Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Food Distribution / Tate & Lyle

Tate & Lyle

tate · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker tate
Exchange LSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Food Distribution
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2012 Annual Report · Tate & Lyle
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Annual Report 2012

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Building a platform 
for long-term growth

 
 
 
 
 
Business Review:
Financial Highlights

A good performance  
over the past year

Contents

Adjusted operating profit1  
£m

Adjusted diluted earnings 
per share1 pence

Introduction to the Business

Directors’ Report
Business Review*
IFC  Financial Highlights
1  
2   Our Group at a Glance 
4   Our Business Model 
6  

 Our Strategy and Business 
Transformation Programme 
8  Key Performance Indicators 
10  Chairman’s Statement 
12   Chief Executive’s Review
16   Speciality Food Ingredients
18   Bulk Ingredients
20    Innovation and Commercial 

Development

21  Group Financial Results 
22   Additional Financial Information
27   Risks
30   Corporate Responsibility

Governance*
36  Board of Directors
38   Corporate Governance
48   Directors’ Remuneration Report
60    Other Statutory and Governance 

62 

Information
 Directors’ Statement  
of Responsibilities 

Financial statements and 
shareholder information
Financial statements
63    Independent Auditors’ Report  

to the Members of Tate & Lyle PLC

64   Consolidated Income Statement
65    Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income
66    Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position

67    Consolidated Statement of  

Cash Flows

68    Consolidated Statement of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity

69    Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements

115   Parent Company Financial  

Statements

Shareholder information
122  Five-year Review
124  Information for Investors

* These sections make up the Directors’ Report. 
This part of the annual report sets out the 
information on the Group’s principal activities, 
together with a review of the development and 
performance of the Group, including financial 
performance, in accordance with Section 417  
of the Companies Act 2006. 

268

321

348

33.7

45.7

56.4

20102

2011

2012

20102

2011

2012

Dividend per share  
pence

Net debt  
£m

22.9

23.7

24.9

814

464

476

2010

2011

20123

2010

2011

2012

Statutory results
Operating profit 
Profit before tax 
Profit for the year (on total operations) 
Diluted earnings per share (on total operations) 

2012

£404m 
£379m 
£309m 
64.3p 

2011

£303m
£245m
£167m
34.7p

Notes 
1  Continuing operations; before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets acquired 

through business combinations.

2  The results for the year ended 31 March 2010 have been restated to reflect the reclassification  

of the Sugars segment as discontinued operations.

3  This includes the proposed final dividend. 

Adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax and adjusted earnings per share 
Unless stated otherwise, adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax and adjusted 
earnings per share in this annual report and accounts exclude discontinued operations  
and are before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets acquired through  
business combinations.

Trademarks 
SPLENDA® and the SPLENDA® logo are trademarks of McNeil Nutritionals, LLC.

Definitions/cautionary statement 
Please read the statements on the inside back cover.

Financial calendar
2012 Annual General Meeting
Announcement of half-year results for six months to 30 September 2012
Announcement of full-year results for the year ending 31 March 2012
2013 Annual General Meeting

1  Provisional date

Dividend on ordinary shares

Announced
Payment date

1  Provisional date.
2  Subject to the approval of shareholders.

Dividends on 6½% cumulative preference shares
Paid 31 March and 30 September.

26 July 2012
8 Nov 20121
30 May 20131
24 July 20131

2012 final 
31 May 2012
3 Aug 20122

2013 interim 
8 Nov 20121
4 Jan 20131

2013 final 
30 May 20131
2 Aug 20132

Electronic communications
Shareholder documents are only sent in paper format to shareholders who have elected to receive documents in this way. This approach enables 
the Company to reduce printing and distribution costs and its impact on the environment.

Shareholders who have not elected to receive paper copies are sent a notification whenever shareholder documents are published, to advise them 
how to access the documents via the Tate & Lyle website, www.tateandlyle.com. Shareholders may also choose to receive this notification via email 
with a link to the relevant page on the website. Shareholders who wish to receive email notification should register online at www.shareview.co.uk, 
using their reference number that is either on their share certificate or other correspondence.

Non-reliance statement
This annual report and accounts has been 
prepared solely to provide additional information 
to shareholders to assess the Group’s strategy 
and the potential of that strategy to succeed 
and should not be relied upon by any other 
party or for any other purpose.

Cautionary statement
This annual report and accounts contains 
certain forward-looking statements with 
respect to the financial condition, results, 
operations and businesses of Tate & Lyle PLC. 
These statements and forecasts involve risk 
and uncertainty because they relate to events 
and depend upon circumstances that may 
occur in the future. There are a number of 
factors that could cause actual results or 
developments to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by these forward-looking 
statements and forecasts. Nothing in this 
annual report and accounts should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

Tate & Lyle PLC
Tate & Lyle PLC is a public limited company 
listed on the London Stock Exchange and 
registered in England. This is the report and 
accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012. 
More information about Tate & Lyle can be 
found on our website at www.tateandlyle.com.

Basis of preparation
Unless stated otherwise, the Group’s financial 
statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the EU.

Amortisation
Unless stated otherwise, the use of the word 
‘amortisation’ on pages 1 to 62 in this annual 
report relates to the amortisation of intangible 
assets acquired through business combinations.

Continuing operations
Unless stated otherwise, all comments in  
this annual report and accounts refer to the 
continuing operations adjusted to exclude 
exceptional items and amortisation of intangible 
assets acquired through business combinations. 
A reconciliation of reported and adjusted 
information is included in Note 43 on page 114.

Definitions
In this report, ‘Company’ means Tate & Lyle 
PLC; ‘Tate & Lyle’ or ‘Group’ means Tate & Lyle 
PLC and its subsidiary and joint-venture 
companies.

Environmental statement
Printed at Pureprint Group, ISO 14001.  
FSC® certified and CarbonNeutral®.

This report is printed on Soporset offset and 
all of the pulp is bleached using an elemental 
chlorine free process (ECF). Printed in the 
UK by Pureprint using its alcofree® and 
pureprint® environmental printing technology, 
and vegetable inks were used throughout. 
Pureprint is a CarbonNeutral® company. 

Both manufacturing mill and the printer are 
registered to the Environmental Management 
System ISO 14001 and are Forest Stewardship 
Council® (FSC) chain-of-custody certified.

If you have finished with this document and 
no longer wish to retain it, please pass it on 
to other interested readers or dispose of it 
in your recycled paper waste. Thank you.

Registered office
Tate & Lyle PLC 
1 Kingsway 
London WC2B 6AT 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7257 2100 
Fax: +44 (0)20 7257 2200 
Company number: 76535

www.tateandlyle.com

Credits
Photography 
Peter Wynn Thompson 
Brad Puckett 
David Oliver 
David Berrecloth

Designed and produced by
c o n r a n   d e s i g n   g r o u p

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012

 
 
 
 
 
Business Review:
Introduction to the Business

A leading global provider 
of ingredients and solutions

About us: Tate & Lyle is a global provider of ingredients  
and solutions to the food, beverage and other industries.

Through our production facilities across the world, we turn  
raw materials into distinctive, high quality ingredients for our 
customers. Our ingredients and solutions add taste, texture, 
nutrition and functionality to products used or consumed  
by millions of people every day. 

Building a platform for future growth: Our vision is  
to become the leading global provider of speciality food 
ingredients and solutions. Over the last two years we have  
been taking a number of steps necessary to realise this  
vision through our ‘Focus, Fix, Grow’ business transformation 
programme. The ‘Focus’ phase is largely complete, following 
the exit from Sugars. The ‘Fix’ element, which is about getting 
the right enabling platform in place, is well underway and  
we have achieved a number of important milestones over  
the last year.

And finally the ‘Grow’, which is about investing our capital in  
the right areas, creating a best in class innovation platform and 
significantly enhancing the way we interact with customers.

Our Strategy and Business  
Transformation Programme: pg.6  

Getting more from your report 

Read more 
Look out for this icon which refers you  
to the subject in more detail.

This report is available on our Annual 
Report 2012 microsite. 
www.tateandlyle.com/annualreport2012

Find out more about Tate & Lyle 
For more information about us, 
visit our regularly updated website, 
www.tateandlyle.com.

01

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Our Group at a Glance

A global business dedicated to 
serving our customers from over  
30 locations worldwide

Sales

£3,088m

2011 – £2,720m
Adjusted profit before tax

£323m

2011 – £263m
Net debt

£476m    

2011 – £464m

Employees worldwide

4,383

Key locations

34

Key locations: Speciality Food Ingredients

USA:
Chicago, Illinois 
Houlton, Maine 
Lafayette, Indiana 
McIntosh, Alabama 

  Princeton, New Jersey 
Sycamore, Illinois 
Van Buren, Arkansas 

Latin America:
Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Mexico City, Mexico 
São Paulo, Brazil 

Key locations: Bulk Ingredients

USA:
Dayton, Ohio 
Decatur, Illinois 
Duluth, Minnesota 

Lafayette, Indiana 
Loudon, Tennessee 

Latin America:
Guadalajara, Mexico1 
Santa Rosa, Brazil 

Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre

Our new Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre in Chicago  
will form the hub of our global 
innovation capabilities and will 
help to transform the way we 
interact with customers. 

Read more: pg.15 

Employees by geography

Operating profit %

4

1

3

2

02

1 North America
47%
2 Europe, Middle East & Africa
35%
3 Latin America
13%
4 Asia Pacific
5%

1

2

1 Speciality Food Ingredients
55%
2 Bulk Ingredients
45%

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Key locations: Speciality Food Ingredients

Tate & Lyle operates through 
two global business units:

These two business units are supported by our Innovation and Commercial 
Development group and our global Shared Service Centre in Poland. 

Speciality Food 
Ingredients

Bulk Ingredients

We have operations in over 30 countries including our manufacturing 
facilities where we make our ingredients, and our global network of  
satellite applications laboratories allowing us to collaborate with customers 
wherever they are located and to leverage our new global innovation hub, 
the Commercial and Food Innovation Centre in Chicago.

Middle East & Africa:
Kya Sand, South Africa 

Asia Pacific:
Brisbane, Australia 
Jurong Island, Singapore 
Shanghai, China  

Key

 Manufacturing Facilities 
  Applications/Technical 
Services Facilities
  Key Central/ICD Locations 

Europe:
Bergamo, Italy 
 Koog, The Netherlands 
Lille, France 
Lübeck, Germany 
Mold, UK 
Noto, Italy 
Ossona, Italy 

Key locations: Bulk Ingredients

Key Central/ICD Locations: 

Europe:
Adana, Turkey1 
Boleraz, Slovakia1 
Razgrad, Bulgaria1 
Szabadegyhaza, Hungary1 

Middle East & Africa:
Casablanca, Morocco 

1 joint venture

Chicago, Illinois 
Lille, France 
Łód´z, Poland 
London, UK 

How the Group developed its global footprint during the year

03

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewGlobal Shared Service Centre opens in  Łód´z, PolandProduction restarts  at SPLENDA® Sucralose facility in McIntosh, Alabama, USANew global Commercial and Food Innovation Centre opens in Chicago, USANew Applications and Technical services facilities open in São Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City, Mexico 
 
Sources
All our ingredients are produced from crops, 
predominantly corn. Ensuring we have a  
reliable source of corn for our plants is essential.  
This involves developing long-term, mutually 
beneficial relationships with growers, farmers  
and other commercial partners to secure supply; 
understanding commodity markets; and hedging 
costs where feasible. Supply chain ethics are 
important to us. We apply clear standards,  
both operational and ethical, to our suppliers,  
and work with them to help them meet our 
compliance needs. This is essential if we are  
to meet our customers’ requirements for 
traceability, quality and ethical standards 
throughout the supply chain.

Business Review:
Our Business Model

Turning raw 
materials into 
distinctive, 
high quality 
ingredients 
and solutions 
for our 
customers

Through our facilities throughout the world we:

•	 Use our innovation capabilities to develop 
and enhance new and existing products

•	 Leverage our technical and applications expertise 

to provide a full end-to-end service for our customers

More online: 
Bring our business model to life online at 
www.tateandlyle.com/annualreport2012

Raw materials

04

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Customers
Food and beverage is our most significant market 
comprising over 70% of Group sales. Other markets 
we sell into include industrial, animal feed, and 
pharmaceutical and personal care.

Customer understanding drives all that we do. We 
use market research to understand the consumer 
(our customer’s customer), the markets we operate 
in and our customers’ needs. We use this insight to 
drive our own product development, to differentiate 
ourselves from our competitors and, importantly, to 
give our customers an advantage by working with 
us. For large customers, we provide technical and 
applications support. For smaller customers, we are 
often their ‘outsourced’ R&D team.

Operations
We operate through two global business units – Bulk Ingredients and 
Speciality Food Ingredients. Each division has its own manufacturing 
and commercial operations to provide the necessary focus and 
expertise for customers in their two different end markets.

Speciality Food Ingredients (SFI) 
SFI produces distinctive, high-value 
ingredients which are sold in markets where 
customers look for technical and innovation 
capability, insight and flexibility. SFI also  
has a food systems or blending business 
which sources ingredients and uses them 
along with our own to develop bespoke 
combinations of ingredients primarily for 
small- to medium-sized customers.

Speciality Food Ingredients: pg.16 

Speciality Food 
Ingredients

Innovation and 
Commercial 
Development

Commercialising Innovation 
Both divisions, but principally SFI – are 
supported by the Innovation and Commercial 
Development (ICD) group. ICD brings together 
product development, marketing and platform 
management into one global team, enabling  
a fully integrated approach to developing  
and commercialising innovation.

Innovation and Commercial Development: pg.20 

Bulk 
 Ingredients

Bulk Ingredients (BI)
BI produces ingredients which are relatively 
undifferentiated and are sold in markets  
where customers principally look for supplier 
reliability, quality and value.

Bulk Ingredients: pg.18 

Customers

Customers

05

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Our Strategy and Business Transformation Programme

How we are delivering  
on our strategy

2010

Focus
The Focus phase, which is largely 
complete, is about concentrating our 
resources and investment in areas that 
will support our objective of delivering 
long-term sustainable growth.

Why speciality food 
ingredients?
The global speciality food ingredients 
market is growing at 4% to 5% annually, 
underpinned by strong underlying 
consumer trends like health & wellness 
and convenience. 

A fragmented market, it gives us 
opportunities to grow both organically 
and via acquisition. Despite some  
strong competitive global market 
positions, we have a relatively limited 
presence in a significant proportion  
of the market, namely emerging 
markets and the market for small  
and medium-sized (SMEs) and  
private label companies, providing 
opportunities to grow. 

What have we moved  
away from?
Tate & Lyle has a long and proud 
history of sugar refining and the 
decision to sell our EU sugar refining 
business in July 2010 was not one  
we took lightly. 

However, it had for some years ceased 
to be a core part of the business and 
we concluded that it was in the best 
interests of both Tate & Lyle and the 
sugar operation that it be owned by  
a company for which cane sugar 
refining was the main focus. 

In November 2010 we sold our 
Molasses business and we are  
in the process of disposing of our 
Vietnamese sugar operations.

A strategy for long-term growth
Our vision is to become the leading global provider of  
speciality food ingredients and solutions. Our strategy  
is to deliver this vision through:

•	 A disciplined focus on growing our Speciality Food 

Ingredients business through:

 – Deeper customer understanding, continuous  

innovation and agility

 – Stronger positions in high growth markets

•	 Driving our Bulk Ingredients business for sustained  

cash generation to fuel this growth

In May 2010, following a detailed review of the entire  
business, we started a journey to realise our vision through  
our Focus, Fix, Grow business transformation programme. 

06

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 Future

Fix
We are over halfway through this phase, which is all about 
making changes to ensure that we have the right operating 
model, the right operating capabilities and the right people.

Grow
Our primary objective is to create a platform which is  
capable of delivering sustainable long-term growth and  
we have identified three core areas to achieve this: 

Operating model
In June 2010 we moved to a new streamlined operating model: 
two global business units, Bulk Ingredients and Speciality Food 
Ingredients, supported by the new Innovation and Commercial 
Development group. Now firmly embedded, this model is  
more efficient, simpler and allows us to get much closer to  
our customers and the markets in which we operate.

Customer engagement
We opened our new global Commercial and Food  
Innovation Centre in Chicago in March 2012, giving us  
leading-edge customer-focused facilities. Along with 
state-of-the-art R&D laboratories, it has pilot plant, sensory  
and analytic testing facilities, a demonstration kitchen,  
and global video streaming capabilities.

Our business model: pg.4 

Read more: pg.15 

Innovation
In 2010, we created the Innovation and Commercial 
Development (ICD) group which houses R&D, product 
management and marketing, providing us with a fully 
integrated approach to developing and commercialising 
innovations. Within ICD, we also have an open innovation  
team focused on looking externally for new products and 
technologies that fit our strategy. The move to Chicago and  
the creation of the new Commercial and Food Innovation 
Centre has allowed us to attract people in ICD from a wider 
and more diverse pool of talent.

New markets
To build our presence in emerging markets, we have 
strengthened our sales and technical teams in Asia and  
Latin America. We have also recruited dedicated resources  
to focus on the private label and SME segments. 

Commercial and Food Innovation Centre: a key part 
of our platform for long-term growth 

In March 2012, we opened our new innovation centre  
in Chicago, USA which will form the hub of our global 
innovation network.

Operating capabilities 
In January 2011 we launched two projects to transform  
our operational capabilities: implementing a common set  
of business processes supported by a single global IS/IT 
platform; and setting up a global Shared Service Centre to 
manage our support functions.

Our shared service centre, based in Łód´z, Poland, started 
operations in September 2011. By the end of the year ending 
31 March 2013, when fully operational, it will be a multi-lingual 
facility supporting our businesses worldwide. The new global 
IS/IT platform, which we will commence rolling out in summer 
2012, will greatly improve the way we operate. It will allow us  
to gather and interpret information much more quickly and  
be more responsive as a result.

People
To make the most of our operational model and capabilities, 
we need the right people working in the right way and to 
develop a high performance culture. In 2010 we overhauled 
our performance management system and remuneration 
arrangements; today we have one global management bonus 
plan and one global sales incentive plan, both directly linked  
to our key performance indicators. We have made key hires  
in customer-facing areas to boost our skills, while developing 
those with potential internally by providing the right 
assignments and relevant training. 

Global Shared Service Centre opens for business

Our new centre in  
Łód´z, Poland opened  
in September 2011. It is  
already helping to support  
a common way of working 
across the business.

07

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Key Performance Indicators

Measuring our success 
against our strategy

View this online: 
www.tateandlyle.com/annualreport2012

Performance
We focus on a number of financial performance 
measures to ensure that our strategy successfully 
delivers increased value for our shareholders.

Chief Executive’s Review: pg.12 

Financial strength
We look at measures of financial strength to  
ensure that we maintain the financial flexibility to 
grow the business whilst maintaining investment 
credit ratings.

Group Financial Results: pg.21 

Corporate responsibility
It is important that we act responsibly and consider 
carefully the impact our activities have on all 
stakeholders including employees, customers 
and the communities in which we operate.

Corporate Responsibility: pg.30 

Environmental Sustainability: We use a range of key 
performance indicators to measure our sustainability 
performance and drive continuous improvement: our 
latest sustainability performance is presented in the 
Corporate Responsibility section on pages 30 to 35.

1   Net debt, EBITDA and interest as defined in our banking covenants.

08

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed

Sales of speciality food ingredients.

Adjusted operating profit.

To ensure we are successful in growing the  

division which is the key area of strategic focus  

for the business.

2012

£887m

2011

£805m

Change

+12%

To track the underlying performance of the  

business and to ensure sales growth translates  

£348m

£321m

+11%

into increased profits.

Return on capital employed: adjusted profit before interest,  
tax and exceptional items divided by adjusted average net 
operating assets for continuing operations.

To ensure that we continue to generate a strong  

rate of return on the assets that we employ and that  

we have a disciplined approach to capital investment.

21.6%

20.6%

+100bps2

Cash conversion cycle: controllable working capital divided  
by quarterly sales, multiplied by the number of days in the quarter.

To track how efficient we are in turning increased  

sales into cash and to ensure that working capital  

36 days

34 days

is managed effectively.

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed

Net debt to EBITDA multiple1: the number of times the Group’s 
net borrowing exceeds its trading cash flow. EBITDA is earnings 
before exceptional items, interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Interest cover1: the number of times the profit of the Group 
exceeds interest payments made to service its debt.

To ensure that we have the appropriate level of  

financial gearing and that we generate sufficient  

profits to service our debt. These measures are  

a key focus for banks and providers of both debt  

and equity capital.

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed3

Recordable incident rate: the number of injuries per  
200,000 hours that require more than first aid, for employees  
and contractors.

Lost-time accident rate: the number of injuries that resulted  
in lost work days or restricted work activities per 200,000 hours, 
for employees and contractors.

The safety of our employees and contractors is of 

paramount importance. Ensuring safe and healthy 

conditions at all our locations is essential to our 

operation as a successful business.

2012

1.1x

11.1x

2011

0.85

0.41

2011

1.1x

6.9x

2010

0.95

0.59

(constant currency)

(constant currency)

Lengthened 

by 2 days

Change

Improved 

by 10%

Improved 

by 30%

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
The Board has chosen a number of key 
performance indicators to measure the Group’s 
progress. The table sets out these indicators, 
explaining how they relate to our strategic priorities, 
and how we performed against them this year. 

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed

Sales of speciality food ingredients.

Adjusted operating profit.

To ensure we are successful in growing the  
division which is the key area of strategic focus  
for the business.

To track the underlying performance of the  
business and to ensure sales growth translates  
into increased profits.

2012

£887m

2011

Change

£805m

£348m

£321m

+12%
(constant currency)

+11%
(constant currency)

Return on capital employed: adjusted profit before interest,  

tax and exceptional items divided by adjusted average net 

operating assets for continuing operations.

To ensure that we continue to generate a strong  
rate of return on the assets that we employ and that  
we have a disciplined approach to capital investment.

21.6%

20.6%

+100bps2

Cash conversion cycle: controllable working capital divided  

by quarterly sales, multiplied by the number of days in the quarter.

To track how efficient we are in turning increased  
sales into cash and to ensure that working capital  
is managed effectively.

36 days

34 days

Lengthened 
by 2 days

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed

Net debt to EBITDA multiple1: the number of times the Group’s 

net borrowing exceeds its trading cash flow. EBITDA is earnings 

before exceptional items, interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Interest cover1: the number of times the profit of the Group 

exceeds interest payments made to service its debt.

To ensure that we have the appropriate level of  
financial gearing and that we generate sufficient  
profits to service our debt. These measures are  
a key focus for banks and providers of both debt  
and equity capital.

2012

1.1x

11.1x

What we measure

Why we measure it

How we performed3

Recordable incident rate: the number of injuries per  

200,000 hours that require more than first aid, for employees  

and contractors.

Lost-time accident rate: the number of injuries that resulted  

in lost work days or restricted work activities per 200,000 hours, 

for employees and contractors.

The safety of our employees and contractors is of 
paramount importance. Ensuring safe and healthy 
conditions at all our locations is essential to our 
operation as a successful business.

2011

0.85

0.41

2011

1.1x

6.9x

2010

0.95

0.59

Change

Improved 
by 10%

Improved 
by 30%

2   Basis points (one hundred basis points equates to one percentage point).
3   Unlike our other KPIs, we report safety performance by calendar year because we are required to do so for other regulatory reporting purposes. Due to an injury  
in 2010 that did not result in lost time until 2011, we have amended the 2010 recordable incident rate shown above to 0.95 (from 0.93 as previously reported)  
and the 2010 lost time accident rate to 0.59 (from 0.58 as previously reported).

09

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Chairman’s Statement

We are making steady 
progress towards our 
objective of delivering 
sustainable value for  
our shareholders

Overview 
Tate & Lyle has continued to make progress 
during the year, delivering a good financial 
and operational performance and achieving 
a number of important milestones on our 
business transformation programme. 

Having refocused the Group through the 
exit from Sugars during the last financial 
year, we have delivered against the 
objectives we set on two major initiatives 
approved by the Board last year. 

In March 2012, the Board attended the 
opening of our global Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre in Chicago, USA, a facility 
that is designed to transform our product 
development capability and the way we 
interact with our customers. In September 
2011, our new global Shared Service Centre 
in Łód ´z, Poland became operational and 
since then has taken on responsibility for 
processing financial transactions for our 
European and US businesses.

I am also pleased to report that in March 
2012 we successfully restarted production 
at our SPLENDA® Sucralose facility in 
McIntosh, Alabama, a project that was 
delivered ahead of schedule. Key to this 
success was the return of over 75% of  
the former operators and technicians  
whom I am delighted to welcome back  
to Tate & Lyle. As well as demonstrating  
the importance we place on successful 
project execution, this project is a good 
example of the new capital asset 
management disciplines put in place  
across the Group in 2010. 

Safety
We have no higher priority than safety  
and are committed to providing safe  
and healthy working conditions for all  
our employees and contractors. During  
the year, we implemented a number of 
improvements to our safety processes 
based on recommendations from the  
third party audit conducted last year.

While the Board is pleased to report  
an improvement in the overall safety 
performance, with a reduction in both  
the recordable incident rate and lost-time 
accident rate during the year, we continue  
to look at ways to further improve safety 
standards of all those who work at  
our sites.

Board composition and diversity
We were very sad to announce the death  
of Dr Barry Zoumas in August 2011, a 
non-executive director of the Company  
and Chairman of the Company’s Research 
Advisory Group. Barry had served on the 
Board since 2005 and made an invaluable 
contribution to the Board and the Group 
and I know I speak for the whole Board 
when I say he is sorely missed.

On 1 April 2012, we welcomed Dr Ajai Puri 
to the Board as a non-executive director, 
Chairman of the Company’s Research 
Advisory Group and a member of the 
Corporate Responsibility, Remuneration  
and Nominations Committees. Ajai’s 
detailed technical knowledge and business 
experience within the speciality food and 
beverage industry will be of significant 
benefit to the Group.

Sir Peter Gershon 
Chairman

10

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Restart of the McIntosh, Alabama facility

everyone at our sites, but also to  
excellent project planning and execution. 
The restarting of McIntosh was helped 
enormously by the return of more  
than 75% of our former operators and 
technicians, many with more than ten 
years’ experience working in sucralose 
production at our site. We are delighted  
to welcome them back to Tate & Lyle. 

Speciality Food Ingredients: pg.16 

In March 2012, we restarted production 
ahead of schedule at our SPLENDA® 
Sucralose facility in McIntosh, Alabama. 
This marked the culmination of an 
important growth project to expand 
SPLENDA® Sucralose capacity to meet 
rising global customer demand – the first 
project to follow our new capital asset 
management process introduced two 
years ago. 

Not only did the plant restart early, but  
it did so with a good safety record by  
both employees and contractors, which  
is a testament not only to the ongoing 
commitment by Tate & Lyle to provide a 
safe and secure working environment for 

The Board is recommending a 5.3% 
increase in the final dividend to 17.8p  
(2011 – 16.9p) making a full year dividend  
of 24.9p (2011 – 23.7p) per share, a 5.1% 
increase on the prior year. Subject to 
shareholder approval, the proposed  
final dividend will be due and payable  
on 3 August 2012 to all shareholders  
on the Register of Members at 29 June 
2012. In addition to the cash dividend 
option, shareholders will continue to be 
offered a Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
(DRIP) alternative. 

Finally, I would like to thank all our 
employees who have worked immensely 
hard during a period of great change to 
deliver this year’s good results. 

Sir Peter Gershon
Chairman

30 May 2012

We believe that each member of the Board 
must be able to demonstrate the skills, 
experience and knowledge required to 
contribute to the effectiveness of the Board. 
Subject to that principle we believe that  
the Board’s perspective and approach can 
be greatly enhanced through gender, age 
and cultural diversity and it is our policy to 
consider overall Board balance and diversity 
when appointing new directors. 

Corporate responsibility and 
risk management
During the year we further strengthened  
our internal control arrangements  
and reporting of environmental, social  
and governance matters. We did this 
through the operation of the Board’s 
Corporate Responsibility Committee,  
the work of our Group Operational  
Efficiency and Sustainability function  
and the diligent work of our quality, 
environmental and engineering  
employees across the business.

Our environmental management  
improved in calendar year 2011. We  
made a step-change in improving our 
performance in the externally-assessed 
Carbon Disclosure Project, as a result  
of our increased understanding of and 
actions on company-specific risks and 
opportunities related to climate change.

Financial performance
Turning to financial performance: profit 
before tax, exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets  
of £323 million represented growth of 23% 

We have no higher priority than 
safety and are committed to 
providing safe and healthy working 
conditions for all our employees  
and contractors.

(26% in constant currency) on the previous 
year, with Speciality Food Ingredients and 
Bulk Ingredients delivering an increase of 
4% and 10% in adjusted operating profit 
respectively. Adjusted diluted earnings per 
share increased by 23% (25% in constant 
currency) to 56.4p.

Net debt at the year-end stood at  
£476 million, marginally higher than at the 
end of the prior year (2011 – £464 million). 
The rise in net debt reflects an increase  
in working capital following our decision  
to secure corn supplies in the US against  
a backdrop of continuing tight market 
conditions; investment in our business 
transformation programme; and payments 
made into our main pension schemes 
including £45 million in respect of the UK 
scheme following the conclusion of the 
triennial valuation. 

Dividend
The Board recognises the importance  
of the dividend to shareholders and follows 
a progressive dividend policy with the aim  
of growing the dividend over time taking into 
account the long-term earnings prospects 
of the business. 

11

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review 
Business Review:
Chief Executive’s Review

We delivered a good 
performance while working 
hard to build a platform for 
long-term growth

Tate & Lyle performed well with steady 
growth across a number of our markets 
supported by exceptionally strong returns 
from co-products in the first half. This  
was a year of working hard to achieve  
our business transformation milestones 
while at the same time delivering profitable 
growth. During the year we opened  
our new global Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre in Chicago which will  
help us to transform the way we interact 
with customers and represents a key 
component of the foundations for long-term 
growth. We also restarted production at  
our SPLENDA® Sucralose facility in the  
US further reinforcing our position as  
the leading global provider of sucralose. 

Sales for the year were £3,088 million  
(2011 – £2,720 million), an increase of 14% 
(16% in constant currency) on the prior  
year. The effect of exchange translation  
was to reduce sales by £55 million.  
In Speciality Food Ingredients, sales 
increased by 10% (12% in constant 
currency) to £887 million (2011 – £805 
million) with sales volumes up by 4%.  
Within Bulk Ingredients, sales increased  
by 15% (18% in constant currency) to  
£2,201 million (2011 – £1,915 million). 

Adjusted operating profit increased by 8% 
(11% in constant currency) to £348 million 
(2011 – £321 million). The effect of exchange 
translation was to reduce adjusted operating 
profit by £8 million. In Speciality Food 
Ingredients, adjusted operating profit 
increased by 4% (5% in constant currency) 
to £214 million (2011 – £206 million) with 
good sales growth partly offset by higher 

input costs. In Bulk Ingredients, adjusted 
operating profit increased by 10%  
(13% in constant currency) to £172 million  
(2011 – £157 million), driven by an improved 
performance from industrial starches in 
Europe and exceptionally strong returns 
from co-products including an additional 
£19 million of income during the first half. 
Central costs which include head office, 
treasury and reinsurance activities, 
decreased by £4 million to £38 million  
(2011 – £42 million). 

Net finance expense decreased from  
£58 million to £25 million following the 
repayment of our $300 million bond in  
June 2011, a credit within interest relating  
to post-retirement benefit plans and the 
charge taken in the prior year in relation  
to the unwinding of cash flow hedges. 
Adjusted profit before tax was up 23%  
(26% in constant currency) to £323 million 
(2011 – £263 million) reflecting the growth  
in operating profits and the reduction in the 
net finance expense. The effect of exchange 
translation was to reduce adjusted profit 
before tax by £7 million. The effective tax 
rate reduced to 17.1% (2011 – 18.5%) and, 
after taking account of shares issued as 
scrip dividends in the prior year, adjusted 
diluted earnings per share increased by 
23% (25% in constant currency) to 56.4p. 

Exceptional items within continuing 
operations generated a net gain of £68 
million on a pre-tax basis largely as a result 
of the reversal of impairment charges and 
provisions in relation to the restart of the 
McIntosh facility, offset by an exceptional 
charge of £15 million in respect of business 
transformation costs. 

Javed Ahmed 
Chief Executive

12

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012A year of good performance 

Adjusted operating profit1  
£m

Adjusted diluted earnings 
per share1 pence

268

321

348

33.7

45.7

56.4

2010

2011

2012

2010

2011

2012

Recordable incident rate2

Lost-time accident rate2

0.95

0.85

4.44

0.59

0.41

4.44

20103

2011

20103

2011

1   Continuing operations: before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets 

acquired through business combinations.

2   Unlike our other KPIs, we report safety performance by calendar year.
3   Restated – see page 9 for full details.

On a statutory basis, profit before tax from 
continuing operations increased by 55% to 
£379 million (2011 – £245 million) and profit 
for the year from total operations, including 
a profit of £2 million from discontinued 
operations, increased by 85% to £309 
million (2011 – £167 million).

Balance sheet
Net debt of £476 million at 31 March 2012 
was £12 million higher than at the end of the 
prior year driven by higher levels of working 
capital in the business, investment in our 
business transformation programme and 
the restart of our SPLENDA® Sucralose 
facility in McIntosh. 

The key performance indicators (KPIs)  
of our financial strength – the ratio of net 
debt to earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)  
and interest cover – remain well within  
our internal thresholds. At 31 March 2012, 
the net debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.1 times 
(2011 – 1.1 times), against our maximum 
threshold of two times. Interest cover on 
total operations at 31 March 2012 was  
11.1 times (2011 – 6.9 times), again ahead  
of our minimum threshold of five times.  
Both metrics were comfortably within  
our banking covenants.

Having delivered a significant improvement 
last year, our average quarterly cash 
conversion cycle lengthened by two days 
from 34 days to 36 days driven by the 
increase in working capital, including our 
decision to maintain full corn silos against  
a backdrop of tight market conditions. At 
the end of the year, we acquired a grain 
elevator facility in Overmyer, Indiana, to 
further reinforce our corn supply chain. 

Our new Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre will transform the 
way we interact with customers.

Return on capital employed increased  
from 20.6% to 21.6% reflecting the growth 
in profits with the average level of operating 
assets increasing by £59 million to £1,554 
million as a result of the restart of the 
McIntosh facility and investment in our 
business transformation programme  
during the year. 

Safety
We have no higher priority than safety  
and are committed to providing safe  
and healthy working conditions for all  
our employees, contractors and visitors. 
During calendar year 2011, we improved  
our safety performance with a reduction  
in the recordable incident and lost time 
accident rates of 10% and 30% respectively, 
reflecting the work we have done across  
the organisation to implement the 
recommendations from last year’s 
independent audit. Whilst we are pleased 
with this performance, we still have  
more work to do including continuing  
to improve the safety of contractors who 
work at our sites.

Key performance indicators 
(KPIs)
Our KPIs for the year ended 31 March 2012 
are detailed on pages 8 and 9.

Key performance indicators: pg.8 and 9 

13

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Chief Executive’s Review

On the journey to growth: 

With the ‘focus’ phase largely complete, over the 
last year we’ve been working hard on the ‘fix’ and 
laying the foundations for the ‘grow’ – getting the 
right operating capabilities and ensuring we have 
the right people in the right roles; and investing in 
innovation, new customers and markets. 

Developing a platform for 
long-term growth 
In March 2012, we reached a significant 
milestone with the opening of our new 
global Commercial and Food Innovation 
Centre in Chicago. The centre, which is the 
global headquarters of our Innovation and 
Commercial Development (ICD) group, 
features state-of-the-art laboratories, a 
demonstration kitchen, sensory testing,  
and analytical and pilot plant facilities.  
The new centre will help us to transform  
the way we interact with our customers  
and enable much closer customer 
collaboration. It will also form the hub  
of our global innovation network, connecting 
our satellite applications and technical  
services laboratories across the world.

Within ICD, we continued to build the 
innovation pipeline across our core 
categories of speciality sweeteners, 
texturants and health & wellness, with  
the total number of projects in the  
pipeline doubling during the year.

Additionally, our open innovation team 
continues to look for new processes and 
technologies and to develop partnerships 
with universities and research institutes.  
In October 2011, we signed an agreement 
with Eminate Ltd, a subsidiary of The 
University of Nottingham, UK, for its novel 
salt reduction technology known as 
SODA-LO® and we expect to launch  
a range of products later this year.

In March 2012, we restarted production  
at our SPLENDA® Sucralose facility in 
McIntosh, Alabama further reinforcing our 
position as the leading global provider of 

sucralose. The restart of production at 
McIntosh, which took place ahead of 
schedule, was assisted by the return  
of more than 75 per cent of our former 
operators and technicians, many with  
more than ten years of experience working 
on sucralose production. This was the  
first major project to be governed by  
our new capital management disciplines 
instituted two years ago.

The costs incurred in restarting McIntosh 
included £12 million of capital expenditure 
and £1 million of operating expenses.  
The restart of production at McIntosh  
will be broadly cash neutral in year ending 
31 March 2013 but after a depreciation 
charge of £8 million will reduce profits.  
As the volumes produced and contribution 
margin increases at McIntosh over the  
next few years, we expect to see good 
operational leverage benefits. 

We continue to invest in higher growth 
markets and have made further progress 
during the year growing our Asian and Latin 
American businesses. As well as expanding 
the size of our teams in these regions we 
have also broadened our skills through the 
recruitment of additional technical and 
applications resources. This organisational 
strengthening has had a direct impact in 
helping to secure new business in both 
regions. As well as attracting the right 
people, we also invested in our innovation 
and customer-facing infrastructure in 
emerging markets through the opening of 
our new applications and technical services 
laboratories in São Paulo and Mexico City 
during the year. These laboratories link 
directly into our new Commercial and Food 

Innovation Centre in Chicago enabling us 
to globalise our innovation capabilities and 
allowing customers to interface with the 
new centre wherever they are located.

In terms of developing new customer 
channels, we have made progress during 
the year in the private label category, 
establishing direct relationships with  
a number of retailers. We continue to  
see the private label and small and 
medium-sized (SME) categories as 
providing good opportunities for growth. 

In January 2011, we started two major 
initiatives to strengthen our operational 
capabilities: the move to global support 
services through a shared service centre; 
and the development of a common set  
of global business processes supported 
by a single global IS/IT platform. In 
September 2011, our new global Shared 
Service Centre in Łód ´z, Poland became 
operational. The centre is currently 
responsible for processing financial 
transactions for both our European and 
US businesses. When fully operational  
at the end of year ending 31 March 2013,  
it will be a multilingual facility employing 
approximately 200 people. The move to 
global shared services will help to support 
a common way of working across the 
business and deliver efficiency gains by 
eliminating the duplication of resources 
and is already delivering some cost 
benefits. Our new global IS/IT system is 
currently in the test stage with a phased 
roll-out across the business due to 
commence in the summer of 2012.  
The new system will significantly enhance 
our analytical capabilities, improve our 

14

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Commercial and Food Innovation Centre opens in Chicago, USA

For example, many of our larger 
customers have their own in-house  
chef or culinary function which tends to 
be a key incubator for new product ideas 
or recipes. In our new facility we have 
created a modern Culinary Center with 
our own dedicated in-house chefs who 
are already interacting with their peers  
at our customers.

Speciality Food Ingredients: pg.16 

In March 2012 we opened our new global 
Commercial and Food Innovation Centre 
in Chicago. The new Centre provides  
a full range of state-of-the-art facilities 
including bespoke laboratories for each of 
our research, applications and technical 
services teams; a full suite of sensory and 
culinary services; and a pilot plant facility 
with enhanced prototype-making 
capabilities. It will also be a key enabler  
in transforming the way we collaborate 
with our customers. 

The Centre is focused on providing 
customers with the highest quality of 
service. A key part of that service is being 
able to interact with customers in areas 
that are increasingly important to them. 

Group outlook for year to 
31 March 2013
In Speciality Food Ingredients we expect  
to achieve good sales growth, although 
operating margins in this division are 
expected to be slightly lower reflecting  
the additional fixed costs associated  
with the restart of McIntosh and its  
share of the investment in the business 
transformation programme. 

In Bulk Ingredients, we anticipate improved 
bulk sweetener margins in both Europe  
and the US to broadly offset our expectation 
of more normal co-product returns and  
the impact of softer market conditions  
in industrial starches in Europe and ethanol 
in the US.

Overall, taking into account the current  
level of economic uncertainty and despite  
a step change in fixed costs associated  
with the investment necessary to transform 
the business, we expect to make progress 
during this financial year.

Javed Ahmed 
Chief Executive

30 May 2012

decision making, speed and effectiveness 
and enable us to be more responsive to 
the needs of our customers. 

We continued to strengthen, refresh and 
diversify the talent within the business and 
to fill key skills gaps in a number of areas, 
in particular, within our customer-facing, 
product management and innovation 
areas, with 17% of all employees having 
joined the Group in the last year. Within 
ICD, the profile of our people has changed 
considerably over the last two years with 
an increase in both qualification levels and 
the breadth of international experience.

We are starting to see the benefits of  
our new global sales incentive plan being 
embedded within the organisation in  
terms of encouraging the right behaviours  
and reinforcing a customer-focused  
and performance-driven culture. 

Whilst our priority is to build a platform 
capable of delivering sustainable  
long-term organic growth, we will also  
look to accelerate that growth through 
acquisitions either within the base 
business or in adjacent categories. 

Costs
During the year, £45 million of cash  
costs were incurred on our business 
transformation projects taking the total 
expenditure to £61 million over the  
last two years. 

The total cost associated with the 
development of the new Commercial  
and Food Innovation Centre is expected  
to be £32 million, although the balance 
between capital and exceptional expense 
will be more weighted to capital than 

originally envisaged. During the year, we 
incurred £25 million of expenditure on  
the implementation of our global Shared 
Service Centre in Łód´z and our common  
IS/IT platform, taking the total amount of 
expenditure incurred to date on these two 
projects to £35 million. 

We expect the final costs of our business 
transformation projects to be around  
£10-15 million higher than the original 
estimate of £94 million as a result of  
some scope changes and timeline 
extensions in the phased rollout of our 
global IS/IT platform. As for the Commercial 
and Food Innovation Centre, the balance 
between capital and exceptional expense  
is expected to be more weighted to capital 
than originally estimated.

The investment we have made in our 
business transformation programme  
will result in a step change in fixed  
costs, including depreciation and 
amortisation, of £11 million during the  
year ending 31 March 2013. 

Conclusion
We have made good progress delivering 
against the objectives we set at the start  
of the year as we continue to transform  
the business. In the coming year, we  
expect to complete the implementation  
of our principal initiatives to strengthen  
our operational capabilities with the  
transfer of our remaining businesses  
over to shared services and the roll-out  
of the new global IS/IT system. While we  
still have more work to do to build a strong 
platform capable of delivering sustainable 
long-term growth, we remain on track to 
deliver this objective. 

15

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Speciality Food Ingredients

Speciality Food Ingredients develops, produces and markets distinctive, 
high-quality ingredients for food and beverage customers across the world.  
By leveraging our manufacturing facilities, innovative technology and 
formulation expertise, we help them create more cost-effective, better tasting 
products for consumers.

Speciality Food Ingredients works closely with our Innovation and Commercial 
Development team (see page 20) to develop a pipeline of new products. 

Sales
Adjusted operating profit
Margin

Sales

£887m

2011 – £805m

Adjusted operating profit

£214m

+4%

Market conditions and trends
While the food industry remains relatively 
resilient, it is not immune to fluctuations  
in the wider economy and, during the 
second half, the deterioration in the 
macroeconomic environment in Europe  
led to weaker demand within some  
food ingredient categories. Against this 
backdrop, the global market for speciality 
food ingredients continues to benefit from  
a number of key trends. 

First, the increasing focus by consumers 
and governments on healthier lifestyles,  
and the rising prevalence of diabetes and 
obesity in both developed and developing 
markets is driving food and beverage 
companies to develop healthier alternatives 
and increasing demand for ingredients in 
the health and wellness space. 

Year ending 31 March
2011
2012
£m
£m
805
887
206
214
25.6%
 24.1%

Reported
+10%
+4%
-150bps

Change
Constant 
currency
+12%
+5%
-150 bps

Second, volatile and high sugar prices  
and significant increases in the price of 
certain other raw materials have led to  
an increased focus by customers on cost 
reduction and a rise in the number of 
cost-optimisation projects. 

Finally, continued rapid urbanisation, 
coupled with rising levels of disposable 
income in developing markets, are 
increasing the penetration of packaged  
and convenience foods particularly in  
Asia and Latin America. 

Financial performance
Within Speciality Food Ingredients, volumes 
grew by 4% and sales increased by 10% 
(12% in constant currency) to £887 million 
(2011 – £805 million) with the level of sales 
growth partly reflecting the pass through  
of higher input costs. Volume growth in the 
second half was less than the first half due 
primarily to lower volumes in Europe. The 
effect of exchange translation was to 
decrease sales by £11 million.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 4% 
(5% in constant currency) to £214 million 
(2011 – £206 million). While absolute 
operating unit margins were slightly ahead 
of the prior year, percentage operating 
margins reduced by 1.5 percentage points 
to 24.1% (2011 – 25.6%) after the pass 
through of higher input costs. The effect  
of exchange translation was to decrease 
adjusted operating profit by £3 million.

This segment comprises three broad 
product categories: starch-based speciality 
ingredients, high intensity sweeteners and 
food systems.

Starch-based speciality ingredients
In starch-based speciality ingredients,  
sales increased by 14% (17% in constant 
currency) to £494 million (2011 – £434 
million) with volumes up 4%. Despite higher 
corn and other input costs which were 
partly offset by the division’s share of 
additional co-product returns, we were  
able to maintain most of the five percentage 
point margin gains made during the prior 
year enabling us to deliver good growth  
in operating profit within this category. 

In food starches, solid volume growth in the 
US and good growth in Latin America was 
offset by softer volumes in Europe driven 
primarily by lower demand for packaged 
foods. The continuing high price of potato 
starches and the change in the potato 
regime this year provided opportunities  
to expand volumes of higher-margin food 
starches in the snacks sector and we 
continued to work with customers wishing 
to substitute potato starch with our 
corn-based starches. In Latin America, 
where the demand for convenience and 
packaged foods continues to grow, the 
addition of dedicated sales and technical 
resources helped us to secure new 
customers and additional volumes within 
this category. 

16

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Key locations

Customers

Products

•	 Large, multi-national food 

•	 Starch-based speciality 

and beverage 
manufacturers

•	 Small and medium-sized 

food and beverage 
manufacturers

•	 Private label food and 

beverage manufacturers

Olivier Rigaud 
President

ingredients:
 – Speciality starches 

including fat-replacers 
and stabilisers

 – Speciality sweeteners 
including crystalline 
fructose

 – Soluble corn fibres 

including STA-LITE® 
Polydextrose and 
PROMITOR™ Soluble 
Corn Fiber

•	 High-intensity sweeteners: 
 – SPLENDA® Sucralose
 – PUREFRUIT™

•	 Food systems: 

 – Food stabiliser systems
 – Functional ingredient 

blends

Americas
Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Chicago, Illinois, USA 
Houlton, Maine, USA 
Lafayette, Indiana, USA 
McIntosh, Alabama, USA 
Mexico City, Mexico 
Princeton, New Jersey, USA 
São Paulo, Brazil  
Sycamore, Illinois, USA  
Van Buren, Arkansas, USA
EMEA
Bergamo, Italy 
Koog, The Netherlands 
Kya Sand, South Africa  
Lille, France 
Lübeck, Germany 
Mold, UK 
Noto, Italy 
Ossona, Italy
Asia Pacific
Brisbane, Australia 
Jurong Island, Singapore 
Shanghai, China

Speciality corn sweeteners continued to 
benefit from higher sales volumes in the  
US and emerging markets on the back  
of continuing volatile and high sugar prices. 
In addition to helping our customers reduce 
input costs by reducing sugar content,  
our products provide important functional 
benefits such as improved shelf-stability  
and mouth feel.

During the year we saw continued growth  
in our fibres range with volumes in Europe 
benefiting from the favourable opinion 
granted by the European Food Safety 
Authority (EFSA) on polydextrose at the 
beginning of the year. Building on the 
success we have had in the US and Latin 
America with our PROMITOR™ dietary  
fibre product line, in October 2011 we 
announced the expansion of our fibres 
offering in Europe, with the launch of 
PROMITOR™ Soluble Gluco Fibre. In  
China, as a result of adding sales people 
with specific expertise in the dairy sector, 
we secured additional fibre volume.

High-intensity sweeteners
Within high-intensity sweeteners, which 
comprises SPLENDA® Sucralose and  
our zero-calorie, fruit-based sweetener 
PUREFRUIT™, volumes grew by 13%  
and sales were up by 6% (8% in constant 
currency) to £197 million (2011 – £185 
million). SPLENDA® Sucralose volumes  
grew by 12% and, as expected, the rate  
of price decline was lower as the impact  
of long-term, volume-incentive customer 
contracts continued to reduce. 

SPLENDA® Sucralose volumes  
grew by 12%.

We continued to see strong growth in 
demand for SPLENDA® Sucralose driven  
by the continuation of two key trends.  
First, the increased prevalence of diabetes 
and obesity which is driving demand for 
products with reduced sugar and fewer 
calories and second, the continuing high 
and volatile price of sugar is leading 
customers to look for more cost-effective 
alternatives. In both cases, we are able  
to leverage our applications and technical 
expertise to help customers maintain  
the functionality and taste profile of their 
products and optimise the cost in use  
of their ingredients.

On the back of the continuing growth  
in demand for SPLENDA® Sucralose,  
in March 2012 we restarted production  
at our facility in McIntosh, Alabama,  
further consolidating our position as the 
leading global provider of sucralose. Our 
investment in sucralose manufacturing 
technology means that our two unique 
large-scale, continuous-production 
SPLENDA® Sucralose facilities in the  
US and Singapore will allow us to  
continue to offer our customers the  
highest standards of quality, traceability  
and reliability in the industry. 

During the year, we made good progress 
developing the demand pipeline for  
our zero-calorie, fruit-based sweetener, 
PUREFRUIT™ and started working with  
a number of customers in qualifying and 

testing the product. The focus over the 
coming year will be to continue to build the 
pipeline and to support customers on new 
product launches containing PUREFRUIT™.

Food systems
Sales from food systems increased by 5% 
(3% in constant currency) to £196 million 
(2011 – £186 million) with volumes up by 1%. 

The year has seen significant increases  
in the price of certain raw materials, in 
particular guar and gelatin. Whilst we have 
had some success mitigating the impact  
of higher input costs, through the use of 
more cost-efficient corn-based substitutes 
and shortening the length of customer 
contracts, operating margins and profits  
for this category were somewhat lower  
than the prior year.

In the year, we made progress broadening 
the coverage of our food systems business 
by moving more into bakery. We also 
started to gain traction with our range of 
gluten-free products.

In June 2011, the former owner of G.C. 
Hahn & Co, which makes up the majority  
of our food systems operations in Europe, 
exercised their option to sell their remaining 
5% shareholding for a total cost of €8 million 
(£7 million) resulting in Tate & Lyle owning 
100% of the company.

Group outlook for the year ending  
31 March 2013: pg.15 

17

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Bulk Ingredients

Bulk Ingredients manufactures and markets a range of products including 
nutritive sweeteners, industrial starches, ethanol, acidulants and animal feed, 
for food and beverage, industrial and agricultural customers around the world.

Bulk Ingredients also partners with an increasing number of bio-based 
materials companies seeking expertise in the commercialisation of green 
chemistry fermentation. One such partnership is our joint venture with DuPont  
which manufactures Bio-PDO™ a bio-based ingredient used in the textile  
and plastics industries.

Sales
Adjusted operating profit
Margin

Sales

£2,201m

2011 – £1,915m

Adjusted operating profit

£172m

+10% 

Market conditions and trends
Sugar is the key competitor of many of our 
bulk corn sweeteners. Despite world sugar 
prices falling from their peak in July 2011, 
they remained high by historical standards  
as a result of rising global demand against  
a backdrop of ongoing tight supply. US 
sugar prices also remained very high 
against which corn sugars remained very 
competitive. In Europe, which continues  
to be in structural deficit, sugar supply 
remained tight due to insufficient imports 
and low levels of inventory resulting in an 
increase in prices during the second half. 

While US domestic demand for nutritive 
sweeteners declined, an increase in exports 
helped to offset this decline with Mexico 
continuing to represent the major export 
destination where US corn sugar continues 
to substitute more expensive local cane 
sugar. In Europe, the selling price of 
isoglucose (corn sugar), which is closely 
correlated with the sugar price, increased 
during the second half. 

18

Year ending 31 March
2011
2012
£m
£m
1,915
2,201
157
172
8.2%
7.8%

Reported
+15%
+10%
-40 bps

Change
Constant 
currency
+18%
+13%
-30 bps

Although demand for industrial starches  
in the US remained above the levels seen 
during the downturn in 2008/09, overall 
demand was lower than the prior year.  
In Europe, the shortage of potato starch  
on the back of the poor 2010 harvest 
increased demand for corn starches 
benefiting industrial starch margins overall. 
After a better potato harvest in 2011 and 
due to increased uncertainty about the 
macroeconomic situation in Europe,  
market conditions started to soften during 
the final quarter. 

US ethanol prices rose during the first half 
and continued largely to track the corn price 
until the end of the third quarter when prices 
fell sharply ahead of the expiry of the 
blenders’ tax credit at the end of December 
2011. Since then, prices have remained 
depressed as a result of an overhang in 
supply and an overall fall in the demand for 
gasoline. As a result, ethanol margins in the 
fourth quarter reduced to levels well below 
those achieved in the 2011 calendar year. 
Despite signs that excess capacity is 
starting to come out of the market, the 
environment over the next few months  
is expected to remain challenging.

US corn prices continued to rise in the  
first half peaking in June 2011 reflecting 
concerns about the quantity of the new 
crop following adverse weather conditions 
during the spring and early summer. While 
corn prices fell towards the end of the first 
half, prices remained high for the rest of  
the year due to the ongoing tight supply 
situation with the stocks to use ratio falling 
to 6.8%, well below the historical average. 
The price of corn in the EU largely tracked 
the US corn price during the year. The latest 
planting intentions reported by the USDA, 

indicate that planted corn acreage will 
increase to the highest level since 1937, 
driven by high corn prices. 

Against a backdrop of high corn prices,  
a severe drought in Texas and renewed 
access to export markets, demand for 
animal feed was exceptionally strong during 
the first half with prices reaching record 
levels. In the second half, market conditions 
normalised as corn prices decreased, and 
demand for animal feed reduced as a result 
of a relatively mild winter.

Financial performance
In Bulk Ingredients, sales increased by  
15% (18% in constant currency) to £2,201 
million (2011 – £1,915 million1) with volumes 
down by 2% as we continued to divert grind 
to speciality food ingredients. The effect of 
exchange translation was to decrease sales 
by £44 million. 

Adjusted operating profit increased  
by 10% (13% in constant currency) to  
£172 million (2011 – £157 million) driven  
by an improved performance in European 
industrial starches and exceptionally strong 
returns from co-products in the first half. 
The effect of exchange translation was  
to decrease adjusted operating profit  
by £5 million.

This division comprises three broad product 
categories: sweeteners; industrial starches, 
acidulants and ethanol; and co-products.

Sweeteners
In the Americas, sales of bulk corn 
sweeteners increased by 13% (16% in 
constant currency) to £876 million (2011 – 
£775 million1) as a result of higher corn 
prices, with volumes 2% lower than the prior 
year. As anticipated at the time of the 2011 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Key locations

Customers

Products

•	 Large, multi-national food 

•	 Liquid sweeteners 

and beverage 
manufacturers

•	 Paper and board producers
•	 Fuel and gasoline suppliers
•	 Textile manufacturers
•	 Animal feed compounders

including corn sugar, 
dextrose and glucose

•	 Industrial starches
•	 Citric acid
•	 Bio-fuels
•	 Animal feed including 

corn gluten feed and corn 
gluten meal

Matt Wineinger 
President

Americas
Dayton, Ohio, USA 
Decatur, Illinois, USA 
Duluth, Minnesota, USA 
Guadalajara, Mexico1 
Lafayette, Indiana, USA 
Loudon, Tennessee, USA 
Santa Rosa, Brazil

EMEA
Adana, Turkey1  
Boleraz, Slovakia1  
Casablanca, Morocco 
Razgrad, Bulgaria1 
Szabadegyháza 
(Hungrana plant), Hungary1

1 Joint venture

calendar year sweetener pricing round,  
corn sugar unit margins were broadly  
in line with the comparative period and  
while we experienced firm US domestic 
demand and robust demand from Mexico, 
profits for the full year in this category  
were slightly lower than the prior year due  
to the slightly lower volumes and softer 
margins in other sweeteners.

In Europe, sales of bulk corn sweeteners 
increased by 15% (11% in constant 
currency) to £141 million (2011 – £123 
million1) with volumes in line with the prior 
year. While margins during the first half were 
lower as a result of higher corn prices (for 
which hedging options within the EU are 
more limited), they recovered during the 
second half on the back of an increase in 
sugar prices, which provides the reference 
price for isoglucose in the EU, with full year 
profits ahead of the comparative period.

Operating profits from Almex, our Mexican 
joint venture, were up on the comparative 
period reflecting higher volumes and 
improved margins. 

Following the unionisation of the Eaststarch 
joint venture plant in Turkey, a strike 
commenced in March 2012 which is 
ongoing and we have taken measures to 
mitigate the impact on our customers in  
the short-term. Most of the products in 
Turkey are bulk sweeteners, however the 
plant also makes some starch-based 
speciality food ingredients.

Industrial starches, acidulants  
and ethanol
Sales of industrial starches, acidulants and 
ethanol increased by 6% (10% in constant 
currency) to £677 million (2011 – £641 million1).

In industrial starches, volumes were  
5% lower as we continued to switch a 
proportion of corn grind to speciality food 
ingredients. In the US, where we are able to 
contract for longer periods than in Europe, 
while volumes were slightly lower than the 
comparative period, prices were higher 
reflecting the renewal of contracts struck at 

the time of the 2008 credit crisis. As a  
result, we were able to achieve higher 
margins and deliver a better performance 
for the year overall. 

While the contribution made by these 
initiatives remains small, they provide a good 
opportunity to diversify our corn grind to 
reduce volatility over the longer term. 

In Europe, the shortage of alternative 
starches as a result of poor harvests  
during the prior year increased demand  
for corn starches and led to a firmer  
pricing environment and an improved 
performance for the year. During the  
final quarter, we saw a slight softening in 
market conditions reflecting the more 
uncertain macro-economic environment 
and, with typical contract lengths in Europe 
being shorter than in the US, we remain 
cautious about the outlook.

In US ethanol, which represents a small  
part of our business, while we achieved 
improved cash margins during the first half 
we saw a substantial reduction in margins  
in the second half on the back of the 
significant fall in ethanol prices in December. 
While ethanol prices have stabilised recently, 
with inventory levels remaining high we 
expect the market for ethanol to remain soft 
in the near term and we have scaled back 
production volumes to the extent possible. 

After a softer first half, the performance  
of our citric acid business improved, with 
profits for the full year in line with the prior 
year. In April 2012 we sold our share of the 
Sucromiles citric acid joint venture to our 
long term partner and will now focus on  
the sale and distribution of product to our 
customers. In the financial year ended  
31 March 2012 our share of the joint  
venture contributed £2 million to Group 
operating profit. 

Having broken-even last year and despite 
achieving higher volumes, our Bio-PDO™ 
joint venture made a small loss as a result  
of higher input costs.

We made good progress on the two 
initiatives we announced last year with 
Amyris to produce farnesene and with 
Genomatica to produce Bio-BDO™, both  
at our pilot plant facilities in Decatur, Illinois. 

Co-products
Sales of co-products increased by 35% 
(37% in constant currency) to £507 million 
(2011 – £376 million1).

During the first half, we generated an 
additional £19 million of income from 
co-products as a result of a combination  
of factors. Firstly, high corn prices and 
strong demand meant co-product prices 
remained very firm throughout the period. 
Secondly, prices for animal feed in the US 
were further strengthened by the impact  
of the severe drought in Texas and renewed 
access to European markets. Finally,  
the tight demand/supply situation led to 
some changes in our customers’ buying 
behaviour, with what is traditionally a 
short-term market seeing customers 
wanting to secure volumes several months 
in advance allowing us to fix longer-term 
sales at favourable pricing. While the 
additional income generated from 
co-products in the second half was 
marginally positive, overall the markets for 
co-products returned to more normal levels. 

Since over 80% of our US corn grind is 
utilised to produce bulk ingredients, the 
majority of this impact is recorded within  
this division. During the period, sales of 
European co-products also rose on the 
back of the continuing high corn prices.

1  During the year we refined our product categories 
within Bulk Ingredients to, amongst other things, 
allocate revenue related to sales to certain of our 
joint ventures, previously included in industrial 
starches, acidulants and ethanol to the relevant 
categories, and to include the results of only feed, 
meal and oil within co-products. Prior period  
results have been restated on a comparable basis.

Group outlook for the year ending  
31 March 2013: pg.15 

19

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Innovation and Commercial Development

The role of the Innovation and Commercial 
Development group is to identify and develop  
new business opportunities and to create  
and commercialise innovative speciality food 
ingredients and technologies, thereby  
providing long-term growth for Tate & Lyle.

Remit
The Innovation and Commercial 
Development (ICD) group was established  
on 1 June 2010 as a key enabler of  
Tate & Lyle’s growth strategy.

ICD brings together three areas – new 
product development, global marketing,  
and platform management – into one global 
team, to provide an integrated approach 
toward developing and commercialising 
innovative new products and technologies.

While ICD supports both of Tate & Lyle’s 
global business units, it concentrates 
particularly on growing the Speciality Food 
Ingredients unit. As a result, ICD’s resources 
are predominantly focused on three broad 
areas within the global speciality food 
ingredients market – sweeteners, texturants 
and health & wellness.

Within ICD, there is a dedicated open 
innovation team which seeks to develop 
partnerships with universities, research 
institutions and start-ups specialising in  
food science and novel ingredients, with 
whom we collaborate to bring their new 
technologies or products to market. For 
example, over the past year we executed  
an exclusive worldwide license agreement 
for a clean label salt reduction technology 
with a subsidiary of The University of 
Nottingham, and secured rights from the 
Verenium Corporation for the exclusive use 
of one of its proprietary enzyme products in 
the development of novel food ingredients. 

Innovation Centres and 
Laboratories
During the year, the ICD group has been 
actively involved in designing, building and 
staffing the new Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre in Chicago, USA. This 
Centre opened March 2012 and now serves 
as the global headquarters for ICD.

The new Commercial and  
Food Innovation Centre includes 
state-of-the-art focus group facilities 
which will allow us to gather insights 
on a global basis more quickly and 
easily than before. 

This new centre features state-of-the  
art laboratories, a sensory testing  
and evaluation facility, a commercial  
scale culinary kitchen for customer 
demonstrations, and analytical and  
pilot plant facilities all of which provide  
ICD with world-class facility designed  
to foster close working relationships  
with our customers. In this centre we 
develop solutions to meet customers’ 
functional, formulation and nutritional  
needs within short development cycles. 

The move to Chicago and the creation of 
the new Commercial and Food Innovation 
Centre has allowed us to recruit staff in  
ICD from a wider and more diverse pool  
of talent with the number of our scientists 
with a Ph.D increasing by 21% in the past  
18 months and increasing the number of 
staff with an international education by  
11 percentage points in the same period. 

Karl Kramer 
President

In addition to the new centre in Chicago, 
ICD also maintains a research centre in Lille, 
France. These two centres are supported 
by a global network of smaller regional 
applications laboratories (in countries such 
as China, Germany, Argentina, Australia, 
Brazil, Mexico and South Africa) where our 
local applications specialists collaborate 
with our customers to develop products 
from a written brief to a finished prototype  
at high speed, while ensuring the final 
product reflects local tastes.

Pilot plants
ICD also operates the Group’s pilot  
plant facilities, both laboratory scale and 
within our manufacturing facilities. Scaling 
up and testing formulations and ideas  
at our pilot plants allows us to assess  
the flexibility of new processes, new 
products and new technology, ensuring  
we get them right before investing in 
commercial-scale processes.

Market Research
We continue to leverage market research  
to deliver actionable insights that drive our 
business. These insights originate from a 
variety of sources including our customers, 
influencers in the food and nutrition industry, 
as well as the end consumer. The new 
Commercial and Food Innovation Centre  
in Chicago includes state-of-the-art focus 
group facilities which will allow us to gather 
insights on a global basis more quickly and 
easily than before, providing us with the 
data necessary to offer tailor-made solutions 
for our customers that we know will work in 
local markets.

20

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review:
Group Financial Results

Sales were up 16%1 at £3.1 billion, while adjusted 
operating profit was up 11%1, with a 5%1 increase 
in profits from our Speciality Food Ingredients 
division, our focus for growth.

Tim Lodge 
Chief Financial Officer

Summary financial performance 
Sales of £3,088 million (2011 – £2,720 
million) from continuing operations were 
14% higher than the prior year (16% in 
constant currency). Sales in Speciality  
Food Ingredients increased by 10% (12%  
in constant currency) from £805 million to 
£887 million, with sales volumes increasing 
by 4%. Sales in Bulk Ingredients grew by 
15% (18% in constant currency) to £2,201 
million (2011 – £1,915 million). 

Adjusted operating profit increased by  
8% over the prior year (11% in constant 
currency) to £348 million (2011 – £321 
million). In Speciality Food Ingredients 
adjusted operating profit increased by 4% 
(5% in constant currency) to £214 million 
(2011 – £206 million) and in Bulk Ingredients, 
by 10% (13% in constant currency) to  
£172 million (2011 – £157 million). 

Net finance expense decreased from  
£58 million to £25 million following the 
repayment of our US$300 million bond  
in June 2011, a £5 million credit (2011 – 
£4 million charge) within interest relating  
to post-retirement benefit plans and the 
charge taken in the prior year in relation  
to the unwinding of cash flow hedges. 

Adjusted profit before tax increased by  
23% (26% in constant currency) to £323 
million (2011 – £263 million). The effective 
rate of tax on adjusted profit from continuing 
operations reduced to 17.1% (2011 – 18.5%) 
driven by changes in the geographical origin 
of profits. 

On a statutory basis, profit before tax from 
continuing operations increased by 55% to 
£379 million (2011 – £245 million) and profit 
for the year from total operations was up by 
85% at £309 million (2011 – £167 million). 

1 Constant currency change. 

Sales

£3,088m

2011 – £2,720m

Adjusted profit before tax

£323m

2011 – £263m

Adjusted earnings per share

56.4p

2011 – 45.7p

Summary of financial results

Year to 31 March
Continuing operations
Sales
Adjusted operating profit
Net finance expense
Adjusted profit before tax
Exceptional items
Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations
Profit for the year
Earnings per share – continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
Adjusted earnings per share – continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
Dividends per share
Interim paid
Final proposed

2012
£m

3 088
348
(25)
 323
68
(12)
379
(72)
307
2
309

65.9p
64.6p

57.5p
56.4p

 7.1p
 17.8p
24.9p

2011
£m

2 720
321
(58)
263
(5)
(13)
245
(49)
196
(29)
167

42.6p
41.9p

46.5p
45.7p

6.8p
16.9p
23.7p

Net debt
At 31 March

476

464

Change
reported
%

Change
Constant
currency
%

+14%
+8% 

+16%
+11%

+23%

+26% 

 +23%

 +25%

 +4.4%
+5.3%
5.1%

21

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review 
 
 
Business Review:
Additional Financial Information

Basis of preparation
Adjusted performance
Adjusted profit is reported as it provides 
both management and investors with 
valuable additional information on the 
performance of the business. The following 
items are excluded from adjusted profit:

•	 results of discontinued operations, 

including gains and losses on disposal 
(Note 12 and Note 37);

•	 exceptional items from continuing 

operations (Note 7); and

•	 amortisation of intangible assets acquired 
through business combinations (Note 15).

This adjusted information is used internally 
for analysing the performance of the 
business. A reconciliation of reported  
and adjusted information is included in  
Note 43. From the financial year ending  
31 March 2013 we will also exclude the 
post-retirement benefit interest result from 
adjusted measures. 

Impact of changes in exchange rates
Our reported financial performance was 
adversely impacted this year by exchange 
rate translation, in particular due to the 
weakening of the average US dollar 
exchange rate against sterling which has 
reduced profits. The average and closing 
exchange rates used to translate reported 
results were as follows:

US dollar:sterling
Euro:sterling

Average rates Closing rates

2011
2011 2012
2012
1.60 1.55 1.60 1.60
1.13
1.19 1.20
1.15

Central costs
Central costs, which include head  
office, treasury and reinsurance activities, 
decreased by £4 million to £38 million.  
The prior year included one-off costs of  
£6 million relating to the review of the 
Group’s activities, while the current year 
includes costs of £2 million associated  
with the relocation of the Head Office.

Adjusted profit before tax increased 
by 23% to £323 million.

Energy costs
Energy costs for the year of £171 million 
were broadly in line with the prior year  
(2011 – £170 million) at actual rates though 
there has been a slight increase in energy 
costs year on year at constant currency. 
This was mainly due to price increases, 
partially offset by lower consumption and 
favourable input mix. We have covered 
approximately 70% of our estimated energy 
needs for year ending 31 March 2013, and 
while contracts have been secured at higher 
prices than in the year ended 31 March 
2012, we will look to mitigate this partially 
through further efficiencies.

Exceptional items from 
continuing operations

Year ended 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

Reversal of fixed asset 

impairments – McIntosh 
and Decatur assets
Reversal of provision – 

McIntosh

Business transformation 

60

23

–

–

costs

(15)

 (15)

Gain on disposal, net of  
pre-disposal costs –  
Fort Dodge

Exceptional gain/(loss)

–
68

10
(5)

Exceptional items within continuing 
operations generated a net gain of  
£68 million on a pre-tax basis. In May 2011, 
the Group made the decision to restart 
production at the mothballed SPLENDA® 
Sucralose facility in McIntosh, Alabama, 
resulting in the reversal of £53 million of the 
impairment charge previously recognised.  
In addition, £23 million of provisions in 
respect of obligations relating to the 
mothballed facility were no longer required 
and these have also been reversed.

As announced in the prior year, the Group 
signed an agreement with Amyris Inc to 
manufacture farnesene using assets that 
had previously been impaired at our Decatur, 
Illinois plant. Commercial viability of the new 
process was proven during the financial 
year, resulting in a £7 million reversal of the 
write-down recognised previously. 

An exceptional charge of £15 million  
was recognised in relation to business 
transformation costs: £9 million in relation  
to the implementation of a common global 
IS/IT platform and global Shared Service 
Centre, £5 million in relation to the relocation 
of employees and restructuring associated 
with the new Commercial Food and 
Innovation Centre in Chicago, and £1 million 
of further restructuring costs relating to the 
Food Systems business.

The tax impact on continuing operations’ 
net exceptional items is a charge of  
£31 million. In addition, there has been  
an exceptional tax credit of £10 million 
which represents the recognition of a 
deferred tax asset in respect of foreign  
tax credits recognised in association with 
the disposal of the ethanol facility in Fort 
Dodge, Iowa.

Exceptional items from continuing 
operations in the prior year comprised  
a £15 million charge relating to business 
transformation costs and a net exceptional 
gain of £10 million in respect of the sale  
of the ethanol facility at Fort Dodge, Iowa.  
The tax impact on continuing operations’ 
net exceptional items was a £10 million 
charge and the Group also recognised an 
exceptional tax credit of £8 million in respect 
of unrealised profit in inventory following the 
restructuring of the business organisation.

Net finance expense
Net finance expense from continuing 
operations decreased significantly from  
£58 million to £25 million. Our underlying 
interest charge was £17 million lower mainly 
driven by the repayment of our US$300 
million bond at its maturity in June 2011 and 
lower average net debt. The credit within 
interest relating to post-retirement benefit 
plans was £5 million which compares with  
a charge of £4 million in the prior year.  

22

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012A further £7 million reduction is attributable 
to the charge we incurred in the prior year  
in relation to the unwinding of cash flow 
hedges. This accounting impact will unwind 
completely in the first half of the year ending 
31 March 2013.

From the financial year ending 31 March 
2013 onwards, it is our intention to  
exclude from adjusted earnings the impact 
of post-retirement benefit plans on the 
calculation of net finance expense to provide 
a more accurate measure of the underlying 
performance of the business. Excluding  
the impact of post-retirement benefit plans 
in both periods, we expect net interest 
expense in the year ending 31 March 2013 
to be broadly in line with the year ended  
31 March 2012.

Taxation
The taxation charge from continuing 
operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
was £55 million (2011 – £49 million) as  
a result of higher pre-tax adjusted profit.  
The effective rate of tax on adjusted  
profit decreased to 17.1% (2011 – 18.5%) 
driven by the geographic mix of profits, in 
particular, reduced losses in the UK as  
a result of the lower net finance expense.

The underlying effective tax rate for the  
year ending 31 March 2013 is expected  
to be higher than this year’s effective tax 
rate assuming that the geographical mix  
of profits is in line with our expectations.  
In addition, stripping out the impact of 
post-retirement benefit plans from the net 
finance expense will add approximately  
one percentage point to the effective tax 
rate on adjusted profit. 

Discontinued operations and 
legacy issues
Discontinued operations comprise our 
former Sugars division, principally the  
EU Sugars business which we sold in 
September 2010, Molasses which we sold 
in December 2010, legacy contracts and 
investments from our International Sugar 
Trading business and our Vietnamese  
sugar interests, which are held for sale.

Sales from discontinued operations for  
the year decreased to £72 million from  
£590 million as a result of the sale of  
EU Sugars and Molasses in the prior year.  
The operating profit from our discontinued 
operations totalled £16 million, after 
exceptional gains of £11 million (2011 – loss 
of £45 million, after a net exceptional loss  
of £43 million). 

Agreement. These claims have not been 
fully quantified, but in large part also relate 
to the turbulence in the supply of raw sugar 
to the EU during the period prior to closing 
and the increase in certain rolling re-export 
commitments of the business. The claims 
notified by ASR, and the validity of the 
notification itself, are under review by our 
legal advisers.

Whitefox Technologies
The dispute with Whitefox Technologies,  
a supplier of certain equipment and 
technology intended for use in the Group’s 
ethanol production facilities in 2007 which 
the Group believes was not fit for purpose 
has been listed for a three-week jury trial in 
the Supreme Court of the State of New  
York in June 2012. Tate & Lyle is seeking 
damages from Whitefox of approximately 
US$20 million and Whitefox is claiming 
damages exceeding €100 million for breach 
of contract, damage to certain equipment 
and other losses. While we are confident in 
the merits of our legal position, given that 
this is a jury trial, the outcome is uncertain.

Earnings per share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from 
continuing operations were 56.4p (2011 
– 45.7p), an increase of 23% (25% in 
constant currency) as a result of higher 
operating profits, lower net finance expense 
and the reduction in the effective tax rate. 
On the same basis, basic earnings per 
share were higher by 24% (26% in constant 
currency) at 57.5p (2011 – 46.5p).

The exceptional gain for the year of  
£11 million relates to the disposal of our 
minority sugar holdings in Egypt and  
Saudi Arabia relating to the former 
International Sugar Trading business. 

Taxation on our discontinued operations 
was a £15 million charge (2011 – £16 million 
credit) reflecting an increase in the exceptional 
tax charge in respect of outstanding tax 
matters associated with our former starch 
facilities in Europe, which are in the process 
of litigation. The profit from discontinued 
operations after taxation for the year was  
£2 million (2011 – loss of £29 million). 

Sale of EU Sugars – update on process 
to agree post completion statements 
In May 2011, we announced that the 
process to agree post completion 
statements on the sale of EU Sugars to  
ASR was ongoing and that items totalling 
£54 million were outstanding and were 
expected to be submitted for adjudication 
by an independent expert. Those items 
related to the impact of major turbulence  
in the supply of raw sugar to the EU during  
the period prior to closing which resulted  
in an increase in certain rolling re-export 
commitments of the business arising under 
the EU Sugar Regime. The expert’s 
decision, notified to the parties on 8 May 
2012, strongly supported Tate & Lyle’s 
position and as a result, substantially all of 
the working capital adjustments proposed 
by ASR were reversed, and the loss on 
disposal remains unchanged at £55 million. 

Separately, ASR has set out a number  
of claims it believes it has under certain 
other provisions of the Sale and Purchase 

23

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Additional Financial Information

Adjusted earnings per share

56.4p

+25%1

Dividend

24.9p

+5.1%

Net debt

£476m

2011 – £464m

Free cashflow

£79m

1 constant currency

24

Total basic earnings per share increased  
by 86% to 65.5p (2011 – 35.3p) with the 
current year reflecting the improved 
operating performance and exceptional 
gains relating to the restart of McIntosh.

Dividend

The Board is recommending a 5.3% 
increase in the final dividend to 17.8p (2011 
– 16.9p) making a full year dividend of 24.9p 
(2011 – 23.7p) per share, up 5.1% on the 
prior year. Subject to shareholder approval, 
the proposed final dividend will be due  
and payable on 3 August 2012 to all 
shareholders on the Register of Members  
at 29 June 2012. In addition to the cash 
dividend option, shareholders will continue 
to be offered a Dividend Reinvestment  
Plan (DRIP) alternative.

Assets
Gross assets of £2,906 million at 31 March 
2012 were £145 million lower than the prior 
year principally as a result of the repayment 
of our US$300m bond in June 2011 from 
our cash reserves. Net assets increased by 
£85 million to £1,058 million driven by the 
profits generated in the year partially offset 
by actuarial losses on our post-retirement 
schemes, dividend payments and foreign 
exchange losses on the translation of 
overseas subsidiaries.

Post-retirement benefits
We maintain pension plans for our 
employees in a number of countries. Some 
of these arrangements are defined benefit 
pension schemes and, although we have 
now closed the main UK scheme and US 
salaried scheme to future accrual, certain 
obligations remain. In the US, we also 
provide medical and life assurance benefits 
as part of the retirement package. 

In June 2011, the triennial valuation of the 
main UK pension scheme as at 31 March 
2010 was concluded with a funding deficit 
of £88 million. Following the sale of the  
main UK sugar and molasses assets in  
the year ended 31 March 2011, we made  
a contribution of £45 million into the  
scheme during the year. The balance of  
the deficit will be paid at an annual rate  
of £12 million starting from the year ending 
31 March 2013. 

The net deficit on our post-retirement 
obligations at 31 March 2012 of £140 million 
was broadly in line with the prior year  
(2011 – £139 million), with higher cash 
contributions offset by an increase in 
liabilities as a result of lower discount rates 
used to value our obligations.

Net debt
Net debt increased by £12 million to £476 
million (2011 – £464 million). Free cash flow 
of £79 million from continuing businesses 
was more than offset by dividend payments 
of £112 million, the repurchase of £19 million 
of ordinary shares to satisfy the Group’s 
share option schemes and a £7 million 
outflow for the purchase of the remaining 
5% interest in G.C. Hahn & Co. Operating 
cash flows from discontinued operations 
provided an inflow of £25 million while the 
disposal proceeds from the sale of the 
Group’s minority holdings in Egypt and 
Saudi Arabia were £18 million. 

During the year, net debt peaked at  
£507 million in January 2012. The average 
net debt was £454 million, a reduction  
of £207 million from £661 million in the  
prior year.

In June 2012 at its maturity, we will repay 
our 6.5% £100 million Guaranteed Notes 
from our cash resources. 

Cash flow
Operating cash flow from continuing 
operations was £233 million, a decrease  
of £92 million compared with the prior year 
primarily due to increases in working  
capital of £121 million (2011 – £41 million). 
The increase in working capital included 
outflows of £49 million from higher 
inventories; £40 million from margin calls 
and derivatives, mostly reflecting the 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012decrease in the corn price during the year; 
and an outflow from provisions of £12 million 
primarily relating to the costs associated 
with our original decision to mothball the 
McIntosh facility. The cash flow impact of 
payments made into the Group’s main 
pension schemes amounted to £80 million 
(2011 – £46 million), including a lump-sum 
payment of £45 million into the UK scheme 
following the conclusion of the triennial 
valuation. We also incurred £16 million of 
exceptional costs relating to our business 
transformation projects.

Year ended 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

Adjusted operating profit 

from continuing 
operations

Depreciation/amortisation
Working capital before 

pensions and 
exceptional cash items

Net retirement benefit 

obligations

Cash expenditure on 
exceptional items
Share-based payments
Operating cash flow
Capital expenditure
Operating cash flow less 
capital expenditure
Net interest and tax paid
Free cashflow

348
91

(121)

(80)

(16)
11
233
(130)

103
(24)
79

321
96

(41)

(46)

(14)
9
325
(70)

255
(77)
178

Capital expenditure of £130 million,  
including a £28 million investment in 
intangible assets, was 1.4 times the 
depreciation and amortisation charge  
of £91 million. Capital expenditure was  
£60 million higher than in the prior year 
driven by our business transformation 
projects in particular, the development  
of our new Commercial and Food 
Innovation Centre and global IS/IT  

system and the restart of the McIntosh 
facility. We expect the ratio of capital 
expenditure to depreciation in the year 
ending 31 March 2013 to be broadly  
in line with that of 2012. 

Net interest paid decreased by £6 million  
to £40 million principally as a result of the 
repayment of the US$300 million bond 
(£185 million) in June 2011.

Net income tax receipts were £16 million 
largely driven by a one-off US tax receipt  
of £24 million in relation to the recovery of 
tax as a result of the sale of the mothballed 
facility at Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Free cash inflow (representing cash 
generated from continuing operations after 
working capital, interest, taxation and capital 
expenditure) at £79 million was £99 million 
lower than the prior year principally as a 
result of the increases in working capital  
and contributions made into the Group’s 
main pension schemes.

In June 2011, the former owner of  
G.C. Hahn & Co, which makes up the 
majority of our food systems operations  
in Europe, exercised its option to sell  
its remaining 5% shareholding to  
Tate & Lyle for a total cost of £7 million. 

Off balance sheet arrangements
In the ordinary course of business, to 
manage our operations and financing, we 
enter into certain performance guarantees 
and commitments for capital and other 
expenditure.

The aggregate amount of indemnities and 
other performance guarantees, on which  
no material loss has arisen, including those 
related to joint ventures and associates, was 
£1 million at 31 March 2012 (2011 – £1 million).

We aim to optimise financing costs in 
respect of all financing transactions. Where 
it is economically beneficial, we choose to 
lease rather than purchase assets. Leases 
of property, plant and equipment where the 
lessor assumes substantially all the risks 
and rewards of ownership are treated as 
operating leases, with annual rentals 
charged to the income statement over the 
term of the lease. Commitments under 
operating leases to pay rentals in future 
years totalled £205 million (2011 – £173 
million) and related primarily to railcar leases 
in the USA. Rental charges for the year 
ended 31 March 2012 in respect of 
continuing operations were £22 million  
(2011 – £23 million).

During the year we spent £19 million on  
the repurchase of ordinary shares to satisfy 
share option schemes and in June 2011, the 
Group repaid at maturity its US$300 million 
bond (£185 million). Parent company cash 
dividends paid were £112 million, £42 million 
higher than the prior year following the 
replacement of the scrip dividend option 
with the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP).

Use and fair value of financial 
instruments
In the normal course of business we use 
both derivative and non-derivative financial 
instruments. The fair value of Group net 
borrowings at the year end was £518 million 
against a book value of £476 million  
(2011 – fair value £504 million; book value 
£464 million).

Financial risk factors
Our key financial risk factors are market 
risks, such as foreign exchange, transaction 
and translation exposures, and credit and 
liquidity risks. Please refer to Note 21 of the 
financial statements for a discussion of 
these risk factors.

25

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business ReviewBusiness Review:
Additional Financial Information

Derivative financial instruments used to 
manage the interest rate and currency of 
borrowings had a fair value of £24 million 
asset (2011 – £4 million liability). The main 
types of instrument used are interest rate 
swaps, interest rate options (caps or floors) 
and cross-currency interest rate swaps.  
The fair value of other derivative financial 
instruments hedging future currency and 
commodity transactions was £1 million 
liability (2011 – £3 million asset). When 
managing currency exposure, we use  
spot and forward purchases and sales,  
and options.

The fair value of other derivative  
financial instruments accounted for  
as held for trading was £1 million asset 
(2011 – £2 million asset).

Fair value estimation
The fair value of derivative financial 
instruments is based on the market price  
of comparable instruments at the balance 
sheet date if they are publicly traded. The 
fair value of the forward currency contracts 
was determined based on market forward 
exchange rates at the balance sheet date. 
The fair values of short-term deposits, 
receivables, payables, loans and overdrafts 
with a maturity of less than one year are 
assumed to approximate their book values. 
The fair values of bonds, bank and other 
loans, including finance lease liabilities due 
in more than one year, are estimated by 
discounting the future contractual cash 
flows at the current market interest rate 
available to the Group for similar financial 
instruments, adjusted for the fair valuation 
effects of currency and interest rate risk 
exposures, where those instruments  
form part of related hedging relationship 
agreements, financial and commodity 
forward contracts and options, and 
commodity futures. The values of certain 
items of merchandisable agricultural 
commodities that are included in  
inventories are based on market prices.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position  
are set out in this Business review. The 
financial position of the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are described in the same  
sections. In addition, Note 21 to the financial 
statements includes the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its 
capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments 
and hedging activities; and its exposures  
to credit risk and liquidity risk.

As set out in the sections and note 
referenced above, the market conditions  
of the areas in which the Group operates 
have been affected, and are likely to 
continue to be affected, by large movements 
in input prices. However, with some 75%  
of revenues from food and beverage 
ingredients, the Group has a measure  
of resilience (although not immunity) to 
economic challenges. In addition, the  
Group has access to considerable financial 
resources through its facilities as described 
in Note 21 to the financial statements.  
In making their assessment of the going 
concern basis, the directors have reviewed 
the maturities of these facilities, the 
headroom available from them and the 
Group’s ability to meet the covenant 
requirements of certain of them. As a 
consequence, the directors believe that  
the Group is well placed to manage its 
business risks successfully.

After making enquiries, the directors  
have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. 
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the  
annual report and accounts.

26

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review:
Risks

Tate & Lyle is exposed to a number of risks which 
might have a material adverse effect on our reputation, 
operations and financial performance

The Board of directors has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system of  
risk management and internal control. The 
schedule of matters reserved to the Board 
ensures that the directors control, among 
other matters, all significant strategic, 
financial and organisational issues.

Approach 
The Group’s enterprise-wide risk 
management and reporting process helps 
management to identify, assess, prioritise 
and mitigate risk. The process involves  
an ongoing programme of workshops, 
facilitated by the risk management function, 
held around the Group. The risks identified 
are collated and reported through functional 
and divisional levels to the Group Executive 
Committee. This culminates in the 
identification of the Group’s key business, 
financial, operational and compliance risks 
with associated action plans and controls to 
mitigate them where possible (and to the 

extent deemed appropriate taking account 
of costs and benefits). The output is then 
reviewed by the Board. Responsibility for 
managing each key risk and the associated 
mitigating controls is allocated to an 
individual executive within each division.  
As part of the process, senior executive 
management formally confirms that these 
key risks are being managed appropriately 
within their operations and that controls 
have been examined and are effective.  
The confirmations and any exceptions are 
discussed at the Audit Committee and 
Corporate Responsibility Committee once  
a year.

During the year ended 31 March 2012, the 
Board of directors and the Group Executive 
Committee undertook an exercise to 
consider the nature and extent of the 
Group’s risk appetite. The results of this 
exercise are used as part of the Group’s 
strategic planning activities, and in 
considering ongoing mitigating actions. 

The Group’s risk management process 
continues to follow the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO) Enterprise Risk 
framework. The COSO framework provides 
a process to manage the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives and assurance 
against material loss or misstatement.

Key risks
Key risks and uncertainties identified as part 
of the risk management process undertaken 
during the year, together with some of the 
mitigating actions that we are taking, are  
set out below. It is not possible to identify  
or anticipate every risk that may affect the 
Group. Our overall success as a global 
business depends, in part, upon our ability 
to succeed in different economic, social and 
political environments and to manage and  
to mitigate these risks.

Risk

Impact and description

Examples of mitigating actions

Failure to act 
safely and to 
maintain the safe 
and continuous 
operation of our 
facilities

The safety of our employees, contractors, 
suppliers, and the communities in which we 
operate is paramount. We must operate 
within local laws, regulations, rules and 
ordinances relating to health, safety and the 
environment, including emissions. The 
operation of plants involves many risks, 
including failure or sub-standard 
performance of critical equipment; improper 
installation or operation of equipment; failure 
of a critical supplier; industrial action; and 
natural disasters. If these risks cause a 
temporary or permanent stoppage in 
production, this could have a material 
adverse effect on the Group.

•	 Board annual review of Group safety/environmental performance/policies
•	 Central global function, Group Operational Efficiency and Sustainability, 

outside business unit control, sets and monitors standards

•	 Health and safety policies and procedures at all facilities with dedicated 

staff to ensure policies are embedded and measured

•	 Annual review of policies and performance by the Corporate 

Responsibility Committee

•	 Environmental management systems at production facilities
•	 Internal global compliance audits on safety and environment performed
•	 Business continuity capabilities in place to enable supply, as quickly  

as practicable, of product to customers from alternative sources in the 
event of a natural disaster or major equipment or plant failure backed by 
appropriate insurance coverage against business interruption

•	 Periodic review of critical supply or supplier dependencies in principal 

manufacturing operations.

Failure to grow in 
Speciality Food 
Ingredients

The Group’s strategy is to become the 
leading global provider of speciality food 
ingredients and solutions. Failure to deliver 
on this strategy over the longer term would 
impact the Group’s credibility and 
reputation.

•	 Non-core businesses have been sold in order that the Group’s resources 
and investment growth capital are focused on speciality food ingredients

•	 Three platforms have been established in Innovation and Commercial 

Development – sweeteners, texturants and health and wellness – to drive 
new product development and innovation in speciality food ingredients
•	 New global Commercial and Food Innovation Centre opened in Chicago 
to promote closer collaboration with speciality food ingredient customers 
and to link with the global network of applications and technical  
services laboratories

•	 Investments are being made to increase the Group’s sales and technical 

resources in emerging markets 

•	 Internal capabilities have been enhanced to help promote growth  

through acquisition 

•	 Open Innovation team actively involved in scouting for breakthrough 
technologies and opportunities across industries and universities 
•	 Programmes in place to recruit new staff and develop existing staff to 
upgrade skill sets particularly in customer-facing areas and innovation.

27

Business ReviewTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review:
Risks

Risk

Impact and description

Examples of mitigating actions

Failure to identify 
important 
consumer trends 
and innovate  
could impact the 
business’s ability 
to grow

Falling behind the curve on emerging  
dietary trends and/or an inability to  
innovate could impact the delivery of the 
Group’s strategy. This would impact its 
performance and reputation.

Failure to maintain 
the quality of our 
products and high 
standards of 
customer service

The safety of consumers of our products  
is critical. Poor quality or sub-standard 
products or poor customer service could 
have a negative impact on our reputation 
and relationships with customers.

Failure to attract, 
develop and retain 
key personnel

Performance, knowledge and skills of 
employees are central to success. We must 
attract, integrate and retain the talent 
required to fulfil our ambitions and deliver 
the Group’s strategy. Inability to retain  
key knowledge and adequately plan for 
succession could have a negative impact  
on Company performance.

•	 Innovation and Commercial Development team works closely with 

customers and advisors to identify emerging trends

•	 Consumer-facing research to ensure we are aware of consumers’  

needs and expectations

•	 Global key account managers in place for major customers
•	 New Commercial and Food Innovation Centre in Chicago enables 

scientists, marketing, sales and technical experts to collaborate more 
closely with customers and to link with the global network of applications 
and technical services laboratories

•	 Recruitment and training policies in place to strengthen and upgrade  

staff skill sets.

•	 Central global function, Group Operational Efficiency and Sustainability, 

manages Group-wide quality process and procedures

•	 Product safety and quality policies and procedures in place to prevent 

contamination

•	 Policies and procedures reviewed annually by the Corporate 

Responsibility Committee

•	 Dedicated staff at all locations to ensure policies are embedded  

and measured

•	 Third-party audits completed
•	 Internal global compliance audits on food safety undertaken
•	 Recall simulation exercises undertaken.

•	 Remuneration policies designed to attract, retain and reward employees 

with ability and experience to execute Group strategy

•	 Talent strategy to provide opportunities for employees to develop careers
•	 Single global performance appraisal process and system in place.

Non-compliance 
with legislation 
and regulation

The Group operates in diverse markets  
and therefore is exposed to a wide range of 
legal and regulatory frameworks. We must 
understand and comply with all applicable 
legislation. Any breach could have a 
financial impact and damage our reputation.

•	 Changes in law and regulation in such areas as health and safety, 
environment, quality, food and corporate governance are regularly 
monitored and reviewed

•	 Legal teams maintain compliance policies in areas such as antitrust,  
and anti-corruption laws; and provide ongoing training to employees
•	 External consultants provide quarterly reports on regulatory change.

Fluctuations in 
prices, offtake and 
availability of raw 
materials, energy, 
freight and other 
operating inputs

Margins may be affected by fluctuations in 
crop prices due to factors such as harvest 
and weather conditions, crop disease,  
crop yields, alternative crops and co-product 
values. In some cases, due to the basis  
for pricing in sales contracts, or due to 
competitive markets, we may not be able to 
pass on to customers the full amount of raw 
material price increases or higher energy, 
freight or other operating costs.

Failure to protect 
intellectual 
property

Our commercial success depends, in part, 
on obtaining and maintaining all kinds of 
protection including patents for certain 
products and technology.

•	 Strategic relationships with suppliers and trading companies
•	 Multiple-source supply agreements for key ingredient supplies
•	 Balanced portfolio of supply and tolling contracts in operation with 
customers to manage balance of raw material prices and product  
sales prices and volume risks

•	 Raw material and energy purchasing policies to provide security of supply
•	 Derivatives used where possible to hedge exposure to movements in 

future prices of commodities.

•	 Group legal department, supported by expert patent lawyers,  

monitors all patents 

•	 Group Intellectual Property (IP) committee in place, chaired by the 
President of Innovation and Commercial Development, to oversee  
the Group’s IP management
•	 Dedicated Director of IP in place
•	 Organised and secure process for identifying and recording innovations, 

trade secrets and potential patentable ideas.

28

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Risk

Impact and description

Examples of mitigating actions

Competitors may 
achieve significant 
advantage through 
technological step 
change or higher 
service levels

Failure to 
implement  
the Group’s 
programme to 
transform its 
operational 
capabilities

Failure to  
counter negative 
perceptions of the 
Group’s products

Competitors could introduce a major 
technological step change, such as 
significantly improving the efficiency of  
a production process and lowering costs 
(and thereby commoditising products);  
or introduce a new product with better 
functionality which in turn could lead to  
a decline in our sales and/or profitability.  
We must ensure we exceed or at least 
match competitors’ service and quality 
performance.

The Group has committed to a programme 
to transform its operational capabilities, 
primarily by implementing a common global 
IS/IT platform and global support services. 
If this programme is not implemented as 
planned, this would have an adverse impact 
on the Group’s ability to achieve its strategy.

We must be fully prepared to counter 
unexpected/ unfounded negative publicity 
about our products.

Failure to manage 
the balance  
sheet, particularly 
during periods  
of economic 
uncertainty,  
and deliver key 
projects

We must manage our finances within  
strictly controlled parameters, particularly 
when external financial conditions are 
uncertain and highly changeable. The 
change programme currently being 
undertaken by the Group consists of a 
number of projects which, if not delivered 
successfully, could impact the Group’s 
performance and reputation.

•	 Teams within the Global Business Units produce innovations in  

product development, applications, manufacturing technology and 
customer services

•	 Global key account managers in place for major customers
•	 Open Innovation team actively involved in scouting for breakthrough 
technologies and opportunities across industries and universities
•	 Improved customer relationship management capabilities as part  
of the programme to implement a common global IS/IT platform  
and global support services.

•	 Dedicated resources allocated to the project
•	 Programme subject to both internal and external audit and review
•	 Formal steering committee (executive management) and Board/Audit 
Committee review of project progress against agreed milestones  
and timelines.

•	 Innovation and Commercial Development and regulatory experts 

substantiate relevant product claims

•	 Media relations department monitors Group press coverage and has 

action plans to deal with any negative publicity

•	 Participation in trade organisations and industry-wide initiatives to 

promote and protect our products.

•	 Capital expenditure procedures to control and monitor allocation  

and spend

•	 All new investments are evaluated against clear strategic and financial 

criteria with greater scrutinity and clear execution milestones for  
approved investments

•	 Significant projects approved and monitored by the Board 
•	 Dedicated resources allocated to major or key projects 
•	 External resources and expertise used where required or as appropriate
•	 Exposure to liquidity risk is managed by ensuring access is maintained  
to a wide range of funding sources, and effective management of our 
cash resources

•	 Net debt and working capital levels monitored constantly and reported 

monthly to the Board.

Failure to maintain 
an effective 
system of internal 
financial controls

Without effective internal financial  
controls, we could be exposed to financial 
irregularities and losses from acts which 
could have a significant impact on the ability 
of the business to operate. We must 
safeguard business assets and ensure 
accuracy and reliability of records and 
financial reporting.

•	 Policies ensure that key tasks are segregated to safeguard assets
•	 Detailed internal finance and capital expenditure manuals set  

out procedure

•	 Full balance-sheet reconciliation process
•	 Group financial performance monitored with monthly Board reports  

and regular forecasting

•	 Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer undertake detailed quarterly 

business and financial reviews

•	 Annual review of effectiveness of internal controls
•	 Internal audit function provides assurance.

29

Business ReviewTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review:
Corporate Responsibility

Our sustainability 
journey

At Tate & Lyle we manufacture 
ingredients for some of the 
best-known food and beverage 
companies in the world. We seek  
to do so in a responsible and 
sustainable way.
We see our Company’s performance in financial, 
operational, social and environmental terms. They are 
all interdependent and all contribute to the creation 
of long-term shareholder value.

Improving our CR management
Achievements in the year to 31 March 2012 included:

•	 Our Board Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee continued  
to strengthen its oversight of how environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) matters and risks are managed, following its 
establishment during the previous year. Information on the 
Committee’s activities is provided on page 46.

•	 Our Group Operational Efficiency and Sustainability (GOES) 
function became embedded across our business following  
its first full year of operation. For example, our regional 
environmental colleagues in Europe and the USA became  
part of GOES in December 2011.

Improving our CR performance
We are pleased to report improved safety performance this  
year, and advances in our management of people, community 
involvement and the environment. We have worked hard to 
implement the control arrangements and targets that will  
deliver over both the short- and long-term. Examples include:  
our standardised safe systems of work; our annual Global 
Compliance Audit programme to confirm the implementation  
of our safety, food safety, quality and environmental standards; 
and, the development and roll-out of new environmental targets. 

Improving our CR reporting
During the last twelve months we have:

•	 Further strengthened our internal reporting arrangements for 

safety, environmental and social data.

•	 Engaged external consultants URS to undertake verification  
of the aggregation and calculation of Group environmental 
performance data contained in this report, and of the internal 
reporting arrangements used to obtain it. In addition, our 
internal audit function has carried out a review of the CR 
information and data presented here. 

•	 Undertaken stakeholder engagement on our CR reporting with 
customers, investors and employees. At www.tateandlyle.com 
and in our next annual report we shall complete our move to  
a stakeholder-orientated reporting model by also reporting 
marketplace matters – such as responsible supply chain 
management and customer sustainability engagement.

30

Safety

We have no higher priority than  
safety and are committed to 
providing safe and healthy working 
conditions for our employees, 
contractors and visitors. We are 
pleased to report an improvement in 
safety performance during the year. 
Although our safety performance 
compares favourably to external 
benchmarks we nevertheless seek  
to achieve continuous improvement.

Overview of the year
Our safety performance improved in 
calendar year 2011 with our recordable 
incident rate decreasing by 10% and our 
lost-time accident rate decreasing by 30% 
versus 2010. We are now operating at 
around one lost workday accident per 
million hours worked. However, the safety 
performance of contractors working at our 
facilities remains below that of our own 
employees and is therefore an area we  
are focussing on.

Safety improvement projects 
and activities
During the year we restructured our 
management of safety to ensure that  
it remains the first priority across our 
business. Specific initiatives included:

•	 Improving our overall safety management 

system and focus. For example, we 
established an Executive Safety Steering 
Committee chaired by our Chief Executive 
which regularly reviews our safety 
performance and improvement 
programmes. Our senior executives are 
personally involved in day-to-day safety 
management and undertake Executive 
Safety Audits globally.

•	 We made good progress with our Group 
Safety Improvement Plan which was 
devised in 2010. We have individual safety 
plans for all plants.

•	 We reviewed, revised and reissued 

standardised and global safe systems  
of work for specific activities such as 
working at height. We provided training 
on these new procedures at a two-day 
meeting of our global Plant Managers and 
Safety Managers in November 2011.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Safety

More online: 
Read more about our approach  
to corporate responsibility at  
www.tateandlyle.com

•	 We held our annual Global Safety Week 
with high levels of participation seen 
across the business. Employees and  
their families demonstrated a strong 
commitment to achieving a ‘Safe Start’ 
and a ‘Safe Finish’ to every working day 
through safety poster competitions and  
at plant open days.

Results for the year 
We currently measure and report against 
two key performance indicators for safety: 

Recordable incident rate
•	 employees, improved by 20%
•	 contractors, improved by 4%
•	 overall, improved by 10%

Lost-time accident rate 
•	 employees, improved by 37%
•	 contractors, improved by 24%
•	 overall, improved by 30%

For 1 January 2012 onwards, to bring  
us into line with international OSHA 
(Occupational Safety & Health 
Administration) standards, we will  
report lost workday case rate in place  
of lost-time accident rate.

External benchmarking
To put our safety performance in 
perspective and because many of our 
employees are located in the USA we 
monitor US industry averages. In 2011  
our safety performance was better than  
the average achieved by companies  
across both our own and other industry 
sectors in the US.

Outlook
We are encouraged by the progress  
made in 2011, in terms of the improvements 
in our safety management and control 
arrangements and the results achieved. 
However, we still have much to do to 
achieve our ultimate goal of zero accidents 
and the safety performance of contractors  
is something we will continue to focus on  
in the year ahead.

Safety performance

Recordable incident rate
Number of injuries requiring treatment beyond first aid per 200,000 hours

Employees

Contractors

0.70

0.69

0.55

1.38

1.62

1.55

2009

2010

2011

2009

20101

2011

Industry sector averages 2010 and Tate & Lyle overall 2011

6.40

Beverage & Tobacco

5.80

Food Manufacturing

4.00

Construction

3.50

Private Industry

2.40

Chemical Manufacturing

1.50

Energy

0.85

Tate & Lyle

Source: US Department
of Labor, October 2011

Lost-time accident rate
Number of injuries that resulted in lost work days or restricted work activities  
per 200,000 hours

Employees

Contractors

0.29

0.46

0.29

0.64

0.94

0.71

2009

2010

2011

2009

20101

2011

Industry sector averages 2010 and Tate & Lyle overall 2011

4.40

Beverage & Tobacco

3.70

Food Manufacturing

2.10

Construction

1.80

Private Industry

1.50

Chemical Manufacturing

0.90

Energy

0.41

Tate & Lyle

Source: US Department
of Labor, October 2011

1  Due to a 2010 injury that did not result in lost time until 2011, we have amended the 2010 

contractors recordable incident rate from 1.56 (as previously reported) to 1.62 and lost-time 
accident rate from 0.89 (as previously reported) to 0.94.

31

Business ReviewTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Business Review:
Corporate Responsibility

Our people

Our aim is good, ethical employment 
practices and standards across  
all our operations, in line with  
our Business Code of Conduct  
(see www.tateandlyle.com). Our 
approach is to attract, retain and 
motivate the right people – aligned 
around the right values.

Employee profile
At 31 March 2012, Tate & Lyle employed 
4,383 people (2011: 4,111). The increased 
number of employees versus 2011 is 
attributable to the restart of our McIntosh, 
Alabama, SPLENDA® Sucralose 
manufacturing facility and the establishment 
of our Global Shared Services centre in 
Łód ´z, Poland. These figures exclude 
employees from discontinued operations 
and our Vietnam Sugars business which  
is currently being sold.

Employee engagement
We believe that engaged employees are 
happier and deliver better results, and  
that good internal communication facilitates 
the awareness and achievement of 
common goals. We have recently launched 
a Company-wide employee engagement 
programme, underpinned by an employee 
survey. We have also implemented an 
updated global induction programme for 
new employees.

We engage with and support our 
employees in a number of ways, facilitated 
by Company-wide communication using 
means which range from our internal 
intranet, through our quarterly Worldwide 
magazine which is distributed in ten 
languages, to face-to-face dialogue.

Our values define what we stand for  
and how we behave with our customers, 
suppliers, investors, the communities  
we operate in and with each other. 

We have clear structures for incentivising 
and rewarding employees, including a 
performance-related Group bonus plan  
and a sales incentive scheme consistent 
across all locations. Our remuneration policy 
for directors is explained on page 49.

32

Employees by business unit

31 March 2012

3

1

2

1  Bulk Ingredients 
2  Speciality Food Ingredients 
3   Central Functions 

52%
40%
8%

Employees by geography

31 March 2012

1

4

3

2

1  North America 
2  Europe, Middle East and Africa 
3  Latin America 
4  Asia Pacific 

47%
35%
13%
5%

Our values

Diversity and inclusion
We believe in equal opportunities  
regardless of gender, sexual orientation, 
age, marital status, disability, race, religion 
or other beliefs and ethnic or national  
origin. The Group remains committed to  
the fair treatment of people with disabilities 
regarding applications, training, promotion 
and career development. An employee  
who becomes disabled would, where 
appropriate, be offered retraining. 

Our policies, practices and regulations  
for recruitment, training and career 
development promote equality of 
opportunity. 

Our aim is a culture in which all employees 
have the opportunity to develop fully 
according to their individual abilities  
and the needs of the Group. In addition,  
we aim to attract a diverse workforce that 
reflects the communities in which we 
operate. To support this a Diversity and 
Inclusion Council was set up last year.  
The Council’s focus to date has been on 
creating awareness, establishing metrics 
and the development of recruitment 
guidelines to enhance diversity. We have 
seen some positive early signs in this area 
and are committed to making further 
improvements over the next few years.

Gender diversity 
Global employees

Female
Male

31
March
2012
24%
76%

31
March
2011
23%
77%

We have more than 50 nationalities in our 
workforce currently.

Health and well-being
We work with healthcare partners to  
provide information, advice and support to 
employees on health matters and we share 
best practice across the Company. 

Outlook
Our evolution into a truly global business 
demands a truly diverse workforce and this 
will continue to be an important part of our 
recruitment and retention policies. Employee 
engagement, good internal communication 
and the application of our values are key, 
underlying themes.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Performance ValuesSpeedCreativityTeamworkAccountabilityAchievementRespectIntegritySafetyCore Values 
Community

We have a strong history of 
community involvement and  
during financial year 2012 we have 
continued to support communities 
local to our operations. Meanwhile, 
we have also been reviewing our 
work of recent years to redefine  
our objectives and programme 
going forward.

Overview of the year
In the year ended 31 March 2012 charitable 
donations were £308,000 (2011: £346,000). 
The year-on-year decrease was a key item 
in the review of our community involvement 
programme. In the year to 31 March 2013 
we will make a significant increase in our 
financial commitment to community work.

During the year we supported a wide  
range of initiatives and organisations 
assisting our local communities, including:

Europe
Bulgaria: providing support to local schools.

Germany: local educational institutions  
and health and well-being charities.

Hungary: supporting the local primary 
school.

Italy: local health and education 
organisations.

Netherlands: health, education and well-
being activities, particularly for children.

UK: support to local and national health  
and well-being charities.

USA
Chicago: community food bank and the 
local park district.

Decatur: agricultural shows; local arts 
funding organisations; and, a wide range  
of education, youth and community works 
including Decatur Family YMCA, youth 
programmes of the Decatur Park District, 
and the Associated Colleges of Illinios.

Lafayette: United Way of Lafayette; Purdue 
Foundation; education foundations.

Loudon: United Way of Loudon County; 
Loudon Education Foundation.

McIntosh: United Way of Southwest 
Alabama.

Tate & Lyle in the Community

For Tate & Lyle community involvement 
is about having a positive and lasting 
relationship with the community: 
changing things for the better in the 
areas of education, well-being and 
environment.

Our community programme has three 
broad objectives going forward:

Education: To develop young peoples’ 
knowledge and understanding of 
science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics (‘STEM’ subjects); and, 
their preparedness for a career in  
a STEM-based discipline, either 
academically or vocationally.

Well-being: To provide practical 
assistance in the area of well-being: 
from health issues – through nutrition – 
to general welfare, such as our 
supporting food banks.

Environment: To promote 
environmental sustainability and  
good environmental management: 
addressing issues of climate change, 
water resource management and 
conservation.

Outlook
During the year we have undertaken a 
review of our community involvement 
objectives and programme. We have looked 
at our community work of recent years – 
talking to colleagues who have been 
involved in it across the business from the 
United States, through Europe, to Asia – 
and asking how we can do more to help  
our communities around the world. We have 
also taken some expert, external advice  
on this matter.

The result is that going forward we shall  
be implementing a revitalised community 
involvement programme – Tate & Lyle in the 
Community – building on our work to date 
and focussing on specific objectives in the 
areas of education, well-being and 
environment. We will: 

•	 achieve a wider geographical reach 

across our global business; 

•	 develop international as well as local 

community programmes; and 

•	 make a larger financial commitment  

to this important area.

Tate & Lyle recognises that being a 
responsible corporate citizen includes 
having a strong and forward-looking 
community involvement programme.

Asia Pacific
Australia: children’s health and well-being.

Community spend by allocation

year to 31 March 2012

3

4

1

2

1  Education 
2  Health 
3  Environment 
4  Arts 

47%
30%
17%
6%

33

Business ReviewTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Business Review:
Corporate Responsibility

Environment

We seek to operate in a way that is as 
environmentally sustainable as practical, 
while working continuously to reduce our 
environmental impact.

Our approach
By using resources such as energy  
and water more efficiently, and reducing  
waste, we can also achieve reductions in 
operational costs. Improving the Company’s 
environmental sustainability, therefore, is  
not only good for the environment but can 
also be beneficial financially.

Tate & Lyle’s environmental policy and 
standards apply to all our activities globally, 
and we aim to integrate environmental 
considerations into all major decisions.

We expect all of our facilities to meet their 
environmental permits at all times. On the 
rare occasion that a site exceeds any of  
its operating limits we take immediate  
action to correct the issue and prevent a 
recurrence. We have an annual internal audit 
programme to confirm compliance with  
our environmental management standards. 
We also have a programme of external 
environmental compliance audits to ensure 
that regulatory requirements are met.

Within our own operations (and joint 
ventures) we focus on those aspects of  
our activities that have the greatest  
potential impact on the environment.  
These are: energy use and consequent 
carbon footprint; water use; and waste.

Beyond our own operations – across our 
products’ complete life cycle – we focus our 
attention on our raw material supply chain, 
the transportation of our products to our 
customers, and our products’ packaging.

Results for the year
In calendar year 2011, versus 2010:

•	 Energy use was flat overall, reducing 

slightly by 0.3% per tonne of 
production, due to a sustained focus on 
running manufacturing operations across 
the Company in a smooth and efficient 
manner.

•	 Primary carbon footprint from 

energy use was flat overall, reducing 
slightly by 0.2% per tonne of 
production, in line with the slight energy 
efficiency improvement noted above.
•	 Water use reduced by 2% per tonne 

of production, due to good process and 
water use management with smooth, 
non-interrupted production runs across 
the business. About 0.5% of this 
reduction is due to the replacement of a 
well water meter at Lafayette Sagamore, 
USA.

•	 Waste to landfill increased by 9% per 
tonne of production, due to: winter 
conditions in the first quarter of 2011 
affecting aerobic bio-solids digestion at 
Lafayette Sagamore, such that this 
material had to be sent to landfill; and, 
increased production volumes at several 
facilities leading to temporarily increased 
waste levels until we had optimised the 
processes affected. In 2012, the utilisation 
of new external waste recovery facilities in 
the USA, which use anaerobic digestion 
to produce energy from waste, is one of 
the initiatives we are taking to drive 
reductions in waste to landfill.

We are undertaking projects  
to improve our environmental 
performance.

Outlook
During the last year we have established 
new targets for environmental performance 
and embedded these into the personal 
objectives of individuals across the 
Company from the top down. We recognise 
that by restarting our McIntosh, Alabama 
SPLENDA® Sucralose facility and installing 
new air emissions control equipment at 
several locations our challenge to reduce 
energy use and waste will increase. Our 
new environmental targets will help us 
address this.

We also aim to:

 – improve further our understanding of the 

carbon and water footprint of our 
products across their complete lifecycle; 
and,

 – work more closely with our customers on 
reducing our joint environmental impact 
and with our suppliers on sustainable 
agriculture within our raw material supply 
chain.

The commissioning of a biomass-fired  
boiler at our joint venture manufacturing 
facility in Hungary in calendar year 2012 is 
one of the projects being undertaken to 
further improve environmental performance. 

34

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Environment

Environmental performance

Energy use 
GJ per tonne production

Primary carbon footprint 
Tonnes CO2 per tonne production

4.94

4.48

4.47

0.41

0.38

0.38

2009

2010

2011

2009

20101

2011

Water use 
Cubic meters per tonne production

Waste to landfill 
Tonnes per ‘000 tonnes production

4.65

4.43

4.36

7.57

7.23

7.90

2009

2010

2011

2009

2010

2011

1  Due to the continuous improvement of our internal reporting procedures and processes we  

have amended the primary carbon footprint number for 2010 shown above to 0.38 (from 0.37  
as reported previously).

Corporate Responsibility reporting notes 
•	 	We	report	safety	performance	for	Tate	&	Lyle	owned	and	joint	venture	manufacturing	
facilities, and for Tate & Lyle offices and research and development facilities, globally, 
for the period 1 January to 31 December 2011.

•	 	We	report	environmental	performance	for	Tate	&	Lyle	owned	and	joint	venture	

manufacturing facilities globally for the annual period 1 January to 31 December 2011. 

•	 	We	report	safety	and	environmental	performance	by	calendar	year	because	we	are	

required to do so for regulatory purposes. 

•	 	Our	internal	audit	function	has	carried	out	a	review	of	the	corporate	responsibility	(CR)	

information and data presented in this Annual Report. 

Environmental sustainability 
targets

Following a programme of engagement 
with key stakeholder groups – including 
customers, investors and employees, 
last year we adopted the following  
mid-term environmental sustainability 
targets for end of calendar year 2016: 

CO2 emissions target* 
12.5% reduction, per tonne production, 
baseline year 2008 
2011 Status: 10% reduction 

Packaging reduction target 
Implement packaging reduction 
programmes with customers comprising 
≥ 50% of Sales (£) 
2011 Status: pilot programmes initiated 

Transport efficiency target
Implement transport efficiency 
programmes with customers comprising 
≥ 50% of Sales (£)  
2011 Status: pilot programmes initiated

Sustainable agriculture target 
Implement sustainable sourcing 
programmes for our top-20 raw 
materials by volume and any 
sustainability risk materials 
2011 Status: pilot programmes initiated

Going forward, we shall develop 
additional environmental sustainability 
targets, including for waste.

*  We recognise that restarting our McIntosh, 

Alabama SPLENDA® Sucralose manufacturing 
facility and installing new air emissions control 
equipment at several locations will make it 
more challenging to improve our energy use 
and waste performance in the short-term.

35

Business ReviewTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Board of Directors

Introducing your Board of Directors

Sir Peter Gershon Chairman and 
Chairman of the Nominations and 
Corporate Responsibility Committees

Joined the Board as an independent 
Non-Executive Director and Chairman 
Designate in February 2009. Appointed 
Chairman in July 2009. Aged 65.

Skills and Experience
Sir Peter has broad business experience 
gained in large and complex international 
organisations and held various leadership 
roles in the UK private and public sector.  
He was formerly Chairman of Premier 
Farnell plc; Chief Executive of the Office of 
Government Commerce; and Managing 
Director of Marconi Electronic Systems.

Other Directorships
•	 Chairman of National Grid plc
•	 Member of the UK Defence Academy 

Advisory Board

•	 Member of HM Government Efficiency 

Board

Javed Ahmed Chief Executive

Tim Lodge Chief Financial Officer

Joined the Board as Chief Executive in 
October 2009. Aged 52.

Joined the Board in December 2008 as 
Group Finance Director. Aged 47.

Skills and Experience
Javed has extensive international experience 
from a wide variety of senior commercial 
and management roles. He started his 
career with Procter & Gamble and then 
spent five years with Bain & Co. before 
joining Benckiser (later Reckitt Benckiser 
plc) in 1992 where he gained significant 
experience of international consumer goods 
markets and held positions including Senior 
Vice President, Northern Europe; President, 
North America; Executive Vice President, 
North America, Australia and New Zealand; 
and Executive Vice President, Europe.

Other Directorships
None

Skills and Experience
Tim joined the Group in 1988 and has held 
a number of senior operational and financial 
roles, both in the UK and internationally, 
including Managing Director of Zambia 
Sugar; Group Financial Controller; Finance 
Director of the Food & Industrial Ingredients, 
Europe division; and Director of Investor 
Relations. He is a Fellow of the Chartered 
Institute of Management Accountants. 

Other Directorships
None

Liz Airey Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Joined the Board in January 2007. Aged 53.

Skills and Experience
Liz was an investment banker and has 
extensive financial experience in the UK and 
internationally. She was formerly Finance 
Director of Monument Oil and Gas plc. 

Other Directorships
•	 Chairman of the Unilever UK Pension Fund
•	 Senior Independent Director of Jupiter 

Fund Management PLC

•	 Non-executive director of Dunedin 
Enterprise Investment Trust PLC

William Camp Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in May 2010. Aged 63.

Skills and Experience
Bill worked for 22 years for Archer Daniels 
Midland Company, before retiring in 2007, 
and held a variety of management positions 
including Executive Vice President, Asia 
Strategy; Executive Vice President, 
Processing; and Senior Vice President, 
Global Oil Seeds, Cocoa and Wheat Milling. 

Other Directorships
•	 Non-executive director of Chiquita Brands 

International Inc

•	  Non-executive director of BioAmber Inc
•	  Senior Advisor, Naxos Capital

Evert Henkes Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Joined the Board in December 2003.  
Aged 68.

Skills and Experience
Most of Evert’s career was with Shell where 
he held a number of senior management 
positions in Europe and Asia Pacific 
culminating in Chief Executive of Shell 
Chemicals from 1998 until his retirement  
in 2003. 

Other Directorships
•	 Non-executive director of Air Products  

and Chemicals Inc

•	 Non-executive director of SembCorp 

Industries Ltd

•	 Non-executive director of TNK-BP

36

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Introducing your Board of Directors

Douglas Hurt Non-Executive Director

Dr Ajai Puri Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in March 2010. Aged 55.

Skills and Experience
Douglas is a Chartered Accountant. He  
held a number of financial and operational 
roles, including US and European senior 
management positions, at GlaxoSmithKline 
before joining IMI plc as Finance Director  
in 2006.

Other Directorships
•	 Finance Director of IMI plc

Joined the Board in April 2012. Chairman of 
the Research Advisory Group. Aged 58.

Skills and Experience
Ajai has a PhD in Food Science from the 
University of Maryland, USA and a MBA 
from Rollins College, Florida, USA. He was 
President – Research, Development and 
Product Integrity and a member of the 
Executive Board of Koninklijke Numico N.V. 
from 2003 to 2007. From 1981 to 2003, Ajai 
held various management positions with The 
Coca-Cola Company, culminating in Senior 
Vice President Technical, The Minute Maid 
Company. 

Other Directorships
•	 Member of the supervisory board  

of Nutreco N.V.

•	  Non-executive director of Barry  

Callebaut AG

•	  Non-executive director of Britannia 

Industries Limited

Robert Walker Senior Independent 
Director

Robert Gibber Executive Vice President, 
Company Secretary and General Counsel

Joined the Board in January 2006. Aged 67.

Skills and Experience
Robert spent over 30 years with Procter  
& Gamble, McKinsey and finally, PepsiCo, 
where he was responsible for the 
company’s beverage operations in Europe, 
Middle East and Africa. 

Other Directorships
•	 Chairman of Travis Perkins plc
•	 Chairman of Enterprise Inns plc
•	 Chairman of Americana International 

Holdings Limited

Appointed General Counsel in 1997 and 
Company Secretary in 2001. Aged 49.

Skills and Experience
A solicitor, Robert joined Tate & Lyle in 1990 
as a commercial lawyer. He previously 
worked for City law firms Wilde Sapte and 
Herbert Oppenheimer. Robert graduated 
from Wadham College, Oxford in Oriental 
Studies (Chinese) in 1984. 

Other Directorships
None

More online: 
Read full biographies of the Board of 
Directors and our Group Executive 
Committee at www.tateandlyle.com

Our Governance structure

Certain responsibilities are delegated  
to four Board Committees, details of 
which are given on pages 44 to 49. 

The current membership of the Board 
Committees are as follows:

Audit Committee

Liz Airey, Chairman 
Evert Henkes 
Douglas Hurt

Remuneration Committee

Evert Henkes, Chairman 
William Camp 
Sir Peter Gershon 
Dr Ajai Puri 
Robert Walker

Nominations Committee

Sir Peter Gershon, Chairman 
Javed Ahmed 
Liz Airey 
William Camp 
Evert Henkes 
Douglas Hurt 
Dr Ajai Puri 
Robert Walker

Corporate Responsibility 
Committee

Sir Peter Gershon, Chairman 
Liz Airey 
William Camp 
Dr Ajai Puri

Our Group Executive Committee

The Group Executive Committee 
oversees the development and 
execution of the Group’s strategy, and 
has overall responsibility for achieving 
business results. 

Javed Ahmed 
Chief Executive

Tim Lodge 
Chief Financial Officer

Robert Gibber 
Executive Vice President, Company 
Secretary and General Counsel 

Rob Luijten 
Executive Vice President,  
Human Resources

Karl Kramer 
President, Innovation and Commercial 
Development 

Olivier Rigaud 
President, Speciality Food Ingredients

Matt Wineinger 
President, Bulk Ingredients

37

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Corporate Governance

Statement from the Chairman

Board effectiveness review
The 2011 review was conducted by an 
external facilitator and the Board agreed 
that I would lead the 2012 review. This 
year, we also sought input from senior 
executives who are regular attendees at 
Board and/or Committee meetings and 
details of recommendations and actions 
are on page 41.

Developments in corporate 
governance
We continued to monitor the changes to 
the corporate governance landscape and 
have responded to a number of the UK 
government’s consultations during the 
year. We also held a dedicated training 
session on UK and European governance 
and I expect that this will be an area for 
continued focus in 2012/13.

Chairmanship
On 1 January 2012 I took on the 
chairmanship of National Grid plc after 
joining its board as Deputy Chairman  
in August 2011. As agreed with the  
Tate & Lyle Board when I obtained its 
consent to take up that chairmanship,  
I stepped down from my other company 
directorships at that time because I was 
cognisant that the time commitments  
of the new role were similar to those  
at Tate & Lyle. Further information on  
this is on page 40.

Sir Peter Gershon 
Chairman 

30 May 2012

Board composition and diversity
Following the untimely death of Dr Barry 
Zoumas in August 2011, Dr Ajai Puri was 
appointed to the Board as an additional 
non-executive director and Chairman of  
the Research Advisory Group with effect 
from 1 April 2012. We also undertook a 
review of the needs of the Board in light  
of the Group’s agreed strategy and length  
of tenure of our current directors. The 
findings of that review are helping inform 
future changes in the Board. 

Following on from the recommendations  
of the 2011 Board effectiveness review,  
we developed a strategy for Board diversity 
and carefully considered the proposals 
contained within Lord Davies’s report on 
Women on Boards. We believe that each 
member of our Board must be able to 
demonstrate the skills, experience and 
knowledge required to contribute to the 
effectiveness of the Board. Subject to that 
overriding principle, we believe that the 
Board’s perspective and approach can  
be greatly enhanced through gender, age 
and cultural diversity and it is our policy to 
consider overall Board balance and diversity 
when appointing new directors. 

Areas of focus
A summary of the key areas addressed by 
the Board during the year is on pages 39 to 
40. During the year ending 31 March 2013, 
the Board expects to place particular focus 
on the following:

•	 safety;
•	 the performance of the Speciality Food 
Ingredients business unit, including its 
business and market opportunities; 

•	 the Innovation and Commercial 

Development group; 

•	 other strategic initiatives, including merger 

and acquisition opportunities;

•	 the performance of the Commercial and 
Food Innovation Centre and single global 
IS/IT platform (once implemented); and
•	 the transition of the Research Advisory 

Group to the chairmanship of Dr Ajai Puri.

Dear Shareholder

As a Board, we are always mindful  
of the duties we owe to the Company’s 
shareholders and key stakeholders  
to ensure the Company has the right 
people, systems and processes in place 
to manage risk and deliver the Group’s 
agreed strategy. As Tate & Lyle’s business 
transformation programme continues to 
progress, this is even more important. As 
Chairman, I am responsible for ensuring 
that the Board operates effectively with 
well-informed directors asking the right 
questions and setting the right tone from 
the top. 

This Corporate Governance Statement 
describes our approach to governance 
and highlights a number of the actions  
we have taken during the year including 
the following:

38

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012UK Corporate Governance Code
The FRC published the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code) in May  
2010. The Code, which has replaced the 
Combined Code on Corporate Governance, 
is available on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website, www.frc.org.uk. As a  
UK company with a premium listing on the 
London Stock Exchange, we are required  
to state how we have applied the principles 
contained in the Code and to disclose 
whether we have complied with the 
provisions of the Code during the year. 
Throughout the period from 1 April 2011  
to 31 March 2012 the Company has been  
in full compliance with the Code.

This report, which is structured to reflect the 
main headings of the Code, together with 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the 
disclosures contained in the Risks section 
on pages 27 to 29, provide details of how 
the Company applies the principles and 
complies with the provisions of the Code. 

Leadership
The role of the Board
The Board is collectively responsible for 
promoting the success of the Company  
and for providing entrepreneurial leadership 
within a framework of prudent and effective 
controls that enable risk to be assessed  
and managed. It sets the Company’s 
objectives, ensures that the Company  
has the necessary financial resources  
and people to meet them, and reviews 
management performance. The Board  
also sets the Company’s values and 
standards and ensures that its obligations  
to shareholders and others are met.

There is a schedule of matters reserved to 
the Board for decision. Other responsibilities 
are delegated to Board Committees, details 
of which are given on pages 44 to 49. The 
directors’ responsibilities for the preparation 
of financial statements are explained in the 
Directors’ Statement of Responsibilities on 
page 62. Their statement on going concern 
is on page 26.

Matters reserved to the Board

The schedule of matters reserved  
to the Board for decision includes 
approval of:

•	 Group strategy; 
•	 annual budget and operating plans; 
•	 major capital expenditure, 

acquisitions or divestments; 

•	 dividends;
•	 full-year and half-year results and 
interim management statements; 

•	 Board and Company Secretary 

appointments; 

•	 senior management structure and 

responsibilities;
•	 treasury policies; 
•	 directors’ conflicts of interest; and
•	 systems of internal control and risk 

management.

Board meetings
The core activities of the Board are 
undertaken in scheduled meetings of the 
Board and its Committees, the timing  
of which is linked to key events in the 
Company’s corporate calendar. Ad hoc 
meetings are also arranged to consider 
matters requiring review and decision 
outside the scheduled meetings. Six 
scheduled Board meetings were held during 
the year ended 31 March 2012; one of the 
Board meetings was held at the global 
Commercial and Food Innovation Centre 
Chicago, USA. The Board also met offsite 
for one day to focus on strategy.

In the few instances where a director is 
unable to attend a meeting, his or her 
comments on the briefing papers are  
given in advance to the relevant Chairman. 

The rolling programme of items for 
discussion by the Board, which has been  
in operation for a number of years, is 
reviewed at each Board meeting and 
updated to reflect topical matters. It was 
agreed to overhaul this programme as part 
of the 2012 Board effectiveness review, 
details of which are on page 41. 

More online: 
Read more about governance at  
www.tateandlyle.com

Directors’ attendance at Board 
meetings

Directors as at 
31 March 2012
Sir Peter Gershon
Javed Ahmed
Tim Lodge
Liz Airey
William Camp
Evert Henkes
Douglas Hurt
Robert Walker
Former directors
Dr Barry Zoumas1

Number of
meetings
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

Number of
meetings
attended
6
6
6
5
5
6
6
6

2

2

1  Died on 14 August 2011.

Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board on 1 April 2012 and is 
therefore excluded from the above analysis.

All substantive agenda items have 
comprehensive briefing papers circulated 
five working days before the meeting. 
Directors’ access to information was 
enhanced during the year with the 
implementation of an electronic Board 
portal which enables all directors to access 
Board and Committee papers as soon as 
they are issued and this also supports the 
Group’s environmental goals. 

Meetings are structured to facilitate  
open discussion, and all directors 
participate in discussing strategy, trading, 
safety, financial performance and risk 
management. Members of executive 
management attend Board meetings  
and make presentations regularly.

During the year, the Chairman continued  
to hold a short discussion with the 
non-executive directors collectively both 
immediately before and after each 
scheduled Board meeting.

Summary of the Board’s work during 
the year
During the year, the Board considered all 
matters within its remit, focusing in particular 
on the following:

•	 safety; 
•	 reviewing the operations and 

effectiveness of the Speciality Food 
Ingredients and Bulk Ingredients business 
units and the Innovation and Commercial 
Development group; 

39

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Corporate Governance

•	 monitoring the implementation of 

transformational investments, in particular 
the project to create one global IS/IT 
platform, the global Shared Service 
Centre in Łód´z, Poland and the 
Commercial and Food Innovation Centre 
in Chicago, USA; 

•	 approving the project to restart the 

mothballed facility in McIntosh, Alabama, 
USA and monitoring progress;

•	 continuing to oversee talent management 

and recruitment activities; and 
•	 through the above, overseeing the 

ongoing transformation of the Group’s 
culture and business.

Areas of particular focus for the Board  
in the 2013 financial year are on page 38.

Board allocation of time
The chart below shows the approximate 
time the Board has spent discussing 
agenda items during the year, separated 
into broad categories.

Board allocation of time

1

5

4

2

3

Effectiveness
Board composition
At the date of this report, the Board 
comprises nine directors: the Chairman, 
who has no executive responsibilities; two 
executive directors; and six non-executive 
directors. The names and biographies  
of the directors are on pages 36 and 37.

Dr Barry Zoumas died on 14 August 2011 
and Dr Ajai Puri was appointed a 
non-executive director with effect from  
1 April 2012. Further information on the 
selection process is contained within the 
Nominations Committee report on page 47.

Independence
With the exception of the Chairman, who  
is presumed under the Code not to be 
independent, the Board considers all the 
non-executive directors to be independent. 
The Senior Independent Director, Robert 
Walker, is available to shareholders if they 
have any issues or concerns, and leads  
the annual review of the Chairman’s 
performance.

The non-executive directors have a wide 
range of skills and knowledge and combine 
broad business and commercial experience 
with independent and objective judgement. 
The terms and conditions of appointment  
of the non-executive directors can be 
inspected at the Company’s registered 
office and will be available for inspection  
at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

1  Strategy 
2  Capital expenditure 
3  Finance/Risk 
4  Operations 
5  Governance 

30%
4%
36%
17%
13%

Each director has been through a formal 
performance review process as part of the 
Board effectiveness review. In line with the 
Code, Evert Henkes and Robert Walker, 
who have served for over six years, have 
been subject to a rigorous review.

Division of Responsibilities
The roles of the Chairman and Chief 
Executive are separated and their 
responsibilities are clearly established,  
set out in writing and agreed by the  
Board. The Chairman is responsible for  
the leadership and workings of the Board 
and ensuring its effectiveness, while the 
Chief Executive is responsible for running 
the business and implementing strategy  
and policy.

40

Tenure of non-executive directors

1

2

3

1  0 to 3 years 
2  4 to 6 years 
3  7 to 9 years 

3 directors
1 director
2 directors

Time commitment
All Directors have disclosed any significant 
external commitments to the Board and 
confirmed they have sufficient time to 
discharge their duties. The other significant 
commitments of the Chairman, Sir Peter 
Gershon, are set out on page 36. 

During the year, the Chairman was 
appointed as Chairman of National Grid plc 
and prior to that appointment, he confirmed 
to the Board that to ensure he had sufficient 
time to devote to both the Company and 
National Grid, he would be giving up his 
other company directorships before assuming 
the chairmanship of National Grid. The Board 
reviewed his time commitments and was 
satisfied that his new position would not 
restrict him from effectively carrying out his 
duties as Chairman of Tate & Lyle PLC. The 
Senior Independent Director has confirmed 
that the directors review this on a regular 
basis and are satisfied that the Chairman 
continues to devote the necessary time to 
the Company.

Board support
All directors have access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary, Robert 
Gibber, who is also the General Counsel and 
a member of the Group Executive Committee. 
The Company Secretary and the Deputy 
Company Secretary are responsible for 
ensuring that Board processes are followed 
and that applicable rules and regulations  
are complied with. The appointment and 
removal of the Company Secretary is a 
matter for the Board as a whole. There is 
also a formal procedure whereby, in the 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012During the year, the Chairman and  
non-executive directors visited over  
25% of the Group’s key locations.

furtherance of their duties, directors can 
obtain independent professional advice,  
if necessary, at the Company’s expense.

Information, induction and 
professional development
The Chairman, assisted by the Company 
Secretary, is responsible for ensuring that 
the directors receive accurate, timely and 
clear information on all relevant matters. 

On appointment to the Board, new directors 
receive background reading about the 
Group and details of Board procedures  
and other governance related matters.  
A comprehensive tailored induction 
programme has been put in place for  
Dr Ajai Puri, based on previous induction 
programmes. The programme, which is 
ongoing, includes site visits to the Group’s 
operations in Europe and the USA and 
meetings with senior management across 
the Group. 

Directors receive ongoing training and 
updates on relevant issues as appropriate, 
taking into account their individual 
qualifications and experience. Bespoke 
training sessions were held during the year. 
These included a session on evolving 
corporate governance trends.

The Company Secretary helps directors 
undertake any other professional 
development they consider necessary  
to assist them in carrying out their duties. 
Visits to external events or organisations  
are also arranged for the Board to help 
non-executive directors in particular to gain 
a deeper insight into the Group’s operating 
environment. During the year, in addition to 
the Board’s visit to the Commercial and 
Food Innovation Centre, Chicago, USA,  
the Chairman and the non-executive 
directors visited a total of nine of the Group’s 
sites in Europe, the US and the Far East  
as part of their independent site visit 
programme. These visits provide directors 
with the opportunity to interact with local 
management and gain in-depth knowledge 
about the challenges being faced by the 
Group’s operations across the world. 

Performance evaluation
A review of the Board’s effectiveness is 
undertaken each year. The progress made 
since the 2011 evaluation is summarised 
below:

2012 Board effectiveness review:
Recommendations
Understanding and 
knowledge of the 
speciality food 
ingredients market 
to be strengthened.

2011 Board effectiveness review:
Recommendations
In light of the changes 
to the Company’s 
strategic focus, future 
Board composition 
should be subject  
to a detailed review 
during 2011.
A Board diversity 
strategy should be 
developed.

Personal development 
plans should be 
developed for each  
of the non-executive 
directors and the 
Chairman.

It would be useful  
for the Board to have  
a series of ‘deep dive’ 
sessions every year.

Update on actions
Following a review 
led by the Chairman, 
the Board has 
agreed a medium-
term plan  
for the composition  
of the Board.
The Board’s diversity 
strategy was agreed 
and implemented in 
2011. Further details  
are on page 38.
Each non-executive 
director has a 
personal 
development plan 
which is regularly 
discussed with the 
Chairman.
Deep dive sessions 
have been held to 
focus on key issues 
including talent 
management  
and post-acquisition 
integration.

Nominations Committee 
to increase its focus on 
succession planning.

Opportunities for senior 
line managers’ 
involvement in the CR 
Committee to be identified 
and implemented.

Arrangements for 
updating the Board where 
there is an interval of more 
than two months between 
Board meetings should 
be enhanced.
The rolling Board agenda 
should be overhauled to 
better reflect the Group’s 
agreed strategy and focus.

Agreed Actions
More time has been 
allocated to the 
consideration of  
the speciality food 
ingredients markets 
in Board meetings 
and Board training 
sessions.
Increased 
emphasis will be 
given to succession 
planning for future 
Nominations 
Committee 
meetings.
A wider range of 
senior managers 
will be invited to 
attend all or  
part of the CR 
Committee’s 
meetings, based  
on the items  
under discussion.
Interim updates will 
be provided to the 
Board via the Board 
portal following an 
agreed schedule.

The rolling  
agenda has been 
overhauled with 
increased emphasis 
on strategic issues.

Having undertaken an externally-facilitated 
review in 2011, the Board agreed that the 
2012 Board effectiveness review would  
be facilitated by the Chairman. As part  
of the process, the Chairman held 
one-to-one meetings with each director  
and the Company Secretary, and the 
Deputy Company Secretary gathered 
feedback from senior management who 
attend Board and/or Committee meetings 
via a tailored questionnaire. The main 
themes and observations on the Board’s 
effectiveness were summarised in a  
report to the Board. It concluded that  
the Board continued to operate in an 
effective manner but made a number  
of recommendations for improvements 
including those recommendations 
summarised on the right. Progress on 
agreed actions is being monitored by the 
Company Secretary and will be reported  
in the Annual Report 2013.

With regard to the performance of individual 
directors, the review concluded that all 
directors continue to make an effective 
contribution to the Board’s work, are well 
prepared and informed about issues they 
need to consider, and that their commitment 
remains strong. Individual feedback was 
also provided to each director.

41

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Corporate Governance

The Board effectiveness review  
included a review of the Audit, Corporate 
Responsibility, Nominations and 
Remuneration Committees and each 
Committee also undertook an evaluation  
of its own work and effectiveness during  
the year. The results of the reviews were 
discussed by the Board which concluded 
that each Committee operated effectively 
throughout the year. 

During the year, the non-executive directors 
met without the Chairman, under the 
chairmanship of the Senior Independent 
Director, to appraise the Chairman’s 
performance (the Senior Independent 
Director having first sought the views of  
the executive directors). In addition, the 
Chairman held a private meeting with the 
non-executive directors to appraise the 
Chief Executive’s performance.

Re-election
The Board has agreed that all Directors  
shall seek re-election on an annual basis. 

Directors’ conflicts of interest
As permitted under the Companies  
Act 2006, the Company’s Articles of 
Association allow directors to authorise 
conflicts of interest and the Board has a 
policy and procedures for managing and,  
where appropriate, authorising, actual  
or potential conflicts of interest. Under  
those procedures, directors are required  
to declare all directorships or other 
appointments to organisations that  
are not part of the Group and which  
could result in actual or potential conflicts  
of interest, as well as other situations  
which could result in a potential conflict  
of interest. 

The Board is required to review directors’ 
actual or potential conflicts of interest at 
least annually. Directors are required to 
disclose proposed new appointments  
to the Chairman before taking them on,  
to ensure that any potential conflicts of  
interest can be identified and addressed 
appropriately. Any potential conflicts of 
interest in relation to proposed directors  
are considered by the Board prior to  
their appointment.

42

Accountability
Internal control
The Board has overall responsibility  
for the Group’s system of internal control, 
which is designed to safeguard the assets 
of the Group and to ensure the reliability  
of financial information for both internal  
use and external publication and to comply 
with the Turnbull Committee guidance. The 
schedule of matters reserved to the Board 
ensures that the directors control, among 
other matters, all significant strategic, 
financial and organisational issues.

Responsibilities
The Board delegates to executive 
management the responsibility for 
designing, operating and monitoring both 
the system and the maintenance of effective 
internal control. Procedures are in place for 
identifying, evaluating and managing any 
significant risks that face the Group. These 
procedures are designed to manage rather 
than eliminate risk, and can provide only 
reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material errors, losses, fraud or 
breaches of laws or regulations. Mandatory 
written policies and procedural manuals 
exist for all businesses, compliance with 
which is reviewed by the Board annually. 
These internal control procedures provide 
that all major projects require technical, 
financial and Board approval, while all 
capital expenditure within each project 
requires senior management approval at 
appropriate stages. Adherence to internal 
control procedures is ensured by a regular 
reporting system that details both technical 
progress of projects and the Group’s 
financial affairs. All material joint ventures 
follow either the Group’s formal systems  
of internal control, or internal control 
procedures that are considered by the 
Group to be adequate, and their internal 
control procedures are subject to review  
by the Group’s internal audit function. 

Risk assessment and evaluation form  
an integral part of the annual planning 
process. Each business unit documents  
its strategic objectives and the significant 
risks in achieving them. The units report 
regularly on progress towards fulfilment, 
whilst the key risks are reviewed regularly  
by the Board. There is a comprehensive 
budgeting and planning system for all  
items of expenditure with an annual budget 
approved by the Board. Results are 
reported against budget on a monthly  
basis, with significant variances investigated 
and the Chief Executive and Chief Financial 
Officer undertake regular financial  
and operational reviews of the business 
units. Given the significant business 
transformation activity, in addition to regular 
progress reports, the Board also receives 
reports from external specialists retained to 
review key elements of the transformation 
programme. Revised forecasts for the 
financial year and financial projections for 
future years are prepared on a regular basis.

Financial reporting
The Company has in place internal control 
and risk management systems in relation to 
the Company’s financial reporting process 
and the Group’s process for preparation  
of consolidated accounts. They include 
policies and procedures which provide:

•	 that transactions and disposals of assets 

are accurately and fairly reflected;

•	 reasonable assurance that transactions 
are recorded as necessary to permit the 
preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards;

•	 assurance that representatives of the 
businesses have certified that their 
reported information provides a true and 
fair view of the state of the financial affairs 
of the business and its results for the 
period; and

•	 that reported data has been reviewed and 

reconciled.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Monitoring effectiveness
The Board receives reports from the Chief 
Executive, Chief Financial Officer, business 
unit presidents and other senior executives 
to enable it to assess on an ongoing basis 
the effectiveness of the systems of internal 
control and risk management. The Audit 
Committee periodically reviews the 
effectiveness of the system of internal 
control through reports from the internal 
audit function. The Corporate Responsibility 
Committee reviews effectiveness of the 
controls within its remit. The internal audit 
function follows a planned programme of 
reviews that are aligned to the risks existing 
in the Group’s businesses and reports 
accordingly. It has the authority to review 
any relevant aspect of the business and a 
duty to report on any material weaknesses.

2012 review of effectiveness
The Board, with the assistance of the Audit 
Committee and Corporate Responsibility 
Committee, conducted an assessment  
of the effectiveness of the systems of risk 
management and internal control during  
the financial year and up to the date of this 
annual report. The review, which covered 
financial, operational and compliance 
controls and was co-ordinated by the 
internal audit function, included a 
Group-wide certification that appropriate 
internal controls were in place to facilitate 
the Board’s review of effectiveness. 

The internal audit function monitored and 
selectively checked the results of this 
exercise, ensuring that the representations 
made were consistent with the results of its 
work during the year. Where weaknesses 
have been identified, remedial action plans 
were also reported. The results of this 
exercise were summarised for the Audit 
Committee, Corporate Responsibility 
Committee and the Board.

This assessment is carried out every year.  
In the event that any significant losses were 
to be incurred during any particular year  
as a result of a failure of controls, a detailed 
analysis would be provided to the Audit 
Committee, Corporate Responsibility 
Committee (if appropriate), and the Board. 

The Board confirms that no significant 
weaknesses were identified in relation to  
the review conducted during the year and 
accordingly no remedial action is required.

Further information on risk is on pages  
27 to 29.

Remuneration
The Board has delegated to the 
Remuneration Committee responsibility for 
agreeing the remuneration policy for the 
Chairman, Chief Executive, Chief Financial 
Officer and senior executives. The Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 59 
contains full details of the role and activities 
of the Remuneration Committee. 

Relations With Shareholders
Shareholder communications
The Chief Executive, Chief Financial  
Officer and Group VP Investor Relations 
maintain a regular programme of visits  
and presentations to major institutional 
shareholders both in the UK and overseas. 
During the year, the Chairman undertook 
separate visits to major institutional 
shareholders and the Senior Independent 
Director also met with a number of 
institutional shareholders. Feedback on 
interaction with major shareholders is 
provided to all directors.

The Investor Relations department  
provides the Board with a report on  
any meetings with major institutional 
shareholders at each scheduled Board 
meeting. All directors receive copies of 
analysts’ reports on the Company and the 
Board receives regular briefings from the 
Company’s external advisers on investors’ 
perceptions of Tate & Lyle and its investor 
relations activities. The non-executive 
directors are encouraged to attend the 
full-year and half-year results presentations.

The Company aims to present a balanced 
and clear assessment in all its public  
reports as well as in those to regulators.  
Key announcements, financial reports  
and other information about the Group  
can be found on the Company’s website  
at www.tateandlyle.com.

More online: 
Read key announcements, financial 
reports and other information at  
www.tateandlyle.com

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The 2012 AGM will be held at The 
Honourable Artillery Company in London, 
on Thursday 26 July 2012 at 11.00 am. Full 
details are set out in the Notice of Meeting.

Shareholders who attend the AGM have  
the opportunity to put questions to the 
Board on matters relating to the Group’s 
operations and performance. All resolutions 
are decided by means of a poll and the 
votes received in respect of each resolution, 
together with the level of abstentions, are 
notified to the London Stock Exchange  
and published on the Company’s website. 
Shareholders are offered the choice of 
receiving shareholder documentation, 
including the annual report, electronically  
or in paper format as well as the choice of 
submitting proxy votes either electronically 
or by post.

43

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Corporate Governance

Audit Committee

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Audit 
Committee’s report on our activities 
during the year. 

We restructured our agenda this year  
to give us more time to conduct 
detailed reviews of key topics, in 
addition to the usual matters we 
consider, such as approving the 
financial results for the full year, half  
year and the interim management 
statements and reviewing applicable 
accounting policies and going concern 
assumptions. The topics we reviewed 
included the protection of confidential 
information, governance of Group 
pensions, commodities risk 
management and the first phase of  
the transfer of activities into our global 
Shared Service Centre in Łód´z, Poland. 

The Committee felt this change was a 
good one, as we know from feedback 
from the Board and Committee 
effectiveness reviews, and so we will 
continue with it. Topics for the year 
ahead include accounting control 
standards, risk management and more 
detailed reviews of Group functions.

In March 2012, the Board visited our 
new Commercial and Food Innovation 
Centre in Chicago, USA. This provided 
us with a useful opportunity to meet 
with both the local audit team and  
local finance managers. We have also 
adjusted our agenda so that divisional 
finance leaders will now meet with us 
more regularly.

Liz Airey 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

44

The Audit Committee comprises three 
non-executive directors, and oversees the 
Group’s financial reporting and internal 
controls and provides a formal reporting  
link with the external auditors. Its terms of 
reference, which are reviewed annually by 
the Board, are available on the Company’s 
website, www.tateandlyle.com.

The Committee met six times during the 
year. Membership of the Committee and 
attendance during the year were as follows:

Directors as at 
31 March 2012
Liz Airey (Chairman  
of the Committee)

Evert Henkes
Douglas Hurt

Number of
meetings

Number of
meetings
attended

6
6
6

6
5
6

All the Committee members have  
extensive management experience  
in large international organisations. It is  
a requirement of the Code that at least  
one Committee member has recent and 
relevant financial experience. Liz Airey was 
an investment banker and former finance 
director of Monument Oil and Gas plc and 
Douglas Hurt is Finance Director at IMI plc, 
and both meet this requirement.

The Chief Financial Officer, VP – Group 
Audit and Assurance, Group VP – Finance 
and Control and representatives of the 
external auditors are normally invited to 
attend each meeting of the Committee.  
The Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive also attend meetings of the 
Committee by invitation. 

The minutes of each meeting are circulated 
to the Board. The VP – Group Audit and 
Assurance and the external auditors have 
direct access to, and meet regularly with, 
the Chairman of the Committee outside 
formal Committee meetings.

The Committee maintains a formal calendar 
of items for consideration at each meeting 
and within the annual audit cycle to ensure 
that its work is in line with the requirements 
of the Code.

Main responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee

The main responsibilities of the 
Committee include:

•	 overseeing the Group’s financial 

reporting process and monitoring the 
integrity of the financial statements 
and formal announcements relating 
to the Group’s financial performance; 

•	 reviewing significant financial 

reporting issues and accounting 
policies and disclosures in financial 
reports; 

•	 reviewing the effectiveness of the 

Group’s internal control procedures 
and risk management systems; 
•	 reviewing the effectiveness of the 

internal audit function; 

•	 overseeing the Group’s relationship 

with the external auditors; 

•	 reviewing and monitoring the external 

auditors’ independence and 
objectivity and the effectiveness  
of the audit process; and

•	 making recommendations to the 
Board on the appointment or 
reappointment of the Group’s 
external auditors.

Independence of the external auditors
The Group’s external auditors are 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC)  
and the Committee operates a policy to 
safeguard the objectivity and independence 
of the external auditors. This policy sets  
out certain disclosure requirements by  
the external auditors to the Committee; 
restrictions on the employment of the 
external auditors’ former employees; partner 
rotation; and procedures for the approval  
of non-audit related services provided by 
the external auditors. During the year, the 
Committee reviewed the processes that the 
external auditors have in place to safeguard 
their independence and received a letter 
from them confirming that, in their opinion, 
they remained independent.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012The Audit Committee restructured its  
agenda this year to devote more time  
to detailed reviews of key topics.

The Committee closely monitors the level  
of audit and non-audit related services  
they provide to the Group. Non-audit related 
services are normally limited to assignments 
that are closely related to the annual audit  
or where the work is of such a nature that  
a detailed understanding of the Group is 
necessary. A policy for the engagement  
of the external auditors to supply non-audit 
related services has been implemented  
to formalise these arrangements which 
requires Audit Committee approval for 
certain categories of work and fee levels.  
A breakdown of the fees paid to the external 
auditors in respect of audit and non-audit 
related work is included in Note 8 of the 
financial statements. Having undertaken  
a review of the non-audit related services 
provided during the year (the majority of 
which related to work performed on the 
Group’s common IS/IT platform), it was 
assessed that PwC were best placed to 
perform these additional services in view  
of their knowledge of the business, the time 
constraints in completing the work and the 
likely cost. The Committee is satisfied that 
these services did not prejudice the external 
auditors’ independence.

Work undertaken during the year
The chart below shows the approximate 
time the Committee has spent discussing 
agenda items during the year, separated 
into broad categories. 

Work undertaken during the year

1

5

4

2

3

1  Financial Reporting 
2  External Auditors 
3  Group Audit & Assurance 
4  Detailed Reviews of Key Topics 
5  Other 

28%
22%
23%
14%
13%

In addition to the activities outlined in  
the statement from the Chairman of the 
Committee, during the year and up to  
the date of this annual report, the work 
undertaken by the Committee included:

Audit Committee Effectiveness
•	 undertaking an effectiveness review 

which concluded that the Committee was 
considered to be operating effectively, 
while identifying some process changes.

External audit
•	 reviewing the effectiveness of the external 

audit process, the external auditors’ 
strategy and plan for the half-year review 
and full-year audit, and the qualifications, 
expertise, resources and independence 
of the external auditors; 

•	 agreeing the terms of engagement and 

fees of the external auditors for the audit; 

•	 reviewing the policy on auditor 

independence and the basis of the 
provision of non-audit related services  
by the external auditors; 

•	 meeting with representatives of the 

external auditors in the USA (while on  
a scheduled site visit); and

•	 undertaking a review of the effectiveness 

of the external auditors.

Risk management framework and 
internal audit
•	 receiving and considering regular reports 
from the VP – Group Audit and Assurance 
on the Group’s risk management system, 
findings from reviews of internal financial 
controls, and the remit, organisation, 
annual plan and resources of the internal 
audit function; 

•	 reviewing the strength of the internal 

controls framework and considering the 
annual review of internal controls on 
behalf of the Board; 

•	 reviewing the Group Assurance map; and
•	 reviewing the controls being put in place 
as part of the business transformation 
programme.

Review of the effectiveness of the 
external auditors
•	 conducting an internal review of the 
external auditors in the year (having 
undertaken an external review in the  
year ended 31 March 2010), which 
concluded that the external audit process 
was operating effectively and PwC 
continued to provide a good service to 
Tate & Lyle. The Committee agreed that 
there was no need to undertake a tender 
for the audit at present;

•	 reviewing the fees paid to other audit 

firms for services during the year ended 
31 March 2012 and noting that there were 
no contractual obligations that would 
restrict the Committee’s choice of external 
auditors should it decide that any change 
was appropriate; and

•	 recommending to the Board that PwC 

continue to act as auditors to the Group. 
PwC have indicated their willingness to 
continue in office, and a resolution that 
they be reappointed will be proposed at 
the AGM.

Review of the effectiveness of the 
internal audit function
•	 undertaking a review of the effectiveness 
of the internal audit function. The review 
concluded that the internal audit function 
continued to strengthen and was making 
a significant contribution to the internal 
governance of the Group. It was agreed 
that additional internal resource would  
be required to ensure that the function 
continues to meet the Group’s evolving 
needs and further opportunities to 
improve communication, processes  
and practices were identified and are 
being implemented.

45

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Corporate Governance

Corporate Responsibility Committee

Number of
meetings

Number of
meetings
attended

Work undertaken during the year
During the year and up to the date of this 
annual report, the work undertaken by the 
CR Committee included: 

Directors as at 
31 March 2012
Sir Peter Gershon 

(Chairman of the 
Committee)

Liz Airey
William Camp
Former directors
Dr Barry Zoumas1

4
4
4

1

4
4
3

1

1  Died on 14 August 2011.

Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board on 1 April 2012 and is  
a member of the CR Committee. As he did not serve 
during the year under review, he is excluded from the 
above analysis.

The Committee has a formal calendar of 
items for consideration at each meeting and 
meets at least four times each year. The 
minutes of each meeting are circulated to 
the Board. The Chief Executive, Executive 
VP – Human Resources, VP – Group Audit 
and Assurance, VP – Sustainability and 
other senior managers (as invited by the 
Committee) usually attend meetings.

Main responsibilities of the  
CR Committee

The main responsibilities of the 
Committee include:

•	 monitoring the Group’s approach to 

corporate responsibility and ensuring 
it aligns with Group strategy;

•	 reviewing the effectiveness of the 
Group’s policies and procedures 
relating to a safe environment;

•	 approving, or recommending to the 
Board for approval, CR policies;
•	 reviewing the implementation of 

appropriate environmental policies;

•	 monitoring the effectiveness of 
workplace policies concerning 
employee relations, equal 
opportunities, travel, entertainment 
and conflicts of interest; 
•	 reviewing whistleblowing 

arrangements; and

•	 satisfying itself that the Group has 
appropriate policies, systems and 
controls in place in respect of the risks 
falling within the Committee’s remit.

Safety
•	 reviewing the Group’s safety 

performance, including actions being 
taken to address contractor safety 
performance; and

•	 receiving regular updates on the 

implementation of the actions arising  
from the 2010 external safety review. 

Product safety
•	 receiving an update on the operation of 

the Group’s quality assurance processes.

Diversity and inclusion
•	 reviewing the progress of diversity and 
inclusion initiatives within the Group.

Environment
•	 agreeing environmental performance 
targets and reviewing the Group’s 
performance; 

•	 reviewing the approach to environmental 

improvement projects; and

•	 agreeing the Group’s medium-term 

environmental sustainability priorities  
and action. 

Business practices
•	 approving Group-wide policies including  
a Code of Business Ethics and the policy 
on engagement of agents; 

•	 agreeing the scope and resources for  

a new community involvement 
programme to be launched in 2012; and

•	 undertaking an annual review of the 

Group’s whistleblowing arrangements.

Terms of Reference and CR Committee 
effectiveness
•	 updating its terms of reference to reflect 
evolving practice. The Board approved 
the updated terms of reference; and
•	 undertaking an effectiveness review. 

Further information on the work of the 
Committee and the Group’s approach  
to corporate responsibility reporting is 
contained in the Corporate Responsibility 
report on pages 30 to 35.

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Responsibility (CR) Committee’s report 
on our activities during the year. 

Following its establishment in 2010, the 
Committee continued to embed itself 
into the governance framework during 
the year. The Board and Committee 
effectiveness reviews indicated that  
the Committee functioned effectively 
during the year and noted some areas 
for improvement, principally relating  
to internal communication. We are 
putting in place an action plan to 
address them.

Given the high priority we place on 
safety, overseeing the Group’s safety 
performance is a main focus for the 
Committee. We reviewed performance 
regularly during the year, monitoring 
progress on the actions arising from  
the 2010 external review. Whilst overall 
performance has improved, the safety 
performance of contractors remains 
below that of our employees and is 
therefore a key area of focus for both 
management and the Committee. 

Another key area of focus for us during 
the year was the Group’s impact on the 
environment and we received regular 
reports from the newly-appointed  
VP – Sustainability. We agreed 
environmental performance targets 
and the Group’s medium-term 
environmental sustainability priorities 
and action plan, and reviewed the 
Group’s policies and processes on 
environmental improvement projects. 

Sir Peter Gershon 
Chairman of the CR Committee

The CR Committee comprises the 
Chairman of the Company and 
non-executive directors. Its terms of 
reference are available on the Company’s 
website, www.tateandlyle.com.

The Committee met four times during  
the year. Membership of the Committee  
and their attendance during the year were 
as follows:

46

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Nominations Committee

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Nominations 
Committee’s report on our activities 
during the year. 

The Committee focused on two  
key areas during the year, namely 
non-executive director recruitment and 
the Board diversity policy, as well as the 
usual matters we review, such as Board 
composition, succession planning and 
the performance of members of the 
Executive Committee. 

Early in the financial year, we began  
the process to select an additional 
non-executive director with food science 
expertise. Following a structured search 
process, details of which are outlined 
below, the Committee recommended 
that Dr Ajai Puri be appointed as both 
non-executive director and Chairman of 
the Research Advisory Group. He joined 
the Board with effect from 1 April 2012. 

We also addressed a key action arising 
from 2011 Board effectiveness review, 
namely developing a strategy on Board 
diversity, which was subsequently 
approved by the Board. As part of this 
process, the Committee, and the Board 
as whole, discussed the Davies Report 
on Women on Boards – details of the 
Board’s approach to Board composition 
and diversity are on page 38.

The Board and Committee effectiveness 
reviews indicated that the Committee 
continued to function effectively during 
the year, and identified some areas to 
focus on in the coming year, in particular 
succession planning. 

Sir Peter Gershon
Chairman of the Nominations 
Committee

The Nominations Committee comprises  
the Chairman of the Company, the Chief 
Executive and all of the non-executive 
directors. Its terms of reference, which are 
reviewed annually, are available on the 
Company’s website, www.tateandlyle.com.

The Committee met five times during the 
year. Membership of the Committee and 
their attendance during the year were  
as follows:

Work undertaken during the year
During the year and up to the date of this 
annual report, the work undertaken by the 
Nominations Committee included:

Directors as at 
31 March 2012
Sir Peter Gershon
Javed Ahmed
Liz Airey
William Camp
Evert Henkes
Douglas Hurt
Robert Walker
Former directors
Dr Barry Zoumas1

Number of
meetings
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Number of
meetings
attended
5
5
4
4
5
5
5

1

1

1  Died on 14 August 2011.

Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board on 1 April 2012 and is  
a member of the Nominations Committee. As he did 
not serve during the year under review, he is excluded 
from the above analysis.

The Committee has a formal calendar of 
items for consideration at each meeting  
and meets at least twice a year.

Main responsibilities of the 
Nominations Committee

The main responsibilities of the 
Committee include:

•	 reviewing the size and composition  
of the Board, including succession 
planning, and the leadership needs 
of the Group generally; 

•	 recommending candidates for 

appointment as executive and non-
executive directors and as Company 
Secretary, taking into account the 
balance of the Board and the 
required blend of skills and 
experience, bearing in mind the  
need for diversity; 

•	 making recommendations on the 
processes for the appointment  
of the Chairman of the Board; and
•	 reviewing annually the performance 

of each member of the Group 
Executive Committee and reporting 
on that review to the Remuneration 
Committee.

Board composition
•	 reviewing the successional needs of  

the Board throughout the year. As part of 
its ongoing review of Board composition, 
the Committee had already commenced 
a selection process for an additional  
non-executive director with food science 
expertise prior to the untimely death  
of Dr Barry Zoumas in August 2011, 
following which the scope of the role  
was revised to include chairmanship of 
the Research Advisory Group. External 
search consultants, who in line with the 
Board’s stated policy, are signatories to 
the Executive Search Firms Voluntary 
Code of Conduct, were retained to assist 
in the search. A diverse candidate list  
was presented and following a detailed 
selection process, the Committee 
recommended that Dr Ajai Puri be 
appointed as an additional non-executive 
director and Chairman of the Research 
Advisory Group. The recommendation 
was approved by the Board and  
Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board with  
effect from 1 April 2012. 

Board Diversity
•	 developing a strategy on Board diversity 
which was subsequently approved by  
the Board; and 

•	 considering the recommendations of  

the Davies Report on Women on Boards  
and the needs of the Tate & Lyle Board 
and preparing a formal statement on the 
Board’s approach to Board composition 
and diversity, which was subsequently 
agreed by the Board and published on 
the Company’s website.

Performance evaluation
•	 undertaking a performance evaluation  
of each of the members of the Group 
Executive Committee and reporting its 
conclusions to the Remuneration 
Committee.

Nominations Committee effectiveness
•	 undertaking a review of effectiveness 

which concluded that the Committee was 
considered to be operating effectively 
while identifying a number of areas for 
focus, including succession planning.

47

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year 
ended 31 March 2012.

Our approach to remuneration remains 
a key part of the Company’s business 
strategy, driving cultural change 
towards a focus on performance and 
growth, to deliver enhanced value for 
shareholders. Significant share price 
out-performance over the last three 
years demonstrates the success to 
date of our strategic direction.

At the same time, you will see from  
our report that the Remuneration 
Committee has been mindful of the 
broader context that is relevant in 
determining executive director 
remuneration in a number of respects:

•	 Senior executive salary awards have 
been determined in the context of 
our broader workforce and, as a 
matter of principle, increases in 
director salaries have been no greater 
than the average levels awarded to 
other UK employees.

•	 Our results demonstrate strong 

financial performance in the year 
ended 31 March 2012. At the same 
time, actual bonus payments are 
lower than they were last year.  
This is a direct consequence of our 
implementation of a robust incentive 
framework with balanced KPIs and 
genuinely stretching targets.

•	  Our Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
performance ranked at the 81st 
percentile against our FTSE peer 
group over the three-year period to 
31 March 2012. Awards under the 
Performance Share Plan made in 
2009 and which are measured  
at 31 March 2012 are due to vest at 
close to maximum, reflecting a 
combination of strong market and 
financial performance.

•	 We remain committed to maintaining 
the quality of our reporting, which  
we know is valued by our investors 
from feedback we receive on our 
Annual Report.

The Performance Share Plan (PSP)  
was developed in close consultation 
with shareholders during 2010 and 
2011, however, the plan itself will  
expire when it reaches the end of its 
ten-year life. Accordingly, we are 
seeking shareholder approval at this 
General Meeting to adopt a follow-on 
plan on consistent terms. We consulted 
with our largest shareholders as  
part of this process, and this has 
confirmed continued strong support  
for our approach.

Evert Henkes
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee

This report has been prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of  
the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and 
Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium  
Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the 
Regulations), the Listing Rules of the UK 
Listing Authority and the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. PricewaterhouseCoopers 
LLP has audited such content as required 
by the Act (the tabular information on  
pages 57 to 59). A resolution to approve  
this report will be proposed at the AGM  
on 26 July 2012.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee (the 
Committee) comprises independent 
non-executive directors and the Chairman 
of the Board. The Committee met four  
times during the year. Membership of  
the Committee and their attendance  
during the year were as follows:

Directors as at
31 March 2012
Evert Henkes  

 (Chairman of the 
Committee)
Sir Peter Gershon
William Camp
Robert Walker

Number of
meetings

Number of
meetings
attended

4
4
4
4

4
4
3
4

Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board on 1 April 2012 and is a 
member of the Remuneration Committee. As he did 
not serve during the year under review, he is excluded 
from the above analysis.

The Chief Executive, Executive Vice 
President Human Resources, Global 
Compensation & Benefits Director and 
Executive Vice President Company 
Secretary and General Counsel, who acts 
as Secretary to the Committee, are normally 
invited to attend meetings to assist the 
Committee, although none is present or 
involved when his or her own remuneration 
is discussed.

Main responsibilities of the 
Remuneration Committee

The Committee’s main responsibilities 
include:

•	 setting the remuneration of the 

executive directors, the remuneration 
of the Company Chairman (in 
consultation with the Chief Executive) 
and the remuneration, including 
bonus, base salary, long-term 
incentives, benefits and terms  
of employment, including those  
upon which their service may be 
terminated, of other members of 
senior management in accordance 
with the policy determined by  
the Committee and agreed with  
the Board; 

•	 assessing the competitiveness  

and appropriateness of executive 
remuneration, taking into account 
data from independent consultants;

•	 setting performance targets for 

senior executives under the annual 
bonus plan and awards under the 
long-term incentive plan and 
reviewing performance against these 
targets; and 

•	 reviewing the broader operation  

of the annual bonus and long-term 
incentive plan, including participation 
and overall award levels.

The Committee usually meets before  
each Board meeting, and has a formal 
calendar of items for consideration.  
The minutes of each meeting are circulated 
to those non-executive directors who are 
not members of the Committee.

The Committee’s full terms of reference  
are available at www.tateandlyle.com.

48

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
The Committee reviews its effectiveness,  
as well as its terms of reference, on an 
annual basis. The 2012 review concluded 
that the Committee had fulfilled its role  
and responsibilities against its terms of 
reference appropriately.

Committee advisors
The Committee retained New Bridge Street 
(NBS) to act as principal independent 
advisor to the Committee during the year. 
NBS is a signatory to the Remuneration 
Consultant’s Code of Conduct.

In addition to market remuneration data 
provided by NBS and by Towers Watson, 
the Committee receives total shareholder 
return data and general market data from 
Kepler Associates. Linklaters provides 
general legal advice on remuneration 
matters. Towers Watson assists with 
pension accounting for the Company  
and acts as actuaries to the UK-based  
Tate & Lyle Group Pension Scheme.  
During the year ended 31 March 2012, 
NBS, Towers Watson and Kepler 
Associates provided no other services  
to the Group. Linklaters provides legal 
advice to the Group on a range of matters.

Remuneration strategy  
and policy
The remuneration strategy and policy 
described here was established following 
review, and extensive consultation with 
major shareholders, in 2010. This strategy 
and policy is purposefully aligned to the 
Company’s business strategy, placing 
greater emphasis on driving Company 
performance and growth, and delivering 
value for shareholders. 

Strategy
The Company’s remuneration strategy is  
to provide remuneration packages that 
attract, retain and motivate high-calibre 
individuals to deliver superior operational 
performance and outstanding financial 
results, in a manner that aligns with the 
Group’s core values and Business Code of 
Conduct and fosters sustainable, profitable 
growth. To do so, packages must: 

•	 be aligned to shareholders’ interests;
•	 be sufficiently competitive;
•	  encourage a focus on long-term, 
sustained performance and risk 
management;

•	 be fair and transparent; and
•	 be	consistent	across	the	Group.

Policy
To achieve the strategy, the policy for  
the remuneration of executive directors  
and senior executives includes:

•	 setting base salary around the market 

median;

•	 rewarding stretching, superior 

performance with upper quartile levels  
of reward;

•	 providing an appropriate balance 

between reward in the short and the long 
term, and between reward that is fixed 
and variable; and

•	 providing a competitive, balanced 

package of benefits.

It is the intention to retain the policy referred 
to above in the forthcoming year.

Remuneration arrangements  
for executive directors
Balance between fixed and 
performance-related components
The relative proportions of fixed and 
performance-related remuneration for  
the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial 
Officer are shown on the right. These  
are valued at both target and stretch 
performance levels, including base salary 
and pension, annual bonus and the award 
value of the long-term incentives.

Target performance 
Chief Executive

1

1   Non-

performance- 
related pay 
53%

2   Performance- 
related pay 
47%

2

Chief Financial Officer

1

1   Non-

performance- 
related pay 
58%

2   Performance- 
related pay 
42%

2

Stretch performance 
Chief Executive

1

1   Non-

2

performance- 
related pay 
22%

2   Performance- 
related pay 
78%

Chief Financial Officer

1

1   Non-

performance- 
related pay 
21%

2

2   Performance- 
related pay 
79%

49

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012GovernanceGovernance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Overview of remuneration arrangements and policy objectives
The current remuneration package for executive directors consists of base salary, annual bonus, long-term incentives, and retirement and 
other benefits as described below: 

Component 
Base salary

Annual bonus

Objective
Reflects market value of the 
individual, their skills and 
experience and 
performance.
Rewards the achievement 
of the annual performance 
objectives of the Company.

Long-term 
incentives

Rewards sustained 
performance, and helps 
retain talent.

Summary
•		Base	salary	reviews	take	into	account	pay	increase	levels	for	employees	below	the	
executive level, and the impact on pension and other consequences of increases.

•		Positioned	around	the	median	of	the	relevant	market	(primarily	the	50th	to	130th	largest	

UK-listed companies), and taking account of personal performance.

•		Three	performance	metrics	apply:	profit	growth	is	given	the	greatest	weighting,	

alongside sales growth and cash conversion.

•		Targets	for	each	metric	are	set	at	the	start	of	each	financial	year,	taking	account	of	the	

business strategy, performance in previous years, market expectations and the 
prevailing economic climate. 

•		A	minimum	profit	hurdle	applies	before	any	bonus	is	payable	against	any	of	the	metrics;	
for the maximum bonus to be payable, performance in all three metrics is required to be 
outstanding.

•		Maximum	cash	bonus	is	100%	of	salary.	Any	annual	bonus	above	100%	of	base	salary	
is delivered in Tate & Lyle PLC shares which are deferred for two years. Maximum cash 
and share bonus is 175% of salary.

•	‘	Claw	back’	provisions	apply.
•		Performance	shares	that	vest	after	three	years,	subject	to	demanding	performance	

requirements.

•		Two	performance	metrics	apply:	earnings	per	share	growth	and	percentage	return	on	

capital employed.

•		The	Committee	has	flexibility	to	make	awards	up	to	300%	of	base	salary	if	appropriate	 

to ensure market competitiveness and taking account of Company performance.
•		Only	15%	of	the	award	vests	at	threshold	performance.	Outstanding	performance	is	

required for 100% vesting.

Share ownership policy

Ensures alignment with 
shareholders.

•		The	Chief	Executive	and	the	Chief	Financial	Officer	have	target	holdings	of	four	and	

three times base salary respectively.

•		Share	ownership	requirements	extend	to	other	Executive	Committee	members	and,	

from 2011, to a broader group of executives in senior leadership roles.

Pension

Provides competitive 
pension, with low risk 
to the Company.

•		Defined	contribution	in	nature.	Only	base	salary	is	pensionable.
•		The	Chief	Executive	has	a	cash	allowance	of	35%	of	base	salary.
•		The	Chief	Financial	Officer	has	a	cash	allowance	of	25%	of	base	salary	(with	effect	from	

6 April 2011).

Other benefits

Provides competitive 
benefits.

•		These	include	car	benefit	(or	car	allowance),	health	insurance,	group	income	protection	

and, where appropriate, life cover.

Consideration of employment conditions within the Company 
The Committee takes into account the general pay and employment conditions of other employees of the Company when determining 
executive directors’ remuneration for the relevant financial year. This includes considering the levels of base salary increase for employees 
below executive level when reviewing executive base salaries, and ensuring that the same principles apply in setting performance targets 
for executives’ incentives as for other employees of the Group.

Base salary
The Chief Executive’s base salary was increased by 3.0% with effect from 1 April 2012. The Chief Financial Officer’s base salary was 
increased by 3.0% with effect from 1 April 2012. This compared with average levels for other UK-based employees, who were awarded  
a base salary increase generally of between 3% and 4%.

Executive directors’ base salaries are shown in the table below.

2012
£
721 000
405 820

As at 1 April
2011
£
700 000
394 000

Executive Directors
Javed Ahmed
Tim Lodge

50

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Annual bonus scheme
Three performance factors determine the annual bonus. These are shown in the table below:

Performance
factor 
PBTEA

Definition
Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation.

Net sales less cost 
of raw materials

Gross sales net of associated selling costs, less the costs 
of raw materials used in production.

Cash conversion cycle 

The number of days between disbursement of cash and 
collection of cash, taking account of inventory, payables 
and receivables. Based on the average of the four 
quarter-end numbers.

Rationale
Measures the underlying profits generated by the business 
and whether management is converting growth into profits 
effectively.
Measures whether management is growing the business. 
Growth is taken after cost of raw materials to better reflect 
value added.
Measures whether the business is managing its working 
capital and converting profit into cash effectively.

Limited adjustments to these metrics are permitted on an exceptional basis, reviewed and approved by the Committee to ensure that the 
results are a true reflection of the actual performance. Performance is assessed on the Group’s continuing operations and on the basis  
of constant exchange rates. 

The bonus structure described here has applied for the year ended 31 March 2012, and is proposed to be retained for the year ahead.

How the bonus is determined
For each performance factor there is a corresponding multiplier, which varies between threshold, target and stretch levels of performance. 

Before any bonus is payable, a minimum level of profit has to be achieved, regardless of performance against other metrics. To achieve 
the maximum payout, performance against all three factors must be at or above the stretch level. 

Relative weighting of bonus metrics 
The multipliers for the PBTEA factor are more heavily geared than for the other two factors, reflecting the fact that PBTEA is the most 
important of the three metrics. The multipliers are agreed by the Committee when targets are set at the start of the year and the relative 
weightings reflect the importance of each of the metrics in the context of the progress made against the long-term strategy.

The following charts illustrate the relative weighting associated with each metric at threshold, target and stretch levels of performance:

Target

1

3

2

Stretch

1

3

2

Threshold

1

1  Profit 
2  Net sales growth 
3   Cash conversion 

51

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012GovernanceTarget bonus(% of base salary)Chief Executive (75%)Chief FinancialOfficer (50%) X PBTEAperformancemultiplier X Net salesless cost of raw materialsperformancemultiplier X Cash conversioncycleperformancemultiplier = Bonus achieved as % of base salary  Step 1  Step 2  Step 3Governance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Bonus outcomes for the year ended 31 March 2012
The table below shows, for each metric, the performance required to achieve maximum bonus and the actual 2012 outcome relative  
to prior year performance. The corresponding bonus outcome is noted. All numbers are shown at constant exchange rates.

As at 31 March 2012

Performance 
required
to achieve 
maximum bonus
+22.0%

Actual 2012 
performance 
outcome
+27.6%

Performance
result
Above stretch 
performance level

+13.1%

+15.7%

Above stretch 
performance level

Performance 
factor
PBTEA

Net sales  
less cost of  
raw materials

Cash conversion 
cycle

‘improve’	7.5%

‘worsen’ 9.4%

Threshold not 
achieved

Commentary
Growth in PBTEA was driven by: (1) a solid operational 
performance with steady growth within Speciality Food Ingredients 
and Bulk Ingredients supported by an exceptionally strong 
performance from co-products in the first half of the year; and (2)  
a reduction in the net interest charge.
Good sales growth in both divisions was driven by: in Speciality 
Food Ingredients, volume growth of 4% and the pass through of 
higher input costs; in Bulk Ingredients, the pass through of higher 
corn costs and improved pricing in industrial starches and 
isoglucose in Europe.
The lengthening of the cash conversion cycle was attributable to 
an increase in working capital including our decision to maintain 
full corn silos against a backdrop of continuing tight market 
conditions.

On the basis of these performance outcomes, an annual bonus was awarded by the Committee of 102% of base salary for the Chief 
Financial Officer and 102% of base salary for the Chief Executive.

Any bonus amount up to 100% of base salary is paid in cash. Any excess above 100% of base salary is delivered in the form of deferred 
shares, with the right to receive a dividend equivalent between award and release. The shares are released after two years subject to the 
executive remaining in service with the Company. 

Both	the	cash	and	share	elements	are	subject	to	‘claw-back’,	which	means	they	may	be	recouped	in	whole	or	in	part,	at	the	discretion	 
of the Committee in the exceptional event that results were found to have been misstated or if an executive commits gross misconduct.

Long-term incentive arrangements
Performance-based long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) closely align executive directors’ and senior executives’ interests with those of 
shareholders, and are therefore an important component of the overall package.

During the year ended 31 March 2012, the Company made awards under the Tate & Lyle 2003 Performance Share Plan (PSP). 

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Shareholder approval for replacement plan
Following detailed consultation with major shareholders in 2010, specific amendments to the 2003 Performance Share Plan were formally 
approved by shareholders at the 2010 AGM, to align the long-term incentive framework with the business strategy. 

The 2003 Performance Share Plan will expire shortly when it reaches the end of its ten-year life. Accordingly, shareholder approval  
is sought at the AGM to renew the arrangement. The terms of the ongoing PSP are consistent with the current long-term incentive 
arrangements, save for the proposed introduction of a claw-back provision. Further details are provided in the Notice of Meeting.

2009 PSP award
PSP awards made in 2009 were dependent on relative TSR against a comparator group and Earnings Per Share (EPS) compound annual 
growth targets, with each condition applicable to half of the award. The comparator group for the TSR condition is formed from the largest 
50 to 130 FTSE listed companies at the beginning of the performance period.

Performance 
condition
Relative TSR
EPS growth

Proportion 
of total award
50%
50%

Performance 
outcome
81st percentile
14.9% growth p.a.

Level of vesting 
for this element 
of the award
100%
 99.1%

Combined vesting outcome
Based on the combination of TSR and EPS performance over the 
period, 99.6% of the PSP award made in 2009 may be released.

The Committee considers that the level of vesting as a result of these performance outcomes is justified in the context of the underlying 
financial performance of Tate & Lyle over the performance period.

52

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012For the 2009 PSP cycle, Tate & Lyle’s TSR ranked at the 81st percentile. 

TSR performance over 2009 PSP cycle vs FTSE listed companies ranked 50th – 130th at the start of the performance period. 

Maximum award level
Following shareholder approval of the changes to the PSP at the 2010 AGM, the Committee has the flexibility to make awards to the 
executive directors and other senior executives of up to 300% of base salary where necessary to ensure market competitiveness, and 
taking account of Company performance. 

Awards made in 2011
During 2011, the Committee consulted with major shareholders regarding the full implementation of the policy approved by shareholders 
at the AGM in 2010. Following this consultation with shareholders, awards to executive directors in 2011 were made at 300% of salary.

Performance conditions – 2011 awards
The release of awards depends on the Group’s performance during the three-year performance period beginning on 1 April in the year of 
the award. For the 2011 awards, the performance conditions comprised two elements, consistent with the principles established following 
review and consultation with shareholders in 2010:

a) Adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) (50% of total award) 
Performance is measured by comparing the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the Company’s adjusted diluted EPS from 
continuing operations over the three-year performance period against predetermined targets. The Committee selected this metric as it is 
a key determinant of shareholder value creation.

b) Adjusted Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) (50% of total award) 
Performance is measured by the adjusted ROCE on continuing operations achieved at the end of the three-year performance period 
against the predetermined targets. The Committee selected this metric as it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of strategic investment 
decisions and of the quality of earnings generated. 

Importantly the ROCE outcome would be adjusted downward in the event of any asset impairment, by adding this back into capital 
employed, this is to encourage a prudent investment strategy. For this reason, in the event of there being an impairment of assets during 
the performance period, the ROCE outcome for PSP purposes can be significantly lower than the unadjusted ROCE number reported in 
the Company’s accounts, and elsewhere in the Annual Report.

Shares awarded under the PSP in 2011 vest in accordance with the following schedule:

Percentage of award vesting 
0%
15%1
On a straight line between 15% and 100%1
100%

CAGR of adjusted diluted EPS 
during the performance period 
(50% of award)
Below 6%
6%
Between 6% and 15%
15% or more

Adjusted ROCE at end
of performance period 
 (50% of award)
Below 13.4%
13.4%
Between 13.4% and 16.4%
At 16.4% or above

1  In accordance with the special arrangements that were put in place to facilitate the Chief Executive’s appointment, 25% of his 2011 award will vest at threshold performance; 15% 

will apply to future awards.

Before any shares are released, the Committee must also be satisfied that the level of vesting determined by performance against these 
targets is justified by the underlying financial performance of the Company.

53

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012GovernanceBottom quartileSource: Kepler AssociatesTate & Lyle168.4%-100%0%100%200%300%400%500%600%Third quartileSecond quartileTop quartile 
Governance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Potential impact of M&A activity
In the context of M&A or other corporate activity, any potential impact on the schemes will be specifically considered by the Committee.  
In these circumstances, the Committee retains the authority to vary performance targets or the vesting outcome to ensure that outcomes 
are equitable from both a participant and a shareholder value perspective.

Change of control and voting
All of the Company’s share plans contain provisions relating to a change of control. Outstanding awards would normally vest and become 
exercisable on a change of control, subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions at that time, and in proportion to the time 
served during the performance period.

Executive share ownership policy
The Chief Executive has a shareholding target of four times base salary, which he has already met. The Chief Financial Officer has a target 
shareholding of three times base salary, to be achieved by July 2015. 

Other Executive Committee members are subject to the share ownership policy, with target holdings at three times salary. From 2011, this 
policy extends to a broader group of executives who have senior leadership roles within the Company. The shareholding target for this 
group is equal to one times base salary.

The Committee monitors progress against the share ownership guidelines annually.

Sharesave Plan 2011
The Plan is open to all employees in the UK, including executive directors. No performance conditions are attached to options granted 
under the Scheme since it is an all-employee scheme, and the value of individual grants is capped. Options granted to participants are 
normally set at a discount of up to 20% to the market value of the shares at the time of the grant.

Dilution 
To satisfy options granted under the Sharesave Scheme 2001 and Sharesave Plan 2011, the Company issues new shares. To satisfy 
outstanding awards under the 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme, PSP and legacy Deferred Bonus Share Plan (DBSP) matching 
shares, the Company uses either treasury shares or shares that have been purchased by the Trustees of the Tate & Lyle Employee Benefit 
Trust. The Company will use shares that have been purchased by the Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy awards made to Javed Ahmed 
and any awards to be made under the Group Bonus Plan.

In the ten-year period to 31 March 2012, awards made under the executive schemes represented 1.30% of the Company’s issued 
ordinary share capital, leaving available dilution headroom of 3.70%. Awards made under all share schemes represented 1.58% of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital leaving available dilution headroom of 8.42%. 

Pensions
The Group’s largest pension scheme is the UK-based Tate & Lyle Group Pension Scheme (Group Scheme), a defined benefit 
arrangement. The Company closed the Group Scheme to new entrants from 1 April 2002, and, since then, new employees have been 
offered defined contribution type pension provision through a Company Stakeholder Plan. The Group Scheme closed to future final  
salary pension accrual from 6 April 2011 and the employee members have been offered membership of the existing Stakeholder plan. 

Javed Ahmed is not a member of the Group Scheme for pension purposes and accordingly has accrued no pension benefits under  
it. He is paid a cash allowance calculated as 35% of base salary, from which he can make his own retirement savings arrangements 
although this may include the Company Stakeholder Plan. He has been provided with life assurance cover and has also participated  
in the Group Income Protection Scheme, which applies to all UK employees who are not otherwise covered for ill-health benefits under 
the Group Scheme. 

Tim Lodge was a member of the Group Scheme until its closure and accrued pension at a rate of approximately 1/38th of pensionable 
earnings (basic salary only) for each year of service, subject to an employee contribution of 3% of pensionable salary. The benefit accrued 
includes a widow’s pension payable on his death and a lump sum on death in service. As a deferred member, and once in payment, this 
part of his pension (and any subsequent widow’s pension) will be subject to annual increases in line with price inflation up to a maximum 
of 5%, with a minimum of 3%. From 6 April 2011, Tim Lodge is paid a cash allowance calculated as 25% of base salary, from which he 
can make his own retirement savings arrangements although this may include the Company Stakeholder Plan.

Details of amounts paid in lieu of pensions to Javed Ahmed, and to Tim Lodge from 6 April 2011 are included in the table on page 57, 
under pension allowance.

54

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Service contracts of executive directors
The policy in determining service contracts is to take account of market practice, and to ensure that provisions in relation to termination 
notice periods or payments are not excessive. The following table summarises the key provisions of the executive directors’ service 
contracts.

Provision
Notice period
•	By	the	director
•	By	the	Company
Termination payment

Holiday 
Restrictive covenants

Contract 
commencement date

Javed Ahmed – Chief Executive

Tim Lodge – Chief Financial Officer

6 months
12 months
The Company has the option to pay in lieu of notice  
the base salary and pension allowance that would  
have been payable during the notice period.

30 days
For the period of 12 months (less any garden leave  
period) following termination of employment.

6 months
12 months
The Company has the option to pay in lieu of notice the 
salary, pension allowance and other contractual benefits 
arising during the notice period. The Company has the 
contractual right to phase the payments and to reduce 
them if the executive mitigates his loss.
30 days
For the period of 12 months (less any garden leave period) 
following termination of employment.

1 October 2009

4 December 2008

Executive directors’ external appointments
The Board believes that the Company can benefit from executive directors holding external non-executive directorships at the appropriate 
time. Such appointments are subject to approval by the Board and are normally restricted to one position for each executive director.  
Fees may be retained by the executive director concerned. Neither of the executive directors currently holds an external non-executive 
directorship. 

Chairman’s fees
The Committee reviews the Chairman’s fees each year and the Chairman does not participate in discussions or decisions relating to his 
own remuneration. 

Following the most recent review of fees, the Remuneration Committee approved an increase of 3% in the Chairman’s fees to £291,750 
effective 1 April 2012. From 1 April 2012, the separate cash allowance payable to the Chairman will be consolidated into the base fee. 

Non-executive directors’ fees
Non-executive directors’ fees, reviewed annually by the Board, are set at a level to retain individuals with the necessary experience and 
ability to make a substantial contribution to the Group. Fees paid are commensurate with those paid by other UK-listed companies. In 
addition to the basic fee for each non-executive director and the Senior Independent Director, supplements are paid to the Chairmen of 
the Audit and Remuneration Committees to reflect the extra responsibilities attached to these positions. A supplement is also paid to 
Dr Ajai Puri for chairing the Tate & Lyle Research Advisory Group.

The non-executive directors do not participate in the Group’s incentive or pension schemes, nor do they receive other benefits. The 
non-executive directors do not have service contracts or notice periods, but, under the terms of their appointment, they are usually 
expected to serve on the Board for between three and nine years, with a review of their terms of appointment every three years, subject  
to their re-election by shareholders. Non-executive directors have no right to compensation on the early termination of their appointment.

Taking account of the current market position, and the time commitment required of the non-executive directors, the executive directors 
and the Chairman agreed that an adjustment to increase non-executive directors’ fees by 3% would be made with effect from 1 April 
2012. The fees are shown in the following table.

Non-executive director
Senior Independent Director

Chairman of Audit Committee
Chairman of Remuneration Committee
Chairman of Research Advisory Group

At 1 April 2012
£
59 750
66 600

Basic fees (per annum)
At 1 April 2011
£
58 000
64 650

Supplemental fees (per annum)
At 1 April 2011
£
15 375
10 250
21 525

At 1 April 2012
£
15 850
10 550
22 150

55

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012GovernanceGovernance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Executive directors’ total remuneration package for the year ended 31 March 2012
The following tables show the remuneration package of the executive directors for the year ended 31 March 2012, and illustrate the 
potential value in different performance scenarios.

Javed Ahmed (Chief Executive)
Javed Ahmed’s actual remuneration for the year (shown in the right hand column in the table below) includes the value from special 
incentive arrangements agreed at the time of his appointment to compensate for LTI awards foregone as a result of leaving his former 
employer, whilst establishing a close alignment with Company performance and shareholders’ interests (as described on page 96 of the 
2009 Annual Report). The footnotes below the table explain how performance conditions applied to these awards. Given the Group’s EPS 
and TSR performance to 31 March 2012, these awards are due to vest at close to maximum. The value of share awards vested in the year 
as shown in the table also reflects significant share price appreciation (see opposite).

Element/value (£000s)
Base salary
Annual bonus (cash and deferred shares)2

Below threshold
700
–

LTI – face value of 2011 grant
(vesting based on performance to March 2014)
LTI awards vesting for performance to 31 March 2012
– Long-term Incentive Award A (2009 award on appointment) 
Pension allowance
Other benefits
Total value
Compensatory awards on appointment:
– Compensatory Award A (vested 1 October 2011)
– Compensatory Award C (vesting after 31 March 2012) 
Total value including compensatory awards

–

–
245
19
964

At threshold
700
0
(0% of 
salary)
525
(25% vesting)

Mid-range
700
525
(75% of 
salary)
1 313
(62.5% vesting)

At stretch
700
1 225
(175% of 
salary)
2 100
(100% vesting)

–
245
19
1 489

–
245
19
2 801

–
245
19
4 289

Tim Lodge (Chief Financial Officer)

Base salary
Annual bonus (cash and deferred shares)2

LTI – face value of 2011 grant
(vesting based on performance to March 2014)
LTI awards vesting for performance to 31 March 2012
Pension allowance
Other benefits
Total value

Below threshold
394
0

0

–
99
14
507

At threshold
394
0
(0% of 
salary)
177
(15% vesting)
–
99
14
684

Mid-range
394
197
(50% of 
salary)
680
(57.5% vesting)
–
99
14
1 383

At stretch
394
690
(175% 
of salary)
1 182
(100% vesting)
–
99
14
2 378

Actual earned/
vested1
700
714

–

4 630
245
19
6 308

2 957
2 523
11 788

Actual earned/
vested1
394
402

–

1 071
99
14
1 980

1   Actual earned / vested includes (i) annual bonus earned in respect of 2011/12; and (ii) LTI awards which vest subject to performance up to and including the financial 

year ending 31 March 2012, which are valued using the closing share price on 31 March 2012. 
 For Javed Ahmed: 
Two awards that vest in the period to 31 March 2012 relate to special incentive arrangements agreed at the time of his appointment to compensate for awards 
foregone as a result of leaving his former employer. As set out in the 2009 Annual Report, these awards comprise: 
(i)	£1,750,000	worth	of	shares	to	be	delivered	on	1	October	2011	(the	second	anniversary	of	Javed	Ahmed’s	joining	date)	(‘Compensatory	Award	A’);	
(ii)  £1,125,000 worth of shares subject to the performance conditions applicable to 2008 PSP awards (this award vested and was disclosed in last year’s Directors’ 

Remuneration Report); and

(iii)	£1,500,000	worth	of	shares	subject	to	the	performance	conditions	applicable	to	2009	PSP	awards	(‘Compensatory	Award	C’).
	Additionally,	he	received	a	Long-Term	Incentive	award	of	shares	(‘Long	Term	Incentive	Award	A’)	with	a	value	of	£2,025,000	(being	three	times	salary	on	
appointment), subject to the performance conditions applicable to 2009 PSP Awards. 
	The	two	awards	which	are	subject	to	the	same	performance	conditions	as	the	2009	PSP	awards	(‘Long	Term	Incentive	Award	A’	and	‘Compensatory	Award	C’)	 
will vest at close to maximum based on EPS and TSR performance that has been achieved to 31 March 2012 (as discussed on page 52). 
 The value of these awards at 31 March 2012 as shown in the table reflects significant share price appreciation over the performance period.
 For Tim Lodge: 
The LTI award shown here is the 2009 PSP award, which are due to vest at close to maximum by reference to the EPS and TSR requirements for full vesting  
(as discussed on page 52). The face value of this award at the date of grant was £449,000, with the final value of £1,071,000 reflecting share price appreciation  
over the performance period.

2  The portion of the annual bonus that exceeds 100% of base salary is deferred into Tate & Lyle PLC shares for two years and subject to service conditions.

56

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
 
 
Tate & Lyle share price
The value attributed to share awards shown as actual  
earned/vested during the year to executive directors in  
the table on page 56 reflects considerable share price  
growth to 31 March 2012. Over the three-year performance 
measurement period which applies to 2009 PSP grants,  
Tate & Lyle’s share price increased by 171%, generating  
£2.1bn in value for shareholders.

Tate & Lyle share price (pence)

Total shareholder return performance
The graph below, as required under the Regulations, illustrates  
the cumulative TSR performance of Tate & Lyle against the  
FTSE 100 Index over the past five years. The FTSE 100 Index is 
considered to be an appropriate benchmark for this purpose as  
it is a broad equity market index with constituents comparable in 
size to Tate & Lyle. The graph shows the TSR for the FTSE 100 
Index and Tate & Lyle in the five years from 31 March 2007.

Value of £100 invested in Tate & Lyle and the FTSE 100  
on 31 March 2007

Information subject to Audit
Directors’ emoluments (audited) 
The following table shows the directors’ emoluments for the year ended 31 March 2012.

Chairman
Sir Peter Gershon

Executive directors
Javed Ahmed
Tim Lodge

Non-executive directors
Liz Airey
William Camp
Evert Henkes
Douglas Hurt
Robert Walker

Former directors
Dr Barry Zoumas4
Directors who retired before 31 March 20115
Total

Salary 
and fees 
£000 

Pension
and other
allowances1
£000

Benefits2
£000

Annual
bonus
– cash
£000

Annual
bonus
– deferred3
£000

Total year to 
31 March 2012 
£000 

Total year to 
31 March 2011 
£000

283

700
394

73
58
68
58
65

29
170
1 898

15

362
112

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
489

–

4
1

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
5

–

700
394

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
1 094

–

14
8

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
22

298

290

1 780
909

2 039
1 066

73
58
68
58
65

65
45
59
49
54

29
170
3 508

71
–
3 755

1   Other allowances include car allowance which in the case of Javed Ahmed is £15,000, with a further £100,657 representing payments in lieu of dividends on an award 

of shares as disclosed in the share awards table on page 58. 

2  Benefits for the executive directors include health insurance.
3  Deferred into Tate & Lyle PLC shares for two years and subject to service conditions.
4  Dr Barry Zoumas ceased to be a director on 14 August 2011. 
5   Under the agreements signed at the time that Iain Ferguson stood down as Chief Executive and a director, he received a payment during the year ending 31 March 

2012 relating to PSP shares foregone, as explained in the Annual Report 2010.

57

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance31/03/0731/03/0831/03/0931/03/1031/03/1131/03/12Tate & LyleFTSE100£40£60£80£100£120£140£160£180Source: Bloomberg20030040050060070080031/03/0931/03/1031/03/1131/03/12Source: Bloomberg 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance:
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Share awards (audited)
The following table sets out the current position of share-based awards made to executive directors:

As at 
1 April
 2011
 (number)

Awards 
granted
 during
 year
 (number)

Awards 
vested
 during
 year 
(number)

Awards 
lapsed 
during 

year10 

(number)

As at 
31 March
 2012
 (number)

Market
 price 
on date
 awards
 granted
 (pence)

Market
 price 
on date 
awards 
vested
 (pence)

Vesting 
date

419 403
269 616
359 488
659 609
473 042
–

32 050
152 687
223 381
–

–
–
–
–
–
378 337

–
–
–
212 950

419 403
219 467
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
50 149
–
–
–
–

5 962
–
–
–

 419 403
–
359 488
659 609
473 042
378 337

26 088
152 687
223 381
212 950

444.90
444.90
444.90
444.90
440.20
590.50

394.25
294.25
440.20
590.50

632.50
611.00

01/10/11
24/05/11
– After 31/03/12
– After 31/03/12
– After 31/03/13
– After 31/03/14

611.00

24/05/11
– After 31/03/12
– After 31/03/13
– After 31/03/14

6 790

–

5 948

842

 –

401.00

611.00

24/05/11

–

51 683

–

–

51 683

611.00

–

24/05/13

Javed Ahmed
Share-incentive  
arrangements on recruitment:
Compensatory Award A2
Compensatory Award B3, 7, 12
Compensatory Award C4 ,7
Long-term incentive Award A4, 7
Long-term incentive Award B5, 7
Long-term incentive Award C1, 6, 7
Tim Lodge
Performance Share Plan7:
2008
2009
2010
20111
Tate & Lyle Deferred  
Bonus Share Plan 2005
20088, 12
Deferred shares from  
annual bonus9:
2010 bonus year

1   The performance conditions for awards made under the PSP in 2011 are adjusted diluted EPS, against which 50% of the award will be measured, and adjusted 

ROCE, for the remaining 50% of the award.

2   This award to compensate Javed Ahmed for certain long-term incentives given up by him as a consequence of leaving his former employer is not subject to 

performance conditions. The shares were available for exercise from 1 October 2011, being the second anniversary of Javed Ahmed joining the Company and will 
remain exercisable until 30 September 2017. Pending delivery, he receives a payment in lieu of dividend on these shares which will be subject to the deduction of 
tax. In the event of a change of control, the shares will be delivered immediately.

3  This award is subject to the same performance condition as that which applies to awards made under the PSP in 200811.
4  This award is subject to the same performance condition as that which applies to awards made under the PSP in 2009. 
5  This award is subject to the same performance condition as that which applies to awards made under the PSP in 2010. 
6  This award is subject to the same performance condition as that which applies to awards made under the PSP in 2011.
7  The three-year performance period for all awards begins on the first day of the financial year in which the award is granted.
8   2008 was the last year in which awards were made under the DBSP prior to suspension of the arrangement. Performance conditions were the same as those 

applying to the 2008 PSP.11 The vesting was determined based on TSR during the three-year performance period against companies positioned 50 to 130 of the 
FTSE index at the start of the performance period such that one matching share is awarded for each lodged share for median performance increasing on a pro-rata 
basis to two match shares for upper quartile performance. TSR performance resulted in 88% of the maximum matching shares available under the award vesting. 
9   Deferred shares granted under the annual bonus scheme (as described on page 52). The full value of this award has been previously disclosed in the emoluments 
table in the relevant bonus year. (For example, deferred shares relating to the year ended 31 March 2011 performance are included in the emoluments table for the 
year ended 31 March 2011 and contained within the Annual Report 2011, with the share allocation made during the year ended 31 March 2012 and disclosed in the 
table above).

10 On 24 May 2011, a proportion of the awards lapsed because the performance conditions applicable to PSP awards made in 2008 were not met in full11.
11  The vesting of 2008 PSP awards was based on Tate & Lyle’s TSR performance over the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011 relative to the FTSE comparator group 

of companies (being the companies ranked 50 to 130 in the FTSE rankings at the beginning of the performance period).

12 These awards were exercised during the year when the market share price was 648.0p.

58

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All-employee schemes (audited)
Details of the directors who were in office for any part of the financial year, and hold or held options to subscribe for ordinary shares of the 
Company are set out below.

Savings-related share options are options granted under the HMRC-approved Sharesave Scheme. Options are not subject to performance 
conditions and are normally exercisable during the six-month period following the end of the relevant (three- or five-year) contract

Javed Ahmed 
Savings-related options 2009
Tim Lodge 
Savings-related options 2007

As at 
1 April 2011
 (number)

Options 
granted
 during year
 (number)

Options 
exercised
 during year
 (number)

Options 
lapsed 
during year 
(number)

As at 31 
March 2012 
(number)

Exercise 
price 
(pence)

3 720

4 253

–

–

–

–

–

–

3 720

418.00

4 253

395.00

Exercise period
01/03/15 to 
31/08/15
01/03/13 to
31/08/13

The market price of the Company’s ordinary shares at the close of business on 31 March 2012 was 705.0p, and the range during the  
year to 31 March 2012 was 544.5p to 720.5p.

Directors pension provision (audited)
As a deferred member, Mr Lodge’s total accrued pension from the Group Scheme at the end of the year amounted to £181,000 per 
annum (which is unchanged since the prior year-end). The transfer value of the accrued pension at the end of the year amounted to 
£3,345,000 compared to £2,759,000 at the start of the year representing an increase of £586,000. These amounts are calculated in 
accordance with actuarial assumptions applicable at each reporting date. There was no increase in accrued pension benefit during  
the year. 

Directors’ interests (audited)
The interests held by each person who was a director at the end of the financial year in the ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the 
Company are shown below. All of the interests set out in the table are beneficially held and no director had interests in any class of  
shares other than ordinary shares. The table also summarises the interests in shares held through the Company’s various share plans.

Chairman
Sir Peter Gershon
Executive directors
Javed Ahmed
Tim Lodge
Non-executive directors4
Liz Airey
William Camp
Evert Henkes
Douglas Hurt
Robert Walker

As at 
1 April 2011 
 (number)

Ordinary shares
As at 
31 March 2012
 (number)

As at 
1 April 2011 
 (number)

LTI1
As at 
31 March 2012
 (number)

As at 
1 April 2011 
 (number)

Options2
As at 
31 March 2012
 (number)

58 975

67 736

–

–

–

–

611 252
43 763

914 860
51 723

2 181 1583
414 908

2 289 8793
666 789

3 720
4 253

3 720
4 253

16 000
–
1 065
5 000
10 935

16 000
800
1 108
10 000
11 382

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

1   Includes shares awarded under the PSP, DBSP and the special incentive arrangements agreed at the time of Javed Ahmed’s appointment which are subject to 

performance conditions.

2  Granted under the Sharesave Scheme.
3  Includes shares which are not subject to performance conditions (see page 58 for details).
4  Dr Ajai Puri joined the Board on 1 April 2012.

There were no changes in directors’ interests in the period from 1 April 2012 to 30 May 2012.

On behalf of the Board

Evert Henkes
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

30 May 2012

59

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance:
Other Statutory and Governance Information

Principal activities of the Group
The principal activities of Tate & Lyle PLC 
and its subsidiary and associated 
undertakings together with its joint ventures 
are developing, manufacturing and 
marketing food and industrial ingredients 
made from renewable resources.

Results and dividend
A review of the results are shown on the 
inside front cover and through to page 35. 
An interim dividend of 7.1p per ordinary 
share was paid on 6 January 2012.  
The directors recommend a final dividend  
of 17.8p per ordinary share to be paid on  
3 August 2012 to shareholders on the 
register on 29 June 2012, subject to 
approval at the 2012 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM). The total dividend for  
the year is 24.9p per ordinary share  
(2011 – 23.7p).

Articles of Association
The Articles of Association set out the 
internal regulation of the Company and 
cover such matters as the rights of 
shareholders, the appointment or removal 
of directors and the conduct of the Board 
and general meetings. Copies are available 
on request and are displayed on the 
Company’s website at 
www.tateandlyle.com.

In accordance with the Articles of 
Association, directors can be appointed  
or removed by the Board or by shareholders 
in general meeting. Amendments to the 
Articles of Association have to be approved 
by at least 75% of those voting in person  
or by proxy at a general meeting of the 
Company. Subject to UK company law and 
the Articles of Association, the directors may 
exercise all the powers of the Company, and 
may delegate authorities to committees, 
and day-to-day management and decision 
making to individual executive directors. 
Details of the Board Committees can be 
found on pages 44 to 49.

Shareholders’ rights
Holders of ordinary shares have the rights 
accorded to them under UK company  
law, including the rights to receive the 
Company’s annual report and accounts, 
attend and speak at general meetings, 
appoint proxies and exercise voting rights.

Holders of preference shares have limited 
voting rights and may not vote on: the 
disposal of surplus profits after the  
dividend on the preference shares has been 
provided for; the election of directors; their 
remuneration; any agreement between the 
directors and the Company; or the alteration 
of the Articles of Association dealing  
with any such matters. Further details 
regarding the rights and obligations 
attached to share classes are contained  
in the Articles of Association, available  
on www.tateandlyle.com.

Restrictions on holding shares
There are no restrictions on the transfer of 
shares and prior approval is not required 
from the Company nor from other holders 
for such a transfer. No limitations are placed 
on the holding of shares and no share  
class carries special rights of control of the 
Company. There are no restrictions on 
voting rights other than those outlined 
above on preference shares.

The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between shareholders that  
may restrict the transfer or exercise of  
voting rights.

Re-election of directors 
The Company’s Articles of Association 
require all directors to seek re-election  
by shareholders at least once every three 
years. In addition, any directors appointed 
by the Board must stand for re-election  
at the first AGM following his or her 
appointment. Any non-executive directors 
who have served for more than nine years 
are subject to annual re-election. 

The UK Corporate Governance Code 
provides that all directors should seek 
re-election on an annual basis and 
accordingly, all directors will seek re-election 
at the forthcoming AGM. The directors 
standing for re-election, with the exception 
of Javed Ahmed and Tim Lodge, do not 
have service contracts.

At no time during the year has any director 
had any material interest in a contract  
with the Group, being a contract of 
significance in relation to the Group’s 
business. A statement of directors’ interests 
in Company shares is on page 59.

Directors’ indemnities and 
insurance cover 
As at the date of this report, indemnities  
are in force under which the Company has 
agreed to indemnify the directors, to the 
extent permitted by the Companies Act 
2006, against claims from third parties in 
respect of certain liabilities arising out of,  
or in connection with, the execution of  
their powers, duties and responsibilities  
as directors of the Company or any of  
its subsidiaries. The directors are also 
indemnified against the cost of defending  
a criminal prosecution or a claim by the 
Company, its subsidiaries or a regulator 
provided that where the defence is 
unsuccessful the director must repay  
those defence costs. These indemnities  
are qualifying indemnity provisions for  
the purposes of Sections 232 to 234  
of the Companies Act 2006 and copies  
are available for inspection at the  
registered office of the Company during 
business hours on any weekday except 
public holidays. 

The Company also maintains directors’  
and officers’ liability insurance cover, the 
level of which is reviewed annually.

Share capital 
As at 31 March 2012, the Company had 
nominal issued ordinary and preference 
share capital of £119 million comprising  
£117 million in ordinary shares, including  
£1 million in treasury shares, and £2 million 
in preference shares.

To satisfy obligations under employee  
share plans, the Company issued 49,179 
ordinary shares during the year and 
reissued 379,952 ordinary shares from 
treasury. The Company did not issue any 
shares during the period from 1 April 2012 
to 30 May 2012. Further information about 
share capital is in Note 24. Information 
about options granted under the Company’s 
employee share schemes is in Note 26.

The Company was given authority at the 
2011 AGM to make market purchases of  
up to 46,794,189 of its own ordinary shares. 
The Company purchased 2,750,000 of its 
own ordinary shares during the year ended 
31 March 2012. This authority will expire at 
the 2012 AGM and approval will be sought 
from shareholders for a similar authority to 
be given for a further year.

60

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Payment to suppliers
Tate & Lyle PLC is a holding company and 
had no amounts owing to trade creditors at 
31 March 2012. The Group’s creditor days 
outstanding at 31 March 2012 were 53 days 
(2011 – 48 days), based on the ratio of 
Group trade creditors at the end of the year 
to the amounts invoiced during the year by 
trade creditors.

Post balance sheet event 
On 20 April 2012, the Group reached an 
agreement to sell its 50% share in 
Sucromiles SA, its Colombian citric acid 
joint venture, to Organización Ardila Lülle,  
for total cash consideration of £20 million. 
The sale is conditional upon Colombian 
competition authority approval and is 
expected to complete during the first half  
of the 2013 financial year.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 30 May 2012, the Company had been notified under Rule 5 of the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority of the following holdings of voting 
rights in its shares:

INVESCO Limited
Schroders plc
AXA S.A.
Artemis
Lloyds Banking Group plc
Kames Capital (formerly Global AEGON Asset  

Management Group)

Lehman Brothers International (Europe)
Legal & General Group plc
Barclays Global Investors

1  As at the date in the nofication to the Company.

Change of control 
The Company has a committed bank facility 
of US$800 million, which matures in 2016. 
Under the terms of this facility, the banks 
can give notice to Tate & Lyle to prepay 
outstanding amounts and cancel the 
commitments where there is a change of 
control of the Company. The Company is 
the guarantor of a £200 million bond issue 
by its subsidiary, Tate & Lyle International 
Finance PLC dated 25 November 2009, 
which is repayable in 2019. Under the terms 
of the bond issue, noteholders have the 
option to request an early repayment where 
there is a change of control of the Company.

All of the Company’s share schemes 
contain provisions relating to a change of 
control. Further information is on page 54.

Essential contracts and other 
arrangements
In light of the scope and diversity of the 
Group’s activities, there are no contracts or 
arrangements considered to be essential to 
the operation of the business or the Group 
as a whole.

Research and development
The Group spent £29 million (2011 – £25 
million) on research and development during 
the year.

Number 
of shares1
60 378 331
24 024 911
22 890 148
23 207 193
22 854 608

18 569 241
18 122 510
18 062 288
17 568 133

% held1
12.96
5.16
4.98
4.97
4.89

3.99
3.95
3.93
3.59

Donations
Worldwide charitable donations during the 
year totalled £308,000 (2011 – £346,000),  
of which £6,000 (2011 – £19,000) was 
donated in the UK. More details of the 
Group’s community involvement can be 
found on page 33.

Again this year, in line with the Group’s 
policy, no political donations were made  
in the European Union (EU). Outside  
the EU, the Group’s US business made 
contributions during the year totalling 
US$8,300 (£5,000) (2011 – US$27,000; 
£17,000) to state and national political  
party committees and to the campaign 
committees of state candidates affiliated  
to the major parties. US$11,000, (£7,000) 
(2011 – US$17,000; £11,000) was also 
contributed by the Tate & Lyle Political 
Action Committee (PAC). The PAC is  
funded entirely by US employees. Employee 
contributions are entirely voluntary and no 
pressure is placed on US employees to 
participate. No funds are provided to the 
PAC by Tate & Lyle but under US law, an 
employee-funded PAC must bear the name 
of the employing company.

61

GovernanceTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Governance
Directors’ Statement of Responsibilities

of the Company and the Group 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 Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions. 

Each of the directors, whose names and 
functions are listed on pages 36 to 37, 
confirms that, to the best of his or her 
knowledge: 

•	 the Group financial statements, which 

have been prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and the 
Parent company financial statements  
in accordance with UK Accounting 
Standards, give a true and fair view of  
the assets, liabilities, financial position  
and profit of the Group and Parent; and

•	 the business review contained in the 

directors’ report includes a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Group, 
together with a description of the principle 
risks and uncertainties that it faces.

Disclosure of information  
to auditors 

So far as each director is aware, there is  
no relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditors are unaware; and he  
or she has taken all the steps that he or she 
ought to have taken as a director in order  
to make himself or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish 
that the Company’s auditors are aware of 
that information. 

The Directors’ report from the inside front 
cover to page 62 of this Annual Report was 
approved by the directors on 30 May 2012. 

On behalf of the Board

Robert Gibber
Company Secretary 

30 May 2012

The directors are responsible for  
preparing the Annual Report, the  
Director’s Remuneration Report and  
the Group and the Parent company  
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 
have prepared the Group financial 
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)  
as adopted by the EU, and the Parent 
company financial statements in 
accordance with UK Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (UK Accounting 
Standards and applicable law). Under 
company law, the directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless  
they are satisfied that they give a true  
and fair view of the state of affairs of the 
Company and the Group and of the profit  
or loss of the Group for that period. 

In preparing these financial statements,  
the directors are required to: 

•	 select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;

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

•	 state whether IFRSs as adopted by EU 
and with regard to the Parent company 
financial statements applicable UK 
Accounting Standards have been 
followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in  
the Group and Parent company financial 
statements respectively; and

•	 prepare the Group and Parent company 

financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the Group will continue in business. 

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that  
are sufficient to show and explain the 
transactions of the Company and the  
Group and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position  
of the Company and the Group, and enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements 
and the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, 
as regards the Group financial statements, 
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are  
also responsible for safeguarding the assets 

62

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Financial statements:
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Tate & Lyle PLC

We have audited the Group financial statements 
of Tate & Lyle PLC for the year ended 31 March 
2012 which comprise the Consolidated income 
statement, the Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the Consolidated 
statement of financial position, the Consolidated 
statement of cash flows, the Consolidated 
statement of changes in shareholders’ equity 
and the related Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements. 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. 

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ 
statement of responsibilities set out on page 62, 
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. 

This report, including the opinions, has been 
prepared for and only for the Company’s 
members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006 and for no other purpose. We do not,  
in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any 
other person to whom this report is shown or 
into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

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 
2012 to identify material inconsistencies with 
the audited financial statements. If we become 
aware of any apparent material misstatement  
or inconsistencies we consider the implications 
for our report.

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

 – give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s affairs as at 31 March 2012 and  
of its profit and cash flows for the year  
then ended; 

 – have been properly prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union; and 

 – have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 
and Article 4 of the lAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matter 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: 

 – certain disclosures of Directors’ 

remuneration specified by law are not made; 
or 

 – we have not received all the information  
and explanations we require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required  
to review: 

 – the Directors’ statement, set out on page 

26, in relation to going concern; 

 – 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

 – certain elements of the report to 

shareholders by the Board on Directors’ 
remuneration.

Other matter
We have reported separately at page 115 on  
the Parent company financial statements of 
Tate & Lyle PLC for the year ended 31 March 
2012 and on the information in the Directors’ 
remuneration report that is described as having 
been audited. 

Paul Cragg (Senior Statutory Auditor)  
for and on behalf of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London  

30 May 2012

Note:  
(a)  the maintenance and integrity of the Tate & Lyle 
PLC website, and any other electronic media  
used to present the financial statements, is the 
responsibility of the Directors; the work carried  
out by the auditors does not involve consideration 
of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors 
accept no responsibility for any changes that may 
have occurred to the financial statements since 
they were initially presented on the website or  
any other electronic media.

(b)  legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 

preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

63

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements:
Consolidated Income Statement

Continuing operations
Sales
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expense
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations
Profit for the year

Profit for the year attributable to:
– owners of the Company
– non‑controlling interests

Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Company 
from continuing and discontinued operations:
– basic
– diluted

Earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Company 
from continuing operations:
– basic
– diluted

Analysis of adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations
Profit before tax
Adjust for:
– exceptional items
– amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations
Adjusted profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets 

acquired through business combinations

The notes on pages 69 to 114 form part of these Group financial statements.

Notes

4, 5
4, 6
10
10

11

12

13

13

7
15

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

3 088 
404
8
(33)
379
(72)
307
2
309

305
4
309

2 720
303
3
(61)
245
(49)
196
(29)
167

163
4
167

pence

pence

65.5
64.3

65.9
64.6

£m
379

(68)
12

323

35.3
34.7

42.6
41.9

£m
245

5
13

263

64

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Profit for the year
Actuarial (losses)/gains in post‑employment benefit plans
Net fair value (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges reclassified and reported in the income statement during the year
Valuation (losses)/gains on available‑for‑sale financial assets
Net exchange differences
Items recycled to the income statement on disposal
Deferred tax relating to the above components
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year

Total continuing operations
Total discontinued operations

Attributable to:
– owners of the Company
– non‑controlling interests

Dividends per share:
– interim paid
– final proposed

The notes on pages 69 to 114 form part of these Group financial statements.

Notes

30

18

37
11

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
167
58
9
9
1
(37)
(23)
–
17
184

2012
£m
 309

(87) 
(2)
(3) 
(1)
(30)
(11)
27
(107)
202

211
(9)
202

198
4
202

236
(52)
184

181
3
184

14

pence

pence

7.1
17.8
24.9

6.8
16.9
23.7

65

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in associates
Available‑for‑sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables
Retirement benefit surplus

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

TOTAL ASSETS

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Capital and reserves attributable to the owners of the Company
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total shareholders’ funds
Non‑controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax liabilities
Retirement benefit deficit
Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Borrowings and bank overdrafts
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Liabilities held for sale

TOTAL LIABILITIES
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Notes

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

15
16
17
18
20
29
23
30

22
23

20
33

38

24
24

25

27
28
20
29
30
31

27

28
20
31

38

325
922
5
23 
57
37
2
146
1 517

450
332
3
80
424
1 289
100
1 389
2 906

117
406
8
128
374
1 033
25
1 058

4
805
19
25
286
18
1 157

382
49
141
94
10
676
15
691
1 848
2 906

320
855
5
19
48
74
1
103
1 425

454
291
25
135
654
1 559
67
1 626
3 051

117
406
8
175
244
950
23
973

1
887
56
30
242
21
1 237

406
33
227
126
44
836
5
841
2 078
3 051

The Group financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 30 May 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

Javed Ahmed, Tim Lodge   Directors

The notes on pages 69 to 114 form part of these Group financial statements

66

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax from continuing operations
Adjustments for:
– depreciation of property, plant and equipment
– exceptional items, net of cash flow impact
– amortisation of intangible assets
– share‑based payments charge
– finance income
– finance expense
Change in working capital
Change in net retirement benefit obligations
Cash generated from continuing operations
Interest paid
Income tax received/(paid)
Cash generated from/(used in) discontinued operations
Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Interest received
Purchase of available‑for‑sale financial assets
Disposal of available‑for‑sale financial assets
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Disposal of businesses, net of cash disposed
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets and other non‑current assets
Net cash generated from/(used) in investing activities in discontinued operations
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary and treasury shares
Repurchase of ordinary shares
Cash outflow from repayment of borrowings
Cash inflow from additional borrowings
Cash outflow from repayment of capital element of finance leases
Dividends paid to the Company’s owners
Net cash used in financing activities in discontinued operations
Net cash used in financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents
Balance at beginning of year
Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Balance at end of year

As presented in the consolidated statement of financial position
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale
Balance at end of year

The notes on pages 69 to 114 form part of these Group financial statements.

Notes

6

6
9
10
10
32

12

18
18
37
37

12

14
12

34

33

38
33

2012
£m

379

85
(84)
18
11
(8)
33
(121) 
(80)
233
(43)
16
25
231

2
3
(6)
18 
(7)
1
(102)
(28)
2
(117)

3
(19)
(188)
8
(5)
(112)
(2)
(315)

 (201)

654
(7)
(201)
446

424
22
446

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

245

91
(9)
18
9
(3)
61
(41) 
(46)
325
(49)
(31)
(100)
145

37
3
(5)
–
–
280
(58)
(12)
(5)
240

2
–
(136)
7
(2)
(70)
(18)
(217)

168

504
(18)
168
654

654
–
654

67

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Balance at 31 March 2010
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for  

the year

Profit for the year
Share‑based payments charge, including tax
Proceeds from shares issued
Dividends paid
Scrip issue of shares for dividend
Non‑controlling interests disposed
Balance at 31 March 2011
Other comprehensive expense for the year
Profit for the year
Share‑based payments charge, including tax
Share repurchase
Proceeds from shares issued
Dividends paid
Balance at 31 March 2012

Share capital 
and share 
premium 
(Note 24)
£m
520

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m
8

Other reserves 
(Note 25)
£m
220

Attributable to 
the owners 
of the 
Company
£m 
827

Retained 
earnings
£m
79

Non‑
controlling
 interests
£m
27

Total equity
£m
854

–
–
–
1
–
2
–
523
–
–
–
–
–
–
523

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8
–
–
–
–
–
–
8

(45)
–
–
–
–
–
–
175
(47)
–
–
–
–
–
128

63
163
10
1
(105)
33
–
244
(60)
305
13
(19)
3
(112)
374

18
163
10
2
(105)
35
–
950
(107)
305
13
(19)
3
(112)
1 033

(1)
4
–
–
(2)
–
(5)
23
–
4
–
–
–
(2)
25

17
167
10
2
(107)
35
(5)
973
(107)
309
13
(19)
3
(114)
1 058

Retained earnings at 31 March 2012 include a deduction for own shares held by the ESOP trust of £5 million (2011 – £11 million). All but 0.01 pence 
per share of the dividends arising on these shares have been waived by the trust.

The notes on pages 69 to 114 form part of these Group financial statements.

68

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Financial statements:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1 Presentation of financial 
statements
General information
As set out on page 60, the principal activity  
of Tate & Lyle PLC is the global provision of 
ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage 
and other industries. It operates from more  
than 30 production facilities around the world.

The Company is a public limited company 
incorporated and domiciled in the United 
Kingdom. The Company has its primary listing 
on the London Stock Exchange.

Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements are 
presented on the basis of International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) adopted by the 
European Union and interpretations issued  
by the International Financial Reporting 
Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and have 
been prepared in accordance with the Listing 
Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority 
and the Companies Act 2006, as applicable  
to companies reporting under IFRS.

These consolidated financial statements  
have been prepared in accordance with the 
accounting policies set out in Note 2 and  
under the historical cost convention modified  
to include revaluation of certain financial 
instruments and commodities, share options 
and pension assets and liabilities.

These consolidated financial statements are 
presented in pounds sterling, which is the 
functional currency of the Parent and the 
presentational currency of the Group.

The preparation of financial statements in 
conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain 
critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the 
process of applying the Company’s accounting 
policies. The areas involving a higher degree  
of judgement or complexity and areas where 
assumptions and estimates are significant  
to the consolidated financial statements are 
disclosed in Note 3.

The Group operates two divisions within 
continuing operations: Speciality Food 
Ingredients and Bulk Ingredients. These 
divisions meet the definition of an operating 
segment under IFRS 8. Central costs, which 
include head office, treasury and reinsurance 
activities, do not meet the operating segment 
definition under IFRS 8 but have been disclosed 
as a reportable segment in Note 4 to be 
consistent with internal management reporting.

Following the disposal of the EU Sugar Refining 
operations (‘EU Sugars’) to American Sugar 
Holding, the sale of Molasses to W&R Barnett 
Ltd and the announcement of the conditional 
sale of Vietnam Sugar, the Sugars segment  
was reclassified as discontinued operations  
in the comparative period. In the current year, 
the assets and liabilities of Vietnam Sugar  
and the legacy sugar trading contracts have 
been included within assets and liabilities held 
for sale. Sugar operations in Israel ceased in  
the year.

Use of adjusted measures
Tate & Lyle presents adjusted profit before tax 
and adjusted earnings per share information. 
These measures are used by Tate & Lyle for 
internal performance analysis and incentive 
compensation arrangements for employees. 
The terms ‘adjusted’ and ‘exceptional items’  
are not defined terms under IFRS and may 
therefore not be comparable with similarly  
titled measures reported by other companies. 
They are not intended to be a substitute for, or 
superior to, GAAP measurements of profit. The 
term ‘adjusted’ refers to the relevant measure 
being reported, excluding exceptional items 
and the amortisation of intangible assets arising 
on acquisition of businesses. Exceptional items 
are explained in Note 7. A reconciliation of 
statutory to adjusted information is provided  
in Note 43.

New IFRS standards and interpretations 
adopted
From 1 April 2011 the Group has adopted the 
following new and amended IFRSs and IFRIC 
interpretations:

 – IAS 24 (revised) Related party disclosure
 – Amendment to IFRS 1 First time adoption  

on financial instrument disclosure 

 – Amendment to IFRS 3 (revised) Business 

combinations

 – Amendment to IFRS 7 Financial instruments: 

Disclosures on Fair Value hierarchy
 – Amendment to IAS 1 Presentation of 

financial statements 

 – Amendment to IAS 27 Consolidated and 

separate financial statements

 – Amendment to IAS 34 Interim financial 

reporting 

 – Amendment to IFRIC 14 Pre-payment  
of a minimum funding requirement 

 – IFRIC 19 Extinguishing financial liabilities 

with equity instruments.

The adoption of these revised standards has 
not had a material impact on the Group’s profit 
for the year and equity.

New IFRS standards and interpretations 
not adopted
The following standards, amendments and 
interpretations are not yet effective and have 
not been adopted early by the Group:

 – IFRS 10 Consolidated financial statements
 – IFRS 12 Disclosure of interest in other entities
 – Amendments to IAS 19 Employee benefits
 – Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of 

financial statements – other comprehensive 
income

 – Amendments to IAS 32 Financial 

instruments presentation

 – Amendment to IFRS 7 Financial instruments: 

Disclosures on offsetting 
 – IFRS 9 Financial instruments
 – IFRS 13 Fair Value measurement

The adoption of these standards, amendments 
and interpretations is not expected to have a 
material impact on the Group’s result for the 
year or equity other than the amendment to  
IAS 19. This changes the basis on which the 
financing charge is calculated by applying the 

discount rate to the net defined benefit 
obligation. For the year ended 31 March 2012, 
calculating the finance charge in accordance 
with the new requirements would have 
increased finance costs by £11 million (2011 – 
£9 million). Under its current accounting policies 
the Group recognises actuarial gains and 
losses directly in other comprehensive income, 
as required by the new standard. The adoptions 
of the other standards may affect disclosures  
in the Group’s financial statements.

In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 11  
Joint Arrangements which, subject to EU 
endorsement, is effective for accounting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2013. While the 
net result and net assets will remain unchanged, 
the presentation of the Consolidated Income 
Statement, Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position and Consolidated Statement of  
Cash Flow will change significantly as IFRS 11 
prohibits proportionate consolidation of  
joint ventures which is the Group’s current 
accounting policy, as allowed under IAS 31. 
Under IFRS 11, joint ventures will be equity 
accounted. Operating segment results will 
remain unchanged and continue to 
proportionately consolidate joint ventures 
reflecting internal reporting to the Group’s  
Chief Operating Decision Maker. 

The parent company, Tate & Lyle PLC, has not 
adopted IFRS as its statutory reporting basis. 
Audited financial statements for the parent 
company, prepared in accordance with UK 
GAAP, are set out on pages 115 to 121.

2 Group accounting policies
Basis of consolidation
(a) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the 
Group has the power to govern the financial 
and operating policies, generally accompanying 
a shareholding of more than one half of the 
voting rights and taking into account the 
existence of potential voting rights. Subsidiaries 
are fully consolidated from the date on which 
control is transferred to the Group. They are  
de-consolidated from the date that control 
ceases. The purchase method of accounting  
is used to account for the acquisition of 
subsidiaries by the Group. The recognised 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their 
fair values at the date of acquisition. The 
interest of minority shareholders is stated at  
the non-controlling interest’s proportion of the 
fair values of the identifiable assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities recognised. Where 
necessary, adjustments are made to the 
financial statements of subsidiaries to bring  
the accounting policies used into line with  
those used by the Group. All inter-company 
transactions and balances between Group 
entities are eliminated on consolidation.

69

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20122 Group accounting policies 
(continued) 
(b) Transactions and non-controlling 
interests
The group treats transactions with non-
controlling interests as transactions with equity 
owners of the group. For purchases from non-
controlling interests, the difference between  
any consideration paid and the relevant share 
acquired of the carrying value of net assets of 
the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or 
losses on disposals to non-controlling interests 
are also recorded in equity.

(c) Joint ventures
An entity is regarded as a joint venture if the 
Group has joint control over its operating and 
financial policies. The Group’s interests in  
jointly controlled entities are accounted for  
by proportionate consolidation, whereby the 
Group’s share of the joint ventures’ income and 
expenses, assets and liabilities and cash flows 
are combined on a line-by-line basis with similar 
items in the Group’s financial statements. 
Where necessary, adjustments are made to the 
financial statements of joint ventures to bring 
the accounting policies used into line with those 
used by the Group. The Group recognises the 
portion of gains or losses on the sale of assets 
to the joint venture that is attributable to the 
other venturers. The Group does not recognise 
its share of profits or losses from the joint 
venture that result from the Group’s purchase  
of assets from the joint venture until it resells  
the assets to an external entity. However, if a 
loss on the transaction provides evidence of a 
reduction in the net realisable value of current 
assets, or an impairment loss, the loss is 
recognised immediately.

(d) Associates
An entity is regarded as an associate if the 
Group has significant influence, but not control, 
over its operating and financial policies. 
Significant influence generally exists where the 
Group holds more than 20% and less than 50% 
of the shareholders’ voting rights. Associates 
are accounted for under the equity method 
whereby the Group’s income statement 
includes its share of their profits and losses  
and the Group’s statement of financial position 
includes its share of their net assets. Where 
necessary, adjustments are made to the 
financial statements of associates to bring the 
accounting policies used into line with those 
used by the Group. When the Group’s share  
of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its 
interest in the associate, including any other 
unsecured receivables, the Group does not 
recognise further losses, unless it has incurred 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the 
associate. Unrealised gains on transactions 
between the group and its associates are 
eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest 
in the associate. Unrealised losses are also 
eliminated on the same basis unless the 
transaction provides evidence of an impairment 
of the asset transferred. The Group’s share  
of post-acquisition movements in other 
comprehensive income is recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

70

Foreign currency translation
(a) Functional and presentational currency
Items included in the financial statements  
of each of the Group’s entities are measured 
using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates  
(the ‘functional currency’). The consolidated 
financial statements are presented in pounds 
sterling, which is the functional currency of  
the Parent and the presentational currency  
of the Group.

(b) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated 
into the functional currency using the exchange 
rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. 
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting 
from the settlement of such transactions and 
from the translation at period end exchange 
rates of monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are 
recognised in the income statement, except 
when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow 
hedges, qualifying equasi-equity balances  
or qualifying net investment hedges.

(c) Group entities
From 1 April 2004, the results and financial 
position of all the Group’s entities that have  
a functional currency different from the 
presentational currency are translated into  
the presentation currency as follows:

(i)   assets and liabilities, including goodwill and 
fair value adjustments for each statement of 
financial position presented, are translated 
at the closing rate at the date of that 
statement of financial position;

(ii)   income and expenses for each income 
statement (including components of 
comprehensive income) are translated at 
weighted average exchange rates as a 
reasonable approximation to the rates 
prevailing on the transaction dates; and

(iii)  all resulting exchange differences are 
recognised as a separate component  
of equity.

Prior to 1 April 2004, exchange differences 
were recognised in retained earnings.

items. Subsequent costs are included in the 
asset’s carrying amount or recognised as  
a separate asset, as appropriate, only when  
it is probable that future economic benefits 
associated with the expenditure will flow to  
the Group and the cost of the item can be 
measured reliably. All repairs and maintenance 
expenditures are charged to the income 
statement during the financial year in which 
they are incurred.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line 
method to allocate the cost or revalued amount 
of each asset to its residual value over its useful 
economic life as follows:

Freehold land: 
Freehold buildings: 
Leasehold property: 
Bulk liquid storage tanks:  12 to 20 years 
Plant and machinery: 

No depreciation 
20 to 50 years 
Period of the lease 

3 to 28 years

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are 
reviewed at each statement of financial position 
date and adjusted if appropriate. An asset’s 
carrying amount is written down immediately  
to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying 
amount is greater than its estimated 
recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined 
by comparing the disposal proceeds with  
the carrying amount and are included in the 
income statement.

Leased assets
Leases of property, plant and equipment where 
the Group assumes substantially all the risks 
and rewards of ownership are classified as 
finance leases. Assets held under finance 
leases are capitalised at the lower of the fair 
value of the leased asset and the present  
value of the minimum lease payments. The 
corresponding leasing commitments, net  
of finance charges, are included in liabilities.

Leasing payments are analysed between 
capital and interest components so that the 
interest element is charged to the income 
statement over the period of the lease at a 
constant periodic rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability outstanding.

On consolidation, exchange differences  
arising from borrowings and other currency 
instruments designated as hedges of such 
investments, are taken to equity.

Depreciation on assets held under finance 
leases is charged to the income statement,  
and depreciated over the shorter of the lease 
term and its useful life.

When a foreign operation is sold, such 
exchange differences that have accumulated 
since 1 April 2004 are recognised in the income 
statement as part of the gain or loss on sale. 
These exchange differences comprise the 
exchange differences on all amounts deemed 
to be part of the net investment in the foreign 
operation, which are recycled to the income 
statement when a disposal occurs.

Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings mainly comprise 
manufacturing sites and administrative facilities.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at 
historical cost less depreciation and impairment. 
Historical cost includes expenditure that is 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the 

All other leases are treated as operating leases 
with annual rentals charged to the income 
statement, net of any incentives granted to  
the lessee, over the term of the lease with 
incentives recognised over the period of the 
lease at a constant periodic rate.

Intangible assets
(a) Goodwill
Goodwill is calculated as the difference 
between the fair value of the consideration 
exchanged in a business combination, 
excluding directly attributable acquisition costs, 
and the net fair values of the identifiable assets 
and liabilities acquired and is capitalised if 
positive. Where the acquired interest in the net 
fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities 

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20122 Group accounting policies 
(continued) 

exceeds the cost of the business combination, 
the excess is recognised immediately in the 
income statement. Goodwill is tested for 
impairment annually and whenever there is  
an indication of impairment and is carried at 
cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Gains and losses on the disposal of a business 
component include the carrying amount of 
goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units 
for the purpose of impairment testing. The 
allocation is made to those cash generating 
units or groups of cash-generating units that 
are expected to benefit from the business 
combination in which the goodwill arose.

(b) Patents and other intellectual property
Patents and other intellectual property are 
shown at historical cost less accumulated 
amortisation and impairment losses. Where  
the assets are acquired as part of a business 
combination, historical cost is based on their 
fair values as at the date of the combination. 
Amortisation of the assets is recognised  
on a straight-line basis over the period of  
their expected benefit which ranges from  
3 to 15 years.

(c) Other acquired intangible assets
Other acquired intangible assets are intangible 
assets arising on consolidation of acquired 
businesses and include brands, recipes, 
customer relationships and supplier networks. 
Amortisation of the assets is recognised  
on a straight-line basis over the period of  
their expected benefit which ranges from  
3 to 15 years.

(d) Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets mainly include certain 
development expenditure and software costs. 
Costs incurred on development projects 
(relating to the development design and testing 
of new or improved products) are recognised as 
intangible assets when the IAS 38 recognition 
criteria are met. Capitalised development costs 
are amortised from the commencement of  
the commercial production of the product  
on a straight-line basis over the period of  
its expected benefit. Research and other 
development expenditures are recognised as 
an expense as incurred. Development costs 
previously recognised as an expense are not 
recognised as an asset in a subsequent period. 
Amortisation of the assets is recognised on  
a straight-line basis over the period of their 
expected benefit which ranges from 3 to 7 years.

Impairment
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not 
subject to amortisation and are tested at least 
annually for impairment. No intangible assets 
other than goodwill have an indefinite life. In 
addition, assets in the course of construction 
are not depreciated and are subject to annual 
impairment review where there is an indication 
of impairment. Assets that are subject to 
amortisation or depreciation are reviewed for 
impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that their carrying 

amounts may not be recoverable. An 
impairment loss is recognised for the amount 
by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds 
its recoverable amount. Non-financial assets 
other than goodwill that suffered an impairment 
in previous periods are reviewed for possible 
reversal of the impairment at each reporting 
date. The recoverable amount is the higher  
of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use. 

For the purposes of assessing impairment, 
assets other than goodwill are grouped at the 
lowest levels for which there are separately 
identifiable cash inflows (cash-generating units). 
Goodwill is allocated to units expected to 
benefit from the synergies of the business 
combinations. Further details are given  
in Note 3.

Financial instruments
(a) Available-for-sale financial assets
Equity instruments held by the Group and 
designated as available-for-sale are carried  
at fair value, with movements in fair value 
recognised directly in equity. Where fair value 
cannot be reliably measured, the assets are 
approximated at cost. Cumulative fair value 
gains or losses on an asset are recycled through 
the income statement when the asset is 
disposed or impaired. A significant or prolonged 
decline in the fair value of the security below  
its cost is considered as an indicator that the 
securities are impaired. Impairments are 
recognised in the income statement.

(b) Loans and receivables
Non-current and current receivables and loans 
granted are recognised initially at fair value  
and thereafter carried at amortised cost less 
provisions for impairment. Movements in 
carrying value are recognised in the income 
statement.

(c) Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, 
net of transaction costs incurred. Where 
borrowings are designated as hedged items 
under fair value hedges, they are subsequently 
remeasured for fair value changes in respect of 
the hedged risk with such changes recognised 
in the income statement. Otherwise, borrowings 
are subsequently stated at amortised cost;  
any difference between the proceeds (net of 
transaction costs) and the redemption value is 
recognised in the income statement over the 
period of the borrowings using the effective 
interest rate method. Borrowings are classified 
as current liabilities unless the Group has an 
unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months after the 
statement of financial position date. Preference 
shares, which are mandatorily redeemable  
on a specific date, are classified as liabilities. 
The dividends on these preference shares  
are recognised in the income statement as 
interest expense.

(d) Derivatives held for trading
Commodity instruments acquired for trading 
purposes are initially recognised at fair value  
on the date a derivative contract is entered into 
and are subsequently re-measured at their fair 
value. Movements in fair value are recognised  
in the income statement.

(e) Commodity and treasury hedging 
instruments
Under IAS 39, hedging relationships are 
categorised by type and must meet strict 
criteria to qualify for hedge accounting.

(i)   Cash flow hedges 

Hedges of firm commitments and highly 
probable forecast transactions, including 
forecast intra-group transactions that are 
expected to affect consolidated profit or 
loss, are designated as cash flow hedges. 
To the extent that movements in the fair 
values of these instruments effectively offset 
the underlying risk being hedged they are 
recognised in other comprehensive income 
until the period during which the hedged 
forecast transaction affects profit or loss,  
at which point the cumulative gain or loss  
is recognised in operating profit, offsetting 
the value of the hedged transaction.

(ii)   Fair value hedges 

Hedges against the movement in fair value 
of recognised assets and liabilities are 
designated as fair value hedges. To the 
extent that movements in the fair values  
of these instruments effectively offset the 
underlying risk being hedged, they are 
recognised in net finance expense by  
offset against the hedged transaction.

(iii)  Hedges of net investments 

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign 
operation are designated as net investment 
hedges. To the extent that movements in the 
fair values of these instruments effectively 
offset the underlying risk being hedged, they 
are recognised in the translation reserve until 
the period during which a foreign operation 
is disposed of or partially disposed of, at 
which point the cumulative gain or loss is 
recognised in profit or loss, offsetting the 
cumulative difference recognised on the 
translation of the net investment.

Hedge accounting is discontinued at the  
point when the hedging relationship no longer 
qualifies for hedge accounting. In the case of 
cash flow hedging relationships, the cumulative 
movement in the fair value of the hedging 
instrument previously recognised in equity up  
to that point is retained there until the forecast 
transaction affects profit or loss, unless the 
hedged transaction is no longer expected to 
occur, in which case the cumulative movement 
in fair value is transferred to profit or loss 
immediately. Movements in the fair value of 
hedging instruments where the relationship fails 
to meet the IAS 39 hedge accounting criteria or 
where the movement represents the ineffective 
portion of a qualifying hedging relationship  
are recognised in the income statement 
immediately as other income and expense  
or net finance expense, as appropriate.

71

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20122 Group accounting policies 
(continued) 
(f)  Embedded derivatives
Where an embedded derivative is not closely 
related to the host contract and where the host 
contract itself is not already recognised at fair 
value, movements in the fair value of the 
embedded derivative are separated from the 
associated transaction and, except where the 
embedded derivative is designated as a cash 
flow hedging instrument, recognised in the 
income statement.

(g) Fair values
Fair values are based on market values where 
they are available. For unlisted securities the 
Group establishes fair value using valuation 
techniques. These include the use of recent 
arm’s length transactions, reference to other 
similar instruments and discounted cash  
flow analysis.

Where no market prices are available, the fair 
value of financial liabilities is calculated with 
reference to discounted expected future  
cash flows.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost  
and net realisable value with the exception of 
certain items of merchandisable agricultural 
commodities which are stated at market  
value, in line with regional industry  
accounting practices.

Cost comprises direct materials and, where 
applicable, direct labour costs and those 
overheads that have been incurred in bringing 
the inventories to their present location and 
condition. Cost is calculated using the ‘first in – 
first out’ or weighted average cost methods, 
appropriate to the materials and production 
processes involved. Net realisable value 
represents the estimated selling price less all 
estimated costs to completion and costs to be 
incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair 
value and subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method, less 
provision for impairment. A provision for 
impairment of trade receivables is established 
when there is objective evidence that the  
group will not be able to collect all amounts  
due according to the original terms of the 
receivables. Significant financial difficulties  
of the debtor, probability that the debtor will 
enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, 
and default or delinquency in payments are 
considered indicators that the trade receivable 
is impaired. The amount of the provision is the 
difference between the asset’s carrying amount 
and the present value of estimated future cash 
flows, discounted at the original effective 
interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset 
is reduced through the use of an allowance 
account, and the amount of the loss is 
recognised in the income statement within 
‘operating costs’. When a trade receivable  
is uncollectible, it is written off against the 
allowance account for trade receivables. 
Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously 
written off are credited against ‘operating costs’ 
in the income statement.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in 
hand, deposits held at call with banks and other 
short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less and, for the 
purposes of the cash flow statement only, bank 
overdrafts where the legal right of offset exists.

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. 
Incremental costs directly attributable to the 
issue of new shares are shown in equity as  
a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Where any Group company purchases the 
Company’s equity share capital and holds  
that share either directly as treasury shares  
or indirectly within an ESOP trust, the 
consideration paid, including any directly 
attributable incremental costs (net of income 
taxes), is deducted from equity attributable to 
the Company’s owners until the shares are 
cancelled, reissued or disposed. Where such 
shares are subsequently sold or reissued,  
any consideration received, net of any directly 
attributable incremental transaction costs and 
the related income tax effects, is included in 
equity attributable to the Company’s owners. 
These shares are used to satisfy share options 
and long term share incentive plans granted  
to employees under the Group’s share option 
schemes. The trustee of the ESOP trust 
purchases the Company’s shares on the open 
market using loans made by the Company  
or other loans guaranteed by the Company.

Trade payables
Non-current and current trade payables  
are recognised initially at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method, less 
provision for impairment.

Provisions
Provisions for liabilities and charges are 
recognised when the Group has a present legal 
or constructive obligation as a result of past 
events, it is more likely than not that an outflow 
of resources will be required to settle the 
obligation and the amount can be reliably 
measured. If the effect is material, provisions 
are measured using expected future cash flows 
discounted at a pre-tax rate that reflects current 
market assessments of the time value of money 
and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the 
liability. The impact of unwinding any discount  
is taken to finance expense.

Provisions are not recognised for future 
operating losses. A provision for onerous 
contracts is recognised when the expected 
benefits to be derived by the Group from a 
contract are lower than the unavoidable cost  
of meeting its obligations under the contract.

Income taxes
The charge for current tax is based on the 
results for the year as adjusted for items which 
are non-taxable or disallowed. It is calculated 
using rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the statement  
of financial position date.

Deferred tax is accounted for using the 
statement of financial position liability method  
in respect of temporary differences arising from 
differences between the carrying amount of 
assets and liabilities in the financial statements 
and the corresponding tax basis used in the 
computation of taxable profit. In principle, 
deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all 
taxable temporary differences (except as noted 
below) and deferred tax assets are recognised 
to the extent that it is probable that taxable 
profits will be available against which deductible 
temporary differences can be utilised. Such 
assets and liabilities are not recognised if the 
temporary differences arise from goodwill  
or from the initial recognition (other than in  
a business combination) of other assets and 
liabilities in a transaction which affects neither 
the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for 
taxable temporary differences arising on 
investments in subsidiaries and associates,  
and interests in joint ventures, except where  
the Group is able to control the reversal of the 
temporary difference and it is probable that  
the temporary difference will not reverse in  
the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is calculated using the enacted or 
substantively enacted rates that are expected 
to apply when the asset or liability is settled. 
Deferred tax is charged or credited in the 
income statement, except when it relates to 
items credited or charged directly to equity,  
in which case the deferred tax is also dealt  
with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset 
when they relate to income taxes levied by the 
same taxation authority and the Group intends 
to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on  
a net basis.

Revenue recognition
(a) Sales of goods and services
Sales comprise the amount receivable in the 
ordinary course of business, net of value added 
and sales taxes, for goods and services 
provided. Sales are recognised at the point or 
points at which the Group has performed its 
obligations in connection with the contractual 
terms of the sales agreement primarily at the 
point of delivering to the customer, and in 
exchange obtains the right to consideration.

(b) Interest income
Interest income is recognised on a time-
proportion basis using the effective interest  
rate method.

(c) Dividend income
Dividend income is recognised when the right 
to receive payment is established.

Employee benefits
(a) Pension obligations
Group companies operate various pension 
schemes. The schemes are generally funded 
through payments to insurance companies,  
or trustee payments to insurance companies  
or through trustee-administered funds, 
determined by periodic actuarial calculations. 
The Group has both defined benefit and 
defined contribution plans.

72

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20122 Group accounting policies 
(continued) 

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that 
defines an amount of pension benefit that an 
employee will receive on retirement, usually 
dependent on one or more factors such as age, 
years of service and compensation.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan 
under which the Group pays fixed contributions 
into a separate entity. The Group has no legal  
or constructive obligations to pay further 
contributions once these contributions have 
been paid. 

The amounts recognised in the statement of 
financial position in respect of defined benefit 
pension plans are the net deficit or the net 
surplus being the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation at the statement of financial 
position date less the fair value of plan assets, 
together with adjustments for actuarial gains or 
losses charged or credited to equity and past 
service costs. The defined benefit obligation is 
calculated annually by independent qualified 
actuaries using the projected unit credit 
method. The present value of the defined 
benefit obligation is determined by discounting 
the estimated future cash outflows using 
interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds 
that are denominated in the currency in which 
the benefits will be paid, and that have terms  
to maturity approximating to the terms of the 
related pension liability. Past service costs are 
recognised immediately in income, unless the 
changes to the pension plan are conditional  
on the employees remaining in service for a 
specified period of time (the vesting period). In 
this case, the past service costs are amortised 
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Any gains or losses from settlement or 
curtailment are recognised in the income 
statement when the curtailment or  
settlement occurs.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from 
experience adjustments and changes in 
actuarial assumptions are charged or credited 
immediately through the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income.

Where the actuarial valuation of a scheme 
demonstrates that the scheme is in surplus,  
the recognised asset is limited to that for  
which the Group expects to benefit in future  
by refunds or a reduction in contribution.

For defined contribution plans, the Group  
pays contributions to publicly or privately 
administered pension insurance plans on  
a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis.  
The Group has no further payment obligations 
once the contributions have been paid. The 
contributions are recognised as employee 
benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid 
contributions are recognised as an asset to  
the extent that a cash refund or a reduction  
in the future payments is available.

(b) Other post-employment obligations
Some Group companies provide post-
employment healthcare benefits to their 
retirees. The entitlement to these benefits  

is usually conditional on the employee 
remaining in service up to retirement age and 
the completion of a minimum service period. 
The expected costs of these benefits are 
accrued over the period of employment using 
an accounting methodology similar to that for 
defined benefit pension plans. Actuarial gains 
and losses arising from experience adjustments 
and changes in actuarial assumptions are 
charged or credited immediately to the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income. These obligations are valued annually 
by independent qualified actuaries.

(c) Share-based compensation
The Group operates a number of equity-settled, 
share-based compensation plans. The fair 
value of employee services received in 
exchange for the grant of the options is 
recognised as an expense. The total amount  
to be expensed over the vesting period is 
determined by reference to the fair value of the 
options granted, excluding the impact of any 
non-market vesting conditions (for example, 
earnings targets). Non-market vesting 
conditions are included in assumptions about 
the number of options that are expected to 
become exercisable. At each statement of 
financial position date, for options granted  
with non-market vesting conditions, the Group 
revises its estimates of the number of options 
that are expected to become exercisable. It 
recognises the impact of the revision of original 
estimates, if any, in the income statement,  
and a corresponding adjustment to equity.  
The proceeds received net of any directly 
attributable transaction costs are credited to 
share capital and share premium when the 
options are exercised.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly arising from the 
purchase, construction or production of an 
asset are capitalised as part of the cost of that 
asset. During the year £1 million of borrowing 
costs have been capitalised (2011: £nil) at a  
rate of 3.7% (2011: 5.0%).

Exceptional items
Exceptional items comprise items of income 
and expense, including tax items, that are 
material in amount and unlikely to recur and 
which merit separate disclosure in order to 
provide an understanding of the Group’s 
underlying financial performance. Examples of 
events giving rise to the disclosure of material 
items of income and expense as exceptional 
items include, but are not limited to, impairment 
events, significant business transformation 
activities, disposals of operations or significant 
individual assets, litigation claims by or against 
the Group and the restructuring of components 
of the Group’s operations. See Note 7 for 
further details.

Government grants
A government grant is recognised when there  
is reasonable assurance that any conditions 
attached to the grant will be satisfied and the 
grants will be received. A government grant is 
recognised at its fair value and is accounted for 
as a deduction against the cost concerned or 
within other income over the periods necessary 
to match the grants with the related costs  
that they are intended to compensate.

Dividend distribution
Final dividend distributions to the Company’s 
owners are recognised as a liability in the 
Group’s financial statements in the period  
in which the dividends are approved by the 
Company’s shareholders, while interim dividend 
distributions are recognised in the period in 
which the dividends are declared and paid. 
Where a scrip alternative is offered and taken, 
the distribution is effected through an issue  
of bonus shares.

Segment reporting
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires that 
entities identify and report the financial 
performance of these operating segments. 
Segment information is reported for those 
components for which separate financial 
information is available and which management 
uses internally for allocating resources and 
assessing performance. In addition to receiving 
information relating to the operating performance 
of the business, principally sales and adjusted 
operating performance, the Chief Operating 
Decision Maker, which is determined to be the 
Board, receives information on the segmental 
net working capital in order to assess the 
performance of the segments.

Discontinued operations and assets held 
for sale
Business components that represent separate 
major lines of business or geographical areas  
of operations are recognised as discontinued  
if the operations have been disposed of, or 
meet the criteria to be classified as held for  
sale under IFRS 5.

Assets and disposal groups are classified as 
held for sale if their carrying amount will be 
principally recovered through a sale transaction 
rather than through continuing use. This 
condition is regarded as met only when the sale 
is highly probable, expected to be completed 
within one year and the asset (or disposal 
group) is available for immediate sale in its 
present condition. Operations held for sale are 
held at the lower of their carrying amount on the 
date they are classified as held for sale and fair 
value less costs to sell.

3 Critical accounting estimates 
and judgements
In order to prepare these consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with the accounting 
policies set out in Note 2, management has 
used estimates and judgements to establish the 
amounts at which certain items are recorded. 
Critical accounting estimates and judgements 
are those that have the greatest impact on the 
financial statements and require the most 
difficult, subjective and complex judgements 
about matters that are inherently uncertain. 
Estimates are based on factors including 
historical experience and expectations of  
future events that management believe to be 
reasonable. However, given the judgemental 
nature of such estimates, actual results could 
be different from the assumptions used. The 
critical accounting estimates and judgements 
are set out below.

73

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Deferred tax assets mainly arise from asset 
impairments and retirement benefit obligations 
that the Group expects to recover at some time 
in the future and by their nature the amounts 
recorded are therefore dependent on 
management’s judgement about future events.

Further details are set out in Notes 11 and 29.

3 Critical accounting estimates 
and judgements (continued) 
Impairment of assets
Asset impairments have the potential to 
significantly impact operating profit. In order  
to determine whether impairments are required 
the Group estimates the recoverable amount  
of the asset. This calculation is usually based  
on projecting future cash flows over a five-year 
period and using a terminal value to incorporate 
expectations of growth thereafter. A discount 
factor is applied to obtain a current value  
(‘value in use’). The ‘fair value less costs to sell’ 
of an asset is used if this results in an amount  
in excess of ‘value in use’.

Estimated future cash flows for impairment 
calculations are based on management’s 
expectations of future volumes and margins 
based on plans and best estimates of the 
productivity of the assets in their current 
condition. Future cash flows therefore exclude 
benefits from major expansion projects 
requiring future capital expenditure where  
that expenditure has not been approved at  
the statement of financial position date.

Future cash flows are discounted using a 
discount rate based on the Group’s weighted 
average cost of capital, adjusted if appropriate 
for circumstances specific to the asset being 
tested. The weighted average cost of capital is 
impacted by estimates of interest rates, equity 
returns and market and country-related risks. 
The Group’s weighted average cost of capital  
is reviewed on an annual basis.

If the cash flow or discount rate assumptions 
were to change because of market conditions, 
the level of impairment could be different and 
could result in the asset impairment being 
increased or reversed, in part or in full, at a future 
date. Goodwill impairment is never reversed.

Further details are set out in Notes 15 and 16.

Retirement benefits
Among the range of retirement benefits 
provided in businesses around the Group are  
a number of defined benefit pension plans  
and an unfunded healthcare benefit scheme  
in the US. The amounts recorded in the 
financial statements for both of these types  
of arrangement are based on a number of 
assumptions, changes to which could have  
a material impact on the reported amounts.

Any net deficit or surplus arising on defined 
benefit plans and the liability under the 
healthcare plan is shown in the statement of 
financial position. The amount recorded is the 
difference between plan assets and liabilities  
at the statement of financial position date. The 
group only recognises a surplus to the extent  
it has an unconditional right to a refund or a 
reduction in future contributions. Plan assets 
are based on market value at that date. Plan 
liabilities, including healthcare liabilities, are 
based on actuarial estimates of the present 
value of future pension or other benefits that  
will be payable to members. The most sensitive 

assumptions involved in calculating the 
expected liabilities are mortality rates and the 
discount rate used to calculate the present 
value. If the mortality rates assumption 
changed, a one year increase to longevity  
at age 65 would increase the liability by  
£57 million. The main financial assumption  
is the real discount rate, being the excess  
of the discount rate over the rate of inflation.  
If this assumption decreased by 1%, the gross 
plan liabilities would increase by approximately 
£220 million.

The income statement generally comprises  
a regular charge to operating profit for open 
defined benefit plans, which represents the 
service cost of providing the benefit for the  
year, and a finance result, which represents  
the net of expected income from plan assets 
and an interest charge on plan liabilities. These 
calculations are based on expected outcomes 
at the start of the financial year. The income 
statement is most sensitive to changes in 
expected returns from plan assets and the 
discount rate used to calculate the interest 
charge on plan liabilities. A 1% increase in the 
assumption of the discount rate would increase 
the net finance expense by approximately  
£1.6 million.

Full details of these assumptions, which are 
based on advice from the Group’s actuaries, 
are set out in Note 30.

Provisions
The Group recognises a provision where  
a legal or constructive obligation exists at  
the statement of financial position date and  
a reliable estimate can be made of the likely 
outcome. Where appropriate, future cash 
outflows that are expected to arise over a 
number of years are discounted to a present 
value using a relevant discount rate.

At the statement of financial position date, 
provisions included amounts for insurance 
claims payable by the Group’s reinsurance 
company, legal matters, employee termination 
and other restructuring costs.

Although provisions are reviewed on a regular 
basis and adjusted for management’s best 
current estimates, the judgemental nature of 
these items means that future amounts settled 
may be different from those provided.

Further details are set out in Note 31.

Taxation
The Group operates in a large number of tax 
jurisdictions around the world. Tax regulations 
generally are complex and in some jurisdictions 
agreeing tax liabilities with local tax authorities 
can take several years. Consequently, at the 
statement of financial position date, tax liabilities 
and assets are based on management’s best 
estimate of the future amounts that will be 
settled. While the Group aims to ensure that  
the estimates recorded are accurate, the actual 
amounts could be different from those expected.

74

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20124 Segment information
The Group operates two divisions within continuing operations: Speciality Food Ingredients and Bulk Ingredients. These divisions meet the definition 
of operating segment under IFRS 8. Central costs, which include head office, treasury and reinsurance activities, do not meet the operating segment 
definition under IFRS 8 but have been disclosed as a reportable segment in the tables below to be consistent with internal management reporting.

Discontinued operations comprise the former Sugars segment together with International Sugar Trading (Note 12).

The segment results for the year to 31 March 2012 are as follows:

Continuing operations

Sales 
Total sales 
Inter-segment sales 
External sales (Note a) 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Before exceptional items and 

amortisation of intangible assets 
acquired through business 
combinations
Exceptional items 
Amortisation of intangible assets acquired 

through business combinations

7

15

Speciality 
Food 
Ingredients 
£m 

Note 

Bulk 
Ingredients 
£m

Central
costs
£m

 992
(105)
887

214
70

(12)
272

2 277 
(76)
2 201

172
7

–
179

– 
–
–

(38)
(9)

–
(47)

258

513

13

Discontinued 
operations 
(Note 12) 

£m

72 
–
72

5
11

–
16
1
17

40

Total
£m 

3 269 
(181)
3 088

348
68

(12)
404
(25)
379

784

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance (expense)/income 
Profit before tax

Segment assets (Note b) 
Unallocated assets:
– non-current assets
– current assets 
Total assets 

Segment liabilities (Note b) 
Unallocated liabilities:
– non-current liabilities
– current liabilities
Total liabilities 

Other segment information 
Net working capital
Capital investments (Note c)
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Share-based payments

(117)

(222)

(47)

(386)

(9)

141
70
30
18
3

 291
52
53
–
2

(34)
30
2
–
6

398
152
85
18
11

16 
15
9

31
1
2
–
–

(a)   There were no customers that contributed more than 10% of the Group’s external sales from continuing operations for the year ended 31 March 

2012. Sales between segments are carried out at arm’s length.

(b)  Segment assets and liabilities comprises controllable working capital (trade and other receivables, inventories and trade and other payables), as 
reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. All other assets and liabilities are reported within segment information as unallocated as these 
are not reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker at segment level.

(c)   Capital investments comprise capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investments. These items include 

amounts arising on acquisition of businesses.

75

 Total from 
continuing 
and 
discontinued 
operations 
£m

3 341 
(181)
3 160

353
79

(12)
420
(24)
396

824

1 515
567
2 906

(395)

(1 153)
(300)
(1 848)

429
153
87
18
11

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 Segment information (continued)
The segment results for the year to 31 March 2011 are as follows:

Continuing operations

Sales 
Total sales 
Inter-segment sales 
External sales (Note a) 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Before exceptional items and amortisation 
of intangible assets acquired through 
business combinations

Exceptional items 
Amortisation of intangible assets 

acquired through business combinations

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance expense 
Profit/(loss) before tax

Segment assets (Note b) 
Unallocated assets:
– non-current assets
– current assets 
Total assets 

Segment liabilities (Note b) 
Unallocated liabilities:
– non-current liabilities
– current liabilities
Total liabilities 

Other segment information 
Net working capital
Capital investments (Note c)
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Impairment charges of property,  

plant and equipment
Share-based payments

7

15

 16
15

9

Speciality 
Food 
Ingredients 
£m 

Notes

Bulk 
Ingredients 
£m

Central
costs
£m

916
(111)
805

206
(7)

(13)
186

1 987
(72)
1 915

157
9

–
166

–
–
–

(42)
(7)

–
(49)

207

511

13

Discontinued 
operations 
(Note 12) 

£m

590
–
590

(2)
(43)

–
(45)
–
(45)

40

Total
£m 

2 903
(183)
2 720

321
(5)

(13)
303
(58)
245

731

(106)

(237)

(61)

(404)

(8)

101
26
34
18

2
–

274
34
55
–

–
1

(48)
16
2
–

–
8

327
76
91
18

2
9

32
8
9
–

4
–

 Total from 
continuing 
and 
discontinued 
operations 
£m

3 493
(183)
3 310

319
(48)

(13)
258
(58)
200

771

1 424
856
3 051

(412)

(1 236)
(430)
(2 078)

359
84
100
18

6
9

(a)   There were no customers that contributed more than 10% of the Group’s external sales from continuing operations for the year ended 31 March 

2011. Sales between segments are carried out at arm’s length.

(b)  Segment assets and liabilities comprises controllable working capital (trade and other receivables, inventories and trade and other payables), as 
reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. All other assets and liabilities are reported within segment information as unallocated as these 
are not reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker at segment level.

(c)   Capital investments comprise capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investments. These items include 

amounts arising on acquisition of businesses.

The United Kingdom is the home country of the parent. Sales (from continuing operations) and non-current assets, other than financial instruments, 
deferred tax assets and retirement benefit assets in the principal territories are as follows:

External sales by destination
Year to 31 March
2011
£m
65
1 746
432
477
2 720

2012
£m
64
1 849
526
649
3 088

External sales by origin
Year to 31 March
2011
£m
16
1 948
451
305
2 720

2012
£m
18
2 216
512
342
3 088

Location of non-current assets
Year to 31 March
2011
£m
38
660
327
156
1 181

2012
£m
39
767
302
146
1 254

United Kingdom
United States
Other European countries
Rest of world
Total

76

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 Sales from continuing operations
Analysis of sales by category:

Sales of goods (excluding share of sales of joint ventures)
Share of sales of joint ventures
Total 

6 Operating profit
Continuing operations

Analysis by nature:

External sales 
Staff costs 
   – of which relate to cost of sales 
Inventories:
– cost of inventories recognised as an expense (included in cost of sales) 
– fair value loss on derivatives held for trading 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
– owned assets 
   – of which relate to cost of sales 
– leased assets (included in cost of sales)
Exceptional items 
Amortisation of intangible assets:
– intangible assets arising through business combinations
– other intangible assets 
Operating lease rentals:
– plant and machinery
Research and development expenditure
Impairment of trade receivables 
Impairment of inventories
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Other operating and selling expenses 
Total
Operating profit from continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Analysis by nature:

External sales 
Staff costs 
   – of which relate to cost of sales 
Inventories:
– cost of inventories recognised as an expense (included in cost of sales)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
– owned assets 
   – of which relate to cost of sales 
Exceptional items
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Other operating and selling expenses 
Total 
Operating profit/(loss) from discontinued operations

Notes

£m

 121 

 81 

9

16

16
7

15
15

23
22

Notes

£m

9

16

7

 1 

2

Notes

17

2012

£m
 3 088 
 250 

 1 952 
 – 

 84 

 1 
 (68)

 12 
 6 

 22 
 29 
 1 
 1 
 – 
 1 
 393 
 2 684 
 404 

2012

£m
 72 
 2 

60

2

 (11)
 – 
3
 56 
 16 

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
2 317
403
2 720

2012
£m
2 617
471
3 088

£m

 115 

 86 

£m

 15 

8

2011

£m
 2 720 
 247 

 1 606 
 8 

 90 

 1 
 5 

 13 
 5 

 23 
 25 
 1 
 – 
 2 
 1 
 390 
 2 417 
 303 

2011

£m
 590 
 28 

479

9

43
4
72
 635 
 (45)

77

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
7 Exceptional items
Exceptional items are as follows: 

Continuing operations 
Reversal of fixed asset impairment – McIntosh & Decatur assets (Note a)
Reversal of provision – McIntosh (Note a)
Business transformation costs (Note b) 
Gain on disposal, net of pre-disposal costs – Fort Dodge (Note c) 
Total 
Discontinued operations 
Gain on disposal of minority holdings – International Sugar Trading (Note d) 
Loss on disposal – EU Sugars (Note e) 
Gain on disposal – Molasses (Note f) 
Total

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

60
23
(15)
–
68

11
–
–
11

–
–
(15)
10
(5)

–
(55)
12
(43)

Continuing operations
(a)   On 26 May 2011, the Group took the decision to re-open the mothballed facility in McIntosh, Alabama and restart the production of sucralose. 
This decision has resulted in the reversal of £53 million of impairment charge previously recognised against property, plant and equipment.  
In addition, £23 million of the provision in respect of obligations relating to the mothballed facility was no longer required and has also been 
reversed. These exceptional items are reported within the Speciality Food Ingredients segment. 

 In addition, in November 2010 the Group signed an agreement with Amyris Inc. to manufacture Trans-beta-Farnesene using redundant assets 
located at the Decatur, Illinois plant that were previously impaired. Commercial viability of the new process was proven during the current financial 
year, resulting in a £7 million reversal of the write down previously recognised against property, plant and equipment. This exceptional item is 
reported within the Bulk Ingredients segment. 

(b)  The Group has recognised an exceptional charge of £15 million in relation to business transformation costs. The Group incurred £9 million  

(2011 – £6 million) of charges in relation to costs which did not meet the capitalisation criteria for the implementation of a common global IS/IT 
platform and Global Shared Service Centre, £5 million (2011 – £4 million) in relation to the relocation of employees and restructuring associated 
with the new Commercial and Food Innovation Centre in Chicago, Illinois, and £1 million (2011 – £5 million) of restructuring costs relating to the 
Food Systems business. These costs are reported in the Speciality Food Ingredients segment (£6 million, 2011 – £7 million) and within Central 
costs (£9 million, 2011 – £7 million). In addition, in the prior year there was a charge of £1 million recognised within the Bulk Ingredients segment.

(c)   In the prior year, the Group recorded a net exceptional gain of £10 million in respect of the sale of the previously impaired ethanol facility at  

Fort Dodge, Iowa. This exceptional item was reported in the Bulk Ingredients segment.

The tax impact on net exceptional items is a £31 million charge (2011 – £10 million). In addition, there has been an exceptional tax credit of £10 million 
which represents the recognition of a deferred tax asset in respect of foreign tax credits recognised in association with the disposal of the ethanol 
facility in Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

In the year ended 31 March 2011, the Group recognised an exceptional tax credit of £8 million within continuing operations which represented the 
recognition of a deferred tax asset on unrealised profit in inventory following the restructuring of the Group.

Discontinued operations
(d)  On 12 October 2011, the Group completed the sale of its minority holdings in Egypt and Saudi Arabia relating to the former International Sugar 
Trading business and received £18 million in cash consideration. After recycling revaluation gains to the Income Statement, the Group has 
recorded an exceptional gain of £11 million. 

(e)  In the prior year, the Group recorded a loss of £55 million in relation to the disposal of EU Sugars. Further details are set out in Note 37.

(f)  In the prior year, the Group recorded a gain of £12 million in relation to the disposal of Molasses businesses. Further details are set out in Note 37. 

The tax impact on net exceptional items is £nil in the current financial year (2011 – £19 million credit). Tax credits on exceptional costs are only 
recognised to the extent that losses incurred will result in tax recoverable in the future. 

There has also been an exceptional tax charge within discontinued operations of £15 million in respect of outstanding tax matters associated with 
the starch facilities that formed part of the former Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe segment, which are in the process of litigation. These facilities 
were disposed of by the Group in the year ended 31 March 2008. 

78

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
  
8 Auditors’ remuneration
During the year the Group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the Company’s auditors as detailed below:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors for the audit of the parent company and consolidated 

financial statements 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and its associates for other services: 
– the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation 
Total audit fees 
Other services pursuant to legislation 
Other services relating to taxation 
All other services
Total

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

0.6

1.2
1.8
0.1
–
0.5
2.4

0.6

1.1
1.7
0.1
0.1
0.8
2.7

In addition to the above, fees totalling £0.1 million (2011 – £0.1 million) were paid to the Company’s auditors in respect of the audit of Group pension 
schemes.

Within ‘All other services’, £0.3 million (2011: £nil) of fees paid to the auditors were audit related services in respect of work performed on the Group’s 
common IS/IT platform. Furthermore, included within fees payable to the Company’s auditors and its associates is £nil (2011 – £0.1 million) and within 
all other services £nil (2011 – £0.6 million, relating to discontinued operations including the costs of vendor due diligence in respect of the disposal  
of Molasses). 

9 Staff costs
Staff costs for the Group during the year were as follows:

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs: 
– defined benefit schemes 
– defined contribution schemes 
– retirement healthcare benefits 
Share-based payments 
Total

Year to 31 March 2012
Discontinued 
operations 
£m
2
–

Continuing 
operations 
£m
204
24

Year to 31 March 2011
Discontinued 
operations 
£m
26
1

Continuing 
operations 
£m
206
19

4
4
3
11
250

–
–
–
–
2

8
2
3
9
247

1
–
–
–
28

Notes

30

30
26

The average monthly number of people employed by the Group, excluding associates’ employees and including a proportionate share of people 
employed by joint ventures, is set out below. As required by the Companies Act 2006, this includes part-time employees:

By business segment
Speciality Food Ingredients 
Bulk Ingredients 
Central
Total

Year to 31 March

2011
1 631
2 382
293
4 306

2012
1 693
2 247
346
4 286

In addition, the average number of people employed relating to discontinued operations was 276 (2011 – 854).

The number of people employed by the Group at 31 March 2012 was 4,636 (2011 – 4,416). Included in these numbers are 253 (2011 – 305) 
employees relating to discontinued operations.

Central includes shared service employees who perform activities for the whole Group, including the Speciality Food Ingredients and Bulk 
Ingredients segments.

Key management compensation

Salaries and short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments
Total

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
7
1
5
13

2012
£m
7
1
6
14

Key management is represented by the Group Executive Committee and the Company’s directors. Remuneration details of the Company’s directors 
are given in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 48 to 59. Members of the Group Executive Committee are given on page 37.

The aggregate emoluments of directors in respect of qualifying services to the Company were £3 million (2011 – £4 million).

As required by the Companies Act 2006, the aggregate gains made for the Directors on the exercise of share options were £1 million (2011 – £nil).

79

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
10 Finance income and finance expense

Continuing operations
Finance income 
Interest receivable
Net finance income arising on defined benefit retirement schemes:
– expected return on plan assets
– interest cost 
Total finance income

Finance expense 
Interest payable on bank and other borrowings
Net finance expense arising on defined benefit retirement schemes:
– interest cost
– expected return on plan assets
Finance lease charges
Unwinding of discounts in provisions
Fair value gains/(losses) on interest-related derivative financial instruments:
– interest rate swaps – fair value hedges
– derivatives not designated as hedges
Fair value adjustment of borrowings attributable to interest rate risk 
Recycle of cash flow hedge reserve in respect of borrowings repaid 
Total finance expense 
Net finance expense

Notes

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

30
30 

30
30

31

3

78
(73)
8

(31)

–
–
(1)
–

20
(3)
(18)
–
(33)
(25)

 3

–
–
3

(45)

(76)
72
(1)
(2)

7
(3)
(7)
(6)
(61)
(58)

Finance expense is shown net of borrowing costs capitalised within property, plant and equipment (Note 16) of £1 million (2011 – £nil) at a 
capitalisation rate of 3.7% (2011 – 5.0%).

Interest payable on other borrowings includes £0.2 million (2011 – £0.2 million) of dividends in respect of the Group’s 6.5% cumulative preference shares.

Discontinued operations
Included within the profit for the year in relation to discontinued operations (Note 12) is net finance income of £1 million (2011 – £nil).

11 Income tax expense
Analysis of charge for the year

Continuing operations
Current tax: 
In respect of the current year 
– UK
– overseas 
Adjustments in respect of previous years 

Deferred tax:
Deferred tax charge
Adjustments in respect of previous years
Exceptional tax credit
Income tax expense

Notes

29

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

–
7
–
7

73
2
(10)
72

–
3
(10)
(7)

64
–
(8)
49

The income tax charge relating to continuing operations for the year to 31 March 2012 is £72 million (2011 – £49 million) and includes a charge of  
£31 million in respect of pre-tax exceptional items (2011 – £10 million).

The effective tax rate for the year, calculated on the basis of the total income tax charge relating to continuing operations as a proportion of profit 
before tax, is 19.0% (2011 – income tax charge on profit before tax of 19.7%). This compares with the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 
26% (2011 – 28%). The effective tax rate relating to continuing operations on profit before exceptional items, amortisation and exceptional tax items  
is 17.1% (2011 – 18.5%).

Included within deferred tax is a £2 million charge (2011 – £nil) principally relating to prior year adjustments to the tax base of fixed assets in a number 
of jurisdictions. Included within current tax in the prior year is a £10 million credit principally relating to the settlement of prior year tax obligations in a 
number of jurisdictions.

The exceptional tax credit of £10 million represents the recognition of a deferred tax asset in respect of foreign tax credits recognised in association 
with the disposal of Fort Dodge. The £8 million credit in the comparative year represented the recognition of a deferred tax asset on unrealised profit 
in inventory following the restructuring of the Group. 

The standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom has reduced from 26% to 24% from 1 April 2012.

80

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11 Income tax expense (continued)
The tax on the company’s profit before tax differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom as follows:

Profit before tax 
Corporation tax charge thereon at 26% (2011 – 28%)
Adjusted for the effects of:
– exceptional tax credit
– items not deductible for tax purposes
– losses not recognised
– adjustments to tax in respect of previous years
– different tax rates applied on overseas earnings 
Total

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
245
69

2012
£m
379
99

(10)
3
4
2
(26)
72

(8)
7
15
(10)
(24)
49

Discontinued operations
The income tax charge in respect of discontinued operations (Note 12) in the year to 31 March 2012 is £15 million (2011 – £16 million credit). This 
comprises a £15 million exceptional charge increasing the provisions relating to outstanding tax matters associated with starch facilities that formed 
part of the former Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe segment, which are in the process of litigation. These facilities were disposed of by the 
Group in the year ended 31 March 2008.

Tax charge relating to components of other comprehensive income

Retirement benefit obligations 
Cash flow hedges 
Tax losses 
Other 
Tax credit relating to components of other comprehensive income 
Deferred tax

Notes

 29

Tax losses have been recognised to offset against the retirement tax liability on the UK retirement benefit obligation surplus.

Tax on items recognised directly in equity

Deferred tax credit on share-based payments 
Total

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
(19)
(5)
22
2
–
–

2012
£m
33
–
(6)
–
27
27

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
(1)
(1)

2012
£m
(2)
(2)

12 Discontinued operations
In the prior year, the Group announced its intention to sell all the business within the former Sugars segment. 

In September 2010, the Group completed the disposal of EU Sugars to American Sugar Holdings and in December 2010, the Group completed  
the disposal of Molasses to W&R Barnett Ltd. In April 2011, the Group entered into a conditional agreement to sell its majority share of Vietnam Sugar 
to TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company for approximately £33 million, together with the Group’s proportionate share of cash and working capital.  
The Group’s sugar business in Israel also ceased trading during the current financial year. The results of these former Sugars and the previously 
disclosed International Sugar Trading business are presented as discontinued operations for the year ended 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011.  
The results of Vietnam Sugar and Israel are presented within the Other category for both periods. Other also includes £15 million of exceptional 
income tax expense (Note 11) in respect of outstanding tax matters associated with the starch facilities that formed part of the former food and 
Industrial Ingredients, Europe segment, which are in the process of litigation. 

Year to 31 March 2012

Sales 

Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expense 
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the year
Non-controlling interests
Profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company

Notes

7

EU 
Sugars 
£m
–

International 
Sugar 
Trading 
£m 
26

Molasses 
£m 
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(2)
11
9
–
(1)
8
–
8
–
8

Other 
£m 
46

7
–
7
2
–
9
(15)
(6)
(4)
(10)

Total 
£m 
72

5
11
16
2
(1)
17
(15)
2
(4)
(2)

81

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
12 Discontinued operations (continued)

Notes

7  

Sales 

Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating (loss)/profit
Finance income
Finance expense 
(Loss)/profit before tax
Income tax credit/(expense)
(Loss)/profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
(Loss)/profit attributable to owners of the Company

Net cash flows from discontinued operations are as follows:

Net cash generated from operating activities 
Net cash generated from investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities 
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities

EU 
Sugars 
£m
330

Molasses 
£m 
141

International 
Sugar 
Trading 
£m 
18

(2)
(55)
(57)
–
–
(57)
22
(35)
–
(35)

EU 
Sugars 
£m
–
–
–

EU 
Sugars 
£m
(85)
(5)
(16)

7
12
19
–
–
19
(1)
18
(1)
17

(11)
–
(11)
–
(1)
(12)
–
(12)
–
(12)

International 
Sugar 
Trading 
£m 
10
–
–

International 
Sugar 
Trading 
£m 
(17)
–
–

Molasses 
£m 
–
–
–

Molasses 
£m 
(11)
(1)
(1)

Year to 31 March 2011

Other 
£m 
101

4
–
4
1
–
5
(5)
–
(3)
(3)

Total 
£m 
590

(2)
(43)
(45)
1
(1)
(45)
16
(29)
(4)
(33)

Year to 31 March 2012

Other 
£m 
15
2
(2)

Total 
£m 
25
2
(2)

Year to 31 March 2011

Other 
£m 
13
1
(1)

Total 
£m 
(100)
(5)
(18)

13 Earnings per share
Basic
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Company and held in the Employee Share Ownership Trust or in Treasury.

Profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company 

(£million) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in 

issue (millions) 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

Year to 31 March 2012

Year to 31 March 2011

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

307

465.7
65.9p

(2)

465.7
(0.4)p

Total 

305

465.7
65.5p

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

196

461.5
42.6p

(33)

461.5
(7.3)p

Total 

163

461.5
35.3p

Diluted
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue to assume conversion of all potential 
dilutive ordinary shares. Potential dilutive ordinary shares arise from share options and the Group’s long term share incentive plans. For non-performance 
related share plans, a calculation is performed to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the 
average annual market share price of the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share 
options. For performance related share plans, a calculation is performed to determine the satisfaction or otherwise, of the performance conditions  
at the end of the financial year, and the number of shares which would be issued based on the status at the end of the financial year.

Profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company 

(£million) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

(millions) 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

Year to 31 March 2012

Year to 31 March 2011

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

307

474.9
64.6p

(2)

474.9
(0.3)p

Total 

305

474.9
64.3p

Continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

196

468.8
41.9p

(33)

468.8
(7.2)p

Total 

163

468.8
34.7p

The adjustment for the dilutive effect of share options at 31 March 2012 was 9.2 million shares (2011 – 7.3 million).

82

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
13 Earnings per share (continued)
Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is stated excluding exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations  
as follows:

Continuing operations
Profit attributable to owners of the Company (£million) 
Adjustments (£million): 
– exceptional items 
– amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations 
– tax effect of the above adjustments 
– exceptional tax credit 
Adjusted profit (£million)

Adjusted basic earnings per share from continuing operations 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 

14 Dividends

Dividends paid on ordinary equity shares (£million): 
– final paid relating to prior year
– interim paid relating to current year 
Total dividend paid
Satisfied by:
– cash (£million)
– scrip dividend (£million) (Note a) 
Total 
The total ordinary dividend is 24.9p (2011 – 23.7p) made up as follows:
– interim dividend paid
– final dividend proposed (Note b)
Total

Notes

7
15

11

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
196

2012
£m
307

(68)
12
27
(10)
268

5
13
8
(8)
214

57.5p
56.4p

46.5p
45.7p

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

79
33
112

112
–
112

7.1p
17.8p
24.9p

74
31
105

70
35
105

6.8p
16.9p
23.7p

(a)   In the prior year, shareholders were given the option to receive dividends in the form of a scrip issue. On 30 July 2010 and 7 January 2011, the 
Group issued 5,716,625 shares and 1,601,272 shares respectively for scrip at a nominal value per share of 25p and a cash equivalent value of  
£35 million. Further detail is disclosed in Note 24.

(b)  The final dividend proposed for the year of £83 million (2011 – £79 million), based on the number of shares outstanding as at 31 March 2012 has 
not been recognised as a liability and will be settled on 3 August 2012, to shareholders who are on the Register of Members on 29 June 2012, 
subject to approval by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 26 July 2012.

83

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill
£m 

Patents
£m 

Other acquired
intangible 
assets
£m 

Total acquired
 intangibles
£m

Other
intangible 
assets
£m 

Cost 
At 1 April 2011 
Additions at cost 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012
Accumulated amortisation and impairments
At 1 April 2011 
Amortisation charge 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012
Net book value at 31 March 2012
Cost 
At 1 April 2010 
Additions at cost 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Disposals and write-offs 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011
Accumulated amortisation and impairments
At 1 April 2010 
Amortisation charge 
Disposals and write-offs 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011
Net book value at 31 March 2011

Goodwill
The carrying amounts of goodwill by segment are as follows:

Speciality Food Ingredients (Note a)
Bulk Ingredients
Allocated by geography:
– United States (Note b)
– Europe (Note c)
Total

222
–
(5)
217

–
–
–
–
217

230
–
–
(2)
(6)
222

–
–
–
–
–
222

33
–
–
33

25
2
–
27
6

33
–
–
–
–
33

23
2
–
–
25
8

121
–
(5)
116

49
10
(2)
57
59

127
–
(2)
–
(4)
121

40
11
–
(2)
49
72

376
–
(10)
366

74
12
(2)
84
282

390
–
(2)
(2)
(10)
376

63
13
–
(2)
74
302

40
30
–
70

22
6
(1)
27
43

32
12
–
(3)
(1)
40

19
5
(2)
–
22
18

Total
£m 

416
30
(10)
436

96
18
(3)
111
325

422
12
(2)
(5)
(11)
416

82
18
(2)
(2)
96
320

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
80
1

57
84
222

2012
£m
76
1

57
83
217

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication of impairment. Although cash flows have been identified for certain 
individual plants for the purposes of assessing the recoverable amounts, the non-food systems business is principally managed as a network in  
the United States and Europe, with a large amount of interdependency between plants with plants servicing both the Speciality Food Ingredients  
and Bulk Ingredients segments.

As a result, except as noted, it is not possible to allocate goodwill to either the Bulk Ingredients or the Speciality Food Ingredients segments. 
Therefore, goodwill is tested for impairment on a geographical basis except where goodwill can be allocated to an identifiable separate CGU.  
Unless otherwise stated, impairment reviews are carried out in accordance with the methodology set out in Notes 2 and 3 using cash flows based 
on the latest Board approved management projections with management determined budgeted gross margin based on past performance and its 
expectations of market development. The discount rates used are pre-tax and are based on the Group’s WACC adjusted to reflect specific risks 
relating to the relevant operating segments. The weighted average growth rates used are consistent with the forecasts included in industry reports. 
The terminal value is based on the long term growth rate for the relevant geographical markets and is approximately 2% or lower per year. 

(a)   Goodwill within the Speciality Food Ingredients segment includes £45 million (2011 – £48 million) relating to the acquisition of G.C. Hahn & Co.  

in June 2007, £17 million (2011 – £18 million) relating to the acquisition of the Cesalpinia Foods group in December 2005 and £12 million  
(2011 – £12 million) relating to the acquisition of Continental Custom Ingredients in January 2006 which are all within the Food Systems division. 
These businesses have been tested for impairment using a pre-tax discount rate of 10.4% (2011 – 11%) with cash flow projections based on the  
5 year business plan. A 2% growth was assumed in perpetuity based on the long term national average growth rates for the geographic markets 
these businesses operate in. Management has concluded that no impairment is required.

 The remaining goodwill relates to a number of smaller acquisitions, each of which has been tested for impairment using management projections 
for five years, pre-tax discount rates of 10.4% (2011 – 11%), and a 2% growth assumed in perpetuity based on long-term national average growth 
rate for these markets. Significant headroom exists and management has concluded that no impairment is required.

84

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15 Goodwill and other intangible assets (continued)
(b)  Goodwill relating to the United States includes £57 million (2011 – £57 million) relating to the Staley acquisition in 1988, which is treated as one 
CGU for impairment testing purposes. Cash flows used were based on the latest approved plans for five years discounted using a pre-tax rate  
of 10.4% (2011 – 11%). A 2% growth was assumed in perpetuity based on long-term national average growth rate for this geographic market. 
Significant headroom exists and management has concluded that no impairment is required.

(c)   Goodwill relating to Europe includes £83 million (2011 – £84 million) relating to the acquisition in 2000 of the minority of 34% of shares of the 

former Amylum business. Although cash flows have been identified for certain individual plants for the purposes of assessing the recoverable 
amounts of property, plant and equipment (as described in Note 16) the business is treated as one CGU for goodwill impairment testing 
purposes. The goodwill in the former Amylum business has been tested for impairment using a pre-tax discount rate of 10.4% (2011 – 11%).  
Cash flow projections for five years was used. A 2% growth was assumed in perpetuity based on long term national average growth rate for  
these markets. Significant headroom exists and management has concluded that no impairment is required.

Management considers that no reasonably possible change in any of the assumptions would cause the recoverable amount of goodwill attached  
to the above CGUs to fall below their carrying value.

Other intangible assets
Included in other intangible assets are £18 million (2011 – £2 million) of assets under construction in relation to the implementation of a common 
global IS/IT platform.

16 Property, plant and equipment

Cost 
At 1 April 2011 
Additions at cost 
Transfers on completion 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Disposals and write-offs 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012
Accumulated depreciation and impairments 
At 1 April 2011 
Depreciation charge 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Reversal of impairment losses 
Disposals and write-offs 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012
Net book value at 31 March 2012
Cost 
At 1 April 2010 
Additions at cost 
Transfers on completion 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Disposals and write-offs 
Businesses sold 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011
Accumulated depreciation and impairments 
At 1 April 2010 
Depreciation charge 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Impairment losses and write-downs 
Disposals and write-offs 
Businesses sold 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011
Net book value at 31 March 2011

Land and
 buildings
£m

Plant and
 machinery
£m

Assets in the 
course of 
construction
£m

433
2
21
(2)
(3)
(7)
444

221
10
(1)
(18)
(1)
(2)
209
235

578
3
3
(11)
(3)
(114)
(23)
433

292
14
(4)
3
–
(72)
(12)
221
212

1 893
24
64
(15)
(10)
(24)
1 932

1 328
77
(13)
(42)
(9)
(14)
1 327
605

2 349
11
50
(57)
(12)
(346)
(102)
1 893

1 564
86
(42)
1
(12)
(206)
(63)
1 328
565

78
90
(85)
(1)
–
–
82

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
82

345
53
(53)
–
(211)
(39)
(17)
78

208
–
–
4
(195)
(4)
(13)
–
78

Total
£m

2 404
116
–
(18)
(13)
(31)
2 458

1 549
87
(14)
(60)
(10)
(16)
1 536
922

3 272
67
–
(68)
(226)
(499)
(142)
2 404

2 064
100
(46)
8
(207)
(282)
(88)
1 549
855

Additions to property, plant and equipment includes capitalised borrowing costs of £1 million (2011 – £nil).

Impairment losses
It is the Group’s policy to test assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be 
recoverable, or that an impairment loss recognised in a previous period no longer exists or has decreased.

85

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 Property, plant and equipment (continued)
Impairment reviews
2012
The Group carried out an impairment review in respect of all CGUs at 31 March 2012. The recoverable amount was based on value in use, calculated 
based on estimated future cash flows using management’s internal forecasts of future margins for the next five years. The pre-tax discount rate  
used was between 10.4% and 12.4% (2011 – 11%) and a 2% growth rate assumed in perpetuity, where appropriate. Taking all factors into account 
management concluded that no impairments were required. During the year the Group reversed previously recognised impairments on its sucralose 
manufacturing facility in McIntosh, Alabama (£53 million) and £7 million relating to the previously redundant plant at its Decatur facility. See Note 7  
for further details.

In respect of the Dayton plant which had been previously impaired, the recoverable amount was based on value in use, calculated based on 
estimated future cash flows using management’s internal forecasts of future margins for the next five years and applying a terminal value. A pre-tax 
discount rate of 12.4% was used to take into account the risk associated with the regulatory and competitive environment in which it operates. 
Taking all factors into account management concluded that no further impairment or reversal of previous impairments was required.

2011
The Group’s European businesses are a major supplier of sweeteners which operates in competition to sugar throughout the Continent. Following 
the disposal of five European starch plants in October 2007, the Group carried out an impairment review in respect of the remaining CGUs at 
31 March 2011. The recoverable amount was based on value in use, calculated based on estimated future cash flows using management’s 
internal forecasts of future margins for the next five years. The pre-tax discount rate used was 11% and a zero growth rate assumed in perpetuity. 
Taking all factors into account management concluded that no further impairment or reversal of previous impairments was required.

During the year, the Group carried out an impairment review in respect of its Dayton plant which manufactures citric acid in light of changes to the 
regulatory and competitive environment in which it operates. The recoverable amount was based on value in use, calculated based on estimated 
future cash flows using management’s internal forecasts of future margins for the next five years and applying a terminal value. The pre-tax discount 
rate used was 11%. Taking all factors into account management concluded that no further impairment or reversal of previous impairments was required.

Leased assets
Included in property, plant and equipment is plant and machinery held under finance leases with a net book value of £20 million (2011 – £11 million).

17 Investments in associates and joint ventures
Associates
At 1 April 2010
Disposal of businesses
At 31 March 2011 and 2012

Notes

37

£m
7
(2)
5

The Group’s associates, which are accounted for under the equity method, are listed in Note 42.

During the prior year, the Group disposed of its investment in Eridania Tate & Lyle SpA for £3 million proceeds. The carrying value was £2 million at 
the date of disposal (Note 37).

The amounts equity accounted in the Group income statement and statement of financial position are summarised below:

Income statement
Sales
Expenses
Profit before and after tax

Statement of financial position
Assets
Liabilities
Net assets

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
4
(4)
–

Year to 31 March
2011
£m
10
(5)
5

2012
£m
5
(5)
–

2012
£m
10
(5)
5

Joint ventures
The Group’s joint ventures are proportionately consolidated and the continuing businesses are listed in Note 42. The amounts proportionately 
consolidated in the Group income statement and statement of financial position are summarised below:

Notes
5

Year to 31 March 2012
Discontinued 
operations
£m 
–
(1)
(1)
–
(1)

Continuing 
operations
£m
471
(401)
70
(13)
57

Year to 31 March 2011
Discontinued 
operations
£m 
3
(7)
(4)
–
(4)

Continuing 
operations
£m 
403
(344)
59
(14)
45

Sales 
Other expense 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax expense 
Profit/(loss) for the year

86

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
17 Investments in associates and joint ventures (continued)

Statement of financial position
Assets
Non-current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets 

Liabilities
Non-current borrowings
Other non-current liabilities
Current borrowings
Other current liabilities

Net assets

There are guarantees in respect of banking facilities of a joint venture totalling £10 million (2011 – £10 million).

18 Available-for-sale financial assets

At 31 March 2010
Additions
Disposal
Fair value gain
Exchange
At 31 March 2011
Additions
Disposal
Fair value loss
Exchange
At 31 March 2012

2012
£m

170
102
159
431

7
17
7
74
105
326

 31 March
2011
£m

175
74 
158
407

7
23
11
69
110
297

£m
32
5
(1)
1
(1)
36
6
(18)
(1)
1
24

Presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Non-current available-for-sale financial assets
Current assets held for sale
Total

Notes

38

2012
£m
23
1
24

31 March
2011
£m
19
17
36

Available-for-sale financial assets primarily comprise £24 million (2011 – £36 million) of unlisted securities. The fair values of non-current available-for-
sale financial assets are approximated at cost where fair value cannot be reliably measured. The fair values of current assets held for sale are based 
on management’s valuation of expected proceeds based on a signed share sale agreement.

The carrying value of the available-for-sale financial assets are denominated in the following currencies:

US dollar (Note a) 
Saudi riyal (Note b) 
Sterling 
Euro
Total

(a)  US dollar includes £1 million (2011 – £3 million) of assets classified as held for sale in current assets.

(b) Saudi riyal includes £nil (2011 – £14 million) of assets classified as held for sale in current assets.

2012
£m
14
–
8
2
24

31 March
2011
£m
12
14
8
2
36

87

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
19 Financial instruments by category
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying values and fair values of all of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities as at  
31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011.

Available-for-sale financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial instruments – assets 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments – liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Total

Available-for-sale financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Derivative financial instruments – assets 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments – liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Total

Derivatives and
 other items in a 
hedging
 relationship
£m
–
–
–
60
(397)
(17)
–
(354)

Amortised
 cost
£m 
–
323
424
–
(549)
–
(378)
(180)

Derivatives and
 other items in a 
hedging
 relationship
£m
–
–
–
42
(378)
(55)
–
(391)

Amortised
 cost
£m 
–
274
654
–
(736)
–
(400)
(208)

Notes
18
23
33
20
28
20
27

Notes
18
23
33
20
28
20
27

Held for
trading
£m
–
–
–
77
–
(96)
–
(19)

Held for
trading
£m
–
–
–
141
–
(127)
–
14

Available-
for-sale
£m 
23
–
–
–
–
–
–
23

Available-
for-sale
£m 
19
–
–
–
–
–
–
19

31 March 2012

 Fair value 
£m
23
323
424
137
(988)
(113)
(378)
(572)

31 March 2011

 Fair value 
£m
19
274
654
183
(1 154)
(182)
(400)
(606)

Total 
carrying 
value 
£m
23
323
424
137
(946)
(113)
(378)
(530)

Total 
carrying 
value 
£m
19
274
654
183
(1 114)
(182)
(400)
(566)

Trade and other receivables presented above excludes £11 million (2011 – £18 million) relating to prepayments.

Trade and other payables presented above excludes £8 million (2011 – £7 million) relating to social security. 

Included in borrowings are other items in a hedging relationship which are held at amortised cost with a fair value adjustment applied, as they are  
in a fair value hedge.

Fair value hierarchy
Set out below is how the Group’s financial instruments measured at fair value, fit within the following fair value hierarchy:

 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1);
 – inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (level 2);
 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (level 3).

The following tables illustrate the Group’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011:

Assets at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments: 
– currency swaps 
– interest rate swaps 
– forward foreign exchange contracts 
– commodity pricing contracts 
Assets at fair value

Liabilities at fair value 
Derivative financial instruments: 
– currency swaps 
– interest rate swaps 
– forward foreign exchange contracts 
– commodity pricing contracts 
Borrowings 
Liabilities at fair value

88

Notes

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m 

Level 3 
£m

31 March 2012
Total 
£m

18

20
20
20
20

20
20
20
20
28

–

–
–
–
23
23

–
–
–
(34)
–
(34)

–

16
61
2
13
92

(40)
(13)
(1)
(3)
(397)
(454)

23

–
–
–
22
45

–
–
–
(22)
–
(22)

23

16
61
2
58
160

(40)
(13)
(1)
(59)
(397)
(510)

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
19 Financial instruments by category (continued)

Assets at fair value 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments: 
– currency swaps 
– interest rate swaps 
– forward foreign exchange contracts 
– commodity pricing contracts 
Assets at fair value

Liabilities at fair value 
Derivative financial instruments: 
– currency swaps 
– interest rate swaps 
– forward foreign exchange contracts 
– commodity pricing contracts 
Borrowings 
Liabilities at fair value

Notes

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m 

Level 3 
£m

31 March 2011
Total 
£m

18

20
20
20
20

20
20
20
20
28 

–

–
–
–
53
53

–
–
–
(21)
–
(21)

–

16
40
10
50
116

(46)
(14)
(10)
(77)
(378)
(525)

19

–
–
–
14
33

–
–
–
(14)
–
(14)

19

16
40
10
117
202

(46)
(14)
(10)
(112)
(378)
(560)

Level 1 financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (commodity futures) is based on quoted market prices at the statement of financial 
position date. A market is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from an exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, 
pricing service, or regulatory agency, and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis.

Level 2 financial instruments
The fair values of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps, commodity pricing 
contracts and forward foreign exchange contracts) are determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use  
of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates.

The fair value of interest rate swaps, currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts is calculated as the present value of the future cash 
flows based on observable inputs drawn from interest yield curves sourced from a reputable third party source.

The amount shown within level 2 for borrowings only includes those borrowings which are designated as hedged items in fair value hedges with 
respect to interest rate risk and whose carrying amount is adjusted for the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.

Level 3 financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity at the statement of financial 
position date. These inputs generally reflect the entity’s own assumptions about how a market participant would reasonably be expected to 
determine the price of a financial instrument.

For commodity pricing contracts, in evaluating the significance of fair value inputs, the Group generally classifies assets or liabilities as level 3 when 
their fair value is determined using unobservable inputs that individually, or when aggregated with other unobservable inputs represent more than 
10% of the fair value of the observable inputs of the assets or liabilities.

Available-for-sale financial assets which are analysed at level 3 primarily represent investments in unlisted securities. The fair values of the unlisted 
securities are principally approximated at cost. Values are adjusted for permanent impairments and fair value movements as disclosed in Note 18.

For financial instruments in level 3, the Group does not consider that changes to inputs to reasonable alternatives would have a material impact  
on the income statement or equity.

The following table reconciles the movement in the Group’s financial instruments classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

At 1 April 2010
Total gains or losses: 
– in operating profit 
– in other comprehensive income 
Purchases 
Settlements 
At 31 March 2011
Total gains or losses: 
– in operating profit 
– in other comprehensive income 
Purchases 
Settlements 
At 31 March 2012

Commodity
Pricing
 Contracts
 – assets
£m
10

Commodity
 pricing 
contract
 – liabilities
£m
(3)

Available-
for-sale
 assets
£m 
14

14
–
–
(10)
14

22
–
–
(14)
22

(14)
–
–
3
(14)

(22)
–
–
14
(22)

–
1
5
(1)
19

–
(1)
6
(1)
23

Total 
£m 
21

–
1
5
(8)
19

–
(1)
6
(1)
23

89

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20 Derivative financial instruments

Non-current derivative financial instruments used  

to manage the Group’s net debt profile

Currency swaps: 
– net investment hedges 
– held for trading 
Interest rate swaps:
– fair value hedges 
– held for trading 

Current derivative financial instruments used  
to manage the Group’s net debt profile

Currency swaps: 
– accrued interest
– held for trading
Interest rate swaps 
– accrued interest 

Total derivative financial instruments used  
to manage the Group’s net debt profile

Other non-current derivative financial instruments
Forward foreign exchange contracts 
– cash flow hedges 
Commodity pricing contracts 
– cash flow hedges 

Other current derivative financial instruments 
Forward foreign exchange contracts:
– cash flow hedges 
Commodity pricing contracts: 
– cash flow hedges 
– held for trading 

Total other derivative financial instruments
Total derivative financial instruments

Presented in the statement of financial position as follows: 
Non-current derivative financial instruments 
Current derivative financial instruments

Assets 
£m 

31 March 2012
Liabilities 
£m 

Assets 
£m 

31 March 2011
Liabilities 
£m 

2
–

44
11
57

4
10

6
20

77

–

–
–

2

2
56
60
60
137

57
80
137

(8)
–

–
(11)
(19)

(2)
(30)

(2)
(34)

(53)

–

–
–

(1)

(4)
(55)
(60)
(60)
(113)

(19)
(94)
(113)

–
12

24
10
46

4
–

6
10

56

1

1
2

9

3
113
125
127
183

48
135
183

(43)
(1)

–
(11)
(55)

(2)
–

(3)
(5)

(60)

(1)

–
(1)

(9)

(1)
(111)
(121)
(122)
(182)

(56)
(126)
(182)

The ineffective portion recognised in operating profit that arises from cash flow hedges amounts to £nil (2011 – £nil).

The ineffective portion recognised in operating profit that arises from net investment hedges amounts to £nil (2011 – £nil).

The ineffective portion recognised in net finance expense that arises from fair value hedges amounts to a £2 million gain (2011 – £nil).

Cash flow hedges
The Group employs forward foreign exchange contracts and commodity pricing contracts to hedge cash flow risk associated with forecast 
transactions. The notional principal amounts of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are as follows:

Euro
US dollar
Sterling
Singapore dollar
Other

2012
£m
5
(36)
1
32
(2)

31 March
2011
£m
6
(33)
1
30
(3)

Gains and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity (Note 25) on forward foreign exchange and commodity pricing contracts as of  
31 March 2012 will be released to the income statement at various dates up to 12 months from the statement of financial position date.

90

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20 Derivative financial instruments (continued) 
Fair value hedges
The Group employs interest rate swap contracts to hedge interest rate risks associated with its borrowings. The notional principal amounts of the 
outstanding interest rate swap contracts applied in fair value hedging relationships as of 31 March 2012 were £353 million (2011 – £353 million).

Net investment hedges
The Group employs currency swap contracts to hedge the currency risk associated with its net investments in subsidiaries located primarily in the 
USA and Europe. The notional principal amounts of the outstanding currency swap contracts applied in net investment hedging relationships as of 
31 March 2012 were £152 million (31 March 2011 – £290 million). Within net investment hedging gains, a fair value gain of £4 million (2011 – £7 million 
gain) on translation of the currency swap contracts to pounds sterling at the statement of financial position date was recognised in the translation 
reserve in shareholders’ equity (Note 25).

In addition, at 31 March 2012, of the Group’s borrowings, a total of £369 million (2011 – £351 million) is designated as hedges of the net investments 
in overseas subsidiaries.

Debt-related derivatives held for trading
The notional amounts of the outstanding currency swap contracts not designated within hedge relationships as at 31 March 2012 were £321 million 
(2011 – £192 million).

Some of the Group’s interest rate swap contracts hedge the Group’s exposure to interest rate risk, but do not qualify for hedge accounting. The 
notional amounts of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts not designated within hedge relationships as of 31 March 2012 were £219 million 
(2011 – £218 million).

Trading contracts
Commodity pricing contracts held for trading relate to the Group’s commodity trading activities which are undertaken for the purposes of supporting 
underlying operations. 

21 Financial risk factors
Management of financial risk
The key financial risks faced by the Group are credit risk, liquidity risk, and market risks, which include interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and 
certain commodity price risks. The Board regularly reviews these risks and approves written policies covering the use of financial instruments to 
manage these risks and sets overall risk limits.

The Chief Financial Officer retains the overall responsibility for management of financial risk for the Group. Most of the Group’s financing, interest rate 
and foreign exchange risk are managed through the Group treasury company, Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC, whose operations are controlled 
by its board. The treasury company is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer and has other board members who are independent of the treasury 
function. The board of Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC approves policies and procedures setting out permissible funding and hedging 
instruments, and a system of authorities for the approval of transactions and exposures within the limits approved by the Board of Tate & Lyle PLC.

Group interest rate and currency exposures are concentrated either in the treasury company or in appropriate holding companies through 
market-related transactions with Group subsidiaries. These positions are managed by the treasury company within its authorised limits.

Commodity price risks are managed through divisional commodity trading functions in the USA and Europe. These functions are controlled by 
divisional management who are responsible for ratifying general strategy and overseeing performance on a monthly basis. Commodity price 
contracts are categorised as being held either for trading or for hedging price exposures. Commodity contracts held for trading within the Group  
are limited, confined only to tightly controlled areas within corn pricing.

The derivative financial instruments approved by the Board of Tate & Lyle PLC to manage financial risks include swaps, both interest rate and 
currency, swaptions, caps, forward rate agreements, financial and commodity forward contracts and options, and commodity futures.

Market risks
Foreign exchange management
Tate & Lyle operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risks arising from commercial transactions (transaction exposure), and from 
recognised assets, liabilities and investments in overseas operations (translation exposure).

Transaction exposure
The Group’s policy requires subsidiaries to hedge transactional currency exposures against their functional currency once the transaction is 
committed or highly probable, mainly through the use of forward foreign exchange contracts. The amounts deferred in equity from derivative financial 
instruments designated as cash flow hedges are released to the income statement and offset against the movement in underlying transactions only 
when the forecast transactions affect the income statement.

Translation exposure
The Group manages the foreign exchange exposure to net investments in overseas operations, particularly in the USA and Europe, by maintaining  
a percentage of net debt in US dollars and euro to mitigate the effect of these risks. This is achieved by borrowing principally in US dollars and euro, 
which provide a partial match for the Group’s major foreign currency assets. The Group also manages its foreign exchange exposure to net 
investments in overseas operations through the use of currency swap contracts. The amount deferred in equity from derivative financial instruments 
designated as net investment hedges is offset against the foreign currency translation effect of the net investment in overseas operations, and is 
released to the income statement upon disposal of those investments.

A weakening of the US dollar and euro against sterling would result in exchange gains on net debt denominated in these currencies which would be 
offset against the losses on the underlying foreign currency assets. At the year end, net debt amounting to £476 million (2011 – £464 million) was held 
in the following currencies: net borrowings of US dollars 113% (2011 – 98%), euro nil% (2011 – 35%), net deposits of pounds sterling 8% (2011 – 28% 
and other currencies 5% (2011 – 5%). The Group’s interest cost through the income statement is impacted by changes in the relevant exchange rates.

91

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201221 Financial risk factors (continued)
The following table illustrates only the Group’s sensitivity to the fluctuation of the major currencies on its financial assets and liabilities, as defined and 
set out in Note 19:

Sterling/US dollar 5% change
Sterling/euro 5% change

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

Income
statement 
–/+£m 
–
–

Equity
–/+£m 
27
3

Income
statement 
–/+£m 
1
–

Equity
–/+£m 
23
11

Interest rate management
The Group has an exposure to interest rate risk, arising principally from changes in US dollar, sterling and euro interest rates. This risk is managed  
by fixing or capping portions of debt using interest rate derivatives to achieve a target level of fixed/floating rate net debt, which aims to optimise  
net finance expense and reduce volatility in reported earnings. The Group’s policy is that between 30% and 75% of Group net debt (excluding  
the Group’s share of joint-venture net debt) is fixed or capped (excluding out-of-the-money caps) for more than one year and that no interest  
rates are fixed for more than 12 years. At 31 March 2012, the longest term of any fixed rate debt held by the Group was until November 2019  
(2011 – November 2019). The proportion of net debt at 31 March 2012 (excluding the Group’s share of joint-venture net debt) that was fixed or 
capped for more than one year was 56% (2011 – 85%). In the prior year, a derogation of the maximum percentage of fixed rate debt was approved 
by the Tate & Lyle PLC Board until 30 June 2011. 

The Group considers a 100 basis point change in interest rates a reasonably possible change except where rates are less than 100 basis points.  
In these instances it is assumed that the interest rates increase by 100 basis points and decrease to zero for the purpose of performing the  
sensitivity analysis. The impact is calculated with reference to the gross debt and cash held as at 31 March 2012 assuming that other variables 
remain unchanged.

If interest rates increase by 100 basis points, there will be no impact on the Group’s profit before tax (2011 – £2 million increase). If interest rates 
decrease by 100 basis points, or less where applicable, Group profit before tax will increase by £1 million (2011 – £1 million decrease).

Price risk management
Tate & Lyle participates mainly in four markets: food and beverage; industrial ingredients; pharmaceutical and personal care; and animal feed. Food 
and beverage and industrial ingredients are the most significant. All ingredients are produced from renewable crops, predominantly corn (maize).

Tate & Lyle is exposed to movements in the future prices of commodities in those domestic and international markets where the Group buys and 
sells corn and energy for production. Commodity futures, forwards and options are used where available to hedge inventories and the costs of raw 
materials for unpriced and prospective contracts not covered by forward product sales. In most cases, these hedging contracts mature within one 
year and are either traded on recognised exchanges or over the counter.

The table below illustrates the sensitivity of the Group’s commodity pricing contracts as at 31 March to the price movement of commodities:

Corn 50% change

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

Income
statement 
–/+£m 
3

Equity
–/+£m 
–

Income
statement 
–/+£m 
4

Equity
–/+£m 
–

The majority of the Group’s commodity pricing contracts are held for trading and changes in mark-to-market values of these contracts are taken 
directly into the income statement. Amounts deferred in equity from commodity pricing contracts designated as cash flow hedges are released to 
the income statement and offset against the movement in underlying transactions when they occur.

Credit risk management
Counterparty credit risk arises from the placing of deposits and entering into derivative financial instrument contracts with banks and financial 
institutions, as well as credit exposures inherent within the Group’s outstanding receivables.

The Group manages credit risk by entering into financial instrument contracts only with highly credit-rated authorised counterparties which are 
reviewed and approved annually by the Board.

The Group has Board approved maximum counterparty exposure limits for specified banks and financial institutions based on the long-term credit 
ratings of Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s (typically single A long-term credit ratings or higher). Trading limits assigned to commercial customers are 
based on ratings from Dun & Bradstreet and Credit Risk Monitor. In cases where published financial ratings are not available or inconclusive, credit 
application, reference checking, and obtaining of customers’ confidential financial information such as liquidity and turnover ratio, are required to 
evaluate customer’s credit worthiness.

Counterparties’ positions are monitored on a regular basis to ensure that they are within the approved limits and there are no significant 
concentrations of credit risks.

The Group considers its maximum exposure to credit risk at the balance sheet date is as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments – assets 
Available-for-sale financial assets
Held for sale assets

92

2012
£m
424
323
137
23
51

31 March
2011
£m
654
274
183
19
26

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201221 Financial risk factors (continued)
The Group’s trade receivables are short term in nature and largely comprise amounts receivable from business customers. Concentrations of credit 
risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the Group’s having a number of key quality customers and a customer base which is large, 
unrelated and internationally dispersed.

Liquidity risk management
The Group manages its exposure to liquidity risk and ensures maximum flexibility in meeting changing business needs, by maintaining access to  
a wide range of funding sources, including capital markets and bank borrowings. Capital market issues outstanding at 31 March 2012 include the 
£100 million 6.50% bond maturing in June 2012, the US$500 million 5.00% 144A bond maturing in November 2014, the US$250 million 6.625% 
144A bond maturing in June 2016, and the £200 million 6.75% bond maturing in November 2019.

The Group ensures that it has sufficient undrawn committed bank facilities to provide liquidity back-up to cover its funding requirements for the 
foreseeable future. The Group has a core committed bank facility of US$800 million which matures in July 2016. This facility is unsecured and 
contains common financial covenants for Tate & Lyle and its subsidiary companies that the pre-exceptional and amortisation interest cover ratio 
should not be less than 2.5 times and the multiple of net debt to EBITDA, as defined in our financial covenants, should not be greater than 3.5 times.

The Group monitors compliance against all its financial obligations and it is Group policy to manage the consolidated statement of financial position 
so as to operate well within these covenanted restrictions. In both the current and comparative reporting period, the Group complied with its financial 
covenants at all measurement points. The majority of the Group’s borrowings are raised through the Group treasury company, Tate & Lyle 
International Finance PLC, and are then on-lent to the business units on an arm’s length basis.

Current Group policy is to ensure that, after subtracting the total of undrawn committed facilities, no more than 10% of gross debt matures  
within 12 months and no more than 35% has a maturity within two and a half years. At 31 March 2012, after subtracting total undrawn committed 
facilities, there was no debt maturing within two and a half years (2011 – none). The average maturity of the Group’s gross debt was 4.9 years  
(2011 – 4.8 years). At the year end the Group held cash and cash equivalents of £424 million (2011 – £654 million) and had committed facilities  
of £500 million (2011 – £623 million) of which £500 million (2011 – £623 million) was undrawn. These resources are maintained to provide liquidity 
back-up and to meet the projected maximum cash outflow from debt repayment, capital expenditure and seasonal working capital needs foreseen 
for at least a year into the future at any one time.

The table below analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities and derivative assets and liabilities based on the remaining period at the 
statement of financial position date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Liquidity analysis
Borrowings including finance leases 
Interest on borrowings
Trade and other payables
Derivative contracts: 
– receipts
– payments 
Commodity contracts

Borrowings including finance leases 
Interest on borrowings
Trade and other payables
Derivative contracts: 
– receipts
– payments 
Commodity contracts

<1 year
£m 
(142)
(46)
(382)

693
(699)
(21)

<1 year
£m 
(229)
(52)
(406)

361
(346)
(5)

1-5 years 
£m 
(491)
(122)
(4)

31 March 2012
> 5 years
£m 
(273)
(44)
–

313
(282)
–

1-5 years 
£m 
(436)
(151)
(1)

970
(990)
–

–
–
–

31 March 2011
> 5 years
£m 
(418)
(68)
–

–
–
–

Included in borrowings are £2,394,000 of 6.5% cumulative preference shares. Only one year’s worth of interest payable on these cumulative 
preference shares is included in the less than one year category above.

Interest on borrowings is calculated based on borrowings held at year end without taking into account future issues. Floating-rate interest is 
calculated using forward interest rates derived from interest rate yield curves as at year end.

Derivative contracts include currency swaps, forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. All commodity pricing contracts such as options 
and futures are shown separately under commodity contracts.

Commodity contracts include only net settled commodity derivative contracts and gross settled commodity purchase contracts with negative fair 
values. Purchase contracts outflows represent actual contractual cash flows under the purchase contracts and not their fair values. Cash outflows 
from the purchase contracts are offset by cash inflows received from sale contracts; however, these inflows are not included as part of this analysis.

Financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than pounds sterling are converted to pounds sterling using year end exchange rates.

93

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
21 Financial risk factors (continued)
Capital risk management
The Group’s primary objectives in managing its capital are to safeguard the business as a going concern; to maintain sufficient financial flexibility  
to undertake its investment plans; to retain as a minimum an investment grade credit rating which enables consistent access to debt capital  
markets; and to optimise capital structure in order to reduce the cost of capital. The Group’s financial profile and level of financial risk is assessed  
on a regular basis in the light of changes to the economic conditions, business environment, the Group’s business profile and the risk characteristics 
of its businesses.

Tate & Lyle has contractual relationships with Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s (S&P) for the provision of credit ratings, and it is the Group’s policy 
to keep them informed of all major developments. At 31 March 2012, the long-term credit rating from Moody’s was Baa3 (positive outlook) and from 
S&P was BBB (stable outlook). The Group is committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings.

The Group regards its total capital as follows:

Net debt
Total shareholders’ equity
Total capital

Notes
34

2012
£m
476
1 058
1 534

31 March
2011
£m
464
973
1 437

The Board of Tate & Lyle PLC has set two ongoing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the Group’s financial strength. The target levels for 
these financial KPIs are that the ratio of net debt/EBITDA should not exceed two times and interest cover should exceed five times. These ratios are 
calculated on the same basis as the external financial covenants noted above. The ratios for these KPIs for the financial years ended 31 March 2012 
and 31 March 2011 are:

Net debt/EBITDA
Interest cover

22  Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods
Total

2012
£m
1.1
11.1

2012
£m
256
23
171
450

31 March
2011
£m
1.1
6.9

31 March
2011
£m
288
16
150
454

Finished goods inventories of £4 million (2011 – £4 million) are carried at realisable value, this being lower than cost. Inventories of £175 million  
(2011 – £197 million) are carried at market value. During the year ended 31 March 2012, the Group recognised a net impairment charge of £1 million 
against inventories (2011 – £nil). 

94

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
23 Trade and other receivables

Non-current trade and other receivables
Other receivables
Total

Current trade and other receivables
Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of receivables
Trade receivables – net
Prepayments and accrued income
Margin deposits
Other receivables
Total

2012
£m

2
2

2012
£m

271
(7)
264
11
36
21
332

31 March
2011
£m

1
1

31 March
2011
£m

263
(19)
244
18
5
24
291

The fair values of the non-current trade and other receivables are not materially different from their carrying values. The fair values of the current trade 
and other receivables are equivalent to their carrying values due to being short term in nature.

There is limited credit risk with respect to trade receivables, as the Group has a number of key quality customers and a large number of internationally 
dispersed customers. The carrying value of trade and other receivables, except prepayments represents the maximum credit exposure.

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

US dollar
Euro 
Sterling
Other
Total

Provision for impairment of receivables

At 1 April
Charge for the year
Transfer to held for sale
Disposal of businesses
Exchange
At 31 March

2012
£m
205
77
13
39
334

2012
£m
(19)
(1)
14
–
(1)
(7)

31 March
2011
£m
142
75
19
56
292

31 March
2011
£m
(24)
(1)
–
5
1
(19)

The creation and release of provision for impaired receivables have been included in the income statement.

The Group recognised a loss of £1 million (2011 – £1 million) for impairment of its trade receivables during the year. The loss is solely from continuing 
operations and has been included in operating profit in the income statement (Note 6).

As at 31 March 2012, trade receivables of £35 million (2011 – £37 million) were past due but not impaired. During the year £14 million of trade 
receivables have been reclassified to held for sale (Note 38). 

The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:

Up to 30 days past due
1–3 months past due
Over 3 months past due
Total

2012
£m
31
4
–
35

31 March
2011
£m
26
1
10
37

95

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
24 Share capital and share premium

At 1 April 2010 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 
Issue of shares for scrip dividends 
Capitalised on scrip dividends
At 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012

Ordinary
share capital
£m 
115
–
2
–
117

Share
premium
£m 
405
1
33
(33)
406

Total
£m 
520
1
35
(33)
523

Ordinary shares carry the right to participate in dividends and each share entitles the holder to one vote on matters requiring shareholder approval. 

Allotted, called up and fully paid equity share capital

At 1 April 
Allotted under share option schemes 
Scrip dividend shares issued
At 31 March

Year to 31 March 2012

Year to 31 March 2011

Shares 
468 111 340
49 179
–
468 160 519

£m 
117
–
–
117

Shares
460 575 700
217 743
7 317 897
468 111 340

£m 
115
–
2
117

Treasury shares and shares held in ESOP trust
As at 31 March 2012, the Group held 2,545,376 shares (2011 – 175,328 shares) in Treasury.

During the year 379,952 shares (2011 – 337,162 shares) were released from Treasury to satisfy share options exercised.

The shares held in Treasury at 31 March 2012 represented less than 0.5% (2011 – 0.1%) of the Parent company’s share capital at the year end, and 
have a nominal value of less than £0.6 million (2011 – £0.1 million).

The Company repurchased 2,750,000 shares (2011 – nil) for £19 million (2011 – £nil) during the year representing 0.6% of the Company’s called up 
share capital at 31 March 2012 and had a nominal value of £0.6 million.

As at 31 March 2012, the Group held 1,250,182 shares (2011 – 2,713,694 shares) in an ESOP trust at a nominal value of 25p and a market value of 
705p (2011 – 577.5p).

During the year ended 31 March 2011, shareholders were given the option to receive the final dividend relating to the prior year and the interim 
dividend relating to that year in the form of a scrip issue. On 30 July 2010 and 7 January 2011, the Group issued 5,716,625 shares and 1,601,272 
shares respectively for scrip at a nominal value per share of 25p and a cash equivalent value of £35 million.

Analysis of ordinary shareholders

Up to 500 shares of 25p each 
501 – 1 000 
1 001 – 1 500 
1 501 – 2 000 
2 001 – 5 000 
5 001 – 10 000 
10 001 – 200 000 
200 001 – 500 000 
Above 500 000 
Total

Number of
holdings 
5 067
4 063
2 111
1 401
2 231
547
622
122
132
16 296

% 
31.1
24.9
12.9
8.6
13.7
3.4
3.8
0.8
0.8
100.0

Total
1 339 829
3 179 416
2 627 624
2 532 524
6 912 279
3 860 565
30 723 663
37 604 381
379 380 238
468 160 519

31 March 2012

% 
0.3
0.7
0.6
0.5
1.5
0.8
6.6
8.0
81.0
100.0

96

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201225 Other reserves

At 31 March 2010
Cash flow hedges: 
– fair value gains in the year 
– reclassified and reported in the income statement during the year 
– tax effect of the above movements 
Gain on revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets 
Currency translation differences: 
– net investment hedging gains in the year 
Net exchange differences on consolidation 
Items transferred to the income statement on disposal 
At 31 March 2011
Cash flow hedges: 
– fair value losses in the year
– reclassified and reported in the income statement during the year 
Loss on revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets 
Currency translation differences: 
– net investment hedging gains in the year 
Net exchange differences on consolidation 
Items transferred to the income statement on disposal 
At 31 March 2012

Hedging 
reserve 
£m 
(3)

Translation
 reserve
£m 
114

All other reserves
 (Note a)
£m 
109

9
9
(5)
–

–
–
(3)
7

(2)
(3)
–

–
–
–
2

–
–
–
–

29
(65)
(20)
58

–
–
–

3
(33)
–
28

–
–
–
1

–
–
–
110

–
–
(1)

–
–
(11)
98

Total
£m 
220

9
9
(5)
1

29
(65)
(23)
175

(2)
(3)
(1)

3
(33)
(11)
128

(a)   All other reserves include the merger reserve, the available-for-sale fair value reserve, and the statutory reserves of certain overseas subsidiaries, 

all of which are non-distributable.

26 Share-based payments
During the year to 31 March 2012, various equity-settled share-based payment arrangements existed, as set out below. The grants made during the 
year and the prior year were as follows:

Type of arrangement

 Performance
 share plan 

Executive
 share option
 scheme 

Deferred 
bonus share
 plan 

Timing of grant 
Number of options/shares granted in year 

Bi-annually

(Note a) 

to 31 March 2012 

2 937 428

Number of options/shares granted in year 

to 31 March 2011 

3 305 524

Fair value per share for 2012 grant (pence) 

542

Fair value per share for 2011 grant (pence) 

381

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Group bonus 
plan – deferred
 benefit award 
Annually
as applicable
in June

296 710

–

555

–

Duration
in years

Sharesave scheme

Annually
in June

Annually
in December

3
5 

3
5

3
5

3
5

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

26 273
 7 823

14 218
7 482

126
141

84
94

Valuation basis 
Contractual life 
Vesting conditions 

Monte Carlo Binomial Lattice
10 years
(Note c)

10 years
(Note b)

Monte Carlo
3 years
(Note d)

Contractual
2 years
(Note f)

  Black-Scholes Black-Scholes
3/5 years
(Note e)

3/5 years
(Note e)

(a)  The last grant under this scheme was made in June 2004.

(b)  For the year ended 31 March 2012, exercise of 2,937,428 shares is dependent 50% on adjusted diluted earnings per share and 50% on return on 

capital employed.

For the year ended 31 March 2011, exercise of 3,305,524 shares is dependent 50% on adjusted diluted earnings per share and 50% on return  
on capital employed.

(c)   Exercise is dependent on earnings per share performance relative to inflation over a three-year period following grant. Participants are not entitled 

to dividends prior to the exercise of options.

97

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26 Share-based payments (continued)
(d)  Executives have previously had the opportunity to defer up to 50% of their annual cash bonus (after deduction of tax, national insurance or other 
social security payments) and invest the amount deferred in the Company’s shares. Subject to the satisfaction of employment conditions and  
a performance target over the performance period as described in (b) above, participants received awards of matching shares based on the 
number of shares which could have been acquired from the gross bonus amount deferred by the participant. During the performance period, 
dividends were paid on the deferred shares but not on matching shares. This plan was suspended during the year ended 31 March 2009.

(e)   Options granted in the years to 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012 were by invitation at a 10% and 20% discount, respectively, to the market 

price. Options are exercisable at the end of a three-year or five-year savings contract.

(f)  The deferred benefit award will be exercisable at the end of a two-year period dependent on contractual obligations. 

The Group recognised total expenses before tax of £11 million (2011 – £9 million) related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions  
during the year.

Details of the movements for equity-settled share option schemes during the year to 31 March were as follows:

Outstanding at 1 April 
Granted 
Exercised 
Lapsed 
Outstanding at 31 March

31 March 2012
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
pence
32
6
99
13
16

Shares 
number 
11 211 368
3 268 234
(1 892 643)
(1 316 686)
11 270 273

31 March 2011
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
pence 
71
3
331
53
32

Shares 
number 
11 104 971
3 327 224
(982 311)
(2 238 516)
11 211 368

The weighted average Tate & Lyle PLC share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 647 pence (2011 – 514 pence). 
At 31 March 2012 862,865 (2011 – 1,008,988) of the outstanding options were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of 154 pence  
(2011 – 332 pence). A detailed breakdown of the range of exercise prices for options outstanding at 31 March is shown in the table below:

At nil cost
£0.01 to £1.99
£2.00 to £3.99
£4.00 to £7.99
Total

Year to 31 March 2012
Weighted
 average 
exercise 
price 
pence 
–
–
333
494
16

Weighted
 average 
remaining 
contractual 
life in months 
47.2
–
22.1
37.4
46.3

 Number 
outstanding
 at end of year 
10 788 721
–
403 619
77 933
11 270 273

 Number
 outstanding 
at end of year 
10 180 236
–
956 088
75 044
11 211 368

 Year to 31 March 2011
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
pence 
–
–
339
449
32

Weighted
 Average
 Remaining
 contractual 
life in months 
51.1
–
31.4
38.3
49.3

The fair value of grants is measured using the valuation technique that is considered to be the most appropriate to value each class of grant.  
These include Binomial Lattice models, Black-Scholes calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. These valuations take into account factors such  
as non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. Key assumptions are detailed below:

 Performance 
share plan 
n/a

Sharesave 
scheme 
December 
35%
3 years 3.2/5.2 years
– 1.85%/2.65%
4.3%
10%
n/a
n/a
n/a
552

4.0%
0%
n/a
n/a
80%1
593

At 31 March 2012
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk-free rate 
Expected dividend yield 
Forfeiture rate 
Correlation with comparators 
Volatility of comparators 
Expectations of meeting performance criteria 
Weighted average market price at date of grant (pence)

1  Relating to grants made during the year.

98

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201226 Share-based payments (continued)

At 31 March 2011
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk-free rate 
Expected dividend yield 
Forfeiture rate 
Correlation with comparators 
Volatility of comparators 
Expectations of meeting performance criteria 
Weighted average market price at date of grant (pence)

 Performance 
share plan 
n/a
3 years
–
5.2%
0%
n/a
n/a
100%
443

Sharesave 
scheme 
December 
35%
3.3/5.3 years
2.1%/3.0%
5.5%
10%
n/a
n/a
n/a
538

The expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility over the three-year period prior to each award date.

27 Trade and other payables

Non-current payables
Accruals and deferred income 
Total

Current payables
Trade payables
Social security
Deferred consideration (Note a)
Accruals and deferred income 
Margin payables
Other payables 
Total

(a)  Deferred consideration in 2011 related to the acquisition of G. C. Hahn & Co. (Note 37).

28 Borrowings
Non-current borrowings

Unsecured borrowings 
2,394,000 6.5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each (2011 – £2,394,000) (Note a)
Industrial Revenue Bonds 2016–2036 (US$92,000,000)
6.5% Guaranteed Notes 2012 (£100,000,000) 
5.0% Guaranteed Notes 2014 (US$500,000,000)
6.625% Guaranteed Notes 2016 (US$250,000,000)
6.75% Guaranteed Notes 2019 (£200,000,000) 

Bank loans
Variable unsecured loans (US$) 

Other borrowings
Obligations under finance leases

Total non-current borrowings

2012
£m

4
4

2012
£m

256
8
–
81
–
37
382

2012
£m

2
57
–
329
170
218
776

7
7

22
22
805

31 March
2011
£m

1
1

31 March
2011
£m

245
7
7
76
6
65
406

31 March
2011
£m

2
57
104
328
170
201
862

7
7

18
18
887

(a)   On a return of capital on a winding-up, the holders of 6.5% cumulative preference shares shall be entitled to £1 per share, in preference to all 

other classes of shareholders. Holders of these shares are entitled to vote at meetings, except on the following matters: any question as to the 
disposal of the surplus profits after the dividend on these shares has been provided for; the election of directors; their remuneration; any 
agreement between the directors and the Company; or the alteration of the Articles of Association dealing with any such matters.

99

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 Borrowings (continued)
Current borrowings

6.125% Guaranteed Note 2011 (US$ 300,000,000)
6.5% Guaranteed Notes 2012 (£100,000,000)
Unsecured bank overdrafts
Short-term unsecured loans
Obligations under finance leases 
Total current borrowings

2012
£m
–
101
6
32
2
141

31 March
2011
£m
187
–
10
25
5
227

Secured borrowings
Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

Fair values
The fair values of the Group’s borrowings compared with their book values are as follows:

Non-current unsecured borrowings 
Non-current bank loans 
Other non-current borrowings 
Other current borrowings 
Total

Book value
£m 
776
7
22
141
946

31 March 2012
Fair value
£m
818
7
22
141
988

Book value
£m 
862
7
18
227
1 114

31 March 2011
Fair value
£m 
900
7
18
229
1 154

The fair value of borrowings has been determined using either quoted market prices, broker dealer quotations or discounted cash flow analysis.

Interest rate risks and maturity of borrowings
The maturity profile of the Group’s non-current borrowings is as follows:

One to two years
Two to five years
After five years 
Total non-current borrowings

2012
£m
9
508
288
805

31 March
2011
£m
115
338
434
887

Floating rate borrowings bear interest based on relevant national LIBOR equivalents. If the interest rates applicable to the Group’s floating rate debt 
and cash held as at 31 March 2012 rise by an average of 1% over the year to 31 March 2013, this would increase Group profit before tax by 
approximately £nil (2011 – £2 million).

Taking into account the Group’s interest rate and cross currency swap contracts, the effective interest rates of its borrowings are as follows:

2,394,000 6.5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each
Industrial Revenue Bonds 2016–2036 (US$92,000,000)
6.125% Guaranteed Notes 2011 (US$300,000,000)
6.5% Guaranteed Notes 2012 (£100,000,000)
5.0% Guaranteed Notes 2014 (US$500,000,000)
6.625% Guaranteed Notes 2016 (US$250,000,000)
6.75% Guaranteed Notes 2019 (£200,000,000)

2012
£m
6.5%
0.4%
–
3.3%
3.0%
4.3%
4.9%

31 March
2011
£m
6.5%
0.3%
5.1%
3.7%
3.1%
5.9%
4.7%

Short-term loans and overdrafts
Current short-term loans mature within the next 12 months and overdrafts are repayable on demand. Both short-term loans and bank overdrafts are 
arranged at floating rates of interest and expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.

Credit facilities and arrangements
During the year ended 31 March 2012, Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC, arranged a US$800 million five-year committed multi-currency club 
facility with a core of highly rated banks to replace the existing US$1 billion facility that was due to expire in October 2012.

As at 31 March 2012, this committed facility remains undrawn. The facility has a value of £500 million (2011 – £623 million) and matures in July 2016. 
This facility incurs commitment fees at market rates prevailing when the facility was arranged. The facility may only be withdrawn in the event of 
specified events of default. In addition, the Group has substantial uncommitted facilities.

100

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201228 Borrowings (continued)
Finance lease commitments
Amounts payable under finance lease commitments are as follows:

Within one year 
Between one and five years 
After five years 

Less future finance charges 
Present value of minimum lease payments

31 March 2012
Present value 
of minimum 
lease 
payments
£m
2
12
10
24

Minimum 
lease 
payments
£m 
4
16
13
33
(9)
24

31 March 2011
Present value 
of minimum 
lease 
payments
£m 
5
16
2
23

Minimum 
lease 
payments
£m 
7
18
3
28
(5)
23

29 Deferred tax
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences using tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions where such differences arise. Movements in 
deferred income tax net liabilities/(assets) in the year are as follows:

Deferred tax 
At 1 April 2010
Charge to the income statement
Charge to the statement of comprehensive income
Credited directly to equity
Exchange
At 31 March 2011
Charge to the income statement
Credit to the statement of comprehensive income
Credited directly to equity
Exchange
At 31 March 2012

£m 
(84)
38
–
(1)
3
(44)
65
(27)
(2)
(4)
(12)

Of the amounts of deferred tax charged to the income statement and other comprehensive income, a credit of £1 million (2011 – £2 million) arises 
from changes in tax rates. There was no impact from the imposition of new taxes.

Deferred tax assets in respect of unutilised tax losses of £349 million (2011 – £451 million) have not been recognised to the extent that they exceed 
taxable profits against which these assets may be recovered. The reduction in losses is the result of losses being recognised in the current year, the 
disallowance of previously claimed capital allowances and the adjustment to submitted tax returns. No unrelieved tax losses expired under current 
tax legislation in the year ended 31 March 2012.

Deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses of £10 million have been recognised in relation to the disposal of Fort Dodge (2011 – £39 million). In 
addition tax losses of £8 million have been recognised in the current year (2011 – £25 million) to offset the deferred tax liability arising from the UK 
pensions surplus.

The total deferred tax on unremitted earnings is £4 million (2011 – £6 million) of which £nil (2011 – £1 million) has been recognised. The Group has not 
recognised the remaining amount as it is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that they will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

The aggregate amount of temporary differences arising from unremitted profits at the statement of financial position date was approximately  
£4 million (2011 – £5 million).

Other deferred tax liabilities principally relate to deferred tax on acquired intangible assets.

Other deferred tax assets principally relate to deferred tax on provisions.

The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year are as follows:

Deferred tax liabilities
At 1 April 2010 
Transfers between categories
Charged to the income statement
Charged to the statement of comprehensive income
Exchange
At 31 March 2011
Transfers between categories
Charged to the income statement
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012

Capital 
Allowances
 in excess of
depreciation
£m
7
–
84
–
(6)
85
–
32
(2)
115

Other
£m 
23
(3)
7
2
–
29
(3)
8
(1)
33

Total
£m 
30
(3)
91
2
(6)
114
(3)
40
(3)
148

101

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201229 Deferred tax (continued)

Deferred tax assets
At 1 April 2010 
Transfers between categories 
(Charged)/credited to the income statement 
(Charged)/credited to the statement of comprehensive income 
Credited to equity 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011
Transfers between categories 
(Charged)/credited to the income statement 
Credited/(charged) to the statement of comprehensive income 
Credited to equity 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012

Retirement 
benefit
obligations
£m
94
–
(1)
(19)
–
(5)
69
–
(27)
33
–
(1)
74

Share-based 
payments
£m
2
–
–
–
1
–
3
–
1
–
2
1
7

Tax losses
£m
4
–
42
22
–
(4)
64
–
20
(6)
–
–
78

Other
£m 
14
(3)
12
(1)
–
–
22
(3)
(19)
–
–
1
1

Total
£m 
114
(3)
53
2
1
(9)
158
(3)
(25)
27
2
1
160

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an intention to settle the balances net.  
As a result of these offsets, the deferred tax balances are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets 
Total

2012
£m
25
(37)
(12)

31 March
2011
£m
30
(74)
(44)

30 Retirement benefit obligations
(a) Plan information
The Group maintains pension plans for its operations throughout the world. Some of these arrangements are defined benefit pension schemes with 
retirement, disability, death and termination income benefits. The retirement income benefits are generally a function of years of employment and 
final salary. The Group also maintains defined contribution pension schemes and some fully insured pension schemes.

The principal schemes are funded and their assets held in separate trustee-administered funds. The schemes are funded in line with local practice 
and contributions are assessed in accordance with local independent actuarial advice. The schemes operated by the Group are subject to 
independent actuarial valuation at regular intervals using consistent assumptions appropriate to conditions prevailing in the relevant country. In the 
United Kingdom, the most recent actuarial valuations of plan assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligations were carried out as at  
31 March 2010 by independent actuaries, and the results of these valuations have been finalised and a recovery plan is in place which addresses  
the deficit. This resulted in an additional £45 million paid into the main UK pension scheme in the year.

On 1 April 2002, the main United Kingdom scheme was closed to new members. A defined contribution pension scheme has been established to 
provide pension benefits to new United Kingdom employees. From 6 April 2011, the main United Kingdom Pension Scheme closed to future accruals.

The Group closed its largest US defined benefit arrangement, the Salaried Plan, to future accrual from 1 January 2011 and the remaining defined 
benefit arrangement, the Hourly Plan, is closed to new members. The Group’s subsidiaries in the US provide unfunded retirement medical and life 
assurance benefits to their employees.

The Group expects to contribute approximately £45 million to its defined benefit plans in the year to 31 March 2013.

(b) Principal assumptions
The principal assumptions used for the purpose of the actuarial valuations were as follows:

Year to 31 March 2012
Inflation rate 
Expected rate of salary increases 
Expected rate of pension increases 
Discount rate 
Expected return on plan assets (total) 
Expected equity return on plan assets

Pension benefits

UK
2.3/3.3%
n/a
3.3%
5.1%
6.3%
7.7%

US
2.5%
3.5%
n/a
4.4%
7.1%
8.0%

Other
2.0%
2.0%
0.9%
3.9%
5.4%
7.1%

Medical
benefits 
2.5%
n/a
n/a
4.1%
n/a
n/a

102

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201230 Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

Year to 31 March 2011
Inflation rate 
Expected rate of salary increases 
Expected rate of pension increases 
Discount rate 
Expected return on plan assets (total) 
Expected equity return on plan assets

UK
2.6/3.6%
4.4%
3.4%
5.5%
6.2%
8.4%

US
2.5%
3.5%
n/a
5.4%
7.2%
8.0%

Pension benefits

Other
2.0%
2.0%
1.3%
5.2%
5.3%
6.5%

Medical
benefits 
2.5%
n/a
n/a
5.3%
n/a
n/a

In accordance with the Scheme rules, both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation measures are used to value the 
Group’s UK retirement benefit obligation.

Mortality assumptions – Year to 31 March 2012
Male aged 65 now 
Male aged 65 in 20 years’ time 
Female aged 65 now 
Female aged 65 in 20 years’ time

Mortality assumptions – Year to 31 March 2011
Male aged 65 now 
Male aged 65 in 20 years’ time 
Female aged 65 now 
Female aged 65 in 20 years’ time

Expected longevity post age 65

UK
22 years
25 years
23 years
25 years

US
19 years
19 years
21 years
21 years

Expected longevity post age 65

UK
21 years
24 years
22 years
24 years

US
19 years
19 years
21 years
21 years

Shorter longevity assumptions are used for members who retire on grounds of ill-health.

The expected rates of return on individual categories of plan assets are estimated by reference to indices published by the relevant exchanges.  
The overall expected rate of return is calculated by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated balance in the plan’s investment 
portfolio. The actual rate of return on the plan assets for the year was positive 8.9% (2011 – positive 9.3%), and amounted to a gain of £112 million 
(2011 – £109 million gain).

Medical cost trend rates are estimated at 9.0% per annum (2011 – 9.5%), grading down to 5% by 2020. If medical cost trend rates were to increase 
or decrease by 1%, the effects are estimated as follows:

Increase/(decrease) in medical benefits current service and interest cost 
Increase/(decrease) in medical benefits obligation

(c) Amounts recognised in the income statement

Year to 31 March 2012
Current service cost charged to operating profit 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets 
(Credited)/charged to finance expense 
Total

Year to 31 March 2011
Current service cost charged to operating profit 
Past service cost 
Curtailment benefit 
Total charged to operating profit 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets 
(Credited)/charged to finance expense 
Total

UK
£m
–
44
(55)
(11)
(11)

UK
£m
2
–
(1)
1
47
(52)
(5)
(4)

Increase
£m 
1
10

31 March 2012
Decrease
£m
(1)
(8)

Increase
£m 
1
9

31 March 2011
Decrease
£m 
(1)
(7)

US
£m
1
21
(20)
1
2 

US
£m
5
1
–
6
22
(18)
4
10

Pension benefits

Other
£m
3
3
(3)
–
3

Total
£m
4
68
(78)
(10)
(6)

Pension benefits

Other
£m
1
–
–
1
2
(2)
–
1

Total
£m
8
1
(1)
8
71
(72)
(1)
7

Medical
benefits
£m 
3
5
–
5
8

Medical
benefits
£m 
3
–
–
3
5
–
5
8

Total
£m
7
73
(78)
(5)
2

Total
£m
11
1
(1)
11
76
(72)
4
15

Current service costs are presented in staff costs (Note 9); expected return on plan assets and interest cost are presented in net finance expense 
(Note 10).

103

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201230 Retirement benefit obligations (continued)
(d) Amounts recognised in the statement of financial position

At 31 March 2012
Fair value of plan assets: 
– equities 
– bonds 
– property and other 

Present value of funded obligations 
Present value of unfunded obligation 
Net asset/(liability) recognised in the statement  

of financial position 

Disclosed in the statement of financial position as: 
– retirement benefit surplus 
– retirement benefit deficits 

At 31 March 2011
Fair value of plan assets: 
– equities 
– bonds 
– property and other 

Present value of funded obligations 
Present value of unfunded obligations 
Unrecognised asset due to surplus restriction 
Net asset/(liability) recognised in the statement  

of financial position 

Disclosed in the statement of financial position as: 
– retirement benefit surplus 
– retirement benefit deficits 

% of 
plan
 assets

36%
48%
16%

% of 
plan
 assets

38%
47%
15%

% of 
plan 
assets

33%
47%
20%

% of 
plan 
assets

35%
44%
21%

% of 
plan 
assets

40%
48%
12%

% of 
plan 
assets

53%
30%
17%

UK

£m

359
488
158
1 005
(867)
–

138

146
(8)

UK

£m

349
430
140
919
(823)
–
–

96

102
(6)

US

£m

122
144
36
302
(422)
(46)

(166)

–
(166)

US

£m

145
81
48
274
(366)
(42)
–

(134)

–
(134)

Pension benefits

Others

Total

% of 
plan 
assets

Medical 
benefits
 £m

£m

37%
48%
15%

499
658
205
1 362
(1 352)
(46)

–
–
–
–
–
(104)

Total

499
658
205
1 362
(1 352)
(150)

(36)

(104)

(140)

146
(182)

–
(104)

146
(286)

Pension benefits

% of 
plan 
assets

41%
43%
16%

 Total

£m

512
534
199
1 245
(1 244)
(42)
(1)

Medical 
benefits
 £m

–
–
–
–
–
(97)
–

Total

512
534
199
1 245
(1 244)
(139)
(1)

(42)

(97)

(139)

103
(145)

–
(97)

103
(242)

£m

18
26
11
55
(63)
–

(8)

–
(8)

Others

£m

18
23
11
52
(55)
–
(1)

(4)

1
(5)

The plan assets do not include any of the Group’s financial instruments, nor any property occupied by, or other assets used by, the Group.

(e) Reconciliation of movement in plan assets and liabilities

Pension benefits

UK
£m
872
2
–
(1)
47
(48)
(49)
–
–
823
–
44
50
(50)
–
–
867

US
£m
399
5
1
–
22
27
(23)
–
(23)
408
1
21
61
(23)
–
–
468

Other
£m
57
1
–
–
2
–
(2)
(2)
(1)
55
3
3
6
(2)
1
(3)
63

Total
£m
1 328
8
1
(1)
71
(21)
(74)
(2)
(24)
1 286
4
68
117
(75)
1
(3)
1 398

Medical
benefits
£m 
101
3
–
–
5
(1)
(5)
–
(6)
97
3
5
4
(5)
–
–
104

Total
£m
1 429
11
1
(1)
76
(22)
(79)
(2)
(30)
1 383
7
73
121
(80)
1
(3)
1 502

Liabilities
At 1 April 2010
Total service cost 
Past service cost 
Curtailment benefits 
Interest cost 
Actuarial (gain)/loss 
Benefits paid 
Businesses sold 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2011 
Total service cost
Interest cost 
Actuarial loss 
Benefits paid 
Plan participants’ contributions 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012

104

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30 Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

Pension benefits

Assets
At 1 April 2010
Expected return on assets 
Actuarial gain 
Contributions paid by employer 
Benefits paid 
Exchange 
Unrecognised asset due to surplus restriction 
At 31 March 2011 
Expected return on assets 
Actuarial gain 
Contributions paid by employer 
Plan participants’ contribution
Benefits paid 
Exchange 
At 31 March 2012

UK
£m
877
52
21
18
(49)
–
–
919
55
33
48
–
(50)
–
1 005

US
£m
245
18
16
32
(23)
(14)
–
274
20
(2)
32
–
(23)
1
302

Other
£m
50
2
–
2
(2)
–
(1)
51
3
3
2
1
(2)
(3)
55

Total
£m
1 172
72
37
52
(74)
(14)
(1)
1 244
78
34
82
1
(75)
(2)
1 362

(f) Analysis of actuarial (gains)/losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Difference between the actual return and the expected return on plan assets
Experience gains arising on scheme liabilities
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme liabilities 
Unrecognised asset due to surplus restriction 
Actuarial losses/(gains) recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Cumulative actuarial loss recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Medical
benefits
£m 
–
–
–
5
(5)
–
–
–
–
–
5
–
(5)
–
–

2012
£m
(34)
–
121
–
87

188

Deferred tax taken directly to equity on retirement benefit obligations was £33 million credit to equity (2011 – £19 million charge to equity).

(g) History of the plans and experience adjustments

Present value of defined benefit obligation and medical benefits 
Fair value of plan assets 
Net deficit

Experience adjustments on plan liabilities 
– (gain)/loss 
Experience adjustments on plan assets 
– (gain)/loss

2012
£m 
1 502
(1 362)
140

–

(34)

2011
£m
1 383
(1 244)
139

(12)

(37)

2010
£m 
1 429
(1 172)
257

–

(201)

2009
£m 
1 186
(975)
211

(18)

247

All experience adjustments are recognised directly in equity, net of related tax (see the consolidated statement of comprehensive income).

Total
£m
1 172
72
37
57
(79)
(14)
(1)
1 244
78
34
87
1
(80)
(2)
1 362

31 March
2011
£m
(37)
(12)
(10)
1
(58)

101

2008
£m
1 203
(1 112)
91

(9)

69

105

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
31 Provisions for other liabilities and charges

At 1 April 2010
Charged to the income statement 
Credited to the income statement
Utilised in the year 
Exchange and other movements 
At 31 March 2011
Charged to the income statement 
Credited to the income statement 
Utilised in the year 
Exchange and other movements 
At 31 March 2012

Provisions are expected to be utilised as follows:
– within one year
– after more than one year 
Total

Insurance 
funds
£m
12
5
(2)
(2)
–
13
2
–
(4)
–
11

Restructuring 
and closure 
provisions
£m
42
28
(20)
(13)
(2)
35
–
(23)
(7)
(1)
4

Other
 provisions
£m 
9
16
(1)
(7)
–
17
4
(4)
(4)
–
13

2012
£m

10
18
28

Total
£m
63
49
(23)
(22)
(2)
65
6
(27)
(15)
(1)
28

31 March
2011
£m

44
21
65

Insurance funds represent amounts provided by the Group’s captive insurance subsidiary in respect of the expected level of insurance claims.  
These provisions are expected to be utilised within five years.

The restructuring and closure provisions credit during the year primarily relates to the decision made to re-open the mothballed facility in McIntosh, 
Alabama and restart the production of sucralose. This resulted in a reversal of £23 million of obligations relating to the mothballed facility which  
was no longer required and has been recorded as an exceptional credit. The remaining provision was utilised to cover mothball costs ahead of the 
restart of the plant in March. The provisions which are still held relate to other restructuring within the Group and are expected to be utilised within 
two years.

Other provisions primarily relate to Group legal matters and previously disposed businesses. These provisions are expected to be utilised within  
five years.

The charge to the income statement in relation to the unwinding of discounts was £nil (2011 – £2 million).

32 Change in working capital

Increase in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
Increase in payables
Increase in derivative financial instruments (excluding debt-related derivatives)
Decrease in provisions for other liabilities and charges
Increase in working capital (continuing operations)

33 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term bank deposits 
Total

Presented in the financial statements as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale 
Total

2012
£m
(49)
(62)
18
(16)
(12)
(121)

2012
£m
327
119
446

2012
£m
424
22
446

31 March
2011
£m
(121)
1
88
(7)
(2)
(41)

31 March
2011
£m
153
501
654

31 March
2011
£m
654
–
654

The effective interest rate on short-term deposits was 1.5% (2011 – 0.4%), with an average maturity of 13 days (2011 – 12 days).

106

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201233 Cash and cash equivalents (continued)
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Euro
US dollar
Sterling
Other 
Total

34 Net debt
The components of the Group’s net debt are as follows:

Non-current borrowings
Current borrowings and bank overdrafts
Debt-related derivative instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale – cash and cash equivalents 
Net debt

2012
£m
215
127
63
41
446

2012
£m
(805)
(141)
24
424
22
(476)

31 March
2011
£m
55
415
132
52
654

31 March
2011
£m
(887)
(227)
(4)
654
–
(464)

Notes
28
28
20
33
38

Derivative financial instruments reported in the statement of financial position of £24 million net asset comprise net debt-related instruments of  
£24 million asset and net non-debt-related instruments of £nil (2011 – £1 million net asset comprising net debt-related instruments of £4 million 
liability and net non-debt-related instruments of £5 million asset). Additional net non-debt related instruments of £8 million assets are included in 
assets and liabilities held for sale (Note 38).

Net debt is denominated in the following currencies:

Euro
US dollar
Sterling
Other 
Total

Movements in the Group’s net debt are as follows:

At 1 April
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash outflow from net decrease in borrowings
Inception of finance lease
Debt transferred on disposal of businesses
Fair value and other movements
Exchange
(Increase)/decrease in net debt in the year 
At 31 March

2012
£m
(1)
(535)
37
23
(476)

2012
£m
(464)
(201)
185
(7)
–
7
4
(12)
(476)

31 March
2011
£m
(162)
(458)
131
25
(464)

31 March
2011
£m
(814)
168
147
–
8
–
27
350
(464)

Included in the cash outflow from net decrease in borrowings is an amount of £nil (2011 – £16 million) that is included in net cash used in financing 
activities from discontinued operations.

107

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
35 Contingent liabilities

Trade guarantees

Trade guarantees

2012
£m
1

31 March
2011
£m
1

Trade guarantees have been given in the normal course of business by the Group at both 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011. These are in respect of 
Revenue and Customs and the Rural Payments Agency for Agricultural Produce bonds, ECGD recourse agreements, letters of credit and tender and 
performance bonds.

Sale of EU Sugars
In May 2011, the Group announced that the process to agree completion statements on the sale of EU Sugars to American Sugar Holdings (ASR) 
was ongoing and that items totalling £54 million were outstanding and were expected to be submitted for adjudication by an independent expert. 
Those items related to the impact of major turbulence in the supply of raw sugar to the EU during the period prior to closing which resulted in an 
increase in certain rolling re-export commitments of the business arising under the EU Sugar Regime. The expert’s decision, notified to the parties 
on 8 May 2012, strongly supported the Group’s position and as a result, substantially all of the working capital adjustments proposed by ASR were 
reversed, and there is no further adjustment to the loss on disposal previously recognised. The expert’s decision is final and binding on both parties 
and therefore finalises the completion statements.

Separately, ASR has set out a number of claims it believes it has under certain other provisions of the Sale and Purchase Agreement. These claims 
have not been fully quantified, but in large part also relate to the turbulence in the supply of raw sugar to the EU during the period prior to closing and 
the increase in certain rolling re-export commitments of the business. The claims notified by ASR, and the validity of the notification itself, are under 
review by our legal advisers.

Whitefox Technologies
Whitefox Technologies (Whitefox) supplied certain equipment and technology intended for use in certain of the Group’s ethanol production facilities  
in 2007 which the Group believes was not fit for purpose. Tate & Lyle is seeking damages from Whitefox of approximately US$20 million. Whitefox 
claims damages exceeding €100 million for breach of contract, damage to certain equipment and other losses. The dispute with Whitefox has been 
listed for a jury trial in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in June 2012. Whilst we are confident in the merits of our legal position, given that 
this is a jury trial, the outcome is uncertain.

Other claims
In addition to the above, the Group is subject to claims and litigation generally arising in the ordinary course of its business, some of which are for 
substantial amounts. Such claims and litigation are strenuously defended, but provision is made for liabilities that are considered likely to arise on the 
basis of current information and legal advice and after taking into account the Group’s insurance arrangements. While there is always uncertainty  
as to the outcome of any claim or litigation, it is not expected that claims and litigation existing at the statement of financial position date will have  
a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position.

36 Commitments
Capital commitments

Commitments for the acquisition of intangible assets
Commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment 
Total

2012
£m
10
21
31

31 March
2011
£m
9
15
24

Operating lease arrangements
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its land, buildings, plant and equipment. Certain operating lease 
agreements allow for renewal at the end of the original term at the option of the Group.

At the statement of financial position date the Group has outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases which fall due as follows:

Within one year
Later than one year and no later than five years
After five years 
Total

2012
£m
31
79
95
205

31 March
2011
£m
24
68
81
173

108

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201237 Acquisitions and disposals
Acquisitions 
G.C. Hahn & Co – 2012
During the year to 31 March 2008, the Group acquired 80% of the issued share capital of G.C. Hahn & Co. (Hahn) from Georg Hahn Familien GmbH. 
As the Group effectively bore all the risks and rewards for 100% of this business, a non-controlling interest was not recognised in the financial 
statements at the date of acquisition. The acquisition agreement allowed for the Group to acquire the remaining 20% of the issued share capital of 
Hahn through put and call options at various times. During the financial year, following the exercise of a put option by Georg Hahn Familien GmbH, 
the Group acquired the final 5% of the issued share capital of the business for a total consideration of £7 million, and has now acquired 100% of the 
issued share capital. 

Disposals
International Sugar Trading – 2012
On 12 October 2011, the Group completed the sale of its minority holdings in sugar refineries in Egypt and Saudi Arabia relating to the former 
International Sugar Trading business and received £18 million in cash consideration. After recycling revaluation gains to the income statement,  
the Group has recorded an exceptional gain of £11 million (Note 7).

EU Sugars and Molasses – 2011
During the prior year the Group completed the disposal of its EU Sugars operations to American Sugar Holdings (ASR), Inc. The disposal comprised 
an asset sale of the Thames Sugar Refinery and its associated businesses in London and a share sale of Alcantara Empreendimentos SGPS, SA, 
Tate & Lyle Norge AS and Eridania Tate & Lyle SpA. In May 2011, the Group announced that the process to agree completion statements on the  
sale of EU Sugars to ASR was ongoing and that items totalling £54 million were outstanding and were expected to be submitted for adjudication  
by an independent expert. The expert’s decision, notified to the parties on 8 May 2012, strongly supported the Group’s position and as a result, 
substantially all of the working capital adjustments proposed by ASR were reversed, and there is no further adjustment required to the loss on 
disposal recognised in the prior year. The expert’s decision is final and binding on both parties and therefore finalises the completion statements.  
The receivable outstanding at 31 March 2012 has been settled subsequent to the balance sheet date.

During the prior year the Group also completed the disposal of its Molasses business to W&R Barnett Ltd. Total consideration was £66 million. 
During the current year, post-completion adjustments were agreed and the Group received a cash inflow of £1 million in respect of working  
capital settlements. 

The calculation of the result on disposal of EU Sugars and Molasses is shown below:

Goodwill and intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment in associates
Available-for-sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments – assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial instruments – liabilities
Retirement benefit obligation
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Taxation
Total assets disposed
Non-controlling interests disposed
Net assets disposed

Cash received during the year to 31 March 2011
Cash received during the year to 31 March 2012
Receivable at 31 March 2012
Total consideration

Other items:
Disposal costs
Recycling of cash flow hedge reserve
Exchange differences transferred from equity
(Loss)/gain on disposal

Cash flows:
Cash consideration
Cash disposed

Cash inflow during the year to 31 March 2011
Cash inflow during the year to 31 March 2012

EU Sugars 
£m
1
203
2
1
18
72
66
(53)
(15)
(2)
5
(5)
(1)
292
–
292

Molasses
£m
2
14
–
–
7
35
42
(33)
(3)
–
5
(3)
(2)
64
(5)
59

225
–
2
227

(4)
3
11
(55)

225
(5)
220

220
–

65
1
–
66

(4)
–
9
12

66
(5)
61

60
1

Total
£m
3
217
2
1
25
107
108
(86)
(18)
(2)
10
(8)
(3)
356
(5)
351

290
1
2
293

(8)
3
20
(43)

291
(10)
281

280
1

109

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale
In April 2011, the Group entered into a conditional agreement to sell its majority share of Vietnam Sugar to TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company.  
The purchaser has received clearance from the Vietnam Ministry of Finance and the required licence from the Ministry of Planning and Investment 
but still awaits the appropriate regulatory clearances from the State Bank. The disposal is expected to complete during the first half of the 2013 
financial year.

At 31 March 2012 active discussions were taking place, and on 20 April 2012, the Group reached an agreement to sell its 50% share in Sucromiles 
SA (Sucromiles), its Colombian citric acid joint venture, to the joint venture partner, Organización Ardila Lülle, for total cash consideration of  
£20 million. The sale is conditional upon Colombian competition authority approval.

The Group is committed to the disposal of its remaining businesses within the legacy Sugars division, principally the legacy contracts relating to the 
former International Sugar Trading business. The status of the disposal process at 31 March 2012 is such that these contracts meet the criteria to be 
held for sale. The disposal of the available-for-sale financial assets relating to the Group’s former International Sugar Trading business completed on 
12 October 2011 (Note 37). These assets were classified as held for sale as at 31 March 2011.

In addition, land and buildings relating to the former Molasses business with a net book value of £2 million are included within assets held for sale. 

In the prior year, the Group’s liquid sugar manufacturing business in Israel was classified as held for sale as it met the criteria to be held for sale at 
that time. This business ceased operations during the year.

Assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2012 reported as held for sale are shown in the table below. Cash and cash equivalents includes balances in 
respect of both Vietnam Sugar and Sucromiles.

Assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Available for sale financial assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets held for sale

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Total liabilities held for sale

2012
£m

2
22
1
25
15
13
22
100

(9)
(1)
(5)
(15)

31 March
2011
£m

2
22
17
17
9
–
–
67

(5)
–
–
(5)

39 Post balance sheet events
On 20 April 2012, the Group reached an agreement to sell its 50% share in Sucromiles SA, its Colombian citric acid joint venture, to Organización 
Ardila Lülle, for total cash consideration of £20 million. The sale is conditional upon Colombian competition authority approval and is expected to 
complete during the first half of the 2013 financial year.

110

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
40 Related party disclosures
Identity of related parties
The Group has related party relationships with its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, the Group’s pension schemes and with key management 
being its directors and executive officers. No related party relationships with close family members of the Group’s key management existed in the current 
or comparative year.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
Transactions entered into by the Company with subsidiaries and between subsidiaries as well as the resultant balances of receivables and payables are 
eliminated on consolidation and are not required to be disclosed. The Group’s share of transactions entered into by the Company and its subsidiaries with 
joint ventures and between joint ventures as well as the Group’s share of the resultant balances of receivables and payables are eliminated on consolidation. 
For transactions and balances with joint ventures, there is an element which is not eliminated on consolidation relating to the external joint venture partner 
which is required to be disclosed. Transactions and balances with joint ventures are as follows, there are no such transactions with associates: 

Continuing operations
Sales of goods and services
– to joint ventures
Purchases of goods and services
– from joint ventures
Receivables
– due from joint ventures
Payables
– due to joint ventures 
Financing
– loans to joint ventures
– deposits from joint ventures

2012
£m

164

289

23

21

13
36

31 March
2011
£m

150

221

15

17

18
25

The Group had no material related party transactions containing unusual commercial terms.

The Group provides guarantees in respect of banking facilities of a joint venture totalling £10 million (2011 – £10 million).

Key management
Key management compensation is disclosed in Note 9.

41 Foreign exchange rates
The following exchange rates have been applied in the translation of the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates:

Average foreign exchange rates
£1 = US$
£1 = €

Year end foreign exchange rates
£1 = US$
£1 = €

42 Main subsidiaries and investments
Subsidiaries based in the United Kingdom1

G.C. Hahn & Co. Limited2
Tate & Lyle Holdings Limited3
Tate & Lyle Industries Limited
Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC3
Tate & Lyle Investments Limited3
Tate & Lyle LLC

Year to 31 March

2011

1.55
1.19

31 March

2011

1.60
1.13

2012

1.60
1.15

2012

1.60
1.20

Percentage of
equity attributable
to Tate & Lyle PLC
100
100
100
100
100
100

Type of business
Blending
Holding company
Holding company
In-house treasury company
Holding company
Holding company

1  Registered in England and Wales, except Tate & Lyle LLC which is registered in Delaware, USA.
2   On 21 June 2011, the Group acquired the final 5% issued share capital of the Hahn business. However, due to the structure of the acquisition agreement, the Group 
has borne risks and rewards of 100% of the business. Accordingly, a non-controlling interest has never been recognised since the original acquisition in the 2008 
financial year.

3  Direct subsidiaries of Tate & Lyle PLC.

111

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42 Main subsidiaries and investments (continued)
Subsidiaries operating overseas

Country of incorporation or registration
Argentina

Company
Tate & Lyle Argentina SA

Australia
Belgium
Bermuda
Brazil

Chile

China

Croatia
Czech Republic
France
Germany

Gibraltar
Hong Kong
Hungary
Italy
Lithuania
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands

Poland

Russia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain

Ukraine
USA

Vietnam

Tate & Lyle ANZ Pty Limited2
Tate & Lyle Services Belgium NV
Tate & Lyle Management & Finance Limited
Tate & Lyle Brasil do SA1
G.C. Hahn & Co. Estabilizantes e Tecnologia para 
Alimentos Ltda.2
Tate & Lyle Chile Commercial Ltda

Tate & Lyle Trading (Shanghai) Limited
G.C. Hahn & Co. Food Stabilizer Business  
(Shanghai) Ltd.2
G.C. Hahn & Co. d.o.o.2
G.C. Hahn & Co. Stabilizacni technika s.r.o.2
G.C. Hahn & Cie. S.A.R.L.2
G.C. Hahn & Co. Stabilisierungstechnik GmbH2
G.C. Hahn & Co. Cooperationsgeschaft mbH2
Tate & Lyle Insurance (Gilbraltar) Limited
Tate & Lyle Asia Limited
G.C. Hahn & Co. Stabilizalastechnikai Kft2
Tate & Lyle Italia Spa
UAB Litauen G.C. Hahn & Co.2
Tate & Lyle Mexico S. de R.L.de C.V.
Tate & Lyle Morocco SA
Nederlandse Glucose Industrie BV
Tate & Lyle Netherlands BV

Type of business
Cereal sweeteners & starches, 
Sucralose distribution 
Sucralose distribution and blending 
Holding company 
Management & finance 
Citric acid, Sucralose distribution 
Blending 

Cereal sweeteners & starches, 
Sucralose distribution 
Sucralose distribution 
Blending 

Blending 
Blending 
Blending 
Blending 
Holding company 
Reinsurance 
Sucralose distribution 
Blending 
Blending 
Blending 
Holding company 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Holding company 
Cereal sweeteners & starches, 
Sucralose distribution 

G.C. Hahn & Co. Technika stabilizowania sp.z.o.o.2 Blending 
Tate & Lyle Global Shared Services sp.z.o.o
G.C. Hahn Russia1
Tate & Lyle Singapore Pte Ltd
Tate & Lyle South Africa (Pty) Limited
G.C. Hahn Estabilizantes y Tecnologia para 
Alimentos2
G.C. Hahn1 2
Staley Holdings LLC
Tate & Lyle Custom Ingredients LLC
Tate & Lyle Finance LLC
TLHUS, Inc
Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas, LLC
Tate & Lyle Sucralose LLC
TLI Holding LLC
Nghe An Tate & Lyle Sugar Company Limited

Holding company 
Blending
High-intensity sweeteners 
Blending 
Blending 

Blending 
Holding company 
Blending 
In-house banking 
Holding company 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
High-intensity sweeteners 
In-house banking
Cane sugar manufacture 

Percentage of 
equity attributable 
to Tate & Lyle PLC
100

100
100
100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
(80.9)    60.7 

1  Non-coterminous year-end.
2   On 21 June 2011, the Group acquired the final 5% issued share capital of the Hahn business. However, due to the structure of the acquisition agreement, the  
Group has borne risks and rewards of 100% of the business. Accordingly, a non-controlling interest has never been recognised since the original acquisition  
in the 2008 financial year.

112

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201242 Main subsidiaries and investments (continued)
Joint ventures

Country of incorporation or registration
Bulgaria
Hungary
Mexico
Netherlands
Slovakia
Turkey
USA

1  Share capital held by Eaststarch CV.
2  Non-coterminous year-end.

Associates

Company
Amylum Bulgaria EAD1,2
Hungrana Kft1,2
Almidones Mexicanos SA2
Eaststarch CV
Amylum Slovakia spol sro1
Amylum Nisasta AS1
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC

Type of business
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Holding company 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Cereal sweeteners & starches 
Industrial ingredients 

Country of incorporation or registration
Thailand

Company
Tapioca Development Corporation1

Type of business
Starch production

1  Indirect associates of Tate & Lyle PLC.

(100)
(50) 

Percentage of
equity attributable 
to Tate & Lyle PLC
50
25
50
50
50
50
50

(100) 
(100) 

Percentage of 
equity attributable
 to Tate & Lyle PLC
33.3

The proportion of shares held by Tate & Lyle PLC, its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates is shown in brackets where it is different from the 
percentage of equity attributable to Tate & Lyle PLC.

Those entities which have non-coterminous year-ends are consolidated in the Group financial statements using management accounts for the  
period to 31 March.

113

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201243 Reconciliation to adjusted information
As explained in Note 1, adjusted information is presented as it provides both management and investors with valuable additional information on the 
performance of the business. The following items are excluded from adjusted information:

–  exceptional items including profits and losses on disposals of businesses, impairments, closure and significant business transformation activities; 

and

– amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

The following table shows the reconciliation of the statutory information presented in the income statement to the adjusted information:

£m (unless otherwise stated)
Continuing operations 
Sales 
Operating profit 
Net finance expense 
Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 
Profit attributable to owners  

of the Company

Basic earnings per share (pence) 
Diluted earnings per share (pence) 
Tax rate 

Discontinued operations 
Sales 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance income 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax (expense)/credit 
Profit/(loss) after tax 
Non-controlling interests 
(Loss)/profit attributable to owners  

of the Company

Basic (loss)/earnings per share (pence) 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (pence) 

Total operations 
Sales 
Operating profit
Net finance expense 
Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 
Profit after tax 
Non-controlling interests 
Profit attributable to owners  

of the Company

Basic earnings per share (pence)
Diluted earnings per share (pence)
Tax rate

Year to 31 March 2012

Reported

Exceptional/ 
amortisation

Adjusted

Reported

Year to 31 March 2011

Exceptional/ 
amortisation

Adjusted

3 088
404
(25)
379
(72)

307

65.9
64.6
19.0%

72
16
1
17
(15)
2
(4)

(2)

(0.4)
(0.3)

3 160
420
(24)
396
(87)
309
(4)

305

65.5
64.3
21.9%

–
(56)
–
(56)
17

(39)

(8.4)
(8.2)

–
(11)
–
(11)
15
4
–

4

0.9
0.8

–
(67)
–
(67)
32
(35)
–

(35)

(7.5)
(7.4)

3 088
348
(25)
323
(55)

268

57.5
56.4
17.1%

72
5
1
6
–
6
(4)

2

0.5
0.5

3 160
353
(24)
329
(55)
274
(4)

270

58.0
56.9
16.8%

2 720
303
(58)
245
(49)

196

42.6
41.9
19.7%

590
(45)
–
(45)
16
(29)
(4)

(33)

(7.3)
(7.2)

3 310
258
(58)
200
(33)
167
(4)

163

35.3
34.7
16.4%

–
18
–
18
–

18

3.9
3.8

–
43
–
43
(19)
24
–

24

5.4
5.3

–
61
–
61
(19)
42
–

42

9.3
9.1

2 720
321
(58)
263
(49)

214

46.5
45.7
18.5%

590
(2)
–
(2)
(3)
(5)
(4)

(9)

(1.9)
(1.9)

3 310
319
(58)
261
(52)
209
(4)

205

44.6
43.8
19.7%

114

Financial statements:Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Tate & Lyle PLC: 

Parent company financial statements

We have audited the Parent company financial 
statements of Tate & Lyle PLC for the year 
ended 31 March 2012 which comprise the 
Parent company balance sheet and the Notes 
to the Parent company financial statements. 
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).

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ 
statement of responsibilities set out on page 62, 
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.

This report, including the opinions, has been 
prepared for and only for the company’s 
members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006 and for no other purpose. We do not,  
in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any 
other person to whom this report is shown  
or into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

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 2012 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:

 – give a true and fair view of the state  

of the Parent company’s affairs as at  
31 March 2012;

 – have been properly prepared in accordance 
with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

 – have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

 – the part of the Directors’ remuneration 
report to be audited has been properly 
prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; and

 – the information given in the Directors’ report 
for the financial year for which the Parent 
company financial statements are prepared 
is consistent with the Parent company 
financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the 
following matters where the Companies Act 
2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
opinion: 

 – adequate accounting records have not been 
kept by the Parent company, or returns 
adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

 – the Parent company financial statements 

and the part of the Directors’ remuneration 
report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or
 – certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration 

specified by law are not made; or

 – we have not received all the information and 

explanations we require for our audit.

Other matter
We have reported separately on the Group 
financial statements of Tate & Lyle PLC for the 
year ended 31 March 2012.

Paul Cragg (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London 

30 May 2012

Note:  
(a)  the maintenance and integrity of the Tate & Lyle 
PLC website, and any other electronic media  
used to present the financial statements, is the 
responsibility of the directors; the work carried  
out by the auditors does not involve consideration 
of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors 
accept no responsibility for any changes that may 
have occurred to the financial statements since 
they were initially presented on the website, or any 
other electronic media.

(b)  legislation in the United Kingdom governing  

the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other 
jurisdictions.

115

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Financial statements:
Parent Company Balance Sheet

Fixed assets 
Tangible assets 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
Investment in associate 

Current assets 
Debtors: 
– amounts falling due within one year 

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 
Net current assets 
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities 
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss account 
Total shareholders’ funds

Notes

Year to 31 March
2011
£m

2012
£m

2
3
4

5

6

7
9

12
13
13
13

7
1 002
1
1 010

1 490
1 490
(1 441)
49
1 059
(2)
(1)
1 056

117
406
8
525
1 056

3
1 184
1
1 188

326
326
(71)
255
1 443
(188)
(3)
1 252

117
406
8
721
1 252

The Parent company financial statements were approved by the Board of directors on 30 May 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

Javed Ahmed, Tim Lodge   Directors

Registered no. 76535

The notes on pages 117 to 121 form part of these Parent company financial statements.

116

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements:
Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements

1 Parent company accounting 
policies
Accounting basis
The Parent company financial statements are 
prepared under the historical cost convention  
in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 
and applicable UK accounting standards. As 
permitted by Section 408(2) of the Companies 
Act 2006, the Company’s profit and loss 
account and statement of total recognised 
gains and losses are not presented in these 
financial statements. The loss for the year 
before dividends dealt with in the financial 
statements of the Company amounted to  
£79 million (2011 – profit of £44 million).  
This includes audit fees in relation to the  
audit of the Parent company of £0.1 million 
(2011 – £0.1 million). Accounting policies have 
been applied consistently, other than where 
new policies have been adopted. The financial 
statements are prepared on a going concern 
basis as disclosed in the Tate & Lyle PLC 
consolidated financial statements for the year 
ended 31 March 2012.

New UK standards and interpretations 
adopted
The following new standards, amendments  
and interpretations were adopted by the 
Company in the year. Adoption had no effect  
on the results, financial position of the Company 
or its disclosures.

 – FRS 30 Heritage Assets
 – Improvements to Financial Reporting 

Standards (2011)

 – SSAP 25 Segmental Reporting
 – FRS 8 Related Party Disclosures
 – FRS 29 Financial Instruments: Disclosures
 – UITF 47 (Abstract 17) ‘Extinguishing financial 

liabilities with equity instruments’

New UK standards and interpretations  
not adopted
The following amendments to Financial 
Reporting Standards have been issued but 
have not yet been adopted by the Company:

 – Improvements to Financial Reporting 

Standards (2012)

The adoption of these amendments is not 
expected to have a material impact on the 
Company’s result for the year or equity.  
The adoptions may affect disclosures in  
the Company’s financial statements.

Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at historical 
purchase cost less accumulated depreciation. 
Cost includes the original purchase price of the 
asset and the costs attributable to bringing the 
asset to its working condition for its intended 
use. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line 
basis to write off the cost of tangible fixed 
assets over their estimated useful life. The 
tangible fixed assets comprise furniture, 
fixtures, fittings and computer software which 
are depreciated over a period of 5 to 10 years. 
Impairment reviews are undertaken if there  
are indications that the carrying values may  
not be recoverable.

Investments
Unless they are financed by foreign currency 
borrowings and designated as a fair value 
hedging relationship, investments in 
subsidiaries and associates are shown at  
cost less amounts written off where there is  
a permanent diminution in value. Investments  
in shares in overseas undertakings that are 
financed by foreign currency borrowings and 
designated as a fair value hedging relationship 
are retranslated into pounds sterling at the 
exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date 
and the resulting exchange gains and losses 
are recognised in the profit and loss account. 
Exchange gains and losses on the related 
foreign currency borrowings are also 
recognised in the profit and loss account in 
accordance with FRS 23 The Effects of 
Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates.

An undertaking is regarded as a subsidiary 
undertaking if the Company has control over  
its operating and financial policies.

An undertaking is regarded as an associate if 
the Company holds a participating interest and 
has significant influence, but not control, over 
its operating and financial policies. Significant 
influence generally exists where the Company 
holds more than 20% and less than 50% of the 
shareholders’ voting rights.

All loans and receivables to and from subsidiary 
undertakings are shown at cost less amounts 
written off where deemed unrecoverable.

Leases
Operating lease costs are charged to profit as 
incurred on a straight line basis.

Research and development
All expenditure on research and development  
is charged to profit as incurred.

Retirement benefits
The Company contributes to the Group pension 
plan operated in the UK. Details of the plan are 
included within Note 30 of the Group financial 
statements. As permitted under FRS17 
Retirement Benefits, the plan is accounted for 
as a defined contribution plan, as the Company, 
which is not the principal employer, cannot 
identify its share of the underlying assets  
and liabilities of the plan. The employer’s 
contributions relate to the current service period 
only and are charged to the profit and loss 
account as they are incurred.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised on a full provision 
basis on timing differences between the 
recognition of gains and losses in the financial 
statements and their recognition for tax 
purposes that have arisen but not reversed at 
the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is not 
recognised on permanent differences or on 
timing differences arising on unremitted profits 
of overseas subsidiaries. Deferred tax assets 
are recognised only to the extent that it is 
considered more likely than not that there will 
be sufficient future taxable profits to permit tax 
relief of the underlying timing differences.

Foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign 
currencies are translated into pounds sterling at 
the rates of exchange ruling on the last day of 
the financial year (the closing rate). Profits and 
losses are translated into pounds sterling at  
the prevailing rate at the time of transaction  
and credited or charged to the profit and  
loss account.

Share-based compensation
The Company operates a number of equity-
settled, share-based compensation plans. 
Details of the plans are included within Note 26 
of the Group financial statements. The fair value 
of employee services received in exchange for 
the grant of the options is recognised as an 
expense. The total amount to be expensed over 
the vesting period is determined by reference to 
the fair value of the options granted, excluding 
the impact of any non-market vesting 
conditions (for example, earnings targets).  
Non-market vesting conditions are included in 
assumptions about the number of options that 
are expected to become exercisable. At each 
balance sheet date, for options granted with 
non-market vesting conditions, the Company 
revises its estimates of the number of options 
that are expected to become exercisable. It 
recognises the impact of the revision of original 
estimates, if any, in the profit and loss account, 
and a corresponding adjustment to equity.  
The proceeds received net of any directly 
attributable transaction costs are credited to 
share capital and share premium when the 
options are exercised. The grant by the 
company of options over its equity instruments 
to the employees of subsidiary undertakings  
in the group is treated as a capital contribution. 
The fair value of employee services received, 
measured by reference to the grant date fair 
value, is recognised over the vesting period  
as an increase to investment in subsidiary 
undertakings, with a corresponding credit  
to equity.

Dividend distribution
Final dividend distributions to the Company’s 
equity holders are recognised as a liability in  
the Group’s financial statements in the period  
in which the dividends are approved by the 
Company’s shareholders, while interim dividend 
distributions are recognised in the period in 
which the dividends are declared and paid. 
Where a scrip alternative is offered and taken, 
the distribution is effected through an issue of 
bonus shares.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the company 
has a present obligation as a result of a past 
event, it is probable that a transfer of economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation, 
and a reliable estimate can be made of the 
amount of the obligation.

117

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Financial statements:
Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements

1 Parent company accounting policies (continued)
Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s equity share capital and holds that share either directly as treasury shares or indirectly within 
an ESOP trust, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes), is deducted from equity attributable 
to the Company’s equity holders until the shares are cancelled, reissued or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued,  
any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity 
attributable to the Company’s equity holders. These shares are used to satisfy share options granted to employees under the Group’s share  
option schemes. The trustee purchases the Company’s shares on the open market using loans made by the Company or other loans guaranteed  
by the Company.

2 Tangible assets
The net book value of tangible fixed assets of £7 million (2011 – £3 million) comprises furniture, fixtures, fittings and computer software. Net book 
value comprises cost of £9 million (2011 – £5 million) less accumulated depreciation of £2 million (2011 – £2 million).

3 Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Cost
At 1 April 2011
Additions
Increase – share based payments
Disposal
Exchange
At 31 March 2012 
Impairment
At 1 April 2011
Provision for impairment
Exchange
At 31 March 2012
Net book value at 31 March 2011
Net book value at 31 March 2012

Shares in
Subsidiary
undertakings 
£m

1 552
12
5
(4)
(8)
1 557

368
191
(4)
555
1 184
1 002

A list of the main subsidiaries is disclosed within Note 42 of the Group consolidated financial statements. The provision for impairment reflects an 
adjustment to the recoverable amount to the Company’s investment in Tate & Lyle Ventures Ltd and Tate & Lyle Services Belgium NV upon payment 
of a dividend to the Company. The directors believe that the carrying value of the investments is supported by the value of their underlying net assets.

4 Investment in associate
The Company holds a 16.6% interest in Tapioca Development Corporation, a company incorporated in Thailand, for book value of £1 million  
(2011 – £1 million).

5 Debtors

Due within one year
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income 
Total

2012
£m

1 486
4
–
1 490

31 March
2011
£m

321
4
1
326

The effective interest rate applicable to amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2012 is 2.6% (2011 – 2.0%). Amounts owed by 
subsidiary undertakings are receivable on demand.

118

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20126 Creditors – amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income 
Total

2012
£m
1 426
6
9
1 441

31 March
2011
£m
55
8
8
71

The effective interest rate applicable to amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2012 is 2.9% (2011 – 6.5%). Amounts owed to 
subsidiary undertakings are repayable on demand.

7 Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings (Note a)
Preference shares (Note b) 
Total

2012
£m
–
2
2

31 March
2011
£m
186
2
188

(a)   The effective interest rate applicable to amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2011 was 6.5%.

(b)  On a return of capital on a winding-up, the holders of 6.5% cumulative preference shares shall be entitled to £1 per share, in preference to all 

other classes of shareholders. Holders of these shares are entitled to vote at meetings, except on the following matters: any question as to the 
disposal of the surplus profits after the dividend on these shares has been provided for; the election of directors; their remuneration; any 
agreement between the directors and the Company; or the alteration of the Articles of Association dealing with any such matters.

8 Deferred tax
Deferred tax charged to profit in the year was £nil (2011 – £1 million).

9 Provisions for liabilities

At 31 March 2011
Charged to the profit and loss account 
Utilised in the year 
At 31 March 2012

Restructuring
£m
3
1
(3)
1

Provisions primarily relate to restructuring as a result of the disposal of Group businesses and are expected to be utilised within the next 12 months.

10 Contingent liabilities

Loans and overdrafts of subsidiaries and joint ventures

2012
£m
863

31 March
2011
£m
1 035

Guarantees given in respect of drawn and undrawn loans and overdrafts by Tate & Lyle PLC were £2,108 million at 31 March 2012  
(2011 – £2,479 million).

Other trade guarantees have been given in the normal course of business by Tate & Lyle PLC at both 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011. These are 
excluded from the figures given above and are in respect of Revenue and Customs and the Rural Payments Agency for Agricultural Produce bonds, 
ECGD recourse agreements, letters of credit, and tender and performance bonds.

Please refer to Note 35 within the Group consolidated financial statements. Whitefox has sought to make Tate & Lyle PLC a party to the litigation by 
raising certain claims directly against the Company which will also be considered at the trial.

11 Financial commitments
Annual payments made by the Company in the year ended 31 March 2012 in respect of operating leases were £4 million (2011 – £3 million).

At the balance sheet date, the Company has outstanding commitments of £1 million due within the next year. These commitments are on leases 
expiring over more than five years.

119

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Financial statements:
Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements

12 Called up share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid equity share capital

At 1 April 
Allotted under share option schemes 
Scrip dividend shares issued 
At 31 March

31 March 2012

31 March 2011

Shares 
468 111 340
49 179
–
468 160 519

£m
117
–
–
117

Shares
460 575 700
217 743
7 317 897
468 111 340

£m 
115
–
2
117

Treasury shares and shares held in ESOP trust
As at 31 March 2012, the Group held 2,545,376 shares (2011 – 175,328 shares) in Treasury.

During the year 379,952 shares (2011 – 337,162 shares) were released from Treasury to satisfy share options exercised.

During the year the Company repurchased 2,750,000 shares (2011 – nil shares) for £19 million (2011 – £nil) to satisfy share options granted to employees 
under the Group’s share option schemes. The shares repurchased represent 0.6% of the Company’s called up share capital at 31 March 2012 and had 
a nominal value of £0.6 million. 

The shares held in Treasury at 31 March 2012 represented less than 0.5% (2011 – 0.1%) of the share capital at the year-end, and had a nominal value 
of less than £0.6 million (2011 – £0.1 million).

As at 31 March 2012, the Group held 1,250,182 shares (2011 – 2,713,694 shares) in an ESOP trust at a nominal value of 25p and a market value of 
705.0p (2011 – 577.5p).

13 Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds

At 1 April 2011
Loss for the financial year 
Proceeds from shares issued 
Share-based payments 
Ordinary dividends paid 
Share purchase 
At 31 March 2012

At 1 April 2010
Profit for the financial year 
Proceeds from shares issued 
Share-based payments 
Ordinary dividends paid 
Issue of shares for scrip dividend 
At 31 March 2011

Ordinary 
shares
£m 
117
–
–
–
–
–
117

Ordinary 
shares
£m 
115
–
–
–
–
2
117

Share premium 
account
£m
406
–
–
–
–
–
406

Share premium 
account
£m
405
–
1
–
–
–
406

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m 
8
–
–
–
–
–
8

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m 
8
–
–
–
–
–
8

Profit and loss 
account
£m 
721
(79)
3
11
(112)
(19)
525

Profit and loss 
account
£m 
739
44
1
9
(105)
33
721

Total
£m
1 252
(79)
3
11
(112)
(19)
1 056

Total
£m
1 267
44
2
9
(105)
35
1 252

Ordinary shares carry the right to participate in dividends and each share entitles the holder to one vote on matters requiring shareholder  
approval except for ordinary shares held in an ESOP trust or Treasury shares. The amount available for the payment of dividends by the Company  
at 31 March 2012 was £525 million (2011 – £721 million).

During the year ended 31 March 2011, shareholders were given the option to receive the final dividend relating to the prior year and the interim 
dividend relating to the current year in the form of a scrip issue. On 30 July 2010 and 7 January 2011, the Group issued 5,716,625 shares and 
1,601,272 shares respectively for scrip at a nominal value per share of 25p and a total cash equivalent value of £35 million.

14 Related parties
As permitted by FRS 8 Related Party Disclosures, related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries of Tate & Lyle PLC are not disclosed. 
There were no transactions with other related parties except for the provision of guarantees in respect of banking facilities of a joint venture totalling 
£10 million (2011 – £10 million).

120

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201215 Profit and loss account disclosures
As permitted by Section 408(2) of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account.

The Company employed 107 staff including directors (2011 – 98) and the total staff costs are shown below:

Wages and salaries
Social security
Retirement benefits 
Share based payments 
Total

2012
£m
14
4
1
6
25

31 March
2011
£m
14
2
1
6
23

Directors’ emoluments disclosures are provided in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 48 to 59 of this annual report and in Note 9 of the 
Group financial statements.

In addition, 5,527,046 (2011 – 5,108,263) outstanding share options attributable to employees and Directors of the Company as at 31 March 2012 are 
shown below:

Sharesave Scheme – 3 year options 

Sharesave Scheme – 5 year options 

Performance Share Plan

Executive share option scheme 

Javed Ahmed – compensatory awards 

Javed Ahmed – long-term incentive awards 

Group Bonus Plan

Year issued
2008
2009
2010
2011
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2008
2009
2010
2011
2003
2003
2004
2009
2009
2009
2010
2011
2011
2011

Number of 
shares
7 761
3 950
13 350
18 940
9 867
3 562
4 464
4 989
7 063
144 226
673 818
997 947
975 431
7 343
57 144
164 385
419 403
359 488
659 609
473 042
378 337
408
142 519

Subscription 
prices (pence)
376.00
418.00
488.00
552.00
395.00
376.00
418.00
488.00
552.00
–
–
–
–
374.50
335.75
325.00
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Dates normally 
exercisable
2012
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2011–2018
2012–2018
2013–2019
2014–2020
2005–2012
2006–2013
2007–2014
2011–2017
2012–2018
2012–2018
2013–2019
2014–2020
2013
2013–2018

16 Dividends
Details of the Company’s dividends are set out in Note 14 of the Group financial statements.

121

Financial StatementsTate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Shareholder information:
Five-year Review Financial Years to 31 March

Share information
Pence per 25p ordinary share
Closing share price 
Earnings per share (pence): 
– basic2 
– basic, before amortisation and exceptional items2 
Earnings per share (pence): 
– diluted2 
– diluted, before amortisation and exceptional items2 
Dividend 
Closing market capitalisation (£ million)

Business ratios 
Interest cover – times 
Profit before interest, exceptional items and amortisation divided 

by net finance expense2,3

Gearing 
Net borrowings as a percentage of total net assets2 
Net margin 
Profit before interest, exceptional items and amortisation  

as a percentage of sales2 

Return on net operating assets 
Profit before interest and exceptional items as a percentage  

of average net operating assets2 

Dividend cover (times) 
Basic earnings per share after exceptional items and amortisation 

divided by dividends per share (pence)2 

Basic earnings per share before exceptional items and 

amortisation divided by dividends per share (pence)2 

20081

540.0

40.9

41.1

40.4

40.6

22.6

2 484

20091

260.5

14.2

37.8

14.1

37.5

22.9

1 198

20101

454.2

3.3

38.2

3.3

38.0

22.9

2 092

20111

577.5

35.3

44.6

34.7

43.8

23.7

2 665

20121

705.0

65.5

58.0

64.3

56.9

24.9

3 283

7.8

6.1

5.8

6.9

11.1

110%

8.7%

122%

6.8%

95%

8.2%

48%

9.6%

45%

11.2%

15.5%

12.7%

14.1%

20.2%

22.9%

1.8

1.8

0.6

1.7

0.1

1.7

1.5

1.9

2.6

2.3

1  ‘Amortisation’ relates to the amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.
2  These metrics have been calculated using the results of both continuing and discontinued operations.
3  Interest cover has been calculated using the same basis as set out in the Group’s external bank covenants.

Results presented above are for years to 31 March and have been calculated using the Group’s published interim and full-year financial statements.

122

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment of capital
Goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 
Other non-current assets 
Working capital 
Pension deficit
Net assets held for sale (excluding cash included in net borrowings)
Net operating assets 
Net borrowings
Net (liabilities)/assets for dividends and tax 
Total net assets 

Capital employed
Called up share capital 
Reserves 

Non-controlling interests 

Profit summary1
Sales 
Group operating profit: 
Before exceptional items and amortisation2 
Amortisation of intangible assets acquired  

through business combinations 

Exceptional items 
Group operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance expense 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax (expense)/credit 
Profit/(loss) after tax 
Discontinued operations 
Non-controlling interests 
Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company 

Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation2
Earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the owners of the 

Company from continuing operations: 

– basic 
– diluted 

IFRS
20081
£m
1 516
22
667
(91)
–
2 114
(1 041)
(123)
950

114
820
934
16
950

20091
£m
1 922
19
605
(211)
28
2 363
(1 231)
(119)
1 013

115
872
987
26
1 013

20101
£m
1 548
21
302
(257)
18
1 632
(814)
36
854

115
712
827
27
854

2011
£m
1 175
24
279
(139)
62
1 401
(464)
36
973

117
833
950
23
973

2012
£m
1 247
28
370
(140)
63
1 568
(476)
(34)
1 058

117
916
1 033
25
1 058

1 995

2 505

2 533

2 720

3 088

260

(12)
(59)
189
(45)
144
(72)
72
112
10
194

215

17.3
17.1

286

(15)
(110)
161
(53)
108
(11)
97
(31)
(1)
65

233

21.0
20.9

268

(14)
(298)
(44)
(72)
(116)
95
(21)
40
(4)
15

196

(4.7)
(4.7)

321

(13)
(5)
303
(58)
245
(49)
196
(29)
(4)
163

263

42.6
41.9

348

(12)
68
404
(25)
379
(72)
307
2
(4)
305

323

65.9
64.6

1   Profit summary for the years ended 31 March 2008 to 31 March 2010 has been restated to reflect the disposal of EU Sugars, the sale of the Molasses businesses 

and the intention to sell the remaining businesses in the legacy Sugars segment. These businesses, classed as discontinued operations are excluded from all years.

2  ‘Amortisation’ relates to the amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

123

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012Shareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information:
Information for Investors

Dividends on ordinary shares
Two payments were made during the tax year 2011/2012 as follows:

Payment date
5 August 2011
6 January 2012

Services
Shareholding enquiries
Queries on shareholdings should be addressed to Tate & Lyle’s Registrar, Equiniti.

Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA 
Tel: 0871 384 2063† (for UK calls)  

 +44 (0)121 415 0235 (for calls from outside the UK)

www.equiniti.com 
www.shareview.co.uk

Dividend description
Final 2011
Interim 2012

Dividend
per share
16.9p
7.1p

†   Calls to this number are charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline. Other network provider costs may vary. Lines are open from Monday to Friday,  

8:30am to 5:30pm UK time (excluding UK public holidays).

Individual Savings Account (ISA)
Tate & Lyle’s ordinary shares can be held in an ISA. For information, please call the Equiniti ISA Helpline on 0871 384 2244.

Tate & Lyle’s website (www.tateandlyle.com) and share price information
Tate & Lyle’s website provides direct links to other Group company sites and to sites providing financial and other information relevant to the Company. 
The share price is available on the website with a 20-minute delay. Similar information is available on many specialist websites and in several  
national newspapers.

Capital gains tax
The market values on 31 March 1982 for the purposes of indexation up to April 1998 in relation to capital gains tax of Tate & Lyle PLC shares then  
in issue were:

Ordinary shares of £1 each
Equivalent value per ordinary share of 25p
6½% cumulative preference shares

201.00p
50.25p
43.50p

Tate & Lyle American Depositary Shares (ADSs)
The Company’s shares trade in the USA on the over the counter (OTC) market in the form of ADSs and these are evidenced by American Depositary 
Receipts (ADRs). The shares are traded on the OTCQX exchange under the ticker symbol TATYY. Each ADS is equivalent to four ordinary shares.  
For more information, contact the Bank of New York Mellon at:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Shareowner Services, PO Box 358516, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8516 
Tel: +1 888 269 2377 (for US calls) +1 201 680 6825 (for calls from outside the USA)

On 10 April 2007, Tate & Lyle was approved for the International PremierQX tier of International OTCQX. This provides a gateway to US securities 
markets for international companies that are listed on a qualified international exchange. Tate & Lyle’s ADR is identified with an International 
PremierQX logo and investors can find current financial information and other disclosure on www.otcqx.com and www.pinksheets.com.

124

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012 
Business Review:
Financial Highlights

A good performance  
over the past year

Contents

Adjusted operating profit1  
£m

Adjusted diluted earnings 
per share1 pence

Introduction to the Business

Directors’ Report
Business Review*
IFC  Financial Highlights
1  
2   Our Group at a Glance 
4   Our Business Model 
6  

 Our Strategy and Business 
Transformation Programme 
8  Key Performance Indicators 
10  Chairman’s Statement 
12   Chief Executive’s Review
16   Speciality Food Ingredients
18   Bulk Ingredients
20    Innovation and Commercial 

Development

21  Group Financial Results 
22   Additional Financial Information
27   Risks
30   Corporate Responsibility

Governance*
36  Board of Directors
38   Corporate Governance
48   Directors’ Remuneration Report
60    Other Statutory and Governance 

62 

Information
 Directors’ Statement  
of Responsibilities 

Financial statements and 
shareholder information
Financial statements
63    Independent Auditors’ Report  

to the Members of Tate & Lyle PLC

64   Consolidated Income Statement
65    Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income
66    Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position

67    Consolidated Statement of  

Cash Flows

68    Consolidated Statement of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity

69    Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements

115   Parent Company Financial  

Statements

Shareholder information
122  Five-year Review
124  Information for Investors

* These sections make up the Directors’ Report. 
This part of the annual report sets out the 
information on the Group’s principal activities, 
together with a review of the development and 
performance of the Group, including financial 
performance, in accordance with Section 417  
of the Companies Act 2006. 

268

321

348

33.7

45.7

56.4

20102

2011

2012

20102

2011

2012

Dividend per share  
pence

Net debt  
£m

22.9

23.7

24.9

814

464

476

2010

2011

20123

2010

2011

2012

Statutory results
Operating profit 
Profit before tax 
Profit for the year (on total operations) 
Diluted earnings per share (on total operations) 

2012

£404m 
£379m 
£309m 
64.3p 

2011

£303m
£245m
£167m
34.7p

Notes 
1  Continuing operations; before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets acquired 

through business combinations.

2  The results for the year ended 31 March 2010 have been restated to reflect the reclassification  

of the Sugars segment as discontinued operations.

3  This includes the proposed final dividend. 

Adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax and adjusted earnings per share 
Unless stated otherwise, adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax and adjusted 
earnings per share in this annual report and accounts exclude discontinued operations  
and are before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets acquired through  
business combinations.

Trademarks 
SPLENDA® and the SPLENDA® logo are trademarks of McNeil Nutritionals, LLC.

Definitions/cautionary statement 
Please read the statements on the inside back cover.

Financial calendar
2012 Annual General Meeting
Announcement of half-year results for six months to 30 September 2012
Announcement of full-year results for the year ending 31 March 2012
2013 Annual General Meeting

1  Provisional date

Dividend on ordinary shares

Announced
Payment date

1  Provisional date.
2  Subject to the approval of shareholders.

Dividends on 6½% cumulative preference shares
Paid 31 March and 30 September.

26 July 2012
8 Nov 20121
30 May 20131
24 July 20131

2012 final 
31 May 2012
3 Aug 20122

2013 interim 
8 Nov 20121
4 Jan 20131

2013 final 
30 May 20131
2 Aug 20132

Electronic communications
Shareholder documents are only sent in paper format to shareholders who have elected to receive documents in this way. This approach enables 
the Company to reduce printing and distribution costs and its impact on the environment.

Shareholders who have not elected to receive paper copies are sent a notification whenever shareholder documents are published, to advise them 
how to access the documents via the Tate & Lyle website, www.tateandlyle.com. Shareholders may also choose to receive this notification via email 
with a link to the relevant page on the website. Shareholders who wish to receive email notification should register online at www.shareview.co.uk, 
using their reference number that is either on their share certificate or other correspondence.

Non-reliance statement
This annual report and accounts has been 
prepared solely to provide additional information 
to shareholders to assess the Group’s strategy 
and the potential of that strategy to succeed 
and should not be relied upon by any other 
party or for any other purpose.

Cautionary statement
This annual report and accounts contains 
certain forward-looking statements with 
respect to the financial condition, results, 
operations and businesses of Tate & Lyle PLC. 
These statements and forecasts involve risk 
and uncertainty because they relate to events 
and depend upon circumstances that may 
occur in the future. There are a number of 
factors that could cause actual results or 
developments to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by these forward-looking 
statements and forecasts. Nothing in this 
annual report and accounts should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

Tate & Lyle PLC
Tate & Lyle PLC is a public limited company 
listed on the London Stock Exchange and 
registered in England. This is the report and 
accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012. 
More information about Tate & Lyle can be 
found on our website at www.tateandlyle.com.

Basis of preparation
Unless stated otherwise, the Group’s financial 
statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the EU.

Amortisation
Unless stated otherwise, the use of the word 
‘amortisation’ on pages 1 to 62 in this annual 
report relates to the amortisation of intangible 
assets acquired through business combinations.

Continuing operations
Unless stated otherwise, all comments in  
this annual report and accounts refer to the 
continuing operations adjusted to exclude 
exceptional items and amortisation of intangible 
assets acquired through business combinations. 
A reconciliation of reported and adjusted 
information is included in Note 43 on page 114.

Definitions
In this report, ‘Company’ means Tate & Lyle 
PLC; ‘Tate & Lyle’ or ‘Group’ means Tate & Lyle 
PLC and its subsidiary and joint-venture 
companies.

Environmental statement
Printed at Pureprint Group, ISO 14001.  
FSC® certified and CarbonNeutral®.

This report is printed on Soporset offset and 
all of the pulp is bleached using an elemental 
chlorine free process (ECF). Printed in the 
UK by Pureprint using its alcofree® and 
pureprint® environmental printing technology, 
and vegetable inks were used throughout. 
Pureprint is a CarbonNeutral® company. 

Both manufacturing mill and the printer are 
registered to the Environmental Management 
System ISO 14001 and are Forest Stewardship 
Council® (FSC) chain-of-custody certified.

If you have finished with this document and 
no longer wish to retain it, please pass it on 
to other interested readers or dispose of it 
in your recycled paper waste. Thank you.

Registered office
Tate & Lyle PLC 
1 Kingsway 
London WC2B 6AT 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7257 2100 
Fax: +44 (0)20 7257 2200 
Company number: 76535

www.tateandlyle.com

Credits
Photography 
Peter Wynn Thompson 
Brad Puckett 
David Oliver 
David Berrecloth

Designed and produced by
c o n r a n   d e s i g n   g r o u p

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2012

 
 
 
 
 
www.tateandlyle.com

Annual Report 2012

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Building a platform 
for long-term growth