Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Auto - Parts / Standard Motor Products, Inc. / FY2011 Annual Report

Standard Motor Products, Inc.
Annual Report 2011

SMP · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker SMP
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Auto - Parts
Employees 5600
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FY2011 Annual Report · Standard Motor Products, Inc.
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The uk’s leading
REGENERATION SPECIALIST

AnnuAl RePoRt foR the yeAR ended  
30th noveMbeR 2011

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St. Modwen ProPertieS PLC

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011

ST. MODWEN IS THE UK'S LEADING 
REGENERATION SPECIALIST
St. Modwen is the UK's leading regeneration specialist. Through a 
focus on long-term added value we aim to secure dependable and 
consistently strong returns.

investment themes:

 — The UK's leading regeneration specialist operating through a network of seven regional 

offices and through joint ventures with industry leading partners

 — We are an entrepreneurial development business supported by a strong financial base 

and the revenues from a portfolio of income producing properties

 — We are focused on the long-term development of commercial property and residential 

land throughout the economic cycles

 — We have an extensive land bank of more than 5,700 net developable acres. We look to 

expand the land bank through capital efficient means

 — Our outstanding 25 year track record shows us adding value by managing schemes 

through the planning process, remediating contaminated land, active asset management 
and development

 — We have a diverse UK wide portfolio preventing over exposure to any single scheme, 

tenant or sector

 — We have huge experience in dealing with complex and challenging sites
 — We develop in response to market conditions, creating a stream of assets to be sold 
once no further significant value can be added, thereby providing recycled capital for 
new schemes

See further information online: www.stmodwen.co.uk

Chairman's Statement

stmodwen.annualreport2011.com/overview/chairmans-statement

Business & Financial review

stmodwen.annualreport2011.com/business-financial-review

Corporate Governance

stmodwen.annualreport2011.com/corporate-governance

Cover Picture
£66m Bournville College —  
Longbridge, Birmingham. 

Highlights

Profit before tax
£50.4m

34% 
increase in 
profit before 
tax

m
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2011

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More information on page 28

Equity net assets per share
232p

9% increase 
in net assets 
per share

(based on equity attributable to 
owners of the Company excluding 
non-controlling interests). 

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More information on page 31

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2010

2011

Trading profit
£22.8m

31% increase 
in trading 
profit

(trading profit is defined in Note 2(a) to 
the financial statements).  

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2011

Forward Looking Statements
The Chairman’s Statement, Chief Executive’s Review and the Financial 
Review have been prepared solely to provide additional information 
to shareholders. They contain statements that are forward looking. 
These statements are made by the directors in good faith based on the 
information available to them up to the time of approval of this report. 
Such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent 
uncertainties and risks associated with forward looking information.

More information on page 27

Gearing (on balance sheet)
73%

Gearing 
steady 
at 73%

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More information on page 29

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.uk 
 
 
 
 
02

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011Pictured:
Reflex Nutrition —  
Woodingdean Business Park, Brighton. 

2011 Report Contents

An Overview of the 
Company including the 
Chairman’s Statement

Overview
01  Highlights
06  Chairman’s Statement
08  St. Modwen at a Glance
10  Our Strategy in Action
12  Questions and Answers

Operational and financial 
performance in 2011 and 
prospects for 2012

Business & Financial Review
16  Chief Executive's Review
26  Financial Review
33  Features
42  Risks and Uncertainties

Information regarding 
the Board and how they 
have run the business 
for the benefit of the 
shareholders

Corporate Governance
48  Corporate Social Responsibility
58  Board Members
60  Regional Directors
61  Corporate Governance Report
70  Directors’ Remuneration Report

Our Financial Statements 
for the year

Financial Statements
78  Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
79  Independent Group 
Auditors’ Report

80  Group and Company Accounts 
127 Independent Company 

Auditors’ Report
128 Five Year Record
129 Notice of Annual General Meeting 
135 Glossary of Terms
137 Information for Shareholders 
139 Development Projects
140 Awards

The statutory report of the directors comprises 
the Overview, Business & Financial Review and 
Governance sections of the annual report and has 
been drawn up and presented in accordance with 
English Company Law.

See further information online

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.uk 
 
 
 
 
Overview

An Overview of the Company  
including the Chairman’s Statement

Pictured:
Coed Darcy — Neath, South Wales. 

06

Overview

Chairman’s statement

Adding value to our diverse portfolio 
of properties
“The strong results for 2011 give us further confidence that 
the Company has a robust strategy to deliver value and future 
growth for its shareholders.”

Bill Shannon Non-executive Chairman

Dear Shareholders,

I am very pleased that, in my first 
statement to you as Chairman, I am 
able to report a strong set of results for 
the year, with the Company delivering 
increased profit at both an operating 
and Group level in a difficult economic 
environment.

Profit before tax increased by 34% to 
£50.4m (2010: £37.5m) with shareholders’ 
equity net asset value per share growing 
9% to 232p per share (2010: 213p) after 
paying dividends of 3.1p per share during 
the year (2010: 1.0p).

The basis of these results is the continuing 
and resilient rental income stream from  
our assets, consistent development profits 
and an excellent record of adding value to 
our portfolio through asset management 
and planning initiatives, a particularly 
valuable attribute in a flat market.

We have also continued to improve 
our funding position with all the Group 
corporate debt maturities extended until 
at least 2014 and agreement reached for 
all our required extensions for our joint 
venture debt facilities. With our gearing 
levels held at 73% (2010: 72%), we have a 
solid foundation for the future.

Dividends
Given the strong set of results for the 
year, your Board is recommending a 10% 
increase in the final dividend for the year 
to 2.2p per share (2010: 2.0p per share), 
making a total distribution for the year of 
3.3p (2010: 3.0p). This final dividend will 
be paid on 4th April 2012 to shareholders 
on the register at 9th March 2012.

Strategy
Our strategy remains unchanged: we aim 
to add significant long-term value to the 
properties that we control. Through our 
market leading expertise, we add value 
through remediation, management of the 
planning process, asset management, 
development and delivery. In particular, 
our regional teams focus on opportunities 
where our regeneration expertise enables 
us to generate profits in commercial and 
residential development.

Our timescales for investment are long- 
term, often up to 10 years, so we ensure 
that our business is underpinned by 
the reliable long-term revenue stream 
generated by our portfolio of income 
producing properties. These assets are 
typically held both for income and their 
prospects for future development. Our 
asset management in this area is an area 
of core expertise for the business and is 
proving very successful with net rental 
income having increased again this year 
to £35.5m (2010: £33.7m). The cash from 
this income stream pays for substantially 
all of the cash costs of our overheads and 
interest charges.

Our commercial development activities 
are underpinned by our substantial land 
bank with land acquired at low values 
providing the opportunities for commercial 
development. It is pleasing that we 
have been able to continue to deliver 
good results through this strategy even 
in a difficult marketplace, with a large 
proportion of our current development 
opportunities for 2012 being executed on 
land acquired more than five years ago.

We continue to create and extract value 
from residential land. The value of our 
residential land assets is increasing as we 
manage land through the remediation and 
planning processes and we have been 
able to crystallise significant value during 
the year. Through our joint venture with 
Persimmon and our St. Modwen Homes 
residential arm we have also benefitted 
from development profits from house 
building, and our success to date gives 
us increasing confidence that this will 
be a growing source of income in years 
to come. We continue to believe that 
residential land in England and Wales 
will prove increasingly valuable in the 
medium to long-term, further improving 
the attractiveness of this section of our 
portfolio. 

People
When I took over as Chairman in March 
2011, I succeeded Anthony Glossop. 
Anthony had been key in establishing a 
positive legacy visible in the intellectual 
capital and the potential residing in our 
land assets. 

In my visits to our sites and offices I have 
been impressed that the business has a 
key differentiator in the market place due 
to the expertise and commitment of our 
people. Their effort and dedication has 
produced strong results for your Company 
and will no doubt be an important asset 
as we address the opportunities and 
challenges of the year to come.

I would like to take this opportunity on 
behalf of the Board to thank our people 
for their hard work that has enabled us to 
produce these good results.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201107

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Dividends per share
3.3p

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2011

Prospects
Although the wider economic environment 
remains unpredictable and there may 
still be further challenges for the property 
sector, your Company remains well 
positioned for sustainable growth. Our 
results for 2011 have demonstrated 
our ongoing track record of delivering 
predictable and growing income streams 
while managing our costs and keeping our 
balance sheet in good shape. 

At the same time, looking forward, we can 
see attractive opportunities to generate 
further value from our assets and pipeline. 
Our balance sheet is well structured, our 
regional teams continue to be successful 
in improving asset and land values and 
we are generating profitable commercial 
and residential developments from our 
substantial land bank. 

The strong results for 2011 give us further 
confidence that the Company has the 
resources and expertise to meet whatever 
challenges and opportunities result from 
the current economic uncertainty and has 
a robust strategy to deliver value and future 
growth for its shareholders.

Bill Shannon
Non-executive Chairman

Pictured:
Under Construction.  
Bournville College — Longbridge. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
08

Overview

st. mOdwen at a glanCe

A diverse, UK-wide property portfolio
Our business activities and our land bank are controlled through a network of seven regional 
teams of highly skilled professionals. Our regional presence provides us with local knowledge 
and expertise that keep us in tune with the needs of the local community and ensures that we 
remain politically and economically sensitive to each individual area. 

At a time of pressure on public finances, we believe our regional presence and 
extensive regeneration expertise will prove crucial in building on our established 
relationships with Local Authorities across the country who can continue to look 
to us to reliably deliver regeneration. 

Portfolio Values

37%

Residential 
£404m
Commercial Land  13%
£149m
Income Producing
Property 
£550m

50%

Gross Rent Roll
£46.4m

m
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2011

north west

2 

1 

Yorkshire &  
north east

3

north 
staffordshire

midlands

4 

south west & 
south wales

6

5 

7 

northern 
home Counties

london & 
south east

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201109

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Residential
We acquire sites with the potential for residential development, 
and our asset management skills enable us to add value to 
the land throughout the development process, realising value 
through land sales, by development in a joint venture or in-
house. Our skills in remediating and developing land, managing 
our landholdings through the planning process, and balancing 
commercial and local needs make us an attractive partner to 
landowners and public bodies.

Key Fact
£26m of residential valuation gains generated through 
St. Modwen planning and asset management activities

For more information see Feature on page 34

Commercial Land & Development
Our long-term view allows us to acquire land for minimal 
capital outlay and manage its development through the 
remediation and planning processes, taking advantage of 
local market conditions to realise the land for development 
at the most appropriate time. This strategy means that we 
hold large quantities of land at relatively low values, giving 
us access to a wide variety of development opportunities 
without taking on unnecessary obligations.

Key Fact
£15m of commercial development profit already 
contracted for 2012

For more information see Feature on page 36

Income Producing Property
While all our assets are held for the prospect of generating 
significant future value, we ensure that a major proportion 
of these assets also generate income while we hold them 
prior to development. We aim for the cash received from 
this income to pay for all of the cash expenses and financing 
costs of running the overall business.

Key Fact
£39m of net rental and other income produced by 
these properties in the 2011 Financial Year

For more information see Feature on page 40

Pictured 
Top: Locking Parklands — Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Middle: The Hive Leisure Complex — Widnes, Cheshire.
Bottom: Etrop Court — Wythenshawe, Manchester.

See further information online

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
10

Overview

Our strategY in aCtiOn

Flexibility to move with market demands
Through being the UK’s leading regeneration specialist with a focus on long-term added value, 
secure dependable and consistently strong returns.

Strategy

Strategic
Priority

2011 Outcomes

Priorities for 2012

Strategy in
Practice

Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) Applied

KPI 
Outcome

Operational 

Results

Principal 

Risks

Secure  
excellent returns

Invest at a point in the property lifecycle 
from where maximum development returns 
can be extracted. 

Controllable profit growth.

Profit before tax up 34% to £50.4m.

Continue to grow development profits 

Wider economic issues affect property 

Shareholders’ equity NAV growth.

Maximise individual asset values through 
our locally based expertise.

Absolute and relative Total Shareholder 
Return.

Recycle assets where significant 
opportunities are exhausted.

Committed future profits increasing as a 
proportion of development profit secured in 
the last 12 months.

Key 

Initiatives

residential.

Shareholders’ equity NAV up 9% to 

232p per share.

Final dividend increased 10% but share 

price below November 2010.

Over £15m of development profit 

(excluding residential) already committed 

for 2012.

and create valuation gains, particularly in 

values and equity valuations.

Strive to demonstrate the Group’s 

complex process with successful 

inherent value and long-term prospects.

delivery depending on continued 

excellence in the application of our 

The management of developments is a 

Grow net assets so that dividends can 

expertise.

also grow. Continue to secure profitable 

development to generate consistent 

future returns.

Through a focus 
on long-term 
significant 
added value 

Build land bank to bring through future 
opportunities.

Land bank growth – land acquisitions 120% 
or greater than disposals.

Developable land bank increased to 

Selective and capital efficient 

5,762 acres.

acquisitions.

Our work is conducted in a complex 

legal and regulatory environment meaning 

that we need to be able to successfully 

Continued programme of recycling and 
reinvestment.

Create predictable, dependable and cash 
backed income streams.

Significant proportion of all assets at the 
start of the financial year recycled by the 
end of the year.

£75m of assets sold or committed to sell 

under the Persimmon Joint Venture.

Continued recycling of assets with limited 

adapt our asset strategies over the long 

opportunity for significant added value.

term.

While protecting 
existing assets

Maintain sufficient income to cover 
business running costs. Have financing 
cost and availability certainty. 

Rental income cash received greater than 
overhead and interest cash paid.

Net rents up 5% to £35.5m. Income 

Effective asset management to maximise 

Significant contraction in available 

from income producing properties pays 

returns.

for substantially all of cash overhead and 

funding costs.

Continue to put in place extended and 

flexible financing facilities.

banking facilities reduces the opportunity 

for strategic investment.

See through Loan To Value less than 50%.

See through loan to value 39%. 

Corporate gearing less than 75%

Gearing 73%.

More than 24 months of committed facilities 
to cover drawn corporate debt.

All corporate consolidated facilities 

extended until at least 2014. Terms 

agreed for all joint venture facilities in 

need of extension.

Legend:

Outcome ahead of KPI

In line with KPI

Behind KPI

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201111

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2011 Outcomes

See further information online

Priorities for 2012

Strategy in

Practice

Key Performance Indicators

(KPIs) Applied

KPI 

Outcome

Operational 
Results

Key 
Initiatives

Principal 
Risks

Invest at a point in the property lifecycle 

Controllable profit growth.

Profit before tax up 34% to £50.4m.

from where maximum development returns 

can be extracted. 

Shareholders’ equity NAV growth.

Maximise individual asset values through 

Absolute and relative Total Shareholder 

our locally based expertise.

Return.

Recycle assets where significant 

opportunities are exhausted.

Committed future profits increasing as a 

proportion of development profit secured in 

the last 12 months.

Shareholders’ equity NAV up 9% to 
232p per share.

Final dividend increased 10% but share 
price below November 2010.

Over £15m of development profit 
(excluding residential) already committed 
for 2012.

Continue to grow development profits 
and create valuation gains, particularly in 
residential.

Strive to demonstrate the Group’s 
inherent value and long-term prospects.

Grow net assets so that dividends can 
also grow. Continue to secure profitable 
development to generate consistent 
future returns.

Wider economic issues affect property 
values and equity valuations.

The management of developments is a 
complex process with successful 
delivery depending on continued 
excellence in the application of our 
expertise.

Through a focus 

Build land bank to bring through future 

Land bank growth – land acquisitions 120% 

opportunities.

or greater than disposals.

Developable land bank increased to 
5,762 acres.

Selective and capital efficient 
acquisitions.

£75m of assets sold or committed to sell 
under the Persimmon Joint Venture.

Continued recycling of assets with limited 
opportunity for significant added value.

Our work is conducted in a complex 
legal and regulatory environment meaning 
that we need to be able to successfully 
adapt our asset strategies over the long 
term.

Strategy

Strategic

Priority

Secure  

excellent returns

on long-term 

significant 

added value 

Net rents up 5% to £35.5m. Income 
from income producing properties pays 
for substantially all of cash overhead and 
funding costs.

Effective asset management to maximise 
returns.

Significant contraction in available 
banking facilities reduces the opportunity 
for strategic investment.

Continue to put in place extended and 
flexible financing facilities.

See through Loan To Value less than 50%.

See through loan to value 39%. 

Corporate gearing less than 75%

Gearing 73%.

More than 24 months of committed facilities 

to cover drawn corporate debt.

All corporate consolidated facilities 
extended until at least 2014. Terms 
agreed for all joint venture facilities in 
need of extension.

Continued programme of recycling and 

reinvestment.

Create predictable, dependable and cash 

backed income streams.

Significant proportion of all assets at the 

start of the financial year recycled by the 

end of the year.

While protecting 

existing assets

Maintain sufficient income to cover 

Rental income cash received greater than 

business running costs. Have financing 

overhead and interest cash paid.

cost and availability certainty. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
12

Overview

QuestiOns and answers

“Our long-term approach and ability to extract significant returns means that we could find an 
entrepreneurial opportunity in any sector.”

Q. Which sectors of the property market do 
you regard as having the best prospects for 
growth?

A. Our long-term approach and ability to extract significant 
returns means that we could find an entrepreneurial opportunity 
in any sector. Over the next couple of years, we see significant 
opportunities in taking residential land through the planning and 
development process, particularly in the South East. Across the 
rest of England and Wales, we expect most markets to be muted 
but we still expect to derive consistent development returns 
because of the range of opportunities offered by our assets and 
our land bank.

Q. What do you see happening in the 
residential sector over the next few years?

A. We are seeing consistent demand for residential land and 
development particularly in the South East. While levels are clearly 
considerably below where they were before the recent economic 
problems, it seems that the housebuilders are now generally in 
much better shape. People are buying land, building and selling 
houses and, with ongoing Government support, we expect this to 
continue.

Q. What do you enjoy about St. Modwen?

A. It’s a great feeling to track the stages in our product lifecycle. 
When you stand back you can see value being created as we 
identify the land, plan and deliver the remediation, manage the 
planning cycle, secure users, construct and deliver development 
and then hand over the property. Around the country there are 
properties developed by St. Modwen where literally tens of 
thousands of people now live, work, shop and play. To me, being 
a part of that process with these end results improving the lives of 
so many people is very rewarding.

Bill Shannon
Non-executive Chairman

Q. After a year in the role, how have you 
found St. Modwen and what has surprised 
you the most?

A. I have taken the time to visit many sites and the biggest 
impression has been the depth of expertise in St. Modwen. At all 
levels in the business, people are committed to getting the most 
from the assets that they are looking after by applying their skills, 
collective experience and entrepreneurial culture.

Q. How do you think St. Modwen  
differentiates itself in the market place? 

A. We are a business with a focus on extracting significant 
long-term value from the assets that we hold. Our local presence 
and relationships, delivery track record, our ability to see the 
opportunity in what others perceive as difficult assets and a 
financial structure that gives us the flexibility to act quickly, means 
that we are able to secure a good stream of transactions in a 
difficult market.

Q. Given the current environment, what steps 
have you taken to de-risk your business?

A. We make sure that all of our transactions are underpinned 
by a reliable source of income. In addition, extending all our 
corporate debt facilities is a clear positive. It’s fair to say that  
St. Modwen is a business structured to prosper in more difficult 
environments. Our long-term focus means that we have been 
able to consistently derive trading profits and add value to our 
assets, while our income producing portfolio has always had 
a short lease profile in order to facilitate development. This 
necessitates a relatively high turnover of short-term tenants, so 
we are specifically structured to deal with this, which is extremely 
helpful in a difficult market. The fact that we have increased our 
net rental income every year since 2008 provides solid evidence 
for this.

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See further information online

Bill Oliver
Chief Executive

Q. What progress has the Company made 
and what do you consider to be your greatest 
achievement during the year?

A. We had some notable successes in 2011 and we have been 
able to achieve these in a flat property market. As a developer, we 
need to be able to secure and deliver development profits and be 
able to add value to our assets whatever the state of the market. 
I’m proud that we have been able to achieve that.

Q. What are your priorities for the year ahead?

A. To take advantage of the considerable opportunities that we 
see in front of us; to continue to manage our income properties 
well so that we generate sufficient income to pay for substantially 
all of our overhead and financing costs; and to make sure that we 
continue to be well positioned for future years.

Q. How do you characterise the St. Modwen 
asset base and the management of those 
assets?

A. Our asset base is diverse with considerable scope to create 
asset improvement opportunities. Our size and regional network, 
successful experience with challenging and complex projects 
and the skill and commitment of our people means that we can 
continue to secure returns where others may struggle.

Q. Secondary property is out of favour with 
many investors — how are you able to create 
value from these kind of properties?

A. It is true that many secondary properties across the UK are 
likely to face issues over the next few years. If, however, you can 
identify and deliver added value with a long-term approach through 
development, management of the planning process or intensive 
management of the asset then you can create substantial value 
in any market. These opportunities characterise our portfolio, so 
we remain positive. Needing to preserve this scope for value also 
means that we are very selective about the assets that we acquire. 

Q. How do you finance your business?

A. It is important for us to balance certainty of funding with the 
flexibility needed to take advantage of opportunities quickly. We 
therefore use the recurring income from our properties to finance 
flexible revolving credit facilities. In addition, to give us certainty of 
cost, we hedge against future interest rate movement risk.

Q. Given the current banking crisis, are you 
concerned about the future availability of 
bank finance? 
A. We have strong banking relationships and the recent funding 
extensions that we have secured demonstrate the support of 
our banking partners. Our investments look for the creation of 
significant value, so our strategy would not be affected by price 
variations and, because all elements of our strategy evolve over 
time, in the medium term we will evaluate all potential sources of 
finance to make sure that we have the best fit for our business.

Q. Retail assets make up 19% of your 
portfolio and contribute heavily to your 
development profits — are you concerned 
about recent retail administrations and 
the less positive outlook from some major 
retailers? 
A. Our retail assets are focused on centres with high footfall, 
low rents and consequently high occupancy levels. As a result, 
even when financing issues cause some retailers to go into 
administration, we have high demand for the space that they 
occupy. When Woolworths ceased trading, we were very 
successful at re-letting the space — often at a higher rent.

While some retailers may slow their expansion, we are seeing other 
major retail operators accelerate their growth plans. We currently 
have over 20 foodstore opportunities under discussion. While not 
all of these opportunities will come to fruition, we remain confident 
about the future. 

Q. How do you see the year ahead? 
A. We have reason to be optimistic of achieving a good trading 
performance based on a strong rent roll, significant profits forecast 
from developments already underway, opportunities to add value 
through the planning process and predictable and controllable 
costs. While it’s possible that some property values may decline 
slightly in 2012, overall we are confident about our prospects for 
the year to come.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
Business & 
Financial review

Operational and financial performance 
in 2011 and prospects for 2012

Pictured:
Siemens — Teal Park, Lincolnshire. 

16

Business & Financial Review

ChieF exeCutive’s review

Operating from a strong financial position

“We have had a very successful year in which the application 
of the experience, skills and expertise in our business has 
resulted in almost all areas of the business performing well, 
despite the challenges posed by the market conditions.”

Bill Oliver Chief Executive

We have had a very successful year in 
which the application of the experience, 
skills and expertise in our business has 
resulted in almost all areas of the business 
performing well, despite the challenges 
posed by the market conditions.

Through our intensive and active asset 
management we have improved rental 
income streams, added value to existing 
assets by undertaking enhancement 
works and, through management of the 
planning process, we have continued 
to be active in development. This has 
included creating a strong pipeline 
of opportunities for future years, and 
successfully continuing to recycle our 
assets.

As a result of these efforts, profits before 
tax are up 34%, we have strong visibility 
on a pipeline of healthy opportunities for 
future years and we are strongly placed to 
take advantage of those prospects.

Strategy Overview
As a business we have always sought to 
add significant value to the assets that we 
hold. We have a long and successful track 
record which demonstrates our ability to 
achieve this and we are very pleased that 
2011 has been another year in which we 
have generated significant value for our 
shareholders.

We acquire assets where we can see 
future development opportunities. 
Consequently, we are constantly working 
to add value to these assets through 
remediation, development, asset 
management or through our careful 
management of the planning process. 
Our regionally based teams assess 
each asset and evolve the strategy to 
suit local market conditions; so, even 
in difficult markets, we are able to drive 
good performance from our assets. Our 
portfolio of income producing assets 
(each of which also has development 
potential) substantially covers our 
business funding and running costs, 
while we additionally invest in commercial 
and residential assets that can deliver 
significant long-term returns.

As a result of this strategy, we hold a 
portfolio from which we are confident we 
can create future value and, while we are 
not able to accurately predict the effects 
of the current Eurozone crisis on future 
property values, our track record has 
shown that we can continue to do this 
even in difficult markets. 

Market Overview
The wider economic environment 
remains challenging. The Eurozone 
macroeconomic issues in the second half 
of 2011 have restricted confidence in the 
UK economy and reduced the funding 
appetite of UK banks. Consequently the 
transaction levels for most property asset 
types remain limited.

Despite these negatives, good 
opportunities do exist. The strength of 
our business, our regional organisation, 
our land bank and our funding structure 
means that we are very much open for 
business with both the capacity and the 
will to develop. Many of our previous 
competitors have dropped away over 
recent years and so we are able to secure 
an increased share of a reduced market. 
Furthermore, the challenging market 
conditions also affect our suppliers and 
contractors, meaning that we can pass 
on cost savings to our customers while 
maintaining our own profitability.

The UK planning environment continues 
to evolve with the localism agenda 
counteracting the need for simplification 
of the planning system. While some 
unnecessary complexities look set to 
be removed, it remains likely that new 
complications will emerge. One of the 
Company’s key strengths is its ability to 
guide schemes effectively through the 
planning process, managing the many 
stakeholders and their interests as well as 
overcoming any legal complications. 

These skills, and the resources necessary 
to deploy them, remain scarce, particularly 
away from London and we are confident 
that this ensures we have a sustainable 
market advantage in progressing 
development across the UK.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201117

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The UK house building market is much 
reduced from its peak levels, but remains 
active. Well located and ready-to-use land 
remains in demand and realises sensible 
values. While mortgage availability is 
reduced, the combined factors of the 
long-term housing shortage in the UK, 
the more vibrant South East of England 
economy and Government initiatives to 
support the housing market mean that 
there remains a good market for new 
homes. 

Through our agreements with Persimmon 
and our own St. Modwen Homes 
developments we are able to capitalise 
on this demand, with all of our sites 
generating house sales at rates and prices 
exceeding our previous expectations.

Pictured:
Morrisons – Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
18

Business & Financial Review

ChieF exeCutive’s review continued

Portfolio Values

37%

Residential 
£404m
Commercial Land  13%
£149m
Income Producing 
Property 
£550m

50%

Operating Review
Portfolio
There are three main areas of our business, 
each supported by a proven business 
strategy:

Residential 
37% by value of our portfolio. 

Commercial Land and Development
13% by value of our portfolio.

Income Producing Property
50% by value of our portfolio.

Portfolio Shape
Over the last year we have focused our 
investment into active developments or 
into income producing assets. Where we 
have acquired residential or commercial 
land we have used capital efficient 
development agreements or acquired the 
land at very low value with long-term plans 
in mind. The value of our residential asset 
portfolio has generally been increased 
through our own asset management 
initiatives, particularly in the South East of 
England where almost 50% by value of our 
residential assets are located.

Once we can no longer see opportunities 
to add significant value to an asset, we aim 
to realise the asset and recycle the money 
into our portfolio. During 2011 we have 
realised £95m from asset disposals and 
spent £96m on acquisitions and capital 
expenditure.

Pictured:
St. Modwen Homes — Locking Parklands, 
Weston-super-Mare. 

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201119

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Driving value through active management

“During this financial year we have been able to add significant value by managing our assets 
through the planning process, have sold assets effectively, and have commenced active 
development on two sites for St. Modwen Homes and three held through our joint venture 
with Persimmon.”

Developable Acres Analysis

Total acres

Developable
— Retail
— Industrial & Commercial
— Residential
— Not yet specified

November
2011

November
2010

357
2,869
1,646
890
5,762

368
2,927
1,550
891
5,736

Residential
Strategy
We acquire sites with the potential for 
residential development, and our asset 
management skills enable us to add value 
to the land throughout the development 
process, realising value through land 
sales or by development in joint venture 
or in-house. Our skills in remediating 
and developing land, managing our 
landholdings through the planning 
process, and balancing commercial and 
local needs make us an attractive partner 
to landowners and public bodies.

During this financial year we have been 
able to add significant value by managing 
our assets through the planning process, 
have sold assets effectively, and have 
commenced active development on 
two sites for St. Modwen Homes and 
three held through our joint venture with 
Persimmon.

We have also been able to progress 
future opportunities; we are progressing 
with the development of a further four 
sites by our Persimmon joint venture, 
have identified opportunities to create 

significant further value through our VSM 
joint venture with Vinci UK plc and have 
targeted public sector opportunities 
where our strengths can lead to major 
value creation for both ourselves and the 
public sector. 

Driving Value Through Active 
Management
During the course of the 2011 financial 
year our independent valuers, Jones 
Lang LaSalle, have assessed that our 
work has added £26m of value to our 
residential portfolio. The properties where 
these gains have principally been made 
include: 

zz Llanwern/Glan Llyn, Newport, 

South Wales where construction 
commenced on 311 homes. The site 
has outline consent for 4,000 homes, 
the first phase of which has been 
commenced by Persimmon.

zz Coed Darcy, Neath, South Wales, 

having resolved Compulsory Purchase 
Order issues, detailed planning 
applications were submitted for further 
development with an increased outline 
consent for up to 4,000 homes.

zz Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon, 
Warwickshire with outline planning 
consent secured for the development 
of up to 500 homes.

zz Longbridge, Birmingham with 
detailed planning applications 
submitted for further development 
of 229 homes in addition to the 113 
homes already under construction by 
St. Modwen Homes and strong levels 
of initial sales.

Future Opportunities
zz Branston, Burton on Trent — 

planning application submitted for 
660 homes and employment space 
on 280 acres of land for mixed use 
development.

zz Pye Green, Hednesford, Cannock 

— planning application submitted for 
up to 700 high quality homes on a 
142 acre development to the north of 
Cannock Town Centre.

zz Melton Park, Hull — proposals being 
worked up to adapt part of the 100 
acre Melton Park for residential 
development in response to the 
current need for new family homes.

zz South Ockendon, Essex — outline 
planning permission obtained for 
650 homes on a 31 acre former car 
factory site acquired from Ford in 
2006. The scheme will form a key 
part of the delivery of new housing in 
the Thames Gateway.

Within our VSM joint venture two key 
sites remain: Uxbridge and Mill Hill. Our 
strategy for both of these sites is well 
developed. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
20

Business & Financial Review

ChieF exeCutive’s review continued

Successful Persimmon Relationship

“The combination of these new sites plus the three existing Persimmon sites should 
provide us with a recurring consistent stream of cash-backed income and profit for the 
next four to six years.”

At Mill Hill we have entered into a joint 
venture with the adjoining landowners 
Annington Holdings plc and the London 
Borough of Barnet. The site obtained 
planning consent in 2011 for 2,174 
residential units of which VSM’s share 
is 57.55%. We have released the first 
two phases for sale and have been 
encouraged by the level of interest and 
land values which clearly demonstrates 
the appetite for well located, de-risked 
residential land. 

At Uxbridge we have obtained planning 
permission for 1,340 units plus 
approximately 200,000 sqft of B1/retail 
space. As with Mill Hill the site is well 
located within the M25 and we expect 
demand to be strong when we release 
the first phase for sale in 2012.

Residential Development
We continue to see an active market for 
residential land. Over 80% (more than 
20,000 plots) of our portfolio has either 
planning permissions or allocations within 
local plans with significant further value 
anticipated to be extracted from this land 
bank over future years. 

During the course of 2011 we sold 
residential land to the value of £45m 
with an additional £27m of land being 
contracted within the Persimmon joint 
venture. All of these transactions were 
conducted at or above book value.

Residential Development

With planning recognition
— Allocated in local plan or similar
— Resolution to grant
— Outline permission
— Detailed permission

No planning recognition
Total residential land

November 2011
Units

Acres

November 2010
Units

Acres

227
14
870
82
1,193
453
1,646

4,410
246
14,349
1,366
20,371
4,351
24,722

309
39
794
68
1,210
340
1,550

6,550
806
12,239
1,129
20,724
4,081
24,805

Persimmon Joint Venture 
Our view that the residential land 
market remains active is reinforced by 
the continued appetite for our land by 
Persimmon and by the positive customer 
response to the two joint venture sites 
that we have initially started marketing, 
at Goodyear in Wolverhampton and Glan 
Llyn in Newport, South Wales. 

We are currently progressing for the 
inclusion of a further four sites into the 
joint venture, making a total of about 
2,000 plots. The combination of these 
new sites plus the three existing sites 
should provide us with a recurring 
consistent stream of cash-backed income 
and profit for the next four to six years.

St. Modwen Homes
Our initial St. Modwen Homes sites at 
Park View in Birmingham and Locking 
Parklands in Weston-super-Mare have 
also seen very good initial success, with 
both volumes and prices being ahead of 
our expectations. While this part of our 
business is unlikely ever to generate sales 
of more than 500 units per year, it helps 
to prove the value of our projects and  
provides a useful additional skill set and 
a route to market that can be undertaken 
using St. Modwen’s own capabilities and 
resources.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201121

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Residential Development Sales
Across all of our active residential 
development sites (both in the Persimmon 
joint venture and through St. Modwen 
Homes) both the sales rates and prices 
have been above our expectations with, 
excluding 54 pre-sold social housing units, 
an average of over 1.5 units confirmed 
reservations per site per week to date. 

Residential Outlook
Our current activities should provide 
profitability in future years because our 
land is well located and represents the 
type of land that is currently in demand.  
In addition, our valuations do not factor 
in any future increase in values and 
assume standard house builder margin. 
Our ability to add value through the 
planning process is clearly visible and our 
current development activities are proving 
successful. Consequently, we believe that 
we will generate significant value in this 
area in future years.

Pictured:
Headquarters office development for  
Viridor — Firepool, Taunton. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
22

Business & Financial Review

ChieF exeCutive’s review continued

Reduced but continued occupier demand

“We continue to find good commercial development opportunities that are not reliant on 
speculative development. Furthermore, our activity level means that we are able to secure 
excellent terms from financially stable main contractors, providing attractive terms for 
occupiers while preserving our profit levels.”

Commercial Land 
and Development
Strategy
Our long-term view allows us to acquire 
land for reduced capital outlay and 
manage its development through the 
remediation and planning processes, 
taking advantage of local market 
conditions to release the land for 
development at the most appropriate 
time. This strategy means that we hold 
a lot of land at relatively low values, 
giving us access to a wide variety of 
development opportunities without taking 
on unnecessary obligations.

In the current market the extent of our 
land bank, again coupled with our local 
expertise, means that we are able to 
identify and meet occupiers’ demands 
quickly and efficiently. This gives us a 
distinct advantage over many of our 
competitors, meaning that we are able to 
consistently generate good cash-backed 
profits from commercial development 
even in a subdued marketplace.

Market Commentary
The UK commercial development market 
is subdued, particularly outside of London 
and the South East. Few potential tenants 
have the confidence to make substantial 
investment, and those that do often 
expect an attractive commercial deal. We 
are, however, seeing increasingly limited 
competition in this area. There is a general 
unwillingness to invest in short-term 
commercial land and there is restricted 
availability of bank funding for developers. 

Despite the lack of growth in the wider 
economy and individual retailer issues 
there continues to be occupier demand 
from retailers, particularly for foodstores. 
We have two major foodstores currently in 
development and have active negotiations 
or discussions in place for more in future 
years. Wider retailer demand for space in 
attractive developments is also present.

Active Developments
zz Hednesford Town Centre & Tesco 

Foodstore, Staffordshire

zz Longbridge Town Centre & 

Sainsbury’s Foodstore, Birmingham

zz myplace, Youth Centre, Longbridge, 

Birmingham

zz Viridor Office Facility, Firepool, Taunton

Where industrial and commercial 
occupiers have pressing needs for new 
premises through business growth, lease 
expiry or new location requirements, we 
are well placed to service this demand. 
Our existing land bank continues to 
provide us with opportunities and we are 
able to replenish our land bank for minimal 
initial capital outlay. Our funding structure 
does not rely on development finance and 
our local presence means that we can be 
alive to opportunity. 

Consequently, we continue to find good 
commercial development opportunities 
that are not reliant on speculative 
development. Furthermore, our activity 
level means that we are able to secure 
excellent terms from financially stable 
main contractors, providing attractive 
terms for occupiers while preserving our 
profit levels.

zz Skypark, Exeter

zz Phoenix Retail Park, Longton, Stoke-

on-Trent

zz Siemens PLC Office & Production 

Facility, Teal Park, Lincoln

zz The Vine, St. Matthew’s Quarter, 

Walsall

zz North Square, Edmonton, London

Developments Completed 
During the Year

zz Etrop Court, Wythenshawe, 

Manchester — 48,000 sq ft office 
complex let to Manchester City 
Council. Investment sale completed.

zz Bournville College, Longbridge, 

Birmingham — 250,000 sq ft, six 
storey educational facility for over 
15,000 students occupying 4.2 
acres of the new Longbridge Town 
Centre; including a learning resource 
centre, business school, construction 
workshop and leisure and sport 
facilities.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201123

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Developable Land Bank (acres)
5,762 acres

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2009

2010

2011

zz The Hive Leisure Park (Venture 

Fields), Widnes — 100,000 sq ft 
leisure complex with attractions 
including a five-screen Reel Cinema, 
16 lane Widnes Superbowl plus 
Nando’s restaurant and 60 bedroom 
Premier Inn with adjoining Brewers 
Fayre family pub and restaurant. 
Investment sold.

zz Connah’s Quay, Flintshire — 72,000 

sq ft retail scheme including a 52,000 
sq ft Morrisons foodstore, creating 
over 300 new jobs with lettings to 
a wide range of national retailers 
including Greggs, Bargain Booze, 
Just Go Travel and Home Bargains. 
Investment sold.

zz Travelodge Hotel — 73 room hotel at 

Edmonton, London. 

Future Opportunities 
Significant current commercial 
development opportunities with planning 
recognition on land owned or controlled 
by St. Modwen include:

zz Swansea University — creation of a 

new campus.

zz Elephant & Castle, Southwark, 
London — Regeneration of the 
existing shopping centre with the 
opportunity for up to 1,000 residential 
units above.

zz Great Homer Street, Liverpool — 

80,000 sq ft foodstore plus 50,000 
sq ft of further retail.

Pictured:
Pictured:
Skypark, Exeter. 
Ditatium dolorer ibusam eliae pratem qui 
omnimus nobitatis ipistrum latquam ea 
quia nem doloriatqui il maios etur.

Pictured:
Pictured:
Aldi — Goodyear, Wolverhampton. 
Ditatium dolorer ibusam eliae pratem qui 
omnimus nobitatis ipistrum latquam ea 
quia nem doloriatqui il maios etur. 

Land Bank Comments
During the course of the year we have 
increased our developable land bank 
from 5,736 to 5,762 acres. The main 
movements during the year have been:

zz 65 acres of developable land have 
been used or sold for development 
during the course of the year.

zz We have acquired at agricultural 

prices 62 acres of former Coal Board 
land in the Midlands that we believe 
has the potential for long-term 
development.

zz We have successfully concluded 
a development agreement with 
Dyson Group plc for 105 acres of 
ex-industrial land that we believe 
will offer commercial and residential 
opportunities over the medium term.

Commercial Land and 
Development Outlook
While this market is currently difficult we 
have sufficient developments underway 
and sufficient opportunities identified 
to give us confidence in our ability to 
generate a stream of development profits 
in the years to come. While demand 
may fluctuate we typically hold our land 
at low values or through development 
agreements and so do not expect our 
balance sheet to be materially affected 
by any reductions in commercial land 
values. The land bank that we hold, 
our local expertise and our ability to 
manage planning processes and local 
stakeholders means that we remain 
confident of future returns in this area.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24

Business & Financial Review

ChieF exeCutive’s review continued

A reliable, recurring income stream

“Our ability to successfully manage our portfolio in difficult economic environments has  
been clearly demonstrated in recent years, and the 5% increase in net rental income in 2011 
is very pleasing.”

Income Producing 
Properties
Strategy
While all our assets are ultimately held 
because of the prospect of generating 
significant future value, we ensure that 
a major proportion of these assets also 
generate income while we hold them prior 
to development. We aim for the cash 
received from this income to pay for all of 
the cash expenses and financing costs of 
running the overall business.

Efficiency in managing this portfolio 
of income carries a high priority for 
the business. We invest in a locally 
based asset management capability 
that enables us to effectively manage 
tenancies, receipts and outgoings, identify 
opportunities to improve values and to 
find new tenants.

Despite the problematic economic 
environment we continue to be very 
successful in this area, and we have 
consistently been able to improve our 
gross and net rental income. Our gross 
and net rental income has increased 
again in 2011 and the income from 
this portfolio of properties continues 
to substantially cover all of our cash 
outgoings for running the business (see 
Note 2 to the accounts).

Income Producing Portfolio Analysis
The development opportunity oriented 
nature of our portfolio means that we 
typically hold properties that have high 
yields and low affordable rents on 
relatively short tenancies. At the year 
end we held over 100 income producing 
properties with a book value of £550m 
(2010: £525m). The average lease length 

Portfolio Yield Analysis

Retail
Offices
Industrial
Portfolio

Equivalent

Net Initial

Nov 2011

Nov 2010 Nov 2011

Nov 2010

8.4%
8.7%
9.1%
8.8%

8.6%
8.9%
9.2%
8.9%

7.4%
6.4%
7.7%
7.4%

7.3%
6.7%
7.7%
7.4%

at the year end was 4.6 years (2010: 5.1 
years) while our active asset management 
means that occupancy levels have been 
increased to 87.9% (2010: 87.6%). 
Administrations have been kept to a 
low level and we have attracted more 
new tenants than have left our assets. 
Generally like-for-like valuations have been 
flat, with changes in values as a result of 
our asset management.

Industrial
Industrial assets make up 49% of the 
income producing assets (25% of  
the Group’s overall property portfolio). 
These are often older assets with a 
variety of future opportunities, including 
potential conversion through the planning 
process to other uses. Our active asset 
management and the often flexible nature 
of the properties has meant that we have 
continued to be successful in this section 
of the market.

While the UK industrial environment is far 
from buoyant, industrial initial yields have 
been consistent from year to year. We 
have had some notable letting successes 
such as at Parkside in Doncaster and 
Long Marston in Warwickshire. Since 
the year end we are also pleased that 
our largest individual lease, for Shanghai 

Automotive at Longbridge in Birmingham, 
which is currently producing rent at £1.5m 
per year, will now extend until at least 
2024 following the expiry of a break notice 
period.

Retail
Retail assets make up 38% of the income 
producing portfolio (19% of the Group’s 
overall property portfolio). We invest in 
well located retail assets where we believe 
we can create significant future value 
through a combination of development 
and effective asset management. This 
strategy means that we have tended to 
invest in retail assets where there is a high 
footfall of shoppers spending on essential 
purchases, rather than in destination 
shopping centres.

This strategy has meant that our retail 
assets have continued to perform well 
in the current economic environment, 
with retailers attracted to our centres, 
shoppers continuing to spend on 
their essential purchases and ongoing 
developments to improve the retail 
centres being successful. Credit control in 
this area remains a high priority. 

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201125

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Vacancy Rates
12%

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Income Producing 
Property Proportions

Net Rental Income
£35.5m

Industrial 
£271m
Retail 
£209m

Office 
£70m

49%

38%

13%

m
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3
3

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m
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3
3

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m
7
3
3

.

m
5
5
3

.

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Nevertheless we continue to see 
opportunity. In the last year we have 
taken advantage of development 
opportunities at Wythenshawe in 
Manchester and at Edmonton in North 
London. We have invested in a new asset 
at Farnworth in Bolton, which we believe 
has asset management and development 
potential. We have also made significant 
progress in the development plans for 
Elephant & Castle in Central London 
where we have signed a development 
agreement with the London Borough 
of Southwark and we are pursuing 
a residential and retail development 
opportunity. 

Office
Office assets make up only 13% of the 
income producing portfolio (6% of the 
Group’s overall property portfolio). We 
have in past years invested in office 
assets where we could see development 
opportunities or where the creation of 
a business technology centre assisted 
with a wider development. We have had 
some success in letting existing assets 
during the course of the year but due to 
the current economic climate we do not 
see this as an area for substantial future 
investment.

Summary and 
Business Outlook
2011 has been a successful year for the 
business and we have the foundations 
in place to deliver successful results in 
2012. Our developments in progress 
at Hednesford, Longbridge, Lincoln 
and a variety of others, plus our active 
house building sites give us a pipeline 
of property development profits that 
is potentially set to exceed the results 
achieved in 2011, with additional 
opportunities still being identified.

While we are unable to predict the 
impact of the Eurozone sovereign debt 
crisis on asset values we know that our 
asset portfolio will provide us with many 
opportunities to add significant value in 
the years to come.

We are in the process of delivering 
significant residential and development 
projects that underpin our property profits 
for 2012 and beyond. We can see clear 
opportunities to add value to our assets 
through the planning process.

Our asset management ability gives us 
confidence in our ability to make our 
property assets continue to perform well.

Income Producing 
Properties Outlook
Our ability to successfully manage 
our portfolio in difficult economic 
environments has been clearly 
demonstrated in recent years, and the 
5% increase in net rental income in 2011 
is very pleasing. It seems likely that the 
economic environment will continue to 
prove difficult in 2012, but our asset 
management ability and flexible portfolio 
give us every opportunity to maintain and 
improve our current position.

Where opportunities arise for investment 
in well located properties with the chance 
to add significant future value, then we 
will continue to use our local knowledge 
and flexible financial position to take 
advantage of the investment. Over 
the course of the next 12 months we 
anticipate that this is more likely to be in 
the area of industrial properties than retail, 
and unlikely to be in offices, but we will 
judge each opportunity on its own merits.

People
The St. Modwen business model is 
based on a hands-on and proactive 
approach. The core skills of our people 
in asset management, remediation, 
development and the management of 
the planning process are locally based 
and fundamental to our success. Their 
contribution in 2011 has driven our 
successful results. We continue to invest 
in and incentivise our people in order to 
grow their abilities, build their success 
and hence build the future success of the 
business. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
26

Business & Financial Review

FinanCial review

Predictable Trading Profit

“Looking forward we can see predictable and consistent 
trading profit income streams and controllable costs.”

Michael Dunn Group Finance Director

Income Statement
Our business model is based on cash 
from core rental and other income 
covering the cash costs of running the 
business (property outgoings, overheads 
and interest). This provides a solid 
base from which the Group can drive 
profits from its development activities 
and add value to its existing assets 
through planning and asset management 
activities.

As we utilise a number of joint venture 
arrangements, the statutory financial 
statement disclosures do not always 
provide a straightforward way of 
understanding our business. To enable 
a better understanding we also provide 
information including the Group’s share 
of joint ventures. A full reconciliation is 
provided in Note 2 to the accounts. 

Trading Profit
Net Rental Income
Our focus on this core area of our 
business has continued over the last year 
and we are pleased to have increased 
the Group’s share of net rental income to 
£35.5m, an increase of 5% year-on-year. 
This has been driven both by increasing 
gross annualised rental income from 
£45.7m to £46.4m, and by successfully 
managing our property outgoings. 

As a development business we will always 
hold a relatively high level of void as we 
prepare assets for development. Despite 
the difficult business environment we 
have been able to maintain our position 

Pictured:
Phoenix Retail Park –  
Longton, Stoke-On-Trent. 

Pictured:
Travelodge — Edmonton Green, Enfield.

with overall occupancy levels maintained 
at 88%. Our weighted average lease 
length also remains broadly constant at 
4.6 years (2010: 5.1 years), before taking 
into account the impact of the extension 
of the Shanghai Automotive lease at 
Longbridge.

Property Profits
We have maintained our track record 
of recurring realised property profit 
delivery. Property profits, including our 
share of joint ventures, were £23.8m 
(2010: £21.9m). This included significant 
contributions from our portfolio of BP 
remediation sites and a broad portfolio 
of pre-let and pre-sold developments 
(including Bournville College, Manchester 
City Council and Travelodge). As well 
as realising profits from the disposal of 

residential land we are also pleased to 
realise the initial profits from our first St. 
Modwen Homes development at Park 
View in Birmingham. 

Overheads
As a regional business with a spread 
of properties across England and 
Wales, our cost base is largely driven 
by the employment of skilled teams of 
professionals to manage the existing 
and potential assets. While we have 
gradually moved our skills towards the 
greater future opportunities in residential 
land and in the South East of England, 
we have been able to do this without 
altering our cost base. The Group’s share, 
including joint ventures and associates, 
of administrative expenses for 2011 is 
£16.7m (2010: £17.1m).

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201127

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Trading Profit
£22.8m

m
8
.
2
2
£

m
4
.
7
1
£

m
4
.
8
£

2009

2010

2011

Finance Costs and Income
During the course of the year we have 
been able to replace or restructure a 
substantial proportion of our hedges 
and LIBOR swap arrangements without 
incurring any change costs. This has 
meant that the effect of a slightly higher 
net debt balance has been more than 
outweighed by the saving in overall interest 
costs. Consequently, net bank interest 
costs have been reduced by 5% to 
£23.0m (2010: £24.2m). The average cost 
of our debt for the year was 5.6% (2010: 
5.8%).

Trading Profit for the Year
We are therefore pleased to report that 
our trading profit has increased by 31% 
to £22.8m, a result that is particularly 
pleasing given the current UK economic 
conditions.

Looking forward we can see predictable 
and consistent trading profit income 
streams and controllable costs. Our rental 
income and recurring other income covers 
substantially all of our overheads and 
interest and we retain the ability in the 
business to cope with an increased future 
development workload.

Pictured:
Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre — 
Southwark, London. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
28

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FinanCial review continued

Added Value Valuation Increases
£33m

m
3
3
£

m
7
2
£

m
8
1
£

Current Banking Facilities (£m)

500

400

300

200

100

0

LTV (on balance sheet)
36%
%
%
6
5
3
3

%
6
3

2009

2010

2011

FY2011
Debt

FY2012
Renewal

FY2013
Renewal

FY2014
Renewal

FY2015
Renewal

FY2016
Renewal

2009

2010

2011

Property Valuation 
Movements in the Year
There are two principal components to 
property valuation movements: those 
movements resulting from activities that 
we undertake specifically to add value 
to our assets, and those resulting from 
changes in the overall property market. 
Jones Lang LaSalle provides this valuation 
split for us.

Valuation Improvements as a Result 
of St. Modwen Actions 
An important part of our business model 
is to actively manage our asset base in 
order to add value to the existing portfolio. 
This year has delivered some successful 
results, particularly in managing residential 
land through the planning process. 

Our success in attracting new tenants 
and in improving lease terms has also 
resulted in added value valuation gains for 
both our retail and industrial portfolios.

Based on the independent valuations from 
Jones Lang LaSalle we have been able 
to generate revaluation gains of £32.9m 
from our activities, an increase of 79% 
from 2010 (£18.4m). While 2011 has 
been a particularly good year we expect 
to continue to be able to consistently 
generate valuation improvements through 
our own activities in future years. 

Property Valuation Movements in the Year

2011

2010

Property 
Valuation 
Movements 
£m

As a 
result of
St. Modwen
actions

Market 
value 
movements Total 

As a 
result of
St. Modwen
actions

Market 
value 
movements Total 

Residential
Commercial 
land
Income 
Producing:
— Retail
— Office
— Industrial
Total

26

1

2
—
4
33

2

28

(2)

(1)

1
3
— —
4
—
34
1

8

(1)

5
1
5
18

8

16

(9)

(10)

9
14
(1) —
9
4
29
11

Market Driven Valuation Movements
During the course of the year we have 
not materially benefited from any market 
driven improvement in the value of our 
portfolio, with a market driven gain of 
£1.0m (2010: £4.6m). Given the current 
UK economic environment we are not 
expecting any market driven valuation 
gains in 2012.

Profit Before Tax
Our profit before tax is also stated after 
movements in the market value of our 
interest rate derivatives (hedges and 
swaps). The valuations are based on 
the financial markets forward prediction 
curves for interest rates and over the 
second half of the year these have implied 
reduced expectation of future interest rate 
increases. Other finance cost and income 
items are broadly consistent with 2010. 
We therefore have a charge to the  
income statement of £5.0m in 2011 
(2010: £2.2m). 

The combination of all the above factors 
means that profit before tax has increased 
by 34% to £50.4m (2010: £37.5m), a very 
pleasing result given the difficult economic 
environment.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201129

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LTV (including JV debt)
39%

%
%4
4

9
3

%
9
3

Gearing (on balance sheet)
73%
%
%8
0

%
3
7

2
7

Gearing (including JV debt)
91%
%
6
0
1

%
4
9

%
1
9

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

Substantial headroom remains in our 
debt facilities to enable us to continue 
to pursue active development of our 
business.

Hedging & Cost of Debt
We aim to have predictable costs 
attached to our borrowing and so we 
hedge the majority of our interest rate 
risk. At the year end we were 86% 
hedged against our corporate debt (2010: 
98%). Our hedging maturities are spread 
between 2012 and 2018 so that we are 
not overly exposed to re-hedging risks in 
any one year. 

Taxation and Profits 
After Tax
Our Group tax charge for the year of 
£4.9m reflects an effective rate of tax of 
10%, which includes the utilisation of 
losses brought forward. Losses brought 
forward in 2010 resulted in a tax credit 
for 2011 of £0.8m. Looking forward 
we expect tax rates to increase slightly 
given that the bulk of the losses brought 
forward have now been utilised. 

Despite the increase in tax charge, profits 
after tax of £45.5m are 19% ahead of 
the equivalent period last year (2010: 
£38.3m). Similarly Earnings per Share 
have increased 17% to 21.7p (2010: 
18.6p).

Funding
As a development business it is important 
for us to retain flexibility in our funding 
structures. We therefore maintain a series 
of bilateral revolving credit facilities with 
clearing banks that have a large UK 
presence. Where we have joint ventures 
we have funding arrangements in place as 
appropriate for each vehicle.

We have been active in development 
during the year and consequently have 
invested in developments in progress. 
This has meant that our net debt has 
increased in the year from £315m to 
£347m although gearing levels remain 
similar to the end of 2010 (2011: 73%, 
2010: 72%).

Corporate Facilities
During the course of this year we have 
replaced or extended all of our corporate 
bilateral facilities. Facilities with Lloyds, 
Barclays and HSBC were renewed or 
extended during the 2011 financial year 
and a new facility was put in place with 
Santander. All Group bilateral facilities 
now extend until at least November 2014, 
giving us an average debt maturity of 3.5 
years (2010: 3.3 years).

Headroom in Corporate Facilities
In total we have corporate debt facilities 
excluding VSM Estates of £434m against 
drawn debt of £303m at the year end, 
giving us substantial potential headroom 
to meet future development and funding 
needs.

Our VSM joint venture and its associated 
debt is treated as on balance sheet for 
the purposes of the financial accounts. 
We have reduced this facility in order to 
reduce the costs of unnecessary undrawn 
facilities, but still provide sufficient funding 
to meet future obligations. The facility 
extends until March 2014 and has £44m 
debt drawn against a remaining facility of 
£48m. Since the balance sheet date, VSM 
has received a further £10m of deferred 
land sale receipts with a further tranche of 
£14m due in January 2013. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
30

Business & Financial Review

FinanCial review continued

Active Property Portfolio

“We now have a property portfolio worth £1,103m (2010: £1,055m). Over the course of the 
year we have been actively managing our property portfolio with £96m having been spent on 
acquisitions and capital expenditure and £95m realised from asset disposals.”

Corporate Funding Covenants
We are operating well within the 
covenants that apply to our corporate 
banking facilities. The covenants are:

Joint Venture Facilities
In addition to VSM we have two further 
joint venture facilities:

zz Net assets must be greater than 

£250m (actual £476m);

zz Gearing must not exceed 175% 

(actual 73%); and

zz Interest cover ratio (that excludes 

non-cash items such as revaluation 
movements) must be greater than 
1.25x (actual 2.0x).

Although the 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. Consequently, we believe 
that covenant levels are adequate for our 
possible negative scenarios.

1. Key Property Investments (‘KPI’)
KPI, our 50:50 joint venture with Salhia 
Real Estate Company K.S.C., holds 
significant retail and commercial assets 
with the potential for future development. 
Asset profitability and sales have meant 
that our financing requirements have 
reduced over the last year. ‘KPI’ debt 
at November 2011 was £146m (2010: 
£165m) and this is expected to reduce 
further in the near-term. The existing 
£200m facility has very advantageous 
terms but expires in September 2012. 
Consequently, we are in the process of 
putting in place a new facility for ‘KPI’. 
The new club has been identified, we 
have agreed terms and received credit 
approval and are currently in legal process 
to finalise a new five year facility. 

2. Sowcrest & Holaw
These joint ventures are with Rotch 
Property Group Ltd and relate principally 
to our Wembley development. Over the 
course of the last year asset sales have 
significantly reduced the debt associated 
with this project to £22m at November 
2011 (2010: £33m). We aim for the pace 
of asset sales to continue to accelerate 
over the coming months leaving a minimal 
level of debt requirement by May 2012. 

We are in advanced negotiations with 
Rotch to acquire its share of the joint 
ventures. If we successfully conclude this 
transaction we expect the assets and 
remaining debt in both Sowcrest and 
Holaw to be wholly consolidated into     
St. Modwen’s results. 

Pictured:
Baglan Bay — Port Talbot, South Wales. 

Pictured:
myplace Youth Centre — Longbridge, Birmingham.

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Equity Net Assets Per Share
232p

EPRA Net Asset Value Per Share
250p

p
2
3
2

p
3
1
2

p
5
9
1

p
0
5
2

p
9
2
2

p
4
1
2

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

Balance Sheet
Net Assets
At the year end the shareholders’ equity 
value of net assets was £464m or 232p 
per share. This represents a 9% increase 
over the year (2010: £427m or 213p 
per share). In addition to this increase 
dividends of £6.2m or 3.1p per share 
were paid during 2011 (2010: £2.0m or 
1p per share).

EPRA Net Asset Value
In line with industry best practice we 
also report net assets per share using 
the EPRA (European Public Real Estate 
Association) methodology. Our diluted 
EPRA net asset value also rose 9% from 
229p per share to 250p per share. 

A full reconciliation of our net assets is 
provided in note 2 to the Group Financial 
Statements.

Property Portfolio
We now have a property portfolio worth 
£1,103m (2010: £1,055m). Over the 
course of the year we have been actively 
managing our property portfolio with 
£96m having been spent on acquisitions 
and capital expenditure and £95m 
realised from asset disposals. In addition 
to these disposals we have committed 
£27m of land to our Persimmon 
arrangements. The sale of this land is only 
recognised in line with house completions 
and therefore remains part of our property 
portfolio. 

The land committed to Persimmon 
is held as part of inventories. Assets 
held in inventories principally comprise 
of development properties where 
development has commenced and assets 
held for resale. Inventories also include 

Property Portfolio — Value Movements 2011

RAF Northolt that has been pre-sold to 
the Ministry of Defence under Project 
MoDEL. As it is matched by an equal and 
opposite obligation within trade payables,  
we exclude this asset from our property 
portfolio. A full reconciliation of the 
property portfolio is provided in Note 2 to 
the Group Financial Statements. 

Residential
Commercial land
Income producing:
Retail
Offices
Industrial
Total

At Nov 
2010
£m
400
130

194
60
271
1,055

Market 
value 
movements
£m
2
(2)

Value added 
by 
St. Modwen
£m
26
1

1
—
—
1

2
—
4
33

Net additions 
and 
movements
£m

(24)
20

12
10
(4)
14

At Nov 
2011
£m

404
149

209
70
271
1,103

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
32

Business & Financial Review

FinanCial review continued

Financial Outlook

“Our very good financial results for the year and strong pipeline of opportunities are  
backed by our solid financing structure and committed funding arrangements. While the  
times ahead will undoubtedly be challenging we believe that we are well equipped to  
meet those challenges and prosper.”

Property Valuation Bases
All our investment properties are 
independently valued every six months 
by Jones Lang LaSalle LLP, a global real 
estate professional services business, 
one of whose specialisations is property 
valuation. Jones Lang LaSalle based 
its valuations upon an open market 
transaction between a willing buyer 
and a willing seller at the balance sheet 

date. Therefore no value is taken for any 
future expectations of value increases 
but discounts are applied to reflect future 
uncertainties. Where appropriate we will 
also independently assess our work in 
progress for any impairment issues. In 
accordance with accounting standards 
valuation movements are put through the 
income statement as gains or losses. 
Valuations in all our asset classes have 

Weighted Average Yields on Income Producing Property

been substantiated by open market 
transactions during the course of the 
year. Yields on our income producing 
properties have remained largely stable 
in the flat market during the year, with 
any movements reflecting our success in 
attracting tenants. 

Retail
Office
Industrial
Total

Equivalent

Net Initial

2011

8.4%
8.7%
9.1%
8.8%

2010

8.6%
8.9%
9.2%
8.9%

2011

7.4%
6.4%
7.7%
7.4%

2010

7.3%
6.7%
7.7%
7.4%

Trade Payables
Around two thirds of our trade payables 
balance relates to the deferred payment 
arrangements related to land owned by 
our VSM joint venture, including RAF 
Northolt as referred to above. As this joint 
venture progresses and land is sold off 
for development these payables amounts 
will naturally reduce. Other trade payables 
relate to development activities in the 
normal course of our business.

Pension Scheme
Our defined benefit pension scheme 
continues to be fully funded on an IAS19 
basis. The results of the triennial valuation 
from April 2011 are well advanced and 
show a fully funded scheme. With the 
scheme being closed to new entrants and 
closed to future accrual we do not expect 
any significant material future increase in 
scheme contributions.

Financial Outlook
Our very good financial results for the year 
and strong pipeline of opportunities are 
backed by our solid financing structure 
and committed funding arrangements.  
While the times ahead will undoubtedly 
be challenging we believe that we are well 
equipped to meet those challenges and 
prosper.

Pictured 
Top: Showhome interior — Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare.
Middle:  Bournville College aerial — Longbridge, Birmingham.  
Llanwern / Glan Llyn aerial — Newport, South Wales. 

Bottom: Wythenshawe Town Centre — Manchester.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201133

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Business & Financial Review

Features

Significant Projects in 2011

Residential
page 34

The residential business in focus featuring three areas 
of activity including St. Modwen Homes, Joint Ventures 
and Residential Land.

Commercial Land & Development
page 36

Regeneration Timeline
Featuring the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge, 
Birmingham with £85 million invested in the 458 acre 
site since its acquisition in 1993.

page 38

Regeneration & Remediation
St. Modwen’s remediation expertise continues to make 
excellent progress across South Wales transforming 
brownfield sites into mixed use developments.

Income Producing Property
page 40

Showcasing the development opportunity oriented 
nature of the Company’s portfolio and its ability to 
generate income from the assets held.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
34

Business & Financial Review

Features: 

Residential 
St. Modwen’s residential business can be split into three 

distinctive areas:

zz St. Modwen Homes
Established in 2010 St. Modwen is now building and selling 

under its own house building brand.

zz Joint Ventures
St. Modwen identifies joint venture partners to develop its land in 

order to capture development profit.

zz Residential Land
The Company specialises in obtaining planning permission 

for residential use and selling fully serviced land to residential 

developers.

This approach ensures the ability to dispose of land as  

effectively as possible using one or more of these strategies 

on any one of our sites. It also demonstrates to development 

partners/landowners that the Company can maximise the value 

of their land.

St. Modwen Homes
Park View was launched on 3rd September 2011 and has 

marketed strongly with sales rates outperforming our local 

competitors. By the end of January 2012 over half the homes 

had confirmed reservations. Locking Parklands was launched 

on 11th November 2011 with again very strong demand. Across 

these two sites, including the social housing units, reservations 

of a 120 units were confirmed (over 55% of units available) by 

the end of January 2012.

The strategy is to adopt a local developer mentality, allowing a 

design-led approach to be taken to both the built form and the 

external environment. This has allowed St. Modwen Homes to 

offer its purchasers a more bespoke product which differentiates 

it from the larger national house builders, as its houses have 

higher floor to ceiling heights and larger windows to maximise 

the feeling of light and height.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011PARK VIEW, LONGBRIDGE 
 
 
35

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It is proposed to expand the business to a maximum of 

This pipeline of delivery will result in St. Modwen benefiting from 

500 units per annum and a further three outlets have been 

a full year’s profit on all seven sites in 2013. The day to day 

identified, where construction will commence in the second half 

relationship with Persimmon remains strong and further sites 

of 2012. All land comes from within the St. Modwen portfolio 

are being identified for inclusion within the joint venture.

and it is not proposed to actively pursue residential land in the 

open market.

Joint Venture

Residential Land

Disposal of serviced land to house builders has been St. 

In July 2010 a joint venture was entered into with Persimmon 

Modwen’s traditional exit route for its residential land and 

Homes PLC to develop over 2,000 units on seven sites. 

continues to play an important role. In 2011 £45m of land 

Significant progress has been made in the year where legal 

was sold in addition to the £27m of land committed to the 

completion was achieved on the first three sites and launched 

Persimmon joint venture. The Company has over 20,000 plots 

sales on two, namely Wolverhampton and Glan Llyn (Llanwern) 

with residential planning recognition in its land bank.

in South Wales. Good progress has been made on the 

remaining four sites which it is anticipated will all start on site in 

2012. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
36

Business & Financial Review

Features:

Commercial Land & Development: Regeneration Timeline

naC sign new lease
Nanjing Automobile 
Corporation (NAC) signs 33 
year lease on 105 acre South 
Works following collapse of 
MG Rover in 2005.

i

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First units COmplete at 
COFtOn Centre 
Two self-contained units of 27,093 
sq ft and 47,780 sq ft at the 35 
acre Cofton Centre complete.

teChnOlOgY 
park First phase 
COmpletes 
45,000 sq ft Innovation 
Centre and 31,208 
sq ft Two Devon Way 
delivered in Phase One of 
Longbridge Technology 
Park.

new BOurnville COllege annOunCed 
Bournville College signs development 
agreement to relocate to new 250,000 sq ft 
building at Longbridge.

gOvernment gives 
lOngBridge plan 
green light 
Longbridge Area Action Plan 
approved by Government 
Planning Inspector to 
give framework for future 
development.

wOrk starts On 
new COllege
Start on site of new £66m 
Bournville College for up to 
15,000 students on a  
4.2 acre campus.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201106080910tOwn Centre Open 
FOr Business
Town centre completes 
and Sainsbury’s opens 
creating up to 400 
new jobs.

tOwn Centre 
COnstruCtiOn underwaY 
Start of work on new £70m 
Longbridge town centre 
to be delivered in three 
phases.

52 aCres OF residential land 
readY FOr develOpment 
Longbridge East remediation work 
completes to make way for first 
phase of 229 new homes.

£32m rOad and 
inFrastruCture 
wOrks COmplete
Over 300 new private 
sector construction 
jobs created as a direct 
result; with an additional 
4,900 jobs expected 
to be generated 
through the subsequent 
development.

37

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plans suBmitted 
FOr 229 new hOmes
Planning application 
submitted for 229 new 
homes on Longbridge 
East in joint venture 
with Persimmon 
Homes.

First new hOmes 
On sale
113 new homes at 
Park View launched 
to the market offering 
a mix of terraced, 
semi-detached and 
detached designs.

sainsBurY’s 
signs up
A new 85,000 sq ft 
Sainsbury’s foodstore 
announced for 
Longbridge town 
centre.

£70m tOwn Centre gets  
gO ahead
Detailed planning 
permission granted for 
£70m town centre with 24 
new shops and restaurants, 
offices, hotel and two acres 
of public parkland.

COnstruCtiOn OF £5m 
YOuth Centre starts
Work starts on new £5m 
myplace youth centre to 
provide a wide range of 
innovative services for  
13–19 year olds.

BOurnville 
COllege Opens
Bournville College 
opens its doors to its 
state-of-the-art new 
facilities. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview11131214 
 
 
38

Business & Financial Review

Features:

Commercial Land & Development: 
Regeneration & Remediation 
In 2009 St. Modwen completed the acquisition of BP’s former 

2,500 acre portfolio of redundant sites. Over 2,000 acres of 

the portfolio is located in South Wales including the 1,060 

acre former Llandarcy Oil Refinery in Neath, currently being 

transformed into a new £1.2 billion mixed use development 

called Coed Darcy. Coed Darcy is one of Europe’s largest 

brownfield redevelopment sites.

Over the next 25 years, St. Modwen will transform the site 

into a mixed use community, comprising over 4,000 homes, 

Key Project Milestones to date

Since 2008, and four years ahead of schedule, ongoing 

remediation and reclamation has already seen 800,000 man 

hours completed. To date, 400 acres of land has been reclaimed 

and cleaned up with 1,125km of pipeline and cable removed, 

and 200,000 tonnes of concrete removed and recycled. By 

November 2011, over 800,000 litres of oil had been recovered 

via an extraction process — enough to fill 16,000 tanks of fuel in 

the average family car, all of which went to be recycled including 

utilisation as a fuel source for energy production at a local power 

four schools and a mixture of employment and community 

station.

development.

Particular progress was made with the recovery of 125,000 

tonnes of oily sludge from the reservoirs and separators. All 

material was bio-remediated on site to produce a useable 

landscaping soil. Further sludge was recovered in the final stage 

of remediation of the 25 acre North Site Reservoir. 

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011COED DARCY39

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The success of the remediation of these water bodies has 

already become apparent given the rapid natural repopulation 

of birds and aquatic life.

Extraction methods were chosen which allowed the recovery 

of material from the lagoons with minimal environmental 

impact on the adjacent Crymlyn Bog Site of Special Scientific 

Interest (‘SSSI’), RAMSAR and Special Area of Conservation 

(‘SAC’). Extracted waters were passed through water 

treatment systems prior to discharge under agreements with 

Construction has begun on the remediation and infrastructure 

to serve the first phase of housing on the site and a planning 

application was submitted in September 2011 by Persimmon 

and Charles Church homes. This will comprise 302 dwellings 

and will set a high design standard for the future phases of 

Coed Darcy. Both modern and traditional building techniques 

will be utilised to ensure local vernacular is adhered to whilst 

also achieving building performance capable of meeting the 

latest standards. In addition St. Modwen will be working with 

local supply chains and labour to provide benefits to the local 

the Environment Agency Wales. Once stabilised, materials are 

economy.

remediated by low energy bio-treatment using natural bacteria 

to reduce concentrations of hydrocarbons. Methods using 

Geotube technology are also being showtrialed at Coed Darcy, 

the first such use in the UK.

Remediation works also began in October 2011 on the 

adjacent 12 hectares of playing field and commercial area plots 

in order to prepare the next phase of development. 

Pictured:
Coed Darcy — proposed mixed use 
development, Neath, South Wales.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
40

Business & Financial Review

Features:

Income Producing Property 
A major proportion of St. Modwen’s assets generate income 

The site totals 10 hectares (26 acres) and the Centre comprises 

whilst being held for the prospect of generating significant future 

450,000 sq ft of buildings which is made up of 120 retail units, 

value. The company’s continuing ability to successfully manage 

40 market stalls, 30 community uses and 24,000 sq ft of offices 

its portfolio in difficult economic environments has been clearly 

together with 750 residential units above, with a minimal level  

demonstrated in in recent years.

of voids.

Since St. Modwen acquired the 1970’s shopping mall in 

Building on the success of the initial redevelopment, elements 

Edmonton Green in 1999, the key objective has been to 

of which included a new bus station, Primary Care Centre and 

regenerate and enhance the shopping environment to provide a 

Leisure Centre alongside 176 residential apartments, an ASDA 

viable and successful retail centre as well as a community hub.

superstore was added in 2008, since when many other high 

street names have opened. Significant improvements have also 

In partnership with Enfield Council, £100m has been invested 

been carried out to the services including new public toilets, 

in a regeneration programme which has begun to mature and 

shop mobility service, security office and CCTV system.

demonstrate the real improvements to the commercial and 

social aspects of Edmonton Green.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011EDMONTON GREEN 
 
 
 
41

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St. Modwen’s commitment to continuing the regeneration 

This £1.5 million investment to improve the physical 

programme during 2011 with the delivery of:

environment of the South Mall included a new roof, new 

flooring, lighting and seating as well as improved signage. 

zz A 73 room Travelodge Hotel which had been completed 

Planning permission has also been gained for the refurbishment 

and forward sold.

zz The refurbishment of South Mall which has greatly 

enhanced and improved the retail environment. 

In addition, in excess of 200,000 sq ft of lettings have been 

completed in the last year including lettings to well-known 

high street retailers — Home Bargains, Blue Inc, Wilkinson 

and Sports Direct. This demonstrates clearly the success of 

the regeneration and skill of delivering value through asset 

enhancement.

of North Square in 2012. This will include the reconfiguration of 

units and extension to accommodate the new Wilkinson store 

of 22,000 sq ft and significant improvements to the elevations 

of all buildings, landscaping, street furniture and lighting. 

During the next 12 to 18 months, these works will represent 

an additional £3 million investment by St. Modwen which will 

enhance the Centre’s value and help attract as well as retain 

retailers.

Pictured:
Edmonton Green Shopping Centre — 
Enfield, London. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Business & Financial Review

risks and unCertainties

Risk & Impact

Mitigation

Change

Commentary

Economic & Market Risk
Uncertainty in the economic and market environment increases the risk attached to property valuation and development returns

Market/economic changes such as higher interest rates, 
reduced availability of credit and declining investment 
yields restrict business development and cause valuation 
falls.

zz Regional spread and portfolio diversity mitigates sector or location-

specific risks

zz Active portfolio management achieves a better than market 

utilisation of assets

zz Hedging policy reduces interest rate risk

 

We choose to operate only in the UK, which is subject to relatively low risk and low returns from a 

stable and mature, albeit cyclical economy and property market. By involvement with all sectors of that 

economy and property market, we are as diversified as possible, without venturing overseas.

Over the course of the last year, the worsening sovereign debt position within the Eurozone means that 

the overall market position has become less positive.

Poor market intelligence (i.e. failure to anticipate market 
changes) leads to selection of inappropriate and, 
ultimately, unprofitable schemes.

zz Regional offices in touch with their local market
zz Dedicated central resource supporting regional teams
zz Flexible and innovative approach to acquisitions and schemes in 

order to adapt to market changes

zz Projects, acquisitions and disposals are reviewed (and financially 

appraised) within clearly defined authority limits

 

acquisitions.

The excellent reputation and financial capacity of the Company have enabled us to continue to win 

schemes and grow the land bank to record levels, even in the current financially-constrained climate. In 

this environment, with a reduced number of active competitors, we expect to be able to continue attractive 

Declining rental yields and/or loss of key tenants results 
in reduced profitability and cash flow.

zz Diverse and extensive rent roll (over 4,000 tenants)
zz Financial checks carried out on new tenants
zz Rents at affordable end of scale

Our diverse tenant base mitigates this risk but reduced UK economic growth prospects and declining 

business confidence mean that there is increased risk in this area.

Financial collapse of, or dispute with, a key joint venture 
partner leads to financial loss.

zz Monthly review of performance to identify if senior management 

intervention is required

zz Flexible but legally secure contracts with partners

Our key partners are Persimmon, Vinci plc and Salhia plc of Kuwait. These are financially strong partners 

with good prospects, even in the current economic environment. Where we have financially weaker 

partners, we are exiting from these arrangements, meaning that the overall risk has reduced year-on-year.

Financial Risk
Our geared financial structure means that there are inevitable risks attached to the availability of funding and the management of 
fluctuations in our cash flows

Availability of funding reduces, causing a lack of liquidity 
that impacts borrowing capacity and reduces the 
saleability of assets.

zz Recurring income from rents provides funding for ongoing overhead 

and interest costs

zz Strong relationships with key banks
zz Financial headroom maintained to provide flexibility

Our prudent approach to forward commitments, speculative development and asset disposals has enabled 

us to optimise operational cash flows and to offset the impact of fluctuating market conditions. Furthermore, 

we have once again recorded a trading profit in the year, demonstrating our ability to succeed in varying 

markets. However, the sovereign debt issues are increasing the constraints over general bank funding.

Unforeseen significant changes to cash flow 
requirements limit the ability of the business to 
meet its ongoing commitments.

zz Regular and detailed cash flow forecasting enables monitoring of 

performance and management of future cash flows

Our year end cash position is in line with the guidelines that we set at the start of the year.

Failure to value properties fairly, leading to lower than 
anticipated profits/yields.

zz Independent valuation by external experts and validation by external 

auditors

The valuation of our properties is externally undertaken every six months. Our methodologies are

consistent and cautious, always allowing for future uncertainties and for housebuilder profit on our 

zz Professionally conducted and conservative property valuation 

residential land.

process

Failure to refinance bank facilities as they fall due or 
failure to comply with banking covenants leads to 
insufficient funds to run and grow the business.

zz Small number of high quality banking relationships
zz Weighted average expiry of covenants 3.5 years for 2011
zz Acquisitions structured in self financing manner

Our banking facilities have been extended, our gearing is stable and interest rate risk is hedged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201143

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Risk & Impact

Mitigation

Change

Commentary

Economic & Market Risk

Uncertainty in the economic and market environment increases the risk attached to property valuation and development returns

Market/economic changes such as higher interest rates, 

zz Regional spread and portfolio diversity mitigates sector or location-

reduced availability of credit and declining investment 

specific risks

yields restrict business development and cause valuation 

zz Active portfolio management achieves a better than market 

falls.

utilisation of assets

zz Hedging policy reduces interest rate risk

 

We choose to operate only in the UK, which is subject to relatively low risk and low returns from a 
stable and mature, albeit cyclical economy and property market. By involvement with all sectors of that 
economy and property market, we are as diversified as possible, without venturing overseas.

Over the course of the last year, the worsening sovereign debt position within the Eurozone means that 
the overall market position has become less positive.

Poor market intelligence (i.e. failure to anticipate market 

zz Regional offices in touch with their local market

changes) leads to selection of inappropriate and, 

zz Dedicated central resource supporting regional teams

ultimately, unprofitable schemes.

zz Flexible and innovative approach to acquisitions and schemes in 

order to adapt to market changes

zz Projects, acquisitions and disposals are reviewed (and financially 

appraised) within clearly defined authority limits

Declining rental yields and/or loss of key tenants results 

zz Diverse and extensive rent roll (over 4,000 tenants)

in reduced profitability and cash flow.

zz Financial checks carried out on new tenants

zz Rents at affordable end of scale

Financial collapse of, or dispute with, a key joint venture 

zz Monthly review of performance to identify if senior management 

partner leads to financial loss.

intervention is required

zz Flexible but legally secure contracts with partners

Financial Risk

fluctuations in our cash flows

Our geared financial structure means that there are inevitable risks attached to the availability of funding and the management of 

Availability of funding reduces, causing a lack of liquidity 

zz Recurring income from rents provides funding for ongoing overhead 

that impacts borrowing capacity and reduces the 

and interest costs

saleability of assets.

zz Strong relationships with key banks

zz Financial headroom maintained to provide flexibility

Unforeseen significant changes to cash flow 

requirements limit the ability of the business to 

meet its ongoing commitments.

zz Regular and detailed cash flow forecasting enables monitoring of 

performance and management of future cash flows

Failure to value properties fairly, leading to lower than 

zz Independent valuation by external experts and validation by external 

anticipated profits/yields.

zz Professionally conducted and conservative property valuation 

auditors

process

Failure to refinance bank facilities as they fall due or 

zz Small number of high quality banking relationships

failure to comply with banking covenants leads to 

zz Weighted average expiry of covenants 3.5 years for 2011

insufficient funds to run and grow the business.

zz Acquisitions structured in self financing manner

 

The excellent reputation and financial capacity of the Company have enabled us to continue to win 
schemes and grow the land bank to record levels, even in the current financially-constrained climate. In  
this environment, with a reduced number of active competitors, we expect to be able to continue to  
source attractive acquisitions.

Our diverse tenant base mitigates this risk but reduced UK economic growth prospects and declining 
business confidence mean that there is increased risk in this area.

Our key partners are Persimmon, Vinci plc and Salhia plc of Kuwait. These are financially strong partners 
with good prospects, even in the current economic environment. Where we have financially weaker 
partners, we are exiting from these arrangements, meaning that the overall risk has reduced year-on-year.

Our prudent approach to forward commitments, speculative development and asset disposals has enabled 
us to optimise operational cash flows and to offset the impact of fluctuating market conditions. Furthermore, 
we have once again recorded a trading profit in the year, demonstrating our ability to succeed in varying 
markets. However, the sovereign debt issues are increasing the constraints over general bank funding.

Our year end cash position is in line with the guidelines that we set at the start of the year.

The valuation of our properties is externally undertaken every six months. Our methodologies are
consistent and cautious, always allowing for future uncertainties and for housebuilder profit on our 
residential land.

Our banking facilities have been extended, our gearing is stable and interest rate risk is hedged.

 
 

 
 
 

 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
44

Business & Financial Review

risks and unCertainties continued

Risk & Impact
Construction Risk
The management of developments is a complex process

Mitigation

Change

Commentary

Inadequate due diligence on major new schemes leads 
to unforeseen exposures, costs and liabilities, which 
prevent effective delivery and result in financial loss.

zz Use and close supervision of a preferred supply chain of high 

quality trusted suppliers and professionals

zz Projects, acquisitions and disposals are reviewed and financially 

appraised in detail, with clearly defined authority limits

zz Contractual liability clearly defined

Inadequate construction delivery and procurement leads 
to quality issues and cost overruns causing reputational 
and/or financial damage.

zz Strong internal construction management team
zz Clearly defined formal tender process that evaluates qualitative and 

quantitative factors in bid assessment

zz Use and close supervision of a preferred supply chain of high 

quality trusted suppliers and professionals

 

 

Our programme for the year has been delivered succesfully and we have conducted robust processes 

in selecting contractors for future projects.

During the year, all our developments have been completed on time and within budget. Our contractor 

selection processes are rigorous. However, given the economic environment and the consequentially 

increased risk of contractor insolvency, we have this year increasingly biased our contractor selection in 

favour of financially stable and robust contractors.  

Regulatory & Compliance Risk
Our work is undertaken in a complex environment with consequent compliance risks

National planning policy framework changes adversely 
impact on our business strategy by limiting our ability 
to secure viable permissions and/or by removing our 
competitive advantage.

zz Use of high quality professional advisors
zz Active involvement in public consultation
zz Constant monitoring of all aspects of the planning  process by 

experienced in-house experts

zz Contacts in place with central and local government

 Our daily exposure to all aspects of the planning process, and internal procedures for spreading best 

practice ensure we remain abreast of most developments. Furthermore, we continue our efforts to  

future rules are uncertain, our expertise should enable us to prosper relative to our competitors, whatever 

influence public policy debate. Although the current fluctuations in proposed planning legislation mean that 

the planning environment.

Failure to manage long-term environmental issues 
relating to brownfield and contaminated sites leads to 
a major environmental incident, resulting in financial/
reputational damage.

zz Use of high quality external advisors
zz Highly qualified internal staff
zz Risk assessments conducted as part of due diligence process
zz Full warranties from professional consultants and remediation contractors
zz Defined business processes to proactively manage issues

 

We are willing to accept a degree of environmental risk, enabling higher returns to be made. The 

inherent risks are passed on or minimised where possible but cannot be eliminated, although the 

residual risks have been acceptably low in recent years.

HS&E culture leads to a major incident (e.g. serious 
injury to, or death of an employee, client, contractor 
or member of the public) or non-compliance with 
legislation, resulting in financial penalties and/or 
reputational damage.

zz Performance indicators are reviewed monthly at Board level
zz Use of high quality external HS&E advisors
zz Defined business processes to proactively manage issues

 

Health and Safety continues to be a high priority. The assessment of environmental costs (and the 

subsequent optimising of remediation solutions) is an integral part of our acquisition and post-acquisition 

process. We seek to minimise or pass on any such environmental risks, and believe that the residual risk 

remains acceptably low. In other social and ethical areas, our operations are underpinned by a simple but 

rigorous set of operating commitments.

Organisational Risk
Our activities require highly skilled and motivated people in order to deliver consistently and effectively

Lack of succession planning and/or over reliance on 
key people causes loss of/failure to attract good people 
and/or significant disruption/loss of IP.

zz Succession planning monitored at Board level and below
zz Targeted recruitment with competitive, performance-driven 

remuneration packages

 We continue to offer attractive and competive remuneration packages as is evidenced by the lack 

of vacancies. We continue to adapt our recruitment strategy to source the skills that will support the 

Company’s long-term business objectives.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011Risk & Impact

Construction Risk

The management of developments is a complex process

Mitigation

Change

Commentary

Inadequate due diligence on major new schemes leads 

zz Use and close supervision of a preferred supply chain of high 

to unforeseen exposures, costs and liabilities, which 

quality trusted suppliers and professionals

prevent effective delivery and result in financial loss.

zz Projects, acquisitions and disposals are reviewed and financially 

appraised in detail, with clearly defined authority limits

zz Contractual liability clearly defined

Inadequate construction delivery and procurement leads 

zz Strong internal construction management team

to quality issues and cost overruns causing reputational 

zz Clearly defined formal tender process that evaluates qualitative and 

and/or financial damage.

quantitative factors in bid assessment

zz Use and close supervision of a preferred supply chain of high 

quality trusted suppliers and professionals

 

 

Our programme for the year has been delivered succesfully and we have conducted robust processes 
in selecting contractors for future projects.

During the year, all our developments have been completed on time and within budget. Our contractor 
selection processes are rigorous. However, given the economic environment and the consequentially 
increased risk of contractor insolvency, we have this year increasingly biased our contractor selection in 
favour of financially stable and robust contractors.  

Regulatory & Compliance Risk

Our work is undertaken in a complex environment with consequent compliance risks

National planning policy framework changes adversely 

zz Use of high quality professional advisors

impact on our business strategy by limiting our ability 

zz Active involvement in public consultation

to secure viable permissions and/or by removing our 

zz Constant monitoring of all aspects of the planning  process by 

competitive advantage.

experienced in-house experts

zz Contacts in place with central and local government

 Our daily exposure to all aspects of the planning process, and internal procedures for spreading best 

practice ensure we remain abreast of most developments. Furthermore, we continue our efforts to  
influence public policy debate. Although the current fluctuations in proposed planning legislation mean that 
future rules are uncertain, our expertise should enable us to prosper relative to our competitors, whatever 
the planning environment.

Failure to manage long-term environmental issues 

zz Use of high quality external advisors

relating to brownfield and contaminated sites leads to 

zz Highly qualified internal staff

a major environmental incident, resulting in financial/

zz Risk assessments conducted as part of due diligence process

reputational damage.

zz Full warranties from professional consultants and remediation contractors

zz Defined business processes to proactively manage issues

 

We are willing to accept a degree of environmental risk, enabling higher returns to be made. The 
inherent risks are passed on or minimised where possible but cannot be eliminated, although the 
residual risks have been acceptably low in recent years.

HS&E culture leads to a major incident (e.g. serious 

zz Performance indicators are reviewed monthly at Board level

injury to, or death of an employee, client, contractor 

zz Use of high quality external HS&E advisors

or member of the public) or non-compliance with 

zz Defined business processes to proactively manage issues

legislation, resulting in financial penalties and/or 

reputational damage.

 

Health and Safety continues to be a high priority. The assessment of environmental costs (and the 
subsequent optimising of remediation solutions) is an integral part of our acquisition and post-acquisition 
process. We seek to minimise or pass on any such environmental risks, and believe that the residual risk 
remains acceptably low. In other social and ethical areas, our operations are underpinned by a simple but 
rigorous set of operating commitments.

Organisational Risk

Our activities require highly skilled and motivated people in order to deliver consistently and effectively

Lack of succession planning and/or over reliance on 

zz Succession planning monitored at Board level and below

key people causes loss of/failure to attract good people 

zz Targeted recruitment with competitive, performance-driven 

and/or significant disruption/loss of IP.

remuneration packages

 We continue to offer attractive and competive remuneration packages as is evidenced by the lack 

of vacancies. We continue to adapt our recruitment strategy to source the skills that will support the 
Company’s long-term business objectives.

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
 
Corporate  
governance

Information regarding the Board 
and how they have run the 
business for the benefit of the 
shareholders

Pictured:
Completed summer 2011. 
Bournville College — Longbridge, Birmingham. 

48

Corporate Governance

COrpOrate sOCial respOnsiBilitY

Clarity of vision
St. Modwen takes Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) very 
seriously and as a result, ensures that it forms an integral part of 
everything the company does. CSR activities are grouped into three 
specific areas:
zz Sustainability and the Environment
zz Community and Economy
zz St. Modwen Environmental Trust
examples of which follow within this section.

SUSTAINABILITY AND  
THE ENVIRONMENT

Resource Management 
Coed Darcy — Neath, South 
Wales
At its site in South Wales St. Modwen 
is undertaking a significant remediation 
project to transform the former oil refinery 
into a mixed use development. During the 
implementation of the site remediation 
and reclamation the Company will 
ensure sustainability is enshrined in the 
design and works undertaken. Low 
carbon methodologies are encouraged 
which target the retention of recoverable 
materials allowing reductions in off-site 
transport and processing. 

Materials recovered during the demolition, 
reclamation and remediation process are 
segregated in order to maximise their 
potential for reuse. These are logged, 
tested and tracked to provide a detailed 
record of all materials available on site at 
any one time. The small percentage of 
materials not suitable for reuse on site are 

removed for recycling. To date 1,125 km 
of pipeline and 800,000 litres of oil have 
been diverted from off-site waste disposal 
facilities and have been recycled. 

Timber and other organic material felled 
as part of the vegetation clearance 
have been utilised on site for a number 
of purposes. Wood chip and compost 
formed from cleared material is being 
used as an additive for bioremediation as 
well as a base material for the production 
of topsoil. The remaining woody materials 
are retained for habitat improvement, for 
wildlife within the enhanced ecological 
fringe of the development. The newly 
created ponds for Great Crested Newts 
and the proposed wetlands within 
the western part of the site have also 
benefited from plants propagated from 
onsite stocks to reduce the requirement 
for importation.

Woody materials have also been integral 
to the remediation and stabilisation of 
contaminated sludges which have been 
removed from the historic ponds and 
reservoirs. The use of these materials 

helped to transform wet contaminated 
sludges into a workable material that 
could be excavated, transported and 
treated to subsequently produce a further 
substrate for topsoil production.

St. Modwen has implemented a variety 
of low intensity remediation techniques 
which reduce energy consumption 
and provide an end product which can 
either be reused as a soil on site or 
as recycled fuel. These methods have 
also sought to minimise environmental 
impact on the adjacent, internationally 
important, Crymlyn Bog Special Area of 
Conservation, Special Site of Scientific 
Interest and RAMSAR site. 

For example, Geotube technology is being 
used at Coed Darcy for the first time in 
the UK as part of the remediation of the 
largest of the reservoirs on site. Material 
is dredged from the base of the reservoir 
using an underwater vacuum. The dredged 
sludges are pumped into the Geotubes, 
the fabric of which allows liquids to pass 
out but retains the solids. In comparison 
with other methods, the use of Geotubes 
significantly reduces the volume of material 
requiring treatment by over 50%. The 
process also removes the need for high 
energy consuming engineering works 
which would require the drainage of the 
400 million litre reservoir.

The majority of the contaminated 
materials on site are being treated by 
a process of bioremediation to reduce 
the concentrations of contamination. 
Bioremediation is a very low energy 
technology which uses natural processes 
to accelerate the remediation of soils 
using natural bacteria which occur in 

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the soil. This method offers considerable 
reduction in energy use in comparison 
with other forms of treatment. The 
process also produces an end product 
which will be used in landscaped areas 
to promote growth within the new ‘green’ 
areas of the development.

Wythenshawe Town Centre
Retailers in Wythenshawe Town Centre 
have been encouraged to participate in a 
St. Modwen initiative to reduce waste by 
half and recycle as much cardboard and 
paper as possible.

St. Modwen had already put mixed 
recycling bins around the centre for 
shoppers but wanted to ensure that their 
tenants could be as green as possible 
too. Instead of cardboard going to landfill, 
St. Modwen is encouraging those tenants 
without recycling contracts to put their 
card and paper waste into new orange 
skips and metal cages in the service yard. 
With 10 tonnes of cardboard recycled in 
just six weeks, any money credited back 
from the recycling is then used to fund 
other recycling facilities such as glass and 
can collections. In the longer term this will 
contribute towards town centre service 
charges. 

Reclamation & Remediation 
Glan Llyn — Newport, South 
Wales
Over the next 15–20 years St. Modwen 
will transform the former Llanwern steel 
works site into Glan Llyn, a mixed used 
community comprising 4,000 homes, two 
schools, a district shopping area and a 
commercial area of mixed employment 
with lakes and a sports area providing 
facilities for rugby, football and cricket. 
The scheme is expected to bring in well 
over £1m of economic investment to an 
area hit hard by local job losses.

To date St. Modwen has cleared a large 
amount of existing ground structures and 
delivered a first phase plot to Persimmon 
Homes and Charles Church. St. Modwen 
is currently working on delivering more 
potential sites for development within the 
site.

Key milestones:
zz Infrastructure and remediation to 

phase one residential area to facilitate 
development;

zz Carried out extensive Ground 

Investigation work to facilitate all site 
development — over 400 exploratory 
holes;

zz One third of the commercial area has 

been remediated;

zz Constructed new water ways to 

facilitate water migration from north to 
south of site;

zz Constructed Western Park for 

community space and sport facilities;

zz Constructed 200m of a new Gateway 
Road to facilitate access to the new 
Glan Llyn site;

zz Demolition of seven sub-stations 
and reclaimed all redundant cable 
associated with infrastructure;

zz Demolition of the residual to facilitate 

phase one plot construction;

zz Reclaimed 156,000m3 of concrete 
which is being recycled for reuse 
within the scheme;

zz Reclaimed approximately 40,000m3 
of soil from site to be processed for 
reuse;

zz Reclaimed 240,000 tonnes of iron 

ore; and

zz Reclaimed 151,000 tonnes of mixed 

iron fine.

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zz water system with major leak 

detection on the entire mains water 
supply, which is audible when 
activated identifying different leakage 
rates (e.g. continuous, high and low 
level leaks) and can be programmed 
to suit occupiers’ requirements;

zz bettering the Part L Building 

Regulations by 6%, thus reducing the 
building’s carbon impact;

zz internal lighting operated by time 

switch sensors, includes automatic 
daylight dimming to reduce lighting 
levels; and

zz allowing for a designated storage 
area to store and sort recyclable 
waste with future proofing provisions 
allowing for connection to the 
Combined Heat and Power (‘CHP’) 
plant to achieve the BREEAM 
‘Excellent’ standard. 

Sustainable Buildings 
Bournville College
Developed by St. Modwen, the £66m 
Bournville College opened in autumn 
2011 as part of the wider regeneration 
of Longbridge in Birmingham. The 
construction programme totalled 23 
months and achieved a BREEAM rating of 
‘Very Good’ (at 64.69%). 

Sustainable aspects of the development 
included both the construction phase 
and the overall design that impacts the 
sustainability of the building during its life 
cycle. 

During Construction:
zz 1,190 individuals were employed 

from the greater Birmingham area, 
approximately 50% of the workforce;

zz 98% of construction waste was 

recycled;

zz 100% of aggregates used were from 

the Longbridge area; and

zz timber, both temporary and 

permanent, was sourced from 
Forest Stewardship Council (‘FSC’) 
sustainable sources. 

Contractor Shepherd Construction 
complied with the Considerate 
Constructors Scheme, scoring 34 out of 
a possible 40. This included keeping the 
site clean and tidy and working with and 
engaging the local community. Particular 
community projects included re-
painting St Stephen’s community hall 
and refurbishing St John’s toilets. Both 
initiatives utilised the skills of students 
undertaking the College’s construction 
qualifications.

Sustainable Design Features 
included:
zz windows that open automatically 
at night to naturally cool the 
concrete soffits without the need for 
mechanical cooling;

zz utilising rain and grey water 

harvesting, with 50% of the water 
used in the flushing of the WCs;

zz taps within the WCs have an auto 

shut off/timed facility to reduce water 
wastage. Showers were specified to 
deliver a maximum flow rate of nine 
litres per minute;

Residential — 
St. Modwen Homes
Locking Parklands —  
Weston-super-Mare

Code for Sustainable Homes, 
BREEAM and Renewable Energy
All dwellings are designed and are being 
built to the Code Level 4 standard. The 
small offices are provisionally designed 
to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard. A 
planning condition applies requiring a 
15% contribution to the site’s total energy 
demand from renewable or low carbon 
technologies. This will be satisfied via 
solar photovoltaic arrays installed on all 
dwellings and small offices. 

Thermal Performance
Code level 4 requires a 44% reduction in 
carbon dioxide emissions from a part L1A 
2006 Building Regulations baseline. 

All dwellings are being built to the fabric 
performance (detailed in the table on page 
51) to meet the Code Level 3 standard. 
Additional solar photovoltaic panels are 
then installed to meet the Code Level 
4 carbon dioxide reduction standard. 
This strategy enables compliance with 
the 15% renewable energy planning 
condition. An identical strategy has been 
applied to the small offices to meet the 
mandatory energy credits required to 
comply with the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ 
standard and the planning condition. 

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Maximum Area—
Weighted U-value 
(W/m2K)
Allowable Under 2006 
Building Regulations

Dwelling 
U-values (W/m2K)

% Improvement 
on 2006 
Allowable U-Value 
Standard

0.35
0.25
0.25
2.20

0.22
0.09
0.13
1.40

37.14
64.00
48.00
36.36

Thermal Element

Main external walls
Roof (joists)
Ground floor
Windows

zz achieved a target of 105 litres per 
person per day for internal water 
consumption via the use of reduced 
flow taps, low flow showers and dual 
flush WCs. This target is 16% better 
than the standard set by Part G of 
building regulations;

zz water butts to harvest rainwater;

zz three internal recycling bins fitted 

within a kitchen cupboard, facilitating 
segregation of recyclable waste along 
with a bin for compostable waste;

zz Class 5 gas boilers with very low 

Nitrous Oxide emissions, a gas that is 
a key contributor to climate change;

zz Porotherm blocks used for the 

shell which are both recyclable and 
bonded using grouts that reduce 
the requirement of mortars and 
associated waste;

zz timber which has been sourced 

sustainably;

zz been designed to comply in full with 

Lifetime Homes’ standards, facilitating 
potential life-long occupation of the 
property;

zz level thresholds to entrance doors 
which ensure access for all and 
minimises disruption for disabled 
residents;

zz rigorous security standards for doors 
and windows set by Secured by 
Design, helping to reduce the risk 
and fear of crime amongst the new 
community; and

zz a Home User Guide which provides 
information to each new owner 
about the environmental features in 
their home, together with detailed 
information about their locality and its 
various amenities.

Sustainable ‘Highlights’
Exceptional performance was achieved 
in the Considerate Constructors Scheme, 
with a score of over 36 out of 40 points in 
the most recent Site Monitoring Report.

In addition, all dwellings have:

zz 75% energy efficient light fittings;

zz air tightness is set at 50% less than 

the allowed test result under Part L of 
current Building Regulations. Results 
from acoustic testing are likely to 
demonstrate at least an 8 decibel 
improvement on the standards 
required by Part E of building 
regulations for party walls and floors;

zz very good standards for received 

daylight, with calculations verifying 
that all kitchens, living rooms, dining 
rooms and home office locations 
achieve an Average Daylight Factor of 
at least 1.50%;

zz white goods provided with ‘A+’ and 

‘A’ energy ratings;

zz dedicated space and facilities for 

home offices, encouraging working 
from home and reducing reliance on 
the car. Sustainable transport choices 
are also promoted via provision of 
bicycle storage within a garage, 
garden shed or communal store; 

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Reusing and Preserving 
Buildings
Edmonton Green Shopping 
Centre — Enfield, London
The centre was acquired from Enfield 
Council in 1999 and since then, St. 
Modwen has carried out almost £100m of 
regeneration and development to revitalise 
a tired 1970s community and district 
centre. Whilst much of the regeneration 
has featured new build and facilities 
including an Asda foodstore, leisure 
centre, health centre, hotel and residential 
development, significant areas have been 
retained and enhanced to respect the 
original masterplan strategy.

One of the first initiatives in 2003 saw the 
£2.5m remodelling and new layout of the 
Market Square which is at the heart of 
the Centre. More recently in 2011 and in 
partnership with Enfield Council, a £1.5m 
refurbishment and upgrade of South 
Mall was completed. As well as national 
and independent retailers, South Mall 
also houses many community facilities 
including a library, banks, post office and 
Enfield Council’s Housing Department, 
with a weekly footfall of 60,000 people.

A refurbishment scheme that retained 
the essence of the original structure but 
also created an improved experience 
for traders and visitors was crucial. The 
programme of works included replacing 
the roof panels within the existing 
structure, upgrading the lighting and 
installing new flooring and street furniture. 
This was carefully planned to enable 
all occupiers to trade undisturbed. The 
environment for visitors and traders has 
been significantly enhanced whilst the 
character of the original Mall has been 
retained.

Preserving Nature and 
our Environment
Ecology — Littlecombe, 
Dursley, Gloucestershire
As part of the development on site in 
Dursley, St. Modwen opened up the River 
Cam from its previous culvert. Debris 
was removed to maintain the river flow 
and landscaping was advanced to create 
an improved environment. This included 
placing new stones, located from a quarry 
chosen by the Environment Agency, into 
the river bed. Rock ramps and riparian 
vegetation also provided optimal flow and 
habitat for survival.

A subsequent Environment Agency 
electric fishing survey (May 2011), for 
a 100 metre section from road bridge 
to  footbridge, confirmed the following 
progress:

zz 2007: 8 Brown Trout and abundant 
(100+) Bullhead (a minor species);
zz 2008: 13 Brown Trout and abundant 

Bullhead;

zz 2011: 44 Brown Trout, abundant 

Bullhead and 3-spined Stickleback (a 
minor species).

These results show that Brown Trout 
numbers increased and encouraging 
levels of other more minor species. Also, 
the size of the trout indicated that ages 
varied from those that had spawned in 
2011 (32mm long), to fish four years old 
(280mm long).

Ecology — Coed Darcy,  
Neath, South Wales 
The development of Coed Darcy is 
accompanied by a rich programme 
of environmental and ecological 
enhancement. The transformation of the 
former oil refinery requires a two phased 
approach. 

Firstly, existing protected species 
are being assessed, protected and 
translocated where required in advance 
of construction works. Secondly, a 
programme of habitat creation is being 
implemented within and around the 
development areas to establish an on-
going vibrant ecological community and 
to ensure the end development retains its 
native fauna and flora. 

Delivering biodiversity on a large scale 
project with a demanding timetable is 
about conserving biodiversity in terms of 
local populations rather than individuals, 
and in terms of habitats within the site 
rather than in specific locations. This 
means moving animals (for example: 
bats, Great Crested Newts, badgers and 
reptiles) to new locations, translocating 
and creating new habitats.

A survey of UK (Biodiversity Action 
Plan (‘BAP’)) priority habitats across 
the site resulted in proposals for the 
management, enhancement and creation 
of woodlands and heathlands. This led 
to the identification of locations for the 
delivery of new BAP habitats through 
advance habitat creation.

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Demolition of former works buildings 
took account of the existing roosts of the 
Common Pipstrelle and other species 
of bats. The mitigation for the loss of 
roosts involved the erection of bat boxes 
on nearby buildings and trees and a 
purpose-built bat lodge on the western 
margin of the development. 

A trapping programme focused on Great 
Crested Newts (a European Protected 
Species) has resulted in the translocation 
of approximately 4,000 newts along with 
other reptiles and amphibians. The two 
year trapping programme, which has 
been undertaken under a license issued 
by the Welsh Government, involved the 
erection of over 10km of bespoke newt 
barrier. A dedicated newt receptor area 
has been constructed that includes 
ponds, grassland and wet woodland 
areas. The receptor ponds lie outside the 
main construction area and it is intended 
that this will form part of the ‘ecological 
fringe’ which forms the whole western 
margin of Coed Darcy. 

In the south of the site a new badger set 
has been constructed which will allow an 
existing social group of badgers to coexist 
within the southern rural margin of the 
new development. 

Adjacent to the development site is the 
Crymlyn Bog, an internationally important 
wetland located immediately adjacent to 
the proposed village. As a Site of Special 
Scientific Interest (‘SSSI’), RAMSAR 
site and Special Area for Conservation 
(‘SAC’), its proximity is a prime asset to 
the development. However, this closeness 
provides challenges for the remediation 

of the former refinery site as well as 
the planning, design, construction and 
long-term operation of the development. 
A key issue for the development is 
maintaining the quality and quantity of 
the drainage inflows to the bog from the 
site. St. Modwen’s ecologists are working 
closely with drainage engineers to 
ensure a surface water drainage strategy 
is developed such that discharges to 
Crymlyn Bog will be attenuated and 
controlled to ensure the long term impacts 
of the various development phases are 
mitigated. 

Environmental & Sustainability Targets Table 2011

2011 Achieved 
(percentage)

2010 Achieved 
(percentage)

Percentage of remediated materials reused or recycled

Percentage of demolition products reclaimed for retention on site or recycling

Percentage of construction project waste reused or recycled

Energy consumption reduction above that involved in achieving Building Regulations 
on speculative projects in excess of 50,000 sq ft for industrial buildings and  
25,000 sq ft for offices.

Percentage of building projects to have at least 10% of power from a renewable 
energy source

Percentage of schemes with water usage reduction technologies — 100%

Percentage of schemes with water recycling technology

99%

95%

88%

n/a*

57%

100%

75%

99%

94%

75%

100%

33%

100%

36%

*  There were no speculative industrial or commercial projects constructed during 2011. However, we did achieve energy 
consumption reduction above that involved in achieving building regulations on our two housing schemes at Park View, 
Longbridge and Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare.

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COMMUNITY  
AND ECONOMY

Apprenticeships at 
Longbridge
St. Modwen welcomed local apprentices 
and trainees onto the £12.5m Park View 
residential development at Longbridge, 
in a bid to highlight the developer’s 
commitment to the Longbridge 
Employment Charter.

Seven apprentices and trainees aged 
between 17 and 23 have joined 
tradesmen on the Park View site, 
including a budding carpenter, plumber, 
quantity surveyor, electrician, brick layer 
and two civil engineers, to learn their 
chosen trades through a hands-on 
training programme. 

Longbridge, St Columba’s 
School
St. Modwen invited local school children 
onto the £12.5m Park View residential 
development at Longbridge in a bid to 
highlight the dangers associated with 
playing on building sites.

20 pupils aged between seven and 11 
from St. Columba’s Catholic Primary 
School on Lickey Road in Longbridge, 
attended the safety presentation just prior 
to the start of the summer holidays. Kitted 
out in fluorescent jackets, safety helmets 
and protective footwear, the children were 
led round the site by the St. Modwen 
team and given the opportunity to ask 
questions, whilst being taught about the 
risks regarding heavy machinery, falling 
objects and hazardous materials. 

Through the Longbridge Employment 
Charter, St. Modwen is committed to 
working in partnership with Birmingham 
City Council, the Skills Funding Agency 
and Jobcentre Plus to facilitate economic 
regeneration and engage with local 
people to promote access to jobs and 
training. 

Andrew Smyllie, Headteacher at St. 
Columba’s School commented: “The 
children learnt about the risks associated 
with construction sites. The pupils were 
taught some valuable safety lessons, 
which hopefully will ensure no one is ever 
tempted to enter a development site 
aside from organised tours like this.”

In addition, an apprentice was taken 
on to assist the management team at 
the Longbridge Innovation Centre by 
undertaking reception duties.

Longbridge, myplace
myplace is a new £5m youth centre, 
which will be situated at the heart of 
Longbridge. It will provide a wide range 
of innovative and much needed services 
to 13–19 year-olds in the Longbridge 
area. Construction work commenced in 
mid 2011 to enable the centre to open its 
doors in summer 2012. The building has 
been designed to meet a BREEAM ‘Very 
Good’ rating. 

The development of the centre has been 
made possible through a council-secured 
grant from the Government’s myplace 
programme: a Big Lottery Fund scheme 
to invest in state-of-the-art facilities for 
young people across the UK. Located off 
Longbridge Lane, the new youth centre 
will address the lack of dedicated facilities 
for young people in the area. The location 
of the site was selected for its proximity 
to the new £66m Bournville College 
campus, Longbridge Railway Station and 
the new Longbridge Town Centre site, 
maximising its accessibility. 

The facility will play an important part 
in the long-term social, cultural and 
economic improvement of the area, 
as there is currently no statutory youth 
provision. Providing a safe and welcoming 
environment, the centre will give young 
people the opportunity to participate 
in a range of activities and enterprise 
programmes, with the space to socialise 
and enjoy new learning experiences in 
preparation for their future. In turn, it is 
envisaged that this will have a positive 
impact on the ongoing growth and future 
prosperity of Longbridge.

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Ben is currently enrolled as a College 
apprentice studying a Diploma and Level 
2 NVQ in Brickwork at Weston College 
Construction and Engineering Centre of 
Excellence. 

A further four apprentices from the 
College also started the practical 
elements of their apprenticeships in 
bricklaying, plumbing installations, 
plastering and carpentry this summer. 
Each apprentice will gain the Construction 
Skills Certification Scheme accreditation 
before starting on site, as well as gaining 
the hands on experience over the next 12 
months, required to complete their NVQ 
certificates. 

Around 20 College students will gain work 
experience placements with St. Modwen 
or its subcontractors over the course 
of the next 12 months at the site, in 
brickwork, plumbing, plastering, carpentry 
and general site management, to improve 
their future employment potential. 

As part of the redevelopment of the site, 
St. Modwen is committed to working 
with the landowner, the Homes and 
Communities Agency (‘HCA’), to ensure 
that jobs are created for local people to 
help grow the local economy. 

For the first phase of development, St. 
Modwen invited tenders from contractors 
across the four local authority areas of 
Somerset County Council, Bath and 
North Somerset Council, North Somerset 
District Council and South Gloucestershire 
Council as agreed with West of England 
Partnership’s West at Work project. 

Around 95% of all waste materials on 
site will be reclaimed and diverted from 
landfill and with all site materials, where 
possible, sourced from within the South 
West region, with drainage and concrete 
currently coming from the Bristol and 
Weston area.

Hednesford — Aquarius 
Community/Dance Hall
St. Modwen gifted part of the original 
dance floor from the Aquarius 
Community/Dance Hall, part of the £50m 
Hednesford Gateway development, to 
Cannock resident Alana Grew, whose late 
husband Geoff laid the flooring along with 
his brother Ron, in the early 1980s.

Hilton Business Park — Big 
Tree Plant
South Derbyshire District Council and  
St. Modwen teamed up with Hilton Parish 
Council and Groundwork Derby and 
Derbyshire to plan and deliver a green 
oasis within South Derbyshire’s urban 
core for residents to enjoy for years to 
come.

Reputed at the time to be one of  
the finest dance floors in the country,  
a 10 sq m feature area of the original floor 
is being relocated and preserved by St. 
Modwen and contractor Prosurv, within 
the new 250 sq m dance floor being 
constructed at the new hall.

“It is lovely to have a memento of my late 
husband’s work,” commented Mrs Grew. 
“Alongside Geoff and his brother laying 
the floor, we also went dancing at the old 
ballroom and I have many happy memories 
of that time. When I heard the building 
was being demolished I immediately 
contacted St. Modwen to see if I could 
have a piece of our history to share with 
the grandchildren. I am delighted that four 
blocks have been saved just for us and 
also that part of the original floor will be 
featured within the new Aquarius building. 
I hope the redevelopment of Hednesford 
gives the town the boost that it needs 
to get back on its feet and I am looking 
forward to seeing the new dance floor 
when it is completed.”

One thousand trees have been planted 
to help create an attractive open space 
off Welland Road and Humber Street 
in Hilton. Oak, Field Maple and Silver 
Birch species were provided by Trees 
Derbyshire (‘MTD’) following a successful 
bid to the Government under the Forestry 
Commission funded Big Tree Plant 
programme.

Locking Apprentices
St. Modwen launched an apprenticeship 
and work placement scheme with Weston 
College. The project’s first phase will offer 
a minimum of five students the chance 
to make their mark on the business and 
residential community planned at the 
former RAF Locking site, near Weston-
super-Mare. 

To kick-start the partnership 18 year 
old Ben Scoins from nearby Locking 
Grove has this month started the 
practical element of his apprenticeship 
in bricklaying at the 200 acre site, 
where he will work on the first phase 
of development which includes the 
construction of 100 homes, 6,000 sq ft of 
offices and associated infrastructure. 

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behind the regeneration of Farnborough 
town centre. Budding artists Kiara 
Robinson (age eight), Ceilidh Westwood 
(age ten), Harrison Tonks (age seven) 
and Rebecca Downer (age nine) saw 
their winning drawings of ‘The Meads 
in Spring’ on display in the heart of 
Farnborough, between Sainsbury’s and 
Kingsmead shopping centre.

Edmonton Green — 
Community Arts Project
St. Modwen teamed up with local 
Edmonton Green arts charity ArtStart, 
which helps local children express 
themselves through art rather than 
‘hanging out’ on the streets. 

Workshops were held in the centre, 
asking local children to design a mural 
that best represented what they loved 
about Edmonton Green. The winning 
designs will be installed in the shopping 
centre in February 2012. 

Time Capsule, The Hive 
Pupils from a Halton Primary School filled 
a time capsule with items and, on Friday 
22nd July, it was buried at the site of The 
Hive, Halton’s new multi-million pound 
leisure park.

St. Modwen and Halton Borough Council 
asked Year 5 pupils at Simms Cross 
Primary School to work on ideas to fill 
the capsule. Items included photos of 
the pupils and staff, a map of Halton, 
aerial pictures, individual letters to 
‘future friends’, a weekly timetable and a 
newspaper.

The Council also added business cards 
from people involved in the development 
as well as a Widnes Waterfront DVD. 
The capsule was then welded shut by 
engineering students at Riverside College. 

The time capsule is seen as providing a 
link between the present and the future 
and a way of celebrating the new leisure 
development. 

Farnborough — Hoardings 
Competition Winners
Pupils from Fernhill Primary School won a 
competition to have their artwork featured 
on temporary hoardings around The 
Meads in Farnborough.

The project, which saw over one hundred 
designs submitted by the school, was 
organised by St. Modwen, the developer 

ST. MODWEN 
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
Now in its fifth year, the St. Modwen 
Environmental Trust continues to provide 
valuable support to community and 
environmental projects across the UK.

Affiliated to the Government’s Landfill 
Tax Credit Scheme and regulated by 
ENTRUST, it seeks to support projects 
where alternative funding is unlikely 
to be available, targeting not-for-profit 
organisations such as community groups 
and charities. 

In 2011, over £100,000 was committed 
to 11 projects across the country and 
a small selection of those who applied 
successfully for the Trust’s support now 
follows. 

Moseley Bog
St. Modwen donated £10,000 to The 
Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the 
Black Country’s Moseley Bog and Joy’s 
Wood regeneration project — an amount 
that has funded an outdoor classroom 
and performance area on the site that 
was once author J.R.R. Tolkein’s local 
playground. 

The money was donated by the St. 
Modwen Environmental Trust in a bid 
to help improve the local environment, 
benefitting the region in which St. 
Modwen operates. The outdoor 
classroom is part of a larger regeneration 
project at Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood, 
which will see access improved, the old 
woodland preserved and an attempt to 
reintroduce the Royal Fern, lost from the 
bog in the 1980s. 

The Moseley Bog site, which is said to 
have been a childhood favourite of Tolkein 
and the inspiration behind characters 
such as Ents and Old Man Willow, will 
now excite the imagination of school 
children from across the local area 
through outdoor art, lessons about native 
wildlife and literary classes.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011Washpool Area Restoration 
Project, Chiseldon, Wiltshire
The objective of this community led 
project with the support of the Parish 
Council was to restore an historic area 
of land on the edge of the village of 
Chiseldon. This land has been neglected 
over the years, becoming overgrown and 
attracting anti-social behaviour, making it 
uninviting for use by the local community 
and wildlife alike.

St. Modwen Environmental Trust funded 
£23,359 in support of the second phase 
of the work to allow the area to be 
securely fenced, and creating ponds, 
wetland areas and auxiliary habitats, 
planting of native woodland trees and 
plants, grasslands and the creation of 
picnic areas, walkways and boardwalks. 

Together with the local community and 
visitors the site has also proved to be a 
firm fixture in the local school’s curriculum, 
providing a valuable teaching aid and 
hopes to attract interest from schools in 
neighbouring areas. 

Oasis Children’s  
Venture, Stockwell, Elephant  
& Castle
Local children benefited from a £6,400 
donation from St. Modwen Environmental 
Trust to the Oasis Children’s Venture in 
Stockwell, south London close to the 
Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre 
owned by St. Modwen.

St. Mary the Virgin, Upchurch, 
Sittingbourne, Kent
St. Modwen Environmental Trust 
contributed £10,000 to support this major 
and urgent restoration project to repair the 
windows and stonework of this Grade 1 
Listed building of outstanding architectural 
and historical importance, dating from the 
13th and 14th Centuries. 

Situated in the heart of this community 
the restoration project has enabled the 
church to continue to safely host not only 
services but wider community events. 

The charity manages three open-access 
play sites: a nature garden, cycle 
adventure playground and go-kart track 
offering local children and young people 
a safe place to play, explore and learn. It 
aims to make an impact on the lives of 
deprived children by combining innovative 
play facilities with the promotion of 
environmental education. 

The donation funded: 
zz a new, ground-level ‘enchanted 

treehouse’ with a stage for children 
to perform on – fully accessible for 
people with mobility difficulties and 
wheelchair users;

zz an outdoor puppet theatre;

zz a storytelling space;

zz magical glade solar lighting;

zz an outdoor cooking project with a 

natural cob-oven where children can 
cook produce grown in the nature 
garden;

zz new child-size tools, allowing 

children to become actively involved 
in a gardening club and helping to 
promote healthy eating to young 
people; and

zz enhancements to the outdoor 

classroom including outdoor bean 
bags and benches.

57

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58

Corporate Governance

BOard memBers

1

4

7

2

5

8

3

6

9

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201159

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1 Bill Shannon FCA†•
Non-executive Chairman

2 Bill Oliver BSc, FCA
Chief Executive

Finance Director in 2000. Appointed 
Managing Director in 2003 and Chief 
Executive in 2004. He has over 30 years’ 
experience within the housebuilding and 
property sectors. 

Appointed as a non-executive director 
and Chairman Designate in October 
2010. He became Chairman following 
the company’s AGM in March 2011. He 
is a non-executive director of Johnson 
Service Group plc and Rank Group plc. 
Previously he was Chairman of AEGON 
plc, Chairman of Gaucho Grill Holdings 
Ltd and a non-executive director of Barratt 
Developments plc, Matalan plc and an 
executive director of Whitbread plc.

3 Michael Dunn BSc, FCA 
Group Finance Director and 
Company Secretary

Joined the Company in December 2010 
from May Gurney Integrated Services 
plc, the AIM listed infrastructure support 
services business, where he spent five 
years as Group Finance Director. A 
chartered accountant, he was Finance 
Director of Carillion Building and Carillion 
Private Finance prior to joining May 
Gurney.

4 David Garman BA FCILT*†•
Non-executive Director

5 Steve Burke
Construction Director

6 Lesley James CBE, MA, CCIPD*†•
Non-executive Director

David is the Senior Independent Director; 
a non-executive director of Phoenix IT 
Group plc; a non-executive director 
of Kewill plc and a number of private 
companies. David was, until October 
2008, Group Chief Executive of TDG plc, 
which he joined in 1999 from Associated 
British Foods plc, where he was an 
executive director having previously held 
senior positions in a number of leading UK 
food companies. Between 2004 and 2011 
he was the Senior Independent Director of 
Carillion plc.

Joined the Company as Construction 
Director in 1995 and appointed  
to the main Board as a director in 
November 2006. Previously contracts 
director and construction manager with a 
number of national contracting companies 
(including Balfour Beatty and Clarke 
Construction).

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, 
Selfridges plc and the West Bromwich 
Building Society. Currently a non-executive 
director of Anchor Trust.

7 Katherine Innes Ker MA DPhil*†•
Non-executive Director

8 John Salmon FCA*†•
Non-executive Director

9 Simon Clarke*†•
Non-executive Director

A non-executive director appointed in 
October 2009. Formerly a non-executive 
director of Taylor Wimpey PLC, The 
Television Corporation PLC, Fibernet 
Group plc, Williams Lea PLC, Gyrus 
Group PLC, Shed Media PLC, Bryant 
Group plc, Ordnance Survey, ITV Digital 
plc, Oakley Capital Limited and Marine 
Farms ASA. Currently Senior Independent 
Director of Tribal Group plc and a non-
executive of Go-Ahead Group plc.

A non-executive director appointed 
in 2005. Chairman of the Audit 
Committee. Formerly a partner of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and a 
member and former Deputy Chairman of 
their supervisory board. Currently a trustee 
and council member of the British Heart 
Foundation.

A non-executive director appointed in 
2004. Chairman of private company, 
Dunstall Holdings Ltd. Previously Deputy 
Chairman of Northern Racing PLC and 
a director and the Vice-Chairman of the 
Racecourse Association.

*  Member of the Audit Committee
†  Member of the Remuneration Committee
•  Member of the Nomination Committee

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
60

Corporate Governance

regiOnal direCtOrs

Mike Herbert
Regional Director —  
North Staffordshire

Rupert Joseland BSc, MRICS
Regional Director — 
South West & South Wales

Stephen Prosser BSc, MRICS
Regional Director — 
Yorkshire & North East

Tim Seddon BSc, MRICS
Regional Director — 
London & South East

Michelle Taylor BSc, MRICS
Regional Director —  
North West

Rupert Wood BSc, MRICS
Regional Director — 
Northern Home Counties

John Dodds BSc, FRICS
Regional Director — Midlands

Guy Gusterson BSc, MBA
Residential Director

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011Corporate Governance

COrpOrate gOvernanCe repOrt

Chairman’s Introduction

Audit Committee

61

Bill Shannon
Non-executive Chairman

John Salmon
Committee Chairman

“As a Board, we have a responsibility for the stewardship 
of the business and a commitment to maintaining high 
standards of corporate governance across the Group. We 
believe good governance enhances business performance 
as well as our reputation within our marketplace and across 
our stakeholder relationships.”

The following Corporate Governance Report outlines how the 
Board has adopted and applied the principles of good corporate 
governance as set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 
2010 (‘the Code’). This report, following an introduction to the 
three Committees, discloses our governance approach against 
the core themes identified by the Code:

zz Leadership

zz Effectiveness

zz Accountability

zz Remuneration

zz Relations with Shareholders

Throughout the year ended 30th November 2011, the Company 
has followed best practice as set out by the Code. However, 
the following panel acknowledges and provides a supporting 
explanation regarding one area where the Company departed 
from the Code during the reporting period.

“Comply or Explain . . .”
The Company has complied with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code in full except for:

B.1.1 Simon Clarke is not regarded as an independent 
non-executive director within the meaning of the Code given 
that he represents the interests of a significant shareholder 
block*. However, this is mitigated because there is sufficient 
independent representation on the Board following new 
appointments made in 2010/11. In addition, the Board 
believes that his position provides a strong interest in 
challenging and scrutinizing management to secure excellent 
performance. Simon Clarke has been subjected to a more 
rigorous review as he has served on the Board for more than 
seven years from the date of his first election to the Board. 

B.2.1, C.3.1 and D.2.1 Although Simon Clarke is a member of 
the Committees, there continues to be sufficient independent 
non-executive directors across all Committees consistent with 
requirements of the Code.

* Simon Clarke is a representative of the Clarke and Leavesley families, who together hold 
approximately 24.5% of the Company’s capital.

“The Audit Committee has responsibility for monitoring 
the integrity of the financial statements, including formal 
announcements relating to its financial performance. It reviews 
the external valuations of the property portfolio, the risk 
management and internal control systems. The Committee 
also reviews reports from the internal and external auditors 
and monitors their effectiveness.” 

Terms of Reference — www.stmodwen.co.uk

How does the Audit Committee allocate its time?

Valuation  

Policy  

Review  

Disclosure  

20%

10%

60%

10%

Chaired By: John Salmon
Other Members: David Garman, Simon Clarke, Katherine Innes 
Ker and Lesley James. 
Recent and relevant experience: As a former partner of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, John Salmon is considered by the 
Board to have both recent and relevant financial experience.
Number of meetings: Three scheduled meetings.
Other invitees: Group Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, 
Internal and External Auditors and Company Secretariat. Although 
he is not a member of the Committee, the Chairman of the Board 
attends all Committee meetings. The Committee has direct access 
to the internal and external auditors. The Committee also meets 
without management being present and has private sessions with 
both the internal and external auditors.
Group’s Auditors: Deloitte LLP (appointed 2007). The external 
auditors are required to rotate the engagment partner responsible 
for the Group every five years which will occur after the current 
audit. There are no contractual obligations restricting the 
company’s choice of external auditors.
Activities: 
zz Monitor the financial reporting process;

zz Consider appropriateness of accounting policies; 

zz Review interim and annual results and reports to shareholders 

including significant financial reporting judgements;

zz Review the annual valuation reports from Jones Lang LaSalle;

zz Review plans and work of internal audit;

zz Review reports from, and consulting with, the external auditors, 

monitoring independence and effectiveness and recommending, 
or not, their appointment;

zz Hold private meetings with internal and external auditors; and

zz Review risk management and internal control systems.

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Corporate Governance

Corporate GovernanCe report continued

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee

Bill Shannon
Committee Chairman

Lesley James
Committee Chairman

“The Nomination Committee has responsibility for reviewing 
the size, structure and composition of the Board, succession 
planning including the retirement and appointment of Board 
members and making appropriate recommendations to 
ensure there is an appropriate mix of skills and experience 
on the Board.” 

“The Remuneration Committee has responsibility for 
determining and agreeing the overall compensation 
strategy for executive directors, determining the individual 
remuneration package for the Chairman and approving 
the design of all share incentive plans, including performance 
criteria.” 

Terms of Reference — www.stmodwen.co.uk

Terms of Reference — www.stmodwen.co.uk

How does the Nomination Committee allocate its time?

How does the Remuneration Committee allocate its time?

Policy 

Effectiveness 

Succession Planning 

30%

50%

20%

Policy 

20%

Performance Objectives Review  50%

Administration  

Disclosure 

20%

10%

Chaired By: Bill Shannon (except when discussing succession 
issues relating to the Chairman).
Other Members: John Salmon, David Garman, Simon Clarke, 
Lesley James and Katherine Innes Ker.
Number of meetings: One scheduled meeting.
Use of External Consultants: No consultants were retained 
during the year in respect of Nomination Committee activities.
Activities: The Committee undertook a rigorous review of John 
Salmon’s re-appointment (extending beyond six years) and 
Simon Clarke’s re-appointment (extending beyond six years). The 
Committee has concluded that both John Salmon and Simon 
Clarke continue to contribute effectively and demonstrate their 
commitment to the Board and their Committee roles. In addition, 
it reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference and reviewed the 
findings of the internal Board evaluation undertaken during the 
period.

Chaired By: Lesley James
Other Members: John Salmon, David Garman, Simon Clarke, 
Katherine Innes Ker and Bill Shannon.
No of meetings: Three scheduled meetings and one telephone 
conference call.
Invitees: A representative from Company Secretariat. The Chief 
Executive may attend meetings but does not participate in 
deliberations and decisions where he has a personal interest.
Use of External Consultants: New Bridge Street (‘NBS’)
Activities: The Committee reviewed its terms of reference, 
2009/2010 Directors’ Remuneration Report and the 
Remuneration Policy for 2011 (including a review of executive 
directors’ base salaries, bonus principles for 2010/11, bonus 
targets and bonus achievements for 2009/10). In addition, the 
PSP performance criteria for March 2011 awards were reviewed 
and adopted. Approvals of Executive Share Option Scheme 
(‘ESOS’) and Savings Related Scheme grants were also given 
during the period.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201163

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Our Governance Approach
Q: How frequently did the Board meet in 2010/11?
A: The Board held ten scheduled meetings during the year. Meetings are usually held at the Company’s head office. Details of Board and 
Committee attendances by all directors who held office during 2010/11 are set out below:

Main Board

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Nomination
Committee

8
10
10
10
10
9
9
10
9

3
3
10

—
—
—
—
3
2
3
3
3

—
1
3

3
4
—
—
4
3
4
4*
3

2
2
4

1
1
—
—
1
1
1
1
1

—
1
1

Q: How long are non-executive directors appointed for?
A: Non-executive directors are appointed for periods of three 
years, subject to shareholder approval. Terms in excess of six 
years are subject to a more rigorous review.

Q: Do you retain the services of an executive search firm?
A: Executive search firms are appointed on an “as needed” basis. 
During the year, no new Board appointments were made and as a 
result the services of a search firm were not required.

Q: How independent are the non-executive directors?
A: With the exception of Simon Clarke, all of the non-executive 
directors are regarded as being fully independent as defined in  
the Code.

Directors’ Independence

Independent

Non-independent

Attendance Chart

Director

Bill Shannon, Chairman (NED)
Bill Oliver, Chief Executive
Michael Dunn, Group Finance Director
Steve Burke, Construction Director
David Garman, NED (Senior Independent Director)
Simon Clarke, NED
Katherine Innes Ker, NED
Lesley James, NED
John Salmon, NED
Former Directors
Anthony Glossop, Chairman (NED) (until 22.03.11)
Ian Menzies-Gow, NED (until 22.03.11)
Number of meetings during the year

*   Includes one telephone conference call

LeADeRship

Q: How has the Board changed during the year?
A: Bill Shannon previously appointed as a non-executive director 
and as Chairman designate in November 2010 (deemed to be 
independent on appointment), succeeded Anthony Glossop as 
non-executive Chairman, effective 23rd March 2011. As a result, 
we have improved our compliance with the Code as we now have 
an independent non-executive Chairman in-situ. Ian Menzies-Gow 
retired from the Board following the 2011 Annual General Meeting 
(‘AGM’). Michael Dunn joined the Board in December 2010 as 
Group Finance Director. These changes have further strengthened 
and refreshed the Board.

Board Turnover / Refreshment

%
3
3

%
0
2

%
0
2

2009

2010

2011

Tenure

Less than 3 years  

4–6 years  

7–9 years 

More than 9 years 

5

2

1

1

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Corporate Governance

COrpOrate gOvernanCe repOrt continued

Q: What is the profile of the Board?
A: The Board believes that there should be an appropriate 
combination of executive and non-executive directors as well as a 
broad range of skills, experience, independence, knowledge and 
diversity including gender diversity represented on the Board. As a 
result, the diversity and blend of the Board continues to evolve and 
as at 30th November 2011 can be profiled in a number of ways:

As at 30th November 2011, gender diversity below Board level 
was as follows:

Percentage of women in senior executive 
positions:
Percentage of women in the organisation:

13%
49%

Role

Chairman (NED)  

EDs  

NEDs  

Skills

Finance  

Operations  

HR 

1

3

5

2

6

1

Biographies of the current directors are provided on page 59. All 
directors will be seeking re-election at the 2012 AGM. 

Following the Board evaluation, it has been determined that 
all the directors seeking re-election contribute effectively and 
demonstrate their committment to the Board and Committee 
roles that they respectively hold.

Q: What is the Board’s current position regarding gender 
diversity in the Board room?
A: In line with proposals outlined in Lord Davies’ report “Women 
on Boards”, February 2011, the Company already has 22% 
female representation on the Board (two out of nine directors). 
This is close to the 25% target for 2015 established by Lord 
Davies.

Gender

Male  

Female 

7

2

As at 30th November 2011 gender diversity at Board level was  
as follows:

Females holding directorships:
Female Chair:
Female executive directors:
Female non-executive directors:

2/9
1/4
0/3
2/5 

(22%)
(25%)
(0%)
(40%)

Q: What is the Board responsible for?
A: The Board maintains a formal agreed schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for Board approval. The schedule was last 
updated in October 2008 and will be updated post year-end. 
Matters reserved for consideration by the Board include:

zz establishing long-term strategic objectives;

zz approving annual operating and capital budgets;

zz reviewing construction development and speculative costs;

zz approving major property acquisitions and disposals;

zz reviewing business performance;

zz overseeing the Group’s risk management and internal control 

systems;

zz reviewing corporate governance arrangements;

zz approving shareholder return policy; and

zz ensuring appropriate resources are in place to enable the 

Group to meet its objectives.

The Board delegates responsibility for overseeing the 
implementation of strategy and policies to the executive directors.

Q: What is the Chairman responsible for?
A: The Chairman is primarily responsible for leading the Board 
and ensuring its effectiveness. In particular, the Chairman:

zz chairs the Board meetings, sets the agenda and ensures that 
information packs containing comprehensive briefing papers 
are distributed to the Board at least five days prior to each 
board meeting;

zz promotes high standards of corporate governance and 

ethical behaviour and ensures compliance with the Code 
where possible having regard for the Company’s size and 
existing management structure;

zz leads on Board performance evaluation, including the 

evaluation of the Board collectively, individually and the 
individual Board sub-committees;

zz holds regular meetings with the non-executive directors 

without the presence of other executives to review Board 
matters specifically from shareholders’ perspectives; and

zz maintains an effective working relationship with the Chief 

Executive by providing support and advice.

Q: What is the Chief Executive responsible for?
A: Bill Oliver is responsible for the executive management of 
the Group and for ensuring the implementation of the Board’s 
strategy and policy within the constraints of approved budgets, 
resources and timescales. Michael Dunn and Steve Burke as 
members of the executive team assist Mr Oliver in meeting his 
responsibilities.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201165

Q: What is the role of the Senior Independent Director?
A: As Senior Independent Non-executive Director, David Garman 
(who replaced Ian Menzies-Gow following the 2011 AGM) is an 
additional point of contact for shareholders. In addition, David 
Garman acts as a sounding board to the Chairman and serves as 
an intermediary for the other directors when necessary.

Q: Does the Chairman hold any other appointments?
A: Yes, Bill Shannon is non-executive director of Johnson Service 
Group PLC and Rank Group plc.

Q: Do the non-executives have opportunities to meet outside 
of the scheduled board meetings?
A: During the year the Chairman and the non-executive directors 
met without the executive directors being present. In addition, the 
non-executive directors met with the Senior Independent Director, 
without the Chairman present, to discuss the effectiveness and 
performance of the Chairman.

EFFECTIVENESS

Q: How does the Board allocate its time?
A: Below is a chart summarising the approximate time spent by 
the Board discussing a variety of agenda items during the year to 
30th November 2011: 

Agenda

Strategy  

Operations  

20%

30%

Finance & Risk   30%

Governance  

10%

Other Business   10%

Q: Has the Company adopted the Code’s new 
recommendations for the annual re-election of directors?
A: Following the changes to the Code, the Board has decided 
for the period under review to voluntarily adopt the provision 
regarding the annual re-election of all directors at the 2012 AGM.

Q: Do the directors have access to independent professional 
advice?
A: Yes, in addition to having access to the advice and services 
of the Company Secretarial department, all directors are able 
to seek independent professional advice in the course of their 
professional duties, at the Company’s expense. If any director has 
concerns regarding unresolved business issues they are entitled 
to require the Company Secretary to minute that concern. Should 
resignations subsequently occur in relation to unresolved business 
issues the Chairman would bring these concerns to the attention 
of the Board.

Q: How does the Board keep up to date?
A: The Group’s senior managers including the Regional Directors 
regularly make presentations to the Board on business and 
operational issues. The Board also receives regular monthly and 
special reports on projects and is involved in several site visits and 
meetings with key partners. Although there is no formal meeting 
schedule, the Regional Directors have regular opportunities to meet 
the Board. Where appropriate, the Company provides the resources 
to enable directors to update and upgrade their knowledge. 

Regional Director and Board initiatives undertaken 
during the year:

September 2011: The Residential Director and London 
Regional Director presented the New Covent Garden 
Scheme bid alongside Vinci (JV partner) to the Board.

November 2011: John Dodds, Midlands Regional Director 
updated the Board on the Longbridge site.

Continual professional development activities 
undertaken during the year:

zz Bribery Act presentation, facilitated by the Company 

Secretariat.

zz Longbridge site visit including the Lickey Road residential 

development.

zz Ongoing individual NED site visits.

zz Valuation updates gained through reports and 

presentations by Jones Lang LaSalle during the year.

Q: How do you assess the effectiveness of the Board and 
its Committees?
A: The Chairman led an internal evaluation of the Board (including 
its sub-committees and individual Board members). This involved 
a series of one-on-one discussions between the Chairman and 
Board members. An externally facilitated review will be considered 
in late 2012 in order to allow for sufficient time for the outcome of 
the internal evaluation to be implemented.

Q: How are new directors to the Board assisted? 
A: The Chairman assisted by the Company Secretarial 
department ensures that all new Board members receive an 
induction that covers their duties and responsibilities as directors. 
In addition, new directors are provided with full briefing packs to 
ensure they can orientate themselves as quickly and effectively 
as possible. Specifically, Michael Dunn as part of his tailored 
induction programme met with all key advisers and spent a day 
with each of the eight Regional Directors and visited around 60 
sites. Bill Shannon visited approximately 30 key sites as part of 
his transition to the role of Chairman. Major shareholders are also 
offered the opportunity to meet newly appointed directors should 
they express a desire to do so.

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COrpOrate gOvernanCe repOrt continued

Q: How do you assess the effectiveness of the executive 
directors?
A: The criteria used for evaluating individual executive directors’ 
performance are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 
Executive directors also took part in the internal evaluation of the 
Board led by the Chairman.

Q: How do you assess the effectiveness of the Chairman?
A: The non-executive directors led by the Senior Independent 
Director held a meeting to discuss the Chairman’s performance in 
his absence. Following this assessment, it has been determined 
that the Chairman’s performance was effective and that he 
demonstrated commitment to the role.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Q: What is the Board’s responsibility for managing risk?
A: 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. This 
responsibility is delegated to the Audit Committee.

Q: How does the Board ensure that its risk management and 
internal control systems are adequate?
A: Both the Board and the Audit Committee review and approve 
the Group Risk Register, maintained by Executive management, 
on an annual basis. During the year, the Risk Register was 
refreshed following a comprehensive review of risk management 
which included a risk workshop involving senior management 
and facilitated by Ernst & Young. As a result, principal risks 
were agreed and prioritised, details of which can be found on 
pages 42 to 45. This is part of a process to ensure that our risk 
management system is effective, and adds value to the business.

During the year, the directors have also reviewed the effectiveness 
of the system of internal control in accordance with the Turnbull 
guidance, through a detailed report from senior management 
which covers: the group’s control environment; the manner 
in which key business risks are identified; the adequacy of 
information systems and control procedures; and the manner in 
which any required corrective action is to be taken.

Q: What is the purpose of internal controls?
A: Internal controls have been put in place to:

zz safeguard shareholders’ investments and the Group’s assets;

zz maintain proper accounting and other records; and

zz ensure that important financial and non financial information, 
used within the business or published externally, is accurate, 
timely and reliable.

Q: What are the Group’s key internal controls and how are 
they monitored?
A: The group’s key internal controls are centred on 
comprehensive 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. 
In addition to the Group Finance Director, the Group has a Group 
Financial Controller with finance managers at its Head Office. Key 
internal controls are reviewed by the internal audit manager on an 
ongoing basis.

Q: Have there been any changes in the Group’s organisation 
during the year under review which has strengthened 
internal controls?
A: The Group has been strengthened by an increase in residential 
expertise together with associated finance support. In addition, 
there has been continued strengthening of the asset management 
team who monitor the regional property portfolios.

Q: Is there a Group internal audit function? 
A: Yes. The Group has its own full time internal audit manager. 
During the year, the Board approved the Group Internal Audit 
Charter which defines the role and responsibilities of the function. 
Internal audit work is focused on the controls that mitigate the 
principal risks faced by the Group. Reports are prepared for 
the executive management and the findings are reported to the 
Audit Committee which also reviews, approves and monitors the 
progress of Internal audit plans for the year.

Q: Are there procedures in place for approving significant 
transactions?
A: 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 and strategic matters, that are reserved for Board 
approval. Formal policies and procedures are in place covering all 
elements of employment, the construction process, bribery and 
anti-corruption, whistleblowing, health and safety and IT.

Q: Are internal controls continually monitored by the Group 
and have there been any losses suffered by a failure of 
internal control during the period under review?
A: Internal control, by its nature, provides only reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 
The directors and senior management 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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201167

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Q: How does the Board deal with conflicts of interest?
A: Company policy requires that if a director becomes aware that 
they have a direct or indirect interest in an existing or proposed 
transaction with the Company they should notify the Board at 
the next Board meeting or by providing a written declaration. 
Directors have a continuing duty to update any changes in such 
interests. No conflicts of interest were recorded during the period.

Q: How has the Board responded to the Bribery and 
Corruption Act 2010?
A: The Bribery Act 2010 (‘the Act’) outlines four corporate 
offences, three of which also apply to individuals. These offences, 
whether for commercial organisations or for individuals, apply 
regardless of where in the world the bribes are offered or received 
and regardless of whether the bribery is direct or via a connected 
party such as an agent or partner. 

The Company has a policy that is available on both the Group 
intranet and Internet and is in line with the Ministry of Justice’s 
(‘MOJ’) guidelines, in particular, the Act requires organisations to 
demonstrate that “Adequate Procedures” have been implemented 
to prevent bribery. To this extent, our policy takes a proportionate 
approach to implementing procedures to prevent bribery based 
on risk and makes recommendations against the MOJ’s six 
principles of compliance: proportionate procedures, top level 
commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, communication 
(including training) plus monitoring and review. Further information 
regarding Company policy in this area can be found on our 
website: www.stmodwen.co.uk 

Specific activities undertaken include the updating of contracts 
of employment and a corporate gift and hospitality policy 
communicated to staff, including the establishment of a register. 
A code of conduct document for the Group is being progressed 
and a due diligence initiative regarding agents and intermediaries 
is ongoing.

Q: What is the Board’s policy regarding the provision of non-
audit services by the external auditors?
A: Non-audit services provided by the external auditors are 
monitored continually throughout the year. The Board recognizes 
that whilst it is cost effective for the external auditors to provide 
tax compliance and tax planning services to the Group, other 
services should only be provided where 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. During the year 
non-audit work included tax compliance and advisory services 
together with property and planning advice provided by Drivers 
Jonas Deloitte. The Board concluded that undertaking such work 
did not compromise auditor independence or objectivity. Given 
their detailed understanding of the business, Deloitte were able 
to provide this work more cost efficiently and effectively than an 
alternative provider who would not have benefitted from pre-
existing knowledge of the business. 

Further analysis regarding auditor remuneration is disclosed in 
Note 3 to the accounts.

Q: Who monitors non-audit services provided by the external 
auditors?
A: In all cases the provision of non-audit services is carefully 
monitored by the Audit Committee. The external auditors would 
not be invited to provide any non-audit services where it was 
felt that this could conflict with their independence or objectivity. 
Such services would include the provision of internal audit and 
management consulting services.

REMUNERATION

In line with the Code and applicable remuneration legislation, 
details on remuneration can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS

Q: How would you describe the responsibilities you have to 
shareholders?
A: The Board’s primary role is to represent and promote the 
interests of its shareholders in addition to being accountable to 
them for the long-term performance and success of the business.

Q: How does the Board engage with shareholders?
A: The Board reinforces its commitment to shareholder 
engagement and dialogue through a number of different channels 
including presentations, conference calls, face-to-face meetings 
and the AGM. Following the announcement of results, trading 
updates and interim management statements, conference calls 
and meetings take place with analysts and major shareholders to 
update them on the progress the Company has made towards its 
goals and invite them to ask questions and to provide feedback. 
In addition, the Company held an investor day in July 2011 at 
the former RAF Uxbridge site comprising a mix of investors and 
analysts. The Board also has ongoing meetings throughout the 
year with its joint brokers (JP Morgan Cazenove and Numis 
Securities).

Q: To whom do shareholders address any concerns?
A: The Chief Executive and Group Finance Director are available 
to meet shareholders during the year. Bill Shannon, Chairman 
and David Garman, Senior Independent Director are available 
to discuss any issues or concerns that shareholders may have. 
During the period, there were no investor concerns raised or 
reported to the Board.

Q: What is the purpose of the AGM?
A: The AGM is an opportunity for all shareholders to vote 
on resolutions put forward and to directly ask the Board any 
questions they may have. At least 20 working days before the 
AGM, shareholders receive the Notice of AGM, a copy of this 
report (if they request a copy in writing) and a Form of Proxy.

Q: What provisions are in place for electronic 
communications?
A: We are continuing to maintain momentum regarding the move 
to electronic communications that we initiated last year. The take-
up rate as at 30th November 2011 stood at over 75%.

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68

Corporate Governance

COrpOrate gOvernanCe repOrt continued

OTHER GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Dividends
The directors recommend a final dividend of 2.2p per ordinary 
share to be paid on 4th April 2012 to ordinary shareholders on 
the register on 9th March 2012 which, together with the interim 
dividend of 1.1p paid on 5th September 2011, makes a total of 
3.3p for the year (2010: 3.0p).

Takeover directive
The Company has only one class of ordinary shares and these 
shares have equal voting rights. The nature of individual directors’ 
holdings are disclosed on page 74.

As part of the resolutions approved at the 2011 AGM of 
shareholders, shareholders’ authority was given to the Company’s 
directors for the allotment of up to 49,639,069 ordinary shares of 
10p each representing 24.7% of the issued share capital of the 
Company as at the date of the 2011 AGM.

During the year, the directors did not exercise the authorities given 
to them to allot shares. 

Certain of the Company’s share incentive schemes contain 
provisions that permit awards or options to vest or become 
exerciseable on a change of control in accordance with the rules 
of the schemes.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 6th February 2012 the Company had been notified of the 
following interests in more than 3% of its issued share capital:

Shares

J.D. Leavesley and connected parties 18,543,382
Lady Clarke and family holdings 
(excluding S.W. Clarke)
Aberforth Partners
Morgan Stanley Investment 
Management
Co-operative Asset Management
Simon Clarke

14,298,502
9,640,359
6,112,657

24,462,539
16,684,475

%

9.25%

12.21%
8.33%

7.14%
4.81%
3.05%

Qualifying third party indemnity provisions
As at the date of this report, there are qualifying third party 
indemnity provisions governed by the Companies Act 2006 in 
place, under which the Company has agreed to indemnify the 
directors, former directors and the Company Secretary of the 
Company, directors and former directors of any member of the 
Group or of an associated company or affiliate company and 
members of the Executive Committee, to the extent permitted 
by law and the articles of association against all liability arising 
in respect of any act or omission in their duties. In addition the 
Company has in place Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance 
for each officer of the Company and its associated companies.

Directors’ interests in contracts
No contract existed during the year in relation to the Company’s 
business in which any director was materially interested, with the 
exception of those detailed in note 22.

Creditor payment policy
It is the Group’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 and 
conditions.

During the year ended 30th November 2011, trade creditors 
represented an average of 29 days’ purchases (2010: 32 days). 
This is calculated by expressing year end creditors as a fraction of 
purchases made in the year and multiplying the resulting fraction 
by 365 days.

Going concern
In consideration of the basis of going concern, the directors have 
considered the factors described in the Business and Financial 
Review and reviewed the Group’s future cash forecasts and 
valuation projections, which the directors believe are based on 
realistic assumptions.

On these grounds the Board has continued to adopt the going 
concern basis for the preparation of the Financial Statements.

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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201169

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Employment of disabled persons
It is the policy of the Company to give full and fair consideration 
to applications for employment received from disabled persons, 
having regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities and wherever 
possible to continue the employment of, and to arrange appropriate 
training for, employees who have become disabled persons during 
the period of their employment. The Company provides the same 
opportunities for training, career development and promotion for 
disabled as for other employees.

Political 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 (see pages 54 to 57). Direct charitable donations 
during the year, excluding donations made by the St. Modwen 
Environmental Trust totalled £11,000 (2010: £12,000).

Transfer of shares
The Board may refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share 
which is not fully paid or where a person with at least a 0.25% 
interest in a class of shares has been served with a disclosure 
notice and has failed to provide the Company with information 
concerning interests in those shares. The Board may also refuse 
to register a transfer of a certificated share if it is in respect of 
more than one class of share or is in favour of more than four joint 
holders.

Transfer of uncertificated shares must be carried out using CREST 
and the Board can refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated 
share in accordance with the regulations governing the operation 
of CREST.

There are no other limitations on the holding of Ordinary shares in 
the Company and the Company is not aware of any agreements 
between shareholders that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of shares.

Variation of rights
Rights attached to any class of shares may be varied with the 
written consent of the holders of at least three quarters in nominal 
value of the issued shares of that class or by a special resolution 
passed at a separate general meeting of the shareholders.

Purchase of own shares
St. Modwen Properties PLC Employee Share Trust (‘the Trust’)
currently holds a total of 215,754 shares (2010: 259,414 shares) 
in the Company in order to meet the Company’s liabilities under 
the Company’s share incentive schemes. The Trust deed contains 
a dividend waiver provision in respect of these shares. Any voting 
or other similar decisions relating to those shares would be taken 
by the Trustees, who may take account of any recommendations 
of the Company. There were no purchases during the year.

The issued share capital of the Company is shown in note K to 
the notes to the Company Financial Statements and consists of 
ordinary shares of 10p each. All of the issued ordinary shares rank 
equally.

In addition to the rights conferred by law, the rights and obligations 
attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares are set out in the 
Company’s articles of association, a copy of which can be obtained 
by writing to the Company Secretary. At the last AGM of the 
Company, held on 22nd March 2011, the Company was authorised 
by shareholders to purchase in the market up to 20,036,093 shares 
of 10p each, representing 10% of the issued ordinary share capital 
of the Company. Although this authority was not utilised by the 
Company during the last financial year, approval will be sought from 
the shareholders at the forthcoming AGM to renew this standard 
authority for a further year. It is the Company’s intention that, should 
any ordinary shares be bought back, they will be cancelled or 
retained in treasury pending a subsequent sale, cancellation or 
transfer. The Company does not currently hold any shares in treasury. 
The Company will only purchase its own shares if the Board believes 
that to do so would be in shareholders’ best interests and will result 
in an increase in earnings per ordinary share. 

Electronic and website communication with shareholders
The Company’s articles of association permit electronic and 
website communication with shareholders following the 
coming into force of the Companies Act 2006.

The Company has implemented electronic and website 
communication with its shareholders. Shareholders who 
consented to website communication will be notified in writing 
when documents and communications have been published 
by the Company so that they can view them on the Company’s 
website. It is intended that the Annual Report for the year ended 
30th November 2011 will be subject to the electronic and website 
communication regime.

Auditors
So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the auditors are unaware. Each director 
has taken all the steps that he 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.

Resolutions to reappoint Deloitte LLP as auditors to the Company 
and to authorise the directors to determine their remuneration will 
be proposed at the AGM.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the Company is to be held at 12.00 noon on 23rd 
March 2012 at the Marketing Suite, Innovation Centre, 1 Devon 
Way, Longbridge Technology Park, Birmingham B31 2TS.

The notice of meeting appears on pages 129 to 134 of these 
Financial Statements.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
70

Corporate Governance

direCtOrs’ remuneratiOn repOrt

This Remuneration Report has been prepared in accordance 
with Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (S.I.2008/410) 
(the ‘Regulations’), the Listing and Disclosure Rules and the 
principles relating to directors’ remuneration of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (June 2010 version), and will be subject to an 
advisory vote at the AGM.

The information, the headings of which have been noted with 
an asterisk (*), are subject to audit in accordance with the 
Regulations.

Composition and Function of the Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee (the ‘Committee’) comprises Lesley 
James (Chairman), Simon Clarke, Katherine Innes Ker, John 
Salmon, David Garman and Bill Shannon. Ian Menzies-Gow was 
a member until his resignation in March 2011.

The Committee is responsible for all aspects of the executive 
directors’ remuneration, for setting the Company Chairman’s 
fee, for monitoring remuneration of other senior executives and 
administering the Company’s share schemes. It undertakes a 
regular review of the incentive plans to ensure that they remain 
appropriate to the Company’s current circumstances, prospects 
and strategic priorities and that, in particular, the policy adopted is 
aligned with and based on the creation of value for shareholders 
and provides appropriate incentives for management to achieve 
this objective.

The Committee also reviews and notes annually the remuneration 
trends across the Company and any major changes in employee 
benefit structures. The Committee’s terms of reference are 
available for inspection on the Company’s website at www.
stmodwen.co.uk.

New Bridge Street (‘NBS’) are the Committee’s independent 
remuneration advisers. NBS do no other work for the Company. 
The Committee was also assisted in its deliberations by the 
Chairman, the Chief Executive and the Company Secretary, who 
were not present when their own remuneration arrangements 
were under discussion.

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 appropriately reward financial success. This 
policy is structured so as to be aligned with key strategic priorities 
and to be consistent with a Board-approved level of business risk.

The overall aim is that executive directors’ remuneration should 
be market competitive relative to comparable companies with 
a significant element being performance-related and, therefore, 
only payable if stretching short-term and long-term performance 
targets are achieved.

The main elements of executive directors’ remuneration comprise:

zz Base salary: reviewed annually in the light of information 
on the external market and other relevant factors such as 
internal relativities and individual performance.

zz Annual bonus: a clear and direct incentive linked to annual 
performance targets. Bonus targets require performance 
based on financial, operational and strategic measures at 
company and personal levels.

zz Performance share plan: an annual award of shares 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.

zz Pensions and benefits: executive directors’ ongoing 

pension benefits comprise a cash allowance or a Company 
contribution to the defined contribution scheme. Executive 
directors also receive private medical insurance, life insurance 
and participate in the company car plan.

zz Shareholdings: executive directors are expected to build up 
their shareholdings in the Company over a five year period to 
be shares, at a minimum, worth one times base salary.

Executive Directors’ Remuneration
The Committee, with the assistance of its independent advisers, 
undertook a full review of executive directors’ remuneration during 
2010. This review assessed existing pay arrangements in light 
of the Committee’s policy objectives, operational and strategic 
priorities, corporate governance best practice, relevant market 
developments and pay practice throughout the Company and 
agreed a number of changes for 2010  –11. The Committee 
does not consider it appropriate or necessary to make any 
further significant changes for 2010  –12 save in relation to the 
introduction of clawback provisions into the Performance Share 
Plan.  

Full details of the arrangements for 2010  –12 are set out below.

Base Salaries
Base salaries for the year beginning 1st December 2011 were 
reviewed having regard to market conditions and the salary 
review being implemented for other staff which was a 3% 
increase. Salaries were set at the following levels: Bill Oliver 
(Chief Executive) — £445,832 (a 3% increase): Steve Burke 
(Construction Director) — £294,168 (a 3% increase); Michael 
Dunn (Group Finance Director) — £267,800 (a 3% increase).

Pension
Executive directors receive payments of 15% of salary either as a 
cash supplement or as a contribution to the defined contribution 
scheme. 

Annual Bonus Plan
2010  –11
In 2010  –11, the executive directors had the opportunity to earn a 
bonus of up to 125% of base salary. The structure of the bonus 
plan for 2010  –11 was:
zz A mixture of corporate measures and personal targets  

determined bonus payments.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
71

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zz The corporate measures selected were consistent with and 
complemented the budget and strategic plan for the year. 
NAV performance had the largest weighting amongst the 
corporate measures in 2010  –11. Other measures included 
profit, dividend growth and gearing levels.

zz NAV condition — based on cumulative growth in NAV per 

share (‘NAV growth’). NAV growth of 5% (2009 award)/7.5% 
(2010 award) will earn 12.5% of the shares awarded and 
growth of 20% (2009 award)/30% (2010 award) will earn 
50% of the shares awarded.

zz Notwithstanding performance against individual measures, 
the Committee retained an overriding discretion to ensure 
that overall bonus payouts reflected its view of corporate 
performance during the year.

zz Payment of the bonus is conditional upon the executive 

directors undertaking to invest at least one third of the bonus 
received, after payment of income tax and national insurance, 
in Company shares and to retain those shares for a minimum 
period of three years.

zz All bonuses paid are subject to potential claw-back, at 
the Committee’s discretion, for a period of four years 
following the end of the bonus year in the event that a later 
restatement of accounts occurs or there is other discovered 
misconduct which, if known at the time, would have meant 
that a lower or nil bonus would have been paid.

Payment of bonus was not dependent on achievement of any single 
target in isolation, since the targets were all of key importance to the 
short and longer-term health of the Company and the Committee did 
not wish to distort behaviour by focusing on a single element.

The executive directors’ performance was assessed individually 
by the Committee against the targets, relying on audited 
information where appropriate, and having regard to the value 
which has been created for shareholders.

Corporate performance for 2010  –11 was significantly ahead of 
both budget and market expectations as follows:

zz 34% increase in profit before tax

zz 9% increase in Net Asset Value per share

zz 10% increase in final dividend

zz Gearing maintained at below 75%

On the basis of the Committee’s assessment of corporate and 
individual performance, bonus payments made to each of the 
executive directors were: Bill Oliver 95% of maximum bonus 
(118.75% of salary); Steve Burke 95% of maximum bonus 
(118.75% of salary); Michael Dunn 90% of maximum bonus 
(112.50% of salary).

2011–12
The structure of the bonus plan for 2011–12 is unchanged from 
the previous year. The corporate measures selected willl be  
identical to the previous year.

Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’)
Prior year awards
Awards granted to executive directors in 2008  –  09 and 2009  –10 
over shares worth 125% of salary, were half subject to a NAV 
condition and half subject to a Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) 
condition, both measured over a period of three years.

zz TSR condition — based on TSR relative to the FTSE350 

Real Estate Index. TSR equal to the Index over the three year 
performance period will earn 12.5% of the shares awarded 
and TSR of 120% of the Index will earn 50% of the shares 
awarded, with a straight line correlation between these points.

2010–11 Awards
In 2010–11, PSP awards to Bill Oliver and Steve Burke were over 
shares worth 125% of salary. To reflect his recent recruitment, 
the Remuneration Committee agreed a slightly larger award over 
shares worth 150% of salary to Michael Dunn.

Noting the concern of some investors and the potential overlap 
with the annual bonus plan, PSP awards in 2010  –11 were not 
subject to a NAV related performance measure. Instead they 
were subject wholly to TSR related measures measured over 
three financial years — half based on relative performance 
as in previous years and half based on absolute growth. The 
Committee believed that this combination provides alignment 
with the interests of shareholders and complements the focus on 
operational performance measures in the annual bonus plan.

zz Absolute TSR performance. TSR growth of 20% will earn 

12.5% of the shares awarded and growth of 50% will earn 
50% of the shares awarded, with a straight line correlation 
between these points.

zz Relative TSR performance. TSR equal to the FTSE 350 

Real Estate Investment & Services Index over the three year 
performance period will earn 12.5% of the shares awarded and 
TSR of 120% of the Index will earn 50% of the shares awarded, 
with a straight line correlation between these points. 

In calculating TSR, a three month average is used at both ends 
of the performance period to ensure that the calculation is not 
impacted by potential volatility arising from day-to-day share price 
fluctuations.

Notwithstanding TSR performance the Committee also has to be 
satisfied that two new underpin conditions have been met before 
permitting 2010  –11 PSP awards to vest, namely:

zz The Committee needs to be satisfied that the extent of 

vesting under the TSR conditions is appropriate given the 
general financial performance of the Company over the 
performance period; and

zz If no dividend has been paid on the last normal dividend date 
prior to the vesting date or if the Committee believes that no 
dividend will be paid in respect of the year in which the award 
vests, the award will not vest at that time and vesting will be 
delayed (subject to continued employment) until dividend 
payments are resumed.

2011–12 Awards
Awards for 2011  –12 to all three executive directors will be over 
shares worth 125% of salary. Perfrormance criteria for these 
awards were identical to those applied to the 2010  –11 awards.

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
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Corporate Governance

direCtOrs’ remuneratiOn repOrt continued

The Committee reviews these performance conditions when deciding PSP grants in each year, in order to reflect changes in the 
outlook for the sector and the Company, and to ensure that awards remain challenging.
A clawback arrangement has been incorporated into PSP awards granted after 1st January 2012. The PSP allows a reduction in 
value (calculated at vesting) of any PSP awards that were granted after 1st January 2012 where the value of future annual bonus cash 
payments was insufficient to fully recover the clawback applicable to the Annual Bonus Plan or, at the Committee’s discretion, within 
a period of four years following the end of the performance period for an award, there is material mistatement of the accounts or an 
error in the calculation of any performance condition which resulted in excess PSP awards vesting to the employee or there is other 
misconduct, which if known at the time, would have meant that a lower or nil award would have vested. 

The Committee has agreed, subject to HM Revenue & Customs (‘HMRC’) approval, a minor change to the operation of the PSP for 
2012 in order to enable participants to benefit from UK tax efficiencies under the HMRC agreed share schemes legislation. Awards 
made in 2012 will be structured as Approved Performance Share Plan (‘APSP’) Awards and comprise of an HMRC approved option 
(in respect of the first £30,000 worth of an Award) and a PSP Award for amounts that exceed this limit. The number of shares that may 
be delivered under the PSP Award will be adjusted at vesting/exercise to ensure that the total pre-tax value delivered to participants 
remains unchanged.

Executive directors may also participate in the Company’s savings-related share schemes on the same terms as all other employees. 

Performance Graph 
The Company’s total shareholder return is shown in the graph below 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. 

140 

120

100

80

60

40

20

St. Modwen

FTSE 250  

FTSE 350 
REAL ESTATE

0
2006  

  2007  

  2008  

  2009  

  2010  

  2011  

Audited information*
Executive Share Option Schemes (i)

Date of Grant

W.A. Oliver

S.J. Burke    M. E. Dunn

August 2004

105,610

46,315

August 2005
As at 30th November 2011

102,955
208,565

39,825
86,140

(i)   All share options have vested in full, having met the performance conditions, but have not been exercised. 

—

—
—

Exercised
During 
the Year

—

—

Exercise
Price

236p

375p

Exercise
Period

Aug 2007
–Aug 2014
Aug 2008
–Aug 2015

Following the approval of the renewal of the Executive Share Option Scheme at the 2007 AGM, no further grants will be made to the 
executive directors other than in very exceptional circumstances.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
73

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Performance Share Plan 
Directors’ maximum entitlements, subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions, are as follows: 

Date of Grant

24th July 2009

Market Value 
on date of 
Grant

W.A. Oliver

S.J. Burke M. E. Dunn

180.0p

294,694

194,444

22nd February 2010

188.0p

282,154

186,170

21st March 2011
Total

169.2p

319,774
896,622

210,992
591,606

230,496
230,496

Exercise
Period

July 2012
–July 2019
Feb 2013
–Feb 2020
March 2014
–March 2021

—

— 

Performance conditions applying to these awards are summarised on pages 71 and 72.

Savings Related Schemes 

Balance at
30th Nov 
2010

6,941

6,941*

—

Exercised

Granted

Lapsed

—

—

—

—

9,887

9,887

—

6,941

—

Balance at
 30th Nov
 2011

6,941

9,887

9,887

Exercise
Price

224p

156p

156p

Exercise
Period

Oct 2014
–Mar 2015
Oct 2016
–April 2017
Oct 2016
–April 2017

W.A. Oliver

S.J. Burke

M.E. Dunn

*  Options granted in 2009 with an exercise price of 224p have lapsed.

The share price as at 30th November 2011 was 104.9p. The highest price during the year was 195.7p and the lowest price was 
103.9p. 

Dilution Limits
In line with ABI Guidelines, the following limits apply to the number of shares which may be issued under the Company’s Share Plan:

The number of issued, and issuable shares that may be subscribed under the Performance Share plan, or any other employee plan 
adopted by the Company will be restricted to 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company over any ten year period. As 
at 6th February 2012 there was headroom of 11,402,458 shares (i.e. 5.69% of share capital) after deducting outstanding awards and 
options (excluding lapsed awards and options).

The Company currently satisfies vestings of awards under all employee plans from market purchased shares sourced from the St. 
Modwen Properties PLC Employee Share Ownership Trust (‘the Trust’). For calculating the dilution limits above, such awards have not 
been deducted until such time as the awards are satisfied. The Trust currently holds a total of 215,574 shares in the Company (2010: 
259,414).

Service Contracts 
All of the executive directors have service contracts of no fixed term, with notice periods of 12 months. 

The non-executive directors have Letters of Appointment with notice periods of three months. 

No director has any contractual rights to compensation on loss of office (apart from payment in lieu of notice of 12 months salary and 
benefits, where appropriate). Rights to outstanding incentive awards would be dealt with by the Commitee in accordance with the rules 
of the relevant scheme. 

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 
M.E. Dunn 

24th January 2000
1st January 2006
9th November 2010

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukBusiness & Financial ReviewFinancial StatementsOverview 
 
 
 
74

Corporate Governance

direCtOrs’ remuneratiOn repOrt continued

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
The Chairman and the other non-executive directors are paid fees for their services. During 2011, these non-executive directors were paid a 
standard fee of £37,000 with further fees being paid for additional duties namely £9,000 for a committee chairman and £6,000 to the Senior 
Independent Director. The non-executive chairman’s fee is £135,000. 

The Chairman’s fee is determined by the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee and the fees of the non-
executive directors are determined by the Board following recommendations by the executive directors. Neither the Chairman nor the 
other non-executive directors participate in incentive schemes.

A review by the Board was last carried out in 2007 so a review in 2012 will now take place, save in relation to the Chairman’s fee which 
was approved by the Board in 2010 on his appointment.

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
M.E. Dunn
D. Garman
L. James
W.A. Oliver
J.H. Salmon
W.M.F.C. Shannon 
C.C.A. Glossop (resigned on 22.03.11)*
R.I. Menzies-Gow (resigned on 22.03.11)*
Non-beneficial
C.C.A. Glossop (resigned on 22.03.11)*

30th November 
2011

30th November 
2010

228,249 
6,112,657 
   45,000
10,000
10,000 
442,819 
25,000 
50,000 
1,708,792
14,814

174,643
6,112,657
30,000
10,000
10,000
391,093
25,000
40,000
1,708,792
14,814

180,000

180,000

*  Messrs Glossop and Menzies-Gow stepped down as non-executive directors on 22nd March 2011. Their shareholdings are stated at that date.

The above interests do not include shares held under the share option schemes described in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 72 to 73.

There has been no change in these beneficial interests between 30th November 2011 and the date of this report. 

Directors’ Remuneration 
The remuneration of the directors for the year ended 30th November 2011 was as follows: 

Executive
W.A. Oliver
S.J. Burke
M.E. Dunn
Non-Executive
W.M.F.C. Shannon 
S.W. Clarke
J.H. Salmon
L. James
K. Innes Ker
D. Garman 
Former Directors
C.C.A. Glossop (to 22.03.11)
R.I. Menzies-Gow (to 22.03.11)

Salary/fees
£’000

433
286
260

135
37 
46 
46
37
41

42
14
1,377

Annual
bonus
£’000

514
339
292

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
1,145

Benefits
£’000

2011
£’000

37
27
76

—
—   
  — 
—
—
—

4
—
144

984
652
628

135
37
46
46
37
41

46
14
2,666

Total 
emoluments 
excluding 
pensions 
and pension 
contributions
2010
£’000

881 
585
—

  11 
37
46
  46 
  37 
  23 

138
43
1,847

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
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. 

Pensions 
The Company operates a pension scheme with both defined benefit and defined contribution sections, covering the majority 
of employees, including executive directors. As an alternative to a Company contribution scheme, directors can receive a cash 
supplement.

In relation to the defined benefit 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 benefit section of the scheme was 
closed to new members in 1999, and to future accrual in 2009. Steve Burke became a deferred member of the defined benefit scheme 
on 1st September 2009.

The information below sets out the disclosures under the UK Listing Rules and the Large and Medium sized Companies and Group 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 for the defined benefit scheme:

Accrued
Pensions 
as at 30th 
November 
2010* 
£p.a.
N/A
24,949*
N/A

Accrued
Pension 
as at 30th 
November
2011 
£p.a.
N/A
25,373*
N/A

Increase 
in Accrued
Pension 
during the 
year 
 £p.a.
N/A
424
N/A

Director
W.A. Oliver
S.J. Burke
M.E. Dunn

Increase 
in Accrued
Pension 
during the 
year 
(excluding
inflation) 
£p.a.
N/A/
0
N/A

Contributions 
paid by the
Company to 
the defined 
contribution
section 
£
0
42,900
39,000

Transfer 
value of 
accrued 
benefits 
at 30th  
November
2010 
£
N/A
396,058
N/A

Transfer 
value of 
accrued 
benefits 
at 30th 
November 
2011 
£
N/A
504,217
N/A

Increase
 in transfer 
value of 
accrued 
benefits 
(excluding
Director’s
own
contribution)
£

N/A
108,744
N/A

*  These figures have been calculated by applying deferred revaluation to Mr. Burke’s deferred pension as at the date that accrual ceased under the defined benefits section of the Scheme.

Membership of the defined contribution section is available to all permanent employees including executive directors joining the 
Company after 6th April 1999. Contributions are invested by an independent investment manager. 

Company contributions into the defined contribution section of the plan during the year at the rate of 15% of base salary for Michael 
Dunn were £39,000 (2010: £nil) and Steve Burke £42,900 (2010: £14,000).

Cash allowances in lieu of pension contributions made for Bill Oliver during the year were £64,950 (2010: £21,000).

Further information on the Company’s pension scheme is shown in note 18 of the financial statements. 

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by 

Lesley James
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
6th February 2012

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76

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201177

Financial 
statements

Our Financial Statements for the year

Pictured:
Showhomes at Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare. 

Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements78

Financial Statements
directors’ responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 
are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the parent company 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:

 z select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 z make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 z state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 

explained in the financial statements; and

 z 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:

 z properly select and apply accounting policies;

 z present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 

information; 

 z 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

 z make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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:

 z so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and

 z 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.

Responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 z 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

 z the management report, 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 
6th February 2012

Michael Dunn
Group Finance Director

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011independent group 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 2011 which comprise 
the Group Income Statement, the Group Balance Sheet, the Group Cash Flow Statement, the Group Statement of Comprehensive 
Income, the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, the Accounting Policies and the related Notes 1 to 22. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union.

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 auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the Group 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on 
the Group 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 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 Group’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. In addition, 
we read all the financial and non-financial information in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the Group financial statements:

 z give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 30th November 2011 and of its profit for the year then ended;

 z have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and

 z have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB
As explained in the Accounting Policies to the Group financial statements, the Group in addition to complying with its legal obligation 
to apply IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB).

In our opinion the Group financial statements comply with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

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 Group 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:

 z certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

 z we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

 z the directors’ statement, contained within the Corporate Governance Statement, in relation to going concern; 

 z the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 

Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and

 z certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on directors’ remuneration.

Other matters
We have reported separately on the parent company financial statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC for the year ended 30th 
November 2011 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 Auditor
Birmingham, United Kingdom
6th February 2012

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80

Financial Statements
group income statement

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Revenue 
Net rental income
Development profit 
Gains on disposal of investments/investment properties 
Investment property revaluation gains 
Other net income 
Profits of joint ventures and associates (post tax) 
Administrative expenses 
Profit before interest and tax 
Finance cost 
Finance income 
Profit before tax 
Tax (charge)/credit 
Profit for the year 
Attributable to: 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Notes 

1
1
1

8
1
10
3

4
4

5

Notes

6

2011
 £m 

109.6
27.5
20.4
0.5
36.2
3.2
2.9
(16.6)
74.1
(26.2)
2.5
50.4
(4.9)
45.5

43.5
2.0
45.5

2011
pence

21.7

2010
 £m 

121.4
26.4
12.5
2.5
23.2
3.1
7.4
(16.8)
58.3
(24.0)
3.2
37.5
0.8
38.3

37.2
1.1
38.3

2010
pence

18.6

A reconciliation of non-statutory measures used in the Overview together with the Business and Financial Review is included in Note 
2 to the Group financial statements.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011group Balance sheet

as at 30th November 2011

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 
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 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

Notes 

8
9
10
11

12
11

13
5

13
14
5

17

2011
£m 

848.7
7.1
50.3
8.4
914.5

191.1
51.2
5.2
247.5

(132.2)
(0.2)
(132.4)

(192.6)
(352.3)
(8.7)
(553.6)
476.0

20.0
102.8
0.3
341.8
(0.5)
464.4
11.6
476.0

2010
£m 

828.0
7.4
49.4
8.2
893.0

171.6
45.3
11.3
228.2

(133.1)
(9.3)
(142.4)

(215.1)
(326.2)
(0.7)
(542.0)
436.8

20.0
102.8
0.3
304.7
(0.6)
427.2
9.6
436.8

These financial statements were approved by the Board of directors on 6th February 2012 and were signed on its behalf by  
Bill Oliver and Michael Dunn. 

Bill Oliver 
Chief Executive 

Michael Dunn
Group Finance Director

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82

Financial Statements
group statement of Comprehensive income

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Profit for the year 
Pension fund: 
— Actuarial losses 
— Deferred tax thereon 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Attributable to: 
— Owners of the Company 
— Non-controlling interests 
Total comprehensive income for the year 

Notes 

18
18

2011
£m

45.5

(0.2)
—
45.3

43.3
2.0
45.3

2010
£m

38.3

(0.1)
—
38.2

37.1
1.1
38.2

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011group statement of Changes in equity

for the two years ended 30th November 2011

Share
capital
£m

Share
premium
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Own
shares
£m

Equity 
attributable 
to owners 
of the
Company
£m 

Non-
controlling
interests
£m

At 30th November 2009 
Profit for the year  
Pension fund actuarial losses 
(note 18) 
Total comprehensive income 
Net own shares acquired 
Dividends paid 
At 30th November 2010 
Profit for the year 
Pension fund actuarial losses 
(note 18) 
Total comprehensive income 
Net own shares disposed of 
Dividends paid 
At 30th November 2011 

20.0
—

—
—
—
—
20.0
—

—
—
—
—
20.0

102.8
—

—
—
—
—
102.8
—

—
—
—
—
102.8

0.3
—

—
—
—
—
0.3
—

—
—
—
—
0.3

269.6
37.2

(0.1)
37.1
—
(2.0)
304.7
43.5

(0.2)
43.3
—
(6.2)
341.8

(0.4)
—

—
—
(0.2)
—
(0.6)
—

—
—
0.1
—
(0.5)

392.3
37.2

(0.1)
37.1
(0.2)
(2.0)
427.2
43.5

(0.2)
43.3
0.1
(6.2)
464.4

8.7
1.1

—
1.1
—
(0.2)
9.6
2.0

—
2.0
—
—
11.6

Total
Equity
£m

401.0
38.3

(0.1)
38.2
(0.2)
(2.2)
436.8
45.5

(0.2)
45.3
0.1
(6.2)
476.0

Own shares represent the cost of 215,754 (2010: 259,414) shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust. The open market value of 
the shares held at 30th November 2011 was £225,463 (2010: £351,246).

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84

Financial Statements
group Cash Flow statement

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Operating activities 
Profit before interest and tax 
Gains on investment property disposals 
Share of profits of joint ventures and associates (post-tax) 
Investment property revaluation gains 
Depreciation 
Impairment losses on inventories 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 
Share options and share awards 
Tax (paid)/received 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 
Investing activities 
Investment property disposals 
Investment property additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking
Property, plant and equipment additions 
Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiary 
Interest received 
Dividends received 
Net cash outflow from investing activities 
Financing activities 
Dividends paid 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
Interest paid 
New borrowings drawn 
Repayment of borrowings 
Net cash outflow from financing activities 
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Notes

10
8
9
12

5(c)

19

7

2011
£m

74.1
(0.5)
(2.9)
(36.2)
0.5
2.6
(2.7)
(6.3)
(3.3)
0.1
(6.0)
19.4

19.2
(42.7)
(4.4)
(0.3)
1.1
0.8
2.0
(24.3)

(6.2)
—
(21.1)
131.3
(105.2)
(1.2)
(6.1)
11.3
5.2

2010
£m

58.3
(2.5)
(7.4)
(23.2)
0.7
6.1
(1.6)
(12.5)
29.0
(0.2)
1.7
48.4

27.5
(49.0)
—
(0.3)
—
0.6
—
(21.2)

(2.0)
(0.2)
(21.1)
33.1
(30.5)
(20.7)
6.5
4.8
11.3

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011accounting policies

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Basis of preparation
The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and as adopted by the EU as they apply to the Group for the year 
ended 30th November 2011, 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 principal IFRSs accounting policies are set out below.

Basis of consolidation
The Group’s 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.

Non-controlling 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 interests 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, 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 comprehensive income 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.

Investment property disposals are recognised on completion. Profits and losses arising are recognised through the income statement 
and the profit or loss on disposal is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset. 

Investment properties are not depreciated.

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86

Financial Statements
accounting policies continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Inventories
Inventories principally comprise properties held for sale, properties under construction and land under option. All inventories are 
carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

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.

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 
Plant, machinery and equipment  — over 2 to 5 years

— over the shorter of the lease term and 25 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.

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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011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 defined benefit and defined contribution sections. The defined benefit section is closed 
to new members and 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 comprehensive income 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 IFRIC14.

Contributions to defined contribution schemes are recognised in the income statement in the year in which they become payable.

Own shares
St. Modwen Properties PLC shares held by the Group are classified in equity attributable to owners of the Company 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.

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
88

Financial Statements
accounting policies continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

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 of 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.  If the Company’s 
experience or expectations change, the Group may in future be required to amend its accounting to the equity-settled method.

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 expire.

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recognised and carried at the lower of their original invoiced value or 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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011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.

The effective interest rate method is used to charge interest to the income statement.

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.

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 and 
Financial Review and adoption of the going concern assumption is confirmed on page 68.

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 2011. 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.

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.

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
90

Financial Statements
accounting policies continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

Adoption of New and Revised Standards
Standards and interpretations adopted not affecting the financial statements
The following standards, amendments and interpretations have been adopted in the current year but have had no impact on the 
amounts reported or the disclosures in the financial statements:

IAS32 (amended 2009) 
IFRIC19 
IFRS1 (amended 2009) 
IFRS1 (amended 2010) 
IFRS1 (revised 2008) 
IFRS2 (amended 2009) 

Classification of Rights Issues
Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments
Additional Exemptions for First-time Adopters
Limited Exemption from Comparative IFRS7 Disclosures for First-time Adopters
First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions

In addition, minor amendments to existing standards were made under Improvements to IFRSs (issued April 2009) which have been 
adopted during the year.

Impact of standards and interpretations in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards, amendments and interpretations which have not been 
adopted in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU):

IAS1 (amended 2011) 
IAS12 (amended 2010) 
IAS19 (revised 2011) 
IAS24 (revised 2009) 
IAS27 (revised 2011) 
IAS28 (revised 2011) 
IFRIC14 (amended 2009) 
IFRIC20 
IFRS1 (amended 2010) 
IFRS7 (amended 2010) 
IFRS9 
IFRS10 
IFRS11 
IFRS12 
IFRS13 

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income
Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets
Employee Benefits
Related Party Disclosures
Separate Financial Statements
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement
Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine
Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters
Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets
Financial instruments
Consolidated Financial Statements
Joint Arrangements
Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities
Fair Value Measurement

In addition, Improvements to IFRSs (issued May 2010) is the 2010 tranche of the Improvements to IFRSs project and these have a 
number of minor amendments to existing IAS and IFRSs, which have not yet been adopted.

While the directors are still assessing the impact that the adoption of these standards, amendments and interpretations will have on 
the financial statements of the Group in future periods, they do not currently believe that adoption will have a material impact on the 
reported results of the Group.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011notes to the accounts

for the year ended 30th November 2011

1.   REVENUE AND GROSS PROFIT

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 

2011 

Rental 
 £m 

Development 
£m 

36.6 
(9.1)
27.5 

67.0 
(46.6)
20.4 

2010 

Rental
£m

Development
£m

35.1
(8.7)
26.4

79.9
(67.4)
12.5

Other 
£m 

6.0 
(2.8)
3.2 

Other
£m

6.4
(3.3)
3.1

Total 
£m 

109.6 
(58.5)
51.1 

Total
£m

121.4
(79.4)
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 2011 was £116.9m (2010: £129.1m) and in addition to the amounts above included service charge 
income of £6.3m (2010: £6.9m), for which there was an equivalent expense and interest income of £1.0m (2010: £0.8m).

Cost of sales in respect of rental income, as disclosed above, comprises direct operating expenses (including repairs and 
maintenance) related to the investment property portfolio and includes £0.3m (2010: £0.2m) 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 
construction contracts:

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 

2011
£m

52.7
(39.0)
13.7

2010
£m

63.8
(50.8)
13.0

Amounts recoverable on contracts as disclosed in Note 11 comprise £7.4m (2010: £11.6m) of contract revenue recognised 
and £1.5m (2010: £1.2m) of retentions.

There were no amounts due to customers (2010: £nil) included in trade and other payables in respect of contracts in progress 
at the balance sheet date.

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92

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

2.   NON-STATUTORY INFORMATION

(a) Trading profit
The non-statutory measure of trading profit, which includes the Group’s share of joint ventures and associates, has been 
calculated as set out below:

2011

Joint 
ventures
and 
associates
£m

8.0
0.3

—
—
(0.1)
(4.2)
—
4.0

Group
£m

27.5
23.0

0.5
3.2
(16.6)
(19.5)
0.7
18.8

2010

Joint 
ventures 
and
associates
£m

7.3
0.3

0.5
—
(0.3)
(4.8)
—
3.0

Group
£m

26.4
18.6

2.5
3.1
(16.8)
(20.0)
0.6
14.4

Total
£m

35.5
23.3

0.5
3.2
(16.7)
(23.7)
0.7
22.8

Total
£m

33.7
18.9

3.0
3.1
(17.1)
(24.8)
0.6
17.4

Net rental income
Development profit
Gains on disposal of 
investments/investment 
properties
Other income
Administrative expenses
Finance costs
Finance income
Trading profit

(1)

(2)
(3)

(1) 

 Stated before the deduction of net realisable value provisions to inventories of: Group £2.6m (2010: £6.1m); Joint 
ventures and associates £0.1m (2010: £0.3m).

(2) 

 Stated before mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments and other non-cash items of: Group £6.7m (2010: 
£4.0m); Joint ventures and associates £0.1m (2010: £0.8m).

(3) 

 Stated before mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments and other non-cash items of: Group £1.8m (2010: 
£2.6m); Joint ventures and associates £nil (2010: £nil).

(b) Property valuations
Property valuations, including the Group’s share of joint ventures and associates, have been calculated as set out below:

2011
Joint 
ventures
and
associates
£m

0.4
 (0.1)
0.3
 (0.5)
0.8
 0.3 

Group
£m

36.2
 (2.6)
33.6
33.4
0.2
 33.6 

2010

Joint 
ventures
and
associates
£m

 6.2 
 (0.3)
 5.9 
3.0
 2.9 
 5.9 

Total
£m

 36.6 
 (2.7)
 33.9 
 32.9 
 1.0 
 33.9 

Group
£m

 23.2 
 (6.1)
 17.1 
15.4
 1.7 
 17.1 

Total
£m

 29.4 
 (6.4)
 23.0 
 18.4 
 4.6 
 23.0 

Investment property revaluation 
gains
Net realisable value provisions
Property valuation gains
Added value 
Market movements
Property valuation gains

The split of property valuation gains between added value and market movements is based on an analysis of total property 
valuation movements provided by our external valuers: Jones Lang Lasalle LLP, Chartered Surveyors for the year ended  
30th November 2011; and (prior to the merger of the two firms) by King Sturge LLP, Chartered Surveyors for the year ended 
30th November 2010.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201193

2.   NON-STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

(c) Property portfolio
The property portfolio, including the Group’s share of joint ventures and associates, is derived from the balance sheet as 
detailed below:

2011

Joint 
ventures
and
associates
£m

140.3

 0.8 
 9.1 

 (0.4)
149.8

Group
£m

848.7

 (0.8)
 191.1 

 (86.3)
952.7

2010

Joint 
ventures
and
associates
£m

136.6

(0.4)
16.4

—
152.6

Total
£m

 989.0 

 — 
 200.2 

 (86.7)
 1,102.5 

Group
£m

828.0

(3.9)
171.6

(93.3)
902.4

Total
£m

964.6

(4.3)
188.0

(93.3)
1,055.0

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Investment properties
Adjust for non-property 
elements of investment 
properties (1)
Inventories
Less pre-sold properties in 
the course of construction (2)
Property portfolio

(1) 

 Represents the deduction of assets held under finance leases and the add back of lease incentive payments recognised 
in receivables.

(2) 

 Represents deductions for pre-sold properties under construction, principally RAF Northolt as part of the Project MoDEL  
arrangements between VSM Estates Limited and the Ministry of Defence.

The Group property portfolio, including its share of joint ventures and associates, can be split by category as detailed below:

Retail
Offices 
Industrial
Income producing
Residential land
Commercial land
Property portfolio

(d) Movement in net debt

Movement in cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings drawn
Repayment of borrowings
Movement in net debt

2011
Total
£m

209.3
70.2
269.3
548.8
404.4
149.3
1,102.5

2011
£m

(6.1)
(131.3)
105.2
(32.2)

2010
Total
£m

194.0
60.0
271.0
525.0
400.0
130.0
1,055.0

2010
£m

6.5
(33.1)
30.5
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94

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

2.   NON-STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

(e) Trading cash flow
Trading cash flows are derived from the Group cash flow statement as set out below:

Net rent and other income
Property disposals
Property acquisitions
Capital expenditure
Working capital and other movements
Overheads and interest
Taxation
Trading cash flow
Net borrowings
Net dividends
Movement in cash and cash equivalents

Net rent and other income
Property disposals
Property acquisitions
Capital expenditure
Working capital and other movements
Overheads and interest
Taxation
Trading cash flow
Net borrowings
Net dividends
Movement in cash and cash equivalents

2011

Operating
activities
£m

Investing
activities
£m

Financing
activities
£m

30.7
75.5
(0.2)
(48.8)
(15.8)
(16.0)
(6.0)
19.4
—
—
19.4

—
19.2
(6.5)
(40.9)
1.1
0.8
—
(26.3)
—
2.0
(24.3)

—
—
—
—
—
(21.1)
—
(21.1)
26.1
(6.2)
(1.2)

2010

Operating
activities
£m

Investing
activities
£m

Financing
activities
£m

29.5
65.4
(6.4)
(54.9)
30.8
(17.7)
1.7
48.4
—
—
48.4

—
27.5
(24.1)
(25.2)
—
0.6
—
(21.2)
—
—
(21.2)

—
—
—
—
—
(21.1)
—
(21.1)
2.6
(2.2)
(20.7)

Total
£m

30.7
94.7
(6.7)
(89.7)
(14.7)
(36.3)
(6.0)
(28.0)
26.1
(4.2)
(6.1)

Total
£m

29.5
92.9
(30.5)
(80.1)
30.8
(38.2)
1.7
6.1
2.6
(2.2)
6.5

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 20112.   NON-STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

(f) Group balance sheet
VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited and its subsidiary undertakings (‘VSM’) are party to a series of contracts with the Ministry of 
Defence known as Project MoDEL. The property assets of VSM are subject to purchase on deferred terms and, to increase 
disclosure of the impact of these arrangements, the following additional split of the Group balance sheet, showing the 
proportion attributable to VSM has been provided:

Investment property
Other non-current assets 
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity attributable to owners 
of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity

Group
£m

687.4
65.8
108.7
5.2
23.9
891.0
(121.6)
(307.7)
(11.0)
(440.3)
450.7

445.4
5.3
450.7

2011

VSM
£m

161.3
—
82.4
—
27.3
271.0
(10.8)
(44.6)
(190.3)
(245.7)
25.3

19.0
6.3
25.3

Total
£m

848.7
65.8
191.1
5.2
51.2
1,162.0
(132.4)
(352.3)
(201.3)
(686.0)
476.0

464.4
11.6
476.0

Group
£m

645.3
65.0
83.4
8.9
19.4
822.0
(125.4)
(273.8)
(6.2)
(405.4)
416.6

412.0
4.6
416.6

2010

VSM
£m

182.7
—
88.2
2.4
25.9
299.2
(17.0)
(52.4)
(209.6)
(279.0)
20.2

15.2
5.0
20.2

Total
£m

828.0
65.0
171.6
11.3
45.3
1,121.2
(142.4)
(326.2)
(215.8)
(684.4)
436.8

427.2
9.6
436.8

(g) Net assets per share
Net assets per share are calculated as set out below:

Total equity (£m)
Less: Non-controlling interest
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Deferred tax on capital allowances and property revaluations
Mark-to-market of interest rate swaps
Fair value of inventories
Diluted EPRA net asset value
Shares in issue (number)
Total equity net assets per share (pence)
Percentage increase
Total equity attributable to owners of the Company net assets per share (pence)
Percentage increase
Diluted EPRA net asset value per share (pence)
Percentage increase

2011

2010

476.0
(11.6)
464.4
13.0
18.6
4.1
500.1
200,360,931
237.6
9.0%
231.8
8.7%
249.6
9.0%

436.8
(9.6)
427.2
9.4
16.7
5.3
458.6
200,360,931
218.0

213.2

228.9

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96

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

2.   NON-STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

(h) Gearing and LTV
The following table shows the calculation of:
 — Gearing, being the ratio of net debt to total equity; and
 — Loan to Value, being the ratio of net debt to the property portfolio (representing amounts that could be used as security 

for that debt).

2011

Joint 
ventures and 
associates
£m

149.8
N/A
84.5

Group
£m

952.7
476.0
347.1
73%
36%

Total
£m

1,102.5
476.0
431.6
91%
39%

Group
£m

902.4
436.8
314.9
72%
35%

2010

Joint 
ventures and 
associates
£m

152.6
N/A
94.3

Total
£m

1,055.0
436.8
409.2
94%
39%

Property portfolio (Note 2c)
Total equity
Net debt
Gearing
LTV

3.   OTHER INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES

(a) Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses have been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation
Operating lease costs

(b) Auditors’ remuneration
The analysis of auditors’ remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts
The audit of subsidiary companies and joint ventures pursuant to legislation
Total audit fees
Other services pursuant to legislation
Tax services
Property consulting services
Total non-audit fees
Total fees

2011
£m

0.5
1.0

2010
£m

0.7
1.0

2011 
£’000

2010
£’000

115
132
247
51
268
82
401
648

112
112
224
51
446
14
511
735

Amounts above include £82,000 (2010: £14,000) that was paid to Drivers Jonas Deloitte, the property consulting business 
acquired by Deloitte in March 2010. Going forward the Group will continue to use Drivers Jonas Deloitte for property 
consulting work where they are cost effective and the most appropriate firm to undertake the work required.

The above amounts include all amounts charged 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

2011 
Number

2010
Number

134
59
41
234

125
64
39
228

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 20113.   OTHER INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

The total payroll costs of these employees were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

2011 
£m

10.9
1.5
0.7
13.1

2010
£m

9.9
1.2
0.3
11.4

Details of the directors’ remuneration is given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(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.

2011

Weighted average price

Number of
options

All options 
£

Excluding
PSP 
£

Outstanding at start of year
Granted
Forfeited
Lapsed
Exercised
Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at end of year

6,459,561
2,882,784
(656,834)
(12,908)
(49,560)
8,623,043
958,918

1.66
1.32
(1.41)
(3.68)
(1.00)
1.57
2.87

2.01
1.79
(1.92)
(3.68)
(1.00)
1.96
2.87

2010
Weighted average price

All options 
£

Excluding
PSP 
£

2.00
1.46
(2.99)
(2.30)
(1.25)
1.66
2.77

2.46
1.78
(2.99)
(2.92)
(1.25)
2.01
2.77

Number of
options

6,459,991
2,603,001
(29,143)
(2,548,328)
(25,960)
6,459,561
1,068,363

Share options are priced using a Black–Scholes valuation model. The fair values calculated and the assumptions used are as 
follows:

Charge/
(credit) 
to income 
statement
£m

0.2
(0.2)

Risk-free
interest
rate
%

0.4-1.1
0.7-2.4

Expected
volatility
%

23.4-56.1
54.4-67.5

Dividend
yield
%

2.4
1.8

Share
price
£*

1.23
1.65

30th November 2011
30th November 2010

*  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 £2.1m (2010: £1.8m)  
and included £0.1m (2010: £0.2m) in respect of options that had vested at the year end.

In arriving at fair value it has been assumed that, when vested, share 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 £1.37 (2010: £1.94). The executive share options outstanding  
at the year end had a range of exercise prices between £1.14 and £4.10 (2010: £0.97 and £4.10) with PSP options 
exercisable at £nil (2010: £nil). Outstanding options had a weighted average maximum remaining contractual life of 8.7 years 
(2010: 8.1 years).

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98

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

4.   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 derivative financial instruments
Interest on pension scheme liabilities (Note 18)
Total finance cost

2011
£m

(19.3)
(1.3)
(2.3)
(0.2)
(1.8)
(1.3)
(26.2)

2010
£m

(19.8)
(1.0)
(1.6)
(0.2)
—
(1.4)
(24.0)

The finance cost on interest rate derivative financial instruments 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
Unwinding of discount on deferred receivables
Movement in fair value of interest rate derivative financial instruments
Expected return on pension scheme assets (Note 18)
Total finance income

5.   TAxATION

(a) Tax on profit on ordinary activities

Tax charge/(credit) 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
Utilisation of tax losses
Carry forward of tax losses 
Adjustments in respect of previous years

Total tax charge/(credit) in the income statement
Tax relating to items in the statement of comprehensive income
Deferred tax
Actuarial losses on pension schemes
Tax credit in the statement of comprehensive income 

2011
£m

0.7
0.3
—
1.5
2.5

2010
£m

0.6
0.2
0.9
1.5
3.2

2011
£m

2010
£m

0.2
(3.3)
(3.1)

(0.2)
2.9
5.1
—
0.2
8.0
4.9

—
—

—
(0.1)
(0.1)

(1.0)
(1.9)
—
1.7
0.5
(0.7)
(0.8)

—
—

Corporation tax adjustments in respect of previous years include a £3.2m release of tax provisions, following the settlement 
of a number of open items with HMRC for periods ending on or before 30th November 2009.  In aggregate £6.0m was paid 
against items for which £9.2m was provided at 30th November 2010.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 20115.   TAxATION CONTINUED

(b) Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit before tax
Less: profits of joint ventures and associates
Profit before tax attributable to the Group
Corporation tax at 26.7% (2010: 28.0%)
Permanent differences
Short-term timing differences
Impact of current year revaluations and indexation
Difference between chargeable gains and accounting profit
Utilisation of tax losses not previously recognised
Current year charge/(credit)
Adjustments in respect of previous years

Effective rate of tax

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2011
£m

50.4
(2.9)
47.5
12.7
(0.8)
—
(6.6)
3.4
(0.7)
8.0
(3.1)
4.9
10%

2010
£m

37.5
(7.4)
30.1
8.4
(0.6)
(0.9)
(9.1)
6.9
(5.9)
(1.2)
0.4
(0.8)
(3%)

The post tax results of joint ventures and associates are stated after a tax charge of £1.3m (2010: £0.7m). The effective tax 
rate for the Group including joint ventures and associates is a charge of 12.0% (2010: 0.3%).

The Finance Act 2011 was enacted on 5th July 2011 and included provisions which reduced the main rate of corporation tax 
to 26% from 1st April 2011 and 25% from 1st April 2012. Current tax has therefore been provided at 26.7% and deferred tax 
at 25%. Further reductions to the main rate are proposed to reduce the rate by 1% per annum to 23% by 1st April 2014. This 
has not been enacted at the balance sheet date and, therefore, is not included in these financial statements.

The proposed reductions of the main rate of corporation tax by 1% per year to 23% by 1st April 2014 are expected to be 
enacted separately each year. If the deferred tax assets and liabilities of the Group were all to reverse after 1st April 2014, the 
effect of the changes from 25% to 23% would be to reduce the net deferred tax liability by £0.7m.

(c) Balance sheet

2011

2010

Corporation
tax
£m

Deferred
tax
£m

Corporation
tax
£m

Deferred
tax
£m

Balance at start of the year
(Credit)/charge to the income statement
Net (payment)/refund
Balance at end of the year

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

—
—
—
—
(4.2)
(4.2)

2011
Liability
£m

7.3
5.1
0.5
—
—
12.9

9.3
(3.1)
(6.0)
0.2

Net
£m

7.3
5.1
0.5
—
(4.2)
8.7

0.7
8.0
—
8.7

Asset
£m

—
—
—
(5.3)
(3.4)
(8.7)

7.7
(0.1)
1.7
9.3

2010
Liability
£m

4.1
4.7
0.6
—
—
9.4

1.4
(0.7)
—
0.7

Net
£m

4.1
4.7
0.6
(5.3)
(3.4)
0.7

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100

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

5.   TAxATION CONTINUED

At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax losses in relation to 2011 and prior years of £1.6m (2010: £6.6m), of 
which £nil (2010: £5.3m) has been recognised as a deferred tax asset. A deferred tax asset of £1.6m (2010: £1.3m) has not 
been recognised in respect of current and prior year tax losses as it is not considered certain that there will be 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.

6.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is set out below:

Weighted number of shares in issue
Weighted number of dilutive shares

Profit attributable to equity shareholders (basic and diluted)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are excluded from the above calculations.

2011
Number of
shares

200,110,380
520,113
200,630,493

2010
Number of
shares

200,098,045
346,115
200,444,160

2011
£m

43.5

2011
pence

21.7

2010
£m

37.2

2010
pence

18.6

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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 20117.   DIVIDENDS

Dividends paid during the year were in respect of the final dividend for 2010 and interim dividend for 2011. The proposed 
final dividend is subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial 
statements.

Paid
Final dividend in respect of previous year
Interim dividend in respect of current year
Total
Proposed
Current year final dividend

The Employee Benefit Trust waives its entitlement to dividends.

8.   INVESTMENT PROPERTY

2011

2010

p per share

£m

p per share

2.0
1.1
3.1

2.2

4.0
2.2
6.2

4.4

—
1.0
1.0

2.0

Fair value
At 30th November 2009 
Additions — new properties 
Other additions 
Net transfers from inventories (Note 12) 
Transfer on acquisition of residual freehold 
Disposals 
Gain on revaluation 
At 30th November 2010 
Additions — new properties 
Other additions 
Net transfers to inventories (Note 12) 
Reclassification of assets on transfer 
Disposals 
Gain on revaluation 
At 30th November 2011 

Freehold
investment
properties
£m

Leasehold
investment
properties
£m

455.9
23.8
9.8
13.0
3.3
(8.9)
10.4
507.3
8.1
29.1
(7.4)
2.7
(2.8)
23.7
560.7

307.0
—
15.4
0.8
(3.3)
(12.0)
12.8
320.7
—
6.2
(12.0)
(2.7)
(36.7)
12.5
288.0

£m

—
2.0
2.0

4.0

Total
£m

762.9
23.8
25.2
13.8
—
(20.9)
23.2
828.0
8.1
35.3
(19.4)
—
(39.5)
36.2
848.7

Investment properties were valued at 30th November 2011 by Jones Lang LaSalle LLP, Chartered Surveyors; and at 30th 
November 2010 (prior to the merger of the firms) by King Sturge LLP, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance with the Appraisal 
and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of market value. Jones Lang LaSalle LLP 
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 2011 was £744.1m (2010: £754.9m).

As at 30th November 2011, £756.9m (2010: £709.4m) of investment property was pledged as security for the Group’s loan 
facilities.

Included within leasehold investment properties are £3.9m (2010: £3.9m) of assets held under finance leases.

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102

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

9.   OPERATING PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost
At 30th November 2009
Additions
Disposals
At 30th November 2010
Additions
Disposals
At 30th November 2011
Depreciation
At 30th November 2009
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 30th November 2010
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 30th November 2011
Net book value
At 30th November 2009
At 30th November 2010
At 30th November 2011

Tenure of operating properties:

Freehold
Leasehold

Operating
plant
and
equipment
£m

Operating
properties
£m

6.9
—
—
6.9
—
—
6.9

0.5
0.1
—
0.6
0.1
—
0.7

6.4
6.3
6.2

4.8
0.3
(0.3)
4.8
0.3
(0.2)
4.9

3.3
0.6
(0.2)
3.7
0.4
(0.1)
4.0

1.5
1.1
0.9

2011
£m

3.5
2.7
6.2

Total
£m

11.7
0.3
(0.3)
11.7
0.3
(0.2)
11.8

3.8
0.7
(0.2)
4.3
0.5
(0.1)
4.7

7.9
7.4
7.1

2010
£m

3.6
2.7
6.3

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201110.  JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES

The Group’s share of the results for the year of its joint ventures and associates is:

Key Property
Investments
Limited
£m 

2011
Other joint
ventures and 
associates
£m 

Income statements
Revenue 
Net rental income 
Development profit 
Gains on disposal of 
investment properties 
Investment property 
revaluation gains 
Administrative expenses 
Profit before interest and tax 
Finance cost 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Taxation 
Profit/(loss) for the year 

12.1
7.3
0.2

—

0.4
(0.1)
7.8
(3.4)
4.4
(1.2)
3.2

7.3
0.7
—

—

—
—
0.7
(0.9)
(0.2)
(0.1)
(0.3)

Key Property
Investments
Limited
£m 

2010
Other joint
ventures and
associates
£m 

14.4
6.6
—

0.4

6.2
(0.2)
13.0
(4.4)
8.6
(0.3)
8.3

4.4
0.7
—

0.1

—
(0.1)
0.7
(1.2)
(0.5)
(0.4)
(0.9)

Total
£m 

19.4
8.0
0.2

—

0.4
(0.1)
8.5
(4.3)
4.2
(1.3)
2.9

Total
£m 

18.8
7.3
—

0.5

6.2
(0.3)
13.7
(5.6)
8.1
(0.7)
7.4

Included in other joint ventures and associates above are the Group’s share of profits from associated companies of £0.3m 
(2010: £0.3m).

The Group’s share of the balance sheet of its joint ventures and associates is:

Key Property
Investments
Limited
 £m 

2011
Other joint
ventures and 
associates
 £m 

Balance sheets
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets
Equity at start of year
Transfer from joint venture to 
subsidiary undertaking
Profit/(loss) for the year
Dividends paid
Equity at end of year

120.4
10.7
(11.1)
(74.4)
45.6
44.4

—
3.2
(2.0)
45.6

23.7
6.1
(21.6)
(3.5)
4.7
5.0

—
(0.3)
—
4.7

Key Property
Investments
Limited
 £m 

2010
Other joint
ventures and
associates
 £m 

119.5
11.7
(11.9)
(74.9)
44.4
36.1

—
8.3
—
44.4

20.8
14.5
(10.1)
(20.2)
5.0
5.2

0.7
(0.9)
—
5.0

Total
 £m 

144.1
16.8
(32.7)
(77.9)
50.3
49.4

—
2.9
(2.0)
50.3

Total
 £m 

140.3
26.2
(22.0)
(95.1)
49.4
41.3

0.7
7.4
—
49.4

Included in other joint ventures and associates above are the Group’s share of net assets of £3.0m (2010: £2.7m) in relation 
to associated companies. These net assets comprise total assets of £4.0m (2010: £3.9m) and total liabilities of £1.0m (2010: 
£1.2m).

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104

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

10.  JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES CONTINUED

Significant joint venture companies and associates comprise:

Name

Status

Interest

Activity

Key Property Investments Limited
Barton Business Park Limited
Sowcrest Limited
Holaw (462) Limited
Sky Park Development Partnership LLP
Coed Darcy Limited
Baglan Bay Company Limited

Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Associate
Associate

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
49%
25%

Property investment and development
Property development
Property development
Property investment
Property development
Property investment and development
Property management

In the Business and Financial Review a series of commerical contracts with Persimmon is referred to as the “Persimmon JV”. 
This is not a statutory entity and the results from these commercial contracts are not included in the figures disclosed above. 
Revenue and profit from the Persimmon JV are recognised in Group development profit on legal completion of housing unit 
sales to third party purchasers.

Many of the joint ventures and associates contain change of control provisions, as is common for such arrangements.

On 1st July 2011 the Group increased its shareholding in St Modwen Hungerford Limited to 100%. No goodwill arose on 
increasing the Group’s stake in the entity, which is now accounted for as a subsidiary.

11.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Non-current
Other debtors
Current
Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
Amounts recoverable on contracts
Amounts due from joint ventures

IFRS7 disclosures in respect of financial assets included above are provided in Note 16.

2011
£m

8.4

8.1
5.2
14.1
8.9
14.9
51.2

2010
£m

8.2

2.3
7.3
10.2
12.8
12.7
45.3

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201112.  INVENTORIES

Properties held for sale
Properties under construction
Land under option

The movement in inventories during the two years ended 30th November 2011 is as follows:

At 30th November 2009
Additions
Net transfers to investment property (note 8)
Disposals (transferred to development cost of sales) (note 1)
At 30th November 2010
Additions
Net transfers from investment property (note 8)
Disposals (transferred to development cost of sales) (note 1)
At 30th November 2011

2011
£m

16.0
152.8
22.3
191.1

2010
£m

37.6
112.6
21.4
171.6

£m

192.7
60.1
(13.8)
(67.4)
171.6
46.7
19.4
(46.6)
191.1

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 £2.6m (2010: £6.1m).

As at 30th November 2011 £41.0m (2010: £48.3m) of inventory was pledged as security for the Group’s loan facilities.

13.  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)

2011
£m

19.3
4.5
79.7
0.8
7.8
20.1
132.2

47.7
1.0
140.0
3.9
192.6

2010
£m

15.7
4.1
76.4
0.2
18.4
18.3
133.1

46.4
1.6
163.2
3.9
215.1

IFRS7 disclosures in respect of financial liabilities included above are provided in note 16.

The payment terms of 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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106

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

14.  BORROWINGS

Non-current
Bank loans repayable between one and two years
Bank loans repayable between two and five years

2011
£m

—
352.3
352.3

2010
£m

107.9
218.3
326.2

Each bank has its borrowings secured by a fixed charge over a discrete portfolio of certain of 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:

Floating rate borrowings

Interest rate swaps

2011

Drawn
£m

Undrawn
£m

Less than one year†
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
More than five years
Total

—
—
165.1
105.9
81.3
—
352.3

—
—
33.3
73.1
23.7
—
130.1

Floating rate borrowings

Less than one year†
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
More than five years
Total

Drawn
£m

—
107.9
30.0
89.7
98.6
—
326.2

Undrawn
£m

5.0
56.1
40.0
35.3
56.4
—
192.8

*  Weighted average interest rate.

Total
£m

—
—
198.4
179.0
105.0
—
482.4

Total
£m

5.0
164.0
70.0
125.0
155.0
—
519.0

Earliest termination

Latest termination

%*

4.97%
4.66%
3.63%
2.91%
2.99%
2.01%
3.29%

£m

10.0
20.0
60.0
50.0
60.0
60.0
260.0

%*

5.42%
4.65%
3.45%
2.91%
2.99%
3.81%
3.29%

£m

30.0
30.0
70.0
50.0
60.0
20.0
260.0

2010

Interest rate swaps

Earliest termination

Latest termination

£m

80.0
90.0
10.0
10.0
40.0
30.0
260.0

%*

4.79%
5.43%
4.81%
4.80%
2.69%
4.32%
4.63%

£m

60.0
80.0
20.0
—
40.0
60.0
260.0

%*

4.83%
5.54%
4.65%
—
2.69%
4.51%
4.63%

†    In addition to the principal amounts included above, £1.8m (2010: £3.7m) of interest payable was committed at the year end. These amounts all fall due within three months of the year 

end.

Certain 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.

£3.8m (2010: £22.6m) 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 2.6% (2010: 2.8%). At 30th November 2011 the weighted average facility maturity of the bank debt was 4 years 
(2010: 3 years).

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201114.  BORROWINGS CONTINUED

Interest rate profile
The interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowings after taking into account the effects of hedging is:

Total
£m

352.3
326.2

Floating
rate debt
£m

92.3 
66.2

Fixed 
rate debt
£m

260.0
260.0

Weighted
average 
fixed
interest rate
(%)

3.29%
4.63%

Weighted
maturity of
derivatives
(years)*

3.05
3.37

At 30th November 2011
At 30th November 2010

*  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 2.01% to 5.42% (2010: 2.46% to 5.97%). In 
addition the Group has a cap at 7.5% on a further £0.1m (2010: £11m) of floating rate debt. Details of the change in fair value 
of derivative financial instruments charged to the income statement are disclosed in Note 4.

15.  LEASING

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
More than five years

2011
£m 

0.7
3.4
0.5
4.6 

2010
£m 

0.7
2.9
1.0
4.6 

Operating leases where the Group is the lessor
The Group leases 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
More than five years

2011
£m 

28.4
71.2
174.6
274.2

2010
£m 

27.5
71.1
193.7
292.3

Contingent rents, calculated as a percentage of turnover for a limited number of tenants, of £0.4m (2010: £0.4m) were 
recognised during the year.

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108

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

15.  LEASING CONTINUED

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

Minimum 
lease 
payments
£m 

0.2
0.9
67.3
68.4

Minimum
lease
payments
£m

0.2
0.9
67.5
68.6

2011

Interest 
£m 

Principal 
£m 

0.2
0.9
63.4
64.5

2010

—
—
3.9
3.9

Interest
£m

Principal
£m

0.2
0.9
63.6
64.7

—
—
3.9
3.9

Finance leases are for periods of up to 999 years from inception and a discount rate of 6.0% (2010: 6.0%) has been used to 
derive the fair value of the principal amount outstanding. All lease obligations are denominated in sterling.

16.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Categories and classes of financial assets and liabilities

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) 

2011
£m

5.2
40.6
45.8

2011
£m

20.1

352.3
103.6
147.8
3.9
627.7

2010
£m

11.3
25.8
37.1

2010
£m

18.3

326.2
90.3
181.6
3.9
620.3

a
a

b

a
a
a
a

Trade and other receivables above comprise other debtors, trade receivables and amounts due from joint ventures as 
disclosed in note 11, for current and non-current amounts, after deduction of £4.9m (2010: £7.6m) 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 13, for current and non-current amounts, after deduction of £47.6m (2010: £52.3m) of non-
financial liabilities.

(a)  The directors consider that the carrying amount 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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201116.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Fair value hierachy of financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, are required to be 
grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.

 — Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets;
 — Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are 

observable for the asset, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

 — Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Derivative financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss are the only financial instruments held by the Group at 
fair value. The net liability of £20.1m recognised as at 30th November 2011 (2010: £18.3m) is categorised as a Level 2 fair 
value measurement.

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 consists of debt (as disclosed in Note 14), cash and cash equivalents and equity, comprising issued capital, 
reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Group statement of changes in equity.

Market risk
Market risk is the potential adverse change in Group income or the 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.

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 

2011
£m

(2.6)
1.9
(0.7)

2011
£m

2.6
(1.9)
0.7

2010
£m

(2.3)
1.9
(0.4)

2010
£m

2.3
(1.9)
0.4

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 at least A+ ratings) 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 £1.5m (2010: £1.5m) 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.

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110

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

16.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Included within trade and other receivables is £0.5m (2010: £0.7m) which is 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 

2011
£m

0.7
0.5
(0.2)
(0.5)
0.5

2010
£m

1.0
0.6
(0.5)
(0.4)
0.7

Trade and other receivables include £0.9m (2010: £0.6m) which are past due as at 30 November 2011 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 + 

2011
£m

0.4
0.2
0.3
0.9

2010
£m

0.3
—
0.3
0.6

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 economic climate continues to provide a difficult backdrop to the Group’s operations. As such, the focus continues to be 
on managing cash flows and forward commitments, whilst continuing to marshal sites through the planning and remediation 
process and undertaking development on largely pre-let or pre-sold opportunities.

The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows for bank loans and overdrafts is shown in Note 14. The maturity profile 
for the Group’s other non-derivative financial liabilities, on an undiscounted basis, is as follows:

2011 

Trade and other payables 
Other payables on 
deferred terms 

2010 

Trade and other payables 
Other payables on 
deferred terms 

Less than
one month
£m

1–3 
months
£m

3 months 
to 1 year
£m

26.7

2.5
29.2

3.1

—
3.1

22.3

5.3
27.6

Less than 
one month
£m

1–3 
months
£m

3 months 
to 1 year
£m

18.3

—
18.3

8.8

10.0
18.8

13.3

8.4
21.7

1–5 
years
£m

47.7

142.3
190.0

1–5 
years
£m

47.3

162.6
209.9

More than
five years
£m

67.3

—
67.3

More than 
five years
£m

67.7

5.0
72.7

 Total 
£m

167.1

150.1
317.2

 Total 
£m

155.4

186.0
341.4

The Group’s approach to cash flow, financing and bank covenants is discussed further in the Business and Financial Review.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201117.  SHARE CAPITAL

Allotted and fully paid: 
Equity share capital 
At start and end of year 

Ordinary 
10p shares 
No. 

£m 

200,360,931

20.0

See note 3(d) for details of outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares.

18.  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 future accrual. The income statement includes:

 — a charge of £nil (2010: £0.1m) for the defined benefit section; and
 — a charge of £0.5m (2010: £0.1m) for the defined contribution section.

The last formal actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 5th April 2011, when the market value of the net assets of the 
scheme was £33.5m, a funding level of 104% based on the Trustees’ proposed assumptions for technical provisions (these 
are yet to be finalised). The valuation was performed using the ‘Projected Unit Credit Method’ under IAS19. The main actuarial 
assumptions were:

Investment rate of return: 

Increase in pensions 

pre-retirement 
post-retirement 

6.3% p.a.
4.8% p.a.
3.6% p.a.

The actuarial valuation of the defined benefit section, a final salary scheme, was updated to 30th November 2011 on an IAS 
basis by a qualified independent actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary were:

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 

2011

2.4%

3.0%
3.1%
4.9%
2.4%

2010

2.8%

3.0%
3.5%
5.5%
2.8%

2009

3.6%

3.0%
3.6%
5.5%
3.6%

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 inflation, subject to a maximum of 5% per annum. From 
2010 the basis of the inflation assumption has been amended, in line with market practice, from the Retail Price Index to the 
Consumer Price Index.

The mortality rates adopted are from the S1 year of birth and medium cohort tables with an underpin to future improvements 
of 1.5% to reflect the fact that medium cohort improvements will reduce over time. The resultant assumptions are, for 
example, male members who are currently retired are expected to draw their pensions for 26.3 years and non retired 
members for 28.7 years, based on the normal retirement age of 60.

The Group expects to make contributions of £0.2m to the defined benefit section of the scheme in 2012 and in future years.

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112

Financial Statements
notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

18.  PENSIONS CONTINUED

The fair values of assets in the defined benefit section of the scheme and the expected rates of return, based on market 
expectations, were:

2011

2010

2009

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash and other assets

Actuarial value of liabilities
Unrecognised surplus
Surplus in the scheme
Related deferred tax liability
Fair value of pension asset 
net of deferred tax

%

5.1
4.8
5.1
4.0

£m

9.5
7.9
8.2
1.5
27.1
(24.8)
(2.3) 
—
— 

—

%

5.7
5.5
5.7
4.2

 £m 

10.3
7.6
8.5
0.8
27.2
(24.7)
(2.5) 
—
— 

—

%

5.6
5.4
5.6
4.1

 £m 

17.0
1.4
8.4
0.3
27.1
(26.9)
(0.2) 
—
— 

—

The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses (before unrecognised surplus of £2.3m) recorded in the Group Statement 
of Comprehensive Income is a loss of £0.2m (2010: £0.2m gain).

Analysis of the amount (charged)/credited to operating profit

Current service cost
Curtailment gain
Total operating (charge)/credit

Analysis of the amount credited to finance costs and income

Expected return on pension scheme assets
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
Total net finance credit

2011
£m

(0.2)
—
(0.2)

2011
£m

1.5
(1.3)
0.2

2010
£m

(0.2)
—
(0.2)

2010
£m

1.5
(1.4)
0.1

2009
£m

(0.2)
0.7
0.5

2009
£m

1.4
(1.4)
—

The actual return on pension scheme assets was a gain of £1.1m (2010: £2.4m). 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 2% 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 Comprehensive Income

Difference between expected and actual return on assets 
Experience gains and losses arising on fair value of scheme liabilities 
Effects of changes in the demographic and financial assumptions underlying 
the fair value of the scheme liabilities
Change in unrecognised surplus
Total actuarial loss

2011
£m

(0.4)
(1.8)

1.8
0.2
(0.2)

2010
£m

0.9
(0.7)

2.0
(2.3)
(0.1)

2009
£m

1.8
3.7

(7.4)
1.1
(0.8)

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
 
  
  
 
 
18.  PENSIONS CONTINUED

Analysis of the movement in the present value of scheme liabilities

Beginning of year
Movement in year:
  Current service cost 
  Employee contributions

Interest cost

  Actuarial gains and losses
  Benefits paid
  Curtailment gain
End of year

2011
£m

24.7

0.2
—
1.3
—
(1.4)
—
24.8

Analysis of the movement in the fair value of the scheme assets

Beginning of year
Movement in year:
  Expected return on scheme assets
  Contributions by employer
  Employee contributions
  Actuarial gains and losses
  Benefits paid
End of year
Surplus in scheme at the year end 
Unrecognised surplus
Net surplus

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

2011
£m

27.2

1.5
0.2
—
(0.4)
(1.4)
27.1
2.3
(2.3)
—

2011
£m

(0.4)
(1.5%)

(1.8)
7.3%

2010
£m

26.9

0.2
—
1.4
(1.3)
(2.5)
—
24.7

2010
£m

27.1

1.5
0.2
—
0.9
(2.5)
27.2
2.5
(2.5)
—

2010
£m

0.9
3.3%

2009
£m

23.6

0.2
0.1
1.4
3.7
(1.4)
(0.7)
26.9

2009
£m

24.9

1.4
0.3
0.1
1.8
(1.4)
27.1
0.2
(0.2)
—

2009
£m

1.8
6.6%

2008
£m

29.0

0.4
0.1
1.6
(3.9)
(3.6)
—
23.6

2008
£m

35.0

2.0
0.4
0.1
(9.0)
(3.6)
24.9
1.3
(1.3)
—

2008
£m

2007
£m

31.1

0.5
0.1
1.5
(3.0)
(1.2)
—
29.0

2007
£m

33.9

1.8
0.6
0.1
(0.2)
(1.2)
35.0
6.0
(6.0)
—

2007
£m

(9.0)
(35.7%)

(0.2)
(0.3%)

(0.7)
2.8%

3.7
(13.8%)

(3.8)
16.1%

(3.0)
10.3%

19.  ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY

On 15th August 2011 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Broomford Vange Limited for cash 
consideration of £4.4m. On acquisition the company had cash of £1.1m and investment property with a book value of £3.5m 
offset by trade and other payables of £0.2m. No fair value adjustments were made to these amounts and no goodwill arose 
on the acquisition. This transaction has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. 

The subsidiary, which was principally acquired for its property asset, contributed £0.1m to both the Group’s revenue and profit 
before tax for the year. If the acquisition had been completed on the first day of the financial year, it would have increased both 
Group revenues and profit before tax by £0.3m.

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114

Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

20.  CApitAL COMMitMeNts

At 30th November 2011 the Group had contracted capital expenditure of £19.9m (2010: £18.2m). In addition, the 
Group’s share of the contracted capital expenditure of its joint venture undertakings was £0.1m (2010: £0.6m). All capital 
commitments relate to investment properties.

21.  CONtiNGeNt LiABiLities

The Group has a joint and several unlimited liability with Vinci UK PLC and the Ministry of Defence under guarantees in respect 
of the financial performance of 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 Group is also party to a joint and several guarantee to BNP Paribas in respect of the performance of Sowcrest Limited 
which is limited to £16.0m (2010: £16.0m).

22.  ReLAteD pARty tRANsACtiONs

Transactions between the Group and its non-wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are all undertaken on 
an arms length basis and are detailed 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 £0.2m 
(2010: £10.9m). The balance due to the Group at year end was £0.3m (2010: £0.6m). No interest is charged on this balance.

holaw (462) Limited (‘holaw’)
The balance due to the Group from Holaw at the year end was £0.3m (2010: £0.3m). No interest is charged on this balance.

Barton Business park Limited (‘Barton’)
During the year the Group repaid £0.1m to Barton (2010: borrowed £0.5m). The balance due to Barton at the year end was 
£3.8m (2010: £3.9m). No interest is charged on this balance.

sowcrest Limited (‘sowcrest’)
During the year £1.2m was paid to Sowcrest (2010: £7.3m) leaving an amount due from Sowcrest at the year end of £12.4m 
(2010: £11.3m). Interest is chargeable on £10.0m (2010: £8.5m) of the amount outstanding at a fixed rate of 10% (2010: 
10%).

skypark Development partnership LLp (‘skypark’)
The balance due to the Group from Skypark at the year end was £0.5m (2010: £0.6m), of which £0.5m (2010: £0.2m) relates 
to loan notes issued to the Group. Purchase ledger funding provided by the Group has all been repaid (2010: £0.4m). No 
interest is charged on these balances.

Chertsey Road properties Limited (‘CRp’)
During the year, CRP repaid £nil of its loan (2010: repaid £0.2m) and the balance due to the Group at the year end was £0.1m 
(2010: £0.1m).  No interest is charged on this balance.

Coed Darcy Limited (‘CDL’)
During the year, CDL repaid £nil of its loan (2010: £0.2m). The balance due to the Group at the year end was £nil (2010: £nil). 

Branston properties Limited (‘Branston’)
In 2010 the Group entered into an option to acquire the entire issued share capital of Branston, a company in which the 
family of Simon Clarke has a financial interest, at market value. The price paid for the option was £0.1m and exercise of this is 
contingent on certain planning milestones being achieved.

st. Modwen pension scheme
The Group occupies offices owned by the pension scheme with a value of £0.5m (2010: £0.5m) with an annual rental payable 
of £0.1m (2010: £0.1m). The balance due to the Group at year end was £0.1m (2010: £nil).

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 201122.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS CONTINUED

Non-wholly owned subsidiaries
The Company provides administrative and management services and provides a central purchase ledger system to subsidiary 
companies. In addition, the Company also operates a central treasury function which lends to and borrows from subsidiary 
undertakings as appropriate. 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
2010
2011
£m
£m

—

—
—
—
—

—

0.3
0.3

—

—
—
—
—

—

0.2
0.2

Interest

Balance

2011
£m

2010
£m

(0.1)

(0.1)

—
—
—
1.7

—

—
1.6

—
—
—
1.9

—

—
1.8

2011
£m

(4.0)

(0.4)
(0.5)
2.4
20.4

(0.2)

(11.5)
6.2

2010
£m

(3.9)

(0.5)
(0.6)
2.3
23.8

(0.2)

(9.9)
11.0

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 £nil (2010: £nil). 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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116

Financial Statements
Company Balance sheet

as at 30th November 2011

Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments held as fixed assets

Current assets
Debtors (including amounts falling due within one year of £205.7m (2010: £nil))
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
Shareholders’ funds

Notes

(E)
(F)

(G)

(H)

(H)

(K)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)

2011
£m

0.7
602.6
603.3

410.0
3.4

(284.8)
128.6
731.9
(242.5)
489.4

20.0
102.8
0.3
329.2
37.6
(0.5)
489.4

2010
£m

0.6
328.5
329.1

473.6
1.9

(149.4)
326.1
655.2
(216.1)
439.1

20.0
102.8
0.3
254.6
62.0
(0.6)
439.1

These financial statements were approved by the Board of directors on 6th February 2012 and were signed on its behalf by  
Bill Oliver and Michael Dunn. 

Bill Oliver 
Chief Executive 

Michael Dunn
Group Finance Director

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011notes to the Company accounts

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(A).  ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The accounts and notes have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK GAAP on a going concern basis, as discussed 
in the Business and Financial Review and confirmed on page 68.

The principal accounting policies are summarised below and have been applied consistently in the current and preceding year.

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, machinery and equipment  

— over 2 to 5 years

Depreciation is not provided on investment properties which are subject to annual revaluations.

Long leasehold investment properties
In accordance with SSAP19, 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 SSAP19. 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, joint venture and associated companies
The investments in subsidiary, joint venture and associated 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.

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118

Financial Statements
notes to the Company accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(A).  ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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.

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  Company 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.  If the Company’s experience or expectations change, the Company may in future be required to 
amend its accounting to the equity-settled method. 

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 the 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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011(A).  ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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 derivative financial 
instruments 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 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 to 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.

(B).  LOSS 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 2011 was £18.0m (2010: 
£22.3m).

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(C).  OPERATING ExPENSES

(i) Audit fees

Fees payable to Deloitte LLP in respect of:
Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts
Total audit fees
Other service pursuant to legislation
Tax services
Total non-audit fees
Total fees

2011
£’000

2010
£’000

132
132
51
63
114
246

112
112
51
210
261
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120

Financial Statements
notes to the Company accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(C).  OPERATING ExPENSES CONTINUED

(ii) Employees
The average number of full-time employees (including executive directors) employed by the Company during the year was as 
follows:

Property
Leisure and other activities
Administration

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

(D).  DIVIDENDS

2011
Number

2010
Number

134
36
41
211

2011
£m

10.1
1.4
0.7
12.2

125
41
39
205

2010
£m

9.4
1.2
0.3
10.9

Dividends paid during the year were a final dividend for 2010 and an interim dividend for 2011. The proposed final dividend is 
subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.

Paid
Final dividend in respect of previous year
Interim dividend in respect of current year
Total
Proposed
Current year final dividend

The Employee Benefit Trust waives its entitlement to dividends.

2011

2010

p per share

£m

p per share

2.0
1.1
3.1

2.2

4.0
2.2
6.2

4.4

—
1.0
1.0

2.0

£m

—
2.0
2.0

4.0

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011(E). TANGIBLE FIxED ASSETS

Cost or valuation
At 30th November 2010
Additions
Disposals
At 30th November 2011
Depreciation
At 30th November 2010 and 2011
Net book value
At 30th November 2011
At 30th November 2010

Long
leasehold
investment
properties
£m

Plant,
machinery
and
equipment
£m

0.3
—
—
0.3

—

0.3
0.3

2.4
0.3
(0.2)
2.5

2.1

0.4
0.3

Total
£m

2.7
0.3
(0.2)
2.8

2.1

0.7
0.6

Investment properties were valued at 30th November 2011 by Jones Lang LaSalle LLP, Chartered Surveyors; and at 30th 
November 2010 (prior to the merger of the firms) by King Sturge LLP, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance with the Appraisal 
and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of market value. Jones Lang LaSalle LLP 
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.

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122

Financial Statements
notes to the Company accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(F).  INVESTMENTS HELD AS FIxED ASSETS

Valuation
At 30th November 2010
Additions
Revaluation of investments
At 30th November 2011
Cost
At 30th November 2011
At 30th November 2010

Investment
in subsidiary
companies
£m

Investment
in joint
ventures
£m

274.5
199.5
73.6
547.6

283.8
84.3

54.0
—
1.0
55.0

26.5
26.5

Total
£m

328.5
199.5
74.6
602.6

310.3
102.7

Additions relate to the capitalisation of certain subsidiary undertakings during the year.

Subsidiary companies:
At 30th November 2011 the principal subsidiaries, all of which were held directly by the Company, were as follows:

Chaucer Estates Limited
Leisure Living Limited
Redman Heenan Properties Limited
St. Modwen Developments Limited
St. Modwen Ventures Limited
St. Modwen Properties Sarl
Stoke-On-Trent Regeneration Limited
Uttoxeter Estates Limited
Trentham Leisure Limited
Norton & Proffitt Developments Limited
VSM Estates (Holdings) Limited

Country of 
incorporation

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Luxembourg
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

Proportion of
ordinary 
shares held

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
81%
81%
80%
75%
50%

Nature of 
principal business

Property investors
Leisure operator
Property investors
Property developers
Property investors
Property investors
Property developers
Property developers
Leisure operator
Property developers
Property developers

Joint ventures
At 30th November 2011 the principal joint ventures were:

Key Property Investments Limited 
Barton Business Park Limited 
Sowcrest Limited 
Holaw (462) Limited 
Skypark Development Partnership LLP

Proportion of  
ordinary shares held

Nature of 
principal business

50% Property investment and development
Property development
50%
Property development
50%
Property investment
50%
Property development
50%

Many of the joint ventures contain change of control provisions, as is common for such arrangements.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011(G).  DEBTORS

Amounts falling due after more than one year: 
Amounts falling due from subsidiaries

Amounts falling due within one year: 
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)) 

(H).  CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year: 
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  
Accruals and deferred income 

2011
£m 

205.7
205.7

2011
£m 

0.4
171.4
12.0
1.4
3.1
10.1
5.9
204.3

2011
£m

1.4
246.3
4.5
0.4
1.3
10.8
20.1
284.8

2011
£m

241.4
1.1
242.5

2010
£m 

—
—

2010
£m 

0.1
437.4
12.6
6.8
3.1
7.9
5.7
473.6

2010
£m

1.4
112.3
4.1
0.1
1.1
12.1
18.3
149.4

2010
£m

214.5
1.6
216.1

All bank borrowings are secured by a fixed charge over the property assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

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124

Financial Statements
notes to the Company accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(I).   BORROWINGS

The maturity profile of the bank borrowings, all of which are wholly repayable within five years, is as follows:

One to two years
Two to five years
Total

 2011 
 £m 

—
241.4
241.4

 2010 
 £m 

40.0
174.5
214.5

(J).  DEFERRED TAxATION

The amounts of deferred taxation provided and unprovided in the accounts are as follows:

Provided 

Unprovided 

Other timing differences 

2011
£m

(5.9)
(5.9)

2010
£m

(5.7)
(5.7)

2011
£m

0.8
0.8

Reconciliation of movement on deferred tax asset included in debtors

Balance as at 30th November 2010 
Profit and loss account 
Balance as at 30th November 2011 

Reconciliation of deferred tax liability included in pension scheme asset

Balance as at 30th November 2010 
Profit and loss account 
Statement of total recognised gains and losses 
Balance as at 30th November 2011 

2010
£m

0.8
0.8

£m

(5.7)
(0.2)
(5.9)

£m

—
—
—
—

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011(K).  SHARE CAPITAL

Allotted and fully paid: 
Equity share capital 
At start and end of year 

Ordinary 
10p shares 
 No. 

£m 

200,360,931

20.0

See note 3(d) of the Group financial statements for details of outstanding options to acquire ordinary shares.

(L).  RESERVES

Share
premium
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Revaluation
reserve
£m

Profit
& loss
account
£m

Own shares
£m

At 30th November 2010 
Deficit on revaluation of investments 
Retained loss for the year (note B) 
Net share additions 
Dividends paid (note D) 
Actuarial loss on pension scheme (note M) 
At 30th November 2011 

102.8
—
—
—
—
—
102.8

0.3
—
—
—
—
—
0.3

254.6
74.6
—
—
—
—
329.2

62.0
—
(18.0)
—
(6.2)
(0.2)
37.6

(0.6)
—
—
0.1
—
—
(0.5)

Own shares represents the cost of 215,754 (2010: 259,414) shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust. The open market 
value of the shares held at 30th November 2011 was £225,463 (2010: £351,246). In addition, the Employee Benefit Trust 
has £0.1m (2010: £0.1m) of cash and £6.4m (2010: £9.0m) 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 18 of the 
Group financial statements. The directors are satisfied that this note, which contains the required IAS19 “Employee Benefits” 
disclosures for the Group, also covers the requirements of FRS17 “Retirement Benefits” for the Company.

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Financial Statements
notes to the Company accounts continued

for the year ended 30th November 2011

(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

2011

2010

Land and
buildings
 £m 

 — 
—
0.5
 0.5

Other
 £m 

 —
0.6
 — 
 0.6 

Land and
buildings
 £m 

 — 
 — 
 0.5 
 0.5 

Other
 £m 

 0.1 
 0.3 
 — 
 0.4 

(O). CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company has a joint and several unlimited liability with Vinci UK PLC and the Ministry of Defence under guarantees in 
respect of the financial performance of 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 BNP Paribas in respect of the performance of Sowcrest Limited 
which is limited to £16.0m (2010: £16.0m).

Further, the Company guarantees the performance of its subsidiaries in the course of their usual commercial activities.

(P). RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Details of related party transactions are provided in note 22 to the Group financial statements.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011Financial Statements
independent Company 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 2011 which 
comprise the Company Balance Sheet and the related notes A to P. 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 auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
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 and express an 
opinion on 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 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. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the annual report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements 
or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the parent Company financial statements:

 z give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 30th November 2011;

 z have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

 z 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:

 z the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 

2006; and

 z 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:

 z 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

 z the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or

 z certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

 z we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Other matters
We have reported separately on the Group financial statements of St. Modwen Properties PLC for the year ended 30th November 2011.

Stephen Griggs FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Birmingham, United Kingdom
6th February 2012

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
128

Financial Statements
Five Year record

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)‡ 
Increase/(decrease) on prior year 
Net assets employed 
Investment properties 
Investments 
Inventories 
Other net liabilities 
Net borrowings 
Net assets 
Financed by 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Own shares 
Minority interests 

* 

Including share of joint ventures.

† 

Including post tax profit of joint ventures.

2007
£m

34.9
54.5
62.8
100.1
73.3
11.7
6.3
284.1
16%

846.9
75.4
209.3
(262.0)
(401.9)
467.7

12.1
446.8
(0.7)
9.5
467.7

2008
£m

33.2
9.7
(64.6)
(73.1)
(37.3)†
3.9
(11.0)
251.4
(12%)

814.3
64.2
228.1
(282.9)
(421.5)
402.2

12.1
380.7
(0.1)
9.5
402.2

2009
£m

33.5
(8.2)
(106.5)
(119.4)
(59.7)
—
—
200.1
(20%)

762.9
41.3
192.7
(277.1)
(318.8)
401.0

20.0
372.7
(0.4)
8.7
401.0

2010
£m

33.7
15.5
29.4
37.5
18.6
1.0
18.6
218.0
9%

828.0
49.4
171.6
(297.3)
(314.9)
436.8

20.0
407.8
(0.6)
9.6
436.8

2011
£m

35.5
21.1
36.6
50.4
21.7
3.1
7.0
237.6
9%

848.7
50.3
191.1
(267.0)
(347.1)
476.0

20.0
444.9
(0.5)
11.6
476.0

‡  2007 to 2008 restated for comparability purposes on the assumption that the 2009 Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer had occurred on 1st December 2006.

The figures above are all presented under IFRSs.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011notice of annual general meeting

Notice is hereby given that the seventy first Annual General 
Meeting (‘AGM’) of St. Modwen Properties PLC (the 
‘Company’) will be held at 12 noon on 23rd March 2012 
at the Marketing Suite, Innovation Centre, 1 Devon Way, 
Longbridge Technology Park, Birmingham, B31 2TS for the 
purposes set out below. Resolutions 1 to 15 (inclusive) will be 
proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 16, 17 and 
18 will be proposed as special resolutions.

17. Special Resolution
That, in accordance with s701 Companies Act 2006, the 
Company be and is hereby granted general and unconditional 
authority to make market purchases (as defined in s693 
Companies Act 2006) of ordinary shares of 10p each in its 
capital (‘Ordinary Shares’) on such terms and in such manner 
as the Board of directors may from time to time determine 
PROVIDED THAT:

Ordinary Business
1.   To receive the report of the directors and the accounts for 

(a)  the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares 

authorised to be purchased is 20,036,093;

the year ended 30th November 2011.

(b)  the minimum price (excluding expenses) per Ordinary 

2.   To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the 

year ended 30th November 2011. 

3.   To declare a final dividend of 2.2p per share for the year 

Share is not less than 10p;

(c)  the maximum price (excluding expenses) per Ordinary 

Share is the higher of:

(i)  an amount equal to 105% of the average of the market 
value of an Ordinary Share for the five business days 
immediately preceding the day on which the purchase 
is made; and

(ii)  the higher of the price quoted for the last independent 
trade of and the highest current independent bid for 
any number of Ordinary Shares on The London Stock 
Exchange; and

(d)  this authority, unless previously renewed, shall expire on 
22nd June 2013 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) except in relation to 
the purchase of any Ordinary Shares the contract for which 
was concluded before the date of expiry of the authority 
and which would or might be contemplated wholly or 
partly after that date.

18.  Special Resolution
That a general meeting other than an annual general meeting 
may be called on not less than 14 clear days’ notice. 

By order of the Board

Michael Dunn
Company Secretary
20th February 2012

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

ended 30th November 2011.

4.   To re-elect Steve Burke as a director.

5.   To re-elect Simon Clarke as a director.

6.   To re-elect Michael Dunn as a director.

7.   To re-elect David Garman as a director.

8.   To re-elect Lesley James as a director.

9.   To re-elect Katherine Innes Ker as a director.

10.  To re-elect Bill Oliver as a director.

11.  To re-elect John Salmon as a director.

12.  To re-elect Bill Shannon as a director.

13.  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.

14.  To authorise the directors to determine the remuneration of 

the auditors.

Special Business
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions:

15. Ordinary Resolution
That the authority to allot shares and grant rights to subscribe 
for or convert any security into shares in the Company 
conferred on the directors by Article 7.2(a) of the Company’s 
articles of association be and is hereby granted for the period 
ending on 22nd June 2013 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) up to an aggregate 
nominal amount equal to the Section 551 amount which for 
the purposes of this Resolution is £4,963,907. 

16. Special Resolution
That, subject to the passing of resolution 15, the authority to 
allot equity securities as if s561(1) Companies Act 2006 did 
not apply to any such allotment conferred on the directors by 
Article 7.2(b) of the Company’s articles of association be and 
is hereby granted for the period ending on 22nd June 2013 
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 that period the Section 561 amount is 
£1,001,805. 

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
130

Financial Statements
notice of annual general meeting continued

SHAREHOLDER NOTES: 

Explanatory notes for the Annual General Meeting
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)  Every shareholder has the right to appoint some other 

person(s) of their choice, who need not be a shareholder 
of the Company as his proxy to exercise all or any of his/
her rights, to attend, speak and vote on their behalf at 
the meeting. A shareholder 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 held by that shareholder. A proxy need not 
be a shareholder but must attend the meeting in person. 
Forms of Proxy should be lodged with the Registrar’s 
office or submitted not later than 48 hours before the time 
for which the meeting is convened. Completion of the 
appropriate Form of Proxy does not prevent a shareholder 
from attending the meeting and voting in person if he/she 
is entitled to do so and so wishes.

(b)   A Form of Proxy which may be used to make such 

appointment and give proxy instructions accompanies 
this notice.  The form can be lodged by post, electronically 
or, for CREST members, via the CREST electronic proxy 
appointment service. If you do not have a Form of Proxy and 
believe that you should have one, please contact Equiniti 
Limited (the “Registrar”) on the Registrar’s helpline on 0871 
384 2198 (calls to this number are charged at 8p per minute 
from a BT landline, other telephone provider costs may vary. 
Overseas callers should dial +44 121 415 7047. Lines are 
open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday).

(c)  The notes to the Form of Proxy explain how to direct your 
proxy to vote on each resolution or withhold their vote. A 
vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the 
vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for 
or against the resolution. If no voting indication is given, 
your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her 
discretion.  Your proxy will vote (or abstain from voting) as 
he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is 
put before the meeting.  If you wish to appoint a person 
other than the Chairman of the meeting as your proxy, 
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).

(d)   To appoint more than one proxy, additional Forms of Proxy 
may be obtained by contacting the Registrars’ helpline on 
0871 384 2198 (calls to this number are charged at 8p 
per minute from a BT landline, other telephone provider 
costs may vary. Overseas callers should dial +44 121 415 
7047. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday 
to Friday). Alternatively you may photocopy the Form of 
Proxy.  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.

(e)  To be valid, the Form of Proxy and any 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 Registrar before 12 noon on Wednesday 
21st March 2012, either in hard copy form by post, by 
courier or by hand to Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, 
Spencer Road, Lancing, BN99 6DA. 

(f)   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 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 
AGM. 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. 

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. CREST proxy appointments and voting 
instructions must be received not later than 48 hours 
before the AGM to be effective.

(g)  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.

(h)  Shareholders who would prefer to register the appointment 

of their proxy electronically via the internet can do so 
through the Sharevote website, www.sharevote.co.uk, 
using their personal Authentication Reference Number 
(this is the series of numbers printed under the headings 
Voting ID, Task ID and Shareholder Reference Number on 
the Form of Proxy). Alternatively, shareholders who have 
already registered with Equiniti Registrars’ online portfolio 
service, Shareview, can appoint their proxy electronically 
by logging on to their portfolio at www.shareview.co.uk 
and clicking on the link to vote under their St. Modwen 
Properties PLC holding details. Full details and instructions 
on these electronic proxy facilities are given on the 
respective websites. Electronic proxy appointments and 
voting instructions must be received not later than 48 
hours before the AGM to be effective. 

(i)   To change your proxy instruction simply submit a new 
proxy appointment using the methods set out above. 
Shareholders should note that the cut-off time for receipt 
of proxy appointments as indicated above also apply in 
relation to amended instructions and any amended proxy 
appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will 
be disregarded. If you submit more than one valid proxy 
appointment, the appointment received last before the 
latest time for the receipt of proxies will take precedence. 

(j)   In order to revoke a proxy instruction, a shareholder will need 
to inform the Company by sending a signed hard copy notice 
clearly stating his/her intention to revoke a proxy appointment 
to the Registrar at Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer 
Road, Lancing, BN99 6DA.  In the case of a shareholder 
which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed 
under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer 
of the company or an attorney for the company.  Any power 
of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation 
notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power 
of attorney) must be included with the revocation notice. 
The revocation must be received no later than 12 noon on 
Wednesday 21st March 2012.  If a shareholder attempts to 
revoke its proxy appointment but the revocation is received 
after the time specified then the original proxy appointment 
will remain valid.  Termination of proxy appointments made 
through CREST must be made in accordance with the 
procedures described in the CREST Manual. 

(k)  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 21st March 2012 (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.

(l)   Any corporate shareholder can appoint one or more 

corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf 
all of its powers as a shareholder provided that they do 
not do so in relation to the same shares. Representatives 
of shareholders that are corporations will have to produce 
evidence of their proper appointment when attending the 
AGM. Please contact the Registrar if you need any further 
guidance in relation to this.

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Stockcode: SMPwww.stmodwen.co.ukOverviewPage HeadingBusiness & Financial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
132

Financial Statements
notice of annual general meeting continued

(m) 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 shareholder 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/she may have a right under such an 
agreement to give the shareholder voting instructions. 
The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to 
the appointment of proxies in Note (a) above does not 
apply to Nominated Persons. The right described in this 
paragraph can only be exercised by shareholders of the 
Company. If you have been nominated to receive general 
shareholder communications directly from the Company, it 
is important to remember that your main contact in terms 
of your investment remains the registered shareholder or 
the custodian or broker who administers the investment on 
your behalf. 

(n)  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 (i) to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation 
for the meeting or involve the disclosure of confidential 
information, (ii) the answer has already been given on a 
website in the form of an answer to a question, or (iii) it is 
undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good 
order of the meeting that the question be answered.

(o)  Shareholders should note that on a request made 
by shareholders of the Company pursuant to s527 
Companies Act 2006, the Company may be required to 
publish on a website a statement setting out any matter 
that such shareholders propose to raise at the meeting 
relating to the audit of the Company’s accounts (including 
the auditors’ report and the conduct of the audit) that are 
to be laid before the AGM for the financial year beginning 
on 1 December 2010. Where the Company is required to 
publish such a statement on its website it may not require 
the shareholders making the request to pay any expenses 
incurred by the Company in complying with the request.  
Where the Company is required to place a statement on a 
website under s527 Companies Act 2006, it must forward 
the statement to the Company’s auditor not later than the 
time the statement is available on the Company’s website. 
The business which may be dealt with at the meeting for 
the relevant financial year includes any statement that the 
Company has been required under s527 Companies Act 
2006 to publish on a website.   

(p)  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 articles of association.

(q)  You may not use any electronic address provided in either 
this notice of AGM or any related documents (including the 
Form of Proxy) to communicate with the Company for any 
purposes other than those expressly stated.

(r)   As at 17 February 2012 (being the latest practicable date 
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.

(s)  A copy of this notice, and other information required 
by s311A Companies Act 2006, can be found on the 
Company’s website at www.stmodwen.co.uk.

Explanatory notes on the proposed resolutions 
(a)  Resolution 1 (report and accounts 2011). Resolution 1 is 
to receive the accounts and the report of the directors for 
the year ended 30th November 2011.

(b)   Resolution 2 (directors’ remuneration report 2011). 

ss439 and 440 Companies Act 2006 require that quoted 
companies put the Directors’ Remuneration Report to a 
vote of the shareholders. Resolution 2 is to approve the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, which is included on 
pages 70 to 75 of the Annual Report 2011 and provides 
details of the Group’s remuneration policy for the directors 
and senior executives. In accordance with ss439 and 
440 Companies Act 2006, the vote on this resolution is 
advisory and no director’s remuneration is conditional upon 
the passing of this resolution.

(c)  Resolution 3 (declaration of final dividend). Resolution 3 

is to declare a final dividend of 2.2p per ordinary share, as 
recommended by the directors. The final dividend will be 
paid on 4th April  2012 to shareholders on the Register at 
the close of business on 9th March 2012.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011(d)  Resolution 4-12 (directors’ seeking re-election). The 
UK Corporate Governance Code recommends that all 
directors of FTSE 350 companies retire and are put up 
for re-election at the AGM. Although the Company is not 
currently a FTSE 350 company, the Company considers 
this to be best practice and, accordingly, all of the directors 
voluntarily offer themselves for re-election. Biographical 
details of these directors can be found on page 59 of the 
Annual Report 2011. The performance of the Board as a 
whole, as well as the contribution made by the individual 
non-executive directors has been reviewed during the 
course of the year. After considering this evaluation, the 
Board believes that each of the non-executive directors 
continue to demonstrate commitment to their roles and 
that their respective skills complement each other to 
enhance the overall operation of the Board. 

(e)  Resolution 13 (reappointment of auditors) and 
Resolution 14 (remuneration of the auditors). 
Resolution 13 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. Resolution 14 
seeks to authorise the directors to determine the level of 
the auditors’ remuneration.

(f)   Resolution 15 (authority to allot shares). The purpose 
of Resolution 15 is to give the directors authority to allot 
shares up to a specified amount. The current authority 
granted at the Company’s 2011 AGM expires at the 
conclusion of the 2012 AGM. Accordingly, the Company 
seeks renewal of this authority.   

Article 7.2 of the Company’s articles of association 
contains a general authority for the directors to allot 
shares in the Company, or to grant rights to subscribe 
for or convert any security into shares of the Company 
for a period (not exceeding five years) (the ‘Section 551 
prescribed period’) up to a maximum aggregate nominal 
amount (the ‘Section 551 amount’) as is approved by 
a Special or Ordinary Resolution of the Company. The 
directors’ are seeking authority to allot shares up to 
a maximum of £4,963,907 being an amount equal to 
24.77% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 17th 
February 2012 (being the latest practicable date prior to 
the publication of the notice of AGM). Resolution 15, will 
be proposed as an Ordinary Resolution. The directors have 
no present intention of using the authority given to allot 
further shares but would prefer to have the flexibility to do 
so, should the need arise. This authority would expire at 
the conclusion of the AGM held in 2013 or on 22nd June 
2013 (whichever is the earlier). 

(g)  Resolution 16 (disapplication of pre-emption rights) 
The purpose of Resolution 16 is to give the directors 
authority to allot shares in particular circumstances 
without first having to offer those shares to existing 
shareholders. Article 7.2 of the Company’s articles of 
association empowers the directors to allot shares for 
cash in connection with a rights issue and also to allot 
shares for cash in any other circumstances without first 
offering those shares to existing shareholders up to a 
maximum aggregate nominal amount approved by a 
special resolution of the Company (the “Section 561 
amount”). Resolution 16, 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. 

In compliance with the Statement of Principles issued 
by the Pre-emption Group of the Association of British 
Insurers, it is the intention of the Company that the 
cumulative usage of the authority granted by this resolution 
within a rolling three year period shall not exceed 7.5% 
of the Company’s issued share capital without prior 
consultation with shareholders. This authority would expire 
at the conclusion of the AGM held in 2013 or on 22nd 
June 2013 (whichever is the earlier).

(h)  Resolution 17 (authority for the Company to purchase 

its own shares). The directors consider it would be 
beneficial for the Company to continue to have the power 
to purchase its own ordinary shares of 10p each. The 
current authority expires at the conclusion of the 2012 
AGM. Resolution 17 seeks authority for the Company 
to make market purchases of its own ordinary shares 
and is proposed as a Special Resolution. If passed, the 
resolution gives authority for the Company to purchase up 
to 20,036,093 of its ordinary shares, representing 10% of 
the Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 17th 
February 2012 (being the latest practicable date prior to 
the publication of the notice of AGM). 

This resolution specifies the minimum and maximum prices 
which may be paid for any ordinary shares purchased 
under this authority. The authority will expire on the earlier 
of 22nd June 2013 or the Company’s 2013 AGM. It is 
envisaged that the directors will continue to seek renewal 
of the authority annually.  

The directors do not currently have any intention of 
exercising the authority granted by this resolution.  
Nevertheless, in certain circumstances it may be 
advantageous for the Company to purchase its own 
shares. The directors will only exercise the authority to 

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134

Financial Statements
notice of annual general meeting continued

purchase ordinary shares where they consider that such 
purchases will be in the best interests of shareholders 
generally and will result in an increase in earnings per 
ordinary share. The Company may either cancel any 
shares it purchases under this authority or transfer them 
into treasury (and subsequently sell or transfer them out of 
treasury or cancel them). 

As at 17th February 2012 (being the latest practicable date 
prior to the publication of the notice of AGM), the total 
number of options that were outstanding to subscribe for 
ordinary shares in the Company amounted to 8,633,635. 
This represented 4.31% of the Company’s issued ordinary 
share capital on that date. If this authority to purchase 
shares was exercised in full the options would represent 
4.79% of the issued ordinary share capital as at 17th 
February 2012.  

No shares were bought during the 2011 financial year 
and the Company does not currently hold any shares in 
treasury.

(i)   Resolution 18 (Notice of general meetings). 

Changes made to the Companies Act 2006 by the 
Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2010 (the 
‘Shareholders’ Rights Regulations’) increased 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) 
and the Company offers a facility for shareholders to vote 
by electronic means. AGMs will continue to be held on 
at least 21 clear days’ notice. Before the Shareholders’ 
Rights Regulations came into force, 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 18 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 Company does not propose to 
utilise this shorter notice period as a matter of routine but 
only where circumstances dictated such a requirement 
and to do so would be to the benefit of the Company’s 
shareholders as a whole. Such circumstances may arise, 
for example, where due to extraneous circumstances, 
the Company is required to undertake an urgent capital 
raising exercise. In those circumstances, the Company is 
confident that a facility to permit electronic voting can be 
made available to all of the Company’s shareholders.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011 
 
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.

IFRSs — International Financial Reporting Standards.

Initial yield is the annualised net rent expressed as a 
percentage of the valuation.

BREEAM — Building Research Establishment Environmental 
Assessment Method is an industry-wide system of standards 
to assess sustainable developments and measure the 
environmental impact of buildings.

Building Regulations are the procedural regulations that set 
out what kind of work needs Building Regulations approval 
and how that approval should be obtained, together with the 
technical requirements that set the standards that should be 
achieved by the building work.

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 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 together with deferred taxation on revaluations 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.

Land bank 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.

LIBOR — the London Interbank offered rate is the average 
interest rate that leading banks in London charge when 
lending to other banks. 

LTV — Loan to value is the proportion of net debt to total 
property assets.

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.

EPRA net asset value per share is EPRA net asset value 
divided by the diluted number of shares at the period end.

NED — Non-executive director

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Estimated net rental income is the passing cash rent 
less ground rent at the balance sheet date, estimated non-
recoverable outgoings and void costs including service 
charges, insurance costs and void rates. 

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.

IFRIC — International Financial Reporting Interpretations 
Committee.

Net asset value (‘NAV’) per share — Equity attributable to 
owners of the Parent divided by the number of ordinary shares 
in issue at the period end. 

Net rental income is the rental income receivable in the 
period after payment of ground rents and net property 
outgoings.

Net initial yield — A calculation by the Group’s external 
valuers as the yield that would be received by a purchaser, 
based on the estimated net rental income expressed as a 
percentage of the acquisition cost, being the market value plus 
assumed actual purchasers’ costs at the reporting date. The 
calculation is in line with EPRA guidance.

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.

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136

Financial Statements
glossary of terms continued

Project MoDEL is a project run for the Ministry of Defence 
(‘MoD’) by the ministry’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation 
and VSM Estates, a joint venture established between 
Vinci PLC and St. Modwen Properties. The project involves 
the consolidation and sale of surplus Ministry of Defence 
properties around Greater London and the redevelopment of 
RAF Northolt.

Property profits includes profits made on sales of investment 
properties, properties held for sale and properties under 
construction.

Rent roll is the gross rent plus rent reviews that have been 
agreed as at the reporting date.

RICS — Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. 

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.

SIC — Standards and Interpretations Committee. 

TSR — Total shareholder return represents the growth in 
value of a shareholding over a specified period, assuming that 
dividends are reinvested to purchase additional units of stock.

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.

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011information for shareholders

Financial Calendar

Annual General Meeting 
Announcement of 2012 interim results 
Announcement of 2012 final results 

Ordinary shareholdings at 30th November 2011

By shareholder
Individuals
Directors and connected persons
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

23rd March 2012
July 2012
February 2013

Shareholders

Shares

No.

3,563
26
552
76

%

No.

84.50
0.62
13.08
1.80

11,713,341
49,929,646
136,168,698
2,549,246

Shareholders

Shares

No.

1,078
758
1,494
375
312
53
78
29
40

%

No. 

25.56
17.97
35.43
8.89
7.40
1.26
1.85
0.69
0.95

263,048
583,455
3,505,188
2,728,147
6,705,981
3,672,691
17,905,871
21,272,309
143,724,241

%

5.85
24.92
67.96
1.27

%

0.13
0.29
1.75
1.36
3.35
1.83
8.94
10.62
71.73

Registrars 
The Registrars to the Company are Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA.
Shareholder enquiry line: 0871 384 2198/Overseas telephone number +44 (0)121 415 7047. 

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. 

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138

information for shareholders continued

Global Payment Service
For overseas shareholders in certain countries, Equiniti offers an Overseas Payment Service by arrangement with Citibank Europe 
PLC. This service offers shareholders the ability to have their dividend converted into their local currency and sent electronically to 
their local bank account. To sign up for this service, please contact Equiniti on 0871 384 2198 (+44 (0) 121 415 7047 if calling from 
outside the UK). Alternatively you can download an application form and terms and conditions from the website (www.shareview.
co.uk).

Warning to Shareholders — Boiler Room Scams
In recent years, many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or 
correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from overseas based ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders, 
offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are commonly 
known as ‘boiler rooms’. These ‘brokers’ can be very persistent and extremely persuasive, and a 2006 survey by the Financial 
Services Authority (FSA) has reported that the average amount lost by investors is round £20,000.

It is not just the novice investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several 
years. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free company 
reports.  If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

 – Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation

 – Check that they are properly authorised by the FSA before getting involved by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/register/ and contacting 

the firm using the details on the register

 – Report the matter to the FSA either by calling 0845 606 1234 or visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation 

 – If the calls persist, hang up.

If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.  

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011development projects

LONDON & SOUTH EAST
BOGNOR REGIS
BRIGHTON
– Woodingdean
EASTLEIGH 
– Campbell Road
FARNBOROUGH 
– Town Centre
GUILDFORD
– Henley Industrial Estate
LONDON 
– Elephant & Castle
– Hounslow
– Leegate
– Wembley Central
MILL HILL
– Inglis Barracks
POOLE
– Discovery Court
SURREy
– Copthorne
THURROCK 
– South Ockendon
UxBRIDGE 
– RAF Uxbridge
WOKING
– The Planets
yALDING
– Syngenta

MIDLANDS
BIRMINGHAM
– Quinton Business Park
– Tyburn Business Park
– Washwood Heath
BURTON-UPON-TRENT
– Barton Business Park 
– Branston 
– Pirelli
CANNOCK
– Hednesford Town Centre 
– Pye Green
– Rumer Hill 
– Watling Street
COALVILLE
– Laverstone Road
COVENTRy
– Whitley Business Park
DERBy
– Boughton Road
– Hilton Depot
HALESOWEN
– Coombs Wood
LONGBRIDGE
NEWPORT (SHROPSHIRE)
– Audley Avenue
– Town Centre
NOTTINGHAM
– Bestwood Business Park

RUGBy
– Mill Road 
– Newbold Road 
SANDWELL
– Birchley Island
STAFFORD
– Castle Works
– Lichfield Road 
– St. Leonard’s
TELFORD
– Brockton Business Park 
– Queensway Business Park
WALSALL
– Pelsall Road
– St. Matthew’s Quarter 
WOLVERHAMPTON
– Goodyear
– Parkside
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
– Long Marston
SWADLINCOTE
– Burton Road, 
– Castle Gresley
– Mount Pleasant
WORCESTER
– Blackpole Trading Estate
– Great Western Business Park
– Gregory’s Bank
– Nunnery Way 
– Shrub Hill Industrial Estate 
– Taylors Lane

NORTHERN HOME 
COUNTIES
BEDFORD 
– Thurleigh Airfield
CRANFIELD
– Technology Park
ENFIELD
– Edmonton Green Town Centre
HATFIELD
– Town Centre
LETCHWORTH
– Letchworth Business Park
LUTON
– Guildford Street
MILTON KEyNES
– Stratford Road

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
STOKE-ON-TRENT 
– Blythe Vale Business Park
– Etruria Valley, Festival Park
– Fenton 25 & Berryhill
– Hartshill
– Nile Street
– Norton Park
– Phoenix Park
– The Trentham Estate 
   & Gardens 
– Trentham Lakes 
– Victoria Park 
STONE
– Meaford Business Park

NORTH WEST
BLACKBURN
– Evolution Park
BURNLEy
– Finsley Gate
– Healey Royd
CONNAH’S QUAy
– Ffordd Llanarth
ECCLES
– Lankro Way
ELLESMERE PORT
– Cromwell Road
GLASGOW
– Pegasus Business Park
– Springburn
LIVERPOOL 
– East Lancs Road 
– Great Homer Street
MANCHESTER 
– Wythenshawe
PRESTON
– Channel Way
SKELMERSDALE
– Town Centre
ST HELENS
– Lowfield Lane
– Vulcan Works
WARRINGTON
– Trident Business Park
WIGAN
– Enterprise Park

RESIDENTIAL
ST. MODWEN HOMES
– Dursley
– Gregory’s Bank
–  Park View, Longbridge, 

Birmingham
–  The Parkside,  

Locking Parklands,  
Weston-super-Mare

SOUTH WEST & SOUTH 
WALES
AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL
– Access 18
CLEVEDON
– Clevedon Business Park
DURSLEy
– Littlecombe
ExETER
– Skypark
GLOUCESTER
– Quedgeley Business Parks
NEATH
– Coed Darcy
NEWPORT, GWENT
– Celtic Business Park
– Glan Llyn (Llanwern) 
PORT TALBOT
– Baglan Bay
SWANSEA
– Transit (Swansea University)
TAUNTON
– Firepool
– Langford Mead 
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
– Locking Parklands 
– Westlands 

YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST
DARLINGTON
– Faverdale
– Whessoe Road
DONCASTER
– Parkside 
– Worcester Avenue
HULL
– Melton Park
LINCOLN
– Firth Road
– Rushton Works
– Teal Park
SHEFFIELD
– Stavington
– Totley
SUNDERLAND

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140

awards

CORPORATE

ESTATES GAzETTE NATIONAL AWARDS 2011
Finalist —National Property Company of the Year 2011

MIDLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE

MIDLANDS INSIDER PROPERTy 2011 AWARD 
Longbridge: Winner — Regeneration Scheme of the Year

HIGHLy COMMENDED 
Longbridge: Regeneration and Renewal Awards

INSIDER PROPERTy 2010 WEST MIDLANDS 
Midlands Office: Winner — Commercial Developer of the Year

BIRMINGHAM POST BUSINESS AWARDS
Midlands Office: Winner — Property: Regeneration and Estate Management Award

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIONAL OFFICE

STAFFORDSHIRE BUILDING ExCELLENCE AWARDS 2011
Winner — Best Project for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Vehicle Maintenance 
Unit at Trentham Lakes

NORTH WEST REGIONAL OFFICE

ESTATES GAzETTE REGIONAL AWARDS 2011
North West Office: Winner — North West Property Company of the Year

SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGIONAL OFFICE

ESTATES GAzETTE REGIONAL PROPERTy AWARDS 2011
South West & Wales Office: Winner — South West & Wales Property Company of the Year

St. Modwen ProPertieS PLCAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th November 2011REPORTS AND PUbLICATIONS

St. Modwen's reports and publications 
are available to view online or download from
www.stmodwen.co.uk

You can order St. Modwen's 
printed publications free of 
charge from:

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

industrial

retail

Partnerships

St. Modwen's  reports and publications are available to 
view online or download from www.stmodwen.co.uk

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 by an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), certified 
printer using vegetable based inks and varnish.

This report has been printed on Novatch matt, a white coated paper and board 
using 100% EFC pulp.

ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC 
Company No. 349201

HEAD OFFICE, MIDLANDS 
REGIONAL OFFICE & 
RESIDENTIAL ENQUIRIES
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
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

NORTHERN HOME COUNTIES
First Floor, Unit E1
The Courtyard
Alban Park
Hatfield Road
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL4 0LA
01727 732690

www.stmodwen.co.uk

Stock code: SMP

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