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Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC

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FY2016 Annual Report · Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC
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6

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Temple Bar Investment Trust’s investment objective is to 
provide growth in income and capital to achieve a long term 
total return greater than the benchmark FTSE All-Share 
Index, through investment primarily in UK securities. The 
Company’s policy is to invest in a broad spread of securities 
with typically the majority of the portfolio selected from the 
constituents of the FTSE 350 Index.

CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT

GOVERNANCE REPORT

FINANCIAL REPORT

1   Summary of results

1 6   Directors

3 4   Statement of 

SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION

2  Chairman’s statement

1 7   Report of Directors

3   Ten year record

2 0   Report on directors’ 

4   Manager’s review

 8   Attribution analysis

 9   Overview of strategy

 14   Portfolio of investments

remuneration

2 2   Corporate governance

2 5   Report of the audit 

committee

2 7   Statement of directors’ 

responsibilities

 28   Independent auditor’s 

report

Comprehensive Income

 49   Notice of meeting

5  3    Useful information 
for shareholders

5  4    Management and 
administration

5  5   Glossary of terms

3 5   Statement of Changes 

in Equity

3 6   Statement of Financial 

Position

3 7   Statement of 
Cash Flows

 38   Notes to the Financial 

Statements

48  Other information

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

Perivan Financial Print   243596

   
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SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Assets as at 31 December

Net assets

Ordinary Shares

Net asset value per share with debt at book value

Net asset value per share with debt at market value

Market price

 Discount  with debt at book value

 Discount   with debt at market value

Revenue for the year ended 31 December

Revenue return attributable to ordinary shareholders

Revenue return per ordinary share

Dividends per ordinary share – interim and proposed fi nal

Capital for the year ended 31 December

Capital return attributable to ordinary shareholders

Capital return attributable per ordinary share

Net gearing*

Ongoing charges**

Total Returns for the year to 31 December 2016

Return on share price

Return on net assets

Return on gross assets

Return on FTSE All- Share Index

Change in Retail Prices Index over year

Dividend Yields (Net) as at 31 December 2016

Yield on ordinary share price (1,223p)***

Yield on FTSE All-Share Index

2016
£000

2015
£000

%
change

 879, 940

755,755

1 6.4% 

 1,315.8 4p

 1,298.0 1p

 1,223.00p

 7.1%

5.8 %

 29,2 53

 43.7 4p

 40.45p

 121,75 1

 182.06p

 2.4 %

 0.51%

1,130.14p

1,115.46p

1,052.00p

 6.9% 

 5.6% 

26,663

39.87p

39.66p

(38,877)

(58.14p)

3.8%

0.49%

 1 6.4%

 16. 4%

  16.3%

 2.0%

 20.7

 20.4

 18.6

 16.8

 2.5

 3.3

 3.5

* 

 Defi ned as total assets less current liabilities (excluding maturi ng  debt) and cash or cash equivalents (including gilt holdings) divide d by shareholders‘ funds expressed as a 
percentage.

**  Defi ned as the total of the investment management fee and administrative expenses divided by the average cum income net asset value throughout the year. 
***  Based on the three interim dividends paid during the year together with the recommended fi nal dividend for the year.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Ordinary Shares  

9.875% Debenture Stock 2017  

5.5% Debenture Stock 2021  

66,872,765

£25,000,000

£38,000,000

4.05% Private Placement Loan 2028  

£50,000,000

VOTING STRUCTURE

Ordinary shares 100%

BENCHMARK
Performance is measured 
against the FTSE All-Share Index.

TOTAL ASSETS LESS 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

£    968,790,000

TOTAL EQUITY*

£ 879,9 40,000

MARKET CAPITALISATION

£ 817,854,000

* With debenture and loan stocks at book value

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

1

 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

 The latter part or 2016 has begun to see the value investment style, central to 
Temple Bar’s investment process, returning to favour.

PERFORMANCE

For a number of years, conditions in global investment 
markets have caused the contrarian/value investment style 
to underperform. While all investment styles are cyclical, this 
period of weak performance by the value investment style 
has been unduly protracted , in part  because of central bank 
action to  maintain interest rates  at unprecedentedly low 
levels. There are now emerging signs that that this period is 
drawing to a close and I am pleased to report that the latter 
part of  2016 has begun to see the value investment style, 
central to Temple Bar’s investment process, returning to 
favour. In terms of the Temple Bar portfolio this manifested 
itself in  out-performance relative to its benchmark index 
during the year. The total return on the net assets of Temple 
Bar in 2016 was  20.4% which compares with a total return of 
the FTSE All Share Index of 16.8%.  In the longer term Temple 
Bar continues to outperform its benchmark over both fi ve 
and ten year periods.

The Manager’s review on pages  4 to  7 sets out some of 
the themes driving portfolio construction during the year. 
By any conventional yardstick 2016 bore witness to some 
extraordinary outcomes on the political front, signifi cantly 
shaping the direction of markets. In this context the portfolio 
manager comments on some of the positive and negative 
contributors to performance at an individual stock level.

 DIVIDEND

There have been three interim dividend payments during 
the year each of 8.09p per share and the directors are 
now recommending a fi nal dividend payment for the year 
ended 31 December 2016 of  16.18p per share to be paid 
on 31 March 2017 to those shareholders on the register as 
at 1 0 March 2017. The ex-dividend date for this payment is 
 9 March 2017. If approved this would give an increase in the 
total dividend payment for the year as a whole of 2% and 
would be the 33rd consecutive year in which the Company 
has raised its annual dividend payment. 

GEARING 

In recent years the Company’s fi xed long term borrowings 
have largely been offset by a fairly high cash or near cash 
position on the portfolio while the portfolio manager 
patiently waited for more interesting investment 
opportunities to appear. The position was unchanged 
throughout most of 2016 such that at the year end, gearing 
(calculated net of cash and related liquid assets, including our 
investment in a UK short dated gilt) was  2.4 % .

SHARE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Shareholders may recall that discounts in the UK Equity 
Income sector generally widened during the course of 
2015. This trend was continued into 2016 as discounts in the 
sector increased further. Temple Bar was not immune to this 
process; at the year end its discount stood at  5.8%. I   reiterate 
my observation from last year that the Board is prepared to 
undertake share buy backs if the discount widens both in 
absolute terms and relative to the Company’s peer group. 
While no share repurchase took place during the year, the 
Board therefore recommends that the existing authorities 
to issue new ordinary shares and to repurchase shares in the 
market for cancellation or to hold in Treasury be continued. 
Accordingly it is seeking approval from shareholders to 
renew the share issue and repurchase authorities at the 
forthcoming annual general meeting. 

2

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

The 3 3rd consecutive year in which the Company has  raised 
its annual dividend payment.

THE BOARD

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Board remained unchanged throughout the year but 
in January 2017 Nick Lyons was appointed as an additional 
director. I am delighted to welcome Nick to the Board 
and I am confi dent that with his wealth of experience, 
particularly in the fi nancial sector, he will make a valuable 
contribution to the Company in the coming years.

Every year the Board undertakes a thorough evaluation 
of each director, including myself as Chairman. In line 
with best practice in this regard, all directors are subject 
to annual re-election by shareholders. I refer you to the 
directors’ biographies on page  16 for further details. 

SAVINGS SCHEME

Towards the end of the year, having received notice from 
the Administrator that it did not wish to continue in that 
role, the Board took the diffi cult decision that the most 
sensible course of action was to close the Savings Scheme, 
almost 30 years after it was fi rst established. It was clear 
that the ever-increasing amount of regulation involved 
with the management and administration of schemes of 
this nature meant that fi nding a cost effective alternative 
service provider was not possible. It was therefore decided 
to offer existing investors in the Scheme the option, 
amongst others, of transferring their investment in Temple 
Bar to a share dealing platform with similar characteristics 
managed by Equiniti, the outgoing Administrator.

The AGM this year will be held at 2 Gresham Street, London 
EC2V 7QP on Monday 27 March 2017 at 11am. Please note 
this is a change in the address of the meeting from that of 
the past few years. In addition to the formal business of 
the meeting the portfolio manager will, as usual, make a 
presentation reviewing the past year and commenting on 
the outlook. He will also be available to answer questions 
alongside the directors. Shareholders who are unable to 
attend are encouraged to use their proxy votes. 

 OUTLOOK

The dramatic political events of 2016, together with 
their unpredictable impact on investment markets, 
indicate that any form of forecasting is fraught with 
risk. At the very least it is clear that a combination of 
Brexit and a change in the US Administration  is likely to 
cause continuing uncertainties, potentially leading to a 
slowdown in economic activity in the UK. The portfolio 
manager will continue to seek to invest in companies that 
are undervalued by the market and where the potential 
for improvement exists irrespective of shorter term 
uncertainties. 

John Reeve
Chairman

1 7 February 2017

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TEN YEAR RECORD

Total assets less 
current liabilities (£000)

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

557,712

422,408

553,392

603,444

585,480

664,648

905,775

913,198

869,535

 968 , 790

Net assets (£000)

494,340

359,020

489,988

540,022

522,040

601,191

792,070

799,444

755,755

 879,9 40

Net assets per 
ordinary share (pence)

Revenue return to ordinary 
shareholders (£000)

Revenue return 
per share (pence)

Dividends per share* (pence)

847.33

612.76

831.03

915.89

874.42

992.86 1,250.84 1,195.47 1,130.14  1,315.8 4

19,361

20,614

20,017

18,915

22,552

24,873

22,274

25,782

26,663

 29,2 53

33.19

30.98

35.33

32.84

33.98

33.50

32.08

34.20

38.08

35.23

41.39

36.65

36.17

37.75

39.82

38.88

39.87

39.66

 43.7 4

 40.45

* Interim(s) and proposed fi nal for the year

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

3

 
 
 
 
MANAGER’S REVIEW

 A review of a year typically offers fund managers an ideal 
opportunity to explain how events unravelled as expected 
and how their portfolios were placed perfectly to benefi t. 
However, in 2016 it‘s reasonable to assume few managers 
predicted Brexit and the Trump presidential victory, never 
mind the markets‘ reactions to these events. If this provides 
a lesson, it simply reminds us of the dangers of building a 
portfolio around a precise forecast, particularly with the aim 
of maximising short-term returns. 

 Probably of greater relevance to forecasting correctly  share 
price performance in 2016 was the observation at the start 
of the year that the cheapest stocks in the market (‘value’ 
stocks) had fallen to valuation extremes, specifi cally when 
compared with stocks exhibiting very low historic price 
volatility or those deemed to be of the highest quality 
(stocks operating under the soubriquet of ‘bond proxies’) . 
This relationship did reverse in the fi rst part of the year, but 
the benefi t was quickly lost during the market volatility post 
the Brexit vote. A more sober assessment of the resulting 
price movements (or merely a refl ection of their severity) 
subsequently produced another value recovery which was 
supported by the increase in government bond yields after 
Trump’s victory. We were a bit cautious about investing fully 
at this time due to our perception of stretched valuations, 
notwithstanding short-term price falls.

Having highlighted the extreme unpopularity of value stocks  
 the portfolio was reasonably well placed for their return to 
favour, although as usual we were too early in committing 
ourselves. 

Most of the very best performers in the UK market last 
year were mining stocks, which partially recovered some 
dreadful underperformance of previous years. The portfolio 
participated in some of this rally by virtue of holdings in the 
silver company, Fresnillo which rose over 70% during the year, 
and the VanEck Gold Mining Exchange Traded Fund which 
rose almost 50%. However, the portfolio’s only meaningful 
industrial metal holding was Rio Tinto and even this was sold 
very early in the rally. We struggle to value mining companies 
with suffi cient confi dence for us to take large holdings. Their 
valuations are very sensitive to the prices of the commodities 
they mine, most of which are currently very reliant on 
demand generated by the Chinese economy. There has been 
very high private sector debt growth in China in recent years 
and similar rates of debt growth in other economies have 
typically resulted in sub-par economic growth, recessions or 
even economic crises.

Our favoured investments are companies positioned to 
benefi t from self-help and which are, in the main, masters 
of their fortune. Of course, one could argue that most 
companies are exposed to the vagaries of the economic 
cycle, but at least there is a reasonably dependable cycle 
upon which to base an estimate of a company’s average 
earnings. Resources companies are probably the most 
removed from this framework.

ACTIVITY

Over the last few years the portfolio has held two food 
retailers, Tesco and Wm Morrison, both of which are now 
recovering after their poor trading experience of previous 
years. We invested in these two companies as we believed 
they could outperform the very competitive food retail 

ALASTAIR MUNDY 

Alastair is head of the Value Team at Investec Asset 
Management having joined in 2000 from Morley 
Fund Management. 

In addition to Temple Bar Investment Trust, Alastair 
manages a number of funds including the Investec 
Cautious Managed Fund and the Investec UK Special 
Situations Fund. 

Alastair graduated from City University in 1988 with a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science.

4

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
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 It‘s reasonable to assume few managers predicted Brexit and the 
Trump presidential victory, never mind the markets‘ reactions to 
these events. 

market rather than because we thought that the sales pool 
of this mature market was likely to increase signifi cantly or 
that industry profi tability would greatly exceed previous 
peaks. Whilst we retain this view, there is now evidence of 
improving market dynamics with lower capital expenditure 
and the return of food price infl ation. Just as importantly, 
the larger retailers are competing more successfully against 
the discounters. The discounters  have grown market share 
by selling good quality food at very low prices, retailed in 
low cost formats, but the incumbents are now pricing much 
more keenly, have improved product quality and increased 
service standards. Consequently, the extraordinary sales 
and profi ts growth of the discounters ha ve probably peaked 
and the market’s assumption of sizeable market share  
increases over the next few years may be too optimistic.

This increases our confi dence that the larger food retailers 
can continue their recovery and so we have added 
J  Sainsbury to the portfolio. Sainsbury’s valuation has begun 
to look somewhat anomalous versus that of its peers; in 
enterprise value terms (i.e. equity value plus the group’s 
net debt), Sainsbury is currently valued at approximately 
25% of its sales whereas both Morrison and Tesco are 
valued at more than 40% of their revenues. Sainsbury’s 
purchase of the Home Retail Group, the owner of Argos, 
could prove to be a compelling deal as it will allow the 
group to make more productive use of its excess space and 
drive signifi cant footfall, whilst creating an enterprise with 
more than 2,000 collection points. The Argos deal clearly 
has some risks (both in terms of being a management 
distraction and pushing Sainsbury more into competition 
with Amazon) but we feel these are adequately refl ected in 
the share price. 

We have long been aware of both the risks and attractions 
of the large integrated oil companies. The companies 
are high cost producers of a commodity whose price is 

artifi cially infl ated by a reasonably unstable cartel. What’s 
more, the long-term outlook for oil is questionable as the 
search for cheaper and more environmentally friendly 
alternatives evolves. This raises the probability of the 
lowest cost producers such as Saudia Arabia being left 
with extensive stranded assets and therefore increases the 
risk of them pumping more oil even if that causes a lower 
price. Against this (rather bleak) long-term outlook is the 
opportunity for the major oil companies to fi nd operational 
effi ciencies. In the last few years they have cut costs faster 
than expected and are confi dent that more can be done. If 
cashfl ow can be improved further by containing large scale 
capital expenditure – and focusing on optimising returns 
from current assets – the security of the dividends will 
improve. The shares of these companies bounced strongly 
during the year refl ecting operational improvements, dollar 
strength and a recovery in the oil price. With the two way 
pull in mind and given the share price strength we reduced 
our holdings in both BP and Royal Dutch Shell in 2016.

Given the increasingly bold actions of central bankers in 
recent years, we have long felt it prudent to hold insurance 
of some form on the portfolio. The authorities seem eager 
to outlaw both recessions and bear markets, and on this 
measure their strategy has been successful since the Global 
Financial Crisis. However, the long term cost is unknown. 
We remain convinced that the authorities have a longer-
term strategy of minimising the cost of future liabilities 
and thus want to generate higher levels of infl ation. They 
appear confi dent a combination of traditional interest rate  
moves and more modern ‘unconventional‘ policies will both 
support economic growth and fi ne-tune the infl ationary 
outcome. Perhaps it will, but history suggests a less benign 
outcome and consequently we maintain exposure to 
precious metals. 

PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTION %

Temple Bar

portfolio 

FTSE 

All-Share Index 

1

 2

 3

 4

5

6

7

8

 9

  10

1 1

1 2

1 3

Financials

Consumer Services

Industrials

Oil & Gas

Health Care

Basic Materials

Consumer Goods

Utilities

Physical Gold and Silver

Telecommunications

Technology

Total Equities

Fixed Interest

Cash

%

 25.62

 11.66

 10.65

 13.2 6

 9.1 4

6.86

14.39

3.60

–

 3.98

 0.84

100.00

%

  23 .2 7

 15.37  

 13. 60 

 11.15  

 6. 60 

  5.62

4.3 2

4.00

2.96 

 1.96 

 1.41

  90.26 

  7.99 

  1.75 

100.00

13

11

12

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

1

2

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

5

 
 
 
 
MANAGER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

 The authorities seem eager to outlaw both recessions and bear markets, 
and on this measure their strategy has been successful .

In the second half of the year we switched some of our 
physical gold holdings into silver. We believe both metals 
will perform well if confi dence in central bankers falls, but 
we now have a preference for silver. The current silver price 
insuffi ciently incentivizes new silver mining and expectations 
are for medium term supply to reduce. The quality of silver 
being mined is deteriorating and the cost of its extraction is 
increasing. This suggests that the silver price must increase 
signifi cantly to ensure that long-term supply matches 
demand. 

WHAT WENT WRONG?

As always not everything went right during the year. The 
largest detractors from portfolio performance were building 
related stocks and RBS. 

The builder’s merchant market has bounced less than 
predicted since the lows of the last recession. Historically, 
industry sales have been highly correlated to housing 
transaction volumes and these volumes remain fairly low 
relative to history. A further depressant has been the 
changing ownership structure of the UK housing stock in 
recent years with a signifi cant increase in rented stock; 
stock on which the landlord is typically likely to spend less 
than a proud owner. Both transaction volumes and repair, 
maintenance and improvement of the housing stock have also 
been affected by the increasing number of under-occupied 
houses – houses where the ageing owner is rattling around 
with a number of spare rooms, but reluctant or unable to 
downsize. 

It is clear that government policy is reducing the fi nancial 
attractions to both new and current landlords through stamp 
duty increases and some disadvantageous tax changes. The 
Bank of England is also forcing banks to tighten  buy-to let 
mortgage criteria for new loans. Whilst this may initially lead 
to a reduction in transaction volumes, the changes are clearly 
designed to help prospective owner occupiers compete 
against buy to let investors.

We believe the builder’s merchant market remains structurally 
sound with depressed demand ultimately likely to recover, 
further consolidation probable in this reasonably fragmented 
market and IT spend and logistics improvements likely to 
widen the advantage of the big players over smaller ones. 
Our sizeable holdings in Travis Perkins and Grafton Group 
should benefi t from these trends.

As a distributor, primarily of insulation materials, SIG is 
more exposed to the commercial property market than the 
builder’s merchants. However, regardless of its business 
drivers, many of the company’s problems appear self-
infl icted, something recognized in recent management 
changes. Although the company operates in some very 
competitive and commoditized markets, we would expect 
the business could be run more entrepreneurially. If the new 

management team does not act quickly, it is possible that the 
very low valuation will attract some corporate interest. 

The largest individual performance detractor was RBS. The 
company’s road to recovery since its near-death experience 
has been tortuous and a number of potential fi nes and legal 
payments of unknown quantity still overhang the business. 
The company is also struggling to sell the Williams & Glyn 
retail banking business the EU forced it to off-load as a 
consequence of the Government rescue operation. This 
news drove the shares lower and pushed back the likely 
date for the reintroduction of dividend payments. Rather 
than increasing our holding, we decided to complement the 
RBS position by purchasing Barclays – a share also suffering 
from very poor sentiment, but which was already paying a 
dividend. Following the lows of the post Brexit panic, both 
of these banks’ shares performed very well with the positive 
contribution from Barclays cancelling out much of the 
negative contribution of RBS over the course of the year.

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Mention has already been made elsewhere of recoveries in 
Barclays, Wm Morrison, Tesco, BP and precious metal shares. 
In addition, Best Buy (a US electrical retailer) performed well. 
The company proved it could compete against Amazon, no 
doubt helped by the desire of its suppliers to see a strong 
physical retail presence for its brands. A bid was received for 
mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global, and Drax made a 
well-received acquisition of some gas stations and an energy 
supplier to businesses and also fi nally received EU state aid 
approval for its converted biomass plant.

The revenue account in particular benefi ted from US dollar 
strength given that a large proportion of total revenue 
receipts  are paid in US dollars.

BREXIT

Much has been written about the pros, cons and 
consequences of Brexit and it is fascinating to observe 
the certainty of the two camps’ views. Undoubtedly to the 
amusement of behavioural psychologists, each side appears 
to have become more entrenched since the vote. It is clearly 
impossible to tell how Brexit negotiations will evolve and 
given the breadth of possible outcomes it is simply pointless 
speculating. 

It is interesting, however, to refl ect that the Bank of 
England (and quite possibly the most senior members of 
the Conservative party) is clearly apprehensive about the 
downside risks of Brexit. Since the Brexit vote, the Bank of 
England has reduced the Bank Rate to 0.25%, expanded 
quantitative easing and introduced a new funding scheme 
allowing banks to borrow funds from the Bank of England 
more cheaply. Meanwhile, Chancellor Hammond has 
announced the end of the previous Chancellor’s objective 

6

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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 The valuation of the average UK listed stock remains high and consequently 
the number of portfolio holdings remains   relatively low. 

excitement in recent years. It is therefore promising that 
there is now more to interest us. Well regarded companies 
such as Easyjet and Next have declining earnings for 
reasons at least partially beyond their control, previous high 
fl iers such as Essentra, Mitie and Capita have signifi cantly 
disappointed investors with poor profi t announcements , 
the likes of IG Group and International Personal Finance 
have been hit by regulatory issues and Sports Direct and 
Restaurant Group have come unstuck as their growth 
stories have dried up and management pushed too hard 
to maintain profi tability. All these companies have fairly 
straightforward business models and, therefore, we would 
be comfortable investing in them at the right price. So far, 
our patience has not been rewarded, but we are willing to 
wait and indeed are often happiest to act when others are 
most fearful. A bumpy 2017 could quite possibly allow us to 
seize some of these prospects.

Alastair Mundy
For Investec Fund Managers Limited

1 7 February 2017

of a balanced budget. This suggests that the authorities 
will react quickly if UK economic conditions deteriorate 
(or are believed likely to deteriorate), therefore making an 
infl ationary boom perhaps just as likely as a defl ationary 
bust.

PORTFOLIO POSITIONING

The bank sector remains the largest sector weighting in 
the portfolio. All the sector constituents have bounced 
some distance from their lows, but valuations remain 
undemanding. The twin evils of regulation and fi nes that 
have worried investors in recent years appear to be easing, 
balance sheets are stronger, underlying profi tability 
continues to be impressive and the potential for generous 
dividend payments remains. 

Other signifi cant exposures to food retailing and builder’s 
merchants companies are highlighted elsewhere. We also 
have a notable exposure to general retailers through two 
US retailers, Best Buy and Signet Jewelers (both covered 
in the interim report), perennial recovery stock Marks & 
Spencer (also covered in the interim report) and smaller 
holdings in niche retailers N Brown (plus sized clothes 
 retailer) and Games Workshop (a miniature war-gaming 
manufacturer and retailer).

OUTLOOK

A number of factors suggest that companies, in particular 
those exposed to the UK economy, will in general struggle 
to grow earnings over the next few years. Minimum 
wage increases, the ratcheting cost effects of those 
employees higher up the pay scale, and skill shortages 
will boost labour costs, the weak pound will increase costs 
of imported products, many rental costs are linked to 
infl ation, other costs such as business rates are increasing 
and new costs such as apprenticeship taxes are being 
introduced. While other factors may off-set these rises, 
most companies have been very focussed on costs since 
the last recession. In fact, a number of companies may well 
have under-invested in their businesses over this time. One 
should probably not, however, be excessively bearish as 
the UK corporate tax rate continues to fall and, of course, 
companies will try and regain cost increases through 
infl ation. 

The valuation of the average UK listed stock remains high 
and consequently the number of portfolio holdings remains 
relatively low. Over the last few years, commentators have 
justifi ed high equity valuations by favourable comparison 
with low bond yields. However, if the three decade 
reduction in bond yields is now over, this crutch may soon 
vanish. 

Our opportunity set – those stocks which have fallen 
signifi cantly relatively to the market – ha s offered little 

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS

By stocks held in the portfolio
Source: Factset

TOP TEN CONTRIBUTORS

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held in the portfolio.

Relative to the benchmark index
Source: Factset

TOP TEN CONTRIBUTORS

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The bar charts above show the top and bottom contributors relative to the performance of the FTSE All-Share Index during the 
year and include the impact of stocks not held in the portfolio. Both positive and negative relative performance can be derived 
from stocks that are not owned by Temple Bar.

* Not held in portfolio

8

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I

S
T
R
A
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G
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F
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A
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I
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N

OVERVIEW OF STRATEGY

The directors present the strategic report for the Company 
for the year ended 31 December 2016.

The strategic report is designed to help shareholders assess 
how the directors have performed their duty to promote the 
success of the Company during the year under review.

From time to time fi xed interest holdings or non 
equity interests may be held for yield enhancement 
and other purposes. Derivative instruments are used in 
certain circumstances, and with the prior approval of the 
Board, for hedging purposes or to  take advantage of 
specifi c investment opportunities.

BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC was incorporated 
in England and Wales in 1926 with the registered 
number 214601.

The Company carries on business as an investment company 
under Section 833 of the Companies Act 2006 and has been 
approved by HM Revenue & Customs as an investment trust in 
accordance with Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

The Company’s principal business activity of investment 
management is sub-contracted to Investec Fund Managers 
Limited (‘IFM’), the Alternative Investment Fund Manager 
of the Company. IFM delegates the management of the 
Company’s portfolio to Investec Asset Management 
Limited (‘IAM’).

A review of the business is given in the Chairman’s Statement 
and the Manager’s Review. The results of the Company are 
shown on page  34. 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICY

The Company’s investment objective is to provide growth 
in income and capital to achieve a long term total return 
greater than the benchmark FTSE All-Share Index, through 
investment primarily in UK securities. The Company’s policy 
is to invest in a broad spread of securities with typically the 
majority of the portfolio selected from the constituents of the 
FTSE 350 Index.

The UK equity element of the portfolio will be mostly 
invested in the FTSE All-Share Index; however, exceptional 
positions may be sanctioned by the Board and up to 20% of 
the portfolio may be held in listed international equities in 
developed economies. The Company may continue to hold 
securities that cease to be quoted or listed if the Manager 
considers this to be appropriate. There is an absolute 
limit of 10% of the portfolio in any individual stock with a 
maximum exposure to a specifi c industrial or commercial 
sector of 25%, in each case irrespective of their weightings 
in the benchmark index.

It is the Company’s policy to invest no more than 15% of its 
gross assets in other listed investment companies (including 
listed investment trusts).

The Company maintains a diversifi ed portfolio of investments, 
typically comprising 70-80 holdings, but without restricting 
the Company from holding a more or less concentrated 
portfolio from time to time as circumstances require.

The Company’s long term investment strategy emphasises:

•  Achieving a portfolio yield of between 120-140% 

of that of the FTSE All-Share Index.

•  Stocks of companies that are out of favour and whose 

share prices do not match the Manager’s assessment of 
their longer term value.

Liquidity and borrowings are managed with the aim of 
increasing returns to shareholders. The Company’s net 
gearing range may fl uctuate between 0% and 30%, based 
on the current balance sheet structure, with an absolute limit 
of 50%.

As a general rule it is the Board’s intention that the portfolio 
should be reasonably fully invested. An investment level of 
90% of shareholder funds is regarded as a guideline minimum 
investment level dependent on market conditions.

Risk is managed through diversifi cation of holdings, 
investment limits set by the Board and appropriate fi nancial 
and other controls relating to the administration of assets.

INVESTMENT APPROACH

The investment approach of the Manager is premised on 
a contrarian view on the timing of buy and sell decisions, 
buying the shares of companies when sentiment towards 
them is thought to be near its worst and selling them as 
fundamental profi t improvement and/or re-evaluation of 
their long term prospects takes place.

The belief is that repeated investor behaviour in driving 
down the prices of ‘out of favour’ companies to below their 
fair value will offer investment opportunities. This will allow 
the Company to purchase shares at signifi cant discounts to 
their fair value and to sell them as they become more fully 
valued, principally as a result of predictable patterns in 
human psychology.

The Manager’s process is designed to produce ‘best ideas’ 
to drive active fund management within a rigorous control 
framework. The framework begins through narrowing down 
the universe of stocks by passing those companies with a 
market capitalisation above £200 million through a screening 
process which highlights the weakest performing stocks. 
This isolates opportunities with the most negative sentiment 
characteristics which are then in turn scrutinised in greater 
detail to identify investment opportunities.

The process is very much bottom up and can result in large 
sector positions being taken if enough stocks of suffi cient 
interest are found within a single sector. However, top down 
risk analysis is undertaken to identify potential concentration 
of risk and to factor this awareness into portfolio construction. 
The portfolio comprises stocks which have been purchased 
for different reasons and at different times. In general, 
because of the bottom up approach to stockpicking, each of 
these reasons is independent of the other and the portfolio, 
therefore, is not excessively vulnerable to longer term macro 
trends. Cash is a residual of the process and normally will not 
exceed 5% of the portfolio value.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

9

 
 
 
 
OVERVIEW OF STRATEGY CONTINUED

The approach to stock selection and portfolio construction is 
driven by four core beliefs:

1. 

 Markets overreact to news on the upside and the 
downside. The Manager aims to be sceptical of the crowd 
and aware of investor psychology, which often causes 
overvaluation of those stocks that are deemed to have 
good prospects and an undervaluation of those which are 
out of favour.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The principal key performance indicators (‘KPIs’) used to 
determine the progress and performance of the Company 
over time, and which are comparable to those reported by 
other investment trusts, are:

•  Net asset value total return relative to the FTSE 

All-Share Index and to competitors within the UK Equity 
Income sector of investment trust companies;

•  Discount/premium on net asset value;

•  Earnings and dividends per share; and

•  Ongoing charges.

While some elements of performance against KPIs are 
beyond management control they provide measures of 
the Company’s absolute and relative performance and are, 
therefore, monitored by the Board on a regular basis.

Net asset value (‘NAV’) total return
In reviewing the performance of the assets of the Company’s 
portfolio the Board monitors the NAV in relation to the FTSE 
All-Share Index. This is the most important KPI by which 
performance is judged. During the year the net asset value 
total return of the Company was  20.4% compared with a total 
return of  16.8% by the FTSE All-Share Index. The fi ve year net 
asset value total return performance is shown below.

Net asset value total return

180

160

140

120

100

80

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream

Temple Bar share price – total return
Temple Bar NAV – total return
FTSE All-Share Index – total return

2.   There are few companies which sustain below normal 

profi ts over the longer term. Weaker companies tend to 
leave an industry, thus improving the balance of supply 
and demand, are bid for or management is changed. 
Similarly, there are few companies which can sustain 
supernormal profi ts over the longer term. Such profi ts 
tend to be competed or regulated away.

3.   Fundamental valuation is the key determinant of share 
price performance over the long term. In other words 
‘cheap’ stocks will outperform ‘expensive’ stocks.

4.   Diversifi cation is an important control. Particular 
companies or sectors can be out of favour for a 
considerable time.

PERFORMANCE

In the year to 31 December 2016 the net asset value total 
return of the Company was  20.4% compared with a total 
return of the Company’s benchmark index of  16.8%. The 
effect of removing gearing from the performance calculation 
is shown in the following graph of investment performance 
over a fi ve year period compared with the FTSE All-Share 
Index. The Chairman’s Statement on pages 2 and 3 and 
the Manager’s Review on pages 4 to  7 include a review of 
developments during the year together with information on 
investment activity within the Company’s portfolio and an 
assessment of future developments.

Ungeared 5 year performance

180

160

140

120

100

80

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Temple Bar – gross assets, excluding effects of gearing and associated costs
FTSE All-Share Index - total return

Sources: Thomson Reuters Datastream and IAM

10

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
 
 
Discount on net asset value
The Board monitors the premium/discount at which the 
Company’s shares trade in relation to the net assets. 
During the year the shares traded at an average discount 
to NAV of  7.3%. This compares with an average discount of 
3.7% in the previous year. The Board and Manager closely 
monitor both movements in the Company’s share price and 
signifi cant dealings in the shares. In order to avoid substantial 
overhangs or shortages of shares in the market the Board 
asks shareholders to approve resolutions which allow for the 
buy back of shares and their issuance which can assist in the 
management of the discount or premium.

(Discount)/premium to net asset value 
(excluding current year revenue)

5%

4%

3%

2%

1%

0%

-1%

-2%

-3%

-4%

-5%

-6%

-7%

-8%

-9%

-10%

-11%

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Cum income NAV, debt at market value

Source:  Morningstar

Earnings and dividend per share
It remains the directors’ intention to distribute, over time, 
by way of dividends substantially all of the Company’s 
net revenue income after expenses and taxation, subject 
to preserving a prudent balance in revenue reserves to 
facilitate a smooth dividend progression. The Manager aims 
to maximise total returns from the portfolio and attaches 
great importance to dividends in achieving total return.

The portfolio will typically provide a yield premium to the 
market. The fi nal dividend recommended for the year is 
 16.18p per ordinary share which brings the total for the 
year to  40.45p per ordinary share, an increase of 2%. This 
will be the 33rd consecutive year in which the Company has 
increased the overall level of its dividend payment.

10 Year Comparative Dividend Growth

140

130

120

110

100

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Temple Bar

Retail Prices Index

Source:  Bloomberg

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
R
E
P
O
R
T

I

I

F
N
A
N
C
A
L
R
E
P
O
R
T

Ongoing charges
Ongoing charges is an expression of the Company’s 
management fees and other operating expenses as a 
percentage of average daily net assets over the year. The 
ongoing charges for the year ended 31 December 2016 were 
 0.51% (2015: 0.49%). The Board compares the Company’s 
ongoing charges with those of its peers on a regular basis. 
At the present time the Company has one of the lowest 
ongoing charges in the UK Equity Income sector of 
investment trust companies.

S
H
A
R
E
H
O
L
D
E
R

I

N
F
O
R
M
A
T
I
O
N

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OVERVIEW OF STRATEGY CONTINUED

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

With the assistance of the Manager the Board has drawn up 
a risk matrix which identifi es the key risks to the Company. 
The Board reviews and agrees policies, which have remained 
unchanged since the beginning of the accounting period, for 
managing these risks, as summarised below.

Investment strategy risk
An inappropriate investment strategy on matters such 
as asset allocation or the level of gearing may lead to 
underperformance against the Company’s benchmark 
index or peer companies, resulting in the Company’s shares 
trading on a wider discount. The Board manages such risks 
by diversifi cation of investments through its investment 
restrictions and guidelines, which are monitored and 
reported on by the Manager. The Manager provides the 
directors with regular management information including 
absolute and relative performance data, attribution analysis, 
revenue estimates, liquidity reports, risk profi le and 
shareholder analysis. The Board monitors the implementation 
and results of the investment process with the portfolio 
manager, who attends Board meetings. Periodically the 
Board holds a separate meeting devoted to strategy, the 
most recent being in January 2016.

Income risk – dividends
Generating the necessary level of income from portfolio 
investments to meet the Company’s expenses and to 
provide adequate reserves from which to base a sustainable 
programme of increasing dividend payments to shareholders 
is subject to the risk that income generation from investments 
fails to meet the level required. The Board monitors this risk 
through the receipt of detailed income reports and forecasts 
which are considered at each meeting. As at 31 December 
2016 the Company had distributable revenue reserves of 
£ 32.0 million before declaration of the fi nal dividend 
for 2016 of £ 10.8 million.

Share price risk
The Company’s share price and premium or discount to 
NAV are monitored by the Manager and considered by the 
Board  on a regular basis. The directors attach considerable 
importance to any premium or discount to NAV at which 
the shares trade, both in absolute terms and relative to the 
average rating at which the UK Equity Income sector of 
investment trusts as a whole is trading. Premiums judged 
to be excessive will be addressed by repeated share 
issues, either new or from Treasury. Discounts judged to be 
excessive will be addressed by repeated share buybacks, 
for Treasury or cancellation. The directors are prepared to 
be proactive in premium/discount management to minimise 
potential disadvantages to shareholders. However, market 
sentiment is beyond the absolute control of the Manager and 
the Board.

Accounting, legal & regulatory
In order to qualify as an investment trust the Company must 
comply with Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. 
Were the Company to breach Section 1158 it might lose 
investment trust status and, as a consequence, gains within 
the Company’s portfolio would be subject to capital gains 
tax. The Section 1158 qualifi cation criteria are, therefore, 
monitored by the Board at each meeting.

The Company must also comply with the provisions of the 
Companies Act and, since its shares are listed on the London 
Stock Exchange, the UKLA Listing Rules. A breach of the 
Companies Act could result in the Company being fi ned or 
subject to criminal proceedings. Breach of the UKLA Listing 
Rules could result in the Company’s shares being suspended 
from Listing which in turn would breach Section 1158. The 
Board relies on the services of its Company Secretary, IAM, 
and its professional advisers to ensure compliance with the 
Companies Act and the UKLA Listing Rules and is satisfi ed that 
they are able to provide an appropriate service in this regard.

Corporate governance and shareholder relations 
Details of the Company’s compliance with corporate 
governance best practice including information on 
relations with shareholders, are set out in the corporate 
governance report on pages  22 to  24 which forms part 
of this strategic report.

Control systems risk
Disruption to, or failure of, IFM’s accounting, dealing or 
payments systems or the custodian’s records could prevent 
accurate reporting and monitoring of the Company’s fi nancial 
position or adversely impact the ability to trade. Details of 
how the Board monitors the services provided by IFM and 
its associates and the key elements designed to provide 
effective internal control are included within the internal 
control section of the corporate governance report on 
page  22.

Other risks
Other risks to which the Company is exposed and which 
form part of the market risks referred to above are included 
in note 22 to the fi nancial statements together with 
summaries of the policies for managing these risks. These 
comprise; market price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, 
credit risk and currency risk.

VIABILITY STATEMENT

The Board makes an assessment of the longer term prospects 
of the Company beyond the timeframe envisaged under 
the going concern basis of accounting having regard to the 
Company’s current position and the principal risks it faces. 
The Company is a long term investment vehicle and the 
directors, therefore, believe that it is appropriate to assess 
its viability over a long term horizon. For the purposes of 
assessing the Company’s prospects in accordance with Code 
Provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Board considers that assessing the Company’s prospects 
over a period of fi ve years is appropriate given the nature of 
the Company and the inherent uncertainties of looking out 
over a longer time period. The directors believe that a fi ve 
year period appropriately refl ects the long term strategy of 
the Company and over which, in the absence of any adverse 
change to the regulatory environment and the favourable 
tax treatment afforded to UK investment trusts, they do 
not expect there to be any signifi cant change to the current 
principal risks and to the adequacy of the mitigating controls 
in place.

12

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

I

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G
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P
O
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G
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A
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P
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I

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H
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O
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In assessing the viability of the Company the directors have 
conducted a thorough assessment of each of the Company’s 
principal risks and uncertainties as set out on page  12. 
Particular scrutiny was given to the impact of a signifi cant 
fall in global equity markets on the value of the Company’s 
investment portfolio. The directors have also considered the 
Company’s leverage and liquidity in the context of its fi xed 
rate borrowings, notably the £25 million debenture due to 
expire in December 2017 and the £40 million debenture 
due to expire in March 2021, its income and expenditure 
projections and the fact the Company’s investments comprise 
mainly readily realisable quoted securities which can be sold 
to meet funding requirements if necessary. 

All the key operations required by the Company are 
outsourced to third party providers and alternative providers 
could be secured at relatively short notice if necessary.

Having taken into account the Company’s current 
position and the potential impact of its principal risks and 
uncertainties, the directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Company will be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due for a period of fi ve years 
from the date of this Report. 

MODERN SLAVERY ACT

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, being 
a company that does not offer goods and services to 
customers, the Board considers that it is not within the 
scope of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 because it has no 
turnover. The Company is therefore not required to make 
a slavery and human traffi cking statement. In any event, 
the Board considers the Company’s supply chains, dealing 
predominantly with professional advisers and service 
providers in the fi nancial services industry, to be low risk in 
relation to this matter.

GENDER DIVERSITY

At the year end there were four male directors and two 
female directors on the Board. The Company has no 
employees and therefore there is nothing further to report 
in respect of gender representation within the Company.

The Company’s policy on diversity is detailed in the 
corporate governance report on page  22.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

All the Company’s activities are outsourced to third parties. 
The Company therefore has no greenhouse gas emissions to 
report from its operations.

EMPLOYEE, SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, ETHICAL 
AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

The Company is managed by IFM, has no employees and 
all its directors are non-executive. There are, therefore, no 
disclosures to be made in respect of employees. The Board 
notes the Manager’s policy statement in respect of Social, 
Environmental and Governance issues, as outlined below.

STEWARDSHIP/ENGAGEMENT

The Manager recognises its wider stewardship 
responsibilities to its clients as a major asset owner. To this 
end, it supports the FRC Stewardship Code, which sets out 
the responsibilities of institutional shareholders in respect of 
investee companies. Under the Code, managers should:

•  publicly disclose their policy on how they will discharge 

their stewardship responsibilities to their clients;

•  disclose their policy on managing confl icts of interest;

•  monitor their investee companies;

•  establish clear guidelines on how they escalate engagement;

•  be willing to act collectively with other investors 

where appropriate;

•  have a clear policy on proxy voting and disclose their 

voting record; and

• 

report to clients.

The Manager endorses the Stewardship Code for its UK 
investments and supports the principles as best practice 
elsewhere. The Manager believes that regular contact with 
the companies in which it invests is central to its investment 
process and it also recognises the importance of being an 
‘active’ owner on behalf of its clients.

The Manager believes that companies should act in a 
socially responsible manner. Although its priority at all times 
is the best economic interests of its clients, it recognises 
that, increasingly, non-fi nancial issues such as social and 
environmental factors have the potential to impact the share 
price, as well as the reputation of companies. Specialists 
within the Manager’s  Environmental,  Social and  Governance 
(ESG) team  work with the investment teams to appropriately 
integrate material ESG factors into the investment process.

The Manager’s Voting Policy and Corporate Governance 
Guidelines are available on request from the Company 
Secretary or can be downloaded from its website.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The future development of the Company is dependent on 
the success of its investment strategy in the light of economic 
and equity market developments. The outlook is discussed 
in the Chairman’s Statement on page 2 and the Manager’s 
Review on page 4.

By order of the Board of Directors

John Reeve
Chairman
1 7 February 2017

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

13

 
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

INDUSTRY

PLACE OF 
PRIMARY LISTING

VALUATION OF 
HOLDING £M

% OF PORTFOLIO

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

HSBC HOLDINGS
HSBC Holdings is one of the world ’s  largest banks.  It 
operates four global businesses; retail banking and wealth 
management, commercial banking, global banking and 
markets and private banking. The company has been 
reducing exposure to peripheral areas and refocussing on 
under-managed core assets. Approximately 2/3 of pre-tax 
profi ts are from Asia  .

UK TREASURY  1.00% 201 7
Held in the portfolio in lieu of cash.

GLAXOSMITHKLINE
GlaxoSmithKline is a global health care company  focussing 
on pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare. After 
a number of years of earnings disappointment profi tability 
seems to have stabilised. The new chief executive may 
investigate the possibility of breaking up the company.

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL
Royal Dutch Shell is a global oil and gas company. It is one 
of the six oil and gas “ supermajors”. It is vertically-integrated 
and is active in  oil and gas  exploration and production, 
refi ning, distribution and marketing, petrochemicals, 
power generation and trading. The fall in the oil price has 
focussed management attention on cost effi ciencies. The 
B G acquisition increased debt and has necessitated some 
disposals.

BP
BP is a global oil and gas company and is one of the 
six oil and gas “supermajors”. It is vertically-integrated 
and is active in  oil and gas  exploration and production, 
refi ning, distribution and marketing, petrochemicals, 
power generation and trading. Like Shell, the Company is 
 concentrated on operating effi ciencies.

GRAFTON GROUP
Grafton is a distributor of building products that operates 
across the UK and Ireland and also has a small  Benelux 
business. The group operates from about 500 sites in the UK, 
and this is by far its most important market, accounting for 
approximately 75% of sales. UK profi tability has been held 
back by disappointing spend on improvement of the UK 
housing stock but this spending should bounce back.

 BARCLAYS
  Barclays has signifi cant consumer, corporate and investment 
banking positions, particularly focussed on the UK and 
the US. New management has been quick to reduce the 
non-core part of the business and re-build capital strength. 
Signifi cant efforts are being made to improve UK profi tability 
of investment banking.

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
Lloyds Banking Group operates across a wide range of UK 
centric banking activities including retail and commercial 
banking and insurance. The company still has an extensive 
branch network which may be reduced signifi cantly when the 
government sells its shareholding.

WM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS  
  Morrison‘s is one of the big four food retail chains in the 
UK. In the last few years management has  concentrated 
the business  on its large superstores and improved 
pricing, products and service. The company’s large food 
manufacturing business has benefi tted as the stores’ 
performance has improved.

Financials
Financials

Fixed 
Interest

Healthcare

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

Industrials

Financials

Financials

10

SIG  
  S IG is a specialist distributor of building products in Europe. 
Its three core product areas are insulation and energy 
management, exteriors and interiors. New management has 
the opportunity to improve disappointing earnings history.

Consumer  Services

Industrials

UK

  75 .133 

 7.72 %

UK

 68 .356 

 7.02% 

UK

65 .428  

6.72%  

UK

59 .191  

6.08 % 

UK

51 .272  

5.27 % 

UK

41 .333  

4.25 % 

UK

 38 .402  

3.95%  

UK

34 .772  

3.57%  

UK

28 .454  

2.92%  

UK

28 .131  

2.89% 

Top Ten Investments

£490 .472 

 50.39%

14

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS CONTINUED

COMPANY
Royal Bank of Scotland  

Tesco 

 11

 12

 13 Marks & Spencer 

 14

 15

 16

 17

 18

 19

 20

CitiGroup 

Centrica  

Travis Perkins 

BT Group 

Drax 

Best Buy 

British American Tobacco  

  INDUSTRY

 Financials

 Consumer Services

 Consumer Services

 Financials

 Utilities

Industrials 

 Telecommunications

 Utilities

 Consumer Services

 Consumer Goods

PLACE OF 
PRIMARY LISTING

 VALUATION    OF 
HOLDING £M

% OF 
PORTFOLIO

 UK

 UK

 UK

 USA

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 USA

 UK

27 .682  

24 .892  

24 .565  

23 .202  

20 .769  

19 .476  

19 .365  

18 .843  

18 .540  

18 .383  

2.84% 

2.56% 

2.52% 

2.38% 

2.13% 

2.00% 

1.99% 

1.94% 

1.91% 

1.89% 

Top  Twenty Investments 

706 .189  

72.55% 

I
I

S
S
T
T
R
R
A
A
T
T
E
E
G
G
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G
G
O
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V
E
E
R
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N
A
A
N
N
C
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R
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P
P
O
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T

 21

 22

 23

 24

 25

CRH 

Yara International 

Direct Line Insurance 

ETFS Physical Silver 

 Vaneck Vectors Gold Miners 

 26 Go Ahead 

 27

 28

 29

Imperial Brands 

Sainsbury (J) 

Computacenter  

 30 Gold Bullion Securities ETF 

Top  Thirty Investments 

 31 Qinetiq 

 32

Signet Jewellers 

 33 Green REIT 

Ladbrokes Coral 

Land Securities REIT 

Standard Chartered 

Royal Mail  

Top  Forty Investments 

 41

 42

 43

 Brown (N) Group

Fresnillo 

British Land REIT

 44 Games Workshop

Hammerson 6.875% 2020

Kingspan 

Future 

 34

 35

 36

 37

 38

 39

 40

 45

 46

 47

 48

 49

 50

International Personal Finance 5% 2021 

 Fixed Interest

Avon Products 

Chemring  

 Consumer Goods

 Industrials

RSA Insurance 6.701% 2017 Variable 
Perpetual

Aviva 2020 5.9021% FRN Perpetual

Lloyds Banking Group – preference 
shares

Fixed Interest

Fixed Interest

Financials

Top Fifty  Investments 

 51

 52

 53

St. Ives 

Hochschild Mining

Johnston Press

Total Valuation of Portfolio

Industrials

Basic Materials

Consumer Services

 Industrials

Basic Materials 

UK 

 Norway

 Financials

 Financials

 Financials

 Consumer Services

 Consumer Goods

 Consumer Services

 Technology

 Financials

 Industrials

 Consumer Services

 Financials

 Consumer Services

 Financials

 Financials

 Industrials

Consumer Services 

Basic Materials 

Financials

Consumer Goods

Fixed Interest

Industrials

Consumer Services

UK 

 UK

 USA

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 U SA

 Ireland

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 UK

 USA

 UK

UK 

UK 

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

I
I

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I

F
F
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
R
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E
E
P
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O
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R
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T

S
S
H
H
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F
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M
A
A
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I
O
O
N
N

18 .015  

17 .786  

17 .240  

15 .864  

15 .778  

15 .322  

15 .169  

14 .161  

13 .955  

13 .478  

1.85% 

1.83% 

1.77% 

1.63% 

1.62% 

1.57% 

1.56% 

1.46% 

1.43% 

1.39% 

862 .957  

88.66% 

12 .476  

11 .054  

10 .109  

8 .078  

7 .435  

7 .170  

6 .516  

5 .859  

5 .837  

5 .834  

1.28% 

1.14% 

1.04% 

0.83% 

0.76% 

0.74% 

0.67% 

0.60% 

0.60% 

0.60% 

943 .325  

96.92% 

5 .577 

5 .539 

4 .356 

3 .404 

2 .952 

2 .166 

1 .628 

1 .015 

0.971 

0.834 

971 .767  

0.816 

0.762  

0.008

 973 .353  

0.57% 

0.57% 

0.45%

0.35%

0.30%

0.22%

0.17%

0.10%

0.10%

0.09%

99.84% 

0.08%

0.08%

0.00%

100.0%

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHN REEVE

RICHARD JEWSON*

ARTHUR COPPLE

John Reeve, Chairman, was appointed 
a director in 1992. He was formerly 
executive chairman of the Willis Group, 
group managing director of Sun Life 
Assurance Society and a member of 
the boards of the Association of British 
Insurers and the International Insurance 
Society. He is a director of a number of 
other companies.

Richard Jewson, senior independent 
director, was appointed a director in 
2001. He fi rst worked in the timber 
and building material supply industry, 
becoming managing director of 
Jewson, the builders’ merchants, for 
twelve years from 1974, and then 
managing director and chairman of its 
parent company Meyer International 
PLC from which he retired in 1993. He 
is currently chairman of Raven Russia 
Limited and Tritax Big Box REIT PLC 
and a non-executive director of other 
private companies.

Arthur Copple was appointed a 
director in 2011. He has specialised 
in the investment company sector for 
over 30 years. He was a partner at 
Kitcat & Aitken, an executive director of 
Smith New Court PLC and a managing 
director of Merrill Lynch.

JUNE DE MOLLER

June de Moller was appointed a 
director in 2005. She is a former 
managing director of Carlton 
Communications PLC and was 
previously a non-executive director of J 
Sainsbury PLC, Cookson Group PLC, BT 
PLC and Derwent London PLC.

DAVID WEBSTER

David Webster was appointed a 
director in 2009. His career started in 
corporate fi nance at Samuel Montagu 
before becoming a founder and 
subsequently chairman of Safeway 
PLC from which he retired in 2004. He 
is currently a non-executive director 
of Amadeus IT Holdings SA. He 
has a wide range of other business 
interests including membership of 
the Appeals Committee of the Panel 
on Takeovers and Mergers. He was 
previously chairman of InterContinental 
Hotels Group PLC and a non-executive 
director of Reed Elsevier PLC.

LESLEY SHERRATT

Lesley Sherratt was appointed a 
director in 2015. She was formerly 
Investment Director for the Save & 
Prosper and Fleming Flagship range 
of funds, and CEO & CIO of Ark Asset 
Management Ltd. She has over twenty 
years experience investing in the 
fi nancial sector, including investment 
trusts, and served as a director 
and Chair of US Small Companies 
Investment Trust. She is currently 
a director of a private foundation, 
lectures in global business ethics at 
King‘s College London and is the 
author of ‘Can Microfi nance Work? 
How to Improve its Ethical Balance and 
Effectiveness‘.

NICHOLAS LYONS

 Nicholas Lyons was appointed 
a director in 2017. He worked in 
investment banking for 21 years, 
retiring in 2003 from Lehman 
Brothers as a Managing Director 
where he specialsied in advising 
fi nancial institutions on mergers and 
acquisitions and capital raising. He is 
currently Senior Independent Director 
at  Pension Insurance Corporation, 
Chairman of Price Forbes Holdings 
Limited and of Clipstone Logistics 
REIT plc. He was previously Chairman 
of Miller Insurance Services LLP and a 
non-executive director of Catlin Group 
Limited, Friends LIfe Group Limited and 
of other private companies.

All the directors are independent and 
members of the audit and nomination 
committees.
* Chairman of the audit committee and 
Senior Independent Director.

16

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

243596 TBR – AR 01pp-31pp.indd   16

23/02/2017   15:30

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

The directors present their report and accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2016.

THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGERS 
DIRECTIVE (‘AIFMD’)

Investec Fund Managers Limited (‘IFM’), an affi liate of 
Investec Asset Management Limited (‘IAM’),  is  the Company’s 
alternative investment fund manager (‘AIFM’ or ‘Manager’) . 
For the purposes of the AIFMD the Company is an alternative 
investment fund (‘AIF’). IFM has delegated responsibility for 
the day to day management of the Company’s portfolio to 
IAM.

IFM is required to ensure that a depositary is appointed and 
accordingly IFM and the Company have appointed HSBC as 
the depositary and custodian. HSBC is responsible for the 
custody of the Company’s assets and for monitoring its 
cash fl ows.

The AIFMD requires certain information to be made available 
to investors in AIFs before they invest and requires that 
material changes to this information be disclosed in the 
annual report of each AIF. An Investor Information Document, 
which sets out information on the Company’s investment 
strategy and policies, leverage, risk, liquidity, administration, 
management, fees, confl icts of interest and other shareholder 
information is available on the Company’s website at 
www.templebarinvestments.co.uk.

There have been no material changes to this information 
requiring disclosure. Any information requiring immediate 
disclosure pursuant to the AIFMD will be disclosed to the 
London Stock Exchange through a primary information 
provider. As an authorised AIFM, IFM will make the requisite 
disclosures on remuneration levels and policies to the 
Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) at the appropriate time.

MANAGEMENT FEES

The Company has a management agreement with Investec 
Fund Managers Limited (‘IFM’) for the provision of investment 
management services. The agreement is subject to one year’s 
notice of termination by either party.

IFM receives an investment management fee of 0.35% 
per annum, payable quarterly, based on the value of the 
investments (including cash) of the Company together with 
an additional fee of £125,000 pa, plus or minus 0.005% of 
the value of the investments (including cash) of the Company 
above or below £750 million, calculated and payable 
quarterly. Investments in funds managed by IFM are wholly 
excluded from this charge.

There is also a fee payable to Investec Asset Management 
Limited of £45,450 pa in respect of the provision of 
secretarial and administrative services, adjusted annually 
in line with the Retail Price Index.

IFM’s performance under the contract and the contract 
terms are reviewed at least annually. This covers, inter 
alia, the performance of the Manager, its management 
processes, investment style, resources and risk controls. 
The Board endorses the investment approach adopted by 
the Manager, recognising that while the contrarian style can 
sometimes lead to  periods of underperformance it usually 
delivers superior investment returns over the longer term. 
In addition, the portfolio has produced high and growing 
dividend income to shareholders. In the opinion of the 
directors the continued appointment of the Manager on the 
terms set out above is, therefore, in the  best interests of 
shareholders.

GOING CONCERN

The directors have reviewed the going concern basis of 
accounting for the Company. The Company’s assets consist 
substantially of equity shares in listed companies and in most 
circumstances are realisable within a short timescale. The 
use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate 
because there are no material uncertainties related to events 
or conditions that may cast signifi cant doubt about the ability 
of the Company to continue as a going concern. After making 
enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Company has adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future, including 
recourse to a £7.5 million overdraft facility with HSBC Bank. 
Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the accounts.

ORDINARY DIVIDENDS

Interim dividends of 8.09p per ordinary share were paid on 
30 June 2016, 30 September 2016 and 30 December 
2016 (2015: 7.9 3p in each case) and the directors are 
recommending a fi nal dividend of  16.18p  per ordinary share 
(2015: 15.87p), a total for the year of 40.45 p (2015: 39.66p). 
Subject to shareholders’ approval, the fi nal dividend will be 
paid on 31 March 2017 to shareholders on the register on 
 1 0 March 2017.

ISAs

The Company has conducted its investment policy so 
as to remain a qualifying investment trust under the ISA 
regulations. It is the intention of the Board to continue to 
satisfy these regulations.

I

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

17

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF DIRECTORS CONTINUED

SHARE CAPITAL

No new ordinary shares were issued during the year.

SECTION 992 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

The following information is disclosed in accordance with 
Section 992 of the Companies Act 2006.

Capital structure
The Company’s capital structure is summarised on page  44.

Voting Rights in the Company’s Shares 
The voting rights at 31 December 2016 were:

Share class

Ordinary shares 
of 25p each

Number of 
shares issued

Voting rights 
per share

Total 
voting rights

66,872,765

1

66,872,765

As at 1 7 February 2017, the share capital of the Company and 
total voting rights was 66,872,765. There are no restrictions 
on the transfer of securities in the Company and there are 
no special rights attached to any of the shares. Deadlines for 
the exercise of voting rights and details of arrangements by 
which someone other than the registered shareholder can 
exercise voting rights are provided in the Notes to the Notice 
of Meeting on page  51. The Company’s ordinary shares have 
a Premium listing on the London Stock Exchange.

To the extent that they exist, the revenue profi ts and capital 
of the Company (including accumulated revenue and capital 
reserves) are available for distribution by way of dividends to 
the holders of the ordinary shares. Upon a winding-up, after 
meeting the liabilities of the Company, the surplus assets 
would be distributed to the shareholders pro rata to their 
holding of ordinary shares.

Change of control
There are no agreements that may be altered or terminated 
on change of control of the Company.

DIRECTORS

The directors of the Company who held offi ce at the end 
of the year are detailed on page 1 6. Nicholas Lyons was 
appointed as an additional director on 23 January 2017. 
No other person was a director during any part of the year. 
Details of directors’ benefi cial shareholdings may be found in 
the Report on Directors‘ Remuneration on page  20.

All the directors will be retiring in compliance with the 
provisions of the AIC Code and, each being eligible, the 
Board recommends their re-election. In making these 
recommendations the Board has carefully reviewed the 
composition of the Board as a whole and borne in mind the 
need for a proper balance of skills and experience. The Board 
does not believe that length of service of itself detracts from 
the independence of a director, particularly in relation to an 
investment trust, and on that basis considers that all directors 
standing for re-election are independent. It is confi rmed that, 
following formal evaluation, the performance of each director 
continues to be effective and each continues to demonstrate 
commitment to the role.

There were no contracts subsisting during or at the end 
of the year in which a director of the Company is or was 
interested and which are or were signifi cant in relation to the 
Company’s business. No director has a service contract with 
the Company.

The Company maintains insurance cover for its directors 
under a Directors’ & Offi cers’ Liability policy, as permitted by 
the Companies Act 2006. Directors are also covered by the 
indemnity provisions in the Company‘s Articles of Association.

 SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2016 and 1 7 February 2017 the following 
were registered or had indicated an interest in 3% or more of 
the issued ordinary shares of the Company.

Brewin Dolphin Ltd

Alliance Trust Savings Ltd

Speirs & Jeffrey Ltd

Investec Wealth & Investment Ltd  

 Equiniti Financial Services

AXA SA

%

8.7

7.6

6.5

5.1 

3.8 

3.1

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR

The directors are not aware of any relevant information of which 
the auditor is unaware and have taken all the steps that they 
ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves 
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that 
the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

AUDITOR

A resolution to re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditor 
to the Company will be proposed at the Annual General 
Meeting on 27 March 2017.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company 
to be held on 27 March 2017 is on page  49. In addition to 
the ordinary business the following matters are proposed 
as special business.

Authority to allot shares and disapplication 
of pre-emption rights
It is proposed that the directors be authorised to allot up to 
£1,671,819 of relevant securities in the Company (equivalent 
to 6,687,276 ordinary shares of 25p each, representing 10.0% 
of its ordinary shares in issue as at  17 February 2017).

When shares are to be allotted for cash, the Companies 
Act 2006 requires such new shares to be offered fi rst to 
existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings 
of ordinary shares. However, in certain circumstances, it is 
benefi cial to allot shares for cash otherwise than pro rata to 
existing shareholders and the ordinary shareholders can by 
special resolution waive their pre-emption rights. Therefore, 
a special resolution will be proposed at the AGM which, if 
passed, will give the directors the power to allot for cash 
equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of 
£1,671,819 (equivalent to 6,687,276 ordinary shares of 25p 
each or 10.0% of the Company’s existing issued ordinary 
share capital). 

18

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

The directors intend to use this authority to issue new shares 
to prospective purchasers whenever they believe it may be 
advantageous to shareholders to do so. Any such issues 
would only be made at prices greater than net asset value 
per share, as adjusted for the market value of the Company’s 
debt, and would, therefore, increase the assets underlying 
each share. The issue proceeds would be available for 
investment in line with the Company’s investment policy.

No issues of shares will be made which would alter the 
control of the Company without the prior approval of 
shareholders in general meeting.

Directors’ authority to purchase the Company’s 
own shares
The directors consider it desirable to give the Company the 
opportunity to buy back shares in circumstances where the 
shares may be bought for a price which is below the net asset 
value per share of the Company. The purchase of ordinary 
shares is intended to reduce the discount at which ordinary 
shares trade in the market through the Company becoming 
a new source of demand for such shares. The rules of the 
UK Listing Authority provide that the maximum price which 
can be paid by the Company is 5% above the average of the 
market value of the ordinary shares for the fi ve business days 
before the purchase is made.

  Recommendation
The Board considers the resolutions to be proposed at the 
AGM to be in the best interests of the Company and its 
members as a whole. Accordingly, the directors unanimously 
recommend that shareholders should vote in favour of the 
resolutions to be proposed at the AGM, as they intend to do 
so in respect of their own benefi cial holdings, amounting to 
 126,159  ordinary shares.

By order of the Board of Directors

John Reeve 
Chairman
1 7 February 2017

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

The Board presents the report on directors’ remuneration for 
the year ended 31 December 2016 which has been prepared 
in accordance with Section 421 of the Companies Act 2006. 
The report comprises a policy report, which is subject to a 
triennial binding shareholder vote, or sooner if an alteration 
to the policy is proposed, and a remuneration policy 
implementation report, which is subject to an annual advisory 
vote. The remuneration policy was last approved at the AGM 
held on 24 March 2014 and is therefore required to be re-
submitted to  shareholders for approval. The remuneration 
policy is set out in the Future Policy Table on this page.

The law requires the Company’s auditor to audit certain parts 
of the disclosures provided. Where disclosures have been 
audited, they are indicated as such. The auditor’s opinion is 
included in their report on page  28.

The principles remain the same as for previous years. There 
have been no changes to remuneration policy during the 
period of this Report nor are there any proposals for change
in the foreseeable future.

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY REPORT

The Company does not have any executive directors and, 
as permitted under the Listing Rules, has not, therefore, 
established a remuneration committee. Remuneration of 
non-executive directors is viewed as a decision of the Board, 
subject to any shareholder approvals which may 
be necessary.

The level of directors’ fees is determined with reference to 
a range of factors including the remuneration paid to the 
directors of other investment trusts, comparable in terms 
of both size and investment characteristics, and the rate 
of infl ation. The Manager of the Company compiles such 
analysis as part of the management and secretarial services 
provided to the Company. These data, together with 
consideration of any alteration in non-executive directors’ 
responsibilities, are used to review whether any change in 
remuneration is necessary. No other external advice is taken 
in considering such fees.

It is the Company’s policy that no director shall be entitled to 
any performance related remuneration, benefi ts in kind, long 
term incentive schemes, share options, pensions or other 
retirement benefi ts or compensation for loss of offi ce. None 
of the Directors has a service contract with the Company.

The Company has no employees and consequently no 
consideration is required to be given to employment 
conditions elsewhere in setting directors’ pay.

Consideration of Shareholders’ Views
An ordinary resolution to approve the remuneration report 
is put to shareholders at each AGM, and shareholders 
have the opportunity to express their views and raise any 
queries in respect of remuneration policy at this meeting. 
To date, no shareholders have commented in respect of 
remuneration policy.

 FUTURE POLICY TABLE

Purpose and link to strategy

Fees payable to directors should be suffi cient to attract and 
retain individuals of high calibre with suitable knowledge and 
experience. Those chairing the Board and key committees 
should be paid higher fees than other directors in recognition of 
their more demanding roles. Fees should refl ect the time spent 
by directors on the Company’s affairs and the responsibilities 
borne by the directors.

Maximum and minimum levels

Remuneration consists of a fi xed fee each year, set in accordance 
with the stated policies, and any increase granted must be in line 
with the stated policies.

The Company’s Articles of Association set a limit of £250,000 in 
respect of the total remuneration that may be paid to directors 
in any fi nancial year.

The Board reviews the quantum of directors’ pay each year to 
ensure this is in line with the level of remuneration for other 
investment trusts of a similar size.

When making recommendations for any changes in pay, the 
Board will consider wider factors such as the average rate of 
infl ation over the period since the previous review, and the level 
and any change in complexity of the directors’ responsibilities 
(including additional time commitments as a result of increased 
regulatory or corporate governance requirements).

There is no compensation for loss of offi ce.

REMUNERATION IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

A single fi gure for the total remuneration of each 
director is set out in the table below for the year ended 
31 December 201 6. These fees exclude employers’ national 
insurance contributions and VAT where applicable:

John Reeve

Arthur Copple

June de Moller

Richard Jewson

Martin Riley

Lesley Sherratt

David Webster

Total

Total amount 
of  fees1

2016

33,400

22,600

22,600

25,500

–

22,600

22,600

149,300

2015

33,400

22,600

22,600

25,500

5,650

16,950

22,600

149,300

1  Other columns have been omitted as no payments of any other type were made.

The information in the above table has been audited. The 
amounts paid by the Company to the directors were for 
services as non-executive directors.

20

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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Expenditure by the Company on remuneration 
and distributions to shareholders
As the Company has no employees, the directors  cannot 
show a table comparing remuneration paid to employees 
with distributions  to shareholders.

Performance graph
The directors consider that the most appropriate measure 
of the Company’s performance is its share price total return 
compared with the total return on the FTSE All-Share Index. 
A graph illustrating this relative performance over  an eight 
year period is shown below.

Directors’ shareholdings
The directors’ shareholdings are detailed below:

Share price total return

John Reeve

Arthur Copple

June de Moller

Richard Jewson

Lesley Sherratt

David Webster

31 December 2016

1 January 2016

60,959

32,643

10, 231

10,275

7,500

4,279

57,613 

27,924

9,305

9,760

–

4,151

All the above interests are benefi cial. None of the directors 
had at any date any interest in either of the Company’s 
debenture stocks.

On 4  January 2017 Mr Reeve acquired an additional 
386  ordinary shares as a result of a dividend reinvestment. 
On 11  January 2017 and 10  February 2017 Mr Reeve 
acquired a further 78  and 78  ordinary shares respectively 
in the Company through his regular monthly saving in an 
ISA . On 4  January 2017 and 6  February 2017, Mr Jewson  
acquired a further 20  and 19  ordinary shares respectively in 
the Company through  his regular monthly savings in Temple 
Bar. On  19 January 2017 and 9 February 2017 respectively, 
 Mrs de Moller acquired a further   39 and 38 ordinary shares  in 
the Company through a regular monthly saving programme. 
No other changes in the interests shown above occurred 
between 31 December 201 7 and 1 7 February 2017.

The portfolio manager also holds 58,255  ordinary shares in 
the Company.

Statement of Voting at General Meeting
At the Company‘s last AGM held on 30 March 2016 
shareholders approved the Directors‘ Remuneration Report 
in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015. 99.4% of 
proxy votes were in favour of the resolution, 0.6% were 
against and 52,686 votes were withheld.

300

280

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80
2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Temple Bar share price (total return)

FTSE All-Share Index (total return)

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream

Annual statement
The Board confi rms that the above Remuneration 
Implementation Report in respect of the year ended 
31 December 2016 summarises:

• 

the major decisions on directors’ remuneration;

•  any signifi cant changes relating to directors’ 
remuneration made during the year; and

• 

the context in which the changes occurred 
and decisions have been taken. 

By order of the Board of Directors 

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At the AGM held on 24 March 2014, a resolution for the 
approval of the Remuneration Policy, as set out in the future 
policy table above, was approved by 99.1% of proxy votes, 
0.4% were against and 0.5% votes were withheld.

John Reeve
Chairman
1 7 February 2017

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

21

 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

THE AIC CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance is the process by which the board of 
directors of a company looks after shareholders’ interests and 
by which it seeks to enhance shareholder value. Shareholders 
hold the directors responsible for the stewardship of a 
company’s affairs, delegating authority and responsibility 
to the directors to manage the company on their behalf and 
holding them accountable for its performance.

The Board considers the practice of good governance to 
be an integral part of the way it manages the Company 
and is committed to maintaining high standards of fi nancial 
reporting, transparency and business integrity.

As Temple Bar is a UK-listed company the Board’s principal 
governance reporting obligation is in relation to the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “UK Code”) issued 
by the Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) in September 
2014. However, it is recognised that investment companies 
have special circumstances which have an impact on their 
governance arrangements. An investment company typically 
has no employees and the roles of CEO, portfolio manager, 
administration, accounting and company secretarial tend to 
be outsourced to a third party. The Association of Investment 
Companies has therefore drawn up its own set of guidelines 
known as the AIC Code of Corporate Governance (the “AIC 
Code”) issued in February 2013 and updated in 2015, which 
recognises the nature of investment companies by focusing 
on matters such as board independence and the review 
of management and other third party contracts. The FRC 
has endorsed the AIC Code and confi rmed that companies 
which report against the AIC Code will be meeting their 
obligations in relation to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code and paragraph LR9.8.6 of the FCA’s Listing Rules. 
The Board believes that reporting against the principles 
and recommendations of the AIC Code will provide better 
information to shareholders.

The Company has complied with the recommendations 
of the AIC Code (which incorporates the UK Corporate 
Governance Code), except as set out below. The UK 
Corporate Governance Code includes provisions relating to:

• 

the role of the chief executive

•  executive directors’ remuneration

• 

the need for an internal audit function

The Board considers these provisions are not relevant to 
the position of Temple Bar, being an externally managed 
investment company. In particular, all of the Company’s 
day-to-day management and administrative functions are 
outsourced to third parties. As a result, the Company has no 
executive directors, employees or internal operations. The 
Company has therefore not reported further in respect of 
these provisions.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AIC 
CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Operation of the Board
The Board is ultimately responsible for framing and 
executing the Company’s strategy and for closely 
monitoring risks. There is a formal schedule of matters to 
be specifi cally approved by the Board and it has delegated 
investment management, within clearly defi ned parameters 
and dealing limits, to Investec Fund Managers Limited 
(‘IFM’) and the administration of the business to Investec 
Asset Management Limited (‘IAM’). The Board reviews the 
performance of the Company at Board meetings and sets 
the objectives for the Manager.

The Corporate Company Secretary (‘the Company Secretary’) 
is responsible to the Board, inter alia, for ensuring that Board 
procedures are followed and for compliance with applicable 
rules and regulations including the AIC Code. Appointment 
or removal of the nominated representative of the Company 
Secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole. 

The content and presentation of Board papers circulated 
before each meeting contain suffi cient information on the 
fi nancial condition of the Company. Key representatives of 
IFM attend each Board meeting enabling directors to probe 
on matters of concern or seek clarifi cation on certain issues. 

Biographies of those directors in offi ce at the date of signing 
of the fi nancial statements are set out on page   16. Nicholas 
Lyons was appointed as a director on 23 January 2017. There 
were seven Board meetings, two audit committee meetings 
and two nomination committee meetings held during the 
year and the attendance by the directors was as follows:

Number of meetings attended

Board

Audit 
Committee

Nomination
Committee

7

7

5

6

6

7

2

2

2

1

2

2

2

2

1

2

2

2

John Reeve

Arthur Copple

June de Moller

Richard Jewson

Lesley Sherratt

David Webster

22

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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and experience relevant to the direction of the Company. 
Mr Jewson is the Senior Independent Director.

Re-election of directors
Directors are subject to re-election by shareholders at the 
fi rst AGM following their appointment and, thereafter, are 
subject to retirement on an annual basis. In addition, the 
appointment of each director is reviewed by other members 
of the Board every year. Directors are not, therefore, subject 
to automatic re-appointment. Non-executive directors are 
not appointed for specifi ed terms. Because of the nature of 
an investment trust the Board believes that the contribution 
and independence of a director is not diminished by long 
service .

The Board has carefully considered the position of each 
of the directors and believes it would be appropriate for 
them to be proposed for re-election. Each of the directors 
continues to be effective and to display an undiminished 
enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

Diversity
The Board’s policy on diversity, including gender, is to 
take this into consideration during the recruitment and 
appointment process. Typically, the Board seeks to ensure 
that there is a suitable balance between directors with 
industrial/commercial and traditional ‘City’ backgrounds. 
However, the Board is committed to appointing the most 
appropriate candidate, regardless of gender or other forms 
of diversity, and therefore no targets have been set against 
which to report.

Induction and training
New directors appointed to the Board are provided with 
an induction programme which is tailored to the particular 
circumstances of the appointee. Regular briefi ngs are 
provided during the year on industry and regulatory matters 
and the directors receive other relevant training as required. 
Individual directors may seek independent advice at the 
expense of the Company within certain limits. 

Ongoing evaluation
On an annual basis the Board formally reviews its 
performance, together with that of the audit and nomination 
committees and the effectiveness and contribution of the 
individual directors, including the Chairman, within the 
context of service on those bodies. The review encompasses 
an assessment of how cohesively these bodies work as a 
whole as well as the performance of the individuals within 
them. In 2016 the Board also employed the services of Board 
Evaluation, an external evaluation agency, to carry out an 
external independent evaluation of its performance. On the 
basis of these reviews the Board has concluded that it has an 
appropriate balance of skills and is operating effectively.

Audit committee
The audit committee is a formally constituted committee 
of the Board with defi ned terms of reference. Its role 
and responsibilities are set out in the Report of the Audit 
Committee on page  25. The Board is satisfi ed that members 
of the audit committee have relevant and recent fi nancial 
experience to fulfi l their role effectively. The auditor, who 
the Board has identifi ed as being independent, is invited 
to attend the audit committee meeting at which the annual 
accounts are considered and any other meetings that the 
committee deems necessary. The committee is chaired by 
Mr Jewson, the Senior Independent Director.

Nomination committee
A nomination committee comprising all the directors has 
been established to oversee a formal review procedure 
governing the appointment of new directors and to 
evaluate the overall composition of the Board from time to 
time, taking into account the existing balance of skills and 
knowledge. This committee is chaired by Mr Reeve.

  After the year end the Board appointed Nick Lyons as 
an additional director. The process leading up to this 
appointment involved the identifi cation and interview of 
potential candidates put forward by an external agency 
alongside the evaluation of various other candidates either 
known personally to or recommended by individual board 
members. Following an extensive review process it was 
decided to proceed with the appointment of Nick Lyons, 
as the candidate best qualifi ed to complement the existing 
balance of skills and experience on the board. He will stand 
for election at the AGM alongside all other board members 
proposed for re-election in accordance with our policy.

The committee is also responsible for assessing on an annual 
basis the individual performance of directors and for making 
recommendations as to whether they should remain in offi ce.

Management engagement committee
As all the directors are fully independent of the management 
company, the Board as a whole fulfi ls the function of a 
management engagement committee.

Independence of the directors
Each of the directors is independent of any association with 
the Manager and has no other relationships or circumstances 
which might be perceived to interfere with the exercise 
of independent judgement. Three of the seven directors 
(Mr Reeve, Mr Jewson and Mrs de Moller) have served on 
the Board for more than nine years from the date of their 
fi rst election, but given the nature of the Company as an 
investment trust and the strongly independent mind set of 
the individuals involved, the Board is fi rmly of the view that 
all of the directors can be considered to be independent. 
In arriving at this conclusion the Board makes a clear 
distinction between the activities of an investment trust and 
a conventional trading company. An investment trust has 
no employees or executive directors, the  most signifi cant 
relationship being with the Manager. In overseeing this 
relationship it is the view of the Board that long service 
aids the understanding  and judgement   of the directors . 
The directors have a range of business and fi nancial skills 

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

23

 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Shareholder communications
Shareholder relations are given high priority by both the 
Board and the Manager. The principal medium by which the 
Company communicates with shareholders is through half 
yearly reports and annual reports. The information contained 
therein is supplemented by daily NAV announcements and by 
a monthly fact sheet available on the Company’s website. 

The Board largely delegates responsibility for communication 
with shareholders to the management company and, through 
feedback, both from the Manager and the Company’s 
stockbroker, expects to be able to develop an understanding 
of their views. The Board receives a quarterly report from 
the Manager summarising any shareholder correspondence 
together with any comments about Temple Bar on social 
media. Members of the Board are willing to meet with 
shareholders for the purpose of discussing matters in relation 
to the operation and prospects of the Company.

The Board encourages investors to attend the AGM and 
welcomes questions and discussion on issues of concern or 
areas of uncertainty. 

Following the formal AGM proceedings the  p ortfolio manager 
makes a presentation to the meeting outlining the key 
investment issues that face the Company.

The Board has also established a series of investment 
parameters, which are reviewed annually, designed to 
limit the risk inherent in managing a portfolio of 
investments. The safeguarding of assets is entrusted 
to an independent reputable custodian with whom the 
holdings are regularly reconciled.

The effectiveness of the overall system of internal control is 
reviewed on an annual basis by the Board. Such a system can 
provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. The Board believes that there 
is a robust framework of internal controls in place to meet 
the requirements of the AIC Code.

The Board receives reports from its advisers on internal 
control matters. Based on the foregoing the Company has a 
continuing process for identifying, evaluating and managing 
the risks it faces. This process has been in place for the 
reporting period and to the date of this report.

By order of the Board of Directors

Accountability, internal controls and audit 
The Board pays careful attention to ensuring that all 
documents released by the Company, including the Annual 
Report, present a fair and accurate assessment of the 
Company’s position and prospects.

John Reeve 
Chairman
1 7 February 2017

The Board confi rms that there is an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing the risks faced by the 
Company in accordance with the FRC’s document ‘Guidance 
on Risk Management, Internal Controls and Related Financial 
and Business Reporting’.

The directors are responsible for the Company’s system of 
internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. In order 
to facilitate the control process the Board has requested 
the Manager to confi rm annually that it has conducted the 
Company’s affairs in compliance with the legal and regulatory 
obligations which apply to the Company and to report on the 
systems and procedures within IFM which are applicable to 
the management of Temple Bar’s affairs. The Board meets on 
seven scheduled occasions in each year and at each meeting 
receives suffi cient fi nancial and statistical information to 
enable it to monitor adequately the investment performance 
and status of the business. In addition, fi nancial information is 
circulated to the directors on a monthly basis.

24

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES CONSIDERED REGARDING THE 
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Committee also considered signifi cant issues and areas 
of key audit risk in respect of the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, as outlined below. The Committee reviewed the 
external audit plan at an early stage and concluded that the 
appropriate areas of audit risk relevant to the Company had 
been identifi ed and that suitable audit procedures had been 
put in place to obtain reasonable assurance that the fi nancial 
statements as a whole would be free of material misstatements. 
The table below sets out the key areas of risk identifi ed and also 
explains how these were addressed by the Committee.

Signifi cant Issue

How the issue was addressed

Verifi cation of the 
existence of the 
assets in the portfolio

The valuation of the 
investment portfolio

Going concern

Compliance with 
Sections 1158 
and 1159 of the 
Corporation Tax 
Act 2010

The verifi cation of 
investment income

The Committee reviews reports from its 
service providers on key controls over the 
assets of the Company. Any signifi cant 
issues are reported by the Manager to the 
Committee.

The Committee reviews detailed portfolio 
valuations on a regular basis throughout 
the year and receives confi rmation from 
the Manager that the pricing basis is 
appropriate. The audit includes a check 
of pricing back to source data to confi rm 
that the correct valuation basis has 
been applied in accordance with the 
accounting policies adopted, as disclosed 
in note 1 to the Financial Statements.

Having considered the Company’s 
investment objective, risk management 
policies and cash fl ow projections 
the Committee is satisfi ed that the 
Company has adequate resources and 
an appropriate fi nancial structure to 
continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future.

Ongoing compliance with the 
eligibility criteria is monitored on 
a regular basis by the board.

The Committee reviews income
forecasts and receives explanations 
from the Manager for any variations or 
signifi cant movements from previous 
forecasts and prior year numbers.

The provision of portfolio valuation, accounting and 
administration services is delegated to the Company’s 
Manager, who sub-delegates fund accounting to a third party 
service provider, and the provision of custody services is 
contracted to HSBC.

I am pleased to present the Committee’s report to 
shareholders on the effectiveness of the external audit 
process and how this has been assessed for the year 
ended 31 December 2016.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Company has established a separately chaired 
Audit Committee (“the Committee”) whose duties include 
considering and recommending to the Board for approval the 
contents of the half yearly and annual fi nancial statements, 
and providing an opinion as to whether the Annual Report, 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced, understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. 
The Committee also reviews the external auditor’s report 
thereon and is responsible for reviewing and forming an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the external audit process 
and audit quality. Other duties include reviewing the 
appropriateness of the Company’s accounting policies and 
ensuring the adequacy of the internal control systems and 
standards, as set out in more detail below. The Terms of 
Reference of the Committee are available on the Company’s 
website at www.templebarinvestments.co.uk

The Committee meets at least twice a year. The two 
planned meetings are held prior to the Board meetings 
to approve the half yearly and annual results.

COMPOSITION

All the directors are members of the Committee, which 
is chaired by Mr Jewson. The Board considers that the 
members of the Committee have suffi cient recent and 
relevant fi nancial experience for the Committee to discharge 
its function effectively. The Chairman of the Company is a 
member of the Committee to enable him to be kept fully 
informed of any issues which may arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND REVIEW OF 
THE EXTERNAL AUDIT 

During the year the principal activities of the 
Committee included:

•  considering and recommending to the Board for 

approval the contents of the half yearly and annual 
fi nancial statements and reviewing the external 
auditor’s report thereon;

• 

• 

• 

• 

reviewing the scope, execution, results, cost 
effectiveness, independence and objectivity of the 
external auditor;

reviewing and recommending to the Board for approval 
the audit and non-audit fees payable to the external 
auditor and the terms of their engagement;

reviewing and approving the external auditor’s plan 
for the fi nancial year, with a focus on the identifi cation 
of areas of audit risk, and consideration of the 
appropriateness of the level of audit materiality adopted;

reviewing the quality of the audit engagement 
partner and the audit team, and making a 
recommendation to the Board with respect to 
the re-appointment of the auditor;

• 

reviewing the appropriateness of the Company’s 
accounting policies; and

•  ensuring the adequacy of the internal control 

systems and standards.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

25

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE CONTINUED

AUDITOR AND AUDIT TENURE

The Company’s current auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, has 
acted in this role since 2003 pursuant to a competitive tender 
process which took place at that time. There has not been a 
subsequent tender process. The appointment of the auditor 
is reviewed each year and the audit partner changes at least 
every fi ve years in accordance with professional and regulatory 
standards in order to protect independence and objectivity 
and to provide fresh challenge to the business. The last fi ve 
yearly audit rotation took place in 2012. The Committee 
is aware that  EU legislation  requires listed companies to 
rotate their auditor every 10 years. Under the transitional 
arrangements for fi rms where the tenure was between 11 
and 20 years on the effective date under the new EU rules, 
there will be a grace period of nine years after the enactment 
of the EU legislation. Accordingly, based upon the new 
legislation, Ernst & Young will not be able to act as auditor to 
the Company after June 2023 so the last fi nancial year that 
they could serve as auditor would end on 31 December 2022. 
The Committee has not decided when to put the audit out to 
tender but will keep this matter under review. There are no 
contractual obligations that restrict the Company’s choice of 
auditor. Other non-audit fees of £ 2,300 (excluding VAT) paid 
to Ernst & Young LLP relate to their services in the electronic 
fi ling of tax returns ; due to this amount being negligible, 
the Board does not consider this a threat to the auditor's 
independence.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXTERNAL 
AUDIT PROCESS

To assess the effectiveness of the external audit, members of 
the Committee work closely with the Manager to obtain a good 
understanding of the progress and effi ciency of the audit.

Feedback in relation to the audit process, and also of the 
effectiveness of the Manager in performing its role, is also 
sought from relevant involved parties, notably the audit 
partner and team. The external auditor is invited to attend 
the Committee meeting at which the annual accounts are 
considered, where they have the opportunity to meet with 
the Committee without representatives of the Manager 
being present.

The effectiveness of the Board and the Manager in the 
external audit process is assessed principally in relation to 
the timely identifi cation and resolution of any process errors 
or control breaches that might impact the Company’s NAVs 
and accounting records. It is also assessed by reference to 
how successfully any issues in respect of areas of accounting 
judgement are identifi ed and resolved, the quality and 
timeliness of papers analysing these judgements, the Board 
and the Manager’s approach to the value of independent 
audit, the booking of any audit adjustments arising and the 
timely provision of draft public documents, for review by the 
auditor and the Committee.

To form a conclusion with regard to the independence of the 
external auditor, the Committee considers whether the skills 
and experience of the auditor make them a suitable supplier 
of any non-audit service and whether there is any threat to 
their objectivity and independence in the conduct of the 
audit resulting from the provision of such services. On an 
annual basis, Ernst & Young LLP review the independence of 
their relationship with the Company and report to the Board, 
providing details of any other relationships with the Manager. 
As part of this review, the Committee also receives information 
about policies and processes for maintaining independence 
and monitoring compliance with relevant requirements from 
the Company’s auditor, including information on the rotation 
of audit partners and staff, and details of any relationships 
between the audit fi rm and its staff and the Company, as 
well as an overall confi rmation from the auditor of their 
independence and objectivity. As a result of their review, 
the Committee has concluded that Ernst & Young LLP is 
independent of the Company and the Manager.

The Company confi rms that it has complied with the 
September 2014 Competition and Markets Authority Order.

CONCLUSIONS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL 
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The production and audit of the Company’s Annual Report 
and Financial Statements is a comprehensive process 
requiring input from a number of different contributors. One 
of the key governance requirements of a Company’s fi nancial 
statements is for the Report and Financial Statements to 
be fair, balanced and understandable. In order to reach a 
conclusion on this matter, the Board has requested that the 
Committee advise on whether it considers that the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements fulfi ls these requirements.

As a result of the work performed, the Committee has 
concluded that the Annual Report for the year ended 
31 December 2016, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy. The Committee has reported 
on these fi ndings to the Board. The Board’s conclusions 
in this respect are set out in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities on page  27.

Richard Jewson 
Chairman
Audit Committee 
1 7 February 2017

26

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The directors confi rm that to the best of their knowledge:

• 

• 

the fi nancial statements, prepared in accordance with 
the applicable accounting standards, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, fi nancial position and profi t 
or loss of the Company; and

the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the 
Company, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that the Company faces.

The UK Corporate Governance Code also requires Directors 
to ensure that the Annual Report and Accounts are fair, 
balanced and understandable. In order to reach a conclusion 
on this matter, the Board has requested that the Audit 
Committee advise on whether it considers that the Annual 
Report and Accounts fulfi ls these requirements. The process 
by which the Committee has reached these conclusions is set 
out in the Audit Committee’s report on pages  25 and  26. As 
a result, the Board has concluded that the Annual Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2016, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy.

On behalf of the Board

John Reeve 
Chairman
1 7 February 2017

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report  and the fi nancial statements in accordance with 
applicable law  and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare fi nancial 
statements for each fi nancial year. Under that law the 
directors have chosen  to prepare the fi nancial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the 
directors must not approve the fi nancial statements unless 
they are satisfi ed that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Company and of the profi t or loss of 
the Company for that period. In preparing these fi nancial 
statements, the directors are required to:

• 

select suitable accounting policies in accordance 
with IAS8: Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors, and then apply
these consistently;

•  present information, including accounting policies, 

in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, 
comparable and understandable information;

•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specifi c requirements in IFRS is insuffi cient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the entity’s fi nancial position and 
fi nancial performance; and

• 

state that the Company has complied with IFRS, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the 
fi nancial statements.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records which are suffi cient to show and explain 
the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the fi nancial position of the Company and 
enable them to ensure that the fi nancial 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 ensuring that the 
Annual Report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the 
Company, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties it faces.

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

27

 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

 Our opinion on the fi nancial statements 
 In our opinion the fi nancial statements: 

• 

 give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of its profi t for the year then 
ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and

• 

the fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

 What we have audited
 We have audited the fi nancial statements of Temple Bar Investment Trust plc for the year ended 31 December 2016 which 
comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Financial Position, Statement 
of Cash Flows and the related notes 1 to 2 2. The fi nancial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

 Overview of our audit approach 

Risks of material misstatement 

• Incomplete or inaccurate revenue recognition .

Materiality 

•  £8.8m which represents 1% of total net assets. 

• Incorrect valuation and existence of the investment portfolio .

Our assessment of risk of material misstatement 
We identifi ed the risks of material misstatement described below as those that had the greatest effect on our overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and the direction of the efforts of the audit team.  In addressing these risks, 
we have performed the procedures below which were designed in the context of the fi nancial statements as a whole and, 
consequently, we do not express any opinion on these individual areas. 

Risk 

Our response to the risk 

What we concluded to the Audit Committee 

The results of our procedures identifi ed no 
issues with the accuracy or completeness of 
income receipts.

We concurred with the accounting treatment 
adopted for material special dividends.

Based on the work performed, we had no 
matters to report. 

Incomplete or Inaccurate revenue 
recognition

We performed the following 
procedures:

(as described on page 25 in the Report of the 
Audit Committee and as per the accounting 
policy set out on page 38)

As can be seen in note 4 in the notes to 
the fi nancial statements, the Company has 
reported investment income of £34 million 
(2015: £31 million). This includes special 
dividends of £2.7m (2015: £4.6m).

For special dividends the Company 
determines whether amounts should be 
credited to the revenue or capital columns 
of the income statement based on the 
underlying substance of the transaction.

We focus on the recognition of revenue and 
its presentation in the fi nancial statements 
because revenue return is a key area of focus 
for shareholders.

Obtained an understanding of 
processes and controls for the 
recognition of investment income at 
Investec Fund Managers Ltd (“Investec” 
or “the Manager”) and State Street 
Global Service s (“State Street” or 
the “Administrator”) by performing 
walkthrough procedures, reviewing 
the Administrator’s and the Manager’s 
internal control reports and discussing 
with the Manager the governance 
structure and protocols for oversight of 
investment income  recognition.

Agreed a sample of dividends received 
from the underlying fi nancial records 
to an independent pricing source and 
to bank statements as supporting 
documentation.

Tested all accrued dividends at 
the period end for occurrence and 
measurement. 

To test the risks of management 
override within investment income we 
tested all material special dividends 
received during the period and 
assessed the appropriateness of the 
accounting treatment adopted.

Performed a review of revenue related 
journal entries focusing in particular 
on manual journals, journals posted 
around the year end date and raised in 
the processing and recording of special 
dividends.

28

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
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Risk

Our response to the risk

What we concluded to the Audit Committee

The results of our procedures identifi ed no 
material error in the valuation or existence of 
the investment portfolio assets. 

Based on the work performed, we had no 
matters to report. 

Incorrect valuation and existence of the 
investment portfolio

We performed the following 
procedures:

(as described on page 25 in the Report of the 
Audit Committee and as per the accounting 
policy set out on page 39)

The investment portfolio at the year-end 
comprised  listed securities of           £973m  
(2015: £856m).

The valuation of the assets held in the 
investment portfolio is the key driver of the 
Company’s net asset value and investment 
return. Incorrect valuation and existence 
of assets by the Company could have a 
signifi cant impact on portfolio valuation 
and, therefore, the return generated for 
shareholders. 

Obtained an understanding of the 
Administrator and the Manager’s 
processes and controls for the 
valuation of investments by performing 
walkthrough procedures, reviewing 
the Administrator’s and the Manager’s 
internal control reports and discussing 
with the Manager the governance 
structure and protocols for oversight of 
investment valuations. 

We agreed all investment holding 
prices to a relevant independent 
source. 

We have agreed the exchange rates 
used to translate the year end valuation 
of non-sterling investments to external 
sources.  

We recalculated the value of 
investments in foreign currencies 
to verify the accuracy of the 
corresponding sterling balances. 

We agreed all investment holdings 
in the portfolio to third party 
confi rmations received from the 
Custodian and the Depositary. 

 The scope of our audit 
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit 
scope for the  Company. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the fi nancial statements. We take into account 
size, risk profi le, the organisation and effectiveness of controls, changes in the business environment and other factors such as 
recent Service Organisation Control (‘SOC’) reporting when assessing the level of work to be performed.  

Our application of materiality  
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identifi ed misstatements 
on the audit and in forming our audit opinion.   

Materiality 
 The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to infl uence 
the economic decisions of the users of the fi nancial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and 
extent of our audit procedures. 

We determined materiality for the  Company to be £8.8m million (2015: £7.6 million), which is 1% (2015: 1%) of total net assets.  
We believe that total net assets is the most important fi nancial metric on which shareholders judge the performance of the 
Company.   

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

29

 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
TO THE MEMBERS OF TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Performance materiality 
 The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level.  It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality. 

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the  Company’s overall control environment, our 
judgement was that performance materiality was 75% (2015: 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £6.6m (2015: £5.7m).  
We have set performance materiality at this percentage due to our past experience of the audit that indicates a lower risk of 
misstatements, both corrected and uncorrected. 

Given the importance of the distinction between revenue and capital for the  Company we also applied a separate testing 
threshold of £1.5m (2015: £1.3m) for the revenue column of the income statement, being 5% of the revenue profi t before 
taxation. 

Reporting threshold 
 An amount below which identifi ed misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial. 

We agreed with the audit committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of £440k 
(2015: £380k), which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light 
of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion. 

Scope of the audit of the fi nancial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the fi nancial statements suffi cient to give 
reasonable assurance that the fi nancial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This 
includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the  Company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of signifi cant accounting estimates made by the directors; 
and the overall presentation of the fi nancial statements. In addition, we read all the fi nancial and non-fi nancial information 
in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited fi nancial statements and to identify any information 
that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course 
of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 27, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the fi nancial statements and for being satisfi ed that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
and express an opinion on the fi nancial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing 
(UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report 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.  

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 

• 

the part of the Report on Directors’ Remuneration to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006; and

•  based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• 

the information given in the Strategic Report and the Report of Directors for the fi nancial year for which the fi nancial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the fi nancial statements ;

• 

the Strategic Report and the Report of Directors have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

30

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
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We have no 
exceptions to report. 

We have nothing 
material to add or to 
draw attention to. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

ISAs (UK and 
Ireland) reporting 

 We are required to report to you if, in our opinion, fi nancial and non-fi nancial 
information in the annual report is: 

We have no 
exceptions to report. 

(cid:129) m aterially inconsistent with the information in the audited fi nancial statements; or 

(cid:129)  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our 

knowledge of the  Company acquired in the course of performing our audit; or 

(cid:129) otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report whether we have identifi ed any inconsistencies 
between our knowledge acquired in the course of performing the audit and the 
directors’ statement that they consider the annual report and accounts taken as a 
whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the entity’s performance, business model and strategy, 
  and whether the annual report appropriately addresses those matters that we 
communicated to the audit committee that we consider should have been disclosed. 

 Companies Act 
2006 reporting 

 In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment 
obtained in the course of the audit, we have identifi ed no material misstatements in the 
Strategic Report  or Report of Directors .

We have no 
exceptions to report. 

We are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

(cid:129)  adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit 

have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

(cid:129)  the fi nancial statements and the part of the Report of Directors’ Remuneration to be 

audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

(cid:129) certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specifi ed by law are not made; or

(cid:129) we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

We are required to review:

(cid:129)  the directors’ statement in relation to going concern, set out on page  17, and longer-

term viability, set out on page 12 ; and

(cid:129)  the part of the Corporate Governance Report relating to the  Company’s compliance 
with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specifi ed for our review 

Listing Rules review 
requirements 

Statement on the Directors’ Assessment of the Principal Risks that Would Threaten 
the Solvency or Liquidity of the Entity 

 ISAs (UK and 
Ireland) reporting 

 We are required to give a statement as to whether we have anything material to add or 
to draw attention to in relation to:

(cid:129)  the directors’ confi rmation in the annual report that they have carried out a robust 

assessment of the principal risks facing the entity, including those that would threaten 
its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

(cid:129)  the disclosures in the annual report that describe those risks and explain how they are 

being managed or mitigated;

(cid:129)  the directors’ statement in the fi nancial statements about whether they considered it 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and 
their identifi cation of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue to do 
so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the fi nancial 
statements; and

(cid:129)  the directors’ explanation in the annual report as to how they have assessed the 

prospects of the entity, over what period they have done so and why they consider that 
period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifi cations or assumptions. 

 Ashley Coups (Senior statutory auditor) 
 for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor 
 London

February 2017    

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

31

 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS CONTINUED

32

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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FINANCIAL REPORT

 34   Statement of Comprehensive Income

 35   Statement of Changes in Equity

 36   Statement of Financial Position

 37   Statement of Cash Flows

 38   Notes to the Financial Statements

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Investment Income

Other operating income

Notes

4

4

Revenue
£000

 34,069

 5

 34,074

2016

Capital
£000

 –

 –

 –

Total
£000

 34,069

 5

Revenue
£000

31,243

10

 34,074

31,253

2015

Capital
£000

–

–

–

Total
£000

31,243

10

31,253

Profi t/( losses) on investments

Profi t/( losses) on investments held at fair 
value through profi t or loss

12(b)

Total income

Expenses

Management fees

Other expenses

Profi t/(loss) before fi nance costs and tax

Finance costs

Profi t/(loss) before tax

Tax

 –

 34,074

 128,792

 128,792

 128,792

 162,866

–

31,253

(31,615)

(31,615)

(31,615)

(362)

6

7

8

9

 (1,380)

 (6 33)

 32,0 61

 (2,645)

 29,4 16

 (163)

 (1,990)

 (1,039)

 (3,370)

 (1,6 72)

 125,763

 157,8 24 

 (4,012)

 (6,657)

 121,751

 151,1 67

 –

 (163)

(1,374)

(581)

29,298

(2,635)

26,663

–

(1,980)

(1,282)

(34,877)

(4,000)

(38,877)

–

(3,354)

(1,863)

(5,579)

(6,635)

(12,214)

–

Profi t/(loss) for the year

 29,2 53

 121,751

 151,0  04

26,663

(38,877)

(12,214)

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

11

 43.7 4p

 182.06p

 225.8 0p

39.87p

(58.14p)

(18.27p)

The total column of this statement represents the Statement of Comprehensive Income prepared in accordance with IFRS. 
The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns are both prepared under guidance issued by the Association 
of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

No operations were acquired or discontinued during the year.

The Company does not have any income or expense that is not included in net profi t for the year. Accordingly, the 
net profi t for the year is also the Total Comprehensive Income for the Year, as defi ned in IAS1 (revised).

The notes on pages  38 to  48 form an integral part of the fi nancial statements.

34

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Balance at 1 January 2015

Unclaimed dividends

(Loss)/profi t for the year

 Dividends paid to equity shareholders

Balance at 31 December 2015

Unclaimed dividends

 Profi t for the year

 Dividends paid to equity shareholders

Balance at 31 December 2016

Notes

Ordinary 
share capital
£000

 16,719

Share 
premium 
account
£000

9 6,040

–

–

–

Capital 
reserves
£000

652,304

–

(38,877)

–

–

–

–

16,719

96,040

613,427

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

121,751

–

16,719

96,040

735,178

10

10

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Retained 
earnings
£000

Total 
equity
£000

34,381

799,444

35

26,663

(31,510)

29,569

24

29,2 53

(26,843)

32,0 0 3

35

(12,214)

(31,510)

755,755

24

151,0  04

(26,843)

879,9 40

As at 31 December 2016 the Company had distributable revenue reserves of £ 32,0 03,000 (2015: £29,569,000) and distributable 
realised capital reserves of £596,215,000 (2015: £573,113,000) for the payment of future dividends. The only distributable 
reserves are the retained earnings and realised capital reserves.

The notes on pages  38 to  48 form an integral part of the fi nancial statements.

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

35

 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

Non-current assets

Investments held at fair value through profi t or loss

Current assets

Receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Interest bearing borrowings

Payables

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing borrowings

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders

Ordinary share capital

Share premium

Capital reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Net asset value per share

31 December 2016

31 December 2015

Notes

£000

£000

£000

£000

12

13

14

14

15

16

17

18 

20

 973,353

855,625

 4,266

 17,340

2,722

12,262

 21,606

 994,959

(25,000)

 (1,1 69)

  968,790

 ( 88,850)

 879,9 40

14,984

870,609

–

(1,074)

869,535

(113,780)

755,755

 16,719

 96,040

 735,178

 32,0 03

16,719

96,040

613,427

29,569

 879,9 40

 1,315.8 4p

755,755

1,130.14p

The notes on pages  38 to  48 form an integral part of the fi nancial statements.

The fi nancial statements on pages  34 to  48 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 
1 7 February 2017. They were signed on its behalf by:

J Reeve
Chairman

36

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Cash fl ows from operating activities

 Profi t/(loss) before tax

Adjustments for:

(Gains)/l osses on investments  

Finance costs  

Purchases of investments1 

Sales of investments1    

Dividend income 

Interest income 

Dividend received   

 Interest received   

Decrease in receivables

Increase in payables

Overseas withholding tax suffered   

Net cash fl ows from operating activities

Cash fl ows from fi nancing activities 

 Issue costs relating to 4.05% Private Placement Loan

Unclaimed dividends

Interest paid on borrowings

Equity dividends paid

Net cash used in fi nancing activities

Net increase/ (decrease)   in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

2016

2015

Notes

£000

£000

£000

£000

 151,   167

(12,214)

 (128,792) 

 6,657 

(335,164)

346,228

(32,841)

(1,233)

32,078

1,683

(1,231)

95

(163)

12(b)

8

12(a)

12(a) 

 4

4

9

10

31,615 

6,635 

(360,358)

346,899

(29,919)

(1,334)

30,662

1,344

(218)

10

–

(112,683)

38,484

 –

 24

 (6,58 7)

 (26,843)

 (33,40 6)

 5,078

 12,262

 17,340

25,335

13,121

(24)

35

(6,585)

(31,510)

(38,084)

(24,963)

37,225

12,262

1 Purchases and sales of investments are considered to be operating activities of the Company, given its purpose, rather than investing activities. 

The notes on pages  38 to  48 form an integral part of the fi nancial statements.

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

37

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
 
  
   
  
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting
The fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’), which 
comprise standards and interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’), and International 
Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee interpretations approved by the International Accounting 
Standards Committee (‘IASC’) that remain in effect, and to the extent that they have been adopted by the European Union.

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Company are set out below. Where presentational guidance set out in the 
Statement of Recommended Practice (‘SORP’) for investment trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies (‘AIC’) 
in November 2014 is consistent with the requirements of IFRS, the directors have sought to prepare the fi nancial statements on 
a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP.

All values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds unless otherwise indicated.

Presentation of Statement of Comprehensive Income 
In order better to refl ect the activities of an investment trust company and in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, 
supplementary information which analyses the Statement of Comprehensive Income between items of a revenue and capital 
nature has been presented alongside the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Income
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the Company’s right to receive payment has been established, 
normally the ex-dividend date.

Where the Company has elected to receive its dividends in the form of additional shares rather than cash, the amount of 
cash dividend foregone is recognised as income. Any excess in the value of shares received over the amount of cash dividend 
foregone is recognised as a gain in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate 
applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the fi nancial 
asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

Special dividends are credited to capital or revenue according to their circumstances.

Foreign Currency
The fi nancial statements are prepared in Pounds Sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in 
which the Company operates.

The primary objective of the Company is to generate returns in Pounds Sterling, its capital-raising currency. The liquidity of the 
Company is managed on a day-to-day basis in Sterling as the Company’s performance is evaluated in that currency. Therefore, 
the directors consider Pounds Sterling as the currency that most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying 
transactions, events and conditions.

Transactions involving foreign currencies are converted at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Foreign 
currency monetary assets and liabilities as well as instruments carried at fair value are translated into Pounds Sterling at the 
exchange rate ruling on the year-end date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the Statement 
of Comprehensive Income.

Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on the accruals basis. In respect of the analysis between revenue and capital items presented 
within the Statement of Comprehensive Income, all expenses have been presented as revenue items except as follows:

•  Transaction costs which are incurred on the purchases or sales of investments designated as fair value through 

profi t or loss are expensed to capital in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

•  Expenses are split and presented partly as capital items where a connection with the maintenance or enhancement of the 

value of the investments held can be demonstrated and, accordingly, the investment management fee and fi nance costs 
have been allocated 40% to revenue and 60% to capital, in order to refl ect the directors’ long term view of the nature of 
the expected investment returns of the Company.

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. The tax currently payable is based on the 
taxable profi t for the year. The taxable profi t differs from profi t before tax as reported in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income 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 a blended rate as 
applicable throughout the year.

In line with the recommendations of the SORP, the allocation method used to calculate tax relief on expenses presented 
against capital returns in the supplementary information in the Statement of Comprehensive Income is the ‘marginal basis’. 
Under this basis, if taxable income is capable of being entirely offset by expenses in the revenue column of the income 
statement, then no tax relief is transferred to the capital  column.

38

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities in the fi nancial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profi t and 
is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary 
differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profi ts will be available against 
which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is 
realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the revenue return  of the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except when it 
relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Investment trusts which have approval under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are not liable for taxation on 
capital gains.

Irrecoverable withholding tax is recognised on any overseas dividends on an accruals basis using the applicable rate for the 
country of origin.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and fi nancial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Company becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Company shall offset fi nancial assets and fi nancial liabilities if it has a 
legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and interests and intends to settle on a net basis. Financial assets 
and liabilities are derecognised when the Company settles its obligations relating to the instrument.

Receivables
Receivables do not carry any interest, are short term in nature and are accordingly stated at their nominal value as reduced 
by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.

Investments
Investments held at fair value through profi t or loss are initially recognised at fair value, being the consideration given and 
excluding transaction or other dealing costs associated with the investment.

After initial recognition, investments are measured at fair value through profi t or loss. Gains or losses on investments measured 
at fair value through profi t or loss are included in net profi t or loss as a capital item and transaction costs on acquisition or 
disposal of investments are expensed. For investments that are actively traded in organised fi nancial markets, fair value is 
determined by reference to stock exchange quoted market bid prices at the close of business on the year-end date.

All purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date, i.e. the date that the Company commits to purchase 
or sell an asset.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classifi ed according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An 
equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Interest bearing borrowings
Interest bearing borrowings, being the debenture stocks and loan issued by the Company, are initially recognised at a carrying 
value equivalent to the proceeds received net of issue costs associated with the borrowings. After initial recognition, interest 
bearing borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The fair value is 
determined by reference to quoted market mid prices at close of business on the year-end date.

Payables
Payables are non interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

Equity dividends payable
Equity dividends payable are recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive payment is established.

Finance costs
Interest payable on the debenture stocks and loan in issue is accrued on the effective interest rate basis. In accordance 
with the expected long term division of returns, 40% of the interest for the year is charged to revenue, and the other 60% is 
charged to capital, net of any incremental corporation tax relief.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (which are presented as a single class of asset on the Statement of Financial Position) comprise cash 
at bank and in hand and deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

The carrying value of these assets approximates their fair value.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

39

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the Company’s fi nancial statements requires the directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts recognised in the fi nancial statements and disclosure of contingent liabilities. However, 
uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the 
carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in future periods. There have been no signifi cant judgements, estimates or 
assumptions for the current or preceding fi nancial year.

3  ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS 

At the date of authorisation of these fi nancial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations, which have not been 
applied in these fi nancial statements, were in issue but were not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by 
the European Union):

   IAS 1 Amendment Discloure Initiative 
 IAS 7 Amendment Discloure Initiative 
 IAS 12 Amendment Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses 
 IAS 34 Amendment (AI 2013-14) Disclosure of information ‘ elsewhere in the interim report ’ 
 IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
 IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
 IFRS 15 Amendment – Clarifi ca tion  

The Company does not believe that there will be a material impact on the fi nancial statements from the adoption of these 
standards/interpretations.

4 

INCOME

Income from investments

UK dividends

UK REITs

Overseas dividends

Interest from fi xed interest securities

Other income

Deposit interest

Total income

Investment income comprises:

Listed investments

5  SEGMENTAL REPORTING

2016
£000

 30,634

 525

 1,682

 1,228

 34,069

 5

 34,074

 34,069

 34,069

2015
£000

27,212

749

1,958

1,324

31,243

10

31,253

31,243

31,243

The directors are of the opinion that the Company is engaged in a single segment of business being investment business.

6 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE

Investment management fee

Secretarial fee

2016

Capital
£000

  1,990

 –

 1,990

Revenue
£000

  1,326

 54

 1,380

Total
£000

  3,316

 54

 3,370

Revenue
£000

 1,320

54

1,374

2015

Capital
£000

 1,980

–

1,980

Total
£000

 3,300

54

3,354

As at 31 December 2016 an amount of £ 870,483 (2015: £761,789) was payable to the Manager in relation to  management fees 
for the quarter ended 31 December 2016.

Details of the terms of the investment management agreement are provided on page  17.

40

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

7  OTHER EXPENSES

Transaction costs on fair value 
through profi t or loss assets1

Directors’ fees (see Report on 
Directors Remuneration on page 2 0)

Registrar’s fees

AIC membership costs

Marketing costs

Printing & postage

Directors’ liability insurance

Auditor’s remuneration – annual audit2

– non audit fee

Stock exchange fees

FCA fee

Depositary fee

Safe custody fees

Other expenses

Revenue
£000

2016

Capital
£000

Total
£000

Revenue
£000

 –

 163

 12 5

 21

 25

 37

 15

 31

  3

 22

 20

  95

 11

  65

 1,039

 1,039

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

– 

 –

 –

 163

 12 5

 21

 25

 37

 15

 31

  3

 22

 20

  95 

 11

  65

–

160

111

21

29

35

14

30

2

24

22

87

15

31

2015

Capital
£000

Total
£000

1,282

1,282

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

160

111

21

29

35

14

30

2

24

22

87

15

31

 6 33

 1,039

 1,6 72

581

1,282

1,863

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1 

 Transaction costs on fair value through profi t or loss assets represent such costs incurred on both the purchase and sale of those assets.
Transaction costs on purchases amounted to £ 898,478 (2015: £1,147,897) and on sales amounted to £ 140,080 (2015: £134,285).

2   During the year there were audit fees of £ 25,000 (2015: £25,000) (excluding VAT) paid to the Auditor. 

All expenses are inclusive of VAT where applicable.  

 8  FINANCE COSTS

Interest on borrowings

9.875% debenture stock 2017

5.5% debenture stock 2021

4.05% Private placement loan 20281

Bank interest payable

Total fi nance costs

Revenue
£000

2016

Capital
£000

Total
£000

Revenue
£000

 990

 838

 812

 2,640

 5

 2,645

 1,486

 1,276

 1,250

 4,012

 –

 4,012

 2,476

 2,114

 2,062

 6,652

 5

 6,657

988

836

810

2,634

1

2,635

2015

Capital
£000

1,481

1,272

1,247

4,000

–

4,000

Total
£000

2,469

2,108

2,057

6,634

1

6,635

The amortisation of the debenture and loan issue costs is calculated using the effective interest method.

1  The 4.05% Private Placement Loan contains the following principal fi nancial or other covenants, with which failure to comply could necessitate the early repayment of the loan:

•  net tangible assets of at least £275 million

•  aggregate principal amount of fi nancial indebtedness not to exceed 50% of net tangible assets

•  prior approval by the note holder of any change of Manager

•  prior approval by the note holder of any change in the Company’s investment objectives and policies

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

41

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

9  TAXATION

(a)  There is no corporation tax payable (2015: nil).

(b)  The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profi t per the Statement of Comprehensive Income as follows:

Profi t/(loss) before taxation

Tax at UK corporation tax rate of 20. 00% 
(201 5:2 0. 25%)

Tax effects of:

Non-taxable gains on investments

Disallowed expenses

Non-taxable UK dividends1

 Overseas withholding    tax suffered

Non-taxable overseas dividends1

Increase in excess management expenses 
in the year2

Total tax charge for the year

Revenue
£000

 29,4 16

2016

Capital
£000

 121,751

Total
£000

 151,1 67

Revenue
£000

26,663

2015

Capital
£000

(38,877)

Total
£000

(12,214)

 5,8 83

 24,350

 30,2 33

5,430

(7,871)

(2,441)

 –

 –

 (6,14 5)

  163 

 (316)

 57 8

 163

 (25,758)

 (25,758)

 208

 –

 –

 –

 1,200

 –

 208

 (6,14 5)

  163 

 (316)

 1,77 8

 163

–

–

(5,521)

–

(454)

545

–

6,401

259

–

–

–

1,211

–

6,401

259

(5,521)

–

(454)

1,756

–

1 Investment trusts are not subject to corporation tax on these items.

2  The Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset of £ 14, 013,219 (2015: £13,225,300) based on an effective tax rate of 20.0% (2015: 20.0%) arising as a result of having 

unutilised management expenses since, under current tax legislation, it is unlikely that the Company will obtain any benefi t  from the asset.

10  DIVIDENDS

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of 15.87p (2014: 23.33p) per share 

Interim dividends (three) for the year ended 31 December 2016 of 8.09p (2015: three payments of 7.93p) per share

2016
£000

 10,613

 16,230

 26,843

2015
£000

15,601

15,909

31,510

Proposed fi nal dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 of  16.18p (2015: 15.87p) per share

 10,820

10,613

The proposed fi nal dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not 
been included as a liability in these fi nancial statements. Therefore, also set out below is the total dividend payable in respect 
of these fi nancial years, which is the basis on which the requirements of Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are 
considered.

Interim dividends (three) for the year ended 31 December 2016 of 8.09p (2015: three payments of 7.93p) per share

Proposed fi nal dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 of  16.18p (2015: 15.87p) per share

2016
£000

 16,230

 10,820

  27,050

2015
£000

15,909

10,613

26,522

11  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per ordinary share

Revenue
pence

 43.7 4p

2016

Capital
pence

 182.06p

Total
pence

 225.8 0p

Revenue
pence

39.87p

2015

Capital
pence

(58.14p)

Total
pence

(18.27p)

The calculation of the above is based on revenue returns of £ 29,2 53,000 (2015: £26,663,000), capital returns of  £ 121,75 1,000  
(2015: (£38,877,000)) and total returns of  £ 151,0 04,000  (2015: (£12,214,000)) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares 
of  66,872,765 (2015: 66,872,765).

42

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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12  INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

(a) Movements in the year

Opening cost at 1 January 

Investment holding gains at 1 January

Opening fair value

Purchases at cost

Sales – proceeds

 – realised gains on sales

 Increase/(decrease) in investment holding gains

Closing fair value at 31 December

Closing cost at 31 December

Investment holding gains at 31 December

(b) Gains/(losses) on investments

Gains on sales of investments  based on historical book cost

Revaluation gains recognised in previous years

 Gains/(losses) on investments sold in the year based on carrying value at previous statement of fi nancial 
position date

 Increase/(decrease) in investment holding gains

2016
£000

2015
£000

 815,311

743,492

 40,314

130,289

 855,625

873,781

 335,164

360,358

 (346,228)

(346,899)

 30,143

 98,649

58,358

(89,973)

 973,353

855,625

 834,390

815,311

 138,963

40,314

 973,353

855,625

 30 ,143

58,358

(16,337)

(99,255)

13,806

(40,897)

  114,986

 9,282   

 128,792

(31,615)

All investments are listed.

(c) Fair value of fi nancial instruments
 FRS 102 requires an entity to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that refl ects the signifi cance of the 
inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following classifi cations:

•  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.

•  Level 2 – other signifi cant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayments, 

credit risk, etc). There are no level 2 fi nancial assets (2015: £nil).

•  Level 3 – signifi cant unobservable inputs (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining the fair 

value of investments). There are no level 3 fi nancial assets (2015: £nil).

 All of the Company’s investments are in quoted securities actively traded on recognised stock exchanges, with their fair 
value being determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. The total value of the investments of 
£ 973,353,000 (2015: £855,625,000) has therefore been determined as Level 1. 

Please refer to Note 22 on page  46 for the disclosure and fair value categorisation of the fi nancial liabilities.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

43

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13  RECEIVABLES

Accrued income

Other receivables

2016
£000

 2,757

 1,509

 4,266

2015
£000

2,437

285

2,722

The above receivables do not carry any interest and are short term in nature. The directors consider that the carrying values 
of these receivables approximate their fair value.

14    CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables

Accruals 

2016
£000

 1,1 69

 1,1 69

2015
£000

1,074

1,074

The above payables do not carry any interest and are short term in nature. The d irectors consider that the carrying values of 
these payables approximate their fair value. 

Interest bearing borrowings

9 7/8% Debenture stock 2017 

15  NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Interest bearing borrowings

Amounts payable after more than one year:

9  7/8  % Debenture stock 2017

5.5% Debenture stock 2021

4.05% Private placement loan 2028

2016
£000

 25,000

 25,000

2016
£000

   –

 38,535

 50,315

  88,850

2015
£000

–

–

2015
£000

25,000

38,491

50,289

113,780

  The 9.875% Debenture stock 2017 is secured by a fl oating charge over the assets of the Company. The stock is repayable at 
par on 31 December 2017. No issue costs were capitalised on the issue of this debenture. 

 The 5.5% Debenture stock 2021 is secured by a fl oating charge over the assets of the Company. The stock is repayable at 
par on 8 March 2021. 

 The 4.05% Private Placement Loan is secured by a fl oating charge over the assets of the Company. The loan is repayable at 
par on 3 September 2028. 

 16  ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

Issued, allotted and fully paid

Ordinary shares of 25p each

There were no shares issued during 201  6 (201 5: Nil) 

17  SHARE PREMIUM

Balance at 1 January 201 6

Premium arising on issue of new shares

Balance at 31 December 201 6

2016
Number

2015
Number

2016
£000

2015
£000

 66,872,765

66,872,765

 16,718,191

16,718,191

2016
£000

96,040

 –

96,040

2015
£000

96,040

–

96,040

44

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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18   CAPITAL RESERVES

The capital reserves comprise both realised and unrealised gains. A summary of the split is shown below.

Capital reserves – realised

Capital reserves – unrealised

2016
£000

 596,215

 138,963

 735,178

2015
£000

573,113

40,314

613,427

19  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

As at 31 December 2016 there were no contingent liabilities or capital commitments for the Company (2015: £nil).

20   NET ASSET VALUES

Ordinary shares of 25p each

Net asset 
value per 
ordinary share 
Pence

Net assets 
attributable 
£000

 1,315.8 4p

 879,9 40

The net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets at the year-end of £   879,9 40,000 (2015: £755,755,000) and on 
66,872,765 (2015: 66,872,765) ordinary shares in issue at the year-end.

21   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER

IAS 24 ‘Related party disclosures’ requires the disclosure of the details of material transactions between the Company and any 
related parties. Accordingly, the disclosures required are set out below:

Directors – The remuneration of the directors is set out in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on page  20. There were no 
contracts subsisting during or at the end of the year in which a director of the Company is or was interested and which are 
or were signifi cant in relation to the Company’s business. There were no other material transactions during the year with the 
directors of the Company.

At 31 December 2016 there was £ 40,797 (2015: £40,797) payable to the directors for fees and expenses.

Manager – Investec Fund Managers Limited is the Alternative Investment Fund Manager of the Company and has delegated 
portfolio management to Investec Asset Management Limited . Details of the services provided by the Manager and the fees 
paid are given on page   17.

 22   RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s investing activities undertaken in pursuit of its investment objective, as set out on page  9, involve certain 
inherent risks. The main fi nancial risks arising from the Company’s fi nancial instruments are market price risk, interest rate 
risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and currency risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks as 
summarised below. These policies have remained substantially unchanged during the current and preceding periods.

Market price risk
Market price risk arises mainly from uncertainty about future prices of fi nancial instruments used in the Company’s business. It 
represents the potential loss the Company might suffer through holding market positions in the face of price movements. The Board 
meets on seven scheduled occasions in each year and at each meeting it receives suffi cient fi nancial and statistical information 
to enable it to monitor adequately the investment performance and status of the business. In addition, fi nancial information is 
circulated to the directors on a monthly basis. The Board has also established a series of investment parameters, which are reviewed 
annually, designed to limit the risk inherent in managing a portfolio of investments. The Company’s borrowings have the effect 
of increasing the market risk faced by shareholders. This gearing effect is such that, for example, for a 10% movement in the 
valuation of the Company’s investments, the net assets attributable to shareholders would move by approximately  11.1%. 

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk of movements in the value of fi nancial instruments or interest income cash fl ows that arise as a 
result of fl uctuations in interest rates. The Company fi nances its operations through retained profi ts including capital profi ts, 
and additional fi nancing is obtained through the two debenture stocks in issue and the Private Placement Loan, on all of 
which interest is paid at a fi xed rate.

Liquidity risk
The Company’s assets comprise mainly readily realisable securities, which can be sold to meet funding commitments if 
necessary. Short term fl exibility is achieved through the use of cash balances and short term bank deposits.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

45

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22  RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a fi nancial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to 
incur a fi nancial loss. This is mitigated by the Manager reviewing the credit ratings of broker counterparties. The risk attached 
to dividend fl ows is mitigated by the Manager’s research of potential investee companies. The Company’s custodian is 
responsible for the collection of income on behalf of the Company. Cash is held either with reputable banks with high quality 
external credit ratings or in liquidity/cash funds providing a spread of exposures to various underlying banks in order to 
diversify risk. The carrying amounts of fi nancial assets represent their maximum exposure to credit risk. The full portfolio can 
be found on pages 1 4 to 1 5.

Currency risk
The income and capital value of the Company’s investments and liabilities can be affected by exchange rate movements as 
some of the Company’s assets and income are denominated in currencies other than Pounds Sterling which is the Company’s 
reporting currency. The key areas where foreign currency risk could have an impact on the Company are:

•  movements in rates that would affect the value of investments and liabilities; and

•  movements in rates that would affect the income received.

The Company had the following currency exposures, all of which are included in the Statement of Financial Position at fair 
value based on the exchange rates ruling at the respective year-ends. They are not representative of the currency exposures 
during the year as a whole.

31 December 2016

Investments
£000

Cash
£000

Receivables
£000

Payables
£000

Euro

US Dollar

NOK

Pounds Sterling

Euro

US Dollar

Pounds Sterling

 18,134

 103,753

17,786

 833,680

 973,353

Investments
£000

49,631

55,003

750,991

855,625

 –

 1

1

 17, 338

 17, 340

Cash
£000

236

–

12,026

12,262

Non-current
liabilities
£000

 –

 –

–

 –

 –

–

 (1,1 69)

 (1,1 69)

 (113,850)

 (113,850)

 328

 –

–

 3,938

 4,266

31 December 2015

Receivables
£000

Payables
£000

124

1,102

1,496

2,722

–

–

(1,074)

(1,074)

Non-current
liabilities
£000

–

–

(113,780)

(113,780)

Total
£000

 18,462

 103,754

17,787

 739,  937  

 879,9 40

Total
£000

49,991

56,105

649,659

755,755

 Foreign currency sensitivity 
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the profi t after tax for the year and the net assets for the year in relation to 
foreign exchange movements in Euro, NOK and US Dollar.     The analysis below assumes that the Euro, NOK and US Dollar 
exchange rates may move +/-2% against Pounds Sterling.

Projected movement

Effect on net assets for the year

Effect on capital return

£000

+2%

  2,800

 2,793

£000

-2%

  (2,800)

 (2,793)

Financial assets – Interest rate risk
The majority of the Company’s fi nancial assets are equity shares and other investments which neither pay interest nor have 
a maturity date. The Company’s fi xed interest holdings have a market value of £ 79,15 3,000, representing  9% of net assets of 
£ 879,9 40,000  (2015: £78,118,000; 10.34%). The weighted average running yield as at 31 December 2016 was  1.6% (2015: 4.9%) 
and the weighted average remaining life was  1.9 years (2015: 2.0 years). The Company’s cash balance of £ 17,340,000 (2015: 
£12,262,000) earns interest, calculated on a tiered basis, depending on the balance held, by reference to the base rate.

If the bank base rate had increased by 0.5%, the impact on the profi t or loss and net assets would have been a positive £ 86,700 
(2015: £61,309). If the bank base rate had decreased by 0.5%, the impact on the profi t or loss and net assets would have been 
a negative £ 86,700 (2015: negative £61,309). The calculations are based on the cash balances at the respective balance sheet 
dates and are not representative of the year as a whole.

46

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

Financial liabilities – Interest rate risk
All of the Company’s fi nancial liabilities of £ 11 5,019,000 (2015: £114,854,000) are denominated in Pounds Sterling. All current liabilities 
have no interest rate and are repayable within one year. The 9.875% debenture stock, the 5.5% debenture stock and the 4.05% 
Private Placement Loan, which are repayable in 2017, 2021 and 2028 respectively, pay interest at fi xed rates. The weighted average 
period until maturity of the loans is  7 years (2015: 8 years) and the weighted average interest rate payable is 6.0% (2015: 6.0%) p.a.

Other price risk exposure
If the investment valuation fell by 10% at 31 December 201 6, the impact on profi t or loss and net assets would have been 
negative £ 97.3 million (2015: negative £85.6 million). If the investment portfolio valuation rose by 10% at 31 December 2016, 
the impact on profi t or loss and net assets would have been positive £ 97.3 million (2015: positive £85.6 million). The calculations 
are based on the portfolio valuations as at the respective year-end dates and are not representative of the year as a whole.

The Company held the following categories of fi nancial instruments, all of which are included in the Statement of Financial 
Position at fair value or an approximation to fair value, with the exception of interest bearing borrowings which are shown at 
book value at 31 December 2016. The valuation techniques are explained in the Principal Accounting Policies note.

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Assets at fair value through profi t or loss

Cash

Loans and receivables

Investment income receivable

Other receivables

Payables

Interest bearing borrowings:

9.875% Debenture Stock1

5.5% Debenture Stock2

4.05% Private Placement Loan3

1 Effective interest rate is 9.875%
2 Effective interest rate is 5.583%
3 Effective interest rate is 4.133%

2016

2015

Book value
£000

Fair value
£000

Book value
£000

 973,353

 17,340

 973,353

 17,340

855,625

12,262

Fair value
£000

855,625

12,262

 2,757

 1,509

 (1,1 69)

 (25,000)

 (38,535)

 (50,315)

 2,757

 1,509

 (1,1 69)

 (27,500)

( 43,431)

 (54,843)

2,437

285

(1,074)

(25,000)

(38,491)

(50,289)

2,437

285

(1,074)

(28,568)

(43,010)

(52,018)

 879,9 40

 868,0 16

755,755

745,939

The 9.875% Debenture Stock 2017 and the 5.5% Debenture Stock 2021 are classifi ed as Level 1 instruments (2015: Level 1).

The 4.05% Private Placement Loan 2028 is classifi ed as a Level 2 instrument (2015: Level 2).

 Liquidity risk exposure
This is the risk that the Company will encounter diffi culty in meeting obligations associated with fi nancial liabilities.

Contractual maturities of the fi nancial liabilities at the year end, based on the earliest date on which payment can be 
required, are as follows:

2016

2015

Three 
months 
or less
£000

Not more 
than one 
year
£000

More 
than one 
year
£000

Three 
months 
or less
£000

Not more 
than one 
year
£000

More 
than one 
year
£000

Total
£000

Total
£000

Creditors: amounts falling due 
after more than one year

Debenture stocks and Loan

 2,058

  29,526

 1  17,590

 149,174

2,058

6,584

155,759

164,401

Creditors: amounts falling due 
within one year

Accruals and deferred income

 870

 2,928

  299

 –

 1,1 69

  59,351

 1 17,590

 150,3 43

766

2,824

308

–

1,074

6,892

155,759

165,475

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

47

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22  RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Capital management policies and procedures
The Company’s capital management objectives are to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern, 
and to provide long term growth in revenue and capital, principally by investment in UK securities.

The Company’s capital is its equity share capital and reserves that are shown in the Statement of Financial Position and 
debentures and fi xed term loan (see note 15) at a total of £  993, 790,000 (2015: £869,535,000).

The Company is subject to several externally imposed capital requirements:

•  as a public company, the Company has a minimum share capital of £50,000.

• 

• 

in order to be able to pay dividends out of profi ts available for distribution by way of dividends, the Company has 
to be able to meet one of the two capital restriction tests imposed on investment companies by company law.

the terms of the debenture trust deeds have various covenants that prescribe that moneys borrowed should not exceed the 
adjusted total capital and reserves as defi ned in the debenture trust deeds. The Note Purchase Agreement governing the 
terms of the Private Placement Loan also contains certain fi nancial covenants. These are measured in accordance with the 
policies used in the annual fi nancial statements.

The Company has complied with all of the above requirements.

   OTHER INFORMATION 

Securities Financing and Total Return Swap Disclosure
During the year the Company did not engage in securities lending or any total return swaps.

Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive
In accordance with the AIFM Directive, information in relation to the Company’s leverage and the remuneration of the 
Company’s AIFM, Investec Fund Managers Limited (‘IFM’), is required to be made available to investors. In accordance with the 
Directive, the AIFM remuneration policy is available at www. investecassetmanagement.com or from the Company Secretary 
on request (see contact details on page  5 4  )  and the numerical remuneration disclosures in respect of the AIFM’s fi rst relevant 
reporting period (year ended 31 March 2016)  are also available at www  .investecassetmanagement.com  .

Leverage
For the purposes of the AIFM Directive, leverage is any method which increases the Company’s exposure, including the 
borrowing of cash and the use of derivatives. It is expressed as a ratio between the Company’s exposure and its net asset 
value and can be calculated on a gross and a commitment method. Under the gross method, exposure represents the sum of 
the Company’s positions after the deduction of sterling cash balances, without taking into account any hedging and netting 
arrangements. Under the commitment method, exposure is calculated without the deduction of sterling cash balances and 
after certain hedging and netting positions are offset against each other. The Company’s maximum and actual leverage levels 
at 31 December 2016 are shown below:

Leverage Exposure

Maximum limit

Actual

Gross 
method

Commitment 
method

250%

 115%

200%

 117%

Remuneration
Remuneration paid for 2016 to all staff employed by the AIFM, split into fi xed and variable remuneration paid

IFML does not directly employ staff.

Aggregate remuneration paid for 2016 to senior management and members of staff whose actions have a m a terial 
impact on the risk profi le of IFM  

Other 
members of 
staff with 
material 
impact

£2,736

£837

2

Senior 
Management

£15,940

£132,839

7

Fixed Remuneration

Variable Remuneration

Number of Staff

48

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

NOTICE OF MEETING

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to the action you 
should take you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent fi nancial adviser 
authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 immediately.

If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your ordinary shares in Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC, please forward this 
document and the accompanying form of proxy as soon as possible to the purchaser or transferee or to the stockbroker, bank 
or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was or is being effected for delivery to the purchaser or transferee.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the  91st Annual General Meeting of Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC will be held 
at 11.00am on Monday 2 7 March 2017 at 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP for the following purposes:

ORDINARY BUSINESS:

1. 

 To approve the Company’s Annual Report and Financial Statements  for the year ended 31 December 2016 (together with 
the reports of the  directors and auditor thereon).

2.  To approve the report on directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2016.

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3.  To approve the Company’s remuneration policy.

4.  To declare a fi nal dividend of  16.18p per ordinary share.

5.  To re-elect Mr A T Copple as a director of the Company.

6.  To re-elect Mrs J F de Moller as a director of the Company.

7.  To re-elect Mr R W Jewson as a director of the Company.

8.  To re-elect Mr J Reeve as a director of the Company.

9.  To re-elect Dr L R Sherratt as a director of the Company.

10. To re-elect Mr D G C Webster as a director of the Company.

11.  To elect Mr N S L Lyons as a director of the Company.

12.  To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the auditor to the Company  and to authorise the audit committee to determine their 

remuneration.

SPECIAL BUSINESS:

To consider and, if thought fi t, pass the following resolutions:

ORDINARY RESOLUTION:

13.  That in substitution of all existing authorities the directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in 

accordance with Section 551 of  the Companies Act 2006 to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or 
to convert any security  into shares in the Company (‘Rights’) up to an aggregate maximum nominal amount of £1,671,819, 
being  10% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 1 7 February 2017 and representing 6,687,276 ordinary shares 
of 25p each in the capital of the Company (or if changed the number representing 10% of the issued share capital of the 
Company at the date at which this resolution is passed), provided that:

(i) 

(ii) 

 the authority granted shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2018 or 
15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, but  may be revoked or varied by 
the Company in general meeting and may be renewed by the Company in general meeting; and

 the said authority shall allow and enable the directors to make an offer or agreement before the expiry of that 
authority which would or might require shares to be allotted or Rights to be granted after such expiry and the 
directors may allot shares and grant Rights in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if that authority had 
not expired.

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TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTICE OF MEETING CONTINUED

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS:

1 4.  That, in substitution of all existing powers but, subject to the passing of resolution 1 3 set out above          , the directors be and 
they are hereby generally empowered pursuant to Section 570-573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) to allot equity 
securities (as defi ned in Section 560 of that Act) for cash,  including for the avoidance of doubt, the sale of shares held by 
the Company as treasury shares, in accordance with the authority conferred on them by this meeting to allot shares as 
if Section 561(i) of that Act did not apply to the allotment, provided that the power conferred by this resolution shall be 
limited to:

(i) 

(ii) 

 the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue, open offer or the pre-emptive offer in favour 
of ordinary shareholders where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of all ordinary 
shareholders are proportionate to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them on the record date of such 
allotment (but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the directors may deem necessary or expedient to 
deal with equity securities in relation to fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems under the law of or the 
requirements of any  regulatory body or any stock exchange in any territory or any other matter whatsoever); and

 the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub paragraph (i) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal 
value not exceeding £1,671,819, being 10% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 17 February 2017 and 
representing 6,687,276 shares of 25p each in the capital of the C ompany (‘Shares’) (or, if changed, the number 
representing 10% of the issued share capital of the C ompany at the date at which this resolution is passed), and 
provided further that (i) the number of equity securities to which this power applies shall be reduced from time 
to time by the number of treasury shares which are sold pursuant to any power conferred on the directors by 
resolution 13 set out above and (ii) no allotment of equity securities shall be made under this power which would 
result in Shares being issued at a price which is less than the higher of the Company’s estimated cum or ex income net 
asset value per Share as at the latest practicable time before such allotment of equity securities as determined by the 
directors in their reasonable  discretion; and

 such power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this 
resolution or 15 months from the date of passing this resolution, whichever is earlier, unless previously          revoked, varied 
or renewed by the Company in general meeting  and save that the Company may make an offer or agreement before this 
power has expired, which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may 
allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

                    1   5.  That the Company generally be and is hereby authorised for the purpose of Section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 

(the ‘Act’) to make one or more market purchases (as defi ned in Section 693 of the Act) of ordinary shares of 25p each in 
the capital of the Company (‘ordinary shares’) either for retention as treasury shares for future reissue, resale, transfer or 
cancellation provided that:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

 the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 14.99% of the issued share capital of 
the Company as at the date of the passing of this resolution;

 the minimum price (exclusive of expenses payable by the Company) which may be paid for such ordinary shares is 
25p per share;

 the maximum price (exclusive of expenses payable by the Company) which may be paid for such ordinary shares shall 
be 5% above the average of the market value of the share quotations taken from the London Stock Exchange Daily 
Offi cial List for the fi ve business days immediately before the purchase is made;

 the authority hereby conferred shall (unless previously renewed or revoked) expire at the end of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company to be held in 2018, or, if earlier, the date falling fi fteen months from the date of this 
resolution;

 the Company may make a contract to purchase its own 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 
make a purchase of its own shares in pursuance of any such contract.

By order of the Board of Directors 

M K Slade 
For Investec Asset Management Limited 
Secretary 

1 7 February 2017

50

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

Woolgate Exchange
25 Basinghall Street
 London EC2V 5HA

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
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SHOWN IS A PLAN OF THE 
LOCATION OF INVESTEC 
ASSET MANAGEMENT 
LIMITED, 2 GRESHAM STREET, 
LONDON EC2V 7QP WHERE 
THE ANNUAL GENERAL 
MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 
 MONDAY 27 MARCH 2017 AT 
11.00AM.

NOTES

1.   Entitlement to attend and vote 

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 Members who hold ordinary shares in the Company in uncertifi cated form must have been entered on the Company’s 
register of members by 6. 30pm on  23 March 2017 in order to be able to attend and vote at the meeting, or if the meeting 
is adjourned, 6. 30pm on the day two business days before the time fi xed for the adjourned meeting. Such members may 
only vote at the meeting in respect of ordinary shares held at the time.

2.   Proxies

 A member entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend the meeting to speak 
and vote on a show of hands and, on a poll, to vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A 
member wishing to appoint more than one proxy must appoint each proxy in respect of a specifi ed number of shares within 
his holding. For this purpose, a member may photocopy the enclosed Form of Proxy before completion and must indicate 
the number of shares in respect of which each proxy is appointed.

 Instruments of proxy should be sent to Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA 
so as to arrive no later than 11.00am on  23 March 2017. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude 
shareholders from attending and voting at the meeting in person should they wish to do so. 

 As an alternative to completing a hard copy Form of Proxy, you can appoint a proxy or proxies electronically by visiting 
www.sharevote.co.uk. You will need your Voting ID, Task ID and Shareholder Reference Number (this is the series of 
numbers printed at the top right-hand side of the Form of Proxy). Alternatively, if you have already registered with Equiniti 
Limited’s online portfolio service, Shareview, you can submit your Form of Proxy at www.shareview.co.uk. You may not use 
any electronic address provided in this notice of meeting to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than 
those expressly stated. Full instructions are given on both websites. To be valid, your proxy appointment(s) and instructions 
should reach Equiniti Limited no later than 11am on  23 March 2017.

 CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may 
do so for the meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST 
personal members or other CREST sponsored members and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service 
provider(s) should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) who will be able to take the appropriate 
action on their behalf. In order for a proxy appointment made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear’s specifi cations 
and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual (available via 
www.euroclear.com). The CREST message must be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA19) by 
not later than 48 hours (excluding non-working days) before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or the 
adjourned meeting. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp 
applied to the CREST message by the CREST Applications Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the CREST 
message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. 

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTICE OF MEETING CONTINUED

2.   Proxies continued

 After this time any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee 
through other means. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service provider(s), should 
note that Euroclear does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system 
timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the 
CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member(s) is/are a CREST personal member or sponsored member or 
has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that the CREST sponsor or voting service provider takes) such action 
as shall be necessary to ensure that a CREST message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular 
time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service provider(s) is/are 
referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and 
timings. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of 
the Uncertifi cated Securities Regulations 2001.

3.   Corporate representatives 

 A member of the Company which is a corporation may authorise a person or persons to act as its representative(s) at the 
AGM. In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, each such representative may exercise (on behalf 
of the corporation) the same powers as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company, 
provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares. It is no longer necessary to nominate a designated 
corporate representative.

4.   Nominated persons

 In accordance with Section 325 of the Companies Act 2006, the right to appoint proxies does not apply to persons 
nominated to receive information rights under Section 146 of the Act. Persons nominated to receive information rights 
under Section 146 of the Act who have been sent a copy of this notice of meeting are hereby informed, in accordance with 
Section 149 (2) of the Act, that they may have a right under an agreement with the registered member by whom they were 
nominated to be appointed, or to have someone else appointed, as a proxy for this meeting. If they have no such right, 
or do not wish to exercise it, they may have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the member as to the 
exercise of voting rights. Nominated persons should contact the registered member by whom they were nominated in 
respect of these arrangements.

5.   Members’ requests under Section 527 of the 2006 Act

 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 (i) 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 for the fi nancial year beginning 1 January 201 6; or (ii) any circumstance connected with an auditor of the 
Company appointed for the fi nancial year 1 January 201 6 ceasing to hold offi ce since the previous meeting at which annual 
accounts and reports were laid. The Company may not require the shareholders requesting any such website publication 
to pay its expenses in complying with Sections 527 or 528 (requirements as to website availability) 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 for the relevant fi nancial year includes any 
statement that the Company has been required under Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 to publish on a website.

6.   Members’ rights to ask questions

 Any member attending the meeting has the right to ask questions. The Company must cause to be answered any such 
question relating to the business being dealt with at the meeting but no such answer need be given if (a) to do so would 
interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or involve the disclosure of confi dential information, (b) the answer 
has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question, or (c) it is undesirable in the interests of the 
Company or the good order of the meeting that the question be answered.

7.   Inspection of documents
  None of the directors has a service contract with the Company.

8.   Total number of shares and voting rights 

 As at 1 7 February 2017, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this document, the Company had 66,872,765 
ordinary shares in issue with a total of 66,872,765 voting rights.

9.   Website

 In accordance with Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006, the contents of this notice of meeting, details of the total 
number of shares in respect of which members are entitled to exercise voting rights at the AGM and, if applicable, any 
members’ statements, members’ resolutions or members’ matters of business received by the Company after the date of 
this notice will be available on the Company’s website: www.templebarinvestments.co.uk.

52

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 2 Gresham Street, London EC2 V 7QP (see map on page  5 1 ), on 2 7 March 2017 at 
11.00am.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

The fi nancial calendar for 2017 is set out below:

Ordinary shares
Final dividend, 2016  – payable 

– ex-dividend 
– record date 

First interim dividend, 2017 
Second interim dividend, 2017 
Third interim dividend, 2017 
Final dividend, 2017   

9.875% Debenture Stock 2017
Interest payments 

5.5% Debenture Stock 2021
Interest payments 

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS

31 March 2017 
  9 March 2017 
 1 0 March 2017 
30 June 2017
 29 September 2017
 29 December 2017
End of March 2018

30 June and 31 December

8 March and 8 September

Cash dividends will be sent by cheque to the fi rst-named shareholder on the Register at his or her registered address together 
with a tax voucher. At shareholders’ request, dividends may instead be paid direct into the shareholder’s bank account through 
the Bankers’ Automated Clearing System (‘BACS’). This may be arranged by contacting the Company’s Registrar 
on 0371 384 2432.

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PRICE AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The Company’s ordinary shares and debenture stocks are traded on the London Stock Exchange. The market price of the 
ordinary shares is shown daily in the Financial Times, other leading newspapers and on the Company’s website.

SHARE REGISTER ENQUIRIES

The Company’s Registrar, Equiniti, maintains the share register. In the event of queries regarding your holding, please contact 
the Registrar on 0371 384 2432 (overseas +44 (0)121 415 7047). Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. 
Changes of name or address must be notifi ed in writing to the Registrar.

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SEDOL CODES FOR ORDINARY SHARES AND DEBENTURE STOCKS 

Ordinary shares  
9.875% Debenture Stock 2017  
5.5% Debenture Stock 2021  

0882532
0882640
0530529

The ISIN Number for the ordinary shares is GB0008825324

TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Local laws may require Temple Bar to disclose investor, holding and income data to UK and other tax authorities. This will only 
happen where required by law.

ASSOCIATION OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies, which produces monthly publications of detailed 
information on the majority of investment trusts. The Association of Investment Companies can be contacted by telephone 
on 020 7282 5555.

TEMPLE BAR WEBSITE

The Company’s own website can be found at www.templebarinvestments.co.uk and includes useful background information on 
the Company together with helpful downloads of published documentation such as previous Annual Reports .

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM)
Investec Fund Managers Limited
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Portfolio Manager, Alastair Mundy
Woolgate Exchange
25 Basinghall Street
London EC2V 5HA
Telephone No. 020 7597 2000

Independent auditor 
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place 
London SE1 2AF

Depositary, bankers and custodian 
HSBC Bank plc
Poultry
London EC2P 2BX

Stockbrokers
JPMorgan Cazenove
25 Bank Street 
Canary Wharf 
London E14 5JP

Solicitors
Eversheds LLP 
1 Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS

Registered offi ce 
Woolgate Exchange 
25 Basinghall Street 
London EC2V 5HA

Company Secretary
Investec Asset Management Limited, 
represented by Martin Slade

Registered number
Registered in England No. 214601

Registrar
Equiniti Limited
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex BN99 6DA

Telephone No:
+44 121 415 7047 (overseas shareholder helpline)
0371 384 2432 (shareholder helpline)*
0906 559 6025 (broker helpline)

*Lines open 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

54

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE

The return that an asset achieves over a period of time, relative to the investment itself.

ANNUAL MANAGEMENT FEE

The annual consideration paid to an asset management company for managing clients’ investments.

ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS

A performance-evaluation tool used to analyse the abilities of portfolio or fund managers. Attribution analysis 
uncovers the impact of the manager’s investment decisions with regard to overall investment policy, asset allocation, 
security selection and activity.

BENCHMARK

A comparative performance index.

BORROWING

See gearing.

BOTTOM-UP STOCK SELECTION

An investment approach that concentrates on the analysis of individual companies and considers the company’s history, 
management and potential as more important than macroeconomic trends.

CASH ALTERNATIVES/EQUIVALENT

Also known as cash equivalents. A class of investments considered relatively low-risk because of their high liquidity, 
meaning they can be quickly converted into cash. 

CONTRARIAN APPROACH

An investment style that goes against prevailing market trends. In very simple terms the approach is defi ned by buying
assets that are performing poorly and then selling when they perform well.

DEBENTURE STOCKS

A type of stock entitling the bearer to a certain fi xed dividend at set periods of time.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

An instrument whose value depends on the performance of an underlying security or rate which requires no initial 
exchange of principal. Options, futures and swaps are all examples of derivatives.

DIVERSIFICATION

Holding a range of assets to reduce risk.

DIVIDEND 

The portion of company net profi ts paid out to shareholders.

FIXED INTEREST 

Fixed interest securities, also known as bonds, are loans usually taken out by a government or company which normally 
pay a fi xed rate of interest over a given time period, at the end of which the loan is repaid.

FTSE ALL-SHARE INDEX

A comparative index that tracks the market price of the UK’s leading companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. 
Covering around 900 companies, including investment trusts, the name FTSE is taken from the Financial Times (FT) and 
the London Stock Exchange (SE), who are its joint owners.

FTSE 350 INDEX

A comparative index that tracks the market price of the UK’s 350 largest companies, by market value, listed on the 
London Stock Exchange. 

GEARING

In accounting terms, gearing is the amount of a company’s total borrowings divided by its share capital. High gearing means 
a proportionately large amount of debt, which may be considered more risky for equity holders. However, gearing also entails 
tax advantages. In investment analysis, a highly geared company is one where small changes in sales produce big swings in 
profi ts. Also known as leverage.

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

55

 
 
 
 
GILTS

A bond that is issued by the British government which is generally considered low risk. 

HEDGING 

A technique seeking to offset or minimise the exposure to a specifi c risk by entering an opposing position. 

LIQUIDITY

The ease with which an asset can be sold at a reasonable price for cash.

MARKET CAPITALISATION

The total value of a company’s equity, calculated by the number of shares multiplied by their market price.

NET ASSET VALUE

In a company context, the net asset value describes total assets minus total liabilities.

ONGOING CHARGE

This fi gure includes the annual management fee and administrative costs but excludes any performance fee or portfolio 
transaction costs. Ongoing charges may vary from year to year.

PEER COMPANIES

Companies that operate in the same industry sector and are of similar size.

RELATIVE PERFORMANCE

The return that an asset achieves over a period of time, compared to a benchmark.

SHARE BUYBACK 

When a company buys some of its own shares in the market, which leads to a rise in the share price. It changes the company’s 
debt-to-equity ratio and is a tax-effi cient alternative to paying out dividends.

STOCK LENDING

Also known as securities lending. The act of loaning a stock, derivative, or other security to an investor or fi rm. It requires the 
borrower to put up collateral, whether cash, security or a letter of credit. When a security is loaned, the title and the ownership 
is also transferred to the borrower.

TOTAL RETURN

Captures both the capital appreciation/depreciation of an investment as well as the income generated over a holding period.

VALUATION 

Determination of the value of a company’s stock based on earnings and the market value of assets.

YIELD 

A measure of the income return earned on an investment. In the case of a share the yield expresses the annual dividend 
payment as the percentage of the market price of the share. In the case of a bond the running yield (or fl at or current yield) is 
the annual interest payable as a percentage of the current market price. The redemption yield (or yield to maturity) allows for 
any gain or loss of capital which will be realised at the maturity date.

56

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

Temple Bar Investment Trust’s investment objective is to 
provide growth in income and capital to achieve a long term 
total return greater than the benchmark FTSE All-Share 
Index, through investment primarily in UK securities. The 
Company’s policy is to invest in a broad spread of securities 
with typically the majority of the portfolio selected from the 
constituents of the FTSE 350 Index.

CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT

GOVERNANCE REPORT

FINANCIAL REPORT

1   Summary of results

1 6   Directors

3 4   Statement of 

SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION

2  Chairman’s statement

1 7   Report of Directors

3   Ten year record

2 0   Report on directors’ 

4   Manager’s review

 8   Attribution analysis

 9   Overview of strategy

 14   Portfolio of investments

remuneration

2 2   Corporate governance

2 5   Report of the audit 

committee

2 7   Statement of directors’ 

responsibilities

 28   Independent auditor’s 

report

Comprehensive Income

 49   Notice of meeting

5  3    Useful information 
for shareholders

5  4    Management and 
administration

5  5   Glossary of terms

3 5   Statement of Changes 

in Equity

3 6   Statement of Financial 

Position

3 7   Statement of 
Cash Flows

 38   Notes to the Financial 

Statements

48  Other information

TEMPLE BAR INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 201 6

Perivan Financial Print   243596

   
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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016