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Sirius Real Estate

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FY2023 Annual Report · Sirius Real Estate
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Shaping 
the future

Sirius Real Estate Limited
Annual Report and Accounts 2023

Strategic report

Organic and acquisitive 
growth delivering 
attractive returns

Sirius Real Estate Limited is a leading owner and 
operator of branded business parks providing 
flexible workspace in Germany and the UK.

Contents

Strategic report
Our purpose
1 

2 

3 

4 

Financial highlights

Operational highlights

At a glance

10 

Investment review

12  Chairman’s statement

14  CEO’s Q&A

16  Business model

18  Our markets

22  Asset management strategy

24  Our portfolio

26  Key performance indicators

28  Asset management review  

– Group highlights

29  Asset management review 

– Germany

35  Asset management review – UK

38  Sustainability

55  TCFD

66  Financial review

72  Principal risks and uncertainties

82  Disclosures

Governance
84  Chair’s introduction to governance

Financial statements
140  Independent auditor’s report

86  Board of Directors

149  Consolidated income statement

88  Senior Management Team

89  Corporate Governance

98  Audit Committee report

104  Nomination Committee report 

107  Sustainability and Ethics 
Committee report

109  Directors’ Remuneration report

134  Statement of Directors’ 

responsibilities

135  Directors’ report

149  Consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income

150  Consolidated statement 
of financial position

151  Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity

152  Consolidated statement 

of cash flows

153  Notes to the financial statements

203  Business analysis 

(unaudited information)

210  Annex 1 – Non-IFRS Measures

216  Glossary of terms

218  Corporate directory

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

Strategic report

OUR PURPOSE

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

1

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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements2

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FFO growth exceeds  
€100 million ambition

Highest ever like-for-like rental income growth supports 
substantial dividend growth

€102.1m
 36.9%

Funds from operations(1) at  
31 March 2023

€87.0m
 48.5%

Profit before tax at 
31 March 2023

€2,107.3m
 0.9%

Portfolio book value(2) – owned 
investment properties

2023 

2022 

102.1

2023 

87.0

2023 

74.6

2022 

168.9

2022 

5.68c
 28.8%

Total dividend for the year

102.46c
 0.4%

NAV per share

41.6%

Net loan to value ratio

2023 

2022 

5.68

2023 

102.46

2023 

4.41

2022 

102.04

2022 

108.11c
 0.8%

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

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.

2023 

2022 

108.11

107.28

2,107.3

2,088.7

41.6

41.6

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

3

Organic growth supports €100 
million FFO milestone achievement

Despite a challenging economic backdrop in the year, the Company achieved its €100 million funds from 
operations(1) (“FFO”) ambition which was set in FY18/19 when its FFO was below €50 million.

The €102.1 million FFO reported is a 36.9% increase on the prior year and has been driven by the 8.1%(3) increase in overall rent roll 
(7.7%(3) on a like-for-like basis) which reflects the Company’s ability to continue to grow its rental income regardless of the market 
conditions. The Company also continued its asset recycling programme, completing over €90 million in deals in the period which was 
driven by €45.8 million of disposals at a 25% premium over book value, despite yields expanding. The performance in the period has 
resulted in dividends declared in the year totalling 5.68c per share, an increase of 28.8% on the prior year based on a 65% of funds 
from operations pay-out ratio in both years.

2. €100 million FFO 
milestone drives dividend

3. Strong balance sheet

1.  Organic rental growth 
across both German 
and UK platforms 

The Company delivered its ninth 
consecutive year of like-for-like 
annualised rent roll growth in 
excess of 5.0% across the Group 
with this year’s result of 7.7%(3) 
being the highest the Company has 
ever achieved. Sirius has achieved 
this impressive result despite the 
challenging markets which are 
continuing to be affected by 
instability from the Ukraine conflict 
and the cost of living crisis in both 
Germany and the UK. The main 
driver of the rental growth has 
been the ability of Sirius to capture 
inflationary increases in its 
contracted rental contracts as well 
as uplift tenants who are paying 
below market rates upon renewal. 
There has been some take-up of the 
refurbished space coming from the 
Group’s capex programmes but a 
lot of this was offset by some large 
expected move-outs in the period. 
With occupancy levels remaining 
stable, the Company has been able 
to grow substantially whilst 
preserving the opportunity that 
remains within its vacancy. 

The Company stated an ambition 
to achieve an FFO run-rate of more 
than €100 million per year in FY 
2018/19 when it reported an FFO of 
€48.4 million. The Company’s 
reported €102.1 million FFO this 
year means that it has achieved this 
target in its fourth year of trading 
after making this statement. Whilst 
a reasonable portion of this growth 
over the last four years has come 
from acquisitive growth, including 
the BizSpace acquisition, Sirius has 
reported continued like-for-like 
rental growth in excess of 5% over 
this period. During this time Sirius 
has only raised €159.9 million of new 
equity (to fund the BizSpace 
acquisition) meaning that its FFO 
per share has increased from 4.80c 
for the year ended 31 March 2019 to 
8.74c for the year ended 31 March 
2023. This has resulted in Sirius’ 
dividend increasing from 3.36c per 
share in the year ended 31 March 
2019 (based on 70% of FFO pay-out 
ratio) to 5.68c per share for the year 
ended 31 March 2023 (based on a 
65% pay-out ratio).

(1)  Refer to glossary of terms in the Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

(2) Including assets held for sale.

(3)  The Company has chosen to disclose certain Group rental income figures utilising a 
constant foreign currency exchange rate of GBP:EUR 1.1374, being the closing 
exchange rate as at 31 March 2023.

The Company maintains a strong and 
robust balance sheet with almost 
€1.2 billion of net assets and an 
adjusted NAV per share of 109.21c 
(31 March 2022: 108.51c). The total 
Group debt of €975.1 million is made 
up of 75% unsecured debt and 25% 
secured debt and only €49.3 million, 
or 5%, of total debt, expires within the 
next three years. In addition to 
the new €170.0 million Berlin Hyp 
facility which was financed early by 
seven years to 31 October 2030, the 
Company further financed a new 
€58.3 million Deutsche 
Pfandbriefbank (“PBB”) facility on 
26 May 2023, extending its maturity 
by seven years to 31 December 2030 
in advance of its maturity date of 
31 December 2023. The financing of 
these two new secured facilities well 
in advance of their maturity is 
indicative of the strong relationships 
that Sirius has with its financiers. 
These facilities total €228.3 million 
and were finalised with interest rates 
higher than those currently in place. 
When these new interest rates 
commence at the end of 2023, it will 
take the Group’s cost of debt from 
1.4% to 2.1%, the average debt expiry 
will increase to 5.0 years from 3.3 
years and Sirius will still maintain 
significant headroom on interest 
cover ratios. In addition to this, the 
Group maintains €99.2 million of cash 
at the bank net of tenant deposits and 
bank guarantees on the balance sheet 
as well as 125 unencumbered assets 
with a book value of €1.6 billion. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements4

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

AT A GLANCE

We are an owner and operator 
of branded business parks, 
industrial complexes and out 
of town offices in Germany 
and the UK.

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. 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 serviced tenants which 
comprise a wide variety of companies and individuals using 
self-storage, serviced office and workbox products. While the 
stability of anchor tenants is important for income security, our 
high-yielding Smartspace products, which are generally created 
by transforming previously sub-optimal space, acquired for very 
low cost, provide a substantial boost to income returns. 

Sirius applies a high-return, value-
add business model to investments 
in industrial, warehouse and out of 
town office properties in Germany 
and the UK. 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, they 
are either held for their stable 
income or sold, with the proceeds 
recycled into opportunistic assets 
with value-add potential.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

5

Our workspace

Offices
Across Sirius’ portfolio, our office 
space comprises office areas and 
buildings on industrial business 
parks, office buildings attached to 
warehouses and standalone office 
buildings in more traditional office 
areas. Within these, we offer a wide 
range of conventional and flexible 
office solutions on either long or 
short-term leases, offering flexibility 
for our range of tenants. Some 
business centres offer service 
packages such as furniture, IT and 
conferencing as well as co-working 
areas and virtual offices. 

Storage
For businesses and private 
households, our sites across 
Germany and the UK offer a wide 
range of storage space options 
including warehouses, storerooms 
and self-storage products. 

Production, warehouses 
and workshops
Large production areas form the 
base of many of Sirius’ business 
parks. These spaces are 
complemented by smaller 
workshop areas, which give 
tenants flexibility throughout the 
development of their businesses 
and as their requirements evolve. 
Beyond this, Sirius’ modern 
business parks often have large 
warehouse spaces which can be 
used for a wide range of purposes 
such as large-scale production.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements6

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

AT A GLANCE CONTINUED

Focus on Germany

As at 31 March 2023 the Group owned 70 business parks in Germany, comprising 1.8 million sqm of lettable space 
generating €123.1 million of annualised rent roll. All our sites here operate under the Sirius brand. In addition, the 
Group managed one property, and held a 35% interest in seven additional properties, through its Titanium venture with 
AXA IM Alts. The value of owned property in Germany including assets held for sale as at 31 March 2023 was €1.7 billion. 

Our sites in Germany

Traditional 
business parks 
Our traditional business parks 
typically feature multiple mixed-
use buildings and over 30,000 sqm 
of workspace. The majority of 
these sites were originally 
constructed by owner occupiers 
generally for manufacturing and 
industrial usage but have since 
undergone significant investment 
by Sirius to be reconfigured for 
multi-tenant use and to meet the 
needs of modern businesses. 
Today, these sites offer a range 
of different workspace options, 
ranging from conventional 
large-scale office, storage and 
industrial spaces, to smaller-sized 
and flexible self-storage, office 
and conference room options. 
As such, traditional business 
parks are frequently home to 
large blue-chip tenants, alongside 
a significant number of SME and 
individual tenants. 

 » Multi-tenanted 

 » Large multinational companies

 » Long-term leases

 » Production, storage and 

office space

 » 56.2% of annualised rent roll

Modern business parks 
Our modern business parks often 
comprise expansive sites of over 
20,000 sqm, featuring a blend of 
warehouses and office buildings. 
These parks are known for their 
superior quality and are easier to 
manage than traditional business 
parks due to a higher proportion of 
office space. Tenants are typically 
SMEs and individual customers. 

 » Multi-tenanted

 » SMEs and individual customers

 » Long and short-term leases

 » Warehouse, storage and 

office space

 » 26.9% of annualised rent roll

Office buildings
Our office buildings are typically 
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. 
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

 » SMEs

 » Long and short-term leases

 » Office space

 » 16.9% of annualised rent roll

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

7

Total tenant split by revenue

39%

54%

3939+

  Smartspace SME tenants

  Top 50 anchor tenants

7%

Total portfolio split by revenue

7%

13%

38%

  Other3939+

  Storage

  Office

25%

17%

  Production

  Smartspace

Our locations 
by revenue

1.8m

5,857 

4%

17%

23%

14%

sqm

tenants

Revenue by city

  Other SME tenants

2323+

70

  Düsseldorf 

  Hamburg

  Munich

  Other

16%

9%

9%

8%

  Frankfurt

  Berlin

  Stuttgart

  Cologne

Some of our tenants

total number of 
properties owned 

79%

of revenue is 
created in the top 
five German cities

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements24
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8
8
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15
15
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10
10
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17
17
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4
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X
X
6
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55
55
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U
U
8

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

AT A GLANCE CONTINUED

Focus on the UK

As at 31 March 2023 the Group operates 70 sites throughout the UK, comprising 4.2 million sq ft (0.4 million sqm) 
of lettable space, generating £48.5 million (€55.2 million) of annualised rent roll. All our UK sites operate under the 
BizSpace brand and were acquired in November 2021. BizSpace offers light industrial, workshop, studio and out 
of town office units to a wide range of businesses offering a blend of flexible agreements and longer-term leases.

Our sites in the UK

Industrial
BizSpace provides a range of 
workshops and small industrial 
units for businesses needing space 
for light industrial work like 
manufacturing, repairing and 
packing, or warehouse space to 
store stock. Our industrial spaces 
range from private, self-contained 
workshops to managed workshop 
units where tenants have access 
to shared amenities. All units 
are unfurnished and sold on 
a sq ft basis. 

Office buildings
BizSpace caters to the office needs 
of small and growing SMEs, 
ranging from small units of 80–120 
sq ft which are ideal for two to 
three people, to larger units of over 
800–9,000 sq ft for companies 
with 20–200 people. The majority 
of our office units are sold 
unfurnished and on a square foot 
basis, but a number of our sites 
also contain fully furnished 
serviced offices where tenants are 
charged an all-inclusive monthly 
bill which includes Wi-Fi, utilities, 
cleaning and reception staff. We 
also have a number of co-working 
spaces where entrepreneurs, 
start-ups and self-employed 
individuals work alongside one 
another in a single shared space. 

Mixed use
BizSpace’s mixed sites have a 
combination of workshop space 
and office space on site. These 
sites are typically converted mills 
or factories which have been 
modernised and repositioned 
to provide flexible workspace 
accommodation. All units are sold 
unfurnished on a sq ft basis with 
the customer having the flexibility 
to choose between a lease or 
a licence.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

9

0.4 

million sqm

3,344 

tenants

70 

total number of properties owned

Our locations 
by revenue

  Midlands

  North 

  North East & North

  North West

  South East

  South West

  Industrial

  Office

  Mixed use

25%

Total portfolio split  
by annualised rent roll

4444+

  Industrial

  Office

31%

44%

  Mixed use

26%

16%

1616+

12%

18%

15%

13%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements+
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12
12
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18
18
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13
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26
26
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U
U
10

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INVESTMENT REVIEW

Asset recycling continues 
despite challenging market

Acquired in the period – Germany

Potsdam 
May 2022

Düsseldorf 
October 2022

Total acquisition cost
€868,000

Annualised rent roll
€0

Total acquisition cost
€39,789,000

Annualised rent roll
€2,105,000

Vacant space
239 sqm

Rate per sqm
€0

Tenants
21

Lettable space
34,310 sqm

Occupancy
55%

Vacant space
15,517 sqm

Rate per sqm
€9.33

Tenants
0

Lettable space
239 sqm

Occupancy
0%

Dreieich 
October 2022

Total acquisition cost
€3,936,000

Annualised rent roll
€161,000

Tenants
8

Lettable space
5,648 sqm

Occupancy
54%

Vacant space
2,601 sqm

Rate per sqm
€4.40

The Company did not acquire any assets in the UK in the period.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

11

Disposals

Germany
The disposal of the property in Magdeburg completed in 
April 2022 for €13.8 million. This asset comprised 32,070 
sqm of mixed-use industrial, storage and office space 
which was let to several tenants. Whilst occupancy was 
only at 69% and generating approximately €1.0 million 
of annual net operating income, it was not economically 
viable to make the substantial investment and take on the 
risk to let up most of the vacancy. Hence it was decided to 
recycle the equity in this asset into new acquisitions where 
the returns on investment would be much higher. 

In December 2022, the Company notarised for disposal 
a business park in Wuppertal for proceeds amounting to 
€8.8 million. This business park in North Rhine Westphalia 
comprised 15,006 sqm of industrial, storage and office 
space with a 79% occupancy, generating approximately 
€0.7 million of annual net operating income. Once again, 
due to the property’s size and location, this asset was 
considered non-core and the returns expected on this 
asset going forward were well below those expected from 
the acquisition pipeline. The asset was classified as held for 
sale as at 31 March 2023 and completed on 1 April 2023.

The Company further disposed of two non-income 
producing land plots in Heiligenhaus and Dresden. The 
3,200 sqm land plot in Heiligenhaus had a book value of 
€0.3 million and was sold for €1.0 million, whilst the 413 
sqm plot in Dresden, which completed in April 2023, 
was sold for €29,000 to the local authority. 

UK
In July 2022 the Group sold one of its assets in 
Camberwell, London, for £16.0 million (€18.8 million). 
The multi-tenanted business park, which comprises 
approx. 34,700 sq ft (3,224 sqm) of industrial and office 
space, was 91% occupied and generating £0.3 million of 
net operating income. The asset was sold as part of the 
Company’s asset recycling strategy to crystallise value on 
a mature assets where there was limited upside potential, 
and the offer received was significantly above the book 
value. The sale completed in July 2022.

In addition, a vacant property in Ipswich was sold for 
£3.0 million (€3.4 million). The property comprised 
77,012 sq ft (7,155 sqm) of office space which was 
not suitable for development. The sale completed 
in December 2022.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements12

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Delivering on 
our ambition

Overview
I am pleased to be writing this as part of my fifth Annual Report 
as Chairman, and doubly pleased to be able to share another 
year of strong financial and operational performance despite a 
backdrop of continuing macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility. 

Sirius has continued to execute on its strategy, which remains 
focused on the acquisition and management of business parks 
in Germany and the UK that have attractive yields, value-add 
potential or both. We use our operating platform to transform 
these parks into higher quality assets through investment and 
intensive asset management, an approach which has paid 
dividends as it has enabled us to work with customers through 
this present inflationary environment. 

The Group continues to deliver on its ambition by capturing 
rent roll growth in both Germany and the United Kingdom whilst 
maintaining a robust balance sheet. The Board has authorised 
a dividend of 2.98c per share for the second half of the financial 
year, representing 65% of FFO, and a 25.7% increase on the 
2.37c per share dividend for the equivalent period in the prior 
year. This brings the total dividend for the year to 5.68c, 
an increase of 28.8% on the 4.41c dividend for the year ended 
31 March 2022.

Our sustainability agenda 
We are proud of the progress we are making on our work to 
build a sustainable future, and we recognise the significant 
challenges that our sector and portfolio face in the coming 
years. These challenges remain a key focus in Board 
discussions and in recognition of the importance of this 
work, our Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Coombs, 
continues to chair the Sirius Real Estate Sustainability 
and Ethics Committee.

Chief Marketing and Impact Officer Kremena Wissel, 
a long-standing member of the Sirius leadership team, has 
overall responsibility for leading our sustainability initiatives 
as well as the broader ESG agenda within the operating 
companies. This year we are establishing a dedicated 
internal ESG team, reporting to Kremena, and we look 
forward to welcoming new colleagues who will further 
strengthen and accelerate our progress in this space.

Board changes
In March, we announced the appointment of Chris Bowman 
as Chief Financial Officer and we look forward to welcoming 
him to both the business and the Board of Sirius Real Estate 
in August 2023. Chris brings nearly 25 years’ accounting, 
finance and capital markets experience, and he is extremely 
well qualified to oversee the continued financial management 
of the Group. 

Chris’ arrival allows Alistair Marks, our interim Chief Financial 
Officer, to resume his focus on his role as Chief Investment 
Officer, which he has held since January 2021. Alistair will step 
down from the Sirius Board at this year’s AGM in July and I’d like 
to thank him for returning to his former Chief Financial Officer 
role allowing us to undertake a thorough search for the best 
permanent candidate, and for his continued valuable 
contribution to the Group.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

13

“ The team are building on 
long‑standing foundations 
and asset management 
expertise to continue to deliver 
growth in challenging markets.” 

Our leadership team
A key strength of the business continues to be the long-term 
commitment of our senior leadership team. Chief Executive 
Officer Andrew Coombs has been with the business for more 
than ten years and has recently restated his commitment to see 
through a number of our sustainability and growth ambitions 
to 2030. Additionally, a significant number of the executive 
leadership team have accompanied Andrew on this journey, 
from rescuing and turning Sirius around in 2010 to the 
successful multi-geography business it is today. Andrew is 
supported by a core group of long-standing and committed 
leaders throughout the business, including Kremena Wissel, 
Rüdiger Swoboda, Alistair Marks and Craig Hoskins, all of 
whom have been with Sirius for more than a decade as well as 
Tariq Khader, Mo Jiwaji, Anthony Payne and Vince Scammell in 
the UK, all of whom remain dedicated to driving future growth. 

Of course, these individuals are complemented by experienced 
experts who are more recent joiners to the business – adding 
capabilities in areas ranging from asset management to ESG 
and more, including our BizSpace leadership team in the UK. 

Looking ahead
There are a number of headwinds on the horizon that will 
challenge the Sirius business model in the coming years, 
most notably the higher interest rate environment, broader 
geopolitical uncertainty, and cost-of-living challenges in both 
the UK and Germany. We remain alert in assessing these 
risks, and the impact they will have on our business, and 
take confidence from our strong track record of adapting 
and thriving in the face of other significant external 
challenges in recent years. 

Overall, we are confident that the strength of our balance sheet, 
our experienced management team and our long-term strategic 
view will enable our business to continue its growth journey in 
the years ahead. Sirius is well run and adaptive and continues 
to be a highly investible proposition.

Thank you 
On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my gratitude to 
everyone across Sirius for their contributions to our successes 
in this financial year. I look forward to the coming financial year 
with confidence in our team, our business model and our 
ambition as we build on our strong foundations.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
2 June 2023

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements14

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CEO’S Q&A

A milestone year

“ The team are delivering on 
our ambition through strong 
operational performance 
enabling us to deliver on our 
€100 million FFO ambition.” 

Q  Looking back across the past financial 

year, what stood out as a key highlight?
This financial year has been a milestone period for Sirius, and it’s 
due in no small part to the continuing ambition and dedication 
of our talented team in Germany and the UK – so I would like 
to begin as always by thanking them all for their efforts and 
achievements throughout the year.

A key milestone for Sirius has been the achievement of our 
€100 million FFO ambition, which we set out at our Capital 
Markets Day in London in 2018. 

Back then, we had a run rate of less than €50 million FFO per 
year and stated our ambition to reach €100 million within five 
years. We’re very pleased to have achieved this within this 
timeframe, despite the headwinds faced during that time – 
including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and further 
geopolitical and economic uncertainty in 2022. 

This is important because at this level of FFO we are in 
a position to fund our dividend, debt and capex all from 
our positive operating cash flows. 

We don’t intend to rest on our laurels, however. From here, 
we’re setting our sights on a new ambition, to grow our FFO 
from €100 million to €150 million. We aim to build on our 
momentum, to challenge our business model and management 
team to accelerate the growth of our business. 

Over the past five years, Sirius achieved exactly what it set out 
to do. We’re looking to take that ambition and approach into 
the future.

Q  What are the key opportunities for 

Sirius in the year ahead? 

We’re now operating in an inflationary environment unlike 
any experienced in recent years. Of course, this presents 
our tenants, our business and the broader economy with a 
significant number of challenges and we’re mindful of these. 
For Sirius, we also see opportunity in this environment.

Prior to this current inflationary environment, we had always 
been able to capture above inflation rent increases, and 
it remains our ambition to continue to achieve this in the 
present circumstances. In turn, this helps increase the values 
of our properties. 

Moreover, where we differ from other landlords is our shorter 
leases and flexible platform. This means we’re able to capture 
inflationary growth more quickly within our annual rent roll.

Our approach as a service provider for our tenants, as well as an 
owner of properties, means when we go to have conversations 
about renewal with our tenants, we’re rarely only discussing rent 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

15

Q  How has Sirius continued to embed 

sustainability in its business model?
A major highlight of our sustainability progress in the past year 
was the publication of Shaping Our Future, our first ESG Report, 
in December 2022. As part of this report we published our first 
ESG roadmap, which takes the insights from our materiality 
assessment conducted in FY2020/21 and informs the direction 
of our activities across key environmental, social and governance 
issues. This represents another milestone for Sirius on its ESG 
journey, and means we have a clear trajectory on ESG issues and 
can focus our efforts on the areas of greatest impact and 
relevance to Sirius and the places in which we operate. 

This year we moved our head office in Berlin, to a building 
that helps us provide a more modern and productive working 
environment for our staff and helps us enhance wellbeing. This 
building is also DGNB gold certified for sustainability, which has 
helped us achieve net zero on Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. 

In terms of our social impact, something I’m personally proud 
of is project PRISMA, our recently launched programme in which 
we are seeking to hire refugees who have settled in Germany into 
positions within the Company, beginning with our head office in 
Berlin before being rolled out across further locations in Germany. 

Looking ahead, as of the beginning of the new financial year, we 
have established a full-time, dedicated ESG department to help 
us drive our sustainability ambitions in both Germany and the 
UK. We also intend to carry out our next full materiality 
assessment in FY2023/24.

Q  In the next financial year, what can we 

expect from Sirius?

For us looking forward, the key word is growth. In the next 
financial year we anticipate that we will still be facing significant 
headwinds from inflation and interest rates, but we will continue 
to grow and critically set ourselves up for sustainable, 
accelerated growth in the years to follow. 

This growth will be driven organically, as we capture the 
inflationary opportunity and add additional revenue streams. 

Ultimately, it’s the entrepreneurial abilities of Sirius that will help 
us generate additional revenue to grow our bottom line and 
together with the rest of the management team I am looking 
forward to driving this growth in the years to come. 

Andrew Coombs
Chief Executive Officer
2 June 2023

increases alone – it’s just as much about the menu of services 
we can offer our tenants, and matching their requirements with 
our flexible platform and extensive range of spaces including 
conventional storage, manufacturing and office, as well as our 
Smartspace options. 

This therefore means we’re presented with two opportunities, 
the inflation opportunity and the sales opportunity. In this 
current inflationary environment, tenants are expecting to 
spend more than previously, so we have more of an opportunity 
to sell to our customers. 

Ultimately, we want to increase our total top-line income, not 
just our rental roll, and the inflationary environment should help 
us achieve this.

Q  With this in mind, how can Sirius and its 

tenants manage inflationary impacts?
As I write this, we are seeing key inflationary pressures ease in 
Germany, particularly in terms of energy and the cost of building 
development. In the UK, inflation has proven more persistent, 
but we are seeing signs that it is peaking, especially in energy.

Nevertheless, areas of inflationary pressure remain and we are 
taking a range of approaches to help manage this. Externally, 
we are engaging with our suppliers to enable them to offer 
Sirius’ stable pricing, including national framework agreements 
and payment plans to assure suppliers of prompt payment in 
return for more favourable pricing. Sirius is a national player in 
two different markets, which means we have some key 
advantages in terms of bulk purchasing power. 

As mentioned above, our flexible model and shorter lease terms 
also allow us to move more quickly to drive rental roll growth in 
line with inflation. 

Looking towards how our tenants are able to manage inflation, 
39% of our revenues are accounted for by our largest tenants, which 
have strong balance sheets and tend to take long-term views.

For our diverse range of smaller and medium-sized tenants, 
our focus remains on ensuring that occupying a Sirius space 
is a very affordable and good value proposition compared with 
alternative providers, and compared with the other costs these 
businesses incur. Moreover, our flexible approach and range 
of services mean we’re able to help our tenants find the right 
solutions in terms of space and service.

Q  What market dynamics have been key for 

Sirius across Germany and the UK?
In Germany, the story has been one of abundant supply of 
out-of-town industrial real estate, with demand matching this 
supply growth as a result of an ongoing trend towards 
nearshoring and reshoring supply chains closer to end markets. 

In the UK, meanwhile, the market has seen increasing demand 
for commercial real estate and diminishing supply. As such, it’s 
crucial that pricing is addressed in the right way in the UK, so that 
our contracts over the next two to three years are reflective of 
market rental values for the different types of property we offer. 

For Sirius, this means we need to remain nimble in addressing 
customer demand and staying close to our tenants to help them 
manage their requirements for different types of space and service. 

What’s common across both markets is that we have the ability 
to act quickly in the face of shifting trends and dynamics, with our 
sales force of more than 150 people across the two countries. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements16

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

BUSINESS MODEL

Property powered 
by our platform

Sirius specialises in the ownership, development and 
operations of business parks throughout Germany and, more 
recently through its acquisition of BizSpace, the UK. What 
makes Sirius different is its best-in-class operating platform 
and intensive asset management programme. Combining 
the Sirius property portfolio with our unique operating 
platform gives us a range of advantages in the market 
which enable the delivery of strong and consistent 
returns for shareholders.

Sirius harnesses its in-house asset and property management 
platform through a stringent acquisitions process. This is 
followed by an intensive capital investment and asset 
management plan which focuses on transforming vacant 
and sub-optimal space into high-quality conventional and 
flexible workspace.

Our platform

Key drivers

The Sirius operating platform offers a number 
of benefits including direct sourcing of new asset 
acquisition opportunities, reduced reliance on 
commercial agents and local brokers, higher cost 
recovery, greater lead generation and more efficient 
new tenant acquisition, and increased optionality in 
terms of space configuration, as well as enhanced 
control, focus and speed in developing space. Taken 
as a whole this means lower risk and higher returns.

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 environments
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. The UK 
commercial real estate market is characterised by 
growing demand and shortening supply, driven by 
complex long-term tailwinds including nearshoring 
of supply chains and shifting consumer demand. 

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 in the German and UK property 
markets, 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.

Value created for our stakeholders

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

17

Sirius’ cycle

Enhancing rental and capital value through active portfolio management.

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

Flexible  
workspace
 » Long and short term

 » Office

 » Production

 » Storage

Conventional 
workspace
 » Long term

 » Large scale

 » Production

 » Storage

Ancillary  
services
 » Conferencing

 » Catering

 » Internet and telephony

programmes

 » Virtual office

 » Developing and selling  

surplus land

Value creation

Intensive asset 
management
 » Acquisitions and disposals 
assessment and execution

 » Strong banking relationships

 » Detailed asset-level 

business plans

 » Advanced IT systems

Active tenant and 
lettings management
 » Sophisticated internet-based 

marketing

 » Substantial marketing and 

sales teams

 » Structured sales process 
and mystery shopping

 » Comprehensive customer 

database

Transformation and 
conversion of space
 » Utilisation of structural vacancy

 » Highly accretive capex 

investment programmes

 » Experienced development team

Asset recycling
 » Recycling of capital from 
mature assets into assets 
with value-add potential

 » Adding to capex investment 

Value created for our stakeholders

 » People

 » Shareholders

 » Local communities

 » Suppliers

 » Employees

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements18

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

OUR MARKETS

Resilient demand and structural 
tailwinds underpin investment 
into light industrial assets 

Overview
Sirius continues to operate primarily in Germany but also in the 
UK – two of the top five economies in the world – where it owns 
and manages a well-diversified portfolio of mature business 
park assets, as well as those where there is an opportunity 
to add value through asset management. 

The integration of BizSpace, a leading provider of regional 
flexible workspace across the UK acquired by the Company in 
2021, continued apace this year, driving meaningful operational 
and financial synergies underpinned by the Company’s internal 
operating platform. 

In Germany, the primary focus is to build a “critical mass” around 
its “big seven” cities of: 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 and the 
periphery of the “big seven” cities. 

The Company provides 1.8 million sqm of manufacturing, 
storage and office space across Germany. The Company’s 
tenant base is diverse ranging from multinational corporations 
and government agencies to SMEs within the German 
Mittelstand and individual tenants.

In the UK, BizSpace is a leading provider of regional flexible 
workspace, offering office, studio and workshop units to a 
wide range of businesses in convenient regional locations. 
The Company provides 4.2 million sq ft across 70 sites. 
BizSpace is equipped with a high-quality portfolio in a supply 
constrained market that offers significant organic growth 
potential in rental pricing. 

BizSpace’s UK tenant base is similarly diverse to that which 
the Company serves in Germany, ranging from multinational 
businesses to manufacturing-focused SMEs and 
individual tenants.

The German market 

Germany remains comfortably the largest economy in the 
European Union and the fourth largest in the world after 
USA, China and Japan. It has maintained its reputation as an 
industrial powerhouse with a strong export-focused economy 
characterised by low unemployment. 

At the time of writing, the European Commission predicted 
0.2% GDP growth in Germany in 2023 and a further 1.3% 
in 2024, with inflation falling throughout 2023 to a predicted 
2.5% in 2024.(1) Germany responded strongly to events in 
Ukraine and as of January 2023 had eliminated its reliance 
on Russian energy.(2)

The German Bundesbank expects a gradual economic 
recovery in the second half of 2023, underpinned by 
growth in export demand and commodity price pressures 
diminishing, as well as real wages growing as inflation falls.(3)

Commercial real estate investment volumes in Germany in 2022 
were €54.1 billion according to BNP Paribas compared to the 
two-year high investment figure recorded in 2021 of 
€64.1 billion. Whilst this represents a 16% drop year over year, 
2021 was the second highest year on record, and the current 
year is in line with the ten year average. Moreover, this 
represents the eighth consecutive year with investment volumes 
above €50 billion, showcasing ongoing investment resilience.

Once again, the majority of sales volume was registered in 
and around Germany’s seven major cities (Berlin, Düsseldorf, 
Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Stuttgart), totalling 
€28.2 billion.

Berlin led the way with €8.5 billion invested, the fourth 
highest total on record. Frankfurt followed with €5.1 billion 
recorded, closely followed by Hamburg at €4.9 billion.

Munich followed in fourth place with just under €4.3 billion, 
with Düsseldorf on €2.9 billion, Stuttgart on €1.4 billion 
and Cologne on €1.1 billion.

Looking at the various real estate sectors, investment in 
offices declined to approximately €22.3 billion of investments, 
representing a drop in the share of overall investment by 
7% to 41% year on year. Taking up some of this share was 
logistics and light industrial assets, which increased by 
3.3% to €10.1 billion, accounting for almost 19% of overall 
investment and building on a previous all-time high set in 
2021 – representing two consecutive record years of 
investment in the asset class. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

19

Foreign investors were responsible for around 44.5% of total 
investment levels, growing by almost 6% year on year.(4) 

Taking a closer look at Germany’s so called 
“Unternehmensimmobilien” – a distinct asset class of German 
multi-use and multi-let commercial properties, which is home 
to the heart of the Germany economy and covers the bulk of 
Sirius’s properties – we can see that the asset class 
outperformed other asset classes in terms of investment in 
the first half of 2022. 

Compared with H1 2021, transaction volume in the asset class 
increased by 6.9% to €1.6 billion, underpinned by increased 
investor interest in business parks and light manufacturing 
assets in particular. 

The Unternehmensimmobilien has been resilient as an asset 
class during past major economic events, including the 
pandemic, and this has continued throughout market 
disruptions caused by events in Ukraine. 

This is due to multiple factors such as the flexibility and diversity 
inbuilt within multi-tenanted business parks, the tendency for 
companies engaged in production and manufacturing to 
respond to economic contractions by reducing output rather 
than space, and the depth of the Mittelstand market.(5)

Commercial real estate transaction volumes  
in Germany in 2022

€54.1bn

Seven major cities attracted the majority  
of capital with around

52%

of transaction volumes

(1)  https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-

economies/germany/economic-forecast-germany_en 

(2) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64312400

(3)  https://www.bundesbank.de/resource/blob/901990/90afad2737f68

9d42ac53510149cc0de/mL/2022-12-prognose-data.pdf

(4)  https://www.realestate.bnpparibas.de/en/market-reports/

investment-market/germany-at-a-glance 

(5)  https://initiative.bulwiengesa.de/unternehmensimmobilien/sites/

default/files/2022-11/IUI_Marktbericht17.pdf 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements20

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

OUR MARKETS CONTINUED

The UK market

The UK market

The OECD forecasts a return to growth for the UK economy 
in 2024, following a contraction of 0.4% in 2023, as well as 
forecasting inflation to decline to 2.7% in 2024.(6) The latest 
data on inward investment in the UK, from 2021, showed 
an increase of £83.1 billion to just over £2 trillion.(7)

Commercial real estate investment in the UK in 2022 
was £56 billion, representing a 5% increase on the ten 
year average.(8)

Looking back over 2022, supply of spaces increased by 
14%, but remained 27% below the five year annual average, 
which, combined with strong demand, saw average rents rise 
by 10%. This was an increase from 2021 which saw annual 
growth of 9%.

Despite a slowdown in investment in Q4 of 2022, annual 
investment activity in industrial property for the year as a 
whole amounted to £13.8 billion, making 2022 the second 
largest year for industrial real estate investment in the UK 
on record after 2021.(9)

Looking ahead to 2023, CBRE expects pricing to stabilise in 
2023 across asset classes. In particular, the logistics and light 
industrial market will experience continued strong demand 
driven by increased requirements for supply chain flexibility 
combined with vacancies in these spaces at all-time lows. 
In addition, demand for edge of town locations is forecast 
to increase.(10)

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

 https://www.oecd.org/economy/united-kingdom-economic-
snapshot/ 

 https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/
balanceofpayments/bulletins/
foreigndirectinvestmentinvolvingukcompanies/2021 

 https://www.costar.com/article/568037063/uk-commercial-
property-investment-topped-%C2%A356-billion-in-2022-but-
volumes-plummeted-as-year-unfolded 

(9) 

 https://www.colliers.com/en-gb/research/industrial-logistics-uk-
market-pulse-report-2023 

(10)   https://www.cbre.co.uk/insights/books/uk-real-estate-market-

outlook-2023/logistics

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

21

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements22

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Continuing to deliver 
on our strategy

Our core strategy 
The Group’s core strategy is 
the acquisition of business parks 
across Germany and the UK 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 either be held 
to provide stable income, or sold 
with the capital 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

2

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.

Transformation and 
conversion of vacant space
The Group’s extensive capex investment 
programmes in Germany 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 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 are outlined in more detail in 
the asset management review of Germany 
on pages 28 to 36. 

Link to risks 
see pages 75 to 81

Link to risks 
see pages 77 to 81

1   5   6   8   9   10   11

5   11

Our five value drivers

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

23

3

4

5

Growth through acquisition 
and recycling
Sirius actively seeks to grow its portfolios 
in both Germany and the UK 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 platforms. 

Occupancy and rental growth
The internal asset management platforms 
remain a key differentiator for Sirius over 
its competitors and play an integral role 
in driving occupancy and rental growth. 
In Germany, the internal marketing team 
has developed and continues to evolve its 
significant web presence to drive leads and 
enquiries on a consistent basis, which are 
turned into viewings through a dedicated 
call centre team, which are in turned 
followed up by an on-site sales team. 
The on-site sales teams follow a structured 
sales process and are incentivised through 
the setting of asset-specific lettings targets. 
This approach reduces the reliance on third 
party brokers and provides real time market 
data, allowing the Company to realise the 
full potential of its transformed vacant 
space which has been created through 
its capex investment programmes.

Through the integration work conducted 
with BizSpace, the key learnings which have 
been acquired in Germany over the last 15 
years are transferred where applicable, 
allowing the UK platform to benefit 
significantly from the successful methods 
deployed in Germany. 

 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. In Germany, the 
Company has an established and seasoned 
in-house team that is focused on increasing 
service charge recovery levels and working 
closely with the operations and other 
departments to optimise service levels 
and costs. These optimisations include 
the following: 

 » developing smart utilities metering 
thereby reducing leakage from 
consumptions in vacant areas;

 » 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 down to granularity of 
room level; 

 » working with tenants to manage service 

charge prepayments to reduce risk 
exposure to delinquent 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.

In the UK, service charge is predominantly 
charged on a lump sum basis to tenants. 

Link to risks 
see pages 78 to 80

6   9   10  

Link to risks 
see pages 77 to 80

5   6   8   10

Link to risks 
see pages 75 to 81

1   2   3   4   7   10   12

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements24

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

OUR PORTFOLIO

Strategy in action

Modern business park Dresden 
– acquired September 2016

Strategy in action
 » The business park in Dresden, acquired in September 2016, 
provides 58,000 sqm of office and warehouse space spread 
across 19 buildings, with land available for further development

 » As at 31 March 2023 occupancy had increased to 82% 
with annualised rent roll increasing to €4.7 million from 
€2.8 million at acquisition

 » Reduction in service charge cost leakage through 
implementation of advanced measurement and 
allocation techniques

 » Actual 7.5 year geared IRR of 27% surpassing the 

expected business plan

Total acquisition cost/
valuation

Invested equity 

Annualised rent roll

Annualised net 
operating income

Occupancy

EPRA net yield(1) 

Acquisition
€m

As at
31 March 2023
€m

Total
improvement
€m

28.6

12.6

2.8

2.4

66%

8.3%

51.0

20.8

4.7

4.3

82%

8.1%

22.4

8.2

1.9

1.9

16%

(0.2%)

Retained profit(2)

Valuation increase

Capex 

Cumulative total return

Total return to 
31 March 2023
€m 

18.3

22.4

(11.8)

28.9

(1) Includes purchaser acquisition costs.

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

Actual returns

Geared annualised IRR

Ungeared annualised IRR

27%

13%

 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

25

Traditional business park 
Fellbach – acquired August 2018

Strategy in action
 » Excellently located site in a well-established industrial area 

near Stuttgart 

 » Over 5,000 sqm of vacancy acquired with value-add potential 

through the capex investment programme 

 » As at 31 March 2023, occupancy had increased to 90% 
with annualised rent roll of €1.7 million representing a 
€0.7 million increase versus acquisition and a €1.73 increase 
in the average rate per sqm

 » Total actual return of €9.8 million equating to a geared 

IRR of 27%

Total acquisition  
cost/valuation

Invested equity

Annualised rent roll

Annualised net 
operating income

Occupancy

EPRA net yield(1)

Acquisition
€m

As at
31 March 2023
€m

Total
improvement
€m

12.1

5.5

1.0

0.9

79%

7.3%

19.1

13.1

1.7

1.3

90%

7.3%

7.0

7.6

0.7

0.4

11%

—

Retained profit(2)

Valuation increase

Capex

Cumulative total return 

Total return to 
31 March 2023
€m 

4.9

7.0

(2.1)

9.8

(1) Includes purchaser acquisition costs.

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

Actual returns

Geared annualised IRR

Ungeared annualised IRR

27%

16%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
26

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Strong balance sheet 
and organic growth 
supporting dividend

KPI

KPI measure

Commentary 

FY2023/24 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 goodwill write off, 
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 2023. 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.

€96.0m 
 24.5%

2023 

2022 

2021 

96.0

77.1

60.3

Adjusted profit before tax 
for the year ended 31 
March 2023 was €96.0 
million, representing an 
increase of 24.5% on the 
same period the previous 
year. The increase in 
earnings is attributable 
to stable occupancy 
and managing rate 
increases effectively.

To increase adjusted 
profit before tax as a 
result of a continued 
price driven strategy 
to continue to capture 
rental growth and 
the contribution to 
earnings of recently 
acquired assets. 

3

1

4

2

5

2020 

54.9

2019 

46.2

7.55c 
 17.2%

2023 

2022 

2021 

2020 

7.55

6.44

5.63

5.44

2019 

4.47

5.68c 

28.8%

2023 

2022 

2021 

2020 

5.68

4.41

3.80

3.57

2019 

3.36

EPRA earnings per 
share for the year ended 
31 March 2023 was 7.55c, 
representing an increase of 
17.2% on the previous year. 
The development in EPRA 
earnings is attributable 
to stable occupancy 
and managing rate 
increases effectively.

To increase EPRA 
earnings per share 
result of a continued 
price driven strategy 
to continue to capture 
rental growth and 
the contribution to 
earnings of recently 
acquired assets. 

3

1

4

2

5

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 2023 
of 2.98c per share, 
representing 65% of FFO, 
an increase of 25.7% on the 
equivalent dividend last 
year, which also 
represented 65% of FFO. 
The total dividend for the 
year is 5.68c, an increase of 
28.8% on the 4.41c total 
dividend for the year ended 
31 March 2022. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

27

KPI

KPI measure

Commentary 

FY2023/24 ambition

Link to strategy

Property valuation – 
owned properties (€m)
The book value of owned 
investment property in both 
Germany and the United 
Kingdom for the year ended 
31 March 2023 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 at fair value and 
deferred tax relating to valuation 
movements excluding that 
relating to assets held for sale, 
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.

EPRA LTV (c)
EPRA LTV is the ratio of net debt 
to total property value as defined 
in note 24. It includes all capital 
which is not equity as debt, 
irrespective of its IFRS 
classification, and is based upon 
proportional consolidation, 
therefore including the Group’s 
share in the net debt and net 
assets of associates. Assets are 
included at fair value and net 
debt is included at nominal value.

Strategic priorities

Read more about our strategy  
see pages 22 to 23

€2,107.3m 
 0.9%

2023 

2022 

2,107.3 

2,088.7

2021 

1,347.2 

2020 

1,186.2

2019 

1,132.5

108.11c 
 0.8%

2023 

2022 

2021 

2020 

2019 

108.11

107.28

92.29

80.44

74.52

The book value of the 
Group’s owned investment 
property including assets 
held for sale remained 
stable by increasing by 
0.9%, primarily driven by 
strong like-for-like income 
of its underlying assets 
despite the market facing 
yield expansion.

EPRA NTA per share 
increased in the period 
by 0.8% to 108.11c 
(31 March 2022: 107.28c). 
The increase is attributable 
to the valuation increases 
seen in the year and 
increased profits driven 
by organic and 
acquisitive growth.

1

2

3

1

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. 

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.

41.5c 

2023 

2022 

EPRA LTV maintained 
stable in the period at 
41.5% (31 March 2022: 
41.5%). The stability is due 
to valuations remaining 
stable as the Company’s 
debt profile and related 
assets also remained 
consistent year over year.

To maintain a healthy level 
of EPRA LTV through 
the continued execution 
of the Group’s asset 
management initiatives 
relating to organic growth 
and asset recycling as 
well as maintaining an 
appropriate level of debt.

41.5

41.5

1

5

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

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
28

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – GROUP HIGHLIGHTS

Key highlights:

Metric

Total annualised rent roll* (€ million)

Like-for-like annualised rent roll* (€ million)

Average rate (€) per sqm*

Average rate (€) per sqm like for like*

Total occupancy (%)

Like for like occupancy (%)

Cash in bank (€ million)

Cash collection (%)

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Variance €

Variance %

178.3

175.9

8.11

8.10

83.9

84.5

99.2

98.6

165.0

163.3

7.39

7.40

85.3

85.6

127.3

98.4

13.3

12.6

0.72

0.70

—

—

(28.1) 

—

8.1

7.7

9.7

9.5

(1.6)

(1.3)

(22.1)

0.2

* 

 The Company has chosen to disclose certain Group rental income figures utilising a constant foreign currency exchange rate of GBP:EUR 1.1374, 
being the closing exchange rate as at 31 March 2023.

Introduction
The last financial year has been one of a changing environment 
and uncertainty around the European commercial real estate 
market, which is why the Company has decided to concentrate 
on what it has rather than continue to grow acquisitively as it 
has over the last years. Sirius’ management has always 
indicated that the Company’s business model works well in 
both good and bad times and now is the opportunity to show 
that. Its ability to provide a mix of conventional and flexible 
space allows it to adapt to a changing environment and 
continue to grow organically when others in the market 
face difficulty. 

The focus over the last twelve months has been to continue the 
Group’s capex investment into its vacant space with the aim of 
continuing to increase occupancy and rate achieved per lettable 
sqm as well as to replenish this opportunity within its portfolio 
through selective asset recycling. Success has been achieved 
on all fronts with substantial like-for-like rental income increases 
in both the UK and Germany along with some excellent 
recycling of equity from mature or non-core assets with limited 
growth opportunity into assets with substantial value-add and 
income growth opportunity which can be realised over the next 
few years. As such, the Company has seen record like-for-like 
rental growth but the total shareholder returns, including NAV 
growth, seen in the last financial year have not reached similar 
heights. Nevertheless, the Company has a solid foundation to 
continue to provide excellent risk-adjusted returns for its 
stakeholders over the next few potentially turbulent years. 

Operational platform continues to capture 
rental growth
Despite the current economic environment, the Company 
continues to see strong demand for the range of conventional 
and flexible spaces it offers both in the UK and in Germany. 
Across both Germany and the UK, the Company was able to 
sign 2,737 new deals, occupying 203,263 sqm and providing 
new annual contractual revenue of €28.0* million.

As such, like-for-like annualised rent roll increased by 7.3% in 
Germany and 8.7% in the UK, which blends to 7.7*% at Group 
level. This represents the ninth consecutive year of like-for-like 
rent roll growth in excess of 5%. These improvements were 
driven by an 8.1% and 14.8% increase in the like-for-like average 
rental rate in Germany and the UK respectively. However, the 
Group’s total occupancy was lower at 83.9% (31 March 2022: 
85.3%), reflecting a slight drop in like-for-like occupancy due to 
the focus on price in both Germany and the UK as well as some 
recycling of mature assets into value-add assets with more 
vacancy and hence opportunity. The strong demand that Sirius 
is able to generate for its offerings allows the Company to focus 
on capturing inflationary increases as well as reversion within its 
existing tenant base. Achieving the largest like-for-like rental 
growth in the Company’s history whilst also increasing the 
opportunity within its vacancy puts Sirius in an excellent 
position to continue this growth over the next few years 
without the need for substantial acquisitive growth.

€178.3m* 

total annualised rent roll

€8.11* per sqm

average rate

98.6% 

cash collection rate 

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – GERMANY

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

29

Key highlights:

Metric

Total annualised rent roll (€ million)

Like-for-like annualised rent roll (€ million)

Average rate (€) per sqm

Average rate (€) per sqm like for like

Total occupancy (%)

Like for like occupancy (%)

Cash collection (%)

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Variance 

Variance %

123.1

120.7

6.86

6.83

83.4

84.0

98.4

113.7

112.5

6.31

6.32

84.2

84.5

98.4

9.4

8.2

0.55

0.51

—

—

—

8.3

7.3

8.7

8.1

(1.0)

(0.6)

—

German market overview
As the German economy recovered from the effects of the 
Covid-19 pandemic, market uncertainty increased due to the 
escalation of the Ukraine war and the resulting energy and cost 
of living crisis. The impacts of these were softened by initiatives 
of the German Government such as the “Energiepreisbremse” 
where the consumers were sheltered from increasing costs up 
to 80% of the previous year’s consumption as well as other 
initiatives such as not being required to pay for energy 
consumption for the month of December. These savings, which 
are to be passed onto the consumer, dampened some of the 
negative impact of the inflationary pressures faced by companies 
operating within the German economy. Nevertheless, this has 
resulted in a slow-down in the German economy where only 
1.8% GDP growth was recorded in 2022 compared to 2.7% in 
2021. The increase in prices, coupled with dampening foreign 
demand and supply chain bottlenecks, has created uncertainty, 
which when combined with higher costs of borrowing has 
resulted in decisions for take-up of larger industrial, logistics and 
in particular office spaces being delayed. Conversely the demand 
for flexible and smaller spaces has been increasing which is an 
area in which Sirius can take advantage. 

Despite these challenges and in light of the supply chain 
bottlenecks, the Company has still managed to let some larger 
storage spaces in the year. Overall, however the occupier 
market has been more challenging over the last year than it was 
prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Company has been able to reduce the impact of higher 
energy prices on its tenants through some fixed-price contracts 
it put in place before the large increases came into force. This, 
coupled with the competitive rental rates that Sirius offers its 
tenants, positions the Company well to continue to support its 
tenant base and grow its rental income for many years to come. 
The Company continued to adopt a highly dynamic and flexible 
approach to its marketing activities with several initiatives 
launched based on data generated from detailed analysis of 
online search patterns and take advantage of the increase in 
demand for storage and flexible office space. Flexibility and 
competitive pricing continued to be key factors in decision 
making. Accordingly, the Company generated an increased 
number of enquiries compared with the prior year which 
resulted in an increase in the volume of sales by sqm. 

€123.1m 

total annualised rent roll

€6.86 per sqm 

average rate

98.4% 

cash collection rate 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements30

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – GERMANY CONTINUED

The key to another excellent year of organic rental growth, 
despite a more challenging market, is the Company’s ability to 
generate so many enquiries for its vacant space. This is because 
most of the enquiries Sirius receives are generated through the 
Company’s in-house marketing platform which is able to adapt 
to changing markets and always attract a substantial amount of 
the demand towards Sirius’ offerings. Total enquiries for the 
year were 15,412 compared to 16,180 enquiries generated in 
the period ended 31 March 2022, which, considering the 
market conditions, was another strong performance. However, 
whilst generating leads is important, the ability to convert these 
into new lettings is paramount. The Sirius operating platform 
was able to convert these enquiries at a rate of 12% (31 March 
2022: 13%) which is indicative of the quality of lead Sirius is able 
to generate as well as the procedures it has in place to make the 
sale. As such, a total of 164,184 sqm of space was let (31 March 
2022: 162,102 sqm) contributing €17.1 million (31 March 2022: 
€15.0 million) to the annual rent roll at an average rate of €8.68 
per sqm (31 March 2022: €7.72 per sqm). This strong lettings 
performance has more than offset the large move-outs mentioned 
above and, when coupled with the Company’s ability to be able 
to take advantage of the high inflationary environment and the 
improvements it is making to its properties, means that Sirius 
has had another strong year of organic growth and is well 
positioned to take advantage of further growth over the 
near term.

Despite those large move-outs, overall tenant retention in the 
period was encouraging with a 75% renewal rate by sqm in the 
period being successfully extended (31 March 2022: 75%). 
Overall, the continued positive performance in marketing, 
lettings and renewals provides a clear demonstration of the 
ability of the Company to grow against the backdrop of rapidly 
changing market dynamics, which included the Covid-19 
pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis in Germany 
and resulting inflationary pressures.

Lettings and rental growth
The German portfolio recorded a like-for-like increase in its 
annualised rent roll of 7.3% to €120.7 million (31 March 2022: 
€112.5 million) whilst the total annualised rent roll increased 
in the year end by €9.4 million to €123.1 million (31 March 2022: 
€113.7 million). Of this growth €8.2 million related to organic 
growth, €1.2 million was lost from disposals and €2.4 million 
represented the impact from acquisitions. 

The €8.2 million organic growth was made up of €6.3 million 
coming from uplifts from existing tenants, either through 
contractual lease indexation or increases upon renewal, as well 
as €1.9 million from the net of move-ins over move-outs. The 
latter can be further broken down into move-outs of 164,562 
sqm that were generating €14.7 million of annualised rent roll at 
an average rate of €7.47 per sqm being offset by move-ins of 
154,110 sqm generating €16.6 million of annualised rent roll at 
an average rate of €8.98 per sqm. The combination of the above 
has resulted in like-for-like rate per sqm increasing by 8.1% to 
€6.83 (31 March 2022: €6.32) demonstrating the ability of the 
Company to realise the benefits of the investments into its 
portfolio, even in challenging markets.

Like-for-like occupancy in Germany has decreased by 0.5% to 
84.0% (31 March 2022: 84.5%) due to some large known 
move-outs in the first half of the financial year. The Company has 
nevertheless made further progress in investing in its sub-optimal 
vacant space through its capex investment programme, so the 
space available to let has increased significantly throughout the 
year. Additionally, the acquisitions made during the year resulted in 
a further 18,277 sqm of vacant space, with upgrade potential, 
being added to this opportunity. Consequently, Sirius has been 
able to grow like-for-like annualised rent roll by 7.3% in the year 
whilst further increasing the opportunity to add value and grow 
income from its vacancy, especially through Sirius’ well 
documented capex investment programme which is described in 
more detail later in this section. 

The movement in annualised rent roll is illustrated in the table below:

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2022

Move-outs

Move-ins

Contracted uplifts

Disposals

Acquisitions

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2023

€m

113.7

(14.7)

16.6

6.3

(1.2)

2.4

123.1

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

31

Cash collection 
The Company continued its trend of strong cash collection performance in the period. Sirius is very focused on cash collection and the 
advantage of its substantial operating platform is very evident here. The experienced cash collection team, combined with the on-site 
staff who have established strong relationships with our top tenants, has been key to keeping cash collection rates steady at 98.4% 
(31 March 2022: 98.4%), even though total billings (net of VAT) increased by 12.0% to €182.6 million from €163.0 million in 
31 March 2022. This demonstrates the resilience of Sirius’ tenant base and strength of the Company’s cash collection initiatives.

As at year end uncollected debt amounted to €2.9 million (31 March 2022: 2.6 million) which mainly related to recently billed 
service charge and repair and maintenance balancing for prior years. The outstanding rent and service charge prepayments were 
€5.1 million and €1.3 million respectively. The Group has issued 48 deferred payment plans (31 March 2022: 10 deferred payment 
plans) amounting to €0.3 million (31 March 2022: €0.6 million) and immaterial write offs in the period (31 March 2022: €0.01 
million). Whilst the number of deferred payment plans has increased, the overall value has decreased. The Company expects 
to collect most of the outstanding debt for the period over the next twelve months through its regular debt collection activities.

Asset recycling
Given the uncertainty around property values and occupier demand on the back of interest rate increases, changes in office working 
patterns and ESG, the Company has decided to hold back on substantial acquisitive growth and focus on selective asset recycling 
whilst retaining strong cash reserves to allow the Company to strike when new opportunities arise. Additionally asset recycling 
remains an important factor in proving values and replenishing the opportunity from vacancy which is realised through the Group’s 
capex investment programme. The Company was able to complete over €90 million in deals in the period. 

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

Acquisitions

Düsseldorf

Dreieich II

Potsdam Villa

Total

* 

Includes purchaser costs.

Date

Oct-22

Oct-22

May-22

Total
 investment
€m

39.8

3.9

0.9

44.6

Total
 acquired
sqm

34,310

5,648

239

40,197

Annualised
rental
income
€m 

Annualised 
NOI
€m

2.1

0.2

—

2.3

1.6

—

—

1.6

Occupancy

Gross yield*

55%

54%

0%

54%

5.3%

5.1%

0%

5.2%

A summary of the opportunities and characteristics of each asset acquired in the period is detailed below. 

 » The Düsseldorf asset was purchased for total acquisition costs of €39.8 million. The multi-tenanted site is located in close 

proximity to Düsseldorf International Airport and provides 24,400 sqm of office and 9,900 sqm of industrial space. With over 
15,500 sqm of vacant space at the date of notarisation, the site provides significant rental and valuation growth opportunity 
as well as sufficient day-one net income to replace most of the income lost from disposals. The Company has a number of 
assets in the Düsseldorf area and Sirius expects to benefit from meaningful operational synergies by adding another.

 » Dreieich comprises a warehouse asset located in a well-developed commercial area in Dreieich, Germany, that is strategically 

adjacent to an existing property owned by Sirius. With total acquisition costs of €3.9 million, the asset consists of 5,200 sqm of 
industrial space and 439 sqm of residential space which will initially generate around €50,000 of annualised net operating income 
at 54% occupancy. There are plenty of value-add opportunities within this asset, which includes potentially converting the 
property into a self-storage facility. If progressed, this would add to the Company’s existing Smartspace self-storage brand and 
take advantage of the high demand for self-storage in the area which Sirius has established through operating in the area for the 
last five years. Sirius currently owns and operates at 32 self-storage locations across Germany and this would be one of the largest 
and most significant.

 » The final completed purchase was of a 239 sqm office building in Potsdam, Germany, which strategically gives Sirius ownership 

of an asset located at an entrance to one of the Company’s existing business parks. With total acquisition costs of €0.9 million the 
building was purchased fully vacant and gives the Company control of all buildings on a site which is located next to the world 
famous Babelsberg Film Studios.

The marketing and sales capabilities within the operating platform are part of several asset management disciplines that provide the 
Company with a significant competitive advantage over other owners of light industrial and business park assets in Germany. This 
allows Sirius to be more flexible with how it configures and offers its vacant space which should result in the Company being able to 
more easily fill up and transform these newly acquired sites and hence make the high returns at the asset level which underpins the 
Company’s significant organic growth it generates each year.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements32

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – GERMANY CONTINUED

Asset recycling continued
Disposals

Magdeburg

Heiligenhaus Land 
(3,200 sqm)

Camberwell (UK)

Ipswich (UK)

Wuppertal**

Dresden Land  
(413 sqm)**

Total

Date

Apr-22

Sep-22

Jul-22

Dec-22

Apr-23

Apr-23

Total
 sales price
€m

13.8

1.0

18.8

3.4

8.8

—

45.8

Total
 disposal
sqm

32,070

—

3,224

7,616

15,006

—

57,916

Annualised
rental
income
€m 

Annualised 
NOI
€m

Occupancy

Gross yield *

1.3

—

0.4

—

0.7

—

2.4

1.0

—

0.3

(0.2)

0.7

—

1.8

69%

—

91%

—

79%

—

64%

9.4%

—

2.1%

—

8.0%

—

5.2%

*  Calculated on net purchase price.

**  Asset held for sale, completed 1 April 2022.

Over the last twelve months, the Group sold six assets (including the sale of two non-income producing land parcels in Germany) for 
a total sales price of €45.8 million compared with a book value of €36.7 million, representing a 25% aggregate premium to the last 
book value prior to each sale. These disposals of mature and non-core assets at or above book value demonstrate the Company’s 
ability to recycle its assets even in uncertain market conditions. 

Capex investment programmes
The Group’s capex investment programme on the German assets has historically been focused on the transformation of the poor-
quality vacant space that is typically acquired at very low cost due to it being considered as structural vacancy by former owners. 
The transformation and take up of this space has not only resulted in significant income and valuation improvements for the Company 
but has also yielded significant improvements in service charge cost recovery and therefore further increased net operating income. 
The programme started in 2015 and to date 428,037 sqm of space has been fully transformed for an investment of €64.1 million. 
As at 31 March 2023, this space was generating €27.1 million in annualised rent roll (at 73% occupancy) plus the substantial 
improvement in the recovery of service charge costs. This transformed space has also been the major contributor towards the 
large valuation increases seen on the portfolio over the last eight years. 

In addition to the space that has been completed and let or is currently being marketed, a total of approximately 40,920 sqm 
of space is either in progress of being transformed or is awaiting approval to commence transformation. A further €10.54 million 
is expected to be invested into this space on top of the €1.8 million already spent, and, based on achieving budgeted occupancy, 
is expected to generate incremental annualised rent roll in the region of €3.8 million.

The details of the capex investment programme on this low-quality vacant space is detailed below:

Combined capex 
programmes 

Completed
In progress
To commence in 
next financial year

Total

Investment
budgeted
€m

69.5
2.3

10.0

81.8

Sqm

428,037
9,292

31,628

468,957

Annualised
rent roll *
increase
budgeted
€m

Annualised

rent roll *
increase
achieved to
March 2023
€m

26.9
1.0

2.8

30.7

27.1
—

—

27.1

Actual
spend
€m

64.1
1.8

—

65.9

Occupancy
budgeted
%

Occupancy
achieved to
March 2023
%

82%
90%

84%

82%

73%
—

73%

73%

Rate
per sqm
budgeted
€

6.38
10.23

8.90

6.62

Rate
per sqm
achieved to
March 2023
€

7.25
—

—

—

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

In addition to the capex investment programme on acquired “structural” vacant space, Sirius continually identifies and looks for 
opportunities to upgrade the space that is vacated each year as a result of move-outs. Within the existing vacancy at 31 March 2023, 
the Company has identified approximately 47,000 sqm of recently vacated space that has potential to be significantly upgraded 
before it is re-let. This space will require an investment of approximately €6.8 million and, at current rates, is expected to generate 
around €3.9 million in annualised rent roll when re-let. Upgrading this vacated space allows the Company to enhance the 
reversionary potential of the portfolio whilst significantly improving the quality, desirability and hence value of not only the 
space that is invested into but the whole site. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

33

The analysis below details the sub-optimal space and vacancy at 31 March 2023 and highlights the opportunity from developing 
this space.

Vacancy analysis – March 2023

Total space (sqm)
Occupied space (sqm)
Vacant space (sqm) 
Occupancy

Structural vacancy

Capex investment programme
Recently vacated space

Total space subject to investment 

Lettable vacancy:
Smartspace vacancy
Other vacancy

Total lettable space

Total vacancy

1,792,670
1,494,727
297,943
83%

Capex
investment
€m

ERV *
(post investment)

—

(10.5)
(6.8)

(17.3)

—
(2.1)

(2.1)

—

3.8
3.9

7.7

4.4
9.4

13.8

21.5

% of total
space

2%

2%
3%

5%

2%
7%

9%

Sqm

40,024

38,891
47,155

86,046

38,635
133,238

171,873

17%

297,943

(19.4)

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

The German portfolio’s headline 83% occupancy rate means that in total 297,943 sqm of space is vacant as at 31 March 2023. When 
excluding the vacancy which is subject to investment (5% 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 90%. 

Whilst the capex investment 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 (especially whilst inflation is high), uplifts on renewals and the re-letting of space at higher rates are also expected to 
contribute to the Company’s annualised rent roll growth going forward. 

Whilst the Company will continue to look to asset recycling to replenish the vacancy which is let up after transformation, the Company 
maintains a risk adjusted strategy and expects to 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 financeable income with value-add assets with growth potential.

Well-diversified income and tenant base 
Against the backdrop of continued market disruption, be it geopolitical conflict or a high inflationary environment, the importance 
of a well-diversified tenant base and wide range of products is evident. Sirius’ portfolio includes production, storage and out of town 
office space that caters to multiple uses and a range of sizes and types of tenants. The Company’s business model is underpinned 
by its tenant mix which provides stability through its large long-term anchor tenants and opportunity through the SME and flexible 
individual tenants. 

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 2.1% 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. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
34

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – GERMANY CONTINUED

Well-diversified income and tenant base continued
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 2023

Occupied
sqm

% of 
occupied sqm

50

2,868

2,939

668,734

70,113

755,880

45%

5%

50%

Annualised
rent roll *
€m

 47.4 

 8.3 

 67.3 

% of total
annualised
rent roll *
%

38%

7%

55%

5,857

1,494,727

100%

123.1

100%

Rate
per sqm
€

5.91

9.92

7.42

6.86

(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 2023.

Smartspace and First Choice 
Sirius’ Smartspace products are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing tenants to benefit from a fixed cost which continues to be 
desirable even in challenging market conditions. The majority of Smartspace has been developed from space that is either sub-optimal 
or considered to be structurally void by most light industrial real estate operators. Following conversion, the area 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 both income 
and value. The Company was able to add 11,006 sqm of Smartspace offering from 96,390 sqm in the prior year to 107,396 sqm which 
is an increase of more than 11%. Whilst this has reduced total Smartspace occupancy to 65% (31 March 2022: 73%), the Company 
has been able to capture rate increases across all of its product lines which has more than offset this lower occupancy.

The most significant growth occurred in the Smartspace storage product. The Company’s market research through its marketing and 
sales platforms indicated strong demand in this sector and Sirius was able to act accordingly to capture some of this. The addition of 
6,569 sqm of Smartspace storage helped grow this product line’s rental income contribution by €0.4 million. 

Additionally a further 2,374 sqm of First Choice Office space and 4,661 sqm of Smartspace Office space were created in the period 
which contributed to rental growth of €0.1 million and €0.3 million respectively. 

The total amount of Smartspace in the portfolio at the year end was 107,396 sqm (31 March 2022: 96,390 sqm), generating €8.4 million 
(31 March 2022: €7.7 million) of annualised rent roll which equates to 6.8% of the Company’s total annualised rent roll. Average rate per 
sqm continued to increase by 7.5% year on year, highlighting the premium pricing opportunity associated with flexibility.

The table below illustrates the contribution of each of the Smartspace products:

Smartspace product type

Total sqm

Occupied sqm

First Choice office
SMSP office
SMSP workbox
SMSP storage
SMSP container

SMSP subtotal

SMSP FlexiLager

SMSP total

7,491
36,692
5,972
54,386
—

104,541

2,855

107,396

3,231
24,265
5,510
35,942
—

68,948

1,166

70,114

*  See the Glossary section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

Annualised
rent roll *
(excl. service
charge)
€m

% of total
Smartspace
annualised
rent roll *
%

Rate *
per sqm
(excl. service
charge)
€

0.9
3.0
0.5
3.6
0.3

8.3

0.1

8.4

11%
36%
6%
43%
3%

99%

1%

100%

22.31
10.28
7.02
8.35
n/a

9.93

9.21

9.92

Occupancy
%

43%
66%
92%
66%
—

66%

41%

65%

 
ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – UK

Key highlights:

Metric

Total annualised rent roll (£ million)

Like-for-like annualised rent roll (£ million)

Average rate (£) per sq ft

Average rate (£) per sq ft like for like

Total occupancy (%)

Like-for-like occupancy (%)

Cash collection (%)

Lettings and rental growth
The UK recorded a like-for-like increase in its annualised rent 
roll of 8.5% to £48.5 million (31 March 2022: £44.7 million) 
equating to a 4.5% increase in euro terms to €55.2 million 
(31 March 2022: €52.8 million) due to a weakening British 
pound compared to the euro. The total annualised rent roll 
increase in the year was £3.4 million (€3.9 million), with 
£3.9 million (€4.4 million) organic growth offset by asset 
disposals totalling £0.5 million (€0.6 million). 

Encouragingly, like-for-like average rate per sq ft increased by 
14.7% to £13.39 (31 March 2022: £11.67), equating to a 10.4% 
increase in euro terms to €13.66 (31 March 2022: €12.37), 
reflecting management’s ability to capture rental growth in 
the current inflationary environment. In order to capture rate 
increases in excess of inflation, we have been comfortable 
ceding a small amount of occupancy in return for these higher 
rates and we believe this positions us well as the economy 
begins to recover. Like-for-like occupancy decreased to 86.5% 
from 90.5% as a result of the price led strategy as well as a small 
number of known large leavers. 

The increase in annualised rent roll over the period can be 
broken down into move-outs of 1,084,070 sq ft (100,713 sqm) 
generating £17.7 million (€20.4 million) of annualised rent roll 
at an average rate of £16.29 per sq ft (€16.92 per sqm) being 
offset by move-ins of 880,861 sq ft that were generating 
£17.6 million (€20.3 million) of annualised rent roll at an average 
rate of £19.94 per sq ft (€20.70 per sqm). Additionally, rental 
uplifts on existing tenants added a further £4.0 million to the 
annualised rent roll during the period. As mentioned above two 
assets were disposed of during the period which accounted for 
a £0.6 million (€0.7 million) reduction in annualised rent roll.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

35

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Variance 

Variance %

48.5

48.5

13.39

13.39

86.5%

86.5%

99.3%

45.1

44.7

11.69

11.67

90.5%

90.5%

99.6%

3.4

3.8

1.70

1.72

—

—

—

7.0

8.5

14.5

14.7

(4.6)

(4.6)

(0.3)

The movement in annualised rent roll is illustrated in the table below:

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2022

Disposals

Move-ins

Move-outs

Uplifts on existing tenants 

Annualised rent roll 31 March 2023

£m

45.1

(0.5)

17.6

(17.7)

4.0

48.5

Despite a challenging market, driven by market uncertainty over 
inflation, the UK operating platform generated a healthy number 
of enquiries for the year, totalling 15,511 for the period ended 
31 March 2023 (4.5 months to 31 March 2022: 6,647). In the 
period 963 deals were secured totalling 420,647 sq ft (39,079 
sqm) with an average deal per sqm of 437 sq ft (40 sqm). 
During the second half of the year the Company averaged 
97 deals per month compared to an average of 63 deals per 
month in the first six months. The annual sales conversion rate 
of 6.2% was an improvement on the 5.6% for the 4.5 months 
to 15 November 2021 reflecting the management’s focus on 
improving the sales and marketing functions within BizSpace.

Cash collection 
Through a combination of its experienced cash collection team 
and the team’s active management of its tenant base, the cash 
collection rates remained steady at 99.3% (4.5 months to 
31 March 2022: 99.6%). The 99.3% cash collection rate can 
analysed as total net of VAT billing amounting to £48.3 million, 
total uncollected debt at year end amounting to £0.3 million 
(€0.4 million) and £29,859 (€34,562) written off during the 
period. There are no deferred payment plans in place and the 
Company expects to collect the majority of the outstanding 
debt at year end through its regular debt collection activities. 

£48.5m 

total annualised rent roll

£13.39 per sq. ft 

average rate

99.3% 

cash collection rate 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements36

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ASSET MANAGEMENT REVIEW – UK CONTINUED

Site investment
BizSpace has historically invested in its sites in order to maintain and upgrade its spaces which allows it to adapt to changes in 
tenant demand. In the period under review the Company invested a total of £4.8 (€5.6) million into its sites focused primarily on 
improving the condition of spaces to drive occupancy and price. The Company expects to identify further opportunities to invest 
into its assets in the new financial year whilst continuing to progress its ESG-related investment in order to align itself with the 
wider Group. 

Well-diversified income and tenant base 
BizSpace’s portfolio includes light industrial, studio, out of town office space and storage that caters to multiple usages and a range 
of sizes and types of tenants. As a result, the Company’s business model is underpinned by a well-diversified tenant base. 

The Company’s top 100 tenants, which are typically large corporates, account for 24% of the annualised rent roll with the next 
900 tenants accounting for 46% of annualised rent roll. The remaining 30% of annualised rent roll relates to over 2,000 SME and 
micro-SME tenants which occupy 28% of the overall estate. 

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

Top 100 tenants

Next 900

Remaining SME

Total

No. of
tenants as at
31 March 2022 

Occupied
sq ft

% of 
occupied sq ft

Annualised
rent roll
£m

% of total
annualised
rent roll

100

900

2,344

3,344

0.9

1.7

1.0

3.6

25%

47%

28%

100%

11.6

22.2

14.7

48.5

24%

46%

30%

100%

Rate
per sq ft
£

12.90

12.54

15.43

13.39

SMEs in the UK are typically defined as companies with revenues of up to £50.0 million and up to 250 employees. The Company’s 
internal operating platform and product offering have a strong track record of attracting and retaining customers in this segment 
of the market which is expected to continue to grow as a result of structural trends impacting the UK market. 

 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

37

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report

38

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY

Shaping our future 

Our commitment to building a sustainable future has continued throughout 
the year, evidenced by the progress we have made with our environmental, 
social and governance (“ESG”) ambitions, and how these are being 
embedded across the business. 
The decisions made related to our ESG plans and actions continue 
to be based on sound economic principles and the commercial 
viability of our business, taking into account all of our stakeholders. 

In 2020, we started to formalise our ESG plans and to establish 
clear priorities and ways forward to ensure that sustainability was 
considered across all aspects of our Company. This work was 
brought together in the creation of our ESG framework and the 
publication of our first ESG Report published in December 2022, 
titled “Shaping Our Future”. Within this report, we set out in more 
detail our ambitions and targets in order for our stakeholders to 
better understand and engage in our plans. We are also working 
to align our ESG actions with the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals and as part of our framework identified four 
goals which we are integrating into our programme.

As we develop and formalise our ESG programme and 
acknowledge the progress we have made, we also recognise 
that we are on a journey and that there is much more for us to 
achieve. We will be transparent with our wider stakeholders as 
we work towards our defined goals and targets. This includes 
BizSpace, which we have successfully integrated into our wider 
ESG programme during its first full year of ownership, ensuring 
our actions are aligned across the Group to meet the ambitious 
goals we have set for ourselves, and demonstrating 
accountability for all our activities. 

As we continue to develop and embed our ESG programme, 
we are pleased that our work continues to be recognised.

Ensure access to affordable, 
reliable, sustainable and 
modern energy for all 

Build resilient infrastructure, 
promote inclusive and 
sustainable industrialisation 
and foster innovation

Make cities and human 
settlements inclusive, safe, 
resilient and sustainable 

Take urgent action to combat 
climate change and its impacts

s

s

g r e

P r o

Employees

E

n

g

a

g

e

Tenants

Shareholders

Environmental

Social

Economics

Community

Suppliers

R
e

fi 

n

e

Governance

Business partners

Deliver

e
t
a
c
i
n
u
m
m
o
C

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

39

The Sirius ESG roadmap

We believe that driving positive change must be commercially practical, 
financially viable, and based on sound management assessment and 
decision making which considers the resources available to us. 
Any actions we make public going forward will be integrated 
into our management and financial planning. This may take us 
longer, but we believe that proper planning and assessment are 
important to all our stakeholders. As communicated in our ESG 
Report in December 2022, the materiality assessment 
conducted at the end of 2020 and into 2021 informed the 
direction of our ESG roadmap. By combining this with our own 
insight and experience, we have been able to identify the key 

environmental, social and governance issues which we believe 
could have the greatest impact on Sirius, from both risk and 
opportunity perspectives, and we are evolving our management 
practices accordingly.

The materiality exercise identified three overarching strategic 
goals supported by fourteen objectives on which we are 
focusing our investment, time and efforts. These are 
summarised as follows: 

Our strategic goals and objectives

Environmental

Social

Governance

Strategic goal
Reduce our carbon footprint, 
achieve net zero emissions, and 
have a positive environmental 
impact across our platform, 
portfolio and value chain

Strategic goal
Encourage and invest in the 
training, development, and 
wellbeing of our people, and 
enhance our positive impact  
on our local communities

Objectives
 » Create a GHG emissions reduction 
plan leading to net zero emissions 
across the business

Objectives
 » Support personal and career growth 
through a comprehensive training 
and development programme

 » Embed environmental and social 

 » Integrate wellbeing considerations 

considerations into our 
modernisation, refurbishment and 
acquisition processes

 » Protect, support and expand 

biodiversity across our portfolio

 » Ensure the management and 

efficient reduction of water usage 
and waste 

across our business

 » Promote our purpose, values and 

culture.

 » Cultivate a positive work 

environment and a clear diversity 
and inclusion programme

 » Make a positive economic and 
social contribution to our local 
communities

 Strategic goal
Ensure our governance structures 
and policies support our strategy 
and enable us to identify and 
manage ESG risks and 
opportunities

Objectives
 » Encourage and support the 

development and management 
of ESG through appropriate 
structures and programmes

 » Put processes in place to identify 

and manage ESG-related risks and 
opportunities

 » Effectively engage with employees, 
shareholders, tenants, suppliers 
and business partners to promote 
our ESG objectives and ambitions

 » Ensure all our activities are in line 

with best practice and account for 
relevant UK/ German corporate 
regulations and codes

 » Provide clear, consistent and 

transparent communications and 
reporting

As part of prudent management practice, and in recognition of 
changing macro, social, environmental and regulatory trends, 
we continue to regularly engage with our stakeholders on ESG 
and other important strategic and operational matters. In line 
with best practice, we intend to carry out a new materiality 
assessment every three years, with the next one due to be 

conducted in FY2023/24. This will allow us to formally engage 
with our stakeholders to update materiality and will be an 
opportunity to reflect on our priorities and to measure our 
progress against our goals and objectives. 

In the following pages, we provide an update on our ESG 
progress for FY2022/23.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements40

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Environmental

As highlighted within our ESG roadmap and framework, our overarching 
environmental strategic goal is to reduce our carbon footprint, achieve net 
zero carbon emissions by 2045 and have a positive environmental impact 
across our platform, portfolio, and value chain. We are working to deliver 
this goal, considering multiple aspects of our business operations, including 
carbon emissions, waste, water and energy management. Further information 
can also be found in our TCFD Report on pages 55 to 65.

At this stage, the results do not include the Titanium joint 
venture as we are developing a separate decarbonisation 
programme for these assets with our partner AXA Investment 
Managers – Real Assets.

We worked with EVORA Global (“EVORA”), a leading real estate 
sustainability advisory firm, to develop our strategic 
decarbonisation roadmap. During the year, we finished a 
portfolio-wide analysis of the carbon intensity of our German 
assets. EVORA conducted a net zero carbon assessment for 
14 individual buildings in Germany. Based on the results of 
those assessments, EVORA then extrapolated the results in 
order to estimate carbon emissions and savings potentials for 
our entire German asset base. 

Objective 1: Create a GHG emissions 
reduction plan leading to net zero emissions 
across the business
We recognise the significant representation of real estate in 
global emissions and take seriously our responsibility to drive 
down our platform and portfolio emissions as much as possible, 
through considered and in-depth management assessment, 
implementation and stakeholder engagement.

Defining a net zero pathway for Germany
We are pleased to report that our German platform has 
achieved net zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 
this year and that our emissions, including the offsets that we 
have acquired, are certified by Achilles, the global validation 
company. As a next step, we are now looking at the feasibility, 
both in practical and financial terms, of achieving net zero 
emissions in Germany by 2045 for our Scope 3 emissions. Initial 
results of our in-depth assessments of the Sirius portfolio show 
that net zero emissions, in line with the German national target, 
can be achieved across the Sirius German portfolio based on 
the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (“CRREM”) methodology, 
the leading global standard for operational decarbonisation of 
real estate assets, and in line with the Science Based Targets 
initiative (“SBTi”).

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

41

Figure 1: Decarbonisation pathway – IDP + PV

— Science-based target 

– – Baseline asset performance  — Grid corrected performance  — Pathway

a
*

2

m
/
e
2
O
C
g
k

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

–

Sirius business as usual

Sirius after IDP + PV

1
2
0
2

2
2
0
2

3
2
0
2

4
2
0
2

5
2
0
2

6
2
0
2

7
2
0
2

8
2
0
2

9
2
0
2

0
3
0
2

1
3
0
2

2
3
0
2

3
3
0
2

4
3
0
2

5
3
0
2

6
3
0
2

7
3
0
2

8
3
0
2

9
3
0
2

0
4
0
2

1
4
0
2

2
4
0
2

3
4
0
2

4
4
0
2

5
4
0
2

6
4
0
2

7
4
0
2

8
4
0
2

9
4
0
2

0
5
0
2

Explanation: 
The graph shows the reduction of CO2 output from the Sirius portfolio after the implementation of the Initial Decarbonisation Pathway, including PV insulations.

Source: EVORA Global

The graph shows the CRREM analysis with a simulation of a range 
of decarbonisation actions that will enable us to have the potential 
to achieve emissions in line with the science-based target for 2045. 
EVORA has modelled various building improvement measures, 
identified as the Initial Decarbonisation Pathway (“IDP”) and the 
development of on-site renewable energy generation, through 
photovoltaic (“PV”) installations, to calculate the potential impact 
across the portfolio. Renovation measures have to be considered 
at site level. As a result, the implications of the findings and the 
potential pathway are now in the process of being analysed by our 
Senior Management Team on an asset-by-asset basis, considering 
operational, implementation and financial management 
requirements. This is a considerable piece of work when 
considering the scale and complexity of our German portfolio and 
will involve coordination across multiple elements of our business. 

As of 1 April 2023, we formed an ESG department in 
Germany to lead on this work, reporting to Kremena Wissel, 
Chief Marketing and Impact Officer, and Rüdiger Swoboda, 
Chief Operating Officer. Over the year ahead they will build a 
plan of action and a financial model based on the IDP actions 
and timeline required to bring our portfolio to achievable net 
zero emissions. Their work will include looking at improving the 
data quality; rolling out LEDs; decarbonising the heat supply; 
the potential for on-site renewable energy generation through 
PV installations; and engaging with our tenants to improve 
operational building utilisation as well as the potential for the 
decarbonisation of on-site production processes. All their 
considerations will be based against providing a long-term 
sustainable return to shareholders. We intend to be in a position 
to define and communicate a more detailed net zero pathway 
for our German portfolio at the end of the current financial year.

Through the analysis, we also recognise certain restrictions 
within the CRREM analysis which we will continue to address 
going forward. Firstly, gaining complete building energy 
consumption data remains a challenge, especially with regard 
to tenant energy consumption. Our analysis has included 
benchmark values to fill data gaps where they exist, so we 
expect consumption values to change in the coming years as 
more reliable operational energy data becomes available to us. 
This analysis was also completed in calendar year 2022, using 
2021 consumption values applying CRREM version 1.17/2021. 
CRREM is continually updating its assumptions and target 
pathways. We will apply new CRREM releases in our future reports, 
so we expect the analysis to change in line with the evolving 
methodology. We also note that the emission intensity analysis 
in this report is based on the location-based emission factor 

methodology, using the location-based carbon factors provided 
by CRREM. It is our intention to undertake a market-based 
emission factor methodology during the current financial year. 
Finally, we have the challenge that CRREM offers different target 
decarbonisation pathways for different building types. However, 
some of our buildings in our portfolio are not an exact match with 
the provided CRREM building categories. For example, some 
of our industrial tenants’ operations have quite energy intensive 
production processes in our buildings. As CRREM applies a 
whole-building-energy approach, the energy demand of industrial 
processes will, at least partially, be included in the analysis and 
will have a negative impact on the risk assessment of the building. 
This effect is not recognised by CRREM. Going forward, we aim 
to gain better datasets of building energy versus industrial process 
energy in order to achieve a more precise CRREM analysis. 

Defining a net zero pathway for the UK
In the UK, where we operate through the BizSpace brand acquired 
in 2021, we aim to achieve carbon neutrality, and potentially net 
zero, for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in FY2023/24. This year, 
to align with the analyses and management processes used for 
the German portfolio, we will commence a process to assess the 
potential pathway to net zero emissions for Scope 3 for the UK 
portfolio by 2045 or 2050 in line with CRREM and SBTi. We intend 
to be in a position to communicate the results of this initial 
assessment during FY2024/25.

As a first step on defining the long-term pathway to net zero 
for the UK portfolio, we completed an EPC review of all our 
UK properties. The assessment was designed to understand 
the actions needed to invest in the portfolio to align with UK 
Government requirements for commercial rental properties 
to have an EPC “C” rating by 2027, and EPC ”B” rating by 2030. 
As at the time of reporting, all BizSpace properties carried the 
necessary EPC rating to meet UK regulatory requirements.

The UK Senior Management Team is now considering the 
implications of the EPC improvement programme from an 
operational and financial management perspective and is 
building a detailed plan that will show potential improvements 
to be made on an asset-by-asset basis. We aim for this to be 
completed in the current year. However, from the initial 
assessment we are confident of meeting the EPC requirements 
for the portfolio in line with UK Government targets. As with 
Germany, we are forming an ESG department for our UK 
business with the responsibility to create the EPC plan and 
integrate our EPC actions with the evolving net zero pathway. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
42

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Environmental continued

Objective 1: Create a GHG emissions reduction 
plan leading to net zero emissions across the 
business continued
Accelerating carbon reduction
In line with our ongoing commitments to understanding and 
defining our net zero pathway, we recognise that there are 
multiple opportunities across our business to reduce emissions. 
In September 2022, we moved our head office in Berlin to a 
leased building with gold standard DGNB certification, an 
internationally recognised global benchmark for sustainability. 
The new office is also powered by close to 100% renewable 
electricity, which is fully aligned with the commitment we made 
a number of years ago to sourcing our electricity from 
renewable sources. Across our portfolio in Germany, the 
proportion of renewable electricity against total electricity 
provision is forecasted to be 97.6%. 

Year

2021/22

Proportion of renewable electricity

94.6%

2022/23

97.6%

As we acquire new sites, we work to transfer them onto our 
renewable energy platform when existing energy contract 
renewal opportunities allow. This means that we will sometimes 
see a fluctuation in the renewable electricity proportion. 

In the UK, BizSpace has been providing renewable electricity 
for a number of years and as the portfolio has been more static 
than in Germany, it has achieved close to 100% consistently for 
the last three years.

Year

2021/22

Proportion of renewable electricity

100%

2022/23

100%

As part of the programme to identify emissions reductions 
opportunities, we have, in the period, commenced an opportunity 
and feasibility study for on-site renewable energy generation for 
the German portfolio. An initial assessment of the potential for PV 
installations at a selection of our German business parks, through 
roof-mounted solar panels, is due to be completed by the end of 
calendar year 2023. Senior management will then take time to 
consider the implications of this review and how it could be 
expanded, from both an operational and financial standpoint, 
across relevant sites, and how this could feed into our overall 
energy profile. As part of this assessment, it is our intention to 
develop two sites with PV installations as test cases to have a full 
understanding of the operational challenges and financial 
implications. This work will be managed through the German 
ESG department. 

Providing regular improvements to our portfolio is a vital part of 
delivering on our service proposition to our tenants, suppliers 
and colleagues who work across the portfolio sites, and in 
supporting our wider carbon reduction and energy efficiency 
aims. Our roll-out of smart energy meters across our German 
sites is on track to be completed by 2027, with six additional 
sites equipped in this period. 

Our progress on smart meters in Germany is summarised below:

Smart energy meters

March 2022

March 2023

Total number of sites

Total number equipped

77

12

79

18

Proportion of sites equipped

15.6%

22.8%

We continue to convert old inefficient lighting to LED as part 
of a continual roll-out and maintenance programme across all 
our properties, with a total of 52 lighting optimisation projects 
across 33 sites being identified. Ten have been completed since 
FY2021/22 with 14 currently in progress, and an additional 28 
identified and budgeted for completion throughout FY2023/24. 
We will continue to assess our properties for further lighting 
optimisation opportunities. 

Equally, we continue to make progress on our EV charging point 
installations, with 20 added in the period and a further 2 already 
scheduled for completion by September 2023. We are also 
engaging with our tenants to identify and review other sites 
for installation of EV charging points. 

EV charging 

March 2022

March 2023

Total number of sites

Total number equipped

Proportion of sites equipped

77

38

49%

79

58

73.4%

We are also completing heating system checks in line with 
German regulations and have identified 17 heating systems that 
will be replaced, adjusted or more efficiently run over a ten year 
period. This programme of heating system replacement will 
continue to evolve across the portfolio, and we will update 
as appropriate. 

In the UK, we are near completion for the roll-out of smart 
meters across the portfolio, with eight sites remaining to be 
reviewed over the next six months.

During the year we also signed a national contract with an EV 
charging point supplier and are starting with a pilot project. 
Once this has been completed and reviewed, we will consider 
the implications for what a further roll-out across remaining 
applicable sites would look like.

On the back of developing the EPC conversion programme, the 
UK has also started on a programme of converting old lighting 
systems to LED. During the year, our sites in Hooton and 
Cheadle have had LED installations completed. We are currently 
identifying those sites that will receive LED upgrades in the 
current year. Similarly, we are examining those sites that will 
have the heating systems replaced or upgraded as part of our 
intention to meet EPC requirements over the next four years.

Enhancing our GHG emissions reporting 
This is the third year that we have been collecting and 
calculating our greenhouse gas emissions. We have continued 
to improve on our data collection and emissions analysis 
processes. This year, for the first time, our Greenhouse Gas 
(GHG) inventory has been verified for both Sirius Facilities 
GmbH and BizSpace Ltd in line with international best practise 
by Achilles, a global data validation company that provides 
assurance services for GHG emissions data. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

43

The Achilles Carbon Reduction programme is an Accredited Greenhouse Gas Certification Scheme. Since 2008, Achilles 
has delivered the Carbon Reduce Certification Scheme (formerly known as CEMARS) under licence from Toitū Envirocare. 
The programme meets and exceeds best practise for GHG measurement, management, and reporting, and is aligned to the 
WRI GHG accounting protocol, compliant with Science Based Targets and is accredited to ISO 14065 and ISO/IEC 17065.

These changes and improvements to our measurement and verification mean that a direct comparison to our previous years’ 
emissions reports is not particularly meaningful, however, where possible comparative data is provided. Going forward, our 
greenhouse gas emissions reporting will continue to improve, which will support our decarbonisation ambitions and our evolving 
net zero pathway.

Sirius Facilities GmbH – Germany
As we have reported in previous years, due to the timing of our utility invoicing and other data collection and in order to provide a 
complete year’s analysis, our emissions calculations are based on the last full year of available data. The data used for the basis of 
calculating emissions for the leased assets (Scope 3) and for our Scope 1 and 2 for our offices based on our business parks is from 
1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. As we highlight later in the report, this period brings a further 10 business parks into our German 
portfolio (from 67 to 77) and this has had a marked impact on our emissions. The data attributed to Scope 1 for our Berlin office 
is from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. We continue to work with our utility providers etc to bring our emissions data in line with 
our financial calendar.

Summary – Scope emissions
This is the annual GHG emissions inventory and management report for Sirius Facilities GmbH covering the reporting period 
1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Table 1: Inventory summary
Category
(ISO 14064-1:2018)

Category 1: Direct emissions

Category 2: Indirect emissions from imported energy (location-based method*)

Category 3: Indirect emissions from transportation

Category 4: Indirect emissions from products used by organisation

Category 5: Indirect emissions associated with the use of products from the organisation

Category 6: Indirect emissions from other sources

Total direct emissions

Total indirect emissions*

Total gross emissions*

Category 1 direct removals

Purchased emission reductions

Total net emissions

*  Emissions are reported using a location-based methodology.

Emissions intensity

Operating revenue (gross tCO2e/$Millions)

Scopes
(ISO 14064-1:2006)

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

2023

239.34

292.28

373.96

6,841.76

78,363.27

0.00

239.34

85,871.26

86,110.60

0.00

0.00

86,110.60

Mandatory 
emissions

Total emissions

4.30

404.66

As in previous years, due to the nature of our business model, our Scope 3 emissions account for over 99.7% of our total emissions.

Scope

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Total

2020/2021
Total Emission
 MTC0-e

2021/2022
Total Emission
 MTC0-e

2022/2023
Total Emission
 MTC0-e

247.15

152.49

84.02

15.46

239.34

292.28

37,321.67

42,820.79

85,578.98

37,721.31 

42,920.28

86,110.60

Our total emissions for the year come to 86,110.60 MTC0-e compared to 42,920.28 MTC0-e for the year to March 2022. As we have 
stated and as the table highlights, over 99% of our emissions are in Scope 3 and this is the key area of difference. The significant 
increase in our Scope 3 emissions year-on-year can be explained by three factors. Firstly, through the Toitū audit process we now report 
using a location-based methodology, as opposed to the market-based approach used in the past. Secondly, the number of sites has 
increased from 67 to 77. Finally, given that our Scope 3 data effectively reflects the previous year we are also seeing an increase in 
emissions which can be attributed to an increase in our tenants’ activities as Germany came out of COVID-19. Going forward, as we 
continue to improve on our emissions calculations and as part of our decarbonisation plans leading to a net zero pathway, this will be 
a core area of concentration for us, regarding both data analysis as well as developing our plans and targets.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Environmental continued

Objective 1: Create a GHG emissions reduction plan leading to net zero emissions across 
the business continued
Decarbonisation commitments
We are committed to managing and reducing our emissions in Germany and are developing our GHG emissions reduction targets 
and plans, which have been reviewed and are in line with Toitū Carbon Reduce programme requirements. We are in the process of 
identifying our Scope 1, 2 and 3 reduction targets and aim to add these into the next year’s report. Looking ahead, as highlighted in 
this Annual Report, Sirius Facilities GmbH is currently focused on the following projects:

Status

Ongoing

Ongoing

Objective

Project

Reduce electricity emissions

Converting conventional 
lighting to LED

Responsibility

Operation

Reduce use of fossil fuels

Reduce waste amount

Reduce emissions from air travel

Reduce emissions from utilities

Reduced water and sewage water 
emissions

Reduce heating emissions

Converting company cars to 
electrified ones

HR

Reduce the amounts of usable 
waste bins to minimal needed

Increase the use of trains 
wherever sufficient

Installation of smart water 
meters to have access to usage 
data and prevent unusual high 
consumption i.e. water pipe leaks

Installation of efficient water 
supply facilities to reduce 
water consumption

Optimisations or replacements 
of heating systems

Operations

Ongoing

HR

Ongoing

Operations

Ongoing

Operations

Ongoing

Operations

Ongoing

In addition to the above, as we have stated earlier in our Annual Report, during September 2022, we moved our head office in Berlin 
to a leased building with gold standard DGNB certification. We have also acquired certified offsets through Achilles for our Scope 1 
and 2 emissions and will soon receive a Carbon Reduce Certification Statement for the first time. 

Scope of measured inventory
Consolidated approach. 
An operational control consolidation approach was used to account for emissions. Since the Sirius Facilities GmbH is providing 
services and utilities to its customers and has full control about procurement, the decision has been to use an operational 
control approach.

Boundaries
The boundary for Sirius Facilities GmbH only includes the German operating entities which own and or operate the sites located 
in Germany. Excluded emissions do not exceed 5% of the total footprint within the organisation boundary stated. 

BizSpace Ltd – United Kingdom
This is our first full year of ownership of BizSpace and as part of our work to integrate its operations as much as possible with 
those in Germany, we have worked throughout the year to bring the same methodology to the emissions data collection process. 
We have no prior year comparators for BizSpace as the emissions analysis reported last year was for the period 1 December 2021 
to 31 March 2022, representing the period from acquisition.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

45

Summary – Scope emissions
This is the annual GHG emissions inventory and management report for BizSpace Ltd covering the measurement period 
1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Category
(ISO 14064-1:2018)

Category 1: Direct emissions

Category 2: Indirect emissions from imported energy (location-based method*)

Category 3: Indirect emissions from transportation

Category 4: Indirect emissions from products used by organisation

Category 5: Indirect emissions associated with the use of products from the organisation

Category 6: Indirect emissions from other sources

Total gross emissions*

Category 1 direct removals

Total net emissions

*  Emissions are reported using a location-based methodology.

Emissions intensity

Operating revenue (gross tCO2e / £Millions)

Scopes
(GHG Protocol)

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

GHG emissions
(tCO2e)
Current Year
2022/2023

164.40

33.67

175.28

214.73

5,727.77

0.00

6,315.86

0.00

6,315.86

Mandatory
emissions

7.57

Total 
emissions

126.82

Decarbonisation commitments
We are also committed to managing and reducing our emissions in the UK, though these plans are at an earlier stage than in 
Germany due to the recent acquisition of the assets. As reported, we have undertaken an analysis of the possible actions to achieve 
the UK Government EPC target of “B” by 2030. This work continues and, in the future, will be linked to a decarbonisation plan to 
achieve net zero emissions. 

Looking ahead, BizSpace is currently focused on the following projects:

Objective

Project

Responsibility

Status

Reduce electricity and 
gas emissions

Reduce electricity and 
gas emissions

Reduce emissions from utilities

Upgrade of all buildings to an 
EPC “C” rating

Upgrade of all buildings to an 
“B” rating

Mo Jiwaji,  
Commercial Director

Mo Jiwaji,  
Commercial Director

Completion: 31/12/2027

Completion: 31/12/2030

Installation of smart water meters 
to have access to usage data and 
prevent unusual high consumption  
i.e. water pipe leaks

Operations

Ongoing

Scope of measured inventory
Consolidated approach. 
An operational control consolidation approach was used to account for emissions. Since BizSpace is providing services and utilities 
to its customers and has full control about procurement the decision is on an operational control approach.

Boundaries
No business units are excluded from the BizSpace organisational boundary. Excluded emissions do not exceed 5% of the total 
footprint within the organisation boundary stated. 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Environmental continued

Objective 2: Embed environmental and social 
considerations into our modernisation, 
refurbishment and acquisition processes 
We recognise that investing to extend the life and improve the 
energy performance of a building has significantly less impact 
on the environment than the construction of new properties 
and this has been part of our strategy for many years. Part of 
our commitment to environmental responsibility lies in how 
we consider the carbon emissions associated with the 
refurbishment and modernisation of our portfolio including 
the use of building materials. 

To do this, we have created an award-winning embodied carbon 
project alongside our engineering partners Arcadis Germany. 
We were recognised by the German Sustainable Building 
Council (“DGNB”) with the Green-BIM Award 2022, for the 
building information modelling (“BIM”) system we devised to 
calculate embodied carbon associated with our refurbishment 
projects. By creating 3D models of spaces and extrapolating 
data from a representative sample of our German portfolio we 
were able to understand the drivers of carbon emissions in 
our portfolio. 

Embodied carbon

FY2021/22

FY2022/23

Embodied carbon in total 
emissions (Germany)

6,777 MtCO2e 6,815 MtCO2e

The model we created can be used in future renovation 
projects, informing choice of materials and suppliers. Equally it 
provides a platform on which we can engage with our suppliers 
to improve our emissions performance. 

Sustainability considerations are also embedded in our new 
build projects. BREEAM is a well-respected sustainability 
certification which takes a holistic approach considering 
elements beyond carbon and energy efficiencies, including 
biodiversity, wellbeing and community. Going forward, when we 
undertake new builds as part of our asset improvement 
programme, we will target BREEAM “Excellent” certification, or 
equivalent, where relevant and appropriate. During the year we 
commenced planning for our new development in Tempelhof, 
and with construction commencing in May 2023, we expect to 
achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” certification upon completion. 
We are considering a similar approach for other sites with new 
developments including Gartenfeld and will update on progress 
as appropriate.

In addition to considering the impacts of our modernisation and 
refurbishment processes, we have also worked to integrate 
environmental, social and governance factors such as climate 
and biodiversity into our pre-acquisition due diligence process. 
The acquisitions team applies a considered three-stage ESG 
analysis and implementation strategy for any new acquisition 
including in-depth assessments of tenants and condition of the 
buildings, and physical inspection of the site to identify energy 
efficiency and biodiversity criteria and opportunities. Upon 
exclusivity of an opportunity, the third stage includes in-depth 
assessments of emissions and technical inspection of HVAC 
systems and more in order to gain a better understanding of 
potential carbon and capex implications of modernising the sites. 

Objective 3: Protect, support and expand 
biodiversity across our portfolio
Sirius owns more than 625,000 sqm of green space in Germany 
and the UK. We take seriously our role in protecting, supporting, 
and expanding biodiversity across our portfolio. Our biodiversity 
strategy is focused on three pillars: meadows, trees and bees. 

Our biodiversity programme in Germany is well established and 
we are proud of the progress we continue to make. 37,200 sqm 
of green space has been converted into natural wildflower 
meadows across the portfolio since the biodiversity programme 
was implemented during FY2021/22, of which 13,377 sqm 
were converted in FY2022/23. 

In Germany we have 9,629 trees across our portfolio which are 
looked after as part of our site-specific garden maintenance 
programmes. In addition to this, we continue to add to our 
corporate forest and plant one tree for every employee 
anniversary, conclusion of a rental agreement, completion of a 
tenant questionnaire and participation in a Sirius conference. 
Our partnership with Tree Nation funds tree planting in the 
Amazon, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Nepal and Spain. In line 
with our targets, in FY2022/23, we added 31,333 trees to our 
corporate forest from both German and UK activities, which 
accounted for 2,490 tons of carbon dioxide being absorbed 
from the atmosphere. These measures are in addition to our 
ongoing work to consider and improve our environmental 
impact, and do not constitute part of our carbon reduction or 
offsetting programme. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

47

We are also working to improve our water management 
strategies and launched the “Smartvatten Project” at the end of 
calendar year 2022. We have set a goal to replace all our main 
water meters with smart meters by the end of 2023 in Germany 
and we are making good progress on this aim, with 54 sites 
completed or near completion, and the remaining 25 due to be 
completed by the end of calendar year 2023, of which 22 are 
already contracted. This initiative will help us to detect leaks and 
monitor excessive water usage, enabling us to take corrective 
action, identify opportunities for improvements and provide 
better measurement of water emissions. Following this, we will 
review our sub-metering systems to ensure effective water 
consumption management. Additionally, we aim to gain insights 
into regular water usage patterns across our portfolio, allowing 
us to set meaningful reduction targets.

In addition to our water smart meter roll-out, we are exploring 
other options to reduce water consumption and emissions. 
Project Flush is an initiative we launched during the year to 
refurbish our restroom facilities, including the installation of 
LED spotlights with presence detectors, water saving pearl 
gates and new and more water-efficient toilets and wash basins. 
We completed the upgrade at one property in June 2022, 
with promising results of reduced water consumption and CO2 
savings. We are currently identifying further properties for 
possible refurbishment by the end of FY2023/24. 

In the UK, we have started to develop our waste and water 
management programmes. We are responsible for the 
collection of our own waste and that of our office tenants, while 
our industrial tenants manage their own collection and disposal. 
During the year zero waste went to landfill. Our management of 
both waste and water will be an area for improvement and focus 
in the current year.

The third pillar of our biodiversity efforts relates to supporting 
and protecting bees, which we manage through our partnership 
with Hektar Nektar, which has, in line with our targets, enabled 
us to sponsor a total of 30 hives across Germany since 
FY2021/22, which is thought to have directly increased the 
bee population by almost 1.5 million bees.

In the UK, we have successfully mapped the BizSpace portfolio 
to identify opportunities for biodiversity improvements, which 
we will commence in the current year. We have over 200,000 
sqm of green space, which includes approximately 86,000 sqm 
of grassed area, 49,000 sqm of planted area and 65,000 sqm 
of woodland. We are targeting the conversion of nearly 30% 
of the grassed area to wildflower meadows, equalling 25,000 
sqm, by May 2023. We will undertake a tree count during the 
current year to understand our woodlands better and we are 
also starting to identify opportunities to support and protect 
bees in the UK and are working on suitable locations.

Objective 4: Ensure the management and 
efficient reduction of water usage and waste.
A key strand of our environmental strategy lies in the effective 
management and reduction of water usage and waste. As 
previously communicated, we have successfully centralised the 
collection of waste across the German portfolio, providing us 
with better insights into how we can continue to drive 
improvements in this area. In the year, 32.3% of our waste was 
recycled and a further 64.6% was converted from waste to 
energy, with only the remaining 3.1% going to landfill. We are 
working with our German waste providers in order to identify 
opportunities to improve our recycling, reuse and waste to 
landfill rates, and to devise a comprehensive waste 
management plan that incorporates reduction targets. To date 
we have identified 13 sites where we believe we are able to 
reduce the collection intervals and/or number of bins on site to 
better match site demand and we are in discussions with local 
authorities on how to achieve this. The next step is to work with 
our tenants to identify additional opportunities for improving 
waste management. 

The move to our new head office in Berlin has also enabled 
access to a state-of-the-art disposal centre, with waste being 
collected, weighed and transported to sorting facilities for 
commercial waste, light packaging, paper, and hazardous waste, 
as well as biogas plants for food and kitchen waste. All waste is 
treated in compliance with local regulation and environmental 
aspects and is disposed of with the polluter-pays principle.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Social

We recognise the important role that we as a business play in encouraging 
and investing in the training, development and wellbeing of our people, and 
in driving positive impact in our local communities. We are actively working in 
a number of ways to drive improvements in our social impact and ensure that 
we are doing our utmost to maximise the unique dynamics of our business 
and our people, and to support the local communities in which we operate. 

Our social programme is strongly anchored in our Company values of 
Humility, Integrity, Adaptability and Industriousness. Sirius is a people 
company at its heart, and it is our responsibility to cultivate and develop the 
talents of our employees and empower them to achieve great things for 
themselves, the Company and our shareholders.

Objective 1: Support personal and career 
growth through a comprehensive training 
and development programme
Our employees are our greatest asset, and we recognise the 
importance of training and development in benefiting them as 
individuals, but also in strengthening the organisation as a whole. 
Our training approach is focused on providing autonomy for 
employees and we are pleased that our colleagues recognise the 
quality of their training to be high and feel that the opportunities 
for advancement are aligned with their ambitions. This has been 
further supported by the launch of the Sirius Training Centre in 
October 2022, which has centralised our training and 
development function, including the Sirius Academy. Located in 
the new Berlin office, it provides both physical and online access 
to a wide range of learning and development resources 
accessible by both our German and UK teams. 

The Sirius Training Centre facilitates knowledge sharing and 
enables our many colleagues to obtain qualifications or 
exchange ideas, which in turn promotes collaboration across 
business functions and geographies. The training caters 
to diverse requirements at multiple levels throughout the 
organisation covering mandatory ethical and operational 
subjects, as well as management development programmes 
and bespoke training. 

We have continued to invest in and grow the offerings available, 
which has led to an increase in both the spend and the total 
training days achieved during the year to March 2023 for Germany.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

49

Training and development 
(Sirius Germany)

Investment in employee  
training (EUR)

Total training across the 
Company

FY2021/22

FY2022/23

EUR 146,046 EUR 167,146

996  
delegate days

1,197  
delegate days

For BizSpace, the focus on business integration has meant that 
training and development activities have been primarily focused 
on on-the-job training versus classroom-based training. We 
acknowledge the need to continue to invest in our colleagues’ 
professional development and will use the Sirius Training Centre 
to support focus and growth in this area going forward. 

Training and development (BizSpace)

FY2021/22

FY2022/23

Investment in employee  
training (GBP)

Total training across the 
Company

GBP 35,348 GBP 12,490

156  
delegate days

112  
delegate days

In addition to training and development investment, we work to 
leverage the unique and multicultural dynamics of our business 
through an exchange programme, which sees a cohort of team 
members from our German and UK businesses spending time 
in each other’s workspaces. A core part of this is the 
incorporation of peer mentoring to support the workplace 
training programme and to enhance outcomes for tenants 
and wider stakeholders.

We will continue to develop, extend and grow our programmes 
and will be setting targets for total training hours in Germany 
and the UK during FY2023/24 in order to underpin our future 
investment in this area.

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SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Social continued

Objective 2: Integrate wellbeing 
considerations across our business
In order for our business to be successful, we need to ensure 
that our colleagues feel supported and looked after, not only 
in terms of their career development, but also, importantly, 
in areas of physical and mental health. 

Independent mental health support is available 24/7 for all of 
our employees. In Germany, this is delivered through the 
Fürstenberg Institut employee assistance programme (“EAP”), 
with BizSpace employees and their households also having 
access to an EAP at all times. Sirius has also invested in 
expanding the mental health first aider provision across the UK 
and Germany to encourage and support healthy mental and 
physical habits for our colleagues. Some of this support is part 
provided through the Sirius Training Centre which includes a 
number of wellbeing and health-related courses and training 
opportunities run in cooperation with the Fürstenberg Institut, 
covering a range of subjects such as happiness, dealing with 
stress, positive mindset, mindful leadership and other strategies 
to support the working environment.

We also offer our employees various sporting opportunities 
including gym, yoga, volleyball, football and running clubs, and 
a Company run, which we find is effective in fostering a healthy 
team spirit, in support of our collaborative culture. In addition to 
this, we run a bicycle leasing scheme to encourage more 
sustainable and healthy forms of transport and ran our first ever 
Health Day in October 2022 which provided information about 
nutrition, exercise and relaxation techniques.

Objective 3: Promote our purpose, values and 
culture
In order to successfully promote our purpose, values, and 
culture we need to understand our employees’ views and 
priorities. An important way for us to measure and engage with 
the wellbeing of our employees, and the health of our corporate 
culture, is through regular engagement mechanisms. The 
annual employee survey, and the follow-up engagement with 
all our colleagues through the CEO Forums, is the cornerstone 
of our engagement programme. The annual employee survey 
was undertaken in April 2022 and included for the first time 
our BizSpace colleagues. We reached a total of 324 colleagues 
(214 for Sirius and 110 for BizSpace), achieving an 89.2% 
response rate for Sirius and 87.3% for BizSpace. 

The alignment in culture and perception between the Sirius 
and BizSpace teams was encouraging, with positive feedback 
related to colleague and team cohesion, communication, 
and actions on diversity and inclusion. Of Sirius and BizSpace 
employees, over 74% and 77%, respectively, signalled strong 
approval of leadership, with nearly 74% of employees across 
both companies indicating that positive changes have been 
implemented since the last survey. 

Going forward, we intend to expand the number of 
sustainability related activities, as we recognise that our 
employees play an important role in delivering on the ESG 
ambitions we have set for the business.

Linked to this, we have also continued to develop our engagement 
with our tenants. In June 2022, we completed our tenant survey 
which for the first time incorporated BizSpace tenants. While the 
survey covers a number of operational questions, we ensure that 
we also keep our finger on the pulse of their engagement with 
sustainability issues including waste management, emissions 
reduction and biodiversity. We were pleased to see representation 
from our Top 50 tenants by revenue as well as offices, industrial 
storage, self-storage and First Choice Business Centres (“FCBC”). 
As discussed previously, our tenants will play a vital role in us being 
able to deliver on our net zero and decarbonisation commitments, 
and as such we recognise that we need to expand on our 
engagement with our tenants in this area. In order to support this 
area, and to drive enhanced engagement and collaboration with 
our tenants, we launched a dedicated and centralised customer 
care department in September 2022. 

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51

Objective 4: Cultivate a positive work 
environment through a clear diversity and 
inclusion programme
Sirius is proud of the diversity which exists across our German 
and UK businesses, with equal gender balance across our 
teams. Across both geographies, 52% of employees are female 
and 48% are male. In addition, with 43 nationalities represented 
across the business, we recognise that we have broad cultural 
experience to draw from. 

The Sirius Group embraces diversity to its fullest extent. It has 
prioritised gender diversity in senior leadership roles and, in 
this context, is focused on finding the best female candidate for 
new or backfilled roles in the business. Across the Sirius Group, 
42.8% of senior management positions are held by a female. 
Promoting female leadership is a key element of our social 
programme, with a dedicated female mentorship and 
leadership programme created within the Sirius Group 
to be rolled out across both businesses.

Through our diversity committee and ambassadors, we work to 
promote diversity, create equal opportunities and maintain 
zero-tolerance policies for discrimination and abusive 
behaviours. In the past year, we have completed a review of our 
policies and procedures confirming that they are all compliant 
with our diversity and inclusion objectives. We also launched 
unconscious bias training within the business in October 2022, 
starting with the diversity group. Given its success, we will make 
the training compulsory for all employees and expect a large 
majority of our colleagues to have completed it by the end of 
2023. This is in addition to the existing online equality and 
diversity training which all our colleagues do every two years. 

We continue to support and promote LGBTQ+ groups and 
organisations through our membership of LGBT Great and 
our ongoing support of the European Commission’s Diversity 
Charter for Germany, of which we have been a signatory since 
2014, which covers all dimensions of diversity including sexual 
orientation and gender identity.

Objective 5: Make a positive economic and 
social contribution to our local communities 
With more than 9,000 commercial tenants across our business 
parks, and in recognition of the close to 150 communities in 
which we work across Germany and the UK, Sirius and BizSpace 
have an important role to play in driving positive social impact. 

We launched PRISMA in FY2021/22, a programme aimed at 
recruiting refugees who have settled in Germany, providing 
training, development and job opportunities within Sirius in order 
to enable access to a wider range of specialist jobs. The 
programme was piloted within our head office in Berlin, and the 
next step is to roll out the programme across our German 
portfolio, and to seek opportunities to collaborate with our 
tenants to provide access to further job opportunities. In addition 
to job training, candidates also access subsidised German 
language lessons and mentoring from existing Sirius employees. 
The aim of the programme is for 5-10% of staff based at the 
Berlin head office to be made up of former refugees.

In addition, we are working on two additional programmes 
which we believe can make a difference. The first is a local 
internship and apprenticeship support programme in which we 
will provide career development opportunities to local talent. 
We are currently working to structure the programme and its 
aims and will launch the programme during FY2023/24.

We are also committed to launching a programme to support 
local businesses which can demonstrate a strong social 
purpose through the availability of favourable terms in rental 
agreements. We are currently exploring the rent pricing strategy 
and will update our stakeholders in due course. We intend to 
launch the programme during FY2023/24.

We actively engage in charitable initiatives, supporting colleague 
fundraising activities and encouraging volunteering and 
community work through paid time off. BizSpace employees 
can each take one full working day per year for community 
work. Noting the positive employee engagement, and seeing 
an opportunity to align the businesses, Sirius launched a similar 
scheme for employees in Germany to take half a day annually or 
donate this time to colleagues keen to volunteer more regularly. 
During FY2022/23, our German colleagues achieved 581 hours 
of charity work, over the 480-hour target that was set.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Governance

Sirius continues to strengthen its governance structures and policies in 
support of our strategy and to enable us to identify and manage ESG risks 
and opportunities. In line with our overall ESG roadmap we have set out 
five governance objectives to support us in delivering on our overall ESG 
ambitions and targets. We conduct our business in an honest and ethical 
manner, aligned with our purpose and values, and always strive to provide 
high levels of transparency and accountability. 

In our roadmap, we developed the following objectives to 
support our governance goal:

Working Group, led by Kremena Wissel, the Chief Marketing 
and Impact Officer.

 » encourage and support the development and management 
of ESG through appropriate structures and programmes;

 » put processes in place to identify and manage ESG-related 

risks and opportunities;

 » effectively engage with employees, shareholders, tenants, 

suppliers and business partners to promote our ESG 
objectives and ambitions;

 » ensure all our activities and procedures are in line with best 
practice and account for relevant UK/German corporate 
regulations and codes; and

 » provide clear, consistent and transparent communications 

and reporting.

This year, we have continued to ensure robust governance 
processes, both of the business and the ESG programme, 
driven and managed with clear oversight from the Board and 
executive level. The Board remains responsible and accountable 
for managing climate-related and social risks and opportunities, 
ensuring ESG issues are discussed at each meeting. As the 
Chair of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee, the CEO 
regularly informs the Board about ESG matters and collaborates 
with executive management to develop policies and strategies 
that enhance the Group’s environmental and social 
performance. Furthermore, the Board receives updates from 
the ESG Committees in Germany and the UK, and the TCFD 

Linking ESG to remuneration
Executive Directors and members of the Senior Management 
Team will continue to be set annual objectives on ESG matters 
which are supportive of the identified corporate ESG objectives, 
with new objectives expected to be formalised in May 2023. 
As we develop more detailed environmental and social targets, 
for example on our decarbonisation and net zero pathway, it is 
our intention that these will be considered as part of the 
management review and remuneration processes and 
disclosed accordingly for full transparency.

Risk management and governance processes
We have a transparent approach to risk, with management and 
reporting overseen by our Board and Audit Committee. We will 
ensure our risk management process and framework account 
for ESG-related factors and timeframes, with regular reviews. 

During the year, the Board also approved updates to certain 
governance documents and processes to better align with the 
ESG framework. This included a Board paper and presentation 
on the initial plan for accomplishing net zero in Germany as well 
as how to achieve the required portfolio EPC ratings in the UK 
and to set biodiversity targets. The Board and senior 
management also received an update of the Section 172 criteria 
and requirement for all future Board papers (where relevant, 
such as recommendations for acquisitions, disposals and capex 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

53

programme) to include considered ESG impact, benefit, and 
opportunity assessments. The Group HR Director also 
presented on our people and culture, outlining where we are 
now and where we are aiming to be in terms of staff and 
achieving our ambition of being an employer of choice.

These updates also comprised changes to Committee terms 
of reference, for example the Sustainability and Ethics 
Committee’s terms were changed so that the Committee Chair 
would be responsible for developing and leading ESG and 
climate change, including resilience to climate change. 
The Nomination Committee’s terms were amended to ensure 
candidates have experience in and commitment to ESG matters 
and the new Director induction programme was updated to 
increase focus on the ESG journey.

Policies 
In the year we have conducted a full review of our policies, 
managed by the Board, the Sustainability and Ethics Committee 
and the Asset Management Team, with updates to policies 
signed off at the Board meeting on 24 March 2023. All our 
policies are available from our Company Secretary and are 
published on our website.

Modern Slavery: Sirius is committed to identifying and tackling 
the potential exploitation of vulnerable workers within our Group 
and our supply chain. Our risk-based approach regularly and 
reliably assesses the effectiveness of our anti-modern slavery 
measures and ensures that we are leveraging our influence to 
greatest effect. Our Modern Slavery Statement was updated and 
republished on 24 March 2023. In the current fiscal year as well 
as in the past three years, we have not identified any cases of 
modern slavery within our Group or in our supply chain.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption: We do not tolerate any form of 
bribery and corruption and uphold applicable laws to prevent 
bribery and corruption in all jurisdictions in which we operate. 
We are committed to implementing appropriate and 
proportionate risk-based protocols to prevent anyone 
associated with our Company from engaging in such conduct. 
The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and related training and 
procedures are firmly established in our Group and there have 
been no material incidents to date.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED

Governance continued

Policies continued
Anti-Discrimination and Diversity Policy: We value diversity in 
our structure, ways of working and ways of thinking. We fully 
recognise that diversity means a wealth of ideas, creativity, 
enrichment and growth. Differences in terms of origin, gender, 
age, sexual orientation, religion or ideology are met with the 
highest acceptance and appreciation. We expressly declare that 
we will not discriminate against any person on the grounds of 
origin, gender, religious belief, disability, age, sexual orientation 
and identity, or other physical characteristics. We want to 
promote diversity, prevent unequal treatment and create equal 
opportunities, and we have a zero-tolerance policy against 
discrimination and unequal treatment.

Supplier Code of Conduct: We see ourselves as a business 
partner with integrity, reliability and a sense of responsibility. We 
endeavour to make sure that our actions are held to the highest 
quality standards, and we expect our trade and business 
partners to be subject to the same standards. We believe our 
responsibility can only be sustainable if our business partners 
share and are compliant with the requirements of our 
guidelines. Our Supplier Code of Conduct is based on the 
United Nations Global Compact (“UNGC”), the International 
Labour Organisation (“ILO”) and the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights (“UDHR”).

Health and Wellbeing Policy: We are responsible for ensuring that 
the health of our employees does not suffer as a result of the work 
they are required to conduct or the working conditions they are 
required to work in. We are very much aware of this responsibility 
and take measures to preserve, protect and strengthen both the 
physical and mental health of our employees.

Sustainability Policy: We are committed to operating in a 
sustainable and economically responsible way and look to 
achieve that through governance, social and environmental 
policies. These are deeply embedded in the management of the 
Company and ensure the highest standards of business conduct. 
Our actions are shown through our sustainability framework and 
the continuing development of our ESG programme.

Employee Code of Conduct: Our Employee Code of Conduct, 
which applies to all our colleagues globally, defines the ways of 
working within our organisation. It sets out what we expect from 
each other at work when it comes to important things like 
integrity, office behaviour, relationships at work, ethical 
standards and avoiding corruption.

Whistleblowing Policy: We are committed to the highest 
standards of openness, integrity and accountability and we 
do everything possible to prevent and deter misconduct and 
violations of law within the Company. We have an Open Door 
Policy and a tailored email address to make it as easy as possible 
for employees as well as persons who are in contact with Sirius 
on all business levels to be able to report possible misconduct 
without being exposed to the risk of having to fear disadvantages 
in their professional or private life. There have been no instances 
of whistleblowing within the Group or across our stakeholders 
during this financial year, nor over the last four years.

Cyber Security Policy: Sirius prioritises cyber security and 
resilience with representation at Board level. We are 
continuously assessing our risks and working to mitigate current 
and emerging threats, with risk and vulnerability management 
life cycles integrated into our cyber practices. External supply 
chain risks are also carefully managed and mitigated. Internal 
cyber training is given to all Sirius employees, including the 
Sirius Senior Management Team, and tested annually. There 
is a comprehensive Information Security Management System 
(“ISMS”) in place supported by the Company’s Information 
Security Policies. These policies are mapped to the UK 
Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme and comply with the UK 
Government’s National Cyber Security Centre guidance and 
best practices. Compliance with both EU and UK versions of 
GDPR is also constantly reviewed and assured. A cyber security 
audit of both Sirius and BizSpace was undertaken in July 2022, 
with a certificate of assurance awarded. 

There is operational responsibility through the IT Committee, 
which meets regularly and reports quarterly to the Board. 
We have had no material instances of information security 
breaches during this financial year or over the last three years.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

55

TCFD

Introduction

As a business, we fully support the aims and implementation of the 
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”), and we will 
continue to build on and improve on our actions and disclosures as we 
embed climate-related risks and opportunities into our business and strategy. 
ESG (including climate-related considerations) is recognised as a principal risk and our focus this year has been on understanding 
how climate-related risks and opportunities will impact upon the Group in a changing climate, using scenario analysis to enhance 
our understanding and how financial impacts could change in a range of future scenarios. We have also significantly progressed 
our understanding of the actions that will need to be taken to decarbonise our platform and our assets, to ensure resilience against 
a range of transition risks. 

Highlights

Physical risk scenario analysis 
undertaken for our assets 

Transition risk scenario analysis 
undertaken taking into account a range 
of climate trajectories 

Transition plan commenced for German 
portfolio and EPC decarbonisation 
trajectory developed for UK portfolio 

Evolving climate-related risk 
identification, assessment and 
management approach 

Reporting against CDP’s climate 
disclosure for the first time to be 
completed in July 2023

Analysed the embodied carbon in our 
German purchased goods and services 

Alignment with TCFD 
Our TCFD report is consistent with the requirements of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) Listing Rule 9.8.6 R and the majority of the 
eleven TCFD recommendations and recommended disclosures. However, we are aware that there is further work to fully align with the 
reporting requirements, particularly with regard to metrics and targets. The tables below set out our current status on reporting. 

TCFD recommendation status table 
We have assigned RAG ratings to assess the key areas of focus required for future reporting. This is outlined below using the 
following key:

Review and improve 

Expansion on reporting for future periods 

Gaps to close 

Governance 

a)  Board oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities 

b)  Management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities 

Strategy 

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

b)  Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the Company’s business, strategy and financial planning 

c) 

 Describe the resilience of the Company’s strategy, taking into account consideration of different climate-related 
scenarios including a 2°C or lower scenario 

Risk management 

a)  Describe the Company’s process for identifying and assessing climate-related risks 

b)  Describe the Company’s processes for managing climate-related risks

c) 

 Describe how processes for identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the 
Company’s overall risk management

Metrics and targets 

a) 

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

b)  Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and, if appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the related risks

c)  Describe the targets used by the Company to manage climate-related risks and opportunities and performance against targets

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

TCFD CONTINUED

Alignment with TCFD continued
In order to provide additional transparency over our reporting status, please find below a table which sets out key highlights for 
2023, our current positioning, the future workstreams we have identified during the year and where you can find more information.

TCFD pillar 

2023 highlights 

Current position and more information 

Future actions 

Governance (see 
Governance section 
below and Corporate 
governance section 
pages 84 to 138 of 
Annual Report) 

 » Board review of potential net zero 

pathway based on CRREM 
methodology and in line with the 
Science Based Targets initiative 
for German portfolio and EPC 
performance strategy for UK assets 

Risk management 
(see Risk 
management pages 
and Principal risks 
pages 72 to 81) 

Strategy (see 
Sustainability 
strategy page 39) 

Metrics and targets 
(see page 65) 

 » Development of ESG Working 

Committees in Germany and UK 
comprising representatives from 
finance and sustainability, and 
divisional managing directors 

 » Climate-related risk assessment 
workshops with German and UK 
senior management and an 
advisory panel to identify, assess 
and prioritise climate-related 
risk, taking into account a range 
of climate futures

 » Assessment of principal risks to 
consider risk integration with 
wider ERM processes, and 
existing risk mitigations for 
climate-related risks 

 » Description of the most significant 

climate-related risks and 
opportunities impacting upon our 
business, strategy and financial 
planning incorporated within 
TCFD disclosure. 

 » Quantitative scenario analysis 
undertaken for physical risk to 
assets over a long-term time 
horizon to assess resilience to 
physical risk implications of 
climate change. 

 » Qualitative scenario analysis 

undertaken for transition risks, 
to assess resilience to transition 
risks in a low-carbon future. 

 » Initial assessment of transition 

plans for UK and German portfolio. 

 » Gap analysis undertaken 

to assess disclosure against 
seven cross-industry metrics 
and targets and SASB 
recommended reporting and 
consideration of key metrics 
and targets that will best 
support achievement of our 
climate-related strategic aims 

 » Approach for reporting of 

Scope 3 for BizSpace aligned 
to wider corporate approach

 » First year undertaking CDP 

assessment to be completed 
in July 2023

The Board and management 
will be heavily involved in the 
finalisation of the organisation’s 
transition plan during 2023 and 
2024 and further details will be 
reported in future periods.

Whilst we have identified ESG 
as a principal risk in the period, 
further work is required to better 
integrate our process for the 
identification, assessment and 
management of climate-related 
risks and opportunities and 
wider risk management 
practices and this will be a focus 
for the 2023/24 reporting period. 

Our initial scenario analysis 
included qualitative discussion 
on the impact of various future 
states, and some quantitative 
analysis. In future reporting 
periods we will seek to expand 
on our internal analysis and 
further outline the details 
behind our transition plan. 

The Board and management have 
strong oversight of climate-related 
risks and opportunities and are 
supported by the use of specialists in 
sustainability, carbon performance, 
energy performance and climate-
related scenario analysis. Details 
behind the governance structure can 
be found within the governance 
section below. 

During the period, Sirius undertook 
an extensive risk identification, 
assessment and management 
exercise to develop deeper 
understanding of climate-related 
risks and opportunities and to 
identify those that are key for our 
business. The outputs of this work 
can be found below within the Risk 
management and Climate-related 
risks and opportunities 
sections below.

During the period, Sirius worked with 
external TCFD specialists to develop 
a set of climate-related risks and 
opportunities, to consider their 
impact on business, strategy and 
financial planning, and to assess the 
resilience of the strategy using 
scenario analysis. The outputs of this 
work can be found within the 
Climate-related risks and 
opportunities section, the Climate-
related scenario analysis section and 
the Significant insights and strategic 
resilience section below.

Our key focus for the next few 
reporting periods will be to 
identify how we can best 
monitor our performance 
toward increased resilience. 

Whilst we have reported our 
Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, 
there is further work required to 
determine the most useful metrics 
and targets to assess and support 
the achievement of our sustainability 
agenda, and to consider our 
approach for reporting against the 
TCFD’s recommended cross-industry 
metrics. This will be an area of focus 
over the next few reporting periods 
to ensure we are measuring 
what matters.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

57

Governance 

The Board assumes overall responsibility and accountability for the 
management of climate-related risks and opportunities, with the 
Sustainability and Ethics Committee providing advice to the Board 
on the economic sustainability of the business and working with 
the executive management to shape policy and strategy to 
improve the Group’s environmental performance. The Board is 
further supported by the Audit Committee which has responsibility 
for the review of the risk management methodology and the 
effectiveness of internal controls. The Board reviews the risk 
register on an annual basis.

During the year, the Chief Executive Officer provides regular 
updates to the Board on ESG and sustainability-related issues, 
through his role as Chair of the Sustainability and Ethics 
Committee. The Board also receives and discusses reports from 
the ESG Working Committees. During the year, ESG was formally 
discussed by the Board on eight occasions and the Audit 
Committee reviewed ESG in terms of risk on two occasions. 

The Chief Marketing and Impact Officer is responsible for the 
management of climate change related issues. The Chief 
Marketing and Impact Officer heads the ESG Working 
Committees in both Germany and the UK, which bring together 
senior management from sustainability, operations, finance and 
HR to oversee and implement ESG within the business, including 
climate-related issues. There is also a TCFD Working Group, also 
headed by the Chief Marketing and Impact Officer. Working with 
external consultants, the TCFD Working Group has the 
responsibility to identify the risks and opportunities related to 
climate change for the business in line with the recommendations 
of TCFD related to the Company’s business plan and strategy. The 
TCFD Working Group reports into the ESG Working Committees 
which in turn report into the Sustainability and Ethics Committee.

The Audit Committee identifies ESG within its principal risks, 
within which climate-related risks and opportunities are 
captured. A risk management framework is in place to ensure 
that relevant 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 summary of the governance structure relating to climate-related risks and opportunities is set out below.

Board of Directors 
Responsibility: Assumes overall responsibility and accountability  
for the management of climate-related risks and opportunities 

Actions: Formally discussed ESG on eight occasions 

↑ Informing and reporting ↓

Sustainability and Ethics Committee  
(chaired by CEO) 
Responsibility: Collates and assesses advice on 
sustainability as relating to corporate strategy 

Actions: Regularly reports to the Board on 
ESG and sustainability-related issues 

Audit Committee 
Responsibility: Responsibility for the review 
of the risk management methodology and 
the effectiveness of internal controls 

Actions: Bi-annual review of ESG risk 
within principal risk register 

↑ Informing and reporting ↓

↑ Informing ↓

ESG Working Committee (team of senior management, headed by Chief Marketing  
and Impact Officer and supported by external specialists) 
Responsibility: Works with the Sustainability and Ethics Committee to shape  
policy and strategy to improve the Group’s environmental performance 

Actions: Commenced development of transition plan 

↑ Informing and reporting ↓

TCFD Working Group (team of senior management, headed by Chief Marketing  
and Impact Officer and supported by external specialists) 
Responsibility: Identification and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities,  
assessment of business plan and strategy 

Actions: A suite of workshops relating to climate-related risks and opportunities,  
and strategic resilience were undertaken in the year 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

TCFD CONTINUED

Risk management 

Risk and opportunity identification 
ESG is identified as a principal risk and is therefore governed and managed in line with our risk management and control framework. 
This framework enables us to effectively identify, assess and manage corporate risks, set out risk mitigations and increase our ability 
to create and sustain shareholder value. Read more about our risk management framework. Read more about our risk management 
framework on pages 74 to 81. 

During the year, we reviewed our approach to climate-related risk management, holding a series of workshops with senior 
management and an advisory panel to progress our understanding of climate-related risks and opportunities across both the 
German and UK portfolios. The workshops resulted in a deeper understanding of how different climate-related scenarios will impact 
upon the business, and how the risks and opportunities interact and interplay with each other, and with our wider corporate risk 
management system. We have also assessed our principal risks to assess how the risks identified could be impacted by climate-
related drivers. As a result of this work, we have adjusted our going concern assessment to incorporate the near-term impacts of 
investment required to meet the low-carbon transition, and this will be reviewed annually. All imminent capex requirements will be 
financed from operating cash flows. Read more on our going concern assessment. Read more on our going concern assessment 
on pages 136 to 137. 

Risk and opportunity assessment 
The climate-related risks and opportunities identified as part of our climate-related risk and opportunity workshops were assessed 
using an impact/likelihood assessment. A significant risk is one that could have a significant impact (financial, operational, 
reputational) and which is likely to occur. A significant opportunity is one that is feasible, or likely to occur, and which could have 
very long-term benefits for the Company and a positive impact with a range of stakeholders. 

Risks identified as significant were further assessed using scenario analysis to determine how these risks may shift over time. 
In addition to the top-down approach to risk identification, assessment and management, our bottom-up approach ensures 
that asset level risk (such as flood risk and energy performance) is effectively monitored at asset level. 

Monitoring and management of risk and opportunity 
The Climate-related risks and opportunities section outlines our significant risks and the key monitoring and management 
methodologies that apply. 

Time horizons over which we assess risk and manage our investment strategy 
The time horizons over which we have assessed risks and opportunities are aligned with our wider business planning and 
investment horizons. 

Time span

Planning horizons assessed as 
part of our scenario analysis 

Business planning cycle 

Short term 

1–5 years 

2023–2025 

Medium term 

5–10 years 

2025–2030

Long term 

10+ years 

2030–2050

Our short-term business plans 
consider capex and 
operational cash flows 
required in the next three 
years to support our strategy 

Strategic planning

We carry out horizon scanning to assess the key areas of 
significance for our business; this includes regulatory review 
of current and future regulation which enables us to identify 
key capex requirements in the longer term

Climate-related scenario analysis  We use scenario analysis 

within our viability 
assessments (including capex 
commitments to meet 
regulatory requirements) 

We consider a range of future scenarios to assess impacts  
on our business, strategy and financial planning in the 
medium-long term 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

59

Climate-related risks and opportunities 

As part of our climate-related risk and opportunity workshops which included representatives from across the business, including finance, 
risk, operations and sustainability, we have identified a wide range of risks and opportunities, including acute and chronic physical risks, 
and transition risks relating to political, legal and regulatory change, market risk, technology and reputational risks. We also considered 
opportunities arising from resource efficiencies, changes to our products and services, and market opportunities. 

Significant transition risks and opportunities 
The risks which could have a significant impact on our business are outlined below.

Significant climate-related transition risks and opportunities

Risk/opportunity 

Drivers and causes 

Impact on business, strategy and 
financial planning (risk consequences)

Risk mitigations/methods to realise 
opportunities 

Key risks – all impacting the short and medium term

Policy and regulation

Introduction or enhancement 
of regulation relating to 
decarbonisation, including 
building regulations, 
net zero legislation and 
biodiversity regulation

 » Nationwide drive to 
decarbonisation 

 » Investment required to meet 

 » Monitoring of regulatory 

requirements (capex and opex)

 » Increased focus on 

 » Lower returns from assets 

sustainability 

 » Focus on regulating the built 

environment to improve 
sustainability 

not exceeding requirements 
(impact on revenues 
portfolio asset value) as 
stakeholder preference 
shifts to green buildings 

Market

Cost of capital 
The cost of debt may be linked 
to carbon emissions or building 
standards 

 » Lenders seek to reduce 
financed emissions by 
linking the cost of debt to 
carbon emissions 

 » Risk of fines and penalties, 

increasing costs to profit and 
loss account if requirements 
not met 

 » Increased administrative 
requirements increasing 
costs to profit and loss 

 » The cost of debt for properties 
with low building standard 
ratings (EPC, BREEAM) may 
increase, increasing costs to 
profit and loss 

 » The availability of finance may 
decrease for certain sectors, 
reducing lender potential

Market/policy and regulation

Cost of energy and carbon
Energy costs may fluctuate, 
a tax is applied to the carbon 
emissions of corporates, 
or green energy deals may 
be limited 

 » Cost of carbon increases 

 » Increased operating costs 

and non-renewable energy 
costs are impacted 

 » A direct tax on carbon is 
applied to Scope 1 and 
Scope 2 emissions 

 » Increased demand for green 

energy limits availability 

 » Risk of affordability for tenants 
if energy costs or carbon costs 
are passed on and potential 
reduction in revenue 

 » Inability to meet 

decarbonisation commitments 
due to availability of green 
energy agreements 

 » Development of 
transition plan 

 » Remodelling approach 

rather than rebuilding to 
reduce embodied emissions 

Reputation

Stakeholder concern 
Failure to meet net zero targets 
or upgrade buildings in line with 
stakeholder expectations 
damages reputation

 » Stakeholders increasingly 
focused on sustainability 
and decarbonisation agenda 
and want to invest in climate-
resilient companies 

 » Decarbonisation may be 
challenging in the built 
environment leading to 
failure to meet targets 

 » Reduced investment and 

 » Stakeholder consultation 

share price 

 » Reduction in market share 

 » Increased investment 

required to meet stakeholder 
requirements 

requirements and identifying 
capacity and capabilities in 
meeting them 

 » Investment in green energy

 » Development of transition 

plan 

 » Development of transition 

plan 

 » Collaborations with lenders 
to understand changes to 
their financing strategies 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

TCFD CONTINUED

Climate-related risks and opportunities continued

Significant transition risks and opportunities continued

Significant climate-related transition risks and opportunities continued

Risk/opportunity 

Drivers and causes 

Impact on business, strategy, and 
financial planning (risk consequences)

Risk mitigations/methods to realise 
opportunities 

Key opportunities – all impacting the short and medium term continued

Efficiencies and new product lines

Energy efficiency and 
electricity generation 
Investment into 
decarbonisation will decrease 
costs and increase revenues

 » Carbon reducing upgrades 
and investments will reduce 
our energy costs and 
carbon taxes 

 » Investment into solar will 
reduce energy costs and 
increase returns 

Market

Cost of capital 
The cost of debt may be linked 
to carbon emissions or building 
standards 

 » Lenders seek to reduce 
financed emissions by 
linking the cost of debt to 
carbon emissions 

 » Reduced operating costs to 

 » Development of transition 

profit and loss 

plan 

 » Increase in affordability for 
tenants or returns from 
service charge agreements, 
increasing revenues 

 » Ability to meet 

decarbonisation 
and increased related 
opportunities (such as 
increased rental demand 
for low-carbon properties, 
resulting in increased 
revenues and increase 
in asset value on 
balance sheet) 

 » The cost of debt for 

 » Development of transition 

properties with high building 
standard ratings (EPC, 
BREEAM) may decrease, 
reducing finance costs to 
profit and loss 

plan 

 » Collaborations with lenders 
to understand changes to 
their financing strategies 

 » The availability of finance 

may increase for 
organisations exceeding 
decarbonisation 
commitments 

Reputation/stakeholder concern

Exceeding building 
requirements will improve 
reputation 

 » Stakeholders increasingly 

 » Increased investment and 

 » Development of transition 

focused on sustainability and 
decarbonisation agenda and 
want to invest in climate-
resilient companies (those 
meeting or exceeding targets)

share price 

plan 

 » Increase in market share 

 » Stakeholder consultation

Other risks and opportunities included in this analysis, and which were not identified as significant, but which will continue to be 
included in our consideration of climate-related risks and opportunities include potential market fluctuations in the cost of raw 
materials used in developments, supply chain issues and stakeholder preference towards low-carbon buildings and services. 
Opportunities include increasing demand for low-carbon buildings and services, and increased demand for climate-resilient assets, 
resulting in increased portfolio value. These risks are closely connected with the risks above and will continue to be considered as 
part of our wider risk management approach.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

61

Physical risks and opportunities 
Whilst not assessed as significant, there is the potential for climate-related physical risk to significantly increase over time, as 
warming trajectories impact upon weather systems and weather events. We recognise that the future is uncertain, and as such have 
incorporated physical risk assessment into our climate-related risk assessment to ensure that we are aware of how the future may 
impact upon our portfolio. The key risks and their related impacts are set out below.

Physical climate-related risks and opportunities

Risk/opportunity 

Drivers and causes 

Key risks – all impacting the long term

Acute physical 

Impact on business, strategy, and financial 
planning (risk consequences)

Risk mitigations/methods to realise 
opportunities 

Increased risk of fire, flood 
or wind, or other physical 
risk events 

 » Increased temperature 
leading to changes in 
weather systems 

 » Physical damage to buildings 

and assets and reduction in asset 
value, or increased cost of repair 

 » Increased damage to or 

inefficiency of solar panels 
resulting in reduced offset to 
energy costs and increased 
cost of repair 

 » Increased insurance costs 

 » Business disruption 

 » Regular assessment of 
adequacy of insurance

 » Climate resilience 

assessment using latest 
climate models 

 » Insurance to protect against 

climate risk 

Chronic physical 

Increased risk of sea level rise, 
drought, changes in 
temperature and precipitation 

 » Increased temperature 
leading to changes in 
weather systems 

 » Increased requirement for 

 » Climate resilience 

cooling

 » Increased demand for water 

assessment using latest 
climate models 

and reduced availability 
of water 

 » Insurance to protect 
against climate risk 

Climate-related scenario analysis
In order to deepen our understanding of how climate-related risks and opportunities will impact upon our business in a range of 
climate futures we have used inputs from climate scenario models and industry reports to assess how the risks and opportunities 
identified may impact upon our business, strategy and financial planning in a range of climate scenarios, including a below 2°C 
scenario. The key characteristics of our scenarios are outlined below: 

Sirius scenario 

Low emissions 

Medium emissions 

High emissions 

Physical risk assessment (wildfire, inland flood, cyclone, water stress, heatwave, sea level rise) 

RCP4.5

SSP2

2.4°C

RCP8.5 

SSP5/SSP3

4.3°C

430–480ppm

580–720ppm

>1,000ppm

IPCC Relative Concentration 
Pathway 

RCP2.6 

SSP1

1.8°C

Shared socioeconomic 
pathway model

Approximate 2100 warming 
trajectory 
Atmospheric CO2

Transition risk assessment

Regulatory change 

More stringent 
environmental regulation 

Technological change 

Rapid technological shifts 

Resource use

Improved resource use 

Moderate awareness of 
environmental consequences 
of choices made and 
environmental systems 
experience degradation 

Technological progress 
but no breakthrough 

Environmental policies have 
little importance and 
environmental systems are 
seriously degraded 

Low investment in technology 

Modest decline in resource 
use intensity 

Increase in resource use 
intensity 

Wellbeing 

Emphasis on human 
nature and wellbeing 

Current social and economic 
trends continue 

Emphasis on national issues 
due to regional conflicts and 
nationalism 

Cooperation 

Global cooperation 

Weak cooperation 

Scepticism around globalisation 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements62

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

TCFD CONTINUED

Climate-related risks and opportunities continued

Climate-related scenario analysis continued
Our analysis shows that there are very different anticipated risk and opportunity impacts at different ends of the temperature 
spectrum, and we have therefore disclosed the findings from the high and low emissions scenarios below where the central (and 
most likely) scenario would result in a combination of issues arising at either end of the spectrum (with modified impacts) and we 
therefore need to ensure that our organisation considers the most extreme but plausible scenarios to ensure strategic resilience. 
The anticipated impacts on our customers, regulatory requirements and portfolio are set out below, and the findings and key risk 
mitigations are built into our climate-related risk and opportunity registers. 

Low emissions

High emissions

The future conscious customer will demand low 
resource intensive buildings, energy-efficient 
appliances, electric vehicle charging points and 
environmentally friendly developments that are 
beneficial for health and wellbeing. The carbon 
impact of buildings and services will be considered 
as part of rental decisions.

Customers

Customers will increasingly observe flood/fire/
cyclone risks when selecting properties for rental 
and may pay more for properties with increased 
resilience against these risks. Water availability to 
service properties may become an issue and this 
will also be included in due diligence on property 
decisions. The availability of effective heating and 
cooling will be considered in rental decisions.

There will be limited environmental regulations, but 
there may be an uptick in the requirement to 
undertake flood/fire/cyclone risk assessments of 
properties. Insurance costs are likely to increase for 
at-risk properties. Lending costs may increase for 
at-risk properties.

Regulation

Regulation on the built environment will 
significantly decrease emissions from the sector by 
enforcing upgrades to buildings. There may also be 
a legislative requirement to transition to net zero 
and an increase in the need for carbon offsets to 
achieve this. There may be a carbon tax on GHG 
emissions and an increase in the cost of carbon 
offsets. Lenders may increasingly hike interest rates 
for high-emitting sectors, or exclude lending 
altogether from sectors which prevent them from 
realising their own net zero targets.

Investment will be required to upgrade buildings to 
meet energy requirements, to meet the demands of 
consumers, and there may be changes to valuation 
where upgrades are not possible. Increasing costs 
of carbon could impact upon materials and building 
costs, and there may be supply chain issues for 
in-demand materials and solutions.

Portfolio

Investment will be required to enhance resilience of 
properties, and properties at risk may reduce in 
value. There may be increased supply chain issues 
due to physical risk disruption, and increased costs 
of materials as a result of damage to supplier 
operations and assets.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

63

Significant insights and 
strategic resilience

Physical risks 
In order to the assess acute risks of flood, wildfire and cyclone, 
and chronic risks such as water stress, heatwaves and sea level 
rise, we partnered with our insurance providers to identify 
assets with the highest levels of physical risk, and carried out 
in-depth climate scenario analysis on a representative sample 
of our at risk assets to consider the long term (2050) view 
of future climate risk looking at the most extreme risks. The 
analysis predominantly focused on an RCP8.5/SSP5 scenario, 
and an RCP4.5/SSP2 scenario. Our modelling uses General 
Circulation Models (“GCM”) from the latest international 
modelling efforts, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 
and high-resolution historical observations from satellites and 
sensors to provide detailed information about physical risks, 
and machine learning and artificial intelligence methods to 
deliver spatial resolution that is finer than GCMs alone. 

The findings indicate that the assets sampled (which are more 
than 25% of our German and UK portfolio) are at low risk of 
overall significant climate stress in 2050, but medium risk for 
water stress and wildfire; however, further consideration shows 
that the relative change expected is not significantly different to 
today and as such any localised issues experienced today are 
unlikely to significantly worsen. 

We also considered the Value at Risk of our sampled assets 
arising as a result of high-impact events such as wildfire, 
cyclone and intense river flooding. The process simulated many 
thousands of events, at multiple hazard intensities with varying 
probabilities of occurrence and differing levels of vulnerability. 
The outputs from our Value at Risk assessment did not identify 
significant Value at Risk for our sampled assets. 

However, we know that climate risk assessment and climate models 
are inherently uncertain, and that climate events happening today 
are exceeding predicted outcomes. As such, we will continue to 
monitor our asset locations and associated insurance policies over 
time, as climate data and modelling improve. 

Transition risks and financial impacts 
Our key findings show that there is close interdependency 
between climate-related transition risks, which are centred 
around our ability to operate in a low-carbon future. Whilst 
we are currently developing our transition plan to set out our 
strategy for successful operation in a low-carbon future, in 
the short term, we are already seeing the impact of certain 
areas take effect, such as increases in the cost of carbon, 
and changes to policy and regulation which will require 
investment in the longer term. 

An overview of the relative change from baseline water stress, 
as relevant to our asset locations to 2040 (WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas)

  2.8x or greater decrease

  2.8x or greater increase

  Asset locations

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements64

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

TCFD CONTINUED

Significant insights and strategic 
resilience continued

Cost of carbon 
The German Government has introduced an adjacent system 
to the EU Emissions Trading System to cover buildings and, 
in particular, the energy used in the heating of buildings 
(typically a cost borne by tenants) with the split of carbon 
tax for landlords and tenants currently allocated 50/50 for 
non-residential buildings. The scheme was introduced on 
5 December 2022 and impacted cash flows from 1 January 
2023. However, due to the specifics of the system and the 
service charge allocation periods at Sirius properties it impacts, 
the cash flows are mostly impacted from 1 April 2023. 

The original price per tonne of carbon currently applied to the 
scheme was 35 €/tCO2e and this was planned to change to 
55 €/tCO2e by 2025, after which the anticipated price becomes 
uncertain. In the current period, the prices were restated to 
30 €/tCO2e moving to 45 €/tCO2e to take into account the 
pressure on the real estate industry driven largely by strong 
energy price movements. As such, there is uncertainty over 
the future cash flow implications of the scheme. In addition, 
there is a question over how the split for landlords and tenants 
will be amended after 2025. 

We currently take into account the current known split and 
anticipated forecasted price to 2025 in our cash flow forecasts 
and undertake financial impact analysis of how this could 
change our overall operating cash flows if the charging 
mechanisms were to change (i.e. to reflect a change in landlord/
tenant split). The amounts assessed do not result in a material 
financial impact. 

Policy and regulation
The EU and the UK have both announced net zero pledges to 
2050 (with Germany by 2045); however, it is currently unclear 
what measures will be put in place to drive decarbonisation in 
the built environment sector. In Germany, we have undertaken 
an initial assessment of a decarbonisation pathway to net zero 
emissions for our portfolio using the CRREM methodology and 
in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. In the UK, the 
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Regulations require all 
commercial lettings to be in possession of a valid EPC band “B” 
by April 2030 and band “C” by April 2027. The Energy 
Performance of Buildings Directive in Europe is also expected 
to affect our business. BizSpace has undertaken an exercise 
to identify all assets which may fall within the requirements and 
the potential capex investment required to upgrade commercial 
properties to meet the EPC requirements. In both Germany and 
the UK, further work is being undertaken by the senior 
management to develop a roadmap for implementation and a 
detailed financial assessment, which will be an area of focus for 
FY2023/24. Our key strategic aims will be to invest in upgrades 
which are fit for purpose in a low-carbon future in the most 
cost-effective manner. 

In the short term, we have set aside €2 million to fund ESG-
specific activities such as more efficient lighting, window and 
roof optimisation, smart metering of water and electricity, 
electric charging stations, etc. (please see our going concern 
statement for more information). 

Corporate strategy 
The work undertaken during the year relating to our transition 
plan and climate-related risk assessments is being fed into our 
ongoing corporate strategy, which remains agile and resilient. 
Our strategy remains to invest in our assets to improve their 
utilisation and life span and we see our work to reduce our 
emissions as an integral part of this strategy. We are fully 
committed to decarbonising our business across our Scope 1, 2 
and 3 emissions and will do so based on detailed management 
and financial planning, which is being integrated into our 
operational and planning processes. We recognise that we 
have large, multi-use and complex assets situated in many 
locations and communities in Germany and the UK with a 
broad tenant base. As a result, our transition plan must be 
developed on an asset-by-asset basis and in many cases 
working in close engagement with our tenants. We are working 
with our stakeholders so that they can understand that such 
a transition plan will take time to both create and implement.

During the year we were pleased that we successfully achieved 
net zero for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in Germany for the 
first time. For our Scope 3 emissions, we completed a detailed 
assessment of the possible actions and investments required 
on a sample of our assets to understand their transition pathway 
to net zero. Working on the findings from this assessment, 
these were then extrapolated across our German portfolio 
to provide us with a theoretical transition pathway to net zero. 
Based on this work, we are now confident that we can achieve 
a net zero transition pathway for our German assets by 2045, 
in line with the German national target. As of 1 April 2023, we 
have formed a specialist team in Germany to use this net zero 
transition pathway to build a detailed plan, on an asset-by-asset 
basis, on how we can implement the actions required, working 
with our stakeholders, to achieve net zero emissions. This plan 
will also commence a detailed financial model of the investment 
required and other possible financial implications taking into 
account our different assets and how they are utilised. The plan 
includes our award-winning work to understand and start to 
reduce our embodied carbon and is also examining the 
potential to roll-out of on-site renewable energy generation 
through photovoltaic systems at locations which have the 
structural integrity and demand for such energy. Further details 
of this transition pathway, including targets, will be provided 
during FY2023/24.

In the UK, it is our intention, in the second year of ownership, 
to achieve at least carbon neutrality for our Scope 1 and 2 
emissions during FY2023/24. During this year we completed an 
EPC review of the portfolio to understand the actions required 
to meet the UK Government requirements for commercial 
properties to have a minimum EPC rating of “C” by 2027 and “B” 
by 2030. Based on this initial assessment, we are confident we 
can achieve the EPC rating required for our UK portfolio. As we 
have done in Germany, we are now forming a specialist team in 
the UK to build a detailed plan, on an asset-by-asset basis, on 
how to implement the actions required. During the current year, 
we also plan to integrate the EPC programme with a net zero 
emissions transition pathway for the UK portfolio in line with the 
UK Government target of 2050. Further details of this possible 
transition pathway will be provided during FY2023/24.

In both Germany and the UK, our acquisition framework has 
been updated to include environmental considerations as part 
of the pre-acquisition due diligence.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

65

Metrics and targets 
We measure a wide range of consumption data relating to 
energy, water, waste and embodied carbon, which will be 
available in our first CDP submission which will be completed in 
July 2023. Carbon emissions is one of our main areas of focus. 
We report our GHG emissions, which are disclosed in the 
Annual Report, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions on page 
45. We also currently measure the proportion of renewable 
energy we provide; the roll-out of smart meters across our 
portfolio; the number of EV charging stations installed; and the 
levels of embodied carbon associated with the refurbishment 
and modernisation of our portfolio in Germany. These can be 
found on pages 42 to 43.

As we develop our decarbonisation transition pathway for both 
our German and UK portfolios we intend to identify and make 
public additional metrics and KPIs in relation to climate. 

As highlighted in this report and in our ESG Report published 
during December 2022, it is our intention to publish the 
transition pathway for our German portfolio during FY2023/24 
and for our UK portfolio during FY2024/25. We also intend to 
promote a clear waste and water management strategy across 
the business and provide further details on our biodiversity 
plans in 2023/24.

During the year, we have undertaken an assessment of 
the TCFD’s seven cross-industry metrics, the TCFD’s sector 
guidance on suggested metrics, and the draft industry-specific 
metrics as outlined by IFRS S2 to identify the areas of focus that 
may be important for our stakeholders. Our key focus for the 
next reporting periods will be to identify how we can best 
monitor our performance towards increased resilience and 
an overview of our current reporting can be found below: 

Cross-industry metrics 

Current status 

Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 

Full reporting – see Annual Report page 45

Transition risks 

Physical risks 

Opportunities 

Capital deployed 

Internal carbon price 

Remuneration 

These will be developed in more depth on finalisation of the transition plan 

0% of the portfolio is in a 1 in 100 years flood zone 

11.9% of the portfolio is in a 1 in 200 years flood zone 

These will be developed in more depth on finalisation of the transition plan 

This will be further developed as part of our transition plan; for current capital deployed, see 
our going concern commentary on pages 136 and 137 of the Annual Report 

See the Transition risks and financial impacts section above for how we have flexed carbon 
prices to assess potential impacts on cash flows 

ESG is currently linked to remuneration; see further details on pages 125 and 126 of the  
Annual Report

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements66

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

€100 million FFO  
milestone achieved 

Alistair Marks
Interim Chief Financial Officer

“ Sirius has achieved its €100 
million funds from operations 
goal with further organic growth 
as the Company continues its 
price driven strategy in both 
Germany and the UK.” 

Substantial FFO growth
The Company has reported in excess of €100 million in FFO for the 
first time, a five year target that was set in FY18/19 when the FFO 
run rate was below €50 million. Sirius recorded FFO of €102.1 
million which represents a 36.9% increase over the €74.6 million 
FFO reported last year. Whilst a significant portion of this growth 
has come from the full year effect of acquisitions that were made 
in the last financial year, including BizSpace, Sirius has benefited 
from substantial organic growth and excellent asset recycling 
despite the challenging markets which are continuing to be 
affected by instability from the Ukraine conflict and the cost of 
living crisis in both Germany and the UK. The main driver of 
organic growth was the 7.7%(1) increase in like-for-like rent roll 
which increases to 8.1%(1) rent roll growth when incorporating the 
effect of asset recycling and taking the total rent roll of the Group. 
This level of like-for-like rental growth was a record for the 
Company and has mainly come from the Group’s price driven 
strategy which focuses on replacing rental contracts which are 
under-rented with those closer to market rates whilst also 
capturing inflationary increases where it can. This has resulted in 
a slight decline in the Group’s total occupancy but the rent growth 
numbers speak to the success of this strategy. 

Trading performance and earnings 
The Company has reported a profit before tax in the year ended 
31 March 2023 of €87.0 million (31 March 2022: €168.9 
million), representing a decrease of 48.5% from the prior year. 
This reduction in profit is mainly due to the FFO growth 
mentioned above being offset by a net valuation deficit of €7.7 
million (€21.4 million valuation increase less €29.9 million 
capex) being reported in the period whereas in the prior year a 
net valuation gain of €140.9 million (€163.5 million valuation 
increase less €22.6 million capex) was reported. The €27.5 
million increase in FFO to €102.1 million (31 March 2022: €74.6 
million) included BizSpace contributing € 25.5 million, its first 
full year contribution to the Group (31 March 2022: €5.8 
million). The organic growth within this FFO increase came 
mainly from the 6.4% and 7.7%(1) increases in like-for-like 
annualised rental income achieved in the March 2022 and 
March 2023 years respectively. 

Both the German and UK businesses saw strong demand for their 
offerings which translated to the excellent rental growth in the 
period as explained in more detail in the Asset management 
section of this report. Additionally, Sirius was able to achieve 
further improvements to its ancillary income streams which have 
more than offset some increases in overhead costs due to inflation 
as well as increasing the capacity of its management platform.

Further acquisitive growth was limited because the Company 
has decided to pause its large-scale acquisitive growth plans in 
favour of selective asset recycling due to the uncertainties that 
exist in the property investment markets within which Sirius 
operates. As such, the Company can focus more on its organic 
growth opportunities of which there remain plenty.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

67

The split between the contribution from German operations and BizSpace for the year ended 31 March 2023 is set out in the table below.

NOI

FFO

Profit after tax

Germany
€m 

116.1

75.4

53.1

UK
€m 

37.3

26.7

26.1

Group
€m 

153.4

102.1

79.7

(1)  The Company has chosen to disclose certain Group rental income figures utilising a constant foreign currency exchange rate of GBP:EUR 1.1374, 

being the closing exchange rate as at 31 March 2023.

On a per share basis, most of what was discussed above is reflected with only a small number of new shares being issued in the 
period. The impact of valuations stabilising resulted in a 49.4% decrease in basic EPS for the period to 6.82c per share. Adjusted 
EPS, basic EPRA EPS and diluted EPRA EPS, which exclude the impact of valuations described above, increased by approximately 
22.8%, 17.2% and 17.1% respectively reflecting the strong operational performance in the year. 

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Adjusted EPS*

Basic EPRA EPS

Diluted EPRA EPS

Earnings
€m

 79.6 

 79.6 

 92.9 

 88.2 

 88.2 

No. of shares

31 March 2023
cents per share

Earnings
€m

No. of shares

31 March 2022
cents per share

1,167,757,975

1,183,626,763

1,167,757,975

1,167,757,975

1,183,626,763

6.82

6.73

7.96

7.55

7.45

147.9

147.9

71.1

70.7

70.7

1,097,082,162

1,112,360,781

1,097,082,162

1,097,082,162

1,112,360,781

13.48

13.29

6.48

6.44

6.36

Change
%

(49.4)

(49.4)

22.8

17.2

17.1

*  See note 12 and the Business analysis section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

Sirius converted the UK business into a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) with effect from 1 April 2022, resulting in BizSpace 
no longer being subject to UK corporation tax on income from its property rental business, as well as on profits on disposals of assets.

Income
Total revenue reported in the period, which comprises rent, fee income relating to Titanium, other ancillary income from investment 
properties, and service charge income, increased from €210.2 million for the 31 March 2022 year to €270.1 million this year. 
The detail of the €59.9 million increase in income is shown on the following table.

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

Revenue

Year ended
31 March 2023 

Year ended
31 March 2022

Germany
€m 

UK
€m 

Group
€m 

Germany
€m 

125.5

66.6

10.9

9.8

212.8

33.3

24.0

—

—

57.3

158.8

108.7

90.6

10.9

9.8

270.1

55.0

10.9

14.6

189.2

UK
€m 

15.3

5.7

—

—

21.0

Group
€m 

124.0

60.7

10.9

14.6

210.2

Annualised rent roll in Germany increased by 8.3% from €113.7 million to €123.1 million with net acquisitions and organic growth 
contributing €1.2 million and €8.2 million respectively. BizSpace’s annualised rent roll increased 7.4%(1) from €51.3(1) million 
to €55.1(1) million in the period, with the impact of organic growth of €4.4 million being reduced by disposals of €0.6 million. 
This is shown in more detail in the following table:

Opening annualised rent roll 

Acquisitions 

Disposals

Move-ins/outs 

Uplifts

Closing annualised rent roll 

Germany
€m 

113.7

2.4

(1.2)

1.9

6.3

123.1

UK *
€m 

51.3

—

(0.6)

(0.1)

4.5

55.1

Group
€m 

165.0

2.4

(1.8)

1.8

10.8

178.2

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements68

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Income continued
Whilst the rental growth in the period was impressive, the fact that this was achieved without reducing vacancy levels means that 
the opportunity that remains within this vacancy for further organic growth over the next few years has been preserved. The key to 
unlocking this in the most effective way is through the continuation of Sirius’ capex investment programmes combined with a wide 
range of other intensive asset management initiatives. Additionally, whilst inflation levels continue to be high, Sirius is able to boost 
its organic growth numbers because of its ability to capture inflationary increases within its contracted rents as well as when tenants 
renew and new tenants are coming in. 

Portfolio valuation – Group 
The portfolio of owned assets was independently valued at €2,103.2 million by Cushman & Wakefield LLP at 31 March 2023 
(31 March 2022: €2,079.0 million), which converts to a book value of €2,123.0 million after the adjustments in relation to lease 
incentives and inclusion of leased investment property. A breakdown of the movement in owned and leased investment property, 
excluding assets held for sale, is detailed in the table below. 

German investment 
property – owned
€m

German investment 
property – leased
€m

UK investment 
property – owned
€m

UK investment 
property – leased
€m

Investment 
property – total 
€m

Investment properties at book value as at 31 March 
2022*

Acquisitions arising from business combinations

Additions relating to owned investment properties

Additions relating to leased investment properties

Capex investment and capitalised broker fees

Reclassified as investment property held for sale

Disposal

Deficit on revaluation above capex investment and 
broker fees

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment 
properties

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Currency effects

Investment properties at book value as at 31 
March 2023*

*  Excluding assets held for sale.

1,623.2

12.1

451.8

—

44.6

—

24.4

(8.8)

—

(2.0)

—

(0.6) 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1.3)

—

—

—

—

—

5.5

—

(17.1)

(5.7)

—

(16.8)

13.0

—

—

1.4

—

—

—

—

(0.2)

(0.5)

2,100.1

—

44.6

1.4

29.9

(8.8)

(17.1)

(7.7)

(1.5)

(0.6)

(17.3)

1,680.8

10.8

417.7

13.7

2,123.0

The increase in value of the German portfolio of €57.6 million was made up of €44.6 million of asset acquisitions, less €8.8 million 
of disposals, plus a €22.4 million valuation increase on the existing portfolio and finally a €0.6 million negative adjustment in respect 
of lease incentives. The €22.4 million valuation increase was lower than the €24.4 million of capex spent on that portfolio; hence, 
the net of these resulted in a €2.0 million deficit being booked through the Company’s profit.

In the UK, the value of the BizSpace portfolio reduced by €34.1 million due to €17.1 million of disposals partly offset by €1.4 million 
of additions*, a valuation decrease of €0.2 million on the existing portfolio and a €17.3 million foreign currency reduction due to the 
weakening of GBP against the EUR for the year. In addition to the €0.2 million valuation reduction, capex of €5.5 million was invested 
into the UK portfolio resulting in a €5.7 million deficit being reported through the Company’s profit.

Portfolio valuation – Germany
The book value of the existing German portfolio that was owned for the full period increased by €21.7 million or 1.3% from €1,623.2 
million to €1,644.8 million. This was driven by an increase in annualised rent roll of €8.2 million in the year which more than 
compensated for a gross yield expansion of approximately 40 bps. The assets that were acquired during the year end were revalued 
at €44.4 million which is €0.2 million below the total acquisition costs paid and 7.8% above the net purchase prices paid for these 
properties, indicating that these assets were purchased well.

The German portfolio at 31 March 2023 comprises 70 assets with a book value of €1,689.6 million generating €125.5 million of 
rental income and €109.8 million of net operating income based on an occupancy of 83.4%. This represents an average gross yield 
of 7.3% (31 March 2022: 6.9%), which translates to a net yield of 6.5% (31 March 2022: 6.2%) and an EPRA net yield (including 
estimated purchaser costs) of 6.2% (31 March 2022: 5.9%).

 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

69

Whilst yields have expanded within the German portfolio valuation by around 40 bps in the period to 7.3%, this still appears to 
be conservative when compared to transactions that have completed over the last year in the industrial, logistics and office sectors 
in Germany. The average capital value per sqm of the portfolio of €912 (31 March 2022: €893) also remains below replacement 
cost and, when considered with the level of vacancy that remains within the portfolio, illustrates the excellent opportunity for 
further growth, particularly from upgrading and letting up the sub-optimal vacant space through the Company’s capex 
investment programmes. 

The acquisitions made over the last couple of years have replenished a lot of the vacancy that was transformed and let up through 
Sirius’ capex investment programmes. As a result, at 31 March 2023, 65% of the German portfolio are considered value-add assets 
which, with average occupancy of 79.3% and valued at a gross yield of 7.6%, provide significant opportunity for further earnings and 
value growth. The mature assets which make up about one-third of the German portfolio have reached an occupancy level of 94.4% 
and, at a gross yield of 6.7%, are valued at a yield that is 90 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. The full details of the 
capex investment programmes are provided in the Asset management review – Germany section of this report. The specifics of 
the value-add and mature portfolios are detailed in the table below:

Annualised
rent roll 
€m

83.0

40.1

—

Book value
€m

1,091.3

598.3

—

NOI
€m

72.7

38.6

(1.5)

123.1

1,689.6

109.8

Capital
value 
€m/sqm *

812

1,174

—

912

Gross yield 
% *

Net yield 
% *

Vacant
space 
sqm *

Rate psqm
€ *

Occupancy
% *

7.6%

6.7%

—

7.3%

6.7%

6.4%

—

270,454

 27,488

—

6.5%

297,942

6.68

7.26

—

6.86

79.3%

94.4%

—

83.4%

Value-add assets**

Mature assets

Other

Total

*  Expressed as averages.

**  Excluding assets held for sale.

The reconciliation of book value to the independent Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation excluding assets held for sale is as follows:

Investment properties at market value*

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Book value of investment properties*

*  Excluding assets held for sale.

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

1,685.5

1,627.3

(4.7)

(4.1)

1,680.8

1,623.2

Portfolio valuation – UK
At 31 March 2023, the value of the UK portfolio was £367.2 million (€417.7 million) which was broadly flat compared to the £367.4 million 
(€434.3 million) valuation of this portfolio at 31 March 2022. The benefits of the £3.8 million (8.7%) increase in annualised rent roll for this 
portfolio in the period were more than offset by yield expansion of around 100 bps to 9.3% (31 March 2022: 8.3%). Similar to the German 
portfolio, the EPRA net yield (including estimated purchaser costs) of 8.7% (31 March 2022: 7.6%) looks conservative compared to 
transactions seen in the market. On a euro basis the reduction in value was €16.6 million which was higher than the £0.2 million stated 
above due to the weakening of GBP against EUR.

The total portfolio valuation decreased by £15.0 million across the period to £367.2 million (31 March 2022: £382.2 million), being 
the combination of the £0.2 million valuation reduction as described above and the disposal of Camberwell and Ipswich during the 
period. 

The average capital value per sqm of the portfolio of £88 per sq ft (€1,072 per sqm) (31 March 2022: £88 per sq ft (€1,105 per sqm)) 
also remains below replacement cost and further supports the sentiment that there remains value-add potential within the portfolio.

Annualised
rent roll 
£m

Book value
£m

UK portfolio 

48.5

367.2

NOI
£m *

34.0

Capital
value 
£m/sq ft

Gross yield
%

Net yield
%

Vacant
space 
sq ft

Rate psqft
£

Occupancy **

%

88

13.2%

9.3%

567,899

13.39

86.5%

The UK does not have material lease incentives adjusting the investment property values.

*  Expressed as averages.

**  Excluding assets held for sale.

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70

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Net asset value
The valuation movements mentioned above along with a dividend pay-out ratio of 65% of FFO resulted in a slight increase in net 
asset value per share to 102.46c at 31 March 2023, an uplift of 0.4% from 102.04c as at 31 March 2022. Similarly, the adjusted net 
asset value per share increased to 109.21c at 31 March 2023, an uplift of 0.6% from 108.51c as at 31 March 2022. In addition, the 
Company paid out 5.07c per share of dividends during the financial year which contributed to a total shareholder accounting return 
(adjusted NAV growth plus dividends paid) of 5.3% (31 March 2022: 20.0%). The movement in NAV per share is explained in the 
following table:

NAV per share as at 31 March 2022
Recurring profit after tax
Equity raise
Deficit on revaluation (net of capex)
Deferred tax charge
Scrip and cash dividend paid
Adjusting items(1)

NAV per share at 31 March 2023

Deferred tax and derivatives

Adjusted NAV per share at 31 March 2023(2) 

EPRA adjustments(3)

EPRA NTA per share at 31 March 2023(2)

Cents per share

102.04
7.96
—
(0.71)
(0.37)
(5.27)
(1.19)

102.46

6.75

109.21

(1.10)

108.11

(1)  Adjusting items includes non-recurring items including restructuring costs, share of profit in associates, gains and losses on investments, 

and foreign currency effects.

(2) See Annex of 2023 Annual accounts for further details. 

(3)  Adjusted for the potential impact of shares issued in relation to the Company’s long-term incentive programmes, intangible assets, provisions for 

deferred tax and derivative financial instruments. 

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 108.11c, an increase of 0.8% from 107.28c as at 31 March 2022.

Financing
In May 2023 the Company refinanced its €57.3 million Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (PBB) loan facility, seven months in advance of it 
falling due on 31 December 2023. The new facility amounting to €58.3 million has a term of seven years at a fixed interest rate of 
4.25%. In addition to this early refinancing, in August 2022 the Company secured a refinancing with Berlin Hyp AG, one year in 
advance, of its €170 million facility due in October 2023, agreeing a new 7-year €170 million facility commencing on 1 November 
2023 with a fixed interest rate of 4.26%. When these facilities commence, the weighted average cost of debt will increase from 1.4% 
to 2.1% and the weighted term of debt will increase from 3.3 years to 5.0 years. Whilst Berlin Hyp and PBB facilities are classified as 
a current liability due to their accounting treatment, these do not have a negative impact on working capital as these have been 
financed as new loans.

Of the €975.1 million of total debt, the Company has €49.3 million of debt coming due in the next three years which is made up of 
three tranches of the HSBC Schuldschein totalling €35 million and €14.3 million Saarbrücken Sparkasse. Of this debt, €20 million of 
the HSBC Schuldschein is due in July 2023, which the Company is in negotiations with the current lender to refinance ahead of 
expiry but has the ability to repay if required.

During December 2022 and January 2023 of the financial year, the Company repaid two tranches of its HSBC Schuldschein 
amounting to €5 million and €10 million respectively. The debt structure of the Company remains such that 75% of its debt is 
unsecured (31 March 2022: 75%) allowing the Company to maintain flexibility over its €1.6 billion of unencumbered assets.

Net LTV was 41.6% (31 March 2022: 41.6%) whilst interest cover at EBITDA level was 8.6x as at 31 March 2023 (31 March 2022: 
7.3x). All covenants were complied with in full during the period. A summary of the movement in the Group’s debt is set out below: 

Movement in debt

Total debt as at 31 March 2022
Repayment of credit facility
Scheduled amortisation

Total debt as at 31 March 2023

€m

995.6
(15.0)
(5.5)

975.1

 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

71

Dividend
The Board has authorised a dividend in respect of the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2023 of 2.98c per share, 
representing a pay-out of 65% of FFO and an increase of 25.7% on the equivalent dividend last year which was also based on 65% 
of FFO. The total dividend in respect of the financial year is 5.68c, an increase of 28.8% on the 4.41c total dividend paid in respect 
of the financial year ended 31 March 2022. 

The table below shows the dividends paid and pay-out ratios over the last five years, demonstrating the excellent progression 
the Company has made in the period as well as the ability of the Board to increase the dividend pay-out ratio whilst the proceeds 
of asset disposals are invested. 

Year ended March 2019

Year ended March 2020*

Year ended March 2021

Year ended March 2022

Year ended March 2023

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

First half dividend
per share 
cents

Second half 
dividend
per share
cents

Total dividend
per share
cents

Blended 
pay-out ratio
% of FFO

1.63

1.77

1.82

2.04

2.70

1.73

1.80

1.98

2.37

2.98

3.36

3.57

3.80

4.41

5.68

70%

66%

65%

65%

65%

Details of the dividend distribution and announcement are detailed in note 30 of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Summary
Despite continuing challenging market conditions, the year to 31 March 2023 demonstrated the resilience of the Sirius platform as 
it was able to achieve its goal of €100 million of FFO. Organic growth was mainly achieved through capturing rate increases via the 
Company’s price driven strategy as well as continuing improvements to the service charge cost recovery. Having a full year impact of 
the deals done in the prior year obviously helped but plenty remains in the tank as far as further FFO and dividend growth is 
concerned over the next few years. 

In addition, the Company has significantly improved the strength of its balance sheet over the last few years which will allow it to 
focus on this growth and not have to worry about yield expansion, debt refinancing and cash flow like many of the other property 
companies operating throughout the world. Regardless of what transpires in the markets that Sirius operates in, from increasing 
interest rates and high inflation, to further geopolitical issues, supply chain problems and volatile energy prices and investment 
markets, Sirius is in an excellent position to navigate through and continue to grow. Should substantial acquisition opportunities 
arise then the Company is also well positioned to take advantage. 

The Company’s strong financial profile, along with its proven internal operating platform, means the Company is fully capable 
of adapting to changing market conditions. With acquisition firepower available, further vacancy to develop and reversion potential 
to capture, as well as a defensively positioned portfolio, the Company is well set 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
2 June 2023

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72

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

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.

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

“ 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.”

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

73

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 auditor.

 » 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.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

Principal risks summary

Risk area

Principal risk(s)

1  Financing

 » Availability and pricing of debt

 » Leverage on returns

 » Compliance with loan facility covenants

 » Availability and pricing of equity capital

 » Reputational risk

2  Valuation

 » Property inherently difficult to value

 » Susceptibility of property market to change in value

3  Markets

 » Participation within two geographically diverse markets

 » Reliance on specific industries and SME market

 » Reduction in occupancy

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 

 » Tenant affordability 

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   Macroeconomic 
environment

 » Impact of the post-Covid-19 pandemic market

 » Inflationary pressure leading to increased costs

 » Energy supply shortages caused by a variety of economic and geopolitical factors

 » Interest rate movements impacting the commercial real estate market 

 » Delays in cash collection and tenant insolvencies 

11  ESG

 » Unforeseen costs relating to physical and transition risks associated with climate change 

 » Reputational risk 

 » Failure to meet shareholder and societal requirements or expectations 

 » Restricted access to financing market due to higher requirements (“green financing”)

12 Foreign currency

 » Financial impact of uncontrollable foreign currency fluctuation on earnings and net asset value

Current assessment of principal business 
risks post mitigation

Previous assessment of principal business 
risks post mitigation

1

h
g
H

i

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

w
o
L

2

8

6

10

12

9

4

11

3

5

7

h
g
H

i

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

w
o
L

1

4

11

9

10

12

3

5

2

8

6

7

Low

Impact

High

Low

Impact

High

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

75

1 Financing

Principal risks 
 » Through increasing interest rates, bank financing my become 

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

increasingly unavailable as the cost of debt increases.

 » Should certain covenants be breached, lenders may recall debt 

or enforce security over encumbered assets.

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.

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

 » 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.

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

interest rates on facilities.

 » Loan facilities incorporate covenant headroom, cure provisions 

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

 » The Group operates a value-add business model which includes 
investing in 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 continues to own significantly more unencumbered 
than encumbered assets which are more liquid to sell or could 
be injected into bank security pools if necessary. 

 » Inability to refinance when facilities expire.

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

 » 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. 

Developments in the year
 » Interest rates have increased significantly over the past twelve 

months as inflation took hold. 95% of total borrowings of 
€975.1 million are on terms fixed for over three years at an 
average interest rate of 1.3%. Of the €49.3 million coming 
due over the next three years, €20.0 million come due within the 
next twelve months.

 » Early financing of the €58.3 million PBB loan facility in May 2023 

at 4.25% interest for a seven-year term as well as the early 
financing of the €170 million Berlin Hyp loan facility in August 
2022 at 4.26% interest for a seven year term. The weighted 
average cost of debt will increase to 2.07% whilst the average 
term of debt expiry increases to five years. 

 » All loan facility covenants were met in full during the year.

 » The Company has retained sufficient headroom on its Group 

covenants, which would allow for a drop in asset prices of 21% 
before it would be required to initiate mitigating actions.

 » The Group continues to monitor its LTV ratio very carefully 
and is working towards reducing its net LTV ratio of 41.6% 
(31 March 2022: 41.6%) to below 40% in the near term. 

 » Fitch reaffirmed its BBB investment grade rating with 

“Stable Outlook” on 4 November 2022.

 » The Group owns 125 unencumbered assets with a book value 
of €1.6 billion compared to 127 unencumbered assets with 
a book value of €1.6 billion as at 31 March 2022. 

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

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 the 

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 affordability and demand as 
a result of macroeconomic factors that lead to changes in inflation 
and interest rate movements.

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 net yield of the German portfolio remained broadly flat at 

valuer in accordance with applicable standards.

6.2% year over year.

 » 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 and UK property markets are closely monitored 

by in-house specialists who form part of the Group’s operating 
platforms.

 » The Group operates a value-add business model that is focused 

on growing net operating income at the asset level through 
a variety of intensive asset management activities. 

 » Average net yield of the UK portfolio increased to 9.3% from 8.3% 

in the prior period.

 » The like-for-like book valuation of the Group’s German assets 

increased by €22.8 million or 1.4% predominantly as a result of 
increases in net operating income. 

 » The book valuation of the Group’s UK assets decreased by 
£15.0 million (€17.3 million) or 3.9% since 31 March 2022 
predominantly as a result of yield expansion and foreign 
currency effects.

3 Market

Principal risks 
 » The Group’s property portfolio located in Germany and the UK 

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

exposes it to two separate markets and economies.

in the markets in which it operates.

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

 » Profits and cash flows may reduce from lower demand for the 

Group’s space offerings due to structural economic changes or 
changes in tenant demand that may vary between markets. 

 » 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 that may vary 
between markets.

Mitigation
 » The Group’s portfolio located in Germany and the UK provides 

Developments in the year
 » Both the German and UK economies suffered from the impacts of 

geographic diversification. 

 » The Group offers multiple products in both the German and UK 

markets to a broad range of tenants, from major blue-chip 
corporations to private individuals. Many of the Group’s 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.

 » 39% of the Group’s annualised rent roll in Germany comes from its 
top 50 tenants which occupy 45% of the space and are generally 
highly invested and embedded on the sites that they occupy. 

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

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

inflation which had a significant impact on the GDP of both 
countries as investments slowed due to higher prices.

 » The Group is not materially dependent on any single economic 

sector or tenant. 

 » The SME market, which the Group considers to be its core tenant 
base in both the German and UK markets, has remained strong 
during the period under review with increasing levels of occupier 
demand.

 » 7.9% of the Group’s annualised rent roll in Germany 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 2023

77

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 overpays for assets or takes on additional risk in order 

to acquire assets. 

 » 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 
1,129 investment opportunities in Germany which consisted 
of both on and off-market opportunities.

 » Across the Group, asset recycling amounted to approximately 

€90 million. 

4 Acquisitive growth

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

return expectations. 

 » Increased competition for high-yielding assets leading to pricing 

pressure.

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

 » The Group’s highly experienced acquisition team in Germany 

provides the Group with deep market connectivity and access to 
potential investment opportunities.

 » The Group has a strong track record of completing on acquisition 

transactions and recycling opportunities.

 » Through the Titanium venture with AXA IM Alts the Group has an 
alternative source of capital from which to gain exposure to assets 
with alternative returns profiles. 

 » Through the acquisition of BizSpace the Group has an alternative 

market in which to invest.

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 in vacant space due to not 

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

obtaining permissions or finding appropriate suppliers to complete 
the works.

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 

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.

 » 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 German operating platform 

as well as enhancing its UK platform.

Developments in the year
 » The Company continued its capex investment programme on 
acquisitions that completed from April 2016. As at 31 March 
2023, a total of 428,037 sqm of space had been fully refurbished 
for an investment of €64.1 million and is currently generating 
incremental annualised rent roll of €27.1 million on 73% 
occupancy.

 » The Company continued to identify space suitable for investment 

that is expected to be returned from vacating tenants. A total 
of 41,920 sqm of space has been identified for investment of 
€10.4 million that is expected to upgrade the space and generate 
€3.8 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 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

6 Customer

Principal risks 
 » The move to hybrid working arrangements post-Covid-19 may lead 

to a lower take-up of vacant office space.

Potential impact
 » Reduction in profits, cash flows and property valuations if a number 
of major tenants vacate or become insolvent in a short time period.

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

 » Potential loan facility covenant breaches should net operating 

of vacant space.

income or property values reduce significantly.

 » Substantial amount of vacating tenants or tenants becoming insolvent.

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

 » The Group’s products are considered unaffordable by tenants. 

 » Increased costs borne by tenants result in failure to meet their 

costs and bad debts.

 » Profit targets may not be met from inability to let up vacant space.

lease obligations.

 » Downward pressure on earnings and NAV.

Mitigation
 » The Group’s operating platforms in Germany and the UK are highly 
specialised, with a dedicated marketing and internal call centre, 
dedicated relationship managers for key tenants and on-site staff 
available to react to tenant needs with agility and speed.

 » The Company’s on-site staff closely monitor the micro markets 

around each site to draw customers to the Sirius brand locations.

Developments in the year
 » The Company has established a specialised task force to let up 

vacant office space.

 » As storage demand has shown to continually increase, the 

Company maintains a strong focus on growing the Smartspace 
Storage brand across its portfolio by converting space as 
appropriate.

 » The combination of the national and local marketing teams working 
together to drive up visibility of the brand to current and prospective 
tenants.

 » The Company has continued to successfully let up vacant space 
it has taken on through recently acquired assets, demonstrating 
continued high demand within the market. 

 » The Group maintained a cash collection rate in excess of 98.5% 

for the year ended 31 March 2023.

 » The Group maintained stable like-for-like occupancy of 84.5% 
as at 31 March 2023 compared to 85.6% for the period ended 
31 March 2022.

 » The Group undertakes tenant satisfaction surveys to gain key insight 
into the evolving needs of our tenant base to allow the Company 
to address these proactively.

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

market providing protection in challenging economic times. 

 » All prospective tenants in the Group go through a robust credit 

check to provide comfort over their suitability and financial position 
and are required to provide deposits and/or bank guarantees 
supported further by an experienced cash collection team. 

 » The Company controls costs charged to tenants through a 

combination of providing metering, procuring at scale and utilising 
forward purchasing agreements. 

7 Regulatory and tax

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

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

shifting initiatives (“BEPS”, “ATAD”).

operating profits in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.

 » Creation of permanent establishment for the property SPVs in Germany.

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

 » Change of tax rules relating to controlled foreign companies.

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

 » Forfeiture of tax losses due to change of ownership.

 » Change of tax rates or accounting practices applicable to the 

asset values.

 » Financial penalties and reputational damage.

Company across all jurisdictions in which it operates.

 » Forfeiture of tax losses resulting in more property SPVs paying 

 » Challenge of intercompany transactions in regard to transfer 

corporate income tax.

pricing requirements.

 » The non-compliance with laws, regulations, reporting requirements 

and accepted practices relating to all jurisdictions in which it 
operates including those which relate to the UK REIT regime. 

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 and fulfil reporting requirements.

 » 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 corporate tax rate in the UK will increase 
to 25% effective for financial year 2023/24.

 » The Group continues to have tax losses that are potentially available 
for offset against future profits of its subsidiaries. As at 31 March 
2023, tax losses amounted to €240.2 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.

 » The Company elected into the UK REIT regime effective 1 April 2022 

relating to UK property income and capital gains only.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

79

8 People

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

performance and retention of key personnel.

Potential impact
 » Reduced ability to implement the business strategy.

 » Insufficient resources in place to support the Company’s growth 

 » The departure of key individuals without adequate replacement may 

ambitions.

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. 

 » 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
 » As unemployment in both Germany and the UK remains low 

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 

and wage expectations rise due to inflation and a market which 
favours the workforce, staff retention and recruitment are a key 
priority for the Company. The Company has hired an experienced 
Group HR Director to shape the direction of the workforce.

 » The Group has sufficient depth in key positions to ensure 

business continuity.

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

 » The Company is in the process of launching an internal talent 

 » 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. 

review to ensure the appropriate actions are taken to retain and 
engage key talent within the broader organisation.

 » The Group has 72 employee shareholders and plans to build on 

that through the issue of the share-based incentive plans.

 » The Executive Directors and Senior Management Team in Germany 

have an average term of service of ten years at the Company.

 » The Company remains focused on diversity and inclusion and 

has increased female representation on the Senior Management 
Team. It has further launched a female leadership mentorship 
programme across the organisation. 

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 related risks. 

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

 » The Group was accredited with the Cyber Security Essentials 

 » A comprehensive disaster recovery plan is in place to ensure 

certification by the UK National Cyber Security Centre.

 » Enhanced device management and control solution (“MDM”) and 

security information and event management (“SIEM”) 
implemented.

 » Optimised core infrastructure technologies for improved resilience.

 » Continued development of security management.

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

 » 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.

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

10 Macroeconomic environment

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 and 

 » Loss of income resulting in loan covenant breaches.

 » Unexpected and sudden increases in inflation.

 » Unexpected and sudden increases in interest rates. 

 » Significant business disruption leading to continuity challenges. 

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

unexpected variability in cash flows. 

 » Reduction in profitability as a result of bearing cost increases that 

are not offset by increases in revenues.

 » Breach of loan facility covenants resulting in cash trap or loan 

repayment. 

 » Reduction in asset valuations leading to downward pressure 

 » Uncertainty in the market leads to reduction in acquisitions or disposal 

on NAV. 

opportunities.

 » Energy supply shortages in Germany caused by a variety of economic 

and geopolitical factors. 

 » Inability of the workforce to continue daily operations.

 » Increased service charge irrecoverable or the inability to supply 

tenants with their energy needs.

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

provisioning for remote working. 

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

on specific industries. 

 » The Group has a wide range of products that are priced at different 
points in order to meet the requirements of a variety of tenants. 

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

market providing protection in challenging economic times.

 » The Company controls costs charged to tenants through a 

combination of providing metering, procuring at scale and utilising 
forward purchasing agreements. 

 » The Group’s internal operating platforms include experienced cash 

collection teams.

 » 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. 

 » The Company has fixed-term contracts in place for energy until 
December 2023. The Company is able to control service charge 
leakage through tight control over its costs and what is charged to 
its tenants.

Developments in the year
 » The Group successfully continues to trade through market 
volatility dominated by inflation and the continuing Ukraine 
conflict, posting strong rent roll growth.

 » Group like-for-like occupancy remained stable at 84.5%, 

decreasing slightly from 85.6% in the prior period.

 » The Group maintained high cash collection rates throughout the 
year ended 31 March 2023 in excess of 98.5% at Group level.

 » As at 31 March 2023 the Group had cash balances amounting to 
€124.3 million, of which €99.2 million is cash at bank. In addition, 
the Group has €25.0 million undrawn credit facilities available until 
November 2023 which may be extended twice for one year each, 
to mitigate additional short-term cash requirements and a total 
of 125 unencumbered assets with a book value of €1.6 billion.

 » The Group’s loan covenant position at 31 March 2023 supports 

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

 » Germany has put in various measures in place to source energy 

from alternative suppliers, reducing the dependence on any major 
supplier as well as maintaining its energy reserves to ensure 
business continuity.

11 ESG

Principal risks 
 » As the legislative and market environments shift towards a 

low-carbon and more sustainable future, there is likely to be 
increased regulation, including building regulations, changes to 
stakeholder expectations (lenders, tenants and investors) and 
enhanced reporting requirements. 

 » The physical impacts of climate change may impact upon our assets 

and supply chains. 

Potential impact
 » The value of the Group’s assets could become impaired as a result of 
failure to manage climate-related physical or transition risks resulting 
in adverse financial impacts.

 » Reduction in profitability as a result of occupancy decreases 

arising from shifts in customer preference or changes to rental 
premium affordability, where buildings do not meet or exceed 
regulatory requirements.

 » Ethics, governance and transparency around sustainability will 

 » Reduction in profitability and asset value due to costs associated 

increase in importance.

 » Diversity and inclusion will continue to be of importance.

 » Restricted access to financing market due to higher requirements 

(“green financing”).

with ESG compliance and investments required to meet regulatory 
or stakeholder requirements.

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

investment potential and our customer base. 

 » Risk of fines and penalties for non-compliance with regulation. 

 » Reduced ability to implement the business strategy and obtain low 

interest debt.

 » Shareholders opting or being obliged to liquidate their holdings in 

the Company to achieve their own decarbonisation agenda.

 » Insufficient resources in place to support the Company’s 

growth ambitions. 

 » Higher cost of borrowing or lack of available capital if the underlying 

financed activity is not deemed appropriate by investors.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

81

11 ESG continued

Mitigation
 » The Group continues to develop both transition and physical 
climate-related risk resilience assessments in line with the 
recommendations of TCFD.

 » Regular horizon scanning for regulatory changes and developing 

Developments in the year
 » The Group has carried out its GHG emissions calculations to 

analyse its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for the full German and UK 
portfolios and the details are provided in the Sustainability section 
of this report.

a financial assessment of how regulatory requirements will impact 
upon the organisation.

 » The Board has reviewed the initial net zero pathway for the 
German portfolio and the initial EPC plan for UK assets. 

 » Continued progress on development of transition plan to outline 
fully costed approach to achieving regulatory requirements and 
net zero emissions. 

 » Analysis of current physical risk exposure of German and 

UK portfolio. 

 » Use of specialists to support expansion of sustainability knowledge 

within management and executive teams. 

 » Development of net zero transition plan for the Group 

is in progress. 

 » Climate-related risk workshops and TCFD scenario analysis have 
been undertaken during the year (please see TCFD section). 

 » Gap analysis undertaken to identify data needs for future 

reporting to support provision of decision-useful information, 
and to enable progress towards setting of meaningful targets. 

 » Oversight by the Sustainability and Ethics Committee and the ESG 

 » The Group is intending to report against CDP Climate for the 

Committee in Sirius Facilities GmbH.

first time for the 2022/23 financial year.

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

 » The Group has further developed its ESG strategy and 

implementation programme and is integrating BizSpace 
into the programme.

 » Including ESG in annual employee and tenant survey.

 » The going concern statement has been updated to incorporate 

 » Collaborations with a wide range of stakeholders to understand 

changing needs and expectations. 

 » The Company is dedicated to its ESG initiatives and reviews its 

assets and capital needs on an ongoing basis.

ESG capex requirements (see pages 136 and 137).

 » The Group has progressed biodiversity programmes across 
its German business and is developing a similar programme 
in the UK.

 » The Group has begun to incorporate ESG issues into investment 

opportunity appraisals.

 » The Company has financed its PBB and Berlin Hyp loan 

agreements showing capital remains available to companies able 
to demonstrate their ESG commitments.

12 Foreign currency

Principal risks 
 » Translation risk associated with holding assets in a foreign currency. 

Potential impact
 » Reduction in income recognised from foreign currency 

 » Impact on LTV and other key performance indicators.

Mitigation
 » Cash flows generated within the Group’s foreign currency 

denominated subsidiary are used to fund the Group’s GBP dividend 
payments thereby limiting cross-currency transactions. 

 » GBP to EUR represents an established and stable currency pairing. 

 » The Group can transfer cash resources freely between currencies 

and is not restricted by any loan facility covenants.

 » The value of the Group’s EUR denominated assets far exceeds the 

value of its GBP denominated assets.

 » The value of the Group’s EUR denominated assets far exceeds the 

value of its EUR denominated debt.

denominated subsidiaries as a result of GBP depreciation. 

 » Reduction in the reported values of the foreign currency 

denominated subsidiaries’ assets as a result of GBP depreciation.

 » Reduction in reported asset values negatively impacting LTV and 
other key performance indicators, leading to covenant breaches. 

Developments in the year
 » As at 31 March 2023 the Group’s GBP denominated owned 
investment property excluding lease incentives represented 
19.6% of the Group’s total owned investment property excluding 
lease incentives.

 » As at 31 March 2023 the Group had a total of €1.6 billion of EUR 

denominated assets and €975.1 million of EUR denominated debt.

 » All loan facility covenants were met in full within the period.

Risk key

No change 

Increased risk 

Decreased risk 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DISCLOSURES

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 72 to 81 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 reductions in occupancy 
levels and property values, as a result of macroeconomic 
factors, including the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 
inflation and increasing interest rates. 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 72 
to 81 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 ongoing 
implications of challenging geopolitical influences such as the 
continuing impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, 
existing and planned financial commitments and financing 
arrangements including compliance therewith as well as 
broader macroeconomic considerations. 

When considering the key assumptions to model and the time 
period over which these assumptions are to be modelled, the 
Company determined the viability period to be the three years 
ended 31 March 2026. A three-year time horizon has been 
deemed to be appropriate, as the Company considered realistic 
what-if scenarios in view of its principal risks and uncertainties 
for the following reasons:

 » its debt profile whereby approximately 95% of debt is secured 

at fixed rates for the next three years;

 » its underlying business plans, which are based on tenant life 

cycle (WALT) of 2.8 years of approximately 80% of its 
portfolio based on asset value;

 » and three-year detailed strategic forecasts conducted by 

Management which are reviewed by the Board.

The key assumptions modelled within the severe but plausible 
scenario, linked to the corresponding principal risks and 
uncertainties set out on pages 72 to 81, are detailed in the 
table below: 

Scenario

Principal risk and uncertainty 

A reduction in rental income and increase 
in net service charge costs following a 
reduction in occupancy of 10% per annum 
over a three year period.

 » Organic growth

 » Customer

The reduction is applied to the Group’s 
base case scenario as at 31 March 2023.

 » Macroeconomic 
environment

A reduction in investment property values 
following declines in occupancy and 
market uncertainty of 10% per annum over 
a three year period.

 » Customer 

 » Valuation 

 » Market 

 » Macroeconomic 
environment

The Directors consider the likelihood of the severe scenarios 
outlined above is significantly reduced due to a combination 
of factors including the location of the Group’s assets within 
Germany and the UK, the diversity of its tenant base, its multiple 
product offerings and its management team’s experience of the 
global financial crisis during which many of the Group’s asset 
management strategies were developed. 

Within the going concern period, three of the Group’s facilities 
mature, with the €20m tranche of the HSBC Schuldschein loan 
falling due in July 2023, the Berlin Hyp facility of €170.0 million 
having already been refinanced in the year ahead of its maturity 
in October 2023 (see note 24) and the Deutsche Pfandbriefbank 
loan of €57.3 million, which falls due in December 2023 having 
been refinanced on 26 May 2023 through a new €58.3 million 
facility extending to 31 December 2030 (see note 35). Included 
in the viability assessment €49.3 million of debt matures, of 
which €20.0 million is assumed to be fully repaid whilst the 
remaining debt of €29.3 million is assumed to be refinanced at 
prevailing market interest rates which the Company has achieved 
on its recent refinancings. Note 24 to the financial statements 
sets out the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. The Directors 
believe there is a reasonable prospect they will be able to 
refinance these debt facilities as they fall due, a judgement which 
was informed by the Group’s financial forecasts, the Group’s 
track-record in previously refinancing maturing debt (including 
the recent €58.3 million financing of the PBB loan facility in May 
2023 which falls due in December 2023 and the €170.0 million 
early financing of the Berlin Hyp loan facility in August 2022 
which falls due in October 2023) and the period of time the 
Group has to arrange refinancing and available cash resources. 
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 scenarios 
set out above, the Company forecasts soft covenant breaches 
outside of the Going Concern period, for which the Group has 
sufficient free cash resources to fund, should these occur. The 
Company does not forecast any hard covenant breaches in the 
severe but plausible downside scenario. 

The scenarios detailed above are 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 scenarios 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 nonessential capital and operating 
expenditure, suspending dividend payments, and arranging 
finance against or selling unencumbered assets with a value 
of €1.6 billion as at 31 March 2023.

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 2026.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

83

Governance

Governance
84  Chair’s introduction to governance

86  Board of Directors

88  Senior Management Team

89  Corporate Governance

98  Audit Committee report

104  Nomination Committee report 

107  Sustainability and Ethics Committee report

109  Directors’ Remuneration report

134  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

135  Directors’ report

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNANCE

Delivering on our strategy 
with focus on sustainability

We have engaged with stakeholders throughout the year, from 
tenants (in relation to rising energy costs as well as their space 
and storage needs) to suppliers (embedded the Supplier Code of 
Conduct and continuing to tackle modern slavery), communities 
(charitable giving, including clothes and correspondence with 
lonely individuals) and employees (lead Director activities 
through forums to discuss pay and provide feedback on 
decisions taken by the Board, based on annual employee survey 
results). I was pleased that as a result of employee feedback in 
2022, we have further upgraded our staff IT through the 
provision of new laptops and developed further training and 
development so more employees have a defined career path.

The Board underwent a few changes in the past year, with 
Diarmuid Kelly stepping down for paternity leave in August and 
subsequently leaving the Company. We are grateful to Alistair 
Marks for having reprised his role as CFO in an interim capacity, 
alongside his CIO role. Alistair has indicated that he will step 
down from the Board at the AGM in 2023 and to resume his 
focus fully on his role as Chief Investment Officer, remaining 
employed by the Company to lead its investment strategy 
across Germany and the U.K. I take this opportunity to thank 
him for his significant contribution to the Board since he joined 
the Company in 2007. This takes me to more positive news, in 
that as a result of Alistair agreeing to act as interim CFO, we 
were able to undertake a thorough recruitment process which 
led to the appointment of Chris Bowman as CFO. The 
appointment process is considered further on page 106 of this 
report and Chris commences his role at the end of August 2023. 
I am delighted to welcome Chris to the Board and the Company.

As reported in 2022, James Peggie reached his nine year term of 
office and while the Board considers that James Peggie 
continues to remain independent (as permitted by the Code), we 
plan for James to remain with the Company for a further year and 
this is considered in more depth in the Nomination Committee 
report. We will review future Board composition in light of James 
potentially completing his term of office in 2024. Director 
independence is considered further on page 97 of this report.

My priorities for the coming year are to build on Board cohesion 
through discussions and site visits, to review Board composition 
in light of future planned changes and to oversee the induction 
of Chris Bowman who joins us as CFO in August 2023.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 10.00am (UK time) 
on Monday 10 July 2023 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 includes a description 
of the reasons to elect or re-elect the individual Directors. The 
Notice of AGM accompanies this Annual Report and Accounts, 
where you will find further details.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman
2 June 2023

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman

Dear Shareholder

Looking back on the past year, it remained a 
challenging one for the Company. Although Covid-19 
restrictions were lifted, the macro-economic 
environment deteriorated, with increases in inflation 
and interest rates, which we and our stakeholders are 
having to adjust to. We made progress and I would like 
to thank the Board, management and all of our 
employees for delivering on our strategy which 
enabled the Company to continue paying an 
increasing dividend for the year.

Environmental issues and climate change featured heavily in our 
Board and Committee discussions and presentations throughout 
the past year, notably the potential impacts of environmental 
regulation on the Group’s sustainability strategy and actions we 
are developing or taking to remain sustainable in the long-term. 
We have broadened our reporting in 2022 for TCFD disclosure, 
approved the ESG Framework and published the Company’s 
first Sustainability Report (“Shaping the Future – Our ESG 
Ambitions”) which is available to view on the Company’s 
website. I would like to thank Andrew Coombs, CEO for leading 
on Sustainability through his role as chair of the Sustainability & 
Ethics Committee, ably assisted by Kremena Wissel, Chief 
Marketing and Impact Officer. I am pleased to inform you that 
we are establishing a dedicated ESG team, which will be further 
reported on in 2024.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

85

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 
JSE Limited (“JSE”). It is a leading operator of branded 
business parks providing conventional space and flexible 
workspace in Germany and light industrial, workshop, 
studio and out of town office units to a wide range of 
businesses across the UK. Pursuant to a standing 
dispensation issued in 2018 by the JSE, the Company is 
not required to apply the King IV Report on Corporate 
Governance™ for South Africa 2016, other than for 
mandated corporate governance matters.

The Board considers that the Company has complied 
with the principles and provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the “2018 Code”) throughout the 
financial year ended 31 March 2023, a copy of which can 
be found at www.frc.org.uk.

Board composition 

  Non-Executive Directors  

  Executive Directors 

  0–3 years 

  4–7 years

  7–9 years

  9+ years 

The tenure for the two Executive 
Directors is nine years.

Note: As at 2 June 2023.

6

2

Board tenure  

7575+
(Chairman and Non-Executive Directors)6868+

Age

1

1

4

46 

Average: 57  

71 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements25
25
+
Q
Q
16
16
+
16
16
+
Q
Q
86

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Broadening diversity and 
experience in the Board

N   R

S

Daniel Kitchen(1) (71)
Chairman  

Andrew Coombs (58) 
Chief Executive Officer  

N   S  

Alistair Marks (54)
Chief Investment Officer and 
interim Chief Financial Officer

Mark Cherry (64)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

2018

2014

2014

2019

Career and experience

Career and experience

Career and experience

Career and experience

Andrew Coombs joined the Sirius 
Facilities group in January 2010 
from 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.

Daniel Kitchen brings more than 
27 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 was 
previously non-executive 
chairman of Applegreen plc, 
Hibernia REIT Plc and of 
Workspace Group plc. He holds 
no further listed non-executive 
directorship positions.

(1)   Designated Non-Executive 

Director with responsibility for 
engaging with the workforce.

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.

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 has been 
responsible for the financial 
management of the Group, 
its capital structure and all 
investment activity and, prior to 
the creation of the COO role, 
was responsible for asset-level 
operations. In February 2022, 
Alistair took up the role of CIO 
and since August 2022, has also 
stepped back in as interim CFO in 
addition to his role as CIO. In his 
role as CIO, Alistair focuses on the 
Group’s investment activity, 
covering acquisitions, disposals 
and capex investment 
programmes, utilising his 
significant experience in the 
industrial, office and business 
parks sector, as well as deep 
operational experience and 
expertise to identify and execute 
on a wide range of opportunities 
that unlock value for the Group.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

87

Committee membership

A    Audit Committee
R    Remuneration Committee 
N    Nomination Committee
S   Sustainability and Ethics Committee

  Chairman of Committee

A   N  

A   N   S  

Caroline Britton (58)
Senior Independent Director
(Lead Independent Director 
for purposes of the JSE Listings 
Requirements)

Kelly Cleveland (46) 
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

N   R   S  
Joanne Kenrick (56)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

A   N   R  

James Peggie (52)
Independent Non-Executive 
Director

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

Appointed to the Board

2020

2020

2021

2012

Career and experience

Career and experience

Career and experience

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.

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 and a 
Trustee of the Royal Opera House.

Joanne Kenrick brings over 
30 years’ commercial marketing 
experience and has extensive 
listed, private and charitable 
board experience. Joanne’s 
former roles include marketing 
and digital director for Homebase, 
CEO of Start (HRH The Prince of 
Wales’ initiative for a sustainable 
future), marketing and customer 
proposition director for B&Q and 
marketing director at Camelot 
Group plc. She was previously a 
non-executive director of 
Safestore Holdings plc and of 
Principality Building Society. 
Joanne has a degree in law and 
started her career at Mars 
Confectionery and PepsiCo. 

Joanne Kenrick is currently the 
remuneration committee chair for 
both Welsh Water and for 
Coventry Building Society, as well 
as being senior independent 
non-executive director and deputy 
chair for the latter, and chair of the 
switching services participant 
committee and of PayM for Pay.
uk. She is also chair of trustees of 
the charity Make Some Noise. 

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 26 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. 
James was Senior Independent 
Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee, 
positions which he relinquished 
at the end of the AGM in 2022 
as part of the succession plan. 
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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements88

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Strong leadership and operating excellence

AM

AM ESG HR

ESG

Andrew Coombs (58)
Chief Executive Officer
See page 68

Kremena Wissel (44)
Chief Marketing and 
Impact Officer 

Andreas Schlesinger (41)
Contracts, Utilities and 
Environmental Services Director

Joined 2006

Experience

Joined 2010

Experience

AM

Alistair Marks (54) 
Chief Investment Officer and 
interim Chief Financial Officer
See page 68

HR

Annemie Ress (52)
Group HR Director (“GHRD”)

Joined 2022

Experience

Annemie is a very senior HR 
professional, having worked with 
a number of companies including 
E-Bay where she was Global Head 
of HR, Skype where she was also 
Global HR Head as well as a host 
of other senior appointments with 
well-known global brand names 
from PepsiCo to Pay-Pal. Annemie 
is a qualified lawyer and also has 
extensive experience as a 
Non-Executive Director with 
various organisations. Annemie’s 
remit is to focus on strategy and to 
work through the Country Heads, 
therefore HR will be headed up 
and run by each country head, the 
role of the Group HR Director will 
be Strategy, support, SRE Board 
and Investors.

German Directors

AM HR

Rüdiger Swoboda (59)
Chief Operating Officer 

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.

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, the 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. 

AM ESG HR

Craig Hoskins (52)
Asset Management Director 

Joined 2006

Experience

Craig holds a degree in combined 
sciences and has 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.

Tobias Schorstädt (41)
Acquisitions Director

Joined 2012

Experience

Tobias holds a Bachelor’s Degree in 
Real Estate Management from the 
University of Economics and Law 
Berlin. Previously he worked for ten 
years in facilities management for 
two leading German FM suppliers, 
Gegenbauer and Dussmann. Within 
his time at Dussmann he worked as 
an expatriate for more than five 
years establishing the UAE 
branches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 
At Sirius, Tobias is now leading the 
Acquisitions department, 
developing and realising the 
ambitious growth plans of the 
business in Germany.

Committee membership
AM    Asset Management Committee 

ESG   Environmental, Social and Governance Committee 

HR    Human Resources Committee

TEC  Technology Committee

  Chairman of Committee

Andreas graduated with a diploma 
in Business Administration from 
the Administration and Economy 
Academy. Andreas joined and later 
became head of Sirius’ Service 
Charge department and one of the 
two procurists of Curris GmbH, 
Sirius Group’s procurement 
company for facility management 
services and utilities. Since 2021 
Andreas has officially been part of 
the Sirius operating board and, 
beside the two departments, he 
also took over the environmental 
part of ESG where he works with 
Kremena Wissel – the main focus 
is on reducing Group emissions. 

ESG ITC

Burkhard Honsek (38)
Finance Director

Joined 2020

Experience

Burkhard obtained his Bachelors of 
Commerce at the University of Calgary 
qualified as a Chartered Accountant 
with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 
Canada in 2011 and has over 14 years 
of management experience. Burkhard 
joined the Sirius Facilities group in 
December 2020 as Head of Finance 
and has taken on additional 
responsibility relating to the Group’s 
audit and financial processes, as well 
as debt refinancing. He is currently 
responsible for the Finance and IT 
function in Germany. Having 
previously worked in the oil and gas 
sector, Burkhard has a keen interest 
in ESG and he is able to provide 
valuable input through his 
membership in the Sirius Facilities 
GmbH ESG Committee.

UK Directors
Tariq Khader (37)
Finance Director 

Joined 2017

Experience

Tariq is a Chartered Accountant, 
qualifying at PwC New Zealand in 
2010. Tariq holds a Bachelor’s 
degree and Post Graduate Diploma 
in Commerce from the University of 
Auckland in New Zealand. Since 
moving to the UK in 2011, Tariq has 
worked in a variety of different 
finance roles across a range of 
industry sectors, with a focus on 
corporate strategy, acquisitions and 
business development. At BizSpace, 
Tariq has full responsibility of the 
Finance and IT functions and is 
jointly responsible for the day-to-day 
operations of the UK business.

Vincent Scammell (55)
Operations Director

Joined 2022

Experience

Vincent has two decades of 
leadership experience within 
the commercial property sector, 
specialising in the flexible 
workspace and corporate solution 
sectors, operating across multiple 
European and Australian markets. 

Formerly held positions include senior 
roles within The Lyreco Group – a B2B 
workplace solutions supplier and 
Director of Sales and Regional MD 
roles across IWG’s European markets.

Having joined BizSpace in April 2022 
as Sales and Operations Director, 
Vincent oversees driving new client 
acquisitions, operational functionality, 
and strategic growth initiatives.

Mo Jiwaji (48)
Commercial Director

Joined 2021

Experience

Mo holds a BSc Honours degree from 
the University of Kent and is CIMA 
part qualified. Mo has worked in the 
flexible workspace sector since 2003 
when he joined MWB Business 
Exchange, which at the time was the 
second-largest operator in London, 
as Regional Financial Controller. The 
company floated on the London 
Stock Exchange in 2005 before being 
sold to Regus in 2013. At Regus, Mo 
worked in the Development Team, 
before joining Landmark in 2015. 
During his time at Landmark, Mo 
successfully opened 15 new locations 
and acquired two competitors, 
doubling the size of the business over 
5 years. Mo moved to BizSpace in 
2021 as Commercial Director and is 
jointly responsible for the leadership 
and strategy of the UK business.

Anthony Payne (53) 
Director of Data Compliance

Joined 2010

Experience

Anthony holds a BSc in Accounting 
and Finance from Brighton University 
and is a qualified Chartered 
Management Accountant. Anthony 
has been with Sirius since 2011 and 
was formerly Director of Yield 
Management, Information and 
Technology Services for Sirius 
Facilities GmbH. Prior to working at 
Sirius 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. He moved 
to BizSpace in February 2022 where 
he is currently responsible for data 
compliance and GDPR together with 
sales and operational planning.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

89

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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
Substantial background in commercial property,  
business and board leadership

Anthony Gallagher
Company Secretary
Experienced Company Secretary in the listed environment, 
FCG and Solicitor (UK)

Executive leadership

Independent

Andrew Coombs
Chief Executive Officer
Strong career in business 
leadership and sales in the 
commercial property sector

Caroline Britton
Senior Independent Director
Chartered Accountant and a former 
audit partner at Deloitte LLP

Joanne Kenrick
Non-Executive Director
Significant commercial marketing 
experience

Alistair Marks
Chief Investment Officer and 
interim Chief Financial Officer
Mix of senior finance and 
commercial property expertise

Mark Cherry
Non-Executive Director
Chartered Surveyor and commercial 
manager specialising in European 
real estate markets

James Peggie
Non-Executive Director
Lawyer specialising in corporate 
finance and public and private 
equity investment

Kelly Cleveland
Non-Executive Director
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
 » Monitors the financial control and risk management systems, and compliance with laws, 

See page 98

regulations and ethical codes of practice

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

See page 104

Board 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 

See page 109

Directors 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 

See page 107

relating 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

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements90

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

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 22 and 23.

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 2023 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. The businesses introduced more flexible working practices and reviewed 
the Health and wellbeing policy to further strengthen the culture and to drive desired behaviours. 

The Board monitors culture through CEO updates, Group HR Director presentations, the annual employee satisfaction survey, site 
visits and Incidents reports. In addition, work of the Board Committees includes consideration of evidence relating to culture, for 
example, the audit committee’s oversight of internal controls and risk management as well as of whistleblowing reports can 
highlight any negative aspects that don’t conform to the Group culture while the Remuneration Committee’s overview of pay 
ensures that structures are aligned with Group purpose, values and strategy.

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 Investment Officer 
and interim Chief  
Financial Officer
Alistair Marks

Manages the Group’s investment activity, covering acquisitions, disposals and capex investment programmes 
and works alongside the Chief Executive Officer in delivering the Group’s strategy and operational performance 
of the business.

As interim CFO, 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.

Senior Independent 
Director
Caroline Britton

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
Mark Cherry
Kelly Cleveland
Joanne Kenrick
James Peggie

Company Secretary
Anthony Gallagher

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.

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.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

91

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 unscheduled meetings, often called at short notice, were very well attended 
by all members of the Board. The Board visited sites in the UK and Germany during the year and plans a further site visit in FY24. The 
following table sets out the Directors’ attendance at scheduled Board and Committee meetings during the 2023 financial year:

Total meetings(1)

Daniel Kitchen (Non-Executive Chairman)

Caroline Britton(2) (Senior Independent Director)

Mark Cherry(4) (Non-Executive Director)

Kelly Cleveland (Non-Executive Director)

Joanne Kenrick(3) (Non-Executive Director)

James Peggie (Non-Executive Director)

Andrew Coombs (Chief Executive Officer)

Diarmuid Kelly(1) (Chief Financial Officer)

Alistair Marks(1) (Chief Investment Officer and interim 
Chief Financial Officer)

  Chair of Committee 

  Committee member

Audit 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Sustainability 
and Ethics 
Committee

4

3

3

2

Board

6

3/3 

3/3 

2/3 

3/3 

3/3 

3/3 

3/3 

3/3 

3/3 

4/4 

4/4 

4/4 

1/2 

2/2 

2/2 

2/2 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

1/2 

6/6 

(1)   Diarmuid Kelly was appointed to the Board as CFO on 1 February 2022 and stepped down from the Board on 15 August 2022 at which date Alistair 

Marks was appointed interim CFO in addition to his role as CIO.

(2)  Caroline Britton was appointed to be Senior Independent Director following the AGM on 10 July 2022. 

(3)  Joanne Kenrick was appointed to chair the Remuneration Committee following the AGM on 10 July 2022.

(4)  Mark Cherry was unable to attend on one date due to unforeseen remote technical issues.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
92

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

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:

 » In Germany, a total of three assets 
were acquired or committed to 
acquisition in the year of mixed-use 
lettable space totalling almost 40,200 
sqm for ca. €45.0 million

 » Integration of BizSpace, a leading 

provider of regional flexible 
workspace in the UK 

 » Organic growth programme focusing 

capital on the most accretive 
opportunities

 » Notarised the disposal of three 

properties in Germany for €23.6 
million and two properties in the UK 
for €22.4 million

Titanium portfolio:

 » Commenced the project to redevelop 
an asset at the Borsigwerke (Berlin) 
site to provide an additional 2,700 
sqm of office space

The Board considered as emerging risks 
the developing geo-political situation, 
with associated increased inflation, 
higher energy costs and supply chain 
issues. The Board will monitor these 
risks throughout the year.

Emerging 
risk

Follows the Group’s stated drivers of 
value creation (see page 17):

 » Intensive assessment and execution 

of acquisitions and disposals

 » Geographic Diversification at scale 
through the single acquisition of an 
established platform in the UK

 » 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

 » Highly accretive capex investment 

programmes

Follows the Group’s stated drivers of 
value creation (see page 17):

 » Improvement of service charge 

recovery

 » Highly accretive capex investment 

programmes

 » Strong bank and investment banking 

relationships

Business

 » Geographical diversification into the 

UK

Follows the Group’s stated drivers of 
value creation (see page 17):

 » Approved property acquisitions and 

 » Intensive assessment and execution 

disposals

 » Considered asset management plans

 » Review of site development potential

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

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

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.

A broad range of considerations were 
addressed during the Executive Director 
presentations and subsequent Board 
discussion. These included colleague 
support, workforce wellbeing (including 
mental health), supplier relations and 
dismissing any government support 
throughout the pandemic.

The Board considers the impact that 
inflationary pressures may have on both 
its income streams and cost base 
including the review of sensitised 
financial projections.

The Company mitigates the risk of 
increased service charge and capex 
investment related costs through a range 
of procurement techniques including 
volume-based discounts, forward 
purchasing agreements and the use of 
preferred suppliers.

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.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

93

Area

Subject

Link to Group purpose and strategy

Relevant Section 172 considerations*

Financial

 » Conversion to a Real Estate Investment 

Trust

 » Decision to pay a dividend for the 2023 

financial year per normal policy

 » Repayment of secured debt facilities 

with proceeds from the corporate bond 
issuances 

 » Implemented 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 17):

 » Strong banking relationships

 » Utilisation of “structural” vacancy

 » Improvement of service charge 

recovery

 » Highly accretive capex investment 

programmes

Capital efficiency and flexibility have a 
direct effect on the Group’s current and 
future success and improve its 
management of risk. The prior year bond 
issuances have 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.

Stakeholders  » Daniel Kitchen is the designated 

 » Builds and maintains the trust and 

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

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

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.

Sustainability  » Approved ESG Framework and ESG 
Ambitions Report (Shaping the Future)

 » Considered climate change as an 

emerging financial risk

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

 » Received specific reports on ESG 
considerations for each proposed 
acquisition

 » Appointed specialist consultants to 

assist with reporting carbon emissions 
and TCFD reporting

 » Received update reports from the 
CMIO in relation to progress on ESG 
(see separate report on page 57)

 » 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

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements94

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Key focus areas continued

Area

Subject

Link to Group purpose and strategy

Relevant Section 172 considerations*

 » Builds and maintains the trust and 

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

 » Directly contributes to effective 

decision making and stewardship.

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

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.

Governance

 » Considered FTSE for Women diversity 
targets and Parker ethnicity targets for 
FTSE 250 companies

 » Conducted an internal Board evaluation

 » Appointed a successor Senior 

Independent Director and continued 
induction programme for the Non-
Executive Director appointed in 2021

 » Approved 2023 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

* 

 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 97, on 
pages 107 and 108 of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee report, and on pages 115 and 121 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.

Site visits
In May 2022, the Chairman, CEO and Non-Executive Directors 
visited several sites around Manchester, which formed part of 
the November 2021 acquisition of BizSpace. The visits enabled 
the Non-Executive Directors to develop their understanding of 
the UK business and provide context to the implementation of 
the strategy. The opportunity was also taken to spend time with 
site managers and later with local management during a post 
visit dinner.

In October 2022, the Board visited the new German Head Office 
in Berlin as well as undertaking a detailed site visit to 
Borsigwerke industrial estate, where re-development plans 
were discussed. The Board subsequently met senior 
management during a post visit dinner.

Diversity – our journey so far
Boardroom diversity
The Board’s Diversity Policy Statement adopted in May 2017 
and updated in 2023, 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 ethnicity, 
sexual orientation, disability, 

socio‑economic background, 
age, gender, race, skills, industry 
experience, educational and 
professional backgrounds 
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, including in the 
Remuneration, Audit and Nomination Committees, to which the 
diversity policy now applies. 

Following all the Board changes in the year, 37.5% of the Board 
are female, one of whom is the Senior Independent Director. 
This 37.5% female representation on the Board meets the 
target for FTSE 250 companies set by the FTSE for Women but 
falls short of the 40% target required by the Listing Rules. The 
Sirius Board comprises a total of eight directors of whom three 
are female. The Board is a relatively small Board and the Chair, 
together with the Nomination Committee, will review overall 
Board composition, and will take the most appropriate action, 
so as to meet the Listing Rules Target for 40% female on Board 
target over the next year.

Further information on the Board’s succession planning is set 
out on page 106 of the Nomination Committee report.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

95

Board and Executive Committee gender diversity

Men

Women

Number of 
board members

Percentage 
of the board

Number of 
senior positions 
on the board 
(CEO, CFO, 
SID and chair)

Number in 
executive
management

Percentage of 
executive 
management

 5

 3

 62.5

 37.5

 3

 1 (SID)

 11

 2

 85

 15

Board and Executive Committee ethnic diversity

White British or other White  
(including minority-white groups)

Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups

Asian/Asian British

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

Other ethnic group, including Arab

Not specified/prefer not to say

Number of 
board members

Percentage 
of the board

Number of 
senior positions 
on the board 
(CEO, CFO, 
SID and chair)

Number in 
executive
management

Percentage of 
executive 
management

7

1

87.5

12.5

4

0

6

1

2

4

46

8

15

31

Note: The above tables apply a 31 March 2023 reference date, with data collected on the basis of sex and a consistent approach applied to both the 
Board and executive management.

Workforce diversity
The Group’s commitment to promoting diversity and an 
inclusive culture among the workforce is set out on page 51. 

52%

Gender-balanced workforce

  Women48+

  Men  

48%

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. Two 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. 

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.

Director induction and development
Joanne Kenrick, appointed in September 2021, has now 
received a formal induction to the Company and the business. 
This induction had been curtailed initially as a result of the 
Covid-19 pandemic. This induction entailed: 

 » specific briefings from the Chairman, the Chief Executive 

Officer, the Chair of the Remuneration Committee and the 
Group 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 Joanne’s ongoing development, the new Non-
Executive Director visited various operating sites in the UK and 
Germany and Joanne has 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. 
In 2022, this has included the Group marketing, the 
macro-economic environment and ESG related topics among 
other topics (see list below).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements52
52
+
Q
Q
96

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Director induction and development continued
A summary of the knowledge and personal effectiveness training received since April 2021 is provided in the table below.

Subject matter

Topic

Finance update

 » Governmental policies

 » EY audit practice updates

 » Finance updates

JSE regulation

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

Remuneration practice updates 

 » Seminars and bulletins provided by the Company’s remuneration advisers

Real estate ESG management

 » ESG Framework and Sustainability Report

 » Group Marketing

 » Utilities & Emissions Update

 » Financing and banking covenants

 » Managing business risk

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

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 2022 evaluation and noted that it had achieved good progress. 
The Board held strategy sessions in October 2022 to facilitate further strategic-level discussions. Succession of the Remuneration 
Committee Chair and Senior Independent Director roles were progressed and recruitment of a new Chief Financial Officer was 
completed and a new induction programme has been prepared. The Board has increased the links with the wider Senior Management 
Team, most of whom have presented papers to the Board. Board relationships were fostered with Board dinner in May and October 2022. 
A dinner was held for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors only in January 2023. 

The Board undertook an internal evaluation in February 2023. The evaluation consisted of a review of the Chair, Board, Board 
Committees and of individuals. The outcomes of the 2023 evaluation are summarised below. These themes will be taken forward 
in the coming year and we will report our progress in the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts.

Methodology 

One-to-one conversations 

Summary report 

Nomination Committee recommendations

 » Board effectiveness 

 » Review of the Board Chair by 

 » Next Board strategy set for 

 » Review Board composition in 

interviews held by the Chair 
with all Board members and 
the Company Secretary to 
review the following (aligned 
with the Code):

 » Board leadership and 
Company purpose

the Senior Independent 
Director (in conjunction with 
the other Independent 
Non-Executive Directors

 » Review of the Senior 

Independent Director by the 
Board Chair

 » Division of responsibilities

 » Composition, succession 

and evaluation

 » Committee effectiveness

 » Reviews of the Executive 
Directors and the Non-
Executive Directors and 
record of outcome sent by 
the Board Chair

 » Review of the Committee 
Chairs by the Board Chair

 » Review of the Company 
Secretary by the Board

FY24 to add to Board 
experience and knowledge as 
well as to meet diversity 
requirements

 » Foster the links between the 

Board and the Senior 
Management Team, including 
further management 
presentations to the Board

 » Continue to develop Board 
relationships and cohesion 
through programme of Board 
visits, lunches and dinners 

October 2023, venue for site 
visit to be decided

 » Committee chairs reminded 
to draw out key committee 
discussion topics when 
reporting to the Board

 » Management to summarise 

key ESG focus points in short 
to medium term

 » Tailor Board packs and 

ensure executive summaries 
accompany lengthy papers 
and CEO encouraged to 
provide a summary of 
discussion points for Board 
meetings

 » Continue to strive for timely 

circulation of complete 
Board and Committee packs 
as minority of papers arrive 
after the week in advance 
target deadline

 » Reviewed Director induction 
process in preparation for 
roll-out to new CFO

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

97

Approach to greenhouse gas emissions
The Group’s approach to the management of greenhouse gas 
emissions through its governance, processes and internal 
control is summarised in the Sustainability report on pages 52 
to 54 and in the Sustainability and Ethics Committee report on 
pages 107 and 108.

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 Diarmuid Kelly had meetings with key 
shareholders in the United Kingdom and South Africa covering 
business performance 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. Our engagement with stakeholders is 
reported in the Sustainability Report on page 38.

Engagement with colleagues
The Group has engaged with colleagues through a number of 
channels during the year; details are set out on pages 48 to 51 
and 115. The Board and Committees are regularly informed 
of employee matters throughout the financial year, including 
CEO and Group HR Director updates on employee surveys, 
pay updates, as well as through site visits and meetings with 
senior management. 

Engagement with the community
The Group has several initiatives with local communities which 
are set out on page 51.

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 and continues to be 
independent, the Board is satisfied that the Non-Executive 
Directors continue to be independent in thought and 
judgement. The Board considered the term of office of James 
Peggie, who completed his ninth year in office in November 
2021, and agreed that James continues to be independent in 
character and judgement, in light of his personal contribution to 
Board debates and his regular challenge of the Executive 
Directors. The Board nevertheless agreed to implement a 
succession plan to ensure a smooth transition of experience and 
expertise over the next year such that he continues to transfer 
his knowledge and experience, in particular in relation to the 
triennial review of Directors’ Remuneration Policy which is due to 
be submitted to shareholders for approval at the AGM in 2024.

Risk and internal control
Information regarding the Group’s principal risks is provided in 
the Strategic report on pages 72 to 81. A description of the 
Group’s internal control framework and risk management 
systems is provided in the Audit Committee report on page 102.

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. 

Re-election of Directors
While the Company’s Articles of Incorporation 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. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements98

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Financial control 
and risk management

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Audit Committee report (the 
“Report”) for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.

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 
which is agreed by the Board for the year ahead. In addition to 
the usual work carried out by the Committee, with the 
continuation of the conflict in Ukraine, the Committee reviewed 
the potential risks arising and noted that these were currently 
considered minimal for the Group but would continue to be 
monitored. The Committee is also keeping under review risks 
associated with higher inflation and increasing interest rates 
and noted measures being taken by management to minimise 
the impact on the business.

The Committee recognised that following the acquisition of 
BizSpace in the UK, that it had two incumbent auditors. This, 
together with the fact that the existing EY audit partner Dan 
Saunders was required to rotate off at the end of the 2023 year 
end audit after completing his 5 years rotation, prompted the 
Committee to conduct an audit tender exercise. The Committee 
assessed the suitability of other audit and assurance firms given 
the Group’s requirements: for services in Germany and the UK; for 
experience of LSE and JSE listed businesses; for experience of 
relevant business sectors. Further the Committee considered the 
existing relationships between those audit and assurance firms to 
identify potential conflicts that would need to be cleared. Based 
on these assessments the Committee developed a short list of 
the two incumbent audit firms, being Deloitte (BizSpace, UK) and 
EY (Sirius Real Estate Limited). The tendering processes resulted 
in both firms presenting to the Committee and senior 
management. In the end, the Committee concluded that there 
was very little separating the two firms in terms of quality. While 
both EY and Deloitte would offer continuity for the parts of the 
business they had previously audited, it was felt that the Sirius 
audit was the larger and more complex and that the senior audit 
team continuity offered by EY would result in a smoother 
transition. Additionally, the Committee felt that EY demonstrated a 
better understanding of the audit challenge and provide a more 
detailed and tailored plan including steps to further improve the 
efficiency of the audit going forward, while maintaining overall 
audit quality. The Committee approved the re-appointment of EY 
as external auditor and the Board endorsed this recommendation.

The Committee was pleased to receive the BDO independent 
assurance report on BizSpace’s financial controls and noted that 
while no material matter had been identified, BDO concluded 
that procurement related record keeping needed to align better 
with the procurement policy and further competitive 
procedures could be undertaken to ensure the business 

Caroline Britton
Chair of the Audit Committee

The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to:

 » ensure the integrity of the Company’s 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. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

99

obtained value for money. The BizSpace finance director was 
tasked with working through BDO’s findings and progress on 
completing these was reported to the satisfaction of the Audit 
Committee at its meeting in May 2023.

The Committee members visited sites in the UK and a site in 
Germany as the pre-pandemic programme of site visits was 
reinstated. The Committee members visited a selection of 
BizSpace sites in Manchester in May 2022 and in doing so 
gained valuable insights into the Group’s UK operations and 
management of risk. The Committee members visited 
Borsigwerke, Berlin in relation to the proposed re-development 
plans for on-site buildings that form part of the venture with AXA.

As audit chair, I have regular discussions throughout the year 
with the CFO, Head of Finance, BizSpace Finance Director, the 
Group Company Secretary and the audit partner at EY, our 
external auditor. 

I would like to thank the members of the Committee for their 
commitment and input to the work of the Committee during this 
busy financial year. I would also like to thank the management 
team together with all the Sirius and BizSpace colleagues who 
have contributed to our work. It is their combined hard work and 
commitment that ensured high standards and timely financial 
reporting were maintained during the financial year. I am pleased 
to record the Committee’s thanks to Alistair Marks for his work as 
interim CFO and the wider finance team for their support for him. 
The Committee looks forward to working with Chris Bowman 
when he takes up his role as CFO later this summer.

The Committee will continue to focus on external and internal 
audit planning, risk management and internal controls. It will 
continue to monitor macro-economic developments for any 
impacts on the Company’s business. 

Caroline Britton
Chair of the Audit Committee
2 June 2023

How the Committee operated 
during the year

Membership and attendance

Caroline Britton (Chair)

Kelly Cleveland

James Peggie

Meeting attendance

4/4

4/4

4/4

The Committee met four times in the year, and comprises three 
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 and 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 86 and 87 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 72 to 81.

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 Requirements that the Group Chief Financial 
Officer has appropriate expertise and experience and resources..

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements100

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

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

 » Carried out an audit tender, with a short-list of the incumbent auditors (EY for Sirius Real Estate Limited and 

Deloitte for BizSpace, UK) and approved the reappointment of EY as Group auditor

 » Initiated a project to review auditor hours with a view to achieving further efficiencies over the following two 

financial years, while maintaining overall audit quality

 » Assessed EY’s annual submission of eligibility to act as auditors for the purposes of paragraph 3.84(g)(iii) of 
the JSE Listings Requirements through requesting the information detailed in paragraph 22.15(h) of the JSE 
Listings Requirements

 » Discussed and challenged the key assumptions of a presentation from the Group’s valuer, Cushman & 

Wakefield (“C&W”), on the portfolio valuation for the 2023 financial year

 » Received and discussed EY’s final report on their audit for the 2023 financial year

 » Reviewed the Directors’ representation letter to the auditors in relation to the audit for the 2023 financial 

year and recommended it to the Board for approval

 » Received and challenged EY’s audit strategy and planning report for the 2023 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 and agreed to carry out an internal 

performance and quality review post year end

 » Received EY’s audit update report in relation to the 2023 audit, including 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 2023 and 
announcement of results

Half Year Report 2023 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

 » Discussed and challenged the key assumptions of a presentation from the Group’s valuer, C&W, on the 

portfolio valuation for the half year 2023

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

Dividends

 » Considered management’s paper on dividends including cash flow statement

 » Reviewed a solvency statement as required under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 and considered the 
dividend for the second half of the year ended 31 March 2022, recommending it to the Board for approval

 » Reviewed a solvency statement and considered the dividend for the six months ended 30 September 2022, 

recommending it to the Board for approval

Internal audit

 » Discussed progress towards the establishment of an internal audit function and asked management to 

recommend an initial scope of work for FY24

 » Received a report by BDO on BizSpace and discussed a progress update by management on the actions 

taken

Risk, controls and 
regulation

 » Reviewed severe but plausible stress tests 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 and noted roll-out of Whistleblowing Policy and procedures 

to BizSpace

 » Considered potential future ESG regulation impact on valuations

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

Programme

 » Noted actions taken in relation to data security and IT resilience

 » 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 to facilitate project work by the external auditors

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

101

Governance

 » Carried out a tender to implement a more detailed and tailored plan including steps to further improve the 

efficiency of the audit going forward, while maintaining overall audit quality

 » Discussed REIT conversion relating to the Group’s UK operations, effective from 1 April 2022

 » Considered the JSE Responsibility Statement and process required and undertook an analysis of JSE 

requirements in comparison with those of the LSE

 » Monitored progress to completion in relation to the accounting integration of BizSpace

 » Reviewed Committee Terms of Reference

 » Received positive feedback relating to the Committee from the 2023 Board evaluation

 » Considered the forward work programme of the Committee

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.

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. 

The fair value of the Group’s owned investment properties is determined by an independent valuer.

The Committee considered the independent valuer’s report and met with the valuer to understand 
the basis for the valuation, the scope of its 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 German and UK markets.

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 wider economic 
environment impacted property valuations as at 31 March 2023 and the audit of the Company’s 
reporting on them. Generally, adjustments to yield assumptions related 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 2022. With recent rises in inflation and in interest rates, 
the German real estate market remains active. 

All planned physical inspections were carried out by C&W. For the assets located in Germany and 
for the September 2022 valuation C&W have inspected 19 properties and for March 2023 C&W 
have inspected 18 properties, equating to approximately 40% of properties. For the assets located 
in the UK, C&W have inspected all properties during the year to 31 March 2023. The Committee 
noted the main driver of valuation growth in the year to 31 March 2023 to be related to growth in 
income offsetting yield expansion in both the UK and German markets. 

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 potential impact of inflationary pressures and rising interest 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 2023 are 
appropriate. 

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

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 above description of the significant matters should be read in conjunction with the Independent auditors’ report on pages 140 
to 148 and the significant accounting policies disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements102

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

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 the Big Four audit firms. EY will continue as the 
Company’s auditors following a competitive audit tender 
process in late 2022, as described earlier in this report. The 
audit will be put out to tender again no later than 2032 in 
relation to the audit period commencing 1 April 2034 to allow 
time for any transition. The Committee recommends the 
reappointment of EY as auditors at the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting on 10 July 2023. The lead audit engagement 
partner is Dan Saunders, who was appointed in September 
2018 and will be succeeded by Peter McIver, after the 2023 
AGM, as a result of the FRC Revised Ethical Standard 2019, 
section 3.10.

The Committee met with the auditors four times during the year 
to discuss their remit. The opportunity is also taken at each 
scheduled 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.

The Committee assessed EY’s performance, quality and 
independence, which includes:

 » 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 JSE Limited dated 4 August 2022; and 

 » carrying out an internal review of the auditors and audit 

conduct for the 2023 financial year (post year end).

The 2022 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. This feedback was 
shared with the audit partner and EY client service management.

The auditors’ fee for the statutory audit decreased for the 2023 
financial year to €1,163,000 (31 March 2022: €1,361,000). The 
main reason for the decrease was due to the 2022 fee including 
non-recurring audit work on the initial accounting for the 
BizSpace acquisition and corporate bonds issued in the year.

While the Committee continues to seek further savings in the 
total audit fees, inflationary pressure of audit salaries is placing 
upward pressure on audit fees. While taking every opportunity 
to promote further 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 
auditors by the regulator was carried out in FY23).

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 
internal Board evaluation process, which is described in the 
Corporate governance report on page 102. 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 reviewed its position on the establishment of a 
formal internal audit function as a result of the increasing size 
and complexity of the Company, which now has operations in 
two geographies. Last year, the Committee recommended 
management to establish an internal audit function, suggesting 
that an outsourced basis would allow the Group to benefit from 
a wider range of skills and expertise than would be provided by 
an internally managed function. The Committee’s original 
expectation that this new internal audit function would be 
implemented in the second half of the financial year, but this 
was delayed due to the stepping down of the then CFO. The 
Committee will work with the new CFO to prepare an initial 
scope of work for FY24. It is expected to provide additional 
assurance on a number of areas where the Group identifies 
value in having internal audit procedures carried out, to be 
supplemented by third party expertise as appropriate. The 
internal audit function will perform targeted assignments in 
order to ensure the Group benefits from the optimum level of 
assurance and value.

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.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

103

out for all Sirius employees including the Sirius senior 
management team and tested annually.

Going concern and viability statement testing 
The Board’s going concern statement is provided on pages 136 
and 137 of the Directors’ report, and the viability statement is 
provided on page 82 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 
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 and the disclosures.

Non-Audit Services (“NAS”) Policy
The Committee last updated its NAS Policy in 2022 and 
application in the 2023 financial year is explained in the 
following paragraph. 

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 100% calculated by 
reference to the statutory audit fee for that year.

The total non-audit fees paid to the auditors during the year 
ended 31 March 2023 were €481,000 (representing 38% of the 
average audit fee for the current year) (31 March 2022: 
€305,000) paid to EY. The fee for 2023 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.

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.

Whistleblowing
The Whistleblowing Policy (published in both English and 
German) 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. The Committee 
challenged and was satisfied by management action in making 
the Policy available to all employees and the cultural reasons 
behind the perceived reluctance of employees to raise concerns 
formally, despite management encouragement to do so, when 
compared with other listed companies.

During the year, there were no whistleblowing cases raised 
across the Group. 

The Committee noted the embedding of Whistleblowing Policy 
and procedures in BizSpace during the year.

The whistleblowing arrangements were updated in 2021 to 
facilitate calls to be made to an independent German speaker 
(the majority of employees are based in Germany – in 2023 calls 
can also be made in English); calls to be investigated by an 
independent third party; a wider remit of areas covered by the 
EU 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; confirmation of 
reports must be given within seven days of a report being made 
and feedback must be provided on reports within three months.

Data Security
The Committee noted that Sirius prioritises cyber security and 
IT resilience with representation at board level. There is a 
comprehensive Information Security Management System 
(ISMS) in place supported by Information Security policies. 
These policies are enforced by a set of security controls which 
maps to the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme and 
complies with the UK Government Cyber Security Centre 
(NCSC) guidance and best practices.

The Committee considers that Cyber security at Sirius provides 
data confidentiality and integrity with a resilient cyber infrastructure, 
which has not experienced an information security breach in the 
past three years. The latest audit of the Company’s information 
security system was carried out in December 2022 by a CREST 
accredited Company. Compliance with both EU and UK versions 
of General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) is also constantly 
reviewed by management to assure the Committee. During the 
year under review the Group was accredited with the Cyber 
Security Essentials Plus certification by the UK National Cyber 
Security Centre.

Management, overseen by the Information Technology 
Committee (“ITC” comprises the CFO, COO, IT Director and 
Head of Yield and Analytics) assess the risks continuously (at 
least quarterly), work to mitigate current and emerging threats 
and circulate special briefings on major events. Risk and 
vulnerability management lifecycles are integrated into our 
cyber practices. External supply chain risks are carefully 
managed and mitigated and Cyber awareness training is carried 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements104

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Succession planning and 
overseeing development

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Nomination 
Committee report for the year ended 31 March 2023.

This has been another busy year for the Committee with 
changes to both the non-Executive roles and to the Executives 
on the Board. On the non-Executive side, after the AGM held 
in 2022, and in accordance with the agreed succession plan, 
Joanne Kenrick succeeded him as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee, while Caroline Britton succeeded him as Senior 
Independent Director.

On the Executive side, in August 2022, Diarmuid Kelly decided 
to take 12 months paternity leave following the recent birth of 
his first child and subsequently left his role as Chief Financial 
Officer (“CFO”) of the Company. Alistair Marks, Chief Investment 
Officer (“CIO”) and former CFO, was asked and agreed to step 
in as interim CFO. This latter action by Alistair enabled the 
Committee to undertake the recruitment of a new CFO in a 
thorough manner in accordance with the previously agreed 
board appointment process.

The Committee followed its agreed procedure for new Board 
appointment in recruiting the new CFO and retained the 
services of Russell Reynolds, external Search consultants to 
assist the CEO, Group HR Director and myself in the process. 
Russell Reynolds collated a long list of potential candidates, 
comprising diverse candidates and the Group HR Director met 
with the majority of the long listed candidates. From this a short 
list was agreed of those most suitable to the CFO role and the 
shortlisted candidates were interviewed by several Board 
members. The Nomination Committee was therefore pleased 
to recommend and the Board approved the appointment of 
Mr Chris Bowman as CFO. 

Chris Bowman brings nearly 25 years’ accounting, finance and 
capital markets experience. Most recently Chris led the U.K. 
investment banking arm of Berenberg, a business division 
which he was brought in to build from new eight years ago and 
has grown to become one of the UK’s leading mid-market public 
company advisers. Prior to this, Chris spent seven years in 
investment banking at Liberum, before which he worked in 
corporate finance at Canaccord and Credit Lyonnais. Chris 
qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 2000.

Chris’ appointment becomes effective on 29 August 2023, at 
which time he will also join the Sirius Board. Upon Chris’ arrival, 
Alistair Marks, Sirius’ interim CFO (and former CFO), will resume 
his focus fully on his role as Chief Investment Officer, which he 
has held since January 2021. Alistair will also step down from 
the Sirius Board at this year’s AGM on 10 July 2023, remaining 
employed by the Company to lead its investment strategy 
across Germany and the U.K.

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. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

105

How the Committee operated 
during the year

Membership and attendance

Meeting attendance

Daniel Kitchen (Chairman)

Caroline Britton

Mark Cherry

Kelly Cleveland

Joanne Kenrick

James Peggie

3/3

3/3

2/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

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

Area

Subject

Appointments  » Appointed Caroline Britton as Senior Independent 

Director

 » Appointed Joanne Kenrick as Chair of the 

Remuneration Committee

 » Recommended the appointment of Alistair Marks 

as interim CFO in addition to his role as CIO

 » Recommended the appointment of Chris 

Bowman as Chief Financial Officer 

Policy

 » Implemented Procedure for new Appointments

 » Approved updates to the procedure for new 

appointments

 » Approved a new Director Induction Process

Governance

 » Reviewed the Company’s progress on gender and 

ethnic diversity in the boardroom

 » Reviewed the Management Structure Plan

 » Reviewed management succession plan and 

leadership pipeline

 » Reviewed the findings of 2023 internal Board 

evaluation

 » Reviewed Board development and training

 » Reviewed Non-Executive Director independence

 » Reviewed the Nomination Committee Terms of 

Reference

 » Reviewed the 2022 Nomination Committee report

The Committee 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 106 of this report addresses the Board’s 
Diversity Policy, and the Corporate governance report on page 
94 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. As the designated Non-
Executive Director with responsibility for engaging with the 
workforce, I carried out six further site visits in 2022 and held 
conversations with numerous colleagues. I remain impressed by 
the attitudes to diversity and inclusion which run through the 
business. I plan to visit more sites in 2023, in both Germany and 
the UK, to engage with colleagues across a range of topics and 
will provide summary feedback to the Board.

We carried out an internally facilitated Board evaluation in the 
year, which covered the Board and the Board Committees and 
separate evaluations were carried out for each Director. The 
process and outcomes are described on page 96 of the 
Corporate governance report. The key takeaway for this 
Committee is that it continues to work effectively.

Over the new financial year, the Committee’s priorities will be to 
induct and integrate the new CFO successfully, and to continue 
to review the succession plans, including those for the Senior 
Management Team. 

As James Peggie completed his ninth year as a Non-Executive 
Director in November 2021, succession for his key roles of Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee and Senior Independent 
Director took place at the AGM in 2022, at the end of which 
Joanne Kenrick became Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
and Caroline Britton became Senior Independent Director. I am 
pleased to report that James continues to be an effective 
contributor to the Board and Committees where he exercises 
independent judgement. I value his experience with capital 
markets and in particular note the need for his assistance with 
the upcoming triennial review of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy, which will be worked upon during autumn winter 2023, 
for proposal to shareholders at the AGM in 2024.

The Corporate governance report describes how we engage 
with our shareholders. As Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee, I welcome dialogue with shareholders on all matters 
under the Committee’s remit.

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
2 June 2023

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements106

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Diversity Policy
The Board’s Diversity Policy was adopted in May 2017 and has 
been broadened to encompass the audit, nomination and 
remuneration committees. 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.

The Board’s progress on diversity is summarised on page 95 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 42.8% of 
our managers and 52% of the total workforce being female, 
over time it is expected that more women will be represented 
in the higher leadership roles.

Procedure for New Appointments
The Committee approved updates to the Procedure for New 
Appointments during the year, the main provisions of which are 
summarised below.

Evaluation

Description

Search

Assessments

Evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge, 
experience and diversity of the Board against 
the challenges and opportunities facing the 
Board and the Group

Describe the role and capabilities required 
for the appointment, including diversity and 
ESG considerations

Agree on the search methods to be used and 
selection process to be followed, and brief any 
external search consultants

Depending on the chosen selection process, 
conduct interviews, perform assessments and 
carry out background checks as applicable. In 
light of inherent and developing risks in relation 
to climate change, candidates shall be assessed 
for experience in and commitment to 
Environment, Social and Governance matters.

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 the candidate’s capabilities and qualities, attitudes and 
values, balance and complementary fit, and the ability to bring 
constructive challenge. 

Russell Reynolds was retained as external search consultants to 
assist with the search for a new CFO in 2022. Russell Reynolds fee 
was £247,450 and it has no other connection with the Company.

Succession planning
The Committee formally reviewed the succession plan for the 
Executive Directors and other members of the Senior Management 
Team at the March 2023 Committee meeting. The Committee 
also considered the BizSpace senior management succession 
plan and was pleased with additional senior management 
appointments being made during the year to bolster the 
existing management team. 

Historically, the Sirius Group focused its succession planning on 
the executive leadership level of the organisation, however as 
of February 2023, it kicked-off an annual organisational talent 
review process aimed at creating an overall organisational talent 
and succession plan. This will allow for the internal development 
of talent throughout Sirius, which ultimately will improve the 
executive level succession as well.

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 again a key focus 
for the Committee during the formal review in 2022. 

The Committee noted that there is one Director on the Board 
from an ethnic minority background. While these pre-date 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, 
including to maintain one minority ethnic director on the Board 
before the end of 2024 deadline.

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 work programme, is provided on page 
96 of the Corporate governance report.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

107

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT

Growing sustainably 

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the 
Sustainability and Ethics Committee report for the year ended 
31 March 2023. 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. 

The Committee is led by the CEO, assisted by Kremena Wissel, 
Chief Marketing and Impact Officer whose role is to lead ESG 
integration into Sirius’ strategic development. The Committee 
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 38 to 54.

As a major property owner, we recognise our responsibilities 
to our stakeholders, being employees, shareholders, business 
partners, suppliers, 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 2023 by embedding it further into our 
strategy and business model as well as starting to integrate it 
into BizSpace, UK. We also had various company governance 
documents updated to reflect the increased importance of 
ESG to the Company.

The highlights for the year include approval of the ESG 
Framework to reflect the significant improvements in ESG 
across the business over the previous eighteen months. 
The ESG Framework brought the various strands of the 
Company’s ESG programme together to clarify the ESG 
actions to internal and external stakeholders and to enable 
the most effective management of ESG in the future.

Based on our ESG Framework, we published our first ESG 
report which set out “Our ESG Ambitions” and this is available 
to view on the Company’s website, www.sirius-real-estate.com 

We appreciate that we are progressing 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 
an increasingly sustainable future. 

Andrew Coombs
Chairman of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee
2 June 2023

Andrew Coombs
Chairman of the Sustainability and Ethics Committee

“ As a major property owner, we 
recognise our responsibilities to 
our stakeholders, being tenants, 
employees, shareholders, suppliers, 
business partners and the wider 
communities in which we operate.” 

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. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements108

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

How the Committee operated during the year

Membership and attendance

Andrew Coombs (Chairman)

Mark Cherry*

Kelly Cleveland

Joanne Kenrick

* 

 Mark Cherry was unable to attend one meeting due to remote technical issues

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

Area

Subject

Meeting attendance

2/2

1/2

2/2

2/2

Purpose, values and 
competencies framework

Sustainability

 » Noted progress to embed purpose statement, values and competencies framework across the 

business, including BizSpace

 » Reported on the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) including scenario planning aligned with the Paris Agreement

 » Reviewed a model for carbon emissions reduction leading to net zero based on CRREM and SBTi 

for the German portfolio

 » Reviewed UK EPC assessment, including on-site renewable energy proposal

 » Approved Group’s sustainability strategy, including a strategic framework and the first ESG 

Report. Reviewed evolution of the ESG strategy and programme involving a specialist 
consultancy which remains ongoing in 2023. 

Colleague update

 » Received an update from the CEO on employee engagement during 2023 financial year and planning 

for 2024 financial year

 » Supported the launch of the Sirius Training Centre

 » Built on employee wellbeing initiatives taken during pandemic to improve mental and physical health

 » Member of Charter of Diversity, Germany, and of LGBTQ Great, UK

 » Monitored target driven ESG incentives for management and all employees

 » Reviewed drafts of the Modern Slavery Statement 2023, Anti-Bribery and Corruption Statement 
and Procedures, Anti-Discrimination and Diversity Policy, Health and Wellbeing Policy, Employee 
Code of Conduct, Supplier Code of Conduct, Sustainability Policy and updated Whistleblowing 
Policy – each of which were approved by the Board for implementation across the Group

Ethical policies

Governance

 » Reported to the Board visit to Berlin on plans for on-site energy production, options for heating from 

renewables and a heating optimisation plan 

 » Reviewed Committee report in the Annual Report 2022

 » Reviewed the Sustainability Report in the Annual Report 2022

 » Noted satisfactory feedback on the Committee’s performance from the 2023 Board evaluation 

 » Reviewed Committee Terms of Reference which were updated so the Committee Chair would be 
responsible to lead the ESG strategy and Climate Change strategy, including resilience to climate 
change and for the Committee to review progress against the achievement of Sustainability targets

 » Monitored integration of Sirius ESG policies and initiatives into BizSpace

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

109

Remuneration supporting 
sustainable shareholder values

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Directors’ remuneration report for the 
year ended 31 March 2023, my first report since my appointment 
as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 6 July 2022.

Our report explains the work of the Committee and how we 
have implemented our Remuneration Policy, which was strongly 
supported by shareholders at the 2021 AGM with over 89% of 
the votes in favour of it, and further supported at the 2022 AGM 
with over 91% of votes in favour of it when shareholders voted 
on the Policy in accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements.

Following my letter are the two principal sections of the report:

 » the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the “Remuneration 

Policy”) – this sets out our forward-looking Remuneration 
Policy for Directors; and

 » the Annual report on remuneration – this provides details of 
the amounts earned by the Directors in respect of the year 
ended 31 March 2023. 

Our Remuneration Policy is designed to support the creation 
of long-term sustainable shareholder value and provide a clear, 
consistent and cohesive approach to reward for a FTSE 250 
company. The Committee believes that the Remuneration Policy 
continues to support our strategy and, accordingly, remains 
appropriate. We will continue to monitor the operation of the 
Remuneration Policy with a current intention to undertake a fuller 
review in advance of the 2024 AGM in line with the usual UK 
timeline of reviewing the Remuneration Policy every three years. 
However, in line with JSE Listings Requirements we will put the 
Remuneration Policy to an advisory vote at the 2023 AGM.

Remuneration in the context of our 
business performance and outcomes for 
our key stakeholders
Our aim is always to consider the wider workforce, our 
shareholders and other stakeholders by taking a fair and 
balanced approach to remuneration.

This year has been another strong year for Sirius, the Company’s 
portfolio continues to demonstrate its resilience in both Germany 
and the UK. Dividend and FFO growth is supported by strong 
trading, with continued demand for space at our properties 
leading to rent roll increases of 8.1% across the Group and a 
robust leasing pipeline. The Company ended the year with cash 
reserves of €124.3m.

The Company has taken a number of proactive measures to 
identify and mitigate against future potential risks in light of 
challenging market conditions during the year. These include the 
early renewal of maturing finance so that the Group now has 
around 90% of the Group’s debt maturing in excess of three 
years. These early and strategic efforts have enabled the business 
to remain extremely-well positioned going forwards and we 
remain focused on growing our FFO organically, in order to 
continue to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to shareholders.

Joanne Kenrick
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

“ Our Remuneration Policy is designed 
to support the creation of long‑term 
sustainable shareholder value and 
provide a clear, consistent and 
cohesive approach to reward. Our 
aim is always to consider the wider 
workforce, our shareholders and other 
stakeholders by taking a fair and 
balanced approach to remuneration.”

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.

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration in the context of our 
business performance and outcomes for 
our key stakeholders continued
For details of the Company’s performance, please read our 
Strategic report at pages 1 to 82.

For progress relating to the workforce, our community and 
other stakeholders, please read the Sustainability report set out 
on pages 38 to 54

Directorate changes
Diarmuid Kelly and Alistair Marks
As announced on 16 August 2022, Diarmuid Kelly stepped 
down from the Board on that date in advance of his planned 
period of paternity leave. His remuneration earned in respect of 
his role as a Director of the Company up to that date is included 
in the single figure table on page 122. Although not anticipated 
at the date he left the Board, Diarmuid subsequently left the 
Group at the end of September 2022. We have included on page 
130 information in relation to payments made to him following 
his leaving the Group. Diarmuid’s LTIP awards which had vested 
but which remained subject to holding periods were retained, 
and the original holding periods will continue to apply. Similarly, 
he will retain his deferred bonus award in respect of the bonus 
earned for the period ended 31 March 2022 which will remain 
subject to the original deferral period. His other LTIP awards, 
including the award granted to him in July 2022 have lapsed.

Following Diarmuid Kelly’s departure, Alistair Marks was 
appointed as interim CFO, in addition to his existing duties as 
CIO. In recognition of his additional responsibilities, the 
Committee agreed to increase Alistair Marks’ salary to his 
former CFO salary (€364,828) and apply a 3.5% uplift to 
€377,597 in line with the general workforce increases awarded 
in respect of the financial year 2023, with this salary applying 
from 1 August 2022. Alistair will step down from the Sirius 
Board at the AGM on 10th of July 2023, remaining employed by 
the Company to lead its investment strategy across Germany 
and the U.K. 

Chris Bowman
As announced on 27 March 2023, Chris Bowman is expected to 
take up his appointment as our new CFO by no later than 29 
August 2023. A summary of Chris’ remuneration arrangements 
is set out below. We were delighted to appoint someone with 
Chris’ wealth of experience in capital markets and business 
development, as well as financing. He is extremely well qualified 
to oversee the continued financial management of the Group 
and his appointment delivers considerable strength and 
capacity to the senior management team as we continue to 
grow Sirius in line with our strategic goals. The overall 
remuneration package was determined recognising the need to 
appoint someone of Chris’ experience and also having regard to 
his remuneration at his former employer. As a new appointee, 
Chris does not have the level of shareholding in Sirius of our 
current Executive Directors. Therefore, as described below, we 
have increased the level of bonus deferral to enhance the 
alignment of his interests with those of shareholders. 

Salary on appointment £450,000

Pension

9.7% of salary in line with the workforce

Annual bonus

150% of salary

Chris bonus for FY2024 will be earned 
for the period he is employed by Sirius. 

Our usual approach is to award 35% of 
any bonus earned in deferred shares. 
However, in Chris’ case, until he meets 
the shareholding guidelines in the 
Policy, we intend to defer 50% of any 
bonus earned. 

LTIP

200% of salary

FY24 LTIP award will be pro-rated to 
reflect the proportion of the three-year 
performance period for which he is in 
service with the Group

Notice period

6 months

In line with typical practice, we have agreed to compensate Chris 
for a bonus of £200,000 which he forfeited as a result of leaving 
his former employer to join Sirius. Since that forfeited bonus would 
have been paid solely in cash, we have agreed to compensate with 
a cash payment. The forfeited bonus would have been deferred 
over a three year period in total. We have agreed with Chris that 
the overall deferral period for the compensatory payment will be 
four years, with the compensatory payments made monthly over 
this period. The compensatory payment is subject to a specific 
clawback provision that Sirius may require repayment if Chris 
ceases employment (or notice to end employment is given) on or 
before the first anniversary of the commencement of his service 
agreement with Sirius. In line with the UK reporting regulations, 
the full amount of the payment will be included in the single total 
figure of remuneration for the 2024 financial year.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

111

Executive Directors’ remuneration for the 2023 
financial year
Salary, pensions and benefits
As set out in the Directors’ remuneration report for the year 
ended 31 March 2022, Andrew Coombs’, Alistair Marks’ and 
Diarmuid Kelly’s salaries were increased by 3.5% in line with the 
general workforce increases to £501,975, €331,200 and 
€258,750 respectively. Alistair’s Marks salary was increased to 
€377,597 when he took on additional responsibility as interim 
CFO, as explained above.

Each of the Executive Directors received an employer pension 
contribution of 9.7% of salary for the 2023 financial year, in line 
with the rate available to the majority of the wider workforce. 

During the year, we also finalised an additional accommodation 
allowance for Andrew Coombs, set at up to £50,000 plus a 
gross up for tax. This is within the terms of the Remuneration 
Policy and reflected the need for Andrew to work across two 
countries (Germany and the UK) following the acquisition of 
BizSpace. That acquisition completed in November 2021, and 
the arrangement came into effect from January 2022. 

Annual bonuses earned in respect of the 2023 
financial year
As disclosed in last year’s Directors’ remuneration report, 
following the increase in scope of Andrew Coombs’ role after 
the BizSpace acquisition, his maximum bonus opportunity was 
increased to 150% of base salary for the financial year. The 
maximum bonus opportunity for Alistair Marks remained at 
125% of base salary, with his bonus calculated taking into 
account the change to his salary on his stepping into the interim 
CFO role. Following his departure from the Group, Diarmuid 
Kelly was not eligible to earn a bonus under the Company’s 
Executive Director bonus scheme. 

As a consequence of the Company’s strong financial 
performance (as highlighted above) and excellent delivery 
against strategic and personal targets, Andrew Coombs and 
Alistair Marks each earned 95% of their maximum bonus 
opportunity, details of which are provided on pages 122 and 
123. An explanation of how these targets align with the Group’s 
key performance indicators is provided on pages 124 to 126. 

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 earned 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 
Awards granted on 15 June 2020 pursuant to the 2018 LTIP, in 
the form of nil-cost options, with a five year performance 
period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2023 vested on 22 May 
2023 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 128 for further details. When considering the outturn, 
the Committee noted that the awards granted in June 2020 
were granted as a fixed number of shares in accordance with 
the plan approved by shareholders in December 2018 (rather 
than as a percentage of salary). In the view of the Committee 
taking into account the actual and relative performance of the 
Company over such an extended period, none of the value 
derived could be said to be delivering a “windfall gain”. 

Diarmuid Kelly’s award granted in June 2020 lapsed when he 
left the Group.

2023 LTIP awards 
Awards pursuant to the 2021 LTIP were granted during the year 
to the Executive Directors and other members of the Senior 
Management Team on 18 July 2022. Details are provided on 
page 129.

Diarmuid Kelly’s award lapsed when he left the Group.

Chairman and Non-Executive Director fees
As set out in last year’s Directors’ remuneration report, with 
effect from 1 April 2022, the Chair and Non-Executive Director 
basic fee were increased by 3.5%, in line with general workforce 
increases. No increases were made to the supplementary fees 
for chairing the Audit or Remuneration Committee or for 
holding the office of Senior Independent Director. 

Non-Executive Director fees are shown below (converted to 
euros based on the exchange rate of 1.14). 

Chairman fee

Non-Executive Director fee

Fees at 
1 April 2022

€224,181

€65,550

Additional fee for Chair of the Audit Committee

€11,400

Additional fee for Chair of the Remuneration Committee €11,400

Additional fee for Senior Independent Director

€11,400

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Implementation of Remuneration Policy for the 2024 financial year
Information on how the Company intends to implement the Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 March 2024 is set out below:

Element

Application of the Remuneration Policy

Salary

With effect from 1 April 2023, Andrew Coombs’ salary has been increased by 4.95% in line with the general 
workforce increases to £526,823. Alistair Marks’ salary has been increased to €400,000 to reflect the flexibility he 
has shown and workload he has had in taking back the CFO responsibilities in addition to his CIO role. In light of 
this, the committee has awarded Alistair a salary increase slightly above the level for the workforce as a whole, at 
5.95%. As described above, Chris Bowman will receive a salary of £450,000 with effect from appointment.

Pension

Pension for Executive Directors is aligned with the rate available to the majority of the wider workforce (currently 
9.7% of salary).

Annual bonus The maximum annual bonus opportunity will remain at 150% of salary for Andrew Coombs and 120% of salary for 

Alistair Marks. Chris Bowman’s bonus opportunity will be 150% of salary earned for the period for which he is 
employed.

The annual bonus will be subject to stretching performance conditions based on a combination of financial measures, 
strategic and personal objectives and ESG targets. The Committee considers the performance targets and objectives 
to be commercially sensitive. 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 2024, unless they are considered 
to remain commercially sensitive.

For Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks, 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). For Chris 
Bowman, 50% will be deferred into shares (50% of which will be released after one year and 50% after two years) until 
such time as he meets the minimum shareholding guidelines.

The proposed performance measures and weightings for the FY24 bonus are as follows:

KPI

Measurement scale

Vesting

Weighting

Company financial performance

Adjusted FFO(1)

Below target

On target 

Above target

Strategic targets, personal objectives and ESG targets

70%

0%

50%

100%

Delivery on strategic targets

Each Executive Director has 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 2024. 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 2023.

LTIP award

An award is proposed to be granted at the level of 200% of salary for Andrew Coombs. On appointment, Chris Bowman 
will be awarded an LTIP at the level of 200% of salary and will be pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the three-year 
performance period for which he is in service with the Group. 

As announced on 27 March and as referred to earlier in this report, because Alistair Marks will be stepping down from the 
board at the AGM, but will remain employed by the Company to lead its investment strategy across Germany and the UK. 
he will not participate in the LTIP in FY2024. The Committee will consider the appropriate incentive arrangements for 
Alistair having regard to the change in his role.

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 Committee has considered the targets for FY2024 grants of awards under the 2021 LTIP in the context of the 
changing macro-economic conditions, and in particular the increase in interest rates. The Committee wishes to maintain an 
incentive which is both challenging but also aligned to the shift towards a higher interest rate environment in the medium 
term. Therefore, the targets for the TNR performance measure for the FY2024 grants are proposed to be adjusted 
compared to the targets for the FY2023 grant as set out below. The Committee considers that the adjusted targets are 
appropriately stretching taking into account market conditions and Sirius’ plans and forecasts. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

113

Element

Application of the Remuneration Policy

LTIP award 
continued

The targets for the 2024 LTIP grant are as follows:

Targets for FY2023 awards

Targets for FY2024 awards

Annualised TNR(1) growth over the 
performance period

Annualised TNR(1) growth over the 
performance period

<7.5% p.a.

7.5% p.a.

<6.5% p.a.

6.5% p.a.

Vesting percentage

0% of maximum

25% of maximum

7.5% p.a.>–<10% p.a.

6.5% p.a.>–<8.5% p.a.

Pro rata vesting between 25% and 62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.

8.5% p.a.

62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.>–<13.5% p.a.

8.5% p.a.>–<10.5% p.a.

Pro rata vesting between 62.5% and 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.

No changes are proposed to the relative TSR targets, which will be as set out below

Relative TSR against the peer group(1) over the performance period

Vesting percentage

Below median

Median

0% of maximum

25% of maximum

Between median and upper quartile

Pro rata 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, Custodian REIT Plc, 

Warehouse REIT Plc, Regional REIT Ltd, Hamborner REIT AG, DIC Asset AG, Urban Logistics REIT Plc, CLS Holdings Plc, 
Londonmetric Property Plc, and Shurgard Self Storage SA.

In line with the Policy and the LTIP rules, the Committee retains discretion to adjust vesting outturns in appropriate 
circumstances.

Chairman and 
Non-Executive 
Director fees

The Chairman and Non-Executive Director base fee will be increased by c. 4.95% to €235,228 and €68,799 
respectively in line with the general workforce increases. No increases 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 and conclusion
The Committee’s performance was considered as part of the Board evaluation process, which is described in the Corporate governance 
report on page 96. I am pleased to report that the Board considers that the Committee continues to perform well in its role supporting 
the Board.

We remain committed to a responsible approach to executive pay and believe the Remuneration Policy operated as intended during the 
year. The decisions made as a Committee as regards remuneration earned in respect of the year ended 31 March 2023 demonstrate 
our commitment to ensuring that Executive Directors’ reward is aligned with performance and the outcomes for all our stakeholders.

We hope that shareholders will continue to support the Remuneration Policy and the Annual report on remuneration at the AGM on 
10 July 2023.

Joanne Kenrick
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
2 June 2023

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

How the Committee operated during the year

Membership and attendance
Committee members as at 31 March 2023

Joanne Kenrick (Chair)(1)

James Peggie(1)

Daniel Kitchen

Meeting attendance

3/3

3/3

3/3

(1)   James Peggie stepped down as Chair of the Committee on 6 July 2022, at which point Joanne Kenrick took up the role of Chair of the Committee. 

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

Area

Subject

Decisions relating to the Executive 
Directors and Chairman

 » Taking into account our strong performance, approved salary increases effective from 1 April 2022

 » Approved the increase to the Chairman’s fee with effect from 1 April 2022

 » Approved bonus outturns for FY22 and retention of 35% by deferral in shares through the 

Decisions relating to other members 
of the Senior Management Team

Deferred Bonus Plan

 » Released the remaining 50% of FY20 Deferred Bonus Plan awards and the first 50% of FY21 

Deferred Bonus Plan awards

 » Approved awards under 2021 LTIP and performance conditions

 » Set financial objectives and targets for FY23 bonuses 

 » Approved outturns for FY22 bonuses and the percentage of cash retention for one year

 » Released retained bonuses from FY21

 » Set financial objectives for FY23 bonuses

 » Approved awards under 2021 LTIP and performance conditions

 » Approved changes in CFO remuneration due to Diarmuid Kelly’s departure and package 

available to a new CFO

Decisions relating to managers below 
Senior Management Team

 » Inclusion of new members of the Senior Managers’ Share Incentive Plan

 » Reviewed senior management pay proposals for FY24

Remuneration Policy

 » Reviewed the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and considered it remains appropriate for the 

forthcoming financial year

Governance

 » Reviewed 2021/22 Directors’ remuneration report

 » Liaised with shareholders and proxy agents regarding queries following publication of the  

FY23 report

 » Reviewed workforce pay across the Group

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

115

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 the 2020 financial year and we have reported compliance with the 2018 
Code within our Corporate governance report on page 85. 

In determining the 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.

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.

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. Furthermore, 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, in 
addition to the large shareholding of both Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks.

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 118.

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.

Alignment to culture: incentive schemes 
should drive behaviours consistent with 
Company purpose, values and strategy.

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.

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 six different sites in Germany where there was attendance by 86% 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 focus on being an exceptional employer of choice as a result of modern infrastructure, balanced and 
aligned approach to remuneration, diverse and international culture, staff development and training. The German employees were 
reminded how the Board had listened and responded to previous survey results by further improving IT infrastructure (provision of 
new laptops in Germany and UK), enhancing community initiatives (donation programmes), better career and development 
opportunities (personal development plans, Sirius Academy to deliver training), focus on modern employer (flexible working policy, 
new offices and dress code), ESG (4 goals with all staff bonus) and the election of values champions and formation of values focus 
groups to embed values and competencies across the Group. 

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 focus on ESG and ESG bonus, delivering strong benefits for shareholders via 
customer and company initiatives, employee wellbeing initiatives such as the Sirius Way and celebrating successes, the continuing 
career development and training of employees through the launch of the Sirius Academy in January 2023. Progress on these topics 
as well as the roll out of the annual employee survey to the UK employees will be reported in the Annual Report 2024. 

As described in the Sustainability report on page 38, 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. 16% of Sirius’ staff are currently shareholders. 

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

This part of the Directors’ remuneration report sets out Sirius Real Estate’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy which was approved by 
shareholders at the 2021 AGM. The Remuneration Policy has been determined independently by the Remuneration Committee. 

The Remuneration Policy was adopted at the AGM held on 30 July 2021 and reapproved on an advisory basis at the 2022 AGM in 
accordance with the requirements of the JSE Listings Requirements that the Remuneration Policy be put to a non-binding advisory 
vote each year. Accordingly, it will also be put to shareholders for an advisory vote at the 2023 AGM.

The Policy as set out below is, therefore, broadly the same as that approved at the 2021 AGM, but with minor changes to update the 
illustrations of the application of the Remuneration Policy on pages 118 and 119 and date specific references. Following his departure 
from the Group, the provisions of the Policy relating to Diarmuid Kelly specifically have been removed.

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”) operate to attract 
and retain Executive Directors of 
a suitable calibre.

Usually reviewed annually taking account of a 
number of factors which may include, but are 
not limited to:

 » Group performance;

 » role, experience and individual performance;

 » competitive salary levels and market forces; and

 » pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group.

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:

 » promotion;

 » 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.

Benefits

To provide market appropriate 
benefits as part of the total 
remuneration package.

Executive Directors currently receive private medical 
insurance, income insurance, death in service 
benefits and a company car or car allowance.

Other benefits may be provided based on individual 
circumstances, for example accommodation 
allowance, relocation or travel expenses.

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.

Reimbursed expenses may include a gross-up to 
reflect any tax or social security due in respect of 
the reimbursement.

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).

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117

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 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.

For the year ending 31 March 2024, Andrew Coombs’ 
maximum award level will be 150% of salary, whereas 
the maximum award for Alistair Marks will be set at 
120% of salary. Chris Bowman’s maximum award will 
be 150% of salary, which will be earned for the period 
he is employed by Sirius. 

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 2024, 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 2024 are described on page 112.

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 2023 and any future 
year, the maximum award level will be 200% of an 
Executive Director’s 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 2024 are described on page 112.

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.

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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements118

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

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 at least two 
thirds of each awards, 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, 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. As noted above, we intend to 
increase Chris Bowman’s bonus deferral until he meets the 
shareholding guidelines.

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 Andrew Coombs 
and Chris Bowman, of the application of the Remuneration 
Policy for the year ending 31 March 2024. 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. 
As Alistair Marks will step down from the Sirius Board at the 
2023 AGM, no illustration is included in respect of him.

Andrew Coombs 
Chief Executive Officer

€1,801k

33%

25%

42%

€750k

100%

€2,852k

42%

32%

26%

Minimum  
performance

Performance in line 
with expectations

Maximum  
performance

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

Chris Bowman
Chief Financial Officer

€1,014k

44%

22%

34%

€348k

100%

€1,681k

53%

27%

20%

Minimum  
performance

Performance in line 
with expectations

Maximum  
performance

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

€3,453k

52%

26%

22%

Maximum  
performance 
(with 50% share 
price increase)

€2,122k

62%

21%

17%

Maximum  
performance 
(with 50% share 
price increase)

Andrew Coombs    
Chief Executive Officer 

Chris Bowman
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

119

In illustrating the potential reward, the assumptions in the table below have been made. In the case of Chris Bowman, the illustration is 
based on remuneration he may earn from the date of his appointment, taking into account the pro-rating of his LTIP award to reflect 
the proportion of the three-year performance period for which he is in service with the Group – for these purposes, a start date of 29 
August 2023 is assumed. The award to be granted to him in respect of the bonus forfeited at his former employer is not taken into 
account, as this does not reflect the forward looking application of the Remuneration Policy.

Fixed pay 

Annual bonus

LTIP

Minimum performance

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)

Base salary (being the latest known 
salary as at 1 April 2023, converted 
into € at an exchange rate of 1.14).

Employer pension contributions at an 
assumed rate of 9.7% based on the 
latest known salary.

An estimated benefits figure of 
€100,000 in the case of Andrew 
Coombs and €20,000 in the case of 
Chris Bowman(1). 

No bonus.

No LTIP vesting.

Bonus equal to 75% of 
salary is earned (50% 
of maximum).

LTIP award granted equal to 200% of 
salary, with 50% of the shares 
assumed to vest.

Bonus equal to 150% of 
salary is earned (maximum 
bonus earned). 

LTIP award granted equal to 200% of 
salary, with 100% of the shares 
assumed to vest.

LTIP award granted equal to 200% of 
salary, with 100% of the shares 
assumed to vest.

1. 

 In the case of Andrew Coombs, this is the value disclosed in the single figure table on page 122 for 2023. In the case of Chris Bowman, there is 
no 2023 figure. Therefore, for Chris Bowman this is calculated based on the 2023 figure for Andrew Coombs, but with the accommodation 
allowance excluded, and then pro-rated to reflect Chris Bowman’s period of service in the 2023/24 financial year, for these purposes a start date 
of 29 August 2023 is assumed.

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.

 » 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; 

 – 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

 » Pension will only be provided in line with the above 

 – if the Director will be required to relocate in order to 

Remuneration Policy.

 » The Remuneration Committee will not offer non-performance 

related incentive payments (for example a “guaranteed 
sign-on bonus”).

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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements120

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Approach to recruitment remuneration 
continued
 » 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:

Name

Commencement

Notice period

Daniel Kitchen

24 September 2018

Andrew Coombs

20 January 2012

James Peggie

27 November 2012

Caroline Britton

Kelly Cleveland

Mark Cherry

Alistair Marks

1 June 2020

1 June 2020

14 June 2019

20 January 2012

Joanne Kenrick

1 September 2021

3 months

6 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

6 months

3 months

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.

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. Under their 
service contracts, Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks are 
entitled to a payment of 100% of salary for observing these 
restrictions. The provisions for Andrew Coombs and Alistair 
Marks reflect legacy arrangements in their service contracts. 

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 Committee also has discretion to release the 
award at another time (such as following the end of the 
performance period).

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

121

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 regulatory restriction on the delivery of shares 
or as regards the tax liability arising in respect of the award.

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.

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 advance of the 
finalisation of the Remuneration Policy proposed to 
shareholders at the 2021 AGM having regard to feedback 
received. The Remuneration Committee regularly considers 
shareholder and proxy agency 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 implementation report on 
the Remuneration Policy, 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.

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 
None of the Executive Directors currently has an external 
appointment other than personal service companies. 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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements122

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

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 2023 (converted, 
where relevant, to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.14 unless stated otherwise).

31 March 2023

Salary/fees

Benefits (2)

Pension (3)

Bonus (4)

LTIP (5)

Total

Total 
fixed pay

Total 
variable pay

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs

€572,252

€91,134

€55,508

€815,458

€925,000 €2,459,352

€718,894 €1,740,458

Diarmuid Kelly(1)

€138,350

€4,185

€13,420

—

—

€155,955

€155,955

—

Alistair Marks

€358,265

€16,066

€34,402

€425,440

€925,000 €1,759,173

€408,733 €1,350,440

Non-Executive 
Directors

Daniel Kitchen

Joanne Kenrick

Mark Cherry

James Peggie

Caroline Britton

Kelly Cleveland

€224,181

€73,916

€65,550

€71,618

€85,318

€65,550

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

€224,181

€224,181

€73,916

€73,916

€65,550

€65,550

€71,618

€71,618

€85,318

€85,318

€65,550

€65,550

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)  Diarmuid Kelly stepped down from the Board on 16 August 2022 and remained an employee of Sirius Facilities GmbH until 30 September 2022. The 
2023 figures reflect his remuneration earned in respect of his role as a Director of the Company up to the date he stepped down from the Board.

(2) Using exchange rates at the end of the month in which the transaction occurred.

(3) Pension contribution was 9.7% 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 below. Following his departure from the 

Group, Diarmuid Kelly was not eligible to earn a bonus under the Company’s Executive Director bonus scheme.

(5)  The LTIP figures relate to the 2020 LTIP granted in June 2020 which vested after a five year performance period and are calculated using a share 
price of €92.5c, being the share price at the date of vesting (22 May 2023), converted to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.14 that date. 
Diarmuid Kelly’s award granted in June 2020 lapsed when he left the Group.

The following table sets out total taxable remuneration for each Director in respect of the year ended 31 March 2022 (converted, 
where relevant, to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.18 unless stated otherwise).

31 March 2022

Salary/fees

Benefits (3)

Pension (4)

Bonus (5)

LTIP(6)

Total

Total 
fixed pay

Total 
variable pay

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs

€572,300

€34,959

€55,513

€691,553 €2,017,800 €3,372,125

€662,772 €2,709,353

Diarmuid Kelly(1)

€41,667

€1,860

€4,042

€45,314

€14,012

€106,895

€47,569

€59,326

Alistair Marks

€357,357

€26,978

€34,664

€431,821 €2,017,800 €2,868,620

€418,999 €2,449,621

Non-Executive 
Directors

Daniel Kitchen

€196,667

Joanne Kenrick(2)

Mark Cherry

James Peggie

Caroline Britton

Kelly Cleveland

€38,237

€65,549

€89,149

€77,349

€65,549

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

€196,667

€196,667

€38,237

€65,549

€89,149

€77,349

€65,549

€38,237

€65,549

€89,149

€77,349

€65,549

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)  Diarmuid Kelly was appointed to the Board on 1 February 2022. The 2021/22 figures reflect his remuneration for the period from 1 February 2022.

(2) Joanne Kenrick was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2021.

(3)  Andrew Coombs’ benefits figure has been restated to reflect the accommodation allowance which was paid in the 2022/23 financial year but 

related to 2021/22 financial year as described in the Committee Chair’s statement on pages 109 to 113.

(4) Pension contribution was 9.7% 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 2019 LTIP granted in June 2019 which vested after a four year performance period and are calculated using a share 

price of €1.34, being the share price at the date of vesting (13 May 2022).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

123

Additional disclosures in respect of the single figure table
Base salary
The salaries applicable at 1 April 2022 are shown below (converted to euros based on an exchange rate of 1.14, where relevant).

Executive Director

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks(2)

Diarmuid Kelly

(1) Note, Andrew Coombs is paid in sterling. 

Base salary at

1 April 2022(1) 

€572,252

€331,200

€258,750

(2)  Following Diarmuid Kelly’s departure, Alistair Marks was appointed as interim CFO in addition to his existing duties as CIO on 16 August 2022. In 
recognition of his additional responsibilities, the Committee agreed to increase Alistair Marks’ salary to his former CFO salary as at 1 April 2021 
(€364,828) and apply a 3.5% uplift to €377,595 in line with the general workforce increases awarded in the 2023 financial year.

Non-Executive Director fees
From 1 April 2022, the Chair and Non-Executive Director basic fee were increased by 3.5%. No increases were made to the 
supplementary fees for chairing the Audit or Remuneration Committee or for holding the office of Senior Independent Director. 

Non-Executive Director fees are shown below (converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.14). 

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 2022

€224,181

€65,550

€11,400

€11,400

€11,400

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 2023, Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks were awarded a bonus opportunity equal to a maximum of 
150% of base salary and 125% of base salary respectively. Following his departure from the Group, Diarmuid Kelly was not eligible 
to earn a bonus under the Company’s Executive Director bonus scheme. 

The following table sets out the bonus earned by Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks and how this reflects performance for the year. 
The annual bonus is based 70% on adjusted funds from operations (“Adjusted FFO”), 10% on other strategic objectives, 10% on 
ESG objectives and 10% on personal 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 26 and 27 (adjusted profit before tax and dividend per share) and in the Dividend 
section of the Financial review on page 71.

2022/23 financial year

Weighting (% of maximum)

Target range

Actual performance

Pay-out (% of maximum)

Adjusted FFO

ESG objectives

Strategic objectives

Personal objectives

Total

70%

10%

10%

10%

100%

€92.07m–€102.73m

See below

See below

See below

€104.13m

100%

1.5 of 3 achieved

100%

70%

10%

5%

10%

95%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
124

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual bonus continued
ESG objectives, personal objectives and strategic objectives 2022/23 financial year – outturn 
For the 2022/23 financial year, Andrew Coombs’ and Alistair Marks’ ESG, strategic and personal objectives were as follows:

Executive 
Director

Objectives

Personal objectives

Andrew 
Coombs

Completing the reorganisation and 
strengthening of the BizSpace senior 
management team in all senior positions 
including the hire of a new UK MD, and 
demonstrating their integration into the 
Group.

Actual performance

Bonus earned 
(% of maximum)

Decision made to defer hire of UK MD until business increases scale, 
New Sales & Operations Director appointed, Commercial Director 
and FD charged with overall responsibility for running BizSpace in 
the UK.

10% of 
maximum

Delivering a comprehensive training 
programme to employees including senior 
management, of over 650 days.

1,136 training days have been completed.

Delivering a comprehensive investor and 
analyst engagement programme, including 
investor visits, site tours and conferences.

Completed two investor site tours to BizSpace in Manchester and 
three investor tours in Germany. Comprehensive investor roadshows 
in London, South Africa and USA (remote).

Delivering an engaging programme for 
Board meetings, including presentations by 
senior staff and external advisors on current 
and relevant topics, as well as Board visits 
and site tours.

Identifying and growing incremental 
revenue opportunities.

Site visits to Germany and BizSpace in Manchester as well as 
presentations from advisors regarding ESG and macro economic 
environment.

Virtual Office revenue stream now in excess of €1 million per annum, 
incremental growth of Container Storage revenue in UK and 
Germany, establishment of move in and move out fees in Germany 
and increased prepayments.

Alistair 
Marks

Leading a comprehensive programme of 
acquisitions and asset recycling in 
Germany and the UK throughout 2022/23 
financial year.

Completed the disposal of three assets for €42m and acquired 
assets worth €44.6m with further asset acquisitions to be completed.

10% of 
maximum 
achieved

Leading the refinancing of the Berlin Hyp 
facility maturing in October 2023 through 
corporate or secured debt.

Modelling the Company’s growth plans 
and regularly updating the Board in line 
with activities in the portfolio and financing 
activities.

Preparing and delivering a comprehensive 
acquisitions and disposals report for Board 
meetings.

Berlin Hyp re-financing successfully completed 1 year in advance 
and PBB refinancing completed in May 2023.

Model of three year plan presented to the Board in January 2023 and 
this has been updated for first draft of March 24 budget in March 
2023.

Opportunities presented to each Board meeting.

Executive 
Director

Objectives

ESG objectives

Both

Report on Scope 1, 2, & 3 emissions for 
BizSpace for 2022/23 financial year in line 
with German GHG reporting and start to 
expand the roadmap for carbon emissions 
reduction and net zero pathway for the 
Sirius Group

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

125

Bonus earned 
(% of maximum)

10% of 
maximum

Actual performance

Throughout the year there has been a continual programme to bring 
BizSpace’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in line with Sirius’ Germany 
GHG reporting. Both BizSpace’s and Sirius Germany’s GHG 
emissions for the FY2023 have been jointly audited by Achilles, a UK 
accredited Greenhouse Gas Certified Scheme provider, whose 
platform is also accredited by the Carbon Disclosure Project as a 
verification standard for companies reporting into the CDP. This audit 
process has enabled both BizSpace and Sirius Germany to have their 
greenhouse gas emissions certified in accordance with ISO 14064-1.

In Germany, Sirius has commenced identifying its net zero pathway 
to 2045 in line with the German national target and has identified a 
potential net zero pathway for both Sirius and Titanium in line with 
the Science Based Target initiative. The initial results show that net 
zero emissions, in line with the German national target, can be 
achieved across the German portfolio. This initial analysis is currently 
being reviewed by the management team against providing a 
long-term sustainable return to shareholders.

During the year BizSpace undertook a re-assessment of the Energy 
Performance Certificates (EPC) of its UK portfolio in order to 
determine the pathway to achieve an EPC rating of “C” by 2027 
and “B” by 2030 in line with UK Government requirements for 
commercial property. This initial analysis is also currently being 
reviewed by the management team against providing a long-term 
sustainable return to shareholders. During FY2024 this analysis will 
be extended to be unified with the net zero pathway as undertaken 
by Sirius Germany.

Add 10,000 sqm of wildflower meadows in 
Germany and plant a minimum of 25,000 
trees in the Sirius Group forest (20,000 in 
Germany and 5,000 in UK), increase the 
bee population by 10 beehives in Germany 
and identify areas for biodiversity where 
BizSpace can commence programmes by 
the end of 2022/23 financial year.

37,200 sqm of greenspace has been converted into natural 
wildflower meadows across the portfolio since the biodiversity 
programme was implemented, of which 13,337 sqm were converted 
in FY2023.

Through a Tree Nation partnership, we have exceeded our target and 
have successfully planted 33,313 trees in the company forest in 
FY2022/23 (27,411 in Germany and 5,902 in UK).

Implement and fully comply with the 
recommendations of TCFD to understand 
the climate resilience of our German and UK 
portfolios. Complete an in-depth assessment 
of transitional and physical risks, the 
outcome of which are linked to the Sirius 
Group’s Risk Management Framework

10 beehives were added in FY2023, further building on the 20 
beehives in existence as of April 2022.

In BizSpace, we have successfully mapped the BizSpace portfolio to 
identify opportunities for biodiversity improvements, which we will 
commence in the current year. 

Sirius provides a full and detailed report in line with the 
recommendations of TCFD and UK reporting requirements on 
page 55 of this report. A TCFD Working Group has been formed 
with senior management representatives from both Germany 
and BizSpace, with three workshops undertaken in the year to 
understand the risks and opportunities from climate change from 
both a transitional and physical risk perspective. The TCFD Working 
Group reports to the Sustainability and Ethics Committee and the 
findings will be linked to the Group’s Risk Management Framework. 
As a first stage, Sirius has started to model financial implications to 
the business from climate change for testing and review by the 
senior management team and the Board in the future.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements126

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual bonus continued
ESG objectives, personal objectives and strategic objectives 2022/23 financial year – outturn continued

Executive 
Director

Objectives

ESG objectives continued

Actual performance

Bonus earned 
(% of maximum)

Both

Achieve over 80% participation year on year 
in the German and UK annual employee 
survey and identify the key management 
actions as a result of the survey.

The 2022/2023 employee engagement survey participation was as 
follows:

 » Germany: Issued to 240 participants and 214 responded – a 

participation rate of 89.2% (FY2021/22 participation was 86.5%)

 » UK: Issued to 126 participants and 110 responded – a participation 
rate of 87.3%. (This was the first employee engagement survey 
conducted at BizSpace so there is no comparative data from the 
previous year.)

The employee engagement survey for FY2023/24 was conducted in 
April 2023 with a report of the findings due by the end of May 2023.

Three key areas of action were identified by management, with 
actions committed to and good progress made against each of them 
in the year, including as follows:

 » Key area 1 – Achieving high value for our shareholders – 

celebration/recognition of employees to motivate and drive 
behaviours resulting in performance which ultimately drives value 
for shareholders; Enhanced recognition and celebration of 
exemplary employee behaviour; Selection of value champions to 
champion Sirius Values and continue to embed and model 
behaviours for colleagues. 

 » Key area 2 – From a great to an exceptional employer of choice 
– roll-out of a strategic internal communications strategy to 
increase employee engagement with initiatives aimed at further 
improving the diverse collaboration and encouraging employees 
to share information leading to business improvement, as well as 
instilling a higher sense of purpose for employees; Various internal 
events established including quarterly Managing Director Briefings 
and lunch meetings hosted by Andrew Coombs. 

 » Key area 3 – One team – establishing structured support to 

employees to aid their personal and professional development at 
Sirius, with the aim of positively impacting retention and 
engagement; launch of academy/training offer in October, rolled 
out monthly from January 2023; introduction of hybrid training for 
field colleagues; focussing on development and career pathways 
– there were 55 internal promotions; creating new learning 
opportunities including the establishment of a group exchange 
programme and the design of an internal mentoring programme.

Establish charging points at a further 20 
properties, focusing on tenant-specific 
charging points. Add smart-metering at a 
further 6 locations in line with the roadmap 
to equip all sites by 2027.

We continue to make progress on our EV-charging point installations, 
with 20 added in the period, and a further 2 already scheduled for 
completion by September 2023. We are also engaging with our 
tenants to identify and review other sites for installation of EV-
charging points.

EV charging 

Total number of sites

Total number equipped

March 22

March 23

77

38

79

58

Proportion of sites equipped

49%

73.4%

Our roll-out of smart energy meters across our German sites is on 
track to be completed by 2027, with 6 additional sites equipped in 
this FY2023. 

Smart energy meters

Total number of sites

Total number equipped

March 22

March 23

77

12

79

18

Proportion of sites equipped

15.6%

22.8%

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

127

Executive 
Director

Objectives

Strategic objectives

Actual performance

Bonus earned 
(% of maximum)

Both

Growing the gross asset value of the 
AXA-Real IM joint venture to a minimum of 
€450m of assets by the end of the 2022/23 
financial year.

Due to uncertainty in market conditions during 2022/23 financial 
year, no further acquisitions were made during the year. Gross asset 
value of JV as at 2022/23 financial year is €354.7 million.

50% of 10% 
of maximum

Delivering a net LTV ratio of below 40% and 
an EBITDA to Interest Cover ratio of above 
8x to the end of the FY2023.

Completing 80,000 sqm of refurbishment of 
lettable space during the FY2023 pursuant 
to the capex investment programme.

 The net LTV was 41.6% while EBITDA to Interest Cover ratio was 8.6 
for FY2023.

Refurbishment of over 125,148 sqm of lettable space achieved.

By reference to the achievement of each Executive Director against their ESG/Strategic and Personal objectives detailed in the table 
above and the achievement of the Adjusted FFO target, the total bonus earned is 95% of maximum for both Andrew Coombs and 
Alistair Marks (being 143% of salary for Andrew Coombs and 119% of salary for Alistair Marks). 

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 1.14. 

Bonus earned

€815,458

€425,440

Bonus paid
in cash

€530,048

€276,536

Bonus deferred into shares

Vesting after
one year

Vesting after
two years

€142,705

€142,705

€74,452

€74,452

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements128

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

LTIP awards vesting in respect of the year ended 31 March 2023
Awards granted under the 2018 LTIP to each of Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks on 15 June 2020, in the form of nil-cost options, 
with a five year performance period which ended on 31 March 2023 vested on 22 May 2023. 

As shown in the tables below for Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks the 2018 LTIP award granted in FY21 vested at 100% of the 
maximum number of shares. 

Performance measure

Annualised TNR(1) 
growth

Relative TSR(2) 
against the 
peer group

Weighting % 
of award

Two-thirds

One-third

7.5%: 166,667
 shares vest for 
each award

Median: 83,333
 shares vest for
 each award

Threshold

Target

Maximum

10%: 416,667
 shares vest for
 each award

13.5%: 666,667
 shares vest for
 each award

Actual

14.3

Number of
shares vesting

666,667

n/a

Upper quartile:
 333,333 shares
 vest for each award

Ranked 2, 
upper quartile

333,333

Diarmuid Kelly’s 2018 LTIP award granted in FY21 in lapsed when he left the Group.

(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: Workspace Group Plc, SEGRO Plc, Big Yellow Group Plc, Safestore Holdings Plc, Custodian REIT Plc, Warehouse REIT Plc, 
Regional REIT Limited, VIB Vermögen AG, alstria office REIT-AG, TLG Immobilien, Hamborner REIT AG, DIC Asset AG and Aroundtown SA.

RDI REIT has been removed from the TSR peer group reflecting its delisting.

The vesting of the 2018 LTIP award granted in FY21 to Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks 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 had been a significant negative event (such as an ESG event) 
which would warrant an adjustment and the risk of any “windfall gain” as set out on page 111. The Committee concluded that the 
LTV policy had not been materially 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

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Number of 
awards granted

1,000,000

1,000,000

Vesting 
(% maximum)

Total number 
of shares vesting

Total estimated value 
of award on vesting

100%

100%

1.0m

1.0m

€925,000

€925,000

The value of the vesting awards is based on the share price at the date of vesting of 92.5c, converted to euros based on the 
exchange rate on 22 May 2023. The value of the vesting awards has been included within the “single figure” total remuneration table 
on page 122.

The LTIP awards were granted on 15 June 2020 when the share price was €83.5c. Therefore, the amount of the vested award 
attributable to share price appreciation was €10.8% per share (not taking into account fluctuations in exchange rates). 

 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

129

LTIP awards granted during the year ended 31 March 2023
Awards were granted to the Executive Directors (and other members of the Senior Management Team) on 18 July 2022 under the 
2021 LTIP, as set out in the table below. Each award was granted in the form of a nil-cost option. The performance measures will be 
assessed over three years and a two year holding period will then apply to any shares which vest. In line with the plan rules and the 
Policy, the share price used to determine the number of shares under award was the closing price on 13 June 2022, being the day 
on which the results for the year ended 31 March 2022 were announced (£1.068).

Executive Director

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Diarmuid Kelly(2)

Maximum 
number of shares

Face value 
at grant(1)

% of award vesting 
at threshold

940,028

€1,175,035

410,000

410,000

€512,500

€512,500

25%

25%

25%

% of salary

Performance period

200%

1 April 2022–31 March 2025 

154%

1 April 2022–31 March 2025

198%

1 April 2022–31 March 2025

(1)  For these purposes, the face value of the award is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by €1.25 (being the share price of £1.068 as 

referred to above, converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17). 

(2) Diarmuid Kelly’s award lapsed when he left the Group.

The targets for the LTIP grant made on 18 July 2022 are as follows, with the TNR measure accounting for two thirds of an award and 
the TSR measure for one third:

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.>–<10% p.a.

Pro rata vesting between 25% and 62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.

62.5% of maximum

10% p.a.>–<13.5% p.a.

Pro rata 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) 

Below median

Median

Vesting percentage

0% of maximum

25% of maximum

Between median and upper quartile

Pro rata 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, Custodian REIT Plc, Warehouse REIT Plc, 

Regional REIT Ltd, Hamborner REIT AG, DIC Asset AG, Urban Logistics REIT Plc, Industrials REIT, CLS Holdings Plc, Londonmetric Property Plc, 
and Shurgard Self Storage SA.

Deferred Bonus Plan awards granted in the year
The following nil-cost options were granted on 7 July 2022 under the Deferred Bonus Plan in respect of bonuses earned for the 
period ended 31 March 2022.

Andrew Coombs

Alistair Marks

Diarmuid Kelly

Type of award

Nil-cost option

Nil-cost option

Nil-cost option

Number 
of shares awarded

192,055

120,958

12,693

Face value at grant(1)

€240,069

€151,198

€15,866

(1)  For these purposes the face value of the award is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by €1.25 (being the share price of £1.068, 

converted to euros based on the exchange rate of 1.17).

On 7 July 2023, 50% of the shares will vest (rounded down to the nearest whole share where necessary) with the remaining balance 
vesting on 7 July 2024, subject to the terms of the plan. Dividend equivalents will be settled in shares in respect of dividends paid 
over the deferral period.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements130

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Payments made to former Directors and payment for loss of office made during the year 
Diarmuid Kelly stepped down from the Board as CFO on 16 August 2022 and remained an employee of Sirius Facilities GmbH until 
30 September 2022. His remuneration earned in respect of his role as a Director of the Company up to 16 August is included in the 
single figure table on page 122. Following his departure from the Group, Mr Kelly also received a bonus payment of €100,000 relating 
to the period he was employed for the financial year 2023 and an award of 82,000 shares in the Company in connection with the 
termination of his employment. He also received a severance payment of €55,000 in accordance with applicable German legislation.

Diarmuid Kelly was not eligible to earn a bonus for the 2023 financial year under the Company’s Executive Director bonus scheme. 
but has been treated as a ‘good leaver’ for the purposes of his existing DBP award granted in respect of the bonus earned for the 
year ended 31 March 2022, which will continue subject to its original deferral period. Diarmuid has retained his LTIP awards granted 
in January 2019 and June 2019 for which the performance period had ended when he left the Group which will remain subject to 
their original holding periods. His other LTIP awards (granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022) lapsed when he left the Group.

No other payments were made in the year to any former Director of the Company or for loss of office.

Shareholding guidelines and statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests 
In respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2023, 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 (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 2023 (or, if earlier, the 
date of stepping down from the Board) were as set out below. The shareholdings of Andrew Coombs, Diarmuid Kelly and Alistair 
Marks as a multiple of salary were as at 31 March 2022 (or, if earlier, the date of stepping down from the Board) 1,626%, 368% and 
1,611% respectively (calculated using the share price at the relevant date of £0.953 and £0.767 respectively and an exchange rate of 
1.14). The shareholding guidelines have been met by both Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks. There have been no changes to 
those interests between 31 March 2023 and the date of signing of these audited financial statements. 

Share ownership

Executive Directors

Andrew Coombs(1)

Diarmuid Kelly

Alistair Marks(1)

Non-Executive Directors

Daniel Kitchen

Joanne Kenrick

James Peggie

Mark Cherry

Caroline Britton

Kelly Cleveland

Shares owned as 
at 31 March 2022

Shares owned as at 
31 March 2023 
(or, if earlier date 
of resignation)

9,544,593

292,257

6,673,792

143,850

—

1,374,536

—

—

—

10,644,888

469,385

6,587,669

218,850

—

1,374,536

—

—

—

(1)   Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks have encumbered 3.00 million shares and 6.03 million shares respectively. In both cases the encumbrances 

were for rolling credit facilities of up to £1.00 million in Andrew Coombs’ case and £1.75 million in Alistair Marks’ case for private purposes and for 
an indefinite period.

 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

131

Share plan interests

Director

Award

Date of grant

Number of 
shares subject 
to award as at 
1 April 
2022

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 
2023

Andrew 
Coombs

LTIP 14 June 2019 1,500,000

LTIP 15 June 2020 1,000,000

DBP 15 June 2020

86,945

LTIP 2 August 2021

949,119

DBP 21 June 2021

148,108

—

—

—

—

—

LTIP

18 July 2022

DBP

7 July 2022

—

—

940,028

192,055

Alistair 
Marks

LTIP 14 June 2019 1,500,000

LTIP 15 June 2020 1,000,000

DBP 15 June 2020

67,164

LTIP 2 August 2021

580,000

DBP 21 June 2021

108,258

—

—

—

—

—

LTIP

18 July 2022

DBP

7 July 2022

—

—

410,000

120,958

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Diarmuid 
Kelly

LTIP

LTIP

14 June 2019

250,000

15 June 2020

250,000

LTIP 2 August 2021

500,000

LTIP

DBP

18 July 2022

7 July 2022

—

—

—

—

—

—

250,000

250,000

500,000

—

—

410,000

410,000

12,693

Status

Vested 

1,500,000

—

— 1,000,000

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (1)

86,945

—

—

949,119

74,054

74,054

940,028

192,055

Vested (2)

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (3)

Unvested, not subject to 
performance conditions (4)

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (5) 

Unvested, not subject to 
performance conditions (6)

1,500,000

—

Vested 

— 1,000,000

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (1)

67,164

—

—

580,000

54,129

54,129

Vested (2)

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (3)

Unvested, not subject to 
performance conditions (4)

Unvested subject to 

performance conditions (5) 

Unvested, not subject to 
performance conditions (6)

Vested 

Lapsed (7)

Lapsed (7)

Lapsed (7)

410,000

120,958

—

—

—

—

12,693

Unvested, not subject to 
performance conditions (6)

(1) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 128. The awards vested on 22 May 2023 at 100%.

(2) The shares vested on 14 June 2022.

(3) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 108 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022.

(4) 50% of the shares vested on 21 June 2022, the remaining 50% will vest 21 June 2023.

(5) These awards are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 128.

(6) These awards will vest in respect of 50% of the shares on each of 7 July 2023 and 7 July 2024.

(7) These awards lapsed when Diarmuid Kelly left the Group.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements132

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy for the 2024 financial year 
Information on how the Company intends to implement the new Remuneration Policy for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 is 
set out in the Committee Chair’s letter on page 109.

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 2013 to 31 March 2023. 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 2023 of €100 
invested in the Group over the period compared with €100 invested in the FTSE 250.

The total remuneration of the CEO over the past seven(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.

$1000

$800

$600

$400

$200

$0

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

Thursday
31 March 2022

Friday
31 March 2023

Sirius Real Estate

FTSE 250

Year ended 31 March

Total remuneration 
€

Annual bonus 
(% maximum)

LTIP vesting 
(% maximum)

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2,459,352

3,372,125

2,795,766

968,598

6,631,533

989,175

906,143

95%

97%

100%

95%

95%

100%

83%

100%

100%

100%

—

96%  (2)

—

—

(1) The Company was admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and the Main Board of the JSE Limited in March 2017.

(2)  The 2015 LTIP vested in full in this year, having only had one single award grant in 2015 when the Company was listed on the Alternative Investment 

Market of the London Stock Exchange. 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 
those shares. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

133

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

2023
€m

59.2

36.4

2022
€m

44.5

28.5

% change

33%

27.7%

Advice to the Committee
Andrew Coombs and Alistair Marks occasionally attended meetings of the Committee and provided information and support as 
requested. No 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 2023. 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 £14,993 for the year ended 31 March 2023. 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 shareholder votes on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the 
Directors’ remuneration implementation report at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 6 July 2022.

Resolution

Remuneration Policy

Remuneration implementation report

Votes for

% of votes

Votes against

% of votes

Votes withheld

773,530,716

788,175,842

91.94%

93.68%

67,790,961

53,145,835

8.06%

6.32%

3,220,179

3,220,179

As the above non-binding shareholder votes were passed by the requisite majorities, no further engagement with shareholders 
was necessitated.

Shareholder engagement
I welcome dialogue with our shareholders. If you have any questions for me as Chair of the Committee, you can reach me via the 
Company Secretary.

Approved by the Board on 2 June 2023.

Joanne Kenrick
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
2 June 2023

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements134

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations. 

The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 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 The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 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;

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. 

 » 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 

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
2 June 2023

Declaration by Group Chief Executive Officer 
(“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) 
for the year ended 31 March 2023 (additional declaration as 
required by the rules of the JSE Limited)

Each of the Directors, whose names are stated below, hereby 
confirm that: 

(a)   the annual financial statements set out on pages 149 to 202, 
fairly present in all material respects the financial position, 
financial performance and cash flows of the issuer in terms 
of IFRS; 

(b)   to the best of our knowledge and belief, 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; 

(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 as 
executive directors with primary responsibility for 
implementation and execution of controls; 

(e)   where we are not satisfied, we have disclosed to the Audit 
Committee and the auditors any deficiencies in design and 
operational effectiveness of the internal financial controls, 
and have taken remediated the deficiencies; and

(f)  We are not aware of any fraud involving directors.

Andrew Coombs    
CEO 
2 June 2023 

Alistair Marks 
Interim CFO
2 June 2023

 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors submit their report with the audited financial 
statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. 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 (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 2023.

The Directors submit their report together with the consolidated 
income statement, 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 2023 set out on pages 149 to 202, 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 and the United Kingdom.

Results and dividends
These results are set out in the consolidated income statement 
on page 149.

The Group’s profit after tax for the year was €79.7 million 
(2022: €148.0 million).

The Board has authorised a dividend in respect of the second 
half of the financial year ended 31 March 2023 of 2.98c per 
share representing 65% of FFO, an increase of 25.7% on the 
equivalent dividend last year, which represented 65% of FFO. 
The total dividend for the year is 5.68c, an increase of 28.8% on 
the 4.41c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2022, 
based also on 65% of FFO. 

It is expected that, for the dividend authorised in respect of the 
six month period ended 31 March 2023, the ex-dividend date 
will be 12 July 2023 for shareholders on the South African 
register and 13 July 2023 for shareholders on the UK register. 
It is further expected that for shareholders on both registers 
the record date will be 14 July 2023 and the dividend will be 
paid on 17 August 2023. A detailed dividend announcement 
is expected to be made on 5 June 2023. There will be no scrip 
dividend alternative offered on the dividend payment in respect 
of the six months ended 31 March 2023.

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.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

135

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 89 to 97.

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 27 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 (other than those described below), which 
are both governed by the general provisions of the Articles of 
Incorporation and prevailing legislation. Restrictions, in the form 
of changes to the Articles of Association, were adopted by 
shareholders at the 2022 AGM, which were necessary 
consequential to the Company’s conversion to a UK REIT to 
ensure that the company can be seen to be taking reasonable 
steps to avoid losing UK REIT status, and desirable in relation 
to certain US transfers to ensure the company doesn’t violate 
certain very onerous US requirements. 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 9 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 
2023 by the Employee Benefit Trust as described above was 
€327,448 (2022: €143,000). 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 2022 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 2023 AGM. No shares were 
purchased during the year and no shares are held in Treasury.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements136

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

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 2022 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 2023 AGM.

A scrip dividend authority was approved at the 2022 AGM and 
the Directors are seeking this authority again at the 2023 AGM, 
although no scrip dividend will be offered in relation to the dividend 
being in respect of the six months ended 31 March 2023.

Directors
Details of the Directors who served during the financial year and 
their meeting attendance are set out on page 91 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, apart from 
Alistair Marks, will stand for election or re-election at the AGM on 
10 July 2023. The Chairman has reviewed the performance of 
each Director standing for election or 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 31 to the financial 
statements, there were no transactions, arrangements or 
agreements entered into during the financial year or outstanding 
as at 31 March 2023 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 2023 are set out 
in the Directors’ remuneration report on page 130. 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 2023, the following shareholders had notified the 
Company of substantial interests over 5% in the issued share 
capital of the Company.

Shareholder

BlackRock Inc

abrdn Plc

Number of
ordinary shares
in which
interested(1)

116,169,961

99,437,266

% of issued
share capital
of the

Company(1)

9.87%

8.46%

(1) As at date of notification and as at 31 March 2023. 

As at 31 March 2023, 89 non-public owners held 2.09% of 
shares (there are no Treasury Shares), which includes those 
shares held by Executive and Non-Executive Directors, and 
there were 8,183 public shareholders holding 97.91%. 

Going concern
The Group has prepared its going concern assessment for 
the period to 31 October 2024 (the “going concern period”), a 
period greater than twelve months and chosen to align with the 
expected timing of the approval of the Company’s subsidiary 
entities financial statements where a letter of support is 
expected to be required from the Company. The Directors also 
evaluated potential events and conditions beyond the going 
concern period that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, with no significant 
transactions or events of material uncertainty identified.

The Group’s going concern assessment is based on a forecast 
of the Group’s future cash flows. This considers Management’s 
base case scenario and a severe but plausible downside scenario 
where sensitivities are applied to model the outcome on the 
occurrence of downside assumptions explained below. 
It considers the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties and 
is dependent on a number of factors including financial 
performance, continued access to lending facilities (see note 24) 
and the ability to continue to operate the Group’s secured and 
unsecured debt structure within its financial covenants. Within 
the going concern period, three of the Group’s facilities mature, 
with the €20.0 million tranche of the HSBC Schuldschein loan 
falling due in July 2023, the Berlin Hyp facility of €170.0 million 
having already been refinanced in August 2022 one year ahead 
of its maturity in October 2023 (see note 24) and the Deutsche 
Pfandbriefbank loan of €57.3 million, which falls due in December 
2023 having been refinanced on 26 May 2023 through a new 
€58.3 million facility extending to 31 December 2030 (see note 
35). No further debt of the Group matures until 2025.

The severe but plausible scenario models a potential downturn 
in the Group’s performance, including the potential impact of 
downside macro-factors such as geopolitical instability, future 
energy shortages, further cost increases due to inflation, 
pressures from increasing interest rates and outward yield 
movements on the Group’s financial position and future 
prospects. The cash flow projections incorporate assumptions on 
future trading performance and potential valuation movements 
in order to estimate the level of headroom on facilities and 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

137

current lender to secure re-financing as it comes due. Should the 
debt facility falling due not be refinanced or extended, the group 
has available cash to repay the facility and could call upon the use 
of mitigating factors referred to below. The mitigating factors are 
within the control of the Directors and there is sufficient time for 
such mitigating factors to be implemented, if required.

In the severe but plausible downside scenario, the Company 
assumes full repayment of the maturing loan obligations as they 
fall due, amounting to €20.0 million in the going concern period. 
The Company forecasts indicate sufficient free cash would be 
available to repay these funds in full and maintain sufficient 
liquidity to not require the additional mitigating actions as 
outlined below available to it, should the severe but plausible 
downside scenario come to pass.

The Group also performed a reverse stress test over the impact 
of a fall in its property valuations during the going concern 
period. This showed that the Group could withstand a fall in 
valuations of 21%, (a level not previously seen by the Group) 
before there was a loan to value covenant breach. This is 
therefore considered to be a remote possibility during the going 
concern period. In each of the scenarios considered for going 
concern, the Group forecasts having sufficient free cash 
available and if required, could utilise available mitigating 
actions which would be available to the Group in the going 
concern review period, which include restricting dividends, 
reducing capital expenditure or the disposal of unencumbered 
assets that have a book value of €1.6 billion as at 31 March 2023. 
The restriction of dividends or reducing capital expenditure are 
within the control of the Directors and there is sufficient time to 
implement these restrictions, if required. The Directors have not 
identified any material uncertainties which may cast significant 
doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for 
the duration of the going concern period. 

After due consideration of the going concern assessment for 
the period to 31 October 2024, the Board believes it is 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its 
financial statements. 

Valuation and net assets
(i) Valuation
Cushman & Wakefield LLP valued the Group’s owned 
properties, including assets held for sale, at €2,111.9 million as 
at 31 March 2023 (2022: €2,092.8 million). After adjusting 
investment properties for lease incentive accounting, the book 
value of investment properties excluding assets held for sale is 
shown as €2,098.5 million (2022: €2,074.9 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 2023 
and the net assets of the Group at that date amounted to 
€1,197.1 million (2022: €1,191.1 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 25 and 26 to 
the financial statements.

covenants for loan to value, debt service cover, EPRA net asset 
value, unencumbered assets ratios, fixed charge ratios and 
occupancy ratios set out within the relevant finance agreements.

The impact of the macro-factors above have placed further 
pressure on the costs of the business, however this did not 
result in any deterioration in the Group’s income streams in 
FY23 and asset values remained relatively stable. However, the 
Directors have been mindful of the challenging macro-factors 
present in the market from 31 March 2022 and have reflected 
this in an increase to the severity of the falls in valuations 
assessed in the severe but plausible downside scenario in the 
going concern period.

The base case and severe but plausible downside scenarios 
include the following assumptions applied to both the German 
and UK portfolios:

Base case:
 » 5.5% growth in rent roll at 31 March 2023, principally from 
contractual increases in rents and organic growth through 
lease renewals;

 » increasing cost levels in line with forecast inflation of 6% to 

March 2024 and 2% beyond;

 » continuation of forecast capex investment;

 » continuation of forecast dividend payments in line with 

historic dividend payouts;

 » payment of contractual loan interest and loan amortisation 
amounts, repayment of €20.0 million of the Schuldschein 
facility in July 2023 and utilisation of the new Berlin Hyp and 
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank facilities on the maturity of existing 
facilities in October and December 2023; and

 » no acquisitions or sale of assets within the period.

Severe but plausible downside scenario:
 » reduction in occupancy and rental income of 10% per annum 

from the base case assumptions;

 » reduction in service charge recovery of 10% per annum 

from the base case assumptions; 

 » reduction in property valuations of 10% per annum; and

 » payment of contractual loan interest and loan amortisation 
amounts, repayment of €20.0 million of the Schuldschein 
facility in July 2023 and utilisation of the new Berlin Hyp and 
Deutsche Pfandbriefbank facilities on the maturity of existing 
facilities in October and December 2023;

The Directors are of the view that there is a remote probability 
of a more severe scenario arising than the above severe but 
plausible downside scenario based upon the Group’s track 
record of performance in challenging scenarios, most recently 
through the high inflationary environment in both Germany 
and the UK, the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic period. 
In addition, the Group has already secured the refinancing of 
the Deutsche Pfandbriefbank and Berlin Hyp AG facilities in 
advance of their maturity dates in the going concern period.

In the severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group is 
expected to comply with its loan covenants, with no covenant 
breaches forecasted.

The Directors are of the view that there is a high probability of 
securing the refinancing or an alternative source of secured or 
unsecured funding to replace the €20.0 million Schuldschein 
facility. This judgement has been informed by the Group’s 
financial forecasts and the Group’s track-record in previously 
refinancing maturing debt. The Company is in discussions with its 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements138

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

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.

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 
10 July 2023 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
2 June 2023

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 10.00am 
(UK time) on Monday 10 July 2023 at 33 St James’ Square, 
London SW1Y 4JS. Further information can be found in the 
Shareholder Circular and Notice of Meeting which accompany 
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 or cross referenced in the Annual Report 2023.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

139

Financial statements

Financial statements
140  Independent auditor’s report

149  Consolidated income statement

149  Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

150  Consolidated statement of financial position

151  Consolidated statement of changes in equity

152  Consolidated statement of cash flows

153  Notes to the financial statements

203  Business analysis (unaudited information)

210  Annex 1 – Non-IFRS Measures

216  Glossary of terms

218  Corporate directory

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements140

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S 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 2023 which comprise the 
Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of Changes 
in Equity and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and 
the related notes 1 to 35, 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 (‘IFRS’).

In our opinion, the financial statements: 

 » give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as 
at 31 March 2023 and of its profit for the year then ended;

 » have been properly prepared in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards; and

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 
ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting included: 

 » We obtained an understanding of the process followed 

by Management in preparing the Group’s going concern 
assessment over the going concern period to 31 October 
2024, including challenging the completeness of risks 
identified in Management’s assessment, identifying and 
assessing scenarios that may arise as a result of the ongoing 
conflict in Ukraine and other macro-economic factors (such 
as forecast inflation levels and interest rates) which may 
adversely affect future occupancy and income levels and 
the impact of a fall in property valuations on compliance 
with loan covenants. 

 » have been properly prepared in accordance with the 

 » We obtained the base case scenario and the severe but 

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 believe that the 
audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the Group and Company 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.

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. 

plausible downside scenario covering the going concern 
period prepared by Management and provided to the Board. 
We challenged Management on whether the scenarios 
considered were sufficient to allow them to form their view 
on going concern. We tested the mathematical accuracy of 
the models and verified the opening available cash balance 
in Management’s cash flow forecast by comparing it to 
the year-end cash balance which was subject to our 
audit procedures. 

 » 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 knowledge. We assessed 
the historical forecasting accuracy as an input into 
determining the ability of Management to forecast for 
the going concern period.

 » We used our Chartered Surveyors to challenge the stress 
tests applied to forecast reductions in property valuations 
in the severe but plausible downside scenario. 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. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

141

Conclusions relating to going concern 
continued
 » 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 to understand the fall in valuations and/or 
occupancy needed to use remaining 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. 

 » In August 2022 Management agreed a new debt facility with 
Berlin Hyp for €170.0m on a seven-year term ahead of its 
maturity on 31 October 2023. In May 2023 Management 
agreed a new debt facility with Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG 
for €58.3m on a seven-year facility expiring on 31 December 
2030. We inspected the new financing documents to 
determine whether the facilities were available to the Group.

 » We challenged Management’s assessment of events or 
conditions after the going concern period that may cast 
significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

 » We reviewed the disclosures in the Annual Report and 

Accounts 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: 

 » The Group’s activities are financed in part through external 
debt financing. Under the severe but plausible downside 
scenario the Group is expected to comply with its loan 
covenants with no cure payments or breaches forecast. 

 » Managements’ assessment of going concern is based on 

the current portfolio, on the assumption that any significant 
new acquisitions will be appropriately financed.

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 ability to continue as a going concern for a period to 
31 October 2024. 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 ability to continue as a going concern.

Overview of our audit approach

Audit scope

 » The Group operates in both Germany and the United Kingdom. We performed an audit of the complete 

financial information of both the German and United Kingdom components, which were both designated 
as full scope components.

 » The components where we performed full audit procedures accounted for 100% of Adjusted profit before tax, 

100% of Revenue and 100% of Total assets.

 » The Group audit team also performed direct audit procedures on investment in associates included within 

the Group financial statements.

 » 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. 

 » Going concern basis used in the preparation of the financial statements. 

Key audit  
matters

Materiality

 » Overall Group materiality of €21.3m (2022: €23.6m) which represents 0.9% of 2023 Total assets (2022: 1% of 

Total assets) was applied to balances related to investment properties, loans, derivatives and the related Income 
Statement balances. 

 » Specific materiality of €4.5m (2022: €3.9m) which represents 5% of Adjusted profit before tax (2022: 5% of 
Adjusted profit before tax) was applied to account balances not related to investment properties, loans, 
derivatives and the related Income Statement balances.

 » We have allocated the performance materiality and audit differences threshold to the two components of the 

Group (Germany and the UK).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements142

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

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 each Company within the Group. Taken together, 
this enables us to form an opinion on the Group financial 
statements. We take into account size, risk profile, the 
organisation of the Group, the effectiveness of Group-wide 
controls and changes in the business environment when 
assessing the level of work to be performed. All audit work 
was performed directly by a single integrated audit team.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group 
financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate 
quantitative coverage of significant accounts in the financial 
statements we selected both components covering entities 
within Germany and United Kingdom, which represent the 
principal business units within the Group.

We performed an audit of the complete financial information 
of both the components (“full scope components”) which 
were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. 

Germany

United Kingdom

Revenue

79% of Group

21% of Group

Adjusted profit before tax

69% of Group

31% of Group

Total assets

80% of Group

20% of Group

For the current year, the full scope components contributed 
100% (2022: 100%) of the Group’s Adjusted profit before tax, 
100% (2022: 100%) of the Group’s Revenue and 100% 
(2022: 100%) of the Group’s Total assets.

Climate change
Stakeholders are increasingly interested in how climate 
change will impact Sirius Real Estate Limited. The Group has 
determined that the most significant future impacts from 
climate change on its operations will be from the failure to 
meet net zero targets leading to regulatory, reputational and 
commercial impact and failure to mitigate physical impact on 
the property portfolio. These are explained on pages 55 to 65 in 
the Task Force for Climate related Financial Disclosures and on 
pages 80 and 81 in the principal risks and uncertainties. They 
have also explained their climate commitments on pages 44 to 
47. All of these disclosures form part of the “Other information” 
rather than the audited financial statements. Our procedures 
on these unaudited disclosures therefore consisted solely of 
considering whether they are materially inconsistent with the 
financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of 
the audit or otherwise appear to be materially misstated, in line 
with our responsibilities on “Other information”. 

In planning and performing our audit we assessed the potential 
impacts of climate change on the Group’s business and any 
consequential material impact on its financial statements. 

The Group has explained within Note 3 to the financial 
statements (‘Other sources of estimation uncertainty’) how 
they have reflected the impact of climate change in their 
financial statements. 

Our audit effort in considering the impact of climate change 
on the Group’s financial statements focused on evaluating 
Management’s assessment of the impact of climate risk, 
physical and transition, their climate commitments, the effects 
of material climate risks disclosed on pages 59 to 61 and the 
significant judgements and estimates disclosed in note 3 
and whether these have been appropriately reflected in the 
investment property portfolio valuation and associated 
disclosures and in the models of future cash flows which are 
used to assess the Group’s ability to continue to operate as a 
going concern. As part of this evaluation, we performed our 
own risk assessment, supported by our climate change internal 
specialists, to determine the risks of material misstatement in 
the financial statements from climate change which needed to 
be considered in our audit. 

We also challenged the Directors’ considerations of climate 
change risks in their assessment of going concern and viability 
and associated disclosures. Where considerations of climate 
change were relevant to our assessment of going concern, 
these are described above. 

Based on our work we have not identified the impact of climate 
change on the financial statements to be a key audit matter, 
however, the impact of climate change is considered in the 
valuation of investment properties and also considered in 
performing the going concern assessment. 

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. In addition to going concern 
the matters listed in the table below were key audit matters.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

143

Key observations communicated 
to the Audit Committee 

We concluded that the 
methodology applied by 
the external valuer was 
appropriate and that the 
external valuations were 
a reasonable assessment 
of the market value of 
investment properties at 
31 March 2023.

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 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 

2023: €2,123.0m (2022: 
€2,100.0m) in investment 
properties, €8.8m (2022: 
€13.8m) included within 
assets held for sale and 
€354.7m (2022: €349.8m) 
included in investments 
in associates

Refer to the Audit Committee 
Report (pages 98 to 103); 
Accounting policies (pages 
153 to 161); and Note 14 of 
the Financial Statements 
(pages 179 to 182)

The valuation of the 
investment property 
portfolio (including 
investment properties 
within assets held for sale 
and held in investments 
in associates) requires 
significant judgement 
and use of estimates by 
management and the 
external valuers. Any input 
inaccuracies or unreasonable 
basis 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 balances. 

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, expertise and objectivity.

 » We selected a sample based on factors including size, risk, type of 
property and location, which in total comprised 46% of the market 
value of investment properties (including investment properties 
within assets held for sale and total value of investments in 
associates). For this 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 in the period. 

 » 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. Furthermore, 
they reperformed valuation calculations to determine a reasonable 
range of values.

 » We challenged the external valuer on whether climate factors had 
been considered as part of the valuations. The external valuer 
confirmed that this had been considered but did not lead to any 
specific adjustments to values.

 » 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 valuer 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 site visits accompanied by our Chartered Surveyors 
for a sample of properties, to confirm existence and state of repair 
of the properties.

 » We assessed the adequacy of the disclosures of estimates and 
valuation assumptions in note 3 and note 14 that were made in 
accordance with IFRS 13 – Fair Value Measurement. 

Scope of our procedures

We performed full scope audit procedures over the valuation of the 
investment property portfolio (including investment properties within 
assets held for sale and held in investments in associates) in respect 
of both components, representing 100% of the total portfolio. 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements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.

144

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S 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

2023: €169.7m rental and 
other income and €100.4m 
service charge income 
(2022: €134.9m rental and 
other income and €75.3m 
service charge income)

Refer to the Audit Committee 
report (pages 98 to 103); 
Accounting policies (pages 
153 to 161); and Note 6 of 
the Financial Statements 
(page 165)

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 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.

 » We performed analytical procedures using data analytics tools 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 lease incentives 
over the lease period 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 assessed whether the revenue recognition policies adopted 

complied with IFRS through sample testing transactions to 
determine the underlying accounting treatment applied.

 » We challenged the appropriateness of a sample of manual journals 

posted to revenue through obtaining evidence to support the 
journal posting. The manual journals testing is specifically designed 
to address the risk of management override of controls and 
incorrect cut off.

Scope of our procedures

We performed full scope audit procedures over revenue recognition, 
in respect of both components, representing 100% of total revenue.

In the prior year, our Auditor’s report included a key audit matter in relation to the accounting for the acquisition of BizSpace, including 
the purchase price allocation and assessing goodwill for impairment. In the current year, we have updated our risk assessment and 
concluded that it is no longer a key audit matter as the acquisition was completed in the year ended 31 March 2022.

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. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

145

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
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.

The table below sets out the materiality, performance materiality and threshold for reporting audit differences applied on our audit:

Overall

Basis

0.9% of Total assets

Materiality

€21.3m

Performance
materiality

€16.0m

Audit differences

€1.1m

(2022: 1% of Total assets)

(2022: €23.6m)

(2022: €17.8m)

(2022: €1.1m)

Specific – account balances not related to 
investment properties, loans or derivatives.

5% of Adjusted profit before tax 
(2022: 5% of Adjusted profit 
before tax)

€4.5m

€3.4m

€0.2m

(2022: €3.9m)

(2022: €2.9m)

(2022: €0.2m)

When establishing our overall audit strategy, we determined a magnitude of uncorrected misstatements that we judged would 
be material for the financial statements as a whole. We believe that an asset-based measure is the most appropriate basis for 
determining overall materiality, given that key users of the Group’s financial statements are primarily focused on the valuation 
of the Group’s assets. Based on this, we determined that it is appropriate to set the overall materiality at 0.9% of Total assets 
(2022: 1.0% of Total assets). We applied overall materiality to the investment property, loans, derivatives and the related Income 
Statement balances. 

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 determined that for other account balances not related to investment properties, loans, derivatives and the related Income 
Statement balances, a misstatement of less than overall materiality for the financial statements as a whole could influence the 
economic decisions of users. We believe that it is most appropriate to use a profit-based measure as profit is also a focus of users 
of the financial statements.

We determined that materiality for these areas should be based upon 5% of Adjusted profit before tax. Adjusted profit before tax 
is considered an important performance metric and aligned with industry earnings measures. 

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality which has not resulted in a change from our planning materiality.

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.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement 
was that performance materiality was 75% (2022: 75%) of our planning materiality, namely €16m (2022: €17.8m) and €3.4m 
(2022: €2.9m) respectively for overall and specific materiality levels. We have set performance materiality at this percentage 
based on our expectations of identifying material misstatements and the control environment supporting the prevention of 
material misstatement.

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based 
on the relative scale and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that 
component. In the current year, the overall and specific performance materiality allocated to components was €8m and €1.7m, 
respectively (2022: € 8.9m to € 1.4m). 

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 €1.1m 
(2022: €1.1m), as well as uncorrected audit differences in excess of €0.2m (2022: €0.2m) that relate to our testing of account 
balances not related to investment property, loans, derivatives and the related Income Statement balances, which is set at 5% 
of planning materiality, as well as 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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements146

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report set out on pages 1 to 138, 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 this gives rise 
to 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
We have reviewed 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 by the Listing Rules.

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 136 and 137;

 » 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 82;

 » Director’s statement on whether it has a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meets its 

liabilities set out on pages 136 and 137;

 » Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 134;

 » Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on pages 72 to 81;

 » The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems set 

out on pages 102 and 103; and

 » The section describing the work of the Audit Committee set out on pages 100 and 101.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 134, 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 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 to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

147

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
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 
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, to the extent necessary to mitigate the risk 
of a material error in the financial statements, 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 relevant non-compliance with such laws and 

regulations. 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 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.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements148

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the members of Sirius Real Estate Limited

An overview of the scope of our audit continued
Other matters we are required to address 
 » Following the recommendation from the Audit Committee we were re-appointed by the Company in 2022 to audit the Group 

financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 and subsequent financial periods. 

 » The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is five years, covering the years 

ending 31 March 2019 to 31 March 2023.

 » 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
Guernsey, Channel Islands
3 June 2023

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 March 2023

Revenue

Direct costs

Net operating income

(Loss)/gain on revaluation of investment properties

Gain/(loss) on disposal of properties

Recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries

Movement in expected credit loss provision(1)

Administrative expenses(1)

Goodwill impairment

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 for the year after tax

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

149

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

Notes

6

7

14

7

7

17

20

10

10

10

11

12

12

270.1

(116.7)

153.4

(9.8)

4.7

— 

(1.0)

(48.3)

— 

2.6

101.6

2.8

(18.3)

0.9

(14.6)

87.0

(7.3)

79.7

79.6

0.1

79.7

6.82c

6.73c

210.2

(87.7)

122.5

140.9

(0.6)

0.1

(2.3)

(38.4)

(40.9)

6.9

188.2

3.0

(23.3)

1.0

(19.3)

168.9

(20.9)

148.0

147.9

0.1

148.0

13.48c

13.29c

(1)  To conform to the current year presentation, the movement in expected credit loss provision has been shown as a separate line and this is a 

reallocation from administrative expenses for the year ended 31 March 2022.

All operations of the Group have been classified as continuing.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 March 2023

Profit for the year after tax

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

Notes

79.7

148.0

Other comprehensive loss that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods

Foreign currency translation reserve

28

(17.2)

Other comprehensive loss after tax that may be reclassified to profit or loss in 
subsequent periods

Other comprehensive loss for the year after tax

Total comprehensive income for the year after tax

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

(17.2) 

(17.2) 

62.5

62.4

0.1

62.5

(1.7)

(1.7)

(1.7)

146.3

146.2

0.1

146.3

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 March 2023

Non-current assets

Investment properties

Plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Right of use assets

Other non-current financial 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

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity 

Issued share capital

Other distributable reserve

Own shares held

Foreign currency translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to the owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Notes

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

14

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

15

23

24

18

11 

24

18

11

27

28

27

28 

2,123.0

2,100.0

7.2

4.1

14.4

48.4

26.7

5.5

4.3

15.0

48.3

24.1

2,223.8

2,197.2

30.5

1.3

124.3

156.1

8.8

24.6

0.3

151.0

175.9

13.8

2,388.7

2,386.9

(101.5)

(243.7)

(2.2)

(5.4)

(89.3)

(19.6)

(1.1)

(10.4)

(352.8)

(120.4)

(720.7)

(37.4)

(80.2)

(961.9)

(37.6)

(75.9)

(838.3)

(1,075.4)

(1,191.1)

(1,195.8)

1,197.6

1,191.1

—

516.4

(8.3)

(18.9)

707.9

1,197.1

0.5

— 

570.4

(6.3)

(1.7)

628.3

1,190.7

0.4

1,197.6

1,191.1

The financial statements on pages 149 to 202 were approved by the Board of Directors on 2 June 2023 and were signed on its 
behalf by:

Daniel Kitchen
Chairman

Company number: 46442

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 March 2023

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

151

As at 31 March 2021

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 
for the year

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Shares issued

Transaction cost relating to 
share issues

Dividends paid

Transfer of share capital

Share-based payment 
transactions

Value of shares withheld to 
settle employee tax obligations

Own shares purchased

Own shares allocated

As at 31 March 2022

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 
for the year

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Dividends paid

Transfer of share capital

Share-based payment 
transactions

Value of shares withheld to 
settle employee tax obligations

Own shares purchased

Own shares allocated

As at 31 March 2023

Issued
share
capital
€m

Other
distributable
reserve
€m

Notes

—

—

—

—

159.9

(6.2)

13.7

(167.4)

—

—

—

—

— 

—

—

—

1.4

(1.4)

—

—

—

—

—

449.1

—

—

—

—

—

(44.5)

167.4

1.9

(3.5)

—

—

570.4

—

—

—

(59.2)

1.4

5.5

(1.7)

—

—

516.4

30

30

9

9

27

27

30

30

9

9

27

27

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
€m

—

—

Total equity
attributable 
to the 
owners of 
the Company
€m

926.5

147.9

Retained
earnings
€m

480.4

147.9

(1.7)

—

(1.7)

(1.7)

147.9

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

146.2

159.9

(6.2)

(30.8)

— 

1.9

(3.5)

(5.5)

2.2

Non-
controlling
interest
€m

0.3

0.1

—

0.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total
equity
€m

926.8

148.0

(1.7)

146.3

159.9

(6.2)

(30.8)

— 

1.9

(3.5)

(5.5)

2.2

(1.7)

628.3

1,190.7

—

79.6

79.6

0.4

0.1

1,191.1

79.7

(17.2)

—

(17.2)

—

(17.2)

(17.2)

79.6

—

—

—

—

—

.—

—

—

—

—

—

—

62.4

(57.8)

—

5.5

(1.7)

(2.3)

0.3

0.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

62.5

(57.8)

—

5.5

(1.7)

(2.3)

0.3

(18.9)

707.9

1,197.1

0.5

1,197.6

Own 
shares
held
€m

(3.0)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(5.5)

2.2

(6.3)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2.3)

0.3

(8.3)

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 March 2023

Operating activities

Profit for the year before tax

(Gain)/loss on disposal of properties

Recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries

Net exchange differences

Share-based payments

Loss/(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

Goodwill impairment

Share of profit of associates

Finance income

Finance expense

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

Prepayments relating to new acquisitions

Proceeds from loss on control of subsidiaries (net of cash disposed)

Capital expenditure on investment properties

Purchase of plant and equipment and intangible assets

Acquisition of a subsidiary (net of cash acquired)

Proceeds on disposal of properties (including held for sale)

Increase in loans receivable due from associates

Interest received

Cash flows used in investing activities

Financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Transaction costs on issue of shares

Shares purchased

Payment relating to exercise of share options

Dividends paid to owners of the Company

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest

Proceeds from loans

Repayment of loans

Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities

Exit fees/prepayment of financing penalties 

Capitalised loan issue cost

Finance charges paid

Cash flows from financing activities

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Net exchange difference

Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents as at the year end

Year ended
31 March
2023
€m

Year ended
31 March
2022
€m

Notes

87.0

(4.7)

—

(0.2)

5.5

9.8

(0.9)

2.1

1.3

2.1

—

(2.6)

(2.8)

18.3

(5.9)

12.4

(8.0)

113.4

168.9

0.6

(0.1)

(2.0)

4.2

(140.9)

(1.0)

1.2

1.2

0.8

40.9

(6.9)

(3.0)

23.2

(5.2)

3.5

(3.7)

81.8

(42.8)

(162.8)

—

—

(28.4)

(5.3)

—

32.0

(0.1)

2.8

(41.8)

—

—

(2.3)

(1.7)

(57.8)

—

—

(20.4)

(1.2)

—

—

(15.2)

(98.6)

(27.0)

0.3

151.0

124.3

(1.9)

0.1

(23.8)

(3.5)

(254.7)

15.3

(1.1)

3.0

(429.5)

159.9

(6.2)

(5.5)

(3.5)

(30.8)

—

750.0

(399.4)

(5.9)

(5.3)

(14.4)

(7.1)

431.8

84.0

1.3

65.7

151.0

9

14

10

16

17

18

17

20

10

10

27

27

9

30

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

153

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2023

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” or “Sirius”) for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

The principal activity of the Group is the investment in, and development of, commercial and industrial property to provide 
conventional and flexible workspace in Germany and the United Kingdom (“UK”).

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 has been presented in euros and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (€000) in prior years. The consolidated 
financial information in the current year is presented in euros and all values are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand shown 
in millions (€m), except where otherwise indicated. 

The Company has prepared 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. See also note 2(c) for statement of compliance.

As at 31 March 2023 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), in accordance with IFRS. 

(b) Changes in accounting policies 
There were several new and amendments to standards and interpretations which were applicable for the first time for the Group 
from 1 April 2022. None of them have had a significant impact on the Group’s income statement or balance sheet.

IFRIC: Demand Deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a Third Party (IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows).

The agenda decision considered accounting for deposits subject to contractual restrictions on use. The Committee clarified the 
position such that where an entity has a contractual obligation with a third party to keep a specified amount of cash in a separate 
demand deposit for specified purposes, but accessibility of cash amounts in these deposits is assured, the entity includes the 
demand deposit as a component of “cash and cash equivalents” in its statement of financial position and statement of cash flows. 
The Committee concluded that the contractual restrictions do not change the nature of the deposit if the entity can access those 
amounts on demand. Therefore, the Group has reviewed the deposits in respect of accessibility and concluded no adjustment 
is required. Deposits that are determined to be restricted only as to their use are separately disclosed (see note 22).

In respect of IFRS 16, deferred tax had not previously been recognised due to the application of the initial recognition exemption. 
On 7 May 2021, the IASB issued ”Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments 
to IAS 12)”, which amends the application of the initial recognition exemption for transactions giving rise to offsetting deferred tax 
assets and deferred tax liabilities. A deferred tax liability has been recognised on the IFRS 16 right of use asset and a deferred tax 
asset in respect of the IFRS 16 lease liability resulting in a net deferred tax liability recognised as at 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2022. 
The amendments to the initial recognition exemption under IAS 12 are effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2023 and have been adopted early. The early adoption of this did not have a material impact on the annual financial 
statements of the Group.

A number of new other standards and amendments to standards have been issued but are not yet effective for the Group and have 
not been early adopted. The application of these new standards and amendments is not expected to have a material impact on the 
Group’s financial statements.

(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 Listings Requirements of JSE 
Limited, IFRS, IAS 34 Interim Reporting and The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. 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 2022, 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 auditor.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements154

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(d) Going concern
The Group has prepared its going concern assessment for the period to 31 October 2024 (the “going concern period”), a period 
greater than twelve months and chosen to align with the expected timing of the approval of the Company’s subsidiary entities 
financial statements where a letter of support is expected to be required from the Company. The Directors also evaluated potential 
events and conditions beyond the going concern period that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, with no significant transactions or events of material uncertainty identified.

The Group’s going concern assessment is based on a forecast of the Group’s future cash flows. This considers Management’s base 
case scenario and a severe but plausible downside scenario where sensitivities are applied to model the outcome on the occurrence 
of downside assumptions explained below. It considers the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties and is dependent on a number 
of factors including financial performance, continued access to lending facilities (see note 24) and the ability to continue to operate 
the Group’s secured and unsecured debt structure within its financial covenants. Within the going concern period, three of the 
Group’s facilities mature, with the €20.0 million tranche of the HSBC Schuldschein loan falling due in July 2023, the Berlin Hyp facility 
of €170.0 million having already been refinanced in August 2022 one year ahead of its maturity in October 2023 (see note 24) and 
the Deutsche Pfandbriefbank loan of €57.3 million, which falls due in December 2023 having been refinanced on 26 May 2023 
through a new €58.3 million facility extending to 31 December 2030 (see note 35). No further debt of the Group matures until 2025.

The severe but plausible scenario models a potential downturn in the Group’s performance, including the potential impact of 
downside macro-factors such as geopolitical instability, future energy shortages, further cost increases due to inflation, pressures 
from increasing interest rates and outward yield movements on the Group’s financial position and future prospects. The cash flow 
projections incorporate assumptions on future trading performance and potential valuation movements in order to estimate the 
level of headroom on facilities and covenants for loan to value, debt service cover, EPRA net asset value, unencumbered assets 
ratios, fixed charge ratios and occupancy ratios set out within the relevant finance agreements.

The impact of the macro-factors above have placed further pressure on the costs of the business, however this did not result in any 
deterioration in the Group’s income streams in FY23 and asset values remained relatively stable. However, the Directors have been 
mindful of the challenging macro-factors present in the market from 31 March 2022 and have reflected this in an increase to the 
severity of the falls in valuations assessed in the severe but plausible downside scenario in the going concern period.

The base case and severe but plausible downside scenarios include the following assumptions applied to both the German and 
UK portfolios:

Base case:
 » 5.5% growth in rent roll at 31 March 2023, principally from contractual increases in rents and organic growth through lease renewals;

 » increasing cost levels in line with forecast inflation of 6% to March 2024 and 2% beyond;

 » continuation of forecast capex investment;

 » continuation of forecast dividend payments in line with historic dividend payouts;

 » payment of contractual loan interest and loan amortisation amounts, repayment of €20.0 million of the Schuldschein facility in July 2023 
and utilisation of the new Berlin Hyp and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank facilities on the maturity of existing facilities in October and 
December 2023; and

 » no acquisitions or sale of assets within the period.

Severe but plausible downside scenario:
 » reduction in occupancy and rental income of 10% per annum from the base case assumptions;

 » reduction in service charge recovery of 10% per annum from the base case assumptions; 

 » reduction in property valuations of 10% per annum; and

 » payment of contractual loan interest and loan amortisation amounts, repayment of €20.0 million of the Schuldschein facility in 
July and utilisation of the new Berlin Hyp and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank facilities on the maturity of existing facilities in October 
and December 2023. 

The Directors are of the view that there is a remote probability of a more severe scenario arising than the above severe but plausible 
downside scenario based upon the Group’s track record of performance in challenging scenarios, most recently through the high 
inflationary environment in both Germany and the UK, the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic period. In addition, the Group has 
already secured the refinancing of the Deutsche Pfandbriefbank and Berlin Hyp AG facilities in advance of their maturity dates in the 
going concern period.

In the severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group is expected to comply with its loan covenants, with no covenant 
breaches forecasted.

The Directors are of the view that there is a high probability of securing the refinancing or an alternative source of secured or 
unsecured funding to replace the €20.0 million Schuldschein facility. This judgement has been informed by the Group’s financial 
forecasts and the Group’s track-record in previously refinancing maturing debt. The Company is in discussions with its current 
lender to secure re-financing as it comes due. Should the debt facility falling due not be refinanced or extended, the group has 
available cash to repay the facility and could call upon the use of mitigating factors referred to below. The mitigating factors are 
within the control of the Directors and there is sufficient time for such mitigating factors to be implemented, if required.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

155

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(d) Going concern continued
In the severe but plausible downside scenario, the Company assumes full repayment of the maturing loan obligations as they fall 
due, amounting to €20.0 million in the going concern period. The Company forecasts indicate sufficient free cash would be available 
to repay these funds in full and maintain sufficient liquidity to not require the additional mitigating actions as outlined below available 
to it, should the severe but plausible downside scenario come to pass.

The Group also performed a reverse stress test over the impact of a fall in its property valuations during the going concern period. 
This showed that the Group could withstand a fall in valuations of 21%, (a level not previously seen by the Group) before there was 
a loan to value covenant breach. This is therefore considered to be a remote possibility during the going concern period. In each of 
the scenarios considered for going concern, the Group forecasts having sufficient free cash available and if required, could utilise 
available mitigating actions which would be available to the Group in the going concern review period, which include restricting 
dividends, reducing capital expenditure or the disposal of unencumbered assets that have a book value of €1.6 billion as at 
31 March 2023. The restriction of dividends or reducing capital expenditure are within the control of the Directors and there 
is sufficient time to implement these restrictions, if required. The Directors have not identified any material uncertainties which 
may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for the duration of the going concern period. 

After due consideration of the going concern assessment for the period to 31 October 2024, the Board believes it is appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. 

(e) Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial information comprises the financial information of the Group as at 31 March 2023. 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 income statement and 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.

The Group accounts for an acquisition as a business combination where an integrated set of activities is acquired in addition to 
the property (see policy in note 2(aa)). 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 the Parent 
Company. For each entity, the Group determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each 
entity are measured using the functional currency. 

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 profit and loss. Non-monetary items that are 
measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the dates of the initial transactions. 
Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is 
determined. The gain or loss arising on translation of non-monetary items measured at fair value is treated in line with the recognition of 
the gain or loss on the change in fair value of the item (i.e. translation differences on items whose fair value gain or loss is recognised in 
other comprehensive income (“OCI”) or profit or loss are also recognised in OCI or profit or loss, respectively).

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into euros at the rate of exchange prevailing at the reporting 
date and their statements of profit or loss are translated at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions, or where appropriate, the 
average exchange rates for the period. The foreign exchange differences arising on translation for consolidation are recognised in OCI. On 
disposal of a foreign operation, the component of OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss. 

Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities arising on the acquisition are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the spot rate 
of exchange at the reporting date.

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2. Significant accounting policies continued
(h) Revenue recognition 
Rental income
Rental income from operating leases and licence agreements containing 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 to apply the price index from the date it is known on a straight-line basis.

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 based on the Group’s right to recharge tenants for costs incurred (with or without markup) on a 
day-to-day basis (“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. Performance obligations related to service charge revenue is discharged by the Company continuously 
and on a daily basis, through the provision of utilities and other services to tenants. Changes in service charge revenue are linked to 
changes in the cost of fulfilling the obligation or the value to a tenant at a given period of time. Accordingly, the variable consideration 
is allocated to each distinct period of service (i.e. each day) as it meets the variable consideration allocation exception criteria. 

Service charge expenses are based on actual costs incurred and invoiced together with an estimate of costs to be invoiced in future 
periods as receipt of final invoices from suppliers can take up to twelve months after the end of the financial period. 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. Service charge costs related to vacant space are irrecoverable.

The Group acts as a principal in relation to these services, and records revenue on a gross basis, as it 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. The Group identifies itself as a principal in this arrangement as it controls and 
manages the services provided to its customers.

Allocation of revenues earned through all-inclusive lease and licence arrangements
The Group has entered into leases and licensing arrangements (which contain a lease) where the revenue due from the tenant is an 
all-inclusive price, representing lease income (recognised in accordance with IFRS 16) and service charge income (recognised in 
accordance with IFRS 15). Management has estimated the allocation of the revenues using the relevant service charge costs 
incurred and the occupancy of the properties where all-inclusive lease and licence arrangements are in place. The allocation resulted 
in €24.0m (2022: €5.7m) being recorded as service charge income.

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).

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157

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 or 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.

Right of use assets relating to office spaces are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term and the 
estimated useful lives of the assets.

(j) Income tax
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. The Group’s UK property business is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”). As a result, the Group’s 
UK property business does not pay UK corporation tax on its profits and gains from the qualifying rental business in the UK. 
Non-qualifying UK profits and gains continue to be subject to corporation tax as normal.

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.

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, does not give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary 
differences and 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 probable 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.

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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 as determined by professional external valuer. Gains or losses arising from changes in 
the fair values of investment properties are included in the income statement in the period in which they arise.

The German 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 UK properties are valued in accordance with the RICS Traditional Red Book valuation methodology, where the income being 
generated is capitalised by an appropriate yield. Yields are based on comparable evidence of similar quality assets which have 
traded in the open market. The yield applied reflects the age, location, ownership, customer base and agreement type.

Investment properties relating to leased assets are recognised 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 the income statement 
in the period in which they arise.

The fair value of investment properties relating to leased assets as at 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2022 have been arrived at on 
the basis of a valuation carried out at that date by management. 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 15.

(o) Plant and equipment
Recognition and measurement
Items of plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment loss.

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159

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(o) Plant and equipment continued
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 income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives 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.

The Group recognises both internally developed and 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 income statement.

Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life, including goodwill, are not amortised. 

Development expenditures on an individual project are recognised as an intangible asset when the Group can demonstrate:

 » the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that the asset will be available for use or sale;

 » its intention to complete and its ability and intention to use or sell the asset;

 » how the asset will generate future economic benefits;

 » the availability of resources to complete the asset; and

 » the ability to measure reliably the expenditure during development.

Following initial recognition of the development expenditure as an asset, the asset is carried at cost less any accumulated 
amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation of the asset begins when development is complete, and the asset 
is available for use. It is amortised over the period of expected future benefit. Amortisation is recorded in cost of sales. During the 
period of development, the asset is tested for impairment annually.

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.

(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 income statement 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. Cash is measured at amortised cost.

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2. Significant accounting policies continued
(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.

(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
Interim dividend distributions to shareholders are recognised in the financial statements when paid. Final 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. The final dividend relating to the year ended 31 March 2023 will be approved and 
recognised in the financial year ending 31 March 2024.

(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 service charge 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 the income statement. For more information refer to note 7. Trade and other receivables are 
written off once all avenues to recover the balances are exhausted and there is no expectation of recovery.

(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 the income statement. 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.

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161

2. Significant accounting policies continued
(z) Current versus non-current classification continued
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.

(aa) Business combinations and goodwill
The Group measures goodwill as the fair value of the consideration paid or payable less the net fair value of the identifiable assets, 
liabilities assumed and contingent liabilities acquired, all measured as of the acquisition date.

(i) Subsidiary undertakings
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method at the acquisition date, which is the date on which control 
is transferred to the Group. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with 
the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. In assessing control, the Group takes into 
consideration potential voting rights that currently are exercisable, as well as other factors including board representation. 
The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control passes.

(ii) Associates
Associates are those entities over which the Group has significant influence, but which are not subsidiary undertakings or joint 
ventures. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method 
of accounting. Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the 
Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments.

(ab) Non-IFRS measures
The Directors have chosen to disclose EPRA earnings, EPRA net asset value metrics and EPRA loan to value, 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 12 to the financial statements includes a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings to EPRA earnings. 
Note 13 to the financial statements includes a reconciliation of net assets to EPRA net asset value metrics. Note 24 to the 
financial statements includes a calculation of EPRA loan to value ratio.

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, gain/loss on sale of properties net of related tax, recoveries 
from prior disposals of subsidiaries net of related tax, NCI relating to revaluation and revaluation gain/loss on investment property relating 
to associates net of related tax. Note 12 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 12 to the financial statements 
includes a reconciliation of adjusting items included within adjusted earnings, with certain adjusting items stated within 
administrative expenses in note 7 and certain finance costs in note 10.

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 29 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, assumptions and other sources 
of estimation uncertainty
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.

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3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates, assumptions and other sources of estimation 
uncertainty continued
Estimates and assumptions 
Key estimates
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 (2022: 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 €2,098.5m (2022: €2,074.9m) as disclosed in note 14.

The Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation approach is explained in note 2(l).

The fair value of the Group’s leased investment properties was determined by management. The book value of leased investment 
properties is shown as €24.5m (2022: €25.1m) as disclosed in note 14.

As a result of the level of estimation 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. Refer to note 14 for 
further information, including sensitivity analysis.

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.

Other sources of estimation uncertainty
The following areas of estimation uncertainty are not presented to comply with the requirements of paragraph 125 of IAS 1 
“Presentation of Financial Statements” as it is not expected there is a risk of a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets 
and liabilities within the next financial year. They are presented as additional disclosure of estimates used in the accounts.

Sustainability
In preparing the financial statements, Management considered the impact of climate change, taking into account the relevant 
disclosures in the Strategic Report, including those made in accordance with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures. The Group also considered the work performed to date in preparing its potential net zero pathway for the German 
portfolio to 2045 based on the CRREM (“Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor”) methodology, the leading global standard for operational 
decarbonisation of real estate assets, and in line with the Science Based Target initiative (“SBTi”) and the Energy Performance Certificate 
(“EPC”) regulatory requirements for the UK. At the time of preparing the financial statements, the Group expects a limited exposure in 
relation to the investment properties, based on the current climate-related requirements. On this basis, the Directors concluded that 
climate change did not have a material impact on the financial reporting judgements and estimates for the period, consistent with this 
assessment this is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s going concern of viability assessment.

4. Business combinations
The provisions of IFRS 3 are applied to all business combinations.

Acquisitions in 2022
Acquisition of Helix Investments Limited

Company

Helix Investments Limited, Jersey

Type of 
acquisition

Date of 
acquisition

Acquired 
voting rights

Purchase

15 Nov 2021

100%

The purchase price amounted to €242.8m (£206.8m). The consideration was transferred in the form of cash. On completion a loan 
advanced by the seller and held by Helix Investments Limited of €45.0m (£38.3m) was also repaid in cash.

The Group incurred costs of €5.3m for legal advice and due diligence in connection with the business combination and these are 
included in administrative expenses. 

Helix Investments Limited is the holding company of the BizSpace Group business, which is a leading provider of regional flexible 
workspace, offering light industrial, workshop, studio and out of town office units to a wide range of businesses across the UK. The 
acquisition therefore provides Sirius with a unique opportunity to enter with immediate scale an under-served market via a one-step 
acquisition of an established platform. It provides Sirius with a high-quality portfolio, offering significant organic growth potential in 
rental pricing in a UK market characterised by supply constraints. The BizSpace Group business is also highly complementary to 
Sirius’ existing platform, allowing for meaningful operational and financial synergies to drive value creation for Sirius shareholders.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

163

4. Business combinations continued
Acquisitions in 2022 continued
Acquisition of Helix Investments Limited continued
The acquired identifiable assets and liabilities as at 15 November 2021 are presented at their fair values in the following table in 
accordance with the final purchase price allocation:

Investment property

Other non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans

Current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets

Purchase price

Goodwill

Helix Investments 
Limited
€m

421.1

3.0

3.5

33.1

(214.5)

(23.7)

(12.2)

(4.7)

205.6

242.8

37.2

Based on final purchase price allocation, goodwill arising on the purchase of Helix Investments Limited amounts to €37.2m as at 
15 November 2021. At 31 March 2022, the Directors assessed the computed goodwill to determine if it represented recoverable 
value over and above the value included in the acquired investment properties and other net assets, and concluded that there was 
insufficient evidence to support such recovery and so wrote off the goodwill. As at 31 March 2022 the carrying amount of the 
goodwill is €nil as it has been impaired as per note 17.

The gross amounts of acquired trade receivables and impairment losses recognised were as follows as at 15 November 2021.

Gross trade receivables 

Expected credit loss provision

Net trade receivables

Helix Investments 
Limited
€m

1.1

(0.5)

0.6

Due to first-time consolidation as at 15 November 2021, the acquired company has contributed revenue of €21.0m and profit after 
tax of €47.9m to consolidated revenue and consolidated profit in the year ended 31 March 2022.

Had the company already been fully consolidated as at 1 April 2021, consolidated revenue and consolidated profit after tax in the 
year ended 31 March 2022 would have been as follows:

Group revenue

Group profit after tax

1 April 2021 to 
31 March 2022
€m

243.9

211.1

5. Operating segments
Information on each operating segment based on the geographical location in which the Group operates is provided to the chief operating 
decision maker, namely the Group’s Senior Management Team, on an aggregated basis and represented as operating profit and expenses. 

The investment properties that the Group owns are aggregated into segments with similar economic characteristics such as the 
nature of the property, the products and services it provides, the customer type for the product served, and the method in which the 
services are provided. The Group’s Senior Management Team considers that this is best achieved through the operating segments 
of the German assets and the UK assets. The Group’s investment properties are considered to be their own segment. The properties 
at each location (Germany and UK) have similar economic characteristics. These have been aggregated into two operating 
segments based on location in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 8. The Group’s Senior Management Team considers the 
two locations to be separate segments. Further disaggregation of the investment properties is disclosed in note 14 owing to the 
range in values of key inputs and assumptions underpinning the property valuation. Consequently, the Group is considered to have 
two reportable operating segments, as follows:

 » Germany; and

 » the UK.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements164

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

5. Operating segments continued
Consolidated information by segment is provided on a net operating income basis, which includes revenues made up of gross rents 
from third parties and direct expenses, gains/losses on property valuations, property disposals, and control of subsidiaries. All of the 
Group’s share of profit of associates and administrative expenses including goodwill impairment, amortisation and depreciation are 
separately disclosed as part of operating profit. Group administrative costs, finance income and expenses and change in fair value 
of derivative financial instruments are disclosed.

Income taxes and depreciation are not reported to the Senior Management Team on a segmented basis. There are no sales 
between segments.

The UK operating segment is a result of a business combination as disclosed in note 4. As such the UK segment reportable figures 
from the prior year are those from 15 November 2021 until 31 March 2022 whilst the Germany segment consists of the full annual 
period ended 31 March 2022. There is no single tenant that makes up more than 10% of each segment’s revenue or Group revenue.

Year ended
31 March 2023

Year ended
31 March 2022

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

Revenue

Direct costs

Net operating income

(Loss)/gain on revaluation of 
investment properties

Gain/(loss) on disposal of 
properties

Recoveries from prior disposals 
of subsidiaries

Depreciation and amortisation

Movement in expected credit loss 
provision(1)

Other administrative expenses(1)

Goodwill impairment

Share of profit of associates

Operating profit

Finance income

Amortisation of capitalised 
finance costs

Other finance expense

Change in fair value of derivative 
financial instruments

Net finance costs

Segment profit for the year 
before tax

Germany
€m

125.5

66.6

10.9

9.8

212.8

(96.7)

116.1

(3.9)

— 

—

(4.2)

(1.0)

(36.1)

—

2.6

73.5

2.5

(3.3)

(10.8)

0.9

(10.7)

UK
€m

33.3

24.0

—

—

57.3

(20.0)

37.3

(5.9)

4.7

—

(1.3)

—

(6.7)

—

— 

28.1

0.3

— 

(4.2)

— 

(3.9)

Total
€m

Germany
€m

158.8  

108.7

90.6  

10.9  

9.8  

270.1  

(116.7)  

153.4  

55.0

10.9

14.6

189.2

(80.1)

109.1

UK
€m

15.3

5.7

—

—

21.0

(7.6)

13.4

Total
€m

124.0

60.7

10.9

14.6

210.2

(87.7)

122.5

(9.8)  

100.9

40.0

140.9

4.7  

—  

(5.5)  

(1.0)  

(42.8)  

—  

2.6  

101.6  

2.8  

(3.3)  

(15.0)  

0.9  

(14.6)  

(0.4)

0.1

(2.7)

(2.2)

(32.1)

(3.7)

6.9

175.9

3.0

(2.6)

(15.8)

1.0

(14.4)

(0.2)

—

(0.5)

(0.1)

(3.1)

(37.2)

—

12.3

—

—

(4.9)

—

(4.9)

(0.6)

0.1

(3.2)

(2.3)

(35.2)

(40.9)

6.9

188.2

3.0

(2.6)

(20.7)

1.0

(19.3)

62.8

24.2

87.0  

161.5

7.4

168.9

(1)  To conform to the current year presentation the movement in expected credit loss provision has been shown as a separate line and this 

is a reallocation from other administrative expenses for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Segment assets

Investment properties

Investment in associates

Other non-current assets(1)

Total segment non-current 
assets

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Germany
€m

UK
€m

Total
€m

Germany
€m

UK
€m

Total
€m

1,691.6

431.4

2,123.0  

1,635.2

464.8

2,100.0

26.7

21.9

— 

3.8

26.7  

25.7  

24.1

21.6

—

3.2

24.1

24.8

1,740.2

435.2

2,175.4  

1,680.9

468.0

2,148.9

(1) Consists of plant and equipment, intangible assets and right of use assets.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

165

6. 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 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

158.8

90.6

10.9

9.8

270.1

124.0

60.7

10.9

14.6

210.2

Other income relates primarily to income associated with conferencing and catering of €4.3m (2022: €3.0m) and fee income from 
managed properties of €5.3m (2022: €4.1m). 

Total revenue from contracts with customers includes service charge income and other income totalling €94.9m from investment 
properties (2022: €63.7m) and €15.1m from managed properties (2022: €18.7m). Service charge income and other income totalled 
€85.2m from the German segment (2022: €76.4m) and €24.8m from the UK segment (2022: €6.0m).

7. Operating profit
The following items have been charged in arriving at operating profit:

Direct costs

Service charge costs relating to investment properties

Costs relating to managed properties

Non-recoverable maintenance

Direct costs

Movement in expected credit loss provision

Expected credit loss recognised

Expected credit loss reversed

Movement in expected credit loss provision(1) (see note 25)

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

92.8

17.4

6.5

116.7

66.1

17.0

4.6

87.7

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

8.7

(7.7)

1.0

7.7

(5.4)

2.3

(1)  To conform to the current year presentation, the movement in expected credit loss provision has been shown as a separate line in the consolidated 

income statement and this is a reallocation from other administrative expenses for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The expected credit loss provision has increased during the year mainly due to the increase of gross trade receivables as a result 
of acquired assets in the financial year.

Administrative expenses

Audit and non-audit fees to audit firm

Legal and professional fees

Other administration costs

Share-based payments

Employee costs

Director fees and expenses

Depreciation of plant and equipment (see note 16)

Amortisation of intangible assets (see note 17)

Depreciation of right of use assets (see note 18)

Marketing

Exceptional items

Administrative expenses(1)

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

1.7

6.0

5.7

5.5

19.4

0.7

2.1

1.3

2.1

3.1

0.7

1.4

3.9

(0.3)

4.2

16.0

0.6

1.2

1.2

0.8

2.3

7.1

48.3

38.4

(1)  To conform to the current year presentation, the movement in expected credit loss provision has been shown as a separate line in the consolidated 

income statement and this is a reallocation from other administrative expenses for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Other administration costs include net foreign exchange losses of €0.2m as a result of declining British pound sterling (“GBP”) rates 
throughout the year (2022: €2.0m gain as a result of the increased foreign currency cash balances as at the year end).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements166

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

7. Operating profit continued
Administrative expenses continued
Employee costs as stated above relate to costs which are not recovered through service charge.

Exceptional items relate to the following:

Acquisition costs in relation to business combinations

Other fees for projects(1)

Legal case costs(2)

Lease agreement termination fees(3)

Internal tax restructuring costs

Decrease in tax liabilities recognised on acquisition of the BizSpace Group(4)

Total

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

—

2.4

0.4

0.9

—

(3.0)

0.7

5.3

—

0.9

0.5

0.4

—

7.1

(1)  The other fees for projects amounting to €2.4m (2022: €nil) relate to capital management measures undertaken by the Group. These measures are 

non-recurring in nature, outside the normal course of business and have been identified as exceptional items.

(2)   The legal case costs amounting to €0.4m relate to multiple cases which differ from the cases the Group faced in the year end 31 March 2022 amounting 

to €0.9m. These legal cases are non-recurring in nature, outside the normal course of business and have been identified as exceptional items.

(3)   The lease agreement termination fee amounting to €0.9m (2022: €0.5m) was paid in compensation for early termination of a rental contract at the end of 
July 2022 within the UK segment of the Group. These termination fees are non-recurring in nature, outside the normal course of business and have been 
identified as exceptional items.

(4)  In the current year, the Group identified an error in the accrual of tax liabilities arising in the BizSpace Group as at 31 March 2022, resulting in an 

overstatement of the tax liability of €5.0m, of which €3.0m arose on acquisition. These were assessed as not being material to the 31 March 2022 
financial statements and the reduction in the liability has been recorded in the current year financial statements. The amounts have been recorded 
within administrative expenses under exceptional items and the taxation (see note 11) lines of the income statement.

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

Total audit fees

Audit related assurance services

Other assurance services

Total assurance services

Total fees for non-audit services

Total fees

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

1.0

0.2

1.2

0.1

0.4

0.5

0.5

1.7

1.1

0.2

1.3

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.3

1.6

For the year ended 31 March 2022, other assurance services include services in the amount of €0.2m relating to the corporate bond 
issuances which have been capitalised to the loan issue costs.

8. Employee costs and numbers

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs

Defined contribution pension scheme

Other employment costs

Total

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

30.7

4.3

0.5

0.9

36.4

24.3

3.8

0.4

0.4

28.9

Included in the costs related to wages and salaries for the year are expenses of €5.5m (2022: €4.2m) relating to the granting 
or award of shares (see note 9). 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, BizSpace 
Limited, BizSpace II Limited, M25 Business Centres Limited and Sirius Corporate Services B.V. The average number of people 
employed by the Group during the year was 421 (2022: 416), expressed in full-time equivalents. In addition, as at 31 March 2023, 
the Board of Directors consists of six Non-Executive Directors (2022: six) and two Executive Directors (2022: three).

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

167

9. 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 €2.3m. 
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 
€0.8m is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. A total of 250,000 shares were forfeited during 
the performance period by two participants who left the Group.

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

Black-Scholes

TSR

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

(0.677) p.a.

67.2

0.564

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

(0.677) p.a.

Expected outcome of performance conditions – %

Fair value per share – €

100

0.745

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 15 June 2020 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.

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 €2.1m over three years. Another 93,039 share awards have been granted throughout the 
performance period as part of dividend equivalents resulting in a total number of shares of 4,543,039. 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 €nil is recognised in the 
consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023.

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 – €

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 16 June 2019 is €0.54.

TNR

Black-Scholes 

2/3 ordinary award/ 
outperformance award

TSR

Monte-Carlo

1/3 ordinary award

0.73

nil

23.8

2.80

4.56

(0.695) p.a.

100/24.5

0.643

0.73

nil

23.8

2.67

4.56

(0.695) p.a.

46.6

0.340

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
168

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

9. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
June 2019 grant continued
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. 

The June 2019 grant vested on 18 July 2022. Vesting was at partial level for all participants resulting in the exercise of 1,620,093 
shares with a weighted average share price of €1.02 at the date of exercise. 1,391,585 shares have been surrendered in relation 
to the partial settlement of certain participants’ tax liabilities arising in respect of the vesting. An amount of €1.7m was paid for the 
participants’ tax liabilities. 

The remaining 1,531,361 shares vested on 23 November 2022. Final vesting resulted in the exercise of 811,621 shares with a 
weighted average share price of €1.02 at the date of exercise. 719,740 shares have been surrendered in relation to the settlement 
of certain participants’ tax liabilities arising in respect of the vesting.

2021 LTIP
The LTIP for the benefit of the Executive Directors and the Senior Management Team was approved in 2021. 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 restricted period of two years when shares acquired on exercise cannot be sold. Awards are subject to 
adjusted net asset value per share (“TNR”) (two-thirds of award) and relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) (one-third of award) 
performance conditions. The employees’ tax obligation will be determined upon the vesting date of the share issue.

August 2021 grant 
4,154,119 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 2 August 2021 with a total charge for the award of €4.7m. 
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 2 August 2021 LTIP grant an expense of 
€1.6m is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. A total of 725,000 shares were forfeited during the 
performance period by two participants who left the Group.

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 2 August 2021:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.39

nil

40.5

2.91

2.66

2.79

1.39

nil

40.5

2.91

2.66

2.79

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.817) p.a.

1.28 (1)

(0.817) p.a.

0.84 (2)

(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies, the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between the 
start of the performance period and the date of grant.

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 2 August 2021 is €1.13.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

July 2022 grant
3,480,028 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 18 July 2022 with a total charge for the award of €2.6m. 
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 18 July 2022 LTIP grant an expense of €0.6m 
is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. A total of 635,000 shares were forfeited during the 
performance period by two participants who left the Group.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

169

9. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
July 2022 grant continued
The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the awards that were 
granted on 18 July 2022:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.05

nil

41.2

2.95

2.70

4.21

1.05

nil

41.2

2.95

2.70

4.21

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.609) p.a.

0.93 (1)

(0.609) p.a.

0.40 (2)

(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies, the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between the 
start of the performance period and the date of grant.

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 18 July 2022 is €0.75.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

2021 SIP
Another SIP for the benefit of the senior employees was approved in 2021. Awards granted under the SIP are made in the form 
of a conditional right to receive a specified number of shares for nil cost which vest after the three year performance period 
(on 1 March 2025 for the 2021 award) with vested awards being subject to a further restricted period of one year when shares 
cannot be sold. Awards are subject to adjusted net asset value per share (“TNR”) (two-thirds of award) and relative total shareholder 
return (“TSR”) (one-third of award) performance conditions. Awards are equity settled. The employees’ tax obligation will be 
determined upon the vesting date of the share issue.

September 2021 grant 
3,074,500 share awards were granted under the scheme on 7 September 2021 with a total charge for the award of €3.7m on the basis 
that 0% of awards are forfeited during the vesting period. 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 7 September 2021 SIP grant an expense of €1.1m is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. 

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 7 September 2021:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.49

n/a

40.7

3.48

2.56

2.60

1.49

n/a

40.7

3.48

2.56

2.60

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.737) p.a.

1.36 (1)

(0.737) p.a.

0.92 (2)

(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies and the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between 
the start of the performance period and the date of grant.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements170

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

9. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
September 2021 grant continued
The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 7 September 2021 is €1.21.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

April 2022 grant 
30,000 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 1 April 2022 with a total charge for the award of €0.03m. 
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 1 April 2022 SIP grant an expense of €0.01m 
is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. 

The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the awards that were 
granted on 1 April 2022:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.51

n/a

32.5

2.92

2.00

2.93

1.51

n/a

32.5

2.92

2.00

2.93

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.074) p.a.

1.39 (1)

(0.074) p.a.

0.89 (2)

(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies, the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between the 
start of the performance period and the date of grant. 

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 1 April 2022 is €1.22.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

August 2022 grant 
150,000 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 1 August 2022 with a total charge for the award of €0.1m. 
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 1 August 2022 SIP grant an expense of 
€0.03m is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. 

The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the awards that were 
granted on 1 August 2022:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.51

n/a

29.7

2.58

1.66

3.96

1.51

n/a

29.7

2.58

1.66

3.96

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.184) p.a.

1.02 (1)

(0.184) p.a.

0.46 (2)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

171

9. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
August 2022 grant continued
(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies, the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between the 

start of the performance period and the date of grant. 

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 1 August 2022 is €0.83.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

August 2022 grant – the BizSpace Group awards
1,600,000 ordinary share awards were granted under the scheme on 1 August 2022 for certain BizSpace Group employees with 
a total charge for the award of €1.3m. 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 
1 August 2022 SIP grant an expense of €0.4m is recognised in the consolidated income statement to 31 March 2023. 

The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value per share for the TNR and TSR elements of the awards that were 
granted on 1 August 2022:

Valuation methodology

Calculation for

Share price at grant date – €

Exercise price – €

Expected volatility – %

Expected life – years

Performance projection period – years

Expected dividend yield – %

TNR

Black-Scholes

TSR

Monte-Carlo

2/3 ordinary award

1/3 ordinary award

1.51

n/a

29.7

2.58

1.66

3.96

1.51

n/a

29.7

2.58

1.66

3.96

Risk-free rate based on European treasury bonds rate of return – %

Fair value per share – €

(0.184) p.a.

1.02 (1)

(0.184) p.a.

0.46 (2)

(1)  In accordance with IFRS 2, TNR is classed as a non-market performance condition. As such, the fair value has been calculated using a Black-Scholes 
model and does not take the expected outcome of the performance condition into account. The Company currently estimates the expected vesting 
outcome for the TNR award to be 100%.

(2)  In accordance with IFRS 2, relative TSR is classed as a market-based performance condition. As such, projected performance and the likelihood of 

achieving the condition have been taken into account when calculating the fair value using a Monte-Carlo model. The model also uses assumptions 
for the expected volatility of comparator companies, the pairwise correlation between comparator companies and TSR performance between the 
start of the performance period and the date of grant. 

The weighted average fair value of share options granted on 1 August 2022 is €0.83.

Expected volatility of the Company’s share price was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price 
over the period immediately prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the term to the end of the performance period.

Deferred Bonus Plan
The Deferred Bonus Plan (“DBP”) is subject to rules approved by the Board and to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (approved by 
shareholders triennially) for Executive Directors of Sirius Real Estate Limited only.

The Executive Directors consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Investment Officer of the 
Company are currently required to participate in the DBP. 

The participants are subject to annual performance bonus conditions and objectives to be agreed by the Remuneration Committee. 
At the end of the applicable financial year, and on receipt of an annual performance bonus, as determined by the Remuneration 
Committee, 65% or more is awarded as cash with the remainder transferred into shares in the Company. Of the 35%, half is deferred 
for one year and the remaining half is deferred for two years. The DBP had been previously treated as cash settled as it was not 
material to the financial statements.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements172

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

9. Employee schemes continued
Equity-settled share-based payments continued
Number of share awards
Movements in the number of awards outstanding are as follows:

Balance outstanding as at the beginning of the year (nil 
exercisable)

Maximum granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Shares surrendered to cover employee tax obligations

Balance outstanding as at year end (nil exercisable)

Year ended 
31 March 2023

Year ended 
31 March 2022

Number of
share awards

15,278,619

5,353,067

(1,610,000)

(2,431,714)

(2,111,325)

14,478,647

Weighted
average
exercise
price
€m

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

Number of
share awards

15,584,750

7,302,831 

(195,000)

(4,934,934)

(2,479,028)

15,278,619

Weighted
average
exercise
price
€m

—

—

—

—

—

—

Employee benefit schemes
A reconciliation of share-based payments and employee benefit schemes and their impact on the consolidated income statement 
is as follows: 

Charge relating to 2018 LTIP – June 2019 grant

Charge relating to 2018 LTIP – June 2020 grant

Charge relating to 2021 LTIP – August 2021 grant

Charge relating to 2021 LTIP – July 2022 grant

Charge relating to 2019 SIP – August 2019 grant

Charge relating to 2021 SIP – September 2021 grant

Charge relating to 2021 SIP – August 2022 grant (including the BizSpace Group awards)

DBP

Total consolidated income statement charge relating to share-based payments

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

— 

0.8

1.6

0.6

— 

1.1

0.4

1.0

5.5

1.1

0.8

1.1

—

0.6

0.6

—

—

4.2

An amount of €5.5m (2022: €1.9m) is recognised in other distributable reserves as per the consolidated statement of changes 
in equity. In addition, an amount of €1.7m has been paid for participants’ tax liabilities in relation to share-based payment schemes. 

10. 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 18)

Amortisation of capitalised finance costs

Total interest expense

Bank charges and bank interest expense on deposits 

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Other finance costs

Finance expense

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Net finance expense

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

0.6

2.2

2.8

(13.6)

(1.1)

(3.3)

(18.0)

(0.3)

—

(0.3)

(18.3)

0.9

(14.6)

0.1

2.9

3.0

(11.5)

(0.5)

(2.6)

(14.6)

(0.9)

(7.8)

(8.7)

(23.3)

1.0

(19.3)

For the year ended 31 March 2022, included within refinancing costs are exit fees and early prepayment penalties of €6.9m that 
directly related to the early repayment of loans and cost in relation to the restructuring of debt in the amount of €0.9m.

The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments of €0.9m (2022: €1.0m) reflects the change in the market valuation 
of these financial instruments.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

173

11. Taxation
Consolidated income statement

Current income tax

Current income tax charge

Current income tax charge relating to disposals of investment properties

Adjustments in respect of prior periods(1)

Total current income tax

Deferred tax

Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total deferred tax

Income tax charge reported in the income statement

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

(4.8)

—

1.8

(3.0)

(4.3)

(4.3)

(7.3)

(6.2)

—

0.1

(6.1)

(14.8)

(14.8)

(20.9)

(1)  In the current year, the Group identified an error in the accrual of tax liabilities arising in the BizSpace Group as at 31 March 2022, resulting in an 

overstatement of the tax liability of €5.0m of which €3.0m arose on acquisition. These were assessed as not being material to the 31 March 2022 
financial statements and the reduction in the liability has been recorded in the current year financial statements. The amounts have been recorded 
within administrative expenses under exceptional items and the taxation (see note 11) lines of the income statement.

The German corporation tax rate of 15.825% is used in the tax reconciliation for the Group. Taxation for other jurisdictions is 
calculated at the rates prevailing in each jurisdiction.

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate is explained below:

Profit before tax

Current tax using the German corporation tax rate of 15.825% (2022: 15.825%)

Effects of:

Deductible interest on internal financing(1)

Tax exempt gain from selling of investments and dividends(2)

Non-deductible expenses

Change in unrecognised deferred tax – tax effect of utilisation of tax losses not previously 
recognised(3)

Adjustments in respect of prior periods(4)

German trade tax

Tax exempt income under REIT regime(5)

Goodwill impairment(6)

Difference in foreign tax rates(7)

Deferred tax – current year movements

Rate difference between current tax and deferred tax

Total income tax charge in the income statement

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

87.0

13.8

(4.4)

(0.4)

(0.3)

2.8

(1.8)

0.4

(3.7)

—

0.9

—

—

7.3

168.9

26.7

(5.4)

(1.1)

0.4

(10.5)

(0.1)

—

—

6.5

1.5

1.0

1.9

20.9

(1)  The item refers to intra-group financing and also includes the difference in foreign tax rates within the jurisdiction of the recipient of the interest 

income and the German corporation tax rate.

(2) The tax exempt gain from selling of investments and dividends in the current year relates to the profits of associates only.

(3)  Following the acquisition of the BizSpace Group on 15 November 2021, the BizSpace Group has entered into the UK REIT regime effective from 

1 April 2022. The result of the REIT conversion included the derecognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities on investment 
properties as at 31 March 2022. The reconciling item increased as at 31 March 2023 due to the use of previously not recognised tax losses.

(4)  To align with tax returns filed for previous years, an adjustment (primarily arising on tax gains on disposal of investment properties) has been made 

within the financial year.

(5)  The BizSpace Group has entered into the UK REIT regime effective from 1 April 2022 which exempts income from property rental business and 

profits from disposal of assets from UK tax charge.

(6)  An impairment of €40.9m in relation to the goodwill was included as a permanent item in the tax reconciliation of last year. 

(7)  As the current UK corporation tax rate is 19% this item shows the difference between this rate and the German corporation tax rate of 15.825% 

used in the above reconciliation.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

11. Taxation continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Assets

Liabilities

Net

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

Revaluation of investment 
property

Rent free adjustments

Capitalised own works

Hedging (swaps)

Fair value adjustment on leased 
investment properties

Tax losses

Fixed asset temporary differences

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

—

—

—

—

3.9

20.2

—

24.1

—  

—  

—  

—  

4.1  

20.3  

0.2  

24.6  

(99.5)

(0.7)

(0.1)

(0.2)

(3.8)

—

—

(95.4)  

(0.6)  

(0.1)  

(0.1)  

(4.3)  

—  

—  

(99.5)

(0.7)

(0.1)

(0.2)

0.1

20.2

—

(104.3)

(100.5)  

(80.2)

(95.4)

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

20.3

0.2

(75.9)

For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 IASB ED/2019/5 amended the application of the initial recognition 
exemption for transactions giving rise to offsetting deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. In respect of IFRS 16, the Group 
adopted the amendments to the initial recognition exemption under IAS 12 already in last year and recognises a deferred tax asset 
in respect of the IFRS 16 lease liabilities and a deferred tax liability in respect of IFRS 16 right of use, resulting in a net deferred tax 
asset for the current year.

Movement in deferred tax during the year is as follows:

31 March 2022
€m

Recognised 
in income
€m

Exchange 
differences
€m

Acquisition 
of a subsidiary
€m

31 March 2023
€m

Revaluation of investment property

Rent free adjustments

Capitalised own works

Hedging (swaps)

Fair value adjustment on leased investment properties

Tax losses

Fixed asset temporary differences

Other short-term temporary differences

Total

(95.4)

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

20.3

0.2

—

(75.9)

(4.1)

(0.1)

—

(0.1)

0.3

(0.1)

(0.2)

—

(4.3)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(99.5)

(0.7)

(0.1)

(0.2)

0.1

20.2

—

—

(80.2)

31 March 2021
€m

Recognised 
in income
€m

Exchange 
differences
€m

Acquisition 
of a subsidiary
€m

31 March 2022
€m

Revaluation of investment property

Rent free adjustments

Capitalised own works

Hedging (swaps)

Fair value adjustment on leased investment properties

Tax losses

Fixed asset temporary differences

Other short-term temporary differences

(73.9)

(0.6)

—

0.2

—

18.0

—

—

(8.7)

—

(0.1)

(0.3)

(5.7)

2.3

(1.0)

(1.3)

Total

(56.3)

(14.8)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(12.8)

(95.4)

—

—

—

5.5

—

1.2

1.3

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

20.3

0.2

—

(4.8)

(75.9)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

175

11. Taxation continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities continued
The Group has not recognised a deferred tax asset on €240.2m (2022: €256.9m) of tax losses carried forward and future share 
scheme deductions due to uncertainties over recovery. There is no expiration date on €240.2m of the losses and future share 
scheme tax deductions will convert to tax losses on realisation.

A change in ownership of the Group may result in restriction on the Group’s ability to use tax losses in certain tax jurisdictions.

Recognised and unrecognised temporary differences in the acquired BizSpace Group of €54m were derecognised as at 31 March 2022 
following the BizSpace Group’s entry to the UK REIT regime effective 1 April 2022. A deferred tax asset of €0.05m relating to the 
excess of capital allowances over qualifying net book value in the BizSpace Group is expected to be recoverable by the residual 
business of the BizSpace Group post REIT conversion. For the financial year beginning 1 April 2023 the normal corporation tax rate 
was increased from 19% to 25%. This may have a potential impact on any taxable profits made by the residual business of the 
BizSpace Group post REIT conversion and other UK operations only from that date.

A deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of €nil (2022: €nil) relating to the unremitted earnings of overseas 
subsidiaries as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that they will 
not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities 
and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and 
liabilities on a net basis. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

Assets

Liabilities

Net

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

UK 

Germany

Cyprus

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

—

24.1

—

24.1

0.2  

24.4  

—  

24.6  

—

—  

(104.3)

(100.5)  

—

—  

(104.3)

(100.5)  

—

(80.2)

—

(80.2)

0.2 

(76.1)

—

(75.9)

Assets

Liabilities

Net

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

UK 

Germany

Cyprus

Current tax liabilities

—

—

—

—

—  

—  

—  

—  

(0.4)

(4.6)

(0.4)

(5.4)

(7.3)  

(2.7)  

(0.4)  

(10.4)  

(0.4)

(4.6)

(0.4)

(5.4)

(7.3)

(2.7)

(0.4)

(10.4)

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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

12. Earnings per share
The calculations of the basic, diluted, EPRA, 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 

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment properties

(Deduct gain)/add loss on disposal of properties

Deduct recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax)

Tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses of investment properties and gains/losses on 
disposal of properties above less REIT related tax effects

Non-controlling interest (“NCI”) relating to revaluation (net of related tax)

Goodwill impairment

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment property relating to associates

Tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses on investment property relating to associates above

Headline earnings after tax

Deduct 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 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

79.6

79.6

88.2

88.2

89.0

89.0

79.6

9.8

(4.7)

—

4.2

—

—

0.5

(0.4)

89.0

(0.8)

(1.5)

6.2

92.9

147.9

147.9

70.7

70.7

58.4

58.4

147.9

(140.9)

0.6

(0.1)

14.6

0.2

40.9

(6.0)

1.2

58.4

(0.8)

(5.6)

19.1

71.1

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic, headline, adjusted and basic 
EPRA earnings per share

1,167,757,975 1,097,082,162

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings, diluted headline 
earnings, diluted adjusted earnings and diluted EPRA earnings per share

1,183,626,763 1,112,360,781

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

6.82c

6.73c

7.55c

7.45c

7.62c

7.52c

7.96c

7.85c

13.48c

13.29c

6.44c

6.36c

5.32c

5.25c

6.48c

6.39c

(1) See reconciliation between adjusting items as stated within earnings per share and those stated within administrative expenses in note 7.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

177

12. Earnings per share continued

Exceptional items

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Share-based payments

Adjusting items as per note 12

Notes 

7

10

7

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended 
31 March 2022
€m

0.7

—

5.5

6.2

7.1

7.8

4.2

19.1

The following table shows the reconciliation of basic to headline earnings, separately disclosing the impact before tax (gross column) 
and after tax (net column):

Basic earnings

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment properties

(Deduct gain)/add loss on disposal of properties

Deduct recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries

NCI relating to revaluation

Goodwill impairment

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment property 
relating to associates

Headline earnings

EPRA earnings

Year ended
31 March 2023

Gross
€m

9.8

(4.7)

—

0.1

—

0.5

Net
€m

79.6  

14.0  

(4.7)  

—  

—  

—  

0.1  

89.0  

Year ended
31 March 2022

Gross
€m

(140.9)

0.6

(0.1)

0.2

40.9

(6.0)

Net
€m

147.9

(126.3)

0.6

(0.1)

0.2

40.9

(4.8)

58.4

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to owners of the Company

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment properties

(Deduct gain)/add loss on disposal of properties (net of related tax)

Deduct recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax)

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Goodwill impairment

Acquisition costs in relation to business combinations

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties

NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax)

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment property relating to associates

Tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses on investment property relating to associates

EPRA earnings

For more information on EPRA earnings refer to Annex 1.

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

79.6

9.8

(4.7)

—

—

—

—

(0.9)

4.3

—

0.5

(0.4)

88.2

147.9

(140.9)

0.6

(0.1)

7.8

40.9

5.3

(1.0)

14.8

0.2

(6.0)

1.2

70.7

For the calculation of basic, headline, adjusted, EPRA and diluted earnings per share the number of shares has been reduced 
by 7,492,763 own shares held (2022: 5,280,308 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, diluted EPRA, diluted headline 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

Weighted average effect of grant of LTIP and SIP shares

Year ended
31 March 2023

Year ended
31 March 2022

1,167,757,975 1,097,082,162

15,868,789

15,278,619

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted, diluted EPRA, 
diluted headline and adjusted diluted earnings per share

1,183,626,764 1,112,360,781

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
178

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

12. Earnings per share continued
EPRA earnings continued
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 gains/losses on revaluation 
of investment properties, gains/losses on disposals of properties (net of related tax), recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries 
(net of related tax), refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties, goodwill impairment, acquisition costs in relation to 
business combinations, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments (collectively, the “EPRA earnings adjustments”), 
deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings adjustments, NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax), gains/losses on revaluation 
of investment property relating to associates and the related tax thereon.

13. Net asset value per share

Net asset value

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

Net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (assets attributable to the owners of the Company)

1,197.1

1,190.7

Deferred tax liabilities (see note 11)

Derivative financial instruments at fair value

Adjusted net asset value attributable to the owners of the Company

Number of shares

80.2

(1.3)

75.9

(0.3)

1,276.0

1,266.3

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of net asset value per share and adjusted net asset 
value per share

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of EPRA NTA per share

1,168,371,222 1,166,880,684

1,182,849,869 1,182,159,303

Net asset value per share

Adjusted net asset value per share

EPRA NTA per share

31 March 2023

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 fair value movements on investment properties

Intangibles as per note 17

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Total EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV

EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV per share

102.46c

109.21c

108.11c

EPRA NTA 
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

(1.3)

80.1 (1) 

(4.1)

n/a

n/a

7.0 (1) 

n/a

n/a

102.04c

108.51c

107.28c

EPRA NDV 
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

n/a

n/a

n/a

99.2

n/a

n/a

9.9

n/a

EPRA NRV
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

(1.3)

80.2

n/a

n/a

164.4

7.0

n/a

9.3

1,456.7

123.15c

1,278.8

108.11c

1,306.2

110.43c

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

179

13. Net asset value per share continued

31 March 2022

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 fair value movements on investment properties

Intangibles as per note 17

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt

Real estate transfer tax

Total EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV

EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV per share

EPRA NRV
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

EPRA NTA 
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

EPRA NDV 
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

(0.3)

75.9

n/a

n/a

160.7

6.5

n/a

9.1

(0.3)

75.6 (1)

(4.3)

n/a

n/a

6.5 (1)

n/a

n/a

n/a 

n/a 

n/a

(22.2)

n/a

n/a

2.1

n/a

1,442.6

122.03c

1,268.2

107.28c

1,170.6

99.02c

(1)  The Group 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 except for deferred tax in relation to assets held for sale.

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 NRV, NTA and NDV per share is calculated as follows:

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of net asset value per share and adjusted net asset 
value per share

Effect of grant of LTIP and SIP shares

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

1,168,371,222

1,166,880,684

14,478,647

15,278,619

Number of ordinary shares for the purpose of EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV per share

1,182,849,869

1,182,159,303

The number of shares has been reduced by 7,492,763 own shares held (2022: 5,280,308 shares), which are held by an Employee 
Benefit Trust on behalf of the Group.

14. Investment properties
The movement in the book value of investment properties is as follows:

Total investment properties at book value as at the beginning of the year

Acquisition of a subsidiary (see note 4)(1)

Additions – owned investment properties

Additions – leased investment properties 

Capital expenditure and broker fees

Disposals

Reclassified as investment properties held for sale (see note 15)

(Loss)/gain on revaluation above capex and broker fees

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties 

Foreign exchange differences

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

2,100.0

1,362.2

—

44.7

1.4

29.9

(17.1)

(8.8)

(7.7)

(0.6)

(1.5)

(17.3)

421.1

162.8

3.4

22.5

(1.8)

(13.7)

147.0

(0.5)

(5.6)

2.6

Total investment properties at book value as at year end(2)

2,123.0

2,100.0

(1) An amount of €12.2m related to leased investment properties. 

(2) Excluding assets held for sale.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
180

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

14. Investment properties continued
The reconciliation of the valuation carried out by the external valuer to the carrying values shown in the consolidated 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 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

2,103.1

2,079.1

(4.6)

24.5 

(4.2)

25.1

2,123.0

2,100.0

The fair value (market 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 (2022: Cushman & Wakefield LLP), an independent valuer accredited 
by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (“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 are consistent with the previous year.

The weighted average lease expiry remaining across the owned portfolio in Germany as at year end was 2.8 years (2022: 2.9 years). 
The weighted average lease expiry remaining across the owned portfolio in the UK as at year end was 1.01 years (2022: 0.9 years). 
Licence agreements in the UK are rolling and are included in the valuation. 

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 management using discounted cash flows similar to the approach of Cushman & Wakefield LLP. A sensitivity analysis is 
not provided on the lease investment properties as the balance is not considered material to the financial statements.

The reconciliation of loss or gain on revaluation above capex as per the consolidated income statement is as follows:

(Loss)/gain on revaluation above capex and broker fees

Adjustment in respect of lease incentives

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties

(Loss)/gain on revaluation of investment properties reported in the income statement

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

(7.7)

(0.6)

(1.5)

(9.8)

147.0

(0.5)

(5.6)

140.9

Included in the loss or gain on revaluation of investment properties reported in the income statement (excluding the revaluation 
effects in respect of leased investment properties) are gross gains of €39.2m and gross losses of €49.0m (2022: gross gains 
of €160.4m and gross losses of €19.5m).

Other than the capital commitments disclosed in note 32, the Group is under no contractual obligation to purchase, construct 
or develop any investment property. The Group is responsible for routine maintenance of 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 for the German portfolio and on a capitalised 
income basis (where income is capitalised by an appropriate yield which reflects the age, location, ownership, customer base and 
agreement type) for the UK portfolio. This gives rise to large ranges in the inputs. 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

181

14. Investment properties continued

Current rental rate
per sqm 
€

Market rental rate
per sqm 
€

Occupancy
%

Gross initial 
yield 
%

Net initial yield 
%

Discount factor
%

Void period 
months

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Market
value 
€m 

31 March 2023

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 2023

Total mixed-use 
schemes

31 March 2022

Traditional 
business parks 

Mature 

Value add

Total traditional 
business parks

Modern business 
parks

Mature

Value add

Total modern 
business parks

Office

Mature 

Value add

362.0  2.88

607.6  2.25

8.58

6.64

2.67

3.58

7.80

8.46

64.7 100.0

4.7 9.9

26.9

97.4

2.9 9.8

3.7

0.8

7.6

7.5

4.1 5.8

4.5

7.1

969.6  2.25

8.58

2.67

8.46

26.9 100.0

2.9 9.9

0.8

7.6

4.1

7.1

200.4  5.38

8.64

3.93

8.15

94.3 100.0

3.6 10.5

2.4 9.3

4.1 5.4

250.1  2.92

9.76

3.91 10.35

54.5

92.8

5.5 9.4

3.8

7.4

4.8

7.3

450.5  2.92

9.76

3.91 10.35

54.5

10.0

3.6 10.5

2.4 9.3

4.1

7.3

37.5  14.34 14.34 10.78 10.78

236.4  4.05 10.27

6.42 12.19

92.6

49.7

92.6

87.5

8.7

8.7

7.3

7.3

4.9 4.9

4.4 9.3

2.4 6.8

5.0 6.9

Total office

273.9  4.05 14.34

6.42 12.19

49.7

92.6

4.4 9.3

2.4

7.3

4.9 6.9

Total Germany 

1,694.0  2.25 14.34

2.67 12.19

26.9 100.0

2.9 10.5

0.8 9.3

4.1

7.3

Average current  
rental rate
per sqm
€

Average market rental  
rate
per sqm
€

Occupancy
%

Net initial yield
%

Void period 
months

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Market
value 
€m 

102.4

2.09  20.25   

5.46  23.58   

42.0

93.3  

Total office

143.7

5.42

33.89  

7.94

24.68  

50.5

100.0  

Total industrial

171.6

2.23

8.19  

2.55

12.99  

64.1

100.0  

Total UK

417.7

2.09

33.89  

2.55

24.68  

42.0

100.0  

4.0

4.9

3.8

3.8

10.8  

4.00  12.00 

23.2  

4.00

12.00

12.4  

4.00

12.00

23.2  

4.00

12.00

Current rental rate
per sqm 
€

Market rental rate
per sqm 
€

Occupancy
%

Gross initial 
yield
%

Net initial yield
%

Discount factor
%

Void period 
months

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Low  High 

Market
value 
€m 

329.1

2.67

8.32

625.5

—(1) 8.16

2.65

3.49

7.42

8.46

91.5 100.0

4.5

8.5

3.7

6.7

—(1) 97.3

—(1) 9.0

(3.7)(1) 6.8

3.6

3.9

5.4

7.1

954.6

—(1) 8.32

2.65

8.46

—(1) 100.0

—(1) 9.0

(3.7)(1) 6.8

3.6

7.1

195.8

5.03

8.13

3.74

7.68

91.8 100.0

213.1

2.86 10.28

3.76 10.15

74.9

97.8

5.0

2.9

9.8

9.4

4.1

1.6

8.4

6.6

3.6

4.4

5.0

7.3

408.9

2.86 10.28

3.74 10.15

74.9 100.0

2.9

9.8

1.6

8.4

3.6

7.3

10.2 10.07 10.07

9.38

9.38

266.9

2.03 11.78

6.15 12.18

87.1

40.0

87.1

92.0

Total office

277.1

2.03 11.78

6.15 12.18

40.0

92.0

Total Germany

1,640.6

—(1) 11.78

2.65 12.18

—(1) 100.0

—(1) 9.8

(3.7)(1) 8.4

6.4

2.0

2.0

6.4

9.5

9.5

5.2

5.2

—(1) 7.2

—(1) 7.2

4.5

4.6

4.5

3.6

4.5

6.6

6.6

7.3

6

9

6

6

9

6

9

9

9

6

15

18

18

15

24

24

9

18

18

24

6

9

6

6

9

6

9

9

9

6

12

18

18

15

24

24

9

18

18

24

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
182

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

14. Investment properties continued

Average current  
rental rate
per sqm
€

Average market rental  
rate
per sqm
€

Occupancy
%

Net initial yield
%

Void period 
months

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Low 

High 

Market
value 
€m 

31 March 2022

Total mixed-use 
schemes

123.3 

1.71

26.49  

5.78

23.59  

48.6

96.8  

3.0

10.0  

Total office

153.1 

—(1) 25.38  

5.83

26.50  

— (1)  100.0  

—(1)

10.0  

Total industrial

175.4 

1.04

10.94  

2.39

11.24  

65.1

100.0  

3.0

10.0  

Total UK

451.8 

—(1) 26.49  

2.39

26.50  

— (1)

100.0  

—(1)

10.0  

4 

4 

4 

4 

12 

12 

12 

12 

(1)  The Group acquired vacant investment properties during the year ended 31 March 2022. As a result, the lower range for rental rates, occupancy 

and yields is 0 or lower.

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 2023

Total traditional 
business parks

Total modern  
business parks

Total office

Market value  
Germany 

Market
value 
€m

Change of 5%
in market rental rates  
€m 

Change of 0.25%
in discount rates 
€m

Change of 0.5%
in gross initial yield 
€m

Change of 0.5%
in net initial yield 
€m

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

969.6

48.9

(49.2)

(19.3)

19.1

(73.1)

86.8

(106.6)

109.0

450.5

273.9

22.0

14.0

(21.7)

(14.1)

(8.5)

(5.6)

9.3

5.6

(32.2)

(20.8)

37.9

24.8

(41.5)

(28.3)

47.4

36.8

1,694.0

84.9

(85.0)

(33.4)

34.0

(126.1)

149.5

(176.4)

193.2

31 March 2023

Total mixed-use schemes

Total office

Total industrial

Market value UK

Market
value 
€m 

102.4

143.7

171.6

417.7

Change of 5%
in market rental rates 
€m 

Change of 0.5%
in net initial yield 
€m

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

(6.2)

(6.8)

(10.8)

(23.8)

7.5  

7.8  

12.7  

28.0  

3.8

4.7

7.0

(3.6)

(4.5)

(6.6)

15.4

(14.8)

31 March 2022

Total traditional 
business parks

Total modern  
business parks

Total office

Market value  
Germany 

Market
value 
€m

Change of 5%
in market rental rates  
€m 

Change of 0.25%
in discount rates 
€m

Change of 0.5%
in gross initial yield 
€m

Change of 0.5%
in net initial yield 
€m

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

954.6

48.5

(48.4)

(19.6)

20.1

(84.2)

82.2

(98.0)

126.3

408.9

277.1

19.2

14.5

(19.4)  

(14.3)  

(8.6)

(5.8)

8.4  

5.8  

(30.9)

(23.0)

36.8  

28.5  

(38.1)

(37.9)

48.1

27.8

1,640.6

82.2

(82.1)  

(34.0)

34.3  

(138.1)

147.5  

(174.0)

202.2

31 March 2022

Total mixed-use schemes

Total office

Total industrial

Market value UK

Market
value 
€m 

123.3

153.1

175.4

451.8

Change of 5%
in market rental rates 
€m 

Change of 0.5%
in net initial yield 
€m

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

4.0

5.8

7.1

(4.4)  

(5.4)  

(6.3)  

(4.5)

(4.3)

(5.8)

4.4

5.1

6.8

16.9

(16.1)  

(14.6)

16.3

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

183

15. Assets held for sale
Investment properties held for sale

Magdeburg

Wuppertal

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

—

8.8

8.8

13.8

—

13.8

The disclosures regarding valuation in note 14 are also applicable to assets held for sale.

As at 31 March 2023, an amount of €8.8m relating to the sale of the Wuppertal asset was received prior to the completion date 
of 1 April 2023 and was included in the cash at bank per note 22. As at 31 March 2022, an amount of €13.8m relating to the sale 
of the Magdeburg asset was received prior to the completion date of 1 April 2022 and was included in the cash at bank per note 22.

As a result, an equal and opposite position within other payables was recognised. See note 23 for further details.

16. Plant and equipment

Cost

As at 31 March 2022

Additions in year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2023

Depreciation

As at 31 March 2022

Charge for year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2023

Net book value as at 31 March 2023

Cost

As at 31 March 2021

Acquisition of a subsidiary (see note 4)

Additions in year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2022

Depreciation

As at 31 March 2021

Charge for year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2022

Net book value as at 31 March 2022

Plant and
equipment
€m

Fixtures
and fittings
€m

2.7

0.8

(0.8)

— 

2.7

(1.1)

(0.6)

0.8

(0.1)

(1.0)

1.7

1.0

0.8

0.9

—

—

2.7

(0.7)

(0.4)

—

—

(1.1)

1.6

8.4

3.3

(1.4)

(0.2)

10.1

(4.5)

(1.5)

1.3

0.1

(4.6)

5.5

6.1

1.8

0.5

—

—

8.4

(3.7)

(0.8)

—

—

(4.5)

3.9

Total
€m

11.1

4.1

(2.2)

(0.2)

12.8

(5.6)

(2.1)

2.1

—

(5.6)

7.2

7.1

2.6

1.4

—

—

11.1

(4.4)

(1.2)

—

—

(5.6)

5.5

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
184

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

17. Intangible assets

Cost

As at 31 March 2022

Additions in year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2023

Amortisation

As at 31 March 2022

Charge for year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2023

Net book value as at 31 March 2023(1)

Cost

As at 31 March 2021

Acquisition of a subsidiary (see note 4)

Additions in year

Disposals in year

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2022

Amortisation

As at 31 March 2021

Charge for year

Disposals in year

Impairment

Foreign exchange differences

As at 31 March 2022

Net book value as at 31 March 2022(1)

Software and 
licences with 
definite useful life
€m

Goodwill
€m

10.5

1.1

—

—

11.6

(6.2)

(1.3)

—

—

(7.5)

4.1

7.9

0.5

2.1

—

—

40.9

—

—

—

40.9

(40.9)

—

—

—

(40.9)

—

3.7

37.2

—

—

—

10.5

40.9

(5.0)

(1.2)

—

—

—

(6.2)

4.3

—

—

—

(40.9)

—

(40.9)

—

Total
€m

51.4

1.1

—

—

52.5

(47.1)

(1.3)

—

—

(48.4)

4.1

11.6

37.7

2.1

—

—

51.4

(5.0)

(1.2)

—

(40.9)

—

(47.1)

4.3

(1)  Included in the net book value is an amount of €1.1m relating to intangible assets under development not yet amortised (2022: €2.4m). All these 

development projects are expected to finalise in the next financial year.

Internalisation of Asset Management Agreement
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 €3.7m was recognised. The goodwill was allocated to the 
cash-generating units comprising the Germany segment.

In the year ended 31 March 2022 indicators of impairment relating to the goodwill balance were noted as the Group has determined 
that the identified cash flows could no longer be distinguished from those included in other assets held by the cash-generating units 
in the Germany segment. This resulted in the entirety of the balance being impaired and a consequent impairment loss of €3.7m 
being recognised. Goodwill which has been impaired may not be reversed in future periods.

Helix Investment Limited
On 15 November 2021, the business combination described in note 4 resulted in the recognition of goodwill due to the 
consideration given exceeding the net assets required by €37.2m. The goodwill balance was allocated to the cash-generating 
units comprising the UK segment and an impairment test was performed at 31 March 2022 to determine whether the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating units exceeds the carrying value. The key assumptions regarding value in use were three year cash 
flow forecasts as prepared by management of the group of cash-generating units and the discount rate applied. Cash flows beyond 
three years are extrapolated using an inflation figure of 2%. The discount rate used is a pre-tax rate and reflects the risks specific to 
the real estate industry in the UK. A discount rate of 7.13% and terminal value of 5.13% were applied in the impairment review.

In the period between acquisition and the prior year ended 31 March 2022, the properties held by the BizSpace Group and the rent 
roll of the UK segment increased in value significantly. The Group considered these factors along with the value in use calculation in 
assessing whether the goodwill was recoverable and concluded that it was not. Whilst the Group’s longer-term plans for the business 
and the potential synergies with the broader Group are at an early stage, based on the impairment review conducted the Group 
concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to support the goodwill balance over and above the cash flows already included 
in the assessment of the fair value of investment properties and other assets held by the Group. As a result, an impairment loss of 
€37.2m was recognised for the year ended 31 March 2022. Goodwill which has been impaired may not be reversed in future periods.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

185

18. Right of use assets and lease liabilities
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right of use assets (excluding those disclosed under investment properties) recognised 
and the movements during the year:

As at 31 March 2021

Additions

Depreciation expense

Lease modifications(1)

As at 31 March 2022

Additions

Depreciation expense

As at 31 March 2023

Office 
€m

1.9

15.0

(0.8)

(1.1)

15.0

1.5

(2.1)

14.4

Total 
€m

1.9

15.0

(0.8)

(1.1)

15.0

1.5

(2.1)

14.4

(1) Lease modifications relate to the early termination of the head office lease.

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 €24.5m (2022: €25.1m) are classified as investment properties, of which 
€2.8m (2022: €4.0m) relate to commercial property.

Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the year:

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Acquisition of a subsidiary (see note 4)

Accretion of interest

Additions

Lease modifications(1)

Payments

Foreign exchange differences

Balance as at year end

Current lease liabilities as at year end

Non-current lease liabilities as at year end

(1) Lease modifications relate to the early termination of the head office lease.

The following table sets out the carrying amount, by maturity, of the Group’s lease liabilities:

31 March 2023

Commercial property(1)

Long-term leasehold(1)

Office space

Total

31 March 2022

Commercial property(1)

Long-term leasehold(1)

Office space

Total

Within 1 year
€m

1–5 years
€m

(0.2)

(0.2)

(1.8)

(2.2)

(1.0)

(1.0)

(7.5)

(9.5)

Within 1 year
€m

1–5 years
€m

(0.7)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(1.1)

(0.9)

(1.0)

(6.3)

(8.2)

(38.7)

—

(1.1)

(2.8)

—

2.3

0.7

(39.6)

(2.2)

(37.4)

5+ years
€m

(0.3)

(20.4)

(7.2)

(7.9)

5+ years
€m

(0.5)

(19.9)

(9.0)

(29.4)

(15.0)

(12.2)

(0.5)

(18.4)

1.1

6.4

(0.1)

(38.7)

(1.1)

(37.6)

Total
€m

(1.5)

(21.6)

(16.5)

(39.6)

Total
€m

(2.1)

(21.1)

(15.5)

(38.7)

(1) 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 25.

The overall weighted average discount rate used for the year is 2.7% (2022: 2.3%).

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 €0.6m (2022: €0.5m).

In addition to leases of low-value assets and payments resulting from short-term leases that are included in the cash flow from 
operating activities, interest payments and repayments of lease liabilities totalling €2.3m (2022: €6.4m) were incurred for the year 
and are included in the cash flow from financing activities.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements186

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

19. Other non-current financial assets

Deposits

Loans to associates

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

4.1

44.3

48.4

4.1

44.2

48.3

Loans to associates relate to shareholder loans granted to associates by the Group. The loans terminate on 31 December 2026 
and are charged at a fixed interest rate. The expected credit loss has been considered based on multiple factors such as history 
of repayments, forward-looking budgets and forecasts. Based on the assessment the expected credit loss was immaterial.

20. 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%

Net operating income

(Loss)/gain on revaluation of investment properties

Administrative expense

Operating profit

Net finance costs

Profit before tax

Taxation 

Unrecognised loss/(profit)

Total profit and comprehensive income for the year after tax

Group’s share of profit for the year – 35%

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

28.4

354.7

(15.6)

(296.1)

71.4

4.9

76.3

26.7

20.0

349.8

(10.4)

(294.1)

65.3

3.7

69.0

24.1

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

21.1

(0.7)

(3.7)

16.7

(8.8)

7.9

(1.9)

1.3

7.3

2.6

19.9

18.9

(3.0)

35.8

(9.8)

26.0

(4.2)

(2.0)

19.8

6.9

Included within the non-current liabilities are shareholder loans amounting to €126.8m (2022: €126.5m). As at year end no 
contingent liabilities existed (2022: none). The associates had contracted capital expenditure for development and enhancements 
of €3.4m as at year end (2022: €2.0m).

The following table illustrates the movement in investment in associates:

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Dividend received

Share of profit

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

24.1

—

2.6

26.7

17.2

—

6.9

24.1

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

187

21. Trade and other receivables

Gross trade receivables

Expected credit loss provision (see note 25)

Net trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

22.4

(8.7)

13.7

14.1

2.7

30.5

18.8

(7.7)

11.1

8.9

4.6

24.6

Other receivables include lease incentives of €4.6m (2022: €4.0m) and accrued service charge income of €nil (2022: €1.0m).

For the year ended 31 March 2022, prepayments included costs of €1.9m relating to the acquisition of a new site in Düsseldorf that 
was notarised before 31 March 2022.

22. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank

Cash restricted under contractual terms:

Deposit for bank guarantees

Deposits received from tenants

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

99.2

127.4

1.3

23.8

124.3

1.4

22.2

151.0

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. The fair value of cash as at year end is €124.3m 
(2022: €151.0m). 

Tenants’ deposits are legal securities of tenants retained by the Group without the right to use these cash deposits for purposes 
other than strictly tenant related transactions (e.g. move-out costs, costs due to non-compliance with certain terms of the lease 
agreement or late rent/service charge payments).

Cash is held by reputable banks and the Group assessed the expected credit loss to be immaterial.

23. 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 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

12.0

31.9

5.6

23.8

10.6

17.6

101.5

6.5

25.1

5.6

22.2

7.9

22.0

89.3

Accrued expenses include primarily costs totalling €16.4m (2022: €11.0 m) relating to service charge costs, bonuses of €4.5m 
(2022: €5.7m), costs relating to non-recurring project costs of €2.8m (2022: €2.5m) and administrative expenses of €2.4m 
(2022: €2.0m) that have not been invoiced to the Group. 

Included within other payables are credit balances due to tenants in relation to over collections of service charge in amount of 
€3.6m (2022: €2.6m). As of 31 March 2023, other payables included €8.8m of proceeds relating to the sale of the Wuppertal asset 
that is categorised as an asset held for sale at 31 March 2023 in advance of the completion date of 1 April 2023. As at 31 March 
2022, other payables included €13.8m of proceeds relating to the sale of the Magdeburg asset that is categorised as an asset held 
for sale at 31 March 2022 in advance of the completion date of 1 April 2022. See note 15 for details of assets held for sale. Unearned 
revenue includes service charge amounts of €3.1m (2022: €1.2m). 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 statements188

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

24. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Interest rate
%

Loan maturity date

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

Current
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
– fixed rate facility
Capitalised finance charges on all loans

Non-current
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
– fixed rate facility
– fixed rate facility
Corporate bond I
– fixed rate
Corporate bond II
– fixed rate
Capitalised finance charges on all loans

Total

1.48
0.90

1.53

31 October 2023
31 October 2023

28 February 2025

Hedged (1)
Floating (1) 

31 December 2023
31 December 2023 

Floating (2)
Floating (2)
1.60

5 December 2022
6 January 2023
3 July 2023

58.2
110.4

0.7

51.1
6.2

—
—
20.0
(2.9)

243.7

1.48

0.90

1.53

31 October 2023

31 October 2023

—

—

28 February 2025

13.5

Hedged (1)
Floating (1) 

31 December 2023
31 December 2023 

Floating (2)
1.70
1.60

6 January 2025
3 March 2025
3 July 2023

—
—

5.0
10.0
—

1.9
1.5

0.8

1.1
0.1

5.0
10.0
—
(0.8)

19.6

58.2

110.4

14.3

51.1
6.2

5.0
10.0
20.0

1.125

22 June 2026

400.0

400.0

1.75

24 November 2028

300.0
(7.8)

720.7

964.4

300.0
(13.3)

961.9

981.5

(1)  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 €19.1m of tranche 3 of this facility is fully hedged with a swap charged at a rate of 0.91%. A €6.5m extension and the tranche 3 
related €0.5m arrangement fee are charged with a floating rate of 1.20% over three-month EURIBOR (not less than 0%). The Group has not 
adopted any hedge accounting.

(2)  This unsecured facility has a floating rate of 1.70% over six month EURIBOR (not less than 0%).

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

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

246.6

28.5

700.0

975.1

20.4

246.7

728.5

995.6

The Group has pledged 15 (2022: 15) investment properties to secure several separate interest-bearing debt facilities granted to the 
Group. The 15 (2022: 15) properties had a combined valuation of €510.7m as at year end (2022: €504.7m).

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

189

24. 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 €39.2m on 30 September 2016. The facility totals €70.0m and was scheduled to terminate on 29 October 2023. 
Amortisation was 2.50% per annum with the remainder due at maturity. The facility was charged with an all-in fixed interest rate 
of 1.48% for the full term of the loan. The facility was secured over six property assets. The loan was subject to various covenants 
with which the Group had complied. 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 €115.4m. 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.

On 31 August 2022, the Group concluded an agreement with Berlin Hyp AG to refinance the existing facility with a new facility 
which amounts to €170.0m. The new facility is a separate financial instrument to the existing facility and will come into effect on 
1 November 2023 with a term of seven years and a fixed interest rate of 4.26%.

Saarbrücken Sparkasse
On 28 March 2018, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Saarbrücken Sparkasse for €18.0m. The loan terminates on 28 
February 2025. Amortisation is 4.00% 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 2023.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG
On 19 January 2019, the Group agreed to a facility agreement with Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG for €56.0m. Tranche 1, totalling 
€21.6m, 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 €0.5m was charged at a fixed interest rate of 1.20%. On 3 April 2019, tranche 2 was drawn down, totalling €14.8m, 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 €19.1m. 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 €6.5m. 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 (not less than 0%). Amortisation is 2.00% 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 2023.

Schuldschein
On 2 December 2019, the Group agreed to new loan facilities in the form of unsecured Schuldschein for €20.0m. On 25 February 2020, 
the Group agreed new loan facilities in the form of unsecured Schuldschein for €30.0m. In total the unsecured facility amounts to 
€50.0m 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. The Schuldschein is subject to various covenants with which the Group has complied. The first and second tranches 
totalling €15.0m were repaid during the twelve month period ended 31 March 2023.

Corporate bond I
On 22 June 2021, the Group raised its inaugural corporate bond for €400.0m. The bond, which is listed at the Luxembourg Stock 
Exchange, has a term of five years and an interest rate of 1.125% due annually on its anniversary date, with the principal balance 
coming due on 22 June 2026. The corporate bond 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 2023.

Corporate bond II
On 24 November 2021, the Group issued its second corporate bond for €300.0m. The bond, which is listed at the Luxembourg 
Stock Exchange, has a term of seven years and an interest rate of 1.75% due annually on its anniversary date, with the principal 
balance coming due on 24 November 2028. The corporate bond 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 2023.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements190

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

24. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings continued
Group debt covenants
A summary of the Group’s debt covenants is set out below:

Carrying amount of interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Unamortised borrowing costs 

Book value of owned investment properties(1)

Gross loan to value ratio

(1) Includes assets held for sale.

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

964.4

10.7

2,107.3

46.3%

981.5

14.1

2,088.7

47.7%

The Group’s loans are subject to various covenants, which include interest cover ratio, loan to value, debt service cover, occupancy, 
etc. as stipulated in the loan agreements. 

During the year, the Group did not breach any of its loan covenants, nor did it default on any of its obligations under its loan 
agreements and the Group has a sufficient level of headroom as at year end.

Refer to note 2(d) where the Group discloses forecast covenant compliance with regard to management’s going concern assessment.

EPRA loan to value (“LTV”)

31 March 2023

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(1)

Corporate bonds

Net payables

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt (a)

Investment properties

Assets held for sale

Plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Loan to associates

Total property value (b)

EPRA LTV (a/b)

Proportionate
consolidation

Investment 
in associates
€m

52.1

—

4.5

(8.6)

48.0

Group
€m

264.4

700.0

71.0

(124.3)

911.1

Total
€m

316.5

700.0

75.5

(132.9)

959.1

2,123.0

124.2

2,247.2

8.8

7.2

4.1

44.3

2,187.4

41.7%

—

—

—

—

8.8

7.2

4.1

44.3

124.2

38.6%

2,311.6

41.5%

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

191

24. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings continued
EPRA loan to value (“LTV”) continued

31 March 2022

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(1)

Corporate bonds

Net payables

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt (a)

Investment properties

Assets held for sale

Plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Loan to associates

Total property value (b)

EPRA LTV (a/b)

Proportionate
consolidation

Investment 
in associates
€m

51.9

—

3.1

(6.2)

48.8

Group
€m

281.5

700.0

70.7

(151.0)

901.2

Total
€m

333.4

700.0

73.8

(157.2)

950.0

2,100.0

122.4

2,222.4

13.8

5.5

4.3

44.2

2,167.8

41.6%

—

—

—

—

13.8

5.5

4.3

44.2

122.4

39.9%

2,290.2

41.5%

(1) Excludes corporate bonds as shown as a separate line.

25. 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, currency 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 associates are loans provided to associate entities from Group entities. During the year the Group assessed 
credit risk relating to loans to associates by reviewing business plans and 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 statements192

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

25. 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:

Net trade receivables

Other receivables

Loans to associates

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

13.7

13.6

44.3

1.3

124.3

197.2

11.1

8.8

44.2

0.3

151.0

215.4

Included in other receivables are guarantees and deposits in the amount of €4.1m (2022: €4.1m).

The ageing of trade receivables at the statement of financial position date was:

0–30 days

31–120 days (past due)

More than 120 days

Total

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Gross
€m

13.9

1.3

7.2

22.4

Impairment
€m

(4.3)

(0.5)

(3.9)

(8.7)

Gross
€m

12.1

1.3

5.4

18.8

Impairment
€m

2.7

(0.4)

(4.6)

(7.7)

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

Expected credit loss reversed

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

(7.7)

(8.7)

7.7

(8.7)

(5.4)

(7.7)

5.4

(7.7)

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. 

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 €13.7m (2022: 
€11.1m) 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.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

193

25. 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:

31 March 2023

Undiscounted amounts payable in:

6 months or less

6 months–1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5–10+ years

Interest

31 March 2022

Undiscounted amounts payable in:

6 months or less

6 months–1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5–10+ years

Interest

Interest-bearing 
loans
€m

Derivative
 financial
instruments
€m

(28.5)

(229.4)

(38.8)

(421.3)

(303.4)

(1,021.4)

46.3

(975.1)

(0.8)

(0.4)

—

—

—

(1.2)

1.2

—

Interest-bearing
loans
€m

Derivative
 financial
instruments
€m

(9.5)

(24.5)

(258.8)

(454.7)

(308.7)

(1,056.2)

60.6

(995.6)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

(0.1)

—

(0.5)

0.5

—

Trade
and other
payables
€m

(59.0)

—

—

—

—

(59.0)

—

(59.0)

Trade
and other
payables
€m

(56.3)

—

—

—

—

(56.3)

—

(56.3)

Lease
liabilities
€m

(1.6)

(1.7)

(3.3)

(10.0)

(94.7)

Total
€m

(89.9)

(231.5)

(42.1)

(431.3)

(398.1)

(111.3)

(1,192.9)

71.7

119.2

(39.6)

(1,073.7)

Lease
liabilities
€m

(1.3)

(0.8)

(2.9)

(9.0)

(92.4)

Total
€m

(67.2)

(25.4)

(261.9)

(463.8)

(401.1)

(106.4)

(1,219.4)

67.7

(38.7)

128.8

(1,090.6)

Currency risk
The Group’s exposure to currency risk relates primarily to the Group’s exposure to the GBP and to a lesser extent the South African 
rand. This exposure is driven primarily by the acquisition of the BizSpace Group as detailed in note 4. In addition thereto, the Group 
has dividend obligations in both the GBP and South African rand. The foreign currency risk in relation to the GBP is mitigated as 
a result of the BizSpace Group generating GBP denominated income in order to fund its obligations when they come due and, 
in addition, the Group’s GBP dividend obligations. The Group holds small deposits in South African rand for the purposes of 
working capital and dividend obligations.

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 loans fixed by a swap. An increase of 100 bps in interest rate would result in a 
decreased post tax profit in the consolidated income statement of €0.04m (2022: €0.3m) (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 
income statement of €0.04m (2022: €0.3m) (excluding the movement on derivative financial instruments).

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 2023

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG

Schuldschein

31 March 2022

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG

Schuldschein

Within 1 year
€m

1–2 years
€m

2–3 years
€m

3–4 years
€m

4+ years
€m

(6.2)

—

—

(5.0)

—

—

—

—

—

—

Within 1 year
€m

1–2 years
€m

2–3 years
€m

3–4 years
€m

4+ years
€m

(0.1)

(15.0)

(6.2)

—

—

(5.0)

—

—

—

—

Total
€m

(6.2)

(5.0)

Total
€m

(6.3)

(20.0)

The other financial instruments of the Group that are not included in the above tables have fixed interest rates and are therefore not 
subject to interest rate risk.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

25. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
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 yield is affected, and it can have an impact on the decision 
of our investors and banks. 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.

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 profit 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
For the purpose of the Group’s capital management, capital includes all equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the 
parent. 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 in doing so takes into consideration the impact 
of changes in economic conditions. The Group assesses its capital management through the total accounting shareholder return 
which was 4.8% as at 31 March 2023 (2022: 20.0%) and the net loan to value which was 41.6% as at 31 March 2023 (2022: 41.6%).

To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may undertake a number of actions including but not limited to share 
issuances and changes to its distribution policy to shareholders. The transfer of amounts recorded in share capital to other 
distributable reserves is made in accordance with The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. The Group’s distribution policy takes 
into account the concept of solvency under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. The Group is not subject to externally imposed 
capital requirements other than those related to the covenants of the bank loan facilities. There have been no breaches of the 
financial covenants of any interest-bearing loans and borrowings in the current year (note 2d).

26. 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):

31 March 2023

31 March 2022

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables(1)

Loans to associates

Derivative financial instruments

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(2)

Floating rate borrowings

Floating rate borrowings – hedged(3)

Floating rate borrowings – capped

Fixed rate borrowings

Fair value 
hierarchy level 

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Carrying
amount
€m

124.3

27.3

44.3

1.3

59.0

—

11.2

51.1

—

912.8

Fair
value
€m

124.3

27.3

44.3

1.3

59.0

—

11.2

51.1

—

813.6

Carrying
amount
€m

151.0

19.9

44.2

0.3

56.3

—

26.3

52.2

—

917.1

Fair
value
€m

151.0

19.9

44.2

0.3

56.3

—

26.3

52.2

—

939.3

All amounts in the table above are carried at amortised cost except for derivative financial instruments which are held at fair value.

(1)  This is made up of net trade receivables, other receivables (excluding lease incentives) and guarantees and deposits.

(2) Excludes loan issue costs.

(3)  The Group holds interest rate swap contracts designed to manage the interest rate and liquidity risks of expected cash flows of its borrowings with 

the variable rate facilities with Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG. Please refer to note 24 for details of swap contracts.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

195

26. Financial instruments continued
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 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 which are reset on a quarterly 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 values of the loans and borrowings have been calculated based on a discounted cash flow model using the prevailing 
market rates of interest. 

27. Issued share capital

Authorised

Ordinary shares of no par value

As at 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2022

Issued and fully paid

As at 31 March 2021

Issued ordinary shares

Transfer of share capital to other distributable reserves

Shares issued to Employee Benefit Trust

Shares allocated by the Employee Benefit Trust

As at 31 March 2022

Issued ordinary shares

Transfer of share capital to other distributable reserves

Shares issued to Employee Benefit Trust

Shares allocated by the Employee Benefit Trust

As at 31 March 2023

Number
of shares

Unlimited

Unlimited

Number
of shares

1,049,132,259

119,344,125

—

(3,557,745)

1,962,045

1,166,880,684

3,702,993

—

(2,500,000)

287,545

1,168,371,222

Share
capital
€

—

—

Share
capital
€

—

167.4

(167.4)

—

—

—

1.4

(1.4)

—

—

—

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 13 June 2022, the Company issued 1,271,279 ordinary shares at an issue price of £0.97384 
resulting in the Company’s overall issued share capital being 1,175,052,364 ordinary shares.

In addition, during the year the Company issued 2,431,714 shares in relation to the exercise of the LTIP 2018 (June 2019 grant) as 
per note 9. These shares were issued at nil-cost, and the fair value of these shares recorded in the share capital account has been 
transferred back to the other distributable reserves.

Treasury shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are disclosed as own shares held. During the year 2,500,000 shares were 
acquired and 287,545 were allocated by the Employee Benefit Trust. A total of 7,492,763 own shares purchased at an average 
share price of €1.1185 are held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2022: 5,280,308 own shares purchased at an average share price 
of €1.1882). The total number of shares with voting rights was 1,175,863,985 (2022: 1,172,160,992). 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 (2022: none) and there are 
no Treasury Shares held directly by the Company at the year end (2022: none).

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements196

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

28. Other reserves
Other distributable reserve
This reserve comprises of amounts in relation to scrip dividend transfers from share capital, share-based payment transactions 
and share buy-backs. The balance of €516.4m in total at year end (2022: €570.4m) is considered distributable.

Foreign currency translation reserve
The Group holds a foreign currency translation reserve which relates to foreign currency translation effect during the course of the 
business with the UK segment.

The following table illustrates the movement in the foreign currency translation reserve:

Balance as at the beginning of the year

Foreign currency translation

Balance as at year end

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

(1.7)

(17.2)

(18.9)

—

(1.7)

(1.7)

The movement in the year of €17.2m deficit is a result of a declining GBP rate which is lower at year end compared with 31 March 2022 
(2022: €1.7m deficit).

29. Notes to cash flow
Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities
Reconciliation of movements of liabilities arising from financing activities:

Interest-bearing 
loans and 
borrowings

Lease liabilities 

Derivative financial 
instruments

Total

Interest-bearing 
loans and 
borrowings

Lease liabilities 

Derivative financial 
instruments

Total

31 March
2022
€m

981.5

38.7

(0.3)

1,019.9

31 March
2021
€m

468.1

15.0

1.2

484.3

Cash flows
€m

New leases
€m

Acquisition
of a subsidiary
€m

Changes in
fair values
€m

(20.4)

(2.3)

— 

(22.7)

— 

2.8

— 

2.8

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(0.9)

(0.9)

Cash flows
€m

New leases
€m

Acquisition
of a subsidiary
€m

Changes in
fair values
€m

Other (1)
€m

3.3

0.4

(0.1) 

3.60

Other (1)
€m

31 March
2023
€m

964.4

39.6

(1.3)

1,002.7

31 March
2022
€m

523.5 (2)

(6.4)

(0.5)

516.6

— 

18.4

— 

18.4

—

12.2

— 

12.2

—

—

(1.0)

(1.0)

(10.1)

(0.5)

981.5

38.7

—

(0.3)

(10.6)

1,019.9

(1) Changes in the capitalised finance charges on all loans, foreign exchange differences and accretion of interest on lease liabilities.

(2)  The cash flows relating to the interest-bearing loans and borrowings of €523.5m in the year ended 31 March 2022 includes the €153.1m 

repayment of the AgFe external loan facility as part of the acquisition of Helix Investments Limited on 15 November 2021.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

197

30. Dividends
On 7 June 2021, the Company announced a dividend of 1.98c per share, with a record date of 9 July 2021 for the UK and South 
African (“SA”) shareholders and payable on 19 August 2021. On the record date, 1,054,755,527 shares were in issue. Since there 
were no shares held in treasury, 1,054,755,527 shares (including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust) were entitled to 
participate in the dividend. Holders of 476,206,726 shares elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the scrip 
dividend alternative, representing a dividend of €9.3m (€9.2m as at settlement date) while holders of 578,548,801 shares opted for 
a cash dividend with a value of €11.5m. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash 
payable to €11.4m (€11.4m as at settlement date). The total dividend was €20.8m (€20.6m as at settlement date).

On 8 November 2021, the Company announced a dividend of 2.04c per share, with a record date of 17 December 2021 for the UK 
and SA shareholders and payable on 20 January 2022. On the record date, 1,169,465,925 shares were in issue. Since there were no 
shares held in treasury, 1,169,465,925 shares (including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust) were entitled to participate in 
the dividend. Holders of 216,062,440 shares elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the scrip dividend alternative, 
representing a dividend of €4.4m (€4.5m as at settlement date) while holders of 953,403,485 shares opted for a cash dividend with 
a value of €19.4m. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash payable to €19.4m 
(€19.4m as at settlement date). The total dividend was €23.8m (€23.9m as at settlement date).

On 13 June 2022, the Company announced a dividend of 2.37c per share, with a record date of 8 July 2022 for the UK and SA 
shareholders and payable on 18 August 2022. On the record date, 1,172,160,992 shares were in issue. Since there were no shares 
held in treasury, 1,172,160,992 shares (including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust) were entitled to participate in the 
dividend. Holders of 61,453,275 shares elected to receive the dividend in ordinary shares under the scrip dividend alternative, 
representing a dividend of €1.4m (€1.4m as at settlement date) while holders of 1,110,707,717 shares opted for a cash dividend 
with a value of €26.3m. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the cash payable to 
€26.2m (€26.3m as at settlement date). The total dividend was €27.7m (€27.7m as at settlement date).

On 21 November 2022, the Company announced a dividend of 2.70c per share, with a record date of 9 December 2022 for the UK 
and SA shareholders and payable on 19 January 2023. On the record date, 1,175,863,985 shares were in issue. Since there were no 
shares held in treasury, 1,175,863,985 shares (including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust) were entitled to participate in 
the dividend. The Company’s Employee Benefit Trust waived its rights to the dividend, reducing the total dividend (payable in cash) 
from €31.7m to €31.5m (€31.5m as at settlement date).

The Group’s profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company for the year was €77.2m (2022: €147.9m). The Board has 
authorised a dividend in respect of the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2023 of 2.98c per share representing 65% 
of FFO, an increase of 25.7% on the equivalent dividend last year, which represented 65% of FFO(1). The total dividend for the year 
is 5.68c, an increase of 28.8% on the 4.41c total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2022.

It is expected that, for the dividend authorised relating to the six month period ended 31 March 2023, the ex-dividend date will be 
12 July 2023 for shareholders on the SA register and 13 July 2023 for shareholders on the UK register. It is further expected that for 
shareholders on both registers the record date will be 14 July 2023 and the dividend will be paid on 17 August 2023. A detailed 
dividend announcement was made on 5 June 2023.

The dividend paid per the statement of changes in equity is the value of the cash dividend. 

(1)  Adjusted profit before tax adjusted for foreign exchange effects, depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16), 

amortisation of financing fees, adjustments in respect of IFRS 16 and current tax receivable/incurred.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements198

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

30. Dividends continued
The dividend per share was calculated as follows:

Reported profit before tax

Adjustments for:

Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment properties

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties

(Gain)/loss of disposals of properties

Recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries

Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment property from associates and related tax

Other adjusting items(1)

Goodwill impairment

Change in fair value of financial derivatives

Adjusted profit before tax

Adjustments for:

Foreign exchange effects(2)

Depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16)

Amortisation of financing fees

Adjustment in respect of IFRS 16 

Current taxes incurred (see note 11)

Funds from operations, year ended 31 March

Funds from operations, six months ended 30 September

Funds from operations, six months ended 31 March

Dividend pool, six months ended 30 September

Dividend pool, six months ended 31 March(3)

Dividend per share, six months ended 30 September

Dividend per share, six months ended 31 March

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

87.0

168.9

9.8

(1.5)

(4.7)

—

0.1

6.2

—

(0.9)

96.0

0.2

3.4

3.3

2.2

(3.0)

102.1

48.5

53.6

31.5

34.8

2.70c

2.98c

(140.9)

(5.6)

0.6

(0.1)

(4.8)

19.1

40.9

(1.0)

77.1

(1.9)

2.4

2.6

0.5

(6.1)

74.6

33.0

41.6

21.6

27.6

2.04c

2.37c

(1) Includes the effect of exceptional items, refinancing activity and share awards. See note 12 for details.

(2) Management decided to exclude foreign exchange effects from the funds from operations calculation of €(0.2)m (2022: €1.9m).

(3)  Calculated as 65% of FFO of 4.59c per share (2022: 3.64c per share using 65% of FFO) based on average number of shares outstanding 

of 1,168,134,871 (2022: 1,141,807,790).

For more information on adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations, refer to Annex 1.

Calculations contained in this table are subject to rounding differences.

31. Related parties
Related parties are defined as those persons and companies that control the Group, or that are controlled, jointly controlled 
or subject to significant influence by the Group.

Key management personnel
Fees paid to people considered to be key management personnel (the Senior Management Team) of the Group during the year include:

Directors’ fees

Salary and employee benefits

Share-based payments

Total

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

0.5

5.0

3.0

8.5

0.5

4.4

2.6

7.5

Included within salary and employee benefits are pension contributions amounting to €0.2m (2022: €0.2m).

Directors’ emoluments have been disclosed in the Annual report in the Remuneration report under the ‘Single figure table’ and in the 
additional disclosures in respect of the single figure table section on pages 122 and 123. 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

199

31. Related parties continued
Associates
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 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

44.3

4.0

48.3

44.2

2.6

46.8

Trade and other receivables relate to amounts owed from the services supplied to the associates and are due to be settled in the 
normal course of business.

As a result of unchanged credit quality, no material expected credit losses have been recognised in the year. 

Consolidated income statement

Services supplied

Interest income

Total 

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

15.1

2.2

17.3

13.1

2.9

16.0

Services provided to associates primarily relate to the provision of property and asset management services. A performance fee 
arrangement is in place between the associates and the Group. The performance fee was €nil during the year (2022: €nil).

32. Capital and other commitments
As at year end, the Group had contracted capital expenditure for development and enhancements on existing properties of €14.9m 
(2022: €7.8m) and capital commitments amounting to €nil (2022: in relation to the notarised asset in Düsseldorf of €35.3m). 

The above noted were committed but not yet provided for in the financial statements.

33. 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 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

125.3

118.1

98.2

76.6

58.7

36.7

68.1

96.1

75.7

57.7

35.6

68.6

463.6

451.8

The Group leases out its investment properties under operating leases. Most operating leases are for terms of one to ten years.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements200

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

34. List of subsidiary undertakings and investments in associates
The Group consists of 122 subsidiary companies (2022: 122 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 and the UK.

Company name

BizSpace Acquisitions Ltd

BizSpace Developments Ltd

BizSpace Green Holdings Ltd

BizSpace Green Operations Ltd

BizSpace Holdings Ltd

BizSpace II Ltd

BizSpace Ltd

BizSpace Property 100 Ltd

BizSpace Property I Ltd

BizSpace Property SSP Ltd

Curris Facilities & Utilities Management GmbH

DDS Aspen B.V.

DDS Bagnut B.V.

DDS Business Centres 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.

Helix FinCo Ltd

Helix Investments Ltd(1)

Helix Property Ltd

LB² Catering and Services GmbH

M25 Business Centres Ltd

Marba Apple B.V.

Marba Bamboo B.V.

Marba Cherry B.V.

Marba Daffodil B.V.

Marba Holland B.V.(1)

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 Alder B.V.

Sirius Aloe GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Ash B.V.

Sirius Aster GmbH & Co. KG

Country 
of incorporation

Jersey

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

Jersey

UK

UK

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Germany

UK

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Ownership at
31 March 2023
%

Ownership at
31 March 2022
%

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

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

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

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

201

34. List of subsidiary undertakings and investments in associates continued 

Company name

Sirius Beech B.V.

Sirius Birch GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Coöperatief B.A.(1)

Sirius Dahlia GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Facilities (UK) Ltd(1)

Sirius Facilities GmbH

Sirius Finance (Cyprus) Ltd.(1)

Sirius Four B.V.

Sirius Frankfurt Erste GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Frankfurt Zweite GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Gum B.V.

Sirius Ivy B.V.

Sirius Jasmine GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Juniper B.V.

Sirius Kale GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Krefeld Erste GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Lily B.V.

Sirius Lotus GmbH & Co. KG

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 Narcissus GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Oak B.V.

Sirius One B.V.

Sirius Orange B.V.

Sirius Palm B.V.

Sirius Pepper GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Pine B.V.

Sirius Renewable Energy GmbH(2)

Sirius Tamarack B.V.

Sirius Three B.V.

Sirius Thyme B.V.

Sirius Tulip B.V.

Sirius Two B.V.

Sirius UK1 Ltd(1)

Sirius UK2 Ltd(1)

Sirius Willow B.V.

Marba Bonn B.V.

Marba Bremen B.V.

Marba Brinkmann B.V.

Marba Catalpa B.V.

Country 
of incorporation

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

UK

Germany

Cyprus

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Germany

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

UK

UK

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Ownership at
31 March 2023
%

Ownership at
31 March 2022
%

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

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

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

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

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements202

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

34. List of subsidiary undertakings and investments in associates continued 

Company name

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.

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 Acerola GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Almond GmbH & Co. KG 

Sirius Bluebell GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Cypress GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Grape GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Hibiscus GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Indigo GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Mayflower GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Oyster GmbH & Co. KG

Sirius Administration One GmbH & Co KG

Sirius Administration Two GmbH & Co KG

Verwaltungsgesellschaft Gewerbepark Bilderstöckchen GmbH

(1) Subsidiary company directly held by the parent entity, Sirius Real Estate Limited.

(2) New incorporated subsidiary company.

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.

Sirius Pear B.V.

Country 
of incorporation

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Country 
of incorporation

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Ownership at
31 March 2023
%

Ownership at
31 March 2022
%

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

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

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

99.73

94.80

94.80

94.15

Ownership at
31 March 2023
%

Ownership at
31 March 2022
%

35.00

35.00

35.00

35.00

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. Post balance sheet events
On 30 December 2022, the Company notarised for the disposal of an asset in Wuppertal for a sale price of €8.8 million. The 
transaction completed on 1 April 2023.

In May 2023 the Company refinanced its €57.3 million Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (PBB) loan facility, seven months in advance of it falling 
due on 31 December 2023. The new facility amounting to €58.3 million has a term of seven years at a fixed interest rate of 4.25%.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDfor the year ended 31 March 2023Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

203

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION)

Non-IFRS measures

Total profit for the year attributable to the owners of the Company

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment properties

(Deduct gain)/add loss on disposal of properties (net of related tax)

Deduct recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax)

Add restructuring costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Goodwill impairment

Acquisition costs in relation to business combinations

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties

NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax)

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment property relating to associates

Tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses on investment property relating 
to associates above

EPRA earnings

Deduct change in deferred tax relating to derivative financial instruments

Add change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

Deduct restructuring costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties

Deduct acquisition costs in relation to business combinations

NCI in respect of the above

Headline earnings after tax

Deduct 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(1) (net of related tax and NCI)

Adjusted earnings after tax

(1) See note 12 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 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

79.6

9.8

(4.7)

—

—

—

—

(0.9)

4.3

—

0.5

(0.4)

88.2

(0.1)

0.9

—

—

—

89.0

(0.8)

(1.5)

6.2

92.9

147.9

(140.9)

0.6

(0.1)

7.8

40.9

5.3

(1.0)

14.8

0.2

(6.0)

1.2

70.7

(0.2)

1.0

(7.8)

(5.3)

—

58.4

(0.8)

(5.6)

19.1

71.1

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

88.2

70.7

1,167,757,975

1,097,082,162

7.55

89.0

6.44

58.4

1,167,757,975

1,097,082,162

7.62

92.9

5.32

71.1

1,167,757,975

1,097,082,162

7.96

6.48

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements204

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION) CONTINUED

Geographical property analysis – owned investment properties 
Germany

No. of 
owned
properties

Total sqm 

000 Occupancy

Rate psqm 
€

Annualised
 rent roll 
€m

 % of 
portfolio by 
annualised 
rent roll

Value 

€m  (2)

Gross 
yield

Net 
yield

WALE
rent

WALE
sqm

17

4

9

7

3

16

4

10

70

376

104

330

127

124

386

91

255

84.5%

95.7%

91.5%

88.6%

82.7%

73.8%

83.7%

78.5%

7.41

8.57

5.36

8.58

8.66

6.27

5.43

6.91

28.3

10.2

19.4

11.6

10.6

21.4

5.0

16.6

23%

8%

16%

9%

9%

17%

4%

13%

369.9

166.7

248.5

158.1

202.8

290.7

64.2

196.7

7.6%

6.1%

7.8%

7.3%

5.2%

7.4%

7.8%

8.4%

6.9%

5.9%

7.3%

7.0%

4.7%

6.0%

7.2%

7.4%

1,793

83.4%

6.86

123.1

100% 1,697.6

7.3%

6.5%

2.6

2.6

3.1

3.1

2.1

3.0

2.3

2.7

2.8

2.5

2.6

3.4

3.0

2.2

3.1

2.2

2.6

2.8

No. of owned
properties

Total sqm 
000

Rate psqm 

Annualised
 rent roll 

Occupancy

€ (1)

€m (1)

11

13

13

12

10

11

70

55

73

91

84

25

62

83.3%

83.1%

93.7%

87.8%

76.5%

84.8%

16.02

11.58

6.69

11.04

31.47

22.46

390

86.5%

13.66

8.7

8.4

6.9

9.8

7.3

14.1

55.2

 % of 
portfolio by 
annualised 
rent roll

16%

15%

13%

18%

13%

26%

Value 

€m (2)

65.0

65.0

60.8

77.9

66.0

83.0

Net 
yield

9.0%

9.0%

8.0%

8.9%

7.9%

12.0%

100%

417.7

9.3%

WALE
rent

WALE
sqm

0.8

0.8

1.8

1.1

0.5

1.1

1.0

0.8

1.0

2.3

1.0

1.3

0.8

1.3

March 2023

Frankfurt

Berlin

Stuttgart

Cologne

Munich

Düsseldorf

Hamburg

Other

Total Germany

UK

March 2023

Midlands

North

North East and 
North

North West

South East

South West

Total UK

(1) The Group’s UK business charges licence customers an all-inclusive rate, which includes an implicit element of service charge.

(2) Book value of owned investment properties including assets held for sale.

Usage analysis
Germany

Usage

Office

Storage

Production

Smartspace

Other(1)

Total
sqm

604,976

583,655

364,201

112,896

126,942

% of total
sqm

33.7%

32.6%

20.3%

6.3%

7.1%

Occupied
sqm

% of occupied
 sqm

Annualised 
rent roll 
€m

% of annualised 
rent roll

Vacant
sqm

Rate psqm 
€

473,914

498,496

337,942

74,262

110,114

31.7%

33.3%

22.6%

5.0%

7.4%

47.5

30.4

20.8

8.5

15.9

38.6%

24.7%

16.9%

6.9%

12.9%

131,061

85,158

26,259

38,635

16,829

Total Germany

1,792,670

100.0% 1,494,728

100.0%

123.1

100.0%

297,942

UK

Usage

Office

Workshop

Storage

Other(2)

Total UK

Total
sqm

122,711

251,510

2,070

13,246

% of total
sqm

31.5%

64.6%

0.5%

3.4%

Occupied
sqm

% of occupied
 sqm

Annualised 
rent roll 

€m (3)

% of annualised 
rent roll

98,151

228,076

1,376

9,175

29.2%

67.7%

0.4%

2.7%

33.7

19.8

0.3

1.4

61.1%

35.9%

0.5%

2.5%

Vacant
sqm

24,560

23,434

694

4,071

389,537

100.0%

336,778

100.0%

55.2

100.0%

52,759

(1) Other includes: catering, other usage, residential and technical space, land and car parking.

(2) Other includes: aerials, car parking, retail units, yards, catering and residential.

(3) The Group’s UK business charge licences customers an all-inclusive rate, which includes an implicit element of service charge.

8.36

5.09

5.12

9.55

12.01

6.86

Rate psqm 

€ (3)

28.65

7.23

17.09

12.55

13.66

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

205

Lease expiry profile of future minimum lease payments receivable under non-cancellable leases
Germany by income

Office
€m

42.5

74.5

11.9

128.9

Production
€m

19.6

36.5

8.4

64.5

Office
€m

131,555

287,951

54,408

Storage
€m

27.4

48.7

9.2

85.3

Production
€m

46,388

241,220

50,334

Smartspace
€m

3.3

0.8

— 

4.1

Storage
€m

132,915

305,391

60,190

Adjustments 
in relation to 
lease incentives
€m

(0.3)

(0.1)

— 

(0.4)

Other (1)
€m

13.6

24.1

6.5

44.2

Total
€m

106.1

184.5

36.0

326.6

Smartspace
€m

65,365

8,897

—

Other (1)
€m

22,833

71,560

15,721

Total
sqm

399,056

915,019

180,653

473,914

337,942

498,496

74,262

110,114

1,494,728

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

Germany by sqm

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

(1) Other includes: catering, other usage, residential and technical space, land and car parking.

UK by income

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

UK by sqm

Less than 1 year

Between 1 and 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

Office
€m

8.8

18.6

5.5

32.9

Workshop
€m

Storage
€m

4.5

11.4

3.6

19.5

Office
€m

65,641

29,043

3,467

0.1

— 

— 

0.1

Workshop
€m

134,958

83,120

14,047

Adjustments 
in relation to 
lease incentives
€m

— 

— 

— 

— 

Total
€m

13.6

30.4

12.0

56.0

Other (2)
€m

3,543

1,582

1

Total
sqm

205,509

113,754

17,515

Other (2)
€m

0.2

0.4

2.9

3.5

Storage
€m

1,367

9

—

98,151

232,125

1,376

5,126

336,778

(2) Other includes: aerials, car parking, retail units, yards, catering and residential.

The Group’s UK business provides flexible leases that represent approximately 75% of annualised rent roll and conventional leases 
that represent 25% of annualised rent roll.

Escalation profile per usage
Germany
The Group’s German business’ primary source of revenue relates to leasing contracts with tenants. The Group’s German business 
realises escalations as a result of renewals, inflation linked indexations and contractually agreed uplifts. Approximately 33.4% of 
contracts in place at 31 March 2023 are subject to contractual uplifts. The average contractual uplift over the coming twelve months 
split by usage are detailed as follows: 

Usage

Office

Storage

Production

Smartspace

Other(1)

Total

(1) Other includes: catering, other usage, residential and technical space, land and car parking.

Increase in % 

3.09%

3.42%

2.82%

7.59%

3.37%

3.25%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements206

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION) CONTINUED

Escalation profile per usage continued
UK
The Group’s UK business’ primary source of revenue relates to leasing contracts and licence fee agreements with tenants. 
The Group’s UK business realises escalations as a result of renewals, inflation linked indexations and contractually agreed uplifts. 
Of the lease contracts in place at 31 March 2023, approximately 5.1% are subject to contractual uplifts. The average contractual 
lease contract uplifts over the coming twelve months split by usage are detailed as follows:

Usage

Office

Workshop

Total

Property profile March 2023*
Germany

Property and location

Aachen I

Aachen II

Alzenau

Bochum

Bochum II

Bonn

Bonn – Dransdorf

Buxtehude

Cölln Parc

Cologne

Dreieich

Dreieich II

Dresden

Düsseldorf – Süd

Düsseldorf II

Düsseldorf III

Erfurt

Essen

Essen II

Fellbach

Fellbach II

Frankfurt

Frankfurt III

Frankfurt Röntgenstraße
Freiburg Teningen

Frickenhausen

Friedrichsdorf

Gartenfeld

Grasbrunn

Hallbergmoss

Hamburg Lademannbogen

Hanover

Heidenheim

Heiligenhaus

Kassel

Total 
sqm 

24,443

9,751

66,533

55,511

4,249

9,030

19,202

28,238

13,480

30,250

12,886

5,514

57,658

21,403

9,839

33,937

23,184

15,228

11,899

26,214

9,707

4,260

10,141

5,496
20,796

27,859

17,572

25,453

14,274

18,384

10,305

22,884

46,843

44,485

8,142

Office 
sqm

12,701

1,437

27,702

12,696

3,502

3,087

5,505

1,120

6,512

2,672

7,404

546

25,925

2,814

4,433

22,491

7,531

6,075

8,538

1,751

5,023

2,260

5,398

3,957
7,151

6,515

6,492

5,375

7,269

11,978

8,081

8,030

8,415

21,999

3,312

Storage 
sqm

2,246

6,610

7,451

35,970

479

2,403

6,891

10,831

3,386

13,509

2,929

4,543

17,437

12,376

4,949

10,611

11,980

4,806

1,829

16,168

205

484

1,370

444
6,108

8,499

5,475

10,821

4,743

3,388

1,049

3,547

15,384

7,453

683

Increase in % 

3.34%

6.14%

5.13%

Production 
sqm

Other (1)
sqm

Rate psqm 
€

5,510

1,510

24,087

3,965

12

477

1,665

13,420

2,867

2,709

—

—

11,153

1,970

—

169

—

2,367

627

340

—

68

—

36
5,578

10,742

3,199

3,297

—

—

—

6,423

13,864

12,467

3,875

3,986

194

7,293

2,880

256

3,063

5,141

2,867

715

11,360

2,553

425

3,143

4,243

457

666

3,673

1,980

905

7,955

4,479

1,448

3,373

1,059
1,959

2,103

2,406

5,960

2,262

3,018

1,175

4,884

9,180

2,566

272

9.31

6.67

7.10

4.71

11.41

8.21

7.63

4.25

10.70

5.83

8.22

4.24

8.42

7.48

8.16

10.33

3.59

6.63

7.91

6.05

10.54

11.39

14.16

12.37
5.19

5.66

8.14

9.28

11.87

10.59

10.17

6.80

4.62

3.90

5.76

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

207

Property profile March 2023* continued
Germany continued

Other (1)
sqm

3,290

Rate psqm 
€

12.32

Property and location

Köln Porz

Krefeld

Krefeld II

Krefeld III

Ludwigsburg

Mahlsdorf

Mahlsdorf II

Maintal 

Maintal Mitte

Mannheim

Mannheim II

Mannheim III

Markgröningen

Munich – Neuaubing

Nabern II

Neckartenzlingen

Neu-Isenburg

Neuruppin

Neuss

Neuss II

Norderstedt

Nürnberg

Oberhausen

Offenbach Carl Legien-Strasse

Offenbach I

Öhringen

Pfungstadt

Potsdam

Potsdam II

Rastatt

Rostock

Saarbrücken

Schenefeld

Solingen

Stuttgart – Kirchheim

Wiesbaden

Wuppertal

Total

Total 
sqm 

Office 
sqm

21,086

11,318

6,101

9,668

28,351

29,333

12,737

36,509

11,016

68,789

14,316

3,033

57,312

91,185

5,578

51,577

8,250

22,959

17,621

33,351

12,627

14,106

82,891

45,596

15,044

18,761

32,662

35,863

236

19,884

18,640

46,899

40,250

13,333

18,260

14,619

18,260

15,154

7,462

2,893

4,918

7,393

11,592

5,765

7,586

462

13,378

6,234

2,276

4,532

15,991

1,620

15,296

5,752

1,404

13,397

7,957

3,052

2,323

47,219

9,844

3,610

1,969

6,707

12,490

165

5,739

8,228

28,752

10,283

2,475

14,335

855

14,335

Storage 
sqm

2,363

2,533

325

3,342

10,158

10,796

1,263

14,362

4,523

21,595

4,038

741

30,853

31,821

491

19,466

1,244

7,629

1,284

17,210

7,507

3,241

26,339

9,326

2,335

7,448

12,300

12,720

71

7,280

1,569

9,753

26,500

4,409

1,261

5,608

1,261

Production 
sqm

279

594

2,171

924

3,585

1,963

1,906

8,289

5,685

27,139

586

—

19,921

29,645

2,376

14,087

—

13,133

153

6,058

172

7,532

1,739

17,677

2,351

8,772

9,786

4,956

—

2,199

6,606

2,280

1,961

4,924

—

3,613

—

729

712

484

7,215

4,982

3,803

6,272

346

6,677

3,458

16

2,006

13,728

1,091

2,728

1,254

793

2,787

2,126

1,896

1,010

7,594

8,749

6,748

572

3,869

5,697

—

4,666

2,237

6,114

1,506

1,525

2,664

4,543

2,664

1,792,670

604,976

583,655

364,201

239,839

8.33

7.96

8.32

6.75

8.36

8.14

6.44

4.60

5.18

6.61

7.12

3.62

8.02

8.86

4.73

9.98

5.38

12.63

5.76

5.47

6.99

5.65

7.02

6.95

5.60

6.06

8.40

—

7.05

6.60

9.21

5.02

2.88

6.46

16.99

4.41

6.86

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements208

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

BUSINESS ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED INFORMATION) CONTINUED

Property profile March 2023* continued
UK

Property and location

Altrincham

Ashford

Barnsley

Basingstoke

Birmingham – Tyseley

Bradford – Dudley Hill

Bristol – Equinox

Bury

Camberwell – Lomond

Cardiff

Cheadle

Christchurch

Consett

Coventry

Design Works

Didcot

Dinnington

Doncaster

Dorking

Egham

Fareham

Gateshead

Gloucester

Gloucester – Barnwood

Hartlepool – Oakesway

Hebburn

Hemel Hempstead

Hooton

Hove

Huddersfield – Linthwaite

Leeds – Brooklands

Leeds – Wortley

Letchworth

Littlehampton

London – Colney

M25 Business Centre

Maidstone

Manchester – Trafford Park

Manchester – Newton Heath

Manchester – Old Trafford

Milton Keynes

New Addington – Croydon

Newcastle – Amber Court

Northampton – K2

Total 
sqm 

4,498

1,823

6,637

10,313

12,154

15,070

11,282

1,304

2,015

4,106

1,628

2,663

3,094

1,622

4,803

1,021

3,648

3,040

2,148

1,001

1,758

13,160

20,767

3,402

2,585

5,463

4,389

1,383

2,939

2,365

2,133

3,734

3,048

1,992

1,887

3,282

1,644

8,695

5,660

4,578

3,654

6,540

4,297

4,688

Office 
sqm

1,442

1,823

546

10,138

805

5,476

1,104

1,303

1,243

4,105

1,600

2,058

—

1,622

3,402

491

1,000

3,039

1,406

926

1,758

—

2,989

3,378

—

—

4,387

1,230

2,194

—

2,042

—

2,385

1,991

1,767

2,151

1,643

—

2,273

1,513

3,593

381

4,297

57

Workshop 
sqm

Storage 
sqm

Other (2)
sqm

Rate psqm 

€ (3)

2,768

—

5,929

—

9,576

5,436

10,014

—

557

—

—

605

3,094

—

582

510

2,648

—

715

—

—

11,927

16,685

24

2,585

5,397

—

—

695

2,364

—

3,733

661

—

—

1,085

—

8,676

3,353

2,996

13

6,158

—

4,630

—

—

—

—

1,233

837

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

288

— 

162

175

540

3,321

164

1

215

1

28

— 

— 

— 

819

20

—

1

27

75

—

1,233

1,093

— 

— 

66

2

153

50

1

91

1

2

1

120

46

1

19

34

69

48

1

— 

1

18.74

39.88

7.73

31.67

9.59

8.98

7.59

47.63

35.40

32.31

36.59

29.10

4.56

17.76

15.95

33.01

11.07

24.69

41.72

36.83

43.76

4.11

5.89

37.77

2.48

7.32

33.29

25.64

33.84

8.08

23.32

6.86

16.49

38.95

34.03

36.03

40.81

9.51

17.50

25.32

31.14

14.41

25.21

12.46

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

209

Property profile March 2023* continued
UK continued

Property and location

Northampton – KG

Nottingham – Arnold

Nottingham – Park Row

Nottingham – Roden

Oldham – Hollinwood

Perivale

Peterlee

Poole

Preston

Rochdale – Fieldhouse

Rochdale – Moss Mill

Rotherham

Sandy Business Park

Sheffield – Cricket

Shipley

Solihull

Stanley

Stoke

Sunderland – North Sands

Swindon

Theale

Wakefield

Warrington – Craven Court

Wimbledon

Wolverhampton – Willenhall

Total 
sqm 

12,617

5,547

4,160

4,604

5,525

2,148

18,306

6,735

5,341

23,042

15,950

4,504

9,261

1,928

2,238

1,715

3,776

5,119

2,819

6,833

2,765

20,703

3,830

3,170

5,077

Office 
sqm

Workshop 
sqm

Storage 
sqm

910

1,337

4,110

35

5,496

543

—

6,586

1,741

527

14

1,361

108

—

2,238

1,714

—

—

2,818

338

2,708

619

—

1,459

581

11,609

4,009

—

4,537

—

1,604

18,305

—

3,577

22,329

14,442

3,112

9,152

1,928

—

—

3,776

5,118

—

6,414

—

18,443

3,830

1,569

4,340

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Other (2)
sqm

98

201

50

32

29

1

1

149

23

186

1,494

31

1

—

—

1

— 

1

1

81

58

1,641

— 

142

156

Rate psqm 

€ (3)

9.56

9.43

38.41

7.58

23.09

31.66

4.19

26.51

16.67

3.98

4.20

13.30

8.07

10.29

13.22

55.99

5.54

6.01

18.84

15.73

57.57

4.51

11.08

39.01

9.69

Total

389,537

122,711

251,510

2,070

13,246

13.66

*  Excluding commercial leased investment properties.

(1) Other includes: Smartspace, catering, other usage, residential and technical space, land and car parking.

(2) Other includes: aerials, car parking, retail units, yards, catering and residential.

(3) The Group’s UK business charges licence customers an all-inclusive rate, which includes an implicit element of service charge.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements210

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ANNEX 1 – NON-IFRS MEASURES

Basis of preparation
The Directors of Sirius Real Estate Limited have chosen to disclose additional non-IFRS measures; these include EPRA earnings, 
adjusted net asset value, EPRA net reinstatement value, EPRA net tangible assets, EPRA net disposal value, EPRA loan to 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 
gains/losses on revaluation of investment properties, gains/losses on disposal of properties (net of related tax), recoveries from 
prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax), refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties, goodwill impairment, 
acquisition costs in relation to business combinations, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments (collectively, the 
“EPRA earnings adjustments”), deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings adjustments, NCI relating to revaluation (net of 
related tax), gains/losses on revaluation of 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 net deferred tax liability. 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 
derivative financial instruments 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 derivative financial instruments and intangible assets as per the note reference in the audited 
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 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 loan to value (“EPRA LTV”) in order to assist in comparisons with similar businesses in the real estate sector. EPRA LTV is 

a definition of loan to value ratio as set out by the European Public Real Estate Association. EPRA LTV represents net debt to total 
property value as defined in note 24. It includes all capital which is not equity as debt, irrespective of its IFRS classification, and 
is based upon proportional consolidation, therefore including the Group’s share in the net debt and net assets of associates. 
Assets are included at fair value, net debt at nominal value. The reconciliation for EPRA LTV is detailed in table D below.

 » Adjusted profit before tax in order to provide an alternative indication of Sirius Real Estate Limited and it’s subsidiaries’ (the “Group”) 
underlying business performance. Accordingly, it adjusts for the effect of the gains/losses on revaluation of investment properties, 
deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties, gains/losses on disposal of properties, recoveries from prior disposals 
of subsidiaries, gains/losses on revaluation of investment property from associates and related tax, other adjusting items, goodwill 
impairment and change in fair value of derivative financial instruments. The reconciliation for adjusted profit before tax is detailed 
in table E 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 is adjusted profit before tax. Accordingly, funds from operations exclude depreciation and amortisation (excluding 
depreciation relating to IFRS 16), net foreign exchange differences, 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 E below.

The Non-IFRS Financial Information is presented in accordance with the JSE Listings 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. The Non-IFRS Financial Information required by the JSE Listings Requirements solely relates to 
Headline Earnings Per Share and not EPRA.

Ernst & Young Inc have issued a reporting accountant’s report on the Non-IFRS Financial Information for the year ended 31 March 2023 
which is available for inspection at the Group’s registered office. The starting point for all the Non-IFRS Financial Information has 
been extracted, without adjustment, from the audited Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 
(the “consolidated financial statements”). 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

211

Basis of preparation continued
Table A – EPRA earnings

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to owners of the Company(1)

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment properties(2)

(Deduct gain)/add loss on disposal of properties (net of related tax)(3)

Deduct recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax)(4)

Refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties(5)

Goodwill impairment(6)

Acquisition costs in relation to business combinations(7)

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments(8)

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties(9)

NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax)(10)

Add loss/(deduct gain) on revaluation of investment property relating to associates(11)

Tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses on investment property relating to associates(12)

EPRA earnings(13)

Notes:

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

79.6

9.8

(4.7)

—

—

—

—

(0.9)

4.3

—

0.5

(0.4)

88.2

147.9

(140.9)

0.6

(0.1)

7.8

40.9

5.3

(1.0)

14.8

0.2

(6.0)

1.2

70.7

(1)  Presents the profit attributable to owners of the Company which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(2)  Presents the gain or loss on revaluation of investment properties which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(3)  Presents the gain or loss on disposal of properties (net of related tax) which has been extracted from note 12 within the consolidated financial 

statements.

(4)  Presents the recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of related tax) which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement 

within the consolidated financial statements.

(5)  Presents the refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties which have been extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial 

statements.

(6)  Presents the goodwill impairment which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the consolidated financial statements.

(7)  Presents the acquisition costs in relation to business combinations which have been extracted from note 4 within the consolidated 

financial statements.

(8)  Presents the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within 

the consolidated financial statements.

(9)  Presents deferred tax relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences of the EPRA fair value movements on investment properties 

which has been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated financial statements.

(10) Presents the non-controlling interest relating to revaluation (net of related tax) which has been extracted from note 12 within the consolidated 

financial statements.

(11) Presents the gain or loss on revaluation of investment property relating to associates which has been extracted from note 12 within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(12) Presents tax in relation to the revaluation gains/losses on investment property relating to associates which has been extracted from note 12 within 

the consolidated financial statements.

(13) Presents the EPRA earnings for the year.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements212

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ANNEX 1 – NON-IFRS MEASURES CONTINUED

Basis of preparation continued 
Table B – Adjusted net asset value

Net asset value

Net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (total equity attributable to the owners 
of the company)(1)

Deferred tax liabilities(2)

Derivative financial instruments at fair value(3)

Adjusted net asset value attributable to owners of the Company(4)

Notes:

31 March 2023
€m

31 March 2022
€m

1,197.1

1,190.7

80.2

(1.3)

75.9

(0.3)

1,276.0

1,266.3

(1)  Presents the net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (total equity attributable to the owners of the company) which has been extracted 

from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements.

(2)  resents the net deferred tax liabilities or assets which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the 

consolidated financial statements relating to valuation movements, derivative financial instruments and LTIP valuation.

(3)  Presents current derivative financial instrument assets which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within 

the consolidated financial statements.

(4) Presents the adjusted net asset value attributable to the owners of the Company as at year end.

Table C – EPRA net asset measures

31 March 2023

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 fair value movements on investment properties(3)

Intangibles(4)

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(5)

Real estate transfer tax(6)

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties(3)

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(5)

Real estate transfer tax(6)

Total EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV(7)

31 March 2022

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 fair value movements on investment properties(3)

Intangibles(4)

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(5)

Real estate transfer tax(6)

Investment in associate

Deferred tax in respect of EPRA fair value movements on investment properties(3)

Fair value of fixed interest rate debt(5)

Real estate transfer tax(6)

Total EPRA NRV, NTA and NDV(7)

EPRA NRV
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

EPRA NTA 
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

EPRA NDV 
€m

1,197.1

1,197.1

(1.3)

80.2

n/a

n/a

164.4

7.0

n/a

9.3

(1.3)

80.1

(4.1)

n/a

n/a

7.0

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

99.2

n/a

n/a

9.9

n/a

1,456.7

1,278.8

1,306.2

EPRA NRV
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

EPRA NTA 
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

EPRA NDV 
€m

1,190.7

1,190.7

(0.3)

75.9

n/a

n/a

160.7

6.5

n/a

9.1

(0.3)

75.6* 

(4.3)

n/a

n/a

6.5* 

n/a

n/a

n/a 

n/a 

n/a

(22.2)

n/a

n/a

2.1

n/a

1,442.6

1,268.2

1,170.6

* 

 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 except for deferred tax in relation to assets held for sale.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

213

Basis of preparation continued
Table C – EPRA net asset measures continued
Notes:

(1)  Presents the net asset value for the purpose of assets per share (total equity attributable to the owners of the company) which has been extracted 

from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements.

(2)  Presents current derivative financial instrument assets which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within 

the consolidated financial statements. 

(3)  Presents for the Group the net deferred tax liabilities or assets which have been extracted from note 11 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 €0.1m (2022: €0.3m). 
For investment in associates the deferred tax income/(expense) arising on revaluation losses/gains amounted to €0.4m (2022: €6.6m).

(4)  Presents the net book value of software and licences with definite useful life which has been extracted from note 17 within the consolidated 

financial statements.

(5) Presents the fair value of financial liabilities and assets on the statement of financial position, net of any related deferred tax.

(6)  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.

(7) Presents the EPRA NRV, EPRA NTA and EPRA NDV, respectively, as at year end. 

Table D – EPRA LTV metric

31 March 2023

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(1)

Corporate bonds(2)

Net payables(3)

Cash and cash equivalents(4)

Net debt (a)(5)

Investment properties(6)

Assets held for sale(7)

Plant and equipment(8)

Intangible assets(9)

Loan to associates(10)

Total property value (b)(11)

EPRA LTV (a/b)(12)

Proportionate
consolidation

Investment in 
associates
€m

52.1

—

4.5

(8.6)

48.0

Group
€m

264.4

700.0

71.0

(124.3)

911.1

Total
€m

316.5

700.0

75.5

(132.9)

959.1

2,123.0

124.2

2,247.2

8.8

7.2

4.1

44.3

2,187.4

41.7%

—

—

—

—

8.8

7.2

4.1

44.3

124.2

38.6%

2,311.6

41.5%

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements214

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

ANNEX 1 – NON-IFRS MEASURES CONTINUED

Basis of preparation continued
Table D – EPRA LTV metric continued

31 March 2022

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings(1)

Corporate bonds(2)

Net payables(3)

Cash and cash equivalents(4)

Net debt (a)(5)

Investment properties(6)

Assets held for sale(7)

Plant and equipment(8)

Intangible assets(9)

Loan to associates(10)

Total property value (b)(11)

EPRA LTV (a/b)(12)

Notes:

Proportionate
consolidation

Investment in 
associates
€m

51.9

—

3.1

(6.2)

48.8

Group
€m

281.5

700.0

70.7

(151.0)

901.2

Total
€m

333.4

700.0

73.8

(157.2)

950.0

2,100.0

122.4

2,222.4

13.8

5.5

4.3

44.2

2,167.8

41.6%

—

—

—

—

13.8

5.5

4.3

44.2

122.4

39.9%

2,290.2

41.5%

(1) 

 Presents the interest-bearing loans and borrowings which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the 
consolidated financial statements less the corporate bonds which have been extracted from note 24 within the consolidated financial statements.

(2)  Presents the corporate bonds which have been extracted from note 24 within the consolidated financial statements.

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

 Presents the net payables, which is the sum of trade and other receivables, derivative financial instruments, trade and other payables, current tax 
liabilities (all of which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated financial statements) 
and guarantees and deposits which have been extracted from note 19 within the consolidated financial statements.

 Presents the cash and cash equivalents which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated 
financial statements.

 Presents the net debt, which is the sum of interest-bearing loans and borrowings, corporate bonds, net payables, less cash and cash equivalents 
which have been extracted from note 24 within the consolidated financial statements.

 Presents the investment properties values which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the 
consolidated financial statements.

 Presents the assets held for sale which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated 
financial statements.

 Presents the plant and equipment which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated 
financial statements.

 Presents the intangible assets which have been extracted from the consolidated statement of financial position within the consolidated 
financial statements.

(10) Presents the loan to associates which has been extracted from note 25 within the consolidated financial statements.

(11)  Presents the total property value, which is the sum of investment properties, assets held for sale, plant and equipment, intangible assets and 

loan to associates.

(12) Presents the EPRA LTV which is net debt divided by total property value in percentage. 

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

215

Basis of preparation continued
Table E – Adjusted profit before tax and funds from operations

Reported profit before tax(1)

Adjustments for:

Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment properties(2)

Deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties(3)

(Gain)/loss on disposals of properties(4)

Recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries(5)

Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment property from associates and related tax(6)

Other adjusting items(7)

Goodwill impairment(8)

Change in fair value of financial derivatives(9)

Adjusted profit before tax(10)

Adjustments for:

Foreign exchange effects(11)

Depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation relating to IFRS 16)(12)

Amortisation of financing fees(13)

Adjustment in respect of IFRS 16(14)

Current taxes incurred(15)

Funds from operations(16)

Notes:

Year ended
31 March 2023
€m

Year ended
31 March 2022
€m

87.0

168.9

9.8

(1.5)

(4.7)

—

0.1

6.2

—

(0.9)

96.0

0.2

3.4

3.3

2.2

(3.0)

102.1

(140.9)

(5.6)

0.6

(0.1)

(4.8)

19.1

40.9

(1.0)

77.1

(1.9)

2.4

2.6

0.5

(6.1)

74.6

(1)  Presents profit before tax which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the consolidated financial statements.

(2)  Presents the gain or loss on revaluation of investment properties which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the 

consolidated financial statements. 

(3)  Presents the deficit on revaluation relating to leased investment properties which has been extracted from note 14 within the consolidated 

financial statements.

(4)  Presents the gain or loss on disposal of properties which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the consolidated 

financial statements.

(5)  Presents the recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries which have been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the 

consolidated financial statements. 

(6)  Presents the gain or loss on revaluation of investment property relating to associates and related tax which has been extracted from note 12 within 

the consolidated financial statements.

(7)  Presents the total adjusting items which have been extracted from note 12 within the consolidated financial statements.

(8)  Presents the goodwill impairment which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the consolidated financial statements.

(9)  Presents the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments which has been extracted from the consolidated income statement within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(10) Presents the adjusted profit before tax for the year.

(11) Presents the net foreign exchange gains or losses as included in other administration costs in note 7 within the consolidated financial statements.

(12) Presents depreciation of plant and equipment and amortisation of intangible assets which have been extracted from note 7 within the 

consolidated financial statements.

(13) Presents amortisation of capitalised finance costs which has been extracted from note 10 within the consolidated financial statements. 

(14) Presents the differential between the expense recorded in the consolidated income statement for the year relating to head leases in accordance 
with IFRS 16 amounting to €4.5m (2022: €6.9m) and the actual cash expense recorded in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year 
amounting to €2.3m (2022: €6.3m).

(15) Presents the total current income tax which has been extracted from note 11 within the consolidated financial statements.

(16) Presents the funds from operations for the year.

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
216

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Adjusted earnings after tax

is the earnings attributable to the owners of the Company, adjusted for the effect of the gains/losses 
on revaluation of investment properties and related tax, (also to associates net of related tax), gains/
losses on disposal of properties and related tax, recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net 
of related tax), NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax), goodwill impairment, changes in fair 
value of derivative financial instruments (net of related tax and NCI), revaluation expense relating 
to leased investment properties, adjusting items (net of related tax and NCI)

Adjusted net asset value

is the assets attributable to the owners of the Company adjusted for derivative financial 
instruments at fair value and net deferred tax liabilities/assets

Adjusted profit before tax

is the reported profit before tax adjusted for the effect of gains/losses on revaluation of investment 
properties, deficit on revaluation relating to lease investment properties, gains/losses on disposal 
of properties, recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries, gains/losses on revaluation of 
investment property from associates and related tax, other adjusting items, goodwill impairment 
and changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments

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

Capital value

Company

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 2023. Annualised rent roll should 
not be interpreted or used as a forecast or estimate. Annualised rent roll differs from rental income 
described in note 5 of the Interim Report and reported within revenue in the audited consolidated 
income statement 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

is the market value of a property divided by the total sqm of a property

is Sirius Real Estate Limited, 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 (primary listing) and the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 
(primary listing)

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

EPRA loan to value

is earnings after adjusting for gains/losses on revaluation of investment properties, gains/losses 
on disposal of properties (net of related tax), recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries (net of 
related tax), refinancing costs, exit fees and prepayment penalties, goodwill impairment, acquisition 
costs in relation to business combinations, changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments 
(collectively, the “EPRA earnings adjustments”), deferred tax in respect of the EPRA earnings 
adjustments, NCI relating to revaluation (net of related tax), gains/losses on revaluation of 
investment property relating to associates and the related tax thereon

is the ratio of net debt to total property value as defined in note 24. It includes all capital which is 
not equity as debt, irrespective of its IFRS classification, and is based upon proportional 
consolidation, therefore including the Group’s share in the net debt and net assets of associates. 
Assets are included at fair value, net debt at nominal value

EPRA net reinstatement value is the net asset value after adjusting for derivative financial instruments at fair value, deferred tax 
relating to valuation movements and derivative financial instruments and real estate transfer tax 
presented in the Valuation Certificate, including the amounts of the above related to the 
investment in associates

EPRA net tangible assets

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 derivative financial instruments and intangible assets as per the note 
reference in the audited consolidated statement of financial position, including the amounts of the 
above related to the investment in associates. It also takes into account the effect of the granting 
of shares relating to long-term incentive plans

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

217

EPRA net disposal value

is the net asset value after adjusting for the fair value of fixed interest rate debt, including the 
amounts of the above related to the investment in associates

EPRA net initial yield

is the annualised rent roll based on the cash rents passing at reporting 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

ERV

is the estimated rental value which is the annualised rental income at 100% occupancy

Funds from operations

is adjusted profit before tax adjusted for depreciation and amortisation (excluding depreciation 
relating to IFRS 16), amortisation of financing fees, net foreign exchange differences, adjustment 
in respect of 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 

Group

Like for like

Net loan to value ratio

Net operating income

Net yield

Occupancy

comprises that of the Company and its subsidiaries

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 in contractual 
terms, to the aggregate value of investment property

is the rental, service charge and other income generated from investment and managed 
properties 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 

Operating cash flow on 
investment (geared)

is an estimate of the rate of return based on operating cash flows and taking into consideration 
debt

Operating cash flow on 
investment (ungeared)

Operating profit

is an estimate of the rate of return based on operating cash flows

is the net operating income adjusted for gain on revaluation of investment properties, gains/losses 
on disposal of properties, recoveries from prior disposals of subsidiaries, administrative expenses 
and share of profit of associates

Rate

for the German portfolio is rental income per sqm expressed on a monthly basis as at a specific 
reporting date 

for the UK portfolio is rental income (includes estimated service charge element) per sqm 
expressed on a monthly basis as at a specific reporting date in euro

for the UK portfolio is rental income (includes estimated service charge element) per sq ft 
expressed on an annual basis as at a specific reporting date in GBP 

Senior Management Team

as set out on page 88 of the Group’s Annual Report and Accounts 2023

Sirius

Total debt

comprises that of the Company and its subsidiaries

is the aggregate amount of the interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Total shareholder accounting 
return 

is the return obtained by a shareholder calculated by combining both movements in adjusted NAV 
per share and dividends paid 

Total return

Ungeared IRR

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

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements218

Sirius Real Estate Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2023

CORPORATE DIRECTORY

SIRIUS REAL ESTATE LIMITED
(Incorporated in Guernsey) 
Company number: 46442 
JSE Share Code: SRE 
LSE (GBP) Share Code: SRE 
LEI: 213800NURUF5W8QSK566 
ISIN Code: GG00B1W3VF54

Registered office
Elizabeth House 
Les Ruettes Brayes 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 1EW 
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
Elizabeth House 
Les Ruettes Brayes 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 1EW 
Channel Islands

UK solicitors
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
3 More London Riverside 
London SE1 2AQ 
United Kingdom

Financial PR
FTI Consulting LLP
200 Aldersgate Street  
London EC1A 4HD 
United Kingdom

JSE sponsor
PSG Capital Proprietary Limited
1st Floor, Ou Kollege 
35 Kerk Street 
Stellenbosch 7600 
South Africa

Joint broker
Peel Hunt LLP
Moor House 
120 London Wall 
London EC2Y 5ET 
United Kingdom

Joint broker
Berenberg
60 Threadneedle Street  
London EC2R 8HP 
United Kingdom

Property valuer
Cushman & Wakefield LLP
Rathenauplatz 1 
60313 Frankfurt am Main 
Germany

Independent auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
PO Box 9, Royal Chambers 
St Julian’s Avenue 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 4AF 
Channel Islands

Guernsey solicitors
Carey Olsen (Guernsey) LLP
PO Box 98 
Carey House 
Les Banques 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 4BZ 
Channel Islands

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Sirius Real Estate Limited
Elizabeth House 
Les Ruettes Brayes 
St Peter Port 
Guernsey GY1 1EW 
Channel Islands

www.sirius-real-estate.com