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Taylor Wimpey

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FY2019 Annual Report · Taylor Wimpey
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The Taylor Wimpey 
Difference

Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Taylor Wimpey plc is a customer-focused residential developer building 
and delivering homes and communities across the UK and in Spain.

Our Company purpose is to deliver new homes within thriving 
communities, in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, with 
customers at the heart of our decision making and consideration of the 
potential impact on wider stakeholders.

Contents

The Taylor Wimpey difference
Investment case

Strategic report
1 
12
14 Chair’s statement
17 Group Management Team Q&A
18 UK market review
22 Chief Executive’s letter
24 Our strategy and  

key performance indicators

30 Our business model
32 Making a difference for our stakeholders
44 Non-financial information statement
45 Our approach to identifying and 

managing risk

48 Our principal risks and uncertainties
54 Group financial review

Directors’ report: governance
60 Corporate Governance
64 Q&A with Irene Dorner, Chair-designate
66 Board Leadership and 
Company Purpose
82 Division of Responsibilities
86 Composition, Succession 

and Evaluation

98 Audit, Risk and Internal Control
106 Remuneration
132 Statutory, regulatory and 

other information

Financial statements
140 Independent auditor’s report
148 Consolidated income statement
149 Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income
150 Consolidated balance sheet
151 Consolidated statement of  

changes in equity

152 Consolidated cash flow statement
153 Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements
183 Company balance sheet
184 Company statement of changes 

in equity

Connect with us
There are several ways you can get in  
touch with us or follow our news.  

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate

www.twitter.com/taylorwimpeyplc

www.linkedin.com/company/taylor-wimpey

Navigating this report
The icons below help to signpost where you 
can find more information.

185 Notes to the Company financial 

Read more

statements

189 Particulars of subsidiaries, associates  

and joint ventures

191 Five year review

Shareholder information
192 Notice of Annual General Meeting
195 Notes to the notice of Annual  

General Meeting
199 Shareholder facilities

Key performance indicators

Link to remuneration

Link to our stakeholders

BM

Link to our business model

Link to our strategic goals

PR

Link to our Principal Risks

MI

Link to material issues

SR

Link to our Sustainability Report

We participate in various benchmarks and have been awarded a number of industry accreditations
We are a constituent of the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index and the FTSE4Good Index series, the leading responsible 
investment indices. We participate in the CDP Climate report and received a score of B in 2019 and in CDP Water, scoring B. 
We also participate in CDP Forests, disclosing our approach to timber sourcing. We received a C rating.

On the front cover is Rebecca Bowker, Project Manager for our Oxfordshire business unit, pictured at Great Western Park, Didcot.

The Taylor Wimpey difference
At Taylor Wimpey, we are a different kind of homebuilder. 
We aim to deliver our strategy in a way that makes a positive 
contribution to all stakeholders, particularly our employees, 
the communities we operate in and the environment. This will 
help build a sustainable advantage and deliver leading 
financial returns with strong and reliable cashflows through: 
1. Our strong culture and values  
2. A renewed focus on sustainability
3. A well invested, quality landbank and 

strong balance sheet 

4. Growth at the right time in the cycle
5. Cash generation, enabling significant 
and reliable returns to shareholders 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

1

Strategic report 
THE TAYLOR WIMPEY DIFFERENCE

1. Our strong culture 

and values

We have a culture embedded throughout the business of  
‘doing the right thing’. Our reputation is important to us and  
we will not compromise the character of the business. This is 
increasingly important in a politically sensitive industry and with  
increased scrutiny and customer expectations. 

“We have diverse and hardworking 
people at Taylor Wimpey who are 
committed to doing the right thing by 
the business and our customers; it’s 
what I have enjoyed most about 
working here.”

Novraj Sidhu, Managing Director

Our values empower  
us to do the right thing

Do the  
right thing

Read more on pages 23 and 71

Read more on pages 30 to 31

2 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

3

Strategic reportStrategic report 
4 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

THE TAYLOR WIMPEY DIFFERENCE

2. A renewed focus on 

sustainability 

Whilst short term performance is important, we run the business for  
the long term. This underpins our approach to the investments into 
build quality and in developing our people. We also need to be 
prepared to respond to changes in our regulatory environment and 
want to play our part in tackling climate change. In an industry with a 
well-known skills shortage we see a long term benefit in our 
apprentice and direct labour programmes. 

“I was thrilled to receive a coveted 
NHBC Pride in the Job Regional 
Award in 2019. It’s testament to  
all the hard work that has been  
put in by everyone on site and I for 
one am very proud of what we 
have achieved in raising the 
standards and quality of the 
homes we build.”

Dean Chinsky, Project Manager

SR

Read more in our 2019 Sustainability Report 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

5

Strategic reportStrategic report 
6 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

THE TAYLOR WIMPEY DIFFERENCE

3. A well invested, quality 
landbank and strong 
balance sheet 

Our high-quality landbank remains a key competitive advantage  
and an important driver of value as it enables us to build and sell  
the right product, create the right community and deliver the right 
service to our customers. We have an excellent short term landbank 
and strategic land pipeline, as measured by scale, quality of  
location and embedded margin. This gives us flexibility and options. 
Together, with our strong and well capitalised balance sheet, 
this means we can be very resilient through the cycle. 

“One of the best parts of my job  
is completing and opening new 
infrastructure on a development, 
such as play areas and shops, which 
I know will make a huge difference  
to the local residents and help bring 
the place to life.”

Rebecca Bowker, Project Manager

Read more on page 27

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

7

Strategic reportStrategic report 
8 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

THE TAYLOR WIMPEY DIFFERENCE

4. Growth at the right time in 

the cycle

We have the ability to grow, without compromising on quality  
or adding meaningful market risk at the right time in the cycle.  
Our factory approach to build can drive faster and more controlled 
growth which can be scaled up to deliver increases in volumes and 
cashflow on existing assets, depending on market conditions. Our 
differentiated approach to apprentices and direct labour provides us 
with a different kind of workforce that is flexible, high quality and part 
of the Taylor Wimpey culture, offering a route to high-quality growth.

“We have our own dedicated 

apprentice area on site which has 
been great as we learn new skills. 
I have also become a qualified 
first-aider since starting with 
Taylor Wimpey. Eventually I would 
like to work my way up to become 
a Site Manager.”

Louis Mist, Carpentry Apprentice 

Read more on page 28

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

9

Strategic reportStrategic report 
THE TAYLOR WIMPEY DIFFERENCE

5. Cash generation, enabling 
significant and reliable 
returns to shareholders 

We are a cash generative business and believe we can sustain this in 
times of market weakness, due to the strength of our balance sheet, 
the quality and length of our landbank and consequently the control 
we have over the timing of land investment. Our aim is to provide a 
reliable income stream to our shareholders.

“Being the first person a customer 

meets on their homebuying 
journey is a real privilege. My first 
home was a Taylor Wimpey home 
and we just recently moved up 
into our second! It’s given me a 
great insight into how and why 
customer experience matters so 
much, as a customer, employee 
and as a shareholder.”

Melissa Preston, Sales Executive

Read more on pages 40 and 41

Read more on page 24

10 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

11

Strategic reportStrategic report 
Investment case

The Taylor Wimpey difference

Our Company purpose is to deliver new homes within thriving communities, in a safe and environmentally 
responsible manner, with customers at the heart of our decision making and consideration of the potential 
impact on wider stakeholders.

We aim to deliver our strategy in a way that makes a positive contribution to all stakeholders, particularly our 
employees, the communities we operate in and the environment. This will help build a sustainable advantage 
and deliver leading financial returns with strong and reliable cashflows through:

1. Our strong culture and values
We have a culture embedded throughout the business of ‘doing the right thing’. Our reputation is important to us 
and we will not compromise the character of the business. This is increasingly important in a politically sensitive 
industry and with increased scrutiny and customer expectations. 

2. A renewed focus on sustainability 
Whilst short term performance is important, we run the business for the long term. This underpins our approach to 
the investments into build quality and in developing our people. We also need to be prepared to respond to 
changes in our regulatory environment and want to play our part in tackling climate change. In an industry with a 
well-known skills shortage we see a long term benefit in our apprentice and direct labour programmes. 

3. A well invested, quality landbank and strong 
balance sheet 
Our high-quality landbank remains a key competitive advantage and an important driver of value as it enables us 
to build and sell the right product, create the right community and deliver the right service to our customers. We 
have an excellent short term landbank and strategic land pipeline, as measured by scale, quality of location and 
embedded margin. This gives us flexibility and options. Together, with our strong and well capitalised balance 
sheet, this means we can be very resilient through the cycle. 

4. Growth at the right time in the cycle 
We have the ability to grow, without compromising on quality or adding meaningful market risk at the right time in 
the cycle. Whilst volumes for 2020 are expected to be slightly down on 2019, our factory approach to build can 
drive faster and more controlled growth which can be scaled up to deliver increases in volumes and cashflow on 
existing assets, depending on market conditions. Our differentiated approach to apprentices and direct labour 
provides us with a different kind of workforce that is flexible, high quality and part of the Taylor Wimpey culture, 
offering a route to high-quality growth.

5. Cash generation, enabling significant and reliable 
returns to shareholders
We are a cash generative business and believe we can sustain this in times of market weakness, due to the 
strength of our balance sheet, the quality and length of our landbank and consequently the control we have over 
the timing of land investment. Our aim is to provide a reliable income stream to our shareholders.

12 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our approach to 
paying dividends

Subject to shareholder approval each year, 
the Company will pay an ordinary dividend of 
approximately 7.5% of Group net assets, which 
will be at least £250 million per annum. This is 
intended to provide a reliable minimum annual 
return to shareholders throughout the cycle, 
including through a ‘normal downturn’, and will be 
paid equally as a final dividend (in May) and as an 
interim dividend (in November). This Ordinary 
Dividend Policy was subject to prudent and 
comprehensive stress testing against various 
downside scenarios, which also included a 
reduction of 20% in average selling prices and a 
30% reduction in volumes. 

The payment of ordinary dividends will continue to 
be supplemented by additional significant special 
dividends at appropriate times in the cycle. Our 
Special Dividend Policy will pay out to shareholders 
the free cash generated by the Group after land 
investment, all working capital, taxation and other 
cash requirements of the business in executing 
our strategy in the medium term, and once the 
Group’s ordinary dividends have been met. We 
have paid a special dividend in each of the last six 
years. Over the past six years we have paid a 
total of £2.3 billion in ordinary and special 
dividends to our shareholders.

As previously announced, subject to shareholder 
approval at the 2020 AGM scheduled for 23 April 
2020, we intend to pay a minimum ordinary 
dividend of £250 million per annum (c.7.6 pence) 
(2019: £250 million) and c.£360 million 
(10.99 pence) to shareholders in July 2020 by 
way of a special dividend (2019: £350 million). 

Accordingly, subject to shareholder approval, 
in 2020 shareholders will receive a total dividend 
of c.£610 million (c.18.6 pence per share).

2019 paid to shareholders

Annual ordinary 
dividend
£249.8m

Special  
dividend
£349.9m

Total dividends

£599.7m

2020 subject to  
shareholder approval

Annual ordinary 
dividend
c.£250m

Special  
dividend
c.£360m

Total dividends

c.£610m

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

13

We have been named  
in the top 50 places 
to work in the UK for 
2020, by Glassdoor, 
as voted for by 
employees for the 
third consecutive year

Employee 
engagement  
rate 

93%

Health and Safety Annual 
Injury Incidence Rate 
(per 100,000 employees 
and contractors)

Voluntary  
employee  
turnover 

156

2018: 228

12.9%

2018: 14.5%

We are a member of 
the NextGeneration 
benchmark and were 
awarded Silver 
in 2019

Construction  
Quality Review  
score

4.13

2018: 3.93

Number of people 
recruited into early 
talent programmes

Directly employed 
key trades, including 
trade apprentices

116

2018: 175

1,169

2018: 748

Strategic land 
pipeline – 
potential plots

c.140k

2018: c.127k

Land cost as a %  
of average selling 
price on approvals

16.2%

2018: 19.2%

Short term  
landbank –  
plots

c.76k

2018: c.76k

% of completions 
from strategically 
sourced land 

56%

2018: 58%

Net private sales rate 
per outlet per week

Orderbook  
value 

Private legal 
completions per outlet

0.96

2018: 0.80

£2,176m

2018: £1,782m

48.2

2018: 41.8

Landbank  
years

c.4.8 

2018: c.5.1

Return on net 
operating assets**

31.4%

2018: 33.4%

Cash  
conversion‡‡

82.6%

2018: 92.6%

Net cash‡  

£545.7m 

2018: £644.1m

Definitions and reconciliations of our Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) to the equivalent statutory measures 
are included in Note 32 of the financial statements 

Read more about our stakeholders on pages 32 to 43

SR Read more in our 2019 Sustainability Report

Strategic report 
 
Chair’s statement

Reflecting on 
my time as 
Chair of Taylor 
Wimpey

To quote a much more well-known Chair, Bill Gates: 
“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next 
two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the 
next ten.” This is my final Annual Report as your Chair, having 
served since 2010, before standing down from the Board in 
February 2020. As I look back on my time with Taylor Wimpey, 
it has been an enormous privilege to be your Chair, and it is 
with great pride in all that our employees have achieved and 
how far we have come as a business over the past 10 years. 

2019 in review
Turning first to 2019, the UK housing market remained 
resilient through the year, continuing to benefit from strong 
underlying demand, low interest rates, a competitive 
mortgage market and the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. 
During the year, driven by our strategy, we achieved another 
sector-leading sales rate, importantly, while also increasing 
the quality of our homes. There can be no doubt that 2019 
saw heightened political and economic uncertainty, and we 
saw some signs of increasing caution in the market in the 
second half of the year, particularly in London and the South 
East and at the higher price points. Your Board is constantly 
monitoring the implications that economic and political 
changes may have on our business and you can find more 
information about this on pages 18 to 21 and 45 to 53.

Taylor Wimpey 2019 financial performance
During the year we completed 15,719 new homes across the 
UK (2018: 14,933) including joint ventures, an increase of 
5.3%. Group operating profit* reduced to £850.5 million 
(2018: £880.2 million), as we experienced some margin 
pressure as house price inflation remained flat and build cost 
inflation increased. Cost discipline has been a priority this year 
and this will be an ongoing major focus for our teams in 2020. 

Key milestones since 2010

2010
Completed the early refinancing 
of existing debt facilities.

2012
Founding partner with  
Centrepoint in the national  
movement End Youth  
Homelessness.

2014
Maintenance / ordinary dividend 
pay-out doubled to 2% of net assets.

Began additional special dividend 
payments (£50m in 2014 rising to 
£350m for the 2019 special 
dividend payment).

2011
Launched first Group strategy.

Sale of North American business to become a 
UK focused housebuilder.

2013
Launched first 
Sustainability Strategy.

14 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

“It is only 

possible to 
deliver our 
strategy with 
highly engaged, 
talented 
employees.”

More information on our financial performance can be  
found in the Group financial review on pages 54 to 58. 
When assessing our performance, we also place importance 
on a wider number of operational measures (our key performance 
indicators) that reflect the priorities of our strategy, as outlined 
on pages 25 to 29. I would however, like to draw your 
attention to one of these here, which is our targeted 
investment in apprentices as a route to an increased direct 
labour workforce, in the midst of a wider industry shortage. 
I am pleased to say we now employ over 630 apprentices 
and whilst this is a net cost borne by the business in the short 
term, it is an important and meaningful investment in our future.

We remain a cash generative business and we were very pleased 
to be able to increase dividends paid to shareholders to 
£599.7 million in 2019, a new record for Taylor Wimpey. 
At the half year, we confirmed our intention to pay a 2020 
special dividend of c.£360 million, in addition to the ordinary 
dividend of c.£250 million – paid equally as a final dividend 
(in May) and as an interim dividend (in November). 
Shareholders will therefore receive a total of c.£610 million  
in dividends in 2020, subject to shareholder approval. 
Details of our resolutions for the 2020 Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) can be found on pages 192 and 193.

Customers at the forefront
We continue to believe that by identifying and better responding 
to our customers’ needs, we will have a higher quality and more 
sustainable business. Our customers have told us that there 
are three key areas which are priorities for them (set out on 
page 34) and on which we are focused. We believe that the 
best way of measuring customer satisfaction is across a basket 
of measures (set out on pages 25 and 26), and we are delighted, 
as I mentioned previously, that the quality of our homes 
improved in 2019 and we lead the volume housebuilders, 
according to the independent National House-Building 
Council (NHBC) Construction Quality Review (CQR) measure. 
However, it is disappointing to us all that the 8-week ‘would 
you recommend’ score in the Home Builders Federation 
(HBF) survey dipped just below the 90% level to 89.4% in 
2019. This is important and so we are pleased that recent 
performance is back above 90% and at a five-star level. 

Health and safety
Health and safety continues to be our non-negotiable, 
number one priority and forms part of every single Board 
meeting throughout the business. This year’s Annual Injury 
Incidence Rate per 100,000 employees and contractors was 
156 (2018: 228), which was well below the HBF Home 
Builder Average and the Health and Safety Executive 
Construction Industry Average. Although benchmarking is 

important, we see no level of injury as acceptable on  
our sites, so whilst accidents occur, we will always  
continue to learn lessons and prioritise improvements in 
our operating practices.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
We are widely recognised as being a responsible company 
with strong governance which makes a substantial social 
contribution. However, we recognise that we can, and 
should, challenge ourselves to make further positive impacts 
on environmental issues which impact our stakeholders. The 
roll out of our environmental strategy is a focus for 2020 
which will formalise the work we have ongoing in the business 
and go further in committing to more ambitious targets in key 
areas such as biodiversity and continuing to reduce our 
carbon footprint. We plan to develop a science-based carbon 
reduction target by the end of 2020. You can read more 
about our approach to sustainability throughout this report 
and in our 2019 Sustainability Report. 

The Board is focused on delivering results in the right way and 
in the interest of all stakeholders and we remain committed to 
having the strongest possible governance. I am pleased that 
we received strong backing from our shareholders at last 
year’s AGM in respect of all resolutions. We continue to 
engage with our shareholders and other stakeholders on 
important ESG issues and with respect to the proposed new 
three-year Remuneration Policy to be put to shareholders at 
the 2020 AGM. More information can be found on pages 77 
to 81. 

In a wider governance sense, we were delighted that our 
2018 Annual Report and Accounts and 2018 Sustainability 
Report were shortlisted for numerous awards and we were 
very pleased to win The Chartered Governance Institute’s 
(ICSA’s) Annual Report of the Year (FTSE 100).

Taylor Wimpey employees and values
It is only possible to deliver our strategic objectives with highly 
engaged, talented employees. We are a business that believes 
in doing the right thing and this is demonstrated daily by our 
teams. This year we ran an internal campaign to re-launch our 
Company values of ‘Do the right thing’, ‘Respectful and fair’, 
‘Take responsibility’, ‘Be proud’ and ‘Better tomorrow’. 
These are values that already exist in abundance within Taylor 
Wimpey, but with a new simplified message we invited our 
employees to share what the values mean to them. We had a 
huge response from employees and have shared some of 
their comments at the start of our Annual Report and 
Accounts to show ‘the Taylor Wimpey difference’.

2016
First time over 50%  
of our completions for  
the year were sourced  
from the strategic pipeline.

2018
Set out new customer-focused strategy.

Announced an enhanced Dividend Policy, paying an ordinary 
dividend of at least £250 million per annum (approximately 
7.5% of net assets), supplemented by special dividends at 
appropriate times in the cycle.

2015
Launched the roll out of a  
new customer approach  
across the business with a  
focus on three main areas:  
culture, structure and process.

2017
Implemented a direct  
labour pilot involving  
six business units.

2019
98% of employees believe Taylor Wimpey takes Health 
& Safety in the workplace seriously, as measured by the 
employee engagement survey.

Now employ over 630 key trade apprentices.

Increased UK completions excluding joint ventures 
by 56% since 2010.

Named in the top 50 places to work in the UK 
for 2020, by Glassdoor, as voted by employees.

15

Strategic reportChair’s statement continued

Diversity and inclusivity continues to be a major focus but there 
is of course lots still to do in this area (please see page 62). 
I am however pleased that our efforts in this regard have been 
recognised by the Financial Times which identified us as a 
Diversity Leader for 2020. At the point I stand down from the 
Board on 26 February 2020, I am pleased to report that 
female representation on our Board will become 56%. 
Furthermore, our senior executive Group Management Team 
(GMT) is 44% female.

Board changes
In December we were delighted to appoint Irene Dorner as  
an Independent Non Executive Director and Chair-designate, 
assuming the position of Chair on 26 February 2020. Irene 
brings a wealth of financial and other commercial experience 
from both executive and independent non executive roles. 
In her capacity as the new Chair, I am confident that Irene will 
provide the strong leadership required to oversee the future 
success of Taylor Wimpey. In October we also welcomed 
Robert Noel as an Independent Non Executive Director. 
Rob has over 30 years experience in the property sector 
and brings a deep understanding of the fundamentals of 
the markets we operate in.

In November, we were also delighted to appoint Alice 
Marsden as Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. 
Alice brings with her substantial legal, commercial and 
regulatory experience and is a member of the GMT. James 
Jordan stood down from the Board on 31 December 2019 
after 17 years of dedicated service. On behalf of the Board I 
would like to thank James for his outstanding contribution 
and exceptional commitment and dedication to the Company 
and for his wisdom and counsel to myself as Chair. We all 
wish him a very long and happy retirement. 

Taylor Wimpey in 2019 and beyond
I usually find it nearly impossible to keep this statement to a 
few short pages, never mind to attempt to encapsulate years 
in a few paragraphs. It strikes me that today we operate  
in a dramatically different industry, country and even world 
compared to that of 2010, the start of my tenure as your Chair. 

In 2010, we were emerging from the worst recession since 
the Great Depression of the 1930s while reshaping and 
restructuring the business and balance sheet, post the 2007 
George Wimpey / Taylor Woodrow merger, from significant 
year end net debt of over £1.5 billion in 2008, to the strong 
balance sheet we have now with over £545 million of net cash 
even after paying nearly £600 million in dividends to 
shareholders in 2019.

During my tenure, we have built 126,435 homes in the UK, 
increasing annual completions by 56% from 9,927 in 2010 to 
15,520 in 2019, grown profitability to over 2.5 times 2010 
levels and built an excellent short term landbank of c.76k 
plots with a further c.140k potential plots in the strategic 
pipeline, located in high quality locations. We also sold our 
businesses in North America in 2011 for almost $1 billion to 
simplify the Group and become a UK-focused business. 
We continue to be a very significant local employer in the UK, 
employing, on average, 5,796 people in 2019, and providing 
opportunities for a further 14.6k operatives on our sites. 
Over the past six years we have paid a total of £2.3 billion 
in ordinary and special dividends to our shareholders.

However, as ever, the numbers only tell part of the story, 
they do not fully reflect the progress made, including the 
major shifts in improving the quality of our homes and landbank, 
and in our approach to customer service and the progressive 
and very special culture we have here at Taylor Wimpey.

I would like to end by thanking you, our shareholders, for your 
support over the years, and every single Taylor Wimpey 
employee, for your contribution this year, but also to add a very 
personal thank you from me for all of your support and hard 
work in my almost 10 years at Taylor Wimpey. As a business, 
we know we are not perfect, but as I said earlier it has been my 
pleasure and privilege to work for a company, and with 
colleagues, who have a reputation for doing the right thing. 
With Irene taking over as Chair, I know I leave you in very good 
and capable hands. I am confident that Taylor Wimpey will 
weather the challenges of the new decade and beyond and will 
continue to prosper, with a strong purpose and financial base, 
and excellent teams operating throughout the business.

“It has been my 
pleasure and 
privilege to work 
for a company, 
and with 
colleagues,  
who have a 
reputation  
for doing the 
right thing.”

Kevin Beeston
Chair

NEW CHAIR-DESIGNATE

Irene Dorner
Chair-designate

Firstly, I know all will join me in congratulating Kevin on his great stewardship 
since 2010 as well as wishing him the very best in his future endeavours. 
Throughout my career in financial services, I have found that businesses 
function best when tone from the top is echoed throughout the business and 
there is a high degree of personal responsibility. I have only been with the 
business for a short time, but I am delighted to see that Taylor Wimpey 
management and employees go out of their way to take responsibility, which 
is extremely encouraging and reassuring for an incoming Chair. 

Employee relations are increasingly important and something that I am 
passionate about and so it is encouraging to see that dialogue between 
employee representatives and the Board, and engagement levels across 
the business, are very healthy. I am very much looking forward to 
continuing my visits around the business in 2020 and meeting more of the 
team out on site as I learn about the business. I look forward to the 
opportunity to meet many of you, our shareholders, at our AGM in April.

16 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Group Management Team Q&A

Energised for the year ahead

Group 
Management 
Team
Pete Redfern  
Chief Executive 

Chris Carney  
Group Finance Director 

Jennie Daly  
Group Operations 
Director 

Alice Marsden  
Group General Counsel 
and Company 
Secretary 

Anne Billson-Ross 
Group Human 
Resources Director 

Nigel Holland  
Divisional Chair, Central 
and South West 

Daniel McGowan 
Divisional Chair, North 

Ingrid Osborne 
Divisional Chair, London 
and South East 

Lee Bishop  
Major Developments 
Director

Read more  
about our GMT at 
www.taylorwimpey.
co.uk/corporate

Q  What are the key priorities for 2020?
A  JD In 2019, our teams achieved an industry-leading  

sales rate, delivering a 5% increase in home completions 
whilst at the same time improving quality, no mean feat. 
They have been busy implementing several initiatives over 
the past three years so, in 2020, our priority is embedding 
these improvements across the business. That said, one 
of our values is ‘better tomorrow’ so the Board has set a 
manageable number of new priorities for 2020. These are: 
increased focus on costs and process simplification, 
supporting our apprentice and direct labour programmes, 
outlining our environmental strategy and work on smoothing 
the completions profile to prevent bottlenecks and 
improve our customers’ experience. We will also work on 
specific medium term planning to deal with life post-Help 
to Buy and really test and challenge the cost base and 
specification of our new house type range, before we roll 
it out to our businesses and for our customers. 

Q  In an improved land market, what are the 
benefits of a large strategic land pipeline? 
A  DM Under certain conditions in the cycle, strategic land 
can provide a margin advantage but the benefits of a 
large pipeline are broader. We have a record strategic 
pipeline of c.140k potential plots in areas we believe 
customers want to live. We have an excellent track record 
of converting these plots through the planning system, 
and for several years over half of our completions have 
been through strategic land. Therefore, the key benefits of 
our strategic pipeline are the advantage it gives us when 
planning our business and the significant competitive 
advantage of having exclusive opportunities to develop in 
locations where our customers want to live, close to local 
economies and amenities, supported by good 
transportation links. Strategically, good visibility of land 
coming through our pipeline enables us to plan great, 
sustainable places to live, maintaining strong buying 
discipline and so protecting our margin. 

Q  What are your key employee challenges? 
A  ABR You will see employee quotes throughout this report 
taken from responses to our 2019 values campaign, and 
they show we are fortunate to have a motivated and 
engaged workforce. Our 2019 employee engagement 
survey was very positive, and Glassdoor identifies us as 
one of the UK’s top 50 places to work for a third 
successive year (as voted for by our employees). 
Retaining our talent is always a focus and we are 
committed to training and personal development plans to 
help everyone reach their potential and continue to 
advance initiatives to improve diversity and inclusivity (see 
our online Gender Pay Gap Report). Developing our pool 
of directly employed key trades is a key priority for 2020 
to build in flexibility and establish a workforce with a 
customer focus and Taylor Wimpey values. As an industry 
leader in developing new trade apprentices, it is vital we 
have the supporting structures and teams of experienced 
colleagues in place to support them once they qualify.

Q  What is your response to climate change?
A  LB We acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate 
change and biodiversity loss and the need for urgent 
action. The development of our environmental strategy 
and introduction of a science-based carbon reduction 
target by the end of 2020 is about formalising the good 
practices put in place throughout the business by our site 
teams and Sustainability Champions. We are pleased to 
have reduced our direct emissions intensity by 43% since 
2013 and are on track for our targeted 50% reduction by 
2023. We have also achieved an absolute reduction in 
emissions of 19% since 2013, even with a 42% increase 
in completed floor area. Taking action on the environment 
helps us to create better places to live for our customers 
and strengthens our relationships with employees and 
other stakeholders. It also reduces costs and risks to the 
business, with climate change and biodiversity identified 
as key risks and monitored by the Board. 

Q  How will you manage market uncertainty? 
IO Monitoring market conditions is a constant focus. As 
A 
well as our live internal operating information, the GMT 
closely monitors market conditions across a range of 
metrics including market transactions, house pricing, 
materials pricing, affordability, planning permissions and 
land transactions. We are cautiously run with a strong 
balance sheet. We have built robustness and flexibility into 
our 24 regional businesses and are well positioned for all 
market conditions. Our Principal Risks (outlined on page 
48) are closely monitored and discussed at Board and 
GMT meetings. This year we have refreshed our 
approach to explaining risks in a way which we hope is 
more helpful to our stakeholders. 

Q  Are large sites still important?
A  NH Our ‘strategy for larger sites’ should not be confused 
with us having a ‘large site strategy’ (prioritising larger 
sites over all others), we need a mix of site sizes for our 
planning and to better react to changing market 
circumstances. Large sites, where we generally operate 
from an earlier stage, offer us a great opportunity to 
shape and improve placemaking (design, facilities, 
biodiversity, landscaping) which is a key part of helping 
our customers develop new communities, a key focus for 
the Group. Sites such as Great Western Park (Didcot) and 
Somerdale (Keynsham) are excellent examples of what is 
possible in terms of creating attractive green spaces and 
excellent community facilities.

17

Strategic reportUK market review

Our place  
in the housing 
market

To understand how our market impacts our 
operations we start by considering our place 
in the wider housing market. We completed 
15.7k homes this year and are one of the 
UK’s largest homebuilders. 

To put that in context, UK new build transactions for the year to 
March 2019 were around 203k, putting our share of the new 
homes market at around 8%. However, we are also part of a 
much larger market which sees around 1.2m in annual housing 
transactions of which around 83% relate to second hand or 
existing housing. Being a small but important part of a much 
larger market has clear implications for our strategy, particularly 
in terms of market positioning and pricing power.

In recent years the relative performance of second hand and new 
build transactions has diverged. The second hand market has 
undergone a difficult period owing to political uncertainty, 
particularly in higher priced areas such as London and the South 
East where sales have been sluggish. Over the same time period 
demand for new homes has been robust and we have grown our 
UK new home completions by 8% since 2017. 

This divergence is partly explained by the different customer 
drivers impacting each market. Second hand house sales tend 
to be more discretionary, as sellers, and some buyers already 
own property and are often more willing to defer sales and 
purchases than first time buyers, who may be adults living with 
parents or those starting new families. 

In addition, the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme introduced in 
2013, which has assisted many buyers to access housing, is 
only available for new build homes. Under the current scheme 
the Government will lend up to 20% of the value of a new build 
home via an equity loan (interest free for five years) to 
homebuyers outside Greater London (40% within Greater 
London) who are able to meet certain criteria, including raising a 
5% deposit.

Total housing  
completions 2018-2019

c.1.2m

New build completions 2018-2019

c.203k

Key customer drivers

The key drivers of our market; house prices, inflation and interest rates, 
mortgage affordability and availability, and employment and consumer 
confidence, are interlinked. The minimum deposit requirements of 
mortgage providers plays a key role in our customers’ ability to access 
home ownership, particularly in the case of first time buyers. For this 
reason, the Help to Buy scheme has been important for the sector.

For those able to achieve the necessary deposit to buy a home, 
affordability is good. Current low interest rates and widespread availability 
of mortgages at competitive rates mean that, on average, today’s new 
owners can expect to pay a lower proportion of average household 
income towards their mortgage than they would have back in 1984 (see 
chart on page 19). 

Interest rates

Mortgage availability

Impacts
 – Affordability (mortgage rates)

Impacts
 – Credit availability for house 

Contributing factors
 – Inflation
 – Economic growth
 – Consumer confidence

Medium term expectation
 – Remain low 
 – Potential for modest  
basis points moves in 
either direction 

Long term expectation
 – Dependent on UK economy
 – Likely to rise steadily from 

low base

purchases

 – Mandated deposit 

requirements of lenders

Contributing factors
 – Interest rates 
 – Liquidity of banks
 – Economy

Medium term expectation
 – Remain low 

Long term factors
 – Dependent on UK economy

Employment

Help to Buy

Impacts
 – Consumer confidence
 – Wage growth

Contributing factors
 – UK economic performance
 – Business confidence

Medium term expectation
 – Record employment levels
 – Dependent on public and 
private investment outlook

 – Dependent on inflation

Long term expectation
 – Dependent on UK economy
 – Dependent on impacts of trade 

deal with EU

 – Dependent on global economy

Impacts
 – Affordability for homebuyers

Contributing factors
 – Adaptability of lenders to 

provide alternative products

Medium term expectation
 – Price caps in place from 2021 
and restricted to first time 
buyers with scheme to phase 
out by 2023

 – Potential market adjustments 

as scheme ends

 – Dependent on alternative 
financing options available 

Long term factors
 – Dependent on UK economy
 – Structural undersupply should 

underpin market demand

Sources: HMRC, ONS.

PR Read more on pages 48 to 53

18 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our performance in 2019 
Despite wider macro-economic and political uncertainty, the UK new 
build housing market remained stable during 2019, albeit with more 
challenging conditions in London and the South East and at higher 
price points. Customer demand for new build homes continued to 
be robust, underpinned by low interest rates, a wide choice of 
mortgage products and the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. 
During the year, we saw good levels of demand throughout the 
country, which converted into strong sales rates across the business. 

In 2019, total home completions increased by 5% to 15,719, 
including joint ventures (2018: 14,933). During 2019, we delivered 
3,548 affordable homes (2018: 3,416), including joint ventures, 
equating to 23% of total completions (2018: 23%). Average selling 
prices on private completions increased by 1% to £305k (2018: 
£302k), with the overall average selling price increasing to £269k 
(2018: £264k).

We estimate that market-led house price growth for our regional mix 
was c.1% in the 12 months to 31 December 2019 (2018: c.3%).

Our net private sales rate for 2019 remained strong at 0.96 homes 
per outlet per week (2018: 0.80). Consistent with our strategy to 
optimise our large sites, and our long term approach to reducing 
cyclical risk by maintaining a strong order book, we achieved a 
strong sales rate of 0.92 in the second half of the year (H2 2018: 
0.76). Cancellation rates remained low at 15% (2018: 14%). First 
time buyers accounted for 34% of total sales in 2019 (2018: 34%). 
Investor sales continued to be at a low level of c.5% (2018: c.5%).

Strong forward orders

We ended 2019 with a record total order book valued at £2,176 
million as at 31 December 2019 (31 December 2018: £1,782 
million), excluding joint ventures, which represents 9,725 homes 
(31 December 2018: 8,304 homes). We traded from an average of 
250 outlets in 2019 (2018: 273) and enter 2020 with 240 outlets 
(31 December 2018: 256). As previously guided, we expect 2020 
outlet numbers to be broadly similar to 2019.

Help to Buy

During 2019, approximately 34% of total sales used the Help to Buy 
scheme, and we worked with 5,693 households to take the first step 
to home ownership or to move up the housing ladder (2018: 36% 
and 5,828). Approximately 76% of sales through Help to Buy in 
2019 were to first time buyers (2018: 77%) at an average price of 
£277k (2018: £270k). During the year 30% of sales in the London 
market used Help to Buy London (2018: 29%). 

We welcome the Government’s announcement within the Autumn 
Budget 2018 to introduce tapering measures to the Help to Buy 
scheme as the Equity Loan Scheme transitions to a close in 2023. 
Help to Buy has been popular with our customers and has 
supported them in getting onto and moving up the housing ladder, 
however, we believe that the changes announced are appropriate 
and are in the best long term interests of the housing market 
and homebuyers. 

Unsatisfied demand for homes
For the medium to long term, demographic factors such as changes to 
population and household formations and the rate of home ownership will 
impact demand from our customers. The rate of home ownership has 
fallen from its peak in the early 2000s of c.70% to c.64% in 2018. This 
reflects stretched affordability, and according to HSBC, the average age of 
first time buyers in July 2019 was 33 and could rise to 40 in the next 
decade. This suggests that accessibility to home ownership remains an 
issue, something we are keen to address, and that underlying demand for 
housing overall is likely to continue to outpace supply for some years.

The home ownership rate in England

%

75

70

65

60

55

50

1980

1990

Owner occupiers

2000

Year

2010

2019

Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Affordability and mortgage availability
Homebuyers who are able to raise a deposit often find monthly mortgage 
costs lower than the alternative cost of rental for comparable properties 
(on average £666 per month versus £722 per month1). The relative cost  
of buying to renting depends on interest rates and, while there are no 
imminent signs of major rises, in the longer term we would expect interest 
rates to rise, albeit gradually and well signalled, from historic lows.

By other traditional metrics, affordability of housing, be it buying or renting is 
more stretched. The housing to average earnings ratio, important in determining 
how much lending a mortgage company will provide, was 6.7 times in 
August 20192 having eased back, yet remained close to the 2007 peak. 

The UK Government led the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) in 2009 
following the financial crisis. The MMR found prior instances of high-risk 
lending to people unable to afford their mortgages. New measures to 
regulate lending came into force in 2014 and stricter criteria impacted 
upon the ability for some people to gain access to housing. Overall 
availability of mortgage products remains healthy and UK mortgage 
approvals for December 2019 were at their highest rate since 2015.

1.  Sources: Halifax, BM Solutions, ONS.
2.  Sources: Zoopla, ONS.

UK first time buyers mortgage payments as a percentage  
of pay/interest rates

y
a
p
e
m
o
h
e
k
a
t

f

o
%

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

%
e
t
a
r

t
s
e
r
e
t
n

I

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016

2019

Interest rate %

Year
% of take home pay

Sources: Nationwide, Bank of England.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

19

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UK market review continued

Industry structural factors

House price inflation

There are a number of structural factors that impact our industry. Structural 
factors are conditions that have built up over decades and may take many 
more to resolve, such as the availability of skilled labour (e.g. a UK workforce 
aligned to other areas such as finance, the service sector, social sciences 
and public and private sector administration) and a shortage of housing 
supply (due to growing population, changing UK demographics, years of 
underinvestment in housing). The land and planning environment has 
structurally changed this cycle.

The housing market cycle 
Despite structural undersupply, which underpins our long term prospects, 
we continue to view the market as cyclical. Therefore, in our view, it is a 
question of when, not if, there is a period of market weakness. 

0
0
0
’
£

250

200

150

100

50

0

40

30

20

%

10

0

-10

-20

1988

1998

2008

2019

It is worth considering what has happened in previous cycles and what has 
changed since then. 

Price £

Annual Change %

Year

UK house prices rose by 34% and 74% in the four years leading up to the 
1990 house price crash and the 2008 financial crisis. Over the last four years 
prices have increased by around 15%, and this year, house price growth has 
been outstripped by wage inflation, a small positive for affordability. 

It isn’t possible to predict what will happen to price and the extent of any future 
correction, but it is reasonable to suggest that the last few years have not 
replicated the ‘bubble’ characteristics that marked the end of previous cycles.

Changing land environment 
UK housebuilders are more than just builders, we invest in land and develop 
it through a number of planning and regulatory stages. The time from land 
purchase to sale of completed homes can vary from 1.5 years in the case  
of short term land, with some form of planning for residential development, 
to over 10 years in some cases for strategic land, without planning for 
residential development. 

The land backdrop has seen marked changes in this cycle following the 
introduction of the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 
Subsequent updates to NPPF continue to confirm the importance of 
housing delivery and supply through both the Local Plan process and the 
five-year land supply balance. 

Source: Nationwide.

The land and planning environment is structurally different in this cycle due 
to a generally good level of housing land availability, and is more balanced 
and effective today than at any point over the last 30 years. We are 
confident that, barring a fundamental change in Government policy, 
this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Given the strength of the landbank, and in light of the wider political and 
economic uncertainty, during 2019 we took a precautionary view of land 
investment and acquired new land on broadly a replacement basis, 
maintaining our strong locational discipline and focus on strategic 
land conversion.

More limited availability of land with planning under the old (pre NPPF) 
framework was a factor in the significant land price inflation, which 
amplified the impact of previous downturns. This was particularly evident 
during the housing market crash of the late 1980s and the housing crash 
during the financial crisis of 2007-2009. 

Housing availability

Land and planning regime

Regulatory backdrop

Labour and materials

Impacts
 – Supply and demand factors
 – Rate of housebuilding 

in industry

Contributing factors
 – Availability of labour and 

materials

 – Government intervention / 

planning backdrop

 – Land availability

Medium term expectation
 – Shortfall against 300k 
Government target 

Long term factors
 – Gradual easing of shortage 
but long term demand for  
our product

Impacts
 – Availability of land
 – Planning

Impacts
 – Ease of building
 – Cost of building

Contributing factors
 – Time taken for planning decisions
 – Cost of planning obligations
 – Viability of land

Medium term expectation
 – Pressure on: minimum prices, 
options premium, cost caps 
 – Increasing focus on one-to-one 

opportunities through 
structured site searches
 – Councils reporting climate 
emergency related delays 

Long term factors
 – Policy dependent
 – Continued benign outlook

BM

Read more on pages 30 
to 31

Contributing factors
 – Planning environment / reforms
 – Health, safety and environment 
(HSE) and quality requirements

Medium to long term factors
 – Changes after consultations 

on fire safety / access 
 – Energy, ventilation, electric 

vehicle charging 

 – Environmental Bill, including 

Biodiversity Net Gain

 – Further devolution of planning 
 – Social housing proposals
 – National Model Design Code

Impacts
 – Pace of build
 – Availability of skilled labour

Contributing factors
 – Training our apprentices to 

offset skills shortage
 – UK construction levels 
 – UK employment levels

Medium term expectation
 – Build cost inflation expected 

to be c.3% this year

 – Future years depend on: 

industry output; EU trade deal; 
UK immigration policy

Long term factors
 – Depends on UK economy
 – Dependent on education and 

industry training

Read more on pages 36 
to 37

PR Read more on pages 48 to 53

20 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our performance in 2019 

Land market

Our short term landbank stands at c.76k plots (2018: 
c.76k plots), which has been sourced using strict 
criteria, including location quality. 54% of this short 
term landbank has been strategically sourced (2018: 
51%), since 2009.

We currently have c.4.8 years of land supply at current 
completion levels in towns, villages and cities where 
customers aspire to live. During 2019 we acquired 
7,268 plots (2018: 8,841 plots).

The average cost of land as a proportion of average 
selling price within the short term owned landbank 
remains low at 14.9% (2018: 15.2%). The average 
selling price in the short term owned landbank in 2019 
increased by 1.4% to £285k (2018: £281k). 

A key strength of Taylor Wimpey is our strategic land 
pipeline. This is an important input to the short term 
landbank and provides an enhanced supply of land 
with greater control over the planning permissions we 
receive. We have one of the largest strategic pipelines 
in the sector which stood at a record of c.140k 
potential plots as at 31 December 2019 (31 December 
2018: c.127k potential plots). During 2019, we 
converted a further c.8k plots from the strategic 
pipeline to the short term landbank (2018: c.8k plots). 
We continue to seek new opportunities and added a 
net 21.2k new potential plots to the strategic pipeline in 
2019 (2018: 17.8k). In the year, 56% of our 
completions were sourced from the strategic pipeline 
(2018: 58%). 

Build cost
Build cost inflation in 2019 was c.4.5% (2018: 3.5%).  
As stated in November 2019, since the final quarter of 2019 
we have seen a softening in the cost pressures experienced 
earlier in 2019. At this stage, we anticipate lower overall  
build cost inflation in 2020, though this is dependent on 
industry-wide production levels as well as house price  
inflation and expect build cost inflation of around 3%. 

Current trading to February 2020
We have made a positive start to 2020 coming into the spring 
selling season and, with a clearer political outlook, customer 
confidence has improved. The net private sales rate for the 
year to date (w/e 23 February 2020) was 0.97 (2019: 0.99). 
The underlying net private sales rate for the year to date, and 
the equivalent period, excluding bulk deals, was 0.92 (2019: 
0.90). To date we have achieved selling price growth of 
c.1.5% against budget. As at 23 February 2020, we were 
c.49% forward sold for private completions for 2020 (2019: 
47%), with a total order book value of £2,606 million (2019: 
£2,170 million), excluding joint ventures. This order book 
represents 10,901 homes (2019: 9,622). In Central London 
c.84% of private completions for 2020 are forward sold, as at 
23 February 2020 (2019: c.50%). 

Outlook

Short term 
The easing in build cost pressures seen in late 2019 has been maintained, 
and we expect build cost inflation in 2020 to be around 3%. We are focused 
on reducing underlying costs to mitigate future build cost inflation. This very 
clear focus on cost, simplification and value has been well received by the 
business, with employees engaged at every level. Volumes for 2020 are 
expected to be slightly lower and we will be targeting a slightly lower sales 
rate as we focus on capturing value. We aim to maintain 2020 operating 
profit margin broadly in line with 2019. Operating profit margin in the first half 
of the year will show pressure from 2019 build cost inflation and selling 
prices and long term investment in quality and business improvement, with 
margin improvement expected in the second half as cost initiatives improve 
performance. Margin remains a key priority for the Group and we have 
reconfirmed our medium term target to deliver operating profit margins of 
c.21-22%, assuming market conditions remain stable.

During a period of wider macro-economic uncertainty, the new build 
market has proved to be resilient and house prices have remained stable. 
We remain supportive of Government plans to introduce an independent 
ombudsman service to the new build sector to provide impartial rulings  
on unresolved customer issues and to help raise standards in the 
wider industry.

Whilst we recognise that the ongoing trade discussions with the European 
Union may create some volatility in sentiment in the housing market in the 
near term, we see the clearer political outlook as providing a longer period  
of stability for our customers. We are mindful of the changing regulatory 
environment for the sector in the short to medium term and will continue to 
monitor this closely to ensure we are able to respond.

In line with our strategy, as we continue to build a sustainable advantage, 
we remain committed to investment in areas that will drive long term 
benefits and future value for customers and investors, such as our 
investment in apprentices, our direct labour recruitment and our strategy 
for large sites. We are also committed to further strengthening our 
environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and will set out 
further ambitious targets in key areas such as biodiversity and continuing 
to reduce our carbon footprint, including developing a science-based 
carbon reduction target by the end of 2020.

We will continue our focus on cash generation, cost discipline and the 
financial returns of our business. We returned a record £599.7 million in 
cash to shareholders in 2019 and have previously announced our intention 
to return a further c.£610 million this year, subject to shareholder approval. 

Medium to longer term
As we look ahead, we see the removal of Help to Buy as a continued risk, 
but having had visibility of, and time to plan for the changes, we consider it 
as one that can be managed. 

Whilst it is difficult to predict the longer term outlook, there will continue to be 
strong demand for the homes we provide, given it is widely recognised there 
remains a supply and demand imbalance.

Whilst market conditions have improved markedly since the great 
recession, we still believe we operate in a cyclical market and we must 
operate prudently to be ready to absorb changes in market conditions that 
may lead to a price or demand correction or present opportunities to buy 
land at attractive prices. For this reason, we have built flexibility into our 
sustainable operating model, underpinned by healthy cash generation and 
a strong balance sheet.

Read more on pages 12 to 13

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

21

Strategic report 
Chief Executive’s letter

22 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Building a 
sustainable 
advantage 

In 2019, we completed 15,520 homes in the UK, excluding 
joint ventures, a record for Taylor Wimpey, and achieved a 
very strong sales rate of 0.96 sales per outlet per week, in line 
with our strategy. We were particularly pleased to do that at 
the same time as increasing build quality, as measured by the 
independent NHBC Construction Quality Review (CQR). 
This has been a key area of focus for Taylor Wimpey and  
we are proud to lead the volume housebuilders in this 
important measure. 

However, 2019 has not been without its challenges. In fact, 
I would say that, in many ways, it has been one of the 
toughest we have faced in our recent past. In an environment 
where the political and economic outlook has been uncertain, 
sales prices have remained flat, but build cost inflation has 
increased. During this time, we have also continued to invest 
in processes and commit to areas that will benefit the long 
term business, including a significant increase in apprentices. 
We absolutely believe this is the right thing to do, but together 
with the increasing cost pressure, there was an impact on 
margins, reducing operating profit margin to 19.6%, down 
from 21.6% in 2018. We will continue to embed the 
improvements we have been making across the business, 
but there is no doubt that we come into 2020 with a renewed 
focus on cost discipline and process simplification.

Customers 

Our customers have told us what matters to them: service, 
delivery timing and finishing quality; underlying build quality 
and consistency; and the creation of outstanding places and 
communities, and we have listened. This very consistent 
feedback has shaped what we do and what we invest in and 
measure. As a management team, we track a basket of 
measures relating to customer service, as no one measure 
encompasses all aspects of a customer’s journey with us. 
This includes the Home Builders Federation (HBF) 9-month 
‘would you recommend’ customer service score and the 
CQR score, which has continued to improve but, as 
measured by the HBF 8-week ‘would you recommend’ 
customer score, we have dipped to a four-star builder in 2019 
(down from a five-star in 2018). The cut-off for five-star is 90% 
recommendation and we achieved 89.4%. Whilst we missed 
this by a very small amount, we have to be honest with 
ourselves that this isn’t good enough, and having put a lot of 
time and resource into improving our customers’ experience, 
we are disappointed. We are aiming to achieve the five-star 
rating, year after year and are pleased to be back operating at 
above 90% levels of customer satisfaction once again, as 
measured by recent surveys. As I said though, it’s not just 
about one measure, and so we will be aiming to increase our 
9-month customer service score to 80% and continue to 
deliver quality homes measured by a CQR score of at least 
four in each of our regional businesses. 

Total dividend paid in 2019£599.7m2018: £499.5mReturn on net operating assets in 201931.4%2018: 33.4%Net private sales rate per outlet per week in 20190.962018: 0.80Sustainability 
By integrating sustainability into the way we work, we firmly 
believe that we create a stronger business for the long term 
and generate more value for our customers, communities, 
people, shareholders and suppliers. Our separate Sustainability 
Report (which can be found on our website) sets out what we 
do in this area, but you will also see examples of this all the 
way through this report. Our commitment to sustainability is 
one of the ways we live our values (which we set out in more 
detail on page 2): taking responsibility for our impacts; treating 
our customers and stakeholders fairly; building communities 
we can be proud of; and contributing to a better tomorrow 
through our efforts to protect the environment. Environmental, 
social and governance (ESG) has always been an important 
part of working for Taylor Wimpey, and the social and 
governance aspects of the framework are very much seen as 
‘business as usual’ by our teams, including our contributions 
and involvement in local communities, but in the area of the 
environment we can and should be doing more. The roll out 
of our environmental strategy is a focus for 2020, which will 
formalise the work we have ongoing in the business and go 
further in committing to more ambitious targets in key areas 
such as biodiversity and continuing to reduce our carbon 
footprint. We also plan to develop a science-based carbon 
reduction target by the end of 2020. 

Health and safety
Health and safety is a shared responsibility in our business. 
Whilst cost and process simplification is a key priority for our 
business in 2020, health and safety is not an area that we are 
prepared to compromise on. We are pleased that our Annual 
Injury Incidence Rate (per 100,000 employees and contractors) 
has reduced further to 156 in 2019 (2018: 228), but we cannot 
afford to be complacent. This is the area of our business 
which must, and will, always come first, not just for Site 
Managers and employees on site, but for the whole business. 

2020 priorities 
2020 will be a year of renewed focus on simplification, 
delivery and cost efficiency. Our goals remain being a 
customer led, high-quality business and the employer of 
choice, in our sector. Key to all of this, is the underlying 
objective of doing the right thing for our customers and 
building a strong and resilient business, which will perform 
well during the cycle, in all market conditions. We have seen 
real improvement in key areas of investment (that range from 
technology on site, to placemaking and production 
improvements) but no matter how necessary they have been, 
they inevitably take us away from the ‘day job’. We don’t want 
to lose the good things we have been doing and that are now 
very much business as usual, but by reducing new change, 
the focus on 2020 switches from implementing these 
processes to really making sure we deliver the value from the 
changes we have made. Employee buy in is key and we 
continue to have very engaged and hardworking employees 
at every level in the business. This very clear focus on cost 
and value has been very well received by the business. I am 
looking forward to visiting all the regional businesses this year, 
alongside some of our senior team, to listen to their feedback, 
answer their questions and update the teams on our progress. 

Pete Redfern
Chief Executive

OUR PRIORITIES FOR 2020

 – Cost and simplification focus
 – Apprentice and direct labour programmes
 – Continuing to plan for the reduction and removal of 

Help to Buy

 – Smoothing (e.g. delivering a more even profile of 

completions through the year)

 – New house type range
 – Customer service
 – Focus on value
 – Environmental strategy

What makes  
Taylor Wimpey different

Our culture makes us stand out. Our employee 
engagement survey highlighted a number of high 
scoring areas. We received responses from 67% of 
employees invited to take the survey. A total of 97% 
of these employees agree we are committed to being 
an ethical and responsible company, 98% agree we 
take health and safety seriously, 96% agree we are 
committed to delivering the best customer 
experience, and 95% believe we are committed to 
being a more inclusive organisation. The survey also 
highlighted a number of areas where our employees 
think we have room for improvement. These included 
how teams collaborate and work together, our 
personal development planning process, and giving 
employees the tools and technology to do their 
job effectively.

During the year, we ran an internal campaign, asking 
our people what our new simplified values mean to 
them personally. This was very successful with 
numerous videos, posts and images posted on our 
internal communication channel. Some of these 
people are featured throughout the Annual Report, 
setting out in their own words what makes 
Taylor Wimpey different.

Read more about how the Board monitors culture 
on page 71

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

23

Strategic report 
Our strategy and key performance indicators

Progress  
against our  
strategy

Our mission is enriching the lives of customers  
and communities by putting them at the heart of 
our decisions. 

Our vision is working together to build dreams.

Our mission and vision drive us to deliver on our strategy  
and achieve operational success. The following section details 
how we are progressing against our 2023 strategic goals and 
our key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Read more about our Company purpose on page 69

Delivering against our 2023 strategic goals

Return on net  
operating assets

31.4%

Operating  
profit margin

19.6%

Working towards our target  
of 35%

Working towards our target  
of c.21-22%

(2018: 33.4%)

(2018: 21.6%)

Cash 
conversion

82.6%

Within our target  
of 70-100%

(2018: 92.6%)

Short term 
landbank

c.4.8 years

Nearing our target 
of 4-4.5 years

(2018: c.5.1 years)

We monitor our progress through a balanced basket of KPIs across our five strategic pillars. Getting these right will help us deliver on our strategy. 
These are: putting customers and communities at the heart of our actions; build quality; optimising our strong landbank; be the employer of choice in our 
industry and; best in class efficient engine room. Performance against our KPIs is outlined on the following pages.

Putting customers 
and communities 
at the heart of 
our actions

Best in class 
efficient engine 
room

Becoming a 
customer-focused 
homebuilder

Build quality

Be the 
employer 
of choice in 
our industry

Optimising our 
strong landbank

24 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Putting customers and  
communities at the  
heart of our actions

Principal Risks
PR  Read more on pages 48 to 52
A, B, C, D, E, F, G

Performance in 2019

Priorities going forward

Customer satisfaction (Would you recommend?) 
8-week score
Our ‘would you recommend’ score of 89.4% was just below the 90% five-star 
level in 2019. Whilst we missed this by a very small margin, we are disappointed 
to have missed this important target and are committed to achieving a five-star 
rating on an annual basis. 

Customer satisfaction (Would you recommend?) 
9-month score 
Although it is common in the sector generally to see this measure trend at 
significantly lower levels, when compared to the 8-week survey ‘would you 
recommend?’ score, we were pleased to see an increase in this measure. 
This measure is important in helping us to understand longer term 
customer satisfaction.

Customer satisfaction (Would you recommend?) 
8-week score
Focus on bedding in new build processes to improve reliability of move in dates 
for our customers and continue to deliver a quality product. We aim to achieve a 
five-star rating on an annual basis.

For 2020, a key focus is ease of doing business with us, looking at how we work 
and what our customer facing teams look like. We will also launch our new 
customer facing website which will help customers and potential customers 
better understand what we do and our values.

Customer satisfaction (Would you recommend?) 
9-month score
Remain proactive with our actions and processes to ensure customers are satisfied 
once they are settled in their homes. This includes helping our customers establish a 
community so that after nine months in their home they are calling our developments 
their communities. We continue to focus on build quality to ensure our customers 
remain happy in their new homes and minimal remediation is required. We aim to 
improve our 9-month customer satisfaction survey score to a consistent 80%.

KPIs

Read more on pages 108 and 109

Read more on pages 34 and 35

Customer satisfaction 8-week score  
‘Would you recommend?’

Customer satisfaction 9-month score 
‘Would you recommend?’

89% Objective: We strive to achieve 90% or above in this 

question, which equates to a five-star rating.

Definition: Percentage of customers who would 
recommend Taylor Wimpey to a friend as measured  
by the National New Homes Survey undertaken by  
the NHBC on behalf of the HBF eight weeks after 
legal completion.

Why it is key to our strategy: Identifying and serving 
the needs of our customers by delivering a high-quality 
product is key to our ambition to become a customer-
focused homebuilder.

%
9
8

%
0
9

%
9
8

100

80

60

40

20

0

%
6
7

%
7
7

%
4
7

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

77% Objective: We strive to improve this score and 

understand the reasons behind and underlying 
drivers of this customer feedback. 

Definition: Percentage of customers who  
would recommend Taylor Wimpey to a friend as 
measured by the National New Homes Survey 
undertaken by the NHBC nine months after 
legal completion.

Why it is key to our strategy: Our mission to 
enrich the lives of customers and communities by 
putting them at the heart of our decisions means 
we have to think about how customers live in the 
homes and places we build for longer than the first 
few months after they move in. Ensuring our 
customer satisfaction remains high in the months 
following completion is central to our strategy.

Note: The 8-week ‘would you recommend’ score for 2019 relates to customers who legally completed between October 2018 and September 2019, with the comparators 
relating to the same period in the prior years. The 9-month ‘would you recommend’ score for 2019 relates to customers who legally completed between October 2017 and 
September 2018, with the comparator relating to the same period in the prior years. 

Principal Risks key:
A:
B: 

Government policy and planning regulations
Impact of the market environment on mortgage 
availability and housing demand
Material costs and availability of subcontractors

C:

D:
E:
F:
G:

Ability to attract and retain high-calibre employees
Land purchasing
Quality and reputation
Site and product safety

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

25

Strategic report 
Our strategy and key performance indicators continued

Build quality

Principal Risks 
PR  Read more on pages 48 to 52
A, C, D, F, G

Performance in 2019

Priorities going forward

Construction Quality Review 
We are pleased that the NHBC Construction Quality Review measure indicates 
we lead the volume housebuilders in terms of build quality.

In addition to significant year on year progress, we have also achieved the 
objective we set out last year to increase our score to four. 

Continuing to embed our Consistent Quality Approach to ensure that our finishing 
standards are above the NHBC standard has helped us to achieve the improved 
score. In 2019, we employed Quality Managers across the business to address 
build quality issues, support Site Managers and promote best practice across the 
Group to allow for continuous improvement.

Average reportable items
In 2019, we maintained the average number of reportable items found per plot. 

Construction Quality Review
Continue to embed all quality assurance processes to ensure consistent and 
high-quality build. In 2020, we will look to fully embed our Quality Managers 
within the business and drive improved build quality through constantly improving 
processes and systems.

We will target a CQR score of at least four in each of our regional businesses 
by 2020.

Average reportable items
Going forward, we aim to utilise internal processes to ensure quality 
improvements in order to reduce defects at every stage. Embedding Quality 
Managers in their role will allow the sharing of data relating to defects, at every 
stage of the build, across the business, helping us to improve our processes. 
Reducing defects will also help to lower remediation costs driving additional value 
for our stakeholders.

KPIs

Construction Quality Review

Average reportable items per inspection

4.13

3
9
.
3

4
7
.
3

3
1
.
4

5

4

3

2

1

0

Objective: To achieve an average score of 
four out of six across Taylor Wimpey by 2020.

Definition: The average score, out of six, 
achieved during an in-depth annual review of 
construction quality on a site-specific basis.

Why it is key to our strategy: Right first 
time continues to be a key priority within our 
customer-focused approach. CQRs focus on 
construction quality and understanding ‘why 
or how’ given levels of quality have resulted.

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00

0.28

8
2
.
0

8
2
.
0

6
2
.
0

Objective: Reduce defects found during 
build stages. 

Definition: The average number of defects 
found per plot during NHBC inspections at 
key stages of the build.

Why it is key to our strategy: Reducing the 
number of defects per plot is crucial to 
ensuring we deliver consistently high-quality 
homes for our customers, whilst also 
minimising the cost of rectifications.

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Read more on pages 108 and 109

26 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Optimising our  
strong landbank

Principal Risks 
PR  Read more on pages 48 to 52
A, D, E

Performance in 2019

Priorities going forward

Strategically sourced completions
Increased strategic land pipeline to a record of c.140k potential plots. Maintained 
strategically sourced completions well above the 40% minimum objective. 

Land cost as % of average selling price on approvals
We met our target of decreasing the land cost as a percentage of average selling 
price. This reflects our work acquiring land at high margins as well as the benefit 
of our strategic land pipeline.

Landbank years
In 2019, our landbank length reduced from c.5.1 to c.4.8 years as we operated a 
broadly replacement approach to our landbank and successfully converted our 
strategic pipeline.

Strategically sourced completions
Our aim is to continue to effectively utilise our strategic pipeline which aids our 
visibility and helps maintain the correct balance of sites across the business. 
This gives us the flexibility to enter the short term land market when it is right 
for us, reducing our exposure to short term fluctuations.

Land cost as % of average selling price on approvals
Acquire land which is commercially viable and at high contribution margins to 
ensure costs remain low to drive value for all of our stakeholders.

Landbank years
We will continue to focus on taking opportunities in the land market to optimise 
and maintain a strong landbank, remaining responsive to the local land markets 
in which we operate. Land purchasing decisions remain dynamic to reflect 
changes we see in the market. We continue to prioritise holding a landbank in 
places people want to live, both now and in the future, to create value for all of 
our stakeholders.

KPIs

Strategically sourced completions

Landbank years

56% 

%
8
% 5
3
5

%
6
5

Objective: We aim to source more than 40% 
of our completions from the strategic pipeline 
per annum in the medium term.

c.4.8

Definition: Number of completions on land 
which originally did not have a residential 
planning permission when we acquired a 
commercial interest in it, expressed as a 
percentage of total completions.

Why it is key to our strategy: The strategic 
pipeline enhances our ability to increase the 
contribution per legal completion because of 
the inherent margin uplift from strategic plots. 
It also allows us to take a long term view 
of sites.

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

1
.
5
.
c

1
.
5
.
c

8
.
4
.
c

Objective: Increase landbank efficiency – 
reduce length of short term owned and 
controlled landbank years by c.1 year to 
4-4.5 years.

Definition: The years of land supply in our 
short term landbank based at current 
completion levels.

Why it is key to our strategy: We seek to 
use our high-quality landbank more efficiently 
to deliver growth, both in the number and 
quality of homes built for a wider range 
of customers.

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Read more on pages 20 and 21

Land cost as % of average selling price on approvals

16.2% 

%
8
9
1

.

%
2
9
1

.

%
2
6
1

.

Objective: To maintain at current levels or 
reduce our average land cost.

Definition: Cost of land as a percentage of 
average selling price on approvals.

Why it is key to our strategy: Maintaining a 
sustainable land cost percentage increases 
value for our shareholders.

2017

2018

2019

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

20

15

10

5

0

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

27

Strategic report 
Our strategy and key performance indicators continued

Be the employer of choice  
in our industry

Principal Risks 
PR  Read more on pages 48 to 52
D, F, G

Performance in 2019

Priorities going forward

Voluntary employee turnover
We were pleased to see our employee turnover reduce, having enjoyed 
comparatively low levels of turnover compared to our industry for several years.

Number recruited into early talent programmes
Throughout the year, we have ensured that recruitment into early talent programmes 
is appropriate to the skill sets required across the business, with the reduction a result 
of the strong talent pipeline we have developed, showing our ability to retain those we 
have invested in as they successfully progress into years two and three of the schemes.

Directly employed key tradespeople, including trade apprentices
Throughout 2019, we have made good progress in increasing our directly employed 
key tradespeople. This has allowed us greater flexibility within our workforce in 
addition to ensuring our values are embedded with site teams.

Health and Safety Annual Injury Incidence Rate (AIIR)
This year we have reduced our AIIR and have rolled out a number of health and 
safety initiatives, including a new fall prevention and protection system and scaffold 
exclusion zones whilst scaffolding is being erected or dismantled.

Voluntary employee turnover
We recognise that there is a skills shortage within the industry and continue to improve 
our employee offering to ensure a stable and dedicated workforce who feel supported 
and valued by Taylor Wimpey. This supports our strong culture and values.

Number recruited into early talent programmes
We continue to see value in developing skills from within and will continue to utilise 
early talent programmes to recruit a workforce appropriate to each regional business.

Directly employed key tradespeople, including trade apprentices
We will continue to develop and grow our directly employed key tradespeople 
through a variety of channels with the aim of also promoting diversity. This will 
improve the long term sustainability of the business.

Health and Safety Annual Injury Incidence Rate
Continue to embed and expand on measures implemented throughout the year 
and work with site management teams, employees and contractors to ensure 
their understanding of measures and controls in place. 

KPIs

Read more on pages 36 and 37

Voluntary employee turnover

Number recruited into early talent programmes

12.9% Objective: We aim to attract and retain the 

best people in the industry and give them 
opportunities to develop to their full potential. 
We aim to keep this within a range of 5-15%.

200

116

%
5
.
4
1

%
0
.
4
1

%
9
.
2
1

2017

2018

2019

Definition: Voluntary resignations divided by 
number of total employees.

150

5
7
1

Why it is key to our strategy: Our employees 
are one of our greatest competitive advantages 
and they are crucial to executing our strategy.

100

6
2
1

6
1
1

50

0

2017

2018

2019

Objective: To reduce the impact of the 
industry skills shortage and future-proof our 
business.

Definition: The amount of people recruited 
onto one of our early talent programmes 
including graduates, management trainees 
and site management trainees.

Why it is key to our strategy: Creating a 
more consistent framework and development 
path for early and ongoing talent 
management will underpin our future growth 
and customer-focused approach.

Directly employed key tradespeople,  
including trade apprentices

Health and Safety Annual Injury Incidence Rate  
(per 100,000 employees and contractors)

1,169 

9
6
1
1

,

8
4
7

1
8
5

Objective: To improve quality, reduce 
bottlenecks in key trade supply, reduce the 
impact of the industry skills shortage and 
future-proof the business.

250

156

Definition: The number of key tradespeople 
directly employed by Taylor Wimpey including 
bricklayers, joiners, carpenters, painters, 
scaffolders and trade apprentices.

Why it is key to our strategy: Against 
industry-wide skills shortages and uncertainty 
we are investing heavily and consistently to 
future-proof our workforce.

200

150

100

50

0

8
2
2

2
5
1

6
5
1

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

28 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Objective: We are committed to providing  
a safe place in which our employees and 
subcontractors can work and our customers 
can live.

Definition: Reportable (all reportable) injury 
frequency rate per 100,000 employees 
and contractors (Annual Injury Incidence Rate).

Why it is key to our strategy: Health and 
safety is our non-negotiable top priority. 
As well as having a moral duty to maintain 
safety on site, accidents and injuries can  
have a detrimental impact on the business 
through additional costs, delays and / or 
reputational damage.

15

12

9

6

3

0

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Best in class efficient  
engine room

Principal Risks 
PR  Read more on pages 48 to 52
A, C, D, E, F, G

Performance in 2019

Priorities going forward

Net private sales rate
Throughout 2019, we have demonstrated that it is possible to increase sales 
rates above historic averages, demonstrating the success of our strategy and 
how we run large sites and showing that it is possible to step up build rates in line 
with higher sales rates without compromising on quality.

Private legal completions per outlet
In 2019, we embedded new processes to ensure efficiency resulting in a 15% 
increase in the number of legal completions per outlet year on year. 

Order book volume and value
In an uncertain environment we have prioritised building a strong order book for 
the future. 

Net private sales rate
Across the business we can see that targeting and supporting a higher sales rate 
is possible. This allows for growth at the right time in the cycle. In 2020, our 
priority is to optimise the balance between volume and price. 

Private legal completions per outlet
We aim to continue to embed efficiency processes to ensure that we can reach 
our target of having a best in class efficient engine room to increase the number 
of legal completions per outlet, maximising returns for our shareholders.

Order book volume and value
We aim to strike a balance between having the security of a large order book and 
also being able to accurately forecast move in dates to continue to improve 
customer service.

KPIs

Read more on pages 40 and 41

Net private sales rate

Order book volume

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

50

40

30

20

10

0

0.96

6
9
.
0

0
8
.
0

7
7
.
0

Objective: We want to break our historic 
sales rate barrier by thinking differently  
about how we deliver a home and to better 
capture demand.

10000

Definition: The average number of private 
sales made per outlet per week.

8000

Why it is key to our strategy: We want to 
become a more efficient and agile business 
that can respond quickly to opportunities  
in the market, creating increased value for 
our shareholders.

6000

4000

2000

9,725

5
2
7
,
4 9
0
3
,
8

6
3
1
,
7

Objective: We focus on building a strong 
order book for the future while balancing our 
customers’ needs. This is particularly 
important in an uncertain market.

Definition: The total number of homes in our 
year end order book.

Why it is key to our strategy: A strong 
order book provides our customers with  
good visibility and provides greater stability  
for business planning and enhances our 
ability to deliver the best experience for 
customers whilst driving the most value for 
our shareholders.

2017

2018

2019

0

2017

2018

2019

Private legal completions per outlet

Order book value

48.2

.

2
8
4

.

4
0
4

.

8
1
4

Objective: To improve efficiency on our sites 
and increase the number of legal completions 
per outlet.

2500

£2,176m

Definition: The number of private legal 
completions per outlet.

Why it is key to our strategy: We are 
working to increase new home supply for a 
wider range of customers by improving 
efficiency across our sites.

m
6
7
1
2
£

,

m
2
8
7
1
£

,

m
8
2
6
1
£

,

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Objective: We focus on building a strong 
order book for the future while balancing our 
customers’ needs. This is particularly important 
in an uncertain market.

Definition: The total value of homes in our 
year end order book.

Why it is key to our strategy: A strong order 
book provides our customers with good 
visibility and provides greater stability for 
business planning and enhances our ability to 
deliver the best experience for customers whilst 
driving the most value for shareholders.

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Read more on pages 108 and 109

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

29

Strategic report 
Our business model

We deliver on our strategy 
through our customer-focused 
business model

What we do

Our people

Customer service

Selecting land

Our people are the backbone of our 
customer-focused approach. Through our 
culture and values we create value for our 
customers at each stage of the 
homebuilding and buying process.

We are focused on growing talent from 
within and are committed to the learning 
and development of our people. We will 
continue to invest in our entry level 
programmes including our key trade 
apprentices. We are increasing our 
directly employed key trades on site 
through direct labour and apprentice 
programs. This is key to creating the 
next generation of leaders, with the 
same focus on customer values. 

PR

Read more on our ability to attract 
and retain high-calibre employees 
on page 50 

Our values empower us  
to do the right thing

Enhancing our customers’ 
journey
By enhancing every step of our 
customers’ buying and after service 
experience, and building homes which are 
right first time and right for our customers’ 
income and lifestyle, we can create real 
additional value for customers, and the 
rest of our stakeholders. We aim to 
deliver an excellent customer experience 
from start to finish. 

Whilst the majority of our customers 
would recommend us to their friends,  
we acknowledge that we do not always 
get it right and sometimes fall short of 
our high standards. Where this is the 
case, we put issues right and learn from 
our mistakes.

Strengthening the quality of 
our landbank
Land is our key raw ingredient and  
its selection is important to both our 
offering for customers and the return  
we achieve for our shareholders. 
The landbank remains an important 
driver of value as it enables us to build 
and sell the right product, create the 
right community and deliver the right 
service to our customers.

Location is key when buying a home  
and we have focused our landbuying  
in quality locations where customers 
want to live. We believe this will be  
a key determinant through all 
market conditions. 

PR

Read more on quality and reputation 
on page 51

PR

Read more on land purchasing  
on page 51

How we build our customers’ dreams in the words 
of our customers… 

Do the  
right thing

“I want to feel valued, 

respected and important 
when it comes to buying a 
new home.”

“Location is a key factor for us; 

I have a short drive to work and 
I love that we can walk to our 
local shops.”

30 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Managing the 
planning and 
community 
engagement 
process

Involving communities  
at every stage
We aim to be the industry leader in all 
aspects of the planning process and to 
obtain the right planning consents that 
enable us to respond to a changing 
market, reflect the desires of our 
customer base and deliver the quality 
homes we want to build, whilst meeting 
our financial objectives.

We believe that local communities should 
have a say in development. This enables us 
to achieve the right planning permissions 
and ensure our developments are valued 
by their local communities. 

PR

Read more on Government policy and 
planning regulations on page 49

Getting the 
homebuilding 
basics right

Applying effective processes 
across our business
We work with selected subcontractors 
and build using carefully sourced materials 
to ensure the homes that we sell are of a 
high quality and are built safely, efficiently, 
cost effectively and with minimal impact on 
the environment.

There is nothing more important to us than 
providing a safe place in which our 
employees and subcontractors can work. 
We have robust supply chain standards 
and suppliers must comply with our 
supplier code of conduct. 

The building process is carefully managed 
by our site-based and regional production 
teams to ensure quality, minimise disruption 
to residents in the surrounding areas, and to 
protect and enhance the value of each site.

PR

Read more on material costs and 
availability of subcontractors on page 50, 
quality and reputation on page 51, and 
site and product safety on page 52

Optimising value

Delivering for our 
stakeholders at every stage
Our ability to constantly increase 
efficiency and tightly control costs is 
part of the Taylor Wimpey culture 
and remains central to delivering 
enhanced returns. This extends to 
and encompasses all aspects of our 
business as we strive to optimise and 
capture value at every level, from 
procurement through to delivery. 
We also aim to add value to the 
charities we support and to our 
wider partnerships.

PR

Read more on quality and reputation 
on page 51

…and create value for all of our stakeholders 
(please turn the page to find out how)

“Our children love the park and 
we love the fitness trail, there 
are other parks on different 
phases of the development 
too. It gets you out of the 
house and chatting to people.” 

“What I care most about is that 

my home is going to last; that it 
is built well and that my family 
are going to be safe and happy 
for years to come.” 

“I want my home to grow with 
me and my changing needs, 
I need to know it can evolve 
with my life.” 

Above image: Cambourne, Cambridgeshire

Quotes: Feedback from customers 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

31

Strategic report 
Making a difference  
for our stakeholders

Stakeholders

Key issues

How we engage

  Outcomes

Our customers

Our employees

Our partners

Our investors

Our communities

infrastructure

 • Affordability and supply of housing
 • Placemaking, design and community 
 • Efficient homes
 • Innovation
 • Customer service

adaption

 • Climate change mitigation and 
 • Sustainable transport
 • Air quality
 • Responsible sourcing

 • Customer service
 • Health, safety and wellbeing
 • Site environment and remediation
 • Diversity and inclusion
 • Access to skills
 • Land, planning and community 
 • Health, safety and wellbeing
 • Responsible sourcing
 • Diversity and inclusion

engagement

and adaption

 • Climate change mitigation  
 • Business ethics and corporate 
 • Taxation and remuneration policies
 • Public policy

governance

community infrastructure

 • Affordability and supply of housing
 • Placemaking, design and  
 • Efficient homes
 • Innovation
 • Land, planning and community 

engagement

 • Employee engagement
 • Labour relations
 • Taxation and remuneration policies

 • Access to skills
 • Labour relations
 • Public policy
 • Charitable giving

 • Customer service 
 • Employee engagement

and adaption

 • Climate change mitigation  
 • Site environment and remediation
 • Sustainable transport
 • Air quality

 • Biodiversity
 • Brownfield and greenbelt 
 • Charitable giving

development

Our material issues

Engaging with and understanding the needs of our 
stakeholders helps us identify and focus on the key 
issues that matter most to them. We have prioritised 
these as our material issues under the following 
sustainability areas of focus. 

MI

Building 
sustainable 
communities

Managing land, 
planning and 
engagement

A great service  
for customers

A safe place  
to work

32 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

We engage directly with customers at our 

  Whilst the majority of our customers would 

developments, via our customer portal (Touchpoint), 

recommend us to their friends, part of 

through social media, and we monitor their views 

becoming a truly customer-focused business is 

through focus groups, satisfaction surveys and 

post-occupancy research.

Value created

  15.7k

number of homes 

completed in UK in 2019

recognising that we don’t always get it right. 

We are disappointed that our HBF customer 

satisfaction 8-week ‘Would you recommend?’ 

score slipped slightly to 89.4% (2018: 90%) 

in 2019. We were pleased to increase 

completions by 5% in 2019, while increasing 

our quality of build as measured by the 

independent NHBC CQR score.

We engage with our employees and seek their views 

  We have a voluntary employee turnover of 

through a range of formal and informal channels, 

12.9%, one of the lowest in our peer group. 

including meetings, conferences, appraisals, 

employee surveys, our internal magazine and 

Our employees returned a very high engagement 

score of over 90% and we were rated by them 

newsletter, focus groups, Yammer and our national 

as one of the UK’s top 50 places to work for a 

  £337.5m

paid in employment 

and pensions

and regional employee forums.

third successive year, via Glassdoor.

We engage with our partners on a wide range of 

  We have developed trusted relationships with 

initiatives through meetings, workshops, our 

many suppliers of labour and materials that are 

membership of the Supply Chain Sustainability 

able to deliver our high standards. Together 

  156

School, trade associations, local plans and 

with our partners we continue to drive 

consultations, and through our local and national 

standards of health and safety and sustainability 

charity partnerships.

on our developments.

We engage with investors throughout the year at 

  We have a regular dialogue with our investors 

one to one and group meetings, full and half year 

enabling us to establish the issues that are 

presentations, regulatory reporting including the 

most important to them. We have recently 

Annual Report and Accounts, investor roadshows, 

sought our investors’ opinions on material 

our Annual General Meeting, site visits, conference 

issues in relation to sustainability, as part of our 

calls, by participating in sustainability benchmarks and 

annual sustainability reporting process and 

disclosure initiatives and through our corporate website.

executive management meet key institutions 

throughout the year to update them on all areas 

of our progress.

We engage with local communities at every site,  

Establishing and maintaining good community 

from planning and throughout construction,  

relations is highly important. Not only is this the 

including through meetings, exhibitions, workshops, 

right thing to do but, as our developments are 

newsletters, information boards, social media and 

often extended, having a constructive working 

  £447m

contribution to local 

our website.

relationship with local communities is important 

communities

We aim to use natural resources efficiently and to 

for future phases. 

reduce our impact on the environment. We have a 

We are pleased to have reduced our direct 

responsibility to our stakeholders to operate and act in 

emissions intensity (tonnes of CO2e per 100 

a sustainable manner and, on a day to day basis seek 

sqm of homes built) by 43% since 2013, 

to be a positive agent of change in the communities in 

putting us on track towards our target of 50% 

which we operate.

reduction in direct emissions intensity (scope 1 

and 2) by 2023.

Health and Safety Annual 

Injury Incidence Rate (per 

100,000 employees and 

contractors), a 32% 

reduction on 2018 

  £599.7m

total dividends paid in 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stakeholders

Key issues

How we engage

  Outcomes

Value created

Section 172 Directors’ Duties 

The Directors continue to have regard to the interests of the Company’s wider stakeholders, in accordance with s172 of the 
Companies Act. The content on stakeholder engagement on pages 34 to 43 and 76 to 81 highlight key actions in this area. Further 
details on how the Directors’ duties are discharged and the oversight of these duties are included in the Governance section on pages 
60 to 85. 

 • Affordability and supply of housing

 • Placemaking, design and community 

infrastructure

 • Efficient homes

 • Innovation

 • Customer service

 • Climate change mitigation and 

adaption

 • Sustainable transport

 • Air quality

 • Responsible sourcing

 • Employee engagement

 • Labour relations

 • Taxation and remuneration policies

 • Access to skills

 • Labour relations

 • Public policy

 • Charitable giving

 • Customer service 

 • Employee engagement

 • Customer service

 • Health, safety and wellbeing

 • Site environment and remediation

 • Diversity and inclusion

 • Access to skills

 • Land, planning and community 

engagement

 • Health, safety and wellbeing

 • Responsible sourcing

 • Diversity and inclusion

 • Climate change mitigation  

and adaption

 • Business ethics and corporate 

governance

 • Taxation and remuneration policies

 • Public policy

 • Affordability and supply of housing

 • Placemaking, design and  

community infrastructure

 • Efficient homes

 • Innovation

 • Land, planning and community 

engagement

 • Climate change mitigation  

and adaption

 • Site environment and remediation

 • Sustainable transport

 • Air quality

 • Biodiversity

 • Brownfield and greenbelt 

development

 • Charitable giving

We engage directly with customers at our 
developments, via our customer portal (Touchpoint), 
through social media, and we monitor their views 
through focus groups, satisfaction surveys and 
post-occupancy research.

  15.7k

number of homes 
completed in UK in 2019

  Whilst the majority of our customers would 
recommend us to their friends, part of 
becoming a truly customer-focused business is 
recognising that we don’t always get it right. 
We are disappointed that our HBF customer 
satisfaction 8-week ‘Would you recommend?’ 
score slipped slightly to 89.4% (2018: 90%) 
in 2019. We were pleased to increase 
completions by 5% in 2019, while increasing 
our quality of build as measured by the 
independent NHBC CQR score.

We engage with our employees and seek their views 
through a range of formal and informal channels, 
including meetings, conferences, appraisals, 
employee surveys, our internal magazine and 
newsletter, focus groups, Yammer and our national 
and regional employee forums.

  We have a voluntary employee turnover of 

12.9%, one of the lowest in our peer group. 
Our employees returned a very high engagement 
score of over 90% and we were rated by them 
as one of the UK’s top 50 places to work for a 
third successive year, via Glassdoor.

  £337.5m

paid in employment 
and pensions

We engage with our partners on a wide range of 
initiatives through meetings, workshops, our 
membership of the Supply Chain Sustainability 
School, trade associations, local plans and 
consultations, and through our local and national 
charity partnerships.

  We have developed trusted relationships with 

many suppliers of labour and materials that are 
able to deliver our high standards. Together 
with our partners we continue to drive 
standards of health and safety and sustainability 
on our developments.

We engage with investors throughout the year at 
one to one and group meetings, full and half year 
presentations, regulatory reporting including the 
Annual Report and Accounts, investor roadshows, 
our Annual General Meeting, site visits, conference 
calls, by participating in sustainability benchmarks and 
disclosure initiatives and through our corporate website.

  We have a regular dialogue with our investors 
enabling us to establish the issues that are 
most important to them. We have recently 
sought our investors’ opinions on material 
issues in relation to sustainability, as part of our 
annual sustainability reporting process and 
executive management meet key institutions 
throughout the year to update them on all areas 
of our progress.

We engage with local communities at every site,  
from planning and throughout construction,  
including through meetings, exhibitions, workshops, 
newsletters, information boards, social media and 
our website.

We aim to use natural resources efficiently and to 
reduce our impact on the environment. We have a 
responsibility to our stakeholders to operate and act in 
a sustainable manner and, on a day to day basis seek 
to be a positive agent of change in the communities in 
which we operate.

Establishing and maintaining good community 
relations is highly important. Not only is this the 
right thing to do but, as our developments are 
often extended, having a constructive working 
relationship with local communities is important 
for future phases. 

We are pleased to have reduced our direct 
emissions intensity (tonnes of CO2e per 100 
sqm of homes built) by 43% since 2013, 
putting us on track towards our target of 50% 
reduction in direct emissions intensity (scope 1 
and 2) by 2023.

  156

Health and Safety Annual 
Injury Incidence Rate (per 
100,000 employees and 
contractors), a 32% 
reduction on 2018 

  £599.7m

total dividends paid in 2019

  £447m

contribution to local 
communities

Making a 
difference 

Sustainability Report 2019

Cutting our 
environmental 
footprint

Sourcing 
responsibly

Our people

Partnering with 
charities

Governance and 
management

SR

Read more in our 
2019 Sustainability 
Report

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

33

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Making a difference for our stakeholders continued

Our customers

Buying a home is a major financial and emotional investment and it is 
critical that we give our customers the right experience.

OUR FOCUS

Progress for 2019
 – Improved CQR score to 4.13, once 

again leading the volume housebuilders 
 – Recruited Quality Managers in regional 

businesses

 – Worked with leading architects to create 

our new standard house type range

Priorities for 2020
 – Test our new house type range ahead 
of roll out to our regional businesses

 – Achieve a recommend score of at 

least 90% in the HBF 8-week survey, 
which equates to a five-star rating
 – Produce a customer-version of our 

Consistent Quality Approach 
document so customers are clear 
what they can expect from us

 – Improve our website design, features 

and accessibility

BM

Read more on page 30

Read more on page 25

What we do
Our customer proposition centres on delivering 
great quality homes and communities consistently, 
and making it easy for our customers to do 
business with us. Our customers can trust us to 
do the right thing.

Our approach is important both for our customer 
proposition and ensuring good relationships with 
other stakeholders.

Whilst the majority of our customers would 
recommend us to their friends, we acknowledge 
that we do not always get it right for our 
customers and sometimes fall short of our 
targeted standards. This remains a key area of 
focus for the Group and we are committed to 
working closely with our customers to put this 
right and learn from our mistakes. 

Why is it important for all our 
stakeholders?
The Board and the employees of Taylor Wimpey 
believe fundamentally that by identifying and 
responding to our customers’ needs, we will be 
a better business for all our stakeholders. 96% of 
employees believe that we strive to offer the best 
customer experience. 

We believe that investment in quality upfront 
effectively benefits all stakeholders as getting it 
right first time saves significant time, cost and 
energy in putting things right. We have made 
good progress throughout 2019 improving our 
quality and our customer offering. In the year, we 
introduced, additional quality checks and added 
Quality Managers to support Site Managers 
across our business.

What our customers want
There are three key areas that our customers 
have told us are priorities for them: service, 
delivery timing and finishing quality; underlying 
build quality and consistency; and the creation of 
outstanding places and communities. We have 
invested, and will continue to invest, in improving 
our offer across each of these areas, and 
measuring that improvement.

34 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Trust and transparency 

We are supportive of Government plans to 
introduce an independent ombudsman service 
to the new build sector to provide impartial 
rulings on unresolved customer issues and  
help to raise standards in the wider industry.  
We are a signatory to the UK Consumer Code 
for Home Builders which aims to improve 
information and protect the rights of buyers.  
We engaged in discussions with the HBF and 
other housebuilders about how to improve the 
complaints process for customers. We encourage 
customers to leave reviews on Trustpilot. At the 
end of 2019, we had a 4 out of 5 star rating with 
a trust score of 3.9 out of 5.

Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in  
June 2017, we conducted a detailed review  
of all relevant legacy and current buildings  
with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) 
cladding and also worked with building owners, 
management companies, and the Fire Service  
to implement Government advice on interim 
mitigation measures, where applicable. Whilst 
each situation is different, and this is an exceptionally 
complex issue, we have in a number of cases, 
having regard to all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances, agreed to support our customers 
both financially and practically with the removal 
and replacement of ACM, even though the 
buildings concerned met the requirements of 
building regulations at the time construction was 
formally approved. We took this decision for 
buildings we constructed recently because  
we believe that it is morally right not because  
it is legally required. At the 2019 year end, 
replacement works had been completed on three 
developments and were underway on another. 
Since the year end, we have commenced work 
on a further three developments.

Striving to improve
We track a basket of measures relating  
to customer service, as no one measure 
encompasses all aspects of a customer’s 
journey with us. This includes the Home Builders 
Federation (HBF) 9-month score and the NHBC 
CQR score, which has continued to improve. 
However, as measured by the HBF 8-week 
customer survey, we dipped to a four-star builder 
in the latest survey covering October 2018 to 
September 2019, from a five-star in the prior survey 
covering October 2017 to September 2018.  

The cut-off for five-star is 90% and we achieved 
89.4%. Whilst we missed this by a very small 
margin, we are disappointed to have missed this 
important target and are committed to achieving a 
five-star rating on an annual basis. We are pleased 
that we are now once again operating at above 
90% levels of customer satisfaction.

New house type range 
Led by our design team and technical teams, we 
have been working on our new house type range 
over the past year. The new range has a key role to 
play in delivering our improved customer proposition 
and builds upon customer feedback from surveys 
and focus groups as well as the lessons learnt from 
developing our Project 2020 prototype house types 
last year. The new house type range reflects 
customers’ lifestyle choices such as layout, use of 
light and space and will also help us deliver 
efficiencies and process simplification. This year, 
we will focus on testing the new range ahead of a 
full roll out to the business.

Despite the cost pressures experienced during the 
year, we also maintained our high construction 
and sales specification, in order to meet our 
customers’ high expectations. 

Build quality 
We lead the volume housebuilders in build quality 
as measured by the NHBC CQR score, which 
measures build quality at key build stages. In 2019, 
we scored an average of 4.13 (2018: 3.93) from a 
possible score of 6. This compares with an 
industry average score of 4.01. We are fifth 
nationally when ranked against all housebuilders 
who have more than 100 build stages (which 
excludes self build and very small housebuilders). 
We aim to improve this further by ensuring our 
quality assurance processes are embedded at 
every stage of build. Our target is to achieve at least 
a four rating by 2020 in each regional business.

The build quality programmes incorporate additional 
resources on site, including greater depth of Site 
Managers, Quality Managers and directly employed 
finishing trades, plus the introduction and 
implementation of a set of national build quality 
standards. Quality Managers were introduced in 
our regional businesses during 2019. These Quality 
Managers will provide additional resource to site 
management teams to ensure each home is 
completed to our high standards.

Our Consistent Quality Approach (CQA) guidelines 
ensure our Site Managers, subcontractors, 
production and customer service teams all have a 
consistent understanding of the finishing standards 
we expect on all Taylor Wimpey homes. We are 
developing specific guidance within the CQA for the 
different trades working on our sites that will form 
part of our framework agreements with contractors 
in the future and plan to produce a version of the 
CQA for customers so they know what they should 
expect from us.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

35

Material issue:  
A great service for customers

MI

“Great company and great 

staff, me and my partner are 
buying a house through 
Taylor Wimpey and couldn’t 
be happier.”

Customer, Trustpilot review 2020

From House to Home 
All our customers receive information on 
their new home via our ‘From House to 
Home’ manual. This was updated in 2019 
and we added advice on living sustainably, 
including tips to help customers save 
energy, reduce waste, and encourage 
nature in their gardens. We also give all our 
customers details on how to use and 
maintain the environmental features in their 
homes through our Maintenance Guide.

SR

Read more in our 2019  
Sustainability Report

Strategic report 
Making a difference for our stakeholders continued

Our employees

We aim to be the employer of choice in the industry, making Taylor Wimpey 
a different place to work – a better place to work.

OUR FOCUS

Progress for 2019
 – Glassdoor top 50 best places to work 

for third year running

 – Almost doubled our key trade 

apprentice recruitment

 – Maintained very high employee 

engagement rates 

 – Successfully launched new values 
 – Rolled out ‘Young Persons HSE 

Safety Passports’, which track the 
health and safety training and risk 
assessments that each apprentice 
and management trainee has received
 – Defibrillators installed on every site and 

business unit and CPR training 
delivered to employees

Priorities for 2020
 – Continue to develop our apprenticeship 

and direct labour programmes

 – Launch a career returners programme 

to encourage applications from 
parents and others who have been 
out of the workforce on a career break
 – Increase BAME representation in our 

workforce to align with the UK 
population by 2022

 – Launch induction programme 
 – Roll out of health and safety training to 

management teams across the 
business to reinforce that health and 
safety is everyone’s responsibility 

BM

Read more on page 30

PR

Read more on page 50

What we do 
Our culture makes us stand out. We aspire to be 
the employer of choice in our sector, offering a 
unique and valued employee experience, and 
something different to the rest of the industry. 
We can only become a truly customer-focused 
business through the efforts of our talented 
employees who are aligned with our values. 
Our shared values mean that our employees go 
above and beyond for each other and our 
customers, as evidenced by our employee 
survey where over 98% of our employees would 
go the extra mile for their team and Taylor 
Wimpey, and 96% agree we are committed to 
delivering the best customer experience. 
We have been named in the top 50 places to 
work in the UK for 2020 by Glassdoor, as voted 
for by employees, for the third consecutive year. 

During 2019, we directly employed, on average, 
5,796 people across the UK (2018: 5,358) and 
provided opportunities for over 14.6k further 
operatives on our sites. Our voluntary employee 
turnover rate remained low at 12.9% (2018: 14.5%).

Why is it important for all our 
stakeholders?
We may be a national homebuilder, but for 
customers, it is their interactions with the local 
site and sales team and regional office that 
count. Embedding our approach to customers 
and getting buy in and commitment from our 
employees has been a key part of our strategy. 

Against industry-wide skills shortages, we 
continue to invest in order to future-proof our 
workforce and deliver on our strategy. We 
believe that having a direct labour model is a key 
way to do this, increasing flexibility and offering a 
route to high-quality growth.

We are committed to providing a safe place in 
which our employees and subcontractors can 
work and our customers can live, and we will not 
compromise on ensuring that everyone leaves 
our sites safe and well. We not only create 
homes that our customers want to live in,  
we want to ensure that every step of the way, 
health and safety is at the forefront. 

Early talent development
During 2019, we recruited 116 people into  
our early talent programmes which includes 
graduates, management trainees and site 
management trainees (2018: 175), with the 
reduction a result of the strong talent pipeline  
we have developed, showing our ability to retain 
those we have invested in as they successfully 
progress into years two and three of the schemes. 

Our direct labour model aims to increase the 
number of tradespeople we hire directly (as well 
as through subcontractors). This is focused on 
five key trades: bricklayers, carpenters, 
scaffolders, painters and joiners. This includes 
both experienced tradespeople and new recruits 
to the industry, such as apprentices and people 
looking for a career change. 

We currently directly employ 1,169 key trades 
including apprentices (2018: 748), a 56% 
increase on 2018. Our approach includes 
recruiting a greater diversity of candidates to join 
our apprenticeship schemes. This includes 
working with St Mungo’s, one of our national 
charities, to support their long term unemployed 
clients to transition from their Train and Trade 
scheme into paid employment. 

Diversity and inclusivity
Diversity and inclusion is an important priority for 
our business. It enables us to better understand 
our customer base, widens our potential talent 
pool and makes for productive and effective 
teams. We are making progress on our diversity 
and inclusion strategy but have further to go 
before our workforce reflects the communities 
we work in. We were pleased to have been 
commended for our Gender Pay Gap report in 
2019 by The Chartered Governance Institute 
(ICSA). We aim to be an inclusive employer and 
to attract, retain and promote employees from all 
backgrounds. We have developed a Diversity 
and Inclusion Strategy that focuses on the 
impact of leadership for creating and maintaining 
a diverse and inclusive culture; improving how 
diversity and inclusion are embedded into our 
policies and procedures. As at 31 December 
2019, we employed 1,784 females and 4,338 
males within Taylor Wimpey. As at 31 December 
2019, we had five females and five males on our 
Board of Directors, including our recently joined 
Chair-designate, Irene Dorner, and four females 
and five males on our Group Management Team.

36 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Recognition 
In 2019, our Site Managers were once again 
recognised in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, 
achieving a total of 66 Quality Awards (2018: 67), 
16 Seal of Excellence Awards (2018: 19) and two 
Regional Awards in 2019 (2018: three). 

Health and safety
Health and safety is a shared responsibility and 
the number one priority in our business. Whilst 
cost and process simplification is a key priority  
for our business in 2020, health and safety is not 
an area that we are prepared to compromise on. 
This is the area of our business which must, and 
will always, come first, not just for Site Managers 
and employees on site but for the whole business. 
Building sites are, by their very nature, dangerous 
and so we do everything we possibly can to 
minimise those risks. We embed a safety culture 
through training, awareness and visible health 
and safety leadership. We are pleased that our 
Annual Injury Incidence Rate (AIIR) for reportable 
injuries per 100,000 employees and contractors 
has reduced further to 156 in 2019 (2018: 228) 
and remains well below both the HBF Home 
Builder Average and Health and Safety Executive 
Construction Industry Average, but we cannot 
afford to be complacent and we will continue to 
seek to improve this. Our AIIR for major injuries 
per 100,000 employees and contractors was 
44 in 2019 (2018: 64). 

Human rights
We support the United Nations’ Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and have policies and processes in 
place to ensure that we act in accordance with 
our cultural values which encompass areas such 
as business conduct, equal opportunities, 
anti-corruption and whistleblowing. We do not 
consider this a material issue in our business.

We respect the human rights of our employees, 
workers in our supply chain, customers, people in 
the communities in which we operate and others 
affected by our business activities. We are guided 
in our approach by international standards such 
as the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights and the European Convention on 
Human Rights.

We respect the rights of our employees and 
those working on our behalf, including the rights 
to freedom of assembly and association and 
non-discrimination. Our work on issues such as 
health, safety, diversity and the environment 
supports our commitment to uphold human rights. 

We do not tolerate any form of slavery, forced 
labour, child labour or human trafficking in our 
business or supply chain. We have established 
our Modern Slavery Act multidisciplinary working 
party, to oversee our approach to due diligence 
and our work with suppliers to reduce modern 
slavery risks.

Material issue:  
Our people

MI

“I wanted to work at Taylor 
Wimpey because of the 
ethics and values of the 
business, and the emphasis 
on supporting employee 
development.”

Graduate scheme participant

SR

Read more in our 2019  
Sustainability Report

Supporting apprenticeships in 
West Scotland 
Taylor Wimpey West Scotland has appointed 
54 trade apprentices, as well as three site 
management trainees. Apprentices are 
recruited from schools, colleges and the armed 
forces. To help ensure the success of the 
apprenticeships, the business has appointed 
three Trade Development Managers and an 
Apprentice and Direct Trade Manager to work 
alongside the apprentices – supplementing 
their training and monitoring their progress. 
In 2018, four pre-apprentices were recruited 
via local charity, First Steps Future Training, 
who provide practical training for disadvantaged 
people. Three of these have gone on to join the 
business as apprentices.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

37

Strategic reportStrategic report 
Making a difference for our stakeholders continued

Our partners

We work in collaboration with our partners to deliver greater quality and 
drive efficiency to our mutual benefit. 

OUR FOCUS

Progress for 2019
 – Our suppliers accessed resources and 
training on sustainability via the Supply 
Chain Sustainability School
 – Engaged with local and central 

government on issues relating to 
planning and sustainability including 
proposals relating to biodiversity, 
home energy efficiency and electric 
vehicle charging

 – Donated and fundraised £1.1 million 
for charities and £129k for local 
community causes

Priorities for 2020
 – Health, safety and environment  

(HSE) coaching workshops for our 
business unit and site management 
teams to help them engage their 
teams on continuous health and 
safety improvement

 – Introduce health and safety (H&S) 
passports for trade operatives on 
our sites

 – Driving further cost efficiencies while 
maintaining quality and specification

SR

Read more in our 2019 
Sustainability Report

What we do
We strive to be an open, transparent and 
responsive company for all our stakeholders and 
to work with them to understand and address 
the wider social, economic and environmental 
impacts resulting from our operations. 

Modern methods of construction involve more 
than modular build and we are prioritising 
research and development, seeking out new 
processes and products that can improve 
efficiency and sustainability, and also improve 
quality and the final product for customers.

Why is it important for 
all stakeholders?
We believe in the value of working together with 
our partners, suppliers and other stakeholders 
and are committed to supporting charities and 
local community groups.

Subcontractors
Most people working on our sites are 
contractors so it is essential that we collaborate 
on safety issues. Before we agree to work with a 
contractor, we require details of their risk 
assessment and safety management 
arrangements and procedures for their area of 
activity. We clearly communicate critical safety 
messages to site operatives through our 
‘Operative’s Journey’ process, which starts with 
our HSE site induction and is supported by 
regular poster campaigns and site safe briefings.

Suppliers
Our scale affords us the benefit of strong 
purchasing power, and we have a number of 
national agreements with suppliers. We want to 
work in collaboration with our supply chain to 
deliver greater quality and efficiency together. 
This will have benefits and the potential for cost 
savings for both Taylor Wimpey and also our 
suppliers. This includes increasing efficiency by 
reducing stock items and improving visibility on 
programming for material demands.

We continue to work to improve our 
relationships with our supply chain, both in 
procurement and via Taylor Wimpey Logistics, to 
deliver solutions to build quality and efficiency 
issues on an ongoing basis. Taylor Wimpey 
Logistics plays an important part in our supply 
chain management, providing us with an 
alternative route to delivery and aiding efficiency 
with the preparation of ‘just in time’ build packs 
for each stage of the build process. 

The Company welcomes the aims and 
objectives of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and 
takes its responsibilities under the Act very 
seriously. As part of this we have strengthened 
oversight of standards in our supply chain to 
make sure we are selecting partners who share 
our commitment to responsible business. We 
published our first Modern Slavery Act 
Statement on our website in March 2017. 
Further information can be found on our website. 

We aim to establish long term partnerships with 
suppliers and to collaborate on issues like safety, 
skills and the environment. This reduces risks to 
the business and helps to ensure a secure supply 
of essential materials and labour. We want to 
work with suppliers who meet high standards in 
areas such as safety, quality, ethics, human rights 
and the environment. Our standards are 
explained in our Supply Chain Policy and Supplier 
Code of Conduct which are embedded into our 
framework agreements (contracts) with suppliers. 

Supply Chain Sustainability School
We set clear standards on safety, quality, ethics, 
human rights and the environment through our 
policies and procedures, and engage with 
suppliers on sustainability including through the 
Supply Chain Sustainability School.

Charities
We partner with charities to support the 
communities where we work and to help 
address issues relating to homelessness, 
education and aspiration. We provide financial 
support as well as sharing expertise and  
getting our people involved as fundraisers and 
volunteers. Our primary goal is to genuinely 
improve the position of the causes that we 
support. The secondary goal is to engage our 
employees in these activities as we recognise it 
is good for their development and self-awareness. 
Whilst there are a large number of worthy 
projects and causes, we have to focus to make 
sure that we are effective. 

38 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

During 2019, we continued our partnership with 
our national charities as well as local charity 
partners across the UK. Our six national charities 
are the Youth Adventure Trust, End Youth 
Homelessness, Crisis, CRASH, St Mungo’s and 
Foundations Independent Living Trust. Our 
national charity partners are selected by our 
Charity Committee, with regional charities 
selected by our regional businesses.

In total, during 2019 we donated and fundraised 
over £1.1 million for registered charities (2018: 
over £1.1 million), which includes £206k raised 
by our employees on the annual Taylor Wimpey 
Challenge. More information about our charity 
partnerships and local sponsorships can be 
found within our Sustainability Report.

Local authorities and 
central Government
We are first and foremost a local business. 
We engage with local authorities, parish councils, 
Homes England, the Greater London Authority 
(GLA), the Ministry of Housing, Communities & 
Local Government and other public sector 
organisations to understand their priorities and 
share their views. As well as site specific 
engagement, we also participate in the 
development of strategic frameworks, Local Plans 
and Neighbourhood Plans. This is particularly 
important for land in our strategic pipeline, where 
preparation or review of the Development Plan is 
the first step in the planning process.

We engage and respond to Government  
directly and through our membership of 
industry organisations. 

In 2019, this included biodiversity net gain, 
the Future Homes Standard, electric vehicle 
charging and technical standards review.

We are members of the Homes England five 
regional Delivery Partner Panels.

We also engage with Government through our 
membership of industry organisations such as 
the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and the 
British Property Federation (BPF). In 2019, for 
example, we participated in focus groups on 
changes to viability assessments. Regional 
businesses are also members of trade 
associations, for example our Scottish 
businesses are members of Homes for Scotland.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

39

Material issue:  
Partnering with charities

MI

“The support we have 

received from Taylor Wimpey 
in recent years has been 
absolutely fantastic.”

Mark Davey, CEO Youth 
Adventure Trust

Taylor Wimpey Challenge 2019
Our annual Taylor Wimpey Challenge saw 
420 colleagues take on hiking and biking 
challenges across the Brecon Beacons, 
raising £206k for charity, of which £138k 
went to the Youth Adventure Trust. This is 
the sixth year in a row that we have 
supported the Youth Adventure Trust, a 
charity which uses outdoor adventure to 
inspire vulnerable young people. 

SR

Read more in our 2019  
Sustainability Report

Strategic report 
Making a difference for our stakeholders continued

Our investors

We are focused on delivering strong financial performance, 
in the right way.

OUR FOCUS

Progress for 2019
 – Continued to report in line with best 

practice disclosure

 – Embedded strategy within the business
 – Continued to deliver cost and 

efficiency programme

 – Returned £599.7 million to 

shareholders via total dividends in 2019 

Priorities for 2020
 – Simplification, delivery and cost efficiency
 – Roll out of our environmental strategy 
 – Develop a science-based carbon 

reduction target 

 – Previously announced c.£610 million 
to be paid to shareholders, subject to 
shareholder approval 

Read more on page 24

PR

Read more on pages 45 to 53 

Total shareholder return

Value (£) (rebased)

What we do 
Our Company purpose is to deliver new homes 
within thriving communities, in a safe and 
environmentally responsible manner, with 
customers at the heart of our decision making 
and consideration of the potential impact on 
wider stakeholders.

Our shareholders own a business which has a 
strong, well capitalised balance sheet with a 
high-quality landbank and experienced 
management team, which provides a reliable 
annual income stream, via an ordinary dividend of 
at least £250 million and additional special 
dividends at the appropriate time in the cycle. 
Putting our customers’ needs and desires at the 
heart of our business will help build a sustainable 
advantage and deliver leading financial returns 
with strong and reliable cashflows. We run the 
business for the long term, not for short term gain, 
and whilst we seek to maximise opportunities, it is 
weighed up against our cautious and disciplined 
nature. We are focused on delivering strong 
financial performance, in the right way.

Why is it important for all 
stakeholders?
Our customer-focused approach will offer further 
scope for differentiation and will add additional 
value to our shareholders and other stakeholders. 

Our Annual Report and Accounts sets out our 
investment case, as told by our employees in their 
own words. More details can be found on what 
makes Taylor Wimpey different on pages 1 to 13.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Taylor Wimpey

Housebuilders Index

FTSE 350

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream.

Read more on pages 108 and 109

40 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

It remains our belief that homebuilding is 
inherently cyclical, and we remain committed  
to retaining a strong balance sheet, not over 
stretching investment and maintaining 
financial discipline.

Dividends and returns
We are a cash generative business and believe 
we can sustain this in times of market weakness, 
due to the strength of our balance sheet, the 
quality and length of our landbank and 
consequently the control we have over the 
timing of land investment. Our aim is to provide a 
reliable income stream to our shareholders.

Subject to shareholder approval each year, 
the Company will pay an ordinary dividend of 
approximately 7.5% of Group net assets, which 
will be at least £250 million per annum. This is 
intended to provide a reliable minimum annual 
return to shareholders throughout the cycle, 
including through a ‘normal downturn’, and will 
be paid equally as a final dividend (in May) and 
as an interim dividend (in November). This 
Ordinary Dividend Policy was subject to prudent 
and comprehensive stress testing against 
various downside scenarios, which also included 
a reduction of 20% in average selling prices and 
a 30% reduction in volumes. 

The payment of ordinary dividends will continue 
to be supplemented by additional significant 
special dividends at appropriate times in the 
cycle. Our Special Dividend Policy will pay out to 
shareholders the free cash generated by the 
Group after land investment, all working capital, 
taxation and other cash requirements of the 
business in executing our strategy in the medium 
term, and once the Group’s ordinary dividends 
have been met. We have paid a special dividend 
in each of the last six years. Over the past six years 
we have paid a total of £2.3 billion in ordinary 
and special dividends to our shareholders.

As previously announced, subject to shareholder 
approval at the 2020 AGM scheduled for 23 April 
2020, we intend to pay a minimum ordinary 
dividend of £250 million per annum (c.7.6 pence) 
(2019: £250 million) and c.£360 million (10.99 
pence) to shareholders in July 2020 by way of a 
special dividend (2019: £350 million). 

Accordingly, subject to shareholder approval, in 
2020 shareholders will receive a total dividend of 
c.£610 million (c.18.6 pence per share).

Progress, challenges and priorities 
We had a number of successes in 2019 but also 
challenges. In an environment where the political 
and economic outlook has been uncertain, sales 
prices have remained flat, but build costs have 
increased. During this time, we have also 
continued to invest in processes and commit to 
areas to benefit the long term business, including 
a significant increase in apprentices, but together 
with the increasing cost pressure, there has 
inevitably been a short term impact on margins. 

In 2019, we implemented many of the steps, 
outlined in our strategy to improve our customer 
proposition, increase the quality and consistency 
of our homes and underpin the long term 
sustainability of our business. Our teams 
produced an industry leading sales rate, our 
highest ever, whilst at the same time increasing 
our quality as independently measured by the 
NHBC. We have made good progress 
throughout 2019 improving our quality and our 
customer offering. In the year, we introduced 
additional quality checks and added Quality 
Managers to support Site Managers across our 
business and increased our apprentices to over 
630 as part of our direct labour initiative. These 
measures have upfront and ongoing costs but 
will lead to future benefits and are important to 
the long term success of the business. 

2020 will be a year of renewed focus on 
simplification, delivery and cost efficiency. The 
easing in build cost pressures seen in late 2019 
has been maintained, and we expect build cost 
inflation in 2020 to be around 3%. We are 
focused on reducing underlying costs to mitigate 
future build cost inflation. This very clear focus 
on cost, simplification and value has been well 
received by the business with employees 
engaged at every level. Volumes for 2020 are 
expected to be slightly lower and we will be 
targeting a slightly lower sales rate as we focus 
on capturing value. We aim to maintain 2020 
operating profit margin broadly in line with 2019. 
Operating profit margin in the first half of the year 
will show pressure from 2019 build cost inflation 
and selling prices and long term investment in 
quality and business improvement, with margin 
improvement expected in the second half as 
cost initiatives improve performance. Margin 
remains a key priority for the Group and we have 
reconfirmed our medium term target to deliver 
operating profit margins of c.21-22%, assuming 
market conditions remain stable.

Read more on page 21

Material issue:  
Governance and management

MI

“For a stable, well managed, 
well capitalised business  
like Taylor Wimpey it does 
pay to put yourself slightly 
ahead – it shows progressive 
thinking and a management 
team that is aware of the risks.”

Investor feedback from materiality 
assessment 2019

SR

Read more in our 2019  
Sustainability Report

During 2019 we conducted a materiality 
assessment to help us to identify and focus 
on the sustainability issues that matter most 
to our business and our stakeholders.  
Our investors told us that environmental, 
social and governance (ESG) are high on 
their agenda.

The roll out of our environmental strategy 
is a focus for 2020 which will formalise 
the work we have ongoing in the business 
and go further in committing to more 
ambitious targets in key areas such as 
biodiversity and continuing to reduce our 
carbon footprint. We plan to develop a 
science-based carbon reduction target by 
the end of 2020.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

41

Strategic report 
Making a difference for our stakeholders continued

Our communities

We aim to be the industry leader in managing the 
planning and community engagement process.

OUR FOCUS

Progress for 2019
 – Updated our Political and Community 

Engagement Toolkit to help us 
communicate our plans in a clear and 
consistent way

 – Launched our updated Community 
Communication Plan to ensure 
consistent communication throughout 
the life of a development

 – Every one of our sites has a tailored 

planning and community engagement 
strategy

 – Launched a pilot to explore how we 

can accelerate the creation of 
communities on our sites

Priorities for 2020
 – Complete our connected community 
trials at two sites and assess the 
findings

 – Roll out of our environmental strategy 
and development of a science-based 
carbon reduction target

SR

Read more in our 2019 
Sustainability Report

What we do
We want communities to welcome Taylor Wimpey 
to their area and recognise the value we can 
bring and the contribution we can make to the 
existing community, as well as trusting us with 
the responsibility of creating a new one. We 
actively seek the views of local communities and 
other stakeholders. We develop a tailored planning 
and community engagement strategy for each site 
and work closely with communities and other 
local stakeholders throughout all aspects of the 
planning process. We aim to be the industry 
leader in all aspects of planning and to obtain the 
right planning consents that enable us to respond 
to a changing market, reflect the desires of our 
customer base and deliver the quality homes we 
want to build, whilst meeting our financial objectives.

Why is it important for all our 
stakeholders? 
We believe that local communities should have a 
say in development. This enables us to achieve 
the right planning permissions and ensure our 
developments are valued by their local 
communities. We know housebuilding, 
particularly in its early stages, can be disruptive. 
In order to mitigate this we seek to engage, 
consult and work in partnership with 
communities and all interested stakeholders on 
each and every site, both before we submit a 
planning application and throughout the life of 
our developments. Our customers have a very 
strong desire to become part of a community 
and to do so quickly after they move in. Our 
research showed that customers believe we 
should play a more active role in facilitating the 
relationship between the new residents, their 
new community and their neighbours.

We have a responsibility to our stakeholders to 
operate and act in a sustainable manner and, on 
a day to day basis seek to be a positive agent of 
change in the communities in which we operate. 
We acknowledge the serious threat posed by 
climate change and biodiversity loss and the 
need for urgent action to address these 
challenges – and we want to play our part. 
Taking action on the environment helps us to 
create better places to live for our customers 
and strengthens our relationships with 
employees and other stakeholders. It also 
reduces costs and risks to the business, with 
climate change and biodiversity identified as key 
risks monitored by the Board. 

Placemaking
Our customers want to buy a great home in a 
thriving community – somewhere they feel safe, 
supported and enriched and can enjoy a good 
quality of life. Our approach starts with 
placemaking – ensuring the design and layout of 
our sites promotes social, environmental and 
economic sustainability.

We ran our second internal design competition 
in 2019 – seeking out the best examples of 
placemaking from around the business, 
celebrating the good practice that already exists 
and it has inspired us to go further. 

Installing infrastructure at an early stage can help 
in the successful development of a new 
community. It can also make new developments 
more desirable to prospective buyers, increasing 
sales. We are looking at how we can increase 
early delivery of community infrastructure to 
maximise its positive impact.

Investing in local communities
We invest in infrastructure and facilities that help 
make our developments great places to live over 
the long term. This includes affordable housing, 
green spaces, community and leisure facilities, 
transport infrastructure, educational funding, 
jobs for local people and public art. In 2019, 
we contributed £447 million to local communities 
in which we build across the UK via planning 
obligations (2018: £455 million). Our teams 
across the business get involved in local life, 
organising competitions with primary schools, 
inviting schools to site for health and safety 
training and sponsoring local sports clubs, as 
part of their daily working life. In addition, we 
contributed over £129k to other organisations, 
such as scout groups, local football teams and 
various local community causes (2018: c.£170k). 

Connected Communities 
The way we live, work and shop today often 
means fewer day to day opportunities to interact 
with the people who live nearby. We’re exploring 
how we can accelerate the development of new 
communities on our schemes, so that our 
customers feel connected and have a strong 
sense of community from an early stage.

42 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

In 2019, we launched our Community 
Communications Plan. This toolkit will help our 
land, planning, sales and marketing teams 
organise activities and events that foster 
relationships between the new and existing 
community, and that make it easier for new 
residents to set down roots. It also emphasises 
the importance of providing good information for 
customers on the facilities, services and activities 
happening in their area. The toolkit covers the 
whole development process from planning to 
after construction finishes and will help us take a 
consistent approach across our sites.

Local consultation 
We believe that local residents deserve a say in 
what happens in their local community. During 
2019 we ran 187 community meetings and 
events, including public exhibitions.

We are proud of our approach to community 
engagement and the way that our employees 
deliver it. We have a comprehensive community 
engagement framework which applies to every 
stage of the development timeline, from 
pre-planning consultation to ongoing 
communication with existing and new residents 
during and after construction. Our approach 
goes well beyond regulatory requirements, 
with engagement starting before we submit a 
planning application and continuing throughout 
the development process. Wherever possible, 
we use the feedback obtained as part of our 
community engagement to develop and improve 
our design proposals. To fully understand local 
views, it is important that we reach a wide range 
of stakeholders from residents, property owners 
and local authorities, to businesses, schools, 
residents’ associations and other groups. 
We are committed to publishing information  
on proposed developments online so that 
members of local communities and other 
interested parties can easily find out what  
we are planning and where.

Sustainability 
We aim to use natural resources efficiently  
and to reduce our impact on the environment. 
We are pleased to have reduced our direct 
emissions intensity (tonnes of CO2e per 100 sqm 
of homes built) by 43% since 2013, putting us 
on track towards our target of 50% reduction in 
direct emissions intensity (scope 1 and 2) by 
2023. We have also achieved an absolute 
reduction in emissions of 19% since 2013, even 
with a 42% increase in completed floor area.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

43

Material issue:  
Managing land, planning and engagement

MI

“We want to work with 

housebuilders who can help  
us achieve our goals on  
climate change and health  
and wellbeing.”

Local Authority

SR

Read more in our 2019  
Sustainability Report

Connecting residents at 
Lawley village
Residents in our 186 homes at Lawley 
Phase 8, part of the Lawley village 
community, have access to quality areas  
of public open space, and a good network 
of public transport including a bus route 
and extensive network of cycle paths. The 
scheme borders parkland and integrates 
‘pocket parks’ which provide community 
areas, activity spaces and resting places.

The scheme was shortlisted for a National 
Design Award in 2019.

Strategic report 
Non-financial information statement

Non-financial information statement

Our Annual Report contains a range of non-financial information. The following table summarises where this can be found in our reporting.

Environmental matters

Our performance

Scope 1 GHG emissions – combustion of fuel
Scope 2 GHG emissions – market based
Total scopes 1 and 2 – market based
Emissions per 100 sqm completed homes 
(scope 1 and 2) 
Operational energy use (fuel and electricity 
consumption from UK sites and offices)
Operational energy intensity (UK site and 
office fuel and electricity intensity – 
MWh / 100 sqm completed homes)

Read more on page 138

Employees

tonnes CO2e
tonnes CO2e
tonnes CO2e
tonnes CO2e/ 
100 sqm

2019

2018

2017

21,018
3,563
24,581

20,328
4,509
24,837

18,889
4,794
23,683

1.62

1.73

1.73

MWh

101,352

95,170

89,550

MWh/100 sqm

6.8

6.8

6.5

Our policies
Sustainability Policy 
Climate Policy
Health Safety and Environmental Policy
Supply Chain Policy
Waste and Resource Use Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
We report our approach to climate change governance, 
strategy and risk management as well as our greenhouse 
gas emissions within: 

Read more

Making a difference for our stakeholders – our communities  
Our approach to identifying and managing risk

42-43 
47

Our performance
95% of employees believe we are committed  
to being a more inclusive organisation.
Voted by employees as one of the top 50 
places to work in the UK for 2020.

Our policies
Business Conduct Policy
Diversity Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
More information on our employees can be found within:
Our strategy and key performance indicators
Making a difference for our stakeholders – our employees 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties 
Engaging with our stakeholders – our employees

Read more

28
36-37
50
78-79

Human rights

Our performance
Continue to train employees to identify signs of 
modern slavery and human trafficking for which 
we operate a zero tolerance policy.

Our policies
Anti-Slavery, Human Trafficking and 
Human Rights Policy
Supplier Code of Conduct
Supply Chain Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
More information on our approach to human rights  
can be found within:
Making a difference for our stakeholders – our employees
Making a difference for our stakeholders – our partners

Read more

36-37
38-39

Social matters

Our performance
Contributed £447 million to communities via our 
planning obligations.

Anti-bribery and anti-corruption

Our performance
Training for all impacted employees.
Strict rules in relation to recording, giving or 
receiving of gifts.

Business model

Our performance
Delivered a record sales rate of 0.96 per 
outlet per week, demonstrating our 
operational efficiency.
Improved independently measured quality.

Non-financial KPIs

Our performance
Customer satisfaction 8-week ‘would you 
recommend?’ score of 89%, slightly below last 
year but improvement in 9-month ‘would you 
recommend?’ score. 
32% reduction in Health and Safety Annual 
Injury Incidence Rate (per 100,000 employees 
and contractors).

Our policies
Community Policy
Donations Policy
Charity and Community Support Policy
Sustainability Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
More information on how we engage with our 
communities and social matters can be found within: 

Read more

Making a difference for our stakeholders – our communities 

42-43

Our policies
Business Conduct Policy 
Anti-Corruption Policy 
Fraud Mitigation and Response Policy
Whistleblowing Protected Disclosure Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
More information on anti-bribery 
and anti-corruption can be found within: 

Read more

Corporate governance – Board activities

70-75

Our policies
Community Policy 
Sustainability Policy
Customer Service Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
More information on our business model and its links to 
our strategy and stakeholders can be found within:  

Read more

Our business model

30-31

Our policies
Customer Service Policy 
Health Safety and Environmental Policy
Communications and Investor Relations 
Policy

Our impact and related Principal Risks
Our non-financial KPIs can be found within:

Read more

Our strategy and key performance indicators

24-29

44 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our approach to identifying and managing risk

Risk management

As with any business, Taylor Wimpey faces risks and uncertainties in 
the course of its operations. It is only by timely identification, effective 
management and monitoring of these risks that we are able to deliver 
our strategy and strategic goals. 

Governance

The Board has overall responsibility for risk 
oversight, for maintaining a robust risk management 
and internal control system and for determining 
the Group’s appetite for exposure to the 
Principal Risks to the achievement of its strategy.

The Audit Committee supports the Board  
in the management of risk and is responsible  
for reviewing the effectiveness of the risk 
management and internal control processes 
during the year.

The Board recognises the importance of 
identifying and actively monitoring our strategic, 
reputational, financial and operational risks, and 
other longer term threats, trends and challenges 
facing the business.

The Board takes a proactive approach to the 
management of these and regularly reviews both 
internal and external factors to identify and 
assess the impact on the business and in turn 
identify the Principal Risks that would impact 
delivery of Group strategy.

The Chief Executive is primarily responsible for 
the management of the risks, with the support of 
the Group Management Team (GMT) and other 
senior managers located in the business. In line 
with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Board holds formal risk reviews at least half 
yearly and routinely considers risk at each Board 
meeting as appropriate.

The formal assessment includes consideration  
of the Principal Risks to ensure they remain 
appropriate as well as the key risks identified  
by the business, their risk profile and 
mitigating factors.

Risk Management Framework 

Board 
approval

Audit Committee
review

GOT/GMT review of key, 
principal and emerging risks

M

o

n

i
t

o

r
i

n

g

munication & reporting

Com

Consolidation of key risks

Top-down (functions)
+
Bottom-up (business units)
Risk identification and assessment

Inputs (e.g. business change, external factors, workshops)

At the Board meeting in February 2020, the 
Board completed its annual assessment of risks. 
This followed the Audit Committee’s formal 
assessment of risk in December 2019, which 
was supported by a detailed risk assessment by 
the GMT and their review of the effectiveness of 
internal controls.

The diagram below illustrates the internal 
governance process within the Group around 
risk management.

Identification of risks
Our risk management and internal control 
frameworks define the procedures to manage 
and mitigate risks facing the business, rather 
than eliminate risk altogether and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

Identifying risks is a continual process and  
risk registers are maintained throughout the 
Group at an individual site level, at the business 
unit level and at Group-wide functional levels. 
The business unit and functional registers are 
reviewed twice a year as part of our formal risk 
assessment process. In determining the risk, 
consideration is given to both internal and 
external factors. The registers document both 
the inherent risks before consideration of any 
mitigations and residual risks after consideration 
of effective mitigations.

A consolidated view of the risk environment, 
including potential emerging risks, is discussed, 
challenged and approved by the Group 
Operations Team (GOT), GMT and Audit 
Committee before being presented to the Board, 
ensuring all key risks to the Group are known 
and are being actively monitored and appropriate 
mitigations / actions are in place to ensure risk 
falls within the tolerance set by the Board.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

45

Strategic report 
Our approach to identifying and managing risk continued

Evaluation of risks 
A risk scoring matrix is used to ensure risks are 
evaluated on a consistent basis. Our matrix 
considers likelihood based on probability of 
occurrence and impact based on financial, 
reputation, customer, health & safety, employees, 
environment, operational, legal & regulatory and 
IT perspectives, to help determine those risks 
that are considered to be key in delivering our 
strategy. Key risks are defined as those with a 
score equal to or greater than 12 and these are 
reviewed and monitored by the Board as part of 
a bi-annual risk assessment process. 

Each risk is evaluated at the inherent level, at the 
residual level and consideration is given to the 
target level where we want the risk level to be 
based on our risk appetite. All identified risks are 
aligned to our Principal Risks to help validate the 
continuance of such or the identification of 
potential new Principal Risks.

Management of risks
Ownership and management of the Principal  
and key risks is assigned to members of the 
GMT or senior management as appropriate. 
They are responsible for reviewing the operating 
effectiveness of the internal control systems,  
for considering and implementing risk mitigation 
plans and for the ongoing review and monitoring 
of the identified risk. This includes the monitoring 
of progress against agreed KPIs as an integral 
part of the business process and core activities.

Risk appetite 
The risk appetite for the Group is set by  
the Board. In defining this, the Board has 
considered the expectations of its shareholders 
and other stakeholders and recognises the 
distinction between those risks we can actively 
manage, for example around our landbank and 
those against which the Group would need to be 
responsive as and when they became known, 
for example transitional arrangements for 
changing building regulations.

Agreed risk appetite and risk tolerance levels for 
each of our Principal Risks are detailed in the 
table below. The residual risk ratings of all our 
Principal Risks are within our established risk 
tolerance levels.

Principal Risk

Risk Appetite

Risk Tolerance

Commentary

A. Government 
policy and planning 
regulations

B. Impact of the market 
environment on 
mortgage availability 
and housing demand

C. Material costs  
and availability of 
subcontractors

D. Ability to attract and 
retain high-calibre 
employees

Low 

Low to moderate

Low 

Low to moderate

Low to moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

E. Land purchasing

Moderate

Moderate

F. Quality and 
reputation 

Low

Low to moderate

G. Site and 
product safety

Low

Low

46 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

We operate in an increasingly regulatory and compliance based 
environment impacting all aspects of our business operations.  
We are committed to ensure we ‘do the right thing’ in this respect  
and as such we have a low risk appetite in this area, using this to set  
us apart from competitors.

During the year there was heightened political uncertainty and the 
short-medium term implications remain unknown. We continue to keep a 
watching brief over the situation and we have a low risk appetite in this 
area, due to the impact changes could have on the business.

Economic and political factors impact this risk but we believe the actions 
we have put in place provide us with strong foundations going forward, 
therefore we have a low to moderate risk appetite in this area.

People are the foundation of our organisation. To deliver our objectives 
we need the right calibre of employees and we have implemented a 
number of initiatives in this area. These and other existing mechanisms to 
retain and develop our employees leads us to having a moderate risk 
appetite in this area.

We continue to have a strong landbank, including our strategic pipeline. 
We continue to look for opportunities in the right location that optimise 
our value and we have a moderate risk appetite in this area.

Fundamental to our business model is the quality of our build and 
maintaining our strong reputation. Conscious that there are an  
ever-increasing number of sources that could have a detrimental  
impact on our reputation, starting with build quality, we have a low risk 
appetite in this area.

Safety of our staff, indirect and direct, and in the products we supply and 
fit is of paramount importance not only to our business but also to our 
values, therefore we have a very low risk appetite in this area.

Emerging risks
In accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code, we are including a section  
on our process around emerging risks. A formal 
risk workshop was held in November 2019 with 
the Group’s senior management teams with the 
aim of identifying emerging risks to the Group. 
The emerging risks are defined as those where 
the extent and implications are not yet fully 
understood, and consideration is given to the 
potential timeframe and velocity of impact that 
these could have on the Group. As part of our 
risk management process, these were 
discussed and agreed by the Board.

These emerging risks were grouped into the 
following categories:

 – Environmental / climate
 – Operational / build
 – Political / economic
 – Technological
 – Social
 – Governmental

These will be monitored and reviewed as part of 
the ongoing risk assessment process.

Specific risk areas other than 
the Principal Risks
The Group considers other specific risk areas 
recognising the increasing complexity of the 
industry in which it operates and are in addition 
to its identified Principal Risks. These include 
risks from a wider technology, cyber and climate 
perspective. We also give consideration to 
widespread emerging health risks and monitor 
accordingly. At the time of writing we do not 
consider coronavirus to pose an immediate 
risk to our business, but we will continue to monitor 
closely with our supplier base. We continue to 
improve and invest in our information technology 
to mitigate ever-increasing cyber threats and 
data loss, theft or corruption. Our Sustainability 
and Climate Change Risk and Opportunity 
Register highlights the material risks and 
opportunities facing the Group in relation to 
sustainability and climate change as well as 
those monitored on the Group Risk Register. 
In addition, our climate change related risks and 
opportunities are available as part of our 2019 
CDP submission. More information is available at  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate

Together these support both the Audit 
Committee and the Board in their evaluation of 
the identified risks facing the Group.

Housing remains high on the agendas of the 
Government and the main political parties. 
The sector faces increasing scrutiny and pressure 
from social media and pressure groups, together 
with greater oversight from Government through 
a planned Design Champion and a single 
New Homes Ombudsman. We endeavour to 
deliver both the letter and the spirit of regulations 
and maintain this same ethos in our relationships 
with our customers.

Climate change governance, 
strategy and risk
Our current target is to achieve a 50% reduction 
in our direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) intensity 
by 2023 against our 2013 baseline (tonnes of 
CO2 per 100sq metres of completed homes).

Last year we conducted a review of our target. 
We identified that deeper emission cuts are 
needed to align with climate science and the rules 
governing the setting of science-based targets, 
whilst also allowing for the construction of more 
much-needed homes in line with Government 
plans. We plan to develop a science-based 
carbon reduction target by the end of 2020.

We support the aims of the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures and  
aim to increase our disclosure in line with its 
recommendations. We have summarised our 
approach below. Further details are included in 
our Sustainability Report and submission to 
CDP, both available on our website.

Our approach to managing climate change-related risk

Governance Our Legacy, Engagement and Action for the Future (LEAF) committee, chaired by a member of our Group Management Team (GMT), 
is responsible for reviewing climate strategy, risks and opportunities and meets four times a year. The LEAF Chair reports to the Board 
twice a year. Ultimate responsibility for our approach to climate change resides with our Chief Executive. Below Board level, the Director of 
Sustainability is responsible for monitoring climate-related issues as part of the overall risk management process. They report on risk and 
progress against targets to the GMT on a monthly basis. Our Audit Committee reviews financial and non-financial risks included in the 
Group Risk Register, which includes climate change. They receive an update on sustainability risks every six months.

Strategy

Risk 
management

Climate change risks have the potential to impact our business strategy through increased costs, reduced productivity and reputational 
damage. We assess climate risks to the business using short (0-5 years), medium (6-10 years) and long term (11+ years) horizons. 
The most material climate-related risks are: changes in weather patterns and an increase in severe weather events which could affect the 
availability and cost of raw materials, impact energy and water use, increase flood risk and impact productivity; and increased regulation 
and taxation. The most material opportunities in the short term relate to the financial benefits associated with our use of low carbon goods 
and services as well as shifts in consumer preference to favour low carbon homes and products. In the longer term, the most material 
opportunity relates to improved business resilience due to implementation of climate change adaptation measures. We have conducted 
analysis on increased flood risk relating to climate change and are exploring the potential to conduct further scenario analyses.

Climate change and biodiversity are included as key risks in our consolidated Group Risk Register. Sustainability risks are also integrated 
into our corporate risk management framework, through function risk registers and our Climate Change and Sustainability Risk and 
Opportunity Register. Our Climate Change Register guides the climate change adaptation of our business practices and the homes we 
build. For each climate-related risk and opportunity the register identifies: risk driver, description of risk, potential impact, timeframe, 
whether the risk or opportunity is direct or indirect, likelihood and magnitude of impact. This is a standing item on every LEAF committee 
agenda. The committee makes recommendations to the GMT on how to mitigate, transfer, accept, or control climate-related risks. We 
prioritise our climate change risks and opportunities based on their materiality to our business, measured in % of profit before tax (PBT). 
A % PBT greater than 20% is considered a major impact. A large risk in terms of likelihood is a greater than 50% chance.

Metrics 
and targets

We have set a reduction target for our scope 1 and 2 emissions and report progress on a range of key performance indicators, 
covering our direct and value chain emissions. We will set a science-based carbon reduction target by the end of 2020.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

47

Strategic report 
Our principal risks and uncertainties

Our principal risks 
and uncertainties

Robust risk management underpins our strategic approach, with each risk area 
identified and carefully monitored by the Board and management team.

Putting customers 
and communities 
at the heart of 
our actions

Best in class 
efficient engine 
room

Becoming a 
customer-focused 
homebuilder

Build quality

Be the 
employer 
of choice in 
our industry

Optimising our 
strong landbank

Principal Risks overview
The table opposite summarises the Group’s 
Principal Risks and uncertainties, showing 
how each links to our corporate values and 
strategic objectives. Control of each of these 
is critical to the ongoing success of the 
business. As such, their management is 
primarily the responsibility of the Chief 
Executive and the GMT, together with the 
roles noted in the Principal Risks tables on 
pages 49 to 52. The Board has finalised its 
assessment of these risks and how the 
residual risk profile risk has changed in 
the year.

Key to our values

Principal Risks heat map
The heat map illustrates the relative inherent 
and residual positioning of our Principal Risks 
from an impact and likelihood perspective. As 
an outcome of our risk management process 
a new Principal Risk was agreed by the Board 
around ‘Quality and reputation’, recognising 
that both elements are fundamental to the 
achievement of our strategy. Further details 
on our Principal Risks can be found on the 
following pages.

Our values

Strategic objectives

Risk change in year

A. Government policy and 
planning regulations

B. Impact of the market 

environment on 
mortgage availability  
and housing demand

C. Material costs and 

availability of 
subcontractors

D. Ability to attract and 
retain high-calibre 
employees

E. Land purchasing

F. Quality and reputation

G. Site and product safety

h
g
H

i

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

D

A

E

F

G

B

C

A

B

C

F

D

E

Key

Residual

Inherent

G

w
o
L

Low

48 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Impact

High

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

 – Group Operations 

Director

 – Regional Managing 

Directors

 – Ground Rent Review 
Assistance Scheme
 – Ongoing and regular 
review of building 
regulations

 – Consultation with 

Government agencies

A. Government policy 
and planning 
regulations
The industry in which we 
operate is becoming 
increasingly regulated. Any 
adverse changes to 
Government policy, for 
example around changes to 
building regulations, could 
impact our ability to effectively 
meet our strategic objectives. 

Planning delays could result in 
missed opportunities to 
optimise our landbank, 
affecting profitability and 
production delivery.

2019 saw heightened 
economic and political 
uncertainty. There were  
also a number of new and 
proposed policies on climate 
targets and future home 
standards and the short-
medium term implications 
remain unknown. 

As we look ahead we see the 
removal of Help to Buy as a 
continued risk but having had 
visibility of, and time to plan for 
the changes, we consider that 
this risk can be managed. 

Overall, we see an increase in 
both the inherent and residual 
risk profile.

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Moderate

Low

To build enhanced 
collaborative networks 
with stakeholders  
and peers, to monitor  
the implications of 
regulatory change.

Lead the business in 
addressing pressing 
environmental issues, 
including reducing our 
carbon footprint and 
targeting biodiversity.

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Removal of Help to Buy
 – New Government 

regulations (e.g. around 
planning and climate)

 – Delays in planning

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

 – UK Sales and 

Marketing Director
 – Regional Sales and 
Marketing Directors

 – Evaluation of new outlet 
openings based on local 
market conditions
 – Pricing and incentives 

review 

 – Review of external data 
(e.g. HBF, mortgage 
lenders)

B. Impact of the  
market environment  
on mortgage  
availability and  
housing demand
Sustained growth in interest 
rates, together with low wage 
inflation or reduced confidence 
in continued employment, 
could challenge mortgage 
affordability resulting in a direct 
impact on our volume targets.

To continue to develop 
strong working 
relationships with 
established mainstream 
lenders and those wishing 
to increase volume in the 
new build market.

Despite wider macro-economic 
and political uncertainty,  
the UK market for new build 
housing remained stable 
during 2019. Affordability 
remains good with low interest 
rates and widespread 
availability of mortgages.

Page 19 provides further 
analysis of these key drivers 
and our medium term 
expectations.

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Moderate

Low

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Interest rate increases
 – Levels of unemployment
 – Volume of enquiries / 
people visiting our 
developments 

 – UK household spending
 – Loan to value metrics

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

49

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
Our principal risks and uncertainties continued

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

 – Group Operations 

Director
 – Head of 

Procurement

 – Regional Commercial 

Directors

 – Key supplier agreements
 – Trials of build methods
 – Direct trade and 
apprenticeship 
programmes

C. Material costs 
and availability 
of subcontractors
A continued increase in 
housing demand and 
production may further strain 
the availability of skilled 
subcontractors and materials 
and put pressure on utility firms 
to keep up with the pace of 
installation resulting in 
increased costs and 
construction delays.

There continues to be 
pressure on the availability of 
certain build materials and a 
shortage of skilled labour in 
the housebuilding industry. 
However, we consider the 
inherent risk around this to be 
unchanged and, based on the 
mitigations in place, so too the 
residual risk.

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Moderate

Risk appetite

Low-moderate

To develop and implement 
different build methods as 
alternatives to conventional 
brick and block.

To continue to develop  
our direct trade and 
apprenticeship schemes 
to build further expertise 
and capability in the 
business.

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Material and trade 

shortages

 – Material and trade price 

increases

 – Level of build quality  
and waste produced 
from sites 

 – Longer build times
 – Number of skilled trades

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

D. Ability to attract 
and retain high-calibre 
employees
An inability to attract, develop, 
motivate and retain high-calibre 
employees, together with a 
failure to consider the retention 
and succession of key 
management could result in a 
failure to deliver our strategic 
objectives, a loss of corporate 
knowledge and a loss of 
competitive advantage.

 – Group HR Director
 – Every employee 
managing people

 – Production Academy
 – Management training
 – Graduate programme
 – Apprenticeship 
programme

To further develop 
in-house capability, 
expertise and knowledge.

People are the foundation of 
our business and whilst the 
inherent risk may have 
increased slightly, the strong 
mechanisms we have 
established enable us to 
consider that the residual risk 
remains unchanged. 

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Low

Moderate 

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Employee engagement 

score

 – Number of, and time to 

fill, vacancies 

 – Employee turnover 

levels

Key to our values

Respectful and fair

Take responsibility

Better tomorrow

Be proud

50 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

E. Land purchasing
The purchase of land of poor 
quality, at too high a price, or 
the incorrect timing of land 
purchases in relation to the 
economic cycle could impact 
future profitability.

 – Divisional Managing 

Directors

 – Critically assess 
opportunities

 – Regional Managing 

 – Land quality framework

Directors

 – Regional Land and 
Planning Directors

 – Strategic Land 

Managing Directors

We continue to hold a strong 
landbank, including our 
strategic land pipeline and 
consider both the inherent and 
residual risk levels to remain 
unchanged. 

A strong balance sheet 
allows us to invest when 
land market conditions 
are attractive.

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Low

Moderate

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Movement in landbank 

years

 – Number of land 

approvals 

 – Timing of conversions 

from strategically 
sourced land

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

 – Customer Director
 – UK Production 

 – Customer-ready Home 
Quality Inspection (HQI)

Director

 – Group Director of 

 – Consistent Quality 
Approach (CQA)

Design

 – Quality Managers in the 

business

This is a new Principal Risk 
identified in 2019, recognising 
the fundamental nature of 
maintaining both our quality 
and reputation in the delivery 
of our strategy and their 
importance to our customers 
and stakeholders.

F. Quality  
and reputation
The quality of our products is 
key to our strategic objective of 
being a customer-focused 
business and in ensuring that 
we do things right first time.

If the Group fails to deliver 
against these standards and  
its wider development 
obligations, it could be exposed 
to reputational damage, as  
well as reduced sales and 
increased costs.

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Moderate

Low

To better understand the 
needs of our customers 
enabling clearer 
transparency of our build 
profile.

To lead the industry in 
quality standards (our 
Construction Quality 
Review score) and reduce 
the number of reportable 
items identified through 
monitoring defects at 
every stage of build.

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Customer satisfaction 

metrics (9 month and 8 
weeks)

 – Number of NHBC 

claims

 – CQR scores
 – Average reportable 
items per inspection

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

51

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
Our principal risks and uncertainties continued

Principal Risk

Accountability

Key mitigations

Residual risk change in year Opportunity

 – Embedded HSE system
 – HSE training and 

inductions

 – Director of Health, 

Safety and 
Environment

 – Group Operations 

Director

 – Group Director of 

Design

 – Every employee and 

subcontractor

G. Site and 
product safety
The health and safety of all our 
employees, subcontractors, 
visitors and customers is of 
paramount importance. Failure 
to implement and monitor our 
stringent health, safety and 
environment (HSE) procedures 
and policies across all parts of 
the business could lead to 
accidents or site-related 
incidents resulting in serious 
injury or loss of life

No change in risk in year.  
This is an ever-present risk in 
our industry and the inherent 
risk remains unchanged. This 
is an area where we continue 
to maintain the highest 
possible standards and we 
consider the mitigations we 
have implemented enable us 
to determine the residual risk 
being unchanged. 

Link to strategy

Link to values

Residual rating

Risk appetite

Low

Low

To lead the industry in 
health and safety and to 
reduce the amount and 
level of incidents.

Example key 
risk indicators

 – Increase in near misses 

and fatalities

 – Health and safety audit 

outcomes

 – Number of reportable 
health and safety 
incidents

Key to our values

Respectful and fair

Take responsibility

Better tomorrow

Be proud

Viability Statement

In accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors and the  
senior management team have assessed the 
prospects of the Company for a period longer 
than the 12 months required by the ‘going 
concern’ provision.

Time period
The Directors have assessed the viability of the 
Group over a five-year period, taking account  
of the Group’s current financial position and  
the potential impact of the Principal and 
emerging risks facing the Group. The Directors 
have determined this as an appropriate period 
over which to assess the viability based on 
the following:

 – Five years is a reasonable estimate  

of the typical time between purchasing  
land (obtaining planning permission,  
putting in place infrastructure and 
commencing build) and selling homes  
to customers from a development

 – Our Group strategy is underpinned by our 

short term landbank, which supports 
c.4.8 years of development at current 
completion levels

The time period is challenged annually to ensure 
that it remains appropriate. In determining the 
appropriate time period the Directors also 
considered:

 – The cyclical nature of the market in which the 
Group operates, which tends to follow the 
economic cycle

 – The nature of the economic cycle and our 
expectations of how this will impact us

 – Consideration of the impact of Government 

policy, planning regulations and the mortgage 
market

 – Long term supply of land, which is supported 

by our strategic landbank 

 – Changes in technology and customer 

expectations

Assessment of prospects
We consider the long term prospects of the 
Group in light of our business model. Our 
strategy to deliver sustainable value is achieved 
through delivering high-quality homes in the 
locations where people want to live, with 
excellent customer service, whilst carefully 
managing our cost base and the Group’s 
balance sheet. 

Management re-evaluates the medium  
to long term strategy, in light of external, 
economic and industry changes. If appropriate, 
management adapts the strategy accordingly,  
in light of changes; for example, for material 
changes in planning and the wider housing 
market fundamentals. 

In assessing the Group’s prospects and long 
term viability due consideration is given to:

 – The Group’s current market position and 
performance, this includes the current year 
performance (pages 18 to 21), the output from 
the annual business planning process and 
financing arrangements

52 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The mitigating actions considered in the model 
include a reduction in land investment,  
a reduction in the level of production and work in 
progress held and optimising our overhead base 
to ensure it aligns with the scale of the 
operations through the cycle.

The Group’s liquidity (defined as cash and 
undrawn committed facilities) was £1,180 million 
at 31 December 2019. This is sufficient to 
absorb the financial impact of each of the risks 
modelled in the stress and sensitivity analysis. 
If these scenarios were to occur, we have a 
range of additional options to maintain our 
financial strength, including; reduction in capital 
expenditure; the sale of assets; raising debt; and 
reducing the dividend.

Confirmation of viability 
Based on the results of this analysis, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
five-year period of their assessment.

These financial forecasts are based on a  
number of key assumptions, the most important 
of which include:

 – Timing and volume of legal completions of 
new homes sold, this includes annual 
production volumes and sales rates over the 
life of the individual developments

 – Average selling prices achieved 
 – Build costs and cost of land acquisitions
 – Working capital requirements
 – Capital repayment plan continues to operate 
with an ordinary dividend at a minimum of 
£250 million or 7.5% of the Group Net Assets 
and special dividends where free cash is 
generated by the Group after land investment, 
all working capital, taxation and other cash 
requirements of the business in executing our 
strategy in the near term and after the 
payment of the Group’s ordinary dividend 
 – In February 2020, the Group’s £550 million 
revolving credit facility was extended by one 
further year to mature February 2025

Stress testing our risk resilience 
The assessment considers sensitivity analysis  
on a series of realistically possible, but severe and 
prolonged, changes to principal assumptions. 
In determining these we have included  
macro-economic and industry-wide projections 
as well as matters specific to the Group.

This downside scenario reflects the potential 
impact of a sharp decline in customer confidence, 
disposable incomes, and higher mortgage 
interest rates. To arrive at our stress test we 
have drawn on experience gained managing the 
business through previous economic downturns. 
We have applied the sensitivities encountered  
at those times as well as the mitigations adopted 
to our 2020 expectation in order to test the 
resilience of our business. As a result, we have 
stress tested our business against the following 
downside scenarios;

 – Volume – reduced volumes from 2019  

levels by 30% with no recovery

 – Price – reduced selling prices by 20%  

with no recovery 

 – Cost – build cost reductions at a modest 5% 
and inclusion of a one-off exceptional charge 
and cash cost of £150 million for an 
unanticipated event or fine

 – Strategy and business model flexibility, 
including build quality, customer dynamics 
and approach to land investment. Further 
detail is provided on pages 24 to 29 

 – Principal Risks associated with the Group’s 

strategy and those risks that could most impact 
our ability to remain in operation and meet our 
liabilities as they fall due and how we have 
taken these into consideration when making 
our assessment of the Group’s viability

Principal Risks
The schedule of Principal Risks is routinely 
subject to a comprehensive review by the 
executive committee and Board. Consideration 
is given to the risk likelihood based on the 
probability of occurrence and potential impact 
on our business, together with the effectiveness 
of mitigations. The quality of our product and the 
strength of our reputation are key to our strategy 
and the Board has identified a new standalone 
Principal Risk of ‘Quality and reputation’ to 
reflect this (page 51). It was agreed that none of 
the changes in risks, their likelihood or probability 
during the year had a significant impact on the 
Group’s viability.

The Directors have considered the impact of the 
Principal Risks (see pages 48-52 for full details of 
the Group’s Principal Risks) on the viability of the 
business by performing a range of sensitivity 
analyses including severe but plausible scenarios 
together with the likely effectiveness of mitigating 
actions by the Directors. The Directors identified 
the Principal Risk relating to the potential impact 
of an economic downturn on mortgage availability 
and demand as most important in the assessment 
of the Group’s viability. The following Principal 
Risks; ‘Quality and reputation’ and ‘Government 
policy and planning regulations’ were also 
considered to have the potential to impact on 
customer demand and, in turn, the volume and 
price of our sales and this was also factored into 
the scenario analysis. 

Assessment of viability 
The Group adopts a disciplined annual business 
planning process which involves the 
management teams of the 24 business units  
and senior management and is built from a 
bottom up basis. This planning process 
comprises a budget for the next financial year, 
together with a forecast for the following four 
financial years.

The financial planning process considers the 
Group’s profitability and Income Statement, 
Balance Sheet including landbank, gearing and 
debt covenants, cash flows and other key 
financial metrics over the plan period.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

53

Strategic report 
Group financial review

54 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Increased 
focus on  
cost discipline  
and process 
simplification

In 2019, we made good progress 
implementing operational improvements 
across the business. This year, as we 
embed recent initiatives, our focus is on 
cost and process simplification. 

Group financial review of operations

Income statement 

Group revenue increased by 6.4% to £4,341.3 
million in 2019 (2018: £4,082.0 million). This 
growth was driven by increased completions in 
the UK (excluding joint ventures), up 4.7% to 
15,520 (2018: 14,822) and an improvement in 
the average UK selling price, up 1.8% to 
£268.6k (2018: £263.9k), primarily the result of 
an increase in the average size per completion of 
1.3%. The average selling price on UK private 
completions was £305.4k (2018: £301.8k).

The UK land cost per completed unit, at £42.9k, 
was 2.9% higher than the prior year (2018: 
£41.7k). The UK land cost per completion as a 
percentage of selling price was 16.0% (2018: 
15.8%), resulting from the proportion of 
affordable homes decreasing slightly to 22.4% 
(2018: 22.9%). 

Average build cost per unit in the UK increased to 
£156.6k (2018: £147.4k), driven by the impact of 
build cost inflation and our continued investment in 
build quality and customer experience. Underlying 
annual build cost inflation was c.4.5% year on 
year (2018: c.3.5%). Direct selling expenses per 
unit decreased marginally to £5.7k (2018: £5.9k), 
due to further sales efficiencies achieved in 
the year. 

Group gross profit of £1,044.1 million (2018: 
£1,074.5 million) decreased by 2.8% and included 
a positive contribution from previously written 
down inventory of £10.1 million (2018: £7.7 million). 

Group completions including  joint ventures16,0422018: 15,275Revenue£4,341.3m2018: £4,082.0mOperating profit£850.5m2018: £880.2mProfit for the year£673.9m2018: £656.6mValue distributed during 2019 (£m)

£447.3m

£275.9m

Contribution to local 
communities

2018: £455.3m

Employment

2018: £258.0m

£61.6m

Pension contributions

2018: £46.5m

£178.8m

Taxes

2018: £167.3m

£21.7m

Net investment  
in land & WIP

2018: £1.7m

£6.4m

Interest paid

2018: £8.6m

£599.7m

Dividends

2018: £499.5m

As a result of the increases in UK land and build 
cost exceeding the growth in revenue, the average 
UK gross profit per private completion reduced 
by 9.6% to £70.9k (2018: £78.4k) and the 
average UK blended gross profit per completion 
fell by 8.0% to £63.4k (2018: £68.9k). 

During the year, completions from joint ventures 
were 199 (2018: 111), in line with the expected 
development plans. The total order book value 
of joint ventures as at 31 December 2019 
increased to £62 million (31 December 2018: 
£22 million), representing 142 homes for 
completions in 2020 and 2021. Our share of 
results of joint ventures in the period was a profit 
of £8.0 million (2018: £5.3 million).

Group operating profit decreased to £850.5 
million (2018: £880.2 million), delivering an 
operating profit margin of 19.6% (2018: 21.6%), 
the decrease principally due to build cost 
inflation exceeding house price growth. Profit on 
ordinary activities before net finance costs 
increased by 3.4% to £856.8 million (2018: 
£828.8 million). This was due to the year on year 
reduction in operating profit being more than 
offset by the change in exceptional items from a 
charge of £46.1 million in 2018 to a credit of 
£14.3 million in 2019.

Net finance costs for the period were £28.9 million 
(2018: £23.4 million). The increase was primarily 
due to a higher charge on unwinding of discount 
on land creditors and the net interest expense 
arising on the defined benefit pension scheme. 
The increase in the pension scheme interest was 
a result of the deficit increasing from £63.7 million 
at 1 January 2018 to £133.0 million at 1 January 
2019, which drives the period’s charge.

“Group revenue increased 
by 6.4% to £4,341.3 million 
in 2019.”

Profit before tax and exceptional items decreased 
by 4.1% to £821.6 million (2018: £856.8 million). 
The pre-exceptional tax charge was £159.3 million 
(2018: £162.3 million) with an underlying tax rate 
of 19.4% (2018: 18.9%) that largely reflects the 
statutory tax rate in the UK. This resulted in a 
profit, before exceptional items, for the year of 
£662.3 million (2018: £694.5 million), 4.6% lower 
than the prior year.

The Group discloses material financial impacts 
arising from events which are one-off or unusual 
in nature as exceptional items. An exceptional 
net credit of £14.3 million was recognised in the 
year (2018: £46.1 million charge). The current 
year exceptional credit arose on the 
implementation of a Pension Increase Exchange 
(PIE) for members of the Taylor Wimpey Pension 
Scheme which enables some pension scheme 
members to elect to exchange future pension 
increases on part of their pensions for a one-off 
increase in pension. The exceptional credit 
reflects a decrease in scheme liabilities and is 
shown net of costs incurred in relation to the 
implementation. An exceptional tax charge of 
£2.7 million was recognised in respect of the 
£14.3 million exceptional credit recognised in 
the year.

The prior year exceptional charge related to the 
£30.0 million Aluminium Composite Material 
(ACM) cladding provision and £16.1 million for 
equalisation of guaranteed minimum pensions 
following the legal judgement in 2018. 

Profit on ordinary activities before tax increased 
to £835.9 million (2018: £810.7 million) as a 
result of the exceptional credit (2018: exceptional 
charge). Profit for the year was £673.9 million, 
up by 2.6% on 2018 (2018: £656.6 million).

Basic earnings per share was 20.6 pence (2018: 
20.1 pence), an increase of 2.5%. The adjusted 
basic earnings per share† was 20.3 pence 
(2018: 21.3 pence), a reduction of 4.7%.

Spain
The Spanish market remained healthy 
throughout the year. We completed 323 homes 
in 2019 (2018: 342) at an average selling price  
of €429k (2018: €344k). The total order book  
as at 31 December 2019 stood at 217 homes 
(31 December 2018: 284 homes). 

The Spanish business delivered an improved 
operating profit of £32.1 million for 2019 (2018: 
£29.2 million) and an operating profit margin of 
26.7% (2018: 28.0%). Looking ahead, we 
expect volumes to be broadly stable in 2020 
and, as previously guided, we would expect 
operating profit margins for Spain to moderate 
over time from a strong base.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

55

Strategic report 
Group financial review continued

Balance sheet
Net operating assets increased to £2,800.2 
million (31 December 2018: £2,611.9 million) 
as a result of a reduction in the retirement benefit 
obligation reflecting the deficit contributions 
made in the period and provisions which fell to 
£128.4 million (31 December 2018: £170.3 
million) as claims were made and processed 
through the Ground Rent Review Assistance 
Scheme and costs were incurred to replace 
ACM cladding.

Return on net operating assets decreased by 
two percentage points to 31.4% (2018: 33.4%). 
This was due to the reduced operating margin in 
the year offset partly by an increase in net 
operating asset turn†* to 1.60 times (2018: 
1.55 times).

The investment in land and work in progress 
(WIP) has been maintained at £4,196.0 million 
(2018: £4,188.2 million). This included a UK 
short term landbank comprised of 75,612 plots 
(2018: 75,995), with a net book value of £2.4 
billion (2018: £2.5 billion). This is split between 
short term owned land comprised of £2.3 billion 
(2018: £2.3 billion), representing 54,641 plots 
(2018: 53,279) and controlled short term 
landbank representing 20,971 plots (31 
December 2018: 22,716). 

The value of UK long term owned land decreased 
by 3% to £97 million (2018: £100 million), 
representing 33,329 plots (2018: 32,354),  
with a further total controlled strategic pipeline  
of 106,895 plots (31 December 2018: 95,063). 
Total potential revenue in the total UK owned 
and controlled landbank increased to £53 billion 
in the period (31 December 2018: £50 billion), 
reflecting the increase in the scale of the 
strategic land pipeline.

As at 31 December 2019, in the UK, 89% of the 
short term owned and controlled landbank was 
purchased after 2009, 60% of which was 
sourced through our strategic pipeline. This 
results in a land cost relative to average selling 
price in the short term owned landbank of 
14.9% (31 December 2018: 15.2%).

Average WIP per UK outlet at 31 December 
2019 increased by 7.4% to £5.8 million  
(2018: £5.4 million), consistent with the greater 
output per site we achieved in 2019. Also UK 
WIP turn†** increased to 3.06 times (2018: 
2.95 times). 

As at the balance sheet date, the Group held 
certain land and work in progress that had been 
written down by £68.6 million (31 December 
2018: £83.0 million) to a net realisable value of 
£59.3 million (31 December 2018: £73.8 million). 
The balance of previously written down land and 
work in progress in the UK was £39.0 million 
(31 December 2018: £46.6 million), following the 
associated write-downs of £30.5 million 
(31 December 2018: £38.7 million).

Our net deferred tax asset of £29.8 million 
(31 December 2018: £40.7 million) relates to our 
pension deficit, employee share schemes and 
the temporary differences of our Spanish 
business, including brought forward trading 
losses. The largest decrease, £9.2 million, 
relates to the pension deficit that decreased by 
£48.5 million following contributions made in 
the year.

Land creditors decreased to £729.2 million 
(31 December 2018: £738.6 million) and, 
combined with net cash, resulted in an adjusted 
gearing‡‡‡ of 5.5% (31 December 2018: 2.9%). 
Included within the land creditor balance is 
£56.4 million of UK land overage commitments 
(31 December 2018: £102.0 million). £339.9 million 
of the land creditors is expected to be paid 
within 12 months and £389.3 million thereafter.

2019 Group results

Completions including joint ventures

Revenue (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

Operating profit margin (%)

Profit before tax and exceptional items (£m)

Profit for the year (£m)

Basic earnings per share (p)

Adjusted basic earnings per share (p)

Total dividends paid per share (p)

UK

15,719

4,220.9

818.4 

19.4

Spain

323

120.4

32.1

26.7

Group

16,042

4,341.3

850.5

19.6

821.6

673.9

20.6

20.3

18.3

More information on segmental reporting can be found in Note 5 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Challenging ourselves 
to be better
We have made great progress in delivering 
our strategy this year by raising our build rate 
whilst at the same time improving our 
quality. However, we are always seeking to 
improve and, having launched a number of 
workstreams in the past two years that will 
benefit the long term sustainability of our 
business, we are increasing our focus on 
cost discipline and process simplification.

We will not make the mistake of reducing 
specification, damaging quality or 
stopping investment in areas that are vital 
to our long term sustainability, such as 
build quality, build capacity and our 
apprenticeship programme. However, as 
we focus on extracting the benefits of 
workstreams already in place, we are also 
scrutinising our current cost base to target 
savings where appropriate:

1.  Ensuring our overheads are 
appropriate to the operating 
environment. We have made good 
progress applying a zero-base costing 
approach to our overheads, assessing 
each activity and cost against our 
objectives and allocating funds 
accordingly. 

2.  Our cost and efficiency programme 
involves multiple workstreams which are 
underway that will automate certain 
commercial and production processes 
and target efficiencies in procurement 
and product standardisation. These will 
begin to deliver savings in 2020 with 
further benefits expected in 2021 and 
2022 as workstreams are fully deployed.

3.  Upgrades to some of our core 
systems in 2019 allowed us to 
enhance our reporting of costs at every 
level of the business, helping 
operational management understand, 
explain and challenge cost increases 
more effectively. This has significantly 
improved visibility of cost drivers and 
allows for improved benchmarking 
across our most common standard 
house types. 

56 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net land spend, including the payment of land 
creditors, increased by £100.1 million to £681.5 
million (2018: £581.4 million) and we invested 
£2,760.1 million in work in progress (2018: 
£2,406.6 million). This combined with an overall 
decrease in payables and lower operating profit 
resulted in a decrease in net cash from operating 
activities to £510.0 million (2018: £641.3 million).

In addition, purchases of fixed assets and 
software increased to £12.6 million (2018: 
£2.4 million) following investment in equipment 
and systems as part of the workstreams  
to enhance productivity. Corporation tax 
payments increased to £149.0 million 
(2018: £139.6 million).

In the 12 months to 31 December 2019 we 
converted 82.6% of operating profit into 
operating cash flow*** (2018: 92.6%).

Financing structure

At 31 December 2019 our committed borrowing 
facilities were £635 million of which £550 million 
was undrawn. Average net cash for 2019 was 
£157.0 million (2018: £259.6 million net cash). 
At the start of 2020 we extended the term of the 
£550 million revolving credit facility by a further 
year to 2025 resulting in an average maturity of 
the committed borrowing facilities of 4.9 years.

At 31 December 2019, the IAS 19 valuation of the 
Scheme remained in surplus at £100.5 million. 
Due to the rules of the TWPS, this surplus cannot 
be recovered by the Group and therefore a deficit 
has been recognised on the balance sheet under 
IFRIC14. This deficit is equal to the present value 
of the remaining committed payments under the 
2016 triennial valuation. Total retirement benefit 
obligations of £85.0 million at 31 December 2019 
(31 December 2018: £133.6 million) comprise a 
defined benefit pension liability of £84.5 million 
(31 December 2018: £133.0 million), with the 
decrease reflecting payments under the pension 
funding plan, and a post-retirement healthcare 
liability of £0.5 million (31 December 2018: 
£0.6 million). 

The Group continues to work closely with the 
Trustee in managing pension risks, including 
management of interest rate, inflation and 
longevity risks. The underlying volatility of the 
TWPS remains low due to the c.£200 million buy 
in completed in 2014 (c.10% of the liabilities), 
combined with c.90% liability hedging against 
interest rates and inflation risk exposure on the 
Scheme’s long term, ‘self-sufficiency’ basis. 

Cash generation 

Net cash decreased to £545.7 million at 
31 December 2019 from £644.1 million at 
31 December 2018. This is after returning 
£599.7 million to shareholders by way of 
dividends in the year (2018: £499.5 million), 
paying £29.9 million in relation to the Ground 
Rent Review Assistance Scheme set up to  
assist certain of our customers to move their 
ground rent escalating terms to less expensive 
terms and £5.9 million incurred to replace 
ACM cladding.

Net assets at 31 December 2019 increased by 
21.1% to £3,907.5 million before dividends paid 
in the year, and by 2.5% overall, after dividend 
payments of £599.7 million to £3,307.8 million 
(31 December 2018: £3,226.8 million). The net 
asset increase was driven by continued 
profitability in the year.

“In the 12 months to 
31 December 2019 we 
converted 82.6% of 
operating profit into 
operating cash flow.”

Pensions
Following the 31 December 2016 triennial 
valuation, we agreed a recovery plan with the 
Trustee for the period to December 2020. This 
included a contribution mechanism, tested 
quarterly, such that should the Taylor Wimpey 
Pension Scheme (TWPS) become fully funded 
on the Technical Provisions funding basis, further 
contributions would be suspended and only 
recommence if the funding level fell below 96%.

The quarterly funding test for 31 December 2018 
showed that the TWPS funding level had fallen 
to 94%. The Group therefore recommenced 
regular contributions from January 2019. The 
most recent funding test at 31 December 2019 
showed a funding level of 97% on the Technical 
Provisions funding basis. As a result, regular 
contributions will continue. The Group continues 
to provide a contribution for Scheme expenses 
and also makes contributions via the Pension 
Funding Partnership. Total Scheme contributions 
and expenses were £47.1 million in 2019 (2018: 
£34.1 million). Payments in 2020 are expected 
to be £47.1 million, assuming the TWPS remains 
less than 100% funded.

Operating cash flow

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Operating cash flow margin* %

Operating profit margin %

UK land cost as % of revenue

 * Cash generated by operations divided by revenue.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

57

Strategic report 
Group financial review continued

Dividends 
Subject to shareholder approval at the AGM 
scheduled for 23 April 2020, the 2019 final 
ordinary dividend of 3.80 pence per share will be 
paid on 15 May 2020 to shareholders on the 
register at the close of business on 3 April 2020 
(2018 final dividend: 3.80 pence per share). In 
combination with the 2019 interim dividend of 
3.84 pence per share (2018 interim dividend: 
2.44 pence per share) this gives a total ordinary 
dividend for the year of 7.64 pence (2018 
ordinary dividend: 6.24 pence per share).

This dividend will be paid as a cash dividend, 
and shareholders are once again being offered 
the opportunity to reinvest all of their ordinary 
dividend under the Dividend Re-Investment Plan 
(DRIP), details of which are available from our 
Registrar and on our website. Elections to join 
the Plan must reach the Registrar by 23 April 
2020 in order to be effective for this dividend. 
Further details can be found on our website 
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate

In addition, on 12 July 2019, we returned £349.9 
million to shareholders by way of a special 
dividend, equating to 10.70 pence per ordinary 
share. As previously announced in July 2019 we 
intend to return c.£360 million to shareholders in 
July 2020, equating to 10.99 pence per ordinary 
share, subject to shareholder approval at the 
AGM. This is proposed to be paid on 10 July 
2020 as a cash dividend to all shareholders on 
the register at close of business on 5 June 2020. 
Shareholders will be offered the opportunity to 
reinvest all of their 2020 special cash dividend 
under the DRIP, for which elections to join the 
Plan must reach the Registrar by 19 June 2020.

The Board continues to keep the mechanics  
of how the Company will pay special dividends, 
including the merits of undertaking a share 
buyback at some point in the future should  
it become appropriate to do so, under 
regular review.

Going concern 
The Directors remain of the view that the 
Group’s financing arrangements and balance 
sheet strength provide both the necessary 
facilities and covenant headroom to enable the 
Group to conduct its business for at least the 
next 12 months. Accordingly, the consolidated 
financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis.

Chris Carney
Group Finance Director

For our Viability statement see page 52

Approval of the Strategic Report

This Strategic Report was approved by 
the Board of Directors and signed on its 
behalf by

Pete Redfern 
Chief Executive

Alternative Performance Measures
The Group uses Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) as key financial performance indicators to assess underlying performance of the Group. 
The APMs used are widely used industry measures and form the measurement basis of the key strategic KPIs (return on net operating assets, operating 
profit margin and cash conversion). A portion of executive remuneration is also directly linked to some of the APMs. Definitions and reconciliations to the 
equivalent statutory measures are included in Note 32 of the financial statements.

Definitions

*

**

***

†

†*

†**

‡

‡‡

‡‡‡

Operating profit is defined as profit on ordinary activities before net finance costs, exceptional items and tax, after share of results of joint ventures.

Return on net operating assets (RONOA) is defined as rolling 12-month operating profit divided by the average of the opening and closing net operating assets, which is defined 
as net assets less net cash, excluding net taxation balances and accrued dividends.

Operating cash flow is defined as cash generated by operations (which is before taxes paid, interest paid and payments related to exceptional charges).

Adjusted basic earnings per share represents earnings attributed to the shareholders of the parent, excluding exceptional items and tax on exceptional items, divided by the 
weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

Net operating asset turn is defined as 12-month rolling total revenue divided by the average of opening and closing net operating assets.

WIP turn is defined as total revenue divided by the average of opening and closing work in progress.

Net cash / (debt) is defined as total cash less total financing.

Cash conversion is defined as operating cash flow divided by operating profit on a rolling 12-month basis.

Adjusted gearing is defined as adjusted net debt divided by net assets. Adjusted net debt is defined as net cash less land creditors.

58 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Directors’ report: 
governance

60 Corporate Governance
64 Q&A with Irene Dorner,  

Chair-designate
66 Board Leadership and 
Company Purpose
82 Division of Responsibilities
86 Composition, Succession 

and Evaluation

98 Audit, Risk and Internal Control
106 Remuneration
132 Statutory, regulatory and 

other information

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

59

Governance 
Corporate governance

Making a difference  
through good governance

Governance highlights for 2019
 – Fully compliant with all of the requirements of the 2018 UK 

Corporate Governance Code which applies to the Company 
for 2019 reporting. Read more on pages 65 and 132.

 – Acted in accordance with the guidance applicable to the 
Company for 2019 set out in the Financial Reporting 
Council’s Guidance on Risk, Internal Control and Related 
Financial and Business Reporting. Read more on pages 
45-53 and 98-105.

 – Made good progress towards achieving our strategy for 
improving diversity and inclusivity at all levels throughout  
the Group’s businesses. Read more on pages 36 and 86-97.

 – Conducted a comprehensive internally-facilitated Board 

evaluation exercise. Read more on pages 92-93.

 – Further developed and enhanced the Company’s succession 
and contingency plans and planning processes across the 
Group. Read more on pages 90-91.

 – Took action to increase female representation in senior roles 
from Board level downwards, as highlighted in our Gender 
Pay Gap report, the latest edition of which appears on our 
website. Read more on pages 90-91.

 – Further deepened processes and procedures across the 
business and its supply chain to protect against modern 
slavery. Read more on pages 38 and 137.

 – Published the Company’s half yearly statutory reports of 

payment terms during 2019, showing steady improvement.

Number of 
meetings attended 
in 2019
8/8
1/1
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
2/2 
8/8

“I am pleased to  
leave the business  
in great shape, with 
strong governance 
embedded, a 
determination for further 
improvement and the 
appropriate culture to 
achieve this.”

Kevin Beeston
Chair

Board attendance in 2019

Board members during 2019
Kevin Beeston, Chair
Irene Dorner(a), Independent Non Executive Director and Chair-designate
Pete Redfern, Chief Executive
Chris Carney, Group Finance Director
Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director
James Jordan(b), Group Legal Director and Company Secretary
Kate Barker, Independent Non Executive Director
Gwyn Burr, Independent Non Executive Director
Angela Knight, Independent Non Executive Director
Robert Noel(c), Independent Non Executive Director
Humphrey Singer, Independent Non Executive Director

(a)  Appointed 1 December 2019.
(b)  Retired 31 December 2019.
(c)  Appointed 1 October 2019.

60 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Culture, values and ethics
The Board strongly believes that good 
governance should be focused not only on how 
the Board itself operates effectively but also,  
and very importantly, on the culture within which 
all of our businesses and employees operate 
and conduct themselves on a day to day basis. 
The culture, values and ethics set out on pages 
2 and 69 are set and monitored by the Board as 
set out on page 71 and led in our operations by 
the Chief Executive and the rest of our Executive 
and senior management teams. The principles of 
good governance are embedded throughout 
Taylor Wimpey and manifest themselves in a 
number of different ways, including the following:

 – An absolute and non-negotiable requirement 
throughout our business to ensure the health 
and safety of our employees, customers, 
subcontractors, suppliers and visitors to our 
offices and developments. Please see pages 
15, 23, 37, 74 and 136.

 – The requirement to observe good business 
practice, including abiding by all applicable 
laws and regulations that relate to our 
business. Please see pages 75 and 82.
 – The provision of mandatory training to all of 

our businesses on key legislation and 
regulations relating to our areas of operation.
 – Our Group-wide Operating Framework control 
document setting out common procedures, 
best practice and delegated authority limits.
 – A system of controls and checks underpinned 
by a rigorous Internal Audit Department and in 
turn overseen by the Audit Committee.

 – Regular and embedded risk assessment and 
monitoring processes. Please see pages 
45-53 and 101-102.

 – Encouraging and investigating any disclosures 
made either directly or through an independent 
third party whistleblowing hotline available  
to employees, subcontractors, suppliers, 
customers and the general public. Please see 
page 75.

During 2019, we re-focused our values to 
emphasise to the team how these values should 
translate into our behaviours; how we strive to 
be known for putting the customer at the centre 
of all our decisions; and our wider social 
responsibility to the customers and communities 
our business impacts upon. 

Governance developments during 
the period
The Board received governance briefings during 
the year, encompassing all of the key legal and 
regulatory governance changes introduced 
during 2019, in addition to a specific briefing on 
the updated Code.

As noted in last year’s Annual Report, we had 
taken note of the Government’s proposals for 
corporate governance reforms, enabling us to 
take early action to address the application of 
the updated Code to the Company’s reporting 
for 2019, including:

 – Requiring annual reporting and commentary on 
CEO pay relative to the workforce and including 
CEO pay ratios (introduced early by the 
Company in its 2018 reporting and updated 
this year). Please see page 129.

 – Demonstrating how the Directors met the 

requirement of Section 172 of the Companies 
Act, namely, for each of them to promote the 
success of the Company for its members 
whilst also having regard to: long term 
success; a broader range of other 
stakeholders’ interests (customers, 
employees, partners, investors and the wider 
communities in which our business operates); 
the impact on the environment; and 
maintaining high standards of ethics. Please 
see pages 32-43 and 76-81 and the formal 
statement of compliance on page 33.

 – Strengthening the voice of our employees at 
Board level through our National Employee 
Forum. Please see pages 63, 78-79 and 135.

 – An increasing focus on the culture of the 

Company. Please see pages 69-71.
 – Further requirements around Board 

composition and succession planning at 
Board level. Please see pages 90-91.

 – Wider recommendations to promote good 
corporate governance, particularly around 
Executive pay. Please see page 65.

 – Disclosing the impact on potential outcomes 
from LTIP awards (the Performance Share 
Plan or PSP) in the event of significant (up to 
50%) appreciation in the Company’s share 
price (introduced early by the Company in its 
2018 reporting and updated this year in the 
scenario charts in the Remuneration Report 
on page 117).

Dear Shareholder

In my capacity as Chair of the Board, I am very 
pleased to have this opportunity to make what 
will be my final personal statement on the 
Company’s approach to corporate governance, 
prior to my stepping down as Chair and as a 
Director on 26 February 2020.

Firstly, I would like to emphasise again that the 
Board continues to take corporate governance 
very seriously and has been able to demonstrate 
this over many years through full compliance 
with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the Code). The requirements of the Code are 
described throughout this report, together with 
explanations as to how we have complied with 
its requirements, and signposts directing you to 
the relevant page where more detail can be 
found on how the Company has complied with 
its various provisions. 

The Company has consistently sought to comply 
with planned improvements and revisions to the 
Code, and with wider governance initiatives, 
often in advance of their formal application to our 
reporting years. The Board recognises the 
importance of considering the Company’s 
responsibilities and duties to both its 
shareholders and its broader stakeholder group 
and this ethos has been part of our culture and 
decision-making process for many years. 
The Directors’ duties under Section 172 of the 
Companies Act 2006 help to underpin the  
good governance which is at the heart of what 
we do. Details of how the Board has met its 
obligations in respect of Section 172 during 
2019, by taking account of shareholder and 
wider stakeholder interests in its strategic 
planning and decision-making processes, are 
set out on pages 32-43 and 76-81 and support 
the formal statement of how the Board complied 
with this legal requirement, which appears on 
page 33.

We receive regular briefings and updates on 
corporate governance at our Board and 
Committee meetings and this report aims to 
explain in clear terms the governance-related 
processes and procedures that are in place at 
Taylor Wimpey and which we believe are 
essential for the delivery of the long term 
success of the Company. It is these processes 
that ensure we comply with all applicable laws 
and regulations as well as, of course, meeting 
the requirements of our relevant stakeholders, 
including shareholders and their representative 
bodies with whom we are always very pleased 
to engage. We very much appreciate their 
constructive and helpful approach and feedback.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

61

Governance 
Corporate governance continued

The Government is also seeking to encourage 
companies to increase productivity, including 
through greater recognition of the importance of 
‘human capital’ and a clearer focus on training and 
development. Details of our initiatives in this regard 
appear on pages 28, 36-38, 79 and 135-137.

The Company continues to improve its 
performance in the important areas of 
environmental, social and governance (ESG) 
responsibility and I am pleased to report that the 
Company has retained its membership of the 
FTSE4Good Index. In addition, the latest update 
of the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) 
Governance Quality Score for the Company’s 
ESG performance indicates that the Company is 
level 1 – indicating lowest risk assessment for 
each of the Environment and Social categories; 
and for the Governance categories relating to 
shareholder rights; and audit & risk oversight.

The Board is also aware of the increasing level of 
investor interest in climate change risk and that 
consideration is being given to reassessing risk 
and asset values to reflect this in revised capital 
allocations. As reported on page 47, the 
Company commenced work during 2019 to 
align its operations and reporting with the aims 
of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures. We are also considering whether 
this can be reflected in further improvement in 
sustainability reporting through adopting a 
revised standard, such as those proposed by 
the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.

The Board reviewed and welcomed all of these 
initiatives which are designed to help provide 
shareholders and all of our stakeholders with 
increased assurance that the Company is being 
managed with their best interests firmly in mind, 
whilst also taking account of the Company’s 
activities in, and impact, on the wider community, 
both at a local level and more broadly in respect 
of sustainability and climate change. 

Appointments and succession
The Nomination Committee oversaw changes 
on the Board during 2019, and agreed plans for 
further change early in 2020.

On 1 December 2019, we were delighted to 
appoint Irene Dorner as an Independent 
Non Executive Director and Chair-designate, 
bringing over 30 years’ executive experience, 
including most recently as CEO of HSBC in the 
US and as Group MD of HSBC Holdings. Irene 
also has considerable experience of the roles of 
non executive director and of Chair, being an 
independent non executive director of AXA SA 
and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and as Chair of 
the Board of Control Risks Limited and 
previously Virgin Money Holdings (UK) plc. 
More details of her experience and the additional 
skills she brings to the Board and to the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees 
appear in her biography on pages 66 and 196. 
I have been working closely with Irene to  
ensure that there is an effective handover of 
responsibilities with a view to her assuming the 
Chair following the announcement of the 
Company’s 2019 results on 26 February 2020.

On 1 October 2019, we were delighted to appoint 
Robert Noel as an Independent Non Executive 
Director. Rob has over 30 years’ experience in the 
property sector, and has been CEO of Land 
Securities Group PLC since 2012. He was 
previously Property Director of Great Portland 
Estates plc. More details of his experience and 
the additional skills he brings to the Board and to 
the Audit and Nomination Committees appear in 
his biography on pages 67 and 197.

On 4 November 2019, James Jordan handed 
over the Company Secretary responsibilities to 
Alice Marsden and on 31 December 2019 he 
stepped down from the Board. James joined 
George Wimpey as its Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary in February 2002 and 
has been Secretary of Taylor Wimpey since the 
merger in July 2007. He was appointed to the 
Board as Group Legal Director in July 2011. 
During over 17 years’ service, James has 
demonstrated outstanding commitment, 
dedicated service and wise counsel both to me 
and my predecessors as Chair, and to the Board 
as a whole, in addition to his other 
responsibilities as a senior executive of the 
Group. James remains employed by the 
Company until 31 March 2020 to ensure that 
there is an effective handover of his various 
responsibilities and will then retire. I thank him 
personally and on behalf of the Board, for his 
long, valued and dedicated service, and wish 
him a very happy retirement.

I was delighted to welcome Alice Marsden as our 
new Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary on 4 November 2019 and am pleased 
to see how well she has settled into her role, both 
with the Board and as a member of the Group 
Management Team (GMT). Alice brings 
experience of the role as former Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary of Thomas 
Cook Group plc and from her previous 
experience in the legal profession.

The Nomination Committee regularly reviews the 
composition, balance, skills and experience of the 
Board, together with related succession planning 
and concluded that, following the changes set out 
above, the balance and composition of the Board 
will continue to provide the right blend of 
experience, expertise and challenge to ensure 
good governance and enable the Company to 
successfully implement its strategy. During the 
year, in accordance with the Code at least half of 
the Board (excluding the Chair) were Independent 
Non Executive Directors.

Board evaluation
It is a key requirement of good governance that 
an annual evaluation is carried out to ensure that 
the Board, its Committees and each Director 
performs effectively. The Code requires that the 
evaluation is externally-facilitated at least every 
three years, most recently in 2017 by Manchester 
Square Partners, and the annual evaluation for 
2019 was therefore internally-facilitated. The 
outcome of the evaluation was very positive and 
further details of the evaluation methodology and 
its outcomes are set out on pages 92-93.

Arrangements are in hand for a further externally-
facilitated evaluation to be conducted later this 
year, the results and actions proposed from which 
will be reported in next year’s Annual Report.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusivity have very rightly 
continued to be key items on the overall UK 
governance agenda during 2019. The Company 
has achieved the target introduced by Lord 
Davies of Abersoch’s review for the proportion of 
women on each FTSE 350 company’s board to 
increase from the current 25% target to 33% by 
2020, with the Board’s proportion of women 
members having increased during 2019 from 
44% to 45%. This proportion further increased 
to 50% from the end of 2019 on the retirement 
of James Jordan and will have further increased 
to 56% (five out of nine) following my standing 
down from the Board on 26 February 2020.

The Board also welcomed the Hampton-Alexander 
Review, which proposes to increase Board and 
senior leadership diversity. As noted above, I am 
pleased to be able to report that the proportion 
of women increased during 2019 and to date on 
the Board (from 44% to 56%), and also on the 
direct reports to the Board, i.e. the members of 
the GMT, from 33% to 44%. More details of how 
these gender diversity improvements were 
achieved and the Board’s plans for further 
improvements in diversity and inclusivity, are set 
out on pages 95-97. The Board very much 
welcomes these higher targets which are 
designed to give greater impetus to the progress 
of enhanced gender diversity on PLC boards. 
This, together with other diversity 
recommendations, such as the proposals from 
the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to require 
greater consideration of ethnic and social 
diversity when planning Board appointments, 
and the Parker Report on ethnic diversity, is very 
much in the thinking of the Nomination 
Committee when reviewing the balance and 
composition of the Board and the structuring of 
talent development initiatives across the Group.

As reported last year, at the 2018 launch of the 
Hampton-Alexander Review into speeding up 
the pace of progress on increasing diversity on 
boards and the next two leadership levels 
immediately below the board, the Company was 
the third best performer in the FTSE at that time; 
was the only housebuilder in the top ten; and 
was amongst those commended for the 
progress made to date. We are proud of these 
achievements and pleased that we have been 
able to make further progress during 2019 and 
into 2020.

The Company is committed to supporting 
diversity and its policy is to appoint or promote, 
as appropriate, the best person for the role in 
question, without taking account of factors such 
as educational or professional backgrounds 
(save as appropriate for the position); age; 
gender; ethnicity; or disability. The objective of 
this policy is to ensure that diversity is built into 
the Company’s appointment and promotion 
process and that only relevant factors are taken 
into account when considering such matters. 

62 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

As noted earlier, I am working with Irene to 
ensure that there is an effective handover of the 
responsibilities of the Chair on 26 February 
2020, at which time I will stand down as your 
Chair and from the Board.

In this connection, Kate Barker, our longest-
serving Non Executive Director, has kindly 
agreed to defer her stepping down from the 
Board on reaching the ninth anniversary of her 
appointment to the Board (on 20 April 2020). 
Following a recommendation from the 
Nomination Committee, the Board supports the 
deferral of Kate’s departure from the Board until 
31 July 2020 in order to support Irene as she 
takes on her new position and responsibilities 
and also to provide additional stability in the 
Board composition. Kate will step down from her 
role as Senior Independent Director and member 
of the Audit and Remuneration Committees on 
20 April 2020. More details are set out in the 
Nomination Committee report on page 94 and in 
the Notice of AGM and the explanatory notes on 
pages 192 and 196.

I joined the Board in July 2010 and I have 
enjoyed my time as Chair of the Company 
immensely. It has been both an honour and a 
pleasure to serve as your Chair and I am pleased 
to leave the business in great shape, with a clear 
strategy and a strong leadership team to 
continue to take the Company forward.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of 
my Board colleagues, the Group Management 
Team and all of our employees across the business, 
for their dedication, loyalty and hard work which 
has underpinned our success and helped to 
make my tenure as Chair so enjoyable.

Kevin Beeston
Chair

25 February 2020

Statement of compliance

For the year ended 31 December 2019, 
the Company complied with all of the 
provisions of the Code; the Financial 
Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Disclosure  
and Transparency Rules sub-chapters 7.1 
and 7.2 which set out certain mandatory 
disclosure requirements; the FCA’s Listing 
Rules 9.8.6R, 9.8.7R and 9.8.7AR which 
include the ‘comply or explain’ requirement; 
and the BEIS Directors’ Remuneration 
Reporting Regulations and Narrative 
Reporting Regulations. These regulations 
are publicly available as follows:

 – The Code can be found at www.frc.org.uk
 – The FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules as well as Listing Rules can be 
found at www.handbook.fca.org.uk
 – The BEIS Directors’ Remuneration 

Reporting Regulations and Narrative 
Reporting Regulations can be found at 
www.gov.uk

 – The FRC Guidance on Risk 

Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business 
Reporting can be found at  
www.frc.org.uk 

This 2019 Annual Report 
and Accounts
Your Directors have responsibility for 
preparing this 2019 Annual Report 
and Accounts and for making certain 
confirmations concerning it. In accordance 
with Section 4, Principle N, Provision 27  
of the Code the Board considers that, 
taken as a whole, it is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy.

The Board was able to reach this conclusion 
after receiving advice from the Audit 
Committee. The processes of review and 
assessment followed by that Committee in 
that respect are set out on pages 104-105.

The Viability Statement, as required by the 
Code, appears on pages 52-53.

The policy has been implemented through 
training sessions on unconscious bias for 
management teams throughout the Company’s 
business and its head office functions. Progress 
to date in this area is set out on pages 95-97 
and continuing to improve our diversity across 
the Company will remain a priority for the Board.

Engagement with employees
During 2019, we conducted the latest of our 
biennial Employee Surveys. Over two-thirds of 
employees responded, with our commitment to 
health and safety; corporate responsibility; 
understanding of the Company’s strategy; 
prioritising customer needs; and satisfaction with 
working for Taylor Wimpey and with their line 
manager, all scoring at or in excess of 90%. 
I believe that this demonstrates that our 
workforce has bought into our wider strategy; 
our culture; and our commitment to a customer 
focused approach. The survey also highlighted 
two areas where improvements can be made, 
and action plans are being developed to better 
integrate certain teams and further improve the 
principles of ‘working together’. Detailed results 
of the survey are reported on pages 71, 78 
and 135.

The National Employee Forum also continued its 
effective engagement with employees and their 
representatives across all levels of the Company. 
One meeting was attended by the Chief Executive 
who answered questions ranging from the 
possible impact of Brexit; interpretation of the 
feedback from the Employee Survey; 
dissemination of the Company’s new values; 
and initiatives to improve facilities for agile 
working. In addition, the Group Finance Director 
and Group Legal Director and Company 
Secretary attended a meeting during 2019. 
More details of the Forum and the engagement 
with employees during 2019 appear on pages 
36-37, 78-79 and 135-137.

Conclusion
I believe that your Board remains effective and 
continues to work very well. I am confident that 
the Board has the right balance of skills, 
expertise and professionalism to continue to 
deliver strong governance whilst allowing the 
Executive Directors to implement and deliver the 
strategy (as set out on pages 24-29) within the 
strong culture that we have worked hard to 
establish. Whilst I am also pleased with the 
Board’s activity and approach with regard to 
corporate governance, we will continually look 
for ways to learn and improve.

My successor, Irene Dorner, will chair the 
Company’s AGM on 23 April 2020 and I am 
sure she will be looking forward to meeting with 
our shareholders, as will all of your other 
Directors (who will all be present at the AGM), 
and they remain available to answer or respond 
to your questions, concerns and suggestions at 
any time.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

63

Governance 
Corporate governance continued

Q&A 
with Irene Dorner,  
Chair-designate

“I am proud to take on this appointment 
with a Company which marries 
together a historic past and a vibrant, 
exciting future.”

How have you found your first 
months as a member of the Board?
I am personally grateful to my predecessor, 
Kevin, for his support and warm welcome since I 
joined the Board in December last year. It is 
testament to Kevin’s stewardship as Chair that I 
have been made to feel so welcome by the rest 
of the Board, Management and all of the Taylor 
Wimpey employees who I have met so far and 
who have helped me through a very thorough 
induction process. The smooth transition in the 
succession plan reflects the progressive culture 
and mechanisms installed by Kevin and the 
Board and he can be proud to step down as 
Chair, knowing he leaves a business with a 
strong and highly effective oversight and control 
function, and an inclusive and forward-thinking 
culture. I know that his wisdom, knowledge and 
accessibility will be missed and I look forward to 
building on his legacy. I also know all within the 
Company will join me in thanking Kevin for his 
significant contribution to Taylor Wimpey and for 
his great stewardship during his nearly 10 years 
as Chair, as well as wishing him well in his 
future endeavours. 

How have you learned about 
the business and the industry?
In addition to my own research prior to joining the 
Company, Taylor Wimpey has conducted a 
comprehensive induction process where, as well 
as meeting members of the Board and 
management, I was able to visit two regional 
businesses to better understand what we do as a 
Company. I have various induction activities 
planned throughout this year, to ensure that I get 
to see all parts of our business. The period of 
transition from my joining the Board until I took on 
the role of Chair has enabled me to spend 
invaluable time with Kevin to gain the benefit of his 
experience and to better understand the Board 
and Company operations under his tenure and to 
discuss the key challenges he sees facing the 
business and industry. We have a wealth of 
experience on the Board from a diverse range of 
industries including construction, business 
services, economics, politics, financial services, 

property and retail and I am grateful for the 
expertise and support of my Board colleagues. 
My priorities outside of Board meetings are to get 
to know the business better over the next few 
months and I will be travelling to meet with 
employees in a number of our business units.

What will you bring to the role?
I have spent much of my career in the financial 
services sector which is, rightly, a highly 
regulated industry. The regulation is there to 
protect customers and at Taylor Wimpey, we 
adopt a truly customer-focused approach, 
focusing on the critical issues, such as health 
and safety regulation. Housebuilders have a key 
role to play working with the Government to 
understand how we can address the national 
housing crisis as well as tackling key issues, 
such as sustainability and environmental 
responsibilities, affecting the wider industry. 

What are your first impressions of 
Taylor Wimpey?
The success of Taylor Wimpey is evident in the 
strength of the business and its balance sheet. 
Our success is also evident in other, less 
quantifiable but no less meaningful ways, such 
as the excellent deeply embedded safety culture, 
and the trusted reputation Taylor Wimpey has 
with customers, suppliers, and within the 
housebuilding industry. I have also been 
impressed with the level of employee 
engagement and it is encouraging to see that 
regular dialogue exists between employee 
representatives and the Board through the NEF.

The latest Employee Survey shows that there is 
an understanding throughout the business of the 
key role each and every employee plays in the 
success of our business, as well as a 
commitment and a desire to ‘do the right thing’, 
which is very encouraging. Overall, I see a 
professionally run business with a strong 
purpose in its desire to put the customers at the 
centre of our offering and have seen first-hand 
the quality of product which our employees are 
proud to deliver to our customers. 

64 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

How do you see the Company’s 
performance and outlook from a 
governance standpoint?
There is a very strong culture of good 
governance at Taylor Wimpey, in the internal 
structures of the Board and through the main 
committees – Audit, Nomination and 
Remuneration, as well as other key areas of 
focus such as health and safety, risk and ESG 
issues. However, I have found that businesses 
function best when the ‘tone from the top’ 
is echoed at every level and I have been pleased 
to find there is a high degree of personal 
responsibility throughout Taylor Wimpey.  
From what I have seen so far, Taylor Wimpey 
management and employees go out of their way 
to take responsibility and to do the right thing, 
which is very encouraging for an incoming Chair.

What are the key challenges in the 
years ahead?
It is clear that we have experienced a  
very supportive market over recent years. 
However, we operate in a consumer focused 
industry which is subject to changes in demand, 
and we are currently uncertain how the political 
environment may impact on us, so we can never 
be complacent. When performing my due 
diligence pre-appointment, I was impressed by 
the mechanisms put in place to monitor the 
business’ position within the cycle, as well as  
the conservative manner in which the business 
operated to prepare for changing market 
conditions. It will continue to be the Board’s 
priority to ensure that management continue to 
drive our long term strategy, which is adaptable 
to the prevailing trading environment.

I very much look forward to meeting 
shareholders at the Company’s 2020 AGM 
and to hearing their views on the Company’s 
performance and prospects.

New skills on the board

Irene Dorner 
Independent Non Executive Director 
and Chair-designate

Irene Dorner, as an experienced 
Non Executive Director, received an 
induction post-appointment that focused 
on the culture, operational structure  
and key challenges of Taylor Wimpey.  
As Chair-designate, she also worked  
closely with Kevin Beeston, our former  
Chair, in ensuring an effective handover 
of responsibilities.

Accordingly, her induction comprised:

 – An introductory meeting with the Chair 
to discuss Board process and the 
Group’s culture.

 – A comprehensive document pack was 
provided which included analyst and 
broker reports.

 – A meeting with the Company Secretary 

on governance. 

Robert Noel 
Independent Non Executive Director

Rob Noel, as an experienced Non Executive 
Director, received an induction post-appointment 
that focused on the culture, operational structure 
and key challenges of Taylor Wimpey.

Accordingly, his induction comprised:

 – An introductory meeting with the Chair 
to discuss Board process and the 
Group’s culture.

 – A comprehensive document pack was 
provided which included analyst and 
broker reports.

 – A meeting with the Company Secretary 

on governance.

 – A series of meetings with the Divisional 
Chairs of the operating divisions of the 
Group. During each of these, the strategy; 
operating and financial performance; budget 
and forecasts; human resourcing, diversity 
and talent development progress and plans; 
challenges; risk; and medium term plans; for 
the business area, were discussed.
 – A series of meetings with Heads of key 
functions including Health, Safety and 
Environmental; Internal Audit; Customer 
Services; and HR; during which Group-wide 
progress on initiatives; challenges; and plans 
for the future, were discussed.

 – Visits to a selection of current development 

sites located in each of the operating 
Divisions, incorporating discussions with 
Divisional, Regional and Site Management on 
operational, financial, supplier and resourcing 
matters and local initiatives to manage them.
 – Meetings with key governance advisers and 

the Company’s stockbrokers; at which 
briefings were given on current shareholder 
issues, both generally and sector-specific.

 – Meetings with the wider Taylor Wimpey 

team, including executives and 
representatives of all levels of the team 
during Regional and site visits. 

During the course of her first year as Chair, 
Irene will also hold meetings with major 
shareholders and visit the Taylor Wimpey 
businesses in both Scotland and Spain  
to meet the teams and learn more about 
their operations.

 – A series of meetings with the Divisional 
Chairs of the operating divisions of the 
Group. During each of these, the strategy; 
operating and financial performance; 
budget and forecasts; human resourcing, 
diversity and talent development progress 
and plans; challenges; and medium term 
plans; for the business area, were 
discussed.

 – A series of meetings with Heads of key 
functions including Health, Safety and 
Environmental; Internal Audit; Customer 
Services; and HR; during which Group-
wide progress on initiatives; challenges; 
and plans for the future, were discussed.
 – Visits to a selection of current development 

sites located in two of the operating 
Divisions, incorporating discussions with 
Divisional, Regional and Site Management 
on operational, financial, supplier and 
resourcing matters and local initiatives to 
manage them. 

How we comply  
with the 2018 
UK Corporate 
Governance  
Code

The UK Financial Reporting Council 
promotes high-quality corporate 
governance and reporting through the 
2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the Code), with which all companies with 
a premium listing on the UK Stock 
Exchange are required to either comply in 
full; or explain why, and to what extent, 
they do not comply. The Corporate 
Governance section of this Annual Report 
explains how the Code principles have 
been applied, as set out below. In a new 
approach this year, we have grouped the 
sections explaining how the Company has 
complied with the provisions of the Code 
into each of the five areas into which the 
Code is subdivided, with page references 
for certain matters within each area:

1. Board Leadership and
Company Purpose
Board of Directors
Board activities during the year
Considering stakeholders 
in decision making

2. Division of Responsibilities
How we are governed

3. Composition, Succession 
and Evaluation
Nomination Committee report
Appointments to the Board
Board evaluation
Progress of our Diversity Policy

66
70
76

84

86
88
92
96

4. Audit, Risk and Internal Control
Audit Committee report

98

5. Remuneration
Remuneration Committee report
Remuneration at a glance

106
110

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

65

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and 
Company Purpose

Board of Directors

Chair

Executive Directors

N R

Kevin Beeston
Chair

Pete Redfern
Chief Executive

Chris Carney
Group Finance Director

Jennie Daly
Group Operations  
Director

Independent Non 
Executive Directors

RN

Irene Dorner
Independent Non Executive 
Director and Chair-designate

Joined July 2010

Joined July 2007

Joined April 2018

Joined April 2018

Joined 1 December 2019

Skills & experience
Kevin has significant experience 
of chairing boards and of being 
a non executive director of both 
public and private companies. 
He also brings a wealth of 
commercial, financial and high 
level management experience, 
including being a former CEO 
of a FTSE 100 company. He 
was formerly Chair of Equiniti 
Group plc; Serco Group plc 
and Domestic and General 
Limited; and a non executive 
director of IMI plc.

It has been announced that 
Kevin will stand down as  
Chair and as a Director 
following the Company’s 
announcement of its 2019 
results on 26 February 2020.

External appointments
Kevin is a non executive 
director of Severn Trent plc, 
Marston Corporate Limited, 
Elysium Limited and The 
Football Association Premier 
League Limited.

Skills & experience
Pete was previously Group 
Chief Executive of George 
Wimpey Plc, having 
successively held the posts of 
Finance Director and Chief 
Executive of George Wimpey’s 
UK housing operations. He has 
full day to day operational 
responsibility for delivering the 
Company’s strategy in a 
profitable, safe and 
environmentally responsible 
manner and has significant 
financial, operational and 
management experience, 
gained from his various roles in 
industry and from his time at 
KPMG. He was also, until 
18 April 2019, a Trustee of the 
homelessness charity, Crisis.

External appointments
Pete is a non executive director 
of Travis Perkins plc, where he 
is also Chair of the Stay Safe 
Committee; a member of the 
Remuneration Committee; 
and the Employee Voice 
Committee. Pete is also  
Chair of the Youth Adventure 
Trust charity.

Skills & experience
Chris is a Chartered Accountant 
and has worked in both private 
practice with Deloitte and for 
Associated British Foods plc. 
After joining Taylor Wimpey in 
2006, he has successively held 
the roles of Group Financial 
Controller; Finance Director of 
Taylor Wimpey UK (the Group’s 
main operating company); 
Managing Director of the 
Company’s South Thames 
business unit; and Divisional 
Chair for the London and South 
East Division, where he oversaw 
significant progress in the 
operational and financial 
performance of the Division. 

Appointed as Group Finance 
Director on 20 April 2018, he 
has operational responsibility  
for managing the Company’s 
finances and also oversees  
the commercial, information 
technology and pension functions.

Skills & experience
Jennie has a wealth of 
experience in the housebuilding 
industry gained from roles 
which included strategic land 
oversight at Westbury plc and 
managing director of Harrow 
Estates Plc. She joined the 
Company in 2014 from Redrow 
plc, as UK Planning Director, 
before becoming UK Land 
Director in 2015. Jennie chairs 
the Group Operation Team; 
oversees our land, planning, 
design, technical and 
sustainability, production and 
supply chain functions; and 
manages the Taylor Wimpey 
Logistics business.

External appointments
Jennie is a non executive 
director of the Peabody Trust.

Skills & experience
Irene has strong leadership skills and 
commercial experience gained 
during her career spanning more 
than 30 years in banking and also 
through her various non executive 
roles. Her long and distinguished 
career at HSBC included a number 
of senior positions, including CEO of 
HSBC Malaysia and CEO and 
President of HSBC in the United 
States. She retired from HSBC at 
the end of 2014 and was a Group 
Managing Director of HSBC 
Holdings and a member of the 
Group Management Board.

Irene will succeed to the Chair 
after the announcement of the 
Company’s results on 26 February 
2020 and will Chair the 2020 AGM.

Previously, Irene was Chair of 
Virgin Money (UK) plc prior to its 
acquisition in 2018.

External appointments
Irene currently holds independent 
non executive roles at AXA SA and 
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and she 
also chairs Control Risks Limited, a 
risk consultancy business. She is 
also a trustee of the South East Asia 
Rainforest Research Partnership 
and an Honorary Fellow of 
St. Anne’s College, Oxford.

Board gender  
diversity

Executive
Male:
Female:

Group Board
Male:
Female:

Non Executive
Male:
Female:

2
1

5
5

3
4

Non Executive Director tenure

Non Executive Director – areas of experience

Key

0-2 years

  3

3-4 years

5-6 years

1

1

7-8 years

  1

Customer service

Economist

Financial services

Marketing

Public sector

1

1

3

2

2

Areas of 
experience

Director  
tenure

A

N

R

Audit Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Chairship  
of the Committee

Details of how each Directors’ skill sets contributes to the Board’s leadership of the Company’s strategy 
development and operations, are set out on pages 196 to 197

66 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

RAN

N R

RAN

N A

N A

Kate Barker DBE
Independent  
Non Executive Director

Gwyn Burr
Independent 
Non Executive Director

Angela Knight CBE
Independent  
Non Executive Director

Robert Noel
Independent  
Non Executive Director

Humphrey Singer
Independent  
Non Executive Director

Joined April 2011

Joined February 2018

Joined November 2016

Joined 1 October 2019

Joined December 2015

Skills & experience
Gwyn has over 25 years’ 
executive experience, principally 
in marketing, HR and customer 
service in the retail sector, which 
included the roles of Customer 
Director and Customer Service 
and Colleague Director at 
J Sainsbury plc. She previously 
held non executive positions 
with the Principality Building 
Society Limited, Sainsbury’s 
Bank plc, Wembley National 
Stadium Limited and the 
Financial Ombudsman Service.

External appointments
Gwyn is the Senior Independent  
Director of Hammerson plc and 
her other non executive 
directorships include Metro AG 
(a German listed company) and 
Member of the Supervisory 
Board of Takeaway.com.

Skills & experience
Angela brings to the Board a 
wealth of experience gained at 
a senior level in both the public 
and private sectors. Previously, 
Angela was a Member of 
Parliament from 1992 to 1997, 
including two years as the 
Economic Secretary at HM 
Treasury, and Chair of the 
Office of Tax Simplification in 
HM Treasury until the end of 
February 2019.

External appointments
Angela is Senior Independent 
Director of TPICAP Plc; and a 
non executive director of 
Arbuthnot Latham & Co; 
Provident Financial plc; and 
Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Skills & experience
Rob has over 30 years’ 
experience in the property 
sector and has been Chief 
Executive of Land Securities 
Group PLC since 2012. Prior to 
joining Land Securities in 2010, 
he was Property Director at 
Great Portland Estates plc from 
2002 to 2009. From 1992 to 
2002, he was a Director of 
Nelson Bakewell, the property 
services group.

Rob will succeed Kate Barker 
as the Company’s Senior 
Independent Director on 
21 April 2020.

External appointments
Rob is a Trustee of the Natural 
History Museum and a Board 
member of The British Property 
Federation of which he was 
President from 2018 to 2019.

Skills & experience
Humphrey has a wealth of 
financial experience and 
expertise in the areas of both 
digital solutions and customer 
services. Previously he was 
Chief Finance Officer of  
Marks and Spencer Group plc; 
Group Finance Director of 
Dixons Carphone plc; Group 
Finance Director of Dixons 
Retail plc; and earlier held 
senior finance-related  
roles within Dixons and 
Coca Cola Enterprises. 

External appointments
Humphrey is Chief Financial 
Officer of Belron Group.

Skills & experience
Kate is a business economist. 
She was a member of the Bank 
of England’s Monetary Policy 
Committee from 2001 until  
2010 and led two major policy 
reviews for the Government, 
on housing supply and on 
land use planning.

Kate is the Company’s Senior 
Independent Director until 20 
April 2020 when she will hand 
over to Robert Noel on the ninth 
anniversary of her appointment 
as a Non Executive Director.

External appointments
Kate is a Trustee Director and 
Chair of the British Coal Staff 
Superannuation Scheme; an 
Independent Consultant and 
member of the Investment 
Committee of Saunderson House; 
a non executive director of Man 
Group plc; a National Infrastructure 
Commissioner for HM Treasury; an 
Independent Commissioner of the 
UK Government’s Geospatial 
Commission; and an external 
member of the Oxford University 
Council. It has also been 
announced that Kate will 
become Chair of the Universities 
Superannuation Scheme  
later this year. 

Company Secretary

Joined 4 November 2019 

Skills & experience
Alice, a solicitor, was previously the 
Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary of Thomas Cook Group plc 
and has also worked in the legal 
profession. Alice oversees compliance 
with legal and regulatory obligations and 
also manages the Company’s Legal and 

Alice Marsden
Group General Counsel  
and Company Secretary

Secretariat Departments. She has 
significant legal, commercial, 
transactional and regulatory/corporate 
governance related experience.

Find out more

Read more on our governance  
and Board structure on pages 60-85

Read more on our Board activities 
on pages 70-75

Read more on our Board framework  
on pages 84-85

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

67

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

The Board and its Committees
As at the date of this Report, the Board 
consists of 10 Directors, namely: the Chair, 
three Executive Directors and six Independent 
Non Executive Directors. Their names, 
responsibilities and other details appear on 
pages 66-67, 83 and 196-197.

The role of the Independent Non Executive 
Directors is to offer advice and guidance to the 
Executive Directors, using their wide experience 
gained in business and from their diverse 
backgrounds, details of which are set out in their 
biographies on pages 66 to 67 and 196 to 197 
and in the Board diversity analysis on page 66. 
They also provide constructive challenge, 
monitoring the overall direction and strategy of 
the Company; scrutinising the performance of 
the Executive Directors; and satisfying 
themselves as to the integrity of the financial 
information made available both to the Board 
and to the Company’s shareholders. The Non 
Executive Directors also play an important part in 
the appointment or removal of Executive 
Directors and in general succession planning for 
the Board and other executive and senior 
management positions below Board level.

Board attendance
The Board met on eight occasions during 2019 
and there was full attendance at all meetings by 
all Directors. The Board regularly considers the 
number of Board meetings that take place each 
year and has concluded that eight meetings 
remain appropriate but will keep the number 
under review. Additional Board meetings would 
be convened as and when necessary and there 
are also processes in place for approving 
transactions and other matters that may require 
approval in between Board meetings.

Directors make every effort to attend all Board 
and applicable Committee meetings, as 
evidenced by the strong attendance records 
over many years. Where, exceptionally, a 
Director is unable to attend a meeting, it is Board 
policy that the Chair and / or the Secretary will, 
as soon as possible, brief the Director fully on 
the business transacted at the meeting and on 
any decisions that have been taken. In addition, 
the views of the Director are sought ahead of the 
meeting and conveyed to those attending by the 
Chair and / or the Secretary as appropriate. 
Details of the attendance of each Director at 
Board and Committee meetings are set out in 
the tables on pages 60, 86, 99 and 106.

In addition, and in line with the Code, the Chair 
and the Senior Independent Director, 
independently of each other, hold meetings at 
least annually with the Non Executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors present, and 
each did so on one occasion during 2019.

Board responsibilities
The Board discharges its responsibilities  
by providing strategic and entrepreneurial 
leadership of the Company, within a framework 
of strong governance, effective controls and a 
strong culture emphasising openness and 
transparency, which enables opportunities and 
risks to be assessed and managed appropriately. 
In addition, the Board sets the Company’s 
strategic direction; ensures that the necessary 
financial and human resources are in place for 
the Company to meet its objectives; and reviews 
management performance.

Information and professional 
development
All Directors visit Group operations on a regular 
basis, engaging with employees at all levels in 
order to foster and maintain an understanding of 
the business. Board visits are arranged each 
year to different operations and at least one 
Board meeting per annum takes place either in, 
or at a nearby location with representatives from, 
a regional business unit over two days. In 2019, 
the Board visit, accompanied by the Group 
Management Team, encompassed 
presentations on the Major Developments 
business, increasing use of direct labour, 
product and placemaking, the strategy for large 
sites, building for the private rental and rent to 
buy markets, and on the performance of the 
Manchester business unit.

The Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary acts as Secretary to the Board and its 
Committees and attends all meetings. It is Board 
policy that wherever possible a formal agenda and 
reports are issued electronically to Directors in 
respect of all Board and Committee meetings at 
least one week prior to the meeting, in order to 
allow sufficient time for detailed review and 
consideration beforehand. Formal minutes are 
prepared in respect of all Board and Committee 
meetings, circulated and submitted for approval at 
the next meeting. All Board papers are circulated 
electronically and Board meetings have been 
effectively paperless for several years, which has 
worked well and aided the overall efficiency of the 
wider Board process.

The Secretary provides regular briefings to the 
Board on regulatory and governance matters 
which are included as part of her formal regular 
reporting to the Board and are supplemented, 
as appropriate, by briefings from independent 
advisers. The Board also receives regular 
briefings and updates on environmental, social 
and governance (ESG) matters.

68 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Board took a number of actions designed to 
address the findings of these cultural indicators:

 – Initiatives commenced in response to the 

outcome of the 2019 Employee Survey are 
described on page 135.

 – Actions taken in response to employee 
consultation are set out on page 78.
 – The NEF was consulted on proposals 

introduced during 2019 in the areas of agile 
working and the revised induction process for 
new starters.

 – The roll-out of new information technology 

was discussed with the NEF.

 – Wider use was made of social media to 

inform employees.

The Board will keep all of these areas under 
regular review.

Company purpose
The Company’s purpose is to deliver new 
homes within thriving communities, in a safe  
and environmentally responsible manner, with 
customers at the heart of its decision making 
and consideration of the potential impact on 
wider stakeholders.

The Board’s leadership towards achieving this 
purpose during 2019 is set out on pages 70 and 
73 and includes information on pages 76-81  
on key stakeholders and the ways in which 
consideration of their interests informed the 
Board’s thinking.

The ESG briefings allow the Board to assess  
the significant ESG risks to the Company’s  
short and long term value and to identify any 
opportunities that may arise to enhance value. 
Details of ESG risks and value enhancement 
pursuits appear in the 2019 Sustainability 
Report, which is available on our website at  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/
sustainability

The Chair, Chief Executive and Secretary meet 
sufficiently in advance of each Board meeting in 
order to ensure action points from previous 
meetings have been implemented and to prepare 
the agenda and matters to be covered at the next 
and at future Board and Committee meetings as 
appropriate. The agenda and minutes for the 
Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
meetings are agreed by the Secretary with the 
relevant Committee Chair.

Company culture
A healthy culture is extremely important and the 
Board fully agrees with the FRC that it both 
‘protects and generates value’ and that culture 
should be the subject of a continuous focus 
rather than only in times of a crisis. The Board is 
responsible for the Company’s culture and for 
defining and setting the Company’s values and 
standards from the top. Culture is established by 
leadership and by example, but this also needs 
to be underpinned by clear policies and codes of 
conduct which ensure that the Company’s 
obligations to its shareholders and other 
stakeholders are clearly understood and met.

The Company’s approach is described in more 
detail on page 71. The Board is led in these 
respects by the Chair, who ensures the Board 
operates correctly, setting its own culture and, 
by extension, that of the Company in its 
operations and its dealings with all stakeholders. 
The observance of that culture throughout 
business operations is led by the Chief Executive 
with the assistance of the other Executive 
Directors and the Group Management Team.

During the course of 2019 and into 2020, 
the Board actively reviewed and monitored 
several key areas that it considers are important 
indicators of the Company culture, including 
health, safety and environmental matters  
(as set out on pages 28 and 37), customer 
service, land, risk strategy, and diversity 
and inclusivity.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

69

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Board activities during the year

This Report seeks to explain the role of your Board of 
Directors and describes how it is responsible for setting 
the culture and values of the Company, ensuring that the 
Company is run in the best interests of its shareholders as 
well as other stakeholders, and how it interacts with its 
shareholders in explaining the Company’s strategic goals 
and its performance against them. 

The Board and individual Directors also 
undertake regular visits to our regional 
businesses and their development sites,  
which have proved to be both very useful 
and informative.

Special topics considered during the year at 
Board meetings included those listed in the 
timeline opposite.

From a governance perspective, it is not just a 
case of what is done but also, and just as 
importantly, how it is done. In light of this, we try 
to avoid a ‘box ticking’ approach to corporate 
governance, preferring our own governance to 
be something that is properly embedded in our 
people, processes and decision making at all 
levels and vested in the personal values of all 
Directors and senior management.

As a Board, we review health, safety and 
environmental performance at every Board 
meeting as the first substantive agenda item. 
We also regularly review: our business strategy; 
key risks; the market; operational matters; 
customer service; diversity and inclusivity; 
corporate responsibility; our financial position 
and performance; governance, compliance and 
legal matters, including whistleblowing; and 
stakeholder-related matters, including the make 
up of our share register and investor relations 
programme; community engagement; and 
human resources and wider employee matters. 
This is done through the consideration and 
discussion of regular reports submitted by  
the Executive Directors and through regular 
reports and presentations from our senior 
management and external advisers.  

70 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

How the Board led  
and monitored the 
strategic direction

February
In its February meeting, the Board 
considered the possibility of, and 
scenarios arising from, Brexit together 
with a business update and future 
strategy plans from the London and 
South East Division, and the 2018 
risk assessment.

April
In its April meeting, the Board 
considered presentations on customer 
service, customer focus and the 
potential implications for the UK 
homebuilding industry of Brexit  
and wider political developments.

May
At its May meeting, the Board 
considered an update on the  
business and future strategy plans  
of the North Division and a presentation 
on plans for sales and marketing 
across the business.

June
At its June meeting, the Board 
debated a strategy update and 
identified and agreed the key priorities 
together with progress made to date 
and activities planned going forward. 
It also received an update on the 
business and future strategy for the 
Major Developments business.

September
At its September Board ‘away day’ in the 
Company’s Manchester business, the 
Board considered a presentation on 
sustainability in relation to Group 
operations and the supply chain and 
received a breakfast briefing from external 
speakers on Artificial Intelligence.

October 
In its October meeting, the Board 
considered updates on progress and 
future strategy in the areas of land and 
human resourcing, including for the 
latter, recruitment and induction plans, 
and the strategy for further improving 
diversity and inclusiveness.

December
At its December meeting, the Board 
considered the strategy for further 
improving performance in the  
areas of risk review and mitigation 
measures, health, safety, environment 
and sustainability.

How our Board monitors culture

The Board sets the culture of the Group, as described on pages 2, 61 and 69, and uses a number of indicators to inform its regular assessment of 
whether the culture continues to be appropriate and whether there are any further actions that are necessary.

These indicators cover a range of in-house and independent monitors, as set out below:

Employee survey

The Employee Survey is conducted every two years and the results for 2019, in which over two-thirds of 
employees participated, showed over 90% considered that:

 – Their work gave them active engagement in the Group’s performance and prospects.
 – They understood, supported and actively promoted the Group’s strategy.
 – They understood, supported and actively promoted in their day to day work the key strategic direction of 

improved attention to customers’ needs.

Glassdoor list of best places to work

The results of the Employee Survey (above) are further borne out by the annual Glassdoor list of best places to 
work which is an independent survey across UK businesses of employees’ perception of the Company for which 
they work.

The 2019 list, ranking the best places to work during 2020, showed the Company had maintained its top fifty ranking 
for the third successive year and continued to be the highest-ranked of the major UK Housebuilding companies. 

Employee retention

The Board receives an update on HR matters at each meeting.

Our employees offer one of our greatest competitive advantages and retaining their services is a key element  
of our strategy. Voluntary employee turnover of 12.9% is lower than for 2018 and is aligned to a strong level of 
engagement with the Company’s strategy.

Health and safety

The Company maintains an absolute, non-negotiable commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe place of work 
for all stakeholders, as described elsewhere in this Annual Report on pages 15, 23 and 28. The Employee Survey 
described above found that 97% of employees understood their role in advancing this commitment in their day to 
day work.

Compliance

The Group has robust policies, regularly reviewed, concerning key governance areas including anti-bribery; 
anti-corruption; anti-money laundering; and anti-slavery and human trafficking. These policies are actively 
promoted through online training; checks for successful completion of initial and updated training and guidance; 
and annual sign-offs by senior management across the business.

These processes and checks are underpinned by a robust Internal Audit Department, whose work is monitored by 
the Audit Committee as described on pages 103-104, and an independent whistleblowing process monitored by 
the Board as described on page 75.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

71

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Stakeholder engagement

The Board’s objectives for 2019 in this 
area were:

 – To actively encourage shareholder 

participation through clear messaging and 
reporting and careful review of shareholder 
feedback.

 – To monitor the planned further 

improvements in customer service 
performance during 2019.

 – To ensure the Group works with 

subcontractors and suppliers to constantly 
seek ways of further improving quality; 
sustainability; and delivery in a safe working 
environment.

 – To monitor and further develop the 

employee voice through the National 
Employee Forum.

Organisational capacity

The Board’s objectives for 2019 in this 
area were:

 – To ensure the Company’s resourcing, 

including capital, finance, people and land, 
remains sufficient to achieve the strategy 
whilst seeking to continuously improve 
performance and meet wider diversity 
considerations.

 – To ensure that training and development 
plans support continuous improvement in 
the team and contribute towards wider 
diversity improvements.

To achieve those objectives, the Board 
undertook the following during 2019:

 – Reviewed reports at each meeting on the 

financial performance of the Company and 
the availability, currently and forecast going 
forward, of financial, people and supply 
chain resources.

 – Received reports on subjects discussed at 
meetings of the National Employee Forum 
and considered employee participants’ 
views on key areas including strategic, 
business and remuneration matters.

To achieve those objectives, the Board 
regularly reviewed its duties under Section 172 
of the Companies Act 2006.

 – Full details of the Board’s engagement with 
stakeholders and the ways in which this 
engagement was taken into account in the 
decision-making processes during 2019 is 
set out in the ‘Considering stakeholders in 
decision making’ section on pages 76 to 81 
of this Annual Report and Accounts.

 – For engagement with employees, the Board 
considers that the NEF, whose activities are 
described in more detail on pages 78 and 
135, together with other modes of employee 
involvement and communication described 
on pages 78 and 79 and 135 and 136, are 
the most effective means of engagement as 
they deliver a variety of insights and 
feedback from across all levels and 
specialities of the team. The Board will, 
however, continue to keep this under review.

The Board’s objectives for 2020 in this 
area are:

To further deepen the existing processes 
whereby stakeholder views are taken into 
account in the Board’s decision-making 
process, including by:

 – Actively encouraging shareholder 

participation through clear messaging and 
reporting and careful review of shareholder 
feedback.

 – Monitoring the planned further improvements 

in customer service performance during 
2020.

 – Ensuring the Group works with 

subcontractors and suppliers to constantly 
seek ways of further improving quality; 
sustainability; and delivery in a safe working 
environment.

 – Reviewing the effectiveness of the National 
Employee Forum now that it has been 
established for over two years, and consider 
options to develop and strengthen 
engagement with employees.

 – In addition to its regular update at each 

meeting, received two detailed half-yearly 
updates on human resources. 

 – In addition to monitoring progress generally 
throughout the year, received two detailed 
half-yearly updates on progress against its 
Diversity Policy, inclusivity and in respect of 
gender pay.

 – The Nomination Committee formally 

reviewed on two occasions the strategy for 
succession planning and related training 
assessment and provision, both for the 
Board and the executives immediately  
below Board level, and progress made  
in achieving it. The Board also reviewed 
human resources related matters that were 
tabled at each Board meeting.

 – Reviewed arrangements for compliance with 
GDPR and action taken and proposed for 
further improving the resilience of the 
Group’s information technology systems, 
particularly to mitigate cyber security risk.

 – The Audit Committee also received detailed 
half yearly updates on the development and 
resilience of the Group’s information 
technology systems and management of 
cyber security risk.

 – The Board received updates on the financial 
position of the Group’s pension fund and 
related funding objectives.

The Board’s objectives for 2020 in this 
area are:

 – To ensure the Company’s resourcing, 

including capital, finance, people and land, 
remains sufficient to achieve the strategy 
whilst seeking to continuously improve 
performance and meet wider diversity 
considerations.

 – To ensure that training and development 
plans support continuous improvement in 
the team and contribute towards wider 
diversity improvements.

72 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Strategy and execution

The Board’s objectives for 2019 in this 
area were:

 – To ensure the Company’s strategy remains 

robust in the light of any forecast market and 
wider economic changes.

 – To ensure the Company’s performance 

remains on schedule to achieve the strategy.

 – To take all measures to ensure that health 
and safety remains the Group’s top priority 
and will remain an ongoing area of focus.

To achieve those objectives, the Board 
undertook the following during 2019:

 – Regularly reviewed detailed business 

proposals for the delivery of the Company’s 
strategy, including detailed proposals for 
each of the North; Central and South West; 
Central London and South East Divisions; 
specifically for the Central London Region; 
and for the Major Developments business.

 – Regularly reviewed performance to date 

through considering, in addition to regular 
updates from the Executive, detailed 
business performance updates from the 
North; Central and South West; Central 
London and South East Divisions; 
specifically for the Central London Region; 
and for the Major Developments business; 
together with various year end performance 
projections for the Group.

Governance and values

 – Received detailed updates on other key 
performance areas, including business 
culture; customer service and its use of 
digital communications; land and planning; 
and production and procurement.

 – Reviewed and agreed the Group budget for 
the period 2020 to 2021; and received a 
detailed review of the Group’s financial 
position; borrowing facilities; and financing 
alternatives; in relation to its strategic 
direction and latest forecasts.

 – Considered the Company’s dividend policy 

going forward in light of performance 
reports; strategic direction and outlook; 
and financial position.

 – Received a detailed update on the progress 
of the Company’s strategy from Management, 
including risks in its delivery and how they 
are mitigated, and an economic overview 
presentation from an independent external 
expert as a backdrop to the Group’s 
strategic and performance reviews.
 – Received regular governance updates 

and briefings.

 – At each meeting, detailed reports from the 
Executive Team were discussed, reviewing 
forward resourcing requirements in the areas 
of capital, finance, people and land, and 
operating decisions taken or proposed to 
address them.

 – Health, safety and environmental progress 

and performance is the first substantive item 
of business at each Board meeting and the 
Board receives each year a detailed 

presentation on the Group’s health, safety 
and environmental performance for the year 
and plans for seeking further improvement 
going forward.

In light of the foregoing, the Board also, 
with prior input and advice from the 
Audit Committee:

 – Considered the draft Annual Report and 

Accounts and associated viability 
assessment and statement and 
Sustainability Report for 2018 and the Half 
Year results for 2019.

 – Determined the amount of final ordinary 

dividend for 2018 and special dividend for 
2019 to be proposed to shareholders at the 
2019 AGM; the interim dividend for 2019; 
and the special dividend proposed for 2020.

 – Approved in principle the draft 2018 

Full Year Results Statement; the draft 2019 
Half Year Results Statement; and the draft 
Trading Statement to update shareholders 
on progress for the year to date at the 
2019 AGM.

The Board’s objectives for 2020 in this 
area are:

 – To ensure the Company’s strategy remains 

robust in the light of any forecast market and 
wider economic changes.

 – To ensure the Company’s performance 

remains on schedule to achieve the strategy.

 – To take all measures to ensure that health 
and safety remains the Group’s top priority 
and will remain an ongoing area of focus.

The Board’s objectives for 2019 in this 
area were:

 – To ensure that there is continued full 

compliance with the Code and with wider 
statutory and regulatory requirements.

 – To ensure that remuneration continues to be 
implemented within the framework of the 
Company’s Remuneration Policy and 
proportionately rewards achievement of 
the strategy.

 – To implement the improvements identified 
arising from the internally-facilitated 2018 
Board evaluation.

 – To conduct an effective Board evaluation.
 – To monitor shareholder feedback and 
continue to actively promote wider 
engagement.

To achieve those objectives, the Board 
undertook the following during 2019:

 – Received, together with the Board 

Committees, regular updates on governance 
and regulatory developments during the 
year, including on remuneration, both from 
internal and independent external sources.

 – Checked the status of the Company’s 

compliance with the requirements of the 
revised Code throughout 2019.

 – Submitted to shareholders at the 2019 AGM 
a Remuneration Report that was approved 
with a vote in excess of 96%.

 – Concluded the internally-facilitated Board 
evaluation for 2018, identifying areas for 
further improvement and acting on the 
recommendations.

 – Sought shareholder and institutional 

feedback, both at the AGM and when 
presenting the Company’s Half Year and 
Full Year results; and in notifying proposals 
for updating the Remuneration Policy. The 
results of the feedback from shareholders 
were taken into consideration by the Board 
together with advice from its stockbrokers.

 – Reviewed and further enhanced and 

improved processes and checks designed 
to guard against instances of modern slavery 
within the Company and its supply chain.
 – The Company made its third Modern Slavery 
Act 2015 statement in March 2019 after 
reviewing its operations and its supply chain. 

Detailed guidance has been issued around the 
business and key personnel have undertaken 
training in identifying; assessing; and reporting 
any instances that might arise; with the aim of 
reducing the risks of modern slavery and 
related practices as far as possible.

The Board’s objectives for 2020 in this 
area are:

 – To ensure that there is continued full 

compliance with the Code and with wider 
statutory and regulatory requirements.

 – To ensure that remuneration continues to be 
implemented within the framework of the 
Company’s new Remuneration Policy 
(subject to shareholder approval) and 
proportionately rewards achievement of 
the strategy.

 – To implement the improvements identified 
arising from the internally-facilitated 2019 
Board appraisal.

 – To conduct an effective, externally-facilitated 

Board evaluation.

 – To monitor shareholder feedback and continue 

to actively promote wider engagement.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

73

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

All businesses and employees are expected  
to operate at all times to the highest standards  
of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning 
the Group. Accordingly, there is a Code of 
Business Conduct, which sets out the standard for 
individual dealings both internally and externally. 
Formal policies have been adopted, which set out 
the ethical framework within which all Taylor 
Wimpey companies and employees are required 
to undertake their business – this includes, in line 
with the Bribery Act 2010, an Anti-Corruption 
Policy which requires an annual sign-off by 
designated senior management. All business units 
receive training each year from external experts 
on legislative and regulatory matters.

The following documents relating to the 
Group’s management processes and division 
of responsibility are available for review on the 
Company’s website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/
corporate/investor-relations/corporate-governance:

 – Schedule of matters specifically reserved for 

the decision of the Board, including full 
oversight of all decisions on profit expectations 
and Dividend Policy.

 – Terms of Reference of the Board Committees: 
Audit, Nomination and Remuneration, which 
outline their objectives and responsibilities and 
define a programme of activities to support 
the discharge of those responsibilities.
 – Policies covering operational, compliance, 
corporate responsibility and stakeholder 
matters, including those related to the Bribery 
Act 2010 and Anti-Corruption referred to 
above, which are reviewed whenever 
necessary to take account of developments in 
corporate governance, changes in legislation 
and revised processes.

 – The Company’s Articles of Association.

These have been updated to reflect the July 2018 
version of the Code and relevant reporting 
against these is provided to the Board or to the 
Audit Committee by the Head of Internal Audit 
and the Secretary as appropriate.

Health, safety and environment
The Board is fully committed to providing a safe 
place in which our employees and 
subcontractors can work, and our customers 
can live. We also ensure that all of our sites are 
developed to high standards of environmental 
management. As the first substantive item at 
each Board meeting, the Board receives detailed 
reports on health, safety and environmental 
matters in respect of the Company’s operations 
in the UK and Spain. The Company’s detailed 
carbon reporting, as required by the Department 
for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, is set 
out on pages 44 and 138.

More details, on these and other initiatives in 
these areas, can be found in the Stakeholders 
section on pages 42-43 and 81 and in our 
Sustainability Report for 2019.

Operational oversight
Operational management of the Company’s 
business is undertaken by the Chief Executive 
who receives advice from the Group 
Management Team (GMT). The GMT is the most 
senior executive committee and, in addition to 
the Chief Executive, consists of the Group 
Finance Director, the Group Operations Director, 
the Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary, three Divisional Chairs, the Group HR 
Director and the Major Developments Director. 
The GMT meets on a regular basis and also 
once each month with the Divisional Managing 
Directors when it sits in the capacity of the wider 
Group Operation Team.

The Board also receives regular reports and 
minutes from the Treasury Committee, which 
meets under the Chairship of the Group Finance 
Director, and also comprises the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary, one of the 
Divisional Chairs (who rotate periodically) and the 
Group Treasurer. The key responsibilities of the 
Treasury Committee are, broadly, to monitor and 
keep under review the Group’s financial risks, 
financial policies, financial facilities, covenant 
compliance and insurance programme in the light 
of current and proposed strategic and operational 
requirements, and to make recommendations to 
the Board or GMT, as appropriate, regarding 
policy or operational changes in these areas.

Management
Progress in achieving the Group Strategy is 
reviewed at each Board meeting and is reported 
on pages 24 to 29. The Chief Executive has 
responsibility for preparing and reviewing 
strategic plans for the Group and the annual 
budgetary process. These are subject to formal 
review and approval by the Board. Budgets are 
re-examined in comparison with business 
forecasts throughout the year to ensure they are 
sufficiently robust in order to reflect the possible 
impact of changing economic conditions and 
circumstances. The Chief Executive and the 
Board conduct regular reviews of actual results 
and future projections with comparison against 
budget and prior year, together with various 
treasury reports. Disputes that may give rise to 
significant litigation or contractual claims are 
monitored at each Board meeting, with specific 
updates on any material developments or new 
matters presented by the Secretary.

The Group has clearly defined policies, 
processes and procedures governing all areas  
of the business, which will continue to be 
reviewed and refined in order to meet the 
requirements of the business and changing 
market circumstances.

Defined authority limits continue to be closely 
monitored in response to prevailing market 
conditions. Any investment, acquisition or 
significant purchase or disposal of land requires 
detailed appraisal and is subject to approval  
by the Board or the Chief Executive, depending 
on the value and nature of the investment 
or contract.

There is a clearly identifiable organisational 
structure and a framework of delegated authority 
approved by the Board within which individual 
responsibilities of senior executives of Group 
companies are identified and can be monitored. 
The Operating Framework, within which 
delegated authorities, responsibilities and related 
processes are explained in detail, is available for 
review and guidance online by any employee 
through the Company’s intranet. These activities 
are reinforced through process compliance and 
other audits conducted by Internal Audit. 
The annual employee performance appraisal 
process is competency-based, with individual 
objectives cascaded down from the appropriate 
business objectives. The process also identifies 
training needs to support achievement 
of objectives.

74 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Whistleblowing incidents and their outcome are 
reported to the Board, on an anonymous basis, 
in line with the requirement in the July 2018 
update of the Code which applied from 
1 January 2019. Whistleblowing featured 
regularly on the Board’s agenda during 2019, 
with formal half yearly reviews and interim 
updating on significant matters. This allowed the 
Board to regularly review the adequacy of the 
policy in line with its requirement to do so under 
the Code. The policy itself is periodically 
reviewed and includes the ability for workers  
to make protected disclosures with regard  
to matters arising under the Modern Slavery  
Act with regard to our business and its supply 
chain. Following a review of the process and 
administration; and the continuing high-profile 
awareness campaign around the Company’s 
businesses and offices; the Board is satisfied that 
the policy and its administration remain effective.

The Board took advice during the year:

 – From various safety consultants including 

principally London Fire Consultants & Design 
Associates Limited in reviewing the external 
cladding system and fire safety arrangements 
on relevant developments in light of the 
Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, and also took 
specific legal and fire safety advice from 
professional advisers in ensuring that the 
appropriate follow-up actions were taken.
 – From Finsbury and JPMorgan Cazenove on 

the political outlook.

 – From Deloitte via the Audit Committee on the 
significant governance developments during 
the year.

 – From Korn Ferry via the Remuneration 
Committee on remuneration matters as 
reported in more detail in the Remuneration 
Report on page 121.

The Board also receives regular advice from its 
brokers (Credit Suisse International and Citigroup 
Global Markets Limited from 18 October 2019) 
and from their predecessors as the Company’s 
brokers on its announcements and also more 
generally on the sector and the relative 
performance of the Company’s share price.

Whistleblowing
The Group’s Whistleblowing Policy is supported 
by a clear policy and process that includes an 
independent third party whistleblowing hotline 
through which any person, including employees 
of the Company, may, in confidence, raise 
concerns about possible improprieties in 
financial reporting, other operational matters  
or inappropriate behaviours in the workplace. 
All whistleblowing cases are investigated by the 
Head of Internal Audit, Head of HSE (where 
appropriate), Group Human Resources Director 
and / or the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary depending on the nature of 
the issue. The Chief Executive is apprised, on an 
anonymous basis, of all allegations and 
conclusions of the review.

During 2019, the Group’s control environment 
was further improved through enhanced 
reporting, tracking and monitoring, led by the 
Audit Committee, which identified the key risks 
to be reviewed and assessed by Internal Audit 
as part of its programme of work during the year.

Risk
The Audit Committee carried out a number  
of assessments of risk and its identification  
and mitigation during 2019 as set out on 
pages 101-102.

In addition, the Board, assisted by the 
Audit Committee, and informed by a detailed 
review from the Group Operation Team,  
carried out a robust assessment of the principal 
and emerging risks facing the Group including 
those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity. 
The nature of this assessment and output  
are as disclosed on pages 101-102. 

Anti-bribery and anti-corruption 
In line with the Bribery Act 2010, the Company 
has written policies on its zero-tolerance 
approach to bribery or corruption. The policies 
apply across all of the Company’s businesses 
and are available for review externally on the 
Company’s website and by all employees on the 
Company’s intranet. The risk to the Company of 
non-compliance would be significant reputational 
damage, potential financial penalties and the 
possible exclusion from certain approved partner 
arrangements. These risks are mitigated by 
training for senior managers and by issuing an 
annual reminder to all businesses and key 
departments requiring each managing director 
or departmental head to check that their teams 
have complied with the policies during the 
reporting year and reported any infringements; 
remain aware of the policies’ requirements for 
the coming year; and to formally confirm in 
writing that they have done so.

Advice available to the Board
All Directors have access to the advice and 
services of the Secretary and Company 
Secretariat team. The Board has an established 
procedure whereby Directors may take 
independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense where they judge it 
necessary to do so in order to discharge their 
responsibilities as Directors.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

75

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Considering stakeholders  
in decision-making 

We actively encourage engagement with  
our shareholders and other stakeholders.

The Directors are required by law to act in a way 
that promotes the success of the Company for 
the benefit of shareholders as a whole. In so 
doing the Company must, in accordance with 
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, also 
have regard to wider expectations of responsible 
business behaviour, such as having due regard 
to the interests of, and actively engaging with, its 
employees; the need to engage and foster 
business relationships with suppliers, customers 
and others; the need to act fairly as between 
members of the Company; the likely 
consequences of any decision in the long term; 
the desirability of maintaining a reputation for 
high standards of business conduct; and the 
impact of the Company’s operations on the 
community and the wider environment.

The Company’s statement of how the Board 
complied with this legal requirement during 2019 
and continues to do so into 2020, appears on 
page 33.

This section explains how the Board undertook 
this during 2019.

During the year, the Board specifically discussed 
this requirement on several occasions and 
concluded that its existing processes and 
decision-making properly take into account  
both the duty to shareholders and the wider 
considerations with regard to other stakeholders 
as referred to above.

The Board concluded that its key stakeholders 
continue to be as listed in last year’s Annual 
Report, namely:

 – Our customers, who buy the Company’s 

product.

 – Our employees.
 – Our partners in the supply chain, who are 

suppliers and subcontractors to the 
Company’s business operations.

 – Our shareholders, who invest in the Company.
 – The communities in which the Company 

operates.

In addition, the Board also specifically took into 
account the potential impact of the Company’s 
operations on:

 – The health and safety of its employees, 

customers and visitors to its sites and offices.

 – The environment.

Engagement with wider stakeholders
Engagement with each of these stakeholders 
and consideration of their respective interests in 
the Company’s decision-making process, took 
place during the year as described on this page 
and on pages 77 to 81.

The Board continues to engage with its key 
stakeholders and the feedback from this 
engagement will continue to inform the Board’s 
thinking and decision-making in relation to 
strategy and the oversight of the day to day 
operations of the Group.

Engagement with employees
During the year, we have engaged with 
employees on a number of issues related to 
them, namely the impact of Brexit; feedback 
from the results of the ‘TalkBack’ employee 
survey; the development of the new Taylor 
Wimpey Values; and further proposals to 
facilitate agile working. In addition, feedback was 
sought following briefings given on Group plans, 
progress and initiatives. As we consider our 
employees to be one of the key resources that 
enable us to drive success, we also encourage 
their involvement in driving the Company’s 
performance through encouraging participation 
in the all-employee share schemes, which is 
discussed in more detail in the Remuneration 
Report, on page 117. We consider our 
employees’ feedback to be an essential 
component of our efforts to move forward as a 
Company, and more information on how we 
have considered their views in Board decision-
making can be found in the following pages.

Set out overleaf are details of how the Board 
engaged with employees and other stakeholders 
and the way their views informed the Board  
and were taken into account in the Board’s 
processes and decision making during the year.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our stakeholders

Our customers

Our customers

Delivering high levels of customer satisfaction 
enhances the reputation of our business.
See pages 34 and 77

Our employees

Our National Employee Forum gives the 
Company’s employees an extended ‘voice’ 
on key matters.
See pages 36 and 78

Our partners

We engage with our suppliers and 
subcontractors at local and national level to 
keep them informed.
See pages 38 and 79

Our investors

The Board actively seeks and encourages 
engagement with shareholders.
See pages 40 and 80

Our communities

We actively seek the views of local communities.
See pages 42 and 81

Engagement with customers and  
consideration of their interests
Delivering high levels of customer satisfaction enhances the 
reputation of our business and reduces the costs associated with 
rectifying poor-quality work. The Board and the Group Management 
Team regularly review customer satisfaction scores as independently 
reported and consider ways in which these can be improved. 
A number of customer focus groups were consulted to ascertain key 
considerations, preferences and concerns when considering the 
purchase of a new home and the feedback from these informed the 
customer-focused strategic approach.

The Board receives monthly reports on customer service matters,  
at Group level and for each operating division. Performance relative 
to customer issues and overall scoring within the independent 
NHBC customer surveys are considered regularly at Board 
meetings. In addition, the Board receives special presentations 
covering engagement, from the UK Sales and Marketing Director 
and the Customer Service Director, whose views and data are taken 
into account in developing strategy; and operational management 
and initiatives.

The Chief Executive’s report to each Board meeting considers the 
inter relation between operating performance; delivery of units; and 
profit; in relation to employees; resourcing; health and safety; and 
customer service; to ensure that an appropriate balance is 
maintained and to emphasise the primacy of customer service and 
safety over speed and number of unit completions.

The Board receives and debates customer-focused strategy 
development; performance; and outcomes; from presentations by 
the UK Sales and Marketing Director and the Customer Service 
Director in relation to the Group; from Divisional Chairmen and 
Divisional MDs in relation to specific Group businesses; and 
assesses plans being developed for the future in these areas.

Extensive research with customers, conducted during 2018, both 
those who purchased homes from the Company and those who did 
not, was reviewed by the Board and by Management, and was used 
to shape the customer-focused strategy:

Customers told us:

 – The bedrock of a Company is the quality of its products, 
which formed one basis of the strategic focus on quality.

 – They don’t just buy a home, they buy into ‘the place’  

where it is located, which informed the strategic focus on 
wider ‘placemaking’.

 – The Company needs to think more about the homebuying 

experience from the customer’s perspective, which helped to 
guide the further development of the ‘options online’ facility and 
the ongoing re-design of the Company’s website.

More details are set out on pages 34-35

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

77

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Our employees

Engagement with employees and  
consideration of their interests
The principal forum for engagement with our employees is the National 
Employee Forum (NEF) which has worked well throughout 2019 and 
into 2020, giving the Company’s employees an extended ‘voice’ with 
regard to key matters that are being considered. 

Meetings were held quarterly during 2019 and all generated a good 
level of healthy debate. The meetings are attended by a member of the 
Group Management Team and each so far has been attended by either 
the Company Secretary and / or by the Group HR Director. During 2019, 
the Chief Executive attended one meeting and discussed the impact of 
Brexit, the results of the employee ‘TalkBack’ survey, the new Company 
values, and sought the Forum’s views and feedback on agile working 
proposals. Relevant Board members also attended NEF meetings to 
brief the employee representatives on Group plans; progress and 
initiatives; and to receive feedback on the proposals which was then 
taken into account in finalising and implementing key changes.

The Board receives at each Board meeting detailed reports on 
employee matters, at Group level and for each operating division, and 
these, together with feedback from the NEF meetings, inform the 
Board’s discussion on matters potentially affecting employees to any 
significant extent.

The Board received regular updates on the views of the workforce 
through receiving and discussing the minutes of meetings of the NEF 
and the outcome of any interim consultations on proposed new 
policies, procedures and employment related developments.

The Board also debated the detailed outcomes of the biannual 
Employee Survey and these views and overall employee feedback were 
integrated into the development of future strategy and shorter term 
initiatives across the business.

More details are set out on pages 36-37 and 135-137

Employees are recognised as a key asset to the business and to the 
achievement of the strategy and this is recognised by the Board’s 
inclusion as a key strategic objective the aim of becoming the employer 
of choice. During the year, the Board acted on employee feedback 
received through the communication and engagement channels 
described on pages 135 to 137 by:

 – Continuing to enhance the working environment to facilitate 
increased co-operation by greater use of open plan facilities.

 – Introducing improved technology at site level to facilitate 

communication and reporting and to improve time management at 
site management level.

 – Further promoting and facilitating flexible working.
 – Making available increased support for employees through greater 

focus on health and wellbeing, including mental health.

 – Seeking and taking into account feedback as the Company’s  
new values, described on pages 2,15 and 23 were developed 
and introduced.

 – Rolling-out the availability of defibrillators to offices and sites and 

offering training in their effective use.

 – Taking into account feedback in the development of the plan for the 
roll-out during 2019 of new IT hardware and associated training in 
its use.

 – Incorporating their views into the development of the new induction 

process, during both the design and later finalisation phases.

 – Reflecting feedback in the further spread of agile working around the 

business and tailoring the process to better facilitate this.

 – Introducing digitisation of the workplace which will offer additional 

tools and resources requested for the workplace.

Consideration of people with disabilities
The Company is committed to making its products accessible to 
customers with disabilities and to ensuring that prospective employees 
with disabilities should have fair consideration for all vacancies within 
the Group.

To provide more flexibility for customers with disabilities, the majority  
of the houses in our new house type range are designed to Level 2  
of Part M of the Building Regulations. This enhanced standard allows 
for easier movement into and around the house as well as providing 
flexibility in adapting bathrooms and bedrooms for disabled people.

78 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

For employees, the Company is committed to ensuring that, where 
possible, people with disabilities are supported and encouraged  
to apply for employment; to achieve progress once employed;  
and for this to be facilitated to the extent reasonably possible by 
investigating the possibility of making reasonable adjustments to 
the job, workplace or equipment.

More details are set out on page 137 and in our 
Sustainability Report for 2019

Careers
The Board is very mindful of the need to develop skills in the 
housebuilding industry, particularly in light of the possible challenges 
around Brexit, and the Company continues to offer a significant 
number of opportunities for the development of new skills:

 – Apprentices are given opportunities to develop in key building trades.
 – The Graduate programme, which lasts two to three years, helps 
to fulfil our talent succession requirements in Strategic Land, 
Land, Sales, IT and Finance as well as supporting key business 
and charity projects throughout the programme duration.

 – All employees have annual reviews linked to personal development 
plans and targets for further improving their skills and experience.

 – Training is available to assist employees in seeking to maximise 

their opportunities around the Group.

More details are set out on pages 36 and 136 to 137

Our partners

Engagement with our partners in the supply chain 
and consideration of their interests
The Company negotiates with subcontractors and suppliers, both  
on a national and a local basis, to develop national framework 
agreements and to agree both national and local commercial terms. 
These reflect the payment practices and performance in respect of 
which we have published two six-monthly Payment Practice Reports 
during 2019, which may be found online at https://check-payment-
practices.service.gov.uk/company/01392762/reports

We engage with our suppliers at both local and national level to keep 
them informed of key forecasting information.

We engage with our suppliers on a wide range of sustainability 
initiatives through meetings, workshops and our membership of the 
Supply Chain Sustainability School. We are refocusing on waste 
elimination and reduction including packaging waste in particular.

The Company also engages with Non-Governmental Organisations 
(NGOs) and expert organisations to assist us in creating sustainable 
communities around our housing developments, covering areas 
such as urban design; ecology; and innovation.

The Company holds an annual materials suppliers conference to 
drive quality and environmental sourcing deeper throughout the 
supply chain.

We employ a full-time Research and Development Manager with 
specific responsibilities for innovation. The role includes a high level 
of engagement with our supply chain, both material manufacturers, 
suppliers and subcontractors, across a wide range of products and 
services. The role dovetails with our supplier relationship 
programme, in which we seek to enhance and improve both 
process and product with our key supply chain partners.

The Board and the Group Management Team, in developing and 
implementing the strategy, consider the impact of the Company’s 
business operations on sustainability in relation to supply chain 
sourcing and supplier agreements.

The strategy approved by the Board reflected this engagement 
through seeking to increase the proportion of long term partnerships 
with subcontractors and suppliers and further increasing the high 
standards the Company sets in relation to safety, skills development 
and environmental responsibility.

More details are set out on pages 38 to 39

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

79

Governance 
Board Leadership and Company Purpose continued

Our investors

What our shareholders have asked us this year
During 2019, the Company held various meetings with investors 
representing a substantial proportion of the share register. Our engagement 
is both proactive, where we organise roadshows, attend conferences, 
host analyst days and site visits; and reactive, responding to incoming 
requests from our institutional shareholders.

We hosted a further seven site visits during 2019, which gave investors 
and analysts the opportunity to meet our operating teams and also 
hosted a separate event at which analysts met Regional management 
from across the business.

The overall level of engagement was slightly less than in previous years 
due to investors’ informing us of their preference to await greater clarity 
around Brexit.

The key matters raised by investors at these meetings, and details of 
how the Company acted on the feedback received, were:

Margin and cost management 

Margins reduced in 2019 as a result of higher levels of build cost 
inflation being experienced. As a result there were an increased number 
of questions around cost management and margin. During 2018, 
we had already launched a cost and efficiency review with multiple 
workstreams and an expectation of generating savings from 2020 into 
2023. In 2019, in response to the changed market conditions, we also 
stepped up our focus on business as usual cost management with a 
number of initiatives complimentary to the existing cost and efficiency 
workstreams. Appreciating that this is a key area of interest for investors 
we strengthened our communication on the various factors influencing 
margin as part of the 2019 full year results presentation, including 
expanding our margin bridge disclosure, which was already considered 
best in class. 

Quality

A number of questions concerned customer service and quality 
following wider sector reputational issues.

Customers, in respect of both quality and service, were at the heart of 
our strategy, decision-making and actions when we announced our 
customer-focused strategy in 2018, at our capital markets day. In 2019, 
we introduced operational KPIs which focus specifically on customer 
and build quality, including those not before disclosed by the sector, 
such as the nine-month customer survey and the NHBC Construction 
Quality Review score, and explained why they are important. 

Engagement with shareholders and  
consideration of their interests
The Board actively seeks and encourages engagement with 
shareholders, including its major institutional shareholders and 
shareholder representative bodies. The Board fully supports the 
principles of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and also 
welcomes and acknowledges the Stewardship Code, both of which 
aim to foster a more proactive governance role by major shareholders. 
The Board has put in place arrangements designed to facilitate contact 
with shareholders concerning business, governance, remuneration and 
other relevant topics. This provides the opportunity for meetings 
between shareholders and the Chair, the Independent Non Executive 
Directors (including the Senior Independent Director), as well as the 
Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and Group Operations Director 
and other executives including the Company Secretary as appropriate, 
in order to establish a mutual understanding of objectives. 

The Company also operates a structured programme of investor 
relations, based on formal announcements and publications covering 
the Full Year and Half Year results. This includes engagement with 
shareholders and shareholder representative bodies at meetings with 
individual Directors to establish a mutual understanding of objectives. In 
addition, the Chair meets with the Company’s institutional shareholders 
from time to time, both proactively and upon request, in order to 
discuss the Company and its performance, governance and 
remuneration policies.

An annual consultation exercise is undertaken by the Remuneration 
Committee, in conjunction with which the Chair of the Committee 
engages directly with shareholders and their representative bodies. 
In developing the proposed new Remuneration Policy, the Remuneration 
Committee took into account wider workforce remuneration and related 
policies, to ensure that incentives and rewards were aligned with wider 
Group remuneration principles and with Group culture and sought 
feedback from major shareholders and their representative bodies as 
part of the annual consultation.

At the Company’s AGM – both before, during and after the meeting; 
Directors actively engage with shareholders who have attended. 
In addition, there are a series of ‘roadshows’ following the 
announcement of the Group’s Full Year and Half Year results.

All Directors receive formal reports and briefings during the year about 
the Company’s investor relations programme and consider detailed 
feedback through surveys; direct contact; and also other means, which 
are taken into account when considering major strategic and 
operational alternatives open to the Company.

The Company is, of course, also always very pleased to hear from and 
engage with our private shareholders and has, for example, hosted the 
United Kingdom Shareholders Association at our Chobham Manor 
development in November 2019. Individual shareholders were able to 
meet with Regional management for a presentation and Q&A, which 
was followed by a tour of the development.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our investors

Our communities

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)

ESG is gaining increasing focus from investors, 
evident from letters from major shareholders and 
in our materiality assessment responses.

Taylor Wimpey has always had a focus on 
sustainability and our social impact. We have 
produced a separate Sustainability Report for 
many years and sustainability metrics have been 
integrated into our Annual Report and 
presentations. They also feature in targets for 
performance-related remuneration. The roll-out 
of our environmental strategy is a focus for 2020 
which will formalise the work we have ongoing in 
the business and go further in committing to 
more ambitious targets in key areas such as 
biodiversity and continuing to reduce our carbon 
footprint. We also plan to develop with The 
Carbon Trust a science-based carbon reduction 
target by the end of 2020.

Remuneration

The Chair of the Remuneration Committee wrote 
to 14 of the Company’s major shareholders, and 
three key shareholder bodies, setting out the 
Company’s proposed new Remuneration Policy 
which is being proposed to the 2020 AGM as 
Resolution 20 (see page 193). More details, 
together with feedback on the responses, 
appear in the Remuneration Report on 
page 118.

Annual general meeting
The Board encourages all shareholders to vote 
at the AGM, which is attended by all Directors. 
The Notice of Meeting, including details of all 
resolutions to be proposed at the meeting, is set 
out on pages 192 to 198.

More details are set out on pages 40 to 41

The Board receives feedback from 
presentations in the areas of customer 
focus; procurement; how sustainability best 
practice supports the Group’s business 
strategy; and the identification of areas 
where further developments can be made 
in placemaking and sourcing of sustainable 
materials. This feedback informs the 
Board’s thinking in developing and 
implementing the strategy, for instance, 
through the incorporation of disabled 
access for customers and visitors in house 
types and for employees in offices and work 
situations, including on site, to try and 
ensure the widest possible availability of the 
product to customers and visitors and 
advancement opportunities for employees.

Health and safety
The health and safety of our employees; 
customers; suppliers; subcontractors;  
and all visitors to our businesses and 
development sites, continues to be a 
non-negotiable top priority for the 
Company. The Board receives reports on 
health, safety and environmental matters, at 
Group level and for each operating division 
at each Board meeting. There is a detailed 
review at each Board meeting, as the first 
substantive item on the agenda, of health, 
safety and environmental issues in relation 
to employees; customers; visitors; and the 
impact of the business on the environment 
and sustainable development. The Head of 
HSE attends each Group Operation Team 
meeting and also attends the Board on an 
annual basis to present on key HSE issues, 
initiatives, trends and statistics.

More details are set out on pages 42  
to 43 and in the Sustainability Report 
for 2019

Engagement with communities in 
which the Company operates and 
consideration of their interests
We actively seek the views of local 
communities and develop a tailored 
planning and community engagement 
strategy for each development site, working 
closely with communities and other local 
stakeholders throughout all aspects of the 
planning process. This feeds into Board 
discussion of future development plans 
when considering strategic direction and 
progress, and when considering major 
capital expenditure proposals referred to 
the Board including on land purchase.

A key element of the Company’s strategy  
is a renewed focus on placemaking and 
community when developing new sites  
and this involves interacting with all key 
stakeholders when designing, building,  
and marketing, new housing developments 
and taking their views fully into account.

We also support communities, both locally 
and nationally, through our charitable work, 
including financially and giving time, energy 
and leadership to support local efforts.

The introduction of defibrillators on sites 
and in permanent offices was considered in 
the wider context of customers; visitors; 
and placemaking in housing developments; 
and a decision was made that they would 
be handed over to the community when the 
relevant development had been completed. 
It also informed a decision to initially install 
them in a way that would facilitate this 
handover at the appropriate time.

Consideration was given to the possible 
impact of the Company’s business 
operations on the environment in relation to 
areas such as the netting of hedgerows 
and trees.

The Board and the Group Management 
Team considered the sustainability and 
environmental impact in relation to the 
development of a revised range of house 
types, to take into account and help  
to address energy efficiency and 
sustainability in the materials and 
production techniques used.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

81

Governance 
 
Division of Responsibilities

There is a clear and effective division of responsibilities between the Board and operating management 
which is a key foundation of the Company’s strong governance.

The Chair leads the Board and is responsible  
for its overall effectiveness in directing the 
Company. He demonstrates objective 
judgement and promotes a culture of openness 
and debate. In addition, the Chair facilitates 
constructive Board relations and the effective 
contribution of all Non Executive Directors, and 
ensures that Directors receive accurate, timely 
and clear information. The Board includes an 
appropriate combination of executive and non 
executive (and, in particular, independent non 
executive) Directors, such that no one individual 
or small group of individuals dominates the 
Board’s decision-making. There is a clear 
division of responsibilities between the leadership 
of the Board and the executive leadership of the 
Company’s business. Non Executive Directors 
have sufficient time to meet their Board 
responsibilities. They provide constructive 
challenge, strategic guidance, offer specialist 
advice and hold management to account. The 
Board, supported by the Company Secretary, 
ensures that it has the policies, processes, 
information, time and resources it needs in order 
to function effectively and efficiently.

The Board has an established framework of 
delegated financial, commercial and operational 
authorities, which define the scope and powers of 
the Chief Executive and of operational management.

In line with the Code, the roles and responsibilities 
of the Chair and the Chief Executive have been 
clearly defined, set out in writing and signed by 
Kevin Beeston and Pete Redfern in their 
respective capacities.

During 2020, the roles and responsibilities 
document will be reviewed and updated as 
required following Irene Dorner becoming Chair 
on 26 February 2020.

Ensuring there is no conflict of interest

In order to assist Directors in complying with 
their duty to avoid conflicts (or possible conflicts) 
of interest, it is standard procedure that the 
Board must first give its clearance to such 
potential conflicts of interest (which would 
include directorships or other interests in outside 
companies and organisations) following which, 
an entry is then made in the statutory register 
which the Company maintains for this purpose.

Whenever any Director considers that he or she 
is, or may be, interested in any contract or 
arrangement to which the Company is or may 
be a party, the Director gives due notice to the 
Board in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006 and the Company’s Articles of Association. 
In such cases, unless allowed by the Articles, 
any Director with such an interest is not permitted 
to participate in any discussions or decisions 
relating to the contract or arrangement.

The Board undertakes a regular review of each 
Director’s interests, if any, outside the Company. 
In addition, all proposed new appointments and 
interests of Directors are cleared in advance with 
the Board, which considers the impact on the 
time commitments of the Director concerned. 
Following these reviews, the Board remains 
satisfied that, in line with the Code, all Directors 
are able to allocate sufficient time to the 
Company to enable them to discharge their 
responsibilities as Directors effectively and that 
any current external appointments do not detract 
from the extent or quality of time which the 
Director is able to devote to the Company. This 
is further borne out by Directors’ attendance at 
Board and Committee meetings, which has 
been at or very close to 100% over many years.

Board of directors
A successful company is led by an effective and 
entrepreneurial board, whose role is to promote 
the long term sustainable success of the 
company, generating value for shareholders and 
contributing to wider society.

The board should establish the company’s 
purpose, values and strategy, and satisfy  
itself that these and its culture are aligned. All 
directors must act with integrity, lead by example 
and promote the desired culture. The board 
should ensure that the necessary resources are 
in place for the company to meet its objectives 
and measure performance against them.  
The board should also establish a framework  
of prudent and effective controls, which enable 
risk to be assessed and managed. In order for 
the company to meet its responsibilities to 
shareholders and stakeholders, the board 
should ensure effective engagement with, and 
encourage participation from, these parties.  
The board should ensure that workforce policies 
and practices are consistent with the company’s 
values and support its long term sustainable 
success. The workforce should be able to raise 
any matters of concern.

As explained on page 63 Kate Barker, Non 
Executive Director and the Senior Independent 
Director, has agreed to remain on the Board 
(subject to Shareholder approval) beyond her 
nine year anniversary date, in order to help 
facilitate, and provide greater continuity during, 
the post-handover period of the Chair from Kevin 
Beeston to Irene Dorner. 

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Role of the Directors

Whilst all Directors share collective responsibility for the activities of the Board, some Directors’ roles have been defined in more detail as Governance 
considerations have developed over time, as follows:

Chair

 – Ensuring high standards of corporate 

 – Encouraging constructive challenge and 

 – Ensuring appropriate induction  

governance and setting the cultural tone from 
the top.

facilitating effective communication 
between Directors.

 – Building a well-balanced and highly 

effective Board.

 – Chairing Board meetings and setting 

Board agendas.

 – Promoting effective Board relationships.

Chief Executive

 – Developing and implementing Group 

strategy.

 – Recommending the strategic plan and 

related annual budget.

 – Ensuring coherent leadership of the Group.

Group Finance Director

 – Operational responsibility for managing the 

Company’s financial affairs, including treasury 
and tax matters.

Group Operations Director

 – Ensuring the effectiveness of the Board and 
enabling an annual review of its effectiveness.
 – Engaging individually with Directors as required.

 – Managing the Group’s risk profile and 
establishing effective internal controls.
 – Regularly reviewing the organisational 

structure; developing the Executive Team; 
and planning for succession.

 – Ensuring the Chair and the Board are kept 

advised and updated regarding key matters.

and development programmes for 
individual Directors.

 – Agreeing the Chief Executive’s personal 

objectives.

 – Ensuring there is effective two-way 

communication and debate with shareholders.
 – Maintaining an appropriate balance between 

the interests of stakeholders.

 – Maintaining relationships with investors and 

advising the Board accordingly.

 – Setting the culture at the top, particularly with 

regard to compliance and sustainability.

 – Day to day running of the business.

 – Overseeing the commercial, information 
technology and pension departments.

 – In conjunction with the Group Management 
Team, overseeing the Company’s risk profile.

 – Operational responsibility for managing the 

 – Overseeing the supply chain and logistics 

 – Agreeing the Group’s annual budget 

Company’s development process, from land 
acquisition, through planning applications, 
design and production, to sale of the completed 
product and customer service matters.

support for operations.

 – In conjunction with the Group Management 
Team, overseeing the Company’s risk profile.

proposal from an operational standpoint, 
prior to formal agreement with the Group 
Finance Director, the Chief Executive and 
then the Board.

Senior Independent Director

 – Acting as a sounding board for the Chair on 

 – Acting as an intermediary for other Directors, 

 – Leading the search for a new Chair, when 

Board-related matters.

when necessary.

necessary.

 – Chairing meetings in the absence of the Chair.

 – Leading the evaluation of the Chair’s 

performance.

 – Being available to shareholders who wish to 
discuss matters which cannot be resolved 
otherwise.

Non Executive Directors

 – Providing effective and constructive challenge 

 – Assisting in development and approval 

 – Providing advice to Management and sharing 

to Management.

of strategy.

their experience and wisdom.

 – Serving on Board Committees.

 – Keeping abreast of shareholders’ views.

In addition to the foregoing, the Company Secretary fulfils a key role in relation to the Board and its Directors:

Company Secretary

 – Advising the Board on matters of corporate 
governance, compliance and on legal issues.

 – Providing support to the Chair and 

Non Executive Directors.

 – Responsible for all legal and compliance 

matters relating to the Group.

 – Ensuring effective support to the Board  
and its meetings and agendas to enable 
efficient process.

 – Keeping abreast of shareholders’ views.
 – Overseeing the Company Secretariat and the 

Legal Department.

Read more about individual Directors’ skill sets on pages 66-67 and 196-197

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

83

Governance 
Division of Responsibilities continued

How we are governed

The Board

 – Provides strategic and entrepreneurial leadership within a 
framework of strong governance and effective controls.

 – Is responsible for the Company’s culture and for defining and 

setting its values and standards.

 – Establishes the Group’s risk appetite and oversees processes 

designed to ensure compliance therewith.

 – Defines which matters are reserved for decision of the Board, 

including profit expectations and dividend policy.

 – Reviews the Whistleblowing Policy and associated investigations 

and outcomes.

 – Ensures effective engagement with shareholders.

84 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Board Committees

Audit Committee
 – Reviews and advises the Board on 

proposed Full Year and Half Year reporting 
and announcements connected therewith.
 – Undertakes a detailed half yearly review of 

the Group’s risk assessment and 
mitigation processes and outcomes, and 
advises the Board on its annual risk review.

 – Oversees the relationship with the 

external auditor.

 – Oversees the reporting of internal 
audit investigations and reviews  
the implementation of changes 
resulting therefrom.

 – Monitors continuous improvement in 
information technology security; data 
protection; and resilience to ‘hacking’ 
and cyber attacks.

Read more about this Committee  
on pages 98 to 105

Nomination Committee
 – Reviews the balance, diversity, 

independence and effectiveness of 
the Board.

Remuneration Committee
 – Advises the Board on remuneration policy 
at Board and senior management level.
 – Ensures that remuneration is geared to the 

 – Oversees the selection, interview and 

enhancement of shareholder value.

appointment of new Directors to 
the Board.

 – Reviews succession and contingency 
planning for the Board and across  
the Group’s senior positions and  
related training, development and 
talent management.

 – Reviews, sets targets for, and drives  
the strategy and progress to further 
improve diversity and inclusivity throughout 
the Group.

Read more about this Committee  
on pages 86 to 97

 – Ensures that targets are appropriate and 

are geared to delivering the strategy whilst 
appropriately limiting risk-taking and 
reflecting ESG considerations.

 – Ensures that rewards for achieving or 

exceeding agreed targets are not excessive.

 – Promotes the increasing alignment of 

executive and wider employee interests 
with those of shareholders and with the 
Company’s culture by encouraging 
appropriate share plan participation and 
setting executive shareholding guidelines 
including post-employment.

 – Reviews workforce remuneration and 
related policies and the alignment of 
incentives with culture, taking these into 
account when setting the policy for 
Executive Director remuneration.

Read more about this Committee  
on pages 106 to 131

Humphrey Singer
Chair of the Audit Committee

Kevin Beeston
Chair of the  
Nomination Committee  
(to 26 February 2020) 

Irene Dorner
Chair of the 
Nomination Committee 
(from 26 February 2020) 

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

85

Governance 
Composition, Succession 
and Evaluation

Nomination Committee report

The primary objectives of the Committee are to 
support the Board in its responsibility to ensure:

 – Formal, rigorous and transparent processes 
are in place for appointing new Directors to 
the Board and proposed appointees to senior 
management positions.

 – Effective, deliberate and well thought through 

succession planning and contingency 
planning processes are in place across the 
Group for all key positions.

During 2019 and the first part of 2020 the 
Committee oversaw a number of significant 
changes to the Board. As reported in the 2018 
Annual Report and Accounts, in accordance with 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code’s 
(the Code) provisions on Chair tenure, I will step 
down as Chair of the Board on 26 February 2020. 
The Committee, led by Kate Barker in her 
capacity as Senior Independent Director,  
led the search for my successor, along with the 
executive search consultants, Spencer Stuart. 
On 1 December 2019, the Board welcomed Irene 
Dorner as Chair-designate and an Independent 
Non Executive Director. Irene has brought over 
30 years’ executive and non executive experience, 
strong leadership skills and commercial 
experience to the Board. Irene will also serve on 
the Nomination Committee, which she will chair in 
due course, and the Remuneration Committee. 

Further details of Irene’s experience and the 
skills she brings to the Board appear in her 
biography on page 66.

Robert Noel also joined the Board as an 
Independent Non Executive Director on 1 October 
2019. Robert is a chartered surveyor and has over 
30 years of relevant experience in the property 
sector. On appointment, Robert became a 
member of the Audit and Nomination Committees. 
More details about Robert’s experience and skills 
appear in his biography on page 67.

As already reported on page 62, James Jordan 
stood down as Group Legal Director and 
Company Secretary on 31 December 2019. 
The Board is extremely grateful for James’ 
outstanding commitment, dedicated service  
and wise counsel over his 17 years’ service. 
On 4 November 2019, Alice Marsden joined the 
Company as Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary. Alice brings a wealth  
of corporate governance knowledge and 
experience to the Group Management Team 
and as Secretary to the Board. More information 
about Alice appears in her biography on page 67.

On the subject of succession, guidance issued 
by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is that 
Nomination Committees should look deeper into 
the Company to identify future leaders; adopt a 
wider outlook in identifying potential Directors; 
and look further ahead than any immediate 
requirement to replace an individual Director. 

Main objective
 – To ensure a formal, rigorous and transparent 
process is undertaken for the appointment 
and removal of Directors to or from the 
Board, its Committees and other senior roles 
and, in conjunction with the Board, to ensure 
effective diversity initiatives and succession 
planning processes are in place across 
the Group.

2019 performance
 – Oversaw the selection and appointment of 

the new Chair of the Board and the standing 
down of an Executive Director from the Board.
 – Oversaw the selection and appointment of a 
new Independent Non Executive Director to 
the Board.

 – Led further development of the Board and 
Board Committee succession planning.

 – Reviewed contingency and longer term 
succession planning for all senior roles 
across the business.

 – Further progressed the diversity and 

inclusivity agenda across the business, 
including partnering initiatives with selected 
third parties.

 – Monitored action to further deepen, where 
necessary, succession planning in the 
Finance function of the business.

2020 objectives
 – To further progress the diversity and 

inclusivity agenda across the business and 
ensure the progress made continues to be 
embedded within our culture.

 – To continue to review and enhance 

succession planning processes at both the 
Board level and across the Group. 

Kevin Beeston
Chair of the Nomination Committee

Dear Shareholder
As Chair of the Nomination Committee, I am 
pleased to report on the ongoing objectives and 
responsibilities of the Committee, the work that 
has been carried out during 2019 and the plans 
for 2020.

The Nomination Committee performs an 
important role for the Company and takes  
its responsibilities seriously, as demonstrated  
by the fact that in addition to myself, all of the 
Non Executive Directors are members of 
this Committee.

Nomination Committee summary

The Committee is chaired by the Chair of the 
Board and is composed of a majority of 
Independent Non Executive Directors as 
required by the Code.

Committee members
Kevin Beeston (Chair)
Irene Dorner(a)
Kate Barker
Gwyn Burr
Angela Knight
Humphrey Singer
Robert Noel(b)

Meetings 
attended
2/2
0/0
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
1/1

(a)  Appointed to the Committee on 1 December 2019.
(b)  Appointed to the Committee on 1 October 2019.

86 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Committee adheres to this guidance 
through the continuing development of the 
Company’s regional Talent Management Boards 
which identify future talent and ensure that 
appropriate training and development plans are 
in place for those individuals, whether in the 
short or longer term pipeline, with the potential 
to be Directors or progress to other levels of 
senior management. The Committee has also 
focused on ensuring that individual Directors, 
and the Board as a whole, have the necessary 
experience and skills; and identifying whether 
there are any particular skills gaps, in order to 
support the Company’s medium and longer 
term strategic direction and the Board’s ability to 
oversee its effective delivery. More details are set 
out on pages 89 and 90.

The Committee welcomes the Hampton-
Alexander Review which seeks to improve Board 
and senior leadership diversity across FTSE 350 
companies. As at 31 December 2019, the 
Company had five women on its Board (50%) 
and eight women (50%) in roles across the 
combined Board and Group Management 
Team. In 2019, the Hampton-Alexander Review 
again recognised Taylor Wimpey’s performance 
as above average for the sector. Further 
progress will be made in 2020.

The Committee and the Board also take into 
account wider diversity, including race, age, 
religion and experience. We fully support the 
various Government initiatives in this area, 

including the ‘Beyond One by 21’ report and 
recommendations launched in 2016 by Sir John 
Parker, which seeks to increase ethnic diversity 
on UK boards. Diversity and inclusivity remain 
firmly on the Taylor Wimpey agenda with 
monitoring and regular reporting taking place, 
including a specific annual update and 
discussion with the Board. Whilst we continue to 
make progress, we do recognise that there is 
still further work to be done in order to achieve 
our own diversity and inclusivity strategy and to 
support the Government recommendations.

The Company also strongly supports the 
Government’s initiative on gender pay gap 
reporting and the Committee has overseen 
the publication of the Company’s third 
Gender Pay Gap Report. This can be 
found on the Company’s website at:  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

The Committee’s progress and achievements 
during 2019 and its plans for 2020 are set out 
on page 86.

Following the publication of the Code,  
the Committee has taken the opportunity to 
conduct a thorough review of its Terms of 
Reference and has updated them to ensure  
that they are in line with the Code and reflect 
best practice. The Terms of Reference can  
be found on the Company’s website at:  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate 

The key priorities of the Committee 
continue to be:

 – To regularly review the Board’s composition; 
balance; diversity; experience and skill sets; 
and individual Directors’ time commitment.

 – To regularly review our succession and 

contingency planning across the business and 
to ensure individuals’ careers are supported 
by their professional development.
 – To drive the Company’s diversity and 

inclusivity agenda at all levels of the business.

 – To ensure the Group continues to have the 

necessary level of Board and senior management 
skills and leadership to deliver our strategy.

The Committee’s objectives, the strategy for 
delivering them, progress made towards them 
during 2019 and targets and plans for 2020 are 
described in more detail in this Report.

The Committee will continue to ensure that the 
present and future composition of the Board and 
the Group’s executive management are appropriate 
to deliver the Group’s strategy and that all 
applicable Code requirements continue to be met.

Kevin Beeston
Chair of the Nomination Committee

25 February 2020

Committee activities during 2019
The Committee meets formally at least twice per year and otherwise as circumstances require.

May 2019

October 2019

 – Reviewed succession and contingency planning 

processes and current and future plans for:
 – The Board
 – The Non Executive Directors
 – Board Committees
 – The executive levels immediately below 

the Board

 – Other key roles within the business.

 – Reviewed progress and plans for developing talent.
 – Received an update on the talent processes in 

place across the business.

 – Received an update on the progress of the 

recruitment process for the new Chair of the 
Board and a new Non Executive Director.

 – Discussed the potential candidates for the roles 

of Chair and Independent Non Executive 
Director, and reported progress made to 
the Board.

 – Reviewed progress on diversity across the 
business and noted the requirement of the 
Sir John Parker Review to have at least one 
Director of colour by 2021.

 – Received an update on progress of 

Group succession planning and related 
development plans.

 – Received an update on succession and 

contingency planning for the Board and key 
executives below Board level.

 – Received an update on the progression of 

key executives below Board level.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

87

Governance 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Candidate  
selection process

External advice

The engagement of independent 
recruitment consultants who  
have no other connection to 
the Company

Consider

The preparation of a ‘long list’  
of potential candidates which 
takes into account the outcome  
of the Committee’s latest review  
of the composition and skill sets  
of the Board

Select short list

The selection of a ‘short list’  
of suitable candidates meeting  
the Committee’s criteria

Interviews and meetings

Interviews and meetings with  
the Chair, Chief Executive,  
other Executive Directors,  
and with each Independent 
Non Executive Director

Select candidate

Take up references

Appointment

Induction

Committee purposes and 
responsibilities
The Committee has procedures in place with regard 
to maintaining a formal, rigorous and transparent 
process for Board appointments, which ensures 
that appointments to the Board are made on 
merit and assessed against objective criteria. 
The Committee guides the Board in regularly 
assessing whether there is an appropriate 
balance of expertise and skills on the Board and 
on other diversity considerations. The Committee 
welcomed the Hampton-Alexander Review 
which set the target of 33% of women at Board 
level and those reporting directly to the executive 
committee (the Group Management Team) by 
2020. As reported on page 91, as at the date of 
this report, we are meeting these targets.

The Committee oversees and advises the Board 
on the identification, assessment and selection 
of candidates for appointment to the Board. 
A description of how appointments are typically 
made from outside the Company to the Board is 
set out on the left. 

The Committee also guides the Board in assessing 
whether the Board has the correct balance of 
expertise and in arranging orderly succession 
planning for appointments to the Board and in 
respect of senior management positions across 
the business. This encompasses not only the 
immediate succession planning for Directors  
but also a deeper review into the Company’s 
management structure to identify those with 
longer term potential to develop into future 
successors in the medium to long term. The 
Committee also reviews Board composition in 
light of the Company’s strategy, to ensure as far 
as possible that new appointments help support 
the drive to achieve its strategic objectives and 
bring the required skill sets.

Board appointments
Appointments to the Board are subject to  
formal, rigorous and transparent procedures, 
and the Committee maintains an effective 
succession plan for both the Board members 
and senior management. Appointments and 
succession plans are based on merit and 
objective criteria and, within this context, 
promote diversity of gender, social and ethnic 
backgrounds, and cognitive and personal strengths. 

The Board and its Committees have a 
combination of skills, experience and knowledge. 
The Committee considers the length of service 
of the Board as a whole and membership has 
been regularly refreshed as considered 
appropriate. The annual evaluation of the Board 
considers its composition, diversity and how 
effectively members work together to achieve 
objectives. More information on the Board 
evaluation is available on pages 92 and 93. 
Individual evaluations also demonstrate that 
each Director continues to contribute effectively 
to the Board as a whole. 

During 2019, Irene Dorner and Robert Noel  
were appointed to the Board as Independent 
Non Executive Director and Chair-designate,  
and Independent Non Executive Director 
respectively. The Committee followed the 
typical candidate selection process, as set 
out on the left. 

The Committee, led by Kate Barker in her capacity 
as Senior Independent Director, initiated the 
recruitment process for a successor to the role 
of Chair of the Board and the executive search 
consultants, Spencer Stuart, undertook the 
search. The Committee, led by Kevin Beeston, 
also initiated the recruitment process for an 
additional Independent Non Executive Director 
and the executive search consultants, Russell 
Reynolds, undertook this search. 

Following the searches conducted by Spencer 
Stuart and Russell Reynolds, a ‘long list’ of 
candidates were considered by the Committee. 
Both external search consultants were instructed 
to ensure that there was an appropriate level  
of diversity in the long list. This resulted in the 
selection of a ‘short list’ of potential candidates 
who met the Committee’s criteria in terms  
of the skills and expertise they could bring to  
the Board. Interviews and meetings were then 
held with the Chair, Chief Executive, other 
Executive Directors and each Independent 
Non Executive Director and the final candidates 
were selected. 

It has been confirmed that neither Spencer Stuart 
nor Russell Reynolds have any other connection 
with the Company or individual Directors.

88 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Angela Knight, Independent Non Executive 
Director, has significant senior-level experience 
in both the public and private sectors. In the 
public sector, she was a Member of Parliament 
from 1992 until 1997, including two years as the 
Economic Secretary at HM Treasury, and was 
Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification in 
HM Treasury until the end of February 2019. 
In the private sector, she has significant 
experience as a non executive director 
including as the senior independent director 
of quoted companies.

Robert Noel, Independent Non Executive 
Director, is a chartered surveyor with over 
30 years’ experience in the property sector, 
including from 2012 to date as CEO of Land 
Securities Group PLC and previously as Property 
Director of Great Portland Estates plc. In 
addition, Robert was also previously the 
President of The British Property Federation.

Humphrey Singer, Independent 
Non Executive Director, has a wealth of 
financial experience from his role as Chief 
Financial Officer at Belron Group, and his 
previous role as Chief Finance Officer of Marks 
and Spencer Group plc. In addition, Humphrey 
has expertise in the areas of both digital 
solutions and customer services which is a 
useful skill set for the Board and the Company. 
He has recent and relevant financial experience 
as required by the Code in connection with his 
chairing of the Audit Committee.

Relevant skills and expertise

The Committee has reviewed the appropriate 
balance of skills, experience, independence and 
knowledge of the Company of the Board to 
enable its duties and responsibilities to be 
discharged effectively. This review was utilised in 
drawing up the recruitment framework, including 
the list of desired skills, in the recruitment 
process for the appointment of a new 
Independent Non Executive Director and 
Chair-designate in December 2019 and a new 
Independent Non Executive Director in October 
2019. The relevant skills and expertise of the 
Board were also considered by the Committee 
in the decision that the Company Secretary 
should no longer also be a Director with effect 
from the end of 2019. The Committee considers 
whether each Director brings relevant and 
complementary skills, experience and background 
to the Board, details of which are set out on this 
page, and additional information is also set out in 
the biographies on pages 66 to 67. 

Kevin Beeston, Chair, has a wealth of 
commercial, financial and senior-level 
management experience including being a 
former CEO of a FTSE 100 company. Kevin also 
has significant experience of chairing boards of 
both public and private companies and of being 
a non executive director and sitting on audit, 
nomination and remuneration committees.

Irene Dorner, Independent Non Executive 
Director and Chair-designate, has over 
30 years of commercial, financial and senior-level 
executive experience, principally acquired as 
CEO of HSBC Malaysia, and CEO and President 
of HSBC in the United States, and as Group 
Managing Director of HSBC Holdings. Irene has 
significant experience of chairing boards of both 
public and private companies and of being a non 
executive director and sitting on audit, 
nomination and remuneration committees.

Pete Redfern, Chief Executive, has significant 
financial, operational and management 
experience, gained from his various roles in 
industry and from his time at KPMG. In 2014 he 
joined the Board of Travis Perkins plc as an 
independent non executive director and serves 
on their remuneration, employee voice, and Stay 
Safe committees (chairing the latter).

Chris Carney, Group Finance Director, has 
financial, treasury, risk and financial control 
expertise including that gained from his time with 
Associated British Foods plc and in private 
practice with Deloitte; and later in various roles 
within the Company’s Finance Department. He 
also has significant operational and transactional 
experience from his previous roles with the 
Company as successively Regional Managing 
Director, Divisional Managing Director, and 
Divisional Chair within the Company’s UK 
housebuilding operation.

Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director, has 
considerable experience in the UK housebuilding 
industry gained from her time with Westbury plc, 
Harrow Estates Plc, and Redrow plc, and her 
previous roles with the Company as successively 
UK Planning Director and UK Land Director.

Kate Barker, Independent Non Executive 
Director and the Senior Independent 
Director, is an industry-recognised economist 
and has led policy reviews for the Government in 
the areas of land use, planning and housing 
supply. Kate also brings a wider economic insight 
gained through her various roles, including as a 
Member of the Oversight Board of the Office for 
Budget Responsibility as well as experience from 
her other non executive positions.

Gwyn Burr, Independent Non Executive 
Director, has over 25 years’ executive 
experience, principally in customer service in the 
retail sector, which included the roles of 
Customer Director and Customer Service and 
Colleague Director from 2005 to 2013 at 
J Sainsbury plc. Gwyn also has significant 
experience on several boards as a non executive 
director and chair of remuneration committees.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

89

Governance 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Board and Committee balance, 
diversity, independence and 
effectiveness
The Nomination Committee supports the Chair 
of the Board in their role to ensure that the 
Board is conducted so as to allow the 
Independent Non Executive Directors to 
challenge the Executive Directors constructively 
whilst, at the same time, also supporting them to 
implement the strategy and run the business 
effectively. This is achieved by the Committee 
ensuring that the Board has the right balance of 
skills, independence and knowledge, and this is 
something that is kept under regular review. 

It is the Company’s policy, in line with the Code, 
that proposed appointments to the Board, and 
succession planning, are based on merit, and 
judged against objective criteria, whilst also 
having due regard to the benefits of diversity and 
inclusiveness, including in the areas of gender, 
age, disability, ethnicity and experience. 

As previously mentioned, the Committee 
continues to recognise its responsibility to 
comply with the recommendations of the 
Hampton-Alexander Review. At the start of 
2019, four out of nine Taylor Wimpey Board 
members were women (44%), this increased to 
five out of ten (50%) on 31 December 2019, and 
further increased to five out of nine (56%) 
following Kevin Beeston stepping down from the 
Board on 26 February 2020. The proportion of 
women on the Group Management Team (our 
equivalent of an Executive Committee) and their 
direct reports, are set out on page 91.

The Code requires at least half of the Board, 
excluding the Chair, to consist of Independent 
Non Executive Directors. The Committee 
considers that the balance of the Board, consisting 
of a Chair, three Executive Directors and five 
Independent Non Executive Directors (reducing 
to four Independent Non Executive Directors 
during 2020) will continue to provide the right 
blend of experience, expertise and challenge in 
order to take the Company forward in line with 
the strategy, whilst ensuring and maintaining 
good governance and best practice. This will be 
kept under regular review in line with the 
guidance set out in the Code.

This balance also ensures that there is an 
effective balance of guidance, support and 
constructive challenge to the Executives. It is 
considered that this will continue to be the case 
during 2020.

The Committee will keep the balance and 
composition of the Board under regular review, 
and will take into account the recommendations 
of the above mentioned Hampton-Alexander 
Review and also the Parker Review and its 
report on increasing the ethnic diversity 
of boards. 

Induction
The importance of induction and training  
is recognised by the Committee and so  
the Company has established procedures 
whereby newly appointed Directors, including 
Non Executive Directors, receive a formal 
induction. This includes training and continuing 
familiarisation with the Company’s business, 
strategy, operations (including health and safety) 
and systems, the principles underlying the 
discharge of their duties as a Director, and wider 
issues relating to the housing sector. 

For newly appointed Non Executive Directors, 
the induction includes meetings with key 
members of senior management and Function 
heads from across the business, external 
advisers and site visits. Further information on 
the induction that Irene Dorner and Robert Noel 
received following their appointment to the 
Board during 2019 can be found on page 65. 
These programmes for Directors were 
reviewed during the year and are considered 
to remain appropriate.

Board succession and contingency 
planning 
As stated on pages 86 and 88, there were a 
number of changes to the Board during 2019.
The Committee considered the constitution  
and performance of the Board and its 
Committees and concluded that they  
continue to function effectively. 

In 2018, the Committee noted the requirement 
of the Code that a chair of the board should not 
normally serve for longer than nine years, subject 
to a limited extension to facilitate effective 
succession planning. Following this requirement, 
the Committee completed an extensive search 
and recruitment process and the appointment  
of Irene Dorner as Chair of the Board from 
26 February 2020 ensures we remain compliant. 

During 2019, the Committee has considered the 
short and long term succession plans for all 
Board members and key members of senior 
management, together with appropriate 
development plans. In doing so, the Committee 
has reviewed the talent pipelines available for 
these roles as well as our talent development 
and targeted training programmes. 

Enhancing our succession  
planning process in 2019
Succession planning for people at all levels of the 
organisation has continued to be a key area of focus for 
the Board and the Nomination Committee. In addition to 
regular reviews of executives with leadership potential 
together with their individual development plans, senior 
management is regularly provided with access to the 
Board, including the opportunity to attend and brief Board 
meetings. This provides valuable exposure for developing 
management talent as well as assisting the Board in 
assessing the Company’s leadership strength in depth.

90 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Committee has identified suitable individuals 
within the Company who, either singly or  
in concert with one another, can quickly  
assume a key role and provide effective  
support until the individual returns to work,  
or in appropriate cases, a successor can be 
identified and appointed.

As highlighted in the Committee’s 2019 
performance on pages 86 and 87, succession 
planning for employees at all levels of the 
organisation has continued to be a key area of 
focus for the Committee. With a view to 
identifying key prospects and tailoring training 
and development plans to allow individuals to 
demonstrate their potential for future 
progression, the Committee appreciates having 
visibility of a wide range of employees with 
leadership potential, together with their individual 
development plans. Furthermore, management 
below Board level is provided with access to  
the Board, including the opportunity to attend 
Board meetings from time to time and other 
Board-related functions in order to give 
presentations on specialist topics, project work 
and the performance of specific regional 
businesses and divisions. This provides valuable 
exposure to the Board for up and coming 
management as well as being extremely valuable 
for the Committee in assessing the Company’s 
strength in depth.

The Company also operates a Group Talent 
Board which is chaired by the Chief Executive and 
is supported by our divisional Talent Management 
Boards, comprised of senior executives together 
with HR representatives. These Boards regularly 
review succession planning and related 
development and training requirements across 
the Company. Actions to support succession 
planning across the Company include the 
development of career paths linked to 
experience, exposure and education; an 
assessment and development centre; and the 
promotion of the Company’s mentoring scheme. 

Contingency planning concerns the Company’s 
and the Board’s preparedness for and 
responsiveness to sudden and unexpected  
loss or non-availability of a Board member  
or key members of senior management. 

Gender diversity

With regard to gender, as at 31 December 2019, the diagrams below show the number of women representing each group. Please note that these 
figures take into account James Jordan’s retirement on 31 December 2019.

plc Board

Female

Male

50% 50%

(2018: 44%)

50%

(2018: 56%)

Group Management Team  
(Executive Board of Taylor Wimpey UK Limited)

Female

Male

44%

(2018: 30%)

56%

(2018: 70%)

Regional Managing Directors

Female

12.5% (2018: 8%)

Male

87.5% (2018: 92%)

Percentage of the workforce that are 
women

29%

2018: 31%

Percentage of new starters with the 
Group during 2019 that are women

22%

2018: 26%

While we continue to make reasonable 
overall progress and are committed to 
doing so, we of course recognise that 
this is a journey and we still have more 
work to do in order to fulfil our overall 
diversity ambitions and, as stated on 
page 95, it is a priority for 2020 to 
achieve further progress in this area.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

91

Governance 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Board evaluation

A key requirement of good governance is ensuring that the Board itself 
is operating effectively. The carrying out of a formal and rigorous annual 
evaluation is a very important exercise and it is one which the Board 
and each Director takes very seriously, whilst also recognising the focus 
that our shareholders place on it. 

In line with the Code, the Board conducts its 
annual evaluation exercise via an independent 
external facilitator once every three years. 
The last such externally facilitated evaluation  
was conducted for 2017 and consequently 
arrangements are in hand for the 2020 
evaluation to be externally facilitated. This will be 
reported on in detail in next year’s Corporate 
Governance Report.

The evaluation for 2019 was internally facilitated 
by the Chair in conjunction with the Company 
Secretary. The exercise, which considered the 
effectiveness of the Board, each Board 
Committee and each Director, was conducted 
between October and November 2019 and 
consisted of the following:

 – A detailed and comprehensive bespoke 

questionnaire which the Company Secretary 
distributed securely online to each individual 
Director for completion and return;

 – Collation of the responses was undertaken by 
the Company Secretary on a non-attributable 
basis;

 – Review by the Chair and the Company 
Secretary of each performance area; 

 – Review by the Chair of each individual Director;
 – Review by the Senior Independent Director 

and the Company Secretary on the feedback 
provided on the performance of the Chair;
 – Led by the Senior Independent Director, the 

Independent Non Executive Directors also met 
separately to review the Chair’s performance 
based on the non-attributable feedback and 
also to discuss other matters;

 – Presentation of the findings on the Board and 
Board Committees to the Board in December 
2019 on a non-attributable basis; and
 – Preparation of an action plan designed to 

address the findings, discussed at the Board 
in February 2020, as set out in the table 
opposite, and to be actioned during 2020.

Feedback was then provided on an individual 
basis, by the Senior Independent Director  
to the Chair (and vice versa) and through the 
Chair discussing each individual Director’s 
performance assessment with the relevant 
Director on a one-to-one basis.

The overall outcome of the 2019 evaluation 
exercise was that the Board considered that it 
continues to function effectively and in line with 
first class corporate governance principles, and 
is providing effective leadership to the Group.

As part of the Board evaluation, the time 
commitments of all Directors in line with the 
requirements of the Code were reviewed in 
detail. Following this review, the Board was 
satisfied that each Director was able to allocate 
sufficient time to discharge his or her 
responsibilities to the Company effectively. 
This included not only attendance at Board and 
applicable Committee meetings, where 
attendance was 100% during 2019 for all 
Directors, but also preparation time for meetings, 
visits to our operating businesses and other 
additional commitments that may be required 
from time to time.

92 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Consistent with previous exercises, the 2019 
evaluation proved to be very useful. It again 
provided an opportunity to reflect on the 
strengths of how we operate and where we can 
improve as a Board. The Board has already 
discussed the areas identified for improvement 
and will continue to focus on them during the 
course of 2020.

The main action points and recommendations 
arising from the internally facilitated 2018 and 
2019 Board evaluation exercises, together with 
actions taken during 2019 in relation to the 
former, and actions taken and planned during 
2020 in relation to the latter, are set out in the 
table opposite.

2018 Evaluation: 
Recommendations included

Maintain focus on progress in 
achieving the strategy.

Make further progress on 
succession planning in the 
Finance function.

Develop a faster pace of 
improvement on diversity and 
inclusivity at all levels across 
the Group.

Develop improved methods of 
monitoring progress in the strategic 
aim of becoming a more customer-
focused business.

Implement ideas from Non 
Executive Directors from their other 
Board appointments with a view to 
enhancing the Taylor Wimpey 
Board processes.

2019 Evaluation: 
Recommendations included

Review and confirm the division  
of responsibilities between the 
Chair, Chief Executive, Senior 
Independent Director and Matters 
Reserved for the Board.

Assessment of progress made on 
engagement with employees and 
focus on further progress.

Review agendas, timings and 
paper structure.

Non Executive Directors 
only meeting. 

  Actions taken during the year

Strategy: The Board regularly reviewed during 2019 how the strategic direction is being adopted and 
progressed across the business and will agree and monitor this progress against milestones around the 
interim strategic goals and priorities identified by the Group Management Team.

Succession planning: Action was taken to deepen the overall strength in depth of the Finance function 
across the business and the Nomination Committee is being kept informed of progress.

  Diversity: The Board continues to monitor the progress of diversity and inclusivity matters across the 

Group. Diversity and inclusivity is included as a special topic at a Board meeting each year when the 
Chair of the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee attends and updates the Board on ongoing initiatives, 
objectives and priorities. The Board also receives regular updates on diversity and inclusivity throughout 
the year.

  Customer-focused strategy: The Board believes that considerable progress has already been made in 

this area and additional reporting is being developed to assist in driving further improvements and 
monitoring their effectiveness. In addition to regular reporting, progress on our customer-focused 
approach was included as a special topic during 2019.

  Board processes: A number of good suggestions were made, including the holding of pre-Board 

breakfast meetings with, for example business leaders, leading industry commentators, and / or with 
stakeholder groups. During 2019, two breakfast meetings were held and covered the topics of 
behavioural science and artificial intelligence. 

  Actions being or to be taken during 2020

  Conduct a review of the division of responsibilities document and update as required following the 

appointment of the new Chair of the Board and Senior Independent Director. Following this review,  
the Matters Reserved for the Board will be reviewed in light of any changes.

The National Employee Forum (the NEF) has been very successful since its formation in 2017. During 
2020, the Board will review the NEF and consider other available options to further strengthen 
engagement with employees by the Board taking account of the extent of actions taken by our peers and 
across the FTSE 100.

  Conduct a full review of Board and Committee agendas and papers. 

  Hold additional Non Executive Director only meetings during the year. 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

93

Governance 
 
 
 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

The performance evaluation of the Board and its 
Committees and each individual Director, as set 
out on pages 92 to 93, included in relation to 
their duties under Section 172 of the Companies 
Act 2006, details of which are set out on pages 
76 to 81.

In addition, the Board re-evaluated each 
Director’s time commitments, and was satisfied 
that, in line with the Code, they each continued 
to allocate sufficient time to the Company in 
order to discharge their responsibilities 
effectively, including not only attendance at 
Board and applicable Committee meetings but 
also preparation time for meetings, visits to 
businesses (including the annual Board away 
day / visit) and other additional commitments 
that may be required from time to time. 
Recognising the importance of the time 
commitment of each Director to shareholders, 
this will continue to be kept under review for all 
Directors during 2020, including as part of the 
external Board evaluation process.

The Chair, at the time of his appointment on 
1 July 2010, met the independence criteria as 
set out in the Code.

The Chair-designate will, at the time of her 
planned appointment on 26 February 2020, 
meet the independence criteria as set out in 
the Code.

Annual re-election to the Board
The Code requires every Director to seek 
election or re-election, as appropriate, at each 
year’s AGM. Accordingly, at the 2020 AGM, with 
the exception of our Chair, Kevin Beeston, who 
will have stepped down from the Board by this 
point, every Director, irrespective of the date of 
his or her appointment and the length of his or 
her service on the Board, will be submitted for 
election or re-election, as appropriate.

Details of the resolutions to be proposed in this 
respect and supporting biographical details of 
the Directors appear in the Notice of Meeting on 
pages 192 to 198.

As part of the 2019 Board evaluation process, 
the Board reviewed and re-affirmed that it 
considers each of the Non Executive Directors to 
be independent in character and judgement and 
that there are no relationships which could affect 
the Directors’ judgement. 

In line with the Code, a rigorous evaluation took 
place with regard to Kate Barker as she will have 
served on the Board for nine years by the time of 
the 2020 AGM. The Committee has considered 
that it would be beneficial for Kate to remain a 
Non Executive Director until 31 July 2020 to 
support Irene Dorner as she takes on her new 
position and responsibilities as Chair and also to 
provide additional stability in the Board 
composition. During that additional period, on 
reaching the ninth anniversary of her 
appointment to the Board (20 April 2020), Kate 
will step down as the Company’s Senior 
Independent Director and as a member  
of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. 
An appropriate explanation has also been made 
in Resolution 8 proposing Kate’s re-election  
at the AGM and in the explanatory notes 
accompanying the Notice of the AGM on 
page 196. 

94 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 – Unconscious bias training – we have 
introduced mandatory unconscious bias 
awareness training for all employees which is 
raising awareness and promoting wider 
thinking to support our drive to be more 
diverse and inclusive.

 – Applicant tracking system – we have 

launched a new applicant tracking system 
which has improved our application process 
and enables us to reach a wider and more 
diverse pool of talent so we can ensure that 
roles are being advertised sufficiently widely 
and can understand how candidates are being 
selected for recruitment.

Employee diversity and 
inclusivity

Diversity and inclusivity has continued to be a 
key item on the overall UK governance agenda 
during 2019. Within Taylor Wimpey, diversity and 
inclusivity remained an area of clear focus 
throughout 2019 and will continue to be in 2020 
and beyond. To support the Board’s diversity 
and inclusivity, the Diversity and Inclusivity 
Committee has continued their work to ensure 
that the Company as a whole is operating in a 
diverse and inclusive manner. 

Although the Nomination Committee and the 
Board will continue to appoint based on merit, 
we recognise that boards generally perform 
better when they include top-quality people from 
a range of backgrounds and experiences. 
Therefore, diversity and inclusivity will continue to 
be a key consideration when assessing the 
composition of the Board, as well as our key 
executives and wider management teams, 
to ensure the development of a diverse pipeline 
for succession.

The Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, which 
includes a variety of members from across the 
business, has been overseeing progress towards 
achieving the Company’s Diversity and Inclusivity 
Strategy and implementing and progressing 
initiatives in order to improve our performance in 
these key areas. The Company’s Diversity 
Policy, as set out on pages 96 to 97, focuses on 
the challenges faced in developing an inclusive 
and diverse workforce, with each regional business 
making an appropriate commitment to this. 
The Diversity and Inclusivity Strategy is based on 
the following key objectives:

 – 21st-century leadership – we ensure  
that our leaders understand their role in 
developing a more diverse and inclusive 
culture and have the relevant training and 
support to achieve this.

 – Remaining an employer of choice – we 

ensure that our working environment, policies, 
procedures and development and progression 
opportunities support greater diversity and 
inclusivity.

 – Expanding our reach – we develop  

broader recruitment channels, understand  
and embrace the diversity of our customers 
and workplace and improve engagement  
with them. 

By embracing diversity and inclusivity, the Board 
believes the Company will better understand 
how people’s differences and similarities can be 
utilised for the benefit of not only the Company 
but most importantly also for individuals, the 
communities we work within, society as a whole, 
and our customers. Having a diverse workforce 
will improve the Company’s ability to become 
even more of a customer-focused business. 

The Company has put in place systems to 
measure and monitor diversity around the Group 
more effectively. The data becoming available 
from these improved systems has assisted in 
designing and implementing a number of 
improvements to Group employment terms and 
conditions which we believe should facilitate 
access to and success at work for all, such as 
the following:

 – A review of gender pay – we are committed 
to creating a diverse and inclusive place to 
work. Our fair and transparent approach to 
recruitment and our people is one of the 
defining factors in Taylor Wimpey’s culture 
and future workforce. Embracing diversity 
enables us to succeed in a competitive market 
so we have implemented our Diversity and 
Inclusivity Strategy which focuses on gender 
equality as well as promoting other key 
workforce policies that highlight positive 
approaches to employee diversity. Our action 
plan to support gender equality sets out 
measures to challenge the traditionally 
male-dominated culture of the construction 
and homebuilding industries.

 – Implementing a flexible working policy 
– following our initial trial, a number of our 
business units have introduced agile and 
flexible working polices which have been 
received positively. We have developed a set 
of agile working principles to support our 
business units and we will continue to develop 
our policies to ensure we can attract and 
retain talent.

 – Young Persons Forum – continuing the 

success of our Young Persons Forum in our 
West Scotland regional business unit, we have 
rolled out further forums across the business. 
This Forum gives our young employees the 
opportunity to meet other young people 
across our businesses, provides training and 
information sessions and a platform for 
discussion of business-related matters.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

95

Governance 
Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Progress of our Diversity Policy

The Company’s plans and progress in implementing its Diversity Policy are measured and monitored by the Nomination Committee and the Board. 
Set out below is the Diversity Policy benchmarked against appropriate targets. The Company is also committed to ensuring that our people are free 
from any direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, bullying or any other form of victimisation. Our Grievance and Harassment Policies ensure 
that any reported incidents are addressed and our Whistleblowing Policy encourages employees to speak up, including through an independent 
third party whistleblowing hotline, about any inappropriate practices or behaviour. These policies are regularly publicised to all employees.

Diversity Policy

Strategy

Progress 

Taylor Wimpey operates in diverse 
communities. We believe that 
embracing this diversity will enable 
us to succeed through a 
workforce that is inclusive, 
creative and innovative. Diversity 
covers many aspects. We have 
defined diversity to mean that we 
actively embrace the business and 
local communities in which we 
operate and will strive to reflect 
their richness and character to 
include such aspects as gender, 
race, disability and religion but 
also diversity of thought, 
background and experience.

Managing diversity is about 
valuing everyone as an individual 
– valuing people as our 
employees, customers and 
clients. People have different 
needs, values and beliefs. Our 
people management practice 
demands that employment 
propositions are both consistently 
fair and also flexible and inclusive 
in ways that assist our people 
while supporting our business 
needs and objectives.

We will examine our culture and 
practices to determine what 
further actions can be taken to 
improve diversity and inclusion 
within Taylor Wimpey.

Our Working Party, the Taylor Wimpey UK Diversity and Inclusivity Committee 
(the Committee), fully incorporates our previous BAME Working Group. This means 
we have full representation across all of our UK Divisions, with every regional 
business having a link to the Committee via their nominated champions.

The Committee meets every quarter with clear objectives and action plans now in 
place for 2020 which will focus on achieving our diversity and inclusivity agenda. 
Our strategy and associated workstreams are designed to move us forward as a 
diverse and inclusive employer with particular emphasis on gender and BAME 
again this year.

The three key objectives stated within the Diversity and Inclusivity Strategy are:

 – 21st-Century Leadership.
 – Employer of Choice.
 – Expand our Reach.

The Committee has engaged with the EY Foundation which supports young 
people from socially deprived and BAME backgrounds that are facing significant 
barriers to work. We have sponsored 22 young people to gain work experience 
and skills, resulting in job placements for several of these young people. 

The Chair of the Committee and the Head of Human Resource Strategy continue 
to drive the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee agenda and will provide updates 
on progress of our plans and specific initiatives to our Divisional Chairs, Divisional 
Managing Directors and Regional Managing Directors. This ensures strong two 
way communication and strengthens the commitment to the Diversity and 
Inclusivity Strategy from the leaders of our business.

We will identify people 
management practices that assist 
a diverse workforce to achieve its 
full potential.

We are proud of our involvement with the Leonard Cheshire Disability Change 
100 programme which offers undergraduate students with a disability a summer 
placement and we are committed to continuing this support. This year, one of our 
previous students was successful in joining the 2019 Graduate Scheme. 

We will use our Community 
Engagement Programme to 
heighten awareness of positive 
strategies for personal interaction 
and valuing individuals.

We will increase the opportunities 
for young people to join the 
Company and will promote 
continuous personal development.

In 2019 we increased the number of people employed with a disability to 54, 
compared to 43 in 2018.

We have continued to promote our ‘Employer of Choice’ and diversity agenda 
through numerous publications and recently our West Scotland regional business 
was shortlisted for the ‘Age Inclusive’ award at The Herald & GenAnalytics 
Diversity Awards. 

We have again been recognised by the Hampton-Alexander Review, an 
independent review body which aims to increase the number of women on UK 
boards. For the third year in a row, we have been included in the top 50 UK 
employees for gender diversity.

During 2019, we continued to roll out the Young Persons Forums across our 
business units. These forums ensure that our young people are fully engaged with 
the business, creating strong networks that will bring huge benefits to both the 
individuals and wider business. They also ensure that young people have a strong 
voice within Taylor Wimpey.

The principles and benefits of flexible working were continually promoted during 
2019. The launch of the agile working campaign has further endorsed this 
initiative and this has created some fantastic success stories around the business. 
We will continue to promote this initiative across the business during 2020. 

96 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Diversity policy

Strategy

Progress 

We believe that everyone  
should have the right to equal 
access to employment and,  
when in our employ, to equal  
pay and access to training and 
career development.

We will ensure that all managers 
involved in recruitment and 
selection receive training that 
incorporates the areas of diversity 
and promoting equality.

We will extend our recruitment 
sources in order to attract a more 
diverse range of applicants.

We are committed to ensuring 
that our people are free from any 
direct or indirect discrimination, 
harassment or bullying. We will 
not tolerate any behaviour that 
detracts from this.

We will encourage our people to 
speak out and report any direct or 
indirect discrimination, harassment 
or bullying. We will act promptly in 
addressing any inappropriate 
behaviour or practice. 

Diversity will be promoted from 
the highest level and we will 
ensure that our people understand 
the benefits of having a diverse 
and inclusive workforce.

We acknowledge that we must 
continue to promote diversity in 
order to create an organisation 
that attracts, supports and 
promotes the broadest range of 
talent. Establishing an 
organisational culture with 
diversity as a core value will 
enable individuals to reach their 
full potential and provide the best 
service to our customers.

In 2019, we recruited 24 graduates, 36 management trainees, 56 site 
management trainees, and 382 trade apprentices.

During 2019, we continued to partner with a number of specific diversity partners 
with the objective of driving the attraction and development of a more diverse and 
representative workforce.

The Company’s ongoing implementation of the strategy launched in 2018 has 
involved open sessions chaired by Pete Redfern and other Board members with 
groups of employees representing all areas of the business. These sessions were 
designed to allow all voices to be heard and influence how we achieve our 
strategic goals.

Diversity and inclusivity is continually discussed as part of the talent and 
succession reviews which are completed by all business units twice a year. 
These reviews are cascaded upwards, culminating in business wide reviews by 
the Divisional Chairs with the Chief Executive and Group Human Resources Director.

A full review of all Taylor Wimpey policies and the Company website is being 
undertaken through a diversity and inclusivity ‘lens’.

A specific focus of the Company’s whistleblowing campaign is on encouraging 
employees to speak up against any inappropriate practices or behaviour. 

Our Grievance Policy ensures that any reports of harassment or bullying are 
investigated and acted upon. 

Diversity is a core message within our strategy, a main item at our executive and 
regional management meetings and is a standing agenda item at Group 
Management Team meetings.

In order to support each employee to maximise their performance and achieve 
their own personal goals we have designed a ‘Cultural Principles’ framework 
where we describe the behaviours and attitudes we believe are required for 
effective performance in order to deliver our vision, mission and values. 
Encouraging and embracing diversity is an integral part of our philosophy.

The Careers section of our website includes a dedicated diversity and inclusivity 
section highlighting our focus on this area.

In 2019, we developed our first divisional female network which consists of 
employees from functions such as Technical, Commercial and Production which 
are departments that historically have had lower female representation within our 
business. The aim of the network was to take positive action where we created a 
platform for our females and males to openly discuss and share what may be 
preventing women from progressing, provide an inclusive network with access to 
senior leaders, career development support and boost confidence. The network 
has been attended by a Divisional Chairman and Divisional Managing Director and 
so far, has successfully aided further awareness and positive actions amongst our 
leaders on how we can further support and encourage female talent. This 
includes some very practical changes such as working with suppliers to ensure 
female uniforms are readily available for site employees, suitable facilities are 
available for women working on site, role modelling as well as development 
support to help the network consider how they influence and get traction in male 
dominated environments. We have some fantastic ideas and learnings coming 
out of this employee resource group and plan to expand this further.

We published our updated gender pay gap data in March 2020 and it can be 
viewed on our website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

97

Governance 
 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control

Audit Committee report

responsibilities can be found in the Terms of 
Reference of the Audit Committee which is 
available in full on the Company’s website. 
Following a review during 2019, it was 
determined that they remain appropriate,  
in line with best practice and reflect the 
Committee’s responsibilities under the Code 
and related regulations.

The Committee conducts an annual evaluation of 
its performance against its key objectives. 

An interim review of progress against these 
objectives was considered at the Committee’s July 
and December 2019 meetings, and the evaluation 
for 2019 was formally assessed recently by the 
Committee at its February 2020 meeting.

The key performance areas of the Committee 
during 2019 are set out on page 99 and 
described in more detail in this report.

The Committee’s key areas of focus for 2020 
are also set out on page 99. Whilst these remain 
sufficiently flexible to permit the Committee  
to quickly respond to any major change in 
circumstances, our key priorities for the year 
ahead will include the continued delivery of robust 
risk management and work to further strengthen 
the control framework.

The Committee continues to hold meetings with 
the external auditor and the Head of Internal Audit, 
independent of the Executive, and these assist in 
ensuring that reporting, forecasting and risk 
management processes are subject to rigorous 
review throughout the year.

I am pleased to confirm that throughout the year the 
Committee met the Financial Reporting Council 
(FRC) guidance on Audit Committees which was 
issued in April 2016, and which was incorporated 
into the Code. The aim of the guidance was to 
further improve good governance around the 
Committee’s competence; induction for new 
members; audit rotation; independent assessment 
of areas of judgement; and sufficiency of resourcing 
for the Committee; all with the aim of ensuring that 
the Committee is able to perform its primary function 
of protecting shareholders’ interests in relation to the 
Company’s financial reporting and internal control.

The Committee will continue to ensure that all 
applicable regulations are complied with, in order 
to remain confident that the business continues to 
operate in a controlled and managed way.

I would like to welcome Robert Noel, independent 
Non Executive Director, who joined the Committee 
on his appointment to the Board on 1 October 
2019. Rob’s deep understanding of the property 
sector and wide commercial experience as CEO  
of Land Securities Group PLC will add to the 
Committee’s skill sets and further enhance the 
quality of its work on behalf of shareholders.

Humphrey Singer
Chair of the Audit Committee

25 February 2020

Humphrey Singer
Chair of the Audit Committee

Dear Shareholder
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present 
the report of the Audit Committee, summarising 
below, and in the report which follows, the ongoing 
responsibilities and objectives of the Committee; 
the work that has been carried out during 2019; 
and the priorities established for 2020.

The Committee supports the Board in fulfilling its 
corporate governance responsibilities, including 
the Group’s risk management and internal control 
framework; internal audit process; financial 
reporting practices; the preparation and 
compliance of the Company’s Annual Report and 
Accounts; and the external audit process.

The main responsibilities of the Audit Committee 
are summarised opposite in the main objective on 
page 99 and further details of the Committee’s 

Committee activities during 2019

February 2019

July 2019

 – Reviewed the draft 2018 Annual 
Report and Accounts, including 
significant accounting and audit 
issues; issues of materiality; and 
the external auditor’s report;  
and conducted a formal 
compliance check.

 – Disclosed relevant audit information 
to the auditors and the required 
evidence in support of it. 
 – Reviewed the Group’s 2018  

draft Full Year Results Statement; 
and advised the Board regarding 
the appropriateness of the 
proposed dividends.

 – Concluded the prior year’s 

risk review.

 – Reviewed the draft Viability 

Statement to appear in the 2018 
Annual Report and Accounts.

 – Reviewed the Committee’s 

performance against its objectives 
for 2018 and set objectives 
for 2019.

 – Received the Group fraud 

risk assessment.

 – Held private meetings with the 

external auditors and the Head of 
Internal Audit.

 – Agreed Internal Audit’s programme 

of work for 2019.

 – Reviewed the draft Half Year 
Statement for 2019, including 
significant accounting issues; 
materiality; and the external 
auditor’s report on its review  
of that statement.

 – Conducted the 2019 Half Year 

risk review.

 – Received a further detailed 

presentation on the Group’s data 
security, including progress to date 
and plans for further improvement.

 – Advised the Board regarding  
the appropriateness of the 
proposed dividend.

 – Reviewed Deloitte’s plan for the 
audit of the Company’s 2019 
accounts, and the progress of the 
audit to date.

 – Led the appraisal of Deloitte’s 

performance during the audit of the 
Company’s 2018 results.

 – Reviewed and agreed the process 
for tendering the external audit 
during 2020, with a view to the new 
appointee (subject to shareholder 
approval), shadowing the incumbent 
external auditors on the 2020 audit 
and commencing as external 
auditor from 1 January 2021.

98 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Audit Committee Summary

The Audit Committee is chaired by Humphrey 
Singer. Robert Noel joined the Committee on 
his appointment to the Board on 1 October 
2019. All members of the Committee are 
Independent Non Executive Directors as 
required by the Code. The Board has 
determined that Humphrey Singer has recent 
and relevant financial experience as required by 
the Code. In addition, and in line with the 
Code, the Board considers that the Audit 
Committee when considered as a whole,  
has the necessary competence relevant to  
the housebuilding sector in which the 
Company operates.

Main objective
To assist the Board in fulfilling its corporate 
governance responsibilities relating to the 
Group’s risk management and internal  
control framework; internal audit process; 
financial reporting practices including the  
key accounting judgements and estimates; 
and external audit process.

Members

Committee members
Humphrey Singer (Chair)
Kate Barker
Angela Knight
Robert Noel(a)

Meetings 
attended
3/3
3/3
3/3
1/1

(a)  Appointed on 1 October 2019.

2019 key areas of focus
 – Monitored new initiatives to support 

business partnering by the Finance function.

 – Monitored the Commercial function’s  
new initiatives to further strengthen 
commercial controls.

 – Gained assurance that planned initiatives 
progressed within a robust framework.
 – Oversaw an update to the joint venture 

framework to ensure alignment with core 
frameworks, processes and controls within 
the business.

 – Engaged with the senior management team 
to ensure an effective and appropriate risk 
management and control framework 
continued to evolve.

 – Received the Group Fraud Risk Assessment 

and gave continuing focus thereto.

2020 key areas of focus
 – Oversee the external audit tender process.
 – Continued focus on key initiatives to support 
cost management and simplification of key 
commercial processes.

 – Gain assurance that current technology and 
ongoing related process improvements are 
implemented within a robust framework.

December 2019

February 2020

 – Received a briefing on key 

accounting judgements with regard 
to the Company’s 2019 accounts.
 – Oversaw the process of development 
of the Board’s Viability Statement 
included in its 2019 reporting.
 – Considered the risk review 

outcome for 2019.

 – Received a detailed presentation on 

progress to date and plans for further 
improving the Group’s IT systems 
and wider IT security more generally.

 – Conducted an interim review of 

progress against the Committee’s 
objectives for 2019.

 – Reviewed and approved the initial 

tender documentation commencing 
the process for the appointment of 
new external auditors.

 – Reviewed the draft 2019 Annual 
Report and Accounts, including 
significant accounting and 
audit issues; issues of materiality; 
and the external auditor’s report;  
and conducted a formal 
compliance check.

 – Reviewed and confirmed the 

processes which allow the Committee 
to ensure that the 2019 Annual 
Report and Accounts meets the 
requirements of Code Principle N, 
Provision 27, to present a fair, 
balanced and understandable 
assessment of the Company’s 
position and prospects.

 – Disclosed relevant audit information 
to the auditors and the required 
evidence in support of it.

 – Reviewed the Committee’s 

performance against its Terms of 
Reference during 2019.

 – Agreed Internal Audit’s programme 

of work for 2020.

 – Received an update on progress of 
the external audit tender process.
 – Recommended to the Board the 
reappointment of Deloitte as 
external auditor.

 – Reviewed the Group’s draft 2019 
Full Year Results Statement;  
and advised the Board regarding 
the appropriateness of the 
proposed dividends.

 – Concluded the 2019 risk review.
 – Reviewed the draft Viability 

Statement to appear in the 2019 
Annual Report and Accounts.

 – Reviewed the Committee’s 

performance against its objectives 
for 2019 and set objectives for 2020.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

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Governance 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control continued

Committee purpose and 
responsibilities
The membership of the Audit Committee  
is set out in the table on page 99. Committee 
meetings are also attended, by invitation,  
by the Chief Executive, Group Finance Director 
and Group Operations Director, the Chair and 
other Non Executive Directors (who traditionally 
attend the key Committee meetings dealing with 
the Company’s interim and full year accounts), 
Group Financial Controller who also has direct 
oversight of the risk management framework, 
Head of Internal Audit, other senior executives, 
the Company Secretary, Deputy Company 
Secretary and Deloitte LLP (Deloitte), the external 
auditor. The Committee also meets individually 
and privately with the Head of Internal Audit and 
with representatives from Deloitte during at least 
two Committee meetings per annum, which 
normally take place around the time of the 
Full and Half Year financial statements, in order 
to discuss any matters which the auditor may 
wish to raise in confidence, with only the 
Secretary being present.

It is a requirement of the Code that the 
Board should:

 – Establish formal and transparent policies and 
procedures to ensure the independence and 
effectiveness of internal and external audit 
functions and satisfy itself as to the integrity of 
financial and narrative statements.

 – Present a fair, balanced and understandable 

assessment of the Company’s position 
and prospects.

 – Establish procedures to manage risk, oversee 
the internal control framework, and determine 
the nature and extent of the Principal Risks 
the Company is willing to take in order to 
achieve its long term strategic objectives.

Committee activities during 2019
The Audit Committee met on three occasions 
during the year. The reports considered at the 
February 2020 meeting concluded the 
Committee’s activities with regard to the 
Company’s 2019 reporting and have been 
included on this page. 

At those meetings, the Committee carried  
out its remit which, in addition to reviewing at 
each meeting the summary reports of Internal 
Audit activity, primarily included reviews of 
the following:

 – Financial reporting practices.
 – The risk management and internal control 

framework.

 – The internal audit process.
 – Checking for any incidences of fraud, actual, 

alleged or precautionary, and ensuring proper 
controls and a response plan are in place.

 – Preparations for the tendering of the 

external Auditor role.

In carrying out these activities, the Committee 
places reliance on regular reports from Executive 
Management, Internal Audit and from Deloitte. 
In monitoring the financial reporting practices, 
the Committee reviewed accounting policies, 
areas of judgement highlighted by Executive 
Management and Deloitte, the going concern 
assumptions and compliance with accounting 
standards and the requirements of the Code.

Committee competence
A key requirement of the FRC’s guidance on 
Audit Committees is that each Committee 
member should have sufficient knowledge, 
training and expertise to contribute effectively to 
the Committee’s deliberations.

The Committee Chair has extensive experience 
of the financial reporting requirements of FTSE 100 
companies; of financial reporting preparation and 
compliance for public companies; and of dealing 
with internal and external auditors in his previous 
roles with Marks and Spencer Group plc and 
Dixons Carphone plc. He also has previous 
experience of both attending Audit Committee 
meetings and of being a member of an Audit 
Committee. This experience has given him an 
insight into key areas of shareholder concern 
and independent experience of robustly 
challenging both Management and the external 
and internal auditor.

The Committee Chair is assisted by three other 
Independent Non Executive Directors:

 – Kate Barker has wide experience of key areas 
in which the Company operates day to day, 
having led Government policy reviews into 
housing supply and land use planning. She 
also has experience of being a non executive 
director with Man Group plc and previously 
with Yorkshire Building Society.

 – Angela Knight has wide experience of financial 
services and banking and has extensive non 
executive director experience.

 – Robert Noel, who joined the Committee on 

1 October 2019, has considerable experience  
of the property sector and wide commercial 
experience as CEO of Land Securities 
Group PLC.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Committee is confident that its members 
collectively have the necessary competence 
relevant for the housebuilding sector as 
envisioned by the Code.

As described in the Nomination Committee 
Report on page 90, there is a formal process  
of induction for new Directors and this includes 
specific reference to supporting competence in 
relevant Committee areas through exposure to 
appropriate areas of the Company’s operations 
and performance.

All the members of the Audit Committee are 
Independent Non Executive Directors and the 
Chair has recent and relevant financial 
experience as required by the Code.

The Committee is confident that its composition; 
balance; and expertise can give shareholders 
confidence that the financial; reporting; risk; and 
control processes of the Company are subjected 
to the appropriate level of independent, robust 
and challenging oversight.

Committee evaluation
The Board evaluation for 2019, which is 
described more fully in the Nomination 
Committee Report on page 92, included an 
appraisal of the performance of the Audit 
Committee and individually of its Chair and 
other members.

The outcome of the appraisal was that the 
Committee was considered to continue to 
operate effectively, with the necessary level  
of expertise and independent challenge,  
and with no specific actions arising requiring 
further improvement.

At its February 2020 meeting, the Committee 
reviewed its performance against its objectives 
and Terms of Reference during 2019, which was 
considered to have been satisfactory.

Risk management and internal 
control

Risk management

The Committee’s objective for 2019 in this 
area was:

 – To ensure risk remains within the Company’s 

agreed risk appetite and is adequately 
monitored and reviewed as appropriate to 
reflect external and internal changes.

To achieve this objective, the Committee 
undertook the following during 2019:

 – The risk review was conducted twice during 
the year, at the Committee’s July (half year) 
and December (full year) meetings and 
covered both the systems used and the 
reported risks.

A number of enhancements were made during 
2019 and into 2020 to the processes for 
identifying, assessing, monitoring, reporting, and 
managing the residual elements of risk. This 
included examination of best practice 
comparators in industry and reflecting these in 
the Company’s own processes around risk and 
the assessment of risk appetite.

The Audit Committee conducted a detailed 
review of risk at its July and December meetings 
immediately preceding the Board meeting and 
on each occasion provided advice to the Board 
in connection with the Board’s own risk review.

The Committee received regular updates on the 
review of historic and more current 
developments following the tragic fire at Grenfell 
Tower and actions taken by the Company to 
comply with Government guidance on fire safety.

During the year, the Board and Audit Committee 
received updates on key information technology 
risks, including the resilience of the Group’s 
systems to cyber attack and action taken to 
maintain security.

The Board undertook a longer term risk review in 
preparation for future strategy reviews.

The Board’s objectives for 2020 in this area are:

 – To ensure risk remains within the Company’s 

agreed risk appetite and is adequately 
monitored and reviewed as appropriate to 
reflect external and internal changes.

 – To continue to develop the Company’s risk 
processes in light of evolving best practice.

The Group has established an ongoing process 
of risk management and internal control, 
applying Principle O and its supporting 
Provisions of the Code which relates to 
determining the nature and extent of Principal 
Risks and the maintenance of sound risk 
management and internal control systems. The 
Board is responsible for the effectiveness of the 
system of internal control, which has been 
designed to meet the requirements of the Group 
and the risks it encounters, over various time 
horizons, including taking account of 
environmental, social and governance 
considerations. The systems cannot eliminate 
the risk of failure but rather seek to manage both 
the likelihood of their occurrence and the extent 
of their impact, and can only provide reasonable 
and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

The Principal Risks facing the Company,  
as assessed by the Board, are set out on 
pages 48 to 52, together with information on  
the mitigations for each risk, and a description 
on page 46 of the Group’s appetite for risk.

The Board makes its assessment of risk half 
yearly, after overseeing, with advice from the 
Audit Committee, a bottom-up and top-down 
review of risk in all areas of the business, with a 
time horizon of up to five years. Action to 
mitigate the effect of each one is led by the 
Chief Executive either directly or indirectly in 
conjunction with the Group Management 
Team (GMT).

The Board’s assessments use a standard 
methodology which takes into account 
environmental, social and governance 
considerations. In compliance with the Code, 
the Board, led by the Audit Committee, also 
regularly reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s 
system of internal control in providing a 
responsible assessment and mitigation of risks. 

The Board’s monitoring covers all controls, 
including financial, operational, compliance  
and assurance controls which include 
risk management.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

101

Governance 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control continued

Emerging risks

The Committee has overseen additional 
consideration in relation to emerging, longer term 
potential risks in line with developing guidance in 
this area. A detailed review was conducted by 
Management, in discussion with the Group 
Operation Team, taking the form of ‘horizon 
scanning’ for potential emerging risks, which 
were then grouped into the following categories 
and agreed by the Board as:

 – Environmental.
 – Political and economic.
 – Social.
 – Operations.
 – Technical.
 – Governmental.

For each of these emerging risks, a timeline  
of its likely emergence is being mapped and 
further consideration given to its potential  
impact on the Company. This will enable any 
appropriate mitigation actions to be planned  
and introduced, including consideration of best 
practice in this area.

Examples of the Board’s and the Committee’s 
reviews in this regard are around the possible 
impact of Brexit and are set out in the 
explanation of the process leading to the making 
of the Viability Statement on page 52; and the 
assessment of, and mitigation steps related to, 
risk arising from the impact of the market 
environment on page 49 and material costs and 
the availability of subcontractors on page 50.

Internal control

Compliance with the Group’s system of internal 
control is primarily driven and co-ordinated 
through compliance with an established 
Operating Framework supported by detailed 
manuals covering the main disciplines. These 
include clear levels of delegated authority, 
responsibility and accountability, and are subject 
to periodic review to ensure they remain 
appropriate and proportionate to the Group’s 
changing strategic and operating requirements. 
Adherence to the Operating Framework is 
monitored by the senior management team and 
assessed independently by Internal Audit. At its 
half year and year end meetings, the Board 
reviews risk in relation to the Company’s 
strategic objectives and its current plans to 
deliver them. It also reviews progress and 
performance in action taken to mitigate the 
impact of those risks.

The Board is supported in this by more regular 
and detailed reviews by the Audit Committee, 
including the review of reports from Internal 
Audit, and by risk reviews across the business, 
led by the GMT. These reviews during 2019 
resulted in a number of enhancements to internal 
controls, designed to better manage risk across 
the business, as outlined in the key areas of 
focus for 2019 on page 99.

The Committee also oversees the actions being 
taken to monitor Information Technology (IT) 
initiatives which aim to either directly protect 
against and reduce the risk of cyber-related  
type attacks and fraud; support and enhance 
the current IT environment including data 
protection; or that are crucial in their contribution 
to key business initiatives aiming to enhance  
the experience of customers, suppliers and/
or employees.

At its meeting in February 2020, the Board,  
after conducting its own review and after 
reviewing more detailed assessments from the 
Audit Committee, remained satisfied that the 
system of internal control continued to be 
effective in identifying, assessing, and ranking 
the various risks facing the Company; and in 
monitoring and reporting progress in mitigating 
their potential impact on the Company. 
The Board also approved the statement of  
the Principal Risks and uncertainties set out 
on pages 48 to 52 of this Annual Report.

External auditor

Re-appointment

As noted earlier, Deloitte LLP is the Company’s 
external auditor. A new audit partner, Dean 
Cook, is the partner in charge of the audit of the 
Company’s 2019 accounts, after ‘shadowing’ 
the previous partner during the 2018 annual audit.

The Committee considers that the relationship 
with Deloitte is working well and is satisfied with 
their effectiveness. Their performance is kept 
under regular review by the Board and the Audit 
Committee and the Committee undertakes a formal 
assessment of the external audit process each year, 
including both current and ongoing suitability.

This review takes the form of a detailed checklist 
and questionnaire issued to Directors; executives 
involved in the detailed stages of the audit 
process; and a representative sample of 
employees in regional business units.

The Committee also considered the output from 
the Financial Reporting Council’s Audit Quality 
Review (AQR) annual inspection of audit firms to 
ensure the matters identified by the AQR have 
been addressed in the audit of the Company’s 
2019 financial statements.

In addition, the Committee considered whether 
the external auditor had appropriately challenged 
management estimates and judgements.  
The auditor’s report (starting on page 140) 
details the key matters that were considered as 
part of the year end audit. This includes details  
of the procedures performed by Deloitte to 
assess the estimates and judgements made 
by management.

The outcome of this review was that the 
Committee recommended to the Board, which 
in turn is recommending to shareholders in 
Resolution 13 at the 2020 AGM on page 192, 
that Deloitte LLP should continue as external 
auditor to the Company.

The Company will of course keep the matter 
under regular review, taking into account the 
annual performance review to be conducted by 
the Committee as well as other relevant factors. 
There are no contractual restrictions on the 
Company’s selection of its external auditor.

Tender
The Company last conducted a tender process 
for the external audit in 2007/2008. UK rules 
relating to the requirement for rotation of external 
auditors by FTSE 350 companies permit 
transitional arrangements in line with guidance 
issued by the FRC which, applied to the 
Company, allow the present auditor, Deloitte, 
to continue in office up to and including the 
conclusion of the audit of the Company’s 2020 
accounts. This is considered by the Committee 
to be in the interests of shareholders and 
other stakeholders. 

During the year, we commenced the external 
audit tender process. This is being overseen by 
the Chair of the Audit Committee and is being 
carried out in compliance with the provisions of 
the Competition and Markets Authority Audit 
Order 2014. It also considers guidance and best 
practice being issued in light of the current 
ongoing reviews of the audit market.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

During 2019, we have completed several 
planning steps, including:

 – Agreeing detailed selection criteria for the 
evaluation of the audit firms and a tender 
timetable to enable a smooth transition from 
our current external auditor, which subject to 
relevant Board and shareholder approvals, 
would enable the selected firm to ‘shadow’ 
Deloitte on the external audit of the 2020 
financial statements.

 – Reviewing the FRC’s AQRs in assessing and 

determining potential firms to invite to 
participate in the audit tender process.

 – Selecting three firms to invite to the 

tender process.

 – Interviewing and selecting potential lead 

audit partners.

 – Approving the Request For Proposal (RFP) 
that was issued in December 2019. At this 
stage, one firm withdrew from the process 
and therefore two firms progressed to the 
next stage.

Full details of the decision and the full process of 
review and assessment underpinning it, will be 
included in next year’s Annual Report.

Statement of compliance
The Company has complied throughout the 
reporting year with the provisions of The 
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies 
Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of 
Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.

Appointment of the auditor for  
non-audit services

The Audit Committee has a formal policy, 
reviewed annually, on whether the Company’s 
external auditor should be employed to provide 
services other than audit services. In line with the 
Code, the Committee has regard to the relevant 
ethical guidance regarding the provision of 
non-audit services by Deloitte.

As part of that policy, the Committee has 
determined that the following assignments 
should not be undertaken by the auditors:

 – Bookkeeping or other services related to the 
accounting records or financial statements.

 – Internal audit outsourcing services.
 – The provision of advice on large Information 

Technology systems.

 – Services connected with valuation, litigation 
support, legal, recruitment or remuneration.

Where non-audit services have an initial or 
forecast face value in excess of £100,000 there 
must be prior review and authorisation by the 
Group Finance Director and the Committee.

The Board is satisfied that this policy meets the 
EU Audit Directive and Audit Regulation 2016, 
and will be conducive to the maintenance of 
good governance, best practice and auditor 
independence and objectivity.

Deloitte undertook non-audit services in the form 
of assurance work carried out in connection with 
the announcement of the Company’s half year 
results for 2019, which is of direct benefit to 
shareholders although it is not formally regarded 
as ‘audit’ work for reporting purposes.

The Audit Committee fully recognises and 
supports the importance of the independence of 
auditors. Its review of the auditor’s performance 
during 2019 included non-audit services. The 
Committee is satisfied that the carrying out of 
the above work did not, and will not going 
forward, impair the independence of the external 
auditor. It also recognises that, from time to time, 
there is a clear commercial advantage based on 
cost and timetable requirements in using the 
Company’s auditors. As a result, the value of 
non-audit services work was £0.1 million in 2019 
(2018: £0.1 million) which represents approximately 
14% of the audit fee as set out in Note 6 to the 
Accounts on page 161.

Internal Audit
Internal Audit’s primary role is to support the 
Board and Management, and to protect the 
assets, reputation and sustainability of the 
Group. The function is led by the Head of 
Internal Audit who has direct access to the Chair 
of the Audit Committee and the Chair of the 
Board, protecting the function’s independence. 
The Head of Internal Audit also has access to 
the Chief Executive and the other Executive 
Directors, as required.

Internal Audit reviews the effectiveness and 
efficiency of the systems of internal control in 
place to safeguard the assets; to quantify, price, 
transfer, avoid or mitigate risks; and to monitor 
the activities of the Group in accomplishing 
established objectives.

The Internal Audit plan, and the individual audits 
conducted in line with the audit plan, are driven 
primarily by the Group’s strategic plan and key 
risks. Following each review, an Internal Audit 
report is provided to both the management 
responsible for the area reviewed and the GMT. 
These reports outline Internal Audit’s opinion of 
the management control framework in place 
together with actions indicating improvements 
proposed or made as appropriate. The Chief 
Executive, the GMT and senior management 
consider the reports on a regular basis and  
are responsible for ensuring that improvements 
are made as agreed. A database of audit 
recommendations and improvement initiatives is 
maintained. Follow-up and escalation processes 
ensure that such improvements are implemented 
and fully embedded in a timely manner.

The Company belongs to and participates in 
industry-wide forums and other initiatives aimed 
at combating fraud within the housebuilding and 
construction industry.

Summaries of all key Internal Audit reviews and 
activity and resulting reports are provided to the 
Audit Committee for review and discussion.

The Internal Audit function also reviews 
proposed related-party transactions, such as 
purchases by employees from Group 
companies, to provide assurance that proper 
procedures are followed and that such 
procedures are undertaken strictly in accordance 
with the formal policy in place and, where 
applicable, company law.

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Governance 
Audit, Risk and Internal Control continued

The most recent independent formal evaluation 
of the Internal Audit function was carried out in 
2015 on behalf of the Audit Committee by PwC 
and its finding was that Internal Audit continues 
to operate effectively. A number of initiatives 
were progressed subsequently to ensure the 
Internal Audit function continues to meet both 
current best practice and the evolving needs of 
the Group. The next such evaluation is currently 
being planned for 2020 and will consider the 
recommendations included in the Code of 
Practice for effective internal audit in the private 
and third sectors, published in January 2020 by 
the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.

Going concern
The Group has prepared forecasts, including 
certain sensitivities, taking into account the 
Principal Risks and uncertainties identified on 
pages 48 to 52. Having considered these 
forecasts, the Directors remain of the view that 
the Group’s financing arrangements and capital 
structure provide both the necessary facilities 
and covenant headroom to enable the Group to 
conduct its business for at least the next 12 
months. The Committee reviewed the forecasts 
and the Directors’ expectations based thereon, 
and agreed that they were reasonable. 
Accordingly, the consolidated financial 
statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis.

Viability Statement
The Viability Statement is designed to be a 
longer term view of the sustainability of the 
Company’s strategy and business model and 
related resourcing, in the light of projected wider 
economic and market developments. The 
Committee considered whether there should be 
any change to the five-year period chosen for 
the statement but remained of the opinion that 
this continued to be appropriate, taking into 
account the balance sheet strength and 
development cycle. The Committee also 
reviewed the Directors’ expectations; the criteria 
upon which they were based; and the 
sensitivities applied, including how these linked 
to the Principal Risks faced by the business;  
and agreed that they were reasonable. The 
statement appears on page 52 together with 
details of the processes, assumptions, and 
testing which underpin it.

Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Fair, balanced and understandable

A key requirement of our financial statements is 
that they are fair, balanced and understandable, 
and that they include the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy.

The Committee monitors the integrity of the 
Group’s reporting process and financial 
management; and reviews in detail the work  
of the external auditor and any significant 
financial judgements and estimates made 
by Management.

It considers the output from the above and 
reviews the Full Year and Half Year financial 
statements before proposing them to the Board 
for consideration.

The review of the Company’s Annual Report and 
Accounts took the form of a detailed assessment 
of the collaborative process of drafting them, 
which involves the Company’s Investor 
Relations; Company Secretariat; and Finance 
functions, with guidance and input from other 
relevant functions and external advisers.  
It ensured that there is a clear and unified  
link between this Annual Report and Accounts 
and the Company’s other external reporting,  
and between the three main sections of the 
Annual Report and Accounts – the Strategic 
Report; the Governance Reports; and the 
Financial Statements.

In particular, the Committee:

 – Reviewed all material matters, as reported 

elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 – Ensured that it correctly reflected the 

Company’s performance in the reporting year, 
as described in this Annual Report.
 – Ensured that it presented a consistent 

message throughout.

 – Ensured that it correctly reflected the 

Company’s business model, as described on 
pages 30 and 31.

 – Ensured that it correctly described the 

Company’s strategy, as described on pages 
24 to 29.

 – Considered whether it presented the 

information in a clear and concise manner, 
illustrated by appropriate KPIs, to facilitate 
shareholders’ access to relevant information.

Significant items
The items below are those that the Audit 
Committee has considered in discharging its 
duties and in considering the financial reporting 
of the Group.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

More detail on how the Board and the Audit 
Committee have addressed the assessment, 
control and mitigation of risk, and the oversight 
of the internal and external audit functions, 
appear in the Audit Committee Report on 
pages 101 to 104

ACM cladding and leasehold 
provisions
The Committee reviewed senior management’s 
updates on the progress of rectification of 
buildings identified with ACM cladding materials, 
together with utilisation and estimates of the 
remaining provision. The Committee also 
reviewed the level of applications received in 
respect of the Ground Rent Review Assistance 
Scheme, the utilisation of the provision and latest 
management assumptions.

Recommendation to the Board
The outcome of the above processes, together 
with the views presented by Deloitte, was that 
the Committee recommended, and in turn the 
Board confirmed, that the 2019 Annual Report 
and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable, and provides 
the necessary information for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy. 

Cost allocation of inventory
The cost allocation framework used across the 
Group, controls the way in which inventory is 
costed and allocated across each development. 
It also ensures that any costs incurred in excess 
of the original budget are recognised appropriately 
as the site progresses. The Committee reviewed 
reports and recommendations from the senior 
management team in relation to areas of the 
business recognising cost excesses. The 
Committee also reviewed the work undertaken 
by Deloitte which included testing of the 
Group-wide controls to monitor cost allocation. 
These reviews enabled the Committee to  
gain assurance that the framework is 
applied consistently.

Defined Benefit Pension valuations 
and Pension Increase Exchange (PIE)
The Committee reviewed the funding position of 
the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme and 
discussed and agreed the market-based 
assumptions used to establish the net pension 
deficit recognised on the balance sheet at 
31 December 2019.

The Committee also reviewed the assumptions 
used in calculating the credit to the income 
statement as a result of the PIE exercise 
undertaken in the year for members of the 
Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme.

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105

Governance 
Remuneration

Remuneration Committee report

The 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code
The Committee welcomes the wider remit and 
responsibilities placed on it by the introduction of 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
Code). During 2019 we focused on embedding 
the new responsibilities into our existing 
processes and updated the Committee’s Terms 
of Reference to ensure that they meet both the 
Code and wider best practice and also to ensure 
that the Committee considers all relevant matters 
when discharging its responsibilities. 

Remuneration Policy review
This Report looks at how the current remuneration 
policy (current policy) for Executive Directors has 
been applied during 2019 and will also explain the 
Committee’s thinking around the proposed new 
policy (New Policy) which, if approved by 
shareholders, will apply from 2020 to 2022.

Our current policy has successfully accommodated 
the significant changes that have taken place to 
our business and its leadership during its 
three-year term. Over a period of strong financial 
performance, we believe that there has been a 
clear and appropriate link between performance 
and reward. We have administered the current 
policy robustly including, for example, using 
Committee discretion to scale back 2017 
Executive Director bonuses; and accordingly, 

the vote each year on our Directors’ 
Remuneration Report has been strongly 
supported by shareholders – which has been 
very much appreciated. Further details on how 
the current policy has been applied during 2019 
can be found on pages 121 to 131.

We believe that current remuneration levels  
are appropriately positioned and no changes to 
the maximum limits of either the Executive 
Incentive Scheme bonus (EIS, our annual bonus) 
or Performance Share Plan (PSP, our long term 
incentive plan) are proposed under the New 
Policy. Therefore, it is proposed that the 
structure of the current policy be effectively  
rolled over for the next three-year policy period 
– albeit updated to bring it into line with the 
Code and investor requirements on matters 
such as pension provision and post-employment 
shareholding requirements. 

Under the proposed New Policy, the Committee 
has carefully considered pension arrangements 
for Executive Directors. We propose to reduce 
all Executive Directors’ pension contributions to 
10%, which is the level of the pension 
contribution available to the majority of the 
workforce. As this will be a reduction in the 
Executive Directors’ contractual entitlements,  
the Committee proposes that this will be done 
over the next five years. Further details of how 
this will be done can be found on pages 113, 
116 and 121.

Main objective

To establish and maintain formal and transparent 
procedures for developing policy on executive 
remuneration to deliver the Company’s strategy 
and value for shareholders; to agree, monitor and 
report on the remuneration of individual Directors 
and senior executives; and to review wider 
workforce remuneration and other policies in 
accordance with the 2018 Code.

2019 activities
 – Reviewed the Remuneration Policy and 

developed a new Remuneration Policy for 
consideration at the 2020 AGM.

 – Reviewed and adopted updated Terms of 

 – Continued to encourage share ownership 

across the business through participation in 
our all-employee share plans. 

 – Agreed the retirement arrangements for the 

Group Legal Director and Company 
Secretary and agreed the fee for the 
Chair-designate.

2020 objectives
 – Implement the revised Remuneration Policy 

(subject to shareholder approval at the 
2020 AGM).

 – Continue to consider the evolution of the 
performance conditions in line with the 
business strategy.

Reference in line with the 2018 Code.

 – Monitor senior management remuneration in 

 – Embedded ways in which employee views 

were taken into account in relation to pay at 
Board and senior management level.

 – Reviewed the performance conditions for the 

EIS and PSP.

line with the Code.

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder
Following my appointment as Chair of Taylor 
Wimpey’s Remuneration Committee in April 
2019, I am pleased to present the 2019 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for Taylor Wimpey.

The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) 
remains mindful of the continuing debate around 
Executive Director remuneration from both  
a workforce and wider societal perspective.  
As a Committee we look to ensure that our 
remuneration policies and practices are directly 
linked to the Company’s purpose and values; 
and to the successful delivery of our long term 
strategy for the benefit of our shareholders and 
our wider stakeholders.

Remuneration Committee Summary

The Committee is chaired by Gwyn Burr. 
The Committee consists of three independent 
Non Executive Directors as required by the 
Code and also the Chair-designate and Chair 
of the Board. Its members are set out in the 
table below.

Committee members
Gwyn Burr (Chair)(a)
Kate Barker(b)
Kevin Beeston(c)
Irene Dorner(d)
Angela Knight

Meetings 
attended
4/4
4/4
4/4
1/1
4/4

(a)  Appointed as Chair of the Committee on 

25 April 2019.

(b)  Stood down as Chair of the Committee on  

25 April 2019.

(c)  To stand down from the Board on 26 February 2020.
(d)  Appointed to the Committee on 1 December 2019 
and as Chair of the Company on 26 February 2020.

106 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Committee has also reviewed the required 
minimum level of share ownership (which is 
200% of salary) and considers this to remain 
appropriate for the New Policy, recognising that 
two of the three Executive Directors are building 
their shareholdings to this level and the value of 
the Chief Executive’s shareholding is significantly 
in excess of this minimum. In addition, in line 
with the Code and shareholder guidance, we are 
introducing a post-employment shareholding 
requirement for the Executive Directors to hold 
200% of salary, or their shareholding level at the 
time of cessation if their 200% shareholding 
requirement has not yet been met, for at least 
two years.

Overall, we believe that these changes represent 
a sensible evolution of the current policy, 
showing restraint and embracing the latest best 
practice requirements from both corporate 
governance guidance and feedback from 
shareholder engagement. Further details on the 
proposed changes and why the Committee 
believes the New Policy is in accordance with 
the Code can be found on page 112.

Wider workforce remuneration 
The Committee took the wider workforce 
remuneration policies and practices into 
consideration when determining the New Policy 
for Executive Directors. We have also used both 
internal and external measures to ensure that it 
remains appropriate (including pay gaps and pay 
ratios). The Committee is comfortable that the 
incentives and rewards available to the wider 
workforce are directly linked to the culture and 
strategy of Taylor Wimpey at all levels, including 
the Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors. 

I was pleased to attend the National Employee 
Forum (NEF) where I took the opportunity to 
discuss the proposed New Policy and the wider 
remuneration policies and practices alignment 
with executive pay more generally. I was 
encouraged to see the level of engagement  
from the NEF employee members and look 
forward to further engagement with the NEF  
in the near future.

Subject to shareholder approval at the 2020 
AGM, management will apply the New Policy 
and review the Group’s overall remuneration 
policies and incentive arrangements for the wider 
management team, to ensure a clear and 
coherent policy cascade supporting the Group’s 
strategy, throughout the policy period. The 
Committee will be providing input and challenge 
as part of this process.

The Committee also encourages employee 
share ownership across the business and is 
pleased that 57% of all employees either 
participate in one or both of our all-employee 
share schemes, or are otherwise shareholders in 
the business. 

Shareholder engagement
The Committee has continued its much-valued 
and long-established practice of engaging and 
consulting with its key institutional investors and 
with shareholder representative bodies.  
We are very grateful for the constructive 
engagement that has taken place with regard to 
both the proposed New Policy, performance 
during 2019, and remuneration proposals 
for 2020. 

Board changes
The Committee considered the remuneration 
arrangements in relation to the Board changes 
that happened during 2019. These included the 
retirement arrangements for James Jordan as 
Group Legal Director and Company Secretary 
and the appointment of Irene Dorner as 
Chair-designate.

Committee activities during 2019

February 2019

March 2019

July 2019

 – Approved the retirement 

arrangements for James Jordan 
(Group Legal Director and 
Company Secretary)  and the 
remuneration of Alice Marsden 
(Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary).

 – Initial consideration of the 2020 
Remuneration Policy update.
 – Agreed the fee for Irene Dorner 

(Chair-designate) .

 – Reviewed feedback from major 

shareholders on the remuneration 
consultation conducted in 
December 2018 around the 
Company’s remuneration 
proposals for 2019.

 – Considered and approved the 

salary review proposals for 2019 
for the Executive Directors and the 
wider executive team.

 – Considered and approved the 

outcome of the EIS for 2018 and of 
the PSP Award vesting in 2019.
 – Considered and approved the 

Committee’s Terms of Reference 
which had been updated in line 
with the Code.

 – Reviewed and approved the 
Remuneration Report for the 
Company’s 2018 Annual Report 
and Accounts.

 – Reviewed and approved the 

EIS scheme rules, which had  
been updated to include malus 
and clawback.

 – Received an update from Korn 
Ferry and agreed the proposed 
timeline in respect of the 2020 
Remuneration Policy update.
 – Received an overview of the 
Company-wide remuneration 
policies and practices. 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

107

Governance 
Remuneration continued

As announced on 28 March 2019, James 
Jordan stepped down from the Board on 
31 December 2019. Remuneration paid to 
James during 2019, and until he retires from  
the business on 31 March 2020, is in 
accordance with his contractual terms and the 
current policy which is consistent with the 
statement published on the Company’s website 
on 31 December 2019. Further details can be  
found on page 123.

As announced, our new Chair, Irene Dorner,  
has been appointed and from her accession to 
the Chair of the Board on 26 February 2020  
she will receive a fee of £320,000 per annum, 
the same as Kevin Beeston, her predecessor. 
Irene joined the Board on 1 December 2019 as 
a Non Executive Director and Chair-designate 
and her fees were the same as our basic 
Non Executive Director fees until she became 
Chair. I am also pleased to have welcomed 
Irene to the Committee and look forward to 
working with her in 2020 and beyond.

2019 performance and incentive plan 
payments
During the year, the current policy operated as 
intended in terms of Company performance and 
quantum. The EIS and PSP continued to 
operate with clearly defined performance 
conditions, which are set at the start of the 
relevant performance period.

Our trading performance during 2019 was  
very much in line with our expectations, against 
the backdrop of strong sales rates but also 
ongoing political and macro-uncertainty. As a 
result the EIS outturn for 2019 was 50.6%  
of the maximum. 

The PSP award granted in 2017, which 
measured performance up to the end of  
2019 vested in part. Cash Conversion, Return 
on Net Operating Assets (RONOA) and Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) against the FTSE 100 
vested in full, Operating Profit Margin partially 
vested and the TSR measure against the 
housebuilder peer group did not vest. On this 
basis, the performance against the five measures 
led to an overall vesting of 62.8% of the 2017 
PSP Award.

Full details of the performance targets and the 
results achieved for both the EIS and PSP can 
be found on pages 125 and 126 of this report.

The Committee looked at the broader 
circumstances in which performance against the 
measures for both incentive plans has been 
delivered and is comfortable that there has been 
a strong link between reward and both financial 
and operational performance. The Committee is 
also comfortable that there are no exceptional 
circumstances that require the consideration of 
discretion to be applied. 

2020 remuneration approach and 
alignment to strategic objectives
The Committee reviews the performance 
conditions for the Company’s incentive plans 
each year to ensure that they remain appropriate 
and directly linked to our strategy. Therefore, 
following shareholder consultation, we have 
taken the opportunity to update and refresh the 
performance conditions used in both the EIS 
and PSP to ensure that they remain aligned to 
the Company’s long term strategy.

October 2019

December 2019

 – Further consideration of the Remuneration 

Policy update and the application of the policy 
to senior management .

 – Final consideration of the proposed changes to be 

made to the 2020 Remuneration Policy.

 – Agreed the remuneration consultation letter to be sent 
to major shareholders and shareholder representative 
bodies setting out the proposed changes to be made 
for the 2020 Remuneration Policy.

 – Considered reports from Korn Ferry on executive 

remuneration benchmarking.

 – Considered a general governance update from Korn 

Ferry on remuneration considerations.

 – Preliminary discussions on salary proposals for 2020; 
projected outcomes of the 2019 EIS and PSP Award 
vesting in 2020.

 – Considered the performance measures and targets for 

the 2020 EIS and 2020 PSP Award.

108 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Customer Service
As detailed in the Strategic Report on pages 24 
and 25 over the last two years there has been an 
increased emphasis on the business strategy 
that places the customer front and centre in 
what Taylor Wimpey does. As a result, the 
Committee has decided to reflect this by 
including a customer service measure in each of 
the EIS and PSP to ensure that customers 
remain the focus both in the short and longer 
term. A customer services measure has 
operated in the EIS for several years; however, 
this will be the first time that customer 
performance is measured over the three-year 
performance period in the PSP. 

Healthy cash returns
Cashflow is considered to be a critical measure 
for the business as there continues to be a level 
of uncertainty in relation to the housing market. 
Therefore, the Committee has decided that a 
cashflow measure, Cash Conversion, will operate 
in both the EIS and the PSP (Cash Conversion 
will be assessed as an aggregate across the full 
three-year period for PSP) in 2020. This will 
ensure that our priority remains converting our 
profit into healthy cash returns and will provide 
strong support for further dividend progression 
over the medium term.

In relation to the EIS performance measures: 
Group Operating Profit, Customer Service and 
Build Quality will remain for 2020; however, 
Order Book and RONOA will be replaced by 
Cash Conversion and Operating Profit Margin. 
A focus on Operating Profit Margin will ensure a 
focus on our cost discipline and mitigate future 
build cost inflation. Further details on these two 
new measures can be found on page 122.

The performance conditions to be used in the 
PSP will retain TSR as a measure; however, to 
simplify the TSR element, the relative TSR 
measured against the FTSE 100 will no longer 
be used. Instead 40% of the Award will focus 
solely on our performance against a listed 
housebuilder peer group. Customer Service will 
replace Operating Profit Margin, but Cash 
Conversion will remain a measure for the 2020 
Award. This reduces the number of measures 
that performance is measured against and 
ensures a simpler, more direct link to strategy, in 
respect of the Award.

The targets for the performance conditions in 
both the EIS and PSP are stretching and 
challenging and will not reward mediocre 
performance. Further details on the weightings 
and targets for both incentive plans can be 
found on page 122. 

The average salary increase being proposed 
across the Company for 2020 is 2% and will 
apply with effect from 1 April 2020. This increase 
will also apply to Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and 
Jennie Daly as well as to the wider senior 
management team.

Finally, I’d like to take the opportunity to  
thank Kate Barker for her stewardship of the 
Remuneration Committee since 2016, and  
Kevin Beeston for his wise counsel to the 
Committee during his nine years of membership 
of the Committee.

I very much hope that you will feel able to 
support our New Policy; the level of 
remuneration paid with respect to 2019; and the 
manner in which we propose to implement the 
New Policy during 2020.

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

25 February 2020

Executive Directors’ total remuneration
The chart below compares the 2019 single figure for total remuneration for each of the Executive Directors with the equivalent figure for 2018.

Executive 
Director

Pete Redfern
Chief Executive

2019

2018

Single total remuneration figure (£’000)

38%

34%

22%

40%

 £3,023

37%

29%

 £3,272

Chris Carney
Group Finance Director

2019

44%

27%

29%  £1,237

2018

40%

43% 17%  £963

James Jordan
Group Legal Director
and Company 
Secretary

Jennie Daly
Group Operations 
Director

2019

2018

2019

39%

21%

40%

 £1,440

35%

36%

29%

 £1,549

51%

31%

18%

 £987

2018

41%

46%

13%  £653

Appointed to Board on 20 April 2018
See page 124 for single figure of remuneration

Stood down from the Board on 
31 December 2019

Appointed to Board on 20 April 2018
See page 124 for single figure of remuneration

£0

£1,000

£2,000

£3,000

£4,000

Fixed pay

EIS

PSP

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

109

Governance 
Remuneration continued

Remuneration at a glance

Application of the current Remuneration Policy in 2019

Policy elements

Award timeline

Purpose

  Measure

Strategic  
goal

KPI

Stakeholders

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Executive 
Incentive 
Scheme 
(Annual  
bonus)  
(EIS)

Long Term 
Incentive 
Plan (PSP)

Base  
salary

Benefits

Pension

l

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a
P
e
b
a
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r
a
V

y
a
P
d
e
x
F

i

To reward the achievement of 
stretching objectives that 
support the Company’s 
annual and strategic goals

  Operating Profit*

RONOA*

Order Book

Customer Service

Build Quality

To assist with retention and 
the incentivisation and 
motivation of senior executives 
to deliver long term returns to 
shareholders

  TSR v Peer Group

TSR v FTSE 100

Cash Conversion*

Operating Profit Margin*  

RONOA*

To recruit and reward 
executives of a suitable calibre 
for the role and duties required

To provide a competitive 
package of benefits to assist 
with recruitment and retention 
of staff

To provide competitive 
retirement benefits that 
represent an appropriate level 
of cost and risk for the 
Group’s shareholders

Performance period

Deferral / holding periods

 * Read more about our financial definitions on page 58.

Read more about our strategic 
goals on page 24

Read more about our KPIs on 
pages 25 to 29

Read more about our stakeholders 
on pages 32 to 43

110 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Directors’ remuneration in 2019

2019 EIS outcome

2017 PSP outcome

  Weighting Outcome

  Weighting Outcome

  Operating Profit

40% 14.9%

RONOA

  Order Book

  Customer Service

Build Quality

20% 12.1%

10%

20%

10%

7.3%

6.3%

10%

TSR v Peer Group

TSR v FTSE 100

  Cash Conversion

Operating Profit 
Margin

RONOA

30%

20%

15%

15%

20%

0%

20%

15% 

7.8%

20%

2019 actual remuneration v 2019 on target potential
(£000’s)

Pete Redfern
Chief Executive

£3,023

40%

£2,181

18%

22%

30%

38%

52%

Chris Carney
Group Finance Director

£1,237

29%

£989

27%

12%
33%

James Jordan
Group Legal Director and 
Company Secretary

£1,440 Jennie Daly
£987

£1,049

40%

Group Operations Director

17%

29%

21%

18%

31%

£859
XX%

35%

7%

44%

55%

39%

54%

51%

58%

2019
Actual

2019
On target

2019
Actual

2019
On target

2019
Actual

2019
On target

2019
Actual

2019
On target

Fixed salary

EIS

PSP

Remuneration 
across Taylor 
Wimpey

 Workforce  
remuneration

“Rewards available  

to the wider workforce 
are directly linked to the 
culture and strategy of 
Taylor Wimpey at 
all levels.”

Gwyn Burr, Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee

Read more about wider 
workforce remuneration on 
page 118

Gender pay reporting

“We are passionate about 
attracting, developing 
and retaining a diverse 
range of talent, and 
ensuring a culture where, 
regardless of 
background, each 
person thrives to meet 
their potential.” 

Anne Billson-Ross,  
Group HR Director

2% Mean Pay Gap
The mean pay for women is 
2% lower than that of men 
(2018: 6%)

-4% Median Pay Gap
The median pay for women is  
4% higher than that of men 
(2018: 0%)

Read the Company’s 
Gender Pay Report at  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

111

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration continued

 Proposed remuneration policy summary (the New Policy)

How will the New Policy align with the wider Company remuneration policy?
The Committee received an update on wider workforce remuneration and related policies and took this into account when determining the proposed 
changes to the current policy. 

The Committee is satisfied that the incentives and rewards available to the wider workforce are directly linked to the culture and strategy at 
Taylor Wimpey at all levels. 

In addition, the Committee Chair attended the Taylor Wimpey National Employee Forum (the NEF) and discussed the proposed changes to the 
remuneration policy. Further information can be found on page 118.

How will the New Policy align with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code)?
It is proposed that the structure of the policy will be updated to bring it into line with the Code, which applied with effect from 1 January 2019, 
and investor requirements. 

The Code sets out principles against which the Committee should determine the policy for executives, as follows:

Principle
Clarity – remuneration arrangements should be transparent  
and promote effective engagement with shareholders and 
the workforce

Simplicity – remuneration structures should avoid complexity and 
their rationale and operation should be easy to understand

Risk – remuneration arrangements should ensure that potential 
reputational and other risks arising from excessive rewards, and 
behavioural risks that can arise from target-based incentive plans, 
are identified and mitigated
Predictability – the range of possible values of rewards  
to individual directors and any other limits or discretions should be 
identified and explained at the time of approving the policy
Proportionality – the link between individual awards, the delivery 
of strategy and the long term performance of the company should 
be clear. Outcomes should not reward poor performance

  Committee approach

 – We have operated a consistent approach which is well understood internally by 

executives and externally with strong levels of shareholder support

 – We have consulted the NEF (the Taylor Wimpey workforce advisory panel) on 
our proposed changes to the remuneration policy. Further information on the 
NEF can be found on page 78

 – There is, naturally, more complexity for Executive Director remuneration 

packages in order to ensure a robust link to performance and avoid reward for 
failure and to comply with investor and Code requirements, but this aside they 
have been designed to be as simple as possible

 – Where possible we cascade the remuneration policy down throughout the 
remuneration practices in the business consistent with the shareholder 
approved policy

 – We have mitigated these risks through careful plan design, including long term 
performance measurement, deferral and shareholding requirements (including 
post cessation of employment) and discretion and clawback provisions 

 – We look carefully at the range of likely performance outcomes when setting 
performance target ranges for threshold, target and maximum payouts and 
have used discretion where necessary

 – Incentive plans are determined based on a proportion of base salary so there is 

a sensible balance between fixed pay and performance-linked elements
 – Performance conditions are all linked to the business strategy. There is no 

personal performance element as we feel that the annual appraisal process is a 
better mechanism to review personal performance and development

 – There are provisions to override the formula-driven outcome of incentive plans, 
as well as deferral and clawback mechanisms to ensure that poor performance 
is not rewarded 

Alignment to culture – incentive schemes should drive 
behaviours consistent with company purpose, values and strategy

 – Bonus plans operate widely throughout the Company and are reviewed by the 
Committee to ensure consistency with Company purpose, values and strategy

112 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Proposed changes to the current policy

  Summary of current policy

  Proposed change and rationale

Executive 
Incentive 
Scheme 
(Annual  
bonus) (EIS)

 – Maximum EIS opportunity is 150% of base salary and target 

is 75%

 – Performance measures and targets are set at the beginning 
of each year and are based on a scorecard of designated 
objectives to meet annual and strategic goals

 – One-third of any EIS payable is deferred into shares and held 

in trust on the Executive Director’s behalf for three years
 – Dividends will accrue during the three-year deferral period
 – Malus and clawback mechanism applies for three years post 

the payment date 

 – Specific provision to be incorporated for the Committee to be 
able to use discretion to override a formula-driven outcome in 
exceptional circumstances 

Long Term 
Incentive  
Plan (PSP)

 – Annual PSP Award. Maximum award is 200% of base salary 
and threshold performance would pay out 40% of base salary
 – Performance conditions and targets are set at the beginning 
of the three-year performance period and are stretching and 
appropriate for the medium term

 – Dividends accrue during the performance period and 

 – Specific provision to be incorporated for the Committee to be 
able to use discretion to override a formula-driven outcome in 
exceptional circumstances

 – In line with best practice, the PSP has operated a compulsory 
two-year holding period since 2018, however this will now be 
specifically incorporated into the New Policy

holding period

 – Malus and clawback mechanism applies for three years 

post vesting

 – Two-year holding period post vesting

Base  
salary

 – Salaries are reviewed annually although there is no automatic 

 – No change proposed

entitlement to an increase

 – The maximum annual salary increase will not normally  
exceed the average increase which applies across the 
wider workforce

Benefits

 – Benefits include: company-provided car or a cash  

 – No change proposed

allowance, provision of a fuel card, life assurance and private 
medical insurance

Pension

 – Pension benefits are provided through one or more of the 

following arrangements: defined contributions; defined benefit 
arrangements; or a cash allowance

 – Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly receive a 

 – Incumbent Executive Directors pension contributions will be 
reduced in broadly equal increments over a period of five 
years to 10% which is the pension contribution available to 
the majority of the wider workforce

pension contribution of 24.05%, 20% and 20% respectively

 – The first reduction will take effect on 1 April 2020 and Pete 

l

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a
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y
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F

i

Shareholding 
guidelines

 – Executive Directors must build a holding of shares worth 
100% of salary within five years and then the balance to 
200% of salary at a timeframe agreed with the Chair

 – Executives must retain no less than 50% of any vested PSP 
award or EIS deferred shares until these guideline thresholds 
are achieved 

Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly will receive a pension 
contribution of 21.24%, 18% and 18% respectively

 – New Executive Directors’ pension contributions will be in line 

with the usual contribution of the wider workforce

 – To increase transparency and reduce complexity, the 

guidelines will be simplified so that the time frame is removed 
and Directors must retain not less than 50% of any vested 
PSP award or EIS deferred shares until the 200% of salary 
shareholding level is achieved

 – A post-employment shareholding requirement will require 

Executive Directors to hold 200% of salary, or their shareholding 
level at the time of cessation if their 200% shareholding 
requirement has not yet been met, for at least two years. To help 
facilitate this, there will be no early vesting of deferred bonus 
shares, or PSP awards on leaving (either unvested or vested 
shares and the two-year holding period will continue to apply in 
respect of these), other than in exceptional circumstances 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

113

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration continued

Introduction
This Report has been prepared to comply with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and 
other applicable legislation, including the Large 
and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 
(as amended) (Regulations), and has also been 
prepared in line with the recommendations of 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
Code) and the UK Listing Authority Listing Rules.

This Report has been prepared by the 
Remuneration Committee on behalf of 
the Board.

The 2019 Remuneration Report includes 
disclosures which reflect in full the Regulations 
on remuneration reporting, divided into 
two sections:

 – Remuneration Policy Report: this sets out the 

new Remuneration Policy that will be 
proposed to shareholders at the 2020 AGM, 
describing the framework within which the 
Company remunerates its Directors. The 
Policy will apply, if approved by shareholders, 
for a period of three years from the date  
of the 2020 AGM or until a revised Policy  
is approved by shareholders if sooner. 
Any existing remuneration commitments or 
contractual arrangements, such as historical 
share awards, agreed prior to the approval 
and implementation of this Policy in 
accordance with any policy in place  
at the time, namely before 23 April 2020,  
will be honoured in accordance with their 
original terms.

 – Annual Report on Remuneration: this sets out 
how the Company’s existing Remuneration 
Policy was applied during 2019 and how  
it is proposed that the New Policy will be 
implemented during 2020. The Annual Report 
on Remuneration will be subject to an advisory 
resolution at the AGM on 23 April 2020. 
Details of the resolution and its status as an 
advisory vote are set out in the Notes to the 
Notice of Meeting on page 198.

The Regulations require that the Company’s 
auditors report to shareholders on certain parts of 
this Report and state whether in their opinion those 
parts have been properly prepared in accordance 
with the requirements. The Remuneration Policy 
Report, which describes the Committee’s current 
Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors and 
which has applied since its approval by 
shareholders on 27 April 2017, contains unaudited 
information. Some elements of the Annual Report 
on Remuneration, which describes how the 
Committee has implemented its existing policy in 
2019, contain audited information.

Remuneration Policy Report 

Unaudited information

The Company’s current Remuneration Policy 
was subject to a binding shareholder vote at the 
2017 AGM of the Company and was approved 
by 98% of shareholders who voted. The 
three-year life of that policy will expire at the 
2020 AGM and we are required to seek binding 
shareholder approval for a new policy.

The New Policy is designed to ensure that the 
remuneration framework will support and drive 
the Taylor Wimpey strategy forward by both 
challenging and motivating the Executive 
Directors and the senior management team to 
deliver it, and this will drive value for our 
shareholders whilst having due regard to our 
other stakeholders. The New Policy is set  
out on pages 115 to 117 and is also available  
to view on the Company’s website at  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/ 
our-company/governance.

The main changes proposed by the Committee 
in the New Policy are summarised and set out 
on page 113.

Policy overview

A key part of the Committee’s role is to ensure 
that the remuneration of Executive Directors and 
senior management is aligned to the Company’s 
strategic objectives. It is, of course, key that the 
Company is able to attract and retain leaders 
who are focused and also appropriately 
incentivised to deliver the Company’s strategic 
objectives within a framework which is aligned 
with the long term interests of the Company’s 
shareholders. This alignment is achieved through 
a combination of: deferral into shares of a 
percentage of the EIS; a two-year retention 
period for vested PSP awards; share ownership 
guidelines which require executives to build up 
holdings of Taylor Wimpey shares, either directly 
or by retaining vested PSP share awards and 
deferred EIS amounts; and also now requiring 
shares to be retained by the Executive after they 
have ceased employment. 

The above requirements ensure that a significant 
percentage of the overall remuneration package 
of Executive Directors and senior management is 
subject to performance. With all packages for 
Executive Directors substantially geared towards 
meeting challenging targets set under the 
EIS and PSP, the Committee believes that the 
pay and benefits of its Executive Directors and 
senior management adequately balance reward 
and risk.

In line with best practice, the Committee ensures 
that the incentive structure for Executive 
Directors and senior management will not raise 
environmental, social or governance (ESG) risks 
by inadvertently motivating irresponsible 
behaviour. More generally, the Committee under 
its Terms of Reference may, where it considers 
appropriate, take ESG matters into account 
when considering the overall remuneration 
structure and as part of its overall discretion.

114 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
Proposed New Policy

Element

  Purpose and link to strategy

  Operation

Maximum

Performance targets

Salary

  To recruit and reward 

  Salaries are normally reviewed annually to 

executives of a suitable 
calibre for the role and 
duties required.

ensure that they remain positioned 
appropriately. There is no automatic 
entitlement to an increase each year.

Salary level and increases take into account 
the following:

 – The performance, role and responsibility 

of each individual Director.

 – The economic climate, general market 
conditions and the performance of 
the Company.

 – The level of pay awards across the rest of 

the business.

 – Salary levels in comparably-sized 

companies and other major housebuilders.

  Fees consist of a single consolidated fee for 
the Chair, an annual fee for the other Non 
Executives and additional fees for roles such 
as the Chair of the Audit Committee, Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee and Senior 
Independent Director.

Set by reference to the responsibilities 
undertaken by the non executive, taking into 
account that each Non Executive Director is 
expected to be a member of the Nomination 
Committee and / or the Audit Committee 
and / or Remuneration Committee.

Reviewed periodically but generally annually 
and at least every other year. Takes into 
account levels in comparably-sized 
companies and other major housebuilders.

Non Executive Directors do not participate in 
any incentive, share scheme, benefits-in-kind 
or pension arrangements. 

  The main benefits offered:

 – Company-provided car or a cash 

allowance in lieu.

 – Provision of a fuel card.
 – Life assurance.
 – Private medical insurance.
 – A 5% discount on the price of a new 
home acquired from the Group. 

Chair of  
the Board  
and Non 
Executive 
Director  
fees

  The Chair’s and 

Non Executive Directors’ 
fees should be in line with 
recognised best practice 
and be sufficient to attract 
and retain high calibre 
non executives.

Other  
benefits, 
including 
benefits- 
in-kind

  Provides a competitive 
package of benefits to 
assist with recruitment 
and retention of staff.

The maximum annual salary increase will 
not normally exceed the average increase 
which applies across the wider workforce. 
However, larger increases may be awarded 
in certain circumstances including but not 
limited to:

Company  
and individual 
performance are 
factors considered 
when reviewing 
salaries.

 – Increase in scope or responsibilities of 

the role.

 – To apply salary progression for a newly / 

recently appointed Director.

 – Where the Director’s salary has fallen 

below the market positioning.

Aggregate annual limit of £1 million imposed 
by the Company’s Articles of Association.

N/A

N/A

The value of a company-provided car  
or a cash allowance in lieu is of a level 
appropriate to the individual’s role and  
is subject to review from time to time.  
The fuel card covers the cost of all fuel,  
for both business and personal use.

Life assurance of up to four times 
basic salary.

For home purchases, the price discount is 
calculated at the plot release price less the 
average discount to third party buyers for 
that house type on that development, less a 
further 5% employee discount. No more 
than one home per annum can be acquired 
at a discount under the scheme; and no 
more than three homes can be acquired in 
a five-year period. The maximum discount 
over a five-year period is £100,000.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

115

Governance 
Remuneration continued

Element

  Purpose and link to strategy

  Operation

Maximum

  Rewards the achievement 

  EIS awards are determined by the 

of stretching financial 
performance targets and 
other objectives that 
support the Company’s 
annual and strategic goals.

Compulsory deferral in 
shares further aligns the 
interests of Directors with 
shareholders.

Committee after the year end, based on 
annual performance against targets set at 
the beginning of each year.

One-third of any EIS is payable in shares 
which are held in trust for three years.

A malus and clawback mechanism applies  
to all participants in the event of a material 
misstatement of the Group’s accounts,  
error, misconduct, reputational damage or 
corporate failure. The discovery period for 
the event that would give rise to the 
clawback is three years from the date 
of payment.

  Annual grants of 

  Executive Directors and other designated 

Executive 
Incentive 
Scheme  
(EIS)

Performance 
Share  
Plan (PSP)

The maximum EIS opportunity for Executive 
Directors is set at 150% of salary. Target is 
set at 75% of salary and threshold at 0%.

The maximum award (currently in 
performance shares) is normally over shares 
with a face value of 200% of salary. 
In exceptional circumstances this can be 
increased up to 300% of salary.

  Performance targets

  The EIS measures 
are based on a 
scorecard of 
designated key 
annual financial, 
operational and 
environmental 
measures.

  The performance 

conditions are aligned 
to the long term 
business strategy.

The Committee may 
vary the measures 
that are included in 
the plan and the 
weightings between 
the measures from 
year to year. 

Awards vest at 20%  
for threshold 
performance.

share-based long term 
incentives assist with 
retention, incentivisation 
and motivation of senior 
executives to achieve  
long term sustainable 
returns for shareholders. 
A post-vest holding period 
helps align the interests  
of senior executives with 
those of the Company’s 
shareholders.

senior executives can receive annual 
PSP awards.

PSP awards provide alignment with 
shareholders as they deliver (subject to 
meeting performance conditions) the full 
value of the shares, which can increase and 
decrease in value over the three-year 
performance period.

The value of dividends or other distributions 
will accrue during the performance and 
holding periods and will be received with 
any shares that vest in favour of participants 
after the applicable performance period. 
Dividends will normally be accrued and paid 
in shares.

Performance measures are normally 
measured over three financial years.

A malus and clawback mechanism applies to 
all participants in the event of a material 
misstatement of the Group’s accounts, error, 
misconduct, reputational damage or corporate 
failure. The discovery period for the event that 
would give rise to the clawback is three years 
from the date of payment.

  Pension benefits are provided through one 

or more of the following arrangements:

 – Personal Choice Plan;
 – Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme;
 – or as a cash allowance.

Pension

  The Company aims to 
provide competitive 
retirement benefits that 
represent an appropriate 
level of cost and risk for 
the Group’s shareholders. 

Over five years the pension 
contributions will reduce  
to the level of the 
workforce pension.

116 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Pete Redfern: cash allowance in 2020 of 
21.24% of salary and then reducing 
annually thereafter by 2.81% of salary until 
the pension rate is the same as the majority 
of the workforce.

  N/A

Chris Carney and Jennie Daly: cash 
allowance of 18% of salary in 2020 and 
then reducing annually thereafter by 2% of 
salary until the pension rate is the same as 
the majority of the workforce.

Company contributions to any pension 
scheme in respect of a new Executive 
Director will be in line with the pension 
contribution rate applying to the majority of 
the workforce, currently 10% of salary.

Element

  Purpose and link to strategy

  Operation

  Maximum

  Performance targets

  Sharesave: Employees can elect for a 
savings contract of either three or five 
years, with a maximum monthly saving set 
by legislation or by HMRC. Options can be 
exercised during the six months following 
the end of the contract.

  N/A

SIP: Employees can elect to contribute an 
amount per month or per tax year by one 
or more lump sums.

The maximum saving or contribution level is 
set by legislation or Government from time 
to time and the Committee reserves the right 
to increase contribution levels to reflect any 
approved Government legislative changes.

  Executive Directors: 200% of salary

  N/A

  The Sharesave plan and SIP have standard 
terms under which all UK employees with at 
least three months’ service can participate.

All-employee 
share  
schemes

  All employees including 
Executive Directors are 
encouraged to become 
shareholders through the 
operation of all-employee 
share plans such as the 
HMRC tax-advantaged 
Sharesave plan and a 
Share Incentive Plan (SIP).

Shareholding 
guidelines

  Encourages greater levels 
of shareholding and aligns 
employees’ interests with 
those of shareholders.

  Executive Directors are expected to achieve 
and maintain a holding of the Company’s 
shares at least equal to 200% of salary and 
until this level is achieved, are required to 
retain no less than 50% of the value of any 
vested EIS or PSP awards, after tax.

A post-employment shareholding requirement 
will require Executive Directors to hold 200% 
of salary, or their shareholding level at the 
time of cessation if their 200% shareholding 
requirement has not yet been met, for at 
least two years. This requirement may be 
reduced by the Committee in exceptional 
circumstances, such as serious ill-health. 

The Committee may amend this shareholder approved policy to take account of changes to legislation, taxation and other supplemental and 
administrative matters without the necessity to seek shareholder approval for those changes.

Illustration of the Remuneration Policy for 2020
The charts below illustrate the level and mix of remuneration based on the Remuneration Policy depending on the achievement of below target, 
target and maximum for the Executive Directors under the policy.

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

)
s
’
0
0
0
£

(

Pete Redfern
Chief Executive

£1,138

£2,157

£4,224

Chris Carney
Group Finance Director

£550

£1,061

£2,098

Jennie Daly
Group Operations Director

£502

£968

£1,914

£5,098

41%

32%

16%

31%

100%

53%

27%

Below
target

Target Maximum

£2,537

16%

32%

52%

42%

32%

26%

Target Maximum

100%

Below
target

£2,314

16%

32%

52%

42%

32%

26%

Target Maximum

100%

Below
target

Fixed pay

EIS

PSP

50% share price growth on LTIP

1.  Salary is £891,644, £447,372 and £408,000 for Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly, respectively with effect from 1 April 2020 (see page 121 for further details).

2.  Benefits are £54,000, £20,000 and £18,000 for Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly, respectively, being the 2019 value (see page 121 for further details).

3.  Pension is 21.24% for Pete Redfern and 18% for Chris Carney and Jennie Daly with effect from 1 April 2020.

4.  For the EIS the target and maximum award is 75% and 150% of base salary, respectively.

5.  For the PSP the target (assumed for these purposes to be at threshold performance) and maximum are 40% and 200% of base salary, respectively.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

117

Governance 
Remuneration continued

Committee discretion
The Committee recognises that the exercise of discretion must be 
undertaken in a careful and considered way as it is an area that will quite 
rightly come under scrutiny from shareholders and other stakeholders. The 
Committee confirms that any exercise of discretion in such circumstances 
would be within the available discretions set out in this Report and that the 
maximum levels available under any relevant plans would not be exceeded. 
There would be full disclosure in the following Directors’ Remuneration 
Report and major investors would be consulted if necessary.

With regard to both the EIS and the PSP, the Committee, consistent with 
market practice, retains discretion over a number of areas relating to the 
operation and administration of these plans but in all cases within the 
applicable scheme rules.

How shareholder views are taken into account
The Remuneration Committee appreciates and considers very seriously all 
shareholder feedback received in relation to remuneration each year and 
guidance from shareholder representative bodies more generally. 
Shareholder views are key inputs when shaping the Remuneration Policy 
and the Committee welcomes any comment or feedback on any aspects 
of remuneration and will always consider and respond.

The Committee regularly engages with its largest shareholders and 
shareholder representative bodies regarding the ongoing Remuneration 
Policy and implementation, and will take into account any feedback when 
determining any changes that might apply. The last such consultation took 
place in January 2020 and included the proposed changes to the 
Remuneration Policy and the performance targets and weightings of both 
the EIS and PSP. 

The Committee follows the principles of good governance relating to 
Directors’ remuneration as set out in the Principles and Provisions of the 
Code. The Committee reviews and takes into account governance-related 
developments and guidance that arise, on an ongoing basis.

How our employees’ voice is taken into account 
The Committee supports and welcomes the introduction of the ‘employee 
voice’ initiative. 

The Taylor Wimpey National Employee Forum (NEF) was established in 
2017 and continues to work with members of the Group Management 
Team and build upon the existing business wide regional Employee 
Consultation Committee structure. 

As part of the remuneration policy update, Gwyn Burr attended the NEF in 
her capacity as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. During the meeting 
Gwyn explained the corporate governance process more generally and the 
role of the Committee in setting pay and undertaking the remuneration 
policy review for Executive Directors. The meeting also discussed how 
executive remuneration aligns with the wider company pay practices and 
policies. The NEF were encouraged to hear that it was proposed that the 
Executive Directors pension entitlements would be reduced to be aligned 
with those available to the wider workforce.

The feedback received from the NEF was positive and they confirmed that 
the session was clear and extremely informative. 

118 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Remuneration Policy for the wider workforce
When setting the policy for Executive Directors, the Committee is made 
fully aware of pay structures across the workforce. In addition, the 
Committee will conduct a formal review of relevant elements of 
remuneration across the Group and for all levels of employee at least every 
three years as part of its Remuneration Policy review. 

Virtually all of the Company’s employees participate in incentive arrangements.

Many of our employees can elect to take their performance-related 
payment in Taylor Wimpey shares (and benefit from a 20% uplift) rather 
than in cash, further enhancing the link and alignment between shareholder 
value and employee reward throughout the Company, which both the 
Company and the Committee consider important. Alternatively, employees 
can elect to invest their performance-related payment into their pension 
and will therefore benefit from tax efficiencies.

The Company also offers both Sharesave and Share Incentive schemes to 
all eligible UK employees with more than three months’ service and is 
delighted with the level of participation from across the business.

How performance measures were chosen
The performance metrics that are used for each of the short term and long 
term incentive plans have been selected to reflect the Group’s key 
strategic goals and are designed to align the Executive Directors’ and 
senior management’s interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. 
The Committee consults with major shareholders where any significant 
changes are proposed.

Directionally we propose to move to a broader scorecard approach 
including a more equal balance of financial and non-financial measures, 
including environmental ones. However, for 2021 our priorities are margin 
improvement and cashflow and so we propose that these measures 
should be incorporated into the plans for 2020 and therefore the use of 
cashflow as a measure will be included on both plans in the short to 
medium term.

The Committee will continue to review the choice of performance 
measures and the appropriateness of the performance targets each year. 
Targets are set based on a sliding scale that takes account of internal 
planning and external market expectations for the Company. Maximum 
rewards require substantial out-performance of our challenging plans 
approved at the start of each year, with a significantly lower level of 
rewards available for delivering threshold performance levels.

For further information on the 2020 performance measures for the EIS and 
PSP see page 122.

External non Executive Director positions
Subject to Board approval and provided that such appointments fall within 
the general requirements of the Code (and do not give rise to any conflict 
issues which cannot be managed by the Board and the Executive 
Director), Executive Directors are permitted to take on one non executive 
position with another company. Executive Directors are permitted to retain 
their fees in respect of such positions.

Details of any external positions held by the Executive Directors can be 
found in their biographies on pages 66 and 67. 

Remuneration policy on recruitment or promotion
Base salary levels will be set in accordance with the Remuneration Policy, 
taking into account the experience and calibre of the individual. Where 
appropriate, the Company may offer a below market salary initially with a 
view to making above market and workforce increases over a number of 
years to reach the desired salary positioning, subject to individual and 
Company performance. Benefits will be provided in line with those offered 
to other Executive Directors and pension will be provided in line with the 
wider workforce, and relocation expenses will be provided if necessary. 
Tax equalisation may also be considered if an executive is adversely 
affected by taxation due to their employment with the Company. Legal 
fees and other costs incurred by the individual may also be paid by the 
Company, if considered appropriate and reasonable to do so.

The variable pay elements that may be offered will be subject to the 
maximum levels described in the policy table on pages 115 to 117. The 
Company may also consider applying different performance measures if it 
feels these more appropriately meet the strategic objectives and aims of 
the Company whilst incentivising the new appointee.

In the case of an external hire, the Company may choose to buy-out any 
incentive pay or benefit arrangements which would be forfeited on leaving 
the previous employer. This will only occur where the Company feels that it 
is a necessary requirement to aid the recruitment. The replacement value 
would be provided for, taking into account the form (cash or shares), timing 
and expected value (i.e. likelihood of meeting any existing performance 
criteria) of the remuneration being forfeited. Replacement share awards, if 
used, will be granted using Taylor Wimpey’s existing share plans wherever 
and to the extent possible, although in exceptional circumstances awards 
may also be granted outside of these schemes if necessary and as 
permitted under the Listing Rules. To ensure alignment from the outset 
with shareholders, malus and clawback provisions may also apply where 
appropriate and the Committee may require new directors to acquire 
Company shares up to a pre-agreed level. Shareholders will be informed of 
any buy-out payments at the time of appointment. 

In the case of an internal hire including a promotion, as previously reported, 
the Company will honour any commitments entered into prior to their 
appointment to the Board even where it is not consistent with the Policy 
prevailing at the time such commitment is fulfilled. 

Directors’ contracts and policy on payments for loss 
of office
It is the Company’s policy that Executive Directors should have contracts 
of employment providing for a maximum of one year’s notice either way.

Name
Pete Redfern
Chris Carney
Jennie Daly

Date of appointment
12 July 2007
20 April 2018
20 April 2018

Notice period
12-months
12-months
12-months

Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly are proposed for re-election at 
the 2020 AGM and each will have at that date an unexpired service 
contract term of one year. As has previously been noted, James Jordan 
stood down from the Board on 31 December 2019 and will not be seeking 
re-election.

Each of the Executive Directors’ service contracts provides for:

 – The payment of a base salary 
 – An expensed company car or a cash allowance in lieu; a fuel allowance; 

life assurance; and private medical insurance

 – Employer’s contribution to a pension 
 – A notice period by either side of 12 months
 – A provision requiring a Director to mitigate losses on termination

Each service contract contains the following performance-related 
provisions:

 – Participation in the EIS
 – Participation in one or more long term incentive plan

The Company has the right to terminate contracts by making a payment in 
lieu of notice. Any such payment will typically reflect the individual’s salary, 
benefits in kind and pension entitlements. The Company will be mindful, on 
termination of an Executive Director’s employment, of the need to mitigate 
costs and phase payments, which cease when the individual obtains an 
alternative role. There are no change of control provisions that apply in 
relation to the service contract of any Executive Director.

Other than in certain ‘good leaver’ circumstances (which could include 
redundancy, ill-health or retirement), no payment would usually be due 
under the EIS unless the individual remains employed at the payment date. 
Any payment to a good leaver under the EIS would be based on an 
assessment of their and the Company’s performance over the applicable 
period and pro-rated for the proportion of the EIS year worked.

Where an Executive Director is considered by the Committee to be a good 
leaver, deferred EIS awards (shares) would vest. In other circumstances, 
awards would lapse.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

119

Governance 
Remuneration continued

With regard to long term incentive plan awards, the rules of the PSP 
provide that, other than in certain good leaver circumstances, awards 
lapse on cessation of employment. Where an individual is a good leaver, 
the Committee’s normal policy is for the award to vest at the normal time 
following the application of performance targets and a pro-rata reduction 
to take account of the proportion of the applicable performance period 
outstanding post the cessation. The Committee also has discretion for 
both early vesting and reducing the impact of pro-rating. In doing so, it will 
take account of the reason for the departure and the performance of the 
individual through to the time of departure.

In situations where an Executive Director is dismissed, the Committee 
reserves the right to make additional exit payments where such payments 
are made in good faith:

 – in discharge of an existing legal obligation (or by way of damages for 

breach of such an obligation);

 – by way of settlement or compromise of any claim arising in connection 

with the termination of a Director’s office or employment; or
 – to contribute towards the individual’s legal fees and fees for 

outplacement services.

The terms of engagement of the Chair of the Board and the Non Executive 
Directors are regulated by letters of appointment over a term of three 
years, which are reviewed annually. Both the Company and the 
aforementioned Directors have a notice period of six months and the 
Directors are not entitled to compensation on termination other than for the 
normal notice period if not worked out. 

Service contracts for all Executive Directors and letters of appointment for 
all Non Executive Directors are available for inspection at the Company’s 
Registered Office during normal business hours and at the AGM.

Terms of engagement
The terms of engagement of the Chair of the Board and the Non Executive Directors are regulated by letters of appointment as follows:

Name
Kevin Beeston
Irene Dorner
Kate Barker
Gwyn Burr
Angela Knight
Robert Noel
Humphrey Singer

Date of appointment as Director
1 July 2010
1 December 2019
21 April 2011
1 February 2018
1 November 2016
1 October 2019
9 December 2015

Term of appointment
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually
3 years, reviewed annually

Notice period by 
Company (months)
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

Notice period by 
Director (months)
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

Legacy arrangements
Any commitment which is consistent with the approved Remuneration Policy in force at the time that the commitment was made will be honoured, even 
where it is not consistent with the policy prevailing at the time such commitment is fulfilled.

120 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Annual Report on Remuneration 

This Annual Report on Remuneration will be put to an advisory shareholder 
vote at the 2020 AGM. 

Remuneration Committee
The role of the Remuneration Committee is to recommend to the Board a 
strategy and framework for remuneration for Executive Directors and senior 
management which will attract and retain leaders who are focused and 
incentivised to deliver the Company’s strategic business priorities within a 
remuneration framework which is aligned with the interests of our shareholders 
and thus designed to promote the long term success of the Company.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available on the Company’s  
website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/our-company/governance. 
The Committee’s main responsibilities are to:

 – Establish and maintain formal and transparent procedures for developing 
policy on executive remuneration and for determining the remuneration 
packages of individual Directors and senior management, and to 
monitor and report on them.

 – Determine the remuneration, including pension arrangements, of the 

Executive Directors and senior management.

 – Approve annual and long term incentive arrangements together with 

their targets and levels of awards.

 – Determine the level of fees for the Chair of the Board.
 – Select and appoint the external advisers to the Committee.
 – Review wider workforce remuneration and other policies.

For the majority of 2019, the Committee comprised three Independent 
Non Executive Directors and also the Chair of the Board. Gwyn Burr 
became Chair of the Committee on 25 April 2019. Although Kate Barker 
stood down as Chair of the Committee on 25 April 2019, she remains a 
member of the Committee alongside Angela Knight and Kevin Beeston. 
Irene Dorner became a member of the Committee when she was 
appointed to the Board as Chair-designate on 1 December 2019 and will 
remain on the Committee once she assumes the role of Chair of the Board 
on 26 February 2020. 

Details of attendance at Committee meetings held during 2019 appear on 
page 106.

No Director or other executive is involved in any decisions about his or her 
own remuneration. Conflicts of interest are managed carefully. No Director 
is involved in any decisions about their own remuneration and a conflicts of 
interest register is maintained by the Company Secretary in accordance 
with the Company’s Conflicts Policy.

Advice to the Committee
The Committee keeps itself fully informed on developments and best 
practice in the field of remuneration and it seeks advice from external 
advisers when appropriate.

The Committee appoints its own independent remuneration advisers and 
during the year it continued to retain the services of Korn Ferry.

Korn Ferry is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and 
signatory to its Code of Conduct. During 2019 Korn Ferry also provided 
other ad hoc remuneration services outside the scope of the Committee to 
the Company. The Committee reviews the performance and independence 
of its advisers on an annual basis and is satisfied that the advice provided 
is objective and independent.

The Committee also receives legal advice from Slaughter and May, the 
Company’s solicitors, as and when necessary. This generally relates to 
technical advice on share schemes and also with regard to any senior 
appointments and termination arrangements. The Committee is satisfied that 
the advice provided by Slaughter and May is objective and independent.

The fees paid to the Committee’s advisers in 2019 were: Korn Ferry 
£112,722 on a time and materials basis (2018: £115,280). No significant 
amount of advice was sought from Slaughter and May during the year.

Pete Redfern (Chief Executive), James Jordan (former Group Legal Director 
and Company Secretary), and Anne Billson-Ross (the Group Human 
Resources Director) each attended the Committee meetings during 2019 
by invitation only but were not present for any discussions that relate 
directly to their own remuneration. Alice Marsden (who was appointed as 
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary in November 2019) 
attended the December Committee meeting. 

How the Remuneration Policy will be applied in 2020

Base salary

The Committee reviewed the Executive Directors’ salaries in February 2020 
and decided to award increases of 2% to each Executive Director with 
effect from 1 April 2020, in line with the general workforce increase.

The salaries of the Executive Directors effective from 1 April 2020 will be 
as follows:

Executive Director
Pete Redfern
Chris Carney
Jennie Daly

Salary at 1 April 2019
£874,161
£438,600
£400,000

Salary at 1 April 2020
£891,644
£447,372
£408,000

Increase
2%
2%
2%

Pension and benefits 

As detailed on page 106, with effect from 1 April 2020 the Executive 
Directors’ pension contributions will be reduced in broadly incremental 
amounts over a five year period to the level of pension arrangements enjoyed 
by the wider workforce. Therefore, during 2020 Pete Redfern, Chris Carney 
and Jennie Daly will receive a pension contribution of 21.24%, 18% and 
18% of salary respectively.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

121

Governance 
Remuneration continued

Annual Bonus Scheme

Long Term Incentive Plan

The Executive Incentive Scheme (EIS) performance metrics and their 
weightings for 2020 are shown in the table below. The precise details of 
the targets themselves are deemed to be commercially sensitive as they 
relate to the current financial year. However, detailed retrospective 
disclosures of the targets and performance against them will be provided 
in next year’s Remuneration Report in the usual way.

Measure
Group Operating Profit
Cash Conversion
Operating Profit Margin
Customer Service
Build Quality

Weighting
35%
15%
10% 
20% 
20% 

The metrics and weightings have changed in light of the updated business 
strategy to ensure that the EIS continues to remain in line with our business 
priorities and market expectations, whilst maintaining a structure that has a 
weighting of 60% linked directly to financial targets.

Given the Company’s increased strategic focus on placing customers at 
the heart of decision making, Customer Service and Build Quality remain 
the two non-financial measures operating within the EIS. The Committee 
has decided to increase the weighting for Build Quality as it continues to 
be used as a measure to underpin our goal to deliver high-quality homes 
and to reduce the number of instances requiring remediation. 

The Customer Service measure will continue to be based on the independent 
NHBC scores at both eight-weeks and the longer term nine-month 
customer satisfaction surveys. At eight weeks, this specifically measures 
how likely our customers would be to recommend Taylor Wimpey.

Cash Conversion and Operating Profit Margin have been reintroduced as 
measures for 2020 as the Committee believes that these are both critical 
measures at an operational level and will ensure that our priority remains 
converting our profit into healthy cash returns and providing strong support 
for further dividend progression over the medium term.

The Committee may use discretion to adjust payments where necessary.

One-third of any EIS payment will be payable in shares which must then be 
held for three years.

Clawback and malus provisions are in line with the Code requirements and 
the Committee is satisfied that they remain fully enforceable if ever needed. 

In accordance with the Remuneration Policy, long term incentives take the 
form of the Taylor Wimpey Performance Share Plan (PSP) award with a 
maximum award of 200% of base salary (face value of shares at date of 
award). The annual awards granted to Executive Directors in 2019 will be 
subject to the following performance conditions:

Measure

TSR v Peer Group
RONOA in 
(2020-2022)
Cash Conversion 
(2020-2022)
Customer Service 
(2020-2022)

Weighting (% of 
total award)

40%

Below threshold 
(0% vesting)
Below 
median

Threshold (20% 
vesting)

Median

Maximum (100% 
vesting)
Upper 
quartile

20% Below 26%

20% Below 70%

20% Below 83%

26%

70%

83%

33%

80%

87%

Awards vest on a straight-line basis between the above threshold and 
maximum vesting levels. 

The Committee has made some modifications to the performance 
measures for 2020 to reflect the Company’s long term strategic priorities. 

As mentioned on page 109, customer service continues to be a key 
strategic priority for the Company and therefore has been included as a 
performance measure for 2020.The Customer Service element of the 
PSP will be based on a broader set of questions independently measured 
through the NHBC eight-week survey, therefore will be on a different 
measurement basis to the EIS customer service measure. 

TSR will remain a performance condition. However, to simplify the TSR 
element, relative TSR measured against the FTSE 100 will no longer be 
used, instead 40% of the Award will focus solely on performance against a 
listed housebuilder peer group (the Peer Group). The Peer Group is an 
unweighted index comprised of Barratt Developments, Bellway, Berkeley 
Homes, Bovis Homes Group (now Vistry Group), Countryside Properties, 
Crest Nicholson, Persimmon and Redrow. Galliford Try has been removed 
from the Group following the acquisition of its housing division (Linden Homes) 
by Vistry Group. By retaining TSR as a measure it aligns the rewards 
received by executives with the returns received by shareholders.

There will continue to be a Cash Conversion and RONOA measure 
(which will both be assessed as aggregates across the full three-year 
period) to ensure that returns to shareholders and the generation of cash 
to fund them are the result of long term sustainable financial performance. 

The Committee has reviewed all targets and believes they remain 
stretching and appropriate in the present market outlook for the 
medium term.

122 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Committee may use discretion to adjust payments where necessary to 
avoid formulaic driven outcomes in light of significant negative events.

Clawback and malus provisions are in line with the Code requirements and 
the Committee is satisfied that they remain fully enforceable if ever needed. 

PSP awards are subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period. 

Dividend equivalents and other distributions will accrue on vested awards 
and continue to accrue to the extent awards remain unexercised post 
vesting. In line with best practice, from 2020 it is intended that all accrued 
dividends will be paid via shares rather than in cash and will be subject to 
the aforementioned two-year post-vesting holding period.

Retirement of James Jordan, Group Legal Director and 
Company Secretary 

As announced on 28 March 2019, James Jordan stepped down from the 
Board as Group Legal Director on 31 December 2019 (having already 
relinquished his role as Company Secretary on 4 November 2019). James 
will continue to have an active role in the business until he formally retires 
on 31 March 2020. The following arrangements will be applied in respect 
of James Jordan’s remuneration in line with the remuneration policy. 

The amounts disclosed in the single figure table on page 124 relate to the 
entire 2019 period. As James had an active role in the business for the 
entirety of 2019 he is eligible to participate in the 2019 EIS arrangements 
for the full year and as the EIS outcome was 50.6% James will receive 
£308,048. One-third of this EIS award will be deferred into shares for three 
years and will vest at the normal time in March 2023. 

Payments for loss of office to former Directors (audited)

There were no payments made to former Directors. 

As detailed on page 125, the Company partially achieved the 2017 PSP 
Award performance conditions and therefore the Award will vest at 62.8%. 
James will be entitled to exercise 258,946 shares on the normal vesting 
date and will also receive a dividend equivalent payment. The two-year 
holding period will apply. 

No EIS award will be payable for 2020 and James will not receive a PSP 
award in 2020.

The Committee determined that James should receive good leaver 
treatment in respect of his unvested EIS deferred shares and unvested 
PSP Awards. James’ unvested 2016, 2017 and 2018 Deferred Bonus 
Plan awards (over 78,148; 69,773 and 106,031 shares respectively) will 
vest at the normal time together with any dividend equivalent payments (in 
March 2020, March 2021 and March 2022). His outstanding PSP Awards 
(granted in March 2018 and March 2019) over 417,125 and 440,336 
shares respectively will be scaled back pro-rata based on time employed 
subject to performance measured over the relevant three-year performance 
period and subject to the two-year post-vesting holding period. 

Clawback and malus provisions will continue to apply after cessation 
of employment.

James will continue to have an active role in the business until he retires on 
31 March 2020 therefore he will continue to receive salary, benefits and 
pension, in accordance with his contractual entitlements; which will total 
£139,383 for 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020. 

Fees
The current fees for the Chair of the Board and Non Executive Directors are set out below. As announced, Irene Dorner will become Chair of the Board 
on 26 February 2020 and will receive the same fee as Kevin Beeston, her predecessor.

Chair of the Board
Basic Non Executive Director and Chair-designate
Senior Independent Director
Audit Committee Chair
Remuneration Committee Chair

Annual fees as at 1 April 2020
£320,000
£60,000
£17,500
£17,500
£17,500

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

123

Governance 
 
Remuneration continued

Implementation of the Remuneration Policy during 2019

Director emoluments (audited)

£’000
Executive
Pete Redfern

Chris Carney (appointed 20 April 2018)

James Jordan (stood down 31 December 2019)

Jennie Daly (appointed 20 April 2018)

Non Executive 
Kevin Beeston

Irene Dorner (appointed 1 December 2019)

Kate Barker

Gwyn Burr 

Angela Knight

Robert Noel (appointed 1 October 2019)

Humphrey Singer

Total

Year

Fees and 
salary

Benefits(a)

EIS

PSP(b)

Pension(c)

schemes(d)

Total

All-employee

2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018

2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018

870
852
436
300
404
395
400
216

320
308
5
– 
83
87
72
55
60
60
15
– 
78
73
2,743
2,346

54
54
20
21
51
51
18
12

1 
1
- 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
144
139

663
1,195
333
416
308
555
304
298

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,608
2,464

1,225
964
359
165
569
448
183
83

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
2,336
1,660

209
205
87
60
100
98
80
43

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
476
406

2 
2
2
1
8 
2
2 
1

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
14
6

3,023
3,272
1,237
963
1,440
1,549
987
653

321
309
5
– 
83
87
72
55 
60
60
15
– 
78
73
7,321
7,021

(a)  Benefits comprise non-cash payments to Pete Redfern, James Jordan, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly for private medical insurance, life assurance and company car provision 

(the value of the company car provided was £39,129, £38,594, £16,574 and £14,693 respectively). Kevin Beeston’s benefit relates to the provision of private medical insurance.
(b)  This column shows the vesting during 2019 and 2018 of the PSP as set out in the tables at the top of page 125 and includes the value of dividends accrued during the performance 

period and payable on vesting. The 2018 totals have been restated to reflect the actual share price at vesting of 177.0 pence. The 2018 figures for Chris Carney and Jennie Daly have 
been pro-rated. None of the values received in 2018 and 2019 relate to a share price increase from the date of Award and date of Vesting.

(c)  For Pete Redfern and James Jordan these figures represent the cash allowances payable. For Chris Carney and Jennie Daly these figures represent pension contributions up to the 

amount permissible under HMRC rules and cash allowances beyond this level.

(d)  These figures represent the value of the 20% discount on the Sharesave option price, matching shares under the Share Incentive Plan and the payment of special dividends accrued 

on Sharesave options exercised by James Jordan during 2019 and grossed-up for income tax and national insurance.

124 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Share Plan (audited)

PSP awards included in the 2018 total remuneration figure – overall vesting 50.0%

Award
2016 PSP(a)

Performance target
TSR FTSE
TSR Peer Group
RONOA
Cash Conversion

Weighting
20%
30%
25%
25%

% of maximum
0%
0%
25%
25%

Date of end of 
performance period
31/12/2018
31/12/2018
31/12/2018
31/12/2018

Date of vesting
27/02/2019
27/02/2019
27/02/2019
27/02/2019

(a)  The share price shown is the closing middle market share price on the date of vesting – 27 February 2019.

PSP awards included in the 2019 total remuneration figure – overall vesting 62.8%

Award
2017 PSP(a)(b)

Performance target
TSR FTSE 100
TSR Peer Group
RONOA
Cash Conversion 
Operating Profit Margin 

Weighting
20%
30%
20%
15% 
15% 

% of maximum
20%
0%
20%
15% 
7.8% 

Date of end of 
performance period
31/12/2019
31/12/2019
31/12/2019
31/12/2019 
31/12/2019 

Date of vesting
26/02/2020
26/02/2020
26/02/2020
26/02/2020 
26/02/2020 

Share price  
at vesting
177.0(a)
177.0(a)
177.0(a)
177.0(a)

Share price  
at vesting 
172.2(a)
172.2(a)
172.2(a)
172.2(a) 
172.2(a) 

(a)  The share price shown is the average of the share prices for the dealing days in the last three months (October to December 2019) and will be restated in next year’s Annual Report 

and Accounts to reflect the actual share price on vesting on 26 February 2020.

(b)  On exercise, an equivalent proportion of cash accrued in lieu of dividends paid during the performance period, will also be paid net of income tax and national insurance.

Vesting of PSP awards in 2019 (audited)

2017 PSP Award
The performance period for all elements of the 2017 PSP award ended on 31 December 2019 and the final measurement was undertaken based on this 
date, with the performance outcome being independently calculated by Korn Ferry and as part of the overall audit process.

The outcomes were as follows:

Measure
TSR FTSE 100

Weighting
20%

No vesting
Below median 

Vesting scale

20% vesting
Median 

100% vesting
Upper quartile or above 

achieved
Above upper quartile

Performance  

% of 
maximum
20%

TSR Peer Group

30%

Below Index TSR 

Index TSR 

Index TSR +8% p.a. 
(multiplicative) or above 

TW TSR: 51.3%
Median TSR: 61.5%

0%

RONOA in 2019

20%

Below 26% 

15%

Below 65% 

Cash Conversion 
(averaged over 2017-2019)

Operating Profit Margin 
(averaged over 2017-2019) 

26%

65%

30% or above 

31.4%

20%

75% or above 

87.6%

15%

15%

Below 20% 

20% 

Above 22% 

20.8%

7.8%

Total

100%

62.8%

In deciding whether, and to what extent, any vesting of awards should take place under any PSP, the Committee also considers the overall financial 
performance of the Company during the period. The Committee has determined that the overall financial performance of the Company has been strong 
and therefore determined that the 2017 PSP awards should vest at 62.8% based on the achievement of three performance measures in full, as set out in 
the table above.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

125

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration continued

Directors’ PSP awards granted during 2019 (audited)

Performance awards were made in March 2019 as summarised below:

Pete Redfern

Award
PSP

Chris Carney 

PSP

James Jordan

PSP

Jennie Daly

PSP

Type
Nil-cost 
options

Nil-cost 
options 
Nil-cost 
options
Nil-cost 
options

Number of shares
947,769

Face value 
(% of salary)(a)
£1,714,042 (200%)

475,532

£860,000 (200%)

Performance conditions 
30% on TSR v Peer Group Index
20% on TSR v FTSE 100
20% on RONOA
15% on Cash Conversion
15% on Operating Profit Margin 
As above

% vesting at 
threshold 
performance
20%

Performance period
01/01/2019 
– 31/12/2021

As above As above

440,036

£795,804 (200%)

As above

As above As above

442,355

£800,000 (200%)

As above

As above As above

(a)  Calculated using the share price of 180.85 pence being the average of the closing prices for 28 February, 1 and 4 March 2019.

EIS in respect of 2019 (audited)

For 2019, the Committee measured performance against each individual performance target, which is directly linked to the achievement of the 
Company’s strategy, as described in more detail on pages 24 and 108, as follows:

Measure
Operating  
Profit (£)

  Strategic goal / KPI
  To increase aggregate 

profit 

Weighting  
40%  

Entry (10% vesting)
£830m

Target (50% vesting)
£860m

Stretch (100% vesting)
£900m

Result
£850.5m

Summary of targets

% of 
maximum
14.9%

RONOA (%)

  Driving capital efficiency

20%  

30%

31% 

33% 

31.4%

12.1%

Order Book (£)   Provide greater emphasis 

10%  

£1,848m

£2,189m

£2,324m

£2,252.2m

7.3%

10%  

3.90 

3.95 

4.00 

4.13

10%

Build Quality

Customer  
Service

on sales volume

  To deliver high-quality 
homes and to reduce 
remediation

  Improving and delivering 
customer service based 
on key National House-
Building Council 
performance standards

8-week survey

10%  

72%

9-month survey

10%   

 70%

86%

 72%

89%

 74%

80%

3.3%

71% 

3% 

50.6%

Total

100%  

The amounts paid to the Executive Directors in respect of 2019 are set out in the Directors’ emoluments table on page 124. One-third of the bonus paid 
will be deferred in shares for three years. 

126 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Directors’ interests in the Company’s share schemes (audited)

Details of the options and conditional awards over shares held by Directors who served during the year are as follows:

Maximum 
potential 
outstanding 
shares as at 
1 January 2019

Additional 
maximum 
potential 
awarded during 
the year

Dividend 
re-investment 
shares added 
during the year

Delivered / 
exercised 
during the year

Lapsed  
during  

the year

Maximum 
potential  
receivable  
as at 
31 December 

Maximum shares vesting in:

2019  

2020

2021

2022

Pete Redfern
Deferred shares (EIS) 
Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Sharesave Plan
Total

Chris Carney
Deferred shares (EIS)
Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Sharesave Plan
Total

James Jordan
Deferred shares (EIS)
Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Sharesave Plan
Total

Jennie Daly
Deferred shares (EIS)
Performance Share Plan (PSP)
Sharesave Plan
Total

563,443
2,675,251
18,863
3,257,557

228,375 
947,769 
– 
1,176,144 

65,304 
– 
– 
65,304 

204,026 
444,360 
– 
648,386

– 

653,096   
444,360  2,734,300   
18,863   

253,747 
947,769 
18,863 
444,360  3,406,259    1,106,144  1,079,736  1,220,379 

181,313 
898,423 
– 

218,036 
888,108  
– 

– 

– 
771,087
20,891
791,978

108,810 
475,532 
– 
584,342 

12,088 
– 
– 
12,088 

– 
108,458 
– 
108,458 

– 
108,459
– 

120,898   
1,029,702   
20,891   
108,459  1,171,491   

– 
260,021 
– 
260,021 

– 
294,149 
11,460 
305,609 

120,898 
475,532 
9,431 
605,861 

261,595
1,242,079
12,534
1,516,208

106,031 
440,036 
7,413 
553,480 

30,318
– 
– 
30,318 

94,726 
206,309 
6,876 
307,911 

– 
567,279 
– 
567,279

303,218   
908,527   
13,071   
1,224,816   

101,229 
412,335 
5,658 
519,222 

84,180 
312,844 
– 
397,024 

117,809 
183,348 
7,413 
308,570 

– 
467,244
22,921
490,165

76,315 
442,355 
– 
518,670 

8,480 
– 
– 
8,480 

– 
54,438 
– 
54,438 

– 
54,439 
– 
54,439 

84,795   
800,722   
22,921   
908,438   

– 
132,719 
– 
132,719 

– 
225,648 
22,921 
248,569 

84,795 
442,355 
– 
527,150 

Vesting of the deferred shares and Sharesave Plan options are not dependent on any performance conditions. The vesting of the PSP is subject to the 
achievement of performance conditions.

There have been no variations to the terms and conditions or performance criteria for outstanding share awards during the financial year. The market 
price of the ordinary shares on 31 December 2019 was 193.40 pence and the range during the year was 136.85 pence to 201.20 pence. Details of any 
share awards made to the Executive Directors during 2020 will be included in the 2020 Remuneration Report.

James Jordan stood down from the Board on 31 December 2019. His leaving arrangements are set out on page 123. His outstanding Performance Share 
Plan awards have been pro-rated to his leaving date of 31 March 2020. For transparency, these lapses are shown in the ‘lapsed during the year’ column.

The Directors do not hold any vested but unexercised share options.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

127

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Remuneration continued

Performance graph (unaudited)
This graph shows the  value of £100 invested  in Taylor Wimpey plc on  31 December 2009 compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE 350 
and in the average of the Housebuilder Index introduced for the 2012 Performance Share Plan awards onwards and as varied subsequently for the 2014 
and 2016 awards. These benchmarks have been chosen as Taylor Wimpey is a constituent of both. 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Total shareholder return 

Value (£) (rebased)

Taylor Wimpey

Housebuilders Index

FTSE 350

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream.

Chief Executive historic remuneration (unaudited)

Total remuneration (£’000)
EIS (%)
PSP vesting (%)

Year ending 31 December

2010  
1,542  
85  
0  

2011  
1,674  
82  
0  

2012  
3,009  
95  
40  

2013  
6,724  
90  
85  

2014  
6,250  
90  
94  

2015  
6,888  
78  
100  

2016  
4,072  
80  
81  

2017  
3,697  
66  
78  

2018  
3,272  
93  
50  

2019
3,023
50.6
62.8

The table above shows the total remuneration figure for the Chief Executive over the same 10-year period as is shown in the TSR graph above. The total 
remuneration figure includes the EIS and PSP awards which vested based on performance in those years. The EIS and PSP percentages show the 
payout for each year as a percentage of the maximum award that could have been paid or received.

128 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO pay ratios (unaudited)
Year

Method

CEO single figure

2018(a)

2019(b)

Option B

£3,151,748

Option B

£3,023,654

All UK employees
Ratio
Total pay
Salary
Ratio
Total pay
Salary

Lower quartile
103:1
£30,375
£26,412
93:1
£32,342
£27,500

Median
77:1
£41,135
£26,873
73:1
£41,483
£31,277

Upper quartile
41:1
£76,575
£52,458
48:1
£62,418
£45,621

(a)  The 2018 CEO single figure disclosed has not been restated to reflect the share price on the date the 2016 PSP Award vested. We have chosen to do this for transparency purposes 

so that we are comparing the ratios disclosed in 2018.

(b)  The three representative employees were determined on 31 December 2019.

Our CEO pay ratios have been calculated using ‘option B’ which is to use the 2019 gender pay gap data to identify the three employees that represent 
the lower quartile, the median and the upper quartile. We believe this provides us with a clear methodology involving less adjustments to calculate 
Full-Time Equivalent earnings and is more likely to produce more robust reporting year on year. 

The Committee has reviewed the results of the calculations and is satisfied that they continue to be representative of the respective quartiles.

The lower quartile and median ratios have both reduced. This decrease is attributed to the CEO single figure being lower than in 2018; this is 
predominantly a result of the short term incentive bonus outturn for 2019 being significantly lower than the previous year (2019: 50.6%; 2018: 93%). 
Further details of the different elements of the CEO pay can be found on page 124. 

The impact of the reduced bonus payment for 2019 has resulted in an increase in the upper quartile ratio. This increase is a result of the representative 
employee in the upper quartile having a relatively high maximum bonus potential in comparison to the lower quartile and median employees which,  
as is the case for the CEO, achieved a lower actual payment for 2019, and lower than last year’s equivalent representative employee. 

There has been no significant change to the Company’s employee remuneration structure during the year; however there continues to be a focus on 
increasing our use of direct labour within the Company to mitigate the industry-wide skills shortage. The Company now employs 643 apprentices; 
trainees and apprentices are lower paid and impact on inter-quartile range.

As has been noted on page 118, the Committee has reviewed the remuneration policies and practices for the wider workforce in conjunction with the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy review during the year – this includes the maximum bonus potential for all new employees. The Committee is satisfied that 
there is a good level of consistency in relation to pay policies throughout Taylor Wimpey.

Change in Chief Executive pay compared to that of Taylor Wimpey employees (unaudited)
The table below shows the percentage year on year change in salary, benefits and annual bonus earned between 2018 and 2019 for the Chief Executive 
and compared to the average percentage year on year change of Taylor Wimpey employees during the same year.

Pete Redfern
Average pay of Taylor Wimpey employees

Change in Company performance relative to change in remuneration (unaudited)

Profit before tax, interest and exceptional items
Dividends paid per ordinary share
 – interim 2019 / interim 2018 (3.84p / 2.44p)
 – final 2019 / final 2018 (3.80p / 3.80p)
 – special 2019 / special 2018 (10.7p / 10.4p)
Employee pay in aggregate (See Note 7 to the financial statements)
Employee pay average per employee (See Note 7 to the financial statements)

Salary
2%
3%

Benefits
0%
0%

Annual bonus 
scheme
-45%
-20%

2018
£880.2m

2019
£850.5m

Change (%)
-3.4%

16.64p
£270.4m
£49,688

18.34p
£290.4m
£49,363

10.2%
7.4%
-0.7%

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

129

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration continued

Directors’ interests in shares of the Company

Share ownership guidelines

The Taylor Wimpey share ownership guidelines are designed to encourage shareholding in Taylor Wimpey plc by executives at various levels within the 
Company for the purpose of alignment with the Company’s shareholders. The guidelines cover the Executive Directors and those executives who 
participate in long term incentive plans with all participating executives required to build up shareholdings through the retention of shares vesting under 
the Company’s share plans.

The level of required shareholding for Executive Directors to attain is two times base salary. Subject to shareholder approval at the 2020 AGM the 
shareholding guidelines will be simplified by requiring Executive Directors to retain at least 50% of their net of taxes gain arising from any shares vesting 
or acquired pursuant to the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plans, until such time as the guidelines have been met. Beneficially owned shares count 
toward the guidelines, together with the portion of the annual bonus (EIS) deferred into shares (on a net of tax basis) and any vested but unexercised 
PSP awards. As mentioned earlier in this Report, any shares that are acquired through a PSP award vesting must, as a standard requirement, be 
retained by executives for at least 24 months. 

The Chair and the Non Executive Directors are also encouraged to hold shares in the Company in order to align their interests with those of shareholders.

Directors’ interests in shares of the Company (audited)

Director
Kevin Beeston(d)
Pete Redfern
Chris Carney
James Jordan(e)
Jennie Daly
Kate Barker
Gwyn Burr
Irene Dorner
Angela Knight
Robert Noel
Humphrey Singer

Beneficially owned

Outstanding interests in share plans

at 01/01/19 
(ordinary shares)(a)
718,432
2,993,706 
190,606 
937,858 
67,477 
60,000 
– 
– 
10,000 
– 
25,000 

at 31/12/19  

(ordinary shares)

777,596   
1,188,804   
253,182   
1,106,146   
98,484   
60,000   
–   
15,000   
10,000   
–   
25,000   

EIS deferred shares 
(gross)
– 
653,096 
120,898 
303,218 
84,795 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

PSP(b)
– 
2,734,300 
1,029,702 
908,527 
800,722 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Share interests expressed 
as a % of salary

Value of shares  
(including EIS deferred  

shares on a net basis) as

at 31/12/19(c)
– 
339% 
140% 
603% 
69% 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Sharesave  
–   
18,863   
20,891   
13,071   
22,921   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

(a)  Or date of appointment.
(b)  Vesting is subject to the achievement of performance conditions.
(c)  This has been calculated on the basis of beneficially owned shares and the net amount of EIS shares.
(d)  Some of Kevin Beeston’s shares are held by a connected person.
(e)  James Jordan stood down from the Board on 31 December 2019.

The only changes to the Directors’ interests as set out above during the period between 31 December 2019 and 25 February 2020 were the regular 
monthly purchases of shares and 1:1 matching by the Company under the Share Incentive Plan by Pete Redfern, Chris Carney and Jennie Daly who 
acquired 292 shares each.

130 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
Directors’ pension entitlements (audited)

Defined benefit schemes

The Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme
Pete Redfern and James Jordan are members of the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS). The following table sets out the transfer value of their 
accrued benefits under the TWPS calculated in a manner consistent with The Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations 2008.

Director
Pete Redfern
James Jordan

Normal retirement age
62
62

Accrued pension as at 
31/12/18
15,255 
28,220 

Increase in accrued 
pension from 31/12/18 
to 31/12/19
370 
684 

Accrued pension as at 
31/12/19(a)
15,625 
28,904 

Transfer value gross of 
Director’s contributions 
at 31/12/19(b)
389,163 
848,009 

Transfer value gross of 
Director’s contributions 
at 31/12/18(b)
313,150 
712,473 

Increase (decrease) in 
transfer value from 
31/12/18 to 31/12/19 
less Director’s 
contributions(c)
76,013 
135,536 

(a)  The pension benefits are based on service up to 31 August 2010 when the George Wimpey Staff Pension Scheme (GWSPS) closed to future accrual. Members of the GWSPS were 
transferred into the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS) on 1 October 2013 and there was no change to members’ benefit entitlement. Pension benefits include a two thirds 
spouse’s pension. Pensions accrued up to 5 April 2009 will revalue in deferment in line with inflation subject to an overall cap of 5% per annum. Pensions accrued after 5 April 2009 
will revalue in deferment in line with inflation subject to an overall cap of 2.5% per annum. Once in payment, pensions accrued up to 5 April 2006 are guaranteed to increase in line 
with inflation limited each year to 5%, pensions accrued after 5 April 2006 are guaranteed to increase in line with inflation limited each year to 2.5%. The Company has only taken into 
account defined benefits accrued over the period to 31 August 2010 and has not included any Defined Contribution pension benefits accrued after this date.

(b)  Transfer values have been calculated in accordance with The Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Value) Regulations 1996 (as amended).
(c)  The transfer value includes the effect of fluctuations due to factors beyond the control of the Company and Directors, such as financial market movements.

Note: Pete Redfern and James Jordan received cash allowances of £209,226 (2018: £204,991) and £99,896 (2018: £98,001) respectively in lieu of Company pension contributions.

There were no changes to benefits during the year and consequently no difference between the changes to any Director’s pension benefits in 
comparison with those of other employees.

Non-Group pension arrangements

Chris Carney
Jennie Daly

2019 
(£)
9,988 
10,007 

2018 
(£) 
6,985
6,981

Notes: Chris Carney and Jennie Daly also received pension allowances of £77,290 (2018: £52,592) and £70,008 (2018: £36,114) respectively in lieu of Company pension contributions 
over the Tapered Annual Allowance limit introduced in April 2016. Allowances for 2018 are pro-rated to their appointment date.

Statement of shareholder voting (unaudited)
At the 2019 AGM, the result of the shareholders’ vote on the Company’s Remuneration Report for 2018 was:

For

Against

Withheld

At the 2017 AGM, the result of the shareholders’ vote on the Company Remuneration Policy was:

For

Against

Withheld

Approval

2019  

(Votes)
2 billion 
(97%)
71 million 
(3%)
11,910,493

2017 
(Votes)
1.9 billion
(98%)
38 million
(2%)
1,502,137

This Remuneration Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2020 and signed on its behalf by the Remuneration Committee Chair:

Gwyn Burr
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

25 February 2020

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

131

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory, regulatory and 
other information

Introduction

This section contains the remaining matters on which the Directors are required to report each year, which do not appear elsewhere in this Directors’ 
report. Certain other matters which are required to be reported on appear in other sections of this Annual Report and Accounts, as detailed below:

Matter
An indication of likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries appears in the Strategic Report
The Group’s profit before taxation and the profit after taxation appear in the Consolidated income statement and in the 
Notes to the financial statements
The Company’s Viability statement
The Remuneration Committee report
Details of the Company’s long term incentive schemes as required by Listing Rule 9.4.3R are set out in the Remuneration 
Committee report
The reporting of the Company’s carbon footprint
A list of the subsidiary and associated undertakings, including branches outside the UK, principally affecting the profits or 
net assets of the Group in the year
Changes in asset values are set out in the Consolidated balance sheet and in the Notes to the financial statements
A detailed statement of the Group’s treasury management and funding including information on the exposure of the 
Company in relation to the use of financial instruments
Details of an arrangement under which a shareholder has waived or agreed to waive any dividends, and where a 
shareholder has agreed to waive future dividends, details of such waiver together with those relating to dividends which are 
payable during the period under review
A statement that this Annual Report and Accounts meets the requirements of Section 4, Principle N, Provision 27 of the 
2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (fair, balanced and understandable)
A statement outlining our engagement with employees and other stakeholders  

Page(s) in this Annual Report
2 to 58
148 and 153 to 182

52 and 53
106 to 131
106 to 131

44 and 138
189 and 190

150 and 153 to 182
169 to 172

133 and 199

63

32 to 43 and 76 to 81 

All information required to be reported by Listing Rule 9.8.4R and applicable to the Company or Group for this reporting period is set out in the 
table above.

Directors
The following Directors held office throughout 
the year:

 – Kevin Beeston, Chair of the Board
 – Pete Redfern, Chief Executive
 – Chris Carney, Group Finance Director
 – Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director
 – Kate Barker DBE, Independent Non Executive 

Director

 – Angela Knight CBE, Independent 

Non Executive Director

 – Humphrey Singer, Independent Non Executive 

Director

 – Gwyn Burr, Independent Non Executive Director

In addition to the above, James Jordan stood 
down from the Board as Group Legal Director 
and Company Secretary on 31 December 2019, 
Irene Dorner was elected to the Board as an 
Independent Non Executive Director and 
Chair-designate on 1 December 2019, and 
Robert Noel was appointed to the Board  
as an Independent Non Executive Director 
on 1 October 2019. 

The Directors, together with their biographical 
information, are shown on pages 66 and 67.

Retirement and re-election
The Company has determined that in 
accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code), all Directors,  
with the exception of our Chair, Kevin Beeston, 
who will have stepped down from the Board  
by that time, should seek election or re-election, 
as appropriate, at this year’s Annual General 
Meeting (AGM) as explained in the Notes to the 
Notice of Annual General Meeting on pages 196 
and 197.

Each of the Directors proposed for election or 
re-election at the AGM is being unanimously 
recommended by all the other members of the 
Board. This recommendation follows the 
completion of the annual Board evaluation 
process, which was internally facilitated this year. 
This included a detailed appraisal of the Board, 
its Committees and also each Director 
individually, which in turn included a review of 
their respective time commitments. 

Further information relating to the evaluation is 
set out on pages 92 and 93.

The Articles of Association of the Company 
regulate the appointment and removal of 
Directors, in addition to the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006 and related legislation. 
The Company’s Articles of Association may be 
amended by special resolution of the 
shareholders as necessary. The various powers 
and responsibilities of the Directors are 
described on pages 82 and 85.

Qualifying third party indemnity
The Company has granted an indemnity in 
favour of its Directors and Officers and those of 
its Group companies, including the Trustee 
Directors of its Pension Trustee Company, 
against the financial exposure that they may 
incur in the course of their professional duties as 
Directors and Officers of the Company and / or 
its subsidiaries / affiliates. The indemnity has 
been put in place in accordance with Section 
234 of the Companies Act 2006 in respect of 
which the Company took advice from its 
corporate lawyers, Slaughter and May.

132 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit and auditor
Each Director has, at the date of approval of this 
Report, formally confirmed that:

 – to the best of his or her knowledge there is no 

relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware; and

 – he or she has taken all the steps they ought to 

have taken as a Director in order to make 
themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that 
information.

This confirmation is given and should be 
interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 
Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Deloitte LLP (Deloitte) has confirmed its 
willingness to continue in office as auditor of the 
Company. Following a review by the Audit 
Committee of its effectiveness, details of which 
are set out on page 102, a resolution to 
reappoint Deloitte will be proposed at the AGM.

It is the Company’s general policy that its auditor 
will not carry out non-audit services except 
where it is appropriate to do so and in 
accordance with the Company’s policy for the 
carrying out of such work. In addition, and in line 
with the Code, the Audit Committee takes into 
account the relevant ethical and auditing 
professional standards guidance regarding the 
provision of non-audit services to the Group 
during the year within the policy framework as 
described in Note 6 on page 161.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held at 11:00am on 23 April 
2020 at The British Medical Association, BMA 
House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP.

Formal notice of the AGM including details of the 
special business being proposed is set out in the 
Notice of Annual General Meeting on pages 
192 to 198 and on the Company’s website at: 
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate. In line with 
recent practice and good governance, voting on 
all resolutions at this year’s AGM will again be 
conducted by way of a poll. The Board believes 
that this method of voting gives as many 
shareholders as possible the opportunity to have 
their votes counted as part of the process, 
whether their votes are tendered by proxy in 
advance of, or in person at, the AGM.

Web communications
With shareholders’ consent, the Company has 
adopted web communication. The benefits of 
web communication are that it:

 – Enables the Company to significantly reduce 

its printing and postage costs.

 – Enables shareholders to access information 
faster, on the day documents are published 
on the Company’s website.

 – Reduces the amount of resources consumed, 
such as paper, and therefore helps to reduce 
the impact of printing, mailing and related 
activities on the environment.

Shareholder communications (including the 
2019 Annual Report and Accounts) are available 
electronically through the Company’s website.

90% of the Company’s shareholders use either 
electronic or web communication.

The Company will, of course, continue to provide 
hard copy documentation to those shareholders 
who have requested this and is happy to do so.

Registrar
The Company’s Registrar is Link Asset Services. 
Their details, together with information on the 
services and facilities available to shareholders, 
are set out in the shareholder facilities section on 
pages 199 and 200.

Capital structure
Details of the Company’s issued share capital, 
together with information on the movements in 
the Company’s issued share capital during the 
year, are shown in Note 23 on page 177.

The Company has two classes of shares: 
Ordinary Shares of 1p, each of which carries  
the right to one vote at general meetings of the 
Company and such other rights and obligations 
as are set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association, and Deferred Shares which carry  
no voting rights.

The authority to make market purchases 
pursuant to the resolution passed at the 2019 
AGM was not exercised during 2019 or prior to 
the date of this Report. The Company has no 
current intention of exercising this authority but 
will nevertheless be seeking the usual renewal of 
this authority at the AGM, and the Board will 
continue to keep the position under regular 
review. The Company currently holds no shares 
in treasury.

There are no specific restrictions on the size of a 
holding, the exercise of voting rights, or on the 
transfer of shares, which are governed by the 
Articles of Association and prevailing legislation. 
The Directors are not aware of any agreement or 
agreements between holders of the Company’s 
shares that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of securities or voting rights.

Details of employee share schemes are set out in 
the Remuneration Committee report on pages 106 
to 131. The Employee Share Ownership Trust 
(ESOT) which holds shares on trust for employees 
under various share schemes, generally abstains 
from voting at shareholder general meetings in 
respect of shares held by them.

No person has any special rights of control over 
the Company’s share capital and all issued 
shares are fully paid.

Dividend
An interim ordinary dividend of 3.84 pence per 
ordinary share was paid on 8 November 2019 
and the Directors recommended a final ordinary 
dividend of 3.80 pence per ordinary share which, 
together with the interim dividend, increases the 
total ordinary dividend for the year to 7.64 pence 
(2018: 6.24 pence). Information relating to the 
recommended 2019 final ordinary dividend is set 
out on page 58 and in the notes to resolution 2 
in the Notes to the Notice of Annual General 
Meeting on page 196. The Directors have also 
recommended a special dividend for 2020 of 
10.99 pence per ordinary share (2018: 10.7 
pence). Information relating to the recommended 
2020 special dividend is set out on page 58 and 
in the notes to resolution 3 in the Notes to the 
Notice of Annual General Meeting on page 196. 

The Company will be operating a Dividend 
Re-Investment Plan (DRIP), further details of 
which are set out on page 199 of this Annual 
Report. The DRIP will operate automatically in 
respect of the 2019 final ordinary dividend for 
those shareholders who have previously 
registered a DRIP mandate (unless varied by 
shareholders beforehand) and also in respect of 
all future dividends, including special dividends, 
until such time as each participating shareholder 
elects to withdraw from the DRIP, or the DRIP is 
suspended or terminated in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of the plan. The Board will 
continue to keep the availability of the DRIP 
under regular review. 

Shareholders are again reminded to check their 
position with regard to any dividend mandates 
that are in place, should they wish to either 
participate in the DRIP or discontinue or vary any 
participation, as existing mandates will apply to 
all dividend payments (including special 
dividends) unless or until revoked.

The right to receive any dividend has been 
waived in part by the Trustees of the Company’s 
ESOT over that Trust’s combined holding of 
10,743,775 shares. More details of the ESOT 
are contained in Note 26 on page 178.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

133

Governance 
 
Statutory, regulatory and other information continued

Substantial interests
The persons set out in the table below have notified the Company pursuant to Rule 5.1 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of their interests in the 
ordinary share capital of the Company. 

At 25 February 2020, no change in these holdings had been notified nor, according to the Register of Members, did any other shareholder at that date 
have a disclosable holding of the Company’s issued share capital.

Directors’ interests, including interests in the Company’s shares, are shown in the Remuneration Committee report on page 130. The Board strongly 
believes in the alignment of interests between senior management and the Company’s shareholders.

Substantial interests in the Company’s shares were as follows:

Name
BlackRock Inc
Legal & General Group plc
Standard Life Investments Limited

As at 31 December 
2019

Percentage of 
issued voting share 
capital
5.58 
3.02 
3.02 

Number of shares 
held (millions)
182.5 
98.5 
96.5 

As at 25 February 
2020

Percentage of 
issued voting share 
capital
5.58 
3.02 
3.02 

Number of shares 
held (millions)
182.5 
98.5 
96.5 

In addition to the substantial interests shown above, the Company held in its ESOT 10.7 million of its own shares at 31 December 2019, representing 
0.33% of the shares in issue at that date (2018: 13.9 million; 0.42%). The Company currently holds no shares in treasury.

Research and development
Our research and development initiatives 
(Project 2020) continued throughout 2019 with  
a focus on quality improvements. This focus  
led to the introduction of quality managers  
to the majority of our regions and improved our 
Construction Quality Review (CQR) score to lead 
the industry in this measure. We have engaged 
with key suppliers and manufacturers to develop 
a focused training, competency and audit 
programme for site teams. The aim is to expand 
knowledge and update site teams about new 
installation regulations and guidance through 
e-learning and practical on site training, which is 
followed up by site based audits from the 
suppliers’ technical training teams.

The vision for 2020 and beyond is to develop 
this platform in collaboration with suppliers and 
the Safety Management Advisory Service into an 
‘approved installer scheme’ ultimately improving 
installer status across the UK. These initiatives 
are about getting it right first time, enabling us to 
provide a better quality customer experience and 
future proof our Company.

Following our 2016 architectural competition 
with the Royal Institute of British Architects, we 
have built nine prototypes of the winning entry, 
Openstudio Architects’ Infinite House, on three 
sites in Glasgow, Manchester and Didcot. 
The Infinite House is designed to offer maximum 
flexibility, customisation, cost efficiency, 
enhanced daylight levels and the ability to use 
diverse construction techniques. 

The Infinite House’s external envelope can be 
adapted to suit different contexts without 
appearing to be a repeated house type, thus 
offering aesthetic variety while maintaining the 
efficiency and cost effectiveness of repetition 
and structural standardisation.

Whilst building the prototypes, the regional 
teams have trialled different build methodologies 
in the innovative designs. In Didcot, we built five 
homes trialling cross laminated timber construction; 
in Manchester we built two homes using 
traditional masonry construction; and in Glasgow 
we built one home from standard timber frame 
and one from advanced timber frame.

Since completion, we have conducted customer 
focus groups in the houses to gauge the 
attractiveness of the modern layouts and 
elevations. The results were very favourable and 
we will be using the knowledge gained in the 
design of our new house type range. As well as 
customer feedback, we gathered detailed 
information on the construction, commercial and 
planning aspects of the houses. We also carried 
out post completion testing on the houses to 
assess the various build methodologies in 
relation to forthcoming improvement of energy 
measures in the building regulations. 

The use of timber frame construction increased 
during 2019 in line with the developed strategy 
to diversify construction methods and we remain 
on course to achieve the strategy target of 20% 
of all plot completions being built in timber frame 
by the end of 2020.

During 2019 we continued to support the 
Horizon Group at the Supply Chain Sustainability 
School. The Horizon Group have a vision of a 
more sustainable built environment through the 
development and implementation of 
collaborative industrial and academic supply 
chain research. We worked with energy experts 
and portacabin manufacturers to design a highly 
efficient portacabin which we are now looking to 
pilot. We also set up a series of electricity 
sub-meters on two building sites to determine 
where most electricity is used. In 2019 we 
supported a Master’s degree thesis at Aston 
University on supply chain carbon. 

Throughout the year we also worked with 
universities and expert consultants to assess the 
design impacts of future regulatory requirements 
in relation to health and wellbeing in new homes.

Also in 2019, we continued to pursue a hybrid  
direct labour model in response to the  
predicted skills shortage in the housebuilding 
industry. Our hybrid labour model allows  
for the recruitment of both experienced 
tradespeople and the attraction and 
development of new talent into a shrinking 
workforce. We will continue to employ and 
develop key tradespeople such as bricklayers, 
carpenters, scaffolders, roofers and painters. 
All of our business units are actively recruiting 
apprentices and we are continuing to develop 
our apprentice training programme, which aims 
to train and develop apprentices at a faster rate 
and to a higher standard than the traditional route. 

134 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
Additionally, we are driving a programme 
encouraging those seeking a change of career 
to join the housebuilding industry, for example  
by encouraging the recruitment of ex-Armed 
Forces personnel.

The widely publicised and continuing skills 
shortage coupled with shorter build timescales 
and a desire to improve quality for our customers 
have accelerated our efforts to explore several 
off site construction methods in order to build 
‘right first time’. We continue to explore new and 
alternative working practices, products and 
technologies to improve the operational 
efficiencies of our business. These alternatives 
can offer improved build speeds, better health 
and safety and improved quality. This may also 
alleviate the demand for specific skilled 
tradespeople and could offer a solution in 
geographical locations where certain 
tradespeople are difficult to source.

Our internal Placemaking Design competition is 
another way in which we continue to improve 
the quality of the neighbourhoods and 
communities we deliver. One of the objectives of 
this competition is to stimulate thought 
processes and critical thinking with regard to 
placemaking, whilst following the framework of 
‘Building for Life’. The winners and shortlisted 
schemes displayed the key attributes of a 
scheme that has placemaking at the heart of its 
design proposal. Key attributes include achieving 
character and identity, visual interest, effective 
use of parks and green open spaces, the 
provision of community infrastructure and a 
great sense of place. This competition promotes 
and celebrates the stand out schemes across 
the country and shares knowledge and best 
practice around the business. 

Employee involvement and 
communication

Employee engagement
We are proud of how committed our employees 
are to the long term success of the Company 
and we strive to listen and engage with all 
employees. The results from our 2019 employee 
engagement ‘Talkback’ survey were extremely 
positive with over 3,700 (67%) employees 
choosing to respond and overall employee 
engagement remaining strong at 93%. 
Additionally, 98% of respondents said they were 
‘willing to go the extra mile’ and 95% were 
‘proud to work for Taylor Wimpey’.

It was also pleasing to see strong results in key 
areas such as health and wellbeing, customer 
experience and employees’ belief in our 
commitment to becoming an inclusive employer. 
In addition, we have continued to enhance our 
work environment by increasing collaboration 
through moving to open-plan offices, improving 
site technology, promoting a flexible working 
mindset and supporting our employees with our 
focus on health and wellbeing.

We plan to run another ‘Talkback’ survey in 
2021 and again will respond to our employees’ 
feedback. We undertake this engagement 
survey periodically and it forms an important part 
of how we involve, gain feedback from and 
communicate with our employees.

In our regional business units, we have active 
Employee Consultation Committees, which 
involve elected representatives meeting with 
management to consult on appropriate issues. 
As we continue to develop our strategy,  
senior leaders including the Chief Executive, 
Group Operations Director and Group Human 
Resources Director have chaired strategy focus 
groups. These have provided valuable feedback 
and insight on how we can continue to improve 
our employee experience, which then helps to 
inform our people strategies.

Furthermore, our National Employee Forum 
(NEF) continues to meet regularly, with four 
meetings held in 2019. Chaired by a Divisional 
Managing Director, the NEF ensures the 
employee voice continues to build. The Chief 
Executive has attended meetings as have other 
members of senior management, including the 
Group Finance Director and the Group Human 
Resources Director. 

Topics of discussion may be proposed by any 
employee, but generally consist of key areas on 
which the Company seeks the views of and 
feedback from employees, including: 

 – Receiving an overview of the Company 

benefits, including a detailed review of target 
setting for the Company bonus scheme.
 – Discussion of the Company’s new vision, 
mission, values and cultural principles, 
including further developing how this meshes 
with the Company’s strategic aim of 
becoming a truly customer-focused business.

 – Roll out of defibrillators throughout all 

Company offices and sites, including the 
location of the equipment and training prior to 
the roll out being actioned.

 – An overview of how the Board operates, 
including the role of the Chief Executive.

 – A review of the use of technology in the 

business and updates on progress with IT 
projects, including the roll out of new 
hardware and how we as a business can 
ensure that employees receive training to 
maximise this.

 – The new Company induction process both at 
the initial stages and also when it was being 
finalised.

 – An introduction to the Diversity and Inclusion 

Committee and discussion as to how the NEF 
can support and drive its vision.

 – Review and feedback on the national results 

of the 2019 employee survey.

 – Agile working, how it is being received within 

the business units and any actions required to 
support it.

Furthermore, the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee attended the NEF in January 2020 to 
discuss the wider workforce remuneration 
policies and practices. 

We also communicate with our employees via 
our half-yearly TeamTalk magazine and regular 
TeamTalk email newsletter. Our intranet is 
continually updated with a wide range of 
employee information from Human Resources 
policies, to advice on sustainable living. 
Information is also regularly cascaded 
throughout the Company via email, including 
regular communications from the Chief Executive 
and via verbal briefings and management 
presentations. Furthermore, employees are able 
to contact the Chief Executive directly via email, 
should they wish to do so.

The Company has participated in the 2019 
Workforce Disclosure Initiative which aims to 
provide greater disclosure on workplace 
practices, including in the areas of supply chain, 
employee contracts, and Board oversight of the 
Company’s workforce. The initiative is aimed at 
focusing companies’ attention on workforce 
practices in areas where there is risk of harmful 
workplace practices.

Social media platforms have been utilised to 
inform our employees of developments around 
the Company and to invite their feedback on 
them. Our employees have enthusiastically 
engaged with this internal communication 
channel and we have seen an increase in  
the sharing of examples of best practice.  
Also, the ability of employees to interact and 
share across the Company is leading to the 
spread of knowledge and success throughout 
the Company.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

135

Governance 
Statutory, regulatory and other information continued

The pre-start content is delivered via a text or 
email link to the new employee, two weeks prior 
to their start date. The content comprises a 
blend of videos, articles and downloads which 
aim to excite and engage the new employee, 
and help them believe that they have made a 
great decision to join the business.

The post-start content delivers a three month 
experience that supports their local orientation, 
educates them about the business, provides 
introductions to key people, and builds their 
connections to housebuilding and their  
sense of working for a FTSE 100 company. 
The post-start content delivers experiences  
and information at key times, without 
overwhelming new employees.

The benefits of the Laying the Foundations 
programme include the attraction of talent to  
the business, a reduction in attrition and an 
increase in retention, improved manager 
satisfaction with new employees, and speeds  
up the time taken for new employees to become 
effective in their role.

Alongside the development of Laying the 
Foundations, our Line Manager and Leadership 
programmes have been through a redesign 
process based on business need. The 
introduction of the new Company values and 
required leadership behaviours for the future 
have driven this exercise and we now have a 
series of development modules that support our 
new and existing managers from the start of their 
management career right through to their 
development as senior leaders across the 
business. These programmes will be under 
constant review throughout 2020 and beyond to 
ensure they remain relevant, are updated at 
relevant times and continue delivering the skills 
and behaviours in the business that will help us 
to achieve our Company goals.

Health and wellbeing
During 2019, we continued to communicate our 
support for the health and wellbeing of our 
employees through the introduction of a health 
and wellbeing project. This has focused on 
supporting our employees through improved 
support and awareness across four main areas: 
mental, financial, social and physical health.

We continued our mental health commitment by 
providing awareness sessions and training for 
employees and line managers focusing on the 
importance of mental health in the workplace. 
Our mental health first aiders are able to provide 
early intervention help and support to those who 
may be developing a mental health issue. This 
project is helping to reduce the stigma 
associated with mental health in the workplace 
and signals to our employees that we value their 
health and wellbeing. This project is further 
supported by the Employee Assistance 
Programme which is accessible to all employees 
and provides counselling and support to help 
individuals with issues that may be affecting their 
health and wellbeing. 

Employee share ownership
The Company promotes employee share 
ownership as widely as possible across the 
business. In addition to the various share related 
reward plans described in the Remuneration 
Committee report on pages 106 to 131 and 
referred to below, the Company also offers a 
scheme whereby employees who do not 
participate in the Executive Incentive Scheme 
(cash bonus scheme) are offered the opportunity 
each year to exchange any cash bonus awarded 
for exceptional performance for shares in the 
Company, offering a 20% enhancement to the 
value if taken entirely in shares and retained for a 
designated period. The scheme has operated 
since 2012 and in 2019 resulted in 423,839 
shares (2018: 377,277) being acquired by 302 
employees (2018: 289).

In addition, the Company also has two  
all-employee share plans, the Save As You Earn 
share option plan and the Share Incentive Plan, 
which are offered to all UK based employees 
once they have worked for the Company for 
three months. The percentage of our eligible 
employees who either participate in one or both 
plans or who are already shareholders in the 
Company is over 57% (2018: 59%).

Recruitment
Externally, we have continued to focus on 
improving our careers site and our presence on 
digital channels such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor. 
We have refined content on our careers site to 
drive further interest and focus on future talent 
and have done more with content to represent 
the diversity of available careers and the diversity 
of our workforce. We have also redesigned our 
whole search and apply interface making it 
easier for candidates to find roles based on 
location and functional area. We have continued 
to develop our external channels to market to 
increase our reach and visibility to a wider 
candidate audience. Carefully selected updates 
to our social recruitment channels over the 
course of the year have resulted in our  
new follower audience on Glassdoor and 
LinkedIn increasing significantly by 36% and 
72% respectively. 

In Glassdoor’s list of Best Places to Work 2020, 
the Company was voted within the top 50 for 
the third year running. This ranking is based  
on reviews and ratings from past and present 
employees on topics such as culture and  
values, work / life balance, salaries and 
career opportunities.

In the next year, the careers site’s functionality 
and technology will continue to be improved with 
a view to creating a better applicant experience. 
An overhaul of the look and feel will bring a more 
modern design to the careers pages. If we want 
to become an employer of choice, then a strong 
first impression is key. New video and photo 
content will also be published in line with this 
change. Prospective candidates can now fully 
complete an application for any vacancy via a 
mobile device for the first time, upload their CV 
from a wider variety of sources and proactively 
register their interest in future vacancies so they 
are notified if a new role is posted that fits their 
interest. All this functionality is critical to attract 
talent in what we already know is a very 
competitive labour market.

Induction
Taylor Wimpey aspires to be an employer of 
choice, meaning we want to bring new talent 
into the industry, specifically to work for Taylor 
Wimpey. The way we onboard and induct our 
employees plays a big part in the efforts to 
support this initiative. With this in mind, a 
Company-wide induction experience has been 
created. The new induction experience is called 
‘Laying the Foundations’ and comprises two 
parts, a pre-start and post-start experience.

136 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Employment of people with disabilities
It is our policy that people with disabilities should 
have fair consideration for all vacancies within 
the Group.

The Company is therefore committed, where 
possible, to ensuring that people with disabilities 
are supported and encouraged to apply for 
employment and to achieve progress once 
employed. They will receive an equal opportunity 
to be selected, trained and promoted. In 
addition, every reasonable effort is made for 
disabled persons to be retained in the 
employment of the Group by investigating 
reasonable adjustments to the job, workplace  
or equipment.

We have increased the number of employees 
with disabilities recruited. Working with key 
partners, we hope to increase permanent  
and secondment opportunities for people 
with disabilities.

For example, we continue to engage with the 
Leonard Cheshire Disability Change 100 
Programme, a charity that provides talented 
disabled students with the opportunity to 
participate in a 100-day summer internship  
and professional development programme. 
Feedback from the students who participated in 
the programme in 2019 has been very positive 
and we intend to engage with the programme 
further during 2020.

Modern Slavery Act
The Company welcomes the aims and 
objectives of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and 
continues to take its responsibilities under the 
Act with the seriousness required and deserved. 
A dedicated multidisciplined team is responsible 
for ensuring that objectives continue to be met. 
The Company will shortly be publishing its fourth 
statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 
which will be available on our website at:  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

Equal opportunities 
We strive to treat our employees fairly and  
with respect at all times. We have policies and 
processes in place to ensure that we act in 
accordance with our vision, mission and values 
which include equal opportunities, anti-harassment 
and bullying, anti-corruption and whistleblowing. 
We encourage our employees and subcontractors 
to speak up about concerns over any 
wrongdoing at work and provide access to an 
independent third party whistleblowing hotline.

We remain committed to the belief that 
embracing diversity and inclusion will enable 
Taylor Wimpey to succeed through a workforce 
that is creative and innovative. We continue to 
actively embrace the local communities in which 
we operate and will strive to reflect their richness 
and character, including such aspects as 
gender, race and religion but also diversity of 
thought, background and experience.

As set out in our Diversity Policy, we remain 
committed to equality of opportunity in all of our 
employment practices, policies and procedures 
across the Group. To this end, within the 
framework of applicable law, we are committed, 
wherever practicable, to achieving and 
maintaining a workforce which broadly reflects 
that of the local catchment area within which 
we operate.

No employee or potential employee will receive 
less favourable treatment due to their race, 
creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, 
political or other opinion, affiliation, gender, sexual 
orientation, marital status, family connections, 
age, membership or non-membership of a trade 
union, or disability. We are committed to making 
reasonable adjustments wherever possible.  
In exceptional circumstances, for example  
due to health and safety considerations on 
construction sites, some adjustments are not 
possible. Our induction content highlights the 
importance of equal opportunities and we share 
this information within our recruitment and 
selection training to ensure all are identifying 
talent in the right way.

Our Diversity Policy can be found on the 
Company’s website at: www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/ 
corporate/our-company/governance

Charitable donations
We recognise the important work done by 
charities around the UK and we aim to make a 
positive impact through donations of time, 
money and materials, as well as through 
encouraging our employees to get involved. Our 
volunteering policy allows employees to take up 
to four half days, or two full days, of paid leave 
per year to participate in volunteering. 

Our focus is on charities which promote 
aspiration and education in disadvantaged 
areas, intervening and improving homeless 
situations for seriously economically 
disadvantaged groups in the UK and local 
projects that have a direct link with our regional 
businesses and developments. Our six national 
charity partners are:

 – Youth Adventure Trust, which helps young 

people fulfil their potential.

 – End Youth Homelessness, a Centrepoint 

led partnership.

 – Crisis, a homelessness charity.
 – St Mungo’s, a homelessness charity.
 – CRASH, a construction and property industry 

charity for the homeless.

 – Foundations Independent Living Trust, which 
helps older and vulnerable people live with 
dignity in their own homes.

The Charity Committee oversees and prioritises 
our national charity donations. The Committee 
includes senior leaders such as the Group Human 
Resources Director and Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary, among a variety of other 
employees including Directors, managers, 
personal assistants and graduate trainees.

In addition to the national charities we support, 
our regional businesses have a discretionary 
charity budget to support local charities and 
initiatives in communities close to our sites. 

During 2019, Group companies donated 
£945,000 (2018: £927,000) to various charities 
and local community causes, the majority of 
which were in the UK. In addition to giving their 
time in line with our volunteering policy, many 
employees at all levels of the business and all 
around the country gave up their work and free 
time to participate in fundraising events for 
charitable causes, which raised a further 
£364,000 (2018: £357,000).

We want to understand the difference that we 
are making to our charity partners and how we 
can increase our impact. During the year, we 
carried out visits to our charity partners and  
used their feedback to direct our donations  
even more effectively. 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

137

Governance 
Statutory, regulatory and other information continued

Further information on the Group’s donations, 
activities and initiatives can be found in the 
Charities section on pages 38 to 39 and in  
the Sustainability Report 2019 which is  
available on the Company’s website at:  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/sustainability

Political donations
The Company has a policy of not making 
donations to political parties, and has not  
made any this year and neither does it intend to 
make any going forward. The Company does 
support certain industry-wide and trade 
organisations which directly assist the 
housebuilding industry such as the Home Builders 
Federation and the Confederation of British 
Industry. Whilst we do not regard this support as 
political in nature in any way, the Companies Act 
2006 definition of ‘political organisations’ and 
related terms is very wide and in certain 
circumstances a donation, subscription or 
membership fee paid to such organisations or to 
a charity could retrospectively be categorised as a 
political donation from a strict legal perspective. 

Accordingly, as a matter of prudent corporate 
governance, the Company will therefore be 
seeking the usual annual dispensation from  
its shareholders at the 2019 AGM, so as to be 
able to continue with the above memberships 
and make charitable donations up to defined 
levels, without inadvertently breaching the 
applicable legislation.

Further information can be found in the Notice of 
the AGM on pages 192 to 198.

Agreements
The Company’s borrowing and bank facilities 
contain the usual change of control provisions 
which could potentially lead to prepayment and 
cancellation by the other party upon a change of 
control of the Company. There are no other 
significant contracts or agreements which take 
effect, alter or terminate upon a change of 
control of the Company.

Branches
A subsidiary, Taylor Wimpey Developments 
Limited, has a branch in Spain, the former 
activities of which were taken over some years 
ago by our Spanish subsidiary Taylor Wimpey 
de España S.A.U, whose details appear on 
page 200.

Important events since the year end
There have been no important events affecting 
the Company or any of its subsidiary 
undertakings since 31 December 2019.

Directors’ responsibilities statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the 
Annual Report and Accounts in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) and energy use for the period 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019 
We have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard for our overall approach to carbon management, including our policy, strategy and verification of our data 
and processes.

Scope 1 GHG emissions – combustion of fuel
Scope 2 GHG emissions – market based
Total scopes 1 and 2 – market based

Emissions per 100 sqm completed homes (scope 1 and 2)
Operational energy use (fuel and electricity consumption from UK sites and offices) MWh
Operational energy intensity (UK site and office fuel and electricity intensity 
– MWh / 100 sqm completed homes)

MWh / 100 sqm

tonnes CO2e
tonnes CO2e
tonnes CO2e
tonnes 
CO2e/100 sqm

2019
21,018
3,563
24,581

2018
20,328
4,509
24,837

2017
18,889
4,794
23,683

2016
17,983
10,827
28,809

2015
17,768
12,947
30,716

1.62
101,352

1.73
95,170

1.73
89,550

2.13
92,236

2.40
90,524

6.8

6.8

6.5

6.8

7.1

Data is provided as tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) for all operations. Scope 1 and 2 emissions are from our sites, offices, show homes and sales areas, plots before sale 
and car fleet. Data on scope 3 emissions is included in our Sustainability Report.  

We have used the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) for data gathered to fulfil our requirements under the Mandatory Carbon Reporting 
(MCR) requirements, and emission factors from the Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for our corporate reporting. We use the market-based method of the revised version of the 
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance for calculating our scope 2 emissions. 

We have reported on the emissions sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013 apart from the exclusions noted. 
The reported sources fall within our Consolidated Financial Statements and are for emissions over which we have financial control. We do not have responsibility for any emissions 
sources that are not included in our consolidated statement.

Operational energy use and operational energy intensity figures are for our UK business only.

The following sources of emissions were excluded or part-excluded from this report: 

 – Fugitive emissions (refrigerant gases): excluded on the basis of expected immateriality and difficulty in acquiring data 
 – Gas and electricity of part-exchange properties: excluded on the basis of immateriality due to very few completions of this type
 – Certain emissions from District Heating Schemes where we are receiving a rebate from customers prior to handover to the long term operator
 – Certain joint venture properties: where Taylor Wimpey was not part of the handover process. In these cases other homebuilders have captured MCR-related data 

See our Carbon Reporting Methodology Statement at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/sustainability for more detail on our calculations. 

The energy consumption figure in the table relates to UK sites and offices only. If energy use from our fleet and our Spanish sites and offices is included the figure is 116,207 MWh. 98.6% 
of this total energy consumption is from the UK and 1.4% from offshore areas (Spain) and 97.7% of total emissions are from the UK and 2.3% from offshore areas (Spain). During the last 
year, we have reduced energy and emissions through our purchase of green tariff electricity for our sites during construction, and through the efforts of our Sustainability Champions 
including working with Site Managers to increase the use of natural ventilation methods for drying out homes and checking thermostats in show homes to ensure heating is only used 
when necessary. This reporting meets the SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) requirements which commenced for financial years that started on or after 1 April 2019.

138 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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

The Directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate  
and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United 
Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ 
from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In accordance with Section 4, Principle N, 
Provision 27 of the Code as set out in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 63, 
the Directors are required, inter alia, to ensure 
that the Annual Report and Accounts provides 
the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy. Details of how this was 
addressed are set out in the Audit Committee 
report on page 104.

Responsibility statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of 
their knowledge:

 – The financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with the relevant financial 
reporting framework, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
profit or loss of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole.

 – The Strategic Report includes a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with 
a description of the Principal Risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

 – The Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a 
whole, are fair, balanced and understandable 
and provide the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy.

This Report of the Directors was approved by 
the Board of Directors on 25 February 2020.

Alice Marsden
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
Taylor Wimpey plc 

25 February 2020

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. 
Accordingly, Directors are required to prepare 
the Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and 
Article 4 of the International Accounting 
Standard (‘IAS’) Regulation and have elected to 
prepare the Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards and applicable law). 
In accordance with company law, the Directors 
must not approve the accounts unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Company and of the profit 
or loss of the Company for that period.

In preparing the parent Company financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:

 – Select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently.

 – Make judgements and accounting estimates 

that are reasonable and prudent.

 – State whether applicable UK accounting 

standards have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in 
the financial statements.

 – Prepare the financial statements on the going 
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to 
presume that the Company will continue 
in business.

In preparing the Group financial statements, 
IAS 1 requires that Directors:

 – Properly select and apply accounting policies.
 – Present information, including accounting 

policies, in a manner that provides relevant, 
reliable, comparable and understandable 
information.

 – Provide additional disclosures when compliance 
with the specific requirements in the IFRSs are 
insufficient to enable users to understand the 
impact of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the entity’s financial position 
and financial performance.

 – Make an assessment of the Company’s ability 

to continue as a going concern.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

139

Governance 
Independent auditor’s report to the  
members of Taylor Wimpey plc 

Report on the audit of the financial statements  
1. Opinion 
In our opinion: 

–  the financial statements of Taylor Wimpey plc (the ‘Parent Company’) 

and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

–  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union and IFRSs as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB); 

–  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced 
Disclosure Framework”; and 

–  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 which comprise: 

–  the consolidated income statement; 
–  the consolidated statement of comprehensive income; 
–  the consolidated and Parent Company balance sheets; 
–  the consolidated and Parent Company statements of changes in equity; 
–  the consolidated cash flow statement; and 
–  Notes 1 to 33 relating to the consolidated financial statements and 
Notes 1 to 15 relating to the Parent Company financial statements. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the Group financial statements is applicable law and 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). 

2. Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on 
Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for  
the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  

We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance 
with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s 
(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 confirm that the non-audit services prohibited 
by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or the 
Parent Company. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

3. Summary of our audit approach 

Key audit 
matters 

The key audit matters that we identified in the current 
year were: 
–  inventory costing and margin recognition; 
–  defined benefit pension scheme accounting; and 
–  accounting for the leasehold provision. 
Within this report, key audit matters are identified 
as follows: 

Materiality 

Scoping 

Significant 
changes in 
our approach

Increased level of risk 

Similar level of risk 

Decreased level of risk 

The materiality that we used for the Group financial 
statements was £41.0 million which was determined on 
the basis of 5% of pre-tax profit for the year, excluding 
exceptional items. 

Based on our scoping assessment, our Group audit was 
focused on the UK Housing division (excluding joint 
ventures) which represented the principal segment within 
the Group and accounted for 97% of the Group’s net 
operating assets, 97% of the Group’s revenue and 96% 
of the Group’s pre-tax profit before exceptional income. 

In relation to the key audit matters, we have removed the 
accounting for the cladding provision as a key audit 
matter in the current year. The provision was established 
in 2018 and the Group has completed replacement 
works at a number of developments during 2019. 
Subsequent to the year end the Group has commenced 
further work on additional developments. Due to the 
progress of the replacement works conducted by the 
Group we no longer consider this area to be a key 
audit matter. 

There have been no other significant changes in 
our approach. 

140 
140 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on the audit of the financial statements  

2. Basis for opinion 

4. Conclusions relating to going concern, principal risks and viability statement 

4.1. Going concern 

We have reviewed the Directors’ statement in Note 1 to 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 Group’s and company’s ability to 
continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements. 

  Going concern is the basis of preparation of 
the financial statements that assumes an 
entity will remain in operation for a period of 
at least 12 months from the date of approval 
of the financial statements. 

We confirm that we have nothing material to 
report, add or draw attention to in respect of 
these matters. 

Viability means the ability of the Group to 
continue over the time horizon considered 
appropriate by the Directors.  

We confirm that we have nothing material to 
report, add or draw attention to in respect of 
these matters. 

We considered as part of our risk assessment the nature of the Group, its business model and 
related risks including where relevant the impact of Brexit, the requirements of the applicable 
financial reporting framework and the system of internal control. We evaluated the Directors’ 
assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, including challenging the 
underlying data and key assumptions used to make the assessment, and evaluated the Directors’ 
plans for future actions in relation to their going concern assessment. 

We are required to state whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation 
to that statement required by Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) and report if the statement is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit. 

4.2. Principal risks and viability statement 

Based solely on reading the Directors’ statements and considering whether they were consistent 
with the knowledge we obtained in the course of the audit, including the knowledge obtained in the 
evaluation of the Directors’ assessment of the Group’s and the company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, we are required to state whether we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 

–  the disclosures on pages 45-52 that describe the principal risks, procedures to identify emerging 

risks, and an explanation of how these are being managed or mitigated; 

–  the Directors' confirmation on page 75 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 

principal and emerging risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity; or 

–  the Directors’ explanation on pages 52-53 as to how they have assessed the prospects of  
the Group, 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 
Group 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. 

We are also required to report whether the Directors’ statement relating to the prospects of  
the Group required by Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained 
in the audit. 

5. Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current 
period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. 

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not 
provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

Independent auditor’s report to the  

members of Taylor Wimpey plc 

1. Opinion 

In our opinion: 

–  the financial statements of Taylor Wimpey plc (the ‘Parent Company’) 

and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) give a true and fair view of the state of 

the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 

2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

–  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 

adopted by the European Union and IFRSs as issued by the International 

Accounting Standards Board (IASB); 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on 

Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under 

those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for  

the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  

We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance 

with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 

statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s 

(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 confirm that the non-audit services prohibited 

by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or the 

–  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared 

Parent Company. 

in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 

Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced 

Disclosure Framework”; and 

–  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 believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 

appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

3. Summary of our audit approach 

Key audit 

matters 

year were: 

The key audit matters that we identified in the current 

We have audited the financial statements which comprise: 

–  the consolidated income statement; 

–  the consolidated statement of comprehensive income; 

–  the consolidated and Parent Company balance sheets; 

–  the consolidated and Parent Company statements of changes in equity; 

–  the consolidated cash flow statement; and 

–  Notes 1 to 33 relating to the consolidated financial statements and 

Notes 1 to 15 relating to the Parent Company financial statements. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 

of the Group financial statements is applicable law and 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). 

–  inventory costing and margin recognition; 

–  defined benefit pension scheme accounting; and 

–  accounting for the leasehold provision. 

Within this report, key audit matters are identified 

as follows: 

Increased level of risk 

Similar level of risk 

Decreased level of risk 

Materiality 

The materiality that we used for the Group financial 

statements was £41.0 million which was determined on 

the basis of 5% of pre-tax profit for the year, excluding 

exceptional items. 

Scoping 

Based on our scoping assessment, our Group audit was 

focused on the UK Housing division (excluding joint 

ventures) which represented the principal segment within 

the Group and accounted for 97% of the Group’s net 

operating assets, 97% of the Group’s revenue and 96% 

of the Group’s pre-tax profit before exceptional income. 

Significant 

changes in 

In relation to the key audit matters, we have removed the 

accounting for the cladding provision as a key audit 

our approach

matter in the current year. The provision was established 

in 2018 and the Group has completed replacement 

works at a number of developments during 2019. 

Subsequent to the year end the Group has commenced 

further work on additional developments. Due to the 

progress of the replacement works conducted by the 

Group we no longer consider this area to be a key 

audit matter. 

our approach. 

There have been no other significant changes in 

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Independent auditor’s report to the members of Taylor Wimpey plc continued 

5. Key audit matters continued 

5.1. Inventory costing and margin recognition 

Refer to page 105 (Audit Committee report) page 157 (source of estimation uncertainty) and page 167 (financial statements disclosures). 

Key audit 
matter 
description 

  The value for inventory as at 31 December 2019 is £4,196.0 million (2018: £4,188.2 million) and as such is the most significant asset on the 

balance sheet (page 150). Inventory comprises land and work in progress (‘WIP’); WIP includes the construction cost of developing a site, and is 
transferred to cost of sales as each legal completion takes place. 

How the 
scope of  
our audit 
responded  
to the key 
audit matter 

The Group’s cost allocation framework determines the profit forecasted for each site, and acts as a method of allocating land and build cost of a 
development to each individual plot, ensuring the forecast gross margin (in percentage terms) to be achieved on each individual plot is equal 
across the development. This cost allocation framework drives the recognition of costs as each plot is sold. We consider the appropriate margin 
recognition across the life of the site to be a key audit matter. 

There is significant judgement and a potential risk of fraud in the following areas: 

–  estimating the selling price and build costs included within the initial site budget. This is due to the inherent judgement relating to  
forecasting external factors such as future selling prices and build cost inflation which can be impacted by events in the wider  
macro-economic environment; 

–  appropriately allocating costs such as shared infrastructure costs relating to a development so that the gross profit margin (in percentage 

terms) budgeted on each individual plot is equal; and 

–  recording the variation when a deviation from the initial budget occurs and ensuring such variations are appropriately spread across the 

remainder of the development. 

These judgements impact the carrying value of inventory in the balance sheet and therefore the profit recognised on each plot sold. 

  We visited a number of the Group’s business units (as described on page 145). During these visits we obtained an understanding of and tested 

the relevant controls in relation to: 

–  the preparation and approval of site budgets; 
–  the process of recording costs; and 
–  the regular review meetings where Management reviews actual costs against site budgets. 
We have also performed substantive testing as noted below: 

For all UK business units we enquired with local Management as to the primary judgements associated with cost allocation. Upon reviewing this 
correspondence we performed additional substantive procedures targeted to certain developments. 

For a sample of sites we have analysed completions in the period and compared the achieved margin to the initial margin determined when the 
original site budget was approved. Where differences fell outside of an acceptable threshold, we performed corroborative inquiries with 
Management and obtained evidence supporting the variance. 

For a further sample of sites tested, we have reviewed the total excesses and savings balance identified for each given site, and through 
recalculation of the expected income statement impact (based on the number of legal completions in the year), we have determined that the 
excesses and savings have been appropriately allocated and recognised.  

Through the use of IT interrogation techniques: 

–  we have analysed journal postings being made to the inventory balances to highlight any items which potentially should have been recorded as 

an expense. Additionally, we have tested WIP additions to the inventory balance to determine whether the costs have been appropriately 
capitalised, by tracing these through to supporting invoices; and 

–  we have analysed the cumulative cost over time for a sample of live sites to identify any unusual trends in the costs allocated at a site.  

Where such a trend was identified we performed corroborative inquiries with Management and obtained evidence with regards to the trend. 

We have analysed the cost per square foot of plots sold at a regional business unit level for the current year and compared this to cost per 
square foot in previous years, to analyse for any unusual trends which required corroboration from Management. 

We performed a review of sites where the initial site budget was created a number of years ago, which may indicate the use of an outdated 
budget. Given the age of these sites, we challenged Management where savings from the budget had been made or additional costs had not 
been recorded.  

With the involvement of our internal specialists, who are quantity surveyors, we assessed the costs to complete included within a sample of  
sites and whether the assumptions used by Management were reasonable. This included reviewing forward looking assumptions in relation to 
future costs. 

Key 
observations 

  Based on the procedures performed, we concluded that the Group’s cost allocation framework appears reasonable for the intended purpose of 

recognising appropriate margins on plot completion.  

The accounting for cost allocation, both at the inception of a site and on an ongoing basis is in line with this framework. 

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Independent auditor’s report to the members of Taylor Wimpey plc continued 

5. Key audit matters continued 

5.1. Inventory costing and margin recognition 

Refer to page 105 (Audit Committee report) page 157 (source of estimation uncertainty) and page 167 (financial statements disclosures). 

Key audit 

matter 

description 

  The value for inventory as at 31 December 2019 is £4,196.0 million (2018: £4,188.2 million) and as such is the most significant asset on the 

balance sheet (page 150). Inventory comprises land and work in progress (‘WIP’); WIP includes the construction cost of developing a site, and is 

transferred to cost of sales as each legal completion takes place. 

The Group’s cost allocation framework determines the profit forecasted for each site, and acts as a method of allocating land and build cost of a 

development to each individual plot, ensuring the forecast gross margin (in percentage terms) to be achieved on each individual plot is equal 

across the development. This cost allocation framework drives the recognition of costs as each plot is sold. We consider the appropriate margin 

recognition across the life of the site to be a key audit matter. 

There is significant judgement and a potential risk of fraud in the following areas: 

–  estimating the selling price and build costs included within the initial site budget. This is due to the inherent judgement relating to  

forecasting external factors such as future selling prices and build cost inflation which can be impacted by events in the wider  

macro-economic environment; 

–  appropriately allocating costs such as shared infrastructure costs relating to a development so that the gross profit margin (in percentage 

terms) budgeted on each individual plot is equal; and 

–  recording the variation when a deviation from the initial budget occurs and ensuring such variations are appropriately spread across the 

remainder of the development. 

These judgements impact the carrying value of inventory in the balance sheet and therefore the profit recognised on each plot sold. 

  We visited a number of the Group’s business units (as described on page 145). During these visits we obtained an understanding of and tested 

How the 

scope of  

our audit 

responded  

to the key 

audit matter 

the relevant controls in relation to: 

–  the preparation and approval of site budgets; 

–  the process of recording costs; and 

–  the regular review meetings where Management reviews actual costs against site budgets. 

We have also performed substantive testing as noted below: 

For all UK business units we enquired with local Management as to the primary judgements associated with cost allocation. Upon reviewing this 

correspondence we performed additional substantive procedures targeted to certain developments. 

For a sample of sites we have analysed completions in the period and compared the achieved margin to the initial margin determined when the 

original site budget was approved. Where differences fell outside of an acceptable threshold, we performed corroborative inquiries with 

Management and obtained evidence supporting the variance. 

For a further sample of sites tested, we have reviewed the total excesses and savings balance identified for each given site, and through 

recalculation of the expected income statement impact (based on the number of legal completions in the year), we have determined that the 

excesses and savings have been appropriately allocated and recognised.  

Through the use of IT interrogation techniques: 

–  we have analysed journal postings being made to the inventory balances to highlight any items which potentially should have been recorded as 

an expense. Additionally, we have tested WIP additions to the inventory balance to determine whether the costs have been appropriately 

capitalised, by tracing these through to supporting invoices; and 

–  we have analysed the cumulative cost over time for a sample of live sites to identify any unusual trends in the costs allocated at a site.  

Where such a trend was identified we performed corroborative inquiries with Management and obtained evidence with regards to the trend. 

We have analysed the cost per square foot of plots sold at a regional business unit level for the current year and compared this to cost per 

square foot in previous years, to analyse for any unusual trends which required corroboration from Management. 

We performed a review of sites where the initial site budget was created a number of years ago, which may indicate the use of an outdated 

budget. Given the age of these sites, we challenged Management where savings from the budget had been made or additional costs had not 

With the involvement of our internal specialists, who are quantity surveyors, we assessed the costs to complete included within a sample of  

sites and whether the assumptions used by Management were reasonable. This included reviewing forward looking assumptions in relation to 

been recorded.  

future costs. 

Key 

  Based on the procedures performed, we concluded that the Group’s cost allocation framework appears reasonable for the intended purpose of 

observations 

recognising appropriate margins on plot completion.  

The accounting for cost allocation, both at the inception of a site and on an ongoing basis is in line with this framework. 

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

5.2. Defined benefit pension scheme accounting 

Refer to page 105 (Audit Committee report) page 157 (key source of estimation uncertainty) and pages 172-176 (financial statements disclosures). 

Key audit 
matter 
description 

  The total value of the defined benefit pension scheme at the balance sheet date is a net deficit of £84.5 million (2018: £133.0 million).  
The liabilities (including an adjustment for IFRIC 14) and assets are valued at £2,366.7 million (2018: £2,237.2 million) and £2,282.2 million  
(2018: £2,104.2 million) respectively.  

As shown on page 175 the position of the scheme is driven by the adjustment for IFRIC 14 and the total value of net deficit matches the 
contributions the Group is obligated to pay into the scheme in the future. Certain contributions are associated with the funding status of the 
scheme as detailed on page 173. There is judgement in assessing the nature and quantum of future contributions that the Group is obligated to 
pay. These judgements impact the value of the future funding contributions and the size of the IFRIC 14 adjustment. This adjustment directly 
influences the value of the total net deficit. 

Accounting for a defined benefit pension scheme and the value of liabilities is dependent on significant assumptions, including an assessment of 
the discount rate, price inflation and key demographic figures including life expectancy and mortality rates. A change in any of these assumptions 
could cause a material change in the value of the liabilities overall and there is a risk that the calculated net deficit could be in excess of the total 
value of future contributions the Group is required to pay into the scheme thereby understating the net deficit position.  

As explained in Note 6 (page 160), in the year the Group introduced a new Pension Increase Exchange (“PIE”) scheme and recorded a 
£15.3 million exceptional credit in relation to the scheme. There is judgement in estimating the future up-take of the scheme and the financial 
impact this will have on the value of the net deficit. 

These accounting judgements are inherently complex, require a high level of Management judgement and specialist actuarial input. 

  We assessed the competence and objectivity of the qualified actuary engaged by the Group to value the scheme’s defined benefits pension 
position under IAS 19 “Employee benefits”. 

We reviewed the pension scheme documentation to determine the size and nature of the future funding contributions. This included reviewing the 
judgements made by Management’s actuaries in determining the future funding status of the scheme. In doing so we reviewed the schedule of 
payments the Group is obligated to provide and checked whether the calculation was arithmetically correct. 

With involvement of our internal actuarial specialists we assessed the appropriateness of the assumptions used to account for the defined benefit 
scheme. This included comparison of key data with market benchmarks and to challenge the methodology used by the scheme actuary. We 
considered whether each of the key assumptions was reasonable in isolation and collectively in determining the pension liability at the balance 
sheet date. Furthermore, we have performed a sensitivity analysis on the key assumptions determined by the Directors. 

With involvement of our internal actuarial specialists we have also reviewed the quantum and the methodology used to determine the 
PIE adjustment.  

How the 
scope of  
our audit 
responded  
to the key 
audit matter 

Key 
observations 

  Based on the procedures performed, we concurred with the IFRIC 14 adjustment recorded and that this included the relevant funding 
commitments the Group has, based on the current schedule of payments agreed during the latest triennial valuation. 

We concluded that the methodology and assumptions used in valuing the pension scheme liabilities are within an acceptable range.  

We concluded that the quantum of the PIE adjustment and the methodology used to calculate it are reasonable. 

We concurred with the inclusion of Accounting for Employee Benefits as a key source of estimation uncertainty in Note 1 to the consolidated 
financial statements. 

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Independent auditor’s report to the members of Taylor Wimpey plc continued 

5. Key audit matters continued 

5.3. Accounting for the leasehold provision 

Refer to page 157 (source of estimation uncertainty) and page 177 (financial statements disclosures). 

Key audit 
matter 
description 

How the 
scope of  
our audit 
responded  
to the key 
audit matter 

  The provision the Group has made in relation to remediating certain historical lease structures at 31 December 2019 stands at £72.2 million 

(2018: £102.1 million), the reduction relating to costs incurred and payments made over the twelve month period. 

Accounting for these provisions is complex and involves Management making a number of forward-looking estimates. The judgements related to 
this key audit matter lie in estimating the number and value of final settlements with the stakeholders impacted by the historical lease structure. 

This provision has multiple components that relate to payments to a number of parties including freeholders and individual customers. Within the 
provision are additional costs relating to the implementation of the measures that have been identified. 

There is a risk that the number of claimants or the value of the costs provided are inaccurately estimated or valued.  

  In addressing this key audit matter we have obtained Management’s current estimation of the total costs. For each component of the  

provision we have performed procedures to assess, based on current facts and circumstances, whether the estimates made by Management 
are accurate. 

We have had correspondence with legal counsel to ascertain whether Management’s model reflects the progress of negotiations that have been 
held with freeholders. 

The largest component of this calculation are the payments to be made to freeholders in order to alter the terms of the leases. In order to verify 
these amounts we have confirmed the status of negotiations with freeholders and, where these negotiations had been completed, obtained a 
sample of the agreements and recalculated the specific amounts that have been provided for. Where these negotiations have not been 
completed we have assessed the value that was provided for these freeholder payments. 

We have also assessed the additional costs the Group is required to pay in order to remediate certain historical lease structures. 

Key 
observations 

  Based on the procedures performed and considering the judgements as a whole and the potential range of outcomes, we consider that the 

value provided by Management is appropriate. 

6. Our application of materiality 
6.1. Materiality 

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably 
knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of 
our work.  

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: 

Materiality 

Basis for 
determining 
materiality 

Rationale for the 
benchmark 
applied 

  Group financial statements 
  £41.0 million (2018: £42.0 million) 
  5% (2018: 5%) of pre-tax profit for the year, excluding exceptional 
items, of £821.6 million (2018: £856.8 million) as described on 
page 148. 

  Pre-tax profit, excluding exceptional items, has been chosen  
for the basis for materiality as this is the measure by which 
stakeholders and the market assess the wider performance  
of the entity. The exceptional items are excluded as they do  
not represent part of the underlying trading performance of 
the business. 

  Parent Company financial statements 
  £38.6 million (2018: £39.2 million) 

  1% (2018: 1%) of net assets of £3,862.4 million (2018: £3,918.2 million). 

  Net assets is used as the benchmark as this entity is a Parent 

Company and not a trading entity.  

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Independent auditor’s report to the members of Taylor Wimpey plc continued 

5. Key audit matters continued 

5.3. Accounting for the leasehold provision 

Refer to page 157 (source of estimation uncertainty) and page 177 (financial statements disclosures). 

Key audit 

matter 

description 

  The provision the Group has made in relation to remediating certain historical lease structures at 31 December 2019 stands at £72.2 million 

(2018: £102.1 million), the reduction relating to costs incurred and payments made over the twelve month period. 

Accounting for these provisions is complex and involves Management making a number of forward-looking estimates. The judgements related to 

this key audit matter lie in estimating the number and value of final settlements with the stakeholders impacted by the historical lease structure. 

This provision has multiple components that relate to payments to a number of parties including freeholders and individual customers. Within the 

provision are additional costs relating to the implementation of the measures that have been identified. 

There is a risk that the number of claimants or the value of the costs provided are inaccurately estimated or valued.  

  In addressing this key audit matter we have obtained Management’s current estimation of the total costs. For each component of the  

provision we have performed procedures to assess, based on current facts and circumstances, whether the estimates made by Management 

We have had correspondence with legal counsel to ascertain whether Management’s model reflects the progress of negotiations that have been 

How the 

scope of  

our audit 

responded  

to the key 

audit matter 

are accurate. 

held with freeholders. 

The largest component of this calculation are the payments to be made to freeholders in order to alter the terms of the leases. In order to verify 

these amounts we have confirmed the status of negotiations with freeholders and, where these negotiations had been completed, obtained a 

sample of the agreements and recalculated the specific amounts that have been provided for. Where these negotiations have not been 

completed we have assessed the value that was provided for these freeholder payments. 

We have also assessed the additional costs the Group is required to pay in order to remediate certain historical lease structures. 

Key 

  Based on the procedures performed and considering the judgements as a whole and the potential range of outcomes, we consider that the 

observations 

value provided by Management is appropriate. 

6. Our application of materiality 

6.1. Materiality 

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably 

knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of 

our work.  

Materiality 

Basis for 

determining 

materiality 

benchmark 

applied 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: 

  Group financial statements 

  £41.0 million (2018: £42.0 million) 

  5% (2018: 5%) of pre-tax profit for the year, excluding exceptional 

items, of £821.6 million (2018: £856.8 million) as described on 

page 148. 

  Parent Company financial statements 

  £38.6 million (2018: £39.2 million) 

  1% (2018: 1%) of net assets of £3,862.4 million (2018: £3,918.2 million). 

Rationale for the 

  Pre-tax profit, excluding exceptional items, has been chosen  

  Net assets is used as the benchmark as this entity is a Parent 

for the basis for materiality as this is the measure by which 

Company and not a trading entity.  

stakeholders and the market assess the wider performance  

of the entity. The exceptional items are excluded as they do  

not represent part of the underlying trading performance of 

the business. 

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

6.2. Performance materiality 

7.2. Our consideration of the control environment 

We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to  
reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a 
whole. Group performance materiality was set at 70% of Group materiality 
for the 2019 audit (2018: 70%). In determining performance materiality,  
we considered the following factors: 

–  our risk assessment, including our assessment of the Group’s overall 
control environment and that we consider it appropriate to rely on 
controls over a number of business processes; and 

–  our past experience of the audit, which has indicated a low number of 
corrected and uncorrected misstatements identified in prior periods. 

6.3. Error reporting threshold 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee 
all audit differences in excess of £2.0 million (2018: £2.0 million), as well as 
differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure 
matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the 
financial statements. 

7. An overview of the scope of our audit  
7.1. Identification and scoping of components 

Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group 
and its environment, including Group-wide controls, and assessing the 
risks of material misstatement at the Group level. Based on that 
assessment, we focused our Group audit scope primarily on the UK 
Housing division (excluding joint ventures) which represents the principal 
segment within the Group and accounts for 97% (2018: 98%) of the 
Group’s net operating assets, 97% (2018: 97%) of the Group’s revenue 
and 96% (2018: 97%) of the Group’s pre-tax profit before exceptional 
items. Our audit work on the principal segment was executed at a lower 
level of materiality (£39.0 million (2018: £39.9 million)). 

We audited all of the Group’s UK subsidiaries which are subject to audit at 
statutory materiality level, which in most cases is substantially lower than 
Group materiality. The subsidiary statutory audits were finalised subsequent 
to the audit of the Group financial statements.  

For the Spanish operations and material joint ventures desktop review 
procedures were conducted by the UK team.  

At the Group level we also tested the consolidation process and carried  
out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were no 
significant risks of material misstatement of the aggregated financial 
information of the remaining components not subject to audit or audit of 
specified account balances. 

The audit was performed centrally and includes all of the 24 regional 
business units within the Group’s UK housing division. We chose to visit a 
sample of these business units on a rotational basis. The purpose of these 
visits was to conduct procedures over selected controls that are in place at 
each business unit and also to perform substantive testing of certain 
balances. In the current year we performed regional visits to four (2018: 
four) locations. In addition we also visited other business units throughout 
the entity. During these visits we assessed the commonality of the controls 
in line with the group-wide controls identified, as well as performing 
substantive testing. This was performed at four (2018: four) locations. 

The Parent Company is located in the UK and audited directly by the 
Group audit team to the materiality level specified above. 

In assessing the control environment of the Group, we performed testing  
of the relevant general IT controls associated with the production of  
certain system generated data from the key accounting, reporting and 
consolidation systems. We also considered the relevant controls related  
to certain business processes. These processes were cost allocation, 
inventory and work in progress expenditure, budgeting, land creditor 
valuation and the private sales revenue process. This was to assess 
whether we could adopt a controls reliance approach which would impact 
the extent of substantive audit testing that was required.  

We selected a sample of relevant controls for testing based on the 
frequency of each control. Based on the procedures performed we were 
able to take a controls reliance approach on the IT systems and in the 
business processes that we planned to and we did not significantly alter 
our audit approach. 

8. Other information 
The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the annual report,  
other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our 
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 this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. 

In this context, matters that we are specifically required to report to you as 
uncorrected material misstatements of the other information include where 
we conclude that: 

–  Fair, balanced and understandable – 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 position 
and performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

–  Audit Committee reporting – the section describing the work of the Audit 
Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us 
to the Audit Committee; or 

–  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code – 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. 

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters. 

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9. Responsibilities of Directors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the 
Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and 
for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for 
assessing the Group’s and the 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. 

10. 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. 

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and 
regulations are set out below. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements is located on the FRC’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our 
auditor’s report. 

11. Extent to which the audit was considered capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud 
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform 
audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit 
evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

11.1. Identifying and assessing potential risks related 
to irregularities 

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of 
irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and 
regulations, we considered the following: 

–  the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and  

business performance including the design of the Group’s remuneration 
policies, key drivers for Directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and 
performance targets; 

–  results of our enquiries of management, internal audit and the  

Audit Committee about their own identification and assessment of the 
risks of irregularities; 

–  any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Group’s 

documentation of their policies and procedures relating to: 

–  identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and 
whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; 

–  detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have 

knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; 

–  the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or  

non-compliance with laws and regulations; 

–  the matters discussed among the audit engagement team and involving 

relevant internal specialists, including tax, actuarial, IT and quantity 
surveyor specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the 
financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. 

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and 
incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the 
greatest potential for fraud in the inventory costing and margin recognition 
and revenue recognised on a percentage of completion basis. In common 
with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific 
procedures to respond to the risk of management override. 

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework 
that the Group operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and 
regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material 
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and 
regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act, 
Listing Rules, pensions legislation, tax legislation, and housebuilding and 
construction legislation. 

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9. Responsibilities of Directors 

11.1. Identifying and assessing potential risks related 

11.2. Audit response to risks identified 

As a result of performing the above, we identified inventory costing and 
margin recognition as a key audit matter related to the potential risk of 
fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matter in 
more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in 
response to that key audit matter. 

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified 
included the following: 

–  reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting 

documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant  
laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the  
financial statements; 

–  enquiring of management, the Audit Committee and in-house and 
external legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation 
and claims; 

–  performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected 

relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due 
to fraud; 

–  reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and 

reviewing internal audit reports; 

–  in addressing the fraud risk in revenue recognised on a percentage 
completion basis, which is primarily within the partnership housing 
revenue stream, we have tested a sample of revenue recorded in the 
year through agreement to the contract, valuation certificates and bank 
statements. Additionally, at an analytical review level, we developed an 
expectation of the revenue balance with reference to the unit completion 
figures; and 

–  in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, 
testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; 
assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting 
estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business 
rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the 
normal course of business. 

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and 
potential fraud risks to all engagement team members including internal 
specialists, and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-
compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit. 

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements 
12. 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: 

–  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 

–  the strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in 

accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the 
Parent Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified any material misstatements in the strategic report or 
the Directors’ report. 

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Taylor Wimpey plc continued 

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the 

to irregularities 

Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and 

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of 

for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 

irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and 

control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of 

regulations, we considered the following: 

financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 

to fraud or error. 

–  the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and  

business performance including the design of the Group’s remuneration 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for 

policies, key drivers for Directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and 

assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 

performance targets; 

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. 

10. 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. 

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of 

detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and 

regulations are set out below. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial 

statements is located on the FRC’s website at: 

–  results of our enquiries of management, internal audit and the  

Audit Committee about their own identification and assessment of the 

risks of irregularities; 

–  any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Group’s 

documentation of their policies and procedures relating to: 

–  identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and 

whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; 

–  detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have 

knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; 

–  the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or  

non-compliance with laws and regulations; 

–  the matters discussed among the audit engagement team and involving 

relevant internal specialists, including tax, actuarial, IT and quantity 

surveyor specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the 

financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. 

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and 

incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the 

greatest potential for fraud in the inventory costing and margin recognition 

and revenue recognised on a percentage of completion basis. In common 

with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific 

www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our 

procedures to respond to the risk of management override. 

auditor’s report. 

11. Extent to which the audit was considered capable of 

detecting irregularities, including fraud 

We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial 

statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform 

audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit 

evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 

our opinion. 

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework 

that the Group operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and 

regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material 

amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and 

regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act, 

Listing Rules, pensions legislation, tax legislation, and housebuilding and 

construction legislation. 

146 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

13. Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception 
13.1. Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion: 

–  we have not received all the information and explanations we require  

for our audit; or 

–  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 

Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 
branches not visited by us; or 

–  the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns. 

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters. 

13.2. Directors’ remuneration 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our 
opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not been made 
or the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited is not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns. 

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters. 

14. Other matters 
14.1. Auditor tenure 

Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were 
reappointed by the shareholders on 25 April 2019 to audit the financial 
statements for the year ending 31 December 2019 and subsequent 
financial periods.  

Following the merger of Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey in 2007,  
we were appointed as auditor of the merged Group for subsequent 
financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement of the 
merged Group is 13 years from the year ended 31 December 2007 to  
31 December 2019. Prior to that we were the auditor of Taylor Woodrow.  

As explained on page 102, our final year of association with the Group will 
be the year ending 31 December 2020. After the 2020 year-end we are 
required to mandatorily rotate from our role as auditor. 

14.2. Consistency of the audit report with the additional report 
to the Audit Committee 

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit 
Committee we are required to provide in accordance with ISAs (UK). 

15. 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. 

Dean Cook MA FCA (Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP  
Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom 

25 February 2020 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  147 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

147

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated income statement 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Continuing operations 
Revenue 
Cost of sales 

 Gross profit before positive contribution 
 Positive contribution from written down inventory 

Gross profit 
Net operating expenses 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs  
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Share of results of joint ventures 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation charge 

Profit for the year 

Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

Note 

4

6

8
8
13

9

Note 

10
10
10
10

Before 
exceptional 
items 
2019 

Exceptional 
items 
2019 

Before 
exceptional  
items  
2018 

Exceptional 
items 
2018 

Total  
2019 

4,341.3
(3,297.2)

1,034.0
10.1

1,044.1
(201.6)

842.5
2.9
(31.8)
8.0

821.6
(159.3)

662.3

–
–

–
–

–
14.3

14.3
–
–
–

14.3
(2.7)

11.6

4,082.0 
(3,007.5) 

1,066.8 
7.7 

1,074.5 
(199.6) 

874.9 
2.9 
(26.3) 
5.3 

856.8 
(162.3) 

694.5 

–
–

–
–

–
(46.1)

(46.1)
–
–
–

(46.1)
8.2

(37.9)

4,341.3 
(3,297.2) 

1,034.0 
10.1 

1,044.1 
(187.3) 

856.8 
2.9 
(31.8) 
8.0 

835.9 
(162.0) 

673.9 

2019 

20.6p 
20.6p 
20.3p 
20.2p 

Total 
2018 

4,082.0
(3,007.5)

1,066.8
7.7

1,074.5
(245.7)

828.8
2.9
(26.3)
5.3

810.7
(154.1)

656.6

2018 

20.1p
20.0p
21.3p
21.2p

All of the profit for the year is attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company. 

148 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  148 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated income statement 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Note 

2019 

2018 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Movement in fair value of hedging instruments 
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension schemes 
Tax credit on items taken directly to other comprehensive income 

Other comprehensive expense for the year net of tax 

Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

All of the comprehensive income for the year is attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company. 

25
25

21
14

(5.5)
4.1

(8.9)
1.7

(8.6)

673.9

665.3

1.5
(0.7)

(84.3)
14.7

(68.8)

656.6

587.8

exceptional 

Exceptional 

exceptional  

Exceptional 

items 

2019 

Total  

2019 

items 

2018 

Total 

2018 

Before 

items  

2018 

Before 

items 

2019 

4,341.3

(3,297.2)

1,034.0

10.1

1,044.1

(201.6)

842.5

2.9

(31.8)

8.0

821.6

(159.3)

662.3

 Gross profit before positive contribution 

 Positive contribution from written down inventory 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs  

£ million 

Continuing operations 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Net operating expenses 

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Share of results of joint ventures 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation charge 

Profit for the year 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Adjusted basic earnings per share 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

Note 

4

6

8

8

9

13

Note 

10

10

10

10

All of the profit for the year is attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company. 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14.3

14.3

14.3

(2.7)

11.6

4,341.3 

4,082.0 

(3,297.2) 

(3,007.5) 

1,034.0 

1,066.8 

10.1 

7.7 

1,044.1 

1,074.5 

(199.6) 

874.9 

2.9 

(26.3) 

5.3 

856.8 

(162.3) 

694.5 

(187.3) 

856.8 

2.9 

(31.8) 

8.0 

835.9 

(162.0) 

673.9 

2019 

20.6p 

20.6p 

20.3p 

20.2p 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(46.1)

(46.1)

(46.1)

8.2

(37.9)

4,082.0

(3,007.5)

1,066.8

7.7

1,074.5

(245.7)

828.8

2.9

(26.3)

5.3

810.7

(154.1)

656.6

2018 

20.1p

20.0p

21.3p

21.2p

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  148 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  149 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

149

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet  

at 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Right-of-use assets 
Interests in joint ventures 
Trade and other receivables 
Deferred tax assets 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Tax receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Lease liabilities 
Tax payables 
Provisions 

Net current assets 

Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Lease liabilities 
Bank and other loans 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Provisions 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Own shares 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Note 

2019 

2018 

11 
12 
19 
13 
16 
14 

15 
16 

16 

18 
19 

22 

18 
19 
17 
21 
22 

23 
24 
26 
25 

7.0
25.6
27.4
55.3
43.7
29.8

3.2
21.6
27.1
48.3
55.7
40.7

188.8

196.6

4,196.0
161.0
–
630.4

4,987.4

5,176.2

(974.8)
(7.6)
(67.9)
(72.7)

(1,123.0)

3,864.4

(499.7)
(20.3)
(84.7)
(85.0)
(55.7)

(745.4)

4,188.2
134.7
0.5
734.2

5,057.6

5,254.2

(1,044.3)
(8.2)
(70.4)
(76.9)

(1,199.8)

3,857.8

(491.3)
(19.2)
(90.1)
(133.6)
(93.4)

(827.6)

(1,868.4)

(2,027.4)

3,307.8

3,226.8

288.6
762.9
(17.6)
43.6
2,230.3

3,307.8

288.5
762.9
(22.7)
45.0
2,153.1

3,226.8

The financial statements of Taylor Wimpey plc (registered number: 296805) were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on  
25 February 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:  

P Redfern  
Director 

C Carney 
Director 

150 
150 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet  

at 31 December 2019 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Total equity at 1 January 2018 

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year net of tax 
Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Impact on adoption of IFRS 16 
Own shares acquired 
Utilisation of own shares 
Cash cost of satisfying share options  
Share-based payment credit 
Tax charge on items taken directly to statement of changes in equity 
Dividends approved and paid 

Share 
capital 

288.5

Share 
premium 

762.9

Own  
shares 

(21.3) 

Other 
reserves 

44.2

Retained 
earnings 

2,063.0

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 
– 

– 
– 
(9.9) 
8.5 
– 
– 
– 
– 

0.8
–

0.8
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(69.6)
656.6

587.0
(1.5)
–
–
(7.0)
12.2
(1.1)
(499.5)

Total 

3,137.3

(68.8)
656.6

587.8
(1.5)
(9.9)
8.5
(7.0)
12.2
(1.1)
(499.5)

Total equity at 31 December 2018 

288.5

762.9

(22.7) 

45.0

2,153.1

3,226.8

Other comprehensive expense for the year net of tax 
Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year 
New share capital subscribed 
Utilisation of own shares 
Cash cost of satisfying share options  
Share-based payment credit 
Tax credit on items taken directly to statement of changes in equity 
Dividends approved and paid 

–
–

–
0.1
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 
– 

– 
– 
5.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(1.4)
–

(1.4)
–
–
–
–
–
–

(7.2)
673.9

666.7
–
–
0.3
8.0
1.9
(599.7)

(8.6)
673.9

665.3
0.1
5.1
0.3
8.0
1.9
(599.7)

Total equity at 31 December 2019 

288.6

762.9

(17.6) 

43.6

2,230.3

3,307.8

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  151 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

151

£ million 

Non-current assets 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Right-of-use assets 

Interests in joint ventures 

Trade and other receivables 

Deferred tax assets 

Current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Tax receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Lease liabilities 

Tax payables 

Provisions 

Net current assets 

Non-current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Lease liabilities 

Bank and other loans 

Retirement benefit obligations 

Provisions 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Own shares 

Other reserves 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Note 

2019 

2018 

11 

12 

19 

13 

16 

14 

15 

16 

16 

18 

19 

22 

18 

19 

17 

21 

22 

23 

24 

26 

25 

188.8

196.6

7.0

25.6

27.4

55.3

43.7

29.8

4,196.0

161.0

–

630.4

4,987.4

5,176.2

3.2

21.6

27.1

48.3

55.7

40.7

4,188.2

134.7

0.5

734.2

5,057.6

5,254.2

(974.8)

(1,044.3)

(7.6)

(67.9)

(72.7)

(8.2)

(70.4)

(76.9)

(1,123.0)

(1,199.8)

3,864.4

3,857.8

(499.7)

(20.3)

(84.7)

(85.0)

(55.7)

(745.4)

(491.3)

(19.2)

(90.1)

(133.6)

(93.4)

(827.6)

(1,868.4)

(2,027.4)

3,307.8

3,226.8

288.6

762.9

(17.6)

43.6

2,230.3

3,307.8

288.5

762.9

(22.7)

45.0

2,153.1

3,226.8

The financial statements of Taylor Wimpey plc (registered number: 296805) were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on  

25 February 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:  

P Redfern  

Director 

C Carney 

Director 

150 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 

12 
11 

27 

2019 

856.8

13.5
(60.6)
8.0
–
(6.2)

811.5
(21.7)
(12.7)
(74.9)

702.2
(36.8)
(149.0)
(6.4)

510.0

2.9
7.4
–
(7.2)
(5.4)
(6.3)

(8.6)

(8.4)
0.1
5.4
–
(599.7)

(602.6)

(101.2)
734.2
(2.6)

630.4

2018 

828.8

13.1
(16.1)
12.2
(0.2)
32.1

869.9
(1.7)
(10.9)
(41.9)

815.4
(25.9)
(139.6)
(8.6)

641.3

2.8
14.3
0.4
(2.1)
(0.3)
(6.4)

8.7

(8.3)
–
1.5
(9.9)
(499.5)

(516.2)

133.8
600.5
(0.1)

734.2

Consolidated cash flow statement 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs 
Adjustments for: 

Depreciation and amortisation 
Pension contributions in excess of charge to the income statement 
Share-based payment charge 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
(Decrease)/increase in provisions excluding exceptional payments 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in receivables 
Decrease in payables 

Cash generated by operations 
Payments related to exceptional charges 
Income taxes paid 
Interest paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Interest received  
Dividends received from joint ventures 
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of software 
Amounts invested in joint ventures 

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Lease capital repayments 
Proceeds from the issue of own shares 
Cash received on exercise of share options 
Purchase of own shares 
Dividends paid 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

152 
152 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flow statement 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs 

Adjustments for: 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Pension contributions in excess of charge to the income statement 

Share-based payment charge 

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

(Decrease)/increase in provisions excluding exceptional payments 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 

Increase in inventories 

Increase in receivables 

Decrease in payables 

Cash generated by operations 

Payments related to exceptional charges 

Income taxes paid 

Interest paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

Investing activities 

Interest received  

Dividends received from joint ventures 

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of software 

Amounts invested in joint ventures 

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities 

Financing activities 

Lease capital repayments 

Proceeds from the issue of own shares 

Cash received on exercise of share options 

Purchase of own shares 

Dividends paid 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

152 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

Note 

12 

11 

27 

2019 

856.8

13.5

(60.6)

8.0

–

(6.2)

811.5

(21.7)

(12.7)

(74.9)

702.2

(36.8)

(149.0)

(6.4)

510.0

2.9

7.4

–

(7.2)

(5.4)

(6.3)

(8.6)

(8.4)

0.1

5.4

–

(599.7)

(602.6)

(101.2)

734.2

(2.6)

630.4

2018 

828.8

13.1

(16.1)

12.2

(0.2)

32.1

869.9

(1.7)

(10.9)

(41.9)

815.4

(25.9)

(139.6)

(8.6)

641.3

2.8

14.3

0.4

(2.1)

(0.3)

(6.4)

8.7

(8.3)

–

1.5

(9.9)

(499.5)

(516.2)

133.8

600.5

(0.1)

734.2

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

1. Significant accounting policies 
Basis of preparation 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis and under the historical cost convention, except as 
otherwise stated below. 

The principal accounting policies adopted, which have been applied 
consistently, except as otherwise stated, are set out below. 

Adoption of new and revised standards  

The Group has adopted and applied the following standards and 
amendments in the year, which are relevant to its operations, none of 
which had a material impact on the financial statements. 

–  IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’ 

–  IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’ (amendments) –

long term interests in associates and joint ventures 

–  IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ (amendments) – plan amendment, 

curtailment or settlement 

–  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the Group has 
not applied the following new or revised standards and interpretations that 
have been issued but are not yet effective: 

–  Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in 

IFRS Standards 

–  IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ (amendments) – definition of a business 

The interest of non-controlling shareholders is stated at the non-controlling 
interest’s proportion of the fair value of the assets and liabilities recognised. 
Subsequently, all comprehensive income is attributed to the owners and 
the non-controlling interests, which may result in the non-controlling 
interest having a debit balance.  

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are 
included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date  
of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.  
Where a subsidiary is disposed of which constituted a major line of 
business, it is disclosed as a discontinued operation. Where necessary, 
adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring 
the accounting policies used into line with those used by the Group. 
All intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation. 

Joint ventures 

Undertakings are deemed to be a joint venture when the Group has joint 
control of the rights and assets of the undertaking via either voting rights or 
a formal agreement which includes that unanimous consent is required for 
strategic, financial and operating decisions. Joint ventures are consolidated 
under the equity accounting method. On transfer of land and/or work in 
progress to joint ventures, the Group recognises only its share of any 
profits or losses.  

Joint operations arise where the Group has joint control of an operation but 
has rights to only its own assets and obligations related to the operation. 
These assets and obligations, and the Group’s share of revenues and 
costs, are included in the Group’s results. 

–  IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ and IAS 8 ‘Accounting 

Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’  
(amendments) – definition of material 

Joint ventures and joint operations are entered into to develop specific 
sites. Each arrangement is site or project specific and once the 
development or project is complete the arrangement is wound down.  

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the standards, 
amendments and interpretations listed above will have a material impact on 
the financial statements of the Group. 

Going concern 

The Group has prepared forecasts, including certain sensitivities, taking 
into account the Principal Risks identified on pages 48 to 52. Having 
considered these forecasts, the Directors remain of the view that the 
Group’s financing arrangements and capital structure provide both the 
necessary facilities and covenant headroom to enable the Group to 
conduct its business for at least the next 12 months. 

Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on 
a going concern basis. 

Basis of accounting 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the 
European Union. 

Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of 
the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made 
up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company: 

–  has the power over the investee; 
–  is exposed, or has rights, to variable return from its involvement with  

the investee; and 

–  has the ability to use its power to affect its returns. 
On acquisition, the assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary 
are measured at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the 
cost of acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired 
is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below 
the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired (i.e. discount on 
acquisition) is credited to the income statement in the period of acquisition. 

Segmental reporting 

The Group operates in the United Kingdom and Spain. 

The United Kingdom is split into three geographical operating segments, 
each managed by a Divisional Chair who sits on the Group Management 
Team. In addition, there is an operating segment covering the corporate 
functions, Major Developments and Strategic Land. 

As a result, the Group has the following reporting segments: 

–  Housing United Kingdom: 

–  North 
–  Central and South West 
–  London and South East (including Central London) 
–  Corporate 
–  Housing Spain 

Revenue 

Revenue is recognised when the performance obligation associated with the 
sale is completed. The transaction price comprises the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable, net of value added tax, rebates and 
discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group. Revenue and profit 
are recognised as follows: 

(a)  Housing and land sales  
Revenue is recognised in the income statement when control is 
transferred to the customer. This is deemed to be when title of the 
property passes to the customer on legal completion and the 
performance obligation associated with the sale is completed.  

Revenue in respect of the sale of residential properties, whether under 
the Government’s Help to Buy scheme or not, is recognised at the fair 
value of the consideration received or receivable on legal completion. 

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

1. Significant accounting policies continued 

Finance income 

(b)  Long term contracts 
Revenue arising on contracts which give the customer control over 
properties as they are constructed, and for which the Group has a right 
to payments for work performed, is recognised over time. Revenue and 
costs are recognised over time with reference to the stage of completion 
of the contract activity at the balance sheet date where the outcome of a 
long term contract can be estimated reliably. This is normally measured 
by surveys of work performed to date. Variations in contract work, claims 
and incentive payments are included to the extent that it is probable that 
they will result in revenue and they are capable of being reliably 
measured. When legal title to land is transferred at the start of a long 
term contract, revenue is recognised at that point in time for the land. 

Where the outcome of a long term contract cannot be estimated  
reliably, contract revenue where recoverability is probable is recognised 
to the extent of contract costs incurred. The costs associated with 
fulfilling a contract are recognised as expenses in the period in which 
they are incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will 
exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately. 

(c)  Part exchange 
In certain instances, property may be accepted in part consideration  
for a sale of a residential property. The fair value is established by 
independent surveyors, reduced for costs to sell. Net proceeds 
generated from the subsequent sale of part exchange properties are 
recorded as a reduction to net operating expenses. The original sale is 
recorded in the normal way, with the fair value of the exchanged 
property replacing cash receipts. 

(d)  Cash incentives 
The transaction price may include cash incentives. These are considered 
to be a discount from the purchase price offered to the acquirer and are 
therefore accounted for as a reduction to revenue. 

Cost of sales 

The Group determines the value of inventory charged to cost of sales 
based on the total budgeted cost of developing a site. Once the total 
expected costs of development are established, they are allocated to 
individual plots to achieve a standard build cost per plot. 

To the extent that additional costs or savings are identified as the site 
progresses, these are recognised over the remaining plots unless they  
are specific to a particular plot, in which case they are recognised in the 
income statement at the point of sale. 

Positive contribution 

The positive contribution presented on the face of the income statement 
represents the net amount of previous impairments allocated to inventory 
on a plot that has subsequently resulted in a gross profit on completion. 
This is due to the combination of selling prices and costs, or product mix 
improvements exceeding market assumptions in the previous net realisable 
value (NRV) exercise. These amounts are stated before the allocation of 
overheads, which are excluded from the Group’s NRV exercise. 

Exceptional items 

Exceptional items are defined as items of income or expenditure which,  
in the opinion of the Directors, are material or unusual in nature or of such 
significance that they require separate disclosure on the face of the income 
statement in accordance with IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’. 
Should these items be reversed, disclosure of this would also be as 
exceptional items.  

Interest income on bank deposits is recognised on an accruals basis.  
Also included in interest receivable are interest and interest-related 
payments the Group receives on other receivables.  

Finance costs 

Borrowing costs are recognised on an accruals basis and are payable on 
the Group’s borrowings and lease liabilities. Also included are the 
amortisation of fees associated with the arrangement of the financing.  

Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or 
redemption, and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis 
in the income statement using the effective interest method and are added 
to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not 
settled in the period in which they arise. 

Capitalised finance costs are held in other receivables and amortised over 
the period of the facility. 

Foreign currencies 

The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in 
the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (its 
functional currency). Transactions in currencies other than the functional 
currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the 
transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that 
are denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are 
retranslated at the rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.  

Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at 
the date when the fair value was determined. Gains and losses arising on 
retranslation are included in the net profit or loss for the period. 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas 
operation are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet 
date. Income and expense items are translated at an appropriate average 
rate for the year. Exchange differences arising are recognised within other 
comprehensive income and transferred to the Group’s translation reserve. 
Such translation differences are recognised as income or expenses in the 
income statement in the period in which the operation is disposed of. 

The Group uses foreign currency borrowings to hedge its net investment 
exposure to certain overseas subsidiaries. 

Leases 

The Group as a lessee 
The Group assesses at inception whether a contract is, or contains,  
a lease. A lease exists if the contract conveys the right to control the use  
of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.  
The Group assessment includes whether: 

–  the contract involves the use of an identified asset; 
–  the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic 

benefits from the use of the asset throughout the contract period; and 

–  the Group has the right to direct the use of the asset. 

At the commencement of a lease, the Group recognises a right-of-use 
asset along with a corresponding lease liability. 

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the remaining 
lease payments, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. 
The lease term comprises the non-cancellable period of the contract, 
together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease where the 
Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option based on operational 
needs and contractual terms. Subsequently, the lease liability is measured 
at amortised cost by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on 
the lease liability and reducing it by the lease payments made. The lease 
liability is remeasured when the Group changes its assessment of whether 
it will exercise an extension or termination option. 

154 
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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

1. Significant accounting policies continued 

Finance income 

(b)  Long term contracts 

Revenue arising on contracts which give the customer control over 

properties as they are constructed, and for which the Group has a right 

to payments for work performed, is recognised over time. Revenue and 

costs are recognised over time with reference to the stage of completion 

of the contract activity at the balance sheet date where the outcome of a 

long term contract can be estimated reliably. This is normally measured 

by surveys of work performed to date. Variations in contract work, claims 

Interest income on bank deposits is recognised on an accruals basis.  

Also included in interest receivable are interest and interest-related 

payments the Group receives on other receivables.  

Finance costs 

Borrowing costs are recognised on an accruals basis and are payable on 

the Group’s borrowings and lease liabilities. Also included are the 

amortisation of fees associated with the arrangement of the financing.  

and incentive payments are included to the extent that it is probable that 

Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or 

they will result in revenue and they are capable of being reliably 

redemption, and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis 

measured. When legal title to land is transferred at the start of a long 

in the income statement using the effective interest method and are added 

term contract, revenue is recognised at that point in time for the land. 

to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not 

Where the outcome of a long term contract cannot be estimated  

settled in the period in which they arise. 

reliably, contract revenue where recoverability is probable is recognised 

Capitalised finance costs are held in other receivables and amortised over 

to the extent of contract costs incurred. The costs associated with 

the period of the facility. 

fulfilling a contract are recognised as expenses in the period in which 

they are incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will 

exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an 

Foreign currencies 

expense immediately. 

(c)  Part exchange 

In certain instances, property may be accepted in part consideration  

for a sale of a residential property. The fair value is established by 

independent surveyors, reduced for costs to sell. Net proceeds 

generated from the subsequent sale of part exchange properties are 

recorded as a reduction to net operating expenses. The original sale is 

recorded in the normal way, with the fair value of the exchanged 

property replacing cash receipts. 

(d)  Cash incentives 

The transaction price may include cash incentives. These are considered 

to be a discount from the purchase price offered to the acquirer and are 

therefore accounted for as a reduction to revenue. 

Cost of sales 

The Group determines the value of inventory charged to cost of sales 

based on the total budgeted cost of developing a site. Once the total 

expected costs of development are established, they are allocated to 

individual plots to achieve a standard build cost per plot. 

The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in 

the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (its 

functional currency). Transactions in currencies other than the functional 

currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the 

transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that 

are denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are 

retranslated at the rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.  

Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are 

denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at 

the date when the fair value was determined. Gains and losses arising on 

retranslation are included in the net profit or loss for the period. 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas 

operation are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet 

date. Income and expense items are translated at an appropriate average 

rate for the year. Exchange differences arising are recognised within other 

comprehensive income and transferred to the Group’s translation reserve. 

Such translation differences are recognised as income or expenses in the 

income statement in the period in which the operation is disposed of. 

The Group uses foreign currency borrowings to hedge its net investment 

exposure to certain overseas subsidiaries. 

To the extent that additional costs or savings are identified as the site 

progresses, these are recognised over the remaining plots unless they  

are specific to a particular plot, in which case they are recognised in the 

Leases 

The Group as a lessee 

income statement at the point of sale. 

Positive contribution 

The Group assesses at inception whether a contract is, or contains,  

a lease. A lease exists if the contract conveys the right to control the use  

of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.  

The positive contribution presented on the face of the income statement 

The Group assessment includes whether: 

represents the net amount of previous impairments allocated to inventory 

on a plot that has subsequently resulted in a gross profit on completion. 

This is due to the combination of selling prices and costs, or product mix 

improvements exceeding market assumptions in the previous net realisable 

–  the contract involves the use of an identified asset; 

–  the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic 

benefits from the use of the asset throughout the contract period; and 

value (NRV) exercise. These amounts are stated before the allocation of 

–  the Group has the right to direct the use of the asset. 

overheads, which are excluded from the Group’s NRV exercise. 

Exceptional items 

At the commencement of a lease, the Group recognises a right-of-use 

asset along with a corresponding lease liability. 

Exceptional items are defined as items of income or expenditure which,  

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the remaining 

in the opinion of the Directors, are material or unusual in nature or of such 

lease payments, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. 

significance that they require separate disclosure on the face of the income 

The lease term comprises the non-cancellable period of the contract, 

statement in accordance with IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’. 

together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease where the 

Should these items be reversed, disclosure of this would also be as 

Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option based on operational 

exceptional items.  

needs and contractual terms. Subsequently, the lease liability is measured 

at amortised cost by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on 

the lease liability and reducing it by the lease payments made. The lease 

liability is remeasured when the Group changes its assessment of whether 

it will exercise an extension or termination option. 

154 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

1. Significant accounting policies continued 
Right-of-use assets are initially measured at cost, comprising the initial 
measurement of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at 
or before the commencement date, estimated asset retirement obligations, lease 
incentives received and initial direct costs. Subsequently, right-of-use 
assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and any 
accumulated impairment losses, and are adjusted for certain 
remeasurements of the lease liability. Depreciation is calculated on a 
straight-line basis over the length of the lease.  

The Group has elected to apply exemptions for short term leases and 
leases for which the underlying asset is of low value. For these leases, 
payments are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis 
over the term of the relevant lease. 

Right-of-use assets are presented within non-current assets on the face of 
the balance sheet, and lease liabilities are shown separately on the balance 
sheet in current liabilities and non-current liabilities depending on the length 
of the lease term. 

Intangible assets 

Brands 
Internally generated brands are not capitalised. Acquired brands are 
capitalised. Brands are stated at cost, less accumulated amortisation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. Brands are amortised over 
their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. 

Software 
Costs that are directly associated with the acquisition or production of 
identifiable and unique software controlled by the Group, and that 
generate economic benefits beyond one year, are recognised as 
intangible assets. Software development costs recognised as assets are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over three to five years from the time of 
implementation and are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Land and buildings held for use in the production or supply of goods or 
services, or for administrative purposes, are stated in the balance sheet at 
cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment 
losses. Freehold land is not depreciated. Buildings are depreciated over 
50 years. 

Plant and equipment is stated at cost less depreciation.  

Depreciation is charged to expense the cost or valuation of assets  
over their estimated useful lives. Other assets are depreciated using the 
straight-line method, on the following bases: 

–  Plant and equipment: 20-33% per annum 
–  Leasehold improvements: over the term of the lease 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is 
determined as the difference between the sale proceeds, less any selling 
expenses, and the carrying amount of the asset. This difference is 
recognised in the income statement.  

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets  

At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts  
of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any 
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such 
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to 
determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does 
not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group 
estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which  
the asset belongs. 

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value, using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments and the risks specific to the asset. 

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is estimated 
to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset or 
cash-generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment 
loss is recognised as an expense immediately in the income statement. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, due to a change in 
circumstances or in the estimates used to determine the asset’s 
recoverable amount, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating 
unit is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, so long 
as it does not exceed the original carrying value prior to the impairment 
being recognised. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income 
immediately in the income statement. 

Financial instruments 

Financial assets 
Financial assets are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
classified into one of the following measurement categories: 

–  Measured at amortised cost 
–  Measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) 
–  Measured subsequently at fair value through other comprehensive 

income (FVOCI) 

The classification of financial assets depends on the Group’s business 
model for managing the asset and the contractual terms of the cash 
flows. Assets that are held for the collection of contractual cash flows 
that represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at 
amortised cost, with any interest income recognised in the income 
statement using the effective interest rate method.  

Financial assets that do not meet the criteria to be measured at 
amortised cost are classified by the Group as measured at FVTPL. 
Fair value gains and losses on financial assets measured at FVTPL  
are recognised in the income statement and presented within net 
operating expenses.  

The Group currently has no financial assets measured at FVOCI. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are measured at amortised cost, less any 
loss allowance. 

Shared equity loans 
Shared equity loans were provided to certain customers to facilitate a 
house purchase. The contractual cash flows on shared equity loans are 
linked to a national house price index. Under IFRS 9, financial assets with 
embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining 
whether their cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest. 
Accordingly, shared equity loans are classified as FVTPL with fair value 
gains and losses arising on the remeasurement of the loan presented in 
the income statement within net operating expenses.  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short 
term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less from 
inception and are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value. 

Impairment of financial assets 
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses 
associated with its financial assets carried at amortised cost. The impairment 
methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant 
increase in credit risk. For trade receivables, the Group applies the 
simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected 
lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. 

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155

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

1. Significant accounting policies continued  

Inventories 

Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
classified into one of the following measurement categories: 

–  Measured at amortised cost 
–  Measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at FVTPL when they are 
considered held for trading or designated as such on initial recognition. 
The Group has no non-derivative financial liabilities measured at FVTPL. 

Borrowings 
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs 
incurred and subsequently measured at amortised cost.  

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are measured at amortised cost. When the 
acquisition of land has deferred payment terms a land creditor is 
recognised. Payables are discounted to present value when repayment is 
due more than one year after initial recognition or the impact is material. 

Customer deposits 
Customer deposits, measured at amortised cost, are recorded as a 
liability on receipt and released to the income statement as revenue upon 
legal completion. 

Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the 
assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments 
issued by the Parent Company are recorded as the proceeds are 
received, net of direct issue costs. 

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting  
The Group uses foreign currency borrowings and derivatives to hedge its 
net investment exposure to movements in exchange rates on translation 
of certain individual financial statements denominated in foreign 
currencies other than Sterling which is the functional currency of the 
Parent Company. 

Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value. Changes in 
the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and 
effective as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are 
recognised directly in other comprehensive income and the ineffective 
portion, if any, is recognised immediately in the income statement.  

For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in fair value, the 
hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk 
being hedged with the corresponding entry in the consolidated income 
statement. Gains or losses from remeasuring the derivative, or for  
non-derivatives the foreign currency component of its carrying amount, 
are also recognised in the income statement. 

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not 
qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as 
they arise. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued if the hedged item is sold or no longer 
qualifies for hedge accounting at which point any cumulative gain or loss 
on the hedging instrument accumulated in other comprehensive income 
is transferred to the income statement for the period. 

Provisions 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that 
the Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured 
at the Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the 
obligation at the balance sheet date and are discounted to present value 
where the effect is material. 

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Inventories are initially stated at cost and held at the lower of this initial 
amount and net realisable value. Costs comprise direct materials and, 
where applicable, direct labour and those overheads that have been 
incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 
Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated 
costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and 
distribution. Land is recognised in inventory when the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership have been transferred to the Group. 

Non-refundable land option payments are initially recognised in inventory. 
They are reviewed regularly and written off to the income statement when it 
is probable that the option will not be exercised. 

Taxation 

The tax charge represents the sum of the tax currently payable and 
deferred tax. 

Current tax  
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable 
profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the income statement 
because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or 
deductible in other years, and it further excludes items that are never 
taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated 
using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax  
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in 
the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the 
computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 
recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets 
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. 

Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference 
arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a 
business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that 
affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit. 

Deferred tax liabilities are also recognised for taxable temporary 
differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint 
ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the 
temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will 
not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis using the tax rates 
and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
balance sheet date.  

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance 
sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to 
be recovered. Deferred tax is charged or credited to the income 
statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to 
other comprehensive income or equity, in which case the deferred tax is 
also dealt with in other comprehensive income or equity.  

Share-based payments 

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain 
employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair 
value at the date of grant. The fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis 
over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will 
vest after adjusting for the effect of non-market vesting conditions. 

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

Trade and other payables 

The tax charge represents the sum of the tax currently payable and 

1. Significant accounting policies continued  

Inventories 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 

classified into one of the following measurement categories: 

–  Measured at amortised cost 

–  Measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) 

Non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at FVTPL when they are 

considered held for trading or designated as such on initial recognition. 

The Group has no non-derivative financial liabilities measured at FVTPL. 

Inventories are initially stated at cost and held at the lower of this initial 

amount and net realisable value. Costs comprise direct materials and, 

where applicable, direct labour and those overheads that have been 

incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 

Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated 

costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and 

distribution. Land is recognised in inventory when the significant risks and 

rewards of ownership have been transferred to the Group. 

Non-refundable land option payments are initially recognised in inventory. 

They are reviewed regularly and written off to the income statement when it 

is probable that the option will not be exercised. 

Borrowings 

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs 

incurred and subsequently measured at amortised cost.  

Taxation 

Trade and other payables are measured at amortised cost. When the 

deferred tax. 

acquisition of land has deferred payment terms a land creditor is 

recognised. Payables are discounted to present value when repayment is 

due more than one year after initial recognition or the impact is material. 

Current tax  

Customer deposits, measured at amortised cost, are recorded as a 

deductible in other years, and it further excludes items that are never 

liability on receipt and released to the income statement as revenue upon 

taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable 

profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the income statement 

because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or 

using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 

balance sheet date. 

Customer deposits 

legal completion. 

Equity instruments 

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the 

Deferred tax  

assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments 

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on 

issued by the Parent Company are recorded as the proceeds are 

differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in 

received, net of direct issue costs. 

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting  

The Group uses foreign currency borrowings and derivatives to hedge its 

net investment exposure to movements in exchange rates on translation 

of certain individual financial statements denominated in foreign 

the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the 

computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 

recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets 

are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 

available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. 

currencies other than Sterling which is the functional currency of the 

Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference 

Parent Company. 

Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value. Changes in 

the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and 

arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a 

business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that 

affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit. 

effective as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are 

Deferred tax liabilities are also recognised for taxable temporary 

recognised directly in other comprehensive income and the ineffective 

differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint 

portion, if any, is recognised immediately in the income statement.  

For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in fair value, the 

hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk 

being hedged with the corresponding entry in the consolidated income 

statement. Gains or losses from remeasuring the derivative, or for  

ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the 

temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will 

not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis using the tax rates 

and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 

non-derivatives the foreign currency component of its carrying amount, 

balance sheet date.  

are also recognised in the income statement. 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance 

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not 

sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 

qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as 

sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to 

Hedge accounting is discontinued if the hedged item is sold or no longer 

qualifies for hedge accounting at which point any cumulative gain or loss 

on the hedging instrument accumulated in other comprehensive income 

is transferred to the income statement for the period. 

Share-based payments 

be recovered. Deferred tax is charged or credited to the income 

statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to 

other comprehensive income or equity, in which case the deferred tax is 

also dealt with in other comprehensive income or equity.  

they arise. 

Provisions 

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain 

employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair 

value at the date of grant. The fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis 

over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will 

vest after adjusting for the effect of non-market vesting conditions. 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or 

constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that 

the Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured 

at the Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the 

obligation at the balance sheet date and are discounted to present value 

where the effect is material. 

156 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

1. Significant accounting policies continued  
Employee benefits 

Other sources of estimation uncertainty 
Provision for leasehold  

The value of this provision has been established using information  
available to management at 31 December 2019, together with a range  
of assumptions including the number of units which have been sold by  
the original Taylor Wimpey customer and as such are not eligible for the 
scheme, and the final deed of variation valuations for those freeholders  
with whom the Group has not yet agreed a settlement. The value of the 
assumptions applied by management directly impacts the final provision 
recognised. These outcomes are not known with certainty as at 
31 December 2019 but represent management’s best estimate. It is not 
anticipated that any reasonable changes would lead to a material 
adjustment in the value of the provision held. 

Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) provision 

This provision was established to provide for the cost of replacing ACM 
cladding on a small number of legacy buildings. The Group has estimated 
the cost of replacement based on engagement with contractors and, 
where applicable, the management companies of the affected 
developments. Determining the total cost of replacing cladding across a 
number of different buildings contains inherent estimation uncertainty. 
The scope of the replacement may also be impacted by future government 
guidance or regulations. 

Cost allocation 

In order to determine the profit that the Group is able to recognise on its 
developments in a specific period, the Group has to allocate site-wide 
development costs between units built in the current year and in future 
years. It also has to estimate costs to complete on such developments, 
and make estimates relating to future sales price margins on those 
developments and units. In making these assessments, there is a degree 
of inherent uncertainty. The Group has developed internal controls to assess 
and review carrying values and the appropriateness of estimates made.  

3. General information 
Taylor Wimpey plc is a Company incorporated in the United Kingdom. 
The Company’s registered office is Taylor Wimpey plc, Gate House, 
Turnpike Road, High Wycombe, HP12 3NR. The nature of the Group’s 
operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic Report 
on pages 1 to 58. 

These financial statements are presented in pounds Sterling as 
the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 
Group operates. 

For defined benefit plans a finance charge is determined on the net defined 
benefit pension liability. The operating and financing costs of such plans are 
recognised separately in the income statement; service costs are spread 
systematically over the service period of employees, past service costs are 
recognised as an expense at the earlier of when the plan is amended or 
curtailment occurs, at the same time as which the entity will recognise related 
restructuring costs or termination benefits. Certain liability management costs 
and financing costs are recognised in the periods in which they arise. 
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the statement of 
comprehensive income. 

The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the consolidated statement of 
financial position represents either the net deficit position of the scheme or, 
should the scheme be in an IAS 19 accounting surplus, the IFRIC 14 liability 
equal to the present value of future committed cash contributions. 

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged as an expense as 
they fall due. 

2. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of 
estimation uncertainty 
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make 
significant judgements and estimates. Management have considered 
whether there are any such sources of estimation or accounting 
judgements in forming the financial statements and highlight the following 
areas. In identifying these areas, management have considered the size of 
the associated balance and the potential likelihood of changes due to 
macro-economic factors. 

Critical accounting judgements 
Management have not made any individual critical accounting judgements 
that are material to the Group. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
Key sources of estimation uncertainty are those which present a significant 
risk of potential material misstatement to carrying amounts of assets or 
liabilities within the next financial year.  

Employee benefits 

The value of the defined benefit plan liabilities is determined by using 
various assumptions, including discount rate, future rates of inflation, 
growth, yields, returns on investments and mortality rates. The value of the 
defined benefit scheme recorded on the balance sheet is currently subject 
to IFRIC 14, which under certain circumstances requires an adjustment to 
turn an accounting surplus into a liability equal to the present value of 
committed future payments to the scheme. Determining the IFRIC 14 
adjustment requires the use of actuarial assumptions to project forward the 
funding position of the scheme over the commitment period. As actual 
changes in inflation, growth, yields and investment returns may differ from 
those assumed, this is a key source of estimation uncertainty within the 
financial statements. Changes in these assumptions over time and 
differences to the actual outcome will be reflected in the statement of 
comprehensive income. Note 21 details the main assumptions in 
accounting for the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme, along with 
sensitivities of the liabilities to changes in these assumptions.  

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  157 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

157

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

4. Revenue 
An analysis of the Group’s continuing revenue is as follows: 
£ million  

Housing: 
Private sales 
Partnership housing 
Other 

Total housing 
Land sales 

2019 

2018 

3,798.3
490.6
14.5

4,303.4
37.9

4,341.3

3,550.5
465.3
9.6

4,025.4
56.6

4,082.0

Other revenue includes income from the sale of commercial properties developed as part of larger residential developments and the sale of 
leasehold properties. 

The Group’s revenue includes revenue from construction contracts that are recognised over time by reference to the stage of completion of the 
contract with the customer. All other revenue is recognised at a point in time when control of the property is transferred to the customer.  

£ million  

Recognised at a point in time 
Recognised over time 

2019 

2018 

4,013.7
327.6

4,341.3

3,792.0
290.0

4,082.0

At 31 December 2019, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations on construction contracts was 
£692.7 million (2018: £448.0 million), of which approximately 45% is expected to be recognised as revenue during 2020. 

5. Operating segments 
The Group operates in two countries, the United Kingdom and Spain. 

The United Kingdom is split into three geographical operating segments, each managed by a Divisional Chair who sits on the Group Management Team. 
In addition, there is a single operating segment covering the corporate functions, Major Developments and Strategic Land. The accounting policies of the 
reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies described in Note 1. Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment 
without allocation of central administration costs including salaries of Divisional and Group management.  

Segment information about these businesses is presented below:  

For the year to 31 December 2019 
£ million 

Revenue 
External sales 
Result 
Profit/(loss) before joint ventures, finance costs and exceptional items 
Share of results of joint ventures 

Operating profit (Note 32) 
Exceptional items (Note 6) 

Profit/(loss) before finance costs 
Net finance costs 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation charge 

Profit for the year 

At 31 December 2019 
£ million 

Assets and liabilities 
Segment operating assets 
Joint ventures 
Segment operating liabilities 

Net operating assets/(liabilities) 
Net current taxation 
Net deferred taxation (Note 14) 
Net cash (Note 27) 

Net assets 

158 
158 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Central  
& South 
West  

North 

London  
& South 

East   Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,547.9 1,447.3  1,214.4 

11.3

120.4

4,341.3

320.0
–

320.0
– 

320.0

316.2 
– 

316.2 
– 

316.2 

227.3 
7.6 

234.9 
– 

234.9 

(53.1)
0.4

(52.7)
14.3

(38.4)

32.1
–

32.1
–

32.1

842.5
8.0

850.5
14.3

864.8
(28.9)

835.9
(162.0)

673.9

Central  
& South 
West  

North 

London  
& South 

East   Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,310.1 1,345.4  1,372.6 
46.6 
(391.9) 

4.1 
(538.1) 

0.8
(425.1)

270.9
3.8
(277.1)

885.8

811.4  1,027.3 

(2.4)

161.7
–
(83.6)

78.1

4,460.7
55.3
(1,715.8)

2,800.2
(67.9)
29.8
545.7

3,307.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

An analysis of the Group’s continuing revenue is as follows: 

4. Revenue 

£ million  

Housing: 

Private sales 

Other 

Total housing 

Land sales 

Partnership housing 

leasehold properties. 

£ million  

Recognised at a point in time 

Recognised over time 

For the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Revenue 

External sales 

Result 

Share of results of joint ventures 

Operating profit (Note 32) 

Exceptional items (Note 6) 

Profit/(loss) before finance costs 

Net finance costs 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation charge 

Profit for the year 

At 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Assets and liabilities 

Segment operating assets 

Joint ventures 

Segment operating liabilities 

Net operating assets/(liabilities) 

Net current taxation 

Net deferred taxation (Note 14) 

Net cash (Note 27) 

Net assets 

Other revenue includes income from the sale of commercial properties developed as part of larger residential developments and the sale of 

The Group’s revenue includes revenue from construction contracts that are recognised over time by reference to the stage of completion of the 

contract with the customer. All other revenue is recognised at a point in time when control of the property is transferred to the customer.  

At 31 December 2019, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations on construction contracts was 

£692.7 million (2018: £448.0 million), of which approximately 45% is expected to be recognised as revenue during 2020. 

5. Operating segments 

The Group operates in two countries, the United Kingdom and Spain. 

The United Kingdom is split into three geographical operating segments, each managed by a Divisional Chair who sits on the Group Management Team. 

In addition, there is a single operating segment covering the corporate functions, Major Developments and Strategic Land. The accounting policies of the 

reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies described in Note 1. Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment 

without allocation of central administration costs including salaries of Divisional and Group management.  

Segment information about these businesses is presented below:  

Profit/(loss) before joint ventures, finance costs and exceptional items 

320.0

316.2 

227.3 

(53.1)

32.1

842.5

Central  

& South 

West  

London  

& South 

North 

East   Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,547.9 1,447.3  1,214.4 

11.3

120.4

4,341.3

320.0

316.2 

234.9 

– 

– 

7.6 

– 

–

– 

320.0

316.2 

234.9 

0.4

(52.7)

14.3

(38.4)

32.1

–

–

32.1

Central  

& South 

West  

London  

& South 

North 

East   Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,310.1 1,345.4  1,372.6 

270.9

161.7

4,460.7

0.8

4.1 

46.6 

3.8

–

55.3

(425.1)

(538.1) 

(391.9) 

(277.1)

(83.6)

(1,715.8)

885.8

811.4  1,027.3 

(2.4)

78.1

2,800.2

8.0

850.5

14.3

864.8

(28.9)

835.9

(162.0)

673.9

(67.9)

29.8

545.7

3,307.8

158 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

2019 

2018 

3,798.3

3,550.5

490.6

14.5

465.3

9.6

4,303.4

4,025.4

37.9

56.6

4,341.3

4,082.0

2019 

2018 

4,013.7

327.6

4,341.3

3,792.0

290.0

4,082.0

5. Operating segments continued 

For the year to 31 December 2019 
£ million 

Other information 
Property, plant and equipment additions 
Right-of-use asset additions 
Software additions 
Property, plant and equipment depreciation 
Right-of-use asset depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets 

For the year to 31 December 2018 
£ million 

Revenue  
External sales 
Result 
Profit/(loss) before joint ventures, finance costs and exceptional items 
Share of results of joint ventures 

Operating profit (Note 32) 
Exceptional items (Note 6) 

Profit/(loss) before finance costs 
Net finance costs 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation charge 

Profit for the year 

At 31 December 2018 
£ million 

Assets and liabilities 
Segment operating assets 
Joint ventures 
Segment operating liabilities 

Net operating assets/(liabilities) 
Net current taxation  
Net deferred taxation (Note 14) 
Net cash (Note 27) 

Net assets 

For the year to 31 December 2018 
£ million 

Other information 
Property, plant and equipment additions 
Right-of-use asset additions 
Software additions 
Property, plant and equipment depreciation 
Right-of-use asset depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets 

Central  
& South 
West  

0.7 
1.0 
– 
(0.9) 
(1.5) 
– 

North 

1.9
4.4
–
(0.5)
(2.2)
–

Central  
& South 
West  

North 

London 
& South 

East  Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

3.7
3.1
5.4
(0.9)
(2.3)
(1.6)

–
0.4
–
(0.1)
(0.3)
–

7.2
9.5
5.4
(3.2)
(8.7)
(1.6)

0.9
0.6
–
(0.8)
(2.4)
–

London 
& South 

East  Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,418.7 1,347.2  1,210.3

1.6

104.2

4,082.0

307.0
0.1

307.1
–

307.1

344.7 
– 

344.7 
– 

344.7 

265.3
5.3

270.6
–

270.6

(71.3)
(0.1)

(71.4)
(46.1)

(117.5)

29.2
–

29.2
–

29.2

874.9
5.3

880.2
(46.1)

834.1
(23.4)

810.7
(154.1)

656.6

Central  
& South 
West  

North 

London 
& South 

East  Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

1,213.0 1,290.7  1,504.3
40.5
(510.0)

3.7 
(520.9) 

2.0
(375.5)

839.5

773.5  1,034.8

254.0
2.1
(355.0)

(98.9)

168.5
–
(105.5)

63.0

4,430.5
48.3
(1,866.9)

2,611.9
(69.9)
40.7
644.1

3,226.8

Central  
& South 
West  

0.8 
0.8 
– 
(0.9) 
(1.5) 
– 

North 

0.2
1.5
–
(0.6)
(2.5)
–

London 
& South 

East  Corporate 

Spain 

Total 

–
5.7
–
(0.5)
(2.6)
–

1.0
2.5
0.3
(1.1)
(2.2)
(1.0)

0.1
0.2
–
–
(0.2)
–

2.1
10.7
0.3
(3.1)
(9.0)
(1.0)

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  159 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

159

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

6. Net operating expenses and profit on ordinary activities before finance costs 
Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs for continuing operations has been arrived at after charging/(crediting): 

£ million  

Administration expenses 
Other expenses 
Other income 
Exceptional items 

2019 

211.7
4.3
(14.4)
(14.3)

Other income and expenses include profits on the sale of property, plant and equipment and the revaluation of certain shared equity mortgage 
receivables, pre-acquisition and abortive costs, and profit/loss on the sale of part exchange properties. 

Exceptional items:  
£ million  

Net Pension Increase Exchange credit 
Provision in relation to Aluminium Composite Materials cladding 
Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation charge 

Exceptional items 

Pension Increase Exchange (PIE) 

2019 

(14.3)
–
–

(14.3)

2018 

212.9
3.9
(17.2)
46.1

2018 

–
30.0
16.1

46.1

During the year, the Group initiated a Pension Increase Exchange exercise which enables pension scheme members to elect to exchange future pension 
increases on part of their pensions for a one-off increase in pension. The PIE exercise consisted of two stages – the option to select the exchange at 
retirement for members who have not yet retired and a bulk exercise for members already drawing a pension. The credit arising from the implementation 
of the PIE was considered a past service credit and recognised through the income statement in accordance with IAS 19. The impact of future changes  
in estimates and assumptions related to the PIE is accounted for as scheme experience and will be recognised in other comprehensive income. 
The exceptional credit recognised is net of costs associated with the PIE implementation. 

Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) cladding 

Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, the Group conducted a detailed review into all legacy and current buildings ACM cladding and worked with 
building owners, management companies, and the Fire Service to implement Government advice on interim mitigation measures, where applicable.  
Whilst each situation is different, and this is an exceptionally complex issue, the Group has in a number of cases, having regard to all of the relevant facts 
and circumstances, agreed to support our customers both financially and practically with removal and replacement of ACM cladding, even though the 
buildings concerned met the requirements of building regulations at the time construction was formally approved. This decision was taken for buildings 
recently constructed by the Group because management believe that it is morally right, not because it is legally required. Uncertainty over the remediation 
costs will remain until all the works are fully designed and contracted. Following the creation of the exceptional provision, the Government issued further 
guidance which the Group considered as part of its ongoing review.  

Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation 

A High Court judgment handed down in October 2018, relating to defined benefit pension schemes, held that the GMP element of pension accrued by 
men and women should be comparable and any additional obligation required to equalise the members’ benefits must be allowed for in the scheme 
liabilities. The additional obligation was considered a past service cost and recognised through the income statement in accordance with IAS 19.  
The impact of future changes in estimates and assumptions related to the equalisation of GMP is accounted for as scheme experience and recognised  
in other comprehensive income. 

160 
160 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

Other income and expenses include profits on the sale of property, plant and equipment and the revaluation of certain shared equity mortgage 

receivables, pre-acquisition and abortive costs, and profit/loss on the sale of part exchange properties. 

£ million  

Administration expenses 

Other expenses 

Other income 

Exceptional items 

Exceptional items:  

£ million  

Net Pension Increase Exchange credit 

Provision in relation to Aluminium Composite Materials cladding 

Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation charge 

Exceptional items 

Pension Increase Exchange (PIE) 

During the year, the Group initiated a Pension Increase Exchange exercise which enables pension scheme members to elect to exchange future pension 

increases on part of their pensions for a one-off increase in pension. The PIE exercise consisted of two stages – the option to select the exchange at 

retirement for members who have not yet retired and a bulk exercise for members already drawing a pension. The credit arising from the implementation 

of the PIE was considered a past service credit and recognised through the income statement in accordance with IAS 19. The impact of future changes  

in estimates and assumptions related to the PIE is accounted for as scheme experience and will be recognised in other comprehensive income. 

The exceptional credit recognised is net of costs associated with the PIE implementation. 

Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) cladding 

Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, the Group conducted a detailed review into all legacy and current buildings ACM cladding and worked with 

building owners, management companies, and the Fire Service to implement Government advice on interim mitigation measures, where applicable.  

Whilst each situation is different, and this is an exceptionally complex issue, the Group has in a number of cases, having regard to all of the relevant facts 

and circumstances, agreed to support our customers both financially and practically with removal and replacement of ACM cladding, even though the 

buildings concerned met the requirements of building regulations at the time construction was formally approved. This decision was taken for buildings 

recently constructed by the Group because management believe that it is morally right, not because it is legally required. Uncertainty over the remediation 

costs will remain until all the works are fully designed and contracted. Following the creation of the exceptional provision, the Government issued further 

guidance which the Group considered as part of its ongoing review.  

Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation 

A High Court judgment handed down in October 2018, relating to defined benefit pension schemes, held that the GMP element of pension accrued by 

men and women should be comparable and any additional obligation required to equalise the members’ benefits must be allowed for in the scheme 

liabilities. The additional obligation was considered a past service cost and recognised through the income statement in accordance with IAS 19.  

The impact of future changes in estimates and assumptions related to the equalisation of GMP is accounted for as scheme experience and recognised  

in other comprehensive income. 

160 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

6. Net operating expenses and profit on ordinary activities before finance costs 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs for continuing operations has been arrived at after charging/(crediting): 

6. Net operating expenses and profit on ordinary activities before finance costs continued 
Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs has been arrived at after charging/(crediting): 

2019 

211.7

4.3

(14.4)

(14.3)

2019 

(14.3)

–

–

(14.3)

2018 

212.9

3.9

(17.2)

46.1

2018 

–

30.0

16.1

46.1

£ million 

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense in cost of sales 
Property, plant and equipment depreciation 
Right-of-use asset depreciation 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 

The remuneration paid to Deloitte LLP, the Group’s external auditor, is as follows: 

£ million  

Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts and consolidated financial statements 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services to the Group: 
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

Total audit fees 

Other assurance services 

Total non-audit fees 

Total fees 

2019 

2018 

3,203.6
3.2
8.7
–
1.6

2,921.1
3.1
9.0
(0.2)
1.0

2019 

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.1

0.1

0.6

2018 

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.1

0.1

0.6

Non-audit services in 2019 and 2018 predominantly relate to work undertaken as a result of Deloitte LLP’s role as auditor, or work resulting from 
knowledge and experience gained as part of the role. In both 2019 and 2018 the fees relating to other assurance services predominantly related to the 
review of the interim statements. The work was either the subject of a competitive tender or was best performed by the Group’s auditor because of its 
knowledge of the Group. In 2019, non-audit fees also include £1,000 (2018: £23,000) of other services related to consultancy. 

7. Staff costs 

Number 

Average number employed 
United Kingdom 
Spain 

£ million  

Remuneration 
Wages and salaries 
Redundancy costs 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 

2019 

2018 

5,796
87

5,883

5,358
84

5,442

2019 

2018 

275.9
0.9
29.8
14.5

321.1

258.0
0.4
27.7
12.4

298.5

The information relating to Director and Senior Management remuneration required by the Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules of the Financial 
Conduct Authority is contained in Note 30 and pages 106 to 131 in the Directors’ Remuneration report. 

8. Finance costs and finance income 

£ million  

Interest receivable 

Finance costs are analysed as follows: 

£ million  

Interest on bank and other loans 
Foreign exchange movements 

Unwinding of discount on land creditors and other items 
Interest on lease liabilities 
Net interest on pension liability (Note 21) 

2019 

2.9

2019 

5.5
1.1

6.6
21.5
0.5
3.2

31.8

2018 

2.9

2018 

5.2
1.0

6.2
18.5
0.5
1.1

26.3

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161

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

9. Taxation 
Tax (charged)/credited in the income statement is analysed as follows: 

£ million 

Current tax: 
UK: 

Overseas: 

Deferred tax: 
UK: 

Overseas: 

Current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 

2019 

2018 

(138.1)
(5.2)
(5.2)
(0.6)

(149.1)

(10.8)
0.5
(1.8)
(0.8)

(12.9)

(143.4)
(5.3)
(3.6)
–

(152.3)

(4.1)
3.7
(1.4)
–

(1.8)

(162.0)

(154.1)

Corporation tax is calculated at 19.0% (2018: 19.0%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year in the UK. Taxation outside the UK is calculated at the 
rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The effective tax rate, before exceptional items, is 19.4% (2018: 18.9%). The tax charge for the year includes 
an exceptional charge of £2.7 million relating to the Pension Increase Exchange exercise. The tax charge for the prior year includes credits of £5.1 million 
in respect of the exceptional provision for ACM cladding replacement and £3.1 million relating to the exceptional charge for the impact of GMP 
equalisation on the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme. The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows: 

£ million  

Profit before tax 

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19.0% (2018: 19.0%) 
Net under provision in respect of prior years 
Net impact of items that are not taxable or deductible 
Recognition of deferred tax asset relating to Spanish business 
Other rate impacting adjustments 

Tax charge for the year 

10. Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

2019 

835.9

(158.8)
(6.1)
3.4
1.5
(2.0)

(162.0)

2019 

20.6p
20.6p
20.3p
20.2p

2018 

810.7

(154.0)
(1.7)
1.7
2.3
(2.4)

(154.1)

2018 

20.1p
20.0p
21.3p
21.2p

Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share – million 
Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share – million 

3,268.2
3,276.2

3,266.3
3,275.7

Adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which exclude the impact of exceptional items and any associated net tax amounts, are presented 
to provide a measure of the underlying performance of the Group. A reconciliation of earnings attributable to equity shareholders used for basic and 
diluted earnings per share to that used for adjusted earnings per share is shown below.  

£ million 

Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share 
Adjust for exceptional items (Note 6) 
Adjust for tax on exceptional items 

Earnings for adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share 

Million 

Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share 
Long term incentive share options 
SAYE options 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share 

162 
162 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019 

673.9
(14.3)
2.7

662.3

2018 

656.6
46.1
(8.2)

694.5

2019 

2018 

3,268.2
6.3
1.7

3,276.2

3,266.3
6.9
2.5

3,275.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporation tax is calculated at 19.0% (2018: 19.0%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year in the UK. Taxation outside the UK is calculated at the 

rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The effective tax rate, before exceptional items, is 19.4% (2018: 18.9%). The tax charge for the year includes 

an exceptional charge of £2.7 million relating to the Pension Increase Exchange exercise. The tax charge for the prior year includes credits of £5.1 million 

in respect of the exceptional provision for ACM cladding replacement and £3.1 million relating to the exceptional charge for the impact of GMP 

equalisation on the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme. The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows: 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

Tax (charged)/credited in the income statement is analysed as follows: 

9. Taxation 

£ million 

Current tax: 

UK: 

Overseas: 

Deferred tax: 

UK: 

Overseas: 

Current year 

Current year 

Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Current year 

Current year 

Adjustment in respect of prior years 

£ million  

Profit before tax 

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19.0% (2018: 19.0%) 

Net under provision in respect of prior years 

Net impact of items that are not taxable or deductible 

Recognition of deferred tax asset relating to Spanish business 

Other rate impacting adjustments 

Tax charge for the year 

10. Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Adjusted basic earnings per share 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share – million 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share – million 

Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share 

Adjust for exceptional items (Note 6) 

Adjust for tax on exceptional items 

Earnings for adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share 

£ million 

Million 

Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share 

Long term incentive share options 

SAYE options 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share 

162 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

2019 

2018 

(138.1)

(143.4)

(149.1)

(152.3)

(5.2)

(5.2)

(0.6)

(10.8)

0.5

(1.8)

(0.8)

(12.9)

(162.0)

2019 

835.9

(158.8)

(6.1)

3.4

1.5

(2.0)

2019 

20.6p

20.6p

20.3p

20.2p

(5.3)

(3.6)

–

(4.1)

3.7

(1.4)

–

(1.8)

(154.1)

2018 

810.7

(154.0)

(1.7)

1.7

2.3

(2.4)

2018 

20.1p

20.0p

21.3p

21.2p

(162.0)

(154.1)

3,268.2

3,276.2

3,266.3

3,275.7

2019 

673.9

(14.3)

2.7

662.3

2018 

656.6

46.1

(8.2)

694.5

2019 

2018 

3,268.2

3,266.3

6.3

1.7

6.9

2.5

3,276.2

3,275.7

Adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which exclude the impact of exceptional items and any associated net tax amounts, are presented 

to provide a measure of the underlying performance of the Group. A reconciliation of earnings attributable to equity shareholders used for basic and 

diluted earnings per share to that used for adjusted earnings per share is shown below.  

11. Intangible assets 

£ million  

Cost 
At 1 January 2018 
Additions 

At 31 December 2018 
Additions 

At 31 December 2019 

Accumulated amortisation  
At 1 January 2018 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2018 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2019 

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

The amortisation of software is recognised within administration expenses in the income statement.  

12. Property, plant and equipment 

Brands 

Software 

Total 

140.2
–

140.2
–

140.2

(140.2)
–

(140.2)
–

(140.2)

11.5
0.3

11.8
5.4

17.2

(7.6)
(1.0)

(8.6)
(1.6)

(10.2)

151.7
0.3

152.0
5.4

157.4

(147.8)
(1.0)

(148.8)
(1.6)

(150.4)

–

–

7.0

3.2

7.0

3.2

£ million  

Cost  
At 1 January 2018 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2018 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange movements 

At 31 December 2019 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2018 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2018 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Exchange movements 

At 31 December 2019 

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

Freehold land 
and buildings 

Plant, equipment 
and leasehold 
improvements 

Total 

35.4
2.1
(0.5)

37.0
7.2
(2.7)
(0.1)

41.4

(12.6)
(3.1)
0.3

(15.4)
(3.2)
2.7
0.1

(15.8)

19.0
2.0
(0.2)

20.8
6.9
(2.7)
(0.1)

24.9

(10.9)
(2.5)
0.2

(13.2)
(2.7)
2.7
0.1

(13.1)

11.8

7.6

25.6

21.6

16.4
0.1
(0.3)

16.2
0.3
–
–

16.5

(1.7)
(0.6)
0.1

(2.2)
(0.5)
–
–

(2.7)

13.8

14.0

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

13. Interests in joint ventures 

£ million  

Aggregated amounts relating to share of all joint ventures: 
Non-current assets 
Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Carrying amount 
Loans to joint ventures 

Total interests in joint ventures 

2019 

2018 

21.9
101.0

122.9

(22.5)
(87.9)

(110.4)

18.3
37.0

55.3

19.4
78.0

97.4

(22.0)
(63.4)

(85.4)

15.2
33.1

48.3

Loans to joint ventures includes £(5.8) million (2018: £(3.2) million) relating to the Group’s share of losses recognised under the equity method in excess of 
the investment in ordinary shares. 

£ million  

Group share of: 
Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Net operating expenses 

Profit before finance costs 
Net finance costs 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Share of joint ventures’ post-tax results for the year 

2019 

2018 

99.9
(85.7)

14.2
(2.7)

11.5
(1.8)

9.7
(1.7)

8.0

72.3
(60.3)

12.0
(3.4)

8.6
(1.9)

6.7
(1.4)

5.3

The Group has five material (2018: five) joint ventures whose principal activity is residential housebuilding or development. The Group considers a joint 
venture to be material when it is financially or strategically important to the Group.  

The particulars of the material joint ventures for 2019 are as follows: 

Joint venture 

Greenwich Millennium Village Limited 
Chobham Manor Limited Liability Partnership 
Winstanley and York Road Regeneration LLP 
Whitehill & Bordon Development Company Phase 1a Limited 
Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company Limited 

* 

Interests held by subsidiary undertakings. 

Further information on the particulars of joint ventures can be found on page 190. 

Country of incorporation 

United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

Interest in the issued 
ordinary share capital* 

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%

164 
164 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
13. Interests in joint ventures 

£ million  

Aggregated amounts relating to share of all joint ventures: 

2019 

2018 

13. Interests in joint ventures continued 
The following two tables show summary financial information for the material joint ventures. Unless specifically indicated, this information represents 100% 
of the joint venture before intercompany eliminations. 

£ million 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Current financial liabilities 
Current other liabilities 
Non-current financial liabilities* 

Net assets/(liabilities) (100%) 

Group share of net assets/(liabilities) 

Loans to joint ventures 

Total interests in material joint ventures 

Revenue 
Interest (expense)/income 
Income tax (expense)/credit 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Group share of profit/(loss) for the year 

*   Non-current financial liabilities include amounts owed to joint venture partners. 

Greenwich 
Millennium 
Village 
2019 

Chobham 
Manor 
2019 

Winstanley and 
York Road 
Regeneration 
2019 

Whitehill & 
Bordon 
Development 
Company 
Phase 1a 
2019 

Whitehill & 
Bordon 
Regeneration 
Company 
2019 

0.4
36.2
6.9
(5.5)
(1.9)
(16.8)

19.3

9.7

6.1

15.8

60.1
(0.4)
(2.9)

12.9

6.5

0.9
35.9
0.7
(13.1)
–
(17.8)

6.6

3.3

8.3

11.6

97.5
–
–

4.9

2.5

– 
76.9 
5.6 
(10.3) 
– 
(83.7) 

(11.5) 

(5.8) 

22.1 

16.3 

8.5 
(3.1) 
– 

(5.1) 

(2.6) 

0.4
20.8
0.3
(4.8)
–
(15.4)

1.3

0.7

0.6

1.3

19.2
(1.0)
(0.5)

2.4

1.2

37.3
5.8
3.3
(8.3)
–
(36.2)

1.9

0.9

2.8

3.7

14.5
0.9
0.1

0.9

0.4

During the year, no entity charged depreciation or amortisation. No entity had discontinued operations or items of other comprehensive income. 

£ million 

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Current financial liabilities 
Current other liabilities 
Non-current financial liabilities* 

Net assets/(liabilities) (100%) 

Group share of net assets/(liabilities) 

Loans to joint ventures 

Total interests in material joint ventures 

Revenue 
Interest expense 
Income tax (expense)/credit 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Group share of profit/(loss) for the year 

*   Non-current financial liabilities include amounts owed to joint venture partners. 

Greenwich 
Millennium 
Village 
2018 

Chobham 
Manor 
2018 

Winstanley and 
York Road 
Regeneration 
2018 

Whitehill & 
Bordon 
Development 
Company 
Phase 1a 
2018 

Whitehill & 
Bordon 
Regeneration 
Company 
2018 

0.4
24.6
4.3
(3.5)
(2.5)
(4.2)

19.1

9.6

–

9.6

68.3
(0.4)
(2.8)

12.0

6.0

–
53.3
4.2
(27.0)
–
(28.8)

1.7

0.9

13.3

14.2

47.9
–
–

5.2

2.6

– 
34.2 
0.4 
(1.5) 
– 
(39.4) 

(6.3) 

(3.2) 

17.1 

13.9 

– 
(1.5) 
– 

(5.8) 

(2.9) 

0.3
20.5
1.9
(4.6)
–
(19.2)

(1.1)

(0.6)

1.2

0.6

5.5
(1.3)
0.2

(0.7)

(0.3)

32.6
0.7
0.5
(3.7)
–
(29.1)

1.0

0.5

1.6

2.1

22.9
(0.7)
(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.1)

During the year, no entity charged depreciation or amortisation. No entity had discontinued operations or items of other comprehensive income. 

Total 
2019 

39.0
175.6
16.8
(42.0)
(1.9)
(169.9)

17.6

8.8

39.9

48.7

199.8
(3.6)
(3.3)

16.0

8.0

Total 
2018 

33.3
133.3
11.3
(40.3)
(2.5)
(120.7)

14.4

7.2

33.2

40.4

144.6
(3.9)
(2.7)

10.6

5.3

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Carrying amount 

Loans to joint ventures 

Total interests in joint ventures 

the investment in ordinary shares. 

£ million  

Group share of: 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Net operating expenses 

Profit before finance costs 

Net finance costs 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Loans to joint ventures includes £(5.8) million (2018: £(3.2) million) relating to the Group’s share of losses recognised under the equity method in excess of 

2019 

2018 

Share of joint ventures’ post-tax results for the year 

The Group has five material (2018: five) joint ventures whose principal activity is residential housebuilding or development. The Group considers a joint 

venture to be material when it is financially or strategically important to the Group.  

The particulars of the material joint ventures for 2019 are as follows: 

Joint venture 

Greenwich Millennium Village Limited 

Chobham Manor Limited Liability Partnership 

Winstanley and York Road Regeneration LLP 

Whitehill & Bordon Development Company Phase 1a Limited 

Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company Limited 

* 

Interests held by subsidiary undertakings. 

Further information on the particulars of joint ventures can be found on page 190. 

Interest in the issued 

ordinary share capital* 

Country of incorporation 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

21.9

101.0

122.9

(22.5)

(87.9)

(110.4)

18.3

37.0

55.3

99.9

(85.7)

14.2

(2.7)

11.5

(1.8)

9.7

(1.7)

8.0

19.4

78.0

97.4

(22.0)

(63.4)

(85.4)

15.2

33.1

48.3

72.3

(60.3)

12.0

(3.4)

8.6

(1.9)

6.7

(1.4)

5.3

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

164 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  165 

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165

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

13. Interests in joint ventures continued 

Aggregated amounts relating to share of individually immaterial joint ventures: 

£ million  

Non-current assets 
Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Carrying amount 
Loans to individually immaterial joint ventures 

Total interests in individually immaterial joint ventures 

£ million  

Group share of: 
Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Net operating expense 

Profit before finance costs 
Finance costs 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Share of individually immaterial joint ventures’ post-tax results for the year 

14. Deferred tax 

£ million  

At 1 January 2018 
Impact of IFRS 16 adoption 
(Charge)/credit to income 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Charge to statement of changes in equity 
Foreign exchange 

At 31 December 2018 
Credit/(charge) to income 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Credit to statement of changes in equity 
Foreign exchange 

At 31 December 2019 

Share- 
based 
payments 

Capital 
allowances 

Losses 

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 

Other 
temporary 
differences 

5.0
–
(0.7)
–
(2.0)
–

2.3
0.3
–
0.8
–

3.4

3.1
–
(0.7)
–
–
–

2.4
(0.1)
–
–
–

2.3

9.4 
– 
(1.1) 
– 
– 
0.2 

8.5 
(2.7) 
– 
– 
(0.5) 

5.3 

10.7 
– 
(2.8) 
14.7 
– 
– 

22.6 
(10.9) 
1.7 
– 
– 

13.4 

1.1
0.3
3.5
–
–
–

4.9
0.5
–
–
–

5.4

Closing deferred tax on UK temporary differences has been calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply (based on currently enacted law) for the 
period when the asset is realised, or the liability is settled. Accordingly, the temporary differences have been calculated at rates between 19% and 17% 
(2018: 19% and 17%). In the upcoming Budget it is expected that the Government will honour its pledge to retain the 19% rate for corporation tax. If a 
corporation tax rate of 19% is subsequently enacted, this would increase the deferred tax asset by c.£3.0 million. 

166 
166 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019 

2.4
4.8

7.2

(0.6)
(2.9)

(3.5)

3.7
2.9

6.6

2018 

2.7
5.7

8.4

(0.6)
(3.0)

(3.6)

4.8
3.1

7.9

2019 

2018 

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
(0.1)

(0.1)
0.1

–
–

–
–

–

Total 

29.3
0.3
(1.8)
14.7
(2.0)
0.2

40.7
(12.9)
1.7
0.8
(0.5)

29.8

 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

13. Interests in joint ventures continued 

Aggregated amounts relating to share of individually immaterial joint ventures: 

Loans to individually immaterial joint ventures 

Total interests in individually immaterial joint ventures 

£ million  

Non-current assets 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Carrying amount 

£ million  

Group share of: 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Net operating expense 

Profit before finance costs 

Finance costs 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

14. Deferred tax 

£ million  

At 1 January 2018 

Impact of IFRS 16 adoption 

(Charge)/credit to income 

Credit to other comprehensive income 

Charge to statement of changes in equity 

Foreign exchange 

At 31 December 2018 

Credit/(charge) to income 

Credit to other comprehensive income 

Credit to statement of changes in equity 

Foreign exchange 

At 31 December 2019 

Share of individually immaterial joint ventures’ post-tax results for the year 

166 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

Share- 

based 

payments 

Capital 

allowances 

Retirement 

benefit 

obligations 

Other 

temporary 

differences 

(0.7)

(2.0)

5.0

–

–

–

–

–

2.3

0.3

0.8

3.4

3.1

(0.7)

2.4

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.3

Losses 

9.4 

(1.1) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.2 

8.5 

(2.7) 

(0.5) 

5.3 

10.7 

– 

(2.8) 

14.7 

22.6 

(10.9) 

1.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

13.4 

5.4

Closing deferred tax on UK temporary differences has been calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply (based on currently enacted law) for the 

period when the asset is realised, or the liability is settled. Accordingly, the temporary differences have been calculated at rates between 19% and 17% 

(2018: 19% and 17%). In the upcoming Budget it is expected that the Government will honour its pledge to retain the 19% rate for corporation tax. If a 

corporation tax rate of 19% is subsequently enacted, this would increase the deferred tax asset by c.£3.0 million. 

2019 

2018 

2019 

2.4

4.8

7.2

(0.6)

(2.9)

(3.5)

3.7

2.9

6.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.1

0.3

3.5

4.9

0.5

2018 

2.7

5.7

8.4

(0.6)

(3.0)

(3.6)

4.8

3.1

7.9

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.1

–

–

–

–

–

Total 

29.3

0.3

(1.8)

14.7

(2.0)

0.2

40.7

(12.9)

1.7

0.8

(0.5)

29.8

14. Deferred tax continued 
The net deferred tax balance is analysed into assets and liabilities as follows: 

£ million  

Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

2019 

31.1
(1.3)

29.8

2018 

42.1
(1.4)

40.7

The Group has not recognised temporary differences relating to tax losses carried forward and other temporary differences amounting to £2.4 million 
(2018: £3.0 million) in the UK and £39.6 million (2018: £47.8 million) in Spain. The UK temporary differences have not been recognised as they are 
predominantly non-trading in nature and insufficient certainty exists as to their future utilisation. The temporary differences in Spain have not been 
recognised due to uncertainty of sufficient taxable profits in the future against which to utilise these amounts. 

At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused UK capital losses of £269.5 million (2018: £269.6 million). No deferred tax asset has been recognised in 
respect of the capital losses at 31 December 2019 because the Group does not believe that it is probable that these capital losses will be utilised in the 
foreseeable future.  

15. Inventories 

£ million  

Raw materials and consumables 
Finished goods and goods for resale 
Residential developments: 

Land 
Development and construction costs 

Commercial, industrial and mixed development properties 

2019 

2.4
49.8

2,735.9
1,402.3
5.6

4,196.0

2018 

1.8
43.3

2,757.7
1,378.9
6.5

4,188.2

The markets in our core geographies, which are the primary drivers of our business, continue to trade positively. At 31 December 2019, the Group 
completed a net realisable value assessment of inventory. This review resulted in a reallocation of £4.3 million (2018: £1.1 million) of historically booked 
provision between sites which continue to hold a provision due to poor site location and complex site requirements and a small increase at one of those 
historic sites. 

At the balance sheet date, the Group held land and work in progress in the UK that had been written down to net realisable value of £39.0 million (2018: 
£46.6 million) with associated impairments of £30.5 million (2018: £38.7 million). At 31 December 2019, Spain had land and work in progress that has 
been written down to net realisable value of £20.3 million (2018: £27.2 million) with associated impairments of £38.1 million (2018: £44.3 million). 

The table below details the movements on the inventory provision recorded in the year. 

£ million 

1 January 
Net utilised 
Foreign exchange 

31 December 

2019 

83.0
(11.8)
(2.6)

68.6

2018 

93.3
(10.8)
0.5

83.0

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

16. Other financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 

£ million  

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 

Current 

Non-current 

2019 

120.7 
40.3 

161.0 

2018 

105.3 
29.4 

134.7 

2019 

31.4
12.3

43.7

2018 

43.2
12.5

55.7

Included within trade receivables are mortgage receivables of £34.0 million (2018: £45.3 million), including shared equity loans. Shared equity loans are 
provided to certain customers to facilitate their house purchase and are measured at fair value through profit or loss.  

Cash and cash equivalents 

£ million  

Cash and cash equivalents  

Further information on financial assets can be found in Note 20. 

17. Bank and other loans  

£ million 

€100.0 million 2.02% Senior Loan Notes 2023 

£ million 

Amount due for settlement after one year 

Total borrowings 

Further information on loan facilities can be found in Note 20. 

18. Trade and other payables 

£ million  

Trade payables 
Land creditors 
Customer deposits 
Completed site accruals 
Other payables 

2019 

630.4

2018 

734.2

2019 

84.7

84.7

2019 

84.7

84.7

Current 

Non-current 

2019 

458.5 
339.9 
65.0 
97.0 
14.4 

974.8 

2018 

495.0 
359.5 
65.1 
106.8 
17.9 

1,044.3 

2019 

48.3
389.3
9.9
38.7
13.5

499.7

2018 

90.1

90.1

2018 

90.1

90.1

2018 

33.8
379.1
10.6
41.3
26.5

491.3

2018 

715.7
22.9

738.6

Revenue recognised in the current year that was included in the customer deposit balance brought forward at the beginning of the period was 
£65.1 million (2018: £75.8 million). Other payables include £21.0 million (2018: £31.8 million) of repayable grants. 

Land creditors are denominated as follows: 

£ million 

Sterling 
Euros 

Land creditors of £429.8 million (2018: £367.1 million) are secured against land acquired for development.  

Further information on financial liabilities can be found in Note 20. 

2019 

710.1
19.1

729.2

168 
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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included within trade receivables are mortgage receivables of £34.0 million (2018: £45.3 million), including shared equity loans. Shared equity loans are 

provided to certain customers to facilitate their house purchase and are measured at fair value through profit or loss.  

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

16. Other financial assets 

Trade and other receivables 

£ million  

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

£ million  

Cash and cash equivalents  

Further information on financial assets can be found in Note 20. 

17. Bank and other loans  

€100.0 million 2.02% Senior Loan Notes 2023 

£ million 

£ million 

Amount due for settlement after one year 

Total borrowings 

Further information on loan facilities can be found in Note 20. 

18. Trade and other payables 

£ million  

Trade payables 

Land creditors 

Customer deposits 

Completed site accruals 

Other payables 

Land creditors are denominated as follows: 

£ million 

Sterling 

Euros 

168 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

Revenue recognised in the current year that was included in the customer deposit balance brought forward at the beginning of the period was 

£65.1 million (2018: £75.8 million). Other payables include £21.0 million (2018: £31.8 million) of repayable grants. 

Land creditors of £429.8 million (2018: £367.1 million) are secured against land acquired for development.  

Further information on financial liabilities can be found in Note 20. 

Current 

Non-current 

2019 

120.7 

40.3 

161.0 

2018 

105.3 

29.4 

134.7 

2019 

31.4

12.3

43.7

2018 

43.2

12.5

55.7

2019 

630.4

2018 

734.2

2019 

84.7

84.7

2019 

84.7

84.7

2019 

48.3

389.3

9.9

38.7

13.5

2019 

710.1

19.1

729.2

2018 

90.1

90.1

2018 

90.1

90.1

2018 

33.8

379.1

10.6

41.3

26.5

491.3

2018 

715.7

22.9

738.6

Current 

Non-current 

2019 

458.5 

339.9 

65.0 

97.0 

14.4 

2018 

495.0 

359.5 

65.1 

106.8 

17.9 

974.8 

1,044.3 

499.7

19. Leases 
The Group as a lessee 

The Group’s leases consist primarily of office premises and equipment. 

Right-of-use assets: 
£ million  

At 1 January 2019 

At 31 December 2019 

Additions during the year 

Lease liabilities:  
£ million 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

Amounts recognised in the income statement:  
£ million 

Depreciation charged on right-of-use office premises 
Depreciation charged on right-of-use equipment 
Interest on lease liabilities 

Total 

Office 
premises 

Equipment 

18.2

18.0

3.6

8.9

9.4

5.9

2019 

7.6
20.3

27.9

2019 

3.8
4.9
0.5

9.2

Total 

27.1

27.4

9.5

2018 

8.2
19.2

27.4

2018 

3.9
5.1
0.5

9.5

The total cash outflow for leases during the current year was £8.9 million, including £0.5 million of interest (2018: £8.8 million, including £0.5 million 
of interest). 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures 
Capital management  

The Group’s policy is to maintain a strong balance sheet for the business and to have an appropriate funding structure. Shareholders’ equity and long 
term debt are used to finance intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and the medium to long term inventories. Revolving credit facilities are 
used to finance net current assets, including development and construction costs. The Group’s financing facilities contain the usual financial covenants 
including minimum interest cover and maximum gearing. The Group met these requirements throughout the year and up to the date of the approval of the 
financial statements. 

Financial assets and financial liabilities 

Categories of financial assets and financial liabilities are as follows: 

Financial assets  
£ million 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Land receivables 
Trade and other receivables 
Mortgage receivables 

Carrying value 

Fair value 

Fair value 
hierarchy 

31 December 
2019 

31 December 
2018 

31 December 
2019 

31 December 
2018 

a
a
a
b

630.4 
12.8 
113.5 
34.0 

790.7 

734.2
9.6
97.8
45.3

886.9

630.4
12.8
113.5
34.0

790.7

734.2
9.6
97.8
45.3

886.9

(a) The Directors consider the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised costs in the consolidated financial statements to approximate their fair value. 

(b) Mortgage receivables relate to sales incentives, including shared equity loans and are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value is established based on a publicly 

available national house price index, being significant other observable inputs (level 2). 

Land receivables and trade and other receivables are included in the balance sheet as trade and other receivables for current and non-current amounts. 

Current and non-current trade and other receivables, as disclosed in Note 16, include £44.4 million (2018: £37.7 million) of non-financial assets. 

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures continued 

Financial liabilities  
£ million 

Bank and other loans 
Land creditors 
Trade and other payables 
Lease liabilities 

Carrying value 

Fair value 

Fair value 
hierarchy 

31 December 
2019 

31 December 
2018 

31 December 
2019 

31 December 
2018 

a
b
b
b

84.7 
729.2 
628.2 
27.9 

90.1 
738.6 
698.0 
27.4 

85.8
729.2
628.2
27.9

90.4
738.6
698.0
27.4

1,470.0 

1,554.1 

1,471.1

1,554.4

(a) The fair value of the €100 million fixed rate loan notes has been determined by reference to external interest rates and the Directors’ assessment of the margin for credit risk (level 2). 

(b) The Directors consider the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised costs in the consolidated financial statements to approximate their fair value. 

Current and non-current trade and other payables, as disclosed in Note 18, include £117.1 million (2018: £99.0 million) of non-financial liabilities.  

The Group has designated the carrying value of €79.0 million of foreign currency borrowings (2018: €54.0 million foreign currency borrowings) as a net 
investment hedge.  

The Group has no financial instruments with fair values that are determined by reference to significant unobservable inputs (level 3), nor have there been 
any transfers of assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy. There are no non-recurring fair value measurements. 

Forward contracts have been entered into to hedge transaction risks on intra-Group loans to buy/(sell) against Sterling: €15.0 million (2018: €55.0 million). 
The fair value of the forward contracts is not material as they were entered into on or near 31 December in each year and mature less than one month 
later, hence the value of the derivative is negligible. 

Market risk 

The Group’s activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in both foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Group aims to manage 
the exposure to these risks using fixed or variable rate borrowings, foreign currency borrowings and derivative financial instruments. 

(a)  Interest rate risk management 

The Group can be exposed to interest rate risk as the Group borrows funds, when required, at variable interest rates. The exposure to variable rate 
borrowings can fluctuate during the year due to the seasonal nature of cash flows relating to housing sales and the less certain timing of land payments. 
Group policy is to manage the volatility risk by a combination of fixed rate borrowings and interest rate swaps such that the sensitivity to potential changes 
in variable rates is within acceptable levels. Group policy does not allow the use of derivatives to speculate against changes to future interest rates and 
they are only used to manage exposure to volatility and no interest-rate hedging has taken place in the current or previous year. This policy has not 
changed during the year. 

To measure the risk, variable rate borrowings and the expected interest cost for the year are forecast monthly and compared to budget using management’s 
expectations of a reasonably possible change in interest rates. Interest expense volatility remained within acceptable limits throughout the year.  

Interest rate sensitivity 
The effect on both income and equity, based on exposure to non-derivative floating rate instruments at the balance sheet date, is shown in the table 
below. The Group does not currently have any outstanding interest rate derivatives. The 0.25% change represents a reasonably possible change in 
interest rates over the next financial period. The table assumes all other variables remain constant in accordance with IFRS 7. 

£ million 

0.25% increase in interest rates 

£ million 

0.25% decrease in interest rates 

(b)  Foreign currency risk management 

Income 
sensitivity
 2019 

1.6

Income 
sensitivity
 2019 

(1.6)

Equity 
 sensitivity 
 2019 

1.6 

Equity 
 sensitivity 
 2019 

(1.6) 

Income 
sensitivity 
2018 

1.8

Income 
sensitivity 
2018 

(1.8)

Equity
 sensitivity 
2018 

1.8

Equity
 sensitivity 
2018 

(1.8)

The Group’s overseas activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Its Spanish subsidiary is the only foreign 
operation of the Group.  

The Group is not materially exposed to transaction risks as all Group companies conduct their business in their respective functional currencies. 
Group policy requires that transaction risks are hedged to the functional currency of the subsidiary using foreign currency borrowings or derivatives 
where appropriate.  

170 
170 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures continued 

Financial liabilities  

£ million 

Bank and other loans 

Land creditors 

Trade and other payables 

Lease liabilities 

Fair value 

hierarchy 

a

b

b

b

Carrying value 

Fair value 

31 December 

31 December 

31 December 

31 December 

2019 

84.7 

729.2 

628.2 

27.9 

2018 

90.1 

738.6 

698.0 

27.4 

2019 

85.8

729.2

628.2

27.9

2018 

90.4

738.6

698.0

27.4

1,470.0 

1,554.1 

1,471.1

1,554.4

(a) The fair value of the €100 million fixed rate loan notes has been determined by reference to external interest rates and the Directors’ assessment of the margin for credit risk (level 2). 

(b) The Directors consider the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised costs in the consolidated financial statements to approximate their fair value. 

Current and non-current trade and other payables, as disclosed in Note 18, include £117.1 million (2018: £99.0 million) of non-financial liabilities.  

The Group has designated the carrying value of €79.0 million of foreign currency borrowings (2018: €54.0 million foreign currency borrowings) as a net 

investment hedge.  

The Group has no financial instruments with fair values that are determined by reference to significant unobservable inputs (level 3), nor have there been 

any transfers of assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy. There are no non-recurring fair value measurements. 

Forward contracts have been entered into to hedge transaction risks on intra-Group loans to buy/(sell) against Sterling: €15.0 million (2018: €55.0 million). 

The fair value of the forward contracts is not material as they were entered into on or near 31 December in each year and mature less than one month 

later, hence the value of the derivative is negligible. 

Market risk 

(a)  Interest rate risk management 

The Group’s activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in both foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Group aims to manage 

the exposure to these risks using fixed or variable rate borrowings, foreign currency borrowings and derivative financial instruments. 

The Group can be exposed to interest rate risk as the Group borrows funds, when required, at variable interest rates. The exposure to variable rate 

borrowings can fluctuate during the year due to the seasonal nature of cash flows relating to housing sales and the less certain timing of land payments. 

Group policy is to manage the volatility risk by a combination of fixed rate borrowings and interest rate swaps such that the sensitivity to potential changes 

in variable rates is within acceptable levels. Group policy does not allow the use of derivatives to speculate against changes to future interest rates and 

they are only used to manage exposure to volatility and no interest-rate hedging has taken place in the current or previous year. This policy has not 

To measure the risk, variable rate borrowings and the expected interest cost for the year are forecast monthly and compared to budget using management’s 

expectations of a reasonably possible change in interest rates. Interest expense volatility remained within acceptable limits throughout the year.  

changed during the year. 

Interest rate sensitivity 

The effect on both income and equity, based on exposure to non-derivative floating rate instruments at the balance sheet date, is shown in the table 

below. The Group does not currently have any outstanding interest rate derivatives. The 0.25% change represents a reasonably possible change in 

interest rates over the next financial period. The table assumes all other variables remain constant in accordance with IFRS 7. 

£ million 

0.25% increase in interest rates 

£ million 

0.25% decrease in interest rates 

(b)  Foreign currency risk management 

operation of the Group.  

where appropriate.  

The Group’s overseas activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Its Spanish subsidiary is the only foreign 

The Group is not materially exposed to transaction risks as all Group companies conduct their business in their respective functional currencies. 

Group policy requires that transaction risks are hedged to the functional currency of the subsidiary using foreign currency borrowings or derivatives 

Income 

sensitivity

 2019 

1.6

Income 

sensitivity

 2019 

(1.6)

Equity 

 sensitivity 

 2019 

1.6 

Equity 

 sensitivity 

 2019 

(1.6) 

Income 

sensitivity 

2018 

1.8

Income 

sensitivity 

2018 

(1.8)

Equity

 sensitivity 

2018 

1.8

Equity

 sensitivity 

2018 

(1.8)

170 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures continued 
The Group is exposed to the translation risk from accounting for both the income and the net investment held in a functional currency other than Sterling. 
The net investment risk may be hedged using foreign currency borrowings and derivatives. Assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies 
are retranslated each month using the latest exchange rates. Income is also measured monthly using the latest exchange rates and compared with a 
budget held at historical exchange rates. Other than the natural hedge provided by foreign currency borrowings, the translation risk of income is not 
hedged using derivatives. The policy is kept under periodic review and has not changed during the year. 

Hedge accounting 
Hedging activities are evaluated periodically to ensure that they are in line with Group policy.  

The Group has designated the carrying value of €79.0 million of foreign currency borrowings (2018: €54.0 million borrowings) held at the balance sheet 
date as a net investment hedge of part of the Group’s investment in Euro denominated assets.  

The change in the carrying value of the borrowings designated as a net investment hedge offset the exchange movement on the foreign currency net 
investments and are presented in the statement of other comprehensive income.  

Foreign currency sensitivity 
The Group is exposed to the Euro due to its Spanish operations. The following table details how the Group’s income and equity would increase/ 
(decrease) on a before tax basis following a 10% (2018: 15%) change in the currency’s value against Sterling, all other variables remaining constant.  

The 10% change represents a reasonably possible change in the specified Euro exchange rates in relation to Sterling. 

£ million  

Euro weakens against Sterling 

Euro strengthens against Sterling 

Credit risk 

Income 
sensitivity 
 2019 

Equity
 sensitivity
 2019 

(1.2) 

1.5 

4.8

(5.9)

Income 
sensitivity 
2018 

(1.7)

2.3

Equity
 sensitivity 
2018 

4.7

(6.3)

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where counterparties are not able to meet their obligations.  

Group policy is that surplus cash, when not used to repay borrowings, is placed on deposit with the Group’s main relationship banks and with other banks or 
money market funds based on a minimum credit rating and maximum exposure. There is no significant concentration of risk to any single counterparty. 

Land receivables arise from sales of surplus land on deferred terms. If the credit risk is not acceptable, then the deferred payment must have adequate 
security, either by an appropriate guarantee or a charge over the land. The fair value of any land held as security is considered by management to be 
sufficient in relation to the carrying amount of the receivable to which it relates. 

Trade and other receivables comprise mainly amounts receivable from various housing associations and other housebuilders. Management consider that 
the credit quality of the various receivables is good in respect of the amounts outstanding and therefore credit risk is considered to be low. There is no 
significant concentration of risk.  

Mortgage receivables, including shared equity loans, are in connection with the various historical promotion schemes to support sales on a selective 
basis, and are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The mortgages are secured by a second charge over the property with a low level of 
experienced credit losses due to non-payment. 

The carrying amount of financial assets, as detailed above, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date assuming that 
any security held has no value.  

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group does not have sufficient financial resources available to meet its obligations as they fall due. The Group manages 
liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows, matching the expected cash flow timings of financial assets and liabilities with  
the use of cash and cash equivalents, borrowings, overdrafts and committed revolving credit facilities with a minimum of 12 months to maturity. 
Future borrowing requirements are forecast on a monthly basis and funding headroom is maintained above forecast peak requirements to meet 
unforeseen events. At 31 December 2019, the Group’s borrowings and facilities had a range of maturities with an average life of 4.0 years (2018: 4.2 years).  
In February 2020, the Group agreed with its banks to extend the £550 million facility for one year to February 2025, increasing the average life of the Group’s 
borrowings and facilities to 4.9 years (2018: 5.0 years). 

In addition to fixed term borrowings, the Group has access to committed revolving credit facilities and cash balances. At the balance sheet date, the total 
unused committed amount was £550.0 million (2018: £550.0 million) and cash and cash equivalents were £630.4 million (2018: £734.2 million). 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures continued 
The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows including interest, using the latest applicable relevant rate, based on the earliest date on which  
the Group can be required to pay financial liabilities on an undiscounted basis, is as follows:  

£ million 

On demand 
Within one year 
More than one year and less than two years 
More than two years and less than five years 
More than five years 

31 December 2019 

£ million 

On demand 
Within one year 
More than one year and less than two years 
More than two years and less than five years 
More than five years 

31 December 2018 

Bank and 
other loans 

Land  
creditors 

Trade  
and other 
payables 

Lease 
 liabilities 

–
1.7
1.7
87.3
– 

90.7

– 
346.5 
197.7 
191.8 
23.9 

759.9 

Bank and 
other loans 

Land  
creditors 

–
1.8
1.8
94.6
–

98.2

– 
367.8 
205.8 
183.9 
14.4 

771.9 

– 
547.5 
51.7 
23.7 
5.3 

628.2 

Trade  
and other 
payables 

– 
612.2 
53.9 
31.4 
0.5 

698.0 

–
8.0
6.3
9.3
5.6

Total 

–
903.7
257.4
312.1
34.8

29.2

1,508.0

Lease 
liabilities 

–
8.6
6.4
9.0
4.6

Total 

–
990.4
267.9
318.9
19.5

28.6

1,596.7

21. Retirement benefit obligations 
Total retirement benefit obligations of £85.0 million (2018: £133.6 million) comprise a defined benefit pension liability of £84.5 million (2018: £133.0 million) 
and a post-retirement healthcare liability of £0.5 million (2018: £0.6 million). 

The Group operates the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS), a defined benefit pension scheme, which is closed to both new members and to future 
accrual. The Group also operates defined contribution pension arrangements in the UK, which are available to new and existing UK employees. 

Defined contribution pension plan 

A defined contribution plan is an arrangement under which the Group pays contributions to an independently administered fund or policy; such 
contributions are based on a fixed percentage of employees’ pay. The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions to  
the fund/policy once the contributions have been paid. Employees’ benefits are determined by the amount of contributions paid by the Group and the 
employee, together with investment returns earned on the contributions arising from the performance of each individual’s chosen investments and the 
type of pension the employee chooses to buy at retirement. As a result, actuarial risk (that benefits will be lower than expected) and investment risk  
(that invested assets will not perform in line with expectations) fall on the employee.  

The Group’s contributions are recognised as an employee benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the 
extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available. 

The Group’s defined contribution plan, the Taylor Wimpey Personal Choice Plan (TWPCP), is offered to all new and existing monthly paid employees. 
The People’s Pension is used for auto enrolment purposes for all weekly paid employees and those monthly paid employees not participating in the 
TWPCP. The People’s Pension is provided by B&CE, one of the UK’s largest providers of financial benefits to construction industry employers 
and individuals. 

The Group made contributions to its defined contribution arrangements of £14.5 million in the year (2018: £12.4 million), which is included in the income 
statement charge.  

Defined benefit pension schemes 

The Group’s defined benefit pension scheme in the UK is the TWPS. The TWPS is a funded defined benefit pension scheme which provides benefits to 
beneficiaries in the form of a guaranteed level of pension payable for life. The level of benefits provided depends on an individual member’s length of 
service and their salary in the final years leading up to retirement or date of ceasing active accrual if earlier. Pension payments are generally increased in 
line with inflation. 

The TWPS was formed by the merger of the Taylor Woodrow Group Pension and Life Assurance Fund and the George Wimpey Staff Pension Scheme in 
2013. The TWPS is closed to new members and future accrual. 

The Group operates the TWPS under the UK regulatory framework. Benefits are paid to members from a Trustee-administered fund and the Trustee is 
responsible for ensuring that the TWPS is well-managed and that members’ benefits are secure. Scheme assets are held in trust.  

The TWPS Trustee’s other duties include managing the investment of scheme assets, administration of scheme benefits and exercising of discretionary 
powers. The Group works closely with the Trustee to manage the TWPS. The Trustee of the TWPS owes fiduciary duties to the TWPS’ beneficiaries. 
The appointment of the Directors to the Trustee Board is determined by the TWPS trust documentation.  

172 
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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

£ million 

On demand 

Within one year 

More than one year and less than two years 

More than two years and less than five years 

More than five years 

31 December 2019 

£ million 

On demand 

Within one year 

More than one year and less than two years 

More than two years and less than five years 

More than five years 

31 December 2018 

21. Retirement benefit obligations 

Bank and 

other loans 

Land  

creditors 

Trade  

and other 

payables 

Lease 

 liabilities 

–

1.7

1.7

87.3

– 

90.7

–

1.8

1.8

94.6

–

98.2

– 

346.5 

197.7 

191.8 

23.9 

759.9 

– 

367.8 

205.8 

183.9 

14.4 

771.9 

– 

547.5 

51.7 

23.7 

5.3 

628.2 

Trade  

and other 

payables 

– 

612.2 

53.9 

31.4 

0.5 

698.0 

29.2

1,508.0

–

8.0

6.3

9.3

5.6

–

8.6

6.4

9.0

4.6

Total 

–

903.7

257.4

312.1

34.8

Total 

–

990.4

267.9

318.9

19.5

28.6

1,596.7

Bank and 

other loans 

Land  

creditors 

Lease 

liabilities 

Total retirement benefit obligations of £85.0 million (2018: £133.6 million) comprise a defined benefit pension liability of £84.5 million (2018: £133.0 million) 

and a post-retirement healthcare liability of £0.5 million (2018: £0.6 million). 

The Group operates the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS), a defined benefit pension scheme, which is closed to both new members and to future 

accrual. The Group also operates defined contribution pension arrangements in the UK, which are available to new and existing UK employees. 

Defined contribution pension plan 

A defined contribution plan is an arrangement under which the Group pays contributions to an independently administered fund or policy; such 

contributions are based on a fixed percentage of employees’ pay. The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions to  

the fund/policy once the contributions have been paid. Employees’ benefits are determined by the amount of contributions paid by the Group and the 

employee, together with investment returns earned on the contributions arising from the performance of each individual’s chosen investments and the 

type of pension the employee chooses to buy at retirement. As a result, actuarial risk (that benefits will be lower than expected) and investment risk  

(that invested assets will not perform in line with expectations) fall on the employee.  

The Group’s contributions are recognised as an employee benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the 

extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available. 

The Group’s defined contribution plan, the Taylor Wimpey Personal Choice Plan (TWPCP), is offered to all new and existing monthly paid employees. 

The People’s Pension is used for auto enrolment purposes for all weekly paid employees and those monthly paid employees not participating in the 

TWPCP. The People’s Pension is provided by B&CE, one of the UK’s largest providers of financial benefits to construction industry employers 

The Group made contributions to its defined contribution arrangements of £14.5 million in the year (2018: £12.4 million), which is included in the income 

and individuals. 

statement charge.  

Defined benefit pension schemes 

The Group’s defined benefit pension scheme in the UK is the TWPS. The TWPS is a funded defined benefit pension scheme which provides benefits to 

beneficiaries in the form of a guaranteed level of pension payable for life. The level of benefits provided depends on an individual member’s length of 

service and their salary in the final years leading up to retirement or date of ceasing active accrual if earlier. Pension payments are generally increased in 

line with inflation. 

The TWPS was formed by the merger of the Taylor Woodrow Group Pension and Life Assurance Fund and the George Wimpey Staff Pension Scheme in 

2013. The TWPS is closed to new members and future accrual. 

The Group operates the TWPS under the UK regulatory framework. Benefits are paid to members from a Trustee-administered fund and the Trustee is 

responsible for ensuring that the TWPS is well-managed and that members’ benefits are secure. Scheme assets are held in trust.  

The TWPS Trustee’s other duties include managing the investment of scheme assets, administration of scheme benefits and exercising of discretionary 

powers. The Group works closely with the Trustee to manage the TWPS. The Trustee of the TWPS owes fiduciary duties to the TWPS’ beneficiaries. 

The appointment of the Directors to the Trustee Board is determined by the TWPS trust documentation.  

172 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

20. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures continued 

The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows including interest, using the latest applicable relevant rate, based on the earliest date on which  

the Group can be required to pay financial liabilities on an undiscounted basis, is as follows:  

21. Retirement benefit obligations continued 
During 2017, the Group engaged with the TWPS Trustee on the triennial valuation of the pension scheme with a reference date of 31 December 2016. 
The table below sets out the key assumptions agreed as part of this valuation. 

Assumptions 

Discount rate (pre-retirement) 
Discount rate (post-retirement) 
RPI inflation 
CPI inflation 
Mortality 

4.20% 
2.35% 
3.50% 
2.70% 
100% of S2PXA tables, CMI_2016 improvements with 1.50% trend rate and a smoothing factor of 7.5 

The result of this valuation was a Technical Provisions deficit at 31 December 2016 of £222.0 million. To meet this deficit, a revised funding plan was 
agreed in February 2018. The funding plan commits the Group to £40.0 million per annum of deficit reduction contributions from 1 April 2018 to 
31 December 2020 and £2.0 million per annum for scheme expenses from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2023. In addition, £5.1 million per annum is 
received by the TWPS from the Pension Funding Partnership (as described below). However, £40.0 million per annum of cash contributions are only 
required whilst the TWPS remains in a Technical Provisions deficit position. Should the TWPS become fully funded, then these cash contributions will  
be suspended until such time that the scheme’s Technical Provisions funding level falls to below 96% at the end of any quarter. In April 2018, the Group 
paid a one-off contribution of £23.0 million into the TWPS to increase the funding level to 100% and thereby suspend any future contributions from 
31 March 2018. The funding level of the TWPS remained above the threshold of 96% until 31 December 2018. Contributions of £40.0 million per annum 
therefore recommenced from 1 January 2019 and will be payable until 31 December 2020, or until such time as the funding level increases to at least 
100% if earlier.  

On an IAS 19 accounting basis the underlying surplus in the scheme at 31 December 2019 was £100.5 million (2018: £33.1 million). The terms of the 
TWPS are such that the Group does not have an unconditional right to a refund of surplus. As a result, the Group has recognised an adjustment to the 
underlying surplus in the TWPS on an IAS 19 accounting basis of £185.0 million, resulting in an IFRIC 14 deficit of £84.5 million, which represents the 
present value of future contributions under the funding plan.  

In 2013, the Group introduced a £100.0 million Pension Funding Partnership utilising show homes, as well as seven offices, in a sale and leaseback 
structure. This provides an additional £5.1 million of annual funding for the TWPS. The assets held within the Pension Funding Partnership do not affect 
the IAS 19 figures (before IFRIC 14) as they remain assets of the Group, and are not assets of the TWPS. At 31 December 2019 there was £96.0 million 
of property and £16.1 million of cash held within the structure (2018: £89.9 million of property and £22.4 million of cash). The terms of this Funding 
Partnership are such that, should the TWPS be in a Technical Provisions deficit at 31 December 2028, then a bullet payment will be due equal to the 
lower of £100.0 million or the Technical Provisions deficit at that time. The IFRIC 14 deficit at 31 December 2019 does not include any value in respect of 
this bullet payment as modelling undertaken by an independent actuary indicates that the TWPS is expected to be fully funded by 2028 and no bullet 
payment is expected to be required. 

The Group continues to work closely with the Trustee in managing pension risks, including management of interest rate, inflation and longevity risks. 
The TWPS assets are approximately 90% hedged against changes in both interest rates and inflation expectations on the scheme’s long term,  
‘self-sufficiency’ basis. The TWPS also benefits from a bulk annuity contract which covers some of the largest liabilities in the scheme, providing protection 
against interest rate, inflation and longevity risk. 

The duration, or average term to payment for the benefits due, weighted by liability, is approximately 16 years. 

Accounting assumptions 

The assumptions used in calculating the accounting costs and obligations of the TWPS, as detailed below, are set by the Directors after consultation with 
independent actuaries. The basis for these assumptions is prescribed by IAS 19 and they do not reflect the assumptions that may be used in future 
funding valuations of the TWPS.  

The discount rate used to determine the present value of the obligations is set by reference to market yields on high-quality corporate bonds with regard 
for the duration of the TWPS. The assumption for RPI inflation is set by reference to the Bank of England’s implied inflation curve with regard for the 
duration of the TWPS, with appropriate adjustments to reflect distortions due to supply and demand for inflation-linked securities. CPI inflation is set by 
reference to RPI inflation as no CPI-linked bonds exist to render implied CPI inflation directly observable. 

The life expectancies have been derived using mortality assumptions that were based on the results of a Medically Underwritten Mortality Study 
conducted by the Group during 2017, combined with experience data. Using the results from this study, the mortality assumption is based on 107% of 
S2PXA tables, CMI_2018 improvements with a 1.25% trend rate and smoothing factor of 7. The mortality assumption used in 2018 was 107% of S2PXA 
tables, CMI_2017 improvements with a 1.25% trend rate and a smoothing factor of 7.5.  

Accounting valuation assumptions 

At 31 December: 
Discount rate for scheme liabilities 
General pay inflation 
Deferred pension increases 
Pension increases* 

*  Pension increases depend on the section of the scheme of which each member is a part. 

2019 

2018 

2.10%
n/a
2.15%

2.95%
n/a
2.25%
2.05%-3.60% 2.15%-3.70%

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  173 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

173

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

21. Retirement benefit obligations continued 
The current life expectancies (in years) underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the TWPS are: 

Life expectancy  

Member currently aged 65 
Member currently aged 45 

2019 

Male 

Female 

86 
87 

88 
89 

2018 

Male 

86
88

Female 

88
90

The table below shows the impact to the present value of scheme liabilities of movements in key assumptions, measured using the same method as the 
defined benefit scheme. 

Assumption 

Discount rate 
Rate of inflation* 
Life expectancy 

Change in assumption 

Impact on defined benefit obligation 

Impact on defined benefit obligation (%) 

Decrease by 0.1% p.a.
Increase by 0.1% p.a.
Members live 1 year longer

Increase by £35m 
Increase by £24m 
Increase by £87m 

1.5
1.0
3.7

*  Assumed to affect deferred revaluation and pensioner increases in payment. 

The sensitivity of increasing life expectancy has been reduced by a medically underwritten buy-in. See the section on risks and risk management at the 
end of this note.  

Fair value of scheme assets of the TWPS 

Unquoted equities(a) 
Diversified growth funds(b) 
Hedge funds(c) 
Property 
Multi-asset credit 
Direct lending 
Corporate bonds 
Liability driven investment(d) 
Insurance policies in respect of certain members 
Cash 

31 December 2019 

31 December 2018 

Percentage of 
total scheme 
assets 

5.9% 
17.0% 
7.4% 
1.2% 
11.8% 
6.1% 
4.3% 
37.2% 
8.6% 
0.5% 

£ million 

134.4 
388.9 
169.7 
27.5 
269.1 
139.0 
97.8 
849.0 
196.4 
10.4 

Percentage of 
total scheme 
assets 

3.8%
16.8%
7.9%
1.8%
10.4%
5.3%
4.1%
40.0%
9.3%
0.6%

£ million 

79.6
352.8
166.9
37.2
219.8
111.6
85.5
841.1
196.7
13.0

2,282.2 

100.0% 

2,104.2

100.0%

(a) This amount relates to Volatility Controlled Equities (VCE). This fund has 2.5 – 8x leverage exposure, with a target of 4x. The leverage at 31 December 2019 was 3.1x (31 December 

2018: 4.6x). 

(b) This amount relates to the Scheme’s Diversified Risk Premia (DRP) allocation. The leverage on the two funds in the DRP allocation at 31 December 2019 was 0.3x and 1.8x respectively 

(31 December 2018: -0.2x and 1.8x). 

(c) The leverage on this fund at 31 December 2019 was 0.8x (31 December 2018: 0.9x). 

(d) The bespoke Liability Driven Investment (LDI) fund is designed to protect the Scheme against movements in interest rates and inflation. The overall leverage on the LDI fund at 

31 December 2019 is approximately 4x (31 December 2018: 3x). 

The value of the annuities held by the TWPS are set equal to the value of the liabilities which these annuities match. All other fair values are provided  
by the fund managers and collated by Northern Trust as custodian, who independently price the securities from their preferred vendor sources where the 
data is publicly available and rely on investment manager data where this information is not available. Where available, the fair values are quoted prices 
(e.g. listed equity). Unlisted investments (e.g. private equity) are included at values provided by the fund manager in accordance with relevant guidance. 
Other significant assets are valued based on observable inputs. 

There are no investments in respect of the Group’s own securities. 

174 
174 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
21. Retirement benefit obligations continued 

The current life expectancies (in years) underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the TWPS are: 

21. Retirement benefit obligations continued  
The table below details the movements in the TWPS pension liability and assets recorded through the income statement and other  
comprehensive income. 

£ million  

At 1 January 2019 
Past service credit related to PIE exercise (Note 6) 
Administration expenses 
Interest (expense)/income 

Total amount recognised in income statement 

Remeasurement gain on scheme assets not included in income statement 
Change in demographic assumptions 
Change in financial assumptions 
Experience gain 
Adjustment to liabilities for IFRIC 14 

Total remeasurements in other comprehensive income 

Employer contributions 
Employee contributions 
Benefit payments 

At 31 December 2019 

£ million  

At 1 January 2018 
Past service cost related to GMP equalisation 
Administration expenses 
Interest (expense)/income 

Total amount recognised in income statement 

Remeasurement loss on scheme assets not included in income statement 
Change in demographic assumptions 
Change in financial assumptions 
Experience loss 
Adjustment to liabilities for IFRIC 14 

Total remeasurements in other comprehensive income 

Employer contributions 
Employee contributions 
Benefit payments 

At 31 December 2018 

Accounting valuation 

£ million 

Fair value of scheme assets 
Present value of scheme obligations 

Surplus in scheme 

IFRIC 14 limitation on recognition of surplus 

Deficit after IFRIC 14 adjustment 

Present value of 
obligation 

Fair value 
of scheme 
assets 

Asset/(liability) 
recognised on 
balance sheet 

(2,237.2)
15.3
–
(64.3)

(49.0)

–
46.1
(245.9)
17.9
(14.0)

(195.9)

–
–
115.4

2,104.2
–
(1.8)
61.1

59.3

187.0
–
–
–
–

187.0

47.1
–
(115.4)

(2,366.7)

2,282.2

(133.0)
15.3
(1.8)
(3.2)

10.3

187.0
46.1
(245.9)
17.9
(14.0)

(8.9)

47.1
–
–

(84.5)

Present value of 
obligation 

(2,327.2)
(16.1)
–
(57.9)

(74.0)

–
15.9
121.3
(13.0)
(76.3)

47.9

–
–
116.1

Fair value 
of scheme
 assets 

2,263.5
–
(1.9)
56.8

54.9

(132.2)
–
–
–
–

(132.2)

34.1
–
(116.1)

Asset/(liability) 
recognised on 
balance sheet 

(63.7)
(16.1)
(1.9)
(1.1)

(19.1)

(132.2)
15.9
121.3
(13.0)
(76.3)

(84.3)

34.1
–
–

(2,237.2)

2,104.2

(133.0)

2019 

2018 

2,282.2
(2,181.7)

100.5

(185.0)

(84.5)

2,104.2
(2,071.1)

33.1

(166.1)

(133.0)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

The table below shows the impact to the present value of scheme liabilities of movements in key assumptions, measured using the same method as the 

Change in assumption 

Impact on defined benefit obligation 

Impact on defined benefit obligation (%) 

Decrease by 0.1% p.a.

Increase by 0.1% p.a.

Members live 1 year longer

Increase by £35m 

Increase by £24m 

Increase by £87m 

*  Assumed to affect deferred revaluation and pensioner increases in payment. 

The sensitivity of increasing life expectancy has been reduced by a medically underwritten buy-in. See the section on risks and risk management at the 

2019 

86 

87 

Male 

Female 

88 

89 

2018 

Male 

86

88

Female 

88

90

1.5

1.0

3.7

assets 

3.8%

16.8%

7.9%

1.8%

10.4%

5.3%

4.1%

40.0%

9.3%

0.6%

31 December 2019 

31 December 2018 

Percentage of 

total scheme 

Percentage of 

total scheme 

£ million 

134.4 

388.9 

169.7 

27.5 

269.1 

139.0 

97.8 

849.0 

196.4 

10.4 

assets 

5.9% 

17.0% 

7.4% 

1.2% 

11.8% 

6.1% 

4.3% 

37.2% 

8.6% 

0.5% 

£ million 

79.6

352.8

166.9

37.2

219.8

111.6

85.5

841.1

196.7

13.0

Life expectancy  

Member currently aged 65 

Member currently aged 45 

defined benefit scheme. 

Assumption 

Discount rate 

Rate of inflation* 

Life expectancy 

end of this note.  

Fair value of scheme assets of the TWPS 

Unquoted equities(a) 

Diversified growth funds(b) 

Hedge funds(c) 

Property 

Multi-asset credit 

Direct lending 

Corporate bonds 

Cash 

2018: 4.6x). 

Liability driven investment(d) 

Insurance policies in respect of certain members 

2,282.2 

100.0% 

2,104.2

100.0%

(a) This amount relates to Volatility Controlled Equities (VCE). This fund has 2.5 – 8x leverage exposure, with a target of 4x. The leverage at 31 December 2019 was 3.1x (31 December 

(b) This amount relates to the Scheme’s Diversified Risk Premia (DRP) allocation. The leverage on the two funds in the DRP allocation at 31 December 2019 was 0.3x and 1.8x respectively 

(31 December 2018: -0.2x and 1.8x). 

(c) The leverage on this fund at 31 December 2019 was 0.8x (31 December 2018: 0.9x). 

(d) The bespoke Liability Driven Investment (LDI) fund is designed to protect the Scheme against movements in interest rates and inflation. The overall leverage on the LDI fund at 

31 December 2019 is approximately 4x (31 December 2018: 3x). 

The value of the annuities held by the TWPS are set equal to the value of the liabilities which these annuities match. All other fair values are provided  

by the fund managers and collated by Northern Trust as custodian, who independently price the securities from their preferred vendor sources where the 

data is publicly available and rely on investment manager data where this information is not available. Where available, the fair values are quoted prices 

(e.g. listed equity). Unlisted investments (e.g. private equity) are included at values provided by the fund manager in accordance with relevant guidance. 

Other significant assets are valued based on observable inputs. 

There are no investments in respect of the Group’s own securities. 

174 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  175 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

175

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

21. Retirement benefit obligations continued  
Risks and risk management 

The TWPS, in common with the majority of such defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, has a number of areas of risk. These areas of risk, and the 
ways in which the Group has sought to manage them, are set out in the table below. 

The risks are considered from both a funding perspective, which drives the cash commitments of the Group, and from an accounting perspective, i.e. the 
extent to which such risks affect the amounts recorded in the Group’s financial statements. 

Although investment decisions in the UK are the responsibility of the TWPS Trustee, the Group takes an active interest to ensure that the pension scheme 
risks are managed efficiently. The Group has regular meetings with the Trustee to discuss investment performance, regulatory changes and proposals to 
actively manage the position of the TWPS.  

Risk 

  Description 

Asset 
volatility 

In November 2017, the Trustee agreed to diversify their Diversified Risk Premia (DRP) allocation between two managers, disinvesting half of the 
current DRP allocation with AQR, and allocating this to the Bridgewater Optimal fund. This transition occurred on 1 February 2018 (with 
£188 million allocated to the Bridgewater Optimal fund) and has led to greater diversification and reduced manager concentration risk. 

In March 2018, the Trustee put in place a de-risking framework to ensure that any asset outperformance above expectations of the 
TWPS objectives was captured. This led to the TWPS de-risking from the Schroders Volatility Controlled Equities fund in Q2 2018 
where c.£60 million (one third of the allocation) was disinvested. 

The TWPS strategy remains well diversified through its exposure to a range of asset classes, including volatility-controlled equities, 
commercial real estate debt, direct loans, fund of hedge funds, Government bonds and a broad spectrum of corporate bonds and 
other fixed income exposures. 

The TWPS does not target a specific asset allocation but instead bases its strategic asset allocation on the return objectives and risk 
constraints agreed upon by the Trustee. These were revisited and reviewed in 2018 to ensure they reflected the TWPS latest position. 
Given the TWPS improved funding position, it was agreed that the TWPS full funding objective would be brought forward to 2025 
(from 2030) on a low-risk, self-sufficiency basis. The TWPS risk budget was also reduced from a funding-ratio-at-risk measure of 10% to 7.5%. 

There were no significant changes to the TWPS’ asset allocation over 2019, which remains well diversified, with risk significantly below 
the agreed risk budget. 

Changes in 
bond yields 

Falling bond yields tend to increase the funding and accounting liabilities. However, the investment in bond and liability-matching 
derivatives offers a degree of matching, i.e. the movement in assets arising from changes in bond yields partially matches the 
movement in the funding or accounting liabilities. In this way, the exposure to movements in bond yields is reduced. 

Investing  
in foreign 
currency 

To maintain appropriate diversification of investments within the TWPS assets and to take advantage of overseas investment returns,  
a proportion of the underlying investment portfolio is invested overseas. To balance the risk of investing in foreign currencies while 
having an obligation to settle benefits in Sterling, a currency hedging programme, using forward foreign exchange contracts, has been 
put in place to reduce the currency exposure of these overseas investments to the targeted level. 

Asset/liability 
mismatch 

In order to manage the TWPS economic exposure to interest rates and inflation rates, a liability-hedging programme has been put in 
place. Derivatives are being used to hedge changes in the TWPS’ funding level from changes in its liabilities in an unfunded way, 
substantially reducing asset/liability mismatch risk. 

Liquidity 

Life 
expectancy 

Insurance policies, real estate and illiquid debt (which include commercial real estate debt and direct lending bonds) make up  
£361 million (16%) of the asset portfolio of the TWPS. Excluding these amounts, approximately 56% of assets are managed in either 
segregated accounts or daily/weekly dealt pooled funds and can be realised within a few business days under normal market 
conditions. Of the remaining investments, a further 21% of assets are invested in pooled funds with monthly redemption dates. 
The remaining 7% could be redeemed within approximately six months of notification in normal market conditions. 

The majority of the TWPS obligations are to provide a pension for the life of the member on retirement, so increases in life expectancy 
will result in an increase in the TWPS’ liabilities. The inflation-linked nature of the majority of benefit payments from the TWPS increases 
the sensitivity of the liabilities to changes in life expectancy. During 2014, the Group reached agreement with Partnership Life Assurance 
Company Limited (now Just Group plc) to insure the benefits of 10% of members with the greatest anticipated liabilities through a 
medically underwritten buy-in. By insuring these members, the Group has removed more than 10% of risk from the TWPS by 
significantly reducing the longevity risk in relation to a large proportion of the liabilities. 

176 
176 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

21. Retirement benefit obligations continued  

Risks and risk management 

The TWPS, in common with the majority of such defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, has a number of areas of risk. These areas of risk, and the 

ways in which the Group has sought to manage them, are set out in the table below. 

The risks are considered from both a funding perspective, which drives the cash commitments of the Group, and from an accounting perspective, i.e. the 

extent to which such risks affect the amounts recorded in the Group’s financial statements. 

Although investment decisions in the UK are the responsibility of the TWPS Trustee, the Group takes an active interest to ensure that the pension scheme 

risks are managed efficiently. The Group has regular meetings with the Trustee to discuss investment performance, regulatory changes and proposals to 

actively manage the position of the TWPS.  

Risk 

  Description 

Asset 

volatility 

In November 2017, the Trustee agreed to diversify their Diversified Risk Premia (DRP) allocation between two managers, disinvesting half of the 

current DRP allocation with AQR, and allocating this to the Bridgewater Optimal fund. This transition occurred on 1 February 2018 (with 

£188 million allocated to the Bridgewater Optimal fund) and has led to greater diversification and reduced manager concentration risk. 

In March 2018, the Trustee put in place a de-risking framework to ensure that any asset outperformance above expectations of the 

TWPS objectives was captured. This led to the TWPS de-risking from the Schroders Volatility Controlled Equities fund in Q2 2018 

where c.£60 million (one third of the allocation) was disinvested. 

The TWPS strategy remains well diversified through its exposure to a range of asset classes, including volatility-controlled equities, 

commercial real estate debt, direct loans, fund of hedge funds, Government bonds and a broad spectrum of corporate bonds and 

other fixed income exposures. 

The TWPS does not target a specific asset allocation but instead bases its strategic asset allocation on the return objectives and risk 

constraints agreed upon by the Trustee. These were revisited and reviewed in 2018 to ensure they reflected the TWPS latest position. 

Given the TWPS improved funding position, it was agreed that the TWPS full funding objective would be brought forward to 2025 

(from 2030) on a low-risk, self-sufficiency basis. The TWPS risk budget was also reduced from a funding-ratio-at-risk measure of 10% to 7.5%. 

There were no significant changes to the TWPS’ asset allocation over 2019, which remains well diversified, with risk significantly below 

the agreed risk budget. 

Changes in 

bond yields 

Falling bond yields tend to increase the funding and accounting liabilities. However, the investment in bond and liability-matching 

derivatives offers a degree of matching, i.e. the movement in assets arising from changes in bond yields partially matches the 

movement in the funding or accounting liabilities. In this way, the exposure to movements in bond yields is reduced. 

Investing  

in foreign 

currency 

To maintain appropriate diversification of investments within the TWPS assets and to take advantage of overseas investment returns,  

a proportion of the underlying investment portfolio is invested overseas. To balance the risk of investing in foreign currencies while 

having an obligation to settle benefits in Sterling, a currency hedging programme, using forward foreign exchange contracts, has been 

put in place to reduce the currency exposure of these overseas investments to the targeted level. 

Asset/liability 

mismatch 

In order to manage the TWPS economic exposure to interest rates and inflation rates, a liability-hedging programme has been put in 

place. Derivatives are being used to hedge changes in the TWPS’ funding level from changes in its liabilities in an unfunded way, 

substantially reducing asset/liability mismatch risk. 

Liquidity 

Insurance policies, real estate and illiquid debt (which include commercial real estate debt and direct lending bonds) make up  

£361 million (16%) of the asset portfolio of the TWPS. Excluding these amounts, approximately 56% of assets are managed in either 

segregated accounts or daily/weekly dealt pooled funds and can be realised within a few business days under normal market 

conditions. Of the remaining investments, a further 21% of assets are invested in pooled funds with monthly redemption dates. 

The remaining 7% could be redeemed within approximately six months of notification in normal market conditions. 

Life 

expectancy 

The majority of the TWPS obligations are to provide a pension for the life of the member on retirement, so increases in life expectancy 

will result in an increase in the TWPS’ liabilities. The inflation-linked nature of the majority of benefit payments from the TWPS increases 

the sensitivity of the liabilities to changes in life expectancy. During 2014, the Group reached agreement with Partnership Life Assurance 

Company Limited (now Just Group plc) to insure the benefits of 10% of members with the greatest anticipated liabilities through a 

medically underwritten buy-in. By insuring these members, the Group has removed more than 10% of risk from the TWPS by 

significantly reducing the longevity risk in relation to a large proportion of the liabilities. 

176 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

22. Provisions 

£ million  

At 1 January 2018 
Additions 
Utilisation 
Released 
Other movements 

At 31 December 2018 
Additions 
Utilisation 
Released 
Other movements 

At 31 December 2019 

£ million  

Current 
Non-current 

31 December 

ACM cladding 

Leasehold 

– 
30.0 
(0.4) 
– 
– 

29.6 
– 
(5.9) 
– 
– 

23.7 

127.6
–
(25.5)
–
–

102.1
–
(29.9)
–
–

72.2

Other 

34.0
15.3
(1.5)
(8.3)
(0.9)

38.6
11.2
(9.0)
(8.2)
(0.1)

32.5

2019 

72.7
55.7

128.4

Total 

161.6
45.3
(27.4)
(8.3)
(0.9)

170.3
11.2
(44.8)
(8.2)
(0.1)

128.4

2018 

76.9
93.4

170.3

In 2018, the Group established an exceptional provision for the cost of replacing Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) on a small number of legacy 
developments. The majority of the provision is expected to be utilised within two years. 

In 2017, the Group launched an assistance scheme to help certain customers restructure their ground rent agreements with their freeholder and 
established an associated provision of £130.0 million to fund this. The amounts and timing of the outflows depend largely on the number and rate of 
eligible applicants to the scheme and ongoing discussions with freeholders. The Group expects the scheme will run for several years and anticipates 
approximately £40.0 million of the remaining provision will be utilised within the next 12 months. 

Other provisions consist of a remedial work provision covering various obligations on a limited number of sites across the Group. Other provisions also 
includes amounts for legal claims and other contract-related costs associated with various matters arising across the Group, the majority of which are 
anticipated to be settled within a three year period; however, there is some uncertainty regarding the timing of these outflows due to the nature of the 
claims and the length of time it can take to reach settlement. 

23. Share capital 

£ million  

Authorised: 
22,200,819,176 (2018: 22,200,819,176) ordinary shares of 1p each 
1,158,299,201 (2018: 1,158,299,201) deferred ordinary shares of 24p each 

Issued and fully paid: 
31 December 2018 
Ordinary shares issued in the year 

31 December 2019 

2019 

2018 

222.0
278.0

500.0

222.0
278.0

500.0

Number of shares 

£ million 

3,278,054,763
5,053,411

3,283,108,174

288.5
0.1

288.6

During the year, the Company issued an additional 5.1 million (2018: 2.6 million) ordinary shares to satisfy option exercises. The Company also has in 
issue 1,065.6 million deferred ordinary shares (2018: 1,065.6 million), the shares were issued in 2009 and carry no voting rights.  

During the year, options were exercised over 8,421,378 ordinary shares (2018: 8,242,974) which were met from new issues of share capital and from the 
holding of shares in the Employee Share Ownership Trusts (ESOTs). Under the Group’s performance share plan, employees held conditional awards at 
31 December 2019 in respect of up to 19,466,040 shares, subject to achievement of performance tests (2018: 18,601,569) at nil pence per share 
nominally exercisable up to September 2022. 

Under the Group’s savings-related share option schemes, employees held options at 31 December 2019 to purchase 19,740,433 shares (2018: 
19,229,800) at prices between 90.0 pence and 159.1 pence per share exercisable up to June 2025. Under the Group’s share incentive plan, employees 
held conditional awards at 31 December 2019 in respect of 5,789,856 shares (2018: 5,386,991) at nil pence per share. 

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

24. Share premium  

£ million  

At 1 January and 31 December 

25. Other reserves 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Movement in fair value of hedging instruments 

Balance at 31 December 2018 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Movement in fair value of hedging instruments 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Capital redemption reserve 

2019 

762.9

2018 

762.9

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 

Translation 
reserve 

Other 

Total other 
reserves 

31.5 
– 
– 

31.5 
– 
– 

31.5 

7.8 
1.5 
(0.7) 

8.6 
(5.5) 
4.1 

7.2 

4.9
–
–

4.9
–
–

4.9

44.2
1.5
(0.7)

45.0
(5.5)
4.1

43.6

The capital redemption reserve arose on an historic redemption of the Company’s shares and is not distributable. 

Translation reserve 

The translation reserve consists of exchange differences arising on the translation of overseas operations. It also includes changes in fair values of hedging 
instruments where such instruments are designated and effective as hedges of investment in overseas operations.  

26. Own shares 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 
Shares acquired 
Disposed of on exercise of options 

Balance at 31 December 2018 
Disposed of on exercise of options 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

21.3
9.9
(8.5)

22.7
(5.1)

17.6

The own shares reserve represents the cost of shares in Taylor Wimpey plc purchased in the market, those held as treasury shares and those held by  
the Taylor Wimpey Employee Share Ownership Trusts to satisfy options and conditional share awards under the Group’s share plans.  

Million shares 

Ordinary shares held in trust for bonus, option and performance award plans 

2019 

10.7

2018 

13.9

Employee Share Ownership Trusts (ESOTs) are used to hold the Company’s shares which have been acquired on the market. These shares are used to 
meet the valid exercise of options and/or vesting of conditional awards and/or award of shares under the Executive Incentive Scheme, Bonus Deferral 
Plan, Performance Share Plan, Savings-Related Share Option Scheme and the matching award of shares under the Share Incentive Plan.  

During the year, Taylor Wimpey plc did not purchase any of its own shares to be held in the ESOTs (2018: £9.9 million). 

The ESOTs’ entire holding of shares at 31 December 2019 was covered by outstanding options and conditional awards over shares at that date. 

27. Notes to the cash flow statement 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. 

Movement in net cash 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 
Net cash flow 
Foreign exchange 

Balance at 31 December 2018 
Net cash flow 
Foreign exchange 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

178 
178 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Cash and cash 
equivalents 

Bank and 
other loans 

Total
 net cash 

600.5 
133.8 
(0.1) 

734.2 
(101.2) 
(2.6) 

630.4 

(88.7)
–
(1.4)

(90.1)
–
5.4

(84.7)

511.8
133.8
(1.5)

644.1
(101.2)
2.8

545.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

The capital redemption reserve arose on an historic redemption of the Company’s shares and is not distributable. 

The translation reserve consists of exchange differences arising on the translation of overseas operations. It also includes changes in fair values of hedging 

instruments where such instruments are designated and effective as hedges of investment in overseas operations.  

The own shares reserve represents the cost of shares in Taylor Wimpey plc purchased in the market, those held as treasury shares and those held by  

the Taylor Wimpey Employee Share Ownership Trusts to satisfy options and conditional share awards under the Group’s share plans.  

Million shares 

Ordinary shares held in trust for bonus, option and performance award plans 

2019 

10.7

2018 

13.9

Employee Share Ownership Trusts (ESOTs) are used to hold the Company’s shares which have been acquired on the market. These shares are used to 

meet the valid exercise of options and/or vesting of conditional awards and/or award of shares under the Executive Incentive Scheme, Bonus Deferral 

Plan, Performance Share Plan, Savings-Related Share Option Scheme and the matching award of shares under the Share Incentive Plan.  

During the year, Taylor Wimpey plc did not purchase any of its own shares to be held in the ESOTs (2018: £9.9 million). 

The ESOTs’ entire holding of shares at 31 December 2019 was covered by outstanding options and conditional awards over shares at that date. 

27. Notes to the cash flow statement 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. 

2019 

762.9

2018 

762.9

Translation 

reserve 

Total other 

reserves 

Capital 

redemption 

reserve 

31.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

31.5 

31.5 

7.8 

1.5 

(0.7) 

8.6 

(5.5) 

4.1 

7.2 

Other 

4.9

4.9

–

–

–

–

4.9

44.2

1.5

(0.7)

45.0

(5.5)

4.1

43.6

21.3

9.9

(8.5)

22.7

(5.1)

17.6

Cash and cash 

equivalents 

Bank and 

other loans 

Total

 net cash 

600.5 

133.8 

(0.1) 

734.2 

(101.2) 

(2.6) 

630.4 

(88.7)

–

(1.4)

(90.1)

–

5.4

(84.7)

511.8

133.8

(1.5)

644.1

(101.2)

2.8

545.7

24. Share premium  

£ million  

At 1 January and 31 December 

25. Other reserves 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

Movement in fair value of hedging instruments 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

Movement in fair value of hedging instruments 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Capital redemption reserve 

Translation reserve 

26. Own shares 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Shares acquired 

Disposed of on exercise of options 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

Disposed of on exercise of options 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Movement in net cash 

£ million  

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Net cash flow 

Foreign exchange 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

Net cash flow 

Foreign exchange 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

178 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

28. Contingent liabilities and capital commitments  
The Group in the normal course of business has given guarantees and entered into counter-indemnities in respect of bonds relating to the Group’s own 
contracts and has given guarantees in respect of the Group’s share of certain contractual obligations of joint ventures.  

The Group has entered into counter-indemnities in the normal course of business in respect of performance bonds.  

Provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of all known legal claims and all legal actions in progress. The Group takes legal advice as to the 
likelihood of success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors consider, based on that advice, that the action is unlikely 
to succeed.  

The Group has no significant capital commitments at 31 December 2019 (2018: none). 

29. Share-based payments 
Equity-settled share option plan 

Details of all equity-settled share-based payment arrangements in existence during the year are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
106 to 131. The tables below show the movements in the schemes in the year as well as their weighted average exercise price (WAEP). 

Schemes requiring consideration from participants: 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 
Exercisable at the end of the year 

2019 

2018 

Options 

WAEP (in £) 

Options 

WAEP (in £) 

24,616,791 
9,994,951 
(3,351,527) 
(5,729,926) 

25,530,289 
3,747,371 

1.36 22,235,874
8,577,379
1.21
(2,776,902)
1.41
(3,419,560)
1.26

1.32 24,616,791
4,668,021
1.17

1.33
1.33
1.52
0.96

1.36
1.40

The table above includes shares that are granted to employees on a matching basis, when the employee joins the scheme, purchased shares are 
matched on a 1:1 basis. 5,789,856 of these awards, which do not expire, were in issue at 31 December 2019 (2018: 5,386,991). The remaining options 
outstanding at 31 December 2019 had a range of exercise prices from £0.90 to £1.59 (2018: £0.85 to £1.59) and a weighted average remaining 
contractual life of 2.93 years (2018: 2.61 years).  

Schemes not requiring consideration from participants: 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 
Granted during the year 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 
Exercisable at the end of the year 

2019 

2018 

Options  

WAEP (in £) 

Options 

WAEP (in £) 

18,601,569 
7,489,917 
(3,933,994) 
(2,691,452) 

19,466,040 
– 

– 18,568,767
6,980,446
–
(2,124,230)
–
(4,823,414)
–

– 18,601,569
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

The conditional awards outstanding at 31 December 2019 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.76 years (2018: 1.74 years). 

The average share price at the date of exercise across all options exercised during the period was £1.73 (2018: £1.78). 

For share plans with no market conditions granted during the current and preceding year, the fair value of the awards at the grant date was determined 
using the binomial model. The inputs into that model were as follows: 

Weighted average share price 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk-free rate 
Expected dividend yield 

The weighted average fair value of share awards granted during the year was £0.81 (2018: £0.93). 

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the expected term. 

2019 

2018 

£1.60
£0.84
35%
3/5 years
0.3%
4.54%

£1.72
£0.90
34%
3/5 years
1.1%
2.88%

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

29. Share-based payments continued 
For share awards with market conditions granted during the current year, the fair value of the awards was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation 
model. The inputs into that model were as follows: 

Weighted average share price 
Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk-free rate 
Expected dividend yield 

2019 

2018 

£1.85
Nil
35%
3 years
0.8%
0.0%

£1.88
Nil
37%
3 years
0.9%
0.0%

The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year was £1.07 (2018: £0.99). 

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the expected term. The expected life used in the 
model was based on historical exercise patterns. 

The Group recognised a share-based payment expense of £10.1 million in the year (2018: £12.2 million), which was composed of £8.0 million in relation 
to equity settled schemes and £2.1 million in relation to dividend equivalents. 

30. Related party transactions  
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this 
note. The pension schemes of the Group are related parties. Arrangements between the Group and its pension schemes are disclosed in Note 21. 
Transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are disclosed below. The Group has loans with joint ventures that are detailed in Note 13.  

Trading transactions 

During the year, Group sales to joint ventures totalled £15.6 million (2018: £18.5 million).  

Remuneration of key management personnel 

The key management personnel of the Group are the members of the Group Management Team (GMT) as presented on page 17. The remuneration 
information for the Executive Directors is set out in the Remuneration Report on page 124. The aggregate compensation for the other members of the 
GMT is as follows:  

£ million 

Short term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 

Total (excluding share-based payments charge) 

2019 

2.4
0.3

2.7

2018 

3.6
0.3

3.9

In addition to the amounts above, a share-based payment charge of £0.9 million (2018: £1.1 million) related to share options held by members of 
the GMT. 

31. Dividends 

£ million 

Proposed 
Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Final dividend 2019: 3.80p (2018: 3.80p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders 
Paid 
Final dividend 2018: 3.80p (2017: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Special dividend 2019: 10.70p (2018: 10.40p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

2019 

2018 

125.6
125.0

250.6

124.2
125.6
349.9

599.7

79.7
125.0

204.7

79.8
79.7
340.0

499.5

The Directors recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 3.80 pence per share (2018: 3.80 pence per share) subject to 
shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, with an equivalent final dividend charge of c.£125.0 million (2018: £124.2 million). The final dividend 
will be paid on 15 May 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 3 April 2020. 

The Directors additionally recommend a special dividend of c.£360.0 million (2018: paid £349.9 million) subject to shareholder approval at the Annual 
General Meeting. The special dividend will be paid on 10 July 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 5 June 2020. 

In accordance with IAS 10 ‘Events after the balance sheet date’, the proposed final or special dividends have not been accrued as a liability at 
31 December 2019.  

180 
180 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

29. Share-based payments continued 

model. The inputs into that model were as follows: 

For share awards with market conditions granted during the current year, the fair value of the awards was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation 

Weighted average share price 

Weighted average exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Expected life 

Risk-free rate 

Expected dividend yield 

The weighted average fair value of share options granted during the year was £1.07 (2018: £0.99). 

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the expected term. The expected life used in the 

model was based on historical exercise patterns. 

The Group recognised a share-based payment expense of £10.1 million in the year (2018: £12.2 million), which was composed of £8.0 million in relation 

to equity settled schemes and £2.1 million in relation to dividend equivalents. 

30. Related party transactions  

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this 

note. The pension schemes of the Group are related parties. Arrangements between the Group and its pension schemes are disclosed in Note 21. 

Transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are disclosed below. The Group has loans with joint ventures that are detailed in Note 13.  

Trading transactions 

During the year, Group sales to joint ventures totalled £15.6 million (2018: £18.5 million).  

Remuneration of key management personnel 

The key management personnel of the Group are the members of the Group Management Team (GMT) as presented on page 17. The remuneration 

information for the Executive Directors is set out in the Remuneration Report on page 124. The aggregate compensation for the other members of the 

In addition to the amounts above, a share-based payment charge of £0.9 million (2018: £1.1 million) related to share options held by members of 

2019 

£1.85

Nil

35%

0.8%

0.0%

2018 

£1.88

Nil

37%

0.9%

0.0%

2019 

2.4

0.3

2.7

2018 

3.6

0.3

3.9

2019 

2018 

125.6

125.0

250.6

124.2

125.6

349.9

599.7

79.7

125.0

204.7

79.8

79.7

340.0

499.5

GMT is as follows:  

£ million 

Short term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

Total (excluding share-based payments charge) 

the GMT. 

31. Dividends 

£ million 

Proposed 

Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Final dividend 2019: 3.80p (2018: 3.80p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders 

Paid 

Final dividend 2018: 3.80p (2017: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Special dividend 2019: 10.70p (2018: 10.40p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

180 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

32. Alternative performance measures 
The Group uses a number of alternative performance measures (APMs) which are not defined within IFRS. The Directors use these measures in order to 
assess the underlying operational performance of the Group and, as such, these measures should be considered alongside IFRS measures. The following 
APMs are referred to throughout the year end results.  

Profit before taxation and exceptional items and profit for the period before exceptional items 

The Directors consider the removal of exceptional items from the reported results provides more clarity on the performance of the Group. They are 
reconciled to profit before tax and profit for the period on the face of the consolidated income statement. 

3 years

3 years

Operating profit and operating profit margin 

Throughout the Annual Report and Accounts operating profit is used as one of the main measures of performance. Operating profit is defined as profit on 
ordinary activities before net finance costs, exceptional items and tax, after share of results of joint ventures. The Directors consider this to be an important 
measure of the underlying performance of the Group. Operating profit margin is calculated as operating profit divided by total revenue. The Directors 
consider this to be a metric which reflects the underlying performance of the business. 

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs (£m) 
Adjusted for: 

Share of results of joint ventures (£m) 
Exceptional items (£m) 

Operating profit (£m) 
Revenue (£m) 

Operating profit margin 

Net operating assets 

2019 

856.8

2018 

828.8

8.0
(14.3)

850.5
4,341.3

19.6%

5.3
46.1

880.2
4,082.0

21.6%

Net operating assets is defined as basic net assets less net cash, excluding net taxation balances and accrued dividends. Average net operating assets is 
the average of the opening and closing net operating assets of the 12-month period. With return on net operating assets, the Directors consider this to be 
an important measure of the underlying operating efficiency and performance of the Group. 

Basic net assets (£m) 
Adjusted for: 

Cash (£m) (Note 16) 
Borrowings (£m) (Note 17) 
Net taxation (£m) 
Accrued dividends (£m) 

Net operating assets (£m) 

Average basic net assets (£m) 

Average net operating assets (£m) 

Return on net operating assets 

2019 

2018 

2017 

3,307.8

3,226.8

3,137.3

(630.4)
84.7
38.1
–

2,800.2

3,267.3

2,706.1

(734.2)
90.1
29.2
–

2,611.9

3,182.1

2,633.0

(600.5)
88.7
28.6
–

2,654.1

Return on net operating assets is defined as operating profit divided by average net operating assets. The Directors consider this to be an important 
measure of the underlying operating efficiency and performance of the Group. 

Operating profit (£m) 
Average net operating assets (£m) 

Return on net operating assets 

Tangible net assets per share  

2019 

2018 

850.5
2,706.1

31.4%

880.2
2,633.0

33.4%

This is calculated as net assets before any accrued dividends, excluding goodwill and intangible assets, divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue 
at the end of the period. The Directors consider this to be a good measure of the value intrinsic within each ordinary share. 

The Directors recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 3.80 pence per share (2018: 3.80 pence per share) subject to 

shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, with an equivalent final dividend charge of c.£125.0 million (2018: £124.2 million). The final dividend 

will be paid on 15 May 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 3 April 2020. 

The Directors additionally recommend a special dividend of c.£360.0 million (2018: paid £349.9 million) subject to shareholder approval at the Annual 

General Meeting. The special dividend will be paid on 10 July 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 5 June 2020. 

In accordance with IAS 10 ‘Events after the balance sheet date’, the proposed final or special dividends have not been accrued as a liability at 

31 December 2019.  

Basic net assets (£m) 
Adjusted for: 

Intangible assets (£m) (Note 11) 

Tangible net assets (£m) 
Ordinary shares in issue (millions) 

Tangible net assets per share (pence) 

2019 

2018 

3,307.8

3,226.8

(7.0)

(3.2)

3,300.8
3,283.1

100.5

3,223.6
3,278.1

98.3

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

32. Alternative performance measures continued 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 

This is calculated as earnings attributed to shareholders, excluding exceptional items and tax on exceptional items, divided by the weighted average 
number of shares. The Directors consider this provides an important measure of the underlying earnings capacity of the Group. Note 10 shows a 
reconciliation from basic earnings per share to adjusted basic earnings per share.  

Net operating asset turn 

This is defined as revenue divided by the average of opening and closing net operating assets. The Directors consider this to be a good indicator of how 
efficiently the Group is utilising its assets to generate value for shareholders.  

Revenue (£m) 
Average net operating assets (£m) 

Net operating asset turn 

Net cash  

2019 

2018 

4,341.3
2,706.1

1.60

4,082.0
2,633.0

1.55

Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalent less total borrowings. This is considered by the Directors to be the best indicator of the financing position 
of the Group. This is reconciled in Note 27. 

Cash conversion  

This is defined as cash generated by operations divided by operating profit. The Directors consider this measure to be a good indication of how efficiently 
the Group is turning profit into cash.  

Cash generated by operations (£m) 
Operating profit (£m) 

Cash conversion 

Adjusted gearing 

2019 

702.2
850.5

82.6%

2018 

815.4
880.2

92.6%

This is defined as adjusted net debt divided by basic net assets. The Directors consider this to be a more representative measure of the Group’s gearing 
levels. Adjusted net debt is defined as net cash less land creditors. 

Cash (£m) (Note 16) 
Private placement loan notes (£m) (Note 17) 

Net cash (£m) 
Land creditors (£m) (Note 18) 

Adjusted net debt (£m) 

Basic net assets (£m) 

Adjusted gearing  

33. Post balance sheet events 
There were no material subsequent events affecting the Group after 31 December 2019 that need to be disclosed. 

2019 

630.4
(84.7)

545.7
(729.2)

(183.5)

3,307.8

5.5%

2018 

734.2
(90.1)

644.1
(738.6)

(94.5)

3,226.8

2.9%

182 
182 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued 

32. Alternative performance measures continued 

Adjusted basic earnings per share 

This is calculated as earnings attributed to shareholders, excluding exceptional items and tax on exceptional items, divided by the weighted average 

number of shares. The Directors consider this provides an important measure of the underlying earnings capacity of the Group. Note 10 shows a 

reconciliation from basic earnings per share to adjusted basic earnings per share.  

Net operating asset turn 

This is defined as revenue divided by the average of opening and closing net operating assets. The Directors consider this to be a good indicator of how 

efficiently the Group is utilising its assets to generate value for shareholders.  

Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalent less total borrowings. This is considered by the Directors to be the best indicator of the financing position 

This is defined as cash generated by operations divided by operating profit. The Directors consider this measure to be a good indication of how efficiently 

This is defined as adjusted net debt divided by basic net assets. The Directors consider this to be a more representative measure of the Group’s gearing 

levels. Adjusted net debt is defined as net cash less land creditors. 

Revenue (£m) 

Average net operating assets (£m) 

Net operating asset turn 

Net cash  

of the Group. This is reconciled in Note 27. 

Cash conversion  

the Group is turning profit into cash.  

Cash generated by operations (£m) 

Operating profit (£m) 

Cash conversion 

Adjusted gearing 

Cash (£m) (Note 16) 

Private placement loan notes (£m) (Note 17) 

Net cash (£m) 

Land creditors (£m) (Note 18) 

Adjusted net debt (£m) 

Basic net assets (£m) 

Adjusted gearing  

33. Post balance sheet events 

2019 

2018 

4,341.3

2,706.1

1.60

4,082.0

2,633.0

1.55

2019 

702.2

850.5

82.6%

2018 

815.4

880.2

92.6%

2019 

630.4

(84.7)

545.7

(729.2)

(183.5)

3,307.8

5.5%

2018 

734.2

(90.1)

644.1

(738.6)

(94.5)

3,226.8

2.9%

There were no material subsequent events affecting the Group after 31 December 2019 that need to be disclosed. 

Company balance sheet 

at 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Non-current assets 
Investments in Group undertakings 
Trade and other receivables 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Current liabilities  
Trade and other payables 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank and other loans  
Provisions 

Net assets 

Equity  
Share capital 
Share premium  
Own shares 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Note 

2019 

2018 

4
5

5

6

6
7

8
9
10
11
12

2,426.0
3.3

2,429.3

2,558.2
600.2

3,158.4

(1,638.2)

(1,638.2)

1,520.2

3,949.5

(1.4)
(84.7)
(1.0)

2,418.0
3.2

2,421.2

2,517.1
703.6

3,220.7

(1,632.0)

(1,632.0)

1,588.7

4,009.9

(0.6)
(90.1)
(1.0)

3,862.4

3,918.2

288.6
762.9
(17.6)
36.0
2,792.5

3,862.4

288.5
762.9
(22.7)
36.0
2,853.5

3,918.2

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, Taylor Wimpey plc has not presented its own income statement. The profit of the Company for 
the financial year was £528.6 million (2018: £549.2 million). 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 February 2020. They were signed on its behalf by: 

P Redfern  
Director 

C Carney 
Director 

182 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  183 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

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Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company statement of changes in equity 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

£ million 

Total equity at 1 January 2018 

Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Own shares acquired 
Utilisation of own shares 
Cash cost of satisfying share options 
Capital contribution on share-based payments 
Dividends approved and paid 

Total equity at 31 December 2018 

Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 
New share capital subscribed 
Utilisation of own shares 
Cash cost of satisfying share options 
Capital contribution on share-based payments 
Dividends approved and paid 

Total equity at 31 December 2019 

Share 
capital 

288.5

Share 
premium 

762.9

Own  
shares 

(21.3) 

Other  
reserves 

36.0 

Retained 
earnings 

2,796.6

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

– 

– 
(9.9) 
8.5 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

549.2

549.2
–
–
(5.0)
12.2
(499.5)

Total 

3,862.7

549.2

549.2
(9.9)
8.5
(5.0)
12.2
(499.5)

288.5

762.9

(22.7) 

36.0 

2,853.5

3,918.2

–

–
0.1
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

– 

– 
– 
5.1 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

528.6

528.6
–
–
2.1
8.0
(599.7)

528.6

528.6
0.1
5.1
2.1
8.0
(599.7)

288.6

762.9

(17.6) 

36.0 

2,792.5

3,862.4

184 
184 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
Company statement of changes in equity 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

Notes to the Company financial statements 

for the year to 31 December 2019 

1. Significant accounting policies 
The following accounting policies have been used consistently, unless 
otherwise stated, in dealing with items which are considered material. 

Basis of preparation 

The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 (FRS 101) issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council. Accordingly, these financial statements were prepared in 
accordance with FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued by 
the Financial Reporting Council. 

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the 
disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to share-
based payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation 
of comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a 
cash flow statement, standards not yet effective, impairment of assets and 
related party transactions. 

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

Going concern 

The Group has prepared forecasts, including certain sensitivities, taking into 
account the Principal Risks identified on pages 48 to 52. Having considered 
these forecasts, the Directors remain of the view that the Group’s financing 
arrangements and capital structure provide both the necessary facilities 
and covenant headroom to enable the Group to conduct its business for at 
least the next 12 months. 

Accordingly, the Company financial statements have been prepared on a 
going concern basis. 

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of 
estimation uncertainty 

Management have not made any individual accounting judgements that are 
material to the Company and does not consider there to be any key 
sources of estimation uncertainty. 

Investments in Group undertakings 

Investments are included in the balance sheet at cost less any provision for 
impairment. The Company assesses investments for impairment whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an 
investment may not be recoverable. If any such indication of impairment 
exists, the Company makes an estimate of the recoverable amount of the 
investment. If the recoverable amount is less than the value of the 
investment, the investment is considered to be impaired and is written 
down to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is expensed 
immediately. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, due to a 
change in circumstances or in the estimates used to determine the asset’s 
recoverable amount, the carrying amount of the investment is increased to 
the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, so long as it does not 
exceed the original carrying value prior to the impairment being recognised. 

The Company values its investments in subsidiary holding companies 
based on a comparison between the net assets recoverable by the 
subsidiary company and the investment held. Where the net assets are 
lower than the investment an impairment is recorded. For trading 
subsidiaries, the investment carrying value in the Company is assessed 
against the net present value of the cash flows of the subsidiary. 

Borrowing costs 

Capitalised finance costs are held in other receivables and amortised over 
the period of the facility. 

Provisions 

Provisions are recognised at the Directors’ best estimate when the 
Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event and it is 
probable that the Company will have to settle the obligation. 

Taxation 

The tax charge represents the sum of the tax currently payable and 
deferred tax. 

Current tax 
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year.  
Taxable profit differs from profit before tax because it excludes items of 
income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it 
further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible.  

The Company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.  

Any liability or credit in respect of group relief in lieu of current tax is also 
calculated using corporation tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date unless a different rate 
(including a nil rate) has been agreed within the Group. 

Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences that result in an 
obligation at the balance sheet date to pay more tax, or a right to pay 
less tax, at a future date, at rates expected to apply when they crystallise 
based on current tax rates and law.  

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is regarded as 
more likely than not that they will be recovered. 

Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis using the tax rates 
and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date. 

Foreign currencies 

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in Sterling at 
actual rates as of the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at the year end are reported at the rates 
of exchange prevailing at the year end.  

Any gain or loss arising from a change in exchange rates after the date of 
the transaction is included as an exchange gain or loss in profit and loss.  

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables are measured at amortised cost, less any loss 
allowance based on expected credit losses. The measurement of expected 
credit losses is based on the probability of default and the magnitude of the 
loss if there is a default. The assessment of probability of default is based 
on historical data adjusted for any known factors that would influence the 
future amount to be received in relation to the receivable. 

Share-based payments 

The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain 
employees of its subsidiaries. Equity-settled share-based payments are 
measured at fair value at the grant date. The fair value is expensed on a 
straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares 
that will vest. The cost of equity-settled share-based payments granted to 
employees of subsidiary companies is borne by the employing company, 
without recharge. As such the Company’s investment in the subsidiary is 
increased by an equivalent amount. 

Own shares 

The cost of the Company’s investment in its own shares, which comprise 
shares held in treasury by the Company and shares held by employee 
benefit trusts for the purpose of funding certain of the Company’s share 
option plans, is shown as a reduction in shareholders’ equity. 

Dividends paid 

Dividends are charged to the Company’s retained earnings reserve in the 
period of payment in respect of an interim dividend, and in the period in 
which shareholders’ approval is obtained in respect of the Company’s 
final dividend. 

£ million 

Total equity at 1 January 2018 

Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Own shares acquired 

Utilisation of own shares 

Cash cost of satisfying share options 

Capital contribution on share-based payments 

Dividends approved and paid 

Total equity at 31 December 2018 

Profit for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

New share capital subscribed 

Utilisation of own shares 

Cash cost of satisfying share options 

Capital contribution on share-based payments 

Dividends approved and paid 

Total equity at 31 December 2019 

Share 

capital 

288.5

Share 

premium 

762.9

Own  

shares 

(21.3) 

Other  

reserves 

36.0 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(9.9) 

8.5 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

5.1 

Retained 

earnings 

2,796.6

549.2

549.2

–

–

(5.0)

12.2

(499.5)

528.6

528.6

–

–

2.1

8.0

(599.7)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total 

3,862.7

549.2

549.2

(9.9)

8.5

(5.0)

12.2

(499.5)

528.6

528.6

0.1

5.1

2.1

8.0

(599.7)

3,862.4

288.5

762.9

(22.7) 

36.0 

2,853.5

3,918.2

288.6

762.9

(17.6) 

36.0 

2,792.5

184 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

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www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

185

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

2. Particulars of employees 

Number 

Directors 

2019 

4

2018 

4

The Executive Directors received all of their remuneration, as disclosed in the Remuneration Report on pages 106 to 131 from Taylor Wimpey UK Limited. 
This remuneration is reflective of the Directors’ service to the Company and all its subsidiaries. 

3. Auditor’s remuneration 

£ million 

Total audit fees 
Non-audit fees 

Total 

A description of other services is included in Note 6 of the Group financial statements. 

4. Investments in Group undertakings 

£ million 

Cost  
At 1 January 2019 
Capital contribution relating to share-based payments 
Disposal 

At 31 December 2019 

Provision for impairment 
At 1 January 2019 
Disposal 

At 31 December 2019 

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

2019 

0.2
–

0.2

2018 

0.2
–

0.2

Shares 

5,292.2
8.0
(62.9)

5,237.3

(2,874.2)
62.9

(2,811.3)

2,426.0

2,418.0

All investments are unlisted and information about all subsidiaries is listed on pages 189 to 190. The disposal in the year relates to a dormant legacy 
subsidiary that has been dissolved. 

5. Trade and other receivables 

£ million  

Due from Group undertakings 
Other receivables 

Current 

2019 

2,556.3 
1.9 

2,558.2 

2018 

2,514.6 
2.5 

2,517.1 

Amounts due from Group undertakings are repayable on demand and are predominantly interest bearing. 

6. Trade and other payables 

£ million  

Due to Group undertakings 
Other payables 
Corporation tax creditor 

Current 

2019 

1,634.6 
1.1 
2.5 

1,638.2 

2018 

1,625.9 
1.2 
4.9 

1,632.0 

Amounts due to Group undertakings are repayable on demand and are predominantly interest bearing. 

Non-current 

2019 

–
3.3

3.3

Non-current 

2019 

–
1.4
–

1.4

2018 

–
3.2

3.2

2018 

–
0.6
–

0.6

186 
186 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Particulars of employees 

Number 

Directors 

3. Auditor’s remuneration 

£ million 

Total audit fees 

Non-audit fees 

Total 

£ million 

Cost  

At 1 January 2019 

Disposal 

At 31 December 2019 

Provision for impairment 

At 1 January 2019 

Disposal 

At 31 December 2019 

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

subsidiary that has been dissolved. 

5. Trade and other receivables 

£ million  

Due from Group undertakings 

Other receivables 

6. Trade and other payables 

£ million  

Due to Group undertakings 

Other payables 

Corporation tax creditor 

Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

The Executive Directors received all of their remuneration, as disclosed in the Remuneration Report on pages 106 to 131 from Taylor Wimpey UK Limited. 

This remuneration is reflective of the Directors’ service to the Company and all its subsidiaries. 

A description of other services is included in Note 6 of the Group financial statements. 

4. Investments in Group undertakings 

Capital contribution relating to share-based payments 

2019 

4

2018 

4

2019 

0.2

–

0.2

2018 

0.2

–

0.2

Shares 

5,292.2

8.0

(62.9)

5,237.3

(2,874.2)

62.9

(2,811.3)

2,426.0

2,418.0

All investments are unlisted and information about all subsidiaries is listed on pages 189 to 190. The disposal in the year relates to a dormant legacy 

Current 

2019 

2018 

2,556.3 

2,514.6 

1.9 

2.5 

2,558.2 

2,517.1 

1,634.6 

1,625.9 

Current 

2019 

1.1 

2.5 

2018 

1.2 

4.9 

1,638.2 

1,632.0 

Non-current 

2019 

–

3.3

3.3

2019 

1.4

–

–

1.4

Non-current 

2018 

–

3.2

3.2

2018 

0.6

–

–

0.6

Amounts due from Group undertakings are repayable on demand and are predominantly interest bearing. 

Amounts due to Group undertakings are repayable on demand and are predominantly interest bearing. 

186 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

7. Bank and other loans 

£ million 

€100.0 million 2.02% Senior Loan Notes 

These loans are repayable as follows: 
Amounts due for settlement after one year 

8. Share capital 

£ million 

Authorised: 
22,200,819,176 (2018: 22,200,819,176) ordinary shares of 1p each 
1,158,299,201 (2018: 1,158,299,201) deferred ordinary shares of 24p each 

Issued and fully paid: 
31 December 2018 
Ordinary shares issued in the year 

31 December 2019 

2019 

84.7

2018 

90.1

84.7

90.1

2019 

2018 

222.0
278.0

500.0

222.0
278.0

500.0

Number of shares 

£ million 

3,278,054,763
5,053,411

3,283,108,174

288.5
0.1

288.6

During the year, the Company issued an additional 5.1 million (2018: 2.6 million) ordinary shares to satisfy option exercises. The Company also has in 
issue 1,065.6 million deferred ordinary shares (2018: 1,065.6 million), the shares were issued in 2009 and carry no voting rights. 

During the year, options were exercised over 8,421,378 ordinary shares (2018: 8,242,974) which were met from new issues of share capital and from the 
holding of shares in the Employee Share Ownership Trusts (ESOTs). Under the Group’s performance share plan, employees held conditional awards at 
31 December 2019 in respect of up to 19,466,040 shares, subject to achievement of performance tests (2018: 18,601,569) at nil pence per share 
nominally exercisable up to September 2022. 

Under the Group’s savings-related share option schemes, employees held options at 31 December 2019 to purchase 19,740,433 shares (2018: 19,229,800) 
at prices between 90.0 pence and 159.1 pence per share exercisable up to June 2025. Under the Group’s share incentive plan, employees held conditional 
awards at 31 December 2019 in respect of 5,789,856 shares (2018: 5,386,991) at nil pence per share. 

9. Share premium 

£ million 

At 1 January and 31 December 

10. Own shares 

£ million 

Own shares 

These comprise ordinary shares of the Company: 

Shares held in trust for bonus, options and performance award plans 

2019 

762.9

2018 

762.9

2019 

17.6

2018 

22.7

Number 

10.7m

Number 

13.9m

During the year, the Company did not purchase any of its own shares to be held in the ESOTs (2018: £9.9 million). The market value of the shares held at 
31 December 2019 was £20.8 million (2018: £19.0 million) and their nominal value was £0.1 million (2018: £0.1 million). Dividends on these shares have 
been waived except for a nominal aggregate amount in pence.  

ESOTs are used to hold the Company’s shares which have been acquired on the market. These shares are used to meet the valid exercise of options 
and/or vesting of conditional awards and/or award of shares under the Executive Incentive Scheme, Bonus Deferral Plan, Performance Share Plan, 
Savings-Related Share Option Scheme and the matching award of shares under the Share Incentive Plan.  

The ESOTs’ entire holding of shares at 31 December 2019 was covered by outstanding options and conditional awards over shares at that date. 

11. Other reserves 

£ million 

At 31 December 

2019 

36.0

2018 

36.0

Other reserves include £31.5 million (2018: £31.5 million) in respect of the historical redemption of the Company’s shares, which is non distributable. 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  187 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

187

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

12. Retained earnings 
Retained earnings of £2,792.5 million (2018: £2,853.5 million) includes profit for the year and dividends received from subsidiaries of £500.0 million 
(2018: £500.0 million). Included in retained earnings is £816.5 million (2018: £718.5 million) which is not distributable.  

13. Share-based payments 
The Company has taken advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemption in relation to share-based payments. Details of share awards granted by the 
Company to employees of subsidiaries, and that remain outstanding at the year end over the Company’s shares, are set out in Note 29 of the Group 
financial statements. The Company did not recognise any expense related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions in the current or 
preceding year.  

14. Contingent liabilities  
The Company has, in the normal course of business, given guarantees and entered into counter-indemnities in respect of bonds relating to the Group’s 
own contracts. 

Provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of known legal claims and legal actions in progress. The Group takes legal advice as to the likelihood of 
success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors consider, based on that advice, that the action is unlikely to succeed.  

The Company has in issue a guarantee in respect of the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS), which had an IAS 19 deficit of £84.5 million at 
31 December 2019 (2018: £133.0 million). The guarantee commits the Company to ensure that the participating subsidiaries make deficit repair 
contributions in accordance with a schedule agreed with the Trustee of £40.0 million per annum, to the end of 2020, whilst the scheme is in a Technical 
Provisions deficit. Once the TWPS is fully funded, these cash contributions would be suspended until such time that the TWPS’ Technical Provisions 
funding levels falls to below 96%. In addition, £5.1 million per annum from the Pension Funding Partnership and £2.0 million per annum to cover scheme 
expenses is due. 

15. Dividend 

£ million 

Proposed 
Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Final dividend 2019: 3.80p (2018: 3.80p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders 
Paid 
Final dividend 2018: 3.80p (2017: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 
Special dividend 2019: 10.70p (2018: 10.40p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

2019 

2018 

125.6
125.0

250.6

124.2
125.6
349.9

599.7

79.7
125.0

204.7

79.8
79.7
340.0

499.5

The Directors recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 3.80 pence per share (2018: 3.80 pence per share) subject to 
shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, with an equivalent final dividend charge of c.£125.0 million (2018: £124.2 million). The final dividend 
will be paid on 15 May 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 3 April 2020. 

The Directors additionally recommend a special dividend of c.£360.0 million (2018: paid £349.9 million) subject to shareholder approval at the Annual 
General Meeting. The special dividend will be paid on 10 July 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 5 June 2020. 

In accordance with IAS 10 ‘Events after the balance sheet date’ the proposed final or special dividends have not been accrued as a liability at 
31 December 2019. 

188 
188 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

Retained earnings of £2,792.5 million (2018: £2,853.5 million) includes profit for the year and dividends received from subsidiaries of £500.0 million 

(2018: £500.0 million). Included in retained earnings is £816.5 million (2018: £718.5 million) which is not distributable.  

The Company has taken advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemption in relation to share-based payments. Details of share awards granted by the 

Company to employees of subsidiaries, and that remain outstanding at the year end over the Company’s shares, are set out in Note 29 of the Group 

financial statements. The Company did not recognise any expense related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions in the current or 

12. Retained earnings 

13. Share-based payments 

preceding year.  

14. Contingent liabilities  

own contracts. 

The Company has, in the normal course of business, given guarantees and entered into counter-indemnities in respect of bonds relating to the Group’s 

Provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of known legal claims and legal actions in progress. The Group takes legal advice as to the likelihood of 

success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors consider, based on that advice, that the action is unlikely to succeed.  

The Company has in issue a guarantee in respect of the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS), which had an IAS 19 deficit of £84.5 million at 

31 December 2019 (2018: £133.0 million). The guarantee commits the Company to ensure that the participating subsidiaries make deficit repair 

contributions in accordance with a schedule agreed with the Trustee of £40.0 million per annum, to the end of 2020, whilst the scheme is in a Technical 

Provisions deficit. Once the TWPS is fully funded, these cash contributions would be suspended until such time that the TWPS’ Technical Provisions 

funding levels falls to below 96%. In addition, £5.1 million per annum from the Pension Funding Partnership and £2.0 million per annum to cover scheme 

expenses is due. 

15. Dividend 

£ million 

Proposed 

Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Final dividend 2019: 3.80p (2018: 3.80p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders 

Paid 

Final dividend 2018: 3.80p (2017: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Interim dividend 2019: 3.84p (2018: 2.44p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

Special dividend 2019: 10.70p (2018: 10.40p) per ordinary share of 1p each 

2019 

2018 

125.6

125.0

250.6

124.2

125.6

349.9

599.7

79.7

125.0

204.7

79.8

79.7

340.0

499.5

The Directors recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 3.80 pence per share (2018: 3.80 pence per share) subject to 

shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, with an equivalent final dividend charge of c.£125.0 million (2018: £124.2 million). The final dividend 

will be paid on 15 May 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 3 April 2020. 

The Directors additionally recommend a special dividend of c.£360.0 million (2018: paid £349.9 million) subject to shareholder approval at the Annual 

General Meeting. The special dividend will be paid on 10 July 2020 to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 5 June 2020. 

In accordance with IAS 10 ‘Events after the balance sheet date’ the proposed final or special dividends have not been accrued as a liability at 

31 December 2019. 

188 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

Particulars of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 

The entities listed below are companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and the registered office is Gate House, Turnpike Road, High Wycombe, 
Buckinghamshire, HP12 3NR. All of the below are 100% subsidiaries of the Group, either directly or indirectly held by Taylor Wimpey plc, and only have 
ordinary share capital. 

Admiral Developments Limited 
Admiral Homes (Eastern) Limited 
Admiral Homes Limited 
Ashton Park Limited  
BGS (Pentian Green) Holdings Limited  
Broadleaf Park LLP 
Bryad Developments Limited 
Bryant Country Homes Limited 
Bryant Group Services Limited 
Bryant Homes Central Limited 
Bryant Homes East Midlands Limited 
Bryant Homes Limited 
Bryant Homes North East Limited 
Bryant Homes Northern Limited 
Bryant Homes South West Limited 
Bryant Homes Southern Limited 
Bryant Properties Limited 
Candlemakers (TW) Limited 
Clipper Investments Limited 
Compine Developments (Wootton) Limited 
Dormant Nominees One Limited 
Dormant Nominees Two Limited 
Farrods Water Engineers Limited 
Flyover House Limited 
George Wimpey Limited 
George Wimpey Bristol Limited 
George Wimpey City Limited 
George Wimpey City 2 Limited 
George Wimpey East Anglia Limited 
George Wimpey East London Limited 
George Wimpey East Midlands Limited 
George Wimpey Manchester Limited 
George Wimpey Midland Limited 
George Wimpey North East Limited 
George Wimpey North London Limited  
George Wimpey North Midlands Limited 
George Wimpey North West Limited 
George Wimpey North Yorkshire Limited 
George Wimpey South East Limited 
George Wimpey South Midlands Limited 
George Wimpey South West Limited 
George Wimpey South Yorkshire Limited 
George Wimpey Southern Counties Limited 
George Wimpey West London Limited 
George Wimpey West Midlands Limited 
George Wimpey West Yorkshire Limited  
Globe Road Limited 
Grand Union Vision Limited 
Groveside Homes Limited 

Hamme Construction Limited 
Hanger Lane Holdings Limited 
Hassall Homes (Cheshire) Limited 
Hassall Homes (Mercia) Limited 
Hassall Homes (Southern) Limited 
Hassall Homes (Wessex) Limited 
Haverhilll Developments Limited 
Jim 1 Limited 
Jim 3 Limited 
Jim 4 Limited 
Jim 5 Limited 
L. & A. Freeman Limited 
Laing Homes Limited 
Laing Land Limited 
LandTrust Developments Limited 
Leawood (Management) Company Limited 
Limebrook Manor LLP 
MCA Developments Limited 
MCA East Limited 
MCA Holdings Limited 
MCA Land Limited 
MCA Leicester Limited 
MCA London Limited 
MCA Northumbria Limited 
MCA Partnership Housing Limited 
MCA South West Limited 
MCA West Midlands Limited 
MCA Yorkshire Limited 
McLean Homes Limited 
McLean Homes Bristol & West Limited 
McLean Homes Southern Limited 
McLean TW Estates Limited 
McLean TW (Chester) Limited 
McLean TW (Northern) Limited 
McLean TW (Southern) Limited 
McLean TW (Yorkshire) Limited 
McLean TW Group Limited 
McLean TW Holdings Limited 
McLean TW Limited 
McLean TW No. 2 Limited 
Melbourne Investments Limited 
Pangbourne Developments Limited 
Prestoplan Limited 
River Farm Developments Limited 
South Bristol (Ashton Park) Limited 
Spinks & Denning Limited 
St. Katharine By The Tower Limited 
St. Katharine Haven Limited 
Tawnywood Developments Limited 

Taylor Wimpey 2007 Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Capital Developments Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Commercial Properties Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Developments Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Garage Nominees No 1 Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Garage Nominees No 2 Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Holdings Limited 
Taylor Wimpey International Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Property Company Limited 
Taylor Wimpey Property Management Limited 
Taylor Wimpey SH Capital Limited 
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited 
Thameswey Homes Limited 
The Garden Village Partnership Limited 
The Wilson Connolly Employee Benefit Trust Limited 
This is G2 Limited 
Thomas Lowe and Sons, Limited 
Thomas Lowe Homes Limited 
TW NCA Limited 
TW Springboard Limited 
Twyman Regent Limited 
Valley Park Developments Limited 
Whelmar (Chester) Limited 
Whelmar (Lancashire) Limited 
Whelmar (North Wales) Limited 
Whelmar Developments Limited 
Wilcon Homes Anglia Limited 
Wilcon Homes Eastern Limited 
Wilcon Homes Midlands Limited 
Wilcon Homes Northern Limited 
Wilcon Homes Southern Limited 
Wilcon Homes Western Limited 
Wilcon Lifestyle Homes Limited 
Wilfrid Homes Limited 
Wilson Connolly Holdings Limited 
Wilson Connolly Investments Limited 
Wilson Connolly Limited 
Wilson Connolly Properties Limited 
Wilson Connolly Quest Limited 
Wimgrove Developments Limited 
Wimgrove Property Trading Limited 
Wimpey Construction Developments Limited 
Wimpey Construction Iran Limited 
Wimpey Corporate Services Limited 
Wimpey Dormant Investments Limited 
Wimpey Geotech Limited 
Wimpey Group Services Limited 
Wimpey Gulf Holdings Limited 
Wimpey Overseas Holdings Limited 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  189 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

189

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Particulars of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures continued 

The entities listed below are companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and the registered office is Gate House, Turnpike Road,  
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3NR.  

Company Name 

% Owned   

Company Name 

% Owned 

Academy Central LLP 
Bordon Developments Holding Limited 
Chobham Manor LLP 
Chobham Manor Property Management Limited 
Falcon Wharf Limited 
Gallagher Bathgate Limited 
GN Tower Limited 
GW City Ventures Limited 
GWNW City Developments Limited 
Paycause Limited 
Phoenix Birmingham Latitude Limited 

62%   Taylor Wimpey Pension Trustees Limited 
50%   Triumphdeal Limited 
50%   TW Cavendish Holdings Limited 
50%   Vumpine Limited 
50%   Weaver Developments (Woodfield Plantation) Limited 
50%   Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company Limited 
50%   Whitehill & Bordon Development Company phase 1a Limited 
50%   Wimpey Laing Iran Limited 
50%   Wimpey Laing Limited 

66.67%   Winstanley & York Road Regeneration LLP 

50%  

99%
50%
50%

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%

The entities listed below are companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and the registered office is Unit C, Ground Floor, Cirrus Glasgow Airport 
Business Park, Marchburn Drive, Abbotsinch, Paisley, PA3 2SJ.  

Company Name 

% Owned   

Company Name 

Bryant Homes Scotland Limited 
George Wimpey East Scotland Limited 
George Wimpey West Scotland Limited 
London and Clydeside Estates Limited 
London and Clydeside Holdings Limited 
Strada Developments Limited 

100%   Taylor Wimpey (General Partner) Limited 
100%   Taylor Wimpey (Initial LP) Limited 
100%   Taylor Wimpey Scottish Limited Partnership 
100%   Whatco England Limited 
100%   Wilcon Homes Scotland Limited 

50%  

% Owned 

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Other entities incorporated in the United Kingdom, unless otherwise stated, and the Group’s ownership share are shown below. 

Company Name 

Bishops Park Limited 

% Owned   

Registered Office 

50%   The Manor House, North Ash Road, New Ash Green, DA3 8HQ 

Bishop’s Stortford North Consortium Limited 

33.33%   St. Bride’s House, 10 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8EH 

Bromley Park (Holdings) Limited 
Bromley Park Limited 

50%

Kent House, 14-17 Market Place, London, W1W 8AJ 

Capital Court Property Management Limited 

17.17%   4 Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX2 7FW 

Countryside 27 Limited 

DFE TW Residential Limited 

Emersons Green Urban Village Limited 

Greenwich Millennium Village Limited 

50%   Countryside House, The Drive, Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3AT 

50%   7 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1NN 

54.44%   135 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, Avon, BS32 4UB 

50%   Countryside House, The Drive, Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3AT 

Haydon Development Company Limited 

19.27%   6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon, SN3 3LL 

Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club S.A. 

75%   Carretera de Ronda A-397, Km.44.5, Benahavis, Malaga, Spain 

Morrison Land Development Inc 

100%   9366, 49 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 2L7, Canada 

Newcastle Great Park (Estates) Limited 
NGP Management Company (Cell F) Limited 
NGP Management Company (Commercial) Limited 
NGP Management Company (Town Centre) Limited 
NGP Management Company Residential (Cell G) Limited 

50%

3rd Floor Citygate, St. James' Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JE 

North Swindon Development Company Limited 

16.79%   6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon, SN3 3LL 

Padyear Limited 

Quedgeley Urban Village Limited 

Redhill Park Limited 

St George Little Britain (No.1) Limited 
St George Little Britain (No.2) Limited 

Taylor Wimpey de España S.A.U.* 

Taylor Woodrow (Gibraltar) Limited 

50%   Hanson House, 14 Castle Hill, Maidenhead, SL6 4JJ 

50%   135 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4UB 

50%   5 Market Yard Mews, 194 – 204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ 

50%

Berkeley House, 19 Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JG 

100%   C/Aragón 223-223 A, 07008 Palma de Mallorca, Spain 

100%   17 Bayside Road, Gibraltar 

*  9% cumulative, redeemable preference shares are held in addition to ordinary shares. 

190 
190 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 
Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Particulars of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures continued 

Five year review 

The entities listed below are companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and the registered office is Gate House, Turnpike Road,  

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3NR.  

£ million 

Revenue 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

4,341.3

4,082.0 

3,965.2

3,676.2

3,139.8

Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs and tax 
Adjust for: Share of results of joint ventures 
Adjust for: Exceptional items 
Operating profit 

Net finance costs 
Profit for the financial year before taxation and exceptional items 

Exceptional items 
Taxation charge including taxation on exceptional items 

Profit for the financial year 

Balance sheet 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment  
Right-of-use assets 
Interests in joint ventures 
Non-current trade and other receivables 

Non-current assets (excluding tax) 

Inventories 
Other current assets (excluding tax and cash) 
Trade and other payables excluding land creditors 
Land creditors 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 

Net current assets (excluding tax and cash) 

Trade and other payables excluding land creditors 
Land creditors 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 

Non-current liabilities (excluding debt) 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank and other loans 
Taxation balances 

Basic net assets 

Haydon Development Company Limited 

19.27%   6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon, SN3 3LL 

Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club S.A. 

75%   Carretera de Ronda A-397, Km.44.5, Benahavis, Malaga, Spain 

Statistics 

Basic earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Tangible net assets per share 
Dividends paid (pence per share) 
Number of ordinary shares in issue at the year end (millions) 
UK short term landbank (plots) 
UK average selling price (£’000) 
UK completions (homes including JVs) 

856.8
8.0
(14.3)
850.5

(28.9)
821.6

14.3
(162.0)

673.9

7.0
25.6
27.4
55.3
43.7

159.0

4,196.0
161.0
(634.9)
(339.9)
(7.6)
(72.7)

3,301.9

(110.4)
(389.3)
(85.0)
(20.3)
(55.7)

(660.7)

630.4
(84.7)
(38.1)

828.8 
5.3 
46.1 
880.2 

(23.4) 
856.8 

(46.1) 
(154.1) 

656.6 

3.2 
21.6 
27.1 
48.3 
55.7 

155.9 

4,188.2 
134.7 
(684.8) 
(359.5) 
(8.2) 
(76.9) 

3,193.5 

(112.2) 
(379.1) 
(133.6) 
(19.2) 
(93.4) 

(737.5) 

734.2 
(90.1) 
(29.2) 

706.5
7.6
130.0
844.1

(32.1)
812.0

(130.0)
(126.7)

555.3

3.9
22.8
–
50.9
60.1

137.7

4,075.7
122.2
(705.0)
(319.5)
–
(87.3)

3,086.1

(111.0)
(319.6)
(64.8)
–
(74.3)

(569.7)

600.5
(88.7)
(28.6)

766.4
1.2
0.5
768.1

(34.7)
733.4

(0.5)
(143.6)

589.3

3.5
21.0
–
50.3
87.2

162.0

3,984.0
91.4
(721.8)
(266.3)
–
(28.0)

3,059.3

(109.0)
(333.5)
(234.1)
–
(5.1)

(681.7)

450.2
(85.5)
(4.0)

635.7
4.9
0.6
641.2

(37.4)
603.8

(0.6)
(113.4)

489.8

2.7
20.0
–
27.1
95.4

145.2

3,891.2
114.0
(750.7)
(342.7)
–
(31.1)

2,880.7

(114.9)
(287.1)
(178.4)
–
(2.9)

(583.3)

323.3
(100.0)
57.4

3,307.8

3,226.8 

3,137.3

2,900.3

2,723.3

20.6p
20.3p
100.5p
18.34
3,283.1
75,612
269
15,719

20.1p 
21.3p 
98.3p 
15.28 
3,278.1 
75,995 
264 
14,933 

17.0p
20.2p
95.7p
13.79
3,275.4
74,849
264
14,541

18.1p
18.1p
88.6p
10.91
3,270.3
76,234
255
13,881

15.1p
14.9p
83.5p
9.49
3,258.6
75,710
230
13,341

The results for 2016 and 2015 shown above include unaudited adjustments for the adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 in 2018. 

99%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

% Owned 

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Company Name 

Academy Central LLP 

Chobham Manor LLP 

Falcon Wharf Limited 

Gallagher Bathgate Limited 

GN Tower Limited 

GW City Ventures Limited 

GWNW City Developments Limited 

Paycause Limited 

Bordon Developments Holding Limited 

50%   Triumphdeal Limited 

50%   TW Cavendish Holdings Limited 

Chobham Manor Property Management Limited 

50%   Vumpine Limited 

% Owned   

Company Name 

% Owned 

62%   Taylor Wimpey Pension Trustees Limited 

50%   Weaver Developments (Woodfield Plantation) Limited 

50%   Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company Limited 

50%   Whitehill & Bordon Development Company phase 1a Limited 

50%   Wimpey Laing Iran Limited 

50%   Wimpey Laing Limited 

66.67%   Winstanley & York Road Regeneration LLP 

Phoenix Birmingham Latitude Limited 

50%  

The entities listed below are companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and the registered office is Unit C, Ground Floor, Cirrus Glasgow Airport 

Business Park, Marchburn Drive, Abbotsinch, Paisley, PA3 2SJ.  

Company Name 

% Owned   

Company Name 

Bryant Homes Scotland Limited 

George Wimpey East Scotland Limited 

George Wimpey West Scotland Limited 

London and Clydeside Estates Limited 

London and Clydeside Holdings Limited 

Strada Developments Limited 

100%   Taylor Wimpey (General Partner) Limited 

100%   Taylor Wimpey (Initial LP) Limited 

100%   Taylor Wimpey Scottish Limited Partnership 

100%   Whatco England Limited 

100%   Wilcon Homes Scotland Limited 

50%  

Other entities incorporated in the United Kingdom, unless otherwise stated, and the Group’s ownership share are shown below. 

Company Name 

Bishops Park Limited 

% Owned   

Registered Office 

50%   The Manor House, North Ash Road, New Ash Green, DA3 8HQ 

Bishop’s Stortford North Consortium Limited 

33.33%   St. Bride’s House, 10 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8EH 

50%

Kent House, 14-17 Market Place, London, W1W 8AJ 

Capital Court Property Management Limited 

17.17%   4 Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX2 7FW 

50%   Countryside House, The Drive, Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3AT 

50%   7 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1NN 

54.44%   135 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, Avon, BS32 4UB 

50%   Countryside House, The Drive, Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3AT 

Bromley Park (Holdings) Limited 

Bromley Park Limited 

Countryside 27 Limited 

DFE TW Residential Limited 

Emersons Green Urban Village Limited 

Greenwich Millennium Village Limited 

Morrison Land Development Inc 

100%   9366, 49 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 2L7, Canada 

50%

3rd Floor Citygate, St. James' Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JE 

Newcastle Great Park (Estates) Limited 

NGP Management Company (Cell F) Limited 

NGP Management Company (Commercial) Limited 

NGP Management Company (Town Centre) Limited 

NGP Management Company Residential (Cell G) Limited 

North Swindon Development Company Limited 

16.79%   6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon, SN3 3LL 

Padyear Limited 

Quedgeley Urban Village Limited 

Redhill Park Limited 

St George Little Britain (No.1) Limited 

St George Little Britain (No.2) Limited 

Taylor Wimpey de España S.A.U.* 

Taylor Woodrow (Gibraltar) Limited 

50%   Hanson House, 14 Castle Hill, Maidenhead, SL6 4JJ 

50%   135 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4UB 

50%   5 Market Yard Mews, 194 – 204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ 

50%

Berkeley House, 19 Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JG 

100%   C/Aragón 223-223 A, 07008 Palma de Mallorca, Spain 

100%   17 Bayside Road, Gibraltar 

*  9% cumulative, redeemable preference shares are held in addition to ordinary shares. 

190 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk  191 

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

191

Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice of Annual General Meeting
This notice of meeting is important and requires your immediate attention. 
If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, you are recommended 
to seek your own financial advice immediately from a stockbroker, solicitor, 
bank manager, accountant, or other independent financial adviser 
authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in Taylor 
Wimpey plc (the Company), please pass this document together with the 
accompanying documents to the purchaser or transferee, or to the person 
who arranged the sale or transfer so they can pass these documents to 
the person who now holds the shares. If you have sold or transferred part 
only of your holding of shares in the Company, please consult the person 
who arranged the sale or transfer.

Notice is hereby given of the eighty fifth Annual General Meeting of the 
Company to be held on 23 April 2020 at 11:00am at The British Medical 
Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP for the 
following purposes:

Ordinary business

Ordinary resolutions:

1.  To receive the Directors’ report, Strategic report, Remuneration 
Committee report, Independent auditor’s report and Financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

2.  To declare due and payable on 15 May 2020 a final dividend of 

3.80 pence per ordinary share of the Company for the year ended 
31 December 2019 to shareholders on the register at close of 
business on 3 April 2020.

3.  To declare due and payable on 10 July 2020 a special dividend 

of 10.99 pence per ordinary share of the Company to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 5 June 2020.

4.  To elect as a Director, Irene Dorner.
5.  To re-elect as a Director, Pete Redfern.
6.  To re-elect as a Director, Chris Carney.
7.  To re-elect as a Director, Jennie Daly.
8.  To re-elect as a Director, Kate Barker DBE.
9.  To re-elect as a Director, Gwyn Burr.
10. To re-elect as a Director, Angela Knight CBE.
11. To elect as a Director, Robert Noel.
12. To re-elect as a Director, Humphrey Singer.
13. To re-appoint Deloitte LLP as auditor of the Company, to hold office 

until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are 
laid before the Company.

14. Subject to the passing of resolution 13, to authorise the Audit 

Committee to determine the remuneration of the auditor on behalf of 
the Board.

15. That the Board be generally and unconditionally authorised to allot 

shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or convert 
any security into shares in the Company:
a.  up to a nominal amount of £10,945,757 (such amount to be 

reduced by any allotments or grants made under paragraph b 
below, in excess of £10,945,757); and

192 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

b.  comprising equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act 

ii. 

2006) up to a nominal amount of £21,891,515 (such amount to be 
reduced by any allotments or grants made under paragraph a 
above) in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue:
i. 

to ordinary shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be 
practicable) to their existing holdings; and
to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of 
those securities or as the Board otherwise considers necessary,
and so the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and make 
any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to 
deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, 
legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any 
territory or any other matter, such authorities to apply until the end 
of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company (or, if earlier, 
until the close of business on 22 July 2021) but, in each case, so 
that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements 
during this period which would, or might, require shares to be 
allotted or rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares 
to be granted after the authority ends; and the Board may allot 
shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert securities into 
shares under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had 
not ended.

Special resolutions:

16. That if resolution 15 is passed, the Board be given power to allot equity 
securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) for cash under the 
authority given by that resolution and / or to sell ordinary shares held 
by the Company as treasury shares for cash as if Section 561 of the 
Companies Act 2006 did not apply to any such allotment or sale, such 
power to be limited:
a. 

to the allotment of equity securities and sale of treasury shares in 
connection with an offer of, or invitation to apply for, equity 
securities (but in the case of the authority granted under paragraph 
b of resolution 15, by way of a rights issue only):
i. 

to ordinary shareholders in proportion (as nearly as practicable) 
to their existing holdings; and
to holders of other equity securities, as required by the rights of 
those securities, or as the Board otherwise considers necessary,

ii. 

and so that the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and 
make any arrangements which it considers necessary or 
appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, 
record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under 
the laws of, any territory or any other matters; and

b.  in the case of the authority granted under paragraph a of resolution 

15 and / or in the case of any sale of treasury shares, to the 
allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares (otherwise 
than under paragraph a above) up to a nominal amount of 
£1,641,863.

Such power to apply until the end of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 22 July 2021) 
but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers, 
and enter into agreements, which would, or might, require equity 
securities to be allotted (and treasury shares to be sold) after the power 
ends and the Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) 
under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not ended.

17. That if resolution 15 is passed, the Board be given the power in 
addition to any power granted under resolution 16 to allot equity 
securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) for cash under the 
authority granted under paragraph a of resolution 15 and / or to sell 
ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares for cash as if 
Section 561 of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply to any such 
allotment or sale, such power to be:
a. 

limited to the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury 
shares up to a nominal amount of £1,641,863; and

b.  used only for the purposes of financing a transaction which the 

Board determines to be an acquisition or other capital investment 
of a kind contemplated by the Statement of Principles on 
Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published by the 
Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this Notice or for the 
purposes of refinancing such a transaction within six months of its 
taking place.

Such power to apply until the end of the next Annual General Meeting 
of the Company (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 22 July 2021) 
but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers, 
and enter into agreements, which would, or might, require equity 
securities to be allotted (and treasury shares to be sold) after the power 
ends and the Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) 
under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not ended.

18. That the Company be authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of the 

Companies Act 2006 to make market purchases (within the meaning 
of Section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of the ordinary shares 
of 1 pence each of the Company (ordinary shares), provided that:
a. 

the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be 
purchased shall be 328,372,733;

b.  the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for 

c. 

ordinary shares is 1 pence per ordinary share;
the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for 
an ordinary share is the highest of:
i.  an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market 
quotations for an ordinary share (as derived from the London 
Stock Exchange Daily Official List) for the five business days 
immediately preceding the date on which such ordinary share 
is purchased; and
the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the 
highest independent bid on the trading venues where the 
purchase is carried out;

ii. 

d.  the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the earlier of the 

e. 

conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company 
and 22 October 2021 unless such authority is renewed prior to 
such time; and
the Company may make contracts to purchase ordinary shares 
under the authority hereby conferred prior to the expiry of such 
authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the 
expiry of such authority, and may purchase ordinary shares in 
pursuance of any such contracts, as if the authority conferred by 
this resolution had not expired.

Special business

Ordinary resolutions:

19. That the Directors’ Remuneration report for the year ended 

31 December 2019, as set out on pages 106 to 131 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2019, be 
approved in accordance with Section 439 of the Companies Act 2006.

20. That the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, the full text of which is set  
out on pages 115 to 117 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2019, be approved in accordance 
with Section 439A of the Companies Act 2006, to take effect from the 
date of this Annual General Meeting.

21. That in accordance with Sections 366 and 367 of the Companies Act 
2006, the Company and all companies which are its subsidiaries when 
this resolution is passed are authorised to:
a.  make political donations to political parties and / or independent 
election candidates not exceeding £250,000 in aggregate;
b.  make political donations to political organisations other than 
political parties not exceeding £250,000 in aggregate; and
incur political expenditure not exceeding £250,000 in aggregate, 
during the period beginning with the date of passing this resolution 
and the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company.

c. 

For the purposes of this resolution the terms ‘political donations’, 
‘political parties’, ‘independent election candidates’, ‘political 
organisations’ and ‘political expenditure’ have the meanings given  
by Sections 363 to 365 of the Companies Act 2006.

Special resolution:

22. That a general meeting other than an Annual General Meeting  
of the Company may continue to be called on not less than  
14 clear days’ notice.

Explanatory notes relating to each of the above resolutions are set out  
on pages 196 to 198.

Action to be taken

If you wish to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting in person, 
please bring with you the attendance card or notice of availability letter. 
It will help to authenticate your right to attend, speak and vote, and will help 
us to register your attendance without delay. Registration will be available 
from 9:30am on the day of the Meeting. For the safety and comfort of 
those attending the Meeting, large bags, cameras, recording equipment 
and similar items will not be allowed into the building and in the interests of 
security, by attending the Meeting, upon request, you hereby agree to be 
searched together with any bags and other possessions. The Meeting will 
commence at 11:00am and light refreshments will be available from 
9:30am and also after the conclusion of the Meeting. There is wheelchair 
access to the venue for shareholders who require it or those with reduced 
mobility. However, where required, attendees are strongly advised to bring 
their own carers to assist with their general mobility around the venue. 
An induction loop system operates in the meeting room. Directions to the 
venue can be found on the reverse of your attendance card.

If you would like to vote on the resolutions but cannot come to the Annual 
General Meeting, please register your vote online at www.signalshares.com 
or return your proxy form to our registrar as soon as possible. In order for it 
to count, the registrar must receive your vote no later than 11:00am on 
21 April 2020. If you are a CREST member, register your vote through the 
CREST system by completing and transmitting a CREST proxy instruction 
as described in the procedural notes below.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

Recommendation

Your Directors are of the opinion that the resolutions to be proposed  
at the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company 
and its shareholders as a whole and recommend you to vote in favour of 
them. Each Director will be doing so in respect of all of his or her own 
beneficial shareholding.

Inspection of documents

The documents listed below will be available for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office, Gate House, Turnpike Road, High Wycombe, 
Buckinghamshire, HP12 3NR during normal business hours from the date 
of this Notice of Annual General Meeting until the date of the Annual 
General Meeting. They will also be available at The British Medical 
Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP from 
15 minutes before the Annual General Meeting until the Meeting ends.

 – Copies of the Executive Directors’ service contracts.
 – Copies of the letters of appointment of the Chair of the Board and the 

Independent Non Executive Directors.

3. 

 – A copy of the full Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Company 

for the year ended 31 December 2019, including the Directors’ 
Remuneration report referred to in resolution 19. This document is also 
available on our website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate.

By Order of the Board

Alice Marsden
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

Taylor Wimpey plc 
Registered Office: 
Gate House 
Turnpike Road 
High Wycombe 
Buckinghamshire 
HP12 3NR

(Registered in England and Wales under number 296805)

2 March 2020

194 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Procedural notes
1.  To be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting (and 
for the purpose of the determination by the Company of the votes 
which shareholders may cast), shareholders must be registered in the 
Register of Members of the Company by 6:00pm on 21 April 2020 (or, 
in the event of any adjournment, on the date which is two days before 
the time of the adjourned meeting). Shareholders then on the Register 
of Members shall be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General 
Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at 
that time. Changes to entries on the Register of Members after that 
deadline shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to 
attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting.

2.  As at 28 February 2020 (being the latest practicable date prior to the 

publication of this notice) the Company’s issued share capital 
consisted of 3,283,727,332 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. 
Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 28 February 2020 
were 3,283,727,332.
If you are a shareholder of the Company at the time and date set out in 
Note 1 above, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any 
of your rights to attend and to speak and vote on your behalf at the 
Meeting. Shareholders may appoint more than one proxy in relation to 
the Annual General Meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to 
exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that 
shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company but 
must attend the Annual General Meeting to represent you. In the case 
of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to 
appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the most senior 
holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which 
the names of the joint holders appear in the Company’s Register of 
Members in respect of the joint holdings (the first-named being the 
most senior).

4.  To be valid, any proxy appointment must be received by Link Asset 

Services at PXS 1, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4ZF, 
or, if you want to use an envelope the address to use is FREEPOST 
PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, BR3 9ZA or, electronically via the internet 
at www.signalshares.com or, if you are a member of CREST, via the 
service provided by Euroclear UK and Ireland Limited at the electronic 
address provided in Note 9, in each case no later than 11:00am on 
21 April 2020. Please note that all proxy appointments received after 
this time will be void. A proxy appointment sent electronically at any 
time that is found to contain any virus will not be accepted.

5.  The return of a completed proxy appointment by any instrument or any 
CREST Proxy Instruction (as further described in Notes 8 and 9 below) 
or form will not prevent a shareholder attending the Annual General 
Meeting and voting in person if he / she wishes to do so. If you require 
a paper proxy form, or if you require additional forms, please contact 
Link Asset Services, by email at enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk, or by 
telephone on 0371 664 0300 (calls are charged at the standard 
geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United 
Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are 
open between 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday excluding public 
holidays in England and Wales).

6.  Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under 
Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights 
(a ‘Nominated Person’) may, under an agreement between him / her 
and the shareholder by whom he / she was nominated, have a right to 
be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the 
Annual General Meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy 
appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, he / she may,  
under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the 
shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights. Such persons should 
direct any communications and enquiries to the registered holder of 
the shares by whom they were nominated and not to the Company or 
its registrar.

Notes to the notice of Annual General Meeting

7.  The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the 

appointment of proxies in Notes 3 and 4 above does not apply to 
Nominated Persons. The rights described in these notes can only be 
exercised by shareholders of the Company.

9. 

8.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the 
CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so by using the 
procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST personal 
members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST 
members who have appointed a service provider(s), should refer to 
their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to 
take the appropriate action on their behalf.
In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST 
service to be valid, it must be properly authenticated in accordance 
with Euroclear UK and Ireland Limited’s specifications, and must 
contain the information required for such instruction, as described in 
the CREST Manual (available via www.euroclear.com/CREST). The 
message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a 
proxy or is an amendment to the instruction given to a previously 
appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be 
received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 11:00am on 21 April 2020. 
For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as 
determined by the time stamp applied to the message by the CREST 
Application Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the 
message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. 
After this time any change of instructions to proxies appointed  
through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through 
other means.

10. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or 
voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK and Ireland 
Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any 
particular message. Normal system timings and limitations will, 
therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It 
is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the 
CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, 
or has appointed a voting service provider, to procure that his / her 
CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as 
shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means 
of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST 
members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting 
system providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the 
CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system 
and timings.

11. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the 
circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001.

12. Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate 
representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers as a 
member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.
13. Under Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 members meeting the 
threshold requirements set out in that section have the right to require 
the Company to publish on a website a statement setting out any 
matter relating to:
 – The audit of the Company’s accounts (including the Auditor’s Report 
and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the Annual 
General Meeting; or

 – Any circumstance connected with an auditor of the Company 

ceasing to hold office since the previous meeting at which annual 
accounts and reports were laid in accordance with Section 437 of 
the Companies Act 2006.

The Company may not require the shareholders requesting any such 
website publication to pay its expenses in complying with Sections 
527 or 528 of the Companies Act 2006. Where the Company is 
required to place a statement on a website under Section 527 of the 
Companies Act 2006, it must forward the statement to the 
Company’s auditor not later than the time when it makes the 
statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt 
with at the Annual General Meeting includes any statement that the 
Company has been required under Section 527 of the Companies Act 
2006 to publish on a website.

14. Any member attending the Annual General Meeting has the right to ask 
questions and participate in the Meeting. The Company must cause to 
be answered any such question relating to the business being dealt 
with at the Meeting but no such answer need be given if: (i) to do so 
would interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or involve 
the disclosure of confidential information; (ii) the answer has already 
been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question; or (iii) it 
is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the 
Meeting that the question be answered.

15. A copy of this Notice, and other information required by Section 311A 
of the Companies Act 2006, can be found at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/ 
corporate.

16. Voting on all resolutions at this year’s Annual General Meeting will  
be conducted by way of a poll, rather than on a show of hands. 
The Board believes that a poll is more representative of shareholders’ 
voting intentions because it gives as many shareholders as possible 
the opportunity to have their votes counted (whether their votes are 
tendered by proxy in advance of, or in person at, the Annual General 
Meeting). The results of the poll will be announced via a Regulatory 
Information Service and made available at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/
corporate as soon as practicable after the Annual General Meeting.
17. Personal data provided by shareholders at or in relation to the Annual 

General Meeting (including names, contact details, votes and 
Shareholder Reference Numbers), will be processed in line with the 
Company’s privacy policy which is available at www.taylorwimpey.co.
uk/privacy-policy.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

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Notes to the notice of Annual General Meeting continued

Explanatory notes to the resolutions

CREST

Ordinary business

Ordinary resolutions
Ordinary resolutions require more than half of the votes cast to be 
in favour.

Resolution 1: To receive the annual report and financial 
statements
English company law requires the Directors to lay the Financial Statements 
of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2019 and the reports of 
the Directors, namely the Strategic report, Directors’ report, Directors’ 
Remuneration report, and Auditor’s report; before a general meeting of the 
Company (the Annual Report).

Resolution 2: To declare a final dividend
The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 3.80 pence 
per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2019. 
If approved at the Annual General Meeting, the dividend will be paid on 15 
May 2020 to shareholders who are on the Register of Members at the 
close of business on 3 April 2020.

Resolution 3: To declare a special dividend
The Company has announced its intention to return cash to its 
shareholders, through the payment of annual special dividends, always 
subject to market and performance fluctuations. Due to the size of these 
special dividends, the Company believes it is appropriate to seek prior 
shareholder approval for payment, as it has done at the last six Annual 
General Meetings for such dividends.

Further details of the rationale for paying special dividends and the link to 
the Company’s current strategy, can be found on pages 40 to 41.

The aggregate cost of the special dividend for 2020 will be around 
£360 million and will be met from profits and surplus cash generated 
during 2019. If approved, it will be paid on 10 July 2020 to shareholders  
on the register at the close of business on 5 June 2020.

Dividend Re-Investment Plan

Subject to shareholders approving either or both of the dividends as set 
out in Resolutions 2 and 3 at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 
23 April 2020, the Company will be offering a Dividend Re-Investment Plan 
(DRIP) on each one. The DRIP is provided and administered by the 
DRIP plan administrator, Link Market Services Trustees Limited, which  
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 
The DRIP offers shareholders the opportunity to elect to invest cash 
dividends received on their ordinary shares, in purchasing further ordinary 
shares of the Company. These shares would be bought in the market, 
on competitive dealing terms.

The DRIP will operate automatically in respect of the Final Dividend for 
2019 (unless varied beforehand by shareholders) and all future dividends, 
including special dividends, until such time as you withdraw from the  
DRIP or the DRIP is suspended or terminated in accordance with the 
terms and conditions.

Shareholders are again reminded to check the position with regard to any 
dividend mandates that are in place, should you wish to either participate 
in the DRIP or to discontinue or vary any participation, as existing 
mandates will apply to all dividend payments (including special dividends) 
unless or until revoked.

For shares held in uncertificated form (CREST), please note that elections 
continue to apply only to one dividend and a fresh election must be made, 
via CREST, for each dividend. 

Full details of the terms and conditions of the DRIP and the actions 
required to make or revoke an election, both in respect of ordinary 
dividends (i.e. in this case, the 2019 final dividend) and any special 
dividends, are available at www.signalshares.com or on request from the 
Registrar, Link Asset Services, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU, email: shares@linkgroup.co.uk or call  
+44 (0)371 664 0381. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate 
and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged 
at the applicable international rate. The Registrar is open between 9:00am 
and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England 
and Wales.

Resolution 4-12: Election of Directors
In accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) 
which states that all directors should be subject to annual election by 
shareholders, the Board has resolved that all Directors of the Company  
will retire and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election or election, 
as appropriate, by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

Details of the Directors’ service contracts, remuneration and interests  
in the Company’s shares and other securities are given in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report to shareholders on pages 106 to 131 of the Annual 
Report and Accounts. Full biographical information concerning each 
Director can be found on pages 66 and 67 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts.

The following summary information is given in support of the Board’s 
proposal for the re-election or election, as appropriate, of each Director of 
the Company.

Irene Dorner – offers herself for election.
Irene was appointed as a Non Executive Director and Chair-designate on 
1 December 2019. Irene will formally assume the position of Chair on 
26 February 2020. Irene’s strong leadership skills, coupled with her deep 
commercial experience, will continue the strong leadership of the Board; 
the effective independent challenge of the Non Executive Directors; and 
the further development of the Group’s strong cultural principles.

Pete Redfern – offers himself for re-election.
Pete has been Chief Executive since July 2007 and was previously Group 
Chief Executive of George Wimpey Plc. 

Chris Carney – offers himself for re-election.
Chris has been the Group Finance Director since 20 April 2018.

Jennie Daly – offers herself for re-election.
Jennie has been the Group Operations Director since 20 April 2018.

Kate Barker DBE – offers herself for re-election.
Kate has been an Independent Non Executive Director since April 2011. 
Following a recommendation from the Nomination Committee, the Board 
supports the deferral of Kate’s departure until 31 July 2020 in order to 
support Irene Dorner as she takes on her new position and to provide 
additional stability to the Board composition. Kate will step down as the 
Company’s Senior Independent Director on 20 April 2020 and as a 
member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. The Board is 
satisfied that she will be able to allocate sufficient time to the Company to 
discharge her responsibilities as a Non Executive Director effectively. 
Kate’s wide experience in economics; the practicalities of housing supply 
and land use planning; and monetary policy and its effect on the market; 
informs the Board’s wider strategic and operational decision-making.

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Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Gwyn Burr – offers herself for re-election.
Gwyn has been an Independent Non Executive Director since 1 February 
2018. The Board is satisfied that she is independent in character and 
judgement in applying her expertise at meetings of the Board and of the 
Remuneration Committee (which she chairs) and Nomination Committee, 
and that she will be able to allocate sufficient time to the Company to 
discharge her responsibilities effectively. Gwyn’s many years of experience 
in marketing and customer service align to key areas of the Group’s strategy 
as it seeks to become increasingly customer-focused in its operations.

Angela Knight CBE – offers herself for re-election.
Angela has been an Independent Non Executive Director since November 
2016. The Board is satisfied that she is independent in character and 
judgement in applying her expertise at meetings of the Board and of the 
Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees, and that she will be 
able to allocate sufficient time to the Company to discharge her 
responsibilities effectively. Angela’s insight into the public sector gained 
through many years’ experience as a Member of Parliament and in a 
variety of roles within HM Treasury offer the Board additional perspective in 
the key public sector area as it relates to housing and development activities. 

Robert Noel – offers himself for election.
Robert has been an independent Non Executive Director since 1 October 
2019. The Board announced on 24 February 2020 that Rob will become 
the Company’s Senior Independent Director on 21 April 2020. The Board 
is satisfied that he is independent in character and judgement in applying 
his expertise at meetings of the Board and of the Audit Committee and the 
Nomination Committee, and that he will be able to allocate sufficient time 
to the Company to discharge his responsibilities effectively. Rob brings 
wide experience as an experienced CEO and particularly deep property 
expertise which assists the Board in assessing large scale mixed-use 
developments such as those undertaken by all UK Regions and the 
TW Major Developments business; and the operations and prospects  
of the Central London operation.

Humphrey Singer – offers himself for re-election.
Humphrey has been an Independent Non Executive Director since 
December 2015. The Board is satisfied that he is independent in character 
and judgement in applying his expertise at meetings of the Board and of 
the Audit Committee (which he Chairs) and the Nomination Committee, 
and that he will be able to allocate sufficient time to the Company to 
discharge his responsibilities effectively. Humphrey’s detailed knowledge 
and experience of financial reporting by major listed companies makes him 
well-qualified to hold to account the external auditor; properly assess the 
Group’s internal audit and control processes; and oversee the ongoing 
tendering of the external audit. 

The Board confirms that each of the above Directors has recently been 
subject to formal performance evaluation, details of which are set out in the 
Corporate Governance Report in the Annual Report and Accounts on 
pages 92 and 93, and that each continues to demonstrate commitment 
and to be an effective member of the Board able to devote sufficient time 
in line with the Code to fulfill their role and duties. 

Resolution 13: Re-appointment of Deloitte LLP (Deloitte) as 
auditor of the Company
The Company is required to appoint auditors at each general meeting at 
which accounts are laid before the shareholders. It is therefore proposed 
that the auditor is appointed from the conclusion of the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts 
are laid before shareholders. Following an annual review of Deloitte’s 
performance, and following consideration of the guidance on the timing of 
the rotation of the external auditor, details as set out on page 102, the Board 
recommends the re-appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s auditor.

Resolution 14: Authorisation of the Audit Committee to agree on 
behalf of the Board the remuneration of Deloitte as auditor
The Board seeks shareholders’ authority for the Audit Committee to 
determine on behalf of the Board the remuneration of Deloitte for their 
services. The Board has adopted a procedure governing the appointment of 
Deloitte to carry out non-audit services, details of which are given in the Audit 
Committee Report. Details of non-audit services performed by Deloitte in 
2019 are given in Note 6 on page 161 of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Resolution 15: Authority to allot shares
The Directors wish to renew the existing authority to allot unissued shares  
in the Company, which was granted at the Company’s last Annual General 
Meeting held on 25 April 2019 which is due to expire at the conclusion of this 
Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, paragraph a of resolution 15 would give 
the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for  
or convert any securities into ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal 
amount equal to £10,945,757 (representing 1,094,575,700 ordinary shares). 
This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as at 28 February 2020, the latest 
practicable date prior to publication of this Notice of Meeting.

In line with guidance issued by The Investment Association (TIA), 
paragraph b of resolution 15 would give the Directors authority to allot 
ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities 
into ordinary shares in connection with a rights issue in favour of ordinary 
shareholders up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £21,891,515 
(representing 2,189,151,500 ordinary shares), as reduced by the nominal 
amount of any shares issued under paragraph a of resolution 15. This 
amount (before any reduction) represents approximately two-thirds of the 
issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 28 February 2020, the 
latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice of Meeting.

The Company does not hold any shares in treasury.

The authorities sought under paragraphs a and b of resolution 15 will 
expire at the earlier of 22 July 2021 and the conclusion of the Annual 
General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2021.

The Directors have no present intention to exercise either of the authorities 
sought under this resolution. However, if they do exercise the authorities, 
the Directors intend to follow TIA recommendations concerning their use 
(including as regards the Directors standing for re-election in certain cases).

Special Resolutions
Special resolutions require at least a 75% majority of votes cast to be cast 
in favour.

Resolutions 16 and 17: Authority to dis-apply pre-emption rights
Resolutions 16 and 17 will be proposed as special resolutions, each of 
which requires a 75% majority of the votes to be cast in favour. They would 
give the Directors the power to allot ordinary shares (or sell any ordinary 
shares which the Company holds in treasury) for cash without first offering 
them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

The power set out in resolution 16 would be, similar to previous years, limited to: 
(a) allotments or sales in connection with pre-emptive offers and offers to holders 
of other equity securities if required by the rights of those shares, or as the Board 
otherwise considers necessary, or (b) otherwise up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £1,641,863 (representing 164,186,300 ordinary shares).

This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5% of the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 
28 February 2020, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.

In respect of the power under resolution 16b, the Directors confirm their 
intention to follow the provisions of the Pre-Emption Group’s Statement of 
Principles regarding cumulative usage of authorities within a rolling three 
year period where the Principles provide that usage in excess of 7.5% of 
the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding treasury 
shares) should not take place without prior consultation with shareholders.

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Resolution 17 is intended to give the Company flexibility to make non 
pre-emptive issues of ordinary shares in connection with acquisitions and 
other capital investments as contemplated by the Pre-emption Group’s 
Statement of Principles. The power under resolution 17 is in addition to that 
proposed by resolution 16 and would be limited to allotments or sales of up 
to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,641,863 (representing 164,186,300 
ordinary shares) in addition to the power set out in resolution 16. This aggregate 
nominal amount represents an additional 5% of the issued ordinary share 
capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 28 February 2020, 
the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.

The powers under resolutions 16 and 17 will expire at the earlier of 
22 July 2021 and the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company.

Resolution 18: Authority to make market purchases of shares
Any purchases under this authority would be made in one or more 
tranches and would be limited in aggregate to 10% of the ordinary shares 
of the Company in issue at the close of business on 28 February 2020.

The minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for an 
ordinary share is 1 pence per ordinary share. The maximum price to be paid 
on any exercise of the authority would not exceed the highest of (i) 105% of 
the average of the middle market quotations for the Company’s ordinary 
shares for the five business days immediately preceding the date of the 
purchase; and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and 
the highest current independent bid on the trading venues where the 
purchase is carried out. Shares purchased pursuant to these authorities 
could be held as treasury shares, which the Company can re-issue quickly 
and cost-effectively, and provides the Company with additional flexibility in 
the management of its capital base. The total number of shares held as 
treasury shall not at any one time exceed 10% of the Company’s issued 
share capital. Accordingly, any shares bought back over the 10% limit will be 
cancelled. The Company currently holds no shares in treasury.

This is a standard resolution, sought by the majority of public listed 
companies at Annual General Meetings. 

The Board’s current intention of utilising this authority is generally limited to 
acquiring shares for the various share scheme arrangements. Although the 
Board will continue to keep the matter under review, the Board would only 
consider a more formal share purchase programme if it would result in an 
increase in earnings per share and was in the best interests of shareholders 
generally, having regard to all relevant circumstances.

The total number of options and conditional share awards to subscribe for 
ordinary shares outstanding as at the close of business on 28 February 2020 
was 35,434,442, representing approximately 1.1% of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as at that date and approximately 1.2% of 
the Company’s issued ordinary share capital following any exercise in full of 
this authority to make market purchases.

This authority will last until the earlier of 22 October 2021 and the 
conclusion of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting.

Special business

Ordinary resolutions

Resolution 19 and 20: Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration 
report and the Remuneration Policy report
The Remuneration Committee of the Board (the Committee) is seeking 
shareholders’ approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the new 
directors’ remuneration policy (the Directors’ Remuneration Policy) in 
resolutions 19 and 20, which will each be proposed as an ordinary resolution.

The Directors are required to prepare the Directors’ remuneration report, 
comprising an annual report detailing the remuneration of the Directors and 
a statement by the Chair of the Remuneration Committee. The Company is 
required to seek shareholders’ approval in respect of the contents of this 
report on an annual basis (excluding the part containing the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy). This vote is an advisory one. 

198 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The shareholders are separately asked to approve the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy which is set out on pages 115 to 117 of the Annual 
Report and Accounts. It is intended that this will take effect immediately 
after the Annual General Meeting and will replace the existing policy that 
was approved by shareholders in 2017 which is due to expire at the 2020 
Annual General Meeting. It is anticipated that the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy will be in force for three years although we will closely monitor 
regulatory changes and market trends and, if necessary, we may present a 
revised policy to shareholders within that three year period should it 
become necessary to do so. The Directors’ Remuneration Policy has been 
developed taking into account the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
and the views of our major shareholders.

Resolution 21: Authority to make political donations
In order to comply with its obligations under the Companies Act 2006 and to 
avoid any inadvertent infringement of that Act, the Board wishes to renew its 
existing authority for a general level of political donation and / or expenditure. 
Resolution 21 seeks to renew the existing authority for the Company to 
make political donations and incur political expenditure. 

The Companies Act 2006 requires this authority to be divided into three 
heads (as set out in Resolution 21) with a separate amount specified as 
permitted for each. An amount not exceeding £250,000 for each head of the 
authority has been proposed. In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, 
Resolution 21 extends approval to all of the Company’s subsidiaries.

This authority will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company, unless renewal is sought at that meeting.

The Company and the Group do not make any donations to political 
parties or organisations and do not intend to going forward, but do support 
certain industry-wide bodies such as the Home Builders Federation in the 
UK. Whilst the Board does not regard this as political in nature, in certain 
circumstances such support together with donations made for charitable 
or similar purposes could possibly be treated as a donation to a political 
organisation under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006. 
For example, a donation to a humanitarian charity which may also operate 
as a political lobby, sponsorship, subscriptions, paid leave to employees 
fulfilling public duties and payments to industry representative bodies could 
constitute a donation to a political organisation within the current definitions 
in the Companies Act 2006. 

Details of the Company’s and the Group’s charitable donations appear on 
pages 137 and 138 of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Special resolution
Special resolutions require at least a 75% majority of votes cast to be cast 
in favour.

Resolution 22: Notice of general meetings
This resolution will be proposed as a special resolution and therefore 
requires a 75% majority of votes to be cast in favour. The Companies 
(Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2009 have increased the notice period 
required for general meetings of the Company to 21 clear days unless 
shareholders agree to a shorter notice period, which cannot be less than 
14 clear days. At the last Annual General Meeting, a resolution was passed 
approving the Company’s ability to call general meetings (other than 
Annual General Meetings, which will continue to be held on at least 21 
clear days’ notice) on not less than 14 clear days’ notice. As this approval 
will expire at the conclusion of this Annual General Meeting, Resolution 22 
proposes its renewal. The shorter notice period of 14 clear days would not 
be used as a matter of routine for any general meeting, but only where the 
flexibility is merited by the business of a particular meeting and is thought 
to be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole. The renewed approval 
will be effective until the Company’s next Annual General Meeting, when it 
is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.

Note that in order to be able to call a general meeting on less than 21 clear 
days’ notice, the Company must in respect of that meeting make available 
electronic voting to all shareholders.

Shareholder facilities

Shareholders’ services

Web communications

The Company makes documents and information available to shareholders 
by electronic means and via a website, rather than by sending hard copies. 
This way of communicating is enabled in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006, Rule 6 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the 
Company’s Articles of Association.

Making documents and information available electronically:

a.  Enables the Company to reduce printing and postage cost.
b.  Allows faster access to information and enables shareholders to access 
documents on the day they are published on the Company’s website.

c.  Reduces the amount of resources consumed, such as paper, and 

lessens the impact of printing and mailing activities on the environment.

The Company provides hard copy documentation to those shareholders 
who have requested this and is, of course, happy to provide hard copies to 
any shareholders upon request.

The Company’s website is www.taylorwimpey.co.uk and shareholder 
documentation made available electronically is generally accessible at 
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate.

Electronic communications

The Company also encourages shareholders to elect to receive notification 
of the availability of Company documentation by means of an email. 
Shareholders can sign up for this facility by logging onto our website at 
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/investors/shareholder-centre.

Online facilities for shareholders

You can access our Annual and Interim Reports and copies of recent 
shareholder communications online at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate.

You can manage your shareholding in Taylor Wimpey via link Asset 
Services shareholder portal, which can be accessed online at  
www.signalshares.com.

Dividend Re-Investment Plan

You can choose to invest your cash dividends, including any special 
dividends, in purchasing Taylor Wimpey shares on the market under the 
terms of the Dividend Re-Investment Plan (DRIP). For further information on 
the DRIP and how to join, contact Link Asset Services.

Shareholders are again reminded to check the position with regard to any 
dividend mandates that are in place, should you wish to either participate 
in the DRIP or discontinue or vary any participation, as existing mandates 
will apply to all dividend payments (including special dividends) unless or 
until revoked.

CREST

The Company offers shareholders who hold their Taylor Wimpey shares in 
CREST a facility for the receipt of dividends through the CREST system. 

For shares held in uncertificated form (CREST), please note that elections 
continue to apply only to one dividend and a fresh election must be made, 
via CREST, for each dividend. 

Full details of the terms and conditions of the DRIP and the actions 
required to make or revoke an election, both in respect of ordinary 
dividends (i.e. in this case, the 2019 final dividend) and any special 
dividends, are available at www.signalshares.com or on request from the 
Registrar, Link Asset Services, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU, email: shares@linkgroup.co.uk, tel: 0371 664 
0381. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the 
applicable international rate. Lines are open between 9:00am and 5:30pm 
Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales.

Dividend mandates

We strongly encourage all shareholders to receive their cash dividends by 
direct transfer to a bank or building society account. This ensures that 
dividends are credited promptly to shareholders without the cost and 
inconvenience of having to pay in dividend cheques at a bank. If you wish 
to use this cost-effective and simple facility, complete and return the 
dividend mandate form attached to your dividend cheque. Additional 
mandate forms may be obtained from Link Asset Services.

Duplicate share register accounts

If you are receiving more than one copy of our Annual Report and 
Accounts, it may be that your shares are registered in two or more 
accounts on our Register of Members. You might wish to consider 
merging them into one single entry. Please contact Link Asset Services 
who will be pleased to carry out your instructions in this regard.

Share dealing services

We have arranged both telephone and online share dealing services.  
Link Share Dealing Services allows you to buy and sell shares in a large 
number of companies that have Link as their registrar. The services are 
operated by Link Asset Services. To use the services either visit  
www.linksharedeal.com or telephone 0371 664 0445. Calls are charged at 
the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the 
United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines 
are open between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday excluding public 
holidays in England and Wales. To deal, you will need to provide your 
surname, postcode, date of birth and investor code (which can be found 
on your share certificate or any form of proxy you have been sent). 
Shareholders are not in any way obliged to use this service when dealing in 
the Company’s shares.

Taylor Wimpey and CREST

Taylor Wimpey shares can be held in CREST accounts, which do not 
require share certificates. This may make it quicker and easier for some 
shareholders to settle stock market transactions. Shareholders who deal 
infrequently may, however, prefer to continue to hold their shares in 
certificated form and this facility will remain available for the time being, 
pending the likely general introduction of dematerialised shareholdings in 
due course.

Taylor Wimpey share price

Our share price is available on our website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/
corporate. It appears on BBC Text and other digital television interactive 
services. It may also be obtained by telephoning the FT Cityline service on 
telephone 09058 171690 and asking for ‘Taylor Wimpey’ on the voice 
activated response (calls cost 75p per minute from a BT landline, other 
networks may vary).

Gifting shares to charity

If you have a small holding of Taylor Wimpey shares, you may wish to 
consider gifting them to charity. You can do so through ‘ShareGift’, which 
is administered by a registered charity, Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited. 
Shares gifted are re-registered in the name of the charity, combined with 
other donated shares and then sold through stockbrokers who charge no 
commission. The proceeds are distributed to a wide range of recognised 
charities. For further details, please contact Link Asset Services or 
approach ShareGift directly on www.sharegift.org or telephone them on 
020 7930 3737.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

199

Strategic reportGovernanceShareholder information 
Auditors
Deloitte LLP

Solicitors
Slaughter and May

Stockbrokers
Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Credit Suisse International

Principal Operating Addresses

UK
Taylor Wimpey plc 
Gate House 
Turnpike Road 
High Wycombe 
Buckinghamshire 
HP12 3NR

Tel: +44 (0)1494 558323 
Website: www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

Registered in England and Wales number 296805

Details of all our operating locations are available on our website  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

Taylor Wimpey UK Limited 
Gate House 
Turnpike Road 
High Wycombe 
Buckinghamshire 
HP12 3NR

Tel: +44 (0)1494 558323

Spain
Taylor Wimpey de España S.A.U 
C/Aragón 
223-223A 
07008 Palma de Mallorca 
Mallorca 
Spain

Tel: +34 971 706570 
Fax: +34 971 706565

Shareholder facilities continued

Unsolicited approaches to shareholders and ‘Boiler 
Room’ scams
We receive reports from time to time from Taylor Wimpey shareholders 
who have each received what appear to be fraudulent approaches from 
third parties with respect to their shareholding in the Company. In some 
cases these are ‘cold calls’ and in others correspondence. They generally 
purport to be from a firm of solicitors or an investment company and offer, 
or hold out the prospect of, large gains on Taylor Wimpey shares or other 
investments you may hold.

The approaches normally include the seeking of an advance payment from 
the shareholder, the disclosure of the shareholder’s bank details or the sale 
of an unrelated investment. Shareholders are advised to be extremely wary 
of such approaches and deal with firms authorised by the UK Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA). More information is available on our website 
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/shareholder-information/boiler-room-
scams and you can check whether an enquirer is properly authorised and 
report scam approaches by contacting the FCA on www.fca.org.uk/
consumers or by calling +44 (0)800 111 6768. This is a freephone number 
from the UK and lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm and 
Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Annual General Meeting
11:00am on 23 April 2020 at:

The British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, 
WC1H 9JP.

Latest date for receipt of proxy instructions for the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting: 11:00am on 21 April 2020.

Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Alice Marsden 
Gate House 
Turnpike Road 
High Wycombe 
Buckinghamshire 
HP12 3NR 
Tel: 01494 558323

Registrar
For any enquiries concerning your shareholding or details of shareholder  
services, please contact:

Link Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent  
BR3 4TU

Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Tel: 0371 664 0300

Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. 
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable 
international rate. Lines are open between 9:00am and 5:30pm, 
Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 

200 

Taylor Wimpey plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019

More online

View our Annual Report and Accounts online:  
www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate

Further information about our sustainability activities and policies 
can be found within our dedicated Sustainability Report on our 
website: www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/sustainability

This is a certified climate neutral print product for which carbon emissions have been 
calculated and offset by supporting recognised carbon offset projects. The carbon offset 
projects are audited and certified according to international standards and demonstrably 
reduce emissions. The climate neutral label includes a unique ID number specific to this 
product which can be tracked at www.climatepartner.com, giving details of the carbon 
offsetting process including information on the emissions volume and the carbon offset 
project being supported.

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc www.blacksunplc.com

Printed by Park Communications on FSC® certified paper.

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