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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FY2020 Annual Report · Tate & Lyle
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  GREAT FOOD...

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

CONTENTS

 Our world 

STRATEGIC REPORT
2 
Our purpose 
Our business today
8 
At a glance
10  Chairman’s statement
12  Chief Executive’s review
18 
20  Our business model
22  Our strategy 
24  Key performance indicators
Review of the year
28  Food & Beverage Solutions 
32  Primary Products
36 

 Innovation and Commercial  
Development 
38  Global Operations
40  Chief Financial Officer’s introduction 
42  Group financial review
46  Our people
50  Environment, health and safety  
58  Community involvement
60  Risk Report

GOVERNANCE REPORT
70  Board of Directors
74  Executive Committee
76 
 Corporate governance
91  Nominations Committee Report
94  Audit Committee Report  
100  Directors’ Remuneration Report
121  Directors’ Report
123   Directors’ statement  
of responsibilities

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
126 

 Independent auditor’s report to  
the members of Tate & Lyle PLC
134  Consolidated income statement
135   Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income
136   Consolidated statement of  

137 

financial position
 Consolidated statement  
of cash flows

138   Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 

139   Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements

188  Parent Company financial statements

USEFUL INFORMATION
196  Group five-year summary
198  Additional information
199  Information for investors
200  Glossary
201  Definitions/explanatory notes

Tate & Lyle is a global provider of 
ingredients and solutions for the food, 
beverage and industrial markets. 

Every day, all over the world, millions  
of people enjoy products containing  
Tate & Lyle’s ingredients.

Inspired by our purpose of Improving 
Lives for Generations, we work with our 
customers to deliver sweetness, texture, 
fibre enrichment and stabilisation to 
food and drink, making people’s 
favourite products even better.

IN THIS REPORT

Read more about our purpose 
on pages 2 to 5

Read more about our 
response to Covid-19 on 
pages 13 and 15

Read more about what  
we do on pages 20 and 21

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 (AUDITED)

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH1
CONTINUING OPERATIONS UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

- Food & Beverage Solutions

- Sucralose

- Primary Products

- Central

Adjusted operating profit

Net finance expense

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures

Adjusted profit before tax

Exceptional items

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Earnings per share (pence) 

Adjusted diluted

Diluted

Cash flow and net debt2

Adjusted free cash flow

Net debt 

2020
£M

2 882

2019
£M

2 755

CHANGE
%

5%

CONSTANT
CURRENCY 
CHANGE
 %

2%

13%

4%

7%

(10%)

9%

(7%)

(8%)

7%

58%

–

23%

13%

35%

11%

35%

10%

1%

3%

(9%)

5%

(4%)

(9%)

4%

59%

–

20%

15%

31%

8%

31%

162

63

158

(52)

331

(28)

28

331

(24)

(11)

296

(51)

245

57.8p

52.1p

247

451

143

61

148

(47)

305

(26)

30

309

(58)

(11)

240

(59)

181

52.0p

38.6p

212

337

 1  Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this document are not directly defined within IFRS. We have provided descriptions of the various 
metrics and their reconciliation to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with IFRS and the calculation (where relevant) of any ratios in Notes 1 and 4.
IFRS 16 Leases was adopted at the beginning of the year, without restating comparatives. Lease payments are now classified as financing rather than operating cash flows, increasing 
adjusted free cash flow in the year ended 31 March 2020 by £34 million. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020.

2 

Read more about our 
financial results on pages  
40 to 45

Read more about our  
people on pages 46 to 49

Read more about our 
environment, health and 
safety performance on pages 
50 to 57

Strategic report

...GREATER OUTCOMES

We help our customers make healthy food tastier, 
 and tasty food healthier. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 1  

Our purpose

IMPROVING LIVES  
FOR GENERATIONS 
We’ve been working to improve  
people’s lives for over 160 years,  
growing our business and making  
a positive impact on society. 

Our purpose is why we do what we do.  
It inspires us and makes us strive to  
do our best, helping us to make people’s  
lives easier and more enjoyable. 

Whether it’s by supporting healthy living, 
building thriving communities 
or caring for our planet, we seek 
to live our purpose every day, 
in everything we do. 

G

RTIN
Y LIVI N

O
P
H
P
T
U
L
A
S
E
H

G

B

UIL

C

O

D
I

M

N

M

G

U

T

N

H

I

R

T

I

I

E
S

V

I

N
G

IMPROVING
LIVES FOR
GENERATIONS

CARING   F O R  
OUR PL A N E T

Read more on pages 3-5

2

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
Strategic report

SUPPORTING  
HEALTHY LIVING
We help people make healthier 
and tastier choices when they  
eat and drink, and lead more 
balanced lifestyles. 

When I give my children a  
snack that contains one of our 
solutions, I can see first-hand the 
positive impact our health and 
wellness ingredients can have, 
which makes me even more 
excited about the work we do  
to help our customers develop 
healthier products.

Susanna Palatucci
Global Head of Health and Wellness, Innovation  
and Commercial Development

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 3  

BUILDING THRIVING 
COMMUNITIES 
We help build thriving  
communities where we  
operate and support people  
to achieve their potential.

Everyone in the Shanghai team 
has been part of our Healthy 
Eating, Happy Learning 
programme with local schools  
to improve children’s health and 
wellbeing. For me, this programme 
not only fulfilled my personal wish 
to do something good for society, 
it also helped improve my 
knowledge at work, since I’ve 
learnt more about how parents 
choose food for their children.

Philip Lin
Dairy Category Marketing Director, Asia Pacific,  
Food & Beverage Solutions

4

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

CARING FOR  
OUR PLANET
We care for our planet and 
help protect its natural 
resources for the benefit  
of future generations.

Having grown up on a farm in 
Illinois, I’m profoundly excited 
about the effect our Company  
can have on the world and local 
farmers through our sustainable 
agriculture programme, which  
helps farmers understand both 
their profitability and their 
environmental impact. This is  
a purpose that hits home for  
me in a meaningful way. 

Tim Meinhold 
Senior Vice President, Chief Procurement Officer, 
Global Operations

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 5  

6

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

I am proud to work with our 
customers to develop solutions 
that make their products healthier 
for people of all ages.

Flora Zhou
Senior Technical Service Specialist,  
Shanghai, China 

Strategic report

CONTENTS

OUR 
BUSINESS 
TODAY

At a glance

IN THIS SECTION
8 
10  Chairman’s statement
12  Chief Executive’s review
18 
20  Our business model
22  Our strategy
24 

 Our world 

 Key performance indicators

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 7  

At a glance

INGREDIENTS AND SOLUTIONS FOR 
CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE WORLD
Open any fridge or kitchen cupboard, in any household, in practically any part  
of the world, and you’re likely to find products containing our ingredients.

TWO GLOBAL BUSINESS DIVISIONS

FOOD & BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS
We use smart science and technology to develop innovative 
ingredients and solutions that add taste, texture, nutrition  
and functionality to a wide range of foods and beverages.  
Our extensive portfolio includes:

•  Sweeteners
•  Texturants
•  Health and wellness ingredients
•  Stabilisers

PRIMARY PRODUCTS
We provide high-volume products for customers mostly in the 
food and beverage, and paper and packaging industries, primarily 
in North America. Our portfolio includes:

•  Bulk sweeteners
•  Industrial starches
•  Acidulants
•  Animal nutrition

Read more on pages 28 to 31

Read more on pages 32 to 35

SUPPORTED BY TWO GLOBAL TEAMS

GLOBAL OPERATIONS 
We produce high-quality ingredients from agricultural 
raw materials mainly at large-volume corn wet mills, and 
also at smaller blending facilities where we make bespoke 
solutions for customers. We run our plants and manage the 
global supply chain to ensure our ingredients reach our 
customers on time and to the right specification. 

INNOVATION AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT 
We develop new products through a growing innovation  
pipeline. We connect leading-edge science with market insight, 
local knowledge and a deep understanding of our customers.  
We work closely with customers through every stage of our 
innovation process to move ideas quickly from concept to 
commercial launch.

Read more on pages 38 and 39

Read more on pages 36 and 37

8

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Financial highlights

Strategic report

STRONG FINANCIAL 
PERFORMANCE
Year ended 31 March 2020

GLOBAL REACH

GROUP STATUTORY RESULTS

Sales1 

Profit before tax1  

£2,882m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£2,882m

£2,755m

£2,710m

£296m

 2020

 2019

 2018

£296m

£240m

£286m

Diluted earnings per share1  

Net debt2  

52.1p

  2020

  2019

  2018

38.6p

52.1p

56.1p

£451m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£451m

£337m

£392m

30

We have plants, labs 
and offices in more 
than 30 countries

4,200

We employ around 
4,200 employees 
worldwide

120

We serve customers 
in more than 120 
countries

1.5m

We process around 
1.5m acres of corn 
each year

INGREDIENTS FOR DAILY LIFE

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Adjusted diluted earnings per share1, 3 

Return on capital employed3  

57.8p

17.5%

  2020

  2019

  2018

57.8p

52.0p

49.4p

  2020

  2019

  2018

17.5%

17.1%

16.2%

Adjusted profit before tax1, 3 

Adjusted free cash flow3  

£331m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£331m

£309m

£296m

£247m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£247m

£212m

£196m

1  Continuing operations only.
2  Net debt is not itself defined by IFRS. It comprises line items that are IFRS–defined terms. See Note 26.
3  Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this Annual Report 
are not directly defined within accounting standards. For clarity, we have provided descriptions of the 
various metrics and their reconciliations to the most directly comparable measures reported in 
accordance with IFRS, and the calculations, where relevant, of any ratios in Notes 1 and 4.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 9  

Our food and beverage ingredients are primarily 
used in beverages, dairy, soups, sauces and 
dressings, and bakery. Our industrial ingredients 
are used in paper and board, packaging, tapes and 
adhesives, building products, detergents, and a 
new market for us, personal care products.

Chairman’s statement

ACTING WITH AGILITY  
AND COMPASSION
A good year for Tate & Lyle had a very tough ending as Covid-19 tested 
all of us. I am exceptionally proud of our team’s magnificent response 
in caring for our colleagues, our communities and our customers.

Last year I concluded my statement  
with my confidence in a bright future for 
our Company. And, with the way the 
business has responded with such agility, 
courage and compassion to the Covid-19 
crisis, I feel that confidence even more 
strongly today. In thinking about the future, 
it’s important to differentiate between  
the challenges of any given year and the 
overall direction of travel which, for 
Tate & Lyle, remains clear and very 
promising.

A GOOD YEAR DESPITE THE 
CHALLENGES
I am pleased to report that we delivered 
another solid set of financial results. Food 
& Beverage Solutions, with its focus on 
sugar reduction and formulating healthier 
food, delivered good top- and bottom-line 
growth. While Primary Products continued 
to face some market challenges – not least 
the gradual decline in the consumption of 
carbonated soft drinks and demand for 
caloric sweeteners – it still managed to 
deliver profit growth. This performance 
is a testament to the determination and 
capability of the Primary Products team to 
find new ways to create value and diversify 
its bulk sweeteners and starches into new 
applications and markets.

Our people have had to face many 
challenges this year. The Board and I 
would like to thank everyone at Tate & Lyle 
across the world for their hard work and 
unstinting commitment to delivering this 
year’s results, and for the way they have 
responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UNDERSTANDING THE LOCAL 
OPPORTUNITY
The global food and beverage industry is 
attractive because people will always need 
to eat and drink. And, in the industrial 
markets we serve, our products are used 
in essential, everyday household goods like 
detergents, paper and packaging. Our deep 
understanding of our end markets means 
we’re well-placed to take advantage of the 
opportunities they present.

10

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

One of the most fundamental and 
fascinating aspects about food is that, 
while general trends around health and 
diet are universal, taste is very local. So 
our approach to each market is heavily 
influenced by our local teams. It was 
therefore very rewarding for me to visit our 
labs in Lübeck, Lille, Dubai, Shanghai and 
Mexico City this year and see the technical 
capabilities we’re building on the ground, 
and how we’re finding the right balance 
between global, science-driven innovation 
and regional, consumer-driven applications 
that reflect local tastes, traditions and food 
distribution patterns.

It was also very exciting to see the 
accelerating pace of change in our Asian 
and Latin American markets. In Mexico, 
for example, our customers are keenly 
interested in the workshops we are holding 
to raise awareness of healthier food, 
while in China the focus is also on healthier 
food for non-refrigerated distribution 
to the many smaller food outlets in that 
huge country. 

These visits were part of a wider 
programme of individual Board director 
visits. Full Board visits, while logistically 
challenging, can also be disruptive for 
the business and can feel quite stage-
managed. A less formal visit by one or 
two directors allows us to spend quality 
time getting to know our people, their 
communities, opportunities and 
challenges. This intimacy helps us to 
better understand our diverse business 
around the world and make better 
decisions. With travel currently off the 
agenda, we’re looking at other ways such 
as video links to continue to ‘visit’ with 
our people across Tate & Lyle.

THE POWER OF OUR PURPOSE
Full Board visits do have their place, 
of course, and on our trip to China in 
September we had the privilege of visiting 
one of the schools we sponsored through 
our Healthy Eating, Happy Learning 
programme. I know I speak for all my 

Board colleagues in saying how inspiring 
it was to see how we’re tangibly improving 
children’s wellbeing. It’s a powerful 
reflection of our purpose of Improving 
Lives for Generations, which has  
become a real motivator for our people 
everywhere, as I’ve witnessed myself this 
year. And it’s fundamental because, at a 
human level, if we understand why we’re 
doing something – its purpose – then the 
strategy starts to make sense, and we will 
work harder and more enthusiastically  
to deliver it. 

LOOKING TOWARDS LONGER-TERM 
HORIZONS
Our purpose has been a key focus for the 
Board as well this year. We’ve supported 
our executive team in thinking about what 
our business might look like in 10 or even 
20 years, and the implications for what 
we need to do now. Aside from the 
consequences of Covid-19, which are still 
unfolding, the biggest questions in our 
minds have been sustainability and the 
long-term challenges and opportunities 
presented by climate change and the 
global health issues that drive our 
strategy. As a Board, our approach has 
been less about challenging management 
to come up with all the answers – that will 
take time – but challenging ourselves as 
a team to think through the big questions. 
That’s why I’m very pleased with the new 
commitments and targets we’ve made 
around our purpose, which are 
fundamental to our long-term future.

But, while looking to the long term, we 
need to continue our focus on delivery now, 
which is even more important given the 
uncertainties of today. No one knows quite 
what the world will look like when we come 
out of lockdown, or what the new normal 
will be. However, given the commitment, 
quality and decency of our people, I am 
confident that we can prosper in whatever 
circumstances we find ourselves.

Gerry Murphy 
Chairman

Strategic report

MEETING OUR PEOPLE

Our purpose has become a 
powerful motivator for our 
people everywhere.

Gerry Murphy 
Chairman

The Board is recommending that the final dividend is 
maintained at 20.8 pence per share, bringing the total 
dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020 to 29.6 pence, 
an increase of 0.7%.

Full-year dividend

29.6p

During the year, between us the  
non-executive directors visited 16 sites,  
in every region of the world. Most of our 
visits were as individuals or in small 
groups, which is a much better way to get 
to know our people and understand their 
motivations and challenges. It was a 
really excellent programme, and all the 
more valuable now that travel is currently 
curtailed due to Covid-19.

Read more on page 84

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 11  

 
Chief Executive’s review

PURPOSE 
DRIVES 
PERFORMANCE

The measure of a company 
is how it delivers on its 
commitments, and I’m 
proud that we succeeded 
in delivering on our 
commitments this year, 
despite circumstances more 
unpredictable than usual. 

HIGHLIGHTS

•  A year of strong performance

 – Double-digit profit growth in 
Food & Beverage Solutions 
 – Sucralose performed solidly
 – Higher profits in Primary Products  

despite challenging market conditions

•  Productivity programme ahead of 

expectations 

•  Strong balance sheet 

•  An outstanding team effort in response  

to Covid-19

12

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Our purpose is at the core of 
everything we do, and has driven  
the outstanding response of our 
people to Covid-19.

Nick Hampton
Chief Executive

Adjusted profit  
before tax 

Adjusted diluted 
earnings per share 

+4%

in constant currency

+8%

in constant currency

Food & Beverage 
Solutions adjusted 
operating profit

+10%

in constant currency

Strategic report

The performance of both divisions was 
helped by another year of absolute focus 
on operational execution and cost 
discipline. Our four-year programme  
to deliver US$100 million of productivity 
benefits again performed ahead of 
expectations and has now delivered  
US$87 million of savings in its first two 
years. Reflecting its good progress, we’ve 
extended the programme by two years 
and a further US$50 million to deliver  
US$150 million of productivity benefits 
over six years to 31 March 2024.

We achieved all this despite operating  
in an increasingly complex geopolitical 
landscape. The establishment of a new 
trilateral trade agreement between the 
US, Mexico and Canada, the imposition of 
trade tariffs by the US and China, and, to 
a lesser extent, the UK’s departure from 
the EU, all had an impact on some of the 
markets we operate in. Then, as we 
entered the 2021 financial year, the 
Covid-19 pandemic tested our people 
and our operations. 

MANAGING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
From the outset of the pandemic, our 
priority has been to ensure the safety of 
our people, keep our operations running 
and support our customers. In March, we 
established a Global Pandemic Response 
Team to develop, co-ordinate and execute 
our plans, as well as local response teams 
at every site. These teams are doing an 
outstanding job managing all aspects of 
our response. I am incredibly proud of the 
way all our people have responded to the 
unprecedented challenges of Covid-19. The 
fact that our manufacturing facilities have 
remained fully operational throughout the 
pandemic reflects their resilience and 
skill, and shows how quickly they have 
adapted to new, challenging and socially 
distanced ways of working. 

RESPONDING TO COVID-19

Our people have responded incredibly  
well to the unprecedented challenges 
of Covid-19. We’ve acted swiftly to keep 
them safe, support our local communities, 
keep our operations running and serve our 
customers. Summarised here are some  
of the actions we’re taking.

OUR PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS
•  Hygiene protocols at all our sites
•  Fewer people on shifts 
•  Restructured working areas to maintain 

social distancing

•  Training on health protection and 

sanitisation protocols 

•  New working procedures to enable key 

capital projects to continue

•  Full pay for colleagues ill with Covid-19 

or in isolation

•  Special cash bonus for our front-line 
workers in plants, labs and other  
key sites

•  Programme to help colleagues working 

from home stay connected and 
productive, and feel supported during 
lockdown

•  Initiatives to support mental health

OUR COMMUNITIES
•  Supporting food banks to provide 
500,000 meals for people in need 
•  Reformulating our ethanol in the US 

for use in hand sanitiser

•  Donating PPE and hand sanitiser  

to front-line health workers

OUR CUSTOMERS
•  Video sessions on innovation projects
•  Virtual tasting sessions with 

prototypes sent to customers in 
advance

•  Video links in more of our labs 
•  Remote product training sessions

A STRONG BUSINESS, 
GETTING STRONGER
This year’s results are a testament to the 
hard work of everyone at Tate & Lyle who, 
by living our purpose in everything they 
do, and carrying out our strategy, have 
ensured we delivered another year of 
strong performance. I am very grateful 
for their efforts, particularly at the end of 
the year when we were all challenged 
personally and professionally by Covid-19. 
Although the incredible challenges of 
Covid-19 are unprecedented in my lifetime, 
we are well-placed to weather this period 
and emerge an even stronger company.

Other than the outbreak of Covid-19, if 
there is one issue that has come to the 
forefront over the last 12 months it is 
climate change. The climate isn’t changing, 
it has changed, and we need to deal with 
the consequences now, to protect our 
planet’s natural resources for future 
generations. This means thinking, 
planning for, and investing over a longer-
term horizon – and it’s where our purpose 
comes in, as I discuss later in my review. 
But first – more on the results.

A YEAR OF DELIVERY
This was a year of strong financial 
performance. Despite facing some 
challenging market conditions, Group 
adjusted profit before tax increased by 
4%, adjusted diluted earnings per share 
were 8% higher, and return on capital 
employed was up 40 basis points at 17.5%. 
Adjusted free cash flow was also good at 
£247 million, supporting a strong balance 
sheet and giving us the flexibility to invest 
for long-term growth. 

I’m particularly pleased that, if you look at 
the detail behind the Group results, you’ll 
see that our ‘Sharpen, Accelerate and 
Simplify’ priorities are clearly supporting 
our performance, as detailed on the next 
page, and that our strategy is working. 
Food & Beverage Solutions, our engine of 
growth, delivered top-line growth, with a 
double-digit increase in profit. Sucralose 
also performed solidly with profit slightly 
ahead of last year. Primary Products 
delivered steady earnings. More detail 
about the results of our two divisions and 
the Group are on pages 28 to 45. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 13  

Chief Executive’s review (continued)

HOW OUR THREE PRIORITIES ARE SUPPORTING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

Two years in, and our financial results are reflecting the good progress we’re 
making in delivering our three key priorities: sharpen the focus on our customers; 
accelerate portfolio development; and simplify the business and drive productivity. 

SHARPEN  
CLOSER TO CUSTOMERS

ACTIONS 
•  Becoming the growth 

partner for our customers 
•   New ways of collaborating 
•   Growing our customer 

project pipeline

•   Becoming the ‘go to’ 

company for reformulation 
and sugar reduction 

EXAMPLES IN THE YEAR
•  First fibre symposium held 
for customers in the US

•   Healthink customer 

workshops rolled out in Asia
•   New applications labs opened 
in São Paulo and Singapore

•   Stevia sweetener sales 

increased by 23%1

+26%

Increase in calls with 
customers focused on 
growth during the year

ACCELERATE  
FASTER INNOVATION

ACTIONS
•  Closer and earlier customer 
collaboration on key projects

•  Bringing new products to 

market faster

•  Expanding our portfolio 

including through 
partnerships and acquisitions
•   Collaborating with start-ups 

EXAMPLES IN THE YEAR
•  New Product sales  
increased by 15%1

•   11 New Products launched 
from pipeline including 
CLARIA EVERLAST® 
clean-label starch

•   Partnership with innovative 
enzyme start-up, Zymtronix

+18%

Increase in value of 
innovation pipeline       
during the year

SIMPLIFY 
PRODUCTIVITY GAINS 

ACTIONS
•  Simplifying the organisation 
•   Investing to improve 

operational efficiency 
•   Creating a culture of 

continuous improvement

•   Reducing costs and 

increasing productivity

EXAMPLES IN THE YEAR
•  Benefits from continuous 
improvement projects 
increased by 20%

•   US$75 million investment in 
a new co-generation facility 
in Lafayette South, Indiana
•   Simplified organisation of 
customer-facing teams 

US$87m

Total productivity benefits 
delivered in the first two 
years of our productivity 
programme

1  Change in constant currency.

14

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

Trading in April 2020
While trading in March showed limited 
impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, the 
imposition of lockdowns in many countries 
throughout April, most notably in our 
largest markets of the US and Europe, led 
to significant changes in demand patterns 
for our products. 

Food & Beverage Solutions and Sucralose 
continued to perform well with volume for 
Food & Beverage Solutions in line with the 
comparative period and Sucralose 18% 
higher due to phasing of customer orders. 
Earlier in the month, demand was strong 
for ingredients used in packaged and 
shelf-stable foods, as consumers in North 
America and Europe filled their pantries 
for consumption at home. As the month 
progressed, this was offset by lower 
demand for products consumed out of 
home, such as in the food service sector  
in North America. 

Primary Products volume was significantly 
impacted by the first full month of 
lockdown in the US. Bulk sweetener 
volume was 26% lower from reduced 
out-of-home consumption as bars, 
cinemas and restaurants were shut and 
sporting events cancelled. Industrial 
starch volume was 9% lower reflecting 
reduced demand for paper and packaging 
following the closure of schools and 
offices, and a decline in economic activity. 
Commodities were also affected as 
ethanol prices decreased sharply.

The financial impact of lower demand  
was partially mitigated by actions taken in 
March to reduce costs and preserve cash 
as we saw the pandemic unfolding. These 
included freezing salary increases and 
recruitment, stopping non-essential 
discretionary spend and reprioritising 
capital commitments.

No employees have been furloughed and 
no government aid sought.

Strong balance sheet
The current strength of our balance sheet 
means we are well-placed to manage 
through this challenging period. We have 
low leverage with a net debt/EBITDA ratio 
of 0.9 times at the end of the financial year 
(0.6 times on a covenant basis), strong 
liquidity with access to more than  

US$1 billion through cash at hand and a 
committed and undrawn revolving credit 
facility, and significant covenant headroom 
on borrowings. We also have no debt 
maturing until 2023.

Looking ahead
The length and depth of the impact  
of the pandemic remains uncertain and  
is expected to vary by country. It’s also 
difficult at this stage to predict how 
consumer behaviour will evolve as 
countries exit from lockdown. As a result, 
we are not issuing guidance for the year 
ending 31 March 2021. To keep all our 
stakeholders informed of our progress 
during these uncertain times, we will issue 
an exceptional first quarter trading update 
on 23 July 2020.  

In the year ahead our priorities are clear 
– to continue to look after our people and 
communities, strengthen our relationships 
with customers, continue to progress  
our strategy and maintain our financial 
strength. We will also look to adapt to, and 
embrace, the new business environment 
and ways of working. With the momentum 
we have built over the last two years,  
our high-quality product portfolio, the 
attractive markets we operate in, the skill 
of our people and our strong operating 
capabilities, we are well-placed to emerge 
from this period as an even stronger and 
more agile business.

AN INCREASINGLY AMBITIOUS CULTURE
Last year I said we needed to inject more 
pace and ambition into our culture and, 
even before Covid-19, I saw a genuine  
shift during the year. On a day-to-day 
basis, I consistently saw people taking  
the initiative to deliver above and beyond 
for our customers, which resulted in 
increasing customer interaction and more 
joint development initiatives. This can-do 
culture is core to how we support our 
customers and will be vital as we navigate 
the challenges we’re facing now and into 
the coming year. 

I’m particularly pleased by the progress 
we are making on safety. While there’s 
always further to go, our performance was 
significantly better than last year. I believe 
it’s because people are genuinely taking 
responsibility for themselves and their 
colleagues. During a leadership team 

safety review meeting earlier this year, 
I was very encouraged by the level of 
challenge and desire to get to the bottom 
of accidents, but without judgement.  
This openness is at the heart of a good 
safety programme. 

To change, adapt, be flexible, all of which 
are more essential than ever right now, we 
have to be ambitious. And I know that the 
increase in ambition we’ve seen from our 
people over the year is because they are 
inspired by our purpose. When people truly 
believe in what they’re doing, they make 
extraordinary efforts, which translate into 
positive outcomes for all our stakeholders. 

This was brought home to me at our 
biennial Extraordinary People Awards 
(EPA) in October which celebrated the 
amazing things our people are doing all 
over the world. The real strength of the 
EPA is that people are nominated by 
colleagues, and this year we received a 
record 565 nominations. I have no doubt 
that we will have much to celebrate in the 
way our people have responded to today’s 
uncertainties in the 2021 EPA awards.

OUR PURPOSE-DRIVEN VISION  
FOR 2030 AND BEYOND
Thinking for the long term is at the heart 
of our purpose – Improving Lives for 
Generations. It inspires our people at 
every level and in every part of the world, 
because they see every day how we can 
grow our business and have a positive 
impact on society. 

Our focus on supporting healthy living  
is where our purpose has the biggest 
impact in the world. Millions of people 
everywhere facing obesity and diabetes 
can benefit from our ingredients that 
enable products to be lower in sugar, 
calories and fat, and higher in fibre, as can 
the many people who simply want to live a 
healthier lifestyle. But overconsumption 
isn’t everyone’s experience – many people 
today still struggle to put food on the table, 
which is why reducing hunger is one of the 
areas we’re committed to as part of our 
building thriving communities pillar. And, 
while we have a strong focus on today’s 
dietary and health challenges, we are not 
losing sight of other major global challenges 
– which is why caring for the planet is  
so important. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 15  

Chief Executive’s review (continued)

New commitments for living our purpose
Given the trends in the world today, we 
recognise that we need to be making 
strategic investment choices now that will 
deliver long after I and my leadership team 
have handed over to the next generation. 
So this year, we stepped up our thinking on 
how we can create a sustainable business 
for the next 10 years and beyond. We 
analysed how we’re going to deliver 
measurable progress against the three 
pillars of our purpose, and set some 
ambitious, yet achievable commitments 
and targets for 2030, which are detailed on 
page 17. Also this year, we completed an 
analysis of our Scope 3 carbon emissions, 
and have committed to establishing 
science-based targets for reducing our 
Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2e emissions.

Investing to eliminate coal
Running our plants efficiently and 
minimising our impact on the environment 
has always been our goal. We are in the 
middle of a multi-year capital investment 
programme totalling more than  
US$150 million to eliminate the use of coal 
in our plants by 2025. This will have the 
added benefit of making our plants more 
efficient, which is good for our business as 
well as the environment. 

Supporting the UN SDGs 
In making our new commitments, we also 
considered which of the UN Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs) are most 
closely aligned to our purpose, and where 
we can have most impact. We determined 
that five are key for us: SDG 2 – zero 
hunger; SDG 3 – good health and 
wellbeing; SDG5 – gender equality;  
SDG 12 – responsible consumption and 
production; and SDG 13 – climate action. 
To demonstrate our support for the UN 
SDGs, in April 2020 we became a 
participating member of the UN Global 
Compact, a major global sustainability 
initiative. 

An industry first for sustainable 
agriculture
A large proportion of our Scope 3 CO2e 
emissions – and our environmental CO2e 
impact as a whole – comes from corn,  
our largest raw material. Last year we 
announced a partnership with TruterraTM 
(formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN™) to 
promote sustainable corn farming in the 

16

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

OUR PURPOSE IS BASED ON THREE PILLARS

G H
G H
TIN
TIN

R
R
O
O
P
P
P
P
U
U
S
S

G
G

EALTH Y LIV I N
EALTH Y LIV I N

Balance d 
lifestyle s 

n

ritio

n
tio
a
c
u
d
E

t
u
n
n
o

r
e

i

g

h

n

i

t

t

l

a

a

e

e

H

C

l
e

a

a

ir

n

e

r 

P e r s o n a l  
l b e i n g
w e l

Healthier 
communities

IMPROVING 
LIVES FOR 
GENERATIONS

Less 
water

a l 
t
s

e

i c i
  w a

B e n e f
 u s e   o f

 BUIL
 BUIL

DI
DI

N
N

G
G

T
T

H
H

R
R

I
I

m

V
V

P

r

o

div
in

e

cl

u

r
sit

o

ti

n

y

g

s
i

a

n

o

n

d

P

r

h

e

u

v

e

n

g

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r

n

t

i

n
g

e
S
d
u
u
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c
p
a
o
tio
r
tin
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g

u stainable 
a g riculture

S

I
I

N
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G
G

C
C

O
O

M
M
M
M
U
U
N
N

I
I

T
T
I
I
E
E
S
S

CARING FOR O U R   P L A N E
CARING FOR O U R   P L A N E

T
T

As we go into next year, we’re absolutely 
focused on continuing to deliver against 
our strategy and priorities, managing  
the impact of Covid-19, and building a 
long-term plan for our business. How to 
expand beyond our current platforms.  
How to diversify further into emerging 
markets. How to adapt our business model 
as trade patterns change. How to build a 
progressive agenda on sustainability. And 
how, ultimately, to maximise our potential. 
The decisions we make will be shaped and 
informed by our purpose, which I know  
will ensure that Tate & Lyle continues to 
flourish well into the future.

Nick Hampton 
Chief Executive

US Midwest, where we source most of  
our corn. I’m delighted that this year  
we expanded the partnership to cover  
1.5 million acres – equivalent to the total 
amount of corn we buy globally each year. 
This is an industry first, and is important  
to our customers too. The significance  
of this programme goes beyond its 
environmental impact – it’s also about 
protecting farmers’ livelihoods, and 
supporting the communities around  
our US plants. 

LOOKING AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE 
Our Extraordinary People Awards really 
were the highlight of my year. Knowing we 
have such talented, committed people 
gives me real confidence in our ability to 
meet the challenges ahead as we build  
a long-term, sustainable future for our 
business. And not just those challenges we 
know about now, like climate change, the 
pressures on global supply chains from 
tariffs, and Covid-19, but those we cannot 
foresee. I continue to believe, because of 
the world we’re in and what we do, our 
future is bright. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 
We’re focusing on those goals which are closely aligned to our 
purpose and where we can have most impact: hunger, health and 
wellbeing, gender equality, responsible production and consumption, 
and climate action. The SDGs aligned to each pillar are shown below.

LIVING OUR PURPOSE – OUR COMMITMENTS AND TARGETS1

SUPPORTING  
HEALTHY LIVING

BUILDING THRIVING 
COMMUNITIES

CARING FOR  
OUR PLANET

Healthier lifestyles
•  By 2025, we’ll have helped improve  
the lives of over 250,000 people by 
supporting programmes that promote 
healthier lifestyles and activities. 

Read more in Community involvement, 
pages 58 and 59

Nutrition
•  By 2025, through our low-/no-calorie 
sweeteners and fibres, we’ll have 
helped remove 9 million tonnes of 
sugar from people’s diets, equivalent 
to 36 trillion calories.

Read more in Food & Beverage Solutions, 
pages 28 to 31

Personal wellbeing
•  By 2025, we’ll have helped our 

colleagues improve how they look 
after their physical and mental 
wellbeing so they can be their best at 
work and in their daily lives.

Read more in Our people,  
pages 46 to 49

Education
•  By 2025, we’ll have supported the 
education of over 100,000 children 
and students through learning 
programmes and grants, 
helping them attain skills for life.

Hunger
•  By 2025, we’ll have provided over  
3 million nutritious meals for  
people in need.

Carbon footprint
•  By 2030, we’ll have delivered a 30% 

absolute reduction in our Scope 1 and 
2 CO2e emissions, with an ambition  
to reach a 20% reduction by 2025.

•  By 2030, we’ll have delivered a 15% 
absolute reduction in our Scope 3  
CO2e emissions. 

•  Our Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2e emissions 
reduction targets will be science-
based.

Read more in Community involvement, 
pages 58 and 59

•  By 2025, we’ll have eliminated coal 

from all our operations.

Gender equality
•  By 2025, we’ll achieve gender parity  

Waste
•  By 2030, 100% of our waste will be 

in leadership roles.

Read more in Our people,  
pages 46 to 49

beneficially used, with an ambition to 
reach 75% by 2025.

Water
•  By 2030, we’ll have reduced  

water use by 15%.

Sustainable agriculture
•  We’ll maintain sustainable acreage 
equivalent to the volume of corn  
we buy globally each year, currently  
1.5 million acres, and through 
partnerships we’ll accelerate the 
adoption of conservation practices.

Read more in Environment,  
health and safety, pages 50 to 57

1  The baseline for our supporting healthy living and building thriving communities targets is the year ended 31 March 2020. Like all our EHS targets, the baseline for caring  

for our planet is the end of the 2019 calendar year.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 17  

Our world

WHAT’S HAPPENING  
AROUND US
The food and beverage market has an inherent strength – people need to eat 
and drink. Within that, a number of major global trends are shaping our industry 
and creating opportunities for our business.

Our  
business 

Our 
strategy

Our  
world

Our  
progress

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TATE & LYLE
For food companies like Tate & Lyle,  
these global trends present both risks and 
opportunities. Driven by our purpose of 
Improving Lives for Generations, we work 
to create ingredients and solutions that 
give people healthier and tastier choices 
when they eat and drink and help them 
lead more balanced lifestyles. At the same 
time we are working to take care of our 
planet and helping to protect its natural 
resources. Whether through health and 
wellness ingredients for a new generation 
of popular brands, nutritive sweeteners at 
an affordable price, or stabilising systems 
that allow food to travel over long distances, 
our goal is not just to feed people, but to 
feed them well. 

GLOBAL TRENDS
Factors like rapid population growth, 
urbanisation, climate change, the use of 
technology and, more recently Covid-19, 
are driving major changes in people’s 
lifestyles, and therefore in what they’re 
eating and drinking. 

Changing diets and lifestyles
No matter where you look, societies and 
governments are facing significant food- 
and health-related challenges. In today’s 
more urbanised world, people are leading 
less active ways of life. They’re generally 
eating too much and moving too little,  
and these progressively unbalanced 
lifestyles are affecting their health. The 
incidence of obesity and diabetes, and 
concerns about digestive health, are 
increasing rapidly. The International 
Diabetes Federation estimates there are 
463 million adults with diabetes today, 
which will grow to 700 million by 2045.1 

Healthcare costs are rising too, placing 
health services in many countries under 
increased pressure. In the UK, for example, 
before the Covid-19 outbreak, 10% of the 
National Health Service budget was 
being spent on treating diabetes or its 
complications.2 Overconsumption of sugar 
is also seen as a major concern, with 
an increasing number of countries 
implementing taxes, for example on 
sugary soft drinks. Around 40 national 
governments have already introduced a 
‘sugar tax’.3 And yet, while obesity is now 
responsible for more deaths than hunger, 
one in nine people in the world struggle 
to find enough nutritious food to eat 
every day.4 

Growth of convenience
The middle class is expected to grow  
to 5.3 billion people globally by 2030,  
up from 2.8 billion in 2015.5 This growth, 
especially in emerging markets, is  
causing a long-term shift towards  
greater convenience and time-saving 
solutions. People are spending less time  
in the kitchen and are buying more 
pre-prepared, packaged foods, but want 
what they eat to be no less nutritious. 
They’re also spending less time going 
shopping – online shopping is increasingly 
popular, driving demand for sturdy 
packaging, while environmental concerns 
mean this packaging needs to be recyclable.

Sustainability and the rise of  
plant-based foods
People’s concerns about their health, 
lifestyle and the environment are  
affecting food choices in many ways.  
Their understanding and awareness of 
climate change and the need to protect 
the planet’s natural resources have 
increased significantly in the last 12 
months. While over 80% of food and 
beverage purchases are driven by taste,6 
other factors such as the sustainability 
of the product and its packaging are 
becoming increasingly important. 

Demand for plant-based alternatives  
is growing, as people adopt vegan, 
vegetarian or ‘flexitarian’ diets, cutting 
back on meat amid concerns for their 
health and the effects of animal farming  
on the environment. And they’re also 
wanting to know exactly what goes into the 
food they eat and where it comes from, 
examining labels more closely and looking 
for simpler or ‘more natural’ ingredients.

International Diabetes Federation, 2019 (age 20 – 79 years). 

1 
2  Diabetes UK.
3  Obesity Evidence Hub, 2019.
4  FAO: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019.
5  Brookings; United Nations; World Bank.
6 
7  United Nations.
8  World Health Organization.
9  Deloitte, 2019.
10  Our World in Data, November 2019.

International Food Information Council 2018.

18

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

SNAPSHOT OF TRENDS

30%

estimated increase in global  
population by 20507

38 million

children under the age of five 
overweight or obese in 20198 

80% 

estimated increase in North American 
meat substitutes market by 2025 to 
€1.8 billion, from 20189

26%

global greenhouse gas emissions 
from food production10 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 19  

Our business model

WHAT WE DO

Our  
world

Our  
business 

Our 
strategy

Our  
progress

We improve lives by making food tastier and healthier; by making everyday 
tasks easier; by promoting a safe, healthy working environment; and by 
making a difference in our communities. 

OUR RESOURCES

WHAT WE DO

SCIENTIFIC AND  
TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW

LARGE-SCALE 
MANUFACTURING 
OPERATIONS

TALENTED PEOPLE

WE THINK AND CREATE
Innovation and Commercial 
Development
Our scientists and nutritionists 
research, develop and test 
ingredients to create solutions for 
our customers. We work closely with 
them through every stage of our 
innovation process to move ideas 
quickly from concept to commercial 
launch. Consumer preferences are 
different across the world, which is 
why our customers come to our local 
applications labs to work with us to 
reformulate their products with our 
ingredients for their local markets.

Read more on pages 36 and 37

WE SOURCE AND MANUFACTURE
Global Operations 
Our ingredients come largely  
from agricultural crops, principally  
corn. We produce them mainly at 
large-volume corn wet mills shared 
by both divisions, and also at smaller 
blending facilities. Wherever we  
are in the process, from field to 
customer, our priorities are safety, 
quality and consideration for  
the environment.

Read more on pages 38 and 39

CUSTOMERS 
We serve customers, large and small, in more than 120 countries. 
We are moving from being an ingredient supplier to a growth 
partner for our customers.

STRONG BALANCE SHEET  
AND DISCIPLINED USE  
OF CAPITAL

LONG-TERM  
RELATIONSHIPS WITH 
STAKEHOLDERS

WE PARTNER AND SELL
Food & Beverage Solutions 
We have strong technical knowledge 
of the interplay between sweetness, 
texture, fibre enrichment and 
stabilisation. Through this, we 
provide customers across the world 
with solutions that bring specific 
functionality and nutrition to  
their products.

Primary Products
We sell high-volume products 
primarily into the food and beverage, 
and paper and packaging industries, 
and mainly in North America. 
Leveraging our scale and cost-
competitive manufacturing base,  
we compete mainly on price, quality 
and service.

Read more on pages 28 to 31

Read more on pages 32 to 35

EVERYTHING WE DO IS UNDERPINNED BY…

20

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

THE VALUE WE CREATE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS

FOR SHAREHOLDERS
We balance investing in growth with 
paying an attractive dividend.

FOR CUSTOMERS
We help our customers bring products  
to market quickly that address society’s 
changing needs.

FOR EMPLOYEES
We are committed to the health, safety 
and wellbeing of our employees, and to 
providing a culture that is both inclusive 
and performance-driven.

£402m

dividends paid in the past three  
financial years

£113m

revenue from New Products from  
our innovation pipeline1

£353m

paid to employees1 

FOR COMMUNITIES
We have a long history of community 
involvement, helping us to make lasting 
contributions to the places where we  
live and work.

FOR SUPPLIERS
Corn is our largest input, and we have 
long-term, mutually beneficial 
relationships with farmers and other 
supplier partners.

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Throughout our operations we look to 
minimise our environmental impact by 
reducing emissions and waste, and using 
water sustainably.

450,000

meals given to people in need in our 
local communities and beyond1

1  Year ended 31 March 2020.

 1.5m

total acreage of corn purchased globally1 

21.8%

reduction in CO2e emissions  
since 2008

Our priorities 
• Sharpen 
• Accelerate 
• Simplify

Our values 
• Safety 
• Integrity
• Respect

Our behaviours 
• Partnership
• Agility
• Execution

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 21  

Our strategy

HOW WE DELIVER VALUE

Our  
world

Our  
business 

Our 
strategy

Our  
progress

We have a clear strategy to deliver top- and bottom-line growth in  
Food & Beverage Solutions and steady earnings from Primary Products.

We produce our ingredients from 
agricultural raw materials mainly at 
large-volume corn wet mills, and also at 
smaller blending facilities where we make 
bespoke solutions for customers. We 
operate as one integrated business made 
up of two trading divisions, both with 
distinct roles to play. Food & Beverage 
Solutions is focused on delivering growth, 
with Primary Products focused on 
delivering cash and steady earnings.  
They share a cost-efficient asset base  
and many common customers, and we 
manage them together to optimise returns 
for shareholders.

FOOD & BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS
Through this division, we provide 
ingredients and solutions which add 
specific functionality, nutrition and health 
benefits to our customers’ products. This 
division includes our sucralose business.

We work in partnership with customers 
to develop new products, and reformulate 
existing ones, to make food and drink 
healthier but still taste great. It sounds 
simple, but it’s far more complicated than 
just swapping one ingredient for another. 
Taste, texture, mouthfeel, shelf-life, 
stability – all these things have to be taken 
into account when reformulating food and 
drink. Taste is inherently local, which 
means that food and beverages also need 
to be adapted to different regions and 
countries. Our portfolio of sweeteners, 
starches and fibres, combined with our 
technical expertise in key categories, help 
us deliver solutions for customers in their 
local markets.

Our customers come to us for our expertise, 
particularly in the following areas:

We deliver value in Primary Products in 
the following ways.

•  Sugar and calorie reduction: our 

•  Drive productivity and efficiency: the 

understanding of sweeteners, built over 
many years, has given us a unique 
expertise in sugar and calorie reduction. 
Our sweeteners and fibres help reduce 
sugar and calories without compromising 
the taste and texture consumers know 
and want.

•  Fibre enrichment: our portfolio of  
fibres offers a range of nutritional  
and functional benefits, alongside 
exceptional digestive tolerance. 
•  Texture: our starches add body, 

lengthen shelf-life and replace fat while 
preserving the texture and mouthfeel 
people want. 

•  Stabilisation: with our deep knowledge 

of ingredients and complex food 
systems, we create customised 
stabiliser systems (highly functional 
ingredient blends) that ensure products 
maintain their stability and appetising 
texture.

PRIMARY PRODUCTS
Through this division, we provide high-
volume products to customers in the food 
and beverage, and paper and packing 
industries, primarily in North America.  
We also sell co-products as animal feed  
to customers around the world. Our two 
main markets are bulk sweeteners and 
industrial starches. These are both large, 
mature markets but have high barriers to 
entry. In these markets, we compete 
primarily on quality, service and price.

more efficient our plants, the lower our 
costs of production. We have four large 
corn wet mills in the US, two smaller 
corn wet mills in Europe, and acidulants 
plants in the US and Brazil. For the best 
returns, they need to operate at, or close 
to, capacity. We have global and local 
programmes which ensure a relentless 
focus on safety, productivity and 
efficiency at every plant. 

•  Optimise product and category mix: 
with tight margins on our products, 
small changes can make an important 
difference to our performance. We  
look very closely at what we sell, to 
whom, and into which markets, moving 
production where we can from declining 
to growing product lines, and targeting 
new and growing markets. 

•  Secure corn supply: corn is our largest 
raw material, and a secure supply is 
essential. We invest in our corn silo 
(elevator) storage network and our 
relationships with the farmers who 
supply us, and we manage inventory 
carefully. 

•  Reduce exposure to volatile commodity 
markets: every part of the corn kernel 
has some commercial value, but the 
selling price of commodities such as 
corn oil and corn meal is set by the 
market and can vary considerably. We 
use a range of measures to manage our 
exposure as best we can, from tolling 
contracts which pass the raw material 
costs on to customers, to using futures 
contracts to lock in future corn prices.

22

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

INVESTMENT CASE

OUR PURPOSE OF IMPROVING LIVES FOR GENERATIONS

SUPPORTING 
HEALTHY LIVING

BUILDING THRIVING 
COMMUNITIES

CARING FOR 
OUR PLANET

CLEAR STRATEGY

FOOD & BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS 
TOP- AND BOTTOM-LINE GROWTH

PRIMARY PRODUCTS
STABLE EARNINGS AND CASH GENERATION

By building leading positions in:

By managing our portfolio to:

•   Three categories globally – beverages,  
dairy and soups, sauces and dressings
•   Two or three additional categories in each  
region where we have local expertise, 
such as bakery and snacks 

SUCRALOSE
MANAGE FOR CASH – HIGH RETURN ON ASSETS

•   Optimise product and category mix
•   Drive productivity and operational efficiency 
•  Diversify into new and growing end markets

ACCELERATING PERFORMANCE THROUGH THREE PRIORITIES

SHARPEN THE FOCUS  
ON OUR CUSTOMERS

ACCELERATE PORTFOLIO 
DEVELOPMENT

SIMPLIFY THE BUSINESS  
AND DRIVE PRODUCTIVITY

DELIVER RETURNS FOR SHAREHOLDERS

ACCELERATE GROWTH IN 
EARNINGS PER SHARE

IMPROVE ORGANIC RETURN ON 
CAPITAL EMPLOYED

MAINTAIN A PROGRESSIVE  
DIVIDEND POLICY

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 23  

Key performance indicators

HOW WE TRACK PROGRESS

Our  
world

Our  
business 

Our 
strategy

Our  
progress

To keep us on track, we measure progress against our strategy: how we are 
maintaining the financial flexibility to grow our business and to provide returns 
to shareholders; and how we’re keeping our people safe at work.

CHANGES TO KPIs IN 2020 
We have added one new strategic KPI 
this year, profit from Primary Products, 
because generating steady earnings 
from this division is a key part of 
delivering our strategy. We have also 
removed one KPI related to maintaining 
financial flexibility, interest cover, as this 
is no longer a covenant on our borrowings. 

CHANGES IN 2021
In next year’s Annual Report, we will  
also report on the first year of progress 
against the commitments we have made 
for the three pillars of our purpose. 
These are set out in the Chief Executive’s 
review on page 17.

◊ LINK TO REMUNERATION
These KPIs are used in determining 
executive directors’ annual bonuses and 
for long-term incentive plans. Our safety 
KPIs are also taken into account when 
determining annual bonuses.

DELIVERING OUR STRATEGY

Food & Beverage Solutions – volume ◊

Food & Beverage Solutions – revenue ◊

3%

3%

  2020

  2019

  2018

£942m

£889m

£850m

1%

  2020

  2019

  2018

2ppts 

Performance in 2020
Volume grew 1%. Momentum continued 
in North America with growth of 2%,  
and in Asia Pacific and Latin America  
with growth of 1%. In Europe, volume 
declined by 1% as we traded out of 
lower-margin products. 

Why we measure it
Top-line growth in Food & Beverage 
Solutions is a key element of our strategy.

How we calculate it
As reported, excluding Sucralose.

5% 

Performance in 2020
Revenue increased by 5% driven by good 
price and mix management, and from 
passing through higher net corn costs.

Why we measure it
To ensure we are successfully converting 
our investments into revenue growth.

How we calculate it 
In constant currency, excluding 
Sucralose.

Food & Beverage Solutions – profit1, 2, ◊

Primary Products – profit1, 2

Group adjusted profit before tax1,  ◊

  2020

  2019

  2018

£162m

£143m

£137m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£158m

£148m

£166m

  2020

  2019

  2018

£331m

£309m

£296m

10% 

3% 

4% 

Performance in 2020
Adjusted operating profit was 10% higher 
driven by good revenue growth, cost 
discipline and operating leverage.

Why we measure it
We invest in Food & Beverage Solutions, 
our growth engine, and profit growth 
demonstrates the return on those 
investments.

How we calculate it
In constant currency, excluding 
Sucralose.

Performance in 2020
Adjusted operating profit was 3%  
higher, with good performance from 
manufacturing and logistics and strong 
cost discipline offsetting higher input 
prices and weaker volume.

Why we measure it
We aim to deliver steady earnings by 
offsetting declining demand from traditional 
markets with ever more efficient production 
and expansion into new markets.

Performance in 2020
Adjusted profit before tax increased by  
4% with strong revenue and profit growth 
from Food & Beverage Solutions and 
steady earnings from Primary Products.

Why we measure it
To ensure we make good investment 
decisions and execute our strategy 
successfully.

How we calculate it
In constant currency.

How we calculate it
In constant currency.

1  Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this Annual Report are not defined by accounting standards. For clarity, we have provided 

descriptions of the various metrics and their reconciliations to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with IFRS, and the calculations, where relevant,  
of any ratios in Notes 1 and 4.

24

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
   
   
 
Strategic report

DELIVERING FOR OUR SHAREHOLDERS

Adjusted diluted earnings per share1,  ◊

Adjusted free cash flow1

Return on capital employed1,  ◊

  2020

  2019

  2018

8% 

57.8p

52.0p

49.4p

  2020

  2019

  2018

£247m

£212m

£196m

  2020

  2019

  2018

17.5%

17.1%

16.2%

£35m 

40bps 

Performance in 2020
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 
increased by 8% in constant currency, 
benefiting from the adjusted effective tax 
rate in the year being 310 basis points 
lower at 17.9%.

Why we measure it
To track the underlying performance of 
the business and ensure revenue growth 
translates into increased earnings.

Performance in 2020
Higher, reflecting increased earnings  
and our strong focus on generating cash. 
The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases led to an 
increase of £34 million, while capital 
expenditure was £36 million higher than 
the prior year.

Why we measure it
To track how efficient we are at turning 
profit into cash and to ensure that 
working capital is managed effectively.

How we calculate it
As defined in Note 12, with growth rate  
in constant currency. 

How we calculate it
As defined in Note 4.

MAINTAINING FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

ACTING SAFELY

Performance in 2020
Higher, mainly due to increased earnings.

Why we measure it
To ensure we continue to generate a 
strong rate of return on the assets we 
employ, and to maintain a disciplined 
approach to capital investment.

How we calculate it
The return as a percentage of our profit 
before interest, tax and exceptional items 
from continuing operations, divided by 
average invested operating capital from 
continuing operations.

Net debt to EBITDA multiple1

Recordable incident rate3

Lost-time rate3, 4

0.8x

0.9x

0.9x

  2019

  2018

  2017

0.78

0.76

0.94

  2019

  2018

  2017

0.42

0.47

0.45

  2020

  2019

  2018

0.1x 

Performance in 2020
The net debt to EBITDA ratio was slightly 
higher at 0.9 times due to the adoption  
of IFRS 16.

Why we measure it
To ensure we have the appropriate level  
of financial gearing, and that our debt  
is not a disproportionate burden on  
the Company.

How we calculate it
The number of times our net debt  
exceeds our EBITDA.

17% DECREASE

11% DECREASE

Performance in 2019
Our recordable incident rate improved with the number of accidents in the year  
down from 60 to 52. The lost-time rates also improved. This improvement is a  
positive sign that our Journey to EHS Excellence programme is being embedded  
in the organisation.

Why we measure it
Ensuring safe and healthy conditions at all our locations is essential for  
our success.

How we calculate it
The number of injuries requiring 
treatment beyond first aid per  
200,000 hours.

How we calculate it
The number of injuries that resulted  
in lost-work days or restricted work  
days per 200,000 hours.

2  Adjusted operating profit.
3  Measured by calendar year.
4  We are now reporting our lost-time rate in place of our lost-work case rate, because it includes lost-work incidents as well as restricted work incidents, and so is a more 

comprehensive measure of safety performance.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 25  

  
 
   
  
26

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

I take pride in coming to work 
every shift, knowing that the 
ingredients I help pack go into 
products that are helping  
feed our nation and many 
countries around the world.

Lawrence Kelly
Process Support Operator,  
Sagamore, Indiana, USA

Strategic report

CONTENTS

REVIEW OF 
THE YEAR 

IN THIS SECTION
28  Food & Beverage Solutions
32  Primary Products
36 

 Innovation and Commercial 
Development 
38  Global Operations
40  Chief Financial Officer’s introduction
42  Group financial review
46  Our people
50  Environment, health and safety
58  Community involvement
60  Risk Report

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 27 

Food & Beverage Solutions

STRONG PROFIT 
PERFORMANCE

We work with our customers 
to develop new products, and 
reformulate existing ones, to 
make food and drink healthier 
while still tasting great. 

I’m really pleased to see the 
sharper focus on our customers 
being reflected in our results.

Harry Boot
President, Asia Pacific, Food & Beverage Solutions 

PARTNER AND SELL

WHAT WE DO
Our portfolio, combined with our technical expertise in key categories 
such as beverages, dairy, and soups, sauces and dressings, helps us 
deliver solutions for our customers.

Sweeteners
•  Replace sugars
•  Reduce calories
•  Match sweetness
•  Optimise taste

Health and wellness ingredients
•  Replace sugar to reduce calories 

while maintaining taste
•  Add nutrition through fibre 

enrichment

Texturants
•  Add body and mouthfeel 
•  Improve shelf-life and stability
•  Improve sensory appeal

Stabilisers
•  Improve shelf-life
•  Provide stability

28

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Application scientists  
at Hoffman Estates, 
Illinois, USA

Harry runs Food & Beverage 
Solutions in Asia Pacific and is 
on the Executive Committee. 
Here he discusses the division’s 
performance this year, the 
market and what lies ahead. 

OUR MARKET

Q HOW IS FOOD & BEVERAGE 

SOLUTIONS RESPONDING TO 

MARKET TRENDS?
We are well-positioned to meet many of 
the major challenges facing the world 
today, from health issues around obesity 
and diabetes to the desire for more 
plant-based food for vegetarian, vegan and 
flexitarian diets. People want food that is 
healthy and tasty, but they also want it to 
be fast and convenient and support their 
modern lifestyles. That is where we come 
in with our expertise in sugar reduction, 
texture, fibre fortification, and stabilisation. 
These skills are in demand, and customers 
come to us to help them make the kind of 
food and drink consumers across the 
world want.

Q THAT SOUNDS QUITE GLOBAL, BUT 

ISN’T THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE 

MARKET LOCAL? 
The trends are universal, but we address 
them on a local level because food is local. 
People’s tastes are different around the 
world, and that’s why we continue to invest 
in building applications labs in all our 
regions. Customers come into our labs  
to work with our food scientists to develop 
new products or reformulate existing 
ones, using our ingredients for their local 
markets. Being on the ground with our 
customers means we can respond more 
quickly to their needs, which is increasingly 
important as new product launches are 
happening so much faster. 

OUR YEAR

Q HOW IS THE STRATEGY PLAYING OUT 

FOR FOOD & BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS? 

The results say it all. We delivered on our 
strategy with strong top- and bottom-line 
growth. That’s because we are very 
focused on what we are doing and clear 
about where growth will come from in 
each of our four regions. And, as a team, 
we’re being more specific about the 
targets we go after. In part, that’s thanks 
to practical things, such as better tools, 
processes and capabilities in our 
customer-facing teams. But mainly 
it’s thanks to us building much closer 
relationships with our customers. Last 
year, we changed the way our customer-
facing teams were organised to reflect 
how our customers are organised – by 
category – so we have a dairy team, a 
beverage team and so on, just like they do. 
This change is starting to really benefit 
how we work with customers and it is 
showing in our financial performance 
as well. 

Our success is also about cultural change: 
this year we’ve become much faster and 
more agile in what we do. Take Singapore, 
where I work. We redeveloped our 
applications labs and office in just three 
months. And we did something similar in 
São Paulo, Brazil. The world is changing 
at a great pace, so our ability to act fast 
is going to be even more important in 
the future.

Q WHAT’S BEHIND THIS YEAR’S 

RESULTS?

A lot of hard work from an outstanding 
team across the world – along with strong 
execution, discipline and a continuous 
focus on our customers. It’s that sharper 
focus that is really making a difference. 
We’re constantly seeking new ways to 
work more closely with customers. For 
example, in the US we held our first 
two-day Fibre Symposium for around 50 
customers at our Innovation Centre in 
Chicago, and in China, a two-day sugar-
reduction event in Shanghai with more 
than 80 customers.

Strategic report

Q WHAT ROLE HAS PURPOSE PLAYED 

IN THE RESULTS?

It’s been fundamental – because people 
who believe in what they’re doing can move 
mountains. And I see that all the time at 
Tate & Lyle. It’s amazing to me that 
something so simple as a sense of purpose 
can have such a huge impact on everything 
that we do. And that’s because it’s real. We 
really can do good and increase profits at 
the same time. Supporting healthy living is 
a great example. When I began to research 
the dietary and health issues in my own 
Asia Pacific region, I realised just how 
significant they are – and how well-placed 
we are to tackle them. From that small 
acorn of an idea, we are now working with 
government departments in China and 
Singapore to contribute to their countries’ 
healthy living programmes. Without our 
purpose, this wouldn’t have happened.

OUR FUTURE

Q WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR 

2020 AND BEYOND? 

It’s actually quite simple – more of the 
same! People need to eat and drink, and 
they want to do that in a healthy way. And 
that’s basically what we do. We just need  
to do it better, and faster. Clearly, 2020 will 
have some challenges as we navigate the 
Covid-19 pandemic but there are plenty of 
opportunities too. We’re on the right track 
because we’re continuously reinvesting in 
our people and our assets. And we have a 
great team that’s united in their belief that 
what we’re doing really matters. The true 
unlock for us will be speed, and an even 
greater focus on our customers. That’s 
what we’ll be aiming for in the coming year.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 29  

Food & Beverage Solutions (continued)

OUR RESULTS

Volume

+1%

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

 +5%

in constant currency

+10% 

in constant currency

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Volume
North America
Asia Pacific and Latin America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Total

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Revenue
North America
Asia Pacific and Latin America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Total

Adjusted operating profit

SUCRALOSE

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Volume
Revenue
Adjusted operating profit

2020
VOLUME
CHANGE

2%
1%
(1%)
1%

2020
£M

470
214
258
942

162

2020
£M

161
63

CONSTANT
CURRENCY
CHANGE
%

CHANGE
%

9%
6%
0%
6%

6%
7%
1%
5%

13%

10%

CONSTANT
CURRENCY
CHANGE
%

(4%)
1%

CHANGE
%

(4%)
(2%)
4%

2019
£M

430
201
258
889

143

2019
£M

164
61

30

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

STRONG REVENUE AND  
PROFIT GROWTH
Volume was 1% higher while revenue 
increased by 5% in constant currency  
to £942 million from good price and mix 
management, as well as the impact of 
passing through higher net corn costs. 
Adjusted operating profit was 10% higher 
in constant currency with good revenue 
growth, cost discipline and operating 
leverage. Operating margin increased by 
110 basis points to 17.2%. The effect of 
currency translation was to increase 
revenue by £11 million and adjusted 
operating profit by £5 million. 

North America 
Top-line momentum continued with 
volume up 2% and revenue up 6% in 
constant currency to £470 million,  
with good progress across a range of 
categories notably beverage, dairy, bakery 
and nutrition. While growth in the overall 
US food and beverage market remained 
largely flat, we continued to see strong 
customer demand in beverage, dairy, 
bakery and nutrition, particularly to deliver 
sugar and calorie reduction in packaged 
and shelf-stable foods. 

Asia Pacific and Latin America
Volume increased by 1%. Revenue 
increased by 7% in constant currency to 
£214 million with mid single-digit growth 
in Asia Pacific and double-digit growth in 
Latin America. In Asia Pacific, revenue 
growth softened in the second half as 
demand across China weakened in the 
face of the Covid-19 pandemic, while 
growth remained firm in South East Asia, 
particularly in dairy and soups, sauces  
and dressings. In Latin America, revenue 
growth remained strong, with good growth 
in Brazil and in the Andean region. In much 
of Latin America new front-of-pack labelling 
rules led to increased reformulation 
opportunities with customers.

Europe, Middle East and Africa
Volume decreased by 1%, while revenue  
at £258 million was 1% higher in constant 
currency as we continued to exit lower-
margin texturant business to improve mix. 
Revenue was in line with the prior year in 
our more mature western European 
business which included revenues from 
our oats ingredients business which we 
sold at the end of the prior year, while in 

Strategic report

Turkey, Middle East and Africa we saw high 
single-digit growth. In October 2019 we 
opened the expansion of our facility in 
Slovakia, doubling capacity of high-grade 
maltodextrin (used in categories such as 
baby food).

New Products
Revenue from New Products (products 
launched in the last seven years) increased 
by 15% in constant currency to £113 million 
with each of our sweeteners, health and 
wellness and texturants platforms 
delivering double-digit revenue growth. 
New Products now represent 12% of Food 
& Beverage Solutions revenues. Sugar and 
calorie reduction particularly in beverage, 
dairy, confectionery and bakery is a key 
focus for customers and consumers. As a 
result, we saw strong growth in revenue 
from stevia sweeteners, as well as 
PROMITOR® Soluble Fibre, reflecting its 
use as a sugar replacement and fibre 
enrichment solution. We also saw good 
growth in Non-GMO texturants and clean 
label starches from our CLARIA® line of 
functional starches.

SUCRALOSE 
Solid results
Sucralose volume and revenue (in constant 
currency) decreased by 4% reflecting the 
impact of the prior year programme to 
optimise inventory. Excluding the impact of 
inventory optimisation, underlying volume 
was 1% higher. Revenues were £161 million 
with good customer mix management. 
Adjusted operating profit at £63 million was 
1% higher in constant currency reflecting 
good cost management which offset a  
£3 million one-off gain from a supply contract 
in the prior year. Currency translation 
increased revenue by £3 million and 
adjusted operating profit by £2 million.

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   SUPPORTING  
HEALTHY LIVING

Nutrition
By 2025, through our low-/no-
calorie sweeteners and fibres, we’ll 
have helped remove 9 million tonnes 
of sugar from people’s diets, 
equivalent to 36 trillion calories

HARD SCIENCE PROVES A HIT

Part of our TEXTURE-
VANTAGE® Expert Systems 
toolbox for customers, 
Texture University is a series 
of quarterly open webinars  
to help formulators in the 
challenging area of texture 
science, explains Vicky 
Stencel, Global Texturants 
Platform Marketing Director.

‘Starches are vital ingredients in food 
and beverage manufacturing, but act 
very differently in different applications 
and conditions. There aren’t many 
starch specialists in the world, and 
these in-depth webinars, delivered by 
our scientists, make our great people 
and expertise accessible to customers 
everywhere. They’ve been a huge 
success, with up to 1,000 people signing 
up per session.’

ADDRESSING GLOBAL TRENDS

Our portfolio is well-placed to provide solutions for our 
customers to meet global consumer trends.

SWEETENERS

HEALTH AND 
WELLNESS

e

s

A l l u l o

Value

Taste

Nutrition

TEXTURANTS

STAMIST™ Starch

RESISTAMYL® Starch

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 31  

Primary Products

STEADY EARNINGS 
IN A CHALLENGING 
YEAR

We sell high-volume products 
to customers in the food and 
beverage, and paper and 
packaging industries, mainly  
in North America. 

We are totally focused  
on getting the basics right  
to make us the best supplier  
to our customers.

Jim Stutelberg
President, Primary Products

PARTNER AND SELL

WHAT WE DO
The two main markets we operate in are bulk sweeteners, used 
mainly in carbonated soft drinks, and industrial starches. Our 
customers come to us for quality, reliability, service and price. 

Some of our ingredients
•  Nutritive sweeteners, such as high fructose  

corn syrup and dextrose

•  Industrial starches for paper, packaging and  

industrial adhesives

•  Acidulants, such as citric acid
•  Commodities, such as corn gluten feed and  
meal for animal nutrition, as well as corn oil

32

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Members of the co-products 
team testing feed quality at our 
Sagamore plant in Indiana, USA

Strategic report

Jim explains the dynamics of 
our Primary Products business, 
and how we continued to deliver 
steady earnings despite a 
challenging year. 

OUR YEAR

The other aspect is production costs.  
For the best returns, our plants need to 
operate at or close to capacity, and the 
more efficient they are, the lower our 
costs. The work our Global Operations 
team has been doing to drive a relentless 
focus on safety, productivity and efficiency 
is key – described by Melissa Law on  
pages 38 and 39. 

For sweeteners, we’re seeing growth in 
areas like craft beer and fermentation 
applications. And in industrial starches, 
we’re moving into new markets like 
personal care – this year we launched  
a new range of starches targeted at that 
market. The recycling trend also has some 
benefits for us, because recycled paper 
needs more starch to hold it together.

Q ANOTHER GOOD YEAR IN 

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS –  

HOW DID YOU DO IT? 
With such large volumes, even a small 
margin improvement can have a big 
impact on profitability. So we have  
to be really good at the basics – price 
management, product mix management, 
cost control and customer service – 
supported, of course, by Global Operations 
managing our end-to-end supply chain  
for maximum efficiency. And I’m pleased  
to say we managed all these things well 
again this year.

Q HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENTIATING 

YOURSELVES TO CUSTOMERS? 
Our big customers see us as a strategic 
supply partner, because we are totally 
focused on being the easiest supplier to  
do business with. We have a great team 
who see themselves as innovators in the 
service of our customers, always thinking 
about what they need and how we can 
adapt whatever the environment. It paid  
off this year – when late winter storms and 
flooding disrupted both customers and 
competitors, we continued delivering our 
high levels of service. 

Q HOW ARE YOU CONTROLLING COSTS 

TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY? 
Our main raw material and input cost is 
corn. A secure supply is essential, and  
we ensure this through our relationships 
with farmers, and our own corn storage 
facilities. In terms of cost, every part of the 
corn kernel has some commercial value, 
but the selling price of commodities such 
as corn oil and corn meal is set by the 
market and can vary widely. So we use 
a range of measures to manage our 
exposure to corn prices as best we can, 
from tolling contracts which pass raw 
material costs on to customers, to using 
futures contracts to lock in future 
corn prices. 

Q WHAT ROLE HAS PURPOSE PLAYED 

IN YOUR RESULTS? 

Our team has a genuine emotional 
connection with our purpose. From adding 
great taste to beverages, to making paper 
smoother, to helping cardboard boxes  
stay sealed, our sweeteners, starches and 
acidulants help make the lives of millions 
of people easier and more enjoyable every 
day. We have been doing that for over  
a century and that makes us proud. In 
Primary Products, our people also identify 
heavily with colleagues in our plants, and 
the farmers who supply our corn. We come 
from those communities, and so, whether 
it’s by supporting local schools or sourcing 
from local farmers, the overall contribution 
we make to their lives really matters. 
That’s why we were so proud this year to 
become the first corn wet miller to support 
sustainable acreage equivalent to all the 
corn we buy globally each year.

In the future, I believe that the trend 
towards bio-based innovation will help us, 
as the world looks for replacements for 
petrochemical-based substrates. We’re 
already in that market through our 
Bio-PDO™ joint venture with DuPont,  
but it’s a long-term, gradual change.

OUR FUTURE

Q WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR 

THE COMING YEAR?

In many ways, it’s more of the same. 
We must focus on every opportunity for 
continuous improvement, for operational 
efficiency, for serving our customers just 
that little bit better. We need to have a 
mindset of squeezing out every little bit  
of value we can, every day. And, with the 
consequences of Covid-19 likely to have a 
significant impact on our business in the 
year ahead, that mindset has never been 
more important.

OUR MARKET

Q HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH 

CHALLENGES IN THE MARKET? 

Our two largest product lines, bulk 
sweeteners and industrial starches, are in 
gradual decline. People are drinking fewer 
caloric carbonated beverages and using 
less paper. To maximise performance in 
the short term, we manage our portfolio by 
optimising product and customer mix, and 
by driving operational efficiencies through 
our continuous improvement programme. 
But there is also plenty of opportunity for 
long-term value creation. We are being 
very intentional about identifying new and 
profitable end markets for our products, 
whether that’s with new customers or for 
new uses. 

Q HOW DO YOU KEEP UP THAT 

RELENTLESS FOCUS ON VALUE?
It’s all about attitude, and that is why our 
purpose is so important. We all want to be 
part of something bigger than ourselves, 
and when we believe in what we’re doing, 
we have the tenacity and commitment to 
stay relentless. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 33  

Primary Products (continued)

OUR RESULTS

Volume

(2%)

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

+2% 

in constant currency

 +3%

in constant currency

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Volume
North American Sweeteners
North American Industrial Starches

Total Primary Products

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Revenue
Adjusted operating profit
Sweeteners and Starches

Commodities
Total Primary Products

2020
£M

1 779

133

25
158

2019
£M

1 702

CHANGE
%

5%

126

22
148

5%

17%
7%

2020
VOLUME
CHANGE

(2%)
(8%)

(2%)

CONSTANT
CURRENCY
CHANGE
%

2%

1%

17%
3%

PROFIT HIGHER DESPITE CHALLENGING 
MARKET CONDITIONS
Volume was 2% lower with North 
American Sweetener volume 2% lower  
and North American Industrial Starch 
volume 8% lower. Revenue at  
£1,779 million was up 2% in constant 
currency reflecting the pass through of 
higher net corn costs. Adjusted operating 
profit at £158 million was 3% higher in 
constant currency. Currency translation 
increased revenue by £51 million and 
adjusted operating profit by £5 million.

Adjusted operating profit in Sweeteners 
and Starches was 1% higher in constant 
currency with good performance from 
manufacturing and supply chain together 
with strong cost discipline, offsetting  
cost inflation and weaker volume. The 
results also reflected the impact of the  
£4 million insurance recovery in the prior 
year. Commodities adjusted operating 
profit at £25 million was 17% higher in 
constant currency.

To simplify our business and focus capital 
investment on key priorities, in December 
2019 we closed our small, non-core, 
savoury ingredients business after 
deciding not to invest the significant capital 
required to sustain it. This decision led to 
an exceptional charge of £5 million, mainly 
to write off the associated assets. This 
business generated profit of £7 million 
in the year ended 31 March 2020.

MOVING INTO NEW MARKETS 

Chris Atkinson, Director  
of Marketing, Industrial 
Starches, shares an example 
of how Primary Products is 
finding new applications for 
its ingredients.

34

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

TAKING CARE WITH TEXTURLUX®
‘Earlier this year, we entered the 
personal care market in North America 
with our TEXTURLUX® Personal Care 
Additives range. These sustainable, 
bio-based speciality polymers offer 
exciting benefits to manufacturers of 
skin, hair and sun care products, in 
terms of functionality and natural 
sourcing. This is part of our strategy to 
move away from declining to growing 
markets. And, while commercially it’s 
still early days for us in this market, it’s 
a promising direction for the future.’

Strategic report

Sweeteners
Volume was 2% lower due to lower 
demand from our Bio-PDOTM joint 
venture reflecting competitive cost 
pressure for its products. Excluding this 
impact, sweetener volume was slightly 
higher than the prior year despite a 
decline in carbonated soft drinks 
consumption in the US, partly reflecting 
higher pricing and lower promotional 
intensity within that category.

Industrial Starches
Volume was 8% lower due to the closure 
of paper capacity at a customer’s facility 
combined with weaker demand for paper 
and for packaging as e-commerce 
operators sought to reduce packaging. 
In the second half of the year our strategy 
to diversify product mix and a recovery  
of domestic paper production delivered 
improved performance. An example  
of this was our entry into the personal  
care category in North America with 
TEXTURLUX® Personal Care Additives. 
This created a range of bio-based 
speciality polymers for skin, hair and  
sun care applications. Early customer 
interest has been encouraging.

Commodities 
Commodities delivered adjusted operating 
profit of £25 million, 17% higher in 
constant currency. Co-product recoveries 
from corn gluten meal and corn oil were 
stronger than the prior year while ethanol 
cash margins declined and moved sharply 
lower at the end of the year.

STARCH 
(food and 
industrial 
ingredients) 
58%

GLUTEN FROM
ENDOSPERM 
(corn gluten meal)
4%

PERICARP – HULL 
AND FIBRE
(corn gluten feed) 
22%

WATER 
13%

GERM (corn oil) 
3%

USING EVERY BIT OF THE CORN KERNEL

Nothing is wasted in the 
corn wet milling process. 
Brad Morrison, Director, 
Corn Procurement explains 
how each part of the kernel 
is used.

‘After steeping in water, the softened 
kernels go through various milling 
processes to separate out the starch, 
fibre, gluten and oil. Starch is the 
largest component and we extract  
it from the endosperm to use in our 
food and industrial ingredients. 
Protein-rich gluten, also from the 
endosperm, goes into corn gluten 
meal, used in aquaculture feed and 
pet food. Fibre from the hull is used 
in corn gluten feed for livestock, and 
we sell oil from the germ to the food 
industry. We even use the steep-
water – it contains nutrients used in 
animal feed and fermentation. In 
these resource-constrained times, 
it’s good to know we’re being efficient 
and sustainable.’

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 35  

Innovation and Commercial 
Development
EVER CLOSER TO 
OUR CUSTOMERS

Innovation is central to our 
strategy. We develop new 
ingredients and applications 
for our customers, and new  
ways of doing things that 
make our business even 
more efficient.

Our purpose is synonymous  
with innovation – working  
to improve lives is what we  
do all day, every day.

Andrew Taylor
President, Innovation and Commercial Development

THINK AND CREATE

WHAT WE DO
Innovation and Commercial Development (ICD) consists 
of seven areas working together as one team:

•  Research and development
•  Product management
•  Nutrition science
•  Regulatory
•  Open innovation
•  Global marketing
•  Process technologies

36

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Scientist at work at our 
labs in Mexico City

into revenue. Our innovation pipeline  
again increased in value by 18% this  
year – and from a larger base. We also 
made a significant contribution to our 
simplify agenda by streamlining our 
customer-facing organisation. As a result, 
all our products, new and existing, are 
now managed together within ICD which 
makes us much more efficient as we 
partner with customers in the regions. 

Q YOU MENTION THE PURPOSE AS 

SYNONYMOUS WITH ICD – WHAT 

BENEFITS DOES THAT BRING?
The competition for the best technical 
talent is fierce and we have been able to 
build a great team. That’s because people 
believe in what we’re doing; it’s the 
reason they give their best. Our purpose 
connects everything we do, from our 
core work in creating healthier food to our 
strategic work in open innovation. We also 
work to help our manufacturing plants 
manage their waste streams and become 
more energy efficient.

OUR FUTURE

Q HOW IS COVID-19 AFFECTING  

YOUR WORK?

The situation for everyone is very fluid  
and uncertain, but it’s in this environment 
that strong relationships with customers 
really tell. We are adapting what we do  
to ensure we can serve our customers in 
the best way possible. For example, we 
have intentionally slowed down some of 
our development work on new molecules 
so we can do more applications work  
for customers in these challenging times.  
If anything, this situation has brought out 
the best in our people, not just in the way 
we’re supporting each other in our own 
team, but how we’re supporting our 
customers too. Tate & Lyle people are 
known for their integrity and being good 
people to work with, and that will only 
benefit us in the long run.

Strategic report

New Products revenue

£113m

Increase in value of innovation pipeline

+18%

Patents granted

36

ENABLING A NEW GENERATION 
OF LONG-LIFE PRODUCTS

Our CLARIA® line of 
functional starches delivers 
great flavour, white colour 
and consumer-friendly 
labelling. The latest addition, 
CLARIA EVERLAST®, brings 
valuable new benefits. Jim 
Smoot, Senior Manager  
ICD, explains.

‘Food quality can be impaired by 
processing, transportation and 
storage. Our CLARIA EVERLAST® 
clean-label starch line, launched in 
March, maintains quality in frozen 
meals, baked goods, sauces and 
more, even in extreme conditions.  
So manufacturers can formulate an 
easily transportable, long-life yogurt, 
for example, while meeting consumer 
demand for taste and quality. At a 
time when shelf-life has never been 
more important, CLARIA 
EVERLAST® is proving to be a 
breakthrough ingredient.’

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 37  

Andrew discusses how the 
team is delivering results by 
working increasingly closely 
with customers to respond  
to trends in the market. 

OUR YEAR

Q HOW HAS THE MARKET EVOLVED 

THIS YEAR? 

One of the most positive things we’ve seen 
this year is that customers are more open  
to working together on joint development 
initiatives than ever before. Even those who 
have historically wanted a more transactional, 
supplier-type relationship are now asking us 
to help them reformulate their products. 
This is a really positive affirmation for the 
whole Tate & Lyle team who have worked 
extremely hard to build our innovation 
capabilities – and it’s also a reflection of how 
the trends we’ve been seeing in the market 
are getting stronger. Sugar reduction is a 
key example – regulators are driving huge 
change in the way formulations are done 
around the world, from Chile to France to 
Mexico to Singapore. 

There’s also pressure to have a clean label 
– if an ingredient is not in their pantry, many 
consumers don’t want it on a label. And 
they want to see a smaller number of 
ingredients. Achieving objectives like these 
in a way that consumers will accept – the 
products still taste great – and that allows 
customers to make money is hard. Our 
ability to deliver on these trends is why we 
now have a seat at the table with so many 
customers across the world.

Q HOW HAS ICD CONTRIBUTED TO  

OUR THREE BUSINESS PRIORITIES 

THIS YEAR? 
Our close relationships with customers 
delivered a 15% growth (in constant 
currency) in revenue of New Products this 
year. We continued to see great uptake of 
stevia, both our Reb M products as well as 
those from our stevia partner, Sweet Green 
Fields. In North America the change in 
labelling for allulose (a low-calorie rare 
sugar) championed by our regulatory team 
(it is no longer labelled as sugar) has made 
a big difference to customer projects in the 
pipeline, which is starting to pull through 

Global Operations

RELENTLESS 
FOCUS ON 
PRODUCTIVITY

We make and deliver high 
quality ingredients to our 
customers around the 
world, focusing relentlessly 
on safety, quality and 
productivity.

We’re investing all the time in 
better ways of doing things and 
this is showing through in the 
productivity gains we are making.

Melissa Law
President, Global Operations

SOURCE AND MANUFACTURE

WHAT WE DO
We run our plants and manage the global supply chain to 
ensure our ingredients reach our customers on time and 
to the right specification.

•  Raw material sourcing
•  Manufacturing
•  Quality
•  Procurement
•  Logistics
•  Customer service
•  Continuous improvement
•  Environment, health and safety

38

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Working safely at 
our Decatur, Illinois, 
USA plant

Strategic report

OUR FUTURE

Q HOW WILL YOU KEEP UP THE 

MOMENTUM ON PRODUCTIVITY?

We have a robust pipeline of productivity 
projects – there’s a lot to go after. Also, I’m 
really excited about our digital roadmap and 
the investments we’re making in IT, which 
are going beyond logistics and warehousing, 
into our manufacturing plants. Another area 
of focus this year will be to support our 
people and local communities to adapt to 
what is a rapidly changing world and 
working environment, both inside and 
outside our operations. Because, despite all 
the large plants and machinery, we are a 
people business and it’s our people that 
make us the company we are. 

RAILCAR REORGANISATION 
BRINGS GREAT SAVINGS

Continuous improvement 
(CI) is now firmly embedded 
in our business and our 
mindset and we’re seeing 
the results in increased 
efficiency and reduced 
waste. Gerrit LaDage, 
Regional CI Leader, 
describes a project he led 
this year at our Sagamore 
plant, Indiana, USA.

‘We use railcars to deliver ingredients 
to many large customers, and the 
railroad company charges us for 
every empty railcar stored on their 
tracks. By expanding the remit of 
what the cars could carry and 
streamlining cleaning, we reduced 
“dwell time” and the number of 
railcars we needed. This saved us 
more than US$750,000 per year. By 
understanding the data, we were able 
to make better decisions.’

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 39  

friends. Our partnership with TruterraTM  
to support sustainable farming across  
the US Midwest is a huge deal. To know 
that we’re helping farmers to improve  
their livelihoods and those of future 
generations gives us all a real sense of 
pride in Tate & Lyle.

OUR YEAR

Q YOU MENTION INVESTMENTS 

 – ISN’T THE PRODUCTIVITY 
PROGRAMME ABOUT SAVINGS? 
The exciting thing about our productivity 
programme is that it’s not about saving for 
saving’s sake – it’s about doing things 
better and it’s also about building the funds 
to invest in growth. I’m really proud that 
we’re continuing to beat our productivity 
target, but what’s more exciting is how 
we’re improving our ways of working. For 
example, this year we invested in digital 
technology within logistics to give people 
access to real-time information, allowing 
them to make more informed decisions 
and partner better with our business 
divisions to respond to customer needs. 
We’ve also continued to make major 
investments in operational efficiency like 
the new US$75 million natural gas-fired 
co-generation system at our corn wet mill 
in Lafayette, Indiana.

Q ANY UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES 

THIS YEAR? 

In operations, there are always surprises 
– it’s part of the job to be ready for the 
unexpected! Really great operations 
organisations roll with these surprises – 
and my team did a fantastic job this year 
adapting to new situations. The main one 
that stands out was Covid-19, which really 
challenged our people, how we run our 
plants and the global supply chain. But 
despite everything that’s been thrown at 
them, the team has done a fantastic job 
keeping our people safe, our plants 
running and our customers served – 
I couldn’t be more proud of them.

Melissa talks about how the 
team continues to make our 
operations efficient and 
responsive to the needs of 
Food & Beverage Solutions 
and Primary Products and, 
ultimately, our customers. 

OUR BUSINESS

Q HOW DO YOU SERVICE THE 

DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE  

TWO DIVISIONS? 
For Food & Beverage Solutions, delivering 
to customers is a complex process with 
multiple ingredients travelling around the 
world. For Primary Products, volumes  
are larger but our customers are mostly  
in North America, so our ingredients 
generally travel shorter distances. But, 
while their needs from Global Operations 
are different, the underlying principles of 
how we serve all our customers flexibly 
and efficiently are the same. How efficient 
we are in running our operations and 
delivering competitively priced ingredients 
is fundamental to the economics of both 
divisions. And nothing less than excellence 
in EHS – environment, health and safety – 
and quality across our operations will  
do. Running efficient operations day in,  
day out, is hard work because it requires  
a relentless focus on doing everything  
a little bit better each day, while keeping 
safety and quality front and centre. And 
that’s where the strength of our team  
is so important.

Q WHAT KEEPS YOUR TEAM FOCUSED 

ON EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY? 

We’re investing all the time in better  
ways of doing things, like continuous 
improvement and maintenance 
improvement programmes. But what 
really makes the difference is people’s 
attitude and belief in the value of what we 
do, which is where our purpose comes in. 
People in our manufacturing plants take 
pride that our ingredients help feed the 
world with tasty and nutritious food. And, 
our community focus is also fundamental. 
Many of our plants are located in farming 
communities, and it’s really energising for 
our people to see how they can have a 
positive impact on their families and 

Chief Financial Officer’s introduction

STRONG FINANCIAL 
POSITION

Imran reflects on key aspects  
of our results and looks  
ahead with confidence despite 
the near-term challenges  
of Covid-19. 

OUR YEAR

Q WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF THE RESULTS 

THIS YEAR? 

I’m pleased with the results because we 
faced some difficult market conditions  
and our financial performance was slightly 
ahead of our expectations coming into  
the year. Cost discipline was good and  
our productivity programme delivered 
ahead of our expectations. Once again, 
people across the business did what  
they said they would do, which makes  
me proud and gives me confidence for  
the future.

Strong financial discipline gives 
us the financial strength and 
flexibility to invest in the future.

Imran Nawaz
Chief Financial Officer

Overall, it was another consistent year  
of financial performance. Group adjusted 
profit before tax of £331 million was  
4% higher in constant currency. What  
I’m really pleased about is that the mix  
of earnings shows our strategy is working. 
Food & Beverage Solutions, our engine  
of growth, grew profit by 10%, while 
Primary Products delivered steady 
earnings, growing profit by 3%. This was 
particularly commendable given some 
tough market conditions for both its main 
product lines, bulk sweeteners and 
industrial starches, and is a real credit  
to the team. Adjusted diluted earnings  
per share were 8% higher in constant 
currency at 57.8 pence, benefiting from  
a lower effective tax rate of 17.9%  
(2019 – 21.0%). And we delivered strong 
adjusted free cash flow – £35 million 
higher at £247 million.

Adjusted diluted  
earnings per share

+8%

in constant currency

Adjusted free 
cash flow

£247m

increase of £35 million

Return on 
capital employed

17.5%

increase of 40bps

40

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Q THE PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMME IS 

AHEAD OF TARGET – WHAT’S THE 

STORY THERE?
Our programme isn’t only about saving for 
the sake of saving, it’s also about building 
the funds to invest in growth and in doing 
things better. Our people have really 
embraced that message, which is creating 
a virtuous cycle. Over the first two years of 
the productivity programme, we delivered 
US$87 million of productivity benefits 
which is more than we had targeted at this 

stage. We believe we can do more,  
so we’re increasing our target to  
US$150 million and extending the 
programme to six years ending in March 
2024. Where will the savings come from? 
The same sort of areas as before – such  
as capital investments to reduce energy 
costs, efficiency improvements in our 
supply chain, simplifying the organisation, 
reducing discretionary spend and 
modernising our systems and processes.

Q WHERE ARE YOU INVESTING 

CAPITAL? 

We invested slightly more in productivity 
and growth projects this year, so capital 
investment increased to £166 million. We 
also made investments in ensuring our 
plants operate safely and efficiently. 

A key part of our investment programme is 
to enhance our environmental performance. 
We’ve committed to replacing coal in all 
our plants by 2025 and, as part of those 
plans, during the year we announced a 
US$75 million investment to build a new 
natural gas-fired combined heat and 
power system at our corn wet mill in 
Lafayette, Indiana. This is similar to the 
co-generation system we commissioned  
in 2017 at our corn wet mill in Loudon, 
Tennessee. These investments are a win/
win because, while replacing coal boilers 
will deliver a substantial reduction in 
carbon emissions, they make our plants 
more efficient too. 

Better IT systems have also been a  
focus this year. We’ve invested in tools  
like Workday®, our new global HR  
platform which replaces nine legacy 
platforms. We’re also completing the 
rollout of SAP to our smaller sites, and 
have introduced better communications 
systems for virtual working, such as 
Microsoft Teams. And we’re investing in 
data systems for our logistics and plants, 
as Melissa talks about on page 39. These 
are essential for ensuring our growth is 
efficient and profitable. 

Strategic report

Q HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU IN THE 

FUTURE, GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTIES 

IN THE WORLD? 
In the near term, in light of Covid-19, the 
team is managing what we can control and 
making sure we’re prepared as best we 
can for what we can’t. Tate & Lyle is a 
resilient business and I am confident we 
will get through this period successfully 
and emerge a stronger company. 

For the longer term, it’s about the strength 
of the underlying business we’re in. I’ve 
always worked in consumer goods 
businesses, and personally I’m excited by 
our purpose and how it promotes healthy 
living, because it’s how we can directly 
affect millions of people. And our growth  
is coming from helping our customers 
improve people’s lives by making food 
healthier and tastier – something that will 
never go out of fashion. 

I’ve also seen for myself how our purpose 
inspires our people, which makes them 
more committed to the Company. And 
committed people deliver results. 

CAPITAL ALLOCATION 
FRAMEWORK

We allocate capital as set out 
below. In doing so, we aim to 
maintain our investment-grade 
credit rating.

INVEST IN ORGANIC  
GROWTH

ACQUISITIONS, JOINT  
VENTURES, PARTNERSHIPS

PROGRESSIVE DIVIDEND  
POLICY

RETURN SURPLUS CAPITAL  
TO SHAREHOLDERS

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 41  

Q HOW STRONG IS TATE & LYLE’S 

FINANCIAL POSITION?

We are in a strong position thanks to  
the great work of our people across the 
business. Our leverage is low with good 
headroom and committed facilities, with  
a net debt/EBITDA ratio at 0.9 times  
(0.6 times on a covenant basis). Liquidity  
is strong and we have access to more than 
US$1 billion through cash at hand and a 
committed and undrawn revolving credit 
facility. The covenant headroom on our 
borrowings is also significant, and we  
have no debt to repay until 2023. 

During the year we also took two actions 
to strengthen and de-risk our balance 
sheet. We supported the trustees of our 
main UK pension scheme in completing 
a £930 million bulk annuity insurance 
‘buy-in’ of the scheme, and we refinanced 
some of our debt at a lower cost.

LOOKING AHEAD

Q HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO 

COVID-19?

From the outset of the pandemic, our 
priority has been to keep our people safe, 
our operations running and to support 
our customers. The fact that we have 
managed to do all three so far shows the 
real resilience and commitment of the 
whole Tate & Lyle team.

From a financial standpoint, we entered 
this period in a strong position. In March, 
as the pandemic unfolded, we acted to 
reduce costs and preserve cash. This 
included stopping non-essential 
discretionary spend, freezing salary 
increases and recruitment, and 
reprioritising capital expenditure. These 
are never easy decisions to take but are 
necessary given that no one really knows, 
at this stage, what the full impact of the 
pandemic will be. 

Q WHAT ARE YOUR IMMEDIATE 

PRIORITIES FOR THE COMING YEAR?

Navigating the challenges of Covid-19, 
preserving cash and maintaining the 
strength of our balance sheet are clearly 
key priorities for us. It’s also important we 
don’t lose sight of the longer term. We are 
fortunate that the strength of our balance 
sheet enables us both to navigate Covid-19, 
and to continue to invest selectively to 
deliver long-term growth. 

Group financial review

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 (AUDITED)

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH1
CONTINUING OPERATIONS UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

- Food & Beverage Solutions

- Sucralose

- Primary Products

- Central

Adjusted operating profit

Net finance expense

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures

Adjusted profit before tax

Exceptional items

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Earnings per share (pence) 

Adjusted diluted

Diluted

Cash flow and net debt2

Adjusted free cash flow

Net debt 

2020
£M

2 882

2019
£M

2 755

CHANGE
%

5%

CONSTANT
CURRENCY 
CHANGE
 %

2%

13%

4%

7%

(10%)

9%

(7%)

(8%)

7%

58%

–

23%

13%

35%

11%

35%

10%

1%

3%

(9%)

5%

(4%)

(9%)

4%

59%

–

20%

15%

31%

8%

31%

162

63

158

(52)

331

(28)

28

331

(24)

(11)

296

(51)

245

57.8p

52.1p

247

451

143

61

148

(47)

305

(26)

30

309

(58)

(11)

240

(59)

181

52.0p

38.6p

212

337

 1  Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this document are not directly defined within IFRS. We have provided descriptions of the various 
metrics and their reconciliation to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with IFRS and the calculation (where relevant) of any ratios in Notes 1 and 4.
IFRS 16 Leases was adopted at the beginning of the year, without restating comparatives. Lease payments are now classified as financing rather than operating cash flows, increasing 
adjusted free cash flow in the year ended 31 March 2020 by £34 million. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020.

2 

42

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

Sales from continuing operations of 
£2,882 million were 5% higher than  
the prior year (2% higher at constant 
currency). On a statutory basis, profit 
before tax from continuing operations 
increased by £56 million to £296 million 
driven by increased earnings and a lower 
net exceptional charge of £24 million  
(2019 – charge of £58 million).

Statutory diluted earnings per share  
from continuing operations increased by  
13.5 pence to 52.1 pence due to higher 
earnings, lower exceptional charges and  
a lower statutory effective tax rate of 17.1% 
(2019 – 24.4%).

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing 
operations at £331 million was £22 million 
higher than the prior year (4% in constant 
currency). Adjusted diluted earnings per 
share from continuing operations increased 
by 5.8 pence to 57.8 pence (8% in constant 
currency) reflecting higher adjusted profit 
before tax.

CENTRAL COSTS 
Central costs, which include head office 
costs and certain treasury and legal 
activities, were 10% higher (9% in constant 
currency) at £52 million, primarily driven 
by incremental costs as part of our overall 
Covid-19 response. Such increases were 
partially offset by strong overhead cost 
discipline.

NET FINANCE EXPENSE 
Net finance expense from continuing 
operations was £2 million higher at  
£28 million, reflecting the adoption of the 
new leasing standard, IFRS 16, which 
increased finance expense by £6 million. 
This has been partially offset by lower 
borrowing costs. 

The Group has raised new debt and 
refinanced maturing debt, both lowering 
its overall borrowing rates and increasing 
its access to liquidity. In November 2019, 
the Group issued a US$200 million private 
placement, comprising US$100 million 
3.31% notes due 2029 and US$100 million 
3.41% notes due 2031, and used the 
proceeds to refinance a £200 million 6.75% 
bond maturing at that time. In May 2020, 
the Group extended the maturity of its 

US$800 million revolving credit facility  
by a year to 2025 and priced a committed 
US$200 million debt private placement 
which will be issued on 6 August 2020, at 
which point US$100 million 2.91% notes 
maturing in 2030 and US$100 million 
3.01% notes maturing in 2032 will be 
drawn down.

Following the buy-in of the main UK 
defined benefit pension scheme, interest 
income of about £5 million per year on the 
accounting surplus of the plan will no 
longer be recognised from the start  
of the 2021 fiscal year. 

SHARE OF PROFIT AFTER TAX OF  
JOINT VENTURES  
The Group’s share of profit after tax of  
joint ventures of £28 million was 8% lower 
(9% lower in constant currency) principally 
reflecting weaker demand at DuPont  
Tate & Lyle Bio Products (Bio-PDOTM), 
which is expected to continue into the  
2021 fiscal year.

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS FROM CONTINUING 
OPERATIONS 
The Group recorded a net exceptional 
charge of £24 million, which principally 
comprised £19 million of restructuring 
charges for the previously-announced 
simplification programme, consisting of 
the following:

•  £5 million of severance costs for roles 
removed from the organisation; and 

•  £14 million of productivity costs 

including the accelerated depreciation  
of assets being replaced with more 
efficient alternatives, Global Operations 
cost-saving initiatives, and other 
associated project costs. 

The Group also recorded a £5 million 
charge following the decision in the first 
half of the year to exit the Primary 
Products’ small, non-core savoury 
ingredients business, mainly comprising 
the cost of writing off the associated assets.

The exceptional cash outflows for the year 
totalled £24 million, comprising £9 million 
of cash outflows related to charges 
recorded in the current financial year and 
£15 million of cash outflows resulting from 
exceptional costs recorded in the prior year.

In May 2018, as part of its simplification 
programme, the Group announced a plan 
to generate productivity benefits of  
US$100 million over a four-year period to 
2022, and that the cash costs of delivering 
this would be around US$40 million. 
During the year ended 31 March 2020, 
exceptional cash costs in respect of this 
programme of US$19 million were 
recognised, bringing the total to date 
to US$33 million.

During the year ended 31 March 2019, the 
Group recorded a net exceptional charge  
of £58 million which mainly comprised a  
£43 million non-cash impairment charge 
on the oats ingredients business.

TAXATION 
The adjusted effective tax rate was 17.9% 
(2019 – 21.0%). The rate was lower than the 
prior year as a result of the recognition of  
a deferred tax asset following the pension 
buy-in transaction which enabled the 
utilisation of some previously unrecognised 
tax losses, the re-measurement of deferred 
tax assets in the UK following the reversal  
of the UK government’s previously enacted 
decision to reduce the standard rate of 
corporation tax from 19% to 17%, and the 
expiry of the statute of limitations on a 
number of uncertain tax provisions. Of these 
items, the latter two were discrete items 
recorded in the second half of the year 
ended 31 March 2020, causing the full-year 
rate to be lower than that of the first half. 

We expect the rate for the year ended 
31 March 2021 to be between 17% and 19%. 

EARNINGS PER SHARE  
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
increased by 11% (8% in constant 
currency) to 58.6 pence and adjusted 
diluted earnings per share at 57.8 pence 
were also 11% higher (8% in constant 
currency). Statutory diluted earnings  
per share increased by 13.5 pence to  
52.1 pence reflecting increased earnings 
and lower exceptional charges in the year.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 43  

Group financial review (continued)

CASH FLOW AND NET DEBT 

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations

Adjusted for:

Depreciation2 and adjusted amortisation

Share-based payments charge

Changes in working capital and other non-cash movements

Net retirement benefit obligations

Capital expenditure

Net interest and tax paid
Adjusted free cash flow3

Net debt4

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH1

2020 
£M

331

161

14

2

(21)

(166)

(74)
247

2020 
£M 

451

2019
£M

305

141

18

(16)

(25)

(130)

(81)
212

AT 31 MARCH

2019
£M

337

1  Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this document are not directly defined within IFRS. We have provided descriptions of the various 
metrics and their reconciliation to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with IFRS and the calculation (where relevant) of any ratios in Notes 1 and 4.

2  Excludes £8 million of accelerated depreciation in exceptional items.
3 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. Lease payments are now classified as financing rather than operating cash flows, increasing adjusted free  
cash flow by £34 million.
IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020.

4 

DIVIDEND 
The Board is recommending an  
unchanged final dividend of 20.8 pence per 
share, bringing the full-year dividend to 
29.6 pence per share (2019 – 29.4 pence), 
up 0.7% on the prior year. The final 
dividend is subject to approval by 
shareholders at the AGM on 23 July 2020. 
Subject to shareholder approval, the  
final dividend will be due and payable  
on 31 July 2020 to all shareholders on the 
Register of Members on 19 June 2020.  
In addition to the cash dividend option, 
shareholders will continue to be offered a 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan alternative.

CASH FLOW, NET DEBT AND LIQUIDITY 
Adjusted free cash flow was £247 million 
(2019 – £212 million). The increase of  
£35 million reflects a favourable impact  
of £34 million from IFRS 16. Excluding this 
impact, the increase was £1 million, with 
higher capital expenditure of £166 million 
(2019 – £130 million) being offset by higher 
operating profit, better working capital 
performance and lower retirement benefit 
contributions and tax payments.

We expect capital expenditure for the 2021 
financial year to be between £140 million 
and £160 million.

Overall net debt at 31 March 2020 of  
£451 million was £114 million higher  
than at 31 March 2019. The adoption of 
IFRS 16 increased net debt by £162 million 

at 31 March 2020. Excluding the impact  
of IFRS 16, net debt would have been  
lower due to net cash flow generated  
from operating and investing activities, 
partially offset by the translation  
impact of the stronger US dollar on 
US-denominated borrowings.

At 31 March 2020, the Group held cash  
and cash equivalents of £271 million and 
had a committed, undrawn revolving  
credit facility of US$800 million.  
Net debt/EBITDA ratio was 0.9 times  
(2019 – 0.8 times), with the increase driven 
by the impact of IFRS 16. On a covenant-
testing basis, net debt/EBITDA ratio was 
0.6 times, which was significantly lower 
than the covenant ratio of not greater  
than 3.5 times, demonstrating significant 
headroom above this covenant requirement.

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RETIREMENT BENEFITS 
The Group maintains pension plans for its 
current employees and former employees 
in a number of countries. Certain of these 
arrangements are defined benefit pension 
schemes. All funded schemes in the UK 
and US are closed for further accrual. In 
the US, the Group also continues to provide 
an unfunded post-retirement medical 
benefit scheme.

On 18 September, the Group further 
de-risked its retirement benefit obligations 
by supporting the trustees of the main  
UK defined benefit pension scheme in 
completing a £930 million bulk annuity 
insurance policy ‘buy-in’ for that scheme. 
The ‘buy-in’ secured an insurance asset 
that fully matches the remaining pension 
liabilities of the scheme, with the result 
that the Company no longer bears any 
investment, longevity, interest rate or 
inflation risk.

As the scheme was in surplus on an 
accounting basis, in accordance with the 
relevant accounting standard the impact  
of this transaction was to record a 
re-measurement loss of £195 million to  
other comprehensive income. There was 
no impact on profit before tax and no 
incremental funding by the Group  
was required. 

The other significant movements in 
retirement benefit obligations relate  
to actuarial losses recognised in other 
comprehensive income of £46 million,  
with the main driver being the reduction  
in the discount rates applied to US pension 
liabilities leading to increased liabilities 
which were only partially offset by higher 
returns on plan assets of £20 million.

While discount rates applied to UK pension 
liabilities also decreased, this impact  
was more than offset by the decrease  
in inflation assumptions, resulting in an 
overall actuarial gain for the UK pension 
liabilities. However, for the main UK 
pension plan, this actuarial gain was offset 
by an equal and opposite decrease on  
the return on plan assets because of the 
nature of such assets following the ‘buy-in’ 
described above. 

The Group’s retirement benefit obligations 
are now in a net deficit of £203 million 
(2019 – surplus of £24 million). Such 
movement reflects the re-measurement 
loss on the ‘buy-in’ described above. The 
largest component of the net deficit are 
certain deliberately unfunded schemes in 
the US. The movement in the net retirement 
deficit remains very sensitive to the 
changes in the principal assumptions, the 
impact of which is disclosed in Note 29.

As a result of the ‘buy-in’, cash 
contributions into the main UK scheme  
will cease, saving approximately  
£20 million of cash annually from the  
2021 financial year. In addition, the Group 
will no longer record non-cash interest 
income on the accounting surplus of  
about £5 million per year.

FINANCIAL RISK FACTORS
Our key financial risk factors are 
market risks, such as foreign exchange, 
transaction and translation exposures, 
and credit and liquidity risks, as explained  
in Note 28.

GOING CONCERN
The Directors are satisfied that the  
Group has adequate resources to continue 
to operate for a period not less than  
12 months from the date of approval of  
the financial statements and that there 
are no material uncertainties around their 
assessment. Accordingly, the Directors 
continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting. 

In making this assessment, the Directors 
have taken into consideration that, since 
the balance sheet date, significant actions 
have been taken by most governments to 
contain the spread of Covid-19, which have 
had a severe effect on economic activity in 
the countries in which the Group operates.

While the Group’s trading in March  
showed limited impact from the Covid-19 
pandemic, the lockdowns in place in many 
countries across the world throughout 
April, most notably in its largest markets 
of the US and Europe, have led to some 
significant changes in demand patterns for 
its products. Primary Products volume 
was significantly impacted by the first full 
month of lockdown in the US. Bulk 
sweetener volume was 26% lower from 

reduced out of home consumption as bars, 
cinemas, restaurants and sporting events 
were either shut or cancelled. Industrial 
starch volume was 9% lower reflecting 
reduced demand for paper and packaging 
following the closure of schools, offices 
and a decline in economic activity. 

The impact of lower demand was  
partially mitigated by actions taken in 
March to optimise cash and reduce costs 
as we saw the pandemic unfolding. These 
include freezing salary increases and 
recruitment, stopping non-essential 
discretionary spend and reprioritising 
capital commitments.

At the year end, the Group held cash and 
cash equivalents of £271 million and had 
an undrawn, committed revolving credit 
facility of US$800 million (£642 million).  
In addition, during May 2020, the Group 
successfully obtained further committed 
borrowings through a US$200 million US 
private placement at an average coupon  
of 2.96% and extended the term of its 
US$800 million revolving credit facility  
by one year to March 2025. 

In concluding that the going concern  
basis is appropriate, the Directors have 
modelled the impact of a ‘worst case 
scenario’ which includes the potential 
impact in aggregate of three plausible  
but severe downside risks. It specifically 
included a severe extended impact from 
lower out-of-home consumption across 
our Primary Products and Food & 
Beverage Solutions businesses due to 
Covid-19. In addition, this ‘worst case 
scenario’ also included two other risks 
from the Group’s viability assessment 
unrelated to Covid-19, being a major 
operational failure causing an extended 
shutdown of our largest manufacturing 
facility and the loss of two of our largest 
Food & Beverage Solutions customers.

Having reviewed this ‘worst case scenario’ 
forecast for the coming year, and having 
applied reverse stress tests, the Directors 
consider it remote that available liquidity 
could be exhausted. In addition, even under 
the ‘worst case scenario’ there remains no 
forecast breach of the Group’s covenant 
ratio of 3.5 times net debt to EBITDA. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 45  

Our people

UNITING TO 
SUPPORT EACH 
OTHER

In the final quarter of the financial year, we 
simplified the organisation of, and ways of 
working for, our customer-facing teams. 
This is helping us to be more agile and 
responsive, and get closer to our customers 
in their local markets. I’m particularly 
proud that the new organisation and ways  
of working came from those best placed  
to know what will work: a team of our own 
people. And, of the nine pivotal new roles, 
eight were internal appointments. 

Another key area for us was mental 
wellbeing. We brought forward the piloting 
of our new mental wellbeing programme 
to February, and will be rolling it out in  
the first half of the new financial year  
as part of our Journey to EHS Excellence 
(J2EE) programme.

A GREAT CELEBRATION  
OF OUR PEOPLE
A real highlight was our Extraordinary 
People Awards held in Miami in October. 
These awards celebrate individuals and 
teams nominated by their peers for their 
outstanding contribution to Tate & Lyle,  
our customers and the communities we 
operate in. What really stood out for me 
was how touched people were – not just 
winners but everyone and their guests. 
The event was energising, joyful and 
inspiring, not least because of the incredible 
stories, from stopping a runaway barge in 
Loudon, Tennessee, USA (not one of ours!), 
to creating a spreadsheet tool that saved 
people thousands of hours of work, to 
commercialising a new ingredient in 
record time.

ACHIEVING OUR GOALS 
We know that the year ahead is going  
to be tough for all of us as we deal with  
the ongoing implications of Covid-19. But 
it’s genuinely brought out the best in our 
people and, as a result, we’re already 
making progress on our ambitions around 
managing people better, and promoting an 
entrepreneurial culture of feedback and 
honesty. I’ve seen for myself the ingenuity, 
courage and decency of Tate & Lyle people 
in adversity, and I know that together we 
can achieve our goals.

Laura Hagan
Chief Human Resources Officer

Like every company this year, the biggest 
challenge for our people has been adapting 
to the new environment of Covid-19. 
Personally, I’ve been so impressed by how 
our people have united and supported each 
other, whether that’s our production teams 
going to work to keep our plants running  
to serve our customers, or our many 
office-based people adapting to working  
at home with only virtual contact with their 
colleagues and teams. This tremendous 
combination of energy and compassion 
has truly demonstrated the quality of  
our people. Everywhere I look, people  
are embodying our values and living  
our purpose in their support for each  
other, the Company, and the communities 
around them. 

INVESTING IN SYSTEMS AND PEOPLE 
We’ve also been helped by the investments 
we’ve made in HR systems during the year, 
which have made it easier for people to 
support each other in practical ways. In 
January, we replaced nine legacy 
administrative systems with one global 
people system, Workday®, providing 
higher-quality data and reducing 
bureaucracy for managers and their 
teams. It got off to a flying start, with 72% 
of people logging in during the first six 
weeks, and we’ve had great feedback on 
how it’s making our people’s lives easier.

Laura celebrates the 
fantastic work of our 
people and reflects on 
how we’re investing and 
supporting them during 
challenging times. 

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Strategic report

publicising them across Tate & Lyle.  
We also publish standards for our  
supply chain, and our statement on 
anti-slavery and human trafficking can  
be found at www.tateandlyle.com/
anti-slavery-statement.

FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE
Our policy is to employ the best candidates 
for every position regardless of gender, 
sexual orientation, age, nationality, colour, 
disability, race, religion or philosophical 
beliefs, marriage or civil partnership, 
pregnancy, maternity, gender reassignment 
or ethnic or national origin. But what does 
‘best candidate’ mean for Tate & Lyle? 
Skills and expertise are important, of 
course, but these can be learned. What 
matters most is that people have passion 
for our purpose and culture, embracing 
diversity of thought and experience.

Encouraging boldness and ambition
For us, the right culture is one based on 
our values of safety, integrity and respect, 
and which is truly inclusive as well as 
performance-driven. People are at their 
best when they feel they’re contributing  
to the Group’s performance, while also 
developing their own abilities. Our aim  
this year was to inject more boldness  
and ambition into our culture, and we’ve 
definitely seen progress with people much 
more confident about taking the initiative 
and getting things done. 

Focusing on gender as the 
gateway to broader diversity
We believe that our focus on diversity  
and inclusion is very important, because 
people do their best work when they feel 
they can be themselves. We’ve done a lot  
of work around gender diversity this year, 
but we still have much to do, which is  
why we made one of our new purpose 
commitments to achieve gender parity in 
leadership roles by 2025. We have 128 
senior managers, including statutory 
directors, of whom 23% (30) are women.

OUR PEOPLE
OUR COMMITMENT TO INTEGRITY  
AND HUMAN RIGHTS
We expect everyone at Tate & Lyle, and  
all who work with us, to act in accordance 
with our values and live up to our standards. 
We set out what this means in our Code  
of Ethics, available in 12 languages and 
publicised widely across the Group. We 
relaunched the Code in 2018, and this year 
continued to promote it through online 
training for everyone and face-to-face 
training for particular areas of risk, such 
as sales and procurement. We strongly 
encourage people to report breaches 
through our Speak Up (whistleblowing) 
programme, which is advertised across 
our plants and offices, on our intranet and 
in other internal communications. This 
reflects our belief that prevention is the 
best approach – if people understand 
what’s expected of them and why, they’re 
more likely to do the right thing.

Raising concerns
This year, concerns raised through  
Speak Up, either directly or through our 
independent third-party partner, Safecall, 
doubled again from 34 to 70. This still 
represents a small number of calls 
compared with the number of employees, 
and so we see this increase as a positive 
reflection of our efforts to encourage 
reporting. We also saw more people 
raising questions or concerns about 
Code-related issues directly with our 
in-house legal team and the Head of Ethics 
and Compliance, which we’re pleased 
about because it means people are not 
afraid to come forward. We investigate  
all issues fully.

Communicating our standards  
and policies
We support the Code with a set of 
standards including Group Competition 
(Anti-trust), Group Gifts and Hospitality, 
Anti-Money Laundering and 
Anti-Corruption/Bribery, and Agents and 
Commissions. Our global HR policies  
cover topics such as equal opportunities, 
diversity and inclusion, employee training 
and reward, and we publish these and our 
standards on our intranet, as well as 

OUR PEOPLE

Employee profile 
(as at 31 March 2020)

4,218

(2019: 4,121)

Employees by geography (%)

  NORTH AMERICA
  EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
  LATIN AMERICA
  ASIA PACIFIC

6

10

EMPLOYEES BY
GEOGRAPHY

52

32

Gender diversity (%) 
(as at 31 March 2020)

  MEN
  WOMEN

30

33

29

BOARD

EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE

ALL
EMPLOYEES

70

67

71

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 47  

Our people (continued)

establishment of different affinity 
groups within the Company – LGBTQ+ 
for example – and we’re encouraging 
our people to set up whatever groups 
will best serve their needs. 

Gender pay gap reporting
Although we are below the legislative 
threshold for UK gender pay reporting, we 
publish details of our gender pay gap on 
our website. Using the UK government’s 
methodology, our median gender pay gap 
for UK employees was 15% (2019 – 9%). 
This is because a large number of our 
most senior roles are based in the UK, 
and we have fewer women in those roles 
than men. 

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   BUILDING THRIVING 
COMMUNITIES

Gender equality 
By 2025, we’ll achieve gender 
parity in leadership roles.

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEE WELLBEING
With modern ways of working, the dividing 
line between work and personal life is 
increasingly blurred. While this has its 
benefits – flexible working patterns, the 
ability to work from home and therefore 
continue to work, for example during the 
Covid-19 lockdowns this year – it also 
brings additional stress as the workplace 
gets faster and more intense. Mental 
wellbeing is essential to people’s overall 
ability to do their jobs well, and in the 
world at large there’s been a positive shift 
in openness about discussing mental 
health issues.

Investing in mental health
Our purpose commitment to promote 
personal wellbeing demonstrates how 
important this area is to us, but it’s really  
a natural evolution of the supportive 
environment our people create for each 
other. This year, alongside our many 
site-based wellbeing initiatives – lunchtime 
talks, on-site gym facilities, subsidised 
massage and yoga, healthier options in 
canteens, visits from occupational health 
professionals – we’ve also invested in 
mental health. We knew that some people 

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS

Saquib Ramday, Category 
Director in London, UK, 
trained as a Mental Health 
First Aider. 

LET’S KEEP TALKING 
‘We all know stress can affect people, 
so when I became leader of a large 
team I wanted to create an environment 
where people felt protected. It’s about 
leading by example – opening up 
conversations, spotting early signs and 
encouraging people to take positive 
steps towards self-care and extra 
support, if needed. None of this 
precludes high performance. In fact, 
it drives it.’

were suffering ‘under the radar’, so  
we wanted to make sure we offer an 
environment in which people feel safe 
to talk about mental health, and will 
seek support.

We’ve introduced mental health first aiders 
at our global head office in London, UK 
and our Commercial Food and Innovation 
Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, 
who are trained to spot the signs and offer 
support. And, as mentioned earlier, we 
brought forward the piloting of our new 
mental wellbeing programme to February, 
and will be rolling it out across the Group 
in the first half of the new financial year as 
part of our J2EE programme. 

We also expanded our Employee 
Assistance Programme, which offers 
information and counselling on health  
and wellbeing, to include everyone across 
Tate & Lyle. 

MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD

Thais Isabel, Microbiologist, 
set up the Professional 
Women’s Network at our 
citric acid plant in Santa 
Rosa, Brazil. 

‘We don’t have many women in our 
factory and, as the J2EE Element 
Owner for Engagement, I talk to 
people a lot. I saw that women needed 
more of a voice so I started the group. 
It’s definitely helped us all mix and 
speak more freely!’ 

We’re proud to have a strong professional 
women’s network, which was set up by 
employees and is proving very popular, 
bringing together women across the Group 
for networking, personal development and 
socialising. Thanks to our non-executive 
director, Anne Minto, who is on the Board 
of the International Women’s Forum UK 
(IWF), we have formed strong links with 
the IWF and look forward to sponsoring  
a future event (post Covid-19). 

Gender balance differs across the 
business. One area that’s particularly 
difficult for gender parity is plant 
management. This is largely to do with  
the scarcity of women working in this area, 
and we were therefore really pleased that 
our first new safety engineer recruited  
this year was a woman. Looking at our 
Innovation and Commercial Development 
team, we’re delighted to have reached 
gender parity already. Gender is, of course, 
only a subset of diversity, but it is the 
easiest to focus on first, and it then 
becomes the vanguard for other things 
by opening up a wider conversation 
about diversity. This has led to the 

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This included a series of ‘virtual cafes’ 
where every employee had the opportunity 
to speak to the Chief Executive and ask 
him questions. This open approach to 
communication during this difficult time  
is really helping morale, as we know from 
our internal surveys and from employees’ 
Yammer posts. 

DEVELOPING TALENT AND ENHANCING 
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
We want to be a company where people 
are constantly learning, and this is as 
much about attitude as it is about formal 
training programmes. Traditional 
face-to-face programmes still have their 
place, but technology has given us the 
opportunity to democratise learning, which 
means offering people a range of training 
options which they can take up in their own 
time. This is also important because our 
people are spread out all over the world, 
and so providing online training means we 
can reach people easily wherever they are. 

There’s definitely a real appetite for 
development, particularly among our 
younger colleagues. But many mid-career 
people are less clear what their needs  
are or how best to tackle them, and are 
similarly less used to asking for development 
opportunities. We recognise that we need 
to do more to create a better learning 
culture for everyone. 

In the coming year, we want to improve our 
online leadership and inclusion training 
programmes to help our people in these 
important areas.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 49  

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   SUPPORTING  
HEALTHY LIVING

Personal wellbeing 
By 2025, we’ll have helped our 
colleagues improve how they look 
after their physical and mental 
wellbeing so they can be their best 
at work and in their daily lives.

ENSURING EMPLOYEES ARE MOTIVATED 
AND RECOGNISED
Fair, performance-based remuneration  
is fundamental to people’s motivation, and 
our incentive arrangements are based on 
both Group and individual performance 
measures, while we ensure our packages 
are fair by benchmarking them regularly 
against the market. We made a big 
investment in pay this year, by expanding 
the bonus pool, effectively doubling the 
number of people eligible for an annual 
cash bonus.

Celebrating our extraordinary people
Recognition is about far more than pay, 
however, and we are very aware of the 
importance of personal recognition to 
feeling rewarded. This takes many forms, 
from localised recognition moments in 
team meetings, through to large events 
such as our biennial Extraordinary  
People Awards, which recognises truly 
exceptional behaviour from our people 
across the world. This year was an Awards 
year, and we were delighted to receive  
a record 565 nominations for our eight 
categories, that were celebrated in Miami 
in October.

Staying connected through regular 
communications
On a day-to-day level, good internal 
communications are essential for keeping 
people connected and engaged, especially 
in difficult times. We communicate with 
our employees globally through a number 
of channels. These include email, videos, 
our intranet, our Yammer internal social 
network, team meetings, employee town 
halls, food tasting sessions and our global 
employee magazine, which we publish  
at least twice a year in English, with 

SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE!

We’ve always honoured 
people’s achievements, but 
the Extraordinary People 
Awards introduced three 
years ago took things to the 
next level. Chief Executive 
Nick Hampton reflects on 
this year’s event.

‘Colleagues in every part of our 
business nominated ‘Tate & Lylers’ 
who are inventing, inspiring, 
accelerating, sharpening, simplifying, 
improving lives, being superstars, 
keeping people and our planet safe, 
and going above and beyond behind 
the scenes. Our extraordinary people 
are an inspiration to me and to all of 
us – and we go all out to celebrate 
them in style.’

summaries in nine other languages. 
This year, we also delivered an employee 
communications and community 
involvement programme to celebrate  
the 160th anniversary of the founding  
of the business that would later become  
Tate & Lyle. To ensure our communications 
are effective and to understand what 
people are thinking, we carry out periodic 
pulse surveys. 

As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, in 
February 2020 our Chief Executive began 
a weekly all-employee email, with short 
video messages from himself and other 
senior leaders. We also implemented an 
extensive communication programme to 
support our employees and keep them 
informed of our Covid-19 response. 

Environment, health and safety

AMBITIOUS NEW TARGETS TO 
ACCELERATE OUR PROGRESS

The good progress we’ve made this 
year is thanks to the efforts of our 
people, who show their concern for 
each other and the environment in 
what they do every day.

Melissa Law
President, Global Operations

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

We’re now into the third 
year of our Journey to 
Environment, Health and 
Safety (EHS) Excellence 
(J2EE). The aim of this 
multi-year programme, 
launched in January 2018, 
is to deliver and sustain 
world-class EHS 
performance throughout 
Tate & Lyle. 

OUR YEAR IN SUMMARY
During the year, as we continued to embed 
J2EE, we saw not only good progress in 
EHS performance but also a positive shift 
in our culture. We spent considerable time 
looking at our impact on the world around 
us and how we can truly live our purpose, 
particularly in terms of caring for our 
planet. As a result, we have developed 
ambitious new environmental 
commitments and targets for the next 10 
years, as set out on page 52. They cover 
carbon emissions (not just inside our 
operations but across our whole value 
chain), water, waste, and sustainable 
agriculture. The last is where we can have 
a considerable impact on our supply chain 
which is why, during the year, we entered 
into a ground-breaking partnership with 
TruterraTM LLC (formerly Land O’Lakes 
SUSTAIN™) to support sustainable 
farming practices for 1.5 million acres of 
US-grown corn, equivalent to all the corn 
we buy globally each year.

At the end of the financial year, the 
Covid-19 pandemic posed significant 
challenges for the whole Group. The health 
and safety of our people is our top priority, 
and we took the necessary precautions to 
protect and support them while enabling 
our plants to remain in operation to supply 
ingredients for food and beverage 
customers across the world.

Strategic report

OVERVIEW OF J2EE
Our J2EE programme is designed to 
involve everyone within Tate & Lyle in 
strengthening our EHS culture and 
performance. In practical terms, this 
involves each site introducing standardised 
behaviour and protocols and passing 
through a series of stages, or tollgates 
(seven in total), with the help of element 
owners – colleagues who champion 
a particular aspect of EHS. Passing a 
tollgate involves a rigorous assessment 
carried out by internal EHS experts.

J2EE is supported by a global EHS 
management system aligned with the 
requirements of international standards 
for the environment, occupational health 
and safety, and risk management (ISO 
14001 and ISO 45001). This feeds into 
our global EHS policy (available on our 
website), which sets out a number of 
principles designed to safeguard our 
people and planet, along with a consistent 
set of requirements and expected results. 

We encourage all employees to share 
their ideas and report concerns via our 
cloud-based tool, Gensuite, which enables 
us to manage EHS data efficiently and 
consistently. Every week, the EHS team 
shares with a wide group of employees the 
latest EHS performance data, details of 
any incidents and corrective actions taken, 
and examples of good practice.

EHS governance
Our EHS Advisory Board oversees J2EE 
and reviews performance. It meets 
quarterly and is made up of senior 
executives, including the Chief Executive, 
and an external expert. The Board of 
Directors receives monthly updates on 
EHS performance, and a more detailed 
review of progress at least twice a year. 

Each year, senior executives visit sites 
to meet employees and contractors to 
discuss EHS and identify key issues. 
This first-hand insight helps us review and 
improve our EHS practices and address 
any specific concerns employees may have.

Continuing good progress
It was a year of encouraging progress. 
By the end of March 2020, 37 sites had 
passed tollgate 1, 32 sites tollgate 2, and 16 
sites tollgate 3. And, we were delighted 
that three of our manufacturing sites had 
passed tollgate 4, and one, tollgate 5. 

We encourage employees to tell us about 
any EHS concerns they may have, no 
matter how large or small. This year, they 
raised 5,413 concerns, and over 78% were 
addressed within our target of 30 days, 
a 4% improvement on 2018. Nonetheless, 
cultural change is a gradual process, and 
we still have work to do to ensure EHS 
issues are fully understood across 
Tate & Lyle. 

ENVIRONMENT 

INTRODUCTION
This year marked a real step-change in 
our approach as we looked to deliver on 
our purpose pillar, caring for our planet. 
Protecting our planet’s natural resources, 
and addressing climate change in 
particular, are very real concerns for the 
world, and businesses have an important 
role to play in tackling these challenges. 
That is why, during the year, we developed 
a set of new, ambitious targets for our 
environmental impacts, with a baseline 
of the 2019 calendar year, as well as 
making some important environmental 
commitments like eliminating the use of 
coal from our operations by 2025. 

We measure our environmental footprint in 
four main areas: our impact on the climate; 
water use; beneficial use of waste; and 
promoting sustainable agriculture.

HOW WE MANAGE 
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

Our global EHS management 
system includes:

•  Identifying and measuring 

environmental risks to prevent  
and mitigate our impacts
•  Planning, setting targets, 

measuring progress, and tracking 
actions to achieve our objectives 
•  Documenting all legal and other 
environmental obligations and 
their fulfilment

•  Investing in our employees to build 

a sustainable EHS culture

•  Communicating internally and 
externally any changes in our 
environmental strategy, risks 
or opportunities 

J2EE AIMS 

•  To build a strong, sustainable 

EHS culture

•  To prevent loss of life and injuries
•  To prevent business disruption
•  To provide clarity about the 

behaviour we expect from those 
who work for us and with us
•  To manage our operational EHS 

risks to minimise our 
environmental footprint, while 
ensuring compliance with 
applicable regulation

PUBLIC REPORTING
We explain the scope, principles and 
methodologies we use to report our 
EHS performance in ‘EHS Reporting 
Criteria’ at www.tateandlyle.com/
about-us/corporate-responsibility.

ASSURANCE
AECOM has independently verified 
selected environmental data from 
pages 52 to 54. Their limited 
assurance statement is at www.
tateandlyle.com/about-us/
environment.

We report EHS data by calendar year.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 51  

Environment, health and safety (continued)

Our total carbon footprint 
During the year, with the support of an 
external expert, we analysed our carbon 
footprint throughout our entire value chain. 
We found that just under 30% of our 
carbon emissions came from Scope 1  
and 2 CO2e emissions (energy used in or 
purchased for our facilities), with more 
than 70% from Scope 3 CO2e emissions 
(indirect emissions from across our value 
chain). We are using this data to consider 
how best we can reduce our total carbon 
footprint moving forward.

OUR TOTAL CARBON FOOTPRINT 

   SCOPE 1  (21%)

 Direct emissions from owned or  
controlled sources

  SCOPE 2  (7%)

 Indirect emissions from the generation  
of purchased energy

   SCOPE 3  (72%)1 
34% – emissions related to our purchased 
goods and services (principally corn)
 26% – emissions related to processing  
and use of our products

  12% – other

7

21

TOTAL
CARBON
FOOTPRINT

72

1 

 Not assured. This will be included in our limited  
assurance scope in 2021.

How we developed our new commitments 
and targets
In setting these targets, rather than 
starting from where we are, we looked at 
where we believed we should be in 2030 
and beyond, and then worked back to see 
what that would mean for what we must 
achieve by 2025 and then 2030. To make 
our carbon footprint targets more 
meaningful, they are based on absolute 
rather than intensity reduction, and we  
are committed to having them validated  
as science-based by the Science Based 
Target Initiative (SBTi). This means that,  
by meeting our CO2e reduction targets by 
2030, we will play our part in helping limit 
global warming in line with the goals of the 
Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

52

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Our commitment to promoting sustainable 
agriculture is fundamental to our overall 
ability to meet our targets because of  
the significant proportion of our climate 
impact that comes from corn growing. 
That is why we’ve committed to ensuring 
we support sustainable farming equivalent 
to the corn acreage we buy globally  
each year – currently 1.5 million acres. 
We’re proud to be leading the industry  
as the first corn wet miller to introduce  
this kind of programme. It has a wider 
significance too, because sustainable 
agricultural practices aren’t just about 
their environmental impact – they’re  
about supporting farmers’ livelihoods  
and local communities, which also  
aligns with our purpose pillar of building 
thriving communities. 

We’ve also signalled our commitment  
to our new targets by ‘going green’ with  
the refinancing of our US$800 million 
revolving credit facility in May 2020. The 
pricing of this is linked to us achieving our 
Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions, water use 
and waste reduction targets.

Building a sustainable EHS culture
The capital investments we’re making 
in our plants, such as co-generation 
systems to replace coal boilers, and in our 
sustainable agriculture programme, are 
of course vital for achieving our targets. 
But what matters perhaps even more is the 
behaviour and commitment of our people, 
as we know from our work with J2EE. Many 
of the incremental improvements we’ve 
made have come from our own employees 
understanding what we’re trying to achieve 
and coming up with ideas. 

At the same time, it’s important that we 
educate employees to understand the 
environmental impacts of decisions  
they’re making. A key part of our work, 
then, is to embed environmental concerns 
into everyday working practices, in  
the way that we have done with health  
and safety. 

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   CARING FOR  
OUR PLANET

NEW COMMITMENTS AND 
TARGETS

Carbon footprint
•  By 2030, we’ll have delivered 

a 30% absolute reduction in our 
Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions, 
with an ambition to reach a 20% 
reduction by 2025.

•  By 2030, we’ll have delivered 

a 15% absolute reduction in our 
Scope 3 CO2e emissions. 

•  Our Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2e 

emissions reduction targets will 
be science-based.

•  By 2025, we’ll have eliminated 
coal from all our operations.

Waste
•  By 2030, 100% of our waste will  
be beneficially used, with an 
ambition to reach 75% by 2025.

Water
•  By 2030, we’ll have reduced  

water use by 15%.

Sustainable agriculture
•  We’ll maintain sustainable 

acreage equivalent to the volume 
of corn we buy globally each year, 
currently 1.5 million acres, and 
through partnerships we’ll 
accelerate the adoption of 
conservation practices.

Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures 
During the year we brought together 
a cross-functional team from around 
Tate & Lyle and engaged an external 
expert to help us analyse the requirements 
of the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and 
determine how we can meaningfully report 
against them. This work is ongoing (see 
Risk Report on page 62) and we expect to 
report more fully against the TCFD in next 
year’s Annual Report.

 
 
 
Strategic report

REDUCING CO2e EMISSIONS: 
PERFORMANCE IN 2019
Our target for 2020 is to reduce CO2e 
emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) from energy 
use by 19% per tonne of production from 
our 2008 baseline. We beat that target in 
2018, and again this year, with a 21.8% 
reduction. Contributions include our plant 
in Koog, the Netherlands, where all energy 
purchased from the grid is now certified 
as being from renewable sources. And, in 
Ossona, Italy, the solar panels we installed 
in January 2019 are now generating 
enough electricity to supply nearly 20% 
(53,012 kWh) of the energy the site needs. 
While these are a step in the right 
direction, we recognise that we need to do 
more, and our focus has now shifted to 
delivering our new targets for 2030.

Investing to achieve our 2030 targets
We will achieve a significant proportion 
of our Scope 1 target through investments 
in our plants. We are in the middle of a 
multi-year capital investment programme 
totalling more than US$150 million to 
eliminate coal from our plants by 2025. 
These investments are a double win for  
us, because they’ll make our plants more 
efficient while being less carbon intensive, 
and so will be good for our business as 
well as the environment. Examples of 
investments we are making include  
a new boiler at our largest plant, Decatur, 
Illinois, in the US, and a co-generation 
energy system at our Lafayette, Indiana,  
USA plant. 

Eliminating coal from our 
operations will reduce 
our carbon emissions and 
increase our efficiency – it’s 
the right thing to do for our 
planet and our business.
Jan-Jaap van der Bij
Senior Vice President,  
Global EHS and Quality

ENERGY USE AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

Energy use1
Gigajoules (GJ) per tonne of production 

  20192

  20183

  20173

  2008

37,643,000

37,254,000

36,992,000

37,459,000

Carbon footprint, Scopes 1 and 21
Tonnes CO2e 

20192

623,0004

20183

765,000

2,619,000

1,995,0005

20173

695,000

2008

2,644,000

1,949,000

2,695,000

3,237,000

1,930,000

1,118,000

2,119,000

  TOTAL  
  SCOPE 2 (INDIRECT EMISSIONS FROM THE GENERATION OF PURCHASED ENERGY) 
 SCOPE 1 (DIRECT EMISSIONS FROM OWNED OR CONTROLLED SOURCES)

1  Although we usually exclude UK sites from these figures because their environmental impact is negligible,  

we have included them here to meet the UK’s Streamline Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements.

2  UK use represents 0.014%.
3  Restated to reflect the sale of our Kimstad, Sweden facility in 2019.
4  UK emissions represent 0.052%.
5  UK emissions represent 0.004%.

Energy use intensity6
Tonnes CO2e per tonne of production 

  2019

  20187

  20177

  2008

4.96

4.87

4.83

5.10

6  Excludes UK sites because they are too small to qualify for inclusion under our EHS Reporting Criteria.
7  Restated to reflect the sale of our Kimstad, Sweden facility in 2019.

Regarding our Scope 3 reduction target 
of 15% by 2030, we expect to achieve the 
majority of this through our sustainable 
corn programme, discussed on page 55. 
We’re also looking into where we can  
make progress in other areas, for example 
transport and packaging. This will be a key 
area of focus for us going forward and our 
ambition, over time, is to go beyond our 
Scope 3 target. 

Highlights of good practice this year
Nonetheless, investments can only take us 
so far. The other essential part of achieving 

our emissions targets comes from the 
ongoing, everyday efforts of our employees 
in making continuous improvements to  
our operations. This year we’ve seen  
some great work from colleagues across 
Tate & Lyle, and we were particularly 
pleased that our Lafayette, Indiana and 
Loudon, Tennessee plants in the US were 
again the only two corn wet mills in the  
US to receive Energy Star certifications. 
These are awarded annually by the US 
Environmental Protection Agency for 
outstanding energy efficiency performance. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 53  

Environment, health and safety (continued)

REDUCE WASTE 
Most of our waste is organic matter that 
comes from the corn wet milling process. 
In most cases, it can be beneficially used, 
particularly as nutrients for local farms, 
which provides a nice circularity to our 
process, given that these farms are often 
those that supply us with corn. 

Our target for 2020 is to reduce waste to 
landfill by 30% from our 2008 baseline. In 
the 2019 calendar year, we achieved a 9.3% 
reduction, slightly worse than our result in 
2018 of 10.7%1. This was mainly due to feed 
at our Decatur, Illinois facility being used  
to absorb waste liquid and then sent to 
landfill, an issue we’ve since addressed. 
Elsewhere, we saw examples of 
encouraging progress. Our Mold, UK  
and Ossona, Italy sites beneficially used 
more than 99% of all their waste, and our 
Loudon, Tennessee site in the US did the 
same with its wastewater sludge. Our 
McIntosh, Alabama site continued to divert 
all its wastewater sludge from landfill to 
fertilize local farmlands. 

As with carbon emissions, we’re making 
some changes to how we manage waste to 
support progress towards our new target 
of beneficially using 100% of our waste by 
2030. For the coming year and beyond, we 
have contracted a third party to collect and 
beneficially use the waste from our four 
large US corn wet mills, for example as 
compost, as animal nutrition, or to 
generate energy.

All our sites set an annual target for waste 
management and reduction. Some already 
beneficially use nearly all of the waste they 
generate, while many have taken other 
actions, for example switching from 
single-use plastic, such as coffee and water 
cups, to more sustainable alternatives.

REDUCING WATER USE
Corn wet milling is a water-intensive 
process, and water is, of course a shared 
resource, which means we need to ensure 
that our use of water is sustainable not 
only for ourselves, but for the communities 
we operate in. Many of our plants are 
located close to rivers or lakes and we 
need to ensure that we use water as 
efficiently as possible. We must also take 
care not to allow any run-off from our sites 
to pollute these local water courses.

Since water is essentially a local issue, we 
need to understand the specific risks and 
opportunities for water at each of our sites. 
To this end, we completed a global risk and 
opportunity assessment project in 2019, 
which gave us the data we needed to set 
our new target for reducing water use by 
15% by 2030, and to determine where we 
can have the most impact.

Given our consumption of water –  
34.6 million m3 this year, slightly up on 
2018 – our new target is a real challenge. 
And it will become more difficult as we 
increase our production of ingredients  
for our Food & Beverage Solutions 
division, which can be more water 
intensive. We’re therefore developing a 
model of what this increased production 
might look like, so that we can plan the 
right water reduction programmes. 

To help us achieve this, we’ve assigned  
an engineer from our Global Engineering 
Team to work full-time on water  
reduction initiatives. 

Focus on stormwater and wastewater
Run-off is becoming an increasing issue  
in many areas where, as a result of climate 
change, rainfall is getting heavier and 
floods more common. So, in 2019, we 
increased our focus on wastewater and 
‘stormwater’ (rain, snow or floodwater that 
gets washed from our sites into local water 
courses, carrying with it production or 
waste matter).

Raising awareness of the impact of 
stormwater and promoting good 
housekeeping are key to managing this 
issue. Ensuring nothing is left outside that 
could get washed away, and spills are 
cleaned up promptly, should mean that any 
stormwater washing off our sites is free  
of contaminants.

We’ve also made investments in 
wastewater treatment, for example at our 
Dayton, Ohio plant in the US, where we 
installed a new system that will reduce  
the chemical oxygen demand in the site’s 
wastewater effluent by 85%. The system 
also has an anaerobic digester that will 
supply renewable energy later in the year. 

We completed our global 
water risk and opportunity 
assessment project this 
year, giving us the data to 
understand where we can 
make the most meaningful 
water reductions.
Peter Lloyd-Jones
Project Lead – Global Water Reduction 
Project

WASTE TO LANDFILL

WATER USE

Tonnes per 1,000 tonnes 
of production  

Cubic metres per tonne 
of production 

  2019

  20181

  20171

  2008

9.16

9.02

8.35

10.10

  2019

  20181

  20171

  2008

4.56

4.52

4.37

4.60

1  Restated to reflect the sale of our Kimstad, Sweden facility in 2019.

54

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE 
AGRICULTURE
Partnerships are essential to improving 
sustainability across the entire value 
chain. The highlight of our year in 
environmental terms was bringing  
1.5 million acres of corn in the US Midwest 
– equivalent to the total amount of corn we 
buy globally each year – into our sustainable 
agriculture programme with TruterraTM, a 
leading US resource stewardship solutions 
provider. The first of its kind in our industry, 
this programme aims to help farmers 
understand the impact sustainable 
practices will have on their crops and their 
profitability, and to adopt them. 

We initially launched the programme in 
2018 by enrolling 310,000 acres. Following 
the success of this pilot, in September 2019 
we expanded it to cover the full amount of 
corn we buy globally each year. And, we 
won’t stop there – we are committed to 
maintaining sustainable corn equivalent to 
the amount we use. If our usage increases, 
we will enrol more acres. This long-term 
commitment is important because 
changes in agricultural practices don’t 
happen quickly, and measuring their 
impact takes multiple growing seasons, 
given uncontrollable factors such as 
the weather.

We’re also active members of the US 
Corn Refiners Association and of Field  
to Market, the US alliance for sustainable 
agriculture, which helps define, measure 
and promote sustainability, particularly  
for corn production. Our partnership with 
TruterraTM is the largest registered 
continuous improvement Field to Market 
project. We also work closely with key 
customers to enable them to meet their 
commitments and realise their ambitions 
for sustainable agriculture.

The first year’s results of our corn 
programme with TruterraTM
In practical terms, TruterraTM uses 
best-in-class technology to monitor  
and improve air and soil quality on each 
farm in its programme, working with  
the farmers to understand the data and 
make informed decisions on how to adopt 
conservation practices and improve 
profitability. In April 2020, we saw 
encouraging early results from the 
programme as described in the case 
study above.

A CORN INDUSTRY FIRST

Early results of our 
sustainable corn partnership 
with Truterra™ are really 
encouraging, explains Anna 
Pierce, Sustainability Director.

Encouraging progress in the first year
‘In the first year, 2018, we engaged 196 
farmers, bringing 310,000 acres into our 
programme. We expanded it in 2019  
to 1.5 million acres and more than 
1,700 farmers.

‘In April 2020, we received results from 
the 148,000 acres that have been in the 
programme since the beginning, and 

were really pleased that they 
demonstrate an early positive impact. 
For example, we’ve seen a 10% 
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 
equivalent to removing 1,254 cars  
from the road each year. Soil quality  
has improved by 4%, as measured  
by the Soil Conditioning Index, while 
topsoil erosion reduced by 6% – 
equivalent to 1,085 truckloads staying  
on the farm, although wind erosion 
remained unchanged. 

‘We are incredibly encouraged by  
this progress, and are working closely 
with key stakeholders to support 
growers as they continue their 
conservation journey.’

I’m really proud that we’re 
the first corn wet milling 
ingredient supplier to 
launch a sustainable 
agriculture programme  
of this kind.
Anna Pierce
Sustainability Director

A more sustainable stevia supply chain
In 2019, we completed a sustainability  
risk assessment of all our raw materials, 
down to their agricultural source. These 
include those we source directly, and  
many more that we process as part  
of our manufacturing operations. This 
assessment will inform the development of 
our sustainable agriculture programmes. 
We are currently focusing on stevia, 
following the review we commissioned in 
2019 of the socio-environmental impact  
of our stevia supply chain in China, where 
most of our stevia is grown. This was 
carried out by Earthwatch, an independent, 
international science-based organisation. 
The report has proved helpful in 
understanding the areas of key impact,  
and we are now looking at developing 
a sustainable agriculture outreach 
programme for stevia farmers.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 55  

Environment, health and safety (continued)

HEALTH AND SAFETY 

The safety and wellbeing of our people –  
all those who work at our sites, whether 
employees or contractors – is our primary 
concern. Covid-19 has posed some of the 
most difficult challenges for our people  
in our 160-year history, as our Chief 
Executive discusses on page 13. As 
explained in the Our people section on 
pages 46 to 49, during the year we were 
already taking steps to improve our 
people’s health and wellbeing – initiatives 
we adapted and accelerated in the face  
of Covid-19. 

Here we discuss health and safety in terms 
of the occupational safety work covered by 
our J2EE. 

As a minimum, we expect everyone 
working on a Tate & Lyle site – employees, 
contractors and any other third parties – 
to take responsibility in three ways:

•  Comply with all safety rules and 
regulations relevant to their work

•  Intervene to prevent unsafe conditions
•  Respect fellow workers and the 
communities in which we work.

In 2018, we introduced a STOP Work 
Authority across Tate & Lyle. It means 
anyone conducting work or work-related 
activities at our sites has the authority and 
responsibility to stop any activity they believe 
is not being done safely or that poses an 
environmental risk. It doesn’t matter how 
critical the activity is for our operations – we 
will always support a decision to stop work 
in those circumstances. And to prove that 
we mean it, we have a weekly STOP Work 
Authority award that recognises the top 
action of that week.

As part of our J2EE, we developed 10 
life-saving principles to prevent serious 
injury or loss of life in areas such as 
working at height, combustible dust, 
railcar safety, and hot liquids, chemicals, 
gases and steam. Each principle defines 
the critical behaviours expected of leaders 
and employees to ensure their own safety 
and that of their teams. Although most of 
our high-risk activities take place in our 
plants, there are two that apply to all our 
sites – driving or actions during emergency 
situations (such as a fire evacuation).

56

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

OUR 10 LIFE-SAVING  
PRINCIPLES

1.  Permit to work

2.   Lock/tag/try and electrical safety

3.  Railcar safety

4.  Working at height

5.  Mobile-powered equipment

6.  Transportation (driving)

7.  Safety barrier management

8.   Hot liquids, chemicals, gases  

and steam

9.   Combustible dust

10. Emergency situations 

How we respond to potentially  
severe events
When major, severe, or potentially severe 
events (PSEs) occur, the site manager 
reports them to our Incident Review Board 
(IRB). The IRB is led by Jan-Jaap van der Bij, 
Senior Vice President, Global EHS and 
Quality, and is attended by senior leadership 
from Global Operations, and plant and  
site managers. It is an open forum for 
discussion, and considers these questions: 

•  Do we understand what happened?
•  Do we understand the root cause?
•  Have we defined the right corrective 
actions to prevent it from happening 
again at this site?

•  What do we need to do for other sites 
with a similar situation, equipment, 
process, product or procedure? 

Any resulting actions are tracked to 
completion by our Global Incident 
Investigation Process Manager. During 
2019, the IRB considered six PSEs. 
Examples include the collapse of a water 
reservoir tank, a potentially explosive dust 
cloud and the cutting of a live wire by a 
contractor. None of these incidents 
resulted in any harm to either our people 
or the environment, but action was taken  
in all cases to prevent such events from 
happening again. 

2019 – improvements in key indicators
We report safety performance by  
calendar year. For EHS reporting 
purposes, employees include all those at 
Tate & Lyle-owned operations and joint 
ventures, and we also include contractors.

We said last year that we believed our 
decline in performance during the 2018 
calendar year was the result of much more 
rigorous and thorough reporting, and 
we’re pleased that this has been borne out 
this year, with improvements in our lagging 
and our leading indicators. Our recordable 
incident rate improved by 17%, with the 
number of incidents down from 60 in the 
2018 calendar year to 52 this year, while 
our lost-time rate1 was down by 11%. In 
terms of leading indicators, we had six 
potentially severe events, down from 11 in 
2018. Learning from these events is really 
important if we are to reduce both PSEs 
and actual incidents, so we made some of 
our PSEs into animated videos to share the 
lessons with employees across our sites. 

A new safety-focused engineering  
role at our major plants
We’ve invested considerably in resources 
this year, with the recruitment of full-time 
safety engineers at all our major plants. 
They work closely with the Global EHS 
team and their sole focus is to lead their 
site’s efforts around process safety, 
particularly combustible dust. These 
include ensuring global safety expectations 
are met, identifying high risks, performing 
risk assessments, and training.

We’ve also made some important 
investments in equipment at our Loudon  
and Lafayette plants in the US, replacing the 
more hazardous anhydrous sulphur dioxide 
systems with sulphur burners, which are 
better for people and the environment.

The importance of culture
As with our environmental efforts, though, 
real change comes through individuals’ 
behaviour. This is where our relentless focus 
on safety through our site-by-site tollgate 
programme, our managers leading by 
example, and our ongoing communications, 
make such a difference. And relentlessness 
is important, because safety is an ongoing, 
day-by-day, moment-by-moment activity. 
Even though our indicators are going in the 
right direction, accidents still occur, which 
means we still have work to do to improve 
our culture and our performance. 

1  We are now reporting our lost-time rate in place of our 
lost-work case rate, because it includes lost-work 
incidents as well as restricted work incidents, and so is 
a more comprehensive measure of safety performance.

PERFORMANCE IN 2019

Leading indicator – PSEs

6

(2018: 11)

Potentially severe events (PSEs) are events or incidents which could 
have resulted in a major or severe incident.

Recordable incident rate1

Lost-time rate2

2019

2018

2017

0.73

0.91

0.78

0.91

1.03

0.94

0.64

0.76

1.14

2019

2018

2017

0.45

0.34

0.42

0.47

0.45

0.47

0.37

0.45

0.70

  EMPLOYEES
  CONTRACTORS
 COMBINED (GROUP KPI)

1  Number of injuries requiring treatment beyond first aid per 200,000 hours.
2  Number of injuries that resulted in lost-work days or restricted work days 

per 200,000 hours.

Number of incidents  
combined

Number of lost-work and  
restricted work cases combined

52

(2018: 60)

28

(2018: 30)

Nature of accidents (%)

2

2 2

2

2

4

19

5

8

8

NATURE OF 
ACCIDENTS

15

10

11

10

  STRUCK BY OR AGAINST
  CAUGHT IN, UNDER, ON, OR BETWEEN
  FALLS, SAME LEVEL
  CONTACT WITH SHARP OBJECT
   BODY POSITION OR POSTURE – BEND, LEAN  
OR TWIST
  LOWERING, LIFTING OR CARRYING
  FALLS, DIFFERENT LEVEL
   CONTACT WITH A CHEMICAL OR OTHER 
SUBSTANCE
  TASK REPETITION
  STEPPED ON AN OBJECT
  FORCEFUL EXERTION, PUSHING OR PULLING
  EXPOSURE TO A SUBSTANCE 
  BITTEN OR STUNG
  ILLNESS

Strategic report

NO HIDING PLACE FOR DUST

One of our new US-based 
safety engineers, Brenda 
Seggerman (pictured left), 
talks about the work we’re 
doing on combustible dust.

Corn dust, starch, gluten, other dry 
ingredients… in certain conditions, 
these innocuous-seeming powders 
could cause devastating explosions, 
which is why combustible dust is one 
of our 10 life-saving principles. Even 
a small amount of dust can cause 
serious damage. 

‘This year we analysed the risk of 
dust across our processes, then 
ensured our equipment is engineered 
appropriately, with the correct 
explosion protection installed. But 
what’s more important is everyday 
behaviour. Just like at home, dust can 
build up in hidden areas, which is why 
being scrupulous about 
housekeeping is so critical – cleaning 
dust from the tops of pipes and 
beams for example. So we held 
training programmes for employees 
and contractors, and encourage 
them to report even the smallest 
concern, which is already having a 
positive impact.

‘People always ask, “what is your 
why?” Mine is the memory of an 
incident from before I joined 
Tate & Lyle. Thankfully no one was 
injured, but I’ll never forget it. People 
should be able to work safely, and 
that’s what keeps me focused.’

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 57  

Community involvement

IMPROVING  
LIVES IN OUR 
COMMUNITIES

OUR PROGRAMME
Our community involvement programme 
is a key part of how we live our purpose, 
brought to life through our pillar of building 
thriving communities. At Tate & Lyle, we’ve 
always found ways to give back to our 
communities and, for our employees, 
community involvement is fundamental 
to who we are. The overall aim of our 
programme is to build stronger, healthier 
communities around our sites, and to 
focus on those areas where we know we 
can make most difference. That’s why our 
community involvement programme is 
centred around three main areas, with 
a particular emphasis on supporting 
children and young adults.

•  Health: we support projects which 
improve the health and wellbeing of 
people of all ages, helping them 
understand the roles played by nutrition 
and physical activity in a well-balanced 
life.

•  Hunger: we work with organisations to 
give people in need in our communities, 
and beyond, access to nutritious meals. 
•  Education: we work with local schools, 

education foundations and other 
community partners to help prepare 
students for healthier, brighter futures.

We know that engaging with communities 
is not a one-size-fits-all activity. So, we 
give employees at each site permission 
to go out and champion a project or 
organisation, to explore what’s needed 
in their community and make a difference, 
all under the Tate & Lyle banner.

Our partners include registered  
charities, educational institutions and 
non-governmental agencies that meet  
our high standards for delivering services 
and results. We plan and budget for our 
community programme annually.

OUR YEAR
We’ve had another successful year. 
We continued to develop existing 
programmes like our Healthy Eating, 
Happy Learning child health education 
programme in Shanghai, and launched 
new ones like our school support 
programme in Dayton, Ohio and our 
Breakfast Factory partnership with 
Fondo Unido in Mexico City. 

What makes our community  
programme special is that every  
project we do around the world  
involves our employees.

Rowan Adams
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs

INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES

In the year ended 31 March 2020, 
cash community spend and 
charitable donations amounted to 

£443,000

(2019 - £490,000)

58

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

  HEALTH
  EDUCATION
  HUNGER
  OTHER

5

24

AREAS OF 
FOCUS (%)

43

28

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Strategic report

HEALTH
We supported health, nutrition and 
wellbeing programmes for more than 

HUNGER
We helped provide nutritious meals for 
more than 

EDUCATION
We gave educational support and 
mentorship opportunities to more than 

30,000

people across the world 

450,000

people in need in our local communities

10,000 

students of diverse ages and backgrounds

We each have the ability to 
contribute in different ways, and 
being an active member in our 
community is a very rewarding 
and positive experience.

Jason Doyle 
Operations Manager, Decatur, Illinois, 
USA

It’s heartwarming to make a 
difference, and this was especially 
true when we helped the Dayton 
Food Bank give food to the families 
affected by tornados last year.

Volunteering is a chance to make a 
positive impact for our community 
and our planet. It’s a beautiful 
opportunity to express human 
kindness in its purest form.

Renato Guerra
Plant Manager, Dayton, Ohio, USA

Gabriela Baptista 
Customer Advocacy, São Paulo, Brazil

Examples
•  Healthy Eating, Happy Learning  

child health education programme  
in Shanghai, China

•  Food 4 Thought partnership to 
provide nutritional support and 
mentorship to children and their 
families in Hoffman Estates, 
Illinois, USA

•  Volunteering at London Youth Games, 
Europe’s largest youth sports festival 

Examples
•  Sponsoring and helping pack more 
than 30,000 Holiday Meal Boxes  
for families in need in Northern 
Illinois, USA

•  Supporting the local food bank to 

provide nutritious meals on National 
Food Collection Day in Ossona and 
Noto, Italy

•  Helping the food bank in Dayton, 

Ohio, USA, provide food for people 
devastated by tornados

Examples
•  STEM-based teaching grants 
provided to schools in our local 
communities across the USA
•  University scholarships and 

bursaries provided to students in  
the USA, Vietnam and South Africa 
•  Schools partnership programme  
with Vaquitas Lecheras, Buenos  
Aires, Argentina

•  Supporting schoolchildren through 
the Junior Achievement programme  
in São Paulo, Brazil

During the year, we saw an increase in the 
number of our employees getting involved 
across all our regions. In the Americas, for 
example, we’ve seen more employees than 
ever supporting the United Way, which 
provides a range of charitable services and 
donations to local causes. And it’s not 
unusual for a whole team or site to be 
involved in a programme – for example in the 
UK the whole finance team took a day out to 
repaint a community hall in North London. In 
Argentina, our team has been supporting 80 
children in need with school supplies and 
study skills for six years now, including 
feeding them and their families weekly. 

At the end of the year, the Covid-19 
pandemic had a significant impact on many 
of our local communities. In particular, the 
level of food insecurity among some of the 
most vulnerable people in these 

communities increased significantly, with 
many families no longer having access  
to nutritious food. So, in April 2020, we 
donated a total of US$100,000 to more  
than 20 food bank partners across the 
world. With this donation, they are 
providing around 500,000 nutritious  
meals for the elderly, families and children  
in our local communities.

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   SUPPORTING  
HEALTHY LIVING

Healthier lifestyles
By 2025, we’ll have helped improve 
the lives of over 250,000 people by 
supporting programmes that 
promote healthier lifestyles  
and activities.

LIVING OUR PURPOSE

   BUILDING THRIVING 
COMMUNITIES

Education
By 2025, we’ll have supported the 
education of over 100,000 children 
and students through learning 
programmes and grants, helping 
them attain skills for life.

Hunger
By 2025, we’ll have provided over 
3 million nutritious meals for people 
in need.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 59  

Risk Report

TAKING OWNERSHIP  
OF RISK

We’ve also worked hard to get real 
engagement on risk at every level within 
Tate & Lyle. The risk team has been 
spending more time engaging with the 
business, and it’s paying off. We’re seeing  
a real cultural shift, with people thinking 
about risk in a different way – less as  
a box to tick, more as an opportunity to 
understand and manage the business 
better, something to take ownership of. 

This is also true of our Compliance and 
Ethics programme and Code of Ethics 
training, which are really gaining traction, 
as discussed on page 47 in the Our people 
section. Our Code also applies to our 
business partners, and we’re continuing  
to focus on third-party due diligence which 
is increasingly important as our business 
grows, particularly in emerging markets 
where we use third-party distributors.  
So this year we launched a strengthened 
process for emerging markets, and trained 
all our Chinese distributors and agents, 
along with most in Turkey, the Middle East 
and Africa. The feedback was really 
positive, and we’ll be taking the programme 
to Latin America in the coming year. 

We’re also making the process of 
managing risk easier for our people,  
by investing in a new enterprise risk 
management system – a single, central 
repository for all risk information. This tool 
allows people who manage risks at a local 
level to input their information, and for the 
risk, audit and internal controls team to 
review it in real time. This gives us a much 
more complete picture of how we’re 
managing risk everywhere, which in turn 
allows us to identify blind spots. 

LOOKING AHEAD
With the new tools in place, our focus in 
the next 12 months, along with navigating 
the challenges of Covid-19, will be on 
embedding our risk culture even further 
within our teams and continuing to develop 
a mindset of risk assessment in everything 
we do, every day. And, we’ll be building our 
strategic understanding of risk as part of 
our longer-term plans for the business to 
ensure that Tate & Lyle is well-placed to 
take advantage of the opportunities the 
future brings.

We’re seeing a real cultural shift, with people 
thinking about risk in a different way – less  
as a box to tick, more as an opportunity to 
understand and manage the business better.

Lindsay Beardsell
Executive Vice President, General Counsel

OUR YEAR
One of the challenges for a global company 
is ensuring a consistent understanding  
of the end-to-end impacts of risk across 
the business. So this year we set up an 
executive Risk Committee to ensure that, 
at the highest level, we are thinking in  
a truly cross-functional way. It meets 
quarterly and includes most of the 
members of the Executive Committee, the 
Company Secretary, the Head of Group 
Audit and Assurance, and the Group 
Financial Controller. It’s already helping  
us have an even better understanding of 
the Group-wide impact of today’s risks, 
emerging risks, and ensure we are 
managing risk effectively. 

A BROAD STRATEGY FOR RISK
Effective risk management is like an 
insurance policy – we identify what might 
stop us from achieving our objectives and 
decide how to minimise the effects on the 
business. To get it right, therefore, we have 
to think strategically and be imaginative 
about scenarios that might occur. 

We must of course be on top of our 
short- and medium-term risks. This  
has been shown by the outbreak of the 
Covid-19 pandemic at the end of this 
financial year. But we must also consider 
the longer-term challenges facing the 
world today. That’s why it’s important  
we not only manage risk in the near term, 
but also put in place plans and risk 
management strategies now to ensure  
the Group will flourish over the next 10  
or even 20 years.

60

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Strategic report

HOW WE MANAGE RISK
We have a single, Group-wide programme to identify, analyse and assess risks, and then 
to determine how we manage, control and monitor them.

THREE LINES OF DEFENCE

We manage significant risks at three distinct levels.

Our business and operational managers identify risks and create 
policies and procedures to maintain effective controls day-to-day.  
They also update our front-line controls regularly in response to our 
changing risk profile.

Our Group functional teams help management to monitor key risk 
areas and make sure the first line of defence is working as intended. 
These teams include risk management, finance, quality, ethics and 
compliance, and environment, health and safety. They identify current 
and emerging risks, and ensure we address any changes in the risk 
landscape in good time. They also consider what the effects might be  
if a combination of certain risks materialises together.

Our Group Audit and Assurance team (internal audit) and external 
assurance providers give independent assurance over our risk 
management, control, and governance processes and systems.

1

RISK OWNERSHIP 
AND CONTROL 

2

MONITORING AND 
COMPLIANCE

3

INDEPENDENT 
ASSURANCE

OVERSIGHT

We oversee risk management at Group and operational levels to 
ensure it is governed well.

BOARD

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE

RISK  
COMMITTEE

Our Board has overall responsibility for how we manage and control 
risk, and for setting the Group’s risk appetite. Every year, the Board 
thoroughly assesses our principal risks to determine the nature and 
extent of risk necessary to achieve our strategic objectives. They also 
evaluate emerging risks.

Our internal audit plan, reviewed and approved by the Audit 
Committee, is based on where our operational and Group risks  
lie. The audit plan is part of our wider assurance plan which  
involves our enterprise risk management, quality, and ethics and 
compliance teams.

Executive Committee members oversee and direct risk management 
in line with their respective responsibilities. They review our principal 
risks and risk appetite, ensuring these remain relevant. They also 
evaluate the potential impact of emerging risks.

Our Risk Committee, which approves the annual risk assessment 
plan, reviews and challenges how the business assesses risk, looking 
at both single risks and combinations of risk. Each quarter, they 
review principal and emerging risks and progress against actions,  
and do a deep dive into agreed risk areas.

Identifying risks
Each year, we hold bottom-up and 
top-down reviews of our principal risks, 
namely those that could threaten our 
business model, strategy, performance, 
solvency or liquidity, looking at a three-year 
horizon. The bottom-up process involves  
a rolling programme of workshops held 
around the business, facilitated by our risk 
team. These workshops help us to identify 
current and potential risks, which we then 
collate and report through functional and 
divisional levels to our Risk Committee and 
Executive Committee. We also consider any 
areas and behaviours which could bring 
about new risks, and different combinations 
of risk with other potentially larger impacts. 
Through these processes, we identify our 
main business, strategic, financial, 
operational and compliance risks and create 
action plans and controls to mitigate them to 
the extent appropriate to our risk appetite.

Principal risks
The top-down review involves the  
Board assessing the output of this work, 
confirming that our principal risks have 
been captured and addressed, and that 
emerging risks have been considered. Our 
risk profile does of course evolve, and the 
Board updates its view of principal risks 
accordingly. This year, the Board decided 
to add a new principal risk in relation to 
external disruptive forces that might 
materially impact our business. These 
could include the impact of climate change 
and of diseases such as the current 
Covid-19 pandemic.

Our Executive Committee reviews our 
principal risks regularly – at least three 
times a year – and reports to the Board any 
changes in the level or velocity of the risks, 
and the associated mitigating actions.

Our Board reviews the principal risks at 
least every six months.

Covid-19 
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the 
final quarter of the financial year presented 
significant challenges for the business, its 
operations and employees. As explained in 
the Chief Executive’s review on page 13, a 
number of actions were taken to keep our 
employees safe, our operations running 
and our customers served. A Global 
Pandemic Response Team was established 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 61  

Risk Report (continued)

together with local response teams at every 
site to manage our overall response and to 
ensure business continuity, and mitigate the 
risks identified. The Board reviewed the 
progress of our response regularly. The  
fact that all our production facilities have 
remained fully operational during the 
pandemic, and customer orders fulfilled, is 
a testament to the commitment and skill of 
our people as well as the effectiveness of the 
actions taken. In light of our learnings from 
the pandemic, as stated above, we are 
introducing a new principal risk in relation  
to disruptive forces, of which Covid-19 is a 
clear example. 

Determining our risk appetite
As part of our annual risk assessment 
process, our Board and Executive 
Committee consider the nature and extent 
of our risk appetite. The outcome of this 
exercise informs our strategic planning 
activities, and helps us to set the level of 
mitigation needed to achieve our strategic 
objectives – accepting, of course, that 
some level of risk is necessary.

Managing risks
Individual members of the Executive 
Committee have responsibility for 
managing certain risks and their 
mitigating controls. Senior management 
formally confirms to the Audit Committee 
once a year that risks are being managed 
appropriately in their area of responsibility, 
and that controls are in place and effective.

Brexit
The Board reviewed the impact of Brexit 
and the contingency plans we put in place 
in the event the UK left the EU without a 
deal. As last year, the Board concluded 
that Brexit is not a material risk for us. 

Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures
The Board recognises the significant risks 
posed by climate change and consideration 
of these risks is part of our enterprise risk 
framework. The increasing importance  
of climate change risk is reflected in the 
Board’s decision to introduce a new 
principal risk this year in relation to 
disruptive forces, external events which 
could materially impact our business and 
operations, including climate change, in 
addition to climate change being a core 
element of a number of our principal risks. 

62

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

VIABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with the requirements  
of the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Directors have assessed the viability 
of the Group, taking into account our 
current position and the potential impact 
of the principal risks we face.

•  A severe extended impact from  
lower out-of-home consumption 
across our Primary Products  
and Food & Beverage Solutions 
businesses due to Covid-19 (new).

Although our strategic plan, which the 
Board reviews annually, forecasts 
beyond three years, we create a detailed 
three-year financial plan. This plan 
includes anticipated capital and funding 
requirements. For this reason, the 
Directors agree that it is appropriate to 
assess our viability over a three-year 
period to 31 March 2023.

To assess our viability, we stress-tested 
our strategic plan under three downside 
scenarios which might impact our 
potential viability if one or more of the 
downside risks set out below were to 
occur. We assessed the potential impact 
of these scenarios, individually and in 
aggregate, both before and after 
mitigating actions within our control.

The three downside scenarios  
modelled were:

•  A major operational failure causing  
an extended shutdown of our largest 
manufacturing facility; 

•  The loss of two of our largest 
Food & Beverage Solutions 
customers; and

Given the available cash and liquidity 
position of the Group at 31 March 2020, 
including a committed and undrawn 
revolving credit facility of US$800 
million, which is available for the  
entire three-year period, the Directors’ 
assessment of viability is not contingent 
on needing to secure additional financing 
or any refinancing of existing facilities.

We measured the impact of these  
risks by quantifying their individual  
and aggregate financial impact on our 
strategic plan, and on our viability when 
set against measures such as liquidity, 
credit rating and financial covenant 
requirements. We also considered 
operational and commercial impacts. 
This exercise showed that, over this 
three-year period, the Group would be 
able to withstand the impact of the most 
severe combination of these risks.

Based on this assessment, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that we 
will be able to continue operating and 
meet our liabilities as they fall due 
between now and 31 March 2023. 

The Board considers all the Group’s 
principal risks, including climate change, 
at least twice a year. Our Chief Executive is 
ultimately responsible for oversight of our 
climate change agenda, and is supported 
by our EHS Advisory Board, which meets 
four times a year. The delivery of our 
purpose, including our sustainability and 
climate change objectives, is part of  
our strategic decision-making process, 
including for capital investments. During 
the year, the Board approved a new 
sustainability programme including new 
targets to deliver a 30% reduction in  
Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions, and a 15% 
reduction in Scope 3 CO2e emissions, by 
2030. We are committed to these targets 
being science-based, enabling us to play 

our part in supporting the goals of the 
Paris Agreement on Climate Change. More 
information on our environmental metrics 
can be found on pages 52 to 54.

We recognise the importance of disclosing 
climate-related risks and opportunities  
in line with the recommendations of the 
Taskforce on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). During the year, we 
brought together a cross-functional team 
from around Tate & Lyle and engaged an 
external expert to help us analyse the 
requirements of the TCFD, and determine 
how we can meaningfully report against 
them. This work is ongoing and we expect 
to report more fully against the TCFD in 
next year’s Annual Report.

 
Strategic report

OUR PRINCIPAL RISKS 

Link to our priorities 

Trend compared with 2019

  SHARPEN

  ACCELERATE

  SIMPLIFY

STRATEGIC RISKS

INCREASING

 UNCHANGED

DECREASING 

RISKS

HOW WE MITIGATE THE RISK

KEY WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR

TREND

1. Lack of growth in Food & Beverage Solutions

Failing to grow Food & 
Beverage Solutions  
would prevent us from 
delivering against our 
targets. This could reduce 
our profitability over both 
the shorter and longer 
term and damage 
investors’ view of us.

•  Our organic and acquisitive growth plan supports  

•  We simplified the structure of our 

our strategy. 

•  We have global and regional five-year plans focused 

on key categories.

•  Our M&A team works closely with Innovation and 

Commercial Development (ICD) and with our divisions 
to find acquisitions and partnerships that will help  
us grow.

•  We have incentive schemes and bonus programmes 

for customer-facing teams tied to strategic as well as 
operational targets.

customer-facing teams within our two 
business divisions and ICD to get closer  
to our customers and help commercialise 
new products more quickly.

•  We continued to strengthen our business 
and presence in emerging markets with 
investments in new applications labs in 
Asia Pacific and Latin America.
•  We strengthened our M&A team by 

appointing a new, experienced head to 
lead this function.

2. Failure to develop and commercialise new ingredients

New products are 
essential to our ability to 
lead the industry in our 
chosen categories, and 
thus to the long-term 
growth of our business. 
Without them, we might 
be unable to meet our 
customers’ future 
requirements, which 
could damage our 
performance and 
reputation and result  
in customers switching  
to competitors.

•  We have a robust innovation process that, through 

•  We launched 11 New Products from our 

internal development and open innovation, delivers  
a strong pipeline of products.

•  Our ICD team tracks emerging consumer trends and 
works closely with commercial partners to create 
new ingredients that will deliver growth.

•  Our customer-facing teams’ incentive and bonus 
schemes include targets for new product sales.
•  We have an open innovation team that scouts for 

breakthrough technologies.

•  We prioritise partnership opportunities with 

customers to accelerate development cycles and 
bring new products to market more quickly.

innovation pipeline.

•  We created a marketing centre of 

excellence to ensure we are monitoring 
global trends consistently and sharing 
information across the regions.
•  We expanded our ICD team into  

Asia Pacific.

•  We increased our focus on open innovation 
through our involvement in the Terra Food 
and Agricultural Incubator and entered 
into a new partnership with an enzyme 
technology start-up, Zymtronix.

3. Inability to attract, develop, engage and retain key people

To be successful, we must 
have great people in the 
right roles. Without them, 
we may be unable to 
deliver our strategy.

•  Our remuneration policies are designed to attract, 

retain and reward the best people.

•  Our talent development plans give employees 

opportunities and training to close gaps in their skills.

•  We focused on increasing engagement 
with our employees and invested in 
internal communications with regular 
formal and informal pulse surveys.

•  We have initiatives to help us keep diversity front of 

•  We simplified our performance 

mind everywhere.

•  We have a single global performance management 

system and talent planning process.

•  We measure progress against cultural objectives and 
carry out global employee surveys that help to tell us 
what employees really think about working at 
Tate & Lyle.

•  Our Executive Committee and the Board plan 

succession for business-critical roles.

management and reward processes to 
ensure everyone understands how what 
they do links to reward and recognition.
•  We revamped our programme to promote 

diversity and inclusion.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 63  

 
 
 
 
 
Risk Report (continued)

STRATEGIC RISKS (continued)

RISKS

HOW WE MITIGATE THE RISK

KEY WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR

TREND

4. Failure to adequately anticipate and minimise adverse impacts from global disruptive forces such as disease, climate change, 
natural disaster, trade disruption or civil unrest

Global disruptive events 
could have a significant 
impact on our business 
and our ability to conduct 
manufacturing operations. 
This could materialise at 
any point along the supply 
chain as well as affecting 
global demand, capacity or 
our customers’ needs.

•  We have a global business continuity management 
(BCM) framework to enable effective recovery  
from a major disruption. 

•  Caring for the planet is one of the three pillars of our 
purpose, and is central to how we make strategic 
decisions. 

•  Having plants in different regions and countries 

means we can serve customers from elsewhere  
if a particular area is disrupted.

•  Our Risk Committee oversees emerging risks to 
ensure we are prepared for customers’ needs. 

NEW

•  We set up a Global Pandemic Response 
Team to manage our response to and 
minimise disruption from Covid-19.

•  We developed a comprehensive 
sustainability strategy including 
environmental targets for 2030 which  
will be science-based; we will be 
publishing progress, including our 
response to TCFD requirements, in next 
year’s Annual Report. 

•  We began a project to strengthen further 
both our business continuity capabilities 
and our crisis management plans. 

OPERATIONAL RISKS

5. Failure to act safely and operate our facilities safely and responsibly

Safety is not just a priority, 
it’s foundational at 
Tate & Lyle. Failure to 
comply with laws and 
regulations relating to 
health, safety and the 
environment could result 
in us being unable to 
protect our employees, 
stakeholders and the wider 
communities in which we 
operate. It could also lead 
to fines and have a negative 
impact on our reputation.

•  We have a continuous improvement plan for 

environment, health and safety (EHS) in place at all 
our sites (Journey to EHS Excellence, or J2EE).  
It is visibly sponsored by the Chief Executive and 
Executive Committee.

•  Our EHS Advisory Board, which includes an external 

EHS expert, receives EHS updates and reviews 
performance quarterly. The Chief Executive attends 
the meeting. 

•  Our Executive Committee and Board regularly review 

•  Nearly all our sites passed tollgate 2 (of 
seven) as part of our J2EE programme.
•  We put in place strict protocols at all our 
sites to ensure we protected our people 
during the Covid-19 pandemic including 
sanitation, social distancing, hand 
washing and wearing face masks. 

•  We increased investment in our EHS team, 

recruiting new safety engineers at our 
major plants.

EHS performance and progress against J2EE.

•  We carried out in-depth EHS reviews at all 

our plants to identify areas for 
improvement to be built into each site’s 
continuous improvement plan.

•  We introduced virtual safety assessments 
in light of Covid-19 to ensure we continued 
to make progress with our safety 
programme.

6. Failure to operate our plants continuously, manage our supply chain, and meet high standards of customer service

There are many risks in 
operating plants which 
could cause breaks in 
production leading to 
disruption and a 
deterioration in customer 
service. This, in turn, 
could damage our ability 
to grow and perform  
as a business.

•  Our plant network has a preventative maintenance 

•  We continued to implement our 

programme. 

•  We have an ongoing programme to improve our 

global supply chain processes.

•  Business continuity capabilities enable us to supply 
products to customers from alternative sources 
quickly if there’s a natural disaster or major 
equipment or plant failure.

•  Our customer service team is part of Global 

Operations so works closely with our plants, enabling 
us to be agile and responsive.

•  We have contingency plans to manage disruption 

such as extreme winter weather.

maintenance improvement programme  
at our major plants.

•  We implemented new technology to 
manage production schedules and 
inventory, and improve customer service.
•  We continued to undertake                          
de-bottlenecking and cost-reduction 
projects to improve the reliability and 
efficiency of our plants.

64

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
Strategic report

OPERATIONAL RISKS (continued)

RISKS

HOW WE MITIGATE THE RISK

KEY WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR

TREND

7. Failure to maintain the quality and safety of our products

Poor quality products 
could affect safety  
and also damage  
our reputation and 
relationships with 
customers. This could 
have a negative effect on 
our performance and 
corporate reputation.

•  We have strict quality control and product  

testing procedures.

•  We test our recall process frequently.
•  We have a third-party audit programme, 

supplemented by internal compliance audits.

•  We assess our raw material suppliers, tollers and 

third-party warehouses for food safety/quality risks.

•  We centralised our recipe management 
system to streamline how we manage 
products and ingredients.

•  We enhanced how we manage cross-

contamination risk by using the US Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA) food 
defence plan builder.

•  We have a programme to manage allergens in  

•  We brought quality into the remit of the 

our supply chain and ensure our ingredients are 
either free from allergens or that any allergens  
are disclosed.

EHS function so it could benefit from being 
part of our Journey to EHS Excellence 
(J2EE) programme.

8. Inability to manage fluctuations in the price and availability of raw materials, energy, freight and other operating inputs

•  We have strategic relationships and multi-year 

•  We strengthened our regional 

procurement teams to better serve our 
needs in local markets.

•  We implemented a new system to  

manage freight more efficiently and 
cost-effectively. 

agreements with suppliers and trading companies.
•  Our supply and tolling contracts with customers help 

us reduce raw material risk.

•  Our raw material and energy purchasing policies 

increase the security of our supply.

•  Our network of corn silos (elevators) enhances the 

security of our supply.

•  We manage our US corn position on a net basis, 

which includes operating within certain pre-approved 
limits on inventories of corn and co-products as well 
as executory contracts for the purchase of corn and 
sale of corn-based products.

•  As part of this risk management strategy, the risk of 
fluctuations in prices of certain commodities (mainly 
corn) is also partially managed through the use of 
certain derivatives (mainly corn futures sold and 
purchased on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange).

Fluctuations in crop 
prices could affect our 
margins. These changes 
could stem from things 
like alternative crops, 
co-product values and 
varying local or regional 
harvests because of, for 
example, weather 
conditions, crop disease, 
climate change or crop 
yields. In some cases, due 
to the basis for pricing in 
sales contracts or due to 
competitive markets, we 
may not be able to pass 
the full increase in raw 
material prices, or higher 
energy, freight or other 
operating costs, on to our 
customers. Our margins 
might also be affected by 
customers not taking 
expected volumes.

9. Failure to maintain the security of our information systems and data

A cyber security breach, 
whether stemming from 
human error, deliberate 
action or a technology 
failure, could lead to 
unauthorised access to or 
misuse of our information 
systems, technology or 
data. This, in turn, could 
result in harm to our 
assets, data loss and 
business disruption – and 
could bring legal risks 
and reputational damage.

•  Our cyber security enhancement programme 

focuses on strengthening our defences in terms  
of people, processes and technology.

•  We run compulsory cyber security training and 

breach scenario exercises.

•  We strengthened our firewall protection.
•  To help people working from home during 

the Covid-19 pandemic, we rolled out 
Microsoft Teams and ensured people had 
company equipment to use.

•  We have robust cyber security defences including a 

•  We stopped the use of USB sticks to add 

continuous programme to detect any vulnerabilities.

another layer of cyber protection.

•  Our plants run on separate IT systems which 

increases their resilience. 

•  We have a 24/7, third-party security operations 

centre to deal promptly with any issues.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 65  

 
 
 
Risk Report (continued)

LEGAL, REGULATORY AND GOVERNANCE

RISKS

HOW WE MITIGATE THE RISK

KEY WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR

TREND

10. Breach of legal or regulatory requirements including our Code of Ethics

If we don’t meet our  
legal and/or regulatory 
obligations, our 
relationships with 
customers are likely to 
suffer, and we could be 
subject to contractual 
claims, threats to our 
licences and, in extreme 
cases, risks to our 
directors and officers.  
It could also affect our 
performance and 
corporate reputation. 

•  Our legal and regulatory teams work closely with our 
commercial teams to identify legal and regulatory 
risk and provide advice and solutions.

•  We monitor legal and regulatory developments 

regularly to make sure we know what could affect 
Tate & Lyle.

•  We review our key legal policies regularly.
•  We run a legal and ethics and compliance training 

programme.

•  We have a third-party whistleblowing service that 

gives our employees a way to raise concerns 
anonymously if they’re not comfortable raising them 
internally. 

11. 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 events 
that may affect our 
performance and ability  
to operate.

•  We have financial policies and standards supported 

by procedures for key financial processes, for 
example, capital expenditure. 

•  We have a number of forums to monitor and manage 
our financial risks, for example our monthly working 
capital review and our regional Control Environment 
Councils.

•  Our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer review 

the business and financials at least quarterly.

•  At both the half year and the end of the financial year 
we confirm to the Executive Committee, the Audit 
Committee and the Board that our minimum control 
standards are being met.

•  We have built automated controls into our systems 

wherever possible.

•  Our well-resourced Group Audit and Assurance team 
provides independent assurance to management and 
the Board.

•  We now have lawyers in each region  

to work with commercial colleagues to 
identify and mitigate legal risk from the 
bottom up.

•  We launched a new legal policy and 

further strengthened our compliance 
policies.

•  We reviewed and updated key commercial 
contractual processes and terms and 
conditions, resulting in more consistent 
management of legal risks and more 
balanced contract terms.

•  We have implemented a new document 
management system to facilitate better 
ways of working that are easier to audit.
•  We continued to roll out legal and ethics 
and compliance training as part of our 
annual training plan.

•  We continued to invest in our financial 
controls function, expanding the team  
as well as continuing to invest in training 
and developing all our finance people.
•  We continued to strengthen our controls 

framework and to focus on the 
segregation of duties and balance sheet 
reconciliations.

•  We established a project to look at how we 
can improve and better use automation in 
our key finance processes over the 
medium term.

66

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
Strategic report

LEGAL, REGULATORY AND GOVERNANCE (continued)

RISKS

HOW WE MITIGATE THE RISK

KEY WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR

TREND

12. Changes in consumer, customer or government attitudes to our products

The regulatory status  
or perception of our 
ingredients could be 
affected by things like 
changes in customers’  
or consumers’ attitudes, 
changes in food laws  
and regulations, and/or 
campaigns targeted at 
specific ingredients or 
technologies. These could 
affect our ability or 
freedom to operate.

•  The science behind our ingredients (for example,  

•  We expanded our regulatory team in  

Asia and Latin America to develop better 
relationships with regulators in these 
growth markets. 

•  We invested in our global nutrition team 

with additional funding for studies 
supporting the safety and efficacy of our 
ingredients.

•  We evolved how the Research Advisory 

Group works to align it even more closely 
with our strategy. 

health claims or nutritional impact) is supported by 
credible sources and is communicated clearly to and 
understood by the relevant regulatory authorities.
•  Our global regulatory team, supported by external 

consultants, monitors any local regulatory 
requirements that affect our products.

•  Our global nutrition team initiates and monitors 

research and publications on the use and 
functionality of our ingredients, and maintains  
a global advisory network of health and nutrition 
clinicians, academics and experts.

•  Membership of trade organisations gives us access 
to broader sources of information and provides, 
where necessary, a single voice for our industry on 
issues (both regulatory and public interest) affecting 
our ingredients.

•  We have strong relationships with regulatory 

authorities.

•  We provide clear information on our ingredients’ 

provenance and traceability.

•  Our Research Advisory Group, chaired by a non-

executive director and comprising leading scientific 
experts, reviews key aspects of our innovation 
activities and provides guidance to our team.

13. Failure to manage effectively changes in government regulations and/or trade policies

Government actions or 
policies could cause 
changes in tariffs or 
customs duties. 
Governments could also 
impose import/export 
limitations and other 
barriers on our business. 
These could lead to 
additional costs, restrict 
our growth and limit our 
ability to operate in 
certain markets.

•  We engage with political parties, influencers and 
regulatory authorities in the main countries in  
which we operate.

•  We are an active member of relevant industry trade 
associations, such as the Corn Refiners Association  
in the USA.

•  Having plants in different countries means we can 
serve customers from elsewhere where practical  
if products from certain markets are restricted or 
become less economically attractive.

•  We make sure our business is diversified by 

continuing to invest in resources and infrastructure 
in different markets and geographies.

•  We created a contingency plan in the  

event the UK left the EU without a deal.
•  We lobbied members of the US Congress 
to support the ratification of the new trade 
deal between the US, Mexico and Canada.

NON-FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
REGULATION
Under sections 414CA and 414CB of the 
Companies Act 2006, as amended by The 
Companies, Partnerships and Groups 
(Accounts and Non-Financial Reporting) 
Regulations 2016, we must include in our 
strategic report a non-financial information 
statement. Information required by these 
Regulations is included in Our business model 
(pages 20 and 21), Our people, Environment, 
health and safety, Community involvement 
and Risk Report from pages 46 to 67.

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT AND 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
See page 87 within Governance for our 
‘Section 172(1) Statement’. This describes  
how the Directors have had regard to 
stakeholders’ interests when discharging  
the directors’ duties set out in Section 172 of 
the Companies Act 2006. Our engagement 
activities with stakeholders and the impact  
of those interactions are set out from  
pages 82 to 86. 

The Board approved the strategic report  
on pages 1 to 67 of this Annual Report on 
20 May 2020.

By order of the Board

Claire-Marie O’Grady 
Company Secretary

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 67  

 
68

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

It gives me real satisfaction coming 
to the lab every day knowing that  
the projects I am working on,  
like our sugar reduction and  
clean-label initiatives, will help 
address world problems like 
diabetes and obesity.

Neeraj Kamath
Beverage Application Scientist, Singapore

Governance

CONTENTS

GOVERNANCE

IN THIS SECTION
70  Board of Directors
74  Executive Committee
76  Corporate governance
91  Nominations Committee Report
94  Audit Committee Report
100  Directors’ Remuneration Report
121  Directors’ Report
123   Directors’ statement of 

responsibilities

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 69  

Board of Directors

OUR BOARD

N  

DR GERRY MURPHY
Chairman and Chair of the 
Nominations Committee

Date appointed to Board: January 2017

Independent: Yes on appointment

Aged: 64

Nationality: Irish

Skills and expertise: 
Gerry started his career in the food and 
drinks sector and received his PhD in food 
technology. He has held a number of chief 
executive roles and has also been an 
investor and independent director in a 
number of international listed companies. 
His significant business and board level 
experience and detailed understanding of 
UK corporate governance requirements 
enable him to provide the Board with 
valuable leadership.

Current external commitments:
•  Chairman of Burberry Group plc

Previous roles: 
Chairman of The Blackstone Group’s 
principal European entity (2009 to 
September 2019). Senior Managing 
Director in Blackstone’s Private Equity 
Group (2008 to 2017). CEO of Greencore 
Group plc, Exel plc, Carlton Communications 
plc and most recently Kingfisher plc  
(2003 to 2008). He held non-executive 
directorships in Intertrust NV, British 
American Tobacco plc, Invest Europe, 
Merlin Entertainments plc, Reckitt 
Benckiser Group plc, Abbey National plc 
and Novar plc.

70

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

NICK HAMPTON
Chief Executive

IMRAN NAWAZ 
Chief Financial Officer

Date appointed to Board: September 2014 

Date appointed to Board: August 2018

Date appointed Chief Executive: April 2018

Independent: No

Independent: No

Aged: 53

Nationality: British

Aged: 46

Nationality: Luxembourger

Skills and expertise: 
Imran brings deep experience of the global 
food industry and a proven track record of 
financial leadership. His broad financial, 
business and international experience with 
large multinational organisations makes 
him a versatile and operational Chief 
Financial Officer.

Current external commitments:
None

Previous roles: 
Senior Vice President Finance, Europe at 
Mondele-z International. Prior to that he 
held a number of senior financial roles 
across Europe, the Middle East and Africa 
over a 16-year career at Mondele-z and 
Kraft Foods. In his earlier career, Imran 
worked for Deloitte and Philip Morris in 
corporate audit.

Skills and expertise: 
Nick brings a wealth of food industry 
insights to the Board. His general 
management, financial and operational 
experience in senior management roles  
in a major multinational food and beverage 
business, combined with his experience  
in leading transformational projects, 
provides him with the skillset required  
to inspire and lead the Group. 

Current external commitments:
•  Non-executive director and Chairman of 
the Audit Committee of Great Portland 
Estates plc

Previous roles: 
Prior to being appointed Chief Executive, 
he served as Chief Financial Officer of  
Tate & Lyle. Before joining Tate & Lyle,  
he held a number of senior roles over a 
20-year career at PepsiCo, including 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 
Officer, Europe, and President, West 
Europe Region and Senior Vice President 
Commercial, Europe. 

Board Committees
Certain responsibilities are delegated to 
three Board Committees, details of which 
are provided on pages 92, 95 and 104.

A   AUDIT COMMITTEE 

R   REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 

N   NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

Governance

A   N  

R   N  

A   R   N  

PAUL FORMAN 
Senior Independent Director

LARS FREDERIKSEN
Non-executive director

Date appointed to Board: January 2015

Date appointed to Board: April 2016

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 55

Nationality: British

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 61

Nationality: Danish 

Skills and expertise:  
Paul has wide experience in global 
manufacturing, commercial, as well  
as strategy consultancy and M&A  
advisory services. He brings insight to  
the commercialisation of innovation 
pipelines and the implementation of 
business-to-business customer and 
market-led strategies in a large 
multinational company. His experience  
as a CEO of a number of global companies 
enables him to provide valuable insights  
to the Board.

Current external commitments:
•  Chief Executive of Essentra plc

Previous roles: 
Group Chief Executive of Coats plc and 
Low & Bonar PLC. Served as a non-
executive director at Brammer PLC.

Skills and expertise:  
As the former CEO of a global speciality 
food ingredients business, Lars led a 
successful business transformation and 
his insights are invaluable to the Board  
as Tate & Lyle continues to evolve. He  
also brings operational expertise and  
an understanding of how to attract and 
retain talent in a global business.

Current external commitments:
•  Chairman of Matas A/S
•  Chairman of Atos Medical AB
•  Non-executive director of Falck A/S
•  Chairman of the Danish Committee  
for Good Corporate Governance
•  Chairman of the Hedorf Foundation

Previous roles: 
CEO of Chr. Hansen Holding A/S from  
2005 until retirement in March 2013, leading 
a transformation of the business and a 
successful listing on the Copenhagen 
stock exchange during that period.  
Prior to becoming CEO, he held various 
management positions at Chr. Hansen.

ANNE MINTO OBE
Non-executive director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee

Date appointed to Board: December 2012 

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 66

Nationality: British 

Skills and expertise:  
Anne’s extensive career in general 
management and human resources is 
particularly useful to the Board when 
considering succession planning, talent 
management, executive remuneration  
and other employee-related activities. She 
has a detailed understanding of how to 
attract and retain global talent, and her 
experience on the boards of companies 
listed in both London and New York  
provide her with a deep knowledge of 
global executive remuneration practices 
and UK and US remuneration governance 
requirements.

Current external commitments:
•  Non-executive director of ExlService 

Holdings, Inc.

•  Chairman of the University of Aberdeen 

Development Trust

•  Non-executive director of the Court of 

the University of Aberdeen 

Previous roles: 
Non-executive director and chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee of Shire PLC 
(until April 2018). Group Director of Human 
Resources at Centrica plc from 2002 until 
retirement in 2011. Prior to that, she held 
senior management roles at Shell UK  
and Smiths Group plc and was Deputy 
Director-General of the Engineering 
Employers’ Federation.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 71  

Board of Directors (continued)

Board Committees
Certain responsibilities are delegated to 
three Board Committees, details of which 
are provided on pages 92, 95 and 104.

A   AUDIT COMMITTEE 

R   REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 

N   NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

A   N  

A   N  

R   N  

KIMBERLY (KIM) NELSON
Non-executive director

Date appointed to Board: July 2019

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 57

Nationality: American

DR AJAI PURI 
Non-executive director and Chair of the 
Research Advisory Group

Date appointed to Board: April 2012

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 66

Nationality: Indian/American

SYBELLA STANLEY 
Non-executive director

Date appointed to Board: April 2016

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 58

Nationality: British

Skills and expertise:  
Kim brings substantial experience in the 
food and beverage industry and specific 
insights into the US market having worked 
for General Mills Inc. for nearly 30 years. 
During her career at General Mills, she 
held a number of senior brand and general 
management roles, including serving as 
President of the US$1 billion Snacks 
operating division. She served as Senior 
Vice President, External Relations,  
leading on issues and crisis management, 
environmental, social, governance and 
global external stakeholder relations.

Current external commitments:
•  None

Previous roles: 
Previously President of the Snacks 
operating division at General Mills Inc. 
and was Senior Vice President, External 
Relations, from 2010 until retirement 
in 2018.

Skills and expertise:  
Sybella has extensive commercial and 
financial experience and brings a wealth of 
knowledge about the London investment 
community and substantial experience  
of communicating with this and other 
investment communities outside the UK. 
Her long career in corporate finance and 
M&A is invaluable to the Board’s 
consideration of strategic opportunities. 

Current external commitments:
•  Director of Corporate Finance at  

RELX plc 

•  Non-executive director of The 

Merchants Trust PLC

•  Member of the Industrial Development 
Advisory Board of the Department of 
Business, Energy and Industrial 
Strategy

•  Co-chair of the Somerville College 

Oxford Development Board

Previous roles: 
Originally qualified as a barrister and, 
before joining RELX in 1997, she was a 
member of the M&A advisory team at 
Citigroup and later Barings.

Skills and expertise:  
Ajai’s food science background and career 
in research and development in global food 
and beverage companies provides the 
Board with detailed technical knowledge 
and insights into market perceptions, 
nutrition and food and regulatory trends. 
His experience in the Asia Pacific region  
is of particular benefit as Tate & Lyle 
continues to focus on growth in emerging 
markets. His work with regulatory bodies 
and knowledge of nutrition, science and 
food regulation provides him with the 
skillset required to chair the Research 
Advisory Group and to support the Board 
and Tate & Lyle with valuable insights into 
how leading-edge science and technology 
can be successfully deployed as part of the 
Food & Beverage Solutions portfolio.

Current external commitments:
•  Non-executive director of Britannia 

Industries Limited

•  Non-executive director of Firmenich SA
•  Non-executive director of the Global 

Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

•  Non-executive director of Olam 

International

Previous roles: 
President – Research, Development and 
Product Integrity and a member of the 
Executive Board of Koninklijke Numico N.V. 
from 2003 to 2007. Prior to this, he held 
various management positions with The 
Coca-Cola Company, culminating in Senior 
Vice President Technical, The Minute  
Maid Company.

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Governance

 BOARD COMPOSITION

Gender diversity of directors
At 20 May 2020

  MEN   
  WOMEN 

3

GENDER 
DIVERSITY OF 
DIRECTORS

7

Directors’ nationalities
At 20 May 2020

  BRITISH 
  AMERICAN 
  DANISH 
  IRISH 
  LUXEMBOURGER 

1

1

12

2

1

DIRECTORS’
NATIONALITIES

5

Tenure of non-executive directors
At 20 May 2020

  LESS THAN 3 YEARS  
  3 TO 6 YEARS 
  OVER 6 YEARS 

2

2

TENURE OF 
NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS

4

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 73  

A   R   N  

WARREN TUCKER 
Non-executive director and Chair of the 
Audit Committee

Date appointed to Board: November 2018 

Independent: Yes 

Aged: 57

Nationality: British

Skills and expertise:  
Warren is a chartered accountant and  
has extensive experience as a former  
Chief Financial Officer of a large global 
manufacturing group, where he also 
co-led the company’s organic and  
strategic growth. His experience in large 
multinational and business-to-business 
organisations across several geographies 
and industries enables him to provide 
valuable insights to the Board. He also 
brings an understanding of the London 
investment community and UK 
shareholder institutions.

Current external commitments:
•  Chairman of TT Electronics plc

Previous roles: 
Executive director and Chief Financial 
Officer on the board of Cobham Plc for  
10 years until 2013. Most recently non-
executive director of Reckitt Benckiser 
Group plc for a decade until 2020 and 
non-executive director and chair of the 
Audit Committee of Survitec Topco Ltd.  
He also held senior finance roles at Cable 
& Wireless and British Airways, and was  
a non-executive director and chair of the 
Remuneration Committee of Thomas Cook 
Group plc and a non-executive director at 
PayPoint plc.

Executive Committee

OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM

Responsible for delivering 
our strategy and achieving 
business results.

NICK HAMPTON 
Chief Executive

Nationality: British

IMRAN NAWAZ 
Chief Financial Officer

Nationality: Luxembourger

Nick became Chief Executive in April 2018, 
having joined as Chief Financial Officer in 
September 2014. He brings a wealth of 
food industry insights from his 20-year 
career at PepsiCo. He has general 
management, financial and operational 
experience through senior management 
roles, as well as experience in leading 
transformational projects. This provides 
him with the skills and attributes to inspire 
and lead the Tate & Lyle team.

Imran joined Tate & Lyle in August 2018, 
bringing with him deep experience of the 
global food industry and a proven track 
record in financial leadership from his time 
at Mondele-z International and Kraft Foods. 
His experience at these and other large 
multinational organisations, along with his 
commercial acumen, makes him a key 
member of our leadership team.

NATIONALITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

At 20 May 2020

  BRITISH  
  AMERICAN
  DUTCH  
  LUXEMBOURGER

1

1

NATIONALITIES

4

3

74

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

HARRY BOOT
President, Asia Pacific,  
Food & Beverage Solutions

Nationality: Dutch

Harry joined Tate & Lyle in 2014 to lead our 
Food & Beverage Solutions business in Asia. 
In September 2019, he joined the Executive 
Committee as President, Asia Pacific, Food & 
Beverage Solutions. Prior to joining Tate & 
Lyle, he was Chief Executive of Aqualyng in 
Singapore, and before that, Chief Operations 
Officer of Lonza based in Beijing. Harry has  
a wealth of expertise growing businesses in 
different parts of the world and this experience, 
particularly in Asia, gives him the ideal 
background to build our business in this 
growing market.

Governance

JIM STUTELBERG
President, Primary Products

MELISSA LAW
President, Global Operations

Nationality: American

Nationality: American

Jim joined Tate & Lyle in 2014 from 
Pennsylvania-based PPG Industries Inc., 
where he led its Automotive Coatings 
business. Before that, he spent 17 years 
with Dow Corning Corporation in a  
variety of senior roles including five years 
working in Shanghai, China. His wide 
global and commercial experience makes 
him well-placed to lead our Primary 
Products business.

A chemist by training, Melissa joined  
Tate & Lyle in 2017 after 20 years in the oil 
industry. Before joining us, she was 
President of the Global Specialities Division 
of Baker Hughes, a GE company. Prior to 
that, she held senior executive management 
positions in Australasia and the Gulf of 
Mexico in areas such as commercial 
management, supply chain and research 
and technology. Melissa currently serves as 
a non-executive director for Cactus Inc.,  
a US-based oilfield service provider. Her 
commitment to making our operations safe 
and productive places to work is making  
a real difference across Tate & Lyle.

ANDREW TAYLOR 
President, Innovation and  
Commercial Development

Nationality: American

Andrew joined Tate & Lyle in 2017 having 
spent 20 years at management 
consultancy firm Boston Consulting Group 
(BCG), where he was a Senior Partner and 
Managing Director, working for clients all 
over the world. From 2008 he led BCG’s 
global innovation practice. His wide 
experience of the food industry, and deep 
understanding of driving innovation in a 
global marketplace, is key to delivering our 
growth strategy.

LINDSAY BEARDSELL 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel

LAURA HAGAN
Chief Human Resources Officer

ROWAN ADAMS
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Lindsay joined in September 2018 from 
GVC Holdings PLC where she was Group 
General Counsel. She studied local and 
European law in the UK, France and 
Germany, giving her a broad understanding 
of different legal environments. Lindsay 
brings a wide knowledge of corporate law 
and practical legal experience from her 
early career at Freshfields Bruckhaus 
Deringer, as well as from her years 
working in FTSE companies across a 
diverse range of sectors.

Laura joined Tate & Lyle in September 
2018 from Dyson Ltd, where she helped 
the business grow its global employee 
base more than tenfold, influencing the 
hiring and promotion of the top team. Her 
entrepreneurial spirit and understanding 
of how to get the best out of people, 
sharpened by previously setting up and 
running her own talent business, are 
crucial for the development of Tate & Lyle’s 
people strategy.

Rowan is the longest serving employee  
on our Executive Committee. He joined in 
2001 and has since held a number of senior 
roles including leading our global strategy 
team. He became EVP, Corporate Affairs, 
and joined the Executive Committee in 
November 2014. His current responsibilities 
include leading our global simplification and 
sustainability programmes. He has deep 
knowledge and understanding of the 
Company and our industry.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 75  

Corporate governance

CHAIRMAN’S 
INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION 
Like every company in the world today, we’ve been tested by the 
Covid-19 pandemic in ways that were unthinkable before. But, as  
I said in my statement on page 10, I am immensely proud of the 
outstanding way our people have risen to the challenge, keeping 
our operations running safely and continuing to deliver to 
customers, so that the food we all rely on remains available. 

A crisis shows a company’s true colours, as it reinforces the need 
for, and the benefits of, good governance. In our response to the 
pandemic, I am reassured that our governance system is strong 
in process, in implementation and, most significantly, in spirit. As 
a Board, in March we had the novel experience of holding our first 
Board and Committee meetings remotely via video conference. 
We will continue to hold our meetings in this way, for the 
foreseeable future, including any additional meetings which we 
feel are necessary to ensure that we are on top of our response  
to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on our business. 

As we deal with these challenges and new ways of working and 
reflect on the achievements of the past year, the Board’s primary 
focus has been, and continues to be, on developing the right 
strategy for our Group and implementing it in a coherent and 
responsible way.

OUR PRIORITIES DURING THE YEAR
We have a well-developed Board calendar which ensures that, 
over the course of the year, the Board regularly reviews a range  
of topics including financial performance, risk management and 
productivity initiatives; environmental, health and safety matters; 
innovation initiatives and the performance and strategic progress 
of our two business divisions, Primary Products and Food & 
Beverage Solutions. As well as the Covid-19 pandemic, our 
priorities during the year were strategy; building our business  
in China; developing relationships with stakeholders; long-term 
sustainability; and, as we do every year, a review of our  
own effectiveness.

Developing our long-term strategy
Every year, we hold a strategy seminar with senior management 
to consider our risks and opportunities. We’ve typically looked at a 
medium-term (circa five-year) horizon, but this year we also took 
a much longer-term view, looking at what our business might be 

76

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

A crisis shows a company’s  
true colours, as it reinforces the 
need for, and the benefits of, 
good governance.

Gerry Murphy
Chairman

like in 10 or even 20 years. We considered how a number of 
extreme but quite plausible scenarios could provide risks and 
opportunities for Tate & Lyle. These scenarios were developed 
around key mega-trends including climate change; increasing 
focus on health and wellbeing; reduction in international trade and 
the increase of artificial intelligence. This exercise has kicked off  
a rich and important discussion with management, which will 
continue over the course of this year, about how we might respond 
to these mega-trends in a way which will benefit our stakeholders. 
This long-term perspective informed the development of our 2030 
commitments and targets for the three pillars of our purpose, as 
Nick discusses in his review from page 12.

Understanding our business in China
In September, the Board visited our offices and laboratories in 
Shanghai and our fibre plant in Nantong to gain a deeper 
understanding of our capabilities in China, the dynamics of the 
Chinese market and the particular opportunities and challenges 
for our growth in this key market. We enjoyed meeting many of our 
employees at both sites and Nick and I held a Town Hall meeting 
for staff in Shanghai. We also met a major customer and a 
representative of the National Institute for Nutrition and Health  
in China. While we were there, we visited various food retailers  
in Shanghai to get a sense of the retail environment and  
what people eat and drink, particularly in the categories served  
by our ingredients.

But the real highlight for me was meeting children from one of the 
schools which we sponsor as part of our Healthy Eating, Happy 
Learning programme, which really brought home to me the value 
of what we’re doing in China to support healthier lives, and the 
power of our purpose in inspiring people. 

Developing our relationships with stakeholders
Tate & Lyle has many stakeholders, all of whom are important to 
our business. Although the Board is mindful of all the Group’s 
stakeholders in its deliberations and decision-making, it is not 
able to engage directly with all of them. However, during this last 
year we did engage significantly with our people, our customers 
and our shareholders as follows:

Governance

•  Our people: this year, as planned, we stepped up our already 
considerable engagement programme with our people, in 
particular arranging for individual directors to meet a broader 
cross-section of employees (see page 84 for details). I know I 
speak for my fellow directors when I say that meeting staff at 
our sites is the best part of any site visit, and makes all the 
difference to our understanding of the business. At every Board 
meeting, directors share feedback on their recent site visits,  
on the capabilities and future potential of the people they have 
met, and on the culture they have observed, particularly around 
health and safety and the impact of our purpose. In these 
uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we stay 
connected with our people, so we’re looking at how we can do 
this in a different way if Covid-19 continues to restrict our ability  
to travel.

•  Customers: as I mentioned above, it was great to hear directly 
from one of our major customers in China when we visited 
Shanghai in September. I also met customers in Mexico, which 
was very informative. As well as these personal interactions, 
the Board takes close interest in, and receives regular updates 
on, conversations Nick and his senior leadership team have had 
with customers and on the feedback they’ve received. These 
reports have helped us appreciate the positive impact that his 
‘Sharpen, Accelerate, Simplify’ priorities are having on how  
Tate & Lyle is serving customers and building ever closer 
relationships with them.

•  Shareholders: as in previous years, I spent time with 

representatives of some of our major shareholders this year. 
Climate change and the impact of business on the environment 
were high on their agendas, as they were for the Board this 
year, as I describe below. We also heard shareholders’ views  
on executive remuneration, including the renewal of our 
Remuneration Policy and in particular on pension contributions 
for executive directors. Our Remuneration Committee took 
these views into account in its decision-making this year, as set 
out in more detail on page 115. I always enjoy meeting and 
talking to those retail shareholders who attend our AGM, and  
I shall be sorry if I am unable to meet them in person this year. 
At the time of writing it is uncertain whether we will be able to 
hold our AGM this year in the traditional manner, but we will do 
what we can to engage with all our shareholders and will keep 
them informed as our AGM plans develop. 

Monitoring culture
As a Board, we take a keen interest in the culture at Tate & Lyle. 
During the year we had many opportunities, both individually and 
as a Board, to experience that culture for ourselves during our 
visits. Key to our culture is health and safety. Nick updates us  
on performance in this area at every Board meeting, and  
we have an in-depth session on the progress of our Journey to 
Environment, Health and Safety Excellence programme twice a 
year. We’ve been very pleased with the progress we are making in 
this critical area. 

Acting with integrity is at the heart of Tate & Lyle, which is why our 
compliance and ethics programme is so important. Each year we 
review a report from our Head of Ethics and Compliance on the 
progress of our programme, and the number and nature of 
reports to our whistleblowing hotline. The Audit Committee 
receives reports from the Head of Ethics and Compliance twice a 
year. We also receive regular updates from Laura Hagan, our 
Chief Human Resources Officer. These focus on her team’s 

projects to understand the culture of the Group, to unlock any 
barriers to effective working among our people, and to empower 
employees to deliver Nick’s ‘Sharpen, Accelerate, Simplify’ 
priorities. While there is always more work to do, we are pleased 
with the progress we’ve seen in these areas. 

My fellow directors and I also take a strong interest in the 
development of future generations of management at Tate & Lyle. 
We want to understand the strength, breadth and diversity of the 
people within our talent pipeline and the readiness of those 
individuals, many of whom we meet on our site visits, to step into 
more senior management roles over time. More broadly, we also 
pay attention to the diversity of our workforce (particularly, in 
terms of both gender and ethnicity) and the extent to which  
that diversity reflects the communities in which we operate.  
To further our understanding and respond to our challenges to 
management, Laura also reports to the Board on talent 
management programmes, succession planning, the results  
of employee surveys, and inclusion and diversity initiatives.

Focusing on long-term sustainability
Our stakeholders, whether they be close to the business or wider 
society, are increasingly demanding that companies do more to 
address the climate emergency and other sustainability issues. 
As Nick describes in his review from page 12, we have taken 
significant measures this year to address the sustainability  
of our business. These included the approval of our sustainable 
agriculture programme with Truterra™ (formerly Land O’Lakes 
SUSTAIN™); a co-generation project at our plant in Lafayette, 
Indiana; and a revised sustainability strategy with new, ambitious 
long-term commitments and targets for each pillar of our 
purpose. The Board was pleased to approve these initiatives 
which represent a significant step up in our sustainability journey 
and which provide a foundation for further initiatives in the  
coming years. 

Our effectiveness as a Board
This year we again carried out the Board effectiveness review 
internally. The Board invites members of management, who are 
regular attendees at our meetings, as well as external advisors 
Deloitte (for the Remuneration Committee) and our auditors EY 
(for the Audit Committee) to share their views, too. The findings 
show that the work we do as a Board and in our Committees 
continues to be effective and that we successfully addressed the 
areas we identified for greater focus in last year’s effectiveness 
review. Our review also confirmed that our focus in the coming 
year should continue to be on strategy, people and culture, and 
succession and development. 

OUR FOCUS FOR THE 2021 FINANCIAL YEAR 
Aside from those areas I’ve mentioned, our immediate focus as 
we move into the new financial year is, of course, to support  
Nick and his team in managing the implications of the Covid-19 
pandemic. Keeping our people safe has always been a key 
concern of the Board, and it continues to be so as we try to 
balance our role as an essential industry with the duty of care we 
owe them. 

Gerry Murphy 
Chairman

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 77  

Corporate governance (continued)

OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

LEADERSHIP 

OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
The Group’s primary decision-making body is the Board. It is 
accountable to shareholders for the Group’s financial and 
operational performance, and is responsible for setting the 
strategy and ensuring that risk is managed effectively. The Board 
maintains a schedule of items which it is required to consider and 
approve. We review this schedule regularly and update it to reflect 

developments in corporate governance and emerging practice.  
As shown in the diagram below, the Board has delegated certain 
responsibilities to a number of committees. The Board retains 
overall accountability and the Committee Chairs are responsible 
for reporting back to the Board on the Committees’ activities. 
Minutes of the Committees’ meetings are made available to all the 
Directors on the web-based Board portal.

THE BOARD

CHAIR: DR GERRY MURPHY
•   Accountable to shareholders for the Group’s financial and 

operational performance
•  Sets the Group’s strategy
•  Oversees management’s implementation of the strategy
•  Monitors the operational and financial performance of the Group
•  Sets the Group’s risk appetite

•  Ensures that appropriate risk management systems  

and internal controls are in place
•  Sets the Group’s ethics and culture,  

and agrees the Group’s purpose and values

•  Ensures good corporate governance practices are in place

CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
NICK HAMPTON

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

NOMINATIONS 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

CHAIR: WARREN 
TUCKER 
•  Oversees financial 
reporting, internal 
financial controls and risk 
management systems,  
the risk management 
process, the internal audit 
function and the Group’s 
relationship with the 
external auditors

CHAIR: DR GERRY 
MURPHY
•  Makes recommendations 
to the Board regarding  
the structure, size, 
composition and 
succession needs of the 
Board and its Committees
•  Reviews the performance 
of the executive directors 

•  Oversees succession 

planning for Directors and 
senior management

CHAIR: ANNE MINTO
•  Recommends the Group’s 
Remuneration Policy for 
executive directors
•  Sets and monitors the 
level and structure of 
remuneration for the 
executive directors and 
other senior executives 
•  Sets the Chairman’s fee

Read more on page 94

Read more on page 91

Read more on page 100

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

RESEARCH ADVISORY GROUP

CHAIR: NICK HAMPTON 
•  Recommends strategic and operating plans to the Board
•  Assists the Chief Executive in implementing the strategy 

agreed by the Board

•  Monitors the performance of the two business divisions and 

global support functions

•  Identifies, evaluates, manages and monitors risks  

facing the Group

CHAIR: DR AJAI PURI 
•  Comprises external experts and senior Tate & Lyle managers
•  Reviews the innovation pipeline
•  Provides insights into how leading-edge science and  
technology could enhance the portfolio of the Food &  
Beverage Solutions division

The Executive Committee is supported by a number of operational committees, including the Environment, Health and Safety 
(EHS) Advisory Board, the Operations Committee, the Risk Committee, the Capital Approval Committee and the Cyber Security 
Committee. Committees may also be established for a finite period to oversee key strategic or operational priorities. 

78

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Governance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD

At the date of this Annual Report, the Board comprises the Chairman, two executive directors and seven non-executive directors. 
Their responsibilities are summarised below. There is a clear division of responsibilities: the Chairman leads the Board and the 
Chief Executive leads the business.

CHAIRMAN 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION, 
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE OF THE BOARD 
•  Chairs Board meetings, Nominations Committee meetings  

and the Annual General Meeting

RESPONSIBLE FOR PROPOSING STRATEGY TO THE 
BOARD AND DELIVERING IT 
•  Runs the business
•  Communicates within the organisation the Board’s expectations 

•  Sets the Board agenda with the Chief Executive and  

with regard to culture, values and behaviours

Company Secretary

•  Facilitates active engagement by all Directors
•  Sets the style and tone of Board discussions
•  Ensures the Directors receive accurate, timely and 

clear information

•  Ensures the Board is aware of current business issues

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROUP’S FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 
•  Contributes to the management of the Group’s business
•  Supports the Chief Executive with the development and 

implementation of the strategy 

RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE DELIVERY  
OF THE STRATEGY WITHIN THE RISK APPETITE 
SET BY THE BOARD 
•  Advise and constructively challenge the executive directors
•  Scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed 
goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance

•  Perform their duties diligently and use best endeavours to 

promote, protect, develop and extend the business of the Group

•  Devote time to develop and refresh knowledge and skills

SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

COMPANY SECRETARY

RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE CHAIRMAN’S  
PERFORMANCE IS EVALUATED
•  Acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and supports him  

in the delivery of his objectives

•  Serves as an intermediary with the Chairman for other Directors 

if necessary

RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE GOVERNANCE 
AND LISTING RULES COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK
•  Supports the Chairman, Chief Executive and Committee Chairs  
in setting agenda items for Board and Committee meetings
•  Advises the Board on developments in corporate governance, 

legislation and regulation

•  Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the major issues  

•  Assists the Chairman and the Chief Executive in ensuring  

of shareholders and is available if shareholders have any 
concerns that they have been unable to resolve through the 
normal channels

that the Directors are provided with relevant information in a 
timely manner

•  Organises inductions for new Directors and ongoing training  

for all Directors

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 79 

Corporate governance (continued)

BOARD ACTIVITY DURING THE 
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020

The Board holds six scheduled meetings each year at Group locations and an off-site 
meeting to discuss strategy. This year’s scheduled meetings were held in London at the 
Group’s headquarters, with one meeting held at our offices and laboratories in Shanghai, 
China, and our March 2020 meeting via video conference.

STRATEGY

FINANCIAL

OPERATIONAL/COMMERCIAL

•  Undertook deep dives into each of 
our Primary Products and Food & 
Beverage Solutions divisions, 
considering the key growth 
drivers, markets and customers  
in each

•  Focused in particular on the 
market, our capabilities and 
growth strategy in China with a 
Board visit to our Shanghai office 
and our plant in Nantong 

•   Reviewed the priorities identified 
for Innovation and Commercial 
Development (ICD) and Food & 
Beverage Solutions for the 2021 
financial year and considered the 
Group’s intellectual property 
strategy

•  Considered the longer-term 

mega-trends which could impact 
the Group and its customers over 
the next 10 to 20 years and its 
impact on our strategy

•   Reviewed the Group’s five-year 

strategic plan

•  Reviewed and approved the 

Group’s sustainability strategy

•  Approved the full-year results 
and financial statements and  
the Annual Report and financial 
statements for the 2019 financial 
year

•  Approved the half-year results
•   Approved the payment of the 

interim dividend for financial year 
2020 and recommended payment 
of the final dividend for financial 
year 2019

•  Approved the bulk annuity 

insurance buy-in to de-risk the 
Group’s UK pension scheme 

•   Considered and agreed treasury 

and tax matters

•   Approved the Group’s tax 
strategy (available on the 
Company’s website)

•   Approved the Annual Operating 

Plan for the year ending  
31 March 2021

•   Regularly reviewed the Group’s 

financial performance and 
forecasts

•  Considered the financial position 
and liquidity headroom in light of 
the Covid-19 pandemic

•  Received regular progress 
updates on the Group’s 
Environment, Health and Safety 
(EHS) and Quality strategy 
including from the independent 
safety expert appointed to the  
EHS Advisory Board

•  Approved a number of capital 

expenditure projects

•  Received a review of the work  
and priorities of the global 
procurement function 

•   Reviewed the Simplification and 
Productivity agenda and its 
progress throughout the year
•   Considered the potential impact  
of the Covid-19 pandemic on the 
safety of our people, the Group’s 
operations and financial 
performance and reviewed 
management’s plans for 
mitigating its impact on the 
Group’s operations and customers

INTERNAL CONTROL AND 
RISK MANAGEMENT

GOVERNANCE AND 
STAKEHOLDERS

LEADERSHIP AND 
EMPLOYEES 

•   Considered and agreed the 
Group’s risk appetite and  
principal risks

•   Assessed the effectiveness of  
our internal controls and risk 
management systems

•   Agreed the Viability Statement  
as disclosed in the Annual  
Report 2019

•  Approved the adoption of a going 
concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the half- and full-year 
results

•  Agreed the Modern Slavery Act 
statement, available on the 
Company’s website

80

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

•   Considered the output and 

recommendations from the Board 
effectiveness review

•   Discussed feedback from 
institutional shareholders  
and analysts

•   Approved a revised Board 

Diversity Policy

•   Reviewed and approved the 

Directors’ register of interests

•  Approved the appointment  

of Kimberly (Kim) Nelson as  
a non-executive director

•  Approved the appointment of 
Warren Tucker as Chair of the 
Audit Committee and of Paul 
Forman as Senior Independent 
Director

•   Endorsed the Chief Executive’s 

appointment of Harry Boot to the 
Executive Committee

•   Held a Chief Executive and 

Chairman-led Town Hall at our 
offices in Shanghai, China, and in 
London, UK

•   Reviewed the Group’s people 

agenda including diversity, talent 
management and bench strength 
within the organisation

Governance

DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING THE YEAR

NAME

Dr Gerry Murphy

Nick Hampton

Imran Nawaz

Paul Forman 2

Lars Frederiksen

Douglas Hurt3

Anne Minto

Kim Nelson4

Dr Ajai Puri2

Sybella Stanley2

Warren Tucker5

BOARD

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

NOMINATION
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

2/2

7/7

6/6

7/7

7/7

7/7

5/51

 5/51

5/51

5/5

n/a

2/2

5/5

4/4

4/4

2/2

5/5

2/2

2/21

n/a

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

5/51

n/a

n/a

2/2

5/5

n/a

5/5

n/a

2/2

3/3

3/5

1  Although not a Committee member, attended the Committee meetings by invitation.
2  Following the changes to the composition of the Audit and Remuneration Committees that took place on 25 July 2019, the attendance represented the number of meetings the Directors 

were expected to attend.

3  Resigned from the Board with effect from 25 July 2019.
4  Appointed a Director with effect from 1 July 2019.
5  Warren Tucker could not attend two Remuneration Committee meetings due to commitments made prior to him joining Tate & Lyle. He submitted comments to the Chair of the 

Committee in advance.

BOARD EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW
This year’s internally facilitated evaluation of the Board and its Committees took the form of a questionnaire circulated to the relevant 
Board members as well as to regular attendees from management and external advisors. The questionnaires sought input on a range 
of matters including: composition; Board and Committee dynamics; engagement with management; effective oversight of matters 
within remit, including risk; and quality of papers and presentations. Please see page 93 for information about the effectiveness 
evaluations of each of the Committees and of individual Directors conducted this year. 

2020 BOARD EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW

ISSUE/RECOMMENDATION

ACTION 

Board succession planning

The Board will continue the composition and succession planning exercise which started  
in 2018 with completion of the search to appoint a non-executive director with Asia  
markets experience.

Executive Committee  
succession planning

The Nominations Committee will review management succession and development plans.  
The non-executive directors will meet with the Chief Executive during the year to discuss the 
performance of members of the Executive Committee and senior management.

Bringing a wider group of people 
to the Board

The Board will seek opportunities to invite third-party specialists to speak to the Board about 
matters which could be relevant to Tate & Lyle’s strategy, markets and customers. The Board 
will also look for opportunities to hear from a wider range of senior executives below the 
Executive Committee.

Long-term strategy

The Board will build on the insights gained from the analysis of mega-trends at the 2019 Board 
strategy day and continue to develop a long-term strategy for the business at the 2020 Board 
strategy day.

Emerging markets expansion and  
M&A execution

The Board will continue the focus on our strategy and capabilities in emerging markets and  
on M&A opportunities and execution.

Customer needs and trends

The Board will continue to focus on understanding customer needs and trends through  
deep dives into/by Food & Beverage Solutions, Primary Products and Innovation and 
Commercial Development. It will also continue to receive feedback and insights from 
customers via the Chief Executive’s regular updates and, where possible, directly from  
customers at Board meetings.

Well-structured Board papers

While papers and presentations are generally of a high quality, management will work to 
improve executive summaries and coach presenters in more effective and succinct delivery.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 81  

Corporate governance (continued)

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

At Tate & Lyle, we engage with a wide 
range of stakeholders, all of whom are 
essential in enabling us to do business 
across the world. 

The table below describes our key stakeholders and summarises 
the engagement that has been undertaken across the business, 
including by the Board, during the year. In addition, the Board’s 
engagement with our workforce is set out from page 84. How the 
Board understands the interests of stakeholders, and how the 
Board considers stakeholders’ interests in decision-making, 
including examples of principal decisions made in the financial year 
and our section 172(1) statement, are summarised on page 87. 

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 

WHY THEY MATTER

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

OUTCOMES/IMPACT

Shareholders Our shareholders are investors in 

and owners of our business, 
providing the capital we need to 
invest in and grow the business.

Customers

As a business-to-business 
company, all the ingredients we 
make are sold to our customers.

Listening to our customers helps 
us to better understand their 
needs and provide the products 
and services they want.

Engagement takes various forms 
throughout the year: by members of 
management; our Chairman; and our 
Investor Relations team. For more 
information, see page 86.

The Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee engaged with our top 
shareholders on the proposed 
changes to the Remuneration Policy, 
for which we are seeking approval  
at the 2020 AGM.

Our aim is to move from being an 
ingredient supplier to a growth 
partner for our customers. To do  
this, we maintain close relationships 
with our customers at all levels  
of their organisation, from the  
Chief Executive to R&D, to Sales  
and Marketing.

In 2019, Board members had the 
opportunity to meet with a major 
customer of our China business 
during the Board visit to Shanghai 
and to learn how Tate & Lyle 
supports its growth ambitions.

Employees

Everyone at Tate & Lyle plays a  
key role in driving our success by 
partnering with each other in an 
agile way to deliver a consistently 
great service for our customers, to 
ensure our plants run safely and 
efficiently, and that new products 
are created that provide solutions 
to address our customers’ and 
consumers’ needs.

We listen to our employees to gain 
their insight and feedback through  
a range of channels such as team 
meetings, town halls and pulse 
surveys. This feedback helps us  
to take actions and establish 
programmes which develop and 
stretch our employees and helps 
them both deliver our strategy and 
fulfil their personal goals. Details  
of the Board’s engagement with 
employees are set out from page 84.

Our engagement activities provide opportunities for 
management and the Board to communicate our 
strategy and performance, and to listen and 
understand shareholders’ views and concerns.

The Board and management team are aware that 
our shareholders, together with wider society, are 
increasingly interested in environmental, social  
and governance issues. The Board approved a 
refreshed sustainability programme during the 
year, and new ambitious long-term commitments 
and targets for each pillar of our purpose,  
including for the environment. See page 17 for  
more information.

Our ingredients help our customers meet growing 
consumer demand for food and drink which is lower 
in sugar, calories and fat, and with added fibre, and 
which also taste great. Our industrial starches 
enhance the performance of our customers’ 
products, from paper production to adhesives, to 
applications in building supplies.

Customer insight and market understanding plays 
an important part in our decision-making process, 
for example, in areas such as new product 
development and capacity expansions.

Despite some significant supply chain challenges 
posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, our teams worked 
hard to ensure that our products continued to be 
delivered to our customers, in some cases providing 
additional products at very short notice to meet 
increased demand.

Having the right culture is central to our success. 
People are at their best when they feel they are 
contributing to the Group and are fully engaged  
and happy in their work. This has never been more 
important than during the Covid-19 pandemic, when 
we put in place a number of initiatives to support 
our people and keep them safe, well, connected and 
productive. See from page 46 for more details on 
our people and how we engage with them.

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Governance

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 

 (continued)

WHY THEY MATTER

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

OUTCOMES/IMPACT

Suppliers

We cannot conduct or grow our 
business without the products, 
expertise, advice and support of 
our suppliers.

We have a dedicated procurement 
function based around the world 
which engages with our suppliers to 
optimise the way we work with them. 
We build relationships globally, 
regionally and locally with our 
suppliers to better understand the 
markets where we source. 

By leveraging third-party relationships we are able 
to be more agile and meet ever-changing customer 
demands. This also limits our supply risk across  
an increasingly complex global supply network.

During the year, the Board received a presentation 
from the Chief Procurement Officer about how this 
function supports the Company’s strategy and how 
we work with suppliers.

Communities

It’s where our employees and their 
families live and where we recruit 
many of the people who work for 
us. It’s also important that, as a 
significant local employer in some 
locations, we support the local 
community not only through 
employee involvement but as a 
responsible and sustainable local 
manufacturer.

Regulators

Before our new ingredients can be 
incorporated into our customers’ 
products they must be approved by 
regulatory authorities.

Our community involvement 
programme is centred around three 
main areas: health, hunger and 
education, with a particular 
emphasis on supporting children and 
young adults. We support projects in 
our local communities based on 
these three areas.

Board members met with the 
children and teachers of one of the 
schools participating in our health 
education programme in Shanghai 
during their visit in 2019, and saw for 
themselves the impact which our 
local staff are having on the lives of 
those children.

We have a dedicated team of 
regulatory experts, based around  
the world, who actively engage with 
regulators to provide evidence of, and 
answer enquiries about, the safety 
and quality of our ingredients.

Governments Government policies on trade, 

safety and product quality, 
transport, tax and inward 
investment, among others, all have 
an impact on how we do business.

We meet periodically with federal, 
state and local officials in countries 
where we have significant operations. 
We are also members of major trade 
associations in our key markets, such 
as the Corn Refiners Association in 
the US.

Through a range of wellbeing programmes, STEM 
grant programmes, and partnerships with local 
food banks, we have helped to improve the lives of 
thousands of people in our local communities. See 
page 59 for more details.

The Board approved a refreshed sustainability 
programme during the year, and new long-term 
commitments and targets for each pillar of our 
purpose, including for our communities. See page 
17 for more information.

By helping regulators understand our ingredients 
we speed up the process of regulatory approval.

For example, in March our PROMITOR® fibre  
was given a gut health claim by Food Standards 
Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Then, more 
recently, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency 
(Anvisa) approved a claim for PROMITOR® fibre to 
assist the absorption of calcium in food and its 
retention in bones. This is the only fibre to have  
such a claim approved in Brazil.

Government policies and legislation, in areas such 
as trade and tax, can have an impact on our ability 
to operate competitively, and sell and transport our 
products around the world. At a more local level, 
permits are needed to operate or expand our 
production facilities.

During the year, together with our trade 
associations, we worked to support the ratification 
of a new trade agreement between the US, Mexico 
and Canada, as well as a resolution of the trade 
dispute between the US and China.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 83  

Corporate governance (continued)

PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Engaging with our people  
Last year, the Board considered the 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code requirements on workforce engagement. The Board 
concluded that each director should be active in engaging with our 
people in order to gather their views and to understand the culture 
within the Group. The Board decided not to introduce any of the 
three methods suggested in the Code but to develop an approach 
which built on the mechanisms and practices which we already 
had in place, in particular the non-executive director site visit 
programme. The methods of engagement are set out below.  
At each Board meeting, the Chairman and the non-executive 
directors brief the Board on their interactions with, and 
impressions of, our people, our sites and our culture. The Board 
believes that these methods of engagement have enabled them 
to learn the views of a wide cross-section of the workforce and 
to understand how our strategy, purpose and ‘Sharpen, 
Accelerate, Simplify’ priorities are being received, understood 
and applied across Tate & Lyle. However, the Board is open to 
implementing other mechanisms for engaging with the workforce 
and will keep this under consideration, particularly in light of the 
Covid-19 pandemic, which may impact travel to overseas sites for 
some time. 

At Tate & Lyle we consider our workforce to include employees, contractors (in post for 
three months or more), representatives in countries where we do not have employees and 
contingent labour. We do not include temporary contract labour (of less than three months), 
service provision workers, outsourced contract consultants and staff at our joint ventures.

VISIT TO OUR GLOBAL SHARED SERVICE CENTRE

Warren Tucker, Chair of the Audit Committee conducting a 
town hall meeting with 300 of our people at our Global Shared 
Service Centre in Łódz(cid:5), Poland, as part of their site visit. He 
was joined by members of the Audit Committee: Kim Nelson, 
Dr Ajai Puri and Anne Minto.

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Site visits

Non-executive directors made individual site visits to over 16 sites across all our regions. Each of those 
visits included an opportunity to engage with members of the workforce working ‘on the ground’,  
so to speak, at our plants, in our laboratories and in our offices, as well as with members of the local 
management teams. At some of our smaller sites, Directors will have met with every member of the team. 

The Board visited our offices and laboratories in Shanghai and our fibre plant in Nantong, both in China. 
For more about this visit, see the Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance on page 76. Members 
of the Audit Committee visited our Global Shared Service Centre in Łódz(cid:5), Poland. For more about this 
visit, see the Audit Committee report from page 94.

Town Halls

During the year the Chief Executive held 16 Town Hall meetings at 12 sites across the globe.  
The Chairman and other non-executive directors held or participated in seven Town Hall meetings  
at seven sites.

Meetings with local 
management and 
high-potential 
employees

Nick’s Blog

Research  
Advisory Group

During site visits, Directors held meetings with members of local management teams and round tables  
or receptions with high-potential employees. 

The Chief Executive publishes a monthly blog to all the workforce which includes updates on business 
performance, new initiatives and his impressions from his site visits. Staff are invited to submit their 
questions and comments directly to Nick. 

Dr Ajai Puri chairs the Research Advisory Group (RAG) which meets with members of the Innovation  
and Commercial Development function, in person, twice a year at our Commercial and Food Innovation 
Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA. A feature of these visits is the ‘lunch and learn’ session with  
an external expert speaker, hosted by Dr Ajai Puri and Andrew Taylor. This event is open to all staff at 
Hoffman Estates. The Chairman also attended one of these meetings in 2020. 

84

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Governance

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES (continued)

Employee surveys and 
engagement initiatives

The Chief Executive and the Chief Human Resources Officer regularly report to the Board on the outcome 
of employee surveys and other engagement initiatives. The quarterly business performance dashboard 
which is shared with the Board contains information on the number of open roles, regrettable 
resignations and our gender diversity throughout the workforce.

Reaching the wider 
workforce 

The Spring edition of our Worldwide global employee magazine included a feature on the Board and the 
visits they had made during the year. Our employee intranet carried ‘Get to Know’ videos with the 
Chairman and the Chairs of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. Site leaders frequently share 
photos and information about Directors’ visits with the wider workforce on Yammer.

Engaging in the 
era of Covid-19 

While the Covid-19 pandemic impacted a number of site visits and engagement opportunities planned for 
the end of the 2020 financial year, engagement with the workforce has continued in new ways. Nick 
Hampton shares a weekly Covid-19 and business update with the workforce via email and video, the first 
of which was issued at the end of February 2020. He has also held ‘virtual cafés’, sometimes with other 
members of the Executive Committee, with over 1,650 of our people at 20 sites since April 2020. As the 
long-term impact of the measures taken to contain the pandemic becomes clearer, including the impact 
on travel, the Board will consider alternative ways of remaining connected with the workforce.

The teams did a terrific job of welcoming 
me and sharing their energy, commitment 
and passion for what they do. I was 
pleased to have had the opportunity to 
meet a wide range of employees by  
function, tenure and level.
Kim Nelson, a non-executive director, commenting on her visit  
to a number of sites in the US

Investing in and rewarding our people
The Remuneration Committee considers remuneration 
arrangements for our global workforce. The Group’s 
remuneration strategy is to provide competitive packages that 
enable the Group to recruit, retain and motivate high-calibre 
individuals in the markets in which we operate, so that we can 
deliver consistently strong operational performance and financial 
results. For more information, see our Directors’ Remuneration 
Report from page 100.

Assessing and monitoring culture
As described in the Chairman’s introduction to corporate 
governance on page 76, the Board has multiple touchpoints 
throughout the year which provide opportunities for gauging and 
monitoring the culture at Tate & Lyle and how it aligns with our 
purpose and values. These touchpoints include individual Board 
member engagement activities and management reports to the 
Board and its Committees on a range of topics including: 
environment, health and safety performance; results of employee 
engagement surveys; diversity and inclusion statistics and 
analysis; reports to the whistleblowing hotline; reports from the 
Head of Group Audit and Assurance; and reviews of workforce 
policies and practices. On those occasions where the Board is not 

satisfied that policy, practices or behaviours are aligned with the 
Company’s purpose, values and strategy it seeks assurance from 
management that: (i) it has thoroughly understood the extent of 
and the reasons for the issue; (ii) it has considered whether the 
issue concerned could have implications across the wider Group; 
(iii) corrective action has been taken to address the issue; and  
(iv) any lessons which might be learned are identified and 
communicated across the Group.

Ethics and whistleblowing programme
Speak Up, the Group’s whistleblowing programme, has been in 
place for a number of years in all operations controlled by the 
Group. This programme, which is monitored by the Board, is 
designed to enable employees, contractors, customers, suppliers 
and other stakeholders to raise concerns confidentially about 
conduct they consider contrary to the Group’s values. It may 
include, for example, unsafe or unethical practices, or criminal 
offences. 

The Speak Up programme provides a number of ways to raise 
concerns including a telephone reporting line, email and a 
web-based reporting facility. These multilingual communication 
channels are operated by independent service providers who 
submit reports to the Speak Up Committee for investigation as 
necessary. For more information about Speak Up, see page 47.

Reports received during the year were kept strictly confidential 
and the concerns identified were referred to appropriate 
managers within the Group for resolution. Where appropriate, 
action was taken to address the issues raised. The reports were 
analysed and monitored to ensure the process continued to be 
effective. The Board received an analysis of all reports submitted 
via the Speak Up programme during the year. The Head of Ethics 
and Compliance reports to the Audit Committee twice a year on 
the ethics and compliance programme and its activities.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 85  

Corporate governance (continued)

SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
We are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with 
shareholders, debt investors and potential investors and 
recognise the importance of these relationships in the  
governance process.

We have an investor relations programme that aims to help 
existing and potential investors understand the Group. We provide 
feedback from the investment community to all Directors 
regularly to ensure they understand the views expressed by  
major investors.

Institutional investors
The Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and VP, Investor 
Relations, maintain a programme of meetings with institutional 
shareholders from the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.
In addition to roadshows with investors following our full-year and 
half-year results, we also meet with investors outside of the 
results cycle. Whilst we organise many of these meetings directly 
with investors, we also participate in investor conferences which 
are arranged by sell-side institutions. This year, to build deeper 
relationships with investors, we held dinners with investors in 
small groups to deepen their understanding of the Group  
and have conversations more focused on our longer-term  
strategic direction. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, investors and potential investors 
have been keen to understand its impact on the Group’s 
operations and the strength of our balance sheet. The Chief 
Executive, Chief Financial Officer and VP, Investor Relations, were 
keen to remain available to investors at this time, which included 
reaching out to our largest shareholders.

Prior to the 2019 AGM, Dr Gerry Murphy held meetings with  
a number of the Company’s larger institutional shareholders. 

All Directors receive periodic updates on investor  
communication activities, including at every Board meeting.

Feedback on our investor relations programme 
Our corporate brokers regularly seek investor feedback following 
key announcements and investor meetings. A summary of 
feedback is communicated to all Directors. 

Our advisers also provide us with updates on investor relations 
best practice, which we seek to reflect in our programme.  
Recent recommendations include continuing to build a broader 
shareholder base in the UK and US, and placing increasing focus 
on the Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 
credentials, as these are becoming increasingly important  
to investors.

Other capital providers
The Chief Financial Officer and Group Treasurer regularly meet 
with our committed lending banks and bond holders and ratings 
agencies (Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s).

In November 2019, we issued notes as part of a US$200 million 
debt private placement. To secure this funding the Chief Financial 
Officer, the Assistant Group Treasurer and VP, Investor Relations, 
met with, and answered questions from, investors. This exercise 
was repeated for a second US$200 million debt private placement 
in May 2020.

Private (retail) shareholders
We encourage private shareholders to provide feedback to the 
Board via the Company Secretary. We also include a questions 
card with the AGM documentation sent to shareholders so that 
those who cannot attend the meeting have the opportunity to  
ask questions.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM provides all shareholders with the opportunity to 
question the Board on matters put to the meeting, including this 
Annual Report. Shareholders who attended last year’s AGM 
received a presentation from the Chief Executive on the Group’s 
activities and performance.

Analysts
As well as the full-year and half-year results presentations to 
investors and analysts, we host conference calls after trading 
updates are issued. We publish presentations, together with the 
associated announcements, on the Company’s website and we 
also make audio recordings available for a short period after each 
event. The Chief Financial Officer and VP, Investor Relations, also 
meet regularly with analysts.

The details of the 2020 AGM are set out in the Notice of AGM. 
Votes received in respect of each resolution put to the AGM, 
together with the number of abstentions, are announced through 
a regulatory information service and published on the Company’s 
website. Shareholders can choose to receive shareholder 
documentation, including the Annual Report, electronically or  
in paper format, and may submit proxy votes and any questions 
either electronically or by post.

ENGAGING WITH SHAREHOLDERS

INVESTOR CALENDAR
Set out below is a summary of our major investor activity during the year:

May 2019 
Full-year 
results issued
Investor 
roadshow 
meetings  
in the UK

June 2019 
Investor 
roadshow 
meetings  
in the US
Investor 
conference  
in France
Annual 
Report 
published

July 2019 
Annual 
General 
Meeting  
in the UK

Sept 2019 
Investor 
meetings  
in the UK
Investor 
conferences 
in the UK

Nov 2019 
Half-year 
results issued
Investor 
roadshow 
meetings in 
the UK
Investor 
conference  
in the US

Dec 2019 
Investor 
conference  
in the UK

Jan 2020 
Investor 
roadshow  
in the US

March 2020 
Investor 
conferences 
in the UK

Feb 2020 
Trading 
statement 
issued
Investor 
meetings  
in the UK

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

Governance

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a director of a 
company to act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would 
most likely promote the success of the company for the benefit of its 
members as a whole. In doing this, section 172 requires a director to 
have regard, among other matters, to the:

•  likely consequences of any decisions in the long term;
•  interests of the company’s employees;
•  need to foster the company’s business relationships with 

suppliers, customers and others;

•  impact of the company’s operations on the community and 

environment;

•  desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high 

standards of business conduct, and

•  need to act fairly as between members of the company.

In discharging our section 172 duties we have regard to the  
factors set out above. We also have regard to other factors which 
we consider relevant to the decision being made. Those factors, 
for example, include the interests and views of our pensioners.  
We acknowledge that every decision we make will not necessarily 
result in a positive outcome for all our stakeholders. By 
considering the Company’s purpose and values together with its 
strategic priorities, and having a process in place for decision-
making, we do, however, aim to make sure that our decisions are 
consistent and predictable.

For details on how our Board operates and the way in which we 
reach decisions, including the matters we discussed and debated 
during the year, the key stakeholder considerations that were 
central to those discussions and the way in which we have had 
regard to the need to foster the Company’s business relationship 
with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, please see the 
Chairman’s introduction to corporate governance from page 76, 
our corporate governance structure from page 78, Board 
activities on page 80 and stakeholder engagement from page 82.

We set out below some examples of how the Directors have had 
regard to the matters set out in section 172(1)(a)-(f) when 
discharging our section 172 duty and the effect of that on 
decisions taken by them.

ANNUAL STRATEGY REVIEW 
Each year the Board carries out a review of the Group’s strategy. 
In 2019, the Board considered how a number of extreme but  
plausible scenarios could impact a range of our stakeholders, 
including our people, our customers and our suppliers and how 
those scenarios could present risks and opportunities for  
Tate & Lyle. These scenarios were developed around key 
mega-trends including climate change; health and wellbeing; 
reduction in international trade; and the increase of artificial 
intelligence. This exercise started a discussion between the Board 
and management, which will continue in the 2021 financial year, 
about how Tate & Lyle might respond to those mega-trends in a 
way which will benefit all our stakeholders. This long-term 
perspective informed the development of our 2030 commitments 
and targets for the three pillars of our purpose, as discussed in 
the Chief Executive’s review from page 12. 

PENSIONS 
During the year the Board and the trustee of the Group’s UK 
pension scheme approved an agreement with Legal & General 
Assurance Society Limited for a £930 million bulk annuity 
insurance ‘buy-in’. In approving this agreement the Board 
considered that it would provide certainty and security for those 
current and future pensioners in the Tate & Lyle Group Pension 
Scheme, while also removing future risk for Tate & Lyle and 
saving £20 million of annual contributions. 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
In July 2019, the Board approved a US$75 million capital 
investment in a new co-generation system at our plant in 
Lafayette, Indiana, USA. This project is part of a multi-year capital 
investment programme totalling more than US$150 million to 
eliminate coal in our plants by 2025. The Board considered the 
positive impact this investment will have on the local community 
and the environment by reducing our CO2e emissions while also 
generating efficiency savings. 

SUSTAINABILITY
During the course of this year, the Board approved another 
initiative, in addition to the capital investment mentioned above, 
which will have a significant positive impact on our communities 
and the environment. 

Partnership with TruterraTM: In May 2019, the Board approved an 
agreement with Truterra™ (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAINTM)  
to bolster the sustainability of 1.5 million acres of US-grown corn, 
an acreage equivalent to Tate & Lyle’s entire global annual 
corn purchases.

The Board weighed the financial cost of this initiative with the 
benefits it brings to a number of the Group’s key stakeholders, 
namely farmers, local communities, customers and the wider 
society. Through this initiative, Tate & Lyle aims to enable  
more sustainable farming practices, support its customers’ 
environmental initiatives and impact reporting, and ultimately 
increase transparency throughout the food supply chain. For 
more information about this programme, see page 55.

Sustainability programme: In March 2020, the Board reviewed 
the progress of our sustainability programme and approved new 
environmental targets to reduce CO2e emissions (including a 
commitment for these targets to be science-based), reduce water 
use, beneficially use 100% of the waste we generate, and to 
continue to support sustainable agriculture. See pages 51 to 55  
for more information. 

PURPOSE COMMITMENTS
In addition to the environmental targets described above,  
the Board also approved commitments under our two other 
purpose pillars of supporting healthy living and building  
thriving communities. To read more about these commitments, 
see page 17. 

Furthermore, the Board agreed that Tate & Lyle should join the 
UN Global Compact, a major global corporate responsibility 
initiative. It also agreed which of the UN Sustainable Development 
Goals (five in total) most closely align with our purpose and where 
we could have most impact. See pages 16 and 17.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 87  

Corporate governance (continued)

HOW WE HAVE APPLIED THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE 
Compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code: For the year ended 31 March 2020, we 
are pleased to report that we have applied the principles and complied with the provisions of the 
Code. The Code can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

1. BOARD LEADERSHIP AND COMPANY PURPOSE

A. THE ROLE OF THE BOARD: 
Our Board comprises a diverse group of 
skilled and experienced individuals as 
described in their biographies from page 
70. Working within the governance 
structure set out on page 78 and through 
a programme of regular meetings with 
agendas which focus on financial 
performance, strategic initiatives, risk 
management, our people and Nick’s 
‘Sharpen, Accelerate, Simplify’ priorities, 
together with an annual strategy day,  
the Board promotes the long-term 
sustainable success of the Company 
through the decisions it takes about the 
products, customers, markets and 
geographies in which the Group operates 
and invests. The Board maintains a 
dividend policy to share the value 
generated by these operations with 
shareholders. Tate & Lyle’s products, 
many of which also support health and 
wellbeing, and our sustainability strategy 
contribute to the wider society. 

For more information about the Group’s 
strategy, see the Strategic Report from  
page 8.

B. PURPOSE, VALUES AND CULTURE: 
The Board fully endorses Tate & Lyle’s 
purpose of ‘Improving Lives for 
Generations’. This purpose informs our 
strategy, our values and our culture and 
inspires our people. The Board reviews 
workforce culture and employee 
engagement through a range of 
touchpoints throughout the year. The 
Audit Committee receives quarterly 
updates from our Group Audit and 
Assurance function as well as regular 
updates from our Head of Ethics and 
Compliance. These updates include  
the results of internal audits and 
whistleblowing and provide insights into 
the culture of the Group and individual 
areas of the business. The Committee 
reviewed steps taken by management  
to address any areas of concern and to 
ensure follow-up actions were taken. 

For more information about: our purpose see 
page 2; workforce engagement see page 84; 
Board oversight of culture see page 85 and 
the work of the Audit Committee see page 94.

C. RESOURCES AND CONTROLS:  
The Board ensures that the necessary 
resources are in place for the Group to 
meet its objectives and measure 
performance against them. The Group 
has established an executive Risk 
Committee and operates a three lines of 
defence model which provides a 
framework for establishing a range of 
internal controls and managing risk.  

For more information see the Risk Report 
from page 60 and the Audit Committee Report 
from page 94.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The Board has a formal system in place 
for Directors to declare a conflict, or 
potential conflict of interest. A statement 
of Directors’ interests in Company shares 
is set out on page 114.

D. SHAREHOLDER AND STAKEHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT:  
The Board maintains regular 
engagement, whether directly or 
indirectly, via feedback from the Chief 
Executive and other members of 
management, with shareholders as well 
as a range of key stakeholders. 

For more information on our engagement 
with shareholders see the Chairman’s 
introduction to corporate governance from 
page 76, the shareholder engagement section 
on page 86 and the Remuneration Committee 
Chair’s Introduction to the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 100. 

For information on our approach to 
stakeholder engagement see from page 82. 
Our section 172(1) statement is set out on 
page 87.

E. WORKFORCE POLICIES AND 
PRACTICES:  
Our Code of Ethics sets out our values 
and the standards of behaviour we expect 
from everyone at Tate & Lyle and those 
who work with us. We encourage people 
to report any breaches of the Code 
through our Speak Up (whistleblowing) 
programme which is available to all our 
workforce and to third parties. The Board 
is given access to the Code training 
undertaken by our people and reviews the 
operation of and reports from the Speak 
Up programme.

For more information about this and our 
approach to ethics and compliance  
generally, see pages 46 and 85.

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
Governance

2. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

F. THE ROLE OF THE CHAIR:  
Dr Gerry Murphy, our non-executive 
Chairman, leads the Board and facilitates 
constructive and open dialogue and 
debate between the Board and 
management. Under his leadership the 
Board is responsible for its overall 
effectiveness in directing the Company 
and, every year, the Board conducts a 
review of its own effectiveness and those 
of its Committees. The Chairman reviews 
the performance of individual non-
executive directors and the Senior 
Independent Director leads a review  
of the Chairman. The Nominations 
Committee reviews the performance  
of the Executive Directors. 

For information about the outcome of the 
Board’s effectiveness review this year see 
page 81 and the Nominations Committee 
Report from page 91.

G. BOARD COMPOSITION AND DIVISION 
OF RESPONSIBILITIES:  
The Board comprises nine directors in 
addition to the Chairman, two Executive 
Directors (Chief Executive, Nick Hampton 
and Chief Financial Officer, Imran Nawaz) 
and seven independent non-executive 
directors, one of whom is the Senior 
Independent Director. None of the 
Directors has served on the Board for 
more than nine years. The Board 
considers all the non-executive directors 
to be independent. The Chairman was 
deemed independent on appointment. 

Membership of the Board and information 
about individual directors is set out from 
page 70. The responsibilities of the executive 
and non-executive directors are described  
on page 79. 

H. ROLE OF THE NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS: The role of the non-
executive directors is to provide 
constructive challenge, strategic 
guidance, offer specialist advice and hold 
management to account. Before every 
Board meeting the Chairman holds a 
pre-meeting without the Executive 
Directors present to gather the views of 
the non-executive directors on the papers 
submitted and the topics to be discussed. 
At the conclusion of each Board meeting, 
the Chairman holds another meeting 
without the Executive Directors present  
to consider and discuss any matters that 
have arisen during the meeting. The  
Chair of the Audit Committee also holds 
meetings without the Executive Directors 
present at the end of each Audit 
Committee meeting. 

Time commitment: In accepting their 
appointment to the Board of Tate & Lyle, 
non-executive directors confirm that they 
are able to allocate sufficient time to 
discharge their duties effectively. Each 
year the Nominations Committee reviews 
the time commitments of the non- 
executive directors, which indicates that 
in a typical year, non-executive directors 
spend between 30 and 46 days on 

business relating to Tate & Lyle, with the 
Chairs of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees and the Research Advisory 
Group spending the most time. The 
Chairman typically spends two days a 
week on Tate & Lyle business. In 2019,  
the Board agreed a framework for 
determining the number of public 
company directorships directors can 
undertake in addition to their appointment 
at Tate & Lyle in order to ensure that they 
do not become over-committed. 

The significant commitments of each  
of the directors are included in the Board 
biographies from page 70. For more 
information, see meeting attendance in  
the 2020 financial year on page 81. 

I. ENSURING THE BOARD FUNCTIONS 
EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY:  
The Company Secretary works with the 
Chairman, the Chairs of the Committees, 
the Chief Executive and other members of 
management to ensure that the Board 
has the policies, processes, information, 
time and resources it needs in order to 
function effectively and efficiently. All 
Directors have access to the advice of the 
Company Secretary who is responsible 
for advising the Board on all governance 
matters. Directors also have access to 
the advice of the Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel, as well as independent 
professional advice at the expense of the 
Company.

3. COMPOSITION, SUCCESSION AND EVALUATION

K. SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND 
KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOARD: 
The Nominations Committee ensures  
that the Board and its Committees have  
a combination of skills, experience and 
knowledge necessary to discharge their 
oversight roles and to support the 
management team in the execution of  
the Company’s strategy. 

For more information on the Board’s skills 
and experience, see page 70 and the 
Nominations Committee Report from  
page 91. 

L. BOARD EVALUATION: 
In the 2020 financial year, the Board 
undertook an internally-facilitated 
evaluation. The Board expects to 
commission an externally-facilitated 
review in the second half of the 2021 
financial year, in line with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code guidance 
that the evaluation should be externally-
facilitated every three years. 

For more information, see the Board  
evaluation on page 81.

J. SUCCESSION PLANNING  
FOR THE BOARD:  
The Nominations Committee (which 
comprises all the non-executive directors 
and the Chairman) is responsible for 
succession planning for, and recommending 
candidates for appointment to, the Board 
and certain senior management positions. 
It applies a formal, rigorous and 
transparent process focused on finding 
candidates who can support the strategic 
priorities of the business while also 
representing the diversity of our global 
workforce and customer base. The UK 
Corporate Governance Code provides that 
all Directors should seek re-election on an 
annual basis and all Directors will seek 
re-election at the forthcoming AGM.

For more information about the work of the 
Nominations Committee and the Board’s 
policy on diversity and inclusion, see the 
Nominations Committee Report from page 91.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 89  

Corporate governance (continued)

4. AUDIT, RISK AND INTERNAL CONTROL

M. ENSURING THE INDEPENDENCE 
AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNAL 
AND EXTERNAL AUDIT:  
The Audit Committee is responsible for 
reporting to the Board on a range of 
matters concerning audit, risk and 
internal controls. In particular, the Audit 
Committee reviews and monitors the 
independence and performance of the 
internal audit function, Group Audit and 
Assurance, and the external auditors, EY. 
The Audit Committee has established and 
monitors a policy for non-audit work 
which EY is permitted to conduct. 

For further information about the role and 
work of the Audit Committee, external audit 
and Group Audit and Assurance, see from 
page 94.

N. FAIR, BALANCED AND 
UNDERSTANDABLE ASSESSMENT:  
The Audit Committee reviews the 
financial statements set out in the Group’s 
annual and half-year results and reports 
its findings and recommendations to the 
Board. The Board, as a whole, considers 
the recommendations of the Audit 
Committee, the representations made by 
management and the views of the internal 
and external auditors in order to satisfy 
itself of the integrity of the narrative and 
financial statements and to determine 
whether the financial and narrative 
statements when taken together present 
a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of the Company’s position 
and prospects. 

O. RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL 
CONTROLS:  
The Audit Committee oversees the 
internal controls framework and receives 
regular reports from management  
and the internal audit function on the 
effectiveness of that framework. It 
reports its findings to the Board. At  
least twice a year, the Board reviews the 
principal and emerging risks which apply 
to the Group to ensure that they remain 
current and that, to the extent possible, 
there are mitigation plans in place to 
manage those risks in accordance  
with the risk appetite that the Board 
determines, from time to time, is 
appropriate to achieve the long-term 
strategic objectives of the Group. 

For further information, see the Audit 
Committee Report from page 94 and the ‘fair, 
balanced and understandable’ statement on 
page 99.

For further information, see Risk Report 
from page 60 and the Audit Committee Report 
from page 94.

5. REMUNERATION

P. DESIGNING REMUNERATION 
POLICIES:  
The Remuneration Committee is 
responsible for determining 
remuneration policies and practices 
which support the strategy and promote 
the long-term sustainable success  
of the Group. 

For more information about the work of the 
Remuneration Committee, see the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report from page 100.

R. REMUNERATION OUTCOMES AND 
INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:  
The Remuneration Committee 
determines remuneration outcomes  
for the Executive Directors and other 
members of senior management and  
in so doing exercises independent 
judgement and discretion in the context of 
Company and individual performance and 
the wider circumstances. No Director or 
member of management is involved in 
determining his or her own pay. 

For more information about the 
Remuneration Committee and remuneration 
outcomes, see the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report from page 100.

Q. EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION:  
During the year, the Remuneration 
Committee reviewed the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy to ensure that it 
continues to: (i) align with corporate 
governance best practice; (ii) enable the 
attraction and retention of executive 
talent to deliver against the Group’s 
strategy; and (iii) promote the delivery  
of the long-term strategy. As part of the 
process for developing the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy, the Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee consulted 
major institutional shareholders on the 
Committee’s proposals. 

Details of this engagement are set out in 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report from 
page 100. 

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which is 
to be put to shareholders for approval at the 
2020 AGM, can be found from page 115.

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Nominations Committee Report

Governance

CHAIR’S 
INTRODUCTION

This year we focused on  
long-term succession planning 
for the Executive Directors.

SUCCESSION PLANNING 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS  
AND TALENT MANAGEMENT
This year we focused, as we said we would, on long-term 
succession planning for the Executive Directors and other 
members of our senior management team. We considered the 
development needs of members of our Executive Committee 
(ExCo) and of those individuals who are potential internal 
succession candidates for ExCo roles. 

In addition, the Board received a presentation from our Chief 
Human Resources Officer on the status of the Company’s 
succession plans for key roles below ExCo. Using new data 
analytics, we learnt that our resilience in providing emergency 
cover for key roles, and our bench of executives who are 
developing their readiness for these roles, is strong. This analysis 
also identified some gaps and provided a baseline from which  
we can track, over the coming years, the success of our talent 
development initiatives. 

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
As discussed in last year’s Nomination Committee Report, in 2018 
we undertook an externally facilitated review of the Board’s 
composition and its future compositional needs in order to ensure 
that our Board has the right combination of skills and experience 
to support management in delivering our strategy. That review 
produced two recommendations. The first recommendation was 
to appoint a non-executive director (NED) with relevant and recent 
senior management experience in the US food and beverage 
sector, which is so critical to our business. I’m pleased to say that 
in July 2019, Kim Nelson joined our Board to fulfil that mandate. 
The second recommendation was to appoint a NED with Asian 
market experience to support our expansion in that region. This 
search is currently ongoing and we hope to be able to announce 
an appointment in the coming months. We approach these 
appointments not just with a focus on expanding the skills and 
experience of the Board but also with a focus on broadening our 
diversity in all respects, and particularly with regard to gender  
and ethnicity.

With the changes to the Board composition which took effect 
around the time of our AGM last year (that is, the appointment  
of Kim Nelson and the retirement of Douglas Hurt), we took the 
opportunity to consider the combination of skills, experience  
and knowledge on our Board Committees and to refresh their 
membership. Paul Forman, who was already a member of the 
Audit Committee and recently appointed Senior Independent 
Director, stood down from the Remuneration Committee. Sybella 
Stanley moved from the Audit Committee to the Remuneration 
Committee and Dr Ajai Puri moved from the Remuneration 
Committee to the Audit Committee.

DIVERSITY AT AND BELOW THE BOARD
During the year, the Nominations Committee discussed and 
refreshed the Board Diversity Policy. We are pleased that our 
Board is 30% women and 30% BAME (black, Asian or non-white 
minority ethnic) because we believe that a diverse and inclusive 
culture supports and promotes better business performance, 
growth and innovation. We are mindful of the target set by the 
Hampton-Alexander Review that by 2020 at least 33% of board 
members in FTSE350 companies are women and we are making 
progress towards this target. In our refreshed diversity policy, the 
Board commits to maintain, as a minimum, the diversity in terms 
of gender and ethnicity that is represented on our Board today. 

The Board was also pleased to support management’s 
commitment to 50% gender diversity in leadership roles by 2025 
and will track progress against this target.

PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Notwithstanding the challenges posed by Covid-19, we will 
continue our search for a NED with Asia markets experience.  
In addition, we will begin to think about succession planning for 
the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, as our current Chair, 
Anne Minto, has now served seven years on our Board and has 
chaired the Committee, with great distinction, for five years. We 
will also continue to focus on long-term succession planning for 
senior executives below the Board and to follow the progress of 
management’s talent development initiatives.

Gerry Murphy  
Chair of the Nominations Committee

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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Nominations Committee Report (continued)

COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE 
Responsibilities 
The Committee assists the Board by reviewing the size and 
composition of the Board, including succession planning, and 
the leadership needs of the Group generally. It recommends 
candidates for appointment as Directors and as Company 
Secretary and reviews the performance of the Executive 
Directors. Further details of its responsibilities are in the 
Committee’s terms of reference, which the Committee reviews 
annually and can be found on the Company’s website,  
www.tateandlyle.com.

Composition 
During the financial year under review, the Committee comprised 
the Chairman of the Company and all independent Directors. 
The Company Secretary is the secretary to the Committee.

Meetings during the year 
Meetings are generally held around the time of scheduled Board 
meetings. The Committee held two scheduled meetings during 
the year. Attendance during the year is set out on page 81.

The Chief Executive and the Chief Human Resources Officer are 
invited to attend and present to the Committee on an ad hoc basis, 
depending on the issues being discussed.

Effectiveness
The Committee carried out an internally facilitated review of its 
effectiveness and the output was discussed by the Committee.

This concluded that the Committee continued to operate 
effectively and confirmed that the focus for the coming year 
would continue to be on Board succession planning, as well 
as succession planning for other members of the executive 
management team and talent management in the wider 
organisation.

WORK UNDERTAKEN DURING THE YEAR
The Committee maintains a calendar of items for consideration 
at each meeting and reviews and updates it regularly.

Board succession planning 
During the course of the year, the Nominations Committee 
commenced a search for a non-executive director with knowledge 
and experience of the markets in Asia.

A detailed job specification was prepared and Heidrick & 
Struggles was appointed to assist with the search, which is 
ongoing, with a view to making an appointment before the end 
of the year. Heidrick & Struggles is a signatory to the Voluntary 
Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms and has a good 
understanding of the Group’s business.

Succession planning for senior management 
The Committee also considered succession plans for senior 
executive roles. During the year, members of the Committee 
were consulted on the appointment of Harry Boot to the Executive 
Committee as President, Asia Pacific, Food & Beverage Solutions.

Performance evaluation 
The Committee evaluated the performance of each of 
the Executive Directors and the other members of the  
Executive Committee and reported its conclusions to the 
Remuneration Committee.

BOARD DIVERSITY
As described in the Chair’s introduction to this Nominations 
Committee Report, the Board believes that a diverse and inclusive 
culture is a driver of superior business performance, growth and 
innovation. During this year the Board reviewed and updated its 
policy on diversity. In the new policy the Board commits to 
maintain, as a minimum, the balance of gender diversity and 
ethnic representation present on our Board at the date of the 
policy and to improve it over time.

The Committee uses search firms who are signatories to the 
Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms which 
seeks to address gender diversity on boards and best practice for 
the related search processes.

When considering candidate directors, the Committee looks at 
a number of different criteria, including gender, age, culture and 
personal attributes such as thinking style. This is reflected in the 
longlists and shortlists of possible candidates.

As at the date of this Annual Report, the Board comprises the 
Chairman, two Executive Directors and seven non-executive 
directors. Female representation (three Directors) equates to 
30% of the Board and BAME (black, Asian, and minority ethnic) 
representation is also 30%.

Diversity below the Board 
We recognise that to be a successful company, we must be both 
diverse and inclusive. We expect everyone, everywhere, to play 
a role in ensuring we become a truly diverse and inclusive 
organisation where differences are respected and everyone’s 
contributions are valued.

Our Group human resources policy records our commitment to 
providing opportunities for all colleagues, irrespective of (among 
other things) sex, race, ethnicity, colour, religion, background, age 
and sexual orientation.

The Board supported management’s commitment to achieve 50% 
gender diversity in leadership roles across the organisation by 
2025 and will track progress against that target.

GENDER DIVERSITY OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT 
AND THEIR DIRECT REPORTS1

At 20 May 2020

  MEN  
  WOMEN

40

GENDER DIVERSITY 
OF SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT AND 
THEIR DIRECT 
REPORTS (%)

60

1 

In accordance with the Code, senior management is defined as the Executive Committee 
(including the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer) and the Company Secretary. 

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Governance

Directors’ induction programme 
In those years in which new Directors join the Board, the Company 
Secretary works with each Director to tailor a comprehensive 
induction programme which includes visits to key sites, meetings 
with senior leaders to cover strategy, operations (including safety 
and environmental performance), risk management and internal 
controls, and UK corporate governance requirements.

Professional development and independent site  
visit programme
Directors receive ongoing training and updates on relevant issues 
as appropriate, taking into account their individual qualifications 
and experience. The Company Secretary helps the Directors 
undertake any other professional development they consider 
necessary to assist them in carrying out their duties.

During the year, in addition to the Board’s visit to our offices and 
labs in Shanghai, the Chairman visited our sites in Dubai, Lille, 
Lübeck and Mexico City and other non-executive directors visited 
many of our sites around the globe. A summary of the number of 
sites visited by the non-executive directors is set out below:

North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Latin America
Asia Pacific

5
7
1
3

These visits provide non-executive directors with the opportunity 
to interact with local management and other members of the 
workforce and to gain in-depth knowledge about the opportunities 
and challenges for the Group’s operations across the world.

BOARD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, INDUCTION  
AND SITE VISIT PROGRAMME 
Board effectiveness
The Board regularly reviews the balance of experience, skills, 
gender and diversity of thinking styles around the boardroom 
table to ensure that the composition of the Board and its 
Committees is appropriate for the Group as it continues to evolve 
and implement the strategy. The Board and its Committees carry 
out a formal effectiveness review process once a year, which 
provides new insights into the operation of the Board and areas 
for development or particular focus. This year the Board and its 
Committees carried out an internally facilitated effectiveness 
questionnaire and reviewed the output and determined the 
priorities for the 2021 financial year. The recommendations  
of that review are set out on page 81. 

Review of the Committees
In addition to the Board effectiveness review, the chairs of the 
Nominations, Audit and Remuneration Committees led the  
reviews of their Committees’ effectiveness. These reviews 
confirmed that all Committees continue to provide effective 
support to the Board. 

Review of individual Directors
Each Director goes through a formal performance review process 
as part of the annual Board effectiveness review. Dr Gerry Murphy 
led performance reviews of the non-executive directors. All 
Directors completed this process during the year and Anne Minto 
and Dr Ajai Puri, who have both served for over six years, were  
subject to particularly rigorous reviews.

The Nominations Committee reviewed the performance of 
the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer. The 
Senior Independent Director, Paul Forman, led the review 
of the Chairman. 

These reviews confirmed that each Director continues to make an 
effective contribution to the Board’s work and is well prepared 
and informed about issues they needed to consider. In each case, 
their commitment remains strong.

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Audit Committee Report

CHAIR’S 
INTRODUCTION

We continued our practice of 
looking in depth at certain 
aspects of the control 
environment.

AUDIT, RISK AND INTERNAL CONTROL 

I am pleased to present my first Audit Committee Report for  
Tate & Lyle. During the year, I engaged outside the formal 
meetings of the Committee with a significant number of 
stakeholders, including the Group Audit and Assurance (internal 
audit) function, senior management and the external auditor  
to understand their views of the risk and control framework  
within the Group and the work of the Audit Committee. These 
interactions have helped me gain a deeper understanding of  
Tate & Lyle’s risk and control environment and I have shared my 
observations with my colleagues.

REVIEWS DURING THE YEAR
The responsibilities of the Committee have not changed during 
the year. We continued with our practice of looking in particular 
depth at certain aspects of the control environment on a rotation 
basis. This year these deep dives included a review of our  
Food & Beverage Solutions finance function, a review of our 
treasury and tax functions, an update on our ethics and 
compliance programme, our insurance programme, retirement 
benefits and our cyber security and IS/IT controls. Wherever 
possible, the Committee hears from members of senior 
management below the Executive Committee level, as this 
provides an opportunity for us to assess the culture, engagement 
and bench strength in the wider organisation. In addition, the 
Committee holds a private session with the Chief Financial Officer 
once a year to review, among other things, succession planning in 
the finance team. 

VISIT TO OUR GLOBAL SHARED SERVICE CENTRE  
Together with three other members of the Committee, I visited  
our Global Shared Service centre in Łódz(cid:5), Poland. We received 
presentations and had discussions with the leadership group  
and each of their teams on performance, engagement with 
stakeholders in the business, the culture, and people 

management. We found this visit to be highly valuable as it 
enabled us to learn more of the finance and control operations 
which are managed in Łódz(cid:5) on behalf of the whole Group. My 
fellow directors and I also held an all-employee Town Hall 
meeting with more than 300 of our people. 

EXTERNAL AUDITORS
During the year, the external auditors, EY, briefed the Committee 
on the data analytics tools which it uses to support its audit. For a 
number of areas EY was able to demonstrate the assurance that 
the data analytics provided. Accordingly, enhancements were 
made to the agreed audit strategy. 

The Committee also received a detailed briefing from 
management and EY on our preparations for completing the 
year-end close process and audit in light of the challenges  
posed to our usual processes, and those of EY, by the Covid-19 
pandemic. The Committee was reassured by the actions that 
management and EY had taken to ensure that there was minimal 
impact on the year-end audit timetable. The Committee and the 
Board would like to thank the teams for rising to the challenge 
and responding in such a positive manner.

CONCLUSION
Information on the following pages sets out in detail the 
composition of the Committee, its activities and our priorities 
looking forward. 

I hope that you will find this report useful in understanding 
our work and I welcome any comments from shareholders on 
my report.

Warren Tucker 
Chair of the Audit Committee

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COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE 
Responsibilities 
The Committee assists the Board by overseeing financial 
reporting, internal controls and the risk management process, the 
Group Audit and Assurance function and our relationship with the 
external auditor. Further details of its responsibilities are in the 
Committee’s terms of reference on the Company’s website,  
www.tateandlyle.com.

Composition 
The Committee currently comprises five independent Directors: 
Warren Tucker (Chair), Anne Minto, Paul Forman, Dr Ajai Puri 
and Kim Nelson. The Committee welcomed Kim Nelson to the 
Committee upon her appointment to the Board on 1 July 2019 
and Dr Ajai Puri on 23 July 2019. As part of Kim’s induction 
programme, she met with the external auditors, VP Group 
Financial Controller, VP Group Audit and Assurance and other 
leaders of key functions to help her gain an understanding of  
Tate & Lyle’s finance and controls framework. In addition, Sybella 
Stanley left the Committee and Douglas Hurt stepped down 
from the Board on 23 July 2019. On the same date Warren took 
over the chairmanship.

The Code stipulates that:
i.   the Committee, as a whole, shall have competence relevant 

to the sector in which the Company operates. The Committee 
considered that it does, as a whole, have extensive experience 
of global manufacturing and supply organisations, and of 
business-to-business groups, experience of commercialisation 
of innovation pipelines and a wealth of knowledge and 
understanding of the London investment community and 
governance matters. It continues to strengthen the 
competencies of its members through ongoing development 
programmes and updates.

ii.  at least one Committee member should have recent and 
relevant financial experience. Warren Tucker meets this 
requirement. Warren was Chief Financial Officer of Cobham plc 
until 2013 and is a chartered accountant. He also served as an 
independent non-executive director on a FTSE100 audit 
committee from 2010 to May 2020.

The Company Secretary is the secretary to the Committee.

Governance

Meetings during the year 
Meetings are generally scheduled in line with key times in the 
Group’s financial reporting calendar. The Committee held five 
scheduled meetings during the year. Attendance during the year is 
set out on page 81. The Committee has also met once since the 
end of the financial year and prior to the signing of this Annual 
Report.

The Chief Financial Officer, VP Group Audit and Assurance,  
VP Group Financial Controller, EVP General Counsel and 
representatives of the external auditor are invited to, and attend, 
part of each meeting. The Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive are also invited to, and attend, each Committee 
meeting. In addition, senior finance and operational leaders attend 
and present to the Committee on an ad hoc basis, depending on 
the issues being discussed.

The Committee meets privately with: the Chief Financial Officer; 
the VP Group Audit and Assurance; the Chief Executive; and the 
Company’s external auditor on an individual basis to ensure the 
effective flow of material information between the Committee and 
management. The Committee also meets without management 
present at the end of every meeting.

Effectiveness
The Committee Chair carried out an internally facilitated review  
of its effectiveness and sought feedback from its Committee 
members, certain members of senior management and the 
external auditor. The output was discussed by the Committee. 
This concluded that the Committee continued to operate 
effectively throughout the year and identified areas of focus  
for the 2021 financial year.

WORK UNDERTAKEN DURING THE YEAR 
The Committee maintains a rolling calendar of items for 
consideration at each meeting and reviews and updates it 
regularly. As well as the work referred to above, the Committee 
focused on four main areas: financial reporting; oversight of the 
external auditors; oversight of the internal audit function; and 
internal control and risk management.

Financial reporting 
At each of its meetings, the Committee reviewed and 
constructively challenged the accounting methodologies, 
judgements and disclosures set out in the papers prepared by 
management and determined, with the input from the external 
auditors, the appropriateness of these. The significant issues 
considered by the Committee in relation to this year’s financial 
statements are listed on page 96. Papers on the Group’s existing 
and emerging litigation risks were also considered.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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Audit Committee Report (continued)

SIGNIFICANT MATTERS RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE

AREA

BACKGROUND

COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITIES AND CONCLUSION

Commodity 
accounting

We use commodity contracts to manage and 
hedge our corn positions in the US. The 
valuations of the corn book and the co-products 
produced as part of the corn wet-milling 
process, which are both underpinned by a 
number of judgements, can have a material 
impact on the reported results of the Group.

The Committee considered the work performed by management and 
the external auditors before concluding that the judgements made in 
determining the accounting treatment and valuations of the corn and 
co-products positions were appropriate. This continues to be a key 
area of focus for the Committee.

Exceptional items

We exclude from our alternative performance 
measures exceptional items which are material 
in amount and that are outside the normal 
course of business or relate to events which do 
not frequently recur, and therefore merit 
separate disclosure in the financial statements.

The Committee constructively challenged the judgement of 
management regarding the measurement and classification  
of exceptional items. The Committee also considered the 
appropriateness of the associated disclosures and concluded that 
both the judgements made and the disclosures proposed were 
reasonable. See page 43.

Impairment reviews

As required, we test all goodwill for impairment 
annually and, additionally, test all assets where 
there has been an indicator of potential 
impairment.

The Committee reviewed the annual goodwill impairment 
assessments and considered the appropriateness of management’s 
assumptions, including consideration of the impact of Covid-19 on 
such assessments. 

Taxation

We operate and pay taxes in a number of 
jurisdictions, which requires the interpretation 
of complex tax law. As such, we make provision 
for potential tax exposures with local tax 
authorities and reassess this as necessary at 
the half year and year end. Our assessment is 
underpinned by a range of judgements from tax 
professionals and external advisors.

Retirement benefits

We have significant retirement benefit 
obligations in the UK and the US, including 
unfunded retirement medical plans in the US.

Management concluded that there was significant headroom  
in its impairment reviews and, accordingly, no impairments were 
required. The Committee agreed with this conclusion. The disclosure 
is set out in Note 18.

The Committee reviewed the key judgements made in estimating the 
Group’s tax charge along with the key disclosures, set out on page 43 
and in Note 11. The Committee was satisfied that the judgements 
made in estimating the Group’s tax charge were reasonable, and that 
the disclosures were appropriate.

The Committee considered the appropriateness of tax provisions at 
the balance sheet date, including amounts provided in respect of 
current and historical Group financing arrangements, specific US tax 
risks and global transfer pricing risks.

The Committee concluded that the measurement and disclosure of 
these provisions were appropriate.

Prior to its execution during the first half of the year, the Committee 
reviewed the accounting treatment of the proposal for a bulk annuity 
insurance buy-in with Legal & General in relation to our main UK 
defined benefit pension scheme. 

The Committee challenged management on the risk, funding and 
accounting impact of the proposal and agreed with management’s 
recommendation.

Going concern and 
Viability Statement

We have reviewed the going concern 
assumptions and, in particular, the downside 
scenarios modelled in the Viability Statement  
in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Committee probed management on the assumptions and 
modelling to assess the Group’s resources to continue to operate for 
a period of not less than 12 months and also the longer-term viability 
of the Group.

The Committee was satisfied to recommend to the Board that the 
Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. 
Further, the Committee was satisfied with work performed by 
management to support the Group’s Viability Statement.

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Governance

Provision of non-audit services 
The policy also sets out the circumstances in which the external 
auditor may be permitted to undertake non-audit services and  
the services which are not permitted under any circumstances, 
such as the provision of remuneration advice and internal audit 
outsourcing.

The Committee considers quarterly reports which set out any 
non-audit services provided by the auditor and the fees incurred. 
Under our policy on non-audit services, the Chief Financial Officer 
has authority to approve the permitted services up to £10,000, 
with any amounts above that limit requiring approval of the 
Committee Chair or the Committee itself. Any amounts approved 
by the Chief Financial Officer are reported to the Audit Committee 
at its next meeting.

The total amount payable in respect of the Group audit and audit 
of subsidiaries was £2.5 million, and £0.1 million was in respect  
of the review of the half-year results, being the only non-audit 
service and it being standard practice. Fees paid in respect of 
non-audit services therefore comprised 4% of the total fees  
paid to EY.

Audit quality
To maintain audit quality, the Committee reviews and challenges 
the proposed external audit plan, including its scope and 
materiality, before approval, to make sure that EY has identified 
all key risks and developed robust audit procedures and 
communication plans. Throughout the year, the Committee looks 
at the quality of the auditor’s reports and considers its response 
to accounting, financial control and audit issues as they arise.

The Committee also meets with EY regularly without 
management present, providing an opportunity to raise any 
matters in confidence and for an open dialogue. This meeting  
also gives the Committee the chance to monitor the performance 
of the lead engagement partner both inside and outside 
Committee meetings.

The Committee specifically considered the findings of the Audit 
Quality Review Team’s (AQRT) review of EY’s 2019 audit on the 
Group. The Committee noted the scope of the review, areas of 
good practice identified, and the observations raised, alongside 
EY’s proposed actions to address these. Overall, the Committee 
was satisfied with the rating assigned to the review, noted the 
findings did not raise any significant concerns in respect of audit 
quality and were satisfied with EY’s proposals to address the 
recommendations raised by the AQRT.

Engagement with regulators 
During the year, we received a written request for information 
from the Corporate Reporting Review team of the Financial 
Reporting Council (FRC) in relation to the Group’s 2019 Annual 
Report and financial statements. Management’s response was 
reviewed by the Committee. Each of the questions raised by the 
FRC was resolved satisfactorily and the information request was 
closed without the FRC requiring any changes to our accounting 
or disclosure. We have made a small number of enhancements to 
the clarity of our disclosures as a result of the review. The FRC’s 
review was not intended to provide assurance over the accuracy  
of the 2019 Annual Report and financial statements, but was 
designed to consider compliance with reporting requirements.

Focus areas for the Audit Committee in the 2021 financial year
In addition to the recurring matters on the Committee’s rolling 
calendar, the Committee will focus on overseeing the completion 
of the SAP rollout to the relatively few remaining sites in the 
Group’s network and on completion of the Group risk assurance 
map. The risk assurance map is a tool which describes the key 
sources of assurance and controls across the three lines of 
defence model against each of our principal risks. The Committee 
will continue to carry out deep dives into the two business 
divisions, both at Group functional level and at divisional business 
levels, on a rotational basis. Reviewing cyber risk and IS/IT 
controls will remain high on the Committee’s agenda, in 
particular, in the context of the operational limitations imposed by 
the working from home arrangements introduced as a result of 
the Covid-19 pandemic.

External auditors 
As part of the reporting of the half-year and full-year results 
statements, EY reported to the Committee on its assessment of 
the Group’s accounting judgements and estimates and its control 
environment. EY did not report any significant deficiencies in 
controls nor did it disagree with any of the Group’s accounting 
judgements and estimates. Warren Tucker meets with EY prior to 
each meeting and outside the meeting cycle on a regular basis,  
with a particular focus on audit quality, mindset and objectivity.

Safeguarding the auditor’s independence 
The independence of the external auditor is essential to the 
provision of an objective opinion on the true and fair view 
presented in the financial statements. Auditor independence and 
objectivity are safeguarded by a number of control measures, 
including limiting the nature and value of non-audit services 
performed by the external auditor.

The Committee operates a policy to safeguard the objectivity and 
independence of the external auditor. This policy sets out certain 
disclosure requirements by the external auditor to the Committee; 
restrictions on the employment of the external auditor’s former 
employees; and partner rotation.

During the year, the Committee reviewed the operation and 
results of this policy and confirmed that, in its opinion, the 
external auditors remained independent. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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Audit Committee Report (continued)

Effectiveness of the external auditor 
The effectiveness of the external auditor is assessed in 
accordance with a process agreed by the Committee. As part of 
the process, the auditors’ performance for the 2019 financial year 
was reviewed against criteria set at the start of the audit, which 
includes quality and experience of the audit team, audit planning 
and adaptability to changes in business needs and the control 
environment, providing objectivity and challenge, project 
management, and reporting and communication. The Committee 
also took into consideration the latest FRC’s guidance on 
evaluating audit quality. 

The review sought feedback from management at Group and 
divisional levels most directly involved in the year-end audit and 
feedback was also sought from EY on the contribution from our 
management team to an effective audit. 

The Committee considered the feedback received together with 
its wider knowledge and concluded that the external audit process 
for the 2019 financial year was effective and that EY provided 
independent challenge to management. Areas of focus were 
identified and used to develop an audit improvement plan for the 
audit in the 2020 financial year.

Tenure 
EY was appointed the Group’s external auditor at the Company’s 
AGM in 2018 for the financial year 31 March 2019 following a 
formal tender process. Subject to continuing satisfactory 
performance, we anticipate that the lead audit partner, Lloyd 
Brown, will rotate after his fifth year as lead audit partner, ie after 
the financial year ending on 31 March 2023. 

The Committee recommended, and the Board intends to propose, 
the reappointment of EY as the Company’s auditors for the 2021 
financial year. It believes the independence and objectivity of the 
external auditors and the effectiveness of the audit process are 
safeguarded and remain strong.

The Committee considers that the Company has complied  
with the Competition and Markets Authority’s Statutory Audit 
Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory 
Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014 for the financial year under review. 
There are no contractual obligations that restrict the Committee’s 
choice of external auditors.

Internal audit – Group Audit and Assurance 
Group Audit and Assurance (GAA) is an internal function that 
provides independent and objective assurance to all levels of 
management up to the Board. Its responsibilities include 
evaluating and reporting on the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
systems of risk management and internal controls operated by 
management. Management remains responsible for identifying 
risks and for the design and operation of controls to manage  
risk effectively.

GAA is staffed by professionally qualified and experienced 
individual members located in London and Chicago. They report 
to the VP, GAA, who is based in London, who in turn reports 
directly to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and  
the Chief Executive. 

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

The Committee received, considered and approved the internal 
audit plan for the 2021 financial year, which was constructed using 
a risk-based approach. This will be kept under review in light of 
Covid-19 operational limitations. The plan was based on the 
premise that all businesses are audited at least once every three 
years, with the exception of our businesses based in emerging 
markets which are visited more frequently. In the 2020 financial 
year, 40 audit assignments were undertaken covering a broad 
range of areas including financial controls compliance and 
operational effectiveness. The Committee received a report from 
the VP, GAA, at each of its meetings detailing progress against the 
agreed plan, key trends and findings, and an update on the 
progress made towards resolving open issues.

The Committee also reviewed the effectiveness of GAA this year.  
It was undertaken by way of a questionnaire and feedback was 
sought from members of the Audit Committee, senior management 
and external auditors. The Committee concluded that the function 
continues to operate effectively.

Internal control and risk management 
The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent  
of the principal risks it is willing to take in achieving the Group’s 
strategic objectives and for maintaining sound risk management 
and internal control systems. A formal process is in place which 
aims to identify and evaluate risks including emerging risks and 
how they are managed. Further details including the description 
of principal risks are set out on pages 63 to 67.

The objective of the internal control system is to protect the 
Group’s assets and reputation and to ensure the reliability of 
financial information for both internal use and external 
publication. The systems of internal control and risk management 
cannot eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives 
and can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance against 
material misstatement or loss.

The Audit Committee continued to receive and consider regular 
reports from management and the VP, GAA, on the effectiveness 
of the Group’s internal controls and risk management system as 
well as the external auditor on matters identified in the course  
of its statutory audit work. The Board believes that the Group 
maintains an effective, embedded system of internal controls. 

Internal control over financial reporting 
The Group has specific internal mechanisms that govern the 
financial reporting process and the disclosure controls and 
procedures around the approval of the Group’s financial 
statements. Twice a year, representatives from the business  
units certify that they have complied with the minimum control 
standards and that their reported information provides a true and 
fair view of the state of the financial affairs of their division and its 
results for the period. The results of this financial disclosure 
process are reported to the Audit Committee.

Governance

Annual review of the effectiveness of the system  
of internal control 
The Board monitors the effectiveness of the Group’s systems  
of internal control and risk management throughout the year. 
Once a year, the Board, supported by the Audit Committee, 
conducts its own review of the effectiveness of the systems of risk 
management and internal control. As last year, the 2020 review 
was facilitated by GAA and covered the period from the start of  
the financial year to the date of this Annual Report. The process 
included a two-stage review to facilitate discussion, with the Audit 
Committee discussing the results of the review at their meetings 
in March and May 2020. The Board then discussed the output at 
its meeting in May 2020.

The 2020 review covered financial, operational and compliance 
controls, our values and behaviours, and the risk management 
process, and included questionnaires and representation letters 
completed by management. Group Audit and Assurance 
monitored and checked the results of the review, ensuring that 
the responses from management were consistent with the results 
of its work during the year. The Audit Committee reported to the 
Board that the process for monitoring and reviewing internal 
control and risk management processes is robust and 
appropriate for the size and scale of the business. It was noted 
that no significant failing or weakness had been identified and 
confirmed that it was satisfied the systems and processes were 
functioning effectively.

The Group’s going concern and Viability Statement disclosures are 
set out in the Strategic Report on pages 45 and 62 respectively.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

FAIR, BALANCED AND UNDERSTANDABLE REPORTING
Robust year-end governance processes are in place to 
support the Board’s review of the Annual Report which include:

•  ensuring that all of those involved in the preparation of 

the Annual Report have been briefed on the ‘fair, balanced 
and understandable’ requirements;

•  internal verification by the Group Audit and Assurance 

team of non-financial factual statements, key 
performance indicators and descriptions used within  
the narrative;

•  regular engagement with, and feedback from, senior 
management on proposed content and changes; 
•  feedback from external parties (corporate reporting 

specialists, remuneration advisors, external auditor) to 
enhance the quality of our reporting; and

•  review by the Audit Committee of the governance 

processes employed to provide assurance that the Annual 
Report is fair, balanced and understandable, including  
the opportunity to challenge members of management, 
Group Audit and Assurance and the external auditor on 
the robustness of those processes.

The Board considers that, taken as a whole, the Annual 
Report is fair, balanced and understandable. The Board 
further believes that the Annual Report provides the 
necessary information for shareholders to adequately 
assess the Company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 99  

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

CHAIR’S  
INTRODUCTION  

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE CONTEXT AND COVID-19 
As you will have read in the introductory statements in this  
Annual Report, we are pleased to report a year of strong financial 
performance in spite of a challenging external environment.  
The Remuneration Committee is particularly mindful that the 
Covid-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for the 
business and our customers, as well as for our workforce and the 
communities in which we operate. The Committee has reflected 
on these matters at length in our decision making, both in relation 
to the year we are concluding and the year ahead. Despite the 
near-term challenges of Covid-19, the fundamentals of the 
business remain sound. We are making good progress executing 
our strategy, the balance sheet remains strong and we are 
maintaining the final dividend. No employees have been 
furloughed and we have not sought government aid. 

In terms of financial performance, highlights include:  

•(cid:3) 4% increase1 in adjusted profit before tax 
•(cid:3) 8% increase1 in adjusted diluted earnings per share 
•(cid:3) Adjusted free cash flow £35 million higher at £247 million 
•(cid:3) Productivity programme delivering ahead of expectations  
•(cid:3) Final dividend maintained at 20.8p, making a full-year 

dividend of 29.6p, up 0.7%. 

1   Percentage change figures are in constant currency for continuing operations. 

Alongside these financial headlines, the Remuneration Committee 
recognises the significant actions that have been taken to  
create value for our customers, suppliers and stakeholders  
more broadly. The Chief Executive’s review highlights a number  
of the actions and commitments the business has made to live  
our purpose of Improving Lives for Generations, including: 

•(cid:3) Committing to science-based targets to reduce (Scope  

1, 2 and 3) CO2e emissions by 2030 including a commitment  
to eliminate the use of coal in our operations by 2025 
•(cid:3) Committing to gender parity in leadership roles by 2025 
•(cid:3) Supporting specific UN Sustainable Development Goals 
where we can have the greatest impact (see page 16) 

•(cid:3) Leading the way with an industry-first agricultural 

programme through our partnership with Truterra™  
to promote sustainable corn farming in the US, which  
was expanded during the year to cover 1.5 million acres, 
equivalent to the volume of corn we buy globally each year. 

100 
100

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

Our Policy renewal reflects the 
changes we made to simplify our 
arrangements last year, and  
the reductions to remuneration 
opportunity our Executive 
Directors have agreed.  

Anne Minto 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

At the same time, we have made significant progress in our 
environment, health and safety agenda (see from page 50).  

See page 21 for additional information regarding our community 
and stakeholder initiatives, and pages 46 to 49 for some key 
insights into the actions we are taking to engage and develop 
our own people within our organisation – all aligned with  
our purpose. 

MODERATION IN EXECUTIVE PAY  
With this broader focus for value creation from our business, 
the Committee is pleased to report a number of specific actions 
in relation to executive pay:  

•(cid:3) The structural reduction in bonus opportunity which we 

described in last year’s Annual Report is now adopted as  
a formal Policy 

•(cid:3) Executive Directors agreed changes to the level of their own 
retirement benefits, to give up contractual entitlements and 
reduce these so that they will be brought into line with the 
broader workforce  

•(cid:3) The 2020 Policy includes a commitment to a post-

employment shareholding requirement to underline 
Executive Directors’ commitment to the long-term success  
of the business 

•(cid:3) Executive Directors have volunteered to forego a salary 

increase, for a second year running 

•(cid:3) Executive Directors have indicated that, as we start a new 

financial year, they do not expect to receive a bonus payment 
in relation to the year ahead, recognising the exceptional 
circumstances we face as a global community, and the 
Committee will take this into account at the end of the 
financial year. 

On behalf of the Board, I am grateful to Nick and Imran for their 
willingness to show leadership on these issues. We would also 
like to recognise the Executive Committee, the wider leadership 
team, and all our employees for their unstinting efforts to 
manage the business during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

(cid:3)

 
 
 
INCENTIVE OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR  
Headline incentive outcomes for the year reflect the strong 
operational and financial performance of the business:  

•(cid:3) Annual bonus plan: awards for the year are at around  

three-quarters of the maximum, reflecting strong profit  
and cash performance relative to stretching targets set at  
the start of the year; as well as key achievements against 
strategic non-financial metrics. 

•(cid:3) Performance Share Plan (PSP): awards made in 2017 will 
vest at 62.5% of maximum, having reached the end of their 
three-year performance period. Adjusted return on capital 
employed in the year to 31 March 2020 of 17.5% results in full 
vesting for that element; adjusted profit before tax compound 
annual growth of 7.1% was within the target range; and 
although profit growth in the Food & Beverage Solutions 
division was double digit this year, it was not sufficient to 
meet the stretching three-year profit growth target we set  
at the start of the period. 

•(cid:3) Total remuneration outcomes: these are above ’target’  

but below ‘maximum’ policy levels. The CEO figure is lower 
than the prior year; the CFO figure reflects a full year in role. 

The Committee has reviewed performance and the associated 
incentive plan outcomes carefully, and considers them to be  
an appropriate reflection of the financial performance and 
strategic progress of the business, in the context of stretching 
performance targets set at the start of the period.  

Payment of the cash part of the bonus will be deferred, 
conditional on the approval of the dividend at the AGM, to 
demonstrate greater alignment with shareholders. Part  
of the annual bonus will be awarded as deferred shares, 
in the normal way; and the Performance Share Plan award  
is subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period. 

RECOGNISING THE COMMITMENT OF ALL OUR COLLEAGUES  
Alongside these outcomes, we are pleased to report some 
important actions that have been taken to enable a broader  
set of colleagues across the global workforce to share in the 
success of the business this year: 

•(cid:3) At the start of the year, we took the decision to broaden  
the participation in our Group incentive arrangements,  
more than doubling the overall population in our annual 
bonus plan. The payments under this plan we are making  
this year enable a much broader population to share in the 
overall success of the business. 

•(cid:3) Recognising the exceptional circumstances that we face as 

we sign off this report, we have made a special cash payment 
to nearly 2,000 of our ‘front line’ employees who we want to 
recognise specifically for their commitment in keeping our 
operations running and customers served through this 
unprecedented period. 

CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND 
POLICY RENEWAL 
We have engaged proactively with shareholders over successive 
years, and I am pleased to report that the level of shareholder 
support for our remuneration policy and framework remains 
strong (most recent policy and report resolutions both enjoying 
support of c.97%). 

Following a careful review, and recent consultation with a 
significant number of our largest institutional shareholders,  
we believe that our current Policy and approach – incorporating 
the changes on which we consulted with shareholders in detail 
ahead of our 2019 AGM – remains appropriate in the context  
of our business strategy and shareholder expectations. 
Accordingly, we are not proposing to make any material 
changes to our Remuneration Policy. 

 (cid:3)

(cid:3)

Governance 
Governance

The Policy reflects the following key updates:  

•(cid:3) Reduction in bonus maximum: the reduction in maximum 

bonus award from 175% to 150%, which we adopted last year, 
is now reflected in our formal Policy. 

•(cid:3) Executive Director benefits: all employment benefits – 

including retirement benefits – provided to new appointments 
to Executive Director roles in the UK will be aligned with the 
benefits applicable to the majority of the UK workforce.  

•(cid:3) Existing director retirement benefits will reduce: Executive 

Directors have agreed changes to the level of their own 
retirement benefits to give up contractual entitlements and 
reduce these so that they will be brought into line with the 
broader workforce within a two-year period. This results in  
an immediate reduction in benefit for the CEO from 25% to 
20% of salary with effect from 1 April 2020; with further steps 
to reduce Executive Directors’ benefits as necessary, to align 
with the employee benefit level over the next two years. 
•(cid:3) Post-employment shareholding requirements: We are 
adopting a formal post-employment shareholding policy  
that requires a departing executive director to retain shares 
in line with the normal shareholding policy (currently 4x 
salary for the CEO and 3x salary for the CFO) or their actual 
shareholding on departure, if lower, for a period of 24 months 
following cessation, to ensure that departing Executive 
Directors have a continuing alignment with the interests  
of long-term shareholders. 

We consulted ahead of the publication of this report with a 
broad group including many of our largest 30 shareholders,  
to explain our intended approach in reviewing the Policy and  
the associated renewal of our Performance Share Plan rules, 
and to capture any feedback. I am grateful to the shareholders 
who spent time in consultation on these changes, and we 
greatly value your continued support. 

The Committee is satisfied that this Policy will continue to 
provide for a strong alignment between Group performance  
and the remuneration of the Executive Directors. 

REMUNERATION REPORT AND REMUNERATION POLICY FOR 
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL 
The information regarding Directors’ remuneration is presented 
in two Reports: the first relates to the way in which our current 
Policy has been implemented during the year and the second 
part describes our Remuneration Policy which will apply from 
the 2020 AGM. Resolutions to approve each of these Reports 
will be proposed at the AGM on 23 July 2020. Our intention is 
that the Policy approved by shareholders will apply for a period 
of three years from the date of the AGM and will not be put to  
an annual shareholder vote. 

In closing, I would like to thank my fellow members of the 
Committee for their diligence and engagement throughout the 
year. Additionally, I would like to personally thank our advisors, 
Deloitte, and the members of the internal team for the excellent 
support they have provided to the Committee.(cid:3)   

KEY SECTIONS OF THIS REPORT 

102–103   At a glance 
- Remuneration strategy and key principles 
- Overview of executive director remuneration framework 
- Performance highlights and incentive outcomes for the year 
- Remuneration Policy scenarios and single figure outcome 

104–114   Annual Report on Remuneration  

115–120   Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

101 
 101  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued) 

AT A GLANCE 

REMUNERATION STRATEGY AND KEY PRINCIPLES 
The Group’s remuneration strategy and principles apply consistently to employees, managers and executives. 

(cid:23)(cid:138)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:151)(cid:146)(cid:495)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:148)(cid:135)(cid:143)(cid:151)(cid:144)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:139)(cid:145)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:149)(cid:150)(cid:148)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:137)(cid:155)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:145)(cid:3)(cid:146)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:152)(cid:139)(cid:134)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:145)(cid:143)(cid:146)(cid:135)(cid:150)(cid:139)(cid:150)(cid:139)(cid:152)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:146)(cid:131)(cid:133)(cid:141)(cid:131)(cid:137)(cid:135)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:3)(cid:135)(cid:144)(cid:131)(cid:132)(cid:142)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:151)(cid:146)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:145)(cid:3)(cid:148)(cid:135)(cid:133)(cid:148)(cid:151)(cid:139)(cid:150)(cid:481)(cid:3)(cid:134)(cid:135)(cid:152)(cid:135)(cid:142)(cid:145)(cid:146)(cid:481)(cid:3)(cid:131)(cid:144)(cid:134)(cid:3)(cid:143)(cid:145)(cid:150)(cid:139)(cid:152)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:3)
(cid:138)(cid:139)(cid:137)(cid:138)(cid:486)(cid:133)(cid:131)(cid:142)(cid:139)(cid:132)(cid:148)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:134)(cid:139)(cid:152)(cid:139)(cid:134)(cid:151)(cid:131)(cid:142)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:143)(cid:131)(cid:148)(cid:141)(cid:135)(cid:150)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:138)(cid:139)(cid:133)(cid:138)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:145)(cid:146)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:514)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:145)(cid:3)(cid:149)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:152)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:145)(cid:151)(cid:148)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:151)(cid:149)(cid:150)(cid:145)(cid:143)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:149)(cid:481)(cid:3)(cid:131)(cid:144)(cid:134)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:145)(cid:3)(cid:134)(cid:135)(cid:142)(cid:139)(cid:152)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:145)(cid:144)(cid:149)(cid:139)(cid:149)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:144)(cid:150)(cid:3)(cid:146)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:136)(cid:145)(cid:148)(cid:143)(cid:131)(cid:144)(cid:133)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:131)(cid:144)(cid:134)(cid:3)
(cid:149)(cid:151)(cid:149)(cid:150)(cid:131)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:131)(cid:132)(cid:142)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:142)(cid:145)(cid:144)(cid:137)(cid:486)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:146)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:136)(cid:139)(cid:150)(cid:131)(cid:132)(cid:142)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:137)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:153)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:481)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:131)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:131)(cid:155)(cid:3)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:131)(cid:150)(cid:3)(cid:139)(cid:149)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:145)(cid:144)(cid:149)(cid:139)(cid:149)(cid:150)(cid:135)(cid:144)(cid:150)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:139)(cid:150)(cid:138)(cid:3)(cid:145)(cid:151)(cid:148)(cid:3)(cid:146)(cid:151)(cid:148)(cid:146)(cid:145)(cid:149)(cid:135)(cid:484)(cid:3)(cid:3)

•(cid:3) Our approach is designed to be equitable, transparent and globally 
consistent, recognising that we recruit talented individuals and 
operate in an international market  

•(cid:3) Base pay and benefits are referenced to the comparative local 

  •(cid:3) All aspects of remuneration are designed to encourage a focus on 

long-term, sustained performance and risk management. Outcomes 
must be achieved in a way that is consistent with the Group’s values 
and Code of Ethics, and that foster sustainable, profitable growth 

market, taking account of company size and operations  

•(cid:3) Alignment with shareholders’ long-term interests is carefully 

•(cid:3) Assessments of performance and potential provide meaningful 
opportunities for career and salary progression, based on an 
individual’s skills and contribution over time 

•(cid:3) Individuals in key roles that can drive annual and longer-term 

performance may be selected to participate in our sales incentive 
plan, or the annual bonus plan, and/or the Performance Share Plan, 
to encourage the achievement of genuinely stretching short-term 
and long-term objectives 

preserved by linking senior executive pay to performance; effective 
governance around remuneration decisions; setting targets that 
challenge management to drive high performance; the adoption of 
shareholding guidelines at senior executive levels; and appropriate 
malus and claw back provisions. 

OVERVIEW OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 
The table below summarises the operation of our current remuneration arrangements. We received strong shareholder support  
for our Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 2017 AGM and, following consultation with shareholders, a number of changes to  
our incentive programmes were adopted in 2019. These changes, along with updates to our executive director pension benefits  
and post-employment shareholding requirements, are being adopted into the Remuneration Policy for approval at the 2020 AGM. 

BASE SALARY AND EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 

•(cid:3) Fixed compensation 

  Market competitive salary and benefits to attract the right calibre of executives:  

•(cid:3) Benefits include health insurance, car benefit and defined contribution retirement benefits 
•(cid:3) Executive Directors’ retirement benefit levels are reducing so that these will be in line with the levels of  

benefits available to the majority of the UK workforce. This is effective immediately for any new appointments 

Existing directors’ retirement benefits will reduce to 20% from 1 April 2020, and further reductions will be made  
to align benefits with the workforce within a two-year period. 

ANNUAL BONUS1 2019-2020 METRICS: 

•(cid:3) 40% Group adjusted 
operating profit 

•(cid:3) 20% Food & Beverage 
Solutions net sales 
•(cid:3) 20% Group adjusted 
operating cash flow 

  Rewards achievement against annual performance objectives: 

•(cid:3) Target bonus is 75% of salary; maximum cash bonus is 100% of salary 
•(cid:3) Maximum opportunity reduced (from 175%) to 150% of salary from 1 April 2019 
•(cid:3) Any award over 100% is paid in shares, deferred for two years, subject to claw-back 
•(cid:3) 80% of the bonus is calculated by reference to financial performance conditions 
•(cid:3) 20% of the bonus is linked to strategic objectives to create additional value over time 

•(cid:3) 20% Strategic objectives 

No changes are proposed for 2020 

PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN1 AWARDS FROM 2019: 

•(cid:3) 40% Group adjusted EPS  
•(cid:3) 20% Food & Beverage 

Solutions volume 

•(cid:3) 40% Group adjusted ROCE 

  Supports the Group’s strategy to create shareholder value by incentivising sustained profit growth and  

capital efficiency, growing the Food & Beverage Solutions division, and to motivate and retain senior talent: 
•(cid:3) Maximum award is 300% of salary; 15% of the award vests at ‘threshold’ 
•(cid:3) Awards subject to a three-year performance period plus a two-year post-vesting holding period – five years  

in total.  

No changes are proposed for 2020 

SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENTS 

•(cid:3) Chief Executive –  
4 times salary 

•(cid:3) Chief Financial Officer –  

3 times salary 

  With the 2020 Policy renewal, a post-employment shareholding requirement is being introduced: for a period  
of two years following cessation, an executive director will be required to maintain a shareholding in keeping  
with the guideline prevailing at the time of their departure, or their actual holding on departure (if lower).  

MALUS AND CLAW BACK PROVISIONS 

  Apply for two years after a bonus award or vesting of PSP awards. 

With the 2020 Policy renewal, claw back provisions are being strengthened to include circumstances leading  
to ‘corporate failure’  

KEY: NUMBER OF YEARS:  (cid:122) PERFORMANCE PERIOD  (cid:123) DEFERRAL/HOLDING PERIOD  (cid:88) ONGOING REQUIREMENTS 
1  Food & Beverage Solutions metrics relate to the reportable segment. 

(cid:3)

102 
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Governance 
Governance

Incentive pay outcomes reflect good financial and operational performance despite a challenging external environment – leading  
to total executive director remuneration outcomes for the year at above ‘target’ but below ‘maximum’ levels. 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2020 
Our remuneration arrangements have a clear link to key performance indicators (KPIs) which are aligned with our strategy. 

Food & Beverage  
Solutions volume 

+1% 

Adjusted profit  
before tax1 

+4% 

in constant currency 

Return on  
capital employed1 

Adjusted free  
cash flow1 

+40bps 

£247m 

1   Adjusted results and a number of other terms and performance measures used in this Annual Report are not defined within accounting standards. For clarity, we have provided descriptions  
of the various metrics and their reconciliations to the most directly comparable measures reported in IFRS, and the calculations, where relevant, of any ratios, in Notes 1 and 4. 

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS AND INCENTIVE OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR 

Annual bonus 
Metrics 

Group adjusted profit before tax (40%) 

Food & Beverage Solutions net sales (20%) 

Adjusted Group operating cash flow (20%) 

Strategic (non-financial) metrics (20%) 

Target1 

£317m 

US$1,382m 

£313m 

Actual1 

£325m 

US$1,378m 

£336m 

vs target 

+£8m 

-US$4m 

+£23m 

Achieved at above target but below maximum levels (see page 109) 

Bonus award to Chief Executive: 78% of maximum; and to Chief Financial Officer: 78% of maximum 

1   Bonus targets relate to adjusted metrics and are set and actual performance is assessed at budgeted exchange rates for comparability, consistent with our practice in prior years. 

Performance may therefore differ from corresponding metrics included in the financial statements. 

See pages 108 and 109 for more detail 

Performance Share Plan (2017 Award) 
Metric 

Targets (threshold-stretch) 

Actual (2017-2020) 

Group Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations (25%)  5% – 10% compound annual growth over three years  7.1% (in range)  

Food & Beverage Solutions adjusted profit before tax from 
continuing operations (25%) 

8% – 13% compound annual growth over three years  7.6% (below threshold) 

Adjusted Group ROCE from continuing operations (50%) 

11% – 15% at the end of the performance period 

17.5% (above stretch) 

62.5% of the award made in 2017 will vest, based on Group adjusted profit before tax and Group adjusted ROCE performance. 

See page 110 for more detail 

REMUNERATION POLICY SCENARIOS AND ACTUAL OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 

Chief Executive – Nick Hampton

Chief Financial Officer – Imran Nawaz1 

s
0
0
0
£
n
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i
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a
r
e
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u
m
e
r
f
o
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i
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4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

£848

100%

Below 
threshold

£3,841

52%

26%

22%

£2,345

43%

21%

36%

Target

Stretch

£2,499

35%

31%

34%

FY20 
actual

BASE AND BENEFITS       ANNUAL BONUS       PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN

1   Excludes compensatory share awards issued on appointment. (cid:3)

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

£2,692

53%

26%

21%

£1,635

43%

22%
35%

Target

Stretch

£1,227

45%

55%

FY20 
actual

£577

100%

Below 
threshold

(cid:3)

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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 103  

 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION 

This Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and Schedule 8 to the 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Listing Rules of the UK Listing 
Authority and the UK Corporate Governance Code. Ernst & Young LLP have audited such content as required by the Act (the 
information marked as ‘(audited)’). 

STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER VOTING 
The Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 27 July 2017. The last Annual Report on Remuneration  
was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 25 July 2019. The following voting outcomes were disclosed after the relevant AGM: 

RESOLUTION 

Directors’ Remuneration Policy – 27 July 20172 

Annual Report on Remuneration – 25 July 20193 

TOTAL FOR  
(NUMBER OF 
VOTES) 

295 458 658 

310 308 734 

TOTAL AGAINST 
(NUMBER OF 
VOTES) 

% OF VOTE 

% OF VOTE 

VOTES    
WITHHELD1 
(NUMBER OF   
 VOTES)   

97.16 

96.87 

8 622 530 

10 034 011 

2.84 

3.13 

79 662   

2 237 747   

1   Votes withheld are not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes for or against a resolution.  
2   At the AGM on 27 July 2017, there were 465,684,612 ordinary shares in issue and eligible to vote, excluding treasury shares. 
3   On 25 July 2019, there were 468,379,602 ordinary shares and 2,394,000 preference shares (which have limited voting rights) in issue. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2021 
The Committee intends that the Policy approved by the shareholders at the AGM on 23 July 2020 will apply for a period of three 
years from that date.  

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION AT THE 2020 AGM 
A resolution to approve this Annual Report on Remuneration will be proposed at the AGM on 23 July 2020. 

THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 

MEETINGS DURING THE YEAR  
The Remuneration Committee comprised the following independent non-executive directors during the year: Anne Minto (chair), 
Lars Frederiksen, Warren Tucker, Sybella Stanley (appointed 25 July 2019), Dr Ajai Puri (stepped down 25 July 2019), and Paul 
Forman (stepped down 25 July 2019). The Company Secretary serves as secretary to the Committee. Membership and attendance 
during the year are set out on page 81. 

The Chairman of the Board; the Chief Executive; the Chief Human Resources Officer; and the VP, Global Compensation and 
Benefits may be invited to attend meetings to assist the Committee, although none is present or involved when his or her own 
remuneration is discussed. 

The Committee met seven times during the year, and once after the end of the financial year and before the signing of this Annual 
Report. The Committee’s external advisor attends each meeting to provide independent advice, and also provides regular updates 
to the Committee on relevant corporate governance and market-related developments to ensure that the Committee’s decisions 
take Group strategy and the needs of the business into account, while reflecting investor and governance expectations. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 
The Committee has a formal calendar of items for consideration. The main responsibilities of the Committee include: 

•(cid:3) Assessing the appropriateness of executive remuneration in 
the context of the Group’s strategy and priorities as well as 
overall competitiveness, informed by data from independent, 
external sources 

•(cid:3) Setting the detailed remuneration of the Executive Directors, 

designated members of senior management, and the 
Chairman of the Board (in consultation with the Chief 
Executive), including: base salary or fees, annual bonus, 
long-term incentives, benefits, and contractual terms 

 •(cid:3) Setting performance targets for awards made to senior 

executives under the annual bonus plan and the long-term 
incentive plan, and reviewing performance outcomes 
•(cid:3) Reviewing the broader operation of the annual bonus and 

Performance Share Plans, including participation and overall 
share award levels 

•(cid:3) Reviewing workforce remuneration policies and engagement 

in accordance with the updated (2018) UK Corporate 
Governance Code  

•(cid:3) Reviewing its own effectiveness each year. 

The Committee’s terms of reference, which are reviewed annually, are available on the Company’s website, www.tateandlyle.com. 

COMMITTEE EFFECTIVENESS 
The Committee Chair carried out an internally facilitated review of its effectiveness and sought feedback from the Committee 
members, certain members of senior management and the external advisor. The output was discussed by the Committee. This 
concluded that the Committee continued to operate effectively throughout the year and confirmed the appropriate areas of focus 
for the year ahead. 

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Governance 
Governance

COMMITTEE ADVISOR 
The Committee appointed Deloitte LLP to act as external advisor following a review and competitive tender process in 2012, with  
a change in lead advisor in 2019. As part of its annual processes, the Committee considered and confirmed that advice received 
during the year from Deloitte LLP was objective and independent. Deloitte LLP is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ 
Code of Conduct; this gives the Committee additional confidence that the advice received is objective and independent of conflicts  
of interest. Fees charged by Deloitte LLP for the provision of remuneration advice to the Committee amounted to £34,450 for the 
year ended 31 March 2020, with fees charged on a time incurred basis. During the year ended 31 March 2020, Deloitte LLP also 
provided unrelated services to the rest of the Group in respect of corporate finance, consulting, tax and compliance. 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S PAY  
The chart illustrates cumulative total shareholder return (TSR) performance of the Company against the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 
indices, which provide an appropriate comparison as they represent a broad equity market with constituents comparable in size 
and complexity to the Company. The chart shows the value of £100 invested in each Index and the Company in the 10 years from  
31 March 2010. 

TATE & LYLE PLC (ORDINARY SHARES)

FTSE 100

FTSE 250

250

200

150

100

50

31 MARCH 
2010 

31 MARCH 
2011 

31 MARCH 
2012 

31 MARCH 
2013 

31 MARCH 
2014 

31 MARCH 
2015 

31 MARCH 
2016 

31 MARCH 
2017 

31 MARCH 
2018 

31 MARCH 
2019 

31 MARCH 
2020 

Chief Executive’s1 total remuneration (£000s per single figure table) 

Nick Hampton 

n/a 

n/a 

Javed Ahmed 

3 277 

11 1982 

Iain Ferguson 

nil 

170 

n/a 

5 367 

n/a 

n/a 

2 728 

n/a 

Annual bonus  
(% of max) 

LTI vesting  
(% of max) 

100% 

58% 

18% 

1.6% 

81% 

100% 

100% 

67.7% 

n/a 

996 

n/a 

0% 

0% 

n/a 

2 139 

n/a 

n/a 

3 239 

n/a 

n/a 

3 672 

n/a 

3 045 

2 499 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

77% 

80% 

72% 

53% 

78% 

10.9% 

50% 

100% 

75% 

62.5% 

1   Nick Hampton has served as Chief Executive since his appointment on 1 April 2018. Javed Ahmed served as Chief Executive from his appointment on 1 October 2009 until 1 April 2018. 

Iain Ferguson was Chief Executive prior to 1 October 2009.  

2   This figure for the year ended 31 March 2012 includes one-off compensatory appointment awards.  

COMPARISON OF MOVEMENT IN CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND BROADER EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION  

CHANGE IN VALUE: YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 VS 31 MARCH 2019 

Chief Executive 

Broader employee population3 

BASE SALARY 

VALUE OF   
 BENEFITS1 

ANNUAL   
 BONUS2 

0% 

0-3%4 

0%   

0%   

+26%   

31%   

Includes deferred shares where applicable. 

1  No changes to benefit policies were made in respect of the Chief Executive or employees during the year. 
2 
3  The broader employee population refers to a global population of salaried employees for salary comparison and the UK employee population for the benefits comparison, reflecting 
the context in which executive directors’ salaries and benefits are determined. For the bonus comparisons, it refers to the global group of participants in the annual bonus plan so  
that the combination of business performance across our divisions that contributes to the Group’s results is appropriately represented. 

4  Salary increases (typically 3%) were awarded to employees in our manufacturing facilities, effective April 2020. Given the current economic situation, the normal process for awarding 

discretionary salary increases for the broader management and executive population has been deferred.  

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY  

Remuneration paid to or receivable by employees of the Group (continuing operations) 

Distributions to shareholders (by way of dividend and purchase of ordinary shares) 

YEAR ENDED  
31 MARCH 2020 

YEAR ENDED  
31 MARCH 2019 

£353m 

£150m 

£334m 

£134m 

% CHANGE 

+5.7%  

+11.9% 

The year-on-year variance in employee remuneration is attributable to factors including foreign exchange rate movements 
(reflecting our significant US employee base) as well as variable pay arrangements driven by Group financial performance. 

The year-on-year change in ‘distributions to shareholders’ reflects a £3 million increase in dividend payments compared to  
the prior year, and the purchase of shares to satisfy share incentive awards. See Notes 9, 13 and 21 for further information. 

(cid:3)

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

GENDER PAY RATIO 
Our two employing businesses in the UK each employ fewer than the 250-employee threshold for reporting gender pay statistics. 
Therefore, we elect to report voluntarily. The Committee advocate gender pay reporting and the actions taken in the business to 
drive gender balance, supporting a culture of inclusion which is representative of our communities. We are committed to providing 
opportunities based on capability and talent, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or culture. See page 48 for more information. 

CEO PAY RATIO  
Key principles of our people strategy are to provide competitive remuneration for each role in a way that enables the Group to 
recruit, retain and motivate high-calibre individuals so that we may deliver consistently strong operational performance and 
financial results; and to provide opportunities to employees for career and salary progression over time, reflecting each individual’s 
contribution and capabilities.  

Reflecting our commitment to high standards of governance and transparency, we report on the ratio of CEO pay to UK employee 
pay. Data representing employees at the ‘median’ and ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ quartiles are as follows: 

CEO pay ratio vs UK employees 

YEAR 

2020 – pay ratio (total compensation) 

2020 – Representative employee salary  

2020 – Representative employee total compensation 

2019 – pay ratio (total compensation) 

LOWER 
QUARTILE 

55x 

£40,418 

£46,064 

74x 

MEDIAN 

27x 

£62,026 

£93,677 

39x 

UPPER 
QUARTILE 

13x 

£87,093 

£201,522 

20x 

In the table above, total compensation has been calculated for all UK employees individually as at 31 March 2020 in a consistent 
manner for comparison with the CEO ‘single figure’ total compensation figure in the table on page 112, adjusted only to provide  
a consistent comparison of employee data on a full-time equivalent basis. (This approach is known as ‘Method A’ in the reporting 
regulations, and was selected because it provides greater consistency in comparison). 

The Committee notes that the median pay ratio figure of 27x has fallen year on year (2019 – 39, and 2018 – c.50). The 2020 change  
is due in part to structural reductions in executive director bonus opportunity from 1 April 2019, as well as a lower vesting outcome 
for the Performance Share Plan in the year.  

The Committee notes that the ‘median’ employee is not a participant in the long-term performance share plan. As such, the ratio 
remains sensitive to financial performance and consequently to incentive plan outcomes and share price performance (which may 
lead to greater variability in the CEO pay figure as compared with the broader employee group) over time. 

DIRECTORS’ SALARIES AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SALARIES 
The Remuneration Committee reviews salaries at the start of each financial year. At the Board meeting at the end of March 2020, 
the Chief Executive recommended that Executive Directors, and members of the Executive Committee, would not receive a salary 
increase at this time but to defer any decisions on salary for six months (along with all other employees eligible for a discretionary 
pay increase). Neither Executive Director has been awarded an increase in salary since their original date of appointment. 

TOTAL PENSION ENTITLEMENTS (AUDITED) 
The Committee recognises the strength of feeling from some stakeholders regarding the level of executive directors’ retirement 
benefit provisions, and considered this matter at length as part of our Policy renewal.  

We have amended our Policy so that all employment benefits – including retirement benefits – provided to new appointments  
to executive director roles in the UK will be aligned with the benefits applicable to the majority of the UK workforce.  

At the same time, our Executive Directors have agreed changes to the level of their own retirement benefits to give up contractual 
entitlements and reduce these so that they will be brought into line with the broader workforce within a two-year period. This 
results in an immediate reduction in benefit for the CEO from 25% to 20% of salary with effect from 1 April 2020; with further  
steps to reduce Executive Directors’ benefits in step at the start of subsequent financial years as necessary. 

As part of this process, and within the remit of the Committee’s review of workforce policies, the Committee is reviewing the 
corresponding employee arrangements (which are currently in a range up to 25% of salary), and expects the executive and  
broader UK workforce rate to align at 15% of salary by the end of this period.  

In giving up contractual benefits which were agreed in good faith, the Committee is grateful to Nick and Imran for their willingness 
to show leadership on these issues.  

(cid:3)

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Governance 
Governance

ANNUAL BONUS 

OVERVIEW 
For the financial year commencing April 2019, and in consultation with shareholders, the Committee updated the bonus plan to 
reflect financial performance as well as the broader actions that are necessary to create value over time. This approach reflects 
the guidance in the (2018) UK Corporate Governance Code that ‘using a range of financial, non-financial and strategic measures 
can help ensure that overall goals are aligned with how the company will deliver value over the long term’. As part of this review: 

•(cid:3) The maximum bonus opportunity reduced to 150% (from 175% for the prior performance year).  
•(cid:3) The relatively complex ‘multiplier’ approach was removed, in favour of independently weighted financial performance metrics. 

This simplification enables us to demonstrate a clearer link between financial performance and the individual bonus outcomes.  

•(cid:3) 20% of the overall bonus is linked to the achievement of specific ‘business strategic’ non-financial objectives, to capture the 

actions and performance necessary to create additional value over time.  

Objectives are established by the Committee at the start of the year, reflecting the Group’s corporate financial and strategic 
priorities for the year ahead. Achievements against those objectives are reviewed by the Committee at the end of the year to 
determine a bonus outcome. 

In determining final bonus outcomes, the Committee has due regard to the shareholder experience and the overall financial 
performance of the business in approving outcomes. 

OPPORTUNITY 
(% OF SALARY) 

FINANCIAL METRICS (80% OF TOTAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY): 

THRESHOLD: 20% 
TARGET: 75% 
MAXIMUM: 150% 

GROUP ADJUSTED 
OPERATING PROFIT 
(40% OF TOTAL) 

GROUP ADJUSTED 
OPERATING CASH FLOW 
(20%) 

+ 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 
SOLUTIONS NET SALES 
(20%) 

+ 

STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES (20%  
OF TOTAL BONUS 
OPPORTUNITY) 

+ 

ALIGNED TO 
STRATEGIC AND 
OPERATIONAL 
PRIORITIES 

A minimum level of profit must be achieved before a bonus can be earned for other metrics. 

Awards are subject to Remuneration Committee discretion: taking into account underlying business performance; and environmental, 
health and safety performance. 

Note: Bonus metrics relate to adjusted metrics and targets are set and actual performance is assessed at budgeted exchange rates for comparability, consistent with our practice in prior 
years. Performance may therefore differ from the corresponding metrics included in the financial statements. 
To eliminate potential volatility due to the pass-through of corn price in our sales, Food & Beverage Solutions sales targets will be set and actual performance will be assessed at 
constant corn price and exchange rates, to ensure a like-for-like assessment. 
Adjusted operating cash flow is adjusted free cash flow before the impact of retirement cash contributions, net interest and tax paid, and excludes movements for corn-related derivative 
and margin call movements compared with those included in the budget. 

MALUS AND CLAW BACK PROVISIONS 
Both the cash and share elements are subject to malus and claw back provisions for a period of 24 months following the award. This 
means that they may be recouped in whole or in part, at the discretion of the Committee, in the exceptional event that results are found 
to have been misstated or if an executive director commits an act of gross misconduct. The Committee reviewed these provisions during 
the year, and as part of the 2020 Policy renewal future awards will include ‘corporate failure’ within these provisions. 

DEFERRAL INTO SHARES 
The bonus amount up to 100% of base salary is paid in cash. The excess above 100% of base salary is paid in the form of deferred 
shares. The shares are released after two years subject to the executive director remaining in service with the Group and carry the 
right to receive a payment in lieu of dividend between award and release. Both the cash and share elements are subject to malus 
and claw back provisions, as set out above. 

BONUS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD 
In the context of economic uncertainty relating to the Covid-19 pandemic as we start the current financial year, the Executive Directors have 
indicated that they do not expect to receive a bonus payment in relation to the year ahead. While the ambition to pursue our strategic and 
growth objectives remains as strong as ever, this stance recognises the exceptional circumstances we currently face as a global community 
as we start a new financial year, and the Committee will take this into account at the year-end. 

At this time, we have clear near-term priorities in the business: to keep our people safe; keep our operations running; continue to 
serve our customers; maintain our financial strength; and to emerge from this period as a stronger business, delivering a positive 
outcome for the business and all our stakeholders.  

Any bonus awarded in relation to the ‘non-financial’ element would be linked to the Committee’s review of performance against 
these objectives, subject to satisfactory minimum overall financial performance, and in the context of the wider shareholder  
and stakeholder experience over the course of the year, which the Committee will consider at the end of the financial year.(cid:3)

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

BUSINESS AND PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 
Awards are linked to stretching financial targets set at the start of the year against key metrics linked to our strategic goals. 

Bonus awards as described below are considered appropriate in the context of strong financial performance and significant 
strategic progress, and the actions taken to support our purpose, and our people: 

Group financial highlights: 
•(cid:3) 4% increase1 in adjusted profit before tax 
•(cid:3) 8% increase1 in adjusted diluted earnings 

per share 

•(cid:3) Adjusted free cash flow higher at £247m 
•(cid:3) Productivity programme delivering ahead 

 Commitments to broader stakeholders: 
•(cid:3) Ambitious, science-based targets 

established to reduce our carbon footprint, 
including a commitment to eliminate coal 
from our operations by 2025 

•(cid:3) Committing to gender parity in leadership 

of expectations  

roles by 2025 

•(cid:3) Final dividend maintained at 20.8p, making 

•(cid:3) Supporting specific UN Sustainable 

a full-year dividend of 29.6p, up 0.7%. 

Development Goals where we can have the 
greatest impact (including those relating  
to hunger, and health and wellbeing) 
•(cid:3) Leading the way with an industry-first 
programme to support sustainable 
agriculture expanded to cover 1.5 million 
acres of corn (matching our global annual 
corn requirements). 

  Recognising our colleagues: 

•(cid:3) Extending participation in our Group 
incentive arrangements, more than 
doubling the overall population in our 
annual bonus plan. The payments under 
this plan we are making this year enable  
a much broader population to share in  
the overall success of the business. 

•(cid:3) We have also made special cash payments 

to nearly 2,000 of our ‘front line’ 
employees in the Group, reflecting their 
commitment in keeping our operations 
running and customers served in 
unprecedented circumstances. 
•(cid:3) Investment in safety equipment and 

physical and technology infrastructure, 
to support new ways of working during  
the Covid-19 pandemic. 

1   Adjusted operating profit, percentage change in constant currency. 
2   Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in constant currency. 

ANNUAL BONUS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 (AUDITED) 
The table below provides further information on each metric, the targets set at the start of the year and actual performance for the year.  

BONUS METRIC 

LINK TO STRATEGY 

WEIGHTING 

THRESHOLD 

 TARGET 

STRETCH 

TARGET RANGE 

ACTUAL PERFORMANCE 
IN THE YEAR ENDED 
31 MARCH 2020 

BONUS OUTCOME 

% OF MAX 

% OF 
SALARY 

Group  
adjusted operating profit 
before tax, exceptional 
items, amortisation  
and net retirement  
benefit interest 

Food & Beverage 
Solutions net sales 

Group adjusted 
operating cash flow 

Measures the underlying 
profit generated by the total 
business and whether 
management is converting 
growth into profit effectively 

Captures ‘top line’  
value-based performance  
of the Food & Beverage 
Solutions division 

Provides a focus on 
managing working  
capital and converting  
profit into cash effectively 

Non-financial personal 
and strategic 
performance  

Measures non-financial 
performance key to 
achieving corporate goals 

40% 

£310m 

£317m 

£331m 

£325m 

77% 

46% 

20% 

$1,327m  $1,382m  $1,410m 

US$1,378m 

47% 

14% 

20% 

£298m 

£313m 

£328m 

£336m 

100% 

30% 

20% 

See below for details 

Chief Executive 

Chief Financial Officer 

90% 

90% 

27% 

27% 

Financial underpin 

The Committee also considers the Group’s safety and overall financial performance to ensure that the results are a true 
reflection of the underlying strength and performance of the Group. 

Based on these performance outcomes, annual bonus awards to Executive Directors for the year ended 31 March 2020 have been 
determined as follows: 

Nick Hampton 

Chief Executive 

Imran Nawaz 

Chief Financial Officer 

% OF 
MAX 

78% 

78% 

% OF 
SALARY 

117% 

117% 

Any bonus up to 100% of base salary is paid in cash and any balance is paid in the form of deferred shares, as described above. 

1  Bonus targets are set and actual performance is assessed at constant (budget) exchange rates, reflecting consistent practice with prior years.  

The bonus amount up to 100% of base salary will be paid in cash. The excess above 100% of base salary is paid in the form of 
deferred shares.  

Recognising the exceptional circumstances brought by Covid-19, payment of the cash part of the bonus will be deferred until  
after the AGM, conditional on the approval of the final dividend at the AGM, to demonstrate greater alignment with shareholders.(cid:3)

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Governance 
Governance

STRATEGIC NON-FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES 
20% of each Executive Director’s bonus opportunity is linked to performance against individual business strategic measures. 
Payment of this element of the bonus is subject to achievement of a minimum profit hurdle (which has been achieved for the year). 

Non-financial objectives are established through a process involving the Nominations and Remuneration Committees at the start  
of each year, reflecting corporate priorities for the year ahead and in particular the actions necessary to ‘Sharpen, Accelerate,  
and Simplify’ our business, drive progress against EHS and broader purpose goals, and to develop the Group’s culture. 

Achievements against those objectives, including specific KPIs, are reviewed by the Committee at the end of the financial year,  
and a bonus outcome is determined accordingly. The Committee’s assessment of the bonus outcome, and key achievements 
against specific objectives are shown below. Business strategic objectives such as M&A pipeline and customer relationships  
are often commercially sensitive.  

OBJECTIVES  

CEO (NICK HAMPTON) 

Objective(s): 

CFO (IMRAN NAWAZ) 

Objective(s): 

Sharpen the focus 
on our customers 
and key categories 

Accelerate 
portfolio 
development: 
innovation, 
partnerships, 
strategy 
development and 
M&A readiness 

Simplify the 
business and 
deliver productivity 
improvements  

•(cid:3) Drive customer focus and prioritisation of key categories 
•(cid:3) Develop ‘top-to-top’ relationships with key global customers 

•(cid:3) Lead capital and strategic investments focused on 

expanding our key category offering and capabilities  

to develop shared growth opportunities 

Key achievement(s): 

Key achievement(s): 

•(cid:3) Led development of Asia Pacific growth strategy, 

•(cid:3) Collaborated with key customers to develop relationships  

enabling innovation and customer proximity 

and new opportunities  

•(cid:3) Re-focused Food & Beverage Solutions global organisation  

to enable delivery of revenue and profit progression in  
key regions 

•(cid:3) Executed Primary Products strategy to offset market headwinds 
Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

•(cid:3) Led refreshed investor engagement programme in 
first full financial year since appointment, to build  
strong connections with external stakeholders 

Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

•(cid:3) Expand innovation model geographically 
•(cid:3) Develop M&A deal pipeline and build relationships with 

transformational deal targets 

Key achievement(s): 

•(cid:3) Refresh approach to long-term strategy development 
and capability, drive value from key partnerships,  
and pursue M&A agenda and pipeline 

Key achievement(s): 

•(cid:3) Expanded application labs in Singapore and São Paulo 

•(cid:3) Restructured corporate strategy and M&A functions  

to better serve regional customer requirements and reduce 
innovation cycle time 

to upgrade capability and drive greater pace  
•(cid:3) Developing 10-year plan/horizon for long-term  

•(cid:3) Deeper relationships established with strategic partners  
to identify growth opportunities, for example with Sweet 
Green Fields 

strategic growth  

Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

•(cid:3) Review and optimise regional customer-facing organisations 

and end-to-end execution model 

Key achievement(s): 

•(cid:3) Plan and execute actions to address cost base to  
deliver US$100 million productivity programme  

Key achievement(s): 

•(cid:3) Simplified regional Food & Beverage Solutions management 

•(cid:3) Established culture and process to drive stronger  

structure and operating model established with direct 
reporting line to CEO, simplifying organisation and improved 
resource allocation to serve local customers 

•(cid:3) Championed productivity improvements to enable customer 

Culture and 
Governance, 
including EHS and 
social purpose 

benefits (see page 14) 

Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

•(cid:3) Embed purpose in the organisation  
•(cid:3) Develop future vision for EHS  
Key achievement(s): 

cost discipline; implemented zero-based budgeting  
on overheads and established productivity reporting 
•(cid:3) Delivered cumulative benefits of US$87m to 31 March 
2020 (ahead of target), mitigating headwinds and cost 
pressures across ingredients, energy and freight  

Outcome: 

Objective(s): 

•(cid:3) Deliver ISIT system upgrades to enable more effective 
collaboration across teams and improve financial 
performance management 

•(cid:3) Shared sense of organisational purpose now established through 

Key achievement(s): 

meaningful local and Group-wide initiatives  

•(cid:3) Significant progress on the EHS ‘Journey to Excellence’ 

delivering on our commitment to our employees, communities 
and wider stakeholders  

•(cid:3) Developed new sustainability programme and commitments 
to reduce carbon footprint, water and waste management, 
and to support sustainable agriculture 

Outcome: 

Bonus outcome  

(max 30% of salary, 
20% of total bonus) 

Overall outcome: 18 / 20 
27% of salary  
(90% of max) 

(cid:3)

•(cid:3) Established new ways of working (across finance and 
IS/IT), to drive improvements in partnering across the 
business to improve collaboration, planning capability 
and enable investments for growth 

Outcome: 

Overall outcome: 18 / 20 
27% of salary  
(90% of max) 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE – PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN (PSP) 

OVERVIEW 
The PSP provides a share-based incentive to closely align executive directors’ and senior executives’ interests with the strategy  
and with the interests of shareholders over the long term.  

MAXIMUM AWARD LEVEL 
Awards to executive directors and other senior executives have been granted at the discretion of the Committee, with flexibility  
for the Committee to make awards of up to 300% of base salary where appropriate to ensure market competitiveness, while taking 
into account Group performance. Individual awards made in any year are considered by the Committee on a case-by-case basis. 
This overall limit has not been increased since 2010. The level of vesting if threshold conditions are met is 15% of the total award. 

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO OUTSTANDING AWARDS GRANTED PRIOR TO 2019 
Structural changes in the business in 2015 led to a review of the performance framework to ensure continued alignment with the 
Group strategy. Targets were considered carefully by the Committee, taking into account a number of reference points, including 
internal and external benchmarks of performance and global market growth in the Food & Beverage Solutions (FBS) industry. 
Overall, performance at these levels requires our Food & Beverage Solutions (and Sucralose) and Primary Products businesses to 
perform strongly in their respective markets. We consulted with a broad group of our largest shareholders on these arrangements, 
which were endorsed by shareholders at the 2016 AGM.  

VESTING OUTCOME FOR AWARDS MADE IN 2017 
The conditions below apply to awards made in 2017 and 2018. Targets are set and performance is assessed at reported exchange 
rates. The level of vesting at threshold is limited to 15% of the maximum for executive directors. The table summarises the 
conditions and assessment of actual performance and vesting outcome for the award made in 2017. 

See pages 74 and 75 of our 2016 Annual Report for more details 

METRICS FOR AWARDS 

2017 AND 2018 

  LINK TO STRATEGY 

TARGET RANGE  
(THRESHOLD-STRETCH) 

ACTUAL PERFORMANCE 
OUTCOME FOR 2017 
AWARD 

COMBINED VESTING  
OUTCOME FOR 2017 AWARD 

FBS adjusted  
operating profit (25%) 

Group adjusted profit 
before tax (25%) 

Group adjusted 
ROCE (50%) 

  Reflects our focus on growing  

  8% – 13% p.a. three-

  7.6% p.a.  

the FBS business  

year compound growth 

(below threshold) 

  Key performance metric to  
drive sustainable long-term  
profitable growth 

  Drives efficient investment for  
value-added returns from the  
total business 

  5% – 10% p.a. 
three-year  
compound growth 

  7.1% p.a.  
(in range) 

  11% – 15%1 in the final 
year of the three-year 
performance period1 

  17.5%  

(above stretch) 

62.5% of the 2017 award  
will vest – Group ROCE 
outcome is above the 
respective ‘stretch’ level  
of performance while both 
Group profit before tax and 
FBS operating profit growth 
performed in range 

Financial underpin 

  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 broader underlying financial performance of the Group. 

Recognising the importance of the dividend to our investors, the Committee retains a specific discretion to reduce  
PSP vesting if dividends paid by the Group over the performance period do not conform with our dividend policy. 

Note: Food & Beverage Solutions metrics relate to the reportable segment. 
1  As explained in last year’s Remuneration Report, ROCE performance targets for awards made up to 2019 were set prior to the adoption of IFRS16. The Committee has assessed the 

impact of the accounting standard on our pro-forma reporting and determined that an adjustment to the ROCE target range is appropriate to ensure that actual performance against 
target can be assessed on a like-for-like basis and that conditions are not easier nor harder to achieve. Other conditions are similarly assessed on a like-for-like basis. Given overall 
performance, this adjustment to ROCE does not impact the vesting outcome for the award made in 2017. 

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS GRANTED FROM 2019 
As described in detail in last year’s Remuneration Report, the investment case we set out provides a strong logic for re-focusing 
long-term performance metrics for PSP towards EPS growth and ROCE performance each with a 40% weighting, so that 80% of the 
overall award is linked to ‘bottom line’ financial performance and capital efficiency. Alongside these, a Food & Beverage Solutions 
(FBS) volume metric (with a 20% weighting) provides continued focus on our growth ambition for the FBS business within the Group 
portfolio, complementing the ‘FBS sales’ metric in the annual bonus, and incentivising above-market performance in that division. 

The metrics and targets and the strategic rationale for these are summarised below. The target ranges shown below for each 
metric were carefully considered by the Committee, taking into account the investment case we set out for shareholders and  
our ambition for growth, as well as historic company and competitor/customer financial performance. These metrics/targets  
are intended to apply for awards made in the year ahead and will be kept under review ahead of the grant in any year to ensure  
they remain appropriately stretching. We believe this approach places a clear focus on long-term strategic growth and FBS  
market ‘out-performance’, to drive long-term value creation. 

See pages 106 and 107 of our 2019 Annual Report for more details 
(cid:3)

110 
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Governance 
Governance

METRICS FOR AWARDS  
FROM 2019 (WEIGHTING) 

RATIONALE FOR METRIC  
(LINK TO INVESTMENT CASE) 

TARGET RANGE  
(THRESHOLD-STRETCH) 

  FINANCIAL AND DIVIDEND UNDERPIN 

Group adjusted earnings 
per share (40%) 

  Key performance metric  

  5% – 10% p.a. three-year  

to drive sustainable long-term 
profitable growth 

compound growth 

FBS volume growth (20%) 

  Lead indicator of strategy 

  2% – 6% p.a. three-year  

Adjusted Group  
ROCE (40%) 

execution and FBS value growth 

compound growth 

  Drives disciplined and efficient 
investment for value-added 
returns from the total business 

  13%-17%1 in the final  
year of the three-year 
performance period 

  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 broader underlying 
financial performance of the Group. 

Recognising the importance of the dividend to our investors,  
the Committee retains a specific discretion to reduce PSP 
vesting if dividends paid by the Group over the performance 
period do not conform with our stated dividend policy. 

Note: FBS metrics relate to the reportable segment. Targets are set and performance is assessed at reported exchange rates. 
1   As described in last year’s Remuneration Report, ROCE performance targets for awards made to date were originally set prior to the adoption of IFRS16. The Committee has assessed 
the impact of the accounting standard on our pro-forma reporting and determined that an adjustment to the ROCE target range is appropriate to ensure that actual performance 
against target can be assessed on a like-for-like basis and that conditions are not easier nor harder to achieve. Other conditions are similarly assessed on a like-for-like basis. 

POST-VESTING HOLDING PERIOD  
For awards made since 2016, executive directors are required to hold shares for a two-year period after the end of the three-year 
performance period; the combined total is five years. This holding period sits alongside the existing personal shareholding 
requirements and claw back/malus provisions and demonstrates a strong long-term alignment with shareholder interests.  

UPDATES TO PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN RULES  
We have adopted a number of ‘best practice’ features (claw-back and discretionary provisions, and post-vesting holding periods) 
into the operation, in practice, of our plans to date. In conjunction with the renewal of our Remuneration Policy, a separate AGM 
resolution seeks approval to update our formal plan documents to:  

•(cid:3) strengthen these governance provisions – for example, specifically including ‘corporate failure’ within the claw-back provisions; and  
•(cid:3) ensure that other standard provisions (e.g. the treatment of awards in the context of a change in control) continue to align with 

expected good practice.  

MALUS AND CLAW BACK PROVISIONS 
Awards made under the PSP are subject to malus and claw back provisions for a period following the vesting date and extending  
to the fifth anniversary following the date of grant. During this period, the Committee may determine that an award will lapse 
wholly or in part (or may require that a participant shall repay up to 100% of the value of any award that has vested by virtue of 
performance), in the event of circumstances including the following: material misstatement of financial results; misconduct which 
justifies, or could justify, summary dismissal of the participant; or if information emerges which would have affected the value of 
the original award that was granted to a participant, or the level at which the performance conditions were judged to have been 
satisfied. For awards made following the 2020 Policy renewal, ‘corporate failure’ will be included within these provisions. 

IMPACT OF CAPITAL EVENTS 
In keeping with our existing Policy, in the context of a merger or acquisition, or other significant relevant corporate activity, any 
potential impact on the incentive plans would be specifically considered by the Committee. In such circumstances, the Committee 
retains the authority to vary the performance targets (or the vesting outcome) to ensure that these are neither easier nor more 
demanding than the original targets. This principle remains important as we seek to grow the business through organic sales 
growth and improved organic returns, as well as value-added strategic M&A-related activity over time. 

ANNUAL AND MAXIMUM AWARD LEVELS 
The current shareholder-approved policy limit on PSP award levels is 300% of salary. The Committee believes this continues to be 
appropriate in the context of our global business. The Committee will continue to retain full discretion in respect of each individual 
annual award, and we will retain the ‘threshold’ level of vesting at 15% of the award. This approach ensures the focus remains 
weighted towards long-term performance alongside the reduction in annual bonus maximum award to 150%. 

PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS (AUDITED) 

Javed Ahmed retired as Chief Executive and ceased employment with the Group on 1 April 2018. As set out on page 87 of the 
Annual Report 2018, the Committee determined that Javed would retain deferred bonus awards earned in prior years, and pro-
rated interests in previously granted but unvested Performance Share Plan awards, in accordance with our Policy and the relevant 
Plan rules and subject to performance conditions where applicable. The following awards vest in the period ended 31 March 2020: 

•(cid:3) Deferred bonus from the year ending 31 March 2018: the value of which was previously disclosed in the single figure table on 

page 86 of the Annual Report 2018 

•(cid:3) PSP award from 2017: the number of shares having been pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the three-year vesting period 

during which he was employed, and subject to the assessment of performance conditions applicable to the award, as described 
on page 110, having a value on vesting of £399,924 based on a share price of £6.412. 

The Committee has not exercised any discretion in relation to the assessment of any performance conditions or the timing  
of vesting, or the basis on which relevant awards have been pro-rated. There are no further awards outstanding. 

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE 
There have been no other payments to past directors other than as disclosed in this Report. No loss of office payments have  
been made during the year. 

SINGLE FIGURE TABLE (AUDITED) 

£000s  

YEAR ENDED  
31 MARCH 2020 

Chairman 

  SALARY/FEES 

  BENEFITS1 

PENSION 

TOTAL FIXED 
REMUNERATION 

ANNUAL 
BONUS3 

  SHARE AWARDS 

TOTAL VARIABLE 
REMUNERATION 

TOTAL 
REMUNERATION 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

2020   

2019 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

Dr Gerry Murphy  

350 

350   

– 

–   

– 

–   

350 

350   

– 

–   

–   

–   

– 

–   

350 

350 

665 

470 

665   
313   

17 

113 

17   
109   

166 

94 

166   
63   

848 

677 

848   
485   

778 

550 

616   
224   

8734  1 581   
–   
477   

1 651  2 197   
224   
1 027 

2 499  3 045 

1 704 

709 

Executive directors  

Nick Hampton 

Imran Nawaz2 

Non-executive 
directors5  

Paul Forman  

Lars Frederiksen  

Anne Minto  

Kimberly Nelson6 

Dr Ajai Puri  

Sybella Stanley  

Warren Tucker 

Former directors 

Douglas Hurt7 

Javed Ahmed 

75 

68 

82 

51 

93 

68 

80 

32 

– 

68   
68   
82   
–   
93   
68   
25   

97 
–    

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

75 

68 

82 

51 

93 

68 

80 

68   
68   
82   
–   
93   
68   
25   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

– 
–   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

– 
–   

75 

68 

82 

51 

93 

68 

80 

32 

– 

68 

68 

82 

– 

93 

68 

25 

97 

21 

 2,421     5,102 

 4,626 

Totals  

  2,034  1,829     130 

– 

– 
11   
137     260 

– 

32 

– 
10   
– 
229     2,424  2,205    1,328 

97 
21   

–  

– 

– 
–   

–   

– 
840    1,350    1,581     2,678 

1   Benefits for executive directors include health insurance and car allowance. 
2   Imran Nawaz: £100,000 included with 'Benefits' relates to relocation support, as disclosed on appointment and on page 85 of the Annual Report 2018; the figure under ‘Share Awards’ 

relates to the vesting of the first tranche of the special share award awarded on joining, which vested 1 August 2019 at a closing price of £7.558. 

3  Annual Bonus includes the value of deferred shares (based on the average share price over the period 1 January – 31 March 2020). The cash bonus award (with payment conditional  

on approval of the dividend at the AGM) to Nick Hampton is £665,000 and to Imran Nawaz is £470,000. 

4   This is the PSP award made in 2017. PSP award outcomes are discussed on page 110 and the value is included in this table above based on a share price of £6.412, being the closing 

price on 19 May 2020 when the Remuneration Committee determined performance conditions were met. 

5   In accordance with the Group’s expenses policies, non-executive directors receive reimbursement for their reasonable expenses for attending Board meetings. In instances where 
those costs are treated by HMRC as taxable benefits, the Group also meets the associated tax cost to the non-executive director through a PAYE settlement agreement with HMRC. 
Amounts are minimal and do not show in the table after rounding. 

6   Kimberly Nelson was appointed to the Board on 1 July 2019. 
7   Douglas Hurt retired as a Director on 25 July 2019. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS  
Nick Hampton was appointed as a non-executive director of Great Portland Estates plc on 17 October 2016 and was paid remuneration 
of £72,498 for the period to 31 March 2020 and under the terms of the policy is entitled to retain those fees. 

CHAIRMAN’S AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ FEES  
Fees are reviewed annually, in accordance with our stated Policy, by the Committee (excluding the Chairman) in respect of the 
Chairman’s fee, and by the Chairman and the Executive Directors in respect of other non-executive directors’ fees. 

At the annual review in March 2020, taking into account the stance taken by the Executive Directors and members of the Executive 
Committee, it was agreed that any decision on fee increases would be deferred for six months. Fees, based on  
individual director responsibilities, are shown in the table below: 

FEES (PER ANNUM) AS AT 1 APRIL (£) 

2020 

2019 

% CHANGE 

Basic fees 

Chairman 

Non-executive director 

Senior Independent Director 

Supplemental fees 

Chair of Audit Committee 

Chair of Remuneration Committee 

Chair of Research Advisory Group 
(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

350 000 

350 000 

68 000 

78 800 

18 050 

13 550 

25 200 

68 000 

78 800 

18 050 

13 550 

25 200 

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
 
 
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
 
 
 
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Governance

SHARE AWARDS MADE DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 (AUDITED)  

AWARD 

Nick 
Hampton 

Performance 
Share Plan1 

TYPE OF 
 AWARD 

Nil cost 
 option 

DATE OF 
 GRANT 

NUMBER OF 
SHARES 

FACE VALUE  
OF AWARD 

PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS 

PERFORMANCE 
 PERIOD 

% OF VESTING 
AT THRESHOLD 

17 July 2019 

287 278 

£1 995 002 

Imran 
Nawaz 

Performance 
Share Plan1 

Nil cost 
 option 

17 July 2019 

203 038 

£1 409 997 

20% CAGR of FBS 
volume; 40% CAGR 
of EPS; 40% 
adjusted ROCE 

20% CAGR of FBS 
volume; 40% CAGR 
of EPS; 40% 
adjusted ROCE 

Three financial 
years ending 
 31 March 2022  
plus two-year 
holding period 

Three financial 
years ending 
 31 March 2022  
plus two-year 
holding period 

15% 

15% 

1   Under the terms of the Performance Share Plan approved by shareholders, the number of shares comprising an award in any year is calculated based on the average share price  
over the last three months of the preceding financial year, being £6.9445 pence per share for the 2019 award. In 2019, the Committee approved awards of 300% of salary for the  
Chief Executive and 300% of salary for the Chief Financial Officer, which is within our approved Remuneration Policy. Performance conditions applicable to PSP awards made in  
2019 are described on page 110. Performance conditions for the 2019 award are fully described on page 110. 

SHARE AWARDS MADE IN FINANCIAL YEARS TO 31 MARCH 2019 (AUDITED)  
The table below sets out the current position of share-based awards made to Executive Directors. 

AS AT  
31 MARCH 2019 
(NUMBER) 

AWARDS 
 VESTED 
 DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

AWARDS 
LAPSED 
 DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

AWARDS 
EXERCISED 
DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

AS AT  
31 MARCH 2020 
(NUMBER) 

MARKET PRICE 
ON DATE 
AWARDS 
GRANTED 
(PENCE) 

MARKET PRICE   
 ON DATE   
 AWARDS   
 EXERCISED   
 (PENCE)1 

VESTING DATE 

Nick Hampton 

Performance Share Plan2: 

20173 

2018 

Group Bonus Plan: 

2017 

2018 

217 855 

330 380 

40 739 

22 629 

Imran Nawaz 

Performance Share Plan2: 

2018 

233 502 

Restricted Share Award: 

– 

– 

40 739 

– 

– 

20184 

126 103 

63 052 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

40 739 

– 

– 

– 

– 

217 855 

330 380 

– 

22 629 

723.72 

603.85 

723.72 

603.85 

–    After 31/03/20 

–    After 31/03/21 

725.80   

25/05/2019 

–   

24/05/2020 

233 502 

603.85 

–    After 31/03/21 

63 052 

63 051 

634.40 

696.20   

01/08/2020 

1   Awards are structured as nil cost options; awards were exercised with a nil exercise price. 
2   The performance conditions for the PSP awards made in 2017 and 2018 are 25% Food & Beverage Solutions adjusted operating profit; 25% Group adjusted profit; 50% adjusted  

ROCE as described on page 110. The three-year performance period for these awards began on the first day of the financial year in which the award was granted. 

3   The PSP award made in 2017 will vest at 62.5%, following the Committee’s assessment of performance conditions (as described on pages 110/111). 
4   This award was made in connection with Imran Nawaz’s employment, to compensate him for incentives forfeited with his previous employer, as described on appointment via RNS, 

and in the 2018 and 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Reports. 
As announced on appointment, the Restricted Share Award (RSA) may vest in two equal tranches on the first and second anniversary of appointment, subject to employment and 
specified performance conditions. The performance conditions attached to the RSA relate to strategic and operational milestone activities agreed by the Committee, the detailed 
disclosure of which was considered to be commercially sensitive at the time of grant.  
The Committee approved the vesting of the first tranches of the award, in full, on the first anniversary of his appointment date (being 1 August 2019), taking into account Imran 
Nawaz’s specific contributions to the business, including:  

•(cid:3) Rapidly established culture, mindset and clear process to enable cost base review and Productivity delivery in support of US$100 million Productivity target over 4 years. 
•(cid:3) Enabled and lead delivery of cumulative benefits of US$87 million to 31 March 2020 (ahead of our stated Productivity goals, mitigating significant headwinds / cost pressures across 

ingredients, energy and freight (as described in our 2019 results). 

•(cid:3) Established new ways of working, to drive improvements in finance business partnering and control across the business to improve planning capability and enable investments  

for growth. 
Note that the value of this share award (at the date of vesting) is shown in the ‘single figure table’ 

Executive Directors may participate in the HMRC-approved Sharesave Plan, under which option awards are granted on the  
same terms to all participating employees. These awards 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 savings contract. The exercise price reflects  
a 20% discount to market value as permitted under HMRC rules and is applicable to all participants. 

Nick Hampton 

Savings-related options 2017 
(cid:3)

(cid:3)

AS AT  
1 APRIL 2019 
(NUMBER) 

OPTIONS 
VESTED 
 DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

OPTIONS 
EXERCISED 
DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

OPTIONS 
LAPSED 
 DURING YEAR 
(NUMBER) 

AS AT  
31 MARCH 2020 
(NUMBER) 

EXERCISE 
PRICE (PENCE) 

EXERCISE 
PERIOD 

3 243 

– 

– 

– 

3 243 

555.00 

01/03/21 to 
31/08/21 

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Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING AND SHARE INTERESTS (AUDITED) 

PERSONAL SHARE OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS (POLICY ON EXECUTIVE SHARE OWNERSHIP)  
The Committee believes that material personal investment in Company shares serves to strengthen the long-term alignment  
of interests between senior executives and shareholders. 

Our executive shareholding requirements are considered to be more demanding and extend to a greater number of senior 
executives in the Group when compared with similar sized UK-listed companies. 

•(cid:3) The Chief Executive has a target share ownership requirement of four times base salary, to be achieved within five years of 
appointment. Nick Hampton was appointed Chief Executive from 1 April 2018, and as at 31 March 2020, Mr Hampton holds 
shares with a value of c. 5x salary, exceeding this requirement. 

•(cid:3) The Chief Financial Officer has a target shareholding requirement of three times base salary to be achieved within five years  
of appointment. Imran Nawaz was appointed Chief Financial Officer on 1 August 2018, and as at 31 March 2020 is progressing 
towards this target.  

•(cid:3) Other Executive Committee members are subject to the share ownership policy, with target holdings at three times salary. 
•(cid:3) This policy extends to a broader group of executives who have senior leadership roles within the Group. The shareholding target 

for this group is equal to their base salary. 

Under the shareholding policy, the value of deferred shareholdings is assessed net of income tax, at the prevailing share price. 
The Committee monitors progress against the share ownership requirements annually. 

We introduced a mandatory 2-year post-vesting holding period on PSP awards made to Executive Directors from 2016.  

Post-employment shareholding policy 
With the 2020 Policy renewal, a post-employment shareholding requirement is being introduced: Executive Directors will normally 
be required to maintain a shareholding in keeping with the guideline prevailing at the time of their departure, or their actual holding 
on departure (if lower), for a period of two years following cessation of employment.  

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS (AUDITED)  
The interests held by each person who was a Director during the financial year in the ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the 
Company are shown below. All these interests are beneficially held, and no Director had interests in any other class of shares.  
The table also summarises the interests in shares held through the Company’s various share plans. 

Chairman 
Dr Gerry Murphy 

Executive Directors 
Nick Hampton 

Imran Nawaz 

Non-executive directors 
Paul Forman 

Lars Frederiksen 

Anne Minto 

Kimberly Nelson 
Dr Ajai Puri5 
Sybella Stanley 

Warren Tucker 

INTEREST IN   
 SHARES1 

NIL COST OPTIONS –   
 CONDITIONAL ON   
 PERFORMANCE2 

SHARES – NOT   
 CONDITIONAL ON   
 PERFORMANCE3 

OPTIONS – NOT   
 CONDITIONAL ON   
 PERFORMANCE4 

TOTAL AS AT 
31 MARCH 2020 

TOTAL AS AT  
31 MARCH 2019 

20 000   

– 

–   

–   

20 000 

20 000 

460 811   

42 700   

835 513 

499 591 

10 000   

15 000   

8 600   

–   

10 018   

4 983   

4 321   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

22 629   

3 243   

1 322 196 

1 214 370 

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

542 291 

359 605 

10 000 

15 000 

8 600 

– 

10 018 

4 983 

4 321 

10 000 

15 000 

8 600 

– 

10 018 

4 983 

4 321 

Includes shares owned by connected persons. 

1 
2  Awards under the PSP and the RSA award made to Mr Nawaz in 2018. These awards were made as options with a nil exercise price. 
3  Deferred share awards made under the Group Bonus Plan. 
4  These are HMRC-approved Sharesave Plan awards. 
5 

Includes 8,000 shares held as 2,000 ADRs. 

There were no changes in Directors’ interests in the period from 1 April 2020 to 20 May 2020. 

(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Governance

2020 REMUNERATION POLICY 

The Remuneration Committee presents the 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which is subject to shareholder approval  
at the AGM on 23 July 2020. The Committee will operate within this Policy from that date.  

Following a careful review, as described in the Committee Chairman’s letter (see page 100), the Committee believes that our current 
Remuneration Policy and approach remain appropriate in the context of our business strategy and shareholder expectations.  

CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS 
The Chair of the Remuneration Committee engages with our major institutional shareholders each year specifically on 
remuneration topics, alongside the Board’s shareholder engagement programme.  

The Committee also receives regular updates on investors’ views and corporate governance matters. These lines of communication 
ensure that emerging best practice principles are factored into the Committee’s decision-making during the year. 

Our current Directors’ Remuneration Policy which was formally approved at the AGM in 2017 is proposed for renewal at the 2020 
AGM on substantially the same basis. We have consulted with major shareholders on the development of the Policy and: 

•(cid:3) recognise the strength of some investor sentiment around executive director retirement benefit provisions and intend to align  
the Executive Directors’ retirement benefits with those available to the broader UK workforce within a two-year period (and 
immediately in the case of new appointments); 

•(cid:3) are implementing a post-employment shareholding requirement, reflecting updated UK Corporate Governance Code guidance; 
•(cid:3) do not propose any other material changes to our Remuneration Policy. We consulted at length in 2018/19 in relation to changes 
to the operation of our incentive plans, including a structural reduction in the maximum opportunity for executive directors,  
and our proposed 2020 Remuneration Policy reflects this approach. 

With these changes, we believe we continue to take a considered and balanced approach to director remuneration at Tate & Lyle. 

The Committee retains discretion on specific aspects of policy and implementation, as described in the Remuneration Policy, along with an 
overriding discretion to determine bonus outcomes and judge the level at which share awards vest, to ensure that payments are consistent 
with the underlying financial health and performance of the business, within the maximum opportunity stated in the Policy tables.  
The Committee may make minor changes to the Policy without seeking shareholder approval, for example to benefit the administration  
of arrangements, or to take account of changes in legislation. Any such changes would be disclosed in the relevant Annual Report.  

REMUNERATION STRATEGY AND KEY PRINCIPLES 
The Group’s remuneration strategy and supporting principles, which apply consistently to employees, managers and 
executives, are summarised below: 

  REMUNERATION STRATEGY 

KEY PRINCIPLES 

  Our remuneration strategy is to 
provide competitive packages 
that enable the Group to recruit, 
develop and motivate high-calibre 
individuals in the markets in 
which we operate – to serve our 
customers, and to deliver 
consistent performance and 
sustainable long-term profitable 
growth in a way that is consistent 
with our purpose. 

•(cid:3) Our approach is designed to be equitable, transparent and globally 

consistent, recognising that we recruit talented individuals and operate  
in an international market  

•(cid:3) Base pay and benefits are referenced to the comparative local market, 

taking account of company size and operations  

•(cid:3) Assessments of performance and potential provide meaningful 

opportunities for career and salary progression, based on an individual’s 
skills and contribution over time 

•(cid:3) Individuals in key roles that can drive annual and longer-term 

performance may be selected to participate in our sales incentive plan, or 
the annual bonus plan, or the Performance Share Plan, to encourage the 
achievement of genuinely stretching short-term and long-term objectives 

•(cid:3) All aspects of remuneration are designed to encourage a focus on long-
term, sustained performance and risk management. Outcomes must be 
achieved in a way that is consistent with the Group’s values and Code of 
Ethics, and that foster sustainable, profitable growth 

•(cid:3) Alignment with shareholders’ long-term interests is carefully preserved 
by linking senior executive pay to performance; effective governance 
around remuneration decisions; setting targets that challenge 
management to drive high performance; the adoption of shareholding 
guidelines at senior executive levels; and appropriate malus and claw 
back provisions. 

WE OPERATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT 
Although we are UK-listed and headquartered in London, UK, only c.1% of our global sales are made to the UK and only c.6%  
of our global workforce are located in the UK. Accordingly, it is important that our remuneration arrangements are competitive  
in that international context.(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

115 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

ELEMENT 

PURPOSE 

POLICY 

MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY 

Providing market 
competitive fixed 
remuneration  
to attract 
executives of the 
required calibre 

•(cid:3) Salaries are referenced to the comparative  

local market taking account of company size  
and operations, the individual’s skills, experience, 
personal performance and circumstances (e.g. 
following promotion into a new or expanded role). 

Base Salary 
(cid:122)(cid:3)

Benefits 
(cid:122) 

•(cid:3) Increases are typically limited to the general 
increase for Group employees in the same 
local market. 

•(cid:3) The value of non-cash benefits is 

determined by the cost of provision,  
e.g. third-party health insurance premiums 

•(cid:3) Receipt of any benefits would be in 

accordance with policies applicable more 
generally to employees in the same location 

•(cid:3) Retirement and/or cash benefits in lieu  
of pension for existing UK directors will 
be aligned with the rates available to  
the majority of the UK workforce over a  
2-year period from the date of this Policy 

•(cid:3) Target is 75% of salary for executive directors 
•(cid:3) Maximum cash bonus is 100% of salary 
•(cid:3) Maximum total bonus opportunity is 150%  
of salary, with any award over 100% paid in 
shares, which are deferred for two years 
•(cid:3) Deferred shares carry the right to receive  
a cash payment in lieu of the dividend 
during the deferral period 

•(cid:3) Benefits are provided in line with comparative  
local market practice and may include, e.g. car  
(or allowance), health insurance, life cover, and 
retirement benefits – on a similar basis to those 
benefits provided to all employees in the location 

•(cid:3) Situation dependent benefits may include: 
–(cid:3) Reimbursement of reasonable expenses 
incurred in the course of business, and 
settlement of taxes where required 

–(cid:3) Participation in benefits generally available  
to the local employee population (including  
e.g. HMRC-approved Sharesave plans) 
–(cid:3) Relocation benefits, including healthcare 
–(cid:3) Payment in lieu of dividends on specific awards 

•(cid:3) The Annual Bonus Plan rewards achievement  
of financial and other objectives established by  
the Committee for the relevant financial year 

•(cid:3) The bonus award may comprise cash and deferred 

shares, depending on the level of award 

•(cid:3) The final bonus award is made at the Committee’s 
discretion. Subject to the overall maximum, the 
Committee may make appropriate adjustments  
to ensure that the bonus outcomes are a fair 
reflection of the underlying performance of the 
Company and may also take into account factors 
such as Group safety, operational performance, 
and personal performance 

Annual bonus 
(cid:122)(cid:123)(cid:123)(cid:3)
Max opportunity 

150% of salary 

Supporting  
near-term  
growth goals by 
rewarding strong 
annual financial 
and performance 
objectives 

Performance 
Share Plan 
(cid:122)(cid:122)(cid:122)(cid:123)(cid:123)(cid:3)
Max opportunity 

300% of salary 

Supporting the 
Group’s strategy 
by incentivising 
sustained profit 
growth and 
capital efficiency 
over successive 
three-year 
performance 
periods, and 
retaining talent 

•(cid:3) Awards over Tate & Lyle PLC shares may be made, 
at the Committee’s discretion, on an annual basis 
taking an individual executive’s contribution and 
performance into account 

•(cid:3) Awards will only vest to participants if demanding 
financial performance requirements have been 
achieved over a performance period of at least 
three financial years commencing with the  
financial year in which the award is made 
•(cid:3) A 2-year post-vesting holding period follows  
the 3- year performance period – so awards 
to executive directors have a five-year horizon 

•(cid:3) Flexibility to make awards of up to 300% of 
base salary (at the time of award) to ensure 
market competitiveness and taking account 
of the Company’s performance 

•(cid:3) The award will lapse entirely if threshold 
performance targets are not achieved 

•(cid:3) Only 15% of any award made to  

executive directors vests for achieving 
threshold performance 

Personal share 
ownership 

Alignment  
of long-term 
interests with 
shareholders 

•(cid:3) Minimum shareholding requirements must be  

built over a 5-year period following appointment 
•(cid:3) Similar requirements apply to other senior roles.  
•(cid:3) This policy is extended so that executive directors 

are required to maintain a holding following 
cessation of employment 

•(cid:3) The shareholding guidelines are periodically 
reviewed in light of market practice and  
are currently: 

–(cid:3) CEO: 4 x base salary 
–(cid:3) CFO: 3 x base salary 

KEY: NUMBER OF YEARS:  (cid:122) PERFORMANCE PERIOD  (cid:123) DEFERRAL/HOLDING PERIOD  (cid:88) ONGOING REQUIREMENTS 

116 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Governance

OPERATION / PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK 

CHANGES TO POLICY 

•(cid:3) Base salary reviews take into account increases awarded to employees below executive level,  

and the impact on pension and other consequences of increases, and reflect personal performance 
consistent with the approach applicable to employees generally 

•(cid:3) Retirement benefits are provided by way of defined contribution or equivalent cash arrangements. 
Contractual benefit levels were agreed on appointment as 25% for the CEO and 20% for the CFO.  
The CEO contribution is reducing to 20% with effect from 1 April 2020, and further reductions will  
be made to these rates as necessary to ensure that this benefit level is aligned with that available  
to the majority of the UK workforce over a two year period from the date of this Policy 

•(cid:3) Employment and incidental benefits are not performance-related by nature 
•(cid:3) Payment in lieu of dividend may apply to specific awards where any applicable conditions have  

been satisfied at vesting. Accordingly, no additional performance conditions apply 

•(cid:3) No performance conditions are attached to Sharesave awards because the Sharesave plan is an  

all-employee scheme 

•(cid:3) No changes to the policy in favour 

of directors have been made 
•(cid:3) We are reducing the level of 

executive directors’ retirement 
benefits so that these will be in line 
with the level of benefits available 
to the majority of the UK workforce. 
This will take effect immediately  
for any new appointments and for 
existing directors is intended to be 
achieved within a two year period 
following approval of this Policy  
at the 2020 AGM 

•(cid:3) Key financial performance metrics are selected by the Committee. Additionally, the Committee  

•(cid:3) No changes to the policy in favour 

may select quantifiable metrics aligned with strategic and/or operational objectives on a personal  
or collective basis 

•(cid:3) 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 

•(cid:3) Financial performance has the greatest weighting 
•(cid:3) A minimum profit hurdle applies before any bonus is payable against any of the metrics 
•(cid:3) Malus and claw back provisions apply: cash and shares may be recouped in specific circumstances 

during the two-year period following the end of the financial year to which the bonus relates 
•(cid:3) For the current financial year, 80% of the bonus will relate to financial performance, as follows: 

of directors have been made 
•(cid:3) The maximum bonus has been 
reduced from 175% to 150% 
•(cid:3) Claw-back provisions have  

been strengthened to include 
circumstances leading to 
’corporate failure’ 

–(cid:3) 50% Group adjusted operating profit 
–(cid:3) 25% Food & Beverage Solutions net sales 
–(cid:3) 25% Group adjusted operating cash flow 

•(cid:3) The following performance metrics were adopted for awards made from 2019: 

–(cid:3) 40%: Group adjusted earnings per share 
–(cid:3) 20%: Food & Beverage Solutions volume growth 
–(cid:3) 40%: adjusted return on capital employed (ROCE) 

•(cid:3) These metrics are key determinants of shareholder value creation, reflecting: the effectiveness of 
strategic investment decisions, the focus on growing our FBS division, and the growth in financial 
value of the whole group. If material changes to the metrics are proposed, the Committee would 
consult with key shareholders in advance of making a new award 

•(cid:3) Targets are reviewed by the Committee ahead of each annual grant, to ensure these remain 

appropriately stretching over the performance period 

•(cid:3) The Committee must be satisfied that the level of vesting is justified by the broader underlying 

financial performance of the Company 

•(cid:3) A dividend underpin gives the Committee discretion to reduce PSP vesting if dividends over the 

performance period do not conform to the dividend policy 

•(cid:3) Malus / claw back provisions: awards may be recouped in specific circumstances during the two-year 

period after the performance period 

•(cid:3) The value of an executive’s interests in shares is directly affected by share price performance  

over time 

•(cid:3) For a period of two years following cessation of employment, an executive will be required to maintain 
a share holding in keeping with the guideline prevailing at the time of their departure, or their actual 
holding on departure (if lower) 

•(cid:3) No changes to the Policy have  

been made 

•(cid:3) Revised metrics were adopted in 
2019 (within the scope of the 
Remuneration Policy), following 
detailed consultation with 
shareholders and with shareholder 
approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report at the  
2019 AGM 

•(cid:3) The post-vesting holding  

period will continue to apply  
post-employment 

•(cid:3) Claw back provisions have  

been strengthened to include 
circumstances leading to 
’corporate failure’ 

•(cid:3) A post-employment shareholding 
requirement is being introduced 

(cid:3)

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

117 
 117  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR THE CHAIRMAN AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT 
The Chairman and non-executive directors have letters of appointment and do not have service contracts or notice periods. 
Under the terms of their appointment, they are usually expected to serve on the Board for a maximum of nine years, subject to 
their annual re-election by shareholders. The Company Chairman and non-executive directors receive a fee for their services, 
and do not participate in the Group’s incentive or pension schemes, do not receive any other benefits, and have no right to 
compensation if their appointment is terminated. 

CHAIRMAN AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ FEES  
Non-executive directors’ fees (excluding the Chairman) are reviewed annually by the Chairman and Executive Directors  
of the Board. The Chairman’s fee is reviewed annually by the Committee. 

Aggregate fees depend on the responsibilities assumed by each non-executive director. A basic fee is paid to the Chairman,  
to the Senior Independent Director and to each non-executive director. In addition, supplemental fees are payable to each 
Committee chair. Accordingly, supplemental fees are paid to the chairs of the Audit and Remuneration Committees, and the 
Research Advisory Group, to reflect the extra responsibilities required by each of these positions. 

Increases in fees arising from the normal annual review will generally be limited to the market increase applicable to UK 
employees generally. However, a higher or lower increase may be awarded to ensure that fees paid are commensurate with 
those paid by other UK-listed companies over time and are set at a level to retain individuals with the necessary experience 
and ability to make a substantial contribution to the Group. 

SERVICE CONTRACTS 
The Group’s policy regarding executive directors’ service contracts and appointment terms is to take account of market practice, 
and to ensure that provisions in relation to notice periods or termination payments are not excessive, as well as to ensure that 
contracts provide appropriate protection for the Group, for example, in relation to restrictions on competition, solicitation of 
customers or employees, and the protection of intellectual property. 

Executive directors are employed under service contracts providing for six months’ notice from the executive and 12 months’  
notice from the Group.  

The Chairman and non-executive directors have letters of appointment and do not have service contracts or notice periods. Under the 
terms of their appointment, they are usually expected to serve on the Board for between three and nine years, subject to their re-election 
by shareholders. The Chairman and non-executive directors receive a fee for their services, and do not participate in the Group’s 
incentive or pension schemes, do not receive any other benefits, and have no right to compensation if their appointment is terminated. 

Service contracts for executive directors and letters of appointment for the Chairman and non-executive directors are available  
for inspection at the Company’s registered office. 

Beyond the items disclosed in this Report, there are no further obligations on the Company which could give rise to a remuneration 
or loss of office payment to a director. 

PROVISIONS IN RELATION TO INCENTIVE PLANS 
Potential impact of mergers and acquisitions or other corporate activity 
In the context of a merger or acquisition, or other relevant corporate activity, any potential impact on the incentive plans would  
be specifically considered by the Committee. In such circumstances, the Committee retains the authority to vary the performance 
target or the vesting outcome to ensure that outcomes are equitable for both the participant and shareholders. 

Change of control 
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,  
at the Committee’s discretion, in proportion to the time served during the performance period. 

POLICY ON THE TERMS OF DIRECTORS’ APPOINTMENT  
In order to ensure the continued growth and success of the business over time, the Company must have the flexibility to appoint 
new individuals to the Board, either by way of internal promotion or external appointment, on terms that are sufficient to attract 
and motivate individuals of the highest calibre. 

The following key principles describe our intended approach in these circumstances (and are consistent with the principles  
that apply to the broader employee population). 

•(cid:3) The starting point for structuring any package on appointment will be the annual remuneration framework under the 

remuneration policy that has been approved by shareholders and is current at the time of the appointment. 

•(cid:3) To respond to specific circumstances and/or to allow for differences in practice over time and by location, the Committee retains flexibility 
outside policy to provide market-referenced benefits which are considered necessary or appropriate to the role, for example in relation to: 
healthcare, insurance, transport, and security – in a manner that is consistent with provision to other employees of the Group. 

118 
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(cid:3)

 
Governance 
Governance

•(cid:3) Where an appointment requires an individual to relocate, internationally or otherwise, the Company may agree to make 
payment(s) to offset certain expenses incurred as a consequence of relocation or may provide benefits in line with our 
global/domestic mobility policy, on appointment and on an ongoing basis, depending on the circumstances. Such benefits  
may include, for example: travel; relocation and tax-related assistance; and similar repatriation benefits in due course. 
•(cid:3) The current policy provides for a maximum level of variable remuneration that is equivalent to 450% of base salary in the 

financial year of appointment. This is consistent with the aggregate current maxima under the Annual Bonus Plan and the 
Performance Share Plan following the changes to reduce the bonus opportunity in 2019. The Committee retains flexibility  
to alter the balance between short-term and long-term elements within this overall maximum, and awards may be made  
on different terms. 

•(cid:3) Where an internal candidate is appointed, contractual commitments that have been made prior to appointment to the Board, 
along with any benefits and/or incentive awards that have been awarded at that time, may remain in effect and be honoured,  
even if they would not otherwise be consistent with the shareholder-approved remuneration policy in effect at the time. 

•(cid:3) In order to secure the appointment of a suitable external candidate, the Committee retains the flexibility to provide additional 
compensation for the value of incentive awards or other benefits that are forfeited on leaving a former employer. In such 
circumstances, the Committee may make use of cash and/or shares, as it considers appropriate in the circumstances. The 
Committee will exercise careful judgement in formulating the terms on which such a compensatory award will be made, taking 
into account the form of award(s) that are forfeited, the timeframes over which they may otherwise have been earned and any 
performance conditions that would have applied. 

This policy is intended to enable the Committee to structure an offer on terms that it considers to be in the best interests of  
the Company and its shareholders. Depending on the circumstances, and any restrictions or requirements that may apply,  
the Company may consult with key shareholders as part of this process and/or disclose terms on which a new appointment  
is made through a regulatory information service. 

POLICY ON PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH LOSS OF OFFICE 
It is the Company’s policy that executive directors are normally employed on contracts that provide for not more than 12 months’ 
notice from the Company and at least six months’ notice from the executive. To protect the Company’s interests, restrictive 
covenants (non-compete/non-solicitation) apply for a period of 12 months following termination, less any period of ‘garden leave’. 
The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer are each employed on contracts consistent with this policy. 

The treatment of executive directors leaving the Company is designed to support a smooth transition from the Company, 
encouraging an orderly transfer of responsibilities, and taking into account the interests of shareholders in securing the sustained 
performance of the business beyond the executive’s departure. 

Termination for dishonesty or misconduct are circumstances in which the executive would retain only the minimum contractual 
entitlements on departure, consistent with the need to avoid providing any element of reward for failure. In these circumstances  
no bonus award would be made, and unvested deferred shares or performance share awards would lapse. Dishonesty or 
misconduct may lead to the operation of malus and/or claw back provisions. 

An executive’s departure in compassionate circumstances such as death or permanent disability would generally result in the  
most beneficial terms being received, summarised below. 

If an executive departs from the Company in other circumstances, the treatment would be considered at the Committee’s 
discretion and approved on a case-by-case basis, in keeping with the principles above. Such circumstances would potentially  
result in treatment that is more favourable than the contractual minimum but no more generous than that which applies under  
the ‘compassionate circumstances’ mentioned above. 

TREATMENT IN COMPASSIONATE CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G. DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY) 

Salary and benefits 

Annual bonus award  
or Performance Share  
Plan vesting 

Deferred bonus awards  
and PSP awards subject  
to a holding period 

Paid or provided pro-rata in the normal course to the termination date; the Company has the option to make  
a payment in lieu of notice in relation to the fixed elements of remuneration only (base salary, pension, and 
contractual benefits) in relation to any period of contractual notice that is not worked. 

Subject to Committee discretion, any bonus or the vesting of Performance Share Plan award(s) will normally be 
considered and approved based on the extent to which the original performance targets are assessed to have been 
met at the end of the relevant performance period, reduced pro-rata for time over the relevant financial year(s) 
prior to the termination date. 

Deferred bonus awards may continue in effect, or be released early at the Committee’s discretion, depending on  
the circumstances. 

The post-vesting holding period applicable to Performance Share Plan awards made from 2020 will continue to 
apply following cessation of employment. 

In addition to contractual rights to any payment on loss of office, any employee, including executive directors, may have statutory 
and/or common law or other rights to certain additional payments, for example in a redundancy situation. Similarly, additional 
consideration may be provided, if necessary, to secure specific agreements following separation (for example an enhanced  
non-compete provision) that protect the Company’s interests. 

(cid:3)

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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119 
 119  

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)  

Depending on the role and circumstances of departure, a director who has been relocated may be repatriated in accordance  
with previously agreed terms. The Company may pay some or all of the costs incurred by the executive in respect of legal, financial, 
outplacement or other relevant personal advisory services and/or expenses in connection with relocation. The Committee will 
approve such arrangements on a case-by-case basis, with a view to maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and 
consistency with internal Company policies that may apply. 

INCORPORATION OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED REMUNERATION POLICY STATEMENTS 
It is generally intended that provisions consistent with previously disclosed directors’ remuneration policies and/or incentive plans 
previously approved by shareholders will continue to apply after the resolution to adopt the remuneration policy set out in this 
Policy Report is approved. Such provisions will allow, without limitation: 

•(cid:3) Contractual commitments entered into before the policy takes effect, or before an individual was subject to this policy on 

directors’ remuneration, to be honoured. 

•(cid:3) The satisfaction of awards and/or commitments made in relation to incentive plan awards (providing they were consistent  

with the policy in effect at the time the original award/commitment was made). 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS  
The Board believes that the Company can benefit from executive directors holding external non-executive directorships.  
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. 

APPLICATION OF REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 
The charts below illustrate the value that may be delivered from each element of the package under different performance 
scenarios, reflecting the structural reduction in bonus opportunity adopted in the 2020 Policy, and the pension changes applicable 
for the financial year ahead (with further reductions to follow). The charts also illustrate the incremental value that would  
be delivered under a ‘stretch’ performance scenario if the share price increased by 50% between award and release of the 
long-term incentive award (under which scenario all shareholders would benefit from similar gains).  

Chief Executive – Nick Hampton

Chief Financial Officer – Imran Nawaz 

s
0
0
0
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a
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e
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5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

£4,805

20%

42%

£3,808

53%

26%

21%

21%

17%

£2,311

43%

22%
35%

£815

100%

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Stretch +50% 
share growth

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

£3,397

20%

42%

21%

17%

£2,692

53%

26%

21%

£1,635

43%

22%
35%

£577

100%

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Stretch +50% 
share growth

BASE AND BENEFITS       ANNUAL BONUS       PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN       50% SHARE PRICE GROWTH

STATEMENT OF CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS IN THE GROUP 
The principles on which we base remuneration decisions for executive directors as described on page 115 are broadly consistent 
with those on which we base remuneration decisions for all employees, including setting base pay and performance targets for 
incentives. The Committee also reviews information on bonus payments and share awards made to the broader management  
of the Group when determining awards and outcomes at executive director level.  

We continue to schedule time to consider matters related to remuneration policies for the wider workforce, engaging with 
employees on matters covered by the updated (2018) UK Corporate Governance Code, and considering the implications of  
the gender pay and Chief Executive pay ratio analyses for our workforce as a whole. 

On behalf of the Board 

Anne Minto OBE 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
20 May 2020 

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report

Governance

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The Directors’ Report comprises the Board of Directors 
(from pages 70 to 73), Governance section from pages 74  
to 99, the Directors’ Report on pages 121 and 123 and the 
Useful Information section from pages 196 to 201. Other 
information that is relevant to the Directors’ Report, and 
which is incorporated by reference into the Directors’ 
Report, is disclosed as follows:

•  Likely future developments and performance of the 

Company (throughout the Strategic Report)

•  Human rights (page 47)
•  Greenhouse gas emissions (pages 52 and 53)
•  Relationship with employees (pages 46 to 49)
•  Going concern (page 45)
•  Financial instruments (Note 27)
•  Post balance sheet events (Note 35).

RESULTS AND DIVIDEND
A review of the consolidated Group’s results can be found from 
pages 8 to 67. An interim dividend of 8.8 pence per ordinary share 
was paid on 3 January 2020. The Directors recommend a final 
dividend of 20.8 pence per ordinary share to be paid on 31 July 
2020 to shareholders on the register on 19 June 2020, subject  
to approval at the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The  
total dividend for the year is 29.6 pence per ordinary share  
(2019 – 29.4 pence).

The Trustees of the Tate & Lyle PLC Employee Benefit Trust (the 
EBT) have waived their right to receive dividends over their total 
holding of 5,122,967 ordinary shares as at 31 March 2020.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Group spent £34 million (2019 – £36 million) on research  
and development during the year.

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 and 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, 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 may delegate day-to-day management and 
decision-making to individual executive directors. Details of the 
Board Committees can be found on pages 92, 95 and 104.

SHARE CAPITAL
As at 31 March 2020, the Company had nominal issued ordinary 
and preference share capital of £119 million comprising £117 
million in ordinary shares and £2 million in preference shares. 
To satisfy obligations under employee share plans, the Company 
issued 55,721 ordinary shares during the year. The Company 
issued 6,030 shares during the period from 1 April 2020 to  
20 May 2020. Further information about share capital is in Note 
21. Information about options granted under the Company’s 
employee share plans is in Note 30.

The Company was given authority at the 2019 AGM to make 
market purchases of up to 46,836,341 of its own ordinary shares. 
The Company made no purchases of its own ordinary shares 
during the year ended 31 March 2020 and the EBT purchased 
1,635,490 ordinary shares during the year. This authority will 
expire at the 2020 AGM and approval will be sought from 
shareholders for a similar authority to be given for a further year.

RESTRICTIONS ON HOLDING SHARES 
There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary and 
preference shares in the capital of the Company. 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 in ‘Shareholders’  
rights’ on preference shares. The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between shareholders that may restrict the transfer 
or exercise of voting rights.

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 121  

Directors’ Report (continued)

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 or 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 which are available  
on the Company’s website, www.tateandlyle.com.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITIES AND INSURANCE COVER 
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 and 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.

The Company also maintains Directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance cover, and reviews the level of cover each year.

CHANGE OF CONTROL 
At 31 March 2020, the Group had a committed bank facility  
of US$800 million with a number of relationship banks which 
contains change of control clauses. The Group also had US$600 
million of Private Placement Notes which contain change of 
control provisions. In aggregate, this financing is considered 
significant to the Group and in the event of a takeover (change of 
control) of the Company, these contracts may be cancelled, 
become immediately payable or be subject to acceleration. 

All the Company’s share plans contain provisions relating to a 
change of control. Further information is set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy. 

DTR RULE 5 DISCLOSURE
As at 31 March 2020, the Company had been notified under Rule 5 
of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the following 
holdings of voting rights in its shares:

Standard Life Aberdeen plc

NUMBER OF 
SHARES1

17 175 029

% HELD1

3.67

1  As at the date of the transaction in the most recent notification to the Company. As 
permitted under Rule 5, shareholders are not required to notify us of subsequent 
changes within certain ranges.

In the period from 1 April 2020 to 20 May 2020, the Company has 
not been notified of any changes to the holdings as disclosed above.

POLITICAL DONATIONS
Again this year, in line with the Group’s policy, no political 
donations were made in the UK or in any country other than the 
US. The Group’s US business made contributions during the year 
totalling US$7,800 (£6,000) (2019 – US$14,300; £11,000) to state 
political party committees or political action committees, and to 
the campaign committees of state or local candidates affiliated to 
the major parties. In all, five separate donations were made, the 
largest being US$5,000 and the smallest being US$500. 

US$12,000 (£9,200) (2019 – US$19,000; £14,600) was also 
contributed by the Tate & Lyle Political Action Committee (PAC). 
Nine separate donations were made, the largest being  
US$3,000 and the smallest being US$500. 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.

SUBSIDIARIES AND BRANCHES
A list of the Group’s subsidiaries is set out in Note 37. A subsidiary 
within the Group has a branch in New Zealand.

DISCLOSURE TABLE PURSUANT TO LISTING RULE LR 9.8.4C 
In accordance with LR 9.8.4C, the table below sets out the location of the information required to be disclosed, where applicable.

APPLICABLE SUB-PARAGRAPH WITHIN LR 9.8.4C 

(1) Interest capitalised by the Group 

(2) Unaudited financial information 

(4) Long-term incentive scheme only involving a Director

(5) Directors’ waivers of emoluments 

(6) Directors’ waivers of future emoluments 

(7) Non pro-rata allotments for cash (issuer) 

(8) Non pro-rata allotments for cash (major subsidiaries) 

(9) Listed company is a subsidiary of another company 

(10) Contracts of significance involving a Director 

(11) Contracts of significance involving a controlling shareholder 

(12) Waivers of dividends 

(13) Waivers of future dividends 

(14) Agreement with a controlling shareholder 

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Governance

DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are  
listed on pages 70 to 73, confirms that, to the best of his or  
her knowledge:

•  The Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 

understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s and the Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy 
•  The Group financial statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
profit of the Group

•  The Company financial statements, which have been 

prepared in accordance with UK GAAP (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ and applicable law) give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit 
of the Company

•  The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report include a fair 
review of the development and performance of the business 
and the position of the Group and the Company, together 
with a description of the principal 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 
Group and Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

The Directors’ Report on pages 70 to 99, pages 121 to 123 and 
pages 196 to 201 and the Directors’ Remuneration Report from 
pages 100 to 120 of this Annual Report were approved by the 
Directors on 20 May 2020.

Claire-Marie O’Grady
Company Secretary
20 May 2020

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 Company financial 
statements in accordance with UK GAAP (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ 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 year. 

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 applicable IFRSs as adopted by the EU have 

been followed for the Group financial statements and United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, have 
been followed for the Company financial statements, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements

•  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will 
continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate  
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain  
the Group and Company’s transactions and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 
Company and the Group. These records should 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. The Directors are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and  
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. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 123  

124

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

I have always cared about 
personal wellbeing, and it’s 
exciting to have the opportunity  
to contribute every day to 
improving the nutritional options 
available for people.

Florence Kraus
Global Customer Account Director
Based in USA

Financial statements

CONTENTS

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

IN THIS SECTION
126   Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Tate & Lyle PLC
134  Consolidated income statement
135   Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income 

136   Consolidated statement of financial 

position

137  Consolidated statement of cash flows
138   Consolidated statement of changes 

in equity

139   Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements

188  Parent Company financial statements

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 125  

 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tate & Lyle PLC 

Opinion 
In our opinion: 

•(cid:3) Tate & Lyle PLC’s Group financial statements and Parent Company financial statements (the ‘financial statements’) give a true and  
fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2020 and of the Group’s profit for the year  
then ended; 

•(cid:3) the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;  
•(cid:3) the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice; and 

•(cid:3) the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, as regards the  

Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

We have audited the financial statements of Tate & Lyle PLC which comprise: 

GROUP 

PARENT COMPANY 

Consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020 

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2020 

Consolidated income statement for the year then ended 

Statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year 
then ended 

Related notes 1 to 12 to the financial statements including a 
summary of significant accounting policies 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 

Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended 

Related notes 1 to 37 to the financial statements, including a 
summary of significant accounting policies 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has  
been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

BASIS FOR OPINION  
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report 
below. We are independent of the Group and Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit  
of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO PRINCIPAL RISKS, GOING CONCERN AND VIABILITY STATEMENT 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the Annual Report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to 
report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to: 

•(cid:3) the disclosures in the Annual Report set out from pages 63 to 67 that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 

managed or mitigated; 

•(cid:3) the Directors’ confirmation set out on page 61 in the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 

facing the entity, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity; 

•(cid:3) the Directors’ statement set out on page 45 in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue to 
do so over a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements; 

•(cid:3) whether the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) 

is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or  

•(cid:3) the Directors’ explanation set out on page 62 in the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, over what 

period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

(cid:3)

126 
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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

OVERVIEW OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH 

Key audit matters 

Audit scope 

•(cid:3) Commodity co-product valuation (Group) 
•(cid:3) Revenue recognition, including the risk of management override (Group) 
•(cid:3) The impact of Covid-19 (Group) 
•(cid:3) Investments in subsidiaries (Parent Company) 

•(cid:3) We performed an audit of the complete financial information of five components (Tate & Lyle PLC, Tate & Lyle 
International Finance PLC, Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas LLC, Tate & Lyle Grain Inc. and Tate & Lyle Sucralose 
LLC) and audit procedures on specific balances for a further four components (Tate & Lyle Brasil S.A., Tate & Lyle 
Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Tate & Lyle Slovakia, s.r.o., and Tate & Lyle Insurance (Gibraltar) Limited). 

•(cid:3) The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures accounted for 82% of the adjusted profit 
before tax measure used to calculate materiality (as defined below), 81% of revenue and 76% of total assets. 

Materiality 

•(cid:3) We used an overall Group materiality of £16.6 million which represents 5% of profit before tax adjusted for 

exceptional items and the Group’s share of tax of joint ventures 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS  
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements  
of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we 
identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as  
a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

KEY OBSERVATIONS COMMUNICATED  
TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE  

No matters were identified 
that would indicate that  
the risk management and 
accounting policies were 
either inappropriate or  
not being followed. 

We concluded that the 
valuation of co-product 
inventory and forward 
purchase and sale contracts 
are materially correct. 

RISK 

  OUR RESPONSE TO THE RISK 

Commodity co-product  
valuation (Group) 

The fair value adjustment of  
co-product inventory executory 
purchase and sale contracts is  
£17 million (2019 – £18 million) 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 96); Accounting policies  
(pages 140 and 166); and Notes 2,  
14, 27 and 28 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements 

The Group is exposed to price  
risk on the three co-products  
(corn gluten meal, corn gluten feed  
and corn oil) that result from the  
corn milling process. 

The price risk associated with the three 
co-products cannot readily be hedged 
through purchase or sale of derivatives 
as there are no actively traded markets 
for these commodities. Whilst the 
Group actively manages its overall  
co-product positions in the US, the 
Group can hold either a net long or 
short position for each co-product 
based on the volume of co-products 
made, bought and forward sold at 
any point in time. These positions  
are measured at fair value at each 
reporting date, with gains and losses 
recognised in the income statement.  

The valuation of co-products is 
identified as a key audit matter due  
to the significant judgement involved  
in the valuation of co-product positions. 

(cid:3)

We understood and evaluated management’s process for 
managing the price risk inherent within its co-product positions 
and compared it with management’s underlying risk management 
and accounting policies.  

To address the co-product valuation risk we performed the 
following principal procedures: 

•(cid:3) Lowered thresholds when determining sample sizes for  

testing prices used in the valuation of co-product inventory  
and forward sale and purchase contracts 

•(cid:3) Compared market prices used to contracted prices of 

companies in the sector that are collated by and quoted in 
Jacobsen’s market publication and the Wall Street Journal, 
which each represent widely recognised third party sources 
•(cid:3) Given the correlation of corn meal to soybean meal (quoted  
on Chicago Mercantile Exchange), we compared corn meal 
prices to soybean meal prices to assist in evaluating the 
reasonableness of selected forward corn meal prices 

•(cid:3) Tested the clerical accuracy of the calculations of gains or 

losses on contracts and reconciled values to the general ledger 

•(cid:3) Compared selected market prices to the limited number  
of broker quotes that are available and were obtained  
by management 

•(cid:3) Confirmed the terms of a sample of sales and purchase 

contracts with counterparties 

•(cid:3) Selected a sample of contracts executed prior to and 

subsequent to period end and compared the consistency of 
prices on the executed contracts to the market prices used  
in valuation. For any significant variances to the year-end 
market prices we held discussions with the traders to 
understand the variances 

•(cid:3) Performed trader inquiries to understand market dynamics  

and factors impacting pricing as of period end 

•(cid:3) We assessed the adequacy of the Group’s commodities hedging 
documentation to assess compliance with IFRS 9 requirements 

•(cid:3) Evaluated the adequacy and transparency of commodities 

disclosures 

The procedures detailed above were performed by component 
audit teams and reviewed by the Group audit team. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

127 
 127  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tate & Lyle PLC (continued) 

KEY OBSERVATIONS COMMUNICATED  
TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE  

  Based on the procedures 

performed, we did not identify 
any evidence of material 
misstatement in the revenue 
recognised in the year. 

RISK 

  OUR RESPONSE TO THE RISK 

Revenue recognition, specifically in 
relation to the risk of management 
override (Group)  

£2,882 million (2019 – £2,755 million) 

Refer to the Accounting policies  
(page 144); and Note 5 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements 

The majority of the Group’s sales 
arrangements are generally 
straightforward, requiring little 
judgement to be exercised.  

However, management’s reward and 
incentive schemes, based on achieving 
sales and profit targets, may create 
pressure to manipulate results. 

There is a risk that management  
may override controls to intentionally 
misstate revenue through recording 
fictitious revenue transactions in  
the underlying subledgers or as 
consolidation journals. 

(cid:3)

  •(cid:3) We performed walkthroughs of significant classes of revenue 
transactions to understand related significant processes and  
to identify and assess the design effectiveness of key controls 
•(cid:3) We understood how each of the revenue recognition policies  
are applied. We understood the relevant controls including  
IT controls over the revenue applications, and tested controls 
over revenue recognition 

•(cid:3) We tested the underlying IT systems and the controls related to 
manage access, manage change and IT operations to investigate 
whether there was any evidence of override of the underlying  
IT systems which could facilitate management override 
•(cid:3) As part of our revenue testing, we used data analysis tools  
on revenue populations in the year to test the correlation of 
revenue to cash receipts to verify the occurrence of revenue.  
We identified any material transactions which fell outside the 
expected transactions flow and tested these to confirm that 
they were valid business transactions and were appropriately 
accounted for 

•(cid:3) We performed cut-off testing over a sample of revenue 

transactions around the year end date, to check that they  
were recognised in the appropriate period 

•(cid:3) We performed other audit procedures specifically designed  
to address the risk of management override of controls.  
This included journal entry testing, applying particular focus  
to significant manual or unusual journal entries to ensure  
each entry is supported by an appropriate, underlying business 
rationale, is properly authorised and accounted for correctly  
in the correct period 

The procedures detailed above were performed principally by 
component audit teams for all in scope locations with trading 
revenues and reviewed by the Group audit team.  

128 
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Financial statements 
Financial statements

KEY OBSERVATIONS COMMUNICATED  
TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE  

  We concluded that there is no 
material uncertainty related to 
the Group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. 

Management’s conclusion 
that there are no significant 
changes impacting the Annual 
Report and accounts as a 
result of Covid-19 impacts 
since 31 March 2020 is 
appropriate. 

We are satisfied that the 
additional disclosures in  
the financial statements are 
consistent with our knowledge 
from the audit. 

RISK 

  OUR RESPONSE TO THE RISK 

The impact of Covid-19 (Group)  

  Going concern 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report 
(page 96); Accounting policies (page 
139); and Notes 1 and 18 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements 

The Covid-19 pandemic is of an 
unprecedented scale. It has severely 
impacted the global economy and 
businesses across all industries. There 
is a significant degree of uncertainty 
about the further spread of the virus 
and the state of the world economy.  
We considered the following matters 
as part of our audit: 

The Group’s Annual Report and 
accounts are prepared on the going 
concern basis of accounting. This basis 
is dependent on a number of factors, 
including the Group’s forecast financial 
performance, the Group’s continued 
access to bank borrowing facilities, the 
Group’s ability to continue to operate 
within its financial covenants and the 
Group’s ability to manage the effects  
of Covid-19 on certain processes  
(e.g. staff shortages, supply  
chain disruption). 

The Directors concluded that no 
material uncertainty over going 
concern exists as, even under their 
most severe stress test, the Group 
maintains sufficient liquidity and there 
is no projected breach of covenants. 
The Directors also performed a reverse 
stress test, demonstrating the severity 
of the impact on the business that 
would lead to a conclusion that the 
Group was no longer a going concern, 
and concluded that the chances of 
such an impact were remote.  

There is also a risk that management 
has not appropriately disclosed the 
impact of Covid-19 in the Annual 
Report and accounts. 

•(cid:3) We obtained management’s going concern cash flow model, 

testing its mathematical accuracy  

•(cid:3) We assessed management’s ability to forecast with reference  
to historical accuracy of forecasts prepared for going concern 
and impairment tests in prior periods 

•(cid:3) We tested the inputs to the model, including cash on hand, 
operating cash generation and financing commitments and 
agreed them to the latest Board-approved forecasts that 
factored in a number of Covid-19 scenarios 

•(cid:3) We assessed the reasonableness of the key assumptions in  

the context of other supporting evidence gained from our audit 
work on goodwill impairments and on other external market 
data, including analyst forecasts and competitor trading updates 

•(cid:3) We assessed the potential downside scenarios, and potential 
mitigations, that management had applied and assessed their 
likelihood and whether other more severe scenarios could 
apply and the associated impact on liquidity headroom 
•(cid:3) We considered the appropriateness of key assumptions  

in management’s reverse stress testing and assessed the 
likelihood of the various scenarios (the impact of Covid-19, 
extended shutdown of the largest manufacturing facility and  
the loss of two of the largest Food & Beverage Solutions 
customers as well as a further significant impact on  
profitability) that could erode liquidity headroom 

•(cid:3) We confirmed the details of the available facilities with 

reference to agreements and to third party confirmations 

•(cid:3) We performed testing to evaluate whether the covenant 

requirements of the corporate debt facility would be met  
under all base and stress scenarios 

•(cid:3) We considered the performance of the business since year  

end and compared it to cash flow forecasts 

•(cid:3) We reviewed management’s basis of preparation note and the 
Directors’ Report and validated that they accurately described 
management’s going concern considerations 

•(cid:3) We reviewed minutes of Board meetings analysts’ reports  

and trading updates releases to the market from competitors 
and suppliers with a view to identifying any matters which  
may impact the going concern assessment and contradict  
the findings made from the procedures we performed above. 

Other disclosures in the Annual Report 

•(cid:3) We assessed the adequacy of the relevant disclosures in the 

Annual Report and accounts, including, the Directors’ Report, 
principal risks and uncertainties, corporate governance and  
the Audit Committee’s Report against the relevant reporting 
requirements and compared them to our knowledge obtained 
from our audit. 

The audit procedures were designed and completed by the  
Group audit team. 

Investment in subsidiaries  
(Parent Company) 

£1,079 million (2019 – £1,070 million) 

Refer to the Accounting policies  
(page 190); and Note 2 of the Parent 
Company Financial Statements 

The Parent Company’s principal activity 
is that of a holding company for the 
investment in a number of subsidiaries. 
There is a risk that these may be 
impaired. As such the recoverable 
value of these investments is a key 
audit matter. 

  Procedures performed by the Group audit team were: 

•(cid:3) We obtained details of the investment carrying amounts in 
subsidiaries and compared this to the Parent Company’s  
share of the net assets of those entities 

•(cid:3) We assessed the reasonableness of key assumptions in 

  We concluded that the 
carrying value of the 
investments recognised in  
the Parent Company balance 
sheet is supportable. 

management’s impairment test. We assessed the mathematical 
accuracy and company-specific inputs of the discount rate 
calculation, and assessed the cash flow projections with 
reference to Board-approved budgets, considering the  
historical precision of management’s forecasting. This  
enabled us to confirm whether the carrying value of investments 
was supportable at year end and confirmed management’s 
conclusion that no impairment was required.  

•(cid:3) We compared the market capitalisation of the Group to the 

carrying value of the investments to identify if any indicators  
of impairment existed 

The audit procedures were designed and completed by the  
Group audit team. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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129 
 129  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tate & Lyle PLC (continued) 

In the current year, following a re-assessment of the risk impacting revenue our key audit matters now include ‘revenue recognition, 
including the risk of management override of controls’. Additionally, our key audit matters include ‘the impact of Covid-19’ due to the 
downturn in the global economy as a result of the pandemic which is currently impacting the Group’s operating performance.  

The prior year key audit matter ‘unrealised profit in inventory from intercompany sales’ is no longer considered a key audit matter based  
on the results of our testing last year and the low level of volatility and subjectivity in the balance. In the prior year, management changed 
the basis upon which goodwill was allocated and tested and accordingly we considered ‘assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and 
other intangible assets’, to be a key audit matter. The basis of allocation and testing has been consistently applied in 2020 and therefore 
the key audit matter has been removed in the current year. 

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 
Tailoring the scope 
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for  
each entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into 
account size, risk profile, the organisation of the Group and effectiveness of Group-wide controls, changes in the business environment  
and other factors such as recent internal audit results when assessing the level of work to be performed at each entity. 

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage  
of significant accounts in the financial statements, of the reporting components of the Group, we selected nine components covering 
entities within the US, Brazil, China, Slovakia, Gibraltar and the UK, which represent the principal business units within the Group. 

Of the nine components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of five components (‘full scope components’) 
which were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the remaining four components (‘specific scope components’), we 
performed audit procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential for the greatest impact on  
the significant accounts in the financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or their risk profile.  

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures accounted for 82% (2019 – 85%) of the Group’s adjusted profit before  
tax measure used to calculate materiality, 81% (2019 – 80%) of the Group’s revenue and 76% (2019 – 81%) of the Group’s total assets.  
For the current year, the full scope components contributed 79% (2019 – 81%) of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax measure used  
to calculate materiality, 69% (2019 – 68%) of the Group’s revenue and 74% (2019 – 76%) of the Group’s total assets. The specific scope 
component contributed 3% (2019 – 4%) of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax measure used to calculate materiality, 12% (2019 – 12%)  
of the Group’s revenue and 2% (2019 – 5%) of the Group’s total assets. The audit scope of these components may not have included testing 
of all significant accounts of the component but will have contributed to the coverage of significant accounts tested for the Group. We also 
performed specified procedures relating to inventory existence as a Group team at one location to gain sufficient coverage over the 
inventory held at year end. 

Of the remaining components that together represent 18% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax measure used to calculate  
materiality, none are individually greater than 10% of the Group’s adjusted profit before tax measure used to calculate materiality.  
For these components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, specified procedures on material accounts, testing 
of consolidation journals and intercompany eliminations and foreign currency translation recalculations to respond to any potential  
risks of material misstatement to the Group financial statements. 

The charts below illustrate the coverage obtained from the work performed by our audit teams. 

COVERAGE OBTAINED BY OUR AUDIT TEAMS

18

3

ADJUSTED 
PROFIT (%)

19

12

REVENUE (%)

24

2

TOTAL 
ASSETS (%)

79

69

74

  FULL SCOPE OF COMPONENTS
  SPECIFIC SCOPE COMPONENTS
  OTHER PROCEDURES

(cid:3)

130 
130

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

Involvement with component teams  
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each of the 
components by us, as the primary audit engagement team, or by component auditors from other EY global network firms operating under 
our instruction. Of the five full scope components, audit procedures were performed on two of these directly by the primary audit team  
with the remaining three being completed by component auditors. For the four specific scope components, where the work was performed  
by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had 
been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group as a whole. 

At the start of the audit, a global team planning event was held in Chicago, with representatives from the UK group, US and Polish  
shared service centre teams in attendance. The UK group team held planning calls with all other in-scope locations. Detailed instructions 
were sent to all in-scope teams. These instructions covered the significant areas that should be addressed by the component team auditors 
(which included the relative risks of material misstatement detailed above) and set out the information to be reported back to the Group 
audit team. The Group audit team continued to follow a programme of planned visits that has been designed to ensure that a senior 
member of the Group audit team visits all key locations of the Group audit during the current year. During the current year’s audit cycle, 
visits were undertaken by the primary audit team to the component teams in the US, Brazil, China, the shared service centre in Poland  
and additionally, we met with the non-EY firm audit team for the Group’s joint venture in Mexico.  

These visits involved meeting with our component teams to discuss and direct its audit approach, meeting with local management, 
undertaking plant tours and obtaining an update on IT systems and local regulatory matters including tax, pensions and legal. The  
Group audit team interacted regularly with the component teams and Polish shared service centre team during various stages of the  
audit, reviewed key working papers, attending planning and closing meetings and were responsible for the scope and direction of the  
audit process. In addition, in the current year we worked with our component teams to develop and execute virtual stock counts in response 
to Covid-19. This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group level, gave us appropriate evidence for our opinion on the 
Group financial statements. 

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY  
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit 
and in forming our audit opinion.  

Materiality 
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of our  
audit procedures. 

We determined materiality for the Group to be £16.6 million (2019 – £15 million), which is 5% (2019 – 5%) of profit before tax adjusted 
for exceptional items and the Group’s share of tax of joint ventures. We believe that profit before tax adjusted for exceptional items and  
the Group’s share of tax of joint ventures provided us with the most relevant profit basis as the exceptional items were non-recurring  
and not related to the ongoing trading of the Group.  

STARTING  
BASIS

•  £296 million
•  Profit before tax

ADJUSTMENTS

•  £24 million exceptional items
•  £11 million Group’s share of tax of joint ventures

MATERIALITY

•  Total £331 million (materiality basis)
•  Materiality of £16.6 million (5% of materiality basis)

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be £12.9 million (2019 – £12.6 million), which is 0.5% (2019 – 0.5%) of total assets. 

Performance materiality 
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality. 

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was  
that performance materiality was 75% (2019 – 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £12.5 million (2019 – £11.3 million). We have  
set performance materiality at this percentage due to our assessment of the control environment and the low number of historical  
audit findings. 

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is undertaken 
based on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based on the relative scale 
and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that component. In the current year, 
the range of performance materiality allocated to components was £12.5 million to £1.2 million (2019 – £11.3 million to £1.1 million).  

(cid:3)

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

131 
 131  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tate & Lyle PLC (continued) 

Reporting threshold 
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of £0.80 million (2019 – £0.75 million), 
which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light of other 
relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion. 

OTHER INFORMATION  
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and accounts set out on pages 1 to 125, other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information.  

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.  

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise 
appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required  
to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information.  
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we are required  
to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude that those items meet  
the following conditions: 

•(cid:3) Fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 123 – the statement given by the Directors that they consider the Annual Report  

and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or  

•(cid:3) Audit Committee reporting set out on page 95 – the section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 

matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee or is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

•(cid:3) Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code set out on page 88 – the parts of the Directors’ statement 
required under the Listing Rules relating to the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code containing provisions 
specified for review by the auditor in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 
provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code. 

OPINIONS 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. 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

•(cid:3) the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 

prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and  

•(cid:3) the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION 
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if,  
in our opinion: 

•(cid:3) 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 

•(cid:3) 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 

•(cid:3) certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•(cid:3) we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ statement of responsibilities set out on page 123, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud  
or error.  

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

(cid:3)

132 
132

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.  

EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT EXTENT THE AUDIT WAS CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF DETECTING IRREGULARITIES, INCLUDING FRAUD  
The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are: to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements 
due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through 
designing and implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. 
However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity 
and management.  

Our approach was as follows:  

•(cid:3) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Group and determined that the most 

significant are those that relate to the reporting framework (IFRS as adopted by the European Union, United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice, FRS 101, the Companies Act 2006 and the UK Corporate Governance Code) and the relevant tax compliance 
regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. In addition, we concluded that there are certain significant laws and 
regulations which may have an effect on the determination of the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements being the Listing 
Rules of the UK Listing Authority, and those laws and regulations relating to health and safety, employee matters, food standards and 
food safety.  

•(cid:3) We understood how Tate & Lyle PLC is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management, internal audit, those 
responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary. We corroborated our enquiries through our review of  
Board minutes and papers provided to the Audit Committee.  

•(cid:3) We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by 

meeting with management from various parts of the business to understand where it considered there was susceptibility to fraud.  
We also considered performance targets and their propensity to influence e(cid:3697)orts made by management to manage earnings or influence 
the perceptions of analysts. We considered the programmes and controls that the Group has established to address risks identified,  
or that otherwise prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how senior management monitors those programmes and controls. Where the 
risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included 
testing manual journals (for example with respect to our work on revenue recognition noted on page 128 above) and were designed  
to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error. 

•(cid:3) Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our 

procedures involved: journal entry testing, with a focus on manual consolidation journals and journals indicating large or unusual 
transactions based on our understanding of the business; enquiries of legal counsel, Group management, internal audit, and divisional 
management and all full and specific scope management; and focused testing, as referred to in the key audit matters section above.  

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website 
at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor’s Report. 

OTHER MATTERS WE ARE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS  
•(cid:3) Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee we were appointed by the Company at its annual general meeting on 26 July 2018 
to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2019 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement including previous renewals and re-appointments is two years, covering the years ending 31 March 2019 to 31 March 2020. 
•(cid:3) The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent Company and we remain 

independent of the Group and the Parent Company in conducting the audit. 

•(cid:3) The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee. 

USE OF OUR REPORT 
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.  
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them  
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Lloyd Brown 
(Senior statutory auditor) 
For and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor 
London  

20 May 2020 

Notes: 
1  The maintenance and integrity of the Tate & Lyle PLC website 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. 

2  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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133 
 133  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES 

5 

6 

10 

10 

20 

11 

12 

12 

8 

18 

4 

4, 11 

4 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

2 882 

296 

5 

(33) 

28 

296 

(51) 

245 

– 

245 

2019 
£M 

2 755 

236 

5 

(31) 

30 

240 

(59) 

181 

– 

181 

PENCE 

PENCE 

52.8p 

52.1p 

52.8p 

52.1p 

£M 

296 

24 

11 

331 

(59) 

272 

39.2p 

38.6p 

39.2p 

38.6p 

£M 

240 

58 

11 

309 

(65) 

244 

Consolidated income statement 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue 

Operating profit 

Finance income 

Finance expense 

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures 

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year – continuing operations 

Profit for the year – discontinued operations 

Profit for the year – total operations 

Profit for the years presented from total operations is entirely attributable to owners of the Company. 

Earnings per share 

Continuing operations: 

•(cid:3) basic 

•(cid:3) diluted 

Total operations: 

•(cid:3) basic 

•(cid:3) diluted 

Analysis of adjusted profit for the year – continuing operations* 

Profit before tax  

Adjusted for: 

Net exceptional charge 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Adjusted income tax expense 

Adjusted profit for the year 

*  Adjusted earnings per share information is presented in Note 12. 

134 
134

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income/(expense) 

Items that have been/may be reclassified to profit or loss: 

Gain on currency translation of foreign operations 

Fair value loss on net investment hedges 

Net loss on cash flow hedges 

Share of other comprehensive (expense)/income of joint ventures  

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: 

Re-measurement of retirement benefit plans: 

•(cid:3) actual return (lower)/higher on plan assets 

•(cid:3) impact of ‘buy-in’ on main UK pension scheme 

•(cid:3) net actuarial gain/(loss) on retirement benefit obligations 

Changes in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through OCI 

Tax effect of the above items 

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income 

Total comprehensive income 

NOTES 

22 

22 

22 

20, 22 

29 

29 

29 

17, 22 

11 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

245 

2019 
£M 

181 

46 

(18) 

(1) 

(3) 

24 

(58) 

(195) 

12 

2 

41 

(198) 

(174) 

71 

75 

(24) 

– 

4 

55 

29 

– 

(34) 

2 

10 

7 

62 

243 

Total comprehensive income all relates to continuing operations and is entirely attributable to owners of the Company. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

135 
 135  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Goodwill and other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments in joint ventures 
Investments in equities 
Retirement benefit surplus 
Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other current financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

TOTAL ASSETS 

EQUITY  
Capital and reserves 
Share capital  
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
TOTAL EQUITY 

LIABILITIES 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Retirement benefit deficit 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions  
Derivative financial instruments 

Current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions  
Current tax liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other current financial liabilities 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

NOTES 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

2020 
£M 

18 
19 
20 
17 
29 
11 
16 
27 

14 
16 
11 
27 
27 
15 

21 
21 

22 

24 
29 
11 
31 
27 

24 
23 
31 
11 
27 
27 

340 
1 190 
91 
63 
4 
30 
– 
1 
1 719 

456 
323 
10 
5 
67 
271 
1 132 
2 851 

117 
406 
8 
239 
629 
1 399 
1 399 

682 
207 
42 
11 
2 
944 

40 
370 
21 
38 
20 
19 
508 
1 452 
2 851 

342 
982 
102 
59 
207 
3 
2 
– 
1 697 

434 
325 
4 
48 
– 
285 
1 096 
2 793 

117 
406 
8 
217 
741 
1 489 
1 489 

373 
183 
46 
20 
1 
623 

224 
342 
24 
45 
46 
– 
681 
1 304 
2 793 

The notes on pages 139 to 187 form part of these financial statements. The consolidated financial statements on pages 134 to 187 were 
approved by the Board of Directors on 20 May 2020 and signed on its behalf by:  

Nick Hampton  
Director 

Imran Nawaz 
Director 

136 
136

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Profit before tax from continuing operations 

Adjustments for: 

•(cid:3) depreciation of property, plant and equipment (excluding exceptional items) 

•(cid:3) amortisation of intangible assets 

•(cid:3) share-based payments 

•(cid:3) exceptional income statement items 

•(cid:3) net finance expense 

•(cid:3) share of profit after tax of joint ventures 

•(cid:3) net retirement benefit obligations 

Changes in working capital and other non-cash movements 

Cash generated from continuing operations 

Net income tax paid 

Interest paid 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities  

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Disposal of property, plant and equipment (exceptional) 

Investments in intangible assets 

Purchase of equity investments 

Disposal of equity investments 

Interest received 

Dividends received from joint ventures  

Sale and leaseback of railcars (exceptional) 

Other investing cash flows 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Purchase of own shares including net settlement 

Cash inflow from additional borrowings 

Cash outflow from repayment of borrowings 

Repayment of leases 

Dividends paid to the owners of the Company 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Balance at beginning of year 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Currency translation differences 

Balance at end of year 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

296 

137 

35 

14 

1 

28 

(28) 

(21) 

2 

464 

(49) 

(30) 

385 

(141) 

(1) 

(25) 

(6) 

4 

5 

35 

– 

– 

2019 
£M 

240 

112 

40 

18 

51 

26 

(30) 

(25) 

(16) 

416 

(58) 

(28) 

330 

(103) 

3 

(27) 

(20) 

3 

5 

21 

16 

(9) 

(129) 

(111) 

(22) 

157 

(234) 

(37) 

(137) 

(273) 

285 

(17) 

3 

271 

(8) 

5 

(1) 

(2) 

(134) 

(140) 

190 

79 

16 

285 

NOTES 

19 

18 

30 

8 

10 

20 

25 

8 

17 

17 

20 

8 

21 

36 

13 

26 

26 

15 

A reconciliation of the movement in cash and cash equivalents to the movement in net debt is presented in Note 26.  

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

137 
 137  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

At 1 April 2018 

Profit for the year – total operations 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

Hedging losses transferred to inventory 

Transactions with owners: 

Share-based payments, net of tax 

Purchase of own shares including net settlement (Note 21) 

Dividends paid (Note 13) 

At 31 March 2019 

IFRS 16 Leases adoption 

At 1 April 2019 restated 

Profit for the year – total operations 

Other comprehensive income/(expense) 

Total comprehensive income 

Hedging gains transferred to inventory 

Tax effect of the above item 

Transactions with owners: 

Share-based payments, net of tax  

Purchase of own shares including net settlement (Note 21) 

Dividends paid (Note 13) 

Other movements 

At 31 March 2020 

Total equity is entirely attributable to owners of the Company. 

Dividends on ordinary shares (pence per share) 

In respect of the financial year: 

•(cid:3) interim 

•(cid:3) final 

Paid in the financial year: 

•(cid:3) interim – in respect of the financial year 

•(cid:3) final – in respect of the previous financial year 

SHARE 
CAPITAL 
AND SHARE 
PREMIUM 
£M 

523 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

523 

– 

523 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

523 

CAPITAL 
REDEMPTION 
RESERVE 
£M 

OTHER 
RESERVES 
£M 

RETAINED 
EARNINGS 
£M 

8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8 

– 

8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8 

159 

– 

57 

57 

1 

– 

– 

– 

217 

– 

217 

– 

26 

26 

(6) 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

239 

677 

181 

5 

186 

– 

20 

(8) 

(134) 

741 

(8) 

733 

245 

(200) 

45 

– 

– 

14 

(22) 

(137) 

(4) 

629 

TOTAL 
EQUITY 
£M 

1 367 

181 

62 

243 

1 

20 

(8) 

(134) 

1 489 

(8) 

1 481 

245 

(174) 

71 

(6) 

2 

14 

(22) 

(137) 

(4) 

1 399 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
PENCE 

2019 
PENCE 

NOTE 

13 

13 

13 

13 

8.8 

20.8 

29.6 

8.8 

20.8 

29.6 

8.6 

20.8 

29.4 

8.6 

20.3 

28.9 

138 
138

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION 
Description of business  
Tate & Lyle PLC (the Company) is a public limited company 
incorporated in the United Kingdom and registered in England.  
The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the London  
Stock Exchange. 

The Company and its subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’) provide 
ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage and other industries. 
The Group operates from numerous production facilities around  
the world.  

The Group’s continuing operations comprise three operating 
segments: Food & Beverage Solutions, Sucralose and Primary 
Products. The Group’s reportable segments are the same as its 
operating segments. Segment information is presented in Note 5.  

Accounting period  
The Group’s annual financial statements are drawn up to 31 March. 
These financial statements cover the year ended 31 March 2020 
with comparative financials for the year ended 31 March 2019.  

Basis of accounting  
The consolidated financial statements on pages 134 to 187 have 
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) and related interpretations as adopted for use in 
the European Union and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that 
are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.  

The Directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources 
to continue to operate for a period not less than 12 months from  
the date of approval of the financial statements and that there are 
no material uncertainties around their assessment. Accordingly, the 
Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. 
In making this assessment, the Directors have taken into 
consideration that, since the balance sheet date, significant actions 
have been taken by most governments to contain the spread of 
Covid-19, which have had a severe effect on economic activity in  
the countries in which the Group operates. 

While the Group’s trading in March showed limited impact from  
the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdowns in place in many countries 
across the world throughout April, most notably in its largest 
markets of the US and Europe, have led to some significant changes 
in demand patterns for its products. Primary Products volume was 
significantly impacted by the first full month of lockdown in the US. 
Bulk sweetener volume was 26% lower from reduced out-of-home 
consumption as bars, cinemas, restaurants and sporting events 
were either shut or cancelled. Industrial starch volume was 9% 
lower reflecting reduced demand for paper and packaging following 
the closure of schools, offices and a decline in economic activity. 
The impact of lower demand was partially mitigated by actions 
taken in March to optimise cash and reduce costs as we saw the 
pandemic unfolding. These include freezing salary increases and 
recruitment, stopping non-essential discretionary spend and 
reprioritising capital commitments. 

At the year end, the Group held cash and cash equivalents of  
£271 million and had an undrawn, committed revolving credit facility 
of US$800 million (£642 million). In addition, during May 2020, the 
Group successfully obtained further committed borrowings through 
a US$200 million US private placement at an average coupon of 
2.96% and extended the term of its US$800 million revolving credit 
facility by one year to March 2025.  

In concluding that the going concern basis is appropriate, the 
Directors have modelled the impact of a ‘worst case scenario’  
which includes the potential impact in aggregate of three plausible 
but severe downside risks. It specifically included a severe extended 
impact from lower out-of-home consumption across our Primary 
Products and Food & Beverage Solutions businesses due to Covid-19. 
In addition, this ‘worst case scenario’ also included two other risks 
from the Group’s viability assessment unrelated to Covid-19; being 
a major operational failure causing an extended shutdown of our 
largest manufacturing facility and the loss of two of our largest 
Food & Beverage Solutions customers. 

Having reviewed this ‘worst case scenario’ forecast for the coming 
year, and having applied reverse stress tests, the Directors consider  
it remote that available liquidity could be exhausted. In addition, even 
under the ‘worst case scenario’ there remains no forecast breach  
of the Group’s covenant ratio of 3.5 times net debt to EBITDA. 

The Group’s principal accounting policies have been consistently 
applied throughout the year. Descriptions and specific accounting 
policy information on how the Group has applied the requirements 
of IFRS are included throughout the notes to these financial 
statements. All amounts are rounded to the nearest million,  
unless otherwise indicated. 

Foreign currency 
The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds 
sterling, which is also the Company’s functional currency. Where 
changes in constant currency are presented, they are calculated  
by retranslating current year results at prior year exchange rates. 
Calculations of changes in constant currency have been included  
in ‘Additional information’ within this document. 

Accounting standards adopted during the year  
In the current year, the Group has adopted, with effect from  
1 April 2019, the following new accounting standards: 

•(cid:3) IFRS 16 Leases  
•(cid:3) IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments 

In accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 16 
comparative figures have not been restated.  

The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases had a material impact on Group  
net debt and adjusted free cash flow. The adoption of IFRIC 23 
Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments did not have a material 
impact. Refer to Note 36 for further details. 

Alternative performance measures  
The Group also presents alternative performance measures, 
including adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax, 
adjusted earnings per share and adjusted free cash flow, which are 
used for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation 
arrangements for employees. They are presented because they 
provide investors with additional information about the performance 
of the business which the Directors consider to be valuable. 
Reconciliations of the alternative performance measures to the 
most directly comparable IFRS measures are presented in Note 4. 

Alternative performance measures reported by the Group are not 
defined terms under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable 
with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  

2. SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES 
In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management 
has made judgements and used estimates and assumptions in 
establishing the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income  
and expense under the Group’s accounting policies. Judgements 
are based on the best evidence available to management.  
Estimates are based on factors including historical experience  
and expectations of future events, corroborated with external 
information where possible. Judgements and estimates and their 
underlying assumptions are reviewed and updated on an ongoing 
basis, with any revisions being recognised prospectively. However, 
given the inherent uncertainty of such estimates, the actual results 
might differ significantly from the anticipated ones.  

Information about the accounting estimates and judgements made  
in applying these accounting policies that have the most significant 
effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial 
statements are set out below.  

Fair value of purchases, sales and inventory of corn-based 
products (Notes 14, 27 and 28) 
The Group manages its US net corn position, comprising the 
purchase, sale and inventory of corn and corn-based goods, 
including co-products, on a net basis.  

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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139 
 139  

(cid:3)

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

2. SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES (continued) 
Fair value of purchases, sales and inventory of  
corn-based products (Notes 14, 27 and 28) (continued) 
For the first time the Group has designated the components of  
its US net corn position in effective fair value hedge accounting 
relationships whereby the hedged item is a group of items with 
offsetting risk positions. The Group uses financial instruments 
(mainly corn futures contracts) as hedging instruments to manage 
this net position. This does not change the accounting previously 
adopted in that each element of the net corn position is marked to 
market. The application of fair value hedge accounting is not itself  
a significant accounting policy judgement. Recording all 
components of the US net corn position at fair value also aligns  
with the underlying economics and risk management of the 
business. All changes in fair value of hedged items and hedging 
instruments are recorded in operating costs. There is significant 
estimation uncertainty in determining the fair values of certain 
components of the hedged items and hedging instruments,  
as set out in the table below. 

In contrast to the US, the Group does not manage its European  
corn and co-product positions (short: executory sales contracts; 
long: executory purchase contracts and inventories) on a net basis, 
it does not purchase or sell derivative financial instruments to 
manage risk and its positions are not marked to market. As a 
consequence, the Group measures and carries its European corn 
and co-product inventories at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value and executory sales and purchase contracts are not recorded 
on the balance sheet.  

Hedged items: 

Corn purchase contracts 

Corn sale contracts 

Co-product sale contracts 

Corn inventory 

Co-products inventory 

Total hedged items 

Financial instrument products (hedging 
instrument) 

Net corn position 

YEAR ENDED 
 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

FOOTNOTES 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(d) 

(e) 

(15) 

40 

23 

(20) 

(4) 

24 

(4) 

20 

Comparatives are not presented because the Group first applied  
fair value hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9 to its US  
net corn position from 1 April 2019. The adoption of this accounting 
policy represents a change in documentation and has no impact on 
amounts recognised in the income statement and has no impact on 
net assets or cash flows compared to the Group’s previous IFRS 9 
accounting policy. The fair value of certain components of the fair 
value hedges contain significant accounting estimates, as set  
out below. 

The fair value for each element of the US net corn position 
enumerated in the table above is determined as follows:  

(a)(cid:3) Contracts for the purchase of corn: represent executory 

contracts for the purchase of corn. The hedged risks are corn 
price and basis. The fair value adjustments to price are made  
with reference to corn futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile 
Exchange and to a lesser extent a management estimate of  
basis (with reference to market prices). Accordingly, these  
are principally classified as Level 2 hedged item adjustments 
(refer to Note 27) and shown within other current financial  
assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. 

(b)(cid:3) Contracts for the sale of corn-based finished goods: 

represent executory contracts for the sale of corn-based finished 
goods. The hedged risks are corn price, basis and a credit for  
co-products. The fair value adjustments to price are made with 
reference to corn futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile 
Exchange, a management estimate of basis and management 
estimate of co-product credits (with reference to market prices). 
Accordingly, these are principally classified as Level 3 hedged 
item adjustments (refer to Note 27) and shown within other 
current financial assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  
(c)(cid:3) Co-product sale contracts: represent executory contracts  
for the sale of co-products. The hedged risk is the change in  
co-product pricing, which is based on management’s estimate 
and reference to market prices. Accordingly, these are 
principally classified as Level 3 hedged item adjustments  
(refer to Note 27) and shown within other current financial  
assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. 

(d)(cid:3) Corn inventory and co-products inventory: represent  
physical holdings of corn and co-product inventories. The 
hedged risks are corn price, co-product price and basis. The  
fair value adjustments are made with reference to a number  
of inputs, including management’s own assessment of future 
pricing and futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,  
where applicable.  

(e)(cid:3) Financial instruments (mainly corn futures contracts):  

fair value is determined by reference to quoted prices for these 
instruments on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. These are 
classified as Level 1 financial instruments (refer to Note 27). 

Of the components of the net corn positions set out above, those 
components which have the greatest estimation uncertainty are the 
fair values of basis and co-products. As a result, certain disclosures 
about the nature of these items and the estimation uncertainty 
inherent in them is required by IAS 1. Such disclosures are set  
out in Note 27. The nature of these items is included below: 

Basis represents the difference in price between the corn pricing  
on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and localised pricing that  
can be achieved for physical delivery. It is typically driven by local 
supply, demand and logistics factors. At 31 March 2020, the carrying 
value of fair value adjustments made to basis was a net asset of  
£7 million – it is included as a component within certain line items 
set out above. 

Co-products included in fair value hedges comprise corn gluten 
feed, corn gluten meal and corn oil, which are manufactured as part 
of the corn wet-milling process. The Group can hold either a net 
long or short position for each co-product based on the volume of 
co-products made, bought or forward sold at any point in time. The 
net position of fair value adjustments made to co-product positions 
is £23 million asset for sales contracts (including co-product credits 
in corn sales contracts) and £4 million liability for inventories. 

In addition to the above, the Group holds futures with a fair value  
of £6 million (loss) to hedge the cash flow risk associated with  
the purchases and sales of other commodities or purchases of 
chemicals used in the manufacturing process which are designated 
as cash flow hedges. The Group also holds futures contracts held 
on behalf of customers with a fair value of £7 million (loss) which do 
not impact the Group’s income statements as all risks and rewards 
are borne by the customers.  

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
Management uses estimates in deriving these fair values, which 
involves calculating the basis and the price at which the Group  
will purchase or sell its net corn position in the future. 

The inputs in these calculations are classified as observable where 
referenced to a quoted market or unobservable when determined  
by in-house experts, with reference to sources such as the expected 
pricing for co-products. 

The Group discloses its sensitivity to the corn price in Note 28  
and valuation techniques and sensitivity analysis on the price of  
co-products and basis (Level 3 financial instruments) in Note 27. (cid:3)

140 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

2. SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES (continued) 
Taxation (Note 11) 
Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
The Group’s current and deferred tax balances are subject to 
estimation uncertainty, which could also impact the effective tax  
rate in the next financial year.  

disclosure of material items of income, expense and cash flow as 
exceptional items include, but are not limited to: significant 
impairment events; significant business transformation activities; 
disposals of operations or significant individual assets; litigation 
claims by or against the Group; and restructuring of components  
of the Group’s operations.  

The specific sources of estimation uncertainty are as follows: 

(a)(cid:3) Resolution of uncertain tax provisions: at 31 March 2020,  

the Group has recorded current tax liabilities of £57 million  
(2019 – £52 million) for uncertain tax positions (refer to Note 11). 
Such provisions arise because the Group operates in an 
international tax environment and is subjected to periodic tax 
examination and uncertainties in a number of jurisdictions.  
Such examination can include, inter alia, transfer pricing 
arrangements relating to the Group’s operating activities, 
historical reorganisations and the deductibility of interest on 
certain intra-group borrowing arrangements. The issues involved 
are complicated and may take a number of years to resolve.  
Each uncertainty is separately assessed and management applies 
judgement in determining the recognition and measurement of 
appropriate provision. While management is of the opinion that the 
provisions represent its best estimate of the likely outcome, the 
range of possible outcomes can be wide. Of the total of uncertain 
tax positions at 31 March 2020 of £57 million, given statutes of 
limitations and other factors, between £15 million and £25 million 
of the balance could be resolved in the year ending 31 March 2021. 
Such resolution could be favourable or unfavourable. 

(b)(cid:3) Recognition of deferred tax assets: at 31 March 2020, the Group 
has recorded deferred tax assets of £30 million and deductible 
temporary differences for which the unrecognised deferred tax 
asset is £168 million (2019 – £117 million) (refer to Note 11), the 
most significant of which comprise unrecognised tax losses in  
the UK. Management exercises judgement in its determination 
of recognition of deferred tax assets.  

In addition, the carrying value of tax assets and liabilities could  
be impacted by changes in tax legislation for which the impact can  
be significant.  

Retirement benefit plans (Note 29) 
At 31 March 2020, the present value of the benefit obligations of  
the plans was £1,610 million (2019 – £1,647 million). The present 
value of the benefit obligations is based on key assumptions 
including actuarial estimates of the future benefits that will be 
payable to the members of the plans. Changes to key assumptions 
could have a material impact on the reported amounts and,  
as a result, represent a significant accounting estimate. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
The present value of the benefit obligations is most sensitive to  
the discount rate applied to the benefit obligations, assumed life 
expectancies, and expected future inflation rates. Sensitivity 
analysis is included in Note 29. 

Whilst the Group establishes the assumptions on a consistent  
basis reflecting advice from qualified actuaries, based on published 
indices and other actuarial data, management must apply 
judgement in selecting the most appropriate value from within 
an acceptable range. 

Changes in the assumptions used in determining the present value 
of the benefit obligations will have an impact on the Group’s income 
statement through their effect on the service cost and the interest 
on the net deficit or surplus in the plans. However, most of the impact  
of such changes, together with fluctuations in the actual return on 
the plan assets, will be reflected in other comprehensive income.  

Exceptional items (Note 8) 
Key source of judgement 
Exceptional items comprise items of income, expense and cash 
flow, including tax items that: are material in amount; and are 
outside the normal course of business or relate to events which  
do not frequently recur, and therefore merit separate disclosure in 
order to provide a better understanding of the Group's underlying 
financial performance. Examples of events that give rise to the 

For tax items to be treated as exceptional, amounts must be 
material and their treatment as exceptional enable a better 
understanding of the Group’s underlying financial performance. 

Exceptional items in the Group’s financial statements are classified  
on a consistent basis across accounting periods. The classification of 
income and expense as exceptional items is a significant judgement.  

3. KEY ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under 
the historical cost convention, modified in respect of the revaluation 
to fair value of certain investments in equities, derivative financial 
instruments and non-derivative financial instruments in fair value 
hedge relationships, certain inventories, assets held by defined 
benefit pension plans and intangible and tangible assets acquired  
in a business combination.  

Descriptions and specific accounting policy information on how  
the Group has applied the requirements of IFRS are included 
throughout the notes to these financial statements. 

Key accounting policies, where information can be found in the 
applicable note, include: 

•(cid:3) Revenue recognition (Note 5) 
•(cid:3) Income taxes (Note 11) 
•(cid:3) Goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 18) 
•(cid:3) Foreign currency translation of subsidiaries (Note 22) 
•(cid:3) Financial instruments (Notes 16, 23, 24 and 27) 
•(cid:3) Retirement benefit obligations (Note 29) 
•(cid:3) Share-based payments (Note 30) 
•(cid:3) Leases (Note 36) 

Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted  
The following new standards have been issued and are relevant  
to the Group, but were not effective for the financial year beginning  
1 April 2019, and have not been adopted early: 

Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a Business 

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 Definition of material 

The financial impact of these amendments are not expected to have 
a material impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a Business  
(effective for the year commencing 1 April 2020) 
The amendments clarify that while businesses usually have outputs, 
outputs are not required for an integrated set of activities and 
assets to qualify as a business. To be considered a business an 
acquired set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum,  
an input and a substantive process that together significantly 
contribute to the ability to create outputs. 

Additional guidance is provided that helps to determine whether  
a substantive process has been acquired.  

The amendments introduce an optional concentration test that 
permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of 
activities and assets is not a business. Under the optional 
concentration test, the acquired set of activities and assets is not  
a business if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets 
acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of 
similar assets. The amendments are applied prospectively to all 
business combinations and asset acquisitions for which the 
acquisition date is on or after the Group’s 2021 financial year 
commencing on 1 April 2020.  

No other new standards, new interpretations or amendments 
to standards or interpretations have been published which 
are expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s 
financial statements. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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141 
 141  

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

4. RECONCILIATION OF ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES 
Income statement measures 
For the reasons set out in Note 1, the Group presents alternative performance measures including adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit 
before tax and adjusted earnings per share.  

For the years presented, these alternative performance measures exclude, where relevant: 

•(cid:3) Exceptional items (excluded as they are material in amount; and are outside the normal course of business or relate to events which  
do not frequently recur, and therefore merit separate disclosure in order to provide a better understanding of the Group's underlying 
financial performance); 

•(cid:3) Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (costs associated with amounts recognised through acquisition accounting that impact 

earnings compared to organic investments); and  

•(cid:3) Tax on the above items and tax items that themselves meet these definitions. For tax items to be treated as exceptional, amounts must 

be material and their treatment as exceptional enable a better understanding of the Group’s underlying financial performance. 

The following table shows the reconciliation of the key income statement alternative performance measures to the most directly 
comparable measures reported in accordance with IFRS: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
£M UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 

Revenue 

Operating profit 

Net finance expense 

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures  

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 

Basic earnings per share (pence) 

Diluted earnings per share (pence) 

Effective tax rate expense % 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

IFRS 
REPORTED 

ADJUSTING 
ITEMS 

ADJUSTED 
REPORTED 

IFRS 
REPORTED 

ADJUSTING 
ITEMS 

ADJUSTED 
REPORTED 

2 882 

296 

(28) 

28 

296 

(51) 

245 

52.8p 

52.1p 

17.1% 

– 

35 

– 

– 

35 

(8) 

27 

2 882   

2 755 

331   

(28)   

28   

331   

(59)   

272   

236 

(26) 

30 

240 

(59) 

181 

– 

69 

– 

– 

69 

(6) 

63 

2 755 

305 

(26) 

30 

309 

(65) 

244 

5.8p 

5.7p 

0.8% 

58.6p   

57.8p   

39.2p 

38.6p 

13.6p 

13.4p 

52.8p 

52.0p 

17.9%   

24.4% 

(3.4%) 

21.0% 

The following table shows the reconciliation of the adjusting items impacting adjusted profit for the year in the current and comparative year: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Exceptional costs included in operating profit 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 

Total excluded from adjusted profit before tax 

Tax credit on adjusting items 

Total excluded from adjusted profit for the year 

NOTES 

8 

18 

11 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

24 

11 

35 

(8) 

27 

2019 
£M 

58 

11 

69 

(6) 

63 

Cash flow measure  
The Group also presents an alternative cash flow measure, ‘adjusted free cash flow’ which is defined as cash generated from continuing 
operations, after net interest and tax paid, after capital expenditure and excluding the impact of exceptional items. 

The following table shows the reconciliation of adjusted free cash flow: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Adjusted operating profit  

Adjusted for: 

Depreciation and adjusted amortisation2 

Share-based payments charge 

Changes in working capital and other non-cash movements 

Net retirement benefit obligations 

Capital expenditure 

Net interest and tax paid 

Adjusted free cash flow1 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

331 

161 

14 

2 

(21) 

(166) 

(74) 

247 

2019 
£M 

305 

141 

18 

(16) 

(25) 

(130) 

(81) 

212 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. Lease payments are now classified as financing rather than operating cash flows increasing adjusted  
free cash flow by £34 million.  

2  Total depreciation of £145 million and amortisation of £35 million less £8 million of accelerated depreciation recognised in exceptional items and £11 million of amortisation  

of acquired intangible assets. 

142 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

4. RECONCILIATION OF ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES (continued) 
Financial strength measures 
The Group uses two financial metrics as key performance measures to assess its financial strength. These are the net debt to EBITDA ratio, 
and the return on capital employed ratio. The Group no longer uses the interest cover ratio and so this has been removed (principally as a 
result of it no longer being a covenant for the US private placements). 

Consistent with the prior year, for the purposes of KPI reporting, the Group has simplified the calculation of these KPIs to make them more 
directly related to information in the Group’s financial statements. Refer to Note 28 for the calculation of the net debt to EBITDA ratio and 
interest cover ratio (2019 only) using the calculation methodology used for financial covenants on the Group’s borrowing facilities.  

All ratios are calculated based on unrounded figures in £ million. 

The net debt to EBITDA ratio is as follows: 

Calculation of net debt to EBITDA ratio 

Net debt1 

Adjusted operating profit 

Add back depreciation and adjusted amortisation 

EBITDA2 

Net debt to EBITDA ratio (times) 

NOTE 

26 

2020 
£M 

451 

331 

161 

492 

0.9 

 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

337 

305 

141 

446 

0.8 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. For the ratio calculated at 31 March 2020, IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million and 
EBITDA by £35 million. On a like-for-like basis, the net debt to EBITDA ratio was 0.6 times. The composition of line items that make up net debt is set out in Note 26. 

2  EBITDA is calculated as adjusted operating profit (£331 million) adding back depreciation of £137 million (total depreciation of £145 million less £8 million of accelerated depreciation 

recognised in exceptional items) and adding back amortisation of £24 million (total amortisation of £35 million less £11 million of amortisation of acquired intangible assets). 

The return on capital employed ratio is as follows: 

Calculation of return on capital employed 

Adjusted operating profit1 

Deduct amortisation on acquired intangible assets 

Profit before interest, tax and exceptional items from continuing operations for ROCE  

Goodwill and other intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Working capital, provisions and non-debt related derivatives2 

Invested operating capital of continuing operations 

Average invested operating capital3 

Return on capital employed (ROCE) %  

31 MARCH 

2018 
£M 

360 

965 

385 

1 710 

2020 
£M 

331 

(11) 

320 

340 

1 190 

409 

1 939 

1 832 

17.5% 

2019 
£M 

305 

(11) 

294 

342 

982 

401 

1 725 

1 718 

17.1% 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. For the ratio calculated at 31 March 2020, IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased adjusted operating profit by 
£5 million and property, plant and equipment by £143 million. On a like-for-like basis, the return on capital employed ratio was 17.9%. 

2  All derivatives held at 31 March 2020 were non-debt related derivatives. For the purpose of this calculation other current financial assets and liabilities are also included. 
3  Average invested operating capital represents the average at the beginning and end of the year of goodwill and other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, working capital, 

provisions and non-debt derivatives. 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

143 
 143  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

5. SEGMENT INFORMATION 

Revenue recognition  
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the goods or services is transferred to the customer at an 
amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Group  
has generally concluded that it is the principal in its revenue arrangements because it typically controls the goods or services before 
transferring them to the customer at a point in time. 

Discounts mainly comprise volume-driven rebates. Revenue from these sales is recognised based on the price specified in the contract, 
net of the estimated volume discounts. A liability is recognised for expected volume discounts payable to customers in relation to sales 
made until the end of the reporting period. 

There is no material element of financing in sales which are made with credit terms in general between 30 to 60 days, which is 
consistent with market practice. 

Segment information is presented on a basis consistent with the information presented to the Board (the designated Chief Operating 
Decision Maker (CODM)) for the purposes of allocating resources within the Group and assessing the performance of the Group’s 
businesses. Continuing operations comprise three operating segments: Food & Beverage Solutions, Sucralose and Primary Products. 
These operating segments are also the Group’s three reportable segments. The Group does not aggregate operating segments to form 
reportable segments. Food & Beverage Solutions operates in the key categories of beverages, dairy and soups. Sucralose, a high-intensity 
sweetener, is used in various food categories and beverages. Primary Products has strong market positions in high-volume sweeteners  
and industrial starches. 

Central, which comprises central costs including head office, treasury and insurance activities, does not meet the definition of an operating 
segment under IFRS 8 Operating Segments but is included below in order to be consistent with the presentation of segment information 
presented to the Board. The segments are served by a single manufacturing network, and receive services from a number of global support 
functions. The segmental allocation of costs is performed using standard product costs to allocate all direct costs (including manufacturing 
facility-based depreciation) and allocation keys for all indirect costs (including share-based payments and amortisation) are consistently 
applied over time. 

The Board uses adjusted operating profit as the measure of the profitability of the Group’s businesses. Adjusted operating profit is, 
therefore, the measure of segment profit presented in the Group’s segment disclosures. During the years presented, the items excluded 
from operating profit in arriving at adjusted operating profit were the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and exceptional items.  
The segmental classification of exceptional items is detailed in Note 8. 

Segment results 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit1 

Adjusted operating margin 

Included within statutory operating profit2: 

•(cid:3) depreciation 

•(cid:3) amortisation 

•(cid:3) share-based payments 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 
SOLUTIONS 
£M 

942 

162 

SUCRALOSE 
£M 

161 

63 

17.2% 

39.3% 

PRIMARY 
 PRODUCTS 
£M 

1 779 

158 

8.9% 

41 

25 

4 

9 

– 

1 

88 

8 

4 

1  Reconciled to statutory profit for the year in Note 4 . 
2  Disclosure provided as either included in the measure of segment profit and loss or otherwise regularly provided to CODM. 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit1 

Adjusted operating margin 

Included within statutory operating profit2: 

•(cid:3) depreciation 

•(cid:3) amortisation 

•(cid:3) share-based payments 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 
SOLUTIONS 
£M 

SUCRALOSE 
£M 

889 

143 

164 

61 

16.1% 

37.0% 

36 

28 

6 

9 

– 

1 

PRIMARY  
PRODUCTS 
£M 

1 702 

148 

8.7% 

66 

10 

5 

1  Reconciled to statutory profit for the year in Note 4 . 
2  Disclosure provided as either included in the measure of segment profit and loss or otherwise regularly provided to CODM. 

(cid:3)

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 

CENTRAL 
£M 

– 

(52) 

n/a 

7 

2 

5 

TOTAL 
£M 

2 882 

331 

11.5% 

145 

35 

14 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

CENTRAL 
£M 

– 

(47) 

n/a 

1 

2 

6 

TOTAL 
£M 

2 755 

305 

11.1% 

112 

40 

18 

144 
144

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5. SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued) 
Geographic disclosures 
Revenue  

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Food & Beverage Solutions 

North America 

Asia Pacific and Latin America 

Europe, Middle East and Africa 

Food & Beverage Solutions – total 

Sucralose – total 

Primary Products 

Americas 

Rest of the world 

Primary Products – total 

Total 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

470 

214 

258 

942 

161 

1 683 

96 

1 779 

2 882 

2019 
£M 

430 

201 

258 

889 

164 

1 588 

114 

1 702 

2 755 

Sales to customers in the United Kingdom totalled £36 million (2019 – £43 million). Sales to customers in the United States totalled  
£2,060 million (2019 – £1,937 million). No customer contributed more than 10% of the Group’s external sales from continuing operations 
(2019 – no customer contributed more than 10%). 

Location of non-current assets 
The location of non-current assets, other than financial instruments (including long-term receivables), deferred tax assets, and retirement 
benefits are as follows:  

United Kingdom 

United States 

Other European countries 

Rest of the world 

Non-current assets 

(cid:3)

2020 
£M 

25 

1 200 

294 

102 

1 621 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

16 

1 025 

284 

101 

1 426 

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145 
 145  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

6. OPERATING PROFIT 
Analysis of operating expenses by nature: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue 

Operating expenses 

Cost of inventories (included in cost of sales) 

Staff costs (of which £162 million (2019 – £150 million) was included in cost of sales) 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment: 

•(cid:3) owned assets (of which £97 million (2019 – £103 million) was included in cost of sales1) 

•(cid:3) leased assets (of which £24 million was included in cost of sales) 

Exceptional costs 

Amortisation of intangible assets: 

•(cid:3) acquired intangible assets 

•(cid:3) other intangible assets 

Operating lease rentals 

Impairment of trade receivables 

Impairment of intangible assets 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Net fair value (gain)/loss on commodity contracts 

Total net foreign exchange gains2 

Other operating expenses 

Total operating expenses 

Operating profit 

NOTES 

9 

19 

19, 36 

8 

18 

18 

16 

1  Excludes £8 million of accelerated depreciation recognised in exceptional items. 
2 

Includes fair value movements on debt-related derivatives. 

Research expenditure totalling £34 million (2019 – £36 million) is included within amounts above. 

7. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION 
Fees payable to the Company’s external auditor, Ernst & Young LLP and its associates, were as follows:  

Fees payable for the audit of the Company and consolidated financial statements 

Fees payable for other services: 

•(cid:3) the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 

•(cid:3) audit-related assurance services 

Total 

(cid:3)

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

2 882 

1 465 

353 

106 

31 

24 

11 

24 

– 

5 

1 

1 

(4) 

(1) 

570 

2 586 

296 

2019 
£M 

2 755 

1 368 

334 

110 

2 

58 

11 

29 

37 

1 

1 

– 

1 

(1) 

568 

2 519 

236 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

 2020 
£M 

1.1 

1.4 

0.1 

2.6 

2019 
£M 

1.0 

1.4 

0.1 

2.5 

146 
146

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS 
Exceptional items recognised in arriving at operating profit were as follows:  

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Income statement 

Restructuring costs 

Primary Products’ savoury business exit 

Oats ingredients business disposal 

Gain on sale and leaseback of railcars 

Asset remediation 

Exceptional items included in profit before tax 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

2019 
£M 

(19) 

(5) 

– 

– 

– 

(24) 

(13) 

– 

(43) 

14 

(16) 

(58) 

FOOTNOTES 

(a) 

(b) 

In the year ended 31 March 2020, costs recorded as exceptional related to the Group’s previously announced programme to simplify the 
business and drive productivity. These are set out below:  

(a)(cid:3) £19 million of restructuring charges, principally comprising £5 million of severance costs for roles removed from the organisation,  
and £14 million of productivity costs including accelerated depreciation of assets being replaced with more efficient alternatives, 
Global Operations cost-saving initiatives and other associated project costs. £5 million was recorded in each of the Food & Beverage 
Solutions and Primary Products operating segments and £9 million was recognised within Central. 

(b)(cid:3) A £5 million charge following the decision in the first half of the year to exit the Primary Products’ small, non-core savoury ingredients 

business, mainly comprising the cost of writing off the associated assets of the business.  

Of the £24 million exceptional charge recorded during the year, £9 million was reflected in exceptional cash flow. In addition, £15 million 
of exceptional costs recorded in the prior year resulted in cash outflows in the year ended 31 March 2020, such that net cash outflow from 
exceptional items was £24 million.  

The most significant exceptional cost in the comparative period related to the impairment and subsequent disposal of the Group’s oats 
ingredients business, all of which was recorded within the Food & Beverage Solutions operating segment. Other exceptional costs in the 
prior year included a restructuring charge, the recognition of a provision to remediate environmental health and safety risks associated 
primarily with idle assets at manufacturing sites in North America and a gain on sale and leaseback of railcars.  

Further details in respect of cash flows from exceptional items are set out below: 

Net cash (outflows)/inflows on exceptional items 

Restructuring costs 

Primary Products’ savoury business exit 

Oats ingredients business disposal 

Gain on sale and leaseback of railcars 

Asset remediation 

Net cash (outflows)/inflows 

Exceptional cash flows 
The total cash flows on exceptional items are included in the statement of cash flows as follows: 

Reconciliation to the statement of cash flows 

Exceptional charge included in profit before tax 

Cash outflows relating to restructuring costs 

Cash outflows relating to Primary Products’ savoury business exit 

Cash outflows relating to asset remediation 

As presented within cash flows from operating activities 

Cash flows relating to oats ingredients business disposal 

Cash inflows on gain on sale and leaseback of railcars 

As presented within cash flows from investing activities 

(cid:3)

FOOTNOTES 

(a) 

(b) 

FOOTNOTES 

(a) 

(b) 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

(13) 

(1) 

(1) 

– 

(9) 

(24) 

2019 
£M 

(6) 

– 

3 

16 

(1) 

12 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

24 

(13) 

(1) 

(9) 

1 

(1) 

– 

(1) 

2019 
£M 

58 

(6) 

– 

(1) 

51 

3 

16 

19 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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147 
 147  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

9. STAFF COSTS 
Staff costs were as follows: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Retirement benefit costs: 

•(cid:3) defined benefit schemes 

•(cid:3) defined contribution schemes 

Share-based payments 

Total 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

306 

23 

2 

8 

14 

353 

2019 
£M 

280 

24 

2 

10 

18 

334 

The average number of people employed by the Company and its subsidiaries, including part-time employees, is set out below: 

By operating segment 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Food & Beverage Solutions 

Sucralose1 

Primary Products 

Central 

Total 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 

2019 

1 798 

100 

1 792 

503 

4 193 

1 722 

94 

1 835 

511 

4 162 

1  The Food & Beverage Solutions division operates with a single commercial team. It is not practicable to split this team between the two segments comprising this division,  

and therefore the entire headcount of the commercial team has been included within the Food & Beverage Solutions segment.  

At 31 March 2020, the Group employed 4,218 people (2019 – 4,121 people) all within continuing operations. The Group’s three  
operating segments are supported by Global Operations, a single manufacturing network, which is responsible for running the Group’s 
manufacturing facilities. The Group allocates the headcount of the Global Operations team to segments based on the split of primary 
capacity at each location. Central includes shared-service employees who perform activities for the whole Group, including the Food  
& Beverage Solutions, Sucralose and Primary Products segments.  

Key management compensation 

Salaries and short-term employee benefits 

Retirement benefits 

Share-based payments 

Total 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

9 

1 

5 

15 

2019 
£M 

9 

1 

8 

18 

Key management is represented by the Executive Committee and the Company’s Directors. Remuneration details of the Company’s 
Directors are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 100 to 120. Members of the Executive Committee are identified on 
pages 74 and 75. The aggregate gains made by key management on the exercise of share options were £6 million (2019 – £10 million).  
In the prior year a short-term loan was made to a key management person of which £0.5 million was outstanding at 31 March 2019.  
No interest was charged. The amount outstanding has been repaid in full in the year ended 31 March 2020. No related party transactions 
with close family members of the Group’s key management occurred in the current or comparative year. 

10. FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSE 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Interest payable on bank and other borrowings 

Fair value hedges:  

•(cid:3) fair value loss on interest rate derivatives 

•(cid:3) fair value adjustment of hedged borrowings 

Lease interest 

Finance expense 

Finance income 

Net finance expense 

(cid:3)

148 
148

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

NOTE 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

(26) 

(3) 

3 

(7) 

(33) 

5 

(28) 

2019 
£M 

(30) 

(4) 

4 

(1) 

(31) 

5 

(26) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

11. INCOME TAXES 

Income tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except  
to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity and other comprehensive income. 

Current tax is the amount of tax expected to be payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the current period. This amount  
is amended for adjustments in respect of prior periods. Current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been written into law 
(‘enacted’) or irrevocably announced/committed by the respective government (‘substantively enacted’) at the period-end date. 

Income tax in the consolidated income statement will differ from the income tax paid in the consolidated cash flow statement primarily 
because of deferred tax arising on temporary differences and payment dates for income tax occurring after the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is provided based on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for 
financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax is calculated using the enacted or substantively enacted rates that are 
expected to apply when the asset is realised or the liability is settled. A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. 

Current and deferred tax receivable (assets) and payable (liabilities) are offset only when there is a legal right to settle them net and  
the Group intends to do so. This is generally true when the taxes are levied by the same tax authority. 

Refer to Note 2 for key sources of estimation uncertainty relating to income taxes. 

Analysis of charge for the year 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Current tax 

•(cid:3) United Kingdom 

•(cid:3) Overseas 

•(cid:3) Exceptional tax credit 

•(cid:3) Adjustments in respect of previous financial years 

Deferred tax  

Expense for the year 

Adjustments in respect of previous financial years 

Exceptional tax credit/(expense) 

Income tax expense 

Statutory effective tax rate (%) 

Reconciliation to adjusted income tax expense  

Income tax expense 

Taxation credit on exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles 

Adjusted income tax expense  

Adjusted effective tax rate (%) 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

2019 
£M 

(8) 

(42) 

3 

6 

(41) 

(10) 

(2) 

2 

(51) 

(7) 

(47) 

1 

3 

(50) 

(4) 

– 

(5) 

(59) 

17.1% 

24.4% 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

(51) 

(8) 

(59) 

2019 
£M 

(59) 

(6) 

(65) 

17.9% 

21.0% 

NOTES 

4 

At 31 March 2020, the carrying value of current tax assets totalled £10 million (2019 – £4 million) and the carrying value of the current tax 
liabilities totalled £38 million (2019 – £45 million).  

The Group’s current and deferred tax balances are subject to estimation uncertainty, which could also impact the effective tax rate in the 
next financial year. The specific sources of estimation uncertainty are as follows: 

(a)(cid:3) Resolution of uncertain tax provisions: at 31 March 2020, the Group has recorded current tax liabilities of £57 million (2019 – £52 million)  
for uncertain tax positions (Note 2). Such provisions arise because the Group operates in an international tax environment and is 
subjected to periodic tax examination and uncertainties in a number of jurisdictions. Such examination can include, inter alia, transfer 
pricing arrangements relating to the Group’s operating activities, historical reorganisations and the deductibility of interest on certain 
intra-group borrowing arrangements. The issues involved are complicated and may take a number of years to resolve.  
Each uncertainty is separately assessed and management applies judgement in determining the recognition and measurement  
of appropriate provision. While management is of the opinion that the provisions represent its best estimate of the likely outcome,  
the range of possible outcomes can be wide. Of the total of uncertain tax positions at 31 March 2020 of £57 million, given statutes of 
limitations and other factors, between £15 million and £25 million of the balance could be resolved in the year ending 31 March 2021. 
Such resolution could be favourable or unfavourable. 

(b)(cid:3) Recognition of deferred tax assets: at 31 March 2020, the Group has recorded deferred tax assets of £30 million and deductible 

temporary differences for which the unrecognised deferred tax asset is £168 million (2019 – £117 million), the most significant of  
which comprise unrecognised tax losses in the UK. Management exercises judgement in its determination of recognition of deferred 
tax assets. 

In addition to these items, the sustainability of the tax rate is likely to be impacted by changes to tax legislation and material changes to the 
geographic mix of profits.  

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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149 
 149  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

11. INCOME TAXES (continued) 
Reconciliation of the effective tax rate  
As the Group’s head office and Parent Company are domiciled in the UK, the Group uses the UK corporation tax rate to reference its 
effective tax rate, notwithstanding that only a small proportion of the Group’s business is in the UK. The tax on the Group’s profit before  
tax differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK as follows: 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Profit before tax 

Less share of profit after tax of joint ventures 

Parent Company and subsidiaries’ profit before tax 

Corporation tax charge thereon at 19% (2019 – 19%) 

Adjusted for the effects of: 

•(cid:3) non-deductible expenses and other permanent items 

•(cid:3) adjustments in respect of previous financial year 

•(cid:3) losses not currently treated as being recoverable in future periods1 

•(cid:3) losses now being treated as being recoverable in future periods2 

•(cid:3) changes in tax rate 

•(cid:3) impairment of assets not deductible3 

•(cid:3) tax rates (above)/below the UK rate applied on overseas earnings4 

Total tax charge  

2020 
£M 

296 

(28) 

268 

(51) 

(4) 

4 

(3) 

8 

1 

– 

(6) 

(51) 

2019 
£M 

240 

(30) 

210 

(40) 

(1) 

3 

(14) 

– 

1 

(11) 

3 

(59) 

1  The Group incurs expenses in jurisdictions where it does not currently expect to be able to recover these amounts against future taxable profits. This has the effect of increasing  

the Group’s overall effective tax rate.  

2  Where the Group now reasonably believes it is able to recover losses not previously expected to be recovered against future taxable profits these losses are recognised. This has  

the effect of decreasing the Group’s overall effective tax rate. 
Impairments were made to certain oats ingredients business assets in the prior year (refer to Note 8). 

3 
4  The Group is subject to tax rates in the jurisdictions in which it operates which are above the UK corporation tax rate (the Group’s reference rate) leading to an increase in total  
tax charge. In the year ended 31 March 2019, the Group’s tax rate was favourably impacted by the realisation of uncertain tax positions leading to a decrease in total tax charge. 

Analysis of exceptional tax items 
An analysis of tax charged or credited on adjusting items and exceptional tax items within continuing operations is set out below: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Exceptional items 

Restructuring costs 

Primary Products’ savoury business exit 

Oats ingredients business disposal 

Gain on sale and leaseback of railcars 

Asset remediation 

Exceptional items 

Amortisation of acquired intangibles 

Total adjusting items 

(cid:3)

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

NOTES 

PRE-TAX 
£M 

TAX CREDIT  
£M 

PRE-TAX 
£M 

TAX CREDIT/  
(CHARGE) 
£M 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

18 

4 

(19) 

(5) 

– 

– 

– 

(24) 

(11) 

(35) 

4   

1   

–   

–   

–   

5   

3   

8   

(13) 

– 

(43) 

14 

(16) 

(58) 

(11) 

(69) 

2 

– 

1 

(4) 

4 

3 

3 

6 

150 
150

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
11. INCOME TAXES (continued) 
Deferred tax 
The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year were as follows: 

At 1 April 2018 

Credited/(charged) to the income statement 

•(cid:3) underlying 

•(cid:3) exceptional 

Credited to other comprehensive income 

Credited directly to equity 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019 

IFRS 16 Lease adoption 

At 1 April 2019 restated 

(Charged)/credited to the income statement 

•(cid:3) underlying 

•(cid:3) exceptional 

Credited to other comprehensive income 

(Charged)/credited directly to equity 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

CAPITAL 
ALLOWANCES 
IN EXCESS OF 
DEPRECIATION 
£M 

(101) 

1 

– 

– 

– 

(9) 

(109) 

– 

(109) 

(12) 

2 

– 

– 

(4) 

(123) 

RETIREMENT 
BENEFIT 
OBLIGATIONS 
£M 

SHARE- 
BASED  
PAYMENTS 
£M 

TAX LOSSES 
£M 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

3 

4 

– 

4 

(1) 

– 

39 

– 

1 

43 

4 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

5 

– 

5 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

– 

4 

30 

(14) 

– 

– 

– 

1 

17 

– 

17 

4 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

20 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

OTHER1 
£M   

32   

TOTAL 
£M 

(35) 

9   

(5)   

–   

–   

4   

40   

3   

43   

(4) 

(5) 

1 

1 

(1) 

(43) 

3 

(40) 

(3)   

(12) 

–   

–   

2   

2   

44   

2 

39 

1 

(2) 

(12) 

1  Other deferred tax items include temporary differences arising from accounting provisions where the timing of the tax deduction is different from the timing of accounting recognition, 

and business combinations. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an intention to net settle  
the balances. After taking these offsets into account, the net position of £12 million liability (2019 – £43 million liability) is presented as  
a £30 million deferred tax asset (2019 – £3 million asset) and a £42 million deferred tax liability (2019 – £46 million liability) in the Group’s 
statement of financial position.  

Unrecognised deferred tax asset/liabilities 
No deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of tax losses of £786 million (2019 – £667 million) as there is uncertainty as to 
whether taxable profits against which these assets may be recovered, will be available. In the year ended 31 March 2020, no tax losses 
expired (2019 – £nil). £10 million (2019 – £7 million) of the tax losses will expire within five years. The remaining tax losses have no  
expiry date. 

A deferred tax liability of £1 million (2019 – £1 million) has not been recognised in respect of taxable temporary differences associated  
with investments in subsidiaries as there is control over the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable  
that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Changes in tax rates/tax law 
In March 2020, the UK Government has utilised the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968 to maintain the main corporation tax rate  
at 19% (previously 17%) which was substantively enacted on 17 March 2020. As such, the Group has applied a 19% tax rate in calculating 
deferred tax balances in respect of UK tax losses. This has increased the quantum of UK deferred tax recognised.  

There was no impact from the imposition of new taxes. 

Tax on items recognised in other comprehensive income  
The total tax credit on other comprehensive income was £41 million (2019 – £10 million). This included credits to deferred tax on retirement 
benefit obligations of £39 million (2019 – £1 million). The credits recorded in the current year include the deferred tax impact of the ‘buy-in’ 
of the main UK pension scheme described in Note 29. In addition the Group has recognised current tax credits of £2 million on retirement 
benefit obligations (2019 – £9 million). 

Tax on items recognised directly in equity  
The total tax credit in equity was £2 million (2019 – £2 million). This included deferred tax credits on financial instruments of £2 million 
(2019 – £nil), a deferred tax charge on share-based payments of £1 million (2019 – £1 million credit) and a £1 million current tax credit  
on share-based payments (2019 – £1 million credit).  

(cid:3)

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151 
 151  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE 

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 shares held by the Company and the Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy awards 
made under the Group’s share-based incentive plans. 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue assuming conversion  
of potentially dilutive ordinary shares, reflecting vesting assumptions on employee share plans, as well as the deemed profit 
attributable to owners of the Company for any proceeds on such conversions. 

The average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year was 733p (2019 – 658p). The dilutive effect of share-based 
incentives was 6.4 million shares (2019 – 6.9 million shares). 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

CONTINUING 
OPERATIONS 

DISCONTINUED 
OPERATIONS 

TOTAL 

OPERATIONS   

CONTINUING 
OPERATIONS 

DISCONTINUED 
OPERATIONS 

TOTAL 
OPERATIONS 

Profit attributable to owners of the  

Company (£ million) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

(million) – basic 

Basic earnings per share (pence) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

(million) – diluted 

Diluted earnings per share (pence) 

245 

464.2 

52.8p 

470.6 

52.1p 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

245   

181 

464.2   

52.8p   

462.6 

39.2p 

470.6   

52.1p   

469.5 

38.6p 

CALCULATION OF AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares – basic 

Effects of dilution from: 

•(cid:3) Sharesave plan 

•(cid:3) Performance share plan/Restricted share awards/Group Bonus plan – deferred element 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares – diluted 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

181 

462.6 

39.2p 

469.5 

38.6p 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
MILLION 

464.2 

2019 
MILLION 

462.6 

0.1 

6.3 

– 

6.9 

470.6 

469.5 

Adjusted earnings per share 
A reconciliation between profit attributable to owners of the Company from continuing operations and the equivalent adjusted measure, 
together with the resulting adjusted earnings per share measure can be found below: 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Profit attributable to owners of the Company  

Adjusting items: 

•(cid:3) exceptional items  

•(cid:3) amortisation of acquired intangible assets  

•(cid:3) tax impact of adjusting items 

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Company  

Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence) 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence) 

(cid:3)

NOTES 

8 

18 

11 

4 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

245 

24 

11 

(8) 

272 

2019 
£M 

181 

58 

11 

(6) 

244 

58.6p 

57.8p 

52.8p 

52.0p 

152 
152

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

13. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES 

Dividends on the Company’s ordinary shares are recognised when they have been appropriately authorised and are no longer at  
the Company’s discretion. Accordingly, interim dividends are recognised when they are paid and final dividends are recognised  
when they are declared following approval by shareholders at the Company’s AGM. Dividends are recognised as an appropriation  
of shareholders’ funds. 

Dividends on ordinary shares in respect of the financial year: 

Per ordinary share: 

•(cid:3) interim dividend paid 

•(cid:3) final dividend proposed 

Total dividend 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020   
PENCE   

2019 
PENCE 

8.8   

20.8   

29.6   

8.6 

20.8 

29.4 

The Directors propose a final dividend for the financial year of 20.8p per ordinary share that, subject to approval by shareholders, will be 
paid on 31 July 2020 to shareholders who are on the Register of Members on 19 June 2020. 

Dividends on ordinary shares paid in the financial year: 

Final dividend paid relating to the prior financial year  

Interim dividend paid relating to the financial year 

Total dividend paid 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020   
£M   

97   

40   

137   

2019 
£M 

94 

40 

134 

Based on the number of ordinary shares outstanding at 31 March 2020 and the proposed amount, the final dividend for the financial year is 
expected to amount to £96 million. 

14. INVENTORIES 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 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  
and is calculated using the ‘first in/first out’ or ‘weighted average’ 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. Provisions are made for any slow-moving, obsolete or defective inventories.  

The carrying value of US net corn position inventories designated as hedged items (managed on a group basis for risk management) in 
an effective fair value hedge accounting relationship is adjusted by the change in fair value attributable to the hedged risk. (See Note 2). 

Raw materials and consumables 

Work in progress 

Finished goods 

Total 

2020   
£M   

232   

20   

204   

4561 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

215 

17 

202 

434 

1 

Includes a £24 million negative fair value adjustment as a result of being designated as a hedged item as part of the US net corn fair value hedging relationship.  

Finished goods inventories of £2 million (2019 – £1 million) are carried at net realisable value, this being lower than cost. 

During the year ended 31 March 2020, the Group recognised a write-down of inventories totalling £6 million (2019 – £9 million) included 
in the cost of inventories. 

15. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities  
of three months or less. The credit rating of short-term highly liquid investments is AAA or equivalent (2019 – AAA or equivalent). 

Short-term highly liquid investments 

Cash at bank 

Cash and cash equivalents 

(cid:3)

2020   
£M   

222   

49   

271   

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

239 

46 

285 

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153 
 153  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

15. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (continued) 
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents was denominated in the following currencies: 

US dollar 

Euro 

Sterling 

Other 

Total  

16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

258 

9 

1 

17 

285 

2020 
£M 

195 

15 

42 

19 

271 

A trade receivable is recognised if an amount of consideration that is unconditional is due from the customer (i.e. only the passage of 
time is required before payment of the consideration is due). Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component 
are measured at the transaction price.  

The Group applies the simplified approach for measuring expected credit losses prescribed by IFRS 9, which permits the use of the 
lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on the historical 
rates of default then adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtor and economic environment. The Group considers  
a receivable to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding 
contractual amounts. A receivable is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows. 

Trade receivables 

Less loss allowance provision 

Trade receivables – net 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Margin deposits 

Other receivables 

Total 

The amounts above do not include non-current other receivables of £nil (2019 – £2 million).  

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables was denominated in the following currencies: 

US dollar 

Euro 

Sterling 

Other 

Total 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

298 

(7) 

291 

15 

6 

13 

325 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

223 

55 

9 

40 

327 

2020 
£M 

306 

(12) 

294 

16 

2 

11 

323 

2020 
£M 

227 

53 

4 

39 

323 

The gross amount of receivables, reflecting the maximum exposure to credit risk, is £335 million (2019 – £334 million).  

The loss allowance provision for trade receivables as at 31 March 2020 reconciles to the opening loss allowance for that provision as 
follows. There was no additional impairment of trade receivables in the year (2019 – £1 million). The effect of expected credit loss on  
other receivables is not material. 

AT 31 MARCH 2020 

£M UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 

Expected loss rate % 

Gross carrying amount 

Loss allowance provision  

Expected loss rate % 

Gross carrying amount 

Loss allowance provision  

154 
154

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

CURRENT 

30 – 60 DAYS 
PAST DUE 

60 – 90 DAYS 
PAST DUE 

GREATER 
THAN 90 DAYS 
PAST DUE 

2% 

280 

5 

0% 

271  

– 

0% 

18 

– 

0% 

16 

– 

1% 

100% 

1 

– 

7 

7 

TOTAL 

306 

12 

AT 31 MARCH 2019 

1% 

100% 

4 

–  

7 

7 

298 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (continued) 

At 1 April  

Utilisation of provision 

Change in loss allowance recognised in the income statement during the year 

At 31 March 

17. INVESTMENTS IN EQUITIES  

Financial statements 
Financial statements

  AT 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

7 

– 

5 

12 

2019 
£M 

14 

(7) 

– 

7 

Investments in equities comprise financial assets recognised at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL) and financial assets recognised 
at fair value through the statement of OCI (FVOCI). Investments in equities do not meet the IFRS 9 criteria for classification at amortised 
cost because their cash flows do not represent solely payments of principal and interest. For certain investments the available election 
to recognise equity securities as FVOCI has been taken because these investments are held as long-term strategic investments that 
are not expected to be sold in the short to medium term. All other investments are recognised at FVPL. 

At 1 April 2019 

Total gains/(losses) 

•(cid:3) in operating profit 

•(cid:3) in other comprehensive income 

Non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements 

Purchases 

Disposals 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

At 1 April 20181 

IFRS 9 transfer1 

Total gains/(losses) 

•(cid:3) in operating profit 

•(cid:3) in other comprehensive income 

Non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements 

Purchases 

Disposals 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019 

INVESTMENTS IN EQUITIES 

FINANCIAL  
ASSETS  
AT FVPL 
 £M 

FINANCIAL 
 ASSETS  
AT FVOCI 
£M 

TOTAL 
INVESTMENTS 
 IN EQUITIES 
£M 

35 

24 

59 

– 

– 

(2) 

5 

(4) 

2 

36 

– 

21 

– 

– 

1 

15 

(3) 

1 

35 

– 

2 

– 

1 

– 

– 

27 

– 

16 

– 

2 

– 

5 

– 

1 

24 

– 

2 

(2) 

6 

(4) 

2 

63 

– 

37 

– 

2 

1 

20 

(3) 

2 

59 

1 

In the prior year, the Company adopted IFRS 9 which resulted in changes to the classification of items recognised in the financial statements. Assets with fair value of £37 million  
were reclassified from available-for-sale financial assets to financial assets at fair value through OCI (FVOCI) and fair value through profit and loss (FVPL). All other measurement 
categories recognised under IAS 39 have remained the same under IFRS 9 . 

On 7 December 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of a 15% equity holding in Sweet Green Fields for US$15 million (£12 million). 
Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Group has a variable-priced call option to acquire the remaining 85% share at certain 
points after the acquisition of the 15% equity holding. At 31 March 2020, this option was exercisable but had not been exercised (2019 – not 
exercisable). After considering all the terms of the arrangement with Sweet Green Fields (including the call option) it was determined that 
the Group neither controls nor has significant influence over Sweet Green Fields. Such consideration included, inter alia, the manner in 
which decisions are made about relevant activities of Sweet Green Fields. In addition, the call option is not ‘in the money’ and the Group’s 
potential voting rights are therefore not considered to represent substantive rights. Accordingly the 15% equity investment and the option  
to purchase the remaining shares were recognised together as a financial asset at FVPL as at the years ended 31 March 2020 and 2019. 
This is not considered a significant accounting judgement.  

The non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements refers to a ‘Rabbi Trust’ which is a ‘non-qualified defined contribution’ pension 
scheme split between corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) assets (values are determined by the performance of variable investment  
sub-accounts, similar to mutual funds, but which are only available within a variable life insurance policy) and other assets invested directly 
in mutual funds. This scheme is principally for the highest-paid members of the US salaried pension scheme for compensation above limits 
set by the US Internal Revenue Service. These assets of £23 million (2019 – £24 million) do not qualify as IAS 19 pension assets on the basis 
that the assets are available to the creditors in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Movements in these assets were 
largely offset by corresponding movements on retirement benefit liabilities. Refer to Note 29.  

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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155 
 155  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

17. INVESTMENTS IN EQUITIES (continued) 
The carrying value of equity investments was denominated in the following currencies: 

US dollar 

Sterling 

Euro 

Total 

  AT 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

55 

3 

5 

63 

2019 
£M 

50 

5 

4 

59 

18. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Goodwill arising in a business combination is recognised as an intangible asset and is allocated to the CGU or group of CGUs that  
is expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Goodwill is carried at cost less any recognised impairment 
losses (impairment tested annually). 

Acquired intangible assets, principally customer relationships and know-how, were recognised as part of previous business combinations  
and are amortised on a straight-line basis over the periods of their expected benefit to the Group, which range from three to 15 years. 

Other intangible assets comprise product development and computer software (including global IS/IT systems) and are amortised on  
a straight-line basis over the periods of their expected benefit to the Group. Product development is amortised over five to ten years. Capitalised 
costs in respect of core global IS/IT systems included within computer software are being amortised over a period of five to seven years.  

Product development costs incurred on the development, design and testing of new or improved products are capitalised only when the 
technical and commercial feasibility of the product has been established and prior to the product going into full production. Research and  
other related expenditures are charged to the income statement in the period in which they are incurred. 

Changes to intangible assets’ useful economic lives are only made if there is objective evidence that the Group expects to receive economic 
benefits from these intangible assets systems over a shorter or longer period. 

Cost 

At 1 April 2019 

Additions at cost 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

At 1 April 2019 

Impairment charge 

Amortisation charge 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

Net book value at 31 March 2020 

Cost 

At 1 April 2018 

Additions at cost 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

At 1 April 2018 

Impairment charge 

Amortisation charge 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019  

Net book value at 31 March 2019 

OTHER 
ACQUIRED 
INTANGIBLES 
£M 

TOTAL 
ACQUIRED 
INTANGIBLES 
£M 

OTHER 
INTANGIBLE 
ASSETS 

£M 

GOODWILL 
£M 

TOTAL 
£M 

210 

200 

410 

291 

701 

– 

– 

2 

– 

– 

4 

– 

– 

6 

25 

(6) 

10 

25 

(6) 

16 

212 

204 

416 

320 

736 

12 

– 

– 

– 

(2) 

10 

202 

218 

– 

(10) 

2 

210 

14 

10 

– 

(10) 

(2) 

12 

198 

165 

177 

– 

11 

– 

3 

179 

25 

205 

– 

(6) 

1 

200 

158 

3 

11 

(6) 

(1) 

165 

35 

– 

11 

– 

1 

189 

227 

423 

– 

(16) 

3 

410 

172 

13 

11 

(16) 

(3) 

177 

233 

182 

1 

24 

(6) 

6 

207 

113 

254 

31 

(2) 

8 

291 

145 

4 

29 

(2) 

6 

182 

109 

359 

1 

35 

(6) 

7 

396 

340 

677 

31 

(18) 

11 

701 

317 

17 

40 

(18) 

3 

359 

342 

At 31 March 2020 the carrying value of other intangible assets is represented by product development of £40 million (2019 – £39 million), 
computer software of £68 million (2019 – £66 million) and assets under construction of £5 million (2019 – £4 million). (cid:3)

156 
156

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued) 
Goodwill 
The carrying amount of goodwill is allocated to groups of CGUs as follows: 

Allocated by reportable segment 

Food & Beverage Solutions 

Primary Products 

Total 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

168 

30 

198 

2020 
£M 

171 

31 

202 

Impairment tests carried out during the year  
As is required, goodwill is tested annually. For both the goodwill allocated to Food & Beverage Solutions and Primary Products cash-
generating units, the recoverable amounts were calculated based on value-in-use.  

The key assumptions in the value-in-use model are derived from the Group’s Board-approved five-year plan with the most sensitive 
assumptions being: 1) operating profit growth rate; 2) discount rates; and 3) long-term growth rates.  

The operating profit growth rate used to estimate the future economic performance is based on estimates from past performance, and  
the Group’s five-year strategic plan, which incorporates the next year’s annual forecast. A one percent decrease in the growth rate across 
the five-year cash flows would decrease headroom by 10% and 8% in the Food & Beverage Solutions and Primary Products models 
respectively.  

Based on the risk profile of the assets tested, cash flows were discounted using a pre-tax rate of 9.3% and 8.1% in the Food & Beverage 
Solutions and Primary Products models respectively (2019 – 8.6% and 8.9%). The long-term nominal growth rate after year five does not 
exceed 2%, reflecting a conservative long-term assumption for the Food & Beverage Solutions and Primary Products markets respectively. 
At the time of performing the test, very significant headroom existed for each of the two cash-generating units to which goodwill is 
allocated and there was no reasonable scenario in which impairment would be required. 

Impairment charge  
No impairment charges in relation to goodwill have been recognised in the current financial year. In the prior financial year, following a 
strategic review of its oats ingredients business, the Group completed the disposal of this business in March 2019. The exceptional loss  
of £58 million recognised in the year ended 31 March 2019 included an impairment charge of £10 million relating to goodwill and £4 million 
relating to other intangible assets. Refer to Note 8. 

Possibility of impairment in the near future  
As explained above, at the time of carrying out the annual impairment test, there were no reasonably possible changes in assumptions  
that would give rise to an impairment loss now or during the coming year. 

Following the annual test, the results were revisited in light of the current impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s performance. If the same 
reasonable ‘worst case’ scenarios considered as part of the Group’s assessment of going concern and longer-term viability were applied  
to the value-in-use models for goodwill impairment testing, headroom would be reduced but there would remain significant headroom, 
such that there is still no reasonable scenario in which impairment would be required, either now or in the coming year. 

19. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Land and buildings mainly comprise manufacturing sites, application laboratories and administrative facilities. Plant and machinery 
mainly comprise equipment used in the manufacturing and operating process. Assets in the course of construction comprise property, 
plant and equipment which is in the process of being completed and not ready for use. Property, plant and equipment is stated at 
historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for impairment when any 
changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. 

Useful economic lives, applied on a straight-line basis, are as follows: 

•(cid:3) Freehold land 
•(cid:3) Freehold buildings 
•(cid:3) Leasehold improvements 
•(cid:3) Plant and machinery 

No depreciation 
20 to 50 years 
Up to the length of the lease 
3 to 28 years 

In the 2019 financial year, leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership were classified as finance leases. All other leases were classified as operating leases. The Group has adopted IFRS 16 from  
1 April 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and, as a result, such leased assets are included in property, plant and equipment. 
The Group has lease contracts for various items of property, plant and equipment used in its operations and which primarily comprise 
railcars, properties and other miscellaneous leases such as motor vehicles and machinery. More detail on leases is presented in Note 36. 

Significant disposals 
During the year, the Group recorded a £4 million accelerated depreciation charge related to the closure of its Primary Products’ small, 
non-core savoury ingredients business. Refer to Note 8.  

In the 2019 financial year following a strategic review of its oats ingredients business, the Group completed the disposal of this business in  
March 2019. The exceptional loss of £58 million recognised in the year ended 31 March 2019 included an impairment charge of £25 million 
relating to property, plant and equipment. Refer to Note 8. 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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157 
 157  

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

19. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued) 

Cost 

At 1 April 2019 

Recognition of right-of-use asset on initial application of IFRS 16 

Adjusted balance at 1 April 2019 

Additions at cost 

Transfers on completion 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment 

At 1 April 2019 

Depreciation charge 

Impairment charge 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

Net book value at 31 March 2020 

Cost 

At 1 April 2018 

Additions at cost 

Transfers on completion 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019  

Accumulated depreciation and impairment 

At 1 April 2018 

Depreciation charge 

Impairment charge 

Disposals and write-offs 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019 

Net book value at 31 March 2019 

Including assets held under finance leases 

(cid:3)

LAND 
AND BUILDINGS 
£M 

PLANT AND 
MACHINERY 
£M 

ASSETS IN THE 
COURSE OF 
CONSTRUCTION  
£M 

596 

51 

647 

5 

17 

(1) 

26 

694 

307 

27 

– 

(1) 

15 

348 

346 

2 440 

100 

2 540 

18 

84 

(7) 

101 

2 736 

1 798 

118 

1 

(7) 

74 

1 984 

752 

556 

2 278 

– 

7 

(4) 

37 

596 

270 

16 

2 

(4) 

23 

307 

289 

– 

17 

61 

(70) 

154 

2 440 

1 625 

96 

23 

(58) 

112 

1 798 

642 

8 

51 

– 

51 

142 

(101) 

– 

– 

92 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

92 

26 

97 

(68) 

(6) 

2 

51 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

51 

– 

TOTAL 
£M  

3 087 

151 

3 238 

165 

– 

(8) 

127 

3 522 

2 105 

145 

1 

(8) 

89 

2 332 

1 190 

2 860 

114 

– 

(80) 

193 

3 087 

1 895 

112 

25 

(62) 

135 

2 105 

982 

8 

158 
158

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

20. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES 

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets  
of the arrangement. Investments in joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method. They are initially recognised at cost, 
which includes transaction costs. Subsequently, the Group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and net assets  
are shown on one line of the relevant primary financial statements, until the date on which joint control ceases. Distributions received 
from the investee reduce the carrying amount of the investment. 

The Group’s material joint ventures are Almidones Mexicanos S.A. de C.V. (Almex) and DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company, LLC 
(Bio-PDO) (see Note 37). These joint ventures complement the Group’s wholly owned activities. Almex produces and distributes corn-based 
products and Bio-PDO produces bio-based 1,3 – propanediol (Bio-PDO). 

The joint ventures have share capital consisting of ordinary shares, which are held directly by the Group (and its joint venture partners)  
and are private companies. No quoted market price is available for their shares. There are no contingent liabilities relating to the Group’s 
interest in the joint ventures.  

The movements in the carrying value of the Group’s investment in joint ventures are summarised as follows: 

At 1 April 

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures – total operations 

Other comprehensive (expense)/income (including exchange) 

Dividends paid 

Other movements (including contributions) 

At 31 March 

NOTE 

22 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  

2020 

102 

28 

(3) 

(35) 

(1) 

91 

2019 

85 

30 

4 

(21) 

4 

102 

The information set out below reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint ventures (and not the Group’s share  
of those amounts) adjusted for differences in accounting policies between the Group and the joint ventures to make it consistent with the 
Group’s accounting policies. The statutory reporting date of Almex is 31 December due to local statutory requirements and so results  
are consolidated on the basis of management accounts for the year to 31 March. Bio-PDO’s statutory reporting date is 31 March.  

Income statement 

Revenue 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Other expense 

Net finance expense 

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year from total operations 

Other comprehensive (expense)/income (including exchange) 

Total comprehensive income 

Dividends 

Revenue 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Other expense 

Net finance expense 

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year from total operations 

Other comprehensive income (including exchange) 

Total comprehensive income 

Dividends 

(cid:3)

ALMEX 
£M 

654 

(2) 

(583) 

(1) 

68 

(20) 

48 

(10) 

38 

(50) 

ALMEX 
£M 

658 

(2) 

(593) 

(2) 

61 

(18) 

43 

4 

47 

(42) 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 

BIO-PDO 
£M 

92 

(7) 

(75) 

– 

10 

(3) 

7 

4 

11 

(27) 

TOTAL  
£M 

746 

(9) 

(658) 

(1) 

78 

(23) 

55 

(6) 

49 

(77) 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

BIO-PDO 
£M 

109 

(7) 

(79) 

– 

23 

(7) 

16 

5 

21 

– 

TOTAL  
£M 

767 

(9) 

(672) 

(2) 

84 

(25) 

59 

9 

68 

(42) 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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159 
 159  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

20. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES (continued) 
Statement of financial position 

Assets 

Non-current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other current assets 

Liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Current borrowings 

Other current liabilities 

Net assets 

Assets 

Non-current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other current assets 

Liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Current borrowings 

Other current liabilities 

Net assets 

Reconciliation of summarised financial information to the Group’s investments in joint ventures 

Opening net assets at 1 April 2019 

Profit for the year from total operations 

Other comprehensive (expense)/income (including exchange) 

Dividends 

Other movements (including contributions) 

Closing net assets at 31 March 2020 

Interest in joint venture (%) 

Carrying value at 31 March 2020 

Opening net assets at 1 April 2018 

Profit for the year from total operations 

Other comprehensive income (including exchange) 

Dividends 

Other movements (including contributions) 

Closing net assets at 31 March 2019 

Interest in joint venture (%) 

Carrying value at 31 March 2019 

(cid:3)

160 
160

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

AT 31 MARCH 2020 

ALMEX  
£M 

BIO-PDO 
£M 

TOTAL 
£M 

45 

5 

212 

262 

10 

116 

45 

171 

91 

66 

21 

16 

103 

– 

– 

13 

13 

90 

111 

26 

228 

365 

10 

116 

58 

184 

181 

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

ALMEX  
£M 

BIO-PDO 
£M 

TOTAL  
£M 

48 

7 

187 

242 

6 

56 

77 

139 

103 

63 

39 

25 

127 

– 

– 

27 

27 

100 

ALMEX 
£M 

BIO-PDO 
£M 

103 

48 

(10) 

(42) 

(8) 

91 

50% 

46 

98 

43 

4 

(42) 

– 

103 

50% 

52 

100 

7 

4 

(27) 

6 

90 

50% 

45 

72 

16 

5 

– 

7 

100 

50% 

50 

111 

46 

212 

369 

6 

56 

104 

166 

203 

TOTAL 
£M 

203 

55 

(6) 

(69) 

(2) 

181 

91 

170 

59 

9 

(42) 

7 

203 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21. SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM 

At 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2020 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

ORDINARY SHARE 
CAPITAL 
£M 

SHARE   
PREMIUM   
£M   

117 

406   

TOTAL 
£M 

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 

At 31 March 

*  The nominal value of each share is 25 pence. 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

NUMBER OF    
SHARES* 

COST 
£M 

NUMBER   
OF SHARES* 

468 345 950   

117   

468 308 934   

55 721   

–   

37 016   

468 401 671   

117   

468 345 950   

COST 
£M 

117 

– 

117 

Own shares 
Own shares represent the Company’s ordinary shares that are acquired to meet the Group’s expected obligations under share-based 
incentive arrangements (see Note 30). Own shares are held either by the Company in treasury or by an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)  
that was established by the Company. The EBT is included in the consolidated accounts. 

Movements in own shares held were as follows: 

At 1 April 

Purchased in the market1: 

•(cid:3) into treasury 

•(cid:3) into the EBT 

Transferred to employees: 

•(cid:3) from treasury 

•(cid:3) from the EBT 

At 31 March 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

NUMBER    
OF SHARES   

5 251 587   

–   

1 635 490   

(805 138)   

(958 972)   

5 122 967   

COST 

£M   

NUMBER    
OF SHARES   

38   

7 350 698   

–   

13   

(6)  

(7)  

38   

–   

–   

(1 757 254)   

(341 857)   

5 251 587   

COST 
£M 

52 

– 

– 

(12) 

(2) 

38 

1 

In the prior year, the Company adopted the amendment to IFRS 2 permitting net settled share-based payments to be treated as equity-settled in full, if certain criteria were met,  
rather than the tax element being cash-settled. The amount transferred to the tax authorities in the year was £9 million (2019 – £8 million) and has been recognised within  
financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.  

Treasury shares 

Shares held in the EBT 

Total  

(cid:3)

NUMBER  
OF SHARES 

– 

5 122 967 

5 122 967 

AT 31 MARCH 2020     

MARKET  
VALUE 
£M 

% OF   
 OUTSTANDING   
 SHARE CAPITAL     

NUMBER  
OF SHARES 

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

MARKET    
VALUE   
£M   

% OF 
OUTSTANDING 
SHARE CAPITAL 

– 

34 

34 

–     

805 138 

1.1%     

1.1%     

4 446 449 

5 251 587 

6   

32   

38   

0.2% 

0.9% 

1.1% 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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161 
 161  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

22. OTHER RESERVES 

At 1 April 2018 

Cash flow hedges: 

•(cid:3) fair value gain in the year 
•(cid:3) reclassified and reported in the income statement  

in the year (operating costs) 

FVOCI financial assets: 

•(cid:3) fair value gain in the year 

Currency translation differences: 

•(cid:3) gain on currency translation of foreign operations 

•(cid:3) fair value loss on net investment hedges 

Share of other comprehensive income of joint ventures 

Hedging losses transferred to inventory 

At 31 March 2019 

Cash flow hedges: 

•(cid:3) fair value loss in the year 

•(cid:3) hedging gain transferred to inventory 

•(cid:3) tax effect of the above items 
FVOCI financial assets: 

•(cid:3) fair value gain in the year 

Currency translation differences: 

•(cid:3) gain on currency translation of foreign operations 

•(cid:3) fair value loss on net investment hedges 

Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of joint  

ventures 

At 31 March 2020 

HEDGING 
 RESERVE 
£M 

FVOCI 
 RESERVE 
£M 

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
RESERVE 
£M 

PRE-IFRS 
 RESERVES 
£M 

(1) 

(3) 

59 

104 

TOTAL 
£M 

159 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1 

1 

1 

(1) 

 (6) 

2 

– 

– 

– 

2 

(2) 

– 

– 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

– 

– 

– 

2 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

– 

– 

75 

(24) 

3 

– 

113 

– 

– 

– 

– 

46 

(18) 

(5) 

136 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

104 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

104 

– 

– 

2 

75 

(24) 

4 

1 

217 

(1) 

(6) 

2 

2 

46 

(18) 

(3) 

239 

Gains or losses relating to the effective portion of hedging instruments where cash flow hedge accounting is applied are recognised in  
OCI within the hedging reserve. Amounts accumulated in the hedging reserve are reclassified in the periods when the hedged item affects 
the income statement. For a non-financial asset (such as inventory), the hedging gains and losses are transferred to the cost of inventory 
and then subsequently recognised in the income statement or else recognised immediately in the income statement. 

The FVOCI reserve includes cumulative gains or losses on FVOCI assets.  

The currency translation reserve includes: 

•(cid:3) Gains/losses on currency translation of foreign operations: on consolidation, the results of foreign operations are translated into pounds 
sterling at the average rate of exchange for the period and their assets and liabilities are translated into pounds sterling at the exchange 
rate ruling at the period-end date. Currency translation differences arising on consolidation are recognised in other comprehensive 
income and taken to the currency translation reserve. 

•(cid:3) Fair value gains/losses on net investment hedges: a net investment hedge is the hedge of the currency exposure on the retranslation  

of the Group’s net investment in a foreign operation. Net investment hedges are accounted for by recognising changes in the fair value  
of the hedging instrument and, to the extent that the hedge is effective, recognised in other comprehensive income. Further detail  
on net investment hedges can be found in Note 27. 

The pre-IFRS reserve relates to amounts previously recorded in reserves prior to transition to IFRS and relates predominantly to merger reserves. 

For the year ended 31 March 2019, there was no tax effect on the above movements in reserves. 

(cid:3)

162 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade payables are predominantly short-term and are initially recognised at fair value, which is generally the invoice amount. The effects 
of the time-value of money are not material. 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

Current payables 

Trade payables 

Social security 

Accruals and deferred income 

Other payables 

Total 

AT 31 MARCH  

2019  
£M  

2341 

6  

94  

8  

342  

2020 
£M 

250 

6 

101 

13 

370 

1 

Included in the comparative trade payables total is £5 million related to lease accruals previously recognised with respect to operating leases which have been de-recognised on 
transition to IFRS 16 and the amount included in the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Refer to Note 36 for further details. 

There were no non-current other payables as at 31 March 2020 (2019 – £nil). 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables was denominated in the following currencies: 

US dollar 

Euro 

Sterling 

Other  

Total 

24. BORROWINGS 

AT 31 MARCH  

2019  
£M  

246  

47  

22  

27  

342  

2020 
£M 

268 

58 

21 

23 

370 

Borrowings are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred, which is generally the amount of proceeds received. 
Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, whereby the net proceeds are 
gradually increased to the amount that will be ultimately settled using a constant rate of interest. This constant rate of return is used  
to calculate the amount recognised as interest expense in the income statement.  

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 period-end date. 

The carrying amount of a borrowing may be adjusted where it is a hedged liability in a fair value hedge (see Note 27). 

Non-current borrowings 

2,394,000 6.5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each 

Industrial Revenue Bonds 2023–2036 (US$70,100,000) 

US Private Placement 2023–2031 (US$600,000,000) 

Bank loans (unsecured) 

Total loan notes 

Obligations under finance leases (IAS 17) 

Lease liabilities (Note 36)1 

Total non-current borrowings 

AT 31 MARCH  

2019  
£M  

2  

54  

308  

–  

364  

9  

–  

373  

2020 
£M 

2 

56 

480 

3 

541 

– 

141 

682 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives which increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020. Total lease liabilities at 31 March 2020 include  
£9 million of previously recognised obligations under finance leases in accordance with IAS 17. 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

163 
 163  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

24. BORROWINGS (continued) 
Current borrowings 

6.75% Guaranteed Notes 2019 (£200,000,000) 

Short-term loans and facilities 

Total loan notes 

Obligations under finance leases (IAS 17) 

Lease liabilities (Note 36)1 

Total current borrowings 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

203 

19 

222 

2 

– 

224 

2020 
£M 

– 

10 

10 

– 

30 

40 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives which increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020. Total lease liabilities at 31 March 2020 include  
£9 million of previously recognised obligations under finance leases in accordance with IAS 17. 

On 19 November 2019, the Group refinanced its maturing £200 million 6.75% bond principally using the proceeds of drawing down  
US$100 million (£77 million) 3.31% notes due 2029 and US$100 million (£77 million) 3.41% notes due 2031, with the remaining amount 
made up from cash balances.  

In May 2020, the Group priced a US$200 million debt private placement which will be issued on 6 August 2020 at which point US$100 million 
2.91% notes maturing in 2030 and US$100 million 3.01% notes maturing in 2032 will be drawn down.  

At 31 March 2020 there were no borrowings at amortised cost subject to fair value hedges (2019 – £150 million) and, consequently, no fair 
value adjustments were made to the carrying value (2019 – £3 million). 

Effective interest rates 
Taking into account the Group’s interest rate and cross-currency swap contracts, the effective interest rates of its borrowings are as follows: 

US$25m 3.83% US Private Placement Notes 2023 

US$180m 4.06% US Private Placement Notes 2025 

US$100m 4.16% US Private Placement Notes 2027 

US$95m US Private Placement FRN1 2023 

2,394,000 6.5% cumulative preference shares of £1 each 

Lease liabilities  

Industrial Revenue Bonds 2023–2036 (US$70,100,000)2 

6.75% Guaranteed Notes 2019 (£200,000,000) 

US$100m 3.31% US Private Placement Notes 2029 

US$100m 3.41% US Private Placement Notes 2031 

Bank loans (unsecured) 3 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  

2020 

3.8% 

4.1% 

4.2% 

3.4% 

6.5% 

3.8% 

1.6% 

– 

3.3% 

3.4% 

5.2% 

2019 

3.8% 

4.1% 

4.2% 

4.1% 

6.5% 

– 

1.6% 

6.4% 

– 

– 

– 

1  Floating rate note based on US six-month LIBOR + 1.47%. 
2  As part of these arrangements the Group is required to obtain credit insurance from certain banks. The annual premium cost of the credit insurance is approximately 1% of the 

principal which is not included in the effective interest rate disclosed above. 

3  Floating rate loan based on Brazil CDI + 1.58%. 

Short-term loans  
Short-term loans mature within the next 12 months. Short-term loans are arranged at floating rates of interest and expose the Group  
to cash flow interest rate risk. 

Credit facilities and arrangements 
At 31 March 2020, the Group had access to a US$800 million five-year committed revolving credit facility maturing in March 2024. The 
financial covenant thereon is described in the ‘Liquidity risk management’ section of Note 28. At 31 March 2020, the facility had a value  
of £642 million (2019 – £615 million) and was undrawn. In May 2020, the Group extended the maturity of this US$800 million revolving  
credit facility by a year to 2025. 

The facility incurs commitment fees at market rates prevailing when the facility was arranged. The lenders have the right, but not 
the obligation, to cancel their commitments in the event of specified events of default (principally an expected covenant breach or 
insolvency of the Group). 

(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH  

2020 
£M 

(16) 

11 

19 

(7) 

(8) 

(1) 

3 

2 

2019 
£M 

(21) 

(9) 

8 

1 

3 

(18) 

2 

(16) 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

(337) 

(167) 

(504) 

(17) 

114 

97 

(22) 

2 

(24) 

53 

(451) 

2019 
£M 

(392) 

– 

(392) 

79 

(2) 

77 

(21) 

(1) 

– 

55 

(337) 

TOTAL  
£M 

(392) 

77 

– 

(21) 

(1) 

(337) 

(167) 

(504) 

97 

– 

(22) 

2 

(24) 

(451) 

25. CHANGE IN WORKING CAPITAL AND OTHER NON-CASH MOVEMENTS 

Increase in inventories 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables 

Increase in payables 

Movement in derivative financial instruments (excluding debt-related derivatives) 

(Decrease)/increase in provisions for other liabilities and charges 

Change in working capital 

Other non-cash movements 

Change in working capital and other non-cash movements 

26. NET DEBT 
Reconciliation of the movement in cash and cash equivalents to the movement in net debt: 

Net debt carried forward from the prior year 

IFRS 16 adoption at beginning of the year1 

Net debt at beginning of the year 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Net in-year decrease/(increase) in borrowings and leases 

Decrease in net debt resulting from cash flows 

Currency translation differences2  

Fair value and other movements 

Leases non-cash movements 

Decrease in net debt in the year 

Net debt at end of the year 

1 
2 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020.  
Includes the foreign currency element of the fair value movement on cross currency swaps and the translation of foreign denominated borrowings. 

Movements in the Group’s net debt were as follows: 

At 1 April 2018 

Decrease/(increase) from cash flows3 

Reclassification 

Currency translation differences2 

Fair value and other movements 

At 31 March 2019 

IFRS 16 adoption at beginning of the year1 

At 1 April 2019 

Movement from cash flows 

Reclassification 

Currency translation differences2 

Fair value and other movements 

Leases non-cash movements 

At 31 March 2020 

CASH AND CASH 
EQUIVALENTS  
£M 

BORROWINGS AND LEASE LIABILITIES 

CURRENT 
£M 

NON-CURRENT 
£M 

DEBT-RELATED 
DERIVATIVES 
£M 

190 

79 

– 

16 

– 

285 

– 

285 

(17) 

– 

3 

– 

– 

271 

(16) 

(2) 

(208) 

– 

2 

(224) 

(25) 

(249) 

242 

(30) 

1 

5 

(9) 

(40) 

(554) 

– 

208 

(27) 

– 

(373) 

(142) 

(515) 

(157) 

30 

(25) 

– 

(15) 

(682) 

(12) 

– 

– 

(10) 

(3) 

(25) 

– 

(25) 

29 

– 

(1) 

(3) 

– 

– 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million at 31 March 2020.  
Includes the foreign currency element of the fair value movement on cross currency swaps and the translation of foreign denominated borrowings. 

1 
2 
3   In the prior year, net change in borrowings included repayments of capital elements of finance leases of £2 million.  

At 31 March 2020, total liabilities arising from financing activities were £722 million (2019 – £622 million). 

Debt-related derivative financial instruments represent the net fair value of currency and interest rate swaps that are used to manage  
the currency and interest rate profile of the Group’s net debt. These derivative financial instruments matured during the year at the date  
of the refinancing of the £200 million bond, and no additional debt-related derivative financial instruments were entered into during the 
year. As such, at 31 March 2020, the Group had no such derivatives. At 31 March 2019, the net fair value of these derivatives comprised 
assets of £6 million and liabilities of £31 million. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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165 
 165  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

26. NET DEBT (continued) 

Net debt is denominated in the following currencies: 

US dollar 

Euro 

Sterling 

Other 

Total 

27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

2020 
£M 

(488) 

14 

13 

10 

(451) 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

(144) 

(56) 

(145) 

8 

(337) 

Derivatives are measured at fair value with any related transaction costs expensed as incurred. The treatment of changes in the value 
of derivatives depends on their use as explained below.  

Fair value hedges Hedging relationships are classified as fair value hedges where the hedging instrument hedges the exposure to 
changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability that is attributable to a particular risk. Where the hedging relationship is 
classified as a fair value hedge, the carrying amount of the hedged asset or liability is adjusted by, or a firm commitment is recorded 
for, the change in its fair value attributable to the hedged risk only and the resulting gain or loss is recognised in the income statement 
where, to the extent that the hedge is effective, it offsets the fair value gain or loss on the hedging instrument.  

As explained in Note 2, for the US net corn position, a group of items representing a net position and consisting of items that 
individually are eligible hedged items and which are managed together on a group basis for risk management can be designated in a 
hedging relationship as a net position hedged item. As such, the Group has designated the components of its US net corn position into 
two effective fair value hedge accounting relationships (net corn (futures and basis) and net co-products) whereby the hedged item  
is a group of items with offsetting risk positions. 

Net investment hedges A net investment hedge is the hedge of the currency exposure on the retranslation of the Group’s net 
investment in a foreign operation. Net investment hedges are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value  
of the hedging instrument are, to the extent that the hedge is effective, recognised in other comprehensive income. In the event that  
the foreign operation is disposed of, the cumulative fair value gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income is transferred  
to the income statement where it is included in the gain or loss on disposal of the foreign operation. 

Cash flow hedges Derivatives are also held to hedge the uncertainty in timing or amount of future forecast cash flows. Such derivatives 
are classified as being part of cash flow hedge relationships. For an effective hedge, gains and losses from changes in the fair value  
of derivatives are recognised in equity. Cost of hedging, where material and opted for, is recorded in a separate account within equity. 
Any ineffective elements of the hedge are recognised in the income statement. Ineffectiveness may occur if there are changes to the 
expected timing of the hedged transaction. If the hedged cash flow relates to a non-financial asset, the amount accumulated in equity  
is subsequently included within the carrying value of that asset. For other cash flow hedges, amounts deferred in equity are taken to  
the income statement at the same time as the related cash flow. When a derivative no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, any 
cumulative gain or loss remains in equity until the related cash flow occurs. When the cash flow takes place, the cumulative gain  
or loss is taken to the income statement. If the hedged cash flow is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss is taken  
to the income statement immediately. 

Financial instruments by category 
Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying values and fair values of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities: 

AMORTISED 
COST/CASH 
£M 

DERIVATIVES IN 
A HEDGING 
RELATIONSHIP 
£M 

NOTES 

HEDGED 
ITEM (FAIR 
VALUE 
HEDGE) 
£M 

INVESTMENTS 
IN EQUITIES 
£M 

TOTAL 
CARRYING 
VALUE 
£M 

FAIR VALUE 
£M 

AT 31 MARCH 2020 

17 

16 

15 

23 

24 

– 

307 

271 

(364) 

(722) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 – 

1 

(17) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

48 

63 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

63 

307 

271 

(364) 

(722) 

– 

– 

1 

63 

307 

271 

(364) 

(727) 

– 

– 

1 

(17) 

(17) 

48 

48 

Investments in equities  

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings 

Derivative assets/(liabilities) used to manage net debt 

•(cid:3) currency swaps 

•(cid:3) interest rate swaps 

Forward foreign exchange contract 

Commodity derivative net liabilities  

Other net financial assets 

•(cid:3) commodity pricing contracts 
(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 
Financial instruments by category (continued) 

Investments in equities  

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings 

Derivative (liabilities)/assets used to manage net debt 

•(cid:3) currency swaps 

•(cid:3) interest rate swaps 

Other derivative (liabilities)/assets  

•(cid:3) commodity pricing contracts 

AMORTISED 
COST/CASH 
£M 

DERIVATIVES 
IN A HEDGING 
RELATIONSHIP 
£M 

NOTES 

DERIVATIVES 
NOT IN A 
HEDGING 
RELATIONSHIP 
£M 

INVESTMENTS 
IN EQUITIES 
£M 

TOTAL 
CARRYING 
VALUE 
£M 

FAIR VALUE 
£M 

AT 31 MARCH 2019 

17 

16 

15 

23 

24 

– 

312 

285 

(336) 

(597) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(30) 

5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

27 

59 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

59 

312 

285 

(336) 

(597) 

(30) 

5 

59 

312 

285 

(336) 

(607) 

(30) 

5 

26 

26 

Investments in equities comprise financial assets recognised as fair value through the income statement (FVPL) and financial assets 
recognised as fair value through OCI (FVOCI). Further analysis is provided in Note 17. 

Trade and other receivables presented above excludes £16 million (2019 – £15 million) relating to prepayments. Trade and other payables 
presented above excludes £6 million (2019 – £6 million) relating to social security.  

There are no listed bonds as at 31 March 2020. US Private Placement Notes with a carrying value of £480 million and a fair value of  
£485 million, have a fair value measured by discounted estimated cash flows based on broker dealer quotations and are categorised as 
Level 3 for fair value measurement. The remaining borrowings had a fair value measured by discounted estimated cash flows with an 
applicable market quoted yield and are categorised as Level 2 for fair value measurement. 

As at 31 March 2019 borrowings with a carrying value of £203 million related to listed bonds with a fair value of £207 million according to 
quoted market prices and were categorised as Level 1 for fair value measurement. Borrowings with a carrying value of £308 million related 
to US Private Placement Notes with a fair value of £314 million according to broker dealer quotations and were categorised as Level 3 for 
fair value measurement. The remaining borrowings had a fair value measured by discounted estimated cash flows with an applicable 
market quoted yield and are categorised as Level 2 for fair value measurement.  

Derivatives assets/(liabilities) and other financial assets/(liabilities) are presented in the statement of financial position as follows: 

Non-current derivative financial instruments 

Current derivative financial instruments 

Other non-current financial assets/(liabilities) 

Other current financial assets/(liabilities) 

 AT 31 MARCH 2020   

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

ASSETS 
£M 

1 

5 

6 

– 

67 

67 

LIABILITIES 

£M   

(2)  

(20)  

(22)  

–   

(19)  

(19)  

ASSETS 
£M 

LIABILITIES 
£M 

– 

48 

48 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

(46) 

(47) 

– 

– 

– 

Derivatives are only used for economic hedging purposes and not as speculative investments. 

Fair value hedges 
In the 2019 financial year, the Group employed interest rate swap contracts to hedge interest rate risks associated with its borrowings.  
This was achieved by swapping fixed for floating rates to meet the Group’s risk management objectives. Refer to Note 28. These derivative 
financial instruments matured during the current year at the date of the refinancing of the £200 million bond and no additional debt-related 
derivative financial instruments were entered into during the year. This fair value hedge was therefore discontinued during the year. 

INTEREST RATE SWAPS USED TO FAIR VALUE HEDGE INTEREST RATE RISK 

Carrying amount of hedged item (weighted liability) 

Accumulated amount of fair value included in carrying amount of hedged item  

Notional principal amounts of interest rate swap contracts 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Change in intrinsic value of hedging instruments used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Change in intrinsic value of hedging item used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Weighted average floating interest rate achieved for the year 

Ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

153 

3 

150 

2020 
£M 

– 

– 

– 

Nov 2019 

Nov 2019 

1:1 

(3) 

3 

3.7% 

– 

1:1 

(4) 

4 

3.6% 

– 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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167 
 167  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 
The Group has designated the components of its US net corn position into two effective fair value hedge accounting relationships (net  
corn (futures and basis) and net co-products) whereby the hedged item is a group of items with offsetting risk positions. Refer to Note 2.  

US NET CORN POSITION (FUTURES AND BASIS) IN EFFECTIVE FAIR VALUE HEDGE ACCOUNTING RELATIONSHIPS 

Nominal amounts of corn futures contracts (expressed in millions of bushels) 

Gross carrying amount of outstanding hedged items: assets 

Gross carrying amount of outstanding hedged items: liabilities 

Carrying amount of hedging instrument 

Hedge ratio 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging instruments used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging item used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss 

US NET CORN POSITION (NET CO-PRODUCTS) IN EFFECTIVE FAIR VALUE HEDGE ACCOUNTING RELATIONSHIPS 

Nominal amounts of co-product futures contracts (expressed in metric tonnes) 

Gross carrying amount of outstanding hedged items: assets 

Gross carrying amount of outstanding hedged items: liabilities 

Carrying amount of hedging instrument 

Hedge ratio 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging instruments used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging item used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss 

AT 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

37bu 

41 

(36) 

(4) 

1:1 

(2) 

4 

2 

AT 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

– 

27 

(8) 

– 

1:1 

– 

2 

2 

Net investment hedges  
The Group employs borrowings and currency swap contracts (no longer held as at 31 March 2020) to hedge the currency risk associated 
with its net investments in subsidiaries located in the US and Europe. In addition, in the year ended 31 March 2020, a weighted average total 
of £6 million of the Group’s liabilities were designated as a hedge of the net investment in the Group’s European operations. Translation of 
these liabilities taken to reserves was a loss of £1 million. The currency swaps contracts matured during the current year at the date of the 
refinancing of the £200 million bond and no additional debt-related derivative financial instruments were entered into during the year. This 
net investment hedge was therefore discontinued during the year. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAPS USED TO NET INVESTMENT HEDGE CURRENCY TRANSLATION RISK 

Notional principal amounts of outstanding currency swap contracts (weighted liability) 

Translation of swap contract recognised in currency translation reserve 

Carrying amount of hedging instrument 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Change in intrinsic value of hedging instruments used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Change in intrinsic value of hedging item used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Weighted average foreign currency rate for the year (/£1) 

Ineffectiveness gain recognised in profit or loss 

Cumulative (loss)/gain remaining in translation reserve 

(cid:3)

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

178 

(9) 

30 

2020 
£M 

– 

(1) 

– 

Nov 2019 

Nov 2019 

1:1 

– 

1 

1:1 

(8) 

9 

$1.25/€1.13 

$1.31/€1.16 

– 

(32)/1 

1 

(31)/1 

168 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 
Net investment hedges (continued) 

BORROWINGS USED TO NET INVESTMENT HEDGE CURRENCY TRANSLATION RISK 

Notional principal amounts of borrowings (weighted liability) 

Translation of borrowings recognised in currency translation reserve 

Carrying amount of hedging instrument 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging instruments used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Change in intrinsic value of outstanding hedging item used to determine hedge effectiveness 

Weighted average foreign currency rate for the year (/£1) 

Ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss 

Cumulative loss remaining in translation reserve1 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

218 

(16) 

218 

2020 
£M 

396 

(16) 

396 

Oct 2023-Nov 2031  Oct 2023–2027 

1:1 

(16) 

16 

$1.27 

– 

(117) 

1:1 

(16) 

16 

$1.32 

– 

(101) 

1  Cumulative loss remaining in translation reserve in relation to US Private Placement Notes is £61 million (2019 – £45 million). 

Cash flow hedges 
The Group employs pricing contracts, principally futures, to hedge cash flow risk associated with forecast purchases and sales of 
commodities or purchases of chemicals used in the manufacturing process which are designated as cash flow hedges. The fair value  
of these hedging instruments at 31 March 2020 is £6 million liability (2019 – £1 million liability). There was no ineffectiveness recorded  
in the current or prior financial year. As at 31 March 2020 the Group also held forward foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow 
hedges with a fair value of £1 million assets (2019 – £nil). 

Financial instruments measured at fair value: the fair value hierarchy  
Fair value measurements are categorised into three different levels based on the degree to which the inputs used to arrive at the fair  
value of the assets and liabilities are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, as follows:  

•(cid:3) Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Group can assess at the 
measurement date. The prices of equity shares or bonds quoted on the London Stock Exchange are examples of Level 1 inputs.  
•(cid:3) Level 2 inputs are those, other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly. Most interest  
rate swaps fall in this category as their prices are referenced to a published rate curve, but it is not price specific to the swap itself. 
•(cid:3) Level 3 inputs are unobservable 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. This would include expected future cash flows from budgets and forecasts  
the Group has made. Certain elements of the Group’s commodity contract portfolio also fall into this category, as their values include 
significant management-derived assumptions.  

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether 
transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level of input that is significant 
to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of the reporting period. 

The following tables illustrate the Group’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value and fair value adjustments due to risks 
hedged at 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019: 

Assets at fair value 

Financial assets at FVPL 

Financial assets at FVOCI 

Derivative financial instruments: 

•(cid:3) forward foreign exchange contracts 

•(cid:3) commodity derivatives 

Other financial assets (commodity pricing contracts)1 

Assets at fair value 

Liabilities at fair value 

Derivative financial instruments: 

•(cid:3) commodity derivatives 

Other financial liabilities (commodity pricing contracts)1 

Liabilities at fair value 

1  Fair value adjustments due to risks hedged. 

(cid:3)

NOTES 

LEVEL 1 
£M 

LEVEL 2 
£M 

LEVEL 3 
£M 

TOTAL 
 £M 

  AT 31 MARCH 2020 

17 

17 

– 

– 

– 

5 

– 

5 

(22) 

– 

(22) 

– 

– 

1 

– 

– 

1 

– 

(3) 

(3) 

36 

27 

– 

– 

67 

130 

– 

(16) 

(16) 

36 

27 

1 

5 

67 

136 

(22) 

(19) 

(41) 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 
Financial instruments measured at fair value: the fair value hierarchy (continued) 

Assets at fair value 

Financial assets at FVPL  

Financial assets at FVOCI 

Derivative financial instruments: 

•(cid:3) currency swaps 

•(cid:3) interest rate swaps 

•(cid:3) commodity pricing contracts 

Assets at fair value 

Liabilities at fair value 

Derivative financial instruments: 

•(cid:3) currency swaps 

•(cid:3) commodity pricing contracts 

Liabilities at fair value 

NOTES 

LEVEL 1 
£M 

LEVEL 2 
£M 

LEVEL 3 
£M 

TOTAL 
 £M 

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

17 

17 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2 

2 

– 

(7) 

(7) 

– 

– 

1 

5 

1 

7 

(31) 

(7) 

(38) 

35 

24 

– 

– 

39 

98 

– 

(2) 

(2) 

35 

24 

1 

5 

42 

107 

(31) 

(16) 

(47) 

Level 3 financial assets 
The following table reconciles the movement in the Group’s net financial instruments and fair value adjustments due to risks hedged 
classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy: 

At 1 April 2018 

Income statement: 

•(cid:3) prior year amounts settled 

•(cid:3) current year net gain/(loss)1 

Other comprehensive income 

Non-qualified deferred compensation  

arrangements (Note 17) 

Purchases 

Disposals 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2019 

Income statement: 

•(cid:3) prior year amounts settled 

•(cid:3) current year net gain/(loss)1 

Other comprehensive income 

Non-qualified deferred compensation  

arrangements (Note 17) 

Purchases 

Disposals 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

1  Unrealised. 

COMMODITY 
PRICING 
CONTRACTS –  
ASSETS 
£M 

COMMODITY 
PRICING 
CONTRACTS – 
LIABILITIES 
£M 

FINANCIAL  
ASSETS 
 AT FVPL 
£M 

11 

(10) 

38 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

39 

(37) 

65 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

67 

(5) 

5 

(2) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(2) 

2 

(16) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(16) 

21 

– 

– 

– 

1 

15 

(3) 

1 

35 

– 

– 

– 

(2) 

5 

(4) 

2 

36 

FINANCIAL  
ASSETS 
 AT FVOCI 
£M 

16 

TOTAL 
£M 

43 

– 

– 

2 

– 

5 

– 

1 

24 

– 

– 

2 

– 

1 

– 

– 

(5) 

36 

2 

1 

20 

(3) 

2 

96 

(35) 

49 

2 

(2) 

6 

(4) 

2 

27 

114 

The full impact to the income statement of movements in the corn price on the net corn and co-product position is described within the 
‘Price risk management’ section of Note 28. The table below describes the valuation techniques in relation to Level 3 financial instruments 
and isolates the unobservable inputs. 

(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

27. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 
Level 3 financial assets (continued) 

TYPE 

  VALUATION TECHNIQUE 

Net corn position 
(refer to ‘Fair value 
of purchases, sales 
and inventory of 
corn-based products 
section in Note 2). 

  Based on the 
Group’s own 
assessment of the 
commodity, supply 
and demand, as well 
as expected pricing. 

SIGNIFICANT  
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS 

SENSITIVITY OF THE FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT 
 IN REASONABLE CHANGES TO INPUTS 

  1. Co-products  

  1. 25% increase/(decrease) in the price of co-products 

  2. Basis  

would result in a net increase/(decrease) in fair  
value of £6 million (2019 – £5 million) in respect  
of Level 3 financial instruments.  

  2. 25% increase/(decrease) in the cost of basis would  
result in a net increase/(decrease) in fair value of  
£2 million (2019 – £3 million) in respect of Level 3  
financial instruments. 

In addition to the above, the Group’s FVOCI and FVPL financial assets are sensitive to a number of market and non-market factors. 

As discussed in Note 2, there is significant estimation uncertainty in determining the fair values of the key unobservable inputs. The two  
key unobservable inputs are shown in the table above, together with the impact of a reasonably possible change in assumptions on the  
fair value of the level 3 financial assets/liabilities only.  

28. RISK MANAGEMENT 
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 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, foreign 
exchange contracts, commodity forward contracts and options, and commodity futures.  

The Chief Financial Officer retains 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.  
Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC arranges funding and manages interest rate, foreign exchange and bank counterparty risks  
within limits approved by the Board of Tate & Lyle PLC.  

Commodity price risks are managed through the commodity trading functions in the US and Europe. The performance of the commodity 
trading function is monitored against its ability to match the Group’s needs for raw materials with purchase contracts, as well as the 
Group’s output of co-products with sales contracts. As noted in Note 2, in order to manage the commodity price risk the Group has 
designated the components of its US net corn position into two effective fair value hedge accounting relationships (net corn (futures  
and basis) and net co-products) whereby the hedged item is a group of items with offsetting risk positions. In addition, the Group applies  
a limited level of cash flow hedge accounting to its economic price exposure on the purchase and sales of certain commodities and 
purchase of chemicals used in the production process. 

Market risks 
Foreign exchange management  
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risks arising from commercial transactions (transaction exposure), 
and from recognised assets, liabilities and investments in foreign operations (translation exposure).  

Transaction exposure  
The Group manages foreign exchange transaction risk using economic hedging principles including managing working capital levels and 
entering into offsetting arrangements wherever possible. The Group uses limited foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge its exposure 
to foreign currency risk in some circumstances. There is no material amount recognised in the statement of financial position or hedging 
reserve in the current or prior period.  

Translation exposure  
The Group manages the foreign exchange exposure to net investments in overseas operations, particularly in the US, by borrowing in US 
dollars, which provide a partial match for the Group’s major foreign currency assets. The detail of these net investment hedges is set out  
in Note 27.  

The following table illustrates only the Group’s sensitivity to the fluctuation of the Group’s major currencies against sterling on its income 
statement and other components of equity, assuming that each exchange rate moves in isolation. The income statement impact is due  
to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities including non-designated foreign currency derivatives. The equity impact  
for foreign exchange sensitivity relates to derivative and non-derivative financial instruments hedging the Group’s net investments in its 
European and US operations. 

Sterling/US dollar 10% change  

Sterling/euro 10% change1 

1  £nil impact at 31 March 2020 as the Group no longer held Euro currency swaps contracts.(cid:3)

 AT 31 MARCH 2020   

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

INCOME  
STATEMENT -/+ 
£M 

1 

– 

EQUITY -/+ 

£M   

44   

–   

INCOME  
STATEMENT -/+ 
£M 

– 

1 

EQUITY -/+ 
£M 

42 

5 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

28. RISK MANAGEMENT (continued) 
Interest rate management  
The Group has an exposure to interest rate risk, arising principally from changes in US dollar, sterling and euro interest rates. In the  
2019 financial year, this risk was managed by fixing or capping portions of debt using interest rate derivatives to achieve a target level of 
fixed/floating rate net debt, which aimed to optimise net finance expense and reduce volatility in reported earnings. In the 2020 financial 
year, the same objective was achieved by ensuring an optimal mix of fixed and floating rate debt and the Group retains the option of 
entering into interest rate swaps if required. The Group’s policy is that between 30% and 75% of Group net debt, excluding lease liabilities 
under IFRS 16, is fixed for more than one year and that no interest rates are fixed for more than 12 years. However, an exemption to permit 
a higher percentage applies where both the net debt/EBITDA ratio is below one times and net debt is lower than £500 million.  
The proportion of net debt managed by the Group’s treasury function at 31 March 2020 that was fixed or capped for more than one  
year was 140% (2019 – 70%). At 31 March 2020, the longest term of any fixed rate debt held by the Group was until November 2031  
(2019 – October 2027). 

Given the proportion of debt that is fixed rate debt, as at 31 March 2020, if interest rates increased by 100 basis points, Group profit before 
tax would increase by £1 million (2019 – £1 million decrease). If interest rates decreased by 100 basis points, or less where applicable, 
Group profit before tax would decrease by £nil (2019 – £1 million increase). If the Group maintains a consistent level of working capital 
benefit in relation to supply-chain financing arrangements (see ‘Liquidity risk management’ section) then an increase in interest rates  
of 100 basis points would decrease Group profit before tax by £2 million (2019 – £1 million). 

Price risk management 
The Group manages its US net corn position, comprising the purchase, sale and recognition of corn and corn derived co-product inventory 
on a net basis. Each element of the net corn position is marked to market on the basis that doing so aligns with the economics of the 
business and minimises price risk volatility. The Group has designated the components of its US net corn position into two effective fair 
value hedge accounting relationships (net corn (futures and basis) and net co-products) whereby the hedged item is a group of items with 
offsetting risk positions. The Group uses financial instruments (mainly corn futures contracts) to manage this net position.  

There is estimation required in determining the fair value of certain components of this net position. The nature of these estimates is 
disclosed in Note 2. Given the net position for corn, as at 31 March 2020, a 50% increase/decrease in the price of corn would result in  
a decrease/increase to the income statement of £2 million (2019 – £1 million) and related decrease/increase in other components of  
equity of £1 million (2019 – £1 million). 

The Group discloses sensitivity analysis on the key areas of estimation uncertainty (price of co-products and basis) and the carrying 
amounts impacted by estimation uncertainty in Note 27. Full details of the valuation technique are also included in Note 27. 

Additionally, the Group employs limited pricing contracts, principally futures, to hedge cash flow risk associated with certain forecast 
purchases and sales of commodities and purchases of chemicals used in the manufacturing process which are designated as cash flow 
hedges. Refer to Note 27. 

Credit risk management 
Counterparty credit risk arises from the placing of deposits (refer to Note 15) 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 substantially with investment grade counterparties approved by the Board.  

The Board has approved maximum counterparty exposure limits for specified banks and financial institutions based on the long-term  
credit ratings from major credit rating agencies. Trading limits assigned to commercial customers are based on ratings from Credit Safe 
(2019 – Dun & Bradstreet and Credit Risk Monitor). In cases where published financial ratings are not available or inconclusive, credit 
application, reference checking, measurement of performance against agreed terms, and obtaining of customers’ financial information 
such as liquidity and turnover ratio, are required to evaluate customers’ 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’s trade receivables are short term in nature and are largely comprised of amounts receivable from business customers. 
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited, with our customer base including large, unrelated and 
internationally dispersed customers. The Group considers its maximum exposure to credit risk at the year-end date is the carrying  
value of each class of financial assets as disclosed under financial instruments by category on page 166. Refer to Note 16 for the effect  
of expected credit loss on the Group’s trade receivables. 

(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

28. RISK MANAGEMENT (continued) 
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. 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. 

At the year end, the Group held cash and cash equivalents of £271 million (2019 – £285 million) and had committed undrawn facilities  
of £642 million (2019 – £615 million). 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.  

At 31 March 2020, the average maturity of the Group’s committed financing was 7.2 years (2019 – 4.4 years), taking account of undrawn 
committed facilities.  

The Group has a core committed revolving credit facility of US$800 million which was refinanced in the prior year and matures in 2024 
(refer to Note 24). In May 2020 the Group extended the maturity of this US$800 million revolving credit facility by a year to 2025. This facility 
is unsecured and contains one financial covenant, that the multiple of net debt to EBITDA, as defined in the facility agreement, should not 
be greater than 3.5 times.  

In addition, the Group has US$600 million of US Private Placement notes which mature between 2023 and 2031. These notes contain 
financial covenants that the multiple of net debt to EBITDA, as defined in the note purchase agreement, should not be greater than  
3.5 times. In May 2020, the Group priced a US$200 million debt private placement which will be issued on 6 August 2020 at which point 
US$100 million 2.91% notes maturing in 2030 and US$100 million 3.01% notes maturing in 2032 will be drawn down.  

The ratios for these financial covenants were: 

Net debt/EBITDA1  

Interest cover2 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
TIMES 

0.6 

– 

2019 
TIMES 

0.7 

15.3 

1  This financial covenant applies to both the revolving credit facility and US Private Placement notes at 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019. 
2  This financial covenant only applies to the US Private Placement notes at 31 March 2019 and does not apply at 31 March 2020. 

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 periods,  
the Group complied with its financial covenants at all measurement points. (The Group is required to report on covenants after the  
interim and year-end reporting dates). 

In the past, the net debt to EBITDA ratio and the interest cover ratio were reported as key performance metrics in line with the calculation 
methodology used for financial covenants on the Group’s borrowing facilities. In the prior year, following the refinancing of the revolving 
credit facility and the amended covenant definitions, the Group simplified the calculation of these KPIs to make them more directly related 
to information in the Group’s financial statements. In the current year, the Group stopped the use of the interest cover KPI as it is no longer 
a covenant for the US Private Placements notes. The simplified calculation of net debt to EBITDA is reported in Note 4. 

(cid:3)

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

28. RISK MANAGEMENT (continued) 
Liquidity risk management (continued) 
The table below analyses the undiscounted cash flows related to the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities and derivative assets  
and liabilities. 

Liquidity analysis 

Borrowings excluding leases 

Lease liabilities1 

Interest on borrowings 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative contracts: 

•(cid:3) receipts 

•(cid:3) payments 

Commodity derivatives 

Liquidity analysis 

Borrowings including finance leases 

Interest on borrowings 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative contracts: 

•(cid:3) receipts 

•(cid:3) payments 

Commodity pricing contracts 

  AT 31 MARCH 2020 

< 1 YEAR 
£M 

1 – 5 YEARS 
£M 

> 5 YEARS 
£M 

(2) 

(36) 

(19) 

(364) 

90 

(90) 

(16) 

(112) 

(110) 

(69) 

– 

– 

– 

(1) 

(431) 

(48) 

(54) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

< 1 YEAR 
£M 

1 – 5 YEARS 
£M 

> 5 YEARS 
£M 

(212) 

(27) 

(336) 

362 

(387) 

(5) 

(115) 

(53) 

(259) 

(31) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1 

IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million by 31 March 2020. 

Included in borrowings are £2,394,000 of 6.5% cumulative preference shares. Only one year’s worth of interest payable on these shares  
is included in the less than one year category. 

Derivative contracts include currency swaps (2019 only), forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps (2019 only). Commodity 
pricing contracts included above represent options and futures. Commodity pricing contracts classified within Level 2 and Level 3 of fair 
value measurement (included in other current financial assets/(liabilities) on the balance sheet) are not included in the liquidity analysis 
above as they are not settled for cash. 

Financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than pounds sterling are translated to pounds sterling using year-end 
exchange rates. 

The Group also participated in certain customer-led supply chain financing arrangements which resulted in an earlier payment through  
an intermediary (usually a bank) at a discount. Other than a working capital benefit relating to these arrangements of £174 million in  
the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019 – £139 million), there is no further impact on the Group’s accounting on the basis that once the 
intermediary has settled the receivable there is no further recourse to the Group in the event the customer defaults on its payment to  
the intermediary. The classification of the receivable is not changed as the Group is not able to instigate collection ahead of the contractual 
terms of this arrangement meaning that the business model’s objective continues to be holding assets in order to collect contractual  
cash flows. The discount incurred is recorded as a reduction of revenue. 

Capital risk management 
The Group’s primary objectives in managing its capital are to safeguard the business as a going concern; to maintain the dividend policy;  
to maintain sufficient financial flexibility to undertake its investment plans; and to retain an investment-grade credit rating which enables 
access to debt capital markets. 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 PLC has contractual relationships with Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) for the provision of credit ratings. At 31 March 2020, 
the long-term credit rating from Moody’s was Baa2 (stable outlook) (2019 – Baa2) and from S&P was BBB (stable outlook) (2019 – BBB).  

The Group regards its total capital as follows: 

Net debt1 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 

Total capital 

NOTE 

26 

2020 
£M 

451 

1 399 

1 850 

2019 
£M 

337 

1 489 

1 826 

1   IFRS 16 Leases was adopted in the year without restating comparatives. IFRS 16 lease liabilities increased net debt by £162 million by 31 March 2020. 

(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

29. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS 

For accounting purposes a valuation of each of the defined benefit plans is carried out annually at 31 March using independent  
qualified actuaries. Benefit obligations are measured using the projected unit credit method and are discounted using the market  
yields on high-quality corporate bonds denominated in the same currency as, and of similar duration to, the benefit obligations.  
Plan assets are measured at their fair value at the period-end date. Where a plan holds a qualifying insurance policy, the fair value  
of the policy is equivalent to the present value of the related benefit obligations. 

A deficit or surplus is recognised on each plan, representing the difference between the present value of the benefit obligation and  
the fair value of the plan assets. 

The costs of the defined benefit plan that are recognised in the income statement include the current service cost, any past service  
cost and the interest on the net deficit or surplus. Gains or losses on curtailments or settlements of the plans are recognised in the 
income statement in the period in which the curtailment or settlement occurs. Plan administration costs incurred by the Group are  
also recognised in the income statement. Interest on the net deficit or surplus is calculated by applying the discount rate that is used  
in measuring the present value of the benefit obligation to the opening deficit or surplus. 

Re-measurements of the deficit or surplus are recognised in other comprehensive income. Re-measurements comprise differences 
between the actual return on plan assets (less asset management expenses) and the interest on the plan assets and actuarial gains 
and losses. Actuarial gains and losses represent the effect of changes in the actuarial assumptions made in measuring the present 
value of the benefit obligation and experience differences between those assumptions and actual outcomes. Actuarial gains and  
losses are recognised in full in the period in which they occur. 

For defined contribution plans contributions made by the Group to defined contribution pension schemes are recognised in the income 
statement in the period in which they fall due. 

Plan information 
The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension plans, principally in the UK and the US. 

The UK plans primarily comprise funded retirement benefit plans where plan assets were previously held separately from those of the Group in funds 
that were under the control of trustees.  

On 18 September 2019, the Group supported the trustees of the main UK pension scheme in completing a £930 million bulk annuity insurance  
policy ‘buy-in’ for that scheme. As a result, the assets of the main UK pension scheme were replaced with an insurance asset matching UK scheme 
liabilities. Under a ‘buy-in’, an insurance company undertakes to ‘track’ the liability with an insurance policy that exactly matches the liability, thereby 
enabling full netting of the liability being tracked. A ‘buy-in’ is not a settlement and the liability is not derecognised as the Group retains ultimate 
responsibility for funding the plan. The impact of this transaction was to record a re-measurement loss of £195 million to other comprehensive 
income. There was no impact on profit before tax.  

The UK plans are closed to new entrants and to future accrual. In the UK, scheme members can elect to forego a portion of their future pension 
benefits, in return for a lump sum payment, or a transfer out to other arrangements. These amounts are excluded from future benefit projections. 

The US plans, presented below, principally comprise: 

•(cid:3) two funded plans where plan assets are held separately from those of the Group in funds that are under the control of an investment 

management committee. These plans are closed to new entrants and to future accrual 

•(cid:3) a retirement benefit plan to certain employees which is funded but the associated assets do not qualify for recognition as IAS 19 plan 

assets. As such the plan is presented below as funded. The related assets are recognised as FVPL assets within investments in equities 
(refer to Note 17). This is referred to as ‘non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements’ within this note  

•(cid:3) a retirement benefit plan for certain employees which is unfunded and non-qualified for tax purposes 
•(cid:3) an unfunded retirement medical plan where the costs of providing these benefits are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. 

Such plans provide financial assistance in meeting various costs including medical, dental and prescription drugs. Employees are 
required to contribute to the cost of benefits received under the plans. The liability associated with this plan at 31 March 2020 was  
£75 million (2019 – £77 million). The Group paid £4 million (2019 – £3 million) into this plan in the year. Details on assumptions applied  
in the calculation of the liability and sensitivity analysis thereon is included in this note. 

The Group operates defined contribution pension plans in a number of countries. Contributions payable by the Group to these plans during 
the year amounted to £8 million (2019 – £10 million). 

(cid:3)

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

29. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 
Movement in net defined benefit asset/(liability) 
Analysis of net defined benefit asset/(liability) 

Benefit obligations: 

Funded plans 

Unfunded plans 

Fair value of plan assets 

Net (deficit)/surplus 

Presented in the statement of financial position as: 

Retirement benefit surplus 

Retirement benefit deficit 

Net (deficit)/surplus 

AT 31 MARCH 2020   

AT 31 MARCH 2019 

UK PLANS* 
£M   

US PLANS 
£M 

TOTAL 

£M   

UK PLANS* 
£M   

US PLANS   
£M   

TOTAL 
£M 

(896)   

(4)   

(900)   

881   

(19)   

3   

(22)   

(19)   

(569) 

(141) 

(710) 

526 

(184) 

1 

(185) 

(184) 

(1 465)  

(145)  

(1 610)  

1 407   

(203)  

(994)   

(3)   

(997)   

1 178   

181   

4   

(207)  

(203)  

201   

(20)   

181   

(516)   

(134)   

(650)   

493   

(157)   

6   

(163)   

(157)   

(1 510) 

(137) 

(1 647) 

1 671 

24 

207 

(183) 

24 

* 

Includes £4 million (2019 – £3 million) relating to legacy unfunded retirement benefit plans of European subsidiaries. 

Net defined benefit asset/(liability) reconciliation 

Net surplus/(deficit) at 1 April 2019 

Income statement: 

•(cid:3) current service costs 

•(cid:3) administration costs 

•(cid:3) Net interest income UK plans 

•(cid:3) Net interest expense US plans 

Other comprehensive income: 

UK PLANS 
£M 

US PLANS   
FUNDED   
£M   

US PLANS* 
UNFUNDED   
£M   

181 

(23)   

(134)   

TOTAL 
£M 

24 

– 

(1) 

5 

– 

–   

(1)   

–   

–   

(2)   

–   

–   

(5)   

(2) 

(2) 

5 

(5) 

•(cid:3) actual return (lower)/higher than interest on plan assets 

(78) 

20   

–   

(58) 

•(cid:3) actuarial (loss)/gain: 

–(cid:3) impact of the ‘buy-in’ 

–(cid:3) changes in financial assumptions 

–(cid:3) changes in demographic assumptions 

–(cid:3) experience against assumptions 

Other movements: 

•(cid:3) employer’s contribution 

•(cid:3) non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements 

•(cid:3) currency translation differences 

Net deficit at 31 March 2020 

* 

Included within US unfunded plans is the retirement medical plan of £75 million (2019 – £77 million). 

(cid:3)

(195) 

35 

12 

8 

15 

– 

(1) 

(19) 

–   

(50)   

6   

2   

2   

2   

(1)   

(43)   

–   

(10)   

5   

4   

8   

–   

(7)   

(195) 

(25) 

23 

14 

25 

2 

(9) 

(141)   

(203) 

176 
176

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
29. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 
Analysis of movement in the benefit obligations 

At 1 April 2019 

Income statement: 

•(cid:3) current service costs 

•(cid:3) interest costs 

 Other comprehensive income: 

•(cid:3) actuarial (loss)/gain: 

–(cid:3) changes in financial assumptions 

–(cid:3) changes in demographic assumptions 

–(cid:3) experience against assumptions 

Other movements: 

•(cid:3) benefits paid 

•(cid:3) non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements 

•(cid:3) currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

Analysis of movement in plan assets 

At 1 April 2019 

Income statement: 

•(cid:3) administration costs 

•(cid:3) interest gains 

Other comprehensive income: 

•(cid:3) actual return (lower)/higher than interest on plan assets 

•(cid:3) impact of the ‘buy-in’ 

Other movements: 

•(cid:3) employer contributions 

•(cid:3) benefits paid 

•(cid:3) currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

(cid:3)

Financial statements 
Financial statements

UK PLANS 
£M 

US PLANS 
FUNDED 
£M 

US PLANS 
UNFUNDED 
£M 

TOTAL 
£M 

(997) 

(516) 

(134) 

(1 647) 

– 

(23) 

– 

(19) 

(2) 

(5) 

(50) 

(10) 

35 

12 

8 

66 

– 

(1) 

(900) 

6 

2 

29 

2 

(23) 

(569) 

5 

4 

8 

– 

(7) 

(2) 

(47) 

(25) 

23 

14 

103 

2 

(31) 

(141) 

(1 610) 

UK PLANS 
£M 

US PLANS 
FUNDED 
£M 

US PLANS 
UNFUNDED 
£M 

1 178 

493 

(1) 

28 

(78) 

(195) 

15 

(66) 

– 

881 

(1) 

19 

20 

– 

2 

(29) 

22 

526 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

TOTAL 
£M 

1 671 

(2) 

47 

(58) 

(195) 

17 

(95) 

22 

1 407 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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177 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

29. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 
Significant assumptions  
For accounting purposes, the benefit obligation of each plan is based on assumptions made by the Group on the advice of independent actuaries. 
For the UK defined benefit pension plan these ’best estimate’ IAS 19 assumptions are different to the more prudent assumptions used for funding 
valuation purposes. For the US defined benefit pension plan, the funding valuation assumptions are identical to the IAS 19 assumptions.  

PRINCIPAL ASSUMPTIONS 

Inflation rate 

Expected rate of salary increases 

Expected rate of pension increases: 

•(cid:3) deferred pensions 

•(cid:3) pensions in payment 

Discount rate 

Average life expectancy 

•(cid:3) male aged 65 now/in 20 years 

•(cid:3) female aged 65 now/in 20 years  

AT 31 MARCH 2020   

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

UK 

1.8%/2.8% 

n/a 

1.8% 

2.8% 

2.3% 

US   

2.5%   

3.0%   

n/a   

n/a   

2.9%   

UK 

2.3%/3.3% 

n/a 

2.3% 

3.2% 

2.4% 

US 

2.5% 

3.5% 

n/a 

n/a 

3.8% 

21.1/22.8 years  20.6/22.2 years    21.3/23.0 years  20.5/22.2 years 

23.5/25.2 years  22.5/24.1 years    23.4/25.2 years  22.6/24.2 years 

Principal assumptions used in calculating the US medical benefit obligation are medical cost inflation and the discount rate applied to  
the expected benefit payments. The Group has assumed medical cost inflation at 7.0% per annum (2019 – 7.0%), grading down to 6%  
by 2023, and used a discount rate of 2.8% (2019 – 3.7%).  

At 31 March 2020, the sensitivity of the net surplus/(deficit) on the plans to changes in the principal assumptions was as follows (assuming 
in each case that the other assumptions are unchanged): 

Inflation rate1 

Life expectancy 

Discount rate 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN OBLIGATION 

INCREASE IN 
SURPLUS/ 
(DEFICIT) 
 £M  

DECREASE IN 
SURPLUS/ 
(DEFICIT) 
£M 

46 

69 

(94) 

(43) 

(68) 

105 

CHANGE IN 
ASSUMPTIONS +/- 

50 bp 

1 year 

50 bp 

1 

Inflation rate sensitivity covers the inflation assumption, expected rate of salary increases assumption and expected rate of pensions in payment increases assumption. 

Analysis of plan assets 

Quoted1 

Equities 

Corporate bonds 

Government bonds 

Investment funds 

Repurchase agreements2 

LDI fixed income 

Cash 

Unquoted 

Investment funds 

Derivatives 

Insurance policies 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

UK3 
£M 

US 
£M 

TOTAL 

£M   

2 

2 

– 

6 

– 

– 

9 

1 

– 

861 

881 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

522 

– 

– 

– 

4 

526 

2   

2   

–   

6   

–   

522   

9   

1   

–   

865   

1 407   

UK 
£M 

3 

156 

781 

289 

(334) 

– 

15 

1 

12 

255 

1 178 

US 
£M 

– 

332 

157 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

4 

493 

TOTAL 
£M 

3 

488 

938 

289 

(334) 

– 

15 

1 

12 

259 

1 671 

1  Quoted assets contain certain pooled funds where the underlying assets are quoted. 
2  Repurchase agreements are used to manage liquidity and hedge the liabilities. They relate to the repurchase of bonds and as such are presented together within quoted assets. 
3  During the year, the Group completed a £930 million bulk annuity insurance policy ‘buy-in’ for the main UK pension scheme. 

The fair value of the insurance policies is deemed to be equivalent to the present value of the related benefit obligation. The Group also  
paid an additional £4 million (2019 – £3 million) into the US unfunded retirement medical plans and £4 million (2019 – £4 million) into the  
US unfunded pension plans to meet the cost of providing benefits in the financial year. 

(cid:3)

178 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
29. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 
Maturity profile  
At 31 March 2020, the weighted average duration of the plans and the benefit payments expected by the plans are as follows: 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

Weighted average duration 

Benefit payments expected: 

•(cid:3) within 12 months 

•(cid:3) between 1 to 5 years 

•(cid:3) between 6 to 10 years 

UK PLANS 
£M 

US PLANS 
£M 

13.9 

11.4 

42 

167 

215 

41 

165 

197 

TOTAL 
£M 

12.8 

83 

332 

412 

Funding of the plans 
As required by local regulations, actuarial valuations of the US pension plans are carried out each year and those of the UK pension  
plans are carried out at least every three years. The main UK scheme triennial valuation as at 31 March 2019 was concluded during the 
year ended 31 March 2020 and, given that the liabilities were secured through the purchase of a bulk annuity insurance policy, both core 
contributions to the scheme and supplementary contributions to the secured funding account (£12 million per annum and £6 million per 
annum, respectively), ceased with effect from 1 October 2019. Other than meeting ongoing administration costs the Group does not expect 
to make any further contributions in relation to the main UK scheme until the financial year ending 31 March 2022 when the Group 
anticipates a one-off contribution to settle a post transaction price adjustment in respect of the bulk annuity insurance policy. Payments to 
the main UK scheme of £14 million in the year ended 31 March 2020 include a principal funding contribution of £6 million, a supplementary 
contribution of £6 million and £2 million in fees and expenses met on behalf of the scheme.  

During the year ending 31 March 2021 the Group expects to contribute approximately £9 million to its defined benefit pension plans and  
to pay approximately £5 million in relation to retirement medical benefits. 

Where a plan is in surplus, the surplus recognised is limited to the present value of any amounts that the Group expects to recover by  
way of refunds or a reduction in future contributions. 

Risk mitigation 

RISK 

  ACTION TAKEN 

Investment and 
longevity risks 

  The investment and longevity risks for the main UK scheme have been fully insured through the purchase of a 

qualifying bulk annuity insurance policy during the year ended 31 March 2020, whilst the remaining assets of the 
funded defined benefit plans in the US are predominately held in fixed interest security type investments, as a result  
of the de-risking initiatives through the sale of equities and some investment funds. At 31 March 2020 £865 million 
(2019 – £259 million) of the benefit obligation was fully matched by qualifying insurance policies that also mitigate 
longevity and investment risks.  

  The bulk annuity insurance policy has nullified the interest rate risk for the main UK Scheme. For the US funded plans 

the Group seeks to ensure that, as far as practicable, the investment portfolios are invested in securities with 
maturities and in currencies that match the expected future benefit payments as they fall due. 

  Inflation risk for the main UK Scheme has also been nullified due to the bulk annuity policy. The deferred pensions and 
pensions in payment in the US funded plans do not attract inflation increases. Some inflation risk exists in relation to 
the employee members' benefits which is mitigated by holding index-linked government bonds and corporate bonds. 

Interest rate 
risk 

Inflation risk 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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179 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

30. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS 

All of the awards granted under the existing plans are classified as equity-settled awards. The Group recognises compensation expense 
based on the fair value of the awards measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Fair value is not 
subsequently re-measured unless relevant conditions attaching to the award are modified. 

Fair value reflects any market performance conditions and all non-vesting conditions. Adjustments are made to the compensation 
expense to reflect actual and expected forfeitures due to failure to satisfy service conditions or non-market performance conditions. 

The resulting compensation expense is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and a 
corresponding credit is recognised in equity. In the event of the cancellation of an award the compensation expense that would have 
been recognised over the remainder of the vesting period is recognised immediately in the income statement.  

The Company operates share-based incentive arrangements for the executive directors, senior executives and other eligible employees 
under which awards and options are granted over the Company’s ordinary shares. All of the arrangements under which awards and  
options were outstanding during the 2020 and 2019 financial years are classified as equity-settled.  

During the year, the compensation expense recognised in profit or loss in respect of share-based incentives was £14 million  
(2019 – £18 million).  

Performance Share Plan 
The Group’s principal ongoing share-based incentive arrangement is the Performance Share Plan (PSP). Participation in the PSP is 
restricted to the executive directors and other senior executives. Awards made under the PSP normally vest provided the participant 
remains in the Group’s employment until the end of the performance period, and are subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions.  

The conditions applicable to PSP awards made from 1 April 2016 relate to the achievement of the Group adjusted return on capital 
employed (ROCE) and adjusted profit targets. Up to 50% of each award vests dependent on the Group’s adjusted ROCE from continuing 
operations reaching specified levels at the end of the performance period. Up to 25% of each award vests dependent on the compound 
annual growth in the Group’s adjusted profit before tax with the remaining 25% from compound annual growth of the Food & Beverage 
Solutions adjusted operating profit. For awards made from 1 April 2019, up to 40% of each award vests dependent on the above mentioned 
ROCE target. Up to 40% of each award vests based on the compound annual growth of the Group’s adjusted earnings per share with the 
remaining 20% from compound annual growth of the Food & Beverage Solutions volume over the performance period. 

The performance period is the period of three financial years beginning with the financial year in which the award is granted. 

Group Bonus Plan – deferred element  
Bonuses earned under the Group Bonus Plan (GBP) are normally paid in cash up to 100% of the base salary of the participating executive. 
Any excess above 100% of base salary is paid in the form of deferred shares that are released after two years subject to the executive 
remaining in the Group’s employment. During the vesting period, payments in lieu of dividends are made in relation to the deferred shares.  

Sharesave Plan  
Options are granted from time to time under the Company’s Sharesave Plan, which is open to all employees in the UK. It offers eligible 
employees the option to buy shares in the Company after a period of three or five years funded from the proceeds of a savings contract  
to which they contribute on a monthly basis. The exercise price reflects a discount to market value of up to 20%. 

Restricted Share Awards  
The Company has made a Restricted Share Award (RSA) to a number of eligible employees. Awards made normally vest provided the 
participant remains in the Group’s employment during the performance period and other conditions, specific to the individual awards,  
are met.  

Further information relating to specific awards made to executive directors are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages  
100 to 120.  

(cid:3)

180 
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(cid:3)

 
 
30. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued) 
Movements in the year  
Movements in the awards outstanding during the year were as follows: 

Outstanding at 1 April 

Granted 

Exercised 

Lapsed 

Outstanding at 31 March 

Exercisable at 31 March 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

2020   

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE 

(PENCE)   

13p   

15p   

10p   

10p   

15p   

AWARDS  
(NUMBER) 

11 452 236 

3 768 268 

(2 977 197) 

(1 949 363) 

10 293 944 

AWARDS  
(NUMBER) 

11 113 907 

4 745 186 

(3 442 524) 

(964 333) 

11 452 236 

59 749 

254p   

208 598 

2019 

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE 
(PENCE) 

13p 

9p 

5p 

15p 

13p 

63p 

The weighted average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the dates on which awards were exercised during the year was 
726p (2019 – 666p). 

Awards granted in the year  
During the year, PSP awards were granted over 3,592,831 shares (2019 – 4,094,623 shares), RSAs were granted over 78,984 shares  
(2019 – 439,096 shares), no deferred shares issued under the Group Bonus Plan were granted in the year (2019 – 133,095 shares) and 
Sharesave options were granted over 96,453 shares (2019 – 78,372 shares). The compensation expense recognised in relation to these 
awards is based on the fair value of the awards at their respective grant dates. The weighted average fair values of the awards granted 
during the year and the principal assumptions made in measuring those fair values were as follows: 

Fair value at grant date 

Exercise price 

Principal assumptions: 

Share price on grant date 

Expected life of the awards 

Risk-free interest rate 

Dividend yield on the Company’s shares 

Volatility of the Company’s shares 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020   

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 

PSP 

SHARESAVE   

PSP 

SHARESAVE 

691p 

– 

166p   

568p   

601p 

– 

143p 

548p 

756p 

748p   

664p 

695p 

3 years  3.3/5.3 years   

3 years 

3.3/5.3 years 

n/a  0.60%/0.63%   

n/a 

0.79%/0.92% 

3.89% 

n/a 

3.96%   

25%   

4.34% 

n/a 

4.16% 

25% 

There were no deferred shares issued under the Group Bonus Plan during the year (2019 – 133,095 shares with fair value at the grant  
date of 654p). The RSAs were granted, with employment related conditions and expected life of the award, specific to each individual grant. 

The fair value of the awards was measured using a Black-Scholes option pricing methodology, taking into account factors such as exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations. 

Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the market price of the Company’s shares over the expected life of the awards.  

Awards outstanding at the end of the year 
The range of exercise prices and the weighted average remaining contractual life of the awards outstanding at the end of the year were  
as follows: 

Exercise price 

Nil 

400p to 799p 

Total 

(cid:3)

  AT 31 MARCH 2020   

  AT 31 MARCH 2019 

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
CONTRACTUAL 
LIFE  

(MONTHS)   

46.7   

30.9   

46.3   

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
CONTRACTUAL 
LIFE 
(MONTHS) 

47.7 

31.5 

47.4 

AWARDS 
(NUMBER) 

11 177 411 

274 825 

11 452 236 

AWARDS 
(NUMBER) 

10 011 329 

282 615 

10 293 944 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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181 
 181  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

31. PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

A provision is a liability of uncertain timing or amount that is recognised when: 1) the Group has a present obligation (legal or 
constructive) as a result of a past event; 2) it is more likely than not that a payment will be required to settle the obligation; and 3)  
the amount can be reliably estimated. 

Where a payment is not probable, or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient certainty, a contingent liability is 
disclosed. Contingent liabilities are also disclosed if a possible obligation arises from past events, but its existence will be confirmed 
only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of uncertain future events. 

Provisions 

At 1 April 2018 

Provided in the year 

Released in the year 

Utilised in the year 

Exchange  

At 31 March 2019 

Provided in the year 

Released in the year 

Utilised in the year 

Exchange  

At 31 March 2020 

Provisions are expected to be utilised as follows: 

•(cid:3) within one year 

•(cid:3) after more than one year but before five years 

Total 

INSURANCE 
PROVISIONS 
£M 

RESTRUCTURING 
AND CLOSURE 
PROVISIONS 
£M 

ENVIRONMENTAL 
HEALTH & SAFETY 
PROVISION 
£M 

LITIGATION  
AND OTHER 
PROVISIONS 
£M 

7 

5 

– 

(1) 

1 

12 

– 

– 

(6) 

1 

7 

– 

11 

– 

(6) 

– 

5 

8 

– 

(6) 

– 

7 

– 

16 

– 

(1) 

– 

15 

– 

– 

(9) 

1 

7 

13 

2 

(2) 

(1) 

– 

12 

4 

(4) 

(2) 

1 

11 

2020  
£M 

21 

11 

32 

TOTAL 
£M 

20 

34 

(2) 

(9) 

1 

44 

12 

(4) 

(23) 

3 

32 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019  
£M 

24 

20 

44 

Insurance provisions include amounts provided by the Group’s captive insurance subsidiary in respect of the expected level of insurance claims.  

Restructuring provisions relate to a Group programme to deliver US$100 million of productivity benefits. Provision is made for 
restructuring costs when a detailed formal plan for the restructuring has been determined and the plan has been communicated to those 
affected by it. Refer to Note 8 for further detail.  

£16 million of provisions have been recognised in the year ended 31 March 2019 to remediate environmental health and safety risks 
associated with idle assets at manufacturing sites in North America. Refer to Note 8 for further detail. 

The difference between the carrying value and the discounted present value was not material in either year. 

Contingent liabilities  
Passaic River  
The Group remains subject to a legal case arising from the notification in 2007 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that it, 
along with approximately 70+ others, is a potentially responsible party (PRP) for a 17 mile section of the northern New Jersey Passaic River, 
a major ‘Superfund’ site. In March 2016, the USEPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the likely cost for the remediation of the lower 
eight-mile section of the river (the most contaminated). Whilst the Group will continue to vigorously defend itself in this matter, in light of 
the publication of the ROD, the Group has maintained a provision of £6 million in respect of this. The Group continues to be unable to 
estimate a reasonably possible range of loss in respect of the remaining nine-mile section of the river and therefore has not recognised  
a provision for this section.  

Other claims  
The Group is subject to claims and litigation generally arising in the ordinary course of its business. Provision is made when liabilities are 
considered likely to arise and the expected quantum of the exposure is estimable. The risk in relation to claims and litigation is monitored 
on an ongoing basis and provisions amended accordingly. It is not expected that claims and litigation existing at 31 March 2020 will have  
a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position.(cid:3)

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

32. COMMITMENTS 
Total commitments for the purchase of tangible and intangible non-current assets are £51 million (2019 – £35 million). In addition, 
commitments in respect of retirement benefit obligations are detailed in Note 29. 

33. EQUITY ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS 
In the 2020 financial year: 
There have been no equity acquisitions or disposals in the year ended 31 March 2020. 

In the 2019 financial year: 
Completion of acquisition of non-controlling interest of Gemacom 
On 30 November 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of the remaining non-controlling interest in Gemacom for £9 million in satisfaction 
of the put and call option arrangement and deferred consideration due. There was no income statement gain or loss as result of this 
transaction. 

Completion of Sweet Green Fields investment 
On 7 December 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of a 15% equity holding in Sweet Green Fields for US$15 million (£12 million). 
Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Group has a variable-priced call option to acquire the remaining 85% share at certain 
points after the acquisition of the 15% equity holding. At 31 March 2020 this option was exercisable but had not been exercised (2019 – not 
exercisable). After considering all the terms of the arrangement with Sweet Green Fields (including the call option) it was determined that 
the Group neither controls nor has significant influence over Sweet Green Fields. Such consideration included, inter alia, the manner in 
which decisions are made about relevant activities of Sweet Green Fields. The call option is not ‘in the money’ and the Group’s potential 
voting rights are therefore not considered to represent substantive rights. Accordingly the 15% equity investment and the option to 
purchase the remaining shares were recognised together as a financial asset at FVPL as at the years ended 31 March 2020 and 2019.  
This is not considered a significant accounting judgement. Refer to Note 17.  

34. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE 
Identity of related parties 
The Group has related party relationships with its joint ventures, the Group’s pension schemes and with key management, being its 
Directors and executive officers. Key management compensation is disclosed in Note 9. There were no other related party transactions  
with key management. There were no material changes in related parties or in the nature of related party transactions during the year  
and no material related party transactions containing unusual commercial terms in the current or prior year. 

Subsidiaries and joint ventures  

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 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

164 

– 

7 

– 

2019 
£M 

164 

– 

28 

– 

Transactions entered into by the Company, Tate & Lyle PLC, 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. 

35. EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE 
In May 2020 the Group extended the maturity of its US$800 million revolving credit facility by a year to 2025 and priced a US$200 million 
debt private placement which will be issued on 6 August 2020 at which point US$100 million 2.91% notes maturing in 2030 and US$100 million 
3.01% notes maturing in 2032 will be drawn down. There are no other post balance sheet events requiring disclosure in respect  
of the year ended 31 March 2020. (cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

36. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
As explained in Note 1, the Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases and IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments. The impact  
of the adoption of these standards is set out below. Comparatives have not been restated.  

IFRS 16 Leases 
The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 April 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Group’s leases principally 
comprise railcars, properties and other miscellaneous leases such as motor vehicles or machinery. The Group has not restated 
comparatives for the 2019 financial year as permitted. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing standard  
are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 April 2019.  

Adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Equity 

Retained earnings 

31 MARCH 2019 AS 
ORIGINALLY 
PRESENTED 
£M 

ADJUSTMENT 
£M 

1 APRIL 2019 
£M 

982 

342 

597 

46 

741 

151 

1 133 

(5) 

167 

(3) 

(8) 

337 

764 

43 

733 

The Group has recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as ‘operating leases’ under the 
principles of IAS 17 Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the 
lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as at 1 April 2019. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities  
on 1 April 2019 was 4%. For leases previously classified as finance leases, the Group recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset  
and lease liability immediately before transition as the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at the date of 
initial application.  

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 March 2019 

Less: contract not recognised as an IFRS 16 lease 

Discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application 

Recognised as IFRS 16 leases at 31 March 2019 

Add: finance lease liabilities as at 31 March 2019 

Lease liability at 1 April 2019 

Of which: 

Current lease liabilities 

Non-current lease liabilities 

1 APRIL 2019 
£M 

308 

(112) 

(29) 

167 

11 

178 

26 

152 

At 31 March 2019 the Group had an IAS 17 operating lease of £112 million in respect of an energy procurement contract and related 
infrastructure. This contract was not recognised as an IFRS 16 lease as the Group has determined that it does not have the right to direct 
the use of the related asset.  

Where practicable the associated right-of-use assets were measured on a retrospective basis, as if the new rules had always been applied. 
Where this was not possible, right-of-use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability as at 1 April 2019. There were no 
onerous lease contracts that would have required an adjustment to the right-of-use assets at the date of initial application. The recognised 
right-of-use assets relate to the following types of asset: 

Railcars 

Properties 

Other 

Right-of-use assets 

1 APRIL 2019 
£M 

97 

51 

3 

151 

In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard: 

•(cid:3) Reliance on previous assessments of whether leases are onerous 
•(cid:3) Accounting for operating leases, with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 April 2019, as short-term leases, and 
•(cid:3) Excluding initial direct costs for the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application. 

(cid:3)

184 
184

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

36. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 
IFRS 16 Leases (continued) 
Accounting policy and key judgements 
Having adopted IFRS 16 the Group applies the following approach. At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease 
liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term which includes periods covered by renewal 
options the Group is reasonably certain to exercise. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses the incremental 
borrowing rate at the lease commencement date.  

The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost including  
the amount of lease liabilities recognised and initial direct costs incurred less any incentives granted by the lessor. Right-of-use assets are 
subject to impairment. Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and the useful life of the right-of-use assets, 
unless there is a transfer of ownership or purchase option which is reasonably certain to be exercised at the end of the lease term, in which 
case depreciation is over the useful life of the underlying asset. 

Leases of buildings usually have lease terms between 1 and 16 years, while plant and machinery generally have lease terms between  
1 and 20 years. The Group also has certain leases of machinery with lease terms of 12 months or less and leases of office equipment with 
low value (typically below US$5,000). The Group applies the ‘short-term lease’ and ‘lease of low-value assets’ recognition exemptions for 
these leases and recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  

The carrying amounts of assets recorded as a result of IFRS 16 (included under Property, plant and equipment) and movements during  
the year are set out below: 

LAND AND 
 BUILDINGS 
£M 

PLANT AND 
MACHINERY 
£M 

TOTAL 
£M  

Cost 

At 1 April 20191 

Additions to right-of-use assets 

Depreciation charge 

Currency translation differences 

At 31 March 2020 

51 

3 

(7) 

1 

48 

108 

14 

(24) 

4 

102 

1  This includes £8 million of plant and machinery that was previously recognised as an asset held under finances leases in accordance with IAS 17. 

The statement of profit or loss shows the following amounts relating to leases: 

Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets 

Interest expense on lease liabilities  

Expense relating to short-term leases 

Expense relating to leases of low value assets 

Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in the measurement of lease liability 

Income from sub-leasing right-of-use assets 

At 31 March 2020 

159 

17 

(31) 

5 

150 

2020 
£M  

31 

7 

– 

2 

– 

(1) 

39 

The total cash outflow for leases in the year ended 31 March 2020 was £37 million (excluding cash outflow of £2 million relating to leases  
of low value items). 

The Group has several lease contracts that include extension and termination options. These options are negotiated by management to 
provide flexibility in managing the leased-asset portfolio and align with the Group’s business needs. Management exercises significant 
judgement in determining whether these extension and termination options are reasonably certain to be exercised. The Group has 
estimated that the potential future lease payments, should it exercise the extension option, would result in an increase in lease liability  
of £1 million.  

Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements  
do not impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets may not  
be used as security for borrowing purposes.  

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments 
The interpretation is to be applied to the determination of taxable profit, tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates, 
when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments under IAS 12. The interpretation specifically addresses the following:  

•(cid:3) Whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately  
•(cid:3) The assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities  
•(cid:3) How an entity determines taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates  
•(cid:3) How an entity considers changes in facts and circumstances.  

The Group applies significant judgement in identifying uncertainties over income tax treatments and operates in a complex multinational 
environment. Following a detailed assessment the Group has determined that the adoption of this interpretation has not had a material 
impact on the Group’s financial statements.  

No other new standards, new interpretations or amendments to standards or interpretations have been published which are expected  
to have a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

185 
 185  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

37. RELATED UNDERTAKINGS  
A full list of related undertakings, comprising subsidiaries and joint ventures, is set out below. All are 100% owned directly or indirectly  
by the Group except where percentage ownership is indicated with (X)%. 

Subsidiaries 

COMPANY NAME 

REGISTERED ADDRESS 

COMPANY NAME 

REGISTERED ADDRESS 

1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 

United Kingdom1 
Astaxanthin Manufacturing Limited 
G.C. Hahn and Company Limited 
Hahntech International Limited 
Harvey Steel Sugars Limited2 
Histonpark Limited 
Robinson Milling Systems 
(Tewkesbury) Limited3  
Tate & Lyle Export Holdings Limited2  1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Group Services Limited 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Holdings Americas Limited  1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Holdings Limited3 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Industrial Holdings Limited2  1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Industries Limited 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle International Finance PLC2  1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Investments America 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Limited3 
Tate & Lyle Investments Brazil Limited  1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
Tate & Lyle Investments Limited2,3 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Tate & Lyle L.P. 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 
1 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AT, UK 

Tate & Lyle Overseas Limited 
Tate & Lyle Pension Trust Limited2 
Tate & Lyle Share Shop Limited2  
Tate & Lyle Technology Limited2 
Tate & Lyle UK Limited2 
Tate & Lyle Ventures II LP 
Tate & Lyle Ventures Limited2 
Tate & Lyle Ventures LP 

Argentina 
Tate & Lyle Argentina SA4 

Australia 
Tate & Lyle ANZ Pty Limited 

Belgium 
Tate & Lyle Services (Belgium) N.V.2 

Bermuda 
Tate & Lyle Management & Finance 
Limited 

Brazil 
Tate & Lyle Brasil S.A.4 

G.C. Hahn & Co. do Brasil 
Estabilizantes e Tecnologia para 
Alimentos Ltda.4 
Tate & Lyle Gemacom Tech Indústria 
e Comércio S.A.4 

San Martín 140, 14th Floor, City of 
Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Building 2, 1425 Boundary Road, 
Wacol QLD 4076, Australia 

Industrielaan 4, Office 12, 9320 Aalst, 
Belgium 

Victoria Place, 5th Floor, 31 Victoria 
Street, Hamilton HM10, Bermuda 

Santa Rosa do Viterbo, State of São 
Paulo, Fazenda Amália, São Paulo, 
14270-000, Brazil 
Rua Sapetuba Nº 211, CEP:- 005510-
001- Vila Pirajussara, Estado de São 
Paulo, Brazil 
Rua Bruno Simili No. 380, Distrito 
Industrial, City of Juiz de Fora, State 
of Minas Gerais, 36092-050, Brazil 

Canada 
Tate & Lyle Ingredients Canada Limited  Suite 400, Phoenix Square,  

371 Queen Street, Fredericton  
NB E3B 4Y9, Canada 

186 
186

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

Chile 
Tate & Lyle Chile Commercial Ltda 

Isidora Goyenechea 2800, Piso 43, 
Las Condes, Santiago, Chile 

China 
Tate & Lyle Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd4  Room 1401, Building 11, No. 1582, 

G.C. Hahn & Co. Food Stabiliser 
Business (Shanghai) Ltd4 

Tate & Lyle Food Ingredients 
(Nantong) Company Limited4 

Colombia 
Tate & Lyle Colombia S.A.S.4 

Costa Rica 
Tate & Lyle Costa Rica Limitada 

Gumei Road, Xuhui District, 
Shanghai, 200233, China 
Unit A, Room 1301, Building 11,  
No. 1582, Gumei Road, Xuhui District, 
Shanghai, 200233, China 
New & Hi-Tech Industrial 
Development District, Rudong 
county, Nantong city, 226400, China  

Calle 11 #100-121 Of 309, Cali, 
Colombia 

San Jose-San Jose Merced, Edificio 
Torre Mercedes, Piso Octavo, 
Oficinas De CDO Auditores,  
Costa Rica 

Croatia 
G.C. Hahn & Co. d.o.o. Za distribuciju 
stabilizacionih sistema 

Donji Banovec 15, Koprivnica, 48000, 
Croatia 

Czech Republic 
G.C. Hahn & Co. stabilizacni 
technika, s.r.o. 

Egypt 
Tate & Lyle Egypt LLC 

France 
G.C. Hahn & Cie. SARL 

Ostravská 169, 339 01 Klatovy IV, 
Czech Republic 

87 Street 9, Maadi , Cairo, Egypt 

2 Avenue de L’Horizon, 59650 
Villeneuve-D’Ascq, France 

Tate & Lyle Ingredients France S.A.S.  2 Avenue de L'Horizon, 59650 

Villeneuve-D'Ascq, France 

Germany 
G.C. Hahn & Co. 
Stabilisierungstechnik GmbH 
G.C. Hahn & Co. 
Cooperationsgesellschaft GmbH 
Tate & Lyle Germany GmbH 

Gibraltar 
Tate & Lyle Insurance (Gibraltar) 
Limited 

Greece 
Tate & Lyle Greece A.E. (95%) 

India 
Tate & Lyle Investments (India) 
Private Ltd 

Italy 
Tate & Lyle Italia S.P.A. 

Japan 
Tate & Lyle Japan KK 

Lithuania 
UAB G.C. Hahn & Co. 

Roggenhorster Strasse 31, 23556, 
Lübeck, Germany 
Roggenhorster Strasse 31, 23556, 
Lübeck, Germany 
Roggenhorster Strasse 31, 23556, 
Lübeck, Germany 

Suite 913, Europort, Gibraltar 

69 K. N Papadaki, Thessaloniki, 
54248 Thessaloniki, Greece 

Block – E, 2nd Floor, The MIRA, Plot – 
1&2, Ishwar Nagar, Mathura Road, 
New Delhi – 110065, India 

Via Verdi, 1-CAP 20010 Ossona, 
Milano, Italy 

2F Oak Minami-Azabu Building,  
3-19-23 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, 
Tokyo, Japan 

E. Simkunaites Str. 10, Vilnius, 
LT04130, Lithuania 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37. RELATED UNDERTAKINGS (continued) 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

COMPANY NAME 

REGISTERED ADDRESS 

COMPANY NAME 

REGISTERED ADDRESS 

Mexico 
Tate & Lyle México, S. de R.L.  
de C.V.4 

Mexama, S.A. de C.V.4 (65%) 

Talo Services de Mexico, S.C.4 

Morocco 
T&L Casablanca S.A.R.L. 

Netherlands 
Nederlandse Glucose Industrie B.V. 

Tate & Lyle Netherlands B.V. 

Poland 
G.C. Hahn & Co. Technika 
stabilizowania Sp.z o.o. 
Tate & Lyle Global Shared Services 
Sp.z o.o. 

Russia 
Tate & Lyle CIS LLC4 

Singapore 
Tate & Lyle Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. 

Tate & Lyle Singapore Pte Ltd 

Slovakia 
Tate & Lyle Boleraz s.r.o. 
Tate & Lyle Slovakia, s.r.o. 

South Africa 
Tate and Lyle South Africa 
Proprietary Limited 

Spain 
G.C. Hahn Estabilizantes y 
Tecnologia para Alimentos 
Ebromyl S.L. 

Sweden 
Tate & Lyle Sweden AB 

Turkey 
Tate and Lyle Turkey Gıda Hizmetleri 
Anonim (cid:98)irketi 

Ukraine 
PII G.C. Hahn & Co. Kiev4 

United Arab Emirates 
Tate & Lyle DMCC 

Piso 2, Av. Universidad 749,  
Col del Valle Sur, Ciudad de Mexico , 
03100, México 
Calle lago de tequesquitengo ,  
No 111 Col. Cuahutemoc C.P. 62430 , 
Morelos, México 
Piso 2, Av. Universidad 749,  
Col del Valle Sur, Ciudad de Mexico ,  
03100, México 

22, Rue du Parc, Casa Théâtre 
Centre, Anfa, Casablanca, Morocco 

1541 KA, Koog aan de Zaan, 
Lagendijk 5, The Netherlands 
1541 KA, Koog aan de Zaan, 
Lagendijk 5, The Netherlands 

Sterlinga 8A, 91425, Łód(cid:461), Poland 

Sterlinga 8A, 91425, Łód(cid:461), Poland 

Leninskaya Sloboda,26, Floor -3, 
Area IV, Room 179, 115280, Moscow, 
Russian Federation 

3 Biopolis Drive, #05-11-16 Synapse, 
Singapore 138623 
One Marina Boulevard #28-00,  
1 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989 

Boleraz 114, 91908 Boleraz, Slovakia 
Boleraz 114, 91908 Boleraz, Slovakia 

1 Gravel Drive, Kya Sand Business 
Park, Kya Sand, 2163, South Africa 

Av. Valencia, 15, 46171, 
Casinos Valencia, Spain 
Ps. de la Constitución 10, Entlo. 
Dcha. , 50008, Zaragoza,  
Zaragoza, Spain 

Mäster Samuelsgatan 17, Box 
1432, 111 84, Stockholm, Sweden 

Esentepe Mah., Büyükdere Cad.,  
193 Plaza Kat: 2 193/235A14 (cid:98)i(cid:404)li, 
(cid:55)stanbul, Turkey 

Mala Olexandriwka, Zentralna-Str.  
2-B, Borispol, 08320 Kiew, Ukraine 

Office n. 3805, Jumeirah Bay X3 
Tower, Cluster X, Jumeirah Lakes 
Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

USA 
Staley Holdings LLC 

TLHUS, Inc. 

TLI Holding LLC 

Tate & Lyle Finance LLC 

Tate & Lyle Ingredients  
Americas LLC 
Tate & Lyle Sucralose LLC 

1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
Tate & Lyle Custom Ingredients LLC  1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 
1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 

Tate & Lyle Domestic International 
Sales Corporation 
Tate & Lyle Grain, Inc. 

Tate & Lyle Sugar Holdings, Inc. 

Tate & Lyle Malic Acid LLC 

Tate & Lyle Citric Acid LLC 

Tate & Lyle Americas LLC 

Staley International Inc. 

G. C. Hahn USA LLC 

Joint Ventures 
COMPANY NAME 

Mexico 
Almidones Mexicanos S.A.  
de C.V. 4 (50%) 
Promotora de Productos y Mercados 
Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V.4 (50%)  
Estacion de Transferencia 
Coatzacoalcos, S.A. de C.V. 4 (50%) 

USA 
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products 
Company, LLC (50%) 

REGISTERED ADDRESS 

Calle 26 No. 2756, Zona Industrial, 
Guadalajara, Jal., 44940, Mexico 
Calle 26 No. 2756, Zona Industrial, 
Guadalajara, Jal., 44940, Mexico 
Calle 26 No. 2756, Zona Industrial, 
Guadalajara, Jal., 44940, Mexico 

1209 North Orange Street, 
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 

1  Registered in England and Wales, except Tate & Lyle L.P. which is registered in 

Delaware, USA. 

2  Direct subsidiaries of Tate & Lyle PLC. 
3  Entity also issues preference shares which are 100% attributable to Tate & Lyle PLC. 
4  Non-coterminous year end (31 December) due to local statutory requirements. 

The results, assets and liabilities and cash flows of those entities 
whose financial years are not coterminous with that of the Group 
are consolidated or equity accounted in the Group’s financial 
statements on the basis of management accounts for the year 
to 31 March. 

Changes in the Group’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that 
do not result in a loss of control would be accounted for within 
equity. Any gain or loss upon loss of control would be recognised  
in the income statement.  

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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187 
 187  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Company balance sheet  

ASSETS 

Fixed assets 

Tangible fixed assets 

Intangible assets 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings 

Total 

Current assets 

Debtors 

Cash at bank 

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 

Borrowings 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year 

Borrowings 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 

Called up share capital  

Share premium account 

Capital redemption reserve 

Retained earnings 

Total shareholders’ funds 

NOTES  

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

2020 
£M  

2 

2 

2 

3 

4 

5 

4 

5 

7 

9 

4 

1 079 

1 092 

1 592 

– 

1 592 

(1 320) 

(1) 

271 

1 363 

(2) 

(9) 

1 

4 

1 070 

1 075 

1 541 

– 

1 541 

(1 318) 

– 

223 

1 298 

(2) 

– 

1 352 

1 296 

117 

406 

8 

821 

117 

406 

8 

765 

1 352 

1 296 

The Company recognised profit for the year of £199 million (2019 – £108 million). 

The Parent Company’s financial statements on pages 188 to 193 were approved by the Board of Directors on 20 May 2020 and signed on its 
behalf by: 

Nick Hampton  
Director 

Imran Nawaz 
Director 

The notes on pages 190 to 193 form part of these financial statements. 

Tate & Lyle PLC  
Registered number: 76535 

188 
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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020 
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Company statement of changes in equity  

Financial statements 
Financial statements

At 1 April 2018 

Profit for the year 

Purchase of own shares including net settlement 

Share-based payments 

Dividends paid 

At 31 March 2019 

IFRS 16 Lease adoption 

At 1 April 2019 restated 

Profit for the year 

Purchase of own shares including net settlement 

Share-based payments 

Dividends paid 

At 31 March 2020 

CALLED UP  
SHARE  
CAPITAL 
 £M 

117 

SHARE  
PREMIUM  
ACCOUNT 
£M 

406 

– 

– 

– 

– 

117 

– 

117 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

406 

– 

406 

– 

– 

– 

– 

117 

406 

CAPITAL  
REDEMPTION 
RESERVES 
£M 

RETAINED  
EARNINGS 
£M 

8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8 

– 

8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8 

781 

108 

(8) 

18 

(134) 

765 

– 

765 

199 

(22) 

16 

(137) 

821 

TOTAL  
EQUITY 
£M 

1 312 

108 

(8) 

18 

(134) 

1 296 

– 

1 296 

199 

(22) 

16 

(137) 

1 352 

At 31 March 2020, the Company had realised profits available for distribution in excess of £640 million (2019 – in excess of £625 million). 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

189 
 189  

 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements 

1. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
Basis of preparation  
Tate & Lyle PLC (the Company) is a public limited company 
incorporated in the United Kingdom and registered in England. 
The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the London 
Stock Exchange.  

The Company’s financial statements are prepared under the 
historical cost convention in accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101) and the 
Companies Act 2006 as at 31 March 2020, with comparative figures 
as at 31 March 2019.  

For the reasons set out on page 139, the Company’s financial 
statements are prepared on a going concern basis.  

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Company’s profit and loss account is not presented in these 
financial statements. Profit and loss account disclosures are 
presented in Note 9. 

The results of the Company are included in the preceding Group 
financial statements.  

The following disclosure exemptions from the requirements of IFRS 
have been applied in the preparation of these financial statements, 
in accordance with FRS 101:  

•(cid:3) the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows  
•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraph 17 and 18(a) of IAS 24 Related 

Party Disclosures  

•(cid:3) the requirements in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures to disclose 
related party transactions entered into between two or more 
members of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is  
a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member  
•(cid:3) the requirement in paragraph 38 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial 

Statements to present comparative information in respect of 
paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1, paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16 Property,  
Plant and Equipment and 118(e) of IAS 38 Intangible assets 

•(cid:3) the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures  
•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting 

Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors  

•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraphs 45(b) and 46 to 52 of IFRS 2 

Share-Based Payments  

•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraphs 91 to 99 of IFRS 13 Fair  

Value Measurement  

•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraphs 10(d) (statement of cash flows), 
10(f) (statement of financial position as at the beginning of the 
preceding period when an entity applies an accounting policy 
retrospectively), 38(A to D) (comparative information), 111 
(statement of cash flows) and 134 to 136 (capital management)  
of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements 

•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraphs 52 and 58 of IFRS 16 Leases 
•(cid:3) the requirements of paragraph 16 of IAS 1. 

The Company intends to maintain these disclosure exemptions  
in future years.  

Accounting policies  
Investments  
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Company has control. 
The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights 
to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the 
ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.  

Investments in subsidiary undertakings represent interests that are 
directly owned by the Company and are stated at cost less amounts 
written off for any permanent diminution in value.  

Retirement benefits  
The Company participates in a defined benefit pension scheme  
in which certain of its subsidiaries also participate. The Company, 
which is not the principal employer, cannot identify its share of  
the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme. Accordingly,  
as permitted by IAS 19 Employee benefits, the Company accounts 
for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme and charges its 
contributions to the scheme to the profit and loss account in the 
periods in which they fall due.  

Share-based payments  
As described in Note 30 to the consolidated financial statements, 
the Company operates share-based incentive plans under which  
it grants awards over its ordinary shares to its own employees and 
to those of its subsidiary undertakings. All of the awards granted 
under the existing plans are classified as equity-settled awards.  

Estimating fair value for share-based transactions requires 
determination of the most appropriate valuation model which 
depends on the terms and conditions of each individual grant.  
This estimation also requires determination of the most appropriate 
inputs to the valuation model and represents a key source of 
estimation uncertainty.  

For awards granted to its own employees, the Company recognises 
an expense that is based on the fair value of the awards measured 
at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing methodology. 
For awards granted to employees of its subsidiary undertakings, the 
Company recognises a capital contribution to the subsidiary and a 
corresponding credit to equity calculated on the same basis as the 
expense that it recognises for awards to its own employees.  

Guarantees  
From time to time, the Company provides guarantees to third 
parties in respect of the indebtedness of its subsidiary undertakings 
and joint ventures. The Directors consider these guarantees to be 
insurance arrangements and, therefore, the Company recognises  
a liability in respect of such guarantees only in the event that it 
becomes probable that the guarantee will be called upon and the 
Company will be required to make a payment to the third party.  

Own shares  
Own shares represent the Company’s ordinary shares that are held 
by the Company in treasury or by a sponsored Employee Benefit 
Trust that are used to satisfy awards made under the Company’s 
share-based incentive plans. When own shares are acquired, the 
cost of purchase in the market is deducted from the profit and  
loss account reserve. Gains or losses on the subsequent transfer  
or sale of own shares are also recognised in the profit and loss 
account reserve.  

Dividends  
Dividends on the Company’s ordinary shares are recognised  
when they have been appropriately authorised and are no longer  
at the Company’s discretion. Accordingly, interim dividends are 
recognised when they are paid and final dividends are recognised 
when they are declared following approval by shareholders at the 
Company’s AGM. Dividends are recognised as an appropriation of 
shareholders’ funds. Details of dividends paid and proposed are set 
out in Note 8.  

Dividend income received from subsidiary companies is recognised 
when the right to receive the payment is established. 

Debtors 
Debtors are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to  
initial recognition they are measured at amortised costs or their 
recoverable amount. The Company recognises an allowance  
for expected credit losses based on the difference between the 
contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and  
all the cash flows that the group expects to receive, discounted  
at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. 

190 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
2. FIXED ASSETS 

Cost 

At 1 April 2019 

Recognition of right-of-use asset on initial application of IFRS 16 

Adjusted balance at 1 April 2019 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 March 2020 

Accumulated depreciation/amortisation/impairment 

At 1 April 2019 

Depreciation/amortisation/impairment charge 

Disposals 

At 31 March 2020 

Net book value at 31 March 2019 

Net book value at 31 March 2020 

3. DEBTORS 

Due within one year 

Current tax 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

Other debtors 

Total 

Financial statements 
Financial statements

LAND AND 
BUILDINGS 

PLANT AND 
MACHINERY 
£M  

INTANGIBLE  
ASSETS 
£M 

INVESTMENTS IN 
SUBSIDIARIES 
£M 

– 

9 

9 

– 

– 

9 

– 

1 

– 

1 

– 

8 

5 

– 

5 

– 

– 

5 

4 

– 

– 

4 

1 

1 

7 

– 

7 

1 

– 

8 

3 

1 

– 

4 

4 

4 

1 628 

– 

1 628 

9 

(408) 

1 229 

558 

– 

(408) 

150 

1 070 

1 079 

2020 
£M 

48 

1 541 

3 

1 592 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

26 

1 512 

3 

1 541 

The effective interest rate applicable to amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2020 is 2.6% (2019 – 2.7%). Amounts owed  
by subsidiary undertakings are receivable on demand. There is no security for non-trading amounts. 

4. CREDITORS 

Due within one year 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings  

Other creditors 

Accruals and deferred income 

Total 

AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

2020 
£M 

1 297 

1 297 

5 

18 

5 

16 

1 320 

1 318 

The effective interest rate applicable to amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2020 was 3.1% (2019 – 3.3%). Amounts  
owed to subsidiary undertakings are repayable on demand. There is no security for non-trading amounts. 

In addition there are £2 million of cumulative preference shares due after one year. 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. 

5. BORROWINGS 
Borrowings of £10 million (2019 – £nil) of which £1 million is current relate to lease liabilities which had previously been classified as 
‘operating leases’ under the principles of IAS 17. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, 
discounted using lesee’s incremental borrowing rate as at 1 April 2019. 

(cid:3)

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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191 
 191  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements (continued) 

6. GUARANTEES AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 
At 31 March 2020, the Company had given guarantees in respect of committed financing of certain of its subsidiaries and joint ventures 
totalling £1,282 million (2019 – £1,302 million), against which amounts drawn totalled £574 million (2019 – £612 million). The Company  
had given guarantees in respect of lease commitments of certain of its subsidiaries and joint ventures totalling £242 million (2019 –  
£260 million). The Company provides other guarantees in the normal course of business. The Company has assessed the probability  
of material loss under these guarantees as remote. In addition, commitments in respect of retirement benefit obligations are detailed  
in Note 10. 

At 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019, the Company had no outstanding capital commitments. 

7. SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM 
Allotted, called up and fully paid equity share capital 

At 1 April 

Allotted under share option schemes 

At 31 March 

NUMBER  
OF SHARES 

2020   

COST 

£M   

NUMBER  
OF SHARES 

468 345 950 

117   

468 308 934 

55 721 

–   

37 016 

468 401 671 

117   

468 345 950 

2019 

COST 
£M 

117 

– 

117 

See Note 21 in the consolidated financial statements for details of treasury shares and shares held in the Employee Benefit Trust. 

8. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES 
Dividends on ordinary shares in respect of the financial year: 

Per ordinary share: 

•(cid:3) interim dividend paid 

•(cid:3) final dividend proposed 

Total dividend 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
PENCE 

2019 
PENCE 

8.8 

20.8 

29.6 

8.6 

20.8 

29.4 

The Directors propose a final dividend for the financial year of 20.8p per ordinary share that, subject to approval by shareholders, will be 
paid on 31 July 2020 to shareholders who are on the Register of Members on 19 June 2020. 

Dividends on ordinary shares paid in the year: 

Final dividend paid relating to the prior year  

Interim dividend paid relating to the year 

Total dividend paid 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

97 

40 

137 

2019 
£M 

94 

40 

134 

Based on the number of ordinary shares outstanding at 31 March 2020 and the proposed amount, the final dividend for the financial year  
is expected to amount to £96 million. 

9. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT DISCLOSURES 
The Company recognised a profit for the year of £199 million (2019 – £108 million).  

Fees payable to the Company’s external auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, for the audit of the Company’s financial statements amounted to  
£0.1 million (2019 – £0.1 million).  

The Company employed an average of 161 people (including Directors) during the year (2019 – 169). Staff costs are shown below: 

Wages and salaries  

Social security costs 

Other pension costs 

Share-based incentives 

Total 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£M 

27 

5 

3 

5 

40 

2019 
£M 

27 

5 

2 

6 

40 

Directors’ emoluments disclosures are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 100 to 120 and in Note 9 of the 
consolidated financial statements.  

No deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of tax losses of £341 million (2019 – £341 million) as there is uncertainty as  
to whether taxable profits against which these assets may be recovered will be available. 

(cid:3)

192 
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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements 
Financial statements

10. RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS 
Plan information 
The Company participates in a defined benefit plan together with another subsidiary company, Tate & Lyle Industries Ltd. Refer to Note 29 
of the consolidated financial statements for details of the £930 million bulk annuity insurance policy ‘buy-in’ completed for the main UK 
scheme. The plan is closed to new entrants and future accruals. The Company has 310 pensioners and deferred pensioners out of a total 
membership of circa 5,000 (excluding dependent beneficiaries).  

The Company also operates a defined contribution pension plan. Contributions payable by the Company to the plan during the year 
amounted to £2 million (2019 – £2 million).  

The Company has provided a full liability guarantee in respect of the pension obligations of Tate & Lyle Industries Ltd, the other 
participating employer.  

Funding commitments of the plan  
As required by UK regulations, actuarial valuations are carried out every three years. The main UK scheme triennial valuation as at  
31 March 2019 was concluded during 2019. Following the purchase of the bulk annuity insurance policy (buy-in) in the main UK scheme,  
the previously agreed core funding contributions of £18 million per year has ceased and any funding triggers linked to the Company’s 
financial strength, payable into the secured funding account, are now limited to the residual costs of the scheme. The Company will 
continue to fund the UK plan administration costs.  

For further details on the defined benefit plan see Note 29 in the consolidated financial statements. 

11. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
IFRS 16 Leases 
The Company has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 April 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company has not restated 
comparatives for the 2019 financial year as permitted. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing standard  
are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 April 2019.  

The Company has recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as ‘operating leases’ under the 
principles of IAS 17 Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the 
lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as at 1 April 2019. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease 
liabilities on 1 April 2019 was 2.1%. The associated right-of-use assets were measured on a retrospective basis, as if the new rules had 
always been applied and are included in property, plant and equipment. 

As at the date of initial application of IFRS 16 the Company recognised right-of-use asset of £9 million and lease liability of £11 million,  
and the reversal of accrual under IAS 17 of £2 million resulting in no impact to opening reserves.  

In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard: 

•(cid:3) Reliance on previous assessments of whether leases are onerous 
•(cid:3) Accounting for operating leases, with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 April 2019, as short-term leases, and 
•(cid:3) Excluding initial direct costs for the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application. 

The total cash outflow for leases in the year ended 31 March 2020 was £2 million. 

12. EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE 
There are no post balance sheet events requiring disclosure in respect of the year ended 31 March 2020. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

193 
 193  

 
 
 
194

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

I have always been energized  
by using science to create 
ingredients that show up every day 
in products in stores, and that 
make people’s lives better.  
It makes it especially easy to tell 
my kids what we do at Tate & Lyle!

Dr Judy Whaley
Senior Vice President, R&D
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA

Useful information

CONTENTS

USEFUL 
INFORMATION

IN THIS SECTION
196  Group five-year summary 
198  Additional information
199  Information for investors
200  Glossary
201  Definitions/explanatory notes

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 195  

Group five-year summary 

Results summary 

Continuing operations 

Revenue 

Adjusted operating profit 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 

Exceptional items 

Operating profit 

Adjusted net finance expense* 

Net retirement benefit interest expense 

Net finance expense 

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures and associates 

Profit before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year from continuing operations 

Profit for the year from discontinued operations 

Non-controlling interests 

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company 

Adjusted profit before tax 

2016 
£M 

2017 
£M 

2018* 
£M   

2019 
£M 

2020 
£M 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2 355 

2 753 

2 710   

2 755 

2 882 

188 

(11) 

(50) 

127 

(23) 

(6) 

(29) 

28 

126 

(5) 

121 

42 

– 

163 

193 

264 

(12) 

(19) 

233 

(25) 

(7) 

(32) 

32 

233 

22 

255 

1 

– 

256 

271 

300   

(12)   

2   

290   

(27)   

(5)   

(32)   

28   

286   

(23)   

263   

2   

–   

265   

296   

305 

(11) 

(58) 

236 

(26) 

– 

(26) 

30 

240 

(59) 

181 

– 

– 

181 

309 

331 

(11) 

(24) 

296 

(28) 

– 

(28) 

28 

296 

(51) 

245 

– 

– 

245 

331 

*  Restated as the Group now includes net retirement benefit interest and associated tax in its alternative performance measures. For the 2018 year presented above net retirement 

benefit interest is separated however adjusted net finance expense as restated was £32 million. Years prior to 2018 have not been restated. 

Employment of capital 

Goodwill and intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Other assets 

Working capital (including provisions and non-debt derivatives) 

Net pension (deficit)/surplus 

Net assets held for sale (excluding cash included in net debt) 

Net operating assets 

Investment in joint ventures and associates 

Net debt 

Net tax liability 

Total net assets 

Capital employed 

Called up share capital 

Reserves 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

(cid:3)

2016 
£M 

2017 
£M 

2018   
£M   

390 

926 

23 

323 

(208) 

5 

401 

1 061 

30 

394 

(139) 

– 

360   

965   

37   

385   

18   

–   

  AT 31 MARCH 

2019 
£M 

342 

982 

59 

401 

24 

– 

2020 
£M 

340 

1 190 

63 

409 

(203) 

– 

1 459 

1 747 

1 765   

1 808 

1 799 

85 

(434) 

(81) 

96 

(452) 

(59) 

85   

(392)   

(91)   

102 

(337) 

(84) 

91 

(451) 

(40) 

1 029 

1 332 

1 367   

1 489 

1 399 

117 

911 

1 028 

1 

117 

1 215 

1 332 

– 

117   

1 250   

1 367   

–   

117 

1 372 

1 489 

– 

117 

1 282 

1 399 

– 

1 029 

1 332 

1 367   

1 489 

1 399 

196 
196

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Per share information 

Earnings per share continuing operations: 

•(cid:3) basic (pence) 

•(cid:3) diluted (pence) 

Basic earnings per share total operations: 

•(cid:3) reported (pence) 

•(cid:3) adjusted basic (pence) 

Diluted earnings per share total operations: 

•(cid:3) reported (pence) 

•(cid:3) adjusted diluted (pence) 

Dividends per ordinary share (pence) 

Closing share price at 31 March (pence) 

Useful information 
Useful information

2016 

2017 

2018* 

2019 

2020 

26.1p 

25.9p 

35.1p 

34.9p 

34.8p 

34.7p 

28.0p 

55.0p 

54.2p 

55.2p 

47.9p 

54.4p 

47.1p 

28.0p 

57.0p   

56.1p   

57.4p   

50.3p   

56.5p   

49.4p   

28.7p   

39.2p 

38.6p 

39.2p 

52.8p 

38.6p 

52.0p 

29.4p 

52.8 

52.1 

52.8 

58.6 

52.1 

57.8 

29.6 

578.0p 

764.5p 

544.6p   

725.8p 

656.0p 

Closing market capitalisation at 31 March (£million) 

2 706 

3 580 

2 550   

3 399 

3 073 

Business ratios 

Interest cover (times)1 

Operating profit before exceptional items divided by net finance expense 

Net debt to EBITDA (times)1 

Net debt divided by pre-exceptional EBITDA 

Gearing3 

Net debt as a percentage of total net assets2 

Adjusted operating margin 

Adjusted operating profit as a percentage of revenue2 

10.7x 

13.9x 

9.4x   

11.6x 

– 

1.2x 

0.9x 

0.9x   

0.8x 

0.9x 

42% 

34% 

29%   

23% 

32% 

7.9% 

9.6% 

11.1%   

11.1% 

11.5% 

Return on capital employed 

11.3% 

14.3%  

16.2%   

17.1% 

17.5% 

Profit before interest, tax and exceptional items as a percentage  

of invested operating capital2 

Dividend cover (times) 

Basic earnings per share divided by dividends per share2 

Adjusted basic earnings per share divided by dividends per share2 

1.3x 

1.2x 

2.0x 

1.7x 

2.0x   

1.8x   

1.4x 

1.8x 

1.8x 

2.0x 

1  Following the refinancing of the revolving credit facility in the year (refer to Note 24) the amended covenant definitions were adopted. In light of this, the Group has simplified the 

calculation of these KPIs to make them more directly related to information in the Group’s financial statements. Years prior to the 2018 financial year have not been restated here  
and are calculated based on the applicable covenant definition. Refer to Note 4.  

2  These metrics have been calculated using the results of both continuing and discontinued operations.  
3  During the year ended 31 March 2020 the Group adopted IFRS 16 without restating comparatives. On a like-for-like basis the ratios for Net debt to EBITDA, Gearing and Return  

on capital employed were 0.6 times, 20% and 17.9%, respectively. 

*  Restated as the Group now includes net retirement benefit interest and associated tax in its alternative performance measures. Years prior to 2018 have not been restated. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020
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197 
 197  

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES 
The principal exchange rates used to translate the results, assets and liabilities and cash flows of the Group’s foreign operations into 
pounds sterling were as follows: 

Average rates 

US dollar 

Euro 

Year-end closing rates 

US dollar 

Euro 

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 

2020 
£1 = 

1.27 

1.14 

1.25 

1.13 

2019 
£1 =  

1.31 

1.13 

1.30 

1.16 

CALCULATION OF CHANGES IN CONSTANT CURRENCY 
Where changes in constant currency are presented in this statement, they are calculated by retranslating current year results at prior  
year exchange rates. The following table provides a reconciliation between the 2020 performance at actual exchange rates and at constant 
currency exchange rates. Absolute numbers presented in the tables are rounded for presentational purposes, whereas the growth 
percentages are calculated on unrounded numbers. 

Adjusted performance 
CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue  

Food & Beverage Solutions 

Sucralose 

Primary Products 

Central 

Adjusted operating profit 

Net finance expense 

Share of profit after tax of joint ventures  

Adjusted profit before tax 

Adjusted income tax expense 

Adjusted profit after tax 

Adjusted diluted EPS (pence) 

2020 
£M 

2 882 

162 

63 

158 

(52) 

331 

(28) 

28 

331 

(59) 

272 

2020 AT 
CONSTANT 
CURRENCY 
£M 

2 817 

157 

61 

153 

(51) 

320 

(27) 

27 

320 

(58) 

262 

FX 
£M 

(65) 

(5) 

(2) 

(5) 

1 

(11) 

1 

(1) 

(11) 

1 

(10) 

UNDERLYING 
GROWTH 
£M 

62 

14 

– 

5 

(4) 

15 

(1) 

(3) 

11 

7 

18 

2019 
£M  

2 755 

143 

61 

148 

(47) 

305 

(26) 

30 

309 

(65) 

244 

57.8p 

(1.7)p 

56.1p 

4.1p 

52.0p 

CHANGE IN 
CONSTANT 
CURRENCY 
% 

CHANGE 
% 

5% 

13% 

4% 

7% 

(10%) 

9% 

(7%) 

(8%) 

7% 

9% 

11% 

11% 

2% 

10% 

1% 

3% 

(9%) 

5% 

(4%) 

(9%) 

4% 

11% 

8% 

8% 

198 
198

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(cid:3)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS

Useful information

SHAREHOLDER 
ENQUIRIES 

ORDINARY SHARES
Equiniti Limited
Information about how to manage  
your shareholdings can be found at  
www.shareview.co.uk. The website also 
provides answers to commonly asked 
shareholder questions and has links to 
downloadable forms, guidance notes and 
Company history fact sheets. You can  
also send your enquiry via secure email 
from the Shareview website.

Telephone enquiries 
0371 384 2063 (for UK calls)1 
+44 (0)121 415 0235  
(for calls from outside the UK)

1  Lines open 8.30am to 5.30pm (UK time), Monday to 

Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales).

Written enquiries
Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer 
Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA.

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
(ADS)
Citibank Shareholder Services
The Company’s shares trade in the US 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 under the ticker 
symbol TATYY.

Telephone and email enquiries
Tel: 1-877-CITI-ADR (toll free) 
Tel: 1-781-575-4555 (outside US) 
Fax 1-201-324-3284 
E-mail: Citibank@shareholders-online.com

Written enquiries
Citibank Shareholder Services 
P.O. Box 43077 
Providence,  
Rhode Island 02940-3077 
USA

TATE & LYLE WEBSITE AND SHARE 
PRICE INFORMATION

Tate & Lyle’s website provides other 
information relevant to shareholders of the 
Company. The share price is available on 
the website with a 20-minute delay.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2020 Annual General Meeting 
Announcement of half-year results for the six months  
to 30 September 2020
Announcement of full-year results for the year ending  
31 March 2021
2021 Annual General Meeting 

23 July 2020

5 Nov 20201

 27 May 20211
29 July 20211

DIVIDENDS PAID ON ORDINARY SHARES DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020

PAYMENT 

31 July 2019

3 January 2020 

DIVIDEND
DESCRIPTION

Final 2019 

Interim 2020

DIVIDEND 
PER SHARE

20.8p

8.8p

2020
FINAL

2021 
INTERIM

2021 
FINAL

Announced

Payment date

21 May 2020

5 November 20201

27 May 20211

31 July 20202

6 January 20211

6 August 20211,2

1  Provisional date.
2  Subject to approval of shareholders.

DIVIDENDS PAID ON 6.5% CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES
Paid each 31 March and 30 September.

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 share of £1 each
Equivalent value per ordinary share of 25p
6.5% cumulative preference share

201.00p
50.25p
43.50p

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 the impact of the documents on the environment.

Shareholders who wish to receive email notification should register online at  
www.shareview.co.uk, using their shareholder reference number that is on either  
their share certificate or other correspondence.

DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
Dividend reinvestment plan
The Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) which enables shareholders 
to use their cash dividend to buy additional shares in Tate & Lyle PLC. Further information 
can be obtained from Equiniti.

Direct into your bank account
We encourage shareholders to have their dividends paid directly into their bank or 
building society account; dividend confirmations are then mailed to shareholders 
separately. This method avoids the risk of dividend cheques being delayed or lost in the 
post. If you live outside the UK, Equiniti also offers an overseas payment service whereby 
your dividend is converted into your local currency. Further information on mandating 
your dividend payments and the overseas payment service can be obtained from Equiniti.

BEWARE OF SHARE FRAUD
Shareholders should be very wary of any unsolicited calls or correspondence offering  
to buy or sell shares at a discounted price. These calls are typically from fraudsters 
operating ‘boiler rooms’. Boiler rooms use increasingly sophisticated means to approach 
investors and often leave their victims out of pocket. If you are concerned that you may 
have been targeted by fraudsters please contact the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 
Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768. 

Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

 199  

GLOSSARY

A
Acidulants
Ingredients such as citric acid that are 
used to add a ‘sour’ taste to food and soft 
drinks and to act as a preservative.

Adjusted free cash flow
Adjusted free cash flow represents cash 
generated from continuing operations 
after net interest and tax paid, after capital 
expenditure and excluding the impact of 
exceptional items.

Adjusted operating profit (PBITEA) 
Operating profit (as defined separately), 
adjusted for amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets and net exceptional 
items.

Adjusted profit before tax (PBTEA)  
Profit before tax (as defined separately), 
adjusted for amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets and net exceptional 
items.

B
Bio-PDOTM
Multi-purpose monomer propanediol 
made from corn (as opposed to being 
made from a petrochemical source).  
Used in cosmetics, detergents, carpets 
and textiles.

C
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
One metric tonne of carbon dioxide or an 
amount of any other greenhouse gas with 
an equivalent global warming potential, 
calculated consistently with international 
carbon reporting practices.

CLARIA® Functional Clean-Label 
Starches 
A line of clean-label starches with neutral 
taste and colour comparable to normal 
modified starches that is versatile across  
a broad range of applications and 
sophisticated processes.

‘Clean label’
A term used in the food and beverage 
industry generally to refer to shorter or 
simpler ingredient lists or less processed 
ingredients that appeal more to some 
consumers than those containing complex 
ingredients. Interpretations may vary.

Commodities
Commodities include US ethanol and 
co-products.

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

N
Natural
A ‘natural’ description usually refers  
to a food ingredient that is present in 
nature and has been minimally processed. 
However, interpretations vary according  
to the different legal and regulatory 
landscape in different countries.

New Products
New Products are products in the first 
seven years after launch.

O
Operating profit (also referred to as 
profit before interest and tax (PBIT))
Sales less net operating expense.

P
Profit before tax (PBT)
Sales, less net operating expense, less net 
finance expense and including the Group’s 
share of profit after tax of joint ventures.

PROMITOR® Soluble Fibre
A prebiotic soluble fibre.

S
SPLENDA® Sucralose
A zero-calorie sweetener, the 
manufacturing process for which starts 
with sugar.

Stabiliser Systems
Systems customising ingredient blends to 
improve product mouthfeel, texture and 
stability profile.

Sucralose 
A reportable segment and part of the  
Food & Beverage Solutions division.

T
TASTEVA® M Stevia Sweetener
A zero-calorie sweetener made from 
stevia. 

TEXTURLUX® Personal Care Additives
A range of bio-based polymers for use in 
skin creams, lotions, gels, serums, hair 
products and other personal care 
formulations.

Constant currency
Where changes in constant currency  
are presented, they are calculated by 
retranslating current year results at  
prior year exchange rates. Reconciliation 
between the 2020 performance at actual 
exchange rates and at constant currency 
exchange rates have been included in the 
additional information on page 198.

Continuing operations
Operations of the Group excluding any 
discontinued operations 
(as defined separately).

Co-products
Corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal and 
corn oil.

Corn gluten feed
The largest co-product, used in animal 
feed for dairy and beef cattle.

D
Discontinued operations
An operation is classified as discontinued  
if it is a component of the Group that:

(i) has been disposed of, or meets the 
criteria to be classified as held for sale; 
and (ii) represents a separate major line of 
business or geographic area of operations; 
or will be disposed of as part of a single 
co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate 
major line of business or geographic area 
of operations.

DOLCIA PRIMA® Allulose
Low-calorie sugar that offers a superior, 
new taste experience.

G
Greenhouse gas (GHG)
Any of the following: carbon dioxide (CO2), 
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), 
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), 
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur 
hexafluoride (SF6).

H
High fructose corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup is widely used  
as a substitute for sugar in North America. 
Also called isoglucose in Europe.

K
KRYSTAR® Crystalline Fructose
A nutritive corn based sweetener.

DEFINITIONS/EXPLANATORY NOTES

Useful information

TRADEMARKS
SPLENDA® and the SPLENDA® logo  
are trademarks of Heartland Consumer 
Products LLC.

DEFINITIONS
In this Annual Report:

•  ‘Company’ means Tate & Lyle PLC
•  ‘Tate & Lyle’, ‘Group’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ 

means Tate & Lyle PLC and its 
subsidiaries

•  ‘Gemacom’ means Tate & Lyle Gemacom 

Tech Indústria e Comércio S.A.

•  ‘Almex’ means Almidones Mexicanos SA
•  ‘Bio-PDO’ means DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio 

Products Company, LLC

•  ‘during the year’ means during the 
financial year ended 31 March 2020.

NON-RELIANCE STATEMENT
This Annual Report 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 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.

TATE & LYLE PLC
Tate & Lyle PLC is a public limited 
company listed on the London Stock 
Exchange and is registered in England  
and Wales.

More information about Tate & Lyle can  
be found on the Company’s website,  
www.tateandlyle.com

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
This Annual Report has been printed on 
Heaven 42 and UPM Fine offset, which are 
both Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) 
certified paper.

The paper is Carbon Balanced with World 
Land Trust, an international conservation 
charity, which offset carbon emissions 
through the purchase and preservation  
of high conservation value land. Through 
protecting standing forests, under threat 
of clearance, carbon is locked in that 
would otherwise be released. These 
protected forests are then able to continue 
absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, 
referred to as REDD (Reduced Emissions 
from Deforestation and forest Degradation).

This is now recognised as one of the most 
cost-effective and swiftest ways to arrest 
the rise in atmospheric CO2 and global 
warming effects. Additional to the carbon 
benefits is the flora and fauna this land 
preserves, including a number of species 
identified at risk of extinction on the IUCN 
Red List of Threatened Species. 

Printed in the UK by Pureprint Group,  
a CarbonNeutral® Company with  
FSC® certification.

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

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

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Tate & Lyle PLC Annual Report 2020

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WWW.TATEANDLYLE.COM