Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Auto - Parts / Standard Motor Products, Inc. / FY2009 Annual Report

Standard Motor Products, Inc.
Annual Report 2009

SMP · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker SMP
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Auto - Parts
Employees 5600
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FY2009 Annual Report · Standard Motor Products, Inc.
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ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC 
AnnuAl RepoRt 2009 

ST. MODWEN 
PROPERTIES PLC
Company Number 349201

HEAD OFFICE & MIDLANDS 
REGIONAL OFFICE

Sir Stanley Clarke House
7 Ridgeway
Quinton Business Park
Birmingham
B32 1AF

0121 222 9400 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 
info@stmodwen.co.uk

REGIONAL OFFICES:
LONDON & SOUTH EAST

180 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5QZ

020 7788 3700

SOUTH WEST & SOUTH WALES

Green Court
King’s Weston Lane
Avonmouth
Bristol
BS11 8AZ

0117 316 7780

YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST

Ground Floor, Unit 2
Landmark Court
Elland Road
Leeds
LS11 8JT

0113 272 7070

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

NORTHERN HOME COUNTIES

First Floor, Unit E1
The Courtyard
Alban Park
Hatfield Road
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL4 0LA

01727 732690

The Trentham Estate
Management Suite
Stone Road
Trentham
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 8AX

01782 281844

NORTH WEST

Chepstow House
Trident Business Park
Daten Avenue
Risley
Warrington
WA3 6BX

01925 825950

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THE UK’S LEADING 
REGENERATION 
SPECIALIST 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC 
AnnuAl RepoRt 2009 

WELCOME TO ST. MODWEN
 

WWW.STMODWEN.CO.UK

BELOW
RAF northolt — the officers’ 
mess, refurbished during the 
year as part of project MoDel.

BUSINESS REvIEW
 
10  Chairman’s statement 

14  Business review 

24  Financial review 

29  Case studies 

30 YEARS 

OF REGENERATION 

 > 
PAGE 09 

 >
PAGE 39 

CORPORATE GOvERNANCE
 
40  Corporate social responsibility 

48  Board members and senior management 

51  Corporate governance report 

58  Directors’ remuneration report 

 >
PAGE 67 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

68  Directors’ responsibilities statement 

69 

Independent group auditors’ report 

70  Group and company accounts 

110  Independent company auditors’ report 

111  Five year record 

112  Notice of annual general meeting 

117  Glossary of terms 

118  Shareholder information 

COvER PICTURE 
RAF northholt Support Wing — 
some of the 600,000 sq. ft of 
new accommodation provided 
for the MoD by project MoDel. 

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HigHligHts of 2009
 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

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tRading PRofit* 

net assets PeR sHaRe 

£8.4m 

(2008: £19.5m) 

200p 

(2008: 251p†) 

Despite another difficult year we continue to make a 
trading profit. 

After adjusting for the effect of the equity issue, our 
net asset value declined by 20%. 

develoPaBle acRes 

geaRing 

5,604 

(2008: 5,020) 

80% 

(2008: 105%) 

Our Hopper increased by 12%, and we delivered 
a strong flow of new planning consents. 

Gearing reduced as a result of the equity issue and 
a positive operational cash flow. 

* Trading profit — excludes non-cash items such as revaluations and 
mark-to-market adjustments. The statutory loss for the year was 
£101.7m (2008 : £50.7m). 

The report of the directors comprises the business review and 
corporate governance sections of the annual report and has been 
drawn up and presented in accordance with English Company Law. 

† Adjusted for equity issue in the year. 

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02  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

ouR stRategy
 

B
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THe cOmpAny’s sTrATeGy is TO ADD vAlue TO All AsseTs iT 
HOlDs by mArsHAllinG An exTensive HOpper Of DevelOpmenT 
OppOrTuniTies, by DeliverinG builT-OuT scHemes AcrOss All 
secTOrs Of THe prOperTy mArkeT, AnD by reGulArly recyclinG 
cApiTAl inTO THe AcquisiTiOn Of new OppOrTuniTies. 

st. modwen at a glance
 

we aRe tHe leadeR in RegeneRation 
We are the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and 
are proud to have built up over 30 years of experience 
in this field. During this time, we have amassed 
a land bank of over 5,600 developable acres and 
have transformed the UK landscape via thoughtfully 
planned sustainable communities, mixed use and 
town centre schemes, district centres and business 
and employment developments. 

we aRe a safe PaiR of Hands 
Our varied portfolio of over 160 development projects 
covers the entire property spectrum which means we 
are not over exposed to a single scheme, tenant or 
sector. At the same time, our highly skilled in-house 
team ensures we can handle complex planning and 
marshalling issues and deliver high quality solutions 
for a wide variety of stakeholders. 

we aRe financially secuRe 
Following this year s successful equity raising we are 
’
operating from a strong financial position. We have 
modest gearing and sufficient headroom within our 
banking facilities to ensure that we are well positioned 
to seize appropriate opportunities to add to our 
Hopper. Throughout the downturn we have continued 
to complete innovatively structured deals, which will 
form the basis of future years’ profitability. 

we make a Positive diffeRence 
Our schemes act as the catalyst for wide scale 
comprehensive regeneration in the areas that need it 
the most. With each development we seek to leave a 
legacy by providing the right physical and economic 
infrastructure where businesses and communities can 
evolve and develop. 

Across our portfolio, we have remediated and 
reclaimed millions of tonnes of soil and continue 
to employ the most technically advanced, 
environmentally friendly techniques to transform 
brownfield sites into green and thriving communities. 

we Have an eXtensive PoRtfolio 
We are active in all sectors of the property market, 
and have a strong presence across the UK. We 
are currently one of the few developers actively 
progressing with works on site, and have a number of 
major projects emerging from our extensive Hopper, 
which comprises: 

❚  Over 5 million sq ft of retail space, with 25 

schemes, of which 18 are town centre projects. 

❚  Over 23 million sq ft of industrial and warehousing 

space. 

❚  Over 6.5 million sq ft of office accommodation. 

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03  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009
 

stage 1
 

tHe HoPPeR
 

The company’s strategy is based on a hopper of future 
development opportunities, acquired in their raw state. it 
currently comprises over 5,600 developable acres and 18 
town centre schemes. we aim to replace land used every 
year to enable the company’s long-term growth. 

festival PaRk & etRuRia 
valley, stoke-on-tRent 

PROJECT FOCUS: STAGE 1 

The 305 acre former steel works and spoils tip site 

was acquired in four phases since 1988. 

The first phase, our first major acquisition in North 

Staffordshire, was the 165 acre former National 

Garden Festival site which had been reclaimed for the 

Festival use following the closure of steel production 

in 1979. 

The second phase, Festival Heights, completed in 

2000. This 30 acre site was assembled from over 40 

owners. The remediation works involved reclamation 

of a derelict greyhound stadium site and domestic 

refuse tip, utilising innovative treatment methods for 

landfill gas. 

The last two phases, involved the acquisition of 

the remainder of the steelworks site, including the 

500,000 sq ft rolling mill (which closed in 2000) to 

create the 115 acre Etruria Valley development in a 

joint venture with Corus. 

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04  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

stage 2 

maRsHalling
 

Our development and construction team, supplemented 
with skilled external professionals, has a proven track 
record in marshalling a wide range of projects through 
the complex and lengthy planning processes. we have 
particular expertise in site assembly, assessing and 
managing remediation risks, master planning and 
undertaking public consultation. 

festival PaRk & etRuRia 
valley, stoke-on-tRent 

PROJECT FOCUS: STAGE 2 

Significant reclamation and infrastructure works have 

been required to prepare for development, including 

three miles of roads, a fly-over and a new junction on 

the A53, and the construction of a canal bridge. The 

remediation of Etruria Valley required the demolition 

of the rolling mill and removal of approximately 

750,000 sq ft of buried foundations including five 

blast furnaces over seven years. Over 95% of the 2.5 

million tonnes of demolition materials were recycled 

and re-used on site. 

The planning permissions that were secured enabled 

the regeneration of the sites into Stoke-on-Trent’s 

most important mixed-use business park. 

Another 65 acres remains available for further 

development, which is currently progressing through 

the masterplanning process and will provide a mix of 

commercial and residential opportunities. 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

05 

stage 3 

deliveRy
 

Once marshalled, schemes are built-out or the land sold in response 
to market conditions. Assets are disposed of once no further 
significant value can be added, and the capital is then recycled into 
new schemes, enabling the entire process to begin again. 

festival PaRk & etRuRia 
valley, stoke-on-tRent 

PROJECT FOCUS: STAGE 3 

The development of Festival Park, together with the 
latest phases of Etruria Valley, has so far provided an 
investment of over £185 million and over 6,000 jobs 
in the area. 

The successful and thriving mixed-use development 
includes over 400,000 sq ft of retail warehouses and 
supermarket, over 450,000 sq ft of offices, a four star 
150 bedroom hotel, over 280,000 sq ft of industrial 
and trade park accommodation and over 100 new 
dwellings. 

Etruria Valley 2009 highlights include: 
❚  An 80,000 sq ft contact centre for Vodafone 
(pictured) – employing over 1,100 people. 

❚  A new 9,900 sq ft head office for Hanley Economic 

Building Society. 

❚  A new 35,900 sq ft factory for Wade Ceramics Ltd 

(completed January 2010). 

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06  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

Regional PResence
 

st. modwen is THe uk’s leADinG reGenerATiOn speciAlisT. we 
OperATe THrOuGH A neTwOrk Of reGiOnAl Offices in All secTOrs 
Of THe prOperTy inDusTry. THese reGiOnAl Offices enAble THe 
cOmpAny TO mAnAGe prOjecTs effecTively AnD unDersTAnD 
lOcAl neeDs. 

noRtH west 
01  newton-le-willows 
– Vulcan Works 

02  glasgow 

– Pegasus Business Park 
– Springburn 

03  PReston 

– Channel Way 

04  BlackBuRn 

– Evolution Park 

05  skelmeRsdale 

– Town Centre 

06  eccles 

– Lankro Way 

07  wigan 

– Enterprise Park 

08  mancHesteR 

– Wythenshawe 
– Trafford Park 
– Openshaw 

09  liveRPool 

– East Lancs Road 
– Great Homer Street 

10  widnes 

– Economic Development Zone 
– Town Centre 

11  waRRington 

– Trident Business Park 

12  PRescot 

13  connaH’s Quay 

14  ellesmeRe PoRt 

15  BuRnley 

ReRe && 
yoRksHiRe & 
astast 
noRtH east 
16  daRlington 

– Whessoe Road 

17  sundeRland 

18  Hull 

– Melton Park 

19  doncasteR 

orcester Avenue 
orcester Avenue
– W– W
– Worcester Avenue 
– Parkside 

20  lincoln 

noRtH 
staffoRdsHiRe 

21  stoke-on-tRent 

– Festival Park & Etruria Valley 
– The Trentham Estate & Gardens 
– Trentham Lakes 
– Fenton 25 

22  stone 

– Meaford Business Park 

midlands 
23  deRBy 

– Hilton Depot 

24  staffoRd 

– Lichfield Road 
– St. Leonard’s 

25  BuRton-uPon-tRent 

– Barton Business Park 

26  wolveRHamPton 
– Goodyear 

27  telfoRd 

– Brockton Business Park 
– Queensway Business Park 

28  walsall 

– St. Matthew’s Quarter 
– Walsall Enterprise Park 

29  BiRmingHam 

– Washwood Heath 
– Quinton Business Park 

30  LOnGbRidGE 

31  RugBy 

– Mill Road 
– Newbold Road 

32  woRcesteR 

– Shrub Hill Industrial Estate 
– Shrub Hill Industrial Estate
– Shrub Hill Industrial Estate 
rading Estate 
rading Estate
rading Estate
rading Estate
– Blackpole T
– Blackpole Trading Estate 
– Blackpole Trading Estate
– Blackpole T
– Blackpole T
– Blackpole T
– Blackpole Trading Estate 
– Great Western Business Park 
– Gregorys Bank 

33  stRatfoRd-uPon-avon 
– Long Marston 

34  coventRy 

– Whitley Business Park 
– Whitley Business Park
– Whitley Business Park

35  cannock
annock 
3535  ccannock
– Hednesford Town Centre 

soutH west & 
soutH wales 

36  gloucesteR 

london & 
soutH east 

52  mill Hill 

– Quedgeley Business Park 

– Inglis Barracks 

53  stanmoRe 

– RAF Bentley Priory 

54  uXBRidge 

– RAF Uxbridge 

55  tHuRRock 

– South Ockendon 

56  london 

– Catford 
– Elephant & Castle 
– Leegate 
– Wembley Central 
– Hounslow 

57  woking 

– The Planets 

58  BRigHton 

– Woodingdean 

59  Basingstoke 
– The Malls 

60  faRnBoRougH 

– Town Centre 

61  guildfoRd 

– Henley Industrial Estate 

62  yalding 

– Syngenta 

63  eastleigH 

– Campbell Road 

64  Poole 

– Discovery Court 

37  newPoRt, gwent 

– Glan Llyn (Llanwern) 
– Celtic Business Park 

38  duRsley, glos 
– Littlecombe 

39  avonmoutH, BRistol 

– Access 18 

40  taunton 

– Langford Mead 
– Firepool 

41  neatH 

– Coed Darcy 

42  eXeteR 

– Skypark 

43  PoRt talBot 

– Baglan Bay 

44  weston suPeR maRe 

– Westlands 
– Locking Parklands 

noRtHeRn Home 
counties 
45  cRanfield 

– Technology Park 

46  BedfoRd 

– Thurleigh Airfield 
– Town Centre 

47  enfield 

– Edmonton Green Town Centre 

48  milton keynes 

– Stratford Road 
– Stratford Road
– Stratford Road 
– Stratford Road
– Stratford Road 
– Stratford Road
– Stratford Road 

Hatfield 
Hatfield
49  Hatfield
– Town Centre 

50  letcHwoRtH 

– Letchworth Business Park 
– Letchworth Business Park
– Letchworth Business Park

stead 
Hemel Hem PPstead
5151  Hemel Hem
51  Hemel HemPstead 
– Maxsted Park 
– Maxsted Park
– Maxsted Park 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

07

02 

705 acres of 
developable land 
acquired in 2009

fact 

17 

16 

03  04 

15 

LEEDS 

18 

07 

05 
12 

01 
10  11 

09 

14 

13 

08 

06
WARRINGTON 

19 

20 

21 

STOKE-ON-TRENT 
STOKE-ON-TRENT
STOKE-ON-TRENT 
2323 
23 
22 
2424 
24 

2525 
25
2525 

27
2727 
2727 

3535 
35
26  28 
2626 

29
30 

BIRMINGHAM 
31 

34 

32 

33 

46 

45 

48 

50 

total scHemes 

160+ 

total investment 
PRoPeRties 

£1.0£1.0bnbn 
££
1.01.0bnbn 
£1.0bn

36 

38 

39 

BRISTOL 

41 
43 

37 

44 

40 

51 

54 

59 

60 

57 
6161 
61 

63 

ST. ALBANS 
49 
47 
52
56 

53

55
LONDON 
62
6262 

42 

64 

58 

Regional offices 

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Business Review
 

“we aRe now Beginning to see
imPoRtant signs of imPRovement” 

10  Chairman’s statement 
14  Business review 
24  Financial review 
29  Case studies 

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10  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

cHaiRman’s statement
 

Results 
Despite another extremely difficult year, we made a trading profit* 

of £8.4m (2008: £19.5m). We also generated a positive operational 

I am pleased to report that the property market is showing some 

cash flow, and reduced gearing from 105% to 80%. 

signs of recovery, and that your company is in good condition to 

benefit from this. Our finances are in good shape, our Hopper is full 

of opportunities, and we are beginning to find attractively-priced 

acquisitions. 

However, including revaluations and other non-cash items, we 

incurred a loss after tax for the year of £101.7m (2008: £50.7m). 

This loss was principally (£80.6m) incurred in the first half of 

the year, since when market conditions and the company’s 

Over the past twelve months, we have worked extremely hard to 

performance have significantly improved. 

strengthen the company’s position. 

❚ We have refinanced the business with an issue of new equity. 

❚	 We have renegotiated and improved the covenants on our 

banking facilities.

 ❚	 We have generated positive operational cash flow through a 
judicious programme of asset sales and a careful control of 

development expenditure. 

❚	 We have succeeded in delivering a trading profit* and have made 

real progress in our asset management activities.

 ❚	 We have continued to marshal our schemes successfully through 
the planning process to ensure a pipeline of future activity and 

added value.

 ❚	 We have preserved our core team throughout the downturn, 
and have consequently retained all of our key capabilities, 

undiminished. 

St. Modwen’s reputation as the UK’s leading regeneration specialist 

has, if anything, been enhanced by our ability to continue to deliver 

schemes throughout this downturn. We are now looking forward 

to a gradual return to a more normal level of activity in our major 

markets. 

Anthony Glossop 
Chairman 

After adjusting for the effect of the equity issue, our net asset value 
declined by 20% to 200p per share (2008: 251p†). 

tRading and valuations 
The broad range and regional spread of our activities has enabled 

us to continue to find business even in difficult market conditions. 

We achieved property sales of £101m, and have steadily reduced 

our stock of unoccupied completed buildings. 

However, compared with recent years, we have had a very low 

level of development activity. This, together with the absence 

of any meaningful cash flow from our residential land disposal 

programme, has placed more emphasis on the asset management 

aspect of our business. One long-term strategic objective has 

always been for our recurring income to be sufficient to cover the 

running and financing costs of the business. This year that has 

proved particularly valuable. Our team improved the rental income 

from our portfolio, in very challenging conditions. 

Our valuations at 30th November 2009 represent what I hope is 

the end of a long period of adverse sentiment in the real estate 

investment market. The results for the year include a negative 

yield shift on average of 1.4%. The value of our commercial land 

has been reduced to reflect the lower values of the developments 

that will be undertaken on the land. The valuation of our residential 

land was also reduced significantly in the first half of the year, to 

reflect the depressed housing market. It is encouraging to note, 

however, that in this area at least, values had stabilized by the year 

end and no further write-down was required on our residential 

land in November. This is evidenced by four residential land sale 

transactions that we currently have in solicitors’ hands, all for 

prices at or above November carrying values. 

Throughout the period of market price deterioration, our strategy 

of constantly seeking to add value has helped to mitigate the 

unavoidable market value write-downs. During the year we 

achieved a number of important planning consents and advanced 

the status of several of our key schemes. Market related 

adjustments of £134m this year (2008: £129m) were offset 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

11

Below 
The £6 million innovation centre 
at longbridge welcomed 11 new 
occupiers in 2009 and is now 
almost 100% let. 

B
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s
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by added value gains arising from our marshalling and asset 

management activities of £27m (2008: £65m). Following these 

additional consents, we now have more than 20,000 residential 

plots with planning recognition in our Hopper, and the recovery of 

the residential market will make an important contribution to the 

company’s future returns. 

financing 
In May we announced a refinancing of the business, comprising 

new banking covenants and a Firm Placing and Placing and Open 

Offer of new shares. I was very pleased with the positive reaction 

to the equity issue, which attracted a number of significant new 

investors and which raised £101.6m net of costs. This new equity 

finance, together with the relaxation of our banking covenants, 

enabled us both to reduce our gearing levels and to continue to 

operate well within our banking covenants despite the prolonged 

and significant fall in property values. 

dividend 
Your board is not recommending a final dividend for the year, as we 

believe that the funds are currently better used in the operations 

of the business. We anticipate resuming the payment of dividends 

when we are once again generating net asset value increases. 

stRategy 
The economic downturn caused us to examine closely our business 

model and strategy; and I am pleased to say that they have not 

been found wanting. 

We have therefore been able to adapt our activities to suit the 

changing conditions, scaling-back speculative schemes, but 

continuing to marshal sites for development on the back of pre-let 

or pre-sold opportunities. We have also continued to dispose of 

those mature assets to which we can add no further significant 

value. We have been able to nurture our recurring income (which 

now amounts to £43m per annum), by letting voids, by offering 

flexibility and value for money to tenants, and by retaining those 

income-producing assets where we felt that investment prices 

achievable could be improved. The broad range and regional spread 

of our business ensured that, whatever activity there was in the 

market, we have been able to respond to it. 

All of this is a strong reaffirmation of our Hopper strategy, which 

now embraces more than 5,600 acres: regionally structured, 

prudently financed, with the emphasis on value creation and 

diversification. 

Therefore, despite our focus on cash generation, we have continued 

to seek, and to find, long-term opportunities for the Hopper. Our 

acquisition of an extensive portfolio from BP, following on from last 

year’s acquisition of their Llandarcy oil refinery, is a good example 

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12  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

cHaiRman’s statement continued 

of the excellent opportunities we are finding. The acquisition, 

With these changes successfully implemented, and the board 

which was undertaken after considerable due diligence, includes 

duly strengthened, the next steps in our non-executive succession 

566 acres of developable land. It will be self-financing and will 

strategy are to seek appropriate candidates for the roles of 

have a 20-year development horizon that will enable the company 

Chairman and Senior Independent Director, in time for my 

to utilise fully its brownfield land remediation expertise. We 

retirement and that of Ian Menzies-Gow in 2011. Ian and I will work 

also made other significant acquisitions at Exeter, Taunton and 

to ensure that the process is seamless and that the board will 

Doncaster, adding a total of 139 acres of developable land, at a 

continue to function as robustly and effectively as ever during this 

total cost of £13m. 

period of transition. 

Looking ahead, I remain confident that St. Modwen’s strategy is 

valid in the long-term, and will give us the opportunity to provide 

sector-leading returns to shareholders once again. 

diRectoRs and emPloyees 
Achieving the results for the year in the current climate is a 

PRosPects 
Property market prospects still remain uncertain. The economy 

may be slowly emerging from recession, but business confidence 

remains fragile, with continued pressure on rents and occupancy 

levels. 

tribute to the quality and strength of the team at all levels in the 

However, St. Modwen is well prepared for such conditions: our 

organisation. My thanks go to everyone for the efforts they  

financial position is sound; our business model will increasingly 

have made. 

We are currently in the process of making a number of changes 

create value; and we are in a good position to seize attractive 
opportunities to add further to the Hopper. 

to the composition of the board, as we continue to implement our 

As yet our portfolio has not seen the resurgence in values 

long-term board succession strategy. 

experienced in other parts of the property market. But 

During the year Christopher Roshier and Mary Francis both 

stepped down as non-executive directors: Christopher, having 

nevertheless I believe that we are now beginning to see important 

signs of improvement. 

completed 22 years’ service, including a long spell as chairman of 

I am confident that 2010 will see the company returning to growth 

the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director; and Mary, 

in profits and NAV. 

having completed 4 years’ service, for most of which she was 

chairman of the Remuneration Committee. 

At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, Paul Rigg will also 

step down as non-executive director, having completed 6 years’ 

service. 

I would like to thank them all for the valued contribution that 

they have made to the guidance of the company during their 

time with us. 

We have been fortunate to find excellent replacements in 

Katherine Innes Ker and Lesley James, the latter of whom has 

taken the chair of the Remuneration Committee. 

We have also recruited Reeta Stokes as Company Secretary, 

assuming the role previously covered on a temporary basis by 

Tim Haywood, our Finance Director. 

Anthony Glossop 
Chairman 

5th February 2010 

* 	 trading profit — excludes non-cash items such as revaluations and 

mark-to-market adjustments 

† 	 net asset value per share — adjusted as if the equity issue had taken place 

on 1st December 2007 

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Below 
in April 2009, st. modwen 
was selected as preferred 
developer for the £270 million 
regeneration of firepool in 
Taunton. 

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14  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009
 

Business Review
 

ouR maRket 
St. Modwen is proud to be recognised as the UK’s leading 

comPetitive and RegulatoRy enviRonment 
In the recessionary post credit crunch market, the lack of readily-

regeneration specialist, delivering complex schemes throughout 

available finance has restricted the appetite and ability to compete 

the country and within all sectors of the property market. 

of many developers. The dislocation of the residential market, 

Over the past two years we have experienced some of the 

worst property market conditions for decades. There has been 

a widespread lack of confidence and activity amongst 

housebuilders and commercial property occupiers, who are key 

combined with falling investment returns, and increasing levels 

of caution amongst occupiers has undermined the viability of 

a number of proposed schemes. As a result, development and 

acquisition activity has fallen to low levels. 

to the profitability and growth of our business. There has also been 

Following our refinancing in the summer, we are now able 

a well-documented valuation crisis, which together with a shortage 

to operate from a position of strength. This new competitive 

of bank finance has restricted investor appetite and triggered a 

landscape is already beginning to provide us with opportunities, 

rapid and significant reduction in property values. 

for acquisitions and for renegotiating schemes that have become 

It is with some relief that we are able to say that we believe that 

the worst of these conditions is now behind us. Although we have 

not seen evidence within our portfolio of the strong recovery of 

values recently reported for some prime assets, we are achieving 

unviable in present market conditions. We do not see this 

environment changing markedly in the short to medium-term. 

Consequently we have been in no rush to use our available funds 

on any but the most compelling transactions. 

transactions that underpin our current valuations. This leads us 

Despite this backdrop, the regulatory environment remains 

to believe that future valuation movements are more likely to be 

restrictive, wasteful and expensive. Planning process reforms 

positive than negative. 

In particular, we are pleased to have agreed four disposals of 

residential land at sites throughout the country, to a range of 

housebuilders, at prices at or ahead of our previous carrying 

values. Before the credit crunch, our residential land disposal 

programme was a major part of our development activities. With 

the gradual re-opening of residential markets, we expect to 

resume that activity and start to re-capture some of the value that 

has been written off our residential land holdings. 

Notwithstanding the depressed state of the economy, we have 

found a few bright spots within our various markets. In particular, 

we are currently on site with two sizeable colleges of further 

education (at Rugby and Longbridge), with two foodstores (at 

Farnborough, Hampshire and Connah’s Quay, Flintshire) and with 

several significant employment buildings (at Taunton and  

Stoke-on-Trent). These pre-sold transactions have enabled us 

to continue to be relatively active and to maintain a degree of 

momentum with our key strategic projects. 

Although we believe that we have now reached the bottom of 

the cycle, the pace and extent of recovery from this point will be 

determined mainly by macro-economic factors outside of our 

control:

have not worked, and the cost and timescale involved in obtaining 

planning permission continue to escalate with every new initiative, 

guidance and regulation. However, as one of our key skills is being 

able to work our schemes through the planning system, the more 

restrictive the system becomes, the more our skills are needed, 

and the greater the value that is created by our marshalling 

activities. 

Business model and stRategy 
St. Modwen’s underlying purpose is to add value to the properties 

we control. We do not acquire or retain property unless we believe 

that we can add significant value to it by asset management, 

refurbishment or redevelopment. 

In a declining market, such as the one we have recently been 

facing, new and different challenges have arisen, and our business 

model has been stress-tested to previously unthought-of levels. 

It is with some satisfaction therefore that we are able to reflect on 

the past two years, and on the reaffirmation of many long-standing 

elements of our business model:

 ❚  First and foremost our recurring income, generated from an 
extensive and diversified rent roll, enabled us to continue to 

operate profitably despite at times the almost total absence of 

any investment market for our new developments.

 ❚  Increasing unemployment and interest rate levels would 

represent significant threats to occupier and investor confidence. 

 ❚  Our long-standing emphasis on value creation enabled us 
to mitigate the worst effects of the deteriorating property 

❚ Future cuts in public spending may have a negative impact on 

local government’s ability or willingness to support large-scale 

investment market on our portfolio valuations, as we continued 

to marshal our Hopper through the planning process to extract 

infrastructure or regeneration projects. 

maximum value.

We have experienced extremely challenging markets in the 

past year, but are pleased that our business model has proved 

sufficiently robust for us to emerge relatively unscathed and in a 

strong position to take advantage of improving conditions. 

 ❚  Our prudent approach to financing and excellent relationships 
with our key banks enabled us to address covenant issues 

proactively and at a realistic cost. 

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Below 
The 62,000 sq ft sainsbury’s 
foodstore which was completed 
during the year as part of the 
redevelopment of farnborough 
Town centre. 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

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16  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

Business Review continued 

Below 
parkside Doncaster
A 27 acre site which we 
acquired during the year. 

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 ❚  Our network of regional offices, supported by a strong central 
management team, ensured that we had a broadly-based 

programme of activity and that, even in very difficult market 

❚ Reducing our expenditure; 

❚ Seeking to drive down debt and gearing levels; 

conditions, we were able to pull out of the Hopper projects for 

❚ Selling assets to which we could no longer add value; 

which there was a current market opportunity.

 ❚  Our skills in brownfield land remediation and other aspects of 

regeneration make us an attractive partner to landowners, local 

authorities and central government agencies. 

Nevertheless the past two years have provided us with some useful 

lessons for the future evolution of the company. We will set more 

❚ Eliminating speculative development activity; and

 ❚  Minimising any other non-funded commitments. 

The success of these activities enabled us to be cash-generative 

during the year, notwithstanding the absence of cash inflow from 

residential land sales. 

demanding hurdles before initiating speculative development 

But despite all of these actions, market conditions were so 

schemes; and we will be more rigorous in exiting mature schemes 

adverse, and property values were falling to such an extent, that we 

to which no further value can be added, other than by market yield 

were ultimately left with little alternative but to seek to refinance 

movements. 

emPloyees 
St. Modwen’s business model is based on a hands-on approach 
in all areas: asset management; marshalling; construction and 

the business in May, in order to address bank covenant limits. The 

subsequent renegotiation of our banking covenants and the issuing 

of new equity (reported on in more detail below), addressed the 

risk of a future covenant breach. It also took away the need to sell 

further assets into a declining market, and put the company into 

development. As a result, the skill of our people is fundamental 

a position of financial strength from which we could benefit from 

to our success. Therefore, particularly in these difficult times, we 

future opportunities. 

have sought to retain and incentivise them, and to continue to grow 

the abilities of the talented people who will be the drivers of the 

company’s future expansion. With the current short-term financial 

The company is trading within all its banking covenants and its 

realistic forward projections show a continuation of that position. 

constraints, this has been achieved by putting in place share 

Our key performance indicators are: 

options and deferred bonuses which seek to reward and lock-in key 

employees. We have also maintained our programme of internal 

promotion, with a number of staff taking on significant additional 

responsibilities during the year. 

To avoid implementing any further enforced headcount reductions 

Gearing1 

Rental cover2 

since the 20% in October 2008, we consulted widely with staff 

Hopper replenishment3 

Target 

75-100% 

>100% 

>120% 

Actual 
2009 

80% 

97% 

569% 

during the year and agreed a cost-reduction package that would 

enable us to keep our core team together. With effect from 

September therefore, we put in place a company-wide salary 

freeze, closed the company’s final salary pension scheme to future 

accrual and also reduced employer contributions into the money 

purchase scheme until we are once again growing our net asset 

value and paying dividends. 

financial oBjectives and key PeRfoRmance indicatoRs 
St. Modwen’s financial objectives over the past year have been 

simple and obvious, namely: to manage through the downturn by 

running the business for cash flow; and to be in the best possible 

shape to profit from the opportunities that will undoubtedly arise. 

Both of these objectives required us to adapt our activities to the 

deteriorating market conditions. We did this by: 

NAV growth4 

upper quartile 

upper quartile 

Dividend growth5 

in line with NAV growth 

n/a 

1 Gearing = net debt as a percentage of shareholders’ funds 

2 Rental cover = net rental income as a percentage of overheads and net 
interest (excluding non-cash items such as mark-to-market of swaps) 

3 Hopper replenishment = land acquired for the hopper as a percentage of 

land used in the year 

4 NAV growth = balance sheet total as a percentage of previous year. Target 
= upper quartile performance compared with FTSE350 real estate index 
over five years. 

5 Dividend growth = dividend per share as a percentage of previous year. 

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18  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

Business Review continued 

develoPment and PeRfoRmance of tHe Business 
the Hopper - assembly and acquisition 
Despite the financial constraints on the business, 2009 was another 

excellent year for acquisitions, and we were able to achieve this 

without significant cash outlay. Obtaining control of opportunities 

through self-financing transactions has always been part of our 

Hopper strategy, and this year our skills in deal structuring have 

enabled us to continue to build for the future without compromising 

the short-term requirements of the business. 

Our total expenditure on new acquisitions during the year was 

only £13m. However, we were able to add 705 acres of developable 

land to the Hopper. As a result, our Hopper now stands at 5,604 

developable acres. The Hopper is very broadly based, comprising 

some 174 separate schemes, across all sectors of the property 

market. 

Hopper analysis (acres) 

developable 

Retail and leisure 

Employment 

Residential 

Unspecified 

2009 

2008 

433 

2,735 

1,564 

872 

314 

2,324 

1,462 

920 

5,604 

5,020 

 ❚	 Firepool, Taunton — we completed a development agreement 

with Taunton Deane Borough Council for the £270m regeneration 

of this important town centre opportunity. 

❚	 Weston Super Mare — we also completed a development 

agreement with South West Regional Development Agency and 

the Homes and Communities Agency for a new 200 acre mixed 

use community at the former RAF Locking site, and expect to 

start work on site this spring.

 ❚	 Sunderland — we acquired a seven acre parcel of land, formerly 

owned by glass manufacturer, Corning, adjacent to the 

10-acre former Pyrex factory site that we purchased in 2008. 

The combined 17 acre site is now one of Sunderland’s major 

strategic development zones, earmarked for a £10m 

mixed-use development which will provide 65,000 sq ft of office 

accommodation and 285, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. 

❚	 Doncaster — we acquired a 27 acre site for £3m. To be known as 
‘Parkside Industrial Estate’ it comprises 600,000 sq ft of existing 

buildings including a 250,000 sq ft warehouse and a 350,000 sq ft 

production building.

 ❚	 Weston Super Mare — we acquired the 26 acre Westland 

Distribution Park site for £3.4m, reflecting a net initial yield of 

13%. It currently comprises eight acres of open storage land and 

335,000 sq ft of distribution and production facilities. 

The most significant acquisitions that we made during the period 

were: 

❚	 BP Portfolio — we acquired a portfolio of former BP sites 

marshalling 
Our teams have continued to make very good progress in 

marshalling the schemes in our Hopper for future delivery, which 

is shown by the quantity and quality of planning permissions that 

with 566 developable acres, situated primarily in South Wales. 

we have obtained in the year: 

Together with our existing Coed Darcy site, this acquisition 

provides us with an exciting and significant development 

programme for the long-term regeneration of an area extending 

from Neath Port Talbot to Swansea.

 ❚	 Skypark, Exeter — we entered into a partnership agreement 
with Devon County Council to develop the 107 acre Skypark 

scheme in Exeter, which will include 1.4 million sq ft of office 

and industrial/manufacturing space. We are currently working 

up the masterplan and the Section 106 agreement, with a view to 

starting construction in 2011.

Planning permissions obtained in the year 

Residential 

Retail 

Commercial 

Office 

No. 

Sq Ft 

Units 

932 

9 

4 

332,000 

13 

2,011,000 

2 

183,000 

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Below 
whitley business park 
The completed first phase of a 1.1 million sq ft office 
and industrial development adjacent to jaguar’s 
research and development centre in coventry. 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

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20  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

Business Review continued 

Below 
The first phase of the £90
million wembley Town centre 
was completed in 2009. 

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The planning position on our residential land bank is now: 

Planning status 

Allocated in local plan or similar 

Resolution to grant permission 

Outline permission granted 

Detailed permission granted 

Acres 

Units 

242 

323 

519 

32 

6,134 

5,230 

7,887 

833 

Sub-total — with planning recognition 

1,116 

20,084
 

delivery 
During the year, a number of our usual markets were highly illiquid 

or, in the case of residential land disposals, closed altogether. 

Investor confidence was low, as was the availability of finance, and 

realistic prices were difficult to obtain. Nevertheless, we adhered to 

our long-standing philosophy of disposing of those assets to which 

we could add no further value, and undertook a number of sales of 

mature properties or newly-completed developments in order to 

recycle cash for our other schemes. 

We therefore realised disposal proceeds of £101m, benefitting 

from the wide range, varied lot sizes, and realistic pricing of our 

No planning recognition 

448 

4,956
 

products. Some of the principal disposals in the period were:

TOTAL 	

1,564 

25,040 

Although we have scaled back our construction programme in 

response to market conditions, and in particular have avoided 

starting any new speculative schemes, we have nevertheless 
remained active and have made significant progress on a number 

of important schemes:

 ❚	 We are making excellent progress with our mixed use town 
centre schemes at Farnborough (with the completion of the 

62,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s foodstore and the 77-bed Travelodge 

Hotel) and at Wembley Central (with the completion of the first 

retail phase, anchored by TK Maxx, Peacocks and Bonmarché 

and the fit-out of the first phase of 32 apartments).

 ❚	 We have recently begun building a pre-sold 52,000 sq ft 

foodstore for Morrisons and 20,000 sq ft of additional retail space 

at Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, following demolition of a 1970’s 

shopping centre.

 ❚	 We have also continued to make excellent progress with the 
construction of the 150,000 sq ft Warwickshire College at our 

Rugby site, despite the insolvency of the main contractor. Using 

the skill and knowledge of our in-house construction team, we 

assumed direct responsibility for this construction programme 

thereby not only safeguarding numerous subcontractor jobs but 

also keeping the project on programme and within the original 

budget. 

❚	 We received planning consent and confirmation of funding for 

the flagship 250,000 sq ft Bournville College at Longbridge, and 

began work on site in October on this two-year project which is 

of great strategic importance to the area. The building of this 

six storey development will create hundreds of construction and 

associated jobs locally. The College will create a dynamic new 

learning environment for over 10,000 students in both further 

and higher education, and will provide a significant impetus for 

the regeneration of the former MG Rover facility. 

 ❚	 The Vodafone call centre in Stoke-on-Trent, sold to a private 
investor for £10.7m, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.0%.

 ❚	 Part of the site at Thurleigh Business Park in Bedfordshire, to 
MSV Group Ltd for £5.3m, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.5%.

 ❚	 A foodstore, let to Tesco for a further 62 years, at our Catford 
Shopping Centre in Lewisham, sold to a private investor for 

£9.1m, a net initial yield of 6.9%. 

❚	 A 39,000 sq ft cash and carry store let to Booker at Langford 

Mead Business Park in Taunton, Somerset for £2.9m, reflecting 

a net initial yield of 7.25%. 

In the industrial/distribution sector we completed over 

750,000 sq ft of new buildings, including:

 ❚	 A 26,150 sq ft supply and distribution centre for East Riding of 
Yorkshire Council at Melton Business Park, Hull. The building 

was pre-sold to the Council for £2.25m.

 ❚	 At the 200,000 sq ft Langford Mead Business Park in Taunton, 

part of our £100m redevelopment of a 65-acre former industrial 

estate and MoD site, we have built: 

— Two new bespoke buildings totalling 76,000 sq ft to form 

a new Heritage Centre for Somerset County Council’s 

Historical Artefacts with a specifically designed and controlled 

environment which also allows wider public access; and 

— An 11,000 sq ft unit for West Country Feeds, the supplier of 

animal feeds and accessories. 

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22  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

Business Review continued 

Below 
The new Heritage centre, built
for somerset county council at 
our langford mead business 
park in Taunton. 

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❚	 A 22,400 sq ft facility for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service 
and a 36,000 sq ft factory and head office building for Wade 

Experiences, however, vary across our portfolio. For example, a 

number of our secondary shopping centres (including Edmonton 

Ceramics at our 400 acre Trentham Lakes Business Park 

Green, Elephant & Castle, and Catford) have strongly underpinned 

development.

 ❚	 Substantial progress has been made during the year at RAF 

Northolt, where, as part of Project MoDEL, over £150m is being 

invested to provide service personnel with brand new living, 

working and dining accommodation. This part of the project is 

due to complete in the summer of 2010, and remains on plan  

and on budget, with more than 95% of the 600,000 sq ft of 

buildings completed. 

We also successfully completed a number of developments in the 

office and leisure parts of our business, including:

 ❚	 The construction and fit-out of a pre-let call centre for Vodafone, 
an innovatively-designed 80,000 sq ft building which secured 

jobs for about 1,100 people in Stoke-on-Trent. This spacious and 
modern building achieved BREEAM “Very Good” rating, and  

is the largest commercial office building we have ever built in 

this region. 

Encouragingly, we are now beginning to see signs of recovery in  

the residential land market, with bids received, or contracts 

exchanged at or above current book values, on four disposals 

totalling 34 acres. 

ERVs due to the competitive pressures brought about by near 100% 

occupancy levels. On the other hand, certain centres (including 

Basingstoke) are troubled by significant voids to which a highly 

competitive rent reduction is our principal response. These 

factors are reflected in the yields and ERVs used in our year end 

valuations. 

Rental income by sector 

Industrial 52% (2008: 53%) 

Offices 9% (2008: 8%) 

Retail 39% (2008: 39%) 

We anticipate that 2010 will continue to see pressure on our net 

rents, as the macro-economic conditions continue to give rise to 

increased unemployment and a reduction in consumer spending. 

However, our rents are at the affordable end of the scale, which 

Hands-on asset management remains a significant part of our 

we believe will provide some insulation from the effect of further 

business model, and our regional teams have been very active 

tenant failures. 

during the period, as we seek to mitigate the impact on our rent 

roll of the current difficult market conditions. We are, of course, 

mindful of the effect of rent reviews and lease renewals on asset 

valuations, but also very aware of the impact of void costs and loss 

of rent on our trading profit. We have therefore sought to minimise 

voids wherever possible, taking a pragmatic view of passing 

rents and seeking to work with those of our tenants who are 

experiencing difficulties. 

The benefit of our overall approach to asset management is  

shown by the fact that our like-for-like gross rent roll has 

increased by £2.0m to £43.0m since 30th November 2008. This 

reflects our success in achieving £7.7m of new lettings to offset 

rent lost of £5.1m due to vacations and £0.6m due to tenant failures 

in the period. 

Supplementing our traditional rent roll, our leisure activities at 

Trentham Gardens and Solihull Ice Rink, continue to perform 

strongly. The gardens, in particular had a very successful year, 

attracting 216,000 visitors (2008: 108,000) and recording a trading 

profit before interest of £1.7m (2008: £0.8m). 

[For further details of projects referred to in this business review, 

and other projects, see our website www.stmodwen.co.uk] 

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24 

st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 
AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

financial Review
 

In the trading profit table and throughout the financial review, certain 

After the inclusion of revaluations and other non-cash items, we 

numbers are quoted which include the group’s share of joint ventures 

incurred a loss after tax for the year of £101.7m (2008: £50.7m). 

and associates as detailed in note 9 

eQuity issue and Refinancing 
In May 2009 we announced a refinancing of the business, 

net rental income 
The overall increase in net rental income was the result of a year 

of significant asset management activity in which the effect of 

comprising new banking covenants and a Firm Placing and Placing 

asset disposals, tenant failures and vacations was more than 

and Open Offer of new shares. Together these enabled us to reduce 

offset by our successes in letting void space and newly-completed 

our gearing levels and to meet our banking covenants in the wake 

developments. 

of a prolonged and significant fall in property values. 

At 30th November 2009 the like-for-like gross rent roll, including 

We were very heartened by the level of interest shown by both 

our share of rent from joint ventures had increased from £41.0m to 

existing shareholders and new institutional investors, which 

£43.0m. At the year end our overall voids had been held steady at 

enabled the issue to be undertaken without significant dilution of 

16.8% (2008:16.8%). 

existing shareholders’ interests. This was the first time that we 

had raised new equity for over 20 years, and the opportunity to 

participate was taken by a number of high quality new institutional 

investors, whose participation strengthens and diversifies our 
share register. 

We continue to benefit from excellent and longstanding 

Property profits 
Property profits, including our share of joint ventures, were £7.6m 

(2008: £20.9m), with significant contributions from a number of 
pre-let and pre-sold developments (including those for Vodafone, 

Wades, Morrisons and Somerset and East Riding councils), as well 

as property profits at Thurleigh, Catford and Bournville and Rugby 

relationships with our principal banks (Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, 

HSBC, Barclays and Bank of Ireland), whose support was reflected 

Colleges. 

in the terms and conditions that we obtained for our new banking 

arrangements, which stand favourable comparison with similar 

Property valuations 
All of our investment properties (including land) are valued every 

refinancing exercises undertaken by our peers. 

The subsequent refinancing of our Sowcrest joint venture was also 

concluded satisfactorily, with the existing £38m Fortis bank facility 

for our Wembley scheme extended until June 2012. 

income statement 
trading  profit 
In very difficult conditions, we are pleased to have delivered a 

trading profit of £8.4m for the year. Our business model is based 

on core rental and other income covering the running costs of the 

company (property outgoings, overheads and interest), so that even 

when development profits are reduced, the company is still able to 

meet its commitments. 

six months by King Sturge and Co. at market value, and our work in 

progress is also independently assessed for any impairment issues. 

investment property (£m)* 

Residential land 

Commercial land 

Income producing 

Retail 	

Offices 	

Industrial 	

Total 	

2009 

2008 

329 

132 

192 

44 

194 

891 

324 

150 

233 

38 

204 

949 

trading Profit 
(£m)* 	

Net rental income 

Property profits1 

Other income 

2009 

33.5 

7.6 

1.8 

2008 

33.2 

20.9 

7.3 

* 	 including the group’s share of joint ventures and associates (excluding 

minimum lease payments). 

The valuation of our investment properties reflects both market 

movements and the value added by our own activities, including  

the achievement of marshalling milestones in the planning 

process. The calculation of this added value reflects the present 

Administrative expenses 

(14.1) 

(14.1) 

value of future cash flows, based on existing land prices and the 

current best estimate of costs to be incurred. 

Bank interest2 

Trading Profit 

(20.4) 

(27.8) 

8.4 

19.5 

* 

 including the group’s share of joint ventures and associates 

1	  comprises results from development and disposal of investment 

properties before the deduction of net realisable value provisions of 
£15.8m (2008: £11.3m). 

2 

excluding mark-to-market adjustments and other non-cash items of 
£5.1m (2008: £20.8m) in the group and £1.2m (2008: £2.9m) in joint 
ventures. 

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2009 was a year of considerable uncertainty in the real estate 

investment market, and our valuations at 30th November continue 

to reflect a weak secondary property market, and as a result, our 

investment property valuations have fallen by £107m (11%) during 

the year, and our assets for resale and work in progress carrying 

values by £16m (6%). 

In the first half of the year, all elements of our portfolio were 

adversely affected, with significant market value movements 

in every sector. In the second half, the principal areas of down-

valuation were our retail and commercial land holdings. We 

2009 Property valuations — market value movements (£m)* 

H1 

Residential land 

(16) 

(6%) 

H2 

(1) 

Commercial land 

(22) 

(14%) 

(10) 

Income producing 

Total 

(17) 

(32) 

(6%) 

(20%) 

(0%) 

(7%) 

Retail 

Offices 

(52) 

(22%) 

(4) 

(10%) 

Industrial 

(18) 

(9%) 

(5) 

— 

(6) 

(4%) 

(57) 

(25%) 

0% 

(4) 

(10%) 

(3%) 

(24) 

(12%) 

produced sizeable added value uplifts which helped to mitigate the 

Total 

(112) 

(12%) 

(22) 

(2%) 

(134) 

(14%) 

worst effects of the adverse market movements. 

* 	 including the group’s share of joint ventures and associates 

Despite reports of positive valuation movements for prime assets 

in the latter part of 2009, we have not yet seen any material 

improvement in market conditions or values in our secondary 

property portfolio. However, it is encouraging to note that the 

rate of decline in our valuations has slowed considerably, with a 

net down-valuation of £87m for the first half being followed by a 

further down-valuation of £20m for the second half. For most of 

our portfolio, we now believe that we have reached the bottom of 

the cycle. 

administrative expenses 
Towards the end of 2008, we took action to reduce our cost base to 

reflect the lower activity levels in the business. The impact of the 

resulting redundancy programme was a reduction in annualised 
costs of £3m. We continued to maintain a close control over costs 

in 2009, with a number of initiatives being implemented including:

 ❚	 The permanent closure of our final salary pension scheme, 

❚	 The temporary suspension of company contributions to the 

remaining (money purchase) pension scheme, and

Property valuation movements (£m)* 

 ❚	 A further headcount reduction of 12 due to natural wastage. 

H1 

2009 
H2 

Total 

2008 

Market value movement 

(112) 

(22) 

(134) 

(129) 

Marshalling and 
asset management 

Total 

25 

(87) 

2 

27 

(20) 

(107) 

65 

(64) 

* 	 including the group’s share of joint ventures and associates 

In particular, after suffering significant reductions over an 18 

month period, we are pleased to report that the value of our 

residential land appears to have found a stable level, and we 

have in place a number of transactions that support the current 

values. We believe that this does not reflect the long-term value 

of residential land which we consider will return to more realistic 
levels once a functioning housing market is re-established. We 

therefore look forward to some positive valuation results on this 

part of the portfolio in the near future. 

The closure of the defined benefit pension scheme resulted in a 

one-off curtailment gain of £0.7m. 

Also included within administrative expenses is the cost of 

employee share options. The charge for the year increased to 

£0.6m (2008: £3.3m credit), as a result of the recovery of the share 

price following the equity issue and refinancing. 

As a result of the above factors, administrative expenses (including 

our share of joint ventures) have remained flat during the year at 

£14.1m (2008: £14.1m). 

joint ventures and associates 
Our share of the post tax results of joint ventures and associates is 

shown on the income statement as one net figure. A full analysis 

of the underlying details is disclosed in note 9. The principal joint 

venture in which the group is involved is Key Property Investments 

Limited, which recorded a post-tax loss, of which our share was 

£22.1m (2008: £7.2m). 

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26  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

financial Review continued 

finance costs and income 
Net finance charges (including our share of joint ventures) have 

reduced to £26.7m (2008: £51.5m). This was due to three principal 

financing, covenants and going conceRn 
financing 
The company entered the downturn with adequate secured 

factors: lower borrowing levels; reduced mark-to-market costs; 

facilities and excellent banking relationships. During the year we 

partly offset by increased borrowing costs.

 ❚	 The proceeds of the equity issue, and a positive net operational 

focussed the business on cash generation, and worked closely with 

our banks to ensure that appropriate covenants are in place. 

cash flow for the year, enabled us to drive average group 

The company’s cash flow was adversely affected by the illiquidity 

borrowings down by £45m to £385m (2008: £430m). 

❚	 As a result of more stable interest rates than in 2008, the 

revaluation of our interest rate swap contracts to market value 

at year end resulted in a much lower charge to the Income 

Statement of £5.9m (2008: £18.3m). This charge recognises the 

negative market value of such contracts in the prevailing climate 

of very low interest rates. 

❚	 The impact of the renegotiation of our banking covenants was 

to increase the weighted average margin on our facilities by 113 
basis points to 199 basis points. With the interest cost of 99% of 

our borrowings fixed, our total borrowing cost is currently 6.98%. 

Net finance charges also include a charge of £0.2m (2008: £5.6m) 

for the amortisation of the discounted deferred consideration 

payable to the MoD in respect of Project MoDEL. 

During 2009 the group has continued to expense all interest 

as it has arisen, and has not capitalised any interest on its 

developments or its investments. 

taxation 
The effective rate of tax credit for the year, including our share of 

joint ventures is 15% (2008: 37%). 

This rate is substantially lower than the standard rate of UK 

Corporation Tax due primarily to restrictions under IAS on our 

ability to reflect the utilisation of the current year’s tax losses 

against future taxable profits. As a result of this, we have an 

unrecognised deferred tax asset of £8m which we envisage will  

be crystallised in future years when the company resumes 

profitable trading. 

It is anticipated that, with the continued utilisation of these losses 

and of other tax allowances, and the benefit in future years of 

approved tax planning activities, the effective rate of tax on future 

profits will be lower than the standard rate of UK Corporation Tax. 

Benefit from tax planning activities is only recognised when the 

outcome is reasonably certain. 

of a number of our markets, but we were nevertheless able to 

realise £101m from our ongoing programme of asset disposals. 

This, together with our recurring net rental income, and close 

management of our working capital, enabled us to meet our 

administrative expenses, interest, and an £80m development and 

capital expenditure programme, whilst delivering a net reduction in 

borrowings from operational cash flows. 

The table below shows an additional non-statutory analysis of the 

operational cash flow of the business. 

operational cash flow 

Net Rent 

Property disposals 

Property acquisitions 

Capital expenditure 

Working capital and other movements 

Overheads, interest and tax 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) 

2009 
£m 

26.1 

2008 
£m 

25.7 

100.9 

127.1 

(12.9) 

(12.2) 

(79.7) 

(190.3) 

(6.3) 

64.1 

(27.0) 

(34.0) 

1.1 

(19.6) 

The total reduction in group borrowings amounted to £102.7m, 

resulting from the operational cash flow of £1.1m above and the 

net receipts of £101.6m from the equity issue, all of which was 

initially used to reduce our debt levels. Towards the end of the 

year, with market conditions becoming more favourable, we began 

selectively to make property acquisitions. 

With the receipt of the proceeds from the equity issue, and 

the significant level of undrawn capacity within our existing 

arrangements, we took the opportunity to cancel £100m of our 

previous facilities. Consequently we now have total group facilities 

of £519m (2008: £619m). 

Current net debt is £319m (2008: £422m), giving us a gearing of 

80% (2008: 105%) and a headroom to meet future commitments 

of £200m. Including joint ventures and associates, total banking 

facilities are £764m (2008: £872m), net debt is £527m (2008: 

£625m) and gearing 106% (2008: 130%). 

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Our group facilities have a weighted average maturity of 3 years 

(2008: 4 years), with no maturities before November 2011. 

financial statistics 

The weighted average margin of our facilities has risen as a result 

of the new amendment agreements to 199 basis points (2008: 86 

b.p.) over LIBOR. Our strategy had previously been to hedge two 

thirds of all borrowings, with the maturity of both hedges and 

facilities being aligned with individual schemes where applicable. 

Net Borrowings 

Gearing 

Gearing, incl share of JV debt 

Average debt maturity 

Following the repayment of £101.6m of borrowings after the equity 

Interest cover 

issue during the year, the amount of our debt at fixed rates rose 

Undrawn committed facilities 

2009 

2008 

£319m 

£422m 

80% 

105% 

106% 

130% 

3 years 

4 years 

1.7x 

1.62x 

£200m 

£185m 

to 99% (2008: 57%), and is unlikely to change materially from that 

level until 2011 when the first of the hedging contracts matures. 

The weighted average fixed interest payable under these hedges 

is 4.99 %. 

covenants 
As part of the refinancing during the year, amendment agreements 

were put in place which substantially relaxed the covenants which 
apply to our banking facilities. The revised covenants are:

 ❚	 Net assets must be greater than £250m (actual £401m);

 ❚	 Gearing must not exceed 175 % (actual 80%); and 

❚	 Interest cover ratio (which excludes non-cash items, such as 

revaluation movements) must be greater than 1.25x (actual 1.7x). 

Balance sHeet 
net assets 
At the year end, net asset value per share was 200p, a reduction of 

51p (20%), after restating 2008 comparatives for the effect of the 

equity issued in 2009. In common with other property companies, 

we also use the diluted EPRA NAV measure of net assets which 

analysts also use in comparing the relative performance of such 

companies. The adjustments required to arrive at our adjusted net 

assets measure are shown in the table below. 

Adjusted net assets per share were 219p at 30th November 2009, a 

reduction of 57p (21%) in the year. 

The arrangement fees payable to the lenders and related advisory 

net assets 

fees for these amendments amounted to approximately £2m. 

Although current economic conditions still have an element of 

uncertainty, we have considered available market information, 

consulted with our advisers and applied our own knowledge and 

experience to the group’s property portfolio. As a result of this, we 

believe the revised covenant levels are more than adequate for 

Net Assets, beginning of year 

Issue of new shares 

Loss after tax 

Dividends paid 

our worst-case scenarios, and that we will once again be 

Other 

able to manage our business for property, rather than bank 

Net assets, end of year 

covenant, reasons. 

going concern 
In our consideration of going concern, we have considered the 

factors described above, reviewed the group’s future cash flow 
forecasts and valuation projections, which we believe are based 

on realistic assumptions, and believe, based on those forecasts 

and assumptions, that it is appropriate to prepare the financial 

statements of the group on the going concern basis. 

Adjust for issue of new shares 

Restated net assets 

Deferred tax on capital allowances 

Deferred tax on revaluations 

Mark to market of interest rate swaps 

Diluted EPRA NAV — total 

 — per share 

2009 
£m 

402.2 

101.6 

2008 
£m 

467.7 

— 

(101.7) 

(50.7) 

— 

(15.1) 

(1.1) 

0.3 

401.0 

402.2 

— 

401.0 

4.7 

13.3 

19.3 

101.6 

503.8 

4.3 

31.2 

14.6 

438.3 

553.9

219p 

276p 

In calculating the EPRA net as 
In cal

culating the EPRA net asset v

set value, w
 

alue, we consider the fair value
e consider the fair value 

of invententories t
of inv

ories t o be their book value.
 
o be their book value.

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28  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

financial Review continued 

investment properties 
The total value of investment properties under our control, 

Assets held in inventories are not included in the annual valuation, 

but are assessed for impairment and net realisable value issues 

including 100% of joint ventures, reduced by £67m during the year 

using independent external advice where appropriate. As a result, 

to £1,035m (2008: £1,102m). 

The independent valuations during the year ended 30th November 

2009 resulted in net revaluation losses, including our share of 

joint ventures, of 11% (£107m), compared with the previous year 

end. Our properties are currently valued at the following weighted 

average equivalent yields: 

equivalent yields 

Retail 

Industrial 

Office 

Total 

2009 

9.9% 

9.4% 

8.7% 

9.5% 

2008 

7.8% 

8.8% 

7.9% 

8.1% 

inventories 
Inventories have reduced in the year from £228m to £193m 

reflecting the completion of the development programme started 

in previous years (including £86m relating to Project MoDEL) and 

the effect of disposals or transfers into investment properties 

of completed schemes. Assets held in inventories principally 

comprise development projects that are on site and under 

construction and have not been pre-sold, and other assets that are 

held for resale at the period end. 

we have written down certain of our assets for resale and work in 

progress balances to reflect their net realisable value in current 

market conditions. The total provided amounted to £14.2m in the 

group and £1.6m in joint ventures. 

outlook 
Despite a difficult climate for occupiers, giving rise to low levels of 

demand for space, and continuing pressures on rents, we believe 

that our portfolio of flexible and affordable space is resilient. 

Encouragingly, the residential market is showing signs of 

improvement. The sales of residential land we are currently 

progressing mark the restoration of some meaningful 

housebuilding activity, albeit from an extremely low base. 

With our Hopper at record levels, and our finances sound, our 

marshalling and development skills will increasingly be applied, 

and as normal market conditions return, we will once again return 

to net asset value growth. 

Bill Oliver 
Chief Executive 

5th February 2010 

Tim Haywood 
Finance Director 

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BP PoRtfolio — uk wide 
pAGe 30 

waRwicksHiRe college, RugBy 
pAGe 32 

skyPaRk, eXeteR 
pAGe 34 

wytHensHawe town centRe, mancHesteR 
pAGe 36 

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“we aRe tHe leadeR in RegeneRation” 
bp pOrTfOliO — uk wiDe 

Having been selected as preferred developer in November 2008, 12 

Over 2,000 acres of the portfolio is located in South Wales and 

months later we completed the acquisition of a 2,500 acre portfolio 

together with Coed Darcy, these newly acquired sites will now 

of redundant BP sites across the UK. We have now acquired all of 

form part of a £3 billion linked development that will completely 

BP’s redundant land in the UK. 

The sale of the portfolio is only the second time that BP has 

approached the open market to dispose of its disused sites. The 

first occasion was our acquisition in May 2008 of the 1,060 acre 
Llandarcy Oil Refinery in Neath, South Wales which we  

are currently transforming into the £1.2 billion Coed Darcy  

urban village. 

transform an area extending from Neath Port Talbot to Swansea. 

This will take between 20-30 years to complete and will focus on 

four key areas: Education, Employment, Housing and Leisure. 

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“we are pleased to be renewing our partnership with st. modwen via this latest transaction which leaves our 
portfolio of disused sites in a competent pair of hands and means that bp’s proud history will live on through 
the regeneration projects that st. modwen undertakes.” 
david toman, BP’s general manager for Regeneration 

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This transaction, by which we acquired the portfolio for a nominal 

sum and received a dowry from BP to fund the remediation works, 

confirms our ability to continue adding strategic development sites 

to our Hopper. It is also a testament to our remediation expertise 

and skill as a developer, through which we have established lasting 

partnerships with significant international companies such as BP. 

BP sites 
Our regeneration of three of 
the former Welsh BP sites 
will create up to 16,000 jobs. 

fact 

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32  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

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“we aRe a safe PaiR of Hands” 
wArwicksHire cOlleGe, ruGby 

In early 2009 we were faced with the challenge of reacting to the 

As a result, we were able to protect jobs on site as well as the 

insolvency of the main contractor on one of our key construction  

businesses of the subcontractors. Crucially, we avoided any costly 

projects — the delivery of the new £35 million, 150,000 sq ft 

delays to this key project with works recommencing just three days 

Warwickshire College in Rugby. 

Determined that this would not impact the construction of the 

College, we acted quickly and found a solution to ensure we did not 

lose the momentum already gained. By taking a proactive view and 
using the skill and knowledge of our in-house construction team, 

we took over direct responsibility for the construction programme. 

after the contractor announced it had gone into administrative 

receivership. Building works remain on track to be completed in 

April 2010. 

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“by working very proactively, st. modwen has not only been able to get the project back on site but also 
mitigate some of the effects upon the existing subcontractors. This is great news for all concerned and we 
look forward to the building progressing to a successful opening.” 
chris Paget, estate director for warwickshire college 

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The new Warwickshire College campus will sit on part of the 82 


acre former Alstom Industrial complex, of which 400,000 sq ft is 


currently leased to Converteam, a supplier of electric power and 


propulsion packages. On the remaining 70 acres we have secured 

outline planning to develop a £120 million urban community — the 

largest brownfield development in Rugby. 

Power Academy 
The new College will include 
a Power Academy to train 
technicians for the new 
generation of power stations. 

fact 

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AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

“we make a Positive diffeRence” 
skypArk, exeTer 

Emphasising the strength of our regional structure and our 

The 20 year project is a fundamental part of the Exeter and East 

position as the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, in March this 

Devon New Growth Point and will be a major contributor to the 

year we were appointed by Devon County Council to develop the  

growth of the regional economy. 

107 acre, £210m Skypark site, north of Exeter International Airport. 

The Skypark development will deliver 1.4 million sq ft of office and 

industrial/manufacturing space including a 30,000 sq ft Innovation 

Centre, which is expected to create around 6,500 jobs for the 
region. 

The project will be a model of sustainable development as the 

Skypark proposals are designed to ensure the scheme will result 
in overall CO2 emissions being reduced by at least a third. Other 
specific sustainable measures will include office and industrial 
buildings constructed to the recognised high environmental 

BREEAM excellent standard. 

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i am delighted to be leading the team that will actually deliver skypark in this long term partnership with 
st. modwen. They share our vision of a top quality, environmentally friendly and exemplary development which 
will help deliver the economic recovery of the exeter area.” 
councillor Humphrey temperley, devon county council 

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The innovative partnership structure to be adopted for this joint 

venture with Devon County Council follows the Government’s 

local asset backed vehicle (LABV) methodology and will allow the 

Council to participate in future value and decision making over the 

life of the partnership 

Significant 
employment 
Skypark will become the most 
significant employment site in 
the South West Peninsula. 

fact 

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36  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

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“ we Have an eXtensive PoRtfolio —  
18 town centRes” wyTHensHAwe, mAncHesTer 

For over 10 years, we have been spearheading the regeneration 

In 2009, footfall in Wythenshawe increased considerably as 15 new 

of Wythenshawe in Manchester. Once a flagship public sector 

retailers were welcomed into the town centre, giving an occupancy 

development, the centre became very run down and dilapidated by 

level of 97%. We are now gearing up to start work in 2010 on Etrop 

the late 1990’s. The town centre has since undergone a significant 

Court, the next development phase, of which 85,000 sq ft is pre-let. 

transformation and now boasts over 450,000 sq ft of retail and 

office space providing a vibrant retail heart which continues to 

thrive and improve as we progress additional development works. 

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“Our commitment to wythenshawe remains as strong as when we first took a stake in the town centre.  
we are determined to build on the positive changes we have already made. The city council is demonstrating 
the same belief and determination to make the town centre a better place.” 
michelle taylor, north west Regional director, st. modwen 

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By taking a 48,000 sq ft office building in Etrop Court, Manchester 

City Council is confirming its commitment to the ongoing 

regeneration of the town centre. The resulting influx of 500 City 

Council employees will have a positive impact on the town, bringing 

more trade to the shops and surrounding businesses. 

St. Modwen has worked in partnership with Manchester City 

Council since 1997, and a masterplan for the vision for the next ten 
years has recently been agreed. 

15 new retailers 
Following the addition of 15 
new retailers, town centre 
occupancy levels are at 97%. 

fact 

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38 st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009

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coRPoRate goveRnance
 

“we aRe dedicated to imPRoving tHe 
communities in wHicH we aRe active” 

40  Corporate social responsibility 
48  Board members and senior management 
51  Corporate governance report 
58  Directors’ remuneration report 

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40  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

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coRPoRate social ResPonsiBility
 

intRoduction 
Regeneration crosses the entire spectrum of the property industry 

and impacts the environment, communities and individuals alike. 

For us to continue to make a positive impact, we place great 

coed darcy waste management 
Work is underway in South Wales to transform the site of a 

former refinery into a picturesque urban village of 4,000 homes, 

emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), seeking to 

500,000 sq ft of commercial space and 3,000 jobs. 

excel in the following five key areas: 

❚	 Sustainability and environment

 ❚	 Charities and awards

 ❚	 Communities and partners

 ❚	 Employment and people

 ❚	 Health and safety 

sustainaBility and tHe enviRonment 
carbon Reduction commitment 
From April 2010, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy 

In May 2008 the former Llandarcy oil refinery was purchased 

by St. Modwen from B.P. for a nominal sum. This was the first 

time that BP had approached the open market to dispose of its 

disused sites. 

Expected to take up to 25 years to complete, remediation works 

are two years ahead of schedule and work has already started 

on the first phase of development. Recycling is the watchword on 

this project, where offsite disposal is seen as the absolute last 

resort. 

Before we began our remediation works approximately 2,000 

Efficiency Scheme requires qualifying companies to measure, 

litres of oil were drained from the site per year. In the last ten 

monitor and report their operating CO2 emissions and to buy 

allowances from the government for each tonne of CO2 produced. 

Year one of the scheme (to April 2011) will be a reporting year only 

to establish baselines. Subsequent years will require allowances to 

be bought in advance to cover companies’ projected emissions. 

As a qualifying company, we recognise that CRC has a positive role 

to play in maintaining the value of our portfolio. By improving the 

way we track our carbon emissions, and providing the appropriate 

incentives to put into place mitigation measures across our 

months alone 500,000 litres of oil have been recovered to be 

converted to recycled fuel oil. 

In addition, 10 kilometres of pipeline has been removed and 

sent for recycling, including 8,500 tonnes of steel and 220 

tonnes of cables. So far 2.1m cu ft of concrete have been 

crushed, ready for reuse within the site for structural fill. A 

use has even been found for the contaminated sludge — 3.5m 

cu ft of which is likely to be turned into topsoil through bio­

portfolio, the scheme will enable us to benefit from our leadership 

remediation. 

in some of these areas and to expand our reach into others. 

waste management 
Landfill is the principal mode of waste disposal in the UK. We have 

long recognised that landfill sites are a finite resource, and that 

The vast scale of this project helps our drive for low energy 

processes, as there is ample room to treat materials on site 

thereby reducing truck movements, and eliminating off-site 

tipping at landfills. 

reliance on land filling is unsustainable and a potential source of 

A sustainable approach has also been taken to importing 

the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane. 

material for backfilling and landscaping. A local drift mine 

As a result, we have chosen not to rely on landfill by actively 

minimising waste production and disposal across all of our sites 

via the implementation of an effective waste management system. 

Since 2008, all of our sites with a construction value of over 

£250,000 have required a detailed Site Waste Management Plan. 

is supplying around 1.75m cu ft of blasted rock that would 

otherwise be sent to landfill. This will be used on the site to 

create development platforms. 

Key Facts:

 ❚	 The Coed Darcy project runs until 2026, by which time 4,000 

residential units and 500,000 sq ft of commercial development 

will have been constructed, along with community centres, 

schools and a hospital. 

❚	 Infrastructure improvements include improvements to Junction 

43 of the M4 and the construction of a southern link road.

 ❚	  Coed Darcy is being developed through a partnership of local 
and national interests. Neath Port Talbot Council and The 

Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment have joined with 

us to form a site management company, to protect and deliver 

the vision of the scheme. 

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Below 
The bitumen terminal at coed 
Darcy which was demolished 
in 2009. 

c
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42  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

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coRPoRate social ResPonsiBility continued 

Below 
etruria valley, stoke-on-Trent: 
95% of materials arising from 
demolition are reclaimed for 
re-use on our sites. 

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Remediation and re-use of land 
Careful re-use of land helps to minimise the impact of previously 

undeveloped ‘greenfield’ sites. It is no wonder, therefore, that the 

example: wembley central 
In Wembley, we have refurbished an underused office 

remediation of land for redevelopment is one of the most important 

development and a derelict multi-storey car park as part of 

aspects of regeneration. 

Almost 100% of our building activity occurs on brownfield sites 

our regeneration of the area. The existing six floors of office 

accommodation has been downsized to two with the remaining 

and we are proud to be the UK’s leading expert in brownfield 

four, and a further floor being constructed on top, converted 

development, remediation and regeneration. This rewarding 

into new residential accommodation. The car park has been 

and important work involves us cleaning up the landscape and 

refurbished with substantial improvements made to the 

transforming derelict, disused or contaminated sites into thriving 

communities and business destinations that provide homes, jobs 

and a brighter environment. It is valued highly by our clients and 

partners who trust us to remove the risk from their former sites 

and leave a legacy to be proud of. 

We employ the most sustainable and technically advanced 

remediation methods, ranging from pumping out hydrocarbon 

spillages, to baking the soil and employing innovative 

lighting and ventilation to create a more welcome and safer 

environment in keeping with the newly-transformed retail and 

residential areas of our scheme. 

Reclamation 
Where demolition is unavoidable, we ensure that as many of the 

materials as possible are reclaimed and re-used on site, either as 
hard core or integrated into the design of the new development. 

biodegradation techniques whereby micro-organisms are used to 

Across our entire portfolio an average of 95% of the demolition 

clean up the soil. 

example: Biotraps at longbridge 
We have been investigating and using innovative ground 

remediation solutions at the 468 acre Longbridge development 

in Birmingham. 

This has included the use of ‘BioTraps’; passive sampling 

devices to collect actively growing bacteria from groundwater. 

materials arising are re-used on site in this way. Through re­

use and reclamation, we reduce the need for mining for new 

construction materials and their physical transport onto site. We 

also minimise unnecessary waste and off-site disposal. 

example: llanwern, newport 
An excellent example of our reclamation of materials is at the 

former Llanwern Corus steelworks site in Newport, South 

Combined with DNA testing, these devices detect bacteria with 

Wales. Here we are progressing steadily with the remediation 

genes that enable them to degrade naturally organic pollutants 

works and to date, have reclaimed an impressive amount of raw 

present in the ground, left over from the site’s former use as a 

materials including 1,500 tonnes of iron ore, 3,000 tonnes of 

car manufacturing facility. 

copper, 150,000 tonnes of steel and 400,000 tonnes of concrete. 

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Although extensively used in the USA, BioTrap technology is 

new to the UK and the study carried out at Longbridge was the 

first of its kind in the country. 

The BioTrap studies at Longbridge provided clear evidence that 

bacteria capable of degrading organic pollutants are present 

and active in the site, enabling more sustainable, low cost 

remediation solutions. 

Reusing buildings 
Both modern and older buildings, even if unused or underused, 

are a valuable resource. If minimal energy and materials are 

required to make a building safe, habitable and efficient in energy 

usage, r 
usage, recycling an existing building can be more sustainable than
ecycling an existing building can be more sustainable than 

ebuilding. 
r
rebuilding.

al costs of ener
The re-use of buildings reduces the environmental costs of ener
The r	 
The re-use of buildings reduces the environment
The re-use of buildings reduces the environmental cos
The re-use of buildings reduces the environmental cos

ts of energy,gy, 
e-use of buildings reduces the environmental costs of energy, 
ts of energy,
gy, 

er and building mat erials, minimising the envir

onmentalal 
erials, minimising the environmental 
erials, minimising the environment

water and building mat
watwater and building mat
opment. 
impacts of the devvelelopment.
opment.
opment.
impacts of the de
impacts of the devel
impacts of the devel

ong-term natur
The long-term natur
The long-t
The l

e of the devvelelopment plans f
e of the de 
erm nature of the de

or many of 
velopment plans for many of 
opment plans for many of

sustainable materials 
We provide carefully designed sites with high quality buildings 

and look for the most environmentally effective solutions for our 

occupiers in terms of the whole life cost. We take several factors 

into consideration:

 ❚	 We use as many renewable materials as possible — for example 
timber framed windows and linoleum flooring in preference 

to PVC. 

❚	 We assess the ‘embodied energy’ of materials (energy used in 

their production) against their effectiveness in keeping a building 

warm in winter and cool in summer — for example metal 

cladding has low embodied energy, a high recycled content and 
er, a concroncretetee 
can be recycled at the end of its useful lif
can be recycl
or brick c 
or brick c
s, which
e has a higher thermal mass, which 
e has a higher thermal mass, which
avity wall structur e has a higher thermal mas
avity wall structure has a higher thermal mass, which 
avity wall s
or brick cavity wall s
or brick c

ed at the end of its useful life. Ho

e. Howweevver, a c

tructur
tructur

can help to achieve a natural ventilation strategy.

 ❚	 Our designs utilise standard sizes of building materials to avoid 
waste and off-site fabrication methods to reduce material use. 

our sit 
our sites often enable us to lease the exis
our sites often enable us to lease the existing ac

ommodation,
es often enable us to lease the existing accommodation, 
ting acccommodation,

❚❚ 

refurbishing if required, while we progress the longer-term 

solution through the planning system. In this way we do not take 

the step of demolishing buildings unless absolutely necessary. 

WWe empl

e emplooy a highl

y a highly skill

y skill ed team of sustainability advisors to 
ed team of sustainability advisors to 

rreevieview mat

w material sel

erial selections and advise on alt

ections and advise on alternativ

ernatives that off

es that off er 
er 

enhanced environmental performance. 
enhanced environmental performance. 

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coRPoRate social ResPonsiBility continued 

sustainability targets 
We adopt a long-term approach to achieving and improving our 

sustainability targets. A review of our targets will see us focus on 

the following areas for 2010: 

— Reduction in energy use — particularly energy derived from the 

burning of non-renewable fossil fuels. We have added to our 

targets a requirement for 10% renewable energy sources in new 

building projects. 

— Use of buildings — greater focus on the cost in use of buildings 

and the potential value this creates. During 2010 we will offer 

energy in use calculations to enable new occupiers to maximise 

their building’s efficiency. 

— Waste recycling — the target of recycling construction waste has 

increased from 60% in 2009 to 75%. 

— Transport — more environmentally friendly forms of transport 

and locally sourced labour/materials will be given greater 

consideration in 2010. We will stipulate in all specifications the 

use of local labour and travel plans for contractors who work on 

our remediation, infrastructure and building projects. 

— New initiatives — we will continue to look at cleaner ways of 

generating electricity, using renewable energy sources such as 

wind power, solar power, bio fuels and geothermal energy.  

example: green court, our new south west regional office 
Our new BREEAM excellent rated regional office has been 

designed to showcase St. Modwen’s ability to deliver buildings 

with high environmental credentials. 

The building has been designed to be naturally ventilated with 

automatic opening windows linked to a Building Management 

System allowing for night-time cooling which, coupled with 

a high thermal mass, maintains a comfortable temperature 

throughout the day. 

Maximum use is made of natural daylight. Intelligent lighting 

control systems help to reduce the energy consumption of 

the building whilst solar control glazing, brise soleil and a 

substantial roof overhang reduce the solar gain to prevent the 

building from overheating. 

High insulation levels help to reduce the heating energy use and 
hence CO2 emissions. All building products have been vetted for 
their environmental impact. 

Completed in June 2009 the building has performed well 

through a warm summer and cold winter delivering energy 

savings in excess of 20% over a standard office building. 

sustainable workforce 
Enhancing our sustainability needs the commitment to improving 

environmental performance at both the corporate and local level. 

Standards are set at Head Office and we ensure that our project 

teams follow best practice in sustainable development. We work 

with some of the world’s leading environmental and sustainability 

specialists who ensure that we are implementing leading edge 

techniques and that we are able to disseminate our best practices 

across all of our schemes. 

SUSTAinAbLiTY 

Remediated materials re-used or recycled 

Demolition products reclaimed for retention on site or recycling 

Construction project waste re-used or recycled 

Energy consumption better than required by building regulations* 

. 

Building projects with at least 10% of power from a renewable energy source 

Schemes with water usage reduction technologies 

Schemes with water recycling technology 

* on speculative projects in excess of 50,000sq.ft for industrial buildings and 25,000 sq.ft for offices 

2009 TARGET 

2009 ACHiEVEd 

% 

96% 

90% 

60% 

25% 

5% 

100% 

30% 

% 

99% 

94% 

75% 

100% 

33% 

100% 

36% 

For our current building programme for 2010, we will achieve BREEAM excellent on our two college projects. At the new Warwickshire 

College the following sustainability measures are being incorporated into the scheme; 

❚  100% of the remediated material will be recycled or re-used 
❚  The following renewable energy solutions will be provided 

— Wind turbine and photovoltaic cells 

— Ground and air source heat pumps 

— Combined heat and power unit 

❚  Energy consumption better than required by building regulations 
❚  Water usage reduction technologies 
❚  Recycling of all recyclable construction waste 

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cHaRities and awaRds 
the st. modwen environmental trust 
The Trust is a fund established to provide support to community 

and environmental projects. It is affiliated to the Government’s 

example: three Peaks challenge 
St. Modwen’s North Staffordshire office employees and business 

contacts raised almost £12,000 in 2009 for the Donna Louise 

Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) and is regulated by ENTRUST. 

Children’s Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent by completing the Three 

Our Environmental Trust is run by a board of trustees comprising 

Peaks Challenge. 

representatives from the board of the company and a majority 

We would like to say a massive thank you and well done to 

of independent trustees who have experience in environmental 

everyone who took part in the Three Peaks Challenge. We are 

matters. 

The Trust seeks to support environmental, historic building 

delighted with the money that has been raised…It costs around 

£400 per day per child to receive much needed respite care and the 

and public amenity schemes that have enduring and long-term 

money raised by the St. Modwen teams will help us provide around 

benefits, and a high level of public engagement. The Trust largely 

28 days of care — it makes a huge difference! 

operates by funding projects where alternative funding is unlikely 

to be available, targeting not-for-profit organisations (such as 

community groups, and charities who themselves are initiating the 

relevant projects). 

In 2009 we have committed over £115,000 to helping nine individual 

projects across the UK . 

example: RsPB, faxfleet nature Reserve 
The trust awarded £7,000 to the RSPB for the restoration of the 

Faxfleet Pond Nature Reserve which is situated close to our 116 

acre Melton Business Park development in Hull. 

The money for the Nature Reserve — a freshwater wetland — 

will help to maintain the natural habitat of rare and threatened 

wildlife. The work is also expected to attract and encourage 

other animals and insects to the Reserve including dragonflies, 

damselflies and the secretive and rare water shrew. 

“Finding the money to carry out the management and restoration 

Melanie Mills, Head of Fundraising & PR 

for the Donna Louise Trust 

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Our excellence, skill and commitment to regeneration, development, 

sustainability and communities continued to win recognition in 2009, 

a year in which we won the following prestigious awards: 

of such small wetland sites can be often very difficult so we are 

Property week — midlands developer of the year 2009 

extremely grateful to The St. Modwen Environmental Trust for its 

Awarded to our Midlands office in recognition of their broad portfolio 

generous donation towards the cost of the work … we can now 

of schemes designed to help revitalise and improve the commercial 

ensure that both the wildlife and local village residents can enjoy 

attractiveness of key locations across the region. Success criteria 

the pond’s wildlife for many years to come.” 

Pete Short, RSPB Humber Sites Manager 

In addition to those causes we have helped via the St. 

Modwen Environmental Trust, other charities and community 

organisations with whom we have worked closely in 2009 

include the Donna Louise Trust, Coombs Wood Scout Group, the 

Race for Life and Trentham Watersports Association. 

included demonstrating pioneering new techniques, management 

systems, quality architecture and innovative forms of funding. 

energy institute — environmental award 

This award recognises the importance of environmental issues 

in today’s society. This accolade was awarded to our Coed Darcy 

scheme in South Wales, as the best new initiative to benefit the 

environment, having also shown management commitment and 

good prospects for wider application and sustainability. 

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coRPoRate social ResPonsiBility continued 

communities and PaRtneRs 
delivery 
Our seven regional offices provide us with national, regional and 

local knowledge, presence and expertise. Our ability to supply 

this hands-on, local approach means that our regular partners 

— local authorities, key Government stakeholders, community 

example: aReva, staffordshire 
In March, we consulted extensively with Stafford residents 

and other key stakeholders prior to submitting a planning 

application to redevelop AREVA T&D’s current premises into a 

£55m, 350,000 sq ft business and science park. The application 

groups and commercial organisations — continue to select us as 

was submitted in May and received planning permission in July. 

their preferred developer to bring about important regeneration 

schemes across the country. 

In a difficult economic climate, we have remained realistic about 

the deliverability and viability of our schemes. We have treated 

our partners and communities with the respect that they deserve 

and have refused to overpromise to secure short term and quick 

wins; preferring instead to focus on the long term goal of scheme 

Over 200 people attended our two-day public consultation 

event, which was based on an open forum rather than formal 

presentation. Information and images illustrating proposals for 

the site were displayed with members of the St. Modwen and 

AREVA T&D teams available to answer questions and receive 

comments and feedback on the proposals. 

completion. This approach may have initially given rise to a slowing 

As well as the formal public consultation event:

down of certain schemes, but ultimately our determination and 

patience, and that of our partners, will be rewarded. We are now 
one of a very small number of developers on site with major 

 ❚	 A specific website for the development was set up, 

❚	 Over 1,000 letters were sent out, together with a series of 

developments across the UK and as we see many of our other 

press releases, and

schemes coming back to life, we are in a strong, financially robust 

position to deliver them. 

 ❚	 A two week public exhibition was held in the Guildhall 

Shopping Centre in central Stafford. 

community consultation 
We appreciate fully that, for our developments to be truly 

sustainable, we must provide opportunities for the local community 

to become involved in decisions that concern their future. 

Therefore, we place significant value on public consultation which 

can enhance the quality of our developments by:

 ❚	 Bringing valuable local knowledge to bear;

 ❚	 Encouraging links with local contractors, suppliers and labour; 

and

 ❚	 Leading to greater and wider understanding of our development. 

community investment — public realm 
Sustainable development doesn’t stop with the site, it is about 
providing a complete solution for the entire community. This is 

why we activ 
why we actively invest in the communities in which we build via 
ely invest in the communities in which we build via 

eel of public r 
eel of public realm — the 
ook and feel of public realm — the 
o the design, look and feel of public realm — the 
ommitment to the design, look and f eel of public r 
our commitment t 
our c
our commitment to the design, look and feel of public realm — the 
ealm — the 
our commitment to the design, look and f
our commitment to the design, l
our commitment to the design, look and feel of public realm — the 
ealm — the 
our commitment to the design, look and f

es and amenities that f 
public spaces and amenities that f 
es and amenities that form an import 
public spac
public spaces and amenities that form an important part of our 
orm an important part of our 
orm an important part of our 
public spac
ant part of our 
schemes. 
schemes. 

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example: wembley central, new public square 
We opened the new public square, which is the centrepiece of 

We are committed to equal opportunities for all employees from 

recruitment and selection through to training and development, 

appraisal and promotion to retirement. Everyone receives equal 

the first phase of our £90m redevelopment at Wembley Central, 

treatment regardless of their gender, colour, ethnic or national 

in the summer. It provides some much needed open public 

origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation or religion. 

space to Wembley’s thriving high street and has created a much 

more pleasant and safer environment for the local community 

to enjoy, as well as providing a natural meeting place for 

shoppers, residents and visitors to the town centre. 

“The opening of this public square marks an important milestone 

for Brent Council and St. Modwen .We look forward to the new 

social inclusion 
Over their lifecycle, our regeneration and development projects will 

help to trigger economic growth and create job opportunities for 

thousands of people across the UK. In addition to the employment 

opportunities generated by people and businesses moving into our 

schemes, there are also thousands of construction jobs created as 

square being used as a place for the local community to come 

the projects are developed. 

together. The opening of the new shops is a sign of the market’s 

confidence in Wembley and something which local residents have 

looked forward to. We look forward to working with St. Modwen 

to bring an exciting calendar of events to the square for residents, 

shoppers and visitors.” 

Councillor Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council 

emPloyment and PeoPle 
our commitment to employees 
It is because of the skill, dedication and efforts of our employees 

that we have become the quality business we are today. We 

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We seek to work closely with local communities throughout 

our period of involvement with a scheme to ensure that these 

opportunities are fairly distributed and accessible to all. 

example: social inclusion at longbridge 
We encourage the employment of local people. As part of the  

£1 billion regeneration of Longbridge, where we expect to create 

up to 10,000 new jobs, we are working very closely with the 

‘Employment Access Team’ (EAT); an organisation comprising 

Birmingham City Council, the Learning and Skills Council and 

Jobcentre Plus. St. Modwen’s support and participation in the 

EAT partnership will help to ensure that local people can benefit 

from and secure access to, the new employment opportunities 

that arise from the Longbridge development both during and 

beyond its 15 year project lifecycle. A key aim of this work is to 

get long-term unemployed people back into the workforce and 

to give local residents genuine access to training and jobs on 

the Longbridge development site. 

Health and safety 
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for our health and 

understand that it is vital to look after our employees and reward 

safety policy. By adopting this top down approach, safeguarding 

each of them accordingly. In the current difficult economic climate 

the health and safety of our employees, suppliers, the public and 

we have been forced to make some difficult decisions, but have 

broader community alike sits at the top of our corporate agenda. 

sought to preserve our core skilled workforce, even if that has 

meant certain short-term sacrifices by our employees. The 

co-operation and willingness which has been shown during this 

difficult time bears great testimony to the loyalty and qualities of 

our people. 

equal opportunities 
As a responsible employer we are duty bound to set an example to 

our customers, suppliers and all other organisations with whom 

we interact. 

We do not normally carry out any construction work on site 

directly, therefore the health and safety procedures adopted by 

our contractors form a key part of our supplier selection, and are 

rigorously tested and monitored. 

Consistent with previous years, we continued to produce  

excellent results in 2009 with no fatalities and no prosecutions  
for breaches of health and safety, placing us in the upper  

quartile of our sector in this area. 

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48  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

BoaRd memBeRs
 

01 

02 

03

04

05

06 

01

antHony glossoP MA† 

NON-ExECUTIVE CHAIRMAN 

04  steve BuRke 
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR 

Aged 68. A director since 1976 and Chief Executive from 1982 to 

Aged 50. Joined the company as Construction Director in 1995 

2004. Executive Chairman from 2004 to 2008 and a non-executive 

and appointed to the main board as a director in November 2006. 

Chairman since 2008. He is chairman of the Nomination Committee. 

Previously contracts director and construction manager with a number 

He is also a non-executive director of Robinson PLC and a member of 

of national contracting companies (including Balfour Beatty and 

the Regeneration and Development Committee of the British Property 

Clarke Construction). 

Federation. 

02  Bill oliveR BSc, FCA 
CHIEF ExECUTIVE 

05  simon claRke *† 
Aged 44. A non-executive director appointed in 2004. Chairman 

of private company, Agricultural Industrial Services Ltd. Previously 

Aged 53. Joined the company as Finance Director in 2000. Appointed 

Deputy Chairman of Northern Racing PLC and a director and the 

Managing Director in 2003 and Chief Executive in 2004. Previously 

Vice-Chairman of the Racecourse Association. 

Finance Director of Dwyer Estates plc after a career in the housing 

industry. 

03

 tim Haywood MA, FCA 

FINANCE DIRECTOR 

Aged 46. Joined the company in 2003. Previously Chief Financial 

Officer of Hagemeyer (UK) Limited, after a career with Williams 

Holdings PLC. 

06  ian menZies-gow MA*† 
Aged 67. A non-executive director appointed in 2002. Senior 

Independent Director since 23 February 2009. Formerly Chairman 

of Geest PLC and Derbyshire Building Society and prior to that held 

senior executive positions within the Hanson Group. 

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07 

08 

09 

10

11

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07  Paul Rigg DL, CPFA*†
 
Aged 63. A non-executive director appointed in 2004. Formerly 


10  joHn salmon FCA*† 
Aged 66. A non-executive director appointed in 2005. Chairman of 

Chief Executive of West Sussex County Council. He is a director of 


the Audit Committee. Formerly a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers 

the Chichester Festival Theatre Ltd, and Chairman of the Weald and 


LLP, and a member and former Deputy Chairman of their supervisory 

Downland Open Air Museum Ltd.
 

board. Currently an advisory board member of Savile Group plc and a 

trustee and council member of the British Heart Foundation. 

08  lady katHeRine innes keR MA, DPhil*†
 
Aged 49. A non-executive director appointed in October 2009. 


Formerly a non-executive director of The Television Corporation PLC, 


11  Reeta stokes ACIS 
COMPANy SECRETARy 

Fibernet Group plc, Williams Lea PLC, Gyrus Group PLC, Shed Media 


Aged 53. Joined the company in November 2009. Previously a senior 

PLC, Bryant Group plc, Ordnance Survey, ITVDigital plc, and Oakley 


manager in the secretariat of Alliance & Leicester plc, and ran her 

Capital. Currently Senior Independent Director of Tribal Group plc and 


own business providing company secretarial services to public and 

a non-executive director of Taylor Wimpey PLC.
 

private companies. Prior to that, was Deputy Company Secretary of 

McKechnie plc. 

09  lesley james CBE, MA, CCIPD *† 
Aged 60. A non-executive director appointed in October 2009. 

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Formerly HR Director 

of Tesco PLC and a non-executive director of Queens Moat Houses 

plc; Care UK plc; Alpha Airports Group plc; Inspicio plc; Liberty 

International plc; and Selfridges plc. Currently a non-executive director 

of Anchor Trust and the West Bromwich Building Society. 

* member of Audit and Remuneration Committees 
† member of the Nomination Committee 

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50
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Modwen
ProPertieS
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AnnuAl RepoRt 2009 

Senior
ManageMent



01


02


03


04


06
 07
 08


05

01
 rUPert
wood BSc, MRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — NORTHERN HOME COUNTIES 

Aged 36. 4 years’ service. 

05 
JoHn
doddS BSc, FRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — MIDLANDS 

Aged 53. 8 years’ service. 

02 
MiKe
HerBert

REGIONAL DIRECTOR — NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE 

06
 rUPert
JoSeLand BSc, MRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — SOUTH WEST & SOUTH WALES 

Aged 54. 19 years’ service. 

Aged 39. 8 years’ service. 

03
 gUY
gUSterSon BSc, MBA 
RESIDENTIAL DIRECTOR 

Aged 39. 3 years’ service. 

07 
MiCHeLLe
taYLor BSc, MRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — NORTH WEST 

Aged 47. 20 years’ service. 

04
 tiM
Seddon BSc, MRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — LONDON & SOUTH EAST 

08 
StePHen
ProSSer BSc, MRICS 
REGIONAL DIRECTOR — YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST 

Aged 44. 4 years’ service. 

Aged 46. 12 years’ service. 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

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coRPoRate goveRnance RePoRt
 

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The board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate 

management team and by meetings with key partners. Where 

governance within the company. Throughout the year ended 30th 

appropriate, the company provides the resources to enable 

November 2009, the company has complied with Section 1 of the 

directors to update and upgrade their knowledge. Through the 

Combined Code on Corporate Governance issued in 2008 (the 

Company Secretary, the board is informed of corporate governance 

‘Code) except in relation to the following matters: 

issues and all board members have access via the Company 

❚	 The Code asks the board to identify each non-executive director 

Secretary to independent advice if required. 

it considers to be independent. Of the seven non-executive 

Ian Menzies-Gow is the Senior Independent Director. He is available 

directors at the end of 2009, the board considers Ian Menzies-

for consultation by shareholders, whenever appropriate. 

Gow, Lesley James, Katherine Innes Ker, Paul Rigg, and John 

Salmon to be fully independent. The board recognises that Simon 

Clarke does not meet the criteria for a fully independent director 

under the Code, although his position as a representative of the 

Clarke and Leavesley families who together hold 53.1m shares 

The company’s Articles of Association provide that all directors 

are subject to re-election at least every three years. In addition, 

all directors are subject to re-election by shareholders after their 

initial appointment. 

(26.52% of the company’s issued share capital), gives him a very 

The reappointment of non-executive directors is not automatic. It 

strong interest in challenging and scrutinising management to 

is intended that appointments will be for an initial term of three 

secure excellent performance from the company. 

years, which may be extended by mutual agreement. Prior to each 

❚	 The Code recommends that all members of the Audit and 

Remuneration Committees are independent non-executive 

directors. Each of these Committees comprises all of the non-

non-executive director offering himself to the members for re­
election his reappointment must be confirmed by the Chairman in 

consultation with the remainder of the board. 

executive members of the board, apart from the Chairman. As 

The criteria used for evaluating individual executive directors’ 

explained above, Simon Clarke is not a fully independent director 

performance are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

under the Code, but the board considers that its discussions benefit 

Individual non-executive directors’ performance is reviewed by the 

from his involvement in the detailed scrutiny which takes place in 

Chairman and Chief Executive. The performance of the board as 

these Committees. As also noted above, Simon Clarke has a strong 

a whole is assessed in the context of the company’s achievement 

interest in challenging and monitoring management’s performance. 

of its strategic objectives and total shareholder return targets. 

❚	 The Code recommends that a Chief Executive should not go on to 
be the Chairman of the same company. As explained in previous 

years’ annual reports, the board recommended the appointment 

of former Chief Executive, Anthony Glossop, as Chairman of the 

board in 2004 which was endorsed by shareholders at the Annual 

Feedback on the company is sought through external surveys 

from shareholders, analysts and other professionals within the 

investment community following regular briefings, presentations 

and site visits undertaken by the company. This feedback is made 

available to the whole board. 

General Meeting that same year. As of 11 February 2008 Anthony 

In support of the principles of good corporate governance, the 

Glossop became non-executive Chairman. The roles of the 

board has appointed the following committees, all of which have 

Chairman and Chief Executive are carefully differentiated. 

formal terms of reference which are available for inspection by 

BoaRd of diRectoRs and committees 
The board operates within the terms of its written authorities, which 

include a schedule of matters reserved for the approval of the board. 
The board currently consists of the non-executive Chairman, three 

shareholders and are posted on the company’s website: 

audit committee 
The Audit Committee currently comprises all of the non-executive 

directors, apart from the Chairman. The Committee is chaired by 

executive directors and six non-executive directors. The composition 

John Salmon who, as a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers 

of the board provides an appropriate blend of experience and 

LLP, is considered by the board to have the required recent and 

qualifications, and the number of non-executives provides a strong 

relevant experience. 

base for ensuring appropriate corporate governance of the company. 

The board’s decisions are implemented by the executive directors. 

The company’s Finance Director, Financial Controller and Internal 

Auditor attend Audit Committee meetings but the Committee 

The board meets not less than ten times during the year and the 

also meets without management being present and has private 

Chairman and the non-executive directors also meet without 

sessions with the auditors. The Committee has direct access to the 

the executive directors being present. The programme of board 

internal and external auditors. 

meetings is tailored to enable some meetings to be held at the 

company’s properties. In advance of each meeting, each director 
receives a board pack containing comprehensive briefing papers. 

Presentations on business and operational issues are made 

regularly to the board by senior management. 

The Audit Committee’s functions include: 

❚	 Ensuring that appropriate accounting systems and financial 
controls are in operation and that the company’s financial 

statements comply with statutory and other requirements. 

The board is supplied with timely and relevant information 

❚	 Receiving reports from, and consulting with, the internal and 

regarding the business, through regular monthly and ad hoc 

external auditors. 

reports, site visits and presentations from members of the 

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❚	 Reviewing the interim and annual results and reports to 

for the external auditors to provide tax compliance and tax planning 

shareholders, and considering any matters raised by the internal 

services to the group, other services should only be provided where 

and external auditors. 

❚	 Considering the appropriateness of the accounting policies of the 

company used in preparing its financial statements. 

alternative providers do not exist or where it is cost effective or in the 

group’s interest for the external auditors to provide such services. In 

all cases the provision of non-audit services is carefully monitored 

by, and subject to the prior approval of, the Committee. The external 

❚	 Monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the group 
and formal announcements relating to the group’s financial 

auditors would not be invited to provide any non-audit services 

where it was felt that this could conflict with their independence 

performance, and reviewing significant financial reporting 

or objectivity. Such services would include the provision of internal 

judgements contained therein. 

audit and management consulting services. 

❚	 Reviewing the effectiveness of the group’s internal audit function. 

❚	 Reviewing and monitoring the independence and objectivity of 

the company’s external auditors. 

❚	 Monitoring the scope, cost effectiveness and objectivity of the audit. 

❚	 Monitoring the company’s policy on non-audit services provided 

by the external auditors. 

nomination committee 
The Nomination Committee comprises Anthony Glossop (as 

chairman of the Committee), Ian Menzies-Gow, Paul Rigg and John 

Salmon. Mary Francis resigned on 30 September 2009 and Lesley 

James and Katherine Innes Ker joined  on 19 October 2009. 

The Committee is responsible for evaluating the balance of skills, 
knowledge and experience on the board and the structure, size and 

❚	 Making an annual assessment of the external auditors and 

composition of the board and its committees; annually reviewing 

recommending, or not, their re-appointment. 

the performance of non-executive directors and board committees; 

❚	 Reviewing “whistle-blowing”arrangements within the company. 

recommending and reviewing new appointments to the board 

as they become due; and reviewing and approving board and 

❚	 Reviewing its own performance, constitution and terms of 

committee succession. 

reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and 

recommending any changes it considers necessary to the board 

for approval. 

During the year external consultants Zygos Partnerships were 

engaged to assist in a search for two new non-executive directors. 

Following a rigorous assessment process, the Committee 

During the year, the Committee was assisted in the performance 

recommended the appointments of Lesley James and Katherine 

of these duties by the company’s Internal Auditor, tasked with 

Innes Ker to the board and they were duly appointed. The Committee 

formalising and documenting internal control procedures and 

also endorsed the appointment during the year of Reeta Stokes as 

ensuring compliance. 

Company Secretary. 

The Committee’s policy on the provision of non-audit services by the 

external auditors is that, whilst it is appropriate and cost effective 

Remuneration committee 
The composition and functions of the Remuneration Committee are 

set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 58. 

BoaRd and committee attendance 
The attendance at board or Committee meetings during the year to 30 November 2009, was as follows: 

C.C.A.Glossop 

S.J.Burke 

T.P.Haywood 

W.A.Oliver 

S.W. Clarke 

M.Francis (resigned 30th September 2009) 

L.James (joined 19th October 2009) 

K.Innes Ker (joined 19th October 2009) 

R.I.Menzies-Gow 

D.P.Rigg 

C.E.Roshier (resigned 3rd April 2009) 

J.H.Salmon 

No. of meetings during the year 

*  In attendance, but not a member of the committee 

Board 

Audit 
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee 

Nominations 
Committee 

10 

11 

11 

11 

11 

7 

2 

2 

11 

11 

4 

11 

11 

1* 

— 

3* 

— 

3 

2 

— 

— 

3 

3 

1* 

3 

3 

4* 

— 

— 

1* 

4 

3 

1 

1 

4 

4 

1* 

4 

4 

2 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2 

2 

— 

2 

2 

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BoaRd effectiveness 
The Code recommends that the board undertake a formal and 

rigorous annual evaluation of its own performance. A formal 

evaluation, facilitated by an external assessor, Dr Tracy Long 

There are clearly defined procedures for the authorisation of capital 


expenditure, purchases and sales of development and investment 


properties, contracts and commitments and a formal schedule of 


matters, including major investment and development decisions 


of Boardroom Review, was undertaken during 2008/2009. The 

and strategic matters, that are reserved for board approval. Formal 


principal findings of the review were that “since the first review 

policies and procedures are in place covering all elements of 


in 2005 many of the issues raised had improved significantly, and 

employment, the construction process, health and safety and IT. 


that there was a shared sense of strategic mission and vision… 

an improved process of risk management, good communication 

with shareholders and stakeholders, and …a highly committed and 

knowledgeable executive team”. The principal areas identified as 

requiring further work were: 

1. Clarity of board agendas and papers 

2. Discussion of the corporate domain 

3. Succession planning 

4. The role of the Chairman 

During 2008 progress was made against these recommendations 

in a number of areas, including the initiation of a management 

development programme to identify and develop talent; a growing 

focus on the macro-economic forces influencing the company’s 

markets; and a redefinition of the role and time commitment 

of the non-executive Chairman. In 2009 attention was turned to 

succession planning and a number of personnel changes were 

made to the composition of the board, including the appointment of 

two new non-executive directors and a Company Secretary, and the 

initiation of a process to find successors for the roles of Chairman 

Internal control, by its nature, provides only reasonable and not 


absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The 


directors continue, however, to strive to ensure that internal 


control and risk management are further embedded into the 


operations of the business by dealing with areas for improvement 


as they are identified. In the year under review, no material loss 


was suffered by a failure of internal control.
 

The analysis of the business’s key risks was reviewed and redefined 


in the light of current experience.
 

The company’s policies with respect to its:
 

a) financial risk management objectives and policies, including the 


policy for hedging each major type of forecasted transaction; and 

b) exposure to market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk 

are contained in note 16 to the group accounts. 

Risks and unceRtainties 
The key business risks facing the company, their potential impact 

and mitigation, are reviewed regularly. This year the risks were 

assessed against a set of scenarios, and were found to be still 

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appropriate. 

Risk management and inteRnal contRol 
The board recognises that it has overall responsibility for the 

identification and mitigation of risks and the development and 

maintenance of an appropriate system of internal control. 

During the period under review the directors have reviewed the 

effectiveness of the system of internal control in accordance 

with the Turnbull guidance, through the production of a detailed 

The key risks that have been identified, the management approach 

to each, and the assessment of the residual risk, are set out below: 

1. economic/Property Risks 
The risks identified included:

 ❚  Lack of liquidity for potential property investors

report which covered: the group’s control environment; the 

 ❚  Lack of demand for land from housebuilders

manner in which key business risks are identified; the adequacy 
of information systems and control procedures; and the manner in 

 ❚  Lack of demand for space from occupiers

which any required corrective action is to be taken. 

 ❚  Investment yield movements 

The group’s key internal controls are centred on comprehensive 

❚ Overexposure to single tenant / scheme / sector

monthly reporting from all activities which includes a detailed 

portfolio analysis, development progress reviews, management 

accounts and a comparison of committed expenditure against 

available facilities. These matters are reported to the board 

monthly, with reasons for any significant variances from budget. 

Detailed annual budgets are reviewed by the board and revised 

forecasts for the year are prepared on a regular basis. 

 ❚  Changing public sector requirements 

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The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 Use of realistic, but conservative, property valuations

Assessment — The equity issue and the renegotiation of banking 
covenants during the year have significantly reduced the risk of 

the company not being able to manage within those covenants. 

 ❚	 The Hopper and geographical spread gives flexibility and 

In addition, the focus on reducing forward commitments and 

facilitates diversification

 ❚	 Emphasis on value creation through active property 

management and development 

speculative development and progressing selective asset disposals 

has enabled us to optimize operational cash flows, and to offset 

the impact of very difficult market conditions. All of our banking 

facilities are now secured until at least November 2011, and we 

Assessment — We have chosen to operate only in the UK, which 

have £200m of available but undrawn facilities to finance future 

is normally subject to relatively low-risk low-returns from a stable 

developments or acquisitions. Furthermore, we have once again 

and mature, albeit cyclical, economy and property market. By 

recorded a trading profit in the year, with recurring income 

involvement with many sectors of that economy and that property 

exceeding the overhead and interest costs of the business, which 

market, we are well diversified, without venturing overseas. 

demonstrates our ability to succeed despite the lack of any 

The current economic climate, and the resultant illiquidity of UK 

financial and property markets, has increased risk levels in this area 

significantly. Property valuations have consequently been subject 

to higher degrees of volatility and uncertainty than in previous 
years. Increasing pressures on occupiers (and therefore on rental 

levels) are likely to continue to restrain any recovery of values in 

the short-term. However, strong, well-run companies will survive 

this downturn, and will benefit from enhanced opportunities and 

reduced competition when conditions improve. In the meantime, we 

will address this higher risk profile by maintaining our conservative 

stance to funding, development and acquisitions. 

2. financial Risks 
The risks identified included:

 ❚	 Lack of available funds

material development activity. 

3. organisational/People factors 
The risks identified included:

 ❚	 Failure to retain or train skilled personnel 

❚	 Succession planning and talent management

 ❚	 IT

 ❚	 Disaster planning

 ❚	 Need to manage cost base to meet lower activity levels 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 Competitive remuneration packages

 ❚	 Regular assessment of performance and identification of 

 ❚	 Inability to balance cash flows to meet changing market 

training needs

conditions

 ❚	 Interest rates

 ❚	 Inability to manage business within existing banking covenants 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 Detailed cash flow forecasting 

❚	 Recurring rent roll enabling interest costs to be met when 

development activity declines

 ❚	 Acquisition transactions structured in self-financing manner

 ❚	 Ongoing management of headcount 

❚	 Regular communication of strategic and tactical objectives

 ❚	 Properly resourced and structured IT solutions

 ❚	 Appropriate disaster recovery procedures 

Assessment — Employee turnover has historically been low, 

indicating good retention levels. Vacancies have been few and 
are generally filled promptly, indicating the attractiveness of the 

company and remuneration packages. To support the long-term 

financial objectives, we will need to continue to improve the skills 

 ❚	 Small number of high-quality banking relationships

of our employees. In the short-term, we have continued to control 

 ❚	 Hedging policy to contain interest rate risk 

our cost levels by closing the defined benefit pension scheme 

to future accrual and by introducing a temporary suspension of 

pension contributions: these measures enabled us to maintain 

intact our core team, and the changes were met with equanimity 

by staff who recognised the steps taken by the company to protect 

their continuing employment. 

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4. Regulatory factors 
The risks identified included:

 ❚	 Planning

 ❚	 Tax

 ❚	 Lease structures 

6. social, ethical and environmental risks 
The risks identified included:

 ❚  Health, safety & environment risk 

❚ Business ethics / internal controls

 ❚  Customer satisfaction 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 Being alert to policies being promoted

 ❚	 Use of high quality professional advisers

 ❚	 In-house expert resources in planning / residential / 

construction / tax / IT 

Assessment — Our daily exposure to all aspects of the planning 

process, and internal procedures for spreading best practice 

ensure we remain abreast of most developments. We have become 
more active in attempting to influence public policy debate, 

although meaningful and beneficial changes are very difficult to 

bring about, notwithstanding the formalities of extensive public 

consultation. 

5. failure to secure schemes 
The risks identified included:

 ❚	 Lack of availability of finance

 ❚	 Competition

 ❚	 Reputation 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 Systems of control procedures and delegated authorities

 ❚	 Regular and detailed operational and financial reporting

 ❚	 Regular dialogue with industry investors and commentators

 ❚	 Close supervision of transactions and key relationships

 ❚	 Proactive press / media contacts 

Assessment — The initial assessment of environmental costs (and 
the subsequent optimising of remediation solutions) is an integral 

part of our acquisition and post-acquisition procedures. We seek to 

minimise or pass on any such environmental risks, and believe that 

the residual risk in this respect is acceptably low. In other social 

and ethical areas, the company has benefited from an excellent 

reputation, which is underpinned by a simple set of operating 

commitments. 

7. Reputational Risks 
The risks identified included:

 ❚  Failure to deliver on promises

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The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚  Involvement with controversial schemes / partners

 ❚	 Regional offices in touch with their local market

 ❚  Failure to live up to expectations 

 ❚	 Dedicated central resource to support regional teams

 ❚	 Flexible and innovative approach to acquisitions in response to 

changing market conditions

 ❚	 Raising the profile of the company as the country’s leading 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚  Adherence to system of principles and ethics

 ❚  Thorough and proactive PR to get messages across clearly

regeneration specialist 

 ❚  Inclusion of reputational issues as an item in scheme selection 

Assessment — The excellent reputation and restored financial 

process

capacity of the company have enabled us to win a number of 

 ❚  A strong culture of propriety led from the board

schemes and to grow the Hopper to record levels, even in the 

current financially-constrained climate. We anticipate that the 

number of opportunities will increase as vendor expectations 

 ❚  Regular top-level meetings with local authorities, RDAs, and 

other government or quasi governmental bodies 

become more realistic and lenders begin to address the issues 

Assessment — The company enjoys an excellent reputation with 

in their loan books. In this environment, with a reduced number 

its stakeholders (including investors, business partners and 

of active competitors, we expect to be able to continue to source 

employees). This is based on, and reinforced by, a strong set of 

attractive acquisitions. 

principles and consistent delivery of promises. 

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8. construction risk 
The risks identified included:

 ❚  Build quality

 ❚  Remediation/contamination

 ❚  Liability issues

 ❚  Contractor failure 

The principal mitigating actions are:

 ❚	 A strong internal construction management team

 ❚	 Projects, acquisitions and disposals are reviewed (and financially 
appraised) in detail within clearly defined authorisation limits

 ❚	 Regular management reviews

 ❚	 Use and close supervision of high-quality trusted contractors 

and professionals

 ❚	 Contractual liability clearly defined

 ❚	 Close monitoring of contractors’ performance and financial 

viability 

Assessment — The company is willing to accept a degree of 

environmental / contamination risk, enabling higher returns to be 

made for the perceived higher risks undertaken. These risks are 

passed on or minimised where possible, but cannot be eliminated. In 

our recent experience, the residual risks have been acceptably low. 

PRinciPal activities 
The company acts as the holding company of a group of property 

investment and development companies. A list of the subsidiary 

and associated undertakings affecting the profit or net assets of 

the group is included in note F to the company accounts. 

diRectoRs’ inteRests in oRdinaRy sHaRes 
The interests of the directors in the issued share capital of the 

company are shown below: 

Beneficial 

S.J.Burke 

S.W.Clarke 

C.C. A.Glossop 

T.P.Haywood 

L.James 

K.Innes Ker 

I.Menzies-Gow 

W.A Oliver 

P.Rigg 

J.Salmon 

Non-beneficial 

C.C.A.Glossop 

30th November 
2009 

30th November 
2008 

112,123 

7,112,657 

1,757,292 

155,324 

10,000 

— 

14,814 

314,157 

2,812 

18,000 

26,938 

7,026,546 

1,607,933 

91,251 

— 

— 

— 

202,002 

1,875 

2,000 

180,000 

100,000 

These interests do not include shares held under the share option 

schemes described in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on  

page 63. 

There has been no change in these beneficial interests between 

30th November 2009 and 3rd February 2010. 

suBstantial inteRests 
As at 3rd February 2010 the company had been notified of the 

following interests in more than 3% of its issued share capital: 

Shareholder 

Lady Clarke and 
family holdings 
(excluding S W Clarke) 

J.D.Leavesley and 
connected parties 

Kempen Capital 
Management 

BlackRock 

Co-operative Asset 
Management 

Aberforth Partners 

Legal & General 
Investment Management 

CBRE Global Real Estate 
Securities 

Number of 
Ordinary 
Shares Held 

Percentage of 
Ordinary 
Share Capital 

27,462,539 

13.71% 

18,543,382 

9.25% 

14,378,852 

10,686,153 

9,533,284 

8,771,568 

7.18% 

5.33% 

4.76% 

4.38% 

7,096,686 

3.54% 

6,213,246 

3.10% 

ReaPPointment of diRectoRs 
The directors listed on pages 48 and 49 constituted the board   

at the end of the year. Lesley James and Katherine Innes Ker, 

having been appointed during the year, offer themselves for 

election. John Salmon, Steve Burke and Simon Clarke will retire 

from the board in accordance with the provisions of the company’s 

Articles of Association and offer themselves for re-election at the 

2010 Annual General Meeting. Paul Rigg will retire from the board, 

and is not seeking re-election. 

diRectoRs’ inteRests in contRacts 
No contract existed during the year in relation to the company’s 

business in which any director was materially interested. 

cReditoR Payment Policy 
It is the company’s policy to agree specific payment terms for its 

business transactions with its suppliers and to abide by those 

terms whenever it is satisfied that the supplier has provided the 

goods and services in accordance with the agreed terms and 

conditions. 

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During the year ended 30th November 2009 trade creditors 

addition to the usual period for questions which is made available 

represented an average of 31 days’ purchases (2008: 30 days). This 

for shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, John Salmon, 

has been calculated by expressing year end creditors as a fraction 

the chairman of the Audit Committee, and Lesley James, the 

of purchases made in the year, and multiplying the resulting 

chairman of the Remuneration Committee, will be available to 

fraction by 365 days. 

caPital stRuctuRe 
On 30th November 2009 there were 200,360,931 (2008: 120,773,954) 

ordinary shares of 10p in issue, each with one vote. During the year 

under review the company successfully completed a Firm Placing 

and Placing and Open Offer of 79,586,977 new ordinary shares of 

10p each at 135p per share, raising a net £101.6m after costs. 

emPloyees 
The group encourages employee involvement and places emphasis 

on keeping its employees informed of the group’s activities 

and performance. The company’s executive runs quarterly 

management meetings at which staff are informed about 
information affecting them as employees, where their feedback 

is sought on decisions likely to affect their interests, and where 

a common awareness is achieved of the financial and economic 

factors affecting the company’s performance. This information is 

then cascaded to staff at the company’s head office and regional 

offices. A performance related annual bonus scheme and share 

option arrangements are designed to encourage employee 

involvement in the success of the group. 

The group operates a non-discriminatory employment policy under 

which full and fair consideration is given to disabled applicants, to 

the continued employment of staff who become disabled, and to 

answer appropriate questions. Any matters of concern regarding 

the company are discussed by the Senior Independent Director 

with shareholders or appropriate corporate governance bodies and 

comments are fed back by him to the whole board. 

Copies of all press releases, investor presentations and  

annual reports are posted on the company’s website  

(www.stmodwen.co.uk), together with additional details of major 

projects, key financial information and company background. 

To simplify and encourage participation in voting on resolutions  

at our Annual General Meeting, the company provides the 

opportunity to vote electronically through CREST (for further 

details see page 115). 

electRonic communications 
Each year the company produces and posts annual reports to all 

of its shareholders, at considerable cost to the company and the 

environment. In an effort to reduce the cost and the environmental 

burden and provide instant access, the board has agreed to make 

more use of electronic and website communication. Starting with 

the next half yearly report in 2010, all shareholder documentation 

will be published directly on our website (www.stmodwen.co.uk).  

Shareholders will be notified by email or post each time a 

document is published on the website and how to find it. The 

interim management statements will continue to be available via 

their continued career development and promotion. It is the policy 

the website. 

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of the group that the training, career development and promotion 

of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that 

of other employees. 

The group operates a pension scheme which is open to all 

employees — see note 20 to the group accounts. 

Political donations and cHaRitaBle donations 
The company did not make any political donations in the year. 
Details of the company’s charitable activities are included in the 

CSR review. Direct charitable donations, including donations made 

by the St. Modwen Environmental Trust during the year, totalled  

£14,000 (2008: £7,000). 

sHaReHoldeR Relations 
The executive directors have a programme of meetings with 

institutional shareholders and analysts at which the company’s 

strategy and most recently reported performance are explained 

and questions and comments made are relayed to the whole 

board. Visits are also arranged to sites of particular interest or 

significance to assist investors’ understanding of the company’s 

business. The company’s Annual General Meeting is also used 

as an opportunity to communicate with private investors. In 

Shareholders who prefer to receive a printed copy will be able to 

elect to do so. Shareholders who have elected to receive electronic 

communications can at any time change their election and require 

the company to send them a paper copy of any document or 

information which has been posted on the company website. 

Although electronic communications will become the default 

option, the company reserves the right to send printed documents 

by post, should the information be more suited to that format. If 

the company is required to restrict the sending of any documents 

or information to any shareholder due to the local laws of the 

jurisdiction in which the shareholder is resident or located and as 

a result, the company is not permitted to use electronic means to 

communicate with shareholders, it will send hard copies of the 

documents or information. 

Business standaRds 
The company does not condone any form of corrupt behaviour in 

business dealings and has disciplinary procedures in place to deal 

with any illegal or inappropriate activities by employees. 

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AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

diRectoRs’ RemuneRation RePoRt
 

This report has been drawn up in accordance with the Combined 

The main elements of executive directors’ remuneration comprise: 

Code and the Companies Act 2006. It complies with the FSA’s 

Listing Rules, and has been approved by both the Remuneration 

Committee and the board. Shareholders will be invited to 

approve this report at the AGM. The Remuneration Committee’s 

terms of reference are available for inspection on the company’s 

website. 

The Companies Act requires certain parts of the Remuneration 

Report to be audited. The audited sections are highlighted. 

comPosition and function of tHe RemuneRation committee 
The Remuneration Committee comprises Lesley James 

(Chairman), Simon Clarke, Ian Menzies-Gow, Katherine Innes Ker, 

Paul Rigg and John Salmon. 

The Committee considers all aspects of the executive directors’ 

remuneration and administers the company’s share schemes. 

The remuneration of the non-executive directors is considered by 
the board following recommendations by the executive directors. 

No director participates in setting their own remuneration. The 

Committee also reviews and notes annually the remuneration 

trends across the company and any major changes in employee 

benefits structures. 

During 2008-09 the Committee was assisted by Watson Wyatt, 

who were appointed as its independent remuneration advisers in 

June 2008. Watson Wyatt do no other work for the company. The 

❚	 Base salary: reviewed annually in the light of information on 

the external market and other relevant factors such as internal 

relativities and individual performance. 

❚	 Annual bonus: the aim is to provide a clear and direct incentive. 
Bonus normally comprises a single cash payment awarded at 

the end of the financial year. Bonus targets require performance 

based on financial, operational and strategic measures at 

company and personal levels and provide an opportunity to earn 

up to a maximum of 125% of salary. 

❚	 Performance share plan: an annual award of shares normally 
with a face value of 150% of base salary which vest, subject to 

achievement of performance targets, in whole or in part after 

three years. The plan was agreed by shareholders in 2007 

and provides the main incentive to sustained, longer term 

performance. The plan rules require challenging performance 
targets to be set for each award to vest and stipulate that the 

measures used should be appropriate in the prevailing economic 

environment and circumstances of the company. 

❚	 Pensions and benefits: executive directors’ pension benefits are 
funded through either the defined benefit scheme (now closed), 

or the defined contribution scheme. executive directors also 

receive private medical insurance, life insurance and participate 

in the company car plan. 

Remuneration Committee was also assisted in its deliberations 

❚	 Shareholdings: it has been the company’s policy since  

by the Chairman, the Chief Executive and the Company Secretary, 

1st December 2006 that executive directors are expected to build 

who were not present when their own remuneration arrangements 

up their shareholdings in the company over a five year period to 

were under discussion. 

be, at a minimum, the value of one times base salary. 

RemuneRation Policy 
The objective of St. Modwen’s remuneration policy is to attract, 

retain and motivate high calibre senior executives through 

competitive pay arrangements which are also in the best interests 

of shareholders. These include performance-related elements with 

demanding targets, in order to align the interests of directors and 

shareholders and to reward success. 

The overall aim is that the fixed elements of executive directors’ 

remuneration (base salaries and pension benefits) should be set 

at around the median of the range paid by comparable companies, 

and that superior performance should be rewarded through 

total remuneration in the upper quartile of the range. These 

benchmarks gear rewards to high performance, and seek to ensure 

that the company can attract and retain executives of suitable 

calibre in the sector’s very competitive labour market. 

eXecutive diRectoRs’ RemuneRation in 2008-09 
The year under review was one of considerable challenge and 

difficulty for the company, its shareholders and its management 

team. At its meetings during the year, the Committee discussed 

in depth what constitutes fair pay for the company’s executives in 

these circumstances and agreed it should focus on meeting the 

following objectives: 

❚	 To take account of shareholders’ interests at a time of declining 

shareholder value 

❚	 To continue to motivate and retain the company’s key executives 

❚	 To ensure that performance targets remain both stretching and 

relevant 

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❚	 To incentivise the executive team to maintain a focus on the 

❚	 Gearing levels 

longer-term strength of the company, as well as grappling with 

the shorter-term challenges of the recession 

❚	 To ensure that decisions on executive directors’ pay are aligned 

❚	 Land and property acquisitions and disposals 

❚	 Marshalling activity 

with decisions made for other employees of the company 

❚	 Personal elements including cost management 

The Committee was particularly mindful of the message it received 

The executive directors’ performance was assessed individually by 

from many institutional fund managers that they invest in  

the non-executive members of the board and the Committee against 

St. Modwen because they have a high regard for its management 

the targets, relying on audited information where appropriate, and 

team, led by the three executive directors. They see retention 

having regard to the value which has been created for shareholders. 

and motivation of the company’s top team as a key objective for 

the Remuneration Committee. At the same time, the Committee 

was aware of the expectation from shareholders and their 

representative bodies that remuneration should reflect declines 

in shareholder value in current market conditions. Applying these 

objectives required the Committee to reach balanced judgements 

in relation to remuneration in 2008-2009 and in structuring 

remuneration for 2009-2010. 

The overall effect was that the total remuneration of each of the 

executive directors was substantially lower in 2008-09 than in the 

previous year. 

On the basis of that assessment, the bonus payments made to each 

of the executive directors, in accordance with the performance 

conditions, were: Bill Oliver 50% of maximum bonus, (62.5% of 

base salary); Steve Burke 60% of maximum bonus, (75% of base 

salary); Tim Haywood 16% of maximum bonus, (20% of base 

salary). 

It was noted that in determining the awards, Bill Oliver had 

demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership which kept 

the business intact in a most difficult period and Steve Burke had 

been largely responsible in acquiring the BP portfolio (not part of 

his normal duties) and had led the construction team to achieve all 

The remuneration arrangements for the year ended 30th November 

of its targeted objectives. 

2009 are set out below. 

Base salaries 
Base salaries for the year beginning 1st December 2008 were 

reviewed having regard to market conditions and the salary review 

being implemented for other staff which was budgeted at a 3% 

increase. Salaries were set at the following levels: Bill Oliver (Chief 

Executive) — £424,360; Steve Burke (Construction Director) — 

£280,000; Tim Haywood (Finance Director) - £248,230. Bill Oliver 

and Tim Haywood received salary increases of 3% in line with other 

staff and Steve Burke received an increase of 21.7% reflecting his 

progression through his salary range following his appointment to 

the board in 2006 and in line with market data. 

2008-09 Bonus scheme 
The executive directors had the opportunity to earn a total bonus of 
up to 125% of base salary, with performance measured against the 

following criteria: 

❚	 Net asset value at the year end 

❚	 Covenant compliance 

In addition to the above, Bill Oliver and Tim Haywood were each 

awarded £100,000 in respect of the successful equity raising and 

financial restructuring. In the normal course of events this would 

be considered a routine matter. However, the severity of prevailing 

market conditions demanded exceptional contribution from the Chief 

Executive and Finance Director. The differences in the terms on 

which comparable exercises were undertaken by other companies 

demonstrate that management could influence the outcome of the 

process substantially. The terms achieved by executive directors 

bore favourable comparison to those of our peers. The fundraising 

also achieved the objective of widening the shareholder base and 

attracting new investors to the group. In the light of this successful 

fundraising, the Remuneration Committee decided to make this 

special and one-off award. 

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diRectoRs’ RemuneRation RePoRt continued 

The Committee was conscious that the resulting bonus payments 

The first is cumulative growth in net asset value per share (NAV 

could nevertheless be regarded as high and were due to be 

growth). NAV growth of 5% will earn PSP shares worth 15.625% of 

paid in cash at a time when shareholders had seen declines in 

base salary at the date of the award and growth of 20% will earn 

the absolute value of their shares. Taking this into account, the 

shares worth 62.5% of base salary. These levels of growth are lower 

Committee decided to make payment conditional on the executive 

than those set for the PSP award granted in 2008 but were agreed 

directors undertaking to invest 50% of the bonus received, after 

by the Committee, after very careful consideration, to be realistic 

payment of income tax and national insurance, in company shares 

but challenging in the current economic climate. The minimum 

and to retain those shares for a minimum period of three years. 

NAV target was increased from the original scheme outlined in the 

In normal circumstances, once awarded, cash payments under 

the bonus scheme are a contractual right. Requiring the executive 

directors to invest the payments made to them into the company’s 

2008 annual report, following consultation with shareholders, to 

reflect the impact of the six month delay to implementation of the 

awards as a result of the equity issue in the period. 

shares was an exceptional decision, to which they agreed. 

The second target is the company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 

Accordingly the shares purchased will not be forfeitable if an 

relative to the FTSE350 Real Estate Index. TSR equal to the Index 

executive director leaves the company. 

deferred Bonus scheme 
The deferred cash bonus plan was in place between 2004 and 
2006. As a retention tool, participants received half their annual 

bonus in cash, with the other half in cash but deferred for a further 

three years. Performance conditions (which were not attached to 

equivalent bonuses paid below board level) were imposed but were 

not the principal motivation, being set below the company’s trend 

line performance. 

over the three financial years ending 31st May 2012, will earn PSP 

shares worth 15.625% of base salary at date of the award and TSR 

of 120% of the Index will earn shares worth 62.5% of base salary, 

with a straight line correlation between these points. 

Executive directors may also participate in the company’s savings-

related share schemes on the same terms as all other employees. 

eXecutive diRectoRs’ RemuneRation 2009-10 
The Remuneration Committee considered carefully the executive 

remuneration arrangements for 2009-10 having regard to 

The bonuses that were earned in 2005 — 06, deferred for payment 

operational and strategic priorities in a difficult market. It 

in 2010, amounted to: Bill Oliver £252,000; Tim Haywood £140,000; 

continued to seek to meet the objectives set out in the previous 

Steve Burke £74,000. The Remuneration Committee decided 

section, balancing the need to take account of shareholders’ 

that as the performance targets were not met, these awards will 

interests with the need to incentivise the executive team. 

therefore lapse. 

Performance share Plan (PsP) 
Whilst the reduction in NAV experienced by St. Modwen was far 

less than many of our competitors, the condition applying to the 

2007 PSP awards, due to vest in 2010, has not been met. The 

Remuneration Committee has determined that these awards will 

therefore lapse. 

In the current economic climate, it is also expected that NAV 

growth will fall significantly short of the targets set for PSP awards 
that were made in 2008. 

New PSP awards over shares were granted to executive directors 

in 2009 over shares to a face value of 125% of base salary 

(reduced from 150% in previous years). The shares will vest after 

three years, subject to achievement of performance targets over 

three financial years ending 31st May 2012. Performance will be 

measured against two targets. 

Executive directors’ remuneration for 2009-10 comprises: 

Base salary 
No increases to base salaries were given for the year beginning 1st 

December 2009, in line with the policy adopted for the majority of 

employees. 

Pensions and benefits 
With effect from 1st September 2009, the final salary pension 

scheme, of which Steve Burke was a member, was closed for 
future benefit accrual. Employer contributions into this scheme 

previously amounted to 33.7% of salary. From that date, he became 

a member of the defined contribution scheme. 

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Also with effect from 1st September 2009, and anticipated to 

The Remuneration Committee gave extensive consideration to the 

continue until 1st December 2010 (or the resumption of NAV 

performance conditions to be set. The rules of the performance 

growth, if later) contributions to the defined contribution scheme 

share plan approved by shareholders in 2007 require the 

were reduced for all employees. Contributions for the executive 

Committee to set performance conditions for each annual grant 

directors were set at 5% of salary (previously 15% for both Bill 

which reflect current market conditions and the company’s 

Oliver and Tim Haywood). 

strategy. The company’s clear goal continues to be the restoration 

of NAV growth. 

The award will again be based on two performance conditions and 

will be measured against the following targets: 

❚	 50% of the award will be based on cumulative NAV targets. NAV 
growth of 7.5% would vest 12.5% of the maximum award of 

62.5%, resulting in 15.625% of salary as a PSP award. Growth of 

30% or above in NAV would secure the maximum award under 

this performance condition. 

❚	 50% of the award will be based on the company’s relative TSR 

performance to the FTSE350 Real Estate Index. TSR equal to the 
Index over the three financial years ending 30th November 2012, 

will earn PSP shares worth 15.625% of base salary at date of 

the award and TSR of 120% of the Index will earn shares worth 

62.5% of base salary, with a straight line correlation between 

these points. 

The Committee will review these performance conditions when 

deciding PSP grants in future years, in order to reflect changes 

in the outlook for the sector and the company, and to ensure that 

awards remain challenging. 

Share awards made to executive directors and other employees  

will remain within the overall limits allowed by the rules of the 

relevant plans. 

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annual bonus 
In current market conditions, it is essential to set clear, stretching 

and realistic targets which relate directly to the company’s strategy 

for both the short and longer term. 

The Committee agreed that the following performance conditions 

for the 2009-10 annual bonus comprise the principal elements for 

each executive director: 

❚	 Net asset value at the year end 

❚	 Covenant compliance 

❚	 Gearing levels 

❚	 Land and property acquisitions and disposals 

❚	 Marshalling activity 

❚	 Personal elements including cost management 

The targets for each element are based on the budget as agreed by 

the board and are considered by the Committee to be stretching in 

current market conditions. 

Payment of bonus will not be dependent on achievement of any 

single target in isolation, since the targets are all of key importance 

to the short and longer term health of the company and the 

Committee does not wish to distort behaviour by focussing on a 

single element. The potential maximum award is 125% of base 

salary, but the Committee will have regard to the value which has 

been created for shareholders when determining the total size of 

bonuses at the end of 2009-10. 

Performance share Plan (PsP) 
The 2010 grant of shares under the PSP will vest according to 

performance in the three financial years between 30th November 

2009 and 2012. These awards will be over shares to a face value of 

125% of base salary. 

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diRectoRs’ RemuneRation RePoRt continued 

non-eXecutive diRectoRs’ fees 
The level of non-executive directors’ fees is recommended to the board by the Chairman and executive directors, having taken independent 

advice on market practice. For 2008-09 the level of the basic fee paid was maintained at the previous year’s levels of £37,000 per director 

with additional payments of £9,000 to the chairman of the Audit Committee and the chairman of the Remuneration Committee and of £6,000 

to the Senior Independent Director. Non-executive directors are not permitted to participate in the company’s bonus, share or pension 

schemes. 

For the year commencing 1st December 2009, non-executive directors’ fees will be held at the same levels. 

The Chairman’s fee for his new non-executive role from 1 December 2008 was set at £125,000 per annum, and will be maintained at this level 

for the year commencing 1st December 2009. 

seRvice contRacts 

All of the executive directors have service contracts of no fixed term, with notice periods of twelve months. 


The non-executive directors have letters of appointment with notice periods of three months.
 

No director has any rights to compensation on loss of office (apart from payment in lieu of notice, where appropriate).
 

Unless specifically approved by the board, executive directors are not permitted to hold external non-executive directorships. 


The dates of the executive directors’ service contracts are as follows:
 

W.A.Oliver 

S.J.Burke 

24th January 2000 

1st January 2006 

T.P.Haywood 

14th April 2003 

Audited Information: 

diRectoRs’ RemuneRation 
The remuneration of the directors for the year ended 30th November 2009 was as follows: 

Executive 

W.A.Oliver 

S.J.Burke 

T.P.Haywood 

Non-executive 

C.C.A.Glossop 

S.W. Clarke 

M.E.Francis (to 30 Sept 2009) 

L.James (from 19 Oct 2009) 

K.Innes Ker (from 19 Oct 2009) 

R.I.Menzies-Gow 

D.P.Rigg 

C.E.Roshier (to 3 Apr 2009) 

J.H.Salmon 

Salary/Fees 
£’000 

424 

280 

248 

125 

37 

38 

6 

5 

41 

37 

15 

46 

Annual 
bonus 
£’000 

365 

210 

150 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

†  2008 totals for the executive directors include payment of deferred bonus earned in respect of 2005. 

1,302 

725 

Total emoluments excluding 
pensions and pension
contributions
2009 
£’000 

2008†
£’000 

Benefits 
£’000 

34 

20 

21 

15 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

90 

823 

510 

419 

140 

37 

38 

6 

5 

41 

37 

15 

46 

921 

444 

493 

303 

37 

46 

— 

— 

37 

37 

43 

46

2,117 

2,407 

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All benefits for the executive directors (comprising mainly the provision of company car, fuel and health insurance) arise from employment 

with the company, and do not form part of directors’ final pensionable pay. 

The figures above represent emoluments earned during the relevant financial year. Such emoluments are paid in the same financial year 

with the exception of performance related bonuses, which are paid in the year following that in which they are earned. 

eXecutive sHaRe oPtion scHemes 

Date of Grant 

August 2004* 
August 2005* 

As at 30 November 2009 

W.A.Oliver 

S.J.Burke 

T.P.Haywood  Exercise Price 

Exercise Period 

105,610 
102,955 

208,565 

46,315 
39,825 

86,140 

— 
46,610 

46,610 

236p 
375p 

Aug 2007-Aug 2014 
Aug 2008-Aug 2015 

(i) All share options have vested in full, having met the performance conditions. 

(ii) During the year C.C.A.Glossop exercised 590,000 share options at an exercise price of 83.9 pence per share. W.A.Oliver exercised 70,800 share options at an 
exercise price of 113.5 pence per share and 132,160 share options at 169.4 pence per share . The gain made on the exercise of the options was £1.39m for 
C.C.A.Glossop and £205,240 for W.A.Oliver. 

*The exercise prices and numbers of shares under option have been adjusted to reflect the equity issue in the year. 

PeRfoRmance sHaRe Plan 
Directors’ maximum entitlements, subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions, are as follows: 

Date of Grant 

12 February 2008* 

24 July 2009 

Total 

W.A.Oliver 

S.J.Burke 

T.P.Haywood 

Exercise Period 

152,305 

294,694 

446,999 

85,025 

194,444 

279,469 

89,091 

Feb 2011 — Feb 2018 

172,381 

July 2012 — July 2019 

261,472 

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*The numbers of shares have been adjusted to reflect the equity issue in the year 

PSP awards granted in 2007 have lapsed, performance conditions not having been met. 

The share price on 24th July 2009, the date of the latest grant, was 184p. 

savings Related scHemes 

C.C.A.Glossop 

W.A.Oliver 

T.P.Haywood 

S.J.Burke 

Balance at 
30 Nov 2008* 

Exercised 

Granted 

Balance at 
30 Nov 2009 

7,168 

— 

7,579 

— 

(6,292) 

— 

(4,719) 

— 

-

6,941 

4,165 

6,941 

876 

6,941 

7,025 

6,941 

Exercise Price* 

Exercise Period 

367p 

224p 

Mar 2012 

Oct 2014 — Mar 2015 

224p — 228p 

Oct 2013 — Mar 2014 

224p 

Oct 2014 — Mar 2015 

*  The exercise prices and numbers of shares under option have been adjusted to reflect the equity issue in the year. 

Details of savings related share options exercised by directors during the year are as follows: 

C.C.A.Glossop 

T.P.Haywood 

Date of exercise 

Oct 2009 

Oct 2009 

Market price 
at date of 
exercise 

214.5p 

214.5p 

Number of 
options 
exercised 

6,292 

4,719 

Gain 
£’000 

­

­

The share price on 30th November 2009 was 212p. The highest price during the year was 262p and the lowest price was 67p. 

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diRectoRs’ RemuneRation RePoRt continued 

Unaudited Information: 

Pensions 
The company operates a pension scheme with both a defined benefits and defined contribution section, covering the majority of employees, 

including executive directors. In relation to the defined benefits section, benefits are based on years of credited service and final pensionable 

pay. The maximum pension generally payable under the scheme is two-thirds of final pensionable pay. The defined benefits section of the 

scheme was closed to new members in 1999, and to future accrual in 2009. 

Membership of the defined contribution section is available to all permanent employees including executive directors joining the company 

after 6 April 1999. Contributions are invested by an independent investment manager. 

Audited Information: 

Pension benefits earned by the directors who are members of the defined benefits scheme: 

Change in 

transfer value to 

30th Nov 2009 

C.C.A.Glossop 

S.J.Burke 

Age at 30th 

Nov 2009 

Accrued pension 

Transfer Value 

less member 

2009 

2008 

2009 

2008 

contributions 

£’000 p.a. 

£’000 p.a. 

68 

50 

261 

25 

261 

22 

4,966 

404 

4,734 

286 

232
 

107
 

C.C.A.Glossop, who had been a deferred pensioner since his normal retirement age of 60, elected to draw his pension from  

1st April 2006. The accrued pension disclosed above represents the annual pension currently in payment (of which £248,000 has been paid in 

the year). 

Notes relating to the defined benefits scheme: 

1. Contributions of up to 7.5% were payable by members, effective 1st December 2004. 

2. Accrued pension is that which would be paid annually at retirement age based on service to 31st August 2009. 

3. Normal retirement age is 65, effective 1 December 2004. 

4. Death in service benefits amount to a lump sum equal to the greater of four times basic salary at death and four times the average of 

gross earnings in the last three years. In addition a spouse’s pension would be payable, equivalent to 50% of the actual pension. 

5. A spouse’s pension of 50% of the full pension is payable after the death in retirement of a member. 

6. Pension payments in respect of service in the Scheme after 5 April 1997 increase annually by the lower of the RPI increase and 5%. 

Pension in respect of service prior to 6 April 1997 increases annually by the lower of the RPI increase and 3%. 

7. With effect from 1st September 2009, the defined benefits scheme was closed to future accrual. 

Contributions made on behalf of the remaining directors who are members of the defined contribution section of the pension scheme 

amounted to : 

W.A Oliver 

S.J.Burke (from 1 September 2009)

T.P.Haywood  

2009 
£’000 

53 

 3 

31 

2008 
£’000 

62 

— 

36 

With effect from 1st September 2009, company contributions into the defined contribution section of the plan were reduced until further 
notice. It is anticipated that contributions will resume when the company achieves positive NAV growth. 

Further information on the company’s pension scheme is shown in note 20 to the group accounts. 

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Unaudited Information: 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

St. Modwen Properties 

FTSE 350 Real Estate 

FTSE 250 

Nov 04 

Nov 05 

Nov 06 

Nov 07 

Nov 08 

Nov 09 

The company’s total shareholder return is shown in the graph above against a broad equity market index. Since the company was a 

constituent of the FTSE 250 and FTSE Real Estate indices during the year, these are considered to be appropriate benchmarks for the graph. 

Approved by the board and signed on its behalf by 

Lesley James 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 

5th February 2010 

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financial statements
 

68  Directors’ responsibilities statement 
Independent group auditors’ report 
69 
70  Group and company accounts 
110  Independent company auditors’ report 
111  Five year record 
112  Notice of annual general meeting 
117  Glossary of terms 
118  Shareholder information 

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diRectoRs’ ResPonsiBilities statement 


The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 

and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 

records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s 

and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare 

transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 

financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the 

financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that 

directors are required to prepare the group financial statements 

the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They 

in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 

are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company 

(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the 

and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and 

IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the parent company 

detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 

Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 

Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors 

must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they 

give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and 

of the profit or loss of the company for that period. 

In preparing the parent company financial statements, the 

directors are required to: 

❚	 Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently; 

❚	 Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent; 

❚	 State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 

explained in the financial statements; and 

❚	 Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will 

continue in business. 

In preparing the group financial statements, International 

Accounting Standard 1 requires that directors: 

❚	 Properly select and apply accounting policies; 

❚	 Present information, including accounting policies, in a manner 
that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 

information; 

❚	 Provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to 

understand the impact of particular transactions, other events 

and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial 

performance; and 

❚	 Make an assessment of the group’s ability to continue as a going 

concern. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 

the corporate and financial information included on the company’s 

website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 

preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ 

from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Each of the persons who is a director at the date of approval of this 

annual report confirms that: 

❚	 So far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the company’s auditors are unaware; and 

❚	 The director has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have 

taken as a director in order to make himself/herself aware of any 

relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s 

auditors are aware of that information. 

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 

with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office 

as auditors and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at 

the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

ResPonsiBility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

❚	 The financial statements, prepared in accordance with the 

relevant financial reporting framework, 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 business review, which is incorporated into the directors’ 

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. 

By order of the board 

Bill Oliver 	
Chief Executive 

5th February 2010 

Tim Haywood 
Finance Director 

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indePendent auditoRs’ RePoRt 
TO THe members Of sT. mODwen prOperTies plc 

We have audited the group financial statements of St. Modwen 

Properties PLC for the year ended 30th November 2009 which 

comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group Statement 

of Recognised Income and Expense, the Group Balance Sheet, 

the Group Cash Flow Statement, and the related notes 1 to 23. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 

preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting 

oPinion on otHeR matteRs PRescRiBed By tHe  
comPanies act 2006 
In our opinion: 

❚	 The part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 

2006; and 

Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

❚	 The information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in 

accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 

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 auditors’ 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. 

ResPective ResPonsiBilities of diRectoRs and auditoRs 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 

year for which the financial statements are prepared is 

consistent with the group financial statements. 

matteRs on wHicH we aRe ReQuiRed to RePoRt  
By eXcePtion 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 

in our opinion: 

❚	 The group financial statements and the part of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with 

the accounting records and returns; or 

Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 

❚	 Certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

group financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a 

are not made; or 

true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the group financial 

statements in accordance with applicable law and International 

Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require 

❚	 We have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit. 

us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

Standards for Auditors. 

scoPe of tHe audit of tHe financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 

disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 

assurance that the financial statements are free from material 

misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 

❚	 The directors’ statement contained within the Corporate 
Governance Report in relation to going concern; and 

❚	 The part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the 
company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the June 2008 

Combined Code specified for our review. 

assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to 

the group’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and 

otHeR matteR 
We have reported separately on the parent company financial 

adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting 

statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC for the year ended 30th 

estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of 

November 2009. 

the financial statements. 

oPinion on financial statements 
In our opinion the group financial statements: 

❚	 Give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s affairs as at 
30th November 2009 and of its loss for the year then ended; 

❚	 Have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 

adopted by the European Union; and 

❚	 Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 

Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Stephen Griggs FCA 
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 

Birmingham, United Kingdom 

5th February 2010 

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70  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

gRouP income statement 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Revenue 

Net rental income 
Development (loss)/profit 
Gains on disposal of investments/investment properties 
Investment property revaluation losses 
Other net income 
Losses of joint ventures and associates (post-tax) 
Administrative expenses 

Loss before interest and tax 
Finance cost 
Finance income 

Loss before tax 
Tax credit  

Loss for the year 

Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders of the company 
Minority interests 

basic and diluted loss per share (as restated)

Notes 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

1 

1 
1 

7 
1 
9 
2 

3 
3 

4 

18 
19 

113.7 

146.5 

26.1 
(9.3) 
2.2 
(81.7) 
1.8 
(22.9) 
(13.9) 

(97.7) 
(26.0) 
4.3 

(119.4) 
17.7 

(101.7) 

(101.1) 
(0.6) 

(101.7) 

25.7 
9.0 
0.1 
(49.7) 
7.3 
(8.9) 
(14.0) 

(30.5) 
(49.3) 
6.7 

(73.1) 
22.4 

(50.7) 

(51.7) 
1.0 

(50.7) 

Notes 

2009 
pence 

2008 
pence 

5 

(59.7) 

(37.3)

gRouP statement of Recognised income and eXPense 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Loss for the year 
Pension fund: 
— actuarial losses 
— deferred tax thereon 

Total recognised income and expense 

Attributable to: 
— Equity shareholders of the company 
— Minority interests 

Total recognised income and expense

Notes 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

20 

19 
19 

(101.7) 

(50.7) 

(0.8) 
0.2 

(0.4) 
0.1 

(102.3) 

(51.0) 

(101.7) 
(0.6) 

(102.3) 

(52.0) 
1.0 

(51.0) 

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gRouP Balance sHeet
As AT 30TH nOvember 2009
 

non-current assets 
Investment property 
Operating property, plant and equipment 
Investments in joint ventures and associates 
Trade and other receivables 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 
Tax payables 

non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 
Deferred tax 

net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Retained earnings 
Own shares 

Shareholders’ equity 
Minority interests 

Total equity 

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Notes 

2009 
£m 

2008

£m
 

7 
8 
9 
10 

11 
10 

12 
13 
4 

12 
13 
4 

17 
18 
18 
18 
18 

19 

762.9 
7.9 
41.3 
5.2 

817.3 

192.7 
47.0 
4.8 

244.5 

814.3 
4.3 
64.2 
20.6

903.4 

228.1 
48.5 
12.7 

289.3 

(139.2) 
(0.4) 
(7.7) 

(131.1) 
(0.4) 
(5.7) 

(147.3) 

(137.2) 

(188.9) 
(323.2) 
(1.4) 

(201.4) 
(433.8) 
(18.1) 

(513.5) 

(653.3) 

401.0 

402.2 

20.0 
102.8 
0.3 
269.6 
(0.4) 

392.3 
8.7 

401.0 

12.1 
9.1 
0.3 
371.3 
(0.1) 

392.7 
9.5 

402.2 

The group financial statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC, registered number 00349201, were approved by the board of 
directors on 5th February 2010 and were signed on its behalf by Bill Oliver and Tim Haywood. 

Bill Oliver 
Chief Executive 

Tim Haywood 
Finance Director 

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72  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

gRouP casH flow statement 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Operating activities 
Loss before interest and tax 
Gains on the disposal of investments 
(Gains)/losses on investment property disposals 
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates (post-tax) 
Investment property revaluation losses 
Depreciation 
Impairment losses on inventories 
Decrease/(increase) in inventories 
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 
Share options and share awards 
Pension 
Tax refund/(payment)  

net cash inflow from operating activities 

investing activities 
Investment property disposals 
Investment property additions 
Disposal of investments 
Property, plant and equipment additions 
Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiary
Investment in associate 
Interest received 
Dividends received 

net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Dividends paid to minorities 
Interest paid 
Net proceeds on issue of share capital 
New borrowings drawn 
Repayment of borrowings 

net cash outflow from financing activities 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Notes 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

9 
7 
8 
11 

4 (c) 

14 
9 

6 
19 

(97.7) 
— 
(2.2) 
22.9 
81.7 
1.0 
14.2 
6.5 
0.6 
(13.5) 
(0.3) 
(0.8) 
3.2 

15.6 

31.3 
(28.0) 
— 
(1.5) 
0.4 
— 
1.4 
— 

3.6 

— 
(0.2)
(17.9)
101.6 
44.2 
(154.8)

(27.1) 

(7.9)
12.7 

4.8 

(30.5) 
(0.3) 
0.2 
8.9 
49.7 
0.5 
10.1 
(29.8) 
(3.1) 
53.3 
3.9 
(0.1) 
(4.8) 

58.0 

44.4 
(89.1) 
0.9 
(0.9) 
— 
(2.3) 
2.5 
4.0 

(40.5) 

(14.1) 
(1.0) 
(22.0) 
— 
23.5 
(9.1) 

(22.7) 

(5.2) 
17.9 

12.7 

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73

accounting Policies
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

basis of preparation 
The group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the EU as they apply to the group for the year ended 30th November 2009, applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006. 

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the revaluation of certain properties, derivative 
financial instruments and the defined benefit section of the group’s pension scheme. 

The group’s functional currency is pounds sterling and its IFRS accounting policies are set out below. 

basis of consolidation 
The group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC and the entities it controls. 
Control comprises the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee and is achieved through direct or 
indirect ownership of voting rights or by contractual agreement. A list of the principal entities controlled is given in note (F) of the 
company’s financial statements. 

VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited is 50% owned by St. Modwen Properties PLC; however, under the funding agreement the 
group obtains the majority of the benefits of the entity and also retains the majority of the residual risks. This entity is therefore 
consolidated in accordance with SIC 12 “Consolidation — Special Purpose Entities”. 

All entities are consolidated from the date on which the group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that 
such control ceases. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expense are eliminated on consolidation. 

Minority interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets that are not held by the group and are presented separately 
within equity in the group balance sheet. 

interests in joint ventures 
The group recognises its interest in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest 
in the joint venture is carried in the balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of its net assets, less 
distributions received and less any impairment in value of individual investments. The income statement reflects the group’s share 
of the jointly controlled entities’ results after interest and tax. 

Financial statements of jointly controlled entities are prepared for the same reporting period as the group. Where necessary, 
adjustments are made to bring the accounting policies used into line with those of the group. 

The group statement of recognised income and expense reflects the group’s share of any income and expense recognised by the 
jointly controlled entities outside the income statement. 

interests in associates 
The group’s interests in its associates, being those entities over which it has significant influence and which are neither 
subsidiaries nor joint ventures, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, as described above. 

Properties 
Investment properties 
Investment properties, being freehold and leasehold properties held to earn rental income, for capital appreciation and/or for 
undetermined future use, are carried at fair value following initial recognition at the present value of the consideration payable. To 
establish fair value, investment properties are independently valued on the basis of market value. Any surplus or deficit arising is 
recognised in the income statement for the period. 

Once classified as an investment property, a property remains in this category until development with a view to sale commences, 
at which point the asset is transferred to inventories at current valuation. 

Where an investment property is being redeveloped for continued use as an investment property, the property remains within 
investment property and any movement in valuation is recognised in the income statement. 

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74  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

accounting Policies
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Investment properties continued 
Investment property disposals are recognised on completion. Profits and losses arising are recognised through the income 
statement and the profit on disposal is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of 
the asset. 

Investment properties are not depreciated. 

Inventories 
Inventories principally comprise properties held for sale, properties under construction and land under option. 

Cost comprises land, direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs that have been incurred in bringing the 
inventories to their present location and condition. When inventory includes a transfer from investment properties, cost is recorded 
as the book value at the date of transfer. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less any further costs expected 
to be incurred to completion and disposal. 

Finance costs 
Interest incurred is not capitalised, but charged to the income statement on an accruals basis. 

Operating property, plant and equipment 
Operating property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. 
Such cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. 

Depreciation is provided on all operating property, plant and equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated 
residual value of each asset evenly over its expected useful life as follows: 

Leasehold operating properties  — over the shorter of the lease term and 25 years 
Plant, machinery and equipment  — over 2 to 5 years 

Leases 
The group as lessee 
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. 

Non-property assets held under finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease with a corresponding liability being 
recognised for the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are 
apportioned between the reduction of the lease liability and finance charges in the income statement so as to achieve a constant 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Non-property assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the 
shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the lease term. 

Freehold interests in leasehold investment properties are accounted for as finance leases with the present value of guaranteed 
minimum ground rents included within the carrying value of the property and within long-term liabilities. On payment of a 
guaranteed ground rent, virtually all of the cost is charged to the income statement, as interest payable, and the balance reduces 
the liability. 

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

The group as lessor 
Rental income from operating leases is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

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income taxes 
Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from, or paid to, the taxation authorities, 
based on tax rates and laws that are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

The tax currently payable is based on the taxable result for the year. The taxable result differs from the result as reported in the 
income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further 
excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. 

Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 
carrying amounts in the financial statements, using the rates of tax expected to apply based on legislation enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, with the following exceptions: 
— 	in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, 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 income tax assets are recognised only 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 when 
the related asset is realised or liability is settled, based on tax rates and laws substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same authority and the group intends to settle its current tax assets 
and liabilities on a net basis. 

Income tax is charged or credited directly to equity if it relates to items that are credited or charged to equity. Otherwise, income 
tax is recognised in the income statement. 

Pensions 
The group operates a pension scheme with both defined benefit and defined contribution sections. The defined benefit section is 
closed to new members and, from 1st September 2009, to future accrual. 

The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit section is determined using the projected unit credit method, which 
attributes entitlement to benefits to the current period (to determine current service cost) and to the current and prior periods (to 
determine the present value of defined benefit obligation) and is based on actuarial advice. Past service costs are recognised in 
the income statement immediately if the benefits have vested. 

The interest element of the defined benefit cost represents the change in present value of scheme obligations resulting from the 
passage of time and is determined by applying the discount rate to the opening present value of the benefit obligation, taking into 
account material changes in the obligation during the year. The expected return on plan assets is based on an assessment made 
at the beginning of the year of long-term market returns on scheme assets, adjusted for the effect on the fair value of plan assets 
of contributions received and benefits paid during the year. The difference between the expected return on plan assets and the 
interest cost is recognised in the income statement as other finance income or expense. 

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the statement of recognised income and expense in the year in which they 
occur. The defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the present value of the defined benefit 
obligation, less any past service cost not yet recognised and less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be 
settled directly. 

When a pension asset (net surplus) arises and the directors consider it is controlled by the company such that future economic 
benefits will be available to the company, it is carried forward in accordance with the requirements of IFRIC 14. 

Contributions to defined contribution schemes are recognised in the income statement in the year in which they become payable. 

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76  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

accounting Policies
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Own shares 
St. Modwen Properties PLC shares held by the group are classified in shareholders’ equity and are recognised at cost. 

dividends 
Dividends declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as liabilities at the balance sheet date. 

Revenue recognition 
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can be reliably 
measured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding discounts, rebates, VAT and other sales 
taxes or duty. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised: 

Sale of property 
Revenue arising from the sale of property is recognised on legal completion of the sale. Where revenue is earned for development 
of property assets not owned, this is recognised when the group has substantially fulfilled its obligations in respect of the 
transaction. 

Construction contracts 
Revenue arising from construction contracts is recognised in accordance with the group’s accounting policy on construction 
contracts (see below). 

Rental income 
Rental income arising from investment properties is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

Interest income 
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, 
which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts over the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s 
net carrying amount. 

Dividend income 
Dividend income from joint ventures is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to receive payment have been established. 

Construction contracts 
Where the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the 
stage of completion of the contract activity at the balance sheet date. The extent to which the contract is complete is determined 
by the total costs incurred to date as a percentage of the total anticipated costs for the entire contract. Variations in contract work, 
claims and incentive payments are included only to the extent they have been agreed with the purchaser. 

Where the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised only to the extent of 
contract costs incurred where it is probable they will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as expenses in the period in 
which they are incurred. 

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense 
immediately. 

Government grants 
Government grants relating to property are treated as deferred income and released to profit or loss over the expected useful life of 
the assets concerned. 

Share-based payments 
When employee share options are exercised the employee has the choice whether to have the liability settled by way of cash or 
the retention of shares. As it has been the company’s experience to satisfy the majority of share options in cash, and new shares 
are not issued to satisfy employee share option plans, the group accounts for its share option schemes as cash-settled. The cost of 
cash-settled transactions is measured at fair value using an appropriate option pricing model and amortised through the income 
statement over the vesting period. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date. Revisions to the fair value of the accrued 
liability after the end of the vesting period are recorded in the income statement of the year in which they occur. 

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Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the group’s balance sheet when the group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument. The group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash 
flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the 
asset to another entity. If the group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues 
to control the transferred asset, the group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for any amounts it 
may have to pay. If the group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the group 
continues to recognise the financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received. The group 
derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled, or they expire. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade receivables are recognised and carried at the lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. Provision 
is made when there is evidence that the group will not be able to recover balances in full. Balances are written off when the 
probability of recovery is assessed as being remote. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprises cash balances and short-term deposits with banks. 

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables on deferred payment terms are initially recorded by discounting the nominal amount payable to net 
present value. The discount to nominal value is amortised over the period of the deferred arrangement and charged to finance 
costs. 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings 
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, 
loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost. 

Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement or otherwise cancellation of liabilities are recognised in finance income or 
finance expense as appropriate. 

Interest incurred is not capitalised, but charged to the income statement using the effective interest rate method. 

Derivative financial instruments and hedging 
The group uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to hedge its risks associated with interest rate 
fluctuations. Such instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a contract is entered into and are 
subsequently remeasured at fair value. The group has determined that the derivative financial instruments in use do not qualify 
for hedge accounting and, consequently, any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are taken to the 
income statement. 

Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all its liabilities. 
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received less direct issue costs. 

Use of estimates and judgements 
To be able to prepare accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles, management must make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the asset and liability items and revenue and expense amounts recorded in the financial accounts. These 
estimates are based on the group’s systems of internal control, historical experience and the advice of external experts (including 
qualified professional valuers and actuaries) together with various other assumptions that management and the board of directors 
believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgements about 
the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. 

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78  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

accounting Policies
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

Use of estimates and judgements continued 
The areas requiring the use of estimates and critical judgements that may significantly impact the group’s earnings and financial 
position are: 

Going concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. This is discussed in the Business Review, 
under the heading ‘Financing, covenants and going concern’. 

Valuation of investment properties Management has used the valuation performed by its independent valuers as the fair value of its 
investment properties. The valuation is performed according to RICS rules, using appropriate levels of professional judgement for 
the prevailing market conditions. 

Net realisable value of inventories The group has ongoing procedures for assessing the carrying value of inventories and identifying 
where this is in excess of net realisable value. Management’s assessment of any resulting provision requirement, is where 
applicable, supported by independent information supplied by the external valuers. The estimates and judgements used were 
based on information available at, and pertaining to, 30th November 2009. Any subsequent adverse changes in market conditions 
may result in additional provisions being required. 

Estimation of remediation and other costs to complete for both development and investment properties. In making an assessment 
of these costs there is inherent uncertainty and the group has developed systems of internal control to assess and review carrying 
values and the appropriateness of estimates made. Any changes to these estimates may impact the carrying values of investment 
properties and/or inventories. 

The calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities together with assessment of the recoverability of future tax losses. The 
recoverability of tax losses has been assessed and the accounts reflect the extent to which management believe recovery is likely 
against latent gains and future profits anticipated to be realised on the group’s property portfolio. 

Calculation of the net present value of pension scheme liabilities In calculating this liability it is necessary for actuarial assumptions 
to be made, including discount and mortality rates and the long-term rate of return upon scheme assets. The group engages a 
qualified actuary to assist with determining the assumptions to be made and evaluating these liabilities. 

impact of standards and interpretations in issue but not yet effective 
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied 
in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective: 

IAS 1 (revised 2007) Presentation of Financial Statements 
IAS 23 (revised 2007) Borrowing Costs 
IAS 24 (revised 2009) Related Party Disclosures 
IAS 27 (revised 2008) Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements 
IAS 32 (amended)/IAS 1 (amended) Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation 
IAS 39 (amended 2008) Eligible Hedged Items 
IFRS 1 (amended)/IAS 27 (amended) Cost of Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate 
IFRS 2 (amended) Share-based Payment — Vesting Conditions and Cancellations/Group Cash-settled Share-based  
Payment Transactions 
IFRS 3 (revised 2008) Business Combinations 
IFRS 7 (amended) Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments 
IFRS 8 Operating Segments 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
IFRIC 9 (amended)/IAS 39 Embedded Derivatives 
IFRIC 14 (amended) — Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement 
IFRIC 15 Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate 
IFRIC 17 Distributions of Non-Cash Assets to Owners 
IFRIC 18 Transfer of Assets from Customers 
IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments 

The directors anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on 
the financial statements of the group. 

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notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

1. 

Revenue and gRoss PRofit 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

79

2009

Rental  development  
£m 

£m 

34.3 
(8.2) 

26.1 

74.5 
(83.8) 

(9.3) 

Other 
£m 

4.9 
(3.1) 

1.8 

Total 
£m 

113.7 
(95.1) 

18.6 

2008 

Rental Development 
£m 

£m 

Other 
£m 

Total 
£m 

33.7 
(8.0) 

25.7 

101.8 
(92.8) 

9.0 

11.0 
(3.7) 

7.3 

146.5 
(104.5) 

42.0 

The group operates exclusively in the UK and all of its revenues derive from its portfolio of properties which the group manages as 
one business. Therefore, the financial statements and related notes represent the results and financial position of the group’s sole 
business segment. 

The group’s total revenue for 2009 was £122.7m (2008: £160.5m) and in addition to the amounts above included service charge 
income of £6.1m (2008: £5.3m), for which there was an equivalent expense, interest income of £2.9m (2008: £4.7m) and 
dividends received from joint ventures of £nil (2008: £4.0m). 

Cost of sales in respect of rental income as disclosed above comprise direct operating expenses (including repairs and 
maintenance) related to the investment property portfolio and include £0.2m (2008: £0.3m) in respect of properties that did not 
generate any rental income. 

During the year the following amounts were recognised (as part of development revenue and cost of sales) in respect of activity 
accounted for as construction contracts: 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

2009 
£m 

27.7 
(25.3) 

2.4 

2008 
£m 

38.9 
(33.4) 

5.5 

Amounts due from customers of £0.9m (2008: £nil) were included in trade and other receivables in respect of contracts in 
progress at the balance sheet date. 

Retentions due from customers in respect of construction contracts of £1.4m (2008: £0.5m) were included in trade and other 
receivables at the balance sheet date. 

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80  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

otHeR income statement disclosuRes 

2. 
a. Administrative expenses 
Administrative expenses have been arrived at after charging: 

Depreciation 
Operating lease costs 

b. Auditor’s remuneration 

Fees paid to Deloitte LLP in respect of: 
The audit of the company’s annual accounts 
The audit of subsidiary companies and joint ventures pursuant to legislation 

Total audit fees 

Other audit services pursuant to legislation 
Tax services 

Total non-audit fees 

Total fees 

2009
£m

1.0 
1.1 

2008 
£m 

0.5 
1.3 

2009 
£’000 

2008
£’000 

107 
112 

219 

309 
284 

593 

812 

115 
122 

237 

58 
124 

182 

419 

The above amounts include all amounts charged by the group auditor in respect of joint venture undertakings. 

c. Employees 
The average number of full-time employees (including executive directors) employed by the group during the year was as follows: 

Property 
Leisure and other activities 
Administration 

The total payroll costs of these employees were: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

Details of the directors’ remuneration is given in the directors’ remuneration report. 

2009 
number 

2008
Number 

127 
61 
40 

228 

2009 
£m 

9.1 
1.1 
0.7 

10.9 

137 
74 
50

261 

2008 
£m 

11.3 
1.4 
0.8 

13.5 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

81

otHeR income statement disclosuRes cOnTinueD 

2. 
d. Share-based payments 
The group has a save as you earn share option scheme open to all employees. Employees must remain in service for a period of 
five years from the date of grant before exercising their options. The option period ends six months following the end of the vesting 
period. The group also has an executive share option scheme and performance share plan (PSP), full details of which are given in 
the directors’ remuneration report. 

The following table illustrates the movements in share options during the year. As the PSP includes the grant of options at £nil 
exercise price the weighted average prices below are calculated including and excluding the options under this plan. 

2009 
Weighted average price 
All 
options £ 

number of 
options 

2008 
Weighted average price 

Excluding  Number of 
options 

PSP £ 

All 
options £ 

Excluding 
PSP £ 

Outstanding at start of year 
Re-basing of options following issue 
of share capital 
Granted 
Forfeited 
Lapsed 
Exercised 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

4,920,691 

2.88 

3.17  3,616,437 

3.06 

3.23 

716,635 
2,815,046 
(535,265) 
(513,700) 
(943,416) 

6,459,991 

1,144,467 

(0.39) 
1.42 
(3.28) 
(4.78) 
(1.08) 

2.00 

2.70 

— 
(0.44) 
1.86  1,816,505 
 (158,682) 
(3.28)
— 
(4.78) 
 (353,569) 
(1.08)

2.46  4,920,691 

2.70  1,462,003 

— 
2.38 
(3.25) 
— 
(1.86) 

2.88 

2.12 

— 
2.80 
(3.25) 
— 
(1.86) 

3.17 

2.12 

Share options are priced using a Black–Scholes valuation model. The fair values calculated and the assumptions used are as 
follows: 

Charge/

(credit) 
Risk-free 
to income 
statement  interest rate 
% 

£m 

Expected 
volatility 
% 

Dividend 
yield 
% 

0.6 

0.1–2.2 

0.1–80.2 

(3.3) 

0.8–2.8  43.2–154.0 

— 

— 

Share 
price 
£* 

2.28 

2.27 

As at 30th november 2009 

As at 30th November 2008 

* Based on 90 day moving average. 

The fair value of the balance sheet liability in respect of share options outstanding at the year end was £1.8m (2008: £2.3m) and 
included £0.9m (2008: £1.6m) in respect of options that had vested at the year end. 

In arriving at fair value it has been assumed that, when vested, shares options are exercised in accordance with historical trends. 
Expected volatility was determined by reference to the historical volatility of the group’s share price over a period consistent with 
the expected life of the options. 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise was £2.25 (2008: £3.95). The executive share options outstanding at the 
year end had a range of exercise prices between 97.0p and 456.0p (2008: 99.0p and 538.0p) with PSP options exercisable at 
£nil (2008: £nil). Outstanding options had a weighted average maximum remaining contractual life of 6.5 years (2008: 5.5 years). 

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82  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

3. 

finance cost and finance income 

Interest payable on borrowings 
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees 
Amortisation of discount on deferred payment arrangements
Head rents treated as finance leases 
Movement in fair value of interest rate derivatives 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities (note 20) 

Total finance cost 

2009 
£m 

17.3 
0.7 
 1.7 
0.2 
4.7 
1.4 

26.0 

The finance cost on interest rate derivatives derives from financial liabilities held at fair value through profit or loss. All other 
finance costs derive from financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.

Interest receivable on cash deposits 
Credit in respect of discount on deferred receivables
Expected return on pension scheme assets (note 20) 

Total finance income 

taXation 

4. 
a. Tax on loss on ordinary activities 

Tax (credit)/charge in the income statement 
Corporation tax 
Current year tax 
Adjustments in respect of previous years 

deferred tax 
Reversal of temporary differences 
Impact of current year revaluations and indexation
Carry forward of tax losses 
Adjustments in respect of previous years 

Total tax credit in the income statement 

Tax relating to items charged to equity 
deferred tax 
Actuarial losses on pension schemes 

Tax credit in the statement of total recognised income and expense

2008 
£m 

23.7 
0.6 
7.8 
0.2 
15.4 
1.6 

49.3 

2008 
£m 

2.5 
2.2 
2.0 

6.7 

2009 
£m 

1.4 
 1.5 
1.4 

4.3 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

— 
(1.2) 

 (1.2) 

4.1 
 (17.9) 
(2.1) 
(0.6) 

 (16.5) 

(17.7) 

0.2 
(2.0)

(1.8) 

(2.9) 
(13.1) 
(3.2) 
(1.4)

(20.6) 

(22.4) 

(0.2) 

 (0.2) 

(0.1) 

(0.1) 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

83

2009 
£m 

(119.4) 
22.9 

(96.5) 

(27.0) 
(0.3) 
5.0 
(1.2) 
7.6 

(15.9) 
(1.8) 

(17.7) 

18% 

2008 
£m 

(73.1) 
8.9 

(64.2) 

(18.4) 
1.6 
(3.2) 
1.0 
— 

(19.0) 
(3.4) 

(22.4) 

35% 

taXation cOnTinueD 

4. 
b. Reconciliation of effective tax rate 

Loss before tax 
Less: Joint ventures and associates 

Pre-tax loss attributable to the group 

Corporation tax at 28.00% (2008: 28.67%) 
Permanent differences 
Impact of current year revaluations and indexation 
Difference between chargeable gains and accounting profit 
Deferred tax asset not recognised 

Current year credit 
Adjustments in respect of previous years 

Effective rate of tax 

The post tax results of joint ventures and associates are stated after a tax credit of £0.8m (2008: £7.0m). The effective tax rate for 
the group including joint ventures and associates is 15.4% (2008: 36.7%). 

c. balance sheet 

Balance at start of the year 
Credit to the income statement 
Credit directly to equity 
Net refund/(payment) 

Balance at end of the year 

2009 

2008

Corporation
tax 
£m 

deferred 
tax
£m

Cor

poration 
tax 
£m 

Deferred
tax 
£m 

5.7 
(1.2) 
— 
3.2 

7.7 

18.1 
(16.5) 
(0.2) 
— 

1.4 

12.3 
(1.8) 
— 
(4.8) 

5.7 

38.8 
(20.6) 
(0.1) 
— 

18.1 

Net 
£m 

31.2 
4.3 
1.0 
(15.2) 
(3.2)

18.1 

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An analysis of the deferred tax provided by the group is given below: 

Property revaluations 
Capital allowances 
Appropriations to trading stock 
Unutilised tax losses 
Other temporary differences 

Asset 
£m 

— 
— 
— 
(13.2) 
(4.2) 

 (17.4) 

2009 

Liability
£m 

13.3 
4.7 
0.8 
— 
— 

18.8 

net 
£m

13.3 
4.7 
0.8 
(13.2)
(4.2)

1.4 

Asset 
£m 

— 
— 
— 
 (15.2) 
 (3.2) 

(18.4) 

2008 
Liability 
£m 

31.2 
4.3 
1.0 
— 
— 

36.5 

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84  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

taXation cOnTinueD 

4. 
c. balance sheet continued 
At the balance sheet date, the group has: 

— 	unused tax losses in relation to 2009 and prior years of £17.5m (2008: £7.4m), of which £9.9m (2008: £7.4m) has been 

recognised as a deferred tax asset; and 

— 	deductions of £3.3m (2008: £7.8m) that will be available in subsidiary companies in future periods and have been recognised 

in full as a deferred tax asset. 

In both cases a deferred tax asset has been recognised on the basis that the losses or deductions will shelter the latent gains 
anticipated to be realised on the group’s property portfolio including those reflected in the deferred tax liability for property 
revaluations. 

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining £7.6m (2008: £nil) of current and prior year tax losses as it 
is not considered certain that there will be sufficient taxable profits available in the short term against which these can be offset. 

d. Factors that may affect future tax charges 
Based on current capital investment plans, the group expects to continue to be able to claim capital allowances in excess of 
depreciation in future years. 

The benefits of any tax planning are not recognised by the group until the outcome is reasonably certain. 

eaRnings PeR sHaRe 

5. 
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is set out below: 

Weighted number of shares in issue 
Weighted number of dilutive shares 

Loss attributable to equity shareholders (basic and diluted)

Basic and diluted loss per share 

2009 
number of 
shares 

2008
Number of 
shares* 

169,276,058  138,429,402 
— 

— 

169,276,058  138,429,402

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

(101.1) 

(51.7)

2009 
pence 

2008
pence 

(59.7) 

(37.3) 

*To reflect the Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer (as disclosed in note 17), the number of shares previously used to 
calculate the basic and diluted per share data have been amended. An adjustment factor of 1.15 has been applied based on the 
ratio of the company’s share price of 219.3p on 13th May 2009, the day before the ex-entitlement date for the Firm Placing and 
Placing and Open Offer, and the theoretical ex-rights price of 191.2p per share. 

Shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are excluded from the above calculations. 

The group’s share options are accounted for as cash-settled share-based payments. In calculating diluted earnings per share, 
earnings have been adjusted for changes which would have resulted from share options being classified as equity-settled. Where 
applicable, the number of shares included in the calculation has also been adjusted accordingly. 

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6. 

dividends 

There were no dividends paid during the year. No final dividend is proposed. 

Paid 
Final dividend in respect of previous year 
Interim dividend in respect of current year 

The Employee Benefit Trust waives its entitlement to dividends. 

7.  

investment PRoPeRty 

2009 

2008 

p per share 

£m  p per share 

£m 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 

7.8 
3.9 

11.7 

9.4 
4.7 

14.1 

Fair value 
At 30th November 2007 
Additions — new properties 
Other additions 
Net transfers (to)/from inventories (note 11) 
Disposals 
Deficit on revaluation 

At 30th November 2008 
Additions — new properties 
Other additions 
Net transfers from/(to) inventories (note 11) 
Disposals 
Deficit on revaluation 

At 30th november 2009 

Freehold 
investment 
properties 
£m 

Leasehold 
investment 
properties 
£m 

473.4 
8.4 
46.2 
(14.0) 
(9.7) 
(37.2) 

467.1 
15.2 
13.8 
15.4 
(10.0) 
(45.6) 

373.5 
0.4 
31.7 
14.9 
(60.8) 
(12.5) 

347.2 
— 
6.0 
(0.7) 
(9.4) 
(36.1) 

Total
£m 

846.9 
8.8 
77.9 
0.9 
(70.5) 
(49.7) 

814.3 
15.2 
19.8 
14.7 
(19.4) 
(81.7) 

455.9 

307.0 

762.9 

Investment properties were valued at 30th November 2009 and 2008 by King Sturge & Co, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance 
with the Appraisal and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of market value. King Sturge 
& Co are professionally qualified independent external valuers and have recent experience in the relevant location and category of 
the properties being valued. 

The historical cost of investment properties at 30th November 2009 was £717.7m (2008: £680.5m). 

As at 30th November 2009 £669.2m (2008: £776.8m) of investment property was pledged as security for the group’s loan 
facilities. 

Included within leasehold investment properties are £3.9m (2008: £3.9m) of assets held under finance leases. 

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86  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

8.   oPeRating PRoPeRty, Plant and eQuiPment

Cost 
At 30th November 2007 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 30th November 2008 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 30th november 2009 

depreciation 
At 30th November 2007 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 30th November 2008 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 30th november 2009 

net book value 
At 30th November 2007 

At 30th November 2008 

At 30th november 2009 

Tenure of operating properties: 

Freehold 
Leasehold 

Operating 
plant 
and 
equipment 
£m 

  Operating 
properties 
£m 

2.6 
— 
— 

2.6 
4.4 
(0.1) 

6.9 

0.4 
— 
— 

0.4 
0.1 
— 

0.5 

2.2 

2.2 

6.4 

4.3 
0.9 
(0.2) 

5.0 
0.4 
(0.6) 

4.8 

2.6 
0.5 
(0.2) 

2.9 
0.9 
(0.5) 

3.3 

1.7 

2.1 

1.5 

2009
£m

3.6 
2.8 

6.4 

Total
£m 

6.9 
0.9 
(0.2) 

7.6 
4.8 
(0.7) 

11.7 

3.0 
0.5 
(0.2) 

3.3 
1.0 
(0.5) 

3.8 

3.9 

4.3 

7.9 

2008 
£m 

0.3 
1.9 

2.2 

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joint ventuRes and associates 

9.  
The group’s share of the trading results for the year of its joint ventures and associates is:  

2009 
Other joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m 

Key Property 
investments 
Limited 
£m 

Key Property 
Investments 
Limited 
£m 

Total 
£m 

2008 
Other joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m 

25.9 

7.2 
(1.0) 
(0.1) 
(24.4) 
(0.1) 

(18.4) 
(4.5) 
0.2 

(22.7) 
0.6 

(22.1) 

1.2 

0.2 
— 
— 
(0.4) 
(0.1) 

(0.3) 
(0.7) 
— 

(1.0) 
0.2 

(0.8) 

27.1 

7.4 
(1.0) 
(0.1) 
(24.8)
(0.2) 

(18.7)
(5.2)
0.2 

(23.7)
0.8 

(22.9)

10.6 

7.6 
0.4 
(0.2) 
(13.5) 
(0.1) 

(5.8) 
(7.9) 
0.1 

(13.6) 
6.4 

(7.2) 

5.3 

(0.1) 
0.3 
— 
(1.4) 
— 

(1.2) 
(1.1) 
— 

(2.3) 
0.6 

(1.7) 

Total 
£m 

15.9 

7.5 
0.7 
(0.2) 
(14.9) 
(0.1) 

(7.0) 
(9.0) 
0.1 

(15.9) 
7.0 

(8.9) 

income statements 
Revenue 

Net rental income 
Development (loss)/profit 
Loss on disposals of investment properties 
Investment property revaluation losses 
Administrative expenses 

Loss before interest and tax 
Finance cost 
Finance income 

Loss before tax 
Taxation  

Loss for the year 

Included in other joint ventures and associates above are losses from associated companies of £0.2m (2008: £0.1m profit). 

The group’s share of the assets and liabilities of its joint ventures and associates is: 

2009 
Other joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m 

Key Property 
investments 
Limited 
£m 

Key Property 
Investments 
Limited 
£m 

Total 
£m 

2008 
Other joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m 

116.7 
13.6 
(12.0) 
(82.2) 

36.1 

58.2 
— 
(22.1) 
— 

36.1 

15.9 
18.9 
(6.4) 
(23.2) 

5.2 

6.0 
— 
(0.8) 
— 

5.2 

132.6 
32.5 
(18.4)
(105.4)

41.3 

64.2 
— 
(22.9)
— 

41.3 

131.6 
24.1 
(12.5) 
(85.0) 

58.2 

69.4 
— 
(7.2) 
(4.0) 

58.2 

12.4 
23.9 
(25.3) 
(5.0) 

6.0 

5.4 
2.3 
(1.7) 
— 

6.0 

Total 
£m 

144.0 
48.0 
(37.8) 
(90.0) 

64.2 

74.8 
2.3 
(8.9) 
(4.0) 

64.2 

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balance sheets 
Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity at start of year 
Investment in associate 
Loss for the year 
Dividends paid 

Equity at end of year 

Included in other joint ventures and associates above are net assets of £2.4m (2008: £2.6m) in relation to associated companies. 
These net assets comprise total assets of £3.6m (2008: £3.9m) and total liabilities of £1.2m (2008: £1.3m). 

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88  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

joint ventuRes and associates cOnTinueD 

9.  
Joint venture companies and associates comprise: 

Name 

Status 

Interest 

Activity 

Key Property Investments Limited 

Barton Business Park Limited 
Sowcrest Limited 
Holaw (462) Limited 
Shaw Park Developments Limited 
Sky Park Developments LLP 
Chertsey Road Properties Limited 
Coed Darcy Limited 

Joint venture 

Joint venture 
Joint venture 
Joint venture 
Joint venture 
Joint venture 
Joint venture 
Associate 

50% 

50% 
50% 
50% 
50% 
50% 
50% 
49% 

Property investment 
and development 
Property development 
Property development 
Property investment 
Property development 
Property development 
Property investment 
Property investment 
and development 

Many of the joint ventures contain change of control provisions, as is common for such arrangements. 

During the year the group entered into joint venture arrangements for Sky Park Developments LLP and Chertsey Road Properties 
Limited both of which were newly incorporated entities. No goodwill arose on the recognition of the group’s initial interest in these 
joint ventures. 

On 23rd May 2008 the group acquired a 49% holding in Coed Darcy Limited for £2.3m. No goodwill arose on the acquisition of 
the group’s interest in this associate and there has been no adjustment to the provisional fair values recorded. 

10.   tRade and otHeR ReceivaBles 

non-current 
Other debtors 

Current 
Trade receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Other debtors 
Amounts due from joint ventures 

IFRS 7 disclosures in respect of financial assets included above are provided in note 16. 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m 

5.2 

20.6 

6.7 
7.9 
26.7 
5.7 

47.0 

3.0 
6.2 
35.9 
3.4 

48.5 

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2009 
£m 

55.2 
115.3 
22.2 

192.7 

2008
£m 

89.0 
113.6 
25.5 

228.1 

£m 

209.3 
112.5 
(0.9) 
(92.8) 

228.1 
63.1 
(14.7) 
(83.8) 

192.7 

11.   inventoRies

Properties held for sale 
Properties under construction 
Land under option 

The movement in inventories during the two years ended 30th November 2009 was as follows:

At 30th November 2007 
Additions 
Net transfers to investment property (note 7) 
Disposals (transferred to development cost of sales) (note 1)

At 30th November 2008 
Additions 
Net transfers to investment property (note 7) 
Disposals (transferred to development cost of sales) (note 1)

At 30th november 2009 

The directors consider all inventories to be current in nature. The operational cycle is such that a proportion of inventories will not 
be realised within 12 months. It is not possible to determine with accuracy when specific inventory will be realised as this will be 
subject to a number of issues including the strength of the property market. 

Included within disposals of inventories are net realisable value provisions made during the year of £14.2m (2008: £10.1m). 

As at 30th November 2009, £67.8m (2008: £112.3m) of inventory was pledged as security for the group’s loan facilities. 

12.   tRade and otHeR PayaBles 

Current 
Trade payables 
Amounts due to joint ventures 
Other payables and accrued expenses 
Provision for share options 
Other payables on deferred terms 
Derivative financial instruments 

non-current 
Other payables and accrued expenses 
Provision for share options 
Other payables on deferred terms 
Finance lease liabilities (head rents) 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m 

15.0 
3.5 
70.1 
0.9 
30.4 
19.3 

20.2 
3.5 
68.2 
0.9 
23.7 
14.6 

139.2 

131.1 

21.5 
0.9 
162.6 
3.9 

188.9 

21.3 
1.4 
174.8 
3.9 

201.4 

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IFRS 7 disclosures in respect of financial liabilities included above are provided in note 16. 

The payment terms of the other payables on deferred terms are subject to contractual commitments. In the normal course of 
events the payments will be made in line with either the disposal of investment properties held on the balance sheet, or the 
commencement of development. Net cash outflows on the settlement of the deferred consideration will therefore be limited. 

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90  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

13.  BoRRowings 

Current 
Floating rate unsecured loan notes 

non-current 
Bank loans repayable between one and two years
Bank loans repayable between two and five years 
Bank loans repayable after more than five years 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m 

0.4 

0.4 

55.9 
267.3 
— 

323.2 

0.4 

0.4 

— 
376.1 
57.7 

433.8 

All bank borrowings are secured by a fixed charge over the group’s property assets. 

Maturity profile of committed bank facilities 

The majority of the group’s bank debt is provided by bilateral revolving credit facilities, providing the flexibility to draw and repay 
loans as required. The maturity profile of the group’s committed facilities is set out below: 

Less than one year† 
One to two years 
Two to three years 
Three to four years 
Four to five years 
More than five years 

Less than one year† 
One to two years 
Two to three years 
Three to four years 
Four to five years 
More than five years 

Floating rate borrowings 

interest rate swaps 

2009 

drawn 
£m 

Undrawn 
£m 

0.4 
55.9 
162.4 
28.0 
76.9 
— 

5.0 
34.1 
91.6 
42.0 
23.1 
— 

323.6 

195.8 

Total 
£m 

5.4 
90.0 
254.0 
70.0 
100.0 
— 

519.4 

Earliest termination 
%* 

£m 

Latest termination 
£m 

%* 

5.36 
4.67 
— 
— 
— 
— 

4.99 

— 
80.0 
80.0 
40.0 
— 
40.0 

240.0 

— 
4.70 
5.54 
4.56 
— 
4.87 

4.99 

110.0 
130.0 
— 
— 
— 
— 

240.0 

2008 

Floating rate borrowings 

Interest rate swaps 

Drawn  Undrawn 
£m 

£m 

0.4 
— 
121.5 
197.2 
57.4 
57.7 

5.0 
— 
28.5 
46.8 
62.6 
42.3 

434.2 

185.2 

Total 
£m 

5.4 
— 
150.0 
244.0 
120.0 
100.0 

619.4 

Earliest termination 
%* 

£m 

Latest termination 
£m 

%* 

80.0 
110.0 
50.0 
— 
— 
— 

240.0 

4.70 
5.36 
4.63 
— 
— 
— 

4.99 

— 
— 
80.0 
80.0 
40.0 
40.0 

240.0 

— 
— 
4.70 
5.54 
4.56 
4.87 

4.99 

*  Weighted average interest rate. 

†  In addition to the principal amounts included above, £3.7m (2008: £2.2m) of interest payable was committed at the year end. 

These amounts all fall due within three months of the year end. 

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13.  BoRRowings cOnTinueD 
Most of the interest rate swaps are extendable at the bank’s option; therefore, the tables above show the dates of normal 
termination and extended termination. 

£23.1m (2008: £42.3m) of the undrawn committed bank facilities are ring fenced for VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited. 

The average rate of interest payable, before taking into account the effects of hedging, on borrowings outstanding during 
the year was 2.9% (2008: 3.7%). At 30th November 2009 the weighted average facility maturity of the bank debt was 3 years 
(2008: 4 years). 

interest rate profile 
The interest rate profile of the group’s borrowings after taking into account the effects of hedging is:

  Weighted 
average 

Floating 
rate debt 
£m 

Fixed 
rate debt 
£m 

fixed  Weighted 
interest  maturity of 
rate  derivatives
(%) 

(years)* 

83.6 

194.2 

240.0 

240.0 

4.99 

4.99 

1.09 

1.31 

Total 
£m 

323.6 

434.2 

At 30th november 2009 

At 30th November 2008 

*  Based on earliest termination dates. 

The group’s derivative financial instruments, which are classified as fair value through profit or loss, consist of sterling 
denominated interest swaps from floating rate to fixed rate and range from 4.32% to 5.97% (2008: 4.32% to 5.97%). In addition 
the group has a cap at 7.5% on a further £55m (2008: £58m) of floating rate debt. Details of the change in fair value of derivatives 
charged to the income statement are disclosed in note 3. 

14.   acQuisition of suBsidiaRy 
On 20th November 2009 the group acquired 85% of the issued share capital of The Company Of Proprietors Of The Neath Canal 
Navigation for cash consideration of £1. On acquisition the company had cash of £0.4m and operating property with a book value 
of £3.3m offset by trade and other payables of £3.7m. No fair value adjustments were made to these amounts and no goodwill 
arose on the acquisition. This transaction has been accounted for by the purchase method of accounting. 

The subsidiary did not contribute to the group’s result for the year. If the acquisition had been completed on the first day of the 
financial year, it would have increased group revenues by £1.3m and the group’s loss before tax by £nil. 

leasing 

15. 
Operating lease commitments where the group is the lessee 

The group leases certain of its premises, motor vehicles and office equipment under operating leases. Future aggregate minimum 
lease rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 

In one year or less 
Between one and five years 
In five years or more 

2009 
 £m 

1.3 
2.6 
1.5 

 5.4

2008
£m 

0.9 
2.8 
1.5

 5.2 

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AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

leasing cOnTinueD 

15. 
Operating leases where the group is the lessor 

The group leases out its investment properties under operating leases. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under 
non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 

In one year or less 
Between one and five years 
In five years or more 

2009 
 £m 

27.2 
71.1 
178.6 

276.9 

2008
£m 

27.3 
80.1 
178.7

286.1 

Contingent rents, calculated as a percentage of turnover for a limited number of tenants, of £0.3m (2008: £0.4m) were recognised 
during the year. 

Obligations under finance leases 

Finance lease liabilities payable in respect of certain leasehold investment properties are as follows: 

Less than one year 
Between one and five years 
More than five years 

Less than one year 
Between one and five years 
More than five years 

2009

Minimum 
lease payments 
£m 

interest  
£m 

Principal 
£m 

0.2 
0.9 
67.7 

68.8 

0.2 
0.9 
63.8 

64.9 

— 
— 
3.9 

3.9 

2008

  Minimum 
lease payments 
£m 

Interest 
£m 

Principal 
£m 

0.2 
0.8 
67.9 

68.9 

0.2 
0.8 
64.0 

65.0 

— 
— 
3.9 

 3.9  

Finance leases are for periods of up to 999 years from inception and a discount rate of 6.0% (2008: 6.0%) has been used to 
derive the fair value of the principal amount outstanding. All lease obligations are denominated in sterling. 

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16.   financial instRuments  
Categories and classes of financial assets and liabilities are as follows: 

Financial assets 

Loans and receivables: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables  

Financial liabilities 

Derivative financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss 
Amortised cost: 

Bank loans and overdrafts 
Trade and other payables  
Other payables on deferred terms 
Finance lease liabilities (head rents) 

a 
a 

b 

a 
a 
a 
a 

2009
£m

4.8 
36.4 

41.2 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

12.7 
57.3 

70.0 

2008 
£m 

19.3

 14.6 

323.6
62.2 
193.0 
3.9

602.0 

 434.2 
77.2 
198.5 
 3.9 

728.4 

Trade and other receivables above comprise other debtors, trade receivables and amounts due from joint ventures as disclosed in 
note 10, for current and non-current amounts, after deduction of £7.9m (2008: £5.6m) of non-financial assets. 

Trade and other payables above comprise trade payables, amounts due to joint ventures and other payables and accrued 
expenses as disclosed in note 12, for current and non-current amounts, after deduction of £47.9m (2008: £36.0m) of 
non-financial liabilities. 

a) The directors consider that the carrying amounts recorded in the financial statements approximates their fair value. 

b) Derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value. The fair value is calculated using quoted market prices relevant for the 

term and instrument. 

The group’s capital, market, credit and liquidity risks are discussed below. 

Capital risk 
The group manages its capital to ensure that the entities in the group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising 
the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the company consist 
of debt (as disclosed in note 13), cash and cash equivalents and equity, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings 
(as disclosed in notes 17 and 18). 

Market risk 
Market risk is the potential adverse change in group income or group net worth arising from movements in interest rates or other 
market prices. Interest rate risk is the group’s principal market risk and is considered below. 

Interest rate risk management: The group is exposed to interest rate risk as it borrows funds at variable interest rates. The group 
uses a combination of variable rate borrowings and interest rate swaps to manage the risk. 

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94  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

16.   financial instRuments cOnTinueD 
Market risk continued 
Interest rate sensitivity: The following table details the group’s sensitivity, after tax, to a 1% change in interest rates based on year 
end levels of debt.

1% increase in interest rates 

Interest on borrowings 
Effect of interest rate swaps 

1% decrease in interest rates 

Interest on borrowings 
Effect of interest rate swaps 

2009 
£m 

(2.3) 
1.7 

(0.6) 

2009 
£m 

2.3 
(1.7) 

0.6 

2008 
£m 

(3.1) 
1.7 

(1.4)

2008 
£m 

3.1 
(1.7) 

1.4 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where counterparties are not able to meet their obligations as they fall due. 

The credit risk on the group’s liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks 
with high (generally AA) credit ratings. Bank deposits are only placed with banks in accordance with group policy that specifies 
minimum credit rating and maximum exposure. Credit risk on derivatives is closely monitored. 

Trade and other receivables consist of amounts due from a large number of parties spread across geographical areas. The group 
does not have any significant concentrations of credit risk as the tenant base is large and diverse with the largest individual tenant 
accounting for £2.2m (2008: £2.0m) of gross rental income. 

The carrying amount of financial assets, as detailed above, represents the group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the 
reporting date. 

Included within trade and other receivables is £1.0m (2008: £0.7m) which is fully provided against as it represents estimated 
irrecoverable amounts. This allowance has been determined by a review of all significant balances that are past due considering 
the reason for non-payment and the creditworthiness of the counterparty. A reconciliation of the changes in this account during 
the year is provided below. 

Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts

At start of year 
Impairment losses recognised 
Amounts written off as uncollectable 
Impairment losses reversed 

At end of year 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

0.7 
0.7 
(0.2) 
(0.2) 

1.0 

0.7 
(0.3) 
0.3 
— 

0.7 

Trade and other receivables include £2.4m (2008: £1.8m) which are past due as at 30th November 2009 for which no provision 
has been made because the amounts are considered recoverable. The following table provides an ageing analysis of these 
balances. 

Number of days past due but not impaired 

1-30 days 
31-60 days 
60 days + 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

1.1 
0.2 
1.1 

2.4 

0.7 
0.9 
0.2 

1.8 

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16.   financial instRuments cOnTinueD 
Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the group does not have sufficient financial resources available to meet its obligations as they fall 
due. The group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows, matching the maturity profiles 
of financial assets and liabilities and through the use of bilateral facilities, overdrafts and cash with a range of maturity dates to 
ensure continuity of funding. 

The equity issue in the year has reduced the group’s liquidity risk compared to the prior year. The economic climate, although 
slightly improved, continues to provide a difficult backdrop to the group’s operations. As such, the focus continues to be on 
reducing forward commitments by scaling back speculative development schemes, whilst continuing to marshal sites for 
development on the back of pre-let or pre-sold opportunities. 

The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows for bank loans and overdrafts is shown in note 13. The maturity profile for 
the group’s other non-derivative financial liabilities, on an undiscounted basis is as follows: 

2009 

Trade and other payables  
Other payables on deferred terms 

2008 

Trade and other payables  
Other payables on deferred terms 

Less than 
1 month 
£m 

1–3 
months 
£m 

3 months 
to 1 year 
£m 

1–5  More than 
5 years 
£m 

years 
£m 

16.5 
— 

16.5 

11.6 
11.9 

23.5 

12.6 
19.0 

31.6 

22.4 
164.9 

187.3 

67.7 
7.7 

75.4 

Less than 
1 month 
£m 

1–3 
months 
£m 

3 months 
to 1 year 
£m 

1–5  More than 
5 years 
£m 

years 
£m 

27.6 
— 

27.6 

12.9 
12.2 

25.1 

11.6 
11.6 

23.2 

23.5 
182.0 

205.5 

67.9 
— 

67.9 

The group’s approach to cash flow, financing and bank covenants is discussed further in the financial review section of the 
business review on pages 26 and 27. 

17.  sHaRe caPital 

Authorised: 
Equity share capital 
At start of year 
Increase in authorised share capital 

At end of year 

Allotted and fully paid: 
Equity share capital 
At start of year 
Issue of share capital 

At end of year 

Ordinary 10p
shares 
no. 

150,000,000 
100,000,000 

250,000,000 

120,773,954 
79,586,977 

200,360,931 

Total 
£m 

130.8 
203.5 

334.3 

Total 
£m 

143.5 

205.8 


349.3 

£m 

15.0 
10.0 

25.0 

12.1 
7.9 

20.0

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On 8th June 2009 the company completed a Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer of 79,586,977 ordinary shares of 10p each 
at £1.35 per share. Net proceeds were £101.6m after share issue costs. 

See note 2d for details of outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares. 

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notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

18.  ReseRves 

At 30th November 2007 
Loss for the year attributable to shareholders 
Pension fund actuarial losses (note 20) 
Net share disposals 
Dividends paid (note 6) 

At 30th November 2008 
Loss for the year attributable to shareholders 
Pension fund actuarial losses (note 20) 
Net shares acquired 
Issue of share capital 

At 30th november 2009 

Share 
premium 
account 
£m 

re

 Capital 
demption 
reserve 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Own 
shares 
£m 

9.1 
— 
— 
— 
— 

9.1 
— 
— 
— 
93.7 

102.8 

0.3 
— 
— 
— 
— 

0.3 
— 
— 
— 
— 

0.3 

437.4 
(51.7) 
(0.3) 
— 
(14.1) 

371.3 
(101.1) 
(0.6) 
— 
— 

269.6 

(0.7)
 
— 

— 

0.6 

— 


(0.1)
 
— 

— 

(0.3)
 
— 


(0.4) 

Own shares represents the cost of 273,330 (2008: 33,590) shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust. The open market value of 
the shares held at 30th November 2009 was £580,280 (2008: £38,292). 

19.  Reconciliation of movement in eQuity 

Equity 
shareholders 
£m 

2009 
Minority 
interests 
£m 

Total  sh
£m 

Equity 
areholders 
£m 

2008 
Minority 
interests 
£m 

Total recognised income and expense  
Dividends paid 
Net (purchase)/disposal of own shares 
Issue of share capital 
Equity at start of year 

Equity at end of year 

(101.7) 
— 
(0.3) 
101.6 
392.7 

392.3 

(0.6) 
(0.2) 
— 
— 
9.5 

8.7 

(102.3) 
(0.2) 
(0.3) 
101.6 
402.2 

401.0 

(52.0) 
(14.1) 
0.6 
— 
458.2 

392.7 

1.0 
(1.0) 
— 
— 
9.5 

9.5 

Total 
£m 

(51.0) 
(15.1) 
0.6 
— 
467.7 

402.2 

20.  Pensions 
The group operates a pension scheme with both defined benefit and defined contribution sections. The defined benefit section is 
closed to new members and, from 1st September 2009, is also closed to future accrual. The income statement includes: 

— 	a credit of £0.5m (2008: £0.4m charge) for the defined benefit section, incorporating a curtailment gain of £0.7m 

(2008: £nil); and 

— 	a charge of £0.4m (2008: £0.5m) for the defined contribution section. 

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20.  Pensions cOnTinueD 
The last formal actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 5th April 2008, when the market value of the assets of the scheme was 
£32.9m, a funding level of 104%. The valuation was performed using the ‘Projected Unit Credit Method’ under IAS 19. The main 
actuarial assumptions were: 

Investment rate of return: 

Increase in earnings* 
Increase in pensions 

pre-retirement 
post-retirement 

* Capped to 5.6% for certain members 

6.3 %pa 
4.8 %pa 
6.6 %pa 
3.6 %pa 

The actuarial valuation of the defined benefit section, a final salary scheme, was updated to 30th November 2009 on an IAS basis 
by a qualified independent actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary were: 

Rate of increase in salaries† 
Rate of increase in deferred pensions 
Rate of increase in pensions in payment 

Pre 6th April 1997 benefits 
Post 5th April 1997 benefits 

Discount rate 
Inflation assumption 

2009 

2008 

2007 

— 
3.6% 

3.0% 
3.6% 
5.5% 
3.6% 

4.8% 
2.8% 

2.8% 
2.8% 
6.2% 
2.8% 

5.5% 
3.5% 

3.0% 
3.5% 
5.8% 
3.5% 

† Following the closure of the defined benefit section to future accrual, the assumption regarding the rate of increase in salaries 
is no longer applicable as retirement benefits will be based on salaries at 31st August 2009. Benefits earned up to the point of 
the scheme closure will be protected and will be increased in line with the retail prices index, subject to a maximum of 5% per 
annum. 

The mortality rates adopted are from the PA92 year of birth and medium cohort tables (which assume that, for example, male 
members who are currently retired are expected to draw their pensions for 26.8 years and non retired members for 27.7 years, 
based on the normal retirement age of 65). 

The group expects to make contributions of £0.1m to the defined benefit section of the scheme for 2010 and in future years. 

The fair values of assets in the defined benefit section of the scheme and the expected rates of return, based on market 
expectations, were: 

Equities 
Bonds 
Property 
Cash and other assets 

Actuarial value of liabilities 
Unrecognised surplus 

Surplus in the scheme being fair value of 
pension asset net of deferred tax 

2009 

2008 

2007 

% 

5.6 
5.4 
5.6 
4.1 

£m 

17.0 
1.4 
8.4 
0.3 

27.1
(26.9)
(0.2)

— 

% 

5.9 
7.2 
5.9 
4.4 

£m 

13.3 
0.5 
9.9 
1.2 

24.9 
 (23.6) 
 (1.3) 

— 

% 

6.1 
5.8 
6.1 
4.6 

£m 

19.4 
0.4 
11.7 
3.5

35.0 
(29.0) 
(6.0) 

— 

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The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses (before unrecognised surplus of £0.2m) recorded in the group statement of 
recognised income and expense is a loss of £2.0m (2008: £0.1m). 

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98  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

20.  Pensions cOnTinueD 
Analysis of the amount credited/(charged) to operating profit 

Current service cost 
Curtailment gain 

Total operating credit/(charge) 

Analysis of the amount credited/(charged) to finance costs and income 

Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 

Total credited to finance costs and income 

2009
£m

(0.2)
0.7 

0.5 

2009 
£m 

1.4 
(1.4) 

— 

2008 
£m 

 (0.4) 
— 

(0.4) 

2008 
£m 

2.0 
(1.6) 

0.4 

2007 
£m 

(0.5) 
— 

(0.5) 

2007 
£m 

1.8 
(1.5) 

0.3 

The actual return on pension scheme assets was a gain of £3.2m (2008: £7.0m loss). The expected return on pension scheme 
assets was calculated assuming cash and gilts will make returns in line with the yield on the 20 year gilt index and that equities 
and properties will return 1.5% above this. Corporate bonds have been assumed to return in line with the yield on the iboxx over 
15 year corporate bond index. 

Analysis of the amount recognised in the group statement of recognised income and expense 

Difference between expected and actual return on assets 
Experience gains and losses arising on fair value of scheme liabilities 
Effects of changes in assumptions underlying the fair value of the scheme liabilities 
Change in unrecognised surplus 

Total actuarial loss 

Analysis of the movement in the fair value of the scheme liabilities 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2007 
£m 

1.8 
3.7 
(7.4) 
1.1 

(0.8) 

(8.9) 
(3.8) 
7.6 
4.7 

(0.4) 

(0.1) 
(3.0) 
5.8 
(6.0) 

(3.3) 

At start of year 
Movement in year: 

Current service cost 
Employee contributions 
Interest cost 
Actuarial gains and losses 
Benefits paid 
Curtailment gain 

At end of year 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2007 
£m 

2006 
£m 

2005 
£m 

23.6 

29.0 

31.1 

29.8 

24.0 

0.2 
0.1 
1.4 
3.7 
(1.4) 
(0.7) 

0.4 
0.1 
1.6 
(3.9) 
(3.6) 
— 

0.5 
0.1 
1.5 
(3.0) 
(1.2) 
— 

0.5 
0.1 
1.5 
— 
(0.8) 
— 

0.6 
0.1 
1.3 
4.4 
(0.6) 
— 

26.9 

23.6 

29.0 

31.1 

29.8 

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99

20.  Pensions cOnTinueD 
Analysis of the movement in the fair value of the scheme assets 

At start of year 
Movement in year: 

Expected return on scheme assets 
Contributions by employer 
Employee contributions 
Actuarial gains and losses 
Benefits paid 

At end of year 

Surplus/(deficit) in scheme at end of year 
Unrecognised surplus 

Net surplus/(deficit) 

History of experience gains and losses 

Difference between expected and actual return 
on scheme assets 

Amount 
Percentage of scheme assets 

Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities 

Amount 
Percentage of fair value of scheme liabilities 

Changes in assumptions underlying the fair value 
of scheme liabilities 

Amount 
Percentage of fair value of scheme liabilities 

Change in unrecognised surplus 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2007 
£m 

2006 
£m 

2005 
£m 

24.9 

35.0 

33.9 

29.3 

24.0 

1.4 
0.3 
0.1 
1.8 
(1.4) 

27.1 

0.2 
(0.2) 

— 

2.0 
0.4 
0.1 
(9.0) 
(3.6) 

24.9 

1.3 
(1.3) 

— 

1.8 
0.6 
0.1 
(0.2) 
(1.2) 

35.0 

6.0 
(6.0) 

— 

1.6 
1.1 
0.1 
2.6 
(0.8) 

33.9 

2.8 
— 

2.8 

1.5 
0.6 
0.1 
3.7 
(0.6) 

29.3 

(0.5) 
— 

(0.5) 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2007 
£m 

2006 
£m 

2005 
£m 

1.8 
6.6%

(9.0) 
 (35.7%) 

(0.2) 
(0.3%) 

2.6 
8.0% 

3.7 
13.0% 

3.7 
(13.8%) 

(3.8) 
16.1% 

(3.0) 
10.3% 

(1.1) 
3.5% 

0.3 
(1.0%) 

(7.4)
(27.5%) 

 7.6 
32.2% 

5.8 
20.0% 

1.1 

4.7 

(6.0) 

0.9 
2.9% 

— 

(4.9) 
(16.4%) 

— 

21.  caPital commitments 
At 30th November 2009 the group had contracted capital expenditure of £796,000 (2008: £3,093,000). In addition the group’s 
share of the contracted capital expenditure of its joint venture undertakings was £1,593,000 (2008: £162,000). All capital 
commitments relate to investment properties. 

22.  contingent liaBilities 
The group has a joint and several unlimited liability with Vinci PLC to the Ministry of Defence under guarantees in respect of 
the financial performance of VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited (VSM). This is a guarantee in the ordinary course of business and 
would require the guarantors to step into VSM’s place in the event of a default on Project MoDEL. Completion of the project is 
not considered onerous as the forecast revenues exceed the anticipated costs and it is not expected that there would be any net 
outflow in this regard. 

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The group is also party to a joint and several guarantee to Fortis Bank in respect of the performance of Sowcrest Limited which is 
limited to £18.4m (2008: £18.4m). 

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100  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe accounts 
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

23.  Related PaRty tRansactions 
Transactions between the group and its non wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are as follows: 

Key Property investments Limited (KPi) 
During the year the group provided management and construction services to KPI for which it received fees totalling £6.5m 
(2008: £1.3m). The balance due to the group at the year end was £0.3m (2008: £nil). No interest is charged on this balance. 

Holaw (462) Limited (Holaw) 
During the year Holaw repaid £0.2m of its loan (2008: £0.1m). The balance due to the group at the year end was £0.3m 
(2008: £0.5m). No interest is charged on this balance. 

barton business Park Limited (barton) 
The balance due to Barton at the year end was £3.4m (2008: £3.4m). No interest is charged on this balance. 

Sowcrest Limited (Sowcrest) 
During the year the group provided management services to Sowcrest for which it received fees totalling £0.2m (2008: £0.6m). 

In addition, during the year £3.6m (2008: £1.2m) was paid to Sowcrest leaving an amount due from Sowcrest at the year end of 
£4.0m (2008: £0.4m). Interest is chargeable on £1.4m (2008: £nil) of the amount outstanding at a fixed rate of 10% (2008: nil). 

Shaw Park developments Limited (SPd) 
The balance due to the group from SPD at the year end was £1.3m (2008: £2.2m). Interest is chargeable at 1.5% (2008: 1.5%) 
above base rate. 

Skypark developments LLP (Skypark) 
The balance due to the group from Skypark at the year end was £0.3m, of which £0.2m relates to loan notes issued to the group 
in the year. The remaining £0.1m relates to purchase ledger funding provided by the group. No interest is charged on these 
balances. 

Chertsey Road Properties Limited (CRP) 
During the year, the group provided CRP with a loan of £0.3m and this balance was outstanding at the year end. No interest is 
charged on this balance. 

St. Modwen Pension Scheme 
The group occupies offices owned by the pension scheme with a value of £0.5m (2008: £0.5m). The balance due to the group at 
year end was £0.5m (2008: £0.1m). 

non-wholly owned subsidiaries 
The company provides administrative, treasury and management services to subsidiary companies. Management fees and interest 
charged/(credited) during the year and net balances due (to)/from subsidiaries in which the company has a less than 90% 
interest were as follows: 

Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Limited 
Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration (Investments) Limited 
Uttoxeter Estates Limited 
Widnes Regeneration Limited 
Trentham Leisure Limited 
Norton & Proffitt Developments Limited 
VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited 

Management fees 
2008 
2009 
£m 
£m 

interest 

balance 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

— 
— 
— 
— 
0.2 
— 
0.2 

0.4 

— 
— 
— 
— 
0.8 
— 
0.2 

1.0 

(0.1) 
— 
— 
0.1 
1.2 
— 
— 

1.2 

(0.2) 
— 
— 
0.1 
1.6 
— 
— 

1.5 

(7.4) 
(0.3) 
(0.2) 
3.0 
22.4 
(0.3) 
(8.5) 

8.7 

(4.2) 
(0.2) 
0.1 
2.2 
21.4 
(0.9) 
(6.5) 

11.9 

All amounts due to the group are unsecured and will be settled in cash. All amounts above are stated before provisions for 
doubtful debts of £0.7m (2008: £0.4m). No guarantees have been given or received from related parties. 

Key management personnel 
The directors are considered to be the group’s key management personnel and their remuneration is disclosed in the directors’ 
remuneration report. 

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comPany Balance sHeet
AT 30TH nOvember 2009 

Fixed assets 
Tangible assets 
Investments 

Current assets 
Debtors 
Cash at bank and in hand 
Current liabilities 
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
Profit and loss account 
Own shares 

Equity shareholders’ funds 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

101

Notes 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m 

(E) 
(F) 

(G) 

0.7 
239.3 

240.0 

475.0 
0.2 

1.4 
344.3 

345.7 

465.9 
7.4 

(H) 

(149.2)

(134.2) 

326.0 

339.1 

(H) 

566.0 
(192.2)

684.8 
(288.9) 

373.8 

395.9 

(K) 
(L) 
(L) 
(L) 
(L) 
(L) 

20.0 
102.8 
0.3 
164.7 
86.4 
(0.4)

373.8 

12.1 
9.1 
0.3 
269.7 
104.8 
(0.1) 

395.9 

The company financial statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC, registered number 00349201, were approved by the board of 
directors on 5th February 2010 and were signed on its behalf by Bill Oliver and Tim Haywood. 

Bill Oliver 
Chief Executive 

Tim Haywood 
Finance Director 

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102  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe comPany accounts
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

(a).   accounting Policies 
basis of preparation 
The accounts and notes have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK GAAP. 

Compliance with SSAP19 “Accounting for Investment Properties” requires departure from the Companies Act 2006 relating to 
depreciation and an explanation of the departure is given below. 

Accounting convention 
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the revaluation of certain properties, 
derivative financial instruments and the defined benefit section of the company’s pension scheme. 

Revenue recognition 
Revenue is recognised to the extent that the company obtains the right to consideration in exchange for its performance. Revenue 
is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding discounts and VAT. 

Rental income 
Rental income arising from investment properties is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

interest receivable 
Interest receivable is recognised on an accruals basis. 

Tangible fixed assets 
Tangible fixed assets, other than investment properties, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated 
impairment losses. Such cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. 

Depreciation is provided on all plant, machinery and equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual 
value, based on prices prevailing at the balance sheet date, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life as follows: 

Plant and equipment 

— over 2 to 5 years 

Depreciation is not provided on investment properties which are subject to annual revaluations. 

investment properties 
In accordance with SSAP 19, investment properties are revalued annually and the aggregate surplus or temporary deficit is 
transferred to the revaluation reserve. Permanent diminutions are recognised through the profit and loss account. No depreciation 
is provided in respect of investment properties. 

The Companies Act 2006 requires all properties to be depreciated. However, this requirement conflicts with the generally accepted 
accounting principle set out in SSAP 19. The directors consider that, because these properties are not held for consumption but 
for their investment potential, to depreciate them would not give a true and fair view and that it is necessary to adopt SSAP19 in 
order to give a true and fair view. If this departure from the Act had not been made, the profit for the financial year would have 
been reduced by depreciation. However, the amount of depreciation cannot reasonably be quantified because depreciation is 
only one of many factors reflected in the annual valuation and the amount which might otherwise have been shown cannot be 
separately identified or quantified. 

investment in subsidiary and joint venture companies 
The investments in subsidiary and joint venture companies are included in the company’s balance sheet at the company’s share 
of net asset value. The valuation recognises the cost of acquisition and changes in the book values of the underlying net assets. 
The surplus or deficit arising on revaluation is reflected in the company’s reserves. 

deferred taxation 
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date 
where transactions or events have occurred at that date that will result in an obligation to pay less or to receive more tax, with the 
following exceptions : 

— provision is made for tax on gains arising from the revaluation (and similar fair value adjustments) of fixed assets and gains on 
disposal of fixed assets that have been rolled over into replacement assets only to the extent that, at the balance sheet date, 
there is a binding agreement to dispose of the assets concerned. However, no provision is made where, on the basis of all 
available evidence at the balance sheet date, it is more likely than not that the taxable gain will be rolled over into replacement 
assets and charged to tax only where the replacement assets are sold; and 

— deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that the directors consider that it is more likely than not that there will be 

suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted. 

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103

deferred taxation continued 
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing 
differences reverse, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

interest 
Interest paid is charged to the profit and loss account on an accruals basis. 

Finance costs of debt are allocated over the term of the debt at a constant rate on the carrying amount. 

Share-based payment 
When employee share options are exercised the employee has the choice whether to have the liability settled by way of cash or 
the retention of shares. As it has been the company’s experience to satisfy the majority of share options in cash, and new shares 
are not issued to satisfy employee share option plans, the group accounts for its share option schemes as cash settled. The cost of 
cash-settled transactions is measured at fair value using an appropriate option pricing model and amortised through the income 
statement over the vesting period. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date. Revisions to the fair value of the accrued 
liability after the end of the vesting period are recorded in the profit and loss account of the year in which they occur. 

Pensions 
The company operates a pension scheme with both defined benefit and defined contribution sections. The defined benefit section 
is closed to new members and from 1st September 2009, to future accrual. 

The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit section is determined using the projected unit credit method, which 
attributes entitlement to benefits to the current period (to determine current service cost) and to the current and prior periods (to 
determine the present value of defined benefit obligation) and is based on actuarial advice. Past service costs are recognised in 
the profit and loss account immediately if the benefits have vested. 

The interest element of the defined benefit cost represents the change in present value of scheme obligations. The expected 
return on plan assets is based on an assessment made at the beginning of the year of long-term market returns on scheme assets, 
adjusted for the effect on the fair value of plan assets of contributions received and benefits paid during the year. The difference 
between the expected return on plan assets and the interest cost is recognised in the profit and loss account as other finance 
income or expense. 

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the statement of total recognised gains and losses in the year in which they 
occur. The defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the present value of the defined benefit 
obligation, less any past service cost not yet recognised and less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be 
settled directly. 

Contributions to defined contribution schemes are recognised in the profit and loss account in the period in which they become 
payable. 

derivative financial instruments and hedging 
The company uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to hedge its risks associated with interest rate 
fluctuations. Such instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a contract is entered into and are 
subsequently remeasured at fair value. The company has determined that the derivative financial instruments in use do not qualify 
for hedge accounting and, consequently, any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are taken to the 
profit and loss account. 

Full details of the company’s derivative financial instruments are given in note 16 to the group financial statements. 

Own shares 
St. Modwen Properties PLC shares held by the company are classified in shareholders’ equity and are recognised at cost. 

interest bearing loans and borrowings 
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, 
loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost. 

Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement or otherwise cancellation of liabilities are recognised respectively in finance 
income and expense. 

Operating leases 
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

Cash flow statement 
The company has taken advantage of the exemption permitted by FRS1 not to present a cash flow statement. 

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104  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe comPany accounts
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

(B).  (loss)/PRofit foR tHe financial yeaR 
The company has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included its own profit and loss 
account in these financial statements. The company’s loss for the year ended 30th November 2009 was £17.8m  
(2008: £23.8m profit). 

(c).   oPeRating eXPenses 
(i) Audit fees 

Fees paid to Deloitte LLP in respect of: 
The audit of the company’s annual accounts 

Total audit fees 

Other audit services pursuant to legislation 
Tax services 

Total non-audit fees 

Total fees 

2009 
£’000 

2008 
£’000 

107 

107 

305 
109 

414 

521 

115 

115 

26 
86 

112 

227 

(ii) Employees 
The average number of full-time employees (including executive directors) employed by the company during the year were as 
follows: 

Property 
Leisure and other activities 
Administration 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

2009 
number 

2008 
Number 

127 
38 
40 

205 

2009 
£m 

8.1 
1.0 
0.7 

9.8 

137 
47 
50

234 

2008 
£m 

10.8 
1.3 
0.8 

12.9 

(d).   dividends 
There were no dividends paid during the year. No final dividend is proposed. 

Paid 
Final dividend in respect of previous year 
Interim dividend in respect of current year 

The Employee Benefit Trust waives its entitlement to dividends. 

2009 

2008 

p per share 

£m 

p per share 

£m 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 

7.8 
3.9 

11.7 

9.4 
4.7 

14.1 

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105

Long 
leasehold 
investment 
properties 
£m 

Plant 
and 
equipment 
£m 

0.5 
— 
(0.2) 

0.3 

— 
— 
— 

— 

0.5 

0.3 

2.4 
0.1 
(0.3) 

2.2 

1.5 
0.6 
(0.3) 

1.8 

0.9 

0.4 

Total
£m 

2.9 
0.1 
(0.5) 

2.5

1.5 
0.6 
(0.3) 

1.8

1.4 

0.7 

(e). tangiBle fiXed assets 

Cost or valuation 
At 30th November 2008 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 30th november 2009 

depreciation 
At 30th November 2008 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 30th november 2009 

net book value 
At 30th November 2008 

At 30th november 2009 

Investment properties were valued at 30th November 2009 and 2008 by King Sturge & Co, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance 
with the Appraisal and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of market value. King Sturge 
& Co are professionally qualified independent external valuers and have recent experience in the relevant location and category of 
the properties being valued. 

Long leasehold investment properties are currently let under operating leases for the purpose of generating rental income. 

(f).   investments Held as fiXed assets 

Valuation 
At 30th November 2008 
Revaluation of investments 

At 30th november 2009 

Cost 

Investment 
in subsidiary 
companies 
£m 

Investment 
in joint 
ventures 
£m 

Total
£m 

276.0 
(83.6) 

192.4 

68.3 
(21.4) 

344.3 
(105.0) 

46.9 

239.3

At 30th november 2009 and 30th november 2008 

76.2 

26.5 

102.7

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106  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe comPany accounts
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

(f).   investments Held as fiXed assets cOnTinueD 
Subsidiary companies: 
At 30th November 2009 the principal subsidiaries, all of which were held directly by the company, were as follows: 

Redman Heenan Properties Limited 
St. Modwen Developments Limited 
St. Modwen Investments Limited 
St. Modwen Ventures Limited 
Leisure Living Limited 
Stoke-On-Trent Regeneration Limited 
Widnes Regeneration Limited 
Trentham Leisure Limited 
Norton & Proffitt Developments Limited 
VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited 

Proportion of ordinary shares held 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
81% 
81% 
80% 
75% 
50% 

Nature of 
principal business 

Property investment 
Property development 
Property investment 
Property investment 
Leisure operator 
Property development 
Property development 
Leisure operator 
Property development 
Property development 

All principal subsidiaries are registered and operated in England and Wales. 

Joint ventures 
At 30th November 2009 the joint ventures were:

Key Property Investments Limited 

Holaw (462) Limited 
Barton Business Park Limited 
Sowcrest Limited 
Shaw Park Developments Limited 

 Percentage shareholding 

Nature of business 

50%  Property investment and 
development 
Property investment 
Property development 
Property development 
Property development 

50% 
50% 
50% 
50% 

Many of the joint ventures contain change of control provisions, as is common for such arrangements. 

(g).   deBtoRs

Trade debtors  
Amounts due from subsidiaries 
Amounts due from joint venture and associated companies 
Other debtors 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Corporation tax 
Deferred tax asset (see note (J)) 

 2009 
£m 

0.1 
446.9 
5.0 
7.8 
2.6 
6.5 
6.1 

475.0 

2008 
£m 

— 
452.1 
3.1 
3.3 
1.6 
— 
5.8

465.9 

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(H).   cReditoRs  

Amounts falling due within one year: 
Bank overdraft 
Trade creditors  
Amounts due to subsidiaries 
Amounts due to joint venture and associated companies 
Other tax and social security 
Other creditors 
Accruals and deferred income 
Derivative financial instruments 

Amounts falling due after more than one year: 
Bank loans 
Other creditors 
Accruals and deferred income 

All bank borrowings are secured by a fixed charge over the property assets of the company and its subsidiaries. 

(i).  BoRRowings 
The maturity profile of the bank borrowings, all of which are wholly repayable within five years, is as follows: 

Less than one year 
One to two years 
Two to five years 

Total 

2009
 £m

— 
62.5 
127.6 

190.1 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

107

2009 
£m 

2008 
£m 

— 
1.1 
117.0 
3.5 
1.1 
2.5 
4.7 
19.3 

149.2 

2009 
£m 

190.1 
1.2 
0.9 

192.2 

10.4 
— 
96.5 
3.5 
— 
2.3 
6.9 
14.6 

134.2 

2008 
£m 

287.5 
— 
1.4 

288.9 

2008 
£m 

10.4 
— 
287.5 

297.9 

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108

st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 
AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notes to tHe comPany accounts
fOr THe yeAr enDeD 30TH nOvember 2009 

(j).   defeRRed taXation 
The amounts of deferred taxation provided and unprovided in the accounts are: 

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation 
Other timing differences 

Reconciliation of movement on deferred tax asset included in debtors 

Balance as at 30th November 2008 
Profit and loss account 

balance as at 30th november 2009 

Reconciliation of deferred tax liability included in pension scheme asset 

Balance as at 30th November 2008 
Profit and loss account 
Statement of total recognised gains and losses 

balance as at 30th november 2009 

(k).  sHaRe caPital 

Authorised: 
Equity share capital 
At start of year 
Increase in authorised share capital 

At end of year 

Allotted and fully paid: 
Equity share capital 
At start of year 
Issue of share capital 

At end of year 

Provided 

Unprovided 

2009 
£m 

0.1 
(6.2) 

(6.1) 

2008 
£m 

0.1 
(5.9) 

(5.8) 

2009 
£m 

— 
0.9 

0.9 

2008 
£m 

— 
0.9 

0.9 

£m 

(5.8) 
(0.3) 

(6.1) 

£m 

— 
(0.2) 
0.2 

— 

£m 

15.0 
10.0 

25.0 

12.1 
7.9 

20.0 

Ordinary 10p shares 
no. 

150,000,000 
100,000,000 

250,000,000 

120,773,954 
79,586,977 

200,360,931 

On 8th June 2009 the company completed a Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer of 79,586,977 ordinary shares of 10p each 
at £1.35 per share. Net proceeds were £101.6m after share issue costs. 

See note 2d of the group financial statements for details of outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares. 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

109

(l).  ReseRves 

Share 
premium 
account 
£m 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m 

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m 

Profit 
& loss 
account 
£m 

Own 
shares 
£m 

At start of year 
Deficit on revaluation of investments 
Retained loss for the year (note B) 
Net share additions 
Issue of share capital 
Actuarial loss on pension scheme (note M) 
Movement on deferred tax relating to pension asset (note J) 

At end of year 

9.1 
— 
— 
— 
93.7 
— 
— 

102.8 

0.3 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

0.3 

269.7 
(105.0) 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

104.8 
— 
(17.8) 
— 
— 
(0.8) 
0.2 

164.7 

86.4 

(0.1)
 
— 

— 

(0.3)
 
— 

— 

— 


(0.4)

Own shares represents the cost of £273,330 (2008: 33,590) shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust. The open market value 
of the shares held at 30th November 2009 was £580,280 (2008: £38,292). In addition the Employee Benefit Trust has £0.1m 
(2008: £1.7m) of cash and £10.3m (2008: £12.0m) due from the company that can only be used for the benefit of employees. 

(m).  Pensions 
The company’s pension schemes are the principal pension schemes of the group and details are set out in note 20 of the 
consolidated financial statements. The directors are satisfied that this note, which contains the required IAS 19 “Employee 
Benefits” disclosures for the group, also covers the requirements of FRS 17 “Retirement Benefits” for the company. 

(n).  oPeRating lease commitments 
Operating lease commitments where the company is the lessee 

Annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 

Operating leases which expire: 
In one year or less 
Between one and five years 
In more than five years 

(o).   contingent liaBilities  

2009 

2008 

Land and 
buildings 
£m 

Other
 £m 

Land and 
buildings 
£m 

— 
— 
0.5 

0.5 

0.1 
0.6 
— 

0.7

0.3 
— 
0.5 

 0.8 

Other
 £m 

0.1 
0.6 
— 

0.7 

The company has a joint and several unlimited liability with Vinci PLC to the Ministry of Defence under guarantees in respect of 
the financial performance of VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited (VSM). This is a guarantee in the ordinary course of business and 
would require the guarantors to step into VSM’s place in the event of a default on Project MoDEL. Completion of the project is 
not considered onerous as the forecast revenues exceed the anticipated costs and it is not expected that there would be any net 
outflow in this regard. 

The company is also party to a joint and several guarantee to Fortis Bank in respect of the performance of Sowcrest Limited which 
is limited to £18.4m (2008: £18.4m). 

Further, the company guarantees the performance of its subsidiaries in the course of their usual commercial activities. 

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110  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

indePendent auditoRs’ RePoRt 
TO THe members Of sT. mODwen prOperTies plc 

We have audited the parent company financial statements of 
St. Modwen Properties PLC for the year ended 30th November 
2009 which comprise the Company Balance Sheet and the 
related notes A to O. The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as 
a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. 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 auditors’ 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. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility 
is to audit the parent company financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to 
comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical 
Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to 
give reasonable assurance that the financial statements 
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the 
accounting policies are appropriate to the parent company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant 
accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall 
presentation of the financial statements. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion the parent company financial statements: 

❚  Give a true and fair view of the state of the parent 
company’s affairs as at 30th November 2009; 

❚  Have been properly prepared in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

❚  Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of 

the Companies Act 2006. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report 
for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the parent company financial 
statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters 
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, 
in our opinion: 

❚	 Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 
been received from branches not visited by us; or 
❚  The parent company financial statements are not in 
agreement with the accounting records or returns; or 

❚  Certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by 

law are not made; or 

❚  We have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit. 

Other Matter 
We have reported separately on the group financial statements 
of St. Modwen Properties PLC for the year ended 
30th November 2009 and on the information in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report that is described as having 
been audited. 

Stephen Griggs FCA 
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 

Birmingham, United Kingdom 

5th February 2010 

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five yeaR RecoRd 

income statement 
Net rental income* 
Property profits/(losses)* 
Revaluation surplus/(deficit)* 
Pre-tax profit/(loss)** 

Earnings/(loss) per share (pence) 
Dividends paid per share (pence) 
Dividend cover (times) 
Net assets per share (pence) ‡ 

balance sheet 
Investment properties 
Investments 
Inventories 
Other net liabilities 
Net borrowings 

net assets 

Financed by 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Own shares 
Minority interests 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 

111

2005 
£m 

2006 
£m 

2007 
£m 

2008 
£m 

2009
 
£m 


45.2 
39.3 
44.9 
82.9 

55.4 
8.8 
6.3 
212.4 

40.3 
44.6 
55.6 
96.9 

61.6 
10.2 
6.0 
245.3 

34.9 
54.5 
62.8 
100.1 

73.3 
11.7 
6.3 
284.1 

33.2 
9.7 
(64.6) 
(73.1) 

(37.3)† 
3.9 
(11.0) 
251.4 

481.2 
68.5 
36.1 
(54.0) 
(207.8) 

736.4 
77.9 
65.9 
(237.5) 
(252.9) 

846.9 
75.4 
209.3 
(262.0) 
(401.9) 

814.3 
64.2 
228.1 
(282.9) 
(421.5) 

33.5 
(8.2) 
(106.5) 
(119.4) 

(59.7) 
— 
— 
200.1 

762.9 
41.3 
192.7 
(277.1) 
(318.8) 

324.0 

389.8 

467.7 

402.2 

401.0 

12.1 
308.7 
(0.4) 
3.6 

12.1 
373.7 
(0.8) 
4.8 

12.1 
446.8 
(0.7) 
9.5 

12.1 
380.7 
(0.1) 
9.5 

324.0 

389.8 

467.7 

402.2 

20.0 
372.7 
(0.4) 
8.7 

401.0 

* Including share of joint ventures 
** Including post-tax results of joint ventures 
† Restated to reflect the 2009 Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer — see note 5 

‡ 2005 to 2008 restated for comparability purposes on the assumption that the 2009 Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer 
had occurred on 1st December 2004. 

The figures above are all presented under IFRS. 

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112  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notice of annual geneRal meeting
 

Notice is hereby given that the sixty-ninth Annual General 
Meeting (AGM) of St. Modwen Properties PLC will be held at 
12 noon on Friday 26th March 2010 at the Marketing Suite, 
Innovation Centre, 1 Devon Way, Longbridge Technology Park, 
Birmingham, B31 2TS for the following purposes: 

of the average middle market price quotation on the 
London Stock Exchange for the ordinary shares on the 
five previous dealing days or less than 10p (in each 
case exclusive of advance corporation tax (if any) and 
expenses payable by the company); and 

(c)  expire on 26th June 2011 or at the conclusion of the 
next AGM of the company to be held after the date of 
the passing of this Resolution (whichever is the earlier), 
save that if the company should before such expiry 
enter into a contract of purchase then the purchase 
may be completed or executed wholly or partly after 
such expiry. 

12. Special Resolution 

That with effect from the conclusion of the meeting: 

(i)  the Articles of Association of the company be amended 

by deleting all the provisions of the company’s 
Memorandum of Association which, by virtue of 
Section 28 of the Companies Act 2006 are to be 
treated as provisions of the company’s Articles of 
Association; and 

(ii)  the Articles of Association produced to the meeting 
and initialled by the chairman of the meeting for the 
purpose of identification be adopted as the Articles of 
Association of the company in substitution for and to 
the exclusion of the existing Articles of Association. 

13. Special Resolution 

That a general meeting other than an AGM may be called 
on not less than 14 clear days’ notice. 

By order of the board 

Reeta Stokes 
Company Secretary 

3rd March 2010 

Registered Office: 
Sir Stanley Clarke House 
7 Ridgeway 
Quinton Business Park 
Birmingham B32 1AF 

oRdinaRy Business 
1. 	 To receive and adopt the report of the directors and the 
accounts for the year ended 30th November 2009. 

2. 	 To re-elect Steve Burke as a director. 
3. 	 To re-elect Simon Clarke as a director. 
4. 	 To re-elect John Salmon as a director. 
5. 	 To elect Lesley James as a director. 
6. 	 To elect Lady Katherine Innes Ker as a director. 
7. 	 To reappoint Deloitte LLP as auditors of the company to 

hold office until the conclusion of the next General Meeting 
at which accounts are laid and to authorise the directors to 
determine their remuneration. 

sPecial Business 
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions: 

8. 	 Ordinary Resolution 

That the directors’ remuneration report for the year ended 
30th November 2009 be approved. 

9. 	 Ordinary Resolution 

That the authority to allot relevant securities and equity 
securities conferred on the directors by Article 8.2 of 
the company’s Articles of Association be and is hereby 
granted for the period ending on 26th June 2011 or at the 
conclusion of the AGM of the company to be held after 
the date of the passing of this Resolution (whichever is the 
earlier) and for such period the Section 551 amount shall 
be £4,963,907. 

10. Special Resolution 

That the power to allot relevant securities and equity 
securities conferred on the directors by Article 8.2 of 
the company’s Articles of Association be and is hereby 
granted for the period ending on 26th June 2011 or at the 
conclusion of the AGM of the company to be held after 
the date of the passing of this Resolution (whichever is the 
earlier) and for such period the Section 561 amount shall 
be £1,001,805. 

11. Special Resolution 

That, in accordance with Article 10 of its Articles of 
Association and Section 701 of the Companies Act 
2006, the company be and is hereby granted general 
and unconditional authority to make market purchases 
(as defined in Section 693 of the Companies Act 2006) 
of any of its own ordinary shares on such terms and in 
such manner as the board of directors may from time to 
time determine PROVIDED THAT the general authority 
conferred by this Resolution shall: 

(a)  be limited to 20,036,093 ordinary shares of 10p each; 

(b) not permit the payment per share of more than 105% 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

113

Explanatory notes to the Resolutions 
1  Resolution 1 is to receive the accounts and the reports 

of the directors and the auditors for the year ended 30th 
November 2009. 

2  Resolutions 2 to 4 concern the re-election of directors 
retiring in accordance with the Articles of Association 
of the company. At this year’s Annual General Meeting 
(“AGM”), the directors to retire by rotation will be Steve 
Burke, Simon Clarke and John Salmon. Each of the 
directors has undergone, during the year, a performance 
evaluation and the board remains satisfied that each 
director proposed for re-election remains committed to the 
role and continues to be an effective and valuable member 
of the board. Biographical details of these directors can be 
found on pages 48 and 49. 

3  The Company’s Articles of Association require any director 
appointed by the board to retire at the first AGM following 
his/her appointment. Accordingly, Lesley James and  
Lady Katherine Innes Ker, having been appointed on  
19th October 2009, offer themselves for election in 
Resolutions 5 and 6. Their biographies are shown on 
pages 48 and 49. 

4  Resolution 7 is proposed to re-appoint Deloitte LLP as 
auditors to hold office until the next general meeting 
of the company at which accounts are presented and 
to authorise the directors to determine the level of the 
auditors’ remuneration. 

5  Resolution 8 is to approve the Directors’ Remuneration 

Report, which is included on pages 58 to 65 and provides 
details of the group’s remuneration policy for the directors 
and senior executives. In accordance with the sections 
439 and 440 of the Companies Act 2006, the vote on this 
resolution is advisory and no director’s remuneration is 
conditional upon the passing of this resolution. 

6  The existing general authority of the directors to allot 

shares and the current disapplication of the statutory pre-
emption rights granted at the company’s 2009 AGM expire 
at the conclusion of the forthcoming AGM. 

Article 8.2 of the company’s Articles of Association 
contains a general authority for the directors to allot 
shares in the company for a period (not exceeding five 
years) (“the prescribed period”) and up to a maximum 
aggregate nominal amount (“the Section 551 amount”) 
approved by a Special or Ordinary Resolution of the 
company. Article 8.2 also empowers the directors during 
the prescribed period to allot shares for cash in connection 
with a rights issue and also to allot shares for cash in any 
other circumstances up to a maximum aggregate nominal 
amount approved by a Special Resolution of the company 
(“the Section 561 amount”). 

Resolution 9, which will be proposed as an Ordinary 
Resolution, provides for the Section 551 amount to be 
£4,963,907 (being an amount equal to the authorised 
but unissued share capital of the company at the date of 
this report and representing 25% of the company’s issued 
share capital at that date). The board has no intention at 
present to exercise the authority to allot shares under this 
resolution. 

Resolution 10, which will be proposed as a Special 
Resolution, provides for the Section 561 amount to be 
£1,001,805 (representing 5% of the company’s issued 
share capital). 

The prescribed period for which these powers and 
authorities are granted will expire at the conclusion of 
the AGM to be held next year or on 26th June 2011 if 
earlier, when the directors intend to seek renewal of the 
authorities. 

6  Resolution 11 is to renew the authority for the company to 
purchase certain of its own shares for a further year. The 
directors believe it is advantageous to have such authority 
but would only exercise it if it was believed to be in the 
best interests of shareholders. At present, the board has 
no intention to exercise the authority. 

7  Resolution 12 proposes to adopt new articles of 

association (the “New Articles”) with immediate effect 
at this year’s AGM in order to update the company’s 
current Articles of Association (the “Current Articles”), 
primarily to take account of the coming into force of the 
Shareholders’ Rights Regulation and the implementation 
of the remaining parts of the Companies Act 2006 
(the “2006 Act”). 

The principal changes introduced in the New Articles are 
summarised below. Other changes, which are of a minor, 
technical or clarifying nature reflect changes made by the 
2006 Act and conform the language of the New Articles 
with that used in the model articles for public companies 
set out in The Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 
2008 and have not been noted. As certain provisions of 
the Current Articles have been deleted and new provisions 
inserted, the New Articles are renumbered accordingly. 
The New Articles showing all the changes to the Current 
Articles are available for inspection as described. 

Company’s Objects 
The provisions regulating the operations of the company 
are currently set out in the company’s Memorandum and 
Articles of Association. The company’s Memorandum 
contains, among other things, the objects clause which 
sets out the scope of the activities the company is 
authorised to undertake. 

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114  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

notice of annual geneRal meeting
 

Articles which duplicate statutory provisions 
Provisions in the Articles which replicate provisions 
contained in the Act are in the main to be removed from 
the New Articles. This is in line with both the approach 
advocated by the Government that statutory provisions 
should not be duplicated in the company’s constitution 
and that of the company in the implementation of the 
2006 Act. 

8. 	 Changes made to the 2006 Act by the Shareholders’ 

Rights Regulations increase the notice period required for 
general meetings of the company to 21 clear days unless 
shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which 
cannot however be less than 14 clear days. AGMs will 
continue to be held on at least 21 clear days’ notice. 

Before the Shareholders’ Rights Regulations came into 
force on 3 August 2009, the company was able to call 
general meetings other than AGMs on 14 clear days’ 
notice without obtaining such shareholder approval. In 
order to preserve this ability, Resolution 13 seeks such 
approval. The approval will be effective until the company’s 
next AGM, when it is intended that a similar resolution will 
be proposed. 

The following notes explain your general rights as a 
shareholder and your right to attend and vote at this AGM 
or to appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. 

a)  A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting 
may appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote on his/ 
her behalf. A member may appoint more than one proxy 
in relation to the meeting provided that each proxy is 
appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different 
share or shares of the member. A proxy need not be 
a member but must attend the meeting in person. 
Proxy forms should be lodged with the registrars’ office 
or submitted not later than 48 hours before the time 
for which the meeting is convened. Completion of the 
appropriate proxy form does not prevent a member from 
attending and voting in person if he/she is entitled to do so 
and so wishes. 

b) 	 To be valid, the Form of Proxy and the power of attorney 
or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a 
notarially certified copy of such power or authority, must 
be received by the company’s registrars before 12 noon on 
Wednesday 24 March 2010, in hard copy  
form either by post, by courier or by hand to the 
company’s registrars, Equiniti Aspect House, Spencer 
Road, Lancing, BN99 6DA. 

The 2006 Act has considerably reduced the constitutional 
significance of a company’s memorandum. It provides 
that a memorandum will record only the names of the 
subscribers and the number of shares each subscriber 
has agreed to take in the company. Under the 2006 Act, 
the objects clause and all other provisions which are 
currently contained in a company’s memorandum, for 
existing companies at 1 October 2009, will be deemed 
to be contained in a company’s articles of association 
but the company can remove these provisions by special 
resolution. 

Further the 2006 Act states that unless a company’s 
articles provide otherwise, a company’s objects are 
unrestricted. This abolishes the need for companies to 
have objects clauses. For this reason, the company is 
proposing to remove its objects clause together with all 
other provisions of its memorandum which, by virtue of 
the 2006 Act, are to be treated as forming part of the 
company’s Articles of Association. Resolution 12 confirms 
the removal of these provisions for the company. As the 
effect of this resolution will be to remove the statement 
currently in the company’s Memorandum of Association 
regarding limited liability, the New Articles also contain  
an express statement regarding the limited liability of 
the shareholders. 

Authorised share capital and unissued shares 
The 2006 Act abolishes the requirement for a company 
to have an authorised share capital and this is reflected 
in the New Articles. The directors will still be limited as to 
the number of shares they can allot at any time because 
the allotment authority continues to be required under the 
2006 Act, save in respect of employee share schemes. 

Voting by proxies on a show of hands 
The Shareholders’ Rights Regulations have amended the 
2006 Act so that it now provides that each proxy appointed 
by a member has one vote on a show of hands, unless the 
proxy is appointed by more than one member in which 
case the proxy has one vote for and one vote against if 
the proxy has been instructed by one or more members 
to vote for the resolution and by one or more members to 
vote against the resolution. The Current Articles have been 
amended to reflect these changes. 

Adjournments for lack of quorum 
Under the 2006 Act as amended by the Shareholders’ 
Rights Regulations, general meetings adjourned for lack 
of quorum must be held at least 10 clear days after the 
original meeting. The Current Articles have been changed 
to reflect this requirement. 

Voting record date 
Under the 2006 Act as amended by the Shareholders’ 
Rights Regulations, the company must determine the right 
of members to vote at a general meeting by reference to 
the register not more than 48 hours before the time for the 
holding of the meeting, not taking account of days which 
are not working days. The Current Articles have been 
amended to reflect this requirement. 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

115

c)  Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person 
nominated under s146 Companies Act 2006 to enjoy 
information rights (“Nominated Person”) may, under an 
agreement with the member who nominated him/her, have 
a right to be appointed, or have someone else appointed, 
as a proxy for the meeting. If a Nominated Person does 
not have this right or does not wish to exercise it, he or 
she may have a right under such an agreement to give the 
member voting instructions. 

d)  The statement of the rights of members in relation to 

the appointment of proxies in Note (a) does not apply to 
Nominated Persons. 

e)  As at 3rd March 2010 (being the last working day prior to 
the publication of this notice), the company’s issued share 
capital consisted of 200,360,931 shares, carrying one 
vote each, which represents the total voting rights in the 
company as at that date. 

f) 	 The following documents are available for inspection 
during normal business hours at the registered office 
of the company on any business day and may also be 
inspected at the Marketing Suite, Innovation Centre, 1 
Devon Way, Longbridge Technology Park, Birmingham, 
B31 2TS at least 15 minutes prior to the commencement 
of, and during the continuance of, the AGM: 

(i)  copies of the directors’ service contracts with the 

company; 

(ii)  copies of the non-executive directors’ letters of 


appointment; and
 

(iii) a copy of the company’s current Memorandum and 
the Articles of Association and the New Articles of 
Association. 

g)  In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001, the company gives notice 
that only those shareholders entered on the relevant 
register of members (the “Register”) for certificated or 
uncertificated shares of the company (as the case may be) 
at 6 p.m. on Wednesday 24th March 2010 (the “Specified 
Time”) will be entitled to attend or vote at the meeting in 
respect of the number of shares registered in their name 
at the time. Changes to entries on the Register after the 
Specified Time will be disregarded in determining the 
rights of any person to attend or vote at that meeting. 
Should the meeting be adjourned to a time not more than 
48 hours after the Specified Time, that time will also apply 
for the purpose of determining the entitlement of members 
to attend and vote (and for the purpose of determining the 
number of votes they may cast) at the adjourned meeting. 
Should the meeting be adjourned for a longer period, 
then to be so entitled, members must be entered on the 
Register at the time which is 48 hours before the time 
fixed for the adjourned meeting or, if the company gives 
notice of the adjourned meeting, at the time specified in 
the notice. 

h)  Electronic proxy appointment through CREST 

CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies 
through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service 
may do so for the AGM (and any adjournment(s) thereof) 
by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. 
CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored 
members, and those CREST members who have 
appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their 
CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be 
able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. 

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using 
the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly 
authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland 
Limited’s (“EUI”) specifications and must contain the 
information required for such instructions, as described 
in the CREST Manual (available at www.euroclear.com/ 
CREST). The message, regardless of whether it constitutes 
the appointment of a proxy or relates to an amendment to 
the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy must, 
in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by 
the company’s agent (ID RA19) by the latest time(s) for 
receipt of proxy appointments specified in the notice of 
meeting. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken 
to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to 
the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which 
the company’s agent is able to retrieve the message by 
enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. 
After this time any change of instructions to proxies 
appointed through CREST should be communicated to the 
appointee through other means. 

CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST 
sponsors or voting service providers should note that EUI 
does not make available special procedures in CREST 
for any particular messages. Normal system timings and 
limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of 
CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the 
CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST 
member is a CREST personal member or sponsored 
member or has appointed a voting service provider(s), 
to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service 
provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to 
ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the 
CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, 
CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST 
sponsors or voting service providers are referred, in 
particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual 
concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and 
timings. 

The company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy 
Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 
35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001. 

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116  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

i) 	 Representatives of shareholders that are corporations 
will be required to produce evidence of their proper 
appointment when attending the general meeting. Please 
contact our Registrar if you need any further guidance on 
this. 

l)  you may not use any electronic address provided in either 
this Notice of General Meeting or any related documents 
(including the Proxy Form) to communicate with the 
company for any purposes other than those expressly 
stated. 

m)  Any shareholder attending the meeting has the right to 

ask questions. The company must cause to be answered 
any such question relating to the business being dealt 
with at the meeting but no such answer need be given if 
(a) to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation 
for the meeting or involve the disclosure of confidential 
information, (b) the answer has already been given on a 
website in the form of an answer to a question, or (c) it is 
undesirable in the interests of the company or the good 
order of the meeting that the question be answered. 

n)  A copy of this notice, and other information required by 
s311A of the Companies Act 2006, can be found on the 
company’s website at www.stmodwen.co.uk. 

j) 	 Every holder has the right to appoint some other person(s) 
of their choice, who need not be a shareholder as his 
proxy to exercise all or any of his rights, to attend, speak 
and vote on their behalf at the meeting. If you wish to 
appoint a person other than the Chairman, please insert 
the name of your chosen proxy holder in the space 
provided. If the proxy is being appointed in relation to less 
than your full voting entitlement, please enter in the box 
next to the proxy holder’s name the number of shares in 
relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. 
If left blank your proxy will be deemed to be authorised in 
respect of your full voting entitlement (or if the proxy form 
has been issued in respect of a designated account for a 
shareholder, the full voting entitlement for that designated 
account). 

k) 	 To appoint more than one proxy, (an) additional proxy 
form(s) may be obtained by contacting the Registrars’ 
helpline on 08713 842 198 (or from overseas +44 1214 
157047) or you may photocopy the form. Please indicate 
in the box next to the proxy holder’s name the number 
of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act 
as your proxy. All forms must be signed and should be 
returned together in the same envelope. 

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www.stmodwen.co.uk 

117

glossaRy of teRms
 

Annualised net rents are gross rents as at a reporting date 
plus, where rent reviews are outstanding, any increases to 
estimated rental value (as determined by the group’s external 
valuers), less any ground rents payable under head leases. 

bREEAM — Building Research Establishment Environmental 
Assessment Method — an industry-wide system of standards 
to assess sustainable developments and measure the 
environmental impact of buildings. 

Capital allowances deferred tax provision — In accordance 
with IAS 12, full provision has been made for the deferred tax 
arising on the benefit of capital allowances claimed to date. 
However, in the group’s experience, the liabilities in respect 
of capital allowances provided are unlikely to crystallise in 
practice and are therefore excluded when arriving at 
EPRA NAV. 

Compulsory purchase order (CPO) is the compulsory acquisition 
of land by a planning authority, undertaken in the public 
interest and with pre-defined timescales and compensation 
arrangements. 

CSR — Corporate and social responsibility. 

EPRA is the European Public Real Estate Association — a body 
that has put forward recommendations for best practice for 
financial reporting by real estate companies. 

EPRA net asset value (EPRA nAV) is the balance sheet net 
assets, excluding fair value adjustments for debt and related 
derivatives, deferred taxation on revaluation and capital 
allowances. 

interest cover is profit before interest and tax (excluding non­
cash items such as investment property revaluations) plus 
the realisation of previous years’ revaluations, as a percentage 
of net interest (excluding non-cash items such as mark-to­
market of interest rate swaps). 

iPd is Investment Property Databank Ltd., a company that 
produces an independent benchmark of property returns. 

Market value is an opinion of the best price at which the sale 
of an interest in the property would complete unconditionally 
for cash consideration on the date of valuation (as determined 
by the group’s external valuers). 

In accordance with usual practice, the group’s external valuers 
report valuations net, after the deduction of the prospective 
purchaser’s costs, including stamp duty, agent and legal fees. 

Marshalling is the process of progressing projects through 
planning and development. 

net rental income is the rental income receivable in the period 
after payment of ground rents and net property outgoings. 

Pre-sold projects are those projects where we are constructing 
buildings that have been specified by, and designed for, or 
adapted by, a specific client under a specific construction 
contract. On such projects, profit is recognised using the stage 
completion method. 

Property profits includes profits made on sales of investment 
properties, properties held for sale and properties under 
construction. 

EPRA net assets per share is EPRA net assets divided by the 
diluted number of shares at the period end. 

Rent roll is the gross rent plus rent reviews that have been 
agreed as at the reporting date. 

Estimated rental value (ERV) is the group’s external valuers’ 
opinion as to the open market rent which, on the date of 
valuation, could reasonably be expected to be obtained on a 
new letting or rent review of the property. 

Equivalent yield is a weighted average of the initial yield and 
reversionary yield and represents the return a property will 
produce based on the timing of the income received. 

Gearing is the level of the group’s bank borrowing (excluding 
finance leases) expressed as a percentage of net assets. 

Hopper is the bank of property comprising all of the land under 
the group’s control, whether wholly owned or through joint 
ventures or development agreements. 

iFRS — International financial reporting standards. 

initial yield is the annualised net rent expressed as a 
percentage of the valuation. 

Section 106 agreements are legally binding agreements 
reached with local planning authorities under S106 of the 
Town and Country Planning Act 1990. They address the 
impact of proposed developments on the local community and 
often involve a financial contribution by the developer. 

Voids is the estimated rental value of vacant properties 
expressed as a percentage of the total estimated rental value 
of the portfolio, excluding development properties. 

Weighted average debt maturity — Each tranche of group debt 
is multiplied by the remaining period to its maturity and the 
result is divided by total group debt in issue at the period end. 

Weighted average interest rate is the group loan interest and 
derivative costs per annum at the period end, divided by total 
group debt in issue at the period end. 

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118  st. modwen PRoPeRties Plc 

AnnuAl repOrT 2009 

sHaReHoldeR infoRmation 

Financial Calendar 

Annual General Meeting 
Announcement of 2010 interim results 
Announcement of 2010 final results 

Ordinary shareholdings at 30th november 2009 

by shareholder 
By shareholder 
Directors and connected persons 
Individuals 
Insurance companies, nominees and pension funds 
Other limited companies and corporate bodies 

by shareholding 
Up to 500 
501 to 1,000 
1,001 to 5,000 
5,001 to 10,000 
10,001 to 50,000 
50,001 to 100,000 
100,001 to 500,000 
500,001 to 1,000,000 
1,000,001 and above 

26th March 2010 
July 2010 
February 2011 

Shareholders 

Shares 

No. 

% 

No. (m) 

% 

26 
3,793 
682 
110 

0.39 
82.43 
14.79 
2.39 

53,403,706 
12,221,276 
131,256,494 
3,479,455 

26.65 
6.10 
65.51 
1.74 

Shareholders 

Shares 

No. 

% 

No. (m) 

% 

1,118 
825 
1,671 
420 
356 
68 
85 
22 
46 

24.25 
17.89 
36.24 
9.11 
7.72 
1.47 
1.84 
0.48 
1.00 

278,013 
638,071 
3,873,975 
3,029,388 
7,532,349 
4,983,697 
19,741,993 
16,494,417 
143,789,028 

0.14 
0.32 
1.93 
1.51 
3.76 
2.49 
9.85 
8.23 
71.77 

Registrars 
The Registrars to the company are Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DH. 
Shareholder enquiry line: 0871 384 2198. 

The Registrars’ website is: www.shareview.co.uk. Registering on this website will enable you, amongst other features, to view your 
St. Modwen Properties PLC shareholding online. 

Share dealing service 
Equiniti offer a telephone and internet share dealing service which allows you to buy or sell St. Modwen Properties PLC shares if you are a 

UK resident. Details can be found on their website www.shareview.co.uk/dealing. This arrangement is available at any time during market 

trading hours and provides an easy and convenient facility to trade shares offering real time prices through a range of market makers. Full 

terms and conditions for this service are available on the Shareview website. To trade over the telephone, please call 08456 037037. 

Registered office 
Sir Stanley Clarke House 
7 Ridgeway 
Quinton Business Park 
Birmingham 
B32 1AF 

Company number	 
349201	 

Website 
www.stmodwen.co.uk 

Joint Stockbrokers 
JP Morgan Cazenove 
Numis Securities 

This annual report is printed on HannoArt Silk, comprising fibres 
sourced from sustainable forest reserves and bleached without the use 
of chlorine. The production mill for this paper operates to EMAS, ISO 
14001 environmental and ISO 9001 quality standards. 

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ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC 
AnnuAl RepoRt 2009

WELCOME TO ST. MODWEN

WWW.STMODWEN.CO.UK
 

BELOW 
RAF northolt — the officers’ 
mess, refurbished during the 
year as part of project MoDel. 

BUSINESS REvIEW
10 Chairman’s statement

14 Business review 

24 Financial review

29 Case studies

30 YEARS

OF REGENERATION

PAGE 09 >


PAGE 39 >


CORPORATE GOvERNANCE
40 Corporate social responsibility 

48 Board members and senior management 

51 Corporate governance report

58 Directors’ remuneration report

PAGE 67 >


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

68 Directors’ responsibilities statement

69

Independent group auditors’ report

70 Group and company accounts 

110 Independent company auditors’ report

111 Five year record

112 Notice of annual general meeting 

117 Glossary of terms

118 Shareholder information

COvER PICTURE
RAF northholt Support Wing — 
some of the 600,000 sq. ft of 
new accommodation provided 
for the MoD by project MoDel.

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ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC 
AnnuAl RepoRt 2009

ST. MODWEN 
PROPERTIES PLC 
Company Number 349201 

HEAD OFFICE & MIDLANDS 
REGIONAL OFFICE 

Sir Stanley Clarke House 
7 Ridgeway 
Quinton Business Park 
Birmingham 
B32 1AF 

0121 222 9400 

www.stmodwen.co.uk 
info@stmodwen.co.uk 

REGIONAL OFFICES: 
LONDON & SOUTH EAST 

180 Great Portland Street 
London 
W1W 5QZ 

020 7788 3700 

SOUTH WEST & SOUTH WALES 

Green Court 
King’s Weston Lane 
Avonmouth 
Bristol 
BS11 8AZ 

0117 316 7780 

YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST 

Ground Floor, Unit 2 
Landmark Court 
Elland Road 
Leeds 
LS11 8JT 

0113 272 7070 

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE 

NORTHERN HOME COUNTIES 

First Floor, Unit E1 
The Courtyard 
Alban Park 
Hatfield Road 
St Albans 
Hertfordshire 
AL4 0LA 

01727 732690 

The Trentham Estate 
Management Suite 
Stone Road 
Trentham 
Stoke-on-Trent 
ST4 8AX 

01782 281844 

NORTH WEST 

Chepstow House 
Trident Business Park 
Daten Avenue 
Risley 
Warrington 
WA3 6BX 

01925 825950 

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THE UK’S LEADING
REGENERATION
SPECIALIST