaid a total of €16.8 million including €10.1 million recorded within liabilities directly associated 
with assets held for sale as of 31 March 2019, following the disposal of two assets that acted as security for the loan into the 
Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts. The remaining facility is now secured over seven property assets. No changes to the terms 
of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
144

23. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings continued
Berlin Hyp AG
On 20 October 2016, the Group concluded an agreement with Berlin Hyp AG to refinance and extend a facility which had an 
outstanding balance of €39.2 million at 30 September 2016. The new facility totals €70.0 million and terminates on 29 October 2023. 
Amortisation is 2.5% per annum with the remainder due at maturity. The facility is charged with an all-in fixed interest rate of 1.48% 
for the full term of the loan. On 13 September 2019 the facility was incorporated into the agreement as detailed below. As a result, 
the maturity date of the loan was extended to 31 October 2023 with all other conditions remaining unchanged.

On 13 September 2019, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Berlin Hyp AG for €115.4 million. The loan terminates on 
31 October 2023. Amortisation is 1.25% per annum with the remainder due in the fourth year. The loan facility is charged at a fixed 
interest rate of 0.90%. This facility is secured over nine property assets. The facility is subject to various covenants with which the 
Group has complied. No changes to the terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021.

Saarbrücken Sparkasse
On 28 March 2018, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Saarbrücken Sparkasse for €18.0 million. The loan terminates on 
28 February 2025. Amortisation is 4.0% per annum with the remainder due in one instalment on the final maturity date. The facility 
is charged with an all-in fixed interest rate of 1.53% for the full term of the loan. The facility is secured over one property asset and is 
subject to various covenants with which the Group has complied. No changes to the terms of the facility have occurred during the 
twelve month period ended 31 March 2021.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
On 19 January 2019, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG for €56.0 million. Tranche 1, 
totalling €21.6 million, has been hedged at a rate of 1.40% until 31 December 2023 by way of an interest rate swap. A first drawdown 
of tranche 3 totalling €0.5 million is charged at a fixed interest rate of 1.20%. On 3 April 2019 tranche 2 was drawn down, totalling 
€14.8 million, and has been hedged at a rate of 1.25% until 31 December 2023 by way of an interest rate swap. On 28 June 2019 
tranche 3 has been drawn down, totalling €19.1 million. Tranche 3 has been hedged at a rate of 0.91% until 31 December 2023 by 
way of an interest rate swap. The facility is secured over five property assets and is subject to various covenants with which the 
Group has complied. 

On 19 February 2020, the Group agreed to extend tranche 3 of its existing facility by €6.5 million. The loan is coterminous with the 
existing facility maturing in December 2023. The loan has been treated as a new loan and is charged with a floating interest rate of 
1.20% plus three month EURIBOR (floored at zero). Amortisation is 2% per annum with the remainder due in one instalment on the 
final maturity date. No changes to the terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021.

Schuldschein
On 2 December 2019, the Group agreed to new loan facilities in the form of unsecured Schuldschein for €20.0 million. On 25 February 
2020 the Group agreed new loan facilities in the form of unsecured Schuldschein for €30.0 million. In total the unsecured facility 
amounts to €50.0 million spread over five tranches and is charged at a blended interest rate of 1.60% and average maturity of 
2.6 years with no amortisation. As at 31 March 2021 the whole loan of €50.0 million had been drawn down. No changes to the 
terms of the facility have occurred during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2021.

A summary of the Group’s debt covenants is set out below:

Carrying amount of interest-bearing loans and borrowings (note 23)

Unamortised borrowing costs

Book value of owned investment properties*

Gross loan to value ratio

* 

Includes assets held for sale.

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

468,054

3,978

480,228

5,526

1,347,167

1,186,183

35.0%

41.0%

Banking covenants vary according to each loan agreement and typically include loan to value and income related covenants.

During the period, the Group did not breach any of its loan covenants, nor did it default on any of its obligations under its loan agreements.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
145

23. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings continued
Schuldschein continued
Reconciliation of movements of liabilities arising from financing activities:

31 March 
2020
€000 

Cash flows
€000

New leases
€000

Non-cash 
settlement
€000

Changes in 
fair values
€000

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

480,228

(13,887)

—

Lease liabilities 

Derivative financial instruments

Total

19,150

1,368

(5,681)

1,518

—

—

500,746

(19,568)

1,518

—

—

—

—

—

—

(157)

(157)

31 March 
2019
€000 

Cash flows
€000

New leases
€000

Non-cash 
settlement **

€000

Changes in 
fair values
€000

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

331,461

172,447

—

(23,225)

Lease liabilities 

—

(5,559)

24,709

Derivative financial instruments

1,152

—

—

—

—

Total

332,613

166,888

24,709

(23,225)

—

—

216

216

*  Changes in the capitalised finance charges on all loans.

**  See note 29 for further details relating to the non-cash settlement of interest-bearing loans and borrowings. 

Other *
€000

31 March
2021
€000

1,713

468,054

—

—

14,987

1,211

1,713

484,252

Other *
€000

31 March
2020
€000

(455)

480,228

—

—

19,150

1,368

(455)

500,746

24. Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Group’s principal financial liabilities comprise bank loans, derivative financial instruments and trade payables. The main purpose 
of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group’s operations. The Group has various financial assets, such as trade 
receivables and cash, which arise directly from its operations.

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk and interest rate risk.

Credit risk
Credit risk arises when a failure by counterparties to discharge their obligations could reduce the amount of future cash inflows 
from financial assets on hand at the reporting date. The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks 
with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies. The risk management policies employed by the Group to 
manage these risks are discussed below. 

In the event of a default by an occupational tenant, the Group will suffer a rental shortfall and incur additional costs, including expenses 
incurred to try and recover the defaulted amounts and legal expenses in maintaining, insuring and marketing the property until it is 
re-let. During the year, the Group monitored the tenants in order to anticipate and minimise the impact of defaults by occupational 
tenants, as well as to ensure that the Group has a diversified tenant base. The credit risk on tenants is also addressed through the 
performance of credit checks, collection of deposits and regular communication with the tenants. 

Included in loans to associate are loans provided to associate entities from Group entities. During the year the Group assessed credit 
risk relating to loans to associate by reviewing business plans, monitoring cash collection rates and the operational performance of 
each associate in order to anticipate and minimise the impact of any impairment. 

Included in other receivables are lease incentives. During the year the Group monitored tenants in order to anticipate and minimise 
the impact of defaults and move-outs from tenants which received lease incentives.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
146

24. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Credit risk continued
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the 
reporting date was:

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Loans to associates

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

The ageing of trade receivables at the statement of financial position date was:

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

6,327

9,537

43,154

70

65,674

124,762

7,961

4,394

37,204

89

121,263

170,911

0–30 days

31–120 days (past due)

More than 120 days

Total

Gross
31 March 2021
€000

Impairment
31 March 2021
€000

Gross
31 March 2020
€000

Impairment
31 March 2020
€000

6,287

1,206

4,265

11,758

(1,936)

(585)

(2,910)

(5,431)

5,838

2,908

2,855

11,601

(878)

(778)

(1,984)

(3,640)

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Expected credit loss (recognised)/released 

Balance as at year end

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

(3,640)

(1,791)

(5,431)

(3,522)

(118)

(3,640)

The allowance account for trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the Group believes that no recovery of the 
amount owing is possible; at that point the amounts considered irrecoverable are written off against the trade receivables directly. 
Historic write offs of €452,000 are still subject to enforcement activity.

Most trade receivables are generally due one month in advance. The exception is service charge balancing billing, which is due 
ten days after it has been invoiced. Included in the Group’s trade receivables are debtors with carrying amounts of €6,327,000 
(2020: €7,961,000) that are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided significant impairment as there 
has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable. 

No significant impairment has been recognised relating to non-current receivables in the period due to unchanged credit quality 
and the amounts are still considered recoverable. 

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that arises when the maturity of assets and liabilities does not match. An unmatched position potentially 
enhances profitability but can also increase the risk of losses. The Group has procedures with the objective of minimising such losses, 
such as maintaining sufficient cash and other highly liquid current assets and having available an adequate amount of committed 
credit facilities. The Group prepares cash flow forecasts and continually monitors its ongoing commitments compared to available 
cash. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions on a short-term basis which allows immediate access. This 
reflects the Group’s desire to maintain a high level of liquidity in order to meet any unexpected liabilities that may arise due to the 
current financial position. Similarly, accounts receivable are due either in advance (e.g. rents and recharges) or within ten days 
(e.g. service charge reconciliations), further bolstering the Group’s management of liquidity risk.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
 
 
147

24. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Liquidity risk continued
The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities, based on contractual undiscounted payments:

Year ended 31 March 2021

Undiscounted amounts payable in:

6 months or less

6 months to 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5–10+ years

Interest

Year ended 31 March 2020

Undiscounted amounts payable in:

6 months or less

6 months to 1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5–10+ years

Interest

Bank
loans
€000

Derivative
 financial
instruments
€000

(8,755)

(8,588)

(81,895)

(389,971)

—

(489,209)

17,177

(472,032)

(8,834)

(31,473)

(17,024)

(451,226)

— 

(508,557)

22,803

(485,754)

(220)

(216)

(426)

(435)

—

(1,297)

1,297

(254)

(178)

(336)

(693)

— 

(1,461)

1,461

Bank
loans
€000

Derivative
 financial
instruments
€000

—

(26,851)

(14,987)

(513,870)

Trade
and other
payables
€000

(26,851)

—

—

—

—

Lease
liabilities
€000

(3,047)

(3,048)

(1,492)

(2,428)

(7,223)

Total
€000

(38,873)

(11,852)

(83,813)

(392,834)

(7,223)

(26,851)

(17,238)

(534,595)

—

2,251

20,725

Trade
and other
payables
€000

(34,723)

—

—

—

—

Lease
liabilities
€000

(3,001)

(3,001)

(6,016)

(2,891)

(6,665)

Total
€000

(46,812)

(34,652)

(23,376)

(454,810)

(6,665)

(34,723)

(21,574)

(566,315)

—

2,424

26,688

—

(34,723)

(19,150)

(539,627)

Currency risk
There is no significant foreign currency risk as most of the assets and liabilities of the Group are maintained in euros. Small amounts 
of UK sterling and South African rand are held to ensure payments made in UK sterling and South African rand can be achieved at 
an effective rate.

Interest rate risk
The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the Group’s long-term floating rate debt obligations. The Group’s policy 
is to mitigate interest rate risk by ensuring that a minimum of 80% of its total borrowing is at fixed or capped interest rates by taking 
out fixed rate loans or derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate exposure, or interest rate caps.

A change in interest will only have an impact on the floating loans capped due to the fact that the other loans have a general fixed 
interest rate or they are effectively fixed by a swap. An increase of 100 bps in interest rate would result in a decreased post-tax profit 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income of €562,000 (2020: €547,000) (excluding the movement on derivative 
financial instruments) and a decrease of 100 bps in interest rate would result in an increased post-tax profit in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income of €562,000 (2020: €547,000) (excluding the movement on derivative financial instruments).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021148

24. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Interest rate risk continued
The following table sets out the carrying amount, by maturity, of the Group’s financial instruments that are exposed to interest rate risk:

31 March 2021

SEB AG – capped

SEB AG – floating

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG

Schuldschein

31 March 2020

SEB AG

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG

Schuldschein

Within 1 year
€000

1–2 years
€000

2–3 years
€000

3–4 years
€000

4+ years
€000

Total
€000

(760)

(760)

(760)

(33,440)

—

—

—

(2,000)

(140)

(140)

(6,241)

—

—

(15,000)

—

(5,000)

—

—

—

—

(35,720)

(2,000)

(6,521)

(20,000)

Within 1 year
€000

1–2 years
€000

2–3 years
€000

3–4 years
€000

4+ years
€000

Total
€000

(760)

(140)

—

(760)

(140)

(760)

(140)

(760)

(33,440)

(36,480)

(6,241)

—

(6,661)

—

(15,000)

—

(5,000)

(20,000)

The other financial instruments of the Group that are not included in the above tables are non-interest bearing or have fixed interest 
rates and are therefore not subject to interest rate risk.

Market risk
The Group’s activities are within the real estate market, exposing it to very specific industry risks.

The yields available from investments in real estate depend primarily on the amount of revenue earned and capital appreciation 
generated by the relevant properties, as well as expenses incurred. If properties do not generate sufficient revenues to meet 
operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditure, the Group’s revenue will be adversely affected.

Revenues from properties may be adversely affected by: the general economic climate; local conditions, such as an oversupply of 
properties, or a reduction in demand for properties, in the market in which the Group operates; the attractiveness of the properties 
to the tenants; the quality of the management; competition from other available properties; and increased operating costs.

In addition, the Group’s revenue would be adversely affected if a significant number of tenants were unable to pay rent or its 
properties could not be rented on favourable terms. Certain significant expenditures associated with each equity investment in real 
estate (such as external financing costs, real estate taxes and maintenance costs) are generally not reduced when circumstances 
cause a reduction in revenue from properties. By diversifying in product, risk categories and tenants, the Group expects to lower 
the risk profile of the portfolio.

Capital management
The Group seeks to enhance shareholder value both by investing in the business so as to improve the return on investment and 
by managing the capital structure.

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or 
adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, issue shares or undertake transactions, 
such as those that occurred with the internalisation of the Asset Management Agreement.

The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements other than those related to the covenants of the bank 
loan facilities.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021149

25. Financial instruments
Fair values
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts and fair values of all of the Group’s financial instruments that are 
carried in the financial statements (excluding assets held for sale and liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale):

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Loans to associates

Derivative financial instruments

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(1)

Floating rate borrowings

Floating rate borrowings – hedged(2)

Floating rate borrowings – capped(2)

Fixed rate borrowings

(1)  Excludes loan issue costs.

Fair value 
hierarchy level

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

31 March 2021

31 March 2020

Carrying
amount
€000

65,674

15,864

43,154

70

26,851

1,211

28,521

75,060

35,720

Fair
value
€000  

Carrying
amount
€000

Fair
value
€000

65,674  

15,864  

43,154

70  

26,851  

1,211  

28,521  

75,060  

35,720  

121,263

121,263

12,354

37,204

89

34,723

1,368

28,661

99,726

36,480

12,354

35,948

89

34,723

1,368

28,661

99,726

36,480

332,731

336,216  

320,887

323,319

(2)   The Group holds interest rate swap contracts and a cap contract designed to manage the interest rate and liquidity risks of expected cash flows of its 
borrowings with the variable rate facilities with SEB AG and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG. Please refer to note 23 for details of swap and cap contracts.

Fair value hierarchy
For financial assets or liabilities measured at amortised cost and whose carrying value is a reasonable approximation to fair value 
there is no requirement to analyse their value in the fair value hierarchy. 

The table below analyses financial instruments measured at fair value into a fair value hierarchy based on the valuation technique 
used to determine fair value:

Level 1:  quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: 

 inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly 
(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3: 

inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The Group holds interest rate swap contracts and interest rate cap contracts. The interest rate swap contract is reset on a quarterly 
basis, the cap contract on a half-yearly basis. The fair value of interest rate swaps is based on broker quotes. Those quotes are tested 
for reasonableness by discounting estimated future cash flows based on the terms and maturity of each contract and using market 
interest rates for a similar instrument at the measurement date. The average interest rate is based on the outstanding balances at 
the end of the reporting period. The interest rate swap is measured at fair value with changes recognised in profit or loss. The fair 
value of the interest rate cap reflects the mark to market valuation with changes recognised in the profit or loss. The fair values of the 
loans and borrowings have been calculated based on a discounted cash flow model using the prevailing market rates of interest. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150

26. Issued share capital

Authorised

Ordinary shares of no par value

As at 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2020

The number of ordinary shares of no par value as at 31 March 2021 was unlimited.

Issued and fully paid

As at 31 March 2019

Issued ordinary shares

Issued Treasury Shares

Shares issued to Employee Benefit Trust

As at 31 March 2020

Issued ordinary shares

Transfer of share capital to other distributable reserves

Issued Treasury Shares

Shares issued to Employee Benefit Trust

Shares allocated by the Employee Benefit Trust

As at 31 March 2021

Number
of shares

Unlimited

Unlimited

Number
of shares

1,022,140,875

16,228,946

—

(2,112,720)

1,036,257,101

Share
capital
€

—

—

Share
capital
€

—

—

—

—

—

14,447,046

13,169,000

—

—

(1,883,980)

312,092

1,049,132,259

(13,169,000)

—

—

—

—

Holders of the ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions and to attend and vote at any general 
meeting. Shares held in treasury are not entitled to receive dividends or to vote at general meetings.

Pursuant to a scrip dividend offering on 8 June 2020, the Company issued 6,981,451 ordinary shares at an issue price of £0.76542 
resulting in the Company’s overall issued share capital being 1,045,351,272 ordinary shares.

Pursuant to a scrip dividend offering on 13 January 2021, the Company issued 7,465,595 ordinary shares at an issue price of 
£0.87443 resulting in the Company’s overall issued share capital being 1,052,816,867 ordinary shares.

During the year 1,883,980 shares were acquired and 312,092 were allocated by the Employee Benefit Trust. A total of 3,684,608 
shares purchased at an average share price of €0.7878 are held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2020: 2,112,720 shares purchased 
at an average share price of €0.7173). The total number of shares with voting rights was 1,052,816,867 (2020: 1,038,369,821). 
No votes are cast in respect of the shares held in the Employee Benefit Trust in connection with the Company’s share plans and 
dividends paid and payable are subject to a standing waiver.

All shares issued in the year were issued under general authority. No shares were bought back in the year (2020: none).

27. Other reserves
Other distributable reserve
The other distributable reserve was created for the payment of dividends, share-based payment transactions and the buyback of 
shares and is €449,051,000 in total at year end (2020: €470,151,000).

28. Dividends
On 3 June 2019, the Company announced a dividend of 1.73c per share, with a record date of 12 July 2019 for UK and South African 
shareholders and payable on 22 August 2019. On the record date, 1,022,140,875 shares were in issue with none held in treasury 
and 1,022,140,875 were entitled to participate in the dividend. Holders of 355,791,416 shares elected to receive the dividend in 
ordinary shares under the scrip dividend alternative, representing a dividend of €6,147,000, while holders of 666,349,459 shares 
opted for a cash dividend with a value of €11,528,000. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, 
reducing the cash payable to €11,503,000. The total dividend was €17,650,000.

On 25 November 2019, the Company announced a dividend of 1.77c per share, with a record date of 20 December 2019 for UK and 
South African shareholders and payable on 17 January 2020. On the record date, 1,030,915,243 shares were in issue. Since there 
were no shares held in treasury, 1,030,915,243 shares were entitled to participate in the dividend. Holders of 388,465,484 shares 
elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the Scrip Dividend Alternative, representing a dividend of €6,851,000, 
while holders of 642,449,759 shares opted for a cash dividend with a value of €11,341,000. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust 
waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash payable to €11,341,000. The total dividend was €18,192,000.

On 1 June 2020, the Company announced a dividend of 1.80c per share, with a record date of 10 July 2020 for UK and South African 
shareholders and payable on 20 August 2020. On the record date, 1,038,369,821 shares were in issue with none held in treasury 
and 1,038,369,821 (including shares held by the EBT) were entitled to participate in the dividend. Holders of 335,705,489 shares 
elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the scrip dividend alternative, representing a dividend of €6,043,000 
(€5,830,000 as at settlement date), while holders of 700,213,704 shares opted for a cash dividend with a value of €12,603,000. 
The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash payable to €12,595,000 (€12,595,000 
as at settlement date). The total dividend was €18,646,000.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021151

28. Dividends continued
On 30 November 2020, the Company announced a dividend of 1.82c per share, with a record date of 18 December 2020 for UK 
and South African shareholders and payable on 21 January 2021. On the record date, 1,045,351,272 shares were in issue. Since 
there were no shares held in treasury, 1,045,351,272 (including shares held by the EBT) shares were entitled to participate in the 
dividend. Holders of 403,075,659 shares elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the Scrip Dividend Alternative, 
representing a dividend of €7,336,000 (€7,339,000 as at settlement date) while holders of 638,591,005 shares opted for a cash 
dividend with a value of €11,622,000. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash 
payable to €11,555,000 (€11,653,000 as at settlement date). The total dividend was €18,958,000.

The Group’s profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company for the year was €147.5 million (2020: €98.1 million). The Board 
has authorised a dividend in respect of the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 of 1.98c per share representing 
65% of FFO, an increase of 10.0% on the equivalent dividend last year, which represented 65% of FFO(1). The total dividend for the 
year is 3.80c, an increase of 6.4% on the 3.57c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020.

It is expected that, for the dividend authorised in respect of the six month period ended 31 March 2021, the ex-dividend date will be 
7 July 2021 for shareholders on the South African register and 8 July 2021 for shareholders on the UK register. It is further expected 
that for shareholders on both registers the record date will be 9 July 2021 and the dividend will be paid on 19 August 2021. A detailed 
dividend announcement was made on 14 June 2021, including details of a scrip dividend alternative.

The dividend paid per the statement of changes in equity is the value of the cash dividend. 

(1)  Adjusted profit before tax adjusted for depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16), amortisation of financing fees, 

adjustments in respect to IFRS 16 and current tax receivable/incurred and current tax relating to disposals.

The dividend per share was calculated as follows:

Reported profit before tax

Adjustments for:

Year ended
31 March 2021
€m

Year ended
31 March 2020
€m

163.7

110.8

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

(99.6)

(55.8)

Deficit on revaluation expense relating to leased investment properties

Gain of disposals of properties

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries

Deduct revaluation gain on investment property from associates and related tax

Other adjusting items(1)

Change in fair value of financial derivatives

Adjusted profit before tax

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16)

Amortisation of financing fees

Adjustment in respect of IFRS 16 

Current taxes incurred (see note 10)

Add back current tax relating to disposals

Funds from operations, year ended 31 March

Funds from operations, 6 months ended 30 September

Funds from operations, 6 months ended 31 March

Dividend pool, 6 months ended 30 September

Dividend pool, 6 months ended 31 March(2)

Dividend per share, 6 months ended 30 September

Dividend per share, 6 months ended 31 March

(4.3)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(3.3)

4.1

(0.1)

60.3

1.6

1.7

(0.9)

(1.9)

0.1

60.9

29.1

31.8

19.0

20.7

1.82c

1.98c

(3.9)

(0.1)

(6.3)

(1.3)

11.1

0.4

54.9

1.6

1.4

(1.2)

(0.9)

(0.1)

55.7

27.1

28.6

18.3

18.7

1.77c

1.80c

(1)  Includes the effect of exceptional items, refinancing activity, share awards and expected selling costs relating to assets held for sale. See note 11 

for details.

(2)  Calculated as 65% of FFO of 3.04c per share (2020: 2.77c per share using 65% of FFO) based on average number of shares outstanding 

of 1,044,538,046 (2020: 1,032,748,723).

For more information on adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations refer to Annex 1.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
152

29. Related parties
Key management personnel compensation
Fees paid to people or entities considered to be key management personnel of the Group during the year include:

Directors’ fees

Salary and employee benefits

Share-based payments

Total

Year ended
31 March 2021
€m

Year ended
31 March 2020
€m

437

3,531

2,623

6,591

333

3,238

613

4,184

The share-based payments relating to key management personnel for the year include an expense of €2,623,000 (2020: €613,000) 
for the granting of shares under the LTIP (see note 8). Included within salary and employee benefits are pension contributions 
amounting to €146,000 (2020: €142,000).

Information on Directors’ emoluments is given in the Remuneration report on pages 75 to 99. Related parties are defined as those 
persons and companies that control the Group, or that are controlled, jointly managed or subject to significant influence by the Group. 

On 31 July 2019 the Group completed the sale of 65% of its interest in five subsidiary entities. The Group’s remaining interest in 
those entities is considered an investment in associate. As part of the transaction, receivables from associates amounting to 
€28,619,000 were settled by way of a non-cash transaction in lieu of repayment of loan facilities including related breakage costs. 

Related parties are defined as those persons and companies that control the Group, or that are controlled, jointly managed or 
subject to significant influence by the Group.

The following balances and transactions with associates exist as at the reporting date:

Consolidated statement of financial position

Loans to associates

Trade and other receivables

Total 

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

43,154

3,371

46,525

37,204

842

38,046

Trade and other receivables relate to amounts owed from the services supplied to the associates and are due to be settled 14 days 
after being invoiced. As of 31 March 2021 a dividend receivable in amount of €50,000 is included in the trade and other receivables.

As a result of unchanged credit quality no material impairments have been recognised in the year. 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Services supplied

Interest income

Total 

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

7,338

2,674

10,012

1,521

977

2,498

Services provided to related parties primarily relate to the provision of property and asset management services. A performance fee 
arrangement is in a place between the associates and the Group. The performance fee was nil during the year.

30. Capital and other commitments
As at year end, the Group had contracted capital expenditure for development and enhancements on existing properties of 
€8,666,000 (2020: €12,085,000). 

These were committed but not yet provided for in the financial statements.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021 
153

31. Operating lease arrangements
Group as lessor
All properties leased by the Group are under operating leases and the future minimum lease payments receivable under 
non-cancellable leases are as follows:

Less than 1 year

1–2 years

2–3 years

3–4 years

4–5 years

More than 5 years

Total

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

84,417

61,549

41,491

33,044

18,792

35,211

77,686

59,443

42,923

29,850

23,346

30,312

274,504

263,560

The Group leases out its investment properties under operating leases. Most operating leases are for terms of one to ten years.

32. List of subsidiary undertakings
The Group consists of 94 subsidiary companies. All subsidiaries are consolidated in full in accordance with IFRS. The principal activity of the 
subsidiaries is the investment in, and development of, commercial property to provide conventional and flexible workspace in Germany. 

Company name

Curris Facilities & Utilities Management GmbH

DDS Aspen B.V.

DDS Bagnut B.V.

DDS Business Centers B.V.

DDS Coconut B.V.

DDS Conferencing & Catering GmbH

DDS Elm B.V.

DDS Fir B.V.

DDS Hawthorn B.V.

DDS Hazel B.V.

DDS Hyacinth B.V.

DDS Lark B.V.

DDS Mulberry B.V.

DDS Rose B.V.

DDS Walnut B.V.

DDS Yew B.V.

LB² Catering and Services GmbH

Marba Apple B.V.

Marba Bamboo B.V.

Marba Cherry B.V.

Marba Daffodil B.V.

Marba Grape B.V.

Marba Holland B.V.*

Marba Lavender B.V.

Marba Mango B.V.

Marba Olive B.V.

Marba Sunflower B.V.

Marba Violin B.V.

Marba Willstätt B.V.

SFG NOVA Construction and Services GmbH

Sirius Acerola GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Alder B.V.

Country 
of incorporation

Ownership at
31 March 2021
%

Ownership at
31 March 2020
%

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Netherlands

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

n/a

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

n/a

100.00

100.00

100.00

n/a

100.00

100.00

n/a

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
154

32. List of subsidiary undertakings continued

Company name

Sirius Aloe GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Ash B.V.

Sirius Aster GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Beech B.V.

Sirius Birch GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Coöperatief U.A.*

Sirius Dahlia GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Facilities (UK) Limited*

Sirius Facilities GmbH

Sirius Finance (Guernsey) Ltd.*

Sirius Four B.V.

Sirius Frankfurt Erste GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Gum B.V.

Sirius Ivy B.V.

Sirius Juniper B.V.

Sirius Krefeld Erste GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Lily B.V.

Sirius Management One GmbH

Sirius Management Two GmbH

Sirius Management Three GmbH

Sirius Management Four GmbH

Sirius Management Five GmbH

Sirius Management Six GmbH

Sirius Management Seven GmbH

Sirius Management Eight GmbH

Sirius Management Nine GmbH

Sirius Management Ten GmbH

Sirius Mannheim B.V.

Sirius Oak B.V.

Sirius One B.V.

Sirius Orange B.V.

Sirius Pear B.V.

Sirius Pine B.V.

Sirius Tamarack B.V.

Sirius Three B.V.

Sirius Tulip B.V.

Sirius Two B.V.

Sirius Willow B.V.

Marba Bonn B.V.

Marba Bremen B.V.

Marba Brinkmann B.V.

Marba Catalpa B.V.

Marba Cedarwood B.V.

Marba Chestnut B.V.

Marba Dutch Holdings B.V.

Marba Foxglove B.V.

Marba HAG B.V.

Marba Hornbeam B.V.

Marba Königswinter B.V.

Marba Maintal B.V.

Country 
of incorporation

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

UK

Germany

Guernsey

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Ownership at
31 March 2021
%

Ownership at
31 March 2020
%

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

n/a

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2021155

32. List of subsidiary undertakings continued

Company name

Marba Marigold B.V.

Marba Merseburg B.V.

Marba Mimosa B.V.

Marba Regensburg B.V.

Marba Saffron B.V.

Marba Troisdorf B.V.

Sirius Almond GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Bluebell GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Cypress GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Administration One GmbH & Co KG

Sirius Administration Two GmbH & Co KG

Verwaltungsgesellschaft Gewerbepark Bilderstöckchen GmbH

*  Subsidiary company directly held by the parent entity, Sirius Real Estate Limited.

Country 
of incorporation

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Ownership at
31 March 2021
%

Ownership at
31 March 2020
%

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

94.80

94.80

94.15

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

94.80

94.80

94.15

In the period Marba Dandelion B.V. and Sirius Corporate Services B.V. acquired 100% of the share capital of Marba Bonn B.V. and 
Sirius Coöperatief U.A. respectively.

Investment in associates which are accounted for with the equity method:

Company name

DDS Daisy B.V.

DDS Edelweiss B.V.

DDS Lime B.V.

DDS Maple B.V.

Sirius Boxwood B.V.

Sirius Laburnum B.V.

Sirius Orchid B.V.

Country 
of incorporation

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Ownership at
31 March 2021
%

Ownership at
31 March 2020
%

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

100.00

35.00

35.00

33. Post balance sheet events
On 30 April 2021, the Group completed the acquisition of a business park located in Essen. Total acquisition costs amounted to 
€10.7 million. The property is a mixed-use business park and has a net lettable area of 14,711 sqm. The property is 80% occupied 
and let to six tenants, producing an annual income of €0.8 million and having a remaining weighted average lease term of 1.4 years. 

On 28 April 2021, the Group notarised for the acquisition of a business park located in Öhringen. The total acquisition costs amount 
to €9.0 million. The business park comprises over 18,000 sqm of gross lettable area, primarily across warehouse and production 
space. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of the new financial year. 

On 1 April 2021 the Company agreed a €100.0 million bridge facility with a syndicate of banks including HSBC Trinkhaus & Burkhardt 
AG, Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. The loan facility is charged with a floating 
interest rate of 1.50% (for the first interest period) over EURIBOR and ends with a margin of 3.50% for the last interest period. 
Termination date of the facility falls 364 days after the first utilisation date. At the approval date of the Annual Report, no drawdowns 
on this facility have been made.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021156

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION)

Non-IFRS measures

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the owners of the Company

Gain on revaluation of investment properties

Loss/(gain) on disposal of properties (net of related tax)

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries (net of related tax)

Add finance restructuring costs

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments

NCI in respect of the above

Deduct revaluation surplus relating to investment in associates

Tax in relation to the above

EPRA earnings

Add change in deferred tax relating to derivative financial instruments

Add/(deduct) change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deduct finance restructuring costs

NCI in respect of the above

Headline earnings after tax

(Deduct)/add change in fair value of derivative financial instruments (net of related tax)

Deduct revaluation expense relating to leased investment properties

Add adjusting items(1) (net of related tax)

Adjusted earnings after tax

(1)  See note 11 to the financial statements.

For more information on EPRA earnings refer to Annex 1.

EPRA earnings

Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

EPRA earnings per share (cents)

Headline earnings after tax

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Headline earnings per share (cents)

Adjusted earnings after tax

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Adjusted earnings per share (cents)

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

147,451

(99,585)

33

(65)

—

(136)

14,180

82

(4,199)

872

58,633

79

136

—

—

58,848

(215)

(4,325)

4,092

58,400

98,136

(55,789)

(86)

(6,323)

9,107

377

11,687

29

(1,687)

431

55,882

—

(377)

(9,107)

—

46,398

377

(3,916)

11,052

53,911

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

58,633

55,882

1,040,956,722 1,027,881,515

5.63

58,848

5.44

46,398

1,040,956,722 1,027,881,515

5.65

58,400

4.51

53,911

1,040,956,722 1,027,881,515

5.61

5.24

Geographical property analysis – owned investment properties 

No. of owned
properties

Total sqm 
000

Occupancy

Rate psqm 
€

Annualised
 rent roll 
€m

 % of 
portfolio by 
annualised 
rent roll

Value 

€m(1)

Gross 
yield

WALE
rent

WALE
sqm

15

4

7

7

3

11

4

9

60

362

103

261

127

124

197

91

242

88.9%

98.0%

90.4%

89.2%

81.7%

89.3%

69.1%

82.5%

1,507

87.0%

6.27

7.45

4.95

7.52

7.61

5.52

5.05

6.27

6.17

24.3

9.0

14.0

10.2

9.2

11.7

3.8

15.0

97.2

25%

9%

14%

11%

10%

12%

4%

15%

315.8

144.4

184.3

145.8

180.2

153.2

54.2

169.3

7.6%

6.3%

7.6%

7.0%

5.1%

7.6%

7.1%

8.9%

100% 1,347.2

7.2%

2.8

2.5

2.7

2.1

2.7

3.3

2.6

3.8

2.9

2.8

2.6

2.7

2.1

3.0

3.5

2.5

3.5

2.9

March 2021

Frankfurt

Berlin

Stuttgart

Cologne

Munich

Düsseldorf

Hamburg

Other

Total

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
Usage analysis

Usage

Office

Storage

Production

Smartspace

Other(1)

Total

Occupied
sqm

% of occupied
 sqm

Annualised 
rent roll 
€m

% of annualised 
rent roll

Total
sqm

478,423

489,964

324,222

99,818

114,642

% of total
sqm

31.8%

32.5%

21.5%

6.6%

7.6%

407,595

417,765

312,949

70,449

102,737

31.0%

31.9%

23.9%

5.4%

7.8%

Vacant
sqm

70,828

72,199

11,273

29,369

11,905

38.4

22.4

17.3

6.6

12.5

97.2

39.4%

23.1%

17.8%

6.8%

12.9%

1,507,069

100.0% 1,311,495

100.0%

100.0%

195,574

157

Rate psqm 
€

7.82

4.48

4.61

7.85

10.16

6.17

(1)  Other includes: catering, other usage, residential, individual, technical space, land and car parking.

Lease expiry profile of future minimum lease payments receivable under non-cancellable leases 
by income

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

Office
€000

34,053

59,721

12,344

106,118

Production
€000

16,588

38,453

9,921

64,962

Storage
€000

20,425

36,430

6,803

63,658

Smartspace
€000

3,234

1,056

34

4,324

Adjustments 
in relation to 
lease incentives
€000

(598)

(242)

(5)

(845)

Other
€000

10,715

19,458

6,114

36,287

Total
€000

84,417

154,876

35,211

274,504

Lease expiry profile by future minimum lease payments receivable under non-cancellable leases 
by sqm

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

Office
sqm

109,621

255,308

42,666

Production
sqm

36,690

220,281

55,978

407,595

312,949

Storage
sqm

104,903

239,098

73,764

417,765

Smartspace
sqm

58,372

11,828

249

70,449

Other
sqm

17,369

71,645

13,723

Total
sqm

326,955

798,160

186,380

102,737

1,311,495

Escalation profile per usage
The Group’s primary source of revenue relates to leasing contracts with tenants. The Group realises escalations as a result of new sales, 
renewals, inflation linked indexations and contractually agreed uplifts. Approximately 33.8% of contracts in place at 31 March 2021 
are subject to contractual uplifts. The average contractual uplift over the coming twelve months split by usage is detailed as follows: 

Usage

Office

Storage

Production

Smartspace

Other(1)

Total

(1)  Other includes: catering, other usage, residential, individual, technical space, land and car parking.

Property profile March 2021*

Property and location

Rostock

Hanover

Mahlsdorf

Mahlsdorf II

Magdeburg

Gartenfeld

Neuruppin

Potsdam

Schenefeld

Total 
sqm 

18,656

22,717

29,257

12,736

30,022

25,379

22,959

35,864

40,252

Office 
sqm

8,228

8,911

11,578

5,765

10,732

4,996

1,404

12,372

10,264

Storage 
sqm

1,569

3,943

10,796

1,262

9,784

11,019

7,629

12,555

26,528

Production 
sqm

6,606

6,239

1,979

1,906

4,209

3,351

13,132

4,956

1,959

Other 
sqm

2,253

3,624

4,904

3,803

5,297

6,013

794

5,981

1,501

Increase in % 

1.45%

2.72%

1.80%

2.54%

7.16%

2.13%

Rate psqm 
€

6.15

5.60

7.34

7.30

5.04

7.99

4.83

7.22

4.36

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021158

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION) CONTINUED

Property profile March 2021* continued

Property and location

Dresden

Hamburg Lademannbogen

Buxtehude

Norderstedt

Neuss

Bonn

Bonn – Dransdorf

Aachen I

Aachen II

Cologne

Wuppertal

Solingen

Düsseldorf – Sud

Cölln Parc

Krefeld III

Düsseldorf II

Krefeld II

Krefeld

Cologne Porz

Bochum

Bochum II

Neuss II

Mannheim II

Mannheim III

Neu-Isenburg

Mannheim

Maintal 

Maintal Mitte

Offenbach I

Pfungstadt

Kassel

Offenbach Carl Legien-Strasse

Frankfurt Röntgenstraße

Saarbrücken

Alzenau

Friedrichsdorf

Dreieich

Frankfurt

Wiesbaden

Ludwigsburg

Nuremberg

Heidenheim

Stuttgart – Kirchheim

Munich – Neuaubing

Nabern II

Markgröningen

Fellbach

Fellbach II

Frickenhausen

Freiburg Teningen

Grasbrunn

Hallbergmoos

Total

Total 
sqm 

57,701

10,485

28,135

12,627

17,547

10,586

19,055

24,201

9,750

29,046

14,601

13,333

21,443

13,480

9,671

9,839

6,101

11,319

21,087

55,801

4,318

33,357

14,593

3,035

8,269

68,690

37,056

11,023

15,044

32,662

8,142

45,190

5,488

46,864

66,703

17,536

13,048

4,288

18,364

28,237

14,100

46,875

57,863

91,231

5,578

57,697

27,062

9,801

27,933

20,778

14,272

18,322

Office 
sqm

26,213

7,756

1,108

3,052

13,419

4,531

5,364

12,622

1,452

2,636

855

2,475

2,814

6,509

4,833

4,433

2,893

7,450

15,675

12,714

3,502

8,498

6,597

2,278

5,708

13,116

7,224

462

3,641

6,707

3,311

10,010

3,889

29,663

27,673

6,793

7,402

2,260

14,334

7,505

2,323

8,240

20,109

16,221

1,620

4,377

1,749

6,131

6,540

7,151

7,882

12,453

Storage 
sqm

17,283

1,295

11,749

7,508

1,219

2,412

6,888

2,324

6,570

12,574

5,589

4,409

12,309

3,371

3,430

4,950

325

2,545

2,416

36,004

479

17,209

4,149

740

1,168

22,214

14,779

4,523

2,414

11,406

683

9,340

505

9,685

7,510

5,249

3,095

485

1,369

10,247

3,144

15,279

12,957

31,677

491

30,925

16,551

822

7,062

6,037

4,127

3,388

Production 
sqm

11,125

—

13,412

172

153

477

1,665

5,510

1,534

1,769

3,614

4,925

1,970

2,867

924

—

2,171

592

279

3,964

12

6,058

586

—

—

27,119

8,390

5,685

2,351

9,786

3,875

17,625

36

820

24,085

2,763

—

68

—

3,832

7,628

12,964

18,737

29,614

2,376

20,225

340

27

12,182

5,578

—

—

Other 
sqm

3,080

1,434

1,866

1,895

2,756

3,166

5,138

3,745

194

12,067

4,543

1,524

4,350

733

484

456

712

732

2,717

3,119

325

1,592

3,261

17

1,393

6,241

6,663

353

6,638

4,763

273

8,215

1,058

6,696

7,435

2,731

2,551

1,475

2,661

6,653

1,005

10,392

6,060

13,719

1,091

2,170

8,422

2,821

2,149

2,012

2,263

2,481

1,507,069

478,423

489,964

324,222

214,460

Rate psqm 
€

7.20

9.60

4.16

5.16

11.19

7.51

6.39

8.72

5.58

4.61

4.34

2.67

5.25

10.31

7.72

7.46

7.27

8.28

10.44

4.27

8.28

4.25

5.68

6.32

10.68

4.61

6.19

4.03

6.26

4.68

5.31

5.18

10.35

8.07

6.35

6.73

7.94

10.11

13.57

6.07

7.42

4.22

5.94

7.06

7.22

3.37

5.00

6.90

5.02

3.92

10.71

8.70

6.17

* Excluding leased investment properties.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021ANNEX 1– NON-IFRS MEASURES

159

Basis of preparation
The Directors of Sirius Real Estate Limited (“Sirius”) have chosen to disclose additional non-IFRS measures; these include EPRA 
earnings, adjusted net asset value, EPRA net asset value, EPRA net reinstatement value, EPRA net tangible assets, EPRA net 
disposal value, adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations (collectively “Non-IFRS Financial Information”).

The Directors have chosen to disclose:

 » EPRA earnings in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. EPRA earnings is a definition 
of earnings as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA earnings represents earnings after adjusting for 
the revaluation of investment properties, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments, gains and losses on disposals 
of properties (including tax), the gain on loss of control of subsidiaries, refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties 
(collectively the “EPRA earnings adjustments”), deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings adjustments, NCI relating to gain 
on revaluation and gain on sale of properties (including tax), revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates and 
the related tax thereon. The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings and EPRA earnings is detailed in table A below.

 » Adjusted net asset value in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses. Adjusted net asset value represents net asset 
value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value and deferred tax relating to valuation movements, derivative 
financial instruments and LTIP valuation. The reconciliation for adjusted net asset value is detailed in table B below.

 » EPRA net reinstatement value (“EPRA NRV”) in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. 

EPRA NRV is a definition of net asset value as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA NRV represents net 
asset value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value, deferred tax relating to valuation movements and 
derivatives and real estate transfer tax presented in the Valuation Certificate (for the entire consolidated Group including wholly 
owned entities and investment in associates). The reconciliation for EPRA NRV is detailed in table C below.

 » EPRA net tangible assets (“EPRA NTA”) in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. EPRA 
NTA is a definition of net asset value as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA NTA represents net asset 
value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value, deferred tax relating to valuation movements (excluding 
that relating to assets held for sale) and derivatives, goodwill and intangible assets as per the note reference in the consolidated 
statement of financial position (for the entire consolidated Group including wholly owned entities and investment in associates). 
The reconciliation for EPRA NTA is detailed in table C below.

 » EPRA net disposal value (“EPRA NDV”) in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. EPRA 

NDV is a definition of net asset value as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA NDV represents net asset 
value after adjusting for goodwill as per the note reference in the consolidated statement of financial position and the fair value 
of fixed interest rate debt (for the entire consolidated Group including wholly owned entities and investment in associates). 
The reconciliation for EPRA NDV is detailed in table C below.

 » EPRA net asset value (“EPRA NAV”) in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. EPRA NAV is 
a definition of net asset value as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA NAV represents net asset value after 
adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value and deferred tax relating to valuation movements and derivatives. EPRA 
introduced three new features of the net asset valuation metrics, which replaced EPRA NAV for accounting periods commencing 
in January 2020. Companies are expected to provide a bridge between the previous EPRA NAV metrics and the new ones for both 
the current and comparative accounting period in order to assist the users of their financial statements. The reconciliation for 
EPRA NAV is detailed in table C below.

 » Adjusted profit before tax in order to provide an alternative indication of Sirius Real Estate Limited and its subsidiaries’ (the “Group”) 
underlying business performance. Accordingly, it excludes the effect of the gain on revaluation of investment properties, other 
adjusting items, gains/losses on sale of properties, change in fair value of financial derivatives, gain on loss of control of subsidiaries, 
revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates and related tax and deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment 
properties. The reconciliation for adjusted profit before tax is detailed in table D below. 

 » Funds from operations in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses and to facilitate the Group’s dividend policy which 
is derived from funds from operations. Accordingly, funds from operations excludes depreciation and amortisation (excluding 
depreciation relating to IFRS 16), amortisation of financing fees, adjustment in respect of IFRS 16 and current tax excluding tax 
on disposals. The reconciliation for funds from operations is detailed in table D below.

The Non-IFRS Financial Information is presented in accordance with the JSE Listing Requirements and the guide on pro forma 
financial information issued by SAICA. The Non-IFRS Financial Information is the responsibility of the Directors. The Non-IFRS 
Financial Information has been presented for illustrative purposes and, due to its nature, may not fairly present the Group’s financial 
position or result of operations.

Ernst & Young Inc have issued a reporting accountants’ report on the Non-IFRS Financial Information for the year ended 31 March 2021 
which is available for inspection at the Group’s registered office. The starting point for all the Non-IFRS Financial Information has been 
extracted from the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 (“consolidated financial statements”). 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021160

ANNEX 1– NON-IFRS MEASURES CONTINUED

Basis of preparation continued
Table A – EPRA earnings

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to owners of the Company(¹)

Gain on revaluation of investment properties(2)

Add loss/(deduct gain) on disposal of properties (including tax)(3)

Deduct gain on loss of control of subsidiaries(4)

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties(5)

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments(6)

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments(7)

NCI in respect of the above(8)

Deduct revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates(9)

Tax in relation to the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates(10)

EPRA earnings(11)

Notes:

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

147,451

(99,585)

33

(65)

—

(136)

14,180

82

(4,199)

872

58,633

98,136

(55,789)

(86)

(6,323)

9,107

377

11,687

29

(1,687)

431

55,882

(1)  

 Row 1 presents the profit and total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the Company which has been extracted from the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income within the consolidated financial statements.

(2)  

 Row 2 presents the gain on revaluation of investment properties which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income within the consolidated financial statements.

(3)  

 Row 3 presents the gain or loss on disposal of properties (including tax) which has been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(4)  

 Row 4 presents the gain on loss of control of subsidiaries which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
within the consolidated financial statements.

(5)  

 Row 5 presents the refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties which have been extracted from note 9 within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(6)  

 Row 6 presents the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income within the consolidated financial statements.

(7)  

 Row 7 presents deferred tax relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences of the EPRA earnings adjustments which has been 
extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial statements.

(8)  

 Row 8 presents the non-controlling interest relating to gain on revaluation and gain or loss on disposal of properties (including tax) which has 
been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated financial statements.

(9)  

 Row 9 presents the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates which has been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(10)   Row 10 presents tax in relation to the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates which has been extracted from note 11 within 

the consolidated financial statements.

(11)  Row 11 presents the EPRA earnings for the year.

Table B – Adjusted net asset value

Net asset value

31 March 2021
€000

31 March 2020
€000

Net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (assets attributable to the owners of the Company)(1)

926,533

801,570

Deferred tax arising on revaluation gain, derivative financial instruments and LTIP valuation(2)

Derivative financial instruments at fair value(3)

Adjusted net asset value attributable to owners of the Company(4)

56,331

1,141

42,151

1,279

984,005

845,000

Notes:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

 Row 1 presents the net assets value for the purpose of assets per share (assets attributable to the owners of the company) which has been 
extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements.

 Row 2 presents deferred tax expense arising on revaluation gains of €56,484,000 (2020: €42,225,000) and a credit of €153,000 (2020: €74,000) 
arising on derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial statements. There is no 
deferred tax on the LTIP valuation.

 Row 3 presents current derivative financial instrument assets of €70,000 (2020: €89,000) less current derivative financial instrument liabilities of 
€414,000 (2020: €412,000) less non-current derivative financial instrument liabilities of €797,000 (2020: €956,000) which have been extracted 
from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements.

(4)   Row 4 presents the adjusted net asset value attributable to the owners of the Company as at year end.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
161

Basis of preparation continued
Table C – EPRA net asset measures

Net asset value as at year end (basic)(1)

Diluted EPRA net asset value at fair value

Group
Derivative financial instruments at fair value(2)
Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments(3)
Goodwill as per note 19(4)
Intangibles as per note 19(5)
Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(6)
Real estate transfer tax(7)
Investment in associate
Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments(3)*
Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(6)
Real estate transfer tax(7)

EPRA NRV

EPRA NTA

EPRA NDV

EPRA NAV

New measures

Previous measure

31 March
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

1,141
56,331
n/a
n/a
n/a
106,274

5,212
n/a
6,772

31 March
2021
€000

926,533 

926,533 

31 March
2021
€000

926,533  

926,533  

1,141
56,331 *
(3,738)
(2,830)
n/a
n/a

5,212 *
n/a
n/a

n/a   
n/a  
(3,738)  
n/a  
(3,556)  
n/a  

n/a  
(1,772)  
n/a  

31 March
2021
€000

926,533

926,533

1,141
56,331
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a **
n/a
n/a

Total EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV(8)

1,102,263

982,649

917,467  

984,005

Net asset value as at year end (basic)(1)

Diluted EPRA net asset value at fair value

Group
Derivative financial instruments at fair value(2)
Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments(3)
Goodwill as per note 19(4)
Intangibles as per note 19(5)
Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(6)
Real estate transfer tax(7)
Investment in associate
Deferred tax in respect of EPRA earnings adjustments(3)*
Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(6)
Real estate transfer tax(7)

EPRA NRV

EPRA NTA

EPRA NDV

EPRA NAV

New measures

Previous measure

31 March 
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279
42,151
n/a
n/a
n/a
93,810

4,337
n/a
6,322

31 March
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279
41,668 *
(3,738)
(1,986)
n/a
n/a

4,337 *
n/a
n/a

31 March
2020
€000

801,570  

801,570  

n/a 
n/a 
(3,738)  
n/a  
(3,688)  
n/a 

n/a  

(2,385)

n/a  

31 March
2020
€000

801,570

801,570

1,279
42,151
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a **
n/a
n/a

Total EPRA NRV, NTA, NDV and NAV(8)

949,469

843,130

791,759  

845,000

* 

 The Company intends to hold and does not intend in the long term to sell any of the investment properties and has excluded such deferred taxes 
for the whole portfolio as at year end.

**    While the previous definition of EPRA NAV included this adjustment, in prior periods it has not been considered sufficiently material to adjust. 

As the value of this difference is expected to become more material in future periods, the adjustment will now be included in the calculation of the 
EPRA measures where appropriate.

Notes:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

 Row 1 presents the net assets value for the purpose of assets per share (assets attributable to the owners of the company) which has been 
extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements.

 Row 2 presents current derivative financial instrument assets of €70,000 (2020: €89,000) less current derivative financial instrument liabilities of 
€414,000 (2020: €412,000) less non-current derivative financial instrument liabilities of €797,000 (2020: €956,000) which have been extracted 
from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements. 

 Row 3 presents for the Group the deferred tax expense arising on revaluation gains of €56,484,000 (2020: €42,225,000) and a credit of €153,000 (2020: 
€74,000) arising on derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial statements and for EPRA NTA 
only the additional credit adjustment for the deferred tax expense relating to assets held for sale of €nil (2020: €483,000). For investment in associates the 
deferred tax expense arising on revaluation gains amounted to €5,212,000 (2020: €4,337,000). There is no deferred tax on the LTIP valuation.

(4)  Row 4 presents the net book value of goodwill which has been extracted from note 19 within the consolidated financial statements.

(5) 

 Row 5 presents the net book value of software and licences with definite useful life which has been extracted from 19 within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(6)  Row 6 presents the fair value of financial liabilities and assets on the statement of financial position, net of any related deferred tax.

(7) 

(8) 

 Row 7 presents the add-back of purchasers’ costs in order to reflect the value prior to any deduction of purchasers’ costs, as shown in the 
Valuation Certificate of Cushman & Wakefield LLP.

 Row 8 presents the EPRA NAV, EPRA NRV, EPRA NTA and EPRA NDV, respectively, as at year end. The EPRA NAV measurement is no longer 
recognised by EPRA guidelines from periods commencing in January 2020. The measurement has been retained to provide a bridge between the 
previous EPRA NAV metric and the new EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV metrics. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
162

ANNEX 1– NON-IFRS MEASURES CONTINUED

Basis of preparation continued
Table D – Adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations

Reported profit before tax(1)

Adjustments for:

Gain on revaluation of investment properties(2)

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties(3)

Gain on disposals of properties(4)

Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries(5)

Deduct revaluation gain on investment property from associates and related tax(6)

Other adjusting items(7)

Change in fair value of financial derivatives(8)

Adjusted profit before tax(9)

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16)(10)

Amortisation of financing fees(11)

Adjustment in respect of IFRS 16(12)

Current taxes incurred (see note 10)(13)

Add back current tax relating to disposals(14)

Funds from operations(15)

Notes:

Year ended
31 March 2021
€000

Year ended
31 March 2020
€000

163.7

110.8

(99.6)

(55.8)

(4.3)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(3.3)

4.1

(0.1) 

60.3

1.6

1.7

(0.9)

(1.9)

0.1

60.9

(3.9)

(0.1)

(6.3)

(1.3)

11.1

0.4

54.9

1.6

1.4

(1.2)

(0.9)

(0.1)

55.7

(1)  

 Row 1 presents profit before tax which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive income within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(2)  

 Row 2 presents the gain on revaluation of investment properties which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income within the consolidated financial statements. 

(3)  

 Row 3 presents the deficit on revaluation relating to capitalised head leases which has been extracted from note 13 within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(4)  

 Row 4 presents the gain or loss on disposal of properties which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
within the consolidated financial statements.

(5)  

 Row 5 presents the gain on loss of control of subsidiaries which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
within the consolidated financial statements. 

(6)  

 Row 6 presents the revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates and related tax which has been extracted from note 11 within 
the consolidated financial statements.

(7)   Row 7 presents the total adjusting items which has been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated financial statements. 

(8)  

 Row 8 presents the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income within the consolidated financial statements.

(9)   Row 9 presents the adjusted profit before tax for the year.

(10)   Row 10 presents depreciation of plant and equipment and amortisation of intangible assets which has been extracted from note 6 within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(11)  Row 11 presents amortisation of capitalised finance costs which has been extracted from note 9 within the consolidated financial statements. 

(12)   Row 12 presents the differential between the expense recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year relating to 
head leases in accordance with IFRS 16 amounting to €5.1 million (2020: €4.8 million) and the actual cash expense recorded in the consolidated 
statement of cash flow for the year amounting to €6.0 million (2020: €6.0 million).

(13)  Row 13 presents the total current income tax which has been extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial statements.

(14)   Row 14 presents the current income tax charge relating to disposals of investment properties which has been extracted from note 10 within the 

consolidated financial statements. 

(15)  Row 15 presents the funds from operations for the year.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021 
 
 
 
163

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Adjusted earnings

Adjusted net asset value

Adjusted profit before tax

is the earnings attributable to the owners of the Company, excluding the effect of adjusting items 
net of related tax, gains/losses on sale of properties net of related tax, the revaluation deficits/
surpluses on the investment properties (also to associates) net of related tax, profits and losses on 
disposals of properties net of related tax, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments net 
of related tax, gain on loss of control of subsidiaries net of related tax, finance restructuring costs 
net of related tax and adjustment on revaluation expense relating to leased investment properties

is the assets attributable to the equity owners of the Company adjusted for derivative financial 
instruments at fair value and deferred tax arising on revaluation gain, derivative financial 
instruments and LTIP valuation

is the reported profit before tax adjusted for gain on revaluation of investment properties, gains/
losses on sale of properties, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments, other adjusting 
items, gain on loss of control of subsidiaries, revaluation gain on investment property relating to 
associates and related tax and deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties

Annualised acquisition net 
operating income

is the income generated by a property less directly attributable costs at the date of acquisition 
expressed in annual terms. Please see “annualised rent roll” definition below for further 
explanatory information

Annualised acquisition  
rent roll

is the contracted rental income of a property at the date of acquisition expressed in annual terms. 
Please see “annualised rent roll” definition below for further explanatory information

Annualised rent roll

is the contracted rental income of a property at a specific reporting date expressed in annual terms. 
Unless stated otherwise the reporting date is 31 March 2021. Annualised rent roll should not be 
interpreted nor used as a forecast or estimate. Annualised rent roll differs from rental income 
described in note 5 of the Annual Report and reported within revenue in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income for reasons including:

 » annualised rent roll represents contracted rental income at a specific point in time expressed 

in annual terms;

 » rental income as reported within revenue represents rental income recognised in the period 

under review; and

 » rental income as reported within revenue includes accounting adjustments including those 

relating to lease incentives

Capital value

is the market value of a property divided by the total sqm of a property

Cumulative total return

is the return calculated by combining the movement in investment property value net of capex 
with the total net operating income less bank interest over a specified period of time

EPRA earnings

is earnings after adjusting the revaluation of investment properties, changes in fair value of derivative 
financial instruments, gains and losses on disposals of properties (net of related tax), the gain on loss 
of control of subsidiaries (net of related tax), refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties 
(collectively the “EPRA earnings adjustments”), deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings 
adjustments, NCI relating to gain on revaluation and gain on sale of properties net of related tax, 
revaluation gain on investment property relating to associates and the related tax thereon

EPRA net asset value

is the net asset value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value and deferred 
tax relating to valuation movements and derivatives

EPRA net reinstatement value is the net asset value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value, deferred tax 

EPRA net tangible assets

EPRA net disposal value

EPRA net initial yield

relating to valuation movements and derivatives and real estate transfer tax presented in the 
Valuation Certificate, including the amounts of the above related to the investment in associates

is the net asset value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value, deferred tax 
relating to valuation movements (just for the part of the portfolio that the Company intends to hold 
should be excluded) and derivatives, goodwill and intangible assets as per the note reference in 
the consolidated statement of financial position, including the amounts of the above related to the 
investment in associates

is the net asset value after adjusting for goodwill as per the note reference in the consolidated 
statement of financial position and the fair value of fixed interest rate debt, including the amounts 
of the above related to the investment in associates

is the annualised rent roll based on the cash rents passing at the statement of financial position 
date, less non-recoverable property operating expenses, divided by the market value of the 
property, increased with (estimated) purchasers’ costs

EPRA net yield

is the net operating income generated by a property expressed as a percentage of its value plus 
purchase costs

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsSirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021164

GLOSSARY OF TERMS CONTINUED

Funds from operations

is adjusted profit before tax adjusted for depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation 
relating to IFRS 16), amortisation of financing fees, adjustment in respect to IFRS 16 and current 
tax excluding tax on disposals

Geared IRR

is an estimate of the rate of return taking into consideration debt

Gross loan to value ratio

is the ratio of principal value of total debt to the aggregated value of investment property 

Like for like

Net loan to value ratio

Net operating income

Net yield

Occupancy

Operating cash flow on 
investment (geared)

Operating cash flow on 
investment (ungeared)

Rate

Total debt

Total shareholder 
accounting return 

Total return

Ungeared IRR

refers to the manner in which metrics are subject to adjustment in order to make them directly 
comparable. Like-for-like adjustments are made in relation to annualised rent roll, rate and occupancy 
and eliminate the effect of asset acquisitions and disposals that occur in the reporting period

is the ratio of principal value of total debt less cash, excluding that which is restricted, to the 
aggregate value of investment property

is the rental and other income from investment properties generated by a property less directly 
attributable costs

is the net operating income generated by a property expressed as a percentage of its value

is the percentage of total lettable space occupied as at reporting date 

is an estimate of the rate of return based on operating cash flows and taking into consideration debt

is an estimate of the rate of return based on operating cash flows

is rental income per sqm expressed on a monthly basis as at a specific reporting date

is the aggregate amount of the Company’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

is the return obtained by a shareholder calculated by combining both movements in adjusted NAV 
per share plus dividends paid 

is the return for a set period of time combining valuation movement and income generated 

is an estimate of the rate of return

Weighted average cost of debt is the weighted effective rate of interest of loan facilities expressed as a percentage

Weighted average debt expiry is the weighted average time to repayment of loan facilities expressed in years

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2021

165

CORPORATE DIRECTORY

SIRIUS REAL ESTATE LIMITED
(Incorporated in Guernsey) 
Company number: 46442 
JSE Share Code: SRE 
LSE (EUR) Share Code: ESRE 
LSE (GBP) Share Code: SRE 
ISIN Code: ISIN GG00B1W3VF54

Registered office
Trafalgar Court 
2nd Floor 
East Wing 
Admiral Park 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 3EL 
Channel Islands

Registered number
Incorporated in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) 
Law, 2008, as amended, under number 46442

Company Secretary
A Gallagher
Sirius Real Estate Limited
Trafalgar Court 
2nd Floor 
East Wing 
Admiral Park 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 3EL 
Channel Islands

UK solicitors
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
3 More London Riverside 
London SE1 2AQ

Financial PR
FTI Consulting LLP
Aldersgate Street  
London EC1A 4HD

JSE sponsor
PSG Capital Proprietary Limited
1st Floor, Ou Kollege 
35 Kerk Street 
Stellenbosch 
7600 
South Africa

Joint broker
Peel Hunt LLP
120 London Wall 
London EC2Y 5ET

Joint broker
Berenberg
60 Threadneedle Street  
London EC2R 8HP

Property valuer
Cushman & Wakefield LLP
Rathenauplatz 1 
60313 Frankfurt am Main 
Germany

Independent auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place 
London SE1 2AF 
United Kingdom

CBP007207

Discover more online
sirius-real-estate.com

Sirius Real Estate
Follow our business on LinkedIn.

@SiriusRE
Follow our corporate news feeds on Twitter.

Sirius Real Estate Limited
Trafalgar Court 
2nd Floor 
East Wing 
Admiral Park 
St Peter Port  
Guernsey GY1 3EL 
Channel Islands

www.sirius-real-estate.com